Jim Lutgens
Early report on college: so far, so good
I’ve been living in Mankato for about two weeks now, and I just started my college classes Monday. I have to say, I love living here. I’ve never liked living in a small town, with its lack of people and things to do. But in Mankato, there are so many things to do. I live right by campus, which makes going to class pretty easy. I get along well with my two roommates (not including my boyfriend—obviously I get along well with him), although they’re not very good at keeping the place clean. Since campus is pretty much the center of everything for college students, I’m right in the middle of it. I can walk to Kwik Trip or University Square, and now that classes have started I can walk to the library or Student Union building and spend time there, if I want. I just really am enjoying living here, and so far, I know I made the right decision in doing so.
I’m taking four classes for my first semester: U.S. Government, Practical Grammar, Intro to U.S. Economy, and Intro to Information Systems. My schedule happened to work out so I don’t have any class on Fridays, which is really nice. I’ve only had two classes so far, but I’m already experiencing the freedoms of college life. It’s nice to not be stuck in the same building for eight hours a day, seeing the same people and teachers during those eight hours. I love being able to go home in between classes. And the best part about post-secondary is I don’t have to worry about the cost of college. Yes, I’m living on my own, but I don’t have any student loans or anything because I’m still in high school (technically), so everything is paid for, most importantly books and tuition.
And it helps that MSU is a good college with a nice campus. There are so many people, it’s incredible. Coming from a school where each class is roughly 70 people, attending a college with thousands of students can be a little overwhelming sometimes. It helps that I know a few other students who go here, so I can ask them if I don’t know where to go or what a class will be like. And I love the opportunity to meet new people. Living in Mankato is a taste of the “real world,” and I’m really enjoying it so far. My dad has been really helpful: buying me groceries and other necessities. I wouldn’t be able to do this without his support. I’ve got a feeling I’m really going to like going to college. And parents, if you have children in high school or who will be in high school, I would definitely suggest looking into post-secondary (PSEO). It’s an amazing opportunity to get college and high school credit while still being enrolled at the high school. I’ll still be graduating with my class at NRHEG in May, but I’ll have a year of college done, as well. And best of all? I don’t have to pay for it!
Clifford O. Anderson, 99
Clifford Oliver Anderson of Faribault died peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2011 at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital, just 17 days short of his 100th birthday.
Funeral services will be held at River Valley Church, 722 Ravine Street, Faribault on August 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Tomm Byrtus, the Reverend John Krans and the Reverend Mark Kenney, officiating. Interment will be at Lemond Cemetery, Steele County.
Visitation will be held in the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Sunday, August 28, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. and also in the church for one hour prior to the services on Monday.
Clifford was born on Aug 29, 1911 in Carthage, South Dakota to Eddie and Hannah (Welander) Anderson. The family moved to Oakland, NE when he was 4 and to Sherburn when he was 7 where he attended Rural School through 8th grade.
Bette Rae Peterson
Hewitt L. Peterson
Peterson, Hewitt Lynn Sr., Lifetime Master Coordinator, our father and grandfather, twin brother to Uncle Harlan, older brother to Aunt Elaine, younger brother to Uncle Laverne and Aunt Ethel went to be with the Lord, July 23, 2011. There is a song we sing in Church, “When We All…Get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be…” We see Dad with the Lord … rejoicing with Grandma Pete and Grandpa Peterson, gathered together with Uncle Bernard, Aunt Ruth, Uncle Swede and Uncle Ray and all the wonderful crazy aunts, uncles and cousins that went before, all gathered on the other side.
I know Dad was especially looking forward to meeting, for the first time, his baby sister Lucille, who went to be with the Lord years before he and Uncle Harlan were born. The family often talked about baby Lucille, grandmas first born, who would have been their older sister.
An old-fashioned event returns
READY TO ROLL — Pictured is Mark Lee, along with Lucas Bailey, in the back, and Derek Lee, in the front, as they were busy preparing Mark’s 730 John Deere tractor, which had a 4 bottom plow behind, for the first local Fun Day Plowing Bee Aug. 7. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
Ellendale area farm hosts plowing bee
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
What do Minnesota farmers do for fun?
They plan a Fun Day - Plowing Bee!
So on Sunday, August 7, farmers gathered to compare rigs and plowing techniques.
Mark Lee thought that a plowing bee would be something to do, before the time comes to rev up the corn pickers and combines. It worked out perfectly, as he learned Jim Dobberstein had a 75-acre plot of land east of Ellendale just begging to be manicured. The event was advertised during the Ellendale Days parade and Jerry Viktora invited area farmers on Power 96 and KQAQ Radio.
A few farmers from our area showed up for the event, with their tractors and plows, and had fun playing in the dirt. They proved that this long art was not lost or forgotten. There was also a group of spectators who came to enjoy the afternoon.
The techniques of the area farmers in attendance were tested. They had to plow in nice straight even rows, find the perfect depth. But that’s not all. This was all done in ground that was well packed from the pea vinery that had made their way up and down the field.
