GENEVA MEATS — The crew at Geneva Meats. From left: Juan Vazquez, David Luna, Paula Broitzman, Dean Anderson, Dan Schmidt, Mike Farr, Doug Felt, John Bjoraker, Diane Smith and Whitey Hagen. Geneva Meats will hold an open house May 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

 

BY RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Geneva Meat Market employees take their jobs very seriously. If something’s a bit off, it’s back to the recipe card.

Since their sausage department leader, Dean Anderson, has been in meat industry since age 16, they can look to him for guidance. Anderson knows a thing or two about reaching that point Goldilocks coined as “just right.”

This precision came in very handy at this year’s Minnesota Association of Meat Processors convention in Rochester. Turns out, their specialty snacks and dried beef were deemed worthy of the Reserve Champion award. 

“This is basically our first year of competition,” Anderson said. “There were quite a few entries in dried beef, so earning an award for that category was a nice accomplishment.”

Well versed in the meat industry, Anderson attributes their success to remaining a non-cookie cutter plant. He has been Geneva’s sausage go-to guy just over a year now, and in that time, he has put his special touch on a few recipes.

“I’m happy Geneva brought me aboard,” Anderson said. “I just want to turn out a product they’ll be proud of, which will hopefully keep people coming back.”

As a previous co-owner of Nick’s Meat Market in Hayward for five years, he says it feels great to see Geneva succeed, gazing at the pair of shiny plaques decorating their walls. 

 

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“Here in Geneva for a little over a year, it’s nice to know we can turn out a product we are happy with,” Anderson said.

So as a first-year contender at this convention, his fellow employees are also more than pleased with the outcome. At next year’s convention, they plan to up their game even more.  

“We just like to turn out a good product and have the public appreciate it,” Anderson said. 

As it stands right now, their sausage varieties available for purchase tallies between 30 and 40. And now that two cases have been added to the shop, customers can look forward to perusing many more types of meat.

“One case will contain tons of sausage,” Anderson said. “Then, we have one case that has anything from steaks to chops and patties. Stuff like that.”

More cosmetic changes are in the works. All of the market’s floors will soon be refinished as well. 

“We’re changing the attitude of Geneva Meats,” Anderson said. “We want customers to think, ‘I can’t wait to get back there.’”

He hopes the constant upgrading, combined with competitive prices, will set them up for many more years of success.

“We are staying busy, which is always a good thing,” Anderson said. 

Everyone has also been involved in concocting a new line of venison this past season, which is another example of how far they have progressed in their sausage program.

“People seem to enjoy our products,” Anderson said. “A few weekends ago, we had 1,400 hot dogs go to an open house for Noble RV. It’s always fun to get out with everybody and see customers I haven’t seen in a long time.”

With almost 20 years of meat making feathering his cap, Geneva Meats remains a huge passion of his. Whatever task needs doing; his hands gladly fall right into sync. 

“I started at Nick’s as a cleanup boy at age 16,” Anderson said. “Today, I occasionally get into the cutting aspect of it too. That’s fun because I get to go out with everybody and see customers come in that I haven’t seen in a long time.”

LION OF THE YEAR — Lions District Vice Governor Sue Bowman of Geneva, left, presents Bob Frisk a certificate in recognition of his being selected Zone 8 Lion of the Year at a meeting in New Richland March 3. (Submitted photo)

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

If you have ever attended a Lion’s Pancake Breakfast in New Richland during the past ten years, you have probably seen Bob Frisk. If he’s not busy flipping pancakes, he’s undoubtedly busy somewhere close by, ensuring things are running smoothly. He is normally one of the first Lion members to arrive in the morning, and one of the last to leave.

“Bob has been the chairman for our pancake breakfasts the last ten years,” said Rev. Charles Espe, Secretary of the New Richland Lions. “He normally handles the advertising, orders the supplies and sets up the member’s work schedule.”

The Lions normally schedule two of their pancake breakfasts a year, many years they have had three or more. The breakfasts serve as fundraisers for people in the community who have experienced tragedies or who are having challenging health problems.

In recognition of his efforts, Frisk was chosen the 5M2 Zone 8 Lion of the Year. The honor was bestowed on Frisk at a Lions meeting March 3 by District Vice Governor Sue Bowman of Geneva.

SKYWARN SPOTTER TRAINING — Chris Gannon, left, is with the Steele County Emergency Management office and Roger Swearingen, right, is the Emergency Management Director in Ellendale.  (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

A second can make all the difference. It’s been proven time and time again, that this miniscule moment in time has the power to bring about a whole different set of circumstances, good or bad.

So, believe it or not, it is almost a year ago now, when nearby residents saw a monstrous wave of destruction in our area.  An event that changed the lives and thinking of those in the area.

Many remain thankful for the tornado’s timing. It’s a blessing that no one was in bed sleeping at this horrifying hour. Just this thought alone is enough to make one cringe. And as bad as it was, things could just as easily been worse. 

Life is precious, and it’s worth preserving. And for the Ellendale and Geneva Fire Department members, this is at the core of their mission. In fact, just this past month, on March 29, they gathered together for a Skywarn Spotter training session.

Al Lee, who is from the Ellendale Fire Department, set up the training session and invited Chris Gannon, from Steele County Emergency Management, to lead the training. About 30 local departments members were in attendance to be reminded of what they need to look for, and what needs to be done to help protect the people of our area. 

