By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

All members were present for the July 11 New Richland City Council meeting as Mayor Tom McShane called everyone to order. The evening’s agenda and consent agenda items were approved. Notable in the consent agenda was approval of a contract with Civil Ag Group for the Dogwood Ave. sewer upgrade and the lift station on 3rd St.

The council passed Resolution 11-20 which accepts donations in the amount of $7,750 from the New Richland Area Foundation Fund as follows: $1,000 each to the reserve accounts for the police, fire and ambulance; $1,000 toward a new whirlpool tub at the NR Care Center; $2,000 towards an AED for St. Olaf Park, residual to reserve; $500 to Legion Field; $500 to City Park; $750 to the Historic Preservation Commission for the Odd Fellows Restoration.

New Richland City Council

Ambulance chief Jennie Johnson reported 135 runs for the service so far in 2011. Johnson mentioned an application was received from Beth Hoffman, who is currently a First Responder. Quotes are being obtained for a power cot for the ambulance.

New Richland Care Center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel was present and noted Bonnie Ellickson was hired as the new dietary manager and started training on July 8. The council approved bills incurred and paid for the center. Hebel reported even with the state shutdown, the Governor announced MA payments were “essential services” and would continue. The center had a census of 48-50 residents the entire month of June.

Police chief Scott Eads reported 61 calls for service and an additional 45 contacts for the month of June. No serious crimes were noted. Eads told the council there were no incidents during Farm and City Days. The department was augmented by three reserve officers, all volunteers. Eads and the council briefly discussed the squad car and plans for future replacement.

There was a discussion concerning a proposal from David Flor, but the matter was referred to the EDA with hopes Mr. Flor could be in attendance.

Calls received/action taken by the New Richland Police Department:

Thursday, June 16, 1:15 p.m. – Disturbance S. Aspen Ave. Situation resolved.

Thursday, June 16, 7:10 p.m. —Miscellaneous complaint S. Ash Ave. Kids asked to stop swimming in creek.

Friday, June 17, 12:45 a.m. —Parking complaint S. Birch Ave. Unfounded.

Friday, June 17, 2:15 a.m. — Disturbance S. Broadway Ave. Party arrested on warrant.

Friday, June 17, 5:05 p.m. —Suspicious circumstances N. Aspen Ave. Extra patrol requested.

Friday, June 17, 7:30 p.m. — Animal complaint/loose aggressive dog S.W. 1st St. Administrative citation issued.

Friday, June 17, 8:20 p.m. —Animal complaint/loose dogs S. Broadway Ave. Gone on arrival, unable to locate.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army.

Another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants.

Nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means and well educated.

But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death, if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. Braxton sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.

McKeam served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.

The enemy jailed Lewis’ wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside and as she was dying; their 13 children fled for their lives.

Hart’s fields and his gristmill were laid to waste.

For more than a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.

It’s not too much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: Freedom is never free!

Yes, we have freedom, but often we allow ourselves to do things that take away that freedom. We know these things are morally wrong, which then causes scars of guilt, stress and discontent to our mental thoughts.

I encourage you to start believing that you don’t need to keep up with the Jones, so to speak. Just be true to yourself.

It is also time we get the word out that patriotism is not a sin. We need to start thinking about the true meaning of the Fourth of July.  The 4th of July is more than parades, picnics, beer and baseball games.

Freedom doesn’t mean you encroach on others freedom.  The person who does something they shouldn’t, suffers mental freedom because he knows it.

Freedom of contentment means living our own lives in a way so that we don’t take away from others freedom.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.” - Thomas Jefferson

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 14th: Kallen Reed Rasmussen, Gavin Cole Halverson, Sharon Richards Lucas, Annette Hove, Madison Larkin, Dana Simonson, Jeff Kitzer, Jerry Langlie, Lee Cummins, Shane Davis, Peter Kasper, Roger Swearingen, Bethany & Ashley Ashton.

• Friday, July 15th: Nathan Daniel Wayne, Nathan Joseph Bauers, Levi Peterson, McCoy LaVerne Schwierjohann, Bob Long, Thad Aaseth, Judd Aaseth, Stacy Seath Tempel, Lacinda Jensen, Vicki Utpadel Knudson, David & Kim Killian.

