By Jolene Farley
With an estimated 25 percent of Rock County farmers combining soybeans, this year's yields are so far better than some expected.

Hail in the southern part of the county and corn "toppled" by strong winds in the central to northern part of the county were the two roadblocks Rock County producers faced this growing season, according to Rock County Extension Educator Fraser Norton.

The forced replanting of hailed beans coupled with a dry August caused many farmers to expect greatly reduced bean yields, Norton said.

"Some producers are surprised with their yields," said Norton. "Everybody got depressed because August was so dry, but yields are better than expected."

Norton has seen yields ranging from 35 to 60 bushels per acre so far this year. Beans are dryer than expected, with 9 to 11 percent moisture content.

Beaver Creek farmer Joel Hartz began combining beans Saturday and had more than 250 acres done by Tuesday. "I tried some corn, but it was just too wet," he said.

Hartz agrees with Norton. "Considering how dry it was in August, I am surprised at how well they are yielding," said Hartz. "I just finished a 100-acre field. I had beans as low as 45 and as high as 54 (bushels) per acre."

Hartz's yield so far tops NortonÕs countywide average yield estimate for this year of 41 to 42 bushels per acre.

The average soybean yield per acre in Rock County for the last five years is 45 bushels per acre. The record bean yield year is 1999 with 48 bushels per acre.

While farmers in some parts of the county are combining beans, few have started on corn. Norton expects that to change by next week, with freezing temperatures forecast by the end of this week.

Farmer Morris Fick said only a few farmers in his area 10 miles southwest of Luverne are combining beans or corn. "We've got beans close, but they donÕt look like they are quite ready yet," he said. "There arenÕt very many people going in this area. We had a little bit too much hail."

The small amount of corn already combined in Rock County was toppled by the wind, according to Norton. Some of this corn yielded in the area of 50 bushels per acre.

"You can drive down the road and the corn will look fine, but when you get up on a hill you can see how much is downed," said Norton.

The determining factors for the amount of crop damaged by the strong winds was the corn's stage of growth, variety and corn root worms, according to Norton.

Most corn plants were not tasseled out when the winds hit, so brace roots had not developed to keep the plants anchored during the winds.

Norton expects this year's corn yield to be in the neighborhood of 135 to 140 bushels per acre, lower than last year's record average yield of 158 bushels per acre. The Rock County corn yield average is 142 bushels per acre.

"Unfortunately, it's going to be a very average year," said Norton. "Yields are down this year, and the price farmers can expect to receive for their product will be about the same as last year. Namely, the loan rate."

By Jolene Farley
Steen resident and H-BC School Board member Dave Roozenboom is hospitalized in the Avera McKennan Burn Unit following a gas grill accident Friday night.

Roozenboom has first- and second-degree and a few third-degree burns to his face and arms and will remain hospitalized for at least another week or two, according to Roozenboom's wife, Eunice.

"We are going to find out on Thursday, as far as skin grafting," said Eunice.

Roozenboom was preparing a gas grill for the homecoming tailgate party scheduled by the Hills-Beaver Creek Junior class when the flame went out.

Without realizing how long gas had been building up inside the grill, Roozenboom tried to light the grill, and flames shot out like a torch, Eunice said.

Junior parents and teachers administered first aid until the Hills Rescue Squad arrived on the scene.
Eunice said the Roozenbooms appreciate all the care and concern shown by the community.

She commends the Hills Rescue Squad for all that they did. "He couldn't have asked for better care than he got," said Eunice.

No visitors are permitted in the burn unit, but cards can be sent to Dave Roozenboom, c/o Avera McKennan Burn Unit, PO Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD, 57117-5045.

Above, Wally's Nursery, Hills, grew pumpkins in all shapes and sizes this year. At right, Frances Horwitz, Sioux Falls, carefully selects potatoes for an evening meal.Pumpkin season is in full swing at Wally's Nursery, Hills. It has been an exceptionally good year, according to partner Delwyn Walraven.

"Pumpkins grew bigger this year because it rained in August and September," said Walraven. "It's been warm, too; some years it is quite a bit cooler. When it freezes they stop growing."

The Walravens usually plant about 70 hills of large pumpkins and 30 hills of small pumpkins.
They normally are very close to selling out. "Last year we had some left over. Most years we have a few but not very many," said Walraven.

