By Lori Ehde
The Rock County Fair started Wednesday for 4-H and open class participants, and today is the official kick-off for exhibits, events and midway rides.

According to Fair Board Treasurer Scott Beers, several new attractions are lined up this year for the annual event.

He said history buffs and farm professionals will particularly enjoy the "Trailing the Farm" display Friday and Saturday.

The 24-foot air-conditioned trailer will feature miniature farm equipment from the 1950s and Ô60s compared with a miniature modern farm operation.

The exhibit, which is free to the public, will be south of the Commercial Building from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Another new display comes to the fair courtesy of Luverne's Ed Woodley. The "Hit and Miss" small engine Display will be under the tent from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Midway entertainment this year will be provided by Midwest Rides from Golden Valley. The operation offers a new wristband promotion for Saturday afternoon. For a set amount (not available at this printing), fair-goers can enjoy unlimited rides from 1 to 5 p.m. "I guess you can ride 'til you throw up," Beers joked.

New to the beer garden this year will be Kristy's Rockets, performing from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday. Kelly Demuth, owner of Kelly's Roadhouse Bar, Hills, is the band leader.

New grandstand entertainment this year will be the Garden Tractor Pull, sponsored by Sioux Valley Southwestern Electric Cooperative. Participants can register just prior to the event, which starts at 7 p.m. Friday.

Thursday night grandstand entertainment is the Johnny Holm Show, which will make its third appearance at the Rock County Fair.

Enduro Races are scheduled for Saturday's grandstand event. As of Monday, 42 racers had signed up. According to Beers, that's more than he's ever had pre-registered six days prior to the event.

In addition to snow cones, ice cream, cotton candy and corn dogs, fair diners can also enjoy nightly meals from the 4-H eat stand.

The Rock-Nobles Cattleman's Association will sponsor a beef feed at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and the Rock County Pork Producers' pork feed will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

See Monday's Announcer for a complete listing of Rock County Fair activities.

By Jolene Farley
Twenty-two-year-old Steen resident Eric Vahl has tried to make a difference for adults and children struggling to survive in the former Soviet Union.

Vahl has traveled there for the past three summers with the non-denominational Josh McDowell Ministries, visiting different areas each time.

The Josh McDowell Ministries leads two trips a year, winter and summer, to Russia and the surrounding republics.

Ministry volunteers deliver food, medicine, vitamins and other items to needy children and families.
Vahl first heard of the mission trips listening to Christian radio while attending college. He sent for more information but had decided not to go on the trip. A phone call from the ministry changed his mind.

"They described it as Russian kids going to orphanages because parents couldn't provide for them," said Vahl. "Fathers killing themselves. I guess that touched my heart, and I decided to go deliver humanitarian aid, food, teddy bears to kids in the orphanages."

Steen Reformed Church, the church Vahl attends, made up about 50 Samaritan Purses, or boxes filled with toys, socks, hats, gloves and sometimes candy, to send on the trip with him.

"It was kind of neat," said Vahl. "The first year I went over I actually got to hand them to the kids."

One of the initial roadblocks in Vahl's decision to go on the trip was he was required to pay his own travel expenses of about $3,000. Some trip participants solicit funds, but Vahl decided to raise the money himself by working.

"If they wanted to go to church camp, they worked until they raised money," said Vahl's mother Rose.

On his first trip, Vahl flew into Minsk and was bused to the republic of Belarus, formerly a part of the Soviet Union.

The next summer he flew into Kiev and was bused to the Ukraine.

This summer on June 22 Vahl flew into Moscow and boarded another plane to Novakuznetsk, Siberia, for operation Carelift 2001. He returned July 4.

Vahl flew across four time zones with a difference of 14 hours before arriving at his destination of Novakuznetsk.

His group of 25 people was allowed to catch up on sleep the first day. The next day, however, they began their visits, with the first stop at an orphanage.

Many parents in the Commonwealth place their children in orphanages because they are unable to feed them, according to Vahl.

The government orphanages are usually two stories, with about eight rooms and 40 to 100 children. Government funding is usually at least a month behind even though institutions are allowed only 60 cents per child for food.

Children in the orphanages are categorized according to age. When they reach the designated age, they are moved to another orphanage.

Many children looked younger than their actual age, according to Vahl. He speculated that the cause is poor nutrition.

"It was not uncommon, you would think 4 or 5 [years old] and you would ask the director and the child would be maybe 10," said Vahl. "It would just blow your mind."

In the baby orphanages there would be two or three adults to care for 30 babies. Cribs had no sheets, just square cloths directly under the baby. The only attention the babies received was when they had to be changed, if they were wet or soiled, and fed.

