10 years ago (1994)"Happy Birthday, Hills American Legion Post #399! Seventy-five years ago, a gathering of 18 men joined forces to organize the local American Legion. A few years later, the Legion Auxiliary was added to the group. Charter members of the Post were Arthur Anderson, Otto Bakk, O.A. Haraldson, John Johnson, Richard Johnson, Albert Kjergaard, Henry Larson, Carl Nerison, Helmer Nerison, Gunder Nisja, Carl Reed, Arthur Rortvedt, Leonard Sexe, John Stranden, Fred Thompson, Viggo Westergaard and Harold Wildung."25 years ago (1979)"Spring is in the air and the creek is in the field! Mud Creek burst over its banks this week and flooded fields from north of Hills to south of Lester. The flood, while not the worst in recent memory, is still substantial enough to create problems for persons living near the creek."50 years ago (1954)"Two Hills men, namely, Bert Berghorst and Asle Skattum, are considering organizing a liquid fertilizer business here. Many farmers have already heard of the Anhydrous Ammonia treatment for soil, which seems to have all the possibilities of being a real booster for yields of corn. The firm will be known as the B—S Fertilizer Co., the two men informed The Crescent Tuesday." 75 years ago (1929)"A kindergarten class will be conducted commencing April 8th at the public schools. All children who attain the age of five by the first of April may enter this class." 100 years ago (1904)"Bank robbers still seem to be operating in this section of country and an attempt was made to rob the First National Bank of Rushmore on the night of March 14th."

Greetings from Tuff Memorial Home and Tuff Village!Village Voice:The hours of the library in the Garden Room at Tuff Village are from 9 to 11 a.m. the first and third Saturday and 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. Come in and check out our selection of books available. We thank Capt. Charles Erickson for sharing his experiences in Afghanistan on Wednesday morning. Thursday evening the following tenants attended the production by the Green Earth Players entitled "Cheaper by the Dozen." Those attending included: Palma Sundem, Carolyn Crawford, Martha Bakken, Signe Egebo, Vivienna Tatge, Marcella Theis, Fran Sandager, Alice Goettsch and Ruby Feucht. Ione Bush shared fresh flowers in the dining room from the wedding of her grandson Ethan Metzger and Trista Moser’s on Saturday.On Sunday Miles Olson, son of Dale and Alta Olson, played organ music on Sunday.Tuff Home notes:St. Patrick’s Day was observed on Wednesday. Residents enjoyed playing on the bells two songs: "My Wild Irish Rose" and "Edelweiss." Other activities included trivia, word search puzzles and listening to Irish quotes. Each resident was asked to choose leprechaun’s marked with numbers. Congratulations to Alice Borchers, Owen Stangeland, Opal Nelson and visitor Henrietta Bajema for choosing the leprechaun with the winning number. For lunch in honor of Loretta Boysen’s birthday chocolate cake with green frosting and sprinkles was served. Wednesday morning Capt. Charles Erickson shared his experiences in Afghanistan with the residents and staff. He shared pictures and some of the clothing the Afghanistan people wear. Doris Sonntag, Eva Cragoe, Loretta Boysen, Opal Swanson, Shirley Olson and Lou Kellenberger attended the play "Cheaper by the Dozen" at the Palace Theatre in Luverne.Friday afternoon the Luverne Kitchen Kut-ups band played delightful music. We would like to thank them for their visit.At the time of this printing Ada Uhley remains a patient in Luverne Community Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with her at this time.

