10 years ago (1993)"The case between the H-BC Board of Education and Merlin Klein may soon come to an end. Earlier this year, the board agreed to petition the Minnesota Supreme Court after the State Court of Appeals ruled in Klein’s favor. Prior to that ruling, an arbitrator ruled in favor of the H-BC Board of Education."25 years ago (1978)"Leanne Goehle, Hills, representing Unit No. 399, American Legion Auxiliary of Hills, has returned from spending a week at Girls State, held from June 11 to 17, 1978, at the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul. She was elected as County Sheriff."50 years ago (1953)"We had an all day rain Sunday totaling nearly three inches here. At Sheldon and Spencer, Iowa, 7 to 8 inches were reported. It was hard on roads and railroads. No Minneapolis or Sioux City mail arrived. Gary Timmer said the R.R. section crew put in 18 hours starting at midnight Sunday. Suppose the Hills crew did the same."75 years ago (1928)"Mrs. Carola Nash and Gurine Nerison returned from the State Teacher’s College at Mankato last Thursday evening to spend the summer vacation at their respective homes."100 years ago (1903)"Mr. Boone is just putting the finishing touches on a 10-foot walk in front of Steensen’s Drug Store. This building belongs to Dr. Gillen of Doon, a non-resident, and we wish to congratulate the gentleman for the spirit he has shown in his willingness to do his part in giving Hills cement sidewalks. Other non-residents should follow Mr. Gillen’s example on this subject."

Edith Rozeboom, 75, Luverne, formerly of the Steen and Hills area, died Monday, June 16, 2003, in Luverne Community Hospital after a sudden illness at home. Services were Thursday, June 19, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. The Rev. David Sikkema officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Edith Anema was born, along with her twin sister Florence, to Peter and Anna (DeBoer) Anema on April 7, 1928, in Hull, Iowa. The family moved to Rock Valley, Iowa in 1932, where she grew up and attended school. The family moved to Sioux City, Iowa, in 1944. She graduated from Central High School, Sioux City, in 1946. After their education, she, and her twin sister, went to Chicago to work as telephone operators. Later, she returned to Sioux City. She married Jim Rozeboom on Dec. 14, 1949, in Steen. Following their marriage, they lived in Sioux City for a year before moving to Hills and then to Luverne where they lived for six years. They also lived in Hardwick before moving to Beaver Creek where they spent the majority of their married life before moving to Steen in 1989. She began working in the activities department at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne in 1976 and later became the director of activities. After their retirement, they spent their winters in Texas and enjoyed traveling in their motor home. For the past 12 years they have lived in Luverne.Mrs. Rozeboom was a member of American Reformed Church in Luverne. She enjoyed gardening.Survivors include her husband, Jim Rozeboom, Luverne; three sons, Harley Rozeboom, Jasper, Bert (Michelle) Rozeboom, Garretson, S.D., and Al (Denise) Rozeboom, Luverne; two daughters, Cherlyn (Gary) Bosch, Valley Springs, and Dolly (Tom) Van Der Weerd, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, Chuck Anema, San Antonio, Texas; her twin sister, Florence Van Schepen, Sioux City, and two other sisters, Marie Wiersma, Redlands, Calif., and Barbara Bennett, Sioux City.Mrs. Rozeboom was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, and a granddaughter, Angie Rozeboom. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Marian Hanson, 89, formerly of Beaver Creek, died Monday, June 16 at Barrett Care Center, Elbow Lake. Visitation will be Thursday, June 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bethlehem-West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church. Services will be Friday, June 20 at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem-West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake, with Rebs. Weston Moir and Maurice Hagen officiating. Bural will be in Beaver Creek Cemetery on Saturday, June 21 at 11:30 a.m. Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is in charge of arrangements.

