Marie Johanna Eernisse, 97, Hills, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Friday, Aug. 1, at Reformed Church of Valley Springs, S.D. Dr. Jerrie Jones and the Rev. Ben Den Hartog officiated. Burial was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Valley Springs. Marie Vander Brake was born to William and Henrietta (Vangrevenhoff) Vander Brake on June 20, 1906, in Devils Lake, N.D. She married William Eernisse on June 9, 1925, in Marshall. Mr. Eernisse died Jan. 3, 1978.Mrs. Eernisse was a member of Reformed Church of Valley Springs. She was active in the church for more than 60 years. She enjoyed Ladies Aid and was a member of Valley Springs Senior Citizens. She loved to entertain at coffee parties. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds, especially crocheting. Survivors include one son, Lester (Mae) Eernisse, Reseda, Calif.; three daughters, Vivian (Gerald) Bosch, Valley Springs, Evelyn (Gerald) Harsma, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Joyce (Jerrie) Jones, Sedalia, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.Mrs. Eernisse was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one great-granddaughter, two brothers and one sister.Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangement.

Fair booth makes us fair game for ‘suggestions’The Star Herald fair booth is disassembled and the helium balloons are deflated, so it’s fair to say our anniversary party is over.We made a big deal out of observing the 130th anniversary of the Star Herald this year and our booth saw lots of traffic at the fair. As usual, people generously shared their thoughts about the paper.Some were kind enough to congratulate us on our 130 years, others were duly impressed by our digital slide show at the booth. Others offered compliments on specific stories or columns.Of course, others offered … suggestions for improvement. For example, why don’t we still publish land transactions and accident reports? Why does it cost more for a subscription outside of Rock County? Why don’t we identify the complainants in the cop report? Why do we have to put someone’s DWI in the paper?The "suggestions" are awkward and sometimes unpleasant. Receiving them from the inside of a fair booth makes us easy, vulnerable targets. But in the grand scheme of community newspapering, this sort of exchange is what we should want.A lot has changed since 1873, but these compliments and criticisms are at the heart of what we strive to be at the Star Herald — a newspaper for the people and about the people of Rock County.Without input from readers, this wouldn’t be possible.And the winners are…We’d hoped to make a big announcement this week about whose names were drawn in our special anniversary promotions. At press time, we were still attempting to reach the winners, so that announcement will come next week.Thanks to everyone who stopped at the booth to renew subscriptions, order photos, guess the number of words on the page or simply enter to win free stuff.Who are the departing Guard members?When it comes to departing soldiers in wartime, there’s a big difference in the way things are done today compared with news gathering of days gone by.During World War II, the Star Herald’s front pages were plastered with individual reports, and sometimes lists of names of soldiers who had been called to active duty.That method of reporting served an important purpose of drawing community members together to support the families of departed soldiers.Unfortunately, that broad release of personal information has, in recent years, left families vulnerable to others with less noble intentions.For the past several weeks, I’ve been pressing for a list of names of local National Guard members who are leaving next week for duties overseas. The National Guard communications office has been sympathetic to our intentions, but today the concern for family privacy outweighs that of community interest.That’s something we can all understand, but I can’t help but wonder how this will affect the long-term historical account of our community and the role of its soldiers in global affairs.We can’t read the definitive list of names in the Star Herald, but we as an entire community are invited to the farewell picnic Monday in the city park.The program starts at 6:30, and it’s shaping up to be a tasteful, patriotic, appropriate send-off for our local Guard members.

