The last two years we have conducted the annual Bremer Family Crappie Tournament while on the annual Bremer Family Fishing Trip in July. All five boats of participants take off from the docks simultaneously at the sound of official tournament air horn. Last year the loving husband won by a landslide. This year it was touch and go. As brother Gordy weighed the crappie entries with the official tournament scale, Evelyn (the loving mother) suspected that she had a major contender. Being the modest and humble woman that she is, she secretly hoped that someone else would win the contest. But, alas, she took first place. Mother doesn’t like to draw attention to herself or boast of her fishing prowess. Still, when we arrived back in Luverne five days later it seemed as if the whole town knew she had won the crappie tournament. At the grocery store, a library patron yelled across the parking lot, "Hey, I hear your mom won the crappie tournament." The next day in church, at least half the congregational members said, "Good morning, I hear your mother won the crappie tournament this year." Could it be that my mother, the essence of modesty and selflessness, had called ahead to boast of her fishing escapades? I half expected a parade in her honor. Suddenly, it came to me. I called Luverne. I must have released the crappie tournament results. And, frankly, I was very relieved to know that mother’s virtue remained untarnished. Each year on vacation I try to slip a brand new bestseller out of the library before anyone else can check it out. Usually I’m the last person in Rock County that gets to read the hot books. This year I got away with "Clear and Convincing Proof" by Kate Wilhelm. The Kelso/McIvey rehab center is a place of hope and healing for its patients — and for the dedicated staff who volunteer there. For lonely newcomer Erica Castle, it's a place to make new friends. For brilliant physical therapist Darren Halvord, it’s a chance to showcase his unusual gift. For beautiful Annie McIvey it's a sanctuary from a cruel husband. A brilliant surgeon, a man whose ego rivals his skill with a scalpel, David McIvey now has controlling shares in what has always been a non-profit clinic. His plan to close the clinic and replace it with a massive new surgery center — with himself at the helm — means that the rehab center, with all its good work and good people, will be forced to close its doors. Since he is poised to desecrate the dreams of so many, it's not surprising that somebody dares to stop him in cold blood. When David McIvey is murdered outside the clinic's doors early one morning, Oregon attorney Barbara Holloway, once again uses her razor-sharp instincts and take-no-prisoners attitude to create a defense for the two members of the clinic accused of his murder. Also new on the shelf is Tom Clancy’s "The Teeth of the Tiger." In a nondescript office building in suburban Maryland, the firm Hendley Associates does a profitable business in stocks, bonds, and international currencies, but its true mission is quite different: to identify and locate terrorist threats, and then deal with them, in whatever manner necessary. Established with the knowledge of Pres. John Patrick Ryan, "the Campus" is always on the lookout for promising new talent, and a young man is about to cross its radar — Jack Ryan Jr. Jack was raised on intrigue. As his father moved through the ranks of the CIA and then into the White House, Jack received a life course in the world and the way it operates from agents, Secret Service men, and black ops specialists. He wants to put it all to work now, but when he knocks on the front door of "the Campus," he finds that nothing has prepared him for what he is about to encounter. For it is indeed a different world out there, and in here ... and it is about to become far more dangerous.

