Hills Thunder players are (back row, left) Scott Harnack, Derek Sammons, Chad Rauk, Wade Jellema, Matt Funke, (front row) Justin Van Maanen, Chris Harnack, Cade Lange, Matt Wingate, Eric Harnack and Jared Lange. Players not pictured are Justin Decker, Curt Bly, Chris Putnam and Rod Scholten.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills Thunder won its first game of the Gopher League Playoffs before being eliminated from the event with a pair of weekend losses.

Hills got off to a good start by nipping Pipestone 5-3 in Pipestone Wednesday, July 17, to open the event.

A 17-1 loss to Hadley in Pipestone Friday followed by a 9-3 home loss to Heron Lake Sunday ended Hills' 4-15 campaign.

The Thunder never trailed during the July 17 game in Pipestone.

Matt Funke, who had three hits against the A's, singled and scored when Wade Jellema singled in the top of the second to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead.

The score was 2-0 when Funke doubled and scored on Chad Rauk's sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth, but Pipestone battled back to knot the score with a two-run fifth inning.

Hills regained the lead at 4-2 in the sixth.

Funke doubled and Derek Sammons was hit by a pitch to set the table in the sixth. Funke scored when Rauk singled. A fielder's choice by Chris Harnack plated Sammons.

Pipestone climbed to within one run (4-3) of the Thunder by scoring once in the bottom of the sixth.
Cade Lange reached base on a fielder's choice and scored on a passed ball to cap the scoring for Hills in the seventh.

Matt Wingate tossed all nine innings to record the win. He allowed six hits, three runs and three walks while fanning six batters.

Rauk, Jarud Lang and Scott Harnack slapped two hits each.

Hadley sent the Thunder to the loser's bracket of the tournament with a 17-1 win over Hills in Pipestone Friday.

The Buttermakers scored 11 runs in the first three innings of the game and coasted to a 16-run victory.

Hills did get on the scoreboard when Eric Harnack drew a walk before scoring on a triple by Funke in the top of the fourth to make it an 11-1 game.

Hadley, however, scored once in the fifth and five times in the sixth to win handily.

Rauk pitched the first five innings and took the loss. He allowed 13 hits, 12 runs and two walks. Sammons surrendered two hits, five runs and five walks while pitching one inning of relief.

Funke's run-scoring triple in the fourth proved to be Hills' lone hit in the contest.

SundayÕs 9-3 loss to Heron Lake in Hills eliminated the Thunder from the playoffs.

Hills beat Heron Lake twice during the regular season, but the Thunder never played with the lead on Sunday.

The Lakers gained a 3-0 advantage in the top of the second before Hills rallied to score twice in the bottom of the third to trail by one.

Jarud Lang and Eric Harnack singled to start the rally in the third. Scott Harnack singled home Lang, and Eric Harnack scored on a single by Cade Lang.

Heron Lake put the game away by plating single runs in the fourth and fifth innings before scoring four times in the eighth to make it a 9-2 difference.

Cade Lang singled and scored on a single by Rauk in the bottom of the ninth to cap the scoring.

Jarud Lang tossed nine innings and was saddled with the loss. He allowed seven hits and two walks while recording a pair of strikeouts.

Cade Lang led the Thunder at the plate with two hits.

By Jolene Farley
When asked about the greatest accomplishment in his life, Wendell Erickson replies, with a smile, that it was meeting and marrying his wife, Kathryn.

That is high praise from a man who is retiring from a political career that spans 37 years.

He also says that his career wouldn't have been possible without the help and 100-percent support of his family all those years.

The couple has five children: Margaret, Kirsten, Charles, Anna and Hans. Family and more free time are the reasons Erickson decided not to seek reelection as a Rock County Commissioner.

"We've got five grandchildren I want to get better acquainted with ... and a sixth one on the way," he said.

Erickson is now known by local residents for his seat as District 2 commissioner on the Rock County Board. But Erickson's political career began long before that with a bid for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1964. He was working as a vocational agriculture instructor at Hills-Beaver Creek High School at the time of his election.

"I was talked into it by Rep. Roy Cummings, who had been in the legislature for a number of years," he said. Cummings is from Beaver Creek.

In 1965, he took office and continued to serve until his only political defeat in 1986.

"I've only lost one election," he said. "That gives me a 97 percent to 98 percent success rate."
He said he just doesn't like to lose.

Kathryn said the fact that he always helped people was the key to his success.

"When they called and needed some assistance, he worked at it until it was solved," she said.

Erickson attributes the desire to enter politics to his mother and a wish to find a way to help people.

"I think my mother would have liked me to be a pastor, but she introduced me to politics," he said.

Erickson authored over 100 bills during his time in the legislature.

