The past two years have been challenging and difficult years for advocacy and support service providers for sexual assault, domestic violence and general crime victim/survivors. Justice program funds for southern Minnesota judicial districts were cut by 25 percent.The service providers spent three months reviewing and revising the look of victim services in our area. Cuts were made in staffing, programming and the services which were offered. One program was forced to merge with another. Many difficult decisions were made to ensure that all victims in need of service would be able to find those services. Above all, that was the most important thing — no victim would be denied access to services.One of the positive things that came about in this process was a renewed collaboration among these programs. At 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, the Accord Training Academy will sponsor an informational meeting at the Southwest Crisis Center, 920 Diagonal Road, Worthington, for professionals and volunteers interested in providing support to victims of crime. The Academy will provide to all interested a FREE 40-hour training in Worthington. You can make a difference in your community by becoming a volunteer for any local agency or by educating yourself on the issues of victims and violence. Even if you choose not to volunteer for an agency, you can make a great difference to your family and neighborhood by being informed. Join the Accord Training Academy for the opportunity for education. To contact Accord Training Academy, call 507-831-1612 or atacademy@qwest.net.Ruth HubblingWorthington

I am writing this in response to the recent letters in the paper about the budget cut the School Board has made recently. All day every day kindergarten will no longer exist. While I am also very disappointed this cut was made, and that we will now be mixing private education with public education, I feel that people are missing the big picture.This is NOT the fault of the Luverne Public School system. They are short on money and they need to save somewhere. The School Board was forced to make a decision they did not want to have to make. They tried desperately to pass a referendum in the November 2004 election. The community voted to not support education, not the school. We cannot blame the school for this — they tried. The community believed that the school would not need to cut essential programs, and now they have.However, this is even bigger then the Luverne community. Education at our state and federal levels of government has taken drastic if not fatal cuts in the last four years. The Luverne Schools have been flat-lined in recent years while being asked to do even more with their money because of new federal standards. Recently a budget resolution was passed in the U.S. Congress that cut funding for education billions of dollars. In the last two years Gov. Pawlenty cut education 187 million dollars!I understand everyone's disappointment; I feel it, too. Before we start blaming the local people who are trying to make it better, we need to contact our leaders at the state and local levels: State Rep. Doug Magnus, State Sen. Jim Vickerman, U.S. Senators Norm Coleman and Mark Dayton, U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and yes, even President Bush. We need to let these people know that our education is vital and does not deserve to be cut! It needs to be funded.Sadie DietrichLuverne, Minnesota

Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671Minutes4-25-05The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library in Hills. Board members present were DeBoer, Larson, Harnack, Esselink, Boeve. Absent were Baker and Leuthold. Superintendent Deragisch and Principal Holthaus were also in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harnack. Motion by DeBoer, second by Esselink, and carried to approve the agenda. Visitors to the meeting were recognized by the chairman. The only visitor was Lexi Moore of The Crescent. Patriot Pride: Jesse Zarmbinski placed in the Spelling Bee Juniors for doing a fine job with Prom Junior parents for the after-prom party Cassi Tilstra in the Howard Wood 400 special feature race Elementary report was given by Mr. Holthaus.High School report was presented by Superintendent Deragisch. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent out.Motion by Esselink, second by Larson and carried to accept with regrets the resignation of elementary secretary Connie Olson effective June 30, 2005. The board thanks her for her many years of service to the district. Motion by DeBoer, second by Esselink, and carried to accept with regrets the resignation of board member Matt Larson effective May 30, 2005. The board extends their appreciation for his years of service to the district. Legislative update was presented by Esselink.First reading of Policy #205.First reading of Policy #206.First reading of Policy #208.Dates to Remember: May 9 School board meeting May 23 School board meetingAgenda items for next meeting:Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.Ann Boeve, Clerk(5-12)

10 years ago (1995)"Incumbent Dan Siegfried and challenger Lloyd DeBoer were elected in Tuesday’s school board election, an election that brought out 657 voters."25 years ago (1980)"Effective June 1, the Rock County Senior Citizens minibus will provide increased service in the Hills and Steen areas. The bus, which currently makes one stop per week in the area, will now make two trips per week Tuesdays and Fridays."50 years ago (1955)"The Hills Christian Reformed School held graduation exercises last Friday evening for five eighth-grade graduates, namely Betty Berghorst, Charles DeBoer, Anna Jean Esselink, Charles Top and Leland Van Tol."75 years ago (1930)"The staff for the Hills School News is as follows: Anna Nuffer, editor-in-chief; Pearl Skovgaard, ass’t editor; Harriet Hoyme, sports editor; Opal Sjolseth, senior reporter; Clarice Sundal, junior reporter; Doris Rogness, sophomore reporter; Howard Hagen, freshman reporter; and Clarence Funk, grade reporter." 100 years ago (1905)"Happenings round about us. Five saloon licenses have been granted in Luverne. The Beaver Creek Banner last week had two legal notices, being redemption notices for taxes. This is good for the Banner, but looks bad for the town. The Magnolia post office was robbed on Monday night of last week.The Beaver Creek Banner last week appeared as a four-page paper, but Brother Misener does not like the change so will change back to eight pages."

