Grand Marshal honors go to Carlie Wagner
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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!”
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.
Still golden
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NRHEG’s favorite daughter ponders future after college
MOVING ON — After leading NRHEG High School to consecutive state titles and finishing No. 3 on the University of Minnesota’s all-time scoring list, Carlie Wagner is pondering her future. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By MARK DOMEIER
Contributing Writer
Carlie Wagner was known as the golden girl of NRHEG girls' basketball while in high school, helping lead the team to three straight state tournaments and back-to-back championships. She then became a Golden Gopher, excelling at the University of Minnesota and setting records for the women's basketball program in the process.
Now she has finished her college career and looks toward graduation and the future. Carlie was kind enough to take time to answer some questions for the Star-Eagle and reflect on her basketball career... so far.
Star-Eagle: So let’s start by just sitting back and reflecting on your basketball career. Nine years ago, you made your varsity debut at NRHEG as an 8th grader. How did you feel at that age? Did you already have goals in place for your varsity career?
Wagner: Being an 8th grader playing varsity is scary at first just because of the age difference and level of maturity, so I was nervous being in 8th grade playing with all these girls that were quite a bit older than me. At that point in time, I didn’t have goals in place for my high school career. I was just having fun and enjoying the game.
Star-Eagle: As you and the team got better and better, when did you really feel like this could be a state championship team? Did you even think about that before the playoff run your sophomore year, when you ended up finishing third at state?
Wagner: I think my whole high school career we always had a strong girls basketball program. It was the end of my freshman year when I knew we had something special going on. We were a very young team that was beating very solid teams, and well respected teams. At that point, I knew the next few years were going to be fun. So, going to state sophomore year wasn’t a big surprise to me because I knew how good we were.
City of Lights
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NRHEG prom 2018
Cole Thompson and Jazzlyn Johnson prepare for the grand march during NRHEG's 2018 prom Saturday, May 5 in the high school gymnasium in New Richland. As usual, the gym was overflowing with spectators. The theme of this year's prom was "City of Lights." The May 10 edition of the Star Eagle features photos of all 2018 NRHEG prom participants. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
Deserving of the honor
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WWII veteran Thompson to take Honor Flight
HE SERVED WITH PRIDE — Mitch Thompson, left, and his brother Mike, right, are very proud of their father Harold (seated), one of only 2,000 Minnesota WWII veterans remaining. This weekend, Harold Thompson will join approximately 170 veterans and their guardian volunteers for Honor Flight Twin Cities. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer
New Richland has the distinct honor of having Harold Thompson living in our community. One of only 2,000 Minnesota WWII veterans left, Thompson lied about his age when he was 17, claiming he was a year older, because he wanted to enlist in the army to be with his brothers, who were serving in New Guinea.
Thompson is a native to the area. He grew up in Hartland and went to high school in Freeborn until the school closed, and then graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1943.
Now, back in New Richland, Thompson gets some well-deserved attention for the baseball cap he wears; it’s covered with medals for his service in the army. A purple heart attests to the time he was wounded by a hand grenade. A bronze star is a reminder of the time he risked his life to save another soldier. Many more imitation medals decorate the hat, while the originals are kept in a glass case.