NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

Hollandale festivities enjoyed by hundreds

By RACHEL LOVERINK

Staff Writer

The community of Hollandale may not be bustling like it once was, but judging by the droves of people gathered in the center of town last Saturday, this 100-year-old piece of small town America is still very much alive in the hearts of people near and far.

The highly anticipated centennial festivities began with an alumni softball game, hosted by Hollandale Christian School. Male and female alike joined in for this Friday night event and thankfully nobody got injured. Each and every spectator even snuck in a few chuckles in as well.

By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD

Copy Editor

As of July 1 of this year, Father Glenn Frerichs is the new priest presiding over All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland and Sacred Heart in Waseca, two parishes which clustered for the first time just as Frerichs was installed there.

Frerichs, who grew up near Little Falls, Minn., and was raised Catholic, was ordained to the priesthood in Winona, Minn. in May 2000, 23 years ago.

Frerichs began with a degree in Industrial Technology and worked for the Bose company in Texas building prototype models of computers and other technologies. Then, in Jan. 1994 Frerichs had a powerful conversion experience that changed his life.

Cell phone policy under development, new staff in place

By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

“This is not a ‘me’ thing,” says NRHEG Secondary Principal Grant Berg. “It’s a ‘we’ thing.”

After serving as the secondary principal for a few months last spring following the resignation of David Bunn, Berg has spent the summer assuring the secondary site will be operational.

Significant turnover in staff has occurred, with new teachers in the social studies, math, language arts and music departments; ensuring those positions were filled was an ongoing task. New teachers spent two days in orientation on August 21 and 22; all teachers began their 2023-24 school year on August 28.

Students, families and members of the community had the opportunity to meet teachers and tour the school during an open house on Wednesday evening.

Hartland bank customer 

appreciation day September 14

New building constructed in less than one year

By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

“We’re very proud of the deep connection we have with the communities where our branches are located,” comments Arcadian Bank president Mark Heinemann. “So, while there was a short-term thought exercise about not rebuilding after the tornado, it was followed by a quick decision that reopening the branch fit much better with our culture.”

He’s speaking, of course, of the historic bank building in Hartland which was destroyed by the unusual, even freak, tornado that swept through the town in December of 2021.

Principal anticipates the arrival more than 30 new students

By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

NRHEG Elementary Principal Craig Kopetzki has had enough of summer.

“I want to be greeting students as they arrive. I want to be walking the halls and stepping into classrooms to see the activities there.

“The building has seemed very empty these past few months.”

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