By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

After starting the week on a rough note, the NRHEG softball team finished the regular season on a positive note.

The Panthers, who absorbed a 17-1 trouncing at Blooming Prairie Tuesday, bounced back to win their final three games in a row.

NRHEG, 15-3 overall and 7-3 in the conference, drew the No. 2 seed in the south half of Section 2AA. They defeated seventh-seeded Faribault Academies 9-6 Tuesday in the opening round of tournament play. They’ll next play Saturday, May 26 at 1 p.m. at Caswell Park in Mankato.

According to coach Wendy Schultz, the Panthers’ 6-2 nonconference victory over St. Clair last Friday was a good way to end a long week.

Jade Schultz pitched well, striking out 15 while allowing two earned runs on six hits. She walked five.

While I was working on this column about Memorial Day, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address came to mind. This was something many were required to memorize in grade school.

The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Consider the meaning of these few short sentences...

It is dawn, the stillness of the early morning of this most reverent day is broken only by the flapping of the flags which surround the cemetery. It is Memorial Day. It should be a day of reverence and thought...it should be a time to honor and embrace the lives and memories of those who lived and died, so we might be free. We might even take time to consider whether we would be willing to make that ultimate sacrifice. Do we still consider our freedom worth the price paid by others?

From the very first war in which our country was involved — the War for Independence — war has called our finest young men and women — citizens who were once a part of somebody's family, to defend and serve our country They had mothers and fathers, maybe sisters and brothers, a wife and children. They left their families at home to carry on as best as they could...many times these families endured hardships too hard to bear. They sacrificed their lives and livelihood.

The methods and types of war may have changed in intensity over the years but the human element is no different than it was all those years ago, and the sad truth is that in war, some of the human element will die. We will never know what was lost of their lifetimes.

Sometimes they were able to come back to join their families again, sometimes they weren’t. War left some families no longer complete. Buried in the graves which hold the dead servicemen and women are the people who gave their all for their country.

Those who died in the line of duty left families behind. We can only know some of the things that their passing caused for their families. We will never know what these people who gave their lives serving their country might have contributed to all of our lives had they lived.

History says Memorial Day really started with mothers who went to the site of the graves of Civil War soldiers (often while the war was still on) and decorated the graves of all those from the north and south. There was often no distinction of who the young men belonged to. He was somebody’s child and mothers are mothers. For that reason, it was called Decoration Day — the name which was in common use until after WW II. In the first half of the last century, Decoration Day also often was a time to visit and tend the graves of family members. It wasn’t until 1967 (at the height of the Vietnam War) that the name of the day was changed to Memorial Day, and it didn’t become an official Federal holiday until 1971. Since that time, it has become almost entirely focused on our military losses. I rather liked the concept of Decoration Day — the original meaning of Memorial Day — decorating the graves of our military heroes — but reaffirming our relationship with our ancestors. It serves as a reminder of who they were, who we are, and what is expected of us.

For the past 30 years there has been a ceremony of dropping a wreath in Fountain Lake in Albert Lea in front of the bandstand while the VFW or Legion conducted a ceremony. Dropping a wreath into the lake from an airplane, seaplane, or helicopter paid tribute to those lost in the air, at sea, or on the ground. The ceremony has been attended by hundreds of people. Last year, it was easy to count, as there were only 33 people there, including the color guard. Perhaps it was WW II, people were so tired after two big wars. Perhaps it was Korea, the first of the so-called “undeclared wars.” Perhaps it was the unpopularity of the Vietnam war, a war won on the battlefield but lost in Washington and in the press. Perhaps it was the end of the draft - there used to be a time when almost every man served in the military, and every family knew what that meant.

I have the greatest admiration for those families and individuals who generation after generation have realized the significance of honoring our service personnel, past and present on this day. Memorial Day should be a time of reverence, thought, reflection, as well as a time to remember the lives of those who died for their country.

Memorial Day services don’t just happen — they require work, planning and organization. Give thought and thanks to those who put up flags of honor for those who have served our country and later take them down at the close of the day. To those service organizations, scouts and individuals who honor their fellow Americans; to those who speak and march and play musical instruments in tribute; as well as all those who take this holiday seriously and make it memorable.

If nothing else, honor the National Moment of Remembrance. A resolution was passed back in the year 2000, which asks that at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day all Americans, voluntarily and informally, observe a moment of remembrance and respect by pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence.

