By John Rittenhouse
An expanding participation rate has Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth cross country coach Tom Goehle feeling good about the 2001 season.

Goehle, who has headed the program for the past four years, has 23 boys and girls running in the pre-season practice sessions.

Along with having a program-record number of athletes to work with, Goehle's roster is graced with talented kids who should make the 2001 season a good one for the Patriots.

"We have a great group," Goehle said. "When I look at the scope of our boys' and girls' teams, I see 23 kids who are blessed with a lot of ability. When the numbers start to increase in the program, it makes the practices more enjoyable with all the camaraderie that goes along with it. I'm looking forward to a fun season."

With all six runners back from last year's team that placed fifth at the Section 3A meet, it looks like the Patriot boys can have a lot of fun this fall.

H-BC-E didn't graduate any athletes from its team last year, and Goehle reports he has 16 boys to help form his different teams in 2001.

"We have a lot of ability here. They are the kind of kids who are hard-workers that will keep on working hard," he said.

Leading the H-BC-E boys' team will be senior Brad Haak, who has become one of southwest Minnesota's top runners over the last four seasons.

After qualifying for the Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Championships as an individual the last two seasons, Haak is looking to make a third consecutive appearance this fall.

A sideache hampered Haak when he placed 108th at state as a sophomore in 1999. After placing third in the Section 3A last season, Haak returned to Northfield and placed 65th overall.

"Brad made it to state the last two years, and he has his sights set on it again," Goehle said.

Haak and five other returning letter winners should make the Patriots a competitive team this season.

Seniors Nathan Fick and Matt Buck, sophomore Lee Jackson and freshmen Tyler Bush and Kale Wiertzema also ran at the section meet.

Bush and Jackson didn't finish behind Haak by very much in section competition, crossing the finish line 14th and 19th respectively.

Fick and Buck contributed to the team score that day by placing 49th and 66th respectively, while Wiertzema finished in 76th position.

With six proven runners coming back, and some more talent to choose from, the H-BC-E boys are expecting big things for themselves in 2001.

"I know our boys would like to move into one of those top two positions as a team at the section meet, which would move them on to state," Goehle said.

The remaining 10 boys on the roster (one senior, four freshmen, three eighth-graders and two seventh-graders) vary in experience.

Senior Paul Jess is running cross country for the first time, as are freshmen Corey Van Batavia and Jared Drenth, eighth-graders Devin DeBoer and John Sandbulte, and seventh-graders Nathan Mahone and Adam Finke.

Freshmen Derek Haak and Justin Hinks will enter the program for the fourth and second years respectively.

Eighth-grader Kerry Fink has run cross country for three years.

Unlike the boys, the H-BC-E girls did lose a pair of seniors to graduation.

Shanna Tilstra and Connie Lewis ran for the Patriots during the course of last season before graduating last spring, but neither they, nor any other H-BC-E girl, competed in the section meet.

Sending girls to the section meet might happen this season, but putting together a varsity team with seven athletes to choose from might be a problem.

"To start the season, we'll run a couple of girls in the junior high races, a couple in the junior varsity races and a couple in varsity races. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we'll be able to put together a full varsity squad," Goehle said.

The girls' roster, which features one letter winner from 2000, consists of two seniors, two freshmen, one eighth-grader and two seventh-graders.

Senior Bev Wurpts is the Patriot returning with a varsity letter winner from last season.

Becky Broesder, another senior, is running cross country for the first time, as are the other members of the 2001 team.

Cassi Tilstra, who is coming off two successful track seasons, is a freshman who should be able to make an impact for the cross country program.

Brittney Rozeboom is another freshman competing with the team.

Eighth-grader Stacy Bush and seventh-graders Amanda Tilstra and Kim Janssen cap the roster.

"Slowly but surely, our numbers are increasing on the girls' side. This will be a nice group of girls to work with," Goehle concluded.

The Patriots open the season in Mountain Lake Wednesday.

By Jolene Farley
A lengthy discussion at the Aug. 14 City Council meeting questioned the fate of the Hills Community Hall or American Legion Hall. The building, built in the late 1940s, is in need of extensive repairs.

The building is owned jointly by the city and Clinton Township. However, the city of Hills is in the process of acquiring full ownership, according to City Clerk Connie Wiertzema.

While working on the city budget for next year, council member Arlen Leenderts pointed out that the city would have a substantial amount of money invested in the old building if all needed improvements were made.

He said concerned citizens had approached him and asked why so much money was being spent on such an old building.

Leenderts suggested investigating the possibility of building new. "I think we should dig into it more, send out a survey," said Leenderts.

Mayor George Langford said abandoning the old building would not be supported. "We will hear an outcry from the community like you wouldn't believe," Langford said.

Council member Dana Dahlquist agreed. "The Legion has meant a lot to many people, mostly older."

The city has made about $6,910 in repairs to the building so far, according to Wiertzema.

The list includes replacing several large windows and doors with smaller windows and doors, replacing the cement on the south side of the building, and removing a window air conditioner and closing the hole in the wall from the unit.

