Seeing him buzz down the street, you'd think, "there goes a man in one fast wheelchair." Richard loved the freedom mobility gave him to engage in life. He didn't allow cerebral palsy to define him, but it did shape his life in important ways.

Richard's childhood was divided between his hometown area of Luverne and Minneapolis. His parents were Eva and Louis Davis, who ran the Davis CafŽ in Luverne for many years. During the school year he attended Michael Dowling School for Crippled Children (its name at the time). Though this was a painful separation, Richard's parents knew he needed to be prepared to live independently some day. A progressive concept in that era. Each trip to Minneapolis meant a tearful goodbye. Each homecoming excitement, reunion and catching up.

In Minneapolis, Richard stayed with foster families. Some not so good. The Denleys were the best. They were like a family to him. Their kids like his siblings. Richard stayed with them for seven years until he returned home for high school.

Living at home all year, every year during high school made for the most normal life Richard had known to that point. Classmates gladly carried him up and down stairs around school (down-home style accessibility). Everyone loved having Richard home so much. When they were supposed to be out for a drive on country roads, Richard and his sister, Bette, would sneak into town without their folks knowing it Ñ get treats and hang around. Richard took every chance he got to engage in a secret passion Ñ driving stuff. His aunt, Jessie Roberts (Mrs. Neil Roberts), and others would let him drive their cars. HeÕd drive the tractor in the cornfields and ride the horse around the family farm thanks to various partners in crime. When he graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1954, however, you couldnÕt keep the boy down on the farm.

As a young adult, Richard returned to Minneapolis and began a journey toward living independently. He lived as a boarder at first, then in various situations with roommates. Not unlike many other young people who move to the Cities. Young and strong then, he got around on crutches and used a push wheelchair as well, With his sister, Bette, who also lived in town, Richard had family close by and help with routine tasks like laundry. Richard and Bette were very close. They got together every week. Had Sunday dinners together. And went home for visits together.

Gradually, Richard lived more independently. He got his own apartment. And then, made a decision that would transform his life. He got his first electric wheelchair. He resisted this at first, knowing that he would eventually stop using crutches Ñ a skill he had struggled many years to develop. Richard used to joke that he had to quit using crutches because he got tired of breaking his nose every time he fell over. But, the mobility he gained with an electric wheelchair opened up the world to him.

Over the years, Richard lived a simple, yet full and rich life. He periodically attended the U of M mainly studying art. Since high school, he considered himself a mostly self-taught artist but always looked for ways to improve his painting and drawing skills. Richard educated himself in many other disciplines - philosophy, literature, music, religion and more. Richard loved his church - St. Mark's Ñ and would wheel there on Sunday unless the weather absolutely didn't permit.

Richard also developed a broad variety of close, long-time friendships. Sometimes he needed to rely on these friends to accomplish some small task. Ironically, though, there always ended up being an exchange. These friends came to rely on his perspective, counsel and his wry sense of humor. Richard was a thinker and a doer. He did the three things he most loved almost every day Ñ he read a broad variety of books, he listened to great music, and he would draw or paint.

Richard left with us precious pieces of himself through his artwork. He worked in a variety of styles. Always exploring. He painted clowns, portraits, and he especially loved nudes. At times his artwork, like his friendships and beliefs, seemed to have a contradictory nature - until you knew the whole Richard. He was idealistic, yet wise, Faithful, yet open-minded. Sometimes stubborn, yet always a gracious reliable friend. Art was important to Richard. Painting with a "rehabilitated hand," was a metaphor for the challenges he faced every day. It's safe to say, however, of all the art he did, his best work of art was his life.

Two Hills-Beaver Creek High School athletes made impacts as members of the Luverne-H-BC-Ellsworth wrestling team this week.

Seventh-grader Kerry Fink competed in a pair of outings for the Cardinal mat squad, while sophomore Dusty Seachris wrestled at one event.

The Cardinals opened the season at the Flandreau (S.D.) Tournament Saturday. Seachris and Fink recorded a combined 1-4 record during the event.

Seachris managed to place fourth at 130 without winning a match. Fink was 1-2 at 103 without placing.

