By Jolene Farley
Beth (Bonnema) Sakurai, moved to Japan 40 years ago in 1962 as a short-term missionary with the Reformed Church of America.

"I just applied to be a short-term missionary and they needed someone in Japan," said Sakurai, whose family members were members of the Reformed Church of Steen.

Sakurai said she expected to remain in Japan only until 1966 when the term expired, and she didn't expect to still be living in Yokohama, Japan, today.

As fate would have it, she met her husband, Akira, while singing in a church choir in Japan. They later married and had two children, Naomi and Ken, and Sakurai continued her life in Japan as a teacher, wife and mother.

The Sakurais lived in the United States briefly after they married. Akira studied in the United States and accepted a position as pastor at the Baptist church in Truman.

After they returned to Japan in 1970, Sakurai began teaching English at the Soshin Girl's School, a Baptist institution in Japan. She continues to work with seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade Japanese students.

"It had been a number of years since World War II ended, and Japan was at the start of their very prosperous time," she said. "They realized that they needed English."

Most students learn English grammar from Japanese teachers, and Sakurai's job is to help them become comfortable speaking the language.

She said education is revered in Japan, and students and parents vie to be accepted into the best schools. All of the students in the Soshin School continue on to higher education.

Sakurai occasionally visits her relatives in the United States. She has been in Minnesota since July 16, and during this visit, she was able to attend her class of 1957 reunion in Hills.

"Every time I've been here (United States) for a few weeks and I have to go back to Japan, everything is miniature," she said. "Most cars are smaller and streets are narrower."

Sakurai said the most difficult thing for her to become accustomed to after she moved to Japan was living in a larger city.

"I'd always lived ... well... I was born and raised on a farm," she said.

Crowds are a part of life in Japan. There is no such thing as maximum capacity in public places. On trains people hang over each other with little regard for personal space. "If you can get in that car, you are welcome to try," she said.

Things are more expensive in Japan because many goods are imported, according to Sakurai. Meat and fruits aren't produced in Japan, and because the island lacks many natural resources, housing and fuel is expensive.

Many people live in small apartments, and owning a home is "a dream of many people," Sakurai said. Despite the cost of consumer goods, most of Japan is considered middle class.

Sakurai said she has always felt at home in Japan, even with the differences in culture, and she considers herself fortunate.

"Just being able to have another place to call home is a rewarding thing," she said. "I have friends and family there (in Japan) as well as in my own country."

Hills-Beaver Creek football players "hit it hard" Tuesday during football practice. They are preparing for their first game at home on Friday, Aug. 30, against Glenville-Emmons.

Photo by Jolene Farley

The Associated Press dictates much of why and how we do what we do in the world of newspaper writing. For example, we spell out numbers one through nine, and we use numerals for those greater than 10.

Except of course, when referring to the 3-year-old girl or when making reference to times and dates.

It's the sort of thing that prompts elaborate discussion among word people, but it can be confusing and maddening for those who are simply trying to construct a professional business correspondence.

To help, the Wordos have come up with handy list of "Right Word Ð Wrong Word," for easy reference for all writers.

Wordos are a group of retired people, teachers of English and other who love Mother English.

"Right Word-Wrong Word" is a condensation of material from the Wordos' book "92 abuses of English that drive curmudgeons crazy."

Following are few entries from their list:

Free gift is redundant. All gifts are free. Just call it a gift.

If I were, not If I was.

Impact is a noun. Don't use it as a verb.

Irregardless: No! it's regardless.

Sight Ð Site Ð Cite: Sight is vision, site is location and cite is to quote an authority.

Afterward Ð not afterwards.

Myself Ð Me: never substitute myself for I or me. I want it for my husband and me (not for my husband and myself).

More important Ð not more importantly.

Pronouns Ð For you and me (not for you and I), This is she (not this is her), between you and me (not between you and I).

Anxious - Eager Ð Anxious implies extreme uneasiness of mind. Eager implies a strong interest or enthusiasm. Children are not anxious to see Santa. They are eager.

Lie Ð Lay: Lie is to rest, to lie down. Lay is to place or put.

Less Ð fewer: Plural nouns take fewer. 10 items or fewer. Less land, less money, but fewer dollars.

