The scurs’ forecast was consistent, although the week we’re on should be an improvement over that. Hey, the Twins are consistent too. Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny becoming partly cloudy, highs near 65 and lows of 50 – 55. Partly cloudy Thursday, highs of 65 – 70 and lows of 50 – 55. Friday, partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 70 and lows of 55 – 60. Partly cloudy on Saturday with a chance of rain. Highs of 75 and lows around 60. Sunday, partly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs near 75 and lows around 55. Monday and Tuesday, cloudy with a chance of rain, with the better chance being on Tuesday. Highs around 80 and lows near 55. The normal high for May 21st is 73 and the normal low is 48. The scurs will finally be putting away the toboggan and looking forward to the warmer temps.

What a topsy-turvy week for temperatures last week was! We topped out with a high last Tuesday of 93 at the ranch. On Saturday the high reached an astonishing 44 with a nasty, wind-driven cold rain to add insult to injury. That’s the high we’d typically see on March 22nd. Field progress was steady by jerks, with precip being recorded on five out of seven days at the SROC. Shades of April. If the forecast for this week holds, some steady progress should be made with many farmers able to finish up soybean planting. The pattern continues where we receive precipitation frequently without accumulating large amounts. For now it’s a blessing, but we may be hoping it changes once the crop progresses into July and August.

Gardeners have suffered much the same fate. The rich soil has been anything but fit to play in. I did plant some snap peas, lettuce and carrots on the 10th, but I wasn’t proud of the way the seedbed worked up. Just as the tried and true area farmers do, sometimes a little patience needs to be exercised. Conditions have improved greatly and this week should allow those of us who want to get at it to do so. One bright note, the vine crop seeds I planted and entrusted to Bill, Debbie and Amy’s care look fantastic. Every single pot in the seven flats grew, even a few planted with leftover seed from last year. I still don’t totally trust the weather yet though. Perhaps another week of warm weather will change my mind.

It has been a banner spring for recording bird sightings at the ranch. Thank you to TP for clueing me in about some of the birds she was already seeing a few weeks ago in town. It gave me the incentive to find some of the feeders and get them put out. We had been getting used to seeing the female rose-breasted grosbeaks but no males. Finally on May 10th there were three of them. This was also marked about the last day of the sparrows migrating through. On May 11th, one of the small colorful warblers, a redstart, was flitting around the new leaves on the silver maple, apparently looking for small insects. At first glance because of their coloration they almost appear to be a Baltimore oriole in miniature. This was followed by a goldfinch barrage on the 12th. The feeders and ground underneath were covered with dozens of bright yellow males. Also noted on the 12th was the first ruby-throated hummingbird (a male) and we counted 11 Baltimore orioles. On the 13th they were joined by a lone male orchard oriole.

On the rainy, cold 14th, there was a Baltimore oriole explosion. I counted as high as 20 orioles with eight of those being full colored males. Of the group of 20, there were two orchard oriole males. All told they consumed four orange halves, two bowls of jelly and a nectar feeder worth of sugar water then had the audacity to scold me and ask for more! Fortunately part of that circus left the next day, leaving behind 10 or so. It would take a full time person to keep up otherwise. Last but not least on the 15th, a lone male indigo bunting made an appearance and hasn’t been seen there since. Last year I don’t think we saw one and this poor guy may have been confused. Several of the big trees that graced the yard last spring were gone, changing the appearance greatly.

Weaning the ewes and lambs was accomplished the first time on Sunday after lawn mowing by moi and a day of work at the greenhouse was put in by Mrs. Cheviot. It was a battle royal the same as it usually is and I have the black and blue badges of courage (or stupidity) to prove it. We hauled a group off to the kindly neighbor’s and Ruby got to ride along. We were made aware of some sad news while there. Ruby’s playmate and friend Sophie had been struck by a car and killed since our last visit. She almost seemed to sense it as we put the panels back in place, got the fence back up and hooked up the water. Amazingly enough everything worked as we waved bye bye and pulled for home. There the sound of bellering could be heard as I opened the door. Not good for sleeping, I thought, and it wasn’t. I think it even triggered a response from the Dubya’s beef cows down the road as I was awakened several times through the night by the racket. This from one routinely capable of sleeping through severe thunderstorms that blow trees through the side of the house. 

