FIRST PLACE — Members of The Ghetto Cowboys prepare to start a game of dodgeball at NRHEG High School Saturday, March 12. The team won the Senior High/Adult Division title. From left: Matt Carlson, Chad Schlaak, Hunter Eustice, Jared Reyant, Cody Root and Tyler Sorenson. (Star Eagle photos by Jody Wynnemer)

WONDER BOYS — Pictured above are The White Wonders on the Junior High Division. Front from left: Jet Wayne, MaCoy Schwierjohann and Derek Stevens. Back: Spencer Tollefson, Keith Maxon, Todd Erickson and Hudson Mrotz.

BIEBER FEVER —Above is one of several teams to participate in the dodgeball tournament at NRHEG High School Saturday, March 12. From left: Kacie Phillips, Anna Schlaak, Kaylee Maxon, Harlee Vokoun, Tatum Wacholz, Alearah Neumann and Emily Light.

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

Dodgeball fever struck the NRHEG High School gymnasium on Saturday, March 12, as a total of nine teams battled for bragging rights in their respective divisions.

The first-ever tournament was a fund raiser for the annual school’s Prom.

Five teams were entered in the Junior High Division with The White Wonders coming out on top. Members of the winning team included Keith Maxon, Spencer Tollefson, Derek Stevens, Hudson Mrotz, Todd Erickson, Jet Wayne and Macoy Schwierjohann.

Only four teams signed up for the Senior High/Adult Division. After the double-elimination brackets were concluded, The Ghetto Cowboys were crowned the champions. Members were Chad Schlaak, Hunter Eustice, Cody Root, Jared Reyant, Matt Carlson, Dustin Burshem and Tyler Sorenson.

There was a fair turnout of spectators to watch the tournament. Tournament chairman Anne Feist plans to have a second annual tourney next year.

“All in all, it was a success this year,” said Feist. “We grossed almost $600.”

FOOD SHELF HELP — Helping collect donations for the New Richland Area Food Shelf Saturday, March 19 in the parking lot at Wagner’s Foods included, from left, Sharon Eckart, Norm Eckart, Colton Koziolek, Larry Goehring and Shelly Moxon. (Submitted photo)

Other events set for this weekend

Saturday, March 19 was a very good day both for weather and giving.

The New Richland Area Food Shelf collected 533 pounds of food and $608.01.

The next drive will be Saturday, March 26 for the Chili Cook Off at New Richland Liquor Store, starting at 3 p.m. Next Sunday at The Willows, there will be a $2 donation given for each brunch purchased. Blondie’s will be closed for The Willows function and invites her guests to visit The Willows.

Right now, there is a NRHEG school competition to see which school can collect the most, elementary or high school.

Life has an expiration date. Like the side of your prescription bottle, beyond a certain time, there are no refills. So what are we going to do about it?

Parents, families, doctors and health personnel may all be hesitant to talk about death and dying. No one wants to upset their affected loved ones. It makes people uncomfortable talking about death.

We all know someday life will end. Not thinking about it isn't going to change things.

So what are we going to do about it? No matter what age, we must  take charge of our quality of living and do all the good things that will give us all the joy and good health that is available. Take care of yourself, enjoy others, do the good things you've been putting off and share your good fortune with others.

A positive attitude is ever important.

But there is more. Before your transition into a better world, it would do you well to consider things that would continue to go on after you are gone. If you're young and have children, designate someone who will parent your children.  Choose well and put it in writing. Children are smarter than we often think. Letting them know that if something should happen there is someone they can depend on is not a bad thing.

For that matter, you need a responsible friend you can assign the job of making your wishes come true in the event you can no longer speak, think or plan for yourself. It is good to talk about it early, before it is needed.

Then there are medical things to consider, like if you want hospital care or not. Would you want a feeding tube to prolong life? What would be your wishes for resuscitation?

Needless to say, you need to take care of financial and estate concerns by completing a will and designating a power of attorney, should the need come.  You must also remember to update these wishes if time changes things.

Are we able to calculate how many years we have left in our lives? Not usually, though there are some clues that can give you an idea. Granted, a healthy, young individual may not foresee being hit by a truck. But common sense tells us if one is 90 or 110, each day may be an experience.

