YEARS OF SERVICE — NRHEG staff members receiving awards for their years of service included, front from left, Diana Foster, Heather Carlson, Robin Eder, Anne Howe, Gloria Rische and Kathy Meyer. Back: Doug Anderson, Sara Ihrke, Art Barnett, Dan Stork, Mark Domeier and John Schultz. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Educating our children is big business. And there is much more to education than just "book learning.” 

Creating a positive attitude in a wholesome environment is the challenge. Every year, there is more to learn and more need for quality time to enhance and prepare children to learn, to seek out information and give them a framework for their lives.

On Monday morning, June 6, the teachers and administration gathered at the New Richland site to honor several members of the NHREG teaching staff for their years of service to education.

The morning began with a breakfast served by Janice Pederson, out of the school cafeteria. Lanae Thorstad welcomed everyone to the program and thanked the NRHEG Social Committee for organizing the end-of-year program.  

Following the morning program, the teaching staff was invited to gather for a golf outing at Riverview Golf Course. A total of 18 people turned out for the golf outing and really enjoyed the afternoon.

Pam Coyer presented honors to three people who work in the district as para professionals. Becky Stenzel and Gloris Rische, both five year paras, and Cindi Bartness, 15-year para, were presented with certificates.

By CAROL JOLLY

Staff Writer

The NRHEG kindergarten classes of 2010-11 recently completed a milestone in their young lives. Tears and cheers were shed throughout the Ellendale Elementary gymnasium on June 1, 2011, as educators said farewell to this group of youngsters moving forward in their educational achievement and growth.

Pomp and Circumstance played as the children filed onto the stage, to await their recognition of achievement. NRHEG Kindergarten teacher, Shelley Mangskau, looked back over shared adventures. "Students loved the trips to the Pumpkin Patch, and to Ox Bow Park in Byron," Mangskau said.

In addition to the field trips, kindergartners also participated in other special events. "The kindergartners enjoyed the Read Across America campaign,” Mangskau said. “They may not have enjoyed eating Green Eggs and Ham, but, they love Dr. Seuss.” The Kindergarten Spring play was a grand experience. "The students learned quickly, and loved performing for their parents, and peers," Mangskau added.

A special presentation of the song "One Small Voice," was presented by soloists, Erin Jacobson, Wyatt Groskreutz, Bryce Mudgett, and Jaylee Christopher, one from each class.

SUCCESS AT STATE — NRHEG’s Carlie Wagner, shown jumping during the previous week’s Section 2A meet, placed fifth in the high jump in Class A in the 2011 state meet at Hamline. (Photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

According to NRHEG track and field coach Duey Ferber, the No. 1 goal for Carlie Wagner was to earn a medal in last weekend’s state meet at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Mission accomplished.

Wagner, who recently completed her freshman year at NRHEG, cleared 5 feet, 4 inches on Friday to earn fifth place in the state in Class A.

“It was exciting just to be up there,” said Wagner. “It was very exciting to go up there and get fifth. There was a lot of competition though.”

“For a freshman, going up there, it was a very successful trip,” said Ferber. “We’re really pleased with a fifth-place finish. Our No. 1 goal going there was to earn a spot on the medals stand. She was ecstatic to get there.”

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

The New Richland Reds baseball team’s quest for yet another division championship in 2011 is off to a somewhat rocky start. For the first three games, all losses, they were outscored 23-3. 

New Market Muskies 9, Reds 2

The Reds traveled to Lonsdale to take on New Market on April 29 and only managed five hits. Vinnie VanEnglenburg and Jason Churchill each had two hits. Four different pitchers saw action on the mound.

Blue Earth Pirates 10, Reds 0

“It was another tough day at the plate,” said Jason Churchill, Reds Player/Manager after the shutout on May 15th. “We only had three hits.”

Cleveland Condors 4, Reds 1

The New Richland Nine ventured to Cleveland and lost to the home team by a narrow margin. 

“We took an early 1-0 lead,” said Churchill. “Then we fell behind and just couldn’t comeback. We had plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position. We just played poor defense and allowed the Condors too many scoring chances and they took advantage of them.”

