Doreen Rollag is especially looking forward to the open house Sunday because she’ll get to use a new organ. She’s been playing for the church for almost 50 years and isn’t sentimental about the old organ at all.

By Sara Strong
Palisade Lutheran is a stereotypical little country church whose new remodeling brought it up to modern standards. Now its small congregation can comfortably age in a church that’s accessible to everyone, and focus on adding new members.

A special church dedication and open house is Sunday at Palisade Lutheran Church on the western edge of Rock County.

Lifelong member Richard Bakken was chairman of the building committee. He said the overall project was, "smoother than anticipated," considering the difficulties some churches have. Work started in July and was finished in December.

The front steps were removed and the small addition allows the new entryway to include an elevator and stairways going either up to the church or down to the basement.

The efficient use of space blends with the architecture of the original structure.

"It’s a traditional, plain, country church, with a simple addition," Bakken said.

The updates to the church became necessary over time. The old concrete steps went straight up into the church where a cramped entryway moved immediately into the sanctuary.

The stairway was long and nightmarish to navigate in the winter. Escaping heat from storage under it melted snow into ice, and the constant freezing and thawing deteriorated the surface. Top that with heavy doses of salt, and, over time, the steps became difficult to climb — even for members who normally wouldn’t mind them.

The completed project means a lot to the church and has been under consideration for about 10 years. The final decision came when selling its share of a joint parsonage (with First Lutheran in Valley Springs) gave Palisade just enough money to tackle the $162,000 project.

"Otherwise, we would’ve had soup suppers until I don’t know how long," Bakken said.

The church didn’t only meet the cost objective, but the real goal behind the remodel — to make it easier for members to attend church and, hopefully, to attract new ones.

Sustaining the elderly church membership was important to the building committee. "With no new elevator, our time would be limited," Bakken said.

One active member died before he was able to walk up the new steps as he said he looked forward to. Palmer Williamson poured the original concrete steps in front of the church, but his funeral came before he could see the church remodel completed.

The Rev. Ray Heidensen said, "He was a lifetime member and it was important for the family to have the funeral there. And he was so in favor of the project."

Some concrete work was finished just in time for his funeral.

Curt Valnes, president of Design Craft of Luverne, Inc., gets much of the credit for the success of the project. His son, Derek, ran the job on site and Gene Valnes did the interior trim work.

The church retained its unique roof line and the siding even matches around the entire building.

Building committee members included Bakken, Heidensen, Harlowe Sundem, Gary Lingen, Carrole Horn, A.J. Johnson, Kelly Kruse, Mark Bjorneberg and Theresa Kramer.

Playing on
Organist Doreen Rollag has a special interest in the church update. Along with the ease of entry and more space, parishioners will be able to enjoy the sounds of a better organ.

Just enough money was raised to get a new organ to the church in time for Sunday’s open house.

With about 180 members, the church has a congregation of about 80 during Sunday services. Christmas Eve draws a bigger crowd, with about 140 attending this year.

Palisade has even gotten a few new members from non-farming families who recently moved to the country. The small congregation is appealing to its members, who often stay after moving closer to bigger churches.

"Fellowship is so important to us," Rollag said. "As soon as church is over, everyone stands up and starts to talk."

The new design helps facilitate that important time of fellowship after and before church services. Before, the church entryway was small and a few people taking off their coats almost blocked entrance into the sanctuary. Now, there’s plenty of room to hang up coats, take off boots and chat before heading into the service.

Rollag said it’s a wonderful bonus that the extra space looks like a natural fit with the original. She said the church’s simple beauty has always been appreciated by her. "Back when they built it in the ‘30s, the dust was a’ blowing and they had no money — but they had a vision for this church."

Rollag said that it cost just $17,000.

Bakken said, "When it was built in 1939, the location was chosen because it’s close to the roads and is kind of on a hill. It was supposed to be a beacon for the community."

Bakken said that truckers use it as a landmark when they’re on their routes. "It’s still serving its purpose," he said.

This Sunday
Church service starts at 10:30 a.m., with a catered dinner following. The church will have a program at 2 p.m. with recital by musicians who grew up in the church, Dr. Howard Bakken on organ and Jeff Eitreim on trumpet.

Palisade Lutheran Church is located on the junction of Rock County Road 5 and Highway 23.

