I’m sure the Janklow family feels bad, but consider the family and friends of Randy Scott, who seems to be forgotten in all the fuss over Rep. Bill Janklow, R-S.D.He was my best friend. Nothing will ever replace the time or cloud the memories of a man who liked everyone, passed judgment on no one, and would help anyone anytime. Those of us who knew him will always remember his optimistic, happy attitude. Something is missing now. The world lost a good one.Mike W. Mulligan, DelanoFormer Luverne Resident

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: a time to remember the 22 victims of violence that have died in Minnesota this year. It is also a time to remember those living near us, working next to us and attending school with our children who are suffering at the hands of their abuser. Domestic violence may not always outright take the life of a victim, but for some it is a slow death of their self esteem and zest for life. During the week of Oct. 3 to 10 there will be a display similar to last year on the Rock County Courthouse lawn depicting the names of the violence victims who have died this year in Minnesota. Along with the names of the victims, there is a sign that has the names of the financial sponsors who helped make the display possible. Although Rock County doesn’t have any victim’s names included in the victim display, let me tell you that domestic violence does occur here. Our community owes it to the victims that are enduring domestic violence to get involved in the movement to end domestic violence by holding batterers accountable. Raevette D. LoonanSouthwest Crisis Centerwww.mnswcc.com

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: a time to remember the 22 victims of violence that have died in Minnesota this year. It is also a time to remember those living near us, working next to us and attending school with our children who are suffering at the hands of their abuser. Domestic violence may not always outright take the life of a victim, but for some it is a slow death of their self esteem and zest for life. During the week of Oct. 3 to 10 there will be a display similar to last year on the Rock County Courthouse lawn depicting the names of the violence victims who have died this year in Minnesota. Along with the names of the victims, there is a sign that has the names of the financial sponsors who helped make the display possible. Although Rock County doesn’t have any victim’s names included in the victim display, let me tell you that domestic violence does occur here. Our community owes it to the victims that are enduring domestic violence to get involved in the movement to end domestic violence by holding batterers accountable. Raevette D. LoonanSouthwest Crisis Centerwww.mnswcc.com

A boy, Zachary Charles, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces, was born to Tony and Julie Miller, Hills, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003. A niece, Raeann Bertram stays with the Millers and helps to care for the youngster. She is in the 6th grade and attends Hills-Beaver Creek School. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended a celebration on Thursday night for former governor, Al Quie, on his 80th birthday at the Radisson South in Bloomington. They spent the night with Anna and Mike Gilman. On Friday noon they had lunch with Naomi Erickson and again spent the night with the Gilmans. Mark and Brenda Hadler and family, Edgerton, were guests in the home of Joanne Goehle after the homecoming game Friday. Colby Hadler spent Saturday with Grandma Joanne. Don and Edyth Briggs attended Masonic meetings in Brookings, S.D., Thursday until Saturday. Jean and Dennis Smith, Lititz, Pa., spent a few days in the home of Jean’s mother, Mary Carter. They were accompanied by Mary to Beaver Crossing, Neb., to spend the week with Dennis’ mother. Betty Elbers visited her mother, Jessie Boeve, Sunday at the Edgerton Care Center in Edgerton.

