Darrol Herbert Sponberg died on Friday March 25, 2016 at the New Richland Care Center where he was loved and cared for by a wonderful staff. He was 83 years old.

Darrol was born on September 23, 1932 on the Sponberg farm, homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1871, to Herbert and Lucille (Olson) Sponberg. He attended country school and New Richland High School. He graduated from Tucson, AZ High School where the family moved to because of his sister’s health. Later, he was made an honorary member of the New Richland Class of 1950.

He attended college at the University of Minnesota Farm Campus for only a short time because his parents were injured in a traffic accident and he was needed to help on the farm. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and served in Korea toward the end of the war.

Viola E. Henkensiefken, age 79 of Waseca died on Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Janesville Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.

 Born on July 14, 1936 in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Henry and Tillie (Stenson) Dobberstein. She attended Waldorf High School.  Viola married Emerson Henkensiefken on June 28, 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. She had worked primarily as a homemaker and farm wife, but had also worked at Birdseye, the Waseca Eagles Club, Yellow Mushroom, and the Waseca Senior Center. Viola enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, baking, gardening, and playing cards. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca where she was active with Ladies Aid, quilters, and taught Sunday School. She was also a past member of the Waseca Eagles and American Legion Auxiliary.

The scurs and the Weather Eye received hate mail after Friday night’s snowfall event. Will they get more hate mail after Wednesday or will it be June all of a sudden? Starting Wednesday, cloudy with a good chance of rain changing to snow in the forenoon. Highs in the mid-30’s with lows in the low 20’s. Thursday, mostly cloudy with a slight chance of a rain-snow mix. Highs in the low 30’s with lows in the low 20’s. Cloudy Friday with a modest chance of a rain-snow mix by evening. Highs in the low 40’s with lows in the low 30’s. Saturday, mostly cloudy with a modest chance of rain and snow showers. Highs in the low 40’s with lows in the mid-20’s. Mostly sunny Sunday with highs in the low 40’s and lows in the upper 20’s. Monday, sunny and warmer with highs in the mid-40’s with lows in the mid-30’s. Continued sunny skies for Tuesday with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the mid-30’s. The normal high for March 27th is 46 and the normal low is 27. The sun will rise once again at 7 a.m. on the 29th, the same as it did back on February 24th. What the…? The scurs are thinking that the only good thing about it is that it’s “free.”

The Full Moon for the month of March will occur on the 23rd and is known by several names. The Full Worm Moon is common as it’s in this moon that earthworms make their way to the surface and begin leaving their casts as well as providing food for hungry robins and other birds. It also goes by the Full Sap Moon for the sap running in the maple trees boiled down to make maple syrup. The Ojibwe called this the Snow Crust Moon and the Sioux, the Moon When Buffalo Cows Drop Their Calves. At the ranch, it is The Moon of Wet Stinky Border Collies. 

Not much progress towards planting season was made this past week. The Friday snowfall varied across the area with up to 7” reported by Betsy’s dad northwest of Bugtussle, 5” reported in Bugtussle proper and about 3” at the ranch. It melted down to about .27” of liquid equivalent precipitation at the ranch. It was apparent too that the snowfall amount was greater in Bugtussle than at the ranch as the snow on the north sides of buildings and trees took longer to melt off as Monday wore on. Fields also remained shiny so any notion of fieldwork was quickly put to rest. The ground Monday morning was frozen solid however allowing one last chance for manure hauling if need be. I did notice some corn being planted the other day, however. A squirrel was busily planting kernel after kernel in the yard. Apparently he was unaware that crop insurance coverage doesn’t kick in until April 11th. 

Around the ranch the flora and fauna are starting to come to life. Pocket gophers are building mounds in the pasture. The buds on the lilac are swollen as are those on the maple trees. The rhubarb continues to ever so slowly break dormancy while the chipmunks and striped gophers pick up the seed spilled nearby from the barrage of house sparrows. A brown creeper was checking the ash trees for insects on Wednesday. A cardinal graced us with his song on occasion over the weekend at the ranch although I think he lives at neighbor David’s as the song emanates from there most frequently. Rooster pheasants can be heard crowing across the landscape with numerous hens residing in the CRP here. A Harris’s sparrow was seen on Saturday, earlier than what I’ve come to expect, making me wonder if the weather will suddenly break, bringing the orioles and hummingbirds with it. One can always hope.