Only three months into 2004, it looks as if disease will be a dominant theme for the agricultural community. January opened with attention fixed on the Washington BSE investigation. February brought us avian influenza in Delaware, Maryland, Texas and British Columbia On top of it all, the "Asian bird flu" is still sickening birds and people in southeast Asia. Minnesota’s soybean growers have their own storm cloud looming on the horizon. Soybean rust, which has caused up to 60 percent yield loss in Brazilian soybean fields, is slowly but surely moving its way toward us. Soybean rust is a fast-spreading fungal disease that can be carried on the wind. The disease has infected fields around the world, with the exception of Europe and North America. However, with the infestation moving north from Brazil, state and federal agriculture officials fear it’s just a matter of years — or even months — before the disease reaches North American fields. Based on studies of wind patterns, experts predict that rust will likely spread from South America to the southern United States in less than five years. Worst-case predictions call for its arrival sometime this summer. Fortunately, Minnesota will probably be among the last major soybean states hit by soybean rust. It is expected that the disease will first hit the southern states and then work is way north. Also, scientists believe the fungus that causes soybean rust cannot survive Minnesota’s frigid winters. Unfortunately, because rust spreads so easily on the wind, it is likely that once established in southern states, the disease will repeatedly find its way north to Minnesota on the winds. There are a number of fungicide products capable of controlling rust, but as of early March, none of these products have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on soybeans. This is a gap in America’s rust readiness, so the Minnesota Department of Agriculture plant protection workers teamed up with counterparts from South Dakota to submit a national application called a "Section 18" that seeks EPA approval for seven fungicide products that can help control the disease.Just recently I had a chance to meet with EPA officials in Washington, D.C., to discuss the importance of this request. They told me we can expect to see action on our Section 18 application in the coming weeks.When soybean rust does show up, we need to be able to recognize it and act quickly. The MDA will once again conduct field monitoring for the disease during the 2004 growing season through its Plant Pest Survey program. If a field is suspected of being infected, samples will be taken to the University of Minnesota where they will be tested and analyzed. Grower education is also among the most important factors in protecting the state’s $1.3 billion soybean industry. Last year, the MDA and the University of Minnesota distributed a soybean rust fact sheet to producer organizations and grain handlers to provide details on how to post the disease, and in 2004 we will be doing more to spread the word about rust and its telltale signs. For more information about soybean rust and what we are doing to prepare for its arrival, visit the MDA’s Web site at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/invasives/soybeanrust/.

Vicki Nelson, Mankato, was a weekend visitor with parents, Ray and Lois Nelson. Friday night they attended the Green Earth play in Luverne. Mary Carter returned home last week Tuesday after spending a month visiting her sons, Ron and John, and families. They live in Sun City, Ariz., Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Camarillo, Calif. Paul and Vicki Nelson and boys, Christopher and Patrick, attended funeral services for Vicki’s sister, Jacki Shobe, in San Antonio, Texas. Vicki went a week earlier to be with her sister who was in Hospice care. Jacki was 51. She died Friday, March 15. Funeral services were at Mission San Hose on March 17. Marie Walraven, Del and Robert, and Shirley Walraven attended funeral services for Marie’s brother, John Barents, 86, last week Tuesday at Fulda.Marvin and Harriet Kolsrud, Sioux Falls, were Tuesday visitors in the home of Robert and Twila Kirsch. Entertained at a Sunday brunch in the home of Steve and Marilyn VanWyhe, in Steen were Heather VanWyhe and Jeff Beeler, Hutchinson, Travis and Amber Arends, Warrensburg, Mo., and Cliff and Vi VanWyhe.Dick and Audrey Heidenson spent from Wednesday until Saturday in Arlington Heights, Ill., where they attended a memorial service for a friend. She was 78. They got to see many of her family and others as well at their former church.Friday Joanne Goehle went to Edgerton. Michele Nester, Winona, was also present along with Brenda Carmany of Edgerton. The occasion was the birthday celebration of Michele Hadler. Beth Sandager was a visitor in the home of her parents, Sheldon and Ellie Sandager. She was on her way to Kansas City, Kan., on a business trip and visited a friend in Florida. Don and Edyth Briggs drove to Sioux City, Iowa, Sunday to visit in the home of Marg Winter. Lee Walraven returned home Thursday after serving a tour of duty in the National Guard in England. Faith DeBoer and Rheta DeBoer were guests of Berdella DeBoer at dinner Tuesday at Tuff Village.

