We moved here two years ago. I do not know Helen Hunt, but I agree with her letter to the editor.I do not know Mary Jo Welch from Canada, nor do I know any of her relatives, but I do not agree with her letter to the editor. I really don’t like politics but I know who makes the rules for me and you. It’s our lives at stake so we need to find out. But — you’ll have to open your Bibles. Then you’ll know who to vote for and how important it is.Adell JohnsonLuverne

Don and Edyth Briggs motored to St. Peter Saturday to attend a Masonic meeting. Vi VanWyhe attended the Augustana homecoming parade in Sioux Falls Saturday. Her daughter Lindsey of Rochester participated in the parade, as she was the homecoming chairperson last year.Jim Sandager, West Des Moines, Iowa, spent several days last week visiting his mother, Fran Sandager. Tuesday the family helped her celebrate her birthday by going out for dinner. Jane Schubert, Claire and Isaac left Thursday for their home in Tanzania, Africa. There was a bridal shower for Rachael DeBoer, daughter of Chuck and Rheta DeBoer, Friday night in Sanborn, Iowa. It was given by Jeremy Van Beek’s aunts. Jeremy and Rachael have announced their engagement and plan a Dec. 29 wedding in Sanborn. Joanne and Tom Goehle were in Edgerton Sunday for Katie Hadler’s 14th birthday. Joanne spent Thursday afternoon visiting the Hadler family and attending Katie’s volleyball game. Hendrene Veldkamp, Luverne, Janet Bleyenberg, Edgerton, and Dorothy Peterson, Sioux Falls, were Friday morning visitors in the Wilmer and Betty Elbers home. Dick and Audrey Heidenson returned home last Monday after spending the weekend with their daughter and husband in Apple Valley. This week Monday night Audrey and daughter-in-law, Lyn Heidenson, Brandon, S.D., attended the performance of Richard Rodgers and his music. Cliff and Vi VanWyhe visited Sunday in the Ron and Lexi DeWit home in Sioux Falls along with visiting with their granddaughters, Ashley and Lindsey DeWit.Pearl Hiney, 86, a resident of Tuff Home as of this Monday, Oct. 11, is hospitalized in Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. She suffered a heart attack Oct. 6 and is to undergo an angioplasty. She is the mother of Marie Brown and Janice Ward of Hills. Marcella Thies is undergoing tests at Luverne Community Hospital. She underwent surgery on Monday.

© 2004 Carole R. Achterhof People can still pray in Mexican churches, but they shouldn’t expect to receive any answers on their cell phones. Four churches south of the border have gone high-tech, and their 11th commandment might well be, "Thou shalt not use a cell phone." According to Reuters, the churches are using equipment developed by Israeli electronic warfare experts to silence the many cell phones, that often rang during mass. "Switched on just before the start of every service, the system causes a ‘no signal’ message to be displayed on worshipers’ phones, but causes them no lasting damage," noted the news story. We can only assume that means no damage to the phones, not the parishioners, who might suffer from cell phone separation anxiety. Although many other churches in Mexico and other parts of the world are showing an interest in the new technology, the system might be too expensive for many of them. Not unlike a virtuous woman, its price may be far above rubies. In that case, the following solutions might work for church members who are tired of hearing, "What do you need from the store?" or "Not much, what are you doing?" when they should be doing things like praying for forgiveness or for lost souls on other continents. To begin with, it’s not a coincidence that confessionals in Catholic churches often resemble fancy phone booths. After answering the calls on their cell phones, which courteously have been set on Vibrate, parishioners could excuse themselves and continue their wireless conversations with hushed voices inside the confessionals. Unfortunately, Methodists, Presbyterians and Lutherans don’t have the luxury of confessional booths, so their cell phone calls would have to be continued in nearby cleaning supply closets, rest rooms or outdoors. Churches without high tech phone silencing systems could impose penalties on people who don’t turn off their cell phones, or at least set them on Vibrate, when church services begin. Actually, some worshipers might not be able to reconcile the apparent pleasures brought about by a vibrating phone with a pure lifestyle, but that’s their problem. Possible penalties for cell phone misuse might be directly related to several dreaded church responsibilities. For example, a cell phone abuser might be sentenced to baking sheet cakes for a certain number of funeral services or shoveling the church sidewalks during a winter’s worth of snow storms. They could be condemned to single-handedly cleaning up the church kitchen and fellowship area after perhaps a dozen wedding receptions or folding Sunday service church bulletins for a decade. They might be assigned to trim candlewicks or polish church pews. Serious violators could be placed in charge of the annual church bazaar, a responsibility which will ironically require them to make non-stop phone calls for most of the year. Of course, churches have the freedom to impose one penalty for cell phone misuse that’s not available in other venues, such as sports stadiums, schools or concert halls. In those places, ushers or security guards can only oust disruptive cell phone users from the premises. Although it might be viewed as being too drastic, there’s always the possibility that cell phone abusers in certain churches could be condemned to an eternal afterlife of fire and brimstone. For anyone ever victimized by loud cell phone talkers, that might seem fair.

