NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A VARIANCE TO THE CITY OF LUVERNE ZONING ORDINANCENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the City of Luverne Board of Appeals and Adjustments that a public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Luverne, Minnesota, at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2004, to consider a variance to City Code 11.13,4(c), as requested by James Reisch to allow construction of a garage which would create garage and storage space in excess of the 1,200 sq. ft. maximum on a residential property located at 608 S. Freeman Street, Luverne, Minnesota. All persons wishing to be heard in favor or in opposition to the variance request should be present at the hearing or present written comments prior thereto to the City Clerk. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s office, 203 E. Main St. (507) 449-2388.MARIANNE PERKINSCITY CLERK(9-9)

Law Library 9:00 AMRock County Courthouse August 24, 2004Chair Jarchow called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve the August 24, 2004 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the August 3, 2004, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve the following consent agenda items, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Service Agreement contract between Rock County Family Services & Jennifer Schmidt2. Service Agreement contract between Rock County Family Services & Melissa BurgerMike Winkels, Sheriff, presented a resignation submitted by Deputy Nick Schafer; motion by Hoime, seconded by Wildung, to accept the resignation with regrets and commend him for his service to Rock County, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to advertise for a deputy and create a list to fill vacant deputy positions in the Sheriff’s Office, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to authorize the application for a law enforcement equipment grant, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board, County Attorney Don Klosterbuer and Sheriff Mike Winkels conducted a review of the most recent proposal for law enforcement services from the City of Luverne. After discussion, the County Board directed that a letter be sent to the City of Luverne stating Rock County’s appreciation for their time and efforts and stating that Rock County rejects their proposal. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to reject the August 20th proposal for law enforcement services from the City of Luverne and send a letter of notification, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented per diems totaling $210.00 and the claims for payment; motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to authorize payment for the per diems and claims, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 29,121.47LEC 661.81Road & Bridge 57,178.49Welfare 79,998.28Landfill 2,759.74TOTAL $249,718.07Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the fund balance report as presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the surplus equipment listing at Family Services, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board directed that the Transient Merchant Ordinance drafted by MACO be referred back to the County Attorney for review and comment. Mark Sehr, Engineer presented the following bid results on (4) box culvert projects: oDuininck Brothers $272,635.00 oR & G Construction $380,579.00 oMidwest Contracting LLC $289,471.00 oLarson Crane Service $341,781.50Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to award the bid to the low compliant bidder, Duininck Brothers, for $272,635.00, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to approve the purchase of a new copier/fax machine from A & B Business for $12,907.00, purchased through the Southwest Service Coop bid of which Rock County is a member and also enter into a service maintenance agreement with A & B Business, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board conducted a budget review and determined that the Budget Committee of the County Board will meet again prior to the September 7th County Board meeting when the preliminary budget will be set. The County Board was in receipt of health insurance rates for year 2005, which reflects an 8% increase. The County Board was also in receipt of the health insurance loss ratio for the first quarter of 2004 with a loss ratio of 61.07%.Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a conditional use permit request for Buffalo Bituminous in regard to the I-90 project. The permit would be for 30 working days and would be located in the Walker pit; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the conditional use permit, declared carried on a voice vote. Dave Smith, Director of the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce presented a $1,000 funding request on behalf of Travel Southwest for year 2005; no action was taken at this time. The County Board was in receipt of a report that pertained to crop loss and damage assessment from the August 3rd windstorm. The County Board was informed that the damage assessment report reflected a 14% loss and did not meet the 30% minimum requirement for disaster aide, thus making Rock County ineligible for any state or federal assistance. The County Board was informed of damage to county owned buildings that resulted from the August 3rd windstorm to include roof damage at the courthouse, overhead doors on Morton building at Highway, roof damage on picnic shelters at Schoneman