Jim Lutgens
Always a smile
PERSERVERING — Although Harold ‘Hap’ Hagen has limited mobility these days, his attitude has remained positive and upbeat. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
NR’s Hap Hagen lives up to his nickname
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Several times a week, a van with the license plate that reads HAP-E-1 cruises on over to New Richland Care Center.
Upon arrival, the driver heads on inside, excited to see the honoree of her license plate, aka her husband of 57 years, Harold Hagen.
“Harold’s lived in this area and community for many years,” said New Richland Care Center Activity Director Kathy Flor. “He’s been here approximately two years now. This is a good place for him because there is lots of activity and people around.”
This social butterfly thoroughly enjoys visits from his wife, Marlene. But what would make Hap Hagen even happier is his mobility restored.
“It’s hard to get those legs working again after the strokes,” Hagen said.
Flor added, “Harold hopes that someday he’ll be able to go back home. We’re happy to have him here with us though.”
In the meantime, he continues with physical therapy and always manages to put a smile on his face.
After the flood
TIME TO FLY — New Richland Care Center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel releases butterflies during ceremonies commemorating the one-year anniversary of a devastating flood that forced the evacuation of the facility’s residents. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
Butterflies take wing at NR Care Center
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The weather was perfect Friday, September 23.
It was a far cry from a year ago, when the New Richland area experienced an 11-inch rainfall in a 24-hour period.
The Care Center in New Richland was one of the hardest hit areas of town as floodwaters forced the evacuation of residents. The facility was closed for about three months as extensive repairs were accomplished. Many of the displaced residents returned to the center after it re-opened.
To observe the one-year anniversary of the devastating flood, the residents and staff assembled on the front lawn for a short ceremony.
New Richland Care Center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming.
“We are glad to have you as part of our family,” said Hebel.
Bringing magic of music to NRHEG
FAMILY OF TEACHERS — Jennifer Fredrickson, the new elementary music and choir instructor at NRHEG, was born into a family of teachers. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
New teacher has a passion for her job
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Music could be called the language of the world.
Who doesn't listen to and enjoy music or at least have some interest regardless of the language or tempo?
Think about it. What one thing that is a part of every country speaks of joy, happiness, devotion, or movement, more than music? We all enjoy a little toe tapping, moving to the rhythm and being moved by the sound.
Music is that important, and we are lucky to have one of the best music makers available to teach our children at NRHEG how much music matters.
Inquiring when Jennifer Fredrickson, the new elementary music and choir teacher at NRHEG, knew that she wanted to be a teacher, she quickly replied, since third or fourth grade.
Fredrickson was born into a family of teachers. Both her parents were teachers. Her family believes in education, and have made it their passion for many years.
Fredrickson continued to keep the thought of being a teacher in her mind and, when she progressed into junior high, she decided that she wanted to be a music teacher.
Freeborn-based group helps pick up the tab for veterans
HELPING VETERANS — Gene Millang, left, Secretary-Treasurer of the Freeborn-based Labor Day Harvest Festival Association, shakes hands with Mike Diemer, representing the Miller-Coors Brewing Co., as Chris Jacobson looks on. Millang presented Diemer about 45,000 aluminum can tabs to assist veterans programs. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
For the second year in a row, the MillerCoors Brewing Company is sponsoring a program to help the country’s veterans. It’s called “Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life.” For every aluminum can tab or bottle cap collected, the company will donate 10 cents toward veteran programs. The Freeborn-based Labor Day Harvest Festival Association decided to help out and started collecting tabs.
“We have had people from all over this area helping out,” said Gene Millang, secretary-treasurer of the association. “Folks from Freeborn, Hartland and New Richland have been collecting tabs. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-50 thousand tabs and caps collected. As I understand it, this will probably be the largest singular donation within our region.”
Through the program, veterans of Iran and Afghanistan will have the opportunity to enjoy experiences such as attending Major League ball games, NASCAR races, or enjoying concerts and fishing adventures. It’s not just about having a hot dog at a game; it is an opportunity to connect with fellow veterans in a fun and memorable way. Last year, MillerCoors donated $1 million which enabled thousands of veterans to enjoy a variety of experiences. This year’s tab collection period ends on September 30.
NRHEG students reap rewards of school garden
AFTER THE HARVEST — NRHEG eighth-grade students and ag instructor Dan Sorum, third from left, pose for a photo after a harvest in the school garden. (Submited photo)
September was declared Farm to School month in Minnesota, and NRHEG was in on the fun.
This past spring, at the request of school nurse Gratia Johnson, the ag education department decided to take on the task of planning and implementing a school garden. Dan Sorum, NRHEG ag educator, led the project with the help of ag students in various classes.
"The most important workers were the summer volunteers," said Sorum. "Without them, this garden would have been more weeds and less food."
The idea of school gardens has been growing over the years as both a means to give students hands-on education and a way for schools to save a little on their food bill. In turn, it also generates money locally. Studies have shown that for every dollar a school spends locally, three dollars are generated in the local economy. Of course, one of the biggest and most obvious benefits is on the salad bar, where this year students thus far have enjoyed garden fresh cucumbers and tomatoes.
