Did you contribute to WWII at Home?If you were involved in World War II, but did your service at home, there is now a Web site set up to make note of your contribution.The American Battle Monuments Commission has organized the web-based list in an effort to extend recognition to as many as 16 million Americans who served in and out uniform during the Second World War.As well as those who contributed through the Military, the Web site is set up to recognize those who contributed on the home front.How’s your SPAMSpam: Unsolicited e-mail, often of a commercial nature, sent indiscriminately to multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups; junk e-mail.It’s also a lunchmeat made famous during World War II by the Hormel Corporation, but that’s not the spam we’re talking about.As congress starts to look at ways of solving the computer version of the spam problem, a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune showed what most of the span you receive really is.* Products:(25%) An offer of advertised general goods or services * Financial:(20%). Lately home mortgages seem to be the most common feature in this category.* Adult:(19%) Contains or intended for persons above the age of 18, but in reality they go to everyone. These ads usually want to increase the size of something.* Scams:(9%) Recognized as fraudulent, intentionally misguiding or known to result in fraudulent activity by the sender. At least twice a week I am offered about $35 million if I will let someone from the middle east transfer twice that amount into my checking account, because they need to get it into the county.* Internet:(7%) Specifically offer of advertise Internetor computer related goods or services.* Health:(7%) Offering or advertise health related products and services.* Leisure(6%) Offer or advertise prizes, awards or discounted leisure activities.* Spiritual(4%) Containing information about religious or spiritual evangelization or services.* Other(3%)Spammer don’t know who you are or if they are hitting someone that might be interested in the particular product they are selling.Spammers use software called spiders or robots that search the internet for anything that uses an @ address symbol.One spammer profiled by CBS news said he sends out an average of 180 million spam e-mails each day.If a tiny fraction of those are responded to he get paid.A recent article in the Washington Post reported 40% of e-mail is unwanted spam and that number is expected to grow to more than 50% by the end of the yearAnd if you think you are getting rid of them by responding, forget about it. Any response only confirms that they have hit a valid e-mail address.Know your treesIf you don’t know your trees, now is a good time to learn.The National Arbor Day Society has put together the book, "What Tree Is That?"The 72-page guide will help you identify 135 different trees found in the eastern and central U.S.Well-known trees, such as oaks, maples, spruces, and pines are featured along with less known species such as horse chestnut and mocker nut hickory, sassafras and shadbush persimmon and paw paw and pagoda tree and pecan.The book also has dozens of drawings and illustrations of the tree’s leaves or needles and their acorns, berries, seedpods and other identifying features.To obtain the $3 book contact the National Arbor Day Foundation at Nebraska City, NE 68410, or go online to www.arborday.org.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFEffie Stroh DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on August 11, 2003 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at the Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated August 30, 1971 and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for the appointment of David A. Stroh whose address is: RR 2, Box 117, Luverne, Minnesota 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Timothy K. Connell 7/11/03Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 7/11/03Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538Telephone 507-283-9111Attorney License #56674(7-17, 7-24)

REQUEST FOR BIDSLUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLSNotice is hereby given that bids will be received until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2003, at the Office of the Superintendent, Luverne High School, Luverne, Minnesota, for the furnishing of the following products:A. Gasoline and Fuel ProductsB. Fuel OilC. Bakery ProductsD. Milk ProductsDetailed specifications and information are available at the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.The School Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any technicalities. William StegemannClerk(7-17, 7-24)

10 years ago (1993)"Keith Erickson, the Luverne City Council representative to the pool commission, brought drawings of a proposed addition to the swimming pool and exercise facility to the Board and explained how the addition will be financed and used.An approximately 1,000-square-foot triangular meeting room will be added to the east side of the existing structure. It will use the existing walls of the original pool and the current meeting room for two walls. A new wall will serve as the long side of the triangle."25 years ago (1978)"‘There’s a lot more damage out there than we realize.’ Rock County Sheriff Ole Hommen’s reaction was formulated after several days of reviewing the damage caused by a severe storm shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Two injuries have been attributed to the storm. One directly and one indirectly."50 years ago (1953)"Not a very sizable sum remained in the city utilities fund when the 1952-53 fiscal year ended on March 20 this year. After expenses had been paid and funds transferred to the capital expenditures and net revenue accounts, and after bonds and interest payments were made the city recorder had only $6,797.36 of last year’s income in the utilities fund bank."75 years ago (1928)"Ellsworth’s juvenile baseball team administered an overwhelming defeat to the Luverne lads Sunday afternoon at Athletic park, by a score of 23 to 12. As was the case in the game a week previous with the Sioux Falls Argus Leader team, the Luverne boys were opposed by players surpassing them in size and experience, and the result was not a surprise.Speculation had existed as to whether or not the Ellsworth team was actually a ‘juvenile’ organization, inasmuch as the personnel was anything but ‘kids.’ Manager Fronsdahl had been assured that the oldest player on the Ellsworth club was 14 years of age, but when the team arrived its members disclosed extraordinary development for their age."100 years ago (1903)"Horse shoe throwing has been resurrected as a live sport among persons who are taking a vacation without going out of town. It was inaugurated among the grain buyers and elevator employees on the Rock Island tracks and has spread uptown. Stakes have been set on the street near the Security Bank and the practice now being secured should develop some champions."

