Even though longtime Realtor Gene Cragoe knew since September that he would be honored as the 2021 Luverne Area Chamber Outstanding Member, he was nonetheless surprised Dec. 27 at the annual Chamber gathering to present him with the award.
“It really surprised me,” he said after the event. “I didn’t expect such an elaborate affair.”
At Sterling’s Café and Grille in downtown Luverne Tuesday, Chamber Vice President Tony Schomacker presented Cragoe with the award.
“We thank Gene for building a business that has provided so many ‘homes’ for our friends and family and so many ‘buildings’ for our businesses,” Schomacker said.
“Gene kept the doors of Cragoe Realty open day after day, year after year, serving real estate clients with integrity, sound advice, fairness, honesty and excellence.
“Your giving and generous spirit in working together has helped build and maintain the stellar reputation of this community. We thank you and honor you today for giving all you have to the Luverne community, Rock County and the Chamber.”
Cragoe’s support of the community started long before he opened Cragoe Realty in 1991.
Cragoe grew up on a farm near Magnolia (graduating from MHS in 1953) and drove school bus and worked at the Piggly Wiggly in Luverne, while saving his wages to rent farmland of his own.
He and his wife, Colleen (Rust), lived on several farms in Rock County before settling on a dairy farm west of Hardwick in the early ’70s. They were farming there during the '80s when the low ag economy prompted Gene to find a new career.
His new career was in the real estate market through the help of Bob Latham and Bob Sanny.
They approached Cragoe to become an agent for their business. For several years he farmed as well as worked for the “two Bobs” until 1991 when he earned his broker’s license and opened his own agency. He hired Lowell Binford as an agent.
Cragoe Realty became a Luverne Area Chamber member when the doors first opened.
“Gene has been a generous supporter of Chamber projects and events through financial support and the use of his resources,” Schomacker said. “When asked to serve on a board or committee, Gene is always one who says ‘yes’.”
Earlier this year, Cragoe sold his Main Street office and moved his business to his home in preparation for retirement
The couple has four children — Randy, Pam (Miller), Peggy (Adams) and Wendy (Klemme), 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In addition to his service to the Chamber, Cragoe has served on various boards including the First Presbyterian Church, Luverne Public Schools (17 years), Land O’ Lakes, Rock County Planning and Zoning, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and he continues with the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors.
The chamber board members developed the Outstanding Chamber Member Award in 2005. They select a retiring member annually who’s made significant contributions to the community through his or her personal life and professional career.

