10 years ago (1994)"There was no school in the Hills-Beaver Creek schools on Monday or Tuesday due to the extremely cold weather as well as the blowing snow. Gov. Carlson declared there would be no school in Minnesota on Tuesday due to the extreme cold as well as the blowing snow."25 years ago (1979)"The Crescent has been designated a "National Blue Ribbon Newspaper" for 1979-1980.The honor was announced by the National Newspaper Foundation, sponsor of the National Blue Ribbon Evaluation Program since 1969." 50 years ago (1954)"There will be a special meeting in the Legion Club Room, where a discussion of the possible street improvement, where TH 270, First Street passes through Hills. The meeting will be called at 8 p.m.At this meeting councilmen will try to explain to the satisfaction of everyone, approximately what the cost will be, and what can be expected, should the improvement be made." 75 years ago (1929)"The Minnesota State Legislature convened in St. Paul on Tuesday of this week, and Sen. L.P. Lund and Rep. John Connell, both of Luverne, are now on the job. No doubt this session will be just as busy as preceding ones and a lot of good, as well as useless bills, will be introduced. One bill that should head the list is careless auto drivers. Some plan or means should be devised to curb ‘don’t care’ autoists. The South Dakota Legislature will likely pass a bill this session that will have teeth in it."100 years ago (1904)"Well! Well! It beats Leap Year how proposals keep up! Judging from the gratifying results of last week’s publicity, we almost feel warranted in opening a matrimonial column. The ink was hardly dry on the type before the marked bachelors realized that there was ‘something doing.’ Many succumbed to the very first spells, some are analyzing the symptoms, and a few are quibbling over the dowry; but the dear boys are being wooed so quietly, persistently and judiciously that ere another week passes we expect to see them all landed and branded. Burns, the jeweler, said that he has already received enough orders for engagement rings to nearly make him reconsider his intention of leaving town. …Now boys you see that publicity pays — if you are a little modest or slow, and would like to get hitched — why a whispered hint in our ear will speedily put you into the public eye."

Services for Hilda Schmidt are at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne with the Rev. Gary Klatt officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial is at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Steen. Hilda Schmidt, 90, Magnolia, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Hilda Holst was born to Otto and Wilhelmina (Priesz) Holst on Feb. 11, 1913, in Clinton Township, Rock County. She was educated at Ash Creek country school and Steen. She married Albert Schmidt on Jan. 26, 1944, in Steen. The couple lived and worked on area farms. In 1969, they moved to Magnolia. She worked as a waitress from 1957 to 1975. She also worked as a domestic helper for area families. Mrs. Schmidt was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and playing cards, especially whist and pinochle. She was well known for her baking and cooking. Survivors include five sons, Ron (Mary) Schmidt, Cottage Grove, Richard Schmidt, Avon, Steven (Deb) Schmidt, Burnsville, James Schmidt, Marshalltown, Iowa, and Michael (Lori) Schmidt, Lincoln, Neb.; five daughters, Marilyn Schmidt, Luverne, Carol (Dallas) Dohlmann, Magnolia, Darlene (Dean) Brown, Minnetonka, Laurelyn (Delbert) Gangestad, Kenneth, and Judy Wiese, Pipestone; 30 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.Mrs. Schmidt was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Albert, in 1992, one daughter, Londa, in 1966, two brothers, Paul and Otto, and four sisters, Anna, Minna, Ella and Frieda. A tree will be planted in Hilda Schmidt’s memory by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Walter Gehrke, 97, Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 18 2004, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Wednesday, Jan. 21, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Gary Klatt officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Walter Gehrke was born to Emil and Bertha (Grippentrog) Gehrke on Oct. 9, 1906, in Martin Township, Rock County. He attended country school in Beaver Creek Township. He married Ella Kelm on Dec. 14, 1932, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple farmed west of Beaver Creek. In 1942, they began farming north of Beaver Creek. They retired and moved to Luverne in 1971. He became a resident of Tuff Memorial Home on Dec. 10, 2001. Mr. Gehrke was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Survivors include one son, Dave Gehrke, Beaver Creek; two daughters, Carol (James) Jueneman, New Hope, and Lois (Myron) Harberts, Rushmore; eight grandchildren, Brad (Juanita) Harberts, Charlene Kness, Mark Harberts, Lori (Steve) Rehnblom, Myra (Kelly) Kluver, Jason Harberts, Heidi (Jared) Ahlers, and Diane (David) Mash; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Mr. Gehrke was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ella, on Nov. 18, 1984, two brothers, Ed and Elmer Gehrke, and two sisters, Hattie Wiese and Amanda Waege. Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671Minutes12-08-03The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 pm in the library in Hills. Board members present were Larson, Leuthold, DeBoer, Esselink, and Harnack. Also in attendance were Superintendent Deragisch and elementary principal Mr. Holthaus. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harnack. Chairman Harnack recognized the visitors to the meeting. Brenda Winter from The Crescent.Patriot Pride: Jolene Farley of The Crescent had a baby girl Basketball is going wellElementary report was given by Mr. Holthaus.High School report was given by Superintendent Deragisch.Minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent. Motion by DeBoer, second by Esselink, and carried to approve the bills. Motion by Larson, second by Leuthold, and carried to set the final 2003 payable 2004 levy at $338,060.18.Motion by Esselink, second by DeBoer, and carried to approve the mileage rate for 2004 at the federal rate of .375 cent per mile.Open house for the locker rooms is set for Saturday, December 20 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. BBQs, chips & pop will be served.Dates to remember: January 12 School Board meeting January 14-16 School Board convention January 26 School Board meetingAgenda items for next meeting Audit reportMeeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.Lois Leuthold, acting clerk(1-22)

