Memorial services for Harley Christiansen, 83, Beaver Creek, will be Monday, June 21, with Masonic Rites beginning at 11 a.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel in Luverne. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial will be at Beaver Creek Cemetery in Beaver Creek. Harley Henry Christiansen, 83, Beaver Creek, died Sunday, May 23, 2004, at his farm home.Harley Christiansen was born to Henry and Amanda (Sandstede) Christiansen on March 27, 1921, in Beaver Creek. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in Beaver Creek. He graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1938. Upon graduating, he continued farming with his parents. On March 26, 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his discharge on March 23, 1946, he returned home to the family farm where he joined as a partner with his parents. He later purchased the homestead in 1959 and continued to farm until he retired in December 1990.Mr. Christiansen was active in the Mason Order and was accepted as a Master Mason on Jan. 17, 1952. He served as a board member for the Beaver Creek Coop Elevator from 1973 to 1978. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include five nephews, Stanley (Karen) Gehrke, Roger (Deb) Gehrke, Carl (Teresa) Gehrke, all of Beaver Creek, Eddie (Carol) Gehrke, Hills, and Gary Freelin, Chester, Va.; three nieces, Judy Bassett, Ellicott City, Md., Mary (Andy) Moore, Fairfax, Va., and Christine (Joseph) Littlejohn, Vacaville, Calif.; 13 great-nieces and great-nephews; eight great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and other family and friends. Mr. Christiansen was preceded in death by his parents, twin sister, Helen Amanda Freelin, and sister Anna Johanna Gehrke and her husband, Edward. Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

The Hills Friendship Days was celebrated over the weekend and we had ideal weather. Winners of the 4-person team golf tournament were Dan La Rock, Chad Carver, Mike Vermeer and Clark Meyer. Gregg Leendert’s team won the volleyball tournament.Our thanks goes out to the Hills Community Club for organizing the event, to all the sponsors and those who contributed as well and especially those who entered floats in the parade. Thanks to Kelli Hellerud, the Club’s president, and all her helpers. Sydney Jeanne Wells, daughter of Jackie and Steve Wells of Sioux Falls, S.D., was baptized last Sunday morning at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Her sponsors were Jane and Brian Siefken and Amanda Siefken. The sponsors, along with Pastor Lowell and Sonja Berg and other relatives, were guests at the home of Sydney’s grandparents, Jack and Pat Paulsen for dinner. After Sunday morning services last Sunday, June 6, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sierra Lynn Bennett and Christopher Krogman, children of Cassundra Krogman and Scott Bennett, were baptized. Sponsors of Christopher were Kathy Vromon and Brian Bennett. Sponsors of Sierra were Brian Bennett and Mandy and Curt Bennett. Ray and Mona Rozeboom arrived in Hills Monday from Seal Beach, Calif., where they had spent the winter months and had a prolonged stay due to an accident causing them to be hospitalized for a time. Donley Bosch came from Dows, Iowa, to help them get settled. Don has been teaching math in Dows for 27 years. Dows School District pairs with CAL schools. Sunday afternoon, Cliff and Vi VanWyhe attended the 50th wedding anniversary open house for Dorothy and Robert Dorn at United Methodist Church in Luverne. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson spent from Wednesday until Friday of last week in Clarinda, Iowa, where they attended performances of many bands who came to play Glen Miller’s band music in observance of his 100th birthday. Don and Edyth Briggs left Thursday, June 10, for Sioux City, Iowa, where they picked up Marge Winter and then drove to Nebraska where they attended the wedding of Edyth’s grand niece. They returned home Sunday, June 13. Dennis and Gert Overweg, Sioux Falls, former residents of Hills, were last Sunday afternoon visitors in the home of John and Jean Van Malsen. Leona Goehle, Tyler, and her son, Jim, Cincinnati, Ohio, John and Mary Rowe, Madison, Wis., Karen Goehle, New York state, and John and Eileen Rayforth, Whitewood, S.D., were overnight guests in the home of Sheldon and Ellie Sandager. They came to attend the Moen family reunion at Inwood, Iowa. Beth Sandager also spent several days here and Jo came Sunday night. Deneise Swanson, Big Fork, came Friday to spend until Sunday with her father, Dennis Roning. Hans and Susan Erickson, Siri and Max, spent from Friday night until Sunday in the home of his parents, Wendell and Kathryn Erickson. Wilmer and Betty Elbers attended the Bible School program Friday evening at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Their grandson, Steve Walker, attended and participated in the program. Several nieces and nephews of Alice Goettsch from Milwaukee, Wis., Chicago, Ill, and Fergus Falls, have visited her at Tuff Memorial Home. Vic and Fran Sandager spent time over the weekend attending the annual Sangerfest in Sioux Falls.Visitors Sunday afternoon of Wilmer and Betty Elbers were Mr. and Mr. Henry Van Der Weerd, Rock Rapids.Overnight guests of the Victor Sandagers were Merle and Marie Muckola, St. Paul. Saturday visitors were Lee and Betty Sandager, Marine on the St. Croix. Monday guests were Paul and Bev Rienertson, Ravenna, Neb. They attended the Moen reunion in Inwood, Iowa. Ray and Lois Nelson attended the 55th Biennial Sangerfest 2004 concert at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls Saturday night. Ray was a member of the Hills Male Chorus when they attended Sangerfest in 1940 at Rockford, Ill. There was a surprise birthday party Saturday night for Lois Boeve at her home with approximately 55 friends and relatives in attendance.

Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. Even though our world is in such turmoil we have so much to be thankful for. There are so many things we take for granted that many of the people in our world today have never known. Last week at Sweet Adeline practice we were practicing the familiar song, "Born Free." I cannot tell you who wrote it but it is very appropriate for it to be heard in our world today. For most of us, living in our wide open spaces, it is very seldom that we cannot see for many miles around us and seldom think about it as we enjoy them every day. This song "Born Free" has a very special meaning that I think we all need to share, especially in our world today. To quote the words of the song: "Born free, as free as the wind blows, as free as the grass grows. Born free, to follow your heart. You’re born free, and beauty surrounds you. The world still astounds you, each time you look at a star. Stay free, where no walls divide you. You’re born free, and life is worth living cause you’re born free. Stay free, where no walls divide you, you’re free as a roaring tide, so there’s no need to hide. You’re born free, and life is worth living, but only worth living cause you’re born free."I would like to share words written by Gene H. Hogburg:"Nations must learn that peace is not the product of war and the preparation for it, but of love and outgoing concern for others. Peace will come when nations, as well as the individuals within them, in humility, count others better than themselves." How true!Guests in the Bill and Bertha Bosch home came on Tuesday. They are cousins of Bertha, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens from the Keunen side. They were Henry and Marie Hykkup, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada. Monday afternoon they left for Alton, Iowa, where they planned to visit cousins there.Orrin and Bernice Aukes, Laura Paulsen and Mildred Paulsen attended the Friendship Club annual potluck dinner Sunday evening at the home of Mattie Petersen in Luverne. They do not meet during the summertime so they end their year with a potluck supper for all the members.Emma and Isabel Bosch, daughters of Tom and Amy Bosch, Sioux Falls, were guests in the home of their grandparents, Dries and Laura May Bosch, this past week and attended Bible School at Steen Reformed Church. The Steen softball team played the Hills Indees team Friday evening at Hills. They were defeated by one run! How’s that for a good game? This week they will play a northwest Iowa team Tuesday evening in Doon, Iowa. Good luck to them. Bible School was at Steen Reformed Church this past week. Their theme was "God is Able to Build You Up." There were 87 students and 15 teachers. The offering will go to "Bibles for Russia." The Bible School program was presented Sunday evening in the church. It sounds like a great week. Thanks to all who helped. Leah Hup and Jill Weitgenant attended camp at Inspiration Hills this week. The annual outdoor concert sponsored by Steen Reformed Church begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Everyone is welcome. Since Father’s Day was first observed on the third Sunday in June 1910, it has been a special day for honoring fathers of the world. But "following in father’s footsteps" is not something that happens only in modern times. History records that Alexander the Great followed in the footsteps of his father, King of Macedon, and conquered the world between 334 and 325 B.C. with the invincible armies that his father had spent his life in training. Johan Straus, the composer, followed in the footsteps of his admirable father who was an honored symphony director in Vienna, Austria. Here in America, our sixth president, John Quincy Adams, was the son of John Adams, our second president. These are all famous men. It is a common saying that "manners make the man" and there is a second saying that "minds make the man" but truer than either is that "the home makes the man." For home-training includes not only manners and mind, but character. It is mainly in the home that the heart is opened, the habits are formed, the intellect is awakened and character is molded for good or bad. I think I really have to agree with that. Happy Father’s Day!

