By Lori Ehde
On a recent stormy morning, Dr. Darrel Siebert looked out his bedroom window, saw a blizzard howling outside and decided to go back to bed for awhile.

He's still getting used to the idea that retirement has afforded him that luxury. "Right now I still feel like I'm on vacation," Siebert said from his home Tuesday.

Lounging in his sweat pants with the TV remote control nearby, he's the picture of retirement.

So far he doesn't miss work. He doesn't miss 12-hour work days, Sunday morning hospital rotations and taking his turn on call.

"The fact that you know you don't have to be available is such a relief," he said. "It weighs on you without you even realizing it. Our home life has changed drastically."

His wife, Eleanor, who retired from nursing three years ago, has been looking forward to this day. "It's great to have him home," she said.

The couple started easing into his retirement three years ago when he dropped out of the on-call schedule. "I can't believe how much more he was home when he stopped taking call," Eleanor said.

His last day seeing patients was Friday, Dec. 8, and the clinic and hospital hosted an open house retirement party for him Dec. 10. About 250 people stopped that day to wish him well, and Siebert said he will miss the daily contact with patients.

"It's a real reward to make a diagnosis," he said. "I'm not going to say I always did the right thing, but you do the best that you can at the time.... Trying to help people - that's what medicine is all about. Every day is a challenge."

Many of his patients won't forget the role he played in their lives. Since announcing his retirement, Siebert has accumulated a sizeable pile of cards and letters wishing him well.

One 10-year-old girl wrote, "Dear Dr. Siebert, thank you for making me well when I'm sick. I would always be sick if it wasn't for you. Thank you."

In 35 years, Siebert said patient care has improved with advances in modern medicine. "We have a lot more resources today," he said.

For example, when he started there were no heart monitors, and doctors had to only guess how serious a heart condition was.

Tools like ultrasound machines weren't used until about 15 years ago, and many of the medicines he prescribed in 1965 have been replaced with more effective solutions.

His job has gotten easier, too, considering he used to make house calls as far away as Kenneth and Ellsworth. "Those were the days..." Siebert said, rolling his eyes.

He stopped delivering babies several years ago, and toward last, his practice focused more on elderly patients.

"That tends to happen," Siebert said. "You start out with young families and your families grow up with you, and you end up with geriatrics."

As much as he's enjoying his new-found freedom, Siebert said he will miss his coworkers, who have become his close friends through the years.

"It's been 35 years. It's done. It's time to go on to something else," he said.

Now, he and Eleanor are just looking forward to Christmas with their family - their three children and four grandchildren.

Their son, Alan, lives in Fairmont and has two teen-age children. Ann lives in Seattle, Wash., and has two preschool children, and Amy lives in Lincoln, Neb.

In addition to spending more time with children and grandchildren, the Sieberts are planning frequent golf and fishing trips and a trip to Alaska next year.

"I've been telling people I'm going to turn a page and it's a new chapter. The sad thing is it's the last chapter, but I'm going to make the chapter as long and interesting as I can," he said.

By Lori Ehde
Luverne School Board members made the unpopular decision of scheduling class on Easter Monday, a day previously scheduled as a vacation day.

The move during the Thursday, Feb. 22, meeting was prompted by six snow days so far this winter, not counting late starts and early dismissals.

"If we knew Mother Nature wasn't going to cancel anymore school days, we wouldn’t have to discuss this," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer, "but we all know there are still six weeks of prime snow time left this winter."

Since the school calendar called for snow days to be made up at the end of the year, the last day of school is now Thursday, June 7.

With any more snow days, that last day could be Friday, June 8, or into the second week of June.

When Schaefer recommended the board approve Easter Monday as a school day, he did so with quality of learning in mind.

"We're so programmed to end school early in June that productivity falls greatly the longer you go," Schaefer said.

He said he'd go so far as to recommend school on Good Friday, but he said he knew there was little support among staff for that option.

"There are people who have plans in place that allowed for a four-day weekend on Easter break, which is typically a strong family time," Schaefer said.

"As superintendent, I work anyway on June 11, but this is a decision that needs to be discussed tonight."

Before deciding on the matter, board members asked for input from staff members at the meeting.

High School Counselor Craig Nelson didn't hesitate to share how he felt about making up a snow day on Easter Monday.

"You wrote a calendar that said they'd be made up at the end of the year. I don't think it's fair practice to go back on that now," Nelson said, pointing out that some staff have purchased airline tickets for the long weekend.

"I feel pretty strongly about this. I haven't made plans myself, but a lot of people have."

