By Sara Quam
A Christmas Day accident north of Luverne left Harvey Kemerling's daughter paralyzed from the hips down.

Lynette Kemerling, 44, Alexandria, is listed in fair condition at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

The Minnesota State Highway Patrol described the 11:30 a.m. accident as a rear-end collision.

Drivers were Mark Duane Lafrenz, 19, Luverne, driving a 1992 Oldsmobile; Harland Kemerling, 43, Granite Falls, driving a 1992 Chevy Astro van with his sister, Lynette, and Roger Leonard Erickson, 68, Luverne, driving a 2000 Buick LaSabre.

Lynette, who never lost consciousness, recalled the accident to Harvey. They were on their way home for Christmas when she said Harland slowed down to allow Erickson to make a left turn. That's when they were rear-ended by Lafrenz.

When they were hit, the Kemerlings' bodies were first thrust forward and then backward, the force of their weight breaking the car seats and laying them flat.

"She flew out of the left rear window of the van and it drug her, from what we can tell," Harvey said.

Harland was wearing his seat belt. Lynette was not.

His active daughter knows there's slim to no chance that there'll be a change in her condition, but Harvey said she's being strong.

"She comforted me when I was telling her she would be paralyzed," Harvey said.

Lynette is a Luverne High School graduate. She began attending college for a degree in law enforcement but fell in love with the Alexandria area and kept her job with the Alexandria Extrusion Company.

Harland is back in Granite Falls with minor injuries.

Harvey expects his daughter to be in Sioux Valley for some time and continues to stay with her until about 10 every night.

By Jolene Farley
Construction is proceeding as planned on the Beaver Creek Entertainment Facility and Golf Course, according to investor Rod Scholten of Steen.

"We're right on schedule. The little bit of snow we had really didn't slow us down," Scholten said.

Limited liability corporation investors Rod Scholten, Mike Blank, Ben Davis, Leonard Scholten and Dan Van Otterloo are pleased with the progress on the project, according to Scholten.

Sewer and water work is done on the entertainment facility, and crews are ready to begin work on more complex projects such as a tower structure planned for the top of the building.

Crews are waiting on the arrival of the doors and windows for the structure.

"We slowed down through the holidays," said Scholten. "We got as far as we really wanted to this year."

Investors hope the entertainment facility will be completed in April and open in May.

They plan to hire a general manager in February who will assist in hiring employees for the banquet facility.

About 15 to 20 year-round full or part-time employees will be hired for the restaurant and about 10 to 15 year-round full- or part-time employees will be hired for the banquet facility, according to Scholten.

In addition to the entertainment facility, residential lots bordering the golf course are for sale for home construction.

"It's going very well," said Scholten. "We have been closing on lots the last few weeks."

Four lots are sold, with one more sale scheduled to close next week.

"We are hopeful we can get some work on the course done this spring, but it depends on the weather," said Scholten.

Course builder John Reardon, who has built courses for some northern Minnesota resorts, has been retained to shape the greens and tees and do the necessary adjustments on the fairways.

Reardon will seed the course with grass, and partner Mike Blank will be the course groundskeeper, according to Scholten.

Henning Construction, Adrian, has been hired for the dirt work on the course.

"It's not going to be the easiest course," said Scholten. "There are going to be some hazards people are going to have to play over."

He added the complexity of the course could be adjusted by moving pins and tees, but there will be water hazards everyone will have to work around.

Family memberships for the course are priced at $450 per year, single memberships are $350, and lifetime memberships are $4,000.

Anyone interested in more information on becoming members of the course or on use of the banquet facilities should contact Rod Scholten or Mike Blank.

By Sara Quam
Rock County Commissioners spent much of their time dealing with salaries during their Dec. 26 meeting.

The board finalized the elected county salaries at:

$47,528 (same as last year) for the auditor/treasurer, Margaret Cook;

$44,250 (increased from $42,924) for the recorder, Jere Ohme;

$54,000 (increased from $52,319) for the sheriff, Ron McClure;

$12,000 (same as last year) for commissioners, and

$65,000 (increased from $63,000) for the county attorney's office, which is shared among four attorneys.

Rock County salaries are less than Minnesota averages in most cases. Recorders in the state make an average of $47,923; treasurers make an average of $47,244; auditors earn an average of $57,000; and sheriffs take home $64,623 on average.

