By Mark HaugenThe Hills-Beaver Creek basketball teams are raring to go and will see their first action with the conference jamborees. The girls play Nov. 13 at Okabena, and the boys Nov. 20 at Worthington Community College.The H-BC girls open their regular season at home on Nov. 19 against Lake Benton, and the boys host Pipestone on Nov. 27.Hockey fans won’t have to wait long to see the Luverne high school teams in action.The girls, coming off a stellar 17-3-1 campaign last year, open their season Friday by hosting Austin at 7 p.m. at the Blue Mound Ice Arena. They will follow with two more home appearances, Nov. 18 against Sioux Falls Blue and Nov. 20 against New Ulm, before their first road trip Nov. 27 at Waseca.The boys’ team opens its season Nov. 19 at home against Mankato East at 7 p.m. and then retains the home-ice advantage the next afternoon against Holy Family Catholic.The Cardinal girls’ basketball squad hits the court Nov. 19 on the road at MCC, the first of five away games before their home opener Dec. 9 against Marshall.The Luverne boys’ basketball team opens its season at home on Nov. 27 against Fulda and then is on the road for three straight contests.Luverne’s gymnasts don’t open the season until Dec. 2, hosting West Central, the first of four home performances.The wrestling Cardinals will debut at home on Dec. 2 as well against West Central.The Adrian girls’ basketball team also opens with a jamboree Nov. 13 at Minnesota West before an away game Nov. 30 against Southwest Christian. Their home opener is Dec. 2 against Edgerton.The Adrian boys’ basketball squad has its jamboree Nov. 20 at Minnesota West, a scrimmage at Windom on Nov. 27, and then opens at home against Luverne on Nov. 30.Adrian’s wrestlers hit the mat Dec. 4 in a tournament at Slayton and then are home on Dec. 7 against Emmetsburg.In Ellsworth the Panthers girls’ basketball team starts play on Nov. 16 at SWSC, plays at Hills-Beaver Creek on Nov. 22 and then opens at home Nov. 23 against Southwest Christian.The boys’ team hits the home hardcourt right away, hosting Canby on Dec. 2.All the local teams will be featured in the Star-Herald’s Winter Sports Preview Dec. 2.

America has many problems, and I would argue that most are the result of a breakdown in community connections.I spent the past eight years in Fort Worth, Texas, a Midwest girl in the big city. Although there was plenty of southern charm, most Fort Worthians do not make community a high priority. My husband, David, and I decided we would pack up our cats, hermit crab and toy collections and move, in search of a community we could be proud to call our own. Good fortune and luck helped us find a nice home with plenty of gardening space in Hills. Our U-Haul arrived in September and we have loved every minute of our new lives since then. The community spirit we were hoping to find is alive and well here, and it feels wonderful to be a part of it. Hills citizens have been so genuine to us. They have extended themselves to us in so many ways. Within days of our arrival, the town felt like home and we were settling in for a long adventure. I was given a great opportunity when I discovered the opening for a reporter at the Hills Crescent. Reporting for the Crescent gives me a chance to make a contribution to the community I am growing to love. Finally, I want to thank the community members who have gone out of their way to welcome us. Your kindness has touched our hearts and will always be remembered.

Betty Faber, 63, Michigan, died Oct. 30, 2004, at her home after a six-month illness. Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 3. in Michigan. Survivors include two sons, Joel (Lynn) Faber, Spring Lake, and Phillip (Stacey) Faber, Florida; two daughters, Karla (Greg), and Elizabeth, both of Grand Rapids, Mich.; her mother, Sophie Berghorst, Grand Rapids, one brother, James (Beverly) Berghorst, Grand Rapids, and two sisters, Mary (Robert) Hooyer, Wheaten, Ill., and Shirley (Alvin) Hoogeveen, Hills. Mrs. Faber was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, one son, Marc Allen, and her father, Frank Berghorst.

