Willing Workers 4-H club members arrange photos Tuesday for entry in the Rock County Fair under the Club Community Service Display.

By Jolene Farley
It's fair week, and the rush is on for 4-H club members to prepare projects and animals at the Rock County Fair.

This week is "crunch time" as 4-H'ers term it. Willing Workers club members in Beaver Creek have worked on various projects all week.

"All of a sudden you remember it's fair time," said club member Lindsy Sells, Beaver Creek.

Club leader Jill Willers said the amount of sleep you get during fair week depends on how projects progress.

"We take it one thing at a time," she said. "Pre-fair entry day or judging day you are trying to finish up five projects at once."

Monday was entry day for fair projects. Tuesday most club members prepared perishables such as baked goods or produce or worked with their livestock. Wednesday was entry day for livestock and perishables.

Tuesday's schedule for the Willing Workers included designing a Club Community Service Display for judging on Wednesday. Club members decided on pictures of community service projects completed during the year and decorated a display board.

Also on Tuesday, club members decided on what 4-H banner to enter in the fair. This was an easy year, as clubs were asked to enter banners from past years to commemorate 100 years of 4-H in Minnesota.

If time allowed, the Willing Workers planned to make a scarecrow for display at the fairgrounds.

Now that the fair is in full swing, kids with livestock show and care for their animals.

Every 4-H family is asked to work in the food stand and some work at the Pop Stop. Proceeds from the Pop Stop fund the 4-H Youth Exchange to other states.

The herdsmanship honors in poultry, rabbits, sheep, horse, beef, dairy or swine are awarded on Saturday for the club that demonstrates the most consistent care of their animals.

The anonymous judges look for animals that are watered, with nothing tipped over in the animal pens, no manure in the aisles by the pens and contestants who are friendly.

Although fair week is busy, most involved say they like their time at the fair.

"It makes for a long, but enjoyable week," Sells said.

Five Tuff Home residents entered their handiwork in the Rock County Fair last week. Darlene Olson (left) received a red ribbon for her zucchini bread. Bob Olson received a red ribbon for his decorative birdhouse. Lola Jensen received a red for her knit pot holder. Mary Eernisse received a red ribbon for her crocheted doily and crocheted hangers. Viola Kellenberger received a blue ribbon for her cut flowers and a red ribbon for her needlework.

Photo by Jolene Farley

What will negative sizes do for positive esteem?

Carson is 1 year old now, but I still have to hold my breath to zip some of my pre-pregnant Size 9 jeans.

So, imagine my delight last weekend when bought a Size 6. I was elated. I haven't been Size 6 since... ever, actually.

I recall sometime in the sixth grade graduating from a girls' Size 12 slim to a women's Size 7/8. Considering I can no longer get into my Size 9/10 wedding dress, a Size 6 is a foreign number in my closet.

I knew better, but I wanted to believe it. I smiled at my reflection in the dressing room mirror, and I smiled all the way to the cash register.

I'm not stupid and neither are most other female consumers, but it feels good - in a sneaky way - to have the deceptive tag on my waistband.

Designers and manufacturers obviously know this, too, and theyÕre no doubt smiling all the way to the bank.

They've figured out that happier women and women with positive self-esteem are more likely to spend money on themselves, and they're likely to spend it on the one thing that's making them smile - the tag with the tiny number on it.

It's brilliant marketing.

The only problem is what size will the real Size 3 women wear?

For the first time in my life, I shuffled through the racks last weekend and came across Size 0 clothes.

If this marketing trend gets out of hand, some of our truly skinny Size 1 women will become less than nothing - a negative figure. I wonder what that will do to self esteem.

Keep it simple when vacationing with kids
We enjoyed a little family vacation to the Twin Cities last week.

I had carefully planned an itinerary full of interesting things to do and see in between the major attractions.

We would have breakfast in the rotating Carousel Restaurant atop a St. Paul sky scraper. We would float up and down the Mississippi River on the historic Paddleford riverboat. We would take in live evening music at the Como Park and Pavilion. And, if we needed something else to do, we would bicycle around the Uptown lakes (I even researched which bike rental places accommodated baby passengers).

These would be sandwiched between stops at the St. Paul ChildrenÕs Museum, Science Museum and Omni Theater, Minnesota Zoo and, of course, the Mall of America, which offered Camp Snoopy and Underwater Adventures.

Alas, in all my planning, I forgot who was actually going on this vacation - children with simple, childlike interests.

We took in the major attractions and Jonathan, 6, loved them, but we had to get him and his baby brother out of the hotel first.

Jonathan begged to ride up and down the escalators several times each time we arrived and departed the lobby, and he was happy to swim in the hotel pool every day until his skin wrinkled to a prune-like texture.

Carson, who has just mastered walking, was thrilled to toddle up and down the endless hotel corridors, unobstructed by usual household clutter.

