Farmer Steve Top stands in his cornfield southwest of Luverne Tuesday. This field is already more than knee high on Top's 6-foot, 6-inch frame, and the Fourth of July is still a week away. Story inside.

Purple balloons with trailing ribbons were little messages to God

Tears welled up in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat Friday when I watched nearly 100 purple balloons float toward the heavens.

The balloons were released by cancer survivors who walked the first lap of Luverne’s Relay for Life. Survivors were defined as anyone who’s ever had cancer - whether they've been in remission for 10 years or if their diagnosis is only 10 days ago. The fact that they're alive qualified them for the honor.

The survivor lap concluded on the west end of the track, and with the sun low on the horizon and a gentle breeze from the northeast, the balloons with silver ribbons trailing slowly drifted over the city of Luverne. Seven hundred sets of hands applauded until the tiny purple dots disappeared into the clear blue sky.

"Touching" was the word that came to mind. "Touching" and "appropriate."

The balloons appeared to be little messages headed to God Himself. Some might have been sincerest thanks for a second chance at life - a chance to see their children grow or a chance to attend a senior prom someday.

Others, released by those without hair and too weak to walk on their own, might have been a heart felt plea for that same chance.

Cancer, for whatever reason, has become such a common local occurrence that a new local diagnoses is received with about as much reaction as news of a broken arm or removed tonsils.
Cancer research has provided helpful clues to early diagnosis, and modern medicine has made it possible to halt the progression of many cancers. As a result, we often forget what survivors have had to endure to earn their honored spot on the track.

Relay for Life is an overnight event to signify the terrible journey nearly all cancer patients must take. The following is reprinted from Relay for Life material the Star Herald received this summer:

"Clear your mind and picture
"It’s daylight. Life is wonderful. You're healthy, happy and looking forward to the future. You’re looking forward to your child’s dance recital or taking your child to Disney World for vacation. You’re looking forward to the new house you just bought. You have a new dream job that you're thrilled about.

"But then, darkness falls.

"You hear those words, 'You've got cancer.' Or, worse, your child has cancer. Your life has suddenly become very dark. You don’t know what the outcome will be. You feel there is no hope in sight. You're exhausted from caring for your child and from the agony knowing there’s nothing you can do to make him healthy again. You couldn't possibly feel any worse.

"Until -

"The sun starts to rise. The tumor is shrinking. Your treatments are working. You’re getting your appetite back. Your child feels well enough to go out and play for just a few minutes. There is hope.

"It is now daylight and you're in remission. You have your life back. You've made it through the night and the darkness. You celebrate life in the daylight knowing that the darkness of nighttime is behind you.

"This is why we Relay.

"This is why Relay is an overnight event."

Not having any idea what those cancer survivors had been through, I cried Friday night for them and their families touched by the horrible disease.

At the same time they might have been tears of pride and joy at witnessing such overwhelming local support for the cause. Congratulations and thank you to all those responsible for Rock County's Relay for Life.

Could a Luverne car be coming back home?
For many years, people have talked about how nice it would be to get an original Luverne Automobile back in town.

That option is now being explored.

According to Dave Smith, Executive Director of the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, a 1915 Luverne Special Speed Roadster has been located in Wisconsin.

The car was built for the Indianapolis 500, but the engine turned out to be too big to qualify, so the car wasn't allowed to race.

Smith said Dick Herman has seen the car, and although it need lots of restoration, the engine, frame and other important aspect of the vehicle are still in good shape.

The skin of the car was made of aluminum sheet metal, and that would have to be replaced.

Smith said he'd like to get a group of people together who are interested in raising the funds it would take to bring the car back to Luverne and restore it.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, at the Luverne Pizza Ranch.

For more information, call Smith at 283-4061

Chamber sets date for 40th annual Hot Dog Night
The 40th annual Hot Dog Night in Luverne has been set for Thursday, July 11.

The event, which started as a customer appreciation night, will provide more than 10,000 hot dogs and 300 gallons of drink.