This may not be the best time to scream at ice cream. After all, it’s summer and the living is easy. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, an independent, nonprofit group, evidently dedicated to taking all of the fun out of life, is taking on most of our sacred, cow product companies. Their targets include Ben & Jerry’s, Haagen-Dazs and Baskin-Robbins. According to Reuters, the group is particularly critical of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey cones (supposedly 820 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat) and Haagen-Dazs’s sundae in a cup, Mint Chip Dazzler, which allegedly contains 1,270 calories and 38 grams of fat. The group fails to see the cultural and healthy aspects of ice cream, which most Americans recognize as a basic food group. My trusty 1965 edition of World Book notes, "Ice cream is one of the most popular and most nourishing foods in our diet." At that time, Americans were happily buying 700 million gallons of ice cream a year. Granted, times were simpler then. "Grams" was your mother’s mother and "saturated" was another way of saying, "very wet." First Lady Dolley Madison served ice cream to her guests in 1809, shortly before the British invasion of the Capital and the burning of the White House. Although no strong link between the introduction of ice cream and the invasion has been established, the ice cream undoubtedly made the events seem more bearable. We may not have the same type of royalty as England, Spain and other countries, but the ice cream study makes a mockery of every royalty member we have dedicated to ice cream and other dairy products. The study minimizes the important roles butter, ice cream, cottage cheese, and dairy princesses play in our lives. Without the presence of beautiful dairy product princesses in our community parades, the processions would be little more than a high school band, a couple of shiny tractors and candy thrown to curbside kids from tire trucks. Ice cream sodas are present in romantic scenes in big screen movies, such as "Our Town." Can we possibly imagine George Gibbs and Emily Webb discussing life in the same way over carrot sticks? Ice cream also plays an important role in "When Harry Met Sally," notably when the Meg Ryan character tells the waitress, "I’d like the pie heated, and I don’t want the ice cream on top, I want it on the side. And I’d like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it. If not, then no ice cream, just whipped cream, but only if it’s real." What drama! What writing! This particular movie scene, centered around ice cream, serves to make our lives seem meaningful and worthwhile. We can only hope similar screen dialogues will impress archeologists of the distant future and they won’t judge us too harshly. As noted before, the health benefits of ice cream are truly encyclopedic. Cream, like any dairy product, is essential for strong bones and teeth. Eggs, and occasionally chopped nuts, provide protein. Fruits, included in certain flavors, and healthy sounding vegetable gum stabilizers are just what the doctor ordered. It’s time to stop bad-mouthing ice cream, and start mouthing it instead.

Johnnie and I got a chuckle from this "day brightener" sent by a friend. For job hunters, the moral of this story is to not give up. There will be a perfect job someday!RetirementMy first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn’t concentrate.Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the ax. After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn’t suited for it — mainly because it was a so-so job.Next I tried working in a muffler factory but it was just too exhausting. Then I tried to be a chef, figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn’t have the thyme. I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn’t cut the mustard. My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found that I wasn’t noteworthy. I studied a long time to be a doctor, but I didn’t have any patience. Next was a job in a shoe factory; I tried, but I just didn’t fit in.I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn’t live on my net income.I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining. So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn’t fit for the job. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it. My last job was working at a coffee house, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind. So, I retired and found I’m perfect for the job!Rose Tofteland JohnsonLuverne

The city closing the tree dump and compost was a great disappointment to the people of Luverne. I realize the city is going to have a key check-out system which may work fine until someone puts something there that shouldn’t be there, and it will be closed permanently. Why not go with a proven system? Just have the place open eight hours per week, Wednesday four hours, and Saturday four hours. I am sure most people who use it wouldn’t mind an annual fee to take care of the extra expense. Our city crews have always done a great job keeping our city neat with the help of many residents who like to keep their places neat also. By doing this, we have a city that’s appealing to outsiders who are looking for a home in our town.Just in our neighborhood we have folks who moved here from Washington State, Napa Valley, Calif., two families from Hills, and one from a farm in Nobles County. They had the chance to go to other towns, but liked Luverne best. So, I hope the City Council will put this on the high priority list so we can continue our handy place to get rid of our trees, leaves and compost. I think Herman Van Hulzen did a fine job all those years and he should have a chance to continue there. I realize the city has a big problem. They have to cut expenses, but this is not the place to do it. Bernie MorganLuverne

We were in attendance at the going away party at the park on Monday night. Our grandson is a member of the unit leaving for six months, and it pleased us that the community responded so well. We thought that a lot of work had gone into the event; but we were disappointed in a couple of things: First of all, we wondered why each member wasn’t introduced when they received their pin given out to each one from the Rock County Board. At the time, we thought maybe it was a privacy issue but when the paper came out and the unit was pictured and named, we knew this was not the case.Second: There was no mention of the fact that the Luverne Guard unit was called up in December 1950 and left for a two-year time period in January 1951 during the Korean War. At the time, they were connected with the 47th Division of the Minnesota National Guard — Headquarters Co, 3rd Bn 135th Reg. Those that served at that time were also separated from families, but they also answered the call of their country and were proud to do it.Keith Luethje (Retired from this Guard Unit)Betty Luethje

