By Sara Strong
Green Earth Players cast and crew of "Oliver!" are working their way through the last week of rehearsals. In the final days before the curtains part, they polish costumes, staging and elocution.
During this time they are also reminded that the long rehearsals that gave them direction also made them close as a team.

Led by Sioux Falls director, John Beranek, this production may be slightly unique in that some participants came with those bonds already formed.

For example, three generations of the Van Aartsen family took on roles for "Oliver!"

Darrel Van Aartsen, his father, Gerrit, and son, Mark, all have roles in the play. Darrel's sister, Peg Gacke, her daughter, Andraya, and son, Landon, will also share the stage with the family.

Darrel said their time backstage was spent just as closely with other cast members as with each other, even though it was a nice experience for the family.

Many other parent and child teams and sibling sets help make up the cast. Lynette Stensland and Dan, Nathan and Matt Stensland-Bos; Martha, Gretchen and Kaia Nowatzki; Tyler and Alex Moran; and Audra and Alyssa Novotny are just some of the other family members that take part in the production.

Co-workers also help complete the players as in the case of Grace Lutheran Church's two pastors, Maurice Hagen and Dell Sanderson, who play less than savory characters.

Regardless of the relationships behind the scenes, the audience will be impressed by what they see on stage as area talents perform in Luverne.

Just ask the director. Beranek said that even though a lot of the cast was made up of theater novices, "It'll be a heck of a show."

He said, "The most amazing thing to me is to go from the beginning when they think they can't perform to when I know they can and they realize they can. It's a fun process."

Beranek said that "Oliver!" shouldn't be thought of as a childrenÕs show with so many parents working beside their children on and off stage.

"I'm thrilled at the network of support this show has," Beranek said. Costumes, sets and music have gotten enough attention from the crew and volunteers that he can put his focus where he is most needed - the performances.

When people see the show, Beranek said they should give credit where it's due. "Whatever people like about the play, Leona [Hoek] deserves as much credit as me. She is a gem an absolute jewel. I think she'd play 24 hours a day if she thought someone would be singing and dancing to it."

Keeping close to cast and crew helps make the performances, Beranek said. "I'm a real strong believer in character development and to do that we have to get to know each other."

It's ironic that a story of orphans in London is played so believably by a cast of family and friends in a small Minnesota town.

About Oliver
"Oliver!" is the musical version of the classic novel, "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. Lionel Bart reputedly had never read the somber tale when he decided to make a musical out of it.

At first he planned a rock-and-roll version but changed his mind. His finished show retained the most important parts of Dickens' plot, but to make it a musical comedy, two villains became funnier, the gang of child-thieves became lovable, and London became less alcohol-and-drug-ridden.

In the play, Oliver Twist, Mike Graff is a young orphan living in a workhouse. The famous scene where he dares to ask for more food is what prompts the overseer to sell him. He then meets Nancy, played by Chelsea Cronin, who recognizes the goodness in Oliver. While on the streets of London, he is falsely arrested and taken into the respectable home of Mr. Brownlow, played by Dan Nath.

Nancy hopes Oliver will have the kind of life that can never be hers. A critical point in the play comes when the evil Bill Sykes, whom Nancy loves despite his ill treatment, fears that Oliver knows too much about their criminal activities. He wants the child recaptured, and she is torn between her love for Oliver and her love for Bill, played by Kevin Aaker.

The decision Nancy makes produces the musical's conclusion.

'Oliver' has one of the biggest cast and crew of any GEP production.

Crew members are: John Beranek, Tammy Makram, Fred Manfred, Dianne Ossenfort, Gerald Harsma, Jim Harsma, Noreen Woodle, Linda Dummer, Leona Walhos-Hoek, Renee Richardson, Bonnie Johannsen, Cheryl Nath, Terri Ebert, Jo Wulf and Kathy Deuschle.

