"The kids were not fighting with each other when we fell behind 14-0, and that was nice to see. Once the opportunities started to present themselves, we took advantage of them. We're a young offensive team with nine new starters. As the game went on, the frequency of the mistakes we made grew fewer," Swanson offered.

The Cards will need to display even more improvement when they host Windom for the Southwest Conference opener tomorrow. Windom beat St. James 31-13 Friday.

"You can win or lose any game in conference play. Windom is very similar to us experience-wise. They have a new head coach and a couple of really good running backs," Swanson concluded.

Team statistics

Luverne: 177 rushing yards, 104 passing yards, 281 total yards, 11 first downs, seven penalties for 45 yards, one turnover.

New Ulm: 165 rushing yards, 80 passing yards, 245 total yards, nine penalties for 75 yards, five turnovers, 10 first downs.

Individual statistics

Rushing: Walgrave 19-115, Sandbulte 7-26, Skattum 4-28, Fisher 3-0, Papik 1-3.

Passing: Fisher 5-17 for 104 yards.
"I think I'm going to lose my hair," Swanson said, right before LHS closed out a 22-14 victory at Cardinal Field.

Winning the game wasn't on Swanson's mind when he made the comment. The way Luverne won it was.

After being unable to produce any points with their first 10 offensive possessions of the game, the Cardinals scored 22 points in the final 5:32 of play to secure a remarkable come-from-behind win.

"We talked about it after the game, and we couldn't remember coming back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter since I've been coach. We came back from a 10-0 deficit in the fourth quarter of a game during my first year as coach, but not from 14 points behind," Swanson said.

The rally was an impressive one, and even more improbable.

Counting Luverne's last possession of the first half and the first four of the second half, the Cards started or ended drives in New Ulm territory without scoring a single point.

Just when it looked like the Cards would run out of opportunities to score, three big plays (one on offense, one on defense and one on special teams) turned a 14-0 deficit into a thrilling, eight-point win.

The comeback started after the Cardinal defense forced New Ulm to punt, giving the ball to the LHS offense in good field position.

After a penalty on the first play of the possession, the second play turned into a 42-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field from quarterback James Fisher to receiver Luke Iveland.

When Fisher booted the extra point, the Cards cut New Ulm's lead in half with 5:32 remaining in the game.

Luverne's defense forced New Ulm to punt after three plays into its next possession, which set up a big play by the LHS punt return team.

Cardinal defender Ryan Goebel raced through New Ulm's line and blocked the attempted punt. New Ulm recovered the loose ball well behind the first-down maker, giving the LHS offense possession on the Eagle' 15-yard line.

Luverne fullback Tony Sandbulte picked up five yards with his run on first down, which was followed by a 10-yard touchdown scamper by Brad Walgrave on third down with 2:45 left to play.

The Cards then lined up for the potential game-tying extra point when another break fell in their favor.

Holder Jordan Papik was forced to stand up to make the catch from his center. When he tried to get the ball back on the tee for Fisher's kick, it was too late. Papik then picked up the ball and ran around the right side of Luverne's lineman for a successful two-point conversion that gave the Cards their first lead at 15-14.

"New Ulm was trying to block the extra point up the middle, which worked out great for us. If they would have tried to block it from the outside, we would have been in trouble," Swanson said.

New Ulm still had time to regain the lead with 2:45 remaining, but Fisher came up big four plays into the Eagles' next possession when he intercepted a pass and returned it to the New Ulm 37.

After four running plays advanced the ball 34 yards, Fisher scored on a three-yard keeper with 39 seconds remaining before adding the extra point.

New Ulm, which turned the ball over five times in the game, had any chances of a late comeback erased when Walgrave intercepted a pass in the final seconds.

"The big thing was we finally got the opportunities to do something and the kids made it happen. We hung in there and didn't quit, especially after a rough first 16 minutes," Swanson said.

New Ulm did control the game in the first half.

