Jim Lutgens
NR’s Kulseth 87th in state cross country
T.J. Schiltz wasn’t the only cross country runner from the NRHEG area to compete in the 2011 state cross country meet.
Kourtney Kulseth of New Richland, a seventh-grader who open enrolls at Waseca, ran for the Bluejays’ varsity team, which placed fifth in the Class A state meet. Kulseth finished 87th among Class A girls.
Thankful for one more year
SERVICE WITH A SMILE — For two years, Nancy Jane Klecker of Nancy Jane’s Bakery in New Richland has been delivering quality baked goods with a smile. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
Nancy Jane’s Bakery celebrates two years on NR’s main street
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
Nancy Jane Klecker, a Geneva community resident, is truly the little engine that could.
While working at a bakery in 1982, Klecker discovered her true passion in life.
"I absolutely love baking," said Klecker.
So, in 1987 she went to baking school, where her creativity was unleashed. As she mixed ingredients, rolled and kneaded dough, her love of baking continued to soar. And, thoughts of one day having her own bakery began to blossom.
As Klecker continued to work and explore the magic of baked goods, her desire grew stronger. Moving forward with her idea, the shy woman rounded up enough courage to present her plan to a financial institution. Klecker was turned down. However, that was not going to stop her.
Patch collection finds new home
NEW DIGS — Albert “Doc”Flor, right, and Dr. Jonathan Fabian of Main Street Dental Clinic stand next to the New Richland American Legion’s patch collection, now located next door to the Star Eagle. The building will also host the Legion’s meetings. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Albert “Doc” Flor served as an Army Dentist during World War II. He was stationed stateside, ensuring troops heading overseas wouldn’t have to worry about problems with their teeth while confronting the enemy.
“I worked on countless soldiers from different units,” said Flor. “Many of the patches in my collection were from those soldiers.”
The huge display of military patches includes every infantry and armored unit in the U.S. Army. On the sides are patches from various organizations in the Navy, Marines and Air Force. There are also numerous badges signifying different military ranks.
Fifteen NRHEG students join National Honor Society
CHARACTER — Junior Alicia Merritt lights the candle signifying “Character,” one of the four principles of the National Honor Society, during the annual induction ceremony at NRHEG High School on November 16. Fifteen seniors and juniors were inducted into the exclusive organization. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
To the sounds of a piano processional, current members of the National Honor Society filed in to the school gymnasium, candles lighting their path. Senior Michaela Hansen welcomed family members and the entire student body to this year’s induction ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 16. Principal Paul Cyr introduced present members and their parents.
Present members who were inducted in November of 2010 include Michaela Hansen, daughter of Terry and Wendi Hansen; Samantha Hogstad, daughter of Dean and Shannon Hogstad; Hailey Johnson, daughter of David and Kristine Johnson; Rachel Ledding, daughter of Richard and Michelle Ledding; Alicia Merritt, daughter of Larry and Glee Merritt; Eric Sorenson, son of Rodney and Peggy Sorenson; Jillian Theuer, daughter of Mike and Patricia Theuer; and Carter Tollefson, son of Mark and Sandy Tollefson.
Guidance Counselor Tim Stoesz proceeded to announce the names of this year’s selectees. As their names were called, students were escorted backstage to don the red robe of society membership.
For Janich, a bittersweet good bye
FOND FAREWELL — After a challenging tenure at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church in Ellendale, Pastor Trevor Janich, left, and his wife, Angie, were given a warm sendoff with an open house Sunday, Nov. 6. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
Vibrant Life church holds sendoff for pastor since 2005
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
Having faith and vision through the Lord led Pastor Trevor Janich to ministry in Ellendale in 2005.
Janich began his journey as Senior Pastor at the formerly known Assembly of God Church, when he was a mere 24 years old.
His path to guiding the congregation in their spiritual journey was met with obstacles and resistance in the church, now known as Vibrant Life Assembly of God.
"The church was set in some old traditions in physical appearances, and spiritual habits," Janich said. "Within two months of my pastorship, I began to struggle with my board."
They had made significant purchases without Janich’s knowledge. Those actions started what became a two-year power struggle that sent Janich into a state of depression, and contemplating thoughts of quitting.
"We don't have any lawyers, doctors, or actors within the church membership," said Janich. "The average household income is between $40,000-$60,000."
In February 2007, in the midst of the power struggle, Janich was accused of embezzling (he was later absolved) from the church, and coincidentally the church was heading toward bankruptcy at the same time.
Two months later, Janich found himself at a district council meeting listening to Pastor Dan Betzer speak about missions.
