By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

It was a windy afternoon at Riverview Golf Course outside New Richland Tuesday, April 3 as the Panther Boys’ Golf Team opened up their season as the visiting Triton Cobras won the match 165-194. Cobra Senior Andre Joyce was medalist with a 38.

Jake Langlie led the Panther scoring with a 45. Spencer Hanna shot 47 and Macoy Schwierjohann had a 48. Sam Grothem and freshman Cole Lenort had matching 54s. Sam Nafe carded a 55.

“We did not play up to our ability,” said coach Brad Root. “We need to play better in order to be competitive.”

Thursday, April 5, the Faribault BA boys and girls golf squads paid a visit to Riverview and went home on the losing end of both matches. The boys snuck by 185-190, while the girls tallied 229. The BA girls did not have a full squad.

The other day, I realized how much I owe my intelligence to other people, animals and events. We’ve all seen the books and articles like “All I really know I learned from my dog or cat or kindergarten” and you know, there's some truth to it.

How do we learn? How many people, places or things are needed to teach us what we know? Quite a few I'd say. lt seems like when there were things I needed to learn or experience, there was someone to teach me if I kept my eyes, ears and mind open.

To name just a few...

My Lord has taught me to pray to have faith and to love one another.

My uncle once said his best friend was his dog. He said he could tell him anything, pour out his deepest secrets, and the dog never told anyone. Lesson learned: a loyal friend keeps a secret.

My kids taught me that it is okay to say yes and no at appropriate times. That love isn't always on just the outside, but buried deep inside.

My dad taught me that it isn't good to be wasteful. He also taught me that something can always be made from nothing. And that success isn’t something you wear on your sleeve or in your pocketbook, but in your heart.

From my niece Ava and her Teddy Bear, I learned a loyal friend stays with you through good times and bad. No matter how old and battered things have become, these true friends are still the most important part of your life. A special friend is there to hold tight and warm your heart and take away your hurts.

My granddaughters have taught me to love someone unconditionally and completely. That greatest moments come to you unexpectedly out of the blue and childhood innocence is irreplaceable. When little Amelia smiles, everyone smiles.

My cousin Jim has tried to teach me lots of things — but most of all to keep learning and experiencing new and interesting things and to have fun and enjoy the adventure while you’re doing it.

My husband has tried to teach me the art of time and patience. It is sometimes hard for me to slow down and remember that there is another day.

My grandmother taught me many things besides cooking and cleaning. She taught me how to count to 100 while picking up sticks, pulling weeds or climbing stairs and that every task can be a learning experience. She also taught me that cocoa, choo-choo train toast, Listerine and peroxide almost cure anything. And there is always room for one more in the house, at the table or even in a sleepover.

A teacher taught me how important my name is and to always spell correctly (well almost always.) Another thing she made me realize is how important it was that my papers were neat and on time.

In 4-H I learned to sew and put things together.

During summers at the lake, I learned to swim.

My mother taught me how to love and appreciate the written word, to read and spell, and to write (even though I’ve had to re-learn those lessons over and over again.)

My sister taught me that sometimes the challenge of adversity can lead us up to higher things.

My nephews taught me that though they may have reached for the stars in height, they never used it for an excuse to look down on anyone.

My accident made me realize that two legs aren’t always that much better than one and sometimes you just have to work harder. My bout with encephalitis taught me things won’t always be the same. You just have to learn to accommodate them the best you can.

I’ve found that I’m a lot stronger and more competent than I give myself credit for, if I have the courage to take on an issue or task.

Working for the paper has been an experience of a lifetime. I realize how many people there really are, how different they may be and yet how much they are alike. They have trials and tribulations, too! The experience taught me that few people get through life without some problems to work through but that’s what gives them their strength.

I am so grateful for the chance to be able to express my thoughts (like these.) It has forced me every week to sit down at the computer, reflect, and put my thoughts together. I love being able to literally write “Whatever Comes To Mind.” Most people don't have a forum like this.

Happy people are that way because they choose to be and they make others happy because of it. The same is true of unhappy people who lack the trait of enjoying life and pass it on to others.

My computer has taught me that I can communicate or stay in touch with people everyday, all over the world. Everybody or anything, (even machines) makes mistakes and have bad days. It’s taught me that there are words you don't say and there is good and bad in everything.

