What most of us who have lived in Minnesota for some time have been saying all along is that we will pay for the nice weather! The northern half of the state got the bulk of the snowfall, while we here in the southern part got some much needed moisture with a rain, sleet and snow mix. For some reason, every time I ventured out in the elements, I could hear the postal workers old motto floating around in my head: “neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow……”

There is one thing certain: we do need the moisture. A dry fall followed by an unusually brown winter has only contributed to the already low water levels. In case you haven’t noticed, there are a lot of ponds and streams that have little or no water in them right now. So any form of moisture will be welcome.

This is the time of the year that puts a lot of sportsmen in limbo. We have seen some pretty unstable conditions for ice fishing in our area this winter, but from reports that I have heard the fishing wasn’t half bad. The walleye and northern fishing seasons have closed in our area of the state. But, for those hardy souls that still want to pursue them, there are panfish and perch to be caught through the ice.

The time for me to start spending some time in the basement rummaging through my tackle boxes is now here. I also plan on spending some time oiling my reels and putting on new line in the next couple of weeks. This is a sure-fire way to get pumped up for the upcoming open water season. This year, I am looking forward to spending more time fishing our local lakes. We have plenty of good fishing lakes around the area that offer some great fishing opportunities so I can’t wait to test the waters.

Some of the area lakes that have been stocked or “reclaimed” in recent years are already showing results. There are also a few area lakes that I haven’t fished in quite some time that are on my to-do list. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time on the water again this year; whether it is on area lakes or northern lakes. I just can’t wait.

Lately, I have found myself drifting off and daydreaming about sitting in a boat on a remote northern Minnesota lake with a soft summer breeze lazily pushing the boat along in a slow drift. Although it was only a daydream, that summer breeze will eventually become a reality. And those remote lakes really do exist and can be found right here in Minnesota. 

These lakes may not always be holding the “lunker” that you are seeking, but you never know. That fish may be just around the next bend or on the other side of that distant point. This is the great part of fishing; knowing that you don’t really know what lurks in the depths of some of these lakes. I still get excited when fishing a body of water that I have not fished before.

I actually look forward to returning to some of the lakes that I have only fished a time or two. Each year, I try to fish at least one lake for the first time. I guess my goal is to fish as many different lakes as I can while still taking the time to revisit some old favorites. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to see enough of the 10,000 in my lifetime, but I do hope to put a small dent in that number while I am still able to bait a hook or cast a lure.

Just the thought of casting a lure to a spot that I could only imagine is holding fish gives me a chill of excitement. This is indeed the kid in me getting revved up for another year of fishing. 

I have always wondered if I would ever tire or get complacent with the thought of another fishing adventure, but so far that is definitely not the case.  In the weeks to follow, I will no doubt be arranging and rearranging my tackle boxes and taking inventory to see what “necessities” I will need to refurbish. 

The idea of heading to Cabela’s or Fleet Farm to replenish my jig and plastics supply is becoming more appealing to me with each passing day. I will, no doubt, be checking out the latest “surefire lure” that is sure to catch any unsuspecting fisherman lurking in the aisle of the sporting goods store. Purchasing just one of these lures can make the average fisherman feel like he is on top of his game and has been keeping up with the latest fishing technology.

If you want to see what’s new in the outdoors world for the upcoming year, you can visit one of the many Sportsman’s Shows that are scheduled in the coming month. Starting with the Minnesota Deer Classic & Outdoor Expo March 9th – 11th in the Coliseum Building at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul. The largest of these expos is probably The Northwest Sportshow which lasts for 5 days starting March 28th and runs through April 1st at the Minneapolis Convention Center. If it is outdoors, I will be at this event. I have not attended this show for quite some time but to me it is kind of like the State Fair of sport shows.

This is a good way to cure those winter blahs and get pumped up for summer. I have also caught myself channel surfing for fishing shows more frequently as this year’s version of winter lingers on. This is just another way of relieving the dreaded disease called “cabin fever” whenever you feel these symptoms coming on.

Until next time, play safe, watch out for thin ice, good fishin’ and enjoy the Minnesota outdoors experience. 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.

We have long known about concussions and, until recently, they have been somewhat brushed aside. If a football player was dazed, it was treated by having the player sit down until the cobwebs cleared and if he knew what day it was, nothing much was done. Afterwards, it might be said, "Well, he got his bell rung," followed by a chuckle or two and the postgame analysis continued.