Carole Longkey came Tuesday from Brooklyn Center to attend funeral services on Wednesday for her uncle, Ruben Vestlie. She returned to her home on Thursday. Bob and Twila Kirsch joined Bill and Merlyn Veenhof and family for dinner out at Adrian for Mother’s Day. Riquelio Alarcon and son Marcelo, Manson, Iowa, spent the weekend in the Ray Nelson home. There were former neighbors in Hills.Cliff and Vi VanWyhe returned home last Wednesday after a two and one-half week vacation spent in Branson, Mo. Dr. Heather VanWyhe, Owasso, Okla., and Amber Arends, Nevada, Iowa, spent a weekend with their grandparents. Later, Cliff and Vi visited Heather in her home in Owasso.Steve and Flora Schubbe, San Diego, Calif., arrived in Hills Wednesday to visit his mother, Erma Schubbe. Tom Schubbe came from Afton on Friday to spend overnight here. Saturday the group went to Mankato where they were joined by Carolyn and Paul Randall and family, Stillwater, and also Lyle Schubbe’s sister, Betty and Paul Schirmer of Minnesota Lake and Mrs. George Plyum and Jodie at Mankato to spend the day. Steve and Flora returned to their home Tuesday. Celebrating Mother’s Day on Saturday were Chuck and Rheta DeBoer, who met Jeff and Karen DeBoer and children, Josiah and Micah, Garner, Iowa, Seth and Susan Hofman, David and Grace, Melvin, Iowa, and Jeremy and Rachel Van Beek, Doon, Iowa, in Spencer, Iowa, to enjoy the day. Fran Sandager joined the Jim and Louisa Sandager family of West Des Moines, Iowa, to travel to Charleston, S.C., on Wednesday where Philip, son of the Jim Sandagers, participated in the National Mock Trial event. There were five students from his school who were involved in the event. Fran returned home Sunday night. The children of Wilmer and Betty Elbers celebrated Mother’s Day Sunday in the Elbers family home.Ron and Lexi DeWit, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Steve and Marilyn VanWyhe, Steen, hosted a Mother’s Day brunch for Matthew VanWyhe, Sioux Falls, and Cliff and Vi VanWyhe, Hills, on Sunday noon in Sioux Falls.Bonnie and Brian Olson, St. Paul, spent the weekend in the home of her mother, Luella Schlueter. Craig and Carla Nelson, Callie and Courtney, Newman Grove, Neb., came Sunday and together with Martha Lindrud had Mother’s Day dinner out. Ray and Lyn Heidenson took his parents, Dick and Audrey Heidenson, out for a Mother’s Day dinner celebration on Saturday night.Spending Mother’s Day in the home of Randy and Brenda Beyer were his parents from Madison, S.D.

