By John Rittenhouse
Drivers from Luverne and Magnolia posted wins at different area race tracks over the weekend.

Luverne's Marlin Kracht drew a checkered flag during Friday's races at Murray County Speedway in Slayton.

Magnolia's Josh Klay recorded a win at Huset’s Speedway, near Brandon, S.D. Sunday.

Coming off a two-win performance the week before, Kracht came up big again on Friday. Kracht won the feature race in the outlaw modified class.

Klay’s win came in a heat race during the hobby stock competition at Huset's.

Later that night, Klay was fifth in the feature event.

Kanaranzi's Colter Deutsch and Steen's Tammy Kracht also raced in the hobby stock class at Huset's.

Deutsch, who placed fifth in his heat race, finished a strong second in the B feature. He went on to place 14th in the A feature.

Tammy Kracht placed sixth in her heat race and sixth in the B feature.

Luverne High School graduate Chad Overgaard and Steen's David Kruger competed in the short track stock car class at Huset's.

Overgaard placed third in his heat race and fifth in the feature. Kruger was sixth in his heat race and sixth in the feature.

Karen Fey (middle) won her fourth consecutive and 16th overall Women's Club Tournament championship at the Luverne Country Club Saturday. Paula Lammert (left) placed second, and Melissa Kopp (right) finished third.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne Country Club's version of Tiger Woods came up big again during the 51st version of the Women's Club Tournament Saturday.

Karen Fey, who had won 15 Women's Club Tournament titles since 1976 heading into Saturday's competition, added a 16th title to her credit.

Fey had to fight off challenges by three hungry contenders during the 18-hole event's final round, but she answered the challenge without trailing at any time.

In the end, it was Fey's consistent play that clinched her fourth consecutive club championship.

Fey shot a pair of five-over-par 41s for an 18-hole total of 82 strokes, which wasn't bad considering strong winds and cool temperatures were a factor for all players to deal with.

Paula Lammert made a charge during the final round of the event, but she ended up one stroke behind the winner with an 83.

Melissa Kopp, a standout Luverne High School player, finished her first club tournament in third place with an 84.

While Lammert and Kopp finished right behind the champion, it was Mary Jo Graphenteen who applied the pressure early in the tournament.

Fey's 41 on the front nine featured one birdie and three pars. Graphenteen, who won the Club Tournament in 1992, matched Fey's 41-stroke performance during the first round. Graphenteen had one birdie and two pars over the first nine holes of play.

Fey and Graphenteen shared the lead heading into the final round of play. They were joined in a final-round foursome with Kopp and Lammert. Kopp was one shot back with a 42, and Lammert three shots behind with a 44.

The second round started with Kopp recording a par on the 10th hole to move into a deadlock for first place with Fey, who bogeyed the same hole along with Lammert.

Graphenteen, who had a double bogey on the 10th hole to fall one shot out of the lead, dropped another shot when she made par on the 11th hole while Fey completed a birdie. Kopp's double-bogey seven on the 11th dropped her into a second-place tie with Graphenteen, while Lammert fell four shots off the pace with a par.

The contenders each made up a shot on the 12th hole by making pars, while Fey recorded a bogey. The hole left Fey sporting a one-shot lead over Kopp and Graphenteen, and a three-shot cushion over Lammert.

Fate dealt Graphenteen a cruel blow moments later as her tee shot off the No. 13 box rolled into the hazard next to the pond on the left side of the fairway. Graphenteen found the ball in the heavy rough, but the one-stroke penalty for removing it out of the hazard led to a double-bogey six. Her bad luck continued the rest of the way as she was unable to make par over the next five holes, which knocked her out of the title-chase.

Fey, on the other hand, made par on the 13th and 14th holes. Bogeys by Kopp on the same holes left her four shots back. Lammert bogeyed the 13th hole and made par on No. 14, joined Kopp in a tie for second place.

Kopp shot par in the 15th hole to gain a stroke on Fey and Lammert, who registered bogeys.

It looked like Fey might ice the title when she was the lone player to put her tee shot on the green of the par-3, 16th hole, but her first of three consecutive three-putts opened the door for the challengers.

Both Kopp and Lammert scrambled to make par on the 16th green, leaving them two- and three-strokes off the pace.

Three putts by the leader on the 17th and 18th holes led to bogeys, but the best Kopp could do was bogey the same holes. Lammert shot par on the final two holes, surpassing Kopp by one shot while finishing one shot behind Fey at the same time.

Susan Schneekloth, Amber Top, Joan Kindt and Deone Hemme join Fey as flight winners during Saturday's tournament.

