By Jolene FarleyTuff Village resident Marie Hensch will celebrate "alotta living" this week. Hensch turned 100 years old on Wednesday, July 16."It’s kind of scary in a way," she said. "I can’t do a lot of things I used to do." Hensch never expected to reach 100-years-old. "Well, people just don’t get that old," she said.But both of Hensch’s parents lived into their 80s, a good age for their generation, so longevity does run in the family, Hensch said. The main lesson Hensch learned in her life was "that things usually work out in the end.""Worrying doesn’t help," she said. "I just took the days as they came."Hensch lived in Iowa until after retirement. She was born in Lyon County, Iowa, and taught school for 15 years before marrying farmer Walter Hensch.The couple farmed near Hartley, Iowa, for two years before moving to the Boyden, Iowa, area.Hensch clearly remembers her days as a rural school teacher in Iowa. She treasures the relationships she built during that time. She taught every grade all subjects and was also required to do the janitorial work at the school. Her first year, she was paid $95 a month. Her second year the depression was in full swing and her wages were reduced to $47 a month.By the end of her 15-year career as a teacher, she earned $650 a year."We had little other help, and not many supplies," she said.The school supplied chalk, erasers and a sawdust mixture to keep the dust down in the school. "If you wanted other supplies, you went to the store and got them out of your own pocket," she said. The school would sponsor fund-raisers to cover school supplies and playground equipment. Hensch said it was frowned on for married women to teach school. A board likely wouldn’t hire a married woman unless it was desperate to fill the position."The reasoning was that you could only do one thing," she said. "By the time you kept your house clean and did canning and gardening, your time was pretty much taken.". Hensch won’t say if she thinks women have it better or worse these days. "Housework is certainly easier than it used to be," she said. Hensch has two daughters, Ardith Tofteland, Luverne, and Ruth Auckland, Des Moines, Washington, and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

By Jolene FarleyTuff Village resident Marie Hensch will celebrate "alotta living" this week. Hensch turned 100 years old on Wednesday, July 16."It’s kind of scary in a way," she said. "I can’t do a lot of things I used to do." Hensch never expected to reach 100-years-old. "Well, people just don’t get that old," she said.But both of Hensch’s parents lived into their 80s, a good age for their generation, so longevity does run in the family, Hensch said. The main lesson Hensch learned in her life was "that things usually work out in the end.""Worrying doesn’t help," she said. "I just took the days as they came."Hensch lived in Iowa until after retirement. She was born in Lyon County, Iowa, and taught school for 15 years before marrying farmer Walter Hensch.The couple farmed near Hartley, Iowa, for two years before moving to the Boyden, Iowa, area.Hensch clearly remembers her days as a rural school teacher in Iowa. She treasures the relationships she built during that time. She taught every grade all subjects and was also required to do the janitorial work at the school. Her first year, she was paid $95 a month. Her second year the depression was in full swing and her wages were reduced to $47 a month.By the end of her 15-year career as a teacher, she earned $650 a year."We had little other help, and not many supplies," she said.The school supplied chalk, erasers and a sawdust mixture to keep the dust down in the school. "If you wanted other supplies, you went to the store and got them out of your own pocket," she said. The school would sponsor fund-raisers to cover school supplies and playground equipment. Hensch said it was frowned on for married women to teach school. A board likely wouldn’t hire a married woman unless it was desperate to fill the position."The reasoning was that you could only do one thing," she said. "By the time you kept your house clean and did canning and gardening, your time was pretty much taken.". Hensch won’t say if she thinks women have it better or worse these days. "Housework is certainly easier than it used to be," she said. Hensch has two daughters, Ardith Tofteland, Luverne, and Ruth Auckland, Des Moines, Washington, and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