Do you know anoutstanding senior citizen?Rock County has a lot of outstanding senior citizens, and I’ll bet you know a few of them.The Rock County Fair Board would like you to nominate them for outstanding senior citizen of the year.To be eligible for the award, the senior nominees must be at least 70 years old and an active volunteer in Rock County.The deadline for accepting nominations is June 25, and winners will be announced at the fair on Aug. 1.If you would like to nominate someone, contact Carol Wulf at 283-5070 for more information.Last year’s outstanding senior citizens were Annabelle Frakes and Leroy Luitjens.Baseball tournament for the younger crowdA baseball tournament for younger kids will be held in Luverne this Saturday.The tournament will be divided into two age groups, one for kids under 10 and another for kids under 12.Three teams from Luverne will participate and will be joined by teams from Pipestone, Worthington and Lismore.The games will be played at Luverne’s Riverside diamonds and at the Rock County Little League fields.Game times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.Concession stands will be open at both fields. Admission for adults will be $5 and students will be admitted free.The proceeds from the event will go to the Luverne Baseball Association.Bike path updateThe bike path project is back in motion.According to county engineer, Mark Sehr, the aggregate base is currently going in, and when that is completed, the path will be paved to the quarry parking lot.Once the paving is done, dirt work on the shoulders and slopes will be next, then the required signs and seeding will finish the project.The total cost of the project is approximately $365,000.The project was paid for with 80 percent Federal Highway Administration transportation enhancement.The remaining 20 percent was from County State Aid Construction Funds, County State Aid Park Road Funds and Department of Natural Resources grant trails.Completion is expected by mid-July.Brothers open vacuum storeA new retail store will open on Luverne’s Main Street next week.Brian and Lonny Bucher will be opening Brother Vacuum next Monday, at 210 E. Main, next to Shear Reflections.Along with new and used vacuum sales and service, the business will also offer a complete line of bags, belts, attachment parts and other accessories.Carpet shampooing machine rental will also be a part of the business along with air purification and home scent supplies. Although this is their first store, Lonny Bucher has been in the vacuum business in Sioux Falls for the past ten years.Old words you aren’t supposed to useIn a continuing effort to avoid offending anyone, we have 20 words for you to put on the list, never to be used again.Then/Now:
Secretary’s Day /Administrative Professionals Day
Bellboy/Luggage assistant
Librarian/Informational professional (also known as knowledge analyst)
Teacher/Educator (also instructional unit)
Mortician/Funeral Director
Police chief/Public safety director
Police officer/Peace officer
Projectionist/Audio-visual technician
Mechanic/Automotive technician
Employee/Team member
Photographer/Photojournalist
Steward-stewardess/flight attendant
Garbage collector/Sanitation engineer
Clerk/Sales Associate
Hair stylist/Cosmetologist
Housewife/Full-time homemaker
Postman/Mail carrier
Manicurist/Nail technician
Fireman/FirefighterThis is just a sample. There are a lot more easily offended people that need to be covered.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners is looking at its budget more critically than ever. It has less money to work with and more mandated costs — and it has until September to come up with a preliminary levy.Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre said Tuesday, "This will be the first of many discussions on the budget. This will be a long, long process."Overall, the county has to come up with $300,000 to $500,000 to cut. That doesn’t sound like much to a $10 million budget, but the cuts have to come from the 20 percent of the budget which isn’t made up of mandated costs.Under the new funding formula, state aid and the levy will be $110,000 less than in 2003, while other costs are on the increase.The state money is used to fund required spending and reduce property tax burdens of homeowners and businesses. County property taxes probably won’t cause too much sticker shock because of state imposed levy limits, but fees will probably increase and services could be lost or decrease in quality. "We’ve got a lot of work to do to figure out what’s going to stay and what’s going to go," Oldre said.He said to the board, "Everyone around this table has a passion for something and it’s all going to be up for grabs. It’s a tough year and there will be tough decisions."The board has already gotten many pleas for help from local groups wanting to keep their programs afloat. "We’re not alone," Commissioner Ken Hoime said. "We’re one of 87 counties going through this."The County Board contributes to various groups like the Historical Society, Rock County Agricultural Society (the fair board) and the Green Earth Players (theater group).Commissioner Richard Bakken said he’s been lobbied by people who don’t want the budget cuts to affect them. "It’s like, ‘I don’t want to shed any blood, but you can take a pint out of him.’" Health insurance costs are increasing by an estimated 17 percent this year. Wages and salaries will increase by $30,000 to $45,000 this year too. The county may come up with an early retirement incentive to encourage higher wage earning employees to get off the county payroll quicker. It could also reduce the number of hours in a work week. Reducing the number of employees is a less productive option at this time. Counties don’t have unemployment insurance as private businesses do, so if an employee is laid off, the county pays the full costs as the person is on unemployment.The state has also required the county to take on various costs the state used to cover.Oldre said, "There are cost shifts where they’ve allowed us no mechanism to get the money back."The county has taken some preemptive measures to brace for the budget this year already. It hasn’t hired replacements in various departments to cover retirements and is encouraging remaining workers to find areas where work can be made more efficient.One example of an efficiency change is in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office, where the county purchased a receipt writing machine to save some steps in paper work and staff time.The Board will hear from more department leaders, and look at where non-mandated services or costs can be eliminated or reduced.Family ServicesRock County Family Services Director Randy Ehlers