Luverne 5, Perham 1

Pitchers Robert Petersen and Wenninger limited Perham to one run and Eernisse drove in a pair of runs to highlight Luverne's four-run win in an elimination game played in Fairfax Saturday.

Petersen blanked Perham through seven innings before giving way to Wenninger, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning before yielding one run in the ninth.

Petersen earned the win.

Eernisse drove in runs in the fourth and sixth innings, after Luverne had taken a 1-0 cushion earlier in the contest.

The Redbirds opened the scoring when Nelson was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the third. After moving to third base on Reisch's double, Nelson scored when Micky Sehr singled.

Irish doubled and scored on Eernisse's single to make it a 2-0 game in the fourth, and Nelson was hit by a pitch before scoring on Eernisse's single in the sixth to make the difference 3-0.

Luverne ended its scoring with a two-run eighth inning.

Mike Miller singled before scoring on Ohme's run-scoring single. Ohme scored the final run later in the frame.

Box scoreABRHBI
Ohme5121
M.Sehr4011J.Sehr5010
Irish3120Wenninger5010Petersen3000Nelson1200Reisch3010Miller1110Eernisse4022

Luverne plays Brainerd in Fairfax Friday

By John Rittenhouse

The Luverne Redbirds remained unbeaten in the Minnesota State Class C Amateur Baseball Tournament after posting a pair of weekend wins in Fairfax.

Luverne bested Perham by five runs in an elimination game Saturday. The win gave the Redbirds a berth in what now is an eight-team elimination tournament, and they got off to a good start by edging Watkins by one run Sunday.

The Redbirds are one of four unbeaten teams remaining in the double-elimination event. They will play Brainerd, another tournament unbeaten, at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Fairfax.

If the 25-12 Redbirds would win Friday, they would play again on Sunday. A loss would force them to play Saturday.

Luverne 7, Watkins 6

The Redbirds prevailed during their first test in double-elimination play by downing Watkins by one run Sunday in Fairfax.

Luverne never trailed in the game and led 7-6 before Watkins put together a five-run ninth inning that ended one run short of catching the Redbirds.

The Redbirds plated single runs in the second and fourth innings to gain a 2-0 advantage before Watkins scored its first run in the top of the fifth.

Cole Irish gave Luverne a 1-0 lead with a solo homer in the second. Mike Wenninger singled and scored a fourth-inning run after T.J. Schmidt singled.

After Watkins cut the lead in half (2-1) in the top of the fifth, Luverne's Terry Eernisse delivered a solo homer in the bottom half of the inning before the Redbirds put the game away with a four-run eighth inning.

A single by Derek Ohme and walks to Micky Sehr and Irish loaded the bases in the eighth.

Wenninger drew a walk to force home Ohme, and Corey Nelson singled home Sehr and Irish. Nelson scored the final run after Jesse Reisch singled.

Schmidt tossed eight and one-third innings to pick up the pitching win. He worked eight innings of one-run ball before allowing three runs in the ninth.

Wenninger replaced Schmidt and was touched for two runs before recording the final two outs of the game and gaining a save.

Box scoreABRHBIOhme4110J.Sehr4000
M.Sehr3100Irish3211Wenninger3111Nelson4132Schmidt4011Miller0000
Reisch3011Weber1000Eernisse4111

Kevin Elbers of The Luverne Pizza Ranch was named Pizza Ranch Employee of 1999 at the company's annual meeting. Of the 85 Pizza Ranch franchises in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Michigan, Elbers best personified The Pizza Ranch slogan of "Good Things, Everyday."

The Employee of the Year award is based on professional performance, conduct and guest satisfaction.

"This year, we're proud to call Kevin our Employee of the Year," said Pizza Ranch President Joel Longtin. "Kevin's shown himself to be a great team member as well as showing a keen understanding of what it takes to keep our guests happy."

Lila Bauer, co-owner of the Luverne Pizza Ranch, adds, "Kevin's terrific. He's efficient, kind and understands our customers. Plus, his attitude is a real role model for the rest of the crew, including myself. He certainly deserves this award."