By Jolene FarleyTuff Village resident Marie Hensch will celebrate "alotta living" this week. Hensch turned 100 years old on Wednesday, July 16."It’s kind of scary in a way," she said. "I can’t do a lot of things I used to do." Hensch never expected to reach 100-years-old. "Well, people just don’t get that old," she said.But both of Hensch’s parents lived into their 80s, a good age for their generation, so longevity does run in the family, Hensch said. The main lesson Hensch learned in her life was "that things usually work out in the end.""Worrying doesn’t help," she said. "I just took the days as they came."Hensch lived in Iowa until after retirement. She was born in Lyon County, Iowa, and taught school for 15 years before marrying farmer Walter Hensch.The couple farmed near Hartley, Iowa, for two years before moving to the Boyden, Iowa, area.Hensch clearly remembers her days as a rural school teacher in Iowa. She treasures the relationships she built during that time. She taught every grade all subjects and was also required to do the janitorial work at the school. Her first year, she was paid $95 a month. Her second year the depression was in full swing and her wages were reduced to $47 a month.By the end of her 15-year career as a teacher, she earned $650 a year."We had little other help, and not many supplies," she said.The school supplied chalk, erasers and a sawdust mixture to keep the dust down in the school. "If you wanted other supplies, you went to the store and got them out of your own pocket," she said. The school would sponsor fund-raisers to cover school supplies and playground equipment. Hensch said it was frowned on for married women to teach school. A board likely wouldn’t hire a married woman unless it was desperate to fill the position."The reasoning was that you could only do one thing," she said. "By the time you kept your house clean and did canning and gardening, your time was pretty much taken.". Hensch won’t say if she thinks women have it better or worse these days. "Housework is certainly easier than it used to be," she said. Hensch has two daughters, Ardith Tofteland, Luverne, and Ruth Auckland, Des Moines, Washington, and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

By Lori EhdeCorn producers got a pat on the back Tuesday from Washington, D.C.’s Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association."You need to be proud of what you do, because it’s incredibly important to our nation’s economy," Dinneen said to a room full of people in the commons area of Luverne Elementary School.It was the annual meeting of members of the Corn-er Stone Farmers Cooperative, and Dinneen was the keynote speaker.The Renewable Fuels Association is the trade organization representing the ethanol industry.Corn-er Stone Manager Dave Kolsrud, who introduced Dinneen, offered some statistics to illustrate historical gains in the ethanol industry."When I started in ethanol in 1988, there were 600 million gallons of ethanol produced in the United States," he said. "We’ve gone from 35 plants to 73 in operation and 13 more under construction and we have the capacity now to produce 3 billion gallons of ethanol a year."In his address, Dinneen offered a few statistics of his own. He said one in every 10 rows of corn acres in the United States goes into ethanol production, and in Minnesota, that ratio is much higher."Minnesota leads the nation in ethanol production," he said. "With 14 plants, there’s no state in the nation that rivals Minnesota for ethanol production."He said that’s largely due to the efforts of Kolsrud and many others like him."When I met Dave eight years ago, he was telling me about the plans here to build an ethanol plant," Dinneen said. "His enthusiasm and energy was infectious."He said it’s been an uphill battle to educate Washington on the merits of ethanol, but lobbying efforts are starting to pay off."They’re understanding that ethanol is the single most important value added market for farmers," Dinneen said. "It’s a testament to what each and every one of you have done at the grass roots."But he said the value of their efforts is measured beyond their own pocketbooks."You need to understand that what you’re doing is more important than the return on your investment," he said."When you’re adding to economic development in Luverne and Minnesota, you’re also contributing to environmental protection and air quality advancements from coast to coast."Studies have shown MTBE, the petroleum-based additive, in gasoline finds its way to drinking water supplies. That’s why it was banned in California, and East Coast states are also considering switching to ethanol.While ethanol has come a long way in the past 10 to 15 years, Dinneen said the next big hurdle to clear involves the national energy bill, currently under debate in Congress.Part of that bill involves the provisions for a Renewable Fuels Standard that would ban MTBE, eliminate the reformulated gasoline oxygen standard, enhance clean air rules, and establish a minimum renewable fuels standard that grows to 5 billion gallons by 2012."It’s all about reducing dependence on imported fuels and increasing reliance on domestically produced fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel," Dinneen said.He said the legislation has the potential to double the size of the ethanol of the next nine years.Ironically, gains in national support for ethanol have come from cooperation with oil companies. When MTBEs were found to contaminate the environment, oil companies looked to other oxygenated blending alternatives."Now, oil producers are our customers," Dinneen said. "They’re the ones marketing our product."Not only are oil companies working with renewable fuels producers, but Dinneen said Republicans are working with Democrats to promote ethanol."Things have really changed. Now we have this broad-based coalition of support," he said. "Ethanol unites people. You need to be aware of it and proud of it."According to information on the Renewable Fuels Association Web site, ethanol is sold nationwide as a high-octane fuel that delivers improved vehicle performance while reducing emissions and improving air quality. "By reducing foreign oil imports, ethanol creates American jobs and provides value-added markets to bolster agriculture and rural America," the organization states on its home page. "In the midst of record growth, the ethanol industry will continue to play a larger role in meeting our nation's energy needs."

