By Lori EhdeDuring a noon staffing workshop Monday, Luverne Superintendent Vince Schaefer announced to School Board members he intends to resign."Sometimes you get to a point when change is good," Schaefer said when asked why he’s leaving. "It’s just time for a change."Schaefer accepted a position with the Beresford, S.D. school district, which is about 30 miles south of Sioux Falls.He’s no stranger to South Dakota education, having served as superintendent of the Viborg, S.D., district prior to taking the helm in Madelia.Schaefer came to Luverne from Madelia in 1999, and his wife, Phyllis, has been a kindergarten teacher in Luverne as well."These last six years have gone by very fast," he said.He said he’d like to look back on highlights of improvements and accomplishments for the district, but unfortunately, he said it’s been a time frame marked by financial struggles."When you try to be the educational leader of a school district, and that role is to downsize the district, it’s a difficult role to be in," Schaefer said."State financing these past few years has been the most challenging part of my job."He said Luverne can be proud of its teachers and students for maintaining excellence despite all the cuts in staff and programming."I really hope that the community rallies together in November and passes the referendum," Schaefer said."It’s very important to the future of the school district to have the referendum in place."Outside of difficult financial decisions he’s been involved in over the past six years, Schaefer said he’s enjoyed Luverne and its people."I’ve had the opportunity to work with wonderful staff and I’ve had great board support," he said. "The community involvement has been great, and pride in the school has been outstanding."The board will receive his official resignation, during the May 12 meeting. It will be effective June 30.Board Chair Becky Walgrave said the board will start looking immediately to fill the position."I’m really sad to see him go. It’s hard to think about replacing him," Walgrave said."He’s been a really good superintendent. It’s been a tough time with finances, and he’s done a really good job recommending cuts and leading us through that."

By Lori EhdeThis year is shaping up to be one of the biggest growth years ever in the history of feedlots in Rock County.According to Doug Bos, Land Management Assistant Director, there may be as many as 25 new feedlot projects in Rock County this year.Last year, by comparison, there were four major constructions and expansions and three modifications (to manure pits and filter strips, for example)."It’s huge," Bos said of this year’s activity. Most of this year’s plans involve hogs, but one third is for cattle."It’s probably the biggest expansion in cattle we’ve seen for quite a few years. … probably 10 years," Bos said.Of the 25 feedlot projects on deck for this year, at least five are for construction on new sites. Others involve new construction on existing sites, and others involve expansions or modifications to existing structures.Why the feedlot flurry?Bos pointed to both livestock and land markets as reasons for the jump in feedlot permits this year.For one thing, livestock prices – both cattle and hogs – are strong.Cattle prices are hovering at more than $1 per pound for finished cattle and as much $1.50 per pound per feeder cattle. Typically, 80 cents per pound is considered a good price.Hog prices are at nearly 58 cents per pound where typically they’re around 40 cents per pound.A reason for high livestock prices is that U.S. borders are still closed to foreign beef since the Mad Cow scare. This drives demand for all local meat, including beef and pork.Bos said contract feeding is becoming popular among producers putting up confinements. "Producers are paid a set amount to feed the cattle or hogs out," Bos said. "We’re seeing more interest among investors willing to put their money in livestock. This could be fueled by low interest prices – they’re getting a better return for their money in livestock."The other factor driving the feedlot building flurry, Bos said, is high land prices."Land prices have forced some producers to look elsewhere to make a living," he said. "I’ve heard renters say they’ve let land go because they just can’t make it work anymore. So they’re going to put up livestock barns to make up the difference."He said it’s an unofficial report, but he heard of land selling by Hills for $3,600 per acre. "If you figure 5 percent, that’s $180 per acre, in just interest alone without paying on the principle."As a result, land rent prices are also rising from the $100 to $120 per acre range to $150 to $180 per acre per year."When you jack it up that much, it’s tough to make it on that," Bos said.Environmental impactBecause