Cast members are: Mike Graff, Matt Stensland-Bos, Dell Sanderson, Chelsea Cronin, Kevin Aaker, Maurice Hagen, Martha Nowatzki, Dan Stensland-Bos, Phil Voigt, Fran Bohlke, Carolyn Drenth, Andraya Gacke, Marlene Wassenaar, Cindy Baldwin, Colleen Nath, Dan Nath, Eric Ranschau, Gerrit Van Aartsen, Darrel Van Aartsen, Audra Novotny, Theresa Graff, Peg Gacke, Julia Lovett, Annie Jo Uithoven, Lynette Stensland, Linda Iverson, Traci Carlson, Zachary Sanderson, Gretchen Nowatzki, Stephan Harsma, Kaia Nowatzki, Matt Blomgren, Danielle Powell, Mason Makram, Brittany Sandager, Alex Moran, Carrie Jo Bauer, Tyler Moran, Amber Deutsch, Mark Van Aartsen, Kristin Harsma, Nathan Stensland-Bos, Matt Nath, Mitch Bauman, Landon Gacke, Hayden Bauman, Stephanie Van Wyhe, Chase Hoffman, Hilary Deragisch, Blade Fry, Hannah Baartman, Shane Kramer, Alyssa Novotny, Dustin Deutsch, Abby Elbers, Ben Nath, Alex Lovett, Ian Connor, Cheryl Nath, Rachel Nath, Kyle Harsma, Sydney Bosshart, Diana Hanson, Gabrielle Luethje, Hailey Stulen and Caitlyn Deutsch.

To go
WHAT- "Oliver" the musical
WHEN- 8 p.m. Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, April 19, 20, 25 and 26 (no show Saturday, April 27). Sunday shows start at 2 p.m. April 21 and 28.
WHERE- Luverne High School Little Theater
HOW- Tickets are on sale starting April 12. Call the box office at 283-8294 or stop by the Carnegie Cultural Center, Luverne, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. (Season ticket holders can purchase from 1 to 9 p.m. April 11.)

By Sara Strong
The latest land acquisition of Pheasants Forever puts 153 more acres in a permanent state of wildlife management by the Department of Natural Resources.

This purchase, which hasn't quite been finalized, is part of a growing number of acres that the organization has contributed.

Even though hunters are some of the most active Pheasants Forever members, that's not the only use for the land. By turning the land over to the DNR, it becomes public for other outdoor activities like photography, bird watching or hiking. Hunting would take place on the land only about three to four months of the year.

When acquired as public land, it is taken out of agricultural production but not completely off the county credits. The DNR makes payments in lieu of taxes that are close to what the land would have been worth if it were privately owned.

For example, the land Pheasants Forever is working on purchasing now earns the county $2,100 in property taxes. The state will make a $2,065 payment to the county in place of those taxes.

Townships and the Rock County Board must give permission for sales to go through and, have so far, been unanimous in favor of Pheasants Forever.

Local Pheasants Forever president Jeff Wieneke said, "We use money that we raise locally to purchase land that is not ideal for agricultural use and restore it to habitat that is beneficial to a wide range of wildlife. This also benefits, conservationists, farmers and all concerned with the environment."

Perry Loegering, area wildlife manager for the DNR, said that land taken out of production privately may not have the long-term impact that public land does.

"Things can change when ownership changes, and the private owners might not be as consistent," Loegering said.

The upcoming purchase is large enough to be a habitat area on its own. "By having a site like this we can impact the pheasant population. They have small home ranges and don't travel far, so the woody cover and food plots will help them survive the winter."

This particular area in Springwater Township is near natural springs and on the watershed. A benefit to the county in this case is that agricultural chemicals won't be a risk for entering the water supply.

Once the land is in the DNR's hands, it is returned to a natural prairie state, which helps control the spread of noxious weeds without using chemicals.

Now and forever
To date, Rock County Pheasants Forever has completed 1,286 acres of food plots, 103 acres of tree plantings, 367 acres of nesting cover and 613.4 acres of land acquisitions. The combined projects have cost almost $300,000.

The organization has 150 members with an additional 75 members in the Ringnecks youth program.

New in 2002 for Pheasants Forever is a grain wagon purchase. The Rock County chapter purchased the grain wagon that will be filled with corn so people can feed wildlife during harsh winters. In years past, the group rented or borrowed the wagon. Corn from feed plots is used to furnish the wagon.

