If there’s one thing you can count on from the NRHEG High School girls’ track and field team this spring, it’s that Hailey Schuller will score a lot of points.

The junior did it again at the Maple River Invitational Thursday, April 23, placing in the top three in four events while leading the Panthers to a fourth-place finish.

“Hailey paced us again,” said coach Duey Ferber. “She always seems to be in the top three.”

Schuller won the 100-meter high hurdles in 16.98 seconds, was second in the 300 hurdles in 52.39 and third in the long jump at 13-7.5. She combined with Maddie Wagner, Gretchen Ramaker and Marnie Wagner for second in the 4x200 relay with a time of 1:54.11.

Last week was another good one for the NRHEG High School baseball team.

The Panthers went 2-1 while improving their record to 5-2 on the season, 4-1 in the Gopher Conference.

NRHEG opened the week with a tough 4-3 loss at Medford Monday, but bounced back to beat Zumbrota-Mazeppa 13-3 Thursday at Legion Field and win 10-3 at Blooming Prairie Friday.

Medford 4, NRHEG 3

The Panthers fell as the winning run scored from third on a pickoff attempt at second base in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Trevor Tracy started on the mound and went the route for NRHEG, allowing three earned runs on two hits, with two strikeouts and no walks.

There’s no question where the strength has been so far for the NRHEG boys’ track and field team.

It’s in the throws.

The weight men had another strong showing at last Thursday’s Maple River Invitational, placing first, second and fifth in the shot put and discus.

“It was another good night for our throwers,” said coach Duey Ferber.

Also continuing to shine was the 4x800-meter relay team, which came within three seconds of a school record.

Minnesota Valley Lutheran won the meet, totaling 175 points. Following: Maple River 144.33. USC/AC 103.33, NRHEG 88, Madelia-Truman 43.33, Mankato Loyola 1.

The NRHEG High School boys’ golf team competed twice in recent action, at the Blooming Prairie Invitational Saturday, April 18 and at the USC Invitational Thursday, April 23 at Oak View Golf Course.

The Panthers did not field a full squad at Blooming Prairie, where Cannon Falls took the top spot with 327 strokes for 18 holes. Following were USC with 344, Kasson-Mantorville 361, Hayfield 361, JWP 374, Alden-Conger 393, Lyle/Austin Pacelli 492. Blooming Prairie did not have a full team.

Jake Langlie led the Panthers with a 99, good for 25th place individually. Nick Shultz shot 117 to finish in a tie for 38th.

Sarah Underwood, age 95, passed away March 31, 2015, at Traditions II, in Owatonna. Funeral service will be 11 am Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd.) with the Rev. Katherine Gibson Christensen presiding. There will be a one hour visitation prior to the funeral starting at 10 am. Interment will be at Owatonna Memorial Gardens.  

Sarah E.O. Underwood was born July 30th 1919 just north of Leland, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Sarah (Holtan) Haugen. Her mother Sarah Haugen died shortly after her birth. Her Aunt Tilda cared for her and the household duties, while her father Peter worked the farm. A few years later Peter and Tilda married. They had a son Truman Haugen. Sarah attended school in Leland Iowa, and Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. After college she taught Country School in rural Winnebago County. On October 1, 1939 she married C. Duane Underwood, whom she met in Forest City, Ia.

Last chance to reserve your 2014-2015 NRHEG Senior High Yearbook! Order online at www.jostensyearbooks.com or with Mrs. Schumacher at the high school. Cost is $55 and the last day to order is May 15. Don't delay.

The Ellendale Area Heritage Society has put up a display of Ellendale at the Steele County History Building.

It includes histories of past and present businesses and artifacts that represent them.  The categories that are covered include farming, early history and railroad, businesses, civic, school, churches, medicine and recreation.

The History Center is on Austin Road in Owatonna, on the south end of the Village of Yesteryear. This display is open for viewing now and the hours are: T, W, F from 10-4; Thurs. 10-8; Sat. 10-3; Sun. & Mon. closed.  Admission: S.C.H.S. members free, adults $5 and youth 7-16 $3.

Come and see what you remember from Ellendale’s past or add to what we remember!

The next Ellendale Area Heritage Society meeting will be May 2 at 9 a.m. at Whispering Oak, second floor. Come and join us!

The Nortonna Lodge 1-638 of the Sons of Norway will hold its annual Syttende Mai dinner on Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 South Lincoln Ave, Owatonna. 

Dinner will feature Norwegian smoked herring, torsk, meatballs, potatoes, vegetables, lefse, and Norwegian cookies and rice pudding. We will hold a silent auction of various Norwegian items before and during the dinner. During the dinner we will enjoy music performed by the OHS Dinner Ensemble. These talented musicians will play a selection of traditional and popular pieces for an evening of listening pleasure. 

Tickets for this Syttende Mai dinner and program are available by contacting Phyllis Hegle at 429-7325 by May 12, 2014.