The next morning from my throne in the oval office overseeing my little kingdom, I spied what appeared to be a buck lamb mixed in with the ewes heading out to pasture. To make matters worse there was a second one! What the…??? I put my clothes on and rushed down to the barn. Sure enough, there were three ewes that had managed to get back in with the lambs as well! I discovered the spot where they had managed to blow through the fence, so with some fence posts, wire and a hog panel, remedied that situation. There was still the matter of getting ewes and lambs back where they belonged, which would have to wait until later when we could lick our wounds and regroup. They may get loose but never get away.

See you next week…real good then.

Remembering the life of Merton G. Arnold.

The funeral service for Merton G. Arnold of New Richland was held at

11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2011 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, New Richland.

The Reverend Scott Williams officiated. Interment was in St. Peter

Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-7 Thursday at Friedrich Funeral Home,

New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church.

Merton died on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the New Richland Care Center. He was 95.

He was born on April 17, 1916, in Garden City, Minnesota the son of Noah and Permilla (Griffith) Arnold. 

The family moved to Freeborn, and Merton graduated from Freeborn High School with the class of 1936.  He married Ethel Johnston in 1937. They had three  children, Gary, Rodney and Linda. They were later divorced. He married Earline Hawkins. She preceded him in death.

DRIVE TIME — The Panthers’ Sam Grothem watches a tee shot during last week’s victory over Blooming Prairie at Riverview Golf Course. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

The best weather so far this spring was welcomed by the NRHEG Panther golf teams as both the boys and girls were victorious over the visiting Blossoms from Blooming Prairie Friday. The boys sneaked by 175-177, while the girls won handily 210-219.

BP’s Pat Jones was medalist on the boys side with a four-over-par 40. He was closely followed by Sam Grothem of NRHEG with a 41. Jon Walstrom (43,) Aaron Patraw (45) and Matt Nafe (46) rounded out the Panther scoring. Spencer Hanna (50) and Macoy Schwierjohann (51) comprised the balance of the varsity squad.

Michaela Hansen took advantage of the favorable weather and fired a season-best 47 for the Panther girls. Maddy Reed (52,) Hannah Moe (55) and Brina Bergland (56) contributed to the total team effort. Abbey Holland (60) and Jadyn Nelson (73) were fifth and sixth, respectively. The Blossoms’ Jeana Johnson led BP scoring with a 52.

“Michaela and Sam played awesome,” said coach Brad Root. “Everyone is doing better each match.”

The Panthers traveled to Blooming Prairie Tuesday, May 10 and on Friday, May 13, their road trip continues when they take on USC. 

The NRHEG softball team ran its record to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Gopher Conference while splitting a pair of games at New Richland’s Legion Field last week. The Panthers defeated St. Clair 9-3 in a nonconference game Tuesday, May 3 and fell 8-0 to Mankato Loyola Thursday, May 5.

Freshman Jade Schultz led the Panthers against St. Clair, throwing a three-hitter while striking out 15 and going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs at the plate. Tara Simon was 3-for-4 with one RBI, Mandy Deml 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Harlee Vokoun, Tori Raimann and Kristina Cole had one hit each. Steph Root, Kacie Phillips and Morgan Staloch scored run run apiece.

“Our bats didn’t come alive until the fifth inning,” said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz, whose team finished with 11 hits.

“Every batter in our lineup scored at least once, so it was nice to see the whole team contribute,” added Coach Schultz.

The Panthers also played well defensively, committing only one error.

SPREADING AWARENESS — From left, Amy Curley, Stacy Shaunce, Melissa Olson and Julie Boeckmann participated in the Susan G. Komen race for a cure at the Mall of America. Curley is seeking donations for a three-day, 60-mile walk in August. (Submitted photo)

At the Mall of America this Mother’s Day, you encountered thousands of men, women, and children walking indoors and out for the Susan G. Komen race for a cure. 