Farther Ð Further: Farther refers to physical distance. Further causes, careers and everything else.

Through wind, rain or hail... or bouts of forgetfulness.

If deafening thunder and blinding lightening weren't enough to keep us awake Monday night, our six-year-old toothless wonder was.

Before he went to bed that night, we discussed the local forecast with regard to how it might affect an anticipated visit by the Tooth Fairy.

We all the know the Tooth Fairy has magical powers, but she let him down the previous night and his faith in her was a bit shaken.

He reported with a long face Monday morning that the Tooth Fairy didn't come because his envelope had slipped on the floor under his bed. (Whew! It's a good thing she didn't just forget altogether.)

The Tooth Fairy did arrive as promised by Tuesday morning. She managed to dodge all those rain drops and fly against strong wind gusts, but she couldnÕt even find a misplaced tooth the previous night.

Amazing.

State budget cuts affect area parks, Blue Mounds not affected
A $13 million budget cut will mean a shortened camping season for some area state parks.

Kilen Woods near Lakefield and Split Rock Creek State Park at Jasper will have their camping grounds closed after Labor Day to try to make up some of the shortfall.

According to the DNR, other cost saving measures will include less grooming of winter trails, turning off showers earlier and reducing maintenance and restoration at some parks.

The good news according to the DNR is that they will be able to get by with the reduction of services, and wonÕt have to close any parks.

The closures have been spread around the state, from Split Rock Creek in SW Minnesota and Beaver Creek Valley, in SE Minnesota to Zippel Bay, near the Canadian border.

24 parks in total have been affected by the budget cuts.

Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, told the Star Tribune some of the state park campgrounds popular with anglers, such as Zippel Bay near Williams and Big Stone Lake near Ortonville, will be closed for the fishing opener next year.

The DNR also cut 24 seasonal naturalist and interpretive intern positions which will have an impact on programs and services available to state park visitors.

A similar early closing also took place in 1999, to save money.

Any campers with reservations at one of the affected parks will be able to change their reservation free of charge or get a refund by calling 1-866-857-2757

City lifts total watering ban
Even before the heavy rainfall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the city of Luverne lifted its total watering ban.

The ban was in place because well fields dropped more than a foot last month due to heavy water use, and pumps were running up to 24 hours a day.

Residents are allowed to water lawns once a week, the night before their garbage is picked up. In other words, when you take out your dumpster for pickup, you can water that same night from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next morning.

However, with the 6 inches of rain the city of Luverne got, the city may change its policy again.

Edgerton receives national attention
Edgerton's swimming pool controversy is receiving some national attention.

Earlier this spring, the Edgerton city council made the controversial decision to allow the public swimming pool to be open on Sunday.

The move was applauded by many, as was apparent in the attendance, but looked on with scorn by those who believe Sunday is a religious day and prefer that things stay closed.

As I was driving to Sheldon this Sunday, for my grand-daughter's baptism, I heard a report on the national CBS radio network.

What next? Will Katie Couric or Diane Sawyer be lining up for live interviews with the different sides?

If they do, we will let you know.

On a possible related subject, Edgerton Council member Darrin DeKam resigned his council position siting variety of personal reasons.

One member of the Edgerton Enterprise staff speculates that "the controversy caused by DeKam's support of opening the Edgerton swimming pool on Sundays was a significant determinant in his decision to resign."

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

Grace Niessink, 91, Hills, formerly of Luverne, died Saturday at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.

Services were Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Steen Reformed Church. The Rev. Dan Ramaker officiated. Burial was in Eastside Cemetery, Steen.

Grace Beyenhof was born to Bernard and Tonia (Rensink) Beyenhof on Dec. 12, 1910, at Sioux Center, Iowa. She grew up in the Rock Rapids, Iowa, area and attended country school in Lyon County.

She married Louis Niessink on Feb. 13, 1929, in Lyon County. Following their marriage they lived in Steen where her husband operated his own general trucking business. They were custodians of Steen Reformed Church during the 1950s and Ô60s. Mr. Niessink died on May 15, 1985. She moved to Centennial Apartments in Luverne in 1991. She became a resident of Tuff Memorial Home in Hills Aug. 19, 1999.