Got the last apple tree pruned on Sunday. The Fireside tree has about 25 years under its belt, so it’s a fully mature tree. It also avoided being pruned for a few years a while back, so it takes some time even though I’ve been religious about it for roughly 15 years. This was a major pruning, although if something happens to the tree, it can be replaced. A lot of wood came off of it so that should keep my supply for grilling stocked for quite some time. It should also help protect my melon from being bruised during mowing and allow the headphones to remain on my head. Both the Haralson and the Fireside are pruned to the point that not much reaching is required to pick most of the apples. That’s the way it should be. When in doubt, take it out.

We’re over three-fourths done with the lambing. We’ve been at it a month now and it has gone by fairly quickly. We lambed during some of the warmest conditions I can recall for February and March to the point that some of the lambs were dropped outside rather than in the barn. Doesn’t help matters that the ewes are convinced there’s enough grass to make it worth grazing the pasture already. We had a set of triplets born out of a black or natural colored ewe born in the feedlot. Luckily it was about 50 degrees with no rain. There were two white lambs and one black lamb. The black gene is a recessive that shows up here when the ewe and the ram each carry at least one of the recessive alleles. If one or the other carry both as in the case of the black ewes, it increases the odds. White wool of course was selected for as it would take dyes better resulting in more vivid colors. The black lamb was a buck of course but our plan is to hang onto him and use him on a select group of ewes to see if we replenish our black ewes supply. They’re always a conversation piece and more than once we’re told by passersby that they look for the black ewes interspersed on the hillside. Oddly enough when asked how many they would like, we get no takers.

Auntie Mar Mar came to visit on Sunday and brought with her a batch of bars made from a new recipe. She had us guessing what kind of berries the bars were made of, though, after previously making blueberry and raisin bars. Turned out these were made from aronia berries that she’d gotten from someone at work. Just so happens we have a whole row of them about 100’ long. Since there’s nothing else to eat back there when I mow the windbreak, I snack on the berries. They pucker you up, but they’re supposed to be good for you, containing lots of antioxidants. When a little sugar is added and they’re substituted into a bar recipe, they become a culinary delight. Can’t wait to see what happens when Mar Mar decides to work her magic on an aronia pie recipe. Even more of a good thing made even better with a little ice cream.  

See you next week…real good then.

There is a group of 6th-grade girls currently waging a peaceful protest at lunch. They felt they were being treated unfairly in when they were allowed to get in the lunch line, so they all started bringing cold lunch. They’ve kept this up for over a week, though I’m not sure it will have any impact if/when they decide to eat hot lunch again. Still, their tenacity is admirable.

This current protest reminded me of one we tried when I was in middle school. It seemed like we had nuggets of some kind at least once a week, if not more. That year we experienced nuggets from chicken, turkey, pizza, ham and cheese, and even fish. My grade had had enough. We picked a day and said we were all eating hot lunch, but then brought forth our cold lunches once we reached the cafeteria. The cooks and administration were furious at our deception; after all, that was a lot of food that went to waste. However, our point had been made, and the number of times nuggets appeared on our trays went down significantly.

We all have things we don’t like, but most of us are content to vent to our family, friends, and co-workers without actually doing much to effect change. To organize a protest takes work and dedication along with buy-in from everyone you are trying to involve. If you think you’re going to have 25 people for an event and only eight show up, the impact will be significantly less. Do all these potential protestors want to put themselves out there? Do they really believe that strongly in the cause?

We’ve seen an increasing number of protests in the news lately. It seems like there are some folks who are so eager to get their 15 minutes of fame that they will find something to shout about in a loud fashion. The Black Lives Matter protests seem to have simmered down lately, but they were splashed in the news pages and television programs for a long time. As I’ve written before in this space, getting bent out of shape every time some delinquent threatens a police officer and gets shot for it seems to be an overreaction. Study the facts before running out with picket signs.

