Since her Christmas Day accident, Lynette Kemerling has missed doing home improvement projects at her home in Alexandria, but enjoys time outdoors at her parents’ farm, north of Luverne.

By Sara Strong

Hope and humor can get you through a lot. Just ask Lynette Kemerling.

When she crashed through the window of a minivan almost six months ago, Kemerling thought the last sensation she'd feel was that of her body skidding through the snow facedown.

"I must have known I was flying because I remember grabbing at things. I really lucked out. I thought I was going to die there," Kemerling said.

The Christmas Day rear-end accident left her paralyzed from the lower hips down, but she's still the same from there on up.

"I have good days and bad days. I’m no different from anyone else - I just can’t walk," Kemerling said.

Kemerling, who lived in Alexandria, has been staying with her parents, Harvey and Doris Kemerling, rural Luverne, since the accident.

Doris said, "She's just getting stronger every day, and has her ups and downs."

"Everything the community has done is greatly appreciated," Kemerling said. "Anyone in my condition couldn't do it alone. People visiting and helping how they can really helps me."
Her memory of the accident is almost complete. Kemerling remembers seeing her brother, Harland, look in the rear view mirror and flinch, noticing that Mark Lafrenz's car was about to hit. She also remembers Harland trying to get to her from the van.

Criminal vehicular injury charges are pending against Lafrenz.

The force of Kemerling's body, propelling backward after the hit, leveled the front passenger seat and one back seat before she went out the back side window.

If it all sounds like a grim tragedy, Kemerling doesn't think of it that way.

She considers herself lucky to be able to move her hips and upper body and keep her job at Alexandria Extrusion, which she will return to this summer.

As Continuous Improvement Coordinator at the company, Kemerling looked for ways to improve efficiency on the job. The position is waiting for her when she's ready so she's glad to work for the company she does.

At a recent visit back to the plant, which extrudes aluminum and manufactures various aluminum components, she was the guest of Gov. Jesse Ventura. He was at the plant for World Competitor Day and was taking the president of Alexandria Extrusion to China for meetings on exporting.

She almost upstaged the governor's visit. All of the 270 employees stopped for a hug from their visiting co-worker.

Counting blessings
While in Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, Kemerling saw accident victims in worse condition, so she's grateful to have the chance to live independently.

"At first I thought I'd have to get a dog [to help me through the day], but I can just get my cat back now," Kemerling said.

Her home, on an acre of land at the edge of Alexandria, is being renovated to make the kitchen and bathroom handicap accessible.
"I'm hoping to get in by the end of July," Kemerling said.
To get ready for the move, she's doing physical therapy at home and at the hospital. "Those girls at the Luverne hospital really keep me in shape," she said.

Her upper body strength is increasing with all her hard work, but tasks are still difficult.

When she moved from the wheelchair to a couch one day, she soon realized it was easier to move down than up, and she and her family had a good laugh over her efforts.

Becoming mentally prepared for life in a wheelchair is also a part of Kemerling's recovery. That's why she's grateful her mother will stay with her for a while in Alexandria to smooth the transition. She’s also grateful that she can count on longtime family friend, Eddie Deutsch, for support.

Deutsch, Luverne, has been using a wheelchair for 42 years and was a role model for Kemerling as a child and young adult. Now she's still fond of the family friend and looks to him for advice.

Deutsch said, "She's a tough girl. I tell her that she's going to make the football team. She's the kind of person who says she can do something and you know she will."

Deutsch said he can tell her what he's gone through, even though she knows most of his story. There's more to being in a wheelchair than meets the eye, so he'll understand her situation better than other friends.

Independence is key to Kemerling and Deutsch. He said there's a fine line between independence and getting adequate help and support.

Kemerling said she's been getting that support so far - an almost overwhelming amount. Friends from high school and people she hasn't seen in years have wished her well. About 600 people were served at an April benefit supper in her name.

Financially, physically and mentally, Kemerling is preparing herself for what lies ahead.

Part of what she has to prepare for is saying lots of thank-yous. "Friends and family make such a difference," she said.

