Is it OK for kids to drink alcohol because they could be doing worse things? Is it OK because you did it when you were a kid and nothing happened to you? Is it just part of growing up? Is it better to have kids drink at home than on the back roads? The answer to all of these questions is no. Alcohol is a part of American society. But, it is adults who create community norms about alcohol use and are important role models for youth. Adults can create or change community norms by:1. Modeling and supporting adults who choose to drink alcohol legally, safely, and appropriately.
This means no drinking and driving, no binge drinking, and no glorification of drinking by acting silly and stupid in front of kids.2. Supporting those who choose not to drink alcohol.
Kids who start drinking before they are 21 are four times more likely to become alcoholics.3. Sharing your concerns with those who choose to drink illegally or in an unsafe or inappropriate manner.
How much have you had to drink before you take the babysitter home?4. Encouraging discussions about when, where, and how much to drink.
Be the parent, not a friend. Allowing drinking in your home makes a statement that drinking is OK. Teenagers are typically not safe, social drinkers and may participate in other risky behaviors while drinking (tobacco, drugs, sex, suicide).5. Supporting the enforcement of existing laws that restrict youth consumption and purchasing of alcohol.
Do not buy alcohol for anyone under the age of 21.With prom and graduation fast approaching, Nobles-Rock Partners in Prevention would like to remind you that adults can be charged with a felony crime and held liable for damages and death that can occur as a result of providing to minors. We urge you to think of the safety of your kids and their friends. Please do not provide alcohol to anyone under the age to 21. Paula Anderson – NRPHSAshley Bosch – HBCKatie Kraetsch – LHSKari Lais – LHSLois Leenderts – HBCJason Martens – HBCKelly Mulder – HBCWhitney Oye – LHSJohn Sandbulte – HBCSara Vorderbruggen - LHS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILMARCH 22, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. with the following Council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Arlen Leenderts, Dana Dahlquist and Keith Elbers. Employees present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk; Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests present: Damon Eisma, Sue Stueven, Shelly Van Westen, Mike Sandager, Leonard Leenderts, Stan Van Wyhe, Roger Jackson, Ed Gehrke, Arlen Gehrke, Justin Hinks, and Jolene Farley-Hills Crescent.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to approve of the minutes of February 10th and March 8th. Motion carried.Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of the February expenditures: General $5,838.14; Park $1,273.16; Fire $1,385.23; Street $3,148.91; Legion $643.87; Sewer $1,318.72; Garbage $1,873.53; Recycling $526.03; Water $4,344.93; Baseball $11.53. Motion carried. The Hills City Council meeting was recessed at 6:08 P.M. in order to open the Hills EDA public hearing. Council reconvened at 6:20 P.M.TREASURER’S REPORT:General Checking 103,185.64General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 237,314.41General Fund CD#17760, 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,735.68Sewer Fund CD#18255, 1.5%, 7/19/04 40,646.36Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,228.20Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,971.78Hills EDA Checking 4,701.27Southern Hills Apts. Account 6,976.42Southern Hills CD#17759, 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,183.92 EDA CD#17850, 2.5%, 5/7//05 27,963.43EDA CD#17268, 1.75%, 1/26/04 10,631.54EDA CD#18160, 1.5%, 10/17/04 20,000.00TOTAL 503,538.65Sue Stueven, Shelly Van Westen and Mike Sandager, representing the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, appeared at the meeting to introduce their plan to replace the playground equipment at Rez Park. The Council reviewed the plans consisting of a tower, three swings, and two slides at a cost of $1,447.25. The 4-H Club is asking for approximately $500 from each the City and Lion’s Club. The 4-H Club has approximately $500, and will supply the labor. Leonard Leenderts noted that the Lion’s plan to donate, but that the amount is unknown at this time. Motion by Arlen Leenderts, seconded by Keith Elbers to donate toward the purchase of the playground equipment, and to pay the City’s share, plus whatever cost share the Lion’s does not donate. Ward was instructed to obtain proposals for gravel for alleys and Rez Park.Discussed the installation of a culvert between the properties of Chuck Kuntze and Derek Bundesen in Park View Fourth Addition. Also discussed the repair of a culvert at the corner of Fourth Street and Josephine Avenue. The Council reviewed Spencer DeSmet’s past building permit application and utility hookups. DeSmet will be charged as one water and sewer service connection, even though the home and garage are metered separate, on the same line.Spring junk pickup is scheduled for May 15th.Stan Van Wyhe, Roger Jackson, Ed Gehrke and Arlyn Gehrke, representing the Beaver Creek Sportsmen Club, informed the Council of their plans for Rez Park: 1) to continue the use of barley straw for