From comments I know there are many readers who appreciate inspirational poems, so I share this latest I received a week or so ago.Knowing GodBy Clay HarrisonThere’s a sense of peace and comfort that comes from knowing God,just knowing He’s there with you wherever you may trod. In the valley of the shadow or on mountain tops,you can feel His hand upon you when you’re tired enough to drop. You can almost hear Him whisper words of comfort in your ear,for his presence is a lighthouse that vanquishes your fear.Sometimes there is a melody that only you can hear, for it’s played upon your heartstrings in love notes sweet and clear.There’s a spiritual awakening that will not let you nod, there’s a sense of peace and comfort that comes from knowing God. Submitted by Elmer L. HovlandLuverne

The Grand Lodge of Minnesota Masons has been doing the "Child ID" program for several years during the Minnesota State Fair, as well as other individual lodges across the state in their own communities. The members of the local Ben Franklin Lodge were glad that the wealth of experience would be available to us as we planned our own program for this year’s county fair.We are also pleased by the help and cooperation extended us by the Rock County Fair Board, Luverne Announcer, Star Herald, and local Peer Helpers group. We want everyone to know that 224 children and their parents participated during this year’s fair. See you next year. Members of Ben Franklin LodgeBob DornMaster

Hills EDA meets Aug. 12MINUTES OF THE HILLSECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYAUGUST 12, 2003Dana Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 8:55 P.M. Board present: Dana Dahlquist, Jim Jellema, Keith Elbers, and Linus Svoboda. Absent: Arlen Leenderts. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer and Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Guests present: Jolene Farley-Hills Crescent. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Svoboda to approve of the July 8th minutes. Motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Jellema to approve payment of the July expenditures. Motion carried. Chuck and Sandy Knutze signed a Housing Agreement for the purchase of Lot 2 in Park View Fourth Addition. Kerkhove and Brandt agreed to a three-month lease extension until October 9th. No further business, meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.Connie J., WiertzemaEDA Secretary(8-21)

