By Jolene FarleyThe road to recovery continues for two Rock County residents involved in a two-vehicle accident northwest of Hills on Thursday, July 31. Chris Louwagie, a passenger in a 1994 Chevrolet pickup driven by Ryan Burger, Luverne, was airlifted with extensive injuries including three fractured vertebrae, punctured lungs, multiple broken ribs and a head injury.He remains in the hospital, but was moved to the Rehabilitation Unit at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D., according to his wife, Laura. "They are working with his back and broken ribs," she said. He is walking with some assistance and has full use of all his arms and legs. He has been off the respirator for some time and his punctured lungs have healed, according to Laura."He just improves so much everyday," Laura said. After release from the hospital in a few weeks, he will continue recovering at home for a few months and work on rehabilitation. "Everyone is so different, they can’t say how long," she said. Because of his head injury, Chris did have some memory loss, but doctors expect he will fully recover. "We appreciated all the support and help from the community, family and friends," Laura said. "We wouldn’t have been able to get through this without everybody."The Louwagies are thankful that Chris will recover and won’t have lasting effects from the accident. "It’s definitely a miracle," Laura said.Sherryl Knobloch, 55, of rural Hills, was driving a 1998 Buick Park Avenue. Her injuries included a stabilized fracture in her neck, a punctured lung, and broken ribs. She was airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital.Knobloch doesn’t remember the accident, being airlifted or her time in the hospital. She remembers nothing until about mid-week after the accident. "I don’t remember a thing," she said. Knobloch, released from the hospital last week, is still on "a lot of pain medications" and will see three doctors Monday for further evaluation. "I’m whole," she said. "Everything seems to be going OK right now."She wears a brace on her neck and is "still struggling with the broken ribs." Knobloch, employed as a credit manager at Sheehan Equipment, Sioux Falls, S.D., returned to work for the afternoon Monday and brought home items to work on while recovering. Ryan Burgers was transported by ground ambulance to Avera McKennan Hospital from the scene of the accident. The Crescent was unable to reach Burgers for an update on his condition.

By Jolene FarleyThe Dave and Dawn Leenderts household swelled by three after the birth of triplets last week but things are running smoothly, according to the couple. "They’ve pretty much stuck to their four-hour (feeding) schedule," she said. "They train them up in Intensive Care (nursery) pretty well," Dave said.The triplets joined a big brother, Dawson, who turned three this month. Perinatologist Dr. William Watson, a specialist in multiple births, delivered the babies on Saturday, Aug. 5, by scheduled cesarean section at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls. With a due date of Sept. 12, Dawn was 34 weeks, and four days into her pregnancy."It was getting too much for me," she said. "I was having trouble walking and sleeping and I was having headaches." There were 25 people in the delivery room, including the Leenderts and their three babies."So that little room was pretty crowded," Dave said.An amniocentesis was done before the cesarean section to ensure the babies were mature enough to deliver. Donovan was born at 9:22 a.m. weighing 4 pounds, 7 ounces; Danette was born at 9:23 a.m. weighing 4 pounds, 5 ounces; Drew was born at 9:24 a.m. weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces. The triplets had few health problems, so they were allowed to come home about four weeks sooner than expected. Donovan has a slight heart murmur that doctors say he’ll outgrow. Drew, who came home Tuesday, stayed in the hospital longest because he wasn’t eating as well as the other babies, according to Leenderts. The couple says now he is the best eater of the three. "He decided he wasn’t going to get left behind," Dave said. The babies wake up at midnight and 4 a.m. for feedings, but are on almost identical schedules because of their hospital stay. The couple has play yards set up in their living room for the infants to sleep in. They hope to use these sleeping arrangements until the babies are at least three months old. "We haven’t got the whole system down yet on our sleeping quarters," Dave said. "We’re getting through this stage."The first night Danette and Donavan were home from the hospital, they both cried until Dawn switched on a light in the living room.The babies are used to the noise and lights in the intensive care nursery so darkness and silence actually kept them up.Between the three babies, 25-to-30 newborn size diapers are used a day. The couple said they are able to tell the babies apart. Danette is easiest — because she is the only girl. Donavon has a darker complexion, and different face shape than Drew.The babies also have different tones when they cry. Drew, who cries loudest, is easily distinguishable. The other two have different cries, but the couple hasn’t learned the difference yet.Different personalities are also evident in the young triplets. Danette is more active than her two brothers. "She squirms around a lot, kicks her legs," Dave said. Drew is laid back and Donavon likes to look around.The couple has tried to recruit help with the babies during the day."We try to arrange somebody for every day, or at least for a feeding or two," Dawn said. The babies are scheduled for their first doctor’s appointments next Tuesday. Dawn won’t take all three of the infants to the appointments alone. "Dad has to come on those days," she said.