We had a wonderful time, minus the extraneous points of interest.

For the next family vacation, we'll check into the nearest hotel with a pool, escalator and long hallways.

Luverne to Blue Mounds to be part of Prairie Passage
The road side, from Luverne to the Blue Mounds State Park are looking quite baron now, but soon the recently-sprayed ditches will be blooming with native prairie flowers and grasses.

Thanks to the Prairie Passage Program, a partnership with Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, a wildflower corridor is being created from Mexico to the Canadian boarder.

The program is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and its purpose is to promote awareness of natural and cultural resources and encourage the protection and planting of native wildflowers and grasses along roadsides.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the prairie plants are not only beautiful, but they are strong enough to survive the extremes of bitterly cold winters and the blazing summer sun.

Many native wild flowers and grasses develop roots that reach 16 feet or more deep into the earth.

The section from Luverne to the Blue Mounds State Park will be one of the first areas of the project.

To celebrate the local piece of the project, a program is scheduled at the Interpretive Center at the Blue Mounds State Park on Saturday, August 10.

It will begin at 7 a.m. with a prairie bird hike from the Interpretive Center followed by a program and the unveiling of the Prairie Passage sign.

Jasper gets grant and loan for new fire truck
Multiple politicians announced last week that the city of Jasper will receive both a grant and a loan to purchase a new fire truck.

The funds, which came from the United States Department of Agriculture, came in the form of a $10,300 grant and a $72,000 loan.

The USDA Rural Economic Development Office makes loans and grants to utility service providers. The loan provides funds to the community to be repaid over 15 years.

Hot Dog Night gets national attention
A small Luverne notation was made in the July edition of YM, (your magazine).

On page 34 of the nationally distributed youth-oriented magazine, their calendar for July events noted that on July 11 National Hot Dog month would be celebrated with free hot dogs at Hot Dog Night in Luverne, Minn.

Camp Ripley opens up for archery hunt
Camp Ripley is preparing for its 2002 archery deer hunt. This year's application deadline is Aug. 16.

Hunters who applied for permits in 2001 have been mailed notices about this year's hunts, which are scheduled for Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 26-27.

Hunters who did not participate in the hunt last year can apply via one of the 1,800 DNRÕs computerized Electronic Licensing System (ELS), or through the internet at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

A third option is by phone at 888-665-4236.

Hunters, when applying, can choose only one of the two-day hunting periods.

A total of 4,500 permits will be issued for the two periods, or 2,250 per two day hunt.

An application fee of $6 is required, and the applicants must be 12 years old prior to Oct. 17, 2002.

The Minnesota Deer Hunter's Association is also accepting applications for a youth-only archery deer hunt set for Oct. 12-13 also at Camp Ripley.

Only 100 permits will be issued to eligible youth ages 12-17 as of Oct. 10, 2002. Applications must be postmarked by Aug. 31.

All youth must be accompanied by adult mentors, who will not be allowed to hunt or carry bows and arrows.

A random drawing will be on Sept. 9 at MDHA headquarters in Grand Rapids to select hunting participants.

The DNR coordinates the annual Camp Ripley archery deer hunt with the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Christine Anne Taylor, 15, rural Adrian, died Wednesday, July 31, 2002, as a result of an automobile accident.

A memorial mass was Saturday, Aug 3, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Martin Schaefer officiated. Burial of the cremains was at St. Adrian Cemetery in Adrian.

Christine Taylor was born to Tim and Debra (Wiechman) Taylor on Dec. 29, 1986, in Worthington. She attended Adrian School and had completed the eighth grade.

Christine was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church. She loved animals and small children. She enjoyed writing notes and letters, school trips; and she knew how to give great hugs. She loved her special needs classmates and teachers. She had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed teasing.

Survivors include her parents, Tim and Deb Taylor, rural Adrian; two sisters, Alexandra Taylor and Katherine Taylor, rural Adrian; paternal grandparents, Jerry and Lucille Taylor, Luverne; maternal grandparents, Carl and Beatrice Wiechman, Pine City; 10 uncles; 11 aunts; 35 cousins; and godparents, Dennis and Kate Johnson, Hendricks; and Jon Wiechman, Pine City.

Christine was preceded in death by six uncles, one aunt, and four cousins.

Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.

Clifford A. Smedsrud Sr., 86, Windom, formerly of the Hills area, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, in Windom Area Hospital.

Services were Wednesday, July 31, at American Lutheran Church Chapel in Windom. The Rev. Gregory Hall officiated. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery, Windom.

Clifford Smedsrud Sr. was born to Edward and Minnie (Hanson) Smedsrud on Sept. 8, 1915, in Hills. He grew up in the Hills area where he received his education. He also lived in the Rock Rapids, Iowa, area.