Having trouble with your memory? Help may be on the way. Researchers from Bielefeld University in Berlin, Germany, have developed the prototype for a new device, "memory spectacles." The only problem is that the spectacles aren’t easily concealed. Reuters reports, "The prototype, a helmet mounted with two cameras, records images of objects to build up a memory of what the user sees." Wearing a helmet with two cameras attached won’t be a very discreet way to go through life. It would be difficult to blend in with the crowd or be taken seriously when your head covering reminds people of three things — the vintage gas masks from the days of World War II, the protective headgear worn by hockey goalies and the helmet worn by Darth Vader in "Star Wars." In another possible scenario, a person wearing the camera-covered helmet might be perceived as an advance scout for an alien invasion from outer space. Most people wouldn’t want that attention or notoriety when all they really want to do is remember a few things to buy at the grocery store. Much of the attention you receive may not be positive. Mothers will assume protective positions between you and their children when they meet you on the streets. In a final protective gesture, they will cover the little ones’ eyes with their hands. Small children without parents nearby will simply scream hysterically at the sight of you and run for their lives. In addition to what the memory spectacles will do to a person’s general appearance and first impressions, there is another drawback — spectacles, or eyeglasses, are items often misplaced. It’s very possible that a second set of memory spectacles will be required to locate the first set. It might be just as convenient to attach a memory device to car keys, which are also easily lost or misplaced. Obviously, the secret to the new memory spectacles is that you may not remember better, but that everyone else will remember you. As you go about town, you will stand a helmet and two cameras above everyone else. With your memory spectacles on you will literally be making a spectacle of yourself. The newfound memory might work something like this: The scene: You’re standing in a huge shopping mall parking lot and you can’t remember where you parked the car. A man, carrying packages and obviously returning to his car, walks by, yet keeps his distance from you. "Excuse me," you mutter, although your voice if difficult to understand from beneath the camera-covered helmet. Your garble is much like that of the people who take your orders at the drive-through fast food restaurants. "Could you help me find my car?" "Don’t come any closer, buddy. I remember seeing you before. How could I forget? Your car is two rows down under the J sign. Just stay away from me!" The memory spectacles will offer a few advantages above and beyond an improved memory. For example, you will always have cameras ready and rolling for on-the-spot photo opportunities. You will be able to record news stories as they happen. Finally, if you’re young and still party, you will no longer wake up the morning after and wonder if you behaved the night before or if you had fun at all. Everything you do will be a Kodak moment.

10 years ago (1994)"Even though the temperatures are burning up outside, the Hills-Beaver Creek High School gym is filled with activity this week as the annual Patriot Basketball Camp is underway. Fifty-two boys and girls are enrolled in the camp this year which is under the direction of Steve Wiertzema and Matt Metzger."25 years ago (1979)"The Hills-Beaver Creek Senior High School Band will perform at Valleyfair Entertainment Center on Tuesday, June 19. The band, under the direction of David Shea, will march through Valleyfair’s walkways twice."50 years ago (1954)"A deal was completed Tuesday in which Sid Hammer became the owner of the Hills Telephone Exchange. Ken Deer was the seller, and he and his family left Wednesday for Bancroft, Neb., where he recently purchased another exchange. For the past few months Sid has been in the employ of Connell Chevrolet Co. at Luverne."75 years ago (1929)"Nels Jensen motored down from Trent, S.D., last Sunday in his new car. They say Nels is out looking for a life-partner, so we would advise him to use the Crescent want column if he wants a wife in a hurry."100 years ago (1904)"Some calculator has figured it out that the average educated man gets a salary of $1,000 per year. He works 40 years, making his salary a total of $40,000 in a lifetime. The average day laborer gets $1.50 a day, 300 days in a year or $450 per year. In 40 years he earns the very small sum of $18,000 or $22,000 equals the value of an education in dollars. Thus parents who are not giving their children an education are depriving them of a fortune as well as making their life one of drudgery. Successful farming now days requires as much of an education as the average profession or business. There is no demand for the street loafer, so keep that boy in school."

