Who’s Frosty?

He was unmasked Friday, Feb. 13 at the 65th Annual Sleigh and Cutter dinner in front of a full house at the Waseca VFW.

Frosty, an ambassador for the 2014 Sleigh and Cutter Festival, is Roger Haug, former pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.

The finders of the Sleigh and Cutter medallion, Chris Christensen and daughters Abby and Emma, were also introduced.

Lageson, Dorothy M., age 90, of Robbinsdale, passed away on February 13, 2015 in Monticello.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Reuben; parents, John and Esther Hansen; brother, Roy Hansen; sister, Doris Jonnes; brother-in-law, Bob Doebler; and a granddaughter, Lonnie.

She will be deeply missed by sons, Jeff (Trisha), Jim (Nancy), John (Lynn); daughters, Jane Mechtel (Keith Graham), Jackie (Dave) Arpin; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorine Doebler, Ruth Browne; sister-in-law, Betty Hansen; brother-in-law, Orville Jonnes; many relatives and good friends.

Memorial service at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2015 at Cremation Society of MN, 7835 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park (763-560-3100). Visitation at church one hour before service. Private interment.

Wilma Kulla, Cape Fair, MO, daughter of James Arthur and Bernice Lucille (Bennett) Manuel, was born on April 21, 1941 in Albert Lea, MN and departed this life on February 9, 2015 in Table Rock Healthcare, Kimberling, MO, at the age of 73.

Wilma was a care given who had lived in the area for the past twenty years, coming from Minnesota. She was a member of the Cape Fair Eagles, Homemakers, Red Hatters and Bunco Club. Wilma had been a florist for several years and collected cows.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, James and Bernice Manuel, and one sister, Gwendolyn Charlene Gunther.

Win at BP leaves Panthers 5-0

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Thursday night’s Gopher Conference dual wrestling meet between NRHEG and Blooming Prairie started out decidedly in favor of the Blossoms.

After that it was all Panthers. Literally. And now they’re alone at the top of the standings.

After dropping the first match by fall, the Panthers won every bout for the evening while rolling to a 44-6 victory at Blooming Prairie, giving them the outright conference championship with a 5-0 dual-meet record. Maple River won it last year.

“Winning the conference is a goal that we had for the season, and I am proud that our wrestlers have been putting in the work to reach one of their goals,” said NRHEG coach Shawn Larson. “I am hoping that they are not going to be content with the conference title alone. I hope that these guys are ready to make a solid run at a section title.”

By TROY THOMPSON

Sportswriter

The NRHEG boys’ basketball team faced a hostile environment and formidable foe on Tuesday, Feb. 3 when they traveled to Waseca for a game against the Section 2AA-leading Bluejays. The Panthers seemed to thrive off the electricity and came away with a dominating 74-53 victory.

Facing a capacity crowd and boisterous fans, the Panthers seemed unfazed as they quickly jumped out to a 13-5 lead thanks to some early hot shooting by Oakley Baker and Trevor Tracy. The Panthers used the early confidence to quiet the crowd and build a 20-point lead en route to a 37-25 advantage at the half.

“I have not been to a regular season game where there were more people,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “The atmosphere was awesome. We shot the ball really well to start and I think that was the key to the game for us.We got our confidence going early on the offensive end.”

By TROY THOMPSON

Sportswriter

It’s been more than a decade since Waterville-Elysian-Morristown came out on top against NRHEG in girls’ basketball. The visiting Bucs ended that drought on Friday, Feb. 6, with a 64-53 victory that also snapped NRHEG’s six-game winning streak. The win was the first for the Bucs over the Panthers since the 2001-02 season.

The Panthers led 10-9 before WEM went on a run to open up a 28-19 lead at the half. The Panthers battled back to regain the lead 38-37 in the second half with a Kayley Camerer layup, but she left the game after the go-ahead basket with an ankle injury and wouldn’t return.

The Bucs took advantage of Camerer’s absence by feeding the ball inside to their post players en route to a 7-0 run that would give them the lead for good.

One doesn't have to be very old to cherish the goodness that can come out of our hearts on Valentine’s Day. It is a popular holiday and it is good that for at least that one day folks will go out of their way to say, "I Love You." Too bad it is just for that one day.

Roses skyrocket in price, candy is bought and eaten and cards are shared to tell those you are close to how much one cares. It is a good thing, even if it is short lived. Everybody needs to know that someone cares. Hopefully everybody finds that is true on February 14th. Unfortunately, some don't, not because they aren't loved, but because those who do love them assume they know that, so they don't bother or take the time to tell them so.

Why is it so hard for some people to say, "I love you,” or “I care about you" or, "You are an important part of my life?" Why is it so hard to share happy thoughts and memories that we will always treasure with those we care about? Expressing love and appreciation is one of the first and simplest things we can teach our children and being a good role model helps.

Remember when you were in school and how you looked forward to Valentine’s Day? Remember the cards you made for others? Probably not Hallmark quality, but the quality of their meaning was there in what you had made. You also worked hard to create a special Valentines box, and then after the day was over, you looked back at all the cards you received from your schoolmates.

