DEFENSE — The Panthers’ Casey Rosacker (9) and Seth Petranek (51) team up to stop Ryan McCabe (33) short of the goal line Friday night. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

AIR WAR — David Lassahn of NRHEG (8) goes up for a pass as Blooming Prairie’s Luc Zellmer (11) defends. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

Slow start, late touchdown costly for NRHEG football team in season opener

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Many people were thinking this might be the year for Blooming Prairie, which had been less-than-awesome in facing coach Dan Stork and the NRHEG football team.

The Awesome Blossoms, who had never beaten a Stork-coached team, did so for the first time Friday night, escaping New Richland with a 33-30 victory in the final seconds of a season-opening thriller.

“I am very proud of our effort tonight,” said Stork, the Panthers’ ninth-year head coach. “Our kids played hard the full 48 minutes. Blooming Prairie is a very good football team.”

That was apparent early as the Blossoms — led by senior standout quarterback Luc Zellmer — dashed to a 20-0 lead before the first quarter ended.

On the first play from scrimmage, Zellmer hit Gabe Kartes with a pass across the middle that went 64 yards for a touchdown. Blooming Prairie led 7-0 after 10 seconds of play.

IMPRESSIVE OPENER — Anna Schlaak, left, gets set for dig as Harlee Vokoun watches in the Panthers’ season-opening 3-0 win at Albert Lea Aug. 30. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG volleyball team did not have a small-school, cream puff opponent for its 2011 season opener.

The Panthers traveled to Albert Lea of the Big Nine Conference Tuesday, Aug. 30 and came away with an impressive 3-0 triumph, winning 25-8, 25-20, 25-15.

“Overall, I’m very pleased with our first outing of 2011,” said second-year Panthers head coach Joe Kuechenmeister. “Our energy was high and our communication was above average for a season opening match, so that was great to see.”

Offensively, the Panthers stayed on the attack most of the night, keeping the Tigers on their heels.

“We've got several hitters who have a lot of power, and that's going to be to our advantage this season,” said Kuechenmeister.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG cross country teams opened the 2011 season at Stewartville Thursday, Sept. 1.

No team results were available.

Sophomore T.J. Schiltz led the Panther boys, placing eighth in 14:28. Others: Jade Waltz, 61st, 17:24; Raece Johnson, 76th, 18:12; Dustin Burshem, 91st, 20:16; and Tyler Holz, 93rd, 20:40.

"It was a great effort by T.J.," said NRHEG coach Mike Weber. "Jade also did a nice job with Raece not far behind. Overall, I thought the boys did well for our first official meet of the season."

Katherine Lewer, an eighth-grader, led the NRHEG girls with a 44th-place finish, clocking 14:54. Following were Crystal Olson, 67th, 17:02; Destinee Meyer, 101st, 18:53; and Megan Conley, 114th, 19:34.

Calls received/action taken by the New Richland Police Department:

Thursday, August 4, 11:30 p.m. — Directed patrol St. Olaf Lake Park. Park clear.

Friday, August 5, 2:30 a.m. —Medical assist S. Broadway Ave.

Friday, August 5, 8:10 a.m. —Animal complaint N. Birch Ave. Lost dog found and returned.

Saturday, August 6, 12:05 a.m. — Directed patrol St. Olaf Lake Park. Park clear.

Saturday, August 6, 12:25 a.m. — Bar check N. Broadway Ave. All okay per staff.

Saturday, August 6, 2:50 p.m.  — Civil matter N. Birch Ave. Party advised of options.

Saturday, August 6, 6 p.m — Welfare check N. E. 1st. St. No answer. Party located later and okay.

Sunday, August 7, 8 a.m. — Agency assist/NR Fire S. Aspen Ave. 

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

The Hartland City Council met for its August meeting with all members present except Kyle Reed. Also present were city clerk Tiffany Krueger, maintenance operator Andy Flatness and fire chief Brandon Flatness. The evening’s agenda and meeting minutes from July 5 were approved.

Fire chief Flatness reported that the department didn’t respond to any calls in the last month. He also informed the council about the department purchasing a thermo imaging scanner, and that the  Hartland Fire Department hosted the Freeborn County Fire Meeting. The old fire truck and ambulance should be advertised with the Star Eagle and posted on the League of Minnesota Cities website, requesting bids to be submitted by the September council meeting.

The council reviewed a quote submitted by Melby’s Masonry for the concrete work to be performed around town. The council gave approval to have Melby Masonry move forward with concrete work, allowing Dan Harguth to submit bids if they come in lower than the current bid.

