A pilot for Japan’s All Nippon Airways has been suspended from his dream job while he undergoes medical tests for possible sleep deprivation. Late last month, Reuters reported that the pilot "fell asleep at the controls for several minutes while on a domestic flight and had to be awakened by a government inspector who was traveling in the cockpit." Actually, the inspector had to wake the pilot twice, while the plane cruised at 36,000 feet on auto-pilot. A co-pilot was also present in the cockpit and could have taken over the controls, so the passengers were never in real danger, noted a spokesman for the airline. Small comfort. The following tell-tale signs might indicate, while you’re still at the airport, if your plane’s pilot, or some other plane’s pilot, is sleep-deprived and might fall asleep at the switch. For example, a smooth landing might not be in your future if you see a person, who appears to be a pilot, splashing cold water on his face at a drinking fountain next to your plane’s boarding area. You should be particularly cautious if you saw the same pilot only a few minutes before, asking for a triple-shot espresso at a nearby Starbucks. He may or may not have been joking about receiving the beverage intravenously. As you sit in the boarding area for your flight, you can’t help but notice that the stranger sitting next to you has fallen asleep with his head on your shoulder. As he snores with his mouth open and his hat slightly askew, your discomfort is compounded when you also notice he is wearing a pilot’s uniform. Another tell-tale sign? Your ticket may have been for Memphis, but as you leave the plane, the flight attendant smiles sweetly and says, "Welcome to Detroit!" Finally, you will know your plane’s pilot has some sort of sleep disorder when you hear disturbing announcements from the cockpit to the cabin after takeoff. "Good morning, er, good afternoon, this is your captain speaking. We have reached an (yawn) elevation of 30,000 feet and we should be landing in — er, your destination, whatever it is — in a couple of hours or so." "This is your captain. My co-pilot, what’s-his-name, has given the word (yawn) that we will be landing in Seattle in two hours and 18 minutes. That last airport must have been Minneapolis, right? Thanks to him (yawn) for that bit of information." "I know which intercom button to push! Do I have to beg? Where’s my coffee?" "It has been brought to my (yawn) attention that my previous announcements might have had a distressing effect on those of you traveling with us today. For that I apologize, but there’s a good reason. I was involved in a 36-hour dance marathon until eight this morning, and let me (yawn) assure you, the trophy was worth it." "This is your captain, again. Thanks for flying with us today. Stretch back in your seats, relax and (yawn) enjoy the bright, sunny view outside your windows. It’s the warm sun kind of day that can make you wish you could curl up with a good book and maybe catch a little shut-eye — now, where were we? Oh, yeah. We will be landing (yawn) at our destination, Dallas, in just a few minutes. Wait a sec — make that Seattle. You know what I mean. Where IS that coffee?"

Proud to be an AmericanAs we approach Memorial Day, I am reminded of what a great country we live in.It has been six months since the death of my husband, David Sietsema. He fought the battle of cancer for two years and, sorry to say, the cancer won.We were fortunate in one respect — we had time to make plans, say goodbye and remember all the good times. My family and I cherish all the great memories that we have.On Nov. 4, 2003, Dave and I were told he had six months to live. On Nov. 24, Dave chose to go to the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. He lived out his remaining days at this wonderful facility and on Nov. 29, Dave was called home. So the six months we were told he had was cut short by many days. But as we know, only our Lord knows when our time in this world is done.As Dave and I sat and planned his funeral, many thoughts and ideas went through his mind. One of them was that at his graveside military service he wanted there to be one member from the United States Marine Corps to be present and help fold the flag that draped his casket. Dave was a