For a more local comparison, Pipestone County finalized its elected personnel salaries last week as well. Their salaries are: recorder, $43,500; treasurer, $48,500; auditor, $44,000, and sheriff, $59,400.

Other payroll issues were on the table when the board approved union contracts, which won't affect the budget thatÕs already been certified.

The union contracts from three bargaining units were approved on three-year contracts. The highway, deputies and dispatch unions will all receive the same cost-of-living pay increases: 2.75 percent in the first year, 2.5 percent in the second year and 2 percent in the third year of the contract.

In other business the commissioners:
Voted unanimously to advance the Southwest Regional Development Commission $18,000. The advance will be paid back when future tax levies come in and is intended to keep the organization afloat.

The board finally approved the advance because the SRDC put in writing that it won't again borrow money without the permission of the nine member counties. The board requested that statement because of the financial hardship the Prairie Expo project brought the SRDC.

Voted unanimously to ask local legislative representatives to carry a bill that would allow Rock County to appoint the auditor/treasurer and recorder rather than leave them as elected positions.

The state bill would allow the board to pass a resolution making the offices appointed. There is a system of checks and balances to keep the public in some position of control, though. Through petitions and ballots, the board's appointments could be discarded.

The board reasoned that the move toward appointments is appropriate because the positions have changed so much in recent years with advances in technology. As of now, anyone, without specific, minimal qualifications, can run for the offices.

The board said that when the current staff retires from their positions, they want to make sure someone qualified fills their shoes.

Technology and state requirements on counties are major reasons the board would like to have more control over who gets into the offices.

By Lori Ehde
It was a Christmas homecoming like no other for Brian and Maria (Harrison) Kremin last week.

Their dog, Montana, a 140-pound mastiff, had been missing for months, and they were starting to wonder if they'd ever see her again.

The couple lives in Kansas City but had the dog with them in September for a visit to Brian's family near Kanaranzi. During that visit, Montana got lost after Brian took her for a walk near the river.

In the weeks and months since then, the Kremins have been beside themselves looking for 3-year-old Montana.

"She's our baby," Maria explained in a phone call from Kansas City. "Every single weekend we came back to look for her. We put over 20,000 miles on our cars."

They also aired regular radio announcements about the lost dog, Dave Paquette flew them in his plane to see if they could spot her from the air, and they offered a $200 reward for Montana's safe return.

Every week, they'd hear from residents between Rock Rapids and Kanaranzi that they'd spotted the dog but couldn't get their hands on her.

"She's very skittish," Maria said. "One time, we got a call from a guy who said, 'I'm standing here looking at your dog. What can I do to get her in my garage?'"

She said when time passed without sightings, they feared Montana was dead.

Then, on Christmas day when the couple was back home for the holidays, another call came in about Montana.

Several Rock Rapids area residents, plus the Kremins in their two cars and Maria's parents, Lowell and Shirley Harrison, all drove to the area where Montana had been seen.

"When I saw her, I started to bawl, because she was just skin and bones," Maria said.

After roaming for months with little nourishment the dog had lost 40 pounds.

"She was just wild," Maria said. "But once I got her collar, she sat down and kind of melted into me."

The dog had been shot with a tranquilizer dart, but Maria said Montana still managed to wag her tail.

"I was totally bawling, Brian was bawling, and people stood around and just looked at us," she said. "All I wanted for Christmas is to have Montana back."

She said she and Brian are grateful for all the help they had finding Montana, who appears to be recovering well from the trauma.

"People were so wonderful - all of them," she said. "These were strangers that we didn't even know."

By Lori Ehde
Longtime Luverne resident Martha Piepgras died on Christmas Day at the age of 93.

Though she hailed from Mountain Lake, she lived most of her life in Luverne and considered the community her home.

Her life was filled with professional and volunteer accomplishments, but friends who knew her say she'll most be remembered for her friendly disposition.

"She was a very caring person," said Martha's longtime friend, Grace Loose, Luverne.

Bob Keitel, Luverne, knew Martha for 50 years. The Keitels and Piepgrases were neighbors, and their children grew up together.

He said Martha was a doer - from church commitments to community volunteerism. "She was extremely dedicated," Keitel said.

But he agreed Martha's personality is what defined her.