Wally's Nursery has no special secret to growing pumpkins. "We just let them grow naturally," said Delwyn.

Some growers set pumpkins upright as they begin to grow but Walravens just let them lay on their sides. "You get different, odd shapes and that's got its own beauty, too."

In addition to those in the market for pumpkins, the nursery draws customers looking for home-grown flavor in their fall produce.

"My wife comes down all the time to buy, at least once a week," said Sioux Falls customer Bud Horwitz. "They keep it fresh. They do a good job of constantly picking."

Horwitz's wife, Frances, is a "fanatical cook" and is aggravated when she cannot find nice produce, according to Horwitz. In addition to the fresh produce, the couple enjoys the beautiful drive between Sioux Falls and Hills.

Wally's rarely advertises but relies on word of mouth and signs on Highway 270 to clue people in about their location and selections, according to Walraven.

Donald Henry Kuhlman, 72, Hardwick, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001, in his home from cancer.

Services were Monday, Sept. 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper. The Rev. Peter Sestak officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne.

Donald Kuhlman was born to William and Louise (Hellbusch) Kuhlman on June 6, 1929, in Columbus, Neb., where he was raised and attended country school. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. In March 1941 he moved with his family to Hardwick where he continued his education. After his graduation from Jasper High School in 1947 he helped on the family farm.

He married Carol Bruhn on June 11, 1950. Following their marriage they lived and farmed in Rose Dell Township. After his retirement in 1996 they continued to reside on the farm. This past December he was diagnosed with cancer.

Mr. Kuhlman was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper where he had various offices and was active in the church choir and couple's club. He was also a member of Jasper Lions Club. He was a past board member of Jasper Elevator and currently board member of Beaver Creek Mutual Insurance. He enjoyed baseball and fast pitch softball for many years. He was an avid sports fan, watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports. His hobbies included golfing, fishing, playing cards and helping his son, Jerry, farm.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Kuhlman, Hardwick; three children, David and his wife Judy Kuhlman, Brookings, S.D., Donna and her husband Kent Johansen, Slayton, and Jerry and his wife Pam Kuhlman, Hardwick; 11 grandchildren; one brother, Elmer and his wife Ruthann Kuhlman, Cross Lake; two sisters, Lois and her husband LeRoy Lorenzen and Eunice and her husband Elmer Bartels, all of Jasper; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kuhlman was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Julie.

Foster-Hartquist Funeral Chapel, Jasper, was in charge of arrangements.

Corey Andrew Henning, 19, Northome, formerly of the Rock County area, died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Mizpah.

Services were Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Northome School in Northome with the Rev. Jim Lyons officiating.

Corey Henning was born to Eugene and Jean (Lewis) Henning on Feb. 23, 1982, in Luverne. He attended grades 1 through 5 in Magnolia. He graduated from Northome High School in 2000. He currently attended Northwest Technical College in Wadena, studying electrical construction.

Corey was active in Boy Scouts. He had been an altar server at St. Michael's Catholic Church. He played drums in pep band. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and driving his Trans-Am.

Survivors include his parents; his brother, Nicholas Henning, St. Paul; grandparents, Norb and Carol Henning, Adrian; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Corey was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ted and Margaret Lewis.

Cease Family Funeral Home, Blackduck, was in charge of arrangements.

Vernon "Pete" Pedersen, 72, Luverne, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001, in his home.

A memorial service was Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Bethany Lutheran Church, Luverne. The Rev. Paul Fries officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

"Pete" Pedersen was born to Lars and Mary Pedersen on April 25, 1929, in Estelline, S.D., where he was raised and attended school. Following his education he helped on the farm.

He married Marlene Newell on Sept. 19, 1954, in Olivet, S.D. Following their marriage they made their home in Yankton, S.D., before moving to Luverne in 1956. He began working at Mohr Signs in Luverne. He also worked at Luverne Fire Apparatus where he built fire trucks. Later, he worked for Sweetman Construction until his retirement in 1993. On Jan. 28, 1995, Mrs. Pedersen preceded him in death. He continued living in his home in Luverne.

Mr. Pedersen was a volunteer fireman for Luverne Fire Department for more than 20 years. He was also a member of the Eagles Club in Luverne. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors.