The Eagles turned their first offensive possession into an 11-play, 67-yard drive that ended with Matt Schmidt catching a 14-yard touchdown pass during a fourth-and-10 situation. Cardinal Zach Skattum blocked the extra point to keep the score at 6-0 at the 6:51 mark of the first quarter.

New Ulm's third possession of the game developed into a nine-play, 54-yard scoring drive capped by Micah Niedecker's 12-yard touchdown run at 7:47 of the second quarter. Schmidt ran in the conversion to make the difference 14-0.

Receiving: Iveland 2-54, Walgrave 2-20, Papik 1-30.

Defense: Walgrave one interception, Fisher one interception, Tom Frey one interception, Iveland one fumble recovery, Travis Moser one fumble recovery, Skattum one blocked kick, Goebel one blocked kick.

At 80 years old, Tuff Home resident Doris Sonntag has learned many lessons in life. When asked which lesson is the most valuable she didnÕt hesitate.

"The most valuable lesson to learn in life is contentment," said Doris. "Difficult at times, but very valuable."

Doris has fond memories of her childhood growing up on a farm near the Bavarian community of Frankenmuth, Mich.

She compares the community of Frankenmuth to Hills. Doris grew up during the Depression and began working right out of grade school. She said there are many older people in the Hills area with similar experiences.

Doris said Christmas is special for her every year. When she was growing up she remembers the Christmas tree was always decorated with candles.

"I never saw the tree brought in. We would sing two or three carols, then open the sliding door to the parlor where the tree was, lit up with presents under it," said Doris.

She later found out while they were singing carols her dad was setting up the tree and lighting the candles.

"One evening a neighborhood bachelor cousin came over dressed as Santa," Doris said. "I was supposed to sit on his lap and get candy. I ran to my mother's bed and crawled under. Santa chased me under the bed. I still do not like Santa."

Doris said her Christmas gifts were usually clothes. Her godmother gave her some special things, such as a silver baby cup or sometimes a couple of dollars which was a lot of money at the time, Doris states.

"We ate mostly home-raised ducks or geese for Christmas with dressing, cranberries and Mother's chicken croquets. We ate real good. My mother was a very good cook. We had hickory nut cookies and pecan cookies."

Doris said she had to learn how to sew. She made almost all of her clothes. She learned to crochet when she was 5 years old and to quilt when she was 7.

Doris is concerned about young people today. "It is frightening to see the way the young people are growing up now. They don't have respect for their parents like we used to. They don't learn to work like we did." Doris said she is glad she was brought up the way she was.

Looking back, she said she can't believe she married a minister and took on the responsibilities of a minister's wife. She had to be responsible and never speak out of turn or pass on anything private.

Among other assignments, her husband, Martin, was a minister in a church in Conroy, Iowa, for 17 years before he died at the age of 59 from heart problems. They had three boys, Thomas, Jim and John.

Doris always loved music. Before she married, she sang at weddings and funerals. After she married, she taught herself to play the organ and became the church organist. She never took a lesson. Doris, very happily married, said she never played the organ again after her husband died.

When Martin died, Doris, then 53, was hired to work at the Ehrle Brothers Winery, Amana, Iowa. She said the only reason they hired her was because she could speak German, and the winery frequently had German tourists who visited. She retired after 18 years.

As Doris began to lose her sight, her sons began to look for a nursing home for her. They chose Tuff Memorial Home, Hills, to be closer to her son Jim's family.

"The Lord took care of me all the way. I had never stopped in Hills before,' Doris said. "We had always just driven through. Oh, how I wish I had. It is just beautiful." Doris raves about the care she receives at the Tuff Home.

Doris is fortunate. She has the gift many never find Ð contentment.

There was discussion among Hills-Beaver Creek school board members concerning Wednesday evening activities at the Monday meeting.

School board member Dave Roozenboom pointed out that the policy in the school handbook reads no school activities will be scheduled past 6 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

The only exception should be if the school district has no control over the function, such as an activity sponsored by another school district. Current policy also states all extracurricular activities are to be cancelled if classes are cancelled.

