The year of 2014 was a good basketball year in NRHEG Land. The girls were champs for the second consecutive year in the state of Minnesota Class AA. Senior Carlie Wagner was named the Associated Press Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year. She was the Albert Lea Tribune’s All-Area Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year for the third straight year. She competed at the Minnesota Girls’ Basketball Coaches Association’s All-Star Game at Carleton College in Northfield where she was presented with the Miss Basketball Award.
John Schultz was named the All-Area Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. Pat Churchill was named All-Area Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year (These awards were from the Albert Lea Tribune newspaper.)
Mama Jane Wagner was named Girls’ Basketball Fan of the Year. Grandpa Bud Tollefson was named Boys’ Basketball Fan of the Year. (These awards were from the writer of this column.)
In related NRHEG basketball news: John Schultz announced his retirement. Do you suppose a member of his family will throw her name in the hat as his replacement?
June 6, 7, and 8, 2014 is the 50th annual celebration of Waterville Bullhead Days. As a younger fisherman I attended a few of the annual celebrations.
When Bullhead Days were at their highest popularity, about 100,000 lbs. of bullheads were caught in the area open water annually. The catch is now about 1,000 lbs. annually. Thus you can see how the popularity of bullheads has greatly decreased. Even so, Waterville is still known as the “Bullhead Capital of the World.”
Following are some true or false questions I’m sure you can solve.
1. The Bullhead Capital of the World is Geneva, Minnesota.
2. Neither St. Olaf nor Beaver lake have a bullhead population.
3. Bullheads are stocked in Leech Lake to feed the muskie population.
4. Bullheads have been known to stop at the Hope Tavern for a glass of tap beer on their way from one body of water to another.
5. Bullhead Under Glass is a favorite luncheon meal at the Ellendale and Hartland Café.
6. Bullhead is a happy hour drink at Hartland University, The Willows, and Geneva Bar and Grill.
7. Bullhead is the major part of a John Deere combine.
8. Paul Proft, Owatonna Thrivent Financial agent, will be the 2014 Grand Marshal at Bullhead Days.
9. Nate Hanson, Waseca Prudential agent, will be the 2014 Grand Marshal at Bullhead Days.
10. Jim Lutgens, owner, NRHEG Star Eagle newspaper, will be the 2014 Grand Marshal at Bullhead Days.
Poor Mama Robin, she will be going back to school this fall. It used to be she just had to know how to count to three snows on her back before she could nest. Times are a’changin’ as seen by the late snows last year and this year. It is hoped she can learn to count to six and thus be safe in nesting next year.
If you’re a bit of a bullhead – the answers are all false!
———
Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.