Jim Lutgens
Harlan A. Lafayette, 76
Harlan A. Lafayette, age 76 of Waseca, died on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Colony Court in Waseca.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15, at 1 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Janesville. Rev. Dr. Larry Griffin will officiate. Interment will be in the Alma City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday morning from 11 a.m. until the hour of service at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Janesville. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to donor’s choice.
New Richland resident hits Pure Gold
HE STRUCK GOLD — Earl Parriott of New Richland won $200,000 in the Minnesota Lottery’s Pure Gold game. He purchased his winner at One Stop in New Richland. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
Earl Parriott wins $200,000 in lottery
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The Minnesota State Lottery ticket New Richland resident Earl Parriott was handed last week called “Pure Gold” boasted of a $200,000 top prize and “25 chances to win.” Parriott purchased the $10 ticket at New Richland One Stop and only scratched off the bottom of the ticket which reveals a bar code.
“I had Brenda [Johnson] at One Stop scan the ticket for me,” said Parriott. “She told me it was a winner because the machine read out said, “Go to Lottery Office.” I knew it had to be over $500, but I put the ticket in my pocket and left.”
Parriott must have wanted a second opinion on his winning ticket as he stopped at the Lottery kiosk inside the New Richland Liquor Company. At this point, he hadn’t scratched off the rest of the ticket.
“It’s definitely a winner, Earl,” confirmed Kris Young at NRLC after she had scanned the ticket. “Do you want me to scratch off the rest and see what you have won?”
Forty years and counting
A GOOD TIME BY ALL — Hundreds of people, young and old, flocked to Litomysl for the 40th Annual Summer Festival July 31. Pick up a copy of this week's Star Eagle for a color photo page of the event. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
Litomysl holds annual Summer Festival
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
Where can you combine Mass, school, music, games, auctions, eats and treats, a flea market, face painting, pony rides, raffles, pull tabs, wagon rides, and even beer?
You may not be able to find it on a map, but miles and miles of motor vehicles line County Road 4 and 24th Avenue Southeast in rural Owatonna for the Annual Litomysl Summer Festival.
"Every year it gets bigger, and bigger," Hope resident Dale Wilker said.
On Sunday, July 31st, the Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Litomysl held its 40th Annual fundraiser. The funds raised help support the parish and St. Isidore school. St. Isidore houses the preschool through fifth grade, and is also the patron saint of farmers.
This family fun day kicked off at 10 a.m. with the Litomyslaneous Group in a Polka Mass. Also participating in the morning mass were the Owatonna Knights of Columbus #945's Fourth Degree Knights.
"The 140 parish families work so hard to put the festival together," said Sister Del Marie of St. Cloud. "I enjoy seeing relatives, parish members, and love the Czech old-time music."
Positive experience
IT’S FREE, IT’S FUN — Alicia Butler is excited about a new after school program at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church in Ellendale. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
Vibrant Life offers free after school program
BY RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Alicia Butler, Pastor Trevor Janich and Angela Janich can’t contain their excitement any longer.
On September 7, they will be opening the doors of a free after school program located in Vibrant Life’s Refuge add-on area. They have high hopes that “The Depot” will become a second home for K-6 students.
“We are so looking forward to this program getting on its feet and running,” said program president Butler. Trevor added, “It is free. It is fun. It is educational and it keeps kids active. What more could you ask for?”
Located only three blocks from Ellendale Elementary School, the walking distance will be perfect. It will be a safe place for kids to focus on their social, educational and physical needs.
“Every day, we will spend 45 minutes in ‘educational time,’ either doing their homework or playing an educational game,” Butler said. “We may even read a book too.”
State aid less than expected
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Roll call showed all members present as the New Richland City Council met in chambers Monday evening, August 8. Following agenda approval, consent agenda items were also approved, notably a $250 payment to the Town and Country Garden Club for 2011 and a request for safety vests for the NR Fire Department at a cost of $660.
There were no public hearings scheduled nor petitions to be heard.
Police Chief Scott Eads reported 95 calls and 68 addtional contacts for the month of July. There were three felonious thefts during the month, one involving property, the other two motor vehicles. One suspect in a vehicle theft has been arrested and the investigation submitted to the county attorney for charges. The council approved the repair of front brakes to the squad car in the amount of $502.90.
Care center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel received approval for bills incurred and paid and the final profit and loss statement for June. She noted census at the facility is 50 for the second month in a row.