Our weather has definitely cooled down. In fact, it even has a nip in the air that makes you wish for your jacket! The weatherman has definitely heard our plea for moisture. We have not received any large amounts but the showers are coming much more frequently. I haven’t had to water my flowers very often of late and they are really doing well! The lawns have turned green once more and we have them mowed and they look like an emerald garden once more. The weeds continue to thrive no matter what happens. A few farmers have been cutting silage but there has been very little fieldwork done other than that. With our cooler temperatures there is a nip in the air, which is our clue to get the plants in that you wish to keep and get at whatever else needs to be done before winter decides to make an appearance. I hope it isn’t an early one!Those coming from a distance for Elizabeth Elbers 95th birthday were Mr. and Mrs. Steven Dole, Gretchen Timmer, all from Denver, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Withrow, Amarillo, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Timmer, Northfield, Neb. They are all nieces and nephews of Lizzie Elbers. Paul and Carole Aykens, Orange City, Iowa, Joyce Aykens, Worthington, and Jo Aykens, Steen, drove to Watertown, S.D., last Saturday where they visited the Redlin Art Gallery. En route home they stopped at Brookings, S.D., where they visited the Mc Crory Gardens before returning home. Kathleen Esselink entered Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls last Monday afternoon where she remains a patient at this time. Congratulations to Jennifer Sjaarda, daughter of Norman and Donna Sjaarda, and Josh Bornitz who were united in marriage Saturday, Sept. 20, at Steen Reformed Church. Those coming from a distance for the wedding were Jean Jansma, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jansma, all from California, and The Rev. Howard and Linda Soehl, Howell, Mich.Mildred Paulson and Elzora Ott, Luverne, attended the South West District United Methodist Women annual meeting at Windom on Saturday. Sunday morning, Bernard Egersma, representing the Gideon Society, spoke at the Sunday morning service in Steen Reformed Church. A special offering was taken for their organization. Carol Zwaan and Melba Boeve went to Brandon on Saturday evening where they attended the presentation of "A Tribute to Hank Williams" at the Brandon Performing Arts Center. Others from this area who attended were Wilmer and Betty Elbers and Duane and Janice Klosterbuer. A 1 o’clock luncheon was Saturday at the Dries and Laura May Bosch home. Those attending were Paul and Diane Bosch, Brandon, Eric Bosch, Sioux Falls, and Heather Bosch and a friend from Omaha, Neb. Winnie Scholten, Henrietta Huenink and Joan Hoogeveen attended the Christian Women’s Society meeting at United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids on Wednesday. The speaker was from Orange City and spoke on "Our Pumpkin Land."September visitors in the Florence Sandstede home were her son, Larry and his wife, Nancy Sandstede and family, Sherry and Tom, from San Diego, Calif. Arnold and Jane Bonnema moved from their home on the farm near Steen to The Oaks apartments in Luverne on Friday. They have lived there since the 1940s. We will miss them but wish them the best in their new location. Deric Ehde who attends college at Detroit Lakes Northwest Technical College, spent the weekend in the home of his parents, Rick and Lori Scholten. Perhaps many of us have not been concerned about our nation’s freedom and the protection of it. I have been very disgusted with some of the remarks that have caused me to think we do not appreciate what we have and how it is up to us to protect our freedom. I am going to share this article titled, "Citizenship Day" which was first granted on Sept. 17, 1787, and our responsibility to continue this freedom. I quote from the Sunshine magazine which, as far as I know, is no longer in circulation. "One hundred and eighty-five years ago, the Constitution of the United States was signed. The document, which guarantees each citizen priceless freedoms, represents the dreams and struggles of people all over the world during many centuries of recorded history. From those people who strived to teach America’s founding fathers, came the ideas of liberty and justice and human dignity. The dreams of long forgotten ancestors came true, at last in America and endowed us with a concept of government and a charter of liberty and courage for combining the wisdom of the ages. Former Pres. Lyndon Johnson in commenting on the Constitution, ‘It is still, he continued, ‘the protection from government — and by government. But liberty is a blessing that must be constantly nurtured.’This blessing, first granted on Sept. 17, 1787, can be taken away by those among us who are selfish or ignorant, by those who are too lazy to vote, by those who seem to prefer a socialistic or communistic form of government. Freedom-loving people everywhere must rededicate themselves, to the gift of liberty and to the Constitution of the United States, a symbol of man’s ability to govern himself within the laws adopted by his representatives to protect his life, liberty and pursuit of happiness."That is exactly the way I feel. It is our heritage and our responsibility to retain it for all future generations. We need a Citizenship Day!

Villagers shared in the excitement of homecoming by watching the homecoming parade. It was hard not to for there were the flashing lights of the police car blocking traffic. Following were pickups pulling flatbeds with lots of cheering students going past our building. Later that night they won their game against Edgerton.The Miss America pageant was watched on our big screen TV with a great deal of interest. Signe’s son from Philadelphia has served as a greeter for several years. His duties are to greet the candidates and their families as they arrive at the event and show them around. He’s always in the audience when the big event occurs and we tried to see him there. This has been a week of renewing friendships. Audrey Wildung stopped to see the Bush’s. Audrey and Ione’s friendship began when they were classmates when they went to school in Luverne. Then a great-niece and her children, Annette Kampas of Nevis stopped at the Bush’s. She was on the way to Hull, Iowa, to buy gates and equipment for their horse farm. On the farm are 30 horses with 26 mares expecting ponies. Alice, too, has lots of company. This week her bridesmaid, Margaret Staeffler, Luverne, was here as well as company from California. And then we entertained residents of The Oaks in Luverne. This was not their first visit and several were associated to the Villagers. It was fun to hear that among the guests was Olga Rogness, originally a Hanson from Steen. On a chain around her neck was her 1926 Hills class ring. Marcella met her high school classmate, Rachael Untiedt. (Lloyd was home taking a nap.) They were Egan, S.D., graduates. Driving The Oaks van was Eileen Siebenahler. Eileen is a Hills graduate. She was Eileen Smedsrud then. There were Wes and Marion Navara, Grace Witrock and her son, Ronald Aberhof, Anna Mae Ver Steeg and Ruth Iverson. Another was Viola DeGroot who once was very helpful in providing care for others through Rock County Family Service. Caryl Eitreim’s boys attended Hills school and were remembered as what an excellent addition they were to the band. It was a fun time reminiscing. Martha once lived at The Oaks. Eighteen members of the Village Circle had their monthly meeting in the Community Room. Signe’s daughters have placed their Rock Rapids store under new management. I’ll keep you posted.

