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?”
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.
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.
Not a total surprise
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Co-valedictorians worked hard for the distinction
SOCIAL DISTANCING — NRHEG High School’s 2020 co-valedictorians Alexandra Combs, left, and Jayna Domeier practice proper social distancing. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)
Combs always kept an eye on her grades
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Lexi Combs, the daughter of Lisa Combs, is co-valedictorian with Jayna Domeier this year at NRHEG High School.
Winning valedictorian was not a complete surprise to Combs. “I have always kept an eye on my grades and did my best to ensure they were all A's,” she says. “When it came time to announce the valedictorians, I knew I had been at a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. I was working toward becoming valedictorian. Somewhere along the way, it became a goal of mine. I've always strived for a 4.0 GPA.”
Combs is candid about her struggle to study consistently. “Honestly, I don't have the best study habits,” she says. “For my College Chemistry final last year, I would study anywhere from three hours to eight hours straight. My best habit, though, is I don't wait to study, because I find that cramming really doesn't work for me.
“Studying has become much more challenging because of the stay-at-home order,” Combs continues. “It can be difficult to motivate myself to study when everything is so different than I'm used to it being.”