Villagers went on a picnic on our own back patio. Caregivers used the grill from the Crawford’s to cook wieners and hamburgers served with all the trimmings. The cooks made potato salad and a fresh fruit salad. Weather was windy but sun was shining and it was a nice day. Some choose to eat inside the community room. Prior to the eating, potatoes and onions were planted in our garden. Two long rows. It was Ron Schouwenburg who did the plowing. A beautiful job revealing lots of black dirt and, like last year plenty of room. We’ve been making lists about what we’d like planted in our garden but like "the little red hen" we’re not interested in doing the work. We’re looking for volunteers.The VanWyhe girls made faces and attached bright plumes on plastic eggs for each place setting on Easter. Later, it was Martha who made egg salad from the boiled eggs we dyed and had not eaten.I was at dialysis and when I returned I learned George Meyer had been here bringing baby ducks and chickens. He went from apartment to apartment so everyone could see the small fluffy balls, pet them and hold them. How can anything so cute grow up to be a chicken or duck.It was a mini-style show when the Bush grandchildren came dressed ready for the prom. Jessica in a two-piece silver gray gown with sequins on her bare shoulders. Angie had an apricot colored gown and carried a small bouquet with ribbons hanging. Tyler’s escort, Angie Sjaarda, in pale green with lots of straps. The boys in tuxedo’s of course. Think back! What did you wear to prom?We wondered what the big rush to the center of the dining room was all about. Inside the circle of Villagers Signe had company. Friends and former neighbors brought young Isaac Koch for her to meet. Signe was especially pleased for Isaac was her husband’s name.Palma’s sons were here from the Cities. We discovered one of them looked just like Palma with laughing, very expressive eyes. He proudly displayed a picture of Palma’s great-granddaughter.Secretary’s Day found Glenda here for dinner. She was joined by Joan in honor of Hair Stylish Day. Erma returned from spending Easter with her family. We’re watching the Overgaard boys farming east of the Village.I’ll keep you posted.

© 2003 Carole R. Achterhof It’s springtime and, as it turns out, there’s a lot more than love in the air. Rice University researchers have concluded that outdoor barbecuing, the latest health scare, is filling the air of Houston, Texas, with tiny meat particles. According to The Week magazine, "bits of polyunsaturated fatty acids — created when meat sizzles on a barbecue — are a fraction of the width of a human hair. They float up from the grill, mix with exhaust, dust, and diesel fumes, and clog people’s lungs." The study is obviously not well received in a state where more than 400 barbecue competitions are held every year and most backyards have outdoor grills. Similar studies in Los Angeles led to regulations which require fast food restaurants to install special filters on their exhaust vents. It’s only a matter of time before barbecuing culprits will be recognized in legal systems on two levels — misdemeanors (eventually known as ("misdemeaters") and felonious filet fryers. Barbecuing offenses will become common entries on courtroom dockets. Instead of executing crimes with special force, criminals will face extra time for using special sauces. Photos of notorious barbecue felons will appear on television’s "Most Wanted" program and their criminal names will become household words — "Bad Burger Boy," "Saucy Sam" and "Tommy Two Tongs." In the never-ending search for barbecue felons, no charcoal briquettes will be left unturned. Several situations might indicate whether innocent families, perhaps yours, are wittingly harboring hard-core, prime-choice barbecue felons in their homes. The most obvious sign, of course, will be the controversial bumper stickers plastered on the family cars — "They will get these meat tongs when they pry them from my cold, hard fingers." Barbecue and outdoor grilling cookbooks, which might appear incriminating, have been moved from open shelves in the kitchen to a locked gun cabinet. The person’s favorite clothing items include chef hats, oven mitts and aprons with bold statements, such as, "Give me grilling or give me death" or "Kiss the griller killer." A meal doesn’t seem like a meal without a side of beef and a bucket of sauce. Because all of your meals are grilled outside, no one seems to notice that the kitchen stove and oven broke down several years ago. Based on the fact that you buy its products by the case, a nationally known hot sauce company has placed your family on its list of preferred customers. Your family’s intake of grilled meats has a direct effect on the commodities market. Butcher shops and barbecue sauce aisles of grocery stores will appear to be under the constant surveillance of suspicious-looking out-of-towners wearing dark suits, ear wires and sunglasses. The final warning sign that you might have a barbecue felon in your home will be one of those out-of-towners, reading your Marinade rights (instead of the usual Miranda rights) after you answer the door bell. One question still remains. Is it possible for a barbecued beef felon to be on the lam?

