By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ basketball team survived a scare from Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin Tuesday in Hills to remain unbeaten in Red Rock Conference play.

The visiting Wolverines roughed up H-BC on the boards in the early going to take a 17-10 lead in the first quarter, but the Patriots met the challenge the rest of the way and pulled out a 51-50 victory in the end.

The win upped H-BC’s season record to 8-4 and improved to 7-0 in the RRC.

H-BC hosts Westbrook-Walnut Grove Friday before playing West Lyon, near Inwood, Iowa, Saturday.

According to Patriot coach Steve Wiertzema, answering the physical challenge being offered by the Wolverines proved to be the difference in Tuesday’s game.

"ML-B-O is a pretty good team. They are big and quick. We did a lot better job of playing defense and rebounding in the second half. They only had three offensive rebounds in the second half, and they were killing us on the boards in the first half," he said.

The Patriots got over their slow start in the first quarter by outscoring the Wolverines 20-10 in the second period to move in front 30-27 at halftime.

H-BC maintained a three-point cushion (42-39) heading into the final period of play. ML-B-O made a late run that fell short when a Wolverine missed a running shot in the lane as time expired.

Tyson Metzger, who hit an important three-point shot late in the game, led H-BC with 17 points. He also had seven rebounds and three steals.

Kale Wiertzema also hit an important three and drained a free throw late in the fourth quarter for H-BC. He finished the game with seven rebounds and six assists.

Tyler Bush turned in a seven-assist, six-rebound and three-steal performance. Trey Van Wyhe added 11 points and nine rebounds to the cause.

Box score
Bush 3 0 0-1 6, Wysong 0 0 0-0 0, Roozenboom 2 0 0-0 4, Wiertzema 1 1 2-4 7, Metzger 5 1 4-7 17, Leuthold 3 0 0-0 6, Van Wyhe 4 0 3-4 11.

Team statistics
H-BC 20 of 49 field goals (41 percent), nine of 16 free throws (56 percent), 36 rebounds, 15 turnovers.
ML-B-O: 20 of 54 field goals (37 percent), seven of 10 free throws (70 percent), 27 rebounds, nine turnovers.

By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board voted 4-2 Monday to allow voters to decide whether to build new locker rooms and a fitness facility at the high school.

If passed at the Tuesday, March 11, vote the proposed $400,000 levy would increase taxes by $.35 cents per acre per year on agricultural land and $5 on homes with a market value of $40,000, according to estimates by Superintendent Dave Deragisch.

Initial construction cost estimates for the project, without a weight room, range from $398,144 to $439,552.

A weight room would add $113,302 to $127,512 to the cost of the project.

The board initially discussed 900 square feet of space for each locker room, but the Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning and Title 9 requirements dictate a minimum of 1,500 square feet of space for each locker room and equal space for girls’ and boys’ locker rooms.

If building costs are less than $500,000, the board isn’t required to follow CFL guidelines. But if a new high school or any other project is planned for the future, CFL could require the district to bring all previous construction, including the locker rooms, up to code.

All postal patrons in the district received a survey from the board asking if they supported the project. The survey detailed the tax implications if the proposed levy passed.

As of Friday, 409 (65 percent) of those surveyed wanted to move ahead with the project, while 142 (35 percent) didn’t want to build the locker rooms.

"What I’ve read from the surveys that have been returned, it sounds like the public is very much in favor of this project," said Deragisch.

Board members Gary Esselink and Tim Baker cast the dissenting votes on Monday.

"I look at this from where we started, and I’m wondering, how did we get so high?" said board member Gary Esselink.

"We’re basing it (the added cost) on the premise, we might build something new, but I would rather build according to our needs. Am I against locker rooms, no, do we need them this big, no."

Board member Ann Boeve voted in favor of the project. "I feel we have to abide by the state guidelines," she said.

She added she would hate to have to ask voters for funds to bring the locker rooms up to code in a few years if a new school was built.

"I feel that the public has given us the opportunity," said Boeve after making a motion to accept the resolution. "Let’s bring it to the people to vote."

The board will set dates for informational meetings and tours of the current locker room facilities at their next meeting.

Group II Architects
After some discussion on whether to obtain bids from other firms, the board voted unanimously to retain Group II Architects, Sioux Falls, the firm that drew the initial plans for the project.