Some of the more significant bills include the post secondary enrollment option, which allows juniors and seniors in high school to attend college instead of high school; open enrollment, which allows students to attend school in another district with state support, and the handicap license and parking bill, that enables handicap parking in the state.

During his career, Erickson chaired the Education committee, the Education Division of Appropriations, and the Labor-Management Committee, as well as numerous subcommittees. He also served on many commissions.

Erickson served in the minority for 11 years and the majority for 11 years.

"Majority was a lot more work, with chairmanships. When you are minority you can be irresponsible," he joked.

The legislature was also non-partisan until 1971. "Certainly, there was more working together than there has been recently."

At one point, Erickson was asked to run for Congress. He declined, realizing it would take more time and money than his family and he were willing to commit.

After he lost his bid for reelection to the legislature, Erickson served on the Hills-Beaver Creek School board for six years beginning in 1987.

He ran for Rock County Commissioner and won, taking office on January 1, 1995.

After eight years as commissioner, he has decided not to seek reelection. His term expires at the end of this year.

Erickson notes many changes throughout his years in Minnesota politics.

"Farmers are getting bigger, he said. "There are probably more regulations and restrictions than there were when I was in the legislature. Probably some are needed, but it does make it more expensive and difficult to comply."

Erickson thinks population will continue to decrease in southwest Minnesota unless more job opportunities are found.

He attributes the current economic downturn in the state to revenues generated by prosperity taxes. The sales tax, the corporate tax and individual income tax all fall in that category.

"When we hit an economy where people are laid off. They are just buying necessities so they aren't paying either sales or income tax."

People tend to blame whoever is in power for the bad economy, according to Erickson.

Political theories, such as that one, were formed as he added items to an extensive resume.

It lists many other accomplishments. He served from 1944-1946 in the Army Infantry, Pacific Theater and the Korean liberation and occupation during World War II. Later he attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural education.

After many years in politics, he was named an adjunct professor in state and local government and American national government at Southwest State University.

Even though his politics and other involvements took him elsewhere, Erickson's loyalties are close to home.

"It's been a great pleasure working with the people of this area," said Erickson. "I think they are some of the finest people you will find anywhere. They have been good to me and my family and very supportive over the years."

Thinking back about his life Erickson is content with the way things have gone and is not afraid to say so.

"If I had to do it all over I wouldn't change much," he said.

By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek School District has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Southwest Minnesota Foundation.

The grant will fund the Book of the Week program offered to students this summer, the Kid Care after school program and reading, writing and math nights planned during the school year.

The Book of the Week Club began three weeks ago with financial support from the Rock County Collaborative, Lutheran Brotherhood and Hills-Beaver Creek Community Education. Students were also charged a $20 fee to participate.

Teachers wanted the 57 students enrolled in the club to be able to take a book, CD ROM or other activity home with them each week, according to teacher Amy Christensen, so they applied for further funding from the Foundation.

Coordinators estimate the program will continue to grow next year. "We've got good numbers and kids coming from all over," Christensen said.

"I'm guessing the kids might want to meet more often. I'm guessing we will have more kids interested."

The program currently meets from 8:30 to 10 a.m Thursdays. Retired Senior Volunteers, who help with the program, provide intergenerational learning for the students.

The Kid Care program will be offered after school hours during the year to help bridge after school daycare gaps.

Reading, writing and math nights focus on each individual area with students and their families. An entire evening is devoted to each subject.

Little Patriots move to Beaver Creek

The board unanimously approved moving the Little Patriot Preschool program to the Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek.

The Hills building received three fire code violations from the Fire Marshall during his last visit, according to superintendent Dave Deragisch.

"We have some problems with that building," he said. "We're not handicap accessible."

All fire and handicap accessibility code issues would have to be corrected for the district to continue to rent the building, according to Deragisch.

Moving to the elementary allows a way around these problems plus the opportunity to offer students a milk break, access to playground equipment and room for special programs for parents.

The district currently rents the Hills building from the City of Hills for $130 per month.

The board asked if the move would affect any of the Iowa students who attend Little Patriots.

"We will have the conflict of too-and-from, but I think it's something we can work out," Deragisch said.

In other business, the board approved pairing with Ellsworth and Edgerton for cross country this fall.

By Jolene Farley
Last week's theft of an ATM machine from a Luverne bank and recent bank robberies in Sioux Falls, SD., create the need to reevaluate security at area ATM machines.

In the Luverne robbery at First National Bank on Thursday, July 18, a burglar used spray paint to blacken the camera and managed to loosen bolts and take the ATM machine from the lobby. The theft wasn't reported until the next morning.