Rock County as it wasThe following is continued from last week. It appeared in the Rock County Herald, July 18, 1924:In November 1867, Mr. Hawes brought with him John Lietze and family who were to maintain a stopping place, or half-way place, as it was called, on the mail route. Although both the Estey and Lietze families spent the winter of 1867-68 on the Rock River within 10 miles of each other, neither knew of the presence of the other, each family believing itself to be the only one in Rock County. At Jackson, Mr. Hawes had been told that a family has been spending the winter on the route, below his station, and on Jan. 31, 1868, while on a trip over the line, he went down to see if it were true. He found that the Esteys had lost a day in the reckoning of time, and for more than two months had been rigidly keeping Monday for the Sabbath day. When once the trail has been blazed to a frontier country and actual settlement has been established, it is not long until others follow. This was the case in Rock County, and we find that during 1868, quite a number of settlers pushed to the Rock River country and built themselves a home. Among the settlers of 1868, was Edwin Gillham who later became sheriff of Rock County. Despite the fact that only a few had arrived in the county during the first half of the year, those were patriotic and duly celebrated the nation’s birthday. Every man, woman and child in the county excepting Charlie Hawes, who was on a trip to Yankton with the mail, was present. They were Philo Hawes and family, Mrs. Deborah Estey and family, Miss Miranda J. Skinner, Edward McKenzie, Daniel Wilmont and family, S. Toul, J.C. Phelps and family, and Charles Hillman.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Funds can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Enterprising dairy farmers in Switzerland are milking a new business for all it’s worth. They’re renting out their cows. Reuters reports that cheese lovers around Zurich "can now lease their own cow on an Alpine pasture to provide the personal touch that store-bought products just can’t offer." At least 25 people, "primarily city slickers," are seriously interested in the rental plan. Customers pay a fee of 380 Swiss francs ($275) per summer plus 40 Swiss cents for each liter of milk their rented cows produce. In return, the customers receive the cows’ milk, in the form of 150 to 250 pounds of cheese. Farmhands milk the cows and do the cheesemaking. The only catch is that the customers have to work at least one day in the meadow to earn their cheese in the fall. There’s always a catch. It won’t be long before cow rentals will resemble car rentals. In fact, if you say the two expressions — "car chassis" and "cow cheeses" — together enough times with a mouthful of crackers and Cheddar, they sound very similar. Cheese rental categories may eventually be divided into luxury, standard and economy classes, with negotiable upgrades available for frequent cow renters. Dairy farmers will scramble to register the most exciting names for their new rent-a-cow businesses. "Udder Delight," "Cash and Dairy" and "Gouda for You" are only a few possibilities. Luxury class customers won’t be expected to show up for the one day of milking. The cheese would be carefully shipped to their homes in the fall by special delivery. Their packages would include exotic varieties of cheese, along with complimentary gourmet crackers, cheese spreaders and slicers and handcrafted cutting boards. Behind their backs, these customers would be referred to as "the big cheeses." Standard class customers will have the basic package. One day of milking, a shipment of very ordinary cheese and nothing else. If the dairy farmer is feeling particularly generous on shipment day, the Standards might also receive complimentary packages of soda crackers. Economy class customers, the cheesiest group of all, will be required to report to the farms everyday and do all of the work from start to finish. They will be asked to provide their own pails and milking stools. Unless they happen to have cheesemaking supplies of their own, they will pay extra for cheesecloth, finishing waxes and the use of cheese presses. Milking the cows and then separating the curds from the whey will keep them so busy they will have little time for other activities during the entire summer. Jobs, social lives and time for personal grooming habits will be forfeited for the sake of saving a little money and acquiring permanently chapped hands. The Economy class will be little more than signing up as a farmhand and receiving cheese for pay. As a final insult, small print in the rental contract might specify that the arrangement won’t expire until 50,000 gallons of milk, or 10 years or whatever happens first. Economy customers will have more reason than anyone else to cry over spilt milk.

