Tom and Sandy Bush and Colleen and Kevin Martens hosted a gathering for their children, Stacey Bush and Jason Martens, for their families and friends at Tuff Village following their confirmation on Sunday. Harriet Skattum returned home Thursday after spending a week in the home of her daughter, Margo and Dewayne Edwards, at Forestburg, S.D. She helped cook for the hunters who got their limits of pheasants. Guests of Douglas and Lois Boeve following confirmation of their daughter, Brianna, were Bob and Lois Sayler and family, Sioux Falls; Craig and Becky Bontje and family, Rock Rapids; Kim and Nancy Nelson, Hull, Iowa; Hank and Minnie Bos, Luverne; Eric and Wanda Hoyme and family, Bill Kroon, Mike, Robin and Madison Spath, Jim and Sharon Boeve, Lyle and Dorothy Bos, Sherry Paulsen and family, Kari Roozenboom and Pastor Lowell and Sonja Berg. Erma Schubbe returned home after spending a few days with the Paul Randall family at Stillwater and the Tom Schubbe family at Afton.Dean and Peggy Goettsch and Annette spent several days vacationing last week in the Black Hills. Sam and Glenda McGaffee hosted a reception Sunday for their daughter Katie, following her confirmation at Bethlehem. Among the relatives and friends was Katie’s grandmother, Henrietta Wassenaar. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer attended the Gaither concert Friday night at the Arena in Sioux Falls. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson motored to the Cities where on Sunday they attended the confirmation of their grandson, Jens, son of Mike and Anna Gilman, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie when 171 young people were confirmed. Charlie and Dawn Sandager and Gene and Shirley Sandager had a combination reception Sunday for their children, Brittany and Aaron Sandager, at the Gene Sandager home. Present were all of Dawn’s relatives, the Petersens, Laurie and Jim Johanson, Pam Koepsell and the Hills Sandagers. Others were Joyce and Floyd Wulf and Beth Sandager. Herrick, S.D.; Sheldon Norton and friend, Desiree, Omaha, Neb.; Kieran and Shonda DeVane and Josh, New Zealand; Charlie’s exchange student; Lee and Betty Sandager, Scandia; Tara and Chloe Sandager; Lee and Casey Westfall and family; Spencer and Pam Sells and family; Larry and Glenda Warner; and Pastor Lowell and Sonja Berg. Vi VanWyhe received word her sister, Bea Pettingill, Denver, Colo., passed away Sunday at the age of 84. She has a daughter in Denver and two sons in California. Lee and Betty Sandager, Scandia, are visiting in the Sheldon and Vic Sandager homes. Robert and Twila Kirsch spent from Sunday until Wednesday of last week in the Cities with their son-in-law, Luke Mathias, who was able to come to his home in Heron Lake on Friday. Lucille Schouwenburg spent a couple of days this week at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. Ron and Lexia DeWit, Sioux Falls, spent Wednesday evening in the home of her parents, Cliff and Vi VanWyhe. Ashley Marie, daughter of Orval and Bonnie Sundem was one of the confirmands. They had their reception at the Legion club room. Guests included her baptismal sponsor, her brother, Aric Sundem, and wife, Amy, Maple Grove; Grandma Esther Berkhof, Don Berkhof, Dee and Lee Brooks, and Richard and Carol Sundem, Sioux Falls; Mary Steenstra, Holland; Harlowe and La Vane Sundem, Garretson, S.D.; Doris and Dewey Dooyema, Edgerton; R.C. and Lori Curott, Cullen and Lauren, Princeton; foreign exchange student, Linda Piehler, Erfurt, Germany; Kayla and Shelby Rossow, Sioux Falls; Sharon Rossow, Holly Crawford and Kate, Helen Kraayenhof, all of Hills, and Pastor Lowell and Sonja Berg.