Luverne’s Mike Gangestad, who was fired by the City of Luverne last year, is earning a reputation as the man who fought City Hall and won. He found out last week that an arbitrator had ruled in his favor in the grievance he filed against the City of Luverne after what turned out to be his wrongful termination.

By Lori Ehde
Former city electric employee Mike Gangestad learned Friday that he was wrongfully terminated last spring for hazards in the city electrical department.

The termination was issued in the wake of two OSHA citations and $58,000 in fines for the city of Luverne following accidents in October and December 2001 when one man was killed and another lost his forearm.

Though Gangestad didn’t play a direct role in the accidents, City Administrator Matt Hylen said Gangestad’s part in other related infractions were "inexcusable" and "endangered co-workers and residents alike."

Terminated
April 22, 2002
Citing previous verbal warnings that he hadn’t communicated hazards properly, Hylen fired Gangestad April 22.

"The City has determined that you failed to use appropriate communication channels, formal or informal, and blatantly ignored recent safety training as it relates to electrical high power," Hylen wrote in Gangestad’s termination letter.

"In doing so, you allowed an extremely dangerous situation to go unaddressed for several days."

Gangestad filed a grievance the next day against the city through the AFSCME union, alleging he was discharged without just cause.

Grievance filed
April 23, 2002
The grievance pointed to Gangestad’s five-year employment history with the city of Luverne, which included favorable job evaluations and merit increases.

Regarding Gangestad’s verbal citations for failing to communicate a safety hazard, the union puts responsibility back on the city for failing to implement a clear procedure.

It points out that employees are called on to communicate issues with a supervisor who is often not around.

When Electric Department Foreman Bruce Wilson left in 1998, no one was hired to replace him. Linemen now report directly to Public Utilities Director Red Arndt, who is often out of town on job-related business.

Arbitrator decides
The arbitrator, in a 25-page Feb. 19 document, identified this poor structure of supervision as the core problem.

"Linemen can either fix the problem, inform fellow linemen verbally of the problem or they can leave a note to or call [Red] Arndt. The decision on what is the best course of action rests entirely with the individual linemen," arbitrator Richard Anderson wrote in his findings.

"This lack of reporting or documentation contributed, in this arbitrator’s eyes, to the very situation that resulted in (Gangestad’s) discharge."

The arbitrator essentially ruled that Hylen acted too harshly in an effort to respond to the recent accidents and OSHA citations.

"I conclude (Gangestad’s) conduct, although requiring discipline, does not warrant discharge," Anderson wrote. "I further conclude that a disciplinary penalty of a five-day suspension is appropriate in the matter…"

Gangestad questions the five-day suspension on his record, considering Public Utilities Director Red Arndt received only five days suspension (three days of which were taken in paid vacation) for his role in the Fulda Electric worker’s loss of an arm.

"I always thought in my heart I’d be re-instated," Gangestad said. "I just didn’t think I’d get a five-day suspension out of it."

City response
Hylen said he stands by his decision to fire Gangestad.

"If I had to do it all over again, I’d do the exact same thing. Without hesitation," Hylen said Monday. "It’s just that an arbitrator and I disagree."

Hylen said the ruling simply makes a statement that punishment was too harsh. It doesn’t defend Gangestad’s performance.

"He’s saying a severe infraction occurred. This isn’t exemplary behavior. Something serious occurred. We unfortunately had an employee who ignored safety procedure and safety practice."

The arbitrator ordered that Gangestad be immediately reinstated, but Gangestad said the city is working on a "buy out" to keep him from returning to work.

Assistant City Attorney Jeff Haubrich said a severance offer hasn’t been finalized, but he said it’s not uncommon for an employer to not want to rehire someone an arbitrator has ordered back to work.

Gangestad’s position has since been filled, but that employee is still on probationary status.

‘Emotional dumpster’
While Gangestad admits he’s never had a good relationship with Hylen, he said he looks forward to returning to the job again with his former co-workers.

"As far as my work environment goes, that will be pleasant," Gangestad said.

As part of the ruling, the arbitrator also stipulated that Gangestad would be awarded lost wages since his termination, minus income he took in from High Power Inc., Rapid City, S.D.