When October arrived, it not only brought us a holiday but it also brought us our beautiful weather. The weather has been most unusual all year. I find I am still waiting for summer! Now autumn has arrived and it is our most beautiful time of the year. I hope these words written by (I think) Patricia Stringer will help you to enjoy October. It is a very good description of the fall we have here, and I quote:"Along the roof the wood smoke blows. The trees are flushing in the lane. The last rose at the cottage pane lingers over her goodbye beneath a gray and grieving sky.I’ll not lament it or complain, but welcome winter once again and learn to love from day to day all nature’s moods, both grim and gray. And then if skies be gold or gray — I’ll be contented, come what may!" Congratulations to Travis Broesder and Melinda Feucht who were crowned king and queen for the Hills-Beaver Creek School homecoming on Friday, Oct. 1. Those attending the Dutch Psalm and Hymn Sing at Tuff Home in Hills on Tuesday were Bill and Bertha Bosch, Mildred Keunen, Jo Aykens and Milton Bonnema. Congratulations to Lyle and Dorothy Bos who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Steen Reformed Church. It is an open house and all of their friends and relatives are most welcome. Melba Boeve and a friend left on Sept. 15 for a tour of Bangkok and Thailand. One week was spent in each place. One of the many experiences they enjoyed was a ride on the elephant through the jungle. They returned home on Oct. 1. She spent the weekend at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, John and Julie Springman, near the Cities before returning to her home. Paul Aykens from Orange City, Iowa, visited in the home of his mother, Jo Aykens, on Friday. One of our former Steen residents, Darlene Bosch, underwent knee replacement surgery at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls on Monday. We wish her a speedy recovery. There will be a soup supper from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Steen Reformed Church. There will be a freewill offering which goes toward the building fund.Sunday afternoon guests in the Orrin and Bernice Aukes home were their son Orlie Aukes, his sons Brian and Dan and his friend from Hills and Lisa Telford and her daughter Taylor from Sioux Falls. Do you ever have a day when you plan to get lots of things done that you have been wanting to do for a long time. However, it just doesn’t happen as there were so many interruptions as well as other things that needed to be done. This happens to me quite often which leaves me feeling upset and also disgusted with myself. When I ran across this article titled, "Daily Inventory," I thought this must be for me. It was taken from the magazine, Meditation. It will give us all something to think about."For your daily inventory, when evening comes, go off into a quiet place and review your day. Have you been kind and thoughtful or mean and thoughtless? Have you kept an even temper, or have you lost your temper when things have gone wrong?Have you been pleasant or grouchy?Have you inspired those whom you have met or have you depressed and discouraged them?Have you done something creative and worthwhile, or have you wasted the day with petty things?Have you been fair and square in what you have done?Have you increased the happiness moments in the lives of others or have you a thought only of yourself?Have you enlarged your horizon expanding your personality?Have you grown larger or have you shrunk smaller?What we do day by day determines what we become. Hour by hour we build our lives for better or worse. A daily inventory will help to keep us on the right track, headed toward your highest ideals."I hope these words will help us all to stay on the right track and by so doing our days will become much more productive and we will be better persons and hopefully accomplish many more things we would like to do!