Grilling will begin at 6 p.m.

The Luverne Lions Club and the Rock County Dairy Association will also have their trailers on hand with some other summertime treats.

Entertainment this year will start at 6:15 with a Tae Kwon Do demonstration followed by the Spotlight Dancers at 7:00 p.m., both located in front of the Luverne Chamber office.

A jumping venue for the kids will be located in front of City Hall, and "Blues on the Rocks" promoters will be on hand to answer questions about the local Sept. 7th event.

The annual 4-H dress revue will be on the front lawn of the Hinkly House and music will be available at the Carnegie Cultural Center.

Schedule set for Blues Festival
The schedule for what is being billed as the first annual "Blues on the Rocks" has been set.

The Sept. 7 event at the Verne Drive-In will begin at 2 p.m. and continue until midnight.

Six bands have been booked for the weekend.

Here is the schedule and a brief description of the performers:

2:00-3:00 p.m.: Root City Band, one of the hottest up-and-coming bands around the Twin Cities. This young band plays funky blues, rock and soul.

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Dave Moore. In 1980 Moore teamed up with songwriter Greg Brown who was gaining a national reputation. He has backed up Brown on recording projects, extensive tours and has made several appearances on Garrison KeillorÕs A Prairie Home Companion. He still records and travels throughout the nation playing his unique style of blues and still appears on KeillorÕs program.

5:00-6:00 p.m.: Rockin' Daddy and the Rough Cuts. R. J. Mischo and Dan Schwalbe first preformed together in 1984 as members of Mojo BufordÕs band. Performing as "Blues Deluxe," the band evolved into one of the top blues acts in the upper Midwest. In May of 1993 they changed their name to Rockin' Daddy and the Rough Cuts and released their CD "Straight Shooter."

6:30-8:00 p.m.: Jake Shakey Newman-Markiss Band. Jake "Shakey" Newman, a 14-year-old harmonica sensation, has been playing to packed house around the state since August of 1999. The past two years Jake has been performing around the Twin cities at local blues jams. "Jake's remarkable harmonicing, combined with his youthful energy and enthusiasm, is leaving audiences shaking their heads in amazement."

8:30-10:00 p.m.: Renee' Austin. Described as passionate, Austin has a six-octive range that makes her hard to compare to anyone. From the time she started singing at age 4, she knew what she would do with her life. Since then she has developed her own unique style of Motown, R&B, Soul, Rock and Pop. Her debut CD, "Dancing with Mr. Blue," has grabbed the attention of the music scene in the Twin Cities along with rave reviews for her voice.

10:30-Midnight: Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings. Known as the Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings since 1993 and the Mellow Fellows prior to that, the group "has been blasting out their own soul-steeped brand of R&B and blues on a nightly basis." With the addition of 6-foot, 5-inch, 370-pound singer Ernie Peniston, the group has once again started recording. Some of their best-known recording in the blues community include "Poor Man's Blues," "Things That Make Me Mad" and "Help Wanted."

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate, which will open at noon.

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

Margaret Roetzel, 89, Adrian, died Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Friday, June 21, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse officiated. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery in Worthington.

Margaret Goergen was born to Frank and Elizabeth (Diederich) Goergen on Jan. 29, 1913, in Granville, Iowa. She attended catholic school in Granville and graduated from St. Adrian Catholic School in 1929.

She married Leonard Roetzel on Sept. 26, 1933. After their marriage the couple farmed south of Fulda. They later moved to the farm east of Worthington. Mr. Roetzel died Dec. 31, 1955. In March 1958, she moved her family to Adrian. She worked at Arnold Memorial Hospital in Adrian. She later worked at Nobles County Day Activities Center for 15 years before retiring.

Mrs. Roetzel was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church where she taught CCD and Bible Study; Catholic Daughters of America; WCCW; MCCL; AARP; and Adrian Senior Citizens where she served as secretary. She enjoyed baking, gardening and playing cards.