The effects of repeated blows to the head were noted, but not taken too seriously. One of America’s funnymen, Red Skelton, even had a routine in which his character Cauliflower McPug continually heard a bell rung when there was no bell. We all thought it was funny.

Then evidence started to accumulate. An icon of sports, Muhammed Ali, had symptoms of repeated blows to the head. Ali, a quick thinker and very articulate, slowed to a crawl. Many retired pro football players showed the effects of concussions.

Nationally known sports figures suffered concussions and began being more closely observed. Hockey star Sidney Crosby and baseball’s Cory Koskie were laid low by concussion symptoms. Pittsburgh Penguin Captain and Olympic star Crosby has been sidelined for over a year. He recovered from his concussion, but has continued to suffer from disorientation because of an injury to his neck. 

It was explained by his physician that if you turn your neck 10 degrees and your eyes say it’s 10 degrees and your ears say it’s 10 degrees, but the receptors in your neck say it’s five or 15 degrees, you are literally "lost in space." Strictly speaking Crosby is not suffering from a brain injury, but his problem came about because of a concussion. The finest hockey player of our era may never play competitively again.

Closer to home, Cory Koskie was cut down in the middle of his baseball life. We have come a long ways in awareness of concussion problems since Koskies’ injury. After his injury Cory suffered from post-concussion syndrome, but it was felt that if a doctor says you’re recovered, that’s what everyone believes, including the patient. Koskie wasn’t, and though he tried for months and years, he finally came to the realization that although his baseball skills were undiminished, his leading a normal life after baseball was more important than risking another concussion.

While researching this article, I came across a startling fact. One out of 10 high school athletes suffer a concussion. Suppose out of a high school class of 60, one half of them are boys and further suppose that 20 of the boys play sports of one kind or another. That works out to three concussions, and that’s just the boys. Sometimes even innocuous sounding sports like soccer may cause concussions. A clinical psychologist pointed out that the continuous heading occurring in soccer may cause problems. "Surely not," I said. A soccer ball is not that hard. "That’s true," he said, but repeated blows to the head can be dangerous."

Justin Morneau is traveling the same path as his countryman Cory Koskie. Perhaps playing hockey contributed to their problems. And because the recent emphasis has been on Morneau, we tend to forget that Denard Span has also suffered lost time because of a concussion.

Concussions are not dehabilitating the vast majority of the time, but every effort must be made to prevent and recognize the problem. I wish Morneau all the luck in the world and we all know the Twins sure need him, but not at the cost of his normal life after baseball.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“What are those?”

“Those are the parts left over after I fixed the tractor.”

“Will it run without those parts?”

“Probably not, but it didn’t run with them either.”

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: at a four-way stop intersection, the vehicle displaying the most duct tape goes first.

I’ve learned

1. A do-it-yourself project must be prepared to self-construct.

2. Never yell “Fire” in a gun shop.

3. Dogs always think that a knock on the door is for them.

My neighbor

Old Man McGinty, the youngest Old Man McGinty ever, told me that one of the unfortunate things about outliving the high school classmates that he was trying to impress way back when is that they will never know just what a good, smart, happy, and loving person he really is because they will never have the chance to read his obituary. Old Man McGinty said that he was pulled over for speeding recently, but the police officer let him go when Old Man McGinty pleaded that he didn’t have the memory he once had and if he did not hurry up and get there, he might forget where he was going.

A fuel’s paradise

I was pumping gas. I watched the price of my purchase climb precipitously high. I once claimed that filling the gas tank doubled the value of my car. I said that because of my math ability. I always had two A’s on my report card — one in "Allen" and the other in "Batt." Now I’ve realized that when I fill the tank it comes to an amount so high that I’ve paid less for a used car.

Fine

"Fine!"

My wife said that. That meant things were not fine. When a man says, "Fine," it means fine. When a woman says it, it’s the anti-fine — a dictionary away from a man’s “fine.”

"What’s wrong?" I ask, realizing too late that silence might have been a better choice.

"Nothing."

"Are you mad?" I persist.

"I’m not mad."

Men know instinctively that if a woman might be mad at us, she is.

"What are you then?" I wonder aloud.

"I’m not mad. I’m miffed, nettled, peeved, displeased, annoyed, and irritated, but I’m not mad."

Thank goodness.

A sign

I signed the credit card signature pad at the supermarket. What I scribbled looked nothing like my signature. I could have just as well drawn a smiley face. It was a sad thing to do to a signature. I recall practicing how to sign my name so that it would look outstanding on my driver’s license and on other important documents. I wrote it with and without my middle initial.

