The BIG holiday is behind me, and chances are I will not be opening any more presents this year. Unfortunately, the past week has been a non-stop blur of flying colored paper, sparkly ribbons and white boxes.I couldn’t produce a tally of all the items I took home from holiday parties this year, but I know I did well. It was a good Christmas for receiving. It seems everyone wanted to give me presents, and what they gave me was perfect. Now I just have to find a way to work all of the new items into my already overstocked and over packed home.As a child, I would consolidate all of my presents into one box and store the box under the tree for at least a week after the holiday. I would open the box to retrieve a new item every now and then, but for the most part I liked to keep things sitting there looking new and pretty.I don’t get to do that anymore. First, I don’t get to open many presents at my house, so I am usually hauling my loot from here to there. Second, if I did leave presents under the tree for very long, my white cat, Merlin, would probably decide he needed to tag them with his scent (trust me, I know this from experience). Finally, my husband likes things neat and tidy.Therefore, when gifts are opened, they need to be put away or find a home inside my home.From what I can see around me this problem exists in many homes. Children get new toys but rarely new toy boxes. Fathers get new tools but not workshops. Mothers get new pans and appliances but no additional space in cupboards in the kitchen.What are people to do?I hope to use the "organize-and-give-away" method.I am going to reorganize any area of the house that has been "added" to. As I reorganize, I need to throw away or give away.For instance, I was given two new pairs of shoes. Before I throw these shoes into an already overflowing shoe closet – I need to sort through my footwear and determine what NEEDS to be stored there.I am sure I can find at least two other pairs of shoes to part with.In another example, I got new towels from my mother. Before I add the towels to my bath collection, I am going to find all of my "older" towels and throw them away.As with many things I write, the actual implementation of the plan is far harder than coming up with the idea. But I think I can do it this holiday season.A toolbox I won at the Tollefson Publishing Christmas party has been testing my patience with the organize and give-away method.Up to this point in life, my toolbox has been a cardboard banana box I picked up when I moved out of the dorm and into my first apartment, some 10 years ago.The night I brought home the toolbox, I started moving tools from various junk drawers and dumping areas of my house into my toolbox.I still haven’t finished this process; in fact, the banana box with the bulk of my tools is still downstairs in the basement.For families with children, I recommend a deep cleaning of all toy areas. With each passing year, children outgrow some toys, game pieces are misplaced and other toys get duplicated.Really, how many versions of Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit does one family need?Find all items that you can part with, put them in a box and take them to Goodwill, a local church, a neighborhood daycare – just get them out of the house!The same advice can be used in women’s kitchens. If you were given a new coffee pot, then get the old one out of the house. One kitchen does not need a dozen mixing bowls – get rid of the excess.My goal is to do all of my holiday organizing before the new year begins. I am going to start piling up a nice big "spring junk day" area in my garage.If I don’t need something or if I was given a similar, newer version, the old item is gone. No exceptions.All of this is coming from a pack rat who loves to keep stuff around, any kind of stuff.In fact, I still have gift tags from the early ‘90s packed away with my holiday decorations. And my ornaments are wrapped in scraps of wrapping paper from every Christmas I have had in my adult life.I hope that everyone in the area was lucky enough to feel as blessed and loved as I did this Christmas. The presents and hassle of adding them to my life pales in comparison to the joy of spending some much needed time with my family and their pets.

10 years ago (1995)"Aric Leenderts and Matt Metzger have been named by Minnesota Basketball News to the Top 100 Players list in Minnesota.Metzger, a 6’0" senior, averaged 17.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and shot 36 percent from the three-point line. Leenderts is a 6’2" senior who averaged 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game one year ago."25 years ago (1980)"Students at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary are currently conducting a label collection drive that promises to bring in valuable educational equipment for the school.They hope to collect 19,250 labels before the drive ends on Feb. 20, 1981." 50 years ago (1955)"Around three or four inches of real loose snow fell here Sunday, giving this area a little more shoveling to do — and consequently making a real white Christmas this year." 75 years ago (1930)"Skating is good down at the reservoir these days. Come down and join in the fun."100 years ago (1905)"The Germans of Pleasant View celebrated Christmas by having a tree and exercises in their church Saturday evening."

