By Jolene Farley
Shareholders in Hills-Beaver Creek Co-op Farm Service will vote on Monday, Feb. 3, on whether or not to merge with New Vision Co-op, Worthington.

In late September, the board was forced to begin reviewing options for the cooperative with locations in Hills and Beaver Creek.

The struggling farm economy and a general economic slowdown was instrumental in the boards’ decision, according to Hills-Beaver Creek Co-op Farm Service Board President Allen Fick, Beaver Creek.

"We decided it looked like it would be in our best interest to merge," Fick said.

"If the banking industry doesn’t want to work with you, it’s hard to continue.
"
The board unanimously agreed New Vision Co-op, managed by Frank McDowell, was the wisest choice for a merger.

"They looked like they would be the best option for us to merge with long-term," he said. "They seem to be a strong company and it was the best way to keep the members equity intact."

If stockholders vote to move ahead, the merger will occur March 1.

The board hopes that by merging, the co-op will be able to offer patrons better margins, better prices and better volume.

"We hope the services and everything that the customers are used to will still be there," he said.

New Vision will honor contracts made with the current co-op for fertilizer and chemical purchases if the merger occurs, according to Fick.

"That was a concern we had this winter," he said.

Hills-Beaver Creek Co-op Farm Service patrons were sent letters, dated Dec. 12, 2002, telling of the impending vote.

Another letter will be mailed to shareholders on Thursday, Jan. 16, containing more information on the possible merger and detailing the times and location of two informational meetings planned for Monday, Jan. 27, according to Fick.

In May 1993, the Beaver Creek Cooperative elevator merged with the Hills Cooperative Farm Service. The new company became the Hills-Beaver Creek Co-op Farm Service.

Shareholders of the Hills-Beaver Creek Co-op Farm Service will bote on a merger with
New Vision Co-op, Worthington. Store inside.

Photo by Chantel Connell

State government wants a piece of your mind

The Minnesota Department of Finance is asking citizens to contribute to the almost $5 billion shortfall. The contribution won’t be in money, but in ideas.

The department’s Web site at www.finance.state.mn.us has links to leave ideas and to read others’ ideas on how to cure the budget. Here are just a few:

Copy the procedures of private industry. If private industry has a cash short-fall, it moves to cut costs by reductions in equipment purchases AND looks to its workforce to further lower its operating costs BY LAYING OFF ITS EMPLOYEES!" Unlike the State of Minnesota, private industry CAN NOT RAISE ITS COSTS UNDER DOWNTURNS IN BUSINESS AS IT WOULD LOOSE EVEN MORE OF ITS CUSTOMER BASE. Therefore, my suggestion is for the State to downsize its workforce and bite the bullet.

Why not create another government holiday? During holidays, government does not have to pay workers and thus, saves money... That's what they do at my workplace. If budget is stressed, we get extra days off without pay.

Work on the important issues during the legislative session this year. Get them done first — don't wait until the end. Don't do any of the "symbolic" legislation (like making some specific day of the year "Charles Schultz Day." Save that for better times.)

Maybe if you get done early, you could close shop and save some money that way.

Eliminate the need for a front and rear license plate on all Minnesota vehicles. The only one benefiting is 3M which sells the reflectorized tape. Wouldn't this reduce our cost of materials while keeping the revenues the same. Other states such as Georgia and Florida have been doing this for years.

The use of road salt needs to be cut down dramatically. In the Willmar, Hutchinson and Saint Cloud areas where we do most of our driving, the Minnesota Highway department spreads salt on dry roads when there is absolutely no reason. This makes the drifting snow stick to the roads in these areas and makes a much more hazardous condition than not using the salt.

When you do make your cuts, cut at the state level (crap like benefits for partners of state employees) and do not totally dump your problems on local governments.

My suggestion to help reduce the deficit is to collect the money that the state already has receivable. My employer is so far behind in state payroll tax withholding and the payment of unemployment taxes is almost non-existent. As employees, we believe our tax dollars withheld are being paid in. The dollar amounts are well over $100,000 and he is a small business. The federal government has been aggressive in their collection efforts, but the state is lacking. One suggestion is to turn these type of debts over to collection companies.

I would like to see someone, anyone take a good look at education. I am only 26 years old and do not see my age group or the younger generation getting any smarter. Maybe if we went back to the basics of education, reading, writing and arithmetic and stopped trying do what is politically correct we would be smarter. Teach what is necessary to contribute to society (speak English, add and subtract) instead of all the other stuff education would not cost as much.

Raise fees for non-resident hunting/game licenses, state park admissions, historical sites, by $1 per person. This isn't huge, but it also allows us to gain some additional revenue from visitors outside the state.

Movies return to the Palace this weekend
In what the BMAT hopes will be a regular event, a movie will be shown at the Palace Theatre this weekend.

Beginning on Friday night, ET, the restored edition , will light up the screen at the 87 year old movie house.