This is the third year that Fledgling Field will have alfalfa growing there.I was told, after the first year, that it wouldn’t be there the next year. Well, that didn’t happen and it’s still there. I have talked to some of the property owners around there, and I talked to some council members and the mayor who told me to talk to a person at Dingmann’s Funeral Home and the owner. I talked to the Cornerstone staff and they were willing to put something else there, but what?Most people don’t care but I have asthma and allergies very bad and should not have to move because of this. My health is more important. I have to keep windows closed and cannot enjoy outside.Let’s make Fledgling Field a park for children or build a funeral home.Karen MartensLuverne

To the Editor:I am writing in regard to the proposed budget cuts to education, senior dining funds for waivers and things the county funds to our handicapped, etc. I’m especially concerned about the freeze on wages that comes from the state money that agency’s who supply in-home-care services, etc. In most cases they only get a raise one time per year from these funds, not from their employers.I understand that Minnesota has a big deficit, but these cuts are just not right nor fair to those of us who rely on these services and the raise that we get from these funds. It’s very little, but in some cases it is better than none at all. Let alone that, all of us that give health care services of any kind do not make what we are worth for the quality of service we give.Instead of cutting these services and freezing people’s wages why not cut politicians wages or raise taxes even a little? But no, these were not options at all. We received rebates that were very nice, especially for those who live between below poverty and middle class. But now we have this big deficit and, of course, who is at risk to suffer from the proposed cuts? Our children, elderly and our wages as we work for companies depending on state funds.There definitely has to be another way, as we are talking about our children, who are our future, our elderly, who shaped our country and our handicapped, who can’t help their situation as they did not ask to be this way.Evie KephartLuverne

Warmest thanks for the emotional "roller coaster" that you provided for me, personally, in your April 10 Star Herald issue! First there was the photo on Page 3a of the four snowball warriors, in the background of which stands the great white house, surrounded by towering evergreens that had belonged to my grandfather, Sam Nelson. He was the founder of Nelson Brothers Department Store, and that stately home remained in our family for about 70 years, from roughly 1900 to 1970. I have many fond memories of that gracious and beautiful residence and felt an almost tearful surge of nostalgia upon seeing the photograph. Then, on the very next page, there was the account in ("On the Record") of that mischievous white Cadillac that drove all around Magnolia shouting obscenities! I roared with laughter as I tired to visualize this poor, demented machine lurching all over town braying unprintables at every passer-by. Of course, I realize that a couple of important words had been omitted from the sentence, but the result was to convert a faintly sordid and unfortunate account into a truly classic day-brightener and spirit-booster.So thanks again for the memories and the laughter. Will I ever allow my subscription to lapse? No way!Ivan J. (Jerry) HansenBoston, MA

I’ve been shaking my head all week over what should have been a simple matter of, "Oops, we made a mistake. Let’s correct it."Luverne Economic Development Authority placed a notice in last week’s Star Herald advertising lots for sale in the Evergreen and Sybesma additions.The Evergreen lot prices, however, were advertised at the lower Sybesma rate, immediately prompting two checks from eager buyers. (See the related news story).LEDA director Dan Statema has taken responsibility for the error, but meanwhile, the buyers are insisting their purchases are valid.Technically, they paid the advertised price. Ethically, they knew the true price before the checks were signed. Dan’s taking a lot of heat for publishing the erroneous information, but in my opinion, he’s not the one who should be ashamed. Everyone makes mistakes.It’s too bad the error was published, but it’s worse that people who know better are trying to take advantage of an honest mistaker..The two buyers knew those advertised prices weren’t accurate, yet checks were rushed to City Hall to get in on the deal before the wrong could be righted.I understand morale at City Hall has been low for a number of reasons — some of them unavoidable. But the only way to reverse that is to slowly, if not painfully, take steps in positive directions with positive behavior.Last week’s turn of events was definitely NOT a step in the right direction. If those lots had been sold at the advertised rate, it would have amounted to a $19,000 loss for the city, which translates (for those who sometimes forget) to a loss for everyone.Speaking of positive directions …Hurray for Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Helen Saum and her helpers who put together the most successful Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction ever.The fund-raiser drew more than 400 people Friday night and brought in nearly $41,000 for a great cause.I wasn’t able to photograph the event, but I told Helen I wanted to mention the night’s honorees.Tim and Jeanette Tangemann were honored for their tireless volunteer work with hospice patients. The Luverne couple has logged 660 volunteer hours between them in the past 10 years.Also honored that night were Hospice Team Member Audrey DeBoer, R.N., and Friend of Hospice, Barb Glad, who was founding director of hospice in Luverne.The hospice program has paid employees, but much of its meaningful work is the result of compassionate volunteers and generous community members who support the program with personal time and money.This week is National Volunteer Week, and it’s a great time to thank the hospice volunteers and all volunteers who quietly work to make the world a better place.

