It is difficult to believe that we were lucky one more time and the severe winter storm that was supposed to hit our area on Friday missed us again. Believe me, we are not complaining. We have to remember that it is March and we need to be prepared for most anything. However, the geese (or ducks), I can’t tell them apart, are circling over our head and telling us where they are going. I only have one problem and that is I can’t understand what they are saying. Spring must be on the way as on one of our sunny days I went outdoors and looked across the lawn and am sure I could see a slight tint of green! Crocus and snowdrops, which are perennials that come up every year, will be among the first greeters and what a welcome will be theirs. Feathered friends shall return to abandoned trees calling out their greetings. Buds will burst forth and brooks will run free, all in time. March is but an interim. Nature keeps her own schedule; we are the ones who grow impatient.Tyler Suzie, son of Linn and Mary Jo Suzie of Steen, left Wednesday from Sioux Falls, S.D., with the South Dakota Air Guard for Iraq. He will be stationed in Baghdad. Nelson Bonnema was taken by ambulance to the Luverne Hospital Thursday evening. He was able to return to his home on Saturday. His daughter, Carla Coon, has been visiting her father. Anita (Mrs. Gregg) Bosch, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, came Friday and spent the weekend in the home of her sister-in-law, Michelle and Gregg Van Wyhe in Rock Rapids where she got acquainted with their new twin babies which she enjoyed very much. She returned to her home on Sunday. Congratulations to the Hills-Beaver Creek girls’ basketball team who played Adrian at Worthington Friday evening in the playoffs. The H-BC girls won their game and will meet the Fulda team at Marshall on Thursday evening. Good luck to them!Ginger France, Sioux City, Iowa, came Saturday to visit her mother, Mickey Bonnema, who is a resident at Tuff Home in Hills.Dries Bosch entered Luverne Community Hospital on Thursday evening. He was able to return to his home on Friday.Salute is a Christian organization that has taken upon itself to help our troops overseas by sending care packages. They have asked Steen Reformed Church to help them with the needed supplies. Items needed are stocking hats, gloves, candy and other foods. A complete list can be obtained from the church if you would care to help. Coffee guests in the Mildred Keunen home Saturday morning were Ginger France, Don Bonnema, Berth Bosch and Jo Aykens.The month of March has been designated "Salute to Agriculture Month." Last week was National FFA Week in our schools. If you can’t remember what the FFA stands for it is "Future Farmers of America." All of us living in agricultural areas are hoping there will be many of them living on the land. The H-BC Chapter will attend some agricultural meetings this month. They will attend the Pipestone Meat Contest on March 16, Little International judging in Brookings, S.D., on March 19, and their annual FFA banquet is on March 23. Their officers elected for the coming year are: Aaron Clark, Parliamentarian; Robert Baker, reporter; Drew Spykerboer, historian; Terry VanWyhe, president; Melinda Sandstede, secretary; Dylan Klarenbeek treasurer; Jessi Wassenaar, sentinel; and Lance Larson, vice president. Good luck to them! I was happy to hear that they are recognizing the importance of this nation’s agriculture. Those farming the land have kept our nation out of the red ink for many years with the products they export from the farms. Since I was born and raised on the farm and have lived on one all of my life, I have a special spot in my heart for agriculture and especially for family farmers as well as everyone that lives on the land to supply food so the rest of the world can eat. What would we do without them?Those of us living in rural America are painfully aware of the decreasing statistics and the nation’s economy that has created these problems. However, farmers are a strong and dependable people. They live on the land and produce things for others and they do not give up easily. Think about the early settlers who settled these lands and you will understand why people today still love the land. I have a question I would like you to answer. Actually, it is an old question, "Who came first, the chicken or the egg?" The answer is "It was neither, it was the farmer!" Farming is a very different type of making a living, you can do everything that needs to be done and done correctly, but if it doesn’t rain, or the grasshoppers come or one of the many other disasters that can happen to their crop before it is harvested there is nothing they can do but make the best of it. And believe me they know how to do that without crying on everyone’s shoulder. They always look forward and say, "next year it will be better!" I salute our nation’s farmers. Without them we could not survive.