Survivors include four sons, Frank (Jeannie) Roetzel, Spirit lake, Iowa, Daryl (Barb) Roetzel, Mitchell, S.D., Ken Roetzel, Burnsville, and Ralph (Kathy) Roetzel, Sioux Falls, S.D.; four daughters, Clarice Lenz, Lincoln, Neb., Carole (Delbert) Honermann, Adrian, Midge (Arnold) Block, Rochester, and Kathy (Richard) Strachan, Mankato; 24 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, Trinity Shipley; one sister, Virginia Harens, St. Paul; and one sister-in-law, Helen Honkomp, Ashton, Iowa.

Mrs. Roetzel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leonard, three grandchildren, Leonard Shipley, Pamela Roetzel and Mark Roetzel, and four brothers, Joe, Ted, Martin and Paul Goergen.

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

Gary Bolte, 51, Leonard, died Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at Meritcare Hospital in Fargo, N.D. He was the son of Inga Bolte, Luverne.

Memorial services were Monday, June 24, at Cease Family Funeral Home in Bagley. Flag presentation was made by the Irvin Blix American Legion Post #16 of Bagley.

Gary Bolte was born to Edward and Inga Bolte on March 11, 1951, in Hendricks. He grew up in Clear Lake, S.D., where he graduated from high school. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and worked as a lab technician. He served aboard the USS Tripoli and USS Acaidia. He was stationed in San Diego, Calif., Bethesda, Md., Camp Lejeune, N.C., Memphis, Tenn., Camp Smith in Hawaii and Corpus Christi, Texas. He was discharged in 1992 and moved to Leonard.

He married Beverly Annable on Sept. 24, 1971, in Rockville, Md.

Mr. Bolte was a member of Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed collecting guns, bird feeding, reading, basketball, boxing, collecting sports cards and tools.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Bolte, Leonard; two sons, Thomas Michael Bolte, Leonard, and Shawn William (Andrea) Bolte, Troy, Ohio; one daughter, Danyell (Mark) Sholes, Norfolk, Va.; three grandchildren, Elaine, Alexis and Hailey; his mother, Inga Bolte, Luverne; two brothers, James (Veronica) Bolte, Ely, and Bruce Bolte, Luverne; four sisters, Carol (Les) Neimann, Clear Lake, Jean (Gary) Floyd, Doris Bolte, all of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Linda (John) Dehahn, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Mr. Bolte was preceded in death by his father.

Cease Family Funeral Home, Bagley, was in charge of arrangements.

Emil E. Kellen, 96, of Adrian, formerly of Lismore, died Monday, June 17, 2002 at the Arnold Memorial Home, in Adrian.

Services will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Lismore. Visitation is also one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Mr. Kellen was born December 6, 1905, in Hospers, IA, to John and Anna (Hentges) Robinet. He was adopted by Pete and Mary (Hentges) Kellen in 1907. He went to school in Lismore. After school, he worked on the family farm east of Lismore.

Mr. Kellen was united in marriage to Agnes Voss on June 19, 1935, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Lismore. After their marriage, the couple lived on the Kellen farm east of Lismore for 65 years. They moved to the Meadows, in Worthington, in October of 2000. They became residents of the Arnold Memorial Home, in Adrian, in November of 2001.

He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Lismore; a Charter member of the St. Anthony Knights of Columbus; a Charter member of the Lismore Farmers Union; a Larkin Township Board member for several years; the Wilmont Mutual Board for 29 years; and a Larkin Township & City of Lismore Assessor for over 10 years. Emil enjoyed square dancing, cards, and working outside.

Emil is survived by his four children and their spouses, Jim & Jeanne Kellen, St. Charles, MO; Jerry & Mary Kellen, Lismore; Tom & Karen Kellen, Aberdeen, SD; and Betty & Mike Brahn, Spring, TX; eight grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his adopted parents; wife, Agnes, on March 23, 2002; five sisters; one brother; one step sister; and one step brother.