The 1982 movie, which was one of Steven Spielberg’s first successes, was recently re-released with a re-mastered soundtrack, and enhanced visual effects.

The movie also has some never-before-seen scenes added to the film.

The movie was nominated for nine Academy Awards, and won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for best score for John Williams.

The movie will be shown at the Palace at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, and at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Don’t expect sudden silence from your "do not call" list
If you’re one of the nearly one million people who signed up for the do-not-call list, don’t expect your phone to quit ringing quite yet.

Although the law became effective on Jan. 1, the bill that the Minnesota legislature passed, gives telemarketers 30 days to obtain the list.

Only after the 30 day period can the state start enforcing civil penalties, such as $1,000 for each illegal call, plus a possible "death sentence" (the right to do business over the phone in Minnesota).

You can sign up for the do-not-call list over the internet at www.commerce.state.mn.us or call toll-free 800-921-4110.

Although the list will keep most telemarketers away, it will still allow political parties and charities to continue their telemarketing efforts.

You didn’t win the Powerball again?
Did you buy a Powerball ticket and continue your losing streak?

The latest big payoff ended on Christmas day, when a West Virginia man won 314.9 million, or a 170.9 million cash pay off.

Minnesotans spent $8.9 million on Powerball tickets for the Christmas day drawing, which was the second most in the state’s history.

The biggest was $9.7 million on August 25, 2001.

For the Christmas 2002 lottery, three Minnesotans won $100,000 each. That’s $65,750 after taxes.

The various state lotteries sold more than $560 million in tickets during this jackpot run. That translates into roughly $168 million for state projects.

Join the Arbor Day Foundation and get free trees
The National Arbor Day Foundation will be giving ten flowering trees to everyone who joins their organization during the January 2003 membership drive.

The free trees are part of the organization’s "Trees for America" campaign.

The 10 trees are two white flowering dogwoods, two flowering crab apples, two goldenrain trees, two Washington hawthornes, and two American redbuds.

According to the foundation’s president, the trees are selected "to give your home pink, white, and yellow flowers, as well as providing winter berries and nesting sites for songbirds.

To join, contact The National Arbor Day Foundation at 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410.

Farm Credit Services of America, joins Agribank, FCB
Effective Jan. 1, 2003, AgAmerica FCB has merged with AgriBank, FCB.

As a result, Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, is now affiliated with and obtains wholesale services from AgriBank of St. Paul, Minn.

FCS America is the largest customer-owned financial service provider to farmers, ranchers and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Approximately 50,000 farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural residents are customer/owners of Farm Credit Services of America.

The new combined organization will provide services to customers in 15 states in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Hubert E. “Herbie” Chapin, 91, Luverne, formerly of Hardwick, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2003, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

Services were Monday, Jan. 6, at First Baptist Church in Luverne. The Rev. Rick Cornish officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne.

Hubert Chapin was born to Ralph and Sarah (Lewis) Chapin on Feb. 6, 1911, in Springwater Township, Rock County. He grew up and attended school in the same area.

He married Helen Moe on Aug. 20, 1939, in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church parsonage. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from Nov. 15, 1943, to Dec. 12, 1945. He worked for A.R. Wood Company, Ahrendt Construction and Luverne Truck Co. In 1951, they moved from Hardwick to Centennial Apartments in Luverne.

Mr. Chapin was a member of American Legion and the VFW. He was an avid gardener who supplied vegetables to many Hardwick residents. He loved reading, playing his accordion and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Chapin, Luverne; four sons, Dan Chapin, Fremont, Neb., David (Mary) Chapin, Kings Mountain, N.C., Dean (Sally) Chapin, Minneapolis, and Paul (Shelley) Chapin, Worthington; four daughters, Carole (Robert) Swanson, Maple Grove, Diana (James) Ouverson, Luverne, Joyce (Kevin) Battorff, Rolla, Mo., and Janice (Bill) Jaworski, Bloomington; 25 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Chapin was preceded in death by his parents, three sons, Glen, Ralph and Carl Sr., three grandsons, Mark Chapin, Alex Chapin and Michael Swanson, three brothers, Gerald, George and Roger, and one sister, Mattie.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Harold Carlson, 80, Luverne, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, at his son’s home in rural Dawson.

Memorial services were Friday, Jan. 3, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Paul Fries, officiated. Burial of cremains was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Military honors were served by Luverne American Legion and VFW.

Harold Carlson was born to David and Hulda (Sangren) Carlson on March 24, 1922, in Luverne. He attended country school in Springwater Township, rural Luverne. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Conflict.

He married Wanda Nelson on Jan. 26, 1947, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Rock County. They moved to Luverne in 1983. He worked at Kanaranzi Elevator until he started working with his son at Carlson Construction. After he retired he worked for Goodwill out of Sioux Falls, the Car Wash in Luverne and was a school crossing guard for Luverne Public School.

