News

From left: Mark Griffith, Sarah Sundve and teacher Holly Pederson during the NRHEG mock crash staged near the NRHEG secondary school on Friday, Sept. 20. Ian Riskedahl played the part of a crash victim, but stepped out of character for the sake of the picture. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

NRHEG Mock car crash goes off without a hitch

Students from the NRHEG secondary school took some time away from their classes the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 20 to view a “Mock Car Crash” arranged by staff from the New Richland ambulance and fire departments, the Ellendale ambulance crew, the Waseca County Sheriff’s office and Bonnerup...

Sandi Prange, owner of Past & Present in Waseca, in the process of changing the decor in her specialty shop from late summer to early fall. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

27 years at Past and Present

“Past and Present” is a cozy little shop on the west side of North State Street, just past its intersection with Eleventh Avenue. Upon entering, the visitor is met with the smell of home-baked goods or floral scents, along with the peaceful sound of water fountains at the entry. Sandi Prange...

All the participants in the Quacks and Cure-alls trivia contest enjoyed popcorn, beverages, and equal parts of confusion and humor as they answered questions about bizarre forms of medicine offered during the 1920s and '30s.

Pioneer photos by Deb Bently

‘Quacks and Cure-alls’ contest full of fun, humor

About 20 people gathered at the Waseca County Historical Society (WCHS) the evening of Sept. 19 to take part in the Society’s special event built around their current exhibit. On display in the museum are items ranging from elaborately formed stoppered bottles to needles and stethoscopes to a...

37th Annual Marching Classic set for Saturday

“Our focus is to provide an educational and fun day for high school marching band students and to make this a community event,” says Mary Williams, a member of the Waseca Marching Classic Committee. This year’s Classic is Saturday, Sept. 21. Mary and her husband Jack Williams have been active...

WHO WILL REIGN? — Candidates for this year’s Waseca Homecoming Court, front from left: Kendall Bowers, Lexi Kanewischer, Addison Pfeifer, Sophie Chanra, Lucia Mansfield and Mia Kanewischer. Back from left: Joseph Mixteco-Perez, Ben Hagen, Damarius Russell, Tauston Rupe, Braydon Hoof and Carson Ohnstad. Coronation will be Thursday September 26 at 7:30 p.m.

2024 WHS Royalty

Waseca Homecoming 2024 kicks off next week. Coronation is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 26 at Waseca high school, when royalty will be crowned based on a vote of the student body grades 9-12. The new king and queen will reign over homecoming activities including the parade scheduled to...

Elaina Berg, 7, was busy painting her rock for arts and crafts

at the Sacred Heart Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Hundreds attend annual Fall Festival

Well over 700 people attended the events and activities of the Sacred Heart Church annual Fall Festival the weekend of Sept. 13, 14 and 15. As usual, the street in front of the church was closed to traffic and covered over by a giant tent. Activities took place there and in other locations on the...

Deb and Wally Werling in the convertible they will be riding in during this week's parade. They are wearing hats given to them by the Rochester Lourdes High School marching band, a group for whom they have served as event hosts many times.

Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Werlings are Classic’s Grand Marshals

“Whatever they need, we try to help them out,” comments Wasecan Wally Werling who, with his wife Deb, has served as a “host” to visiting bands during the Marching Classic. The Werlings were named this year’s grand marshals for the Classic’s parade, scheduled to begin at noon this Saturday in...

From left) Heath Miller, marketing president; Larry Johnson, mortgage lender; Melissa Olson, mortgage lender, and Jenna Ferris, retail manager at MinnWest Bank, Waseca.

Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Minnwest named “Friend of the Classic”

“Minnwest started the tradition of paying for the trophies given during the Waseca Marching Classic back when we were Roundbank,” says Melissa Olson, a mortgage lender with Minnwest. “It is a wonderful community event that we are honored to contribute to.” Marching Classic organizers explain...

WHO WILL REIGN? — Candidates for this year’s NRHEG Homecoming are, front: Mallory Schlinger, Tayla Sandry, Lia Johannsen, Sierra Misgen, Hannah Brunsen, and Violet Elise Aronson.Back: Jayden Fleming, Harbor Cromwell, Owen Bartlett, Cole Hutchens, Alden Dobberstein and Jase Knudson

Coronation will take place Tuesday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium in New Richland.

2024 NRHEG Royalty

By ELI LUTGENS Publisher/Editor NRHEG Homecoming week 2024 kicks off next week. Coronation is set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24 at the high school gymnasium in New Richland. Parades are scheduled for Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Ellendale and 2:15 p.m. in New Richland. The homecoming game...

(From left) Greater Mankato Area United Way (GMAUW) executive director Barb Kaus, Waseca United Way leader Diane Beckmann, and chair of the 2025 GMAUW fundraising campaign, Maria Brown. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

United Way raises $3000 for area charities

The matter at hand was serious. The Greater Mankato United Way (GMAUW) began a fundraising effort last week with the goal of raising $2,350,000 to meet regional needs in 2025. Barb Kaus, GMAUW chief executive officer, told a group of about 40 people assembled at the Mill in Waseca the afternoon...