ISD #2184 School Board
meets Nov. 22 
MINUTES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF 
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, 
ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA  
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in
the District Office on November 22, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
The following members were present:  Katie Baustian, Jodi Bosch, Colleen Deutsch, Eric Hartman, Tim Jarchow, and David Wrigg.  Absent:  Reva Sehr.  Also present:  Craig Oftedahl, Tyler Reisch, Jason Phelps, Stacy Gillette, Aaron Perkins, Ryan DeBates, Zander Carbonneau, Parker Carbonneau, JT Remme, Zoe Berghorst, Xavier McKenzie, Brynn Boyenga, Molly Carbonneau, and Mavis Fodness - Rock County Star Herald.
Chairperson Eric Hartman opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. It was noted there is an addendum to the agenda and also item 8.1 will be presented at the December meeting. Motion made by Jarchow, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda with addendum. Motion unanimously carried.
Members of the Robotics Team made a presentation to the School Board.  
Administrative reports were given.  
Motion by Bosch, second by Baustian, to approve the October 27 and November 15, 2022, School Board meeting minutes as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Jarchow, second by Deutsch, to accept the following donations:
Donors Choose Hands on Supplies to Make Learning 
Memorable for Molly Carbonneau’s classroom
Zion Lutheran Church $100 - Angel fund for school meals
Donors Choose Warm Up This Winter supplies for Molly 
Carbonneau’s class
Motion unanimously carried.
It was noted item 8.1 - Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Audit Report will
be postponed until the December meeting.
Business Manager Tyler Reisch and Superintendent Oftedahl reviewed the District and Student Activity checks with the Board members. Motion made by Baustian, second by Jarchow, to approve payment of the bills as presented in the amount of $657,018.10 and payroll in the amount of $1,058,455.04 for a total of $1,715,473.14. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Deutsch, second by Wrigg, to receive the Student
Activity Report showing the balances as of October 31, 2022. Motion unanimously carried.
Business Manager Tyler Reisch presented the District Revenues and Expenditures Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023. This report is required to be published annually. Motion made by Jarchow, second by Bosch, to approve the report as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Deutsch, to approve the snow
removal contract with VerSteeg Excavation, LLC, for the 2022-2023 school
year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Jarchow, second by Deutsch, to approve receiving a grant for $500 from MN FTC Boston Scientific to be used for competition registration for the Robotics team. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Baustian, second by Wrigg, to approve the contract with Superintendent Craig Oftedahl for January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026, that was recommended by the Personnel Committee. Salary for 2023-24 will be $152,517; for 2024-25 will be $156,711, and for 2025-26 will be $161,021.  It was noted there were also changes to the percentage of severance based on years of service, an adjustment to the number of vacation days each year, and the addition of a longevity incentive. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Deutsch, second by Wrigg, to accept the resignation of Canaan Petersen as MS Baseball coach effective November 11, 2022. Motion unanimously
carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Deutsch, to approve Joel Evans as
volunteer Wrestling coach. Motion unanimously carried. 
Motion made by Deutsch, second by Baustian, to approve Jeremy 
Hough as volunteer Wrestling coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Deutsch, to approve Matt Fodness
as volunteer Wrestling coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Baustian, second by Wrigg, to approve Davey Rock as volunteer Wrestling coach. Motion unanimously carried. Motion made by Bosch, second by
Baustian, to approve Lance Ripka as volunteer Wrestling coach.
Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Deutsch, second by Bosch, to approve Skyler Wenninger
as volunteer Girls hockey coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Jarchow, second by Wrigg, to approve a request from the
University of Sioux Falls for Summer Blomgren to complete her student teaching
in High School Art with Chris Nowatzki from March 13 to May 18, 2023.
Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Deutsch, second by Bosch, to approve a request from the University of Sioux Falls for Jake Haugen to complete 15 days of field experience in the High School beginning January 3, 2023. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Deutsch, to approve Mitchell Biever as volunteer Girls Basketball coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Committee reports were given. It was noted that the Personnel Committee met with Superintendent Oftedahl for his contract negotiations. Superintendent Oftedahl noted the Policy Committee will need to meet to review some policies. Member Wrigg noted he attended the Community Education Advisory Council meeting. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion unanimously carried.
Dated: November 22, 2022 Reva Sehr, Clerk
(01-05)

H-BC School Board 
meets Dec. 12
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
Dec. 12, 2022
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave, Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Fransman, Gehrke, Harnack, Knobloch, Rauk and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board member Bosch was absent.
Motion by Harnack, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve the agenda.
Visitors to the meeting were Travis Helgeson, Eric Uittenboogard,
Daren Sievers & Rob Demeuse (School Perceptions), Sarah Fox and
Dean Beeninga (ATS&R) and Preston Euerle (RA Morton).
Facility Survey Results Information sharing - School Perceptions,
Rob Demeuse and Daren Stievers.
Public Hearing for Property Tax (District Levy 2022 Pay 2023)
and Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Review.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-K-2 Vocal Music Concert
-5th Grade Band Concert
-Secondary Vocal Music Concerts
-Secondary Band Concerts
-Cody Moser and Riley Tatge Worthington Globe all area football team selections
Motion by Fransman, second by Knobloch, and carried to approve Consent Agenda:
-Minutes—11/28/2022
-Bills
-Imprest Cash Report
-Second Reading of Revised Policy 534-2022a School Meals Policy
-Hire Brady Wrede as Long Term Substitute for Middle School Math/Science
January 2023 through March 24, 2023.
Motion by Harnack, second by Rauk, and carried to approve Resolution
certifying District #671 Property Tax Levy 2022 pay 2023.
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Superintendent Report
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Facility Stakeholder Committee Meeting - Wednesday, December 14, 2022
- Special Board Work Session Meeting - Monday, December 19
-Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, December 27
-Regular Board Meeting, Monday, January 9
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
CONVENE BOARD WORK SESSION:
-Discuss Results of the Facility Survey- Guests- ATS&R (Architects),
Ehlers Financial, RA Morton Construction Management
-Discuss Enrollment/Demographic Information
-Create Action Plan for Board Facility items
-Adjournment of Work Session
Time of Adjournment: 9:15 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(01-05)