And these protests that should be peaceful, protests which our Constitution allows us to do, too often escalate into violence when every Tom, Dick, and Harry get wind of it and decide it’s a good opportunity to run rampant and do stupid things without repercussions. “If I’m part of this large group and shout something inflammatory or shove someone and get things started, I can sit back and watch the wanton mayhem,” seems to be the thought process of some. I wonder how many people at some of these BLM protests actually believe in the cause.

Then there are the protestors against our presidential candidates. I haven’t really formed a strong opinion on who will receive my vote in November, but I know this much. Donald Trump is a blowhard and Hillary Clinton is shifty, but they have put themselves out there to run for the highest office in the land. You don’t have to like them or respect them; it seems hard to do with either one, but to incite rage and violence because you disagree with them seems foolish. It’s possible to plan a protest and let people know how you feel without anger entering the arena. Work hard to convince others that this person is not the right person for the job.

You know, to protest something is a great gift in our country, but people just have to remember to follow some rules. We have many freedoms in the United States, but the right to assemble and protest something does not give you the right to disobey other laws. A well-organized protest can have a profound impact. Social media is so ubiquitous that it’s a great place to make others aware of the event. Checking with local officials about area laws that might apply, such as the use of amplified sound, is vital to keep everything peaceable. Letting the media know is always a good thing, as long as you don’t plan on acting foolish as soon as the cameras are turned on.

Look at the lunchroom examples from earlier. While my grade didn’t check on rules and ended up angering people, we ended up getting what we wanted. Still, I have a feeling we could’ve gotten the lunch menu changed without going as far as we did. The current group of 6th graders is following the rules, they have let the powers that be know what they are doing, and they are not acting crazy about it. Will they get what they are seeking? Only time will tell!

Word of the Week: This week’s word is demotic, which means relating to common people, as in, “The demonstration struck a chord with the demotic population and quickly gained support.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Spencer Tollefson, a 2015 graduate of NRHEG High School, was a member of the Rochester Community and Technical College men’s basketball team that recently finished second in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament.

RCTC finished with a record of 30-3, advancing to nationals after winning the Region XIII championship.

Tollefson, a three-sport standout for NRHEG, saw most of his playing time early in the season, averaging from five to 10 minutes per game. His playing time decreased after a teammate returned from an injury. He averaged about three points per game.

“It was a fun season, I guess,” said Tollefson. “It was a lot of work.”

Did you know that Tuesday, March 8, 2016 was National Pancake Day? I’m not referring to stalling an airplane and letting the plane drop flat to make a pancake landing — I’m referring to what the Sommers brothers of Ellendale fame and Dennis Brue of Albert Lea are known for flipping as you watch while your taste buds salivate in anticipation.

On Sunday, March 6, Senior Resources of Albert Lea scheduled their fundraiser brunch-breakfast at Bayview in Albert Lea. Surprisingly, the main entrée was pancakes flipped by Dennis Brue.

I’m not sure if any of the Senior Resources board members knew it was the week of National Pancakes or not. Either way, it was very successful with about 400 served.

Members of the Senior Resources board, employers and family members kept things flowing smoothly. If you left with your tummy not fully expanded, it was your own fault. 

It was a pleasure to watch the workers perform as a team. Everyone had their own job, whether it was taking donations, serving food, pouring beverages, seating, or just making the event enjoyable.

Molly Lund, Maggie Lund, Shelby Evans, Kaylee Evans and Mallory Evans were the five school-age young ladies bussing the tables and keeping the seating area organized (to those of you who follow basketball, they were the “fab five”). I wonder where the five learned their great work ethic, as they really kept things running smoothly.

It took me a while to figure out what the job of Todd Domke was just standing by Wayne Indrelie as we went through the line. Finally, a light-bulb answer: “Todd’s job was to portion-control the amount of bologna Wayne was dishing out.”

Many thanks to Todd and staff at Bayview for the use of the facility. 

Onto another “hello spring, good bye winter” event. Some people called this a prime example of cabin fever. Central Freeborn Lutheran Church of rural Albert Lea had a “guess when the snow on the west side of the parking lot would all be gone” contest. The contest was sponsored by F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God) with the winner receiving a DQ ice cream cake. The guessing ended after church on Sunday, March 6.

