NEW VENTURE — Cheryl Johnson is Ellendale’s newest business owner, recently opening Downtown Hair Design Inc. (formerly Barb’s Styling) at 115 5th Ave. W. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)

Owner of Downtown Hair Design Inc. aims to make people feel good about themselves

By CAROL JOLLY

Staff Writer

"When you’re least looking, opportunity knocks," says Cheryl Johnson.

A stylist since 1988, Johnson is excited to become a member of the small business owners in Ellendale.

"Everything happens for a reason," Johnson said.

On April 27th, Johnson closed the deal on her new venture. After a few simple cosmetic changes, she opened the doors of Downtown Hair Design Incorporated, (formerly Barb's Styling) located at 115 Fifth Avenue West on May 3, 2011.

"Making a difference in the lives of others, while making people feel good about themselves," is something Johnson strives to achieve. Johnson, a self-described "people pleaser," is dedicated to providing good quality service. She plans to continue on what the previous salon owner started, and introduce new things too.

The New Richland Farm and City Days Parade committee is seeking nominations for the 2011 Farm and City Days Parade Grand Marshal.

We are again asking for the input of members of the community to help us honor an individual or a couple that plays an active role in our community and has helped to make our community great. If you feel you know someone that is truly deserving of this honor, we ask that you send a letter of nomination highlighting the reasons this person(s) should be considered.

Letters should be sent to: Grand Marshal Nomination, New Richland Farm and City Days Committee, PO Box 262, New Richland, MN  56072.

The deadline for letters is Monday, June 13. If you have any further questions, or would like to be a part of planning this year’s festivities, please feel free to contact any member of the Farm and City Days Committee. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year’s Farm and City Days Parade a great memory for everyone!

Kelly Martens,

Parade Chairperson

Hartland City Council

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

The Hartland City Council met on April 5, 2011 with all members present. The evening’s agenda and March meeting minutes were approved.

Neil Schlaak was present to discuss his intentions with the property formally owned by WFS. Mr. Schlaak plans to add a hopper bin, wet bin, dryer and shed to the property.

Lance Skov of Hill, Larson, Walth & Benda P.A. was present to discuss the city’s annual audit report. He found no discrepancies in the audit and the council is doing a great job with the annual budget. He recommended increasing the fire department budget to cover expenses. The department has exceeded expenses the last two years for repairs to trucks.

Fire Chief Brandon Flatness reported the department responded to one mutual aid call and three medical calls. The department would like to put the old fire truck and ambulance up for bid. Council instructed Flatness to work with the clerk to get this advertised and put on the League of Minnesota Cities marketplace website. The new fire truck needs a one inch hose, new tires with aggressive tread, water monitor that can be plumbed through L&D Ag and new striping on the exterior of the truck.

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Once Mayor Steve Bailey called the Geneva’s city council meeting to order on May 10, discussion centered on a handful of town matters. First on the agenda was approving the minutes, financial report and bills payable. Councilman Jim Beenken made a motion to approve. Fellow councilman, Taff Worrell seconded and the motion carried.

Bailey then invited Alliant Energy representatives to step up to the table. Al Stadheim, Albert Lea senior manager for Alliant Energy, addressed a few issues of concern voiced by Geneva residents. Stadheim began by explaining the first area of complaints, meter estimations.

Whenever blizzard conditions occur, it’s impossible for Alliant representatives to read meters. This issue is inevitable and unavoidable, but he informed the council that in 2014, they plan to implement automated meter readers. The new system will eliminate this matter altogether.

In a few days, another group of seniors will take their place on stage in cap and gown to receive the piece of paper that says, “you graduated.” It is a happy day, with smiles abounding, and friends and family there to witness it. 

There will be tears, happy tears, memory tears and maybe just a few scared ones too because until now life has pretty well been set out for these seniors and now they are suppose to be “grown up” and ready to make their own decisions.

It’s critical for the students to take it in all in and be in the moment. A camera in hand isn’t a bad idea either. And for a moment, things will line up and the worries subside. But life will go on, with opportunities abounding.

Hopefully, when they grow up, they will be exposed to some adversity. That way they will learn things will not always be perfect, and to be responsible in solving their own problems. 

