New Richland City Council

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

All members were in attendance for the New Richland City Council meeting on Monday evening, September 26. The evening’s agenda and consent agenda items were approved. No public hearings, ordinances or resolutions were on the docket.

City maintenance supervisor Ryan Nissen was present and inquired about the council’s intentions regarding crack filling of city streets. After discussion, it was determined due to possible weather concerns, crack filling could possibly take place next year. Nissen asked about a concrete slab for the recently purchased shed at Legion Field. Estimates will be obtained as the council wished to have the shed in place before winter.

Nissen mentioned prices on the new tractor, which is expected to be delivered in May 2012. The purchase is part of the WWTF upgrade package.

PeopleService representative Brad Field gave the council an update on the NE 3rd Street lift station replacement. After a delay, work should commence soon. Televising of the Dogwood sewer will take place as soon as a date can be coordinated.

Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday September 22 with council members Helland, Reiter, Goebel and Groth present. Mayor Engel was absent. Also attending the meeting were Jeremy Reese, Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele, county auditor Laura Ihrke, Ken Cafourek, county commissioner Bruce Kubicek, Wes and Eric from Bolten Menk, Roger Swearingen and Clerk Louks.

After approving the agenda for the evening, the council recognized Thiele and Ihrke. At the council’s last meeting, a discussion was held about how the council could reduce the budget. The council discussed the possibility of cutting a portion from the sheriff’s patrol.  

Reiter stated the council feels there is a real value to the added patrol hours the city receives from the county. Louks told the group the city has budgeted around $30,000 for 2012. Ihrke said of that amount about $5000 is designated for the purchase of a new patrol car. She stated the county has also been billing the city for the fuel costs incurred during the added protection hours. 

QUICK KIDS — The top three finishers in the 400-meter kids’ run at the 2nd Annual Harvest Run for Hunger Sept. 17 were, from left, Kyle Swearingen, third; Morgan Raymond, second; and Corey Johnson, first. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Ron Knutson organized the 2nd Annual Harvest Run For Hunger, which started at 7 on Saturday morning, Sept. 17. Once again, the event was hosted by Zion Lutheran, St. Paul's Lutheran, First Lutheran of Hope and Pontoppidan Lutheran churches. It benefited food shelf programs in Ellendale, New Richland, Waseca and Owatonna.

A total of eight kids were registered for the kids’ run, 51 registered for the 4K walk and 48 registered for the 7K run.

Casey Johnson was the first across the finish line in the 400-meter kids’ run. Morgan Raymond was second, followed by Kyle Swearingen and Sidney Schultz. Casey also went on to participate in the 7K race.

The next event was the 4K walk, which is equivalent to 2.5 miles. The walkers were transported to the Town Hall where they began their race. Anna Pollock sang the National Anthem before the walkers were sent on their way. Kinzee Williams of Owatonna was the first walker to reach the finish line, followed by Kaden Nelson of New Richland and Mikayla Dinse of Owatonna.

VICTORY — The Panthers celebrate a game-one victory over Jackson County Central last week. They went on to drop the match 3-1 but improved to 10-3 overall with two conference wins. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

Schlaak honored for 1,000 kills

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG volleyball team continues to look strong.

The Panthers ran their record to 4-0 in the Gopher Conference and 10-3 overall last week, falling to No. 2 ranked Jackson County Central while defeating Mankato Loyola and Medford.

On Monday, the Panthers hosted JCC and took the match to four games, winning the first 25-23 before falling 25-27, 25-20, 25-11.

"What a great match for our home opener!” said coach Joe Kuechenmeister. “A lot of great volleyball was played. We had flashes of brilliance at times, as well as occasional lapses, and ultimately untimely errors cost us in the end. That being said, we found out a lot about our team capability if we can reach and maintain that high level of play."

Individual leaders for NRHEG: Anna Schlaak 16 kills, 15 digs, 3 aces, 3 ace blocks; Carlie Wagner 12 kills, 4 ace blocks; Harlee Vokoun 6 kills, 6 digs; Noelle Bartness 45 assists.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

For the first time this season, the offense sputtered for the NRHEG football team.

It led to a 14-0 loss at Martin County West Friday night.

“We gave up a big kick return to our 35-yard line to start the game and they scored on that opening drive,” said Panthers coach Dan Stork. “Other than that, our defense came up with some big plays when we needed to. Our offense struggled tonight. We are very banged up right now and our lack of depth is taking its toll.”

