The post-holiday hush may be felt more by Margaret Gonnerman than most of us. Friday marks her last day of providing day care - and considering she started 41 1/2 years ago, her home will seem pretty quiet after Christmas.

Gonnerman estimates about 160 children have been in her care since 1959. In 1977 she became licensed, but before that she took in as many as 20.

The decision hasn't been easy for Gonnerman to make, she said with tears in her eyes. "I wonder if it's the right thing to do, but pretty soon your body tells you to give it up."

She stopped accepting infants four years ago and now only takes children after school.

At one time, day care was a new concept in Luverne.

She started the work almost by accident. She worked at the local J.C. Penney store and when her husband, Marv, had to move for the military, she went with him. When they returned to Luverne, a coworker at Penney's asked if she'd be returning to work. Margaret had a daughter by then and wanted to stay home, so the coworker suggested Margaret take her two children as well.

Soon Margaret was known as one of only two women in town who would baby-sit, and her numbers increased.

"I loved it," Margaret said. "I liked being home with my own kids, too. But every child has its own personality, and I like knowing them as individuals."

When her current group of after-school kids found out she was quitting, they were disappointed. "One of the older ones was upset, ... so another one said we'd always be their grandma and grandpa. ... I know I'm going to miss them."

Part of the family
Margaret has been in the day-care business so long in the same town that she's actually changed diapers on two generations of some families.

Erma Hilbrands brought her son and daughter to Margaret and over the years became her friend. "Oh, she's the tops," Hilbrands said. "It was hard to get the kids away from there (at the end of the day)."

Margaret also watched Hilbrands' grandson. "She did crafts with them, and I know it was hard to get kids in there because she was full - because she was the best," Hilbrands said. "She's like a second mom to the kids." And now a second grandma in some cases.

Feeling like part of the family is something Margaret tried to impart to all the children in her home. They read books, got creative with colors and markers, played dress-up and built structures with Legos. The dress-up clothes are pretty tattered now, but Margaret said the years of wear were worth it.

"I always felt satisfied that I was able to help kids and give them something to remember me by," she said. "Some still stop by when they’re home visiting."

Margaret's impression is apparently a lasting one because a couple of young men have brought home college girlfriends for her approval.

"I never felt that one was better than the other. They all need the special love you can give them," she said.

"I hope that as they grow up, they feel like this was home."

Margaret plans to catch up on craft projects during her free time. She enjoys cross-stitching, crocheting, knitting and decorating in general. And now when her friends ask her to join them for an afternoon of shopping, she won’t have to turn them down.

Members of Luverne's Beta Sigma Phi sorority gathered for a 50th anniversary celebration of the group's founding Monday at the Luverne Country Club. Pictured are (seated, from left) Florence Helle, Bonnie Jordahl, Ellamae Josendahl, Vangie Golla, Bernadine Merrill, (standing, from left) Penny Cattnach, Darlene Boisen, Bev Mann, Joyce Herreid, Barb Carrigan, Evelyn Reyne, Ellen Cinkle, Jean Knips, Kay Franklin, Marcia Moeller, Mary Keck and Fran Appelt.

By Lori Ehde
Luverne's Vangie Golla enjoyed warm recognition Monday by her fellow Beta Sigma Phi members during their celebration of the local group's 50th anniversary.

The national sorority is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, but the local chapter started in Luverne 50 years ago.

Golla, who spoke at the Beta Sigma Phi luncheon at the Luverne Country Club, said the group was started in Luverne by Dorothy McIntyre, who moved here from Jamestown, N.D.

For 31-year-old Golla and many other young homemakers in Luverne, the timing was perfect for such a group to start here.

"It just came at such an opportune time. The Mrs. Jaycees were also starting at that time, but we had to be 35 to join," Golla recalled.

"We were looking for a place for fellowship and friendship, and there was a national outreach for service projects."

Not only did the group provide a social outlet for the young women - most of whom didn't work outside the home - but they agreed with goals of the organization.

The national organization of Beta Sigma Phi was founded in 1931 during the depths of the Great Depression. It was created for women in search of cultural and social activity.

According to their own printed information, "Beta Sigma Phis are doers. Their great strength comes from thousands of projects of helpfulness to others."

Golla, a charter member, said the group has held true to those values since she joined 50 years ago.

She remembers her group doing things in the community that the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf and the holiday SHARE program do today.

For example, they adopted needy families at Christmastime, and Golla recalls making seasonal favors for trays for rooms at the County Farm, also known as the Poor Farm.

Golla said she's pleased with how Beta Sigma Phi has evolved through the years.

