She did countless things that got me riled. She sang the chorus of songs over and over because she couldn’t remember any other words; put green peppers in spaghetti sauce; wore sandals that made farting sounds when she walked.Without even saying it, you can probably guess I’m talking about my mom.Organizations and individuals are continually studying what makes a healthy child. They often point to community assets or needs and share theories on what is needed. Inevitably, either in the research or in private comments, someone will say, "It all starts at home." I couldn’t agree more.Of the complaints people have of their mothers, mine are petty, and honestly, I can’t remember anything else to list against her. Those are really just leftovers from the teenage years, anyway.I know I’m not alone in thinking my mom is pretty special, especially with Mother’s Day right around the corner. This time of year, we read about and see on TV beautiful, touching stories of mothers. Some of those are miraculous, larger-than-life adventures with mom playing a hero.The story of my mom isn’t quite like that. Her Mother’s Day story is simply about a sweet woman, working hard and loving her family.Mom’s own mother died when Mom was just 12, so it’s even more wonderful that she had such a perfect vision of how to be a good mother to her three girls. It’s only as an adult that I’ve counted her as a friend. That’s important to note, because she was a fun mom. It’s just that, in our house, we knew she was a co-leader of the family, and she didn’t worry about winning a popularity contest with her children. She was the boss and we respected her for it. Friends were left to peers.Whether she worked in or out of the home at any given time, Mom was always there, a constant presence, adding her guidance, discipline, creativity, warmth, humor and intelligence to our family dynamics. What she did is almost as important as what she didn’t do: she didn’t volunteer for every community activity in sight; she didn’t put her own social life high on the priority list; she didn’t behave in any way she didn’t want her children to. She helped us study for tests and guided Dad through home improvement projects. She drew pictures for us to color and she cut our hair.She’s talented in ways she hasn’t been able to capitalize on, but people recognize it anyway. They ask her for decorating advice and baby care techniques. She’s invited to community groups to give cooking classes.Like most families, that cooking ability is a big part of our admiration of her. Growing up, it was always with a sense of pride that I’d answer friends’ questions about what I had for supper — whether it was Cajun, Italian, Chinese or made with the occasional unique ingredient like squid or turtle.That food sometimes turned into shrapnel as she was usually the one to laugh with a full mouth over supper conversation.She’s obviously not a perfect person, but as a mom, I think she’s as close to a perfect as I’ve ever seen.If more parents, and people in general, were like her, we’d consistently have better than average results on our community asset studies.Oh, I just remembered another thing to list against her — when we camped, Mom would serve food from old ice cream buckets. That was almost worse than those embarrassing sandals.

Most people recognize me as the director of the Rock County Library, but I also have a second vocation. I’m a member of the school board for Little Lambs Preschool. People think preschool is all fun and games and snacks. But let me tell you, there are numbers and letters to be learned. There are art and science projects to complete and fine-motor (little muscles) and large-motor (big muscles) to develop. In preschool the little ones receive essential knowledge that will be useful as they grow to adulthood like, how to go to the restroom in an orderly fashion … no budging in line. They have a pint-size library for pint-size kids, and puzzles and Playdough. Every day includes a Bible lesson to guide the spiritual development of each tiny student. And finally, the curriculum includes advanced computer programming and software development. Okay, I overstated that … they learn how to use the computer.At one of our school board meetings I was perusing the a Little Lambs monthly lesson plan. One week was designated "S" week. The little sweetpeas learn all about the 19th letter of the alphabet. They learn "S" words, do "S" activities and eat "S" snacks. Friday they had Sponge painting, Sponge toss, and Sponge cake. We didn’t have preschool when I was little girl. I didn’t have Sponge day or Dot day or any other day. This is the reason I have trouble fitting in with modern societal expectations. If I could quit my job and cast aside the burdens of adulthood, I’d pull up a mini-chair, take a seat at a mini-table and go back to school. I’m just grateful I learned to read so I can escape those modern societal expectations. You can too, by reading the latest by Andrew Greeley, "Second Spring." It's 1978 and the whole country is exhausted from the twin traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. Chuck O'Malley knows how the country feels; approaching 50, he finds himself in the grip of a debilitating midlife crisis. Although he has much to be thankful for, including a loving wife and a thriving career as a professional photographer, he feels disillusioned and depressed. As he travels the world, from the Vatican, where a new pope is to be selected, to Jimmy Carter's White House, where an overwhelmed president struggles to find a cure for his nation's malaise, Chuck searches for a way to renew his weary spirit.Fortunately, he doesn't have to face this challenge alone. With the loving support of his family, and especially his irrepressible and adoring wife, Rosemarie, he just might rediscover his lost hope and optimism in time for a Second Spring. Leslie Glass, "Over His Dead Body." Cassandra Sales is a woman with a gift for nurturing things — her husband, her two adult children; the fabulous flowers in her garden. After 26 years of marriage, however, Cassie’s husband is spending more time skipping abroad than remaining at home with her. Tired of being a modest Long Island housewife who can’t even remember what it’s like to be kissed, Cassie has a face-lift to recapture her youthful allure. The surprise for her husband goes awry when Mitch returns home early from a business trip. When he sees the post-op horror show, he collapses on the spot.The resulting coma may spare Mitch from the tax audit he’s facing, but Cassie is forced to step in and research the facts of her own life. What she discovers about Mitch and the family business shocks her to the core: her "loving" husband was preparing to divorce her, swindle her out of tons of money, and run off with another woman. As Cassie recuperates, she realizes she’s after revenge. But she soon learns that the road to retribution can lead to unforeseen and often deadly complications.