Ellendale enters into agreement with county
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday July 28 with council members Helland, Reiter and Groth present. Absent were Mayor Engel and Goebel. Also in attendance was Clerk Louks, City Attorney Kohl, Mrs. Goebel and Todd Sinholdt.
The agenda was modified for the evening and a motion to do so was passed.
The council reviewed the fire department expenditures for the month. Total expenditures for the department was $239.90. The council approved the report.
The council next asked Sinholdt, who was representing Dan Dailey, to address the council. Sinholdt told the council he was asked to come to the meeting to get the council’s feelings about Dailey’s business options. The council told Sinholdt that the council would be able to better address Dailey’s options if he would bring to the council a plan of what he intends to do. City Attorney Kohl told the council that without knowing what business Mr. Dailey intends to have, the city cannot make any decisions. Sinholdt told the council he would take this information back to Dailey.
A fast-pitch softball tradition continues
NATIONAL CHAMPS — Torey Richards, right, and her dad, Tomm Richards, with the 2011 Class A NAFA National Fast-Pitch Softball championship trophy. (Submitted photo)
Torey Richards helps Mankato Peppers team win 2011 national championship
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Torey Richards, catcher for the Mankato Peppers 12-and-under fast-pitch softball team, helped her team win the 2011 Class A NAFA National Fast-pitch Softball tournament. A total of 77 teams competed in the four-day tournament July 21-24 at Eagan, Minn. The Peppers girls’ softball team, coached by Torey’s dad, Tomm Richards, finished the tournament undefeated.
The team has had an outstanding year. The Mankato squad didn't allow a run or commit an error in the final five bracket games to complete a remarkable 48-5-2 tournament season with seven tourney championships.
Torey comes from a family very familar with the sport of fast-pitch softball. Tomm Richards started his fast-pitch softball career playing for the Da Boys fast-pitch team, which was based out of Geneva, and her mother, Tara, also played fast-pitch softball in high school.
Torey’s sisters have all played some softball, but not competitively, as Torey has for the past three years. Tristan is 20 and will be junior at Gustavus Adolphus this fall. Taya is 15 and will be a sophmore at Mankato East; Torey is 12 and will be in seventh grade at Mankato East; and Tiegen is 6 and will be going into first grade.
Torey is the granddaughter of Dan and Sue Richards and Paul and Diane Stollard of Geneva.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Crayolas
They say you can talk or write about everything and anything...how true! It is only a matter of what comes to mind in that split second which could go away as fast in favor of some other thoughts. What a wonderful thing a mind is. That is where all the thoughts or memories are stored. Isn't it aggravating sometime to have an event or a name, on the tip of your tongue, and you know it you could almost spit it out but can't — until maybe 12 hours later when you're trying to sleep? It can be embarrasing to say to someone, “I know you but right now I forget your name.” It shouldn't embarrass us because we all, some more than others, seemingly suffer from momentary loss of memory.
I envy those who when they've made an ordinary human mistake are able to put it out of mind. I’m working on it. I tend to hang on to some of those things, blaming myself and not letting go. It's like having a tooth ache or pimple, that surfaces and hurts. After all the mind only has so much room, it’s better to let trivial things go.
No, I am not in the habit of watching cartoons, but after a glimpse of Mickey and Minnie Mouse the other day at my mothers' while her great granddaughter, Ava, was there for the day, she mentioned that her mind went back to the "Free Show" days when Mickey Mouse and friends were only skinny little black and white mice with extra skinny tails.
What a success story. In the first place, an insignificant little rodent who gained fame and fortune and is loved by Kids and parents the world over with a designer wardrobe and an inspiration to everyone. Sure, Disney gets the credit because where does everyone want to go? — Disneyland! And for those who don't go there, if we choose we can enjoy his antics, (between commercials that is) almost any day on television (and without murder and mayhem.)
There are many characters available now but somehow Mickey and Minnie are still faithful after all these years.
Another childhood memory is Crayola Crayons. The first box of Crayola Crayons was made and sold for 5 cents in 1903. It contained 8 colors, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and black and were created by Edwin Benny and C. Harold Smith. These two began manufacturing carbon black printing inks and slate pencils back in 1885.
In 1958, the company introduced the largest Crayola crayon box in history. The 64 box of crayons even featured a built in sharpener but more was yet to come. In 1990, for the first time in crayon history, eight colors were actually “retired.” Colors included green blue, raw umber, orange yello, violet blue, maize, lemon yellow, blue grey and orange red.