He told board members he believed the majority of staff members opposed scheduling class during Easter break.

"It’s not a perfect world," board member Steve Tofteland said. "Even if we had snow days built in, someone was going to have plans disrupted."

Board Chair Don Bryan agreed. "People make plans for June 6 and 7, too," he said. "There are likely some staff who would just as soon have school on Easter Monday than go longer in the summer."

Board member Cary Radisewitz sympathized with staff members but hoped they'd understand the board's predicament.

"This is an uncommon situation," he said, referring to the harsh winter.

Knowing the decision would be unpopular with staff, Schaefer still recommended the board make up a snow day on Easter Monday, April 16.

"I don't want to take on 102 staff members who have made plans," Schaefer said, "but educationally, I think it's better to go to school on Easter Monday than to extend the school year into June."

Radisewitz made the motion, Tofteland seconded it, and it passed unanimously.

Trees on campus
In other snow-related business, board members decided to extend tree-planting plans to include a row of more mature trees along the base of the hill just west of the elementary school.

"We have one heck of a drift to the north of the school. It took two days just to dig through to get the door open," Schaefer said, pointing out that the buried playground equipment is suffering under the weight of the snow.

"We need to find some way to impede the progress there."

The district has long been considering a plan to plant seedlings around the periphery of property west of school, but at their Thursday meeting they also agreed to plant trees on school property to act as a snow break.

Initial tree plans last year called for a single row of seedlings around the ball diamonds and agriculture/prairie land to the west.

Now, in addition to the snow break trees on school property, plans call for a double row of seedlings with biodegradable matting, plus trees along the ball fields driveway for shade.

The decision to expand the project was driven by state and federal funds to help cover expenses. Plus, Tofteland said, "Funds in the farm fund are more than sufficient to cover it."

Expenditures for the project are estimated at $12,000. Board members approved the first half of that expense Thursday night.

By Lori Ehde
Saturday dawned sunny and calm in the Blue Mounds State Park. It was cold - with temperatures barely climbing above zero - but conditions were perfect for another session of animal tracking in the snow.

Though many animals hibernate in the winter, Park naturalist Dave Rambow said the park is alive this time of year with animal activity - and the evidence is in the tracks they leave in the snow.

"Each set of tracks tells a story," Rambow said.

"Each animal has its own pattern. Rabbits run from tree to tree, from cover to cover. Deer follow established trails, moving from feeding area to feeding area, from bedding area to feeding area."

Some stories written in the snow are about life and death.

"Once I found a place where an owl pounced on a mouse," Rambow said. "Where the mouse tracks stopped, you could see the imprint of wings and tail feathers."
He said following tracks in the snow is a way to experience animals without actually being there to see them.

"It compresses time," he said. "You see the decisions the animals are making as they get to where theyÕre going."

When Rambow leads participants on tracking tours like the one Saturday morning, the most common tales are told by deer and rabbits, with an occasional mouse or pheasant pattern.

Before hunting season started last fall, there were about 180 deer in the herd on the Blue Mounds. Those numbers are down from previous years, when there were as many as 400 in 1996, for example.

While no formal count has been attempted, Rambow said coyotes are a constant presence on the Mounds as well.

Another tracking session is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday.

In a press release advertising the sessions, Rambow says, "We use tracking as a kind of tool to help people get back in touch with nature. It brings you down to earth and connects you to nature.

"When you get down on your knees following deer tracks, you see how the deer feels, how it sees things."

Trackers are advised to dress for the elements and bring their own snowshoes if they have them. A limited number of adult snowshoes are available on a first-come first-served basis.

Meet in the trail center building, formerly the park shelter house. The building was enclosed this summer for winter use, but it's not heated.

Rambow said Park Partners is working to locate a wood stove to make the building a winter warming house for the tracking sessions and other winter park activities.

By Lori Ehde
The Rock County Sheriff's Department has arrested an 18-year-old rural Luverne man, and another 17-year-old male may be involved with an attempted break-in at Scotty's.

According to the arrest report, Deputy Jeff Wieneke was dispatched to a 3 a.m. alarm sounding at Scotty's Bar and Grill Tuesday.

When Wieneke arrived, he found 18-year-old Dan Meinerts hiding under a pickup in the parking lot.

He arrested Meinerts at the scene, and Scotty's employees were called to assess potential losses.

Wieneke noticed pry marks on the front door, and a screen had been removed from a window that was not locked.

Meinerts' footprints were found on the ground outside the window, but it's unclear if he had actually been inside the building.