Following is Bauer's nomination letter to the company:

"It was very hard for me to decide on one Employee of the Year for the Luverne Pizza Ranch - I think that I have one of the best teams. They are dedicated and loyal to the Pizza Ranch. They are the reason why we are exceeding in sales.

In Luverne, we have an employee who started in July 1994. He came in to me and asked if I had any work for him. He would do anything. He said he could deliver because he grew up around here and he knew where a lot of people lived. He just wanted a chance. We hired him, Kevin Elbers.

Now, six years late, when you see Kevin he is more than likely zooming down the road (and I mean zzzooming!) in a Pizza Ranch car (that he'll tell anyone is his car) delivering a pizza or taking someone on a catering job. He is always friendly to the customer. He takes the extra time to help, not just for Pizza Ranch, but because that is the way Kevin is.

One time, on an out-of-town delivery, there was a car that was broken down and Kevin called in and said he was helping the people and I should call a tow truck for them.

Another time he was on a delivery and the lady needed someone to talk to so Kevin took a couple of extra minutes and listened. She called and thanked me for letting him be there for her.

If Kevin is not on a delivery he is probably in the dining room walking with a dessert pizza or just checking on the customers and thanking them for coming in and telling them we appreciate their business. Kevin always has a smile and a handshake.

Kevin is in charge of gas and oil in all the cars. He checks for any problems with them and then reports to Randy (because he knows that Lila does not do cars). Kevin helps Randy move equipment or get parts to fix the cars. He is always there for us.

Kevin received a managers' shirt from John, and he wears it with pride. He even wants to golf again at the summer meeting.

When we have a new hire Kevin is one of the first to introduce himself to them and quick to tell them if they have any questions and cannot find Lila, that he is my right hand man. Kevin deserves to be the Pizza Ranch Employee of the Year."

Early predictions show a slight increase
in city property taxes next year

By Sara Quam

The Luverne City Council on Monday made progress in refining the 2001 city budget.

The preliminary levy won't be approved until September and won't be finalized until December, but the preliminary work required much council discussion.

As the budget reads now, the proposed city levy will affect average homeowners by an increase of 1.6 percent if their property values stay the same. Commercial properties will actually see a decrease on the city line item of their tax statements.

The council still has time to alter the budget before approving the preliminary levy at a special Sept. 13 meeting. After that meeting, the city can decrease the levy before finalizing it in December but cannot increase it.

Up for discussion

Budget talks highlighted proposed changes that were out of the ordinary for the city budget.

For example, various departments requested Border City Legislation funding, an automated meter-reading system, an upgraded generator, land acquisition and an incubator building to be used for multiple businesses.

Other large costs for the city are the underground electrical wiring project, well water developments and funding for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System.

Because most of those mentioned projects fall in the city utilities budget, Councilman Keith Erickson said, "I think that when a special project comes along, we can postpone some long-term projects so we can provide stability [in the utilities budget]."

City Administrator Matt Hylen said that planning five years into the future is difficult when special projects like tax increment financing come up. "There are peaks and valleys, and there will continue to be peaks and valleys," he said.

Because of the increased number of utility projects, coordinator Red Arndt said he could postpone the automated meter-reading system until the 2002 budget. He said the generator upgrade is more important to the city because during a disaster it could sustain the city's water use for more than the day-and-one-half the current system allows.

The city's generator has been used seven or eight days already this year, so Arndt said an upgrade won't be a costly item that goes unused. The city will try to purchase a used generator.

The Economic Development Authority has a capital budget for the first time since it was started in 1996. With $500,000 as the high estimate for an incubator facility, the council may or may not allow for that expense.

"It's being talked about at the state level so we shouldn't have to pull this wagon by ourselves," council member Alex Frick said about possible state funding for an incubator project.

An incubator building could be used as a general office and meeting place for local companies that aren't equipped to handle that aspect of their business.

The meeting ended on a high note with Barb Berghorst, the city's financial manager, pointing out that the city has raised the tax rate by only 7.91 percent over the past seven years.

Sunday marked the last church service of the 106-year-old institution. Typically, 15 people show up, but this time, almost 85 came to say goodbye to their little country church.

Set amid corn and soybean fields, barbed wire fences and gravel roads, the church itself looked almost as sad as its congregation members.