Learn about hospice with people who have someone in hospice. Is it for you or not? People differ, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Talk to your minister or a counselor.  Keep your mind at peace by thinking peacefully of others.

Listening to people who have had a near death experience should wow us. The description of this beautiful experience should erase all fear of death or just allow us to leave in comfort, peace and acceptance.

My Great Grandpa Christensen’s reply to us when we said, "Grandpa you'll live to be a hundred," was, "Don't wish that on anyone." We would retort, "Grandpa, you're healthy, in a good mind and we all love you." He would say, "Yes, but when you no longer have any real purpose in life, what is the point!" There are old people and then there are old people. Each has a right to be here, but like Grandpa said sometimes, "What's the point?"

We only have one life. Make the most of it, enjoying each day to the fullest. Be good, be kind, be loving.

Aging is a privilege, it is not a birthright.

Heaven has to be a restful, peaceful place.

In God we trust.

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 or the Star Eagle office at 507-463-8112.

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.

Birthdays and anniversaries this week:

• Thursday, March 24th: Gail Ottesen, Seth Chad Staloch, Dave Meixner, Kurt Hanson, Laurie Phagan, Lucetta Kermes, Wes & Ruth Neidermeier, Angie & Cory Klemmensen, Tony & Sandra Tonsing, Lonna & Dean Broitzman

• Friday, March 25th: Brad Hagen, Michelle Ritz, Pam Anderson, Faith Jensen, Tom Marlin, Trevor Loverink, Bernice Farr Mattson

• Saturday, March 26th: Nikita Zelpha Peterson, Jackie Draayer, David Hanson, Ray Coxworth, Lonnie Misgen, Ginger Cornelius, Dillon Hanson, Daryl Jensen, Duane Morreim, Amy Dobberstein, Marge Wobschall, Mary Lou Spurr, Gerrit & Jean Molenaar, Jeff & Robin Christensen, Jennifer & Matthew Dinneen

• Sunday, March 27th: Kim Weckwerth Farr, Jim Ottesen, Verona Winegar, Tom Lund, Tina Jensen Wangen, Jodi Loverink, Neil Born, Ralph Randall, Todd & Sheri Utpadel

• Monday, March 28th: Jordan Brye Wagner, Katie Ann Lee, her 8th; Daryl Van Ravenhorst, Alan Olson, Paul Marlin, Josh Stevens, Daniel Suleter, Richard & Lisa (Long) Hocking

• Tuesday, March 29th: Taran Waalkens, Heather Lyn Shearman, her 7th; Dylan Lee Ingvaldson, his 6th, Becky Johnson, Amanda Bergerson, Judy Strenge, Dorene Richards, Bruce Jensen, Linda Seykora

• Wednesday, March 30th: Leah Brittan Moststad, Gretchen Jensen Ray, Darrell Hanson, Kim Roberts Sletten, Aiden Michael Berg, his 6th, Matthew Cornelius, Fern Robertson Sommers

• Thursday, March 31st: Jinny Nielsen, Hannah Haroldson, Melissa Collins, Carson LaShawn Ray, his 5th; Jill Anderson, David Hemingway, Ross Johnson, Shane Johnson, Doug Hunt, Mike Misgen, Joanne Neuhart. Mollee & Joseph Tscholl, their 4th

• Friday, April 1st: April Fools Day!  Madison Hanson, Irene Paulson

It is your special day...get carried away!

With the onset of spring and the thaw that has been making the snow cover slowly disappear, I’m almost beginning to feel like a new person. It’s funny how spending a lot of time indoors during the winter can give you that “stale” feeling. I have a pretty full plate in the winter with coaching hockey and watching the grandkids in their endeavors, but there is that little gap between winter sports and spring which officially began on the 20th of March. For someone that is on the go pretty much the whole winter, it’s almost like giving up an addiction cold turkey.

Once spring arrives and the sun gets higher in the sky, the birds start singing their happy songs and life is good. It’s amazing how a little warm sunshine after a long winter can make everyone seem like they have that extra spring in their step.

When you look around and take the time to enjoy our “critters” we have right in our neighborhoods, it is pretty exciting. The snowbirds will soon be returning and I’m not talking about the “part-time Minnesotans,” but the feathered kind. And of course there are the neighborhood rabbits and squirrels that have been leaving those tracks in the snow around our house.

