Progress is progress, and is necessary in a growing earth. Yet, sometimes progress leaves things behind.

Lately, I seem to see more clothes hanging to dry on outdoor clothes lines. Sure the dryer is handier, but it costs more. Plus, look at all the exercise that would be lost if you didn't hang the clothes outside to dry.

To compensate for tasks such as those we no longer do, we need to stretch our arms upward. Then we must pinch our fingers together like we used to do when we used the clothes pins. Maybe we should even go through the motions of folding clothes.

How many other things that we "used to do" are of the same caliber?  For example, take a moment to remember mopping the floor. Swinging that old rag mop took muscle, and if we wiped up the floor by hand, a different sort of muscle was used. 

Farmers have developed alternative exercise routines, by pulling cows teats, cranking a separator, pitching hay and manure, among many other things. Is it any wonder that our dads and grand dads didn't have any problems with obesity that we do today?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize how so many of our health problems today have developed because of progress.  Progress?

Yes, I know people live longer now because they don't have to work so hard. There is more medical care available, but we are seeing a trend of losing young people to health problems too.

Hurrah for the people who plant organic gardens, who exercise all parts of their body caring for, planting, weeding and harvesting.

For those who no longer do those things, need to realize we have to compensate for exercise in other ways. That's why we have fitness places, gyms, and machinery that make us move.

It is important that we do even little things to move our muscles. Also remember that it pays to think like that of a child. I've watched their antics in marching, stretching, walking like a penguin and playing sports. Their antics may be different, but they definitely keep their bodies limber and flexible.

New again on the scene is the old-fashioned bean bag toss. It uses lots of muscles to throw those bean bags, and exercises the eyes and brain.  Rollerblading and skateboards come and go, but it takes quite a bit of practice and skill to make them go. It’ a good way to build up your muscles too.

My grandma used to sweep with a corn broom, hoe, garden, rake, and mow lawn by walking behind a lawnmower.  She had an old butcher knife she would take with her to take out dandelions, "pig weeks" or "lie weeds" by the hundreds.  She didn't believe in chemical sprays.  Hurrah for her! 

When asked how to get rid of obnoxious weeds or aggravating ones like those, she said "just cut out 100 of them a day and eventually they will be gone.”  All too true.  When any of the "kids" stayed with her, she made games out of picking up sticks or pulling weeds, etc. 

Going to the mailbox was worth picking up those pesky oak bits that were just large enough to make mowing the lawn hazardous.  Picking strawberries, hoeing garden rows, and shocking grain were all long and tedious tasks, but she did them all. The leaves on the lawn never lingered either, because she would rake them up almost as fast as they fell.

Grandma lived to be 99-plus. She was "supposed to have had heart problems" many years before, though doctors later said there was nothing wrong with her heart. 

Natural healing or never? It was hard to say. 

Surprisingly, she refused air conditioning, a microwave and even a fan for cooling in hot weather, protesting against her family.  It was embarrassing to have neighbors call to inform us that they had seen her outside hoeing the beans or corn rows.

It was something she often did earlier in life, and refused to quit, as she was strong willed.  Exercise and healthy simple food habits kept her going.

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 July 28th: Mike Luhring, Kari Wayne, De Wayne Jensen, Dennis Jensen, Penny Jensen, Eric Lee, Christian Burnes, Donnie Turvold, Jim & Maryalice Hanson, George & Sue Stieglbauer, Gary & Emily Ayers, Melissa & Scott Michie, Ellie & Chad Schutrop.

• Friday, July 29th: Doug Flugum, Candie Underland, Jennifer Huber, Dory Hunt, Jim Misgen, Brent Jepson, Lorrell Beaber, Todd Wangen.

• Saturday, July 30th: Tregg Hagen, Sarah Underwood, Levi Horvei, Trevin Andrew Stollard, Scott Briggs, Amy Hohansee VanderSyde, Gary Sloan, Cindy Vaith, Larry Jensen, Kay Cassen, Shane Christensen, Cindy Esplan, Dani Layland, Kurt & Kelly Krumwiede, Nathan & Lindsey Schlaak, Jerry & Tanya Blouin.

• Sunday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Adena Berg, Brian & Pam Muri.

