Skip to main content

Pool contract ends in August

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Pool and Fitness Center is holding steady with its membership, but with tight county and city budgets, the Pool Commission is keeping its mind open for ways to increase revenues.August marks the end of a 10-year agreement with Luverne Community Hospital to use the facility for its physical therapy, or rehabilitation department.At the time of the contract, the hospital paid $20,000 to use the pool and fitness areas for its patients. It pays the fees for lifeguards on duty in the pool during pool therapy too. In any given month, an average of about 55 therapy patients use the facility.Commission member Damon Eisma and manager Carol Wessels will talk to the hospital and help start negotiations for a new contract. Commissioner Ken Hoime said he thought the Pool Commission should look at a rate schedule for members. The membership is increasing, but hasn’t quite caught up from the loss of members during the last rate increase of 20 percent.Until the county and city of Luverne get better budget numbers from the state, it’s difficult for the Pool Commission to know what its budget looks like.Hoime said, "I’m a strong proponent of the place and I’d like it to stay affordable, to be family friendly."

Council approves spending for new plan

By Sara StrongThe Luverne City Council agreed with the Planning Commission that the city needs a new Comprehensive Plan.The Council set a spending cap at just less than $50,000 and directed Interim City Administrator Jeff Haubrich to negotiate the contract for writing the Comprehensive Plan.The city will be working with the Minneapolis-based Hoisington Koegler Group to create a new plan.Mayor Glen Gust said, "Ten years ago, it was half this price."He hoped the firm would negotiate a decreased price from its first estimate. The city is paying for the plan this year because in the next couple years, state aid to cities is expected to decline even more, and there might not be room in the budgets.The Comprehensive Plan could deal with everything from a lack of space for new business growth to city sprawl around the new hospital and clinic.Cities with good planning generally have consistent appearances, with a natural flow among business, industrial and residential areas. The city of Luverne has granted variances and changed zones and given conditional use permits that don’t fit in with the plan that was written 10 years ago. The Planning Commission has previously said that it’s important for the city to better follow through with intentions this time around.Councilman David Hauge said, "Hopefully, if we spend this money, people will read this, not give so many variances just to be nice."Councilman Pat Baustian is also on the Planning Commission. He said, "It’s a community document and the citizens have input for the direction this will take. The Comprehensive Plan better be the first thing we look at when anything comes up — from elected official to elected official."Part of creating the plan involves public input so the community’s wishes will be included.