By Lori Ehde

Those who have experienced the lighting of 3,000 luminaries against the backdrop of a twilit summer sky say Relay for Life is a touching event to be part of.

For cancer survivors and their loved ones and for those who have lost loved ones to cancer, the luminaries, the overnight regimen and the morning sunrise all hold a deeper symbolic meaning.

Luverne’s second annual Relay for Life is Friday and Saturday, and it promises all the successes of last year's event with the hope of better weather.

Relay for Life is the trademark fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the world's largest non-profit health organization committed to cancer research, education and service.

According to Luverne's Relay for Life co-chair Nancy Kaczrowski, local donors may not see the organization as a local cause, but she said everyone is affected by cancer.

"The money goes for cancer research and education," she said, "and indirectly, some of that money comes back to our local patients in the form of 1-800 number help lines and support groups."

Plus, if a cure for cancer is found, everyone benefits.
Last year, Luverne Relay for Life participants formed 41 teams and raised $49,000 - a phenomenal result for a first time event.

Those efforts earned Luverne organizers a special award from the Cancer Society, considering new communities are expected to form only 15 teams and raise $15,000.

"That was just icing on the cake," Kaczrowski said. "It shows the community was extremely supportive."

So far this year, 32 local teams have raised $30,000, and more fundraising will take place on the track throughout Friday night into the morning Saturday. The goal this year is to raise $50,000.

Teams of eight to 10 people will start walking Friday night and at least one member from each team continues circling the track until Saturday morning.

Team members not walking can rest or participate in all-night events and entertainment.

"You get a little tired, but it's a small price to pay if we can soon find a cure for cancer," said Luverne’s Vicki Baartman, who participated in last year's Relay for Life. "It’s also a lot of fun."

The fundraiser is set up as an overnight event to signify the journey cancer patients go through.

The first Relay for Life was started by Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash., who in 1985 ran and walked around a university track for 24 hours raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society.

People's daylight dims to night when their happy, healthy lives are affected by a cancer diagnosis. They enter darkness as treatment makes them sick and exhausted, both physically and emotionally. But, the sun starts to rise on their lives again when they realize the tumor is shrinking and their health and strength begins to return.

Kaczrowski said one of the most striking things she remembers about last year's Relay for Life in Luverne was the Survivor's Walk, in which local cancer survivors make their way once around the track to kick-off the relay. Balloons are released as they go.

"I couldn't believe how many they were, and so many of them I didn't even know had cancer," Kaczrowski said. "They were people who have been in my classes, they were my friends, people I played bridge with. I had no idea."

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday with a supper by Glen's Food Center, and it wraps up at 7 a.m. with a breakfast by Jubilee Foods following the sunrise service and closing ceremonies. The meals are open to the public.

Five teams entered the Hills Friendship days Volleyball Tournament last weekend with Amy Behr's team finishing first, Ross Metzger's team second and Greg Leendert's team third. The weekend featured all the traditional Friendship Days activities, including an auto show, kiddie tractor peda pull, entertainment and concessiones in the park and a Main Street Parade.

Emergency Medical Technician Craig Mouw works on mock victim as part of a bomb threat drill and disaster exercise Monday night at the Minnesota Veterans Home, Luverne. Rock County Emergency Management Director Kyle Oldre calls the surprise drill educational for all parties involved, which included the ambulance crew, local law enforcement, fire department, the Vets Home and Luverne High School peer helpers.

This is the first exercise of its kind in Luverne. The Vets Home staff knew a drill was going to take place, but not specifics. The Rock County Sheriff's Department knew details from the beginning for obvious safety and staffing reasons. Monday is the regular drill night for the fire department.

The drill started Monday at about 6:30 p.m. when a simulated bomb threat was called to the Vets Home. Law enforcement and Vets Home staff determined that they should evacuate the facility and simulated that by bringing all residents to commons areas. Peer helpers wore make-up and played bomb victims that the fire fighters had to find in the building. When they removed the "dead" or "wounded" from the facility, ambulance personnel assessed conditions and handled them appropriately. Part of the drill even included a fire fighter needing assistance in the building.

Photo by Sara Strong

By Lori Ehde
Adrian City Council members voted 4-1 to accept a recommendation by local hospital board members to close Arnold Memorial Hospital by May 1.