"They really worked with us," Boeve said. "They listen to what we say."

Group II submitted a bid of $36,500 or 7.5 percent of the project cost, not including miscellaneous expenses such as phone calls, mileage, and the printing of documents.

Miscellaneous expenses are expected to add an additional $2,500 to the cost of the job.

Deragisch contacted the Department of Children, Families and Learning for a reference on the firm.

He also contacted contractors and was told the majority of architecture firms would charge 10 to 12 percent as their fee and some possibly wouldn’t even take the job because another firm began the work.

Group II agreed that if the bond issue didn’t pass, the school would be billed only $10,500 for the work completed up to that point.

The board hopes starting preliminary work before the vote will allow the project to be completed by September.

If the bond issue passes, bids could be opened as early as April 1.

By Jolene Farley
Hills-Beaver Creek School officials hope a new after school program this fall will bridge safety and nutrition needs in the district.

"There is really a need," said District Administrator Jil Vaughn. "Parents are looking for some place for their school-age children to be after school, rather than home alone."

Kid Care, as the new program is called, will provide a safe, healthy environment and learning activities for students, according to Vaughn.

The program goals are to foster relationships with caring, competent and consistent school staff members and form a partnership between the families, schools and community.

Activities and interest centers for children are planned. For example, time is allowed for indoor play, active outdoor play, imaginative play, field trips, individual time, snack time, homework time and more.

A major focus of the program is for community members to share their special interests or talents with students in the program. Vaughn invites community members to volunteer for the program.

She learned of the need in the district when parents told her surrounding schools offered after school care. She sent a survey home to gauge interest in starting a similar program in Beaver Creek, and 21 families with a total of 39 children responded.

Heather Erickson, Beaver Creek, has been hired as the supervisor coordinator for Kid Care. She has a bachelor's degree in sociology. Haley Tollefson, Sioux Falls, S.D., is on board as program assistant. Tollefson has a bachelor's degree in education.

Grants provided by the Southwest Minnesota Foundation and the Rock County Collaborative are helping with start-up costs for the program. Vaughn said she hopes Kid Care will eventually become self-supporting.

Kid Care is is available to families from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays), beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Parents can register their children by returning the form included in the school packets. A small fee will be charged for the service.

"I think it will be a really good program," she said. "I think there is a need in the district."

By Jolene Farley
Rock County Rural Water Representative Dan Cook attended the Hills City Council meeting Tuesday to answer questions about the proposed $219,000 improvement project.

Cook told the council that the installation of a six-inch line from two miles north of Hills to the northern edge of town should be adequate for the city at this point.

"That should handle your peak delivery," he said. "We feel we can deliver the 2.94 million gallons with the equipment we have with no problems."

The larger water line would increase water pressure and capacity from 1,680,000 gallons per year to 2,940,000 gallons per year.

The system could be modified, should water needs increase due to growth or a new industry in Hills, according to Cook.

The wording of the contract from Rock County Rural Water was changed to eliminate the phrase off-peak usage period.

At the December meeting, the council questioned why the contract guaranteed certain usage only during off-peak periods. The off-peak periods weren’t specified in the contract.

Cook expects the improvements to be complete by June 1. Rock County Rural Water is working on obtaining easements for the desired areas.

"Weather conditions play 100 percent of the situation now," he said.

Council members haven’t voted on where to seek financing for the project. They are currently considering financing through Rural Development, Exchange State Bank, or Rock County Rural Water.

Rural Development currently isn’t loaning money because its budget isn’t finalized, according to City Clerk Connie Wiertzema.

"We’ve got to know where to go with our financing," said Jellema.

In other business
The council voted to assess $22,801 in sewer costs and $3,770 in platting costs back to the Park View Third Addition properties. Gerald Haak, Wilmer Elbers and Tony Bosch are developing the residential lots, located south of the city park.

These amounts will be assessed to the properties over a period of 10 years at 5.25 percent interest. No water costs where included in the assessments.

By Jolene Farley
An innovative investment alternative, wind energy, will be the topic of an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Countryside Inn, Adrian.