The loss dropped NRHEG to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the Gopher Conference AA division. The Mavericks improved to 3-1 and 2-1.

It was a defensive battle most of the night. After MCW’s first touchdown, there was no scoring until the Mavericks put a touchdown on the board with 2:54 remaining on a 62-yard run.

LEADERS — T.J. Schiltz, top, placed third among the boys in last week’s Panther Invitational. Below, the Panthers’ Shantaya Olson and Katherine Lewer run at the start of the girls’ race. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG cross country teams hosted their Annual Panther Invitational at Riverview Golf Course last Tuesday.

The girls were fifth and the boys six among eight schools.

The Grizzlies (JWP/WEM) won the girls’ meet with 48 points, followed by Madelia/Truman with 59, Blooming Prairie 71, Mankato Loyola 73, NRHEG 106 and Medford 108.

Individually for NRHEG: Katherine Lewer, ninth, 18:05; Melissa Malakowsky, 25th, 19:24; Shantaya Olson, 27th, 19:26; Crystal Olson, 32nd, 21:05; Destinee Meyer, 37th, 22:46; Megan Conley, 41st, 24:17.

My grandmother was a great one to say, “There is no such word has can't.” And despite our arguing, she never changed her attitude. I encourage you to remember  this quote when faced with a seemingly impossible task.

When I was selected to attend a seminar in Texas, this same theme was driven home in a slighty different way. Mamie McCullough asked us to describe an "I Can't," and nobody could. She went on to say, "The first and most difficult requirement necessary for achieving success is to believe that you can do anything you want to do, no matter how difficult the goal or whatever the handicap, by convincing yourself of the truth that "I can."

As far as it is known, no one has ever described the shape, size or color of an "I Can't."

"I Can't" must be one of two things, either "I don't know how," or "I won't." Both can be remedied.

It is possible to see, feel, touch and describe the secret for accomplishing your fondest dreams by believing strongly enough that "I can."

I still have the "can" with the "I Can't" label on it that we received during the seminar. I still have the lesson in my mind, so it wasn't strange when I ran across a story one day recently that says it all.

It seems there was a couple who bought a farm in a small community 60 miles west of Omaha. It was beautiful property, which included a creek and a barn built in the 1920s. The barn floor, however, was always wet and muddy. Then, the creek flooded in 1988 and the barn floor was covered with 29 inches of water.

That was the last straw for the man who lived there. The man felt he needed to move it to higher ground and contacted a building moving company. The bid was more than discouraging, so the barn became a tragic conversation for all the neighbors. The man started to think about his situation and thought that if he could get enough people together, they could just pick the barn up and move it to higher ground. Everyone laughed.

A few days later the man’s son showed his father some calculations. He had counted the individual boards and timbers in the barn and estimated the barn weighed approximately 16,640 lbs. He also estimated that a steel grid needed to move the barn would add another 3,150 pounds, bringing the total weight to just over 10 tons. He figured it would take around 350 people with each person lifting 56 pounds to move the barn.

The town of Bruno, Nebraska, was planning its centennial celebration late in July of 1988. Herman and his son, Mike, presented their barn moving idea to the committee. The committee decided to make the barn moving project part of their celebration. So on July 30th, shortly before 11 o'clock that morning, a quick test lift was successfully made. Then, as local television cameras and 4,000 people from 11 states watched, 350 people moved the barn 115 feet south and 6 feet higher up a gentle slope and set it on its new foundation.

The reason most people think that something cannot be done is because they know they can't do it themselves. But impossible things can be done if people join together in the task. Working together, we can not only move barns, but we can also change the world.

We need to be like the bumblebee. Scientists can prove that it is aerodynamically impossible for the bumblebee to fly; its body is too heavy and its wings too light to sustain flight. Since the bumblebee, however, chooses not to be affected by this sophisticated opinion. He flies. He works. He achieves.

Never again will I question my grandmother, Mamie McCullough, the farmer’s logic, or even the bumblebee. We are capable of doing anything if we want to. Cooperating with others and having some faith can move mountains (or barns). Intelligent thinking can provide a plan, and a willingness to want to work with others will prove "We can.”

To all those who think our country is in a mess, “We can” change things if we want to; we just need to use our intelligence and willingness to work with others. "We can" do it!