Embrace this day. There is so much meaning there. Stretch your arms wide and soak up the energy there before you and then bow your head and say a silent prayer for all our servicemen and women, both the dead and the living.

Wars are wars, and though battles have changed in intensity one fact is still the same — unless you have been there you can not possibly know war. War takes a part out of the lives of those who serve. It has been said that the families of those in the military have joined the effort as well.

We are so very thankful that servicemen now have a chance to keep in touch with their families back home because of technology and a big improvement in communications — but speaking via Skype will never be the same as a touch, an embrace, or just spending time with someone missing from our lives.

For those who came back home there were adjustments, sometimes too hard to make. Taking time from their livelihood changed the focus of their life and that of their family. Children were often left for grandparents, relatives and even strangers to raise the best they knew how. There were those whose life changed because of loss of limb, eyesight and ability and there were those who gave their life for their country.

One veteran told me the nicest thing you can do is respect our flag. Stand and put your hand over your heart. Veterans now have the option of saluting. Look for them in a crowd and think God Bless America! Better yet, if you feel so inclined, say it out loud! Thank you.

Go to a parade, a sporting event, or anything patriotic, and people rarely pay attention any more to the flag. It is not that hard. When the flag passes by, stand at attention, take off your hat, put your hand over your heart (veterans have the option of saluting — note how few there are any more) and continue to do so until it has passed by.

 Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who gave their lives defending our country. Give thanks to all of our servicemen and women, both past and present, who helped to make this country that we love a great one.

When was the last time your family took the time to attend a Memorial Day service or to visit the gravesite of a family member? Resolve to do it this year - it won't take long - your family may learn something- and you'll feel good about doing it- you'll be "connected" with those who have made your own life easier. Your children will learn a lesson from your actions. They will know you are patriotic, thankful, and love your country. It is something I’ve learned from my own parents, and it is one of the most lasting things they have taught me.

Memorial Day Services — The Ellendale-Geneva Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8941 and the American Legion Post 286 of Ellendale will hold Memorial Day services on Monday, May 28th. 

Services will be held at Litomysal at 8:30 a.m.; St.Aidens at Bath at 9:15 a.m.; Geneva at 10:15; and Ellendale at 11:15. 

Well-known speaker Al Batt will be providing the address at the area cemeteries and the NRHEG band will provide music at the programs. 

All veterans are asked to fall out at the Ellendale Community Center at 8 a.m. on Monday morning.

God Bless America!

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family or school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news please contact me via e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, May 24th: David Christensen, Merlyn Swearingen, Marlyn Swearingen, Nina Widlund, Reta Draayer

• Friday, May 25th: Dakota Matthew Kath, his 7th: Riley Dean Disher, his 5th; Jack Harpel, Jackie Johnson Miller, Jim Pichner, Cara Christensen, Valerie Peterson, Richard Fetterly, Bill Nechanicky, Rick Miller, Deb Parks, Paul Reese, Troy & Kelly Utpadel, Dave & Barbara Van Gorkom

• Saturday, May 26th: Jeff Wayne, Roger Wangsness, Natalie Hanson, Jim Cummins, Jennifer Beaber, Jeremy Beaber, Melissa Redmon, Karey (Kalakian) & Chris Shearman

• Sunday, May 27th: Eileen Bergland, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Shane Callahan, Stacy Wobschall, Rev. Beaber, Theresa Kasper, Rick Loven, Carolee Broitzman George, Tracy Marcus, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Michael Butler, Steve & Karen Quam, Megan & Joel Cooper

• Monday, May 28th: Sara Beth Carlson, her 2nd; Lily Lee Olson, her 2nd; Madalyn Kehne, Madison Catherine Knudson, Susan Schmidt, Marie Fowler, Rick & Jenny Loberg, Gerritt & Kathy Molenaar

• Tuesday, May 29th: Brent Peterson, Deb Farr, Odean Otterson, Gene Pederson, Mark Butler, Ross Lein, Colin Quimby, Rod & Sandi Serdahl, John & Susan Oolman, Lily & Jerry Neitzel

• Wednesday, May 30th: Payton Allen Misgen, Daniel Larson, Molly Hanson, Chuck Crabtree, Shirley Nelson, Julie & Toby Oquist

May your special day blossom with many reasons to smile!