When questioned about the attempted break-in, Meinerts requested to speak with an attorney.

Scotty's employees did not notice anything stolen or damaged inside the building.

Meinerts has been released pending charges.

A 17-year-old juvenile has also been questioned in connection with the arrest and faces similar potential charges.

By Sara Quam
The nationwide concern of hospice-care funding hits home for many area families.

Fund-raisers are one way that Luverne's hospice program can help make up for benefits missed by Medicare or health insurance.

The annual charity auction and banquet is scheduled for April 20 this year.

Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System purchased Luverne's hospital, but Helen Saum, volunteer and marketing coordinator, wants to make it clear that donations don't go to Sioux Valley.

"Any donation, memorial or fund-raiser stays in the Luverne Healthcare Foundation to serve local people," Saum said.

The foundation's money has gone directly to patients whose services aren't covered otherwise, to patients who may need to stay in The Cottage and pay room and board and to patients who have high prescription drug costs. The foundation also pays for some supplies and additional services like counseling.

The charity auction usually draws about 300 people and includes a meal, entertainment, a live auction and a silent auction.

About 35 area people donate their time to the hospice program. Those volunteers, from Rushmore to Hills to Adrian, are valuable assets to the program, Saum said.

"If we have a patient from a particular area, it's nice to have a volunteer from there see that patient," Saum said.

The hospice program includes patients who aren't living in The Cottage. They can be at home, in nursing homes or hospitals and still receive hospice care.

In 1993, 30 people entered the hospice program. That number increased to 59 last year, and stays in The Cottage have risen even more steeply - from 5 in 1998 to 40 last year.

As the number of hospice users rise, the proportion of Medicare funding has fallen.

When Medicare set hospice payments in the 1980s, prescription drug costs represented about $1 of the per diem reimbursement rate. Now the prescription drugs cost about $16 a day.

The average length of service has also dropped. More patients enter hospice very late in their illnesses, requiring intensive services.

"By the time they get here, there's a high cost to their care, and we're not fully reimbursed," Saum said. "It's a nationwide concern, and Congress is starting to look at it."

The effort to balance effective care and rising costs is aided by local fund drives.

By Lori Ehde
Rock County's first ever Relay for Life isn;t until June 15, but now is the time for interested teams and corporate sponsors to commit to the cause.

The Relay for Life kickoff meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8, in Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

"We're hoping to get a lot of people to come," said co-chair Vicki Baartman. "If people are interested, we don't want to scare them away from this meeting. Just by coming, we’re not going to sign them up."

The kickoff meeting will involve corporate sponsors, team captains and co-chairs to discuss the purpose and goals for the event.

Don and Betty Cashin, two local cancer survivors, have been named honorary co-chairs for the event.

The American Cancer Society suggests 15 for a first-time Relay for Life, but Baartman said local organizers hope to have 25 teams.

Cindy Arends, who is chairing corporate sponsors for the event, has already met with positive response from local businesses.

Corporate sponsors can get involved at three different levels.

oThe Gold Level involves support at $1,000 or more,
oThe Silver Level involves support of $750 or more, and
oThe Bronze Level involves support of $500 or more.

So far, Arends said she has commitment from Luverne Community Hospital and Luverne Medical Center/Sioux Valley Physician Group at the Gold Level, and Jubilee Foods, Glen’s Food Center and Luverne Farm Store have committed support at the Bronze Level.

"We have had other smaller donations to date that are also appreciated," Arends said.

The Relay for Life has become the trademark fund-raiser for the Society, the world’s largest non-profit health organization committed to cancer research, education and service.

The event in Rock County will be staged on the track and field at Luverne High School.

Relay for Life involves teams of runners and walkers competing against each other to raise the most money.

Teams of individuals representing corporations, hospitals, neighborhoods and families take turns on the track with at least one team member on the track at a time.

The Relay for Life is now held nationwide, and thousands of people participate each year to help fight cancer.

The event is most noted for its luminaries that glow in memory of individuals who have died from cancer or in honor of those who have survived cancer.

The paper sacks, containing sand and candles, are displayed around the track and are illuminated during a special lighting ceremony at dusk.

In December, local organizers mailed letters to area businesses announcing the event.

The letter also outlined several ways to get involved.

oCorporations, businesses and group sponsors are needed to donate advertising dollars to promote Relay for Life.
oTeams of eight to 10 walkers are needed to compete to raise money during the night of walking.
oPeople are needed who are willing to buy luminaries in memory of their loved ones who have died from cancer or to honor those who have survived cancer.
oVolunteers are needed to help with any part of this activity, from setting up to cleaning up, and to support Relay for Life by attending.

