LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLSLuverne, MinnesotaFebruary 9, 2006NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by Gary Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, at Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 until 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 9, 2006, for the following improvements: LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ATHLETIC TRACK AND FIELD RENOVATIONThe general nature of the work is as follows:Construction of the athletic track reconstruction project at Luverne Public Schools, including all materials, labor, and equipment necessary to complete the project. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to: demolition and removals, asphalt pulverizing/grading, asphalt paving, concrete work, resilient surfacing, lane lines and event markings, topsoil backfill, seeding and miscellaneous related work. Add and/or deduct bid alternates may be taken for various work elements.Sealed bids will be opened and publicly read at the Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 9, 2006, or at such later time and place as may then be fixed. The School Board of the Luverne Public Schools will meet in the District Office of the Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 on the 9th day of March 2006, at 7:30 p.m., or at such time and place as may then be fixed, for action upon bids received in accordance with law and the specifications. The work must commence on or about June 5, 2006, and must be completed by August 15, 2006. Bidding documents may be examined and/or obtained for bidding purposes during normal business hours at the District Office, Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156. Each bidder submitting a formal bid shall accompany the bid with a Bid Security, in a separate envelope, as security that the successful bidder will enter into a contract for the work bid upon and will furnish after the award of the contract corporate surety bond or bonds, acceptable to the Owner, for the faithful performance of the contract, in an amount equivalent to one hundred percent of the amount of the contract. The bidder’s security shall be 5% (five percent) of the bid amount, and shall be in the form of a cashier’s or certified check drawn on a bank in Minnesota or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States of America, or a certified bank share draft drawn on a credit union in Minnesota or chartered under the laws of the United States of America or a bid bond with corporate surety satisfactory to the Owner. It is the intent of the Owner to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications, provided the bid has been submitted in accordance with the bidding requirements. The Owner further reserves the right to reject any and all bids or any part thereof, and to waive any informalities or irregularities and enter into such contracts or contracts as shall be deemed in the best interest of Luverne Public School District. Published by order of the School Board of the Luverne Public Schools.By: Cary Radisewitz, Ed.D. School Board Clerk(2-16, 2-23)

By John RittenhouseAdrian began its quest to win its third straight Section 3AA Team Wrestling Tournament Championship by defeating Pipestone 60-15 in Worthington Tuesday.The same two teams squared off in Pipestone Thursday to end the regular season, with AHS notching a 38-18 win.Adrian, 29-7, will take on Marshall in the section semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday in Lamberton. The championship will be staged later that evening.Adrian 60, Pipestone 15The Dragons opened postseason play by toppling the Arrows by 45 points during Tuesday’s Section 3AA quarterfinal-round match in Worthington.Pipestone led 9-6 after the first three matches were complete, but AHS scored team points in nine of the final 11 weight classes to win handily.All of Adrian’s wins were of the six-point variety.Matt Gades and Tony Thier drew forfeits at 125 and 130, while the rest of the Dragons won with pins.Registering pins for AHS where Brock Bullerman (1:33 over Jesse Evans), Brandon Bullerman (2:38 over Tyler Freuchte), Andy Heitkamp (5:45 over Ben Morgan), Dalton Engelkes (2:15 over Jared Purdin), Clint Metz (1:57 over Matt Dunn), Tyler Wagner (2:33 over Stanton Kelley), Nate Engelkes (40 seconds over Sean Ennen) and Will Lutmer (3:23 over John Lentz).Match wrap-up103 (A) Bk.Bullerman pins Evans.112 (P) Alfson pins S.Loosbrock.119 (P) Aaland 5-3 Tiesler.125 (A) Gades by forfeit.130 (A) Thier by forfeit.135 (P) Evans 6-1 T.Loosbrock.140 (A) B.Bullerman pins Freuchte.145 (A) Heitkamp pins Morgan.152 (P) Evans 6-1 Z.Reker.160 (A) D.Engelkes pins Purdin.171 (A) Metz pins Dunn.189 (A) Wagner pins Kelley.215 (A) N.Engelkes pins Ennen.275 (A) Lutmer pins Lentz.Adrian 38, Pipestone 18The Dragons finished the regular season with a 28-7 record after defeating the Arrows by 20 points in Pipestone Thursday.Adrian gained a 7-0 lead after Brock Bullerman posted a 13-5 major decision win over Jadon Evans at 103 and Stephen Loosbrock secured a 6-2 decision win over Brandon Alfson at 112, and the Dragons never lost the advantage the rest of the night.Adrian’s lone pin came from Clint Metz, who stuck Shanton Kelly in 2:49 at 189.Matt Gades (14-6 over Adam Bullerman), Brandon Bullerman (11-3 over Tyler Fruechte), Nate Engelkes (11-1 over Sean Ennen) and Will Lutmer (15-4 over John Lentz) contributed major decisions to Adrian’s win total.Andy Hietkamp (9-5 over Ben Morgan) chipped in a decision win, while Tony Thier won by forfeit.Match wrap-up103 (A) Bk.Bullerman 13-5 Evans.112 (A) Loosbrock 6-2 Alfson.119 (P) Aaland 6-0 Tiesler.125 (A) Gades 14-6 Bullerman.130 (A) Thier by forfeit.135 (P) Evans 7-3 Loosbrock.140 (A) Bd.Bullerman11-3 Fruechte.145 (A) Heitkamp 9-5 Morgan.152 (P) Evans 9-5 Z.Reker.160 (P) Prudin 4-3 Klooster.171 (P) Dunn by injury default.189 (A) Metz pins Kelly.215 (A) Engelkes 11-1 Ennen.275 (A) Lutmer 15-4 Lentz.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne gymnastics team wrapped up a 14-7 regular season by hosting Martin County West for a home meet Thursday.The visiting Mavericks, one of Section 3A’s top teams, snapped what was a four-match winning streak for LHS by handing the Cardinals a 141.05-130-5 setback.Led by Kristeena Patsche, the meet’s all-around champion with 33.375 points, MCW won all four individual titles during the event.Patsche took top honors on the bars and floor with respective 9.25 and 9.5 tallies. MCW’s Paige and Samantha Breneman won the vault and beam crowns with 9.1 and 9.175 efforts.Luverne’s Victoria Arends and Brittany Mulder, who placed third and fourth all-around with 33.375 and 32.4 performances, placed in individual events for the Cards.Arends finished third on the vault (8.75) and shared fourth place on the bars with teammate Courtney Fodness (8.05s).Mulder placed third on the floor with an 8.95.Luverne competes at the Section 3A meet at noon Saturday in Jackson.Individual resultsBars: Fodness, 8.05; Arends, 8.05; Morgan Bosshart, 7.625; Mulder, 7.4; Krista Van Dyk 6.1.Beam: Arends, 7.825; Brittany Sandager, 7.35; Mulder, 7.3; Van Dyk, 6.4; Bosshart, 5.6.Floor: Mulder, 8.95; Arends, 8.55; Bosshart, 8.55; Sandager, 7.35; Jackie Broomfield, 7.35.Vault: Arends, 8.95; Bosshart, 8.85; Mulder, 8.75; Fodness, 8.65; LaRae Kor, 8.05.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne wrestling squad completed the team portion of the 2005-06 season after competing at two different events.The Cardinals dropped their regular season finale to West Central in Hartford, S.D., Thursday. Fulda-Murray County Central eliminated LHS from the Section 3AA Team Tournament in Worthington Tuesday.Luverne, which ends team competition with a 2-19 mark, wrestles at the Section 3AA Individual Tournament in Redwood Falls Feb. 24-25.F-MCC 77, Luverne 4The odds were stacked against the Cardinals during Tuesday’s section match in Worthington.With seven healthy wrestlers to put on the mat, Luverne needed to record pins in all seven matches to advance to the quarterfinals.It didn’t happen.Although the Cardinals got off to a promising start with Derek Petersen posting a 10-1 major decision victory over Elissa Reinsma at 103 pounds, the Warriors proceeded to win the final six matches of the night to secure a 73-point victory.F-MCC received pins from Justin Reinsma (1:15 over Eric Kor at 112), Tyler Giese (1:35 over Matt Fodness at 125), Dillion Hotovec (3:22 over Codie Swanson at 140), Travis Christians (49 seconds over Nathan Meyer at 171) and Will Steinmetz (2:41 over Sam Dooyema at 215).Warrior Nick Henning topped Chris Klay by technical fall at 189.Match wrap-up103 (L) Petersen 10-1 Reinsma.112 (F) Reinsma pins Kor.119 (F) Witzel by forfeit.125 (F) Giese pins Fodness.130 (F) Beech by forfeit.135 (F) Sandhurst by forfeit.140 (F) Hotovec pins Swanson.145 (F) Henning by forfeit.152 (F) Kramer by forfeit.160 (F) Radke by forfeit.171 (F) Christians pins Meyer.189 (F) Henning t.f. Klay.215 (F) Steinmetz pins Dooyema.275 (F) Reese by forfeit.WC 82, Luverne 0The Cardinals completed a 2-18 regular season by dropping an 82-point decision to West Central in Hartford, S.D., Thursday.The outing was a tough one for LHS, which forfeited to WC at six weight classes and lost seven of the eight matches that were staged by fall.Senior Kelsey Petersen went the distance with WC’s Chad Morrison before falling 15-6 in a major decision.WC received pins from Casey Lowe, Tim Weber, Ryan Smith, Seth Hodges, Tom Tripp, Scott Reiners and Tabor Martin.Match wrap-up103 (W) Lowe pins D.Petersen.112 (W) Weber pins Kor.119 (W) Smith by forfeit.125 (W) Smith pins Fodness.130 (W) Ryan by forfeit.135 (W) Lowe by forfeit.140 (W) Hodges pins Swanson.145 (W) Petersen by forfeit.152 (W) Longhenry by forfeit.160 (W) Morrison 15-6 K.Petersen.171 (W) Tripp pins Meyer.189 (W) Reiners pins Klay.215 (W) Martin pins Dooyema.275 (W) Clark by forfeit.