Park and a flag pole at Family Services. The County Board was in receipt of a request to amend the July 6th minutes as the published dollar amount was incorrect for claims paid from the Welfare fund, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board discussed the lay out and structure of the new Land Records Office and determined that the building issues be referred to the Building Committee of the County Board and that the Personnel Committee of the County Board would address job description issues. Holli Arp, Regional Educator of the University of Minnesota Extension, presented a budget request for year 2005; no action was taken at this time. The County Board was also in receipt of a brochure from Lyon County Regional Landfill and invited commissioners to an Open House. Motion by Boyenga, seconded Hoime, to appoint Commissioners Bakken and Wildung as the county’s representatives in negotiating the union contracts for 2005, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Hoime reported that he had attended the last pool meeting and that the pool would be closed for two weeks beginning September 6th for annual maintenance. Commissioner Boyenga discussed a future request from DAC for a $100,000 loan with a rate of 1% over the one-year certificate of deposit rate on a 15-year-note; no action was taken. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to appoint Tom Houselog as the interim County Recorder with an effective date of 08/07/04, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to adjourn the meeting, declared carried on a voice vote. Bob Jarchow, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(9-9)

04-291100437832330NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALETHE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: April 2, 2004ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $66,000.00MORTGAGOR(S): Joseph R. Serie, singleMORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed April 5, 2004, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 158466LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The south 45 feet of Lot 7 in Block 16 in Warren and Kniss’ Second Addition to the City of LuverneCOUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $68,098.04THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof:PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: October 28, 2004, 10:00 amPLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept., Front Step, Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) his personal representatives or assigns. "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: August 27, 2004Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.Mortgagee SHAPIRO & NORDMEYER L.L.P.BY /s/ Nancy A. NordmeyerNancy A. NordmeyerLawrence P. ZielkeCraig M. BarbeeAttorneys for Mortgagee7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 390Edina, MN 55439-2306(952) 831-4060THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. (9-9, 9-16, 9-23, 9-30, 10-7, 10-14)

AUGUST 10, 2004MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Thursday, August 10, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Gary Fisher, Stacy Gillette, Crystal Ellefson, Mary Jacobson, Peggy Goettsch, Lisa Dinger, Sara DeBeer, Jason DeBeer, Don Ellefson, Beth Bartels, Tor Boen, Marie Atkinson-Smeins, Paula Jelken, Jane Cote, Mary Gehrke, Seana Graber, Shelley Krueger, Emily Crabtree, TyAnn Kramer, Sue Hup, Dawn Frankenhoff, Angela Ahrendt, Lucinda Rofshus, Cathy Rust, Craig Hohn, Cheryl Thacker, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Superintendent Schaefer gave announcements. Elementary Principal Stacy Gillette updated the Board on the enrollments at the elementary. The administration has decided to reduce first grade to four sections and increase the kindergarten to six sections. Motion by Stegemann, second by Tofteland, to approve the agenda with addendum and the removal of item 9.1 – Kindergarten discussion. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given. Motion by Bryan, second by Kopp, to approve the School Board minutes of July 22, 2004. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the student teaching agreement with the University of Sioux Falls for two student teachers to work in the elementary school. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve Policy 503.06 – Activity Fees showing the adjustment of $5.00 added to each fee. Motion unanimously carried. Quotes were received on July 30, 2004, for a wide area, four-wheel drive rotary mower with snowblower attachment as follows: Sun Turf MTI Distr. MTI Distr. Hohn Impl. (Jacobson) ( Toro) (Toro) (John Deere)4100 4000Gross Cost –Mower $43,117.00 $44,983.00 $45,637.00 $52,430.00Blower: $ 5,683.00 $ 4,729.00 $ 4,729.00 $ 6,500.00Cab $ 5,000.00Total: $48,800.00 $49,712.00 $50,366.00 $63,930.00Trade-in: ($14,000.00) ($10,000.00) ($10,000.00) ($15,630.00)Total Price $34,800.00 $39,712.00 $40,366.00 $48,300.00Motion by Kopp, second by Bryan, to accept the quote from Sun Turf, Sioux Falls, for a Jacobson mower for a quote price of $34,800.00. Motion unanimously carried. Business Manager Marlene Mann presented information from Ehlers and Associates in regard to the level of assistance we would like from them in our referendum vote this fall. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Stegemann, to contract for the Level 3 service which includes all basic services in addition to the establishment of a Web site, toll free number, and e-mail for voters to use in seeking answers to questions on the referendum. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Bryan, to approve the following budget reductions: reduction in Cheerleading adviser to reflect football cheerleaders only; establishing minimum class sizes of 15 in the Middle School/High School; and the School District will provide transportation for Minnesota State High School League activities limited to the regular season only. With a dissenting vote, a roll call vote was taken with those voting in favor: Deutsch, Bryan, Stegemann, Tofteland, Kopp, and Walgrave; and those voting against: Radisewitz. Motion carried. The district will have a net cost savings of $342,000.00.Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve a pairing agreement with Pipestone Area Schools in Boys’ Hockey. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Kopp, to accept the resignation of Tracy Cornish, paraprofessional. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Tofteland, to accept the resignation of Shelley Krueger, Early Childhood Family Education parent educator effective July 28, 2004. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to approve the hiring of Shelley Krueger as Early Childhood Special Needs teacher and Interagency Early Intervention Committee coordinator at a salary of $20,050.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Stegemann, to approve the hiring of Tim Homan, Middle School Social Studies teacher, head wrestling coach, and 9th grade football coach at a salary of 47,590.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Radisewitz, to approve the hiring of Lindsey Bonnett as EBD teacher at a salary of $28,643.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Kopp, to approve the hiring of Amy Anderson as English teacher and Fall Play Director at a salary of $28,643.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Deutsch, to approve the Schedule C – Extra Assignments as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve the following supervisory and confidential employees salaries as follows: Gretchen Davis - $27,120.00; Marlene Mann - $49,608.00; Lon Remme - $44,173.00; Larry Roos - $47,320.00; Brenda Teal - $31,928.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Kopp, to approve the principal contracts with Gary Fisher and Stacy Gillette with a 3.5% increase the first year and a 3% increase the second year. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: August 10, 2004Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(9-2)

Mark your calendars! The Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale runs next week Thursday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Sept. 18. Book sale hours are: 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.On Thursday and Friday you can get excellent bargains on fiction, nonfiction, romances, westerns, large print children’s books and audiovisual materials. On Saturday you can get an even better bargain by purchasing a "bag of books" for $2. For best selection, come on Thursday. For best prices, come on Saturday. New on the fiction shelf this week is "The Unbidden Truth" by Kate Wilhelm. When Louise Braniff discreetly hands Barbara Holloway a large retainer and asks for a complete anonymity, Oregon attorney, Holloway, is both intrigued and suspicious. The retainer is for defending Carol Fredericks, a gifted young pianist who stands accused of murdering the manager of a piano bar. Not long ago Barbara heard Carol play, and that is enough to convince her to take the case. But now the questions are coming faster than the answers. Carol's straightforward version of what happened the night Joe Wenzel was murdered clashes with the incriminating evidence against her. Carol can't remember a huge part of her past; only the new life that began when she woke up in a hospital at the age of eight to learn that her parents were dead. She has no memory of learning to play the piano, and is having haunting nightmares about a woman named Carolyn Frye. Soon Barbara is convinced that her client is not only innocent, but that she is being framed by ruthless foes who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. However, proving the case and keeping her client safe will require every drop of Barbara's notoriously fierce determination to get at the truth. And as she unravels the stunning trail of deception and hatred, she discovers the deep abiding love that holds the key to the mystery of Carol Fredericks. On the non-fiction shelf this week is the new book by Dr. Phil, "Family First." Dr. Phil offers a new classic on family life — and gives parents real answers and a plan for being the most positive and effective parents possible. Starting right now, you can begin to make realistic choices and take day-to-day actions that can make your family phenomenal. You must decide that you will lead your family with strength and love and that peace and joy are not just for the people next door or on TV. They're for your family. "In Family First," Dr. Phil gives it to parents straight: even in this fast-paced world your family should be the center of your life and your child's life. Parenting is the most important and noble act you will ever undertake, yet American families are threatened like never before from the inside as well as the outside — many of us fight too much, don't get involved enough in our children's lives, or get bogged down in life's daily struggles instead of keeping our eye on the big picture of our family's well-being.

