PLENTY OF ITEMS — Greg Jensen calls for bids as Melissa Karl holds one of the many items auctioned off at the NRHEG PTO’s Community Night Out. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

The inaugural NRHEG PTO Community Night Out was held in the Ellendale school gymnasium on Saturday, February 4. The evening began with a social time and supper, which included a catered meal by Superior Foods. There was a variety of cheesecakes donated by Great American Company. Great American manufactures the cookie dough the elementary students sell to raise funds. 

The event has been in the works for a while. Rich and Penni Mueller actually started working on it last September, as the PTO is always looking at what else they can do as a fundraiser the whole district could get involved in. 

They met with one of the event organizers from the Blooming Prairie Foundation and went from there. They would like to thank all those people who became part of the committee: Ronda Staloch, Melissa Karl, Katie Knudsen, Doug Anderson, and those that helped the day of the event, including Jordan Mueller, Judy Carroll, Julie Anderson, Wendy Schultz, Alison Johnson, Carly Solland and Amy Kitzer.

No. 2 ranked NRHEG girls end regular season without a loss

IT’S UNDER CONTROL — NRHEG senior Anna Schlaak (33) dribbles in the lane during the Panthers’ victory over Medford last Tuesday. In the background is NRHEG’s Katie Cole (14). The Panthers completed a 26-0 regular season with a win Friday at Randolph. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

PASS IT ON — The Panthers’ Hannah Lundberg (21) looks to pass the ball during last week’s game against Medford. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The only thing in question for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team last week was the scores.

Everyone knew the unbeaten Gopher Conference champions would win to complete the regular season 26-0, best in school history. Even with starting guard Jade Schultz sidelined, the Panthers blew past Medford 67-35 last Tuesday and blasted Randolph 73-28 Friday.

The Panthers, ranked No. 2 and the only unbeaten team in Class AA, are the No. 1 seed in the sub-section and will host No. 8 Triton Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. If they win, they’ll host a game Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. From there the tournament moves to Minnesota State-Mankato and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

But coach John Schultz isn’t thinking about that just yet. He’s more than happy with the one-game-at-a-time approach that’s gotten the Panthers this far. Though they won their fourth consecutive Gopher Conference title, they’re aiming for their first state tournament berth since 2004.

WHERE WILL HE LAND? — NRHEG senior Seth Petranek has Blue Earth Area’s Kysten Zierke in a precarious position during Section 2A Dual Meet action at Mapleton Saturday. Petranek won the match 10-6 and the Panthers won the meet 39-33. They went on to fall 56-11 to eventual section champion Jackson County Central. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Things worked out about as expected Saturday for the NRHEG wrestling team.

The Panthers put together what coach Paul Cyr called a workmanlike effort in defeating Blue Earth Area 39-23 before falling 56-11 to eventual champion Jackson County Central in the Section 2A Dual Meet Tournament at Mapleton.

“JCC proved to be the dominant force in our section as they ran over the competition in their three dual meets,” said Cyr, whose team finished the dual-meet season with a 16-6 record.

The highlights in the BEA meet, according to Cyr, were a fall by Dillon Kubiatowicz at 106 pounds and a victory by Dillon Parpart at 160 which avenged a loss earlier in the season. Pins by Dustin Esplan and David Lassahn helped provide some cushion.

EXCUSE PLEASE — NRHEG’s Nic Mangskau grabs a rebound between Randolph defenders during the Panthers’ 64-20 victory last Friday. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG boys’ basketball team could be getting hot at the right time.

The Panthers, who have lost numerous closes contests this season, made it three of four wins by sinking Medford 60-52 last Tuesday and rocking Randolph 64-20 on Friday.

The Panthers improved to 9-16 overall and finished 6-10 in the Gopher Conference.

Coach Pat Churchill called the game at Medford hard fought.

“We did some very nice things,” he said. “We moved the ball well against their zone and got some great looks. Against their man we ran our motion and got some very good shots.”

I was driving down the freeway one day when a thought came to mind. What would have become of Geneva if the freeway had not been developed, or if all of the traffic that currently goes down the freeway hadn’t continued to drive down "old 65" which goes through the heart of town? Hard to say.

Would this tiny town have become widespread and famously busy with businesses and people who kept things going? We will never know. It didn't happen. Most people going north and south through our little corner of the state now travel the freeway instead.