© 2003 Carole R. Achterhof It’s springtime and, as it turns out, there’s a lot more than love in the air. Rice University researchers have concluded that outdoor barbecuing, the latest health scare, is filling the air of Houston, Texas, with tiny meat particles. According to The Week magazine, "bits of polyunsaturated fatty acids — created when meat sizzles on a barbecue — are a fraction of the width of a human hair. They float up from the grill, mix with exhaust, dust, and diesel fumes, and clog people’s lungs." The study is obviously not well received in a state where more than 400 barbecue competitions are held every year and most backyards have outdoor grills. Similar studies in Los Angeles led to regulations which require fast food restaurants to install special filters on their exhaust vents. It’s only a matter of time before barbecuing culprits will be recognized in legal systems on two levels — misdemeanors (eventually known as ("misdemeaters") and felonious filet fryers. Barbecuing offenses will become common entries on courtroom dockets. Instead of executing crimes with special force, criminals will face extra time for using special sauces. Photos of notorious barbecue felons will appear on television’s "Most Wanted" program and their criminal names will become household words — "Bad Burger Boy," "Saucy Sam" and "Tommy Two Tongs." In the never-ending search for barbecue felons, no charcoal briquettes will be left unturned. Several situations might indicate whether innocent families, perhaps yours, are wittingly harboring hard-core, prime-choice barbecue felons in their homes. The most obvious sign, of course, will be the controversial bumper stickers plastered on the family cars — "They will get these meat tongs when they pry them from my cold, hard fingers." Barbecue and outdoor grilling cookbooks, which might appear incriminating, have been moved from open shelves in the kitchen to a locked gun cabinet. The person’s favorite clothing items include chef hats, oven mitts and aprons with bold statements, such as, "Give me grilling or give me death" or "Kiss the griller killer." A meal doesn’t seem like a meal without a side of beef and a bucket of sauce. Because all of your meals are grilled outside, no one seems to notice that the kitchen stove and oven broke down several years ago. Based on the fact that you buy its products by the case, a nationally known hot sauce company has placed your family on its list of preferred customers. Your family’s intake of grilled meats has a direct effect on the commodities market. Butcher shops and barbecue sauce aisles of grocery stores will appear to be under the constant surveillance of suspicious-looking out-of-towners wearing dark suits, ear wires and sunglasses. The final warning sign that you might have a barbecue felon in your home will be one of those out-of-towners, reading your Marinade rights (instead of the usual Miranda rights) after you answer the door bell. One question still remains. Is it possible for a barbecued beef felon to be on the lam?