My signature has eroded with time and use. If I continue to use the credit card signature pads, it will soon be reduced to an X.

Getting my goat

Years ago, I bought a pair of goats from Larry Bartness. I paid cash. It seemed like the proper way to buy goats.

The goats were both females. One was white and one was black. I called the white goat Blackie and the black one Whitey to differentiate them.

The goats made interesting company. They were stubborn, mischievous, and loved to eat things they shouldn’t. We butted heads, metaphorically, because we had too much in common.

I showed a different goat at the county fair. The fair brought in doofuses like me to show animals so that fairgoers would understand that “dumb” animals were smarter than I was. The goat I showed (or tried to show) in the 4-H ring had apparently corresponded with Blackie and Whitey. It wouldn’t do anything I wanted it to do. It wouldn’t do anything but poop where I could easily step in goat exhaust. I was good at doing that.

I didn’t win a ribbon, but I had that hircine stink. I gave my two goats back to Larry Bartness. I lost money on the goats, but it was worth it to lose the goats. 

Nature notes

In wild animals, rabies is most common in bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. It is found in deer, woodchucks, cats, dogs, and cattle. Chipmunks, opossums, mice, rabbits, rats, and squirrels rarely get rabies. Birds, fish, insects, amphibians, and reptiles do not contract rabies.

An eight-hooter is a nickname for the barred owl that often produces an eight-hoot call, “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all.”

Meeting adjourned

Kindness comes more from tiny pushes than from mighty shoves.

The scurs were on target once again although the high temps for Tuesday were a little cloudy in their crystal ball. What’s in store for this week? Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a good chance of rain. Highs of 40 with lows around 25. Mostly clear on Thursday with highs around 40 and lows near 25. Sunny on Friday with highs near 45 and lows around 30. Partly cloudy on Saturday with highs near 50 and lows staying above freezing at 35. Partly cloudy on Sunday with a moderate chance of some showers. Highs of 50 – 55 and lows near 40. Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy on Monday with a slight chance of a shower. Highs 50 – 55 and lows near 35. Tuesday, partly cloudy with a possible lingering shower. Highs near 50 and lows near 35. The normal high for March 10th is 37 and the normal low is 35. The scurs remind you to get up at 2 a.m. to set your clocks ahead an hour as required by law.

The Full Moon for the month of March falls on the 8th this year and goes by numerous names. The most common is the Full Worm Moon because it is during this month that the ground thaws allowing earthworms to reach the surface leaving their castings, while providing food for birds such as robins and grackles. It also goes by the Full Crow Moon as crows are bunching up making my little fat vertically challenged Swede buddy’s trigger finger itch. The moon also goes by the Full Sap Moon as it is usually time for collecting sap for maple syrup. It is also known as the Full Lenten Moon, signaling the last full moon of winter. The Ojibwe knew this as the Full Crust Moon as a crust would form overnight on top of the snow after thawing during the day. The Sioux called this the Moon When Buffalo Drop Their Calves, a very important part of a culture relying on the bison for sustenance. At the ranch, this is known as The Moon When Stinky Little Red and White Border Collies Are Caked with Mud. 

Rainfall amounts last week surprised almost everyone especially since there were no major power outages due to ice accumulations on the power lines. Amounts varied around the area from 1.96” at the SROC in Waseca, 1.82” west of Bugtussle and 1.37” at the ranch. 1.37” was also received in Albert’s Leaf. How much of this rainfall went in the ground? Guesstimates from people like Mark Seeley would suggest perhaps around half of it and perhaps more in areas where the ground was tilled last fall, leaving pockets in which it could collect. This bodes favorably for early season crop growth as we should have enough in the top foot to get a crop started without worrying. For others, it was just nice to know it could still rain that much in one rainfall event. The last time it rained that much at the ranch was during the 16th of July when 2.8” was measured.

Bird activity continues at a rapid pace although no robins yet at the ranch. Others have seen or heard them however and south at my brother’s place in IA, they showed up in numbers Tuesday morning. Something tells me by the time this reaches print, they should be plentiful here. The ground may not be totally thawed so earthworms may be a short commodity until it does. In the meantime at the ranch, our Indian Magic crabapple has plenty of fruit on it to tide them over. The building of house sparrow nests in the barn has already started which is a little peculiar. This is the earliest I can remember seeing the males build them. Is this an indication of global warming? Not necessarily but it is an indication they will be defecating on things in the barn earlier than usual. 

