Christmas in the Country
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Annual event marks 25th year
FUN FOR ALL — The 25th Annual Christmas in the Country event offered something for all ages in downtown Ellendale Sunday, Dec. 2. (Star Eagle photos by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Sure, there may have been no white flakes blanketing Ellendale this past Sunday, but they sure had plenty of Christmas cheer to go around.
From noon to 5 p.m., town residents of all ages flocked to a myriad of entertainment and shopping events for Christmas in the Country. The kids especially had a grand ole time.
“I’ve called Santa Bingo since our kids were little, so we’ve been doing this for 25 years,” said Commercial Club member Brian Wayne. “All the bingo winners receive prizes provided by local businesses in town.”
Some of the prizes available for selection included Play-Doh, an Angry Birds ball, Candyland, bead kit, weaving loom and a Nerf basketball kit.
Once was not enough
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Fans pack gym twice for Indoor Marching Band Concert
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA — NRHEG High School Band members donned masks, above, and generally had fun and displayed pride during the Indoor Marching Band Concert Nov. 19 and 20. Below, Director Tim Siewert presents Hans Frank the award for Panther of the Year. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
The NRHEG High School Band had its annual Indoor Marching Band concert on Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20 in New Richland. The concert began at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening for the public at 7.
This year, the school made an exective decision to host the concert two nights, due to how popular it has been in the previous years. The concert was a success again this year with two bleachers filled both nights.
This year’s theme included songs from the movie The Phantom of the Opera.
The first group to perform was the jazz band, which performed four songs. They played songs such as “That’s How We Roll” and “Gospel John.”
Thanks, Alliance!
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Alliance Pipeline presented a check for $10,000 to the NRHEG School District and the City of New Richland after the annual Veteran’s Day program held in the high school Nov. 12. The money is part of their community investment program and will be used toward the new signs and lighting at the crosswalk. From left: Superintendent Kevin Wellen, Elmer Quiram, Rick Schultz, Shannon Bode of Alliance, Geoff Jessen, Cody Dobberstein, Senator Julie Rosen, Jacob Kohnert, Orville Bolduan, Mitchell Westrum, Brenda Kampen, Dennis Dinneen, Louis Gaona, Gretchen Supalla, Rayna Crosson and Winston Evenson. (Submitted photo)
Blessed a dozen times over
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Thanksgiving Special
When Kari (Schlaak) Rettig was a little girl growing up in New Richland, she owned more than 100 dolls and used to tell people she wanted a dozen children someday. With the birth of her second set of twins this year, she now has an even dozen — and countless reasons to be thankful
A DOZEN AND THEN SOME — The Rettig family, front from left: Rockford, Victoria, Keira, Emma and one of the newest twins. Back: Elisabeth, Jacob, Mercedes, Christian, Lee, Hudson, Kari (holding the other twin) and Hannah. The new twins are named Abraham and Benjamin. (Submitted photo)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The saying, “The more the merrier,” well, the Rettig household has taken that one literally.
Yes, Kari and Lee Rettig definitely have their hands full, with 12 children in all. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“People remember me saying I wanted a dozen children,” said Kari, a New Richland native and daughter of Lyle and Diane Schlaak. “I remember having over a hundred dolls and I named most of them. My husband was the older of two; he debated about even having children before we were married. He then said four and once we had about two, he was fine with six.”
But, after bearing their first set of twins (numbers four and five) Lee’s exact words at the time were, “However many God blesses us with is fine.”
Never forget
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Veteran’s Day observed at NRHEG schools
VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM — State Senator Julie Rosen addresses students as the keynote speaker during NRHEG High School’s Veteran’s Day program Monday, Nov. 12. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
What does patriotism mean to you?
That’s what State Senator Julie Rosen asked the students of NRHEG High School when speaking at this year’s Veteran’s Day Program, held on Monday, November 12. Along with her speech, the program consisted of readings from various students, performances by both the band and choir, and awards for the poster and essay contests.