ANOTHER GOOD SEASON — The NRHEG cheer competition team is competing for the state championship Saturday at Roy Wilkins Arena in St. Paul. The team will also be honored for academic achievement and two team members will receive state awards. Front from left: Stormi Hagen, Dana Jensen, Tiara Robran, Kiley Beenken, Michaela Hansen, Hailey Johnson, Harlee Vokoun and Lexi Wayne. Back: Brina Bergland, Presley Johnson, Hannah Lewison, Brenna Hagen, coach Kari Buendorf, Maddy Schwierjohann, Tara Simon, Jadyn Nelson-Spies and Hannah Light. (Submitted photo)

The NRHEG High School cheer competition team has had another great season.

The girls placed first at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, third at the University of Minnesota, second at Chaplin Park, first in Rochester, and another second-place finish at the Mall of America this past weekend. 

There are 16 girls who compete on the team and represent the communities well. This year’s team members are seniors Harlee Vokoun, Michaela Hansen, Lexi Wayne, Tiara Robran and Hailey Johnson; juniors Dana Jensen, Brina Bergland, Maddy Schwierjohann, Brenna Hagen, Tara Simon, Hannah Lewison, Kiley Beenken and Emmy Hobbs; sophomores Presley Johnson, Jadyn Nelson-Spies and Stormi Hagen. Hannah Light is also part of the team but is out with a back injury and is missed greatly by her teammates.  

What would we do without computers? What would we like to do with them when they sometimes seem to do what we don't want them to? Our lives, our health, our daily activities are computerized whether we like them to be or not. 

Sometimes, we get information on our computers that really make you think. Recently, my brother-in-law sent me an email that I have thought a great deal about. I would like to share this and see what you think we can do about it.

Have you noticed that your Social Security check is now referred to as a "Federal Benefit Payment"?

I believe our government gets away with too much in many areas of our lives, while they live lavishly on their grossly overpaid incomes!

Here is something to think about. The only thing wrong with this calculation is they forgot to figure in the people who died before they collected all of their social security. Where did that money go?

Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security, your employer did too. It totaled 15 percent of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that would be close to $220,500.

If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year, yours and your employer's contribution, at a simple 5 percent, which is less than what the government pays on the money that it borrows, after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.28.

If you took out only three percent per year, you would receive $26,787.60 per year. That would last better than 30 years. (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) And that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid four percent per year, you would have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.

The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had.

Entitlement? We paid cash for our social security insurance. Just because the government borrowed the money, doesn't make our benefits some kind of charity or handout!

Congressional benefits include free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, three weeks paid vacation and unlimited paid sick days. And they have the nerve to call our social security retirement entitlements?

Congress calls Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and when it is time for many of us to collect, the government is running out of money. I guess I question why did the government borrow from it in the first place? Imagine if the government gave "us" the same support they give other countries.

Sad, isn't it?

I recently learned about some interesting information. It looks like we will be paying 2.5 times more for Medicare in 2014. Not being completely trustful of any government official, I believe we have to maintain our own insurance. By law the government is only able to reimburse at Medicare rates because that is the law. Medicare and the government want to insure that people do not have private insurance and believe me folks, when there is only one source of supply for any commodity, cost goes up and supply, quality and customer service goes down. Seniors have been paying into Social Security and Medicare for decades along with their employers. That money did not go into a savings account or a piggy bank.

The government spent it. As a result, the government does not have enough money to pay for their promise. Thus, the government is going to up their insurance two and a half times in the next two years.

I wonder how much their Social Security checks will be going up? Anyone who has taken Economics 101 knows that Medicare and most social programs are not sustainable.

Look carefully at the proposed 2014 rates compared to the 2013 rates. For those of you who are on Medicare, it is important for you to know about the Mainstream News.

The per person Medicare insurance premiums will increase from the present monthly fee of $96.40, rising to $104.20 in 2012; $120.40 in 2013; and $247.00 in 2014.

These are provisions incorporated in the Obamacare Legislation, purposely delayed so as not be a factor in the 2012 election.

Seniors should know and adjust their budgets accordingly. They can sell their homes for almost nothing and go live in subsidized housing, drop their pets off at the pound and skip their dental visits and then they will probably be able to make ends meet until the next increase.

Remember, election day is coming soon.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, January 26th: Andilynn Leigh Knudson, her 3rd; Russell Nelson, Bonnie Peterson, Pat Reese Ceplecha, Linda Oldenburg, Angela Borchert, Donna Borchert Knudson, Amanda Abel.