10 years ago (1993)"Rodney Verhey and Doug McGuire went to work on more curbs in Hills last week as they made four more curbs handicapped accessible."25 years ago (1978)"Four members of the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriot football team have been named to the 1978 All Conference Team for the Star Conference. David Deragisch and Greg Helgeson were named to the offensive team. Doug Deragisch and Stan Schouwenburg are members of the defensive team. Receiving honorable mention were Dennis Leuthold and Jeff Huber."50 years ago (1953)"A delegation consisting of members of the Village Council, namely F.A. Dunn, C.B. Sjolseth and George Schlueter, drove to Sioux Falls where they contacted the Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners, in regards to their road from Scott’s Station west to Rowena.About two years ago, Martin Graff, then chairman of the board, had intimated that the road would be graded and blacktopped in the near future. Since that time, the road has been graded and graveled, but no blacktopping has been done and it caused some question in the minds of Hills folks as to when this job would be done."75 years ago (1928)"If you want to see a beautiful sight, and one of the most expensive loads in the world, just stop for a minute and take note of the four busses as they pull in on the school grounds about 8:45 every morning, and unload their precious cargo. It’s the cream of the country and can’t be bought for money, and Supt. Fleming, being right on the job every minute, sees to it that all children are trained and taught along the right lines, and become good American citizens. It’s a big job, and we don’t envy him one bit, as all parents have their hands full managing just a few offspring, while our superintendent must teach more than 200 how to behave!"100 years ago (1903)"Saturday night is Halloween. See that your boys are in bed at 9 o’clock with the doors and windows locked on the outside. Then get your rusty old flint lock, mount the housetop and take a pot shot at everything that moves in your backyard — that is if you can’t enjoy yourself any other way."

Henry Hengeveld, 94, Escondido, Calif., formerly of the Luverne and Hardwick area, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2003, in Escondido. Private graveside services were Monday, Oct. 27, at Blue Mound Cemetery, rural Luverne. The Rev. Dell Sanderson officiated. Henry Hengeveld was born to Hein and Dora (Dykstra) Hengeveld on Feb. 21, 1909, in Elberg, Holland. He immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 6 with his parents and siblings. He married Mabel Anderson in 1936. They rented farms near Hills and Edgerton until 1948 when they purchased their own farm one mile west of Hardwick. They sold the farm to Randy Scott in 1974 and retired to Grand Junction, Colo. The couple moved to Escondido in 1977. Mr. Hengeveld was a member of the House of Prayer Lutheran Church and the Escondido Country Club. While in Rock County he was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church serving as usher, council member and as a volunteer during the construction of the new church building. He was a member of the Hardwick School Board, the Rock County Planning and Zoning Board, Farmers Home Administration and the Beef Producers Association. Mr. Hengeveld valued higher education even though his own formal education was very limited. He supported the education of his own children and founded scholarships at St. Olaf College and Luverne Dollars for Scholars. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Robert Fawley, Escondido. Mr. Hengeveld was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mabel, one son, David, and all nine siblings. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Berton James Rozeboom, 47, Garretson, S.D., died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., following a long battle with liver cancer. Services were Monday, Oct. 27, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial was in St. Catherine Cemetery, Luverne.Bert Rozeboom was born to James and Edith (Anema) Rozeboom on July 9, 1956, in Luverne. He grew up in the Beaver Creek area and graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1974. After high school, he attended Southwest Minnesota Vocational Technical School in Canby and graduated with a degree in diesel mechanics. He married Michelle Reisch on Sept. 12, 1975, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Following their marriage, they lived in rural Garretson, S.D. He worked for 10 years as a mechanic at Doyle-Lunstra (later known as DMI) in Sioux Falls. He purchased his father’s manure hauling business in 1987. He sold this business to his family in August. He operated RRR Cattle Company the past six years. Mr. Rozeboom was a long-time member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed woodworking and riding horses.Survivors include his wife, Michelle Rozeboom, Garretson; two sons, Jason (Kristin) Rozeboom, Beaver Creek, and Mark (Jenifer) Rozeboom, Garretson; three daughters, Staci Rozeboom and Sarah Rozeboom, both of Garretson, and Amy (fiancé Jim Susie) Rozeboom, Hills; five grandchildren, Carter, Synthia, Tristen, Keaten and Bailey; his father, Jim Rozeboom, Luverne; two brothers, Harley Rozeboom, Jasper, and Al (Denise) Rozeboom, Luverne; and two sisters, Cherlyn (Gary) Bosch, Valley Springs, S.D., and Dolly (Tom) Van Der Weerd, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Rozeboom was preceded in death by his mother, Edith, and niece, Angee.Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Esther Hemme, 95, Luverne, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault. Services were Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. The Rev. Mark Mumme officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens Cemetery, rural Luverne. Esther Mohr was born to Edward and Selma (Koeppen) Mohr on May 1, 1908, in Crawford County near Schleswig, Iowa. The family moved to a farm near Beaver Creek where she was raised and completed her education. She attended Nettleton Business School in Sioux Falls, S.D., and then worked at Beaver Creek Bank until her marriage. She married Herbert H. Hemme on Feb. 22, 1934, in Luverne. After their marriage, they farmed near Hardwick until 1970 when they retired. The couple moved to Luverne in 1973. She moved to Cedar Place Apartments in Owatonna in May 1993 to be near her daughter and family. She moved to Cedarview Nursing Home in October 1995 and was later transferred to St. Lucas Care Center. She was a homemaker.Mrs. Hemme was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. She was also a member of the Hardwick Servicemen’s Mothers Club. She enjoyed gardening and doing crafts. She loved to travel and spent many winters in Weslaco, Texas after retirement. Survivors include one daughter, Arlene (Robert) Monahan, Owatonna; four grandchildren, Nancy (Mark) Mukomela, Burnsville, Mike (Shari) Monahan, Apple Valley, Shane (Hans) (Hemme) Reed, Houston, Texas, and Tanner (Hilary) Reed, Stephenville, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Karli and Ryan Monahan and Madison (Hemme) Reed; two daughters-in-law, Joyce Goff, Payson, Ariz., and Gina Reed, Stephenville; one sister, Selma (Alvin) Heckt, Luverne; one sister-in-law, Margaret Hemme, Jasper; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mrs. Hemme was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Herbert, two sons, Capt. Arlo H. Hemme and Gene D. Hemme, an infant granddaughter, one brother, Richard Mohr, and one sister, Alfreida Halverson. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

By Lori EhdeLuverne’s assisted living apartments are taking shape as weather cooperates with construction schedules.Poplar Creek Estates are built adjacent to the existing Oaks congregate care apartments across from the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home on the southwest side of Luverne."It’s just so thrilling," said MJB Community Relations Director Nancy Kaczrowski. "There’s such a need, and so many are interested. It’s just awesome to be able to keep people in the community."Since plans for the $3.2 million project first started nearly five years ago, Good Samaritan Communities has been keeping a list of interested families.So far, that list includes 50 interested tenants for a complex that will offer 24 apartments — 20 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units.In the continuum of long-term care, Poplar Creek Estates will provide an arrangement that’s between The Oaks and the nursing home in terms of health and home services.For example, assisted living residents of Poplar Creek will have three meals a day, light housekeeping and laundry services provided, as well as a registered nurse to assist with medication and other light medical needs.The apartments are all on one level for handicap accessibility, with spacious bathrooms and living areas. Kitchen space, however, amounts to a microwave and dorm fridge, because residents meet in a common dining area for meals.Poplar Creek Estates are connected to The Oaks through a walkway attached to the Oaks north-side patio.The two buildings will not be joined as one, but tenants will be able to share spaces like the exercise and therapy room.To live in Poplar Creek Estates, residents must be independent enough to navigate in and out of the facility on their own — a requirement in case of fire emergencies.The typical Poplar Creek resident will rely on Rock County’s Heartland Express busing system or other transportation, so no garages are included in the plan.The building will be staffed with trained home-health aides 24 hours a day, and a registered nurse will be on site 10 to 20 hours a week and on call 24 hours a day.Rental costs, based on an average service package, are estimated to range from $1,800 to $2,200 per month. The more health and housekeeping services a resident needs, the higher the rent he or she will pay.Good Samaritan Communities of Luverne is working with Rock County Family Services to utilize alternative care grants and elderly waivers in order to make the units more affordable to a wider range of people.The name, "Poplar Creek Estates," came from the little creek that runs through the southwest part of town.Apartments will be ready for occupancy late next spring, depending on construction progress. Design Craft is the contractor for the project.Although initial fund-raising goals for the project have been met, Kaczrowski said donations are still being accepted. "People are so generous in this community," she said.Families who expressed interest in occupying Poplar Creek apartments will receive information in the mail in January.Anyone else interested in being placed on the list can call Rhona Snyder at 283-1996 or Kaczrowski at 283-2375.

By Sara StrongThe budget issue that prompted the most calls to Luverne councilmen wasn’t about Chamber of Commerce cuts or even employee layoffs. … It was the tree dump.At their meeting tonight, Luverne City Council members will consider reopening the tree dump and compost area for next year’s budget. Tentative plans call for the service to be open four hours on Saturday and two hours on Wednesday. Cost would be $2,500.The city of Luverne is also considering some enhancements in its revenue for 2004 that will total $171,700.oIf added, a hydrant rental fee would bring in an additional $56,200. Cost to the average household will be $24, because they are hooked up to a three-quarter inch meter. Fees will increase for 1- to 6-inch lines.Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the hydrant fee effective Jan. 1.oImplementation of a street light fee would bring in an additional $75,500. Cost to the average household would be $24 per year, and $96 per year for commercial and institutional accounts.Even if the council approves the new fee, it would cover just 62 percent of the annual costs associated with street lights. Non-taxable properties such as churches and non-profit agencies don’t contribute to the general levy, which funds things such as fire protection and street lights.The council will discuss whether the hydrant fee and extra street light utility charge will more fairly distribute those costs among all who use them.Another increase in city revenues are building permit fees, which will increase by $40,000 because of the new hospital and clinic construction project.The City Council is also considering adding items to its budget, which were originally cut in 2003.They are: Chamber of Commerce, $9,500; part-time help in street department, $3,500; part time help in parks, $3,500; funding for management of Ice Arena, $4,000; funds for mower, $7,000, funds for future park improvements, $6,000; funds for Southwest Minnesota Foundation, $5,000; and reinstate accountant position, $5,400; chemicals and supplies for weed control in ponds, $400, and increase funding for insect control, $1,000.