The news summary about lab mice caught my attention because it was so ambiguous. Clipped from the London Daily Telegraph, it simply stated, "Scientists on the cutting edge (from Quark Biotech) have recently developed cholesterol-free mice." At first glance, the story could be interpreted two ways. Had scientists genetically or chemically engineered a lab mouse that could live forever or were mice being developed as a safe food source for humans? A long-range plan by government agencies to create a healthy alternative for protein in human diets would make much more sense than a plan for mice immortality. Let’s face it. Other creatures in our food chain have been receiving bad press lately and in some places certain species have been taken off restaurant menus. Farm-raised salmon and tuna raise suspicions because of their contaminant levels and isolated cases of mad cow disease have sent consumers stampeding. Avian flu and SARS are both taking wing in Asia. (Fortunately, civet cats, believed to be the food source for SARS, have never been up my alley.) We will have to acquire a taste for mice. For many years people in our country believed that eating raw fish was some sort of taboo, ranking right up there with marrying your brother or wearing white shoes after Labor Day. Then along came sushi and opinions changed. The stereotypes we have of mice will also have to change before we will be able to think of the tiny, furry rodents as main entrees. While many of us associate mice with cute, cuddly cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse and Mighty Mouse, the rest of us have at one time or another put out contracts on their lives. We abhor the idea of the tiny rodents taking over our homes, rummaging through our cupboards and causing people to scream uncontrollably. We buy mousetraps by the dozens in hopes of snuffing out their sick, miserable, little lives. But, enough of that. It will take the public some time to adjust to mice on their menus. They might not welcome with open mouths creamed mice on toast or mice croquettes, pan-fried patties of minced mice and mashed potatoes. The switchover will be much more subtle. The assumption will be that once we try it, we will like the taste of mice. (Mothers, who were presumably placed on this earth to serve as vegetable advocates, will tell you that such assumptions rarely work.) Only careful readers will notice that the containers of chocolate mousse at the local deli have labels which appear to be misspelled — "Chocolate Mouse." Other food name similarities might include miced clams, Rocky Road mice cream, cake micing, micemeat pie and 10-pound bags of mice cubes in the freezer section. Gourmet appreciation of mice will come along later. Food critics will rave about a certain restaurant’s haute cuisine featuring mice, and their carefully chosen words will similarly be unique. "The Mice Diane scampers down rather nicely with a robust merlot." "There was nary a squeak at the table when the exquisitely tiny mice filets, delicately laced with a buttery sauce, were placed before us." Across the country, "Where’s the beef?" will eventually be replaced with, "Where’s the mouse meat?"

St. Patty’s Day ParadeIt’s a couple weeks away, but planning for the 23rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade has begun.The royalty lineup for the annual celebration includes Greg and Patti Aubert as Grand Marshall and Marshallette.Nate Golla will serve as King of the Leprechauns, with Patty Wiggins serving as the Queen of the Leprechauns.Junior Royalty will include Ian Connor, Abigail, Jack and Grace Wiggins, Jackson and Josephine Golla, and Wyatt and Zane Aubert.Robert Fitzgerald, (100% Irish) and Lorna Heiden, will serve as this year’s senior royalty.The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Furniture House parking lot and go to Freeman Street.If any individuals, groups or businesses would like to participate, contact Katie Baustian at 283-4180.Scouts to raise money by bowlingLocal scouts will be raising money this year in what they hope will be their first annual Bowl-For-Scouting.Scouts will be asking friends, relatives and neighbors for pledges of 3 cents, 5 cents or more per pin for three games.Both the adult leaders and scouts will take part in the fund-raiser.For the adult leaders, the money they raise will go into their account to help purchase equipment for the troop.The money the kids raise will go into their account to help pay for scout camp.The bowling event will take place at the Luverne Lanes Saturday, March 20, beginning at 1 p.m.If you would like to know more about Bowl-for-Scouting, contact Evie Kephart at 449-5807 or Pam Abell at 283-8715.Benefit for foster kidsA benefit for Rock County’s foster kids will be at the Eagles Club on March 20.You are encouraged to bring a "dish to pass" for the potluck supper.Participants are also asked to donate a duffle bag, along with personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and soap.The donations will help all foster kids in Rock County from the ages of 0 to 18.A dance will follow the meal.For more information about the fund-raiser, contact Shirley Top at 283-2926 or Stacy Top at 283-5070, ext. 3047.Goodwill’s Ambassador trailer arrived on WednesdayIf you’re looking to clean out your closets, the Goodwill Ambassador’s truck arrived in town on Wednesday.You are encouraged to bring any sellable donations to the trailer located south of Glen’s Food Center.Washers, dryers, baby furniture, non-working appliances and large household furniture cannot be accepted by Goodwill Industries.The last time the Goodwill truck was in Luverne area, residents donated 21,000 pounds of material, which was distributed to the 16 Goodwill stores in the region.Have any Rock County farms turned 100 years old this year?If yours has, the Minnesota State Fair’s Century Farm program would like to honor your family.To qualify, your farm must
be at least 100 years old according to authentic land records.