Reds 14, Cleveland Spiders 3 (7 innings)

The Reds found their bats on May 29 as they pounded out 14 hits highlighted by seven runners crossing home plate in the first frame. Kellen Utpadel earned the win on the mound with four good innings of two hit ball. Churchill, Brett Wangsness, Dan Fitterer, Utpadel and Tory Somage all collected two hits a piece.

“First win of the season,” said Churchill. “The bats got rolling in the first and we never looked back.”

Pine Island 10, Reds 0 (seven innings)

Despite Aaron Gilliland having a three-hit day, the Reds fell to the Pioneers of Pine Island in a shortened seven inning tilt. The NR defense committed three errors and Utpadel took the loss on the hill.

“It was a dissappointing trip to Pine Island,” said Churchill. “It was a real tough day for the offense only managing four hits total; coupled with the errors in the field.”

Reds 10, Morristown 8 (10 innings)

Fans in the stands were treated to a fine 13/60 League contest at Morristown on June 5. The scoring was back and forth all day. Mitch Akemann was down to his last strike in the top of the ninth with two runners on base. His base hit gave the Reds the lead. It was short-lived, as the Morries tied the game in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into overtime.

In the top of the tenth, Gilliland smacked a two RBI double to give the Reds a 10-8 lead. Gilliland and Wangsness collected three hits on the day, Seth Tukua and Akemann added two hits each.

VanEnglenburg threw a complete game allowing six earned runs and striking out nine. He also garnered two hits at the plate to help his cause.

“It was a great division battle,” said Churchill. “It was a huge win for us and evened our division record at 2-2. We really pulled together in the late innings.”

2011 Reds Roster

Mitch Akemann, Jason Churchill, Dan Fitterer, Aaron Gilliland, Zach Hacker, Colton Schlaak, Chris Somage, Tory Somage, Seth Tukua, Kellen Utpadel, Vinnie VanEngelenburg, Tom Wacholz, Brett Wangsness, Matt Economy, Bjorn Peterson, Payden Peterson and Jake Stalcoh.

NR Reds 2011 schedule

6/15 Lake Crystal 2 p.m.

6/16 at Hayfield (Austin) 7:30 p.m.

6/22 Morristown 7:30 p.m.

6/24 at Waseca Braves 7:30 p.m.

6/26 at Cleveland Spiders 2 p.m.

6/29 Cleveland Condors 7:30 p.m.

7/6 Minn Lake 7:30 p.m.

7/9 at LeSueur (2 games) 3 p.m.

7/10 Waterville 2 p.m.

7/13 Hayfield 7:30 p.m.

7/16 at Wells 2 p.m.

TBA League playoffs

What comes to mind is that old saying "A swarm of bees is May is worth a load of hay,

A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon,

A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly.

  Lately, I’ve noticed the hay and started to think how few people are still in dairy farming. How times change.  Seeing the land that once was "pasture" seems to be lost acres now. There are however quite a few horses, sheep and goats. 

   June is full of activities and June Dairy Days in Geneva have been in vogue for a good many years.  Don Gries and Warren Wayne, as I remember, started handing out free ice cream cones by the door of the store they occupied on Main Street.  

   It was a popular event that has continued on over the years, but has now been taken over by the businessmen and women in Geneva. Most often, it has a food fundraiser in connection with it to help pay the expenses on "whatever" the need was at the time.  

   Money raised has also been used to help defray the cost of keeping the city pool "afloat," which has been a cool retreat and a place for swimming lessons for the last thirty-some years.

 June has always been the wedding month. Brittni Hagen and Thomas Camerer, as well as Amy Viktora and Brady Jensen have all picked early June for their weddings this year.

    My grandpa and grandma Hanson, my mom and dad, and my daughter, Kimberly, also chose the month of June for their weddings. I actually recently received an envelope in the mail, and inside, was a copy of the wedding announcement that had appeared in the Albert Lea Tribune for my mom and dad’s wedding.  It was really a treat to read it, especially because this year they will celebrate their 60th anniversary on the 24th of June.