cleaning the water; 2) manually remove the algae from the beach and waters edge; 3) improve the southeast point, by asking the City for two loads of gravel, and use of the City’s equipment; 4) request the City to purchase sand for the swimming area; and 5) financial help for purchasing a handicap accessible dock. The Council approved of their work plans, and to purchase gravel and sand. The Council tabled a decision regarding the dock, and requested further information and cost proposals. Mike Sandager, representing Ruth Kentfield, appeared at the meeting to discuss the City’s interest in the purchase of property from Kentfield. Sandager informed the Council that there are property line discrepancies along the north boundaries of Hills between the Kentfield property and certain city residents. The City is interested in purchasing property in the northeast corner along State Highway 270 and County Road Six, this property is in the City limits. The City’s second proposal is to extend Josephine Avenue north across State Highway 270, then proceed west. Sandager agreed to contact the Kentfield family with the City’s proposals. Alvin "Bud" Hoogeveen has chosen not to move his barbershop business into the American Legion building. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve of the renewal of the Fire Contracts for the City of Steen and Clinton Township, to remain the same as last year, per discussion at the special meeting on March 8th. Voting in favor: Elbers, Dahlquist, Svoboda and Jellema. Leenderts abstained. Motion carried. The Council denied approval of the skateboard park proposal due to two park projects currently in the works. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to proclaim April 23rd as the City’s Arbor Day. A tree will be planted south of the baseball field in connection with Arbor Day.The filing dates for mayor and city council positions open August 24th through September 7th. Notice of these filing dates will be published at a later date.Motion by Leenderts, seconded by Svoboda to grant a building permit to Ken and Julie Hyink for a new home, pending setbacks from the north and east property lines to be no less than 25 feet, and no less than five feet from the south and west property lines. The Council also approved to waive the water and sewer tapping fees in accordance with Resolution 94-4. Motion carried. Motion by Leenderts, seconded by Dahlquist to grant a building permit to Eric and Amy Gaugler to extend their garage, pending their neighbors approval due to property line setbacks are less than five feet. Motion carried. No further business, meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(4-8)

MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARINGAND REGULAR MEETING OF THEHILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYMARCH 22, 2004Dana Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 6:08 P.M. Board present: Dana Dahlquist, Arlen Leenderts, Jim Jellema, Keith Elbers, and Linus Svoboda. Employee present; Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Guests present: Damon Eisma-Council for the Hills EDA, Sue Stueven, and Shelly Van Westen.The purpose of this public hearing was to allow citizens to inquire and comment regarding the conversion of Southern Hills Apartments into condominiums, and for the sale of the units. Eisma informed the Board that the outstanding apartment bond must be paid-off entirely, or as each portion of the condominium units are sold. Also, that the three-year control period in the Declaration is statutory, but that the EDA would still maintain voting rights according to the number of units owned. Buyers may enter into a purchase agreement prior to platting the properties. Since no visitors were present for the purpose of the public hearing, the Board proceeded with their regular EDA meeting. Motion by Leenderts, seconded by Jellema to approve of the minutes of February 13th. Motion carried. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Svoboda to approve payment of the February expenditures. Motion carried. Ken and Julie Hyink purchased Lot 5 in Park View 4th Addition and are closing on March 25th.Lot 2 in Park View 3rd Addition is sold to Rod and Starla Scholten, contingent upon the sale of their home. The Board discussed Lot 6 in Park View 4th Addition which has become a concern for homeowners within Josephine Drive, due to the layout of the property and what might be built in that location. The Board tabled the discussion until it becomes an issue. Dave McGuire gave notice that he is moving out of Southern Hills Apartment #506 by April 1, 2004. No further business, meeting adjourned at 6:20 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaEDA Secretary(4-8)

Is it OK for kids to drink alcohol because they could be doing worse things? Is it OK because you did it when you were a kid and nothing happened to you? Is it just part of growing up? Is it better to have kids drink at home than on the back roads? The answer to all of these questions is no. Alcohol is a part of American society. But, it is adults who create community norms about alcohol use and are important role models for youth. Adults can create or change community norms by:1. Modeling and supporting adults who choose to drink alcohol legally, safely, and appropriately.