• Saturday, July 16th: Sue Stieglbauer, Hudson Mrotz, Kyle Ladlie, Marjorie Bartness, Jeff Helmers, Nancy Wilder, Kenny & Sarah Price, Dave & Deb Oeltjenbruns.

• Sunday, July 17th: Kaylee Christine Hanson, Rudy Janka, Merton Nelson, Ralph Diaz, Sandi Vangen, Victor Christenson, Larry Molenaar, Leslie Schwartz, Lisa & Bob Wayne, Kristine (Simon) & David Freitas.

• Monday, July 18th: Anika Christine McDonald, Nancy Anderson, Matthew DeShane, Katie Dobberstein, Michael Graif, Luke Rye, Roger & Betty Davies, Markj & Mandy Boehme.

• Tuesday, July 19th: Charlie Glenn Fuller, Cheryl Dunlap, Natasha Marie Peterson, Nicholas Pete Johnson, Carolyn Plunkett, Alyssa Mumm, Travis Jensen, Michael Beckman, Ryan Schmidt, Warren Farr, David Cooper, Angie & Michael Kath.

• Wednesday, July 20th: Pam Muri, Paul Marcus, Wayne Sommers, Brad Eder, Richard Nelson, Cody McCartney, Howard Gallentine, Elvern & Jeanne Holland, Cory & Colette Bauers, Mark & Teri Ravenhorst.

• Thursday, July 21st: Julie Langlie, Violet Elise Aronson, Lindsay Smith, Marilyn Sullivan, Trudy Abel Holm, Marcia DeVriendt, Randy Anderson, Michele Granowski Domeier, Mike Collins, Nicholas Miller, Micki Heimer, Ed & Nancy Ver Hey, Katie & Paul Troe, Mike & Amy Glienke.

Wishing that each day is happier than the one before!

Have you ever taken time to reflect on the past and remembered the good times spent just being a kid? The summer months are full of opportunities to just be a kid (no age restrictions). This is a time when kids can get creative and find their own fun.

I distinctly remember that two weeks before school was out, they were coming to me and saying, “I’m bored, what can I do?” The answer was always the same, do what I did, figure it out, entertain yourselves. At that time, I was working nights so I spent quite a bit of time with the boys. I guess they thought I should be the “program director” as well as their dad.

The old saying, “what goes around comes around,” has become a truism, because now their kids have at times uttered those famous words, which usually happens soon after school is out. I sometimes think that it just took a while to adjust to all that free time. I guess that I was the same way when I was growing up, except that I knew asking my folks for playing directions would be an exercise in futility. 

The last thing on their mind was figuring out what I should be doing for the day. I have to say that kids can get pretty creative when left up to using their own imagination.

I really do believe that a lot of today’s parents try to over-organize their kid’s activities and not give them the time to just be kids doing what kids do in the summer. How many times have you driven past one of our play parks and seen a bunch of kids playing a pick-up baseball game? When I go for my neighborhood walk in the morning, it seems like the sound of kids playing outdoors has been replaced by a whole pack of barking neighbor dogs.

This makes me wonder, what kids do for entertainment these days. Is it video games and TV or the internet that keeps them inside and not out playing? When my boys were small they would be up and outside as soon as possible, looking for one or more of their neighbor friends to hang out with. Playing baseball in the backyard or street hockey in the driveway were two of their more popular pastimes. They built a tree house in the backyard and that’s where they would spend a lot of their time.

These were just some of the things that they occupied their time with. Sitting in the house watching TV didn’t seem that important to them. When I look back on my childhood it was all about being outdoors and making your own entertainment. 

Occasionally, I have driven past a field of freshly baled hay and it reminded me of those days. I can still remember walking across a field on a hot sunny day after the bales had been put in the barn and seeing grasshoppers and an occasional frog jumping. There is nothing like the smell of a freshly mown hayfield, and even after it has been baled and put away, it still has a certain smell about it.

It doesn’t seem possible that the fair is not that far away. As a kid this was always the week that I looked forward to all summer. But, it was also semi-sweet. The fair was fun and what I’d been saving my mowing and paper route money for, but in the back of my mind, I knew that after the fair summer would soon be over. School was once again looming in the background.