Before the freeway was developed, there were times it was hard to cross the street. The town had a reputation of being a good place to stop and eat as it had a restaurant that was open all night. Truckers liked it. The storekeepers had remarkable things to display and sell and everyone seemed proud to call it "our home town."

One thing is evident. It is still "our home town." When you look around you see homes, a park, a playground, a swimming pool, an appliance store, a meat market, a lumberyard, a bank, a gas station and loyal merchants selling necessities. You see a "coffee house" in the small grocery store, an apartment building, good places to eat, a bar and grill, and friends who gather to talk on the street.

Does it matter or make a difference? Of course it does — like a "Y" in the road of life. It is a case of choices and you have no idea which will take you where. 

Here your choice is made for you, except you can stop in this little corner of the world or travel the more traveled road — and you'll never know which way would have taken you where.

I love it here. This town, the oldest operating town in Freeborn County I do believe, is still going and growing.

It has gone from a "stage coach stop" to mostly a residential village where most of the people of employment age head out of town on the freeway to employment in the larger towns in our area.  They still come back home to this quiet, peaceful little town at the end of the day. Albert Lea and Owatonna are about the same distance away, about a half hour; and Rochester and Mankato are also about the same distance away too, about an hour.

Geneva needs more economy and people to shop locally, but sadly so many things are readily available at bigger outlets.

In "our town," you find the volunteers who do so many things to warm the city. It has a reputation of caring. Our hometown is set in the heartland of America. It is a town with a heart.

Do you ever have a song that seems to be in your head for no reason? It seems to stay there for a while, making you think. Lately I've been stuck on one. "The old home town isn't the same and there is no train (there never was a train) because time has changed things considerably — but one thing remains - it is still my old home town."

Changes over the years haven't changed my feeling for this place where I was raised and still live. Many times I relive those yesteryears in my mind. 

  There is the schoolhouse right beside me; only it isn't a schoolhouse any more. It is the Geneva Community Center. But the camera in my head still shows me in my little blue dress the first day I started school, pony tail neatly pulled back and pencil and paper in hand.

It brings back thoughts of "The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost. If I hadn't settled here, where would I be? How would my life be different?

It is sad to say we aren't as proficient in knowing our neighbors as we once were. People tend to find this peaceful little village home that probably wasn't a part of their heritage, but they have now become a part. No matter where we roam, where we live and were brought up , it is home.

Would I have wished the addition of the freeway had caused our town to drastically grow and prosper? The correct answer should be yes for all the advantages it would have given, prosperity and recognition to so many things. But, for some reason in my mind, I am glad it didn't. This will always be a place of peace and tranquility where the buildings and smoking industry doesn't cloud the view and one can look into the skies and feel that God is really there watching over his sheep in this quiet pasture.

Besides being known as the center of generosity and people looking after each other, it is strange to say Geneva is home to many who are laid to rest in the cemetery here. A strange thing to talk about, but this reverent spot in Northern Geneva is a peaceful place of rest to people for many religions, neighbors all. 

It’s not so strange that many choose to return to this beautiful spot. Maybe it is the history of the school children who came, decorated and were a part of memorial services every Memorial Day many, many years ago, at a time when many cemeteries were neglected.

For me no other place would be the same as “my home town.” My heritage is here.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (From the Road Not Taken by Robert Frost).

— — —

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, February 23rd: Sharon Gasner Ramaker, Bernie Warnke, Josh Krueger, Markus Allen Misgen, Daniel Suelter, Dale Waltz, Tiffany Mischke, Daniel Walterman, Laura & Jamie Baudoin.

• Friday, February 24th: Jerry Hemingway, Rick Draper, Nathan Wayne, Roxy Menefee Ray, Sarah Zamora, Nancy Larson, Kathy & Daryl Reed.

• Saturday, February 25th: Berniece Farr Mattson, Colton Hagen, Brad Hagen, LuAnn Miller, Sherri Larson Fritz, Steve & Vicky Dobberstein.

• Sunday, February 26th: Sharon Menefee, Shawn Jensen, Becky Lassahn, Ray Coxworth, Ginger Cornelius, Mary Lou Spurr, Chris Sauke, Mike Glynn, Jeff & Robin Christensen, Joel & Peg Radjenovich.

• Monday, February 27th: Steve Pence, Jean Anderson, Garry Nordhorn, Doris Rasmussen, Journey Churchill-Malcolm, Erik Cooper, John Olson, Jayden Dakota Tonkins, Nancy Ingvaldson, Daryl Van Ravenhorst.