Since then Crayola has come up with any number of types of crayons, washable, erasable, and luminating among other things.
We live in a colorful world, and we have all gotten to enjoy making pictures using our Crayola crayons. Though there are still some photographs which are outstanding because they are printed in black and white - they take on a whole different dimension.
Color brings out so much too. Flowers — you can almost smell them. The color in a perfect pair of blue eyes, or brown or green are special. Color tells us what our house was then and what a difference color makes. Everything of how the appearance of a house changes just by being painted a different shade. The type of house and structure often dictates the color making some colors so right and others so wrong. Or is it because after getting use to seeing it in one color the change is more than we anticipate.
The late Glen Hanson, who lived in Geneva, once commented about how he always use to give friends a hard time when they were complaining about something their kid had done that their parents didn't like. He would tell them, “That is what you get for having kids” - and then went on to say, “and then my wife died and I'd have given anything to have had a family I could talk to, or to help me though those rough times and realized I wasn't the smart one after all.”
There is a “kid” I know — and no he is not a kid but he's somebodys “kid.” A few years ago he attained the 3 and 1 Bar in Hollandale. It is not just a bar or eating place, it a place for celebrations. He has helped his family celebrate and in the grandest way for anniversaries and birthdays and what have you. What a kid and what a joy he must be to his parents and what great parents he must have to want to do this. A close knit family - who can ask for more?
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about events such as family or school reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, and birth or wedding announcements.
In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, 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, August 11th: Nicole & Dallas Loken, Brian Broulik, Vicki Humburg, Jeremy Kaiser, Mike Plunkett, Kris Simon Freitas, Sharon Sorenson, Kim Anderson Schneider, Brian Thostenson, Irvin Jensen Jr., Kevin Avery, Luke Clark Wangsness, Pagie Sophia Kromminga
• Friday, August 12th: Linda & LaVerne Stieglbauer, Shawna Robertson, Tessa Christensen, Kristine Schroeder, Cindy Oswald, Cindy Nelson, Cynthia Crabtree, Thomas Smith, Ross Swearingen, Genie Hanson, Amy Tasker
Saturday, August 13th: Dennis Deml, Tim Enzenauer, David Haddy, Bob Brandt, Lisa Dummer, Megan Dummer, Janet Hope, Kellie Petranek, Sylvia Jepson, Saxton Chad Ritz
• Sunday, August 14th: David & Carrie Paulson, Mark Sorenson, Lucille Nechanicky, Gretchen Oswald Thompson, Peter Kasper, Leah Berg, Wes Neidermeier, Alison & Chad Muilenburg
• Monday, August 15th: Roger Wayne, Obert Osmundson, Kaye Dee Hanson, Nancy Nelson, Stephanie Peterson, Rhonda Shelton, Cade Shelton, Brian Warnke, Dorrie Horan, Michael Suelter, Larry & Kathleen Jensen, Kellie Benning, Brian Warnke, Maverick Harold Knutson
• Tuesday, August 16th: Kaven Dean VanHal, Haley Deml, Alexander James Dufresne, Mary Lerberg, Shayla Ann Marie Pachoel, Julie Arnold, Wayne & Marie Dobberstein, Harold & Janice Jensen, Mark & Diana Sundwall, Jeff & Julie Schlei, Donny & Gail Turvold
• Wednesday, August 17th: Cole Brody Thompson, Katie Klemmensen, Julie Osmundson, Luke Wiersma, Carol Nelson, Dillon Matthew Kubiatowicz, Abbey Beaber, Jackie DeVrient, Sonya Peterson, Cheryl Spurr, Steve Ladlie, Daniel Whelan, Rod & Cheryl Thompson, Tira & James Smith, Tina & Todd Wangen
• Thursday, August 18th: Donny Bartsch, Ron Johnson, Rick Johnson, John Ross Vermedahl, David Klocek, Michael Ingvaldson, Kelly Schmidt Janning, Connie Robertson, David Rietsema, Gary & Kathy Anderson, Ryan & Jill Hanson, Tamara & David Jepson, Simon & Arlean Lee
Wishing you much happiness on your special day!
Everything you ever wanted to know about Crayolas
They say you can talk or write about everything and anything...how true! It is only a matter of what comes to mind in that split second which could go away as fast in favor of some other thoughts. What a wonderful thing a mind is. That is where all the thoughts or memories are stored. Isn't it aggravating sometime to have an event or a name, on the tip of your tongue, and you know it you could almost spit it out but can't — until maybe 12 hours later when you're trying to sleep? It can be embarrasing to say to someone, “I know you but right now I forget your name.” It shouldn't embarrass us because we all, some more than others, seemingly suffer from momentary loss of memory.