Doing cross stitch has taught me I can be creative. Baking cookies and banana bread most often provides distraction for me, but with others in the kitchen, a sense of love is created. I find it enjoyable, and these domestic creations have seen me through a lot of difficult days.

My aunt taught me that a decision once made for good should be accepted and not complained about.

Putting puzzles together has a calming effect which slows me down when things are moving too fast.

I have also learned that it is all right to be quiet or noisy or calm or adventurous. It is best to be polite and well mannered but everyone can shout a bit too. You never outgrow your need to learn or explore or collect information. There are always new things to find every day.

The nicest thing you can be is the nicest thing you can be with a smile for everyone, a helping hand and a mind full of interest.

The plaque on my wall says it all “Right is right and wrong is wrong no matter who or why they're doing it.”

Nursing a pet peeve will only put a sour taste in the mouth. Flowers, like babies, grow larger by nursing.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from God. The Ten Commandments are not the “10 Suggestions.” Every religion has a code of conduct. They give meaning to life, and the way we interact with others.

Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can’t handle.

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Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, April 12th: Tiegen Kay Richards, her 5th; Rory Ann Bickler, Guy Cromwell, Charise Oland, Cheryl Thompson, Deb Wilking, Allen & Betty Brandt, Roger & Reta Draayer.

• Friday, April 13th: Victor Mrotz, Jamie Johnson, Andrea Casteron Malo, Ava Raye Chapman, her 3rd; David Clausen, Margie Nesdahl, Pat O'Conner, Jason Sullivan, Roxie Ritz Simmons, Megan Benson, Charlotte Miller, Curtis Klecker, Shannon & Jason Peterson, their 8th.

• Saturday, April 14th: Anna Elizabeth Bailey, Tina Hagen, Jason Vogt, Rachel Oswald, Marcia Hemingway Jensen, David Jensen, Ron Huber, Butch & Gail Ottesen.

• Sunday, April 15th: Mason Robert Klemmensen, his 4th; Terry Jensen, Barry Troe, James Benson, Sarah Christine George, Cayla Conroy.

• Monday, April 16th: Linda Christensen, Eddie & Arlene Miller, their 60th; Terry & Cindy Vaith their 28th.

• Tuesday, April 17th: Mike Nesdahl, Suzanne Marcus Cory, Matthew Olson, Diane Van Riper, Kathy Paulsen, Bethany & Terry Mikesell, their 7th, Jerry & Mary Peterson.

• Wednesday, April 18th: Ellen Hanson, Marge Leak, Peggy Wallerich, Tim Stollard, Tom Kaphers, Rebecca Lyn Peterson, her 10th; Brian Olson, Danielle Zamora, Levi Michael Den Herder, his 6th.

Wishing you every joy as you celebrate your special day!

Whenever I go for my early morning walk, I have time to think about fishing, the outdoors, fishing, up north, fishing, etc. I’m not saying that fishing is all I think about, but it is pretty far ahead of the others.

Daydreaming is a good way to pass the time while walking. So while I am on my early morning walk by the channel, I feel like I can connect with nature when I see all of the waterfowl, rabbits, squirrels and an occasional eagle. 

The other morning, I witnessed a lone turkey vulture circling overhead. Now I don’t mean just circling. It seemed like it was only circling over me, which didn’t give me the urge to run out and buy a lottery ticket.

Those morning walks can sometimes get me thinking about being up north and remembering some of the good fishing experiences I have had. I still reflect on those times spent fishing in the early morning on Spider Lake. There is something peaceful about being on the lake early in the morning and having it to yourself for an hour or so. 

I have always had a special spot that I liked to fish at that time of day, especially early in the season when it always seemed to produce. I would use a little different technique that I had found to be pretty effective: I would back troll along the weed line in our 14-ft. fishing boat with my small electric trolling motor using a Shad Rap which I fished in a jigging motion. I always seemed to catch fish using this method. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, pike and walleye were pretty abundant in that small time frame early in the morning. There is nothing more satisfying than a little early morning alone-time on a lake trying to solve the neverending mystery of fish catching.

I have also reminded myself of some of the strange or funny experiences I have had; so if you happen to see me out walking with a smile on my face or even laughing to myself, I’m okay. I have probably just thought of one of those instances.