Kester leaves sergeant post

By Lori EhdeIf he enjoys retiring from law enforcement half as much as he enjoys his retirement from the fire department, Sergeant Kurt Kester said he’s going to be "the most laid-back guy in the world."After nearly 30 years of fighting crime and protecting public safety in Rock County, Kester said he’s ready to turn in the badge."I’m really looking forward to this summer," Kester said. "This will be the first time in 30 years we won’t have to plan a month in advance for a weekend vacation."He said his work has taught him a great deal about law enforcement and about life in general. "What they train you to do in law enforcement school compared with what you end up doing is unbelievable," he said. "There are things you do, there’s just no training for."He said he’s learned to trust his instincts in crisis situations. "I’ve learned I can do more than I realize," he said. "When I have to, I get it done." One example was the gas leak at Gold’n Plump five years ago when employees were falling ill for an unknown reason."You find yourself into things up to your neck, and you don’t think about it until after it’s over. Then I say, ‘Gee, I did that?’"Kester said this confidence is especially important in domestic violence calls. "They can be dangerous, because tempers flare and the flash point has already been hit," he said. "You can talk yourself through it all the way there, and when you’re there, it just unfolds and you get it done."If there’s advice he can offer to the newer deputies in the department it’s this: "Look out for No. 1," he said. "I keep myself safe, so I can go home at the end of the day. Beyond that, I help out if I can."He said new deputies, including himself when he started, often think they’re invincible. "You need to keep on your toes and don’t let down your guard," he said. "That badge isn’t a shield."Despite his experience in dangerous situations, Kester has a reputation for being helpful with the victims he encounters."He would sit and talk to them and calm them down," said former Sheriff Ron McClure. "He wouldn’t rush them off. He dealt with women and children well."Part of that, Kester said, comes from having a family of his own. "I raised two children, and I know when they’re hurting," he said. "It’s common sense to me that you’ve gotta take care of them."He said one of the most difficult family cases he’s handled involved a 10-year-old girl who was sexually abused. "That one had me bunched up for quite awhile," he said.He also mentioned the December 2001 True Value arson, which he dealt with as a fireman and a law enforcement officer, and of course, the 2001 Carrie Nelson murder."That’s still a festering sore," Kester said about the unsolved case.A troubling trend he’s noticed is that officers are getting called to handle petty problems more frequently."It’s getting to the point where you end up with a babysitter’s license more than a peace officer’s license," he said. "It’s time for this old stuck in his ways sergeant to go. … My patience is shot."Nobody takes responsibility anymore for themselves or for their kids. Personal responsibility has become so poor. Everything is everybody else’s fault and someone is always to blame."He said this is true not only in Rock County, but in state and national government as well."We’ve got too many parents trying to be friends with their kids. They’re not getting values across … We’ve lost that someplace."That said, Kester said he looks back on his 30-year career with no regrets."This is a wonderful community — quiet and conservative," he said. "It’s got to be one of the best-run departments in the world. It’s given me the opportunity to do things I might not have otherwise had a chance to do."His retirement officially starts May 30, and he said he’s most looking forward to having time to enjoy some things he hasn’t had enough time for. For example, he’ll spend more time on a favorite hobby, rail car riding. He and his wife, Sue, will spend time in Duluth next month on a rail car outing.They also plan to see more of their children. Casey is a state trooper and he and his wife, Paula (Kuik), live in Truman. Kara and her husband, Chris Scherbring, live and work in Winona.The icing on his retirement cake will come this fall when Kara is expecting a baby — making Kester a first-time grandpa.The public is invited to a retirement party for Kester on Friday, June 13, in the Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center.Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30, and the program starts at 7:30.Call Dispatch Supervisor Terri Ebert at 283-5000 by Monday, June 9, for reservations.

School jobs left vacant

By Lori EhdeWhile students and teachers are wrapping up another year of learning, School Board members and administrators are preparing for the start of a new school year this fall.Much of that planning has to do with making sure all the positions are covered.This year, the district is working to fill six full-time positions and several additional coaching and part-time positions.Current second-grade teachers Bonnie Kirchhofer and Carol Goehle will retire at the end of this school year, and second-grade teacher Scott Jacobson also will not return this fall.The district may fill only two of those positions, depending on enrollment and state funding.Discovery Time preschool teacher Jane Gropel is also retiring, and Early Childhood Special Needs instructor Rhonda Winter moved from Luverne this year. The district has offered the 70 percent ECFN position to Tessa Lyle, but the Discovery Time position is still open.High School Choir Director Beth Behal is taking a three-year leave of absence to start a restaurant in Sioux Falls, so that full-time position will need to be filled during that time.John Oksness, who teaches science and chemistry and also is head boys golf coach, will retire this year. Those teaching positions and the golf coaching position will need to be filled.Other coaching positions that will need to be filled include head volleyball coach, head wrestling coach, and head boys hockey coach.Luverne’s Personnel Committee is comprised of Superintendent Vince Schaefer, High School Principal Gary Fisher, Middle School Principal Stacy Gillette and Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff.Depending on the position, knowledgable teachers or staff members are occasionally brought in on the interview process.Schaefer said hiring to fill positions every year is an intense process. "There’s nothing more important than hiring," he said. "We take it very seriously and try to find the right match for our school."School Board Personnel Committee members Dan Kopp, Steve Toftleland and Colleen Deutsch are called on to assist in hiring decisions on administrative positions (principals and superintendents), when necessary.