The farm must have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years.
The farm must be at least 50 acres.Since 1976, a total of 7,931 farms have been designated Century Farms.If you would like to know more about the century farm program, you can contact them at 651-288-4446 or by e-mail at fairinfo@mnstatefair.org.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners hopes it will receive favorable bids for two major purchases, which could cost an estimated $557,000. The new units would replace a Unimog truck, a 1964 benching wing truck and rebuilding the motor of a 1969 Oshkosh blower truck.The new snow blower unit cost estimate is $307,000, and a new benching wing truck cost estimate is $250,000. Both are used for winter road work.The Highway Department already has $173,000 set aside for a new snow blower unit. Commissioners discussed the purchases at their Tuesday meeting. They will wait for bids before deciding exactly how to pay for the equipment, but discussed funding options.Rock County Engineer Mark Sehr suggested a bond of $384,000 to cover the purchases.The board said it would also consider spending department reserves and stopping further purchases for five years.The county board has the authority to issue capital notes without a referendum for county capital equipment.Al Hartz, shop foreman/mechanic, said the department has been using in-house fabricated parts because parts are no longer available for the equipment."We’ve been in junk yards as far as New York state to find parts for it," Hartz said.If he had to prioritize, Sehr said the Unimog blower replacement is the most urgent purchase.Postponing other equipment purchases would mean a chance of decreased service from the department.Sehr said, "I guess it’s a customer service question, because they are so expensive. These are machines that aren’t used a lot, but when they’re needed, they are needed."For example, during the winter of 1996-97, crews put 350 hours on them. Other years, they aren’t needed as frequently.They are used for large snow removal jobs, when other machines aren’t as effective.The board will make a decision as soon as the bids come in because interest rates for bonds won’t get any lower if the board waits. Also, steel prices are expected to rise, so purchase prices probably won’t improve.In other business Tuesday, the board:oAgreed to work on an agreement that could merge the Rock County Collaborative with Pipestone County, which doesn’t have one created yet.Rock County could save in administrative costs by sharing the program, which is a youth intervention program involving law enforcement, Family Services and health groups, among others.Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said that even though Pipestone doesn’t have a Collaborative formed already, Rock County will still benefit from the merger."We’re not going to bring Rock County down to bring Pipestone County up, and they understand that," Ehlers said.oPointed out that the newly published plat books listed the incorrect property owners in some cases. The mapping company named some "alternate property taxpayers" as property owners. Alternate taxpayers are usually estate managers who pay taxes on behalf of the property owner.oGave Sheriff Mike Winkels approval to apply for a grant of $164,000 for new dispatching equipment, including a new console, 911 upgrade and radio tower improvements. The changes would mean better overall quality, and ensure that emergency calls from cell phones can be properly tracked and services dispatched.The county also received another grant of $16,570 for law enforcement radios, radar equipment and ambulance equipment.Both grants are from Homeland Security Emergency Management.

By Army Sgt. Jon Caraway, Minnesota National GuardTypically the first-grade classes at Lakenheath Elementary School adopt deployed airmen, sending them letters and art projects. In a twist this year, the Redlegs of A battery 1-125 Field Artillery, deployed here to augment the 48th Security Forces Squadron, have adopted nine first-grade classrooms for the duration of their tour here."The idea originated with Christine Moss, a Department of Defense Dependents Schools teacher at RAF Lakenheath, and we ran with it," said Army Maj. John Kolb, commander of Army troops. "Most of us left families back in the states and miss the school events and the opportunity to interact with our kids. This program gives us a chance to volunteer in the classrooms, give some help to the teachers and make some new friends."The program is coordinated by Army Sgt. Jody Reisch, who put together the first presentation about Minnesota and the parts of the state where the soldiers live. "We thought it was important for them to know where we are from and what our home is like," said Reisch. "They were most interested in the snow, Paul Bunyon and Babe the blue ox.""While the kids are discovering Minnesota, we also want them to know that they and their families are important enough to us for us to leave our homes and families to come here to help out," added 1st Sgt. Tom Behrends, Minnesota National Guard. "We hope that someone’s mom or dad can come home early because we are here."There are 27 soldiers participating in the program helping with everything from work centers to art projects. The soldiers meet with their classes at least twice per month during their off-shift periods.