Luella Schlueter spent the Christmas holiday enjoying the visit by her daughter and husband, Bonnie and Brian Olson. They traveled to Hills from St. Paul and spent the weekend with Luella. Mae Top spent Christmas Eve with her daughter Gerry Sandstede and husband, Jim, from Luverne. On Sunday, Christmas Day, Mae had dinner with son Allan and his wife Judy Top of Hills. Judy’s sister, Carol, of Granite Falls, was able to join them also.Marvin and June Albers hosted Christmas Eve in their home. Son Larry Albers of Ft. Pierre, S.D., and grandchildren, Abby Albers of Ft. Pierre, Lucinda Albers of South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., Jeremy Albers, Hills, daughter Cheryl Pavel and great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Albers, were all there. Santa paid a personal visit, and fun was had by all. Christmas Day everyone gathered at Marv and June’s for Christmas dinner, visiting and cards. Mae Top and family celebrated Christmas together on Friday, Dec. 23, in the evening by all gathering at the Hills Legion Hall. Homemade was the menu. Mae’s three children were there: daughter, Gerry and Jim Sandstede, Luverne, son, Allan and Judy Top, Hills, and son, Bill Top, Sibley, Iowa. Mae said that six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren made it also. Grandchildren are as follows, Candy Norgaard and husband, Sibley, Wade Sandstede and Kathleen, Minneapolis, Don Sandstede and Erin, Luverne, Mike and Melissa Top, Sioux Falls, S.D., Mark Top and Erin, Hills, Kris and Jared Van Maanen, Valley Springs, S.D.Great-grandchildren are as follows: Dylan and Riley Top, Carter and Brooke Norgaard, Tess Van Maanen, and Chantz Neil Top. They were also joined by Florence Sandstede, Hills, and her son, Kevin and his daughter of Sioux Falls, and Merlin Sandstede, Hills. Mae stated that there were five little ones under the age of five and by having their celebration at the Legion Hall there was lot of happy noise and plenty of room for the little ones to run and play. A very merry celebration was enjoyed by all, and Mae said that they would probably have the next celebration at the Legion Hall. It’s so handy and plenty of room. Happy Holidays, Mae!I wanted to take a little time to thank everyone who would call and supply me with news for the paper. You could always rely on certain people to call, and it was nice to get news from others, too, I want to wish everyone a Blessed Holiday and pray for a new year to bring good things to everyone. Small-town living is so wonderful! Where else does a person know the people who live next to them, wave at someone who you don’t even know, walk alone at night without fear; check on your neighbors if they don’t answer their phone? There are so many benefits to small-town living, that I could go on and on.There are downfalls also, as with anything, but the pros outweigh the cons so drastically. No matter where else I have lived, Hills is my home and I don’t ever foresee leaving here. I just pray that we always keep that "small town" atmosphere of loving and caring for each other no matter what the future may bring or how big Hills becomes. God has truly blessed all of us and our town. Thank you to everyone for your support and giving of yourselves. God Bless everyone and help to keep us "small town." Happy Holidays to everyone; may God bless us all.

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATIONAND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofFrieda Knutson, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 9th day of January, 2006, at 3:30 O’clock P.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship and for the appointment of Russell Knutson whose address is 1897 191st Street, Magnolia, Minnesota 56158, as administrator of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said administrator will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the administrator shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said administrator or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: December 13, 2005 /s/ Timothy K. ConnellTimothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge/s/ Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikDouglas E. Eisma Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEISMA AND EISMA130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828I.D. #158343