  One of the local Vacation Bible School programs took place the first week in June.  This year five of our local churches, Community Lutheran, First Lutheran, St. Aidens, United Methodist of Ellendale and Geneva and Vibrant Life Assembly of God, "Teamed up with Jesus to Go For The Goal" for the children in the area.  Projects such as this involves a great bunch of volunteers to teach and play and feed and baby sit to get the message out.  It is nice to know that the various churches know that God is there for everyone.  Our God is an awesome God and the children know that Jesus Loves them  And though the children haven't been out of school that long it seemed like it was more fun to get together again now than later.

  June is also strawberry picking time.  What a difference in the taste of home-grown strawberries as opposed to those shipped in to the stores.  Either way it’s nice to know that strawberries can be so good for you.  

   I remember when my Grandmother Hanson had a huge patch and we could pick the nicest, juiciest ones right off the vine.  My mother, sister and I also had a large patch of strawberries in our garden, which was out in the backyard of where I live now.  I can remember how much time we spent picking strawberries when I was growing up.

    Lawrence Petersen, of the Beaver Lake area, used to have acres of strawberries.  When the season was over, he would go through the patch with a drag. It didn't make for good rows, but it sure put a lot of strawberries on the new plants in the spring. My mother said that she thinks he could have well been crowned the king of the strawberry patch. 

  June was always the month most kids looked forward to, as they could go "to the lake" and swim.  I can remember many years ago when the little hillside at the beach area on Beaver Lake was packed full of people.  It seemed like you could not get one more body in that area, the lake full of people swimming and enjoying the water.  

   It was always a big event to be able to prove that you were a good enough swimmer, to swim out to the raft.  Many of the kids brought "inner tubes" to the lake too.

  My sister and I also enjoyed water skiing, and we even skied behind the motor boat on a canoe paddle. We also went behind the boat on a round, wood surf board.  We liked to take a wood, collapsible camp stool with us.

   Once we got up on the surf board, we would open up the camp stool and sit down on it and go around the lake.  We even tried a few tricks, turning completely around on it and also put the end of the ski rope over our toes to go "no handed".

  June also brings out the ticks we hate.  I guess they might even start a little earlier than that.  Growing up, we didn't think so much about the tiny, potent critters. But, the big ones could cause a few hysterics, especially if they had moved in deep enough to swell with one’s blood.  

   There were many remedies - like smothering them with Vaseline and burning them with a burnt farmers match. The method recommended was to remove them with a tweezers, patiently, so that they didn't leave body parts behind that could cause infection.  

   For many - a bed time ritual was – “check for ticks.”  Those ingenious, pesky bugs drop from trees, hide in bushes and long grass and silently select their victim. 

  Not to be forgotten is the army of mosquitoes that make their presence known this time of year.  Avon "Skin So Soft" could be lathered on, and dryer papers can be tucked around the neck and sleeves. Citronella, smudges, tiki torches, switches broken from the trees; so much artillery for such a tiny insect, but it’s hard to win the battle.   

   Many also once believed that you shouldn't eat bananas because the female mosquito needs potassium to reproduce. But, people were encouraged to use the banana skin on their bites to take away the itch.   

  Then there are the picnic bugs. With these little yellow, hard shelled cousins of the lady bug, we learned that you should not set down your beverage without covering it, as those pesky little bugs enjoy the taste and like to swim.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, June 16th: Andren Richard Aaseth, Aven Leo Aaseth, Emily Otto, Bethany Otto Mikesell, Doug Smith, Lorraine Wallace, Vonda Humburg, Kenny Evenson, Kari Ingvaldson, Heather (Crabtree) & Keith Krenke, Rochelle (Butler) & Brent Chapman, Tracy & Paul Marcus, Richard & Becky Axmann, Kim (Anderson) & Rich Schneider and Dale & Marlene Peterson

• Friday, June 17th: Kimberly & Mike Luhring, Jim & Jeanne Worrell, Tiffany (Moon) & Josh Krueger, Natalie Jean Aaseth, Jim Hohansee, Eric Tobiason, Joshua Churchill, Aaron Casterton, Matthew Xavier, Tim Butler, and Anna Kay Hardyman.

