By Sara Strong
The city of Luverne has long ago decided to take an aggressive approach to economic development.

From granting businesses small amounts of cash for property improvements, to tax increment financing projects, to getting border city legislation passed — Luverne government holds hands with businesses in many ways.

Considering city time and money spent trying to help businesses, has it been worth the effort?

Mayor Glen Gust says it is.

As mayor, he also serves as president of the public body, the Luverne Economic Development Authority, which meets monthly.

"In order for Luverne to grow, we have to provide quality jobs," he said.

Getting those jobs to Luverne means helping businesses get here and once they’re here, helping them grow.

In the past, Gust was vocal about government staying out of business, particularly in the case of tax increment financing, which allows improvements while not increasing taxes to a certain extent.

Gust now says he is a believer in financially helping businesses, especially in the form of loans.

When dealing with businesses, Gust emphasized that checking backgrounds and credentials thoroughly should be a priority.

"We have to be choosy in the projects we do," he said.

Besides money, Gust said using resources like time and advice from the city can also be valuable to businesses.

Those theories of economic development are shared with most in Luverne’s city government.

Dan Statema is the LEDA director as a non-elected city employee.

Statema said government involvement in business is dependent on the specific project.

"I view my job as finding what’s good for the city. It is preferable to have more private business venture, but I can help as a facilitator," Statema said.

He can assist businesses by looking for financing options or by finding the right business plan for a start-up.

Counting the cost
The city of Luverne is involved with businesses on large and small scales.

Recent city involvement in larger business deals includes Exsito, the failed tomato-based food processor, and Netbriefings, which started with two employees and now has one.

The city is trying to recuperate some of the costs associated with Exsito, and owns the building, which it hopes to sell.

The city often helps get businesses lower interest rates on loans, which are individually approved in the open LEDA meetings.

Another in-house economic development program is the Commercial Backfill program which grants up to $5,000 to improve blighted property.

The city has approved 20 tax increment financing projects since 1975. They are: Centennial Apartments, Gibson Pamida, Walgrave apartments, Rock Manor apartments, Luverne Medical Clinic, Hardee’s, Larson/True Value, Sieperda Family Drug, Truckers Territory/Skattum, Taco John’s/Hospital, Dehy/Ferrellgas, Plenquick/Amaco, Connell Klosterbuer, Cor-Tech, Family Drug, Pamida (1997), Minnwest Bank, Luverne Family Housing, ethanol plant, and Jubilee.

Rock County itself hasn’t taken an active role in economic development. It has defined its place as a governmental unit that carries out state mandates such as Family Services, keeping adequate roads and bridges and providing law enforcement.

By Sara Strong
Luverne Vietnam veteran Terrie Gulden sees Veterans Day as a way to acknowledge the past and hope for a peaceful future.

Gulden is known to Rock County residents as director of the busing service Heartland Express, but Monday he spoke as part of a celebration of veterans at the Minnesota Veterans Home.

"As a veteran, this is a very special day for me," he said.

Gulden reminded the audience at the Minnesota Veterans Home that 226 years ago America’s founding fathers declared all men equal and defined their rights.

Since then, military personnel have sacrificed to ensure Americans’ rights are protected.

"Freedom isn’t free," Gulden said. "… Sometimes it comes at a terrific price."

Gulden said sacrificing for freedom doesn’t always mean casualties during a battle. Small sacrifices of personal freedoms sometimes protect the freedom of a nation.

"Since the Revolutionary and Civil War there has been peace within our borders," Gulden said.

That all changed Sept. 11, 2001, with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon.

"The twin towers aren’t far from here," Gulden said, citing recent national security releases that estimate terrorism will continue and hit the Midwest.

"This war is unlike any other war we’ve fought, but the goals are the same," Gulden said.

"Today I give thanks to the men and women of our military. I understand the sacrifices military people make — the greatest of which is life," Gulden said. "My comfort in all of this is that I know God is with each one who is asked to give that sacrifice."

Gulden asked people to take time to pray for peace and good judgment in leaders on Veterans Day.

By Lori Ehde
Three Luverne High School 10th-graders are suspended, and a fourth is pending following their behavior in the FFA Haunted Hallway Oct. 31.

According to information at the district office and at the Rock County Attorney’s Office, a girl allegedly engaged in oral sex with three male classmates during Halloween activities.

Rock County law enforcement and Family Services investigated the incident to determine whether the acts were consensual.

Those reports were forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office.

Upon reviewing the information, Assistant County Attorney Terry Vajgrt said he found no evidence to suggest that criminal sexual conduct statutes were violated.

"The evidence suggests the conduct was consensual," Vagjrt said.

