Advice bestowed at the Hills-Beaver Creek High School commencement Friday night encouraged graduates to continue leaning on those who supported them during their school years.
Three of those 2022 graduates will also rely on each other.
Star Herald readers were first introduced to the Leenderts triplets — Donavon, Danette and Drew — in July 2003, a month before their births.
For parents Dave and Dawn Leenderts and their soon-to-be 3-year-old, Dawson, the doubling of the family’s size was a surprise and an adjustment.
“The toughest part after the babies are born will be adjusting and figuring out how to manage three infants at one time — three schedules, three feedings — and trying to find room in our house,” Dawn said in 2003.
That house in rural Martin Township is “chaotic, at times,” Donavon said, sharing knowing looks and a grin with Danette and Drew. “There are three of us running around trying to do our own thing.”
This fall the three will go separate routes for the first time.
“It’s going to be different,” Donovan said.
He will attend Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota, for diesel technology. He’ll return to a job he has now at a Larchwood, Iowa, repair shop.
Danette plans to attend South Dakota State University, majoring in animal science before moving on to vet school.
Drew will also be at SDSU, studying agronomy, a career choice influenced by his dad’s work with New Vision in Hills.
It will be an adjustment for the triplets. “You just always had someone there,” Danette said, adding she won’t miss the teasing from her brothers.
While the Leenderts siblings won’t see each other daily, they plan to be in contact with one another, much like they do now.
“We’re not crazy far away,” Danette said, adding that texts become more frequent “when we need something.”
Their independence was fostered early in the triplets’ lives when they were split between the morning and afternoon preschool sessions.
However, H-BC’s small class sizes meant the three were often together. The boys graduated with honors and Danette with high honors.
“I think I just tried a little harder,” she said. Drew added, “She had to deal with us.”
Because they are not identical in appearance and of different genders, teachers and students had no trouble telling the three apart.
“I feel most people didn’t know we were triplets,” Danette said.
People’s reaction when they find out was “Wow,” Drew said.
The triplets agree on how their parents will do when they all leave. “Lonely,” Danette said grinning and giving a knowing look at her brothers.

Summer in Minnesota brings sunshine and the excitement of school being out for summer and families heading out on vacation.
However, all the campers, trailers and extra vehicle traffic makes the next 100 days the deadliest days for traffic fatalities on Minnesota roads.
That’s why the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety issued a reminder this week that law enforcement will be out in extra patrols to remind motorists to drive safely.
According to DPS, 2021 was the deadliest summer for travelers since 2007, which had 179 fatalities that summer. That same 100-day stretch last year accounted for 167 of the 488 traffic fatalities. That’s 34 percent of all the traffic deaths in 2021.
In 2020, 158 people were killed on Minnesota roads during the 100-day stretch. That was 40 percent of all traffic deaths that year.
Preliminary numbers show 124 fatalities so far on Minnesota roads in 2022.
 
Your final destination is never guaranteed
Driver behaviors continue to play a significant role in motor vehicle crashes with speed, distraction, lack of seat belt use and drunk driving the top contributing factors in Minnesota road fatalities.
Troopers, deputies and officers are conducting extra seat belt enforcement now through June 5.
Data shows 108 unbelted motorists died in 2021 compared with 105 in 2020.
As the weather heats up, so do speeds. Extra enforcement to slow down speeding motorists will take place July 1 through July 31.
Alcohol-related crashes not only take lives, they change them forever. Alcohol-related crashes contributed to an average of 368 life-changing injuries each year from 2017-2021. The extra impaired enforcement campaign runs Aug. 19 through Sept. 5.
The Minnesota State Patrol will continue “Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic” (HEAT) patrols through the summer to target speed and criminal activity.
Project 20(22) traffic patrols will happen over four more weekends this summer. Teams of troopers will focus on the deadliest traffic violations: speed, lack of seat belt use, distraction and impairment.
 
Drive smart and save lives
If you are with a driver who is distracted, speak up, tell them to put the phone down.
Refuse to drive until every passenger is buckled up.
Slow down; trying to save a few minutes of drive time isn’t worth causing a crash.
Plan ahead before you go out by designating a sober driver, and if you see a person who has had too much to drink, speak up and find them a safe ride home.