Officials hope to answer questions about the industry so investors and landowners can make informed decisions if the opportunity arrives to delve into wind energy production, according to Regional Extension Educator Fraser Norton.

"It’s a resource we have here that should be tapped," Norton said. "Obviously, there’s a lot of politics involved."

Discussion will address alternatives of leasing land or building a wind project privately, project shares, wind rights and costs and financing of projects.

Speakers include the Rural Minnesota Energy Task Force Chairman and Nobles County Commissioner David Benson, Minwind I President Mark Willers, Minwind II President Tom Arends, Woodstock Wind Farms President Dan Juhl and Lisa Daniels a representative from the wind energy lobby group, Windustry.

Officials hope those attending the meeting will walk away better educated about the politics and the ins and outs of the wind energy industry.

For more information contact Fraser Norton at the Rock County Extension Office at 283-8685, Ext. 4.

Hills-Beaver Creek fifth- and sixth-graders Leah Hup, Tyler Kruid, Tyler Hanson, Tanya Ackerman and Cody Penning wait for Elementary Administrator Jil Vaughn to ask the next question during the Geography Bee on Tuesday. Brady Leuthold, Eric Kooistra, Ethan Rozeboom, Brad Hood and Andrew Scholten also competed. The 10 students scoring the highest on a preliminary test competed in the event. Questions covered a variety of topics, including cities, states, continents, world geography, culturally-important places and issues and physical geography. The winner, Eric Kooistra, will compete in a written test for national competition. Ethan Rozeboom is the alternate.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Paraprofessionals Week
Luverne Elementary School Paraprofessional Nyla Sohl works kindergarteners Jenna Schelhaas (left), Ashton Meester, Dalton Wenzel and Tayla Peterson Tuesday on some counting exercises. She is one of more than 40 paraprofessionals working in the Luverne Public School system who are recognized during Paraprofessionals Week this week. "We have many paraprofessionals that work in the school in a wide variety of assignments," said Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff. "The paras are an extremely valuable asset to our school system and to the children they serve. Whether they’re helping in the lunchroom, supervising outside during these cold days or helping a student complete an assignment, the children are much better served because of their help."

In addition to Sohl, the following are employed with the district as paraprofessionals: Barb Antoine, Debra Baumann, Sharon Bonnema, Dan Carlson, Tracy Cronish, Cheryl Cronberg, Laura Earl, Kirsten Eisma, Henrietta Elbers, Crystall Ellefson, Angela Fick, Denise Fick, Phoebe Flom, Janet Hanson, Shermayne Hardick, Doris Hoven, Sharon Lais, Maria Limones, Diane Lutmer, Maggie May, Cami McAndrew, Carol McDonald, Heidi Mehlhaff, Rosemary Moerke, Theresa Mohr, Cheryl Nath, Janet Nath, Wendy Nath, Sharon Oksness, Betty Olson, Cindy Reu, Glenda Schneekloth, Sarah Schoeneman, Julie Schroeder, Barb Spartz, Judy Thies, Connie VandeVelde and Dawn Vis. Sharon Boltjes and Kristie Reisch work in the Middle School/High School Library.

Wrestling and
cow poop offer new
worlds of adventure

The Blue Mound Wrestling Club hosted a tournament in Luverne Friday night, and it was our family’s first exposure to wrestling competition.

Jonathan and many of his first-grade friends are new to the program and, so far, had experienced wrestling only in practice.

Practice, from the one session I observed, amounts to not enough coaches trying to sincerely instruct way too many not-so-sincere little wrestlers on a giant red mat in a small noisy room.

The wrestlers I noticed in practice (my son mostly) were having a great time rolling around on top of each other and giggling. They didn’t appear to absorb much of the boring but essential information, like “how to pin your opponent and win a match.”

Those same wrestlers, I couldn’t help but notice Friday, looked quite different when faced with real competition.

They looked scared. They had good reason to be.

The wrestling world, we learned, is filled with intense young athletes and their one-time wrestling star dads who bring a distinctly competitive edge to an otherwise friendly get-together.

Community wrestling clubs, Luverne’s included, start honing their members as young as three years old. It was pretty clear from Jonathan’s first turn on the mat Friday night, that he’d been matched with one such experienced wrestler.

