Public invited to park for hot dogs, information May 9

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

There was a time when the New Richland Commercial Club was an integral part of the community.

Some people feel it can be again.

Several concerned citizens turned out for an informational meeting on the topic at City Hall last Wednesday, and all came away with the feeling a commercial club — or, more likely, a community club — can again have a positive impact on New Richland.

“There’s just so much potential in this community,” said Gail Schmidt. “We’ve just got to get the wheels going.”

Schmidt, who came with a list of 50-plus businesses that could be contacted for potential membership, was joined at the meeting by Bernie Anderson, Dale Halgren, Ray Mielke, Matt Harrington, Dan Schmidt and Evan Berg.

Anderson and Halgren were heavily involved with the NR Commercial Club, which has been inactive for about five years.

Mother. "No words can ever begin to do justice to the one who bore us and made us what we are. Mother is such a special person! One thing is for sure - There is no one like mother, no love like a mother's love.” -Helen Steiner Rice.

There are thousands of ways one can describe one’s mother. There are plenty of books, plaques and words of wisdom to purchase on the matter. They may all be true, profound and even make you nod your head in agreement. 

Behind every image of mother is a message shared by the countless mamas, grandmas, aunts and other women who have shaped our lives. From generation to generation, they have loved us and taught us that the very ordinary things of living have a deeper spiritual meaning. Our mother is the one whose guiding voice we hear, whose gentle touch we feel no matter how time and distance separate us. 

A mother knows that loving is easy. It’s letting go that is hard. Mothers encourage climbing and reaching for goals. She cautions that it is not only what you achieve but also how you achieve that is important.

We know there are those who don't deserve to be called “Mother,” but for the most part, there is just something about other mothers. Every mother feels the hurt when they realize there are mothers who don’t do right by their children. They wonder how that mother could possibly abuse something so special as a child.

Mother’s Day, which officially only occurs one day a year, really isn't enough to honor our mothers. But then again, most of us honor them any way, everyday, in some quiet way that maybe neither she nor we realize.

One of the best books I ever read was “Love You Forever,” because it best describes what a mother is.

It starts, “A mother holds her new baby and very slowly rocked him/her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held her baby she sang, ‘I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.’” 

The book goes on to tell about the things that go on between a child and its mother. Each story always ended with, “I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.”

A mother’s love is unconditional. No matter what, that child she carried in her body was a part of her and for good or evil that flesh was her flesh and that child will always be a part of her. Even if a child was first born to someone else, the person can become its mother. When she first holds that child close to her and feels that baby’s heart beat, that child will always be hers. 

He/she could be 75 years old, but he/she is still a mother’s child. Hers to love and worry about, protect, teach and play with. Every time she sees a child, it reminds her of her own child or children. If something happens to another child, it still goes through her like it is her own. She feels every pain, every problem, every situation even if it is someone else’s child. 

Her heart is filled with all children. She is proud of their accomplishments. She cries over their problems. She shudders over their mistakes. She forgives and forgets and knows that every kid needs God to protect them, with herself as next in line.

She makes sacrifices for them, but she doesn’t think of them as such. She may over spend on gifts, toys, clothes etc., but figures she can make up the difference some place else. She bends over backwards to find the one thing her child wants the most, even though she knows it is a fleeting thing. She would give her child almost anything.

She does however put her foot down or straightens her back when she knows there is something not right. Who else but a mother can teach right from wrong?

It is a funny thing how children know the difference between kind of and definite. If it really, really matters to mother, they aren't going there, or doing that, no way.

It is a known fact that mothers have eyes in the back of their head. Well, not really, but they are so closely bonded to their child that they seem to always know what is going on. I won't say that mothers are never fooled, but seldom. Some how she has that feeling inside of her that there is something going on she should know about.

To say a good mother is worth her weight in gold would be a travesty, for the value of a good mother is far reaching. There is no end in sight. Her value is without compare!

So on this special day, Mother’s Day, and every day, thank God for your mother. If you can, hug her, and if you can't, tell her in your heart, for that is where she will always be. The thread of her wisdom is woven into the tapestry of our lives. Like a valentine that never fades, a mother's love is stamped on our hearts.

I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be!

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family or school reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, and birth or 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.

• Thursday, May 3rd: Jase Dean Knudson, his 4th; Cassidy Worrell, Fern Possin, Justin Robertson, Dale Dulas, Wayne Dobberstein, Anthony Brandt, Merle Bartness, Leah (Ruth) & William (Bill) Scott, their 3rd.

• Friday, May 4th: Joyce Wayne, Angie Worrell Aaseth, Daniel Knudson, Kenneth Schumacher, Charles Wangsness, Keith Miller, Shirley Draayer Anderson, Dean Heskett, Thad Tuttle, Leslie Ray Farr, her 10th; Jessica Marcus, Julia Elizabeth Rye, her 5th, Brooklyn Cecila Strand, her 7th, Melonie Butler, Lexi Jo Brandstad, her 11th.

