10 years ago (1994)"The Hills-Beaver Creek VFW team broke in the new baseball diamond in Hills Monday night when they hosted Pipestone. The H-BC Baseball Association is planning a dedication some time in July." 25 years ago (1979)"Dean H. Goettsch will become associated with the Exchange State Insurance Agency in Hills as of July 9. Dean is a fully licensed insurance agent in the state of Minnesota. Dean attended elementary school in Hills and graduated from West Lyon High School, Inwood, Iowa." 50 years ago (1954)"Dr. Don Odland, a brother-in-law of Dr. John Hermanson, Valley Springs, was in town Tuesday. He said he had hung up his shingle in Luverne." 75 years ago (1929)"The Rock County Co-operative Oil Co., will, in the near future, be housed in a new service station, one block south of the Manitou Hotel. This will be good news to the many stockholders of this concern that reside in this community. From a small beginning this co-operative company has been steadily forging ahead until today it ranks among the largest business of its kind in Rock County. Harry Schellhouse is the local manager of the Rock County Co-operative Oil Co., and every time you buy gas from him you are patronizing your own business institution." 100 years ago (1904)"Contractor Hellie and his bunch of carpenters began operations on the new school house Friday and from now on the work will be pushed with all possible haste, as only about 50 days remain before, according to contract, it must be completed. The contract was let April 23rd and more than half the time has passed with only the basement in place."

By Sara StrongWhether reading for pleasure or out of necessity, Nick Maras thinks that most people’s skills are lacking in efficiency.Maras, White Bear Lake, taught the first of two speed reading classes Saturday, when 17 people attended.Maras took a class in speed reading about 20 years ago when working on his master’s degree."I found I wasn’t a very good reader even though I had good grades. … But we had to read three to four books a week," Maras said.He had to read so much material that it was nearly impossible to fit into his schedule.When he took the class it became a sort of inspiration to continue his studies. "It became a hobby of mine," Maras said.He developed his program over the last 20 years and now reads 5,000 words per minute."It isn’t anything that’s new, but not many have been exposed to it, or know they can learn it," Maras said.The average reader takes in 250 words per minute, but by the end of the first class, can read up to 500 words a minute. By the end of the program, participants can read up to 1,800 words a minute.Maras said, "They are capable of reading double what they did without feeling like they are skimming and scanning or working too hard."The results are worth the class, Maras said. "I just think it’s a necessity that we all should learn."He taught speed reading to one Minnesota class for a semester — that class ended up with the state’s top SAT scores in reading."I think it’s something they should teach as a part of regular curriculum," Maras said.Part of what makes speed reading work, is that unnecessary words that don’t carry much meaning are eliminated. The class teaches participants to overcome obstacles to fast reading, such as re-reading certain words that the reader doesn’t understand.When readers have to concentrate more to get the message, they also retain the information better.Community Education will probably schedule another class with Maras, and is taking names of interested people to contact.

By Lori EhdeFather Thomas J. Jennings arrived in Luverne this morning to start his new duties at St. Catherine Church.He replaces Father Andy Beerman, who’s been here four years."I have substituted in your area and the people are very nice," he told the Star Herald Tuesday."The church is strong in your community, and wider church community seems to be really strong in southwest Minnesota. I look forward to experiencing that."Jennings, 59, was born in Caledonia where he attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Loretto High School. He earned a degree in philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, on the St. Mary's College campus in Winona. He completed his theological studies at the Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Winona at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Dec. 19, 1969. He returned to the Diocese to be a full-time teacher at Lourdes High School in Rochester. He was there until 1976 when he was assigned to Cotter High School in Winona, where he also served as associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. He eventually was named principal for Cotter High and served as pastor for St. John Parish in Winona. While in Winona he obtained a specialist degree in education administration at Winona State University. In 1983, Father Jennings was appointed pastor for the parishes in Easton and Delavan, where he served four years. He then served as pastor for the parishes of Queen of Angels in Austin; Our Lady of Loretto in Brownsville; and Sacred Heart in Owatonna. In July 1998, he was placed on the faculty of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, where he has provided spiritual direction for seminarians and served as Director of Apostolic Works until his present assignment. Father Jennings enjoys skiing, bicycling and hiking. He also enjoys quieter pursuits, such as reading and flower gardening.Growing up in Caledonia he said he’s accustomed to the hills and valleys of southeastern Minnesota, but Jennings said he’s looking forward to the change of scenery."I love the prairie and I love the prairie weather and the ranching and farming," he said. "It’s a wonderful opportunity … It’ll be a new experience and I look forward to it."Bishop Bernard Harrington, Winona, will install Father Jennings at St. Catherine Church Sunday during 10:30 Mass.