Unpaid utility bills reviewed
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met November 10 with Mayor Engel, Councilmen Helland, Goebel and Groth present. Councilman Reiter was absent.
Also attending the meeting was Maintenance Supervisor Swearingen, Clerk Louks and Liquor Store Manager Kirby Hannem.
The council approved the agenda as presented for the evening.
The first agenda item was the monthly report from Swearingen, who told the council a water line on Second Street had broken. The break was very close to where the city had just repaired the line. The break is also close to where the council had some discussion about moving the water line that was currently on another property. The council moved to do the work and move the line in question.
Swearingen next reported that the city needed to get some more rock at the lagoons. He has already removed four muskrats from the lagoons this fall. Swearingen said he would pick up about three-fourths of a load of salt for the winter season. Swearingen told the council the city will need two new batteries for the main generator. The old ones will not hold a charge.
Mortenson’s Peace Poster wins top prize in district
Allie Larson of the Ellendale Lions Club announced last week that Sadie Mortenson’s first-place Veteran’s Day Peace Poster won top prize at the district level.
Sadie’s poster was chosen as the winner out of 65 different Lions Clubs. The district includes all Lions Clubs from Winnebago to Blue Earth and Worthington to the Iowa border. Sadie will be recognized at a brunch for the District Lions Club in Mankato on February 12. Sadie’s Peace Poster will go on to be judged at the national level, competing against Lions Clubs all the way to the North and South Dakota border and up to Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. If Sadie’s poster wins, she will advance to Washington D.C. where she’ll be recognized.
“We are so proud or her,” said Holly Mortenson, Sadie’s mother. “She is such a talented little artist. Her work is impeccable. She puts her heart into everything she does. We wish her the best of luck as her poster moves on to the national level for judging.”
27th Annual Wild Game Feed December 3
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
There is something in the air and it sure smells good.
It is time for the annual Wild Game Feed, which will be held at Geneva Bar & Grill Saturday, Dec. 3. Geneva Bar & Grill will also be hold a Bean Bag Tournament "under the big top" Friday night starting at 6:30.
The reputation from the Wild Game Feed draws a crowd from a large area, with its invitation to enjoy many different meats and foods you might only find in the best restaurants. The food is fresh and tasty.
Ask anyone who has been there! Come early. They start serving at 11 a.m. and will continue to put out great food until everything is gone.
The best cooks and chefs will be serving exotic dishes made from wild game that has been donated. A number of very dedicated people from our area start cooking at 6 Saturday morning preparing some of the wild game, which includes alligator, duck, elk, fish, goose, pheasant, venison, and wild turkey, while some of the foods are prepared on site for you to see.
The event also includes a gun raffle for more than 50 guns, starting at 10 on Saturday morning.
Contributions to this event go to the Eagles Cancer Telethon.
If you have any questions, or would like to donate to this event, please contact Geneva Bar and Grill at 507-256-7278.
Felt memorial pool tourney this weekend
The 4th Annual Matt Felt Memorial Cancer Benefit Pool Tournament will take place at Geneva Bar & Grill beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 25, and resuming at 10 Saturday morning, Nov. 26.
Memories, socializing, and fun events bring out the best of the best people participating in this annual event. Last year 15, three-man teams registered for the tournament and it is hoped that the 2011 event will be more than well attended. If you enjoy playing pool, and feel that you are a good player, here is your chance to prove it, which will also help raise funds for cancer.
Please call Geneva Bar & Grill at 507-256-7278 to register.
Geneva Bar & Grill will once again host the 27th Annual Wild Game Feed on Saturday, Dec. 3, as well as the 28th Annual Cancer Auction Jan. 6-7 and Jan. 14-15.
Activities for the annual post-Thanksgiving feast
Instead of falling asleep after overstuffing oneself with turkey and all the trimmings, there are a number of games people can play to wake even the laziest sleeper. Start conversations by asking questions or sharing memories from the past. Beware, it may be hazardous to your day. Everybody will forget what time it is and forget to go home.