I’ve mentioned before about how my friend Pat Smith and I would start checking out the fairgrounds about a week ahead of time. We’d look to see if there were any new buildings or if there had been a new paint job applied to any existing ones. Pat always liked horses so we’d have to check out the horse barns, which back then had year-round occupants. 

My dad always had horses and there was a time when he kept his horses at the fairgrounds all year round, but he said he’d rather keep them someplace where they could have a pasture to run in.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“I couldn’t sleep last night. My stomach bothered me.”

“Did you take anything for it?”

“Sure, the firehouse chili and the large pizza right before going to bed.”

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: if something can be misunderstood, it will be.

Things I’ve learned

1.”You’re doing it wrong” are the hardest words not to say.

2. A slissue is a sleeve on which a child wipes his or her nose.

3. No matter what Shirley Temple said, a lollipop doesn’t make a good ship.

Dog Days

An indigo bunting sang to announce the new day. The tiny bird is a robust singer even on the hottest of days. The Dog Days are the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, coinciding with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. It is called the Dog Star because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. Sirius is so bright that the ancients believed that the light from the star was responsible for the heightened summer heat. The Dog Days are reminders to put the snow shovels away. The 4th of July was originally the beginning of July. The proclamation was “From this day forth it will be July.”

Fair days

I work at a number of fairs each year. I enjoy the opportunity. In a landscape dotted with deep-fried foodstuffs on-a-stick, I would love to see a pudding vendor. Simple things like tapioca or vanilla pudding would upgrade a fair day.

No mow

It was time to mow the lawn — again. I had just mowed it. I don’t know how long my lawn can go between manicures but I would love to find out. The average American yard contains 8.5 million individual blades of grass. I hear rumors that there is a variety of lawn grass that never needs mowing. That would leave my lawnmower unemployed, but it would find work. Like the duck said, “If it doesn’t rain, I’ll have to walk.” I could drive the mower to work. Grass that never needs mowing! That’s silly. Why would anyone want something like that? And where could I get some?  

A long haul

A friend retired recently. He had worked for the same company for 49 years. I asked if he had enjoyed his job. I thought he must have to have worked there that long.

He told me that he had liked his job.

My next question was, “Then why didn’t you hang in there until you had 50 years?”

He replied, “I didn’t like the job that much.”

The passion pit

In my time as a boy, there was a drive-in movie theater not far from our farm. It was called the “passion pit.” Some folks claimed that nothing on the screen ever matched the goings-on in the parked cars. I don’t know if that was true, but I do know that the movie stopped working one night and it was 40 minutes before anyone complained.

The café chronicles

I met with a man who lived outside of town. His pickup carried a bumper sticker reading, “Cover me. I’m switching lanes.” There weren’t many lanes to switch from or to where we met in front of the café. We went into the eatery, sat down, and ordered pie. He was an easy friend. We ate while talking about what we weren’t eating. He told me that he was a board member of a local organization and that all of those on the board were farmers. He said it was a group with more than a crumb of common sense. When it was time to meet to transact official business during a busy spring, they met when it rained.  

Nature notes

Gene Wagner of Stacyville asks what eaglets are up to when they flap their wings while jumping up and down on the nest? A young bald eagle begins flight training by raising its wings over its back, flapping them, and jumping. This action increases gradually until at eight weeks of age, it’s capable of rising two feet or more in the air. At 11-12 weeks, the eaglet, often aided by a stiff breeze, is capable of flight. Eaglets require practice to develop the muscle coordination necessary for confidence in flight.

In gratitude

I delighted in meeting readers of this column while I spoke at Hidden Creek, Good Samaritan Center, Thornecrest, Parkview Home, Oak Park Place, Waseca’s Chautauqua, Pelican Breeze, and Memorial Day Services in New Richland. Thank you.

Meeting adjourned

Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.”

Friday evening July 1st, was a very scary time at Beaver Lake starting at 8 p.m. The sky became dark and looked like last year’s June 17th. There was a high wind of about 70 m.p.h. with the temperature dropping 20 degrees in a few minutes. About one inch of rain with the wind wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Some big trees plus branches down and other minor damage was the result.

