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

Bohlen finally achieves perfection on the bowling lanes

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FAMILY AFFAIR — Bowling has definitely been a family activity for Rick Bohlen of rural New Richland, who rolled his first 300 game Nov. 16 at Trapper’s Lanes. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)


By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Nobody’s perfect, of course, but on one night, for one shining moment, Rick Bohlen of rural New Richland was exactly that.

Bohlen, 55, finally bowled an elusive 300 game, hitting 12 consecutive strikes Monday, Nov. 16 during league competition at Trapper’s Lanes in New Richland.

It was the first of a three-game 710 series for Bohlen, who followed the perfecto with games of 217 and 193, and it was a long time coming for someone who started bowling more than 50 years ago when his father, Merlin, owned the bowling alley then known as Bohlen’s Lanes.

“I think it was kind of neat it was done here,” said Bohlen, who bowled for many years in Albert Lea before returning to town with his brother, James, to take over their father’s heating and air conditioning business in 2006. “To come back here to do it where we actually grew up and learned how to bowl, it was special.”


NRHEG School Board

By REED WALLER

Staff Writer

The “Striving for the World’s Best  Workforce” bill was passed in 2013 to ensure every school district in the state is making strides to increase student performance.

NRHEG Director of Curriculum and Instruction Terry Engel and Supt. Dale Carlson presented a report on the progress shown by the first year of the district’s World’s Best Workforce plan.

Five goals are addressed: 1. All children are ready to start kindergarten. 2. All third-graders can read at grade level. 3. All achievement gaps betweeen students are closed. 4. All students are ready for career and/or postsecondary education. 5. All students graduate from high school.

Judging by Adequate Yearly Progress, NRHEG did not meet all those goals in this first year, but they didn’t expect to. Instead, they set short-term goals they thought they could meet. 

Peterson to auction Christmas lights

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BITTERSWEET FAREWELL — After four decades, Vince Peterson of rural New Richland will not have his farmplace decorated this winter, as depicted in a painting that hangs in the entryway of his home. He’s selling most of it by auction on Sunday. Peterson is pointing at two items that will not be sold. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

For anyone out there hoping to catch one last look at Vince Peterson’s now famous Christmas display, you’re out of luck.

It won’t be there this year.

At 84, after putting up a portion of the lights — a task he’s performed since 1975 — Peterson concluded that he’s too old and too tired to continue, and decided to hold a public auction on almost all of his collection. It’s set for Sunday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. — just in time for the holidays — at Peterson’s farm north of New Richland. Auction proceeds will be donated, half to Trinity Lutheran Church of New Richland and half to the New Richland Area Fund.

It marks the end of an era for an impressive display, which gained popularity through the decades as Peterson and his late wife, Virginia, added items almost every year. It was a must-see for anyone with kids or anyone who enjoyed Christmas lights. It was known throughout Southern Minnesota.

A free home style meal is being served the first Sunday of every month at United Methodist Church, 200 6th St., NE, Ellendale.

Worship is at 10:30 a.m. and the meal begins at 11:30.

Dates are:

• December 6th, 2015

• January 3rd, 2016

• February 7th, 2016

• March 6th, 2016

• April 3rd, 2016

• May 1st, 2016

• June 5th, 2016

• July 3rd, 2016

• August 7th, 2016

• September 4th, 2016

• October 2nd, 2016

• November 6th, 2016

• December 4th, 2016

NRHEG Community Education is planning a trip to the Assissi Heights and Mayowood Christmas Tour in Rochester Monday, Dec. 7. The Historic Mayowood Mansion will be decorated for Christmas. This 38-room mansion was occupied by Doctor and Mrs. Charles W. Mayo. The group will also tour the Assisi Heights Convent. This is a beautiful, peaceful place with spectacular architecture on a prominent hill overlooking Rochester. The entrance is an ornate lobby with slate floor, 60-foot tall Italian marble columns, and hand-blown stained glass windows from Germany. This is the home of the Sisters of St. Francis. The structure bears a striking resemblance to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.

The group will leave Ellendale (pick up will be at Gopher Stop, intersection of I35 and Hwy. 30) at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $40 (lunch extra). Register by calling 417-2667.