• Monday, August 1st: Wendy Schultz, Dale Mrotz, Karen Vaith, Stanley Jensen, Rodger Knudson, Lonny Thostenson, Tad Cornelius, Karen Brockman, Rick Christensen, Larry & Carol Spear, Warren & Sharon Jensen.

• Tuesday, August 2nd: Kolten Aaron Michael Hanson, Tara Cromwell Lembke, Cole Lehmberg, Vivian Dulas, Cora Lynn Harpel, Ryan Nelson, Scott Sommers, George Wangsness Jr., Carol Lein, Melissa Marlin.

• Wednesday, August 3rd: Arianna Elizabeth Pence/Ortiz, Jo Lerberg, Kristine Dummer, Cynthia Nelson, Kent Swearingen, Jean Molenaar, Matthew Wayne, Nicholas Wayne, Gerald Flugum.

• Thursday, August 4th: Wally Dunn, Madysen Grace Waage, Karen Edwardson Loge, Harold Jensen, Bryce Ingvaldson, Terry Vaith, Ryan Wangsness, Michael Hanson, Tom Lang, Bethany Cooper, Rachel Reichl, Gary & Kathy Reichl, Warren & Ilsbeth Wayne.

Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile!

After spending a week up north at the cabin with my friend Mark Runden and grandsons Trevor and Taylor, we were headed back home. The weather for the week was almost perfect and we fished a different lake almost every day. Counting the one lake that we fished twice, we managed to hit six lakes in seven days. We caught quite a few crappie and bluegill along with northern, bass and a few walleye. It was a good week of fishing and enjoying the north woods and, thanks to Mark and the boys, we got a lot of work done around the place.

The rain held off until Friday morning and after some morning showers it turned hot and humid. We left early Saturday morning for the trip home thinking we’d be home by early afternoon. Deciding to wait until we were down the road a ways before eating breakfast seemed like a good idea at the time, but about 18 miles east of Grand Rapids, everything changed. The engine made a funny squealing noise and the warning lights came on. I knew that I’d probably lost the serpentine belt.

Here we were basically in the middle of nowhere when a van stopped and a gentleman got out and asked us if he could help. After looking the situation over, we decided that we had the right tools and would be able to put the belt on ourselves if we could find one. The man that stopped to help said he’d take me to a parts store where I could get a belt. 

On the way, he introduced himself as Bill Whittaker and for some reason, that name seemed familiar. Then it dawned on me; my second cousin has the same name.

Bill had just finished working a long shift at the Hibbing Hospital and was on his way home, which was only a couple of miles from where we had broken down. On the way to Grand Rapids, we talked and I told him how much I appreciated what he was doing. He told me he was a very religious person and that helping others is just what he does. We talked about religion and life and for some reason, even in this time of a fast-paced society. Here was a person who took the time to go out of his way to help total strangers.

It was about 18 miles to Grand Rapids one way and when we got back, Mark had some more bad news – Mark handed me my cell phone which I’d forgotten to take and said he had no way of letting me know that there was also a busted pulley. My heart sunk because there was no way I’d expect this person to take me back to Grand Rapids. After we checked everything else, Bill didn’t even think twice about taking me back to the parts store. However, before we left he asked the boys and Mark if they’d like to go to his house which was a couple of miles away and his wife would fix them breakfast while we were driving to Grand Rapids. My two grandsons are pretty shy and politely declined the generous offer, to which Bill replied, “They must not like girls,” because he’d mentioned he had two teenage daughters living at home.

After the second trip to the parts store, he waited around until the truck was up and running and then headed home. He refused to take any money for gas and wished us good luck on the rest of the trip. Now this man was a true “Good Samaritan.” This experience showed me there still are some pretty darned good folks out there. I was just lucky enough to meet one of them.

Just as I was putting the tool box in the back of the truck, a State Trooper pulled up and asked what was going on. I said we’d just gotten done changing the belt. She said it looked like she was just in time then. All the while I was talking to the lady trooper, the dialogue from the movie Fargo kept running through my head. After telling her of my Good Samaritan, she said it wasn’t surprising because there are more people than you think in this part of the state willing to go out of their way help a person.

I actually feel that although we had broken down, I considered myself lucky to have met these two nice people. I had to ask myself would I have done as much as Bill did? I’d like to think the answer is yes, and maybe someday I’ll get a chance to prove it.

