By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek School District hired two teachers this year to staff the new after school Kid Kare program.

Heather Erickson
Heather Erickson is the Kid Kare After School Program Coordinator.

Erickson, a Dawson native, received her degrees in 1998 from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., in sociology and criminal justice.

She worked as youth development coordinator for the St. James School District and for two years as after school program Instructor at Hope Haven, Estherville, Iowa.

The Hope Haven program provided at risk youth and their families with educational support and in-home or individual counseling.

Erickson and her husband, Aaron, live in Beaver Creek and are expecting their first child in February. Aaron is a Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduate.

Haley Tollefson
Kid Kare Assistant Haley Tollefson graduated in December from Southwest State University, Marshall, with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

She was a substitute teacher during the spring and worked over the summer for Kid's Inc., a summer day camp sponsored by the Sioux Falls School District.

Tollefson and her husband, Josh, live in Sioux Falls.

Tollefson's goals for the upcoming year are to help make Kid Kare as great a program as possible and to have fun getting to know the kids and staff in the H-BC School District.

Fifteen-month-old Garrett Raymon, Hills, plays in the park with his mother on Tuesday. "There won't be many days or weeks left of nice wetaher," said his mother.

Photo by Jolene Farley

I missed a great opportunity last weekend. I was home alone because my husband left me to spend time with his in-laws - meaning my family. That could be a story in itself, but the point is that I had a fluffy couch and newly made bed all to myself, and I didn't even rent one chick flick.

I was feeling under the weather. so I wasn't even up for a Turner Classic Movie on cable.

One of my friends pointed out that I was a fool to not take in at least three chick flicks to reconnect with the Bronte sister within.

She's right. I'm tired of walking into rooms to hear, "Bad boys, bad boys. Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" broadcast at high volumes from our FOX affiliate.

When I say I wished I had watched a chick flick, I might be using the wrong term. I don't like predictable plots about hookers who marry their rich and handsome clients. The kind of flick that gets my pick makes me think and pulls at my heart: movies like "Life is Beautiful" or "An Affair to Remember."

To get the "chick" stamp of approval, a movie should be the perfect blend of drama/comedy/tragedy/ and ROMANCE. Please note the absence of the word action in my description.

I don't feel too sorry for my missed opportunity last weekend because I'm spending an extended Labor Day weekend with a couple dear chicks this year. I think I might suggest a trip to the nearest video rental outlet.

Two of my closest friends and I are gathering for a little carefree fun on Lake Michigan before one of them becomes a mom in November. We can sit on the beach and imagine Bette Middler singing "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings," or we could fry up some green tomatoes or we could form part of an all-female baseball team.

I don't think anyone would consider the secrets of these ya-ya sisters worth a movie deal, but we'll certainly have a wonderful time. Because I've learned from watching my chick flicks, that girlfriends have to stick together - especially when their husbands make them watch COPS reruns.

Voters' information in this week's Star Herald
The primary election will be on Sept. 10, and this week the County Auditor's office published a sample ballot to help you decide whom to vote for, along with other information.

The most interesting race for Rock County voters will be the seven choices they have for the auditor/treasurer office, being vacated by Margaret Cook.

The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election on Nov. 5.

Along with the sample ballots, a list of precincts, opening hours and location of the polling places is also published in this edition.

For those who wish to vote absentee, absentee ballots will be available at the auditor/treasurer office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, or during regular office hours, which are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A special testing of the electronic voting machines will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the courthouse, and you are invited to check it out.

Magnolia and Kenneth receive grants for water projects
The 2002 farm bill, recently signed by President Bush, included money for two Rock County water projects.

The city of Magnolia will receive $700,000; $500,000 in the form of a loan and a $200,000 grant.

The money will be used to rehabilitate an existing well, construct a new well, and replace water mains.

Kenneth will collect $580,000; $220,000 in the form of a loan and a grant of $360,000.

Kenneth will use the funds to construct a wastewater collection and treatment system.

In both cases, the loan portion will have a 40 year repayment period at an interest rate of 4.5 percent.

In all, Minnesota received $40.1 million in rural development grants and loans to be used for water projects in 33 rural Minnesota counties.

Studer accepts Sioux Falls position
Linda Studer, administrator of the Good Samaritan communities of Luverne, will be leaving her Luverne position to be the administrator of Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls.

Studer has worked for the Good Samaritan Society for the past 19 years and has been the administrator in Luverne since 1994.

The Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls includes nursing and rehabilitation facilities, senior apartments, HUD housing, assisted living apartments, duplexes and new congregate living apartments.

The Luverne facility includes the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center and The Oaks Senior Apartments.

A ground breaking for a new assisted living facility in Luverne is planned for next spring.

