Cutting trees for 25 years
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LOOK NO FURTHER - If you’re wondering why over the past months, there have been piles of tree brances, look no further than Bernie Anderson (left) and Matt Harrington (right). ( Star Eagle photos by Eli Lutgens)
Bernie Anderson and Matt Harrington talk tree maintenance
By ELI LUTGENS
Editor
New Richland residents might have recently noticed neat piles of tree branches around town. The New Richland Commercial Club is responsible. More specifically, Bernie Anderson and Matt Harrington are responsible.
Roughly 25 years ago, Anderson, and others began planting trees along main street and throughout the city.
“Any of these smaller trees you see along the edge of the streets, (referring to the crabapple trees pictured) were planted by us,” remarked Harrington. “Bernie began before I did. I was a kid when he started.”
"We've been doing this for over 20 years," remarked Anderson. "I think we started in ‘95 and we had crews of four or five. We planted over 400 trees."
Wenzel getting out of antiques
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MAKE AN OFFER — That’s what Wayne Wenzel, left, says of the antiques remaining at Dad’s Good Stuff on Broadway Ave. in New Richland. After Jan. 1, Wenzel plans on closing the antiques portion of the business, but will still remain open for furniture repair, building and repairing windows and selling house paint and supplies. Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
“January first, I'm going to lock the door,” says Wayne Wenzel of the antique shop, Dad's Good Stuff.
“The front,” he qualifies. Those who know Wenzel well know that friends, and customers who want their furniture and screens repaired, use the back door anyway.
The Wenzel antique business has been around for a long time. According to Wenzel, his wife, Merlys, used to run it in the old Peterson grocery store. “And then that building was condemned, so we had to move,” says Wenzel. He was in Starke, Florida on a trip with his trucking business when Bernie Anderson called to ask if he wanted the building on the southwest corner of Broadway Ave. and Division St. Wenzel told him, “Bernie, I just bought a brand new truck and two new trailers. Do you think I can afford it?” Per Wenzel, Anderson replied, “We'll talk about the money later. We don't care about the money. Do you want that building or don't you?”
Tomorrow is not always promised
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Eckarts are grateful to celebrate 55 years of marriage
THANKFUL - Sharon and Norman Eckart are extremely greatful for the top notch care Norman received from the New Richland Ambulance Department, the staff at the Mankato Hospital, and everyone else who was there to help. (Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens)
By ELI LUTGENS
Editor
“Don’t take tomorrow for granted.” According to Sharon and Norman Eckart, “Tomorrow is not given today.”
The Eckarts had a wake-up call last week. “At around midnight Norm fell down,” said Sharon. “And then again at three. We thought it was just his diabetes acting up, so I got him some orange juice.”
Around six in the morning Norm woke up and fell down again. This time he hit his head. According to Sharon, this was when they knew something was wrong. “I called my kids,” said Sharon. “They’re both former first responders, and they came over right away. We called the ambulance and they were here in no time flat.”
“I remember thinking, if he makes it to the hospital, it’ll be a miracle,” remarked Sharon. “‘Are we gonna make it to our 55th anniversary?’” was one another thought on the way to the hospital.
But Norm did make it to the hospital. With little time to spare. Once they got to the hospital, Sharon remembers walking in and hearing, “Code blue 14.” And Sharon knows that Code 14 is code for a heart attack. Right after that the nurse who checked them in walked over and handed Sharon a sticker that said her husband was in room 14.
Board candidates air their views
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Candidate forum for NRHEG Board of Education proves lively event
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
On Thursday, Oct. 8, a School Board Candidate Forum was held where the candidates could speak on the issues before the election.
On Nov. 3, three school board positions will be up for four-year terms.
There are seven candidates including two incumbents, Karen Flatness and Dan Schmidt (Flatness was unavailable for the forum). JoAnn Maloney will be running unopposed for a two-year term.
New candidates running are Jennifer Johnson, Tami Tufte-LaCanne, Loren Schoenrock, Nancy Lageson, and former Curriculum Director Terri Engel.
Mark Domeier moderated.
Seniors bid good-bye to NRHEG
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A DAY TO REMEMBER — Aracelis Sepulveda sits in her vehicle during NRHEG Commencement Sunday, May 31. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It wasn’t a typical graduation ceremony.
But this isn’t a typical year.
Fifty-five NRHEG High School seniors officially graduated Sunday, May 31, though certainly not the way they expected.
Instead of the usual ceremony in the gymnasium where students walk across the stage to receive their diploma, graduates and guests remained in their motor vehicles — parked about 8 feet apart — as the commencement was moved to the grassy area west of the school in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Police were present at both entrances and most of those helping with the festivities wore facemasks. A large stage was set up on a flatbed trailer, flanked by two semi trailers, with a big screen above the stage.
No outside visitors were allowed, though a few watched from neighboring yards. At the conclusion, a fireworks display replaced the tradition of gathering in the street for congratulations and photos.