Josephine Dawn Dilly, 7, Luverne, died Saturday near Hills as a result of a farm accident.Services were Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Luverne Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. Committal services were prior to the funeral services at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.Josie Dilly was born to Stacy and Nicole (Pap) Dilly on Nov. 28, 1996, in Luverne. She lived with her family in Luverne. She was a baptized member of Luverne Christian Reformed Church where she was active in Sunday School. She was a second grader at Edgerton Christian Elementary School in Edgerton.Josie loved to play volleyball and loved to go to the lake. She also enjoyed swimming, camping and singing. She always looked forward to going on trips to Iowa to see her cousins. She would count the days prior to each trip. She was thought of by her family as being the organizer and always seemed to have a smile on her face. She loved to spend time outdoors on the farm and help with farming activities.Survivors include her parents, Stacy and Nicole Dilly, one brother, Hunter, one sister, Jayda, all of Luverne; her maternal grandmother, Evie Pap, Luverne, her maternal grandfather, Will Pap, rural Luverne; her paternal grandmother, Joanne (Max) Princehouse, Toledo, Iowa; her paternal grandfather, Harry Dilly, Crooksville, Mo.; her great-grandmothers, Johanna Vis and Johanna Pap, both of Luverne; 11 uncles and aunts, Jared (Tara) Pap and their children, Haley and Hannah, rural Luverne; Jonathan (Darci) Pap and their children, Daynica and Whitney, Luverne; Jamie (Brigette) Pap and their daughter, Morgan, rural Luverne, Brian (Jill) Dilly and their children Stephanie and Sidney, Gladbrook, Iowa, Mike (Brenda) Dilly, Montour, Iowa, and Patty Dilly, Toledo, Iowa, and her best friend, Tianna Top, Luverne. Josie was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Henry Vis, and her great-grandparents, Gerrit and Josephine Pap, William and Marie Fransen, and Theodore and Evelyn Dilly.Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

10 years ago (1994)"Cross Construction was busy at work in Beaver Creek last week on Rauk’s business by Jan. 1, 1995, according to its owner, Ron Rauk."25 years ago (1979)"The announcement of students achieving academic honors for the first quarter was made this week. Those honored include:A Honor Roll7th Grade: Wade McDowell and Doug Van Marel. 9th Grade: Lexia Bosch. 10th Grade: Allen Fick and June McDowell. 11th Grade: Cindy Sells.12th Grade: Glen Paulsen and Barb Willers. 50 years ago (1954)"It’s annual Smoker Party time again, this Friday Night, as firemen of the Hills Volunteer Fire Department get ready with a program of educational and entertaining material to show the farmer members of the association. …The firemen have no axes to grind but just desire to have a get-together as good neighbors — and probably learn a few things about avoiding fire and other disastrous accidents." 75 years ago (1929)"‘Tell ‘em all,’ said Fritz Lehmberg to a reporter last Monday, ‘that pasteurized milk is the only safe milk.’ Believe he’s right at that. Never heard of anyone enjoying raw meat or raw potatoes."100 years ago (1904)"The earthly career of another Rock County pioneer and old soldier ended last Thursday morning at 9:30,when death closed the eyes of Erick Colby at the home of his daughter Mrs. Wm. Thompson in this village. Death came peacefully and but not unexpected as the old gentleman had been in poor heath the past year. The news of his demise cast a gloom over the whole community, where the deceased was known as an exemplary citizen, a true Christian, a kind father and a devoted and loving husband."

