By Lori Ehde
While many families are hoping everyone will like their gifts this year, Pastor Tom Mabe's family is hoping for one thing: that he can be out of the intensive care unit by Christmas.

Mabe has been fighting for his life in Sioux Valley Hospital since he collapsed in his home Dec. 6 from an aortic aneurysm.

According to his family, he's still very weak, but he's making "baby steps" toward improvement.

"Anything's better than the roller coaster we were on last week," said Mabe's daughter, Shanna Golden.

After surgery on Thursday, Dec. 7, to bypass the damaged aorta, Mabe improved quickly, and his family was encouraged by the weekend.

But by Monday, he was back on the ventilator after his lungs filled with fluid and his organs started shutting down.

Gaining strength from the ventilator, he quickly improved, and by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, he was strong enough to breathe on his own.

That lasted until Friday, when it became apparent his body needed help breathing again. He was placed back on the ventilator until Wednesday.

Doctors can't make a long-term prognosis for Mabe at this point, but his family does understand that when he's off the ventilator, he's strong enough to make it on his own, and when he's on it, that means he needs help.

"They told us it was going to be like this," Shanna said. "They told us we can't be discouraged about the ventilator. He just needs his rest, and he breathes easier this way."

The good news, though, is that he doesn't have a temperature and all his organs are functioning normally.

The ventilator at first was providing 100 percent oxygen for Mabe's blood, but that soon dropped to 45 percent, and now heÕs using it only to help expand his lungs.

Shanna said the family is learning more than they need to know about modern medicine.

"There are so many complications that can come up," she said. "The human body is so intricate. This affects the kidneys, and that affects the lungs ... It's amazing."

He did undergo a minor surgery over the weekend to drain a pocket of fluid that was pressing on his left lung and part of his heart.

Doctors can still hear some fluid in his lungs, but Shanna said that procedure has provided some relief.

She also said he's received more blood as well, to help bolster his strength.

When he was admitted to the emergency room, he received so much blood, that Sioux Valley approached the family about seeking volunteer donors with O-positive blood to replenish the supply at the regional blood bank.

This is reportedly routine when any patient requires a substantial blood transfusion.

When the call went out to the First Baptist Church congregation, word also got out to the Luverne community, and more than 100 volunteers have signed up to give blood.

"One of the nurses said to me, 'On behalf of the Sioux Falls Regional Blood Bank, we want to thank you for helping us out.' It is a wonderful thing," Shanna said, "because obviously this is the time of year they run very low on blood."

The Sioux Falls Regional Blood Bank team will be in Luverne on Dec. 27 to accept donations.

Shanna said the family continues to hinge hopes on the tiny steady improvements, and she said her dad is still overwhelmed by all the prayers and support from the community.

"He's getting lots of cards - Christmas cards and get-well cards. People have been so wonderful," she said. "Mom will read a few to him at a time, but he gets choked up, and he'll motion to her that that's enough for now."

As long as he's in intensive care, Shanna said the family has to be careful not to let his blood pressure rise too much, and anything that makes him emotional will do that.

"We're praying he's out of intensive care by Christmas," Shanna said. "The nurse said that's a good goal, but they're not guaranteeing anything."

A fund has been set up locally to help defray medical expenses for Mabe and his family. Donations are being accepted at First Baptist Church, Minnwest Bank, First Farmers and Merchants Bank and First National Bank.

By Sara Quam
The Rock County Board Tuesday passed a 4.77-percent levy increase over last year's budget, with some changes made since the preliminary levy was set at 5 percent.

The total budget for 2001 is about $3.2 million, an increase of $152,825 over the 2000 budget.

Changes in the budget since the preliminary levy was set in September included a denial of additional staff request at Family Services and allowing 1 percent of the levy increase to be set aside for dedicated general fund reserves.

Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said, "We're in need of staff people, and it would benefit the citizens of Rock County. I'd like to see a commitment to hire those staff people."

When children have to be taken out of their homes due to any number of reasons, those costs come from the out-of-home placement budget under the welfare department. In 1999, out-of-home placement costs were nearly $500,000 but will be closer to $420,000 this year.

"You can't predict what's going to happen with out-of-home placements," Bob Jarchow, board chairman, said. The welfare department is the most costly for the county to operate.

Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "I understand the need for additional staff, but in fairness to the county, I think we need to look at the expenditures of the department and see what we can afford."

The board also took into consideration that state and federal election changes may affect the way county welfare departments operate in coming years. Wildung said a "wait and see" approach might be the best option in this case.

County salaries
The board also adopted a new pay plan for union, non-union, salaried and hourly-paid staff. The pay plan reflects a 2.5 percent increase.

Hourly pay ranges from $7.15 an hour to $22.21 an hour. Salaries will range from $1,795 a month to $5,822 a month.

County salaries make up about 75 to 80 percent of the budget. Even so, the board decided it was better to keep good employees, who have proven to be valuable than to try to recruit and train replacements.

Wind power dues
The Energy Task Force is asking for an additional $1,500 from Rock County to go toward wind power lobbying efforts. The board agreed to pay this amount, making the county's total contribution $2,500.

Rock County has just one experimental tower on the ridge west of Hardwick.

Considering that, Commissioner Ron Boyenga said since other counties in the task force have so many more towers, that the fees could be changed to a schedule based on number of windmills.

He argued that of the nine counties in the group, Rock County will benefit least from the lobby efforts immediately.

Commissioner Wendell Erickson said, "I don't doubt that we'll end up with windmills here."

"Energy is something that's always going to be needed," added Commissioner Ken Hoime. With electric deregulation a possibility looming in the future, other sources of that energy may be a wise investment, he said.

Although the board is sanctioning payment of the fee, it isn't committed to pay in future years if it doesnÕt see a need. All other counties had committed to pay well before Rock County Commissioners decided to do the same.

Once again it is time to reflect on the Crescent news stories that impacted Hills, Beaver Creek, Steen or the surrounding area. The area saw many business related changes in the year 2000. The year will be remembered for the many enterprising attempts of residents and public officials to better their community and how residents pull together when friends, neighbors or their community need their help.

January 2000

*The public voiced opinions on the construction of a bike trail slated for nine southwest Minnesota counties. Economic benefits would include bringing more travelers to the region, fitness promotion and safety in keeping bikers off the road.

*Hills City Council members learned that Hills contractor Jeff Bass wanted to open a building supply business on Main Street.

*Hills-Beaver Creek student Aaron Aristeo won the right to compete in the state geography bee competition.

*Catherine Westphal and her 2-year-old daughter, Joanna, were injured in a two-car accident on South Dakota Highway 42, east of Sioux Falls. An 11-year-old Brandon boy died in the crash. The other vehicle was eastbound on the highway when it slid into Westphal's lane on an icy curve.

February 2000
*In a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20, the Hills City Council agreed to sell the vacant lot between the old hardware store and the Patriot Academy to Jeff Bass for $1. Bass intended to construct a wholesale lumber yard and retail hardware store at the location. A 40-by-70-foot metal building would be built on the lot. The council stipulated that Bass construct the business on the lot within two years.

*The Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning reported their findings on 13 complaints filed with the agency last year concerning the Hills-Beaver Creek school district. The education agency's determinations were largely favorable to the complainant in the case.

*The 18th annual Helge's Father and Son Pool Tournament in Beaver Creek raised $3,396 for the Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital. Sixteen father and son teams competed in the two-day event.

*Beaver Creek Fire Chief Rick Tatge presented plans to the city council for a 42-by-82-foot fire hall. At their Feb. 8 meeting, the council approved hiring Lowell Thone as building inspector on the project.

*The former Beaver Creek Rec and Bowl in downtown Beaver Creek was demolished.

March 2000
*Three Hills-Beaver Creek players cracked the roster of the 1999-2000 All-Tri County Conference Girls' Basketball Team and another drew honorable mention. Making the team for H-BC were senior guard Rachel Krull, senior wing Nichole Top and senior post Dana Sells. Darcie DeBoer, an H-BC senior, drew honorable mention.

*The Hills Economic Development Authority agreed to sell the former hardware store on Main Street to contractor Jeff Bass. The EDA voted 4-1 to pass a resolution trading the hardware store building for the American Salvage and Surplus building plus $20,000. The EDA also voted to give Bass a low interest loan to cover the $20,000. Bass will repay only $10,000 with the remaining $10,000 forgiven in $1,333 increments over seven and a half years.