Another fishing opener is in the books and the weather couldn’t have been any better. This year’s opener was hosted by the community of Waconia which is located in the west Metro area. Lake Waconia is the second largest lake in the Twin Cities Metro area, second only to Lake Minnetonka.

When I first heard that this year’s opener was being held in the Metro area again, I didn’t know what to expect. Once I arrived in the area and had a chance to talk to some of the local folks, I realized that this was going to be another fun event. 

As each year’s opener approaches, I find it hard to imagine that an area can top the previous year. But, again, I was pleasantly surprised. The folks of Waconia went the extra mile and did an excellent job of showing the media and guests what their community is all about.

Hosting an event of this size takes a lot of work. It was estimated that there were over 300 volunteers working to make this all come together. The hosting of a Governor’s Opener is the communities chance to promote their area and attract tourism. The economic reward garnered from this event is immense. Tourism in all of Minnesota brings in an estimated $11.3 billion annually.

Lake Waconia is very scenic with some beautiful homes dotting the shoreline. It also has plenty of open land that is lined with trees. The lake has 3,080 acres of water with a maximum depth of 37-ft. There is a large 37 acre island on the lake that is named Coney Island after the famous island out east. 

Coney Island in Lake Waconia is not only a unique piece of land, it has an interesting history. The resort that once occupied the island was a destination for vacationers from the Twin Cities as well as those from out of state. At one time, the University of Minnesota football team even held practices on the island. As in all places with an historic past, legend has it that there were also some well-known gangsters that frequented the island back in the day.

Lake Waconia is one of the finest fisheries in the metro area. It is known for its variety of species and beautiful scenery, which make it a destination for thousands of visitors. Anglers revel in the size of the walleye, muskies (up to 4-1/2 feet in length) and bass. Pan fishermen find a vast resource of sunfish and crappies. And, the lake has seen a rejuvenation of the northern pike population. Whether you’re an angler who enjoys catching fish for the fry pan or to catch and release, you can find what you are looking for on beautiful Lake Waconia.

On Friday night, I met up with my friend Jeff Anderson, a sports broadcaster from Watertown South Dakota, who I have been fishing with for several years, and our fishing host at the Community Center. This year’s host, Charlie Christopherson, said he was excited about the chance to show us the lake and talk about the community. Charlie is 32, married and has two daughters that are 8 and 5 years old. 

When he talked about them his face would light up. On this day however, he would have to put up with hanging out with a couple of “old guys”.

Charlie works in Eden Prairie and his wife in Chanhassen so they decided to relocate to the small community of Saint Bonifacius just outside of Waconia. He likes to hunt and fish and is really into running; he has run in quite a few marathons. 

On this day however, he was trying to put Jeff and I on some walleye. He kept on talking about the lake having some sheepshead in it. I think that this was an omen because I ended up catching the largest one I have ever seen. 

It was a good fighter but not exactly the fish I had written down on my wish list. We caught a lot of perch that day. I even had a fish on that I couldn’t get to the boat. After a few minutes, it spit the hook. Most folks I talked to said that it was probably a muskie which is an abundant fish in this lake.

Charlie said that when he fishes Waconia, it is primarily for bass and muskie. He also said that it is a very good bass lake. There are not only a lot of muskie in the lake, but many are in the “lunker” category. The lake has a lot of good structure, which also makes for good walleye fishing. Plenty of crappies and sunnies also swim these waters.

One fisherman mentioned that he felt the sheepshead population was a big contributor to the rapid growth spurt of the muskies in the lake. Although there are plenty of walleye in the lake, we evidently were not in the right place at the right time. The days leading up to the opener were cool, cloudy and rainy, but Saturday was a perfect day weather-wise. 

A sunny, warm day with little or no breeze does not always make for a good fishing day for walleye. There were walleye caught on this day but none were taken by our group of fishermen. The largest registered that day was a 28-1/2 inch fish and the largest pike registered was 33-1/2 inches.

I mentioned to Charlie while we were fishing that you could take this community and “plunk” it down anywhere in rural Minnesota and it would blend in. Waconia truly does have the best of both worlds, the beauty of country living and the friendly small town atmosphere with all the assets of the metro area. I would definitely visit Waconia again.

— — –

Until next time, set aside some vacation time and enjoy a little fishing; it’s the best way to enjoy the outdoors.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.