Mr. Carlson was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was also a member of Luverne VFW.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, Lloyd (Kathy) Carlson, Denison, Iowa, Bev (Curt) Tesch, New Effington, S.D., Daniel (Brenda) Carlson, Dawson, and Terry (Cindy) Carlson, Adrian, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Carlson and Warren (Joan) Carlson; and three sisters, LuVerna Hilliard, Mable Bakke and Florence (Jim) Connell.

Mr. Carlson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Wanda, on March 18, 2001, two brothers, Lawrence and Harvey, and one sister, Lorraine Overgaard.

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

Pastor Thomas James Mabe, 51, Edina, formerly of Luverne, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003.

Services were Sunday, Jan. 5, at Colony Park Baptist Church, Edina. Burial was in Highland Memory Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.

Thomas James Mabe was born to Robert L. and GayNelle G. Mabe on Aug. 8, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Penn. The family moved to Pocatello. Idaho, when he was nearly three. From there they moved to Des Moines in 1954, to Peoria Ill., in 1962, to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1963, to St. Louis, Mo., in 1964, to Houston Texas, in 1965, and then back to Des Moines in 1966.

During his K-12 years, he excelled in baseball. He was a star pitcher and the home run king. In Houston, he played football as a wide receiver. He graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1969. He then worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken as an area supervisor.

He married Stephenie Overton on Oct. 10, 1969. He received his bachelor’s degree from Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankenny, Iowa, and his Master’s of Divinity from Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind. He was a pastor and friend to congregations in Colfax, Iowa, Luverne and Edina.

Devoted to God, family and friends, he touched hearts and changed lives with God’s word wherever he went. We will always appreciate how making family time and memories was a priority for him. He taught us so many things; he was truly a role model.

Survivors include his wife, Stephenie Mabe, Edina; one son, Josh (Jennicca) Mabe; two daughters, Sharif (Vince) Welch, grandsons, Gavin and Treyton, and Shanna (Michael) Golden, and grandson, Benjamin; his parents; one brother, Rich Mabe; one sister, Cindy; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Rev. Mabe was preceded in death by one brother, Ron Mabe.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Helen Doris Lundby, 88, Worthington, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at Sibley Nursing & Rehab Center in Sibley, Iowa.

Memorial services will be Saturday, Jan. 11, at First Covenant Church in Worthington. The Rev. Peter Erickson will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. A time of gathering will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the church.

Helen Lundby was born Feb. 16, 1914, in Le Sueur. She graduated from Wadena High School in 1932. She later worked in the dairy industry, in bookkeeping and secretarial work in Wadena and St. Paul.

She married Francis Lundby on Oct. 1, 1938, in St. Paul. After their marriage, the couple lived in Lerdal. Later, they moved to Casselton, N.D., where they owned and operated Casselton Maid Creamery for more than 24 years. After selling their business the couple moved to Luverne where they lived for more than 20 years. They moved to Worthington in 1993.

Mrs. Lundby was a former member of United Methodist Church in Luverne where she was very active. She recently attended First Covenant Church in Worthington. She was a member of Eastern Star and Beta Sigma Phi.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Lyle Baker, Shoreview, and Judy and Marc Gustafson, Worthington; five grandchildren, Stacy Baker, Stephanie Baker, Jennifer (Jeff) Winters, Liz Gustafson and Chris Gustafson; four great-grandchildren; Sam, Jon, Chantel and Olivya; and one sister, Frances (George) Prahl, Le Sueur.

Mrs. Lundby was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, on March 20, 2002, and three brothers.

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

Ardella Anne Johnson, 62, Magnolia, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Dell Sanderson and Maurice Hagen officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Ardella Popken was born to Harold H. and Lillian K. (Beckman) Popken on Jan. 16, 1940, in Fulda. She graduated from Fulda High School in 1958. She graduated from Mankato State University in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree with a double major in home economics and library science.

She married John H. Johnson on June 21, 1963, at Immanuel American Lutheran Church in Fulda. After their marriage, they moved to Magnolia where she was a teacher and librarian at Magnolia High School from 1963 to 1975. She had the same position at Hills-Beaver Creek High School from 1979 to 1994. In 1996, she worked in the Omaha, Neb., school district as a special education teacher for two years. She worked at New County School in Henderson from 1998 to 2000 as a special education teacher and was also the director of the program. She moved to Tuff Memorial Home in May 2002.

Mrs. Johnson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, a member of GLCW and Chancel Choir. She served on the Magnolia City Council for many years. She was also involved with Green Earth Players and was a 4-H club leader. She enjoyed quilting, tending to her flower garden, and collecting teddy bears and antiques for her home. She also enjoyed singing and performed at weddings and charity events.

Survivors include her son, James H. (Stacey) Johnson, Menifee, Calif.; one daughter, Jada A. Johnson, Eagan; one granddaughter, Samantha L. Johnson, Menifee; and two sisters, Twyla (Raymond) Goedtke, Fulda, and Wynn (Rick) Sohler, Prior Lake.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John, on Dec. 9, 1971.

A tree will be planted in memory of Ardella Johnson by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

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