PF rotates food plots among different crops to avoid using herbicides or other means of chemically helping a crop.

Even though the DNR manages the land, local members plant trees, remove fences and clean the areas.
When Pheasants Forever purchases land, it's often through the cooperation of different groups. PF has received matching funds from the state through the Prairie Heritage Fund and the Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Program. The Rock River Gobblers, a chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, has donated money for land acquisitions along the Rock River.

PF's upcoming acquisition was partially funded by Minnesota Habitat Fund, which is funded by state PF chapters that donate money for land purchases throughout the state.

The large local organization with lots of buying power didn't start out that way. Formed in 1984, it started to raise money at banquets to buy trees and food. These projects were done on private land, and there was no guarantee they could be used by the public. Rock County PF made its first land acquisition, 40 acres, from Duane Mulder in 1992 at a cost of $15,000. The largest land acquisition came in 1993 from Lawrence Willers, which was 291 acres.

Wieneke said, "The support from our members and the public has been terrific since the Willers acquisition. [WeÕve] since dedicated our efforts to creating more wildlife management areas."

That goal of creating more public land that benefits wildlife has been central to the organization since its founding. Prior to Pheasants Forever, Rock County had no wildlife management areas.

Habitat chairman Chuck Van Wyhe said he is proud of the organizationÕs commitment to pass hunting down as a tradition. He hopes that diversified prairie plots around the county help all types of habitat for generations to enjoy.

Members pay annual dues of $21. The monthly meetings deal with planning and goals for the organization and are usually announced on community calendars.

Major fund-raisers for PF are the banquets that include raffles, a live action, drawings and a sit-down dinner.

By Sara Strong
The Luverne City Council discussed a possible way to ensure cleanup after residential fires Tuesday.

The council tabled a resolution that would allow the city to hold 25 percent of an individual's insurance claim after a fire. The city would hold that settlement money in an escrow account and return it to property owners after the fire damage was repaired or removed.

State law allows this to be done. City Administrator Matt Hylen said it is a way to prevent taxpayers from having to pay for the city to clean up property damaged in fires if it is neglected long enough to become tax forfeited.

Mayor Glen Gust said that other ordinances the city has in place for blighted property should cover those circumstances without interfering with private insurance settlements.

Gust said that in 26 years of serving on the fire department, he couldn't think of an instance where a property damaged by fire wasn't dealt with in timely fashion by the owner.

"That the government would take 25 percent is an outrage to me," Gust said. "It just doesn't sit well."

Councilman David Hauge said the ordinance would send the wrong message to residents. He said, "Should government say 'We don't trust the citizens of Luverne?'"

Hauge said the private arrangement homeowners have with their insurance companies shouldn't be intruded upon by cities.

"It's kind of touchy for the government to step in at a time of tragedy," Hauge said.

Gust said that even though the property owners would get their money back, 25 percent of the settlement is too much to keep from people who need it to get their life back after a fire.

No one's memory could recall a situation where this ordinance would have been useful in the past. The council will bring the issue back on the table for discussion and vote.

If passed, the state Commissioner of Commerce would be notified of the ordinance. All insurance companies would be informed that clients from Luverne would know to include that in their policies.

Settling differences
During the council meeting, Hauge brought up what he perceived to be declining morale within the council and among city staff.

"There's too much bitterness, there's too much rancor, there's too many people who feel they haven't been recognized for what they've done," Hauge said.

He said he wanted to bring up the issue at a meeting to make his feelings clear. "This is something I believe deeply, and it's something that has to be addressed," Hauge said.

The problem he perceives is elected representatives airing personnel issues in public and creating an unprofessional image of the elected council members.

Hauge said, "I definitely would like to see more trust between the mayor and the management team."

Keith Erickson said he understands that his job is to govern and that city staff should be allowed to do their day-to-day jobs.

Hauge said, "It's easy to stand on the outside and criticize, but it's a little different when you're trying to lead and trying to do what's right."

He, Gust and Councilman Tom Martius are new to the council, elected a year ago.