Clerk of Session Ron Boyenga said it was previously suggested that the church have a celebration on its last day, but the church declined because no members felt like celebrating when it seemed to them like a time to mourn.

The church's 40 members, not all of them active, have seen this coming. In January, 14 were present for a vote to close - 12 voted in favor and two left their ballots blank.

One of those who will miss the small Sunday services is Jake Boyenga, who, at 98, is the oldest church member. He lives in Luverne now, but he never stopped going to the church he started attending when he was 7.

Jake remembers the church services gradually changing from German to English and celebrating the 25th anniversary of the church. He remembers pastors keeping cows and chickens to supplement the lean lifestyle of the 1920s and -30s.

"They would help him out," Jake said. "One would bring hay, another would bring some meat. They didn't make very much back then."

He spent the summer of 1950 in California with a cousin and went to a large church there. "The preacher didn't know them, and when church was over, nobody got acquainted."

"People get closer together here," Jake said.

The church bulletin is telling of how close the church really is. In the announcement section, it sends birthday wishes to "Gertie" and anniversary wishes to "John and Bernita." No last names necessary.

Even though it was a sad service for the congregation, it went on as any other. There were hymns ("Precious Memories" and "Church in the Wildwood"), scripture readings, a sermon and the benediction.

The melodrama was put on hold so they could worship. Some tears came later when most gathered in the basement for coffee and refreshments.

Jake and his wife, Hazel, were married at Stateline in 1969 and said they realize its closing is a part of the changing times.

Jake said, "Where we used to have four farms by the church, there's one."

The church and parsonage are up for auction Thursday. Money has been set aside for perpetual care of the cemetery.

Most of Stateline's members have made arrangements to transfer to other area churches, even though they say it just won't be the same.

After Sunday's coffee and refreshments in the basement, churchgoers were greeted outside by crickets chirping reminders of what a country church is all about - neighbors and faith connected in a rural setting.

In the words of lay minister John Dyck, "This is the last day of our corporate worship. - But our worship is something that we don't just do on Sunday. - We will be in new settings but carry the same heritage."

At 106 years old, Stateline
closes its doors for last time

By Sara Quam

Mourning doves sang a somber welcome as parishioners entered the final 10 a.m. service at Stateline Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.

By Sara Quam

Rock County couples have another option when deciding whether to continue working or to stay home with their infant children.

So far, no one has taken advantage of a new option that helps offset costs of missed work by paying a parent to care for the child at home.

The first-of-its-kind legislation was chief authored by Rep. Richard Mulder (R-Ivanhoe) and earned a first place Innovations Award at the Midwest Legislative Conference.

Moms or dads who want to stay at home through their child's first year get reimbursed for 75 percent of the state's share of licensed family day care, which is $1.75 per hour in Rock County. The amount of money reimbursed to the family amounts to about $3,000 to $5,000 a year.

Mulder said after more than 32 years of being a physician, he has an understanding of what people want. "This understanding inspired me to write this bill," he said. "Now I look forward to having an opportunity to encourage other legislators to develop similar child care programs in their own states."

How the program works

Eligibility for At-Home Infant Child Care is based on income, and the family caregiver must also meet the requirements of working, going to school or looking for work at the time the child is born. There is a 12-month limit in the program and the time can be used at once or divided among children.

"It's underutilized," Pam Nelson, financial assistant supervisor for Rock County Human Services, said of the new law. "Most people go back to work after maternity leave for financial reasons."

Although it hasn't been used so far in Rock County, the potential is there. Nelson said the basic sliding scale program, which helps qualified families pay for child care costs, has a waiting list of 12 families for the first time since 1997. The AHIC could help some of those families on the waiting list.

Families are currently having to wait because the county has already hit its maximum amount of allocated funding for the sliding fee program.

Nelson speculated that the AHIC program hasn't seen applicants because word of its existence hasn't gotten around yet.

To be a part of the AHIC program, families must turn in an application. Nelson said, "There's a state pool of money, and we have to determine how much they'll draw from the pool and then apply to the state. It's a first-come, first-served system."

Rock County's AHIC child care reimbursement is $282 a month. Families who can afford it are required to pay part of that $282. For example, a family of four grossing $28,000 gets reimbursed $219 because of a $63 reduction based on their income.