Hopefully, they make good decisions. But even in the best of times, they will make mistakes. They might even need to deal with mistakes made by others. In either case, they will need to “stand back” and take a good look at the situation, learn from it and equip themselves with the self assurance that this too is only temporary.  

And even when it seems to rain “forever,” the sun will soon shine, and not just for a few moments either. The good and bad will always go hand in hand.

Remember this: good preparation, being at the right place at the right time, good luck or the right attitude, all plays a part. For others, it may be taking one step at a time to reach the goals that they have set out for themselves. But if things seemed “blocked,” they may need to consider if that goal is the right one. 

Sometimes all it takes is shifting just a little, to a category more appropriate for their skills and personality. Or, they may have to try harder, if they truly know that is want they want for their life. 

In any case, events and life’s speed today will most likely require them to plan for a broader look of things to come. I hope they hold tight to that diploma as it is their passport, which tells the world, “I made it this far. Nothing can stop me now!”  

It is not just a piece of paper. It is a piece of paper representing 18 or so years, when the basics of life were taught by family, friends, school teachers and church environment.

Remember your first day of school. Was it exciting? Were you scared? Did you accept it with joy and anticipation, or were just a little leery about what was going on? The graduating seniors may have the right to feel those same emotions even today.

They can always look back, and try to peek just a little at their future. But, there is no crystal ball to tell them what lies ahead. 

Even so, technology is ever changing, and becomes faster every day. The national debt is rising every day and the world is shrinking. I am sure that many of them are thinking, “Where do I want to be, say 10 or 20 years from now?”  

Jobs will become obsolete, often sending us in a different direction. It is hard to know what life will be like, but maintaining the basics will help us make those right choices.

When you were a child you learned to listen, to get along with other people, to enjoy life and to educate yourself to those things necessary. Hopefully, you will continue to remember those things and live a wonderful life.

Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues. 

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, May 19th: Christina Hill Berry, Madison Schweirjohann, Summer Schember Schultz, Mike Rysavy, John Oolman, Dawn Parks, Tim & Tiffany Hanson

• Friday, May 20th: Oakley Baker, Kaye Schember Cady, Laureen Hohansee, Kathy Hanson, Hannah Ashton, Carrie Thorstenson, Penny Nord

• Saturday, May 21st: Tony Dodge, Christopher Flim, Tom Wilker, Joel Cooper, Ryan Parks, William & Marvel Beiser

• Sunday, May 22nd: David Eliason, Christine Thompson Krause, Lori Lembke, Scott Dirksen, Pat Horan, Mark Christensen, Jim Obermoller, Michael Sarver, Roger Thompson, Andrew Grunwald, Karla Hanson, Dick Swift, Chuck & Susan Grubish, Toni & James Perschbacker

• Monday, May 23rd: Stephanie Paul Marlin, her 2nd; Will Richard Utpadel, his 5th; Ilsbeth Wayne, Jeanne Simonson, Melissa Shaunce, Burton Borchert, Orville Langlie, Harold Sybilrud, Karen Quam, Rodney & Peggy Sorenson, Duane & Janice Morreim, Jeff & Sara Miller, Rebecca & Tim Brekke

• Tuesday, May 24th: David Chrisensen, Merlyn Swearingen, Marlyn Swearingen, Nina Widlund, Reta Draayer

• Wednesday, May 25th: Dakota Matthew Kath, his 6th; Riley Dean Disher, his 4th Jack Harpel, Jackie Johnson Miller, Jim Pichner, Cara Christensen, Valerie Peterson, Richard Fetterly, Bill Nechanicky, Rick Miller, Deb Parks, Paul Reese, Troy & Kelly Utpadel, Dave & Barbara Van Gorkom

• Thursday, May 26th: Jeff Wayne, Roger Wangsness, Natalie Hanson, Jim Cummins, Jennifer Beaber, Jeremy Beaber, Melissa Redmon, Karey (Kalakian) & Chris Shearman

• Friday, May 27th: Eileen Bergland, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Shane Callahan, Stacy Wobschall, Rev. Beaber, Theresa Kasper, Rick Loven, Carolee Broitzman George,  Tracy Marcus, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Michael Butler, Steve & Karen Quam, Megan & Joel Cooper

Celebrating with you as you mark another year. Hoping that your day is filled with family, friends and cheer!

