In regard to the recent article of the Rock County Employee of the Year, I was not surprised to read that Deputy Sheriff Greg Lingen had earned the title. I worked for the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Department in the capacity of the Sheriff’s secretary for many years and did have the pleasure of working with Deputy Lingen for a short time. He was an individual who always had a smile on his face and a pleasure to be around. Pipestone County lost a very good deputy when he was hired by Rock County. Good for you, Greg, you deserve it!Carol SerieHatfield

By Ron HansenRock County Veterans Services OfficerThe morning after Pres. George W. Bush delivered his Veterans Day message at Arlington National Cemetery, the administration's Office of Management and Budget — in writing — opposed an additional $1.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget and reiterated its call to charge many veterans seeking treatment at VA a $250 annual enrollment fee and to raise the pharmacy co-payment from $7 to $15."A veteran is a veteran," American Legion National Commander John Brieden said. "The law was changed in the '90s to allow all veterans to seek treatment at VA. Although OMB is willing to wield the budget to repel veterans from seeking treatment at VA, the men and women of the American Legion as well as Republicans and Democrats in Congress remain determined not to let that happen."Brieden made the Legion's case to Congress perfectly clear Sept. 16 when he testified here before a joint hearing session of House and Senate committees on Veterans' Affairs. Simply put: Health care for veterans is the delayed cost of war. Therefore, if Congress can meet the president's request for an additional $87 billion to fund the ongoing war in Iraq, then Congress also can raise an additional $1.8 billion next year, and a $3 billion increase the following year, to meet the health care needs of veterans.A blueprint passed by the House in April called for a Legion-backed $27.1 billion for the system, but in July the House approved an appropriations bill that called for $25.3 billion. Therein lies the $1.8 billion spending gap that the Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization, is fighting alongside other veterans groups to close. As the spending bill for VA-HUD and Independent Agencies makes its way through the Senate, an amendment offered by Sen. Christopher Bond of Missouri — an amendment that has bipartisan support — could fill the chasm by $1.5 billion.Congress is also poised to remove the Senate Appropriations Committee's "emergency" designation from $1.3 billion targeted for VA health care, and to send the entire increase directly to VA.How badly does VA need the money? The American Legion's "I Am Not A Number" survey in May identified scores of the more than 200,000 veterans who had been waiting from six months to two years for their initial primary-care appointments at VA. Recent news media accounts noted veterans of the ongoing war on terror are also having trouble accessing the system. Although VA reports tremendous recent success in whittling down the backlog, about 164,000 veterans in the lowest of VA's eight priority-treatment groups have been suspended from enrolling in the VA health care system since January because VA lacks the resources to serve all of the veterans who are lawfully eligible for treatment.The American Legion is fighting to switch the VA health care budget from discretionary funding, which Congress must approve each fiscal year, to mandatory funding, just like Social Security and Medicare, whereby federal dollars are allocated by a formula to meet the system's demands. The nation's largest veterans organization also wants to end the restriction that keeps veterans from using their Medicare benefits to pay for treatment at VA.

Herbert Oehlerts, 87, Luverne, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at the Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.Services were Saturday, Jan. 10, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Gary Klatt officiated. Burial, with military honors, was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Herbert Oehlerts was born to William and Anna (Sievers) Oehlerts in Mound Township, Rock County. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran who served in Alaska and the European Theater under General Patton. He married DeVona Sievert on Oct. 28, 1945, in Luverne. The couple first farmed in Magnolia and then Hardwick. In January 1949, they purchased a farm in Beaver Creek Township and lived there ever since. Mr. Oehlerts was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and reading. Survivors include his wife, DeVona Oehlerts, rural Luverne; three sons, Larry (Myrna) Oehlerts, Anaheim, Calif., Dennis (Vania) Oehlerts, Morrison, Colo., and Kevin (Donna) Oehlerts, Luverne; three daughters, Sandra (Bill) Boles, Puducah, Ky., Shirley Rinell, Littleton, Colo., and Vickie (Gerry) Stamm, Irvine, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Viola Stein, Ellsworth; a sister-in-law, Jean Oehlerts, Ellsworth; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mr. Oehlerts was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Eldo, Clarence and Walt.Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Robert "Bob" Ahrendt, 75, Inwood, Iowa, formerly of Hills, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Fellowship Village in Inwood. He was the brother of Ruth Kruse, Hills.Services were Monday, Jan. 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood. Burial was at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls. The Rev. John Wolf officiated. Robert Ahrendt was born to George and Cora (Rentschler) Ahrendt on Dec. 17, 1928, south of Rock Valley, Iowa. The family moved north of Inwood Feb. 22, 1944. He married Gertrude "Trudy" Dykstra in August 1952. He farmed near Inwood, Hudson, S.D., and Hills before moving to Sioux Falls and working for Sioux Falls Stockyards and All American Transport and Stone Container. He retired in 1992. He moved to Fellowship Village in Inwood Dec. 7, 2001. Survivors include one son, Paul Ahrendt and stepgranddaughter, Erica Mays, Sioux Falls; one daughter, Nancy Hoyme, Pierre, S.D.; one grandson Michael, Pierre; two granddaughters, Nicole, Belle Fouche, S.D., and Jessica, Boulder, Colo.; three brothers, Vernon (Virginia) Ahrendt, Sacramento, Calif., Kenneth (Mary) Ahrendt and George Jr. (Lazetta) Ahrendt, all of Inwood; one sister, Ruth Kruse, Hills; and nieces and nephews. Mr. Ahrendt was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter-in-law, Kathy Ahrendt, twin grandsons, Jonathon and Andrew Hoyme and one brother-in-law, Edwin Kruse. Porter Funeral Home, Inwood, was in charge of arrangements.