• Saturday, May 5th: Mckenzie Lynn Jensen, her 11th; Alexis Janning, his 11th; Jeff Draayer, Shirley Jensen, Melody Krenke, Ron Langlie, Ryan Larson, Shirley Swearingen, Amber Obermoller, Dennis Sauke, Martin Whelan, Erik & Shannon Smith, their 11th; John & Lucille Nechanicky, Tim & Jolene Sorenson, Kevin & Annie Avery.

• Sunday, May 6th: Caleb Scott Harpel, his 12th; Brad Borchert, Tracy Haddy, Cheryl Nelson, Iris Jensen, Brandon Wallace, Bill Vavra, Tim Wilker, Jennifer & Michael Vetsch, their 12th, Bill & Judith Hatch, Everett & Marian Camp.

• Monday, May 7th: Brody Hanson, Brian Jensen, John Snyder, Nancy Swearingen Grant, Brian Johnson, Heidi & Jason Owen, their 6th, Bryan & Diane Brighton, Heidi (Crabtree) & Jason Owen, their 7th.

 Tuesday, May 8th: Olivia Kay Smith, her 6th; Kristina Follien, Marguerite Christensen Nelson, Ronald Wangsness, Elizabeth Bremer, Sandy Neubauer.

• Wednesday, May 9th: Elli Pearl Baker, Aidan Jeffrey Schlaak, his 5th; John Jensen, Sue Pence, Jake Simmons, Julie Haroldson, Sue Hohansee, Audrey Horan, Karol Carroll, Njole Aaseth, Rachelle Doran, Carolyn Greer, Karla Kelly, Jerry Westrum, Jill (Ottesen) & Cam Kehne.

Wishing you sunshine and flowers and many, wonderful days ahead.

Once again, I will be attending the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. This year’s event is being hosted by the community of Waconia and as in past years, I am always a little curious about what the area will have to offer.  

A few years ago, I attended the opener in White Bear Lake. I was a little apprehensive about this because it is a metro area community. I had never really thought about spending an opener this close to the Twin Cities. It turned out to be a very enjoyable event, as I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of things that community had to offer.

This year, the opener is once again close to the Twin Cities. I am looking forward to seeing the community and fishing on Lake Waconia. I am sure it will be another enjoyable time because the host communities always do such a great job of promoting their area of the state.

Until the walleye and northern opener arrives, there is still plenty of fishing to be enjoyed. I have heard that local fishermen have been having some luck catching sunfish on Fountain Lake this spring. Wax worms have reportedly been working well and catching sunnies can be a blast on light tackle.

Before I began attending the Governor’s Fishing Opener, I would usually fish Reed’s Lake near Elysian, my favorite lake to fish on opening day. Eventually, it became crowded and putting your boat in and out became a real challenge, not to mention the parking thing. I don’t know if there are any walleye in Reeds Lake these days, but in the ‘80s I would always bring home a few walleye and northern on the opener.

After fighting traffic at that boat landing for a couple of years, I  changed it up a little. I stayed close to home to see if there were any walleye lurking in Fountain Lake. I decided that I would try my luck in Edgewater Bay, and trolled with Beetle Spins tipped with a fathead minnow, my bait of choice.

In the ‘70s, I spent quite a bit of time fishing from shore at the mouth of the creek that runs into the bay. Spring would bring out quite a few fishermen lining the banks of that creek. I can remember leaving work and hurrying to get a good spot for catching those early season crappies. 

These fish were the kind that magically seemed to shrink in size the closer you got to home. We did however manage to eat a few meals each spring. 

As I had not yet mastered the art of filleting crappies and sunnies, I did it the old fashioned way; gut, gill, cut off the head and scale. Once I started filleting them, it was like a revelation and meant no more picking around the bones or picking scales out from between your teeth. 

There are still a few fishermen around that actually prefer the old way. Maybe its tradition or they just like it that way. However you choose to prepare your panfish, it can be some mighty fine eating.

Getting back to that particular opener; the boys and I trolled that bay for most of the morning sharing the lake with only one other boat. In the end, I believe we came away with five nice eating walleye, which is considered a pretty good opener in anybody’s book. The best thing about it was that we didn’t even have to leave town.

Over the years, I have caught a lot of fish trolling a Beetle Spin tipped with a minnow. However, just recnetly, I have kind of gotten away from that technique. I do think that I’ll be giving the old Beetle Spin a try again this year just to see if it still has what it takes. 

It’s kind of funny how the way you fish is sometimes dictated by what you see on TV or read in a magazine. I sometimes think that going back to the basics and what once worked can still be effective. As far as I know, the fish don’t read or have access to TV to find out what’s fashionable.

A couple of years ago, I read an article in an outdoors magazine where a guy suggested that using spoons for big pike and muskies still works, even though most fishermen have let them disappear to the bottom of the tackle box. This past summer, I decided to try fishing a spoon again with very good results. 

I have often been amazed at my youngest son Brad’s knack for catching big pike. It is actually no secret in our family that his number one lure of choice is the Doctor Spoon. With that thought in mind, I know that I will be checking my inventory of spoons as I get ready for this year’s opener.