Seachris drew a bye in the opening round before dropping a 16-3 major decision to Elk-Point Jefferson's Mark Donnelley in the semifinals. He drew another bye in the consolation bracket to earn a berth in the third- and fourth-place match, where he lost another major decision (13-5) to Pipestone-Jasper's Brandon Manderschied.

Fink advanced to semifinals by pinning Howard's Tim Reisch in 1:26 during what was Fink's first varsity match.

Fink, however, was pinned by Garretson's Dan Bonte (1:17) and Flandreau's Ryan Reed (2:24) to end the day.

L-H-BC-E scored 74 points as a team to place sixth out of eight teams in Flandreau.

Fink also wrestled at 103 during a duel match in Fulda Tuesday.

The Cardinals came up on the short end of a 54-23 tally against Fulda-Murray County Central, losing six of 10 matches and losing by forfeit in three matches.

Fink mixed it up with Loren Clarke to start the match and was pinned by the Rebel in 57 seconds.

The Cardinals host Windom tonight before wrestling at the Jackson County Central Tournament Saturday and in Garretson, S.D., Tuesday.

Tara Boeve and the Augustana Viking volleyball team came up one win short of winning a national championship over the weekend.

The Vikings played host to the NCCA Division II Elite Eight Volleyball Tournament at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls Thursday through Saturday.

Augustana posted a pair of wins over West Texas A & M and the University of North Alabama to advance to Saturday's title match, where they lost a 3-0 decision to Hawaii Pacific in Saturday's title tilt.

With Boeve registering 14 kills and five blocks to help the cause, Augustana topped West Texas A & M by 15-11, 10-15, 15-6 and 15-8 in Thursday's quarterfinals.

The Vikings rolled to 15-4, 15-9 and 15-5 wins over the University of North Alabama in Friday's semifinals, with Boeve contributing eight kills and four blocks.

Hawaii Pacific topped the Vikings in Saturday's championship match by 15-2, 15-7 and 15-6 scores. Boeve had four kills and one block in the match.
Augustana ends the year with a 30-4 record.

By John Rittenhouse
A free throw by Jody Rentschler with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game gave the Hills-Beaver Creek girls' basketball team a season-opening 33-32 win over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton in Tyler Monday.

Rentschler, a 5-7 sophomore guard, came up with the biggest play of the game during the first varsity contest she played in.

R-T-R, which sported leads at the first three quarter breaks, found itself trailing 32-30 after H-BC outscored the Knights 8-2 in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Knights tied the game at 32 with 1:45 remaining, and H-BC then opted to hold the ball in an attempt for a game-winning shot in the final seconds.

Rentschler came up with an offensive rebound and was fouled in the act of shooting with 2.5 seconds left to play, when she made one of two free throws to give her team the margin of victory.

R-T-R sported 10-9, 20-15 and 28-24 leads at the first three quarter breaks, but the Patriots made seven of nine free throws while outscoring the hosts 9-4 in the final eight minutes of play to pull out their victory.

"Any time you can win a game, no matter how you win it, you're happy as a coach. Our girls played really hard, and they played excellent defense," said Patriot mentor Tom Goehle.

Becky Broesder led H-BC's fourth-quarter charge by scoring five of her team-high 13 points in the period.

Jamie Arp had eight rebounds, Erin Boeve three blocked shots, Shanna Tilstra three steals and Broesder three steals for the Patriots.

H-BC plays in Bigelow tonight and in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Saturday before hosting Pipestone-Jasper Monday.

Box score
C.Tilstra 0 0 0-0 0, Olson 1 0 1-2 3, Sandstede 0 0 1-3 1, Rentschler 1 0 3-4 5, S.Tilstra 1 0 2-2 4, Broesder 4 0 5-7 13, Boeve 1 0 3-6 5, Arp 1 0 0-0 2.

Team statistics
H-BC: nine of 32 field goals (28 percent), 15 of 24 free throws (63 percent), 26 rebounds, 19 turnovers.
R-T-R: 11 of 51 field goals (22 percent), 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent), 35 rebounds, 16 turnovers.