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls’ basketball team posted its fourth consecutive victory by dismantling Windom 67-44 in Luverne Friday.With Samantha Gacke leading the way, Luverne opened a 23-point halftime lead and led by as many as 38 points in the second half before settling with a 23-point victory.Gacke, who charted four steals, led the Cards with a 27-point, 10-rebound effort. She scored 14 first-half points.Luverne scored the first eight points of the game and led 14-2 when Maggie Kuhlman drained a three-point shot at the 12:43 mark of the first half.Windom trimmed the difference to six points at 21-15 as the half progressed, but the Cards countered with a 21-4 run that ended with Gacke hitting a field goal with 1:10 remaining to give the hosts a 23-point lead (42-19).The difference remained at 23 points (44-21) heading into the second half, when the Cards outscored the Eagles 19-8 in the first 10:9 to open a 67-29 cushion.Luverne’s reserves didn’t record a point in the game’s final 7:51, but the contest was out of Windom’s reach by that point.Alyssa Klein added 14 points and five assists to the winning cause. Mindy Nieuwboer collected nine rebounds and charted six assists. Kuhlman finished the game with four steals.Box scoreKlein 5 1 1-2 14, Ta.Snyder 0 0 0-0 0, Van Dyke 0 0 0-0 0, Nieuwboer 2 0 0-0 4, Deragisch 0 0 0-0 0, To.Snyder 3 0 0-0 6, Herman 0 0 0-0 0, Heitkamp 0 0 0-0 0, Kuhlman 1 2 0-0 8, Hoiland 1 2 0-0 8, Gacke 11 1 2-4 27, Miller 0 0 0-3 0.Team statisticsLuverne: 29 of 89 field goals (33 percent), three of six free throws (50 percent), 29 rebounds, 11 turnovers.Windom: 16 of 55 field goals (29 percent), 10 of 18 free throws (55 percent), nine turnovers.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne boys’ basketball team played its way to a split during a pair of outings staged since last Friday.The Cardinals defeated Windom by 13 points in a key conference and section game played in Luverne Friday. LHS lost by three points in double overtime to Central Lyon in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday.Luverne, 15-5 overall, hosts Marshall tonight and Jackson County Central Tuesday.CL 72, Luverne 69The Cardinals let a huge halftime lead slip away during Tuesday’s game in Rock Rapids.Leading 40-26 at the intermission, LHS experienced cold shooting in the second half as the Lions battled back to knot the score at 65.The Cards missed a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation play, but Derek Boeve hit a bucket late in the first overtime period to force double overtime. The Lions outscored LHS by three points in the second overtime stanza."We played a good first half, but we just came out and shot poorly in the second half," said LHS coach Tom Rops.Jake Hendricks tossed in 18 points to lead the Cards in scoring. Nick Heronimus scored 10 points and Boeve charted five assists.Box scoreBoelman 4 0 1-2 9, Miller 3 0 0-0 6, Hendricks 2 4 2-4 18, Clark 2 1 0-0 7, Boeve 2 0 4-4 8, DeBoer 3 0 0-0 6, Heronimus 2 1 3-4 10, Haakenson 0 1 2-2 5.Team statisticsLuverne: 25 of 56 field goals 45 percent), 12 of 16 free throws (75 percent), 20 rebounds, 12 turnovers.CL: 32 of 65 field goals (49 percent), six of 11 free throws (54 percent), 22 rebounds, 13 turnovers.Luverne 74, Windom 61The Cardinals picked up an important win for the upcoming section seedings when they bested the Eagles in Luverne Friday.Windom beat LHS by three points when the teams squared off in Windom in early January, but the Cards put together a strong second half in the rematch to prevail by 13.Leading 35-32 three minutes into the second half, Luverne gained control of the contest by going on a 30-18 run that ended with Heronimus sinking one free throw with 2:05 remaining to give the hosts a 65-50 lead.Tim Miller hit another free throw one minute later to make the difference 16 points (71-55) and erasing any chance of a late rally by the Eagles.Both teams had their moments in the first half.Heronimus, who scored 22 points for LHS, hit a three-point shot a 14:24 to give the Cards a 10-4 cushion.Windom rallied to move in front 21-17 with less than five minutes remaining in the half, but the Cards countered with a 12-4 surge capped by one free throw from Boeve with one-tenth of one second left to give LHS a 29-25 halftime lead.Hendricks, who snared six rebounds and passed for four assists, scored 14 of his 16 points during the decisive second half.Boeve, who scored 12 points in the first half, matched Heronimus’ output with 22 points. Marc Boelman added seven rebounds to the winning cause.Box scoreBoelman 2 0 1-3 5, Miller 1 0 4-6 6, Hendricks 4 2 2-2 16, Clark 0 0 1-2 1, Boeve 5 2 6-10 22, DeBoer 1 0 0-0 2, Heronimus 2 2 12-18 22.Team statisticsLuverne: 21 of 55 field goals (38 percent), 26 of 41 field goals (63 percent), 28 rebounds, 14 turnovers.Windom: 24 of 86 field goals (28 percent), 12 of 22 free throws (55 percent), 26 rebounds, nine turnovers.

