By Lori Ehde

As part of its proposal to manage to the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, Luverne Community Hospital is surveying local residents about the facility.

The survey, which will reach 1,600 households in Rock County and surrounding communities, will be mailed Friday.
Its purpose is to gauge the health and wellness of the community, how the Pool and Fitness Center currently meets those needs, and how the facility could be improved to meet more needs.

The 17 questions, which take five to 10 minutes to answer, were composed by Health Planning and Management Resources, a consulting firm in Edina.

Respondents are asked to mail their answers by June 17, and in return for completing the survey, they're offered a free blood pressure and total cholesterol check at Luverne Community Hospital.

The cost of the survey is covered by a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. The money is intended to preserve access to needed health services and encourage collaboration and integration of rural community health needs.

"That's a commitment we've made in receiving the grant - to work in collaboration with city and county," said Hospital Administrator Gerry Carl.

According to statistics from the area served by Luverne Community Hospital in Rock and Nobles counties, there exists an inactive, overweight, elderly population at risk for a number of health problems, including heart disease.

In fact the local incidence of heart disease, is higher than the state average.

"Consequently, it is not only important to preserve our community’s access to current health and wellness programs, it is crucial to enhance access through appropriate program development," said Tammy Loosbrock, rehab services manager for Luverne Community Hospital.

The Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, owned by the City of Luverne and Rock County, has relied increasingly on government subsidies and has shown decreasing revenue in recent years.

Subsequently, the city and county have requested proposals to explore options for leasing the facility or contracting management with another entity. The option to sell is also open.

Luverne Community Hospital is one such party submitting a management proposal, because the hospital has long worked with the Pool and Fitness Center for rehabilitation and wellness purposes.

Even if the county and city do not accept the hospital's proposal to manage the Pool and Fitness Center, the survey information would be available for the benefit of the city and county in decisions about the facility.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth boys' and girls' track teams turned in program-best efforts at a section track meet Thursday.

Competing at the 2002 Section 3A Track and Field Championships in Pipestone, the Patriot boys compiled 65 points to place third out of 26 teams while the girls scored 36 points to finish eighth.

According to Patriot coach Tom Goehle, both teams produced program-best finishes in the final standings at the section meet.

"We had a great day," Goehle said. "It was pretty awesome. The kids got a great day to run, and they really went after it."

More important than the successful team outings is the fact that seven Patriots earned the right to compete at the Minnesota State Class A Track and Field Championships in Blaine this weekend.

The winning relay teams, the top two individual finishers and any relay or individual who meets preset state qualifying standards at the section meet move on to the state meet.

H-BC-E athletes earned their trips to the National Sports Center by winning six section championships and placing second in one event.

Six boys will be competing in four events at the state meet, which begins tomorrow and wraps up Saturday.

If there were an MVP award in section competition, it probably would have gone to H-BC-E senior Brad Haak. Haak won a pair of individual events and played a key role in helping the H-BC-E 3,200-meter relay team advance to state.

Haak, the defending state champion in the 800-meter run, won the section title in that event with a 2:01.03 time Thursday.
The 800 title came about 30 minutes after his winning effort of 51.3 during the 400-meter dash.

As impressive as the last two wins were, Haak stunned the crowd with an astonishing run in the 3,200-meter relay.
With sophomore Lee Jackson and freshmen Greg Van Batavia and Tyler Bush joining Haak in the relay, H-BC-E entered the event as one of the event favorites.

H-BC-E found itself facing about a 10-second deficit after 1,600 meters, but Bush shaved two seconds off the leader's pace during the third leg of the race. Haak took the baton about 50 meters behind the leading team for the final leg, when he ran a stunning 1:57 split to lift the Patriots to a five-second victory.

Bush and junior Chris Reid also earned individual berths in the state meet for H-BC-E.

Bush placed second to Haak in the 800 with a time of 2:03.1.
Like Haak, Reid won a pair of section championships. He took top honors in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.15. Reid also won the long jump crown with a distance of 21-8 1/2, which was one-quarter of one inch short of the school-record mark of 21-8 3/4 that Steve Esselink used to win the event at the state meet in 1999.

Joining the six boys going to Blaine is sophomore Erin Boeve, who won a section title for the Patriot girls in Pipestone.
Boeve won the long jump crown with a distance of 17-1 1/4.
Haak, Reid, Bush and Boeve will be competing in Blaine tomorrow.

The boys' and girls' long jumps are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. The preliminary running events begin at 4 p.m., and Reid will be on the track for the 100, which is the sixth event of the afternoon.

Bush and Haak will run in the 800, the 16th running event on schedule, Friday evening.

The finals of the boy' 3,2000-meter relay is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Saturday, with the boys' 100-meter dash finals slated for 11:25 a.m.