• Saturday, June 18th: Keturah Katherine Mae Gassmann, Brett Hagen, Dennis O'Neil, Dave Lieberg, Marie Dobberstein, Marvin Enzenauer, Bonnie Nelson, Krysti Cameron, Margo & Milton Wayne,  Wayne & Diane Jensen, Greg & Linda Pavek, Brad & Tammy Thompson, Lucy & Hank Sorenson, Kathy (Barnett) & Chad Peterson, Amy & Brady Jensen, (2011)

• Sunday, June 19th: Julie (Vanden Heuvel) & Dale Horihan, Ellen (Johnson) & Mark Johnson, Al & Carol Schultz, Julie & Chad Cornelius, Guy & Tracy Cromwell, Fred & DeLoyce Schmidt, Melissa & Scott Anderson, Tammy & Jeff Busho, Rich & Susan Hanson, Cesar & Heather Rosas, Ashlie Pence, Johnathan David Schewe, Mary Ann Stone, Jean Pelzl, Theresa Kasper, Monty Spurr, John Hohansee, Erica Van Kampen, Tracy Cromwell, Erica McClaskey, LaVerne Calverly, and Dora Nissen

• Monday, June 20th: Adelyn Grace Quaintance, Jean Ahlstrom, Kari Vanden Heuvel, Christopher Wayne, Patti (Stadheim) Bell, Chris Jensen, Alan Schmidt, Dianne Jensen, Madison Renae DenHerder, Lenard & Everal Lageson, Mike & Kirra Hanson and Rick & Karla Kelly

• Tuesday, June 21st: Shirley & Greg Tennant, Dorothy Kilian, Terry Van Kampen, Robyn Schmidt Beckler, Harmony Mattson Anderson, Greg Ramaker, Jay Ditlevson, Teri Jahnke and Haley  Katherine Meiners

• Wednesday, June 22nd: Jessie Cleven, Marilyne Donahue, Travis Broskoff, Bruce Hunter, Barbara Haberman, Cheryl Peterson, Becca Schei, Mark & Sharon Sorenson, Chris & Linda (Harding)  Newgard and Dale & Suzanne Boverhuis Jr.

• Thursday, June 23rd: Ralph & Alyce Randall, Carlie (Thompson) & Joseph Sevcik, Greg Bartsch, Ann Farr, Amanda Wacek, Rhonda Reichl, and Rebecca Schei

• Friday, June 24th: Rhyan Rebea Fritz, LuAnn Hanson, Gordon Hanson, Joel Butler, Andy Sommers, Mary Harty, Sheryl Berg, Rick A. Miller, Curt & Carole Schember, thier 6oth, Julie (Krieg) & Brian Hove, Valerie (Tobiason) & Scott Quiring, Stephanie (Morris) & Brad Hendrickson, Jennifer (Pence) & Juan Ortega, and Danielle (Cook) & Travis Johnson

Wishing you a very special day blooming with warm and happy memories!

As preached in most management courses, there are several types of management styles. There is the autocratic, (my way or the highway). Donald Trump seems to be a proponent of this method. The participatory style seems to be the one most management teachers like. It’s the idea that if you can involve your employees in the decision, they buy into it and become part of the forthcoming solution.

Baseball team management seems to be pretty much autocratic. Probably because everyone knows what the goal is and how to get there. Not much variance there, but there has to be someone calling the shots and while the players have input, (I’m too sick to play today), the every day decisions are made by the manager. However, within the 30 major league managers there are differences. Some managers are very autocratic, some not so much.

Our Minnesota Twins‚ Manager Ron Gardenhire is known as a player’s manager. He tries not to embarrass a player. If someone makes a boneheaded play, he keeps him in the game. He may not play the next day, but he is saved from immediate embarrassment in front of the fans and TV audience.

I’ve seen Gardy consistently try to put a player in a situation where he will succeed. In fact, leave a pitcher in the game too long,to get the next out in hopes that will make him a better pitcher, then and in the future. This style seems to work as evidenced by six division titles in nine years.