Our weather this year has been very unpredictable. It must be frustrating for our weather forecasters! Most of the time I don’t get too excited about the weather. However, last Sunday evening when I went out to do chores, the sun was still shining but it wasn’t long until I thought I felt a raindrop. Then it wasn’t long until I knew I felt a raindrop and there were many more headed my way.It reminded me of my father, who was a farmer and when in the fields they had to pretty much guess what time it was. Consequently, he had his own way of figuring it out and shared it with all of us. He said if there was going to be a change in the weather, it would be at 3, 6, 9 p.m. or 12 a.m. and he was so right. I have watched it through the years and he was correct. So, if you are caught away from the weather forecaster, just remember that old saying. At any rate, these little showers of rain have changed my carpet of green grass into a golden carpet of dandelions. They remind me of the story of a little child who was shopping for his Mother’s Day gift. He said, "Roses are red, violets are blue and cost $12, too. Do you suppose I could settle for dandelions?"Mother’s Day guests at the Arvin and Cena Mae Tilstra home were Cena Mae’s mother, Elizabeth Elbers from Hills, and Arvin and Cena Mae’s children and grandchildren. The family of Henrietta Huenink helped her celebrate Mother’s Day at her home at various times Friday afternoon and Saturday evening. Mother’s Day guests in the Daryl and Marie Paulsen home were Marie’s parents, Fran and Jane Mainolfi, Sioux Falls, S.D., Steven and Sherry Paulsen and family, Hills, and Suzanne and Clark Meyer and son, Colby, Brandon, S.D.Melba Boeve and Wilma Wissink, Canton, S.D., spent Mother’s Day weekend at Forest Lake where Melba visited in the home of her daughter and husband, Julie and John Springman, to help their daughters celebrate their birthdays and also Mother’s Day. Wilma spent her time visiting in the home of her son Terry Randall and family for Mother’s Day. They returned home on Sunday.The H-BC track team sponsored a pancake supper at the high school commons. The proceeds from the event will go to the H-BC track team. Joyce Aykens, Worthington, Jo Aykens and Mildred Keunen, Steen, were Mother’s Day dinner guests at the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City, Iowa. Other guests were Vince and Laurie Kurtz and daughter McKenzie and Susan Veldkamp and daughter Jadeyn, all from Orange City. Mother’s Day guests in the Orrin Aukes home were their family, Orlie and Linda Aukes, Hills, Terry and Christy Aukes, Larchwood, Iowa, Mary, Clair and Lance Crawford, Beaver Creek, and Steven and Nancy Willers, Fairmont. An open house bridal shower for LaDonna Sandstede will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at Steen Reformed Church in Steen.We will soon observe Memorial Day. I have so many happy memories of the parades and marching bands we used to have on Memorial Day. I can remember watching a parade as they marched over the Rock River Bridge in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and tossed their flowers of remembrance into the river as they marched along. It seems everyone has memories of those special times. When I found this article titled "Let Us Remember," and since Memorial Day will soon be here, I decided to share the message it brings to us.Let Us RememberMemorial Day, the first of our summer holidays, means we will turn to our favorite pursuits — picnicking, boating, mingling with the crowds at the racetrack or the ballpark, puttering in the yard, or lazing in the sun. It began as Decoration Day, when garlands were placed on the graves of the Civil War dead. It became Memorial Day, an occasion for America to honor those who gave their lives in all wars. It has continued with solemn ceremonies in cemeteries across the country, with parades of school children proudly carrying American flags. And on this day families have decorated the graves of those whose memory they cherish.Yes, we need to relax and enjoy the holiday. But let us not forget to display the Stars and Stripes in our yards; to take that journey to the cemetery with our tokens of geraniums and peonies and wreaths; to wear the veteran’s poppy with concern for his welfare. Let us remember who we are and where we are, Americans in a free land with the power of self-determination, and pause to honor those who have preserved our heritage.

Sleep deprivation has become such a great problem in our country that it’s keeping us awake at night. The National Sleep Foundation recently reported that 75 percent of Americans have trouble sleeping, and while we should have seven to nine hours of sleep at night, our average snooze is 6.9 hours. Night after night, it all adds up. Although the sleep foundation didn’t mention the symptoms of extreme sleep loss, these obvious signs might be of some help:You startle awake halfway thorough your drive to work. When you arrive at work, you discover one of your shoes is a brown loafer and the other is a pink, sequined beach sandal. At the same time, you notice that your workplace parking lot is deserted and the doors are locked. Struggling past a sleepy stupor, you realize it’s Sunday. On an actual workday, you find out too late that you grabbed the wrong lunch bag off the kitchen counter when you left home. While your third grader will undoubtedly complain about having a container of unsweetened, plain yogurt and carrot sticks for lunch, you will have to settle for a peanut butter sandwich and a Twinkie packed in a SpongeBob SquarePants lunch box. The trusty old briefcase you grabbed in the hallway this morning turns out to be your wife’s sample case for her door-to-door cosmetic sales. You don’t know there’s a problem until you reach into the case during an important meeting, whip out a tube of bright red lipstick and announce, "This is what will keep our company from the brink of disaster."You’re a woman, you’re at work, and by 9 a.m. you find yourself in the vise-like grip of your daughter’s too-small pantyhose. Apparently, you weren’t very alert when you dressed in the morning and you failed to read the size tag in the back seam of the undergarment. As a result of the pantyhose trying to get back to its normal shape and size, you have no feeling below your waist. In general, your thought processes seem to have slowed down. When someone inquires about the names and ages of your children, you draw a blank. "Let’s see. There’s that one blonde girl and that other one that wears glasses. That’s all I can remember right now, but I’ll get back to you, OK?"There’s also the added weight problem, one of the most noticeable symptoms of sleep loss. Another study released recently by the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk found that total sleep time decreased as body mass index — a measure of weight based on height — increased. In other words, people who sleep less tend to be fat. In this case, look for these symptoms:The good news is that your closet is filled with clothes. The bad news is that they’re in eight different sizes. Snacking between meals has become such a habit that you eat leftovers directly from the refrigerator, leaving the door open. Forks and spoons are kept in the dishes so you won’t have to waste time and energy walking to and from the silverware drawer a few steps away. Finally, you know you’re experiencing a severe case of sleep deprivation when more often than not your typical response to a cheerful "Good morning!" is, "What’s so good about it?"