This means no drinking and driving, no binge drinking, and no glorification of drinking by acting silly and stupid in front of kids.2. Supporting those who choose not to drink alcohol.
Kids who start drinking before they are 21 are four times more likely to become alcoholics.3. Sharing your concerns with those who choose to drink illegally or in an unsafe or inappropriate manner.
How much have you had to drink before you take the babysitter home?4. Encouraging discussions about when, where, and how much to drink.
Be the parent, not a friend. Allowing drinking in your home makes a statement that drinking is OK. Teenagers are typically not safe, social drinkers and may participate in other risky behaviors while drinking (tobacco, drugs, sex, suicide).5. Supporting the enforcement of existing laws that restrict youth consumption and purchasing of alcohol.
Do not buy alcohol for anyone under the age of 21.With prom and graduation fast approaching, Nobles-Rock Partners in Prevention would like to remind you that adults can be charged with a felony crime and held liable for damages and death that can occur as a result of providing to minors. We urge you to think of the safety of your kids and their friends. Please do not provide alcohol to anyone under the age to 21. Paula Anderson – NRPHSAshley Bosch – HBCKatie Kraetsch – LHSKari Lais – LHSLois Leenderts – HBCJason Martens – HBCKelly Mulder – HBCWhitney Oye – LHSJohn Sandbulte – HBCSara Vorderbruggen - LHS

10 years ago (1994)"The Mark and Karen Willers family of Beaver Creek were honored as the Rock County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year at a ceremony and banquet March 17 on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. Seventy-three Minnesota farm families were recognized at the 14th annual event."25 years ago (1979)"The Beaver Creek travel information center showed the second largest increase in tourist inquiries during 1978 by giving assistance to 31,300 people during the year, the Crescent has learned. Inquiries were up 10 percent at Beaver Creek, besting all the other centers in the state except for Duluth, which was up by 13 percent in 1978.The Beaver Creek center handled about 16 percent of the states’ total of 195,864 travel inquiries." 50 years ago (1954)"Airman 1/c Gordon Slieter arrived home Friday from Japan for a furlough with his folks, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Slieter, Steen. He will be stationed at Wold Chamberlain Field on his return to service." 75 years ago (1929)"Although it wasn’t Mrs. J.N. Jacobson’s turn to serve at Ladies Aid, the Crescent reporter put her name down just the same, as one of the serving committee for today’s Ladies Aid being held at the Brick church. You know there is a great likeness in J.N. Jacobson and J.M. Johnson, and when a fellow gets in a hurry around the print shop they sound very much alike, hence we printed Mrs. J.N. Jacobson when it should have been Mrs. J.M. Johnson, and promise never to make another mistake."100 years ago (1904)"The first rural free delivery route out of Hills was opened Friday, April 1st, when Albert Thompson, the carrier, made the first trip with his knobby mail wagon, which was quite a novelty to the people of Hills. This route is very well planned, in that its out-going and in-coming course are not more than one mile apart, leaving no patrons any great distance from the route, as some of the other routes in the county do."

Sunday afternoon Ray and Lois Nelson attended "The Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross" at the Cathedral in Sioux Falls, S.D.Traveling to Northglen, Colo., on Wednesday, March 24, were Wendell and Eddy Skattum, Deerwood, Marilyn Johnson Dybvig, Ortonville, Robert Godfrey, Norwood, and Harriet Skattum. The occasion was the 50th wedding anniversary of Mark and Janet Skattum. The Minnesota folks returned to Hills on Wednesday night and were overnight guests of Harriet’s. They returned to their homes Thursday with the exception of Marilyn who remained with Harriet until Tuesday morning. Dick and Audrey Heidenson went to Janesville, Wis., recently and had a visit with Marilyn and Bill Hessfrom. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the music concert of the Lutheran church from Oak Grove at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, Friday night. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer attended the Easter Music Festival at Edgerton on Sunday afternoon. Don and Edyth Briggs drove to St. Cloud Friday and on Saturday attended three Masonic meetings, returning home that night. Dick and Audrey Heidenson were dinner guests of their son, Ray and Lyn Heidenson, a week ago Friday evening at the Brandon Steak House in honor of Dick’s birthday. Marvin and Lonnie Albers drove to Parkers Prairie Wednesday to get June Albers who had spent some time with her brother and five sisters in the Cities area and Parkers Prairie. Patrick Nester, Winona, spent last week with Joanne Goehle. Thursday the two of them went to Tyler to attend Andrew Carmany’s Middle School Showcase where Andrew sang a vocal solo. Friday they went to see the Lewis and Clark show at the Washington Pavilion Sioux Falls. Saturday, Joanne took Patrick to Blue Earth where he was met by his father, Rick Nester.Among those taking in the movie, "The Passion of Christ," Sunday afternoon at the Palace Theatre in Luverne were Don and Edyth Briggs, Harriet Skattum, Darlene Anderson, Alice Kolsrud and Luella Schlueter.

