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By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday March 8, 2012 with Mayor Engel and councilmen Helland, Reiter, Goebel and Groth present. Clerk Louks, Maintenance Supervisor Swearingen along with visitors Eric Haffner, Dan Petsinger, Jane Busho, Duane Atchison and Duane Nelson were also in attendance.
Engel asked the council to consider amending the agenda as printed. The council, after some juggling, approved the agenda as amended.
Nelson was first to address the council. He had a request for the city to consider hooking his property up to the sanitary sewer. Nelson told the council he was considering putting a different home on his property. He had drawings to show the council, which showed that he would like to connect to the manhole west of his property. The council directed some questions to Eric Haffner, who works for the city’s engineering firm Bolten & Menk. Haffner told the council that from the information he has been given, the connection would be O.K. Engel told Nelson most of the work would be on his property and therefore would be his responsibility. The council made a motion to move forward allowing Nelson to connect.
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After 36 years, firefighter hangs up uniform for final time
PROUD TO SERVE — After 36 years, 30 of them as captain for the Freeborn Fire Department, Roger Merritt has hung up his uniform for the final time. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
At age 22, Roger Merritt had no inhibitions about firefighting. The flames didn’t faze him and the heat only dared him to fight harder.
Thirty-six years later, Merritt still feels the same way about sparks out of control.
“It meant a lot to give to the surrounding community,” Merritt said. “Helping save lives by putting out fires, people are really thankful.”
To this day, those kind words remain embedded in the recesses of his heart. And there they will remain, even after announcing his retirement from the Freeborn Fire Department.
“When I first joined, the adrenaline was for sure going,” Merritt said. “But, last year, I had a lot of medical issues. I missed most of the summer because I had a broken wrist. I actually had three surgeries.”
Surprisingly, saying goodbye to such a driving force in his life came easy for him. It was just time to move on.
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A total of 26 NRHEG sixth-graders have been selected by judges to move on to the Regional History Day at Minnesota State Mankato on March 20.
In the category of Junior Group Performance, qualifying were Lillian Bell, Emily Crabtree, Michelle Katzung, and Tali Wayne.
In the category of Junior Group Exhibit, there are seven qualifying groups:
• Emily Prigge and Betsy Schoenrock
• Ben Lundberg and Perry Peterson
• Cole Staloch and Brett Kubiatowicz
• Randy Anhalt and Brendon Strand
• Makenzi Rhodes and Nikita Peterson
• Chris Stenzel and Justin Mortensen
• Gabby Muri and Kelly Harden
In the category of Junior Individual Exhibit, there are eight qualifiers:
• Ben Lewer
• Katlyn Olsen
• Katie Crabtree
• Sadie Mortenson
• Jerret Utpadel
• Taytum Ihrke
• Noah Nielsen
• Otto Oquist
Top finishers at the Regional History Day advance to the Minnesota State History Day.
For photos of NRHEG students with their projects at Ellendale Elementary School Tuesday, Feb. 28, pick up a copy of this week's Star Eagle.
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Hartland native has a definite knack for writing
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Whooshing into a room full of shelves, the literary world suddenly lays at her fingertips. Still out of breath, this introspective youngster's nose darts every which way in the hopes of finding the perfect book.
“As an only child with parents who were both avid readers, my love of books began at a very young age," said former Hartland resident Jeanie Larson. “I could travel anywhere, be anyone I wanted in a book. I read anything from romance to science fiction, to biographies. I loved them all.”
Years later, this Iowa resident has a library she calls her very own. Thus far, Larson has e-published the following titles: “Another Time, Another Place,” “47,” “Be Careful What You Wish For,” “I'll Never Forget You” and “Will You Marry Me.”
“I am almost finished with ‘Do You Remember Me Now,’” Larson said. “’I'll Never Forget You’ is actually the first one I ever wrote. It is about a girl who takes a vacation to California, and meets her favorite TV star.”
These aren’t the only ones in her home collection though. Just ask her husband of 30 years.
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Students listen to X Games medalist
TRICKS OF THE TRADE — X Games BMX medalist Doug Wilhelm, left, teaches a thing or two to an NRHEG Elementary student during his recent presentation. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Last year, for their efforts selling cookie dough, NRHEG Elementary students were treated to a magic show. This year, they enjoyed the tricks of X Games BMX medalist Doug Wilhelm on his bike.
The gymnasium served as the stage as Wilhelm performed stunt after stunt for the students. Between bike tricks, he shared his experiences, both good and bad, with the kids. As he displayed the three X Games medals he had earned, he had an important message.
“I started doing tricks in eighth grade,” said Wilhelm. “Everyone told me I’d never be good enough to make it to the X Games. After eight years of practice, guess who made it? When I was registering, this tall guy walked by me. It was none other than Tony Hawk. I started my routine, and crashed into the front row on my second trick. I crashed four more times during the two minutes. I looked up at the scoreboard and I was in last place. Last place in front of 15 million people. I wanted to quit, but I didn’t give up. My message to you is never give up!”