By Lori EhdeToday’s senior citizens don’t need to worry about proposed changes in the Social Security system.Any changes, such as those proposed by the president, would affect citizens 55 years old and younger.Then why did Jim Gelbmann spend time Monday with a room full of seniors talking about Social Security?"Because you people are the experts at the Social Security system," Gelbmann told them. "Many of you are drawing benefits from Social Security for amounts you have earned over your entire lives."Gelbmann is the state director for Sen. Mark Dayton’s office, and he was in Luverne Monday to explain proposed Social Security changes and get feedback.To illustrate what Social Security does for seniors, he said 7 percent of Minnesota’s seniors currently live below the poverty line."Without Social Security," he said, "that number would be 43 percent. That’s what it would be like to live without Social Security, and many of you know what it would be like to live without Social Security."Right now, 6.5 percent of people’s earnings go to Social Security, but the president is proposing that 4.5 percent be withheld for Social Security, with the other 2 percent free for the individual to invest in the private market.The advantage would be the potential to earn more interest on that money, but Gelbmann said Sen. Dayton opposes the president’s plan, primarily because Social Security wasn’t designed to be a pension plan."It’s built on a trust between generations," he said. "It’s a pay-as-you-go system whereby current workers pay benefits of those who have retired. It’s very different from stocks and bonds that have been set aside."Had it been designed that way from the beginning, Gelbmann said, it would have been a good idea, but because so many people have invested this way to this point, it would take $3 trillion just to make the transition.He said another flaw with the investment plan for Social Security is that the money earned on the 2-percent investment isn’t guaranteed to last the entire lifetime of the investor."You’re guaranteed Social Security for life," Gelbmann said. "It will be there until you die."He said if the president and Congress really want to make an improvement on Social Security, they should lift the cap on payments by high-income individuals.Right now, everyone making $90,000 or less pays 6.5 percent of their earnings to Social Security. Earnings over $90,000 are taxed 3.25 percent for Social Security."That type of system just isn’t fair," Gelbmann said.He said the president’s proposal is driven by the knowledge that the Baby Boomers will soon retire and start drawing Social Security, leaving fewer workers to pay into the system.The president refers to the problem as a crisis, but Gelbmann said there’s currently $154 billion more paid in than is paid out.If the surplus continues at the current rate, by 2028 there will be $6.6 trillion surplus.But by about 2028, he said there will be more benefits paid out than revenue coming in, and by 2041 it’s projected that Social Security will no longer have enough revenue to pay out benefits."So we have some time, so it’s not a crisis," Gelbmann said. "But the sooner we address the problem the better." Gelbmann encouraged residents to contact him at Dayton’s office with their thoughts and concerns. The toll-free number is 888-224-9043.

By Lori EhdeAn event at the Palace Theatre next weekend will combine the talents of local medical professionals with area musicians to benefit Children’s Miracle Network.The CMN Music Gala will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, with the doors opening at 6 p.m.Luverne music lover Sue Sandbulte came up with the idea and organized the event."I just could see all the talent we had in the hospital, and Children’s Miracle Network is such a good cause," said Sandbulte, who works as the service excellence representative for the hospital."And what better way to bring hospital staff and physicians together to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network?"A sampling of the lineup includes Dr. Diane Kennedy co-emceeing with KELO-TV weatherman Shawn Cable, who will also perform on stage.Renowned opera singer Emily Lodine will headline the musical acts with both a solo and duet with Cable.Dr. Joshua Crabtree and his wife, Emily (Bowron), will sing, and Dr. Don Smith will perform a comedy routine.Other comedians will include long-time hospital nurses Karen Roberts and Ruth Opsata, who will bring a "Hee-Haw" type of humor to the stage."In between musical numbers we’re going to have little comedy acts, just to break it up and keep it light and fun," Sandbulte said."I’m getting really excited about it. I think there will be nothing better than seeing these doctors and nurses who take care of us up on stage," she said.Sandbulte usually finds herself on stage for musical events. She teaches 17 piano students, is musical director for the Green Earth Players and plays in the praise band of her church. But this time, she said she’ll be backstage handling the details.It’s been a big project to coordinate, she said, but she’s been getting help from lots of different places.Schmitt Music in Sioux Falls, for example, will donate the rental of a $30,000 grand piano for the event, Sioux Falls Music will donate the use of a sound system, and Prairie Smoke Floral will decorate the stage with flowers and greenery.Blue Mound Area Theatre Board member LaDonna Van Aartsen will unveil the original Palace backdrop that’s never been seen.All proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network. "The Telethon is just a few weeks away, so we wanted to be able to present a big check to them," Sandbulte said.The hospital typically donates $5,000 to $6,000 to CMN through year-round local fund-raisers like the Cookie Factory, helium balloons and gift sales."We just want people to know it’s going to be a grand event – a formal occasion. People are going to be all dressed up," Sandbulte said."I hope everyone comes out. It will be very entertaining."Tickets will be available at the door for $7. Call 449-1248 for more information.