I’ve been furiously cataloging new books this past week. There are so many titles by your favorite authors that I’m going directly to book reviews. Grab a writing utensil and make a list of the ones you want to read. "A Man to Call My Own" by Johanna Lindsey. Amanda and Marian Laton are identical twins but they are as different as night and day. Amanda is beautiful but nasty, and Marian is nice but plain — purposely so to avoid provoking her spiteful twin's jealousy. When their wealthy father suddenly dies, the two gently reared New England heiresses are sent to live with their aunt on a sprawling Texas ranch. There the twins meet Chad Kinkaid, the cowboy son of a neighboring rancher. Marian is fascinated by Chad's rugged good looks and masculinity, but she knows that like every other man she and her twin have met, he will pursue Amanda, not her. Chad is indeed beguiled by Amanda's beauty, but soon he begins to see beyond Marian's carefully constructed dowdy facade. After witnessing Marian's taste for adventure, her sense of humor and bravery in the face of danger, Chad finds himself wanting her. But how can he, a man who's just a cowboy without fancy airs or urbane charm, convince her she's the only woman for him? "White Death" by Clive Cussler. Hailed as a hero for the new millennium, Kurt Austin is the leader of NUMA Special Assignments Team — and the threat before him now is definitely special. A confrontation between a radical environmentalist group and a Danish cruiser has forced Austin and colleague Joe Zavala to come to the rescue of a ship full of trapped men; but when the two of them investigate further, they discover that something far more sinister is at work. A shadowy multinational corporation is attempting to wrest control of the very seas themselves and is killing anyone who attempts to stop them. When Austin's boat blows up and he just barely survives, it seems certain he is the next in line to die — but he cannot stop now. For the environmental disaster has already begun, and only he and NUMA stand in the way. "Shifting Calder Wind" by Janet Dailey. Chase Calder, regains consciousness after a vicious head wound stripped him of all memory. He has no idea who he is, why he came to Fort Worth, or who tried to put a bullet in his head. Laredo Smith, a big burly cowboy, saved his life and is sure that he is Chase Calder, owner of the Triple C Ranch in Montana. According to the local papers, Chase Calder has been declared dead — a victim of a fiery car crash. None of it rings true to Chase, but his gut tells him to stay dead until he can find the answers he needs. "Last to Die" by James Grippando. Tatum Knight is a former contract killer. Ruthless. Conniving. And he's criminal defense lawyer, Jack Swyteck’s newest client. Tatum is the older brother of Jack's best friend, Theo. Theo himself spent time on death row until Jack found the evidence to prove him innocent. Jack isn't so sure about Tatum. Sally Fenning was worth 48 million dollars when she died. Money had never made her happy, so she left it all to her enemies. She named six heirs in her will, but there's a catch: No one gets a penny until all but one of the heirs are dead. It's survival of the greediest. Quickly the lawyers gear up for a bitter legal battle, but Jack braces himself for much worse. He alone knows that heir number six — Tatum Knight — is a professional killer. As the heirs begin to fall, Jack races against time to discover if Tatum is behind all the killing. Or is someone even more frightening, more dangerous, going to be the last to die?