Enterprising dairy farmers in Switzerland are milking a new business for all it’s worth. They’re renting out their cows. Reuters reports that cheese lovers around Zurich "can now lease their own cow on an Alpine pasture to provide the personal touch that store-bought products just can’t offer." At least 25 people, "primarily city slickers," are seriously interested in the rental plan. Customers pay a fee of 380 Swiss francs ($275) per summer plus 40 Swiss cents for each liter of milk their rented cows produce. In return, the customers receive the cows’ milk, in the form of 150 to 250 pounds of cheese. Farmhands milk the cows and do the cheesemaking. The only catch is that the customers have to work at least one day in the meadow to earn their cheese in the fall. There’s always a catch. It won’t be long before cow rentals will resemble car rentals. In fact, if you say the two expressions — "car chassis" and "cow cheeses" — together enough times with a mouthful of crackers and Cheddar, they sound very similar. Cheese rental categories may eventually be divided into luxury, standard and economy classes, with negotiable upgrades available for frequent cow renters. Dairy farmers will scramble to register the most exciting names for their new rent-a-cow businesses. "Udder Delight," "Cash and Dairy" and "Gouda for You" are only a few possibilities. Luxury class customers won’t be expected to show up for the one day of milking. The cheese would be carefully shipped to their homes in the fall by special delivery. Their packages would include exotic varieties of cheese, along with complimentary gourmet crackers, cheese spreaders and slicers and handcrafted cutting boards. Behind their backs, these customers would be referred to as "the big cheeses." Standard class customers will have the basic package. One day of milking, a shipment of very ordinary cheese and nothing else. If the dairy farmer is feeling particularly generous on shipment day, the Standards might also receive complimentary packages of soda crackers. Economy class customers, the cheesiest group of all, will be required to report to the farms everyday and do all of the work from start to finish. They will be asked to provide their own pails and milking stools. Unless they happen to have cheesemaking supplies of their own, they will pay extra for cheesecloth, finishing waxes and the use of cheese presses. Milking the cows and then separating the curds from the whey will keep them so busy they will have little time for other activities during the entire summer. Jobs, social lives and time for personal grooming habits will be forfeited for the sake of saving a little money and acquiring permanently chapped hands. The Economy class will be little more than signing up as a farmhand and receiving cheese for pay. As a final insult, small print in the rental contract might specify that the arrangement won’t expire until 50,000 gallons of milk, or 10 years or whatever happens first. Economy customers will have more reason than anyone else to cry over spilt milk.

Gangestad is new postmaster in JasperLaurie Gangestad was sworn in as the new postmaster at Jasper on July 25.Gangestad had been serving Jasper as an interim postmaster since September of last year.Gangestad is a resident of Kenneth, and her first post office job was at the Kenneth Post Office in 1982.Since Kenneth, she served the postal service at Woodstock, Magnolia, Lismore and now Jasper.In neighboring counties…..Both Pipestone and Nobles Counties caught statewide attention this week.In Pipestone County, Ellison Meat Company issued a voluntary recall of approximately 194,700 pounds of frozen ground beef that might be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7bacteria.Early indication suggested the ground beef could be linked to two or more people who were sickened by E. coli in Colorado.The food, which was sold to restaurants and through door-to-door sales, was processed between May 30 and June 11.A spokesperson for Ellison, also known as Howard Meats, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune "They have not yet tied this to our product, but we are taking a proactive stance"Cooking meat to at least 160 degrees can kill E. coli.In Nobles County, State Administration Commissioner Brian Lamb has ruled that Nobles County can charge $250, require a written application and impose other stipulations when anyone wants to review a list of the county’s feedlots.According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Nobles County Board created the policy after an animal rights activist entered a feedlot in Nicollet County in April and took pictures of dead hogs without the feedlot farmer’s permissionAccording to the commissioner, the county can require a written request but can’t require people requesting the list to identify themselves.He also said the county can take up to five days to provide the feedlot list but must provide a copy as soon as reasonably possible.Lodine to perform at Lakes Art CenterLuverne’s Emily Lodine will be performing at the Lakes Art Center in Okoboji at 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10. Lodine will be collaborating with pianist Karen Carr with whom she recently released the CD "Prairie Grass."Their performance of "Bon Appetit is a one-act comic opera based on the PBS series of the same name.According to Lodine, "Bon Appetit" will be preceded by an "appetizer course" of songs.The Lakes Art Center is located at 2201 Hwy 71, Okoboji, Iowa. For more information about the production, phone 712-332-7013PrairieWave announces digital upgradePrairieWave Communications, one of Luverne’s two cable TV options, announced they would begin offering Interactive Digital Cable TV in Luverne this week.The new service will impact subscribers with increased channels as well as other features unique to digital technology according to the company.Some of the other features include:* An interactive program guide that allows the user to search listing by theme, title or channel and up to seven days in advance of program.* An interactive service delivering on-demand news and information directly to the television from the digital set-top box.* On screen games will be available in both basic and fee levels.PrairieWave is a relatively new company, recently spun off from McLeod USA.Prior to being a part of McLeod USA, it started out as DTG.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

