It has been a number of years since we have had a real old fashioned winter. I can remember a few of them and I haven’t missed them a bit. When we just have cold weather it isn’t so bad as the roads are usually in good driving condition so you can travel nearly anywhere. However, when it snows and blows we had better forget about going anywhere as the roads can develop both large and small drifts very quickly, making travel hazardous. Most of us have been wishing for some time that we could be home to catch up on a few things that not only need dong but that we would also enjoy doing such as putting your pictures into that photograph album you have had for a couple of years. I am sure we all have magazines, books and papers that we are keeping until we have time to read them before we throw them out. We want to do these things but there just is never enough time. Well, guess what, the weatherman can help us all out by sending some snow, then a strong wind and perhaps even a little more snow. I think it is sent with this message, "If you don’t know enough to slow down when you need to, the weatherman will do it for all of us!Congratulations to Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen who observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 5. Due to the inclement weather the celebration had to be postponed to a later date. Bernice and Orrin Aukes helped their grandson, Logan Aukes, son of Terry and Sherri Aukes, celebrate his fifth birthday at his home in Larchwood, Iowa, Thursday evening. Other guests were his other grandparents, John and Greta DeWitt from Brandon, S.D. Milton Bonnema, Bill and Bertha Bosch, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens, attended the Psalm and Hymn Sing at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne Tuesday afternoon. The Hills Christian School will have their annual soup supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Why not join them for delicious homemade soup and pie. A free-will donation will be accepted.Joan Hoogeveen and Diane Schwartz and her daughter left on Jan. 28, for Arizona where they spent the week visiting Diane’s parents, Bill and Marlene De Jager and Joan’s children, Janice and Jerry Peters. They returned home on Tuesday, Feb. 3. There was no school in the Hills-Beaver Creek schools on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3 and 4, due to the inclement weather. Dries and Laura May Bosch hosted a family dinner in their home on Sunday in honor of their family birthdays. Celebrating were Steven Bosch and a friend, Wendy, from the Cities, Paul and Diane Bosch and Eric, Brandon, Nathan and Erin Bosch, Sioux Falls, and Tom and Amy Bosch, Emma and Isabel, Sioux Falls. There were 13 Bosch family members there to celebrate. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Melba Boeve and Laura May Bosch helped JoAnn Paulsen and Henrietta Boeve celebrate their belated birthdays which were in November and December. They enjoyed breakfast together at Country Kitchen in Luverne. A Valentine banquet will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 10, at Inspiration Hills. Punch is served from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost per person is $13. Entertainment for the evening will be the Comedy League from Dordt College. Call for reservations if you wish to attend. Valentine’s Day will soon be here. Don’t forget to remember your valentine. Valentine’s Day has been a tradition for many years, traceable back to ancient Rome to a fest called the Lupercalia which had been celebrated on Feb. 15. At that time the young people drew lots for partners for the coming year. With the introduction of Christianity, an attempt was made to abolish all pagan rituals and the celebration of Lupercalia was banned. But the rituals had been too closely interwoven in the lives of the people, and kept showing up during the years. The Christian church decreed that St. Valentine should be honored on Feb. 14, replacing the pagan festival. As a result, St. Valentine’s Day took on the old custom of the Lupercalia, and still remains part of the holiday. A light-hearted and not too serious view is often taken on Valentine’s Day. But along with the smiles and huge colorful hearts and boxes of candy, flowers and cards, comes a much deeper meaning. It is a celebration that respects our love for one another. The love seen between a husband and a wife, emotionally and spiritually, caring and sharing. The love of a parent for a child, learning and growing together.The love that grandparents and grandchildren share, sharing memories and special times. The love between friends, in good times and bad, a loving and trusting acceptance. Valentine’s Day and all that it means is a day kept with us all year long. It is a special holiday — straight from the Heart!Happy Valentine’s Day!

