By Jolene Farley
Gene Sandager, Hills, returned March 25 from a 14-day international study tour in Argentina and Chile sponsored by the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program.

The tour was designed to expose participants to government operations, economics, trade and culture in the two countries.

An overnight stay on the Argentinean farm of Francis Macadams was the highlight of the trip for Sandager.

"I got to see how they farm and what my competition is … what their struggles are," he said. "It was interesting to be able to visit and compare with our (the United States') No. 1 competitor in corn exports."

He noted how similar farm operations there were to those in the United States.

"The Macadams' farm operation could be a mirror image of a medium to large farm in Minnesota," wrote Sandager in an e-mail to the Crescent.

"The major difference can be found in the government policies and the economy," he wrote. "Francis was very discouraged with paying large amounts of taxes with little or no results for the payment. He was also discouraged with the collapsing economy."

Sandager and his group toured the cattle yards in Buenos Aires, the largest auction in the world. The cattle yard sells 10,000 head a day, five days a week. Sixty private buyers are employed at the yards.

Fat cattle were the size of U.S. yearling cattle, according to Sandager. They sold for 15 cents per pound, compared with 70 cents per pound in the United States.

Due to an ongoing problem with hoof and mouth disease, the United States has banned the import of Argentinean beef, according to Sandager.

"The concern is to protect our internal production from disease," he said. "Also, our consumers don't understand the food is still safe." (Hoof and mouth disease cannot be transmitted to humans.)

Chile's government, considered the most stable in South America, is very similar to the United States government except voters vote for a party rather than individual candidates.

In contrast, Argentina’s government and economy is corrupt and chaotic. While the MARL group was in Argentina, the government froze savings accounts at banks nationwide and halted loans to farmers.

Argentinean currency de-valued rapidly on the international market. Farmers wondered how contracts would be paid on their products.

"The concern was what price would I get for my product," he said.

American companies used the flux in currency to import raw materials and manufacture products with the cheap labor in the South American countries, according to Sandager.

Sandager said he learned a lesson from his visit to the South American countries.

"It is extremely important to be involved or participate in making the rules that we live by," he said. "In Argentina 99 percent of the people we talked to hated the government but wouldn’t get involved to change it."

Both countries produce, on average, 160 to 180 bushels of corn (PER ACRE?), but don’t have the infrastructure to transport crops to market. With dirt roads, if it rains, harvest is halted.

Land in Chile and Argentina varies from $200 to $300 per acre at the end of the road to $2,000 to $3,000 per acre near an adequate road and a seaport.

By Jolene Farley
A $19,000 bid for the Beaver Creek Community Center, offered by auctioneer Duane Mulder, was accepted at a special Beaver Creek City Council meeting Thursday, March 28.

Mulder, Luverne, said he plans to convert the structure into an indoor auction facility.

"WeÕll be doing some interior work, some painting and increase the lighting in there for sure," he said.

Mulder previously held auctions at the Luverne Armory. "Every winter we are locked out of there (because of gymnastics); thatÕs the reason we went to Beaver Creek," he said.

"WeÕve been looking for a facility closer to Sioux Falls. This is exactly what we were looking for."

Beaver Creek officials decided to advertise for bids on the Community Center after realizing city property currently stored in the building could be moved to the new fire hall after construction on that structure is completed, according to Mayor Al Blank.

"The city felt we just couldnÕt keep it open for the occasional income it brings," he said.

The building, about 45 years old, was rented out for a $200 fee for dances and auctions. It was also used (free of charge) for events such as Memorial Day programs, FFA meetings or senior citizens gatherings.

"I think some of those things will probably be held in the elementary gym now," said Blank. "We donÕt have a large meeting room in the new facility."

At a council meeting on Thursday, March 21, Blank opened sealed bids for the building. The city received bids of $2,900, $5,500, and $14,900.

Council member Julie Buysse made the motion to reject all the bids, including the high bid of $14,900 made by Bruce Dysthe, Beaver Creek.

