"Waste not, want not" must not be a popular expression in England. Reuters reports, "British households throw about a fifth of their food, untouched and uneaten, straight into the rubbish bin."In addition, the Britons no longer prepare meals from leftovers and "they over-cautiously chuck food, which may be perfectly edible, as soon as it passes its sell-by date." As a result, each man, woman and child throws out food worth $793 a year. They obviously weren’t raised with memories of America’s Great Depression hanging over their heads. The attitudes of British food tossers show up occasionally at our doorsteps in the form of the Expiration Date Police, or as we affectionately refer to them, the EDP. The EDP is made up of well-meaning friends and relatives, often grown children, who routinely check our refrigerators and kitchen shelves for violations of food expiration dates. Judging by their actions, their sole mission in life is to save us from ourselves. Sell-by dates, food expiration dates and best when used by dates are all the same to the EDP. They’re just different ways of saying the same thing. Younger generations may not believe this, but food expiration dates are fairly new. Until they came out, people were expected to use their own common sense and the choice of whether or not to die of bad food was always left up to the individual. The rule of thumb seemed to be, "If it smells bad, throw it out." If we threw it out, we inevitably experienced pangs of post-Depression guilt. Members of the EDP say things such as, "This blue cheese dressing expired three days ago! What are you trying to do, kill yourself?" They never knew my mother, who would keep opened jars of mayonnaise in the kitchen cupboard and would scrape off the surface mold on jars of her homemade jams and jellies before serving them. If we would protest, her usual response was, "How do you think penicillin was discovered?" As usual, her logic was flawless. Being raised by people who had gone through the Great Depression with very little to eat was an adventure in itself. It was an indelible experience that would follow us the rest of our lives. As long as there are starving children in Asia, we continue to eat for them and the general good of mankind. Parental advice in those days consisted of four words, "Eat it or starve." If we refused to eat, no kind-hearted parent would try to appease us with a more palatable food choice. The only exceptions to the eat-everything rule were chunky milk and fuzzy leftovers, which had evolved over the years into more intelligent life forms and were able to communicate. All kids of that time knew that being a member of the Clean Plate Club was on the same level of saintliness as having perfect Sunday school attendance or an impressive report card. Perhaps there’s a good reason for those of us wiser and older to avoid both food expiration dates and having younger friends and relatives making throwaway decisions for us. This is especially true if the throwers are knowledgeable about current life expectancies. "Sis, I was just thinking. With her lifestyle, Mom was only expected to live until 80 and she’s 98 now.""Bob, are you thinking what I’m thinking?"As we overhear their conversations, we might as well be sitting there with expiration dates stamped on our foreheads.

Shame, Shame, Shame!Coffee shop rumors seem to prevail over good judgment and facts from what I have seen, heard and read.Example #1: Two good men, Dave Hauge and Tom Martius, were not returned to their positions on the city council after our last election. In my opinion both were trying very hard to study the facts and base their decisions on what was best for the city of Luverne. Example #2: the law enforcement issue which brought forth much discussion. It seems that the county would not budge at all on the issue until the appointment of a committee of 12 outstanding citizens who were to study the issue in depth. The county then quickly accepted one of the many proposals that the city had offered. Why? Because the study would have shown that the city could have saved about $100,000 per year and had more control with a City Police Force. Example #3: It was brought to the public’s attention that Rock County was still charging the citizens of Luverne a large sum of money for closing a Land