Hopefully we will get a break from the heat and get back to normal temperatures. It’s quite an adjustment to go from lows in the 50s and highs in the high 60s like we had for most of the week up north to the mid-90s.

Mark brought something to my attention I had been noticing all summer; it was the lack of tourists. I know the government shutdown has had an effect on that, especially for attracting out-of-state vacationers.  In recent years, I’ve noticed a difference in the way people take vacations. 

Most of the folks my age were brought up with the family vacation planned around what week you got off of work. These days people can take their vacation one or two days at a time. Somewhere along the line our lives have gotten so busy that the weeklong family vacation has all but fallen by the wayside.

The shutdown definitely had an effect on the tourist business, not only in Northern Minnesota but statewide. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to put the state in a position to lose more money when they’re trying to figure out ways to increase revenue and cut spending. Our elected leaders should think about doing what’s best for Minnesotans and not just what’s best for their respective parties.

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.

My wife and I were uncertain about making a trip to the Twins’ new venue, what with finding the best route, fighting city traffic, locating a parking lot, etc. I never thought I would miss the Metrodome and its surrounding lots. But I guess what becomes familiar becomes easier each time you repeat it. I even thought fondly of our old parking lot machines, Mr. Chew and Mr. Spit.

However, there is another method of getting to Target Field. Heartland Tours offers a ticket on the second deck between third base and left field with a ride up and back from Rochester for $49. Not too bad! It figures out that the bus ride costs about $20 each. By the time you figure in parking expense, the cost of driving or taking the bus is about even. And you don’t have to fight the traffic.

So Kay and I decided to take the bus leaving at noon for a 3 o’clock game with the Detroit Tigers. We started out Saturday morning, drove though a huge rainstorm, had lunch at Wendy’s and arrived at the bus in plenty of time. I like Heartland’s buses. Big windows, spacious seats, air conditioning with a bathroom. What more could you want?

Something interesting I saw. The bus raises and lowers itself, accommodating people who might have difficulty with the first step getting on the bus and conversely the last step getting off. It was a nice ride with Kay and me chatting with each other and our neighbors. Baseball was the primary topic.

We arrived about an hour before game time, walked a block to the stadium, filled out a form to get a Chevrolet-Twins book bag, used the escalator to get to the second deck and found our seats. Good seats in the fourth row looking down on the first deck and playing field.

Out of the four games with Detroit, Heartland picked the right one. Scott Baker held the Tigers in check and the Twins got just enough runs to take the pressure off the relievers. Twins 4, Tigers 1.

Kay and I enjoyed the game and Target Field, particularly the view from our seats looking toward right field and the Minneapolis skyline.

Here are some observations about the Twins and Tigers: Detroit looked good even though they lost. Their batting order has a "murderers row" in Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta. The Twins’ pitchers rightfully approached them with caution. Cabrera and company appeared extremely confident and seemed somewhat perplexed when they didn’t get hits.

Delmon Young got the big hit for the Twins, driving in two runs, but he is probably the worst Major League outfielder I have ever seen. He takes some terrible routes to fly balls and has to recover to make the catch. I saw one ball hit over his head; he fumbled it off the wall and then made a wonderful throw to second base, making a routine play close. He can throw a bullet from the outfield, but that only makes him a poor outfielder with a great arm.

Twins’ shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka played well in the game we saw. He even got a line-drive single to left field. It looks like he tries to copy Ichiro Suzuki when batting from the left side. He tries to hit the ball on the ground as he leaves the batter’s box and use his speed to get an infield hit. However, Nishioka is no Ichiro, and it mostly looks like he is off balance and bailing out of the batter’s box.

The game showed flaws in our team. Getting Span and Morneau back will help, but it appears that they will have to get extremely effective starting pitching to contend with Detroit.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“Would you like a glass of water?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Would you like anything else to drink? We offer a number of fine beverages.”

“Water is fine. I just want to rinse out a few things.”

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: never judge a book by its movie.

