Buildings and improvements in 1884The following was an article printed on May 16, 1884, in the Rock County Herald: Evidences of Luverne’s healthy growth and steady improvement — new buildings under way and others projectedLuverne is not going wild over its brilliant prospects, and displays nothing of the feverish, unhealthy excitement, the fictitious show and unnatural inflation of values so common in western towns in similar proximity to an era of rapid development and assured prosperity. On the contrary, it accepts the good fortune that has befallen it and the wealth of bright prospects which the immediate future has in store for the place with characteristic good sense, and is laying well and solidly the foundation for its prospective prosperity. Property is increasing in value rapidly, to be sure, but real estate in the town is still low and in most instances likely to double in value before the end of the present season. Improvements of every description are noticeable in all parts of the village. New sidewalks, new crossings, improvements in the business streets, new dwellings, new additions to buildings, and numerous "betterments" of a miscellaneous character, greet the eye on every hand. As yet, building operations have but scarcely begun, but a considerable number of structures are in course of construction and numerous others are contemplated. Of those who have buildings under way or just completed, the following may be noted: P.E. Brown, new residence, 22x28, two stories, with Mansard roof, etc., corner of Kniss Avenue and Main Street; John Huntington, new residence, 20x26 with an addition 12x14, two stories, on Maple Street; Dr. Beaubien, two story residence 20x26 on Freeman Avenue; S.S. Walters, new residence 18x24 with an addition, on the west end of Main Street; Ezra Rice, a fine new two story residence on the corner of Estey and Bishop Streets; Dr. Kilgore new two story residence 16x22 with an L 16x16 and one story addition 10x22, on the corner of Kniss Avenue and Dodge Street; A.A. Noble, new residence, 20x20, two stories, on Dodge Street; Herren & Wadleigh, new residence, 24x24, southwest of depot; Herren & Wadleigh, new lumber shed, 20x60; F.S. Gibson, addition to store building, 24x48, two stories; Douglass & Whalen, addition to livery stable, 24x40; Thomas Barck, new residence in northeast part of town, 16x24; P.N. Gillham, new two story residence, 16x20 with a wing of same size, and a one story addition, corner of Freeman Avenue and Lincoln Street. New residences are about to be built by W.H. Halbert, Ed. McKenzie, Geo. Soutar and others, but operations are not as yet begun. Numerous improvements in the way of additions to residences are being made but space will not permit us to mention them in detail. These building operations are but the beginning of what promises to be an exceptionally active season, and before the season is over we shall doubtless be able to present an improvement record that very few towns in the west can surpass.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Instead of getting outdated advice from their parents, young singles might learn much more by receiving a pet wolf spider this Christmas. Eileen Hebets, an arachnologist from Cornell University in New York, has been studying the wolf spiders, which are uncommonly known (as opposed to commonly known) as Schizocosa uetzi spiders. According to Reuters news services, her study "shows wolf spiders will eat strange-looking males that try to mate with them, but spare and even hook up with familiar-looking males." The female wolf spider, which is slightly larger than the male, can choose to mate, run away or eat her suitors. In the study, Hebets painted the legs of male spiders with colors the female hadn’t seen before. The males with fingernail polish dabbed on their legs were most likely to be eaten by the females. In other words, we’ve always known that familiarity breeds contempt but, in the spider world anyway, familiarity breeds. The Cornell study about wolf spiders may help explain actions by "higher animals", notes Hebets. Taken one step further, the following lessons from the wolf spider might be invaluable on today’s dating scene: Stay away from guys who reek of fingernail polish or have legs resembling the color of Revlon’s "Forever Scarlett" at home on your dresser. Never date someone who considers "Daddy Long Legs" and "Arachnophobia" to be movie classics. Stay away from attractive young women who greet you at their front doors by asking, "Will you step into my parlor?" In order to avoid anything resembling cannibalism later in the evening, guys should always wear the same colored clothing as their dates. It’s no big deal to call ahead of time and ask, "What are you wearing tonight?" especially if they’re thinking there are flowers involved. If a girl you’re dating whispers in your ear, "You look good enough to eat," you probably do. It might be a good time to make a speedy exit. Casual dating (for example, dating someone without knowing what their legs look like) can be dangerous. If your date tells you she wants to have you over for dinner some night, make sure first you’re the guest of honor, not the main entree. As Julius Caesar observed a long time ago, "a lean, hungry look" in someone’s eyes can’t be a good thing. Never date a girl who can’t stop talking about her favorite novel, "Charlotte’s Web." Don’t date girls who always seem to be quoting Sir Walter Scott, the poet you read about in sophomore literature. Her favorite seems to be, "O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!" If she drools slightly while she’s delivering that line, you are definitely in big trouble. Most of all, never entertain ideas of mating with someone if there’s at least one extra person, wearing a white lab coat and taking notes, in the same room. If you’re not eaten before the note-taking is done, you will face the humiliation of having your romantic maneuvers described by Reuters.