As I surveyed storm damage through the Star Herald camera lens Monday, I couldn’t help but notice how Mother Nature took out her wrath on two neighboring farms but skipped the one across the road.
When the National Weather Service jarred us from our sleep at 2:15 a.m., we sheltered in the basement like everyone else. We emerged to find our home and property still intact. Others didn’t.
It raised a question that often pops into my mind in times of crises. “Why me?” Why was my home spared when others in my neighborhood are dealing with disaster?
Or, depending how you ask the question, “Why not me?” Why didn’t I have pestilence when others around me are struggling?
Of course, many people — in fact most of us — weathered the storm unharmed, but why some got hit while others in the same storm path didn’t is bewildering to me.
The question applies to all sorts of circumstances.
How do 99 vehicles safely travel through an intersection but the 100th motorist gets T-boned by someone who blows a stop sign?
I lost another friend to cancer last week. There have been so many that I now wonder when it will be my turn. And why do some get to be cancer survivors while others “lose their battle” with cancer?
On Memorial Day our thoughts turn to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Why did some return home from battle while others didn’t?
They’re often fair questions, but we all know there are no answers.
No earthly ones, that is.
A more productive approach might be to consider blessings amid heartache. The best way to honor the fallen soldier is to never forget that freedom isn’t free.
To live gratefully.
I admired our storm victims Monday who were quick to point out, “We’re just grateful no one was hurt.”
And I’m grateful my home was unscathed Monday … and that my own health has been untouched by cancer … and that I haven’t been in a car crash …
I’ve certainly seen heartache and loss, but I’ve also been blessed beyond measure.
We can’t control most things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond to them (to paraphrase Charles Swindoll).
Instead of wondering “Why me?” or “Why not me?” let’s find our silver linings and choose to live gratefully.

About the only summer curb appeal improvement project that I am considering is replacing my mulch with landscaping rock.
Who would have thought choosing between mulch and rock would be column-worthy. I know … compared to the bigger issues of the day, this issue isn’t on most people’s radar screen.
From the get-go I want to be clear I am not much of a fan when it comes to using landscaping rock. But after year after year after year of having to replenish the mulch that the winds of Rock County have blown away, the rock has a “stay in place” appeal.
For whatever reason, cleaning up the previous year’s mulch that the winds have scattered to the far corners of our lawn, this might be the year I ditch the mulch.
My reluctance to putting down rock is that while rock should be “a one and done” kind of thing, it isn’t. Using landscaping rock should be like Ron Popeil’s Rotisserie oven … you “set it and forget it.” But also, like Ron always said while selling his latest product, “But wait! There’s more!” and that is the major flaw in using rock. It’s called the dreaded weeds that always seem to find their way into the rocks.
Most of the yards that I see landscaped with rock look nice, but the ones that don’t really look bad, and to get them looking good again is a real pain in the butt.
Other considerations to keep in mind with the rock versus mulch debate are cost, color choices, and no doubt a bag of mulch is a lot less cumbersome than a wheelbarrow of rock.
Maybe the best choice to make while I ponder rock versus mulch would be to dig out the Popiel Pocket Fisherman and head down to the lake for the afternoon.
Here are a couple of Ron Popiel facts according to Google.
Ron died about a year ago at the age of 86 with a net worth of $200 million. The Popiel Rotisserie was by far his best seller with over 7 million units sold. The Pocket Fisherman was really his dad’s invention, and with Ron’s television informercials they sold over two million Pocket Fisherman.
Too bad Ron wasn’t around today … maybe he could invent mulch that wouldn’t blow away.
 

Mayors: 'Residents of southwest Minnesota are waiting for help...'
To the Editor:
The recently concluded legislative session left a number of important issues unresolved, many of which are important to cities and our residents here in southwestern Minnesota.
Specifically, the agreed-upon final versions of the tax bill and the jobs and energy bill are much-needed items that will offer opportunities to our residents and our communities.
We ask the Senate and House legislative leadership of both parties to agree soon on a short agenda for a one- or two-day special session to act on bills which their conference committees have already agreed on as well as a capital investment bill for much-needed building projects all around Minnesota.
We know the parties may have compelling reasons to wait for these bills to be acted on but waiting while the state has a huge financial surplus makes absolutely no sense and will result in unnecessary delays and additional costs to the taxpaying public. Residents in southwest Minnesota are waiting for help, and our cities are eager to get going on long-awaited projects.
We urge the Legislature to finish its important work quickly and not hold up Minnesota from moving forward.
Southwestern Minnesota Council of Mayors:
Pat Baustian, Luverne;
Nancy Borman, Canby;
Bob Byrnes, Marshall; Myron Koets, Pipestone; Mike Kuhle, Worthington; Dave Smiglewski, Granite Falls; Wayne Walter, Jackson