By Lori EhdeAbout 400 people attended Sunday’s open house at Luverne’s assisted living apartments where about 30 residents will move in during the coming months.Poplar Creek Estates are built adjacent to the existing Oaks apartments across from the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home on the southwest side of Luverne.Mary Jane Brown Administrator Tony Linn said he was pleased with Sunday’s show of support."People who saw it are very happy with what they saw," Linn said. Eunice Claussen is one resident eager to move in. "It’s very nice," she said after seeing the apartments during the open house. "It’s almost to the point of being elegant."Claussen moved from her home in Hardwick to the nursing home nine months ago, but Poplar Creek will be more suited to her needs."I’ve made good friends here," she said, "but I look forward to having my own home and I’m anxious to have some of my things from home here."Linn said the open house was a nice way to showcase the apartments for future residents and for the public."The Furniture House did a really good job furnishing a couple apartments," he said. "They also put some accessories out in the commons areas, so they were helpful that way."Design Craft, Luverne, is the general contractor for the project, which started June 2003. "They’ve done a wonderful job," Linn said. "We’ve tried to use local contractors where possible for the project."Since plans for the $3.2 million project first started nearly five years ago, Good Samaritan Communities has raised $130,000 in local donations.A Sioux Falls Argus Leader story mistakenly reported earlier this week that local donations came to $3.2 million, and Linn requested that information be corrected.Also, over the past five years, the list of residents interested in occupying Poplar Creek Estates has also been growing.So far, that list includes more than 50 interested tenants (10 committed) for a complex that will offer 24 apartments — 20 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units.In the list of options for senior housing, Poplar Creek Estates will provide an arrangement that’s between The Oaks and the nursing home in terms of health and home services.For example, assisted living residents of Poplar Creek will have three meals a day, light housekeeping and laundry services provided, as well as a registered nurse to assist with medication and other light medical needs.The apartments are all on one level for handicap accessibility, with spacious bathrooms and living areas. Kitchen space, however, amounts to a microwave and dorm fridge, because residents meet in a common dining area for meals.Poplar Creek Estates are connected to The Oaks through a walkway attached to the Oaks north-side patio.The two buildings will not be joined as one, but tenants will be able to share spaces like the exercise and therapy room.To live in Poplar Creek Estates, residents must be independent enough to navigate in and out of the facility on their own — a requirement in case of fire emergencies.The typical Poplar Creek resident will rely on Rock County’s Heartland Express busing system or other transportation, so no garages are included in the plan.The building will be staffed with trained home-health aides 24 hours a day, and a registered nurse will be on site 10 to 20 hours a week and on call 24 hours a day.Rental rates vary, based on the level of services needed. The more health and housekeeping services a resident needs, the higher the rate he or she will pay.Good Samaritan Communities of Luverne has agreed to work with Rock County Family Services to utilize elderly waivers in order to make the units more affordable to a wider range of people.The name, "Poplar Creek Estates," came from the little creek that runs through the southwest part of town.Anyone interested in being placed on the list for residency can call Rhona Snyder at 283-1996 or Nancy Kaczrowski at 283-2375.

