Stargazing - by Eli Lutgens

Only two aces left in the deck

The cribbage faceoffs with my dad continue. This week I took home the majority, 11-6. Dad registered one skunk, which decreased my lead and gave us even totals. Prior to Monday evening, I was up 7-3 in games. That evening, up three to one in games, we were playing our final game. The difference...

A memorable final sermon at Wilton Church

As I sat in church Sunday morning the bells of Wilton Church rang, and to me, felt as if they were doing so for the final time. Saturday evening Deb invited me to join her for Pastor Larry Sipe’s final service in Wilton. His actual last service for the parishes will be Sunday at First Lutheran in...

Nightly cribbage bouts continue

The nightly cribbage games with my father continue. Lately we have nearly split our games, with the slight edge going my way. Over the weekend my father thanked me for not bragging about beating him in my column. Thursday evening, he got to the table a few minutes before me. When I walked...

Happy, belated, Father's Day, Dad

I am more than two months through twice-a-week physical therapy sessions, which meant it was time to ‘reassess’ prior to my most recent session. There had been something of a setback during the previous week; I hurt myself during one of the exercises. It was a very simple resistance...

One of the best baseball games ever

Last Saturday, May 30, 2026, I had the pleasure of enjoying some of the best baseball I have seen in a very, very long time. In my life, I have witnessed or participated in some roughly 2,000 baseball games. Hundreds, maybe a thousand Twins games. Oh so many games played from little league...

Thoughts and more on graduation day

Graduation is one of my favorite events of the year. It pulls at my heartstrings. I enjoy the student speeches, the parent appreciation (NRHEG graduates leave the stage and present a flower to their parents during the ceremony), and the video montage. Graduation Sunday goes quickly for those of...

It's the mistakes that hurt the most

‘Tis the season of graduation and baseball. I had the pleasure of watching a lot of high school baseball this week. Namely NRHEG and JWP. Both teams are still alive in the section 1A playoff race, which is down to the final four teams: NRHEG, JWP, Southland and Lewiston-Altura...

Sharing life stories building friendships

This week I learned Mikhail Rostislavovich was stepping aside from his role as President of the Waseca Chamber of Commerce due to health concerns. Mikhail contacted me the night before he sent over a press release with his decision. My advice to him was to do what is best for him. His...

Thanking the mothers in my life

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone. I would like to thank the mothers in my life for everything they do. Starting with my mother. Thank you for raising me. Teaching me quality newspaper lessons. My mother doesn’t get enough credit for the opportunities which came to...

Watching the prom season come and go

Another prom season has come and gone. The pleasure in covering this staple of the spring season is the energy and joy the teens show as they dress to the nines and take part in a formal event. I had the responsibility to photographize this year’s NRHEG prom. The teens were a pleasure to...