Bob Lippi says Carmel loves their LuverneI received a package from Bob Lippi last week.I haven’t seen or heard from Bob for a very long time, but he hasn’t forgotten about Luverne.In the package was a copy of their local weekly newspaper, The Carmel Pine Cone, which featured a story on a recently restored 1923 Luverne fire truck.According to the article, the fire truck had been "stored without ceremony in boxes and in yards, sometimes even functioning as an unusual hanging rack for potted plants. But now, the Luverne- an 80-year-old fire engine- is back in all her glory, reassembled and lovingly restored at the hands of devoted volunteers."The truck was expected to be out and about for the Peninsula’s week long celebration of historic automobiles, with Carmel-by-the-sea Fire Department Truck No. 1 in gold lettering on the side.Built by hand in the Luverne plant, the truck was the first piece of motor driven equipment purchased by the city of Carmel according to the paper.Purchased for $5,500, it was added to the fleet that included Carmel’s hand-pulled hose cart.School to hold open schoolThe Luverne Public School is using the open house concept to hold an open school next Tuesday.The district is inviting all middle and high school students and parents to an open school from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26. A similar event for the grade school kids will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18. School starts in Luverne on Tuesday, Sept 2.Dog daysof August?With the heat wave, I have heard the term "dog days of summer" used on several occasions.A column written by Rex Quinn, explaining the history of the term recently came across my desk, and I thought I would share part of it with you."Long, long ago (before "reality" television), ancient astronomers named a star "Sirius." They called it the Dog Star because it was part of the constellation Canis Major (the greater dog). Sirius usually rose during July, and burned brightest during steamy late August days, when everyone sweats more than an ice cube on a radiator.Since Sirius is the brightest star one sees with the naked eye (or even the eye wearing clothes), folks assumed TWO glaring suns made things twice as hot. So "dog days" referred to the most miserable summer hours."Now you know the rest of the story.Order photos from dotphotoDo you ever see a photo in the Star Herald that you would like a copy of.Now it’s easy to get one, and it’s in color.The Star Herald is now posting not only the photos you see in our printed edition on the dotphoto Web site, but we are also posting many other photos that we’ve taken that didn’t make the paper.If you have Internet access you now can go to www.star-herald.com and click on the dotphoto logo.From there you will able to see all the photos that have run in the Star Herald and lot more.And although the photos you see in the Star Herald are in black and white, the photos you will get from dotphoto will be in color.If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can still stop in our office and we can order the photos for you.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

10 years ago (1993)"In nearly a month, trains will be rolling up and down the Nobles Rock Railroad, hauling grain and other cargo to destination points on the West Coast.It’s been a long time coming, but by the first of October, 54 cars per week will make stops along the railroad, primarily at local elevators for grain and fertilizer."25 years ago (1978)"Many residential users of natural gas have reached the limit of their financial ability to pay utility bills.That’s one of the many conclusions drawn by State Hearing Examiner, Bernard Singer, who has handled the rate increase request from Minnesota Gas Company (Minnegasco), which included a public hearing in Luverne."50 years ago (1953)"Margaret Pederson, 16, Springwater Hustlers; and Donald Watts, 17, Springdell 4-H club were selected as the healthiest in Rock County last Wednesday night. Donald Watts will represent Rock County at the state fair for the healthiest 4-Her in the state. Margaret Pederson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Swen Pederson, Garretson, and Donald Watts is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Watts, Sherman."75 years ago (1928)"That the decision of the Luverne fire department to not drive its fire trucks into the country districts to fight farm fires is not a matter of following the preferments of members of the department, but rather one of observing the orders of the common council, is the explanation made this week by C.J. Larson, chief of the Luverne fire department.In other words, members of the department are entirely willing to drive into the country with the fire trucks at any hour of the day or night in order to help combat threatening flames, but the Luverne council does not feel that it is justified in permitting the city’s trucks to be used in this manner."100 years ago (1903)"Three years ago the use of cement for sidewalk construction was begun in Luverne. The system was adopted at that time of requiring the use of cement in replacing old walks and in the construction of new ones. The adoption of this plan was opposed in some quarters. It was argued that whatever the advantage of cement, the cost to property owners of small means made its use a hardship. This well-founded objection was overcome by recourse to the law under which walks are now put in, and which permits the payment to be made in three annual installments."