Schneekloth took top honors in the president's flight, which consisted of five players who played the first round of the event as members of the championship flight. After the first nine holes of play, six players with the lowest scores remained in the championship flight. The remaining five formed the president's flight.

The president's flight was tight entering the second round as three strokes separated the top three players.

Schneekloth and Lori Witt shared the lead with 48s, while Lisa Dinger was one shot back with a 49. Melissa Sterrett and Mary Aukes were two- and three strokes off the pace with respective 50- and 51-stroke rounds to open the tournament.

The second round turned into a two-player shootout between Schneekloth and Witt, which Schneekloth won by one shot. Schneekloth made birdie on the par-3, 12th hole to open a two-shot advantage and never lost the lead the rest of the round.

Schneekloth added four pars during the final round for a 44-stroke effort that gave her a 92 for the tournament. Witt countered with a 45 to finish with a 93. Aukes, who turned in a 50 in the second round, placed third with a 100.

Top, another member of the LHS girls' golf program last spring, staged a late rally to nip Faye DeBoer for the championship in the first flight.

Top and DeBoer both shot 49s during the first round to share the flight lead. Nancy Frakes was two shots back with a 51.

DeBoer gained a two-shot lead with a bogey on the 10th hole and a par on No. 11 (Top had a double bogey and a bogey on the same holes), and she led by four strokes after Top took a seven on the par-4, 13th hole.

The difference remained at four strokes heading into the 16th hole when Top made par and DeBoer a double bogey to pull within two strokes. A bogey on No. 17 was good enough for Top to move into a first-place tie with DeBoer, and she won the flight by one stroke after bogeying the 18th hole.

Top shot a 49-48-97 for the tournament, while DeBoer finished with a 49-49-98. Frakes came in third with her 51-50-101.

Kindt won the second flight by a five-stroke margin.

The eventual champion shot a 46 during the first round to open a four-stroke lead over Sandy Vrtacnik (50) and six-stroke cushions over Lorna Anderson and Wendy Evink, who both shot 52s.

A flight-low 48 during the second round gave Kindt a five-stroke win (94-99) over Vrtacnik, who shot a 49 during the second round. Anderson shot a 53 during the final round to place third with a 105.
Hemme had to come from behind to win the third flight.

Glenda Vande Griend shot a 52 during the first round to sport a one-shot lead over Hemme (53) and a three-shot advantage over Lori Martinson and Roxanne Holtrop, who carded 55s.

Hemme, however, shot par on the 10th hole to set the stage for a 49-stroke second round, which gave her a four-shot (102-106) win over Martinson.

Martinson shot a 51 during the final round. Vande Griend recorded a 55 for a two-round total of 107 strokes, which was good for third place.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne girls' tennis team opened the 2002 season by competing at the Worthington Pre-Season Tournament Tuesday.

The Cardinals had a successful outing in two ways.

Luverne went 2-1 in match play, and a pair of Cardinal singles' players captured individual crowns.

"I think it went well," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "They gave medals to the top three finishers in their divisions, and all of our girls came home with medals. I was pleased with the way our girls played."

Luverne opened team competition by rolling to a 6-2 win over the host team. After dropping a 6-2 decision to Pipestone-Jasper, the Cards bounced back to record a 7-1 victory over Martin County West.

Becky Antoine and Gabe Van Dyk came away with individual titles at No. 1 and No. 3 singles respectively.

Antoine recorded an 8-3 win over Worthington's Lisa Jackson, an 8-5 victory over P-J's Cassandra Van Vliet and an 8-1 pounding of MCW's Megan Biehen.

Van Dyk topped Worthington's Lindsey Radloff by an 8-5 margin, She bested P-J's Tory Hess 8-2 and coasted to an 8-0 victory over MCW’s Kelsey Krueger.

Cardinals Rachel Tofteland and Brittany Boeve placed second at No. 2 and No. 4 singles respectively with 2-1 records, and the No. 1 doubles team of Jenny Braa and Lexi Jauert went 2-1 to place second.

Luverne’s No. 2 doubles team of Samantha Gacke and Nikki Van Dyk, No. 3 squad of Aylssa Klein and Andraya Gacke, and the No. 4 team of Kaitlyn Deragisch and Bailey Scholten all placed third with 1-2 records.

Samantha Gacke, Klein and Deragisch played their first varsity matches at the event.

"Other than our four seniors, almost everyone else was playing girls who were older than they were. We're looking to get some experience right now. We may take some beatings down the road, but we should learn something every time out," Antoine said.