The boys' 400-meter dash finals are set for 1:35 p.m., with the boys' 800 finals following at 2:27 p.m.

Medals are awarded to the top-six individuals and relays at the section meet, and H-BC-E received awards in 13 events.
Along with winning two titles, Reid placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.33.

Boeve placed third in the triple jump with a distance of 33-0 and ran a leg with the fifth-place finishing 1,600-meter relay team that was timed at 4:18.99. Bev Wurpts, Mya Mann and Cassi Tilstra are the other team members.
Wurpts and Tilstra placed fourth and sixth in the 1,600-meter run and 400-meter dash with respective 5:44.35 and 1:03.12 times.

The girls' 3,200-meter relay of Mann, Tilstra, Brittney Rozeboom and Wurpts finished second with a time of 10:19.92.

The boys' 400-meter relay team of Reid, Tyson Metzger, Lee Jackson and Jesse Leuthold placed eighth in 46.5. Leuthold ran an 11.8 in the 100-meter dash without placing.

Mann and Amanda Tilstra produced times of 2:39.21 and 13:29 in the girls' 800- and 3,200-meter runs without placing.

The girls' 400-meter relay team consisting of LaDonna Sandstede, Kelly Mulder, Melinda Feucht and Boeve didn't place with their time of 54.34.

The 800-meter relay team consisting of Amanda Connors, Feucht, Sandstede and Mulder didn’t place with their time of 1:59.55.

By Jolene Farley
Beaver Creek farmer LeRoy Kellenberger is at the forefront of efforts to establish a 20-million-gallon soydiesel refinery near Brewster.

Kellenberger became director of the Minnesota Soybean Processors in the early stages of the project when he agreed to help his friend (now MNSP president) Robert Kirchner, Brewster, with the equity drive for the processing plant.

"I started helping him out on the equity drive and ran for the board," said Kellenberger.

The plant will cost around $55 million to construct, with refinery construction costs estimated at $10 million.

More than 2,300 farm members of the Minnesota Soybean Processors committed more than $31 million to the project during an 18-month fund-raising period.

Rock County has about 180 investors in the plant, according to Kellenberger.

In addition to investor support, new legislation gives the plant an even brighter future.

State law now requires a portion of diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to contain biodiesel by 2005. Minnesota is the first state to mandate the use of biodiesel.

"We are pleased with the support we have received," Kirchner said. "We have a strong equity base to enter the soybean processing industry. Once the MNSP Board has the opportunity to analyze the financial feasibility of the biodiesel refinery, we will decide if MNSP will want to raise more equity."

If a refinery were constructed it would use only one-third of the plant's soybean oil capacity per year, according to Kellenberger. Soybean meal processed at the plant would be sold locally to feed hogs.

Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oils, animal tallow or waste oils from restaurants.

Farmers regard biodiesel as an effective way to reduce the national glut in the soybean market.

An Agriculture Department study estimated biodiesel production would create 1,128 to 2,798 jobs and increase demand for MinnesotaÕs soybean crops by 3 to 7 percent per year.

"Now that the legislation has passed we will review and update our financial analysis including plant size, capital investment and profitability," said MNSP CEO Rodney Christiansen in a press release.

"Biodiesel has been a part of the long-term strategy for MNSP investment in Minnesota. "MNSP's environmental permit applications included plans for soydiesel production."

The Minnesota Soybean Processors unanimously approved building the biodiesel refinery, in addition to the soybean crushing plant, at their first annual membership meeting in Windom on April 2.

A feasibility study on the refinery will be complete in about a month.

By Jolene Farley
The Hills Community Club has many activities planned for Hills Friendship Days 2002 this weekend on Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8.

Festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Rock Rapids Country Club for the Friendship Days Golf Tournament. Eight teams are registered for the four-person best ball tournament.

Also Friday, the Country Cruisers Trivia Poker Run begins at 7 p.m. at Jubilee in Brandon and ends on Hills Main Street.

Bright and early Saturday morning, the FFA alumni will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. in the Hills Legion.

Also that morning, health booths at the Hills Fire Hall will open from 7 to 10 a.m. featuring health information, demonstrations and giveaways. Brett Baustian, P.A., will speak on everything from arthritis to sports injuries.

A double elimination co-ed volleyball tournament starts at 9 a.m. in the park. Eight teams have registered for the tournament so far. To enter a team, contact Amanda Rozeboom at 962-3195.

At 10:30 a.m. the Kids' Tractor Pull begins in the park, and the Country Cruisers show off their rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the baseball diamond.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Hills Christian School serves lunch and concessions in the park. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Hills-Beaver Creek science and Spanish classes serve lunch and concessions at the ball diamond.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, the Hills Lions Club and the Hills Community Club will sponsor jump tents.

