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

 

New Richland City Wide Garage Sales will be here again April 29.

Don't have enough stuff for a sale of your own, or don't have the space to hold a sale? Rent space at City Hall! 

$10 will get you a 120 sq ft. space with enough room for three tables (provided). Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sales at City Hall will be advertised to run from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on April 29. Deadline to have your sale placed on the map is Friday, April 21.

Sign-up sheets are available at the City Hall and at Wagner Foods for sales at your home and the City Hall.

Call Sara Jo at City Hall with any questions. 465-3514.

HE LIVES HERE – Wagner Foods’ new owner Mitch Heimer is no stranger to locals, since he’s been managing the store for over two years, while living in New Richland and attending MSU in Mankato. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)

 

By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer

Wagner Foods has changed hands, and its new owner, Mitch Heimer, is no stranger to the business. 

In his hometown of Adams, MN, Heimer’s dad owned a grocery store that he purchased from Dan Wagner—father of the now former owner of Wagner Foods, Pete Wagner. 

For the past two and a half years, Heimer has been managing New Richland’s grocery store while attending college at Minnesota State University, Mankato. During his senior year of college, he was asked if he’d be interested in owning the store, as Wagner had purchased another store and was having difficulties managing two grocery stores. 

“I worked in the front and back of a grocery store before college, so I kind of knew the ropes before I arrived here,” Heimer said. “But I’ve picked up a lot, and there’s more to learn.”

Hundreds of items up for bid on opening weekend


OPENING WEEKEND — Makenna Jacobs gets her hair cut for a “Locks of Love” donation during the Geneva Cancer Auction last weekend. The auction concludes this weekend. Drop off items to donate at Geneva Bar & Grill. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

 

By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer

It has been more than 30 years since Whitey Hagen first helped raise money for cancer research. He caught a chicken one night after work at Wilson Foods in Albert Lea. He then sought donations for that chicken while at the bar and proceeded to donate the money to the Eagles Cancer Telethon.

The rest is history.

Several years later he and his wife, LaJune, along with Hank and Judy Thompson, organized the first Geneva Cancer Auction, and the auctions continue to provide a great mix of items that people will never find in department stores.

About 150 people registered for bidding numbers for the 33rd annual auction, which kicked off two weekends of action Friday, Jan. 13 at Geneva Bar and Grill. A total of 108 items were put up for bid on Friday night and 262 items on Saturday.

The action resumes Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. and again Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.

 

Geneva Cancer Auction


JUST AHEAD —Keith Hagen holds a sign made and donated by Kelly Simon for the 33rd Annual Geneva Cancer Auction, which wrapped up Saturday night at Geneva Bar & Grill. (Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer

Many of us have read or heard the “Green Eggs and Ham” story.

This year, the Eagles Cancer organization took that same idea and put it on T-shirts: “I do not like cancer here or there, I do not like cancer anywhere.”

This past weekend, several people helping with the 33rd Annual Geneva Cancer Auction proudly wore them.

Whitey Hagen welcomed everyone to Geneva Bar & Grill for the big event, which wrapped up two weekends of action Friday night and Saturday.

Whitey reiterated that the cancer auction was a super event to be involved with, and said the auctions were a lot of work and many local people put a lot of effort into donating items, especially all the home-baked goodies. Whitey said he and his wife, LaJune, really appreciate all the things everyone does to help and support the event each year. He especially appreciates all the people who turn out to take part or help with the many events.

“I know of nobody better to fight cancer than the people from our area,” said Whitey.

Groove for Food, a benefit for the New Richland Area Food Shelf, will feature Peter Klug and Just Friends.  It will be held Sunday, Feb 26, 1:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Richland.  Freewill donation.