10 years ago (1993)"The Industrial Arts Technology class at H-BC sent their homemade hot air balloons off into the wild blue yonder last week. Under the guidance of Gregg Ebert, the class made the balloons out of eight panels of tissue paper which they glued together. The balloons were decorated with vocabulary words that explained why the balloons will rise with hot air. Although the wind did not cooperate, some balloons managed to soar into the sky, while others did not do so well."25 years ago (1978)"While still contained well within its banks, Mud Creek, between Hills and Lester, is flowing quickly with ‘mini-rapids’ in a number of locations. The rains have filled the creek through the last week have also kept barnyards and fields too wet for productive spring work. Farmers around the area are looking at shorter maturity corn numbers wondering where all this rain was during the drought years." 50 years ago (1953)"Word has been received that Vermayne Sundem, sophomore from Hills High School placed 11th in overall individual judging at the Sioux City Invitational Judging Contest held Thursday, April 2. If Vermayne had been a senior, his score of 95.5 percent would have won for him one of the three $200 scholarships to Morningside College which are awarded to the top three seniors in the contest."75 years ago (1928)"We did not know until one day last week that the Farmers Elevator in Hills is numbered among the four best farmers elevators in the state of Minnesota. This does not have reference to the building, however (but as far as that’s concerned the great re-enforced cement structure could well be counted in also) but to the business done by the Hills Farmers Elevator through the management of Christian Moe has made this institution recognized in the state. "We got the above information from an agent who is a buyer for one of the big concerns in Minneapolis, and the tribute he paid to Mr. Moe was indeed very flattering, and we take this means of letting our readers know just what our elevator has been doing."100 years ago (1903)"One of the biggest fakes that is practiced with apparent ease is the enlarging picture snide, whereby the smooth-tongued solicitors are able, with continued regularity, to get orders from the people (women usually being the victims) by the hundred, and when the goods arrive you could not tell your own wife or loved ones from Martha Washington."

Saturday afternoon Ray and Lois Nelson attended the South Dakota Symphony Brass Section Benefit Concert for Carl Hallstrom at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, S.D. Besides being a member of the symphony, Carl is a member of the Sioux Falls Municipal Band and a trombone soloist. He will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant later this spring in Minneapolis.Allan and Judy Top hosted an Easter supper for Mike, Melissa and Chantz Top, Sioux Falls, S.D., Jared and Kristen Van Maanen, Valley Springs, S.D., Mae Top and Mark Top, both of Hills. Harriet Skattum returned home after spending several days over Easter in the home of Margo and Dewayne Edwards in Forestburg, S.D.Entertained at dinner Easter in the Randy and Brenda Byers home were Donald and Dorothy Beyer, Madison, S.D., Gilmer and Gladyce Nyhof, Sioux Center, Iowa, and Jake and Kathy Hoogendoorn, Hills. Guests Easter in the Goehle home were Steve and Leanne Carmany, Alyssa, Allison, Andrew and Elliot, Tyler; Mark, Brenda, Zach, Kati and Colby Hadler, Edgerton; Rick, Michele, Nicole and Pat Nester, Winona, who came on Friday; Dorothea Hamann, Luverne; and Tom Goehle. Dick and Audrey Heidenson spent over Easter at the resort home of their son at Battle Lake. There were 12 present for the potluck dinner. Thursday night Cliff and Vi VanWyhe attended the musical "Oklahoma" performed at Sioux Falls Christian High School. Ashley De Wit had a part in the musical. Charles Erickson returned to his home in Waconia from Ft. Bragg, N.C. He will be home for a month and then return to Ft. Bragg. He is a captain in the Army Reserve. Floyd and Jo Wulf, Herrick, S.D., spent the weekend in the area. On Sunday they were at Sheldon and Ellie Sandager’s home. Floyd’s father is hospitalized following a stroke. Ray and Lois Nelson were guests of Jami Beck at her Senior Degree Recital in Kresge Hall at Augustana College Sunday afternoon. Among composers played were Brahms, Mozart and Schubert for clarinet. She played tenor saxophone in a quartet and closed with Copland’s "Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra." Jami is also a member of the Sioux Falls Municipal Band. On April 13, Courtney Hoogendoorn and Jamie Plimpton walked six miles in the Muscular Dystrophy Walk in Sioux Falls along with Jake and others. Attending funeral services on April 22 for Wilbert "Bill" Leuthold in Onaga, Kan., were his brother, Paul and Betty Leuthold, Hills, and also Larry and Mardi Leuthold, Bob and Cindy