Josh and Colby Crabtree are avid churchgoers. Here, Josh speaks during a portion of a service.Emily Crabtree shares with the church the importance of it in her life.By Sara StrongUnited Methodist pastor Bart Fletcher prefers not to label the new Sunday service "contemporary."That can sometimes be interpreted as the typical church service, with a few modern songs thrown in. Or, worse, old-school churchgoers might assume a "contemporary" service is only for young people ... or for people who don't want to dress up for church.The United Methodist Church in Luverne is taking "contemporary" to a new height, designing services from scratch and increasing crowds. And Fletcher isn’t the only leader, by design.Church participants in the planning process include: Lori Von Holtum, Joshua and Emily Crabtree, Lyle Behrends, Tammy Moeller, Jack and Felicia Hanson, Kristi Franken and Keith Maine.Fletcher says the Methodist church is making a sincere effort to reach out to those who don’t feel they’re getting useful information for their lives in the standard service.Judy Wiley can relate to that sentiment. She leads services at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Luverne, and is president of the Rock County Ministerial Association. She is also trying to modernize Holy Trinity’s approach to Sunday services. Wiley said of the Methodist New Worship, "That’s a good message for the religious community — to meet people where they are today, not just hold on to traditions."Wiley said Holy Trinity is sampling more modern music and messages. "We’re trying to talk the modern word," she said.Even though Holy Trinity, and many others, is modifying some parts of the church service, Wiley can see where a totally new service would be a good alternative."Sometimes I am talking during the sermon and I see some nods or head shaking, and it would be nice to have a dialogue at that point," she said.The idea of a whole church conversation, rather than ceremony, is just what the Methodist church is creating."This is a new paradigm," Fletcher said, "compared to the old print-based, (one-dimensional, passive) and the paradigm we are pushing toward, which could best be characterized by the acronym EPIC: experiential (versus observer), participatory (versus passive), image-driven (versus print-driven) and community-oriented (versus individualistic)."Dialogue in the Methodist churchVon Holtum said, "I think [the New Worship] really bridges the world and the church."Emily Crabtree was an instrumental part of working with Fletcher to create the new service. She said, "This style of worship energizes me and it’s relevant to me. I leave here on Sunday and take it with me, to my family, to my job — it touches all parts of me. ... And I think that’s what our mission should be."Modern Christian music is certainly a part of the service — but it’s not the sole reason for having a new style of service. Video clips, interaction among people in the pews and timely themes are all included during the service. There are two bands, a youth and adult.It is a true church service, with communion, for example. Each service’s theme includes a pertinent Bible verse too. Crabtree said the music, videos and messages all point to the same theme and provide a continuous flow of faith and information.According to Behrends, the service participants are like a family in themselves. "We're creating a community," he said.People are invited, but not required, to speak during certain parts of the service.An especially meaningful time is the prayer circle that includes people facing each other in a circle and praying together, with time to share prayer requests.While opening up is a challenge for some, at least at first, it has become a treasured part of the service for many.Moeller, who also serves as the parish nurse, said, "People come in from the outside and see us having fun and sharing and they feel like they can because we do."She said people share good things and what they might need help with during the circle prayer time. "It feels appropriate to share in that setting. And I believe people do take that home with them and pray for others," Moeller said.Behrends said he’s happy about the changes in the church. "In coming to the United Methodist Church, Luverne, [years ago] I looked out over the congregation and most heads from the back were graying in color. When Pastor Bart and family came, an integration of younger people spread out into the congregation," he said.Since New Worship has been included in the church, Behrends said even more positive things have happened."As I got to know Pastor Bart, his concern for younger generations is because, without them finding a church home, their spiritual lives would be lost and the church will die."Rather than taking members from the traditional service, and reaching those who would be in church anyway, Fletcher sees the New Worship drawing new people. United Methodist Church has its New Worship, or Catch the Spirit service, every Sunday at 11 a.m. Regular church service is at 9 a.m.For more information, visit the church’s Web site at www.luverneumc.org. There are daily devotionals, information on past services and a guest book for visitors to read.Emily Crabtree said, "We want to reach people who have been turned off from church or who feel that it’s not relevant to them."Behrends said, "Psychologically, I believe that all of us need to belong to something or another. And I believe that it is not possible to do or be everything that God wants us to do or be without his being part of our lives. "We want everyone who needs that kind of connection to come, see and hear with our family of worshippers."… And, incidentally, it is fine to not dress up at this church, whether it’s been labeled contemporary or not.