Bank vice-president, Tim Plimpton is optimistic robbers wouldn't be successful if they tried to take an ATM machine operated by the Exchange State Bank in Hills.

The bank owns two local ATMs, one in the lobby of the Hills bank and one in the Phillips 66 station in Luverne.

"If they tried taking the one in Hills, they'd have to take about half of the building," he said. "I actually have it chained to the metal rafters in the basement."

The other ATM, inside the Phillips 66 gas station, has people around it most of the time who would witness a robbery if it took place. Burglars would have to break into the building to rob the machine after closing.

Two cameras are focused on the ATM machine in Hills at all times, one looking right at the ATM and one in the bank itself.

The machines also have an alarm system that is triggered if anyone cuts wires to the machine.

"When they are messed with or the wire is cut, an alarm will go off," he said.

Although ATMs can hold in the neighborhood of $100,000 in $20 bills, Plimpton always keeps a limited amount of cash in his ATM machines.

This leads him to think stealing an ATM machine is a losing proposition.

"It seems like an awful lot of work to get very little," he said. "Towards the end of the month, they can get down under $1,000."

Banks usually purchase bonds through holding companies to cover their ATM machines, according to Plimpton. The bond reimburses the bank for the cost of the machine and any stolen cash in the event of a robbery.

Meanwhile in Luverne, authorities continue to investigate the First National Bank theft. The ATM was found, minus its cash in the Maplewood Cemetery and is being processed for fingerprints or any other evidence that may be helpful in solving the case.

By Sara Strong
Just one Rock County office will have a competitive primary race at the Sept. 10 election.

An unusually high number of seven people have filed for the Rock County Auditor/Treasurer position by Tuesday's deadline: Lisa Ahrendt DeBoer, Nic 'O Lena Bosch, Gloria F. Rolfs, Johnna Bowron-Ahrendt, Kim Gehrke, Candace R. Reese and Ona Reker.

No other local offices in the county or city of Luverne will appear on the primary ballot because, at the most, two have filed.

Also filing for office are:
Luverne mayor, Glen Gust and Keith Erickson
Luverne north ward, Pat Baustian
Luverne south ward, Bob Kaczrowski
Rock County Sheriff, Ronnal M. McClure and Michael Winkels
Rock County Attorney, Donald R. Klosterbuer
Rock County Recorder, Jere Ohme
County Commissioner District 2, Richard D. Bakken
County Commissioner District 3, Ron Boyenga
County Commissioner District 4, Robert (Bob) Jarchow
County Commissioner District 5, Jane A. Wildung
SWCD 2, Vicky Smook, SWCD 5, Donald P. Reker.

Third through fifth-graders in the Book of the Week Club presented skits to Tuff Home residents Tuesday. Above, actors Alaina Van Westen and Eric Fick perform for Tuff Home residents.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Hardwick kids should set up lemonade stands during detour

We've all heard the old adage, "There are two seasons in Minnesota - winter and road construction." That point is hitting painfully close to home for local businesses who rely on a third Minnesota season: tourism season.

It was an interesting meeting Monday when more than 60 Highway 75 business owners met face to face with the people responsible (indirectly) for making their summer a living nightmare.

I wasn't sure who to feel sorrier for - the merchants whose businesses would be affected by road work, or the state guys and contractors who were about to be lynched.

I got the impression most state highway projects didn't proceed in this fashion. I believe the typical chain of communication comes from the top down: the state decides when and how the work will be done and everyone else obliges.

It's not happening that way this time.

To their credit, local business owners organized and directed their collected voices to the powers that be.

To the credit of the powers that be, they listened. It was great drama, and it was great to see the "Big Bad Government," obliging to the wishes of little ol' Luverne.

MNDOT goofed on early communication efforts, and its staff is sincerely trying to make up for it by bending work schedules around heavy tourism traffic. That counts for something.

The good news in all this is that crappy stretch of road will be fixed when it's all over.

The other good news is tourism season and road construction season will be great for Hardwick
For at least two weeks, business owners there will capture all of Highway 75's detoured traffic from both directions.

If I were an entrepreneurial kid in that town, I'd put my lemonade stand right by the stop sign and offer a "Detour Special."

The Hardwick businesses might be wise to do the same.

It's easier to read the news than to be the news

I'm sorry to report that our Man on the Street has died. He appeared on our opinion page for several weeks and reader response was fabulous. Everyone LOVED it. Who wouldn't love to read about local people's opinions on sensitive topics?

The trouble is, everyone loves to read it, but very few will agree to have their picture published next to their printed thoughts on a subject.

The reason Man on the Street existed at all was due entirely to the enthusiasm of our latest advertising hire, Chantel Connell.