Doug Chapman offers high-flying fun at the Luverne Municipal Airport from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with airplane rides. Call Amanda Rozeboom at Hills Product and Design at 962-3195 to schedule a flight.

Linda Wenzel will demonstrate farm safety dos and donÕts in the park from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Topics include PTO hazards, three-wheeler safety and chemical safety.

Tuff Home Residents Kitchen Band plays from 1 to 2 p.m. at the park.

The Hills Community Club will serve an evening meal from 5 to 7 p.m. of roast beef sandwiches, potato salad, bars and a drink at the Hills American Legion.

At 7 p.m. the Hills-Beaver Creek dance line kicks off the parade on Main Street. To register a parade entry, contact Colleen Martens at 962-3694.

The Kiddie Parade, usually a separate event, will be combined with Saturday evening's parade. The theme for the parade is Patriot Pride, and trophies will be awarded to the winning entries.

The Hills Lions Club will serve homemade ice cream before and after the parade.

Human Bowling, Giant Trikes and a Jump Tent, sponsored by Cargill, Hills Lions Club and Hills Community Club, will follow the parade on Main Street.

Raffle tickets are available from Hills Community Club members. Prizes include a 200-minute tanning package, one night stay in the Downtown Holiday Inn, Sioux Falls, a tool set, DVD player, two kid's bikes, oil changes, $50 savings bond, and several gift certificates to local businesses in and around the Hills area.

The drawing will follow the parade.

More than 70 children attended Bible School at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hills, Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7. Many of the crafts and events are geared toward the theme Godzwerkers, circus schools. Taylor Nelson decorates the magicianÕs cape she will wear at 10 a.m. church services on Sunday when Bible School participants are slated to sing, read scripture and perform skits of what they have learned for the congregation.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Influence of grandma
reaches all aspects of life

Even though my grandmother is 90 years old, and understandably having health problems, it's still sad to see the family's iron matriarch showing some rust. (Rust other than in her well-maintained red hair color, that is.)

Her heart is just wearing out, even after all her years of clean living. She's recovering from a triple bypass Sunday and the family waits minute-to-minute for a definitive prognosis. As a nurse who worked into her 70s, Grandma needs medical care for the first time in decades.

Most people easily list their grandparents among the most influential people in their lives, and that includes me.

Grandma's influence on me was huge, not only because I spent some summers and most Sundays at her farm, but because she was a woman holding her own in an era when meekness was expected.

My friends had grandmas with names like Millie encouraging them to get married, scatter doilies throughout their home and, for God's sake, start making babies. My grandma, whose name is Dorcas, doesn't believe in decorating her home (except for family pictures), thought men got in the way of careers and said having babies was just hard on the body.

While other grandmas were pouring sweets down children's throats (and she did that, too) she taught me to like green beans by feeding them to me like a baby bird getting worms from the mother.

Then she got me to eat hot cereal by playing "The Three Bears."

She's a woman of constant unique ideals that continue to fascinate me even though I should be used to them. She certainly doesn't follow one school of thought.

For example, she's a sweet, dainty woman in most of her mannerisms, but throws out a few curse words when political conservatives are on CNN.

She tends to assume people dying before the age of 90 were heavy drinkers or smokers. "You never know how people live," she'll say while paging through the obits. But at the same time, she frowns upon those who openly gossip.

She totes feministic ideals like Gloria Steinem, but talks about "family values" like Pat Robertson.

Growing up, I saw how she respected the printed word by saving books and papers and reciting verses she learned as a grade school student.

Always with an eye to health information, she kept me apprised of the benefits of soy and flaxseed before they made their way to store shelves.

"The baked potato has more potassium than a banana," sheÕd say every time I wanted seconds on fried chicken instead of potatoes.

She talked about how women get the short end of the stick, having to give to husbands in more ways than they receive. But she willingly cared for a bedridden husband with Alzheimer's for years after she could have put him in a home.

I don't know how I'd handle a traditional granny. Dorcas' strange and beautiful ways enter my mind daily and her presence is constant.

We're not sure how she's going to come out health-wise. But I know that influence from the four-foot-nine, 89-pound force will always be larger than life.

And I will continue to sing a little bird chirp inside when I eat my green beans.

Send Sara an e-mail

Relay for Life looks forward to second big year
After a phenomenal first year, committee members are preparing for their second Rock County Relay for Life.

In their inaugural year, participants raised more than $49,000.

Last year 41 teams and 535 walkers were registered, but many more decided to walk at the last minute.

This year the event will be June 14 and 15, at the Luverne High School track.