it’s early in the permitting process, it’s hard to say how many more hogs and cattle Rock County will end up with at the close of 2005.To illustrate the impact, there are already more than 650 feedlots in Rock County, ranging in size from 2,400 hogs in a confinement to a corral with four horses.This year’s construction will increase the county’s number feedlots by about 3 percent, Bos said, and he estimates it will results in less than 10 percent more actual animals.But he added it’s fair to say the bulk of the work is for feedlots and confinements serving large numbers of animals at each site.The obvious concern with all the feedlot construction is environmental impact, but Bos said area residents should feel comfortable with the process.Rock County has one of the strictest and most comprehensive feedlot permitting processes in the state, and the larger new facilities are safer than many existing smaller open feedlots.For example, he explained the modern, underground pits can often be safer than open lots, because manure is contained, rather than running off an open lot into a drainage ditch or stream."Plus, the manure that’s produced is consistent enough it can be applied as uniformly as commercial fertilizer," Bos said."All of the feedlots, to be permitted, must have a nutrient management plan that factors in crop demand and nutrient availability."In other words, to complete the permitting process, producers must put a plan in writing where the manure will go and how much will go where.Economic impact"It’s a big investment for these guys," Bos said. "But it shows their commitment for the long-term."It costs more than $400 per animal unit space to put up a confinement cattle building. So a facility for 1,000 head of cattle costs more than $400,000 to build.The short-term effect of the feedlot construction boom has a positive impact on the economy from the attorneys and engineers to contractors and construction suppliers."The impact goes out much farther than the feedlots themselves," Bos said. "It creates jobs … The feed companies and fuel companies need drivers."But in the long run, Bos said, 2005 is the start of good things to come in the local economy."It isn’t just the numbers, per se, but we’re seeing the young farmers come in and make improvements and expansions," Bos said."For a long time we’ve been saying, the average age of our farmers is 57 and there’s been a real concern about who’s going to take over and fill these empty farm places in the county."Keeping the young producer in the community is the best thing about all this. … That to me signifies that we’ll stay a viable community both agriculturally and economically."

By John RittenhouseA Hills-Beaver High School senior has been invited to participate in the Special Event during the annual Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls Friday.Cassi Tilstra, an H-BC standout runner, will be one of eight entries in the Girls 400-Meter Dash, which is the Special Event for the 2005 meet.The daughter of Arlyn and Melanie Tilstra will run in Lane No. 1 during the 7:40 p.m. race.Tilstra and Allie Smith of Wahpeton, N.D., are the seniors in the field.Juniors include Mitchell Christian’s Andrea Nielsen, Lead-Deadwood’s Breynn Feterl and Bridgewater-Emery’s Heather Wollman.Sophomores in the field are Rapid City Steven’s Samee Pagel, Gayville-Volin’s Emma Erickson and Parker’s Abby Plucker.All the juniors and sophomores represent South Dakota Schools.

By John RittenhouseHills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton track athletes claimed four meet championships at the Pipestone Arrow Relays Tuesday.Two titles each went to the H-BC-E-E boys and girls squads, which competed in the Class B version of the meet.No team results were available from the meet.The highlight of the meet from H-BC-E-E’s standpoint is the effort turned in by Mya Mann, Rosie Lewis, Cassi Tilstra and Kelly Mulder during the 400-meter relay. The foursome won the event with a meet record time of 53.9.The H-BC-E-E girls also won the medley relay with a time of 4:38. Amanda Connors, Ashley Bucher, Tilstra and Mann formed the team.Amanda Tilstra placed second in the 400-meter dash and Rayna Sandoval finished second in the 3,200-meter run with respective 1:05.39 and 13:02 efforts.The Patriots placed second in the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 10:14.9. Mann, Bucher, Cassi and Amanda Tilstra ran the race.H-BC-E-E’s boys won the 400- and 800-meter relays with respective 46.06 and 1:35.3 times. Jan Sommerling, Jon Klaassen, Cody Scholten and Tyler Bush teamed up in the 400. Sommerling, Darrin Weikamp, Scholten and Bush ran the 800.Scholten, Weikamp, Sommerling and Bush finished second in the medley relay with their 3:44.34 time.Roger DeBoer (18.21 in the 110 