"The council made a move to turn the bids down. We thought we should get more money," said Blank.

Blank said after the meeting Beaver Creek residents approached him and told him the council should have accepted the $14,900 bid by Dysthe.

Dysthe hoped to use the building for storage for his construction business.

Blank called a special council meeting on Thursday, March 28. Dysthe agreed to renew his offer of $14,900 but requested an immediate answer from the council.

During the meeting when the council called for other bids, Mulder topped DystheÕs $14,900 bid by $500. Dysthe and Mulder continued to bid against each other until Mulder offered $19,000.

"When the bidding stopped, we moved to accept," said Blank.

Mulder takes possession of the Community Hall Oct. 1.

By Jolene Farley
Construction at the appropriately-titled "Drivers" restaurant on the Beaver Creek Golf Course is expected to be complete by May 6.

Carpet in the restaurant will be laid this week, leaving only a few small tasks in the kitchen before the opening, according to general manager Rodney Scholten.

"Once that is done, we should have the restaurant side pretty well locked down," he said.

Scholten hopes Drivers is a place people will visit frequently.

"I think the experience is just going to be one that makes them want to come back," he said. "We are going to focus so much on customer service and satisfaction... it is going to be the priority for the staff."

Scholten hopes to begin staff development and training of 15 employees by the end of this week.

More than 35 applications have been received so far for waiter, waitress, cook and bartender positions.

A grand opening for Drivers is tentatively planned for June 7 and 8 with special menus, an informational open house on the banquet facility and door prizes, according to Scholten.

Drivers features a regular menu with everything from hamburgers and fries to ribeye steaks.

"The menus are going to include or exclude things as we go," he said. "We want the consumers to tell us what they like and dislike. They will do this by what they purchase."

After Drivers is operating, work will intensify on the banquet facility, Scholten said.

The banquet facility has 14 wedding receptions and several class reunions already booked.

"The weddings have been from early on," he said. "That has just kind of grown." Scholten said the quality and location of the facility help sell it.

Banquet hall rental is $400 with linens included, and for $300 Ben Davis Productions will provide a DJ service. Tony's Catering, Luverne, will cater any events.

"Basically, if you have a date in mind you can call us," Scholten said. "We can take care of banquet hall and dance needs."

Scholten stressed use of the facility will be an upscale experience. "We want everyone who comes in to experience quality time," said Scholten.

The first event planned in the banquet hall is the Beaver Creek Fire Department benefit on May 18.

Course builder John Reardon is expected to begin work this week on the golf course with a projected completion date in August.

Investors wanted to open the restaurant immediately so customers could watch the golf course being built.

"Sort of watch the course go up ...a unique experience if you think about it," Scholten said.

Ten lifetime golf course memberships have been sold, and investors will offer 10 more on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone or until the end of May.

Yearly family memberships for the golf course are $450 per year; single memberships are $350.
Scholten is working on a graduated fee scale for this year, since play will not begin until August.

Five lots have been sold on the golf course, and two or three homes will be built sometime this year, according to Scholten.

"People have contacted us that they are interested, but they want to see the finished product," he said.

Investors in the project are Rodney Scholten, Mike Blank, Ben Davis, Leonard Scholten and Dan Van Otterloo.

By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek Education Association named Jane Baker Bosch, Steen, the 2002 Friend of Education Monday.

"For the past 11 years, Mrs. Bosch has worked with children in many different ways and has touched them immensely," said Elementary Administrator Jil Vaughn.

Baker Bosch volunteers in kindergarten through third grades at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary at least one day a week. She also chaperones field trips and takes extra work home to help the teachers.

"She creates games for the kids to play, cuts things out and just does all those extra things we may not have time to do if we tried to fit it all in," said elementary teacher Michele Baker, who also is the Friend of EducationÕs daughter-in-law.

Always a homemaker, Baker Bosch raised six children with her first husband, Albert. She has several grandchildren and stepgrandchildren in the district.

Baker Bosch said she had no idea what it would be like to volunteer when she started helping at H-BC.