With the gas prices nearing record highs a lot of you may want to think about a vacation that's a little closer to home. Our own state of Minnesota has a lot to offer in terms of things to see and do, especially when it comes to the outdoors. Camping is a great way to enjoy nature and see a lot of the wonderful things it has to offer.

I have said it many times that even if you haven’t camped before, it doesn’t cost a lot to get started and it’s a great way to spend some quality family time. I guess if I was to put together a starter kit for campers it would be pretty basic. Start with a tent, sleeping bags, some sort of cook stove and a few cooking and eating utensils. You’d also want a lantern and some camp chairs along with matches, a hatchet and a sharp knife. A good cooler for food is a must and you are pretty much ready for your first camping experience. Oh, did I mention some mosquito repellent?

You will want to have a campfire and of course no good campfire is complete without the making of s’mores. Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire is something that will always be enjoyed by kids of all ages. If you don’t have hot dog forks and there are plenty of trees and bushes around you can whittle your own. This actually makes the whole experience just a little more special.

It is against the law to transport firewood from one part of the state to another. This is a preventive measure to try and curb the spread of tree diseases. You will need to purchase your firewood from a DNR approved vendor. Most state parks and campgrounds have firewood available for you to purchase. If you purchase from an approved vendor be sure to keep the receipt. I know some folks that bring boxes of scrap wood from their home projects and use them for their campfires.

There are many campgrounds throughout the state for you to enjoy. If you like to fish like I do, there are many state parks and national forest campgrounds that offer reasonable rates for camping with fishing access.

Surrounding this year’s Governor’s Fishing Opener in the Grand Rapids area are some of Minnesota’s most popular state parks, where anglers can wet their lines against backdrops that include scenic waterfalls, rocky shorelines and virgin pine forests.

Area highlights worth a side trip, include: to the west - Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico to the east - Gooseberry Falls State Park, where the waterfalls are spectacular and the Gooseberry River is stocked with rainbow trout to the north - Bear Head Lake State Park, voted America’s Favorite Park in an online contest sponsored by Coca-Cola in 2010 to the south - Cuyuga Country State Recreation Area, where 25 miles of single-track mountain bike trails opened this spring.

A change in state law made it possible for residents to fish without a license at most lakes within Minnesota state parks. Details about the free fishing, which went into effect in July 2009, can be found at www.mndnr.gov.

In addition to stocking Minnesota lakes and streams with fish, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also stocks 30 Minnesota state parks with fishing rods and tackle that they loan out free to visitors in hopes of luring new anglers to the sport.

In the northeast region, the free fishing kits, which include a pole and tackle, are available at Banning, Bear Head Lake, Jay Cooke, McCarthy Beach, St. Croix, Savanna Portage, Scenic, and Tettegouche state parks. Check out the complete list of where to find free loaner equipment (also including GPS units, binoculars and bird guides, and activities for kids) www.mndnr.gov/state_parks/free_fishing.html>online.

Beginning anglers of all ages can learn basic skills at free I Can Fish! Workshops offered statewide throughout the summer. These hands-on workshops cover fish identification, casting, knot-tying, and more. Fishing gear is provided for use during the workshops, and fishing licenses are not required. Veteran anglers demonstrate skills and then give participants plenty of time to practice. Check out the Web site www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/index.html>onlinecalendar for a complete schedule.

For more information on what there is to see and do at Minnesota state parks in the northeast region, visit the Web site  www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html>mndnr.gov/state_parks or call the DNR Information Center, 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The free fishing offer is one that the state and the DNR has initiated to try and get people “hooked on fishing” and believe me it is a great opportunity to try it out.

Until next time; let’s do a little camping and fishing because it’s a great time to get out 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.

Harmon Killebrew has announced he is going to give up his fight against esophageal cancer and will enter a hospice. He authored a wonderful and dignified goodbye statement that reflects the man he is. In it he continues to try and benefit others by his praise of hospices. He could have ended his last days in privacy, which I think he would have preferred, but he sought to encourage others in the use of hospices. I’m sure that future terminal patients will take Harmon’s words to heart.

Many have praised Harmon and his life, but I think Joe Nathan said it best: "Hopefully we can honor what he’s done in the game and outside the game, and I hope he can continue to fight a little longer and especially be comfortable right now and at peace."

