By Jolene FarleyLocal 4-H members are busy putting the finishing touches on their projects for the Rock County Fair next week. Monday is the deadline for entering non-perishable items such as crafts, clothes, etc.Wednesday is the deadline for pets, foods and other perishables.Zach Van Westen, Steen, a member of the Hills Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, began his project, restoring a barge box farm wagon, for the fair on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. He remembers the exact date he started because it was his 13th birthday. After hauling the wagon home from Monroe, S.D., he immediately began tearing it down.Zach’s grandfather, Hilbert Van Westen, purchased the wagon in 1960 and hauled many loads of corn, beans and oats over the years.Zach decided to tackle the restoration of the wagon for his 4-H project with the help of his father, Dale. They logged many hours on the wagon this spring. During the project, Zach learned to use a cutting torch, a sandblaster and a paint sprayer.Because it was so time consuming to restore, the wagon is the only item Zach is entering in the fair this year. Last year, his projects included a birdhouse, bookshelf and lamp.Zach’s sister Alaina, 10, is entering a lamp, a quilt, a pillowcase, a picture, wind chimes and food. Meagan and Natalie Stueven, Hills, are close to completing their projects and are confident they will be ready.The girls are also members of the Hills Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. Their mother, Sue, is the leader of the club."It isn’t quite as rushed as last year," Sue Stueven said. "It’s not the night before and we’re still sewing."The girls are entering a variety of projects, including cats, calves, a horse and various craft projects.They got ideas for their projects from magazines and the Internet."They have a lot of fun," Sue said. "We try to keep it fun and we try to keep it learning for them."Entrants will know whether their projects earned a purple, blue, red or white ribbon at the fair by Wednesday or Thursday, according to Stueven.

By Jolene FarleyOn Monday, the University of Minnesota Extension Service announced the 18 Minnesota communities that will serve as regional Extension centers beginning in January 2004. Luverne is not one of them, but local Extension officials hope the Rock County Board will finance a satellite office with a support staff to provide an emphasis in 4-H and ag programming."We’re still really going to try hard to listen to the needs of the local communities," said Rock/Pipestone County Extension Director Holli Arp.Last spring, in response to state budget reductions and requests from counties for more flexibility in contracting for services, Extension shifted to a regional system.More than 100 counties and communities submitted a letter of interest hoping to be chosen as a regional center.The communities selected were: Albert Lea, Andover, Brainerd, Cloquet, Crookston, Farmington, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Hutchinson, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Mora, Morris, Rochester, Roseau. St. Cloud and Worthington."After careful consideration and significant consultation, we picked these communities as sites for regional centers because, across the state, they create a network to ensure all Minnesotans have access to Extension," Extension Dean and Director Chuck Casey said. The regional centers are funded by state and federal dollars, according to Arp.Each regional office will house five to 10 University of Minnesota staff. Worthington will be the closest regional center to Rock County. Rock County didn’t submit an application, because, Arp said, "They didn’t think they clearly met the criteria."Rock County Commissioners have the option of contracting with Extension Service to augment programs that the county wants, needs, and can afford. Extension officials will next determine specific office locations in the communities chosen as regional centers. Five of the new centers, those in Cloquet, Crookston, Morris, Rochester, and Grand Rapids, use existing University of Minnesota facilities and build strong program connections with university faculty.Two metro area centers, Andover and Farmington, and faculty and staff on the Twin Cities campus, will position Extension to successfully serve the needs of the densely populated area of the state. The following criteria was used to select the sights:oThe community and site supports a strong technology connection.oAn existing University of Minnesota facility will be considered whenever possible.oThe centers should be distributed geographically to ensure that Extension is available throughout Minnesota. oLocations will be sought that maximize value for anticipated costs for the employer, customer and employee.oThe location lends itself to increased collaboration with agency partners. oThere are existing acceptable facilities. oThere is an active commitment from the host community. oThere are partnership opportunities with other educational institutions. oThe site is a user-friendly location for customers and the deployment of staff.

