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

New Richland City Council

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Editorial Assistant

The first City Council meeting of September commenced at 6:30 on Monday night. All members of the council were present for the meeting.

The first order of business was the proposed levy for 2013, which remains undecided. Many ideas were given in the area of cutting costs, but nothing was officially decided on yet. In order to cut $13,000 of spending, money will have to be taken from other areas, which is difficult for council members to agree upon.

“There’s only so much a city the size of New Richland can cut and still provide the same level of service,” said Wayne Billing, City Clerk. 

The proposed levy doesn’t have to be finalized until December, and citizens who would like to comment or ask questions will be allowed to do so on December 10 at City Hall.

First-year teacher relishes return to small town life

alt

RIGHT AT HOME — Megan Steuck, originally from the Medford area, feels fortunate to land a job teaching first-graders in a rural community. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Straight out of college, Megan Steuck landed her dream job. But, Steuck doesn’t and will not take all the credit.

Instead, she gives the glory to God for allowing her to lead one of Ellendale’s first-grade classrooms.

“I worked hard to get here, but this would be because of Him, absolutely,” Steuck said. “I wanted a small country school and I wanted first grade. I feel so blessed.”

Persistence also played a huge role in acquiring her new title.

“After finishing school in May, I stopped by and talked to the school secretaries to see if they had any openings,” she said. “I came back another time and ran into Mr. Anderson. I then gave him a brochure that outlined who I am as an educator.”

25th Annual Marching Classic Saturday

The 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Waseca Marching Classic will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The 100-unit parade kicks off at 12:30 p.m. in downtown Waseca and includes 10 competing Marching Bands, Classic Car Cruise, Royalty, floats, Alumni Band with Guard & Drum Majors, and Food Shelf Collection by the Area Neighborhood  Service Center. The Celebration continues at 4:30 p.m. at the Waseca High School with 12 Marching Bands competing on the field. Waseca’s Marching Jays perform in exhibition in both parade and field show.  The Awards Ceremony is at 8:15 p.m. followed by the grand finale -  a fireworks display, a favorite of the band students. Featured guest, Minnesota Vikings Skol Line, the Official Drum Line of the Minnesota Vikings, will perform at both the parade and field show. Join us for a day of family entertainment at its best – our 25th Annual Waseca Marching Classic. We love having visitors! Check out our Web sites:  www.wasecamarchingclassic.com or www.discoverwaseca.com. Admission for field show competition is by wristband only, day of event, $7 including program (K-adult).



NR 3rd-grader finds his niche in surprising sport

alt

ALSO FOR BOYS — Eric Arvis of New Richland has reaped the benefits of gymnastics instruction and inspired many other area boys to join the sport. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)


By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Impressed by the gymnastics at the Summer Olympics? One can only marvel at the abilities of these young people who have dedicated so many hours of training, many from early childhood. 

Entertaining to be sure, but it is much more than that. The training, discipline and commitment to the sport is fantastic as they work muscles, learn balance, and work on timing, all important for health benefits.

Most people think gymnastics is a thing that girls do, but after a few boys learned there were boys in our area attending the gymnastic class offered at the Waseca Gymnastics Center, a few more boys wanted to attend a class.

A big reason why is nine-year-old Eric Arvis of New Richland, who’s been involved with gymnastics in Waseca for at least four years.

“Eric is to get the credit for more boys joining the gymnastics class,” said coach Scott Young. “For the first couple of years, Eric was the only boy.”

NRHEG School District awarded $25,000 grant

alt

EXCITING STUFF — NRHEG School District has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Monsanto. Front from left: science teachers Amanda Inouye, Anne Feist and Jennifer Hatten. Back: Rick Schultz and Doug Christopherson, local Asgrow/Dekalb Seed dealers) and Superintendent Kevin Wellen. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Editorial Assistant

It’s not just good – it’s great.

The NRHEG School District has been selected to receive a $25,000 grant for science lab equipment through America’s Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Schools from all over Minnesota applied for the grant, and our district was lucky enough to be one of the winners. The district applied for a $10,000 grant a year ago, but was denied and given $500 as a consolation prize.

In order to be selected to receive the grant, schools must be nominated by local farmers and the money they would receive, if chosen, has to tie into science, math, and agriculture. NRHEG received 100 nominations this year, surpassing last year’s nominations by 40.

“It was really exciting stuff for us,” said Superintendent Kevin Wellen. “When I got the e-mail, I talked to everyone within the hour.”