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONCourt File No. P8-03-192ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofGertrude Feikema, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 8th day of September, 2003, at 9:00 o’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated January 15, 1996, and for the appointment of Robert Faber and Ashton State Bank, whose addresses are 3324 F 52 Trail, Parnell, Iowa 52325 and P.O. Box 278, Ashton, Iowa 51232 respectively, as personal representatives of the estate of the above named decedent in unsupervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, personal representatives will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property and do all necessary acts for the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.Dated: August 11, 2003/s/ Timothy K. ConnellJudge/s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikCourt AdministratorAndrew E. Hagemann, Jr.Attorney912 Third AvenueWorthington MN 56187Address/Phone(507) 372-2974Registration No: 39305(8-21, 8-28)

Community Room 9:00 AMRock County Family Services Agency August 5, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with Commissioners Wildung, Jarchow and Bakken present and Commissioner Hoime absent.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the July 22, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.The Chair called the Public Meeting for Judicial Ditch No. 3 to order. Jim VanderWoude from DGR presented a "preliminary field summary" pertaining to proposed improvements for Judicial Ditch No. 3. Mr. VanderWoude also presented hydraulic information and gave the following options: Option #1: continue with the current study and include a hydraulic study Option #2: dismiss the petition based on the outlet not being feasibleThe chair allowed public comment and thereafter closed the public hearing at 9:30AM.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to table the petition until the August 19th County Board meeting. Mary McLaughlin, RSVP Director and Greta Van Der Brink, Local RSVP Coordinator presented a program update and the 2004 budget funding request of $.98 per capita, which reflects a decrease of $.03 from 2003; no action was taken. Heartland Express Director Terrie Gulden and Bus Driver Linda Anderson informed the County Board of Anderson’s second place achievement at the MnDOT Annual Bus Rodeo. The County Board congratulated Ms. Anderson for her fine work in representing Rock County at the state level. The Heartland Express Director also requested to submit a grant request for a facility that would store the (4) buses along with a wash bay; state and federal funding would be 80% with 20% local funding. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to move forward with the grant application, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to approve Resolution No. 30-03, authorizing the operation of Heartland Express for 2004, declared carried on a voice vote. Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented a number project updates: oThe bike path is essentially complete minus the signage oCounty Road 4 — grading and installation of fly ash materials into the aggregate to re-construct the base oOverlays projects will begin on County Roads 8, 17 and 3.There was additional discussion regarding a Bike Path dedication ceremony. The Board directed that the Administrator and Engineer work with Commissioner Wildung in organizing that dedication ceremony. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, requested approval of the claims with additions to the list; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the claims as presented, declared on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office. General $ 38,669.63LEC 1,056.86Road & Bridge 12,686.48Welfare 42,838.21Landfill 7,452.93TOTAL $102,704.11Motion by Wildung, seconded Jarchow, to approve the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.The Auditor/Treasurer informed the County Board of property in the City of Hardwick that is due for tax forfeiture and also has a lien on the property from the Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council. After discussion, the County Board referred the matter to the County Attorney’s office for further legal research. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the per diem payments totaling $175.00, declared carried on a voice vote. The Budget Committee presented a summary report from their previous meeting; they will be proposing a number of recommendations to accomplish a balanced budget for 2004.