By Sara QuamLast year Sharing Hearts Are Reaching Everyone brought Christmas gifts to Rock County families in some of its biggest numbers.Groceries, toys, household goods and clothing were delivered to 150 families, 222 adults and 220 children in 2004.Cheryl Cox and Norma Stewart are co-chairs of the local giving effort this year.SHARE is a Rock County program that administers the collection of donations and distribution of Christmas gifts and food to local people. SHARE is a completely volunteer-run program.This is the 21st year of the program. Cox said some longtime volunteers have been bringing Christmas to homes for many years. "The fact is," Cox said, "we live in a very generous area."When the money and goods are collected and organized, an avid group of deliverymen step in to do their job.Keith Aanenson estimates he’s been helping people get their packages for about eight years. He said the atmosphere on pick-up day is very busy and hectic, but fun."It’s a nice feeling to help people and you’re helping people who do need it," Aanenson said.He also said it’s nice to see so many busy business people take time out of their day to do the charity work.Cary Radisewitz has helped with package carryouts for about 12 years.He said, "I thought it was such a neat program and wanted to be a part of it."Radisewitz said the delivery days are always different. "One year it may be cold and snowing, and the next year it may be warm. But, either way, it’s the kick-off to the Christmas season for me."Radisewitz said one year a few deliverymen saw two donated bikes that needed repairs, which a mother wanted to take home for her sons. On the spot, they quickly pooled a few dollars to get new tires and to make sure the bikes would be ready for spring riding for the boys.Radisewitz said, "I get choked up when I bring people a package and see little kids getting their gifts because that’s probably all they’re getting for Christmas." Growing up as one of eight children himself, Radisewitz said he knows how some families have trouble affording Christmas gifts or even extra groceries or new clothes."SHARE helps people have a good Christmas and it helps the volunteers realize how blessed they are to have what they do," Radisewitz said. "There are so many good wishes exchanged all day. Sometimes it’s a struggle for people to admit they need help and it’s hard for them to come and pick up gifts, but the atmosphere is so fun and we know we’re all in it together." Mary Tilstra, who is on the SHARE Board, said, "I think the guys do a great job of making the recipients feel at ease. There’s a lot of joking around and good-natured teasing. They almost fight over which one of them gets to help a person. They are a great bunch of guys to work with and they make the distribution go smoothly."There is a SHARE tree at Pamida and forms and posters with SHARE information are hanging at many local businesses.(To go with scanned form)To receive from SHAREDistribution is from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 9, at Sharkee’s.For more information, call 283-4310 or 283-9664.Fill out this form and return it by Dec. 1 to SHARE, PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.To donate to SHAREoItems needed are: New and used seasonal clothing, toys for children of all ages, diapers and baby items and household items.oPrior approval is required for donations of large household items or large appliances. oDo NOT wrap any donated items, whether used or new.Bring items to Sharkee’s from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, or from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 8.Cash donations can be made by sending them to SHARE, PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.