To sweat or not to sweat? That may be the question soon facing all men, especially those living in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Based on two separate magazine stories, which I happened to read recently, the answers will vary. It will all depend upon how much men want to keep their jobs and how much they care about the mood-swings of women in their lives. Most men might not even be aware that the question exists. According to The Week magazine, the Tennessee community now requires its city employees "to smell good while on the job." The "good hygiene" policy states that "no employee shall have an odor generally offensive to others." When asked how the new rule will be enforced, one councilman answered, "We’ll know it when we smell it." The immediate reaction of the city employees might be to have their entire bodies dipped into some powerful antiperspirant and deodorant mixture, not unlike a human type of sheep dip. Other employees might argue that body odors, like beauty, are in the nose, rather than the eyes, of the beholder. Others will look for new employers with less sensitive noses. Male employees of Murfreesboro should also know that a new University of Pennsylvania study has found that the basic scent of male perspiration odors "brightened women’s moods, relaxed them and even triggered changes in hormone levels." In other words, if a woman is feeling blue, she should search out the nearest construction site or exercise center and sniff a sweaty man. The only problem with feeling better by sniffing is that she might also experience an insatiable desire to reproduce. Like most medicines prescribed to elevate moods, male perspiration does have its surprise side effects. Until now, wives of city employees in Murfreesboro probably didn’t know why they felt so good. Their perspiring husbands would come home from long days of hard work, and the wives would miraculously stop fretting about the nagging, little problems in their own lives. Built-up wax on the kitchen floors, malfunctioning household appliances and noisy children underfoot were no longer monumental concerns. If "good hygiene" policies are adopted in other cities, one effect might be positive — stock prices for manufacturers of soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes and aftershave lotions will soar. However, it will only be a matter of time before serious problems develop for women living with odor-free men. Normally harmless lunches "out with the girls" might turn into vicious food fights as tempers continue to be unabated by the scents of sweaty males. Grocery store rage, typified by hurled heads of cabbage in produce sections and intentional cart collisions, will spread to hair salons, public libraries, hospitals and other places. Women in our part of the country, traditionally known for their "Midwestern nice", will become openly hostile. Home-cooked meals will be scorched and tempers will flare for apparently no reason. City councils and businesses throughout the U.S. should think twice before they follow the example set by Murfreesboro and begin altering women’s mood swings with "good hygiene" policies for their employees.

10 years ago (1993)"Hills-Beaver Creek took advantage of three Glenville-Emmons miscues Friday en route to a 26-0 homecoming victory.The Pates scored on a series of plays after Jay Bakken blocked a Wolverine punt. The locals lit up the board in four plays when Tory Noll intercepted a pass. And finally, when senior Brian Van Batavia recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter, the Pates were able to seal the 26-0 victory."25 years ago (1978)"More than $2,000 worth of band instruments were discovered missing from the Hills-Beaver Creek High School band room last week in what appears to be an amateur theft attempt.The theft is believed to have occurred Wednesday evening, Sept. 13. Two of the instruments were discovered missing the following day and eight were reported missing when the band convened for practice on Friday."50 years ago (1953)"The Student Council of Hills High School has been active in making detailed plans for Homecoming events on Oct. 2. Student Council officers are: president, Barbara Nelson; vice president, Clarence Beyenhof; secretary, Doris Hengeveld; and treasurer, Mary Jane Swanson."75 years ago (1928)"Hogen Olson has been doing a fine job on the sidewalk from town to the Illinois Central depot the past week. The walk was barely visible on account of weed and grass, and this he has cleaned away and, last Tuesday, was repairing the broken places. The village dads are to be commended on this improvement and it speaks well for the town when strangers come by rail to visit our little city." 100 years ago (1903)"On next Monday, Sept. 28th, the school year in Hills will open, and it would be well for parents to put forth every effort to have their children start in at the beginning of the term. For the first month, or until the new addition is fully completed, the two old rooms will be crowded, but this cannot be avoided, and there is consolation in knowing that crowded school rooms in Hills will soon be a thing of the past. To make our schools attain a high standard of efficiency, it is of vital importance that parents send their children at the beginning of the term and keep them there regularly in order that they may receive good standings at the close of the term."

Carroll Miles Wixon "Wix," 61, Hartford, S.D., died Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was the brother of Deanna Chapman, Hills. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church, East Wall Lake, S.D. Carroll Wixon was born to Forrest and Bertha (Gilb) Wixon on Jan. 27, 1942, at Lynd in Lyon County, Minn., on the family farm. He graduated from Walnut Grove High School. He was retired from the South Dakota Air National Guard after 38 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Clarice Wixon, Hartford; four sons, Steven (Genevieve) Wixon, Anchorage, Alaska, Darin (Regina) Wixon, Brookings, S.D., Daniel (Elizabeth) Wixon, Austin, Texas, and David (Lisa) Wixon, Centerville, S.D.; seven grandchildren; his mother, Bertha Keil, Lake Wilson; three brothers, Forrest (Alice) Wixon, Pierre, S.D., Ronald (Barb) Wixon, Milroy, and Terrance (Randi) Wixon, Brandon, S.D.; and three sisters, Deidre (Ronald) Garels, Huron, S.D., Deanna (Douglas) Chapman, Hills, and Daryl (Michael) Johnson, Lake Wilson. Mr. Wixon was preceded in death by his father. Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.