"She was very talkative," Keitel recalled, "and one of the dark points in her life was when she had laryngitis and couldn't speak. That was just the talk of the town that Martha couldn't make a sound."

He said she faced her share of personal challenges, but he described her as a "tough, resilient woman," which he said reflects on her strict Mennonite upbringing. "They don't get beaten down very easily."

Keitel said he remembers when Martha and Mildred (Skewes) came to Luverne the same year as teachers and double dated with Mort and Elmer.

"Elmer was a young secretary at E.A. Brown Elevator, and Mort was a young attorney who had just hung out his shingle."

Jesse Haggard, Luverne, was a dear friend of Martha's and a cousin of Elmer.

She also recalls those early dating years. "Elmer and Mort were such good friends, and Mort needed a date, so Mildred would come along," Haggard said.

Martha didn't teach very long, because she married Elmer in 1936 and in those days a teacher couldn't be married, so she quit, Haggard said.

But she said Martha continued tutoring and became especially good at helping students with special needs.

Haggard said she and Martha used to take long drives in the country and used to have daily contact. "I have missed her," Haggard said. "We had a lot of fun together."

When Martha's health started to fail, she moved to Rochester in 1996 to be closer to her son, David.

"We all said when she moved to Rochester she'd know everyone in those (apartments) in 15 minutes," Haggard said. "She was friendly to everyone. If she didn't know someone, she'd ask their name and tell them hers."

Memorial services were Saturday in Rochester, and another will be scheduled in Luverne.

The third-grade class of Rhonna Jarchow is this week's featured class of the week. Pictured are (front row, from left) Houston Williams, Perla Gonzalez, Ashlie Hess, Taylor Krull, Dylan Stokes, Desirae Beaubien, Amanda Oeltjenbruns, (middle row) Lucas Peterson, Peyton Arends, Marco Gacke, Paige Pierce, Collin Rofshus, Akua Halfmann, Joel Wohnoutka, (back row) Ms. Dawn Riebschlager (student teacher), Courtney Hemme, Kellie Tacuban, Kassi Morrison, Emily Mychackavane, Ben Fick, Alex Nowka, Mrs. Jarchow, Mrs. Barb Antoine and Derek Deutsch.

Missing in the picture is Carrie Goebel. Also not pictured are Mrs. Kirsten Eisma, who is in the room on Tuesdays and Thursdays in place of Mrs. Antoine, and Mrs. Betty Cashin, who volunteers on Wednesday mornings.

The class has been busy reading in the Accelerated Reading Program. The students have learned to choose books in their reading levels and found much success, Jarchow said. "Working With Words in the Four Block Program has been fun for all," she said. "The students use the word wall words correctly in their everyday spelling and are made accountable for those most often used words for third-graders. We continue to work on character traits that will make us better citizens."

Photo by Lori Ehde

Luverne's Sandra (left) and Marcella Dowie entertained the dining crowd at the Senior Citizens Center Thursday. The duo played seasonal classics for the audience. Sandra learned the cello out of necessity when Marcella needed an accompanying instrument for her growing talents on the harp. They play at weddings and can be seen at many community activities.

Photo by Sara Quam

By Jolene Farley
Dave Deragisch begins his duties as superintendent of Hills-Beaver Creek Schools on Jan. 1, and it's a homecoming of sorts for the Hills native and H-BC graduate.

"It's going to feel very natural," said Deragisch. "ItÕs going to be a nice transition. I know a lot of people."

Deragisch grew up in the Hills area and graduated from H-BC in 1979. His father, Dean, was principal in the H-BC district from 1958 to 1973.

After graduating from Sioux Falls College with a bachelor of arts degree in social sciences, Deragisch taught for two years in the Chandler-Lake Wilson district before returning to Hills to teach from 1986 to 1991.

He left Hills to become middle school principal in the Jackson district, and in 1993 he became middle school principal in Luverne.

Deragisch lists two things among his favorites in Luverne. "The students and the staff," he said. "They are really great people. They are fun to work with - just a wonderful group of people."

Deragisch signed a three-year contract with the H-BC district for $79,000 per year, prorated this year since he's starting in the middle of the school year.

The Luverne School Board released him from a middle school principal contract for $77,947 that expired at the end of this school year.