It’s cold out, so be carefulThe Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/Dot) is once again reminding us of the dangers of cold weather.Most notable is the effect the recent influx of cold weather can have on frosty or icy bridge decks, overpasses and ramps.According to Mn/DOT, the driving surfaces of bridges can freeze sooner than the roadway because off-the-ground highway structures are not insulated by the ground.Even when the roadways appear to be dry and safe, the bridge decks can be frosty or icy, particularly early in the morning and at night.Mn/DOT also partnered with other states in sponsoring a Winter Hazard Awareness Week. You can find additional information on the subject at www.hsem.state.mn.us.Enter the Ginger Bread House contestFor the second year, a Ginger Bread House contest will be a part of Winterfest.Who should enter? That could be you, a group of your friends, your family, your business or an organization you might belong to.Each entry will be on display in a Luverne area business.The contest will be divided into three categories, over 18, 13 – 18 and children 12 years of age and younger.The winner of the contest will collect a $50 cash prize, with second place receiving $25.If you would like more information about the contest or complete rules and registration forms, contact the Luverne Chamber office at 283-4061.Help a soldier get home for ChristmasCurrently more than 400 National Guard soldiers from southern Minnesota are training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in preparation for deployment to Iraq.Prior to departure, the soldiers will receive 15 days leave over the Christmas holiday.Since they are not compensated for travel expenses should they want to return to Minnesota for the holiday, Project Homecoming has been organized to help.According to the group, nearly half of the soldiers lose income when they are called to active duty.The goal of Project Homecoming is to ease the financial burden on the soldiers and their families by helping pay their bus fare home.Would you care to help?Donations for the project can be sent to Project Homecoming, P.O. Box 1251, Mankato, MN 56002.Mankato’s American Legion Post 11 will be overseeing the finances of the project.To adequately plan for the soldiers’ return for Christmas, donations are requested by Dec. 5.In other military matters …The Postal Service is offering free military mail kits.To help address the demand for those wanting to mail packages to their military friends and family overseas, the postal service has created a kit that contains the necessary mailing materials based on the most popular items ordered to send care packages to the troops.The kit contains 10 priority mail boxes, five "Mili-Pacs", one roll of Priority Mail tape, and ten customs forms with envelopes.The kits can be ordered by calling 800-610-8734 and requesting "Care Kit 04".Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Enjoy Thanksgiving indulgences; enjoy your Star HeraldThanksgiving is traditionally one of my favorite days of the year. I enjoy cooking the Thanksgiving feast, but more than that, I love eating the feast. That overindulging not only at Thanksgiving but hundreds of other meals over the course of the year has helped me balloon up nearly 280 pounds. Many of our regular Star Herald readers have been following our Big Loser promotion on a weekly basis.Today’s issue of the Star Herald is being delivered to every household in Rock County so some of you may not know what I am writing about. Just across from this page to your right is the Big Loser page. The 12 participants have been weighing in each week at the Sioux Valley Clinic — Luverne. Dietitian Margaret Kuiper has been tabulating and tracking our weekly results and, as you can see on the next page, we have all been shedding the pounds.No doubt tomorrow will be a test for us all, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves. As you can also see on the next page, I gained a pound last week. You would think gaining a pound while trying to lose weight isn’t a good thing. But look at it this way: I was on vacation that week and ate out every day. I enjoyed my time off and tried not to put on the 5 to 10 pounds that normally follows me back from a vacation. See? Success is all how you look at it.For those of you reading this column for the first time and reading about the Big Loser promotion, that is just the tip of the information iceberg that you’re missing each week by not being a subscriber to The Rock County Star Herald. We take great pride in our weekly publication, bringing the residents of Rock County the local news, sports, personal features of triumph and tragedy along with regular special sections featuring seasonal events and all the local sports teams. In addition to all of this, we provide a strong editorial page with opinions, columns and letters to the editor. The Star Herald, along with the Luverne Announcer, provides our advertisers with a cost-effective and results-producing advertising vehicle which helps you find the goods and services you are looking for.For those of you who are Star Herald subscribers, thank you. For those of you enjoying your complementary Thanksgiving copy, enjoy. By the way, our office will be open Friday if you would like to call or stop in and start your subscription (the Star Herald makes a great Christmas gift).