The Cards play at the Sentinel Tournament in Fairmont tomorrow, they play Yellow Medicine East in Pipestone Monday, and they host Brandon Valley Tuesday.

Serving Sara, Unfortunately, Unmemorable!

Serving Sara
Rated PG-13 * Now Playing
Carol's grade: C+

THE PLOT:
Joe (Matthew Perry) hates his job, but makes a good living as a down-and-dirty process server in New York. His boss, Ray (Cedric the Entertainer) fuels a mutual dislike between Joe and co-worker Tony (Vincent Pastore) to see which guy can do the most for the company.

Sara's (Elizabeth Hurley) millionaire rancher husband has filed for divorce in his native Texas. He hires Ray to serve her with the papers in New York. Joe and Tony compete to see who can get to Sara first.

Eventually, Joe succeeds.

Sara is stunned that her spouse has filed for divorce. But, she's even more surprised when Joe tells her that Texas law may leave her with little monetary reward from her marriage.

Too bad she didn't file first, Joe tells her. New York divorce laws practically ensure that she'd get half of everything.

So, Sara offers Joe a million bucks to pretend he never served her. He, in turn, agrees to serve papers on her husband before Tony can find and serve Sara.

CAROL'S TAKE:
Comedies are often pretty simple. Even with a host of twists and turns, they can leave little to the imagination. Still, the good ones establish credible characters that make the movies fun, and memorable, too.

"Serving Sara" is both ordinary and predictable. While it boasts some bright moments, it also suffers from feeble ones. Ultimately, the movie relies on the actor's efforts to make or break the project. Sadly, unevenness is a problem here, too.

Hurley's Sara is impossible to define. She is very slick, but nothing more than surface. Both the actress and the character seem to be completely without depth.  And, neither one is even remotely funny. What a disappointment.

Perry does a much job better as Joe. He appealingly conveys humor and vulnerability - all the while avoiding any "Chandler-isms" that could have made his work seem like a rerun.  Supporting him, funny men Cedric the Entertainer and Pastore are just fine in their cartoon character-type roles.

But, a successful comedy must be more than the sum of its parts, and "Serving Sara" is not. While this movie sometimes serves up the goods, it remains, in the end, unmemorable.

© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com

By Lori Ehde
Luverne residents woke up to soggy basements and overflowing rain gauges Wednesday morning after six inches of rain fell through the night.

Thunderstorms rumbled through the region starting at midnight and continuing through dawn, depositing enough water to replenish depleted subsoils and aquifers.

"This pretty much erased all deficits," said Mike Gillispie, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls.

He said prior to August, rainfall in southwest Minnesota was three to six inches below normal.

August, however, is more than making up for this with 4 to 8 inches more than is typically seen in August.

"This brings us back to normal," Gillispie said.

It’s too late to help most drought-stunted crops, and ironically, Rock County Emergency Coordinator Kyle Oldre is still filling out paperwork to declare the area a drought disaster for state and federal assistance.

Wednesday morning, he said, he switched gears to look for flood damage, which could have been worse in Luverne.

He said water retention berms built northwest of town after the flooding of 1993 slowed the flow of water in Poplar Creek.

"They did exactly what they were supposed to," he said. "They held it in and released it slowly through the pipes … just like a bathtub."

Despite the large amount in a small time period, Gillispie said the rain is still welcome.

"A lot of it will run off into river streams, but there are some areas of ponding, and you will see a decent amount of replenishing for water tables," he said.

"It'd be nice if we could get this water spread out over a four-day period, not a four-hour period, but we’ll take what we can get."

By Sara Strong
Russell and Jan Schneider's teaching careers brought them together, and after 30 years each, they are stepping down from their teaching posts ... together.

The two met when Jan started teaching business and physical education at Magnolia, when Russell was teaching grade school in Luverne.

Jan's job was transferred in 1994 when the Magnolia school combined with Luverne, and they've worked under the same roof ever since.

When Russell became eligible for retirement this year, Jan decided to join him in leaving the district to allow time for other ventures together.

Of her 30-year-teaching career, Jan has spent about 10 of that in middle school computer classrooms. She enjoys the technology and keeping up with changes.

"The computer class was my favorite," she said. "I started out with health, business and phy. ed., but the computers were my favorite in the end."

Russell has taught in Luverne for 31 1/2 years and most of that has been in front of a third-grade class.

"It's a very big transition year for kids," he said. Third graders start to learn more complicated math and begin cursive writing.