Fill Project that had been completed for some time now. Why" I have not seen any apology for this situation nor a repayment plan. Example #4: City Administrator fired! I read in the Worthington Daily Globe (May 11) what Mayor Andy Steensma’s reply was to the situation and Esther Frakes’ comments to the Star Herald as to what was the cause of the termination. Read their own words about the qualities that Greg La Fond possessed and used in doing his duty as city administrator. They said he was well liked by all Luverne employees, had great knowledge of government regulations and leadership. No one had a bad thing to say about him and yet he was given a no-cause termination? All this was done in a special City Council meeting that violated the Minnesota State Meeting Laws. I agree wholeheartedly with Sara Quam’s comments in the May 12th issue of the Star Herald. Who will want to become the new City Administrator when they learn that La Fond did everything right, and still lost his job? I blame coffee shop rumors. This should be of great concern to all of us.A concerned citizen.Eugene MannLuverne

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne softball team was unable to spring an upset when it traveled to Pipestone for a Southwest Conference double-header Monday.Taking on an Arrow team that is tied for first place in the league, the Cardinals had an opportunity to play a role in settling the SWC title.Pipestone, however, took both ends of the twin bill.Cami Fey pitched a six-inning no-hitter to lead the Arrows to a 10-0 victory in Game 1.The Arrows backed their pitcher by scoring six runs in the first two innings and adding four more counters in the fourth and sixth frames.Sarah Wynia tossed six innings and took the loss for LHS. Wynia walked nine batters, allowed eight hits and fanned four Arrows.Pipestone completed the sweep by edging the Cardinals 4-1 in Game 2.The Arrows plated single runs in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings before Luverne capped the scoring in the bottom of the seventh.Singles by Kerri Fransman and Jessa Dahl, along with Sarah Ailts reaching base with a fielder’s choice, loaded the sacks for LHS in the seventh. Sarah Schneekloth’s ground out plated Fransman with the team’s lone run.Wyina threw all seven innings. She walked five batters, surrendered four hits and recorded two strikeouts.Luverne, 5-8 overall and 3-7 in league play, hosts Worthington for a twin bill today before playing a game in Ellsworth Friday.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne golf teams participated in the first Southern Minnesota Alliance Invitational staged at different courses in Fairmont Saturday.The Alliance, which consists of teams from the Southwest and South Central Conferences, attracted all 13 schools to its first golf invitational on a cold and windy day.SWC teams earned bragging rights at event’s end as the Marshall girls won the team championship at Interlaken Country Club, and the Jackson County Central boys claimed the team championship at Rose Lake Country Club.The Luverne girls placed fifth and the boys eighth in their respective fields.Nikki Van Dyk led the LHS girls by shooting a 92. She placed sixth in the individual standings.Brittany Boeve, Alyssa Klein and Jessica Klein added 95-, 97- and 108-stroke rounds to Luverne’s team tally. Lindsey Severtson and Kaia Nowatzki shot 111- and 126-stroke scores without influencing the team effort.New Ulm’s Morgan Hagedorn shot a 90 to win the individual title for the girls.Andy Haakenson set the pace for LHS by shooting an 88 in boys’ competition.David Nelson carded a 90, while Kirk Oldre and Dan Hup rounded out the scoring with 97s. Skyler Hoiland and Grant Oldre turned in 103s without impacting the scoring.New Ulm’s Jim Fromm won the individual crown with a 74.Girls team standings: Marshall 379, Blue Earth Area 382, Windom 385, Fairmont 391, Luverne 392, NU 394, Worthington 411, Waseca 423, JCC 437, Redwood Valley 444, St. Peter 446, Pipestone 453, St. James 514.Boys team standings: JCC 337, Marshall 338, NU 340, Pipestone 348, BEA 351, RWV 363, Windom 365, Luverne 372, Fairmont 373, Waseca 379, Worthington 365, SP 382, SJ 410.