Articles in the local column in 1934The following are some articles that appeared in the local column in the Rock County Herald on April 17, 1934:"Attendance of 60 persons, forming the largest crowd that has been present for some time at a gathering of the organization, was reported at the monthly meeting of the Denver Go-Getters 4-H Club Friday evening at the school house in District No. 75, Denver Township. All members of that unit were present. The club pledge was given by the club members, followed by roll call. Each member responded by telling a joke or riddle. The business of the evening consisted of electing a new vice president, Norman Meints being elected to fill this position. The program consisted of a reading by Evelyn Baustian, harmonica solo by Robert Medill, talks by County Agent Fred B. Willrett and Mrs. Scott, reading by Mary Cooksley, and a song contest between the boys and girls, followed by 15 minutes of instruction on parliamentary procedure.""A joint social gathering of the Rock County Male Chorus and the Rock County Ladies’ Chorus was Friday evening in the basement of the M.E. Church, following the regular rehearsals of the groups that evening. The ladies were entertainers for the occasion, in accordance with an agreement that had been made in a ticket selling contest prior to the recent concert given in Luverne by the South Dakota State College Glee Club, they having been losers in this contest. With Mrs. G.R. Weston heading the program committee, a program was rendered consisting of a vocal duet by Mrs. Norman G. James and E.S. Townsend, solo dance by Betty Johnson, humorous reading by T.A. Johnson, piano solo by Lyle Maloney, recitation by Helen Ormseth, two selections by the Male Chorus and a vocal duet by Mrs. Weston and Dwight Cummings. Lloyd Johnson served as master of ceremonies. Refreshments were served later in the evening."Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Goldfish are in the news. It should also be noted that much of the goldfish news isn’t for the squeamish, particularly small children who have just seen "Finding Nemo", card-carrying members of any animal rights group, or any person whose best friend has gills and fins. Until their dramatic splashes in the art world and the recent remarks made about them by a sewage-treatment spokesperson, goldfish seemed destined to lead simple, fairly uneventful lives. They hatched without knowing their parents, they ate, they swam around in endless circles and they were eventually flushed away. According to The Week magazine, "an artwork in which viewers were invited to liquefy live goldfish in a blender did not constitute cruelty to animals, a Danish judge has ruled." The controversial, interactive display at the Trapholt Art Museum in Kolding, Denmark, featured goldfish swimming in 10 blenders and visitors were invited to flip the "on" switches. At least one person did, creating what must have appeared to be goldfish mousse. The artist wanted to make people "do battle with their conscience" and "choose between life and death." Both the blender manufacturer and the judge agreed that the goldfish had met their untimely ends "humanely" and "instantly." Although goldfish lack the slobbering tongues or cuddling abilities of dogs or cats, they have managed to inspire one of our favorite expressions — "I’m tired of living in a fish bowl!" Yet we really don’t know what it’s like to swim nonstop our entire lives. If we truly lived in fish bowls, our greatest excitement would be the possibility of taking a wrong turn and colliding with a tiny castle or a miniature deep-sea diver, both ceramic, on the bottom of an algae-filled aquarium. Some people might argue that their lives are similarly meaningless, but at least they have the opportunities to sleep and blink their eyes whenever they want. It’s not that some goldfish haven’t had rather remarkable endings. College students used to swallow them alive at the same time their classmates were stuffing themselves into small cars and phone booths. On other occasions, fish bowls have been knocked to the floor by rambunctious children Overeating seems to be the most common cause of death for goldfish but we really can’t point our fingers. As a nation, we appear to be following their example. Goldfish owners know the meaning of terror. There’s nothing like standing next to a toilet bowl with a small child, dumping the limp remains of their pet into the water, and suddenly seeing the fish spring back to life. Should we reach into the water with our bare hands and return the fish to its fish bowl or should we tell "the sewer pipe story"? "The sewer pipe story", according to generations of parents, is that the fish will somehow navigate through countless miles of water pipes connecting the bathroom and the ocean, where they will frolic and find true happiness. Not so, a sewage-equipment manufacturer foolishly blurted to the press recently. Contrary to what happens in the movie "Finding Nemo", flushing fish down toilets will not send them to freedom in the ocean. The manufacturer, who obviously doesn’t believe in sugar-coating facts for children, noted that the fish actually pass through sewage-treatment machines that "shred solids into tiny particles." Given that choice, a blender might be nicer.