The following article appeared in the Rock County Herald on Feb. 12, 1915:Catholics complete fine new parsonage"St. Catherine’s substantial new parsonage, which has been in the course of construction since early last summer, is now completed in every detail, and is beyond a doubt, the finest ministerial home to be found in this section of the state.The parsonage is a brick structure 34x36 in ground dimensions, two full stories and basement, with a nine-foot porch, and is of the center hall design. The material used in its construction is similar to that of the church erected by the society a few years ago, the exposure being of twin city mottled brick, trimmed in Indiana stone. On the first floor are living and dining rooms on the south side of the hall, and office, chapel and kitchen on the north side, all of which are trimmed in oak. On the second floor is located a study, four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and these rooms are finished in birch. The basement is given over to laundry, furnace, fuel and storage rooms. In short, the structure is a very substantial and thoroughly modern parsonage and represents an expenditure of more than $8,500. The enterprise shown by St. Catherine’s society as a whole in providing this home is greatly emphasized when it is recalled that it is less than seven years ago since the society’s church was erected at a cost of $21,000. Special credit for the enterprise shown is due to Rev. Father Mangan, for it was largely through his untiring energy and personal efforts that the church and parsonage have been erected." This is the brick home south of Interstate 90. On Sept. 21, the Rock County Historical Society will hold their annual banquet. For more information contact any board member or the Chamber of Commerce.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Appropriate beachwear may not be a political issue this year, but it continues to be a controversial topic. A few years ago, one Florida county gave serious thought to limiting how much buttock surface could be exposed by young women wearing thongs on its beaches. More recently, a Romanian resort announced that it hopes to make going topless at its beach a crime for women over the age of 60. Yes, a crime. According to The Week magazine, "Tourists and cops have complained that it’s ‘repulsive’ to see so many grandmothers sauntering around without their bathing suit tops." "Going topless has its age limit," noted the local police chief, "and old women should understand this." First of all, as a member of this particular age group, I find the "old women" label to be more than slightly offensive. Although it’s personally difficult to imagine prancing around topless anywhere in public, certain pursuits of happiness must be defended. This is especially true when there clearly are unfair, double standards involved. One case in point would be a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, which pointed out that the most popular waist size for men’s trousers in 1985 was 32 inches. The average waist size jumped to 36 inches in 2003. It might be argued that men’s waist measurements tend to be vague. Depending on where a heavier man might wear his waistband — above his belly, around the largest circumference, or magically suspended beneath the abdomen — there might be a size span of at least 20 inches. A man might wear the same size belt as a 300-pound middle-ager that he wore as a 135-pound senior in high school. Women’s waistbands don’t have that flexibility. There are millions of overweight, out-of-shape, men of all ages out there, even in Romania, and no one is telling them to cover up. In addition, many women are less endowed in the chest area than some of the topless male sunbathers on the world’s beaches. USA Today recently reported that 70 percent of women own a two-piece swimsuit, including 42 percent of those who describe themselves as "obese." We can only surmise how many of those tops are flung aside on beaches for tanning purposes. A truce should be called and perhaps the lessons learned by seeing topless, "more seasoned" women at beaches should be held up high for all to see. For example, if "reality TV" is all that acceptable, what could possibly be wrong with reality on a beach? We have been told for the longest time, "If you’ve got it, flaunt it." What about the flaunting rights of people who’ve got too much or too little of it? (For that matter, what is "it"?) Tan lines should be equal opportunity options. Perhaps the greatest lessons taught by so-called "sauntering grandmothers" on beaches apply to young women. By seeing mature women for what they really are, younger women will realize that beauty is only skin deep. They will understand how important it is that they stay in school, work hard and not rely quite so much on their physical appearances to get ahead in the world. Taut skin and perkiness are short-lived in the larger scheme of things.