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, September 29th: Inez Shaunce, Norrine Jensen, Gail Kaplan, Annette Flugum, Millie Flugum, Ellen Pence, Jenna Quimby,  Kevin Klemmensen, Linda Schmidt, Fran Ladlie, Ron & Donna Sletten, Dave & Donna Maixner.

• Friday, September 30th: Chloe Walterman, Dean Hunt, Elmer & Joan Vanden Heuvel, Gilbert & Harriet Larson, Todd & Cheryl Utpadel, Amy & Shannon Vander Syde, Aaron & Jean Klemmensen, Tiffany & Luke Mueller, Kelly & Joshua Warke.

• Saturday, October 1st: Kaeli Wayne, Ana Renee Larson, Lois Plunkett, Larry Crabtree, Vince Bergdale, Brian Flor, Melinda Milan, Renae Thompson Weatherley, Lisa Lembke, Carl & Brenda Shadden, Barbara & William Conly.

• Sunday, October 2nd: Laurie Jensen, Taya Richards, Amanda Hullopeter, Makayla Vangen, David Lembke, Christopher Bergerson, Adrian Jensen, Andrea Zamora, Wilma Ditlevson, Dawn Hanna, Chuck & LuAnn Hanson, Amy & Alex Kromminga, Brooke & Tim Krohn, Brody & Katie Richards, Bob & Kathy Hanson.

• Monday, October 3rd: David Bunn, Lori Neidermeier, Dawn Enzenauer, Colette Holmes, Carrie Thompson, Wendy Thostenson Bogen, Paul Wayne, Lisa Zabel, Larry Carlson, Edna Thomas.

• Tuesday, October 4th: Susan Cornelius Wehr, Helen Jagusch Mantahei, Skyler Hanson, Clair Clausen, Michelle Lageson, Jerome Simon, Dale Waage, Jeff Waage, Lori Zabel, Matt Redmon, John & Cynthia Nelson, Krista & Randy Baana.

• Wednesday, October 5th: Kijah Joy Mikesell, Bethany Otto, Graciela Solveig Ortiz, Larry Pence, Karen Wiersma, Julie Cornelius, Jamie Farr, Elizabeth Randall, Peggy Sorenson, Linda Harding, Karen Kasper, Ray & Bunny Jepson, Jim & Pat Lyle, Wayne & Jo Schimek, Mandi & Darren Johannsen, Doug & Deb Braaten.

Wishing you a day of fond memories and new beginnings.

About a week ago, I received a call from a gentleman from New Richland named John Hohansee. I soon found out that he has been reading my columns. He also said that he’d vacationed in the same area of northern Minnesota where our cabin is and in fact, his family had a cabin near there. His cabin, like ours, was rustic with no water or electricity. It was built out of logs by his father and some friends. It was enjoyable talking to him and finding out about some of the lakes that he has fished and where they are located. I could tell just by just by our conversation that he really loved that area. However, in recent years because of health issues, he hasn’t been able to visit the area he seemed to enjoy so much.

It’s always fun to talk to other people that enjoy the outdoors as much as I do. Anyone who has a true love of the outdoors shares a common bond with most other sportsmen. It’s kind of like the time I attended the first ever Governor’s Hunting Opener when Jessie was “King” of Minnesota. Although I am not a deer hunter, I still felt the passion that these hunters had not only for the sport, but for the tradition and sharing their love of the outdoors with family and friends.

It seems to me this area of the state has appealed to a lot of our local residents for quite some time. In fact, I know of quite a few folks who have cabins in that area. Sometimes, I look at this particular area as an escape from the fast-paced reality of the world we live in today.

I may not get to enjoy the fall colors of the north woods when they are at their peak this year, but I will be heading there in mid-October with my son Brian. I told him we’d still be able to enjoy the colors. We’d probably just have to look to the ground to see the leaves instead of the sky. I am really looking forward to spending that time in the woods where the only electronic is an old portable radio.

As the leaves turn, I will be enjoying the beauty of the fall here. There are also plenty of places to visit right around here that will satisfy anyone’s desire for fall colors. We have a lot of WMA land around, so there are still plenty of woods to be enjoyed by driving on some of our back roads. White’s Woods Park near Twin Lakes can be pretty in the fall. Even driving around Albert Lea Lake can be enjoyable.