• Friday, January 27th:  Anna Mae Lee, Jon Berg, Linda Davis, Nancy Ingvaldson, Paul Larkin, Keegan Brighton, Myrtle Peterson, Ken & Waynette Peterson, Bruce & Rose Ann Kubicek.

• Saturday, January 28th: Brian Brekke, Kevin Stieglbauer, Kalei Wilson, Caleb Brocker, Ruth Paulson, Denise McGowan, Rachel Schei, Lona Berg.

• Sunday, January 29th: Molly Jo Wayne, her 3rd; Jalen Aaseth, Rick Seath, Andrea (Hanson) Carter, George Dettman, his 82nd Kim (Harpel) Johnson, Zenobia Haberman, Stephanie Jensen.

• Monday, January 30th: Alice Richards, Allison Grunwald, Renae Wallace, Trudy Nelson, Cody Boverhuis, Dennis Jensen, Jeanette Fetterly, Michael Robinson, Scott Morreim, Wally Wobschall, Missy (Wayne) & Sean Engel, their 3rd, Paul & Diane Stollard.

• Tuesday, January 31st: Ethan River Thompson, his 7th; Avery Routh, her 7th; Dana Jensen, Jim Worrell, Keith Hagen, Sue Richards, David Skroch, Jim & Lois Plunkett

• Wednesday, February 1st: Grayson Joseph Bickler, his 3rd; Richard Grunwald, Brad Hagen, Tom Olson, Shelly Wencl, Sam & Sharon Peterson, Darrin & Michelle Hanson.

May your special day be a happy memory and tomorrow a bright new promise.

I was reading the latest issue of Outdoor News the other day and noticed that one of the readers had voiced his concern about the vanishing wetlands. With the price of corn and the demand for it being what it is plus the lack of Federal Government support, more farmers will likely be opting out of the CRP program when their contracts expire. This along with the extensive tiling of wetlands that is being done to create more tillable land is a very scary situation. The loss of this habitat will affect every phase of the outdoors environment whether directly or indirectly. 

The low water levels of the area will also have an effect on habitat. If you take a drive in the country you can see the dried up ponds and creeks that have just a trace of the water that they once held. Hopefully, we will receive some much needed snowfall (not a fan of shoveling) or some substantial spring rains to bring the water levels back up.

I understand that money matters when it comes to farming. It is their livelihood. But, we also need to look at the long range effect it can have on our game and fish populations. Us sportsmen need to applaud those that choose to set aside a little land for habitat, as they are doing their share to preserve our outdoors heritage. 

Each year, there are some legislators that seem to be constantly looking for ways to dip into, change or eliminate the Lessard-Sams Heritage bill. With more and more CRP land being taken away, we need to ensure that there is enough land for habitat to survive, especially in our area of the state. WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas) are a huge part of preserving our heritage and it is important that more WMA land is being purchased when it is made available.

All the wildlife that we enjoy can be affected by lack of habitat. The things that we sometimes take for granted like a soaring hawk, a beautiful rooster pheasant, wild turkeys, deer and other critters, may eventually be hard to find.

One thing that I do know is that there are a lot of squirrels and rabbits that actually seem to be thriving on city life. I guess it shows that any wild critter will eventually adjust to co-existing with humans. I on the other hand seem to have a little problem adjusting to the idea of my garage being a giant squirrel’s nest. They seem to take particular joy in knocking different things off of the shelves in my garage. Those little bushy-tailed rats haven’t broken anything for awhile. But then again, there is nothing left to break that hasn’t already fallen victim to their hijinks.

I still enjoy watching them at play but sometimes I just get the feeling that they are occasionally taunting me with their chatter. All in all, they are still part of natures plan and the good thing is that they haven’t figured out a way to get into my house as of yet.

The winter that we have been experiencing so far has been pretty unbelievable. My grandson Trevor has been fishing through the ice on a regular basis and has been having some pretty good luck. The other night he pulled a 25.5 lb. walleye through the ice. He quickly took a picture of and then released. 

He also said that he has caught a lot of smaller walleyes that were in the 10-12 inch range. Those he also released to grow into “eaters” in another year or so. From the looks of the number of houses on the channel, the bite must be pretty good this year. I know that last year it was pretty slim pickings for the most part so a year like this is a welcome change. I’ve heard that the bite has switched from the wily walleye to crappies.

