2011 Year in Review, Part 3 of 4
Compiled by JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
JULY
• The residents of Hope gathered at a town meeting to hear about the potential closing of their post office. The Postal Service is looking at ways to cut operational costs throughout the country.
• An equipment fire was to blame for a small fire at the WFS elevator in New Richland. No employees or customers were injured.
• The elusive Farm and City Days Medallion was no match for the Harrington family as they successfully located the prize for the second year in a row.
• Neighbor Lee Mendenhall claims to be “two years older than Gary Nordlie.”
• Dad’s Good Stuff in New Richland received a facelift as workers did some tuck pointing on the façade of the 1886 era structure.
• The Southern Storm (11 and 12 year old boys basketball team) raises funds for their trip to Nationals.
• Rev. Paul Andree is chosen Grand Marshal of the Farm and City Days Parade. Lillie Nielsen (junior division) and John Darcy (adult division) were selected as New Richland Idols.
• The New Richland High School class of 1946 held their 65th class reunion with seven members in attendance.
• High winds take down trees at both Beaver and St. Olaf lakes.• It was learned the Ellendale Days parade route has been changed due to road construction.
• WWII Veteran Francis Misgen led the Ellendale Days parade after being selected Grand Marshal.
• Concerns were expressed by Ellendale residents about the new youth center in town.
• The New Richland Area Foundation Fund handed out $9,500 in grants at the Farm and City Days breakfast.
• There were nine floats (pontoons or boats) in the 10th Annual Beaver Lake Boat Parade.
• The NRHEG School Board approved a one-time $40,000 in the district’s technology budget to bring computer and media technology up to competitive standards.
• Pastor Shawn Stafford is adjusting to his new job at Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church.
• Dorothy Nelson of Ellendale celebrated her 98th birthday on July 1st. She still lives in her house alone and doesn’t require much help.
• Peter Scheffert joined the Farmers State Bank as a loan officer at the Freeborn branch.
• Dean Morgan of Morgan’s Meats in New Richland brought home five awards for his products at the American Cured Meat Championships held in Reno, NV.
• Jennifer Duffnar of New Richland couldn’t believe it that someone stole a pile of old bricks from her boulevard. She planned to build a mailbox structure with the bricks. “Please bring them back, I will give you some different bricks if you want them,” said Duffnar.
AUGUST
• Bonnie Jacobson, Georgia Dinneen and Kris Pfeffer were part of the Caring Friends team which participated in the annual Waseca County Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
• Jimmy Clem of Jimmy’s Stained Glass in New Richland spoke of how he began in his stained glass business.
• Adam Moen, a graduate of NRHEG, was named to the Dean’s List at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
• The New Richland Reds baseball team was ousted from the league postseason tournament due to a lack of run production.
• Dalen Ferber and Mariah Robran made the Dean’s List at Winona State University for the Spring Term.
• Earl Parriott scratched a Minnesota Lottery ticket worth $200,000.
• An estimated 1,500 people attended the Johnny Holm Band performance at the Geneva Bar & Grill in Geneva.
• The City of New Richland received $47,658 less than expected from the State of Minnesota’s Local Government Aid program.
• Neighbor Carol Shultz, owner of the Lady Bug Thrift Shop, confessed that her favorite hobby is shopping.
• Not to be outdone, New Richland native Kevin Dinneen scratched a lottery ticket worth $250,000.
• Youth from Ellendale United Methodist Church went on a mission trip to the Black Hills.
• Jackie Raimann and Josh Moen, both of New Richland, announce their engagement and upcoming nuptials.
• The morning coffee crew and his family wished Harlan Schlaak a happy birthday.
• A steer which had escaped while being unloaded at Morgan’s Meats was put down by NRPD Officer Ron Deckard. The steer had ventured south to the football fields at NRHEG. “It caused quite a ruckus,” said Deckard.
• The New Richland Sportsmen’s Club has seen quite a few changes in its 70 years of existence. Gone are the fox and rabbit hunts of the 40s.
• NRHEG Superintendent Kevin Wellen reported that the district typically gains more students than it loses due to open enrollment.
• Geneva area residents helped “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies for students whose family can’t afford them.
• Columnist Jessica Lutgens’ report on college, “so far, so good.”
• The Ellendale class of 1943 met. Nine classmates were in attendance.
• More than 5,000 luminary bags lighted the way during the Freeborn County Relay for Life at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds the second week of August.
• The Ellendale Area Historical Society seeks artifacts, photos and stories about Beaver Lake.
SEPTEMBER
• Rhonda Haried of Ellendale unveils her 2012 Rugged Men of Looks Unlimited calendar. Proceeds from the sales will benefit tornado relief and cancer research.
• S & S Motorsports of rural Ellendale helps people make their automobile dreams come true.
• Neighbor Betsy Donovan of Hartland wants to have lunch with Joe Mauer.
• Clarks Grove pork chop and sweet corn feed raises about $4,000 to support the fire dept.
• Panther B-Squad football coach Duey Ferber reflected on his many years of coaching. Ferber stepped down from his coaching duties earlier this fall.
• After 43 years, former Marine Jim Wilker of rural New Richland received a Silver Star for heroism during his tour in Vietnam.
• The Blossoms nipped the Panthers in the football season opener 33-30.
• Ross Sletten and Matt Arthur, both of Ellendale, performed at the Village of Yesteryear as part of the Steele County Fair.
• NRHEG Homecoming candidates are Dustin Esplan, David Lassahn, Seth Petranek, Matt Carlson and Jacob Staloch. Gals are Tiara Robran, Tori Raimann, Anna Schlaak, Harlee Vokoun and Lexi Wayne.
• Waseca County Sheriff Brad Milbrath declared a fire ban for the entire county due to extremely dry conditions.
• Erin Holland loves every minute of her new job as a first grade teacher in Ellendale. Holland graduated from NRHEG High School.
• The long-awaited repair of State Highway 30 between Ellendale and New Richland finally gets underway.
• The local singing group “Just Friends” is in their ninth year of making music.
• Folks were invited to attend a Sunday brunch in honor of Vince Peterson’s 80th birthday. Orvin Morstad is looking as good at 90 as he was at 24 years of age.
• The NRHEG Panther Marching Band took home the first place trophy for the sixth time in the last seven years at the Waseca Marching Classic.
• Central Freeborn Lutheran Church celebrates their 150th anniversary.
• Megan Nowariak and T. J. Schiltz finished first in their respective divisions at the 2nd Annual Harvest Run for Hunger.
• The Panthers crush Gibbon-Farifax-Winthrop on the gridiron by a score of 73-8.
• Students at NRHEG school participate in the “Making the Cut” program. The year-long program recognizes students for positive behavior and helps expand their vocabulary. Each week, two students are chosen to cut the neckties of Principal Paul Cyr and English instructor Mark Domeier.
• Marissa Mortenson’s potatoes were chosen Grand Champion at the Waseca County Fair.
• Andy Peterson, new teacher and coach at NRHEG, feels right at home.
• Anna Schlaak receives recognition in honor of her 1,000 career kill as a member of the Panther volleyball team.
• Elementary students kick off their annual cookie dough fundraising campaign in Ellendale.