*Beaver Creek and Steen had a rash of theft and vandalism reports. A majority of the incidents took place between March 13-18.

*Springbrook Road was closed due to softness of the roadbed.

April 2000

*The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board unanimously approved application to the Red-Rock Central Conference. The district was currently in the Tri-County Conference. The Tri-County play was limited to boysÕ and girlsÕ basketball, boys' and girls' track and volleyball. The Red Rock Conference offered more sports, such as cross country, baseball and golf.

*Leon Pick was named Teacher of the Year for the Hills-Beaver Creek School District. He taught English, speech, history and social studies at the high school for 33 years.

*Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members, concerned parents and students, and staff discussed the district's music program. In March of 2000, declining enrollment in the high school music program had prompted the board to schedule band class at 7:30 a.m.

May 2000

*The Patriot athletes won a combined 14 meet titles, established four meet records and set one school record at the Arrow Relays in Pipestone. The H-BC boys earned a share of the team championship and the girls placed second in Class B competition.

*The Hills City offices moved into the former Crescent building.

*Hills-Beaver Creek students improved their performance on the state's basic writing test. At H-BC 91 percent of the 26 students taking the test passed compared with a 90-percent pass rate in 1999.

*The H-BC School Board members voted unanimously to designate the street to the west of the high school as a northbound one-way street during school hours.

By Sara Quam
Once again, the city of Luverne was plagued with a mysterious foul odor, apparently generated by the wastewater treatment plant.

Friday, Dec. 22, marked the third such occurrence this year. City Administrator Matt Hylen updated the council at its Tuesday night meeting.

In June, the second of two incidents less than two months apart happened. The same odor was in the air, but no culprit was found.

In the previous cases, it was determined that someone dumped an antibacterial substance into the wastewater system. That substance killed organic matter and bacteria that do some of the wastewater cleaning.

An antibacterial substance isn’t the likely cause of Friday’s problems because tests showed organisms weren't killed.

As in the last two instances, the city is working with engineers, Minnegasco and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to determine a more specific cause to this problem. At the time of the odor discovery, Gold'n Plump sent its wastewater expert to help complete initial tests.

When there is a problem in the wastewater system, it is usually found well after the source can be detected because by the time wastewater reaches the treatment plant, it has mixed with other lines in the city.

All the water going to the Rock River is still in compliance with state guidelines, and drinking water isn't affected by the wastewater system.

Crowds who came to hear Luverne native Rick Olson's band filled the Eagles Club to capacity Friday night and spilled out into the parking lot.

The Armory had the same pleasant problem Saturday night as crowds from the dance found extra space on the front lawn.

Parade spectators packed both sides of Main Street Saturday morning and trickled over into side streets to view the 76 entries.

New faces in city hall
In terms of most local impact and longest-term affects, the local elections undoubtedly stand out as a 2000 highlight.

With a record-breaking 90-percent voter turnout, Rock County voters cast their ballots in the historic presidential election that wouldn't be decided until mid-December.

Locally, decisions were made more swiftly, and with far-reaching implications.

Luverne's mayoral race drew the most attention, with challenger Glen Gust ousting incumbent Bill Weber by a count of 1,460 to 1,006.

Two other newcomers join the City Council. Challengers Dave Hauge and Tom Martius will take their places in council chambers next month.

Jubilee expansion
There's nothing like a local controversy to stir interest in public office.

When the city of Luverne approved tax increment financing for the Jubilee Foods expansion and relocation project, it drew sharp criticism from some local residents.

Some of the most vocal opposition came from Glen's Food Center owner Glen Gust (now mayor-elect Glen Gust).

The project falls well within the legal parameters of TIF requirements, but critics said TIF should be used to draw in new businesses, not benefit the ones already here.

The new $3-million store opened in August between Cedar and McKenzie streets.

Fledgling Field debate
Another issue that drew public involvement in city business was the zoning of Fledgling Field.

Cornerstone Construction purchased the land from the school district for $41,000 in an April auction. Cornerstone specializes in architectural services and construction management for designing and building funeral homes. Dingmann Funeral Home has said it will buy the constructed building, if developed.

