Jim Lutgens
Legion Field to host tournaments
New Richland’s Legion Field is the site for youth baseball tournaments this weekend.
Starting Friday, July 22 and running through Sunday, New Richland will host the 15-and-under and 13-and-under tournaments for Quad Cities teams.
A concession stand will be available.
13-and-under baseball team runs season record to 6-2-2
The QCBA 13-and-under baseball team has been busy lately, running its season record to 6-2-2.
On July 5, the team played to a 13-13 tie at St. Clair. Leading hitters: Wyatt Fitterer 2-for-3 with two doubles; John Cole 1-for-3; Trey Hoppe 1-for-3 with a double and one RBI; Zeke Erickson 1-for-3 with two RBIs; Trai Wicks 2-for-2; Dempsey Tucker 1-for-2 with two RBIs; Brody Hanson 1-for-2 with a double; Erik Colstrup 1-for-2. Wicks started on the mound. Eli Lutgens, Luke Overgaard and Tucker pitched in relief.
The next night, the locals held off the Waseca Legion 4-3 at Waseca. Hoppe was 1-for-1 with a double; Palmer Peterson 1-for-2 with one RBI; Erickson 2-for-2 with one RBI; Wicks 1-for-3; Lutgens 1-for-1. Hoppe was the starting pitcher, fanning three. Tucker struck out six in relief.
WWII vet Francis Misgen is Ellendale’s Grand Marshal
GRAND CITIZEN — Francis Misgen, a World War II veteran and the founder of Misgen’s Auto Parts, was selected Grand Marshal of the 2011 Ellendale Days parade. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
The Grand Marshall of the 2011 Ellendale Days parade has traveled the country and left his footprints in every state in the United States, with the exception of one. However, Ellendale, Minnesota is the place he calls home.
Francis Misgen was brought up on a farm. Misgen learned the importance of doing chores, and other farm work before Uncle Sam grabbed him two days before his 22nd birthday. Then, as a U.S. Army medic, he spent basic training in Arkansas and Mississippi, and then transferred to the 815th Engineer Battalion.
In May 1942, he climbed aboard the Queen Elizabeth, the largest ship in the world. He deported from New York with anticipation of his destination that would put him in his deceased mother’s homeland of Ireland. While in Ireland, he worked constructing an airport.
October came, and he was sent to North Africa by convoy. Whereas, he busily got to work, demining Hitler’s clever plant mines. On July 4th, 1943 he left North Africa to a little island below Ireland, where he began construction of another airport.
NRAF presents 11 grants totaling $9,500
THANKS NRAF — Many community organizations were represented at the Farm and City Days Pancake Breakfast held Saturday, July 9. The New Richland Area Foundation Fund handed out grants that totaled $9,500. Pictured were front from left: Barb Wildgrube, Jennie Johnson, Toni Larson, Cindy Coy, Gail Schmidt, Teri Kormann, Amy Ihrke and Pam Goehring. Back: Jeremy Parpart, Scott Eads, Mikenzi Hebel, Anthony Martens and Scott Routh. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Community breakfasts are always special gatherings. This year, at the Farm and City Days annual pancake feed, area residents were treated to some good news, as well as great music by long-time keyboardist Jim “Kozy” Kozan.
New Richland Area Foundation Fund Chairperson Gail Schmidt gave a little talk about the fund and what it has accomplished so far.
“Last year in our first year, we gave grants of $500 to the Girl Scouts for their city park project and $1,000 to the New Richland Care Center,” said Schmidt. “This year we are handing out 11 grants totaling $9,500.”
Schmidt, along with grant committee members Pam Goehring, Scott Routh and Matt Harrington, are the ones who decide the best use of available funds.
“This year we are giving $500 to the NRHEG School for their anti-bullying program,” said Schmidt. “This money is from the New Richland Area Foundation Fund.” Teri Kormann was present to accept for the school.
We’ve got talent!
UNIQUE ABILITY — Whitney McCavish texts on her cell phone while doing the hula hoop for the inaugural Ellendale Community Idol contest Friday, July 15. McCavish won the competition. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
Ellendale residents display variety of skills for Community Idol competition
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
The first Ellendale Community Idol contest really was much more like Ellendale's Got Talent. Performers were slow to register, although fearless, in spotlighting their talents on Friday, July 15 during Ellendale Days festivities.
Two-year-old Alana Sorum, accompanied by her mother Barb, delighted the audience with her song stylings of the hippo song, and a squashing of a bumblebee, although a hushed silence washed over the crowd when she recited a poem in Hungarian.