Grand Army of the RepublicThe following was taken from the Rose History printed in 1911: "Luverne has been the home of a post of the Grand Army of the Republic since the spring of 1884. Largely through the energy of Captain E.D. Hadley, a petition requesting the establishment of a post was circulated in April. It was signed by a representative number of the Civil War veterans of the town. The petition was favorably received and on Friday evening, May 2, 29 comrades were mustered in as the nucleus of Joe Hooker Post of Luverne, by Deputy Mustering Officer L.M. Lange, of Worthington, and R.R. Miller, junior vice department commander of Minnesota. The following officers were chosen at the initial meeting: E.D. Hadley, commander; A.C. Croft, senior vice commander; W.H. Halbert, junior vice commander; Edward McKenzie, adjutant; P.J. Kniss, quartermaster; Ezra Rice, officer of the day; Edwin Gillham, officer of the guard. P.R. Schuyler, surgeon; G.M. Henton, quartermaster sergeant; James Presto, sergeant major. On reporting the organization to the state department, it was discovered that there was a prior claim to the name Joe Hooker Post, and, accordingly, a month after its organization, the Luverne branch of the G. A. R. was given the name John A. Dix Post No. 95. The man thus honored was General John A. Dix, secretary of the treasury under Pres. Buchanan, who at the outbreak of hostilities issued the famous order: ‘If any man attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." No order is more respected in the city than is John A. Dix Post No. 25. The Luverne order of the G. A. R. was a year old when its auxiliary, the Women’s Relief Corps, took its place among the worthy organizations of the city. Interest in the movement was first awakened at a meeting held in the Methodist Church on Aug. 22, 1885, presided over by W.H. Halbert, senior vice commander of John A. Dix Post, who explained the aims and benefits of the Women’s Relief Corps. At the meeting 14 names were enrolled on the application for a charter, and the balloting for officers who should serve when the organization was perfected resulted as follows: Mrs. Mary R. Crawford, president; Mrs. A.W. Boswell, senior vice president; Mrs. Kate McKenzie, junior vice president; Mrs. Stella T. Gillham, secretary; Mrs. M. Hawes, treasurer; Mrs. James Preston, chaplain; Mrs. M.A. Hinds, director; Mrs. Della E. Halbert, conductor. The institution of the corps took place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1885. 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.