hurdles), Weikamp (55.8 in the 400) and John Sandbulte (46.12 in the 300 hurdles) placed second individually.Here is a look at the rest of H-BC-E-E’s individual efforts from the Arrow Relays.H-BC-E-E girlsThird place: C.Tilstra, high jump, 4-6; Kari Roozenboom, 110 hurdles, 18.56.Fourth place: Jocelyn Bucher, 300 hurdles, 55.13; Sandoval, 800, 2:42.5; 1,600 relay (A.Tilstra, J.Bucher, Amanda Connors and A.Bucher), 4:31.42.Fifth place: A.Bucher, long jump, 13-2 1/4; 800 relay (Brittany Helgeson, Roozenboom, J.Bucher, Lewis), 2:01.3; Amanda DeBoer, 1,600, 6:07.9; Mulder, 200, 29.53.Sixth place: Connors, long jump, 13.1;Roozenboom, triple jump, 28-6; Lewis, discus, 87-1.H-BC-E-E boysThird place: Scholten, high jump, 5-10; Derek Haak, 1,600, 5:04.2.Fourth place: Sandbulte, triple jump, 36-2; Dustin Verhey, 3,200, 11:13; Haak, 800, 2:12.Fifth place: 3,200 relay (Tyler Paulsen, Brent Kramer, Cody Penning, Sandbulte), 9:24.21; 1,600 relay (Klaassen, Sandbulte, Cody Schilling, Haak), 3:53.11.Sixth place: Bush, triple jump, 35-1; Kenny Gardner, 200, 27.1.

By Lexi MooreTuff resident and author Mary Francis has lived an extraordinary life. Rather than let her experiences be forgotten, she’s working to write them down for grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the future to read.Mary has been a writer most of her life. Starting in grade school in Louisiana, she would write for the school paper and write up the community events for her local paper."I wanted to (write) all my life, I guess," Mary said during an interview.After marrying Claude Francis, Mary stopped writing while she traveled the country with her husband, who was enlisted in the US Air Force.In 1975 a heart problem Claude had developed demanded surgery. His heart could not be repaired so Mary dedicated the next 12 years of her life to caring for her terminally ill husband.During one of many trips in and out of the hospital, Mary met a woman who was impressed by the way she was handling her husband’s mood swings and illness. The woman thought she was the only wife dealing with these issues and asked Mary how she handles her husband’s illness.Mary responded, "Everyone has these problems. I’m gonna write a book about it sometime."Years after her husband died, Mary began losing her eyesight to macular degeneration. She vowed that "if I am gonna’ write that book I had better hurry up and finish."Because Mary was losing her vision, she was unable to physically write the words to her book, so she dictated them into cassette tapes. The tapes were sent to her daughter in Ohio who transcribed them and found a publisher that agreed to print 25 copies of the book."Live for Today" was published in 1998 when Mary was 79 years old. The book tells the story of how one couple dealt with terminal heart disease and how their "faith in God and love for each other, helped to smooth the way and make daily living bearable, creating happy memories as they live for today, one day at a time."Mary continued to write and hopes to publish another book, "The Farmer’s Daughter," based on the adventures of her life.In honor of Mother’s Day weekend the Crescent is publishing a tribute Mary wrote for her mother.

By Sara QuamThe Rock County Board of Commissioners commended Family Services, especially collections worker Wendy De La Rosa-Gacke, for recouping some of the assistance clients receive.Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said, "We’ve taken the philosophy that if you need assistance you deserve it, but if at a point you can pay it back, you should."People who live below the federal poverty level or who are already receiving cash assistance aren’t asked to repay any previous assistance.Collections are done for detox services and medical assistance in the case of someone who dies and has no spouse or children to live off existing assets.Since 1997, the county has collected almost $1 million. After state portions and local costs, the county has kept $328,954 of that. The cost of operating collections is about $20,000 a year, including salary and benefits. Federal money aids the program.Drug and alcohol reportThe board reviewed a Drug and Alcohol Normative Evaluation, which tracks information on people who’ve been through chemical dependency treatment in the county.In 2004, for example, there were 64 admissions to centers. Forty-three of those were men. (Some people may enter more than once and count as another admission.)Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "Our county certainly doesn’t have a shortage of these kinds of problems."Other facts from the report include:
The majority, 28, were age 18 to 24. The average age was 28.7 years old.
59 were white; 2 were Hispanic
39 were single
19 had full-time jobs; eight had part-time jobs, and 11 were students.
