10 years ago (1994)"First graders at Hills-Beaver Creek had their first experience with a research paper for the past two weeks. The students were asked to research a favorite animal — mammal, amphibian, reptile, etc. — write a short report and draw a picture to accompany their work. After the work was completed, each student took their turn in the "Author’s Chair" where they read their reports to their classmates."25 years ago (1979)"The Crescent has won three awards for excellence in the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.The Crescent was awarded first place in the state for "Typography and Design," the category covering the general make-up and appearance of the newspaper. The Crescent was also awarded first place in the state for feature photography and second place in the state contest for general reporting, which covers the overall content and quality of a publication’s news reporting." 50 years ago (1954)"Here are a few of the changes being made in "where people will live." Fred Swartz moved from the Nels Kolsrud farm to their own home, the old John Alink farm near Beaver Creek; Vernon Horns to the Kolsrud farm; Chas. Wards on the Sexe farm; and Ed Gerbers to the Gilbert Tuff farm, vacated by Wards." 75 years ago (1929)"Miss Olga Kolsrud, of this place, a student at the Minnesota School of Agriculture, is taking a prominent part in campus activities this year, serving as literary editor of the ‘Agarian,’ annual publication issued by the senior class. Miss Kolsrud will graduate from the course in home economics March 27 receiving her diploma at University Farm, St. Paul, where the school is located." 100 years ago (1904)"Complaint has been made to the town board and the road overseer regarding private parties using the public alleys for manure yards, rendering them impassible. To obstruct a public alley or highway is an offense punishable by a fine and parties guilty of the offense had better remove their manure piles to some other place."

Dwayne and Margo Edwards, Forestburg, S.D., came to Hills Feb. 11 and in the morning left via plane with Harriet Skattum to spend a week in Arizona and California. The Edwards’ daughter, Gretchen, who lives in Yuma, Ariz., met them and together spent time with Lon and Ann Skattum in Laguna Niguel, Calif. They returned home Feb. 18. Bonnie and Ashley Sundem flew to the Phoenix – Mesa, Ariz., area Feb. 11 for a visit with Chad and Tara Sundem and children, Cole and Carson, and with Charise Kniep. They returned home Feb. 18. Jim Sandager, West Des Moines, Iowa, spent the weekend in the home of his parents, Vic and Fran Sandager, and other relatives and friends. Dean and Peggy Goettsch drove to Fairbury, Neb., Friday night to attend a cousin’s daughter’s wedding. Annette accompanied them as far as Lincoln, Neb., where she visited a college roommate. They returned home Sunday night. Monday, Bob and Twila Kirsch and Shirley Olson enjoyed lunch with Irene Kvien at a restaurant in Sioux Falls. Last weekend, Chuck and Rheta De Boer visited in the home of their son, Jeff and Karen De Boer, and boys, Josiah and Micah, in Garner, Iowa. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson drove to the Cities last week for a get-together with their children and especially to greet their son, Charles, who has returned from duty in Afghanistan. Present were Charles’ wife, Naomi, Waconia, Anna and Mike Gilman, Jens, Krista and Benj, Eden Prairie, and Hans and Susan Erickson, Siri and Maxwell. They returned home Tuesday morning. Dana and Kay Dahlquist and Doug and Deanna Chapman enjoyed a week’s vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Orval and Bonnie Sundem and Ashley spent from Saturday until Sunday afternoon in Maple Grove to visit Eric and Amy Sundem and to attend the 30th wedding anniversary of Amy’s parents. A "Welcome Home" reception will be given at the American Legion building in Waconia on Saturday night, Feb. 28, for Capt. Charles Erickson. All of the Erickson family plans to attend. The children and families of Frank and Berdella De Boer helped celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary on Saturday at the Garden Room in Tuff Village. Bud Bush has been a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