He married Hazel Richardson and was later divorced. He married Bonnie Simpson on Oct. 16, 1956 in Northwood, Iowa. Mrs. Smedsrud died in 1976.

He worked for many years in construction. He was a cook for a section gang on the railroad for several years while they lived in Iowa. He moved to Windom 30 years ago.

Mr. Smedsrud loved to fish. He also enjoyed playing pool and snooker and various types of card games.

Survivors include two sons, Clifford Jr. (Pat Smedsrud and Dennis (Sheila) Smedsrud, all of Windom; two daughters, Robin (Doug) Johnson, Waterloo, Iowa, and Linette Goodknight, Eldora, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gilbert (Pat) Smedsrud, Valley Springs, S.D., and Morris (Elaine) Smedsrud, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and one sister Edna (Jim) Campbell, Los Osos, Calif.
Mr. Smedsrud was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, three sons, one brother and five sisters.

Paul Miersma, 90, Valley Springs, S.D., died Monday, July 29, 2002, in his home following a brief illness. He was the father of Janice Vink, Luverne.

Services were Friday, Aug. 2, at Valley Springs Reformed Church in Valley Springs.

Paul Miersma was born to Harry and Margie (Kroon) Miersma on July 5, 1912, at Perkins Corner near Hull, Iowa. He moved with his family to Valley Springs when he was in the third grade.

He married Jennie M. Franken on Feb. 10, 1938, on the farm at Valley Springs. After their marriage the couple farmed north of Valley Springs and then at Beaver Creek for two years. They returned to the Valley Springs area in 1948 where they farmed for nearly 40 years. They retired and moved to town in 1987. Mrs. Miersma preceded him in death on Feb. 11, 2001.

Mr. Miersma was a lifelong member of Valley Springs Reformed Church, serving as an elder and Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed reading and listening to gospel music.

Survivors include one son, Dennis (Judy) Miersma, Valley Springs; three daughters, Margie (Wayne) Baker, Chandler, Janice (Jim) Vink, Luverne, and Shirley (Wally) Kienast, Rapid City, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

Luverne's Betty and Don Cashin display the volunteer uniforms they will be required to wear when they work at the Professional Golf Association Championship at Hazeltine National Country Club near Chaska next week. The Cashins will sell journals Monday through Wednesday and take in golf's fourth major tournament of the season as spectators Thursday through Sunday.

By John Rittenhouse
The month of August historically is tournament time at the Luverne Country Club, but two of the course's three major upcoming events will be played without a pair of regular participants.

Luverne's Don and Betty Cashin are two of the LCC's most active members. Betty graces the course at least two times a week, and it's not uncommon for Don to be on the links three or four times a week.

Don has played in the Seniors' Club Tournament faithfully for the past 21 years, while Betty has been a fixture in the Women's Club Tournament field during the same time span.

The 2002 version of the LCC's Senior and Women's Club Tournaments are slated for Aug. 11 and Aug 17 respectively, but a commitment made a year ago will keep the Cashins off the links for those outings.

Instead of playing golf, the Cashins will be working at and watching the 2002 Professional Golf Association Championship that will be played at Hazeltine National Country Club near Chaska.

"It hurts," said Don Cashin, when asked about missing the Seniors' event. "I've never missed one since in the 21 years I've been in town, and I feel bad about it. Betty always plays in the Women's tournament, and she'll miss it this year, too. At the same time, we both are very excited about going to the PGA Championship."

The Cashins aren't the only Minnesota residents excited about taking in professional golfÕs fourth and final major tournament of the 2002 season.

The event is billed as Minnesota's tournament, and a good share of the 3,500 volunteers who will work at PGA Championship reside inside the state's borders.

The tournament week begins with Professional-Amateur play Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 12-14. The actual four-day major runs Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 15-18.

This will be the second time the Cashins have worked as volunteers at a major tournament at the same site. When the 1991 U.S. Open was Hazeltine National, Don and Betty offered their services to work the event.

"We wrote a letter to the PGA saying we were avid golfers that would like to work at the event as volunteers. They accepted us, and we ended up selling script (books of tickets for the four-day event) right in the club house. That was the year (the late) Payne Stewart won an 18-hole playoff on the Monday after regulation play," Don said.

The Cashins wrote a similar letter to PGA officials stating their interest in volunteering their services for next weekÕs PGA Championship, and they received a letter of acceptance last summer.

Instead of selling script in the club house, the Cashins will working outdoors next week. Don's brother and his wife (Woodbury's John and Wilma Cashin) will join the Luverne couple in a tent near the No. 1 tee box, where they will be selling journals made up especially for the event to spectators.

"The journals basically indicate where the spectators can find the different vendors around the course. They also include some information on the tournament and the players," Don said.