One of my most memorable experiences was when I had taken my son Brad’s yellow lab named Brook up to Spider Lake with me. I had arrived at the lake two days before the rest of the family was due to arrive and thus had time to do some fishing once I settled in at the cabin. 

After I had Brook neatly tucked away in her portable kennel, it was time to head out and do some serious fishing. After a couple of hours on the lake, I was on my way back to the dock when I heard somebody’s dog barking and whining continuously. As I got closer to the dock, I realized it was Brook. And after being told by the owners of the resort that my neighbor in the next cabin had complained, I knew I had no choice but to take her along in the boat if I wanted to fish.

I felt like I had a good plan in place because Brook sure loved riding in the front of the boat with her nose to the wind. Unfortunately, she also liked to fetch and the first time that I cast my lure to this “surefire honey hole” she was out of the boat and into the water and heading right towards my lure. I can’t begin to describe the feeling of hearing a running, thumping sound and looking up just in time to have a large dog jump over your left shoulder and into the lake. I reeled my line in as fast as I possibly could, hoping that she wouldn’t tangle in the line and end up with a set or two of treble hooks in her mouth.

I then devised a “fool proof” plan of tying her leash to the boat seat.  I wrapped her leash around the pedestal of the seat to shorten it. But, much to my regret, I found out after my next cast that it was just long enough for her to go over the edge of the boat and almost hang herself. Now, I don’t know if any of you have ever tried to hoist a fully grown lab out of the water and into a boat, but it isn’t that easy, especially when the dog is flailing its legs, gasping for breath and in general just isn’t cooperating all that much. 

Yes, Brook loved to play and she would bring anything that would fit into her mouth for you to throw so she could fetch it. One time, while up north, she dragged a large tree branch over to me looking for a game of fetch. It was too big to throw, but she kept looking at me and the stick while making that little whine. That was her way of begging you to play. 

These are some of those memories that I cherish. And although Brook was maybe not that great of a fishing partner, she was a special dog and gave true meaning to the saying “man’s best friend.”

Until next time, enjoy the outdoors and 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.

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DNR back online for State park reservations

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the phased-in rollout of their state park reservation system is complete. Camping and lodging reservations are once again being accepted up to a year in advance. More than 8,500 reservations have already been made online and through the Minnesota-based call center.

Reservations can be made  at www.mndnr.gov/reservations>online or by calling 866-857-2757 (TTY 952-936-4008) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (except holidays). Up to 30 percent of the campsites at Minnesota state parks cannot be reserved in advance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The new online reservation website features:

• Calendars that show available sites at a park for three weeks at a time.

• Campground maps showing proximity of campsites to shoreline, restrooms, and other amenities.

• Photos of most (but not yet all) campsites.

• Advanced search options that allow prospective visitors to enter specific desired criteria and see their options at a glance.

Last year’s pitching was a disaster for the Minnesota Twins. How is that going to change seeing the biggest addition is a journeyman from the National League, Jason Marquis? Perhaps he is an appropriate replacement for Kevin Slowey, but he’s far from a World Series starter.

Let’s go back only one year when the Twins won the Division with about the same starting staff. Looking at that staff this year, we should be able to again rely on Pavano and Blackburn to be Major League pitchers, particularly Pavano, who with grit and guile will win a big game for you. Let’s put Marquis somewhere between Pavano and Blackburn. The three will not set the world on fire, but each may provide 200 innings of major league pitching.

O.K., that fills the bottom three slots in the rotation. The ‘87 World Series winners won with two outstanding starters, Frank Viola and Bert Blyleven. Can our current addition do the same with Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano? Will they be another Viola and Blyleven? No, but they don’t need to be for they have better supporting starters. Baker, when he’s not injured, is a fine pitcher with an ERA in the threes who hits 94 mph on the radar gun. If Baker has control and keeps the ball down, he can win a lot of games. 

There is no question Liriano has the ability to be one of the top five starters in the division. If he is able to conquer his problems, Liriano will be an ace. This is his last year before free agency and if that doesn’t give him incentive, I don’t know what will. A good season could mean $50 million plus to him.

Relief pitching is worrisome, but perhaps not as much as conventional wisdom would have it. Anthony Swarzak, Brain Duensing and Liam Hendricks, if not spot starting, can provide adequate long relief. There is no reason why a healthy Matt Capps can’t have a good year and give the Twins not great, but good closing. Glen Perkins, a proven setup man can, along with what appears the steal of spring training, Jared Burton, provide the path to Capps. In addition, Kyle Waltrop, who had made the team until hurt, will return and provide another relief pitcher.