10 years ago (1994)"Members of the Luverne Lions Club are trying to get a ‘good thing going’ in Hills. Alex Frick, 1st vice president of the Luverne organization is working with some of his fellow peers to reignite the service organization in Hills." 25 years ago (1979)"The students, athletes and cheerleaders of H-BC High School honored their coaches this week. Coaches were each given flowers and the group was presented with a lively decorated cake. In addition, Gearold Van Roekel, annual adviser at H-BC, was also honored. The adviser and the coaches were commended by student representatives for having given of themselves ‘above and beyond the call of duty.’ Gearold Van Roekel was presented with a certificate of appreciation from Josten’s Annual Company that prints the student annual for the H-BC School District." 50 years ago (1954)"Homecoming festivities at Hills High School opened on Thursday, Oct. 7, with the crowning of Dona Wood, as queen, and Bob Wissink as king, to reign over the homecoming activities. Carol Nelson was mistress of ceremonies."75 years ago (1929)"Hills is again represented in the State Fair prize list. Just the other day it was learned that the Misses Genevieve Anderson and Alice Hoyme, who represented Rock County as the canning team at the Minnesota State Far, were awarded second place in the second year canning contest. This is indeed a fine showing, as it must be remembered that these young ladies competed with groups from all over the state, and it is self-evident that much study and extra work is necessary when you compete at a state fair."100 years ago (1904)"There was another delivery from the South Dakota penitentiary at Sioux Falls last week, when seven desperate criminals crowded through an opening in an unfinished wall. Five of the escaped convicts have been recaptured while the others are still at large. There certainly must be something wrong in the management of the Sioux Falls pen, otherwise these semi-annual deliveries would be unheard of, as is the case in this state. There is apparently too much politic in the management of public institutions in the Coyote state."

Absentee ballots now availableThe Minnesota Secretary of State announced this week the availability of absentee ballots for the November 2 general election.Rock County voters should contact the Rock County Auditor’s office to inquire about voting by absentee ballot in person or to get an absentee ballot through the mail.The number of absentee voters has been increasing over the years.In 1998, 4.43 percent of voters in Minnesota used absentee ballots to do their voting. That number increased to 6.7 percent for the 2000 election.According to Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, "Minnesota voters who will be out of their precinct on Election Day or who will be unable to go to their polling place due to illness, physical disability, religious observance, or service as an election judge in another precinct may vote by absentee ballot beforehand."For in-person absentee voting, the County Auditor’s office will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, and until 5 p.m. on November 1.Additional absentee voting information for people in special circumstances such as students, military and citizens living abroad can be found on the Secretary of State’s Web site at www.sos.state.mn.us.Chuckwagon collects more than $4,000 in its annual fund driveThe annual Rock County DFL Chuckwagon collected more that $4,000 at its 2004 fund-raiser on Tuesday night.Along with the monetary contributions, the 150 to 175 DFLers who attended the event also had the opportunity to hear from Leigh Pomeroy, the DFL candidate in the 1st Congressional District, who will be running against the Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht, and Katherine Ness, candidate for Minnesota House seat 22A. She will be running against incumbent Republican candidate Doug Magnus.Jim Vickerman, the current DFL incumbent senator from Senate District 22, was also on hand to address the crowd, as was a regional representative of the John Kerry presidential campaign.Luverne FFA Chapter launches scholarship programThe Luverne FFA program, in conjunction with Chevrolet and its local Chevrolet dealer, Papik Motors, announced the launch of the FFA/Chevrolet scholarship program.The program is part of a state-wide effort to raise funds for FFA Chapters such as Luverne’s.This is Chevrolet’s 55th year sponsoring the FFA and it’s programs.For 2004, FFA members of the Luverne chapter will be selling tickets to create support and will request $5.00 donations to start the FFA/Chevrolet Scholarship program in Luverne.Along with each $5.00 donation, individuals will also be registered to win a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado.The program started on September 28 and will run until October 22.The goal is to raise more that $4,000 for the local chapter.The money is used to help increase FFA programs, pay chapter fees and help develop Minnesota’s future agricultural leaders.The FFA was founded in 1929 to help young people develop farming and leadership skills.Goodwill had a successful collectionDuring their most recent collection drive, Goodwill Industries of Sioux City collected 42,000 pounds of donated materials, which will be distributed to the 16 Goodwill regional store locations.Through the donated items, Goodwill is able to provide services to more than 200 program participants in various locations. The donations also help to provide jobs to 400 Goodwill employees in four states.