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

Nominations sought for Grand Marshall

The New Richland Farm and City Days Parade Committee is seeking nominations for the 2012 Farm and City Days Parade Grand Marshall. We are again asking for the input of members of the community to help honor an individual or a couple that plays an active role in our community and has helped to make our community great. If you feel you know someone that is truly deserving of this honor, we ask that you send a letter of nomination highlighting the reasons this person(s) should be considered. Letters should be sent to: NR Farm and City Days, P.O. Box 262, New Richland, MN 56072.


Ellendale Community Cookout set for Friday

The annual Ellendale Lions Club’s Community Cookout is set for Friday, June 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ellendale Community Building. The menu includes sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, bars, juice and coffee. Cost is free-will donation with all proceeds going to community service projects.


NRHEG Family Swim Night set for June 29

NRHEG PTO Family Swim Night at the Waseca Water Park is set for June 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This event is free and open to all families who have children attending NRHEG schools.  =This includes pre-school age children. Concessions will be open for purchases. Check the Web site www.wasecawaterpark.com for any updates or cancellations due to inclement weather.

Geneva apartment also damaged

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TOTAL LOSS — Firemen work to extinguish a blaze at 403 4th Ave. in Ellendale last Thursday. The house was a total loss. Whitney McCamish, a resident of the house, was treated for smoke inhalation at the Owatonna hospital. Ellendale fireman Roger Larson was treated for chest pain at the scene and then transported to the hospital, where emergency surgery was performed for heart blockage. (Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulsen)

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By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Local firemen were called out to battle not one, but two fires Thursday, June 14.

The first fire call was received by the Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Ellendale Fire Department and Ambulance service at 8:33 a.m. when they were notified of a fire at the home at 403 4th Avenue, Ellendale.

The home is owned by Donna Mae McCamish and was occupied by her daughter, Chanelle, and her four children, Whitney, 14, Sydney, 11, Bo, 6, and Blake, 3. Chanelle, Whitney and Blake were in the home when the fire started.

Whitney immediately evacuated the house, but went back in as her brother and mother were in the home. Sydney and Bo had spent the night at the home of their grandmother, Donna Mae.

Whitney found her brother hiding upstairs. She escorted him from the house and ran next door to Alvin Wobschall’s home and asked him to call the fire department. Whitney and Blake ran back to their house and were very glad to see their mother coming back outside.

Anderson retires after 35 years at State Bank of New Richland

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FROM OFFICE TO STUDIO — After 35 years of loyal service to the community, Bernie Anderson says farewell to the State Bank of New Richland and says hello to an art-filled retirement. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Exactly two weeks ago, Bernie Anderson boldly traded in his State Bank of New Richland spreadsheets and computer screen for something a bit more abstract.

That’s right folks, after 35 years in the banking business, Anderson has decided to break out the paintbrush like never before.

 “Managing the bank has been a very challenging and rewarding job,” Anderson said. “I may miss the challenges but hope to encounter new challenges and successes in my painting.”

Even now, he still can’t verbally express how this drastic change in occupation feels.

 “Since the 31st, I have been at the bank almost daily working on cleaning out my office,” Anderson said. “I will probably have a better grasp on how it feels in a few weeks when that is done and I have some office space organized in my studio.”

Pfeffer’s 41-year teaching career reaches its final hour

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FORTY-ONE YEARS — Kris Pfeffer poses in front of NRHEG High School as a commemoration for her many years with the school district. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

For Kris Pfeffer, the very first day she set foot inside the New Richland school site seems just like just yesterday.

Pfeffer had no reservations about her new teaching duties, just a few butterflies as she unlocked the fourth-grade classroom door.

“Each year was a brand new experience,” Pfeffer said. “I bounced around the grades a lot, but from 1989 on, I taught first grade.”

Forty-one years later, Pfeffer’s teaching time clock has reached its final hour. Or as she so eloquently sums it up: “I’m just a retired teacher now.”

“I have a grandson, Nolan John, who was born  February 4 of this year,” Pfeffer said. “I’d like to be available if they need us to babysit.”

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Contributing Writer

When people in the New Richland area think of Farm and City Days, they usually picture Main Street closed off and filled with games, rides, and concessions.

It’s the one weekend of the year when everyone gathers together to go out and have fun with their friends and family, take their children on rides, attempt to dunk the local resident in the dunk tank, or try their luck at a ring toss game.

But what is a carnival without any carnival rides or games?

The members of the New Richland Farm and City Days committee had to get a little creative with planning the festivities this year. Unable to book a carnival for the weekend of July 6-8, they had to find another way to keep people entertained.