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne baseball team lost an opportunity to lock up at least a share of the Southwest Conference championship when it lost a one-run home decision to Pipestone Tuesday.Prior to falling to the Arrows, Luverne lost another one-run game to Murray County Central in Slayton Monday.Luverne, 7-7 overall, earned a share of the SWC title with a double-header sweep in Worthington today. The Cards host Adrian Monday.Pipestone 3, Luverne 2The Arrows moved into a tie for first place with the Cardinals (both teams have 7-3 league records) with Tuesday’s one-run win in Luverne.Pipestone scored three unearned runs in the game, which was good enough to top a sluggish LHS team.The Arrows plated two runs in the top of the first inning and never lost the lead.Luverne trimmed the difference to one run in the third inning (2-1) when Taylor Graphenteen walked and scored on an error, and again at 3-2 when Graphenteen delivered an RBI single in the sixth.The Cards, however, couldn’t generate enough offense to catch the Arrows.Jared Pick yielded three unearned runs in five innings as the starting pitcher. He took the loss. Nate Boler and Zach Wysong each tossed one scoreless inning of relief.Box score AB R H BIPick 3 0 0 0Wysong 3 0 0 0Boelman 3 1 1 0Herman 3 0 1 0Graphenteen 2 1 1 1Nath 3 0 1 0Tofteland 3 0 0 0Elbers 1 0 0 0Richters 1 0 0 0Petersen 1 0 0 0Bruynes 3 0 0 0Oeding 0 0 0 0MCC 7, Luverne 6The Rebels scored a run in the bottom half of the seventh inning to nip the Cardinals during Monday’s game in Slayton.Luverne led 6-5 after two and one-half innings of play, but MCC tied the game with a counter in the bottom of the third before winning it in the seventh.After MCC took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Luverne tied the game in the top of the third.Walks to Ben Nath and J.T. Bruynes, and a single from Brett Lundgren, loaded the sacks for LHS in the second. Jared Pick chased home one run with a ground out, Zach Wysong slapped an RBI single and another counter scored on a passed ball.MCC moved in front 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning before the Cards scored three runs in the top of the third to take a 6-5 lead.Brad Herman singled, Taylor Graphenteen reached base on an error and John Tofteland loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch in the third. Bruynes singled home one run, and two more Cardinals crossed home plate after wild pitches.Bruynes tossed the first three innings without gaining a decision. He allowed six runs (three were earned). Herman worked the final three innings and took the loss. He allowed one run.Eight walks and eight errors plagued the Cardinals during the tilt.Box score AB R H BIPick 2 0 0 1Wysong 3 0 2 1Boelman 3 0 0 0Deutsch 0 0 0 0Herman 4 1 2 0Graphenteen 3 1 0 0Nath 2 1 0 0Petersen 1 0 0 0Tofteland 2 1 0 0Lundgren 4 1 2 0Bruynes 2 1 1 1

By John RittenhouseThe Adrian baseball team moved within one win of wrapping up at least a share of the Red Rock Conference title by toppling two league foes.The Dragons posted a two-run win over Southwest United in Heron Lake Friday before besting Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin by four runs in Adrian Tuesday.Adrian also played at the Windom Invitational Tournament Saturday, going 1-1 and placing second.The 10-7 Dragons play in Edgerton today and Luverne Monday. Adrian hosts Pipestone Friday.Adrian 10, ML-B-O 6A seven-run second inning carried the Dragons to a four-run win over the Wolverines in Adrian Tuesday.The seven-run outburst, which featured a three-run triple by Nick Weidert and a two-run single from John Archer, gave the hosts a lead they would never relinquish.Glen Kruger, who led AHS with three hits in the game, and Brandon Diekmann added RBI doubles during the seven-run second inning.ML-B-O trimmed the difference to two runs twice (7-5 and 8-6), but the Wolverines couldn’t recover from Adrian’s big second inning.Kruger singled and scored on a passed ball in the fourth inning and picked up an RBI for a fielder’s choice when AHS scored two runs in the sixth. Diekmann added a sacrifice fly to the cause in the sixth.David Hoffer pitched seven innings to pick up the win. He walked five batters and surrendered 11 hits.Hoffer, Weidert, Archer and Cody Kontz slapped two hits each.Windom tourneyThe Dragons went 1-1 and placed second during Saturday’s four-team tournament in Windom.Adrian advanced