Dispatch report
May 20
•Complainant reported theft of his dog.
•Complainant on N. Jackson Street reported suspicious activity at location.
•Complainant on E. Brown Street reported duct cleaning at location.
•Deputy reported road and driving laws violation.
•Subject was arrested on Rock County warrant in Brandon, South Dakota.
May 21
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 11, Luverne, reported debris on roadway.
 •Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported theft.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported blackmail/scam.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a person attempting to leave the emergency room.
•Complainant on 91st Street, Beaver Creek, reported someone hit his mailbox.
May 22
•Complainant on 41st Street, Hills, requested to speak to a deputy.
•Administration reported phone system outage.
•Complainant on County Road 17 and County Road 4, Manley, reported a vehicle went off the roadway.
•Complainant on County Road 4 and 100th Avenue, Luverne, was out with transient.
•Complainant on E. Maple Street reported man attempting to break into property.
•Complainant on 20th Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported damage at location due to motor vehicle accident.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported neighbor’s music is too loud.
•Complainant on S. Main, Steen, reported a person looking in windows of business.
May 23
•Complainant east-bound on Warren Street reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, reported debris at location.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, reported debris on the road.
•Complainant on Railroad Avenue S., Jasper, reported explosion at location.
•Complainant on Sioux Valley Drive reported threats.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported a trailer parked roadside and onto property.
•Complainant on E. Minnesota Avenue, Steen, reported possible violation of HRO.
•Complainant on E. Minnesota Avenue, Steen, reported harassment.
May 24
•Complainant on E. Minnesota Avenue, Steen, reported an HRO issue.
•Complainant in Sheldon, Iowa, reported stolen vehicle.
•Complainant on Blue Mound Avenue and 131st Street reported camper broken down at location and waiting for tow.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported issue with neighbor.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported repossession of motor vehicle.
•Complainant on Iowa and Minnesota Line, Hills, requested assistance in stopping fleeing vehicle.
•Lyon County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance.
•Complainant on W. Bishop Street requested assistance with address check.
•Complainant on W. Main Street reported a robbery.
•Deputies on N. Freeman Avenue checked on a warrant.
•Complainant on S. Church Avenue requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant on E. 2nd Street and Ross Street, Hardwick, reported a fire in vacant lot.
May 25
•Complainant on N. Cedar Street and E. Luverne Street reported a possible theft in the area.
•Complainant on 190th Avenue, Interstate 90 overpass, Magnolia, reported suspicious activity at location.
•Complainant in Luverne requested information about towed vehicle.
May 26
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street reported an unattended child at location.
•Complainant on 111th Street, Beaver Creek, reported property damage.
•Revoked driver was reported at location on N. Kniss Avenue and W. Crawford Street.
May 27
•Complainant on N. Jackson Street reported threats/disturbance.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant at Luverne High School reported vandalism at location.
•Deputy out with vehicle at location of Barck and Freeman.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported vehicle blocking.
•Complainant on First and Main Street, Hills, reported a vehicle for poor driving conduct.
 In addition, officers responded to 5 motor vehicle accidents, 1 deer accident, 2 transports, 2 escorts, 15 ambulance runs, 4 paper services, 10 animal complaints, 2 fingerprint requests, 10 burn permits, 3 background checks, 1 gas drive-off, 3 alarms, 6 drug court tests, 5 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 12 traffic stops, 6 abandoned 911 calls, 3 tests, 5 welfare checks, 3 curfew checks and 3 follow-ups.

Open Houses
Leroy Breuer will celebrate his 80th birthday with an open house from 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 6, at NRCS Mini Gym at 712 20th Ave. SE in Rock Valley, Iowa. Greetings may be sent to him at 2662 East Meadows Road, Rock Valley, IA 51247.
 
John and Marg Vis will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Luverne Christian Reformed Church. Greetings may be sent to them at 26037 486th Ave., Valley Springs, SD 57068
 
Bridal Shower
There will be a come-and-go bridal shower for Madisyn Dingmann, bride-to-be of Blake Stegenga, from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at Take 16 in Luverne.

LSS meals at Generations
 
New Location: 105 S. Estey, Luverne
Monday, June 6: Orange chicken, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, mandarin oranges, dessert.
Tuesday, June 7: Goulash, peas, tropical fruit, garlic bread.
Wednesday, June 8: Ham and turkey chef salad, breadstick, fresh orange, dessert.
Thursday, June 9: Pepper steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, dinner roll, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Christian Reformed Church.
Friday, June 10: Fish patty on a bun with tartar sauce, cheesy hash browns, baked beans, dessert.
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.

Area students graduate from U of Nebraska Lincoln
Three students from Luverne received degrees from the University of Nebraska Lincoln at commencement exercises May 13 and 14.
They are Madilyn Dinger, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Bachelor of Journalism; Samantha Pierce, College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science; and Emma Verbrugge, College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science with distinction. 
Kueter, Gehrke graduate from Lake Area Tech
Kyle Kueter, Hills, and Parker Gehrke, Beaver Creek, graduated from The Lake Area Technical College Friday, May 13, 2022.
Kueter earned a degree in diesel technology, and Gehrke received a degree in environmental technology.
 
Winona State releases dean’s list
Winona State University has released the Spring 2022 semester dean’s list. To be eligible, students must take a minimum of 12 graded credits and earn a GPA of a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Named to the dean’s list from Luverne are Jessica Anderson, Regan Feit and Nicole Hoogland, and from Steen is Julia Ferguson.
 

Lake Area Tech releases president’s listLake Area Technical College, Watertown, South Dakota, has released the Spring 2022 President’s List of full-time students with a grade point average of 3.5 to 4.0. Students with a 4.0 have been noted by an asterisk.
Area students named to the list are Kyle Kueter and Chase Bosch, Hills, and Nicholas Nekali, *Haylee Overvaag, and *Paige Sandbulte, all of Luverne.