Roozenboom said he was approached by a parent who complained their child did not have enough time to travel to Christmas program practice at church because of athletic practice.

"It hit my home last week," said Roozenboom. "My child did not arrive home until 6:50 p.m. and he had not showered. He had to be at church at 7 p.m. I just wanted to put it in for discussion."

The policy has been included in the student handbook for at least 15 years, according to Superintendent Tom Knoll, but it hasn't been enforced, according to Athletic Director Steve Wiertzema.

A 6 p.m. cutoff would eliminate late practice options for Hills-Beaver Creek athletes. Wiertzema stressed that coaches have always cooperated when students told them they needed to leave for any reason. He said all parents need to do is call.

"The school has been very cooperative to let kids out for church functions," said board member Alan Harnack. "Some churches moved up start time. I felt it was not very fair to schools with only one gym."

The board discussed the possibility of leaving the policy as it is but making it clear to students that they can leave school activities for church functions.

Harnack, board chair in Rollie Crawford's absence, said, "We have to cut it off at 6 p.m. or change the policy. We cannot violate our own policy."

Following more discussion, the board passed a motion to allow extracurricular activities no later than 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

In other action during MondayÕs meeting:

oThe 2000 audit was presented to the board. Revenues outnumbered expenditures for the year by $47,070, according to Turbes, Drealan, Kvilhaug & Co., Worthington, who performed the audit.

A trouble spot was the food service budget, which came in with a $20,932 deficit. Money was transferred from the general fund to cover the loss.

The board asked the auditors what other schools charge for school lunches. According to auditors, salaries and food costs were the culprits in the overrun. Some of the salary costs were due to severance pay and would not reoccur. Food costs can fluctuate and are a trouble spot for most districts.

The board commended Superintendent Knoll and his staff for cooperating with the audit team. A motion carried to unanimously accept the audit.

oThe board accepted the resignation of teacher Leon Pick, effective at the end of the school year. They acknowledged his 34 years of service to the district.

oSuperintendent Knoll and maintenance workers at the high school have re-evaluated the boiler system in light of the Plankinton, S.D., tragedy. There is no safety hazard in the H-BC district, according to Knoll.

oThe board will host a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, in the high school cafeteria concerning its current budget and the amount of property taxes it is proposing to collect to pay for the costs of the district for the 2001-02 school year.

All residents of the district are invited.

By Sara Quam

Guitarist Ethan James entertains a Coffey Haus crowd in Luverne Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, with original and previously-written pieces. James is the son of Pastor Maurice and Kathy Hagen and dropped his last name for his profession - just going by his first and middle names.

James also sold CDs at the gathering. He holds bachelor's degrees in classical guitar, the lute and Spanish from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He now lives in Minneapolis and is becoming known for his unique style.

Kevin Jacobsma of Luverne Flowers hangs fresh greenery on the storefront of McDonald Optometric Clinic Monday morning. Participating downtown businesses hung nearly 2,400 feet of fresh greenery to join forces this holiday season in making downtown festive and inviting for shooppers and visitors.

By Lori Ehde
Luvernes middle school and high school building will soon have brighter hallways, a new heating and cooling system and new electrical wiring.

At the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, Luverne School Board members voted to move forward on improvements to the 50-year-old structure.

Their action authorizes Engineering Design Associates, Sioux Center, Iowa, to develop plans and specifications for the improvements.

A bid date will be set during a January board meeting.

The Sioux Center engineering firm has been working with the Facilities Committee on studying needs for the building.

Some of the work is planned in phases over the next few years, but the following improvements are planned for this year:

- New upgraded 800 amp electrical service, which includes a new welding panel to be housed on the exterior of the west side of the industrial arts wing.

- Four-pipe heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

- Lighting and ceiling replacement in the first-floor corridors.

