By Jolene Farley
With business at Drivers Restaurant and Bar near Beaver Creek exceeding investor expectations, focus has shifted to the golf course portion of the project.

"The golf course issue is a big issue," said investor Mike Blank. "It's half of the project and the weather hasn't been cooperating."

Many areas on the course seeded with grass are not irrigated, according to Blank. So the dry weather has slowed the growth of foliage needed for the course.

Investors orginally planned an August opening for the course, but that date moved to September. Now without rain opening may be moved to next spring.

"Unless the weather really straightens out, I doubt if the course will be ready this year," said Blank. "Next year, definitely."

Only minor work is left on the course, filling some holes and low areas and planting a few more trees.

Unfortunately, grass has to grow and be shaped on the greens and the rough before the course will be ready to open.

Groundskeeper Jacey Harmon, Sioux Falls, S.D., continues to work on refining the course. Harmon has worked on a number of courses in the area and in Oregon.

The course promises to be challenging, according to Blank. There are no sand traps but play follows the lay of the land.

"That in combination with water will make it a challenging course," he said.

Golfers will pay a $12 green fee and $10 cart rental fee to play the course. Purchasing an annual or lifetime membership are also options. Ten lifetime memberships remain for the club.

Drivers has seen good patronage, according to Blank. Some menu items have been added and some items dropped. Steaks, burgers, prime rib, Mexican food and seafood are some choices that remain on the menu.

Fantastic Mud Pie is a staple on the new homemade desert menu at Drivers with other desert specials offered periodically.

"Our menu is very all-encompassing for anyone's tastes," said Blank.

The kitchen at Drivers has evolved along with the menu. "The more you offer the more situations you need for prep space and cooler options," he said.

Patrons can dine inside or outside the restaurant with the addition of new furniture on the deck.

The banquet hall is booked every weekend for the next few months. Blank encourages anyone interested to book early, because dates fill fast with weddings, class reunions and Christmas parties.

"People that have been in it have been very pleased with the service and the setting," said Blank.

Eight of the 32 housing lots on the course have sold with plans for two homes to be built yet this year.

"We'e pleased and I think the lot sales will continue," said Blank.

Investors in the project are Mike Blank, Rodney Scholten, Ben Davis, Leonard Scholten and Dan VanOtterloo.

By Jolene Farley
Water woes were the hot topic at the Hills City Council meeting Tuesday.

Rock County Rural Water Manager Dan Cook addressed the council with options to increase the water supply to the city.

Discussion stemmed from a Tuesday, June 25, incident when the city water tower was pumped dry.

The incident was mostly attributed to heavy agricultural water usage and dry weather conditions.

"It's been a stressful year," said Cook. "There hasn't been any rain relief."

Hills residents were immediately put on an 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. watering ban after June 25.

The first option Cook presented included the installation of a six-inch water line from two miles north of Hills to the northern edge of town.

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 new line would cost the city $219,024. RCRW would consider financing the improvements, according to Cook.

If the costs were passed on to Hills residents, this would increase rates $5.77 per month per water meter.

"Yes. We've spent a lot of money to improve the service here on the west end," said Cook when asked if Hills would be the only one paying for these improvements.

"The increased capacity would be for the sole benefit of the community."

The city of Hills is an off-peak customer, according to Cook. Direct pressure customers are a priority for RCRW.

"We still have to met this peak demand, and you're (Hills) creating the demand," said Cook.

"I got a real problem with $200,000," said Mayor Jim Jellema when he heard the estimated cost of the improvements.

"It's a lot of money, but yet, what is the price of water?" Cook said.

He anticipates the population in Hills will continue to grow, and he thinks Hills will continue to have problems with higher water usage.

"Continued growth patterns are written all over it," he said. "They've added population since rural water but more important they've added water usage.
"
Cook encouraged the council to make a decision before the RCRW board meets again on August 5.

"Just looking at these numbers, I don't think it's something we are going to sit here and decide in two minutes," said Jellema.