Everybody knows how to draw a heart. It is a symbol of our heart that beats every second, every minute, every hour, every day and gives us life.

Wearing red in February seems as natural as combing your hair or brushing your teeth and it is a profound theme for keeping one’s heart healthy.

If I were to have a wish come true, it would be that this year and every year thereafter, that people would know the finest Valentine gift they could give their loved ones is to keep their heart beating out a steady thump, which feeds the body and their brain. A healthy heart is by far the greatest gift you can give anyone. It doesn't cost a lot of money. This year I am going to try to be especially mindful of my heart because I care about others and I want to live to prove it.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the things that are near and dear to our heart. Everywhere you go and the things you see and read about will tell you how you can be a friend to your heart. There are no excuses!

So while you are remembering your loved ones with notes and gifts of love on Valentine’s Day, take time to tell your heart and give a special gift too.

Some things that we like aren't always the best for our hearts. Moderation helps, exercise helps, good food in moderation helps, and good water helps. Controlling our anger is another way to help our hearts! Many an American knows what will happen when our heart and the bubble in our brain literally does explodes.

Our hearts are amazing. It is hard to mentally realize their potential. They do so much and it may be hard to realize how special you definitely are, not only to me but also to others.

I could say how much you mean to me, but really the most important feelings I want my heart to know is that I respect you. Thank you.

I appreciate all the work you do for me and I will try to treat you as best I can.

  That's what it is all about. Life is just a heartbeat away. Without a healthy, beating heart, I wouldn't be and neither would you!

A Precious Human Life

Every day, think as you wake up

Today I am fortunate to have woken up.

I am alive. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it.

I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others,

to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

I am going to have kind thoughts toward others

I am not going to get angry, or think badly about others.

I am going to benefit others as much as I can.

— His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama

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, February, 12th: Gail Skroch, Joe Moon, Michael Hanson, April Van Riper, Rick Borchert, Eugene Kruckeberg, Travis Wayne, Jessie Olson, Greg Oswald, Taff & Jean Worrell, David & Carolyn Hanson

• Friday, February 13th: Cobi Gowland, Becca Spurr, Greg Spurr, Jim Brocker, Eric Olson, Linda Ingvaldson, Bonnie Jensen, Brian Rechtzigel, Anita Kes, Terry & Pam Roberts

• Saturday, February 14th: Happy Valentines Day!  Angie Entwisle, Elsie Vander Stoep, Michelle Peterson, Matthew Reiter, Angela Westrum Lair, Lee & Jean Johnson, Bob & Mary Macko, Gene & Linda Pederson

• Sunday, February 15th: Kloe Renee Wacek, Nancy Cornelius, Patty Kunkel, Eric Olson, Adam Warnke, Ron Jensen, Michelle Hanson, Angie O'Byrne, Elina Butler and John Pfaff

• Monday, February 16th: Delores Hemingway, Marian Horan, Jesse Lund, Wayne Jensen, David Peterson, Sara Miller, Sarah Nelson, Ian Oolman, Tanya Callahan, LeAnn Hanson, Donald & Dory Hunt

• Tuesday, February 17th: Toni Wayne Smith, Nancy Johnson Erickson, Thomas Farr, Keith Wayne, Dave Von Gorkom, Dawn Pence Gross, Brian Dobberstein, Joan Richards, Joan Kaphers, Michelle Cortinas, Carolyn LaFave, Shannon Weckwerth Pacholl, Alvin & Cheryl Cooper

• Wednesday, February 18th: Kris Munson McDonald, Janice Waage, Zola Wayne, Jamie Kunkel Riley, Brad & Rachel Lerum

• Thursday, February 19th: Abraham Peterson, Allison Schmidt, Eleanor Schember, Maklela Larkin, Deedee Hunt, Jason Jensen, Teri Ravenhorst, Marjorie Solberg

• Friday, February 20th: Derek Dobberstein, will celebrate his first birthday this year ( 2015);  Hadley Routh, Derek Flesche, Amy Shaunce, David Swearingen, Joyce Lageson Hoddick, LuAnn Sommer Granholdt, David & LeAnn Hanson, Jim & Nancy Cornelius

• Saturday, February 21st: Jeannie Worrell, Andy Butler, Phillip Ingvaldson, Bryan Dirkson, Leanna Peterson, Chris & Kim Jensen, Darrell & Cynthia Farr, Max & Marlene Jensen

May all the good wishes that you receive on your special day bloom in your heart and bring you joy!

That chubby little rodent named Phil has once again predicted six more weeks of winter. As was pointed out by one of our local radio station DJ’s the calendar has winter ending just a few days after the predicted six weeks so there is really no risk involved in that prediction unless we have an early spring. An early spring is what was reportedly forecast by another of our furry prognosticators from Wisconsin. It seems that as the mayor of Sun Prairie Wisconsin was telling the media about their groundhog named Jimmy’s prediction of an early spring Jimmy must have had enough of the nonsense and bit the mayor on the ear. In all reality the mayor had it wrong and I suppose that that particular chubby little rodent was just letting him know so. I know that there is a long tradition of Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of spring and whether it will be early or late but really? I sometimes wonder if the weather folks aren’t consulting with Phil at times.