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP, APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFDoris L. Johnson, a/k/a Doris Johnson DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on March 8, 2004 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at the Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota, for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship of the Decedent, and for the appointment of Verland E. Johnson whose address is: 413 S. Fairview Dr., Luverne, Minnesota 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Timothy K. Connell 02/09/2004Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 02/09/2004Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeTerry VajgrtSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieP.O. Box 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538Telephone 507 283-9111Attorney License #205035(2-12, 2-19)

10 years ago (1994)"With reservation and some dread, Luverne City Council members approved higher rate schedules for city water, waste water and electrical utilities at their Thursday meeting. The increases were the result of the city rate analysis by consultants from Orr, Schelen, Mayeron and Associates, Minneapolis."25 years ago (1979)"Anna Huiskes will be the Rock County Clerk of Court beginning March 1.She has been a deputy clerk in the office for 16 years and will replace Eleanor Boysen, who resigned the position effective at the end of this month.Huiskes has worked in the Rock County Courthouse since 1957. She began her county employment in the auditor’s office."50 years ago (1954)"The A&P food store, which has been a fixture in Luverne for the past quarter century is going to close its doors here not later than February 20th.The decision by top management to close the Luverne store is in line with the pattern followed by management of the company for the past few years as regards to small size stores. With the trend towards the giant size super markets A&P has been closing up its smaller stores and concentrating on the supers."75 years ago (1929)"Manager Herman Jochims, of the Palace Theatre, has been in the Twin Cities since Tuesday purchasing motion picture attractions and attending the automobile show."100 years ago (1904)"The high price of wheat reached last week had the effect of bringing in to market a large part of what was left in the hands of the farmers. This was not a great amount, however, for but a small part of the crop was unmarketed. Good milling wheat is scarce, not only in Rock County, but throughout the northwest."

Victoria Cauwels serves gluten-free homemade chocolate cake to her son, Jeffrey, 3 1/2, who gets severely ill from products with gluten.By Lori EhdeWhen Victoria Cauwels makes a meal for her family of four, she rarely opens a can or box, because those products that make cooking easy are the same ones that make her family sick.Nearly a year ago, her husband, Chad, was diagnosed with celiac disease, and soon after, 3 1/2-year-old Jeffrey, was also diagnosed.Cauwels herself isn’t sensitive to gluten, and it’s too early to tell if 2-year-old Kristina will be, but with half her family affected she said it’s easier to commit to gluten-free eating at home.And that’s no small commitment, considering the majority of food on the market is processed with ingredients containing gluten."We work a little harder to make supper, but it’s easier than living with sick people all the time," Cauwels said. A meal tha might take a typical person 15 minutes to prepare from freezer to microwave often takes Cauwels at least an hour, because she has to recreate the ingredient list without help from Campbell’s or Kraft.For example, hot dishes often call for a can of cream of chicken soup or mushroom soup, but those are thickened with wheat products.So Cauwels has her own dried soup mix that she prepares separately to add to the hot dish."You don’t have to throw away your old cookbooks," Cauwels said. "Pretty much anything can be modified. I got so hungry for Tator Tot hot dish, of all things, so I figured out a way to make it work."While she approaches it all with a cheerful attitude, she knows the lifestyle isn’t for everyone."It’s a big commitment, and some people would actually rather be sick than decide to make the commitment," Cauwels said."It was hard for me, too, but I decided that’s the way it is and to get over it."Many celiacs find it easier to simply buy gluten-free products, but they’re expensive. A loaf of gluten-free bread, for example, costs $5, compared with the average $1.50 wheat loaf.The Little Buying Club on the Prairie is a local organic foods group that pools member orders to buy products in bulk at lower prices.It has been a good resource for local gluten-free families, but Cauwels, a stay-at-home mom, has invested a lot of time experimenting with recipes.One week, she made seven batches of bread, experimenting with different combinations of water and flours to get the right consistency. "The bread I make now can be eaten as bread (as opposed to toast). It’s soft enough now," she said.When she gets it right, she shares her recipes and tips with her friends in the support group. Monday night, several group members met for a "flour mixing meeting," where they mixed bulk quantities of pancake flour, all-purpose mix, the "Featherlight Mix" and cream soup base mix.They’re made from bean, rice, tapioca and potato flours.While Cauwels made the lifestyle change for her family, she said it’s helped her as well."We’re all gluten-free here," she said. "I feel immensely better. We eat more fruits and vegetables now."

By Lori EhdeThe asphalt today is clear and dry, but Monday night and Tuesday morning a stretch of Highway 75 north of Luverne was a lethal sheet of ice.Other vehicles had lost control and landed in the ditch, but at nearly 6 a.m. Tuesday, a car spun into the lane of an oncoming vehicle.Thirty-five-year-old Todd Alan Schmuck, rural Luverne, was killed when the passenger side of his 1992 Suzuki was broadsided by a 1990 Chevy Lumina.According to the accident report from the Minnesota State Patrol, Schmuck was northbound on Highway 75 when he slid on a patch of ice 1 1/4 miles north of Luverne.It happened when Dean and Janice Kruen, both 50, Edgerton, met him coming from the other direction.Dean, who was driving, had no injuries,and Janice was treated at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, for what appeared to be bumps and bruises.The Kruens were wearing their seatbelts.Schmuck, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was declared dead at the scene.Both cars were totaled.The State Patrol had responded to more than six weather-related accidents on Monday alone in Southwest Minnesota, and the Rock County Sheriff’s Department assisted with 16 local accidents between Sunday and Tuesday.That doesn’t include nearly a dozen other incidents involving vehicles that simply slid into the ditch.Sheriff Mike Winkels said the road conditions were poor, but the timing of the accident made it lethal."It was loose snow with a glare sheet of ice underneath it," Winkels said. "I’m sure if the other vehicle wouldn’t have been there, it would have just spun off into the ditch like so many others."Schmuck, who graduated from Luverne in 1987, leaves behind a wife, Stacey (Michelsen), and two young children. He worked at Bayliner in Pipestone. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Dingmann Funeral Home, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. See page 7A for his obituary.

Raney and Jan Israelson say their business has suffered with the poor economy of the past three years like many other area businesses. They wish the Luverne Economic Development Authority did more to encourage business retention rather than looking for new businesses. They are asking for a $15,000 loan.By Sara StrongCountry Kitchen owners Raney and Jan Israelson hope the city of Luverne will help keep their business afloat.Raney said, "The last three years have been worse than any of the past 20."At a recent "visioning" session, the Luverne Economic Development Authority set a goal of retaining current businesses. Raney said the LEDA should follow through with that, and not concentrate solely on getting new businesses while current ones could drop.Raney said that with the upcoming summer travel season, a $15,000 loan from the city would get them through the slow time of the year."I just don’t think the city should only bring in people from out of town, and hope they make it," he said. "There’s all these new tax breaks and incentives for new businesses, but not for ones that have been here 20 years." The corporation of Country Kitchen is trying to help by decreasing the franchise fee. Last year the Israelsons spent $50,000 in franchise fees and national advertising from the corporation.Raney said, "I’ve got 30 employees and a payroll of $400,000 a year. I don’t want all those people out there finding other jobs."He hopes the past few years of poor business are a mere passing trend."I’m sure our sales will improve after this economic crisis gets better," Raney said. "But all we hear about is border town tax breaks for everyone. What about the people who’ve been here for the long haul?"The LEDA met Tuesday morning to discuss a loan to Country Kitchen, but wants more information — such as a five-year business trend report and a long-term plan.The LEDA suggested the analysis might show that employees could be cut. Or, it said, a home equity loan might get as much money as a loan from the LEDA.Jan said, "The food is good here and we’ve got great people working for us; it’s just been a bad couple of years. I’m sure we’re not the only business struggling with the slow economy."

By Lori EhdeCharges of selling alcohol to a minor have been dismissed against Eagles Club bartender Laura Hunter.Hunter was one of seven local bartenders charged with selling alcohol to minors after a December compliance check of area businesses.According to the complaint, Hunter failed to check the identification of a 20-year-old sting volunteer who bought a bottle of beer.But Hunter said that’s not what happened."I checked his I.D., but I got the year mixed up, and then I asked for the beer back," said Hunter, who decided to hire an attorney to contest the charges.After consulting with the volunteer, Deputy Ken Baker confirmed that Hunter did ask the minor to return the beer as he was leaving the Eagles.According to Assistant County Attorney Terry Vajgrt, this was good reason to dismiss the charges against Hunter."I felt under these circumstances, since she attempted to get it back, criminal prosecution wasn’t appropriate," Vajgrt said.Hunter is the third bartender to settle her case in Rock County District Court.In addition to Hunter, also charged were
Jonathon Nath at Casey's on East Main Street,
Roberta Miller at Citgo on North Highway 75,
Loretta Duffy at Luverne Lanes bowling alley,
Orvin Green at Magnolia Steak House,
Jesse Johnson at Sharkee’s,
Gregory Staeffler at the Green Lantern in Hardwick.They were charged with selling to a minor, a gross misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a $3,000 fine, a year in jail or both.Green, Miller, Duffy and Staeffler entered guilty pleas in plea arrangements through the County Attorney’s Office.In return, the state certified the charges as misdemeanors, as opposed to gross misdemeanors, as was originally charged.They were sentenced to fines and court fees of $463, with no probation or other conditions imposed.Nath and Johnson have have entered not-guilty pleas.Hunter said her attorney fees cost more than the fine would have, but she said it was worth it."I’ve never even had a speeding ticket on my record," she said Tuesday. "I wanted to make sure what actually happened was in the report. I just wanted the truth to be out there. I thought it was worth it."She admits she made a mistake in her math, but said, "You can bet I’m never going to make that mistake again!"BackgroundOn the night of Dec. 26, two 20-year-old men from Yankton and Dell Rapids, S.D., attempted purchases at all Rock County businesses with liquor licenses – 21 in all.The minors were volunteers from a regional anti-drug, alcohol and tobacco group.The non-compliant businesses may also face civil penalties as a result of the sting. Under Luverne City Code, the stores are subject to licensing penalties that can include imposition of civil fines and suspension or revocation of liquor licenses.In a 1999 compliance check, employees at both Citgo and Casey’s (this time on South Highway 75), sold to minors. The last check in Rock County was August 2002, at which time only two businesses, Ampride Pump ’N Pak and the Beaver Creek Golf Course, sold to minors.