I regret that I never had the opportunity to say hello to Harmon. I’m sure he would have treated me as well as he did all others who approached him. And although I never met him I feel a certain closeness to Killebrew. I have been his fan since 1961 when the Twins moved to Minnesota. Harmon was the face of the franchise and as he went, so did the team. I’ll never forget listening to the radio, (probably Ray Scott), on a hot summer night in 1965. Our Twins were playing the New York Yankees. It was midway through the season and the Yankees with Mickey Mantle were the team to beat. The Twins were trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth with one on and two out when Killebrew came to bat. Killer hit a long home run with a three-ball, two-strike count. The Twins won the game and eventually the pennant. Killebrew’s home run was the turning point of the pennant race.

In keeping with baseball’s tradition of handing down the love of the game from generation to generation, their grandmother and grandfather once took our boys to see the Twins and Killebrew play. He was seeking his 500th home run. Killebrew was a little past his prime and home runs were not coming as easily as they once had. On that summer day at Met Stadium with grandma and grandpa and their two grandsons watching, Harmon Killebrew hit his 500th and 501st home runs. What a thrill for everyone concerned, including Harmon.

The last time I saw Harmon Killebrew was at a Twinsfest. I’m sorry now that I didn’t stop and get his autograph, but he looked tired and I know Swede and I were bushed.

Killebrew was not a perfect baseball player. He was slow afoot and during the years he played left field he had worn a patch in the grass where he usually stood. But while he wasn’t fleet, he had good hands and if he could get to a ball he caught it. But fielding was not why Killebrew was a fan favorite. It was because of his ability at the plate.

Not that we didn’t get mad at Killebrew from time to time, for he was human and would on occasion not perform up to our expectations. But he came through most of the time. And like a favorite uncle that the family might grouse about, we forgave Harmon any shortcomings. And we might complain once in a while, but we were quick to defend Harmon against any outsider putting him down. He was our Harmon and in the end could do little wrong.

But perhaps the meaningful legacy Harmon will be leaving is the kind of man he is. Often times when a star retires, fans forget about him. Not so with Harmon Killebrew. As time went on he became more and more loved. I along with thousands and thousands of others know that at the end, God will hold Harmon in the light.

Echoes from the Loafers’’ Club meeting

 “I’m working the early shift at the drug store.”

“The drug store has an early shift?”

“I come in early and wake the sleeping pills.”

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: the price of a new car makes an old car run better.

Things I’ve learned

1. Any nut that appears to be 1/2” will be 7/16” or 9/16.”

2. If someone asks if food tastes funny, it does. 

3. If the Yankees lose, it doesn’t matter what my horoscope says. It’s going to be a good day.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

Farming was an enterprise that varied in mood from battlefield to vacation. Baling hay wasn’t an unpleasant task, but it came with hot temperatures and balky equipment. Things were broken. Things were fixed only to break again. We spent much time being almost done. I found the easiest way to find the finish line was to repeat the mantra,  “When you bale, you bale.”

You know you are getting older if

1. All you want out of life is a nap.

2. You’ve stopped looking like yourself.

3. You use your fingers to count just as you did when you were a tot. 

Rhoda

I didn’t eat chicken in front of her.

No, she wasn’t a vegetarian or a card-carrying member of PETA.

She ate meat. Insects, mostly.

She was a chicken. She was a pet. Her name was Rhoda. She was a Rhode Island Red hen. She laid eggs.

I think she was proud of that.

I needed sweetening

There were stresses in my young life. The bus driver came at a different time each day. He didn’t want any kid setting a clock by him. He taught me that kids waited for school buses. School buses didn’t wait for kids.

There were words that needed spelling that didn’t want to be spelled.

There were bean rows that needed walking and they were more work than walking a dog.

That’s why places like Vivian’s Café and in particular, her fried rolls, were so important to me. Vivian’s was the spot where I munched on a heavenly fried roll while listening to my elders. I still connect sweet rolls with learning. Vivian, the café, and the rolls are nothing but memories today.

I’ve eaten similar rolls through the years. When I come across a delicacy that resembles Vivian’s tasty treat, I buy it. I have eaten lookalike rolls all over the country. None came close to matching the exquisite tastes of Vivian’s product.

Maybe a roll tasted better when it was surrounded by Vivian’s Café. 