However, Gardenhire and the team are headed toward a situation that putting the best team on the field will involve some hurt feelings. He has regulars coming back to replace the kids that have won nine out of the last 11 games. What to do? Well, Gardy, let me give you totally unsolicited advice. Dust off the old axiom of Occam’s Razor. Use it. That the simplest solution is usually the best.

First up Luke Hughes. He is now playing and hitting well. Keep him in the lineup. I know that Justin Morneau has tried his hardest and has a wonderful history with the team. But he is hurt and not playing well and at this point in time is not as good as Hughes. Play the Rookie. The decision is simple once you strip it of emotion. I think that Justin would tell you the same thing.

Alexi Casilla is fielding and hitting well at shortstop, but the Japanese All-Star Nishioka is coming back. Keep Casilla at short and put Nishioka at second. It’s simple.

Ben Revere has provided a much needed spark playing centerfield. In fact, several wins have been attributed to him. Keep him in the lineup. When Span comes back, put Revere in left field. Leftfielder Delmon Young is a below average fielder, but he has recently started hitting well. DH him against left-handed pitching and DH Jim Thome against right-handers when he comes back. There is nothing wrong with platooning Young when he is not the DH, with Cuddyer, Revere, Kubel and Span when he comes back. All will be regulars getting an occasional day of rest against pitchers they have a tough time with. One more piece of advice, keep Revere in the field when the Twins start a flyball pitcher.

Gardy, you seem to have a sixth sense about who has the hot hand. Use it. Right now don’t be anxious to play Span and Morneau. Sometimes our decisions become more complicated than they need to be. Play the hot hand, the good fielders and the higher batting averages.

Well, we can’t say we haven’t been experiencing some summer weather. Do you remember not that long ago when we were wishing for summer weather? Well we’ve got it and it’s time to enjoy!

On one of my morning walks to Frank Hall Park, I encountered quite a bit of wildlife. First I saw a couple of rabbits, and then a hawk that must have had a blackbird in its talons. I suspect that is the case because as it flew away, it was being escorted by quite a few other blackbirds that were chirping loudly. I always thought chirping was a happy sound.

The next thing I came upon was a crow that flew across my path. He was carrying a small bullhead, which I assumed was going to be breakfast. As I got closer to the access, there was a flock of turkey vultures that seem to be there most mornings as I pass by (hopefully not waiting for me). There were also several geese with their little ones in tow close by.

Seeing all these natural wonders within a couple of minutes tells me that there is a lot of wildlife to be observed right here close to home. I have some rabbits hanging out in my yard. Of course, there are gray squirrels always seeming to enjoy spending a fair amount of time in my garage too.

Whatever your outdoors activity of choice, now is the time to take advantage of the nice weather, so get out and enjoy. We have an abundance of nice parks in the area that offer everything from basketball and tennis to disc golf. With all the walking trails we have in the area, just a nice evening stroll is a great way to get outdoors and get rid of that day to day stress.

Pioneer Park has some nice facilities. It’s kind of a special place to me because it was one of those places my folks would take me for a little family picnic. We didn’t always do the hot dog thing. Sometimes, Mom would make cold meat sandwiches, and we’d have Van Camps beans and her out-of-this-world potato salad which I loved.

I can still recall the time that I had come home for a short leave before heading overseas. As a kid, Beaver Lake was one of my favorite places to go fishing, so Mom and Dad thought I’d like it if we went to Beaver Lake for a picnic and some shore fishing. 

It was in June, but I can remember it being cold and windy with an off and on again rain. Mom felt really bad about the weather because, of course, she wanted it to be perfect. I told her it really didn’t matter because we were doing it as a family and it brought back a lot of fond memories of my younger years. I don’t think the fishing was very good, but the hotdogs, her famous potato salad and the beans were as good as I ever remembered. The memory of that day is still priceless.

This is just an example of what the outdoors experience is really all about. It is not always about catching fish or winning a game; it’s about being there making memories that will last a lifetime. If you introduce a kid to something as simple as having a picnic and roasting hot dogs on one of the barbecue pits that our parks offer, it can make those memories. 

My boys will from time to time bring up something that we did as a family when they were growing up. I am sometimes amazed that it made such a lasting impression on them.