Family and food bring out the Thanksgiving spiritI would like to help myself and all my readers remember what it’s like to be a kid at Thanksgiving time. As an adult, I think Thanksgiving has a charm — it’s at a special time of year, just after harvest, when we have a reason to gather for a big meal and enjoy thankful thoughts. Even with that charm, Thanksgiving doesn’t earn near as much fanfare as other holidays, especially with children.To the children in Mary Jacobson’s kindergarten class in Luverne, Thanksgiving is about all kinds of things. I conducted mini-interviews with those students and this is some of what they had to say about the holiday:oMadilyn Dinger said her favorite part of Thanksgiving was having turkey. She said, "We celebrate Thanksgiving because it’s fun. I’m thankful when I get to help take care of my little sister."oJim Erickson said, "I’m thankful for my mom and dad because I love them." He said his family celebrates by sitting at a "special table" and eating turkey, corn and sometimes deer. He said his mom makes a good turkey by baking it with lettuce. "She puts a little salt on it — I like salt — and some spice that makes it taste really good with the salt. It cooks for about one hour."oPayton Fick said he would like to hunt pheasant and cook it for Thanksgiving. He said the holiday Thanksgiving was designed as a "time to be thankful for all the food." oEva Kruse said for Thanksgiving, "We always eat together and do family stuff and snuggle and stuff."She said Thanksgiving was invented "because people want another holiday." If she could cook a Thanksgiving meal, it would include turkey, potatoes, ham, french fries and something to drink.oKasyn Kruse doesn’t like turkey (it would probably take 30 seconds to cook one). He hopes someone gives him chicken nuggets instead. He said he can’t remember what he normally does on Thanksgiving. "I think we eat," he said. He is thankful for a race car. oKalee Morrison said she’s thankful when her parents take her places. She likes to eat a turkey in a pie that cooks for 10 or nine minutes.oCourtney Nath said Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate "because you like to eat turkey." She also likes onion bread that she eats at her grandma and grandpa’s house. "I’m thankful for my whole family," she said.oTucker Oeltjenbruns said he is thankful for his mom and dad. He likes the way they cook a turkey on Thanksgiving, but they have it other days of the year, too.oJocilyn Oye said her family has Thanksgiving for God and it’s the only day they eat turkey. "I’m thankful for my family and friends," she said.oMichael Rahm said Thanksgiving is about the "Pilgrims and Indians helping each other out." He likes cranberries and ice cream, but not together. He is thankful for being able to go to his friend’s birthday party.oDonald Ray said he is thankful for his dog and two cats. He hopes he gets to eat chicken and dumplings on Thanksgiving. "I think we are going to our friends’ house on Thanksgiving," he said.oAnthony Rogers said he likes to go to his grandma’s on Thanksgiving where he can play. "We go out to eat to get good food. One time my dad made a pizza that was good," he said. One day Anthony will make his own turkey by throwing it into a fire where it will cook fast because of the high temperature. "I am thankful for my mom and dad." Sometimes he is not thankful for his four sisters, however.oMcKenna Westphal said she couldn’t remember much about Thanksgiving. "I know it’s about turkeys and you wash them, but I don’t know how to cook one." She is thankful for her mom and dad and her sister. oTrey Baustian said he likes Thanksgiving and traveling to see his grandparents. He is thankful for his toys, and "When we put up stuff that I make at school."oMitchell Buss said, "It’s a special day. I eat turkey and I like it." He is thankful for his mom and dad … and for the times when he can beat his big brother at wrestling.I guess it looks like Thanksgiving means the same to most 5-year-olds as it does to me. It’s about food and togetherness … even though sometimes it’s about bad food and wrestling family members.

Thanksgiving for all seasons"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever," – Psalm 136:1These words calling us to be thankful are repeated often in the Psalms. They encourage us to keep a grateful attitude in our hearts and minds in all seasons of life. Psalm 136 recounts God’s activity as Creator, Savior and Sustainer from the time of Creation through much of Israel’s history. The phrase, His steadfast love endures forever, is repeated in each of the 26 verses. The repetition is a reminder of God’s gracious action, given out of that steadfast love is constant for all time and eternity. Our only proper response is to give thanks to the Lord.Thanksgiving Day is well established in our national life. Its historical roots reach into the time of the early 17th century Puritans who came from England to establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Those Pilgrims would probably be shocked to see how hedonically we keep this holiday. It is not Thanksgiving for us without the parades, football, and overindulgence of turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, pumpkin pie and the agony in our over-filled stomachs. These early settlers may wonder where Divine Providence is in all this. Thanksgiving is a great time for many to be with family. It