Last Sunday in church there was a little girl about seven years old sitting in the row in front of me. She had a bright pink book bag with a picture of "My Little Pony" printed on it. She wore a multi-tonal pink striped sweater that matched her book bag. Nobody made fun of her for wearing so much pink. In her book bag, she had a plastic baggie filled with Cheerios in case she got hungry, and a box of crayons in case she got bored. (No offence intended, Pastor Klatt.) She was seated between her grandmother and her great-grandmother. The space between grandma and great-grandma is the ultimate seat of love. The little girl didn’t have to wear makeup to look cute and she didn’t have naturally curly hair to contend with. Suddenly I wanted to go back to seven, when my grandma was still around and my dad and Aunt Gladys were still alive, and I was the apple of their eye. I could look forward to reading "Harriet the Spy" for the first time and seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. I’d have my first true love in the 4th grade. I’d have every summer off to go swimming at the outdoor pool and I’d spend all three days at the Rock County Fair. Then I’d grow up and have the adventure of going to college and backpacking in the Big Horn Mountains and getting my first library job and my first apartment and my first house and my first husband (first and only husband). Then I remembered: I’d have to go through 40+ years of dealing with naturally curly hair again. I would be thwarted by my true love in the 4th grade. I’d grow up and have to work in the old Carnegie library building for 20 years and then move the library into the new building again. I’d have to kiss a lot of frogs before I would meet the loving husband and I’d have to lose everyone I’ve ever lost a second time. Frankly, I guess I'm happy where I am. One good thing about being older is the opportunity to read old people’s books. I can still read "Harriet the Spy," but I’m now mature enough to read "The Fifth Horseman" by James Patterson. The Women’s Murder Club faces an unspeakable horror in this irresistible hospital and courtroom thriller. A young mother is recuperating in a San Francisco hospital when she is suddenly gasping for breath. The call button fails to bring help in time. The hospital doctors, some of the best in the nation, are completely mystified by her death. But this is not the first such case at the hospital. Just as patients are about to be released with a clean bill of health, their conditions take a devastating turn for the worse. Lt. Lindsay Boxer probes deeper into the incidents. When someone close to the Women’s Murder Club begins to exhibit the same frightening symptoms, Lindsay fears no one is safe. It is a wild race against time as her investigation reveals a hospital administration determined to shield its reputation at all costs. And while the hospital wages an explosive court battle that grips the entire nation, Lindsay and the Women’s Murder Club hunt for a merciless killer among its esteemed medical staff. Alert: The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

The following appeared in the Rock County News on December 8, 1892:ONE OF THE HUSTLERSEvery young and growing village or city is a type of the characteristics of a few of its leading citizens, whose individuality is stamped upon every project for public improvement and the general welfare. One of these to whom Luverne owes no small part of her present condition is Albert Barck. He is literally a part of Rock county. He came here when settlers were few and far between, and the virgin prairie now dotted with happy homes and productive farms hardly knew the husbandman’s touch. It was more than a score of years ago, in 1872. Mr. Barck settled in Springwater township in the western part of the county, and his hands helped erect the first board house constructed in that town and guided the plow that turned the first furrow in the mellow sod. For eight years he conducted his farming operations in that town, and then he removed to Luverne, studied law