There is a lot of fan disgruntlement with the Minnesota Twins. It’s one thing to have one lost season, it is quite another for two in a row. The first horrendous year could be chalked up to bad luck, injuries, etc. This year, not so much. 

Fans are beginning to question the team’s method of operations. The medical staff is getting its share of criticism. Why are there so many injuries, especially to the pitching staff? Scott Baker is a good example. At first, the problem was typical of Baker and all he needed was a couple of weeks off. But then, he needed minor surgery. Then it was Tommy John surgery. All this makes a person wonder if the medical staff knows what it’s doing.

The criticism has now broadened to include manager Ron Gardenhire along with pitching and hitting coaches Rick Anderson and Joe Vavra. Anderson seems to be the victim of circumstances and lack of talent. Not so with Vavre. His hitting philosophy seems to be hit the ball to the opposite field. 

Whenever this occurs, both Bert Blyleven and Dick Bremer go into peans of praise. "Now he’s hitting the ball where it is pitched!" I would rather Justin Morneau hit it where the fans in the upper deck are sitting. 

David Ortiz had to leave the Twins to become one of the finest sluggers of our time. When promising young Danny Valencia and Chris Parmalee have to be sent to Rochester to straighten our their swing, one begins to wonder.

The primary fan target seems to be Gardenhire. The 2010 American League Manager of the Year has sunk in fan estimation. His thinking of enjoy-the-game-and-have-fun has not been effective for a couple of years. Some people are wondering if more of a hard-nosed approach is needed. 

There are numerous examples of that type of management. Leo Durocher was a practitioner during the ‘50s. He is famous for the quote, "Nice guys finish last." Famed Ty Cobb was known for his competitiveness. Players of his era were known as tobacco chewing tough guys.

Is Gardenhire too soft? Does he need more of a tough attitude toward his players? I don’t think so. Managers have different approaches in this modern world. 

Durocher would not have gotten by with his player criticism and put-downs. The manager has many different player personalities on the club. And millionaire players with long contracts often times do not accept unfair public criticism or for that matter, fair criticism. Many times they’ll quit striving quite so hard, sit back and collect their paycheck.

Gardenhire says "enjoy the game" and "stay loose." He may be right, but I think that the problem runs deeper than player attitude. The Twins do not get players with the same mindset as players had years ago. We see players lacking fundamentals. I’ve seen high school players with more baseball knowledge than some Twins.

They don’t seem to love the game. If you really like baseball, you are out on the field practicing, getting better and gaining knowledge of the game. The old saying of "Practice makes perfect" is true. That pertains to mental as well as physical skills.

John Updike, perhaps our greatest living novelist had this to say: "If you presume to love something you must love the process of it." In other words, no matter if you’re a violinist or a baseball player, you need to gain knowledge and skills while practicing. When watching the Twins, it seems sometimes the love and knowledge of the game is missing and the game of baseball has become drudgery.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

"People have lost the ability to do nothing."

"It seems to come easy for you."

"The great ones make it look effortless."

Driving by the Bruces

I have two wonderful neighbors — both named Bruce — who live across the road from each other. Whenever I pass their driveways, thoughts occur to me, such as: money talks, but debt has an echo.

The natural way

A mosquito bit me.

I didn’t turn into a mosquito. Things like that happen. Apparently, if a vampire bites you, you become a vampire.

I’d like to be bitten by a billionaire.

 I was paddling the Missouri River in Montana when a beaver attacked my canoe. I saw the beaver near the edge of the river and decided to have a closer look. That proved to be a bad idea. The beaver came at me as though I’d said something bad about its momma. I curled into a ball as if I were about to be mugged by a bear. It made paddling difficult. The beaver interpreted my actions correctly as a complete surrender and swam off to pick on someone its own size. The river was uphill the rest of that day. I camped after being attacked by mosquito and beaver. I watched as a rattlesnake slithered past my tent. Dave Barry said that camping is nature’s way of promoting the motel industry.

Hotel hilarity

I checked into a hotel in Indiana. It was a few minutes past 7 in the evening. My schedule allowed me to sleep late in the morning, so I asked for a 7 o’clock wake-up call. "You just missed it," said the smiling hotel clerk.

Not long after that, I was staying in a fine hotel in Kentucky. I wanted to go birding in the morning, so I requested a wake-up call for 5 a.m.