manages one of the biggest portions of the county budget, making up almost a fourth of the county budget. He’s gone over the state changes and calculated how it will affect the county.Ehlers said, "There wasn’t a lot of good news for Human Services from the legislative session this year."Ehlers said grants for children and community services will be reduced by $57,915 in 2004 and 2005. These funds assist in payment of out of home placements, children and adult mental health services, child protection social service staff time, Rock County Developmental Achievement Center and supported employment among others.The county will see an estimated $16,523 additional costs for people with developmental disabilities who live in group homes. The county used to pay 10 percent of poor relief costs, but will start paying 20 percent of those costs (or $10,780 more) in 2004. This category of the budget includes things like mental health inpatient treatment.Some case management services for programs like home health and delivered meals are being shifted from counties to health plans. The county will lose about $5,500 from that and will lose $19,602 by 2005.Ehlers said the changes in his department will affect a lot of Rock County people directly and he anticipates spending a lot of time working on appeals from people who use Family Services.In other business Tuesday, the Board:oRaised the salary of two of the county’s most recent elected officials, after a six-month job review. Auditor/Treasurer Gloria Rolfs had been earning $38,000 but starting July 1 will earn $42,000. Sheriff Mike Winkels had essentially the same salary as sheriff that he had when he was a sergeant. His salary will increase from $56,500 to $58,500 in July.

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners is looking at its budget more critically than ever. It has less money to work with and more mandated costs — and it has until September to come up with a preliminary levy.Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre said Tuesday, "This will be the first of many discussions on the budget. This will be a long, long process."Overall, the county has to come up with $300,000 to $500,000 to cut. That doesn’t sound like much to a $10 million budget, but the cuts have to come from the 20 percent of the budget which isn’t made up of mandated costs.Under the new funding formula, state aid and the levy will be $110,000 less than in 2003, while other costs are on the increase.The state money is used to fund required spending and reduce property tax burdens of homeowners and businesses. County property taxes probably won’t cause too much sticker shock because of state imposed levy limits, but fees will probably increase and services could be lost or decrease in quality. "We’ve got a lot of work to do to figure out what’s going to stay and what’s going to go," Oldre said.He said to the board, "Everyone around this table has a passion for something and it’s all going to be up for grabs. It’s a tough year and there will be tough decisions."The board has already gotten many pleas for help from local groups wanting to keep their programs afloat. "We’re not alone," Commissioner Ken Hoime said. "We’re one of 87 counties going through this."The County Board contributes to various groups like the Historical Society, Rock County Agricultural Society (the fair board) and the Green Earth Players (theater group).Commissioner Richard Bakken said he’s been lobbied by people who don’t want the budget cuts to affect them. "It’s like, ‘I don’t want to shed any blood, but you can take a pint out of him.’" Health insurance costs are increasing by an estimated 17 percent this year. Wages and salaries will increase by $30,000 to $45,000 this year too. The county may come up with an early retirement incentive to encourage higher wage earning employees to get off the county payroll quicker. It could also reduce the number of hours in a work week. Reducing the number of employees is a less productive option at this time. Counties don’t have unemployment insurance as private businesses do, so if an employee is laid off, the county pays the full costs as the person is on unemployment.The state has also required the county to take on various costs the state used to cover.Oldre said, "There are cost shifts where they’ve allowed us no mechanism to get the money back."The county has taken some preemptive measures to brace for the budget this year already. It hasn’t hired replacements in various departments to cover retirements and is encouraging remaining workers to find areas where work can be made more efficient.One example of an efficiency change is in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office, where the county purchased a receipt writing machine to save some steps in paper work and staff time.The Board will hear from more department leaders, and look at where non-mandated services or costs can be eliminated or reduced.Family ServicesRock County Family Services Director Randy Ehlers manages one of the biggest portions of the county budget, making up almost a fourth of the county budget. He’s gone over the state changes and calculated how it will affect the county.Ehlers said, "There wasn’t a lot of good news for Human Services from the legislative session this year."Ehlers said grants for children and community services will be reduced by $57,915 in 2004 and 2005. These funds assist in payment of out of home placements, children and adult mental health services, child protection social service staff time, Rock County Developmental Achievement Center and supported employment among others.The county will see an estimated $16,523 additional costs for people with developmental disabilities who live in group homes. The county used to pay 10 percent of poor relief costs, but will start paying 20 percent of those costs (or $10,780 more) in 2004. This category of the budget includes things like mental health inpatient treatment.Some case management services for programs like home health and delivered meals are being shifted from counties to health plans. The county will lose about $5,500 from that and will lose $19,602 by 2005.Ehlers said the changes in his department will affect a lot of Rock County people directly and he anticipates spending a lot of time working on appeals from people who use Family Services.In other business Tuesday, the Board:oRaised the salary of two of the county’s most recent elected officials, after a six-month job review. Auditor/Treasurer Gloria Rolfs had been earning $38,000 but starting July 1 will earn $42,000. Sheriff Mike Winkels had essentially the same salary as sheriff that he had when he was a sergeant. His salary will increase from $56,500 to $58,500 in July.

