Stargazing - by Eli Lutgens

Remembering September 11

Monday afternoon I sat down for lunch with Mikhail to talk about his 9/11 story. His story was powerful, emotional and moving. We were in agreement that the story he shared should simply be in his words. With this edition of the paper publishing on 9/11, I wanted to feature stories...

Thank you Mayo, Grandma's Kitchen

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...

Tennis courts to hospital beds

Last week I attended a Waseca tennis match where I ran into numerous folks. Most notably, Blake and Blain Nelson. It was a Thursday, so I asked Blake if he had read the Braves baseball article I published in the Pioneer. Of course, he did. “I can never talk to you during a...

Moments I know print isn't dead

Last week our anniversary edition went to print and thus, a convoy of Pioneer staff members made the long trek to Madelia’s House of Print to pick up more than 10,000 newspapers to be delivered to various post offices. The drive was pleasant. Due to construction, I ended up taking a route I had...

Reflecting on time passed

Thank you to our readers, advertisers, employees and everyone who makes the Waseca County Pioneer possible. As we celebrate our third anniversary and begin our fourth year, I want to reflect, personally, on the time that’s passed. The first three years of the Pioneer have been a battle...

Scenes from Farm and City Days

Another successful Farm and City Days celebration is in the books. A couple things really stood out to me as I spent my Saturday walking New Richland’s main street. The number of events for kids. I was really happy seeing the large amount of entertainment for youths. Ever since...

Six miles from the front line, far from home

Two of my best friends, Kyle and Anastasiia, (both in their 30s) were in town visiting Monday and Tuesday. They are now permanent Floridians, but still have family in Southern Minnesota. Yesterday we had dinner together and spent the evening chatting. Anastasiia is from Ukraine. Her...

Mark delivers devastating news

For the second time in less than a year, my friend Mark delivered devastatingly tragic news to me. The first time came when I was playing games with my friends and he walked over to share the news that President Trump had been shot. This weekend, I was cooking breakfast for my friends while...

Talent wins games; teamwork wins championships

This past Friday morning I made the 1.5-hour drive to the Xcel Energy Center for the annual Minnesota state high school wrestling tournament. Waseca County sent 13 wrestlers, all of whom I worked to keep track of for two days. In the end I had the privilege of photographing three medalists:...

People care enough to say something

Hanging on the wall in my office are numerous pictures, sayings and mementos. Among them is a copy of the first newspaper my dad published after he purchased the New Richland Star in 2005. I feel very lucky to have it, since the only copy I’ve ever found happened to be squirreled away in my dad’s...