By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek High School Wildlife Biology class braved snow and cold Wednesday to help the Topeka Shiner, an endangered species in Rock County streams.

Teacher Tom Goehle and his seven students helped plant 800 feet of riverbank with sapling willow trees to help restore critical spawning areas for the fish.

The saplings were gathered, with permission of the landowner, from trees in the area several miles south of Luverne, just east of Highway 75.

Large boulders were also placed along the banks of the Rock River to prevent sedimentation.

Goehle said this project gives his students a better understanding of taking care of our environment and things that can be done to preserve what we have.

The Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District received funds from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the stream bank stabilization project on the Rock River.

The presence of the Shiner in the Rock River and its tributaries prompted the project as a habitat protection measure.

Henning Construction, Adrian, also worked on the project, under the supervision of the USFW.

The Rock County Land Management Office warns snowmobilers of rocks in the stream channel and to use caution if riding in the area.

By Jolene Farley
At a Monday meeting, the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board approved payment of a $3,500 fee to Group II Architects, Sioux Falls, SD., to begin the process for new high school locker rooms.

The initial fee would cover three meetings with the building committee.

Those meetings would cover:

Developing a written program and designing the facility,
Preparing optional schematic design floor plans and exterior elevations,
Evaluating and comparing costs of various materials, preparing a written estimate of construction costs,
Evaluating the total project budget,
Preparing a written code analysis,
Evaluating the code impact on the existing facility and submitting the plans to the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning for review and comment.

The building committee met with representatives from the architectural firm Thursday, Oct. 3.

"I think they are going to be real workable people," said board member Ann Boeve.

"These people understand we want a quality building for the lowest dollar amount."

"WeÕre at the point were we need to find out how much itÕs (the project) going to cost," she said.

The building committee will continue to meet with the architectural firm to streamline the design of the facility, but state building codes will drive the decisions on the structure to some extent.

"You almost need an architect to work with the codes," said board member Gary Esselink.

Superintendent Dave Deragisch said he contacted local contractors about the project hoping to be able to save design fees, but the contractors werenÕt interested because of code issues.

In other financial news, the board will meet with the bonding company about refinancing the 1997 elementary school construction bond at a noon meeting Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Refinancing would save the district $71,000 to $91,000, after $27,000 in refinancing fees.

"ThereÕs costs involved, and we need to be aware of the costs," said Deragisch.

The district would not realize any savings on the refinancing until 2005.

In other business:
Luverne Rotary Club representative Al Berdahl presented the board with information on the One of a Kind Child Identification Program, a cooperative effort between Rotary Clubs International and ASFSA to educate parents and children about personal safety.

Students will be invited to an educational presentation at school on personal safety and later will be weighed, measured and digitally photographed by volunteers. Parents will be asked for written permission for their child to participate.

StudentsÕ vital statistics will be documented and returned for them to take the information home to their parents.

Parents will be encouraged to obtain a DNA sample from their children (for example, a lock of hair) and to keep the sample with the other information.

The program, for kindergarten through third grade, will be provided to the district at no cost. SchwanÕs, the Jacob Wetterling Foundation and Rotary Club will defray the cost.

"Go for it," said Boeve. "ItÕs wonderful."

Hills-Beaver Creek Wildlife Biology students place sapling willows in the ground Wednesday several miles south of Luverne, just east of Highway 75. The students braved snow and cold temperatures to help stabilize the habitat of the Topeka Shiner along the Rock River. Story inside.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Hortense Schlader, 92, Luverne, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Monday, Oct. 7, in St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Luverne.

Hortense T. Brandenburg was born Nov. 8, 1909, to Samuel and Mary (Hassler) Brandenburg in Mound Township, Rock County. She attended rural school in Mound Township. After her schooling she worked for Nelson Department Store in Luverne.

She married Matt Schlader on May 29, 1933, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. They owned and operated Schlader Jewelry Store in Luverne for many years.

Mrs. Schlader was a lifelong member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne and was active in the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary in Luverne. She was a charter member of the WomenÕs BPW in Luverne. She enjoyed sewing and embroidery.

Survivors include her children, Catherine (Lawrence) Gabriel, Delano, Roger Schlader, Rapid City, S.D., Stephen (Lynise) Schlader, Barrington, Ill., and Margaret McDermott, Farmington; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother, Samuel Brandenburg; and one nephew, George Brandenburg, both of Beaver Creek.

