Seven longtime teachers are retiring from the Luverne School District this year, and it brought to mind a column I wrote several years ago about school teachers.
As a child, I idolized my teachers, so it’s not surprising that I spent many long afternoons playing school with my sisters in the stairwell of our home near Kenneth.
My older sister, Lisa, and I would line up our younger three sisters, Linda, Lana and Lavelle, run them through a battery of Dick and Jane books and math flash cards.
Playing school and playing church often looked the same, since the songs we sang in Leota Christian Grade School were children’s hymns, like “Jesus Loves Me” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”
Of course, preschool and toddler sisters weren’t very attentive, but it was very empowering to pretend we were in charge of a roomful of captive students.
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Klumper, who taught third and fourth grade for more years in her career than I was able to grasp at nine years old. She was known for her strict rules and a no-nonsense classroom style.
She wore polyester pants, paisley print blouses, eyeglasses and no makeup (except lipstick), but she smelled nice (like talcum powder). And she strolled up and down the rows of desks with an air that suggested matters were well under control.
And they were.
I think that’s what I liked about her.
The fact that she meant business made the times when she smiled all the more rewarding.
I’ll never forget how the words on the pages came to life while she read aloud “Charlotte’s Web,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Where the Red Fern Grows.”
She’d peer over the top of the book, waiting for shrieks of laughter to quiet so she could continue.
She also knew just when to pause for sad moments in the story line to sink in. She’d sigh heavily for effect and then continue.
Kids apparently still idolize their teachers. A few weeks ago in the grocery store, a little girl dashed across the room to hug Mrs. Sandy Klosterbuer, who returned the greeting with the same enthusiasm.
How many other jobs yield such popularity?
Newspaper work has its rewards, but I’ll likely never be hugged in the frozen foods aisle with such genuine adoration.
Lucky teachers.
Best wishes, Mrs. Klosterbuer, and all your retiring colleagues. And rest in peace, Mrs. Klumper, who passed away six months ago at the age of 92.
Here’s hoping the new teachers command the same presence in their classrooms and enjoy the same adoring little fans during their trips to the grocery store.

I often wonder what life would be like without a dog or dogs in it. I have written many times about my four Labradors and how much they mean to me and my outdoor way of life. Tracer is going on 11, Sarge is almost 9, Raider is pushing past 6 and my little guy, Ghost, was 2 in March.
When you hunt as much as I do, it is more work than one dog can handle, especially if the temperatures are high and heat exhaustion is a major concern. Having many dogs allows me to hunt for an hour with one dog, and that dog rests as I take a fresh dog into the field.
The only way to be able to live harmoniously with four dogs that all reside in the house is to have four dogs that actually listen.
There are three distinct kinds of dogs that fit into three categories — dogs that hunt well, dogs that are easy to live with, and dogs that are both.
Very few dogs fit into the third category. The difference between a dog that listens and one that doesn’t depends on the owner. As the saying goes, “A well-behaved dog is welcomed almost everywhere, and a badly behaved dog is welcomed absolutely nowhere.”
Why would anyone want to spend 10-12 years with a dog that does not listen? Does not seem like all that hard a question, but it must be a difficult one because the majority of dog owners cannot answer this question with a rational answer or reason.
If I hear one excuse over and over, it is that the owner does not know how to train the dog properly. This might have been a sound excuse 20 years ago but with the videos on YouTube and all the books available on the subject, it really does not hold any water today.
The real answer in most cases is that the owner will not dedicate the time and effort to train the dog and hold it to high standards after the training is completed.
A professionally trained dog, one that has spent months with a professional trainer, will revert to an un-trained dog in a matter of a few short months if the owner does not regularly reenforce the lessons the dog has been taught. It only takes about a week for the dog to learn who in the house means business and who will let them get away with just about anything.
The first thing a dog needs to know is that they are a dog, not a human child, not the leader of any pack or any high-level position in the family pack.
The reason professional dog trainers thrive in this country is not because there is nobody else capable of doing the job, but there are not enough people willing to commit the time and energy to do the job on their own.
I live in a town where people walk their dogs around the lake constantly. About 80 percent of the dogs are walking their human and not the other way around. On many occasions I can take these “un-walkable dogs” for an afternoon and when that day is done, they will walk at heel with me anywhere I want to go.
A gal told me three years ago that I had saved her dog’s life, because without that one day of training and showing her what to do, she would have had to either give the dog away or have had it put to sleep if another suitable family could not be found.
At the end of the day, when you command a dog to do a certain thing, they need to know the command is not a request. It is an order. You will not need to utilize any high level of force or correction.
You will use repetition and body language to communicate with your dog to achieve the desired outcome. Remember the first rule of owning a dog is that the dog must realize and understand that it’s a dog.
You can follow along in this column over the next few months as I will be starting a four-part series on the basics of how to train your dog. There’s no magic here; just basics that allow you to own and love a dog that listens. I look forward to sharing my almost 25 years of experience on the subject.
You should feel free to reach out to me before, during or after this series and I will be glad to help you along your way to having and enjoying a dog that falls into Category 3.
 