19 did not complete high school
27 went to treatment as a condition of probation; eight entered treatment to avoid losing a relationship
3 were pregnant
11 left the program against staff adviceMost of the inpatient treatment is done through the New Life Treatment Center in Woodstock, and most of the outpatient treatment is done through Luverne Community Hospital.Gas tax updateThe board received an update on the gas tax from Auditor Treasurer Gloria Rolfs. The taxes collected were increased slightly from last year.Duininck Brothers, Henning Construction, Northern Con-Agg, Pronk Ready Mix and W&N Construction contributed to the tax.The county received $22,630.65 for the Road and Bridge Fund; $3,771.77 for the Special Reserve Fund, and $11,315.33 for various townships.Luverne Township received the most, with $3,118.29.Capital improvementsThe Board voted to move forward in the development of a five-year capital improvement plan that would utilize bonding to pay for special projects.The Board set a public hearing for 8 p.m. Monday, May 23, in the Rock County Human Services Meeting Room. Commissioner Jane Wildung said the meeting should be at night to allow more people to attend. "I think this will be a good process," she said.If the board decides to use bonding to pay for special projects through the CIP, it is subject to a reverse referendum that can be forced through a petition.Chairman Ken Hoime said, "The CIP doesn’t force us to spend the money, but it gives us the authority."Based on taxable market value, Rock County may bond for $462,626 per year.

By Lexi MooreHills Community Club members continue to plan for Hills Friendship Days June 10 and 11. Tuesday night’s meeting gave members a chance to finalize plans for this year’s events.Community Club members have brought back many of the events from past years, but have added new events to attract more visitors.New events include stroke screening, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, free-throw shooting contest, martial arts demonstration, a carnival for children, petting zoo and horse rides, face painting and bingo.Stroke screening is being offered as part of the mini-health fair on Saturday morning. The screening can detect carotid artery, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. The cost per test is $40. All three tests cost $110. To pre-register for any of the screenings or a bone density check, call Bonnie Leenderts at 962-3318 or 605-360-0719. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament is available for boys and girls in grades 7 - 12, based on the grade the student finished during the 2004-2005 school year.Each team will need to pay a $10 registration fee. The event will be held at the Hills City Basketball Court beginning at noon on Saturday, June 11. The start time may change depending on the number of teams registered.Interested teams must pre-register and pre-pay by June 5. Call Missy Bass at 962-3733 for questions or to register.The free-throw shooting contest is for boys and girls in grades 4 - 6, based on the grade the student finished during the 2004-2005 school year. The event will be held at the Hills City Park Basketball Court on Sat. June 11. Registration begins at 10:15 a.m.The Tiger Academy, a Brandon martial arts school, will be giving a martial arts demonstration prior to the start of the parade.Hills Christian School is sponsoring a kids’ carnival with games and prizes at the Hills City Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Also at the park, the Rock County 4-H Club will host a petting zoo and horse rides.Other additions to activities at the park will be face painting offered by the Hills-Beaver Creek Music Department and bingo for all ages.Long time activities still on the Friendship Days roster are the FFA Alumni Pancake Breakfast, four-person best ball golf tournament, Hills Country Cruisers poker run, co-ed double elimination sand volleyball tournament, homemade ice cream by the Hills Lions Club and the evening parade which will include the kiddie parade.To sign up to be in the parade, call Lisa Durst at 962-3389 as soon as possible.This year the Community Club evening meal at the Legion will be a Whopper Feed. The Community Club is still looking for volunteers to help serve Whoppers and to welcome guests. If interested in helping with the Whopper Feed or any other Friendship Days event, please call Lisa at 962-3389.Donations from individuals and companies are still being accepted. Donations help sponsor trophies, jump tent and entertainment rentals, bring special entries and music for the parade and afternoon and evening entertainment.Friendship Days is a time to showcase what the city of Hills has to offer.

10 years ago (1995)
Dr. George Maurer, Emmetsburg, Iowa, signed a contract April 25 to be Luverne’s superintendent.