The Village had several parties in honor of the 64th anniversary of Frank and Berdella DeBoer’s wedding. It was in the Garden Room where friends and family gathered at different times. Frank came to dinner with Berdella and the parties began. Sixty-four years seems like such a long time. It was not too long ago that 64 years was a rare occasion. Happy Anniversary to the DeBoers.Many wheelchairs and canes are seen around the Village but the fanciest of all is a beautiful twisted cane made of four different woods belonging to Vic Sandager. It’s amazing how it’s put together. It’s perfect.The Garden Room was busy this week with people using the library and the meeting of the Village Circle.Two old friends visited Ione this Monday to start the week off right. Not old in age but in long years of friendship. Audrey Wildung came with her usual bag of goodies. Party mix and a dried beef roll for crackers and she even brought the crackers. We always talk of school days and laugh a lot. Then Del Brakke, a friend from Family Service days, came to reminisce. Berdella joined us for she knew Del when working with foster care. It was a pleasant break in the day.On National Sauerkraut Days we had hot dogs and sauerkraut. Remember how our parents made sauerkraut in a barrel? I always thought it had such a good smell.Bud remains in the hospital recovering from pneumonia. He is much better. His lungs have to be clear before he can leave.Jim Bush was here for the weekend. Cami Verhey has been the bingo caller on Fridays. Carolyn came home from vacation. Jim Sandager came for the weekend to visit his parents. The snow was so high on our patio we could not get out so the boys shoveled a path away from the building.I’ll keep you posted.

Would you believe we lucked out on our weather one more time! All day Saturday we kept hearing the weatherman predicting freezing drizzle turning to snow late Saturday evening. Usually I don’t pay too much attention to the forecast but I had to be in Luverne early Sunday morning for church and hearing that forecast did not make for a good night’s sleep. I never did hear why we were so fortunate, but I was very happy when I looked out of the window Sunday morning and saw that we had not received any of what had been predicted. I could tell by the cars going by that the roads were in good driving conditions and that made my day!To tell the truth, I am a bit tired of snow, ice and even freezing drizzle and I have been looking for a sign of spring. I was thinking about the robins coming back and the buds coming out on the trees. When none of that was happening I realized there was a sign of spring right beneath my feet. While feeding the chickens, I had to walk through many mud puddles which brought back many memories of my childhood as I used to love to run through the puddles to see the water splash and of course, my mother didn’t think much of that idea at all! However, I am still looking for the real signs of spring. You all know that old saying, "Never give up!"Congratulations to Art and Henrietta Boeve on the arrival of twin grandchildren on Feb. 20, born to their daughter, Michelle and husband Gregg Van Wyhe, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. They named the baby boy, Rex Arthur, and the baby girl, Regan Marie. They join one brother, Riley, at home, who is five years old. They returned home from Sioux Valley Hospital on Sunday afternoon. The Bosch family gathered together Wednesday evening at Magnolia Steak House in Luverne to celebrate Dries Bosch’s birthday. Those attending were Dries and Laura May Bosch, Dick and Gert Hup, Hills, Cornie and Darleen Bosch, and Betty Boeve, all from Luverne. The Hills-Beaver Creek Parish Partners will sponsor the Burger King Whopper feed from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Hills High School Commons in Hills. The H-BC basketball team will play the Red Rock Central team that evening. Pastor Dan and Karen Ramaker left Tuesday afternoon for a trip to Orlando, Fla. Their children met them in Kansas City where they flew together to Orlando. They will enjoy a short cruise while there. They plan to return home on Friday, Feb. 17. Dries and Laura May Bosch helped their granddaughter, Isabel Bosch, daughter of Tom and Amy Bosch, celebrate her birthday at the Sioux Falls Christian School where she is a student. The school was celebrating birthdays that day with a dinner in honor of recent birthdays. Needless to say, it was enjoyed by both Isabel and her grandparents. Melba Boeve left on Monday, Feb. 9, with the Prairie Coach tour from Dell Rapids, S.D. They toured Oklahoma City, Okla., Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Galveston, Austin and Waco, Texas. She returned home on Friday, Feb. 20. Sunday afternoon visitors in the Henrietta Huenink home were Pete and Judy Boeve, Sioux Falls, and Norma Van Wyhe, Lester, Iowa. The World Day of Prayer service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 5, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The theme for this year is "In Faith, Women Shape the Future."Sunday afternoon visitors in the Dries and Laura May Bosch home were their son, Paul, and wife, Diane, from Brandon, S.D.An open house bridal shower will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 6, in honor of Julie Aguilera, bride to be of Jason Bonnema at Steen Reformed Church in Steen. Everyone is