I would like to commend everyone associated with the Blue Mound Area Theatre for their hard work in securing funding through a state grants-in-aid program administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.The grants are difficult to obtain, as dozens of important historical agencies from across the state apply for them each year. The Blue Mound Area Theatre was one of only 32 eligible projects chosen in Minnesota, and I'm pleased the organization will receive $35,000 so it can begin the first phase of the Palace Theatre restoration.Making necessary improvements now will allow future generations to appreciate our local history. I congratulate project director Ben Vander Kooi and the representatives from the Minnesota Historical Society for their efforts in gathering funding for this worthwhile project.State Rep. Doug MagnusDistrict 22A

By John RittenhouseHills-Beaver Creek opened the girls’ basketball season by turning in a dominating defensive performance in Hills Monday night.Entertaining Iowa foe Central Lyon, the Patriots unleashed a relentless full-court press on the lines.H-BC’s defense smothered CL and proved to be the deciding factor in a 60-18 victory.It looked like the Lions might be able to play with the Patriots early in the game, but it became evident that CL couldn’t handle H-BC’s defensive pressure in the second quarter.In the second quarter, H-BC started a 27-0 run that ended with 2:38 remaining in the fourth quarter and included pitching a shutout in the third period.H-BC senior Erin Boeve scored four of her team-high 15 points when H-BC took a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game.CL battled back to trim the difference to two points (10-8) as the period progressed, but H-BC ended the quarter with a 7-0 run featuring field goals by Brittney Rozeboom, Melinda Feucht and Melinda Sandstede and a free throw from Boeve to open a 17-8 cushion.The Lions scored the first two points of the second quarter and trailed by nine (25-16) with less than three minutes left in the first half. H-BC, however, started its 27-0 run at that point by scoring the final six counters of the second period to make it a 31-16 game at the intermission.Rozeboom, who scored 13 points for the winners, netted the final four counters during a third period in which the Patriots outscored CL 14-0 to make it a 45-16 game.H-BC scored the first seven points of a fourth quarter in which it outscored the Lions 15-2 to prevail by 42 points.Cassi Tilstra added 10 points to the winning cause.Box scoreRozeboom 6 0 1-2 13, Bush 1 0 0-2 2, Feucht 1 0 0-0 2, Sandstede 4 0 0-0 8, Tilstra 5 0 0-0 10, Hoyme 1 0 0-0 2, Boeve 6 0 3-5 15, Roozenboom 0 0 0-0 0, Olson 1 0 2-2 4, Mulder 2 0 0-0 4.