Mrs. Niessink was a long-time member of Steen Reformed Church and served as a Sunday School teacher and was a circle member. She also enjoyed reading, crocheting and did volunteer work at nursing homes in Hills and Luverne. While living in Luverne she made many new friends and enjoyed playing cards and games with the other residents. She enjoyed walking and riding bicycle.

Survivors include three children, Anna Elbers Roger (Sylvia) Niessink and Harold (Corinne) Niessink, all of Luverne, 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Irene Niessink, Luverne.

Mrs. Niessink was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son-in-law, one granddaughter and six brothers.

Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Orville Aanenson, 82, Luverne, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Monday, Aug. 19, at Grace Lutheran Church. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Orville Aanenson was born to Ole and Otelia (Olson) Aanenson on Sept. 14, 1919, on the family farm in Luverne Township. He grew up on the farm and attended country school.

He married Rose Mary Colwell on July 6, 1941, in Luverne. They lived and worked on the Aanenson family farm. He retired from farming in November 1978 and moved to Luverne. He then worked as a custodian at Luverne Public Schools until his retirement in July 1983.

Mr. Aanenson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, working in the yard and playing cards, especially pinochle and solitaire.

Survivors include two sons, Randall (Donna) Aanenson, Garretson, S.D., and Alan (Dixie) Aanenson, Luverne; four daughters, Gloria (James) Rolfs, Carol (James) Hatting, all of Luverne. Joyce (Gordon) Hansen, Hardwick, and Joan DeSchepper, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 12 grandchildren, Angela (Brad) Ahrendt, Jennifer (Tim) Walgrave, Amy (Brad) Petersen, Kami (Jason) Adams, Carrie (Scott) Radloff, Scott, Shelby, Heidi, Michael, and Rebecca Aanenson, Matthew and Michelle DeSchepper; eight great-grandchildren, Brooke, Cole and Mace Walgrave, Derek, Megan and Mackenzie Petersen, Griffin and Greta Ahrendt; three brothers, Norman (Ellen) Aanenson, Luverne, Gordon (Gloria) Aanenson, Kanaranzi, and Howard (Lavanelle) Aanenson, Pipestone; five sisters, Alfie Brandenburg and Alma Ellsworth, both of Hills, Ramona Skidmore, Minneapolis, Orla Powell, Fairfax, Va., and JoAnn Barmore, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Aanenson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rose Mary, on April 4, 1998, and three sisters, Thelma Bonnett, Olga Brandenburg, and Norma Zimmerman.

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

Verna Rupp, 88, Hardwick, died Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Mankato. Services will be Saturday, Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Hardwick, with Rev. Mark Mumme officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. with family present at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Henry Schroeder, 85, Luverne, died Friday, Aug. 16 at Luverne Hospice Cottage. Committal services are Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. at Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls. Visitation begins Monday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls.

Henry Charles Schroeder, 85, Luverne, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2002, in Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Committal services were Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Hills of Rest Memorial Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Henry Schroeder was born to Theodore and Bertha (Weiben) Schroeder on Feb. 21, 1917, in Holstein, Iowa. As an infant he moved with his family to a farm near Elkton, S.D. He grew up and received his education there. He then moved to Sioux Falls where he worked at various jobs and also did carpentry work.

He entered the U.S. Navy on Feb. 3, 1944, and served during World War II. Following his honorable discharge on April 3, 1946, he returned to Sioux Falls. He later began maintenance work for the city of Sioux Falls. He retired as a maintenance supervisor in the early 1980s.

He met Orphie Pauline Tranby in 1983. In 1986, they moved to Luverne.

Mr. Schroeder was a life-member of John M. Bliss VFW Post #628 in Sioux Falls. He loved to dance and enjoyed league bowling for many years. In addition he enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his special friend, Pauline Tranby, Luverne; three sons, Henry (Shari) Schroeder Jr., Englewood, Colo., Arlie (LuAnn) Schroeder, Sioux Falls, Lee Schroeder, Mt. View, Hawaii; one daughter, Joyce Schroeder, Tucson, Ariz.; one grandson, Peter Schroeder; one sister, Loretta Christopherson, Sioux Falls; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Schroeder was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brothers.

Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital will be planting a tree in memory of Henry Schroeder.

George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.