Gangestad said he’d like the agreement to take into account travel expenses incurred while on the job.
"I don’t want to double dip, but I think they should subtract my net income from the back wages, after my expenses from the road," Gangestad said.

"I would have never had those expenses if I hadn’t been terminated."

He also said his job with High Power kept him away from home for five to six days a week. "They can’t replace that time lost with my wife and friends," Gangestad said.

Further he said, his reputation suffered permanent damage when news stories reported only that he was fired and was contesting the decision.

On the advice of his union representative, he wasn’t able to provide a comment to the Star Herald, let alone tell his side of the story.

"I was in the emotional dumpster for a long time," he said.

Gangestad has been unemployed since December when High Power Inc. disbanded after its owner Wayne Christopherson and line superintendent Chuck Pemble were killed in a Sept. 4 plane crash.

"Losing three close friends (including Nick Mann) in one year, and having to be away from family and friends is really hard on a person, when you know in your heart you shouldn’t be in this situation in the first place," Gangestad said.

He said he’s glad to be able to return to work, because it will allow him and his wife, April, to remain in Luverne.

"No words can express how relieved we both are and also very grateful," April wrote in an e-mail to friends and family Friday.

"Thank you so much for the support you have all given us during the last year."

April Gangestad, left, and Renee Norman lead a Luverne Community Education class on home decorating Thursday, Feb. 20, in Gangestad’s home. They are pictured on a $7 chair purchased at a thrift store. The class saw how simple principles of design can be applied without spending a lot of money.

By Sara Strong
You don’t have to hire a designer — or pay designer prices — for your home to look like it.

That’s the message from April Gangestad and Renee Norman, who hosted a Luverne Community Education class Thursday to show students key ways to decorate inexpensively, starting with what’s already in the home.

"We try to introduce various things, like sitting arrangements that don’t put people 10-feet away from each other when they’re trying to have a conversation," Gangestad said.

She and Norman don’t know it all when it comes to decorating, but being self-taught comes with a sense of pride.

Watching as many TV shows and reading as many decorating magazines as possible was a place for them to start individually. But Norman and Gangestad decided to share their hobby (and some furniture) in a sort of informal club. They share ideas and use their group of friends as a sounding board for all sorts of ideas.

During one productive gathering, they made large wire balls, wound with light strings to hang as chandeliers. It worked, and it was cheap.

"I bet in my living room, I’ve spent about $500, and some of it was stuff I got off the curb," Gangestad said.

Gangestad and her husband, Mike, have lived in their home for six years. In that time, they’ve painted all the rooms and gone through a few different styles.

Gangestad now says she knows her style better than before. "I used to hang these long shelves and cram a lot of things all over them, but I’ve come a long way," she said.

Some of the class participants said they were stuck in a rut and needed new ideas and others came to get courage to paint their walls something other than white.

Gangestad said paint doesn’t have to be permanent and shouldn’t be considered a grave decision. "These walls were white when we moved in here and now that we painted everything, nobody has died because of it."

Getting the courage to make a change can come after inspiration. Norman and Gangestad suggest reading books and magazines and browsing the internet to get ideas.

Gangestad keeps a binder full of her favorite ideas and magazine clippings. (This also saves storage space by not having to save entire magazines.) By doing that, she realized her consistent style was a warm, eclectic blend of various styles.

Norman, on the other hand, said she likes to keep her decorating simple, with just a few choice accessories. "Less is more, I think, and there’s less to dust that way too," she said.

No matter what style homeowners like, Norman and Gangestad said thinking of the practical side of things can help make design work — like the old adage, "form follows function."

Gangestad said, "You have to live before you can create. … If you have all white furniture and walls and carpet, you aren’t going to want your kids or pets in the room."

Cheap and chic
Most people know enough to shop for sale prices, but Gangestad said some of her favorite pieces have come from local discount centers.

Just for fun, Norman and Gangestad went shopping in Luverne before the class, to illustrate the treasures that could be found locally.

Class participants were surprised, for instance, at the candleholder with beaded shade and wall sconces they found at the Bargain Center. "I bet I go there at least once a week," Gangestad said.

Auctions on rainy days, rummage sales and salvage, or junk stores are also good places to snag a deal.

Rearranging furniture or borrowing from other rooms is a free way to freshen up the look of a home as well.