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to agree in principle to a new lease for the Land Management Office in the building owned by DD & JJ Enterprises located at 311 W. Gabrielson Road for 5 yrs with square foot payments of $11.00 — 2004, $11.00 — 2005, $12.00 — 2006, $13.00 — 2007 and $13.00 — 2008, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed of the following:oFederal charges in the Overgaard lawsuit had been dismissed. oA joint meeting with the City of Luverne will be held August 12th @ 7:00PM in the City Chambers. oThe Lyon County Board of Commissioners has submitted their intent to withdraw from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).oThe Feedlot Task Force has decided not to apply for a Feedlot Friendly designation to the state.The County Board scheduled a meeting on August 18th @ 7:00PM in the Community Room at the Human Services Building inviting representatives of the contract cities to discuss contract law enforcement rates. Rock County representatives will be Administrator Oldre, Commissioner Wildung and Commissioner Hoime. Commissioners were informed of a Rock/Nobles Corrections Annual meeting to be held September 15th @ 6:30PM and a Feedlot Task Force meeting with the MPCA Commissioner to be held on August 14th.Commissioner Boyenga stated that Rural Water is working to repay a loan with the current funds that are being held by the county in order to save on interest expenses and that DAC is looking at a building project to meet special needs for individuals. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned. Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(8-21)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALEDate: August 12, 2003YOU ARE NOTIIFED THAT:1. Default has occurred in the conditions of the Mortgage dated September 1, 2000, executed by Thomas D. Serie and Roberta L. Serie, as Mortgagors to First National Bank in Montevideo, as Mortgagee, and filed for record September 1, 2000, as Document Number 148435, in the Office of the County Recorder of Rock County, Minnesota. The land described in the Mortgage is not registered land. 2. The Mortgage has not been assigned. 3. The original principal amount secured by the Mortgage was: One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).4. No action or proceeding at law is now pending to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part thereof. 5. The holder of the Mortgage has complied with all conditions precedent to acceleration of the debt secured by the Mortgage and foreclosure of the Mortgage, and all notice and other requirements of applicable statutes. 6. At the date of this notice the amount due on the Mortgage, and taxes, if any, paid by the holder of the Mortgage is: $104,354.70.7. Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, the Mortgage will be foreclosed, and the land described as follows:Beginning at the southwest corner of Block Fourteen (14) in Warren & Kniss’ Second Addition to the City of Luverne, Minnesota; thence one hundred fifty (150’) feet due North; thence ninety-two (92’) feet due East; thence twenty-seven (27’) feet due South; thence twenty (20’) feet due West; thence one hundred twenty-three (123’) feet due South; thence seventy-two (72’) feet due West to the point of beginning, in Rock County, Minnesota. Including easements and all appurtenances. will be sold by the Sheriff of Rock County, Minnesota at public auction on October 7, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, 213 East Luverne Street, Luverne, Minnesota 56156. 8. The time allowed by law for redemption by Mortgagor(s) or Mortgagor’s personal representatives or assigns is six months after the date of sale. 9. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Attorney(s) for Mortgagee:R. Lawrence HarrisMelchert Hubert Sjodin, PLLP121 West Main StreetWaconia, MN 55387Phone: 952 442 7700Brian Johnson, Sr. Vice-PresidentFirst National Bank in Montevideo(8-21, 8-28, 9-4, 9-11, 9-18, 9-25)

Five more women joined champion Melissa Kopp as flight winners during the Women’s Club Tournament played at the Luverne Country Club Saturday. Standing (from the left) are flight champions Susan Skattum (first flight), Lori Martinson (third flight), Lori Witt (president’s flight), Pat Rieck (second flight) and Kim Arends (fourth flight).By John RittenhouseA total of six championships were on the line during the 52nd Women’s Club Tournament played at the Luverne Country Club Saturday.Along with Melissa Kopp winning the club championship (see the front page of the sports section for the story), Lori Witt, Susan Skattum, Pat Rieck, Lori Martinson and Kim Arends also won flight titles.Witt ended taking top honors in the four-person president’s flight.Witt, Faye DeBoer, Lorna Bryan and Melissa Sterrett formed the president’s flight after falling out of contention for a club championship as members of the championship flight during the first round of play.DeBoer, who shot a 46 during the opening round, sported a one-shot edge over Witt (47), a two-shot lead over Sterrett (48) and a three-shot cushion over Bryan (49) entering the second round.Witt made par twice while shooting a 49 during the second round, but she picked up four shots on DeBoer, who shot a 53 on the