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.
 

Dispatch report
June 10
•Subject posted threats through social media.
•Complainant reported identity theft.
•Complainant reported gas drive-off on South Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant on East Brown Street reported golf ball broke vehicle window.
•Complainant requested deputy at location for property dispute on S.West Park Street.
•Complainant reported bad check.
•Complainant at 161st Street reported farmers swearing at cattle.
•Complainant requested assistance with intoxicated person.
•Complainant reported multiple vehicles stopped on interstate at mile marker 18.
•Complainant reported a person who appears distressed.
•Complainant at West Interstate Drive reported a motor vehicle theft.
June 11
•Complainant reported a hit and run on South Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant reported harassing communication.
•Complainant requested sheriff’s number for Windom.
June 12
•Complainant reported parties in park.
•Complainant reported fleeing vehicle southbound on Highway 75.
•Complainant at 61st Street, Beaver Creek, reported possible gas leak at location.
•Complainant on East Bark Avenue reported possible burglary.
June 13
•Dispatch received possible elevator emergency call on East Dodge Street.
•Complainant on County Road 4 reported property damage.
•Deputy assisted property removal on North River Road.
•Subject was arrested on warrant.
•Subject from San Antonio arrested on warrant.
June 14
•Complainant reported hearing strange noises.
•Complainant on North Cedar Street reported two children who can’t find their house.
•Complainant reported child locked in car on Oak Drive.
•Complainant on East Lincoln Street reported a child hasn’t returned home when expected.
June 15
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy regarding a stolen vehicle.
•Complainant reported suspicious activity on Koehn Avenue.
June 16
•Deputy reported assisting motorist at Highway 23 and County Road 5.
•Complainant reported power outage at 11:09 a.m.
•Complainant at 101st Street and 40th Avenue reported road closed to drop wind turbine.
•Complainant on East Main Street requested deputy for property disagreement.
•Complainant on North McKenzie Street reported suspicious activity.
June 17
•Complainant reported runaway is in Luverne.
•Complainant reported reckless driver on interstate at mile marker 1 eastbound near Valley Springs.
In addition, officers responded to 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 deer accident, 2 abandoned vehicles, 1 escort, 10 ambulance runs, 6 paper serves, 7 animal complaints, 1 fingerprint request, 9 burn permits, 6 alarms, 6 drug court tests, 1 background check, 6 purchase and carry permits, 2 stalled vehicles, 21 traffic stops, 10 abandoned 911 calls, 4 tests, 2 welfare checks and 2 reports of cattle out.

Beaver Creek’s $123,000 pay loader has arrived, and it’s been put to work on city business.
After their meeting Wednesday, June 15, Beaver Creek City Council members and city maintenance supervisor Travis Helgeson agreed to a brief show and tell in the city shop.
The machinery, a 2021 Cat 910 with a snowplow attachment, showed up earlier this month after the council voted in December to make the purchase.
Helgeson had encouraged the city to sell its 2005 loader tractor and 1979 grader in exchange for newer, more versatile equipment that will do both jobs.
The city’s previous equipment didn’t move heavy snow efficiently, and Helgeson said the old grader was cumbersome and was used only three to five times per year.
In the bid process, Caterpillar offered the best price for what would best serve the city’s needs. The company offered $7,850 on trade for the city’s grader (bought for $10,000 nearly 10 years ago) and $18,695 on trade for the city’s tractor.
That brought final cost to $104,345. After a $20,000 down payment, the remaining $84,345 is being financed through Security Savings Bank on a five-year loan at 2.75 percent interest.
Payments will be roughly $1,500 per month, or $18,000 per year. The first payments weren’t made until after the equipment was delivered.
The council discussed in December that the city has $58,000 in its equipment fund, so the $20,000 down payment could be paid from that fund.
Council member Pat Bender made the motion to approve the pay loader purchase. “I just feel we’re getting such a good trade on these, based on the current economy, and there’s a need for it.”
Cody Dietrich, who supported the motion, said it’s true that new equipment will continue to increase in price, but today’s used prices will not hold forever.
“In a year, the used could be worth nothing and the new isn’t going to come down, so you have to look at it that way,” he said. “To get $8,000 for that grader — that’s not going to happen again.”
Bender said the purchase would be a prudent use of city funds. “Our budget is $15,000 for street equipment,” she said, noting that annual payments are $18,000 and the difference could be funded through reserves.
She pointed out that there will be no equipment expenses for the next three years due to the warranty on the new pay loader, and in five years the loan will be paid.

