As a concerned Christian, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and for the love of my fellow citizens I am writing this letter.I have always strived to be obedient to my Lord Jesus Christ. We Christians have waited far too long to speak out. We allowed one single woman to take prayer out of our schools. Look at all the shootings that have taken place since. Too many guns and knives have been taken to school by our young children. And now we are being told we can no longer display the Ten Commandments in any pubic place. Most of us were raised on the golden rule, as were our ancestors before us!Now, it is being stated to take God out of our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance. Our forefathers came to this country for religious freedoms. We have since and still fight many wars for our freedoms. If we Christians do not take a stand now and speak up, we will lose these freedoms. People are becoming so very selfish and want to change these laws and customs to fit their own desires. Our great Lord is a God of love and compassion. I now look at our moral standards today and see what these standards are doing to our youth and young families. We are killing little babies that our Lord has blessed us with through abortion, which I believe is murder. I, like others, can live the Christian life, but until we are truly born again, with the Holy Spirit in your heart, can we really understand what a stand we now need to take. I was taught to think of what I can do for my country, not what it can do for me. It is time for all of us American Christians to get out and go to the polls to vote, but to be informed of just who and what you are voting for. For only by the grace of our Lord and Savior can we truly have victory over sin that is happening in our nation. As Jonah had to cry out to save Nineveh, so I cry out for my country. It is time to repent and call out to Jesus before it is too late. Love in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.Helen Hunt Luverne

The 54th annual Tri-State Band Festival is now in the history books and we were blessed with fantastic weather. I am amazed at the talent, dedication, and high level of competition we witness each year at the parade and field events. The performances these bands put on are truly a pleasure to watch each year. We can be proud of our youth and of what each of the band students participating in this year’s event accomplished. It takes countless hours of practicing to perfect their routines, and no matter where they placed, each band should be proud of their performance and hopefully have gained some educational value for their participation. The Tri-State Band Festival Committee is grateful for each band, its members and staff for participating in this year’s competition, and for helping to keep this festival as one of the premier events in the Tri-State area. We were also extremely fortunate to have the Iowa State University band as the guest band at this year’s event. They are a first-class unit and it showed in their performance that afternoon. Putting on an event like this takes many volunteers and much organization to make it run smoothly. As this year’s chairman of the festival, I greatly appreciate everyone’s help in making this event successful. Without all of these volunteers the festival would not happen. Thank you to my fellow committee members, the Chamber staff, the Luverne School District staff, Music Boosters, Luverne City staff, the Law Enforcement, Lions Club, and all of the other civic organizations, businesses and other individuals in the community that donate their time, talents and gifts to support this event. With the continued support like this from the community, the Tri-State Band Festival will be a Luverne tradition that we can all be proud of for many years to come. Mike HaakensonChairman 2004 Tri-State Band Festival committee

10 years ago (1994)"Approximately 20 percent of Rock County voters gave their opinion at the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the 1994 primary election. A total of 1,129 voters cast their ballots on Tuesday. Clinton Township cast 29 ballots, Hills City 77 ballots and Martin Township cast 40 ballots. 25 years ago (1979)"Tony Bosch, owner-operator of the Clover Farm Store in Hills, announced the sale this week of his store in Lester, Iowa, to Royce Scheitland of Burlington, Iowa. The sale takes effect immediately. Mr. Scheitland will take over the ownership and management of the Lester store immediately. Bosch will continue to own and operate the store in Hills."50 years ago (1954)"The Hills High School band will be seen on television at 11 p.m. next Sunday night, Oct. 3, from KELO-TV, Sioux Falls. The station has made special arrangements to film portions of the Tri-State Band Festival at Luverne Saturday, Oct. 2." 75 years ago (1929)"After three long years of uninterrupted slumber, football will again be revived in Hills. And it’s going to be a real revival. The high school squad has been working out for three weeks in anticipation of the first game Friday. Enthusiasm around the school building has reached the highest pitch since the last time we beat Luverne in basketball. The school is planning to turn out 100 percent strong for that first game, and unless we are awfully badly mistaken, the rest of the community won’t be very far behind them. Hills has always had a reputation for putting everything across that they ever tried. You old-timers haven’t forgotten those football teams of 25 years ago have you? Well, the high school boys aren’t promising to have any such team of iron men as those were but they are promising to have a team that won’t stop fighting until the final whistle blows or they are carried off the field." 100 years ago (1904)"The demand for residences in Hills keeps up to such an extent that something ought to be done to supply the demands. Either some of our well-to-do farmers should build few residences, which would bring good returns on the investment, or else we should set to work and organize another building and loan association conducted along up-to-date plans."