• Tuesday, February 28th: Troy Utpadel, Neil Pence, Jackie Miller, Steve Engel, Dan Nesdahl, Bennett Dobberstein, Atom Oquist, Sharese Lehmberg, John Marlin, Gerry Flim, Michelle Nelson, Michael Nelson, Tyler Titus, Tiffany Mischke, Michael Coy, Jim & Diane Butler.

The beginning, the journey, the triumph and the defeat are all parts of the tragic hero, whether he is one of Shakespeare’s tragic heros or the hero of the world’s first epic poem. Gilgamesh, a Babylonian King, sowed the seeds of his own destruction, defied the Gods and came to a tragic end.

Joe Mauer is not Gilgamesh and has not come to a tragic end. However, his life has the elements of a tragic hero. He was born into an accomplished family. His mother was a fine basketball player. His grandfather played pro ball and his brothers before him were athletes.

Joe did everything extremely well athletically whether it was football, basketball or baseball. He had his choice of football scholarships when he graduated from high hchool. He chose to play baseball and was drafted No. 1 by the Minnesota Twins.

It was just a matter of time until Joe joined the Twins. In fact, many believed he could have been a Twin almost from day one. His time with the Twins prior to last year was a hero’s tale. He played very well and on one occasion when he was injured, came back and got nine hits in his first 10 at-bats. Joe was voted MVP and looked to be a player in the mold of Stan Musial or Johnny Bench — perhaps the best catcher of all time.

Joe became a free agent and Minnesota fans rose as one in their desire to see Mauer remain in Minnesota and lead the Twins to a World Series win. Mauer signed a contract second only to Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. Minnesota looked at Joe and felt we were big time. No one was going to get Mauer away from us. Not the Yankees, not the Boston Red Sox, not anyone. We sat back to await the inevitable World Series. It didn’t happen. We were sure the Twins would win their division, but the Evil Empire or some other dark force overcame our hero and his teammates.

Then the Twins, with the help of their new stadium, decided to give Mauer additional support and provided the team with the fifth-highest payroll in baseball. The Twins would be the heros of baseball. They kept Joe Mauer and would win it all. The Yankees and the Red Sox would look at the Twins with envy. Again it didn’t happen. It not only didn’t happen, our $115 million payroll finished with the second-worst record in baseball.

Hero Joe Mauer was injured and didn’t play that well when he wasn’t injured. And what was considered a coup when they signed Mauer was now considered a drag on the team. “Too much money for a soft player,” was the cry. And Joe went from hero to goat. In literature there are two kinds of heros: tragic like Gilgamesh and epic like Hercules.

Joe Mauer is at the point in his life where he is looking at tragic hero status if he continues his downward path. He failed to meet expectations last year, but he may still be the Twins’ epic hero if he can turn his play around. An epic hero fights on and provides bravery, instincts and skills. He is the leader that those around him need. 

Joe has always been laid back and let others lead. He has let others talk for him and the Twins’ public relations department did him no favors last year.

Joe Mauer has led a charmed life until last season. That’s pretty much over and he must now show the way for the Minnesota Twins. If he does, he has a chance to fit the definition of an epic hero.

(Editor’s note: Star Eagle Outdoors Writer Dick Herfindahl has chosen to forgo this week’s column and let a guest columnist take his place)

By KEVIN AUSLUND

Minnesota hunters are for the most part, homeless people. Those  who cherish pheasant, duck, turkey and deer hunting in agricultural areas are seeing fewer opportunities for access each year. Our land-owning relatives are getting older or dying, lands are going on auction blocks, CRP is being pulled out for row cropping and what habitat is left (private and public) is hit hard by hunters looking for a place to call home.

However, some hope was seen last fall with the opening of Minnesota’s first Walk-In Access program with about 9,000 acres and 90 new properties available for public hunting.

The goal of the DNR had been to enroll 10,000 acres of walk-in access during the summer of 2011 but with a month-long legislative shutdown of the agency, just reaching 9,000 acres was quite an accomplishment. Even more encouraging was that 75% of the enrolled landowners opted for multi-year signups, so the DNR already has 6,000 acres pre-enrolled for 2012. 

Funding for 2012 has already been received by the DNR from the 2008 Federal Farm Bill and will provide 25,000 acres with about 250 more public hunting areas averaging 100 acres apiece in southwest Minnesota.

