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
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD

Copy Editor

Saturday's events at Ellendale Days this year started out with a cloudburst as some planned activities were nearly drowned out.

Whereas in most years proud motorists linger throughout the morning to discuss their prized antique vehicles at the car show at the United Methodist Church, this year's contest had them beating a hasty retreat to get out of the downpour. Fortunately, Lions Club members Becky Larson, Cindy Nelson, Allie Larson, and Nola Roberts had the good fortune to be able to sell goodies under an awning, a benefit contestants could only enjoy behind the wheels of their cars.

Dick David and Becky David Lassahn were on hand to oversee the yearly First Lutheran Church Rummage Sale to benefit the youth group, but, as shoppers had to venture out into the rain to get there, the parking lot was not overcrowded.

‘Happy place’ is everything Rourke wanted

By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

“The bed. And the ‘fridge.”

Rourke Wacholz, 6, has little patience with questions this morning of Sunday, June 25. He has returned home to see the makeover his room has been receiving the past couple of days. But he is able to identify two favorites.

In addition to the lofted bed–the request he was most excited about–he has returned home to find new carpeting, freshly painted walls, a toy chest filled with dinosaurs, a special circular ceiling light with a small ceiling fan inside it, and even a karaoke machine and a small refrigerator that can hold up to four child-sized beverages.

All four members of the Wacholz family–Rourke, his younger brother Arlo, 4, and parents Chelsey and Mike–have spent the last two days elsewhere, asked to return no sooner than 11:30 today.

By JONAH STAFFORD

Staff Writer

Pastor Billie Jo Wicks is taking on a new role in her Ellendale and Meriden congregations, Zion and St. Paul Lutheran churches. Wicks has already served as deacon at both churches for nearly two years, and, after being ordained in January, has been their pastor ever since.

Wicks is a native of Austin and currently lives in Mankato with her husband Michael and their children Violet, Theodore, Sam, Rob, and Ray. She is a graduate of Winona State University and the University of Minnesota, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. After working as an elementary school teacher for 10 years, however, Wicks felt called to the ministry and became a children’s ministry coordinator at a church in Austin. She soon began studying at Luther Seminary and worked as a deacon at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato.

She says she enjoyed being a deacon, but decided to become a pastor after feeling a calling to be more directly involved with the sacraments. While studying for her master’s degree in divinity, Wicks took up an internship role at Zion and St. Paul’s, during which she was the sole leader of those churches, with the assistance of supervisors. Now that she has become ordained, she will continue to serve those congregations in the pastoral role.

‘Happy place’ is everything Rourke wanted

By DEB BENTLY

Staff Writer

“The bed. And the ‘fridge.”

Rourke Wacholz, 6, has little patience with questions this morning of Sunday, June 25. He has returned home to see the makeover his room has been receiving the past couple of days. But he is able to identify two favorites.

In addition to the lofted bed–the request he was most excited about–he has returned home to find new carpeting, freshly painted walls, a toy chest filled with dinosaurs, a special circular ceiling light with a small ceiling fan inside it, and even a karaoke machine and a small refrigerator that can hold up to four child-sized beverages.

All four members of the Wacholz family–Rourke, his younger brother Arlo, 4, and parents Chelsey and Mike–have spent the last two days elsewhere, asked to return no sooner than 11:30 today.

By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

The Waldorf City Council held a public meeting the evening of Thursday, June 15, in the community center, to discuss two items: Waldorf Veterans’ Memorial Park and the relocation of the St. Clair Wood Ducks to Waldorf which would include the construction of a new baseball complex. 

Waldorf native Charlie Barnes presented the same idea he had a couple months ago regarding the Veterans’ Memorial Park. Barnes would like to donate a 50 x 70 foot lot in front of the new city mural, across from the Community Center, to the city for the park. 

“This won’t cost the city any money for the building of the park,” Barnes assures. “The city would only be responsible for maintenance, repairs, and insurance.” 

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