Spring officially arrived on Saturday. Most of us have become over anxious for its coming this year. I know that many have been outside walking around their homes and gardens to see if any of the perennials have been brave enough to peek out of the cold, dark ground to see if the sun is shining and time for them to get up! The month of March got its name from a Roman war god. The Anglo-Saxons called March "Hyd-Month" or loud or stormy month. Both are appropriate, even today. However, when March arrives, the days begin to get longer rapidly. The Vernal Equinox falls on March 21 so this month is part winter and part spring. Tradition said the last three days of March were borrowed from April and so are always stormy. I am not sure if March came in like a lion or a lamb. But I do know it was accompanied by a gusty wind as she has been with us frequently for some time. Regardless if it came in like a lion or a lamb, spring will soon be here so get out your lawnmower and get it ready to go as there are many other jobs awaiting us such as raking the dead leaves that are still blowing around and picking up many other things that you wonder how they ever got to where they were. Enjoy your last few days of peace and quiet as soon the outdoors will be calling us to come. Come to think of it that is what we have been waiting for this entire month. Jeff Aukes, son of Orrin and Bernice Aukes, whose birthday was on Tuesday, celebrated it in the home of his parents Sunday afternoon. Those coming to help him celebrate were Orlie and Linda Aukes and son, Bryan, Larchwood, Iowa, and Dan and friend Amy Fogama, Lisa Telford and daughter, Taylor, Jeff’s friend, Shelia Saulzski, all from Sioux Falls, Mary and Clair Crawford and sons, Isaac and Lance, Beaver Creek, Tim Jungers, Luverne, and Sophie Jungers, Worthington.Ellsworth will once again be giving the "Living Last Supper" on the following dates: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10. If you have never attended this, it is well worth your while.Mildred Paulsen attended the Maplewood Apartments board meeting of the Lakeview United Methodist Health Care Center on Monday at Fairmont. The KELO "Almost Stars" will come to H-BC at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 29, in the Hills High School gym. A soup and dessert supper will be from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the game in the high school lunch room. (Freewill donations accepted.) All proceeds go to the junior parents after prom committee. The H-BC junior-senior prom is Friday, April 23. Dries and Laura May Bosch enjoyed a morning brunch with Laura May’s family Sunday morning. Those who were there were her sisters and sister-in-law, Myra Doyle, Sioux Falls, Margaret and Harold Schlimgen, Luverne, and Kay Cox, Adrian. Anita Bosh, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, came Sunday afternoon to spend her spring break visiting her parents, Art and Henrietta Boeve, and other family members including her sister, Michelle and Gregg VanWyhe and their family including their new twin babies. Lori Scholten celebrated her birthday with a Sunday dinner in her home for her family which included her parents, Kenny and Marleen Thompson of Sioux Falls.Among those from the Steen area who attended the play presented by the Green Earth Players at the Palace Theatre in Luverne on Saturday evening were Melba Boeve, Art and Henrietta Boeve, Harvey and Etta DeJongh, Pastor Dan and Karen Ramaker, Anna Elbers and Betty Boeve. Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen attended on Friday evening. The Inspiration Hills Annual Auxiliary meeting and Silent Auction is Thursday, March 25, with the Silent Auction conducted in the afternoon. Lately, it seems to me that all we have in our lives is money and more money. Everyone is trying to make more money or to get a job that pays more and I got to thinking, why is money so important to all of us. Yes, I know we have to have money to live but if all we had was money and nothing available to buy, we could become very hungry as we certainly cannot eat it. The late George Horace Lorimer, who for years served as editor of the now called "Saturday Evening Post," wrote these words: "It’s a good thing to have money, and the things money can buy, but it is good, too, to check up once in awhile and make sure we haven’t lost the things money cannot buy." The things money cannot buy would make a long list. Here are some of them.Money cannot buy real friendship; it must be earned. Money cannot buy a clear conscience; square dealing is the price tag.Money cannot buy the glow of good health; right living is the secret.Money cannot buy happiness; happiness is a mental attitude; and one can be as happy in a cottage as in a mansion.Money cannot buy sunshine, singing birds, and the music of the wind in the trees; these are as free as the air we breathe.Money cannot buy inward peace; peace is the result of a constructive philosophy of life. Money cannot buy character; character is what we are when we are alone with ourselves in the dark. There are many more things that could be added to this list but I will let you make your own list. You will agree that among the things money cannot buy are some of the most valuable treasures life has to offer. It is a good thing to check up now and then to be sure we’re not missing these things!