Arends can be reached at 669-2905. Baartman, 283-4119, and Janet Marshall, 283-4192, are co-chairs for Relay for Life in Rock County. Helen Saum, 283-4340, is the team recruitment chair.

By Sara Quam
If clearing a sidewalk or driveway after a snowstorm seems daunting, try clearing an entire city and 300 miles of rural roads.

That's what the city of Luverne and the County Highway Department faced after a weekend of heavy snowfall. The city and county both used at least 15 hours of worker time Saturday and Sunday in their efforts to clear roads.

County Engineer Mark Sehr said, "You have to balance between machine time and salaries and clearing the roads."

"We've spent a lot of money on sand and salt," Darrell Huiskes, Luverne public works director said.

So far, Luverne has gone through 225 tons of salt - spending about $12,000 - and is waiting for 75 more tons. "It's from the state, and we've been waiting because everyone needs it now," Huiskes said.

When the city gets the salt, it mixes it with four parts sand before putting it on roadways. Luverne now has about 25 tons of salt left to tide the city over until that shipment arrives. In all of last year, the city went through just 80 tons of salt.

County maintenance supervisor Walter Stearns said Saturday, Sunday and Monday took up almost 30 tons of the salt and sand mixture. "This is starting to compare to the winter of 1996-97," he said.

When city streets look clear, it doesn't mean the job is done. Huiskes said, "It'll take us about five days to finish after we've started."

The county isn't quite done either. Stearns expects all roads to be open to two-lane traffic by Friday. Most blacktop roads were cleared Tuesday, but others had to wait.

The city has exhausted space on the west side of the dam where it piles snow. It's now started hauling snow north of the river, near the power plant.

Luverne has to clear all city parking lots including Blue Mound Liquor, the library and the airport so crews are busy long after streets appear finished.

Clearing snow after last weekend's storm was difficult. The snow was a heavy, wet variety and slow-moving to push aside.

The city faces additional problems with vehicles parked on the street.

It used to interrupt television broadcasts to announce snow emergencies, but federal regulations have stopped that.

The local radio station can't broadcast the announcement because its nighttime programming is syndicated. To help the city, residents should avoid street parking when it snows because it's likely the city will be plowing.

The county also asks for patience. Townships and outlying cities are responsible for their own snow removal, but Stearns said clearing the 300 miles heÕs responsible for isn't easy.

By Lori Ehde
The past few mild winters are mere memories by now as area residents dig out from yet another storm system that moved through region over the weekend.

The storm, which meteorologists had predicted a week in advance, made its first appearance in Rock County Friday late afternoon.

By nightfall, snow accumulations totaled only an inch, and Saturday dawned quiet but gray.

With sure predictions of more to come, area residents planned evening events "weather permitting."

By about 4 p.m. Saturday, those predictions started coming true in the form of pouring rain, which eventually turned to snow.

When the winds came up around 7 p.m., flakes fell horizontally, causing near-zero visibility for motorists.

Saturday's accumulations came to about 3 inches.

Interstate 90 was closed that evening first from Mitchell to Chamberlain, S.D., and as the storm system moved eastward, all lanes were closed all the way to Blue Earth. In addition, all state and county highways in southwest Minnesota were also declared closed.

Sunday church services were cancelled, and area residents and highway workers spent most of the day digging out.

The sun shone brightly most of the day on Sunday, and when the winds died down, the Interstate opened after stranded vehicles were removed from ditches and shoulders.

Many area residents went to bed Sunday night thinking their hard shoveling efforts would allow them clear passage to work the next day, but, as if to add icing on the cake, Mother Nature delivered another healthy inch of fresh snow during the night.

For rural ditches that are already piled high with snow, it doesn't take much for remote township roads to plug, and area schools were forced to start two hours late Monday morning.

The weekend's storm brings the total snowfall this year in Rock County to more than 50 inches - about three times what the area receives in a normal winter.

Forecasters topped off their weekend reports with the happy news that spring is only a few weeks away. But they also warned that March is typically the snowiest month of the season.

Luverne's Dale Maranell heaves a shovelful of snow on top of an already monstrous snow bank Monday afternoon. "Where am I going to put it anymore?" he wondered out loud. The snow piles near his home at Dodge Street and Highway 75 are like many around town that are reducing visibility for motorists attempting to enter busy intersections.

Photo by Lori Ehde