According to discussion at the Tuesday, Nov. 21, board meeting, the electrical upgrade is long overdue. Board members have been hearing reports from teachers and staff of fuses blown in various classrooms on nearly a daily basis.

The current wiring, installed nearly 50 years ago, wasn't designed for the demands of modern technology.

Also, the electrical upgrade was necessary before work could begin on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning project.

Since duct work would disturb first-floor ceiling panels, the board agreed with the Facilities Committee that now would also be a good time to improve lighting in first-floor corridors. The project has been on the boardÕs capital outlay list for several years.

This year's share of the four-phase work on heating, ventilation and air conditioning is estimated to cost more than $757,000. Additional costs over the next three years are estimated at nearly $677,000.

Electrical work for this year is budgeted at nearly $60,000. Additional upgrades over the next three years could total nearly $368,000.

High School office to remain on first floor
The Facilities Committee has for months been discussing the merits of moving the high school principal's office to the second floor.

The primary reason for the move would be to provide more separation between middle school and high school students.

With the office move, classrooms would also be shuffled to keep high school students primarily on second floor and middle school students on the first level.

At last week's meeting, however, the Facilities Committee and the board agreed not to go through with the move. The primary reason was keeping administration accessible to parents and the public.

"I personally feel it's important for parents to come through the door and have access to the office," said board member Becky Walgrave, who also serves on the Facilities Committee.

She and the other board members still support the idea of arranging high school students on the second floor, and they also support making needed improvements to the existing high school and middle school principals' offices.

In other business the board:
- Approved a policy regarding the district's acceptance of open-enrolled students. The policy protects the district in the event that it receives a request for open enrollment in a class already filled that would require hiring additional staff. It states that the district is not held to accept the non-resident in such cases.

"It's not that the district will start excluding children, in fact there are more reasons in this policy to accept students," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer. "But Luverne is in a situation where some of its enrollment is growing."

- Approved David Van Batavia as assistant boys' hockey coach and Brian Boll as assistant girls' hockey coach.

- Accepted the resignation of Lisa Arndt as Title I paraprofessional.

- Reminded of the Truth in Taxation meeting tonight at 7 p.m.

- The next School Board meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14.

By Jolene Farley

For more than 100 years the Hills Crescent has chronicled the history of Hills, Beaver Creek, Steen and the surrounding communities. The Crescent has had a long-standing relationship with this area of southwestern Minnesota.

The Crescent, founded by Frank M. Bailey and Orrie Haislett, has a long, colorful history. This history is detailed in the Hills Centennial book as follows:
Back in 1890, Bailey, who had fallen victim to a job scam in Beaver Creek and Valley Springs, inquired if Hills needed a community paper. Joe Wright answered, yes, the community did, and suggested Bailey travel to Hills to discuss the issue.

Bailey wanted at least 200 subscribers among the good people of Hills. In return, he promised a paper they wouldn't be ashamed to show their friends. Bailey invested $97 in cash, which he put into type and materials; however, he did not have enough to buy a press. Sam Haislett came to the rescue. He agreed to furnish the press if Orrie, his son, could also be a partner in the enterprise.

The press was an old Rampage. It was the oldest press in the United States and printed only one page at a time. The Crescent was printed on that press for three years.

For five years Haislett "stood manfully behind the guns, but the town held no charms for him. So in October 1895, Orrie flitted away, leaving his interests in the paper in the hands of B. F. Heastand for the magnificent sum of $5.00.

Ben was not much help as his work kept him at Bruce, so in a few months he stepped out without consideration, and Bailey became the sole owner and proprietor," reads an Aug. 20, 1903, Hills Crescent.

On March 4, 1896, Bailey sold his interest and good will to a stock company made up of businessmen of Hills with J.R. Wright as president.

This company engaged James W. Simmons as editor. The stock company asked A.C. Finke to return to Hills and secure control of the Crescent plant.