In seconds, my son was flat on his back, his head firmly locked under his opponent’s armpit.

He looked a little bewildered and shaken coming to the sidelines, so I ventured to the floor to offer encouragement. I struggled for the right words to prepare him for Round 2, but knowing nothing about the sport, all I could muster was “Be tough, kid. I love you, no matter what happens.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the right words came to me. They were coming from the mouth of a nearby dad coaching his son — Jonathan’s next opponent.

“Just listen to him,” I whispered.

Between his mom’s unconditional admiration and stolen information from the enemy, our little wrestler proudly came home with a third-place trophy (I think all the kids got trophies).

And I thought soccer was an adventure.

Adventures in cow poop
Life in the newspaper world isn’t boring either.

One of these days I’m going to learn it doesn’t pay to dress up for work that requires occasional visits with barnyard animals.

I arrived to work freshly showered, wearing shiny black shoes and neatly pressed khakis when a call from the fairgrounds sent me back out the door with a camera.

There were 2,000 head of cattle corralled for an auction in makeshift pens for the biggest sale in 30 years.

I carefully navigated the fairgrounds, stepping between questionable dark piles and gingerly climbed atop a round bale to capture a wide angle shot across the penned up livestock.

Walking back to the car, I was patting myself on the back for staying clean when something startled a steer just on the other side of the fence.

He bellered and stomped a large hoof in the middle of a deep puddle sending a generous spray of you-know-what across the front of my pressed slacks and on my shiny shoes.

During the drive home to change, I couldn’t help but ponder how many other jobs offer such … well … adventure.

Palace holds first of monthly movies
The first of what will become a series of monthly movies at the Palace started this past weekend with ET.

According to BMAT board chairman, Ben VanderKooi, approximately 150 tickets were sold for the three events, shown Friday and Saturday night as well as a Sunday matinee.

One of the models being used for the Palace is a similar theatre in Fergus Falls. According to VanderKooi, that theatre typically averages 25 to 50 patrons per show, so the 150 for the three shows is encouraging.

If you have any suggestions, as to what movies you would like to see at the Palace, call the Carnegie Cultural Center to leave your ideas, or you can e-mail them to info@rockartsrock.com.

Fitness Center’s new equipment arrives
The much anticipated new exercise equipment for the city owned fitness center has arrived in town.

City crews spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday assembling and installing the new equipment, with the first patrons giving it a test run on Wednesday night.

The According to Darrell Huiskes, Luverne Public Works Director, the eleven new stations are all state of the art equipment.

The total bill for the fitness center upgrade is approximately $30,000 according to Huiskes.

Although the new equipment is available for use immediately, an open house is scheduled for Jan. 21, which will also coincide with the grand opening of the ladies only fitness room.

With Christmas over, can the Winter Carnival be far behind?
Of course not. This year the Luverne Music Booster’s Winter Carnival, will be on Saturday, Jan. 25.

The Winter Carnival is a primary fund raising event for the Music Boosters to help pay for such projects as Music Camps, band and choir trips and scholarships.

The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Luverne High School Gymnasium and all of your favorite events, such as the cake walk, Bingo, games, booths and raffle drawings will be held.

Historical Society to hold annual meeting
If you like history, particularly Rock County’s, you should try to attend the first of the tri-annual meetings of the Rock County Historical Society.

The meeting will be held at the Hinkly House at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003 .

Since their most recent project was moving the Fitzer Century barn to a foundation at the Rock County Fairgrounds, the program will include a talk on historic barns.

The barn is now sitting south of the 4-H building on Freeman street if you want to drive by and check it out.

The Historical Society plans to use the barn as a farm related museum with items that pertain to rural life in Rock County.

Dayton pushes for funding promises
Senator Mark Dayton announced he would be introducing legislation to require the federal government to fully fund its long-promised 40 percent share of special education costs.

The legislation would provide an additional $250 million in additional funds for Minnesota schools this year to educate special needs students.

Dayton’s goal is to get the government to increase from its current 16 percent program cost to 40 percent beginning in fiscal year 2004.

Currently, schools are absorbing the shortfalls with other school funds, according to Dayton.

What this means in Luverne is that roughly $250,000 in special education funding comes out of the district’s general fund, when it should be coming from the federal government.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com