Just a thought - Eli Lutgens
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...
With this edition of the paper publishing on 9/11, I wanted to feature stories remembering the day.
On Tuesday afternoon I attended the Waseca Exchange Club’s meeting. Stories from 9/11 were shared.
Minnesota State House Representative Tom Sexton’s wife Jeanne Sexton was in...
Last Monday I was at an Albert Lea Kwik Trip store when a voice I had not heard in a long time said, “Hi, Eli.”
In disbelief I turned around, stunned.
The man saw my face and said, “Grandma’s Kitchen.”
It was Bob, former owner and cook at a restaurant my dad and I frequented...