K-12 students in Hills-Beaver Creek School District will be admitted free to home events beginning this fall.
Board members approved the change to the district’s fee schedule at their June 13 meeting.
“We want to promote student attendance to our extra-curricular events,” said board chairman Arlyn Gehrke.
Previously, students were charged $4 to enter home events. The district estimates a $3,000 decline in revenue due to the fee change.
 
Three two-year contracts approved
Board members approved two-year contracts and salary increases with three district employees for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
Secondary principal Andrew Kellenberger’s contract is for 225 days per year.
The first-year salary will be $104,000 and the second will be $108,000, plus up to $4,000 in school administration education reimbursement over the two years.
Kellenberger’s salary for 2021-22 was $100,000.
Business manager Amanda Rozeboom’s contract is for 260 years per year.
Year 1 salary will be $57,500 and Year 2 will be $60,000. Rozeboom’s previous salary was $55,000.
Building, grounds and transportation director Dalton Bass’ contract is also for 260 days. His salary for Year 1 will be $53,000 and Year 2 $55,000.
Bass’ current salary is $51,000.
 
New gym design chosen for high school
In other matters at their June 13 meeting, H-BC School Board members approved improvements to the floor of the secondary gymnasium this summer.
The new floor design features a 14-foot Patriot mascot at the center.
At each end of the basketball court, the words “Hills-Beaver Creek” will be written in 2-foot-high letters on the floor, and the length of the words will be 33 feet.
Along the sides of the court, “Patriots” will be written in 3-foot letters and stretch a little more than 20 feet.
Stain colors for the refinished court will be blue and nutmeg.
The current floor only has one graphic with the words “Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots” in the center.
Cost for the sanding, painting and finishing is $21,000. The graphics painting is estimated at about $5,000.
FLR Sanders of Princeton, Minnesota, will complete the work on the gym floor. Work is scheduled to begin Aug. 1 and take four weeks to complete.

Card showers
Bryce Niessink will celebrate his 60th birthday on Tuesday, June 28. Greetings may be sent to him at 806 N. Estey Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
 
Carol Van Maanen will celebrate her 80th birthday on Thursday, June 30. Greetings may be sent to her at PO Box 135, Hills, MN 56138.
Marv and Verla Tinklenberg will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary June 21. Greetings may be sent to the couple at P.O. Box 373, Leota, MN 56153.

New Location: 105 S. Estey, Luverne
Monday, June 27: Chicken chow mein, brown rice, oriental vegetables, mandarin oranges, dessert.
Tuesday, June 28: Meatballs, scalloped potatoes, carrots, bread, dessert.
Wednesday, June 29: Creamy chicken, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, bread, warm fruit crisp.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Grace Lutheran Church.
Thursday, June 30: Pork loin, candied yam, broccoli, bread, dessert.
Friday, July 1: Barbecue pork on bun, potato salad, pineapple, pudding.
 
