Korean war veterans honored for service
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Honored for service - Pictured above are some of the veterans honored Friday night, July 27. In the front row, from right to left are: Vic Fischer, Bill Van hal, Kenny Wizenburg and Burt Knutson. Back row: Kenny Trom, Merrill Jensen, Ed Jensen, DeWayne “Whitey” Hagen and Paul Stender. Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
As the 65th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice approached on July 27 this year, a group at the American Legion and VFW in Blooming Prairie felt it was time to bring to remembrance the "forgotten war" of the 20th Century. The Korean War began back in the spring of 1950 and continued on until July 27, 1953.
Commander Karl Luiken of the Blooming Prairie American Legion Post 52 was recently approached by a group of Korean War veterans, who had concerns about some of the misconceptions about the war and the people who served in it. Karl decided to research this "forgotten war."
Karl learned a great deal, and he felt that it was time that veterans in our area be recognized for their service to their country during the Korean War.
The Blooming Prairie American Legion and VFW hosted a special Korean War Veterans program on Friday night, July 27, an event that honored a number of area veterans.
Relay for life back at Fairgrounds
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STILL FIGHTING - Many people from the surrounding areas gathered to support the fight against cancer. Pictured above are the New Richland Caring Friends. Pictured from left to right are: Mary Sack, Lanae Thorstad, Krystal Maxon, Julie Economy, Bonnie Jacobson, and Kris Pfeffer. Photos by Jessica Lutgens
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
After two years of being held at the waterpark in Waseca, the Waseca County Relay For Life returned to its previous home at the fairgrounds for the program’s 25th annual event on Friday, July 20. In celebration of Waseca County’s 25th year of fighting for a cure for cancer, a couple new things were added to the event schedule: in addition to the silent auction, a band from Owatonna, “The Fabulous Love Handles,” performed in the beer garden Friday evening, and local fire fighters served burgers and onion rings to those who attended.
The event kicked off at 6 p.m. with the opening ceremony, including words from speakers and introduction of past honorary chairs and caregivers. Following this were the survivor and caregiver laps, led by previous honorary chairs and caregivers, before the teams were introduced. At about 8 p.m. was the Luminaria ceremony, which represents those who have been touched by cancer.
Grand Marshal honors go to Carlie Wagner
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MARSHAL - Carlie Wagner participated in the Farm and City Days parade Saturday.
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer
Rev. Charles Espe told those assembled for the Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast at Farm and City Days that the Grand Marshal chosen for this year had something to do with history and something to do with animals. If the word ‘animals’ made you think of Panthers, Gophers and Lynxes, you might have guessed this year’s Grand Marshal – Carlie Wagner.
Wagner thanked everyone for the distinction, and spoke of Farm and City Days. “This is what I look forward to all the time,” she said. “It never gets old. Ever since I was a little girl, this has been something I really enjoyed. I’m really happy to be here with you all.”
Was she surprised to be chosen as Grand Marshal? “Well, yeah!” said Wagner, who was told she had been chosen prior to the announcement. “It’s super exciting, and I’m just, you know, honored to have the opportunity. I’m so happy to be here this summer, and get to spend Farm and City Days with all my friends and family. It’s so nice!”
Farm and City Days offers fun for everyone
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RIDING IN THE PARADE — 2017 NRHEG Homecoming King and Queen Mackenzie Rhoades and Benji Lundberg
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Farm and City Days 2018 offered a little something for everyone.
For the young, there were inflatable games, a tractor pull, basketball tournament, bean bag tournament, Kiddie Parade on Wheels, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
For the young at heart, there were fireworks, Bingo, a street dance, the Top 25 Antique Car Show, bocce ball tournament, golf tournament, softball tournament, book sale, bake sale, craft and vendor fair, Town and Country Garden Club Flower and Community Church Quilt Show, community worship at City Park, and what's becoming a favorite event, the New Richland Fire Department Water Wars.
Reese returns to familiar turf
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Longtime NRHEG teacher/coach leads Loyola to victory
HOME AGAIN — Jeff Reese, left, jokes with Jake Stork Saturday. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Unlike the last time he officially appeared at the site, there was no ceremony, no speeches, no fanfare or anything of the like for Jeff Reese.
There was just another Reese victory.
Returning to the field named after him and his late wife, Carol, the now un-retired Reese guided his Mankato Loyola baseball team past NRHEG 7-1 on Saturday, May 12.
You got the feeling Reese’s team would win, no matter what color he was wearing. He coached baseball for 35 years at New Richland-Hartland and NRHEG, ranking No. 9 in state history with 457 victories when he temporarily put away the cleats as Carol battled pancreatic cancer.
The last time Reese appeared at the local baseball field in an official capacity was the spring of 2016, at the dedication ceremony renaming the facility from Legion Field to Jeff and Carol Reese Field.