The phone rang in the middle of a dream. I flailed about in the darkness until I located the telephone.

"Good morning, it’s 3 a.m.," said a perky voice.

My brain had not yet become fully engaged, so I hung up the phone.

At 3:30 a.m., the phone rang again. The hotel desk clerk had called back to apologize for the 3 a.m. wake-up call.

Greetings

Russ Wangen of Austin told me that he’d encountered a friend who greeted him with a, "Fine."

Russ asked, "How are you?" in return.

The order didn’t matter.

Volunteers volunteer

Lee Brickson of Albert Lea is with the Salvation Army. She said that volunteers can be difficult. When she was producing an appreciation banquet for Salvation Army volunteers, the volunteers that were being appreciated insisted on offering to help set things up for their own appreciation banquet. Good folks insist on helping those who are trying to help them.

Norwegians

Pastor David Hernes of Albert Lea got me the other day. He told me that there are only two kinds of people in the world. He said, "Those who are Norwegian..."

I was sure he was going to add, "…and those who wish they were."

David didn’t say that. What he said was, "…and those who are glad they aren’t."

He got me.

Account from Alaska

I was in Alaska. I couldn’t see either nowhere or Russia from where I was, but it was remote. I stopped at a way station called Meier's Lake. It was a gas station, café, grocery store, and post office combination. I searched the shelves for foodstuffs. Most everything had gone well past its best-used-by date. Most of the shelved items were old enough to vote. I moved to the lunch counter and found a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the menu. The charge for the sandwich was $67.50. The price was high because the cook didn't like making one.

Nature notes

Before leaving the warm waters of the south where they spend the winter, American white pelican adults develop a nuptial tubercle (horny knob) on their bills. The fibrous bumps are believed to serve a twofold purpose. They signal members of the opposite sex that the birds are in the market for a mate and they serve as a target for other adults during fights over territories. Battling pelicans of breeding age aim their bills at these knobs and not other parts of the head that could cause great injury. Once eggs are laid, the knobs fall off. American white pelicans generally reach sexual maturity at three years, so younger birds wouldn’t have the tubercles.

Meeting adjourned

Ruth Smeltzer wrote, “You have not lived a perfect day, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

Fishing opener Saturday, May 12 was very slow at Beaver Lake for walleyes. The largest number of boats at one time was 14 counting the Steele County Water Patrol Boat. And, I’m aware of only three walleyes caught with the biggest weighing not quite 4 pounds.

An early morning temperature of 44 degrees was ideal for deer hunters. I saw two such characters dressed in blaze orange. Not only did they not get a shot, they never saw a four-legged deer. One hunter remarked that he was staying home the next day with a great two-legged dear. (Mother’s Day)

There are four sources of runoff water into Beaver Lake: Two field tile, one small creek and an overflow from a slough. After almost five inches of rain, water is entering from all four sources. When this happens, the lake level rises two inches for every inch of rain. Because the ground was so dry, the five inches of rain only raised the lake level two inches.

There are several springs, the biggest being in about 18 feet of water in sand bottom. This spring is between the two buoy markers and out farther in Beaver Lake.

On May 8, I saw the first proud parents of baby geese. The 5 babies were about a week old. They enjoyed a short green manicured lawn here at the lake. One good thing is their droppings aren’t very big. Sad to say the droppings get bigger! Reminds me of that song “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

Swen, Ole and Nels decided they would try their luck fishing for lutefisk on fishing opener. They started fishing at sunup (6 a.m.). They fished and fished, but no luck. They heard the noon whistle and decided it was pizza time. After some bantering back and forth, they agreed on Supreme Pizza. Nels said he is a great lover of pizza and he wanted an equal share. 

Sven is one sharp Norwegian. On his cell phone, he ordered three Supreme Pizzas cut exactly in half and delivered to the Beaver Lake boat landing. The three pizzas cut exactly in half were delivered. How many slices did Lars get?

The next Saturday, they decided to try their luck at Beaver Lake for lutefisk again. Same “ting,” not even the smell of one. The noon whistle sounded and again they decided on three Supreme Pizzas delivered to the boat landing. Nels wanted smaller slices. Swen called the order in, with each pizza cut in exactly four equal slices. The three pizzas cut in exactly four equal slices were delivered. How many slices did Lars get?

