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Geneva-area folks give, give, give
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Cancer auction completes another year of fund-raising
ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER AUCTION — Whitey Hagen stands next to roses given in honor of Karen Hammersmith’s 23rd year of being a breast cancer survivor during the second and final weekend of the 2016 Geneva Cancer Auction. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Once again Whitey Hagen did his testing, “One-two-three, can you hear me?” as the second weekend of the 2016 Geneva Cancer Auction got underway Friday, Jan. 15.
“It is great to see all of you here, ‘cause after all we are from Minnesota,” said Hagen, referring to how bitterly cold it was outside.
“We had a hell of an auction last week,” said Hagen, pausing before adding, “This is a cancer auction, not a hen party,” trying to remind people to tone down the visiting and pay attention to what was going on.
The first item up for bid was a blanket donated by Geri Sorenson. He explained that Geri donated an afghan to the auction for the past 41 years.
“She gave me her 42nd afghan for the cancer auction before she died this past year,” said Hagen. “This one is special.”
Continuing the fight in Geneva
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2016 cancer auction kicks off
REDNECK MOTHERS — Cheri (Sloan) Krejci, Cindy (Sloan) Owen, Pam (Cornelius) Muri and Rita (Thompson) Louks stand by the Redneck Christmas tree auctioned off during the first weekend of the 2016 Geneva Cancer Auction. The event resumes at 7 p.m. Friday and wraps up Saturday, Jan. 16 at Geneva Bar & Grill. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Life is brief and very fragile. Hope, like love, transcends all time. It is a friend, a healer and a maker of dreams. When you give, you harvest an abundance of love that life offers.
Maybe all of life’s promises don't come true. We can only try.
January is a month dedicated to extraordinary attention given to the cause against cancer. Though it is an ongoing cause year-round, January 8-9 and 15-16 are special days set aside for the Geneva Cancer Auction. Friday night began with a brief introduction by Jamie Hagen, followed by his father, DuWayne, or Whitey, Hagen, as he is best known, reviewing some achievements that go back 30 to 40 years ago.
Let’s hear it for the home team!
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NRHEG High School winter cheerleaders get the home crowd excited during a December basketball game. From left are Anna Bailey, Avery Hill, Jessica Nafe and Lillian Bell. Panther athletic teams are in the midst of a busy season. See the sports schedule on Page 10 of this week's Star Eagle. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Gift of song
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Students shine in annual concert
CHRISTMAS CONCERT — NRHEG High School music instructor Jacob Bender conducts the band during the annual Christmas Concert Monday, Dec. 14. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
By NIKKI ERICKSON
Contributing Writer
The Christmas season began at NRHEG High School with the combined choir and band Christmas Concert Monday, Dec. 14.
The choir started the evening with a joyful piece called, “A Festival Holiday,” by Jerry Estes. This rhythmic holiday tune was filled with solos by Nicole Edon on the xylophone, Emma Tollefson on tambourine and Mircedes Mattson on the bongos.
“Tänd ett ljus,” a traditional Swedish piece, was played in celebration of NRHEG exchange student Linnea Strom-Olsen, who sang the lyrics in her native language. “Tänd eft ljus” translates to “light a candle” in hope for a better world.
“White Christmas,” by Irving Berlin and arranged by Joyce Eilers Bacak, was sung with all the longing for a beautiful season of snow during the Christmas season.
Eight days in Heaven
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Goette recounts near death experience
DIFFERENT NOW — Russ Goette and his fiancée Patti Carlson have a little different outlook visiting the graves of his parents since Goette suffered a heart attack and subsequent surreal experience three years ago. (Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently)
By DEB BENTLY
Contributing Writer
Although the date on his birth certificate indicates he is 55, Russ Goette of Ellendale feels he is telling the absolute truth when he says, “I recently celebrated my third birthday.”
And as unlikely as his statement may sound, his fiancée Patti Carlson will back him up 100 percent.
“Russ started a new life three years ago,” she says.
Carlson would know: she was there when his first life ended without warning on the afternoon of Saturday, September 8, 2012. Napping in a chair near her, he suddenly made a gurgling sound, met her eyes, reached out toward her as if unable to speak, and then lapsed into unconsciousness. Carlson knew a heart attack when she saw it, so she dialed 911, requested paramedics, then worked CPR on his unresponsive frame for 15 to 20 minutes until first responders arrived and restarted his heart.
“They had to use the defibrillator twice,” Carlson recalls. “But they got a beat going, and then they took him to the hospital.”