Survivors include three children, Kathleen Pedersen, Sun Lake, Ariz., Karen (Bruce) Petersen, Brandon, S.D., and Scott Pedersen, Sioux Falls, S.D; four grandchildren, Erin Pedersen, Christopher Miller, Nicholas Petersen, Danielle Petersen; one brother, Donald Giles, Hamilton, Mont; and four sisters, Viola Knudtson, Canby, Bev Ross, Brookings S.D., Joyce Peters, Monument, Colo., and Hazel Bouren, Highmore, S.D.

Mr. Pedersen was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marlene, and one sister, Leona Davis.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Nellie (Rowland) Onken, 83, Rushmore, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001, at Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in Adrian.

Services were Tuesday, Oct. 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Rushmore. The Rev. Glen Pearson officiated. Burial was at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Rushmore.

Nellie Breeman was born to Isaac and Kommertje (Van Rij) Breeman on Nov. 23, 1917, in Boyden, Iowa. She was raised and attended school in the Rock Rapids, Iowa, area.

She married Bert Rowland on March 15, 1939, in Rock Rapids. After their marriage the couple lived a short time near Ellsworth before moving to a farm three miles south of Rushmore. Mr. Rowland died Sept. 11, 1961.

She married Harm Onken on Dec. 6, 1965, in Rushmore. Mr. Onken died on Sept. 15, 1968. She moved to Rushmore in 1977. She worked as a waitress at Rushmore CafŽ for about 35 years. She also worked at the Coliseum in Worthington.

Mrs. Onken was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Rushmore, the Rushmore Booster Club and Dodge Center American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking, flowers, gardening, dancing, music and was an avid Twins fan.

Survivors include one son, Loren Rowland, Rushmore; one daughter and son-in-law, Audrey and Thomas Erwin, Dodge Center; six grandchildren, Jeanette (Corey) Pruka, Stacy Erwin, Kevin Erwin and his fiancŽe, Michele Wencl, Casey Erwin, Cynthia Rowland and her special friend, Daniel Dischner, and Chandra Rowland; Nellie's special friend, Larry Summerfield, Worthington; three sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Onken was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, one brother, Ike Breeman Jr., two sisters, Pauline VerMeer and Cora Brommer, and a daughter-in-law, Arleen Rowland.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Worthington, was in charge of arrangements.

By John Rittenhouse
Luverne players captured three Southwest Conference championships during the annual SWC Tennis Tournament played in Redwood Falls Thursday.

Cardinals won two of the four singles titles and secured one of three doubles championships during a successful appearance at the annual league attraction.

Becky Antoine and Rachel Tofteland won titles at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Luverne's No. 1 doubles team of Patricia Willers and Gabe Van Dyk also came out on top of the pack.

Antoine posted 6-1 and 6-0 victories over Worthington's Nadine Wolf before posting 6-4 and 6-1 wins against Redwood Valley's Linda Gano in the finals.

Tofteland upended MarshallÕs Diana Naatz 6-4, 6-2 before downing RWV's Lisa Goodthunder 7-6 (the tie-breaker was 9-7 in favor of Tofteland), 6-3 in the title tilt.

Willers and Van Dyk recorded a pair of 6-2 wins over RWV's Olivia Schoffman and Amanda Malecek before besting Pipestone-Jasper's Steph and Stacy Plahn by 7-6 (the tie-breaker was 7-5 in favor of the Cards) and 6-4 tallies.

Luverne's Amanda Aning placed second at No. 1 singles, and the No. 2 doubles team of Sarah Lange and Jenny Braa also finished second.

Aning topped P-J's Cassandra Van Vliet 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 before falling by 7-5 and 6-3 tallies to Marshall's Kari Markell.

Lange and Braa beat Marshall's Ellie Ahmann and Grace Henderson by a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 tally before falling in a 3-6, 7-5, 3-6 loss to RWV's Karissa Rothmeier and Kristen Malecha in the finals.

Luverne's No. 3 doubles team of Amanda Groen and Lexi Jauert placed fourth at No. 3 doubles with a 1-2 record. Kalina Vander Poel lost her lone match at No. 4 singles.

President George W. Bush addressed the nation live on television Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Following is the text of his speech.

Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.

And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and itÕs prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. IÕve directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened.

And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me."

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.
America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night and God bless America.