It’s been an annual tradition for the Shaunce sisters since Julie, their mother, was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago at the age of 46. She had surgery to remove a portion of her breast, underwent 6 months of structured chemo treatments followed by three months of radiation. Her cancer went into remission mid 2007 and has been cancer free since.  Although cancer-free today, the disease may be awaiting an awakening — it’s a threat she and millions of others face daily.

More than 1.4 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year. Thankfully, net proceeds from the Susan G. Komen Cure fund innovative research and local community programs supporting education, screening, and treatment. “I’ve had multiple women in my family hear the scary truth that they have a lump in their breast—your completely helpless to that news…all you can do is plow through it and pray for support” Julie knows firsthand.  Last year she lost her own mother to cancer. 

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

All members were present as Mayor Tom McShane called the regular meeting of the New Richland City Council to order on Monday evening, May 9. The evening’s agenda and consent agenda items were both approved.

The council approved Resolution 11-13, which authorizes advertising for bids for the upgrade to the Waste Water Treatment Facility. The project will enable the city to meet state guidelines for phosphorous content in treated water, and will replace equipment at the WWTF, which has deteriorated over time.

Police Chief Scott Eads noted a busy April for his department with 90 calls for service and an additional 92 contacts. Two burglaries were reported, one residential and one business. The county attorney’s office is reviewing the investigation for possible charges. Eads encourages city residents to remain vigilant in their neighborhoods.

“We ask anyone witnessing suspicious activity to please notify the department as soon as possible and we will check into it,” said Eads. “Even if something seems insignificant, if the activity piques a resident’s interest, there may be something to it.”

BARN QUILTERS — Participants in Marilyn Dobberstein’s barn quilting class through NRHEG Community Education include, kneeling, Sandi Schlomann and Corrine Eckhardt. Standing: Lynette Redman, Sharon Ackerman, Cynthia Nelson, Lorraine Anderson, Renee Holmes and Marilyn Dobberstein. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

NRHEG Community Education Director Marilyn Dobberstein needed to find a brilliant idea for a community education class. And once fellow NRHEG staffer, Renee Holmes, mentioned something about a barn quilting class, Dobberstein knew they were on to something spectacular.

“Most people don’t know what barn quilts are,” Dobberstein said. “They just think you are tacking fabric on a building.” Holmes added, “But actually barn quilts are patterns painted on plywood.”

When eight women signed up, they decided Holmes’ home would be the best location for this four-week class. To their surprise, the majority of the class was not from the Ellendale area.

“Only two students are from Ellendale,” Holmes said. “Four of them are driving an hour just to get here.”

Since Holmes was already well acquainted with barn quilting, she filled with the teaching role with ease. Guiding Dobberstein and all eight students through the necessary steps wasn’t at all tedious either.

“We all work as a team,” Holmes said. “Barn quilting is relaxing for me. Actually, when I was getting ready for this class, I thought ‘they really are paying me to do this?’ It seems so easy to me. But if you’ve never done it or don’t have a clue, this is a place to learn.”

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

Friday, April 1, 3 p.m. — Medical assist N. Ash Ave. 

Friday, April 1, 7:15 p.m. – Burglary S. Birch Ave. Written report to county attorney.

Friday, April 1, 8:20 p.m. — Directed Patrol S. Broadway Ave. All okay per staff.

Friday, April 1, 11:45 p.m. – Bar check N. Broadway Ave. All okay per staff.

Saturday, April 2, 1:55 a.m. — Domestic N.W. 3rd St. Verbal only. Male party left for the night.

Saturday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. — Animal complaint/barking dog S. Dogwood Ave.

Saturday, April 2, 11:50 a.m. — Civil matter N.W. 2nd St. Landlord/tenant dispute.

Saturday, April 2, 8:45 p.m. —Domestic N.W. 3rd St. Verbal only. Male party left for the night.