I may decide to take a little of the edge off before the opener and visit one of our area lakes for some shore fishing. I’m inclined to think there may be some decent crappie fishing to be had in the next couple of weeks, if the water warms up a bit. 

The water temperatures in our part of the state should be more ideal than further north but from some of the reports I’ve read and heard, the inconsistent weather hasn’t exactly had the fish jumping in the boat. Unlike summer weather patterns, temperatures in the spring need to be consistently warm for a few days to get those water temperatures up.

Until next time, get your tackle ready and remember that you don’t need to wait for the opener to enjoy a little fishing; it’s a great 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.

The Minnesota Twins are testing the patience of their loyal fans. It’s hard to watch the starting pitching disintegrate day after day. I suppose a person has to hang in there and hope for better days. They will improve. They have in the past and they probably will again. Perhaps a short quiz will help us remember the past glory days and the people who made it possible.

1. The first team to play in Metropolitan Stadium was called the Minneapolis: (A) Saints (B) Pillsburies (C) Millers

2. The Twins’ foremost slugger was nicknamed: (A) Killer (B) Big Guy (C) The Brewmeister

3. Perhaps the most beloved Twins’ player was known as: (A) Mr. Center Fielder (B) Mr. Clutch (C) Puck

4. One of the Twins’ premier pitchers, Jim Kaat was known as: (A) The Big Cat (B) Jimbo (C) Kitty

5. Another very good pitcher was known as Frankie: (A) The Italian Stallion (B) Sweet Music (C) Bad News, Viola

6. Ex-Manager Tom Kelly is called: (A) Mr. Kelly (B) Skipper (C) TK

7. Twins’ Manager Ron Gardenhire is named (A) Ronnie (B) The Oklahoma Kid (C) Gardy

8. The new Twins’ stadium is called: (A) The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (B) Target Field (C) The Big Circle

9. 1965 Twins’ MVP shortstop Zoilo Versallies was known as: (A) Zorro (B) Pancho C. Short-em-Stop

10. Twins’ great Tony Olivo was known as (A) Mr. Doubles (B) The Latin Avenger (C) Tony O

11. Past Twins’ Stalwart Michael Cuddyer is called (A) Cuddy (B) Solid Mike (C) The Virginia Vacuum Cleaner

12.What other Twins’ manager besides Tom Kelly won the American League Pennant? (A) Sam Mele (B) Ron Gardenhire (C) Billy Martin

13. Twins’ closer Eddie Guardado was known as (A) The Big Easy (B) Easy Eddie (C) Everyday Eddie

14. Kent Hrbek’s nickname was (A) Becky (B) The Big Herbowski (C) Herbie

15. John Gordon, retired Twins’ radio announcer after 25 years in the booth, used to announce Twins home runs by saying (A) Back, back, back, it’s a home run. (B) Holy Cow, it’s gone. (C) Touch-em-all and the player’s name.

16. (Bonus Question, worth 2 points) The greatest pitcher of the Washington Senators-Minnesota Twins was Walter Johnson whose nickname was (A) The Big Six (B) The Big Train (C) Stonewall

The answers: 1.C 2.A 3.C 4.C 5.B 6.C 7.C 8.B 9.A 10.C 11 A 12.A 13. C 14.C 15.C 16.B

1-4 correct. It’s a cruel world, Vikings fan

5-9 correct. Congratulations, you’re a friend of a Twins‚ sports fan.

10-14 correct. You are a steadfast Twins fan

15-16 correct. Please seek help

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“I’d ask you to sit down if it weren’t for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You might do it.”

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: the automobile has become a phone booth.

I’ve learned

1. That for many people, the phone is the least important part of a cellphone.

2. When I wear my glasses, everything I see is an optical illusion.

3. My shoestrings usually last longer than my shoes.

Eating out—way out

I led a tour for a large group of fine folks on a cruise ship. On a cruise, you can eat before early and after late. A cruise is a county fair on water. Eating goes into cruise control with little or no control. We were enjoying a delicious and massive breakfast when I heard myself say, "Hurry up. We need to finish breakfast in time for lunch."

A kind, caring man

Don Meyer of Hartland told me that he and his wife, Ona, each have a lawn mower. The his and hers lawn mowers are similar machines. The major difference between the two is that Don keeps gas in his wife’s lawn mower.

Did you know?

A report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that Danish people are the happiest among those in the 40 countries studied. Citizens of Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Australia, Israel, Finland, Ireland, Austria, and the United States followed in that order. China and Hungary reported the lowest overall life satisfaction.

According to the National Climatic Data Center, here are the most thunderstorm prone cities in the U.S., along with their average number of annual storms: 1. Fort Myers, Florida – 89; 2. Tampa, Florida – 87; 3. Tallahassee, Florida – 83; 4. Gainesville, Florida – 81; 5. Orlando, Florida – 80; 6. Mobile, Alabama – 79; 7. West Palm Beach, Florida – 79; 8. Lake Charles, Louisiana – 76; 9. Daytona Beach, Florida – 75; 10. Vero Beach, Florida – 75

A national survey by Visa showed that American families spend an average of $1,078 each on a prom, a 33.6% boost over the $807 spent in 2011.