"She (Michele) asked if I would like to help out," Baker Bosch said. "After just once or twice in school, I knew this was the thing for me to do."

She enjoys seeing kids progress academically from year to year.

"I think it's important to have volunteers help at school," she said. "It's so important to do one-on-one work with the children."

She was surprised she received the award. "I just had no idea there was going to be an award," she said. "It was an honor."

She encourages everyone to try volunteering at the school. The smiles, hugs and appreciation from kids are a great reward, according to Baker Bosch.

Investors Rodney Scholten (left) and Mike Blank stand behind the banquet hall bar in the Beaver Creek Entertainment Facility. Story inside.

Super 8 to reopen Sunday
The Super 8 Motel, which had been closed since a March 18 fire, will reopen this Sunday.

The fire began in the ceiling of the Magnolia Steak House, which is connected to the motel.

According to Salina Lee, motel manager, smoke caused most of the damage, along with some minor water damage.

Repair work consisted primarily of cleaning, new paint and some new carpeting.

Will fireworks be for sale in Rock County?
About 60 years ago, thanks in part to Rock County native Cedric Adams, the sale of fireworks in Minnesota became illegal.

If a bill that recently passed the Minnesota House becomes law, the prohibition would end.

The bill that passed 81 to 52 would repeal the 1941 law and allow the sale and use of personal fireworks in the state.

The new law would allow the sale of fireworks for personal use from May 1 to July 15 and from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2.

The fireworks could be used from July 1 to 7 and from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.

The bill requires buyers to be 18 years old and that they will supervise and be responsible for the use of their fireworks.

Injuries reported to hospitals in the seven-county metro area have more than doubled since 1998.

Nationally the use of fireworks has risen dramatically from total sales of 29 million pounds in 1976 to more than 152 million pounds in 2000.

Rep. Mulder is one of eight sponsors of the bill.

Not all fireworks would be for sale. The federal government, under the Federal Hazardous Substance Act, prohibited the sale of most dangerous types of fireworks to consumers. They include reloadable mortar shells, cherry bombs, aerial bombs, M-80 salutes, larger firecrackers containing more than two grains of powder and mail order kits designed to build those fireworks.

The Senate did not look at the bill with the same enthusiasm as the House.

Late last week, the Senate decided to take up the issue with a conference committee rather than submit it to a floor vote in the Senate, which is less supportive of fireworks legalization.

Do not call, please
An attempt to eliminate or at least drastically reduce the telemarketing calls you receive is making its way through the Minnesota Legislature.

A bill, recently approved 126 to 8 by the House, would create a "do not call" list, which telemarketers would be required to buy.

The list would be maintained by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Telemarketers would be fined if they contact someone on the list.

There would be no charge to have your name put on the list.

More than 20 other states have similar laws.

Non-profit groups and, of course, politicians are exempt from the law.

Road load restrictions end
Rock County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation have both ended spring load restrictions.

The restrictions came off at 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 15.

Restrictions for northern Minnesota will remain in place until May 22.

How much do cigarettes really cost?
Recently I have heard some of my smoking friends complain about the high cost of their smokes. I hear they are up to more than $3.

But is that enough?

According to a recent government survey, each pack of cigarettes sold in the United States costs the nation $7 in medical care and lost productivity.

The study, which was conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, puts the nationÕs cost for smoking at an average of $3,391 per smoker per year.

That amounts to $157.7 billion. The previous estimate was $96 billion.

Americans purchase approximately 22 billion packs of cigarettes a year.

This is the first study to determine the cost per pack.

The cost breakdown is $3.45 for medical-related cost and $3.73 job productivity lost because of premature death from smoking, for a total of $7.18.

The CDC analyzed expenses, both personal and for the health care industry, and used national medical surveys to calculate the cost to the nation.

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

Miracle cures, magic potions all snake oil to me

Whenever I run across health information, I put it in my mental filing cabinet for future reference. That's not to say that I always follow what I learn, but it's there if I need it.