By Sara StrongLocal railroad operator, Brent Polanchek, is still working to increase traffic on the line and break even with expenses. Polanchek has lead Minnesota Southern Railway for three years, investing all revenue and $200,000 of his own money in upgrades."We didn’t come here with the intent of getting rich. … We came here to keep it open," Polanchek said.Polanchek and his wife, Kathy, live full-time in Luverne now. They are originally from Montana.The rail industry changed in recent decades, with the trucking option often cheaper to haul grain.Polanchek said Tuesday there is hope for it, though. He’s gotten business from Minnesota Special Liquids, Luverne, which produces Alcomp animal feed.Along with that work, the railway has developed good working relationships with Burlington Northern and Union Pacific lines, which helps in future east and west hauling.Polanchek hopes that Minnesota Special Liquids is able to start transporting to Mexico, which would go all by train and tremendously help the local railroad.Also, Polanchek is working with some gravel businesses that may use trains for their transports.All of the options would come together even more smoothly, he said, with county and city of Luverne help to develop businesses in the Job Opportunity Building Zone in Luverne’s industrial park. "The more cars I move, the more money you guys get, really," Polanchek said to the Rock County Board of Commissioners.Polanchek operates under a 20-year lease, and, at the time of that lease, was the fourth operator in 10 years to lease from the Buffalo Ridge Rail Authority.Polanchek works with long-time railroad employee, Herb Tollefson.

By Sara StrongHesitant to accept a bid from an out-of-town contractor, the Rock County Board of Commissioners tabled a decision on garbage hauling services Tuesday.Ritters Sanitary Services, Marshall, was the low bidder at $40,000 a year. A close second was Luverne’s Ketterling Services which bid $43,000.Ketterling has been Rock County’s provider for at least 15 years, the only private hauler since the county started taking its garbage to Lyon County. The county trusts the service and likes that the money goes to a local business.County Engineer Mark Sehr said, "Considering our longstanding relationship, the $3,000 difference wouldn’t deter me from recommending Ketterling."But the county’s objective is usually to save taxpayer money, which is why it bids for services.County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said, "If you’re going to competitively bid, competitively bid. If not, then don’t."He said the law reads that government units should accept the lowest "responsible bidder," and there’s no evidence that Ritters isn’t responsible. That company could take action against the county if it doesn’t get the contract based on its lowest bid, and the county would have to come up with a legitimate reason to not award them the bid.The county can reject all bids and not advertise for them again if it ultimately wants to award the contract to Ketterling. The contract would be for three years, and assumes 125 loads two ways (from the Rock County Transfer Station to the Lyon County Regional Landfill and back) and 100 trips one-way.New Social WorkerCounty Commissioners Tuesday voted to assist in hiring a new mental health social worker for the county’s students. Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said to the commissioners, "If you would consider this, it would really assist in the program being successful."The social worker will actually be an employee of Hills-Beaver Creek schools, but will contract for work in Luverne. Commissioner Richard Bakken said he thought the money was "more well spent" with preventative care, than other costly measures the county has to take.The county is funding the position as a loan because state special education funding won’t come through for two years. Total cost of the position is $52,000, including benefits. The special education funding will be $27,000.The Rock County Collaborative will also help fund the position.Commissioner Ken Hoime said, "If it will help prevent further problems, I support helping out."Commissioner Jane Wildung said intervention with school children helps keep out-of-home placements to a minimum and is better for all members of a family.The social worker specializing in children’s mental health will be able to handle cases standard school counselors won’t.Rural addressesCounty Engineer Mark Sehr said the Post Office approved of the new rural addresses. Individual signs have been up for a while and street number signs went up last summer.Sehr said letters will go out to residents Nov. 1, and they can start the process of formally changing their addresses. In this special case, the Post Office said it will honor old and new addresses for a year after notification.