One more Saturday. Same “ting,” only Nels wanted smaller slices. Swen called in the order with each pizza cut in exactly eight slices. How many slices did Lars get this time?

Readers, unless your answer was the same each time for the number of slices Lars got, enroll in the Remedial Reading course taught through your local adult community education program.

— — —

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of Wisdom: There is always room for God. 

The scurs had it pretty close to right although the rain for last Saturday didn’t materialize. Will we see some welcome precipitation this week? Starting Wednesday, partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy with an increasing chance of rain into the evening hours. Highs near 85 and lows around 60. Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy and slightly cooler with a chance of showers in the daytime. Highs of 75 and lows of 55. Cooler again on Friday under partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of a shower. Highs 70 – 75 and lows near 60. Partly cloudy on Saturday with a slight chance of a shower during the daytime hours increasing slightly by evening. Highs of 80 and lows around 65. Showers and thunderstorms likely for Sunday with highs of 85 and lows of 65. Cooler on Memorial Day Monday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs of 75 and lows near 55. Mostly sunny on Tuesday with highs around 80 and lows of 60. The normal for May 28th is 73 and the normal low is 52. By then the rate of increase on our daylight will have slowed to roughly a minute per day. The scurs will be cooking out and remembering those who fought and died so they could do so.

The weather, namely the wind, kept everyone occupied last week. Some crop damage occurred although it was minimal. Leaves were tattered in areas on some corn fields and soybeans were not emerged for the most part so they were spared from the wrath of the blowing soil. Fields this time of year remain very vulnerable to erosion by the wind and water both. Once a canopy forms to help protect the soil, the vulnerability decreases somewhat, particularly to wind erosion. After seeing some 30 to 40 odd fields this last week that had some sort of erosion-related issues, it’s probably a good idea to put in a plug for the folks at the NRCS and SWCD. There are programs to help decrease the severity of these issues available. All you have to do is inquire. Corn grew rapidly with the warm temperatures and soybeans began to emerge on the early planted field this past week. Early planted small grain is in the boot stage and looks very impressive.

At the ranch it was weaning time once again Sunday. The ewes at the kindly neighbors pasture seem to get over the process much more quickly than those that remain here. Part of it here is they can see their lambs and part of it is they seem to enjoy bellering anyway for the sake of bellering. Just coming out of the house is enough to set them off. I enjoy tormenting them after the last several weeks of feeding them when they almost knock you over trying to get at the feed. That behavior wears thin after a while, especially when knee and hip joints are as expensive to repair or replace as they are. Feed is expensive too and the grass is plentiful so it’s just plain silly to keep putting up with that nonsense. Ruby seems largely unimpressed by all the commotion especially since she has to wait outside of the panels we set up until the sorting process is over. Tough to do sometimes when you’re hard-wired for action.

Finally was able to get on top of the weedy parts of the garden so they are ready for planting transplants. The hot windy conditions last week made for an excellent kill on weeds such as lambsquarters, horseweed and shepherd’s purse. Six rows of Indian corn were slipped in quickly just before dark on the 15th. It should be emerging any day now. Most of the garden is doing OK although rains would benefit some of the peas and beets. The potatoes are really starting to take off, especially the Pontiacs and Norkotahs. Apparently they appreciated the treatment with composted manure they received before planting if their dark green leaves are any indication. 

The weekly trip to the wetland on Sunday night was a real treat. When approaching the basin 30 or so giant Canada geese took off, looking a little like a bunch of B-52s as they launched into the wind. The little kestrels are continuing to grow and are becoming defiant. They’ve started doing the little kestrel version of the adult kestrel call and hissing when the door is opened. Of course when it’s as cool as it was Sunday night with a stiff northwest breeze, they’re probably expressing their opinion of the draft they’ve been subjected to. I may have seen the male finally as he left the nesting box although both parents right now are constantly on the move foraging for food to feed the youngsters. In the nesting box put in place Easter Sunday, a new wood duck nest was discovered after I’d checked out the kestrel progress. When opening the nesting box it was readily apparent that the cedar shavings had been rearranged. On top of them was white fuzz, breast feathers placed on top of the nest from the hen. Fishing down through the soft, dry nest I plucked beige colored egg that was no doubt from a wood duck. Placing the egg back in its place was a great way to end my weekly visit I thought to myself. 

See you next week…real good then.