Hills City Council meets Aug. 12MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETINGOF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILAUGUST 12, 2003Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. with the following Council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Dana Dahlquist, and Keith Elbers. Absent: Arlen Leenderts. Employee present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer; and Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk. Guests present: Rita Bode-Hills Post Office, Jim Vander Woude-DeWild Grant Reckert & Associates, Wilmer Elbers, Gerald Haak, Ron and Jan Solberg, and Jolene Farley-Hills Crescent. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to approve the July 8th minutes. Motion carried. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Svoboda to approve payment of the July expenditures; and to include the W & N Construction bill of $555.83 pending justification. General $4,602.34; Park $2,354.67; Fire $1,532.71; Street $28,587.83; Legion $1,898.79; Barbershop $553.43; Sewer $2,078.43; Garbage $2,479.36; Recycling $444.00; Water $8,745.56; Baseball $82.38; Softball $302.36. Motion carried. The Council approved payment of $580.72 for building materials for the sandbox at the softball field. The Council asked Jolene Farley to inquire about expenses for publishing the City’s audit report, which was $110 more than last year. TREASURER’S REPORT:General Checking 49,660.90General Fund CD#17947, 2.5%, 12/2/03 234,392.53General Fund CD#17760, 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,477.61Sewer Fund CD#17877, 2.5%, 10/18/03 50,441.78Fire Truck Rep. Fund CD#17710, 1.75%, 1/13/04 20,051.31Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,466.56Hills EDA Checking 1.89Southern Hills Apts. Checking 4,945.72Southern Hills CD#17554, 2.5%, 7/20/03 0.00Southern Hills CD#17759, 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,056.71EDA CD#17850, 2.5%, 5/7/05 27,617.27EDA CD#17268, 1.75%, 1/26/04 10,454.41TOTAL $425,650.85A list of delinquent utility accounts was presented to the Council. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to approve of the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. The Council approved to have a second gate valve installed on the secondary lagoon for approximately $945 plus backhoe and labor. City maintenance will be instructed to seed grass where culverts were installed, and also in the new housing additions owned by Hills EDA.Rita Bode, Hills Post Office, explained to the Council that the Postal Service has plans to replace the box section at their present location, and that once the installation is complete there is no chance of moving to the City Office building. The Council must terminate the lease or evict the Post Office from the American Legion building in order for the Postal Department to begin any relocation process. The Council tabled discussion for the September meeting. Jim Vander Woude appeared before the Council for the purpose of discussing the location of the City’s corporate limits. The Council was in agreement to relocate the corporate limits from the south line of Lots 18 and 19, to the south right-of-way of the former Illinois Central Railroad. A final updated map will be drawn up for Council approval. Jellema informed the Council of a meeting held by Rock County on August 20th at 7:00 P.M. to discuss contract law enforcement services and rates. Jellema, Svoboda and Elbers expressed interest in attending this meeting. The Clerk was instructed to contact the city attorney regarding maintenance of private properties. The Council reviewed proposals for fencing in the City’s compost and tree dump site with costs ranging from $3,400 to $4,665. The Council chose not to purchase the fence. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of Meulebroeck & Taubert’s proposal to audit the 2003 records, not to exceed $3,185.00. Motion carried. The Council approved to have Fall junk pickup, date to be announced. The Council discussed whether to lease or purchase propane tanks in order to advertise for bids. A special meeting will be held on Monday, August 18th at 6:00 P.M. to continue discussion.The Council agreed to allow Glenda Sandstede, caretaker of the American Legion building, the authority to set time slots for rentals on Thanksgiving and Christmas.For an additional $50 the Council approved of Keith Elbers’ request to use the American Legion building for two weeks prior to an auction on October 4th, due to it’s not during a busy rental month. The Council reviewed bids for painting the interior of the American Legion building; but took no action in order to obtain bids for replacing lights in the auditorium prior to painting. Ron and Jan Solberg requested a building permit to move in a home to be located along West North 2nd Street. The home will be inspected for termites. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to approve the permit. Motion carried. Solberg’s withdrew their plans to move in a garage at 208 South Church Avenue. Wilmer Elbers informed the Council that he misplaced the abstract for Park View Third Addition, and that he requested the Recorder’s Office to draft a new abstract. Wilmer Elbers informed the Council of an agreement approximately 30 years prior, the City Council agreed to vacate a small portion of Fifth Street, from the alley proceeding west into Hills Stainless Steel’s property and abutting up to South Water Avenue. Motion by Keith Elbers, seconded by Dana Dahlquist to approve of a Warranty Deed vacating a part of South Water Avenue and West Fifth Street to Betty Elbers. Motion carried. Gerald Haak and Wilmer Elbers presented a bill from AB Excavation for leveling their lots on June 20th (5 hrs. @$100 per hour= $500.00). According to W. Elbers and Haak, city maintenance approved this work and that fill was taken from their property to build Sixth Street, and request payment from the City. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Keith Elbers to pay $250 towards the bill. Motion carried. Tabled discussion regarding utility costs for 2004, to be discussed at the September meeting. Discussed Ward’s health insurance premium increase beginning October 1st by $212 per month. Motion by K. Elbers, seconded D. Dahlquist that the City continue to pay the same dollar amount of $884.32 per month; and that the employee pay his current share plus the $212 increase for a total of $506.78. Any further discussion will be discussed at the budget meeting. Motion carried. Motion by K. Elbers, seconded by D. Dahlquist to adjust the south lot line of Lot 11 in Block 8 of F.C. Finke’s Addition, to allow five feet south of the building and proceed west to the alley (Depot Bldg. a/k/a Patriot Academy, Grand Labs or Barbershop building). Motion carried. The Council agreed to have Martin Township’s files moved into the center meeting room within the American Legion building, in order to allow Elbers Auction Service additional rental space. The City and Community Club will also remove items from Elbers’ offices.The Council will discuss the 2004 proposed budget at the September meeting. The Council reviewed information for purchasing mosquito sprayers, but agreed that it was too late to spray for this season. Various maintenance discussion: Paint the overhead door on the City Offices; patch a hole in the street at Third Street & Elizabeth Avenue; place wood chips around the shelter house in Jacobson Park prior to the Lion’s painting the building; sweep streets; construct metal par signs and install numbers on the disc golf baskets; consider adding campsites and lengthen the current sites at Rez Park.No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(8-21)