The weather turned unseasonably warm the next day (March 7). T’was then the security camera showed lots of car activity driving in to look at how much snow was left.

As of this writing, there is some snow left with the vehicle activity greatly increased per the security camera. Genie guessed March 10, and I guessed April 6. As of this writing, Genie is out and I’m still in the contest.

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. 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. Bob says if you enjoy his column, 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.

Echoes From the Loafers’ Club Meeting

I'm trying to lose 20 pounds by my birthday.

How many pounds do you have to go?

Twenty-seven.

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: A man of few words is a man without grandchildren. I’m growing taller. I know, because each time I bend down to tie my shoes, the shoelaces are farther away. If there is no airport in your town, are you living in Neverland?

The cafe chronicles

He was under the influence of gravy. He didn't tip with money. He left 15 percent of his mashed potatoes uneaten.

He gave me a birthday gift. It was a burlap bag. He grinned and said, "For the man who has everything, here’s a bag to keep it in."

He asked if I had a motto. I don’t. I don’t even have a tattoo. I asked him if he had a motto. I figured he did or he wouldn't have asked. His was, "Whatever."

He was thinking of getting a tattoo of the same.

Fred Rogers, Mister Rogers of children’s TV fame, said, "I believe that appreciation is a holy thing — that when we look for what's best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something sacred." 

To nearly quote Mr. Rogers, "Thanks for being my neighbor."

That would make a fine tattoo.

The news from Hartland

The Taste of Hartland Festival has been discontinued after two inches of street pavement was eaten.

County commissioner runs on the platform that if elected, he will diaper all Canada geese.

A traveling man

We were coming back from somewhere and on our way to somewhere else. We’d been good, so we decided to reward ourselves with ice cream. We stopped at a Dairy Queen. I had a small vanilla cone. My bride had a blizzard. We have weather events now. In the winter, the event is usually a blizzard. We’re told that we’re getting more blizzards than in the past. Maybe it’s because Dairy Queen is making them.

I’d been hit with a case of lethologica as I walked a breakwater on Lake Superior. Lethologica is the inability to recall a precise word for something. I searched for the perfect word to describe Lake Superior. Perhaps none exists. A tourist brochure claimed that Lake Superior resembles a wolf’s head facing west. It added that the lake contains 10 percent of the Earth’s fresh water, enough water to cover the land of North and South America with a foot of water.

It was a wagon train

I liked the old cowboy movies in black-and-white. I especially enjoyed those featuring wagon trains. A scout would ride ahead to see what was over the hill. I've always appreciated people who are willing to do that. 

I drove out of a busy downtown parking ramp. It was slow going. My vehicle had been parked on the fourth level. The ramp was packed and everyone wanted to leave at the same time. Backup lights were abundant and drivers antsy. I let some autos get in line ahead of me. It was the polite thing to do, but I wondered how many I should allow. Those parked in the reserved spaces butted their way into line. I’m not sure if it was rudeness or experience. I let seven ahead of me in three floors. The other 63 put themselves in front of me. Seven seemed like an appropriate number as I, too, was in a hurry. I had an appointment. I barely made it on time, but I knew that everybody else had dirt to scratch, too. I feel I let in enough, yet, I think I should have let more cut in ahead of me. I could have pretended they were scouts.

Nature notes

"Do birds have belly buttons?" An egg has a cord inside that attaches the developing embryo to the yolk sac. Instead of umbilical cord scars, birds have yolk sac scars at hatching, residual scars where the cord had been. The avian equivalent of a belly button is evident on a nestling. As the bird develops, that area becomes more compact, the scar fades and there is nothing to be seen of that scar on an adult.    

Meeting adjourned

"Why kindness works. Kindness has pure intentions. Kindness is given freely. Kindness leaves a lasting legacy." — Ron Cooper

"God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it." Those were the words of Bishop Bruce Ough, who recently visited at United Methodist Church in Ellendale. 

It's a statement we should all take to heart because God lets us know He is always there. When we are shrouded with trouble we wonder, "Where is He?," but never fear, He is there and just biding His time.

Easter is upon us and the stores are loaded with candy treats, Easter bunnies, eggs, and what have you. A jealous God could think, "But are you really celebrating Easter with the right attitude? What has all this commotion and merchandising got to do with Easter?”