By Sara QuamAfter two years of no electric rate increases, Luverne customers will see three years of 10 percent increases, starting in 2006.The Luverne City Council reviewed the rate study Tuesday night and will likely pass the changes at its next meeting.The 10 percent change will amount to an average $7 per month increase for most residential customers, including the base and per kilowatt hour charges. Commercial customers will see their bills increase about $8. Large users may pay a few hundred more, but their monthly bills are as much as $2,200.The 10 percent rate increase is an average, but it varies slightly by rate class.Karen Weeden, a rate analyst from Missouri River Energy Services, presented the study to the council.Through reserves, the city has absorbed $236,000 of higher wholesale electric costs from its electricity producers in 2004 and 2005.Weeden said, "We are recommending the increase because it will allow you to continue to fund capital improvements and build reserves to a more adequate level."She said, "It’s a small increase to the customer, but it’s a big impact for the utility."The city gets most of its electricity from Western Area Power Administration, which produces electric power from dams. Lower water levels mean that power is costing more. The city also gets supplemental power from Missouri River Energy Services. (The city also paid MRES $5,500 to conduct the rate study after receiving bids.) MRES is experiencing higher costs of operations because of increased coal transportation costs and transmission costs.Weeden said, "The municipal power is getting hit from all sides during this study period."MRES is in litigation disputing the coal transportation charges that are affecting its rates. It had to pay $7 million more in transportation charges for coal last year.With all of the factors considered, Luverne’s cost of providing power is increasing 22 percent cumulatively from 2005 to 2009.Some assumed costs in coming years for the city electric department through 2009 are:Distribution system and transformers — $925,000Circuit replacement — $600,000 Automatic meter reading system — $515,000Electric production — $376,500Magnolia transmission line — $300,000Street lighting — $200,000The utility department earns money for the city that is transferred into other accounts. The general fund receives $30,000; capital equipment receives $15,000 and economic development receives $70,000.The electric utility is projected to lose $1 million through 2009 under the current rate structure.MRES recommends that cities have 62 percent of their operating revenues in reserves. That would be about $3.5 million. After the rate changes, Luverne will build reserves to about $3.1 million.In other electric utility news …The council discussed forming a separate dual fuel rate and incentive program.Part of the reason the city’s cost of purchasing electricity is escalating is because it buys power based on peak demand.Dual fuel systems could be installed by homeowners who would get a one-time rebate of 50 cents per square foot of main floor living space. Their kilowatt hour charge would be lower as well.Those customers would have an alternate heat source such as gas or propane that would automatically be used when electricity is interrupted to the home because the electric utility is nearing peak points. That would ultimately make electricity cheaper for all Luverne customers.While it is good for the city to sell electricity, the high peak times make the city’s costs increase.Electric utility supervisor Rick Hoftiezer said, "We’re getting to the point where our winter peak is going to be as high as the summer peak."By offering dual fuel rates and a one-time incentive, the city will be able to keep selling a lot of electricity but can control the peak times that make rates increase.Hoftiezer said, "We want to sell more electricity but we don’t want to sell ourselves into higher cost of electricity."Councilman Pat Baustian said he used a U.S. Department of Energy formula and figured one home at Luverne’s current rate would save $700 a year by switching to dual fuel.A new dual fuel furnace would cost about $1,500 to $3,000 according to some estimates.

By Lori EhdeFuneral services were Wednesday for a Luverne couple killed in a crash Saturday afternoon near Rock Rapids.Walter and Mathlida Van Meeteren, 82 and 79 years old respectively, died when their car collided with a semi trailer three miles north of Rock Rapids.According to information from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department, the accident was reported at 2:40 p.m.The report states that a 1994 Oldsmobile driven by Walter Van Meeteren was traveling west on 130th Street.The Van Meeteren vehicle apparently failed to yield at the Highway 75 intersection where it collided with a 1993 Peterbilt semi trailer rig driven by Daryl Wallace Nelson, 59, of Detroit Lakes.The semi landed in the west ditch and the Oldsmobile ended up in the east ditch following the crash.The Van Meeterens were taken to Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids where they were pronounced dead.Nelson was also transported to the Rock Rapids Hospital, where he was treated and released later that evening.The semi, owned by B.M. Transport, Detroit Lakes, sustained about $15,000 in damages, and the Oldsmobile about $5,000.The Van Meeterens have roots in Iowa. They married and farmed near Boyden until 1953 when they moved to Rock County where they raised six children.She was active in the Luverne Christian Reformed Church and enjoyed quilting, sewing and bird watching.He, too, was active in the Luverne CRC and enjoyed fishing, softball, gardening and helping local farmers.See page 10A for the complete obituaries.