The second option to increase water capacity would include blending water from the city well with rural water. The council hopes this will be a more cost-effective alternative.

Hills hooked up to RCRW in 1980. Prior to that, Hills had its own water storage and delivery system.

The council discussed this at length and will check with Minnesota Department of Health about the regulations the city is required to follow before the water can be used for human consumption.

The council was advised the water in the city wells is extremely hard so it would likely need to look into a softening treatment.

The issue was tabled until a later meeting when more information is available.

Oh the games people play.

There are the standards like Clue, Monopoly, SORRY! and Pictionary. Growing up, my sisters, cousins and I even made up our own games - a favorite was called Make Me Laugh.

Nowadays I'm more likely to play Trivial Pursuit than something that really "makes me laugh" though.

But I still love goofy things and fondly remember a game that didn't really involve winners or losers. It was called Mad Libs and I used to spend hours with my older sister playing the word game.

I think most people have tried it at one time or another. It's been at bridal or baby showers and slumber parties, which often involve nasty-word versions of Mad Libs.

This column includes one I've made for our readers.

Here's how to play: Write the numbers and parts of speech, which are shown in parentheses, on a separate piece of paper. Have someone else make their word choices. (Make sure whoever's playing hasn't read the context around the blanks before you start.) When it's all done, read the little story out loud.

Sara Strong is the (1. ADJECTIVE ENDING IN -est) writer whose material I've ever read. She writes about city and county governments, which can often be (2. ADJECTIVE).

Sara also reports on all sorts of topics, and enjoys writing stories about different people, especially the one she did about (3. NAME OF PERSON IN THE ROOM). That was one unique (4. BODY PART).

Because she's a reporter, she often works odd hours, too. One Tuesday she went to work at (5. TIME OF DAY) and didnÕt leave until (6. A NATIONAL HOLIDAY).

So far, she's worked at the Star Herald for a total of (7. NUMBER) years and is (8. AN EMOTION) every day.

You might see Sara out and about covering events in the area such as (9. ANIMAL) Days. You'll know who she is because she looks a little (10. ADJECTIVE) because she (11. PRESENT TENSE VERB) in an odd manner.

Sara is also well known for being a curious mix of (12. FEMALE MODEL) and (13. FAMOUS ATHLETE).

But her story started long before she (14. PAST TENSE VERB) to Rock County.

Sara was born in (15. NAME OF FAR AWAY PLACE) in (16. YEAR).

She is (17. NATIONALITY) but youÕd never guess it because she has (18. COLOR) hair.

She has two sisters named (19. TWO FEMALE FAIRY TALE CHARACTERS). They are always (20. VERB ENDING IN Ðing) but Sara doesn't mind.

On another personal note, Sara was married this winter in a (21. ADJECTIVE) ceremony in (22. LOCATION). Her husband's name is (23. HEROIC MALE CHARACTER).

But no matter what else Sara Strong is up to, when you read something written by her, you know you'll (24. VERB) something (25. ADJECTIVE).

DNR launches new web site
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced the launching of their new Web site last week.

The new site will make it easier to buy a fishing license, reserve a campsite, check trail conditions and get outdoor information online, according to officials at the Mn DNR.

Although the DNR had a Web site previously, the new one is supposed to make it considerably easier to navigate to the information you need, according to Colleen Mlecoch, the DNR's chief information officer.

The improvements include:
Better guides to help navigate the site
New office locator that makes it easier to find the local DNR office
A new online calendar to find park events, safety training courses, and hunting and fishing dates
Easier ways to distinguish whatÕs new and important at the DNR and on the Web
More information about wildlife plants

The URL is still www.dnr.state.mn.us.

MnDOT launches new traveler information service
If you're motoring around the state this summer or next winter, the state now has a new way for you to access weather-related road conditions, construction and congestion by dialing 511, or by logging on to www.511mn.org.