welcome. Joyce Aykens, Worthington, spent the weekend at the home of her mother, Jo Aykens. Sunday afternoon they visited at the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City, Iowa. A bridal shower in honor of Tara Boeve was Sunday afternoon at the Ron Venenga home in Little Rock, Iowa. Tara will become the bride of Derek Venenga in the near future. The grandparents are Wayne and Jennie Van Wyhe, Lester, and Art and Henrietta Boeve, Steen. George Washington’s birthday was Feb. 22. We hear so little about the founders of our nation and so much criticism about things this nation was founded upon, that I decided to use an article titled "We Call Him Father" to help us remember what he stood for. It was written by William A. Peterson. We need to renew our thinking in our world today!"We called him father.He was the architect of a new nation. He was a builder, whose hammer was a sword and whose timber were liberty and justice. He bequeathed freedom to live and speak and grow under the Stars and Stripes. He was a man of character ‘who labored to keep alive in his heart the celestial fire called conscience.’He was an idealist who spoke with eloquent action, not words!He was the first signer of the Constitution of the United States of America. We are the guardians of his ideals of liberty, and justice for all. It is our mighty task today to keep the torch of Washington aflame!"As we keep abreast of what is happening in our world today, let us remember what it cost the builders of this nation that has served us so well all of these years. It is our duty to preserve it for all of the generations to come.

"Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water," admonishes an old proverb. Its original intent was to reduce haste, but times change. An updated proverb might advise us to literally avoid waste by holding onto the bath water as well. Two newspaper stories from far corners of the world recently related how bath water and, in fact, all sewage wastes are receiving second lives in other countries. The Agence France-Presse reports that the Singapore government now lists its high-tech sewage-water conversion plant as a major tourist attraction. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong drank a bottle of the purified water to demonstrate that it is not only safe but tasty. According to Aftenposten, sanitation officials in Oslo, Norway, have announced that they will soon create an adventure park within the city’s sewer system. The underground facilities will offer rafting, theater performances, artwork on the sewer walls and an area for weddings and parties. (Presumably this story came out before the sewage department’s annual Christmas party, and not after. Sometimes party banter can get a little out of control.) If the stories are true, this could be the solution for economic development for every town or city dotting our countryside. The smallest towns may not have sewer systems with concrete tunnels large enough to accommodate crowds of thousands, or even fancy water purification filters. However, they do have large holding ponds just sitting out in the country, doing nothing but taking up room and digesting wastes. By turning the holding ponds for sewage into attractive tourist attractions, we can make it possible for the sewage systems to work for us and pay for themselves at the same time. One of our most valuable resources, wastewater, will no longer swirl down the drain, never to be seen again. It’s time to look at the sewage settling ponds for what they can be — potential tourist traps. From a distance, the ponds are already attractive. The "Danger: No Swimming or Fishing" signs could be thrown away and the ponds could easily become water parks, complete with themes, water slides, wave machines and lifeguards. Borrowing heavily on the names of well-advertised, larger theme parks, the converted settling ponds and their attractions could be called Sewer World or Six Flags over the Septic System. Upscale tourists might be drawn to a park name such as Water Redux or even Second Chance Water Park. One clever idea might be to create a Casablanca Water Park, where its media spokesman would be a Humphrey Bogart look-alike and its catchy motto would be, "Spray it again, Sam." Creativity is what it’s all about. Carnival-like rides at the water parks could have clever names such as, "The Spinning Toilet Bowls," "The Plumber’s Helper" and "The Sewer Snake," the latter advertised as, "A spiraling thrill ride, guaranteed to take your breath away and leave you gasping for air!" Finally, the sewage holding ponds might serve as attractive settings for floating gambling casinos. What more natural setting could there be for shooting craps and royal flushes? Turning sewage settling ponds into tourist attractions is an idea too good to go to waste.

