The work of SHARE (Sharing Hearts are Reaching Everyone) continues. The distribution this year was on Thursday, Dec. 9.We distributed more groceries, clothing, blankets, toys and other necessities than ever before. The needs of these families in our county are real. Through SHARE some of these needs are met, at least during the holiday season. Hundreds of voluntary hours from many organizations and individuals make SHARE happen. Because our distribution numbers are higher, with an additional 35 families, the need for your financial assistance is greater now than ever. I am asking for your help. If you can see it in your heart to contribute to this worthwhile organization, it would be so appreciated. Please send what you can to PO Box 792, Luverne, MN. Thank you!Cheryl CoxSHARE Board of Directors

Early this holiday season, I discovered a Sioux Falls radio station devoted to playing holiday music 24 hours a day throughout the Christmas season. I was delighted.Normally my radio dial is tuned into 91.7 Minnesota Public Radio, but during this time of year, I love to overwhelm my senses with the holidays, which includes hearing every version of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree at least 40 times.For the past two weeks, the radio at work and my car radio have stayed on Lite 92.5 Kelo-FM to hear their "Home for the Holidays" program.While at home, I switch to my family’s old Christmas records. They make the house warmer and my inner lights shine a bit brighter. On Monday afternoon, when I was driving home from some holiday shopping, I heard DJ Jeff Gould run through a list of holiday presents worthy of giving this year. The list was so inspiring I grabbed a loose receipt in my car and wrote down some of the basics.I am not promising that I can accurately reproduce the list here in this column, but I am going to try because the sentiment was that important.Give the gift of time this holiday season.It seems people are always rushing through their days and that "I just don’t have the time anymore" has become the mantra of many households in America.Well, this holiday season take the time to visit an old friend, to call a distant relative, to volunteer or to take your kids out for some ice-skating and Christmas light viewing.Lives are only as busy as you make them. Time is available every day for the taking. Just make the decision that tonight you are going to make sugar cookies with the kids or grandkids and then do it. Don’t let time hold you back.Give the gift of acceptance this holiday season.Acceptance is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. Whether you decide to stop holding a grudge against a relative or friend, or if you open your heart to a new heritage – your holiday season will be better because of it.Accepting new ideas and new customs helps humans continue to grow.Give the gift of seeing the best in people in this holiday season.Some years, people just need us to give them the benefit of the doubt. Most folks around us try hard to be good people and perhaps this year they just need people around them to look a little deeper in their soul to find the good in them.Give the gift of giving up a bad habit this holiday season.Nearly everyone has a habit that their loved ones wish they would give up. Why not make the decision today that one annoying or unhealthy habit is going to be gone before the holiday even arrives.Give the gift of teaching this holiday season.Every individual holds the key to vast amounts of knowledge or the skills to a great talent. This holiday season wrap that knowledge or talent up and put it under the tree. Teach a niece how to play the piano, juggle or sing. Give a nephew a certificate to help with the livestock or tractor next spring.Volunteer your talents at the local schools or nursing homes to help teach the old and the young something new.Knowledge can’t be taken away, and to pass it along to others is giving a gift they will never lose.Give the gift of letting others give this holiday season.Often we are too worked up over giving that we forget how to receive during Christmastime.Sometimes graciously accepting a gift allows the giver to experience the greatest joy of the holidays — the feeling of giving.So, instead of receiving gifts with thoughts of guilt (for not having given that person a comparable gift) just be thankful and allow them to give.Give the gift of listening this holiday season.Take the time to open your ears and actually listen to those around you during the holidays.Pick up the phone and listen to a sad or lonely friend. Listen to the youngsters around you. Their stories are endless, their songs are out of key, but just give them the gift of listening instead of pretending to pay attention while you cook, clean or be an adult.These gifts are easier to type and read than they are to give. But if we can give some of them this holiday season, we will be filling the hearts of those around us with love.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