Erickson, who's served on the council for more than 11 years, said the past year has been more "tumultuous" than heÕs experienced before. But, he said, strong wills on the staff side and elected side mean both are taking their jobs seriously.

Gust said, "Everyone who works for the city does a great job, they do. But with three new members, it's not going to be business as usual. My goal is moving the city of Luverne forward, period."

The council acknowledged having differences with staff, without naming names or being specific. Council members said they were committed to working together on those differences in a way that shows integrity.

In other business the council:
Learned that the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center is trying a new program for parents. Starting April 15 and continuing through the end of May, staff will offer childcare from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for adults who want to keep children with them as they use the facility.

The basic childcare service will cost $1.50 per child per hour, with each additional child costing 50¢ more an hour. A separate room will house the children as parents use the pool, weight room or cardiovascular equipment.

Contributed $150 to the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council. Past City Councils have also made the donation.

By Sara Strong
An attempt to sell the city's apartments got some attention from would-be owners, but none saw enough potential to submit bids.

The 29 units in Mounds View and Evergreen Apartments will stay in the Luverne Economic Development AuthorityÕs hands for now.

Fifteen interested parties got the bid specifications from the city. LEDA director Tony Chladek followed up with them and found that they didn't see enough profit potential to give ownership a try.

The LEDA hasn't met to discuss what it might do next, but Chladek speculated that it might pay off more debt before re-advertising for bids.

Tenants gathered at a February LEDA meeting to protest the possibility of a sale. They worried that rent might increase and that maintenance and upkeep could become a lower priority to new owners.

Because of those concerns the LEDA asked that potential bidders address those issues.

The apartments weren't intended to be a permanent part of the city's operations. They were built on the north end of town in the early '90s when interest rates were higher, making it difficult for private parties to build.

At that time, the Minnesota Veterans Home was about to open, and a housing study indicated rental availability was a concern.

When the properties were constructed, some real estate brokers and private contractors worried that the apartments would take too much away from the private sector.

Though the demand for the units existed, and still exists, building and owning them apparently was not and is not a profitable venture.

Other sophomore members of the team include Drew Spykerboer, Dereck Klaassen, Cayd Boltjes, Lee Ferrell and Adam Sieff.

Sieff runs races between 200 and 800 meters, while Boltjes runs 400s and 800s. Klaassen is a thrower. The coach is unsure what events Spykerboer and Ferrell will compete in.

Rounding out the freshmen members of the team are distance runners Jared Drenth and Justin Hinks, middle distance-distance runner Michael Bos and throwers Chris Nuffer and Matt Anderson.

With a strong roster, Goehle feels good things will happen to the Patriot boys this season.

"We'll be able to cover a lot of events. We'll be young in the high and triple jumps, and we'll be inexperienced in the throwing events. We need to develop our sprinters, too. We do have a lot of potential in those areas. We'll be excellent in the middle distances and distances. Whether we are contending for team titles or not remains to be seen. If we keep improving and getting better as the season goes along, we'll acoomplish what we want to," he said.

The Patriot girls' team will face a different situation than the H-BC-E boys this spring.

H-BC-E will operate with a 24-athlete roster, 12 of which represent the upper four classes.

The pre-season roster is topped by three seniors, one junior, three sophomores and five freshmen.

Nine of the girls lettered in 2001, and four of them advanced to the Section 3A meet.

Not to be overlooked will be the 12 seventh- and eighth-graders who will be asked to contribute at the varsity level this season.

"We're low on numbers this year, but I don't see many teams out there that are high on numbers this year," Goehle said. "WeÕre expecting to get more help from our seventh- and eighth-grade girls than we'll be asking from the boys in the same grades. With lower numbers, we'll be using more younger kids to fill our relay teams."

H-BC-E lost three quality athletes to graduation last spring.

Shanna Tilstra, Connie Lewis and Janelle Jenniges were good senior leaders who performed well enough to advance to section competition.

Tilstra was a member of H-BC-E's 800-, 1,600-, and 3,200-meter relays, which advanced to the section meet. The 3,200-meter squad set a school record and finished third in the section, while the 1,600-meter team placed seventh.