According to Elwyn Tinklenberg, the Minnesota Commissioner of MnDOT, as well as chairman of the National 511 Deployment Coalition, "advanced technology, including 511, is the key to meeting the transportation challenges of the 21st century."

Minnesota was one of six states selected to launch a 511 service after the Federal Communications Commission in July 2000, officially designated 511 as a nationwide number for travel information.

Last December, MnDOT introduced 511 for wireless phone customers, so the free service is now available on cell phones, land lines, as well as the internet.

Traveler information is also available on MnDOTÕs Web site at www.dot.state.mn.us, or by calling 800-542-0220

Another rail repair near Manley
Another railroad crossing near Manley could delay your travel in the southwest part of the county.

This week, from July 2 through July 8, the railroad crossing south of Manley, on County road 17, will be closed for repairs.

Detours will include county roads 4, 52, and 13.

If you have any questions, contact Mark Sehr at 283-5010.

Hot Dog night is July 11th
One more reminder not to miss the 40th anniversary of Luverne's Hot Dog Night.

The Luverne merchants will start serving the 10,000 hot dogs and 300 gallons of drink at 6 p.m. with Tae Kwon Do demonstrations beginning at 6:15 and 7 p.m.

In addition, the Luverne Lions Club and the Rock County Dairy Association will have trailers on hand with some additional goodies.

Ever wonder what tree that is?
If your curiosity of trees far outpaces your knowledge, the National Arbor Foundation has a new publication for you.

"What Tree Is That" is the Foundation's new pocket guide to identifying trees.

The 72 page guide is designed to help you identify 135 different trees in the eastern and central United States.

Naturally, it will help with the most common trees, such as oak, maple, spruce and pine. It also deals with species such as horse chestnut and mockernut hickory, sassafras and shadbush.

The dozens of drawings will help you identify tree leaves or needles and their acorns, berries, seedpods, cones, and other identifying features.

The book is also organized to help identify trees in a simple step-by-step fashion.

To obtain the new tree identification guide, send your name and address and $3 to "What Tree Is That", The National Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, NE 68410.

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

Shirley Donth, 62, Moline, Ill., died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, in her home. Services were Tuesday, July 2, at Union Congregational Church in Moline. Burial was in Rock Island National Cemetery.

Shirley French was born to Cecil and Melva (Fabicius) French on Feb. 12, 1940, in Newton, Iowa. She married Carl Rottman in 1963.

She later married Peter W. Donth. She had worked as an RN at the former Lutheran Hospital in Moline and at various area nursing homes. She had also worked as a school nurse at U.T.H.S. and at Moline School District 40.

Mrs. Donth was an active member of her church, served on numerous committees and sang in the choir. She was past president of the state of Illinois 40-8 La Femmes. She enjoyed camping, gardening and square dancing. Mrs. Donth was a supporter of the Race for the Cure Crop Walk and a 9-gallon blood donor.

Survivors include her husband, Peter Donth, Moline; seven children and spouses, Missy (Randy) Sorrells, Tim Donth, Carla (Mike) Golding, Peter D. Donth, Doug (DeAnn) Rottman, all of Moline, Cindy (Tony) Carton, Stockton, Ill., and Debbie Rottman, Rock Island, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; one sister, Sally Small, Port Bryon, Ill.; one half-brother, Burton (Caroline) Moen, Guttenberg, Iowa.

Mrs. Donth was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren, Helen Elizabeth Carton in 1995 and Brandin Rottman in 1986.

Memorials may be made to Union Congregational Church building fund.

Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, Ill., was in charge of arrangements.

Clarence C. Cross, 88, Scottsbluff, Neb., formerly of Magnolia, died Friday, June 21, 2002, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.

Services were Tuesday, June 25, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. The Rev. Bret Rickard officiated. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.

Clarence Cross was born to Jesse James and Emma Grace (McCready) Cross on April 22, 1914, in Platte, S.D. He received his education in Mitchell, S.D.

He married Mildred Sexton on April 28, 1934. She died in February 1940.