By Sara StrongRock County has the chance to become one of about 20 regional sites for the University of Minnesota Extension Service.During the next three weeks, interested communities will have an opportunity to submit information on how their communities would be a good Extension site.This process is necessary after Extension’s latest reorganization that will leave fewer offices open. The new regional sites will be completely state- and federally-funded, instead of the local cost-sharing system currently in place. After this reorganization, everyone will have access to Extension services as they have in the past. However, Extension may not have an actual office in Rock County.Rock County Extension Director Holli Arp said the local Extension Committee met Monday to discuss the value of a regional site in Rock County and the chances of the state locating one here.The Committee indicated it may be even more supportive of researching how to get a satellite office, which would cater more specifically to local wants and needs. The Committee is just in the beginning stages of this discussion and hasn’t brought it to the Rock County Board of Commissioners yet.If Extension doesn’t put one of its regional offices in the county, Rock County can still decide to have one, but it will pay all the office costs. The county currently pays $110,544 in salaries, benefits and rent to keep Extension in the county. The county pays 60 percent of the 4-H Coordinator’s salary, and 40 percent of educators’ salaries. The county won’t know until mid-July where the regional Extension offices will be located.This week a state task force released recommended criteria that will be used in determining the location of regional Extension centers: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 that maximize value for anticipated costs for the employer, customer and employee will be sought.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.The new regional model of Extension will start in January 2004. Counties, local agencies and non-profits will have the choice of contracting with Extension for programs, services and positions. Also, the standard educational programming will remain in place statewide.

Retired Christian Reformed Church pastor Bert Den Herder, Luverne, is one volunteer who helps maintain the Wayside Chapel.By Lori EhdeOne of only two in the country, the Blue Mound Wayside Chapel is an unconventional form of evangelism, but it’s reached thousands of travelers since it was built 40 years ago.Luverne’s Christian Reformed Church, which built and maintains the miniature church in the country, is celebrating the chapel’s 40th anniversary this weekend.The public is invited to join them at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at the little church, located north of Luverne on Highway 75.CRC pastor George Koopmans will lead the event, and Lorraine Van Nieuwenhuizen will accompany a Psalter Hymnal sing-a-along on her accordion.Visitors write…Retired CRC pastor Bert Den Herder will share an evangelism meditation from Isaiah 54 about "spreading the tent" and he’ll share comments from Wayside Chapel worshippers who have stopped through the years."Thank you very much," wrote one traveler on May 29, 2002. "This is a beautiful spot to reflect and remember the amazing blessing that comes from having God in our lives."One couple from Hanley Falls was married at the Wayside Chapel in 1977. "We have stopped here several times since our wedding day and always enjoy the quiet peace and serenity it has to offer," they wrote on April 23, 2000. "It is so special to see it kept in such great shape."There are countless entries like these in the guest registers. Another woman writes, "Thank you for this church — this quiet holy place to be alone with ones thoughts and to feel God’s presence."For about $1,000 per year, chapel reaches nearly 1,000 per yearDen Herder said the CRC congregation has maintained the little chapel, to the tune of roughly $1,000 a year, considering building maintenance and stocking bibles, devotionals and children’s literature."We’re concerned about reaching the traveling public," Den Herder said, when asked why the church does it. "It’s a very unique ministry because there are very few of these chapels around."The other wayside chapel in the country is reportedly located in Washington.There’s no way of knowing how many people the Wayside Chapel reached in 40 years, but a guest book encourages signatures, and judging from the number of those who sign, Den Herder estimates nearly 1,000 travelers stop each year.The books indicate they’ve come from England, Norway, Istanbul, Turkey, Nigeria, West Africa, Denmark, Germany, Scotland, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and