Jim Lutgens
Pola Ann Jeddeloh, 94
Graveside services for Pola Ann Jeddeloh, 94, will be held Saturday, October 15, 2011, at 3 p.m. at St. Peter Cemetery, New Richland, MN with Rev. Scott Williams officiating. Arrangements by Andringa Funeral Home, Sibley, IA.
Pola Ann Jeddeloh was born on September 28, 1917, in New Richland Township, Waseca County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of John and Lena (Maslakov) Miskoff. She lived her youth in New Richland, Minnesota, where she attended school and graduated from high school. She received her teaching degree and later received a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in education from Mankato State University. She taught in New Richland, Minnesota area, for almost 50 years. She retired when she was 68.
Twins step up to the plate for NR
FIELD OF DREAMS — Jeff Reese stands in front of the third base dugout at Legion Field in New Richland. Much of the dugout wood had to be replaced due to the September 2010 flood. The Minnesota Twins graciously donated $6,000 to the Quad Cities Baseball Association to help offset costs. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
QCBA receives $6,000 grant for Legion Field
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland Care Center was inundated by the September 2010 flood. Sitting adjacent to NRCC is Legion Field. As the floodwaters closed State Highway 13, the outfield fence of the ballpark was completely underwater. Jacques Cousteau was called in to play center field. The field took a terrible beating as the dugouts were submerged.
Inside the concession stand, a good portion of the equipment was floating or upside down. Almost every electrical connection had to be repaired or replaced. Only the scoreboard, which is elevated above the field, was spared from damage.
When the floodwaters finally receded, members of the Quad Cities Baseball Association knew they had quite a bit of work to do in order to have the fields playable and presentable by the spring.
“It was a mess,” said Jeff Reese, QCBA member. “The wood in both dugouts was rotting due to sitting in the water. We lost most of our equipment in the concession stand as well.”
Billing oversees ‘organized chaos’
IN FOR THE LONG HAUL — Wayne Billing, former New Richland Mayor and Fire Chief, has served as City Clerk since 2005. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Inside the hallowed walls of New Richland’s city clerk’s office, organized chaos ensues.
Wayne Billing seems to think his e-mail inbox and telephone line never tire.
“My job as city clerk is demanding,” Billing said. “The very thing I like, the variety, makes this job a little difficult at times, because I must juggle all the responsibilities.”
In order to do his hometown of New Richland justice, he must be very versatile. His repertoire of duties includes all of the following: financial, customer relations, council research, planning, reporting, construction, human resources, volunteer coordination, economic development and grant administration.
“I am a jack of all trades, master of none; and my range of interests is very diverse,” Billing said. “At this point, I expect to be doing it for years, because I like it and I think I am good at it.”
Sharing the harvest
THANK YOU — New Richland Area Foundation Fund Chair Gail Schmidt, left, and Karen Buum of the Waseca Area Foundation were all smiles as they announced a recent donation of four semi trailer loads of corn to the NRAFF. The generous donor wished to remain anonymous. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
Local farmer anonymously makes 3700-bushel donation to NR fund
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
This time of year, most of Southern Minnesota’s agricultural specialists are at work day and night harvesting soybeans and corn. The roads and highways are packed with combines coming and going to various fields, and trucks and grain wagons heading to the elevators and grain bins. One New Richland area farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, decided to share some of his bountiful harvest with his community. He made a significant donation to the New Richland Area Foundation Fund.
“The NRAFF received four semi loads of corn,” said Gail Schmidt, NRAFF Chair. “It equates to 3,700 bushels. Our area is such a successful agricultural community. This gift is a reflection of that community. It will have a huge impact on our ability to give out grants in the area. It will double the amount of funds available this coming year.”
NR police have busy September
New Richand City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland City Council met Monday evening, October 10 with all members present. Even though it was Columbus Day (observed), the city does not recognize it as a holiday, therefore city business can be conducted. The evening’s agenda was approved following the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent agenda items were approved, which were a right-of-way permit for HickoryTech and a pay request from Bolten & Menk for the sum of $16,021.75 for work performed on the Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project.
Police Chief Scott Eads reported his department responded to 92 calls for service and had 63 additional contacts in September. Two felonies were reported and arrests were made almost immediately.
“It was not only busy in terms of calls, but also as far as arrests for serious offenses were concerned,” said Eads.
NRAHS celebrates 10-year anniversary
By RODNEY HATLE
New Richland Area Historical Society
Thanks to the generosity of visitors who offered talk, laughter, and curiosity about items on display at Farm and City Days this year, the New Richland Area Historical Society has again added information to its files.