Midwestern families, cheaper or wiser, spend an average of $696.

Men’s Health tabulated the rate of fatal car crashes; the percentage of fatalities involving alcohol, speeding, or hit and run; the rate of seatbelt use; the average number of years between accidents; and laws on cell phone use while driving to determine the 10 cities with the “Most Dangerous Drivers.”

1. St. Louis; 2. Dallas; 3. Charleston, WV; 4. Houston 5. Billings; 6. Providence; 7. Columbia, SC; 8. Durham; 9. Orlando; 10. Austin, TX

The Least Dangerous Drivers were 1. St. Paul; 2. Lincoln; 3. Boston; 4. Buffalo; 5. Reno; 6. Fort Wayne; 7. New York City; 8. Chesapeake, VA; 9. Madison; 10. Aurora, CO.

The Pronto Pup was introduced at the Minnesota State Fair in 1947. Each cost 10 cents. The original recipe meant for it to be eaten plain or with mustard.

Nature notes

“Do earthworms come to the surface after heavy rains to avoid drowning?” No, they come to the surface during rains (especially in the spring) so they can travel overland. The wet conditions give worms an opportunity to move to new places. Since worms breathe through their skin, that skin must stay wet in order for the oxygen to pass through it. Rain and high humidity allow earthworms to move without dehydrating. Earthworms can survive for several weeks under water, providing there is sufficient oxygen in the water.

“What can I do to keep grackles from dominating my feeders?” Common grackles are common in yards. Our yards are made for the lifestyle of a grackle. They eat like a bird--voraciously. They prefer seed offered on platform feeders or scattered on the ground. They find tube feeders, especially those with short perches, less to their liking. Perches can be trimmed so that only small birds can find footing. A feeder could be enclosed by a wire cage that allows smaller birds entry while excluding grackles. This could be a do-it-yourself project or a commercial feeder. A thistle feeder attracts goldfinches instead of grackles. Some feeders are equipped with mechanisms that close feeding ports when larger birds or squirrels get on them. Safflower is not a grackle’s favorite food. Cheap seed mixes attract grackles. 

From the mailbag

Ric McArthur of Ontario writes, "If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem."

Meeting adjourned

Be kind. There are people who would love to have your bad days.

We have moved into the cabin at Beaver Lake as of Thursday, April 19th. It was windy, raining, and 39 degrees with a few snow flurries. I guess temperature-wise March and April did a flip-flop this year.

Swallows, martins, geese, ducks, blue birds, osprey, loons — all the spring birds — are here except orioles and hummingbirds. We have two female wood ducks nesting in the same wood duck house. They each have a different mate, but I think there is a little hanky panky going on.

We have a willow tree that blew down and is partially in the water. I haven’t seen them, but there is at least one beaver slowly trimming off the live green smaller branches (probably for youngsters). How about that, a family of beavers living at Beaver Lake!

Our car insurance lady calls me and tells me we must take the senior defensive driving course if we want the lesser premium. She gave me the telephone number at Senior Place in Owatonna as there is a course being taught there next week. I called and enrolled Genie and myself. 

The young lady, Kim, was very efficient in making the arrangements. She let me know that she specializes in taking care of seniors. She also informed me that if we have any trouble with our lake neighbors (Jim and Jen Worrell) to let her know. Kim restates her specialty of taking care of seniors especially if a cousin is causing the problem.

The Beaver Lake water level is the lowest I’ve seen for this time of the year. The ice fishing was limited this winter because of the ice not being safe. In fact, the winter fishing contest was cancelled due to unsafe ice. 

The water is very clear. You can actually see the bottom in about six feet of water. My analysis: Not too many fish caught this winter, less water for the fish to hide. They can easily see your bait. Conclusion: Excellent walleye fishing opening day Saturday, May 12. Ladies, this means your fisherman can be at your beck and call Mother’s Day.

When Pastor Matt Griggs is absent his replacement is named either Nelson, Jensen or Anderson. When this happens, every last name listed in the church bulletin is usually Scandinavian, (sen or son.) Both East and Central Freeborn Lutheran Churches welcome you no matter what your last name is.

Whether you’re a Twins fan or not, take a close look at the Twins display in the window at Lerberg’s in Ellendale, “fan”-tastic!

Ice out with wind can be very powerful. For example, park at the Beaver Lake parking lot, walk through the tunnel under the road and out onto the DNR fishing pier. Take a look at the shoreline just to the north. Yep, the ice out moved a lot of sand, gravel and rocks into rolls on the shore. (A great outdoor biffy for kitties!)

Thought for the day — You don’t have to be a Minnesotan to get confused, but it sure does help!

How dry is the ground around Beaver Lake? It is so dry… that even after 1.5 inches of rain, now water is flowing out of any field tile into the lake.