Also in attendance for the training session were the Steele County Deputy Sheriff and Roger Swearingen, who is the Emergency Management Director for Ellendale.

KOOL KIDS — Katie Crabtree, left, and Michelle Katzung participate in an activity during the “Kool Kids” event at NRHEG Elementary School in Ellendale April 5. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)

By CAROL JOLLY

Staff Writer

There are some unique “Kool Kids” on the block, dispelling myths that distort reality. Many people have misguided attitudes about people with disabilities.

“The biggest problem, is in other peoples minds,” said Laurie Running, Director of Advocates for Disabilities.

The Kool Kids — Kirby, Molly, Tang, Marcus and Rosa — aid in bringing awareness of how special everyone is, through skits and learning stations about disabilities. Many children don’t feel loved and supported as the unique people that they are.

On April 5, the Advocates for Developmental Disabilities serving Steele and Waseca Counties brought the Kool Kids to show first and fifth-graders at NRHEG Elementary School in Ellendale how paralyzing a person with disabilities may feel, and how more alike, than different, they actually are.

Kool Kids provides a better understanding of people with disabilities, so that children feel more comfortable developing friendships with people with disabilities, and learn to appreciate and accept the differences. They ask children what is more important, what’s on the inside, or on the outside?

IMPORTANT POINTS — The Panthers’ Ashley Garretson clears a hurdle on her way to a sixth-place finish at Waseca. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls' track and field had a busy and productive opening week outdoors, taking second in their own Panther Invitational last Tuesday and placing third at Waseca Friday.

Albert Lea won the Panther Invite with 168.5 points. The Panthers had 142.5, followed by Medford with 82.5, JWO 52.5, WEM 52, Maple River 50 and LeCenter/Cleveland 3.

The Panthers clamed six firsts, four by freshman sensation Carlie Wagner. She won the 100 meters (13.3 seconds), the 200 (26.8), the 400 (61.2) and the high jump (5-4).

"Carlie had another great meet," said NRHEG coach Duey Ferber.

Also taking first for the Panthers were Amber Schmit, shot put (32-1/3) and Danielle Krueger, 800 (2:26.9). Krueger, a junior, was second in the 400 in 63.5.

Other NRHEG places: Anna Schlaak, second, 100 hurdles and third, high jump; Jill Kalis, second, discus; Kaylee Maxon, second, shot put and fifth, discus; Katie Cole, third, long jump; Katherine Lewer, third, 3200; 4x200 relay, third (Raelin Schue, Samantha Hogstad, Krueger, Schlaak); Mikayla Lindell, fourth, discus and fifth, shot put; Abby Crabtree, fourth, 800; Schue, fifth, 100; 4x800, fifth (Shantaya Olson, Emily Habeck, Lewer, Lindsey Schulz); 4x400, fifth (Habeck, Hailey Schuller, Abby Wacholz, Jamie Ulrich); Paige Bolduan, sixth, high jump.

RUNNING STRONG — NRHEG’s Kyle Bayerkohler, right, battles a New Ulm runner at Waseca Friday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys' track and field team opened the outdoor season with a pair of meets last week, finishing second in the Panther Invitational at New Richland Tuesday and fifth among seven teams at Waseca Friday.

Coach Duey Ferber was very pleased with the opener.

"We were very happy to get a meet in, considering lane eight still had a foot of snow on it," said Ferber. "The boys looked good. We were very pleased to take second place. We have a bunch of guys that really like to compete."

Albert Lea won the meet with 209 points. NRHEG had 86, Maple River 74, Medford 71, JWP 67, WEM 25 and LeCenter/Cleveland 19.

The Panthers, who had no first-place finishers, scored the bulk of their points with seconds and thirds.

NRHEG placewinners: Evan Ferber, second, triple jump, third, triple jump and third, 300 hurdles; Tyler Holz, second, pole vault; T.J. Schiltz, second, 3200; 4x200 relay, second (Ross Chester, Brian Billing, Geoff Ramaker, Hunter Eustice); 4x100 relay, second (Matt Webster, Ramaker, Ferber, Eustice); 4x800 relay, third (Webster, Kyle Bayerkohler, Karter Sletten, Schiltz); Ramaker, third, 100; Tyler Crabtree, third, discus and fifth, shot put; Bayerkohler, third, 400 and fourth, 800; Eustice, fifth, 100; Ryan Schlaak, sixth, pole vault; Chester, sixth, long jump; 4x400 relay, sixth (Brody Hansen, Sletten, Hans Frank, Raece Johnson).

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

You had to know it was only a matter of time before Jade Schultz would find the strike zone on a consistent basis.

The NRHEG freshman, who had bouts of wildness in her first two seasons pitching for the varsity, was on target as the Panthers opened the softball season with a pair of impressive wins last week. Schultz combined for 25 strikeouts and seven walks as NRHEG blanked Blue Earth Area 2-0 at Legion Field Tuesday and drilled Medford 10-0 at Ellendale Thursday.

Schultz threw a three-hit shutout at BEA. Sophomore Tara Simon had what coach Wendy Schultz called a spectacular game behind the plate, throwing out two baserunners.

Steph Root, a sophomore, had a standout game at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three doubles and a run scored. Tori Raimann was 1-for-3 with a run and two stolen bases.

"It was a great team win," said Coach Schultz. "Steph had an excellent day hitting and Jade pitched well. I was very happy with the way the team played."