Spring is in the air! Temperatures have been in the 50s and have even reached into the 70s! Even the air feels and smells different. I hope we all survived our time change on Sunday when we had to set our clocks ahead one hour. I am sure we were all a bit draggy for a few days but we will get used to it. April is a very special time when spring arrived and I, for one, am ready and waiting.Sunday is Easter and all the earth seems to come alive to herald its coming of Easter. Let’s hope our weather continues to be favorable for family gatherings. Many families have not been together for a long time and have been looking forward to seeing everyone. I hope they don’t get too tired driving as we are not used to the time change as yet. Take your time and enjoy the promises of spring in the landscape as you travel along. Then you will arrive safely.The Steen Senior Citizens had their April meeting Monday afternoon at the Steen community building. Games and cards were played. Lunch was served by Henrietta Huenink. Verla Baker was taken to Sioux Valley Hospital Friday morning after a fall which left her with a broken wrist. We wish her a speedy recovery. Melba Boeve and Carol Zwaan attended the Spring Festival of Gospel Music at First Christian Church in Sioux Falls Sunday afternoon and evening. The programs were presented by groups from several different states and cities. Rapid City and Mitchell, S.D., Orange City, Iowa, and North Dakota. Mildred Paulsen accompanied the Freedom Club from Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Sioux Falls on Monday evening. They enjoyed supper together at Coyote Canyon following which they attended the Plumber Family Country Music Show at Washington Pavilion. Thursday evening the Reformed Church Women Spring Conference was at the American Reformed Church in Worthington. The program, "Memories Tied With Apron Strings" was presented. Those attending from Steen were Etta DeJongh, Karen Ramaker, Millie Klarenbeek, Cena Mae Tilstra, Melba Boeve, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens. Lori Scholten was taken by ambulance to Luverne Community Hospital Sunday evening where she remains a patient. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended the Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Falls choir concert Sunday evening. A former resident of Steen, Lexia DeWit of Sioux Falls, was the director. Lexia is the sister of Steve VanWyhe of Steen. Paul and Diane Bosch from Brandon, S.D., joined Dries and Laura May for the concert.Maundy Service will be Thursday evening at Steen Reformed Church beginning with a meal at 6:30 p.m. The Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae service will begin at 7:30 p.m. April is very special. A time when the whole world seems to be anxious for the milder weather which spring promises to bring to us. A moist smell in the air promises many splendors when time sound the summons. Small sprouts and leaves slowly unfolding to reach out to the life-giving sun. Birds twitter, busying themselves with nests in the great oak tree. The scent of blossoms floats up in the soft air. A green carpet creeping over the hills to cover winters brown ground. All the earth is ready and waiting for the coming of spring and Easter. The peal of Easter bells and the melody of Easter songs, are the signal for a throng of memories and a host of inspirations to every heart. There is no day in all the year so full of meaning to the soul as Easter, with its beautiful flowers and fervent songs to give it honor. It seems that Easter is everywhere as written so well by Agnes Choate Wonson and titled, "Easter Everywhere.""Suddenly I see the first blue periwinkles pushing small sky faces through the cozy coverlet of the last autumn maple leaves. Easter is everywhere!Gold and orange candles of tiny crocus blooms are seen, a flame of fire on the sunny side of my neighbor’s house. Easter is everywhere!The first red-breasted robin hops hopefully around my yard, I must remember to hang bits of twine for nesting time. Easter is everywhere!My Easter lilies sparkle in the dew — symbols of Resurrection — nature’s miracle of welcome release. Easter is everywhere! Dawnings gay with bird song, twilight, pinkly fair, shower our earth’s awakening to Easter everywhere."Easter is Sunday. I hope we will have the time to enjoy all of nature’s wonders that God has provided for and that we have a most blessed and joyful Easter. Happy Easter and drive carefully.