Mrs. Schlader was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Matt, in 1964, two grandchildren, three brothers, Raymond, Leo and Paul.

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

Change is good.
It's a nightmare now,
but it will be good

Just in time for National Newspaper Week, the Star Herald is embarking on a technological adventure, the journey for which has become somewhat of a nightmare.

The premise for our office upgrade was simple. (Always beware when the techies use the word "simple.")

It all started with a great idea to update our pagination software so the news and advertising departments could work in the same programs.

This, we reasoned, will make it easier to send our pages online to the printers, a long-held dream which will result in better reproduction.

InDesign is the much talked about improvement to both PageMaker and Quark, and the Star Herald is apparently a leader (guinea pig) in the regional weekly newspaper industry for making the switch.

So, we ordered the new software and looked forward to trying it out. The average techno-deficient word person figured the story ended there.

However ... the new software wouldn't launch on our old operating system.

So, we ordered Mac OSX, and later updated that order to OSX v.10.2 when it came out two weeks ago. At that point we felt very uptown.

We'd have the very latest pagination software clipping along on the very latest operating system.

However ... we had a few old Macintosh computers that were incompatible (too old) with the new operating system.

And ... the new operating system didn't run the old Microsoft Word program, so we upgraded Word, which didn't communicate with our old font management system (basic helvetica looks like arthritic handwriting on the screen).

So, we upgraded the font management program, which doesn't care for some of our favorite fonts, a problem we're still pulling hair out over.

Further, OSX, cleverly named "Jaguar" for its speed, also doesn't run our old Internet browsers or e-mail software. So, we upgraded those as well.

If you've called our office lately and been greeted with a cheerful, "What do you want?!" it's because we're all dealing with changes here. Lots of them. All at the same time.

Computer work stations tend to become little safe havens of familiarity in the work place. We sit down with our coffee cups and we all know what we have to do, where to find the files and what they're supposed to look like.

Now, everything's different.

Thank God the coffee pot still works the same.

Sending our pages online to the printer will eliminate two steps of reproduction, and the end result, we hope, will be a crisper, cleaner quality newspaper.

Meanwhile, I hope we don't all lose our minds, and we hope you, our readers, are forgiving of minor errors and omissions, if any, you may find in this issue.

Luverne Hall of Famer receives another award
Forty-one years after his death, Rock County native, Cedric Adams has finally been inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Adams was known as the hardest working journalist in the business.

At one point, a week's work consisted of 54 radio shows, eight TV shows and seven columns in the Minneapolis Star and Sunday Tribune.

When he had extra time, he would take a variety show on the road.

At the height of his popularity, pilots would report when flying over Minneapolis they knew when Cedric Adams' program went off the air, because all of the lights in the city would turn off.

It took seven secretaries to open his mail.

Adams was born in 1902, and grew up in Magnolia, Minn. He died in 1961.

The late Bill Brakke used to talk about listening to Adams while lying on the kitchen floor of his parent's house during his grade school years.

One night when Brakke was listening to his radio show, Adams was talking about how he had just turned 40 years old. Bill said he thought at the time, that Adams must be one of the oldest men alive.

Adams' posthumous award was presented on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Eighteen in all were inducted including Paul Hedberg, former owner of Luverne's KQAD radio station, Dave Moore, (WCCO), Ray Christenson, of Gopher Sport notoriety and Steve Cannon and the little Cannons also of WCCO fame.

Drug Meeting set for Tuesday
The next meeting of concerned parents and citizens has been set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Pizza Ranch in Luverne.

The Sheriff's Department will be on hand with advice on how to give goods tips on any drug activity that local citizens may think could be helpful.

Also, a recovering meth addict will speak to the group about their experience with the problem.

If you want more information about the meeting or about the group, contact Lila Bauer at 283-2379
Optimist Club holds fund-raiser for Rock County youth recreation.

The Luverne Optimist Club, in conjunction with the Blue Mound Liquor store, is holding their annual wine tasting fund-raiser.

This year, the fund-raiser will include dinner with a "New Orleans Cajun Flare" prepared by Luverne resident and Minerva's chef, Don Anderson.

The Wine Tasting and Dinner will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Blue Mound Banquet Center.

The wine tasting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with 21 different wines to sample. Wine experts will be on hand to answer any of your questions.

Limited dinner seating will be available from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

The wine tasting is $15 and the dinner is $25. Reservations can be made separately.