Leuthold, Becky Wulf and Brian and Bev Mogler. They returned home on Tuesday. Ericka Anderson, Sioux Falls, returned to her home after spending some time in Beijing, China, where she was studying at the University. She returned to the States due to the SARS outbreak. Wendell and Kathryn met their granddaughter at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls.Attending the 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday at First Reformed Church in Sioux Falls for Arlyn and Susan Van Der Wolde were Ione DeHaan, Tim and Lois DeHaan and Nick, Nathan, Sara and Rachael. The Goehle families attended the 95th birthday of Albert Goehle in Luverne on Saturday. Jean Hanson, Sioux Falls, was a Sunday noon lunch guest of Luella Schlueter. Cliff and Vi VanWyhe attended the vocal music concert at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls Friday night. Their granddaughter, Lindsey DeWit, was a participant. Joanne Goehle baby-sat Colby Hadler on Saturday.Stuart and Marj Swanson came Friday from Greer, S.C., to visit his mother, Opal Swanson, until Sunday. They went to Lance Swanson and family at Sioux City, Iowa, and also spent time in Arlington, S.D.Henrietta Wassenaar has taken up residency at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne, following her hospitalization.

When spring arrives many folks tell me that they are awakened by the birds singing outside their windows in the early morning. That would be a wonderful way to wake up. However, I am awakened by the sound of pheasants calling! I am not sure if they spent the winter in my grove, but they certainly are talking everything over in the early morning. Our weatherman continues to be very stingy with the amount of rain we receive. It seems to miss us nearly every time while others received several inches. I think we received two-tenths of an inch this week. When you drive down the highways the fields are crawling with machinery of all kinds. The old saying of "making hay while the sun shines" really doesn’t apply this early in the season. But just remember the farmers can’t wait to get out into their precious fields. If you want to talk to them the rest of the season he will be in his fields doing whatever is the most urgent at that time of the year.Remember, farmers are married to their land and they are the happiest when they can be out in their fields, planting, disking, cultivating and enjoying every minute of it. They remind me of little boys wanting to go outside on a rainy day. They just can’t wait to get out into their beloved fields and "play in the dirt" I should say soil! Just remember when they are in the fields — get out of their way! The Steen Opportunity Extension Club had their annual tour on Tuesday. They enjoyed their lunch at the Eat’em Café in Canton, S.D. Following the lunch they enjoyed a tour of one of the homes there. They continued their tour by going to Sioux Falls where they toured the "Butterfly House" before returning home. Lillian (Aukes) Aueson, Ruthton, and Verla Baker were Tuesday afternoon visitors in the Orrin and Bernice Aukes home. They also visited in the Laura Paulsen home in Hills. Hills-Beaver Creek Junior-Senior Prom was Friday evening, April 25. The theme for the evening was "One Night in Paris." Supper was served and the Grand March was at the H-BC High School. The after prom event was at Beaver Creek Golf Course from midnight until 4 a.m. The event was sponsored by the junior class parents. On Sunday, April 27, the Dries Bosch family celebrated three birthdays in the home of Tom and Amy Bosch in Sioux Falls. Those having birthdays were Laura May Bosch, Emma Bosch, Tom and Amy’s daughter, and Tom. Others attending were Paul and Diane Bosch and Eric from Brandon. A mother-daughter banquet, sponsored by the Girls’ League of Steen Reformed Church will be Wednesday May 7, at Steen Reformed Church. For reservations call Dolly Van DeWeerd or Eunice Roozenboom. Henrietta Wassenaar entered Luverne Community Hospital on Tuesday for tests and was transferred to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on Friday.Raelyn Grace, infant daughter of Glen and Connie Vande Kamp was baptized in Steen Reformed Church during their morning worship service on Sunday. Evelyn Tilstra entered Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls on Tuesday. Mildred Paulsen was among those from the Steen area who attended the wedding of Darla Kracht, daughter of Bert and Theo Kracht of Beaver Creek, to Michael Kirchmier at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek Saturday afternoon. The reception was at Beaver Lodge following the ceremony. Rich Van Der Brink had corrective knee surgery on Friday at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. The Doyle family gathered at Magnolia Steak House in Luverne on Thursday evening, April 24, to welcome their sister, Alice and Ron Ehrisman, home from Scottsdale, Ariz., where