By John RittenhouseThe Fulda Raiders spoiled the Red Rock Conference opener for the Hills-Beaver Creek girls by toppling the Patriots 58-51 in Hills Tuesday.H-BC, which began the game without the services of two key players, didn’t need the Raiders to find a comfort zone offensively.Fulda, however, made itself right at home in the H-BC gym.The Raiders capped 58 percent of their field goals in the game to set the stage for a 58-51 victory in the RRC opener for both squads."Fulda just came out and started draining their shots," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "They weren’t shooting layups, either. They were five of nine from behind the three-point line."H-BC, which limited Central Lyon to two second-half points during a contest played in Hills Monday, missed the services of two players during the game against the Raiders.Junior Melinda Feucht, who started the CL game for H-BC, was lost for the season when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the second period of Monday’s game. Senior Melinda Sandstede, who was expected to take Fuecht’s place in the starting five, was unable play at all when she was diagnosed with strep throat."We played pretty well considering we had to juggle our lineup," Goehle said.Fulda got off to a good start by racing to a 15-8 lead in the first quarter and maintaining a seven-point advantage (34-27) at the intermission.H-BC trimmed the difference to four points (48-44) by the end of the third period, but the Raiders outscored the Patriots 10-7 in the final eight minutes of play to win by seven.Erin Boeve led the Patriots with 24 points and five steals in the game. Cassi Tilstra, who chipped in 12 counters, led H-BC with four assists. Amanda Olson pulled down a team-high eight rebounds for the hosts.The 1-1 Patriots play in Adrian Friday and in Tyler Monday.Box scoreRozeboom 4 0 1-2 9, Bush 0 0 0-0 0, Tilstra 4 0 4-5 12, Boeve 11 0 2-4 24, Olson 0 0 2-6 2, Mulder 2 0 0-0 4.Team statisticsH-BC: 21 of 49 field goals (42 percent), nine of 17 free throws (52 percent), 37 rebounds, nine turnovers.Fulda: 25 of 43 field goals (58 percent), three of seven free throws (42 percent), 41 rebounds, 13 turnovers.

By John RittenhouseNo team turned more heads during the course of the 2002-03 basketball season than the Hills-Beaver Creek boys.In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the Patriots turned in a stunning performance while rolling to a 16-0 Red Rock Conference record and capturing the league title for the first time.Fate caught up with the Patriots when Edgerton used a last-second shot to beat them 72-70 in the quarterfinal round of the South Section 3A Tournament, but that loss did little to tarnish what was a spectacular 19-6 season for H-BC.For Patriot coach Steve Wiertzema, the 2002-03 season was a satisfying one.The element of surprise seemed to work in favor of H-BC’s inexperienced team, and it set the stage for an enjoyable season for the Patriots and their fans."Looking at us on paper last year, we weren’t too scary," Wiertzema admitted. "I thought we could compete last year, but there’s no way I could have expected us to go 16-0 and win the conference. That’s quite an accomplishment for a team that didn’t have anybody returning."The play of three seniors helped turned the 2002-03 campaign into a good one.Forward Tyson Metzger and post Jesse Leuthold were senior starters who played key roles for the squad.Metzger, a forward who led the Patriots in scoring and rebounding, earned a spot on the All-RRC Team. Leuthold, a post, drew honorable mention from the RRC coaches for his work in the paint.Clint Roozenboom, a senior forward, came off the bench to impact the team’s fortunes last winter. He was H-BC’s sixth of seventh man.Wiertzema recognizes what the seniors meant to last year’s team, and he will miss them because of what they offered in production and spirit."Obviously, we’re going to miss some of the scoring and rebounding they gave us. They were a hard-working crew that battled hard all the time," he said.The only good thing about losing last year’s seniors is the fact that there only were three of them.H-BC will open the 2003-04 season with three returning starters and three reserves who picked up experience last winter. Add a transfer student from Westbrook-Walnut Grove to the mix, and H-BC will field a much more experienced team this season."We’ve got some experience," Wiertzema offered. "Our kids are very quick, and they handle the ball really well. We should be able to get up and down the court quickly. The kids are pretty good passers, too. I would say we’re really strong fundamentally."Returning to the team as starters from last season are senior Trey Van Wyhe and juniors Kale Wiertzema and Tyler Bush.All three players made the All-RRC squad last season.Van Wyhe, a 6-2 post, is a solid rebounder who can score points in the paint.The 6-2 Wiertzema is a wing who can hurt a team by slashing to the basket on the drive, hitting the three-point shot from the