Remember When?

10 years ago (1993)"Rock County personnel are still crossing their fingers, hoping the White House will send disaster relief money. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials took a second and closer look at southwest Minnesota last week to assess flood damages since waters have subsided. During that assessment, damage figures rose to nearly $4 million for the nine-county area."25 years ago (1978)"A new electric rate ordinance is expected to be used in Luverne in July. Armed with new study charts and reviews of many costs, the city council was expected to pass the ordinance at the regular meeting Tuesday night.… The ordinance combines rates for residential electric heating, residential electric water heating, commercial electric heating and commercial electric heating for former steam heat customers into an adjusted schedule for residential and commercial service. The ordinance also includes a 10 percent increase for industrial customers."50 years ago (1953)"Break-ins were reported last Wednesday night at the Tuthill Lumber Co. in Beaver Creek and at the Allen Lumber Yard in Valley Springs.At Beaver Creek, a dollar bill was all that was missing. Loot at Valley Springs was not learned, but it was reported that a small amount of cash and some checks were taken."75 years ago (1928)"Six candidates for re-election or election as members of the board of county commissioners filed during the past week. They are Carl Stroeh, W.E. Preston, J.O. Jacobson, Henry Rolfs, Otto Paulsen and H.A. Sandstede. The Messrs. Stroeh, Preston, Rolfs and Paulsen are at present members of the county board and they, therefore, seek re-election, while Mr. Jacobson was a candidate for the office four years ago, and Mr. Sandstede six years ago."100 years ago (1903)"Luverne’s public schools will close today for the summer vacation, and on Tuesday evening the nine pupils of the ‘class of 1903’ will receive their diplomas from F.C. Mahoney, president of the board of education, thus closing their school days in Luverne. "During the week there will be a series of interesting events, including entertainment for the graduates by the students who will graduate next year and a banquet by the alumni association, of which the members of the class are soon to be eligible to membership."

Letters from the Farm

Honesty may be the best policy, after all. Because the word "honesty" is often used with the phrase "good old-fashioned," it may also be a new concept for many people. Reuters reports that a 30-year-old Swedish care worker, unable to find employment, ran a newspaper ad reading, "I want a well-paid job. I have no imagination, I am anti-social, uncreative and untalented." "Her phone started ringing incessantly and job offers poured in," reports the news service. As a result, other people might discover that telling the truth will make their lives similarly successful and less complicated. They will no longer have to remember twisted story lines about their own pasts. They will be able to shake off the sticky webs Sir Walter Scott warned us about long ago — "O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" The Swedish woman’s new employer will undoubtedly experience few surprises or disappointments with her job performance. Work hours won’t interfere with her non-existent social life and she won’t be taking personal phone calls on company time. Total honesty could lead to definite changes in all of our lives. For example, golf scores and fishing stories will be considerably less colorful and exciting when the truth is told. The IRS would no longer have to be suspicious of the income tax forms submitted to their offices. Without the possibility of stretching the truth, little will be said during most political campaigns. When lies disappear from our lives, they will be accompanied by other forms of deception such as face lifts, tooth caps, elevated shoes, toupees and hair dyes. "Putting on an honest face" will take on new meaning. What people see will be what they get. There will be no more fictionalized job resumes, listing schools never attended and degrees never received. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth may unfortunately be bad news for manufacturers of lie detectors and antiperspirants. The latter is mentioned because there will be less nervous perspiration brought about by guilt or lying. In addition, total honesty in our lives will mean not caring if other people see us sweat. Our personal lives would change dramatically. "Why not go out with my friend Joe? Granted, he’s not much to look at, he’s dull and there’s a good possibility any children you have with him will resemble space aliens. He hasn’t worked for a while and he lives with his parents. But look at it this way — he really has a strong sense of family." "Well, here’s dinner. The mashed potatoes are lumpy and don’t bother looking at the bottom-sides of the pork chops. The oven fire was out of control." "Before you open that letter from the principal’s office, Dad, there’s something you should know. I haven’t shown up for classes for a couple of months now and I’m seriously considering a career in fast foods. I want to make a name for myself in french fry and onion ring management." Total truthfulness in our lives means we will have to be more than "honest as the day is long." We will also have to be honest after the sun goes down.