Luverne High School choir members Gretchen Papik and Chris Sorenson and band member Jamie Schneekloth were selected to participate in the Minnesota All-State Band and Choir.25 years ago (1980)
The Magnolia School District will have a dissolution election. The school board said the district can operate for just one more year without going into further debt or proposing an additional mill levy referendum to raise more tax dollars.
The Luverne High School spring play will be "Arsenic and Old Lace" starring Sheree Moeller and Deb Hamann. Other cast members include Mike Akkerman, Dave Renes, Pam Goeske, Janice Fick, Charles Schmidt, Tim Hamann, Larry Kemerling, Mary Welch, Harold Dunkle, Larry Melzer and Kelly Broer. Kristi Wegner and Brenda Winter are assisting Karen Johns, director.50 years ago (1955)
The juvenile population of Hills is enjoying real fall carnival enjoyment this week on account of a gayly painted pony Merry-go-round and Kiddy-car ride having set up business on the empty lots across the street from the band stand. One remarkable thing about the hurdy-gurdy organ is that the music ground out is all nice, clean music, with a lilt and swing from the gay nineties and on, instead of the usual hot tom-tom banshee stuff that rasped the nerves of music lovers the past decade. It’s good business, too, as it draws the old folks around and makes them easy marks for extra nickels.75 years ago (1930)
The city of Luverne passed an ordinance requiring parallel parking on Main Street. The city is also imposing a special tax on curb and sidewalk businesses that have lubricating stands, free air station or gasoline pumps.
Nelson Brothers advertised prom dresses for $9.75 to $16.75.
"A resident of the Hardwick community reports that his hunting record for the past winter shows that he has killed 14 dogs as an offset to the loss of seven sheep. He doesn’t know to whom these dogs belonged, but he has retained identification collars or other wearables wherever possible and will be glad to confer with canine fanciers who are short their dogs, for this sheep owner is rather unreasonable in that he isn’t satisfied with killing the dogs, but would also like to submit claims for damages if he only knew who the owners of the dead dogs were."100 years ago (1905)
Important improvement in Luverne’s train service is promised for the near future and the present indications justify the expectation that by the first of the month Luverne will have four additional passenger trains.
Work was begun at the Luverne Brick Yard Monday afternoon, and the plant is now being operated at its full capacity.

Do you serve on committees? How’s that working?Serving on committees or boards can be rewarding, but depending on how they are run and organized they can also be frustrating.The Extension Service of the University of Minnesota is offering a workshop with "Twenty Things Everyone Needs to Know When Serving on a Committee."The topics include
Six traps to avoid
Four keys to committee productivity
Five skills for group leaders to succeed
Five skills for group member to make a differenceAccording to Extension, there target audience is County/City department heads and appointed committee members, City/County Township board members, Community Committee Chairpersons, Church Committees, Chairpersons or representative, or just people interested in serving on a committee in the future.There is no cost for the training program so if you would like to attend, the session will be held at the Rock County Community Library on Monday, May 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.To register, contact the Rock County Extension Office, at 507-283-1302.Wethor accepts superintendent position at Worthington Country ClubBob Wethor, LHS class of ’92 has accepted the position of superintendent at the Worthington Country Club.Wethor started his career as a golf course superintendent working for Mike Kunkel at the Luverne Country Club.After six years in Luverne he accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent at the Westward Ho Country Club. A position he held for four years.For the past five years he has served as superintendent at the Pipestone Country Club.In addition to his new position in Worthington, Wethor was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the South Dakota Golf Course Superintendents Association where he has been a member for the past ten years.County Engineer lifts weight restrictionRock County’s Engineer, Mark Sehr has lifted spring weight road restrictions for Rock County road.The restriction were lifted at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, May4.The restrictions had been in effect since March 23.According to Sehr, the weight restrictions are determined by the Minnesota Department of Transportation based on sensors throughout the state.The sensors monitor both ground moisture as well as ground and surface temperature.According to a MnDOT web site the average weight restriction in the south zone last 9 weeks and runs from March 9 to May 8.PrairieWave acquires Rapid City firmPrairieWave Communication, a cable, phone and internet provider in Luverne has agreed to purchase Black Hills FiberCom.The company is similar in its offering, also providing phone service, cable TV and internet services in Rapid City and surrounding areas.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com