I envy those who when they've made an ordinary human mistake are able to put it out of mind. I’m working on it. I tend to hang on to some of those things, blaming myself and not letting go. It's like having a tooth ache or pimple, that surfaces and hurts. After all the mind only has so much room, it’s better to let trivial things go.
No, I am not in the habit of watching cartoons, but after a glimpse of Mickey and Minnie Mouse the other day at my mothers' while her great granddaughter, Ava, was there for the day, she mentioned that her mind went back to the "Free Show" days when Mickey Mouse and friends were only skinny little black and white mice with extra skinny tails.
What a success story. In the first place, an insignificant little rodent who gained fame and fortune and is loved by Kids and parents the world over with a designer wardrobe and an inspiration to everyone. Sure, Disney gets the credit because where does everyone want to go? — Disneyland! And for those who don't go there, if we choose we can enjoy his antics, (between commercials that is) almost any day on television (and without murder and mayhem.)
There are many characters available now but somehow Mickey and Minnie are still faithful after all these years.
Another childhood memory is Crayola Crayons. The first box of Crayola Crayons was made and sold for 5 cents in 1903. It contained 8 colors, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and black and were created by Edwin Benny and C. Harold Smith. These two began manufacturing carbon black printing inks and slate pencils back in 1885.
In 1958, the company introduced the largest Crayola crayon box in history. The 64 box of crayons even featured a built in sharpener but more was yet to come. In 1990, for the first time in crayon history, eight colors were actually “retired.” Colors included green blue, raw umber, orange yello, violet blue, maize, lemon yellow, blue grey and orange red.
Since then Crayola has come up with any number of types of crayons, washable, erasable, and luminating among other things.
We live in a colorful world, and we have all gotten to enjoy making pictures using our Crayola crayons. Though there are still some photographs which are outstanding because they are printed in black and white - they take on a whole different dimension.
Color brings out so much too. Flowers — you can almost smell them. The color in a perfect pair of blue eyes, or brown or green are special. Color tells us what our house was then and what a difference color makes. Everything of how the appearance of a house changes just by being painted a different shade. The type of house and structure often dictates the color making some colors so right and others so wrong. Or is it because after getting use to seeing it in one color the change is more than we anticipate.
The late Glen Hanson, who lived in Geneva, once commented about how he always use to give friends a hard time when they were complaining about something their kid had done that their parents didn't like. He would tell them, “That is what you get for having kids” - and then went on to say, “and then my wife died and I'd have given anything to have had a family I could talk to, or to help me though those rough times and realized I wasn't the smart one after all.”
There is a “kid” I know — and no he is not a kid but he's somebodys “kid.” A few years ago he attained the 3 and 1 Bar in Hollandale. It is not just a bar or eating place, it a place for celebrations. He has helped his family celebrate and in the grandest way for anniversaries and birthdays and what have you. What a kid and what a joy he must be to his parents and what great parents he must have to want to do this. A close knit family - who can ask for more?
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about events such as family or school reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, and birth or wedding announcements.