I have returned! This is my first week back at work (outside my home anyway) since the delivery of Sarah, our six-week-old little girl. It has been a fun change having a baby around again. Sarah is growing like a weed, and now weighs 12 pounds (she was 9 pounds, 12 ounces, at birth). Although some may call me prejudiced, I think she is pretty darn cute. With four older sisters, Sarah has many admirers and I have many helpers. I finally had to lay down the law and tell 13-year-old Malia, and 11-year-old Jerrika that if Sarah happens to sigh or squeal while lying in her crib it isn’t an excuse to pick her up. She has to learn to fall asleep on her own (not that I ever let her cry hysterically). Her daycare provider thanks me. Malia and Jerrika frequently ask to baby-sit. I told them that since they haven’t been around babies much, they have to train first. When Sarah was first born, I should have sold tickets. A crowd of sisters and their friends gathered around the changing table to watch my baby diapering and dressing techniques. Sarah’s older sisters like to choose her clothes. The "team of dressers" rummage through her dresser drawers and closet to decide what cute outfit she should wear for the day. I make sure their choices are appropriately warm and comfortable for a six-week-old baby.Not wanting to discourage interest in their younger sister, I am easy going about the older siblings desire to step in. But to be honest, it was somewhat of a relief when school resumed after the Christmas break and I could dress my own baby. The topper was Monday when Jessica, my oldest daughter who attends college in Mankato, called and asked if she could watch Sarah over night at her apartment this weekend."I just want to watch her," she said.Since Sarah is a little too young for slumber parties, I just laughed, told Jessica no, and thought, "Isn’t it nice they love their younger sister?"

A new year has begun at the Village. It offers no change but here we are in the third week of January. Time goes more quickly with age.Martha received a newspaper clipping from the Chicago Tribune with an article that interested us all. It’s about Robert Hanson, a Hills native who jokingly describes himself as a "Norwegian hick from Minnesota." Well Bob is no hick. He’s the conductor of one of the nation’s most successful orchestras. This year he’s celebrating his 30th year as the conductor of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. It’s more than standing in front of a group of musicians and conducting their performance. It’s long, hard work having musical and administrative duties. He’s built up the orchestra now tackling the biggest most challenging works. There are 69 musicians in the orchestra who perform 65 concerts a season. The orchestra feels fortunate to have the same conductor for 30 years. It’s fun to hear good things about people we know.The Village is taking on a new venture. We’re becoming a satellite station for the Rock County Community Library, plans are not completed. You’ll hear more about it when they are. A day will be set aside for adults and children to visit at a specific time. You’ll need a library card which we’ll be able to issue. This satellite station will have the same operation as the Rock County Community Library. We’ll keep you up to date as plans are completed.We were treated to a concert by the Lester Singers. When they come we always have a second treat with lunch by Judy, Sarah’s daughter. We look forward to hearing this talented group. Want to hear them? Join us the second Friday of the month at 7:45 p.m.Our usual schedule included Bible study with Pastor Ramaker of Steen Reformed Church, bingo, exercises, Tenant Council Meeting and music in the garden room. Monday night Joan Berdahl came to play whist, Wednesday Dennis Roning and Sunday Clair Crawford. Jean Hanson of Sioux Falls came to join the Sandgers and Carolyn in a game of bridge.I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks to a new local ordinance, some mighty high caliber people live in Geuda Springs, Kan. That’s where, according to The Week magazine, council members recently decided that every homeowner in the small town (population: 210) must keep a gun in the house. If they fail to do so, they will have to, pardon the expression, shell out for a $10 fine. "Officials said homeowners had to protect themselves, since Geuda Springs can’t afford a police force," noted the magazine. As a result of the new ordinance, the town may soon resemble a place out of the Old West. No one — not even preachers, teachers or little, blue-haired ladies — will be exempt from the pistol packing policy. Although the article didn’t note what kind of weapons constitute "guns" — pistols, shotguns or rifles — it’s probably safe to