Ronald Lewis Emery, 68, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at Avera McKennan Hospice in Sioux Falls, S.D., after a year’s struggle with cancer.Services were Friday, Dec. 9, at the Miller Funeral Home Chapel in Sioux Falls, with burial at Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Ronald Lewis Emery was born on June 24, 1937, in Luverne. He is the son of Olen and Alma (Steine) Emery. He attended school in Luverne and entered the U.S. Navy in December 1957. He was honorably discharged in December 1959. He worked for Hanson Silo for 22 years and for Sweetman Construction in quality control for 21 years, retiring in 2004.Mr. Emery coached Little League and played softball for AR Wood’s for several years. He also enjoyed golf, bowling and solitaire as well as trips to their cabin on Lake Madison. He was an avid Vikings fan.Survivors include his best friend and companion of 25 years, Judi Johnson, Sioux Falls; two sons, Timothy (Janet) Emery, Shakopee, Daniel Emery, Irrigon, Ore., one daughter, Christina (Ouseman) Jobe, Brooklyn Park; Judi’s children, Mitch Case, Fargo, N.D., Randy (Chris) Case, Sparks, Nev., and Melissa (Jimmy) MacIntosh, Kingwood, Texas; two brothers, Dennis (Yolanda) Emery, Manteca, Calif., Wayne (DyAnn) Emery, Inver Grove Heights; one sister, Myrna (Bob) Lange, Beaver Creek; one sister-in-law, Marge Emery, Woodstock; Judi’s father, Wayne Andersen, Sheldon, Iowa; Judi’s brothers, Roland (Nora) Andersen, Chaska, and Dennis (Jeannie) Andersen, Battleground, Wash.; nine grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; special friend and neighbor, Lynn Appel; and numerous relatives and friends.Miller Funeral Home of Sioux Falls was in charge of arrangements.

Once again, our area has shown its compassion. The pancake sausage benefit for George Reining was a success. Many people were generous with their time and support. We thank the firemen for preparing and serving the food, the Firemen’s Auxiliary for their help, Hills Locker for donating the sausage, Sunshine Food for groceries at cost, Bethlehem Church for paper goods, Thrivent Financial for financial support, Thrivent volunteers for baked goods and working, New Vision for the propane and the City of Hills for the use of the building.As we approach Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, let us all continue to give thanks for our many blessings.Ron, Jan and Twila KurshThrivent coordinators for Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hills

Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671 Minutes11-22-05The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library in Hills. Board members present were Baker, Leuthold, Esselink, Harnack, Crawford, and DeBoer. Absent was Boeve. Superintendent Deragisch and Principal Holthaus were also in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harnack. Visitors to the meeting were recognized by the chairman. Visitors were Lexi Moore of The Crescent, and board-members-elect Harley Fransman and Chris Harnack. Motion by Crawford, second by Esselink, and carried to approve the agenda. Patriot Pride: Honor Roll students for the 1st quarter American Education WeekElementary report was given by Mr. Holthaus. High School report was presented by Superintendent Deragisch. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent out.First reading of Policy #514 – Bullying Prohibition Policy. First reading of Policy #516 – Student Medication Policy. Dates to Remember: Dec. 12 Truth in Taxation Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.Dec. 12 School Board Meeting @ 8:00 p.m.Agenda items for next meeting:Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.Lois Leuthold, Acting Clerk(12-15)

10 years ago (1995)"A possible face-lift for the American Legion Hall has been on the back burner of the Hills City Council agenda for some time now. But safety concerns have given the issue some immediate attention.Electrical problems have been a reoccurring hassle at the building. Blown fuses and outlets that don’t work are just a beginning of the overall problems."25 years ago (1980)"Mr. Gerold Van Roekel teaches the Senior High Math classes and photography at Hills-Beaver Creek.Mr. Van Roekel listed his prime concern about education as ‘the cuts that are made in education.’‘The school faces a stiff challenge to get back to the basics. But with the demands being placed on the schools by our complex society the issue of the basics is clouded,’ He said."50 years ago (1955)"Grain prices for Dec. 15, 1955 at Hills Mercantile: Oats – 26¢; Corn - $1.24; Soy Beans $2.05."75 years ago (1930)"Jim Christianson sold his indoor golf course at Beaver Creek to Joe Dunbar last week. Mr. Christianson informed us he plans to install a golf course above the Exchange State Bank of Hills, and will use the entire second floor. Watch the Crescent for announcement of opening date." 100 years ago (1905)"Gottlieb Oesterle left last Monday for Chicago with one car of lambs, one of cattle and two of hogs. He had a good deal of this stock himself and bought up some to fill the cars. He got within 10 cents of the top price for his lambs which weighed 104 pounds."