By Sara Quam Hours of alcohol serving was again a part of the Luverne City Council agenda Tuesday.The Howling Dog Saloon last week requested a waiver to the ordinance that says alcohol can’t be served Christmas Eve after 8 p.m.Manager Jodi Christy said the request was because Christmas Eve is on a Saturday this year and that is the busiest day of the week for the bar. Since the waiver wasn’t granted, Christy and owner Troy Tuma requested the council revisit the ordinance itself, saying that state law allows businesses to be open regular hours on holidays.Tuma said, "Not everybody is religious and not everyone has a family. I would ask that you allow it to be up to the businesses."Councilman Esther Frakes said she thought the public "no" vote for Sunday liquor showed the community’s preference on the holiday issue."I can’t vote in favor of changing the ordinance," she said. "I feel that is what best represents my constituents."Councilman Pat Baustian said, "I think 8 p.m. is late enough on Christmas Eve, too."The Tuesday meeting didn’t include a vote, but it probably won’t come before the city again for lack of support among the council members.No councilmen spoke in favor of changing the ordinance and leaving the Christmas Eve issue up to business owners.Serving until 2 a.m. The Howling Dog also requested the city change language in its ordinance that says liquor can’t be served any night after 1 a.m.Two years ago, state law changed, allowing establishments to serve until 2 a.m., but Luverne’s ordinance never changed.A city may be more restrictive than state law, but not more lenient.With no request before the Council until now, the ordinance stayed at 1 a.m.Council members said they wouldn’t object to adding an extra hour to the allowed time of alcohol serving. Administrator John Call said he asked the Rock County Sheriff for an opinion. The sheriff said law enforcement would enforce laws the same and wouldn’t be burdened by the change.The cities of Worthington and Adrian allow serving until 2 a.m. and cities in South Dakota and Iowa have served until 2 a.m. for years.Luverne establishments say that has always been a source of competition for them.To get a license to sell until 2 a.m., there is a state fee that ranges from $200 to $1,000, depending on gross receipt sales. The city itself may also impose a separate fee for businesses that want their liquor license to be until 2 a.m.

By Sara QuamThe Luverne Fire Department has decided to expand its current site rather than to build new in order to get an updated facility.The Luverne City Council reviewed plans Tuesday that have a cost estimate of $826,000.City Administrator John Call said, "I do commend the Fire Department for the work and study that went into this."A new building at a different location would cost about $1.38 million.The Luverne City Council still has to formally approve the project. The Fire Department wants an updated facility in order to bring all the equipment inside one building and to provide easier access for emergencies.Now, one ladder truck is stored in the city electric department building because it won’t fit in a current Fire Department bay.The preliminary plans have the addition going to the west of the current building, doubling its size and bringing it up to handicap accessibility codes.The building is used for some open houses and educational events, so accessibility is an issue for more than department members.The city has already purchased John Krogmann property for $40,000 that would allow for the expansion.Another garage across the alley from the Fire Department is owned by the Luverne School District, who will likely sell the garage and land, which has been appraised at $23,000, to the city. Rock County has said it is interested in purchasing the garage and moving it off site, so the city would end up spending about $13,000 for that acquisition.Holy Trinity Episcopal Church has expansion plans of its own that shouldn’t be hindered by this effort of the city’s. Also, The Southwest Mental Health Center will receive easements for parking similar to what they already have.The city has researched financing the expansion through bonds. They will be purchased at the same time as some tax increment financing districts go off the tax rolls, so property taxpayers won’t feel the difference, Call said.The project needs to have detailed plans and specifications, which will probably start under an architectural contract in January. The project will likely be bid by March.

By Sara QuamMarie Wiegel has spent 91 Christmases in her Bishop Street home.She enjoys Christmas and makes it festive with many handmade tokens of the holiday, from crocheted wreaths to hanging stars made from drinking straws strung together.At almost 96, her creativity hasn’t slowed."I probably learned some things by working with kids all those years," Wiegel said.She was an elementary teacher in Kenneth, Hardwick and Luverne and a librarian in Luverne. Wiegel said she greatly enjoyed reading to children and doing crafting and other activities with them.Some of the things she makes for Christmas include hand-written cards made from paper or other used cards."I don’t throw anything away, not even a bent pin," Wiegel said. "I make flowers out of the circles from paper punches. I don’t like to throw anything away."That’s not to say she’s a pack rat because she manages to use everything she saves.She even decorates the corners of used envelopes with poinsettias to be used as bookmarks."It hurts my feelings to see a dog-eared book," she said.More than just craftsWiegel said she hopes her little labors of love do some good for people in need.Whatever she earns in donations or payments for her creations goes to a charitable gift from Wiegel. She also donates her crafts themselves.One of the recipients of Wiegel’s work is Eileen Reisch, who organizes donations for 11 Catholic parishes. The donations go to various missions and charities such as Sharing Hearts are Helping Everyone locally, and the Children’s Inn in Sioux Falls, where victims of domestic violence seek shelter.Reisch said, "Marie is an ardent sewer and makes blankets by the dozens. She has a pile now we have someone going to pick up for her."Wiegel said she hopes more people will volunteer their talents to Reisch. Reisch said, "I think she’s the most talented person, but she’s very humble and pious. I tell her she doesn’t know what an inspiration she is to so many people."