By Sara StrongLuverne’s retailers and tourism-related industries may see more money — or at least get a better view — with consistent city signage and lighting.The Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau is leading the new aesthetic effort.The overall plan for the city is moving along quickly.On Tuesday, Feb. 24, about 24 Chamber members met to brainstorm and gauge interest. From there, a committee formed and met again Friday.The committee members are Mark Opitz, Craig Hohn, Jane Wildung, Angie Foerster, Jamie Tofteland, Kellee Valnes and Glen Gust.Valnes said, "Things have been moving slowly on this front, and I’m glad that we are going to just jump into it."She said the meetings have been energetic and productive."I think if we get the right theme, we can start with some signs and take it from there," Valnes said.Chamber Director Dave Smith said the group has tentatively decided to capitalize on what Luverne is already known for: the prairie.Smith said, "We’re a prairie community — and the grasses, the quartzite and the bison can all come together."Bill Thompson’s graphic arts students at Luverne High School are working on designs that the committee could use for developing the theme.Bringing it homeStatewide, tourism is almost equal to agriculture in terms of dollars it brings into the state, at $8.1 billion.Locally, the lodging tax funds the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which amounted to $22,000 this year. The lodging tax is one concrete way to measure money spent in the community, because people staying here eat here, use gas stations and might shop here.If that income is going to increase, the city has to find a way to draw traffic through the city.A visual draw could come from just the right mix of signage and lighting, which work together to repeat the theme.Appealing to tourists isn’t the only reason for a new look for the city, Smith said."Tourism is just a seasonal thing," he said, "But we need business all year. We want the city to be more attractive for everyone."He said beautifying the city’s main roads will be good for residents and frequent shoppers who come from out of town.The southeast corner of Highway 75 and Main Street (the former Britz house location) is a small lot that could be a welcoming gateway to downtown and south Highway 75.Entrance points from all sides of the city will be considered prime locations for new signs.Besides searching for a theme and new look, Smith said rules from the Department of Transportation have to be considered in all placements.

By Jolene FarleyLocal government entities are reworking current accounting practices to reflect a change in how they’re required to report assets.The new accounting standards, called GASB 34 (pronounced gasbee), require state and local governments to begin reporting the value of infrastructure assets in their annual reports. GASB stands for General Accounting Standards Board, a nonprofit entity responsible for establishing accounting standards for state and local governments.For example, infrastructure assets would include such items as buildings, roads, bridges, water and sewer facilities and dams.State and local government agencies currently use the cash accounting methods to report infrastructure assets. With cash accounting, the capital or dollar cost of an infrastructure investment appears in the annual financial report during the year the cost of construction is incurred. The value of existing physical assets does not appear on financial reports after that point. So, in effect, the value of all physical assets is off the books even though the assets continue to have value long after construction costs are incurred. The new reporting standards more accurately reflect the value of each agency’s existing capital assets and brings public agencies in line with accounting norms in the private sector where accrual accounting methods are most often the standard.Accrual accounting methods spread the cost, or loss in value of an asset, out over the asset’s useful lifetime rather than account for in its first year. The intended effect of the change is to make the overall financial condition of state and local governments more easily understood by the public, investors, creditors and the agencies themselves.Complicated mandateRock County was required by the Minnesota State Auditors to comply with GASB 34 by 2003. "It has been called the most important single change in the history of accounting and financial reporting for state and local government," Rock County Auditor/Treasurer Gloria Rolfs said. "This will involve many changes.""The requirements of GASB 34 are effective in three phases based on a government’s annual revenues," she said.Rock County was further along in the process than some counties, cities and schools. The county had values for its assets and didn’t need to have them appraised, according to Rolfs."It’s just that now the infrastructures must be included to show depreciation," Rolfs said. To include the depreciation in the financial statement, accounting software had to be changed.Rock County is about three-quarters of the way through the process even though it is 2004, according to Rolfs. County officials frequently meet with computer programmers writing the new accounting programs. "We have a manual inches thick that is GASB 34 compliant," Rolfs said. "It’s just something that can’t be done overnight. It’s something that must