"We started out with 22 members, and that's about what we have today. And I do believe in its ideals," she said Tuesday. "It was just so nice to be recognized yesterday. I appreciated that. I'm just realizing today how nice that was."

Vinyl siding on the south side of the house melted from heat thrown off the burning buildings.

The fire was under control by about 7:30 p.m., and firemen left the scene at about 8:30 p.m. Johnson said he checked the site again around midnight and brought a firetruck to extinguish more hot spots.

The Vises had recently added on to the dairy barn and purchased some new equipment. They were able to get all the cattle out of the dairy barn except 10 cows that refused to leave because it was milking time.

"Holsteins are ornery critters," said Johnson. "If it's time to milk they are going to the barn no matter what." Seven calves were also lost, according to Johnson.

The cattle saved from the flames are now milked in a barn owned by NormanÕs son and nephew.

All buildings and animals destroyed by the fire were insured, according to Norman Vis.

In another stroke of bad luck, Sunday the roof of a hog barn on Norman's place blew off in the high winds.

The Valley Springs Fire Department responded at approximately 4 p.m., but much of the damage was already in progress by then.

"When we pulled on the yard, the four buildings were totally engulfed," said Johnson. "The wind just fanned that fire. It was just going like crazy."

The Hills, Beaver Creek, Brandon and Garretson Fire Departments were called in to help battle the blaze.

"The most dangerous part was the propane tank that was burning," said Johnson. "They are very dangerous when they get hot."

The tank was sprayed with water to cool it down, but the valve popped continuously and one end of the tank bubbled up from the intense heat.

High winds fanned the flames of a fire that destroyed a calf barn, granary, two garages and a milking barn on a farm east of Valley Springs Saturday.

The blaze broke out on the Vis "home place," owned by Minnie Vis. Her son, Alan, lives on the premises, and another son, Norman Vis, uses the farm buildings for his farming operation, according to Valley Springs Fire Chief Don Johnson.

A small fire, which the Vises put out, developed in a silage and wood chip pile a few days prior to the blaze on Saturday. Norman Vis figures high winds on Saturday blew a spark onto the calf shed causing it to ignite.

By Sara Quam
As Betty Iveland sits at her kitchen table, she can read her motto tacked to a bulletin board: "Unless life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile."

She got the card years ago, but the statement, made by Mother Teresa, stays with her every day.
Most Rock Countians know Betty from her years of service as an event planner and head cook at the former VFW. Her work there started out as a simple service.

"I was working for the VFW and the good of the VFW," Betty said.

In 1960-61 she was the auxiliary president and donated her labor. When the next president couldn't do the same, she stayed on and eventually was paid - a whopping $10 per dinner.

Her cooking and abilities as an organizer made the VFW a premier reception and party center.

When the VFW closed last May and Sharkee's opened in the same building, Betty kept the job for a while. "I finished out the receptions that I booked," she said.

Still keeping on
Quitting wasn't really on Betty's mind, but with a change of ownership, it became a time of transition when she thought she should step aside. "I wish I could've been 20 years younger so I could work longer," she said.

She liked the challenge of the job and being a part of so many weddings, but now she's spending more time on herself.

She keeps busy quilting - right now her favorite pattern is grandmother's flower garden. She listens to music, reads newspapers, finishes jumble puzzles and has just started taking up tatting, the craft of knotting thread into a fine lace.

Betty plans to keep collecting old paintings, pewter and antique linens, too.

The time off of work was needed. She's about to undergo double knee replacement surgery, and as a mother of eight, will spend Mother's Day in the hospital.

She thinks she can handle the down time, even though she's a woman who never really sits still.

The way she ran a tight ship in the kitchen earned her a reputation for knowing the right way to do things and not being shy about enforcing those ways.

For that spunk and for years of serving their meals, the National Guard made her an honorary sergeant. "A lot of people call me 'Sarge,' but sometimes somebody's got to take charge. I didn't do it in a mean way, but it needed to be done."

She pointed out that the VFW auxiliary is still active. "We are still an auxiliary and are still doing all the work we did."

The group now meets at the Minnesota Veteran's Home in Luverne, which is on one level and meets the needs of many members. She's proud of all the good the VFW meals and events earned for the auxiliary. The organization gave substantial amounts to the hockey arena and baseball field projects.

"I feel we couldn't have done it without that income," Betty said.

Lots of memories
Although she's known as a sharp manager and has received countless compliments, she balks at being greatly skilled. "Well, hey, I did it so long," she said. "It was just a self-taught skill."

She even had a couple close calls, so she knows she's less than perfect. "Sometimes we'd serve and it would be, boy, we just made that one."

