- Details
- Hits: 3708
2011 in review
Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series reviewing the year 2011 as seen in the pages of the Star Eagle
Compiled by JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
2011 was a year of change for most of the world. The year saw the end of the FBI’s most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. The state of Minnesota experienced the longest shutdown in the United States. Weather wise, we were wet in the spring and unseasonably dry in the fall here in Minnesota. Several important people left us in 2011, notably Steve Jobs, founder of Apple and Harmon Killebrew, Hall of Famer who played for the Minnesota Twins. Locally, another stretch of Highway 14 opened up south of Waseca, saving driving time west to Mankato.
JANUARY
• “Whitey” Hagen, of the Geneva Cancer Auction Committee, announced the prizes and highlights of the annual affair scheduled for January 7-8, and 14-15.
• Eric and Heather Hendrickson of rural New Richland spoke of how their lives were forever changed when they were blessed with triplets November 4, 2010.
• Third grade students at Ellendale went on a shopping spree at Lerberg’s Foods to gather items for the area food shelf. The students decided to give to others instead of having a gift exchange among themselves. All told, the students collected $450 which purchased about 200 pounds of food and other items.
• The Panther girls’ basketball team was nipped by tourney host St. Peter 57-55 in a holiday tournament.
• Thelma Kormann’s children hosted an open house for their mom in honor of her 80th birthday.
• The New Richland Care Center re-opened after over a three-month closure due to the September 2010 floods.
• Recently re-elected Mayor Tom McShane and New Richland Council Members Christine Gislason and Amy Ihrke are sworn in for their terms at city hall.
• The Panther wrestlers top Medford to stay unbeaten in their young season.
• The NRHEG Star Eagle celebrates its 125th year serving the news needs of the community.
- Details
- Hits: 1212
FAMILY FRIEND — NRHEG 9th-grader Amy Beckstrom was awarded one of 11 heifers at this year’s Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
NRHEG student awarded heifer at St. Paul Beef Expo
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Every Monday through Friday, Amy Beckstrand’s alarm clock rears its startling alert at 5 a.m.
And although not one human is stirring in the house, somehow Beckstrand effortlessly lifts her eyelids and is already mentally prepared for the day ahead. Quickly, she changes clothes, grabs a pair of work boots and heads outside to the adjacent building of yesteryear.
Once inside the rustic barn, this ninth-grade NRHEG student grabs the necessary sustenance for Maci, her very own heifer she won at last October’s St. Paul Beef Expo.
“There were a total of 11 winners in this year’s Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program,” Beckstrand said. “I acquired Maci on behalf of the Shorthorn Association. They started this program for kids to have the chance to be involved in the beef industry.”
Her mother Maryjo added, “The program has been around since 2004, and she’s the first one we’re aware of in Waseca County who has won this. I just think it’s a terrific accomplishment.”
This auspicious occasion didn’t arise without a wee bit of effort though. Two weeks prior, she completed an application process largely comprised of an essay portion.
“I explained why I felt I should be awarded the heifer,” Beckstrand said. “I gave two reasons. First of all, we can’t really afford to buy heifers. Then, I was hoping to win the heifer so I could mentor younger kids and help them be more involved in the beef industry too.”
Beckstrand continued, “This was the second time I applied. I only received the good news a week before the expo, so I was really excited.”
As one of the 100 Minnesota applicants aged 12-16, she also had to provide two reference letters to accompany the application. She inquired of her 4-H program coordinator Amy Nelson and longtime neighbor Brenda Gerdts to help out with fulfilling this portion.
“I also had a say in the breed,” Beckstrand said “My first choice was a commercial heifer, and my second choice was short horn.”
Awarded a short horn purebred, she couldn’t be more grateful and excited. Typically, heifers at Maci’s age (1 year) cost anywhere between $1,400-40,000.
“They are really expensive,” Beckstrand said. “She is worth about $1600.”
- Details
- Hits: 230754
phone 463-8112
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Details
- Hits: 156323
Here are the people
who create the NRHEG Star Eagle every week!
 | Jim Lutgens | Eli Lutgens -Publisher/Editor Column: Just a Thought |  |
 | Reed Waller | Al Batt Contributing Writer |  |
 | Bob Hanson | Mark Bernard Contributing Writer |  |
 | Dick Herfindahl
| Mark Domeier |  |
 | Dale Carlson |
| |
|
| |||
|
|