The caregivers would run the baby under the faucet and put some clean pants on them, then wrap them up tightly in a blanket, which allowed little movement for the child, according to Vahl.

"It was disturbing, seeing all the children without parents," said Vahl. "Our main objective was to go there and shed a little love on their life."

The group also visited a medium-security prison, an elder-care facility and a government hospice facility, where drug cabinets were totally empty, according to Vahl. Many hospice patients began crying when the group gave them books.

"They were happy to see us," said Vahl. "Someone cared enough to give them something, someone they didn't even know."

After the Soviet Union collapsed, the Commonwealth of Independent States was formed.

The Russian government has changed hands more than once. Although the economy faltered after becoming a free market society, the 1998 devaluation of the ruble brought on an economic crisis. Millions of people now struggle to survive.

Mafia is also a tremendous problem, according to Vahl. The Mafia controls everything, including the government, and is involved in the sale of drugs. About 20 percent of the population controls 80 percent of the wealth.

Many older Russians were taught during the "Cold War" period that Americans were the enemy.

One commented about the mission group, "It is sure strange, you Americans come way over here and give gifts to our children and we were taught you were our enemies."

George Johnson, 83, Luverne, died Sunday, July 29 at MN Veterans Home. Services will be Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home.

By John Rittenhouse
A 2-17 amateur baseball season came to an end for the Hills Thunder during the second round of the Gopher League Playoffs Wednesday, July 18, in Pipestone.

Twenty-four hours after losing to Wilmont (6-1) to open the tournament, Hills was in a must-win situation when it met Hadley during the double-elimination event.

The Buttermakers, however, scored eight runs in the first two innings and went on to best the Thunder 14-6 while ending Hills' campaign.

Hills did climb to within four runs (8-4) of Hadley after a rough start, but the Buttermakers scored six more runs in the third through sixth innings to win handily.

Playing as the home team, Hadley got off to a good start by scoring four runs in the first and second innings before Hills countered with a four-run top of the third to make it an 8-4 game.

Derek Sammons singled and scored the first run of the third inning when Adam Hansen doubled for the Thunder.

Hansen scored on Cade Lang's fielderÕs choice, and Eric Harnack and Justin Van Maanen singled home runs to complete the rally.

As quickly as Hills got back into the game with four runs in the top of the third, Hadley was equally quick in putting the contest away.

The Buttermakers scored two runs in the bottom of the third, one in the fourth and three in the fifth to increase their lead to 14-4.

Hills avoided getting beat by the 10-run rule by scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Wade Jellema walked and scored on Jarud Lang's RBI single in the sixth. Hansen was hit by a pitch and scored the gameÕs final run on a throwing error in the seventh.

Hansen pitched the first four innings and took the loss for Hills. He fanned one batter. Chris Putnam pitched the final four innings and registered three strikeouts.

Harnack and Van Maanen led the Thunder at the plate by going three-for-five.

By Jolene Farley
Jil Vaughn officially begins her duties as district administrator at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary on Aug. 13, filling the elementary principal position vacated by Kim Grengs.

Vaughn has worked for the district as speech and language pathologist for the past 14 years. In addition to her other duties, sheÕs tackled the position of special education coordinator the last two school years.

Vaughn has a master's degree in speech pathology from the University of South Dakota. Although Vaughn has no elementary principal licensure she intends to work toward that goal, which requires an extra two to three years of education.

When asked if she had any changes planned, Vaughn said, "We have great programs already, so I will just continue with the programs."

Vaughn and her husband, Brad, have three children, Taylor, 8, Brady, 7, and Cooper, 3. Originally from Sioux Falls, they currently live on an acreage west of Hills.

Scrub a dub or should we say dog? Sara Villarreal, Steen, lathers up her dog, Grizzly, while her brother, Carlos, waits in line with his dog, Black Beauty. The dogs werenÕt the only ones wet by the end of the baths Monday afternoon.

Photo by Jolene Farley

By Sara Quam
Southwest Minnesota's lower income residents and their concerns were the topic of a study released Thursday by the Wilder Research Center, Saint Paul.

Service agencies such as the Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council and Western Community Action sponsored the study that describes chief concerns for area residents of lower income status.

Some of the issues addressed are ones that Rock County has been talking about for years:

living wage jobs

affordable housing

child care, especially off-hour care or care for sick children

transportation

more affordable health insurance

A survey of social service organizations revealed that they wanted less red tape between agencies and easier access to emergency assistance.