Some of you are shaking your head and saying that is a lot of pie in the sky and this is true. This is a rose-colored glasses look at our Twins’ pitching. On the other hand, the Twins’ infield will be vastly improved and that will greatly assist our pitch-to-contact staff.

Also, if the Twins are able to hang in there until July, Terry Ryan will be in position to trade one of his good young outfielders for one or two fine pitchers. The Washington Nationals need a centerfielder in the worst way and I’m thinking Denard Span for pitching. It will be amazing what a difference just one very good pitcher can make.

There is a theme running through our Twins this year. We shall overcome. This is not to compare a baseball team with the Civil Rights movement. No way! But the Twins have a lot to overcome. The comeback of a hometown hero. The recovery from head and other injuries. Severe injuries of a newcomer’s daughter. A disastrous season. The recovery of a substance abuser to make the team. 

They have a long way to come, but what a story if they do it. And you know, I don’t know who I’d rather have on my side than Terry Ryan and Ron Gardenhire.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club meeting

"If you don’t pay me more money, you’re going to have to find someone else to do this job."

"You don’t do your job."

"That’s true, but you’ll never find anyone who will do the job cheaper than I don’t do it."

I’ve learned

1. Everyone but me has a coupon.

2. I see more paper adults than paperboys.

3. All drivers think they have the right-of-way.

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: if you’re living the dream, you might be asleep.

Venus flytrap

Whenever I got a new ballpoint pen for school, the first thing I did was to take the pen apart. I'm not sure why I did that. I knew how the pen worked. I put it back together and practiced my bad penmanship.

Occasionally, I took a break from dismantling pens to study. Or at least to pretend to study. I held a schoolbook so it appeared that I was studying. What I was doing was reading a comic book that laid flat upon my lap. My attention was drawn to an ad in the comic book that read, "Discover the hidden secrets of nature’s most exotic and mysterious house plant! The Venus Fly Trap. See how it lures, traps, eats and digests insects up to 20 times it’s (yes, it said ”it’s" instead of ”its,” but that’s an easy mistake to make and it was in a comic book) size. Learn how you can actually train it with a pencil to perform only for you. Feed it raw hamburger from your hand. Experiment with it at home or school."

It was only $1 plus 30 cents for postage and handling. That was only $1.30 more than I had, but they had made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’d always wanted a Venus flytrap. School was ending or I’d have set the plant upon that mystery meat that we’d had for lunch. We had a farm covered in animal exhaust and an abundance of flies. My Venus flytrap would need to go on a diet after eating so many flying insects. I’d decided to make a concerted effort to scrape up $1.30. I was so sure that could be done that I’d come up with a name for the plant — Vinnie.

My father had gone to a creamery meeting. I wish he’d have sent one of the dairy cows as his proxy. At the meeting, they discussed the price of milk, the need for a new milk truck, and the possibility of switching their group health insurance to another carrier. To insure a crowd, the creamery offered a meal and door prizes. Everyone received a gift. It was a flyswatter with the creamery’s name boldly printed upon it. My father brought the flyswatter home and presented it to me with suitable fanfare. It was a big step for a male in the Batt family to get his own flyswatter — a step towards manhood.

Ordinarily, I would have been thrilled to have my very own flyswatter, but I’d wanted a Venus flytrap. It made no sense to have two things that killed flies. The plant would have diminished my appreciation of the gift of a flyswatter.

Hide-and-seek

Mardell Robinson of New Richland told me that her cell phone was ringing. She dug frantically in her purse trying to find the contraption, only to discover that the phone was in her pocket.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I was his boss.

I was also half his age.

He chafed a bit having to answer to someone so young. "I’ll be a little late tomorrow," he said near the end of one workday.

"You’re always a little late for work," I groused.

"Oh," he said. "Well, then I’ll be in at my usual time."

Nature notes

“What can I do to make the suction cups on my window feeder stick to glass?” Placing the suction cups in boiling water for two or three minutes might restore elasticity. Wash the window. Grit interferes with the seal. Suction cups adhere best to warm windows. Wait until the sun hits the window or use a hair drier to warm the glass before attaching a feeder. Don't use water on the cups in an effort to affix the feeder to the window. Rub a little vegetable oil on them. Push the suction cups firmly against the window and force out any air bubbles in the cups.