Tilstra also advanced to the section meet in the high jump and 800-meter run, finishing eighth overall in the high jump.

Jenniges ran with the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays as well as advancing to the section meet in the pole vault.

Lewis earned a berth in the section meet by placing second in the triple jump at the sub-section level.

Although last year's seniors will be missed, Goehle is looking forward to seeing how his new team fares against the competition in 2002.

"We don't have a lot of kids, but the girls we do have are great kids. We have a nice mix of kids with ability and potential, and we should be able to piece together some good relay teams," he said.

Seniors LaDonna Sandstede and Bev Wurpts and sophomore Erin Boeve have to be considered the leaders of the H-BC-E squad. All three girls advanced to the section meet while lettering last season.

Sandstede, a sprinter, is a hard-working athlete who runs the first leg of H-BC-E's sprint relays.

She competed in the 800-meter relay at the section meet as a junior.

Wurpts excels in races of 800 meters and longer.

As well as running with the 1,600 and 3,200 relays last season, she won the 1,600-meter run at the sub-section meet before placing fifth in the event at the section level.

Boeve competes in short sprints or middle distance races. She also is a long and triple jumper.

As well as being a member of the 800- and 1,600-meter relays last season, she won a sub-section title in the 100, placed third in the long jump and fourth in the 200.

Senior Miranda Anderson and junior Kelsey Hansel round out the upperclassmen on the 2002 roster.

Anderson will run distances and Hansel sprints.

First-year sophomores Kelley Fransman and Amanda Olson are expected to help the team as a distance runner and a thrower respectively.

Four of the five freshmen on the pre-season roster lettered as eighth-graders.

Kelly Mulder will jump, run sprints and throw the shot put, Cassi Tilstra will run races up to 1,600 meters and pole vault, Melinda Feucht will run sprints, the hurdles and triple jump, and Brittney Rozeboom can run sprints, distances and triple jump.

Tilstra, who won the sub-section 400-meter dash title as a seventh-grader, placed second in the sub-section in that event last season. She also competed with the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relay teams.

First-year freshman Danielle Fransman will run sprints and be a jumper for the Patriots.

The 2002 Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth track teams will be led by nine seniors this spring. Front row, left to right, are Bev Wurpts, Miranda Anderson and LaDonna Sandstede. Back row: Ryan Ranschau, Brad Haak, Kyle Braun and Lee Walraven. Missing are Paul Jess and Randy Krull.

By John Rittenhouse
An increase in the participation rate has turned the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth boys' track team into a squad to keep an eye on this year.

With a 44-athlete roster that includes 26 team members in the upper four grades, it appears the Patriots will likely thrive in a sport that relishes numbers.

"I really like our numbers," said H-BC-E coach Tom Goehle. "It really makes coaching fun. We've got a good mix of youth and experience, and these kids really know how to compete and have fun at the same time. With that combination, you're going to be successful."

While Goehle feels he will get some help from the 18 seventh- and eighth-graders as the season goes along, he's looking for big things from the 26 boys who represent the top four classes in the program.

There are seven seniors, four juniors, six sophomores and nine freshmen attending the team's pre-season practice sessions, and the group is highlighted by one defending state champion, one state qualifier and three other section qualifiers from 2001.

The Patriots do have a lot of returning talent this spring, but the team will be influenced by two top-notch performers they lost to graduation last season.

Chris Willers and Chris Fransman, who now are competing in track at difference colleges, scored a lot of points for H-BC-E last season.

Willers, an outstanding 400- and 800-meter runner, won Sub-Section 10 and Section 3A championships in the 400. He went on to earn all-state status in that event by finishing eighth at the state meet in Blaine last June.

Willers also was a member of H-BC-E's 800- and 3,200-meter relays that finished third at the section meet last season.

Fransman, who helped H-BC's 400- and 800-meter relay teams reach and place at the section meet, was one of the area's top high jumpers the past two years. He won the sub-section title in that event before earning a trip to state by placing second at the section meet. Fransman went on to place ninth in Blaine.