The reimbursement tops off at $37,940 for a family of four because the income-based co-pay equals the program's reimbursement.

In calculating income, the program considers things like sick or family leave - almost everything employers would be spending on caregivers had they stayed at work.

Nelson said the program is ideal for working people who want a little more time at home after having a child. Some of the families waiting for placement in the standard sliding fee child care program could consider this option.

"If a family is on the sliding fee waiting list and decided to use this, they wouldn't lose their slot on the list," Nelson said.

To the Editor:

In May of this year in New York City armed robbers herded six men and one woman into the walk-in refrigerator of a Wendy's restaurant, bound and gagged them, and shot each one in the head. Five of these people died and two were gravely injured. Under New York law had any of the restaurant employees or customers been armed they would have been considered as guilty as the murderers.

In Anniston, Ala., two armed robbers took over a Shoney's restaurant. This case differs from the first in that a patron of the restaurant, Thomas Terry, was legally armed. Contrary to what Carol Achterhof would have you believe, he was not carrying a firearm for any of the frivolous reasons as stated in her Star Herald Aug. 24th column, but for self-protection as is his Second Amendment right.

Alabama's state constitution proclaims "that every citizen has the right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state." And Mr. Terry did that and more. He also saved the lives of nearly two dozen other customers, even at great risk to his own life. Mr. Terry shot one robber dead and severely wounded the other. None of the patrons were injured except Mr. Terry himself, who was grazed in the hip by a bullet from one of the robbers.

Those who would ban firearms seek comfort in the vain hope that if we pass laws to get rid of guns, such horrors will cease. Against all experience, against all that common sense tells us about the protective value of guns, the gun banners will continue to babble on.

Let me close with the words of Robert E. Lee instead of the words of Johnny Carson. "Gun control laws increase the power of government and the criminal element over the average citizen and serve no other purpose."

Ed Lynch
Luverne

In what was the season-opening match for both teams, Luverne fell behind early in all three games only to rally and nail down consecutive wins in front of the home crowd in the Elementary School gym.

When the match was complete, the Cards had to feel good about outscoring their opponents 45-20 during their first match.

"All in all, it was a good first win," said Cardinal coach Mary Jo Graphenteen. "It's always nice to open the season with a win because it makes it easier to move on."

After falling behind 1-0 in Game 1, Luverne put together a 7-0 rally featuring two kills and a tip by Susan Remme, one kill by Tracey Scheidt, an ace serve and a service point from Missy Boomgaarden and another point by Leah Lundgren to gain a six-point advantage.

Fulda scored five of the next eight points to trim Luverne's lead to four (10-6), but a pair of kills by Abbey Franken, a kill by Remme, a tip by Lundgren and a point from Lisa Mulder made up a 5-0 run that clinched a 15-6 win for LHS.

The Cards trailed 2-0 before putting together a 10-point run in the second game to gain an eight-point cushion.

The rally featured one service ace and four more points from Lundgren, two kills and two ace serves by Remme and another kill by Emily Kuhlman.

Fulda scored five of the next eight points to trim the difference to six points (13-7) before a kill by Franken followed by a point from Lundgren iced a 15-7 win.

Luverne faced a 3-2 deficit in Game 3 before Franken produced three kills and a tip, Erin Lammert served a pair of aces and Scheidt added a service point during a 7-0 run that gave Luverne a 9-3 lead.

The Raiders rallied to pull within three points at 10-7 before the Cards posted a 15-7 win with two ace serves and another point by Lammert, a kill by Melissa Kopp and an ace tip by Lundgren.

"There were not a lot of long rallies during match, which makes it tough to get into your offense. We did have a couple of coverage breakdowns on defense, but that will only get better with time. Everybody got a chance to play, which is always nice. Whenever you can get all the players in the match it can only help down the road.

Lundgren, who recorded 23 ace sets, was 16 of 18 with 13 points at the service line. Lammert was 15 of 15 with 11 points and five aces.

Remme and Franken led the way at the net with nine kills each. Scheidt chipped in one kill.

The Cards host Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster and Adrian tonight and Tuesday respectively. Luverne competes in the Sioux City (Iowa) Tournament Saturday.