Earlier this year, worried council members hired a structural engineer to evaluate the property after cracks appeared in the east wall of the structure.

Although the engineer reported the cracks are not an immediate safety hazard, he advised the council to monitor the wall for the next six months. Plans to finish the wall were put on hold.

Other needed repairs and their estimated costs are: updating wiring, for which the council budgeted $10,000 in next year's budget; a new sink at $500; tuck-pointing at $6,000 to $25,000; new gutters at $840; stripping the wood floors at $3,500 to $4,000.

More windows should be replaced, and the roof is being inspected because it began leaking in July, according to Wiertzema.

Langford asked Leenderts to investigate prices on new buildings. Leenderts and Wiertzema could then create a survey to be sent to Hills residents asking their opinion on the issue.

"One thing leads to another," said City Clerk Connie Wiertzema at last week's meeting, referring to needed repairs.

By Lori Ehde
Two more residences have joined the list of homes burglarized this summer, this time in Hills.

Like many of the cases already reported, these two on Josephine Avenue were burglarized while residents were at home.

Jim Roning awoke the morning of Friday, Aug. 10, to find his billfold missing. He had placed it on his dresser next to his trousers when he went to bed, but the next morning it was gone.

"I didn't hear or see anything," Roning said. "He must have been about 12 inches from my head when he took my billfold."

He later found his checkbook on the ground outside of the house, but his wallet is gone.

He said the wallet had about $50 in it, but he said that's the least of his worries, considering his credit cards, Medicare card and identification are also gone.

"I have hearing aids, and I take them out at night. I've always said they could tear the house down and I wouldn't hear it," Roning said. "Now at least I know this can happen and I didn't hear it."

That same night in the same neighborhood, the Rock County Sheriff's Office received a report that Sue Jess woke up to find a burglar crawling on her bedroom floor.

The Star Herald was unable to reach her for comment, but she described the burglar to law enforcement as a younger male who ran out when she screamed.

According to the report, "He was 6 feet tall with a hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap on backwards."

Missing from the Jess home were a Nintendo 64 and 10 to 12 games.

No suspects have been named. Residents with information that may lead to an arrest are encouraged to call the Rock County Sheriff's Office at 283-5000.

By Jolene Farley
Luella Schlueter has contributed to the Hills Crescent in one way or another for more than 45 years.

Luella's column, Hills Local News, appears in the Crescent every week. "I like meeting the public and keeping alert to what is going on in town," said Schlueter.

Luella grew up in Marion, S.D. After graduating from high school, she attended Eastern Normal School, now Dakota State College, in Madison, S.D.

While teaching country school near Canistota, S.D., Luella became acquainted with George, her future husband. Luella boarded with George's family.

After teaching positions in Hetland, S.D., and Larchwood, Iowa, Luella trained to become a Morse code instructor at the Air Force Base in Sioux Falls during World War II.

While in Sioux Falls, Luella recalls singing with the Civilian Glee Club of the Army Air Field. The Glee Club cut a record and performed at the Arkota Ballroom. Five other women instructors and Luella formed a sextet and sang on various occasions.

After the Sioux Falls air base closed in 1945, Luella married George and moved to Hills. George was already publisher of the Crescent.

Luella teasingly said she followed her college roommate, Clara Clemetson, to Hills. Clara's husband, Merle, operated the Hills Creamery at the time.

Luella became the Hills "correspondent" after deciding to assist her husband by seeking out more local news items for the paper.

"I decided to help, so I went around to businesses and asked for news," said Luella.

She attended clubs and social meetings, keeping an ear open to learn who in the community was entertaining out-of-town guests, who was traveling, who had a birthday or a baby or any information she could use in the Crescent.

Besides raising four children, Bonnie, Gerry, Wayne and Laurie, Luella helped in many areas at the paper. In addition to her column, she proofread stories and handled the bookwork for the Crescent.

Luella remembers hearing employees emphatically say, "We can't put the paper to bed yet (meaning it couldn't be printed) because Lily Sjolseth hasn't called in yet," said Luella. "We appreciated her contributions and loved her for it." Sjolseth was a frequent contributor, but not very prompt, according to Luella.

One of the highlights of "those years" was attending press conventions in the Cities, according to Luella.

After Crescent Publishing printed its first cookbook in 1960, Luella helped in that area of the business also. She remembers a crew of women around a table each gathering a page at a time until the books were completed.

Luella has seen big changes in the publishing industry. "I've seen type set by offset printing; then we went to Justowriters. Now it's another phase... computers."

Besides her weekly Crescent column, Luella has a radio show broadcast at 9:25 a.m. Monday through Friday on KQAD, Luverne.

In 1971, Harold Norman, the station's owner, came to the Crescent office to ask George to go on the air to talk about area happenings. Instead, George offered Luella's services.

Luella said writing her column has been "really interesting."

She doesn't hesitate to say how "truly blessed" her life has been.