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate of Rodney J. Stroh Deceased TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 2nd day of February 2004, at 9:00 O’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Rock, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated February 3, 1986, and for the appointment of Debra L. Kruger whose address is 524 121st Ave., Beaver Creek, Minnesota 56116, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: January 13, 2004 /s/ Timothy K. ConnellTimothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge/s/ Daniel W. Vis /s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikDaniel W. Vis Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828I.D. #158343(1-15, 1-22)

By Brenda WinterSouthern Hills Apartments will soon be known as Southern Hills Condominium, according to the city's plan for the four city-owned rental units.Attorney Damon Eisma told Hills EDA members at their Tuesday meeting the first step in selling Southern Hills Apartments is to turn the property into a condominium. Because condominiums are made of private property as well as common property among neighbors, they have unique legal requirements. Eisma said, "There are a lot of hoops to jump through," but the preliminary legal work is intended to clear the way for the sale of the apartments.Current tenants will have the first opportunity to purchase the unit in which they live. Councilman and realtor Keith Elbers is handling the sale of the units for the city. He said one tenant is interested in purchasing a unit and he's had inquiries about some of the other units.In other business the City Council:oVoted to rent the American Legion maintenance room to Bud Hoogeveen for $60 a month for his barbershop. Hoogeveen was displaced when the city sold the depot building that housed his business. Pending Hoogeveen's approval of the deal, the city will install appropriate plumbing and a hot water heater.oHeard a report from surveyor Steve Kor regarding property lines near the city's ball diamonds. Kor said because there are so few markers in the city, it is difficult to locate property lines. "It was surveyed in the 1800s or not at all," Kor said. He said it appears the city "bought about 30 feet of land, twice," but because of the survey it gained about 30 feet of land on the other side of the parcel. Because the oversight constitutes no financial gain or loss to the city or anyone else, no action will be taken.oSet the following appointments for 2004. Mayor pro tem, Arlen Leenderts; Official Newspaper, Hills Crescent; Civil Defense Director, Doug Chapman; Weed Inspector, Dave Leenderts; Official Bank, Hills State Bank; Health Officer, Dr. Diane Kennedy; City Attorney, Doug Eisma; EDA president, Dana Dahlquist; EDA vice-president, Arlen Leenderts; EDA treasurer, Joanne Goehle; and EDA secretary, Connie Wiertzema.oEstablished the 2004 city equipment rental policy. Rent for city equipment is $40 per hour, with the minimum rental charge being one hour.Equipment rentals must be run by a city employee, charged at one and one-half times the employee's hourly wage. All requests for equipment rentals are to be determined by the city employee, who has the right to reject and refuse any and all rentals.oSet the 2004 mileage reimbursement rate at 37.5 cents per mile, following the IRS guidelines.oDirected City maintenance man Wayne Ward to take no immediate action regarding a dog-at-large concern between two neighbors. Mayor Jim Jellema said, "It's a whole lot easier for neighbors to talk to each other before they go to the next step (of involving the City). By calling in someone else, you just make the issue a lot bigger."oDirected City clerk Connie Wiertzema to send a letter to an individual requesting that two deer carcasses be removed from the individual's front porch.