He married Anna Nelson on Aug. 13, 1940, in Harrington, S.D. They lived in Mitchell and Magnolia before moving to Scottsbluff six years ago. He worked as a farmer, plumber, on the railroad and for the WPA. He was known for his woodworking.

Survivors include two sons, Marinus (Joann) Cross, Magnolia, and Jesse James (Shannon) Cross, Devine, Texas; one daughter, Clara Ochocki; 10 grandchildren, Roxy Bonnett, Linda Bruhn, Kathy Medell, D.J. Cross, Jerry Cross, Jim Cross, Mike Cross, Brian Ochocki, Kim Baumgartner, and Dawn Ochocki; 28 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Cross was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Anna, on May 14, 2001, an infant daughter, Donna Mae Cross, three brothers, Royal, Melvin "Pete." and Cassius Cross, and two sisters, Mae Becker and Mary Cross Shelly.

Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bernard Kurtz, 75, Luverne, died Friday, July 5 at Luverne Hospice Cottage. Visitation will be Monday, July 8 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne. Services will be Tuesday, July 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Ruth Marie Jensen, 79, Worthington, died Saturday, June 29, 2002, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

Services were Tuesday, July 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Worthington. The Rev. Larry Brixius officiated. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery.

Ruth Schmidt was born to William and Marie (Couture) Schmidt on Aug. 29, 1922, in Detroit, Mich. She attended grade and high schools in Detroit. She graduated from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in June 1944.

She entered the U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a second lieutenant in February 1945 and served until her discharge in May 1946. While serving in the Army Hospital in Galesburg, Ill., she met her future husband, James W. Jensen, who was wounded in the invasion of Saipan. They married on Feb. 4, 1947, in Detroit. After their marriage the couple moved to Round Lake. They retired and moved to Worthington in 1980.

Mrs. Jensen was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Worthington for more than 50 years; CCW, the Benedictine Oblate of Assumption Abbey in Richardton, N.D., Round Lake American Legion and Round Lake American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include six children and their spouses, Br. Aaron Jensen OSB, Richardton, Greg Jensen, Milford, Iowa, Teresa (Gary) Anderson, Waterloo, Iowa, Rita (Jack) Tolsma, Dan (Leslie) Jensen, all of Worthington, and Chuck (Kris) Jensen, Bemidji; 10 grandchildren, Brendan Nagel, Adam Nagel, Erica Anderson, Zach Anderson, Amanda Jensen, Alicia Jensen, Matt Jensen, Erik Jensen and Laura (Gavin) Bell; and two stepgrandchildren, Latina and Sophia Albersman.

Mrs. Jensen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim, on Aug. 9, 1992, and two brothers, Fred and Russell Schmidt.

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

By John Rittenhouse
Luverne played its way to a second-place finish in the First Division of the Lincoln D. Wacker Foundation American Legion Baseball Tournament in Jackson over the weekend.

Luverne went 3-1 in its division, placing second to unbeaten Worthington.

The Cardinals beat Fairmont by nine runs in SaturdayÕs opener before falling by 12 runs to Worthington in the second game. Luverne nipped Jackson I by one run Sunday before besting St. James by four.

Luverne ended the weekend with a 5-7 overall record. The Cards play at the Brookings, S.D., Tournament Friday through Sunday. Luverne plays in Pipestone Monday before hosting Adrian Tuesday.

Luverne 10,
Fairmont 1
The Cardinals scored 10 runs in the third and fourth innings during Saturday's opening win over Fairmont.

Luverne trailed 1-0 early in the game, but a four-run third inning followed by a six-run fourth set the stage for a nine-run win.

Tony Sandbulte slapped a two-run double during the third inning. Jake Studer and Luke Iveland singled home runs in the frame.

Adam Kurtz had the big blow in the fourth when he stroked a two-run double. Eric Edstrom, Studer and Ryan Goebel drew bases-loaded walks, and Aaron Schmidt received an RBI for a fielder's choice.