Ruby had a big weekend as we moved ewes with lambs from the lambing pens into their new home in the loafing barn. She gets to impress us with her speed, footwork and uncanny ability to keep a ewe preoccupied while we bring up the rear so they don’t double back on us. Once in the shed she lets the ewe into the alleyway and becomes a drover, something that at least makes the ewe think twice about making a run for it until we get there. Ruby apparently looks forward to this activity if the celebratory whining and whimpering following heaps of praise is any indication. It’s short lived however as once each group is in their proper place, it’s time to move another bunch. Thus the process starts all over again. The nicest thing about all of this is we haven’t had to teach the dog any of it. After running through it a few times, Ruby knows the drill. 

She was curious about what I was doing during lamb check the other night when we’d started for the house though. I heard a ewe bleating where it didn’t belong. Sure enough there was one off by itself in front of the east side of the barn. After corralling the ewe and getting an ear tag number, she belonged in the other barn so I started to drag her uphill across the yard. About that time I encountered a patch of ice, discovered I was airborne and gonna land on my back, hard. After impact I determined nothing was injured except my pride and lying on her side, the ewe had apparently found the same patch of ice. Looking up, there was Ruby staring at me quizzically wondering why I was lounging around on the ground. Her eyes were saying, “Get up, dummy! We have sheep to move!” I quickly dusted myself off, grabbed the ewe and Ruby tailed her as we made our way across the yard to the proper facility. All in a day’s work. 

The little fat buddies missed out on a treat on Monday. Apparently their busy schedules got the best of them and they weren’t present when CS stopped in with fresh caramel rolls. They were just as scrumptious as I remembered. The fact there was no quorum present to sample them was fine. There were more for those of us who had become famished after a long morning of seeking wisdom and knowledge. And not necessarily the kind they taught in school.

See you next week…real good then.

Donald J. McQuarie, age 65, of Faribault, died on Monday, March 5, 2012 at his home.

Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church, Faribault, on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Daniel D. Mead officiating.  Interment will be held at the Sakatah Cemetery, Waterville.

Visitation will be held in the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and also in the church for one hour prior to the services on Saturday.

Donald J., the son of Frederick and Doris (Nelson) McQuarie was born on February 23, 1947.  He was formerly by Rice County Day Activity Center.

He is survived by his two sisters, Sharon (and Russell) Schiell of Ellendale and Sherill (and James) Golombeski of Morristown; one niece, Shannon (and Lee) Velky of Solon, IA; three nephews, Jason (and Barb) Kane of Owatonna, Justin (and Vanessa) Kane of Faribault, Shane (and Nikki) Schiell of Ellendale and Ryan (and Jillian) Schiell of Owatonna; five great nieces; four great nephews; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visit boldtfuneralhome.com for information and guest book.

NRHEG girls one win away from state

CELEBRATE — Members of the NRHEG girls' basketball team celebrate during the final moments of the Panthers' 69-50 victory over Blue Earth Area for the Section 2AA South Sub-Section championship Monday night at Minnesota State Mankato. The Panthers improved to 29-0 for the season. They're scheduled to meet St. Peter Friday at 8 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter for the Section 2AA championship and a berth in the state tournament. From left: Hannah Lundberg, Raelin Schue, Anna Schlaak, Jade Schultz, Carlie Wagner and Tori Raimann. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The upset alert lasted only one game for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team.

The Panthers, who survived a test from Hayfield earlier in the week, had their way with Blue Earth Area 69-50 to win the Section 2AA South Sub-Section championship at Minnesota State Mankato Monday night.

It puts the Panthers 29-0 for the season and one win away from the state tournament. They play St. Peter Friday at 8 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Unlike Friday, when the Panthers were sluggish in a 45-32 semifinal victory over fourth-seeded Hayfield at New Richland, NRHEG handled second-seeded BEA for the second time this season, building a 13-4 lead midway through the first half. It was 34-23 at the break.