By Sara StrongKristi Holler writes songs by her piano at home in Sioux Falls and keeps a busy performing schedule, including college campuses, festivals, coffee houses, professional conferences and churches.She’s also playing a concert Wednesday, July 23, at the Palace Theatre, Luverne.Holler describes her concert and songs as adult contemporary, with inspirational lyrics. Her sound could be called similar to Sarah McLachlin or Natalie Merchant.Whatever description is used to portray Holler, noting that she’s a wholehearted musician should be a part of it. "I’ve dedicated my whole life to music," she said Tuesday.She started playing piano at age 7 under the instruction of her grandmother. She soon outgrew her grandma’s skills and took lessons from a professional until she was in junior high."From that point, I went on my own," Holler said. At age 13, she wrote her first song. She doesn’t play it in concert, but some other early songs make it to the stage, and happen to be some audience favorites."Music doesn’t grow old or go out of style," Holler said.Even after taking music and theory classes at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., she changed her major to liberal arts to broaden her education. "I knew I was going to take my own path in music," she said.She wants to use her music in different ways, helping other organizations such as an upcoming fund-raiser for a South Dakota scholarship foundation."I can give back with my music, otherwise it just gets so self absorbed or shallow," Holler said.Holler has released a few CDs so far: "The Other Side of the Street" in 2000, "Purple Hearts" in 2001, "Golden" and "Piano & Instrumental Holiday Music" in 2002, and "Sunny Day" and "Seeds of Fate" in 2003. She said she’s got hundreds more songs left in her to write."I have a huge passion for piano. I’ve spent many hours with it — it’s almost my best friend," Holler said. "I get my emotions and feeling out through my fingers ."Holler performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Palace. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Carnegie Cultural Center during regular business hours, or by calling 283-8294. Advance prices are $6 for adults; $4 for students and seniors. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors.

By Lori EhdeMagnolia teenagers must be off the streets by 10 p.m., according to a new city ordinance that went into effect last week.According to the ordinance, it’s unlawful for anyone younger than 18 to be on the streets or public places between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless they’re accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.The ordinance was introduced to Magnolia City Council members on April 14 in response to complaints about young people running in the streets late at night.Magnolia has always had a 10 p.m. curfew for 16-year-olds and younger, but the new ordinance targets those in the 16 to 18 age group.According to Rock County Sheriff Mike Winkels, there had been reports of minor vandalism around town that residents suspect were caused by young people out late at night.Winkels said no one has proof of this, but he did say parents support the ordinance, because it will put more teeth into their own household curfews."There’s been some late-night mischief, but nothing serious," Winkels said Tuesday. "They (council members) thought this would help some of the parents give stronger guidelines."The ordinance further makes it unlawful for parents and guardians to allow their minor children to loiter in the streets unaccompanied past curfew, providing an added incentive for parents to enforce their own house rules.The ordinance was passed at the June 9 council meeting, and published in the July 3 Star Herald legal notices. It went into effect July 10.Anyone, parents or minors, caught violating the ordinance faces petty misdemeanor charges.

By Sara StrongThe Luverne City Council is meeting again this week to discuss how to handle this year’s budget constraints. It will also preview what will be faced in 2004.More personnel cuts are coming, since avoiding that left the city short $47,691 for 2003.The city won’t be specific about the positions or employees being cut because they haven’t been personally notified, but this week’s retirement announcement by Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes is already figured in this equation.Cuts for 2003:oSummer rec. — $5,500oWinter rec. — $8,000oCity share sidewalk improvements — $15,000oForestry — $2,000oStreet part time — $3,800oMisc. street advertising — $1,000oCommercial backfill program through the Economic Development Authority — $2,000oStorefront renovation program through the EDA — $1,000oEDA part time intern — $2,500oBuilding and zoning part time help — $3,000oFire FEMA savings — $10,000oCouncil travel — $1,000oAdministrator travel — $5,000oAdministrator vehicle — $1,000oChamber cut — $9,500oTree dump — $1,500oPublic works layoffs — $8,904oCity Hall layoffs — $8,434oDepartment head retirement or layoffs — $14,209oAdditional department head elimination — $11,367Worst case scenario for city taxesTo avoid taxing the maximum allowable by the state, the city has slashed the budget — department by department.City Financial Officer Barb Berghorst calculated the possible city portion of property tax bills if the city levies the maximum the state will allow. Total local levy for city of Luverne in 2003 was $534,818, could be as high as $687,316, or an increase of $152,498 (28.5 percent). Those numbers are not final and are only a worst case scenario at this point.For a $75,000 home: currently pay $258.77, will be $332.55, or a difference of $73.79For a $100,000 home: currently $345.02, will be $443.40, or a difference of $98.38For a $150,000 business: currently $776.30, will be $997.65, or an increase of $221.36Of course, this doesn’t consider school or county levies.The city has had decreased levies for the past two years.

