Goldfish are in the news. It should also be noted that much of the goldfish news isn’t for the squeamish, particularly small children who have just seen "Finding Nemo", card-carrying members of any animal rights group, or any person whose best friend has gills and fins. Until their dramatic splashes in the art world and the recent remarks made about them by a sewage-treatment spokesperson, goldfish seemed destined to lead simple, fairly uneventful lives. They hatched without knowing their parents, they ate, they swam around in endless circles and they were eventually flushed away. According to The Week magazine, "an artwork in which viewers were invited to liquefy live goldfish in a blender did not constitute cruelty to animals, a Danish judge has ruled." The controversial, interactive display at the Trapholt Art Museum in Kolding, Denmark, featured goldfish swimming in 10 blenders and visitors were invited to flip the "on" switches. At least one person did, creating what must have appeared to be goldfish mousse. The artist wanted to make people "do battle with their conscience" and "choose between life and death." Both the blender manufacturer and the judge agreed that the goldfish had met their untimely ends "humanely" and "instantly." Although goldfish lack the slobbering tongues or cuddling abilities of dogs or cats, they have managed to inspire one of our favorite expressions — "I’m tired of living in a fish bowl!" Yet we really don’t know what it’s like to swim nonstop our entire lives. If we truly lived in fish bowls, our greatest excitement would be the possibility of taking a wrong turn and colliding with a tiny castle or a miniature deep-sea diver, both ceramic, on the bottom of an algae-filled aquarium. Some people might argue that their lives are similarly meaningless, but at least they have the opportunities to sleep and blink their eyes whenever they want. It’s not that some goldfish haven’t had rather remarkable endings. College students used to swallow them alive at the same time their classmates were stuffing themselves into small cars and phone booths. On other occasions, fish bowls have been knocked to the floor by rambunctious children Overeating seems to be the most common cause of death for goldfish but we really can’t point our fingers. As a nation, we appear to be following their example. Goldfish owners know the meaning of terror. There’s nothing like standing next to a toilet bowl with a small child, dumping the limp remains of their pet into the water, and suddenly seeing the fish spring back to life. Should we reach into the water with our bare hands and return the fish to its fish bowl or should we tell "the sewer pipe story"? "The sewer pipe story", according to generations of parents, is that the fish will somehow navigate through countless miles of water pipes connecting the bathroom and the ocean, where they will frolic and find true happiness. Not so, a sewage-equipment manufacturer foolishly blurted to the press recently. Contrary to what happens in the movie "Finding Nemo", flushing fish down toilets will not send them to freedom in the ocean. The manufacturer, who obviously doesn’t believe in sugar-coating facts for children, noted that the fish actually pass through sewage-treatment machines that "shred solids into tiny particles." Given that choice, a blender might be nicer.

As soon as my wife and I returned from vacationing in central Minnesota this last week one of the first things that I heard was that I had to go get a Rock County Star Herald and read the letter to the editor from Terry Reisch. After reading it I would like to congratulate him on it. It seems to me that the officer in question has once again stepped over the line. Even though we in the community all know who this person is, I will not mention his name. I think it’s about time that our sheriff does something about the person in question. After talking to several young adults in our town and finding out that the same officer likes to cuss, swear and scream at our youth thinking that he is a big man, I really became irate. It seems that this officer and his friend like to sit in the dark with their lights off and try to trap offenders. Isn’t this in itself illegal? Since when is this a legal maneuver? I thought our officers were to be highly visible. Since when are they allowed to sit in the dark and hide? I have heard many complaints from other adults about this officer and the way he treats them, and I know of some that have called our sheriff about him and complained. When is something going to be done about him? We, as citizens of Luverne, do not need to take his abuse and I think it’s high time something is done. He was hired to work for us, not against us. We pay his salary with our tax dollars and he works for us. I think that a public apology is in order from this officer and his partner to Mr. Reisch and that he should be put on suspension until he has a change in his attitude. If he pulled stunts like this on a regular job he would probably have been fired on his second offense. We do not need police like this. I am with Mr. Reisch all the way, and if this puts and X on my forehead, let it be. I think we have had enough and again I urge the citizens of Luverne to come forward and make our sheriff do something about his fellow. You can tell who he is targeting just by the tickets he writes. And about these tickets he writes — since when do you walk up to a car that you pull over and not tell them what you pulled them over for? The first thing that comes out of his mouth is, "Have you been drinking?" Is this proper procedure? I don’t think so. Let’s put a stop to this right now!Shawn L. Davis,Luverne

10 years ago (1993)"Former Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary Principal and teacher Merlin Klein and the H-BC Board of Education have come to an agreement on a resignation package for Klein. After a year and a half, the dispute between the two parties came to an end on July 7 when the H-BC Board accepted Klein’s resignation and voted to offer him the agreed upon retirement package." 25 years ago (1978)"Wendell Bengtson, Hills, was elected cashier of the Exchange State Bank of Hills at the Board of Directors meeting July 12, 1978. As cashier, Bengtson is working on all phases of the operation of the bank. Prior to coming to Hills Bengtson was the executive vice president of the Benton County Savings Bank in Norway, Iowa." 50 years ago (1953)"Beginning Sunday morning, if all goes well, Hillsites will be able to hear the first tones coming from a newly installed public address system at the Christian Reformed Church.A set of directional speakers will have been installed in the belfry at the church, coupled with a phonograph turntable on the church sound system, bought the past year. Records played will be carillonic bells or chimes. Many different sacred songs will be played over this fine new system."This very fine musical addition to Hills is being installed in honor of the late Tim Fikse, by his family. It was thought that this would be a very fitting tribute, since he served as church organist and directed the choir and other musical groups in the church, as well as outside."75 years ago (1928)"It’s been many years since Hills had a juvenile band, therefore the news that steps will be taken to organize one will be of interest to all lovers of band music. The first meeting will be in the Hills school at 8 p.m. next Saturday, July 14, and every beginner that has an instrument is urged to meet up. This invitation is extended to all boys living in and around Hills. As the old saying goes, "The more, the merrier."100 years ago (1903)"There are some people in our town who spend much of their time in giving Hills good sidewalks and fine shade trees and then there are other people who entertain a sort of ‘I don’t care a snap’ position and picket their horses and cattle along the streets and highways without any regards for sidewalks or trees. There is strong talk against this reckless running at large of stock and picketing cows close to sidewalks, and if it is not stopped, someone may find his family ‘bossy’ in the hands of the town pond master."

Villagers have news. They have been a very active group, individually. Nothing big, but lots of interesting activities. Wedding cake was shared with the Village people from caregiver Grace’s daughter, Katie and Derrick Wulf. It was a delicious white, decorated, mock angel food. Grace also brought beautiful red and pink roses that had been used on the tables. They have lasted all week. Then, from the wedding of the Bush’s granddaughter, Amber Metzger and Jeff Leuthold, we all ate white cake with dainty little flowers on the top. Bud and Ione were pleased to have been with so many family and friends for the event. Arriving on a motorcycle from Colorado Springs, Colo., was former resident Bob Thompson who came to see Bud. Carolyn C’s two granddaughters from Austin were here. They took grandmother on a merry chase to movies, restaurants and a shopping spree. Carolyn slept after the girls went home. Earl’s daughter-in-law visited also. She loves to garden and when she saw how we needed beans picked, she tackled the job. Not only picking an ice cream bucket full but cleaned and washed them as well. Palma’s sons are here from the Twin Cities. The Dickman’s were here from George, Iowa, to see Marie. Marie was Mr. Dickman’s teacher of three of his school years. A party is being planned for Marie’s 100th birthday. We’ve some puzzles on our tables. A bottle with bird seed and 10 items added for us to find. We’ve done so, not all at once but working at it occasionally. Items were a bolt, bobby pins, safety pin, red and white buttons, etc.We’ve gone away, too. Signe and Alice went to the Larchwood parade. Shorty and Carolyn went to Luverne’s Hot Dog Night. Marcella joined about 80 relatives at a Brookings park for a reunion. And have you seen Bud tooling around in his electric cart? Before Miles left we had a little piano and organ duet with dietitian Rozella. We do miss Miles’ music. Harriet Jordan came, showing us money from Iraq she and Berdella received from a young man stationed there. The bills are called dinars. One bill was for 100 dinars. Harriet explained that it takes 1,000 dinar to make a dime. In 1881, we had the first ice cream sundae. To celebrate we, too, had ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings. Also, Strawberry Day was observed by having fresh strawberry pie. They have said corn should be knee high by the 4th of July. Vic Sandager once said that with the hybrid seed and fertilizer it should be shoulder high. Well, our farmer to the east came spraying his beautiful cornfield. He stopped, got out of the sprayer and the corn was over his head. We would have lost him from view if it were not that he carried a flag. The corn should tassel this week.I’ll keep you posted.

Villagers have news. They have been a very active group, individually. Nothing big, but lots of interesting activities. Wedding cake was shared with the Village people from caregiver Grace’s daughter, Katie and Derrick Wulf. It was a delicious white, decorated, mock angel food. Grace also brought beautiful red and pink roses that had been used on the tables. They have lasted all week. Then, from the wedding of the Bush’s granddaughter, Amber Metzger and Jeff Leuthold, we all ate white cake with dainty little flowers on the top. Bud and Ione were pleased to have been with so many family and friends for the event. Arriving on a motorcycle from Colorado Springs, Colo., was former resident Bob Thompson who came to see Bud. Carolyn C’s two granddaughters from Austin were here. They took grandmother on a merry chase to movies, restaurants and a shopping spree. Carolyn slept after the girls went home. Earl’s daughter-in-law visited also. She loves to garden and when she saw how we needed beans picked, she tackled the job. Not only picking an ice cream bucket full but cleaned and washed them as well. Palma’s sons are here from the Twin Cities. The Dickman’s were here from George, Iowa, to see Marie. Marie was Mr. Dickman’s teacher of three of his school years. A party is being planned for Marie’s 100th birthday. We’ve some puzzles on our tables. A bottle with bird seed and 10 items added for us to find. We’ve done so, not all at once but working at it occasionally. Items were a bolt, bobby pins, safety pin, red and white buttons, etc.We’ve gone away, too. Signe and Alice went to the Larchwood parade. Shorty and Carolyn went to Luverne’s Hot Dog Night. Marcella joined about 80 relatives at a Brookings park for a reunion. And have you seen Bud tooling around in his electric cart? Before Miles left we had a little piano and organ duet with dietitian Rozella. We do miss Miles’ music. Harriet Jordan came, showing us money from Iraq she and Berdella received from a young man stationed there. The bills are called dinars. One bill was for 100 dinars. Harriet explained that it takes 1,000 dinar to make a dime. In 1881, we had the first ice cream sundae. To celebrate we, too, had ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings. Also, Strawberry Day was observed by having fresh strawberry pie. They have said corn should be knee high by the 4th of July. Vic Sandager once said that with the hybrid seed and fertilizer it should be shoulder high. Well, our farmer to the east came spraying his beautiful cornfield. He stopped, got out of the sprayer and the corn was over his head. We would have lost him from view if it were not that he carried a flag. The corn should tassel this week.I’ll keep you posted.

Goldfish are in the news. It should also be noted that much of the goldfish news isn’t for the squeamish, particularly small children who have just seen "Finding Nemo", card-carrying members of any animal rights group, or any person whose best friend has gills and fins. Until their dramatic splashes in the art world and the recent remarks made about them by a sewage-treatment spokesperson, goldfish seemed destined to lead simple, fairly uneventful lives. They hatched without knowing their parents, they ate, they swam around in endless circles and they were eventually flushed away. According to The Week magazine, "an artwork in which viewers were invited to liquefy live goldfish in a blender did not constitute cruelty to animals, a Danish judge has ruled." The controversial, interactive display at the Trapholt Art Museum in Kolding, Denmark, featured goldfish swimming in 10 blenders and visitors were invited to flip the "on" switches. At least one person did, creating what must have appeared to be goldfish mousse. The artist wanted to make people "do battle with their conscience" and "choose between life and death." Both the blender manufacturer and the judge agreed that the goldfish had met their untimely ends "humanely" and "instantly." Although goldfish lack the slobbering tongues or cuddling abilities of dogs or cats, they have managed to inspire one of our favorite expressions — "I’m tired of living in a fish bowl!" Yet we really don’t know what it’s like to swim nonstop our entire lives. If we truly lived in fish bowls, our greatest excitement would be the possibility of taking a wrong turn and colliding with a tiny castle or a miniature deep-sea diver, both ceramic, on the bottom of an algae-filled aquarium. Some people might argue that their lives are similarly meaningless, but at least they have the opportunities to sleep and blink their eyes whenever they want. It’s not that some goldfish haven’t had rather remarkable endings. College students used to swallow them alive at the same time their classmates were stuffing themselves into small cars and phone booths. On other occasions, fish bowls have been knocked to the floor by rambunctious children Overeating seems to be the most common cause of death for goldfish but we really can’t point our fingers. As a nation, we appear to be following their example. Goldfish owners know the meaning of terror. There’s nothing like standing next to a toilet bowl with a small child, dumping the limp remains of their pet into the water, and suddenly seeing the fish spring back to life. Should we reach into the water with our bare hands and return the fish to its fish bowl or should we tell "the sewer pipe story"? "The sewer pipe story", according to generations of parents, is that the fish will somehow navigate through countless miles of water pipes connecting the bathroom and the ocean, where they will frolic and find true happiness. Not so, a sewage-equipment manufacturer foolishly blurted to the press recently. Contrary to what happens in the movie "Finding Nemo", flushing fish down toilets will not send them to freedom in the ocean. The manufacturer, who obviously doesn’t believe in sugar-coating facts for children, noted that the fish actually pass through sewage-treatment machines that "shred solids into tiny particles." Given that choice, a blender might be nicer.

It’s the Good Old Summer Time!I wish it would make up its mind!One day the thermometer reads 90 degreesThe next night it is 57 degrees and you freeze!The flies and bugs know it is timeTo get in that screen door to findSomething good that is on their mind!The birds and the bees are enjoying the summer pollen filled breezePlease excuse me now, I think I am going to sneeze!Remember, it is the Good Old Summer Time!This coming Sunday morning Betty and Brian Bruxvoort, who have been serving in Soldotna, Alaska, under the auspice of Mission Aviation Repair Center, will share some of their experiences with us at the Sunday morning worship services. Brian flies pastors and others to and from remote Alaskan villages and transports children to Bible Camp. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended a birthday party for their grandson, Dylan Aukes, for his first birthday at the park in Larchwood Friday evening. His parents are Terry and Christy Aukes. He has one brother. Happy Birthday to him! Those attending camp at Inspiration Hills from Steen Reformed Church this week are: Brandon Bosch, Cory Tilstra and Kyle Harsma. Annie Lynn, infant daughter of Ken and Tammy Bos, was baptized at the Sunday morning worship service in Steen Reformed Church. Evelyn Tilstra entered Sioux Valley Hospital Sunday evening. She was able to return to her home on Friday following surgery on Monday afternoon. JoAnn Paulsen, Laura May Bosch, Henrietta Boeve and Melba Boeve attended the Musical Dinner Theater at the Intermission in Rock Rapids Wednesday evening. It was titled "Sunday in Manhattan" which is the story of the evangelist Billy Sunday’s life. Jo Zomer and daughter from Canton, S.D., were Thursday afternoon callers in the Arnold and Jane Bonnema home. Steen Reformed Church will have their annual picnic beginning at 11:30 a.m. next Sunday, July 20, with a potluck dinner. Games will be played following the dinner. They will have a worship service at 2:30 p.m. in the park. The speaker is Matt Sharpe and the Rock Rapids Praise Team will lead the service.Friday afternoon Mildred Keunen, Bertha Bosch and Jo Aykens visited Anna Wynia who lives at Rock Rapids Health Care Centre in Rock Rapids. Saturday Norma VanWyhe and her mother, Henrietta Huenink, attended the wedding of her grandson, Ben Madson, son of Jon and Glenda Madson, at the park in Fairmont. The reception followed the ceremony at the VFW Club in Fairmont. The Girls’ League of Steen Reformed Church will have their summer campout on July 22 and 23. John and Julie Springman spent last weekend at the home of her mother, Melba Boeve. They were here to attend her 20th class reunion for the Class of 1983 was at the Downtown Holiday Inn in Sioux Falls. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended a Doyle family reunion at the Driver’s Club in Beaver Creek this past week on Wednesday. There were 18 family members present. Laura May is a member of the Doyle family. Bernice Bartels, Luverne, was a Friday afternoon caller in the Arnold and Jane Bonnema home. Dennis and Gracia Schrick, George, Iowa, were Sunday dinner guests in the Arnold and Jane Bonnema home. When the world is supposedly at peace it is very easy for everyone to take all of our freedoms for granted. It seems to me that the last few years patriotism and our freedoms have been downplayed so very often. One of the instances that comes to my mind is the elimination of the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools. In fact we very seldom heard the pledge anywhere. Our freedom and our patriotism have just been taken for granted. In case you are having a problem remembering the Pledge of Allegiance I quote:"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." William Emment Shelton is the author of the following remarks, explaining how and when the Pledge of Allegiance came into being. I quote:"The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was written by Frances Bellamy, a former Baptist minister and a member of the staff of the defunct The Youth’s Companion of Boston Mass., in 1892. It was adopted by Congress in the summer of 1892 and was first used at the Columbus Day celebration in Boston Oct. 12, 1892. The words ‘under God’ were approved by Congress in 1954. When Pres. Eisenhower signed the act, adding the recognition of God, he said, ‘In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious freedom, faith in America’s heritage and future. In this way we shall constantly strengthen the spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful response in peace and war.’ Today we are becoming more and more aware of the many different freedoms we all enjoy and take for granted. When we think of man’s fight for freedom we are usually thinking of political freedom, the desire of all men to have a voice in their own government and something to say about their way of life. But freedom from political tyranny is not the only freedom for which man must constantly struggle.For example: There is freedom from selfishness, and that is difficult to achieve because nature, in a way, made us all selfish for our own preservation. There is freedom from prejudice. Nature made us suspicious and antagonistic toward those who differ in looks, our language or beliefs. Man needs to be free from envy. In the working of natural laws some men and some nations will have more material goods than others. Not only do the poor envy the rich, but both the poor and the rich envy one another."There are other freedoms too numerous to mention that everyone has in common. Each one of us have to cope with our own problems but regardless of what they are I hope we will have respect for others regardless of their position in life and if we can’t have respect of the person, respect the office or position they hold.If we could all do this, our freedom would be much more attainable for every person and also nations in the world!

The Hills-Beaver Creek class of 1983 had their class reunion over the weekend. The group had a reception at Beaver Creek Lodge on Friday night. Their banquet was Saturday night at the Downtown Holiday Inn in Sioux Falls. Tom Bosch is the manager of the Inn. Sunday noon they enjoyed a potluck dinner at Jacobson Park in Hills along with their parents and their children. There were 60 in attendance at the park and out of 33 graduates, 25 were present. Coming from the greatest distance were Brad Tatge, San Diego, Calif., Dana VanMaanen Vink, Tulare, Calif., and Tom Loftus from Georgia.Ray Roning, James Roning, Dennis Roning, Herb and Pearl Sundem and Tanya and Zack Johnson, Jasper, attended the outdoor wedding of Kyle Schubert and Brooke Anderson Saturday evening at the Dennis Anderson farm near Valley Springs.Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the 50th wedding anniversary party for Kathryn’s brother and wife, Dr. Ernest and Ina Thorsgard, at Thief River Falls on Saturday, June 28. Arnold and June Thorin and Jerry and Diane Thorin, all of Sioux Falls, went to Austin to attend the 50th wedding anniversary of their sister, Mickie (Maxine) and Chuck Hanson, on July 6. All their children were home so they had a good visit with their family.Wednesday, Floyd and Mary Kraetsch, Luverne, were supper guests in the home of Robert and Twila Kirsch. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer joined a group of friends from Sioux Falls at a brunch on Saturday morning. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson were invited to the 50th anniversary of the Vo-Tech Adult Farm Management Program at Breezy Point, north of Brainerd, on July 6. They stayed Sunday and Monday night in the home of Wendell’s sister, Mildred Strang, at Remer, visiting her family. Sunday dinner guests in the home of Bob and Twila Kirsch were Cindy Lentz, Windom, and Ted Pholman, Lakefield. Lexia DeWit, Sioux Falls, hosted a personal family shower Sunday afternoon in her home for Amber VanWyhe, bride-to-be of Travis Arends. The climax of the day was a family picnic at Terrace Park in the evening. Attending were Steve and Marilyn VanWyhe, Amber and Justin, Steen; Travis Arends, Hardwick; Heather VanWyhe, Bloomington; Teri VanWyhe and Matt Mercer, Omaha, Neb.; Trisa Boyenga, Ames, Iowa; Ron, Lexia, Lindsey and Ashley VanWyhe, Sioux Falls; and Cliff and Vi VanWyhe.

Dorothy Mae Wheeler, 80, Hills, formerly of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Wednesday, July 9. 2003, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.Services were Tuesday, July 15, at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. Burial was at Beaver Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Valley Springs, S.D.Dorothy Baker, was born to Neal and Catherine (Dirkson) Baker on July 25, 1922, in Rock Valley, Iowa. As a child, she lived with her family in Volga, S.D. She graduated from Washington High School, Sioux Falls, in 1940. She married Pershing Elofson on June 7, 1942, in Valley Springs. Mr. Elofson died on Dec. 4, 1956. She worked at S&L store in Sioux Falls. She moved to Sioux Falls in 1965. She was the first female to serve as a Constable with Minnehaha County for several years. She married Jay Wheeler on March 4, 1978, in Rapid City, S.D. Following Mr. Wheeler’s death on Dec. 15, 1978, she returned to Sioux Falls. She worked as a hostess for Smitty’s Pancake House and Perkins Restaurant before retiring in 1997 after 27 years of service. Mrs. Wheeler attended First Lutheran Church and was a former member of the VFW Auxiliary. She loved to play cards and enjoyed bowling. Survivors include one daughter, Karen (Stanley) Gehrke, Beaver Creek; three grandchildren, Karmen (Paul) Thompson, Lead, S.D., Michael Gehrke, Beaver Creek, and Ronda (Greg) Skorr, Jasper; six great grandchildren, Amber, Joshua and Mathew Thompson, all of Lead, Emilie Gehrke and Katelyn Skorr, both of Jasper, Lacey Skorr, Owatonna; a sister-in-law, Ethelyn Gulseth, Brandon, S.D.; and seven stepchildren, Judy Lewis, Sacramento, Calif., Carol Molina, Daly City, Calif., Barbara Cuccio, Diamond Bar, Calif., Dan Wheeler, Nancy Wheeler, Mark Wheeler and Gail King, all of Sioux Falls. Mrs. Wheeler was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, a grandson, Mark Gehrke, one brother, Fred Baker, and two sisters, Marion Hemingson and Lorraine Davis. George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.