outside and with his passing skills.Bush, a 6-1 point-guard, uses his outstanding quickness to drive to the basket and draw fouls. He also is an excellent passer.Senior Drew Spykerboer and juniors Zach Wysong and Travis Broesder filled reserve roles for the Patriots last season.Wysong, a 5-8 guard, was the sixth or seventh man along with Roozenboom.Spykerboer is a 6-1 forward, and Broesder a 5-9 guard-forward.The Patriots will welcome Tom LeBoutillier, a transfer student from W-WG, to the program this season.LeBoutiller is a 6-2 junior post who has played varsity basketball since he was a freshman."Tom will help us quite a bit," Wiertzema said. "He brings us strength and good quickness, and he fits right in with this group of kids."Seniors Jeremy Elbers and Lee Jackson and junior Derek Haak will be on H-BC’s varsity roster to start the season, too.Elbers and Jackson are 5-9 and 5-7 guards respectively. Haak is a 6-1 guard-forward.Although the Patriots will be a talented team with experience, they will have to overcome some shortcomings to be successful."We’re not a very big team, and our depth is somewhat of a concern," Wiertzema said. "The kids we have are enthusiastic and really love the game, but we won’t be sneaking up on anybody like we did last year."Weirtzema sees the Red Rock Conference as being balanced this year with Adrian, Southwest Christian, Edgerton, Fulda and Mountain Lake Butterfield-Odin all fielding strong teams.As the defending RRC champion, H-BC has to be considered a favorite, too."We feel we’re going to compete for it (the RRC title) again," Wiertzema said. "If we go out and play hard every night, we’ll be in every game. There are not a lot of teams that will be able to blow us out."Playing with intensity every time they take the floor will be the main objective for H-BC this season."We’re not going to set any number goals this season. We’re just going to go out and play hard every night. We’re going to go up and down the floor hard, and have some fun doing it," Wiertzema concluded.The Patriots open the season in Pipestone Friday.

Instead of getting outdated advice from their parents, young singles might learn much more by receiving a pet wolf spider this Christmas. Eileen Hebets, an arachnologist from Cornell University in New York, has been studying the wolf spiders, which are uncommonly known (as opposed to commonly known) as Schizocosa uetzi spiders. According to Reuters news services, her study "shows wolf spiders will eat strange-looking males that try to mate with them, but spare and even hook up with familiar-looking males." The female wolf spider, which is slightly larger than the male, can choose to mate, run away or eat her suitors. In the study, Hebets painted the legs of male spiders with colors the female hadn’t seen before. The males with fingernail polish dabbed on their legs were most likely to be eaten by the females. In other words, we’ve always known that familiarity breeds contempt but, in the spider world anyway, familiarity breeds. The Cornell study about wolf spiders may help explain actions by "higher animals", notes Hebets. Taken one step further, the following lessons from the wolf spider might be invaluable on today’s dating scene: Stay away from guys who reek of fingernail polish or have legs resembling the color of Revlon’s "Forever Scarlett" at home on your dresser. Never date someone who considers "Daddy Long Legs" and "Arachnophobia" to be movie classics. Stay away from attractive young women who greet you at their front doors by asking, "Will you step into my parlor?" In order to avoid anything resembling cannibalism later in the evening, guys should always wear the same colored clothing as their dates. It’s no big deal to call ahead of time and ask, "What are you wearing tonight?" especially if they’re thinking there are flowers involved. If a girl you’re dating whispers in your ear, "You look good enough to eat," you probably do. It might be a good time to make a speedy exit. Casual dating (for example, dating someone without knowing what their legs look like) can be dangerous. If your date tells you she wants to have you over for dinner some night, make sure first you’re the guest of honor, not the main entree. As Julius Caesar observed a long time ago, "a lean, hungry look" in someone’s eyes can’t be a good thing. Never date a girl who can’t stop talking about her favorite novel, "Charlotte’s Web." Don’t date girls who always seem to be quoting Sir Walter Scott, the poet you read about in sophomore literature. Her favorite seems to be, "O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!" If she drools slightly while she’s delivering that line, you are definitely in big trouble. Most of all, never entertain ideas of mating with someone if there’s at least one extra person, wearing a white lab coat and taking notes, in the same room. If you’re not eaten before the note-taking is done, you will face the humiliation of having your romantic maneuvers described by Reuters.