Some of southwest Minnesota's problems are felt in Rock County and others are less prominent here as in other parts of the region.

The study illustrates that most job growth in the 18 county area is in lower-wage industries.

The southwest part of the state has a poverty rate greater than the state overall, but Rock County is about even with the state average of 8.7.

Unemployment hasn't been a big concern for Rock County as its rate has been consistently low, hovering around 3 percent for a few years. However, underemployment is an issue.

The city of Luverne is waiting for results of an underemployment study that was recently conducted. Underemployed people are those who want to, and are educated to, work in higher-skilled jobs than are currently available to them.

Luverne is also about to commission a housing study. Luverne Economic Development Director Tony Chladek said he has four candidates that gave cost estimates for the study, and the City Council will approve which one will do the survey. It will be started this summer with a completion date varying by which company conducts the study.

In the past, affordable housing in Luverne has been loosely defined to be about $80,000 and less.

Wages are lower in southwest Minnesota than the average wage elsewhere in the state. However, the new study said that property values are increasing more than wages so affording housing is more difficult in southwest Minnesota.

Along with housing and jobs, transportation is vital in rural areas where a dependable car is a necessity.

For those who need transportation, Heartland Express busing service helps Rock County. Terrie Gulden, Heartland director, said budgets have been tight in the past few years, but added that that's been the case for most businesses. Ridership has increased about 16 percent this year, but this can be attributed partly to more preschool children riding. But Gulden said many of Heartland's customers are lower income adults riding to appointments or work.

The southwest Minnesota study said that welfare has decreased in the region, but that isn't true for Rock County individually. Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said Rock County's welfare rolls have been steady at about 40 families. Some counties may have decreased, but Rock County's numbers are already so low that the county doesnÕt have much room for improvement.

For those who are trying to work their way off welfare, living in southwest Minnesota makes it more difficult. A survey of welfare recipients in the area found that one-fourth were working more than one job, and just as many were working more than 40 hours per week. Yet their monthly take-home pay was lower than in other parts of the state.

Emergency food and shelter assistance has remained constant in the region even though some welfare numbers have decreased.

Dorothy Dorn, who manages Rock County Food Shelf out of the Methodist church, Luverne, said about 10 families still get food there weekly.

The study summarized southwest Minnesota concerns. All may not apply to Rock County:

Wages are lower and poverty is generally higher than in other parts of the state, and most job growth is in lower-wage industries.

Child care during non-standard hours can be difficult to find. The region's relatively low wages may also make parents more prone to take higher-paying shifts and schedules in order to provide for families.

Housing costs are rising faster than wages, and people appear to be experiencing more serious housing crises before seeking help.

Cultural and ethnic diversity are growing, and immigrants are an increasingly important part of the regionÕs future.

By Sara Quam
Duck Days. the Cheese Festival and a night of all-you-can-eat free hotdogs have filled Bill Vander Kooi's summer weekends.

It's not that the 1996 Luverne graduate can't get enough of hokey holidays. He and two friends from St. Paul are filming a documentary on small-town Minnesota festivals.

"We've met a lot of carnies," Vander Kooi said.

Vander Kooi and one of the film partners, Jesse Corum, were in Luverne last Thursday for Hotdog Night and also covered Buffalo Days earlier this summer for their film.

Vander Kooi said Public Television in the Twin Cities has shown some interest in the project, and even if that doesnÕt work out, they'll have the finished product for their portfolios.

The trio has an avid interest in film, taking in about three movies a week, plus some video rentals. And although they don't have formal training, using digital equipment allows them to edit on home computers.

Vander Kooi started making films at home when he was as young as 7 or 8 years old. He continued to enjoy drama - behind the scenes and on stage - throughout high school and college.

"It's a low overhead doing a documentary, with no actors to pay," Corum said. "WeÕll be filming until the end of summer - as long as festivals are going on, we'll be shooting."

Although midway rides and funnel cake are common elements in most festivals, Vander Kooi said the differences are fun to observe.

He said some have a more "corporate sponsorship" flavor to them, and others are community-run. Vander Kooi said Hotdog Night ranks as one of his favorites. "I'm a big fan. It's free hotdogs."

He said, "ItÕs something the Chamber does for the people rather than them trying to draw people in."

Vander Kooi and Corum are graduates of Macalester College, St. Paul, and work at a restaurant there while working on the film. Gabe Llanas works as the on-camera personality, interviewing people for the documentary.

Bernadine "Dena" Aanenson, 84, Luverne, died Monday, July 30 at Mary Jane Brown Home. Services will be Friday, aug. 3 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Luverne Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 2 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne.