Gail Nelson and Rodney Arendsen, Freeport, N.Y., spent Monday and Tuesday with Gail’s parents, Ray and Lois Nelson. Audrey Heidenson attended the Band Festival in Luverne Saturday with her daughter-in-law, Lynn, Brandon, S.D. In the evening Dick and Audrey and Ray and Lynn enjoyed dinner at the Olive Garden in Sioux Falls in honor of Lynn’s birthday. Gene and Barbara Sikkink spent a few days in the home of Vic and Fran Sandager. They were en route to their home in Arizona after spending the summer months in Duluth.Robert and Bonnie Oleson, Waconia, and Jean Hanson, Sioux Falls, were Sunday morning breakfast guests at the Ray Nelson Home. Robert is Lois’ brother. Paul and Carolyn Randall, Jeffrey and Nathan, Stillwater, spent from Friday night until Sunday in the home of her mother, Erma Schubbe, and attended the wedding of Gail Nelson and Rodney Arendsen at McKennan Park in Sioux Falls on Saturday afternoon.Joanne Goehle and Tom went to Rochester Saturday to watch Nicole Nester, daughter of Rick and Michele Nester, Winona, play in a tennis tournament. Friday afternoon about 25 out-of-town guests arriving for Gail Nelson and Rodney Arendsen’s wedding Saturday afternoon in McKennan Park, Sioux Falls, S.D., attended a picnic at Ray Nelson’s giving them an opportunity to look over the metropolis of Hills! They came from California, Michigan, Wyoming, New York, Minnesota and South Dakota. Locals were Bob and Twila Kirsch, and school classmates included Pucky and Shirley (Kruse) Sandager, Joyce (Sandager) Wulf, Laurie (Schlueter) Hynes, and Paul and Carolyn (Schubbe) Randall. Spending a few days in the home of Opal Swanson was her son, Stuart and Marg Swanson, Greer, S.C. They also visited with Lance and Linda Swanson and Sophie in Sioux City, Iowa. They will be also visiting Marg’s relatives and friends in Arlington, S.D. Overnight guests Saturday in the home of Gene and Shirley Sandager were Patti (Demuth) and husband Jim Gutwiller, Mora. They, along with Gene and Shirley and Jo (Sandager) Wolf, Herrick, S.D., attended the Arendsen-Nelson wedding There was a bridal shower Saturday afternoon in the home of Ron and Sandy Feucht honoring Jody Wilmont, bride-to-be of Randy Fuecht. The couple are planning an Oct. 25 wedding. Sunday noon lunch guests of Ray and Lois Nelson included Rodney and Gail Arendson, Sandra Arendsen, Gillette, Wyo., Rodney’s sister, and Vickie Nelson, Mankato. Vickie and Bruce Nelson, Brooklyn Center, have spent a long weekend with parents.Martha Hoyme, Sioux Falls, will celebrate her 97th birthday, Friday, Oct. 3. She is a sister to the late Bud Johnson and Alice Bucknam. Cards may be sent to her at 206 W. 18th St, Apt. 21, Sioux Falls, S.D. 57105. Last week Cliff and Vi VanWyhe spent a few days in northern Minnesota and with Heather VanWyhe in Hutchinson. Sunday noon they were luncheon guests in the Steve and Marilyn VanWyhe home in Steen to join their houseguests, Gustaf and Eve Pereson of southern Sweden, and Marilyn’s sister, Shirley and Jark Goutcher, Preston, Amber and Travis Arends, Warrensburg, Mo., and also Heather VanWyhe of Hutchinson. Heather VanWyhe entertained her grandparents for dinner Sunday evening. Laurie Hynes, St. Louis Park spent Saturday overnight in the home of her mother, Luella Schlueter, and attended the Arendsen-Nelson wedding in Sioux Falls Saturday afternoon.

Evidently fed up with the 65 percent of Americans who are already overweight or obese and not following their advice, nutritionists are going to the dogs. Really. At least 25 percent of dogs and cats in the Western world, including the USA, are obese and need to lose weight, according to a report recently issued by the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council. In other words, a quarter of the 77 million cats and 60 million dogs in this country have become couch potatoes. The experts’ solutions for dealing with paunchy pets include cutting calories, avoiding snacks and table scraps and more exercise. The advice hasn’t worked for humans, especially the part about table scraps, but experts are apparently hoping for better luck with our four-legged friends. How can you tell if your dog should lose weight? The same experts say that if you can’t feel its ribs, a dog is too fat. If you can pinch an inch of fat over the ribs, the dog is overweight. There will also be fatty deposits on its back and tail and no waistline when the dog is viewed from above. Except for the fat tail part, pets are resembling their owners. In addition, the following tell-tale signs might indicate that your dog is ready for a diet and an exercise program. You discover paw prints on the refrigerator door and definite nose prints on the leftover Jell-O salad. Smaller family pets, such as hamsters, gerbils and parakeets, are mysteriously missing. All that remains of them are a few scattered feathers, empty cages and tiny three-inch collars. All wildlife has vanished from your yard. You can’t remember the last time you saw a squirrel or a night crawler or heard a bird sing. You are notified by the police that a dog resembling yours has been attacking every pizza delivery person within a four-block radius of your house and running off with the goods. To make matters worse, you recently noticed that your dog has what appears to be pizza breath. The dial on the bathroom scale appears to be chewed, or gnawed, to the point of destruction by something or someone with unusually sharp teeth. Your dog sits up and howls uncontrollably during televised dog food commercials. His leash, a necessity for walking around the block, always seems to be missing. He continues to outgrow dog collars at a steady rate and now wears a man’s 38-inch leather belt around his neck. Your dog has a curious, almost primitive, look in his eyes whenever he sees small children walk by the house. The gaze, which reminds you of the distant look in hunters’ eyes in the fall, is usually accompanied by excessive drooling. Finally, someone or something has crudely scrawled two words — roughly resembling "doggie treats" — on your grocery list. The words are apparently written with an unusual combination of ink, backyard dirt and slobber.

10 years ago (1993)"The Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots landed a spot in the upcoming section playoffs. H-BC needed a victory over Lake Benton in order to secure the standing. H-BC’s defensive linemen Tony Olson and Dallas Knobloch put the pressure on the Bobcats in order to help the Patriots cruise to a 42-14 win Friday night." 25 years ago (1978)"Homecoming festivities came to a climax Thursday night as David Deragisch and Sandy VanWyhe were crowned 1978-79 homecoming king and queen. They were announced by the Mistress and Master of Ceremonies, Ladine Bosch and Greg Helgeson." 50 years ago (1953)"Vermayne Sundem, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Sundem of Hills, and Roger Rohlck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orland Rohlck of Hardwick, took top honors at the State Plowing Contest on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the Contour Line Staking Contest for 4-H and FFA teams."75 years ago (1928)"A new publication, the "Hills High Tooter," made its debut to the public last Friday. The paper contains news of interest to Hills students and parents alike, also a goodly bunch of advertising from local businessmen. It’s a healthy looking youngster, and will not only be good training for the students in charge, but a good advertisement for the Hills Consolidated School, and our little city."100 years ago (1903)"The school year for the Hills school opened on Monday morning, Sept. 28, with a total enrollment of 68 — 23 in charge of Miss Laura Torston and 45 in charge of Miss Edith Cox. While the term was begun under unfavorable circumstances, yet good progress is reported by the teachers. Owing to the erection of the addition to the schoolhouse, it was voted at the annual meeting to have the fall term begin Sept. 21, but when that time arrived the opening of the term was postponed one week in hopes that possession of the two old rooms could be obtained. However, this proved impossible without serious annoyance to the workmen on the addition as well as to the teachers and pupils and as the board of trustees were unable to secure one of the churches for a week, both teachers are holding forth in the opera house this week. Contractor Hellie has promised that both of the old rooms will be ready for occupancy next Monday."

Norman Olson, 65, Hardwick, died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at the Hospice Cottage of Luverne. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. The Rev. Mark Mumme officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens Cemetery, rural Luverne. Norman Olson was born to Ole and Meta (Schneekloth) Olson on July 27, 1938, in Beaver Creek. He was raised and educated in Beaver Creek and graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1956.He married Carol J. Letcher on May 6, 1967, at Emmanuel Baptist Church. He worked for A.R. Wood Manufacturing of Luverne until it closed in 1981. He then worked as a carpenter. He served his country for 21 years in the Army National Guard.Mr. Olson was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. He loved to play softball and was the pitcher on the Beaver Creek team for many years. Survivors include his wife, Carol Olson, Hardwick; one son, Chad (Erika) Olson, Luverne; one daughter, Dawn Olson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; two brothers, Stanley (Connie) Olson, Beaver Creek, and Robert Olson, Hills; two sisters, Doris (Dick) Walters, Sioux Falls, and Vernice (Art) Aaker, Beaver Creek; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Mr. Olson was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Todd Allen Olson, three brothers, Howard, Merlyn and Leonard Olson; and three sisters, Esther Nelson, Helen Kramer and Norma Severtson. Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital will plant a tree in Norman Olson’s memory. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Hospital project begins telephone campaignThe Partnership Campaign, whose mission is to raise money for the new hospital, and clinic will begin their "Neighbor-to-Neighbor Telephone Calls for Support."The campaign will begin on Monday, Sept. 29.Students from Luverne High School’s Peer Helpers and German Club will call approximately 5,000 area homes to solicit the gifts.Although recently passed state and federal laws have restricted telemarketing, the new "do not call" laws do not apply to local charities.The students will offer area residents the opportunity to make cash donations or to pledge to make payments over a five-year period.The calls will be coming your way Monday through Thursday evenings for three or four weeks, or until they have completed giving everyone the opportunity to donate to the project.According to Greg Burger, chair of the drive, the Luverne Community Hospital employs 230 people and has an annual economic impact of more than $15 million. In addition to serving as home base for the area’s physicians, visiting specialists conduct clinics and perform procedures in Luverne.The future home of the Luverne hospital and clinic will be more than twice the size of its current two facilities, and promoters are hoping the expanded operation will entice even more patients to choose Luverne for their health care.State Troopers go after motoristsMinnesota State Troopers out of the Marshall office recently focused their efforts toward speeders.The troopers stopped more than 400 motorists, issuing 157 speeding tickets and 63 seatbelt tickets during the Safe & Sober enhanced enforcement campaign, Aug. 27 through Sept. 12.According to Sgt. Brian L. West, "For the safety of our roads, we can’t let speeding become an acceptable habit."The speeding-targeted campaign was coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and included participation from more than 200 law enforcement agencies."Speeding limits are posted for a reason, they are to be obeyed, not tested," West said.The Safe & Sober campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is designed to reduce traffic crashes and injuries through education and enforcement.DFL Chuckwagon set for Oct. 8The Rock County DFL is preparing for its annual fund-raiser.The 52nd annual Rock County DFL Chuckwagon Feed and Auction will be at the American Legion on Tuesday, Oct. 7.The "feed" part of the evening will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The auction of donated merchandise will begin at 6:30 p.m.The auction will be conducted by a number of local auctioneers who will sell the items, mostly donated by local merchants.Tickets for the fund-raiser are available from any member of the Rock County DFL Central Committee, or at Vander Kooi Law Offices in Luverne.All proceeds from the Chuckwagon will go to support Democratic Farmer-Labor candidates.Goodwill’s coming to townThe Goodwill truck came to town this week and will be here until Tuesday, Sept. 30.The truck will be located at the former Glen’s Food Center building in downtown Luverne.Due to the trailer size, large items such as furniture and large appliances can’t be accepted.Items that the Goodwill encourages you to donate include: sellable clothing, usable working small appliances and household goods, sporting goods and toys.Donations are to be placed as far to the front of the trailer as possible.The sold items are used to support the programs and services Goodwill provides for people with disabilities and disadvantages.For more information contact Ruth Rodgers at 283-8879.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Lori EhdeThe five-inch drenching two weeks ago came too late to feed most drought-damaged crops in Rock County. For that reason, Farm Service Agency Director Roger Carlson predicts a 10- to 15-percent decrease in corn and soybean yields this year."It’s pretty early to tell, but that’s kind of my own prediction right now, before seeing any actual yields," Carlson said Tuesday."I can tell you my assessment overall, is that that we’ll have a smaller crop this year than last year and bigger variation in yields, because some parts of the county got more rain than others."Some combines ventured into fields this week, but Carlson said, with a little sunshine and some light winds, everyone will soon be harvesting. "Next week will be full bore."While some area counties submitted applications for drought disaster assistance, they need to show 30 percent yield losses to apply, and Carlson said Rock County, in general, won’t see that kind of drought damage."If we find out that I’m way off base, we can still apply for disaster assistance," he said.The drought scenario in Rock County is that some areas saw more damage than others. "The northeast parts of the county and areas along the river with lighter soil were hurting," Carlson said. "Those fields were pretty dead by the time we got rain."Most of Rock County received more than six inches of rain over a two-day period Sept. 10 and 11, but by that time local crops had already reached maturity."There were some corn and soybeans still green at that time, and were able to feed off that rain, but I think it didn’t benefit most crops," Carlson said.Prior to Sept. 10, Carlson said the last good rain in Rock County was around July 4. "Both July and August were real dry months," Carlson said.Despite its late arrival, the rain will make a big difference for Rock County crops in the future."It’s going to definitely have long-term benefits for the subsoil, especially next spring," Carlson said. "It came down so nice. Most of it soaked into the ground and didn’t run off."

By Sara StrongAlthough City Utilities Coordinator Red Arndt is retiring at the end of this month, his expertise will be available to the city in the role of consultant.The Luverne City Council Tuesday authorized Administrator Greg LaFond to draft a contract with Arndt to be approved at a later meeting. Councilman Tom Martius voted against forming a contract with Arndt.LaFond said that Arndt, as a consultant, would report to him. He said Arndt’s experience will help guide the city through a transition in leadership. "We have a large number of projects underway and I haven’t been here all that long," LaFond said.He said it’s important for the city to have continuity in the department for the time being. LaFond will work with the city attorney in drafting the consultant contract.The city hasn’t determined if there will be a Utilities Coordinator after Arndt.In other business Tuesday, the Council:oAnnexed 2.09 acres of land into the city limits. The property is owned by Bart and Paula Thielbar. They actually own about 25 acres, just northwest of Luverne city limits. If the Thielbars sell more of the property as housing lots, they will annex all of the land at once, rather than in individual lots. oReminded the public that the next Comprehensive Plan meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Luverne Elementary School Commons. This meeting will include important information gathered so far that will form the next Comprehensive Plan. The consultants have said this is the most important of the meetings to attend.oLearned that the city utility billing system is undergoing some software changes, so the next round of bills may be sent to customers a few days later than usual. Staff is spending extra time with the bill statements to double-check their accuracy, which explains the delay. Customers shouldn’t notice a change in their bills, and rates are the same.

By Lori EhdeRandy Scott’s fatal accident, involving the former South Dakota governor, has gained national attention, and much of that attention has focused on the Scott family’s response to the ordeal.But Randy’s mother, Marcella Scott, who also lost her husband, Earl, only two years ago, has respectfully declined media interviews.Instead, she and her family have, at timely intervals, released written statements, such as the one following Janklow’s press conference Monday morning."Randy Scott was a kind and loving member of our family," they shared in a faxed statement Monday morning. "He was taken from us because of Mr. Janklow’s conscious decision to ignore a stop sign and speed through an intersection, just as he had done last December. While Mr. Janklow’s regret is no doubt sincere, we had hoped for more honesty about the cause of Randy’s death."They found little comfort in Janklow’s statements during Monday’s press conference, in which he twice referred to Scott by the wrong name. Janklow mistakenly called Scott "Cliff Robertson," a Hollywood movie star who commonly played roles in western films. The reason for the confusion, Janklow said, is that there’s another Hollywood actor, Randolph Scott, who played similar gunsmoke movie roles.Janklow was scheduled to appear in Moody County District Court today and Friday for a preliminary hearing in which witnesses at the scene of the accident were prepared to offer testimony.That hearing, however, was canceled Monday when Janklow and his attorney waived the right to that hearing and opted to appear directly for arraignment on Friday.In that arraignment, scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Janklow will enter an official plea to charges of second-degree manslaughter, failure to stop at a stop sign, going 71 mph in a 55 mph zone and reckless driving.If convicted of the felony charge of manslaughter, Janklow would be banned from voting in Congress, in addition to any prison sentence that may be imposed.Janklow faces maximum court penalties of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.From the Scott family perspective, no prison sentence or career penalty will heal their pain."As a family we want so badly to have Randy back," they said in Monday’s faxed statement. "We understand that the criminal process can redress many wrongs, but not the taking of a life. At the end of the day, whatever the outcome, Randy will still be gone. No verdict can turn back time. All we can hope for from the legal system is fairness, and the eventual imposition of a consequence for a criminal act."

Randy Scott (left) is pictured with Howling Dog Saloon manager Jodi Christy and his son, J.R. Scott, during a gathering two years ago at the Howling Dog, formerly Scotty’s Bar and Grill, which Randy’s parents, Earl and Marcella Scott, owned and operated in Luverne for 11 years.By Lori EhdeAmid national press conferences, political speculation and strong personal opinions, friends and family of Randy Scott continue to mourn his loss.Scott, 55, Hardwick, was killed Aug. 16 when his Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a Cadillac driven by Congressman Bill Janklow who sped through a stop sign at a rural intersection in Moody County, S.D.While former South Dakota Governor Janklow, is left with legal and political ramifications of the accident, all Randy Scott’s family and friends have are their memories.Appropriately, Howling Dog Saloon Manager Jodi (Kunkel) Christy, along with Randy’s mother Marcella Scott, have organized a motorcycle rally in Randy’s memory.The ride will start at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Howling Dog Saloon, Luverne. Motorcycles will lead, but all vehicles are welcome."I brought up the idea to Marcella, and she really liked it, but I never thought it would be this big," Christy said Monday. "I’ve been getting calls left and right."Those calls have come from interested participants, local and national media and even from some who want to protest Janklow’s role in Scott’s death."One thing I really want to stress is this isn’t a protest rally," Christy said. "We all have our own feelings and opinions, but this is strictly a rally to remember Randy … so people can see the kind of guy Randy was by the number of people who are there."A major stop along the rally route will be the accident scene near Trent, S.D, where participants will place flowers at the intersection, and Marcella will read a prayer.In addition, stops are planned at the Kenneth Bar in Kenneth, Green Lantern in Hardwick, Tree House in Trosky, the Silver Bullet in Sherman, S.D., the Corner Bar in Valley Springs, S.D. and then back to the Howling Dog in Luverne where food and entertainment are planned.The Howling Dog is an ideal sponsor for the event, since it used to be Scotty’s Bar and Grill. For 11 years, Randy’s parents, Marcella and the late Earl Scott owned the bar."They’d have family Christmases there," Christy said. "Anybody who’s owned or managed a bar knows how much work it can be, so it becomes a big part of the family."She said she’s organizing the rally as both a business manager and as a personal friend of Randy. "He’d stop in here maybe four, five times a week, sometimes three or four times a day, to have a soda and to say ‘hi,’" she said. "I’ve known him all my life, but the last couple years I’ve gotten to know him better."Christy said the bike rally has become a mammoth event to organize because Randy was so well-known and well-liked."We can’t stop at every business along the way," she said. "We may even have to cut out a few scheduled stops, depending on how many riders we have. We want to get everyone back before dark — we don’t want any more accidents."One Rapid City, S.D., bar, the Buckin’ Gator, is sponsoring its own rally in Randy’s honor. Christy said she took a call Monday from the bar owners, who will organize a bike ride departing at the same time and riding the same distance, 100 miles.Local businesses are encouraged to participate by posting "Remember Randy" on their message boards and marquees on Oct. 4.Rally T-shirts will be sold to cover event expenses, but any leftover proceeds and donations will be directed to a local charity in Randy’s name.Christy said it’s important that participants arrive early, to work out parking issues and vehicle order.Law enforcement will be on hand to direct traffic for departure in Luverne and for the prayer service at the accident scene.