Frank Hall Park has a lot to offer with its two small pavilions. There are also barbecue pits scattered along the walking path back towards the public access. It also has easy access to fishing and also has a nice fishing pier. 

I guess you can say the same for quite a few of our area parks. Bancroft Bay Park has a beautiful setting, plus the aforementioned disc golf course. Edgewater has a fishing pier and pavilions to accommodate any number of people. 

I have enjoyed some good shore fishing at Edgewater Park over the years. It’s a great way to spend a family outing. Many times when the kids were small, we’d take them there for a little picnic and some fishing. The area offers so many different ways to enjoy a summer evening or a weekend afternoon in the outdoors.

— — —

I see that the bike lanes are now in place to test our driving skills. I have seen plenty of cars, a person on a “Rascal” and a guy riding a stand-up motorized scooter in my numerous trips on Front Street since the painting was finished, but I’ve only seen one bicyclist. 

One person that I talked to, mentioned that the bicyclist that he saw came to a four-way stop, but didn’t bother to stop. The car in the opposing lane was attempting a left turn, and the bicyclist gave him a verbal scolding and a finger shaking. 

I may be wrong, but I always thought that a bicyclist had to adhere to the same rules of the road as a person driving a motorized vehicle. I do think that bicycling is great exercise. What a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors.

 Yet, it seems that all the rules of the road for navigating this maze that are published in the paper are for car drivers. The cyclists need to adhere to at least one rule - the “common sense” rule. You need to remember one thing – even if you are in the right, in a collision between a car and a bike, the bike always loses.

Until next time; enjoy a picnic in one of our parks, do a little fish’n and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors!

Remember our brothers and sisters who are proudly serving our country, so that we can keep enjoying the freedoms that we have today.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“How is your back?”

“Better.”

“Better than yesterday?”

“Better you not ask.”

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 I can smile, I am not poor.

Things I’ve learned

1. If you want peace and quiet, get a phoneless cord.

2. Neighbors mow either too early or too often.

3. Depending upon the subject, everyone has a short attention span.

How to talk like us

“Cornsupnice.”

That’s the way we say “hello” in the spring in corn country.

My neighbor

My neighbor Stu Pendose considers himself a chef. His specialty is grilled venison — a deer that has been hit by his Dodge. The old Dodge doesn’t dodge much. Stu has retired. That gives him time to tell me about things. He decided to celebrate his retirement by traveling. He hadn’t done much of it, so he purchased a new suitcase. I told him that man was meant to fly but luggage was not. He waited in the baggage claim area after walking five miles uphill through an airport the size of Duluth. As he watched countless bags journey along the carousel, it occurred to Stu that he could not remember what his new bag looked like.

My familial fridge

The refrigerator I grew up with had three climate zones. Things placed near the rear of the fridge became icy. Items placed in the middle of the shelves were cooled to the extent that they were supposed to be. Foodstuffs situated in the front of the shelves, near the door, were warmed. We didn’t have a microwave oven. We warmed things in our refrigerator.

Mr. Dillon

A famous Minnesotan died recently. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke premiered in 1955 and ran as a regular TV series until 1975. John Wayne was 6-foot-4. James Arness was 6-foot-7. Miss Kitty looked up to Marshal Dillon.  

Junk drawer

It was a severed arm of a toy superhero offered with a kid’s meal at a fast food restaurant. It was the first thing I came across in my junk drawer. A junk drawer is any drawer that will not open because there is a roll of duct tape preventing it from doing so. To open the drawer, it must be jiggled until something falls out the back. The next item I pulled from the flotsam and jetsam was an air freshener in need of freshening. Then in rapid order came Tic Tacs that had melted into a clump, keys for missing locks, a broken ceramic dog showing dried glue from an aged repair attempt, an unsigned thank you card, a pink birthday cake candle, and twist ties beyond number. Random things piled in a drawer. Maybe I’ll have an annual junk drawer sale.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I had an Etch A Sketch when I was a boy. I drew boxes. I was a minimalist architect-in-training. I had Silly Putty. It came inside an egg. We didn’t have the kind of chickens that produced Silly Putty eggs, so I had to buy them at Sibilrud’s Store. Silly Putty stretched and bounced. It could copy the image of printed material. I pressed it against Pogo in the newspaper comics. Pogo’s likeness magically appeared on the putty. It wasn’t digital but it was there.