Once again, I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time with family in the North Country. This time, it was with my oldest son Brian and his three boys Trevor, Taylor and Grant. It’s funny how when a vacation is in the planning stages not everyone is excited about it. A couple of weeks prior to this, I had asked Grant, my youngest grandson, if he was ready for vacation. He replied almost half-heartedly that he guessed he was. I secretly hoped that it wouldn’t be a long week for him.

Once we were at the cabin and settled in, the boys made plans to fish on our lake. All three of the boys fished the lake in the evening for the first couple of days. I can’t really think of a better way to get a kid hooked on fishing than to catch fish of any kind. We have an abundance of panfish in our lake that are more than willing to bite a hook. Trevor never misses a night of fishing on our lake. This week, Grant was there with him and I could tell that he was enjoying every minute of it. Trevor has a small electric trolling motor that is just perfect for his boat and he even let Grant drive the boat, which is a big step. I know Trevor was being nice, but I also know that his thinking is that if he is not driving, he has more opportunity to fish.

We fished five different lakes in four days and although the fishing wasn’t what you’d classify as great, it wasn’t all that bad. We managed to catch fish on every lake we went to. I feel that catching enough for a meal at the lake and taking some home for another meal or two can be considered a success.

I had fished on North Star Lake a couple of weeks earlier and had pretty good luck so we decided to try it this time up.  The fishing wasn’t quite as good to me as the last time I was there, but we did manage a few small pike and then Trevor, the fishing guru of the family, tied into the biggest northern of his young life. It was a good ten pounds and gave him quite a battle, before it was finally boated and then released. He was beaming with pride after catching that fish, and I could tell that his younger brother Grant was really excited to see a fish that size.

After we had left the lake, Grant was already talking about trying to find a lure like the one his brother had caught that nice pike on. We looked at a few different places and had to stop in Grand Rapids on the way home just so he could buy some tackle with his own money. I almost couldn’t believe it at the time, but I actually think that there is another Herfindahl boy that is hooked on fishing.

Taylor is usually the northern guru of the family; while he did catch his share this week it is probably that dandy bass that he caught that he’ll remember most. On the last day, we did some late afternoon and evening fishing on a little lake that we like to fish. It has a pretty nice sandy shore, so when the fishing is done, some of us take a dip and get refreshed. We have some eco-friendly soap to bathe with. There’s nothing more refreshing than a dip in a northern lake on a warm summer evening.

That evening, we caught plenty of northerns but Grant stole the show by catching five of them himself. If I had any doubts about Grant having a good time, they were definitely erased. He was all business when he was fighting a fish and when we got back to the cabin, he said that he wanted to eat a quick lunch and go to bed. I told him that he must have been worn out from reeling in all of those fish. He just smiled.

Another highlight of the week was the eagles that all of a sudden have decided to make our little lakefront their new hangout. I had seen eagles soaring over the lake all summer, but now, they had taken a real interest in this dead birch tree that sits on the shore straight down the hill from our cabin. All week long, there were at least two eagles soaring back and forth in front of our dock. The real interesting part is that there were two different eagles that seemed to be fighting over that one tree. One was a bald eagle and the other was a golden eagle. If the golden eagle got there first, the other ones didn’t bother it. But if a bald eagle was in the tree, the golden eagle would chase it away. One afternoon a turkey buzzard flew overhead just above the tree tops and it kind of made me wonder if it was following me. We never did see that bird again. I really can’t remember having seen one around before that.

On our last day there, we spotted at least two bald eagles flying back and forth across the lake and also that golden eagle. You could hear the eagles screeching in the trees by our cabin. One time, both the bald and golden eagle tried perching in that tree at the same time, but eventually the golden eagle won the battle and was once again perched atop that tree. I told Brian that what we have here is our own little raptor center. I had tried to get a good picture of that golden eagle, but just as I inched my way through the woods to an open spot, my sleeve brushed some loose birch bark. It then gave me a glance and flew off. I wondered if it would come back. I didn’t have to wait too long for the answer, because a couple of hours later it was back.

This is once again an example of the unexpected surprised that nature can spring on us. What a great spectacle to have observed. I feel fortunate to have witnessed something that not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy.

Once again, I have to say it’s not always about the catching of fish but it is about the experience and the making of more precious memories. To my surprise, Brian said that Grant wasn’t ready to go home yet – he wanted to stay another day.

Until next time, do a little fishing, take some time to relax and get out and explore our great Minnesota outdoors.

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

I am an advocate of home schooling. Whoa, let me finish. Let me explain.

School days come so soon and make us smart. Hopefully you have already had your "home schooling."

I am not talking about reading, writing and arithmetic. I am talking "home school," all those things that good parents teach their children from the day they were born. 