Waseca County 4-H State Fair exhibitors
4-H at the Minnesota State Fair is not just a fun annual event. Every summer, thousands of 4-H youth participate in the state fair to showcase the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year, and to continue their learning experiences. 4-H youth spend months working on projects designed to equip them with essential life skills such as problem solving, decision making, project management, communications and public speaking. 4-H members then share their accomplishments and educate the public about their subject at their local county fair. Those who demonstrate the highest achievements are then selected to participate in 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair.
At both county and state fairs, 4-H members meet one-on-one with experts to have their projects evaluated, discuss what they've learned, and identify future learning opportunities. 4-H members also lead visitors on tours of the 4-H Building and barns, and conduct workshops and hands-on demonstrations for the public. 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair not only makes great memories, it helps 4-H youth grow into successful adults.
Results from Waseca County 4-H youth who participated in the 4-H Livestock Encampment at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair August 25 – August 28 are as follows:
M. Bert Lurth, 87
M. Bert Lurth passed away at age 87, on September 22, 2011 at Kindred Hospital in Ontario, California.
He was the son of Bert and Ethel Lurth of Kasota Township, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Peter (MN) High School in May of 1942. He enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Bell. He moved to San Francisco after his tour of duty and initiated and extended PIP (Postal Instant Press) on the West Coast. He later retired and moved to Rancho Mirage, CA and was a five-star volunteer for Eisenhower Hospital for over 20 years.
He was a former member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club, long-time member of Spiritual Center in Palm Desert and member of Prime Timers of the Desert.
He is survived by two sisters Mary Lou Weydert of New Richland, MN and Joann Oldenberg of Nicollet, MN; two sisters-in-law Sylvia Pettis of Mankato, MN and Mary Ann Lurth of St. Peter, MN; and adopted sons Leonard and Mabo of California.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Ethel Lurth; and brothers LuVerne and Elmer.
A private ceremony to “Celebrate the life of our beloved M. Bert Lurth” is yet to be arranged.
Spikers win tourney, improve to 16-3
BLOCKING WALL — NRHEG’s Noelle Bartness (8) and Carlie Wagner (4) go up for a block against Montgomery-Lonsdale last week. The Panthers won 3-2. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Five matches, five wins. It was a perfect week for the NRHEG volleyball team.
The Panthers improved their record to 16-3 overall and 5-0 in the Gopher Conference as they defeated Montgomery-Lonsdale last Tuesday, topped USC Thursday and won the Blue Earth Area Invitational Saturday.
NRHEG rallied to beat M-L 3-2 at New Richland, winning 25-18, 15-25, 17-25, 25-20 and 16-14.
"It was great to be able to get Montgomery Lonsdale on our schedule because they're a section opponent and they've been having a pretty good year,” said NRHEG coach Joe Kuechenmeister. “All things considered, this was pretty much a tale of two different matches. We played well in games 1 and 4, and didn't in games 2 and 3. The girls were once again able to dig deep and get the game 5 win in rally fashion. We just need to clean up our play so we don't put ourselves in unnecessary pressure situations. That being said, it was ultimately a section win and that's big for seeding."
Last-minute TD spoils NRHEG homecoming
BIG GAME — Brandon LeBlanc of the Panthers (18) ran for a career-high 161 yards in a 13-12 loss to LCWM last Friday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG football team knows all too well how the Minnesota Vikings feel.
The Panthers, like the Vikings the first three weeks of the season, saw a halftime lead slip away as they allowed 13 points in the final 6:51 and lost their homecoming game 13-12 to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial last Friday.
The Panthers, playing without several injured starters — including quarterback Sam Lundberg — were besieged by second-half mistakes and penalties while falling to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the Gopher Conference AA Division. LCWM improved to 2-3 and 2-2.
Our kids played hard,” said Panthers coach Dan Stork. “The first half we totally dominated the clock, running 45 plays to their 12.”
The second half was another story.
Schiltz takes two firsts for NRHEG CC team
SOLID NO. 2 — Jade Waltz finished second for the Panthers at Blooming Prairie and Janesville last week. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
The NRHEG cross country teams were in action twice last week, at Blooming Prairie on Tuesday and at Janesville Thursday.
According to coach Mike Weber, sophomore T.J. Schiltz was on a mission at Blooming Prairie, finishing first overall with a time of 17:00. Following for NRHEG were Jade Waltz, 22nd, 20:13; Raece Johnson, 35th, 21:42; Tyler Holz, 51st, 23:25; Dustin Burshem, 52nd, 23:31; and Gunther Olson, 53rd, 23:55.
“T.J. was on a mission from the start,” said Weber. “He was hoping to get his time into the 16 minutes, but we were a second shy. Still, a great win for T.J. Jade was a solid second for us with a decent time, and with his best time for the season. Raece improved from last week, also placing in good time. Tyler and Dustin again ran most of the race side-by-side, with their best times thus far and getting closer to catching Raece.”