He said he has not ruled out consideration of indecent exposure charges.

Meanwhile, the three boys are suspended from school for 10 days. When they return on Nov. 19, they will meet with High School Principal Gary Fisher for a readmission conference.

The behavior violates Minnesota State High School League rules, and those students involved in extra-curricular activities will face those penalties as well.

For a first violation of MSHL rules, students are out for two events and two weeks.

While the district office was still conferring on the girl’s suspension at press time Wednesday, Superintendent Vince Schaefer said, "All the kids will ultimately be disciplined the same."

He described the matter as a "difficult situation caused by inappropriate — at the very least — behavior."

By Lori Ehde
It’s not live, but it’s the next-best thing.

Luverne art teachers Chris Nowatzki and Cloyce Smith are recording their lessons on i-movies, and storing them on a compact disc for later review.

They’ve accessed exemplary grant funds for the project, and presented examples of two art lessons to School Board members at their meeting Tuesday night.

One was an eight-minute lesson on pastels, in which Nowatzki recorded Smith’s hands working with pastels. Smith’s voice was then recorded over the i-movie to tell students what she was doing.

"It’s a great teaching tool, and its an excellent learning tool," Nowatzki told board members. "Students can slow it down and review it, frame by frame."

He pointed to several practical uses for the CDs, for example, if a student misses a lesson due to illness, or if he or she wants to review it for clarification, it’s available.

Also, it can be valuable for teachers who are planning to be absent. "If they know they’re going to be gone ahead of time, they can put it on a CD and the substitute can use it for reference material," Nowatzki said.

It took Nowatzki and Smith a week to record six lessons on CDs, and so far, only the art department has utilized the technology.

But Nowatzki said there’s potential for all areas of the district to benefit from the practice. He mentioned Mary Jo Graphenteen recording volleyball plays, for example.

"It takes a long time [to record a lesson] but we’ll be continuing our library build-up next summer," Nowatzki said.

The regular board meeting was scheduled for tonight, but was moved to Tuesday in order to canvass the votes from the Nov. 5 school board election.

All four incumbents, Becky Walgrave, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann and Dan Kopp were re-elected to new four-year terms.

In other business Tuesday, the board …
Heard the K-8 math meeting Monday night was well-presented, but not necessarily well-attended by parents. "I know a lot of teachers worked very hard preparing this information," said Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff.

Reviewed the district’s health curriculum with Jan Olson, district curriculum coordinator. She brought the information to the board after Parents: The Anti-Drug and Violence Task Force asked what the district is doing to prepare and educate students on substance abuse.

She said students get their first real dose of anti-drug training in fifth grade with the DARE program presented by Rock County Sergeant Mike Winkels.

Superintendent Vince Schaefer pointed out that the district has a formal curriculum to address substance abuse, but he said, "You can rest assured there are plenty of opportunities for informal discussion on drug education, too."

Heard Middle School Principal Stacy Gillette’s response to governor-elect Tim Pawlenty’s proposal to abolish Profiles of Learning.

"It’s taken over 10 years to implement this program, and now we understand it," she said. "Our teachers have imbedded them in their curriculum, and we’ve figured out a system for record-keeping."

She said the state principals association is working with Pawlenty to encourage him to amend the Profiles, rather than abolish them.

The federal government’s "No Child Left Behind Act" requires standards, and she said the Profiles provide those standards necessary for districts to be eligible for federal funds.

Heard that report cards are about ready and that conferences are underway this week.

Accepted the retirement of bus driver Dale Hartz, effective Oct. 16.

Approved a medical leave of absence for paraprofessional Crystal Ellefson for approximately six weeks, starting Nov. 20.

Noted the next School Board meeting is 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, and Thanksgiving break is Nov. 27-29.

‘The Cheese Stands Alone’
"Cheesy," played by Erica Marshall (right) sings to her farm friends (from left) Lauren Christensen (child), Morgan Jacobsma (wife), Kaitlyn Van Meeteren (nurse), Baillie Williams (cat) and Clinton Jaqua (Mr. Rat) during the second- and third-grade program Friday, in the Luverne Elementary School gym. The program, directed by Beth Capistran and Seana Graber, was based on the popular children’s song, "The Cheese Stands Alone," only in this case, the cheese is befriended by the rat, and in the end, doesn’t stand alone.

Photo by Lori Ehde

‘Robin Hood’ is LHS play
Dustin Donth, as Little John, (at left) takes stage with Jamison Tooley as Robin Hood in Tuesday night’s dress rehearsal of "Robin Hood." The Luverne High School Theatre Department will present the show at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Luverne High School Theater. The classic musical includes special comedic adaptations inspired by the movie "Men in Tights." Carol Ceynowa and Sheleen Bauer direct the production.