I have spotted a few vehicles out on the ice in the last week, but from some of the reports, I’ve heard the ice was actually pretty thin in spots and there was even open water in some areas. With the unstable temperatures we’ve been having, I don’t really know if it is the wisest move to be driving on the ice in the channel even with the colder weather. I don’t believe that saving a few steps to the fish house is worth the cost of extracting your vehicle from the lake or worse. These are just my thoughts though, as I am definitely a “thick ice” fisherman.

DNR survey shows fewest fish houses on South Central Minnesota lakes in 35 years

Warm weather, eroding ice conditions, and changing technology may be responsible for the lowest numbers of fish houses on south-central Minnesota lakes in 35 years, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Since 1977, personnel from the DNR’s Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area have conducted fish house counts on up to 59 lakes  across five and more recently seven counties. “The surveys get us out on our area lakes during the winter,” according to Lee Sundmark, area fisheries supervisor. “Even better, it gives us a chance to talk to anglers.”

Over the past 35 years, there has been an average of 14.25 fish houses counted per lake surveyed. This year the average was only 1.9.

Another trend impacting survey numbers is changing technology with ice fishing anglers. Sundmark said that through the years there has been a dramatic shift from anglers using permanent fish houses to anglers fishing in portable ones.

The forecast of cooler temperatures should improve ice conditions and bring more anglers out on lakes, but Sundmark advises caution. “Make sure you know your lake and check ice thickness,” he said.

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 during the holidays and the coming year. They are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“I spent three hours looking for my fountain pen. I’ve got to start hiding things in plain sight.”

“Did you find it?”

“No, but I remembered that I don’t own a fountain pen.”

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: never stand under a watermelon tree.

I've learned

1. Everything doesn't have to come up roses. Dandelions are nice, too.

2. Worry is the gift that keeps on giving.

3. It's cheaper to kiss someone at an auction than to wave at someone.

Hotel story

Darkness still enveloped the world. The kids were up early. Two girls and a boy. The family was traveling, so the youngsters were rousted from their beds so they could get on the road early. The hotel offered a continental breakfast — muffins, bananas, cereal, coffee, juice, etc.

I watched the boy. I'm not good at guessing ages, but I figured he was about 12. He looked at the cereal offerings. He surprised me when he didn't choose one of the sweetened cereals that color the milk. He picked Cheerios. Good old Cheerios. His selection caused me to recall the Cheerios Kid. The Kid and his friend Sue were featured in TV commercials. Sue would get into trouble and then shout "Help, Kid." The Cheerios Kid, after eating cereal to power up, would quickly deal with the problem.

The boy filled a bowl with Cheerios and then poured chocolate milk on it before covering it all with the contents of numerous sugar packets.

A sign of the times

On the door of a small town business, I saw this. "Back in 15 minutes. I've already been gone 10."

Cold enough for you?

We spend our winter days answering the question, "Cold enough for you?" How do you answer that? You answer it by saying, "It's so cold that..."

1. I opened the refrigerator door to heat the house.

2. Legislative hot air froze.

3. My mailman scans my mail and e-mails it to me.

4. I chipped a tooth eating soup.

5. I had to use ice scrapers on my contact lenses.

6. A snowman begged to come indoors.

7. I didn't clean my house. I defrosted it.

Parking

The woman said that she bought a car equipped with a self-parking function that eliminates the difficulty of parallel parking. She told me that she’d been driving for 40 years and that the last time she had parallel parked was when she took driver’s training. I thanked her for sharing and added, "Parking is such street sorrow."

Nature notes

In the classic Dick and Jane books, Dick said, “Look, Jane, look.” Dick was a visionary. If you keep looking, you might see a snowy owl. This owl is a large, diurnal owl with a rounded head, yellow eyes, and black bill. Adult males may be nearly pure white. Females and young birds have some dark scalloping. A snowy owl is 20–28 inches long with a 49–57 inch wingspan. It weighs 3.5 to 6.5 pounds. Its thick plumage, feathered feet, and coloration make it well adapted to life north of the Arctic Circle. There are more snowy owls than usual this year, but how do you find one? Look for snow that blinks. We see what we look for. The snowy owl is a tundra dweller, so it  typically is found on the ground, utility pole, fence post, hay bale, or building. An airport is an attractive site for this beautiful visitor.

My favorite fortune cookie

Read, “I cannot help you, for I am just a cookie.”

Did you know?

There are 57 members of Congress who are among the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans by net worth.

Stephen Hawking says that the one mystery he has been unable to solve is women.

The average American eats nearly a ton of food annually — 1,996.3 pounds.

From the mailbag

Sue Levy of Texas writes, “If I'm not home accepting what I cannot change, I'm probably out, changing what I cannot accept.”