By Sara StrongEldon Bush has worked in a shop so long he doesn’t even notice the odor of gas and oil anymore — whether it’s on him, or just in the air at his business, Bush’s Service. After almost 50 years, he’s retiring now, and Bush’s Service is up for public auction June 17. Bush said he’s gotten a "fair amount of interest in the business over the years," but at 72, the time to quit is finally right. How it all started for him is a question he can’t answer. He can’t explain why he even became a mechanic, because it’s all he’s known. "It came easy to me and I enjoy it. And, you know, if you enjoy your work it just goes a lot easier," Bush said. Bush still runs the business much like it was done during his first years working at Van’s Motor, a Plymouth and DeSoto dealer. He jumps into action as cars drive over the service bell that rings in the shop and office. He asks customers how much gas they want, washes their windshields and brings their change to them — all as they wait comfortably in their vehicles. Change is still calculated by an antique, non-electric cash register with a big hand crank that opens the till. He can scarcely find receipt tape for that old register now. "I feel bad for those little old ladies who’ve never put gas in their own cars before," Bush’s wife, Wilda said. "Full service isn’t really around anymore. ... When he first started, there weren’t many women who drove at all." Wilda stepped in to help with billing or bookwork as needed. Bush has been at the current East Main location since 1964, and not much has changed other than the technological updates that have been necessary in the changing world of engines and car systems.Bush doesn’t look back on the good old days as easy ones. He worked seven days a week, and every other night, for much of his career.Rather than working 10 or 11 hours a day, five days a week, at the shop, he plans to enjoy the summer working at his rural home, where mowing the lawn takes four nights."I’ll definitely miss this place, that’s for sure," Bush said. "But then, time marches on."

By Lori EhdeArea high school seniors aren’t the only ones celebrating graduation this spring.Sixty-five-year-old Bonnie Scherff, Luverne, has joined the ranks of high school graduates holding their diplomas, and it’s an achievement she’s not taking lightly."It was one of the most exciting things I did in my life," she said. "It was hard, but I loved every minute."Scherff said she spent much of her adult life thinking about her missing diploma. "I quit school because I knew everything," she said. "And after a couple years I started regretting it. … But then I got married and had babies and kind of forgot about it for a while."It wasn’t until she lost her job at Dekalb Seed Co. in Brandon, S.D., that she started thinking about getting her GED (graduate equivalent diploma).She enjoyed her work in the Dekalb lab for seven years, but when the company moved away, her thoughts turned to education."I thought about it all through the years," she said about her diploma. "Now I had plenty of time to do it because I was unemployed."So, Scherff took the leap.From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., three days a week for seven months, Scherff attended class in Room 214 of Luverne High School under the instruction of Dee Olson."She has lots of patience," Scherff said. "Here, it’s almost like one-on-one instruction."Olson had equally high praise for Scherff, who is considered a non-traditional student among her classes of younger people working to catch up."She was an excellent student," Olson said. "She was a very hard worker, and was very consistent about being there all the time. … I wish my younger students could learn from her perseverance."Olson said it’s rare to have students as old as Scherff in the program, but she wishes more seniors would consider it."It’s interesting how much you learn from living and how you can apply that to learning," Olson said. "Bonnie did a great job of doing that. She had such a wealth of information to bring to her education."Scherff said she was surprised by how challenging the coursework was. "Algebra was the worst," she said. "At one point I almost thought about quitting."But, she said it was equally as rewarding."It was exciting," she said. "It kept my mind going because I was learning things."Other than receiving a party balloon from her grandchildren, Scherff’s graduation was a quiet affair. "On March 18 I got my diploma in the mail," she said.Now, she’s considering taking up Spanish, and she’s encouraging others to get their GEDs."I think everyone should try it," she said. "What have you got to lose?"For information about the GED program or to register for classes, call Luverne Community Education at 283-4724.