If you would like to make a reservation, or have any questions about the event, contact Blue Mound Liquor at 449-5052, before October 22.

Now it's PrairieWave
The company that came to town under the name DTG, and then became a part of a bigger McLeod USA, is now PrairieWave.

A few years ago a small regional company called Dakota Telecommunication Group, requested the right to rewire Luverne, so they could provide telephone, cable TV and Internet service.

Before that process was completed, DTG became a part of the much larger business, McLeod USA.

Now, the original DTG part of McLeod has been sold to an investment group and will now be called PrairieWave.

The employees that have been working for the former DTG customers as McLeod employees will continue to do so as employees of the new PrairieWave Company, according to PrairieWave CEO Craig Anderson.

According to Anderson, the most notable change you will see in the company will be the appearance of the new PrairieWave logo on statements, office building, signs and vehicles.

PrairieWave will serve communities in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Doris Matilda Yager, 102, Luverne, formerly of Ellsworth, died Monday, Oct 14, 2002, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.

Services were Thursday, Oct. 17, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. The Rev. Robert Raedeke officiated. Burial was in Grand Prairie Cemetery, Ellsworth.

Doris Middlen was born to Daniel and Mary Amelia (Steele) Middlen on Aug. 25, 1900, in Highland, Wis. She graduated from Highland High School in 1919. After graduation, she attended Augustana to obtain her teacher’s certificate. She taught in Davis, S.D., for three years.

She married Walter William Yager on May 21, 1922. After their marriage, they lived on the family farm in Centerville, S.D., until 1938 when they moved to Adrian. They farmed in the Adrian area for three years and then moved to a farm near Ellsworth. They retired in 1959 and moved to Ellsworth. She moved to Blue Mound Tower in Luverne in 1992. She moved to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in April 2001.

Mrs. Yager was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth and was active in Ladies Aid and church choir. She was also a member of Senior Citizens and RSVP in Ellsworth.

Survivors include four children, Mary Alice Patten, Rosemount, Marjorie Jean Wendt, Worthington, Shirley Ann DeBates, Luverne, and Paul Eugene Yager, Eden Prairie; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. DeYager was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Walter, in 1969; three grandchildren; three brothers and three sisters.

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

Oscar Olson, 86, Luverne, formerly of the Steen-Hills area, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Monday, Oct. 7, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hills. Burial was in Flower Field Cemetery, Hills.

Oscar Paul Olson was born March 3, 1916, to Oluf and Petra (Larsen) Olson in Luverne. He attended school in Luverne and graduated from high school in 1934. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota Agricultural School in St. Paul. He started farming near Steen in 1936. He married Hattie Behr on Sept. 4, 1948, at the State Line Presbyterian Church. The couple continued to farm until their retirement in 1986. They moved into Luverne and have lived there ever since.

Mr. Olson was a third-generation farmer of a Centennial Farm. He was very active in 4-H and was a reservist in the National Guard. In his spare time, he enjoyed going to farm sales and was an avid Minnesota sports fan. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills.

Survivors include his wife, Hattie Olson, Luverne; five sons, Duane (Jacqueline) Olson, Sioux Falls, S.D., Warren (Mary) Olson, Hills, Lyle (Rhonda) Olson, Steen, Dennis Olson, Valley Springs, S.D., and Roger Olson, Steen; two daughters, Mary (Al) Brinkman, Luverne, and Joan (Jeff) Stoll, Brooklyn Park; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Odin (Arlene) Olson, Ocala, Fla., two sisters-in-law, Betty Olson, Luverne, and Dorothy Olson, Framington, Mass., several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Olson was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Emma Palmer, two brothers, Milton Olson and Alvin Olson, and one daughter-in-law, Kristie Ann Olson.

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

Adrian junior Kylie Heronimus digs up a spike in front of teammate Kristi Lonneman during TuesdayÕs home volleyball match against Southwest Star Concept. The Dragons lost a five-game match to the Quasars to wrap up a 3-20-1 regular season.

By John Rittenhouse
The Adrian volleyball team posted a pair of wins while dropping four matches during the final week of the regular season.

AHS went 2-2 and placed second in its division during the Southwest State University Subway tournament in Marshall Friday and Saturday.

The Dragons lost a three-game match to Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin in Mountain Lake Thursday before dropping a five-game home tilt to Southwest Star Concept Tuesday.

Adrian, 3-20-1 overall, opens the South Section 3A Tournament by playing Fulda in the Luverne Elementary School Oct. 25.

