By Jolene Farley
Working out of her home, Jamie Tofteland began her flower business, Prairie Smoke Floral, in June.

Jamie and her husband, David, purchased an acreage south of Beaver Creek. "We both pretty much grew up in the area, and we moved back this past February," said Tofteland.

Tofteland creates fresh, dried, or silk designs for any occasion. Prairie Smoke Floral did its first floral design for a wedding last summer.

Tofteland earned a horticulture degree and while taking a floral culture course, she enjoyed the subject so much she decided to specialize in that area.

"I like working with customers, and I love working with flowers, fresh, silk and dried," she said. "I like decorating; that kind of ties in."

Tofteland has been in the floral industry for four years. After graduation, she worked at Gustaf's Greenery, Sioux Falls, S.D., and later managed a small floral shop called "The Brick House" in Salem, S.D.

Tofteland creates designs for weddings, birthdays, holidays or any occasion.

She takes orders by phone at 673-2487. If she's not home, messages are returned promptly.

"I give free estimates and consultations," she said. "I will be more than happy to help them (customers) out."

Prairie Winds Floral will offer a pre-book Valentine's Day promotion for orders placed up to a week before Feb. 14.

"I don't keep them (fresh flowers) on hand, but if someone does need them I am willing to get what they want or need, no matter if it's one or a dozen," she said.

Tofteland offers a variety of floral designs. The traditional look and the Martha Stewart look are always popular, she said.

Most brides prefer fresh over silk arrangements, she said. "They (brides) will ask about silk, but in the long run, they will stay with the fresh," she said.

Some brides want their mothers to carry a bouquet similar to what bridesmaids hold. She said a recent trend in wedding bouquets is small metal vases from the Victorian era called the "tusk muss."

"They are a nice little keepsake," she said.

Tofteland has no preference in the kind of flowers she works with, but admits roses will last longer than tulips. If a wedding bouquet is made with tulips, it needs to be placed in water whenever it is not carried.

Florists have developed a freeze drying method of preserving fresh floral bouquets forever, according to Tofteland. She will refer anyone interested in the procedure to the Sioux Falls company that can help.

Prairie Smoke also rents silk arrangements. If Tofteland doesn't have a specific color on hand she will order it. Renting is an easy way to work down the cost of a wedding or event, and she said she is willing to work with any budget specified to design the perfect event.

The Toftelands have a son, Brayden, 8 months.

By Lori Ehde
A representative of the Pipestone hog operation Global Ventures Inc. appeared in U.S. District Court Tuesday on behalf of the company to plead guilty to one count of mail fraud.

In doing so, the company admits to engaging in a scheme to receive preferential treatment from former Rock County feedlot officer John Burgers.

Burgers pleaded guilty on Dec. 19 to the same mail fraud charge stemming from his solicitation and receipt of bribes from GVI officers Dave Logan and Michael Morgan.

Burgers admitted in court that in March 1996 he learned that debris and waste were being dumped at a hog production facility owned by Global Ventures Inc.

Instead of notifying the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Burgers contacted Logan and advised him to take care of the problem before he contacted state officials.

A few months later, in June 1996, Burgers approached Logan and informed him he (Burgers) was in deep financial trouble and needed money.

"I heard rumors the bank and Global Ventures were involved in suspicious money transactions. I knew Dave Logan would see me as something of value and that he would know that I could make it tough or make it easy on Global Ventures," Burgers said in a written statement Sept. 18.

"I expected for that reason Logan could help me get loans at Pipestone Bank," Burgers wrote. "Dave Logan used me as his heads-up guy to tell him of potential problems."

Burgers' employment with Rock County was terminated in December.

Global decided to enter the plea after being advised by its attorney that the company was legally responsible for the acts of former company officials.

"The individuals responsible for this action are no longer involved with Global," Global president Bob Taubert said in a statement released Tuesday.

"It is important for Global, its customers, suppliers and employees that we put this matter behind us and move on with our business."

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Global agrees to pay $250,000 in fines and donations to Pipestone and Rock counties for environmental protection.

The agreement also states, among other things, that Logan "will have no role in the future of Global Ventures."