Café chronicles

The café has 12 tater tots in their tater tot hotdish--that's nearly a dozen. Drinking coffee isn't an experience. It's an obligation. The coffee is like motor oil without the delicate bouquet. Refills are free except on Tuesdays when they are half the usual price. The mugs are so big that there is a lifeguard on duty. Stop and smell the air freshener—it’s cooked cabbage-scented.

Nature notes

The rosy fingers of the sun cause the world to blink awake. I hear the voice of an invisible singer and the world begins anew. A robin calls, “Merrily, verily, see.”

Birds endeavor to out-sing one another—attempting to find a place in the choir. Birdsong is enchanting and serene, yet provides enough mysteries to last a lifetime.

I hear the "cheer-cheer-cheer-pretty-pretty-pretty," call of the cardinal. It gives me goose bumps on a hot day.

I listen to the indigo bunting sing, “What, what? Where, where? Here, here. See it, see it?” The indigo bunting is a beautiful bird that offers mystique from afar and beauty when near. It sings on the hottest of days.

It calls once more.

Hearts sing. Souls dance.

Pelican Breeze

Please take a tour of Albert Lea Lake with me on June 26, July 17, August 14, or September 25. Call 507-383-2630 to book a seat.

Meeting adjourned

A kind word is a perfect day.

As usual, the month of May fishing wise was very good at Beaver Lake. Lots of panfish were caught with some of the crappies bigger than normal for Beaver Lake. Also hooked were two huge bass over six pounds, with one of them caught by a young lady off a dock on the west end. Also worth noting were three walleyes measuring over 20 inches, of which two were catch and release. 

The biggest fish caught in May was 10 lbs. 4 oz. This fish was not released and it provided food for a family of five. (Mom, Dad and three youngsters of the raccoon family that like carp.)

Sad to say, the raccoons got into our woodduck house and devoured all nine eggs. I thought mama woodduck would re-nest but no such luck.

Mama and papa Canadian geese are proudly showing off their five youngsters. The youngsters have gotten to be very selective as they only feed on well-manicured lawns!

Ode to Jill (cabin 65)

Jill was her name,

Mama robin was her bane,

Sitting on her nest,

Giving Jill no rest,

Now mama and babies are gone,

Leaving Jill in peace to mow lawn.

Cousin Dick Haug and his wife Marlys of Clarks Grove asked me to recognize them on their 59th wedding anniversary this June by mentioning it in this column. I replied that I would do so on their 60th. They both asked me do so “now,” as they weren’t sure about a year later. I asked them to clarify “a year later.” The unanimous answer was “we’re not sure you’ll be around next year!” (Who needs enemies when you have such honest Norwegian cousins? Uffda)

I took the HHR Chevrolet into Hanson Tire of Albert Lea for some grease, oil and a filter. On the checklist of what all was looked at were these words: “Your springs are sprung, your shocks are shot. Your tires are out of alignment. Where have you been driving?” I realized the change in driving has been due to moving to Beaver Lake, especially Highway 30 between New Richland and Ellendale. I did a slow walk finding 144 million, 268 billion, 349 thousand, 762 cracks that one must drive over between the two towns. For your information, I didn’t count the three cracks filled with road kill. Needless to say “forewarned is fair warned.”

I’m driving down the street in Dayton, Ohio. I turn onto Dogleg Road. I expect to find a golf course, but instead the road takes me to St. Paul Lutheran Church. It is Sunday morning and my “drive” takes me in the right direction. This is most certainly true.

June 17th is a great day in our life. On that day, our daughter Deb was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Happy Birthday Deb! (Number plenty-nine.)

Sunday, June 19th, is an important day in everyone’s life. Whether living or deceased, honor Dad on that day. Did you ever wonder where you would be without a Dad?

Many thanks to Paul and Paula Hanson, their kids and grandkids for helping put in our dock.

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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. 