By Sara Strong Divorce rates in Rock County may not quite meet the national average of almost 50 percent — but that doesn't matter to the children of parents going through one. A local class tries to help divorcing parents get through the toughest times, and reminds them that their most important roles aren't as spouses who don't want to live together anymore.Southwest Mental Health Center Counselor Mary Gehrke is a presenter in the class. She said, "Marriages may not survive, but parents are parents forever."This year’s program was coordinated by Rock County Social Worker Vicki Henderson. She said, "Several years ago, there was a large need — and at that time, Rock County saw the need, and Minnesota Extension Service was developing a program." For seven years, local people have benefited from the class. It covers six topics in three nights and is offered once a year, but the deadline to register this time around has passed. The class is court ordered in many cases, but anyone can enroll, and it was advertised this year.No more ‘middle man’Gehrke said, "If you have kids under age 18, you have to figure out how to do it, because, notoriously, children get caught in the middle."Gehrke will talk to the class about emotions that adults and children experience during and after a divorce."We know that temper tantrums in adults tend to make things worse and make their feelings of anger last longer," Gehrke said. "It's not like toddlers who express themselves and feel better."Gehrke will teach participants ways to diffuse anger."We recognize that anger is a choice," she said.Gehrke suggests participants learn alternative ways to express themselves and work out the anger — by writing a letter you'll never send, cleaning the house, or exercising.Gehrke said humor in her portion of the presentation helps the class.Unlike some classes, participants won’t be engaged to participate in the class because privacy is respected, she said.In fact, couples are encouraged to participate in separate classes so conflict won’t arise.The balancing actThrough his line of work, Rock County Family Services Director Randy Ehlers sees divorce and its effect on children. His presentation will urge parents to keep the peace and maintain routines through separation and divorce.He said, "Kids are real resilient, but they need a lot of care and nurturing through the process."Ehlers said that in some ways, children feel grief during a divorce, similar to what they’d feel at the death of a loved one."The main thing to keep in mind is the process," Ehlers said. "Both sets of parents have the opportunity to lessen this grief. ... And it’s so important to never use children as pawns or to relay information to parents."Ehlers illustrates in the class that it’s important for both parents to have similar house rules so visitation doesn’t break routine for children.Divorce often means change of school and friends, or the introduction of step-families for children."It’s important to have consistency between households so it’s not confusing," Ehlers said.Presenters will be regional and local experts in various fields.Gehrke said, "The program is nice because there's quite a few local, knowledgeable people who will share their information. People might have wanted this kind of information, and didn't know where to go for it before."Other presenters are: Vicki Henderson, on pathways to moving on; Shirley Anderson-Porisch, an Extension Educator from Lyon County, on household management; Pam Nelson, financial director at Rock County Family Services, on general financial assistance through state programs; Terry Vajgrt, assistant county attorney, on legal issues; Jean Henrichs Laudon, on child support issues; and lay minister Judy Wiley, on mediation.Rock County's class draws people from area counties that don’t offer similar programs.

By Lori EhdeThey can’t eat pizza, Big Macs or most pasta dishes.Eating out is risky, and their lives seem to revolve around food labels and food preparation.Despite all this, most people who are gluten intolerant say they wouldn’t live their lives any other way. "As hard as it is to follow this diet, none of us would go back to how we felt before," said Linda Lyon, Luverne.Lyon and more than 30 other gluten-intolerant individuals are part of a local support group, "Celiac Sprue, Herpetiformis Dermatitis Support Group."The group meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of every month in the basement meeting room of Luverne Community Hospital. The first meeting was in March 2003, and it now attracts members from the tri-state area.They represent a rapidly growing number of Americans diagnosed with celiac sprue or herpetiformis dermatitis.Both genetic disorders stem from an intolerance to gluten protein in wheat, barley, rye and oats. These ingredients are processed in nearly every food product from breads to soda pop.Gluten prevents absorption of nutritionIn affected digestive systems, the microscopic, hair-like vili of the small intestine are "flattened" when exposed to gluten, preventing them from absorbing nutrients.The result in most "celiacs" is abdominal discomfort, most commonly diarrhea, but sometimes constipation. Others diagnosed with the dermatitis form of the disorder have painful rashes, often with large water blisters that itch and bleed.Many have overlapping digestive and skin disorders.Over time, gluten-intolerant bodies become malnourished, which affects energy levels and can trigger a number of immune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.Finally, a diagnosisBecause the disorder presents itself in so many different ways, often masked as other medical conditions, it’s difficult to diagnose."Many of us have been told we have irritable bowel syndrome," Lyon said. "It’s hard to put it all together … But it’s just a revelation when you get a diagnosis and feel better."The disease traces its roots to northern Europe, where doctors for years have recognized and treated the condition. But U.S. doctors have only recently begun to recognize gluten-intolerant patients. Until then, only their symptoms were treated without identifying their cause.Sara Van Nieuwenhuizen, Luverne, figures she developed gluten intolerance at about 16 years old, but wasn’t diagnosed until she was 32.As a teenager, she remembers blood-stained sheets from scratching raw rashes."My knees and elbows would be jam-packed with water, and they’d itch like crazy," she said. "People would ask me if I’d fallen on my elbows or knees. But it wasn’t just my elbows and knees … I’d get it on my tailbone, back, my head …"Visits to the doctor would result in vague explanations. Mostly she was told she must have had a reaction to something. "They had no idea what it was," she said.Often, if the rash flared, by the time she made the appointment and finally saw a doctor, it would be partially healed.For Van Nieuwenhuizen, and most other gluten-intolerant individuals, her accurate diagnosis and new diet resulted in better health almost immediately.Similarly, celiacs say they notice a gluten contamination immediately as well. "If I have pizza, I’d have to go directly to the bathroom," Van Nieuwenhuizen said.Even the slightest contamination can have serious health effects. For example, a restaurant may prepare a gluten-free meal on a countertop contaminated with wheat flour. Or, a salad that once had croutons is contaminated, even if the croutons are removed."You have to constantly be thinking about what you’re putting in your mouth," she said, adding that breathing flour dust can also make some people sick.Heightened awareness in Luverne areaCeliacs in the Luverne area are lucky. Three physicians in the Luverne Medical Center have family members who are gluten intolerant, so they’re on the lookout for the disorder in their patients.Dr. Larry Lyon, because of his wife, Linda Lyon’s, diagnosis, has been instrumental in educating Medical Center physicians and staff about the disorder."It’s just more prevalent than we ever thought," Dr. Lyon said.He said when Linda was diagnosed six years ago, doctors estimated one in 5,000 or 10,000 patients had the disorder.Today, doctors estimate far more — one in 133 — are gluten intolerant.Dr. Lyon has worked with Linda and other patients in establishing the local support group."The support group has been wonderful," Dr. Lyon said. "So many people are finding help every day."Through the group, members have connected with resources, such as Luverne nutritionist Marg Kuiper, helpful Web sites and the local organic food group, the Little Buying Club on the Prairie for gluten-free food. "Our meetings are a lot about food, because it is so hard to find foods that are gluten-free," Linda said. Even soda pop is made with a line-item ingredient called, "modified food starches." In some cases this means wheat gluten, but other companies use corn starch. Contact with the manufacturer is required to know for sure.For example, until recently, Kellogg’s Corn Pops were gluten free, but now they’re not, and support group members were quick to alert each other about the change.Label reading doesn’t stop in the food aisles.Many soaps and lotions contain wheat germ, and medication, such as Advil and cold medicine, often are processed with gluten.The trick for gluten intolerant consumers is to find products made instead with rice, soy, corn, potatoes or tapioca, for example.Linda said the support group has been a good resource for both food and lifestyle tips. "Almost all of us have had bad days" Linda Lyon said. "When you eat out, for example, you’re really taking chances. That is a frustration for us."Through the efforts and communication of the support group, area grocery stores are stocking gluten-free products and some pizza restaurants will top gluten-free pizza crusts if customers bring them in.More information about celiac sprue and the support group can be found at www.tri-stateceliacs.itgo.com.