If you would like more information on the Nortonna Lodge of the Sons of Norway contact Jim Otteson at 507-456-0674 or Nina Zak at 507-451-5841.

We look forward to the all the great sunshine spring and summer provides us. It is important for the growth of beautiful flowers, green grass and quality crops. It also  makes us feel good and of course gives us that lush tan that says, "Healthy," or is it healthy?

Yes, we do need some sun. Vitamin D is an important part of our life but how much, when and how is another question. My mother never gave it a thought in regards to how much sun she was getting until the doctor informed her that the red spot on her nose could be cancerous.

Now, when I look at my mother, or she looks at herself in the mirror, we are reminded that just casual rays from the sun can be a threat.

Cases of melanoma, skin cancer, which is the deadliest form of cancer, have doubled since the 1970s and are continuing to grow. Yes, we think that tanned skin is beautifu,l but it can also be deadly. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and one in five Americans will develop the disease.

You’re smart, you've read all the information about cancer and many have worked hard to help friends who have acquired the disease.  But do we really worry about what it can do until it attacks us? Pay attention to your skin.

Sunburn is more than a momentary misery one may suffer from too much time in the sun. Even a tan damages our skin. The least of ones worries is that the UVA rays can penetrate to the skin’s second layer, damaging callagen and creating wrinkles. Even brief UV exposure can lead to the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma. What starts out looking like a pimple may be the start of something much more dangerous.

So what do we do? Sunscreen, good sunscreen with ingredients like Avobenzone and Oxybenzone, or zinc oxide, can help protect us from UVB and UVA rays. Most people don't put on enough sunscreen, and as a result, they don't get the SPF coverage that is listed on the product. Picking a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating is a good idea.

Don't think that applying sunscreen once or twice a day, like brushing your teeth, is enough. People need to slather it on every couple of hours, or sooner, especially if you are sweating or are in and out of the water frequently.

If you use the type of sunscreen that you can spray on, you will need to hold the bottle close to your body when spritzing it on, and then rub it in well. Your skin should look as if it is wet after it is applied. 

It is also important to remember to protect your ears and neck areas too, as well as the backside of your hands, which are easy to forget.

If possible, people should try and avoid being out in the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. As much as you would like to stay out in the sun, it is important for your health to spend at least part of the day in the shade or indoors.

In short, pick a good sunscreen, use plenty of it, and reapply often. It is also a good idea to take some breaks from the sun’s rays and find a nice shady area for a break.

My Grandmother wasn't so dumb when she wore my grandpa’s long-sleeved shirt and a wide brimmed straw hat while she was outdoors working in her flower and vegetable gardens or mowing the lawn. 

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Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, 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.  Also if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me. 

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share 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.

This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thursday, April 30th: Nancy Williams, Jeff Misgen, Paul Moen, Dawn Cooper, Kevin Cooper, Jonathon Lein, Karey Dufresne, Judah Ashton, Jonathon Lein, Rick & Melonie Miller

• Friday, May 1st: Carter Levi Titus, Jim Hanson, Shirley Pichner Helgeson, Christopher "Critter" Johnson, his 13th; Luke Dobberstein, Gene Budach, Sandi Otto Glenn, Richard Helmers, Sue Kasper Anderson, Tim Kasper, Norma Long, Cari Jensen, Thomas Van Riper, Veronica & Jim Graif, Heidi & Ryan Baldwin

• Saturday, May 2nd: Shayna Kress and Tyler Kress, their 5th; Jack Benjamin Owen, his 6th; Diane Smith, Ted Radke, Jill Goodnature Kubicek, Bonnie Shaunce, Stephanie Corey, DeWayne Farr, Nolin Joe Simmons, his 10th; Joshua Nicholas Paulsen, his 12th; Roger Anderson, Gerald & Mildred Flugum, Dean & Carolyn Wangen

• Sunday, May 3rd: Jase Dean Knudson, his 6th; Cassidy Worrell, Fern Possin, Justin Robertson, Dale Dulas, Wayne Dobberstein, Anthony Brandt, Merle Bartness Leah (Ruth) & William (Bill) Scott, their 5th

• Monday, May 4th: Joyce Wayne, Angie Worrell Aaseth, Daniel Knudson, Kenneth Schumacher, Charles Wangsness, Keith Miller, Shirley Draayer Anderson, Dean Heskett, Thad Tuttle, Leslie Ray Farr, her 12th; Jessica Marcus, Julia Elizabeth Rye, her 7th, Brooklyn Cecila Strand, her 10th, Melonie Butler, Lexi Jo Brandstad, her 13th

• Tuesday, May 5th:  Mckenzie Lynn Jensen, her 14th; Alexis Janning, his 14th; Jeff Draayer, Shirley Jensen, Melody Krenke, Ron Langlie, Ryan Larson, Shirley Swearingen, Amber Obermoller, Dennis Sauke, Martin Whelan, John & Lucille Nechanicky, Tim & Jolene Sorenson, Kevin & Annie Avery