— — —

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 were correct in thinking we were going to see more mid-April temps and that we would see some April showers. Will they bring May flowers? Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 80 and lows around 60. Thursday, mostly cloudy in the morning becoming partly with a moderate chance of an evening shower. Highs 75 – 80 and lows of 60. Partly cloudy Friday with a slight chance of a shower during the day with a good chance of an evening shower or thunderstorm. Highs 75 – 80 and lows of 55 – 60. Saturday, partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Highs 70 – 75 and lows near 55. Mostly cloudy on Sunday with a good chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Highs around 65 and lows near 50. Monday and Tuesday, partly cloudy with highs near 65 and lows near 50. On May 5th, also the day of the Full Moon for the month, the sun will rise at 6 a.m. The normal high for May 5th is 67 and the normal low is 45. The scurs will be sweeping the patio for the lawn furniture and officially retiring the toboggan for the season.

The Full Moon for the month as mentioned falls on May 5th. This moon goes by several names the most common being the Full Flower Moon. It also goes by The Full Corn Planting Moon and the Full Milk Moon as farmers would turn their cows out on pasture, hence increasing milk production. The Ojibwe knew this as the Blossom Moon and the Sioux as the Moon When Ponies Shed. At the ranch, Ruby has pretty well shed off already as evidenced by the lack of dog hair on the floor and her new, sleek spring coat. This is good news for all the couches and beds she likes to sleep on when she can get away with it.

Progress in the fields was widespread across much of the area last week as corn went in the ground quickly. We are probably somewhere in the 70 percent planted range as of Tuesday a.m. Soil conditions were about as fit as they’ve been although temperatures at times reminded one very little of corn planting weather. The sleet rainbow on Friday morning was the icing on the cake, pun intended. Some of the early planted corn was emerged as of last Friday and some of the corn planted around April 12th – 14th was beginning to emerge as of Monday. Some soybeans have been planted and while some are thinking it’s early, it is already May. Fortunately April left us with better soil moisture than what we started with but we are still several inches from a full soil moisture profile yet. The month was characterized by several small rainfall events, all of which added up to 2.56” at the ranch, allowing fieldwork and gardening to commence. Measurable precipitation however was recorded on 14 out of the 30 days for the month and temps were cold, slowing the drying process. Only a trace of the precipitation that fell was snow. Two out of three ain’t bad.

At the ranch, garden progress has continued to be slow although when it does decide to warm up, things grow at an astonishing rate. We did harvest some of the radishes planted March 18th and they have been a little on the stout side. They’re supposed to be otherwise they’d be turnips. The late potatoes were planted on April 27th, one of the last days it was fit to plant. Between the Pontiacs and Norkotahs, I managed to stab in 18 hills. The snap peas are still emerging in the main garden and there are some carrots beginning to peek through. The transplants at the greenhouse have emerged with the exception of the watermelon and a few hills of Mooregold squash. Given the warmer temps, they should come along soon. 

The spring bird migration and courting season continues in and around the yard at the ranch. Sunday was a day to repair some of the roofs on the nesting boxes. Luckily there were some pieces of leftover Trex that fit the bill. Several of the houses closest to our dwelling and neighbor David’s were occupied with house sparrows so they were rudely evicted. Others have tree swallows that are always welcome as they eat a lot of bugs and do not defecate in our buildings. Sunday was also the day the first house wren was heard in the plum thicket. Monday evening I went to check on the progress of the kestrel and no hatchlings yet. I was however able to remove the female kestrel from the nest and get a close-up look at her, wearing leather gloves of course. She hunched down and was determined to stay on the eggs, almost like she was injured or feigning injury just as a killdeer had done on my excursion down to the wetland. I was careful to be very gentle as I examined her. She appeared to be fine. I photographed the little falcon and carefully placed her back in the nesting box where she settled back in. Tuesday morning we were graced with the appearance of two male rose-breasted grosbeaks. They were primarily interested in the leftover corn from the squirrel and ate some of the jelly placed in expectation for the arrival of the orioles. No Harris sparrows yet so there’s still time.

Progress continued on the Studebaker project over the weekend if you could call it that. Lately it’s more one step forward and two steps back. The heater core was leaking and when the hose was removed from the nipple on the heat control valve, the nipple was about half eroded away. That and of course the valve itself is stuck tight. There are parts available however, and it’s just a matter of what you want to spend or how long you want to diddle around waiting for repairs. There isn’t a lot of call for Studebaker parts these days so those projects tend to get placed on the backburner at some establishments. The heater core may be able to be repaired and if not, a new or refurbished one isn’t much different in price than what one would pay for those found in today’s automobiles. Whatever gets spent it’ll still be better than discovering down the road you’ve been left high and dry because parts weren’t replaced when the opportunity was there. And besides, I have a sneaking suspicion that in spite of global warming/climate change, heat might not be a bad thing to have in this country when leaf watching in the fall. 

See you next week…real good then. 