As good as Willers and Fransman were, two more Patriots may have turned in more impressive seasons last year.

Senior Brad Haak and junior Chris Reid, a pair of all-state performers, will form the nucleus of the 2002 team.

Haak makes such an impact on the program that his coach gives him credit for boosting the participation rate in the program.

A three-time participant in the state meet, Haak is the defending Class A champion in the 800-meter run. He also ran with H-BC-E's 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter relay teams last season and qualified for the section meet in the high jump.

"Brad is the catalyst for our boysÕ program," Goehle said. "Some kids have seen what he has done the past couple of years, and I think that has played a part in our numbers increasing. He has some definite goals that include getting back to state and lowering his 800 time. He also wants to help get a relay team to state."

Reid is an athlete blessed with sprinterÕs speed who also is one of the areaÕs best jumpers.
A member of H-BC-E's 400- and 800-meter relays last season, Reid excelled individually in the 100-meter dash (placing second in the sub-section and section meets) and the long jump (placing third in the sub-section meet and winning a section championship).

Reid ended up placing seventh in the long jump at state, but he was unable to make the finals in the 100.

H-BC-E's talent pool also includes senior Lee Walraven, sophomore Lee Jackson and freshman Tyler Bush, a trio of athletes who advanced to last year's section meet.

Walraven, who runs anything between 100 and 800 meters, helped form the 400-, 800- and 1,600-meter relay teams last season. He also placed third individually in the 200-meter dash at the sub-section level.

Jackson, who is coming off a strong cross country campaign, will run races between 800 and 3,200 meters. He competed in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays during the post-season last spring.

Bush, the type of runner who can compete in events between the distances of 200 and 3,200 meters, will do some jumping as well.

Bush ran with H-BC-E's 3,200-meter relay team as an eighth-grader and placed third in the 3,200-meter run at the sub-section meet.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth track teams opened the 2002 season at the Class B version of the Dan Lennon Invitational in the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, S.D., Tuesday.

Twenty-eight Patriots received the opportunity to compete on the University of South Dakota campus.

The select group of Patriots posted seven top-10 finishes during the meet, which was not a bad performance for a program that has been practicing for one week.

"This was a great practice for the rest of the season," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "We got a chance to compete, post some times and set some standards to improve upon."

Brad Haak proved he's ready to roll after winning the 800-meter run for the third straight season at the meet.

Haak, who is Minnesota's reigning Class A champion in the 800, won Tuesday's race with a time of 2:05.8.

Chris Reid made a bid to join Haak as a meet champion in the long jump. Reid placed second in the event with a distance of 20-5 1/2.

It looked like Reid might place in the 60-meter dash when he produced the third best time of 7.36 in the preliminaries, but a false start in the semifinals knocked him out of competition.

Haak and Reid ran legs with H-BC-E's 800-meter relay, which placed fourth with a time of 1:39.96. Lee Jackson and Tyler Bush are the other members of the squad.

Jackson placed 10th in the 800 with a 2:15.9 effort.

Cassi Tilstra turned in the strongest performance for a Patriot girl by finishing eighth in the 800 in 2:42.

Bev Wurpts placed ninth in the 800 and 10th in the 1,600 with respective 2:44.1 and 6:03 times.

The Patriots are scheduled to run at the Cardinal Quadrangular in Luverne Tuesday,

First year Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth baseball coach Jason Langland has eight seniors to build his 2002 team around. Standing, left to right, are: Justin Van Maanen, Chris Tiesler, Darin DeBoer, Shintaro Hayashi and Kevin Van Batavia. Missing are David Top, Paul Jess and Lyle DeBoer.

By John Rittenhouse
The 2002 baseball season will be made up of a lot of firsts for the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth squad.

For the first time in the eight-year history of the program, the Patriots will be playing for a different head coach.

As well as playing for a new mentor, the 2002 Patriots will be members of a new conference for the first time.

The season of change actually began last June, when then H-BC superintendent Tom Knoll stepped down from that position to take a new post in Hayfield.