Farm Bureau relocates to Creeger buildingThe Rock County Farm Bureau has relocated to the Creeger building on Luverne’s Main Street.The Farm Bureau office has been located in the WW Welding building on 204 W. Hatting for the past year and was at 102 S. Cedar for several years prior to that.The organization moved into Suite 109 of the Creeger building Jan. 1.The Rock County Farm Bureau will also have a new agent.Linda Wenzel, who had served as an agent for the Farm Bureau for the past 12 years, recently accepted a position with Minnwest Insurance.According to Melissa Dedert, Farm Bureau office manager, the new agent, John Widman, Okabena, will be starting his new position with the organization on Feb. 1.Traffic fatalities up for 2003The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported this week that this was not a good year on our highways.2003 was a "tragic year for Minnesota motorists" according to the department, with one of the greatest increases in traffic fatalities.One area of particular concern was the 15- to 19-year-old age category.According to the Department of Public Safety one of the biggest problems is the lack of seatbelt use by juveniles.More than 75 percent of the teenagers killed were not wearing their seatbelts.Speed was another issue cited.For every 10 miles over the speed limit, your chances of having an accident increase by 50 percent.What kind are you going to order this year?Girl Scout cookies of course.It’s that time of the year again, and Girl Scouts will be scouring the countryside asking for orders.This year your options will include eight different choices including:
Trefoils
Thin Mints
Samoas
Tagalongs
Do-si-dos
All Abouts
Lemon Coolers
Double DutchAccording to Lila Bauer, although the Minneapolis Girl Scout council has decided to raise their prices, the Minn-Ia-Kota council, which includes Rock County will still sell their cookies for the same $3 price they have in past years.Local troops keep 71 percent of the cookie proceeds to go toward program activities and to help make Girl Scouting available to every girl in the area who would like to participate.You can order Girl Scout cookies directly from participating Girl Scouts or by calling Lila at 283-2379TREA needs your representationThe Retired Enlisted Association, or TREA, is looking for new members in the Hills area to join for one year.According to Mark Davidson, TREA fights for the benefits earned by the retired enlisted members of the Active Duty, Guard and Reserve.Present day members of the military are eligible to join if they have 10 or more years of retirement creditable service.If you would like more information, call Mark Davidson, TREA Central Minnesota Chapter 115, at (952)884-6077; or by mail to 10007 Harriet Ave. S., Bloomington MN 55420, or by e-mail at Ldavidson7@juno.comPublisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Lori EhdeA Luverne native is racking up military awards for her recent performance in the U.S. Navy.Ashley Ackel, who grew up in Luverne and attended Luverne High School through her sophomore year, was named "Sailor of the Year" among her peers in the Naval Command Telecommunications Area Master Station.The award recognizes sailors who perform "beyond the call of duty" and emphasizes community services.Ackel works in a detached unit of the Navy at Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu as an electronics technician third class petty officer.She was nominated among roughly 800 others in her command and was chosen among nominees for Sailor of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2003. At the end of 2003, Ackel and the other three Sailors of the Quarter were considered for the honor of Sailor of the Year in their particular command.Ackel received that honor, which makes her eligible to become Sailor of the Year for the Naval Network Security Operations Command, which includes her command and four others in the Pacific Fleet of the U.S. Navy.She’ll find out in March whether or not she’ll be selected for that level of the honor. If honored at that level, she’s eligible for the international version of Sailor of the Year.Meanwhile, her recognition so far has earned her two other prestigious awards, both a direct result of being named Sailor of the Year.Rotary Club International recently presented her with the Service Above Self Award, and she received the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well.In a letter of commendation to Ackel for being named Sailor of the Quarter, her commanding officer said: "You demonstrate the traits and qualities that clearly distinguish sailors of exceptional caliber. … During the selection interview, your military bearing, knowledge and professionalism were unmistakable and immediately evident. Your demeanor and military bearing reflect credit upon yourself and your department, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."The award recognizes professional excellence, but Ackel told the Star Herald she thinks she was chosen for the award for her volunteer work and civic activities as well.In addition to volunteering with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Foundation, for example, she also works as a volunteer with Special Olympics.She’s working toward her bachelor’s degree at Chaminade University of Honolulu, and recently placed third in her age group in the half marathon and USO 10k run at Hickam Air Force Base.Ackel is the daughter of JoAnne Ackel, Luverne, and granddaughter of the late Gordon and Margaret Toft, Luverne.

By Lori EhdeCharges have been filed against seven local individuals for their role in selling alcohol to minors during a compliance check of area businesses.Twenty-one Rock County businesses were secretly tested on Dec. 26 for compliance with Minnesota’s underage drinking laws.Of those, seven businesses failed to comply and now face possible penalties for selling alcohol to someone younger than 21 years old.According to information from the Rock County Sheriff’s office, the following employees were charged: oJonathon Nath at Casey's on East Main Street,oRoberta Miller at Citgo on North Highway 75,oLoretta Duffy at Luverne Lanes bowling alley,oOrvin Green at Magnolia Steak House,oJesse Johnson at Sharkee’s,oLaura Hunter at the Eagles Club andoGregory Staeffler at the Green Lantern in Hardwick.They’re charged with selling to a minor, a gross misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a $3,000 fine, a year in jail or both.They’re scheduled to appear in Rock County District Court on Jan. 26.Two 20-year-old men from Yankton and Del Rapids, S.D., attempted purchases at all Rock County businesses with liquor licenses.The minors were volunteers from a regional anti-drug, alcohol and tobacco group.Rock and Nobles County sheriff departments assist each other with regular compliance checks, which are required by state law.The last check in Rock County was August 2002, at which time only two businesses, Ampride Pump ’N Pak and the Beaver Creek Golf Course, sold to minors.This year’s non-compliant businesses may also face civil penalties as a result of the sting. Under Luverne City Code, the stores are subject to licensing penalties that can include imposition of civil fines and suspension or revocation of liquor licenses.In a 1999 compliance check, employees at both Citgo and Casey’s (this time on South Highway 75), sold to minors.