It’s not unusual for residents on Luverne’s Evergreen Drive to fly flags in their front yards.
For Marv and Margaret Gonnerman, their decoration of choice involves the North Dakota State University Bisons.
For their next-door neighbors Angela and TJ Newgard, it’s the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits.
Unbeknownst to either one of them, their favorite college teams will meet Sunday for the Football Conference Subdivision Championship in Frisco, Texas.
Both will be watching the game on television, rooting for their favorite college team Sunday afternoon.
“I like the Bison and they like the Jackrabbits,” Gonnerman said of the low-key rivalry between neighbors.
“I am a little leery about Brookings (SDSU). They have a good team.”
Gonnerman’s NDSU has won the FCS Championship nine times.
He’s flown the team’s green and yellow school flag for at least a decade, when his daughter moved her family to Fargo, North Dakota.
SDSU is making their 11th consecutive appearance in the FCS. Their best finish was runner-up in 2020.
Newgard’s SDSU blue and yellow flag has been in her front yard since the school’s Hobo Days in September. The Jackrabbits have won 12 games since the flag began flying on the Newgards’ front yard.
“I’m keeping it up until after the game,” she said.
Newgard, an SDSU alum, was at first uneasy about displaying her college flag so close to a NSDU rival, thinking the SDSU flag would upset Gonnerman.
The team preference has had the opposite effect.
“It’s just a little fun between ourselves,” Gonnerman said. “It’s just a ballgame. Someone has to win and someone has to lose.”
For the first time, SDSU is seeded No. 1, having beat NDSU in the regular season.
Gonnerman said he would not be surprised if the Jackrabbits won Sunday’s game.
“The Bison have won so many,” he said with a slight smile.
On a more serious note, the appearance of two local colleges on national television is positive.
“It’s nice for us that these two Dakota teams get this notice,” Gonnerman said. “Good luck to both of them.”

H-BC School Board 
meets Dec. 19
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
Dec. 19, 2022
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for a special meeting at 7:05 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave, Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Bosch, Gehrke, Harnack, Rauk and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board members Fransman and Knobloch, and Principal Kellenberger were absent.
Visitors to the meeting were Dean Beeninga and Sarah Fox - ATS&R, Preston Euerle - RA Morton, Matthew Hammer - EHLERS, Mavis Fodness - Star Herald, Travis Helgeson and Eric Uittenbogaard.
INFORMATION SHARING FROM FACILITY STAKEHOLDER
MEETING 12/14/2022
FACILITY STAKEHOLDER TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION:
-ELEMENTARY SITE INFORMATION -SECONDARY SITE INFORMATION
-HUGO SITE INFORMATION
-BUS/VEHICLE GARAGES
-TIMELINES-BOND REFERENDUM AND CONSTRUCTION
-QUESTIONS
REVIEW/NEXT STEPS
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, December 27
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, January 9
ADJOURNMENT WORK SESSION
Meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(01-05)

Horn probate
STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                     PROBATE DIVISION
 