back nine.Witt won the flight by shooting a 47-49-96, two strokes better than the 49-49-98 turned in by Bryan. DeBoer was third with her 46-53-99.Consistent play helped Skattum win the event’s first flight.Skattum recorded a pair of 46s to win the flight with a 92-stroke total. She made par seven times in 18 holes.Skattum led Nancy Frakes and Elda Trisko, who carded 39s, by three shots after nine holes of play. Skattum’s flight-low 46 during the second round iced her title.Frakes and Wendy Evink, who moved past Trisko in the second round, shared second place with a 49-50-99. They finished seven strokes off the pace set by Skattum.Rieck won a close competition to take the championship of the second flight.Rieck shot a 53 during the first round to lead Sandy Vrtacnik and Marlene Kopp, who turned in 54s, by one shot and Lorna Anderson (55) by two strokes.Rieck shaved four shots off her opening-round score by shooting a 49 during the second round. Her 18-hole total of 102 strokes featured two par holes.Kopp (54-40-104) and JoAnne Fodness (56-48-104) shared second place. Fodness’ 48 on the back nine was a flight-low effort for both rounds.Martinson strolled to a seven-stroke win in the third flight by shooting a 48-54-102.Martinson, who made par three times and registered one birdie during the tournament, used her 48 during the first round to open a three-shot advantage over Shirley Top (51) and a four-shot lead over Deonne Hemme (52).Martinson’s shot total increased by six strokes in the second round, but her 54 was a flight-low effort.Top (51-58-109) and Marla Van Dyk (54-55-109) shared second place in the third flight.Arends recorded an eight-stroke victory in the fourth flight.Arends, who made one par Saturday, carded a 55 during the first round to sport one-shot leads over Becky Eeten and Pat Doherty, who turned in 56s. Glenda Vander Griend was two shots off the pace with her 57.Arends put the title away by firing a flight-low 48 during the second round for an 18-hole total of 103 strokes.Vander Griend (57-54-111) finished second and Eeten (56-57-113) placed third.

By John RittenhouseThree area drivers recorded feature wins at different tracks on consecutive nights over the weekend.Former Luverne resident Anthony Mann and former Ash Creek resident David Kruger were double winners at Rapid and Huset’s Speedways respectively. Adrian’s Mark DeBoer posted a win at Lake County Speedway Saturday.Kruger capped a good weekend by winning the first heat race and the A feature in the late model street stock class at Huset’s Sunday.Luverne’s Chad Overgaard raced against Kruger, placing second in the first heat and sixth in the feature.Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch posted a victory in the first hobby stock heat race at Huset’s. Deutsch finished fourth in the A feature.Ellsworth’s Chris Tiesler (second in the first heat and sixth in the A feature), Luverne’s Mike Buss (fifth in the second heat, second in the B feature and 10th in the A feature) and Steen’s Billy Cowell (fifth in the third heat and fourth in the B feature) raced in the hobby stock class at the track near Brandon, S.D.Luverne’s Brandon Buysse placed seventh in the third heat during the 360 sprints competition at Huset’s.DeBoer’s feature win came Saturday in the late model street stock class at LCS in Madison, S.D. DeBoer won the feature after placing third in the first heat race.Mann secured a pair of wins Friday in the sportsmen’s class at Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, Iowa.Mann won the first heat race and the A feature.Ellsworth’s Greg Roemen placed fifth in the second heat and 11th in the sportsmen’s feature.Six area drivers competed in the hobby stock class at Rapid Speedway.Magnolia’s Larry Kracht posted the lone win by taking top honors in the second heat before placing ninth in the feature.Deutsch (second in the second heat and third in the feature), Cowell (fourth in the second heat and sixth in the feature), Buss (sixth in the second heat), Tiesler (fourth in the third heat and seventh in the feature) and Ash Creek’s Bobbi Kracht (third in the first heat and eighth in the feature) competed against Larry Kracht in Rock Rapids.Ellsworth’s Scott Overgaard led area drivers by placing third in the first heat and third in the feature in the late model street stock class at Rapid Speedway.DeBoer (fifth in the first heat and fourth in the feature), Kruger (fifth in the second heat and fifth in the feature), Chad Overgaard (third in the second heat and 12th in the feature) and former Hills resident Darrin Korthals (fourth in the first heat and sixth in the feature) also competed in the street stock division Friday.Luverne’s Buysse finished seventh in the first heat and 16th in the feature event of the 360 sprints at Rapid Speedway.During Friday’s races at Murray County Speedway in Slayton, Luverne’s Mike Steensma placed second in the modified feature.