and commenced its practice. From the first his legal experience, like his farming, has been successful and he is regarded as one of the solid men of the community. He has been honored with numerous offices within the gift of his fellow citizens. At the recent election, he was chosen judge of probate for the third time. He is now serving his second term as recorder of the village and in that capacity has had much to do with the installation of our waterworks and electric light plant. In the discharge of his public duties he has always been found capable, accommodating, bringing to the conduct of his official business the same shrewdness and ability that has characterized the management of his private affairs. The magnificent building which in part bears his name and of which we present a cut on another page, is the latest and most enduring monument to his business acumen and public spirit.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

It’s now ‘Home, Health and Garden Show’The Luverne Chamber of Commerce has taken over the reins of what used to be called the Luverne Home Show and has expanded topics to include health and garden issues.Along with the additional subjects, time and location have also been changed.In past years the show was housed at the Blue Mound Ice Arena.Because of conflicts with hockey, the date for the show had to wait until the hockey season was over, a little later than what the organizers prefer.This year the event will be at the Luverne Cardinal Gymnasium and Commons area on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Along with approximately 30 vendors from the home, health and garden fields, demonstrations will also be available throughout the day.The presentations include:9:30 a.m. Nate Golla from the Luverne Farm Store will talk about lawn care tips including how you can prepare your lawn for spring.
10:30 a.m. John Ball, professor of forestry at South Dakota State University, will present a program concerning trees and shrubs in southwest Minnesota.
11:30 p.m. Holly Sehr, a physical therapist with Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital, will present a session dealing with proper lifting techniques. The lifting techniques can also be used as an exercise program to prepare you for your outdoor spring activities.
1:00 p.m. Mitch Moe from Wausau Supply will present a program on composite decking materials and construction.
2:00 p.m. Teresa Meyer from Sioux Valley Home Medical Equipment will discuss home air purification. Advantages of clean air systems designed to clean your entire home through your furnace will be discussed.In addition to free admission, visitors can register for door prizes, and concessions will be available.For more information contact the Luverne Chamber at 283-4061.Grant money available for combat zone vetsThe Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund has announced they are paying grants to all Minnesota service members who have served in DoD combat zones since Sept. 11, 2001, to include Bosnia, Kosovo, and Croatia.The grants, or appreciation bonuses, are being awarded to all Minnesota service members who served Active, Reserve or Guard, regardless of rank or financial status.According to information received from Ron Hanson, Rock County Veterans Service Officer, grants of $250 are currently being distributed but are expected to go as high as $1,000, depending on ongoing donations.For those wounded in action, the window is $2,500 to $10,000 and $10,000 for families of those killed in action.Those who qualify and apply now will receive the $250 plus any additional money in the future as donations keep coming in.Anyone about to be deployed may apply after one month of service in a combat zone when they have a copy of their LES showing Combat Pay.You can find out more information as well as apply for the bonuses at their Web site: www.thankmntroops.org.The ‘Great Backyard Bird Count’If birds are your thing and you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the Pipestone National Monument will be participating in the "Great Backyard Bird Count," a nationwide event to document changing patterns of birds in winter.There is no registration required for the four-day event, which runs from Feb. 17-20.If you would like to participate, you can spend as little as 15 minutes or stay for all four days.All you have to do is bring a pen and binoculars, if you have them, and look at the birds. Write down what kind you see and how many are in a group.The data collected nation-wide is forwarded to Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.If you would like to know more, contact the Pipestone National Monument at 507-825-5464.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com