Shirley and Bud Hoogeveen, Hills, attended the funeral of Shirley’s sister, Bette Faber, in Michigan last week.You probably read in last week’s Crescent that we have a new Crescent editor and that she is a resident of Hills. She is Lexi Moore and along with her husband, David, moved here in September, coming from Ft. Worth, Texas. Lexi has family living in Madison, S.D. The couple live in the house once occupied by Jerry and Shirley Johnson at 112 North Water Ave. Welcome to Hills!Margo Edwards came Friday to spend until Sunday in the home of her mother, Harriet Skattum. Margo’s daughter Gretchen, who lives in Sioux Falls, joined them for noon dinner on Sunday. Alice Kolsrud had a birthday on Nov. 3. To celebrate the event, her family took her out to dinner Wednesday evening. Present were Harlan and Bonnie Kolsrud, Worthington, David and Char Kolsrud and Chris, Beaver Creek, and Kent Kolsrud and Kylee, Sioux Falls. Spending a couple of days in the home of David and Lexi Moore was a friend, Tatt, Fort Worth, and Lexi’s younger brother, Johnnie Miller and friend Tiffany Draper, both students at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Melvin and Violet Hecht attended the play, "The Lady Pirates of Captain Bee," performed at West Lyon High School Friday night. Their grandson, Tyler, son of Kevin and Lori Hecht, was a member of the cast. Another member of the cast known to many in our area was Brian Warner, son of Randy and Deb Warner. Wednesday afternoon Betty Elbers and the Hope Circle of Steen Reformed Church were guests of Laura Mae Bosch at the assisted living center in Brandon, S.D. Laura Mae is a resident there. Anna Gilman, Hans, Krista and Benj, Eden Prairie, spent from Thursday evening until Sunday in the home of her parents, Wendell and Kathryn Erickson. Margaret Erickson, Worthington, spent Saturday there. John Sandager, Colorado Springs, Colo., is spending several days in the Mark and Karen Sandager home helping with the harvesting. He expects to return home Wednesday of this week. Cliff and Vi VanWyhe attended the four o’clock wedding Saturday, Nov. 6, at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls for Teri Lynn VanWyhe and Matt Mercer. Teri is the daughter of Tom VanWyhe of Sioux Falls. They also attended the rehearsal dinner Friday at Foley’s restaurant and the wedding reception Saturday at Westward Ho Country Club. On Sunday morning Tom hosted a brunch for immediate families. The couple will make their home in Omaha, Neb.Jack Anderson, Willmar, spent four days with his mother, Darlene Anderson, in Luverne. They traveled to Wilmot, S.D., to visit Morris and Carol Moon for two days and they also visited Darlene’s other brother, Allan Moon, in Sioux Falls. Jack’s wife, Doris, and Linda Hengeveld, meanwhile, flew to Indianapolis, Ind., to visit their daughters. On Sunday Chuck and Rheta DeBoer drove to Melvin, Iowa, to have supper with Seth and Susan Hofman and family and went to church with them. Saturday evening Betty Elbers attended the Lincoln High School band program in Sioux Falls. Luella Schlueter visited Bud Bush Saturday at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Bud looks forward to visits from other Hills folks — especially his coffee drinking buddies. Bob and Twila Kirsch and Shirley Olson visited in the Irving Kvien home in Sioux Falls last Wednesday. Gilmer Nyhof, father of Brenda Beyer, received a heart transplant Saturday at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He is from Sioux Center, Iowa, and has been in Rochester since the middle of June waiting for this to come about. He must remain in the hospital for another 10 days. Thursday afternoon Betty Elbers visited in the home of Henry and Marlys VanAartsen in Orange City, Iowa. Mae Top had a knee replacement at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Hunting season is in full swing! Deer hunting with a bow and arrow has been open for a week but this week it opened for those of you that enjoy hunting with your guns. They say the deer are very plentiful this year and love to jump out in front of your car. Consequently, we should be very careful when driving down the road, especially at night. The deer hunting season is the hunting season that is always open at my house! Every time there is a change in the season I am hunting for something. In the fall when the weather cools down I think I need my winter coat. So I have to stop and think where did I store that for the summer. Or it could be I need warmer blankets for the bed and I could go on and on as I am always looking for something it seems. Consequently, hunting season is always open at my house. I hope the deer hunters have better luck than I have. Pete and Judy Boeve, Sioux Falls, and Norma VanWyhe, Lester, Iowa, were Sunday afternoon callers in the Henrietta Huenink home. The Inspiration Hills harvest supper will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16. A quartet from George, Iowa, will provide the entertainment for the evening. The Hills-Beaver Creek FFA is