Arrangements by Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne Redbirds had a four-game winning streak snapped when they dropped a one-run home decision to Wilmont Sunday.

The streak reached four straight with a four-run home win over Hadley Wednesday, June 19.

Luverne, 6-5 overall, hosts Spencer, Iowa, at noon Sunday before taking on Jackson at 6 p.m.

Wilmont 8, Luverne 7
An outstanding comeback fell short when the Redbirds hosted Wilmont Sunday.

After falling behind 6-0 during the first three and one-half innings of the tilt, Luverne went on a 7-1 run to tie the game at seven when eight innings were complete. Wilmont then scored once in the top of the ninth and blanked the Redbirds in the bottom of the inning to win by one.

The Redbirds clawed their way back into the game when Brian Weber singled home a run in the fourth, Cole Irish and Micky Sehr doubled home runs in the fifth and Billy Schneider slashed a run-scoring single in the seventh to make it a 6-4 game.

Wilmont scored once in the top of the eighth to lead 7-4 before the Redbirds knotted the score at seven with three counters in the bottom of the inning.

Sehr singled home two runs and Schneider singled home the tying-run in the eighth.

Jeff Sehr was saddled with the pitching loss.

Box score AB R H BI
Ohme 6 0 1 0
J.Sehr 3 2 1 0
Wenninger 4 1 1 0
Irish 4 2 1 1
M.Sehr 5 1 3 3
Schneider 5 1 4 2
Weber 3 0 1 1
Fick 4 0 1 0
Reisch 1 0 0 0
Eernisse 1 0 0 0
Iveland 2 0 0 0
Fisher 1 0 1 0

Luverne 6, Hadley 2
The Redbirds won their sixth straight tilt by besting Hadley in a game that ended after seven innings of play due to rain Wednesday, June 19.

After surrendering two runs in the top of the first, Redbird starter Jeff Sehr blanked Hadley over the next six frames to post a victory.

Sehr's teammates came through with five runs in the third inning and one in the fifth to create a four-run win.

Sehr supplied the key blow when he doubled home two runs in the third. Mike Boen added an RBI double, and Irish and Micky Sehr singled home one run each.

Mike Wenninger singled and scored Luverne's fifth-inning counter when Micky Sehr lifted a sacrifice fly to center field.

Box score AB R H BI
Ohme 4 0 2 0
Wenninger 3 1 1 0
Irisch 3 1 2 1
M.Sehr 3 1 2 2
Iveland 0 0 0 0
J.Sehr 3 1 1 2
Boen 3 0 1 1
Eernisse 3 0 0 0
Schneider 3 0 1 0

Luverne Legion third baseman Aaron Schmidt scoops up a low throw from home plate while a Pipestone runner slides safely into third base during Tuesday’s baseball double-header at Redbird Field. Schmidt drove in three runs at the plate to help the Cardinals sweep the twin bill.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne American Legion baseball team picked up its first wins of the summer when the Cardinals swept a twin bill against Pipestone at Redbird Field Tuesday.

The Cardinals nipped Pipestone by one run in the opener before posting a two-run win in the finale.

Luverne, 2-6 overall, will play four games at the Jackson Tournament Saturday and Sunday.

Luverne 8, Pipestone 7
The Cardinals snapped a six-game losing streak with their one-run victory over Pipestone to open Tuesday's set.

Pipestone took a 7-4 lead by scoring four runs in the top of the fourth inning, but the Cardinals countered with four in the bottom half of the frame and blanked the visitors in the top of the fifth to secure their first win.

Luke Iveland drove in Luverne's first run in the fourth with a single before Jake Studer tied the game at seven with a two-run triple. Aaron Schmidt capped a three-RBI game with a single that chased home Studer with the game-deciding run.

Schmidt doubled home a pair of runs to give Luverne a 2-0 lead in the first inning, and the score was 3-1 when Tom Frey slapped an RBI single in the second.