All other charges against Global Ventures have been dropped. The actual settlement will be determined by Judge Michael David, based on federal sentencing guidelines.

"We sincerely apologize for the conduct of these two former company officials," Taubert said.

Global Ventures named a new management team in September. In addition to Taubert who's been employed there since 1996, Jerry Bauman, a founding shareholder in 1993, was named vice president and Steve Perkins, a Global owner since 1997, became secretary/treasurer.

The company employs 65 people and raises roughly 175,000 pigs a year, marketing an additional 550,000 hogs for area farmers.

By Sara Strong
About 15 Rock County residents attended Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting to voice concerns about some of the board’s recent decisions.

Harold Fick and Stan Gyberg spoke on behalf of the group, whose main worry was about the position of auditor/treasurer.

At a recent County Board meeting, commissioners asked local legislative representatives to carry a bill that would allow Rock County the option of appointing the auditor/treasurer and recorder rather than leave them as elected positions.

The state bill would allow the board to pass a resolution making the offices appointed.

But Gyberg said taking an elected office - that's accountable solely to the public - and making it a position that's accountable to administration is dangerous.

"I don't think the auditor should be under the thumb of the County Board," he said. "That's a concentration of power, and I would worry about the influence of the board over the auditor."

Gyberg further reasoned that banks can’t have their own auditor because of conflict of interest.

Commissioner Ron Boyenga said that the state auditor would continue to examine the county's financial condition whether the auditor/treasurer is appointed or elected.

And, Boyenga said, if board members are appointing inadequate people to the job, "we're elected, too, and we can be voted off at an election."

If the legislation does pass, there is a system of recalling the appointed people if the public feels the board acted wrongly.

The board reasoned that the move toward appointments is appropriate because the positions have changed so much in recent years with advances in technology. As of now, anyone can run for the offices; no specific, minimal qualifications are required to file for election.

Commissioner Bob Jarchow said, "What we're looking at is updating a statute that's 100 years old. The job has changed a lot in just the last 20 years."

Jarchow said moving to an appointed position would happen after the current people resign or retire.

Fick said people could easily get the impression that staying on the good side of board members and county administration can get the job as auditor/treasurer or recorder.

In fact, Fick said, Auditor/Treasurer Margaret Cook not getting a pay raise this year appears to be related to her not supporting the move to make the position appointed.

The board said it set salaries based on performance and cost of living increases.

Boyenga said some investment recommendations made to Cook were not acted on and could have earned about $20,000 more for the county. If an appointed person was told to handle money a certain way, he or she would have to.

Fick and Gyberg said that was their point precisely - the auditor/treasurer shouldn't feel accountable to the board for job security or pay raises.

Of the 87 counties in Minnesota, 20 have requested legislation similar to Rock County's.

Cook said she doesn't support the move to make elected positions appointed but admits, "I can see both sides of it."

She said she generally thinks of elected people as being accountable to all of the public, whereas appointed people may feel more accountable to their administrators.

Cook was elected treasurer in 1978 and took on the combined office of auditor and treasurer in the mid-1990s.

Her job includes overseeing many things including elections, vital records, passports, bond reports to the state, collecting taxes and settlements.

She admits that sometimes her investment decisions don't get the highest possible returns for the county. But after spending much time searching for interest rates, she said sometimes a percentage point difference is all she can come up with.

"I don't have that luxury of just being able to look at investments," Cook said.

She said that even if the county ends up appointing people with heavy financial backgrounds to her position, state laws change every year, and reporting and recording standards will always be a part of continuing training.

Lawrence Mike Steiner, 87, Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth.

Services were Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Dell Sanderson and Maurice Hagen officiated.

Lawrence Steiner was born to Lawrence and Julia (Hafner) Steiner Sr. on Nov. 1, 1914, in Parkston, S.D. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church in Parkston. He attended school in Parkston. He worked for various farmers in the Parkston area before moving to Rock County in the fall of 1935.

He married Ida Johnson on March 4, 1942, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Luverne. He farmed in the Rock County area for many years during which time they purchased and lived on the family farm until moving to Luverne on Jan. 1, 1995.

Mr. Steiner was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne.