With all the detailed work, it's amazing that more mistakes weren't made. She planned with the bride or other event organizer, took care of purchasing, stocking, meeting with salesmen, organizing help, food preparation and did all the math for new recipes.

"As a rule I did the harder work myself. If there was a dirty job, I did it. But I couldn't have done that without my co-workers' help," she said.

The nights and weekends she had to work actually fit into her family schedule because older children could baby-sit the younger ones when she was working. And sometimes they joined her in event preparations.

"My kids have great memories of helping," she said.

Working with her children or co-workers and friends is something she adored. "I'm a people person and in the later years, that became an outlet for me to see people."

Even when she could afford to not work, she still worked. "After I started receiving a pension, I kept working because I enjoyed the work, but I limited it to cooking," she said.

In the end, her job was one that allowed for family time. Her only regret is that she didn't keep records of all the weddings she was a part of.

"I worked for the good part of 30 years, and people still come up to me and say I did their mother's wedding or their wedding 30 years ago."

Luverne High School prom-goers take a break in the hallway after the grand march to pose for cameras. Pictured are (from left) Brandy Hubbling, Anna OÕDonnell, Jason Wohlford, Jon Tooley and Shanelle Davis. (Photos courtesy of Brenda Winter, Myhre Studio)

(Left) Casey Kleinjan helps Trent Light with his boutonniere.

Details from LHS Prom 2001:
Saturday, April 28
Theme: Heart's Desire
Song: "When You Say
Nothing At All," by
Allison Krause
Colors: Purple, silver, white
Dinner: Luverne Country Club,
steak or chicken
DJ: Hott 104.7 until 1 a.m.

After prom party
The school's after-prom party offered students alternatives to drinking and other social pressures that the big night can bring. Businesses donated money and prizes to make the event possible.
From 2 to 5 a.m. the after-prom party kept participants busy with games and food.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth's golfers opened the 2001 season by playing in Lakefield Thursday.

Southwest Star Concept hosted the H-BC-E linksters for what proved to be the opening match for both teams.

The Patriot boys got off to a good start by downing the Quasars 188-205.

H-BC-E's girls were unable to field a complete team.

Blake Brommer set the stage for victory for H-BC-E's boys by carding an eight-over-par 43, which gave him the meet's medalist honor.

Patriot Tom Janssen wasn't far behind Brommer with his 45, while Dean Moss and Kyle Sammons contributed 50s to H-BC-E's team tally.

Clint Roozenboom and Jordan Scott shot 53- and 61-stroke scores without influencing the scoring for H-BC-E.

Jesse Raudenbush led the Quasars with a 46.

Two girls played in varsity competition for the Patriot girls. Jessica Martens and Melissa Fagerness registered 47- and 57-stroke rounds.

The H-BC-E boys' B team was unable to complete nine holes of play due to darkness.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth was able to field complete boys' and girls' varsity teams for the second meet of the season Tuesday.

The Patriot squads entertained Westbrook-Walnut Grove at Meadow Acres Country Club in Larchwood, Iowa, Tuesday.

W-WG's boys knocked the Patriots from the unbeaten ranks with a 184-210 victory.

The Charger girls were 225-231 victors over the Patriots in varsity competition.

Jamie Munson and Katie Swenson led W-WG to a six-stroke win over the Patriots by carding 18-over-par 54s.

Jessica Martens had a big outing for the Patriots. She shot a 13-over-par 49 to secure the meet's medalist honor.

Jessica Wassenaar, Marla Groen and Melissa Fagerness contributed 57-, 59- and 66-stroke efforts to H-BC-E's team tally. Kari Jansma recorded a 78 without padding the team score.

Patriot Dean Moss and Charger Derek Erickson shared the meetÕs medalist honor by shooting seven-over-par 43s in varsity competition.

Blake Brommer, Tom Janssen and Jordan Scott rounded out H-BC-EÕs team effort with 48-, 53- and 54-stroke rounds.

Clint Roozenboom and Kyle Sammons shot 55- and 56-stroke rounds without influencing the scoring.

The H-BC-E boys posted a 215-228 win over W-WG in B squad competition.

Ben Herman and Tom Beaner led the Patriots with 46- and 47-stroke efforts, while Jamie Moss and Jeremy Elbers contributed 59- and 63-stroke tallies to the team performance.

Adam Lange and Jared Herman shot 64- and 68-stroke rounds without contributing to the team tally.

The 1-1 Patriot boys play a road match against Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster today, while the girls play in Adrian Monday. Both teams are scheduled to meet Red Rock Central in Lamberton tomorrow.