Now for the bad news, Minnesota’s walk-in access program comes to a screeching halt for year 2013 since the third year of Federal funding has been eliminated in Washington, D.C. by the U.S. House and Senate. Consequently, unless Minnesota comes up with its own funding of roughly $1 million, the 2013 DNR goal of 50,000 acres will not be met.  At a time when participation in the outdoors is being challenged by mind-entranced youth huddled over their Smart Phones, X-Boxes, Wii, and assorted computer games, it is up to us adults to work with legislators to see if this access program for the public’s benefit will continue.

Some of Minnesota’s sportsmen would rather fall on their swords than have any state lease program with landowners.  Their rationale is, “It’s better for the state to buy and own every acre rather than put money in a yearly lease.” However, prices often exceed $5,000 per acre for agricultural land, compared to $20 per acre (including signage and administration costs) for a yearly walk-in access lease. You have to scratch your head and rethink this all-or-nothing fee-title approach. Quite frankly, $1million doesn’t go that far nowadays when talking about land acquisition.

For the sake of comparison, let’s take an ultra-conservative view and say the poorest of the poor land that might be available for purchase is $3,000 per acre of rocky, sandy, hilly land that probably is better for pasture than farming.  You are looking at about $500,000 for a 160-acre parcel when you include miscellaneous expenses, such as appraisal, legal and site preparation fees.

Compare this purchase price of just one parcel of 160 acres to the same cost of leasing 250 parcels covering 25,000 acres of walk-in access and you have to wonder if there isn’t room for a modest walk-in program to complement ongoing fee-title purchases. While walk-in access is an annual lease program, it does provide a large amount of land to be signed up in a very short amount of time to service a very large number of hunters.  A walk-in property can be signed up in a matter or weeks, while the outright purchase of land often takes years.

In 2011, Minnesota saw 95,000 acres of CRP habitat lost because it was not reenrolled during the spring’s CRP signup. These acres will undoubtedly go under the plow in 2012.  That’s 95,000 acres fewer for hunting and wildlife production. In 2012, there are about 300,000 acres of CRP ready to expire.

We need to continue a walk-in program and keep what lands we can in habitat with those landowners that are willing to do so.  But we need to offset higher taxes with something— namely, public walk-in compensation.  Whether it is a robust $1-million-per year, ongoing program providing 50,000 acres and 500 walk-in areas, or a more modest $500,000-a-year providing 25,000 acres and 250 hunting areas, we need to continue the WIA program.

While the continued acquisition of land open to public hunting for wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas should continue since it offers permanence on the landscape, we can’t ignore the sheer number of acres made available for public hunting in farmland areas via a state-leased WIA program. There is no reason we can’t have both. 

With the Legislature’s help, it may boil down to creating a new stamp for the price of a $10 or $12 box of shells in order to keep 25,000 acres and 250 new public hunting areas in the growing black desert of our farmland areas. This stamp would be optional; only those who want access to these walk-in areas would pay for the stamp in order to hunt these lands.

There are positive opportunities for Minnesota’s hunters in having a WIA program. Think it over. Is it worth a box of shells?

The author hosts the show Conservation Sportsman News seen on Metro Cable Television Channel 6. Readers may email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The show’s Web site is www.conservationsportsman.org.

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING

“What’s wrong with your car?”  “My first thought was that it’s the frammydeuce.”

“What’s a frammydeuce?”

“I don’t know, but it was my first thought.”

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: Two wrongs don’t make a right. Three lefts do.

I’VE LEARNED

1. Those who can laugh at themselves are worth knowing.

2. Our education system is the goodest in the land.

3. A baseball game adds flavor to a hotdog.

JUST IN TIME FOR NEXT VALENTINE’S DAY

Next year, I will say this to the lovely woman with whom I have shared a hamper for years.

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Olive.

Olive, who?

Olive you.

Next year, I intend on celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 15 because candy and flowers are half-price then.

MY NEIGHBOR

My neighbor Throgmorton has many stories. Not all of them start with, “Once, while I was deer hunting.” He has one story that begins, “Once, while I was pheasant hunting.”

His oldest son is named Oswald III. His father told him that he is a III because the first two wouldn’t listen to their father.

ANOTHER HICK IN THE MALL

I was in the mall. It’s not my natural habitat. We were shopping and I had drifted away from my wife. It wasn’t my fault. There was no shopping cart for me to stay near. We’ve been married for many years, so a good deal of time passed before my lovely bride realized I had gone missing. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and called my cell phone. I answered using an assumed name because the tone of her voice frightened me. She demanded, “Where are you?”