Lessons LearnedAs the third anniversary of the attack that changed our nation approaches, we realize that, for the most part, the horror of that day continues to fade from our minds. We are consumed with busy lives of our own; kids, school, work, social engagements, and daily struggles. The war that rages is far away and removed from us. Besides the families that have seen loved ones activated or deployed to the far corners of the world, we have not had to sacrifice. In the past our nation has had to make great sacrifices in the name of victory. The rationing of food and goods, scrap metal drives, and halts in the manufacturing of some civilian goods have been common in the past. This time we paused to mourn the loss, hit the play button, and barely lost a stride.Sept. 11th was very similar to Pearl Harbor. Both attacks came from enemies that we were aware existed, but still surprised us. In 1941 we were convinced that the opening shots would be fired well away from Hawaii at either Wake or Midway Islands. In 2001 we had seen truck bombs, hijackings, and even a naval attack. The attacks took us by surprise in both the method and the magnitude and each had the ability to cripple a nation. Lessons would be learned from these attacks on America.These attacks taught us that we could not sit idly by while enemies far from our shores gained strength. Inaction was our greatest enemy. We would have to go to the enemy, sending young men and women across the globe to fight and risk their lives. It had to be done. In World War II there were few nations strong enough to repel attacks from the Axis Powers. In 2001 there were few nations with the guts to fight the terrorists. With America in their sights, why would a France or Germany do anything to incite the terrorists’ wrath on themselves while we were taking the brunt?World War II was absolutely black and white, no gray areas. We would become the X-factor. We brought industry, machinery, will power, and some of the greatest people of all time to the fight. Even Russia, with millions of men seen as expendable to their leaders, was badly beaten. It was up to us, and our military rose to the occasion. Had we waited longer we would have been fighting the Nazis in Manhattan. They and the Japanese would have come for us eventually.This war is not black and white. No countries or boundaries, only an ideal driving lunatic fighters to kill noncombatants and destroy those who are unlike them. Terrorism is a mighty enemy, but we still have the men and women with the will to take the fight to them in the protection of us. It is very humbling to me, even as a veteran, to know that the American fighting man that saved the world from Hitler and Hirohito is still willing to lay it all on the line for myself and my kids. God bless you all.Curtis Hendel, a veteranAdrian

Appropriate beachwear may not be a political issue this year, but it continues to be a controversial topic. A few years ago, one Florida county gave serious thought to limiting how much buttock surface could be exposed by young women wearing thongs on its beaches. More recently, a Romanian resort announced that it hopes to make going topless at its beach a crime for women over the age of 60. Yes, a crime. According to The Week magazine, "Tourists and cops have complained that it’s ‘repulsive’ to see so many grandmothers sauntering around without their bathing suit tops." "Going topless has its age limit," noted the local police chief, "and old women should understand this." First of all, as a member of this particular age group, I find the "old women" label to be more than slightly offensive. Although it’s personally difficult to imagine prancing around topless anywhere in public, certain pursuits of happiness must be defended. This is especially true when there clearly are unfair, double standards involved. One case in point would be a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, which pointed out that the most popular waist size for men’s trousers in 1985 was 32 inches. The average waist size jumped to 36 inches in 2003. It might be argued that men’s waist measurements tend to be vague. Depending on where a heavier man might wear his waistband — above his belly, around the largest circumference, or magically suspended beneath the abdomen — there might be a size span of at least 20 inches. A man might wear the same size belt as a 300-pound middle-ager that he wore as a 135-pound senior in high school. Women’s waistbands don’t have that flexibility. There are millions of overweight, out-of-shape, men of all ages out there, even in Romania, and no one is telling them to cover up. In addition, many women are less endowed in the chest area than some of the topless male sunbathers on the world’s beaches. USA Today recently reported that 70 percent of women own a two-piece swimsuit, including 42 percent of those who describe themselves as "obese." We can only surmise how many of those tops are flung aside on beaches for tanning purposes. A truce should be called and perhaps the lessons learned by seeing topless, "more seasoned" women at beaches should be held up high for all to see. For example, if "reality TV" is all that acceptable, what could possibly be wrong with reality on a beach? We have been told for the longest time, "If you’ve got it, flaunt it." What about the flaunting rights of people who’ve got too much or too little of it? (For that matter, what is "it"?) Tan lines should be equal opportunity options. Perhaps the greatest lessons taught by so-called "sauntering grandmothers" on beaches apply to young women. By seeing mature women for what they really are, younger women will realize that beauty is only skin deep. They will understand how important it is that they stay in school, work hard and not rely quite so much on their physical appearances to get ahead in the world. Taut skin and perkiness are short-lived in the larger scheme of things.