NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

Back in the day, Carlie Wagner’s grandmother, Joie Somage, showed athletic tendencies herself

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BIT OF A TOMBOY — Country Neighbors resident Joie Somage admits she had somewhat of a tomboyish side as a youngster, riding horses bareback, climbing trees and stacking hay. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

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BASKETBALL MILESTONE — Carlie Wagner (3), Joie Somage’s granddaughter, is congratulated by coach John Schultz after scoring her 2,000th career point Saturday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Country Neighbor resident Joie Somage’s birth certificate isn’t what you think it would be. Neither are her prescription bottle labels, White Pages listing and check blanks.

Her daughter Jane’s comment at age 10 sums it up well: “The pill bottle fell out of the cupboard and I asked, “Who’s Shirley?”

After Joie’s laughter subsided, she carefully explained to her little squirt how her middle name in fact became her first name at a very young age. And, that as they say, was that.

The goings on inside the Somage household still continued on as crazily as ever too.

Broskoff Structures marks 25 years

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THEY’VE DONE A LOT — Broskoff Structures of Geneva recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)


By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Broskoff Structures held its Customer Appreciation Open House on Friday, November 30. Dave and Diane Broskoff are proud to have been able to experience 25 years of successfully serving our area communities.

More than 725 customers, retired farmers, family and friends attended the open house that featured a banquet table of good country style food and beverages. According to Dave, the party is a nice thing to do for customers when they've been so nice to you. Good business and good customers work well to care for each other.

"It's been 25 years of ‘What are we doing? And look at what we've done,’” was the theme the Broskoffs developed for the celebration.

NRHEG grad Adam Moen loves the stage

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LOVING LIFE — NRHEG High School graduate Adam Moen (lower right) and the cast from “Bye Bye Birdie” currently being performed at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. (Submitted photo)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

One of New Richland’s very own has struck gold you might say, on the theater stage that is.

There’s no stopping him either.

“I am currently working at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Bye Bye Birdie,” said NRHEG graduate Ryan Moen. “I will also be in their next production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Under these bright spotlights, Moen feels “completely honored.”

“Every day I go to work I have a blast,” he said. “It's the time of my life.”

NRHEG School Board

By REED WALLER

Staff Writer

Approximately 50 students and parents were present at last Monday’s meeting of the NRHEG school board, but they weren’t there to ask questions about their property taxes, nor to comment on the kitchen/cafeteria renovation project to be approved for bids that evening.

They were there to witness the result of a recommendation to terminate eighth-grade boys’ basketball coach Darian Baker.

Coach termination considered

Baker was present, as was Athletic Director Dan Stork. Both sides were asked to present whatever factual (but non-evidential) data could help the board with their decision to approve or deny the dismissal. They were reminded, however, that any discussion of the case itself in a public meeting was forbidden by law.

Bench for Odd Fellows building displayed at bank

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STROKE OF LUCK — That’s what members of the New Richland Area Historical Society felt about finding an authentic Odd Fellows bench, whose original purpose remains a mystery. It’s currently on display at State Bank of New Richland, with employees pictured above from left, Matt Harrington, Jean Billing and Jenny Thompson. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)


By CARRIE GILBERTSON

Staff Writer

The New Richland Historical Society has acquired its latest piece of history intended for the new library, an Independent Order of Odd Fellows Bench. Currently, the artifact is being stored in the State Bank of New Richland. It will remain there until the Odd Fellows building renovation is completed. 

According to Barb Wildgrube, co-founder of the New Richland Area Historical Society and Chairperson for the New Richland Historic Preservation Commission, funding for the purchase was donated by the New Richland Area Foundation and By the Grace of God Fund. Both groups donated money to the purchase of furniture for the renovated building. This particular piece is intended for the lobby.

“We expect this to be the huge statement piece,” said Wildgrube.