Bits by Betty

Modern Woodmen of America Royal Neighbors of AmericaThe following was printed in the Rose History of 1911:"One of the largest and strongest fraternal organizations in Luverne is Red Jasper Camp No. 154, Modern Woodmen of America, which numbered 228 members on its rolls at the last report. The lodge was instituted June 15, 1891, with the following first officers and charter members: L.S. Nelson, V.C.; D.E. Hermon, W.A.; W.H. Randall, clerk; C.A. Delameter, watchman; F.A. Baker, sentry; J.B. Croft, banker; M.J. Phinney, C.N. Philbrick and I. Krimbill, managers; L.J. Philbrick, Henry Meyers, M.G. Pearson, A.G. Bonnett, E.E. Aney, L.K. Lee, D.N. Kutsforth, J.H. Graaf, E.G. Schmidt, E.M. Griffith, Oscar Kilgore, Henry Ferguson, I.M. Cady, Henry Fisher and G.H. Henton."The Royal Neighbors of America, auxiliary to the Modern Woodmen, is an active organization." We have a uniform from the Modern Woodmen of America in the museum.The Royal Neighbors of America also have many items there. There is still an active chapter of the Royal Neighbors of America. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Peeking in the Past

10 years ago (1993)"H-BC junior Brian VanBatavia set a new school record in the high jump at the Tri-County Conference track meet last week. VanBatavia, the son of Mel and Minnie VanBatavia, Steen, cleared the bar at 6-4 1/2. That jump also earned him first place honors at the meet and aided the Patriot boys in their Tri-County title." 25 years ago (1978)"A Storden-Jeffers administrator has been hired as H-BC’s new superintendent. The final selection was made by the school board at a special meeting Friday evening.Gordon LeBoutillier is to take over effective July 1st in the post formerly held by W.D. Marshall." 50 years ago (1953)"Albert Nuffer was reelected to the school board for another three-year term and Vic Sandager was elected to replace Art Johnson, former member the past two terms." 75 years ago (1928)"All kittenball players craving excitement, exercise and recreation in general, report at ball grounds Thursday evening at 6:30 sharp. Game commences shortly after sides have been chosen and immediately after kinks from sore muscles and backs have been straightened."100 years ago (1903)"The Crescent presents its readers this week with a cut of the large saw mill while in operation on the Colby tree claim in Section 10 Martin Township, mention of which was made in the Crescent three weeks ago, this being the first saw mill ever operated in Rock County.The Colby tree claim, which, by the way, is the largest in southwestern Minnesota, was filed on in 1873 by Erick Colby, who came here in the fall of ’72, homesteading the northern quarter of Section 10."