I was named after ____ because ____. I wanted to grow up to be a ____. My parents told me I was a ____ baby. My favorite holiday is ____ because ____. I am the most thankful for ____. My favorite food I look forward to having at Thanksgiving is ____. My favorite pie is ____. I crave ____. I remember my parents as being ____. I also remember my grandparents as being ____. I remember my siblings as being _____. The one person I look forward to seeing over the holidays is ____. The troublemaker of the family was ____. My biggest surprise ever was ____. I am happiest when ____. Something I hope you like about me is ____. My favorite thing about someone at this table is ____. I am most at peace when ____. Our family’s claim to fame is ____. My biggest hope is that ____. My first home away from my parents home was ____. My first pet was ____. My favorite toy was ____. My first kiss was ____. My first crush was on _____. My first date was with ____ at ____. I met my mate when ____. My favorite wedding memory is ____. My first car was ____ and it cost ____. One time I got scared when ____. I'll always regret ____. One time I got in hot water when _____. My chores growing up were ____. My favorite activities at school were ____. My favorite book is ____. The first President I remember was _____. My first job was ____. A famous person who made the biggest impression on me was ____. If I could marry a celebrity, it would be ____. Once I was embarrassed when ____. My first music player was a ____ and I liked to listen to ___ on it. My favorite singer today is ____. My favorite movie is ____. My religion is ____ because ____. The historical moment I remember best is ____. Something I wish was still sold in stores is ____. Politically, I consider myself a ____. My beliefs once changed when ____. Once I won a contest when ____. I am superstitious about _____. A secret I wish I hadn't kept is ____. My proudest moment was ____. I am secretly proud that I can ____. I think my best feature is my ____.
Thanksgiving at Grandma’s was always something else. If there was family who couldn't get home for the holiday, and especially true when the guys were in the service, the paper tablecloth became a nostalgic message of sorts. Everyone wrote a little or a lot at the spot they sat. It might be as little as, "This is cranberries I spilled and didn't eat" or, "You ought to see so-and-so's plate. You'd think he hadn't eaten for a year." Of course the littlest hands were traced around and probably adorned with rings and fingernails, polished green or purple. Always, greetings of love and missing you were included. The table cloth was folded up, crumbs and all, including the wish bone and sent by "snail mail" the next day.
Sometimes, there was a discussion over who was going to receive the massive letter. A few times it had to be split or its contents rewritten in a regular letter.
There was the year cousin Bruce made the coffee server "talk" and brought on rolls of laughter. The table was generally cleared just to make space for games like pig, old maid, hearts or 500. Often you could be attacked by cowboys and Indians hiding under the table. Many games of hangman were enjoyed on the blackboard too.
Back in the early years, Kenny and Snookie rendered endearing music on the player piano. If there was snow, any amount of fun was had playing fox and geese or taking part in snowball fights.
Somehow, Thanksgiving has changed over the years, but endearing memories always make one’s family feel close.
It is well to remember the first Thanksgiving and pay honor to the many years that have passed, but the real Thanksgiving shall be in the thanks we give today for what we have and hope for. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is really all about?
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about the local happenings and family events such as family and school reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and birth and wedding announcements.
In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us, so we can then pass along the news to you. If you have news to share, please contact me.
Also, if our NRHEG Star Eagle readers would like to share birthdays and anniversaries of your family and friends, or you know of some that should be deleted, or names have changed, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.
• Thursday, November 24th: Happy Thanksgiving Day! Blaine Boverhuis, Bud Carroll, Deb Peterson Schmidt, Bea Bunn, Ellen Pearl LaFave, Heather Snow, Lisa Hunnicutt Vreeman, Bob Hanson, Rita Glynn, Abraham Ladlie, Kyle Layland, Scott & Lisa Rietsema.
• Friday, November 25th: Scott Groth, Calista Lerum, Randy Born, Mitchel Hill, Joel Langlie, Brian Vogt, Gideon Jude Long, Daryl & Kathy Paulsen, Ken & Iva Sletten.
• Saturday, November 26th: Darlene Krohnberg, Cody Christensen, Robert Gasner, Linda Stieglbauer, Drew Vangen, Ashley Bergerson, Al & Diane Lee, Jamie & Kate Cameron, Brian & Heather Schember.
• Sunday, November 27th: Kyle Goslee, Olivia Rae Kohn, her 4th; Paul Kasper, Cyrstal Spurr, Mike Draayer, Lorna Berg, Sandra Tonsing.
• Monday, November 28th: Quinn Lauren Wayne, her first; Vicki Peterson, Jackie & Scott Miller.
• Tuesday, November 29th: Connie Smith, Dean Peterson, Emily Butler, La Vonna Ruhl, Christy & Tim Berry, Pastor Carrie & Dan McElfresh.
• Wednesday, November 30th: Dan Mrotz, Lindsey Hagen, Lindsey Schlaak, Sophia Jepson, Eric Knudson, Norell Wood, Kellen Utpadel, David & Lizell Swearingen, Arnold & Dorothy Lund, Andy & Emily Butler.
Wishing you quiet moments of beauty on your special day!