Sunday, Nov. 19, Max Erickson celebrated his second birthday with family in Eagan. Grandma Kathryn and Grandpa Wendell of Hills were able to make it also. Max is the son Hans and Susan Erickson. Congratulations, Max, on your second birthday.This Thanksgiving holiday found the Kathryn and Wendell Erickson family here in Hills to celebrate. All of the children and grandchildren were able to make it home except Hans, Susan, and kids.Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, found Kathryn and Wendell Erickson at the home of their daughter, Anna (Erickson) and Mike Gilman to help celebrate the third birthday of Benjamin Gilman. They were able to make it a small family get-together in honor of Benjamin’s birthday. Have a super birthday, Benjamin.Cyndi Ebert attended the church Christmas program of her granddaughters, Hannah (age 5) and Molly (age 3) Ebert on Sunday, Dec. 4, in Sioux Falls. Hannah and Molly are the daughters of Scott and Kristie Ebert of Harrisburg, S.D. Cyndi also attended Hannah’s school program at Harrisburg Elementary on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Hannah attends kindergarten and Scott teaches fifth grade there while Cyndi is the English teacher at Hills-Beaver Creek High School. Have a great year, all of you.Thursday, Dec. 8, performing at the Brandon Performing Arts Center were the Augustana College Community Christmas Band and the Augie Brass Choir. Lois Nelson and Al Berdahl are both members of the Community Band and played their instruments during the concert.Friday, Dec. 9, found Audrey and Dick Heidenson along with Kathryn and Wendell Erickson at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center, listening to the Opland Singers perform a Christmas program. The Opland Singers start rehearsing for this program each year in September.Saturday, Dec. 10, Cheryl Pavel and longtime friend, Linda Krumbach of Garretson, S.D., were able to get together and just relax while walking around the Empire Mall. We then ate supper at the mall and just enjoyed the night and each other’s company as only good friends can.Sunday, Dec. 11, Della Lorang of Sioux Falls drove over to Hills to visit with June and Marvin Albers and Cheryl Pavel and Cheyenne. We all had a great visit and it is always nice to see Aunt Della, Marvin’s sister.Sunday, Dec. 11, Lois and Ray Nelson spent the evening at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls enjoying the South Dakota Symphony Holiday Pops concert. Lois stated that the concert was very nice and they had a good time.Sunday, Dec. 11, Lexi and David Moore headed to their sister’s house in Cheste, S.D., for a Survivor finale party. Gerald and Dolores Bundesen of Petaluma, Calif., are visiting the home of their son, Derek and Staci Bundesen and family. Gerald and Dolores will stay until the end of this week. Have a great time visiting and a safe journey back to California.Monday, Dec. 12, Hills Appreciation Day was held at the Hills American Legion. The food was great and Santa was even greater! It is so much fun to see the little ones up on Santa’s lap telling him what they want for Christmas. Some of the children were shy and quiet and some Santa couldn’t get a word in. But they all had a great time. Thank you.New in HillsHenrietta and Art Boeve are now residents of Hills. They moved from their farm, four miles east of Hills on Highway 270, to the home that their grandson, Matthew, lived in at 513 S. Josephine Ave.This is the home where the Steve Fagerness family formerly lived. Matthew Boeve has since moved to the country home that his grandparents had lived in. Matthew and his fiancée, Linda Roth, are preparing for a Dec. 13 wedding in Salem, S.D.Congratulations to Matt and Linda and welcome to the neighborhood to Henrietta and Art. Glad to have you!

By Sara QuamAlthough the feedlot inspections are done, some livestock producers still have corrections to make in their operations to bring them up to code.Doug Bos from the Rock County Land Management Office gave township officials an update on that process Friday.Township officials met in their annual Township Association meeting to discuss items of joint interest.There were 109 producers who needed corrections after the inspections. Of those, 27 appealed the corrections and 22 were approved.Fourteen of the corrections needed were considered "major," with the average cost of those being $30,000 to $80,000. Many of those took part in a special cost share program.Of the 109 that needed improvements, 55 still need to complete them, but most of those have plans in place.The county visited 655 sites in the inspection process, which was to ensure environmental rule compliance of all livestock operations in the county. That was a two-year process.This year was the biggest ever in feedlot construction in the county, with 22 new and expanded feedlot projects completed.In other business last week, Rock County township officials:
Voted to advertise weed control and ditch mowing public notices as a group, rather than pay individually.The Township Association will now advertise on behalf of the townships.
Heard from Representative Doug Magnus, who gave the group a legislative recap from last session. The state now has a budget surplus, after negative predictions last year. He said he anticipates more education and nursing home funding in the coming years.Magnus said, "I have nearly 1,000 people in my district employed by nursing homes. …"There’ll be a lot of talk about where we’ll spend the money, but we’ve got to be a little careful."The next session starts in March.
Heard an update on planning and zoning issues from Land Management Director Eric Hartman. He said the office is watching for an update of the individual septic system code from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.Also, Hartman said the county is working on using a "waiver of setback" variance application process. This would be used instead of a variance hearing when there is an expansion of an existing building. The waiver process would require less cost in advertising and in hosting hearings. Hartman also reminded the group that the city of Luverne has subdivision control rights two miles outside the city limits.