At the same time, plans are underway to strengthen existing health care services and offer new ones in the Adrian community.

A combination of declining patient admissions and reduced Medicare reimbursement have put the hospital nearly $300,000 in the red.

Local city and health care officials feared this financial drain would threaten the clinic and nursing home.

In February, Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System, which leases the facility, met with Adrian Hospital Board members and proposed the hospital be closed.

Since Sioux Valley signed a 20-year lease to operate the hospital, inpatient days have dropped from 4,000 to fewer than 1,000 per year. Of those, acute care hospital admissions have dropped to an average of one-half patient per day.

By comparison, Luverne Community Hospital currently operates with more than 3,000 patient days per year.

In addition, the federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 has prompted Medicare reimbursements to Arnold Memorial Hospital to decrease by $560,000 in the past five years.

The hospital board accepted Sioux Valley's proposal in February and recommended hospital closure to the Adrian City Council.

Council members met Monday and accepted that proposal. They also voted to work with Sioux Valley on implementing new services in the hospital space.

Proposed services to be offered by the new "Community Health Care Center" may include wellness services such as weight loss, aerobics and health screenings. Acute care hospital services will cease, but the center would continue offering therapy, lab work and mobile services such as mammograms and radiology.

The council is allowing Sioux Valley 90 days to develop recommendations for these services, and 180 days to implement them.

By Lori Ehde

As part of its proposal to manage to the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, Luverne Community Hospital is surveying local residents about the facility.

The survey, which will reach 1,600 households in Rock County and surrounding communities, will be mailed Friday.
Its purpose is to gauge the health and wellness of the community, how the Pool and Fitness Center currently meets those needs, and how the facility could be improved to meet more needs.

The 17 questions, which take five to 10 minutes to answer, were composed by Health Planning and Management Resources, a consulting firm in Edina.

Respondents are asked to mail their answers by June 17, and in return for completing the survey, they're offered a free blood pressure and total cholesterol check at Luverne Community Hospital.

The cost of the survey is covered by a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. The money is intended to preserve access to needed health services and encourage collaboration and integration of rural community health needs.

"That's a commitment we've made in receiving the grant - to work in collaboration with city and county," said Hospital Administrator Gerry Carl.

According to statistics from the area served by Luverne Community Hospital in Rock and Nobles counties, there exists an inactive, overweight, elderly population at risk for a number of health problems, including heart disease.

In fact the local incidence of heart disease, is higher than the state average.

"Consequently, it is not only important to preserve our community’s access to current health and wellness programs, it is crucial to enhance access through appropriate program development," said Tammy Loosbrock, rehab services manager for Luverne Community Hospital.

The Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, owned by the City of Luverne and Rock County, has relied increasingly on government subsidies and has shown decreasing revenue in recent years.

Subsequently, the city and county have requested proposals to explore options for leasing the facility or contracting management with another entity. The option to sell is also open.

Luverne Community Hospital is one such party submitting a management proposal, because the hospital has long worked with the Pool and Fitness Center for rehabilitation and wellness purposes.

Even if the county and city do not accept the hospital's proposal to manage the Pool and Fitness Center, the survey information would be available for the benefit of the city and county in decisions about the facility.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth boys' and girls' track teams turned in program-best efforts at a section track meet Thursday.

Competing at the 2002 Section 3A Track and Field Championships in Pipestone, the Patriot boys compiled 65 points to place third out of 26 teams while the girls scored 36 points to finish eighth.

According to Patriot coach Tom Goehle, both teams produced program-best finishes in the final standings at the section meet.

"We had a great day," Goehle said. "It was pretty awesome. The kids got a great day to run, and they really went after it."

More important than the successful team outings is the fact that seven Patriots earned the right to compete at the Minnesota State Class A Track and Field Championships in Blaine this weekend.

The winning relay teams, the top two individual finishers and any relay or individual who meets preset state qualifying standards at the section meet move on to the state meet.

H-BC-E athletes earned their trips to the National Sports Center by winning six section championships and placing second in one event.

