Snowy celebrations

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Created: 13 February 2020

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Snow week celebrations at NRHEG began with the snow dance on Feb. 8. Pictured above are this year’s Snow Week court. Back row from left: Andrew Bailey, Andrew Reich, Addison Deyle, John Hoelscher, and Ethan Strenge. Front row: Aracelis Sepulveda, Summer Kath, Hope VanWilgen, Mia Williams, and Grace Kofstad. (Submitted photo)

Cheers for the home team

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Created: 25 December 2019

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Future Panthers cheerleaders were on display during the NRHEG wrestling team’s home meet against Pine Island Thursday, Dec. 12. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

Geneva Cancer Auction starts Friday

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Created: 07 January 2020

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Donations still accepted at Geneva Bar & Grill

HOW MUCH THIS YEAR? — People place bills in the tray atop the head of Geneva Cancer Auction founder Dwayne “Whitey” Hagen. The first weekend of the 2020 auction kicks off Friday. (Star Eagle file photo)

By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher

What started from humble beginnings has turned into one of the biggest annual events in Southern Minnesota.

It’s time again for the Geneva Cancer Auction, which runs for consecutive weekends starting Jan. 10 at Geneva Bar & Grill.

The auction started in 1985 with several family members and friends who wanted to raise money to fight cancer. Several of them had experienced losses of loved ones to the disease. That first year they raised $5,500. Word spread quickly and every year since the auction has grown by leaps and bounds. Hundreds of items, some of them quite unique, have been donated for the auction block. 

The cancer committee also hosts a raffle. This year the top prize is a 48” LED TV and blu-Ray player. There are five cash prizes available. Winners will be drawn on January 18 at 10 p.m. 

Besides the two-weekend auction, there are several other events held year around which contribute to the yearly total. The largest is the Wild Game Feed held every December. The total raised from the feed will be announced at the auction this year. Other events included pool tournaments, a motorcycle run, car cruise and golf tournament.

So long, Pastor Paul

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Created: 29 November 2019

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Andree leaving New Richland after 25 years

PRIVILEGE AND HONOR — That’s what it’s been to serve in New Richland, according to Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Paul Andree, who’s retiring after more than 25 years in town. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)

Editor’s note: Pastor Paul Andree is leaving Trinity Lutheran Church after 25 years. Pastor Paul chose not to be interviewed for an article, but did provide some insights to his feelings as he leaves New Richland. Here they are, in his words:

On June 16, 1994, I became the 10th pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. Shortly thereafter my wife, Rhonda, became the church organist. This community has blessed us more than words could ever describe. It was the beginning of what has become a wonderful journey with the people of the New Richland area. We have been here over 25 years, during which our two girls, Karisa and Rachel, graduated from NRHEG, so our family will always feel that this is home for us.

At an early age I knew I was going to be a pastor. I was raised in the faith at Grace Lutheran Church, Waseca. I wrote a paper on being a pastor when I was in Mr. Storby’s class at Waseca Central High School. I graduated from Luther Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota, on June 1, 1980 and was ordained on June 29. I then served churches at Arlington, South Dakota and Canby, Minnesota before coming here. Being New Richland is Rhonda’s home town, this was a double blessing for us.

My focus has been on building relationships within our church, but also by reaching out to the community so that everyone can feel welcome here as we worship God.   Another focus has been on our youth. We started a program called, FISH (Fun In Serving Him) for any child in our community in grades 3-6. It meets every Wednesday after school until 4:30 p.m. We also started a community food shelf in 2009 which is now the Area Food Shelf of New Richland.