Louie Donald Mortenson Sr., 87, of New Richland, MN, died Monday, April 30, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Albert Lea, from complications of a stroke. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church until the time of the service. Father Niehaus will officiate, and burial will take place in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells.  Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of the arrangements. 

There are many words that we could use to describe our dad. The man was known as dad, father, farmer, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa, “sonny boy,” uncle, story teller, poet, singer, avid gardener, steward of the earth and friend. He lived his life with determination and dedication. He loved his life as a farmer and passed that trait to his daughters, sons, sons-in-law, granddaughters and grandsons. He was proud of his life and family. 

Louie was born June 4, 1924 in Hartland Township to Louis and Agnes (Mucha) Mortenson.  He married the love of his life and best friend, Marcelene Marcella Martin in Wells on June 27, 1948. They build a new home on their homesite where they resided. They were married for 62 years, when she preceded him in death on March 2, 2011.

His loving family who will miss him dearly survive him: Anna Kathleen (John) Kern, Louanna Mortenson-Pederson, Candy (Robert) Klimpel, Marcy (John) Thisius, Louie, Jr. “Bronco”(Penny) Mortenson, Robert (Lisa) Mortenson and Donald (Holly) Mortenson; Grandchildren: Collete (Brian) Burandt, Dustin (Danielle) Kern, Nicholas (Lisa) Pederson, Emmylou (Robert) Allen, Lacey Pederson (special friend Jason Sajdak), Rachel and Melanie Klimpel, Sarah Thisius and fiancé Eric Willaert, Lindsey Greff, Kirsten Thisius (special friend Chad Guentzel), Louie “Weston” and Cody Mortenson (special friend Stacia Tatarek), Ashley Mortenson, Marissa and Sadie Mortenson; Great-grandchildren: Carlie and Jaden Burandt, Davis and Dreya Kern, Aleesha, Dominick, Jaxon and Colton Lou (due in July) Pederson, Annabelle and Ethan Allen, Connor, Bella and Grayson Willaert, Amelia and Abigail Greff and Emma Mortenson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marcelene; and three sisters and their husbands, Hattie (Ingevold) Frandle, Audrey (Barney) LaRue and Leona (Herman) Olson.

Our lives have truly been blessed having him. He will be sorely missed. Blessed be his memory. 

With the snow gone for some time now, there has to be an itch to hitch on to some machinery and "get the show on the road." Well, yes there has been some movement but not the full-throttle kind. Actually, some of the garden enthusiasts have taken advantage of the early spring weather. But, they have less to lose if the weather turns cold and typically spring like.

Rumors say there is corn already growing in rows in the Mankato area, but the experienced farmer has patience and it usually pays off. If you're farming a few thousand acres, the temptation (and the risk of frost) is even higher. 

Just think of the size of those mighty monsters carting across the field, planting 24 rows at a time. Remember the little earthy farmer who sometimes even planted one hill at a time, stepped and used his wooden hand planter? It would be hard for youngsters today to realize the ordeal their forefathers went through to plant corn and get it in the crib in the fall.

My mother is not that old (but she really is) and remembers when hybrid seen corn came into being. It caused a round table discussion if one should buy or not buy. My granddad had saved corn ears from the previous year’s harvest and picked the biggest and best from the corn that seemed to do the best and gave the best yield. 

Yes, intuition teamed with a little experience was a plus to farming back then too. Those ears were put on steel racks and hung in the rafters of the granary to dry and used to supply the next year’s crop of seed corn.

Doesn't seem possible does it? My grandmother would cover trays with wet towels in an attempt to coax life out of those dry kernels. And of course, the best was what was used to plant in the field. 

If you're old enough, you remember how each row was checked on by a wire system with prongs that dropped in the kernels at a particular space. At the end of the row, the wire contraption was moved over for the next row. It was a slow and tedious process.

When it was time to cultivate the weeds, a two-row cultivator was hooked up behind a team of horses. As it made its way down the rows, it broke up the weeds. Even so, the farmer had to be careful driving that team of horses, as the cultivator could pull up corn as well as weeds. It was a long and weary process just sitting or getting off the seat; farmers would resort to walking, holding the reins to give the backside and legs a break.

Once summer was over, that same trek was made again. They walked and husked the corn, and threw it into a wagon with a bang board to stop it from flowing over. Then, the farmer had to scoop the corn ears into a crib where it could be taken later and shelled in a hand-turned sheller or fed on the cob. It was not unusual to harvest corn by the later part of November, often times in snow.

There were some perks in cultivating alone in the field. You could sing to the dog and think about things. It wasn't good to daydream though. Now and then you had to leave the perch to pick small rocks out of the way.

Now the farmer climbs into an air-conditioned cab tractor with high fidelity music, phone and GPS-controlled computer. He can prepare the ground and plant the whole farm in less time than the farmers of old spent preparing one field.

Most farmers no longer have to spread fertilizer in a manure spreader and they make short work of spraying the fields with the needed chemicals and fertilizer. Come harvest time those monster machines pick and shell the corn that may be transported by semi to market or storage.