Neighbors objected to a conditional use request to operate a business in a residential district saying they preferred to see the lot stay green.
Cornerstone has said that if the conditional use permit isn't granted, it will develop as many single or two-family dwellings as space allows.

Gravel controversy
Speaking of controversy, in another case of residents influencing public decision, Luverne Township residents organized an articulate vocal opposition to a gravel pit in their rural neighborhood.

The county Planning and Zoning Commission at first approved Henning Construction's request for a conditional use permit to mine gravel south of Luverne.

But after hearing about 30 residents' concerns about safety, noise, dust and decreased property values, the County Board denied the permit.

Commissioners later voted to hold action on all new permit requests for one year to allow time to study gravel issues.

Ethanol smell
The Luverne business community was thrilled by the economic benefit of Luverne's Agri-Energy ethanol plant which started operations in 1998.

Residents in the southwest part of town, however, have been less than thrilled by what they consider an offensive odor emitted by the plant's grain drying process.

Earlier this month, a new 175-foot-stack was erected that is 30 percent taller than the original and will disperse emissions a greater distance before odors fall on the city.

The plant will continue working with residents to measure the success of the new stack.

All day every day kindergarten
Following the theme of people's voices in public issues, the district's approval of all day every day kindergarten drew plenty of local involvement.

Proponents of the plan said the all day every day environment provides a more stable, consistent learning environment for children that tends to be less stressful.

Opponents worried that kindergarten-age children are too young for all day every day school and should be allowed to stay young and carefree that first year of school
A survey indicated 75 percent of local respondents were in favor of all day every day kindergarten.

School Board members approved the measure in May, and kindergarten students this fall attended classes all day every day.

Hospital sale
Though residents were less involved in this public decision, the sale of Luverne Community Hospital to Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System generated a fair amount of concern.

Citing economic stability and increased access to better resources, the hospital board approved the sale following a Jan. 20 public meeting that drew about 30 interested community members.

The Luverne City Council later put its stamp of approval on the purchase agreement, which has reportedly carried through without incident.

Gold'n Plump two-time carbon dioxide leak
Gold'n Plump evacuated its Luverne plant in late December 1999 and mid July 2000 as a result of temporary worker illness.

The December worker illness was linked to a natural gas line outside the building that leaked gas into the plant production floor.

Six of the 189 shift workers were hospitalized.

The July illness was blamed on high CO2 levels. Chicken comes to the Luverne plant cleaned for processing and is packed in a form of solid CO2 used as a coolant. Evaporation of the solid and inadequate ventilation combined to poison the air.

That event affected 21 of the 140 on shift.

Andrew the king
He wasn't quite king of the world, but for a week in September, it's safe to say Luverne homecoming king Andrew Dooyema felt on top of the world.

When the Associated Press wire picked up the news of Andrew's homecoming reign, newspapers nationwide reprinted the touching story of a Down's syndrome boy whose dream came true.

When asked how it feels to know his name has been printed in major newspapers from coast to coast, he said slyly, "There's a lot of girls in all those states."

While it was newsworthy that a boy with Down's syndrome would be selected homecoming king, the bigger story was the compassion of his peers and the message of inspiration to others with disabilities.

The year 2000 dawned quietly in Rock County with none of the dreaded Y2K problems long predicted. The next thousand years weren't launched, however, without observation.

As the early months thawed into summer local residents poured their hearts and souls (and every free volunteer minute) into a millennium celebration that would stand out in local history books.

That party, staged July 20-26, tops the annual Star Herald review of news highlights for the year.

Party of the millennium
If numbers of people are a good indicator of an event's success, the Rock County Millennium Celebration will undoubtedly go down in history as the party of the millennium.

For example, Saturday night's all-school reunion program drew more than 1,200 people, with dinner registrations totaling nearly 1,000.
The little town of Kenneth, with a population of 87, swelled to more than 1,600 Saturday for its Centennial Parade that touted 90 entries.

After 47 years in the banking industry, Wendell Bengtson will retire on at the end of the year as executive vice president of Exchange State Bank, Hills.

Wendell began his career in the fall of 1953 after returning from Korea where he served as a medic in the 3rd Infantry Division for the U.S. Army.