With the return of our feathered friends, there is also the feline factor to consider. If you have a cat and like to let it out for a daily prowl, keep in mind that in a few weeks the birds will be nesting and their young are easy prey for the common house cat. I can attest to this first-hand because there is a neighborhood cat that seems to think it lives in my backyard just to prey on birds. It has been known to take up part-time residence in our garage, which makes my wife less than happy. I don’t know which she dislikes more, squirrels or stray cats, but I’d not want to be either one of them if she ever got a hold of one of them.

If you do let “Fluffy” out for a prowl on a daily basis and begin to wonder why there are no birds frequenting your feeder, I think that you can probably figure out the answer. Please keep your cats inside during the spring when the birds are nesting so that everyone can enjoy our fine feathered friends. We think birds are pretty, but somehow I think that the cat is thinking they are looking mighty tasty.

Right now, we are in what I call the “dead zone” between hard water fishing and open water fishing. There still are a few diehards who have been sitting on the ice in the channel with open water nearby. The rest of us are playing that waiting game until the ice is out and we can start fishing perch and panfish.

If you are thinking about trying a little trout fishing, the season for them in Southeastern Minnesota runs from April 1st through April 15th (this is catch-and-release only). The regular season begins April 16th and extends through September 14th. I have not been much of a trout fisherman in all my years of fishing, and that has a lot to do with logistics. Having been raised in this area of the state, my primary fishing has been for walleye, northern, bass and panfish and, reluctantly, more than my share of bullheads thrown in.

Don’t get me wrong. A lot of folks enjoy eating bullheads and, when caught early in the spring, they can be pretty tasty. My mother-in-law Shirley would always tell us whenever we caught any bullheads, we were to save them for her. She would clean them herself, fry them up right away and serve them with fried potatoes, treating them like a delicacy. I have been known to indulge in a meal of them on occasion and it is pretty darned good, but I haven’t enjoyed that meal since she passed.

It seems to me there are getting to be fewer bullheads in area lakes than in the past. I have to believe it has a lot to do with the amount of rough fish that are now inhabiting many of the lakes on the region. Waterville is the self-proclaimed “Bullhead Capitol of the World,” yet the number of bullheads found in Lake Tetonka seems to be diminishing a little more each year. I know that most of us treat the bullhead as a rough fish, but then I guess it’s a matter of taste.

There are some folks who have smokers, and they say that carp is really good smoked. I have a hard time imagining carp being good for anything other than garden fertilizer. They are, on the other hand, fierce fighters and a lot of fun to catch on a hook and line. I assume that my grandsons will once again be fishing in the “crick” in Twin Lakes for those carp when they start running.

I’ve fished with them a few times and it is really a rush to tie into one of those big carp in that current. I fought one for about 10 minutes before it finally broke me off. I put on a lot of walking distance up and down the banks of the creek that day.

Catching is the one thing about fishing that never gets old. It doesn’t make any difference what the species, if you are a kid or just a kid at heart, it’s all fun. There is something about fishing that always brings out the kid in this old guy. It’s a way to leave all the stress of our day-to-day lives behind and be one with nature.

You don’t have to have an expensive boat or the latest rod and reel. Some of us grew up with the old bamboo cane pole. which was what I used before I got a rod and reel. Last spring, I bought one at a sporting goods store just to revisit the past, but so far I haven’t given it a try. Shore fishing was what I did the most of as a kid and it can still be a rewarding and relaxing experience. So get ready, because hopefully it won’t be long before the ice is out and we’ll be fishing on the shore of our favorite lake or stream.

Until next time; think spring, fishing and plan to 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.

Predictions of the future have come a long way from summer carnivals, fortune tellers and crystal balls. One thing about predicting is that anyone can do it. All of us have longed to look into the future. Look at all the millions of dollars that have been spent on astrologers. Many people take them very seriously. In fact, Nancy Reagan was known to try and influence his husband’s schedule based on her astrologer’s forecast.

The science of predicting the future has become more and more enlightened this past half century and now instead of Nostradamus and people such as Criswell, we have social scientists trying to determine the future.