A honor roll
Seventh: Aaron Aristeo, Jason Hup, Jessie Leenderts, Jason Martens, John Sandbulte.

Eighth: Melinda Feucht, Kelly Mulder, Cassi Tilstra, Gregory Van Batavia.

Ninth: Erin Boeve, Jeremy Elbers, Kelley Fransman, Lee Jackson, Amanda Olson, Drew Spykerboer, Trey Van Wyhe.

Tenth: Jesse Leuthold, Jessica Martens, Tyson Metzger, Jody Rentschler.

Eleventh: Miranda Anderson, Rebecca Broesder, Jana Hup, Tonya Leenderts, Brittney Olson, Kevin Van Batavia.

Twelfth: Sarah Alink, Jamie Arp, Lance Crawford, Stacy Elbers, Shanna Tilstra, Christopher Willers.

B honor roll
Seventh: Brianna Boeve, Devin DeBoer, Jarid Hoogendoorn, Jessica Penning, Kari Roozenboom, Ashley Sundem.

Eighth: Robert Baker, Michael Bos, Ashley Bosch, Travis Broesder, Ashley Buck, Justin Hinks, Christopher Nuffer, Brittney Rozeboom, Deidre VandenBussche, Kale Wiertzema.

Ninth: Jessica Arp, Kristin Harsma, Alissa Hoyme, Dylan Klarenbeek, Adam Lange, Lance Larson, Melinda Sandstede, Jordan Scott, Jessica Wassenaar.

Tenth: Dustin Bonnema, Melissa Fagerness, Kelsey Hansel, Clint Roozenboom, Sarah Rozeboom, Kyle Sammons, Dustin Seachris, Angela Sjaarda.

Eleventh: Nicole Bonestroo, Jody DeNoble, Nathan Fick, Trisha Larson, LaDonna Sandstede, David Scott, Justin Van Maanen, Lee Walraven.

Twelfth: Joshua Bosch, Tom Bosch, Rachael DeHaan, Derek Ehde, Chris Fransman, Morgan Lange.

By Lori Ehde
A few tears have been shed in First Baptist Church following the news that Pastor Tom Mabe is leaving Luverne.

"It's best to leave while they still love you," said Mabe, who has led the congregation for more than 10 years. "I'm hoping most of them still love me, because I sure love them."

Mabe has accepted a call to minister in Colony Park Church, Edina, where the congregation has dwindled from 225 members to 85.

"We're looking to help turn it around," he said. "There's lots of potential in the Cities, but it'll be an adventure for us … It's the kind of challenge I like."

He said the Edina church seats 450, so he pointed out that Luverne visitors are assured a good seat if they stop in on a Sunday morning.

Considering Luverne's average attendence swelled from 150 to 260 under his leadership, Mabe said he's forward to the challenge of working with the Colony Park.

"It was a really difficult decision to make for us. The people and the whole town have been wonderful. … It's not just a church we're leaving; it's the town as well. We’ve had good support."

First Baptist Church completed a massive expansion and remodeling project in August.

Mabe has been able to enjoy the new building for a few months, but he said the timing is right for his departure from Luverne.

"With the building project complete, they're really ready for someone new," he said. "I'm hoping the next man that comes in can continue the spiritual growth."

Mabe hasn't always been on track for the ministry; in fact his earlier life was destined for quite a different track.

"When I was 22, I really was at the end of my rope spiritually," he said. "All I knew was I needed to be saved. I walked into a church one day in Des Moines and asked for a pastor... and he led me to the Lord."

After four years of marriage, he said he and Stephenie both changed their lives at the same time.

"I realized there's got be more to life than 60, 70 or 80 years that we live," Mabe said. "Now I see life in terms of our eternal purpose. We're created to know God for eternal life."

He said he's seen God work through him in ways he didn't think were possible. For example, he used to be shy speaking to a small handful of people. Now he preaches to hundreds.

He said working with people has been the most rewarding aspect of his job.

"I really enjoy getting to know people and loving people," he said.

The Mabes came to Luverne in July 1990 after ministering in Colfax, Iowa, for six years.