They were both seen in different towns miles apart, but they were signs of changing times in rural America. They advertised wonderfully strange and unusual business combinations I had never seen before. The roadside signs — tangible proof that business diversification is thriving — were sighted during recent trips I made through southwest Minnesota and northeast Iowa. The Minnesota sign stood alone on a vacant lot near the outskirts of town. It was a no-nonsense announcement, printed in bold, black letters on a white background — COMING SOON: TRUCK-CAR-PET WASH. A sign like that has a way of stirring up anyone’s imagination. The truck-car-pet wash business might be a complex plan, with one section of a building set aside for each washing specialty. Or it could merely require placing a family pet in the front seat of a vehicle and leaving the windows down during the wash, rinse and spotless spray cycles. It’s possible the owners of the new business don’t see the vehicle-pet wash plan as cruelty to animals. On a much higher level, they envision it as a water theme park for pets. The new business combination might be the end result of a small business loan issued to a married couple with two very different ideas of how the money should be spent. Car wash or pet wash? Why not both? Perhaps they recalled the time they inadvertently left a car with one window down and their adorable pet dog to the ravages of a totally automatic car wash during one of their vacations. "Feel free to leave your car and have a cup of coffee, folks," the car wash attendant had told them. "Your car will move automatically through our state-of-the-art wash and will be towel-dried by our attendants at the other side of the building. " The couple can still recall the moment, halfway through the car’s soap cycle and halfway through their coffees, when they remembered Muffy. By the time they raced along the enclosed walkway to the other side of the car wash, screaming and leaving knocked-over customers and broken coffee cups in their wake, they fully expected to find their miniature dachshund either drowned or traumatized. Instead, they found an exuberantly happy, tail-wagging Muffy, cleaner than he had ever been before. Many businesses must begin with similar inspirations. Perhaps that couple in southwest Minnesota can only dream about the days they will pore over plans for future business expansions. There might be combination washes for both vehicles and their drivers. Entire families could be showered and buffed with special family rates. The only problem now is finding a name suitable for a business that washes both vehicles and pets. He suggested "Car-Pet Wash", but she thinks that sounds like a place that cleans floor coverings. Business decisions can be difficult. The Iowa sign reading, FOR SALE — MONUMENTS AND SATELLITE DISHES, was surrounded by granite cemetery markers with blank spaces for names and dates and TV satellite dishes of every imaginable size. It seemed natural to think about the similarities of the customers in need of the two products, which were sold side by side. Customers eventually languish peacefully under both the monuments and the dishes. Both products mark the final resting places of people who appear dead or nearly dead below them. With blank eyes staring off into space and mouths slightly agape, it might be difficult to tell the difference. "Look at Aunt Harriet lying there. She looks so alive!" "Turn off the TV. Dad looks like he’s dead to the world." Grave monuments and satellite dishes are permanent and capable of withstanding any type of inclement weather, year after year. Once they’re installed, they’re rarely removed. They’re a perfect sales combination.

To America’s Teachers: Thank you.Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your service. Thank you for choosing this noble profession.Thank you for being a hero to both young and old. Thank you for being a best friend. Thank you for your love. Thank you for believing in the bright hope of every child. Thank you for setting high standards. Thank you for believing every child can learn if given the chance. Thank you for inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for offering comfort in times of sorrow. Thank you for being a mentor for a lifetime. Thank you for your professionalism. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for staying after school and providing extra help. Thank you for doing whatever it takes to make sure no child is left behind. As you go about your work this day and every day, know that you have the admiration, appreciation and respect of the President of the United States and all of the American people. Rod PaigeU.S. Education Secretary

I’d like to thank the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center for the two care packages that they have sent to me while here in the Persian Gulf. The magazines and other goodies were great to receive. Except, my fellow soldiers and I haven’t figured out yet, how we are going to make the microwave popcorn, but I think we will be OK because it’s supposed to just keep on getting hotter. Also, I’d like to thank the people who have sent letters inside the care packages. I will write back as soon as I get a chance. I’d also like to thank Tammy Johnson for giving them my address. I can’t wait to return to the States so that I might have a chance to personally thank them.Again, thank you staff of the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center. Cpl. Christopher JohnsonU.S. Army (Class of ’99)

While stopping in Luverne last week, we heard concerns from citizens about problems of mass immigration and illegal aliens in the area. People are upset with what is going on and rightfully so. Current immigration levels are so high that immigration officials are unable to thoroughly screen immigrants before allowing them into our country, as 9/11/01 tragically underscored. Just as you would shut off the main water valve before attempting to fix a leaky pipe, the United States needs to turn off the flow of immigration while we repair a dysfunctional policy.Immigration, at more than one million legal entrees per year, strains our quality of life, our environment, and adds to our fiscal and social burdens. Lawmakers need to take a leading role in working together to get the immigration flood under control. By stopping most forms of immigration temporarily it would allow us time to devise an immigration policy that truly meets national needs. If we concentrated on stopping the massive illegal immigration problem we would help regain control of our own borders as well.Protecting our nations future requires reduction of today’s mass immigration. Our current system overburdens, rather than advances, America’s national interest. Instead of complaining to each other, why not contact Congressman Gil Gutknecht, Senators Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman @ 1-877-762-8762 or 1-800-648-3516. Tell them to stop mass immigration now and never ever give amnesty to those illegal aliens that have already broken our laws. Robert and Mavis GasnerOwatonna