The Independent Order of Odd FellowsThe following was taken from the Rose History printed in 1911:The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a strong following in Luverne. Three branches of the order are maintained, the first of which, Myrtle Lodge No. 67, was instituted by Past Grand Master D.A. Morrison on the evening of Nov. 7, 1878. The following officers were installed on that occasion: C. Combs, N.G.; R.M. Click, V.G.; H.J. Cone, R.S.; W.J. Taylor, P.S.; C.W. Held, treasurer; C.C. Drew, R.S. to N.G.; P.F. Kelly, L.S. to N.G.; J. Marvin, warden; D. Stone, conductor; James Crowell, I.G.; Rev. Charles Thayer, chaplain. The lodge has a present membership of 167. Luverne Encampment No. 11 was organized Aug. 27, 1986, the work being conducted by Grand Chief Patriarch W.W. Trafton. The charter members and first officers were Martin Webber, C.P.; L.H. Way, S.W.; Christian Hienz, J.W.; B.S. Dodds, F.S.; E.S. Rogers, R.S.; Henry Hofelmann, H.P.; R.J. Stephen, treasurer; H.P. Blasdell, W.M. Hewett, W.T. Goodhue, E.J. Schmidt, W.A. McDowell. The youngest of the branches in Odd Fellowship is Canton Luverne No. 19, which was instituted Feb. 24, 1910, with 35 charter members. The initial members and the first officers were: J.L. Snook Jr., ensign; E.C. Schwartz, captain; C.N. Philbrick, lieutenant; J.E. Lamm, guard; H.C. Heinz, sentinel; T.A. Faulk, standard bearer; H.H. Hagedorn, clerk; B.S. Dodds, accountant; Sam Foight, picket; John Biss, John Meintz, William L. Stralow, W.A. McDowell, H.W. Matthews, Ferdinand Bendt, J.W. Hawkinson, W.H. White, Martin Webber, J.W. McDowell, John Kiehl, H. Kabler, C.H. Peterson, John W. Tatge, J.N. Grapes, S. Jones, Arther Perman, John Connell, C.J. Zimm, Bert Congers, Cart Stroeh, Henry Rambosky, E.R. Vasey, Charles F. Steffen, G.W. Cottrell, C.E. Nutting. The Odd Fellows own the brick block on Main Street in which are located their lodge rooms. The property was purchased in October 1906, and is valued at $7,000.A strong Rebekah Lodge, auxiliary to the Odd Fellow, is maintained. An attempt to form such an organization was made so early as the summer of 1880, but the plans made at that time were not fulfilled. Jasper Stone Lodge No. 80 became an organized body Dec. 1, 1892. The instituting officers were Grand Secretary A.L. Bolton, J.A. Karney and Mrs. Hammond, grand warden of South Dakota. The charter members and first officers of the order were as follows: Emma Minard. N.G.; Floretta E. Webber V.G.; Mary Blodgett, R.S.V.G.; F.H. Fritz, O.S.G.; M.C. Dietrich, L.S.V.G.; Fred J. Minard, R.S.N.G.: Martin Webber warden; R.J. Stephen, F.A. Larkin, Gus. Wehner, W.H. Andrews, E.G. Blodgett, W.H. Snook, R. Merkle, William Minard, H.H. Welch. 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.

This past weekend, the loving husband and I observed our 12th wedding anniversary. We decided to celebrate the occasion by painting the garage cabinets. At approximately 1 p.m. we headed to True Value to purchase the celebratory gallon of anniversary paint. Next we headed out to M-M because we had a burning passion to purchase seed potatoes and some household supplies. On the romantic trip to M-M I nervously confessed that I had not yet purchased him an anniversary card. He, in turn, admitted that he intended to buy one for me that day (likely story). Suddenly, I came up with one of my great universal plans to rectify the situation. Since we were on our way to a store that carried greeting cards, we could peruse the selection there. He would find the exact card that reflected his deep, abiding love and affection. I would do the same. At that point we would present each other with the pre-selected anniversary card. We would read them and marvel at the profound sentiments. We’d give each other a clandestine kiss in the aisle, then put the cards back in the card rack. That way we wouldn’t have to pay for them, or take them home, read them and toss them. It was an excellent idea. It didn’t really work out. When we arrived at M-M, we forgot about the cards, forgot about the anniversary and spent the rest of the afternoon painting cabinets and watching the Timberwolves lose. Frankly, I think this is a good sign. The fact that we both forgot the same anniversary at the same time means we are totally compatible and our marriage is intact. You can forget your anniversary, but do not forget to check out the new book by Sandra Brown, "Not Even for Love." Jordan Hadlock spends her days shelving books at an English newsstand and her nights avoiding talk of marriage with her boyfriend Helmut. It's not that she doesn't care for him; it's just that her first marriage ended badly. Since then, Jordan has pledged never to surrender to love again. Then comes a knock at her door. It is an attractive American stranger in need of shelter from the storm. Jordan takes him in and after a magical evening together, she is crushed to wake up and find him gone. That night, after Helmut announces their engagement, he introduces Jordan to the journalist who is interviewing him for a magazine. It is Reeves Grant, the very man who had only last night managed to re-ignite her heart. Also new on the shelf is" Wild Orchids," by Jude Deveraux. Ford Newcombe loved his wife, Pat, more than anyone — or anything — in the world. She came into his life when he was just an inexperienced college student with big dreams of becoming a published author. She guided him down the path to more success than he ever dreamed possible. Since Pat's death six years ago, Ford has lived a life of solitude, barely able to put pen to paper. He needs inspiration and it finally comes in the guise of Jackie Maxwell — a smart, sassy university researcher with just enough attitude to match Ford's sharp intellect. It's her knowledge of the story of a young woman's friendship with the devil — and what the townspeople did to her — that persuades Ford to hire Jackie as his assistant and to move to Cole Creek, N.C., where the story is said to have taken place. As Ford and Jackie work to unravel the truth, they discover a connection between their lives and the past, a connection that not only helps them solve a long-ago crime but offers the promise of new love.