Meeting adjourned

"Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame."--Alexander Pope

The scurs made the best of a generally nice but cooler week of weather. More seasonal temps again or back to June this week? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with highs around and lows near 35. Partly cloudy Thursday becoming mostly cloudy by evening with a good chance of showers particularly in the overnight hours. Highs around 60 and lows about 45. Friday, mostly cloudy with a good chance of rain. Highs again near 60 and lows near 50. Mostly cloudy and warmer on Saturday with an increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms into the evening hours. Highs 65 and lows around 50. Sunday, mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy with a chance of lingering showers prior to evening. Highs 60 and lows of 50. Mostly cloudy on Monday and cooler with highs of 55 and lows near 40. Tuesday, partly cloudy with a chance of showers in the afternoon into evening. Highs near 60 with lows around 35. The normal high for April 15th is 57 and the normal low is 35. Sunrise will occur on April 15th and the sun will set on the 16th. There will be over 13 hours and 30 minutes of daylight on the 16th as we continue to gain daylight at about 3 minutes per day. The scurs will be sharpening their pencil to fill in their Form 1040 on the evening of the 16th.

After consulting with Vista’s noted Swedish astronomer, he informed me that Jupiter will be setting about the same as the sun by the end of April. At that point it will disappear from the evening sky until next winter. That might explain why I can no longer see it when I wander out to feed lambs shortly after 10 p.m. That or it’s cloudy out. Venus, however, is still very bright in the western sky, appearing as a “mini-moon.” Mars is overhead at 10 p.m., the reddish orange glow of the planet making it distinctive and easy to pick out. The Big Dipper is nearly straight up at 10 p.m. and upside down. As legend would have it, it reputedly pours out its water in the spring to bring life to the landscape after the long winter break. Only trouble is so far this spring, it must have a hole in it. 

Some corn went in the ground this past week and whether that was a good or a bad thing remains to be seen. All data seems to indicate little benefit from planting much before the 21st and recent experience indicates an increased amount of risk from frost and reduced stands due to cold soil conditions. Small grains look absolutely fantastic as well they should with the planting conditions and dates. Temperatures recently have been to small grain’s liking and dry weather has meant that conditions are less favorable to the development of early season disease. Alfalfa continues to thunder along and depending on what the frost does to it, there is a good chance that first cutting could occur about mid-May. This is about two weeks ahead of what we normally would even consider.

Speaking of ahead of schedule, the yard and garden at the ranch continue to defy the calendar date. The rhubarb was bountiful for Easter dinner and there was plenty to send home. Best of all it was hard to tell any had even been picked. There is even some corn up, likely courtesy of one of the squirrels frequenting the ear corn feeder. Some disappointment too though as the radishes are progressing slowly and the sugar pod peas have emerged unevenly. Then what do you expect planted on March 18th? The pear trees planted last year have flowered like mad. One would think those flowers would smell sweet like an apple blossom: They don’t. They smell like the liquid fly bait we use in the fly traps in the barn. Odd but not so odd perhaps when one thinks about it. They flower very early and there are few bees around to pollinate them so they have to rely on other insects. Lo and behold there were lots of flies on the flowers during the warmer days. Let’s just hope the frost didn’t put a damper on the fruit set. Ditto on the apples. With a low of 21 at Waseca Tuesday morning, all bets are off for a while.

In the yard things are slowly changing over from the winter birds to our more permanent summer residents. There are still lots of downies, nuthatches, hairies, blue jays and a smattering of goldfinches occasionally. However the tree swallows are back in force, occupying almost every nesting box. A brown creeper showed up on Saturday, looking like a mobile know on the ash by the patio.  The pond area has come to life too as a waterfowl hangout.  Weekend observations yielded several pair of wood ducks, a dozen or so blue-winged teal, mallards and Canada geese. The kestrel is now setting on 4 brownish eggs with small splotches of darker reddish-brown on them. The eggs are huge considering this kestrel isn’t much bigger than a robin. The eggs measure a little over an inch long and about an inch in diameter. Seeing the wood ducks and knowing the lone wood duck house was being occupied by a kestrel again, it was time to put another house up on Sunday. It didn’t take long to do and there were still some prospective occupants in the area as of Monday night. 