In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, 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, August 11th: Nicole & Dallas Loken, Brian Broulik, Vicki Humburg, Jeremy Kaiser, Mike Plunkett, Kris Simon Freitas, Sharon Sorenson, Kim Anderson Schneider, Brian Thostenson, Irvin Jensen Jr., Kevin Avery, Luke Clark Wangsness, Pagie Sophia Kromminga
• Friday, August 12th: Linda & LaVerne Stieglbauer, Shawna Robertson, Tessa Christensen, Kristine Schroeder, Cindy Oswald, Cindy Nelson, Cynthia Crabtree, Thomas Smith, Ross Swearingen, Genie Hanson, Amy Tasker
Saturday, August 13th: Dennis Deml, Tim Enzenauer, David Haddy, Bob Brandt, Lisa Dummer, Megan Dummer, Janet Hope, Kellie Petranek, Sylvia Jepson, Saxton Chad Ritz
• Sunday, August 14th: David & Carrie Paulson, Mark Sorenson, Lucille Nechanicky, Gretchen Oswald Thompson, Peter Kasper, Leah Berg, Wes Neidermeier, Alison & Chad Muilenburg
• Monday, August 15th: Roger Wayne, Obert Osmundson, Kaye Dee Hanson, Nancy Nelson, Stephanie Peterson, Rhonda Shelton, Cade Shelton, Brian Warnke, Dorrie Horan, Michael Suelter, Larry & Kathleen Jensen, Kellie Benning, Brian Warnke, Maverick Harold Knutson
• Tuesday, August 16th: Kaven Dean VanHal, Haley Deml, Alexander James Dufresne, Mary Lerberg, Shayla Ann Marie Pachoel, Julie Arnold, Wayne & Marie Dobberstein, Harold & Janice Jensen, Mark & Diana Sundwall, Jeff & Julie Schlei, Donny & Gail Turvold
• Wednesday, August 17th: Cole Brody Thompson, Katie Klemmensen, Julie Osmundson, Luke Wiersma, Carol Nelson, Dillon Matthew Kubiatowicz, Abbey Beaber, Jackie DeVrient, Sonya Peterson, Cheryl Spurr, Steve Ladlie, Daniel Whelan, Rod & Cheryl Thompson, Tira & James Smith, Tina & Todd Wangen
• Thursday, August 18th: Donny Bartsch, Ron Johnson, Rick Johnson, John Ross Vermedahl, David Klocek, Michael Ingvaldson, Kelly Schmidt Janning, Connie Robertson, David Rietsema, Gary & Kathy Anderson, Ryan & Jill Hanson, Tamara & David Jepson, Simon & Arlean Lee
Wishing you much happiness on your special day!
Vacation in cave can be cool experience
Even though we are now headed into the month of August, there are still plenty of vacation opportunities and, although the days will still be warm, the nights should start cooling off, which will be a welcome break.
Heading to Northern Minnesota for a week or even a few days can be a rewarding experience, but you don’t always need to venture that far to experience some of our state’s natural wonders. The following news release by the DNR tells of one of those experiences.
Mystery Cave offers cool escape from summer heat
Visitors can once again experience natural wonders above and below ground at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park located in Southeastern Minnesota. Cave tours are now being given following the state shutdown.
Discovered in 1937, Mystery Cave is the longest cave in Minnesota, spanning more than 13 miles underground. It is a network of passages that was created when rock was dissolved by moving water. Park naturalists guide tours through various portions of the cave and explain its history, its features and how it was formed. One-hour cave tours are designed to be fun and informative for all ages. They are ADA accessible.
Another perk to cave tours during this hot Minnesota summer is the temperature. The cave stays at a constant 48 degrees year-round.
One-hour cave tours are offered every day through Labor Day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Two-hour and wild caving tours are offered on weekends. Details can be found on the park Web site at www.mndnr.gov or by calling 507-937-3251.
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park has also opened its main campground, horse campground and trails. Historic Forestville, a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, reopened July 23.
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is located between Spring Valley and Preston, six miles off of State Highway 16. Signs will direct visitors to the park or cave.
Another nice thing about this park is that it is not a great distance from home and can offer something a little different for the vacationer.
Over the years, I’ve known many folks who enjoy camping and fishing at Forestville and a lot of them bring their horses. It’s a great place to trail ride and just plain have some old-fashioned fun.
Forestville State Park has a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. Not only does it offer access to Mystery Cave and all its wonders, there are hiking trails, trout fishing, campsites and horse trails. Fall is also a great time to visit Forestville and enjoy the autumn colors.
Overnight camping is available seasonally.
Horse Riding
The Minnesota Horse Pass is required for equestrians at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. These may be purchased from any ELS license agent prior to your visit.
The horse trails and horse camp will close for the season on November 1, 2011. Trails are surfaced with crushed rock. Shod horses are strongly recommended.
Best time to contact the park:
Summer: Sunday - Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Winter: Generally, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Hours limited due to staffing.
Office hours may vary. Please call ahead or leave a message.
Contact: 21071 County 118, Preston, MN 55965. Telephone main park: 507-352-5111; Mystery Cave 507-937-3251; Fax: 507-352-5113; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Deer Hunting licenses are now available
I know that it may be a little early for some of you, but the Minnesota DNR made its 2011 deer hunting licenses available on August 1st.
This year’s archery season opens Saturday, Sept. 17. The general firearms season opens Saturday, Nov. 5. The deadline for lottery permit applications is Sept. 8.
“We’re looking forward to another good season,” said Lou Cornicelli, big game program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Deer populations are at or near goals throughout much of the state.”
Cornicelli said hunters will discover several new regulations for the upcoming deer season.
Until next time do a little fishing, take a little 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.