By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members accepted the resignation of Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff during their Thursday, June 24 meeting.Tenhoff informed the board she’d accepted an offer by the St. Cloud School District to fill the elementary principal position there."It’s a larger school system, new opportunities and different experiences," Tenhoff told the Star Herald Tuesday.Also, she said St. Cloud puts her closer to family members in that area.Tenhoff took the reigns from former Elementary Principal Ed Salzer seven years ago when students still attended classes in the old building downtown.A year and a half later, Tenhoff lead the elementary students and staff through the monumental change of moving to a new building."I’ll never forget those days," she said.Elementary Secretary Gail Jahn said Tenhoff’s departure will be felt by the district."This staff, myself included, really love her and appreciate her," Jahn said.She said Tenhoff had a healthy rapport with the students, even if she had to be stern in disciplinary situations."The kids would go to her and hug her," Jahn said. "She can be tough, but she really loves kids."Tenhoff has started her own moving process this week. She said she’s looking forward to her new job, but will miss Luverne."It’s been good; it’s been fun," she said. "I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful times I’ve had here."The personnel committee of the Luverne School Board met in special session early this morning to explore options for filling the elementary principal position.In other personnel matters, the board:
Approved another three-year superintendent contract with Vince Schaefer, following an executive session for a superintendent’s review.The salary will be approved at a later date, since all district administrative salaries are still under negotiation.
Accepted the resignation of sixth-grade teacher Kathy Olson.
Accepted the retirement of bus driver Phyllis Mohr.
Approved the termination of paraprofessional Amber Miller as part of the budget cut process.
Approved the hiring of Phoebe Flom as part-time media paraprofessional.
Approved the hiring of elementary teachers Kelly Bergan, Jennifer Engesser and Lori Jacobs, who were previously placed on unrequested leave of absence.Implementation of additional cost savingsLuverne School Board members and administration continue to chip away at the monumental $350,000 worth of budget cuts in order to bring the district out of deficit spending.Following action at Thursday’s meeting, District Finance Officer Marlene Mann told the board they’d arrived at $313,463 so far in budget cuts."So we’re not there yet," Mann said about reaching the $350,000 goal.She said her estimates are based on the assumption that enrollment holds steady and that expenditures don’t increase.Her estimates were also based on the following board action Thursday:oWitholding $35,000 of staff development money for the general fund.
Reducing the summer ag program by one week at a savings of $5,993. The district will meanwhile transfer money from the Gunderson Fund to support that.
Charging users of the district newsletter, instead of funding the $6,000 through the general fund.
Reducing expenditures for general supplies by $10,000. "We don’t run a lot of surplus, but to say it’s going to be painless … I’m guessing we’ll feel it," Schaefer said of the cuts.
Eliminating the after-hours middle school-high school computer lab assistant will save $4,000. Students will use computers in the library after hours, and if those stations are all filled, then someone can work in the computer lab on a per-hour basis as needed, rather than on a contract for the whole time.

By Sara StrongThe city of Luverne and Rock County may not jointly own the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center after this year.The county terminated its pool joint powers agreement with the city in order to save money after the city backed out of the dispatch joint powers agreement. This year, the city contributed $160,220 to dispatch, which is operated by Rock County. And, the county contributed $62,265 to the Pool and Fitness Center, which is managed by the city.The city and county are now proposing details of how assets of the co-owned Pool and Fitness Center will be distributed.The county has said it will reinstate all agreements, but the city thinks it will save money by changing the status quo.The county’s answer to the proposal is that all contracts should be kept as they were.Dividing assetsThe city sent to the county two proposals for splitting assets of the Pool and Fitness Center.Option 1 funds depreciation, then splits the assets in half — which, according to the city, means Rock County owes the city of Luverne $250,000.The city came to this conclusion after considering that depreciation was never funded on the building or its contents.To divide the assets, the city would establish a "depreciated value of the improvements and equipment." The net value of the property, plant and equipment in financial statements is $600,970.Given additional depreciation the net value would be about $500,000. Under this concept, Rock County would be entitled to 50 percent of the net value of property, plant and equipment, or an estimated $250,000.However, the depreciation has never been funded, so there is no reserve for depreciation. The city calculated that depreciation at the end of this year is likely to approach $1 million.The city then calculated the difference between the Pool and Fitness Center’s value and unfunded depreciation, which would leave the county with a $250,000 bill, payable to the city.The county says it is strange that a facility, insured for $2.3 million on the city’s insurance policy, is considered to be worth a negative $500,000 when the city does the math with depreciation.County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said, "It would be more beneficial to focus on ways to continue our services at a cost saving to both parties, rather than to cost shift to one or the other."The second option the city suggested to the county was to solicit bids for the property and split the proceeds of the sale.The letter to the county says about Option 2: "Common sense indicates that there would be few, if any, bidders considering the following: 1) the depreciated value of the property, plant and equipment is an estimated $500,000 as of December 31, 2004; 2) the annual operating deficit (given the current rate structure) could approach $150,000 if property taxes and depreciation expenses are properly included and accounted for. Existing membership rates would need to at least double to offset such a projected deficit; 3) the population of Rock County (and, therefore, the potential increase in facility users) is not anticipated to increase dramatically; 4) annual repair expenses will likely increase given the age of the facility."