Futurists are employed by many Fortune 500 companies to try and predict where we as a society are headed. There are models that break down the factors that may determine the future. One such model uses the headings of Possible, Probable, Preferable and the Wild Card. That gets the Futurist off to a good start. In researching their methods a little further, I came across: what is likely to continue? What is unlikely to continue, and what is novel?

Some of you out there are wondering what does all this have to do with sports. Well, I’m going to try and take a layman’s futurist look at our Minnesota Twins and their players and where they might be headed this year.

Let’s start with Justin Morneau. His future is probably the hardest to predict. Let’s use the first axiom: what is likely to continue? Justin’s fielding of his position was good before the concession and is likely to continue to be good. His gross motor skills and reaction time do not appear to be substantially diminished. This is evidenced by his play at first base and his ability to get around on a fast ball when batting. However, we can’t be sure until after a couple of weeks or more into the schedule if his timing at the plate remains what it was. His age also contributes to his skills continuing at a high level Justin has not yet turned 30 and should be at the height of his career physiologically and, if Jim Thome is any indication, has 10 more years as a top flight hitter.

What is unlikely to continue: his aggressiveness. Most people, if they were Justin Morneau, would be more cautious and their aggressiveness at the plate and on the bases would lessen. Is this going to affect his play? I think it would. To what degree is unknown, but as time goes on and Justin becomes adjusted to his condition, his caution should lessen.

The wild card in the Morneau future analysis is whether Justin is able to conquer his natural fear of another blow to the head while batting. One positive indication has been his ability to stand in the batter’s box this spring without showing any outward signs of fear. His new batting helmet should be of help. Perhaps more importantly, Justin is a tough guy who has played some rough hockey and never backed down.

We all hope that Justin will not be injured, not so much for how that would affect the Twins, but how it would affect Morneau. It would very likely end his career as it did for former Twin Corey Koskie. And perhaps the quality of his life would diminish.

In ending this prediction, I feel that given all the above, Morneau will do well, although somewhat bothered by his injury and while not the hitter of 2010, will still be a very good asset for the Twins in 2011.

The Prairie Fire Theater and NRHEG Elementary School has announced the cast list for this year’s performance of “Tom Sawyer.” After a week of rehearsal, the play will be presented in the north gymnasium on Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. The NRHEG PTO is sponsoring the production.

Tour Actors and Directors: Rightful King of France - Chris Rosser; Aunt Polly - Ashleigh Keeran.

Family: Tom Sawyer - Will Rudau; Huckleberry Finn - Randy Anholt; Becky Thatcher - Maci Surat; Suzie Harper - Sophia Mrotz; Mrs. Thatcher - Lillian Bell; Mrs. Harper - Jillian Jongbloedt; Sidney - Riley Chicos; Hildegarde - Carma Pederson.

Townies: Townie #1 - Cecilia Torp; Townie #2 - Chris Stenzel; Townie #3 - Orin Mely; Townie #4 - Lauren Herrmann; Townie #5 - Ross Lenort. Other Townies: Anna Jacobson, Ben Witikko, Cole Staloch, Braden Routh, Mason Ferber, Jack Hogstad, Lexi Combs, Kade Reese, Skylar Lembke, Chalsea Garretson, Mia Williams, Hope VanWilgen, Sarah Johns, Lorelei Strom, Branden Howieson, Morgan Besser, Evan Reyna, Emma Klemmensen, Tali Wayne, Taytum Ihrke, Grace Lewison, Mariah Narvaez, Rebecca Peterson and Kyra Crosson.

River Rats: Roger - Payton Misgen; River Rat #1 - Erin VanWilgen; River Rat #2 - Caitlin Goette; River Rat #3 - Caty Nelson; River Rat #4 - Benjamin Lewer; River Rat #5 - Michelle Katzung. Other River Rats: Hailey Stenzel, Karenna Strom, Jazzlyn Johnson, Devin Buendorf, Tyler Jacobson, Natalie Aaseth, John Spence, Joshua Garretson, Lawren Deml, Michiah VanSyckel, Markus Misgen, Ethan Strenge, Elizabeth Karl, Sierra Johnson, Elli Baker, Mia Farr, Sydney McCamish, Jayna Domeier and Mikayla Olson.