Estate of:                                                                        Court File No. 67-PR-22-299
Carrole L. Horn                                           NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON
Decedent                                                  PETITION FOR  PROBATE OF WILL
AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
 
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on January 23, 2023,
at 8:30 a.m., a hearing will be held in this Court at Luverne (via Zoom), Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of the Decedent, dated 11/01/2022, and codicil(s) to the Will dated, and separate writing(s) under Minnesota Statutes section 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for appointment of Kimberly A. Wells, whose address is 19098 113 St. SE, Big Lake, MN 55309, of Candace R. Reese whose address is 803 E. Dodge St., Apt. 104, Luverne, MN 56156, as Personal Representative of the Estate of the Decedent in an UNSUPERVISED administration.
Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the Personal Representatives will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate. 
Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice of the claims will be barred.
A charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceedings be given to the Attorney General pursusant to Minnesota Statutes section 501B.41, subdivision 5.
 
Dated: Decemeber 22, 2022 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
Attorney for: Personal Representatives /s/ Natalie Reisch Benjamin Vander Kooi, Jr. Court Administrator
Vander Kooi Law Offices, P.A.
127 East Main, PO Box 746
Luverne, MN 56156
Attorney License No: 0112124
(507) 283-9546
FAX: 507-283-9629
Email: lawkooi@gmail.com
                    (01-05, 01-12)

Staff at the Rock County Library are challenging patrons to read an average of four books each month in 2023.
The “50 States Book Challenge” is for older teens and adults.
The Challenge is to read 50 books, one taking place for each state in the union. A children’s version of the 50 States Challenge is being considered.
“I want this challenge to get our users reading something that they may not normally read,” said library director Calla Jarvie. “I also thought it would be a fun way to start off the year with something new and different.”
Only one other Plum Creek Library System member, Wabasso, has previously challenged their patrons to a 50 State Book Challenge.
Tracking sheets are available at the library.
Staff are busy compiling lists of at least five books for each state. Everything on the list is available through the Plum Creek Library System either as a book, ebook or audiobook.
Books do not have to be strictly from the list. Readers can make their own selections as long as the setting criteria is met, Jarvie said.
However, a stipulation is that the book needs to be checked out of the library to count toward the challenge.
Prizes will be awarded.
Those who complete all 50 states will get a grand prize. Those who don’t finish will have one entry in a prize drawing for each state completed. The prizes will be awarded in January 2024.
“Fifty books are a lot to read in a year, so we wanted to reward everyone who participates,” Jarvie said. “When we are stuck here in the wintertime, this can be a great option for a getaway in a book.”