they had spent the winter. Those attending were Margaret and Harold Schlimgren, Lee and Edwina Rust, all from Luverne, Kay Cox, Adrian, and Dries and Laura May Bosch, Steen.The Paulsen family had a belated Easter dinner on Sunday at Luverne Pizza Ranch. Those attending were Mark and Lisa Paulsen and three children, Marshall, Glen and Marla Paulsen and two children, Sioux Falls, Laura Paulsen, Hills, and Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen, Steen.Time was when spring arrived it was baseball season and you could hear the call "batter up" loud and clear. In today’s world one hardly knows which sport is in season. It keeps every one busy going to football games, track, golf, tennis, hockey and the list could go on and on. There are times I wonder when the students have time to eat to say nothing of getting their homework done.Sports were supposed to teach young and old alike to be good sports. That certainly has not been happening in our world today. Every day we read where an umpire or referee has been a victim of those attending the game, whatever one it could be, because they disagreed with their decision. Now wait a minute, don’t we all know that very few of us think alike nor do we see the plays made in a ball game the same. We all know one cannot please everyone. My dad always told me your team is going to win a few but they are also going to lose a few. Very few ever win them all! I thought sports were supposed to teach "Good Sportsmanship." But, I am having my doubts now. So, when I saw this article "Ten Commandments for Sportsmen" I decided we could all share it and hopefully renew some of the things we had been taught when we were growing up. 1. Thou shalt not quit.2. Thou shalt not alibi.3. Thou shall not gloat over winning.4. Thou shalt not sulk over losing.5. Thou shalt not take unfair advantage.6. Thou shalt not ask odds that are unwilling to give. 7. Thou shalt always be willing to give your opponent a hand shake. 8. Thou shalt not underestimate an opponent or overestimate yourself.9. Remember the game is the thing and who thinks otherwise is not a true sportsman. 10. Honor the game you play, for he who plays the game straight and hard, wins even when he loses. This was written by Hugh S. Fullerton probably many years ago but I think they still apply today. I can remember growing up and being taught all of the above. Somewhere along the way we have been neglecting to emphasize these thoughts today. I hope this will remind those of us who were taught these rules to teach other children so that they can be Good Sportsmen in our world today.Remember it’s not whether you win or whether you lose but it is how the game is played that counts!

Villagers went on a picnic on our own back patio. Caregivers used the grill from the Crawford’s to cook wieners and hamburgers served with all the trimmings. The cooks made potato salad and a fresh fruit salad. Weather was windy but sun was shining and it was a nice day. Some choose to eat inside the community room. Prior to the eating, potatoes and onions were planted in our garden. Two long rows. It was Ron Schouwenburg who did the plowing. A beautiful job revealing lots of black dirt and, like last year plenty of room. We’ve been making lists about what we’d like planted in our garden but like "the little red hen" we’re not interested in doing the work. We’re looking for volunteers.The VanWyhe girls made faces and attached bright plumes on plastic eggs for each place setting on Easter. Later, it was Martha who made egg salad from the boiled eggs we dyed and had not eaten.I was at dialysis and when I returned I learned George Meyer had been here bringing baby ducks and chickens. He went from apartment to apartment so everyone could see the small fluffy balls, pet them and hold them. How can anything so cute grow up to be a chicken or duck.It was a mini-style show when the Bush grandchildren came dressed ready for the prom. Jessica in a two-piece silver gray gown with sequins on her bare shoulders. Angie had an apricot colored gown and carried a small bouquet with ribbons hanging. Tyler’s escort, Angie Sjaarda, in pale green with lots of straps. The boys in tuxedo’s of course. Think back! What did you wear to prom?We wondered what the big rush to the center of the dining room was all about. Inside the circle of Villagers Signe had company. Friends and former neighbors brought young Isaac Koch for her to meet. Signe was especially pleased for Isaac was her husband’s name.Palma’s sons were here from the Cities. We discovered one of them looked just like Palma with laughing, very expressive eyes. He proudly displayed a picture of Palma’s great-granddaughter.Secretary’s Day found Glenda here for dinner. She was joined by Joan in honor of Hair Stylish Day. Erma returned from spending Easter with her family. We’re watching the Overgaard boys farming east of the Village.I’ll keep you posted.