SSC 3, Adrian 2
The Dragons lost an opportunity to bring some momentum into the postseason when they lost their home finale to the Quasars Tuesday.

A nice rally in the fourth game allowed the Dragons to tie the match at two, but SSC won the war by claiming the fifth game.

After falling behind early in Game 1, Adrian rallied to take a 5-4 lead before going on an 8-3 run to take a 14-7 lead. That run featured three ace serves by Andrea Lonneman, two service points and an ace serve by Jenna Honermann, one ace serve by Carmen Erlandson and an ace block by Kylie Heronimus.

SSC closed the gap to 14-9 before a tip by Heronimus gave Adrian a 15-9 win.

The Dragons led 4-2 in Game 2 when the Quasars went on a 9-1 run to take an 11-5 advantage. Two service points from Kristi Lonneman and a kill by Andrea Lonneman trimmed SSC's lead to three points (11-8), but SSC scored the next four points to prevail 15-8.

SCC scored the first three points of Game 3 only to have AHS receive kills by Erlandson and Andrea Lonneman to make it a 3-2 difference. The Quasars dominated play the rest of the match with a 12-1 run that ended in a 15-3 win.

It looked like SSC might end the match when it sported a 12-8 lead late in Game 4. Adrian, however, bounced back to score the next seven points (two ace serves and a point from Sarah Henning, two kills by Erlandson and two kills by Andrea Lonneman) to steak a 15-12 win and force a fifth game.

SSC led 10-3 in the finale before Adrian put together a 5-0 run consisting of two points and an ace serve by Erlandson, a block by Heronimus and a point from Andrea Lonneman to trail 10-8. The Quasars answered the challenge by ending the match with a 5-1 surge to record a 15-9 win.

Andrea Lonneman and Erlandson led AHS with 13 and 11 kills, while Heronimus chipped in nine kills and four blocks.

Honermann, who had three blocks, registered 42 set assists. Henning was nine of nine serving with seven points and two aces. Kristi Lonnerman charted 10 digs.

SSU tourney
The Dragons posted a pair of wins and placed second in their division during the Subway Tournament in Marshall Friday and Saturday.

Competing in the Brown Division, AHS went 2-2 overall and finished second in the Silver Bracket in its division.

Adrian opened the event Friday by losing a 2-0 decision to Yellow Medicine East. The Sting toppled the Dragons by 15-3 and 15-12 tallies.

Honermann had eight set assists, three ace tips and completed 10 of 10 serves with one ace and five points during the match. Heronimus added three kills and two blocks.

The Dragons met Lincoln HI in FridayÕs second round, posting 15-10 and 15-5 wins over the Rebels.

Honermann recorded nine set assists, nine service points and two blocks during the win. Heronimus had four blocks, four ace tips and three kills. Erlandson served nine points and five aces.

Adrian won back-to-back matches for the first time this season when it racked up 15-9 and 15-12 wins over Cedar Mountain during Saturday's first round.

Andrea Lonneman served nine points and three aces during the win. Heronimus and Brittany Bullerman chipped in four and three kills respectively.

Adrian ended the event by losing a 2-1 match to Edgerton. The Dragons prevailed 15-2 in Game 2, but the Flying Dutchmen notched 15-12 and 15-9 victories in Games 1 and 3.

Kristi Lonneman completed all 18 of her serves with 11 points and one ace in the finale. Honermann registered 14 set assists, four ace tips and four ace serves. Heronimus tallied 10 kills, five service points, four blocks and three ace tips. Andrea Lonneman added five kills.

ML-B-O 3, Adrian 0
The Dragons played well against one of the Red Rock ConferenceÕs best teams before falling by three games in Mountain Lake Thursday.

ML-B-O, a team that currently occupies second place in the league, found itself in a battle against the Dragons. Adrian didnÕt win a game in the match, but the Dragons were in position to prevail in the first and third tilts before coming up short.

"ML-B-O is a pretty good team, and the girls played very well against them," said Dragon coach Solomon.

The teams traded points throughout the first game before ML-B-O erased a 13-12 deficit with a three-point run that clinched a 15-13 win.

The Wolverines took the second game 15-7, but found themselves in a deadlock at 12 in Game 3 before using another three-point run to win 15-12.

Heronimus had six kills, five blocks and two ace serves for the Dragons. Andrea Lonneman was 12 of 12 serving with two aces. Honermann charted 16 set assists.