Ghouls: Kendra Raimann, Jennifer McKay, Courtney Deml, Desiree Medrano, Makenzi Rhoades, Sophie Thompson, Kyra Possin, Mackayla Knutson, Maurya Johnson, Rachel Horejsi, Emily Crabtree and Hailey Westrum.

Bats: Kendall Crosson, Hanna Crabtree, Madison Knudson, Kaya Nelson, Avery Hill, Cambria Nissen, Kaitlyn Quimby, Nick Staloch, Thor Routh and Baily Schwartz.

Technical Crew: Rayna Crosson, Hayleigh Williams and Morgan Styke.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club meeting

“I always thought that the older I’d get, the wiser I would become.”

“It’s not working that way?”

“No, the older I get, the more tired I become. Tired must be the new wisdom.”

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: never depend upon the weather.

Things I’ve learned

1. It is difficult to finish a job that was never started.

2. Whatever doesn’t kill me only makes me stranger.

3. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.

Café chronicles

“It’s a nice morning for the break of day,” I greeted the friendly philosophers.

“That’s easy for you to say. My windshield wipers are so worn that I look at the world through a smear. I think my problems all started in junior high shop class.”

“Woodworking,” I recalled.

“I tried to build a coffee table. I couldn’t get the legs even. I kept cutting them until I realized that I wasn’t making a coffee table, I was building a serving tray. I haven’t known what I’ve been doing since.”

Picking rocks

We picked rocks on the farm. We picked more rocks than flowers. The glacier brought rocks to our farm and relied on us to move them to piles in more appropriate places than in a cornfield. I was talking about this annual task with a couple of other old farm boys. The discussion moved to the difference between a rock and a stone. One said that a rock was large and a stone small. Another said that a rock had sharp, jagged edges and stones were smooth and rounded. I put beautiful ones (rocks and stones) into my pockets for both good luck and to keep from being blown away by the wind. The glacier has gone to get more rocks.

He was ticketed for attempted speeding

It seems as though everyone is driving too fast. That’s not true. Keith Batt of Bellingham, WA told me that he pokes along at such a slow speed that a meter maid passed him in her little cart. Keith was driving at the speed of a glacier.

Spring

One day, I’m mumbling to myself, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Do you think the snow will melt by fall?” The next day, I had to hurry to shovel the snow before it melted.

When the sap circulates, the tree leaves, and it’s time to squeeze the maple trees. Spring gives the birds something to sing about and causes a plague of potholes and lawn ornaments to descend upon the land. I emerged from my winter coat like a butterfly from its chrysalis to weather filled with promise. Was I suffering from frostbite or a heat rash? Mark Twain wrote, “In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

Lightning knocked the horns off a great horned owl who didn’t give a hoot. Rain means that the grass will soon grow so tall that a cow, a dog, and two of the neighbor’s cousins visiting from Illinois will become lost in it. Almost normal people begin decapitating dandelions. They push yellow mowers through the green grass as they cuss a blue streak. We’ll soon be into the mosquitofighting season. It’s similar to bullfighting, only with more bloodshed. Stop and smell the skunk. It’s spring’s aromatherapy.

Nature notes

“Does putting Juicy Fruit gum into their tunnels eliminate moles?” This has proven ineffective in scientific tests. Moles are insectivores but apparently not gum-chewers. The use of vibrating devices to discourage moles hasn’t proven effective in scientific trials either. The presence of mole tunnels next to highways would be evidence against the effectiveness of vibrations as a deterrent. The use of mothballs to repel moles is futile.

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. I mentioned that the 2011 Annual Bluebird Expo would be on Saturday, April 16 at Cambridge High School. At the place to learn how to attract bluebirds, there will be exhibits, sales, speakers, and live birds from the Raptor Center. Speakers include Keith Radel, Jim Gilbert, and me. For more information, call 507-332-7003 or 507-210-0961.

The Holstein chewed her cud thoughtfully and said, “Dial for me. I have hooves.”

Meeting adjourned

The best way to judge another is not by what others say about that person but by what that person says about others.

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

In the absence of Mayor Routh, Acting Mayor Kyle Reed opened the scheduled public hearing on the capital improvement plan. All other council members were present.