© 2003 Carole R. Achterhof It’s springtime and, as it turns out, there’s a lot more than love in the air. Rice University researchers have concluded that outdoor barbecuing, the latest health scare, is filling the air of Houston, Texas, with tiny meat particles. According to The Week magazine, "bits of polyunsaturated fatty acids — created when meat sizzles on a barbecue — are a fraction of the width of a human hair. They float up from the grill, mix with exhaust, dust, and diesel fumes, and clog people’s lungs." The study is obviously not well received in a state where more than 400 barbecue competitions are held every year and most backyards have outdoor grills. Similar studies in Los Angeles led to regulations which require fast food restaurants to install special filters on their exhaust vents. It’s only a matter of time before barbecuing culprits will be recognized in legal systems on two levels — misdemeanors (eventually known as ("misdemeaters") and felonious filet fryers. Barbecuing offenses will become common entries on courtroom dockets. Instead of executing crimes with special force, criminals will face extra time for using special sauces. Photos of notorious barbecue felons will appear on television’s "Most Wanted" program and their criminal names will become household words — "Bad Burger Boy," "Saucy Sam" and "Tommy Two Tongs." In the never-ending search for barbecue felons, no charcoal briquettes will be left unturned. Several situations might indicate whether innocent families, perhaps yours, are wittingly harboring hard-core, prime-choice barbecue felons in their homes. The most obvious sign, of course, will be the controversial bumper stickers plastered on the family cars — "They will get these meat tongs when they pry them from my cold, hard fingers." Barbecue and outdoor grilling cookbooks, which might appear incriminating, have been moved from open shelves in the kitchen to a locked gun cabinet. The person’s favorite clothing items include chef hats, oven mitts and aprons with bold statements, such as, "Give me grilling or give me death" or "Kiss the griller killer." A meal doesn’t seem like a meal without a side of beef and a bucket of sauce. Because all of your meals are grilled outside, no one seems to notice that the kitchen stove and oven broke down several years ago. Based on the fact that you buy its products by the case, a nationally known hot sauce company has placed your family on its list of preferred customers. Your family’s intake of grilled meats has a direct effect on the commodities market. Butcher shops and barbecue sauce aisles of grocery stores will appear to be under the constant surveillance of suspicious-looking out-of-towners wearing dark suits, ear wires and sunglasses. The final warning sign that you might have a barbecue felon in your home will be one of those out-of-towners, reading your Marinade rights (instead of the usual Miranda rights) after you answer the door bell. One question still remains. Is it possible for a barbecued beef felon to be on the lam?