Fall fishing can sometimes be pretty good if you are shore fishing by the access on South Shore Drive. Just like any lake, it can be fickle in the fall. But, if you hit it at the right time, it can be pretty darned good. I always love fall fishing when the leaves are at their peak. There is nothing better than sitting on a lake enjoying the colors on a cool crisp fall morning. Oh, by the way the chance of catching a good fish is usually enhanced in the fall.

Fish tend to start storing up food for winter in late fall because their metabolism seems to slow down during the winter months. They need to build up that body fat. The perch biting in the channel by Frank Hall Park is a prime example of that; there’s a certain window of opportunity when the perch go on a fall feeding binge. You’ll be able to tell when that happens by the sudden emergence of local fishermen. This can be a fun time, not to mention a very rewarding time for the palate. The rule of thumb that some of the wise old fishermen went by was that the fishing would be best after the first hard frost. I first heard this as a youth from an elderly gentleman who was always known to catch his share of fish. The “old timers” as we called them had an anchor rope marked off for a depth finder and followed simple signs of nature for catching fish. It worked pretty well for them.

I have found Lake Tetonka in Waterville to be a pretty good lake for late fall northern fishing. It was quite a few years ago now that I last fished the lake in late fall, but I still have some good memories of that time. On one particular day, I found that trolling the weed edges next to deep water with a jig and minnow was a “killer” for some really nice pike. Although I’ve not been a big fan of eating white bass, there are some nice ones in the lake and they are sure fun to catch. Largemouth bass are another species that can be found in this lake. You may even catch that lunker you’ve been seeking. I do think that I may have to try some late fall fishing on Tetonka this year just for old time sake.

I always seem to have big plans for that last cast before the water turns hard and my jig goes bouncing across the ice. For some reason, no matter how much I fish I always have that unfulfilled feeling that I need to make just one more cast.

Until next time try a little fall fishing and enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers during the coming year.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“I hate mornings.”

“Me, too.”

“Why do you hate mornings? You don’t have a job.”

“I know, but I have to listen to you complain about mornings.”

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: We all fall down. Maintaining one’s balance on a moving planet is not easy.

I’ve learned

1. That I’m not much of a shopper, but I do enjoy watching people drift across a busy mall parking lot in search of their automobiles. No age has a corner on the market of losing a car.

2. Happiness is a state of minimum regret.

3. To slow down for Dead Man’s Curve.

Ever wonder

1. If fireflies ever forget to turn off their blinkers?

2. Why Superman would leap a tall building in a single bound when he could fly?

3. If Noah’s Ark had a litter box or a poopdeck?

Washington, DC

I was speaking in Washington, DC and took time to visit some of the many memorials dotting the landscape. The Lincoln Memorial features a 19-foot tall statue of Abe Lincoln. He is sitting down. He’d be 28 feet tall if he stood up.

“Is statue, Abe?” I mumbled. I couldn’t help it.

As I stared at Abe’s shoes, I recalled something I’d been told. The number of horse’s hooves in the air on statues tells how the rider died. Two hooves in the air means the person died in battle, one raised hoof means the person was injured in battle, and four hooves on the ground means the person survived unharmed. It’s called the Hoof Code in tourist guidebooks. It’s not true. Andrew Jackson’s statue indicates he died in battle, but he succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 78. 

Nursing home diaries

I visited a friend in a nursing home. She lamented that her usefulness had ended. I insisted that her supposition was incorrect and that she still had much to offer.

She thanked me and added, “My problem is that I’m good at a lot of things that I can’t do anymore.”

It was a picnic in the park

I was on my way to a state park for a company picnic for ants. I spotted a bumper sticker reading, “Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.”

I love picnics. Where else can you hear something like, “Who brought this salad and why are the raisins moving?”

Or, “This cookie has so many raisins in it, it is a salad.”

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I had just received my driver’s license. It was a life-changing event for a whippersnapper. I talked my father into letting me have the car. I was driving down the road when I spotted a friend and good guy, Donny Beyer, driving a car towards me. My feeble brain decided that playing “chicken” was a good idea. This is a game in which a young man aims his car at another to see who swerves first. Donny and I had faith that the other would veer first. Neither did and we scraped both cars. I tend to hug the right side of two-lane highways as I travel. I do so because Donny Beyer could be driving the next car I meet.