They were both seen in different towns miles apart, but they were signs of changing times in rural America. They advertised wonderfully strange and unusual business combinations I had never seen before. The roadside signs — tangible proof that business diversification is thriving — were sighted during recent trips I made through southwest Minnesota and northeast Iowa. The Minnesota sign stood alone on a vacant lot near the outskirts of town. It was a no-nonsense announcement, printed in bold, black letters on a white background — COMING SOON: TRUCK-CAR-PET WASH. A sign like that has a way of stirring up anyone’s imagination. The truck-car-pet wash business might be a complex plan, with one section of a building set aside for each washing specialty. Or it could merely require placing a family pet in the front seat of a vehicle and leaving the windows down during the wash, rinse and spotless spray cycles. It’s possible the owners of the new business don’t see the vehicle-pet wash plan as cruelty to animals. On a much higher level, they envision it as a water theme park for pets. The new business combination might be the end result of a small business loan issued to a married couple with two very different ideas of how the money should be spent. Car wash or pet wash? Why not both? Perhaps they recalled the time they inadvertently left a car with one window down and their adorable pet dog to the ravages of a totally automatic car wash during one of their vacations. "Feel free to leave your car and have a cup of coffee, folks," the car wash attendant had told them. "Your car will move automatically through our state-of-the-art wash and will be towel-dried by our attendants at the other side of the building. " The couple can still recall the moment, halfway through the car’s soap cycle and halfway through their coffees, when they remembered Muffy. By the time they raced along the enclosed walkway to the other side of the car wash, screaming and leaving knocked-over customers and broken coffee cups in their wake, they fully expected to find their miniature dachshund either drowned or traumatized. Instead, they found an exuberantly happy, tail-wagging Muffy, cleaner than he had ever been before. Many businesses must begin with similar inspirations. Perhaps that couple in southwest Minnesota can only dream about the days they will pore over plans for future business expansions. There might be combination washes for both vehicles and their drivers. Entire families could be showered and buffed with special family rates. The only problem now is finding a name suitable for a business that washes both vehicles and pets. He suggested "Car-Pet Wash", but she thinks that sounds like a place that cleans floor coverings. Business decisions can be difficult. The Iowa sign reading, FOR SALE — MONUMENTS AND SATELLITE DISHES, was surrounded by granite cemetery markers with blank spaces for names and dates and TV satellite dishes of every imaginable size. It seemed natural to think about the similarities of the customers in need of the two products, which were sold side by side. Customers eventually languish peacefully under both the monuments and the dishes. Both products mark the final resting places of people who appear dead or nearly dead below them. With blank eyes staring off into space and mouths slightly agape, it might be difficult to tell the difference. "Look at Aunt Harriet lying there. She looks so alive!" "Turn off the TV. Dad looks like he’s dead to the world." Grave monuments and satellite dishes are permanent and capable of withstanding any type of inclement weather, year after year. Once they’re installed, they’re rarely removed. They’re a perfect sales combination.

Villagers woke up Sunday morning to screaming sirens and flashing blue lights. It was 5:30 a.m. Thunder and lightning and sounds of rain on the window added to the deafening noise. Caregiver Judy was running from apartment to apartment looking for a reason the fire alarm was ringing. Some villagers poked their head out of their apartment door to check out the activity while others turned over and went back to sleep. It seems lightning caused a short somewhere. It did wake us up to a new day.It was volunteer week and we had a tea. Since we have little outside volunteers caregiver Deb had Villagers receive recognition. She had certificates for folding napkins, setting the tables, or for writing this column. She even had one for Bud for whatever and Arnold T. for making decorations and repairs. It’s Arnold we go to when something doesn’t work or to adjust the TV set or our clocks. Valuable people to have around.Rodney and Polly Metzger and their children were visitors after Kathy Metzger’s piano recital at the Tuff Home. Eric had been one of the students who participated and we successfully encouraged him to play for us. Sister Emma did, too. Learning to play the piano is something you can enjoy all your life.Well, some vegetables have been planted in the garden. Ron Schouwenburg did the tilling at no charge to the Village making a smooth easy place to plant. It was Wally’s Nursery who supplied the seed. It did not take long with so many helpers and others cheering them on. Hattie VanWyhe brought with her a black and white rabbit that she carried about wrapped in a blanket.Palma found a dandelion. Many attended a Tuff Home program, reporting the residents were in costume and did a good job. Caregiver Jennifer appeared in the doorway in a beautiful white gown with her hair in a pretty attractive style. She was on her way to the Adrian prom. Of course the guys claimed they didn’t recognize her. Martha and Ione went to Palisade Lutheran Church’s mother and daughter banquet and enjoyed the church women’s usual entertaining program in their newly remodeled church. Carolyn C. went to the Cities for graduation of a grandson from college — once again —I’ll keep you posted.