Six boys will be competing in four events at the state meet, which begins tomorrow and wraps up Saturday.

If there were an MVP award in section competition, it probably would have gone to H-BC-E senior Brad Haak. Haak won a pair of individual events and played a key role in helping the H-BC-E 3,200-meter relay team advance to state.

Haak, the defending state champion in the 800-meter run, won the section title in that event with a 2:01.03 time Thursday.
The 800 title came about 30 minutes after his winning effort of 51.3 during the 400-meter dash.

As impressive as the last two wins were, Haak stunned the crowd with an astonishing run in the 3,200-meter relay.
With sophomore Lee Jackson and freshmen Greg Van Batavia and Tyler Bush joining Haak in the relay, H-BC-E entered the event as one of the event favorites.

H-BC-E found itself facing about a 10-second deficit after 1,600 meters, but Bush shaved two seconds off the leader's pace during the third leg of the race. Haak took the baton about 50 meters behind the leading team for the final leg, when he ran a stunning 1:57 split to lift the Patriots to a five-second victory.

Bush and junior Chris Reid also earned individual berths in the state meet for H-BC-E.

Bush placed second to Haak in the 800 with a time of 2:03.1.
Like Haak, Reid won a pair of section championships. He took top honors in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.15. Reid also won the long jump crown with a distance of 21-8 1/2, which was one-quarter of one inch short of the school-record mark of 21-8 3/4 that Steve Esselink used to win the event at the state meet in 1999.

Joining the six boys going to Blaine is sophomore Erin Boeve, who won a section title for the Patriot girls in Pipestone.
Boeve won the long jump crown with a distance of 17-1 1/4.
Haak, Reid, Bush and Boeve will be competing in Blaine tomorrow.

The boys' and girls' long jumps are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. The preliminary running events begin at 4 p.m., and Reid will be on the track for the 100, which is the sixth event of the afternoon.

Bush and Haak will run in the 800, the 16th running event on schedule, Friday evening.

The finals of the boy' 3,2000-meter relay is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Saturday, with the boys' 100-meter dash finals slated for 11:25 a.m.

The boys' 400-meter dash finals are set for 1:35 p.m., with the boys' 800 finals following at 2:27 p.m.

Medals are awarded to the top-six individuals and relays at the section meet, and H-BC-E received awards in 13 events.
Along with winning two titles, Reid placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.33.

Boeve placed third in the triple jump with a distance of 33-0 and ran a leg with the fifth-place finishing 1,600-meter relay team that was timed at 4:18.99. Bev Wurpts, Mya Mann and Cassi Tilstra are the other team members.
Wurpts and Tilstra placed fourth and sixth in the 1,600-meter run and 400-meter dash with respective 5:44.35 and 1:03.12 times.

The girls' 3,200-meter relay of Mann, Tilstra, Brittney Rozeboom and Wurpts finished second with a time of 10:19.92.

The boys' 400-meter relay team of Reid, Tyson Metzger, Lee Jackson and Jesse Leuthold placed eighth in 46.5. Leuthold ran an 11.8 in the 100-meter dash without placing.

Mann and Amanda Tilstra produced times of 2:39.21 and 13:29 in the girls' 800- and 3,200-meter runs without placing.

The girls' 400-meter relay team consisting of LaDonna Sandstede, Kelly Mulder, Melinda Feucht and Boeve didn't place with their time of 54.34.

The 800-meter relay team consisting of Amanda Connors, Feucht, Sandstede and Mulder didn’t place with their time of 1:59.55.

By Jolene Farley
Beaver Creek farmer LeRoy Kellenberger is at the forefront of efforts to establish a 20-million-gallon soydiesel refinery near Brewster.

Kellenberger became director of the Minnesota Soybean Processors in the early stages of the project when he agreed to help his friend (now MNSP president) Robert Kirchner, Brewster, with the equity drive for the processing plant.

"I started helping him out on the equity drive and ran for the board," said Kellenberger.

The plant will cost around $55 million to construct, with refinery construction costs estimated at $10 million.

More than 2,300 farm members of the Minnesota Soybean Processors committed more than $31 million to the project during an 18-month fund-raising period.