Hills-Beaver Creek football players practice line drills during practice Tuesday. The start of Patriot football practice is another sign that fall is fast approaching. The Patriots travel to Lakeview on Friday, Aug. 31, for their first game. For a preview of Patriot football, in addition to a peek at the volleyball team, see the Aug. 30 issue of the Crescent. Cross country is featured in this issue.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Services for Gladys Chapin were Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Redeemer Residence in Minneapolis. The Rev. F. Andrew Boyer, and Chaplains Gil Maple and Ed Bender officiated. Burial will be at 1 p.m Friday, Aug. 24, in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Gladys M. Chapin, 95, Redeemer Residence, Minneapolis, formerly of Jasper, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, in Minneapolis.

Gladys M. Chapin was born to Clyde and Millie Chapin in Jasper. She worked as a housekeeper in private homes.

Ms. Chapin was a longtime member of Central Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis.

Ms. Chapin was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

Memorials are preferred to Central Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis.

Albin Funeral Chapel, Eden Prairie, is in charge of arrangements.

John William Brockberg, 90, Pipestone, died on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001, at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone.

Services were Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky. Burial was in Trosky Cemetery.

John Brockberg was born to Louis and Margaret (Frieck) Brockberg on May 11, 1911, on the family farm in Rock County. He was raised on his parents' farm and attended country school. Upon completion of his education, he farmed with his father.

He married Alvina Bartels on June 15, 1938, at St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky Following their marriage they lived on his parents' farm. They continued to live and farm there until he retired at 62. After their retirement they sold the farm and moved to Trosky in February 1973. They remained in Trosky until January 2001 when he became a resident at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone. His wife became a resident at Storybrook Apartments in Pipestone in April 2001.

Mr. Brockberg was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky. He enjoyed fishing as a pastime activity. Above all, he loved farming the land, driving through the countryside and watching the crops grow and being harvested.

Survivors include his wife, Alvina Brockberg, Pipestone; one son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Marlys Brockberg, Sioux Falls, S.D.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Dianne Brockberg, Sioux Falls, and Jane and Douglas DeMuth, Marshall; five grandchildren, Ryan DeMuth, Wendy DeMuth, Bethann DeMuth, Lacey DeMuth and Jason Brockberg; stepgrandchildren; stepgreat-grandchildren; and one brother, Henry Brockberg, Pipestone.

Mr. Brockberg was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Lyle, one brother, Carl Brockberg, and two sisters, Nora Niemann and Evelyn Willprecht.

Hartquist Funeral Chapel, Pipestone, was in charge of arrangements.

Vernon H. Nolte, 85, Worthington, formerly of Ellsworth, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001, at Crossroads Care Center in Worthington.

Services were Wednesday, Aug. 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. The Revs. Andrew Beerman and James Seitz officiated. Burial was in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Ellsworth.

Vernon Nolte was born to Fred A. and Martha (Heikes) Nolte on March 14, 1916, in Grand Prairie Township, rural Ellsworth. He attended country school in Nolte School House, District #39, in rural Ellsworth.

He married Florence Seitz on Nov. 28, 1951, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. After their marriage the couple farmed northeast of Ellsworth. In 1990 they retired to Luverne. In 1999 they moved to the Homestead in Worthington.

Mr. Nolte was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Worthington and a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. He enjoyed fishing and farming.

Survivors include his wife, Florence Nolte, Worthington; two sisters, Doris (R.J.) Henrichs, Ellsworth, and Evelyn Pickney, Little Falls; one sister-in-law, Bernadine (Dick) Wagner, Hartland, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Nolte was preceded in death by his parents.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Worthington, was in charge of arrangements.

Floyd V. Madison, 96, Adrian, died Friday Aug. 17, 2001, at Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in Adrian.

Services were Tuesday, Aug. 21, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse officiated. Burial was in St. Adrian Cemetery.

Floyd Madison was born to William T. and Lena (Meyers) Madison on Sept. 21, 1904, in Cushing, Iowa. He attended rural school in Iowa. In 1917 he moved with his family to a farm northwest of Adrian. He attended barber school at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. After his schooling he was a barber in Rushmore. He also worked for various farmers for a short time.

He married Alma M. Wieneke on June 2, 1931, in Lismore. They made their home in rural Adrian all of their married lives. Mrs. Madison died on Aug. 5, 1972.

Mr. Madison was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church. He enjoyed farming and traveling.

Survivors include 11 children and their spouses, Edward H. and Victoria Madison, Madison, S.D., Joan and Jim Taylor, Gerald and Karen Madison, Earl and Marilyn Madison, all of Adrian, Joyce and Phil Faragher, Worthington, Leroy W. and Alverna Madison, Wilmont, Rita and Richard Becker, Henderson, Nev., Morris Madison, Aurora, Colo., Agnes and Harold Beckmann, Iona, Dianne and Joseph Beckmann, Wilmont, and Margaret and Jerry Pick, Luverne; 47 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Olga Madison, Luverne; and his special friend, Lucy Wieneke.

Mr. Madison was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Alma, one daughter, Janet Madison, one granddaughter, Paulette Madison, two brothers and two sisters.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.