member of the USMC from 1961 to 1966. Well, thanks to our son, Brian, and Ron Hansen from Rock County Veteran’s Services Office, Dave’s wish was granted three times over. Three Marines came to the cemetery in Luverne. The day before Dave’s funeral I received a call from a Marine in St. Paul extending sympathy from the Corps to me and my family and informing me there would be three Marines coming. He also stated that they were proud to be a part of the graveside military rites to lay a fellow Marine to rest.When the flag was removed from Dave’s casket that cold, windy day, a chill ran through me. Not only because of the Marines but also because of how proud Dave would have been to have them there, folding the flag that made him so proud and presenting it to his wife of 35 years. Needless to say, I was very honored as the Marines presented the flag to me and said, "On behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps and the President of the United States, it is my honor to present this flag to you."Wow! What a great country we live in. We, as Americans, should be proud of our president and our military forces. Not only do they fight for our freedom, but also for those who are less fortunate than we are. And they take great pride in honoring their former members and their families in their time of need.God Bless America,Linda SietsemaLuverne

What about these gas prices? It’s getting to be too much.People are losing their jobs because of places closing up, layoffs or hours cut.Income stays the same or it gets less all the time. How can a person make it now days? You feel for those who have to travel out of their hometowns any distance, now that the gas keeps going up. And did anyone realize that the more miles you put on your vehicle, the higher your insurance goes? I was told the reason they figure the more you’re out there traveling, the better chances of getting in a wreck. Heck! You can be backing out your driveway and have an accident. Or just buy a car, take it off the lot and have an accident. Where and when does all this stop?Sheila JonesMagnolia

10 years ago (1994)"Fourteen members of Steen Reformed Church gathered Monday to construct the church’s new pews. The group spent the morning unloading and a good deal of the afternoon assembling the 36 pews from Gunder Church Furniture in Humboldt, Iowa. Once completed, the church will have a seating capacity of approximately 450." 25 years ago (1979)"It was a good trip for Roger Jackson and Dave Nelson this week as they brought home 47 1/4 pounds of walleye for their efforts. The two entered and won first place in the Northern States Power Company Fishing Tournament on the Missouri River north of Chamberlain, S.D. The pair have already sampled the flavor of their prize catches."50 years ago (1954)"Monday evening this vicinity had a general alarm due to a fire in the Reformed Church. Children playing on the grounds noticed it before the fire had much of a start by a side window near the inside door. The Hills and Luverne fire departments were called and a bucket brigade and hand extinguishers kept the fire under control until the Hills Department arrived to put the blaze out. Considerable smoke and some water damage resulted. The Luverne chief said he thought spontaneous combustion of sawdust, which had evidently been used to insulate, was the cause."75 years ago (1929)"Ole Myrlie began laying the supports for the floor in L.J. Gordon’s new telephone office building last Monday morning. Lars Hovland and Alfred Bakk are also expected to be on the job and it won’t be but a few days until the frame work will be completed."100 years ago (1904)"Hall & Sample’s United Wagon Shows of Circus, Museum and Vaudeville will be in Hills under canvass Saturday, May 28, and everybody should take a holiday with their wives and children and devote the day to amusement and seeing strange sights, listening to music and forgetting all about the sweat and toil of work-a-day life. This show has the finest horses, a big band, the greatest gymnasts, the most flexible contortionists, the greatest clowns, the funniest comedians, and the greatest curiosities ever carried by a wagon show. Free street parade at 1:30. Free exhibition outside follows. Admission 25¢, Children under 12 years, 15¢.