Things I’ve learned

1. You are full-grown if you grunt whenever you bend over to pick up something.

2. Thanks to Wii, it’s possible to become stiff and sore while pretending to play tennis.

3. Casinos remind us that there are more ways for money to be lost than won.

School days

I had a box that held eight crayons. I moved up to a box of 16 crayons. I was envious of the kids who had 48 crayons in a box or 64 crayons. Eventually, I became the proud owner of a box of 64 crayons. It was the highlight of my senior year.

The dumpster

I was eating sweet corn on a sweltering day. The temperature is never right. The corn was a meal fit for a king. Maybe too good for royalty. I had purchased the ears from a roadside vendor. You know the kind. An old truck, a hand-painted “Sweet corn” sign, and a young person selling corn and working on a tan. I had the seller pick out the ears. I did that in case the corn wasn’t good. Then it wouldn’t be my fault. As I munched away, I looked outside at a dumpster in my yard. The dumpster was there because we were getting a new roof. A storm had destroyed the old roof. The dumpster was being filled with the remains of that old roof. When the job was completed, the dumpster was not quite full. I filled it with the flotsam and jetsam of other projects. It’s impossible not to fill a dumpster.

Going to college with cockroaches

A day is like one of those pizza by-the-slice places. Everybody gets a slice but no one gets the same one.

I lived in a condemned building in Minneapolis. A prominent sign on the front door said, “Unfit for human habitation.” That meant that it was O.K. to rent to college students. It was the first place I ever saw a cockroach. I saw countless cockroaches there. My roommate would get up in the middle of the night and use my shoes to smash the cockroaches on the wall.

When it came time to move to a building that was not yet condemned, the landlord told me that I needed to make sure I left the apartment the way I had found it.

It wasn’t easy finding enough cockroaches to replace all those that my roommate had killed.

He wasn’t the Avon man

As a boy, I wasn’t sure that my mother ever slept. She was up before me in the morning, no matter how early I arose. She went to bed after me, no matter how late I stayed awake.

I thought about that as a farmer named Roger told me a story of when he was a young man, long before he became a CBA (he defined it--Corn, Beans, Arizona).

Roger was saying goodnight to the young woman he was dating. She would become his wife. It was past midnight and the two were kissing at the front door of her house. All parents know that nothing good happens after midnight. Roger was so focused on smooching that he didn’t hear her mother come downstairs. His future mother-in-law snarled, “What do you want, Roger?”

Roger had no answer.

His elbow had been leaning against the doorbell.   

Nature notes

“How many broods does a tree swallow have?” Tree swallows typically have only one brood per season, unless a nest attempt fails. They will renest in such a case. Another bird that inhabits bluebird nest boxes, the black-capped chickadee, also has one brood each year.

“Do fake owls discourage birds?” No. Crow hunters use fake owls to attract birds.

“Why do turtles cross roads?” To get to the Shell station. Typically, it's a female turtle crossing the road to find warm, gravelly soil that is conducive for digging. This is where she lays her eggs.

Meeting adjourned

Leo Buscaglia said, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

In New Richland is her fame,

Nancy Jane’s Bakery is the name,

Bakery goods galore,

Are right through her door,

Buns, rolls, bread and such,

Made with her great touch,

When you stop and see,

Your taste buds will agree,

Her products are the best,

In the great Upper Midwest.

In September of 2010, we received 11 inches of unwelcomed rain in a 24-hour period ending Thursday evening, September 17th. There were pontoons, boats, paddle boats, docks and various things floating all over Beaver Lake. I retrieved our dock plus a pretty yellow paddle boat as I thought I knew who the owner was. In returning it, I was very surprised as a yellow paddle boat was tied up to the dock I thought it belonged to.

I propped the pretty yellow paddle boat against our shed where it could easily be seen. We left the lake in October with the pretty yellow paddle boat propped against the shed. We came back in April, still there. May, still there. I’m now thinking we got a pretty yellow paddle boat. I was curious as to the Maritime Law on unclaimed property.

We decided to go to the Albert Lea Library and research through the Maritime Law section. We found the answer under water squatter’s rights as follows:

“Any item found on water becomes the property of the finder as long as the finder has said property under care, custody and control of the finder for a minimum of one year from the date of the find.”

Translated to English, this meant the pretty yellow paddle boat will be ours as of September 18, 2011.

I was sitting in a chair half asleep last week when a female voice wakes me up with, “I’ve come to get my yellow paddle boat.” I replied, “Bye, pretty yellow paddle boat.” (This story is most certainly true.)