having their annual fruit sale through Friday, Nov. 12. If you wish to purchase fruit and have not been contacted, call the H-BC school.Carla and Joel Overlander, daughter Krista and Joel’s father, Ron Overlander from Benson, came Friday to visit in the home of Joel’s mother, Melba Boeve. They came Friday so they could hunt deer as they’ve done for several years. They had their limit by Saturday and returned home that evening. Thursday, Nov. 11, will be observed as Veterans Day. The Hills-Beaver Creek schools will dismiss early that day. Parent-teacher conferences will be from noon until 7:30 p.m. that day.Our deepest sympathy goes out to Shirley Hoogeveen on the death of her sister Bette Faber who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 30, in Michigan. The Hills Christian School will hold their annual fall sale on Friday, Nov. 12. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the sale beginning at 7:30 p.m. I haven’t heard of any special programs of special recognition for Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11. I am a firm believer if our veterans had not given their all, our nation would not be enjoying the freedoms we have to enjoy today. We often take our patriotism for granted. We talk about patriotism and that is as far as we go. When I found this article dealing with patriotism, I thought it would be an appropriate time to use it as many of us could be more patriotic, I think. It is titled, "What Do You Mean Patriotism?" and was adopted from The Echo. In these days when the casualties of war are sharing hospital wards with those of another culture, there is a great deal of talk about patriotism. This word is used haphazardly by many, cautiously by others, derisively by a few, until the serious-minded person wonders what it really means. If you have the feeling, you know that down inside of you patriotism is a very real thing inexpressible. It’s that way with most of us and always has been. In order that we have a way to tell the world how we feel about democracy, people a long time ago began to employ symbols of things that can be expressed and seen — which represent our feelings of patriotism. With us Americans, the foremost of these symbols from the first has been our flag. Another well-known symbol of our belief in America is pride. We are proud to be Americans. Yet how could we do more harm for our country than by letting our pride blind us to our faults, our intolerance, or to our shortsightedness at times. So you ask, "What do you mean — "patriotism?" and the answer is "Patriotism is not a thing to be defined — it is a thing to be lived." Only those whose lives are devoted to making this nation worthy of the praise and glory heaped on the orations can ever know the true meaning of patriotism."

All States Realty is now Real Estate RetrieversAll States Realty, which was founded by Ed Elbers and Ray Hoogeveen in 1992, has been purchased by Matt Larson, Beaver Creek, and David Mettler, Sioux Falls.This will be the third office for Real Estate Retrievers. They currently have offices in Sioux Falls and Pipestone.The sale was final the last week in October.According to Larson, Ray Hoogeveen has agreed to continue on with the business for the immediate future.Larson said that they are members of the multiple listing service in Sioux Falls, a service they will now be able to offer Luverne customers.Football playoffs force change of high school play datesThe success of the Luverne High School football team necessitated a change in the performance dates of the high school play."Snow White, the Evil Queen and the Three Slobs" was originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights but will be produced on Thursday and Saturday instead.As we told you last week, the play is a take-off on the traditional "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."Instead of finding herself living with the seven dwarfs when she flees her evil stepmother, Snow White finds herself in the House of the Three Slobs — Grouchy, Snivelly, and Slacker.If you have to change play dates, Luverne’s success in the football playoffs is a very good reason.Chamber adds Gingerbread contest to Winterfest activitiesHow good are you at making a gingerbread house?The Luverne Chamber of Commerce is encouraging individuals, families, organizations or businesses in the Luverne area to check out their house-building skills.All entries will be assigned a location to deliver their creations on Monday, Nov. 29, and entries will be judged on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with the winners announced that day.The contest will have two categories: an adult category for those over 13 years and a 13-and-younger category.Two prizes will be awarded in each category, with the first place winner taking home $50 and a $25 prize for second place.The houses must be made entirely of gingerbread.Everything on or connected to the house must be edible. Non-edible items may be used for decorations but cannot be attached to the house.When your