What’s good for TV viewers and couch potatoes in China should be good enough for the rest of us. According to Reuters news services, China rang in the New Year "by banning advertising for sanitary towels, hemorrhoid ointments and items deemed unappetizing during meal times." The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China has already set up a hotline for viewers to report violations. Another new rule is guaranteed to send TV owners to the hotline as it limits the number of ads allowed to interrupt television programs. In 2000, a viewer in Xi’an became angry when too many commercials cut into his favorite soap opera. A local court awarded him $87. Unappetizing ads are also prevalent in our country, where TV viewers are obligated to hear about breakthrough solutions to personal problems that weren’t openly discussed only a few decades ago. If we did talk graphically about hemorrhoids or male performance, parents had no choice but to stick bars of soap into our protesting, little mouths. Other offensive commercials on our TV screens tout the superiority of certain toilet bowl cleaners, cat box fillers (complete with successfully filled scoops), and creams for unsightly foot and toenail fungi. Of course, a major hurdle in our country with banning unappetizing commercials during mealtimes would be to find times when people aren’t eating in front of the TV. With most of our 300 million or so population owning TV sets and at least 60 percent of us overweight or certifiably obese, watching TV and eating have become mutually interdependent. We can’t do one activity without the other. As a result of our eating habits, a similar ban in our country might find most of the unappetizing ads running between 2 and 3 a.m., when people tend to take a sleep break from multitasking (viewing and chewing). Couples still in the platonic, hand-holding stage of their relationships, if such relationships still exist, shouldn’t have to be exposed to embarrassing ads while they watch TV. Other awkward topics — their past histories with the opposite sex or even how they dislike certain vegetables — should be dealt with before the couple is forced to endure sales pitches with cures for feminine odors or jock itch. After watching countless thousands of TV commercials during a lifetime, the following observations can easily be made: It can’t be appetizing for anyone to listen to a commercial voice-over about male dysfunction solutions while they’re staring at a plate of wrinkled lettuce leaves or a fork full of limp, cooked spaghetti. The world will be a much better place when the only feminine products on TV are limited to those used outside the body — shoes, jewelry, perfumes and clothing. On the flip side, unappetizing ads — aired under the extreme notion that more is better — might actually help the overeaters in our country lose weight. Perhaps that fourth serving of food might not look quite as appealing or perhaps dessert will be out of the question after we’ve seen nonstop, back-to-back, tasteless TV commercials. It’s not as though we have nothing to lose.

‘Passion’ opens at the Palace FridayMel Gibson’s "The Passion of The Christ," will open at the Palace Theatre this Friday.The IMDB.com summarizes the movie as follows:The Passion of The Christ focuses on the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life. The film begins in the Garden of Olives where Jesus has gone to pray after sitting the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation to death.Mel Gibson couldn’t get a major film studio in Hollywood to back the movie.Since the project, which he directed and co-wrote, was so personal to him, he put $30 million of his own money into it.He is currently expected to get $300-400 million back on the investment.Gibson, who had recently fallen off the top Hollywood money earners, is expected to be #1 when the new list for ’04 comes out."The Passion of The Christ" will start showing at the Palace Theatre on Friday, April 2 and run through Sat. April 10. Showtime is 7 p.m. nightly and 2 p.m. April 4 and Friday, April 9.Ellsworth Locker wins regional awardEllsworth locker owners, Brian and Kathy Chapa, were once again honored at the 2004 Tri-State Association of Meat Processors.The association covers a three state area, which includes Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.With 416 meat products entered in the contest, the Ellsworth locker received two championships for smoked pork chops and Bratwurst and a reserve champion for Braunschwager.‘Coffee with the City Administrator’Do you occasionally have an issue you would like to talk over with city hall? Well, now a time is set just for that.Luverne’s city administrator is starting "Coffee with the City Administrator."At 9:15 a.m. on the first Monday of every month, the city administrator will provide coffee and rolls and encourages citizens of Luverne to stop by to discuss whatever city programs, services or finances happen to be on their minds.Mary Jane Brown Center plans Easter egg huntChildren, ages 0-8, are invited to the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center for an Easter egg hunt.The hunt will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 3.The eggs will be provided, but bring your own basket to collect them in.Starting at 10 a.m., Polaroid photos with the Easter bunny will be available for a fee.Participants are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Rock County Food Shelf.If you would like more information, contact Nancy Kaczrowski at 283-2375.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com