John Berdahl, son of Al and Joan Berdahl, Hills, graduated Saturday from Mayo Medical School in Rochester. John will begin general practice for a year and then will transfer to ophthalmology. Al and Joan Berdahl went to Rochester on Friday to attend John’s graduation on Saturday. He will practice a year at the Mayo Medical School in Scottsdale, Ariz. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the graduation of their granddaughter, Ericka Anderson, from Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif., on Sunday, May 16. Ericka is the daughter of Kirsten and Pat Anderson of Sioux Falls. She graduated with honor in media studies. Also present at the ceremony was a friend, Siri Dysjaland, and her mother from Stavanger, Norway. Siri was an exchange student who spent a year with the Ericksons in 1980. They visited the Erickson’s in Hills Thursday and Friday morning. Supper guests on Thursday were Margaret Erickson, Worthington, and Kirsten and Pat Anderson.Vi Van Wyhe met Maurine Uhre, Mitchell, S.D., for lunch in Sioux Falls last Tuesday. Dick and Audrey Heidenson spent from Thursday the 13th to Tuesday the 18th at Battle Lake with their son Steve and family who have a resort there. Jon and Twila Heigre and children, Teresa, Erik and Dina, Sandnes, Norway, arrived last Tuesday, May 18, to spend a couple of weeks in the home of her parents, Jim and Sharon Boeve, and to attend the high school graduation of Alissa Hoyme. Last Monday afternoon, Cena Tilstra, Steen, Henrietta Elbers, Luverne, Nelvina Kroese, Hull, Iowa, Jean Wood, Sioux Falls, Betty Elbers, Lizzie Elbers, Tuff Home, and Lorraine Jiskoot, gathered at Tuff Home to honor Ruth Verbrugge of Worthington on her birthday. Wednesday afternoon Vi Van Wyhe entertained the Rebekah Circle of United Methodist Church in Luverne at her home. Last Thursday, Don and Edyth Briggs went to St. Cloud to attend the Grand Sessions and lunch of the Arch Masons and Cryptic Masons on Friday and Saturday. Saturday afternoon Cliff and Vi VanWyhe attended Lindsey DeWit’s garden party in Sioux Falls and later attended her graduation from Augustana College at the Arena. Tuesday afternoon Betty Elbers attended the birthday luncheon in the home of Hendrene Veldkamp in honor of Betty Boeve’s birthday. On Wednesday evening, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer attended the graduation of Doon Christian School and saw their daughter Rachel’s kindergarten class graduate. Mark and Karen Sandager, Tommy and Katie, were Sunday dinner guests of Vic and Fran Sandager at Tuff Village. Betty Elbers joined her sisters at a noon luncheon Saturday at the Calumet in Pipestone in honor of Dorothy Petersen’s birthday. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer attended the Tulip Festival celebration Tuesday in Orange City, Iowa.

It looks like our long dry spell has come to a halt. I can’t remember for sure but it seems like it was Wednesday when we had that loud crash of thunder followed by a heavy downpour of long hoped for rain. It was just what we need to wash things off from the long cold winter and soften up the ground so things will start growing. We can be thankful for that loud clap of thunder and the rain that followed as it seems that all of the moisture we have received lately are light showers which arrive most every day but they dry up very rapidly. We can be grateful for them as they kept things growing. Most of the crops are in and things are looking up for the farmers. And with the positive attitude of our farmers they are all ready figuring how many bushels of corn to the acre they will have. What a wonderful world this would be if we could all maintain their attitude of "Things will be better next year!" Pete and Trudy Teune attended the wedding of their grandson, John Wayne Teune and Tammi Nicole Swenson, at Green Bay, Wis., on Saturday, May 15. John is the son of Rick and Judy Teune. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended a commencement party in honor of Ashley Cox at the home of her parents, Allen and Cindy Cox, Adrian. Allen is the son of Laura May’s sister, Kay Cox of Adrian.Laura Paulsen, Hills, and Bernice Aukes attended a bridal shower Saturday afternoon in the home of Karen Sandager in honor of Erin Crawford (bride-to-be of Michael Brandt) on Oct. 2. Erin is the daughter of Mary and Clair Crawford. Congratulations to them!Graduation exercises will be at 7 p.m. Friday, May 28, for the seniors of Hills-Beaver Creek High School. Those graduating from the Steen area are Erin Boeve, Jeremy Elbers, Kristen Harsma, Dylan Klarenbeek, Lee Jackson, Melinda Sandstede, Drew Spykerboer and Trey Van Wyhe. Congratulations and best wishes to them. Sunday afternoon callers in the home of Henrietta Boeve were her daughter and husband, Pete and Judy Boeve, Sioux Falls.I can hardly believe it but the last day of the 2003-04 school year will be on Friday, May 28. Best wishes for a fun filled summer for both students and teachers. It will be fall before we know it.Memorial Day services will be at 9 a.m. Monday, May 31, at the American Legion Hall in Hills. Everyone is