Survivors include three daughters, Carol Jean Beck, Granite Falls, Judy (Allan) Top, Hills, and Irene (Glenn) Crooks, Mounds View; five grandchildren, Michael (Melissa) Top, Mark Top, Kristen (Jared) VanMaanen, and Jason and Kimary Crooks; one stepgreat-grandchild, Chantz Neil; one brother, Alphonse (Helen) Steiner, Parkston; and two sisters, Mary Welch, Mitchell, S.D., and Marcella (Everett) Southworth, Bullhead City, Ariz.

Mr. Steiner was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ida, on Jan. 19, 1998, an infant son, Lawrence, one son-in-law, and three brothers-in-law.

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

Elfie Christine Markson, 102, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.

Memorial services were Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Engebretson Funeral Home in Luverne. The Rev. Maurice E. Hagen officiated.

Elfie Olson was born to Ole T. and Emma (Engebretson) Olson on May 20 1899, in Luverne. She was raised in the Lutheran faith and was confirmed on July 27, 1913. She graduated from Luverne High School in Luverne in 1918. During high school she worked for Connell Drug Store in Luverne.

Following her education she moved to California where she worked for Northwestern Bell as a secretary. She also lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., before moving back to Luverne in 1984. She moved to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on Oct. 3, 1995.

Mrs. Markson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She enjoyed gardening and flowers.
Survivors include three nieces, Harriet Hall, San Diego, Calif., Leona Snell, Houston, Texas, and Betty Jean Justin, Minneapolis; one nephew, Gene Olson, La Jolla, Calif.; one niece-in-law, Lois Olson, Luverne; many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and special friends, George and Corrine Bonnema.

Mrs. Markson was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Harry T. Olson, three sisters, Clara Olson, Mabel Houg and Lillian Wulf, and three nephews, Eldon "Woody" Olson, Odin O. Olson and Kenneth Olson.

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

Herbert Samuel Hansen, 77, Luverne, died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.

A memorial service will be at a later date in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Herbert Hansen was born to Ivan and Thelma (Nelson) Hansen on Dec. 10, 1924, in Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School. He attended college at the University of Minnesota and the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater.

He married Mary Valenta on March 17, 1966, in Luverne. He was a past president of Nelson's Department Store in Luverne. He went on to work in other communities until he came back to Luverne to retire in 1990.

Mr. Hansen was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Hansen; one son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Stephanie Hansen, Eagan; one granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Hansen; and one brother, Ivan Jerry Hansen, Boston, Mass.
Mr. Hansen was preceded in death by his parents.

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

Herbert Hansen, 77, Luverne, died Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Luverne Community Hospital. A memorial service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Dingmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lois I. Maxwell, 85, Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, in Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Services were Thursday, Jan. 24, at Dingmann Funeral Chapel in Luverne. The Rev. John Opsata officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Lois Maxwell was born to Gay and Anna (Soutar) Maxwell on Feb. 6, 1916, in Luverne. She grew up in Luverne and graduated from Luverne High School She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in food and nutrition. She worked as a dietitian in Veterans' Hospitals throughout the country. In 1978 she retired as chief dietitian in Miles City, Mont., and moved back to Luverne.

Ms. Maxwell was a member of the American Dietetic Association. The family remembers her as a loving, kind and generous sister, sister-in-law and aunt.

Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Curtis Sr. and Vyonna Maxwell, Luverne; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ms. Maxwell was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ron and Hugh Maxwell, and one sister, Ruth Opsata.

A tree will be planted in memory of Lois Maxwell by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

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

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek girls have disposed of four straight opponents after going 3-0 since last Thursday.

The Patriots posted 18- and two-point home wins over Comfrey and West Lyon on Thursday and Saturday respectively. H-BC went to Round Lake Tuesday and produced a 29-point win over Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster.

H-BC, 9-5 overall, hosts Red Rock Central and Pipestone-Jasper tomorrow and Tuesday respectively.

H-BC 68, SV-RL-B 39
The Patriots dominated play during Tuesday's 29-point win over the Raiders in Round Lake.