Richard "Rich" Thomas Pavel, 52, Hills, died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, at the Heart Hospital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, S.D.Services were Monday, Sept. 27, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Geddes, S.D. Burial was in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery.Richard Pavel was born to Charles W. and Marie Katherine (Oberbroekling) Pavel on Nov. 13, 1951, in Platte, S.D. He grew up farming with his dad and graduated from Geddes High School. He attended the Mitchell Technical School from 1978 to 1979 where he studied electronics. He worked for the United Telephone Co. in Iowa and then at Hills Telephone Co. He married Cheryl Albers on Oct. 8, 1988, at Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon, S.D. The couple lived in Valley Springs, S.D., from 1988 to 1993, where he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. They then moved to Hills. Mr. Pavel was a member of Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, fishing and having coffee with Orv’s Coffee Klatsch. His favorite job at the telephone company was splicing cable. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Pavel, Hills; one son, Jeremy Albers, Hills; four grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Pavel, Geddes; one sister, Marjean (Rich) Peterson, Yankton, S.D.; two nieces; two nephews; and his good friend, Al Top.Mr. Pavel was preceded in death by his parents. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Wilma Joyce Franken, 76, Luverne, died Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.Services were Monday, Sept. 27, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. The Rev. David Sikkema officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne. Wilma Vande Kieft was born to William and Henriet (Knubal) Vande Kieft on July 11, 1928, in Sioux Center, Iowa. She gradated from Sioux Center High School. She married Howard Franken on Aug. 4, 1948, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. After their marriage, the couple farmed northeast of Sioux Center. In 1951 they moved to the farm southwest of Luverne. Mrs. Franken was a charter member of American Reformed Church in Luverne, where she was one of the first organists, playing for 30 years. She was also a Sunday School teacher for 30 years and was a member of the Ladies Aid, extension club, sewing club, and Luverne VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, handwork, flower gardening, cooking and family weekends at Round Lake in the summer. Survivors include her husband, Howard Franken, Luverne; two sons, Larry (Pam) Franken and Bryon (Kristi) Franken, all of Luverne; and one daughter, Cheryl (Gene) Edstrom, Luverne. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Tammy Franken; Amy Hollander and friend, Travis; Becky Hollander and fiancé, Andy; Travis (Kairie) Franken; Matthew Franken; Carissa Franken and fiancé, Jason; Abbey Franken and fiancé, Ryan; Eric Edstorm and friend, Monica; and Serena Franken; four great-grandchildren, Zachory and Riley Hollander, Hailey Franken and Marshal Dammann; one brother, Howard (Gwen) Vande Kieft; and two sisters, Vivian Vander Veen, and Shirley (Paul) Van Zanten, all of Lynden, Wash.Mrs. Franken was preceded in death by her parents. Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Alice Borchers, 91, Beaver Creek, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Wednesday, Sept. 29, at United Methodist Church in Luverne. The Rev. Bart Fletcher officiated. Burial was in Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Luverne. Alice Marie Arends. a twin daughter of Reemt and Gesina (Ennenga) Arends was born on March 9, 1913, in Steen. She attended school in Steen and graduated from Hills High School in 1932. She married Vernon Borchers on Sept. 29, 1938, at Pleasant View Church in rural Luverne. Following their marriage they continued farming the Borchers homestead which came into the family in 1871 to Mr. Borchers’ great-grandfather. During the many years the couple farmed together, she enjoyed working outside caring for her chickens and geese along with maintaining a neat yard. Mr. Borcher died on April 2, 1999. She moved to Tuff Memorial Home on Aug. 24, 2001. Mrs. Borchers was a member of Pleasant View Church until it closed. They then attended Evangelical United Brethren Church in Steen and later, United Methodist Church in Luverne. After the closing of Pleasant View Church she became a member of Pleasant View Cemetery Association which established a perpetual care fund to make sure the cemetery would always be maintained. Survivors include two sons, Darrell (Alvina) Borchers, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Russell (Jean) Borchers, Beaver Creek; four grandchildren, Stacey Heminover, Mankato, Tonya Frazier, Charlotte, N.C., Scott and Jason Borchers, Sioux Falls, and one great-grandson, Cullen Heminover, Mankato. Mrs. Borchers was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers and four sisters.Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Mae Top and her twin sister, Fae Aukes, Phoenix, Ariz., were 79 years old Monday, Sept. 27. It was also the birthday of Mae’s son Allen. To celebrate the occasion guests came Saturday night to Mae’s home. In attendance were Gerry Sandstede, Luverne; Bill and Judy Top, Sibley, Iowa; Judy Top, Hills; and Jared, Kristen and Tess Van Maanen, Valley Springs, S.D. Hap Larsen was a guest on Sunday. Tuesday, Sept. 21, Joanne and Tom Goehle, Leanne Carmany, and Brenda and Colby Hadler went to St. Peter to attend the funeral of Harry Franz. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer attended the wedding Friday night of Rick Kooistra and Shelly Hoogendorn at Rock Valley, Iowa. Roger and Ruth Jackson spent some time recently up north viewing the fall leaves and also attended the convention, "Goods from the Woods!"Sheldon and Ellie Sandager and Charles and Dawn Sandager attended the Fall Harvest dinner Sunday at the Brandon, S.D., Lutheran church. Don and Edyth Briggs traveled to Rochester Saturday to attend the annual meeting of the Sovereign Military of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem conclave. They also toured points of interest in Wisconsin and returned home Monday. Joanne and Tom Goehle were in Edgerton last Tuesday afternoon for Katie Hadler’s volleyball game. Joanne also went on to Pipestone to see Andrew Carmany play football.Chuck and Rheta DeBoer attended the 80th birthday party for Till VanVoorst Friday in Sioux Center, Iowa. Dick and Audrey Heidenson returned home last Wednesday from Spokane, Wash., where they visited a sister-in-law, Betty Heidenson. Returning home they stopped at Custer, S.D., at "the Outlaw Ranch" where their children worked some years ago. Tuesday evening Joanne Goehle attended the induction of Alyssa Carmany into the RTR Honor Society. Joanne also spent the night in Tyler at the Carmany home, returning to Hills on Wednesday morning. Roger Jackson, enjoying his retirement, has spent time recently with friends fishing at Lake Oahu in South Dakota. Bud Bush of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne and 10 of the 11 Bush children and their spouses and children attended the ceremony Friday afternoon at the Rock County Family Services building in Luverne when a tree was planted in Ione’s honor. A marker was also placed at the base of the tree. Ione was the first director of the Heartland Express bus carrier. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer drove to Melvin, Iowa, Sunday to the home of Seth and Susan Hofman to attend their daughter Grace’s first birthday.Lee Jackson came from the University of Minnesota Monday night to attend the coronation of H-BC‘s king and queen which ceremonies he performed. Jessica Arp, attending Minnesota State University, Mankato, also came Monday night for the event.

With so much of our nation experiencing such severe storms I think I had better apologize to our weatherman as I have been a little bit hard on him the entire year. Maybe if I apologize now he will change his mind about sending us a bad winter. I, for one, could certainly get along without that. The last few days our weather has been absolutely perfect. I know I should be outdoors getting things in shape for the coming winter, but somehow I just can’t get into the mood. Perhaps the real reason is that I have tomatoes and corn to take care of, weeds to get rid of and I could go on and on!Even though our weather has been beautiful, there are many signs that tell us our nice days are limited. The leaves that are falling from the trees are no longer green but a pretty shade of yellow and gold. The birds are flocking together getting ready for their long trip to a warmer climate to spend the winter, which tells us that we had better enjoy our beautiful weather while we have it. Jo Aykens and her daughter Joyce from Worthington traveled to Watertown, S.D., last Monday, where they met their relatives, Art and Marcia Jelsma, who also had a way to come. They enjoyed their noon dinner together and caught up on the relatives. Before returning home, Jo and Joyce spent the afternoon at Redlin Art Center, which they enjoyed very much. The Hills-Beaver Creek junior class magazine sales will begin on Sept. 29. The proceeds from the sales go to the junior-senior prom that will be later this year. Good luck to them!Anna Schouwenburg was hospitalized on Monday where she underwent an angiogram and also had other tests. We wish her all the best. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Hoff family reunion at Luverne Pizza Ranch on Friday night. There were 32 relatives present. The evening was spent visiting and catching up with what everyone had done since they had last been together. Melissa (VanBemmel) Thomas from California arrived last Wednesday to spend a week visiting in the home of her parents, Marion and Carol VanBemmel. She returned home on Tuesday. Melissa Thomas and her sister, Cindy Wissink, organized a surprise birthday party for their father, Marion VanBemmel, for his 60th birthday on Friday evening at the Wissink home in Luverne. There were 55 family members and friends present to help him celebrate, and yes, he was surprised!There will be a hamburger and brat feed at the ballfield in Hills on Friday, Oct. 1. This is their homecoming game. Food will be served from 5:30 p.m. until half time of the ballgame. The H-BC Junior class is sponsoring it. Hope to see you there!Harold Wissink has moved to Luverne and is now a