can also be a sad time for those who feel great losses and empty of giving thanks. Either way, in plenty or want, the kind of thanksgiving the Bible encourages us to hold can be distorted. The basis of thanksgiving does not rest on what we have or lack in terms of family, possessions, health, or any kind of worldly goods. The Bible clearly tells us the foundation of true thanksgiving is God. "O give thanks to the LORD for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever."A great hymn often sung at Thanksgiving is "Now Thank We All Our God" by Martin Rinkart. The first stanza is: Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices. Who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; Who, from our mothers’ arms, Has blest us on our way. With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.Rinkart was a man who by the world’s standards had very little to be thankful for. He was a pastor in 17th century Germany. From 1617 until his death in 1649 he served faithfully in the walled city of Eilenburg. Many of those years were filled with great suffering and terrible hardships. He ministered among the people there during the Thirty Years’ War. Refugees came into Eilenburg for safety while the city was under siege. Because of overcrowding, famine and pestilence inflicted the population. Other clergy abandoned Eilenburg leaving Rinkart as the only pastor to minister to the city, sometimes preaching burial services for 40 or 50 persons in one day. The pestilence inflicted both his wife and himself. He survived but she did not. There were other acts of unselfish service he gave with great risks to his safety as he confronted the Swedish Army commanders on behalf of the city when they demanded tribute. For all his service, there was little gratitude shown to him by the city officials, and in his later years he was much harassed by them. He died of exhaustion on Dec. 8, 1649. Yet in all he endured, his life being focused upon God, Rinkart was inspired to write this powerful thanksgiving hymn.Thanksgiving is more than a celebration limited to a day. It is from a heart resting upon God in every moment of every day. God wants our thanksgiving not for God’s sake but for our benefit. An attitude of gratitude lightens our burdens in heavy times, keeps us focused upon the Source of all blessings in abundant times, and balanced in mind and spirit in all times. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you today and everyday!

Last week my niece, Savanna, took a brief respite from the rigors of 5th grade and I from the rigors of a hot checkout desk to go on our annual birthday shopping trip. Each shopping trip starts with a two-hour visit to the Hobby Lobby, followed by a 10-minute dining moment. We don’t like to waste time eating. Then we look for a present. This year it was a little girl’s party dress with sequins on it, plus a pink phone with pink fur on it. I really wanted the phone for myself, but I couldn’t visualize the loving husband planning an ice fishing trip or scheduling a roofing project on a pink fur-lined phone. Savanna and I are great shoppers. In fact, the previous Sunday we spent two hours perusing the products at Pamida and buying fuzzy poster art. Some day I will reveal my previously undisclosed philosophy on women shopping. The real-inner-hidden-deeper-secret-reason we go on the birthday trip is the Mini-Critters pet store stop. We visit each fish tank, each birdcage, and each rat pen. Savanna and I are both allergic to fur-bearing animals so I encourage "no petting" of the puppies, kittens, and rabbits. But, because all Bremer girls love puppies, kittens, and rabbits, we break down and spend a good half-hour petting each and every animal there. Then, on the way home, we suffer. By the time we get to the Brandon exit, Savanna’s lips have swelled up and my lungs are non-functional. Do we care? No, because two Bremer girls got to spend the afternoon together doing their favorite things. If reading is one of your favorite things, you might want to check out the new book by Scott Turow, "Ordinary Heroes." Stewart Dubinsky knew his father had served in World War II. And he'd been told how he had rescued Stewart's mother from the horror of the Balingen concentration camp. But when he discovers, after his father's death, a packet of wartime letters to a former fiancée and learns of his father's court-martial and imprisonment, he is plunged into the mystery of his family's secret history and driven to uncover the truth about this enigmatic, distant man who'd always refused to talk about his war.As he pieces together his father's past through military archives, letters and, finally, notes from a memoir his father wrote while in prison, secretly preserved by the officer who defended him, Stewart starts to assemble a dramatic and baffling chain of events. In reconstructing the terrible events and agonizing choices his father faced on the battlefield, in the courtroom and in love, Stewart gains a closer understanding of his past, of his father's character and of the brutal nature of war itself. Also new on the shelf is James Patterson’s "Mary, Mary." FBI agent Alex Cross is on vacation with his family at Disneyland when he gets a call from the Director. A well-known actress was shot outside her home in Beverly Hills. Shortly afterward, an editor for the Los Angeles Times receives an e-mail describing the murder in vivid