MULTI-TASKERS — Contestants in the Chore Boy competition during the New Richland Farm and City Days celebration were, front from left: Katie Manthey, Laura Manthey, event organizer Carly Solland, Molly Flor, Mikenzi Hebel and Kathy Flor. Back: Tanya Schlinger, Amy Ihrke, Brent Possin, Casey Roeker and Brandon Mullenbach. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)

By CAROL JOLLY

Staff Writer

The Second Annual Chore Boy event brought spectators and 10 contestants to the street at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, during New Richland’s Farm and City Days.

 Teams of two had to dress in full farm attire before racing the obstacle course seeking eggs. Having to carry those eggs with them on the raceway, they had to shovel grain into a bucket, before transferring the oats into a wheelbarrow. Contestants zipped the wheelbarrow along the chalked line to the final destination, before latching onto the udders of a cow. 

After filling the container of milk, they then had to move four hay bales before changing the team’s player to the other team member. That team member then ran the course in the opposite direction.

The sound of spectators’ cheers and laughter filled the streets when eggs were broken, milk was spilled, and contestants crossed the finish line. Although overheated by the rigorous chores and glaring afternoon sun, contestants were all smiles upon completion of their Chore Boy tasks sponsored by Blondie's Cafe.

The end results of the competition were as follows: First place: Brandon Mullenbach and Molly Flor. Second place: Amy Ihrke and Tanya Schlinger. Third place: Brent Possin and Casey Roeker. Fourth place: Mikenzi Habel and Kathy Flor. Fifth place: Laura Manthey and Katie Manthey.

IDOLS — Lillie Nielsen, left, accompanied by her little sister, won the Junior Division of the 2011 New Richland Idol during Farm and City Days Friday, July 8. John Darcy, top, won the Adult Division. (Star Eagle photos by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Some of the 2011 New Richland Idol contestants had a small case of the butterflies. Others just went up on stage like it was nobody’s business.

Nerves aside, all 12 contestants took comfort in the crowd’s support last Friday night.

“Every year, NR Idol gets better and better,” said Idol organizer Kim Schlaak. “Last year, we moved it outside, which works a lot better. Out here everyone enjoys the weather and they have a good time.”

This year’s judges, Pete Wagner, Melissa Buren and Lorna Reysted, put their pens to work marking their thoughts on four categories: vocal quality, creativity, appearance and song difficulty.

“We had mostly girls, but also some brave young boys,” Schlaak said. “We don’t do rehearsals. We wing it. It’s karaoke after all. They just go up there and do your best.”

Livewire Wire DJ, Jamie Jensen, graciously provided the music for the evening. But Jensen’s involvement went far beyond Friday night.

“I really appreciate Jamie’s help,” Schlaak said. “I called ten times beforehand to make sure we had the right song version, or to see if he even had the song on hand.”

AMAZING — Hailey Schuller, left, and Abby Christopherson won the 3rd Annual Kid’s Amazing Race during Farm and City Days Saturday, July 9. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

New Richland’s Farm and City Days’ Third Annual “Kid’s Amazing Race” lived up to its name once again, with area kids aged 10-15 zooming all around town on a wild goose chase.

They faced a doozy of a first challenge, matching up artists and songs of the 50s, 60, 70s and beyond. Of course, the “beyond” artist matchups were a breeze. But, when it came to artists such as Blondie, Guns and Roses and Buddy Holly, time spent on the park’s picnic benches seemed like an eternity.  

All 13 teams of two ended up enlisting the help of older and wiser folk. And soon enough, they were off to their first non-park destination. Event organizer and founder, Corrine Schuller, made sure to plan out 10 equally challenging and fun tasks worth conquering.

“They just like the challenge of running around doing different things,” Schuller said. “It lets them go out on a limb a little bit.”

Once finding four poker chips around town, they advanced to their third challenge, “passing of the sponge.” Teams stood back to back, with one team member repeatedly passing the sponge overhead to the other.

“Once in their partner’s hand, they squeezed the water out into a bucket until it overflowed,” Schuller said. “I didn’t pick out terribly hard things this year.”

COMMUNITY COOKOUT HELPERS — Lions Club members helping out at the 5th Annual Ellendale Lions Club Community Cookout included, front from left: Jani Waage, Millie Paulson, Cheryl Peterson, Gail Skroch, Mary Lerberg, Cynthia Nelson and Sandy Becker. Back: Dale Waage, Scott Groth, Kevin Bernhart, Bob Wayne, Rick Peterson, Don Peterson, Andy Lerberg and Mark Skroch. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

The Lions roared loud and clear when hosting their 5th Annual Community Cookout.  The 22-member local Lions Club in Ellendale, had a large number of their members on hand, helping with the cookout and serving up good food, to all those who came to support their fundraising event. All proceeds went to the Ellendale Area Food Shelf.

The Lions served hamburgers, brats, sauerkraut, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans and beverages at the Ellendale Community Center, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday night, June 24th. About 200 people were served before they shut off the grills and turned out the lights that night.

Local people were encouraged to bring in donation items during the cookout. And the results were pleasing, as 218 pounds of food had been donated before the evening came to a close. Raffle tickets were given to those who brought food items to donate to the food shelf.

The Ellendale Lions Club invited visitors to view the freshly hung pictures of past events and sites from Beaver Lake, displayed in the Ellendale Council Chambers at the Community Center. Three large picture frames held 14 pictures of Beaver Lake events, many dating back to the early years.