Letters from the Farm

Honesty may be the best policy, after all. Because the word "honesty" is often used with the phrase "good old-fashioned," it may also be a new concept for many people. Reuters reports that a 30-year-old Swedish care worker, unable to find employment, ran a newspaper ad reading, "I want a well-paid job. I have no imagination, I am anti-social, uncreative and untalented." "Her phone started ringing incessantly and job offers poured in," reports the news service. As a result, other people might discover that telling the truth will make their lives similarly successful and less complicated. They will no longer have to remember twisted story lines about their own pasts. They will be able to shake off the sticky webs Sir Walter Scott warned us about long ago — "O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" The Swedish woman’s new employer will undoubtedly experience few surprises or disappointments with her job performance. Work hours won’t interfere with her non-existent social life and she won’t be taking personal phone calls on company time. Total honesty could lead to definite changes in all of our lives. For example, golf scores and fishing stories will be considerably less colorful and exciting when the truth is told. The IRS would no longer have to be suspicious of the income tax forms submitted to their offices. Without the possibility of stretching the truth, little will be said during most political campaigns. When lies disappear from our lives, they will be accompanied by other forms of deception such as face lifts, tooth caps, elevated shoes, toupees and hair dyes. "Putting on an honest face" will take on new meaning. What people see will be what they get. There will be no more fictionalized job resumes, listing schools never attended and degrees never received. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth may unfortunately be bad news for manufacturers of lie detectors and antiperspirants. The latter is mentioned because there will be less nervous perspiration brought about by guilt or lying. In addition, total honesty in our lives will mean not caring if other people see us sweat. Our personal lives would change dramatically. "Why not go out with my friend Joe? Granted, he’s not much to look at, he’s dull and there’s a good possibility any children you have with him will resemble space aliens. He hasn’t worked for a while and he lives with his parents. But look at it this way — he really has a strong sense of family." "Well, here’s dinner. The mashed potatoes are lumpy and don’t bother looking at the bottom-sides of the pork chops. The oven fire was out of control." "Before you open that letter from the principal’s office, Dad, there’s something you should know. I haven’t shown up for classes for a couple of months now and I’m seriously considering a career in fast foods. I want to make a name for myself in french fry and onion ring management." Total truthfulness in our lives means we will have to be more than "honest as the day is long." We will also have to be honest after the sun goes down.