As soon as my wife and I returned from vacationing in central Minnesota this last week one of the first things that I heard was that I had to go get a Rock County Star Herald and read the letter to the editor from Terry Reisch. After reading it I would like to congratulate him on it. It seems to me that the officer in question has once again stepped over the line. Even though we in the community all know who this person is, I will not mention his name. I think it’s about time that our sheriff does something about the person in question. After talking to several young adults in our town and finding out that the same officer likes to cuss, swear and scream at our youth thinking that he is a big man, I really became irate. It seems that this officer and his friend like to sit in the dark with their lights off and try to trap offenders. Isn’t this in itself illegal? Since when is this a legal maneuver? I thought our officers were to be highly visible. Since when are they allowed to sit in the dark and hide? I have heard many complaints from other adults about this officer and the way he treats them, and I know of some that have called our sheriff about him and complained. When is something going to be done about him? We, as citizens of Luverne, do not need to take his abuse and I think it’s high time something is done. He was hired to work for us, not against us. We pay his salary with our tax dollars and he works for us. I think that a public apology is in order from this officer and his partner to Mr. Reisch and that he should be put on suspension until he has a change in his attitude. If he pulled stunts like this on a regular job he would probably have been fired on his second offense. We do not need police like this. I am with Mr. Reisch all the way, and if this puts and X on my forehead, let it be. I think we have had enough and again I urge the citizens of Luverne to come forward and make our sheriff do something about his fellow. You can tell who he is targeting just by the tickets he writes. And about these tickets he writes — since when do you walk up to a car that you pull over and not tell them what you pulled them over for? The first thing that comes out of his mouth is, "Have you been drinking?" Is this proper procedure? I don’t think so. Let’s put a stop to this right now!Shawn L. Davis,Luverne

10 years ago (1993)"Former Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary Principal and teacher Merlin Klein and the H-BC Board of Education have come to an agreement on a resignation package for Klein. After a year and a half, the dispute between the two parties came to an end on July 7 when the H-BC Board accepted Klein’s resignation and voted to offer him the agreed upon retirement package." 25 years ago (1978)"Wendell Bengtson, Hills, was elected cashier of the Exchange State Bank of Hills at the Board of Directors meeting July 12, 1978. As cashier, Bengtson is working on all phases of the operation of the bank. Prior to coming to Hills Bengtson was the executive vice president of the Benton County Savings Bank in Norway, Iowa." 50 years ago (1953)"Beginning Sunday morning, if all goes well, Hillsites will be able to hear the first tones coming from a newly installed public address system at the Christian Reformed Church.A set of directional speakers will have been installed in the belfry at the church, coupled with a phonograph turntable on the church sound system, bought the past year. Records played will be carillonic bells or chimes. Many different sacred songs will be played over this fine new system."This very fine musical addition to Hills is being installed in honor of the late Tim Fikse, by his family. It was thought that this would be a very fitting tribute, since he served as church organist and directed the choir and other musical groups in the church, as well as outside."75 years ago (1928)"It’s been many years since Hills had a juvenile band, therefore the news that steps will be taken to organize one will be of interest to all lovers of band music. The first meeting will be in the Hills school at 8 p.m. next Saturday, July 14, and every beginner that has an instrument is urged to meet up. This invitation is extended to all boys living in and around Hills. As the old saying goes, "The more, the merrier."100 years ago (1903)"There are some people in our town who spend much of their time in giving Hills good sidewalks and fine shade trees and then there are other people who entertain a sort of ‘I don’t care a snap’ position and picket their horses and cattle along the streets and highways without any regards for sidewalks or trees. There is strong talk against this reckless running at large of stock and picketing cows close to sidewalks, and if it is not stopped, someone may find his family ‘bossy’ in the hands of the town pond master."