Now more than ever, Mattel’s Barbie doll needs a reality check. In light of her recent separation from Ken, rumors are flying around and they need to be examined. According to the Associated Press, "After 43 years as one of the world’s prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up." A well-placed source from Mattel explains, "Barbie and Ken feel it’s time to spend some quality time — apart." At first glance, it’s Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (the couple also known as Bennifer) all over again — a girl who likes to change outfits often and a guy who always seems to have the same expression on his face. However, after 43 years, Kenarbie hardly had a whirlwind romance. Theirs was more of a "no weather in the forecast" kind of relationship. A few of us, who have been observing the couple throughout the years, would like to ask, "Weren’t they married? What about those beautiful wedding dresses? Shouldn’t Kenarbie stick this out for seven more years and be able to celebrate their golden anniversary?" Things between them must be pretty serious to give up frosted sheet cakes, molded cream cheese candies, crepe paper streamers and balloons. A spokesman for Mattel explained to the AP that Ken was reluctant to marry and "all those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie’s wishful thinking." (It must be something like the two-piece bathing suits and tight shoes some of us keep in the backs of our closets.) Another problem bothering Kenarbie fans who aren’t mathematically challenged is Barbie’s age. Because she made her first public appearance in 1959 at the New York Toy Show, people assume that was also the day she was born. They think she will soon be 45. Actually, given the fact that she appeared to be 18 or older in 1959, her real age is at least 63. That changes things considerably. Plans have been made to introduce a new look for Barbie — "Cali (short for California) Barbie." In addition to skateboarder shorts, a skimpy bikini top, metal hoop earrings and a deeper tan, Cali Barbie will have another accessory — Blaine, the Australian boogie boarder. The one obvious difference between Barbie’s two suitors is that Blaine is able to bend his knees. What’s-his-name couldn’t. What does Barbie expect? If she’s 63, then Ken is at least her age. In his defense, not being able to bend one’s knees at 63 isn’t all that rare. Perhaps Barbie should take a new look at Ken and count her blessings — he’s loyal, he still has all of his hair and he always has a pleasant smile on his face, A post-menopausal woman could do worse. And that’s what Barbie is. Since 1959 she has been everything — a swimsuit model, a rock star, a teacher, a nurse and a military medic. She has traveled to, and stayed in, 150 countries. In a real world, she would have grandchildren, varicose veins and elastic waistbands. Patricia O’Connell of Business Week magazine thinks the real reason for Kenarbie’s split is simple. "To Barbie, Ken is an accessory, just like her pink convertible or her beach house. Mattel merely extended Barbie’s consumerist mentality to her boyfriend. Besides, Ken was never all that hot." Goodbye, Ken, we’ll miss you. Hello, Blainarbie.

Patti Thielbar, with daughter Brooke, and twins Levi and Luke, wait for the returen of Brock Thielbar in Pipestone.By Lori EhdeAnticipation mounted Wednesday afternoon as National Guardsmen kept in touch with Luverne and Pipestone communities during their bus ride home.Members of the First Battalion, 125th Artillery wheeled through Luverne in a chartered bus around 4 p.m. Wednesday.They returned to the United States last week after a six-month deployment in England, and departed from Ft. McCoy, Wis., Wednesday morning.Because the National Guard Armory in Luverne is under construction, local families had to greet their returning guardsmen in Pipestone.The bus couldn’t stop in Luverne on its way through, but Luverne residents and merchants were able to greet the bus on its way through Luverne.Formal community welcome home ceremonies were planned for today in Luverne and Pipestone. The Star Herald will provide coverage of that ceremony in its March 25 edition.Local Guard members served in England primarily as additional security officers. Their duties included things such as checking IDs and patrolling bases.There are 93 affected members in the 125th Field Artillery that includes Luverne and Pipestone. Of those, 55 serve duty at the National Guard Training and Community Center in Luverne.Twenty-three of those live in Rock County and 21 live in Nobles County.