Russell said teaching has changed through the years, with more testing and specific guidelines than before, but he said it's also stayed the same.

"Things go in cycles and old ideas become new again," he said.

One of the most rewarding experiences in teaching for the Schneiders was watching the learning process.

Russell said, "Now we have the accelerated reading program. Just to see kids who transition from needing guided reading to independent reading is nice to see. The ones who never read can pick up a book and donÕt put it down."

Russell continued his bachelor's degree from Dakota State University, Madison, S.D., to get a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota, Mankato.

Jan also had to keep up with her studies to be effective as a computer teacher.

She said teaching computer-savvy middle school students meant she had to update her knowledge with technological advancements. She also holds a bachelor's degree from DSU.

Both say Luverne is where they want to stay, even though a job isn't keeping them here.

"It's a good town, great school and just a nice place to raise a family," Russell said. "It's been a positive place to be."

Besides knowing students and watching them grow and learn, the Schneiders will most miss the interaction with co-workers who are also friends.

"You really get to know them," Jan said.

With their schedules now free of teaching, the two look forward to time with their children, Stacey, a teacher in Sioux City, Iowa, and Bill, who attends South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Headrick won't miss Sunday night homework

By Lori Ehde
So far, it's just another summer, as far as Luverne High School teacher Roger Headrick is concerned.

He retired from teaching high school writing and literature in June, but since then, he said he doesn't necessarily feel retired.

"I'm not thinking about it, really. It's still just summer," he said. "The really fun year for me was last year, because I knew I had only one year left. I was certainly aware of it all the time, because I wasn't thinking about next year and planning ahead."

Headrick was a seasoned educator by the time he came to Luverne in 1981. He'd spent 12 years in Brainerd and one year prior to that in Benson.

While he enjoyed his years in northern Minnesota, he said there were definite advantages to coming to Luverne.

For one thing, it's closer to extended family in Flandreau, S.D., and for another, it's warmer here.

He recalls visiting family one winter in Flandreau, where it was minus 15 degrees.

"It was 30 below in Brainerd as opposed to 15 below, and we noticed it," Headrick said.

He said another big difference between Brainerd and Luverne is the size of the school districts.

"There are 300 to 500 kids per grade in Brainerd, and the kids would graduate with classmates they really don't know," he said. "Here, by the time you graduate, you know your whole class."

He said he also appreciated teaching in a town Luverne's size. "In a small community you play a part in raising the children," he said.

"I feel very pleased about the teachers who have helped to raise my children. I know that's part of their success."

After more than 30 years of experience, Headrick said his work was always challenging.

"Even though the day-to-day teaching was routine, I don't think I ever saw it as something I'd mastered. I always worked at it."

His efforts paid off in the form of student accomplishments.

"Teaching writing can be a lot of fun, because you discover what students write," he said.

"But the paper load was heavy. I wonÕt miss Sunday nights and thinking about all those papers to correct. I think I'll look forward to Sunday nights now."

Headrick will feel officially retired in September when his colleagues, including his wife, Diane (fourth-grade teacher), return to the classroom, and heÕll be changing his grandson's diapers.

He's meeting their son, Carter, and his wife, Kelly, in Washington, D.C. While there, he will be "grandpa-nanny" for his 4-month-old grandson while Carter and Kelly are in conferences for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

He said he also hopes retirement will allow more travel time to see their other son, Peter, in San Francisco, where heÕs starting a trade show company.

By Lori Ehde
Acting on tips from a resident and a merchant, Rock County deputies arrested another man suspected of operating a meth lab.

It's the fourth meth lab arrest in Rock County in just over a month.

On Tuesday night, deputies executed a search warrant in the home of 42-year-old David Kelderman on 506 E. Warren St. in Luverne.

They had been investigating possible methamphetamine production in KeldermanÕs home for a few weeks on tips from a local merchant.

The merchant had been calling the Sheriff's Department to report that Kelderman was frequently buying large amounts pseudoephedrine (in the form of the decongestant Suphedrine).

According to the County Attorney's Office, the additional tip from the resident prompted the request for a search warrant, which was executed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The resident told law enforcement he'd been in the house Monday night and watched Kelderman manufacture meth in the kitchen sink.

When deputies arrived at his home, Kelderman was outside in the yard, and attempted to flee, discarding a coffee filter containing a substance that appeared to be meth.

Sergeant Mike Winkels tackled him and placed him under arrest.

There were 3.3 grams of methamphetamines in the coffee filter that Kelderman tossed.

When deputies searched Kelderman's home, they found ingredients and paraphernalia used in meth production, and they noted a strong acid odor that's consistent with meth production.