By Sara StrongUnless there’s a reverse referendum, the County Recorder Position will be appointed instead of elected. It’s been in the process for a long time at the county, but after a public hearing Tuesday, it became final.Recorder Jere Ohme was on hand to answer public questions at the hearing, which included three opposed to the change, and support from two.Those objecting to the change from elected to appointed have said that the public is losing control over government with each official they don’t get to elect.County Board members said they’ve heard favorable comments for the change to appointed.Commissioner Bakken said, "At first I was opposed, but I think it’s something that needs to be done."Commissioner Ron Boyenga said that office efficiencies and the security in knowing a qualified person will be in the job are important. But he also said the county could save money on salary for a recorder. As an elected position, the recorder earns what a department head would. Because of the mostly clerical nature of the work, if it is appointed, the job will be paid according to actual job duties.Ohme has never been opposed when he’s filed for re-election. That isn’t the case in many counties. Other counties have had problems when people are voted out of office, or retire from elected positions. They often don’t train their replacements. Ohme said that would mean continued good service in the office wouldn’t be assured in the future.Ohme said, "Most people don’t know what we do."Recorders direct the recording of all deeds, mortgages and other legal documents involved in the registration of land to meet statutory requirements. They review deeds and other documents for accuracy and completeness and advise the public on procedures for recording deeds and mortgages and related documents.Recorders assist the public and legal professionals in searches for recorded information about specific property and titles. Ohme said that especially during the summer, genealogy research is popular in the vault of records.Ohme said that by changing the position to appointed, the Board isn’t doing the public a disservice or taking away someone who makes decisions. He said, "What we do is right out of the statute books."

By Jolene FarleyThe Glen and Ann Boeve family, Steen, has been recognized as the 2003 Rock County Farm Family of the Year. "It’s an honor to be picked," Glen Boeve said. "We were kind of surprised. It was a nice surprise."The annual award recognizes outstanding farm families from across Minnesota for their contributions to agriculture and their communities. The Boeves and 52 other farm families will be recognized on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Minnesota State Fair with a special program and reception. Glen and Ann Boeve raise soybeans, corn, corn silage, oatlage and alfalfa. They also finish beef cattle and own a farrowing unit where they raise isowean pigs from nursery to finish. They contract with an Arizona dairy to raise Holstein heifers, 300 pounds to Springers. Glen said the thing he enjoys most about farming is "independence and doing what I really like to do." He also enjoys working with his family. Glen began farming in 1972 in partnership with his parents, Art and Henrietta Boeve. After Glen and Ann married in 1976, they moved to a neighboring farm. G&A Farms Inc. was formed in 1992 and their son, Matt, joined the corporation in 1998.The Boeves said they feel very fortunate to be able to farm with their parents and their son. A good inter-generational working relationship has allowed them to maintain their family farming operation. Glen said he doesn’t think the farming industry has become more difficult in recent years. "We’re quite diversified," he said. "It all has its ups and downs. It’s hard to be on the ups all the time. You just try to stay on top of things and do the best job you can do."Glen and Ann are active in their community. Glen is involved with the Rock County Pork Producers, Rock/Nobles County Cattlemen’s Association, Corn/Soybean Association, Farm Bureau, and served on the boards for Rock County Rural Water and Rock County Coop. He currently is a member of the Steen Reformed Church board. Ann serves on the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board and teaches Catechism and Bible School at Steen Reformed Church. She is a past member of the Rock County Family Coordinating Council.In addition to their son, the Boeves have two daughters, Tara and Erin. Tara attends Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D, and Erin is a senior at Hills-Beaver Creek High School.

10 years ago (1993)"Environmental concerns surrounding the site of the new McDonald’s at I-90 and U.S. 75 appear to have no basis, according to Luverne City Attorney Don Klosterbuer.The Luverne City Council approved a resolution Monday that deemed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the site unnecessary. The Council found the project exempt from the environmental requirements, and the city cannot require further action."25 years ago (1978)"Hills-Beaver Creek’s marching band is a Cinderella story. Response toward the band’s participation at the national Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Mich., ranges from fantastic to truly incredible. Director Dave Shea called H-BC’s competitive efforts ‘out of sight.’The H-BC marching band is as high as one could be this week following their week-long experiences in Michigan. And there is a good chance the band could get emotionally higher after the results are received Friday for the Toast of Cherryland Award."50 years ago (1953)"The long-awaited Korean truce and cessation of hostilities in the Korean War was received here Sunday night with mixed emotions. Unlike when similar news was received at the end of World War II and at the end of World War I, there was no celebrating, no flag waving, no street parades."75 years ago (1928)"Harvest work started the first of the week; each day since has been gaining momentum, and by today or tomorrow will be in full swing throughout Rock County. A few fields of rye and barley were cut the latter part of last week, but the work did not start in earnest until about Wednesday. There are still many fields of barley and oats that will not be ready for the reaper until the fore part of next week."100 years ago (1903)"Plans which contemplated the holding of a county fair in Luverne this fall have been changed with a view to making preliminary arrangements this year for an agricultural exhibition next year. At the meeting held in the opera house Saturday afternoon of last week, the soliciting committee … reported the results of their three days work and it was concluded that the response to requests for pledges did not justify a continuance of work for a fair at this time. It was the sense of the meeting that a fair should be held next year."