Green Earth Players production opens Friday in Palace
The 25th anniversary of Green Earth Players brings them back to the Palace Theatre Friday when the musical comedy "Sanders Family Christmas" opens. Above, cast members take part in a dress rehearsal Tuesday. They are: (from left) Terri Ebert, (seated in back) Traci Carlson and Phil Voigt, Shane Amborn and James Harsma. Cast members not pictured are Bruce Baartman, Louella Voigt and Cheryl Nath. The play involves all local people except for director Paula Herrig, who lives in Slayton. Linda Dummer is assistant director and stage manager and Sue Sandbulte is the musical director.

The small cast of players presents a "gospel sing" in a Baptist church, with the audience being the congregation. The play is set in 1941 in the south and uses familiar Christmas music and gospel hymns. It will be of particular interest to local people who saw the GEP production of "Smoke on the Mountain," the prequel to "Sanders Family Christmas." In the play, Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe, a young and enthusiastic minister, enlists the Sanders Family Singers in his efforts to bring his tiny congregation into the modern world. The family members tell personal stories that relate to their trials of faith between songs.

The play runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 15, 16, 17 and 22, 23 and 24. The Carnegie Cultural Center, 205 N. Freeman, serves as the box office and is open from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Carnegie phone number is 283-8294.

Margaret Lois Scherff, 84, Beaver Creek, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Sunday, Nov. 3, at St. John Lutheran church in Luverne. Burial was in Beaver Creek Cemetery, Beaver Creek.

Margaret Wendorf was born to Louis and Bertha (Gust) Wendorf in Sioux County near Hull, Iowa. She was baptized on July 19, 1918, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hull. She grew up helping on the farm and attending country school. She was confirmed on April 9, 1933, at Lakewood Lutheran Church in Lyon County, Iowa.

She married Melvin Scherff on Dec. 8, 1936, at Lakewood Lutheran Church. The couple moved to farm near Beaver Creek, where they lived for five years before moving to a farm near Rock Rapids, Iowa. They then moved to a farm near Alvord, Iowa, before moving to a farm three miles north of Beaver Creek. They lived and farmed there until their retirement and then moved to Beaver Creek. She helped on the farm but also worked for several businesses in the area. Later, she worked at Campbell’s Soup Company in Worthington.

Mrs. Scherff was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne and was active in Women's Society and Ladies Circles. She was also active in the Ladies Circle of First Presbyterian Church and Senior Citizens in Beaver Creek. She enjoyed her flower garden and bird watching.

Survivors include two sons, Marvin (Bonnie) Scherff, Luverne, and Duane (Linda) Scherff, Albert Lea; one daughter, Roseann (Merlin) Winselmen, Adrian; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Viola Renken, Worthington; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Scherff was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Melvin, on April 16, 2001, one grandson, Darrin Scherff, one great-grandson, Theron Scherff, one great-granddaughter, Anne Jirele, and two sisters, Alvine Finck and Alice File.

A tree will be planted in memory of Margaret by Luverne Community Hospital Hospice Program.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Services for Pieternella “Nellie” Remme are at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Dell B. Sanderson and Maurice E Hagen will officiate. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne.

Pieternella “Nellie” Remme, 66, Luverne, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

“Nellie” Lolkus was born to Johannes and Hermina (Prinsen) Lolkus on July 3, 1936, near Chandler. At a young age, her father died. Her mother remarried John J. Tinklenberg. Hermina and John raised Nellie as a child. She attended country school in rural Lake Wilson and graduated from Edgerton High School in 1954. She later attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, S.D. She worked as a telephone operator in Luverne.

She married Gale Remme on Aug. 30, 1957, in Edgerton. After their marriage, the couple lived in Luverne for a short time before moving to Windom. In 1960, they moved back to Luverne.

Mrs. Remme was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, past president of the GLCW; the Quilters Club, and Luverne VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, music and reading.

Survivors include her husband, Gale Remme, Luverne; one son, Bradley Remme, Sioux Falls, S.D.; one daughter, Patricia Audette, Maple Grove; one granddaughter, Kimberly Kovach, Minneapolis; her mother, Hermina Tinklenberg, Luverne; two brothers, Harris (Rose) Tinklenberg, Madelia, and Clarence (Sandy) Tinklenberg, Grandville, Mich.; and two sisters, Joyce Bristow, Luverne, and Anna Mae (Sidney) Berghorst, Steen.

Mrs. Remme was preceded in death by her father, Johannes, stepfather, John J., and an infant son, Gregory, on July 6, 1958.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.