This is the third year that Fledgling Field will have alfalfa growing there.I was told, after the first year, that it wouldn’t be there the next year. Well, that didn’t happen and it’s still there. I have talked to some of the property owners around there, and I talked to some council members and the mayor who told me to talk to a person at Dingmann’s Funeral Home and the owner. I talked to the Cornerstone staff and they were willing to put something else there, but what?Most people don’t care but I have asthma and allergies very bad and should not have to move because of this. My health is more important. I have to keep windows closed and cannot enjoy outside.Let’s make Fledgling Field a park for children or build a funeral home.Karen MartensLuverne

To the Editor:I am writing in regard to the proposed budget cuts to education, senior dining funds for waivers and things the county funds to our handicapped, etc. I’m especially concerned about the freeze on wages that comes from the state money that agency’s who supply in-home-care services, etc. In most cases they only get a raise one time per year from these funds, not from their employers.I understand that Minnesota has a big deficit, but these cuts are just not right nor fair to those of us who rely on these services and the raise that we get from these funds. It’s very little, but in some cases it is better than none at all. Let alone that, all of us that give health care services of any kind do not make what we are worth for the quality of service we give.Instead of cutting these services and freezing people’s wages why not cut politicians wages or raise taxes even a little? But no, these were not options at all. We received rebates that were very nice, especially for those who live between below poverty and middle class. But now we have this big deficit and, of course, who is at risk to suffer from the proposed cuts? Our children, elderly and our wages as we work for companies depending on state funds.There definitely has to be another way, as we are talking about our children, who are our future, our elderly, who shaped our country and our handicapped, who can’t help their situation as they did not ask to be this way.Evie KephartLuverne

Warmest thanks for the emotional "roller coaster" that you provided for me, personally, in your April 10 Star Herald issue! First there was the photo on Page 3a of the four snowball warriors, in the background of which stands the great white house, surrounded by towering evergreens that had belonged to my grandfather, Sam Nelson. He was the founder of Nelson Brothers Department Store, and that stately home remained in our family for about 70 years, from roughly 1900 to 1970. I have many fond memories of that gracious and beautiful residence and felt an almost tearful surge of nostalgia upon seeing the photograph. Then, on the very next page, there was the account in ("On the Record") of that mischievous white Cadillac that drove all around Magnolia shouting obscenities! I roared with laughter as I tired to visualize this poor, demented machine lurching all over town braying unprintables at every passer-by. Of course, I realize that a couple of important words had been omitted from the sentence, but the result was to convert a faintly sordid and unfortunate account into a truly classic day-brightener and spirit-booster.So thanks again for the memories and the laughter. Will I ever allow my subscription to lapse? No way!Ivan J. (Jerry) HansenBoston, MA

I’ve been shaking my head all week over what should have been a simple matter of, "Oops, we made a mistake. Let’s correct it."Luverne Economic Development Authority placed a notice in last week’s Star Herald advertising lots for sale in the Evergreen and Sybesma additions.The Evergreen lot prices, however, were advertised at the lower Sybesma rate, immediately prompting two checks from eager buyers. (See the related news story).LEDA director Dan Statema has taken responsibility for the error, but meanwhile, the buyers are insisting their purchases are valid.Technically, they paid the advertised price. Ethically, they knew the true price before the checks were signed. Dan’s taking a lot of heat for publishing the erroneous information, but in my opinion, he’s not the one who should be ashamed. Everyone makes mistakes.It’s too bad the error was published, but it’s worse that people who know better are trying to take advantage of an honest mistaker..The two buyers knew those advertised prices weren’t accurate, yet checks were rushed to City Hall to get in on the deal before the wrong could be righted.I understand morale at City Hall has been low for a number of reasons — some of them unavoidable. But the only way to reverse that is to slowly, if not painfully, take steps in positive directions with positive behavior.Last week’s turn of events was definitely NOT a step in the right direction. If those lots had been sold at the advertised rate, it would have amounted to a $19,000 loss for the city, which translates (for those who sometimes forget) to a loss for everyone.Speaking of positive directions …Hurray for Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Helen Saum and her helpers who put together the most successful Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction ever.The fund-raiser drew more than 400 people Friday night and brought in nearly $41,000 for a great cause.I wasn’t able to photograph the event, but I told Helen I wanted to mention the night’s honorees.Tim and Jeanette Tangemann were honored for their tireless volunteer work with hospice patients. The Luverne couple has logged 660 volunteer hours between them in the past 10 years.Also honored that night were Hospice Team Member Audrey DeBoer, R.N., and Friend of Hospice, Barb Glad, who was founding director of hospice in Luverne.The hospice program has paid employees, but much of its meaningful work is the result of compassionate volunteers and generous community members who support the program with personal time and money.This week is National Volunteer Week, and it’s a great time to thank the hospice volunteers and all volunteers who quietly work to make the world a better place.