many of the United States.Members of the CRC congregation built the church in 1963 for roughly $500 in Kreun Lumber Yard, now Country Lumber near Leota. It is 10 feet wide and 15 feet long, complete with a steeple.It was moved on a flatbed trailer to land that, at that time, was owned by CRC member Ben Vander Kooi Sr. Picnic grounds with benches and tables overlook the scenic Blue Mounds and surrounding farmland.Dedicated June 30, 1963The project started as an idea of CRC pastor John DeVries, who conducted dedication ceremonies on June 30, 1963."For all those in this community who seek a quiet in the midst of storm, who seek relief from burden and anxiety, who seek peace beyond the understanding of mankind, who seek a restful place to pray and worship, we dedicate this chapel," DeVries was quoted as saying during that ceremony."For all those who travel through our community, for those who have forgotten God and for years have not appeared in his house, for those who have never forgotten God, for those on business, for those seeking pleasure and vacation, for those who flee from the past and trouble, for those who are tired and need rest … we dedicate this chapel."About 300 people attended that ceremony, and CRC expects at least that many this weekend. The little chapel seats only six people, so, of course, Sunday’s celebration will be outdoors. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs.

By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members authorized capital expenditures up to $35,000 to improve elementary school playgrounds.Since Luverne students moved into their new elementary school in 1998, it’s become apparent the campus doesn’t have enough playground area on the south side for preschool through second grades.Because so many little feet trample the ground several times a day in such a concentrated area, the grass has never had a chance to get established.The result has been bare ground that’s often muddy, and students are frequently encouraged to play on the asphalt parking lot instead. The problem was further exacerbated by a large maple tree, whose roots spread out close to the surface, discouraging grass growth at its wide base.The Facilities Committee of the Luverne School Board has been meeting on the issue and came to last week’s board meeting with several recommendations."We’ve been meeting with engineers, architects, and surveyors, and we have quite a little information that includes a variety of recommendations," Superintendent Vince Schaefer told the board during their Wednesday, June 11, meeting."The area is simply too small for the number of kids who need to access that playground area, and we end up literally destroying our turf."The recommendations include the following:oMove the chain link fence as far west as possible and install connecting fences as needed on the south.oBring in dirt and compost material to support better grass growth.oRemove the large maple tree, which was already done by Wednesday’s meeting.oDevelop the area to the west below the hill into a playground as well, so all the students aren’t clustered around the existing equipment.This work includes a handicap-accessible walkway from the top of the hill angled to the bottom.The work will be paid for with money from the district’s capital outlay funds. The estimated $32,000 to $35,000 includes sidewalk, fence and dirt work.In personnel matters Wednesday, the board:oHired Kyle Eastman, Madison, S.D., as high school vocal music instructor to replace Beth Behal who’s on a three-year leave. His salary will be $30,805.oHired Jamie Creegan, Parker, S.D., as Discovery Time Preschool teacher to replace Jane Gropel, who retired. Creegan’s salary will be $29,321.oHired Norwood Young America native Darrin Olson as chemistry and physics teacher. He replaces John Oksness, who retired, and he’ll also assume some coaching duties. His salary will be $33,163.oHired Madelia native Lori Jacobs as second-grade teacher and head volleyball coach. Second grade teachers Carol Goehle and Bonnie Kirchhofer retired this year, so Jacobs fills one of those positions and the coaching contract formerly held by Mary Jo Graphenteen. Jacobs’ salary will be $32,292.oHired Worthington native Michelle Burkard as special education teacher to replace Lucinda Rofshus, will become a second-grade teacher this year. Burkard’s salary will be $28,643.oHired Lynette Stensland, Luverne, as half-time elementary special education teacher to replace Amanda Buysse, who will fill the position of Roseanne Herman, who retired this year. Stensland’s salary will be $19,794.50.oRecognized High School Principal Gary Fisher for 20 years in school administration. The past 12 years he’s been in Luverne.