The bite is on at Beaver Lake, mosquito bite that is. (Seriously, the bluegills are still biting very good only in deeper water.)

What is worse than one mosquito? Two mosquitoes, of course. What is worse than three mosquitoes and so it goes on and on. How high can you count? You’ll run out of numbers before you run out of mosquitoes at Beaver Lake.

What one word describes mosquitoes the best at Beaver Lake? “Ferocious.”

A reminder to all you readers: There are two social events of the year you must attend. One is the soup and pie supper at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church Monday evening September 26. The other is your local county fair.

There are only two reasons not to attend the above:

1. You’re in the hospital.

2. You’re at a funeral — your own.

www.newrichlandstar.com (is where you can get an instant reply of this article.)

— — —

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. 

The scurs called the end of the heat wave and not a moment too soon. Sales of deodorant were topping all-time records. Will it return again soon? Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a good chance of rain. Highs around 85 and lows near 70. Partly cloudy Thursday with a continuing chance of rain. Highs of 80 – 85 and lows around 65. Mostly clear skies both Friday and Saturday with highs of 80 – 85 and lows of 65 – 70. Clear becoming partly cloudy on Sunday with a slight chance of rain. Highs 85 and lows of 65 – 70. Mostly sunny and warmer on Monday. Highs of 85 – 90 and lows around 70. Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy on Tuesday with a good chance of a thunderstorm. Highs around 90 and lows near 60 when the system moves through. The normal high for August 1st is 83 and the normal low is 61. The sun will rise at 6 a.m., roughly the same time as it did back on the 6th of May. The scurs will be sawing logs with their newfound extra minutes of morning darkness.

Last week was brutal weather for humans. It is considered the warmest week of the year and it lived up to its billing. With air conditioners keeping it comfortable inside, the decision to stay indoors was easy, especially after opening the door and feeling the blast of sauna like heat and high humidity. When your glasses steamed up that was a clue. In general though the corn and soybeans didn’t seem to mind. Much of the corn was starting to pollinate although there was probably more this week judging by the smell of corn pollen in the air. Soybeans largely pushed into the R3 stage, by definition largely making glyphosate applications off-label. Soybean aphids are more easily found but nowhere near any kind of threshold levels. Small grains are turning rapidly and the heat has done it no favors. With the wet summer, wheat has suffered from a bacterial leaf streak from which there is no known treatment other than selecting for more tolerant varieties. Same scenario with the peas as yields turning sour on the remaining fields from the root rot and heat.

Peas in the garden have followed suit. The snap peas that showed so much promise earlier failed to set pods after flowering profusely. The vine crops loved it and are staying ahead of the weeds for the time being. There are plenty of weeds however with warm season weeds such as waterhemp and crabgrass having an absolute fiesta. Sweet corn in the fields has tasseled on the short side and can’t see anything different in the garden either. String beans have appreciated the heat too, and it shouldn’t be too much longer before seeing the first flowers on our later than normal planting. Tomatoes are looking good but again since they were put out relatively late, not much for fruit set just yet. The direct seeded zucchini has come through and it won’t be too much longer before the five-county area is overrun with this wonderful source of livestock feed.

The lawn has been nearly impossible to stay ahead of this summer. It’s either raining, too wet or the mosquitoes will carry you off if attempting to mow in the evenings. Trying to find daylight hours when the wind is blowing seems to be the best idea although that isn’t necessarily foolproof either especially if one happens to be mowing in a windbreak or around the bushes. And just like in the garden the crabgrass has come through. Given the high moisture of the crabgrass, the mower deck becomes a portable cow pie carrier. 

We continue to feed what appear to be several families of orioles. It looks like at least two groups of Baltimore orioles and one family of orchard orioles. They can really gobble down the jelly with consumption approaching that of the spring migration. They’re going through a couple of the 32 oz. jars a week so one may as well just buy two at a time and get it over with. The hummers are sticking around this year so not sure if there was a nest in the area or not. There seems to be some smaller ones now and they spend much of their time dive bombing each other while circling around the feeders. They may be the young from this year’s hatch, perhaps not from here but from somewhere.