Shannon Sweeny of David Drown & Associates was present to explain the bonding procedure. Financing the city hall roof will not exceed $110,000. The city has the option to finance the project at a seven year term through a micro loan program, which would require the city to finance $35,000 internally due to the Capital Improvement Plan that limits the city to 0.16 percent of the taxable market value. The second option would be to finance the project through a General Obligations Capital Improvement Plan bond issued through David Drown & Associates, which would cost the city $4000 more in issuance cost but would eliminate the $35,000 internal financing. The council will make their decision at the April 5th council meeting. Reed asked if the audience had any comments on the proposed financing. No one wished to be heard.

The council voted to adopt a five-year capital improvement plan pursuant to Minnesota Statute Chapter 475.521.

The council then adopted resolution 2011-6 declaring the official intent of the city to reimburse certain expenditure from the proceeds of bonds to be issued by the city.

Resolution 2011-7 was agreed upon giving preliminary approval for the issuance of the city’s general obligation capital improvement plan bonds in an amount not to exceed $110,000 and adopting the City of Hartland Capital Improvement Plan 2011-2015.

Acting Mayor Reed closed the public hearing and called the regular meeting to order. Past meeting minutes were approved

The council next instructed the fire department to put the fire truck up for bids.

Council members decided to issue a change order extending the completion date of the city hall roof to April 15, 2011.

The council accepted a proposal from Johnson Heating and Air to move plumbing fixtures in city hall at the amount of $6,289.00.

Council instructed the city clerk to look at different options to launch a city website.

Lara Chicos motioned to approve resolution 2011-5 supporting Freeborn County grant application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Legacy Grant. Linda Pederson advanced; motion failed with Neal Batt and Kyle Reed voting no.

The bills paid during the month of February 2011 were approved.

The council approved payment to Jones, Haugh and Smith in the amount of $1,240 for design, plans and specifications for city hall roof.

Neal Batt motioned to approve the reimbursement of $1,531.67 to Brandon Flatness in the expense of retrieving the new fire truck from Arizona. Lara Chicos advanced; motion carried.

Council tabled the discussion of new Christmas lighting.

It was announced that the city-wide rummage sales will take place on April 30 from 7 a.m. to Noon.

Lara Chicos informed the council that she has been in contact with the NRHEG School regarding joining the little league program with New Richland, Ellendale and Geneva. They informed Lara that Hartland’s little league team would still be able to select their coach and be able to play against New Richland, Ellendale, Geneva and Alden. Lara will request more information regarding uniforms and equipment.

The council voted to have council meetings start at 6:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.

The council requested the city clerk to include little league signup, animal shot clinic, dog licensing and notice of time change of council meetings to 6:30 p.m. in the April newsletter.

Neal Batt motioned to allow city clerk to attend MCFOA conference in March and MCFOA training seminar in July, sharing the cost with the City of Hayward. Lara Chicos advanced; motion carried.

Neal Batt motioned to allow Mayor Routh to attend Legislative Conference in March. Lara Chicos advanced; motion carried.

The scurs had it goin’ on again last week, although the rain predicted for Monday took a day off until Tuesday. What’s in store for this go round? Starting Wednesday, cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Highs of 35 and lows around 20. Partly cloudy Thursday and Friday with highs of 30 – 35 and lows of 20. Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy on Saturday with a chance of rain changing to snow. Highs of 35 and lows around 20. Mostly cloudy on Sunday with a slight chance of snow. Highs once again of 35 and lows near 25. Monday, partly cloudy with a high around 40 and lows of 30. Mostly cloudy on Tuesday with another possible round of a rain/snow mix. Highs around 35 and lows near 25. The normal high for March 26th is 46 and the normal low is 26. The scurs will be patching their five-buckle overshoes to prepare for whatever the weather throws at us.

Spring finally showed its face last week and, as predicted, the fields largely cleared once again. Local rivers and streams are up, yet perhaps not as much as they might’ve been had we not experienced the thaw back in February. The snow that’s left is in the fencelines and around building sites. Frost depth was quite variable around the yard at the ranch already on Friday. Had wondered why the birds had taken a shine to the south facing slope south of the house. Took the divining rod out to check and sure enough, the frost was out there! Around the rest of the yard it was more variable, ranging from 2” – 4” down on the north facing slopes yet. After Sunday’s .28” rain, it was down to 4” – 6” deep. It won’t be long now and it will leave. The frost is officially out at the SROC in Waseca as of this past Monday. One thing that is a little curious is the amount of ice yet on some of the small, shallow wetlands such as ours. In the February thaw, some of those same wetlands were full of water yet largely free of ice.