The Cashins will be selling the journals, in the $150 uniforms they were required to purchase, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. In exchange for their labor, PGA officials have given them tickets to take in the four days of the PGA Championship as spectators.

The only thing that would make the PGA week more exciting for the Cashins will not happen.

Both Don and Betty were pulling for Tiger Woods to win the British Open two weeks ago, which would have given Woods the titles of all three major tournaments staged in 2002.

No golfer has won all of the PGAÕs four major tournaments in one season, and Woods would have had the opportunity to accomplish it before falling out of contention during the third round of the British Open.

"We sure were hoping he (Woods) would win," Don said. "Having him going for the whole thing (golf's version of the grand-slam) would have been a historical thing to see. He still might win the PGA Championship, but it won't be the four-in-a-row we were hoping for."

The fact that Woods didn't get it done in Scotland will not spoil the experience for the Cashins at Hazeltine National. A major golf tournament is a major golf tournament, and the Luverne couple are honored serving as volunteers at an event that will attract the multi-national spotlight just the same.

Blood Work: An Anemic Affair Of The Heart

Blood Work
Rated R * Now Playing
Kent's grade: C
Carol's grade: C+

THE PLOT:
While pursuing a serial killer, FBI profiler Terry McCaleb (Clint Eastwood) suffers a debilitating heart attack. Forced to retire, the murderer he hunts fades away.

Two years later, McCaleb is recovering from a heart transplant when Graciella Rivers (Wanda De Jesus) approaches him for help in finding her sister's murderer.

Rebuffing her, he finds that Rivers' sister was the heart donor that saved his life. Pushed by guilt, he undertakes an investigation that will lead him to the brink of death and into the web of the serial
killer who has lain dormant for two years.

KENT'S TAKE:
"Blood Work" is a lot like a Willie Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper. It's sweet on the outside but as you reach the center it turns sour. This murder mystery is a first rate yarn with an intricate plot and a fascinating trail that leads you into a dangerous and creepy world of watchers and the watched. Using intuition and his acute sense for
detail, McCaleb "reads" a crime scene better than anyone.

However, "Blood Work" turns anemic in three areas. One vital weakness comes in its predictability. My wife and I picked up on the killer as soon as the character was introduced. That's not unusual for my intuitive wife, but it is for me.

Secondly, the foreshadowing of clues is entirely too obvious and stood out like a sore thumb.

Lastly, the formulaic ending was done better in several films made a decade ago. With bullets flying, quiet stalking in the dark and victims that show indifference to their captivity, this climax is disappointing and doesn't mesh with the smart story.

I've been an Eastwood fan since "High Plains Drifter" but the actor is not convincing as a hard-nosed FBI agent with a soft heart. It's the sympathetic aspect of his character that I have a problem with.

His heart condition is a nice touch and imbues his character with both the fuel to propel his quest and the time limit to increase the stakes. Yet his condition, an important factor throughout the movie, falls to the wayside as the finale approaches and is totally ignored in the end. The rest of the cast are bit-players to Eastwood's McCaleb. Their poor development calls too much attention to clues and twists.

"Blood Work" will do wonderfully as a rental and I recommend it as such. Yet, having a very good investigation ruined by less-than-stellar acting, and a poor ending, is a crime in itself.

CAROL'S TAKE:
Through the years, Clint Eastwood has helped define the quintessential American movie hero as a man unencumbered by emotional ties, a reluctant but able performer, the loner with deep convictions who can't play by anyone's rules but his own. Terry McCaleb is one such man.

He is also a star profiler, and media darling. His celebrity makes him the natural counterpart of a serial criminal known as the "code killer." Only McCaleb's weak heart can stop him from bringing the murderer to justice. And, it does just that.

"Blood Work" is a well-made movie, but it's sorely uneven. Background is not set up sufficiently to stabilize present-time action.

Exposition is wasted on material that doesn' move the action forward. The story bogs down as McCaleb tries to keep himself healthy as he untangles clues.

Movie audiences always struggle to figure out "who-done-it," but really, they don't want to know. Instead, they yearn for a dazzling twist, the "ah-ha" at the end that collects viewers together into a
grateful, fawning mob.

Unfortunately, "Blood Work" is not clever enough to conceal the truth - after a certain point, the events can only lead to one conclusion.

Red herrings manage to confuse the characters in the story, but not the tired viewer.

As always, Eastwood is a pleasure to watch when he's on the screen.

In addition, his interactions with Jeff Daniels (as his neighbor) and Tina Lifford (as a detective) are strong; both actors are believable in their parts. Other characters, and the actors who play them, are less effective - and bleed credibility out of the project.

Like thrillers from another era, "Blood Work" sets out to build slowly and purposefully toward a satisfying conclusion. Sadly, it's a little too slow, and its purpose is a little too muddled to succeed.

© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com