By Sara StrongLongtime Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes is leaving his post Friday, after 33 years of working for the city of Luverne.Huiskes said it was a hard decision that he didn’t take lightly. When the idea of leaving was first raised, in fact, he didn’t think it would work. Huiskes said, "I thought about it a lot, and rather than see young people who are trying to make a living be cut, I decided to step down."Huiskes’ salary is $67,392. He would have been eligible to retire in August by the rule of 90, but wasn’t planning on leaving because he’s just 57.Huiskes agreed to retire based on the terms of the following agreement:oHe will receive payment of $8,084.80 for unused vacation time, which is standard in the personnel policy.
He will be able to bank unused sick time ($38,425.60) in the city’s version of a flex or cafeteria plan, which is standard personnel policy for retiring staff.
He will continue to receive city contributions for health insurance for 30 months, which was a part of the incentive package for early retirement.
He will receive his current salary until Sept. 30 as part of the early retirement incentive.Utilities Coordinator Red Arndt will retire in September. The Luverne City Council has previously discussed combining Public Works Director with the Utilities Coordinator position, but Interim City Administrator Jeff Haubrich said it doesn’t look like there is enough money in the budget to fill that joint position.For the time being, there will be no department heads for City Utilities and Public Works, with the chain of command starting with existing supervisors.

Now’s the time to get involved with city planI’ve talked before about what I see as the importance of the Comprehensive Plan, which hasn’t been updated for 10 years.The city is spending about $50,000 for consultants to help write the new plan, so it’s obviously a priority. The city of Luverne is trying to plan for the future and adequately reflect the present. Effective long-range planning makes towns coherent and prevents zoning surprises from knocking on the doors of neighborhoods or businesses.The Planning Commission has previously said that it’s important for the city to better follow through with intentions this time around. For example, the city designated the southwest edge of town for industrial or business growth. But then the city turned it into a housing development and other things not planned for followed.The Comprehensive Plan could deal with everything from a lack of space for new business growth to city sprawl around the new hospital and clinic.Cities with good planning generally have consistent appearances, with a natural flow among business, industrial and residential areas. The city of Luverne has granted variances and changed zones and given conditional use permits that don’t fit in with the plan that was written 10 years ago. The Comprehensive Plan Task Force is starting its meeting schedule that allows for as many people as possible to sound off on what the city should evolve to from a zoning point of view.Now’s the time to get in on the planning because the city has said it will avoid the past scenarios of granting special permits and variances.Comprehensive Plan Calendar: Public Workshop No. 1: 7 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 13, Luverne Elementary School commons areaTask Force Meeting No. 2: 6 p.m. Thursday Aug. 14, City HallTask Force Meeting No. 3: 6 p.m. Thursday Sept. 4, City HallPublic Workshop No. 2: 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 2, Grade School Lunch RoomTask Force Meeting No. 4: 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 9, City HallTask Force Meeting No. 5: 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 30, City HallPublic Open House: 7 pm. Thursday Nov. 20, Luverne Elementary School commons areaPeople on the Task Force:Patrick Baustian, AldermanDavid Hauge, AldermanKaris Gust, Luverne Economic Development Rep.William Ketterling , Luverne Planning Commission Rep.David Smith, Chamber of Commerce RepresentativeBruce Baartman, Community MemberAmy VerSteeg, Community MemberBart Thielbar, Community MemberJim Harner, Community MemberPat Saum, Community MemberWayne Robinson, Community MemberDan Delgehausen, Luverne Building and Zoning Admin.Dan Statema, Luverne Economic Development DirectorLuverne City AdministratorHoisington Koegler Group Inc, Consultant