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

2011 Year in Review

Part 2 of 4


Compiled by JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

APRIL

• New Richland’s Edna Erdmann knows it’s time to retire at age 87. The owner of the Do-It-Best Hardware store has kept things going for the last 57 years.

• The Winter family is chosen Waseca County Farm Family of The Year. They own and operate the Indian Island Winery southwest of Janesville. Patrick Gregor was selected as Outstanding Young Farmer.

• Brittini Wangsness and Thomas Camerer announce their engagement.

• Steve’s Meat Market of Ellendale wins several awards at the state Meat Processors convention in Rochester, MN.

• Jake Papinski and Jackie Freschette were the top chili cooks at the 3rd Annual New Richland Liquor Company Chili Cook-off. The event raised 30 pounds of food and $260 for the NR Area Food Shelf.

• Both New Richland and Ellendale Food Shelves surpass their March Foodshare Month goals. NR collected 3,998 pounds and $13,399.38. Ellendale collected a combined total of $5,237.20.

• NR Lion Bob Frisk is selected Lion of the Year for Zone 8.

• Ellendale and Geneva firefighters attend Skywarn Spotter training. About 30 members of both departments were in attendance.

• NRHEG Knowledge Bowl teams, under the direction of Mary Sack, have a successful season.

• Three area churches and one New Richland business were burglarized the week of April 12. Thieves stole the PA system at Le Sueur River Lutheran Church.

• Melissa Warner, the new Director of Nursing at the New Richland Care Center, says “Smiling is a big part of my day; making sure that there is a pleasant and happy environment is the key to a smooth operating team.”

BY THE GRACE OF GOD — New Richland Area Foundation Fund representatives and grant recipients gathered at The Willows restaurant in New Richland for a recent grant presentation ceremony. Pictured front from left: Gail Schmidt, Cindy Coy, Toni Larson, Kathy Flor, Pam Goehring and Kermit Schoenrock. Back: Jeremy Parpart, Scott Eads, Cody Dobberstein and Jennie Johnson. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)


By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

Giving back to the community.

This is exactly what the New Richland Area Foundation Fund expects to accomplish, and they are exceeding expectations. 

Thanks to an anonymous donor or donors, the grant committee handed out $5,100 on Thursday, December 29 at The Willows restaurant in New Richland. The money came from the By The Grace Of God Fund, which is part of the NRAFF.

“This $5,100 brought the total to $14,600 granted by the NRAF and the BTGOG Fund to various projects in the New Richland area in 2011,” said Gail Schmidt, NRAF representative. “Added to this amount is another $9,400 from the Waseca Area Foundation and the EF Johnson Foundation Funds. That’s a total of $24,000 given back to our schools and community in 2011.”

Area organizations who recently benefited from the benevolence were the New Richland Care Center ($700); Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center ($700); NR Legion Field Improvements ($700); NR Ambulance Dept. ($1,000); NR Fire Dept. (1,000); and NR Police Dept. ($1,000.) Representatives from the organizations were on hand to receive their various grants.

Schmidt wanted to again thank the anonymous donor who gave the gift of grain this past fall.


Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met December 22, 2011 with Mayor Engel and Councilmen Helland, Reiter and Groth present. Absent was Councilman Goebel. Also attending the meeting were Clerk Louks and Gwen Reiss.

After approving the agenda for the evening, the council went over the Fire Department claims and financial statement. The council approved the claims list for evening. The council then approved the Resolution 12-22-11-01, allowing the transfer of money from the Fire Department checking and the Fire Department savings account to the city’s general fund account. The account would be marked for the Fire Department. This action is required by the state. 

The council approved the minutes from December 8, 2011, Truth and Taxation, and also the regular meeting held December 8, and the special meeting for the Municipal Liquor Store held on December 15.

The claims for the evening were presented by Clerk Louks for approval. The claims totaled $2,254.50. The claims were approved by the council.

28th annual two-weekend event to begin Friday, wrap up Jan. 14

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Christmas and New Year’s have passed, and the little town of Geneva once again plans to open its doors wide to provide for the annual Geneva Cancer Auction.

Long known for the kindness and generosity that radiates from this little town and its surrounding neighbors since the first cancer auction in 1985, this event continues to grow and give to help others.

Many events are scheduled throughout the year to bring in donations to fight the cancer battle, and the annual Cancer Auction has become an unforgettable event.

Twenty-seven years is a long time to think about causes and cures, as well as the loss of loved ones, but the message still comes through loud and clear: help find a cure for cancer.

The people of our area do their best to benefit those we love by sharing their love and generosity by supporting this annual event.

This year, the Geneva Cancer Auction will once again be held at Geneva Bar & Grill beginning on Friday, January 6 at 7 p.m., and resuming again at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The auction will continue the following weekend, January 13, at 7 p.m. and the 14th, at 2 p.m.

alt

AT YOUR CREATIVE SERVICE ­—Computer and canvas wiz, Audrea Horejsi, is ready to take the lead in all your creative and business-driven projects. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

Geneva’s newest business to hold open house January 21

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Therein the home sweet home of Audrea Horejsi lies a shrine of keepsakes. Everywhere visitors look, Horesji has taken the liberty of featuring heaps of art projects and other crafty items on the walls.

How fitting is it then that her newest business venture thrives off the knack she has for transforming empty space into a colorful kaleidoscope of creativity?

“I’ve worked in an office all day long since I was 18 years old,” Horejsi said. “I just didn’t want to do it anymore.”

Officially free of the filing cabinet, this innovative daredevil is overjoyed to announce the founding of her new business, Custom Creations by Audrea, with an open house to be held on Saturday, January 21 from 12-5 p.m. at the Geneva Community Center. She welcomes any and all curious souls to stop by and soak in all the services she plans to provide.