Traveling mercies

It was maps and naps in the good old days. I drove as my wife read the map. We each needed a nap. She assumed the navigator’s duties after I had driven 50 miles on a road that turned out to be nothing more than a crease in the map. That’s when Rule #1 became, “The wife is in charge.” Rule #2 is, “When in doubt, refer to Rule #1.”

Nature notes

“How do birds find enough food to survive during winter?” Birds search for food all day. They don’t Facebook. Birds read the world in ways we cannot understand.

“How many feeder birds live a year?” The first year mortality rate on songbirds is about 70%.

The adjectives for our seasons are, spring (vernal), summer (estival), autumn (autumnal), and winter (hibernal).

Talking to the Holstein

I was talking to the Holstein the other day. The Holstein is a retired milk cow, so she has time to talk. I told the Holstein that I was looking for a bullhead recipe.

The Holstein chewed her cud thoughtfully and said, “I have one. It’s called ‘stuffed bullhead.’ You roll the fish in sand, wrap it in weeds, stuff the bullhead in a culvert, and buy a fish sandwich.”

Meeting adjourned

Without kindness, heaven would be empty.

Labor Day morning, September 5, Genie and I left from Beaver Lake for our annual stay of one week at Arrowhead Lodge in the Big Horn Mountains above Sheridan, Wyoming. Our first year of doing this was 1973.

We got on I-90 at Albert Lea, set the cruise on 75, and headed west. We stopped at Mitchell, SD to look at the new corn themes on the outside of the Corn Palace.

In Mitchell, we saw about 200 motorcycle riders, all volunteer firefighters, headed for New York City to take part in the 9/11 ceremonies. They started out in Washington state and were adding riders as they went along. Many of the riders were riding the special red bikes wearing volunteer fireman clothing. As they came into a town, some would hoist United States flags as symbols of their patriotism — very impressive.

The first night, we stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Wall. The evening meal at Wall Drug and saying Hi to T-Rex was a must.

Tuesday morning, we set the cruise control at 80 and headed west on I-90. The speed limit is 75 in South Dakota and Wyoming, versus 70 in Minnesota. Once 828 miles from Beaver Lake, we were at Arrowhead Lodge in the Big Horn Mountains. Richard, a familiar face of a few years, gave us a “good to see, welcome back” and checked us in our favorite one room log cabin #3.

The first day, there was a day of rest to let our bodies get used to the high altitude of 7-9,000 feet.

As usual, the Arrowhead employees, on a scale of one to ten with ten being the best, rate a strong 11. Rick, the morning chef, made a special pancake entitled “Little Boy” just for me. Waiters Chad and Clay, have the ability to give the meal a down home family feeling. Yuki, in housekeeping, with a friendly smile and a cute wave of the hand, has the ability to brighten your day.

We held a brief church service on Sunday at Medicine Wheel (an Indian religious ceremonial site.) As you drive up to Medicine Wheel, the world’s largest golf ball is teed up, waiting for Paul Bunyan to tee off.

How small is this world? We were at Shell Falls looking at a beautiful waterfall. A Chevrolet HHR identical to ours pulled in with Indiana plates. We started car talking and the lady asked where we were from in Minnesota. I say “Albert Lea,” and she says “Do you know Ardelle Knutson of Hartland?” The net result is Hi from Butch and Annabelle Kaiser of Mentone, Indiana. Another example, we were at Bear Lodge in the mountains for breakfast. A couple was seated at the table beside us. I looked at him and he looked at me. Welcome Butch Donovan and Judi Kalstad of Glenville to the Big Horn Mountains.

Why are the forestry employees so nice in the Big Horn Mountains? Because they have been exposed to “Minnesota Nice” through a fellow employee from Becker, MN.

Carol, Terri, Sheila, Valerie, Conny (five great ladies from Canada) listen to Dan, Frank, Fred (three native brothers of Wyoming) bugle thinking it’s a bull elk. A real bull elk bugled back thus the ladies heard both a two-legged and a four-legged elk bugle!

Tough question — “What does a UPS man wear on his head when he’s delivering in Wyoming? A cowboy hat of course.

September 28 is a great day in history. 48 years ago Genie said, “I do,” and I said “I do” too. Genie, you’re the best!

— — —

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. This is the Hanson’s 36th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of Wisdom: There is always room for God.