Time and money spent and profit from more acres have changed the farm into big business. The farmer follows the markets using new technology. Farming is more than a little different than it used to be!

Before the advent of farm tractors, most farms were small, only about 80 acres. To use a business term of today, they were “vertically integrated.” Farmers grew crops that were fed to pigs, chickens, dairy and beef cattle or sheep. If there was any grain left over, it could be sold. 

Why such small farms? Part of it had to do with our short growing season here in the north, and part had to do with the use of grains to feed animals.

The original “homestead” lands of the 1800s were 160 acres. That wasn’t enough for farmers on the Great Plains, and maybe too much for farmers here in the north. If you split that in two, you would have 80 acres. On that 80 acres, you would have about 10 acres used by the house, barn, granary, corn crib and animal pens. About 10 acres would be untillable, roads, drives, creeks, and woodlots for heating and cooking. There would be about 20 acres of pasture for farm animals and the horses used to till the land, leaving about 40 acres.

A team of horses could plow about five acres a day, depending on hills and soil. Horses had to be rested and watered. They could disk about seven acres a day, drag 10 acres a day and plant seven acres a day. That’s 24 days to prepare and plant 40 acres. 

That would take about a month of work, assuming no breakdowns and allowing for weather delays. If you got started about the 1st of May, you would be finished by Memorial Day. That’s lots of hard work (for the farmer AND the animals). Don’t forget the farmer also had to harness, unharness, and feed and water not only the horses, but all the farm animals. Then there was the rest of the chores: cleaning out barns, spreading manure, milking, shelling corn, threshing, putting up hay, grinding feed, and fixing the inevitable breakdowns. It was hard to farm more than 40 or 50 acres of cropland, depending on the soil, terrain, and crop mix, hence 80-acre farms. Is it any wonder that farming was a family affair? Farmers needed all of the help they could get!

Despite the wistful thinking of would-be farmers (like the TV show “Green Acres”), I don’t think most of us would want to go back to that life. And in fact, the country can’t. In the days of farming with horses, much of the production of the farm was used up by the family themselves; only a bit of the production was sold for consumption by non-farmers in the cities. 

Think about this: Without mechanized farming, there would be no large cities; they couldn’t exist. In 1900, each farmer fed 2.5 people, besides his family. By 1940, using mechanization, he fed 19. By 1960, despite larger farms and equipment, each farmer had improved that ratio to only 25 people. 

Today, with specialization, chemicals, and all of the technology that goes into farming, each farmer feeds between 129 and 155 people (depending on whose numbers you use). Large cities simply could not exist without the output of today’s farmers. Think about that the next time you go for a drive and see the vast fields and huge equipment. In our rural area, we have an appreciation for farmers. Let your “city” relatives know that without these farmers, they would be working just raising food to survive.

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Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, April 19th: Elizabeth Rose Wallace, her 5th; Cody James Reistad, his 6th; Aaron Utpadel, James Bremmer, Jaxon Branstad, his 11th; Kaden Shaw Tonlinson, his 8th.

• Friday, April 20th: Jacob Dau, his 5th Sara Elizabeth Hemingway, her 10th; Steve Mumm, Brenda Sorenson, Kathy Haberman, Jennie Korsbon, Paul & Jennifer Wayne, Don & Delores Glynn.

• Saturday, April 21st: Helen Pierce, Michael Foster, Veronica Graif, Adrian Kilian, Marilyn Reistad, Elmer Vanden Heuvel.

• Sunday, April 22nd: Noah Lowell Swearingen, his 8th; Rollie Johnson, David Purdy, Gregory Swearingen, Stacy Thostenson Harold, James Van Riper, Marilyne Dodge, Mike & Sarah Collins, Rodger & Sue Hill.

• Monday, April 23rd: Jayne Miller, Buffy Bergland, Alan Edwardson, Jackie Johnson Miller.

• Tuesday, April 24th: Keralyn & Bill Powers, Madison Kae Wagner, Marnie Ray Wagner, Dak Sorenson, Gladys Burr, Marilyn Cuden, Audrey Paulson, Lowell Wichmann, Scott Brandt, Kara Vangen.

• Wednesday, April 25th: Ed Deml, Nicole Langlie La Tourneau, Nicole Nielson, Evie Toft, Christine Davidson, Jeff Kunkel, Janice Morreim, Stan Reichl.

• Thursday, April 26th: Jim Arends, Lester Casterton, Teresa Deml Sisler, Beverly Harpel, Jean Larson, Pat Motl, Ashley Bangert, Mary Peterson, Pat Pichner, Steve & Judy Christensen, Bob & Gerry Flim, Allan & Darline Jensen.

• Friday, April 27th: Brian Schember, Norma Robertson, Heidi & Christopher Olson.

• Saturday, April 28th: Martin Rossing, Rodney Peterson, Mildred Flugum, Jamie Cameron, Jean & Chuck Groth.

• Sunday, April 29th: Derek Anthony Kubicek, his 5th; Jane Brocker, Roberta Dettman, Angie Hall, Mitchell Jensen, Pat & Linda Goodnature, Jennifer & Steve Schultz.

