The Olson miracle

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Created: 09 February 2019

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Ambulance crew credited for lifesaving efforts

TOGETHER AGAIN — Front left to right: Robert “Kim” Olson and Kimberly Olson. Back: Sam Morgan, Sarah Sundve, Chad Neitzel, Dylan Arnold and Sara Jo Vulcan. (Submitted photo)

Publishers’s note: The following is an account from last Thanksgiving written by Kimberly Olson.

The Olson family Thanksgiving began as a typical one, with plenty of food and plenty of children.

With our table for 12 filled we took turns at saying what we were each thankful for. This has become an annual tradition. Mr. Olson always saves his speech for last. He listed the many family blessings we had received since the previous Thanksgiving — from two weddings of our children and the addition of their spouses to the family, to the graduation of several more children. He spoke of another daughter, Melanie, who had just recently moved back home after making a few changes in her life. He ended his talk by saying that he was also thankful all of his loved ones including himself were healthy and that none of us were celebrating the holiday from a hospital bed. I had no idea what things he had just prophesied and how much things would soon be changing. Later that evening, after the last of our adult children left, we decided to call it a night and head to bed.

Our sleep only lasted about an hour and a half with my husband waking to indigestion. He asked if I had any antacids. In what must have been milliseconds I uncharacteristically chose calmly to call 911, giving our names and location and stating my husband might be having a heart attack. I wasn't panicked at all as I thought the problem was probably just that last piece of pie. My husband didn't have a history of needing antacids, but it was Thanksgiving after all.

A bounty of learning

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Created: 17 January 2019

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Hydroponics provide fresh vegetables, practical experience for students

NUTRITOWER - Dan Sorum has always been looking for ways to further educational opportunities in school. His newest venture, hydroponic towers, are courtesy of several grants. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer

What would you do if you wanted to grow beautiful, fresh produce in your kitchen all year round? You’d get a hydroponic tower. Dan Sorum, ag educator at NRHEG, has done just that for his students this year.

Sorum already helps his students plant the school garden in the spring, but he also wanted to teach students how to grow plants hydroponically. He wrote grants to attain the money to purchase three $1,100 hydroponic towers for his classes from a company in Ontario, Canada called Nutritower

The company sent along seed packets, which Sorum planted in one of the towers during the first week of school as his “test tower.” Growing on that tower now are several plants each of kale, miniature tomatoes and cucumbers, basil and lettuce. “Basically, the idea was to raise this one with the intention of seeing how it works,” says Sorum. “The cucumbers do take over a little more than I thought they would, so next time I do cucumbers I’m going to have them in their own tower.”

Sorum soon involved the students in the project, and all three towers were up and running.

The full spectrum fluorescent lights toward the inside of the towers provides light for the plants, so lack of sunlight is no problem. Sorum said it was really bright in the room at first when all three towers were lit up, but leafy plants soon began to tone that down.

NRHEG cheerleaders ring in new year in style

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Created: 09 February 2019

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Trip to England memorable for Worrell, Westrum, Hill

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE — From left, NRHEG cheerleaders Avery Hill, Laura Worrell and Hailey Westrum recently traveled to England. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)

By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer

Seniors Laura Worrell and Hailey Westrum, and sophomore, Avery Hill spent their holiday break from NRHEG High School in style – with a trip to London.

The girls are on a number of cheer teams at NRHEG, and last June they participated in a two-day cheer camp with the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). At the cheer camp, they competed with a cheer routine for the opportunity to visit London, England with their cheer coach Kari Buendorf, and perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade. UCA chooses winners based on cleanness, tightness, and how well the cheerleaders learned the routine.

According to the girls, they practice every day. “We have three different teams going on right now,” said Westrum, “our Winter Sideline, Wrestling and Performance.” According to the girls, there are 14 cheerleaders on Winter Sideline, eight on Wrestling and 18 on Performance. These girls are on all the teams, so they had good reason to win the UCA competition.

The cheerleaders left for London on Dec. 26, returning Jan. 2. In the meantime, they saw just about all the important sites in London.

On Friday, the day after their arrival, they toured Windsor Castle, Hill’s favorite part of the trip. She enjoyed walking around the castle and the grounds with a recorded tour guide and headphones.

Oh, what a night

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Created: 09 January 2019

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Kulseth rolls rare 300 game at Trapper’s Lanes

PERFECT - Paul Kulseth accomplished a rare feet the other night, bowling a perfect game at Trapper’s Lanes in New Richland. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher

“There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place — and the universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what’s possible.”

Author Terrance Mann first penned those words, made famous in the timeless 1989 movie Field of Dreams.

For Paul Kulseth, those words became reality on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

The 56-year-old Kulseth, owner of a career average in the upper 180s, rolled a perfect 300 game during the Wednesday Nite League at Trapper's Lanes in New Richland.

"Everything was right," said Kulseth of Waseca. "Every ball I threw was just spot on. It was wonderful."

It also came as a big surprise. Kulseth, who bowls in one other league in New Richand, brought in a 198 average. He flirted with 300 before, rolling 279 about 10 years ago, but, considering his age, Kulseth knew this might be his last shot at 12 strikes in a row and a perfect 300. So he was determined to do it right. There were no Brooklyns or cheap shots.