detail. Alex quickly learns that this is not an isolated incident. The killer, known as Mary Smith, has done this before and plans to kill again. Right from the beginning, this case is like nothing Alex has ever confronted. Members of Hollywood’s A-list fear they’re next on Mary’s list, and the case grows by blockbuster proportions as the LAPD and FBI scramble to find a pattern before Mary can send one more chilling update. The Library will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Here we are approaching Thanksgiving 2005 and I am a loss as to what should be said this Thanksgiving.Should I write a remembrance from the old days? I don't think so.It occurs to me that far too many events in recent times have impacted in a negative way on our lives. Some natural disasters like "Katrina" and similar natural disasters. However, I believe the biggest changes came about were made by the current administration and as we speak they do continue to affect us all.I recall that when President George Bush Senior commented that what this country needed was a kinder and gentler place and I understood. Some fifteen years later, his son speaks of "Compassionate Conservatism" and I am still trying to determine what that means. Why the dilemma? Does compassionate conservatism mean it is OK for the United States to torture the "Bad Guys" from Bin Laden and his ilk? If that is what Vice President wants and gets approval, to do, I would ask him what he thinks the "Bad Guys" will do with American prisoners, military or civilian?We are all aware of the Vice President's military background. Five student deferments during the Vietnam War. Perhaps President Clinton went to school on Cheney's successful avoidance of military service.It would seem that as we approach Thanksgiving 2005 we should be thankful for the fact that the current administration, which led us into war with false statements and no plan for the insurgency attacks that followed, have just three years remaining to get us safely and honorably out of this conflict. We simply must HONOR those incredible young men and women who have carried the combat burden for the past three plus years and fought in Iraq — now and when they return home! As you have undoubtedly detected I was opposed to the invasion from the beginning. The evidence present was simply to thin and flimsy. General Powell since has said the same thing. Most of you know that I served the Army part- and full-time for 35 years and I did so proudly and say so proudly now.Thankful this Thanksgiving?Yes, but also angry at this Holiday time. I guess I had to vent my spleen a bit before I get to what is important. It is ironic that in the past 40 years we have had two Presidents who misled us into war. President L.B. Johnson, Democrat, used the Alleged Attack in the Gulf of Tonkin on U.S. Navy ships to make the major commitment in VietNam!In 2004/2003 President George Bush a Republican, convinced us of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq that simply did not exist. One a Democrat and the other a Republican and both from Texas!We are a resilient and forgiving people, and when we sit down this Thanksgiving 2005, give our thanks and know that better times are ahead. We must NOT forget what our young soldiers, Marines and other services are doing for us!

For those of you who haven't logged on to the Web site "theocratic watch" on Google, I sincerely urge that you do. There you will find numerous texts on a most reprehensible group of ultra consevative right wing evangelicals that condone the abolishment of our constitution to be replaced by authorative theocratic doctrine. As you investigate the various informative positions advocated by these anti-civil monsters you will find they advocate complete overturning of moderate Christian beliefs, and an outright denial of any other religious views. The government would be supplanted by a strict biblical rule with the elimination of free choice. You will find members who advovate this concept are Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Tom Delay along with many other present goverment officials. Log on to this Web site and learn what real enemies of the state we face nowadays.As a secular humanist along with others I would sincerely urge joining in with moderate Christians and other sects to be on the alert for any canditate espousing radical evangelical ideas or notions. Thank you.Don Mogck,Luverne

Coming off a great cross country season, the support of the community hasn’t gone unnoticed.Businesses generously supported the program with donations and storefront signs encouraging the team as we prepared for the state meet.Parents supported us and trusted us with their kids, who are wonderful to work with and an inspiration to me, as has coach Bruce Gluf. It was an honor to work with him. He’s been a wonderful mentor and a great friend.The team worked so hard with such dedication and determination. I feel that it really paid off and hopefully they do, too. They had such kind words for me at the banquet and throughout the years. They have no idea what those words meant to me. These kids are all like sons and daughters to me. I see something special in each and every one of them and I hold a special place in my heart for each of them. Congratulations to everyone who played a role in such a rewarding season.Peter D. JaniszeskiVolunteer Assistant Cross Country CoachLuverne High School