"We put our resume out and we got the call to come here. We really felt this was the place to be," Mabe said. "Luverne was a great place to raise our children."

Their three children are now grown. Sharif, 30, and her husband, Vince Welch, live in Blair, Neb. They have a 2 1/2-year-old son, Gavin, and are expecting another in January.

Shanna, 26, and her husband, Michael Golden, live in Sioux Falls.

Joshua, 23, is a fifth-grade teacher in Helendale, Calif.

Mabe said of all the places he's lived, he most considers Luverne his home, and it will be hard to leave.

"Your hearts just get knitted together strongly after 10 years. It’s like family. There's been a lot of tears already. It’' been difficult," he said.

"The good thing is we know we’ll spend eternity with the Lord, and those friends are forever, so that helps."

The community is invited to First Baptist Church at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, following the praise and worship service for a pie fellowship in Tom and Stephenie's honor.

Robert and Delwyn Walraven began business west of Hills 30 years ago. Wally's Nursery began with bedding plants and expanded to nursery stock and landscaping. During the Christmas season, they sell Christmas trees.

Wally's Nursery typically orders 250 evergreen trees during the Christmas season. "Some years we sell them all. Some years we are stuck with them," said partner Delwyn Walraven.

The Walravens transport their stock themselves from Maryland, Wis., usually the second week of November. "Usually the week of Thanksgiving people start buying trees, but this year the week before was busy. It was a change of pace," Delwyn said.

He said Christmas trees used to be mostly Scotch pine, then customers switched to white pine. The current trend is the Frasier fir. Trees vary in price for $30 to $60, depending on height.

Wally's Nursery flocks approximately 50 to 60 trees a season. "Either people like them or they don't like them," Delwyn said. He usually flocks trees the traditional white, but has also flocked in pink and blue.

Wally's Nursery also sells wreaths, poinsettias, and roping. The business is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 on Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sunday.

Wilma Knobloch has always enjoyed cooking, and her family has certainly appreciated her efforts. Recently, Wilma's cooking earned her recognition from the country cooking magazine Taste of Home.

Wilma's recipe for Fudgy Fruit Dip is featured in the Good Food That's Good For You section of the January/ February issue of Taste of Home.

Wilma is quoted in the magazine as saying, "This rich chocolaty dip is especially nice at holiday gatherings or served with fresh strawberries."

A Spear, Ill., native, Wilma remembers growing up working in the apple orchards owned by her family. Several of her favorite recipes include apples as an ingredient, according to Wilma.

Wilma learned to cook from her mother and some friends. She also credits several good cookbooks. "Tons of cookbooks," said Wilma's husband, Melvin.

Wilma and Melvin lived on a farm near Steen for 31 years. They raised hogs and butchered chickens. Cooking for five children, Derek, Denton, Julie, Dudley and Dustin, provided lots of opportunities to try new recipes.

Wilma was not aware they were publishing her recipe in Taste of Home. She found out from a friend who received her copy of the magazine in the mail a day earlier than Wilma did.

Wilma submitted six recipes for dips to Taste of Home about three or four years ago. The recipe published was among those recipes.

She has continued to submit periodically to Taste of Home and occasionally to the Farm Journal. Some of her recipes are included in the Lester Cookbook available at the People's State Bank, Lester.

Wilma's all-time favorite recipe is Garden Club Chicken Casserole which is included in this issue of the Crescent.

Her favorite kitchen gadget is the cheese slicer from Pampered Chef.

When asked what his favorite dish is Melvin diplomatically stated, "I like anything she fixes." His particular favorites are chicken noodle soup and apple pie, according to Wilma.

In addition to working at home, Wilma was employed at the Tuff Home for several years, first as a staff nurse, then as director of nursing before moving off the farm to Rock Rapids last year.

Area residents enjoyed a free meal on Saturday at Hills Appreciation Day. Area businesses provided the meal to customers as a show of appreciation for their business throughout the year. Katie Angelo carefully considers what to ask for while she sits on Santa's lap. Katie and her mother, Jeanne, came to visit Santa at the Tuff Home Saturday.