Just a thought - Eli Lutgens
On Tuesday I left for vacation, although thanks to modern communication, I will still be performing most of my typical duties for the newspaper. As part of my preparations, and because I will be out of town for a while, I decided I would spend the time prior to my departure cramming in as much...
I hope everybody had a good Christmas and a happy new year.
Christmas this year started on Christmas Eve.
My dad and I went to church together at 3:30. Afterwards we went to his house to open presents. From there, we went to my mother‘s house for dinner and another round of present...
I’m grateful I have the opportunity to write about local sports. This past week I attended the NRHEG Fall Sports Banquet. The banquets are among my favorites to write about.
When I arrived at the athletic banquet Tuesday evening, I was surprised when I saw former teacher and my former coach...
I attended a new church with my dad this weekend. It was the first time since the closing of the Congregation Church in New Richland that we have attended the same service. Dad tried a couple different churches before deciding on Christ Community Church in Waseca. (I attend church with Deb in...
TRAVEL FUN - Highlights from Eli and Madison’s South Dakota adventures from Oct. 7 through 12, 2025. Highlights included the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Lewison.
Last week I returned from a five-day South Dakota vacation with my friend Madi.
Two years ago I met Madi and within a month she began talking about a vacation to South Dakota. She joked she was going to kidnap me if that’s what it took. I was hesitant then, because of the amount of work I...
From left: Phillip and Barb Lewison, Madison Sladek, and Eli Lutgens
What I thought was a vacation to visit South Dakota’s Badlands, National Parks and the Black Hills turned out to be an emotional trip back in time.
Four years ago I wrote a column about my second-grade teacher, Barb Lewison. A few weeks later, another former teacher, Mary Sack, mailed her...
The last time former Star Eagle Publisher Lavonne Meyer and I visited, it started when she banged on my front door, waking me up from a peaceful sleep.
She was mad.
After I relieved myself, got dressed, and hurriedly put on shoes (without socks), I opened my front door to see which...
I was awoken at 2 a.m. Saturday morning to the sounds of screeching tires and brakes. A minivan had stopped behind my apartment and lights were shining into my apartment. A few minutes later, the vehicle parked in my neighbor's driveway.
After calming down I was almost back to sleep when I...
Tuesday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the Waseca Exchange Club meeting. The day prior, Mikhail, the Exchange president, had shared the presentation he was going to be giving with me in advance: it was about his experiences on Sept. 11, 2001. It remained powerful as I heard it for the...