‘Pride of Geneva’ traded to Phillies
BIG TIME PLAYER — Hunter Pence, middle, poses for a photo with relatives Jeremy and Brandon Hartung before a July 4 game this season. Pence was recently traded from the Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence has relatives in the area. (Submitted photo)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
It has been said that Hunter Pence is one of the best young players in major league baseball, that he epitomizes the way the game should be played.
Apparently, the Philadelphia Phillies thought so too.
The National League power recently traded for the Houston Astros outfielder who has roots deep in Minnesota and Texas.
Pence, son of Howard Pence, who lived in Southern Minnesota for many years, was one of the players who participated in the All-Star Game on July 12th, which was played in Phoenix. His grandmother, Delphine (Peterson) Pence, currently lives in Albert Lea, though she and the late Phillip Pence lived in Geneva for many years.
The trade to Philadelphia was not necessarily Pence’s idea as he lived his entire life in Texas, but it does provide him a good chance of playing in the World Series some day. Pence is baseball through and through. He plays the game for fun, not fortune.
No one could have been prouder of his cousin than Larry Pence of Albert Lea.
Lottery hits close to home, again
Not long after Earl Parriott scratched off a $200,000
winner, former NR resident Kevin Dinneen hits it big
HE WAS BOTH — New Richland native Kevin Dinneen at the Minnesota State Lottery headquarters in Roseville. He cashed in his winning $250,000 ticket Aug. 8. (Submitted photo)
New Richland native wins $250,000
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Everyone has dreams of what they are going to do with the money they receive when they finally hit the lottery. New Richland native Kevin Dinneen and a co-worker were discussing what they wanted as they scratched their lottery tickets they had just purchased on a work break in Lakefield, MN.
“If you win, I want a laptop,” Dinneen told his friend. In turn, his friend’s request was a new flat screen television in the event Dinneen had a winner.
As Dinneen scratched his ticket, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The $10 “Quarter Million Cash” ticket in his hands was just that — a $250,000 winner.
“I won!” exclaimed an excited Dinneen to his buddy. His friend couldn’t believe it until he examined the ticket for himself.
“It’s real,” said his companion.
Youth mission trip opens eyes
ON A MISSION — Ellendale United Methodist Church members who attended a week-long mission to the Black Hills included, front from left, Aaron Seath and Whitney McCamish. Row two: Maison Green, Wesley Dodd, Jade Hill and Cassidy Worrell. Back: Penni Mueller, Jordan Mueller, Adam Anderson, Lisa Dodd, Miranda Richards, Cecelia Torp and Destiny Hill. (Submitted photo)
UM members work with homeless in Black Hills
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Trekking the Black Hills was cool, but even more awesome for the Ellendale United Methodist youth group members was impacting the lives of others.
All 10 youth members still get revved up thinking about their week-long mission trip to Rapid City, SD. Their group leader and church pastor, Lisa Dodd, truly enjoyed introducing them to something “that would change their lives.”
“What I looked forward to the most was introducing the kids to the experience of serving others,” Dodd said. “It was great just to see them realize how wonderful it is to serve. It also made them more cohesive as a group.”
Introduced to the Youth Works program for the first time, Jordan Mueller, Cassidy Worrell, Miranda Richards, Adam Anderson, Destiny Hill, Whitney McCamish, Cecilia Torp, Maison Green, Jade Hill and Aaron Seath split up into three groups for their work sites.
“I’m not totally comfortable with nursing home patients, so that was challenging,” said Mueller. “We mainly helped out with what they needed. We were that extra pair of hands. At one nursing home, we played cards and bingo with the residents.”
How now brown cow!
HELLO BUTTERCUP — Nick Jewison, right, holds his prize cow “Buttercup” as children visiting the Mark Sommers farm southwest of Waseca learn more about dairy farming. The event, sponsored by Waseca Community Education took place on Monday, August 1. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
Preschoolers get first-hand experience at a dairy farm
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The Waseca County Farm Bureau and Waseca Community Education coordinated “An Evening at the Farm” Monday evening, August 1. The Mark Sommers farm off of County Road 9 southwest of Waseca was the host. Pre-schoolers and their parents boarded a bus in Waseca for the short trip out to the Sommers place. While en route, Jurgen Peters, Waseca High School Agricultural Instructor Emeritus, pointed out different things about area agriculture and answered questions.
Upon arrival, attendees were split into two groups for a tour of the dairy barn and to help bottle-feed some calves. The Sommers Dairy currently milks about 58 head of cattle. Mark Sommers was asked what affect the recent heat wave has had on milk production.
“Most of the cows produce about 65 pounds of milk a day,” said Sommers. “With the heat, they were down to 42 pounds, but they are coming back now.”
Steer escapes, winds up on football field
Opening day of football practice was a little more exciting than usual Monday morning in New Richland.
Shortly after 9 a.m., a beef steer weighing between 900 and 1,000 pounds escaped while being unloaded at Morgan’s Meat Market. The steer proceeded south across Highway 30, where it damaged the left front portion of a pickup truck. It then meandered farther south and onto the NRHEG High School football field, eventually winding up in the southwest corner.
“It caused quite a ruckus,” said New Richland Police Officer Ron Deckard. “There were football players out there. It was a safety issue.”
Deckard, an expert sharpshooter, put down the steer with one shot of a rifle.