A new face is assisting the Luverne Hockey Association (LHA) to develop skills and a good work ethic in young players.
Valeriia Manchak, 25, is a professional hockey player from Kharkov, Ukraine, who lives in Sioux Falls with her husband.
She started helping the LHA program this year after visiting the Blue Mound Ice Arena.
“A friend of mine there invited me to play some night hockey in Luverne,” Manchak said.
She later met fellow hockey player Matt McClure and other LHA members.
A friendship soon developed.
Now Manchak has become an integral volunteer of the Luverne youth hockey program.
“It literally took Val no time until she was 100 percent on board and wanted to be at every practice and game,” said Bantam head coach Matt Lais.
Manchak assisted the young players develop edge skills and introduced them to dryland training routines to become better skaters and athletes.
Edge skills help players use their skate edges to bite into the ice, allowing for power, increased speed and turning ability.
Dryland refers to training without skates (also referred to as off-ice training). This can include weightlifting, speed, conditioning, agility and more mobility drills.
As this year’s hockey season began, she now teaches these two facets to bantams, peewees and individuals almost nightly in Luverne.
The players embraced Manchak and her hockey knowledge. She regularly attends their games.
“The connection that I have seen the players have with her is unreal,” Lais said. “She would spend a Sunday driving to Winona just to be part of the player development.”
It is this zeal of hockey and Luverne’s program that makes Manchak a great asset.
“Val is the only person I know of that scouts other Peewee teams before playing them,” said Peewee head coach Nick Domagala.
She skates with the players in practice, where she expects them to give their best every day.
“I love hockey. I watch it, play it and love to share my knowledge of it,” Manchak said.
She wants individual players to develop new skills and a good work ethic to be able to play college hockey and beyond.
“Players need to work hard and realize there will be ups and downs in their journey. But those with a strong character and work ethic will respond and thrive,” Manchak said.
Val, as she likes to be called, is an accomplished hockey player with a résumé and attitude well beyond her years.
Currently she plays in the PWHPA (Professional Women’s hockey Players Association) for team Adidas out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The PWHPA unites Olympic players from Canada and the USA into the premier women’s hockey league. Manchak skated in the 2021 Beijing Olympics.
She’s also a skills development coach for the College Hockey Showcases program that allows potential recruits to be evaluated by college coaches in a multi-day, multi-game setting
Most recently, Manchak played two seasons for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where her team won the National American Collegiate championship for the 2020-2021 season.
While at Liberty she earned “Forward of the Year” honors in the 2020-2021 season, a year after earning “Rookie of the Year” at Liberty in 2019-2020.
Previously, Manchak played hockey for HTI (Hockey Training Institute) Stars out of Mulmur, Ontario.
Her early skating years were spent in Ukraine, where she played for the Korolevy Dnepra when they won the 2017 Ukrainian Championship.
Despite growing up in a single-parent home and in a politically unstable country, Manchak thrived.
“My dad left us when I was 2 years old, but my mom did a great job of influencing me to become a leader,” Manchak said. “She taught me that you have to fight for everything under the sun and do the best in everything you do with God’s inspiration,”
Manchak started playing hockey for a boys’ AAA program in Ukraine. This is where she was able to first travel to the United States and see her future there.
She attended Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, where she met her future husband.

Building an adequate budget is causing members of the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board to consider all aspects of their long-term facility plans before making a final decision.
The district is facing a deadline of this month in order to place the amount to a public vote in April.
They are considering the timeframe for optimal results. This includes time for the state’s review and comment on the project, the best time for one or more bond sales, and when to call for bids.
“We want to give architects time to do accurate plans,” said Preston Euerle with construction managers RA Morton. “We would like to bid in January, which is better than February/March. We also want to give materials lead times.”
Board members agreed at Dec. 17 to increase the project budget to $29.9 million.
The amount includes the construction of a new elementary school and the upgrade to the Hugo Goehle gymnasium site.
Previously the board considered $26.4 million to complete the same project.
However, at their board workshop on Dec. 19, they requested an estimate to replace the gymnasium roof.
A new roof is estimated to cost $350,000.
Members want an adequate budget before bringing the bond referendum decision to voters in April.
They’re concerned about cost overruns that plagued the district in 2011, when the secondary school was constructed in Hills. The decision to ask voters for less money than the cost estimates placed the district into statutory debt until 2014.
“The secondary building was projected higher and it was decided to go under that amount,” explained Superintendent Todd Holthaus. “That was partly where the district was short on the project.”
Dean Benninga with the architectural firm ATS&R has been working with the district on cost estimates.
“We don’t try to overestimate or underestimate,” he said. “We used a database of what things cost and we apply those numbers to the square footage that you’ve affixed to the new building. We put in contingency and inflation on top of that.”
As architectural plans are finished, cost of purchasing 12 acres for the new elementary school is included.
Holthaus said he has contacted a landowner in Beaver Creek and have opened a dialogue for the possible land purchase.
“In my opinion I think the discussions went well,” he said. “The deal is not done at this point but we’ve got things going down that alley with the landowner.”
Architects selected three potential elementary school locations in Beaver Creek for possible purchase.
The board is also working with a public financial adviser with Ehlers Inc. to determine the bond impact on district property owners.
Final impacts will be presented at upcoming public meetings unveiling the scope of the project before the bond referendum vote.