be done in stages."Assigning a valueThe Hills-Beaver Creek School district is just starting the process of complying with GASB 34.Determining the value of all assets currently not listed on the financial statements is a big project, according to Hills-Beaver Creek Superintendent Dave Deragisch. "Initially it will be a lot of work," he said. An appraisal company has been hired by the district and will begin in March to appraise items valued at $1,000 or more.Hills-Beaver Creek is one of the last school districts in the state to go through the process. Since the district had less than $10 million in annual revenue, it had until June 15 of this year to comply. Deragisch wonders how some assets will be appraised. For instance, what value will be assigned to the 85-year-old high school? He has discussed raising the $1,000 valuation threshold with the school board. There are pros and cons to keeping the amount set at $1,000. Using a low threshold would provide a more precise accounting of all assets, but it would be more work to appraise and keep track of depreciation on the items. "We have a lot of pieces of equipment and items in our building that are valued at $1,000 or more," Deragisch said. After the assets are appraised, following GASB 34 guidelines won’t be as much work. "After the first year everything is much easier, you just add those things that you have purchased from that year," he said.Deragisch is concerned about informing the public how the changes will affect end of the year audit reports. The public isn’t used to seeing a bottom line with depreciation subtracted. "If we don’t have a major project or major purchases at Hills-Beaver Creek, the depreciation of our assets could have a negative impact on the bottom line of our audit," he said. He has asked state officials if the state would be required to step in to oversee a district with a negative balance on an audit report. No one has answered his question yet. "It is a question that I have and I think it’s a question that the board members have," he said.

By Lori EhdeLocal political activists kicked off the unofficial start of the 2004 presidential campaign during caucus meetings Tuesday night.The precinct caucus is the first step in the process that leads to writing and adopting party platforms. Delegates to conventions are selected and state and federal candidates are endorsed.Rock County DemocratsFor Democrats, participating in precinct caucuses meant having a say in who would be the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate.The state DFL party endorsement requires 2,162 delegates. Prior to caucuses John Kerry held 613 and John Edwards had 192.According to the Rock County presidential preference tally sheet, 40 supported Kerry and 22 preferred Edwards.Rock County DFL Chair Ben Vander Kooi said about 100 people attended caucus activities in the Luverne Elementary School commons.In addition to choosing a presidential candidate, local Democrats also mulled over a list of resolutions.They includedoSeveral resolutions on education, including a moratorium on No Child Left Behind until it’s adequately funded.oRestricting public funding of campaignsoReducing the national debtoAllocating more money to U of M Extension, andoAn array of health care issues — including prescription drug costs and health insurance for the severely disabled.More than specific resolutions, Vander Kooi said Tuesday’s caucus produced an overall sentiment for local Democrats heading into the 2004 elections."The consensus is we need to get rid of Bush," Vander Kooi said. "And that’s clearly the sentiment [among Democrats] nationwide. … There’s a strong sense that we shouldn’t be in this war."As a side note to the DFL caucus, Kathryn Ness, Pipestone, showed up in Luverne to announce she’ll challenge Doug Magnus for Minnesota House District 22A.Rock County RepublicansWith an incumbent president, the Republican presidential nominee was obvious, and the Rock County Republican caucus was a quieter affair.Roughly 80 people attended activities at the Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center, and a number of resolutions were turned in.Among them were resolutions about:oSame sex marriages — the need to define marriage as a union of man and woman.oThe war in Iraq and the war on terrorism and the president’s policies with regard to these.oSupport for recall of judges.oEducation policies, and making sure there’s a national system of accountability."Generally speaking, I think that the Republicans who showed up tonight are comfortable with the direction the president is taking the country," said Rock County Republican chair Bill Weber."They’re comfortable with President Bush being our candidate against an opponent like Sen. Kerry. …Sen. Kerry is certainly at the opposite end of the spectrum from what most Republicans are in terms of their philosophies."If the Rock County caucuses are any indication of how the national campaign will unfold, Weber said, "I think we’ll have a very basic conservative- vs. liberal-type of campaign."The Rock County DFL Convention will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, in the Luverne Elementary School commons.The Rock County Republican Convention will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17, in the Luverne Elementary School Commons. During county conventions, resolutions are approved and delegates are elected to the district and state conventions.