Clinton Chatter

Living in a farming community, everyone is influenced by the weather and the farming of the land. Spring is a very special time in the heartland as most families depend on the land for their livelihood. When we have a spring like the one we are experiencing this year farming the land has had many more rainy days and they’ve had to wait for the weather to settle so they could get into their fields to get their crops planted. First of all, the soil has to be just right before they can plant, temperatures need to be stabilized, moisture needs to come at the right time and of course, they also need the sun to shine. It has been a long, slow process this year to get the crops in. They have worked long and even rather strange hours but I do believe they are nearly finished as I live on one of the wettest farms in the county and they planted my beans on Memorial Day — so that often means everyone has finished planting their crops.The next step is caring for them. Most of the corn is up. The hay should be ready to cut soon and from that time on all the farmers time and energy are used caring for the crops and their animals. To top it off the lawns need mowing, barns need cleaning, weeds need to be taken care of and the list goes on and on. However, it is all worth it when they survey the results of their labor.The green lawns where the golden dandelions were so pretty have now turned into fluffy little balls of nothing that are flying away into the wild blue yonder. Spring flowers are still blooming, tulips, iris, lilacs, as well as many others. The lawns provide us with a carpet of green and all is well in our world. The crops are in and all who live on the land are looking forward to summer and the maturing of the crops which is received for all of their labors. Pastor Dan Ramaker was honored at the Senior Citizen Center in Luverne on Thursday as Pastor of the Month. Those attending from Steen Reformed Church were Pastor Dan and Karen Ramaker, Dries and Laura May Bosch, Henrietta Boeve, Melba Boeve, Winnie Scholten, Henrietta Huenink, Bernice Bartels, Bernice Barstad, Bertha Bosch, Mildred Keunen, Jenny Schouwenburg, Betty Elbers and Jo Aykens. Brian Dengler was commissioned at the Sunday morning worship service as youth director for Steen Reformed Church. Brian was born in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Western Christian High School, Hull, Iowa, and attended Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg, Iowa, as an ag business major. During the first semester he felt strongly a call to the ministry and transferred to Northwest Iowa Community College, Estherville, Iowa, where he finished the summer semester. The following fall he enrolled at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, and is currently studying there. He is majoring in theology with an education minor with an emphasis in youth ministries. Sunday evening supper guests in the Daryl and Marie Paulsen home were Fran and Jane Mainolfi, Sioux Falls, Sue Binder and friend, Lynn Wienger, from the Dallas, Texas, area, Steven and Sherry Paulsen, Brandon, S.D., and Mildred Paulsen. Henrietta Huenink, Winnie Scholten, Joan Hoogeveen and Norma VanWyhe attended Memorial Day services at the American Legion building in Valley Springs Memorial Day. A dinner was served following the service. Ascension Day services will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, in Steen Reformed Church. The offering will go to the support of Inspiration Hills. There will be an open house honoring Henry and Dorothy Van De Weerd in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Fellowship Hall in Steen Reformed Church. Barb Bos was released from Sioux Valley Hospital on Monday. We wish her a speedy recovery. The primary department of Steen Reformed Church went to Tuff Home in Hills on Sunday, May 25, to sing and play their bells during their Sunday School time. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Trish Bartels and Mark Rayman on the death of their grandfather, Ted Dykstra, on Friday, May 16. The funeral was this past week on Tuesday at Netherlands Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa. Bernice and Orrin Aukes visited in the Fred and Alice (Aukes) Keller home in Ash Creek Thursday. Alice’s daughter, Harriet, from Des Moines, Iowa, was also there. Nathan Arthur Kruid, son of Harold and Lori Kruid, was baptized during the Sunday morning worship service in Steen Reformed Church. He was born on March 24. Joan Hoogeveen attended graduation ceremonies for her granddaughter, Dana DeBoer, at Lennox High School Saturday morning. There were 110 graduates. A reception for her was at the home of her parents, Rick and Audrey DeBoer, following graduation. Those attending from other places were Harold Wissink, Steen, William and Mavis DeBeer, Ellsworth, Jerry and Janice Peters, Chandler. Congratulations to Dana!Melba Boeve attended the confirmation of her granddaughter, Megan Overlander, on Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church in Circle Pines. She is the daughter of Joel and Carla Overlander. Rick and Cheryl Hup, Hills, also attended. Melba returned home on Monday. Lisa and Taylor Telford, Sioux Falls, were Memorial Day guests in the Orrin and Bernice Aukes home. Joyce and Jo Aykens spent Memorial Day with Paul and Carole Aykens in Orange City, Iowa.Thursday Marie Paulsen’s sister, Sue Binder and her friend, Lynn Wiegner, from the Dallas, Texas, area came to spend several days visiting in the Daryl and Marie Paulsen home. They returned to their home on Tuesday. They also visited in the home of Sue’s parents, Fran and Jane Mainolfi of Sioux Falls. The last day of school in the Hills-Beaver Creek Schools will be on Friday. The last, and probably the most important day of the school year, is graduation. Students and parents alike look forward to this big event. However, the graduate is thinking about their future while the parents are having a trip down memory lane. They remember taking their child to school the first day and they also remember some of the promises they made to themselves when this precious little one was born. As they think about this, they review what they had hoped to do and I would like to share them with you at this time. "My child shall be my first concern in life.I shall see that they have plenty of good food, helpful exercise, recreation and sleep and opportunity to learn that which is worth learning. I shall raise them to be upright and honest, to be fair in their games, to be friendly with other children, and to be respectful to older people. I shall teach them that school is their way of life, that their teacher is their friend, and the lessons are their work.I shall teach them to live their own lives, sympathize with them in trouble, help them with their problems, and rejoice with them in their success. I shall teach them to love their flag and to be true to their country to promote the common good. I shall teach them that the sacred volume is the greatest book that has ever been written. I shall pray for them always — for I am their parent!"If every parent lived up to those promises what a wonderful world we would have. Getting back to reality the parent thinks about what can I give them today. They decided on these wishes."May all your hopes and dreams, and aspirations show forth and make your life anew. May all your patient anticipation reap joy, and peace and love inside of you.May time grant you the gift of understanding.May days show all that life has yet to unfold.May life spare you unnecessary suffering. May life be all your heart can hope to hold."Best wishes to all the 2003 graduates and I hope you will remember: To build a better world we must start at home. Mutual trust and peace cannot be shouted from the housetops. It must be taught and nurtured and valued at the doorstep where you live.

Subscribe to

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.