• Monday, April 30th: Nancy Williams, Jeff Misgen, Paul Moen, Dawn Cooper, Kevin Cooper, Jonathon Lein, Karey Dufresne, Judah Ashton, Jonathon Lein, Rick & Melonie Miller.

• Tuesday, May 1st: Carter Levi Titus, Jim Hanson, Shirley Pichner Helgeson, Christopher "Critter" Johnson, his 10th; Luke Dobberstein, Gene Budach, Sandi Otto Glenn, Richard Helmers, Sue Kasper Anderson, Tim Kasper, Norma Long, Cari Jensen, Thomas Van Riper, Veronica & Jim Graif, Heidi & Ryan Baldwin.

• Wednesday, May 2nd: Shayna Kress and Tyler Kress, their 2nd; Jack Benjamin Owen, his 3rd; Diane Smith, Ted Radke, Jill Goodnature Kubicek, Bonnie Shaunce, Stephanie Corey, DeWayne Farr, Nolin Joe Simmons, his 7th; Joshua Nicholas Paulsen, his 9th; Roger Anderson, Gerald & Mildred Flugum, Dean & Carolyn Wangen.

May the year ahead bring you a world of pleasures.

Spending time at the cabin in April is always an adventure to be remembered. This past week has been no exception. 

As I wrote in last week’s column, the first trip of the year can always present new challenges. This time I headed north with Mark Runden to do some work on the cabin. We also hoped to do a little fishing for some perch and crappie. 

We stopped at Frontier Sports, which is a grocery, deli and bait shop in Marcell. I happened to ask the fellow who was working in the place where the crappies were biting and he said “Alabama.” I knew that wasn’t a good sign. 

He said that the water hadn’t warmed up since the ice went out and nobody had done anything yet. Baitshop guy remembered selling a dozen crappie minnows a couple of days earlier. Not a good omen.

The first day at the cabin we encountered a cloudy, misty morning followed by a sunny and pleasant afternoon. Life was good and all of the reports calling for snow on Sunday night and Monday seemed like misinformation. We awoke the next morning to a sunny day and after making the morning coffee, I set out on a walk up our drive to the highway.

It was a great morning for a walk, as there were fresh deer tracks and signs of wildlife everywhere to be found and heard. As time moved ahead, it got cold, cloudy and windy and soon the rain had started. It wasn’t just windy but “nasty windy.” 

And when the rains started, they didn’t quit until evening when the rain turned to snow. The wind that came out of the north never quit blowing during the night. We awoke the next morning to six or more inches of snow. 

All of the trees were covered with snow and ice. It was quite a beautiful sight to behold, but we soon discovered that instead of having to “chop” our way to the cabin like some times in the past, we’d be chopping our way out. There were several trees that had fallen across the driveway during the stormy night.

We didn’t attempt to start our lumberjack imitation the next day. Instead, we waited until we needed to go to town before attacking the fallen trees. 

 A couple of times when the wind was calm, we witnessed a tree fall from the weight of the snow and ice. This is nature at work and it lets you know that there are still things that man cannot control.

The beauty of the “winter wonderland” that we were treated to was something special. There is nothing like being in a cozy cabin with the wood stove blazing while the wind snow and rain are wreaking havoc with the outdoors. 

These are times that I could only dream about experiencing as a kid growing up north of Albert Lea. Many times when it was snowing and blowing out, I’d close my eyes and imagine that I was sitting alone in some remote cabin in the woods in front of a cozy fire. The only thing missing from that picture was my imaginary faithful dog lying on the floor beside my chair. It may seem funny to some, but to me, it’s like “living the dream.” It’s the simple things like this that make it all worthwhile.

 Awakening to freshly fallen snow is one thing; but to have every tree in the forest engulfed in snow and ice and all their branches hanging down from the weight is a sight that is hard to describe. Looking down the driveway, I could see the pine boughs hanging so over the driveway that they were almost touching the ground. It was almost like looking into a tunnel. Just walking around outdoors could get you “plunked” on the head with a clump of snow falling from a tree.

Watching and listening wildlife is another thing that I really enjoy. Our resident loons have returned along with numerous duck and geese; a pair of trumpeter swans has also been frequenting the lake. I don’t think that there is a sound that says “up north” more than the call of a loon. 

Going outdoors early in the morning and listening to the birds and waterfowl as they begin their day is a great start to any day. I had filled the bird feeders and, after about a day of waiting, a pair of purple finches appeared, which were soon followed by some chickadees and juncos. There always seems to be a red squirrel that will find its way to the feeder. Although I am not a fan of squirrels being too close to the cabin, they are still fun to watch.

Spending time at the cabin with Mark is also an experience in some mighty fine dining, as he loves to cook and could easily be one of those guys on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Although fishing wasn’t going to happen on this trip it will be on the top of the list next time up.

Until next time, enjoy the outdoors and there’s no time like the present to start making those outdoors memories that will last a lifetime.

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.