Gangestad said it’s also important to keep unattractive things out of sight. Group magazines in a rack instead of on top of tables, and toss remote controls and similar clutter in a small wicker basket. From there, it’ll be easier to see the real accessories of a room.

For women who still don’t know where to start with their dreams of beautifully decorated homes, Gangestad said this — husbands don’t have to know about projects until after they’re completed.

From the class…
Find a theme: it could be anything, including country, simple, modern, Oriental.

Rearranging furniture: Make a plan. It helps to use graph paper and draw to scale so you can move furniture without using a muscle. Establish a focal point where you want people to focus their attention. Don’t block the traffic patterns — allow 3 feet for pathways in and out of a room; chairs and sofas should be no more than 8 feet apart; coffee tables should be 18 inches from the sofa.

Mix living and dining: people like to gather with family and friends in one room.

Television and stereos: You do not have to have a TV in every room. Create an area for watching TV, and if you can, put the TV inside of an armoire or shelving unit. Or make it possible to move it out of the room when it’s not needed.

Changing furniture: Slipcovers, changing hardware and painting are ways to revamp furniture inexpensively. Used or thrift stores are a good way to get unique pieces. Be careful when considering purchasing an item to upholster because that can be almost as costly as new.

More resources: The library has lots of books, and the internet is full of home decorating sites.

By Lori Ehde
Fraudulent lending and other illegal activities cost the Jasper State Bank $2.7 million and forced its sale last summer, according to a federal grand jury indictment last week.

Former co-owner Keith G. Eitreim and former head teller Joyce Y. Foster were indicted Wednesday, Jan. 15, for illegal activities alleged to have taken place between July 2000 and last March.

Eitreim, 46, was charged with bank fraud, false bank entry and misapplication of bank funds.

He’s specifically accused of making $800,000 in fraudulent loans to several bank customers, creating false account entries to hide his activities and using loan collateral to buy a car.

He co-owned the Jasper State Bank with his brother-in-law David Smith until last May. Smith remains bank president and has not been implicated in any wrongdoing.

Foster, 56, faces fraud charges for allegedly padding the inventory for Wall Street Motor Co., a used-car dealership in Jasper, so it could qualify for more bank financing.

According to the indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, Minneapolis, Foster also falsified delinquent loan accounts at Eitreim’s direction.

When bank regulators discovered the financial irregularities last May, Eitreim resigned from all his bank positions and Foster was placed on administrative leave in July.

Jasper natives Chuck Hey, Sioux Falls, and Bill Sexton, Scottsdale, Ariz., reportedly formed a new bank holding company, Pipestone County Bancorp, and have purchased the bank from its former parent company, Jasper Investment Co., last June .

Pipestone County Bancorp also put $3 million in the bank to prevent its failure, according to the indictment.

Eitreim and Foster each face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count. They were scheduled to appear in Minneapolis early this week.

By Sara Strong
Luverne’s city-owned apartments are now in private hands.

The Luverne Economic Development Authority Tuesday approved the sale to Steve Perkins, chief manager of the newly-formed Luverne Townhome Rental Properties, LLC.

Perkins will purchase the apartments, which are more accurately described as townhomes, with other family members.

As the only bidder, Perkins offered $1.45 million for the 29 units in Mounds View and Evergreen Apartments.

"We feel the offer is generous, and it’s a good cause because it puts the property back on the tax rolls," Perkins said.

He said he sees the apartments as a long-term investment and doesn’t plan on making changes in the operation of the units, nor in the rent prices.

Perkins requested the sale be finalized by the end of the month, so renters will pay March’s rent to Perkin’s group.

Before the LEDA could sell the units, it had to have a public hearing. Current residents wondered about logistical aspects of the sales, like who will refund security deposits and where they’ll send their rent checks.

Those specifics are all worked out in the sale contract and renters will get a letter outlining what they’ll need to know.

Perkins said he wouldn’t raise rent on current tenants for at least a year and said the maintenance workers and system would stay in place.

If anything, he said, the apartments will see an increase of upgrades and improvements.

The LEDA voted unanimously to approve the sale.

By Sara Strong
Ben Vander Kooi is at the Capitol today as part of Arts Advocacy Day, the same as he has for 20 years.
This year is a little different from the rest because of the state budget crisis. But just the same, he’s saying that the arts are worth the money.