When she started several months ago, she wanted to know why we didn't run an opinion poll in our paper. She even volunteered to take the photos and ask the questions if we provided her with weekly questions.

We agreed, figuring someone with sales skills could coerce participation better than news people could.

The arrangement worked well for a few months, but she eventually ran out of willing participants to poll, and we eventually decided she was spending more time selling the Man on the Street poll than she was selling advertising.

Thanks to all who participated. Man on the Street has been officially laid to rest - until the next enthusiastic sales person wants to resurrect him.

"Touch the Sky" gets SW Foundation grant
The Southwest Minnesota Foundation announced on Monday it was awarding a $50,000 grant to the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation for it's "Touch the Sky" prairie preservation project.

In Monday's press release the foundation said the foundation's mission is to "educate, promote, preserve and expand native prairie in southwest Minnesota."

The "Touch the Sky" project is also an educational, tourism and environmental initiative, with a goal to draw people to southwest Minnesota to experience native prairie, according to the release.

The money from the SWMF will be used to purchase an additional parcel of land that will be developed as a trailhead for visitors.

There are plans by the Brandenburg foundation to build shelters on the site for parking and picnicking.

There is also a long-term goal of possibly building a Prairie Learning Center at the trailhead site.

In it's partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the Brandenburg Foundation has secured 690 acres for the "Touch the Sky" project, which is located northwest of Luverne.

The future will also include a tie to the Southwest Regional Trails Plan for area biking and walking trails, the Highway 75 "King of Trails" project and other area tourist sites such as the Pipestone National Monument and Split Rock Creek State Park and the Blue Mound State Park.

Could you be eligible for an additional property tax refund?
Due to recent property tax legislation, more homeowners will be eligible and refund amounts may be larger.

Income limits for the refund have been raised from $71,700 to $80,180, and the maximum refund amount has been increased from $510 to $1,500.

The expanded refund was part of a property tax bill, aimed at reducing property taxes by $2.3 billion over four years.

Overall, property tax rates are expected to drop, on average, 16 percent.

If you think you might qualify for an additional refund, you will need to file form M1PR, which is available at libraries and government offices, or by calling the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781.

How's your nitrate levels
Do you get your drinking water from a private well? If so, you could have your water tested for nitrates for free.

On August 2, during the fair, at no cost, you can get your water tested at the fairgrounds commerce building from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Rock County Land Management and the Minnesota Department of Health sponsor the event.

The project is a part of a series of water-testing clinics being offered throughout 2002. Only water from private wells will be tested.

Nitrates are the most common contaminants in MinnesotaÕs groundwater and a significant number of the state's wells have high nitrates.

Nitrates are a major problem if consumed by infants because they can cause suffocation due to a condition known as 'blue baby' syndrome.

According to Gene Hugoson, MDA Commissioner, studies indicate that between 5 percent and 25 percent of the private wells in greater Minnesota have nitrate levels above the federal drinking water standard.

If you want to participate you must:
Bring at least one-half cup of water in either a Whirl-Pak plastic bag or a Ziploc-type bag.

Allow the water to run five to ten minutes before filling the bag.

If you have water treatment equipment, or a water softener, take one sample before and one sample after the treatment.

Water samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the testing, and they must be refrigerated. Samples should be cool when they arrive at the clinic.

To ensure accuracy, homeowners should mark the bags with their name, phone number and a well identification number if more than one well is sampled.

Samples are tested on the spot, and the process usually takes about five minutes.

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

Eldon H. Ehlers, 66, Luverne, died Friday, July 19, 2002, at the family farm west of Luverne.
Services were Tuesday, July 23, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Eldon Ehlers was born to Henry and Elsie (Kopp) Ehlers on Oct. 20, 1935, in Luverne. He grew up on the family farm and received his elementary education at country school #10. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1953.

He married Betty Poppens on June 29, 1962, in Aplington, Iowa. He worked for his parents on the family farm until they retired, and he took over the operation. He retired from farming in 1999 and moved to Luverne. He was a part-time employee of Greenview at Beaver Creek Rest Area.

Mr. Ehlers was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne and was a current member of American Reformed Church in Luverne. He was a member of Luverne Lions Club, a Luverne Township board member, an elevator board member and a Sunday School treasurer. He enjoyed doing word puzzles and reading, but his favorite thing to do was spending time on the farm.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Ehlers, Luverne; two sons, Randy (Donna) Ehlers, Mark (Lisa) Ehlers, all of Luverne; three daughters, Barbara (Heath) Austin, Rock Rapids, Iowa, Lori (Fritz) Stubbe, Castle Rock, Colo., and Anna Marie Ehlers, Luverne; five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Steven and Jonathon Ehlers, Zachary and Tyler Stubbe.

Mr. Ehlers was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

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