Stargazing - by Eli Lutgens

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...

Just friends who have not met

Over the past month I have had numerous health complications. This past week I battled Influenza B. A visit to the doctor Thursday confirmed this. Despite having what I described as the worst sore throat of my entire life, the doctor was impressed my throat looked so good. I will...

State championships, winning are hard

Winning a state championship is hard. Waseca County schools sent three teams to the state basketball tournament this season. The NRHEG girls, JWP boys and Waseca boys. For the girls, they lost their Miss Basketball finalist to injury in the section finals. It took a heroic,...

How long will teens hate Mom and Dad

I have been enjoying a great number of stories via Audible this year. Audible is an application which reads stories to the listener. Editor Deb talked to me numerous times about the benefits of listening to stories when driving or doing activities that keep the hands busy. (Not that she or...

Living for wrestling matches like these

I had the pleasure of attending the Minnesota State High School League State Tournament last week in Minneapolis. It was a pleasure, as always. Special thank you to Matthew Petsinger for allowing me the courtesy to share his suite with him during the long in-between periods of the matches. ...