In 1896, Finke returned to Hills. Arrangements were made whereby Mr. Simmons should furnish the experience and Mr. Finke the credit. The two men secured possession of all of the Crescent stock company. Again, the Crescent was in the hands of private parties, according to a 1903 Crescent.

Simmons, who had newspaper experience that extended into every state in the Union, had formed a style of which the readers did not approve.

"One particular elopement case did not meet with the approval of the good people of Hills, so several of the more prominent businessmen at that time notified Mr. Finke that Simmons would have to leave or else they would withdraw their support from the paper. So on July 25, 1896, Mr. Finke purchased the interests of Mr. Simmons for $10 and enough Illinois Central mileage to land him in Chicago."

Does anyone have that deja vu feeling?
Residents of Hills in 1896 probably never considered that what was written among the pages of the paper would be read by someone decades later.

The relationship between Hills and the Crescent has had its ups and downs, but one thing has remained constant: the history, both good and bad, of Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen is chronicled among the pages of the Crescent for residents, both present and future.

And tomorrow, the Hills Crescent will be here to continue serving the communities of Hills, Beaver Creek, Steen and surrounding communities as it has for the past 107 years.

The Crescent remains a paper you would not be ashamed to show your friends.

By John Rittenhouse

As time was winding down during Luverne's season-opening football win over New Ulm, a nervous Joel Swanson made a comment that had to sum up the emotions experienced by every father of a Cardinal player.

By John Rittenhouse
Five members of the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth football team drew honorable mention or were selected to the 2000 All-Southwest Ridge Conference Football Team that was announced Monday.

H-BC-E, which tied for third place in the league with a 4-3 record, placed three players on the 24-player All-SRC roster. Two more Patriots drew honorable mention.

Seniors Lance Crawford and Chris Willers and junior Lyle DeBoer made the all-league squad for H-BC-E.

Crawford is an end-linebacker, Willers a running back-cornerback, and DeBoer a running back-linebacker.

State and conference champion Westbrook-Walnut Grove led all league teams by having six players named to the All-SRC team.

Seniors Dan Butler, Alex Ourada, Darren Tietz and Isaiah Wahl and juniors Ryan Baker and Dustin Krick made the team for the Chargers.

Tietz also was named the SRC's Offensive Back of the Year, and W-WG co-coaches were named the league's Coaches of the Year.

Lincoln HI, which placed second in the league, and Edgerton, which tied for third with H-BC-E, received four All-SRC selections each.

Seniors Jared Moen, Jordan Moen and Josh Vierhuf and junior Jack Weber made the team for LH.

Jared Moen also was named the league's Lineman of the Year.

Seniors Eric Elgersma, Jeff Evink and Jonny Kooiman and junior Josh Bleyenburg made the team for Edgerton.

Lakeview, Lake Benton and Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster drew two All-SRC selections each.

Lakeview senior Derek Dahl and junior Taylor Kroger, LB seniors Drew Bunkers and Matt Johnson, and SV-RL-B juniors Paul Paplow and Matt Sather grace the roster.

Southwest Star Concept sophomore Tyler Leopold caps the all-league team.

Seventeen players drew honorable mention from the T-CC coaches, including two from H-BC-E.

Senior offensive and defensive linemen Stephen Swayze and junior offensive and defensive lineman Kyle Braun drew honorable mention for the Patriots.

W-WG seniors Michael Burns, Jeff Mathiason and John Schulz, LH senior Evan Eidem and junior Josh Eastman, Edgerton seniors Brooks Hendriks and Chase Schelhaas, Lakeview seniors Nick Girard and Corey Rigge and junior Braden Rosa, LB seniors Dustin Drietz and Caleb Lowery, SV-RL-B senior Jim Morrison and junior Josh Ihrke, and SSC senior Ryan Pavelko round out the honorable mention selections.

H-BC-E also had six players make the SRC's All-Academic Team.

Seniors Swayze, Willers, Crawford, juniors Justin Van Maanen and Kevin Van Batavia, and sophomore Jesse Leuthold made that honorary team.