H-BC drained 50 percent of its field goals while outscoring SV-RL-B in every quarter of a lopsided contest.

"We shot the ball really well, we did a good job of pushing the ball up the floor, and we played good defense at times," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "We're getting closer to piecing together a complete game. The more consistent we become, the better we will be."

Erin Boeve, who blocked seven shots along with recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, helped the Patriots open 16-5 and 33-14 leads at the first two quarter breaks by scoring nine points in the first half.

Sarah Rozeboom burned the nets for 10 of her 14 points in the second half, when the Patriots sported a 55-31 lead after three quarters before winning by 29.

Becky Broesder scored 10 points, passed for four assists and picked up four steals for H-BC. Cassi Tilstra and Brittney Olson added seven and four assists to the cause.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 2 0 2-2 6, Olson 2 0 0-0 4, Rentschler 4 0 0-0 8, Tilstra 4 0 0-0 8, Broesder 5 0 0-0 10, Rozeboom 7 0 0-0 14, DeNoble 1 0 0-2 2, Boeve 6 0 4-5 16.

Team statistics
H-BC: 31 of 62 field goals (50 percent), six of nine free throws (67 percent).
SV-RL-B: 17 of 48 field goals (35 percent), five of 12 free throws (42 percent).

H-BC 45, WL 43
The Patriots were able to overcome their own mistakes while nipping the Lions by two points in Hills Saturday.

H-BC turned the ball over 26 times and shot 20 percent from the charity stripe to keep the Lions in the game, but the hosts were able to withstand a late challenge to prevail.

"We made the game much harder than it had to be on two ends," said Patriot coach Goehle. "We didn't shoot free throws well at all, and we had 26 turnovers. We just didn’t take care of the ball."

WL led 9-7 after eight minutes of play before falling behind 22-21 at the intermission. H-BC extended its lead to five points (36-31) by the end of the third quarter before winning by two in the end.

Becky Broesder scored 12 points, collected eight rebounds and came up with four steals for the winners. Erin Boeve had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocked shots. Brittney Olson scored 10 points and distributed five assists for H-BC. Cassi Tilstra added 10 points and Jody Rentschler eight rebounds to the winning cause.

Box score
B.Olson 5 0 0-0 10, Rentschler 0 1 0-2 3, Tilstra 5 0 0-0 10, Broesder 6 0 0-2 12, Rozeboom 0 0 0-0 0, DeNoble 0 0 0-0 0, Boeve 4 0 2-6 10.

Team statistics
H-BC: 21 of 47 field goals (45 percent), two of 10 free throws (20 percent), 39 rebounds, 26 turnovers.
WL: 15 of 60 field goals (25 percent), 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent), 35 rebounds, 25 turnovers.

H-BC 56, Comfrey 38
A 22-5 scoring run in the second half carried the Patriots to an 18-point home win over the Rockets Thursday.

It looked like the game might go down to the wire when H-BC led 24-23 at the intermission, but the Patriots went on a 22-5 scoring spree in a seven-minute span to set the stage for victory.

"We went on a 22-5 run in the last three minutes of the third quarter and the first four minutes of the fourth quarter to pull away," said Patriot coach Goehle. "We did a nice job of getting the ball up and down the court and taking it to the basket during the run."

Comfrey played its way to a 15-10 lead in the first quarter before falling behind by one point at halftime. H-BC led 42-31 after the third quarter of play before outscoring the Rockets 14-7 in the fourth quarter.

Boeve had 12 rebounds and 20 points during a double-double effort for H-BC. Tilstra scored 19 points, passed for five assists and created four steals.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, B.Olson 0 0 3-4 3, Feucht 0 0 0-0 0, Rentschler 1 0 0-0 2, C.Tilstra 9 0 1-2 19, Broesder 2 0 2-2 6, S.Rozeboom 0 0 0-0 0, DeNoble 2 0 0-0 4, Boeve 8 0 4-5 20, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 23 of 50 field goals (46 percent), 10 of 13 free throws (77 percent), 34 rebounds, nine turnovers.
Comfrey: 15 of 37 field goals (41 percent), five of 10 free throws (50 percent), 23 rebounds, 21 turnovers.