Not a lot of rain last week, but enough to keep things going after the mini-heat wave. In spite of the cool start, the scurs are thinking perhaps it’s looking like we will eventually have a real summer. Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy, highs of 70 and lows near 55. Thursday, partly cloudy with a slight chance of evening showers. Highs near 75 and lows around 60. Partly cloudy on Friday with a chance of showers. Highs again near 75 and lows around 65. Saturday, partly cloudy again with a moderate chance of shower and thunderstorms, Highs of 80 and lows of 65. Partly cloudy and warmer on Sunday with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 85 and lows near 65. Monday, partly cloudy and remaining warm. Highs around 85 and lows near 65. A good chance of showers and thunderstorms for Tuesday with mostly cloudy skies. Highs of 85 and lows around 65. The normal high for June 21st is 82 and the normal low is 60. The scurs will be remaining under their beach umbrella in case that rain shows up for the summer solstice.

Yes, the 21st is officially the first day of summer, although most will say that meteorological summer actually begins June 1st. Last Tuesday’s heat is gone and with it the nearly desert winds. There have been a few warm days, but it’s been difficult to call it much of a summer so far. There have been many days in June where a jacket is a wonderful thing to have along just in case. Heck, I still have the chains on the tractor yet. Not sure if I’m that far behind or just getting a jump on winter the way the temperatures have been going.

Cooler temperatures have meant slower growth in the crops and the flip side of that is weed growth hasn’t totally been a runaway either. In between gale force wind events, there has actually been time to apply herbicides. This past week saw some corn exhibiting a sixth full collar, although five collars on a field-wide basis were more the norm. The second trifoliates on the largest soybeans were nearly fully expanded, although there are soybeans all the way from there to just planted. Most hay was put up in good shape and the quality looks to be excellent. Feeding some of the newly baled hay delivered by the Hay Fairy, the lambs would tend to agree. 

Miraculously, all the vine crops planted in the garden survived the blast furnace of a week ago. Apparently, having good stock and watering heavily as we went when transplanting paid off. The ground became so hard that tilling the remaining ground was like tilling concrete. After the roughly half-inch Thursday night rain, however, that changed and the soil worked up better than it has all spring. This allowed for the onions to go in, the cucumbers to be planted and for another planting of sweet corn. There are still tomatoes, peppers and string beans to plant, but these fortunately won’t take long after work some evening. Then, maybe, kind of, perhaps we can put all the seeds away and focus on weed control. There are some snap peas blooming and with any luck in another three weeks we should be able to sample some of those delicacies. The Haralson and Fireside apple trees are loaded in the yard at the ranch and there are even a few on the Snow Sweet tree that was planted only a year ago. Am curious if any of them make it to harvest so we can see what they taste like. The crabapples we planted were roughed up a little by the heat, but after a little extra TLC, it appears they’ve escaped the heat relatively unscathed.

The birds have become more sporadic in their appearances at the feeders, particularly the orioles. They now go through about a jar of jelly a week as opposed to their earlier antics of nearly a jar a day. One faithful customer has been the male orchard oriole and even the female makes an occasional visit. She seems to enjoy the orange slices as well as the jelly. When they leave, they always seem to head for the same group of trees, so something tells me their nest is in the yard someplace. Hummingbirds have become more numerous as Mrs. Cheviot has planted the pots and baskets again. Time to get some of those fly and ant guards for the nectar feeders as the insects are wasting no time making a mess of them.

Ruby had another big weekend where we travelled to my mom’s to see my oldest brother. This was the first time she’d met him as I don’t recall bringing her along at Christmas time. She was very glad to meet someone who would scratch her tummy and she played that for all it was worth. Ruby played outside with Fudgie too, blowing off steam just as they’ve become accustomed to. Looking out the window was a little like watching one of those comedy skits where the parties take turns chasing each other. These two are a little like the monkey see-monkey do routine as well. Mom has some hard plastic decorative birds, chipmunks and bunnies she likes to place in the flower beds around the house as well as on the porch. Oddly enough, every one of them was scattered around the yard not much differently than children’s toys left for the parents to clean up. Fortunately nothing was chewed on so no harm, no foul. Just have to be thankful there are no diapers to change.

See you next week…real good then.