Rock County has about 180 investors in the plant, according to Kellenberger.

In addition to investor support, new legislation gives the plant an even brighter future.

State law now requires a portion of diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to contain biodiesel by 2005. Minnesota is the first state to mandate the use of biodiesel.

"We are pleased with the support we have received," Kirchner said. "We have a strong equity base to enter the soybean processing industry. Once the MNSP Board has the opportunity to analyze the financial feasibility of the biodiesel refinery, we will decide if MNSP will want to raise more equity."

If a refinery were constructed it would use only one-third of the plant's soybean oil capacity per year, according to Kellenberger. Soybean meal processed at the plant would be sold locally to feed hogs.

Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oils, animal tallow or waste oils from restaurants.

Farmers regard biodiesel as an effective way to reduce the national glut in the soybean market.

An Agriculture Department study estimated biodiesel production would create 1,128 to 2,798 jobs and increase demand for MinnesotaÕs soybean crops by 3 to 7 percent per year.

"Now that the legislation has passed we will review and update our financial analysis including plant size, capital investment and profitability," said MNSP CEO Rodney Christiansen in a press release.

"Biodiesel has been a part of the long-term strategy for MNSP investment in Minnesota. "MNSP's environmental permit applications included plans for soydiesel production."

The Minnesota Soybean Processors unanimously approved building the biodiesel refinery, in addition to the soybean crushing plant, at their first annual membership meeting in Windom on April 2.

A feasibility study on the refinery will be complete in about a month.

By Jolene Farley
The Hills Community Club has many activities planned for Hills Friendship Days 2002 this weekend on Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8.

Festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Rock Rapids Country Club for the Friendship Days Golf Tournament. Eight teams are registered for the four-person best ball tournament.

Also Friday, the Country Cruisers Trivia Poker Run begins at 7 p.m. at Jubilee in Brandon and ends on Hills Main Street.

Bright and early Saturday morning, the FFA alumni will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. in the Hills Legion.

Also that morning, health booths at the Hills Fire Hall will open from 7 to 10 a.m. featuring health information, demonstrations and giveaways. Brett Baustian, P.A., will speak on everything from arthritis to sports injuries.

A double elimination co-ed volleyball tournament starts at 9 a.m. in the park. Eight teams have registered for the tournament so far. To enter a team, contact Amanda Rozeboom at 962-3195.

At 10:30 a.m. the Kids' Tractor Pull begins in the park, and the Country Cruisers show off their rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the baseball diamond.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Hills Christian School serves lunch and concessions in the park. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Hills-Beaver Creek science and Spanish classes serve lunch and concessions at the ball diamond.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, the Hills Lions Club and the Hills Community Club will sponsor jump tents.

Doug Chapman offers high-flying fun at the Luverne Municipal Airport from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with airplane rides. Call Amanda Rozeboom at Hills Product and Design at 962-3195 to schedule a flight.

Linda Wenzel will demonstrate farm safety dos and donÕts in the park from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Topics include PTO hazards, three-wheeler safety and chemical safety.

Tuff Home Residents Kitchen Band plays from 1 to 2 p.m. at the park.

The Hills Community Club will serve an evening meal from 5 to 7 p.m. of roast beef sandwiches, potato salad, bars and a drink at the Hills American Legion.

At 7 p.m. the Hills-Beaver Creek dance line kicks off the parade on Main Street. To register a parade entry, contact Colleen Martens at 962-3694.

The Kiddie Parade, usually a separate event, will be combined with Saturday evening's parade. The theme for the parade is Patriot Pride, and trophies will be awarded to the winning entries.

The Hills Lions Club will serve homemade ice cream before and after the parade.

Human Bowling, Giant Trikes and a Jump Tent, sponsored by Cargill, Hills Lions Club and Hills Community Club, will follow the parade on Main Street.

Raffle tickets are available from Hills Community Club members. Prizes include a 200-minute tanning package, one night stay in the Downtown Holiday Inn, Sioux Falls, a tool set, DVD player, two kid's bikes, oil changes, $50 savings bond, and several gift certificates to local businesses in and around the Hills area.

The drawing will follow the parade.