Professional crews were brought in to clear the residence, and Kelderman was taken to the Nobles County Jail in Worthington, where he awaits formal charges.

He is the uncle of 30-year-old Cory Kelderman who was arrested on similar charges July 19 in his Rock County home near Valley Springs, S.D.

Six grams of meth were seized with that search warrant.

On July 25, 42-year-old Kevin Dale Smeins was arrested for possession of 3 grams of meth and large amounts of Suphedrine in his 1992 blue Chevy Baretta.

On July 26, Emergency Entry Team officers searched the rural Hills home of 49-year-old Donald Wilson and seized the makings of a meth lab there.

The Sheriff's Department applauds the residential and commercial tips that led to these arrests and encourages continued cooperation.

People with information on any local crimes can call 283-5000.

By Sara Strong
In a special joint meeting, the Rock County Board of Commissioners and the Luverne City Council discussed their joint budgets Thursday, Aug. 15.

The city of Luverne and Rock County share the costs of law enforcement, the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center and the Rock County Community Library.

This is the time when budgets are refined, even though they are finalized in December.

The county will set its preliminary levy after the state announces the county's levy limit Sept. 1.
The city of Luverne will set its preliminary levy Sept. 9.

A preliminary levy can be decreased, but cannot be increased before the levy is finalized.

Generally, insurance and salaries comprised the budget increases in Luverne and Rock County joint budgets.

Law enforcement
Overall, the law enforcement budget is more than $1 million, or an increase of 5.8 percent from last year's budget. The county and city each contribute $534,306.

Community policing expenses are separate from the regular budget. The county and city of Luverne are splitting that $50,000 cost.

Sheriff Ron McClure said he tries to cut salary expenses by transporting prisoners on his own because he doesnÕt get paid overtime, as a deputy would.

Mayor Glen Gust said, "As far as I'm concerned, we can't pay [the officers] enough. The first thing people ask about is crime when they're thinking about moving to a community. Keeping crime down helps population and economic development."

County Administrator Kyle Oldre said that an increasing budget may be a good sign in the case of law enforcement. More costs for housing prisoners and trying cases usually means that more criminals are stopped.

Pool and fitness center
The Rock County Pool and Fitness Center's budget shows a 7.3 percent increase ($5,265 more than last year) or a total of $448,566. The city and county are each contributing $77,383; the rest of the budget is made up in fee collections from users.

It's also notable that some improvements within the facility are coming out of the capital improvement fund rather than a levy increase.

More advertising to draw more members or facility users and janitorial services are increases on the budget this year.

Library
County and city will contribute $109,777 each, a 7.14 percent increase from last year's budget. The total library budget is $236,554. Personnel costs are the only projected budget increase for 2003.

By Sara Strong
The Rock County Pool and Fitness Center will continue to be publicly owned and operated for the foreseeable future.

The Luverne City Council decided against the recommendation by the Pool Commission to request a second round of RFPs (request for proposals) to lease, purchase or manage the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center.

As a joint owner of the facility, it would have had to approved of the request of the Commission. The Rock County Board, also an owner, acted in favor of the new RFPs, but with the city voting against it, the county's vote is void.

Councilman Keith Erickson said, "I feel we should continue owning it as a city and as a county. But I think our relationship with Sioux Valley should stay."

Luverne Community Hospital uses the facility for rehabilitation and physical therapy. The contract to use the Pool and Fitness Center free of charge ends in 2003.

The Pool Commission requested the new round of RFPs because the first attempt earlier this year got no feedback. However, Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System, which owns the Luverne hospital, asked for an extension to submit a proposal after the deadline.

The Commission hoped this new round of advertising would get more response, but the Luverne City Council said the facility should go forward and not put the future on hold any longer.

Councilman David Hauge said, "Everyone knew the timetable was in place and missed the chance. I think we should support the staff and improve membership and look at new ideas."

Pool and Fitness Center Manager Darrell Huiskes said he still believes an indoor water park will make the facility profitable instead of requiring city and county contributions.

"In my opinion," Huiskes said, "I think there should be a citizen committee that lets people decide what they want."

That committee could survey and educate the public on the benefits of an indoor water park that could be a recreational center year-round. Other outdoor water parks in the area, just open during the summer, detract from Rock CountyÕs pool.

Huiskes said the pool used to get 300-400 pool users a day and now the peak use is 100 swimmers.

The council said that a bonding bill on local ballot asking for taxpayer support of an indoor water park wouldn't be out of the question in the future.