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By John RittenhouseA strong showing by four singles players Monday carried the Luverne tennis team into the quarterfinal round of the Section 3A Team Tournament.Playing No. 8 Pipestone in the first round of the tournament, the ninth-seeded Cardinals went 4-0 in singles to pull out a 4-3 victory over the Arrows.The win ups Luverne’s season record to 8-3 heading into today’s quarterfinals. The Cards will play top-seeded Lac qui Parle Valley at 4 p.m. today in Madison when the tournament continues."Our singles players won all four matches, and we needed every point we got," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "Our singles continue to play aggressively, forcing the other players to hit winners or lose the point."Samantha Gacke secured 6-4 and 6-2 wins over Amber Baustian at No. 1 singles, while Brittany Boeve notched a pair of 6-0 wins over Tracie Eeten at No. 2.With Luverne’s regular No. 3 player Alyssa Klein unable to play due to an ankle injury, Nikki Van Dyk had to move into the No. 3 slot and Christina Lovett had to fill in at No. 4.Van Dyk blanked Heather Manderschied in a pair of 6-0 sets. Lovett topped Kaitlyn Templin by 6-3 and 6-4 scores at No. 4.Pipestone took all three doubles matches.Tory Hess and Abby Brady bested Andraya Gacke and Kaitlyn Deragisch with a pair of 6-2 scores at No. 1. Lauren Jones and Christy Cunningham defeated Heidi Sandbulte and Jessica Klein in a three-set match (3-6, 6-4, 6-3) at No. 2. Nagris Kabiri and Britt Sendelback saddled Robin Madtson and Amy Herman with a pair of 6-3 setbacks at No. 3."Our doubles teams didn’t play badly, they just couldn’t get other the top," Antoine said. "We played a nice match, and it was a good team effort."

By Lori EhdeThe 39th Annual Rock County Red Arrow drive will start Friday with the theme "A Promise of Compassion and Support."The goal for this year’s drive, which continues until Oct. 29, is $35,000.The purpose of Red Arrow is to simplify giving for local residents who would otherwise be solicited by many organizations throughout the year.Red Arrow collects for 23 causes, allowing givers to contribute to all of them through one lump donation.One of the local agencies receiving Red Arrow funds is Southwestern Minnesota Habitat for Humanity.A group of Luverne residents started the Habitat chapter in 2000, and the first home was completed in August 2002 for the Shari Kracht family in Luverne."My many thanks to the Southwestern Minnesota Habitat For Humanity and all the people who volunteer their time," Kracht told the Star Herald a year after she and her four children moved into their new home. "This has opened my eyes to see that there are people out there who do care — people who freely volunteer their time to help others."The chapter grew to also include the southwestern Minnesota communities of Worthington and Pipestone.In July 2003 Worthington dedicated its first Habitat for Humanity home, and in April this year, construction began on a home in Pipestone.That home, built for Mavity Winter and her five children, will be dedicated at noon Saturday, Oct. 9, at the house on 208 9th Ave. NW in Pipestone.It is important to note that Habitat is not a give-away program. The houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable no-interest mortgages. In addition to helping with physical work on the houses, Habitat families make a down payment and pay monthly mortgage payments like everyone else who buys a home. Still, the program relies on help from the community, both in volunteer labor and financial donations.Last year Red Arrow supported the program with a $1,500 donation. How to give to Rock County Red Arrow:Luverne High School Peer Helpers will deliver packets of brochures and pledge cards to businesses, and they’ll pick up employee donations at pre-arranged later dates. That will coincide with a blanket mailing to all Rock County homes, which will be sent Friday.In addition, Red Arrow drop boxes are located at all the Rock County banks and at Glen's Food Center.Donations may given to Red Arrow in general, or specific causes can be designated. Those could include state and national organizations, such as the American Red Cross and the American Diabetes Association.Some local causes Red Arrow supports include Rock County Developmental Achievement Center, Rock County Relay for Life, the Southwest Crisis Center and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.Last year’s Red Arrow goal was also $35,000, but donations through June exceeded $36,000.Red Arrow officers are Brian Wohnoutka, president; Greg Leuthold, vice president, Nancy Kaczrowski, secretary; and Margaret Cook, treasurer.The Red Arrow Board of Directors includes Carol Morgan, Jim Boeve, Chuck Egland, Mary McLaughlin, Dianne Ossenfort and Cary Radisewitz.Red Arrow Fund Drive chairs are Leuthold, Cary Schroeder and Carrie Overgaard.