Easter was one of those made for memories. Thanks to the talents of a Mayo doctor, Mom’s eyesight had been recently restored to its previous level. It made the weekend very special as she could see and appreciate the visual part of the ranch more fully. Also one reason we spent more time cleaning up than we otherwise might have! My older brother brought Mom and her Border Collie Fudgie over on Saturday after the showers had passed. He got the dollar tour of the ranch and was on his way back to his castle north of the Twin Cities. Mom was so happy to feed the bottle lambs and they of course were more than happy to eat. Ruby of course was delighted to have Fudgie to play with. 

On Easter Sunday we had my sister and nephew as guests along with Auntie Mar Mar. We all contributed something to the feast. I made lamb chops on the grill and luckily no one called the fire department.  Mrs. Cheviot made a strawberry pie worthy of Martha Stewart and some gluten-free rhubarb bars that were actually extremely good.  Mom made a large batch of her marvelous cherry fruit salad. My sister put together some mean potato salad. Auntie Mar Mar brought her exquisite but lethal bean recipe. They worked their magic too and by late afternoon I was blaming the strange noises on the icemaker again. Ruby kept everyone entertained and was her typical busybody self as there was always something going on she could be involved in. By the time the day was over and it was time for folks to go home, the time had flown by. With Fudgie packed up and good-bye’s said, the house became suddenly quiet as the Suburban rolled down the road.  We were back to our normal routine. Ruby was back to hers as well, a red and white blur racing to the barn then back to the house, making sure we were on our way to do chores.

See you next week…real good then.

Funeral services for H. Ellsworth Tukua, age 95, of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church. Rev. Dennis Frank will officiate. Interment will be at Hartland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Ellsworth died Sunday, April 8, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System Albert Lea.

H. Ellsworth Tukua was born on October 14, 1916 to Erick and Emma (Madson) Tukua in Hartland Township.  He grew up on his parents’ farm in Hartland Township and attended rural school District #10.  In 1935, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked with the U.S. Forest Service in the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota.  In 1938 Ellsworth began working for a construction contractor operating heavy equipment.  On July 20, 1940 Ellsworth was united in marriage to Janet Marlin at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa.  In 1947, Ellsworth and his brother, Eugene, formed a partnership as Tukua Brothers Construction, and in 1958, Ellsworth and Janet became full owners, changing the company name to Tukua Drainage Construction, which he continued to operate until his retirement at age 75.  Ellsworth’s reputation was that of a perfectionist, a trait that his customers most appreciated.  Ellsworth and Janet spent their married life living in Hartland where they raised four children.  They were members of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church and Ellsworth served as treasurer and also mayor of Hartland for several years.  Ellsworth was hard working yet always willing to lend a helping hand.  He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, family gatherings and traveling around the country.  He was a devoted husband and father and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Memories of him, his wonderful sense of humor and hearty laugh will be forever cherished.

Survivors include his children; Lowell (Deborah) Tukua of TN, Kathryn (Dougal) Huntington of Shakopee, and Helen Tukua of Albert Lea, son-in-law Bruce Langlie of Hartland; grandchildren Terri Langlie (Richard) Sheldon, Shane (Dawn) Huntington, Heather Huntington, Mason Neste, Erik (Karen) Tukua, Kirk (Robin) Tukua, David Tukua, and Josiah Tukua; nine great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Oriale Tukua; and many nieces and nephews.

Ellsworth was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Janet, daughter RuthAnn Langlie, sisters Esther Thofson, Clarice Thofson, Stella Legreid, Myrtle Hoeve and Alice Tukua, brothers George, Eugene, and Norman Tukua; and father and mother-in-law Leroy and Maggie (Pollock) Marlin.

With the dry conditions along with winds blowing, Waseca County Sheriff Brad Milbrath has issued a county-wide burning ban until substantial rain falls. 

Camp fires will still be allowed in 3x3 rings with flames no higher than three feet. Please be aware of the conditions and be safe.

Funeral services for Delores Darlene Neumann of New Richland, MN, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2012 at St Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St Peter's Cemetery, New Richland.

Delores Darlene Neumann, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the Lake City Care Center after a 3 year battle with breast cancer and related complications.