During my Mom’s brief hospital stay this past week, we had the pleasure of keeping Fudgie. She seemed to fit right in after a good old fashioned brushing to help keep the hair shedding to a minimum. Doesn’t seem like nearly eight years have passed since she was just a little wriggling puppy playing in the wading pool filled with cedar shavings. It didn’t take her and her playmates long to get out of it either as I recall. Border Collies start out active and stay that way, at least until they decide it’s nap time. Ruby was being Ruby and bouncing off the walls during much of Fudgie’s visit here. Someone to play with and to attempt to herd. Once she got tired of Ruby’s antics she’d repair to the solitude of the utility room to take a snooze. Funny thing, there are people who make me feel the same way.

See you next week…real good then. 

Curtis Robert Schember, 83, of Geneva, died Saturday, July 23, 2011 at his home. A Memorial Service and Picnic is being held in celebration of his life at the Geneva Community Building between 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27.

Curt was born February 20, 1928 to George and Mary Schember in New Richland. He was the fifth and youngest child. He was baptized, confirmed and attended school in New Richland. 

Curt was a hard worker, had many interests and was employed at a number of different jobs; the poultry house, the bakery, the “hemp plant”, Kalke’s tile plant, the canning company, and many local farmers along with assisting his dad on the snow plow. Curt also worked for a lumber yard along with a trucking firm in St. Paul, driving all over the Twin Cities area without a license as he was only 14 years old. He later ran a filling station in New Richland on the corner where Wagner’s store is now, what he remembers was “Full Service Gas-6 gallons for a dollar.” 

The funeral service for Rodney Lee Arnold of New Richland, Minnesota was held 2 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Richland, MN. Pastor Paul Andree officiated. Interment was in St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery. Rodney died Friday, July 22, 2011, at his home. He was 62 years old.

Rodney was born May 20, 1949 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Merton and Ethel (Johnston) Arnold. He was a lifetime New Richland area resident. Rodney married Lois Aldrich on December 27, 1969 in New Richland. Rodney was a self employed Dry Wall installer. He also was a mechanic and worked on cars, tractors and on all types of motors. During the winter Rodney enjoyed plowing snow for his nephew Chris Besser Snow Removal. He also enjoyed restoring classic cars. Every morning he would meet for coffee with his friends at Dad’s Good Stuff in New Richland. During the fall he would help area farmers. Rodney enjoyed going deer hunting with his sons and especially enjoyed being with his grandchildren. His special companion was his dog Dakota.

Rodney is survived by his wife Lois Arnold of New Richland, Minnesota; sons Jim Arnold of Grand Meadow, MN, John (Ginger) Arnold of West Concord, MN and Rob Arnold and special friend Jessica of Geneva, MN; daughter Tracie Rosacker of New Richland; grandchildren Levi, Dylan, Tiffany, Taylor, Tori, Amber, Mariah, Alexis, Braxton, Nathan, Jessica and Eli; mother Ethel Arnold of New Richland; sister Linda Besser of New Richland; and many nieces and nephews.

Rodney is preceded in death by his father Merton Arnold and brother Gary Arnold.

Funeral services for Palma A. Richardson of New Richland, MN, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at the LeSueur River Lutheran Church, rural New Richland, MN. Pastor Paul Meierding will officiate. Visitation will be held from noon until 2 p.m. the day of the service at the church. Interment will be in the Hartland Cemetery, Hartland, MN.

Palma died early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011 at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center. She was 92 years of age.

Palma was born October 21, 1918 in Hartland, MN, the daughter of Anton and Julia (Nelson) Olson. She graduated from Freeborn High School, Freeborn, MN, and on November 25, 1942 was united in marriage to Albert Richardson.

By CAROL JOLLY

Staff Writer

Unannounced to this pig, he will soon be breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Tyler Hansen's table, for being the closest, in the guessing of his weight. 

Hansen will receive half a hog donated by Brent and Lianne Possin.

Processing of the hog is courtesy of Morgan's Meat Market. The hog was weighed at Morgan's Meat Market on Monday, July 11th, following New Richland Farm and City Days. The pig weighed 208 pounds.

There was a tie in this event. All tying entries were entered into a drawing which Hanson won. His was drawn from those entries. Participators did not need to be present to win, but, they had be over the age of 18 to win, and would have had to purchase a ticket during the event.