I calmly replied, “Honey, you remember that jewelry store where you saw the diamond necklace that you fell in love with and I told you that it would be yours one day?”

My wife fell nearly speechless, before saying sweetly, “Yes, I remember that, my love.”

I continued, “Well, I’m in the bookstore by that jewelry store.”

THEY ARE SAYING

A woman at Our Savor’s Lutheran Church in Austin said that her young grandchild reported some of her shenanigans from school, but comforted her grandmother by saying, “Don’t worry. What happens in school, stays in school.”

Gerald Potter of Ohio told me that he and his wife winter in Gulf Shores, Alabama. A sign on the condominium they reside in reads, “Caution: Snowbird nesting area.”

A POLAR BEAR CLUB MEMBER IN THE SHOWER

I’ve always admired the members of a Polar Bear Club, but to jump into frigid water on purpose is not on my bucket list. I fear that such actions might anger Boreas. I have been in a shower when my wife (accidentally?) flushed the toilet. In our current abode, such an action makes the water scalding hot, but in a previous house, flushing the toilet turned the shower cold enough that it could have been the Polar Bear Club membership chairman. I still shudder at the thought.

WATCHING BASKETBALL

I was seated in the stands. It was like sitting on concrete only harder. I was watching a family member play basketball. I played basketball for mumbleteenth years. It was fun, but watching is more difficult than playing. I want those I love to do well, find joy, and escape unhurt.

“Traveling,” I said softly. I never yell such things. At least, I haven’t yet.

“Good shot. Nice pass. Good defense. Nice rebound. Good hustle.”

I say those things much louder than I say, “Traveling.”

I say, “Good shot. Nice pass. Good defense. Nice rebound. Good hustle,” in response to the good play of either team. The only difference is that I say them louder for the team with a roster that contains my loved one. I don’t yell at the refs. I’ve been a ref. I try to yell kindly at everyone else.

NATURE NOTES

Why do deer freeze in the headlights of a car? Deer are crepuscular, meaning that their activity peaks around sunrise and sunset. Their vision is optimized for low light. When headlights strike eyes fully dilated to capture as much light as possible, deer are unable to see. They freeze until their eyes adjust. University of Georgia research suggests that by human standards, deer are legally blind. It estimated deer vision at 20/200. Where a person with normal eyesight could discern details at 200 yards, a deer needs to see at 20 yards. 

MEETING ADJOURNED

If you want to be happy, be kind.

It’s time for cheap sunglasses

The scurs managed another near flawless forecast period as we continue munching our way through February. What will they conjure up for this week? Starting Wednesday, partly cloudy with a slight chance of snow with chances increasing overnight. Highs of 35 – 40 and lows around 25. Mostly cloudy on Thursday with a chance of snow. Highs 35 - 40 and lows near 20. Friday, mostly cloudy with a continued slight chance of snow. Highs of 30 with overnight lows dropping to 15. Partly cloudy on Saturday with a chance of snow overnight into Sunday. Highs of 30 and lows around 20. Sunday, mostly cloudy with a good chance of snow. Highs 30 – 35 and lows of 10 - 15. Mostly cloudy on Monday with a chance of rain and ice. Highs of 20 - 25 and lows near 10. Mostly cloudy Tuesday with a slight chance of icy rain. Highs of 20 - 25 and lows around 15. The normal high for February 28th is 32 and the normal low is 15 so we should be seeing some rather seasonal temperatures. On the 26th we will be over 11 hours of daylight for the first time since mid-October. The sun will set at 6 p.m. on the 28th. The scurs will be enjoying a few more weeks before those insipid time bandit evildoers require us to set the clocks ahead.

Snowfall totals from the area varied but at the ranch we garnered roughly 2.5” of sticky, wet snow which melted down to a whopping .59” of liquid equivalent. Typically the snows from earlier in the season have run .07” - .1” per inch of snow accumulation. It looked pretty wet when moving it as the pile resulting from the snowdrift in front of the garage resembled a stack of white cheese curds. The weather pattern may be making a sudden change. This week marks one of the few times all winter that we’ve seen a forecast for precipitation nearly every day. Precipitation at this point is a good thing as some of it will likely find its way into the ground. What’s more as we get into March, the 30 day outlook is calling for better than even odds of above normal precipitation and temperatures. If that holds true, the trend of receiving more of our precipitation in March as rainfall rather than snow would be likely to continue. 