Pipestone rallied to knot the score at three in the top of the third before Iveland drilled a homer over the left-field fence in the bottom of the frame to make it a 4-3 game.

Eric Edstrom pitched two and two-third innings of relief to pick up the win. Studer worked the first three innings, while Ryan Goebel pitched one-third of one inning.

Box score AB R H BI
Frey 4 1 2 1
Jo.Pick 2 1 0 0
Iveland 4 3 3 2
Studer 2 2 1 2
Schmidt 2 0 2 3
Kurtz 1 0 0 0
Sandbulte 2 0 0 0
Reisch 3 1 0 0
Goembel 1 0 0 0
Edstrom 2 0 0 0
Jr.Pick 1 0 0 0
Goebel 1 0 0 0

Luverne 10, Pipestone 8
The Cardinals erased a seven-run deficit to complete their sweep of Pipestone in Game 2.

Trailing 8-1 after two and one-half innings of play, Luverne exploded to score nine runs in the bottom of the third to take a 10-8 lead it never relinquished.

A three-run double by Studer and a two-run single by Frey proved to be the key hits in the third. Joey Pick singled home a run, Edstrom drew a bases-loaded walk to force home another, and Tony Sandbulte contributed a sacrifice fly to the rally. Another Luverne run scored on an error.

Frey, who started the game on the mound and pitched two innings, tripled and scored Luverne’s first run in the bottom of the first when Iveland came up with a sacrifice fly.

Sandbulte relieved Frey in the third inning and pitched three innings of shutout ball to pick up the win.

Box score AB R H BI
Frey 2 3 2 2
Iveland 1 1 1 1
Sandbulte 0 1 0 1
Edstrom 1 1 0 1
Studer 3 1 2 3
Pick 2 1 1 1
Schmidt 2 0 0 0
Goembel 1 0 0 0
Goebel 0 1 0 0
DeWispelaere 1 0 0 0
Kurtz 1 1 0 0

Gott garage variance set for July 15
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A VARIANCE TO THE CITY OF LUVERNE ZONING ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the City of Luverne Board of Appeals and Adjustments that a public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Luverne, Minnesota, at 5:00 p.m. on July 15, 2002, to consider a variance, as requested by Chris Gott, to City Code Section 11.35, (3)(b)(1) to allow a new (replacement) garage at less than the required 10 ft. from principal building and 60 ft. from front lot line in the R-1 Low Density Residential District on property located at 204 E Dodge St., Luverne, Minnesota.

All persons wishing to be heard in favor or in opposition to the variance request should be present at the hearing or present written comments prior thereto to the City Clerk. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City ClerkÕs office, 203 E. Main St. (507) 449-2388.

MARIANNE PERKINS
CITY CLERK
(6-27)

Sale of real estate ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. 248, THIRD SERIES
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE
(Tract in Block 3, Evergreen Addition)
THE CITY OF LUVERNE DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to City Charter, Section 12.05, the City Council is authorized to sell or convey the following described real estate located in the City of Luverne, County of Rock, State of Minnesota, described as follows, to-wit:

A tract of land in Block 3 of Evergreen Addition to the City of Luverne commencing at the Southwest corner of Lot 8, being the point of beginning, thence Northerly and Westerly along the Southern boundary of Block 3 to a point being the midpoint between Lots 8 and 9 on such boundary, thence Northerly and Easterly to the intersection of the Northern boundary of Block 3, at a point being the midpoint between Lots 8 and 9, on such boundary, thence Southerly and Easterly along said boundary to the Northwest corner of Lot 8, thence Southerly and Easterly along the West lot line of lot 8 to the beginning, subject to easements of record, if any
To Roland E. and Karen K. Miller.

SEC. 2. The Mayor and City Administrator are hereby authorized and directed to execute such legal documents as are necessary to accomplish this sale and are further authorized to execute and deliver a warranty deed to the property upon complete fulfillment of all terms and conditions.

SEC. 3. This ordinance takes full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication.
(6-27)