Kurtz pitched a six-inning, one-hitter to notch the win. He fanned four batters.

Box score AB R H BI
Frey 3 2 1 0
Iveland 3 2 1 1
Sandbulte 3 2 2 2
Edstrom 2 0 0 1
Kuhlman 1 0 0 0
Studer 2 0 1 2
Goembel 1 0 0 0
Schmidt 3 0 0 1
DeWispelaere 1 0 0 0
Pick 3 1 0 0
Goebel 3 1 3 1
Kurtz 3 0 1 2

Worthington 14,
Luverne 2
The Cardinals were unable to keep up with the eventual division champion when they took on Worthington in Saturday's second game.

Worthington scored three runs in the first, second and third frames before adding five more in the fourth.

Luverne, on the other hand, was limited to a pair of first-inning runs.

Sandbulte doubled home a run and Kurtz recorded a sacrifice fly to account for Luverne's runs.

Jesse Kuhlman pitched the first three innings and took the loss. Iveland pitched in relief.

Box score AB R H BI
Frey 3 1 1 0
Iveland 3 0 1 0
Sandbulte 2 1 1 1
Edstrom 0 0 0 0
Studer 2 0 1 0
Kurtz 1 0 0 1
Kuhlman 0 0 0 0
Pick 1 0 0 0
Schmidt 2 0 0 0
Goebel 1 0 0 0

Luverne 16,
Jackson 15
The Cardinals pulled out a one-run win in a wild game against Jackson to begin play Sunday.

Luverne scored 15 of its 16 runs in two innings and held off a late challenge by the hosts to win by one.

After taking a 1-0 lead when Edstrom doubled home a run in the first inning, Luverne opened a 16-9 cushion when it scored eight runs in the second inning and seven in the fourth.

Jackson scored six runs in the fifth and sixth innings to trim the difference to one run at 16-15, but it never did catch the Cards.

Kurtz delivered a grand-slam homer to account for four of Luverne's eight counters in the second. Other highlights in the rally were an RBI single by Kuhlman and an RBI ground out by Schmidt.

Edstrom singled home two runs and Schmidt drove in another with a fielder's choice while providing the highlights of Luverne's seven-run fourth inning.

Schmidt pitched the first three innings of the game without gaining a decision. Kuhlman tossed three innings of relief to pick up the win.

Box score AB R H BI
Frey 3 1 1 0
Iveland 3 2 1 0
Studer 1 3 0 0
Edstrom 3 1 2 4
Kuhlman 2 2 1 1
Schmidt 4 2 1 2
Pick 3 2 2 0
Goebel 3 1 0 0
Kurtz 4 2 3 4

Luverne 12,
St. James 8
The Cardinals ended their tournament appearance with a four-run win over St. James Sunday.

Trailing 7-3 after St. James scored five runs in the fourth inning, Luverne rallied to score nine runs in the next two innings and secure a victory.

A six-run fifth inning that featured a two-run double by Schmidt, RBI singles by Kuhlman and Edstrom, an RBI double by Joey Pick and a sacrifice fly by Kurtz gave the Cards a 9-7 lead.

After St. James scored once to make it a 9-8 game in the bottom of the fifth, Luverne scored four times in the top of the sixth to put the game away.

Kurtz doubled home a run and Adam Reisch singled home a run to account for two of the three runs in the sixth.

Luverne scored single runs in the first three innings. Edstrom singled and scored on an error in the first, Ryan Goebel provided a sacrifice fly in the second and Iveland doubled and scored in the third.

Studer pitched the first three innings without earning a decision. Tom Frey picked up the win by tossing two innings of relief. Kurtz pitched the final frame.

Box score AB R H BI
Frey 3 1 0 0
Iveland 3 3 1 0
Edstrom 3 3 2 1
Kurtz 3 1 2 2
Studer 2 0 0 0
Schmidt 2 1 1 2
Pick 2 2 1 1
Kuhlman 4 1 3 1
Goebel 1 0 0 1
Reisch 4 0 1 1