By Lori EhdeLocal National Guard members received their official marching orders two weeks ago, and they’re leaving Aug. 13. for a six-month deployment in England.That much they know for sure. It’s what they don’t know that’s making the waiting game difficult.According to Sgt. Robert Newman, Readiness NCO of Battery A, the numbers keep changing, so local military personnel don’t know for sure who’s staying and who’s going."I’ve never seen so many changes," he said. "There’s uncertainty over the number of troops actually needed for the peace keeping missions. The numbers we thought were solid aren’t anymore."On July 8, the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery (Luverne and Pipestone units) was notified it was being deployed to U.S. bases in Europe as part of security missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.At first, 105 Guardsmen were needed, today the number is 93, and now Newman said he’s hearing that it may drop again.The result, he said, is speculation among personnel about who will stay behind as the numbers drop. However, he said orders could change again increasing the number.Regardless, he said plans for deployment are going smoothly."I’m proud of our unit," he said. "We’re not having some of the problems the other units are having in terms of family issues and employment issues. We’ve got cooperative soldiers and a cooperative community."There are 93 affected members in the local unit that includes Luverne and Pipestone. Of those, 55 serve duty at the National Guard Training and Community Center in Luverne.Twenty-three of those live in Rock County and 21 live in Nobles County.Due to privacy laws, Newman said the National Guard is unable to release the full list of names.Community send-offThe Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the area banks, are providing a send-off ceremony for the affected Guard members at the Luverne City Park on Monday evening, Aug. 11, beginning at 6:30 PM. "The entire community is invited to the park to show support for the families of guard members and honor those leaving," said Chamber Director Dave Smith."This will be a major change for many families and we want them to know that while their loved ones are away, the communities they leave will be here to support their families."Guardsmen and their families will have a private meal at 5:30 p.m., and at 6:30, the entire community is invited to a short program at the city park.The event will include the presentation of a joint color guard, special seating for the guard members, music, and a limited number of speakers. At last word, local Guard members were told they’re going to England to serve as additional security officers. They could be doing things such as checking IDs and patrolling bases.

By Lori EhdeShe doesn’t exercise every morning like she used to, and she gets a little help with housework and meals in her Luverne Centennial apartment.But what she lacks in energy she makes up for in memories. … And at 105, Lil Peterson has accumulated more memories than anyone she knows.She’ll celebrate her 105th birthday Saturday with a private gathering of family and friends at the Centennial Apartments where she lives.Sharing memories will, no doubt, be on the party agenda.She spent the early part of her life before paved roads, automobiles, electricity and running water.It’s no wonder then, that much of her childhood memories are colored by hard work and responsibilities.She remembers as a child rushing home from country school to get the chores done before supper."As fast as we could, we’d get home and change into our old clothes and pick corn cobs from the cattle yard," she said.Other chores involved basic housekeeping, such as cleaning kerosene lamp chimneys and refilling them with fuel.Lil was born on July 26, 1898, to William and Matilda Schneekloth, in a farm house near Muscatine, Iowa, a small town near Davenport.She was No. 5 in a family of four girls and three boys.In 1909, she remembers at 11 years old moving with her family to a Rock County farm just west of Luverne. She finished her schooling at Rock County Dist. 10 schoolhouse, and at 13 years old, took her eighth-grade education into the wide world to find a job.She went to work for Mr. and Mrs. Pete Glazier. In exchange for keeping the house, making the meals and caring for children, she boarded at the Glaziers. That was her payment."I learned a lot about housekeeping there," Peterson said. She baked bread, made meals and cared for children, two of whom were in diapers.Unfortunately, her job there was cut short by an appendicitis attack that sent her home for a long recovery. "Dr. Wright came and picked me up and called my dad when we got to Luverne. Dr. Spaulding took over and said it was broken too long and he couldn’t operate," Peterson said.So she went home with her parents, possibly to die, but after several months, she remarkably returned to health.She met her first husband, Walter Hand, while working with him at Worthmore chicken factory in Worthington.They married in 1926, but much of her married life consisted of caring for Hand, who suffered from "white lead" poisoning, a lung condition brought on by his work as a spray painter. "He didn’t wear the protective face mask," Peterson said.They never had children.Peterson married her second husband Victor Peterson, in 1948, at a community dance.This was appropriate since she had become an accomplished dancer at a young age, thanks to parents who enjoyed the activity."When the folks took us along to barn dances, Dad told us to stay in the corners so we wouldn’t get trampled," she said. "That’s how I learned to dance."When asked how she came to be 105, Peterson said simply, "Don’t smoke and don’t lay in bed in the morning. Get up and enjoy the day."In addition to morning exercises, Peterson said she takes a Vitamin E pill daily.Peterson said she’s content with where her life has taken her. "Right now I’m at the point where I’m ready to go, but I guess the Lord doesn’t want me yet," she said.The public isn’t invited to Saturday’s party, but cards can be sent to Peterson at 120 N. Spring, Apt. 409, Luverne, MN 56156.