Delores was born January 23, 1936 to Herman and Kristine Sorenson on their farm near Blooming Prairie.  She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1954 and from Mankato State College in 1957.  Delores married Otto E. Neumann on April 6, 1956.  She had a 25 year career at Freeborn County Department of Human Services.  Delores enjoyed the tranquility of living on the family farm and was an avid gardener and bird watcher.  She enjoyed classical music, playing solitaire, word puzzles, and watching old movies and musicals.   Additional favorite pastimes included antiquing and flea markets with her husband, Otto.   Delores loved her family and was proud of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and attending their activities.  She created family traditions that were woven into the holidays and family gatherings.  The family will miss her love, wisdom, and her caring ways.

Delores is survived by her husband of 56 years Otto Neumann of New Richland, Minnesota, daughters Kristine Neumann (Ray Mielke) of Hartland, Shannon Neumann (Michael Sleeper) of Shawano, WI, Stephanie Neumann Raymo (Michael Raymo) of Mankato, Kari Neumann-Scholl (Steve Scholl) of Owatonna, and son Daniel Neumann of New Richland.

Grandchildren Tara Fricke, Samantha Raymo, Lance Raymo, Megan Neumann Sleeper, Ethan Scholl, Alearah Neumann, Dylan Neumann Sleeper, Lillian Scholl, Connor Neumann Sleeper, and Arionna Neumann and great-grandchildren Malayah, Elyse, and Ryder.

Delores is also survived by two sisters, Sharon Walters of Plainview, and June Buenger of Bemidji and two brothers, LaVerne Sorenson (Marion) of Austin, and Allan Sorenson of Chester, IA and many nieces and nephews.  Delores is preceded in death by parents Herman and Kristine Sorenson, sister Irene, brother Maynard and two infant siblings.

Casket bearers include Daniel Neumann, Ray Mielke, Michael Sleeper, Michael Raymo, Steve Scholl, and Lance Raymo.

The family would like to express our gratitude to the doctors and staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Respiratory Care Unit and Lake City Care Center for their compassionate support and sincere caring. 

   100 Years Back – 1912

• I will be in New Richland again this season prepared to do tiling of all kinds the same satisfaction guarantee as in the past. Give me a chance to figure on your job. G. M. Nesbit, New Richland.

• Lemond Locals — Johnny Johnson is the owner of a new buggy. L. L. Strand has added a gasoline engine to his supply of machinery.

• “There’s a fool born every minute.” “Sometimes two fools.” “Huh?” “You have a twin brother, haven’t you?”

• South Wilton — Wm. Krueger sold a horse last week for $175 and Frank Krueger bought a horse for $175.

• Matawan Murmurs — Mrs. Ed. Weise continues poorly, we hope for a speedy gain to her former health.

• Hartland — Over 100 people from here went to Albert Lea Friday to hear ex-President Roosevelt deliver a speech. 

• W. F. Dagner shingled his house Friday and Saturday, being aided in the work by several of his neighbors.

• For sale — A live local newspaper at $1.50 a year. — The Star.

• Notwithstanding the fact that the dry voters at Waseca Tuesday were in the majority over the wets, there is a pretty tangle over the exact result because eleven blank license ballots were cast. A confliction of the state law and the home rule charter of Waseca on this point causes the trouble.

• Esmeralda — “She used to say that if she ever married a man it would be because she wanted to make him miserable, yet she married that young Frizzletop after she had known him only a week.” Gwendolen — “Yes, it seems to have been a case of hate at first sight.”

• Monday last the public library was removed to its former quarters over the State Bank and the women’s rest room has been discontinued. It was found the convenience of the place was not appreciated to the extent that it should have been.

75 Years Back – 1937

• Farmers and other employers who have offered work to relief clients, and have met with refusal, are requested by the Waseca County Relief Board to report such cases to the relief office, according to H.E. Gridley. The board will take immediate action in all “job refusal” cases.

• Weather conditions permitting, the first practice of the baseball season will be held at Wagner Athletic Field Sunday afternoon. All baseball players in the community who wish to try out for the team this year are urged to be present at the field for the workout. Every player who wishes will be given an opportunity to make the team.

• Pickle Street — The play “Ouch, My Corn” given by the 4-H Busters Club at District 49 last Friday night was well attended and the members took in eleven dollars. Miss Marie Nelson and Mildred Proehl are leaders of the club.