The things children learn those first five or six years of their life may well be the most important things they will ever learn. Parents need to teach their children to be happy, clean, respectful, polite, enthusiastic, self-disciplining, and teach them how to learn and make good use of that information. A basic tool is learning when to say yes or no. Sadly, it is something some of us may never really achieve, and by all means, learn to share.

Children should be exposed to a variety of activities. That may seem simple, but this is necessary for their self-confidence. Going to the library, a county fair, a sporting activity, ordering at a restaurant, learning the cost of things, selecting or making choices regarding their own clothing, even if it is a this or that type choice, is something children must learn.

Learning left and right, good or bad, expressing themselves to others, telling someone about their day and sharing what they have done, whether it is coloring, drawing, skipping, swimming, fishing, singing etc., are all important.

Children need to learn how to wash their face, comb their hair, brush their teeth, tie their shoes and make their bed. They also need to learn the proper way to do things, such as crossing the street, riding their bike and to not play with matches. They should not talk to strangers, and use scissors the proper way. Then after all that, they should practice what they learned.

Learning about shapes: is an object round, square, rectangular, or triangular? It helps them in their learning processes. It is also important for them to learn about money on sight, be it a penny, a nickel, a dime, a quarter. Even better to learn is what it is worth, and how much money it will take to purchase things.

Along those lines, learning about measuring things is key. We measure with measuring cups and spoons, which helps gives meaning to 1/2 full or a 1/4 full, etc. We also measure with a ruler or tape measure which helps in the learning process as well.

Children can have fun with magnifying glasses, flashlights and scotch tape (wrapping packages). They also learn a great deal telling stories about things that have happened in their lives. They also learn by being exposed and participating in different events, going on trips, and seeing different parts of the country.

Parents with healthy habits model healthy habits for their children, practicing good manners and saying please and thank you, and I guess I can say the list goes on and on.  Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.

Home schooling is a continuous education as the times change people and how things are done. Circumstances change. Children must learn to deal with adverse conditions as the world is full of them.

Children also need to learn to appreciate people, both good and bad. They need to learn the value of trust, kindness, friendship, thankfulness, the advantage of good programs applied and where to go when they need help.  They also need to learn, logic, patience, life science, how to solve, to think and understand, to practice good sportsmanship and be able to have double vision, which lets them see the other person’s side of view.

Learning to make choices can be difficult. Understanding rules is necessary. It also helps prevent them from hurting others.

There will be disappointments which must be dealt with, but children will learn from those experiences as well. There will be sad times. Those too will pass.

Children should understand forgiveness, especially forgiveness of themselves. Resourcefulness should be natural with no fault for failure; it is better to try and fail then to sit back and wish you had given it a shot.

Is it "home schooling" or life science? It is a subject well worth the effort to achieve a passing grade.

Helen Keller said that there are four things to learn in life: to think clearly without hurry or confusion; to love everybody sincerely; to act in everything with the highest motive, and to trust God unhesitatingly.

When all is said and done, when someone says, “How are you,” you can truthfully answer, "I am super good but I will get better." We all need to practice new answers to that question, such as I am terrific, or happy, or super! It helps you convince yourself it is true.

Education is really the answer to life's questions, big or small, today, tomorrow or whenever. There is so much to learn and so many changes that absorbing it all seems overwhelming.

Earl Nightingale once said, "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

Let your children know that although they are small, they are also unique and irreplaceable.

Simply said, try to do what seems best each day and as each day comes. Home schooling is there for a lifetime.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, September 8th: Pastor Joel Xavier, Natalie Aaseth, Cindy Loberg Smolinski, Anna Lois Erickson, Brittani Hagen, Karen Briggs, Kelly Hagen, Amy Johnson Svoboda, Jennifer Johnson Popiel, Jimmie Olson Jr., Jamie Thompson, Bob & Karen Vaith, Brian & Jody Wayne, Jessica & Jay Eidem.

• Friday, September 9th: Eva Lauren Wayne, Charlie Pence, Paul Aronson, Bruce Cerney, Corey Haddy, Steve Hanson, Roger Herbst, Jim & Mary Brocker, Randy & Deb Parks, Spencer & Suzanne Wayne.

• Saturday, September 10th: Arnold Lund, Taya RaeAnn Lembke, Emily Crabtree, Caden Jensen, Curtis Blouin, Craig Blouin, Pauline Fetterly, Steve Granowski, Kathy Knudson, Sally Utpadel Waknitz, Connie Krusemark, Charlie & Diane Marlin.