Predictions last week were for severe storms and high winds. However, we lucked out on that. We received from three to five inches of snow and of course, the wind had to blow! This was accompanied by a little freezing drizzle that made travel a bit hazardous for a short time. It was a mild warning of what is to come. Old Man Winter is just awaiting his chance to become a permanent resident for the winter. We have had a few miserable days in November but nothing serious, so far. Let’s hope winter can be patient for another month. Then the holidays will be over and it would be nice if we could settle down to a long winter’s nap! However, stories of winter storms remind us of winter storms in years past. Instead of taking a nap we had better check the snow blower and polish up the snow scoop as they are predicting a very wet winter, and I don’t think they mean rain!Art and Henrietta Boeve, Glen and Ann Boeve and Erin, Michelle and Greg VanWyhe and Riley joined Henrietta’s family, the DeJonghs, with her brother and sister at the bank in Rock Valley Iowa, Thursday evening where they enjoyed a Thanksgiving potluck supper together. Thanksgiving Day guests in the Roy and Cheryl Hup home at Hills were Melba Boeve and son, Brian Boeve and family, from Sioux Falls. Thanksgiving Day guests in the Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen home were their sons, Mark and Lisa Paulsen and family, Marshall, Glen and Marla Paulsen and family, Sioux Falls, and Laura Paulsen, Hills. Dries and Laura May Bosch left Wednesday for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they spent Thanksgiving in the home of their son, Greg and Anita Bosch. Other guests were their children, Chad and Sherri Bosch and Mickayla, and Ryan Boeve and fiancée, Amy. Steven Bosch, Minneapolis, also joined them. Dries and Laura May returned home on Saturday.Henrietta Huenink was a guest in the home of her son, Kenny and Gwen Bodewitz, at Valley Springs on Sunday where they helped Kenny celebrate his birthday. The Orrin Aukes family enjoyed their Thanksgiving together at the home of Mary and Clair Crawford in Beaver Creek on Thursday. The Heunink and Bodewitz families enjoyed their Thanksgiving together at Steen Town Hall at noon on Thanksgiving Day. Friday Joyce and Jo Aykens met Paul and Carole Aykens and their daughters Andrea Aykens and Susan Veldkamp, Orange City, Iowa, in Sioux Falls for dinner and enjoyed the day together.The adult choir of Steen Reformed Church will present a cantata "The Shepherd Song" at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A fellowship hour will follow. Joyce and Jo Aykens enjoyed Thanksgiving at the home of Ben and Elaine Korselman in Hull, Iowa. The Hills-Beaver Creek junior high and high school music department will present their concerts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the high school gym. There will be a cookie exchange following the concert. Donations from the community would be appreciated. The Hills-Beaver Creek elementary students will present their winter concert, "Presents Without Packages," at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. The matinee will be at 1:30 p.m. The Hills-Beaver Creek Adult Community Education Department is sponsoring a trip to Luverne on Saturday, Dec. 6, where they will enjoy many Christmas activities. They will travel by school bus. Pick up time is 4:15 p.m. in Steen. There is no charge for the trip as it is in appreciation of those who traveled with Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen this past year. For more information or reservations contact Marilyn at 962-3240 at the high school or Joan Paulsen at 855-2317. December has arrived and so has the Christmas spirit. We are hearing the phrase, "Let us keep Christmas," as we are all so busy making preparations for Christmas that we get caught up in all of the many and varied jobs and activities that we have a tendency to forget the real meaning of Christmas. Santa is busy preparing gifts for all the little girls and boys on his list. Sunday School and school programs are being practiced to share with others later. The stores are filled with Christmas shoppers. Our homes are busy putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations while baking Christmas cookies and other goodies. In all of the hustle and bustle of the season where is the "Spirit of Christmas?" It is in the love that was shared with us at the birth of a tiny baby in a manger. He taught us to love one another, the love which he had given to us on that day. Christmas would mean nothing if it were not shared with someone. It is the festival that cannot be indulged in alone. The brightest ribbon around the simplest gift causes that gift to take on a new meaning that it did not possess before and just a single rose may light up a room. One word on a card written in sincerity may brighten the dimmest winter day. The love that came down on the first Christmas night was meant to be shared with others and by doing so creates the true Christmas Spirit and the reason for it. Sharing this love is what and why we celebrate and keep Christmas within our hearts and lives to share with others at the most meaningful time of the year. Yes, let’s all keep Christmas, not only in our hearts, but share our love with others the real meaning of Christmas this year.

Before I begin telling you about life in the Village this week, I have to tell you about the week previously. I knew, because Lori Ehde told me, I had to have a copy to the Crescent by noon on Monday or it would be too late due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Well I have unusual sleeping habits and so when I became tired I knew that I’d wake at night and would continue to finish. Well, I woke at 4 a.m. and thought I’d continue but suddenly I’d remembered my dialysis schedule had been changed also due to the holiday. Here it was 4 a.m. and I was ready to leave to be in Sioux Falls by 6. So the column didn’t quite turn out the way I’d planned. I wanted "Now is the time of Thanksgiving" at the end of each paragraph. I completely forgot Berdella and I wasn’t here to proof. She was thankful for a Christian upbringing.Then the week before #104 Martha’s entry was forgotten. A little white shelf had corn and a pilgrim as well as corn stocks. So pretty and so simple. Then the inscription on the picture told peace and love to all who enter. I’m sorry for I never wish to forget anyone.When the holiday arrived everyone either went to dinner or supper with family or friends. The Village was quite empty.Our travelers returned with suitcase in hand and tales to tell. Erma had gone to Afton and went with son Tom and Maggie to a swim meet in Green Bay, Wis. Grandson John won the meet and the relay team he was a part of came in second. Another exciting event was attending a marching band concert indoors in Minneapolis. There were areas appearing on a screen showing the high stepping members as on an open field. Now Martha went to visit a son as well. Howard and family recently retired from the Chicago area. She did run into trouble with hours and hours spent in Chicago and Greely, S.C. All delays due to days and cancellation because of bad weather. They toured a mansion built by C. Vanderbilt who made a fortune in shipping and railroads. Many people are employed to keep the place as it once was. The home of Carl Sandburg has been preserved and taken over by the park service. Sandburg wrote poetry while his wife Lillian operated a goat farm and sold milk. At one time they had 200 goats, now they do not milk but have 17 goats and nine chickens. The grounds cover many acres. He had a huge library. Bookshelves were in every room, and even used orange crates to keep files. Carolyn will come home soon with her reports.Peer helpers from the school came to the Village to help with bingo. I promised they would get their name in the paper. The group is always a help that come once a month. Students who came were: Stacy Bush, Brittney Rozeboom, Ashley Bosch, Tyler Bush. Cassie Tilstra, Derek Haak and Kale Wiertzema.The Christian School presented a play. I was unable to attend so have little to tell you. Maybe next week. All Bush kids were home to take whatever treasures they have left in the house. The group also got three deer. Bud got a sleeping bag to wear when he goes up to Orv’s. It works good in his electric cart.I’ll keep you posted.