Driving past the past

I drove by the ball fields. They looked familiar. Years ago, I played in a state tournament on those fields. What I remembered most wasn’t the games I played. I remembered the umpire’s son. The yellowjackets were thick as we came to bat. The umpire’s son, sitting in the stands, took a drink from his can of Mountain Dew. One of the wasps had crawled into the can in search of sweet liquid. The yellowjacket didn’t like being swallowed. The boy had an allergic reaction to the stings. An ambulance arrived and took the boy to a hospital. The joy of the game was replaced by hopes and prayers for the umpire’s son. It was the first time in my life that I didn’t feel like playing ball.

Nature notes

My wife’s favorite bird is the indigo bunting. It looks like a blue goldfinch. My father called them “blue canaries.” I watched a lovely indigo bunting at the feeder. As it flew away, I was reminded of the last words in a novel, Jitterbug Perfume, written by Tom Robbins. “As blue as indigo. And you know what that means: Indigo. Indigoing. Indigone.”

Mallards usually pair for just one season, but sometimes the same birds mate again in subsequent years.

If you want to discourage barn swallows from nesting above a door, tape plastic wrap over the area. It will prevent the nest's mud from sticking to the siding.

Squirrels and blue jays bury many acorns and thus plant many oak trees. Their good work saves many workers’ compensation claims for back injuries.

Talking to the Holstein

I was talking to the Holstein the other day. The Holstein is a retired milk cow, so she has time to talk. The Holstein chewed her cud thoughtfully and said, “Moo.”

Meeting adjourned

Richard Carlson wrote, "Choose being kind over being right and you'll be right every time."

In our two months of eating out since our house fire, we have eaten at just about every food establishment in Albert Lea. Based on our being middle class, this is what we have found to be to our liking. 

Breakfast — The sunshine yellow Knight’s Inn Motel for the price, quality and friendliness of the employees is number one. 

Lunch — The Big Island Grille and Bar going through the soup and salad bar with a hot popover Monday thru Friday, getting two for one is number one.

Coffee — McDonalds has the best coffee especially considering the price a senior pays.

Evening Meal — Trumble’s is our favorite mainly because of the local atmosphere — especially anytime the owners are present.

When it comes to doing our weekly laundry — the laundromat on East Main on the South side of the street is top dog. The senior lady running it is a real people pleaser. 

I must give credit to most of the employees in Albert Lea as we have found only a few rude employees. (The kind that are too busy with non-job related things.) Genie did walk out of one store where the long cell phone conversation was more important than the customer.

How about it Steele County? If Waseca County can look at a rain garden at St. Olaf Lake Park, as per the plan presented by Hugh Valiant, can Steele County look at a rain garden at Beaver Lake? The purpose of a rain garden is to capture runoff; letting it settle before it empties into the lake.

Alpha is the beginning; Omega is the end. All life has a beginning and an end. AARP is considered an elderly group of over-the-hill senior citizens who are past the beginning (Alpha,) and are approaching the end (Omega.) There is a business person in Hollandale nearing this point in life — in fact he will reach it June 4th as he becomes an AARP eligible member by turning the “Big 50.” Dale Miller just mmight know who this person is!

I’m fed up with all the mail solicitations for money. I’m gathering five or six and driving with them over to the local cemetery. Once there, I print, “In the cemetery now,” and mail it. So far, no response back.

Look at the back side of a Culver’s menu. Listed as coming soon is a Culver’s in Hartland!

A local high school English teacher tells me in about 10 years there will no longer be a spelling bee. I asked her to explain. She hands me a piece of paper after printing the following on it:

“SUP OMG MY BF HAD ME LMBO.”

She tells me that was a question and an answer in today’s world of texting. She refused to decipher into my English and explained this is the current way of spelling, thus goodbye spelling bee. Can you decipher the above? (I had a 13-year-old girl translate as I couldn’t.)

A few trivia items:

• Lanesboro is the bed and breakfast capital of Minnesota.

• The shortest Bible verse is “Jesus wept.”

• “Circle Me Bert” was the featured program at Central-North-East Freeborn Brotherhood a number of years ago.

• Go to www.newrichlandstar.com to proofread this article.

• Sign seen on rummage sale picnic table. “For sale — ants are free.”

• Bring a golf club to Target Field when going to a Twins game for the golf ball-size hail. 

 — — —

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.