assume that shoulder-held missile launchers won’t be acceptable. One shop owner has already adopted a gunslinger attitude. "Everybody out of town is making this their business. It’s nobody’s business but our own." We can only surmise that his hand was caressing the grip of a trusty, pearl-handled six-shooter at his hip when he spat out those words. Actually, the new gun policy should be the business of anyone who might decide to drive through the town and inadvertently become a moving target. Door-to-door salesmen, evangelists, cosmetic sales ladies and Girl Scouts selling cookies might become discouraged when they look down the barrel of a gun once too often when a front door is opened. On the upside, the ordinance in Geuda Springs might signal the end of bothersome "door spam." Like it or not, every homeowner will be required to own a gun, even if those same people are unable to drive a car or operate dangerous machinery. (In a complete reversal, constitutional lawyers should be expected to descend upon the town and argue that the residents also have rights NOT to bear arms.) We can only hope that people unable to afford a gun will have one provided by the town council and that all residents will have open access to gun safety classes, ammunition and a practice range. If the council decides to provide guns, will those guns be included with future house sales? A classified ad might read, "House for sale: 3-BR, 2-Bath, featuring unique bullet-ridden entry and 12-gauge shotgun, slightly used." In Geuda Springs, the most comforting words a husband or wife might hear wouldn’t be "I love you", but "Go ahead and answer the door, dear, I’ve got you covered." We can only wonder what future ordinances might be in store for the small community, which admittedly has created a very unique method of population control. The next move might require every resident to have a full pail of water sitting by their kitchen door because the town can no longer afford a fire department. In lieu of a hospital or medical center, both unaffordable, the city fathers might provide every home with a do-it-yourself surgery kit. A "teach your kids what they need to know " campaign could eliminate the need for expensive schools. The municipal cost-cutting possibilities are endless. (After this column was written, the mayor of Geuda Springs vetoed the ordinance, but it will be reconsidered in February.)

Our weather continues to be unpredictable! This last week we experienced several days of below zero temperatures. Fortunately we did not receive the heavy snow that had been predicted for this area. We did have about an inch of snow that gave us a blanket of white for several days. The roads remained in good driving condition, so we lucked out there. I love birds but I have never learned their habits, or when they know it is time to go south for the winter or when spring is about to arrive. However, I am still seeing flocks of birds gathering together and I am wondering if they are just getting ready to go to their winter homes. Whatever it is, they are not keeping it a secret as they are chattering nosily to each other. We have many residents who prefer to wait until after the holidays to go south. Perhaps these birds are like them and decided to wait until after the holidays! Who knows!Steen Senior Citizens had their January meeting on Monday afternoon at the Steen community building. Lunch was served by Cornie and Darlene Bosch. The afternoon was spent playing games and cards. Jo and Joyce Aykens were guests in the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City, Iowa, on Friday to help Jo’s great-granddaughter, Jadeyn Veldkamp, celebrate her third birthday. She is the daughter of Susan Veldkamp of Orange City. Other guests were Bill and Ann Mihnick and sons Noel, Will and Paul, and Marilyn Vander Kooi and daughters. Dorothy Bos underwent same day surgery on Friday, Jan. 9, at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. We wish her a speedy recovery. Dries and Laura May Bosch were Sunday evening supper guests in the home of their son, Paul and Diane Bosch, at Brandon. Other guests were their son, Eric, and Nathan and Erin Bosch, Sioux Falls. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Bernard Van Batavia who passed away recently in Arizona. Funeral services for him were at the American Reformed Church in Luverne on Saturday. Norma VanWyhe, Lester, Iowa, was a Sunday afternoon visitor in the home of her mother, Henrietta Huenink. The sacrament of baptism for Kenadi Jo, daughter of Kathy and Randy Fick, was in Steen Reformed Church Sunday morning. Ken and Gwen Bodewitz, Sioux Falls, were Saturday evening supper guests in the home of his mother, Henrietta Huenink. There is something about the holiday season that brings back many memories of the days gone by. Many refer to them as the "Good Old Days." When I think back, they really were good even though we had to do without many things. There was no electricity in rural areas. Most of the rural roads were not even graveled. People from those years were not in a hurry to get things done. What they did care about was doing things well. Many of us can remember going to the confectionary (ice cream parlor) where there were always fresh candies, salted nuts and of course, the best malted milk shakes in town. Many made their own ice cream from scratch and people would come from miles around to purchase their favorite flavor. The owner knew everyone by name and made it a point of being there. The saying was "Nobody runs a business like the owner," which everyone strongly believed in those days.Those years money was a very precious commodity and also very hard to come by. Consequently, they had the strange habit of paying cash for things. Credit was very hard to come by. There were no easy payments or interest charges. It was just plain cold hard cash. They paid cash for their cars and some even paid cash for their homes. The philosophy those days was "if you can’t pay cash for it, you can’t afford it. My, how times have changed! Nothing was thrown away during those years. If you were driving a nail into something and it bent you did not throw it away — you straightened it. I can still see my father doing that. I tried it once but I didn’t have the right know how. People those days had a way of looking you right in the eye when they were talking to you. However, it made some people uncomfortable but it was an honest way of communicating. In other words it was hard for someone to purposely deceive you when you were eyeball to eyeball. More people in those years had morals. They were curious, friendly, not rude, thoughtful, not callous. They are and were, in short, more human — and not as computerized as they are today.So, even though we do not long for the "Good Old Days," sometimes we long for the "Good Folks" from those "Good Old Days."

Saturday morning, Ray and Lois Nelson attended the funeral service for Leonard Rusche at Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D. Mr. Rusche was a member of the Sioux Emperian Barbershop Chorus with Ray. Kenny Kruse, Jackson, and Shirley Sandager, Hills, attended the funeral Monday morning of Robert Ahrendt, 75, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood, Iowa. Mr. Ahrendt was a former resident of Hills. Ruth Arp, Luverne, mother of Ron Arp, underwent double by-pass heart surgery Thursday at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. Ron and Betty have made visits to be with her. Vi and Fran Sandager and Mark, Ellie Sandager, Mike, Nancy and Dawn Sandager attended the 90th birthday celebration Saturday afternoon honoring Milton Anderson at the Assisted Care Center at Good Samaritan Center in Sioux Falls. Milt biked 90 miles thus far in this year, 2004. Milt and wife, Evelyn, were former Hills residents. Steve, Marilyn and Justin VanWyhe, Cliff and Vi VanWyhe and friends from Iowa State joined Travis and Amber Arends for a birthday dinner in Sioux Falls Saturday noon honoring Amber on her birthday. Jean Hanson, Sioux Falls, and Harriet Skattum were Sunday dinner guests in the Ray Nelson home.Jamie Arp returned to her duties at the Mountain Home Idaho Air Force Base where she is a traffic controller. She spent 10 days in the home of her parents, Ron and Betty Arp. Dinner guests Sunday of Vic and Fran Sandager at Tuff Village were Mark and Karen Sandager, Ian and Tom.Jim and Maxine Lorence, Mound, spent Friday and Saturday with Evelyn Rogness. Friday afternoon Joanne Goehle drove to Ruthton to take in her granddaughter, Alyssa Carmany’s, second grade program. Thursday evening she went to Edgerton to watch Katie Hadler’s basketball game. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson took their granddaughter, Ericka Anderson, out to lunch Saturday noon. She will be returning to Pitzer College where she is a senior. Guests in the home of Cyndi and Gregg Ebert from Thursday until Sunday noon were Matt Ebert and friend, Kelsey Broadsho. Both are law students at the University of Minnesota. Coming from Omaha, Neb., for the weekend were Jeff and Josie Ebert, and Scott and Kristy Ebert, Hannah and Molly, from Harrisburg. Joanne Goehle went to Brandon, S.D., to attend the basketball game there in which her niece’s son, a senior, saw action. Wendell Erickson’s sister, Ramona Olson, Denver, Iowa, underwent surgery Friday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer spent last week in the home of David and Bonnie Fagrey in Rapid City, S.D., caring for their grandchildren while their parents were away.