I understand the whole parenting time warp thing and how it seemingly increases exponentially when it comes to single parenting, but this week it’s really hitting home.

My baby girl graduates from high school.

It seems like yesterday she was falling asleep on my chest after I’d returned from a late sports shift at the Tribune. It was yesterday she was in preschool, which is when our family split and I became a single parent of three and time became irrelevant to me.

With Nate, who graduated last year, it was different. Nate was adopted and his biological father was in town, and he had chose to live his senior year at his mom’s.

Jessica is my first-born. I held her first. I saw her through chicken pox, stitches in the head, surgery and other mishaps. But for the most part she has brought me great joy.

You could tell early on Jess was smart as a whip. I remember walking her in the stroller on the streets of Clarks Grove on Father’s Day 1994. She was 10 months old and had people staring as she excitedly babbled, “Daddy! Daddy!”

In kindergarten and beyond, Jessica tested in the 99th percentile. She was in the Spelling Bee four years in a row, finally winning it in 8th grade. She carried a 4.0 GPA into her junior year.

Something happened at that point. I’m not sure I’ll ever figure it all out, but somehow we arrived here and despite all the struggles, Jessica is set to graduate with honors. And I’m more than good with that.

The busy 18-year-old stopped in briefly on Tuesday for — you guessed it — money, and I asked her to write me a list of some of the highlights from when she was growing up. She spent about five minutes, came up with about 15 items, looked up and said, “Need more?”

Being a good parent has always been a big deal for me. I remember asking Jessica a number of times through the years to rate her childhood on a scale of 1 to 10. She always said 10. In retrospect, I know I tried too hard sometimes.

Her highlights included Christmases and birthdays, going to summer camp, seeing Bruce Springsteen at age 12, going to Chicago to see Steely Dan at 14, and vacations to Split Rock Lighthouse in Duluth and the Paul Bunyan Center in Brainerd.

Getting the cats was also a big deal. I remember well the evening we came home with them from my cousin’s farm, after much haggling between Dad and all three kids.

“We’ll come back and check on them next week,” I said.

“No we won’t!” said Jessica.

I knew she was right and caved.

“It’s the first time we outvoted Dad!” said Jess. My Aunt Esther (my dad’s twin sister) got a big kick out of that.

Looking back, I’m not sure I’d want to embark on that single-parenting odyssey again. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Who knows what the future holds for Jess. In 10 years she could be sitting at my desk, though that’s definitely not her plan.

I just thank the good Lord she’s my daughter.

The funeral service for Laurence Charles Supalla will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday at All Saints Catholic Church, in New Richland.  The Reverend Ted Hottinger will officiate.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Friedrich Funeral Service. Military honors accorded by New Richland Veteran’s Association.  

Laurence Charles Supalla passed away on May 20, 2012 at the New Richland Care Center.  He was 85 years old.

Laurence was born in Brush Creek, MN on May 30, 1926, to George and Adeline (Paul) Supalla.  Laurence attended school in Easton, MN.  Following graduation, Laurence was united in marriage to Irene Ignaszewski on February 15, 1949 in Wells, MN.  The couple moved to New Richland shortly after marriage to begin to farm.  He was the co-founder for Minnesota Waxy Corn Growers Association, which is the base company of Sunopta. He also served on the board of directors. Laurence continued to farm until retiring in 1982, when he and Irene moved in to town.  Laurence enjoyed spending time with family, golfing, going to Florida for the winter months, farming with his sons after retirement, and was an avid Twins fan.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

Laurence is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul and Charles; and sister, Mary Johnson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Irene Supalla; children, Michael (Gretchen) Supalla of New Richland, Barbara (David) Lyndgaard of Avon, MN, Christine (Kevin) Johnson of New Richland, Betty (Reuben Woitas) of Spring Hill, FL, and Randy (Susan) Supalla of Bemidji; grandchildren, Sharra (Scott), Raquel (Todd), Lynsey (Jeremy), Kyhl (Marian), Laura (Andrew), Dana (Kris), Nicole (Todd), Chad (Megan), Jennifer (Gregg), Mark (Ellen), Robyn (Brad), Wendy, and Brandon; 17 great grandchildren; brother, John Supalla of New Richland; sister Anne Theder of Coppell, TX; many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.

Laurence will be remembered as a wonderful husband and father. He will be missed. 

Memorials preferred to All Saints Catholic Church.