• Wednesday, May 6th: Amelia Elizabeth Peterson, 2011; Caleb Scott Harpel, his 15th; Brad Borchert, Tracy Haddy, Cheryl Nelson, Iris Jensen, Brandon Wallace, Bill Vavra, Tim Wilker, Jennifer & Michael Vetsch, their 15th, Bill & Judith Hatch, Everett & Marian Camp

• Thursday, May 7th: Brody Hanson, Brian Jensen, John Snyder, Nancy Swearingen Grant, Brian Johnson, Heidi & Jason Owen, their 10th, Bryan & Diane Brighton, Heidi (Crabtree) & Jason Owen, their 10th

• Friday, May 8th: Grace Carol Jean Riskedahl, her 3rd; Olivia Kay Smith, her 9th; Kristina Follien, Marguerite Christensen Nelson, Ronald Wangsness, Elizabeth Bremer, Sandy Neubauer

Wishing you sunshine and flowers and many, wonderful days ahead.

The opening of the state walleye season is fast approaching and as I have for the past 20 years I am anxiously anticipating attending the Governor’s Fishing Opener. This year’s event will be held on Lake Vermillion and will be hosted by the Minnesota Department of Tourism and some of the Lake Vermilion area residents.

On every opener I look forward to seeing old acquaintances and making new ones. This year will be a little different because my friend Jeff Anderson of Watertown South Dakota will not be attending. We have been fishing together on the opener for several years so it will seem a little different without him being there. If I catch any fish worth mentioning I will have to make sure that I let him know.

Each year a different location is chosen to host this event and promote their particular area of the state. When an area is chosen to host this event it is not without a lot of hard work by area volunteers. They work hand in hand with the fine folks from the department of tourism to make their event special. The whole objective of this event is to promote Minnesota tourism as a whole and to bring vacationers to their area of the state.

Lake Vermilion itself is a large, beautiful body of water that offers great fishing and just about anything a person would want for outdoor recreation. Over the years I have fished many different lakes on the opener and each area has its own unique personality. I can’t really say which opener was my favorite because each one had something different to offer. If I judged each one by numbers of fish caught I would only have a handful to pick from. I can’t remember ever being totally skunked on an opener, but there have been some lean times when even catching a perch seemed like an accomplishment. Fishing the opener in Bemidji was definitely the coldest one I can remember with Park Rapids right behind because we fished a lake that still had ice on half of it.

Of all the openers that I personally remember fondly it had to be Crane Lake, not only for its magnificent beauty but for the experience. The host that Jeff and I fished with that particular day took us on an 80-mile adventure. He showed us the native drawings on the face of cliffs and told about much of the history of the lake. He then asked if we wanted to see more of the area. On this particular day there was a rain/snow mix coming down with an occasional blast of corn snow peppering us. He had a cover on his 22-ft Crestliner boat so we were pretty much out of the elements when we headed out across Crane Lake into Namikan Lake and across to Kettle Falls where we portaged into the Rainy River. To me, seeing all of that beautiful wilderness was the experience of a lifetime. The day was topped off when the sun greeted us upon our return to Crane Lake where we fished at the mouth of the Vermilion River. I was rewarded by being able to land a nice walleye at days end. I have often wondered; what if we had fished there all day instead of doing what we did; would we have caught our limit? Looking back; I wouldn’t have traded the experience that I had that day for two limits of walleye. There are times when the outdoor experience means much more than just catching fish and this was one of those times.

If waiting until Saturday, May 9, for the walleye opener seems like an exercise in extreme patience, an entirely different type of fishing can be found after a short hike to the bank of a Southeastern Minnesota trout stream. 

“The Minnesota stream trout opener was this past Saturday, April 18, and the southeastern part of the state is an angler’s paradise for anyone willing to park the boat and do some walking and wading,” said Vaughn Snook, Lanesboro assistant area fisheries manager with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “The area has more than 700 miles of designated trout streams.”

Anglers can find all three of Minnesota’s trout species in southeastern streams: brook trout, the only native species; brown trout, the most abundant, with reports of 30-inch monsters caught each year; and rainbow trout, stocked in catchable sizes where angling pressure is high.

Places to fish in the southeast also are ample. With 221 miles of angler easements – land along streams that’s privately owned but open for fishing – access to trout streams is readily available. State parks such as Whitewater, Forestville Mystery Cave and Beaver Creek Valley also provide quality cold-water angling opportunities.

The DNR publishes a booklet of maps highlighting where to access streams in the southeast. The maps also are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us by clicking on Southern Minnesota maps.

I had a person ask me the other day if you could keep crappies and sunfish now and if so, why is it called the opener when it is only for walleye and northern? I told her that perch, crappie, sunfish and bullhead are open year-round. That was actually a good question and with different seasons for different species and with all the different slot limits for different lakes I can see where someone could get confused.

Until next time, it’s a great time to catch some of those tasty panfish and enjoy the outdoors at the same time.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.