entry is completed, the chamber will assign you to a business in Luverne where your house will be displayed.For more details about the contest, contact the Chamber at 283-4061.Tickets go on sale for GEP’s ‘Nuncrackers’Tickets go on sale today for the Green Earth Players version of "Nuncrackers."Season ticket holders will have the first chance to make reservations at the Carnegie Cultural Center today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Tickets for the general public will go on sale next Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.The musical comedy will be preformed at the Palace Theatre Nov. 12-14 and again from Nov. 19-21.If you have any questions about the play or purchasing tickets, phone 283-8294.Hospice of LCH to sponsor grief seminarHospice of Luverne Community Hospital, in conjunction with Luverne’s local funeral homes, is sponsoring "Dealing with Death and Grief – Am I Normal."The session will focus on various types of losses people experience in life, society’s view of grief and mourning and ways people process their grief.The program is intended for anyone who has experienced a loss. Clergy, teachers, healthcare providers, volunteers or anyone interested is welcome.The program will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in the Luverne High School Little Theatre.For more information contact the Community Education office at 283-4724.Registration deadline for ACT test is tomorrowNov. 5 is the deadline for college bound high school students to postmark their registrations for the ACT test.The next national test date is Dec. 11, 2004.A late registration date of Nov. 18 is available for an additional late fee of $15.Students can get their registration materials from guidance counselors, or they can register online at www.actstudents.org.Almost all colleges accept ACT scores, according to the non-profit organization that runs the tests.The ACT exam includes four parts: English, reading, mathematics and science. It takes three hours to complete and costs $28.Free sample tests are available from high school counselors, and sample questions can be found on ACT’s Web site, which also offers inexpensive practice tests.Beginning in February 2005 an optional writing test will be added to the ACT Assessment. Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members recently approved their five-year plan for maintenance and capital improvements."It’s a working document," said District Financial Officer Marlene Mann. "None of it is cut in stone."Superintendent Vince Schaefer clarified that Tuesday’s failed referendum will not affect capital outlay plans."It is a totally separate fund," he said. "The monies we have earmarked here are in no way tied to the proposed referendum. For example, money allocated for mowers cannot be used to pay for textbooks. That’s dictated by law."Included in the capital outlay plan is the completion of the middle school-high school’s upgrade of its heating and cooling system. More than $563,000 is allocated to the project over the next two years.Other major expenditures planned for the middle school-high school building include:
A three-year tuck-pointing project is budgeted at $60,000 per year starting in 2005-06.
Roof replacement over the ag shop, library and small gyms is budgeted at $60,000 per year over four years starting in 2005-06.
Work on the administrative offices is budgeted at $90,000 over the next two years.
Remodeling the superintendent’s office is scheduled for 2006-07 at about $80,000.
Cafeteria and lighting will be improved in 2006-07 at about $35,000.
Replacing the middle school-high school fire alarm in 2006-07 may cost about $180,000.
Electrical improvements in the computer room, ceiling and wall is budgeted at $50,000.
Tile removal of four rooms per year over the next five years is planned at $10,850 per year. Tile replacement is set at $6,000 per year over the next five years, four rooms per year.Improvements to building and grounds
$160,000 for track improvements in 2006-07.
Sidewalk repair and replacement at $12,000 per year for five years.
$3,000 per year for five years for playground and grounds improvements
$4,000 per year for five years for field maintenance.
În 2005-06, $25,000 is budgeted for tennis court lights.
A $50,000 mower was purchased for 2004-05.
Sealcoating is planned for 2005-06 at $20,000.In the elementary school the big-ticket improvements fall in the area of technology. Roughly $175,000 is allocated over the next five years for computer upgrades and replacements.The board approved the capital outlay budget at its Oct. 26 meeting.The complete plan, which may change according to district needs, is available for review in the superintendent’s office.Community Education director’s contract:In other business that day, the board approved a contract for Community Education Director Karen Willers.Willers received a 3 percent raise for 2004-05, bringing her salary from $40,878 to $42,104. She’ll receive another 3 percent raise in 2005-06, bringing her salary to $43,367.