welcome. Vacation Bible School will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning on Monday, June 7, through Friday, June 11. Note the changes in time. Students are asked to bring a sack lunch. Mildred Paulsen attended a workshop sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health in collaboration with other programs in the Nobles County Courthouse on Monday. Topics included high blood pressure, causes and treatments of hypertension, and diabetes. Inspiration Hills Auxiliary will host a Memorial Day summer kick-off fund-raiser. Activities include games for kids, walks, rides, silent auction, evening meal and the Praise Band from Sioux Falls. Supper will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Memorial Day will soon be here. It is a very special day set aside for all of us to remember our loved ones who are no longer with us as well as those who have given their lives for our country and the freedoms we all enjoy. Memorial Day, the first day of our summer holidays, means we will turn to our favorite pursuits — picnicking, boating, mingling with the crowds at the racetrack, or the ballpark, puttering in the yard, or lazing in the sun. It began as Decoration Day when garlands were placed on the graves of the Civil War dead. It became Memorial Day and an occasion for America to honor those who gave their lives in all wars. It has continued with solemn ceremonies in cemeteries across the land with parades of school children proudly carrying American flags. On this day families decorate the graves of those whose memory they cherish.Yes, we need to relax and enjoy the holiday, but let us not forget to display the Stars and Stripes in our yards, to take that journey to the cemetery with our tokens of geraniums and wreaths.Let us remember who we are and where we are. Americans in a free land with the power of self-determination and pause to honor those who have preserved our heritage!

A pilot for Japan’s All Nippon Airways has been suspended from his dream job while he undergoes medical tests for possible sleep deprivation. Late last month, Reuters reported that the pilot "fell asleep at the controls for several minutes while on a domestic flight and had to be awakened by a government inspector who was traveling in the cockpit." Actually, the inspector had to wake the pilot twice, while the plane cruised at 36,000 feet on auto-pilot. A co-pilot was also present in the cockpit and could have taken over the controls, so the passengers were never in real danger, noted a spokesman for the airline. Small comfort. The following tell-tale signs might indicate, while you’re still at the airport, if your plane’s pilot, or some other plane’s pilot, is sleep-deprived and might fall asleep at the switch. For example, a smooth landing might not be in your future if you see a person, who appears to be a pilot, splashing cold water on his face at a drinking fountain next to your plane’s boarding area. You should be particularly cautious if you saw the same pilot only a few minutes before, asking for a triple-shot espresso at a nearby Starbucks. He may or may not have been joking about receiving the beverage intravenously. As you sit in the boarding area for your flight, you can’t help but notice that the stranger sitting next to you has fallen asleep with his head on your shoulder. As he snores with his mouth open and his hat slightly askew, your discomfort is compounded when you also notice he is wearing a pilot’s uniform. Another tell-tale sign? Your ticket may have been for Memphis, but as you leave the plane, the flight attendant smiles sweetly and says, "Welcome to Detroit!" Finally, you will know your plane’s pilot has some sort of sleep disorder when you hear disturbing announcements from the cockpit to the cabin after takeoff. "Good morning, er, good afternoon, this is your captain speaking. We have reached an (yawn) elevation of 30,000 feet and we should be landing in — er, your destination, whatever it is — in a couple of hours or so." "This is your captain. My co-pilot, what’s-his-name, has given the word (yawn) that we will be landing in Seattle in two hours and 18 minutes. That last airport must have been Minneapolis, right? Thanks to him (yawn) for that bit of information." "I know which intercom button to push! Do I have to beg? Where’s my coffee?" "It has been brought to my (yawn) attention that my previous announcements might have had a distressing effect on those of you traveling with us today. For that I apologize, but there’s a good reason. I was involved in a 36-hour dance marathon until eight this morning, and let me (yawn) assure you, the trophy was worth it." "This is your captain, again. Thanks for flying with us today. Stretch back in your seats, relax and (yawn) enjoy the bright, sunny view outside your windows. It’s the warm sun kind of day that can make you wish you could curl up with a good book and maybe catch a little shut-eye — now, where were we? Oh, yeah. We will be landing (yawn) at our destination, Dallas, in just a few minutes. Wait a sec — make that Seattle. You know what I mean. Where IS that coffee?"