What a week of wondering for seeing signs of spring in the bird department! Killdeers were present on Tuesday the 15th shortly after chores were done. So were flocks of grackles winging their way north to points unknown. Wonder where they all wind up? While the frost is out of the hillside at home, there apparently aren’t many earthworms yet with the cool temperatures. The crabapples were picked clean in a matter of a couple days by the robins and red-winged blackbirds. Wonder why they like the one tree so much better than the other one? Juncos appeared in large numbers, making me wonder if we weren’t seeing them begin moving through to the north. House finches and chipping sparrows were back in force, making me wonder if perhaps they are the summer residents at the ranch. Bald eagles have been common this spring east of Bugtussle with some reporting numbers as high as 18. There were two right down the road from the ranch feasting on a road kill deer left over from January. Made me wonder if they’d pick off a small lamb given the opportunity. Good thing perhaps that the snow hasn’t melted off the fence. Over the weekend, rooster pheasants were being seen in full breeding plumage, their red wattles making them easy to pick out from a brown background. Wonder if the rooster who has set up shop on the edge of the yard is one of Little Jerry’s grandsons? Sandhill cranes were in the neighborhood too. They were heard on Saturday morning, but their dull gray color made seeing them against a drab landscape difficult. Sunday night they were seen on the wing, setting down somewhere near the wetland and continuing their telltale call. Makes me wonder if they were the same two that were seen near the pond last fall. Monday afternoon on the way home to bottle lamb patrol, two great blue herons were spotted over the golf course. Made me wonder where they’d go if the weather took the sudden turn-for-the-worse forecast.

Took a nature walk to see how the trees and shrubs around the place had survived the winter. There was surprisingly little rabbit damage this time around and even the black chokeberries escaped relatively unscathed. While the arborvitae had been singed a little, there were only two out of the new planting that needed to be replaced. Everything else survived very well. Time will tell on the peach tree. Some new crabapples are on the slate for this spring and that’s good news after seeing how many birds used them over the course of winter and early spring, including the pheasants.

It is good to look around the yard and see the shrunken snow banks under the apple trees that were pruned a few weeks ago. There’s no way they could be pruned without a ladder and pole saw now. Seeing a little green grass reminds me that it won’t be long or at least not long enough and the lawnmower will have to be dealt with. Gazing at it in the garage the other day it appeared to be listing to one side. Indeed it was. One of the rear tires had decided to go flat as a pancake over the course of the winter. Another project to add to an already overloaded fixit schedule.

Doing it all the other day while muttering epithets under my breath, it amazes me how everyone, including my little fat buddies, suddenly desert me when I utter the words “unload hay.” About the only help I got was from Ruby and it’s pretty hard to qualify that as help. Maybe she will be more help with the straw that needs to be hauled to sop up some of the weather in store for us. I doubt it. It’s much more fun to get as wet and muddy as possible before going to the house. She’s pretty easy to clean up though. Let her dry off for a little bit first, tell her to jump in the tub, which she does without hesitation, and rinse her off with the handheld shower while she stands there. This time of year, many moms would probably like to know my secret for use on their kids. All I can say is speak softly but firmly, reward them with lots of praise when they stand still for you, towel them off well, then give ‘em a hug and a dog biscuit when you’re done. Works for me.

See you next week…real good then.

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

A cross-section of Waseca County was well represented at the Southern Research Outreach Center on Friday morning, March 11 as a community speak-out for biobusiness recruitment was conducted.

In attendance were former Congressman Tim Penny, State Representative Kory Kath, Waseca County Board Chair Mike Hintz, mayors or councilpersons from every city in the county, and many others with a wealth of experience in government, education or business.

“We were so pleased to have such a fantastic turnout,” said Amy Nelson, County Community Growth Initiative Coordinator.

The main purpose of the breakfast meeting was for the group to become familiar with the excellent potential the Southern Minnesota area has in the development of new biobusinesses. Examples of similar new businesses were outlined in the Worthington and Willmar areas, both of which have been successful.