During the society's 10 years, displays have been temporary due to lack of permanent rooms. Nevertheless, public interest in community history is evident.
Because available space has been variable during the last three years, some of the society's materials have not been set out. However, the most current things have been, and they attract attention.
The pride of Pontoppidan
INDUSTRIOUS — Greg Selk, a member of the LeMond Snappy Boosters 4-H Club, chose to restore a park near Pontoppidan Lutheran Church for his self-determined 4-H project this year. It earned him an Award of Excellence at the Minnesota State Fair. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
15-year-old helps restore historic park across the road from church
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
For his self-determined project for 4-H this year, 15-year-old Greg Selk, a member of the Lemond Snappy Boosters 4-H Club for 7 years, didn't have to think hard about what he was going to do. Across the road from the Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, where he attends with his mother, Gena, and grandparents Tom and Karen McMahon, there is an area that once held the Steele County District 72 school house. Some of the playground equipment from his mother’s day still remained along with a great deal of grass, weeds and memories. Selk felt the area should be cleaned up so the children and people could once again use the park, which belongs to the church, In May of this year, he decided to take on the task as part of his 4-H project for the fair.
The first step to completing the project was clearing the brush and long grass that covered the area. Once that was done, it was fix up time.
What remained of the playground equipment from those "old school days" needed to be cleaned and painted. The old teeter-totters, although still sturdy, had slivers and weather damage and needed some hard work. Selk got busy with a sander, cleaned up the wood and applied a new wood sealer. He gave the iron a fresh coat of paint and got the teeter-totter looking better than ever before.
Panthers fall to top-ranked BA
UP AND OVER — NRHEG senior Anna Schlaak tips a shot during the Panthers’ match against top-ranked Bethlehem Academy at New Richland last Tuesday. The Panthers lost 3-0, but bounced back to defeat JWP 3-0 Thursday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Volleyball team rebounds to blank JWP, improves to 17-4
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG volleyball knew what to expect from the top-ranked Bethlehem Academy Cardinals, and the Panthers were confident riding an eight-match winning streak.
It did not reach nine.
The Panthers started slowly in all three games last Tuesday and fell to No. 1 rated BA 3-0 in New Richland. The game scores were 25-12, 25-19, 25-23.
"We knew coming in that they would be a really tough team,” said NRHEG coach Joe Kuechenmeister. “They've established themselves as a volleyball power in this area for over a decade, and they certainly deserve that recognition. That being said, we were optimistic with the momentum that we had going in that we could compete with them."
The Panthers’ slow starts and erratic play prevented that.
Panthers keep it close early against top-ranked WEM
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
It wasn’t the blowout a lot of people expected.
But it was a shutout victory for the top-ranked Class AA high school football team in Minnesota.
The injury-plagued NRHEG Panthers kept it close for the better part of three quarters but wound up falling 30-0 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Friday night.
“I was very happy with our effort tonight,” said Panthers coach Dan Stork. “Our guys battled the entire game. Injuries continue to haunt us. We lost Carter Tollefson in the first quarter with a knee injury and Brandon LeBlanc in the second quarter with a possible broken rib.”
Cross country teams fifth, sixth at Waseca
LEADER OF THE PACK — Eighth-grader Katharine Lewer continues to lead the NRHEG girls’ cross country team. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
The NRHEG cross country teams were in action at Waseca’s Lakeside Golf Club last Tuesday for the Waseca Invitational.
The boys finished sixth among six schools and the girls were fifth.
Waseca won the boys’ meet with 27 points, followed by Farmington with 58, Maple River 76, USC/AC 96, Grizzlies 143 and NRHEG 151.
Individual places were not available, but T.J. Schiltz continued to lead the Panthers, finishing with a time of 17:15.5. Jade Waltz clocked 20:29, Raece Johnson 21:08, Tyler Holz 22:59, Dustin Burshem 23:18 and Gunther Olson 24:05.
“T.J. is running against some of the familiar faces he will be seeing in the section, and today we were in the mix with the top Waseca and USC/AC runners,” said Panthers coach Mike Weber. “We know in a couple weeks we have got to get a little better. T.J. is a hard worker, and we believe he can lower this time. Jade’s time has been extremely consistent the last few weeks. Raece ran well along with Tyler. Dustin dropped a half minute for his best race of the year. He had a nice finish, out-sprinting an opponent down the stretch, refusing to let the runner pass. Gunther continues to improve.”