Ric McArthur of Ontario sends these, “I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place. When I see a hubcap collection on a barn or a fence, I am always confused. Should I slow down for a rough road or should I go fast so they don't steal my hubcaps?”

Meeting adjourned

Plato said, “There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.” Be kind.

Dennis Green replaced the retiring Jerry Burns as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 1992, and during his decade-long tenure with the purple reached the playoffs eight times, including two trips to the NFC title game. In 2001, the Vikings finished with a losing record for the first time under Green. The Vikings bought out his contract on January 4, 2002.

After spending two seasons as an analyst for ESPN, Green was hired as head coach by the Arizona Cardinals in January 2004. The Cardinals improved dramatically under Green and, in his third season, the coach delivered the press conference that continues to be talked about. It came after a Monday Night Football game in which the Cardinals blew a 20-point lead to the Super Bowl-bound Chicago Bears. The generally soft-spoken Green blew a gasket, bellering the following:

“The Bears are what we thought they were. They're what we thought they were. We played them in preseason — who the (heck) takes a third game of the preseason like it's (BS)? (BS)! We played them in the third game — everybody played three quarters — the Bears are who we thought they were! That's why we took the (darn) field. Now if you want to crown them, then crown their (butt)! But they are who we thought they were! And we let 'em off the hook!”

Green later apologized for the tirade, which is still used heavily in NFL media coverage today, often comically, to describe the obvious flaws of an opponent and the failure to capitalize on that knowledge. It was mocked in a Coors TV advertisement, and during the Cardinals’ 2008 NFC championship game, a sign in the crowd proclaimed, “We are who we thought we were.”

So, what about Dennis Green? Is he who we thought he is? I can offer a little first-hand insight. I met him in 1992 at an Associated Press Sports Editors meeting in Alexandria.

For weeks, the Minnesota sports headlines talked about “the new sheriff in town,” and how he was cleaning house with the Vikings’ roster and setting the tone for how he wanted things ran. Green said the sheriff’s badge was not a true fit.

“My kids, they hear this stuff about new sheriff in town, and they laugh,” said Green, laughing himself. He was truly a nice guy.

It was clear Green knew what he was doing with the Vikings and, no matter how it ended, you have to consider his career in Minnesota a success. He may have been a teddy bear at home, but he ran a tight ship on the field (at least until the end).

So, was Denny Green who we thought he was? If you thought he was a good guy and good coach, then yes.

The Vikings’ most memorable season under Green was, of course, 1998, when they went 15-1 and blew it in the NFC championship game against Atlanta.

The 1998 team and the 2009 crew with Favre (and despite Childress) were the two of the best Viking squads in franchise history.

Nothing against current Vikings coach Leslie Frazier, but the Dennis Green era looks pretty good right now.

Those wily scurs predicted the snowfall about right, although the low temperatures managed to elude them. Somehow people would’ve rather have had that forecast methinks. Will our good weather luck return? Starting Wednesday, partly cloudy with highs around 30 and lows around 20. Thursday, partly cloudy and slightly warmer. Highs close to 35 and lows back down to 20. Partly cloudy on Friday with a slight chance of snow. Highs near 30 and lows around 15. Partly cloudy on Saturday and cooler. Highs of 25 with lows near 5 above. Sunday, partly cloudy and cooler with a chance of snow. Highs of 20 and lows of 15. Mostly cloudy on Monday with temperatures starting to rebound. Highs near 25 and lows of 15. Mostly sunny on Tuesday with highs of 25 – 30 and lows of 15 – 20. The normal high for January 28th is 23 and the normal low is 4. The scurs are betting we haven’t seen the last of the below-zero temperatures for this winter and have laid in some additional long handled underwear just to be on the safe side.

It was interesting to see some snow accumulation for a change. As it was, the first snow fell and stayed put for almost 24 hours until it was blown away. It measured about 2.5” at the ranch and melted down, just a hair over ¼” of liquid equivalent precip at .26”. The freezing drizzle that ensued made it a little more challenging to measure when combined with the snow. That total from the Monday snow/drizzle combo came to about 2.4” at the ranch and melted down to .18”. This was a very dense snow, which became very evident when trying to move it. So far this winter, we’ve measured a little over 14” of snow, most of which melted not too long after falling. All things considered, the precipitation that has fallen January is still more than we received in the month of October or November. Of course that’s not saying much.