Palace enters digital worldThe Blue Mound Area Theatre Board, operators of the Palace Theatre, recently purchased a digital projector to use at the Palace.The Canon projector will allow the facility to be used to project DVDs on the big screen, a format in which more and more movies are released.In addition, the new projector will allow local businesses and organizations to use the theater for their Powerpoint presentations.According to BMAT president, Ben Vander Kooi, the new technology fits well in the historic Palace Theatre.Herman Jochims, the original owner, was always ahead of the curve when it came to changes in the entertainment industry.He adapted the theater from the vaudeville era to silent movies, shortly after he built it in 1915.He then added a theater organ in 1926 to accompany the silent movies of the time.With the new projector, the theater will show its first movie the first weekend in April.Currently, most of the movies that are shown at the Palace are still on the old 35 mm format, a process that is getting increasingly more expensive.Some of the newer independent films are only being released on the DVD format because of cost.Get a head start on student financial aidEach year the state of Minnesota helps students gain access to post-secondary education by providing more than $200 million in grants, loans, and work/study programs, according to the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office.Prospective and continuing students can now go online to gain access to "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA).The Web site is www.fafsa.ed.gov.The applications can also be obtained at high schools, colleges, vocational schools and libraries.To help explain the financial aid options, the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office publishes "Focus on Financial Aid."The publication is updated annually and describes state and federal financial aid programs and how to apply for aid.Want some free trees?The National Arbor Day Foundation is starting its annual Trees for America campaign.This year, in exchange for a $10 donation, the National Arbor Day Foundation will send you 10 Colorado blue spruce trees.The Colorado blue spruces have a silver blue-green color and a compact conical shape.The uses of the trees range from individual ornamentals, an energy-saving windbreak, a privacy screen or as a living Christmas tree.The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between March 1 and May 31 with enclosed planting instructions.The six-to-12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced, free of charge.If you would like more information about the organization, contact the National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE. 68410.Rock County businesses can now file onlineIf you’re running a business in Rock County, or anywhere else in the state of Minnesota for that matter, you can now complete your annual registration online.According to Secretary of State, Mary Kiffmeyer, companies doing business in Minnesota, are required to file annually with the Secretary of State’s office.In the past, this required completing a paper form and mailing it.Once it arrived at the SOS office, staff would have to enter the information manually into the database.When you file online, the process takes only a few minutes and provides immediate confirmation that you have met the legal filing deadline and that the information filed was exactly what they wanted it, at no cost.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Brickbats and Bouquets — a look at the good and bad in Luverne this weekThe paper I interned for after college ran a column, "Brickbats and Bouquets," that highlighted the good and the bad each week in Hastings, Minn.I’d never impose my rants every week, but there are a few observations worth noting:
Brickbats — to Subway owner Jim Dreyden, who wasn’t even in Luverne when more than 30 people simultaneously got sick after eating at his restaurant. It would have been nice to see a little concern for the sick patrons whose weekend plans were ruined by repeated, miserable trips to the bathroom. Instead, he denied the likelihood that Subway was the source, and suggested all 34 people independently and simultaneously came down with a stomach virus from somewhere else.
Bouquets — to Subway Manager Shawn Beyers, who had the sense NOT to follow his boss’s lead. Health officials praised his accommodating spirit throughout the investigation, and now assert that Subway is the "safest place in town" to dine at.Dreyden could learn a few things about public relations from Beyers, whose only miscue was offering free sandwiches to victims instead of reporting problems to health officials.
Brickbats — to our city and county officials (no surprise) for their continued squabbles.There’s not enough time or space in this week’s edition of the Star Herald, but there will soon be a story about the costs of all this discord to taxpayers.Public officials don’t work for free, and in their noble quest to "save taxpayers money," they’re spending an outrageous amount of time — on the clock — nitpicking to save what is comparatively nickels and dimes.