A reception was held for Studer at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on Monday, Aug. 26.

A replacement for Studer has not been announced.

Habitat house sets dedication
The recently completed Habitat for Humanity House will be holding a dedication ceremony on Thursday, August 29, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The house is located at 204 SW Park in Luverne.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served.

SWMN Habitat for Humanity was founded 18 months ago, and the Luverne house was its first project.

Future plans include groundbreaking on a house in Worthington sometime next spring.

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

Bena Huisman, 99, Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, Aug. 19, 2002, at Rock Rapids Health Centre, Rock Rapids.

Services were Thursday, Aug. 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Iowa. The Rev. Scott Prouty officiated. Burial was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Little Rock.

Bena Buss was born to John and Bena (Schultz) Buss on Aug. 31, 1902, in rural Lyon County, Iowa. She attended country school in Lyon County up to the eighth grade.

She married Claus Huisman on Feb. 15 1928, at Zion Presbyterian Church in rural George, Iowa. After their marriage the couple farmed in the Rock Rapids and Little Rock area until retiring and moving to Little Rock in 1965. In 1979 they moved to Rock Rapids. Mr. Huisman died in1980, and in 1982, she moved to an apartment in Ellsworth. She moved to Rock Rapids Health Centre on Nov. 11, 1997.
Mrs. Huisman was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.

Survivors include one son, John (Ruth Ann) Huisman, Ellsworth; one daughter, Audrey DeBeer, Rock Rapids; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Vera Markus, Adrian, Emma Kruse, Rock Rapids, Lydia Tjepkes, Little Rock, and Gertrude Kannengieter, Sibley, Iowa.

Mrs. Huisman was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son-in-law, Lawrence DeBeer, three brothers, Fred, Herman and Henry, three sisters, Anna Hassebroek, Jennie Heronimus and Ruth Henrichs.

Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.

Verna Lou Hoiland, 69, Luverne, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, in Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Services were Thursday, Aug. 29, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Luverne. The Rev. Paul Fries officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Verna Shelby was born to Louis and Sylvia (Uglem) Shelby on Nov. 15, 1932, in Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1950.

She married David Orlando Hoiland on Jan. 4, 1952, in Luverne. After their marriage the couple lived in the Luverne area all their lives. She was a swimming instructor at Rock County Community Pool where she taught hundreds of children, as well as adults, to swim.

Mrs. Hoiland was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was church organist and children's choir director. She was a former member of the Jaycees, a member of the Luverne VFW Ladies' Auxiliary, a bridge club and a lifetime member of Luverne Country Club. She was an avid gardener of flowers and herbs and a talented cook and pianist.

Survivors include her husband, David Hoiland, Luverne; two sons, Mark (Sharon) Hoiland, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Matthew Hoiland, Bloomington; three daughters, Suanne (Jere) Ohme, Angela Hoiland, all of Luverne, Pam Hoiland, Sioux Falls; son-in-law Rick (Jaye) Anderson, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren, Kirsten, Jackie, Amanda, Derek, John, Tannen, Layne, Alison and Brian; three great-grandchildren, Katrina, Alex and Sophia; two brothers, Warren (Melba) Shelby, Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Neil Shelby, Cuba, N.M.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Hoiland was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Peggy Hoiland Anderson, in 1990, and her sister, Marilyn Mullally.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Cooney, 93, Luverne, died Saturday, Aug. 31 at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center, Luverne. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Luverne, with Rev. Bart Fletcher officiating. Burial of cremains will be at Maplewood Cemetery. Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

Lester Wieck, 96, Luverne, formerly of Magnolia, died Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center, Luverne. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Magnolia. Services will be Saturday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Magnolia. Burial will be at 1:45 p.m. in Ashwood Cemetery, Kanaranzi. Engebretson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Darlene (Jessen) Lyndsley 62, Bloomington, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002. She was the daughter of Gladys Jessen of Luverne and the late Julius Jessen.

Services were Saturday, Aug. 17, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Burial was in Lakewood Cemetery.

She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, in Hardwick, She graduated from Luverne High School in 1957. She worked for M & JR Hakes for two years. She then attended Minnesota Business School for two years. She worked for Frank Beddor Enterprises for 40 years.

Mrs. Lyndsley was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, where she taught Sunday School for 30 years.

Survivors include one son Kevin (Shannon) Lyndsley; two daughters, Denise (Scott) Mortensen and Dawn Lyndsley; three grandchildren, Olivia, Madison and Julius; her mother, Gladys Jessen, Luverne; one brother, Darwin (Norma) Jessen; five nephews, Troy, Chad, Micah, Adam and Lucas Jessen; and a friend, Paul Weibel.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.