• School Notes — Want Ads- Lost: My sunny disposition which I had acquired during vacation. — Grouch. Grades 4 and 5 — In our 4th grade arithmetic drill last week we had 3 A’s, 17 B’s, 5 C’s and 2 D’s. We didn’t have any failures. We hope to do even better in our test this week.

• Byron — A large crowd from this vicinity attended the livestock sale and show given by O. B. Anderson.

• Letters are being sent out to every parent of school children in Waseca County this week informing them of the campaign to get all school children vaccinated against small pox and immunized against diphtheria during the coming week.

• Anyone may wire farms according to REA specifications. Many farms in Waseca and Steele counties are now being wired in readiness for high-line service when the co-operative line is built.

50 Years Back – 1962

• Dr. Albert Flor is pictured in his 80 horsepower speedboat cruising down the creek adjacent to the bowling alley. High water had inundated about a four-block area near the creek running through New Richland.

• Joanne Arnfelt, Mankato State College student from New Richland, will be among the 233 students doing student teaching work in the spring quarter. Miss Arnfelt, a home economics major, will be student teaching at Freeborn.

• A little boy asked the postman whether he had a letter from M.I.T. The postman retorted with “No, what are you, a genius or something?” The little boy said “I’ve asked them for some rocket fuel for my orbit flight.” The mailman walked away and said, “When I was a boy, we flew kites and were completely satisfied.”

• Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Baagason, having sold the St. Olaf Lake Store to Albert Walskog of Fredericksberg, Iowa wish to thank their customers, friends and neighbors for their patronage the past fourteen years.

• Northeast New Richland — Mr. and Mrs. David Swenson and Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Swenson attended the Ice Follies at Minneapolis Friday.

• Ellendale’s First Annual Community Auction Sale Saturday, April 7th starting at 12:30 p.m. Buyers will be here to pay the high $$$. Bring in your farm machinery, furniture, trucks, household goods, appliances or whatever you want turned into cash. Cols. Jensen & Wendorf, auctioneers. Security State Bank of Ellendale, clerk.

• Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hanson entertained Sunday afternoon in honor of their son Mark’s first birthday.

• The junior class at New Richland High School will present “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay” on Thursday, April 26, at 8 p.m.

• Want your car washed? Get rid of all that dirt and scum with our Safeway Car Wash. This new car wash uses a detergent and your car comes out with a nice shine. Madson’s Service, New Richland. 

25 Years Back – 1987

• Pastor Dennis Schmidt was installed as the new pastor of Hartland and Manchester Evangelical Lutheran Churches on Sunday, March 29.

• Bank Notes — That day is here again, the one we all abhor. April 15th … that rainy day, we’ve all been saving for! April is the month when the green returns to the lawn, the lilacs and the Internal Revenue Service.

• Whatever you desire! We can design and build cabinets and furniture especially for you! Call or stop in! Solid Wood Products, Jim Finseth, Prop.

• Notice power outage — Saturday, April 11, 1987, 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Electricity to NSP customers either side of Highway 13 from Waseca to Freeborn Co. Rd. 35, north of Hartland. This area includes the Highlands and New Richland.

• The New Richland-Hartland Community Education Office is offering a Karate class this spring. Gordon Ebnet will be the instructor.

• Notice — Anyone wishing to contribute cash or labor for planting of trees at St. Peter’s Cemetery, please contact Odean Miller.

• The Cannon Valley Girl Scout Council wishes to extend a special thank you to all those who purchased during the recent cookie sale.

• Hop on down, order your Easter specialty goodies! Stop in and register for the 5 ft. “Easter Bear” to be given away before Easter. Quiram’s Bakery, New Richland.

• The King and Queen of the New Richland-Hartland elementary carnival were Matthew Harris and Rachel Knudson, both of Hartland. They won the honor by selling the most tickets.

• Swampbuster rules criticized. “Swampbuster, as it is being enforced in some counties, can put a farmer out of business overnight,” said Jack Hufstetler. “Swampbuster” is a provision in the Food Security Act that defines wetlands which cannot be used for crops. A farmer who violates the “swampbuster” provision may lose all federal farm benefits.

Compiled by Jody Wynnemer

Editor's note: Looking Back is a regular feature that appears weekly in the Star Eagle. This report is from the April 5, 2012 edition.