By Lori EhdeRock County voters will see a familiar name in the judicial column of the general election ballot on Nov. 2.Judge David Minge is seeking re-election to his seat on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the position two years ago when a judge retired mid-term.Now, his is one of 10 contested seats among the 102 open judicial seats on the ballot statewide. If elected, Minge would serve another six years on the court.Local voters will remember Minge as a U.S. Congressman representing southwest Minnesota from 1993 to 2001.During that time he served on the Agriculture Committee, Budget Committee, Joint Economic Committee and Science Committee and was active in the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats.While his work in Congress was rewarding, Minge said his role as an appellate judge is satisfying in other ways."It’s challenging work," he said in a Sept. 30 phone interview with the Star Herald. "I feel that it’s the type of work that allows me to contribute to making our judicial system effective."He explained that judges are responsible for applying the law as it exists."We should impartially apply the law to cases that come before us, and require that the trial court judges and state agencies fairly apply the law … I feel this is an important task and people in the state have to feel confident our laws are properly applied."Though appellate court judges are elected, Minge said they serve constituents more indirectly than other elected officials."We don’t represent constituents, so to speak, but [the election process] has served us well to date," he said. "We have avoided politics in our judicial system."That may be because judges follow a different set of campaign rules."Judges, unlike legislative offices, are not involved with fund-raising, so we don’t know who’s contributing, and we don’t participate in politics," Minge said."We’re prohibited from going to rallies and we’re prohibited from contributing to political campaigns."Minge said this is one way voters can evaluate judicial candidates. "They need to ask, ‘Has this person been fair and even-handed?’ That’s really what you’re looking for in a judge," Minge said.When asked why voters should support him, Minge said he received his current appointment through a merit selection process."I selected because it was expected I could do this impartially and be respectful of the court," he said. "My performance is out there for review."Before his appointment, a panel of judges investigated Minge’s background, and Gov. Jesse Ventura interviewed him and two others before making the appointment.Minge practiced law for 18 years and taught law for seven years at the University of Wyoming School of Law.He said his peers have recognized that he practices a solid judicial philosophy.In his brochure, Minge quotes James L. Baillie, president of the Minnesota State Bar Association. "David Minge has the judicial temperament of an outstanding judge," Baillie said. "His approach is calm, deliberate, balanced and respectful. His decisions are scholarly and represent a fair application of the law."Minge’s philosophy, he said, is to make sure laws are properly applied in cases. "That’s a challenge, in going through materials and understanding the cases, making sure trial court judges and state agencies are properly applying laws," he said. "We end up with responsibility for hearing appeals from all areas of the law and from all state agencies."Another way voters can make their decision in the polls is to watch endorsements by those affiliated with the Court of Appeals.Minge’s already been endorsed by the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Women Lawyers, Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota and the United Auto Workers.He has interviews pending via questionnaires with the Minnesota Newspaper Association, the Minnesota League of Women Voters and the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press.Links to these resources can be found on www.minge.org.