Ask those at Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, who have hosted an Easter Egg hunt for many years. Or ask the residents of area nursing homes and various civic organizations, who experience the joy they share on this day. Of course, the children love it, and it brings some to church. It brings warmth to the heart of those who volunteer time and service and realize how important children are. The residents of nursing homes may have tears in their eyes, but smiles on their faces because during this time they are enjoying sharing the children and seeing what "happy"  is. 

Religion makes us happy if we take part in all the things it offers. It opens the doors for parents to share the Easter story and have a chance to tell their children about a loving and giving God. It is not a frivilous thing. It is sharing the love that is so essential in today’s world. It is a time when sharing the love of God is accomplished through the joining of the young, old, races and religions.

Today, plastic eggs are often provided for “the hunt” because they can be taken apart and little treasures placed inside like pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters or small toys — not just sugar treats. Parents can encourage children to share their prizes with other children, service people, and others they care about. That and games of interest are part of the fun and, of course, the sharing of the food — another way to introduce "those who have" to the reality there are "those who haven't."

Easter is the beginning of spring, a time when many kinds of spring animals are born, and are a new beginning. My doctor once said it seems like spring is a natural time for birth or rebirth. It is also a time of growth for children because of all the opportunities

That’s right. God loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it but open your heart wide and let all the goodness come in.

Speaking of babies, my nephew Kade’s three baby love birds are not babies any more. Freely feathered and frisky as all youngsters, they are so entertaining and a circus to watch as they swing and climb ladders and so on. All three are different in color and, like saints at the Lord’s Supper, they stand together to eat their food. 

Mrs. Love Bird is "sitting" again. At last count she had four eggs in the nest. Wouldn't it be nice to have an Easter egg hatch?

More Minnesota... The weather is making it tempting to start digging and planting, but then we never know if there could still be more snow in the forecast. I can especially remember when my middle daughter, Kimberly, was born in April following a snow storm. Daryl wasn't able to get back home the night before and I had to get ahold of him and break the news. And then figure out how he was going to find a way to get back to Geneva and get us both back to Albert Lea.

Sorry to report the winter sports season for our local athletes has come to a close, but I have already saw a large number of our local athletes out preparing for the spring season. And then before we know it, prom will be here, and that, of course is followed by graduation. Hard to believe those "little ones" we once brought into the world have grown to this stage.

What do you think the style of Easter dresses will be? Expensive, but for some it is their one moment of feeling like a star. They would probably feel better in a pair of blue jeans and T-shirt, but it wouldn't be the same. 

Everyone has their favorite season, but I like spring. Like I said earlier, it is a new beginning.

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Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that 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 to 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.

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Birthdays and anniversaries:

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

• Friday, March 25th: Melissa & Brandon Van Hal, their second, Brad Hagen, Michelle Ritz, Pam Anderson, Faith Jensen, Tom Marlin, Trevor Loverink, Bernice Farr Mattson

• Sarurday, March 26th: Amber Luella Theobald, Nikita Zelpha Peterson, Jackie Draayer, David Hanson, Ray Coxworth, Lonnie Misgen, Ginger Cornelius, Dillon Hanson, Daryl Jensen, 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, Wes & Julie Schroenrock

• Monday, March 28th: Jordan Brye Wagner, Katie Ann Lee, her 11th; Daryl Van Ravenhorst, Alan Olson, Paul Marlin, Josh Stevens, Daniel Suleter,

• Tuesday, March 29th: Taran Waalkens, Heather Lyn Shearman, her 10th; Dylan Lee Ingvaldson, his 9th, 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 9th, Matthew Cornelius, Fern Robertson Sommers

May your day be filled with sunshine and smiles!

Award winners were announced for 2015-16 NRHEG High School winter sports at the annual ceremony Thursday, March 17.

They were, by sport:

Boys’ Basketball

• Best Defensive Player — Oakley Baker

• Panther Award — Cole Ignaszewski

• Most Improved — Sam Prigge

• Practice Player — Tyler Schlaak

• All-conference — Baker, John Cole; honorable mention — Chad Agrimson