He’s a team leader during Arts Advocacy Day, visiting state lawmakers to ask that arts funding doesn’t suffer more than others in fixing the budget.

"We’ll share in the pain," Vander Kooi said. "But we don’t want to be hit more than anyone else."

Vander Kooi is president of the Council for Arts and Humanities in Rock County (CAHRC). He’s also a life trustee and past president of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board and president of Blue Mound Area Theater, Inc.

CAHRC administrates local art organizations such as the Fine Arts Association (which displays art in the Carnegie Cultural Center), the Green Earth Players and Blue Mound Area Theater.

Vander Kooi said that it’s difficult to lobby for arts funding when so much state money is having to be cut.
"Right now the arts are getting by with very little as it is," he said.

Two-thirds of the state’s arts groups are projecting deficits by the end of the year. Along with lower state funding, private and corporate donations are decreasing this year.

The state spends about $13 million a year on the arts, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget proposal calls for a 22 percent decrease, leaving $9 million.

Locally, that money goes toward Carnegie Cultural Center displays and Palace programs. Touring orchestras visiting Worthington or theater groups performing in Pipestone would be other arts activities Rock County people would lose access to.

Most of those programs come with grants from the state, but call for 50 percent matches.

Even though the outlook isn’t great for the state budget, Vander Kooi is looking forward to doing what he can for the arts. "We have support across party lines. And we’ve never had more than 400 [at Arts Advocacy Day] and there’s going to be more than 800 this year. Busloads are coming from all corners of the state."

Keeps money circulating
Minnesota is repeatedly named "Most Livable State in the Nation" partly because of the strength of its support for the arts.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press said, "We are recognized nationally for the exceptional quality of our 31,000 working artists and 1,600 arts organizations. In 1998, almost 9 million people attended non-profit arts events statewide; outnumbering the people who attended sports events."

The Minnesota Citizens for the Arts points out that arts strengthen the state’s economy, promote tourism and are a vital part of a complete education.

Here is some pro-arts information from MCA:

o"A vibrant arts community is critical to how corporations decide where to locate, and how people decide where to work." (Megatrends and Megatrends 2000, John Naisbitt)

o"Arts availability in a community enables local employers to attract and retain higher skilled employees." (Warren Satterlee, President and CEO, Great Plains Natural Gas Company, Fergus Falls)

oOn a promotional tour to Canada, former Gov. Jesse Ventura was asked what Minnesota has to offer to Canadian tourists. His reply was "Our theaters, our museums, our culture. We have everything New York has without the hassles."

Luverne Early Childhood Family Educator Shelley Krueger talks to a group of parents Monday morning about the importance of reading to babies early in their lives. Not only does reading prompt brain development, but it fosters healthy relationships between infants and parents. "You feel that warmth and closeness when you’re reading to your baby, and they know it, too," Krueger said. "It doesn’t take long and they come to you with a book, pulling on your leg."

Photo by Lori Ehde

Palisade Lutheran is a stereotypical little country church whose new remodeling brought it up to modern standards. Now its small congregation can comfortably age in a church that’s accessible to everyone, and focus on adding new members. Story inside.

Photo by Sara Strong

By John Rittenhouse
A penalty-plagued performance by the Luverne boys’ hockey team led to an early exit from the Section 1A Tournament Thursday.

Playing No. 7 Waseca in a preliminary-round game in Waseca Thursday, the 11th-seeded Cardinals proved to be their own worst enemies as they were whistled for 10 penalties in the game.

Waseca took advantage of the situation to net one power-play goal in what ended as a 4-1 victory for the hosts.

Waseca advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals with the win. The loss ended Luverne’s 13-9-1 season.

"We had 10 penalties, and you can’t win playoff games playing like that," said Cardinal coach Lee Chaffee. "We didn’t even have a chance to be creative, because there always seemed to be one of our players in the penalty box."

Waseca took a 2-0 lead in the first period before Luverne struck with a goal with less than one second remaining in the stanza.

Eric Lammert scored the goal with two-tenths of a second left in the period. Andy Hess received an assist for the goal.

Waseca went on to score one goal in the second and third periods to prevail by three.

Waseca outshot LHS 29-22 in the game. Cody Gehrke made 25 saves in goal for the Cards.