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846 to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older.
March 11, 1943
“Can’t agree with you that Luverne’s as good a place as any,” declared William Everett, when someone commented that this part of Minnesota was a pretty fine spot for a home. “I’ll take the west any day. You’ll make two dollars for every one here if you just go about it right.”
That led to the question, “Bill, how did you happen to make Luverne your home, then?”
“Well,” said the old timer, “it was this way. I came here from Doon, Ia. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I was going. I went to the hotel to wait between trains and I guess it never came. Some fellow came into the hotel and wanted a man to go to work on a farm. I went to work, and Luverne has been my home ever since. That was in August, 1917.”
Born in Dakota Territory
Mr. Everett isn’t certain just how old he is, but thinks he’ll be 77 on April 21. He was born at Elk Point Union county, Dakota territory either in 1863 or ’64. Records of his birth have since been lost.
There were still Indians and gun-totin’ whites at that time and Hell’s Bend,” the wooded area where the Big Sioux empties into the Missouri, was still a hot spot. “I knew of four fellows who died with their boots on there. Two of them came to Johnny St. Pierre’s cabin one night and he got them both. Johnny St. Pierre was a violinist who played for dances all through the country. He had just come back from a trip to Sioux City, Omaha and Missouri Valley, and two fellows came to get his money. He pulled his .44 before they did. One of them dropped right outside a window — the other was found the next morning at the edge of a wheat field, five or six rods away. As far as I know, that cleaned up Hell’s Bend.”
Saved by an Indian
In those days, there were Indians in that area, but most of them were civilized. He recalls that one time when he was a child of two or three years, two Indians came and asked his mother for something to eat. She refused for some reason or other, and one of the Indians picked him up by the heels and was about to smash his head against the side of the building when his father’s friend, also an Indian, came to his rescue. Several days later Mr. Everett’s father was walking along the river and there came across the body of the Indian with four arrows in his body.
Elk Point was the Gretna Green of the northwest when Mr. Everett was a boy. Being in Dakota territory where there was no marriage license law and where couples would come in droves from Iowa and Nebraksa to tie the nuptial knot.
Father Had Three Trades
Mr. Everett’s father was Abner Everett, a man who had served as an apprentice for 15 years and had learned three different trades. He spent five years learning to be a cabinet maker, earning only 25 cents a month for that period. His first job as an apprentice was making his own tools. After his cabinet apprenticeship, he learned to be a wheelwright, and spent five years as an apprentice in this trade as well. His wages at that time was increased to 50 cents a month. After that, he served as a carpenter’s and joiners apprentice, and then went into business for himself at Elk Point.
The Luverne man did not remain at home after he was nine years of age. He went to work for J. H. Brace, a cattle drover, and for three years, he virtually lived in the saddle, traveling with Mr. Brace wherever he bought cattle. His wages were 25 cents a day, plus board, room and clothing. Within six months after he had entered Mr. Brace’s employ, he knew the name of every man who lived in Union, Spink, Clay and Yankton counties, and on the darkest night could drive to the ranch of any person one could name. In those days there weren’t roads — only Indian trails, Mr. Everett said, and it was not a matter of not being able to find a visible trail of any kind, but to pick the right one. When not riding, he would drive a livery, and on many occasions, it was his lot to take people to other ranches from the Brace ranch. For the average boy of nine or 1o to be out in the dark with only the stars to guide him, the job would have been frightening indeed, but to him, it was a thrill and a pleasure to hold the reins on a steady team and figure out the shortest way home.
Visited This Area
It was when he was thus employed that he made his first trip to this section of the country. His employer had bought cattle in the Garretson, Sherman and Jasper areas, and he was driving them toward Elk Point. He had a herd of 180 head when he stopped to spend the night at a farm place east of Sioux Falls. It was then he learned that the famous James brothers had been there the night before him.
This article will continue in next week’s edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

I need to remind you that now is the time to prune lilacs, weigela, mock orange, and snowball viburnums.  These are all spring-blooming plants, and cutting them back now gives the new growth time to mature and develop buds for next year’s flowers. I recommend pruning to eliminate the old stems to encourage new growth from the base of the shrub.
When I looked at my potato crop last week, I noticed a busload of Colorado potato beetles had arrived! Those hungry buggers can strip away foliage in a flash, and worse still, they vector diseases in addition to reproducing at an alarming rate.
I got my bottle of Sevin insecticide, which gives excellent control, and remembered that I had not used it for a couple of years. I shook the bottle pretty vigorously for awhile, took the lid off and used a stiff wire to check if the liquid was all fluid.
What I found was that the solids were no longer suspended in the liquid.  So I pried loose what had settled with the wire and then shook it until it all dissolved.  Had I not done that, likely what had settled out would be the active ingredient and my spray application would have had little effect on the beetles. But my beetles weren’t that lucky!
Be sure to deadhead perennials that have finished blooming to keep them from going to seed and giving you some more “weeds” to try to control … that is, unless you want more of that particular plant.
I usually allow a few flowers on my gaillardia to go to seed because often the old plant doesn’t survive the winter.
In the case of columbine, perennial salvia  and delphinium, cutting back hard after they have finished blooming will reward you with another round of flowers in the fall.
I have written about using a product called Milorganite as a repellent for rabbits and deer. Well, it worked for rabbits, sort of, but not as well as I wanted. Then I was told to try shaving a bar of Irish Spring soap and sprinkling those soap shavings directly on the plant the critters were munching on. Bingo! It worked really well!
One of my gardens is really big, and I had not had time to put up the electric fence. I have experienced minor deer damage previously, but this year they were ganging up on me. I protected my early crops with old bird netting I had used on my cherry trees and strawberries, and that worked, but my big garden is BIG and I have to rely on the electric fence for protection.
For some reason, once these critters pick a plant to munch on, they keep coming back to the same plant time after time, and in the case of perennials, if you don’t protect that plant, you will not only lose the flowers, but the  plant will be weakened and  likely will not survive the  winter.
In the case of vegetables, it’s called sharing the harvest, and I vote “no” on that one, too.