By Sara StrongWith seven more wind turbines going up in Rock County this fall, the process of harnessing the natural resource for energy is a topic of interest.Just how towers are constructed and operated is also considered important to emergency personnel in the county.MinnWind, the local group which owns the towers, gave a tour Tuesday to law enforcement, fire department and emergency medical personnel.Mark Willers, MinnWind president, explained how the towers were constructed and reminded the group of interesting facts about the towers.oThe towers have a 35-foot deep foundation. They consist of a large culvert around the outer ring, and a smaller culvert on the inside. In between is cement, reinforced by bolts and vertical and horizontal rods every two feet.oThe current four towers produce .95 megawatts of electricity. The new project will have towers that produce 1.65 megawatts of electricity due to increased efficiency.oThe current blades are 54 meters long. The new towers will have blades 84 meters long. Other MinnWind president Tom Arends said, "These have become a real community project and people are so interested in it. It is a part of the community rather than an individual profiting from it."We have to put up with the wind, and the beauty of it is, we can sell it now."

By John RittenhouseZach Wysong had a busy week as a member of the Luverne American Legion baseball team.Wysong and the Cardinals posted a pair of wins in games played in Luverne and went 2-2 during the Jackson Tournament Saturday and Sunday.The Hills-Beaver Creek High School junior turned in a memorable performance during a 13-6 win over Edgerton in Luverne Tuesday.Wysong slapped three hits, scored three runs and drove in three counters during the victory.After walking and scoring in the first inning, Wysong gave the Cardinals an 8-0 lead with a two-run homer to left-center field in the second inning. He went on to double home a run in the fourth inning before scoring on an error.Wysong also pitched one scoreless inning as Luverne’s starting pitcher against Edgerton.Wysong enjoyed a successful game during the opening tilt of the Jackson Tournament against Welcome Saturday.He drew the assignment of being Luverne’s starting pitcher and fanned 13 batters in six innings without issuing a walk in a 10-1 win. The run he was charged with was earned.Wysong also slapped two hits at the plate and scored three runs.The Cardinals lost a 5-4 game to Jackson’s Junior Legion Team in Saturday’s second round.Wysong, who was hitless at the plate, picked up an RBI with a groundout during a four-run rally that gave Luverne a 4-3 lead in the third inning. The Cardinals met Jackson’s No. 1 team in Sunday’s first game, and the host squad secured a 9-3 victory over Luverne.Wysong turned in a solid offensive performance against Jackson by slapping two hits, scoring one run and driving in one counter.He doubled home one run and scored during a two-run fourth inning. Wysong tripled and scored Luverne’s final run in the sixth.Wysong recorded one hit and scored one run during the tournament finale, a 6-3 victory over Jackson’s Junior Legion Team.Luverne placed third at the event in Jackson.The Cardinals posted a 17-11 home win over Fulda Thursday at Redbird Field.Wysong had one hit and scored two runs in the game.The 8-2 Cardinals will play five games at the Brookings (S.D.) Tournament over the weekend before hosting Slayton Tuesday.

By John RittenhouseA Hills-Beaver Creek High School junior received an award for his play as a member of the Luverne High School baseball team last spring.Zach Wysong, who played shortstop and pitched for the Cardinals, is one of three Luverne players to be selected to the 2004 All-Southwest Conference Team.Wysong currently is playing baseball for Luverne’s American Legion squad.Senior pitcher-third baseman Adam Kurtz and junior pitcher-outfielder Jared Pick are the other Cardinals who cracked the roster.Marshall led all teams with four All-SWC selections.Seniors Chace Pollock and Nick Strautz and juniors Nick Gjorvad and Jesse VanOverbeke are the Tigers on the team.Jackson County Central, Pipestone and Redwood Valley matched Luverne with three All-SWC selections.JCC seniors Jon Hummel and Jeremy Sirovy and junior Caleb Rossow, Pipestone seniors Matt Oye and Cody Heidebrink and junior Dan Morrison, and RWV seniors Travis Fluck, Seth Junker and Paul Panitzke made the team.Worthington senior Nate Harberts and Windom senior Brady Lund round out the team.Drawing honorable mention from league coaches are Pipestone juniors Nick Schneider and Ray Meulebroeck and sophomore Matt Paulsen, Marshall juniors Ryan Serreyn and Tony Shaikoski, JCC junior Brendan Roggow and senior Bill Kruppiak and Windom sophomores Kody Johnson and Brent Fredin.