The ceremonies will begin the 14th, with supper starting at 5:30 p.m.

Booths will open between 6 and 7 p.m. for hair cutting, massages, pies and other fund-raising.

At 7 p.m. the opening ceremonies will start, to honor local cancer survivors.

From 6 to 9 p.m. several local and area groups will provide entertainment.

At dusk, the luminary ceremony will take place, and from midnight to 6 a.m. the team games and fun will continue.

Last year there were more than 1,700 luminaries.

Sunrise services and closing ceremonies will begin at 6 a.m.

A breakfast will be open to the public, beginning at 7 a.m.

Rock CountyÕs Relay for Life is one of more than 3,000 Relay for Life ceremonies that take place throughout the country.

The event was started in 1985 by Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash.

Tidbits from the Capitol in St. Paul
A few bills made their way into law this session that may affect you.

Increase earnings at farmer's markets
Minnesotan's who sell homemade goods at Farmer's Markets will be allowed to pocket up to $5,000 per year, up from $1,000 under a new law.

The law became effective May 21.

Homemade goods, sold at farmerÕs markets, will not have to have a state health inspection but will need a label indicating the name and address of the person who prepared and sold the items.

The bill passed both houses unanimously.

Biodiesel mandate enacted
Minnesota will become the first state in the nation to mandate that all diesel fuel sold contains a vegetable oil or animal fat additive.

The new law requires that all diesel fuel contains the biodiesel blend by March 1, 2005.

Soybean producers had urged the passage of the bill as a way to boost the crop's lagging prices.

The additive is expected to tack on a few cents to the cost of diesel fuel. Opponents had argued the bill would hurt MinnesotaÕs truck stop operators because truckers will refuel in other states.

The law also calls for at least 50 percent of the biodiesel to be produced in the state.

The United States Senate is also considering including biodiesel incentives in its energy bill.

Labeling e-mail messages
A bill attempting to limit unsolicited commercial messages, commonly known as "spam," was signed into law May 22.

The law will require certain unsolicited commercial e-mail messages to be labeled as "ADV" for advertisements and "ADV: Adult" for those containing adult material.

The new law will also protect the privacy of consumers by preventing Internet service providers from distributing personal information, except as needed to conduct business or with the consent of the consumer.

The measure will also require all unsolicited commercial messages to contain a return e-mail address or toll-free telephone number so recipients can request to be removed from the company's list.

It also bans false or misleading e-mail commercial messages.

Violators who send misleading messages could be fined $25 for each message, or $35,000 per day.

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

Earl Stanley Crowder, 71, Jefferson, Iowa, formerly of Luverne, died Sunday, May 12, 2002, in his home from cancer.
Memorial services were Thursday, May 16, at Slininger-Rossow Chapel in Jefferson. Pastor Tom Hinote, First Assembly of God Church, Jefferson, officiated.
Earl Crowder was born to Raymond L. and Leora (Guess Wilson) Crowder on Dec. 26, 1930, in Dayton, Iowa. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1948. He was manager of Dayton Light and Power in Dayton, an electrical lineman in Luverne, and an electrical engineer for Longmont Foods in Longmont, Colo., for 13 years.
He married his high school sweetheart, Phylis Morgan, on Nov. 6, 1949. Upon retirement they moved to Jefferson.
Mr. Crowder’s favorite past-times were hunting, fishing and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Phylis Crowder, Jefferson; three daughters, Angela Guinta, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Susan Scanlan-Morgan, Hugo, and JeriAnn (Robert) Rowe, Marine On St. Croix.; three grandchildren; and one uncle, Earl Wilson, Jefferson.
Mr. Crowder was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be given in his name.
Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, Jefferson, were in charge of arrangements.

John Jacob Bode, 77, Luverne, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.
Services were Monday, June 3, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery.
John Bode was born to Edward and Bessie (Carlton) Bode on Feb. 9, 1925, in Luverne. He attended school in Luverne. He helped his father with farm work in Cazenovia, rural Pipestone.
He married Virginia DeMunck on June 29, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. After their marriage the couple lived on the farm for two years before moving to Luverne. He worked at A.R. Wood Manufacturing and Paulson Dehydrating Plant in Luverne until retiring in 1979.
Mr. Bode was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and visiting with people.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Bode, Luverne; one son, Michael (Rita) Bode, Brandon, S.D., three daughters, Mary (Leon) Arp Pick, Pam (Gary) Bode Abell, all of Luverne, and Pat (Ron) Raabe, Hartford, S.D.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; six stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters, Liz Schadwinkel, Wanda (Alfred) Briggs, both of Luverne, and Margaret Nieuwboer, Hancock; and special relative, Vern Carton, Pipestone.
Mr. Bode was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dean.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.