The snow wound up collecting in drifts after the Saturday night wind, leaving only wheel tracks and footprints where travel compressed it. The snow did manage to make itself a nuisance however. It collected at the ranch in front of the garage and between the barn and driveway. Oh sure, we could’ve driven through it I suppose, but I have yet to be sorry I moved snow out of the way. I’ve seen too many people pull into the yard thinking they could drive wherever they wanted only to get stuck in a snow bank someplace. The worst part of that is some dummy usually has to pull them out and that dummy is usually me. 

The birds at our feeders have responded to the renewed winter conditions. The activity level has been reminiscent of some of the cold days last January. There were a couple dozen goldfinches at any given time along with white-breasted nuthatches, blue jays, juncos, downy and hairy woodpeckers as well as some recent newcomers, American tree sparrows. 

Last week’s cold snap put one of the tank heaters out of commission so Ruby and I had to make one of those awful trips to the store where you go to the bathroom in the big orange silo. Ruby was only too glad to ride along in as copilot in the backseat.  Her vocabulary continues to expand. She knows many words now such as “outside,” “hop up,” “go see Jo,” “go see Mark,” “get your ball”  and “squirrel.” Ruby’s favorite phrase however is “let’s go do chores.” Her response is to immediately run to the entryway door and sit at attention with her ears on full alert. Any move towards the door results in celebratory jumping and once the door is open she is through it like a shot. She knows it’s time to head out so she can be around her sheep. In the morning she rousts them from their slumber and at night, she serves as the signal that bellering should commence.

Must be about time to get my eyes checked again. At a recent conference someone saw me reading and asked if I needed longer arms. A few weeks ago while putting the carburetor back on the Lark, I was having a devil of a time getting my head cranked around so I could get the linkage to the choke connector rod properly attached. Installing a trapeze so I could hang from the ceiling crossed my mind. About the only good thing: the small numbers on the sheep’s ear tags suddenly seem about the right size. Somehow I doubt that will count when I take the eye test to renew my driver’s license.

At least when buying a new confuser I went with a larger screen. Of course, with a new operating system and updated versions of the programs you were just getting used to, there’s always a learning curve. It’s almost as though someone came into your house and rearranged everything without telling you exactly where they put it. Some of it makes sense but some of it makes you scratch your head and wonder. Actually, aside from those issues it’s been a fairly smooth transition. The touch on the keyboard takes a little getting used to, although retraining the spellcheck will likely be the biggest hurdle. It still doesn’t understand what Fencelines or the scurs are yet. That makes two of us.

Speaking of that, this column marks an anniversary. It was 10 years ago that Lavonne Meyer accepted a manuscript I’d written. The following week another was requested and the rest is history. It’s meant some time commitment over the past 10 years. At approximately 1.1 pages per week, 52 weeks per year over 9 years with 2 – 3 hours per session, well, you do the math. We haven’t missed a week due to the alien since its inception. Hopefully readers still enjoy it as much as I do. To be sure, there are times the column is more difficult to write than others especially when striving to write new, original material each week. And as I’ve pointed out before, sometimes the columns I’ve struggled the most with and been the least impressed by have yielded the most positive response. Thankfully the crack management staff has allowed me as much latitude as they have. What to do with all the money this project has generated continues to be the problem.

See you next week…real good then. 

NRHEG girls enjoy 4-0 week, improve to 19-0

STRAIGHT TO THE HOOP — Abby Crabtree of NRHEG (5) drives straight into four Maple River defenders at New Richland last week. Also pictured for NRHEG are Tori Raimann (11) and Hannah Lundberg (21). (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

WHAT TO DO — The Panthers’ Danielle Krueger, left, looks to either shoot or pass the ball to Tori Raimann (11) against Waseca last week. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

As it has been all season, nobody could stop the NRHEG girls’ basketball team last week. The Panthers improved to 19-0 overall and 9-0 in the Gopher Conference with four more victories. The Panthers were rated No. 3 in the state in Class AA in last week’s rankings.

On Monday at home against Maple River, the Panthers took an early 20-2 advantage, led 50-13 at halftime and rolled to a 78-34 triumph.

“Our bench played well and played a lot of the game,” said coach John Schultz. “They could not handle our press. We broke free for a lot of layups. I was proud to see the rebound totals in our favor, 47-24.”

NRHEG individual statistics: Carlie Wagner 22 points, five assists; Katie Cole 12 points, nine rebounds; Jade Schultz 10 points, five rebounds, three assists; Anna Schlaak nine points, nine rebounds, five steals; Abby Crabtree eight points; Maddie Wagner eight points; Raelin Schue five points; Tori Raimann two points; Marnie Wagner one point.