time4saving.com assumes nameMINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATECERTIFICATE OFASSUMED NAMEMinnesota Statutes Chapter 333The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable consumers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted.time4saving.com2. State the address of the principal place of business.RR 1 Box 143 Luverne MN 561653. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name or if the business is a corporation, provide the legal corporate name and registered office address of the corporation. Lori D. Williams RR 1 Box 143 Luverne MN 561564. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. /s/ Lori D. WilliamsJune 26, 2003 Lori D. Williams, ownerLori Williams 507-597-6604(8-7, 8-14)

County Commissioners meet July 22Community Room 9:00 AMRock County Family Services Agency July 22, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the July 22, 2003 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded Hoime, to approve the July 1, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. A Public Hearing opened at 9:05 AM with Darrell Hoeck, Louie Loger, Jerry Ohme, Greg Burger and Norman Gyberg present. Comments were received from those present regarding the possible appointment of the County Recorder position. Also acknowledged a letter received from Mike Cox who was unable to be present at the public hearing. Following comments, the public hearing was closed at 9:27AM. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve Resolution No. 29-03, a resolution for the county to appoint the County Recorder, declared carried on 5-0 unanimous vote. Jerry Ohme, County Recorder discussed with the County Board the Satellite Office Agreement with the State of Minnesota, which will allow the county to continue to conduct UCC filings. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the agreement, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the claims, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.General $121,940.45LEC 746.90Road & Bridge 56,437.60Welfare 148,325.00Landfill 6,428.65TOTAL $333,878.60Commissioners Hoime and Wildung provided a City/County Liaison meeting update regarding the various joint arrangements the county has with the City of Luverne. Land Management Office Director Eric Hartman and Land Management Office Assistant Director Doug Bos discussed a Property Cleanup Policy and requested direction on this type of policy; the County Board took no action. Mr. Hartman presented a Feedlot Quarterly update; no action was taken. The County Board discussed the 784 Standards to be published by MPCA; the County Board directed that Hartman and Bos keep them posted as to when Rock County will be receiving this publication. Randy Ehlers, Family Services Director and Deb Wynia, Nobles/Rock Public Health Nurse, requested approval of a contract with Lutheran Social Services to provide assisted living services at the Blue Mound Towers. Following a brief discussion, motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the contract with Lutheran Social Services, however note, that Public Health has concerns regarding Lutheran Social Services terminating the contract early and the consequences it would have on Public Health. Motion was declared carried on a voice vote with a contract effective date of 07/01/03 – 06/30/04.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.1. FSA contract 103-1621-03 w/Amber Top to provide tutoring services effective 06/30/03 – 07/31/03 2. FSA contract 104-132-03 with SW MN Private Industry Council to provide MFIP Employment services to local clients, effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-043. Designate Rock County Administrator as a voting representative for the Appletree InstituteMotion by Wildung, seconded Jarchow, to accept the report provided by the Local Mental Health Advisory Council from the Mental Health Annual Report and to thank the members for their continued service on that committee, declared carried on a voice vote. The FSA Director reviewed the Rock County Crisis Assistance Program, formerly identified as the Emergency Assistance Program. New legislation gives counties the option to develop and provide their own policy on emergency assistance to families/children who need housing and utilities. Currently, FSA has elected to establish a crisis program and will grant assistance for short-term, non-recurring shelter and utility costs to qualifying families only if funding is available. Mike Winkels, Sheriff, requested to fill (2) vacant deputy positions due to a retirement and resignation. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to fill both deputy positions, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed of a Regional Jobz meeting to be held in Redwood Falls at a future date.The County Board discussed the Prairie Expo property; the current intent is to return the property to the City of Worthington. The County Board directed the County Attorney’s Office to draft a letter addressed to the RDC and other county boards requesting the RDC to research the ability for generating their own taxation authority and to collect the tax for the debt owed and present back to the County Board. The County Board also requests to present this letter at the next RDC meeting. The County Board reviewed lease agreements for office space for the Heartland Express and Extension Departments. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, not to renew the lease agreements with JJ & DD Enterprises for the offices of Heartland Express and Extension and directed the Administrator work with the Building Committee to find new locations for Heartland Express and Extension and to put in an opt out clause for the Land Management Office in the event that Farm Services Agency and NRCS were to move from that location in order to maintain a co-location between LMO, NRCS and Farm Services Agency; motion by was declared carried on a voice vote. There was a brief discussion regarding Rock County Rural finance notes; currently they are paying 4.75% interest and receiving 2% on invested dollars. Rural Water is inquiring on whether or not to pay the loan early; the Auditor/Treasurer was directed to work on that issue. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to host the Judicial Ditch No. 3 Hearing for 9:00AM on August 5th at the Rock County Human Services Building and to invite the Judicial Ditch Advisory Board, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Hoime presented an update regarding Extension; 40-50 individuals attended a 4-H meeting and expressed their concerns about the future of 4-H and Extension.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to enter into a records agreement with the Rock County Historical Society to maintain the past assessment records, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board discussed setting the fees for law enforcement services for the small cities in the county. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to send a letter to the contract cities in the county inviting them to a County Board meeting to discuss law enforcement contract fees, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to pay 2003-04 Rock County Collaborative Fees and send the check to the Southwest Mental Health Center, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to authorize the purchase and distribution of county logo pins at the August 11th Going Away Ceremony for the Luverne National Guard, declared carried on a voice vote.Commissioner Bakken stated that he had attended a Library and Public Health meetings; Commissioner Jarchow stated that he attended a Work Force Council meeting and Commissioner Hoime had attended a Land Use, City/County Liaison and 4-H meetings. Motion by Bakken, seconded Boyenga, moved to adjourn the meeting, declared carried on a voice vote. Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(8-7)

Kenneth Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facilities bids set for Sept. 4ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSOwner: City of Kenneth, MinnesotaOwner’s Address: P.O. Box 36 Kenneth, MN 56147-0036Project: Wastewater Collection and Treatment FacilitiesLocation: Within corporate limits of KennethSealed BIDS for Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facilities and related work will be received by the City Clerk at his office in Kenneth, Minnesota, until 5:45 P.M. local time September 4, 2003 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be acted upon by the Owner at a later time. The Project shall consist of the following work: 1 Job Duplex Lift Station and Valve Vault 4,500 L.F. 8" Gravity Sewer Main 3,200 L.F. 4" Gravity Service 22 Ea. Sanitary Manholes Job Community Septic Tank 261 L.F. Drainfield manifold piping 3,900 L.F. 1.25" Drainfield lateral piping4,772 L.F. 3" Force mainother miscellaneous items and related work.Substantial completion will be by September 1, 2004 for all work.The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following locations: City of Kenneth P.O. Box 36 Kenneth, MN 56147-0036 DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company 1302 South Union Street Rock Rapids, IA 51246Copies of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be obtained at the office of DeWild Grant Reckert & Associates Company located at 1302 South Union Street, Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246 upon payment of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for each set. Web site address: www.dgrnet.com; phone: 712-472-2531, fax: 712-472-2710. No refunds will be made.All proposals shall be made on forms provided by the Engineer.Each bid must be accompanied by bid security payable to the Owner for five (5%) percent of the total amount of the Bid as a certified or bank check issued by a State or National bank or as a bidder’s bond. As soon as the bid prices have been compared, the Owner will return the check or bond of all except the three lowest, responsive, responsible bidders for each Schedule. When the contract is awarded, the checks or bonds of the two remaining unsuccessful bidders will be returned. The check or bond of the successful bidder will be retained until the contract and surety bond have been executed and approved, after which it will be returned. With submittal of a Bid, the Contractor represents that he has visited the site, familiarized himself with the local conditions under which the work is to be performed, and correlated his observations with the requirements of the Contract Documents.The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids or to accept any bid. Contractor’s Proposals shall hold firm for thirty (30) days from the date of opening. Mutually agreed upon extensions of time may be made, if necessary. CITY OF KENNETH, MINNESOTABy /s/ Del SchelhaasCity Clerk(8-7, 8/14, 8/21)