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

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50 YEARS — The staff at Associated Lumber Marts in Waseca is celebrating 50 years as a family-owned business this week. Front from left: Katie Dumdei, Jan Kampen, Julie Born, Mark Christiansen and Kevin Malecha. Back: George Mortenson, Kevin Teague, John Snow, Randy Sietsema, Levi Kaiser, Wes Schaper, Cap Peterson and Brad Wendland. Not pictured: Maggie Kramer, Jim Mann and Jim Jewison. (Submitted photo)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

The employees at Associated Lumber Marts in Waseca celebrate their customers every day.

But, this week in particular, this well-established company is making sure every last one of them knows just how appreciated they really are.

“Any company that can survive 50 years in the business climate should count their blessings,” said co-owner Brad Wendland.

Co-owner John Snow added, “Associated Lumber Marts actually started in 1959, so we are actually celebrating the fact that it’s been family-owned since 1962.”

This past Monday, their customer appreciation week kicked off with the distribution of 200 Kennedy half dollors.

“All week long, bring in a Kennedy half to redeem 50 percent off an item of $10 or less,” said Katie Dumdei, their Home Design Gallery Division Manager. “If you have one of your own at home, that will work too.”

New Richland City Council

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

There were three New Richland Council members present for Monday night, June 11 meeting. Council members Anthony Martens and Christine Gislason were absent. Residents Pam and Larry Goehring were present as visitors in chambers.

The council approved the evening’s agenda and the consent agenda. Notable consent agenda items included judges for the upcoming 2012 election. Judges are Pam Goehring, Larry Goehring, Elena Sunland, Gail Johnson, Winston Evenson, Pam Shurson, Barb Finseth, Gail Schmidt, Corrine Schuller, Matt Harrington, LaVoy Ebnet and Wayne Billing. The election judge salary was set at $10 per hour.

There were no public hearings, requests or communications to be heard.

Geneva’s Dairy Night June 13

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

What is so grand as a day in June? The fields and flowers are at their peak. There are weddings, Vacation Bible School to attend, and vacations to enjoy.

The school kids are enjoying their freedom from school. Actually, one might see them riding bike, playing in the park and then, there is June Dairy Night. There aren't many dairy herds locally any more, but there is still ice cream.

Warren Wayne and Don Gries started June Dairy Night probably 60 years ago by the side door of the store they had in Geneva, which is now Sorenson’s Appliance, giving out ice cream cones for free. Their customers and local people were more than happy to take part in the festivities and so it continued and grew into an activity put on by the business people of Geneva.

Vibrant Life pastor moves to town from Ireland

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A FANTASIC MESSAGE — Every Sunday morning, Vibrant Life’s newly hired pastor Patrick Stitt gets fired up to stand behind the pulpit. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Not even two months ago, Pastor Patrick Stitt of Ellendale’s Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church called Chisinau, Moldova home.

“We were having a wonderful time on the mission field working with victims of human trafficking and prostitution,” Stitt said. “But, our kids weren’t adjusting well, so we decided to come back to Minnesota.”

Sandwiched between Romania and the Ukraine, this Irish native and his family sought the Assembly of God’s council for wisdom. They so longed for a church to share their love for Christ.

“I’ve never pastored a church before,” Stitt said. “I feel like it was almost a risk to take me on, but I’m going to work hard to make sure it pays off.”

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

There is going to be a motorized Geneva Cancer Run, not to be confused with the Matt Felt and Dillon Gordon run to be held July 14.

This first-ever Geneva Cancer Run will be held in conjunction with a celebration of Whitey, "Mr. Cancer Auctioneer" Hagen's 80th birthday.

Geneva Cancer Run riders are asked to gather at Geneva Bar & Grill on Saturday June 9. The riders, be they on motorcycle, in cars, trucks or vans, will leave Geneva at 11 a.m. and head north and west to Janesville, to Manchester, Hollandale, Austin, Blooming Prairie and back to Geneva, arriving at about 5 p.m. in time for supper, a silent auction, and door prizes, all under the big tent Geneva Bar & Grill’s parking lot.

The Geneva Cancer Ride will cover approximately 130 miles.