His first banking job was at the State Bank & Trust Company, Nevada, Iowa. He began as a teller and soon moved up to manager of a branch bank.

Bengtson lived in his home town of Colo, Iowa, until he married his wife, Wilma, on Aug. 3, 1957, in Osceola, Iowa. They purchased a home in McCallsburg, Iowa. The Bengtsons have two children, Noreen and Brian.

In 1961 Bengtson returned to Colo as manager of the bank. The Colo bank sold insurance products, so this offered Bengtson experience in this area. It soon became apparent that there were no opportunities for advancement at the Colo State Bank and Trust. So Bengtson accepted the position of cashier at the Farmers State Bank of Delavan, Minn. He also served on the board of directors.

His hopes to purchase the Delavan bank never materialized, so Bengtson again began looking for a different position. The spring of 1971 saw Bengtson move to Norway, Iowa, to become the cashier and director of the Benton County Savings Bank.

After the bank in Delavan was repeatedly sold throughout the seven years he worked there, Bengtson decided it was time to move on again.

This time he and his family moved to Hills. In May 1978, he arrived at the Exchange State Bank. This was shortly after the Bonanders purchased the bank from D.A. Roning.

Bengtson was cashier, sold insurance, prepared taxes and served on the board of directors.

The bank was located on the corner of Main Street where the little park is now, according to Bengtson. Other employees when he started work were Rodney Bonander, Gene Sundem, Dorothy Thorin, and Carol Nelson.

The bank built at its current location in 1980.

Bengtson has seen many changes in the financial industry. "Back yonder everything was done with posting machines like adding machines," he said. "Now everything is computerized."

Bengtson said demand for financial services has changed, with all kinds of avenues for people to invest money.

In agriculture, the number of farmers has decreased drastically. "Farmers are a lot bigger, and it takes more money to keep going," he said.

Regulation and competition have both increased in the banking industry.

Bengtson is quick to say he has many good memories and would love to do it all over again. He thanks the Exchange State Bank for being a good employer for 22 years, all the people he has worked with and all his loyal customers.

He and Wilma plan to remain in Hills after he retires.

Offered by Hills-Beaver Creek Community Education, the Christmas stocking craft class Wednesday and Friday last week was a big hit with kids in the third through sixth grades. Above, Adviser Jodi Ackerman shows Justin Brandt the stitch to sew his stocking together.

By Jolene Farley
The goal of the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf is to ensure no one in Rock County goes hungry. Dorothy Dorn, Luverne, and several other volunteers have done their best to further this goal.

Dorn first volunteered at the Food Shelf in 1984. She is now the volunteer coordinator who schedules the volunteers needed to keep the Food Shelf running smoothly.

The Rock County Emergency Food Shelf has been in operation since 1983, when it was started by the Rock County Ministerial Association in response to economic hardships in the rural economy.

It is currently operated out of the basement of United Methodist Church, Luverne. It depends on churches, civic organizations, local businesses, social service agencies and concerned individuals for donations of food and money.

People hear about the Food Shelf through their churches, social service organizations or through family and friends. In an emergency situation, every Rock County resident is eligible for help from the Food Shelf.

Visitors are asked to fill out a confidential questionnaire with the recipient’s name, address, age and names of those in the household. The person then selects food based on personal preference and the size of the family served.

Recipients are asked to not visit the Food Shelf more than once a month. A two- to three-day supply of food is given at each visit.

The Food Shelf served 307 Rock County families from January to November of this year, an average of 28 families per month. The 1,023 individuals (some duplicates) received 16,638 items from the Food Shelf.

The Food Shelf is supported mostly by donations. Area churches choose a month to support the project. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hills, is responsible for the month of December this year.

August, September and October are slow donation months at the Food Shelf. Dorn said people tend to give more around Christmas. So except for a few items, the Food Shelf is currently well stocked.

Donations of canned meat are needed. Meat cannot be fresh or home-canned. Spam, canned chicken and canned ham are good choices.

Just being able to help people when they need it is the most rewarding part of her job, according to Dorn.

"I would like to thank everyone for donating to the Food Shelf, for helping their neighbors," said Dorn. "Rock County residents are very, very generous in their giving."

The Rock County Food Shelf is open every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the basement of United Methodist Church.