Bouquets — to Luverne Elementary Teacher Tim Christensen, who exemplifies all that is good and right with teachers in Luverne.Because he went out of his way to apply for and secure a grant, students in Luverne get to take a field trip to the Science Museum next month — for free.What’s comforting to know is that Tim’s not the only outstanding teacher in Luverne. As a frequent guest in school hallways, I’m continually impressed by teachers and staff going the extra mile for students.
Brickbats — to DVD players in vehicles. If TVs, computers and PlayStations haven’t ruined American family conversation, DVD players in automobiles will.I used to think that family car rides offered the perfect escape from home media distractions and a wonderful opportunity for family members to connect with each other.Not so anymore. We can all just go on tuning each other out, hardly missing a beat from home to car to movie theater.
Bouquets — to DVD players in vehicles. Even though I just gave them a brickbat, I could have used one Tuesday night during the 10-minute drive home from work with a tired, hungry and grumpy toddler.He’d given his big brother a piece of used candy (gross!) but promptly wanted it back after it was swallowed. Unable to retrieve the used and now swallowed candy, we were treated to the shrill cries of a toddler tantrum all the way home.A little "Bob the Builder" DVD would have gone a long way that night.

By Lori EhdeLuverne Elementary fourth- and fifth-graders get to take an overnight field trip to the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul next month — all expenses paid.Tim Christensen, fourth-grade teacher, presented information to Luverne School Board members during their Thursday, Feb. 12, meeting and asked for board approval.On Jan. 15, he submitted an application for Luverne Elementary School to participate in at-school assemblies and overnight camp-in at the Science Museum.The grant is offered through Flint Hills Resources and the Science Museum to give out-state schools more opportunities to participate in the Science Museum activities.Christensen was notified late in January that Luverne was selected to participate.In-school assemblies on dinosaur fossils and rock formations were presented to grades 1-5 on Feb. 5.On March 4 and 5, fourth- and fifth-graders will camp overnight at the Science Museum under a "prehistoric" theme.Chartered buses for students, chaperones and teachers, in addition to all activities, will be provided free to the district for all participants.They’ll enjoy a 3-D cinema welcome show, paleontology themed workshops, museum exploration, a dig and an omni theater presentation."It should be a great time and a wonderful learning experience for the kids," Christensen said."This could be a once-in-a-lifetime activity for some of the kids."Information that will need parent signatures will go home with students in this week’s Friday Folder.In other business Thursday, the board:oApproved a request by advisor Angie Swenson for a trip to Germany.oSet March 9, at 1 p.m., as the date for bid opening for two school buses and one suburban.oDecided to continue in the collections process to claim $55,000 in special education bills due to the Luverne District from the Hills-Beaver Creek District for services rendered.oHired Sue Pearson as a paraprofessionaloAproved a leave request by paraprofessional Rosemary Moerke.oChanged the Feb. 26 board meeting to Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

By Sara StrongSpanish speaking residents will have a better understanding of local recycling and waste guidelines, thanks to some Luverne students.As a part of Lori Gladis’ Spanish III class, students translated the Rock County Solid and Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide.The waste guide is in the final stages of editing and will be ready for distribution soon.Doug Bos from the county’s Land Management Office said there’s been demand for a county recycling guide for Spanish-speaking residents, and this fills that need."It really helps us to get the word out to people," Bos said. "Some communities and individuals have already requested them. It was great to work with the school on this."The guide explains all aspects of solid and hazardous waste removal and gives tips on waste reduction. It will now be a useful tool for people who may not be used to those regulations, or for people who can’t understand them when they move to Rock County. Gladis said she was happy to accommodate the county’s request."I like to keep an active classroom anyway," she said.The translating took about two solid weeks of classroom time and homework.Gladis said the translating work was a good real-world example of language work for students, because translation isn’t always word-for-word. The guide had to be written to get a clear message across, not to just substitute Spanish words for English. Students who participated in the new guide were Sadie Dietrich, Heather Fick, Katie Kraetsch, Amanda Saum, Kristina Smidtra, Kayla Tweet, Tim Boen and Dustin Donth.