By Lori EhdeAfter several years of implementing a controversial new math program in Luverne Schools, teachers are seeing positive results.Results of Minnesota’s Comprehensive Assessment Tests were released Thursday, and Luverne students scored far better than the state average and notably better than most area districts.Across the state, 78.5 of students achieved acceptable 11th-grade math scores on the MCAT, and 80.7 percent did so in 10th-grade reading.Luverne students, however, fared much better, with 95.7 percent achieving acceptable scores in math and 94.8 doing so in reading.Luverne Curriculum Coordinator Jan Olson said the test results are exciting indicators that work is paying off."My hope is that when we’re up for a review of our math program, our parents and teachers will be able to see that we’re moving in the right direction," Olson said."We’ve had a lot of controversy and complaints over the past five years, of our math program, but when you look at the data, we can see it’s done the job."The new program was controversial because it introduced a drastic shift from traditional math."It was a whole new integrated way of doing math," Olson said. "It moved us away from the traditional math as far as rote memory and moved into more problem solving."Bill Stegemann, School Board member and parent of a Luverne High School student, said he’s pleased with the outcomes he’s seen with the new math program."Even though there was controversy about the math program, it struck me, too, that the kids scored that well," he said.He said he believes students are learning valuable problem-solving tools that will benefit them more than the former memorization math did."In complex math, the how-to method becomes quite important."State Education Commissioner Cheri Yecke released the test results last week along with a message about math.She said Minnesota’s math results were generally good, but the math trend isn’t promising.With just 49 percent of Minnesota students taking advanced math, even geometry, that’s the second-lowest in the country.Yecke said doing well in higher-level math classes is a good sign a student will complete college, and she’s encouraging parents, teachers and students to do better.New academic standards adopted by the Legislature this year will require three years of math in high school for a student to graduate. Some schools, including Luverne, already require three years, but by 2005, all schools must do so.Stegemann said he’s thrilled that Luverne students did so well on the tests, but he hopes students and teachers are prepared to maintain that level of excellency."When you’re at the top of the hill, the climb gets very hard, and the fall down could be very easy."To repeat those scores would be very tough, but if we can do it, I say, all the better."

By Sara StrongCuts in the Luverne city budget now have come down to employees, after cutting what it could still left the city $47,691 short for the year.The city will lay off three full-time employees and some part-time employees. The full-time employees are from City Hall, Public Works and Utilities departments. Originally, more were going to be eliminated from the Public Works Department, but to get through the year and be fair to workers, the Council gave Interim Administrator Jeff Haubrich direction to also take an employee from Utilities.Councilman Pat Baustian suggested the electric line burying project could be put off, to allow a smaller utility department to meet basic obligations.The first recommendation wasn’t to lay off Utility employees because that department generates its own revenues.The Utility Department draws from its own separate account, because it makes money from utility customers. Other department salaries come out of the general fund. The Utilities Department subsidizes other city functions such as the Economic Development Authority, so Baustian said the Council should be able to transfer more money out of Utilities into the general fund.Baustian said, "It’s revenue we can use elsewhere." He said a new city administrator, once someone is hired, may see things differently and can make more changes as needed.Councilman David Hauge said he feared delaying more layoffs will only cost the city more in the long run."The layoffs, as bitter as they are, should’ve been done a month ago," Hauge said.The Council has cut $119,000 from its budget and might have to trim more in December, when state subsidies to cities are due. If the state has another budget shortfall, money to cities could be cut again.Baustian said that looking at the entire way the city runs will help save taxpayers and people’s jobs in the future.He said it’s probably time for "old spending habits" to stop. Even though capital improvements are a part of what makes the city run well Baustian said, postponing those for a few years may be a good idea.He suggested taking the $39,000 left in the capital improvement fund for this year and transferring it to the general fund to help the city get through 2003. In looking at cuts outside of employees, Mayor Glen Gust said he supported keeping $4,000 in winter recreation funding, which helps the Luverne Hockey Association."I don’t like to see kids’ stuff affected. If they’re not kept busy, they’ll do something else that’ll cost us more," Gust said."The problem," Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said, "is that we can come to every one of these line items and find someone who supports it."Gust said he would like staff to examine each of their smaller expenses to get the city through the coming years, even though the city looks to make it out of 2003 with a balanced budget."What about dues, training, advertising, memberships, publishing the newsletter?" Gust said.Haubrich said, with that direction, he can bring more specific line items back to the Council.