Along with an administrator, the H-BC School District lost the only head baseball coach it ever had. Knoll served as the head coach when the program began in 1995 until last spring, when a 3-11-1 campaign came to an end with an 11-1 loss to Adrian in the Section 3A Tournament.

H-BC officials found a replacement for Knoll in Ellsworth, where they hired first-year teacher Jason Langland to be their new head baseball coach.

Langland, a second-grade teacher in Ellsworth, has gained a lot of coaching experience in a short time. He was head coach of the Ellsworth volleyball team last fall, and he served as an assistant basketball coach at the school over the winter.

The new H-BC-E mentor played American Legion baseball for Sioux Valley High School in Volga, S.D, where he graduated in 1995. He went on to play two years of college baseball at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, S.D., where he graduated in 1999.

Langland admits he's new to the baseball scene in southwest Minnesota, but likes the idea of having a top-heavy roster that consists of eight seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen.

"It's nice to have a big group of seniors. WeÕve only practiced outside a couple of days, and we're still in the process of getting to know each other," he said.

The new coach inherited three quality players in seniors David Top, Lyle DeBoer and Justin Van Maanen, who probably will emerge as H-BC-E's top pitchers this spring. Top also plays first base. Van Maanen and DeBoer also are infielders.

Senior catcher Darin DeBoer returns as a starter, and classmates Chris Tiesler (second base-third base) Paul Jess (infielder-outfielder) and Kevin Van Batavia (outfielder) are other experienced seniors.

Senior exchange student Shintaro Hayashi also is listed as an outfielder.

Juniors on the team include Kyle Sammons, Tyson Metzger, Clint Roozenboom and Brant Deutsch.

Deutsh is a first baseman, Sammons an infielder and Metzger a second baseman-outfielder. Roozenboom is listed as an outfielder.

Sophomore outfielder-infielder Ryan Heikes, freshman infielders Kenny Bittner and Zach Wysong and outfielder Brian Gacke, and eighth-grade infielder-outfielder Zach Jenniges round out the roster.

Along with having a new team leader, the Patriots will compete in the Red Rock Conference for the first time.

That means their annual games with Adrian, Murray County Central, Edgerton and Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster have added meaning. Other league games will be played against Red Rock Central-Westbrook-Walnut Grove.

H-BC-E opens the season in Brewster Tuesday.

By Jolene Farley
Hills-Beaver Creek Superintendent Dave Deragisch is hoping to expand the list of Community Education classes available in the district.

At a March 18 meeting, Hills residents and Deragisch brainstormed on ideas for classes to offer.

The many ideas discussed included computer labs, fishing classes, card or board games, soccer league, farm marketing classes, snowmobile safety, motorcycle safety, CPR classes, driverÕs education, golf for youth, baby-sitting classes, bus to Gopher games, a health fair, girlsÕ softball, computer classes, gun safety, diet/nutrition classes, cooking classes, T-ball, bus to Canaries games, and 55 and older driving classes, according to Deragisch.

"One of the things that I need is information from people to tell us what they would like us to offer for Community Ed classes," he said.

He would like to begin new classes for both children and adults.

In the past, Community Education has offered a small number of classes, often limited to sports such as basketball, summer baseball or softball and sponsoring the ski club.

"We are just basically starting from ground zero and trying to get it built up," Deragisch said. "We are looking at expanding. We are trying to find classes people are interested in so we can expand."

Six-year Community Education board member Robert Wassenaar is involved in the process.

"We can always use more input," he said. "We are always open to new ideas."

Wassenaar said everyone is invited to the next Community Education meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the high school library.

"Anyone that has an idea, weÕd be happy to hear it," he said.

Wassenaar hopes Community Education will be able to offer more bus trips. "The bus trips are one of my pets ... along with any type of continuing education. If people are looking for something, we'd be happy to oblige," he said.

Wassenaar also thinks something should be offered to keep kids occupied after school until their parents arrive home from work.

Deragisch's goal for Community Education is "to provide an opportunity for everyone from the very young to the very old, to provide them with opportunities for enrichment."

Community Education receives some funding from the state but is for the most part expected to be a fee-based, self-supporting organization, according to Deragisch.