resident of Poplar Creek Estates. His room is No. 410. Why not give him a call, or better yet, go to see him if you are in Luverne. Those attending the Christian Women’s Club luncheon and program at United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids Wednesday noon and afternoon were Joan Hoogeveen, Winnie Scholten, Verla Baker and Mildred Paulsen. Since this is an election year, we will hear many things both good and bad about candidates and politics in general. However, we are still using many of the old terms that have been used throughout the years. In case you have forgotten or if you were like me, didn’t pay attention, I thought I would share some of them with you. During this political year we will hear a lot of terms used that many of us think are strictly 20th century. Some are old as old as the politics of our country. For example, George Washington was called a "favorite son." As early as 1789 candidates decided to run for office. When they did they borrowed an Old Indian term and "stumped" their districts. In the efforts to get elected some of them as early as 1828 found it expedient to stay "on the fence" on key issues. Even 25 years earlier, candidates were talking about the "party platform" and the platforms on which they stood. The term "dark horse" is relatively new. It came into use in the summer sometime after 1865 to designate a secret candidate. It was first used to describe an unheralded and practically unknown horse which beat all the favorites in a horse race of that day. So now you know the history of some of these terms that are still being used rather frequently. Perhaps this will make some of the publicity and speeches a little more interesting. I hope you enjoy hearing and even using some of these expressions.

(Saturday, 8 a.m.) What a great idea for a column! According to Reuters, Jyrki Kivela is a commander at a military conscription unit in Finland, where all men must serve at least six months in the military. He reports that several men have been discharged shortly after enlisting because they had previously become "addicted" to the Internet and longed for their computers. "For people who play (Internet) games all night and don’t have any friends, don’t have any hobbies, to come into the army is a very big shock," Kivela noted. Apparently, friendliness is a prerequisite for warlike, hostile behavior. Can you imagine that? Being so hopelessly addicted to the Internet that you can’t even serve your country? Someone should tell those young men to get a life. (Saturday, 9:35 a.m.) Something, probably one of the hurricanes down south, is interfering with the computer’s satellite reception in our home. This would really send some of those young Finns into a tizzy, wouldn’t it? At least we can laugh about it. (Ten minutes later) Still no signal. The computer is working, but the Internet isn’t. No e-mail either. Maybe this is a good thing. What a perfect excuse to take some time off, enjoy a beautiful, sunny September day and write some overdue notes on that gift stationery from last Christmas. A day like this is a perfect time to stop and smell the roses. (Saturday, 10:05 a.m.) The note-writing isn’t going very well although one envelope is addressed and ready for mailing. It’s so slow! Still no satellite signal. The sky is partly cloudy now, but it doesn’t seem to bother the pair of squirrels playfully scampering on the lawn. What a delight they are! (Fifteen minutes later) Halfway through with a note to my sister. The squirrels stopped scampering and are now digging through two planters of petunias on the deck. The sky is completely overcast and it looks like rain. What happens to e-mail when it’s not promptly delivered? Is it held someplace for safekeeping until a computer is working again? I must admit that I miss reading, "You have mail!" (10:30 a.m.) The flower planters outside look miserable. Broken petunia stems are scattered all around them. I keep checking the Internet and the e-mail. Zilch. Nada. What if there’s an emergency out there and someone is trying to reach us? The sky is looking darker and it definitely is going to rain. What a disgusting day. (10:55 a.m.) Bad thought. It suddenly occurs to me that I read someplace that pink and black are hot colors for this fall, and there is nothing pink in my closet! With the Internet down, ordering something to wear is impossible! Still no e-mail. Are our children trying to reach us? How popular will pink be? (11:30 a.m.) How long must I sit here, waiting for the Internet and e-mail? This is ridiculous. What’s more, someone has just asked what we’re having for lunch. What part of crisis don’t they understand? The entire world is falling apart and they’re worried about food! (1:10 p.m.) This is maddening! I need to hear from news services, friends, anyone! I need to look up interesting facts on the Internet and there are countless things that need to be ordered! One thing is certain — I’m not leaving this computer until the e-mail comes through and things are back to normal. Will this rain never stop? I won’t be able to think about Finnish soldiers and whatever their problem is until this computer is connected to the rest of the world. And, no, I don’t need a cup of coffee to steady my nerves, thank you very much!