February is a time for cabin fever and planning for spring and summer. This is the month when I usually start opening my tackle boxes and take inventory. This is a necessity and it helps keep my mind off the fact that spring is still a ways away and open water fishing might be even farther off.

Oh how I long for some open water to wet a line in about now. I guess I will have to settle for closing my eyes and doing a little daydreaming. If I listen closely I can hear the wind blowing as the waves of the lake rush gently to shore. The sound of loons calling brings about a peaceful feeling that is, to me, the true sound of the North Country.

I long for the day that I will be once again sitting in a boat on some remote lake in Northern Minnesota as a light fog engulfs the lake just before the morning sun makes its appearance. This is the time of day that I dream of; when I am alone on the lake in early morning with only the sound of an occasional fish jumping or the early morning of loons calling. This is a peaceful time where material things are unimportant and although fishing is the objective enjoying that fleeting moment is the ultimate in total satisfaction.

I can recall many times when I have ventured out onto my favorite lake (Spider) in early morning with a layer of fog hovering just inches above the water’s surface. This is always a scary time for navigating any distance on a lake but if a person knows the lake and doesn’t get in a hurry it can be rewarding once you reach your chosen “hot spot” where you anticipate a fish on almost every cast. It is kind of funny how big fish sound when they jump and you are unable to see them because of the fog. As the fog slowly lifts you begin to see the shoreline and the sounds of fish jumping are verified by the ripples that they send off.

This is the time of day that can really get the adrenaline flowing but there is only a short time period when that happens so it is important for me to be on the lake to savor every glorious moment. This is when the sun first starts to peek through the tree line working its way to the peak of day that some old timers would call high noon. Yes, at times it was almost sad to see the sun appear and be fully visible above the tree lines. In the mid or late summer days the noon sun is usually hot and unless you know some great secret it is usually not the most productive time to be on the lake.

Like anything else in nature fishing can always be a little unpredictable. Over the years I have seen many things that are totally against what the so-called experts tell us we should or should not do to catch fish. This is what makes fishing so much fun; there is always a little mystery involved that keeps us coming back.

Other variables that will peak the interest are what lures or bait to use under certain conditions. I have fished with my favorite lure that only a week or so ago was a “killer bait” and not caught a thing in the same exact spot that I fished previously. This is truly one of the things that make fishing fun for me; the unknown or the X- factor.

There is still plenty of hard water fishing to be had and we not only have a good fishery right in our own back yard but St. Olaf and Beaver Lakes are other nearby lakes that can be good at times. I have also heard that Clear Lake in Waseca was pretty hot for crappie only a week or so ago.

The February meeting of Cross Roads Chapter 54 of Muskies Inc. was Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. at Eagles Club in Owatonna. Our meetings are second Wednesday of every month and include raffle, door prizes, updates and announcements, informative speaker as available. Also lots of musky talk. Need not be a member to attend. Bring a friend and help improve musky fishing in Southern Minnesota.

Until next time, stay warm and enjoy the beauty of winter and always take some time to enjoy the outdoors.

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

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is my favorite part of the Bible. It tells us there is a right time for everything. For example: a time to fish, a time not to fish. A time to be born, a time to die. A time to say hello, a time to say goodbye.

On Thursday, January 22, Ross Heilman, Paul Proft and I decided it was time to go ice fishing. We drove to Ortonville, MN where we rented a fish house from Artie’s Fish House Rental on Big Stone Lake – the hottest perch factory in Minnesota.

The fish house had everything: bunk beds, LP thermostat-controlled heating, indoor toilet, stove and oven, six fish holes, AM-FM radio, generator-powered electricity – the works.

After 24 hours we realized it was not the time to go fishing. We had three bites and caught one sunfish.

Donald K. Batt – a time to be born: January 15, 1933. A time to die: January 13, 2015.

Presiding at the service on January 24, 2015 was Rev. Shawn Stafford. He used Ecclesiastes as part of the service. A banner hung on the wall, stating “I have called you, Donald, and you are Mine.” The American Legion and VFW honor guards honored Don for his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. The Hartland Fire Department was well represented, with members plus a uniform and boots with a ready fire truck in front of the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church in honor of his 30 years as a volunteer, 25 of those years as Fire Chief.

Donald, at his time to die, was honored not only here on earth but also by the banner on the wall in the church.

A time to say hello, a time to say goodbye.

About eight short years ago I said hello to Captains Jim and Lee Brickson of the Salvation Army when they arrived in Albert Lea.

On Sunday, January 25, 2015 I said goodbye to two of God’s great people, as they are each taking a position in Brooklyn Park. Yes, I will miss talking to the walleye ice fisherman who is just a bit better fisherman than I am.

A time to celebrate my birthday of January 23 was January 27 at the Old Mill Restaurant in Austin. A delicious meal with a birthday sundae and two spoons was enjoyed by Genie and me.

As we were leaving, so were Jerry Olson of Rochester and Virgil Thofson of Hartland (both New Richland High School graduates) and their lovely CEO-spouses. Small world, isn’t it?

This column most certainly proves, as Ecclesiastes states, “There is a right time for everything.”

———

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.