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
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Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday May 10, with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Also attending the meeting and on the agenda were Bunny Johnson, Al Knudson, Donovan Eaker, Clerk Louks, Gwen Reiss, and Roger Swearingen, maintenance. 

The agenda was amended due to the absence of Wes Brown, Bolten & Menk, and passed as amended.

Johnson was recognized first by the council. She was concerned about the water line connection next to her home. Johnson would like to finish her landscaping this year and does not want to have something dug up because of a water leak. Steve Louks said that he felt the line would be done this summer. Johnson was O.K. with that answer.

The council reviewed a citation from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry-OSHA. The citation was given to workers for an excavation project not protected from a cave-in situation. The situation was made right while the officers were present. The city was cited a fine of $1050. The city was offered a lesser fine if it did not contest the penalty. Motion was made to pay the reduced fine of $735 and not contest the issue. It passed. The council talked about setting up some OSHA safety programs.

Geneva City Council

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

On May 8, Mayor Steve Bailey called Geneva's monthly city council meeting to order promptly at 7 p.m.

Next, Andy Bernau, a representative from Hill, Larson, Walth and Benda, P.A., walked the council through Geneva’s audit report step by step. Bernau noted the city doesn’t have any collateral for their investments in cash and CDs, beyond the $250,000 mark. He advised them to look into the matter.

Next, the council was made aware of a new state statute involving contracts budgeted over the $25,000 mark. In the future, he encouraged all members to consider the state-purchasing venture. Or in other words, they must always obtain a project bid from the state before contacting local businesses.

 

Crafty ladies come from near and far to roll up their sleeves

 

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FINAL BRUSH STROKES — Chris Donovan, Paula Hansen and Sue Cory all dipped paintbrushes on May 9, so as to complete their very first barn quilt at Holmes’ farm. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

 

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Word on the street folks, is that barn quilting has become quite the dandy around the Ellendale area lately.

Hard evidence of such wooden creations numbers 10 to be exact, simply due to a joint effort of NRHEG and USC Community Education Director Marilyn Dobberstein and Special Education Paraprofessional Renee Holmes leading their Second Annual Barn Quilting Community Education class.

“Some people think I have hung fabric quilts on my barns,” said Holmes. “But, they are actually pieces of wood painted to look like quilts.”

This year’s students created things a little differently. Instead of a red, white and blue theme, they designed and painted a two-by-two dimensioned board with free reign in colors. It’s a task Holmes says is much more difficult than meets the already artistic eye.

 


7th Annual Hope Tractor Pull June 3

The 7th Annual Hope Tractor Pull is set for Sunday, June 3 north of the elevator. It’s sponsored by First Lutheran Church of Hope.

Scheduled weight classes:

3500# farm stock, stock open; 4500# farm stock, stock open; 5500# farm stock, stock open; 6500# farm stock, stock open; 7500# farm stock, stock open; 8500# farm stock, stock open; 9500# farm stock, stock open; 10500#, stock open; 11500# stock open; 12500# stock open; 14000# stock; 16500# stock.

Pulling starts at 10 am. Food and drink available by First Lutheran Church. Contact Mike Hartle for information at 451-0812 or 456-8521; fax: 455-0486.


Ellendale Area VBS June 4-8

Ellendale area churches will be hosting Vacation Bible School starting Monday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Registration is open to students kindergarten through 6th grade.

Registration forms are available at area churches. Supper will be served each evening at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church.

Child care is available to those working at VBS.


Bloodmobile to be at Waldorf June 5

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Waldorf Community Center Tuesday, June 5, from 1-7 p.m. For an appointment call 239-2461.



New Richland City Council

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

At its Monday meeting, the New Richland City Council gave its approval for a request by the Girl Scouts to place placards on storm sewers around the city. The project is part of the Centennial Take Action Project, which will coincide with the centennial celebration of Girl Scouting on Saturday, October 13, 2012. The message plate will say, “This drain if for rain only. Flows to waterways.” It is designed to remind people not to dump anything in a storm drain that eventually ends up in the rivers and streams. Contaminants such as gasoline, antifreeze, oil and other chemicals are dumped into storm sewers. At last count, there are approximately 100 storm drains in the city, 25 of them considered major drains.

New Richland Fire Chief Jeremy Parpart approached the council with a request to purchase a trailer for the department. The trailer will house the grain bin rescue equipment and other items needed in an emergency. The cost is $11,210, which will be paid for with recently donated funds.

Police Chief Scott Eads was next on the agenda with his report of 73 calls for service and an additional 48 contacts during the month of April.