to the championship game by defeating St. James 10-6 in Game 1. Windom nipped AHS 7-6 in eight innings during the title tilt.A seven-run third inning set the stage for Adrian’s four-run victory over the Saints in the opener.The score was knotted at two before the seven-run eruption, which was highlighted by a two-run single by Diekmann.Archer tossed three and two-thirds innings of four-run, seven-hit ball to pick up the win for AHS. Cody Kontz worked the final three and one-third innings to earn a save. He allowed two runs and two hits.Diekmann led the Dragons with two hits and four RBIs against SJ. Kruger drove in two runs with two hits.Windom pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning to edge the Dragons 7-6 in the championship game.Adrian, which led 2-0 early, found itself facing a 6-5 deficit before knotting the score at six in the top of the seventh. Kontz walked and scored on Levi Bullerman’s sacrifice fly to force extra innings.Hoffer tossed the first two and one-third innings for AHS, surrendering four runs and four hits. Diekmann pitched five innings of relief and took the loss. He allowed four hits and three runs.Hoffer led the Dragons at the plate with three hits. Bullerman drove in three runs and collected two safeties. Diekmann and Joel Hoffman slapped two hits each.Adrian 2, SWU 0A strong pitching performance by Will Lutmer carried the Dragons to a two-run, nine-inning win over Southwest United in Heron Lake Friday.Lutmer pitched a nine-inning shutout for AHS, limiting the Wildcats to four hits and one walk during a five-strikeout effort.Adrian scored the game-winning runs in the top of the ninth.Diekmann ignited the rally with a lead-off double. Kruger chased home the game’s first run with a double before scoring the second run when Weidert bounced into a fielder’s choice.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne tennis team is riding a five-match winning streak after posting a pair of home wins early this week.The Cardinals nipped Fairmont by one point Monday before rolling to a five-point victory over Martin County West Tuesday.Luverne, 11-4 overall, plays at the Southwest Conference Tournament in Redwood Falls today.Luverne 6, MCW 1The Cardinals ran their winning streak to five straight matches with a five-point home win over the Mavericks.Led by a sweep from the doubles teams, Luverne controlled play during a convincing win."Our doubles teams played a lot better at the net, and that made a big difference," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "We continue to be aggressive and force the other team into bad decisions and bad shots."Luverne, which received a forfeit at No. 3 doubles, received straight set wins from its other teams. David Nelson and Derek Boeve notched 6-2 and 6-1 wins over Nate Scheiber and Lucas Schwager at No. 1. Weston Sawtelle and Zach Sanderson secured 6-1 and 6-0 victories over Ben Jellema and Jordan Scheiber at No. 2.Dusty Antoine (6-1 and 6-2 over Chris Kuehl at No. 1), Brandon Deragisch (6-2 and 6-1 over Matt Harbitz at No. 2) and Matt Kreuch (6-2, 7-6, 7-4 in the tie-breaker at no. 4) recorded singles wins for the Cards.MCW’s Mike Lundquist topped Nick Heronimus by 6-3 and 7-6 (7-4 in the tie-breaker) scores at No. 3.Luverne 4, Fairmont 3The Cardinals recorded their 10th win of the season when they edged Fairmont by one point in Luverne Monday.The teams split matches in singles play, but LHS went 2-1 in doubles to settle the issue.After losing a 6-3 decision to Andrew Evelsizer and Lake Kot in the first set of the No. 1 doubles match, Luverne’s Brandon Deragisch and Nick Heronimus rallied to notch 6-1 and 6-4 wins in the final two sets to win the battle. Matt Kreuch and Jamie Vickery cruised to 6-2 and 6-1 wins over Paul Fordier and Reid Rosen for LHS at third doubles.Dusty Antoine and David Nelson earned singles wins for LHS.Antoine saddled David Kopischke with 6-0 and 6-2 setbacks at No. 1. Nelson handed Ted Schaffer a pair of 6-0 setbacks at No. 2.Fairmont’s Andy Melchek topped Derek Boeve by 6-3 and 7-6 (7-4 in the tie-breaker) at No. 3 singles. Paul Brummons bested Zach Sanderson by a 6-2, 1-6, 10-1 tally in the super tie-breaker at No. 4.Brady Schmidt and Mason Mahoney notched 6-2 and 7-5 wins over Luverne’s Weston Sawtelle and Erik Stegemann at second doubles.