• Sunday, September 11th: Geoffrey Stieglbauer, Andy Arends, Dawn Misgen Meier, Craig Torgerson, Matthew Mueller, Kathy Nelson, Galen Christensen, Mark Calverly, Paul & Jo Otto, Steve & Mary Bailey, Leanna & Jared Peterson, Tim & Angie Butler, Brian & Jody Wayne, Rick & Linda Weckwerth.

• Monday, September 12th: Stacy Kubiatowicz, Joane Vanden Heuvel, Chloe Sue Walterman, David Wacek, Robert Kasper, Courtney Thostenson, Nikolas Zimprich, Eric Hunnicutt, Jennifer Wallerich, David Jepson, Tuyen Vu, Kris Klocek, Ken & Marian Hoffman.

• Tuesday, September 13th: Tali Wayne, Jaxon Richards, Russell Goette, Jason Ingvaldson, James Plunkett, Clifford Tufte, Sherre Utpadel, Lisa Zamora, Andrew Zinke, Korey Peterson, Amber Stohr, Lisa Ritz, Ruby Troxel, Ann & Rodney Hamilton, Rhonda & Derike Shelton.

• Wednesday, September 14th: Rick Wangsness, Reece Breidenbach, Issac Wacek, Chris Hanson, Linda Pederson, Jill Peterson, Jack Jensen, Caleb Lunning, Ethan Lunning, Gerald & Becky Edwards, Rick & Charlotte Miller.

• Thursday, September 15th: Korbin Wayne, Aiden McClasky,  Daniel Hemingway, Ryan Johnson, Nancy Nelson, Tyrel Peterson, Wendy Schultz, Eric Nelson, Jarred Hanson, Dorothy Reichl, Roger & Patty Langlie.

• Friday, September 16th: Evon Damon Lucas, David L. Christenson, Carmen Fetterly, Emily Laudon, Howard & Carrie Peterson.

May your special day be filled with sunshine and smiles.

It’s time to bid a sad farewell to our Minnesota Twins. What started out so promising this spring has disintegrated into, "Who will make the next mistake?" The more games the Twins play, the more flaws appear.

The Twins and the Minnesota Vikings have been our best hope recently for bringing a men’s championship home to Minnesota. It has been a half century of futility and mediocrity for our football Gophers and poor to somewhat better than average season after season for our Minnesota Timberwolves since their inception.

It’s getting kind of scary to be one of the folks who remember when our Gophers were feared on a football field. One of our last ties to a strong Gopher football is gone with the passing of coach Murray Warmath. Not many reminders of the Minneapolis Lakers remain either. Sid Hartman, Minneapolis sports columnist has his detractors, but he is one of the few remaining links to the glory days of Gopher football and Laker basketball.

In the more recent past the Minnesota Twins provided the last championship and that was 20 years ago. Let’s leave the Twins for now,  put aside the puzzle of Joe Mauer, the concern over Justin Morneau, and look toward the upcoming football season. One positive thing about being a fan of any team and investing time and money in rooting for them, is there is very little you can do about a team’s success or failure. Kind of like the weather. You may not like it, but you bear no responsibility for it.

It’s fall and time for football. Although one can admire football teams such as St. John’s, the two teams that have the most attention paid to them are the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams have new coaches and are afforded a short honeymoon the first few games. Coach Kill didn’t need his first-game honeymoon as the Gophers began the season with an almost "come-from-behind" win over perennial power USC. Everyone is very happy with new Gopher coach Jerry Kill. Even Athletic Director Joel Maturi is getting praise for hiring him from the sportswriters. That’s unusual.

Based on the first game the Gophers look like they might be competitive this year. That’s a big step in the right direction. However, the game might not have indicated so much what a good coach Jerry Kill is, but what a bad coach Tim Brewster was. But perhaps more importantly, for Gopher football status in the state, is the feeling that the Gophers might be a team of the future.

The Minnesota Vikings have yet to play a meaningful game as I write this. But, coach Leslie Frazier has made a good first impression solidifying his standing with the team and Viking fans by kicking overweight, and sometimes unmotivated, Bryant McKinnie off the team.

One advantage Frazier and Kill have is that they’re replacing unpopular coaches. I do feel Brad Childress was by far a better coach than Tim Brewster. He prepared his teams well and was respected by his players. One problem was he sold his soul to put Brett Favre at quarterback. He knew what he was doing, but did it anyway to order to win it all and almost succeeded. They failed because of his other flaw. The coaching staff seemed to panic at crunch time and either make the wrong call or commit a stupid mistake such as 12 men on the field at a crucial juncture.

With two new coaches and a new year there is reason to believe the teams will bring some fun to Minnesota football.