The Ferguson Sisters — Millie Flugum, Alice Richards and Rosie Peterson — pleased visitors with songs they sang in their barn years ago. They learned to harmonize while milking cows. They sang Springtime in the Rockies, You are my Sunshine, and enticed the crowd with A Tinker, Tailor, Soldier and Sailor, waiting at the old barn door for none other than the milkmaid. However, yodeling was icing on the cake for listeners.
Five-year-old Kia Otto played to the judge, Pastor Lisa Dodd of United Methodist Church, with her sweet rendition of Jesus Loves Me.
Community Flower Show brings joy to all
EVERY YEAR SINCE — Rhonda Jacobson placed second in the Horticulture Division of the 2011 New Richland Community Flower Show. Her mother’s yucca plant never blossomed during her lifetime, but has done so every year since. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
Rich in decades of tradition, the 2011 themed "America the Beautiful" New Richland Community Flower Show brought a magical world of soaring floral architecture bursting with color, fragrance and imagination through the wide array of entries that lined the tables in New Richland City Hall on Saturday, July 9.
The New Richland Community Flower show enticed young gardeners’ participation, including the 5-8 year-old gardener entries of Kaeden and Zachary Neitzel. Gardening also has a way of nurturing emotional fulfillment.
"In memory of my mom, I entered her yucca plant," said Rhonda Jacobson. "The entire time she was alive it never blossomed; it has, every year since her passing, nine years ago."
Truck stolen, found burned
Sometime in the early morning hours on Monday, July 11, a truck owned by Troy Anderson of New Richland was stolen from the family’s driveway. The Andersons live directly west of One Stop. The keys were not in the ignition, but there may have been a spare loose key in the center console, which would have required a lot of effort to find.
The truck, a 2000 GMC Sierra, was found in a driveway near Hartland completely burned.
New Richland Police Chief Scott Eads said there are no leads at this time and the matter is under investigation.
Anyone with any information on the case is asked to call the NRPD at 507-465-3240.
Clara White to turn 101
Clara White’s 101st birthday is Tuesday, July 26th and it is hoped that the people of our area would send her a birthday card. Greetings such as those mean so much to her at her age. Plans are to celebrate her birthday on July 24th in Onalaska, Wis., with her family.
Clara now resides in the Onalaska Care Center. Cards may be sent to her daughter, Joanne Neuhart, at 1264 County Highway PH, Apt. 112, Onalaska, WI 54650. Clara had been living with Joanne for about seven years.
Clara is the mother of Ed Jensen, Beaver Lake; Dennis Jensen, Albert Lea; and Joanne Neuhart, Onalaska, WI; as well as a sister to Roger Sward of Clarks Grove and sister of Phyllis Lipowski of Albert Lea and Doris Clark of Florida.
Clara’s husband was pastor of the United Methodist Church in Ellendale and Geneva, many years ago.
Happy birthday Clara!
New Richland Police
Calls received/action taken by the New Richland Police Department:
Saturday, July 2, 2:20 a.m. —Parking complaint N. W. 2nd St. Administrative citation issued.
Saturday, July 2, 6:55 p.m. — Agency assist Hwy 13 N. of town. Debris removed from roadway.
Sunday, July 3, 10:20 a.m. —Theft. Unspecified location. Report for insurance.
Sunday, July 3, 4:25 p.m. — Hit and run/DUI. Hwys 13 and 30. Party arrested.
Sunday, July 3, 9:35 p.m. — Civil stand-by N.E. 3rd St. Stand-by while party obtained personal items.
Monday, July 4, 12:25 a.m. — Juvenile nuisance/disturbance N. Birch Ave. Matter resolved.
Ellendale citizens express concerns on youth center
Ellendale City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Somehow, Canada let Ellendale Mayor Steve Engel return to Minnesota so he could preside over the council meeting conducted Thursday evening, July 14. Acting Mayor Scott Groth relinquished the gavel to Engel as all members were present to approve the evening’s agenda.
Maintenance supervisor Roger Swearingen wanted to publicly thank Floyd Davidson for help with pest control.
“Floyd sprayed around the public buildings and ball fields for mosquitoes prior to Ellendale Days,” said Swearingen. “His help is greatly appreciated.”
Swearingen presented two bids for an electric pump for a lift station. The council accepted the low bid of $4,857. There was discussion about driveway tile issues and also an update on 8th Avenue water and sewer installation. Swearingen expressed a need for a temporary road to allow access to Ertel Field for this weekend’s ball tournaments.
The council accepted the minutes from the June 23rd meeting as printed, as well as bills and claims presented.