NEVER LET GO — NRHEG’s Geoff Ramaker, left, goes for a single-leg takedown on USC’s Colten Carlson during last Thursday’s Gopher Conference dual meet at Wells. The Rebels won the meet, 50-24. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

NRHEG wrestling coach Paul Cyr does not really believe his team is as bad as last Thursday’s 50-24 loss at United South Central might indicate.

But one thing is clear.

“At this point,” said Cyr. “It looks like USC is better than we are.”

The Rebels were on this night, scoring six falls to pull off an upset in what has become one of the area’s best wrestling rivalries. It was the first dual-meet loss of the season for the Panthers, who dropped to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the Gopher Conference.

“We were really disappointed in the outcome of our dual with USC,” said Cyr. “There were not many bright spots, even from an individual standpoint.”

Having starters Brandon LeBlanc and Matt Dahle out of the lineup did not help NRHEG.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

If close games counted as wins, it would have been a perfect week for the NRHEG boys’ basketball team.

As it was, they’ll settle for a pair of strong performances.

The Panthers played well but lost twice last week, falling to Blue Earth Area 46-45 on a last-second tip Tuesday and succumbing 71-65 at Mankato Loyola Friday.

The Panthers ran their record to 3-6 in the Gopher Conference and 5-12 overall.

A tip at the buzzer by BEA sophomore Luke Monson was the difference in Tuesday’s game at Blue Earth, which saw four lead changes in the last two minutes.

“It was a classic finish,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We'd hit a big shot and they'd make one.”

Matt Carlson hit a three-pointer with 7.8 seconds left to give NRHEG a one-point lead. Blue Earth called time out and quickly brought ball up the court for a shot. The Bucs tipped it twice and the ball bounced and laid on top of the rim for what seemed like forever before dropping in.

The funeral service for Phyllis Idele Aronson of Ellendale, Mn will be 11 a.m. Monday, January 23, 2012 at First Lutheran Church, Ellendale, MN.  The Reverend  Richard Sliper will officiate.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will  be one hour before the service at the church.  Bonnerup Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis Idele Gardner Aronson, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away January 17, 2012.  Phyllis was born May 30, 1914 near Stewartville to Alta and George Washington Gardner, the second of four children.  Phyllis graduated from Stewartville High School in 1932.  She went on to Winona Normal School with preparation for teaching.  Phyllis taught in rural one room schools in the southeastern part of Minnesota.  Mr. L.A. Arnold hired her from the Pine Island school district and she came to Ellendale for the 1938 school year, then stayed in Ellendale until 1943.  She then took a teaching position in the Hopkins school district, staying there during World War II.  She applied for an elementary position in New Richland, where she taught one year.  She then taught one year in Owatonna.  During this time, she also traveled to Chicago, New York, Seattle and the west coast with her sister Doris and friends from Rochester.

Phyllis and Joyce C.H. Aronson were married on July 27, 1947 at the Gardner farm near Oronoco, Minnesota.  To this union six children were born.  Phyllis quit teaching because she said she had a school room at home.  When her children were growing up, she volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, and a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts.  After teaching for fifteen years, she kept busy by selling World Book Encyclopedias, Fuller Brush and Amway products.  Phyllis always raised a big garden and used the produce to make good things to eat.  She would have a treat ready when her children came home from school.  Phyllis loved to share her creations with neighbors.  When there was a celebration, she would invite neighbors and friends to share in the bounty.

The family is blessed with her memory.  The survivors are Carla and Burton Scripture of Motley, Minnesota; Paul and Ross of Ellendale, Minnesota; Linda and Ann of Roseville, Minnesota.  Grandchildren Helen Schubert of Story City, Iowa; Doris and David Steele of Grimes, Iowa; Beth and Ryan Klaahsen of Little Canada, Minnesota; Micah and Cassie Aronson of Geneva, Minnesota; step-grandson Dane Harvey of North Carolina.  Great-grandchildren Abby Schubert of Oklahoma; Garrett Schubert at West Point; Wesley and Keith Steele of Grimes, Iowa; Rhet, Lauren, and Cooper Klaahsen of Little Canada, Minnesota; Violet and Chrysantha Aronson of Geneva, Minnesota.  Brother-in-law Leo Wentland of Holdingford, Minnesota.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Alta and George W. Gardner, husband Joyce Aronson, son Jon Aronson, sister Doris Wentland, and brothers John Gardner and George A. Gardner.