The recent stormy weather brought about some noticeable changes in bird behavior at the feeders. Two pine siskins showed up on Saturday out of nowhere and made the goldfinches look large in comparison. Some of the suddenly numerous goldfinches are just beginning to exhibit a slight yellowish cast as they pick at the black oil sunflower and thistle seed. Two chickadees have become regulars as have the nuthatches. The blue jays seemed to be eating more corn than the squirrels while the downies and hairies continued to tap away on the suet. Rooster pheasants can be heard crowing here and there across the landscape and are spotted occasionally in the standing corn stalks neighbor Mark left across the road. Along area roads, large flocks of horned larks are noted. There’s been some debate as to whether they migrate or whether they’re here all the time. If they stay, it’s not always apparent everywhere as they first showed up in large numbers in early February.

Ruby has been keeping us amused. The Westminster Dog Show was a riot as she seemed convinced some of the dogs were coming right out of the TV screen. The growling and barking interspersed with her nightly ball playing meant constant activity until bedtime. Her vocabulary has continued to expand, especially when the Gopher’s basketball or hockey teams are playing. If you say “Gophers?” out of the blue she’s instantly on alert, probably because the word is frequently associated with “chores”. We typically announce to her we’re doing chores a little early on the game nights so we can get back inside to watch Gopher’s games. Apparently she’s picked up on it as she tenses up and cocks her head as if to say, “What are you idiots talking about? Chores are done!”

The lambing process took a couple week hiatus until last Saturday. We had a ram get sick last fall and apparently after breeding the first three ewes, he must not have been up to the task after that. We quickly put another ram in with the ewes so chores will become more time consuming with all the new arrivals. It’s always best for everyone including those doing chores to get the ewes and lambs moved out of the lambing barn and down to the loafing barn ASAP. Small pens and cramped quarters do no one any favors. The ewes would rather be in a group than in individual pens as sheep are naturally clannish. The lambs are happier to have more room to run as well as access to a creep feeder. The sooner they get on solid feed the sooner they can be weaned and the ewes put out to pasture.

With driver’s license renewal time looming large on the horizon, it was time to get the eyes checked out and order new glasses as well as trying out some daily wear contact lenses. After eight years your eyes can change I guess. Not wearing glasses is nice when going in and out of buildings as we do frequently this time of year. As anyone who has livestock can attest, steamed up glasses are a pain in the neck. However all this monkeying around meant with these older eyes I have to wear cheaters for reading and sunglasses for driving. Suddenly going from one pair of beat up glasses to four after repairing the beat up pair for a spare was quite a switch too. Remembering where I put them will be the challenge methinks. Checking out the selection I was surprised to find no cheap decent non-prescription sunglasses that were worth wearing. What’s more some of them were ladies’ glasses and they were all mixed together. I finally selected a pair that would suffice and was amazed the cheaters were cheaper than the sunglasses. Heck, there were even some cheater sunglasses for less than a buck although thinking about it, I’m not sure what they’d really be good for. Maybe for lounging around poolside reading back issues of some accumulated periodicals. Based on my bloated retirement fund from the NRHEG Star Eagle, that should happen any minute now.

See you next week…real good then.

Ione Mae Schuster, age 83, passed away on February 17, 2012 at Bethany Good Samaritan in Brainerd, Minnesota.  Ione was born on February 16, 1929 in Owatonna, MN to Henry and Mae (Natalie) Schoaf. Ione married George Schuster on September 29, 1948 at LeSuer River Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN.

Ione and her husband farmed for several years at Ellendale, MN.  Ione worked at Owatonna State School for four-years as a counselor.  She and her husband moved to Baxter, MN in 1970.  Ione worked at the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center as a Human Services Specialist for 21 years.

Ione took part in 4-H, was president of PTA, secretary of Ladies Aid and was a member of Ladies of the Moose.

Survivors include her two children: Karen Sullivan (David) of Sheboygan, WI and Wayne Schuster (Jane) of Brownton, MN; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother, Marvin Schoaf of Owatonna, MN; and sister-in-law Leona Willert of Owatonna, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Good Samaritan chapel with visitation one-hour prior to services. She was a long-standing member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Brainerd.

Family being served by: Halvorson-Johnson Funeral and Cremation Care, Brainerd/Baxter  218-829-3581, www.halvorson-johnson.com.