I was very concerned that the old adage of “knee high by the fourth” was in trouble this year. I knew that corn grew the most on hot, hot days and nights. The daytime high was 95 on July 1st with 84 at midnight. 

That in mind, I took a walk out into Farmer Toft’s cornfield. I could hear whispers and rustling of the leaves. The corn stalks told me to be quiet and just listen so I would hear the corn growing. I did so, and I did hear the corn growing. The morning of July 4th I measured the corn and it was just barely knee high. Just as I got done measuring, the stalks gave each other high fives! (At this time last year, the corn was shoulder high.)

The Tenth Annual Beaver Lake Watercraft Parade in honor of July 4th, was once again a success. There were at least 10 entrants vying for the top prize. The unusual entrant was cabin 66 modeled after the Sheriff’s Water Patrol boat. (It looked like the real thing.)

The same thing was missing this year as the previous nine parades. There wasn’t any candy thrown to the spectators. Bummer, Dude!

Many Beaver Lake residents showed their passion for July 4th fireworks by digging deep in their pockets. The final tally spent was at least $14,376.29. This was the total for July 2-4. Thanks to cell phones, there weren’t any arrests for illegal fireworks being discharged at the lake. The shooters kept in contact with each other as to where the Steele County Deputy Sheriff was at all times.

When the State of Minnesota “bad” politicians couldn’t get a budget agreement, many services were closed. For example, all the Minnesota rest stops had a big “Closed” on the sign. The I-35 rest stop by Faribault was a bit different. Just after the closed sign is a bunch of good-sized oak trees. One tree had a banner saying “His.” Another had a banner saying “Hers.”

Ellendale Days are July 14-17. Contrary to what is printed, Rose Sletten will not be performing at First Lutheran Church, but Ross Sletten will. (Oops, proof reader must have fallen asleep.)

— — —

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 were on the money for Farm and City Days so a good time was had by all. What’s in store for the Waseca County Fair you ask? Starting Wednesday, partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of showers by evening. Highs near 75 and lows around 65. Mostly cloudy on Thursday with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75 – 80 and lows near 70. Partly cloudy Friday with a slight chance of an overnight shower. Highs near 85 and lows of 70. Mostly sunny and warmer for Saturday with another slight chance of an overnight shower. Highs of 90 and lows around 75. Sunday and Monday, mostly sunny and hot with highs of 90 – 95 and lows near 70. Slightly cooler and mostly sunny on Tuesday with highs of 90 and lows near 60. The normal high for July 15th is 84 and the normal low is 61. The scurs will be working at the fair in the mosquito repellent concession stand.

The Full Moon for the month occurs on the 15th and is known by many different names. It goes by the Full Buck Moon as white tail deer bucks antlers are growing and as seen in my recent travels are in the velvet already. Another common name for this moon is the Full Thunder Moon, named for the many thunderstorms which happen during the month. Many of the pioneers also called this the Full Hay Moon as many put up hay for their livestock and the long winter ahead. The Sioux knew this as the Moon When Wild Cherries are Ripe. The Ojibwe commonly called this the Full Raspberry Moon, aptly named as the wild raspberries now are ripe for the picking, if you can outlast the mosquitoes in the process that is.

The deer have been noticed out in the open during the daylight hours. It’s quite possible the bugs are responsible for driving them out into open areas where the breeze helps make it more difficult to land on them. Coyotes are on the move and have been heard during the evening hours. One has to wonder if the insects aren’t partially to blame. That is the one bright side about the onset of winter: Knowing there are five or six months where the bugs won’t bite. 

We just thought the crops grew last week. Wow! Corn is over 6’ tall in areas and about 7 – 10 days from tasseling in most area fields. Soybeans have gotten through the ugly stage and are starting to look like a crop rather than an afterthought. Most soybeans are in full bloom and wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the earliest planted fields start to set a few pods. You just knew we couldn’t get by another year without the mention of soybean aphids. Yes, they were found last week in several area fields and while the numbers were extremely low, they have made their presence known.

There appears to be a bountiful supply of berries on tap for the birds this season. Here at the ranch one doesn’t have to look very far to see plentiful nannyberries, dogwood, crabapples, chokeberries, American cranberry and honeysuckle. In addition the elderberries have been in full bloom this past week. It was comical a year ago while up on the roof talking to an insurance adjustor. He commented that we must have a lot of berry bushes nearby. “How do you know that?” I asked. He laughed and pointed out all the purple stains on the shingles, courtesy of our feathered friends.