And I'm certainly not suffering for a lack of information. In the past year or two, in fact, it seems like my meager mental capacity can't handle the glut of health information.

Someone or some organization publishes a new study almost hourly that reveals new wisdom about our bodies and how they could work better.

For example, I happen to know that coffee drinkers have one of the lowest suicide rates of any beverage consumers. Will I drink more coffee? I don't know. Apparently, it can also be addicting and cause headaches.

Maybe I will take an aspirin a day because it is supposed to be good for the heart. But I had better make that a low-dose aspirin because that protects against colon cancer more than the regular dose.

While I'm at it, I should consume more fish oils and wash them down with a beer. The beer's ingredients, not the alcohol content, are good for teeth and prevent colon cancer. The fish oil is supposed to be heart healthy, but I'd better make sure my immune system is normal because otherwise it could be dangerous.

ThereÕs almost always a piece of junk mail in our box that gives information on a newly discovered remedy for an assortment of problems. I'm just hoping no one sees that kind of mail or they'd be left with the impression that someone in our home has eczema, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, diabetes, varicose veins, estrogen imbalance and gout.

It all reminds me of the episode of "The Little House on the Prairie" when a traveling salesman boasted that his elixirs were cure-alls for whatever ailed the fine people of Walnut Grove. By the end of the show, many characters were worse off than before the magic potions, and Doctor Baker had to save the day with traditional remedies. It was a close call for Harriet Olson.

Herbal remedies and food information are surely helpful in some circumstances. But all the conflicting information makes me a little inflamed, or slightly irritated....I think aloe would be just the thing to fix that.

Send Sara an e-mail

Linda Lee Howe, 52, Manly, Iowa, died Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in her home after fighting an 11-year battle against cancer.

Services were Friday, April 12, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly. The Rev. Robert Cumings officiated. Burial was in Tracy Memorial Cemetery, Tracy.

Linda Strand was born to Bud and Shirley Strand on April 27, 1949, in Redwood Falls. Following graduation from Tracy High School she attended Moorhead State College, Moorhead, graduating in 1971.

She married Jerry Howe on Aug. 7, 1971, in Tracy. She taught school in Ruthton, Olivia and Tracy. They moved to Estherville, Iowa, where she was a substitute teacher. In 1985 they moved to Manly where she had been a teacher in the North Central Community Schools.

Mrs. Howe was an active member of United Methodist Church in Manly. She originated the Mini-Choir and served as the choir director. She also played in the Joyful Ringers bell choir and sang in choir. She was a member, president and treasurer of EntrŽ Nous Circle and a member of United Methodist Women. She was an active member of the National Education Association, Iowa State Education Association and North Central Education Association (currently serving as the local secretary and treasurer). She had great love for her Title I and Reading Recovery students. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cross stitching and collecting children's books.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry Howe, Manly; one daughter, Sarah Howe Ruley and her husband, Jeff, North Mankato; her mother, Shirley Strand, Tracy; four brothers, Dwayne (Rita) Strand and children, Ryan, Anna and Leah, Granite Falls, Randy (Lisa) Strand and children, Brittni, Reid and Dru, Adrian, Terry (Carol) Strand and children, Jay and Donald, Tracy, and Bradley Strand and special friend, Julie, Marshall; three sisters, Vickie (Steve) Larson and daughter, Sadi, Kelli (Brian) Gerry and children, Jennifer, Matthew and Nathan, all of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Barbara (Richard) Visker and children, Jason, Michael and Meghan, Pipestone; her mother-in-law, Dorothy Howe, Tracy; and a host of friends.

Mrs. Howe was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father, her father-in-law, Clarence Howe, and other friends and relatives.

Her family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of North Iowa, North Central Education Association Scholarship Fund or the Bethel United Methodist Scholarship Fund.

Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly, was in charge of arrangements.

Arnold Hansen, 83, Luverne, died Monday, April 22 at the Luverne Community Hospital. Services will be Thursday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Hardwick. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home.