By Lori EhdeKimberly Jones and her children had never seen snow, so last week’s blizzard was the perfect welcome for the New Orleans family who arrived in Luverne Wednesday, Nov. 30."We love the snow," Jones said Friday. "It’s just beautiful."Jones and her three children, Darrion, 10, Jordan, 6, and India, 2, are Luverne’s adopted Hurricane Katrina family. They lost their town home (where they had lived for eight years) in New Orleans East to the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina and have been living in shelters and campers since Aug. 28.Their connection to Luverne is through Foundation for Hope, a Christian organization that places evacuated families with communities willing to help them out.Jones said she felt as if God led her to Luverne. "I don’t know why I stopped at the Red Cross tent that day, but they were asking if anyone would be willing to relocate, and I said I would," said Jones, an EKG technician and medical assistant.She was asked to list three states she’d be willing to relocate to, and Minnesota was one of them."I’m a big Prince fan," Jones said. "I had all his albums — even the first one, ‘For You,’ and I lost them in the hurricane. They’re covered in mud and mold."She joked that the Minnesota-born artist might restore some of her collection if he knew what a fan she was. "I always said I was going to marry Prince," she said.Her Prince collection wasn’t the only thing she lost. Her entire town home, which wasn’t flood-insured, will need to be demolished. "The roof is off, and it has mold issues," Jones said.Through Foundation For Hope, Luverne’s Katrina Relief Group was matched with Jones and has been gathering donations to make the family feel welcome.They’re now living in a house on Jackson Street owned by First Baptist Church, which has agreed to waive rent for 90 days.The home is furnished entirely with donated household items and stocked with donated food, "It’s kind of like our own fun little game of ‘Extreme Home Makeover,'" said Luverne Katrina Relief Group member Cheryl Thacker.Further, the family is wearing donated winter clothing and they’re even driving a soon-to-be donated car."I’m just glad to have a roof over my head … but the home is beautiful," Jones said, searching for words. "I just can’t believe it."She and her children had been living near Baker, La., in a camper provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Prior to that, she and her boys had slept on floors and cots in a Red Cross shelter in Baton Rouge, La.Their journey to Luverne took three days (Harold and Nancy Ver Steeg drove down to get them in a van provided by Jim and Frances Veldkamp).But it was nothing compared to their journey escaping the hurricane to temporary housing. They waited in long gas lines (and almost didn’t get a fill in time) and nearly spent the night in a car when lodging couldn’t be found.Needless to say, the Joneses are glad to be at home in Luverne."I stepped out on faith to come here," she said. "FEMA guaranteed me 18 months rent free where I was, but I figured the Lord hasn’t turned his back on me yet, and I know he won’t now."Families matched to communities through Foundation For Hope are meant to be temporary adoptions — for roughly three months until southern homes can be repaired or until they can find permanent housing elsewhere.But Jones already knows she’s home."I had been looking to get out of Louisiana already," she said, adding that the crime rate had been climbing near her neighborhood. "I think the Lord was giving me an opportunity to move."Both her parents are deceased and she doesn’t have strong family ties in the South.She’s hoping her medical skills will be marketable in the area. "I need a job," she emphasized. "I’ve always worked, and need to work."Her boys are enrolled in Luverne Elementary School, and when she’s employed she’ll seek daycare for India.When the Katrina Relief Group put out a plea for donations to help a hurricane displaced family, nearly every need has so far been met.Until Jones is employed, though, she’ll need help paying utilities on the house.An account has been opened at First Farmers and Merchants Bank, and people can donate to the "Psalm 121 Project." Psalm 121 reads, in part, "… Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. … The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever."Luverne Katrina Relief Committee members Wiley and LaDonna Van Aartsen are authorized account managers for the donations."We’re happy to be in Luverne and we’re happy the community has accepted us," Jones said. "I want to thank the whole community for everything they’ve done. … God bless them all."