Gertrude DeBoer, 74, Luverne, died Thursday, May 20, 2004, at Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne from cancer. Services were Monday, May 23, at Luverne Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. George Koopmans officiated. Burial was at Luverne Memorial Gardens Cemetery, rural Luverne. Gertrude Jansma was born to William and Alice (Van Dyk) Jansma on Jan. 26, 1930, in Timber Lake, S.D. As a young child, she moved with her parents to Hull, Iowa, then Artesia, Calif., and then to northwest Iowa where she was raised on the family farm and attended country school. Upon completion of her education, she worked for other area families. She married James DeBoer on Jan. 25, 1951, in Rock Rapids, Iowa. After their marriage, they lived in the tenant house on Jim’s family farm. Three years later, they moved to a farm in Ellis, S.D. The following year, they moved to Hull. They farmed there until 1973, when they bought a farm near Ash Creek. In 1985, she opened a day care in her home. She continued her day care after they moved to Luverne in March 1999. She closed her day care and retired in January 2001.Mrs. DeBoer was a member of Luverne Christian Reformed Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Mary Martha Society and the Christian School Circle. She was also a member of Clintonaires Extension Club and the Day Care Association. She made several special trips, including trips to Holland, Switzerland, Alaska and Hawaii. Survivors include her husband, James DeBoer, Luverne; six children, Eugene (Ruth Ann) DeBoer, Hudsonville, Mich., LaVonne Schaefer, Brenda (Mike) Thuringer, all of Sioux Falls, S.D., Velda (Keith) Maine, Laura (Pat) Herman, and David (Lisa) DeBoer, all of Luverne; 22 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tunis (Wilmyna) Jansma, Hull, and William (Harriet) Jansma, Ellsworth, one sister, Jane (Peter) DeBoer, Steen; and one sister-in-law, Berniece Jansma Barstad, Luverne. Mrs. DeBoer was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Barteld Jansma, and a son-in-law, Rick Schaefer. A tree will be planted in memory of Gertrude DeBoer by Hospice of Luverne. Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYMAY 11, 2004Dana Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. Board present: Dana Dahlquist, Arlen Leenderts, Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, and Keith Elbers. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer, and Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Guests present: Carol Ver Meer-Owner of Southern Hills Condominium #504, and Jolene Farley-Hills Crescent.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Jellema to approve of the minutes of March 22nd and April 28th. Motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Jellema to approve payment of the March and April expenditures. Motion carried. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Svoboda to nominate the following persons to the offices of the Southern Hills Condominium Association: Dana Dahlquist-President and Chief Executive Officer, Carol Ver Meer-Vice President, Connie Wiertzema-Secretary, Joanne Goehle-Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, and Arlen Leenderts-Vice-All. Motion carried. The EDA Board and Carol Ver Meer agreed that sealed bids should be obtained for building and ground maintenance for Southern Hills Condominium. Bids will be limited to Hills residents, and opened at the June 8th meeting. The EDA discussed paying of the Southern Hills Apartment bond, which has a 7% interest rate. Funds to pay off the bond will be used from EDA CD#18275; borrow funds from sewer CD#18255 and general checking; along with funds received from Carol Ver Meer for the purchase of condo unit #504. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Svoboda to proceed with the pay off as discussed, and the EDA will pay off the inter-fund loans with proceeds from the sale of the remaining condo units. Motion carried.The EDA Board reviewed options for insuring the condo building, and approved a plan as follows: $300,000-building, $1,000,000-liability, $1,000-med pay with a $500 deductible per claim. The EDA also approved to insure the contents, cabinets and bathroom fixtures for units #500, #502, #506, units which are not sold, for $8,000 per unit, $250 deductible per claim. Carol Ver Meer is responsible for insuring her own contents for unit #504. No further business, meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaSecretary(5-27)