That salary included compensation for other duties such as middle school counselor and middle school activities director.

Deragisch earned his master's of counseling from South Dakota State University, Brookings, and his principal licensure from Mankato State University, Mankato.

Deragisch will fill the position in the H-BC district vacated by Tom Knoll after eight years. The position was filled temporarily by Darold Williams.

Deragisch and his wife, Lori, have four children, Danielle, 17, Brandon, 15, Kaitlyn, 12, and Hilary, 8, and currently reside in Luverne. They will continue attending school in Luverne, according to Deragisch.

December
Dec. 21: Pastor Keith and Laura Davis, Hills, a boy.

January
Jan. 13: Mike and Robin Spath, Hills, a girl.

February
Feb. 20: Steve and Michelle (Sonntag) Durheim, Okarche, Okla., a girl.
Feb. 24: Jeff and Tonia Swan, Hills, a girl.

March
March 1: Craig and Julie Becker, Sioux Falls, S.D., a girl.
March 4: Michael and Robin VerMeer, Sioux Falls, S.D., a boy.
March 10: Derek and Staci Bundeson, Hills, a girl.
March 21: Rick and Robyn Wessels, Luverne, a boy.
March 26: Michael and Michelle Anderson, Waconia, a girl.

April
April 3: Rob and Holli Arp, Lake Benton, a girl.
April 4: Richard and Jolene Muller, Steen, a girl.
April 26: Jared and Tracee Brouwer, Sibley, Iowa, a boy.

May
May 3: David and Jamie Tofteland, Beaver Creek, a boy.
May 6: Mark and Becky Raymon, Valley Springs, S.D., a boy.
May 9: Shawn and Lana Hart, Letcher, S.D., a girl.
May 14: Brent and Kimberly Grengs, Steen, a boy.
May 16: Scott and Melanie Edwards, Hills, a boy.
May 17: Jeff and Karen DeBoer, Garner, Iowa, a boy.

June
June 4: Scott and Lori Ehde, Luverne, a boy.
June 17: Harlan and Lorie Kruid, Steen, a girl.
June 18: Scott and Jessica Malloy, Beaver Creek, a girl.
June 20: Sgt. Kouri and Nora Wysong, Seoul, South Korea, a boy.
June 22: Barry and Carla Helgeson, Shoreview, a boy.
June 26: Dave and Melanie Friedrichsen, Luverne, a boy.
June 27: John and Astrid Rittenhouse, Luverne, a girl.

July 6
July 3: Shane and Pamela McNath, Sioux Falls, S.D., a boy.
July 8: Kevin and Allie Rozeboom, Luverne, a girl.
July 15: Chris and Jodi Harnack, Beaver Creek, a boy.
July 18: Donald and Jessica Grems, Lester, Iowa, a boy.
July 19: Dale and Heather Steensma, Luverne, a boy.
July 27: Boyd and Danielle Vis, Beaver Creek, a girl; Nicolas and Amber Kellenberger, Steen, a girl.
July 30: Chad and Tara Sundem, Tempe, Ariz., a boy.

August
Aug. 17: Matt and Emily Metzger, Hills, a boy; Shawn and Jill Swenson, Luverne, a girl; Ivan and Jamie DeJong, Leota, a girl.
Aug. 19: Paul and Stephanie Honken, Beaver Creek, a girl.
Aug. 23: Harlan and Heather Kurrasch, Fort Benning, Ga., and Sioux Falls, S.D., a girl.

September
Sept. 4: Denny and Shari Doerr, Luverne, a boy.
Sept. 7: Justin and Amber Decker, Steen, a boy.
Sept. 13: Don and Michelle Reiffenberger, Sioux Falls, S.D., a girl.
Sept. 19: Wayne and Stacy Fuerstenberg, Steen, a girl.

October
Oct. 5: Joshua and Anna Stoltenberg, Luverne, a girl.
Oct. 12: James and Kari Kueter, Hills, a boy.
Oct. 23: Jeremy and Janel Reu, Sioux Falls, S.D., a girl.
Oct. 31: Daryl and Amy Fuerstenberg, Beaver Creek, a girl.

November
Nov. 24: Gregg and Carmen Dougherty, Valley Springs, S.D., a girl.

December
Dec. 3: Kurt and Melissa Bly, Hills, a girl.