Longtime Hills resident Ruthmary Jackson was inducted into the Brandon Valley Fine Arts Hall of Fame Friday Night. Jackson taught high school arts at Brandon Valley High School for 30 years before retiring last spring.Jackson was one of only four teachers inducted into the first Fine Arts Hall of Fame inaugural class. She attended the dinner at the Brandon Valley Performing Arts Center along with her husband, Roger, and her son, Lee. The dinner featured a performance by the Brandon Valley One Act Play and several musical numbers before the inductees were presented with their plaques.Jackson started at Brandon Valley in 1974 after graduating from the arts program at Sioux Falls College. During her tenure she saw many changes in the school district including her biggest challenge, the addition of Advanced Placement Art. The AP art class came in her final years of teaching and gave her an opportunity to push serious art students to the next level. In doing so, she gained the satisfaction she desired to finish her career. In addition, she had numerous students place at the Region Art Show and the Augustana Art Show."Teaching art for 30 years has been a good journey. Traveling within and amongst my students’ works has taught me patience and satisfaction. I thank each of you for the opportunity to work with them… the visual arts students from Brandon Valley, Rowena and Corson area," were some of the words Jackson spoke during her acceptance speech.One year into retirement Jackson is keeping busy with projects around her house and garden. She nurtures and shows prize-winning irises, she plans on attempting new sewing projects, and she has become an avid digital photographer in and around Hills.

By Lexi MooreResidents in Hills may have noticed the red and blue writing on the windows of the old Hills Home Store on Main Street. It now says, "Around the Clock Fitness and Tanning," and the writing on the windows was the first indication that the building had changed owners.The building was purchased by Stacen and Donna Burgers in May with the intent of opening a 24-hour fitness and tanning center.Donna had been thinking of opening her own business for the past three years and thought the building was perfect for her plans."I have always wanted my own gym and when this building came up for sale, I thought it would be the perfect size and location for a fitness center," said Donna. "After telling Stacen my idea, he immediately took it and ran with it."The Burgers have never owned a business before but are enjoying the process of starting one in their hometown.They said they plan "to provide a safe and clean environment with excellent equipment and to have a positive impact on all who use our facility."Around the Clock Fitness and Tanning will offer a unique and new opportunity for residents in the area. Individuals and families who sign up to be members at the facility will have access to the building on a 24-hour basis.After signing up for a tanning, fitness or combined membership, members will be given a Personal Identification Number that they can enter into a key pad at the front of the building. A valid PIN will grant members access through the front door of the building. The PIN will give members the ability to use the facility anytime, day or night.The Burgers said they have spent a great deal of time on security to ensure members are safe and feel secure while using the Around the Clock building.Surveillance cameras have been installed throughout the building and will be regulated by the owners. The business is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State office. In addition, the Burgers will be in and out of the building throughout the week.If members have concerns or problems, the owners encourage members to discuss the situations with them.The fitness center in the building will be equipped with treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, individual cybex machines for the lower and upper body, a Smith machine, Preacher curl machine, back extension machine, ab crunch station, dumbbells, knee raise-dip machine and more.The tanning facility will feature a Sun Vision bed by Wolf Tanning that will have 32 bulbs. Tanning sessions will be available for up to 20 minutes at one time.Work on the building has been steadily progressing for the past couple of weeks and should continue throughout May. If equipment continues to arrive on schedule, the Burgers hope to open by June 1.They are offering a 10-percent discount on annual memberships from now until their grand opening on June 11.Residents interested in becoming members can call Stacen or Donna at 962-3790, 605-929-6506 or email burgers@alliancecom.net.