UP IN THE AIR — NRHEG's Dustin Esplan lifts Jesus Romero of Pelican Rapids during the opening round of the state tournament Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Esplan dominated the match 14-1. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

SHOW HIM THE LIGHTS — Dustin Esplan puts Jesus Romero of Pelican Rapids on his back during the opening round of the state tournament Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

ALL BUSINESS — NRHEG head wrestling coach Paul Cyr, left, leads Seth Petranek to his first match in the state tournament Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

HEARTBREAKER — NRHEG's Seth Petranek lifts James Nelson of ACGC during the opening round of the state tournament Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Petranek was the aggressor in the match but lost a heartbreaking 2-1, four-overtime decision on a controversial call.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

NRHEG took two wrestlers and some high hopes to the 2012 state tournament.

They did not come home empty-handed.

Seniors Dustin Esplan and Seth Petranek earned medals, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul last weekend.

“Even tough I wish boys guys could have ended their seasons with a victory, I am extremely proud of the way they competed and represented NRHEG at the state tournament,” said Panthers coach Paul Cyr.

For both, it meant a lot of wrestling. It included highlights, heartbreak and redemption.

Panthers vanquish Vikings in sub-section semis

ROUGH AND TUMBLE ACTION — Katie Cole of the NRHEG girls' basketball team (14) battles for the ball with Hayfield's Abby Blanchard during a tough sub-section semifinal in front of a packed house in New Richland Friday night. The Panthers won 45-32, improving their record to 28-0. They'll next face Blue Earth Area Monday, March 5 at 7:45 p.m. at Minnesota State Mankato for the sub-section title. If they win Monday, they play for the Section 2AA championship and a state tournament berth Friday, March 9 at 8 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

No one ever said getting to the state tournament was easy.

That’s why they call it the big show.

The top-seeded, undefeated NRHEG girls’ basketball team took another step in that direction Friday night, surviving a tough challenge from No. 4 seed Hayfield before emerging with a 45-32 sub-section semifinal victory in New Richland.

The Panthers, 28-0 and rated No. 2 in the state in Class AA, advanced to Monday’s sub-section final against No. 2 seed Blue Earth Area at 7:45 p.m. at Minnesota State, Mankato. If they win Monday, they Panthers play Friday at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter for the Section 2AA title and a state tournament berth.

The funeral service for Evelyn Smith will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at First Congregational Church in New Richland. The Reverend Cherie Daniel will officiate. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 2, from 4-8 at Friedrich’s Funeral Home in New Richland, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church.

Evelyn died on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at the New Richland Care Center. She was 84 years old.

Evelyn was born on February 14, 1928 to Floyd and Gertrude (Bethke) Haushahn and lived her whole life in New Richland. She graduated from New Richland High School and attended the Naeve Nursing School and earned her degree. On April 12, 1949 she married Dale Smith and had three children. Evelyn worked at Dr. Olds’ office in New Richland as a nurse for over 25 years as well as at the New Richland Care Center, Country Neighbors, and Birdseye Foods. She was a member of the Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ.

She enjoyed painting and teaching ceramics, embroidery, reading, gardening as well as following all the Minnesota sports teams. She loved spending time with family and going to any sporting events that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participated in.

Evelyn is preceded in death by both her parents; and husband Dale Smith.

She is survived by three children, Barbara (Larry) Thompson of New Richland MN, Julie (Daniel) Economy of New Richland MN, Diane Smith of Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Loc (Dung) Nguyen, Mitchell (Stacy) Thompson, Adrienne (Andre) Sloan, Alexandra (Bryan) Hennekens, Elizabeth (Chad) Neitzel, Matthew Economy; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Andrew, Amanda, Hunter, Zoie, Isaiah, Joelle, Zachary, Kaeden, Brynlee; sisters, Arlene Pfeffer of New Richland, MN, Jackie Braulik of Owatonna, MN; special friends Linda and Dale Young of New Richland; nieces and nephews; and many other loving friends.

Betty Patricia Bang, 86, of Owatonna died on February 24, 2012, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Meriden, Minn.

Betty was born on Oct. 26, 1925, in Lemond Township to Arthur & Nettie (Zimmerman) Sutlief. Betty graduated from New Richland High School in 1943. She worked as a waitress and a hair dresser for most of her life.

Survivors include her three daughters, Donna (Al) Miller of Waseca, Diana (Andy) Dauk of Janesville, Darlene (Homer) Christensen of Litchfield; three sons, Dale (Betty) McShane of Waseca, David Bang of Owatonna, Michael Bang of Owatonna; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Darla; her husband, Stanley Bang; a brother and three sisters.

Private funeral services will be held with interment in Woodville Cemetery, Waseca. Arrangements completed with the Brick-Meger Funeral Home, Owatonna. Condolences may be expressed at www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com.