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STILL FIGHTING - Many people from the surrounding areas gathered to support the fight against cancer. Pictured above are the New Richland Caring Friends. Pictured from left to right are: Mary Sack, Lanae Thorstad, Krystal Maxon, Julie Economy, Bonnie Jacobson, and Kris Pfeffer. Photos by Jessica Lutgens
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
After two years of being held at the waterpark in Waseca, the Waseca County Relay For Life returned to its previous home at the fairgrounds for the program’s 25th annual event on Friday, July 20. In celebration of Waseca County’s 25th year of fighting for a cure for cancer, a couple new things were added to the event schedule: in addition to the silent auction, a band from Owatonna, “The Fabulous Love Handles,” performed in the beer garden Friday evening, and local fire fighters served burgers and onion rings to those who attended.
The event kicked off at 6 p.m. with the opening ceremony, including words from speakers and introduction of past honorary chairs and caregivers. Following this were the survivor and caregiver laps, led by previous honorary chairs and caregivers, before the teams were introduced. At about 8 p.m. was the Luminaria ceremony, which represents those who have been touched by cancer.
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RIDING IN THE PARADE — 2017 NRHEG Homecoming King and Queen Mackenzie Rhoades and Benji Lundberg
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Farm and City Days 2018 offered a little something for everyone.
For the young, there were inflatable games, a tractor pull, basketball tournament, bean bag tournament, Kiddie Parade on Wheels, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
For the young at heart, there were fireworks, Bingo, a street dance, the Top 25 Antique Car Show, bocce ball tournament, golf tournament, softball tournament, book sale, bake sale, craft and vendor fair, Town and Country Garden Club Flower and Community Church Quilt Show, community worship at City Park, and what's becoming a favorite event, the New Richland Fire Department Water Wars.
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Longtime NRHEG teacher/coach leads Loyola to victory
HOME AGAIN — Jeff Reese, left, jokes with Jake Stork Saturday. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Unlike the last time he officially appeared at the site, there was no ceremony, no speeches, no fanfare or anything of the like for Jeff Reese.
There was just another Reese victory.
Returning to the field named after him and his late wife, Carol, the now un-retired Reese guided his Mankato Loyola baseball team past NRHEG 7-1 on Saturday, May 12.
You got the feeling Reese’s team would win, no matter what color he was wearing. He coached baseball for 35 years at New Richland-Hartland and NRHEG, ranking No. 9 in state history with 457 victories when he temporarily put away the cleats as Carol battled pancreatic cancer.
The last time Reese appeared at the local baseball field in an official capacity was the spring of 2016, at the dedication ceremony renaming the facility from Legion Field to Jeff and Carol Reese Field.
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MARSHAL - Carlie Wagner participated in the Farm and City Days parade Saturday.
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer
Rev. Charles Espe told those assembled for the Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast at Farm and City Days that the Grand Marshal chosen for this year had something to do with history and something to do with animals. If the word ‘animals’ made you think of Panthers, Gophers and Lynxes, you might have guessed this year’s Grand Marshal – Carlie Wagner.
Wagner thanked everyone for the distinction, and spoke of Farm and City Days. “This is what I look forward to all the time,” she said. “It never gets old. Ever since I was a little girl, this has been something I really enjoyed. I’m really happy to be here with you all.”
Was she surprised to be chosen as Grand Marshal? “Well, yeah!” said Wagner, who was told she had been chosen prior to the announcement. “It’s super exciting, and I’m just, you know, honored to have the opportunity. I’m so happy to be here this summer, and get to spend Farm and City Days with all my friends and family. It’s so nice!”
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NRHEG’s favorite daughter ponders future after college
MOVING ON — After leading NRHEG High School to consecutive state titles and finishing No. 3 on the University of Minnesota’s all-time scoring list, Carlie Wagner is pondering her future. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By MARK DOMEIER
Contributing Writer
Carlie Wagner was known as the golden girl of NRHEG girls' basketball while in high school, helping lead the team to three straight state tournaments and back-to-back championships. She then became a Golden Gopher, excelling at the University of Minnesota and setting records for the women's basketball program in the process.
Now she has finished her college career and looks toward graduation and the future. Carlie was kind enough to take time to answer some questions for the Star-Eagle and reflect on her basketball career... so far.
Star-Eagle: So let’s start by just sitting back and reflecting on your basketball career. Nine years ago, you made your varsity debut at NRHEG as an 8th grader. How did you feel at that age? Did you already have goals in place for your varsity career?
Wagner: Being an 8th grader playing varsity is scary at first just because of the age difference and level of maturity, so I was nervous being in 8th grade playing with all these girls that were quite a bit older than me. At that point in time, I didn’t have goals in place for my high school career. I was just having fun and enjoying the game.
Star-Eagle: As you and the team got better and better, when did you really feel like this could be a state championship team? Did you even think about that before the playoff run your sophomore year, when you ended up finishing third at state?
Wagner: I think my whole high school career we always had a strong girls basketball program. It was the end of my freshman year when I knew we had something special going on. We were a very young team that was beating very solid teams, and well respected teams. At that point, I knew the next few years were going to be fun. So, going to state sophomore year wasn’t a big surprise to me because I knew how good we were.