GEP’s ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ Saturday at Palace"Cheaper by the Dozen," which has been made into a movie twice by Hollywood, will be performed on stage at the Palace Theatre starting this weekend."Cheaper by the Dozen" was first made into a movie in 1950 and more recently in 2003, with Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt and Hillary Duff.The dates for the play are March 19 to 21 and March 26 to 28.Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday show time is 2 p.m.The box office for the play is at the Carnegie Cultural Center, 205 N. Freeman in Luverne.Box office hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. This season marks the 26th year the Green Earth Players have been providing live theater for Rock County.Home Show set for March 27Luverne’s 13th annual Home Show has been set for Saturday, March 27.Various local and regional businesses will showcase their wares in the Blue Mound Ice Area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The focus of the day will be on new construction, remodeling, landscaping, financing and home decorating.As of Wednesday, 16 booths have been reserved by various businesses.If you would like to show off your business or home products, there is still time to rent a booth.For more information, contact Mike Engesser at 283-4463 or Jim Boeve at 283-2366.Home Delivered Meals, now available to rural residentsNutrition Services, Inc., Waseca, MN, the new provider of Senior Dining and Home Delivered Meals will now provide those same options for rural residents.The new rural meal delivery will be provided to people over 60 years of age or disabled younger people.Meals normally consist of frozen meals once per week.Hot meals will be delivered the first day that meals are ordered and frozen meals for the rest of the week.Senior dining meals at the Luverne Senior Citizen Center are available to anyone age 60 and over and spouses of an eligible diner regardless of age.If you would like to know more about the program, contact Neva Clausen at 283-9846.All meals are approved by a registered dietician.Nutritional Services Inc. provides Senior Dining and Home Delivered Meals in 5 regions in Minnesota and have 175 dining sites and expect to provide over one million meals in the coming year.Family Fun Night for summer recreationA Family Fun Night for the Luverne Community Education Summer Rec program is scheduled for Monday, March 22.The evening will start at 6:30 p.m. with registration for softball and baseball At 7 p.m. the Spotlight Dancers will perform before the main event, which is the Luverne Has Beens (teachers) vs. the KELOland Almost Stars.16 or more teachers will provide the talent for the Luverne team with another 8 serving as coaches, referees and cheerleaders.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

‘The secret to success is knowing who to blame for your failures’Former Star Herald reporter, Carole Olson, posted on her computer a quote by American hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. It said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."Carole wasn’t much of a hockey fan, as I recall, but she — like most of us — appreciates a well-coined inspirational phrase.One of my favorite quotes is by long-time marathon runner John Bingham, who said, "The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."Entire books are published on famous, inspirational quotes, and the American public buys them by the millions. We frame these messages on desktops and the wall. We put them on calendars, coffee mugs, t-shirts and Post-It notes.It’s a good thing, on one hand, because it means we at least intend to become better people — or at least more motivated, more patient, more loving, more something.On the other hand, we’ve reached a market saturation for the warm fuzzies, lending rise to anti-inspirational products offering a little comic relief.Despair Inc., Austin, Tex. is marketing this sentiment with products touting hilarious messages that perfectly counter all the good we’ve aspired to be."Cynical marketers have begun to fashion negative parodies to sooth the intellects, if not the souls, of a population grown weary of cheap hope," its catalog advertises. In the Positive Negations collection, Despair Inc. offers "idyllic titles coupled with dispirited sayings that promise happiness from afar, then slap you in the face for being so gullible."oSuccess: "Some people dream of success, while other people live to crush those dreams."oAchievement: "You can do anything you set your mind to when you have vision, determination and an endless supply of expendable labor."From the Idiotic Insights collection, there’s…oIdiocy: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups."oCluelessness: "There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots."From the Entropic Expression collection there’s…oDysfunction: "The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying relationships is you."oMistakes: "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others."From Megalomaniacal Maxims, there’s…oArrogance: "The best leaders inspire by example. When that’s not an option, brute intimidation works pretty well, too."oPower: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. But it rocks absolutely, too."oElitism: "It’s lonely at the top. But it’s comforting to look down upon everyone at the bottom."oBlame: "The secret to success is knowing who to blame for your failures."The phrases, printed in stately type on serene photographs, can be purchased on coffee mugs, calendars, t-shirts and posters.Despair Inc. cleverly tells customers, "Motivational posters don’t work. But our Demotivational posters don’t work even better," and "Operators are waiting to take your money."Does it mean we’re bad people with twisted humor if we order products from Despair Inc.? No. It means we’re good people who recognize the value of a little comic relief.The company recognizes this too. "No matter who you are, you have the potential to be so much less," founder and COO E.L. Kersten writes. "And with the transformative powers of our Demotivators® products, you will be."