Speaking of our feathered friends, the young continue to show up at the feeders. It was mentioned last week marked the start of the young Baltimore orioles coming to the feeders and now this week the young orchard orioles are showing up. Apparently they were nesting all along in our hard maple tree where the leaves are so dense there was no way to tell what was nesting in there. The young look a lot like the female at this point, greenish in color but one can tell by their shorter beaks and bumbling nature around the feeders they’re not experienced, yet. Hummingbird numbers have been steady all summer and they clean out their nectar feeder about once a week. They also dip into the oriole feeder of course so it’s hard to say exactly how much they’re consuming. One of the most gratifying sights this past week came from the kindly neighbors pasture. Driving up to check the sheep pastured there, one could see there were several birds perched on the barbed wire fence. Getting closer it was easy to determine these were bluebirds, seven to be exact and quite possibly some of them the fledglings from their favorite nesting box. They scattered to the shelter of the oak trees, their understated song following them as they went.

Decided to go to the Farm and City Days parade for a few hours after another grueling weekend of fun and games. It was just as good as it ever was. There was the grand marshal, the local marching band, the antique autos, various floats and displays by several civic organizations as well as numerous princesses from many a local contest. Fire trucks and every type of farm implement imaginable were all tossing candy to the young and young at heart. The thing I still look for every year though is the old tractors, many of which I had the pleasure of driving at one time or another. In particular, I was hoping that the local Minneapolis Moline collector would make yet one more parade. I was not to be disappointed. Looking over the top of some of the displays, I could see LW leading his entourage on the old gray Twin City Minnie Mo he’s so faithfully driven every year. Not that I was ever a big Minneapolis fan, but they were unique and played an important role in the development of the farm tractor here in the U.S. There’s still something about seeing and hearing a well restored old tractor. It brings back memories to this old farm boy, as I’m sure it does to many who grew up driving what some may call “junk.” Just remember, one man’s junk is another man’s toy. And best of all in the case of an old tractor, you don’t have to clean up after it in the parade. 

See you next week…real good then.

Pauline Esther (Wiggins) Calhoun Anderson, age 87 of Waseca, went to be with her Lord on Monday, July 11, 2011 at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.

She was born to Rev. Roy and Isabelle (Shipley) Wiggins on August 20, 1923 in Holden, South Dakota.  On June 7, 1943 she married Floyd “Cal” Calhoun.  Floyd passed away on March 17, 1977.  Pauline lived in New Richland until October 20, 1990 when she married Archie Anderson of Waseca.

Pauline worked at Brown Printing Co. in Waseca for many years.  She was a member of Vista Covenant Church where she was very active teaching Sunday School, Deacon board, VBS, women’s ministry, and she especially loved singing in the choir.  Her family was very important to her and she looked forward to every and all family gatherings.  She also spent her time reading and was always ready to go for a ride.

Ruth Ann Marie Frisk, age 100, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2011 at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault.

Born in Otisco Township, Waseca County on June 6, 1911, Ruth was the youngest of five children born to August and Hannah (Lundquist) Frisk.  She attended rural school district #48 in Waseca County.  Ruth worked on her family’s farm until she was 20 years old.  She then did housework for the Deichen family for several years and worked at E.F. Johnson Company in Waseca for four years.  She then moved to Minneapolis where she went to work for Munsingwear, Woolworth’s, and was a supervisor and cashier at the food counter at the Forum Café.  Finally, she worked with Pilgrim Laundry Service in Minneapolis for over 20 years before retiring.  Throughout her retirement, she volunteered at Mount Sinai Hospital and at the Senior Center where she did blood pressure checks.  She greatly enjoyed traveling and had seen much of North America, and enjoyed playing the mandolin and the piano. 

She is survived by four generations of nieces, nephews and their respective spouses.  She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Gertrude and Esther; and two brothers, Harold and Lawrence.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Vista Evangelical Covenant Church in Waseca County, with Rev. Steve Thompson officiating.  Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Vista Covenant Cemetery. Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca is handling the arrangements.