By Sara StrongRock County and the city of Luverne still disagree on how to fund shared operations. They met in a liaison session Monday night to discuss a few joint issues: property assessments, law enforcement and the Pool and Fitness Center. Mayor Glen Gust said the city would approve the three-year contract for assessing services."That’s some good news to get off on the right foot, here," he said. Assessments determine property owners’ share of the tax levy. The city previously terminated its joint powers agreement for assessments through the county. The city agreed to pay the county’s proposed $37,128 to $40,158 through the next three years. The city received three proposals for assessing services. One withdrew, and the other offered a different approach but similar fees to that of the county.Law enforcement and dispatch Law enforcement is a big ticket item for both bodies. The proposed sheriff’s budget for next year is $669,000 for each. That’s an increase of 49.5 percent.Gust said he was "shocked at the percentages" of increase from this year’s numbers. The increase surprised the city in part because the county included the dispatch budget in its law enforcement budget. Previously, they were separate budgets and separate agreements. The city pulled out of the joint powers agreement for dispatching effective at the end of this year. To make up the lost revenue from the city, the county rolled the dispatch costs into the law enforcement costs.The county says it has to provide support services and staff to continue with its law enforcement contract with the city. Dispatching has to be a part of that, and the city has to pay for it.City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said, "There’s a reason there were two contracts over the years. You’ve taken the two and collapsed them into one, that’s what you’ve done. ... You’re changing the scope and service of the contract and we don’t think that’s appropriate." County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said the existing contract for law enforcement, signed five years ago, has a paragraph that indicates dispatch is a part of law enforcement services. It says: "The County shall furnish and supply all supervision, equipment, communication facilities (pursuant to the agreement of the parties), dispatching services, necessary office space, supplies and personnel to administer and operate the law enforcement department and to render the service required under this agreement." Klosterbuer said in a letter after the meeting, "I do not understand how the city in good faith can allege that ‘dispatching services‚’ is not part of the scope of the Law Enforcement Contract. It appears to be a material provision thereof.’ City Administrator Greg LaFond said, in both history and practice, the contracts and budgets were separate and they should remain that way. County Administrator Kyle Oldre said Monday, "You want to keep the same level of service and pay less?"LaFond said, "Yes." Oldre said, "Any time the city wants to pay less for services, the county has to pay more." LaFond said he is sympathetic to budget restraints, but is obligated to try to save city taxpayers money. Klosterbuer said the county is fulfilling its obligation for services, and the sheriff’s budget reflects the cost of those services. Councilman David Hauge said the city shouldn’t be obligated to pay for prisoner room, board and medical care as part of its contract law costs. Those costs were always a county expense, even when the city had its own police department.The city and county will continue to discuss law enforcement issues. Later in the month the city will propose a new means of funding contract law after receiving more information from the city.Pool and Fitness Center The county previously terminated its share of the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center. Oldre said, "One of the few things we do as a county that isn’t a mandated service is the swimming pool, and we have to cut costs." The city and the county will each come up with proposals on how to split the assets of the facility, which both have funded since its construction.

By Sara StrongDan Statema will serve his last meeting as Luverne Economic Development Director next month. He is resigning from the position effective mid-July.He said, "I’ve enjoyed working with the supportive EDA board."During his nearly two years with the city, Statema is proud of gaining designation in the Job Opportunity Building Zones and his work securing Greater Minnesota Infrastructure and the Small Cities Grants.The city is about to receive a special award from the Economic Development Association of Minnesota for business attraction, which is a noteworthy testament to Statema.He also worked with Total Card Inc. to get them to Luverne. That deal utilized JOB Zones and filled the vacant Tri-State building while bringing the promise of hundreds of new jobs to town. Nate Golla, LEDA board member, said that while big deals get more attention, smaller, frequent interactions with many businesses made Statema an effective LEDA director."I think he’s been a tremendous asset to the community and the position," Golla said. "He has served the city and the EDA well and he will be missed." Statema said, "I’ve enjoyed meeting many residents of the city and serving the community. … It’s a wonderful city with a lot of potential."Golla said he hoped Statema would find a way to stay in Luverne, because he’s a good person to have in the community — whether he’s employed by the city or not.Statema has no immediate plans for employment.Future of the positionThe LEDA board has said it’s interested in changing the way it does business.It formed a subcommittee of Golla, Isaac DeBoer and Mike Engesser to explore a contract that would give the LEDA board more control over the director.The director is a city employee now, and doesn’t answer directly to the LEDA.DeBoer said, "As an EDA board, we feel we should be able to give direction to the director, keeping in mind the city’s goals, because what we do, obviously, has to be approved by the City Council."With the council having to approve most LEDA action, the subcommittee proposed that the director be more accountable to the LEDA directly. The LEDA would hire, fire, review and set the salary for the director under this proposal.City Administrator Greg LaFond said giving the LEDA more power may be a good idea, but using other city staff, time and resources may not fit with the concept. "I am concerned about the city’s fiduciary responsibility," LaFond said.The LEDA will take action on the position and how it’s handled at a future meeting.