Star Herald is authorityon local history Ñfor 130 years and todayThe older I get, the more a history buff IÕve become. Admittedly, thatÕs because a bigger portion of my life and my work is becoming history. É ItÕs odd to read my 10-year-old stories in our weekly Star Herald Remember When column.While it makes me feel old, thereÕs something satisfying about seeing the role IÕve played in preserving local history.Sometimes we wonder who reads our stories or who cares, but knowing that our accounts of local happenings will become the authoritative history of the community makes our work rewarding.That point surfaced again this week when New York Associate Producer Meghan Horvath researched in Luverne for Ken BurnÕs upcoming documentary film, "The War." (See related story)In addition to valuable information from Historical Society volunteers, Horvath found, not surprisingly, the local paper to be her best source of information and photographs.In the 1940s, Rock County reporters and photographers were busy compiling information on departing soldiers and documenting the warÕs effects on their families back home.When the War on Terrorism started after Sept. 11, 2001, the Star Herald profiled the role of local soldiers in that conflict, along with reflections from affected family members in Luverne.WeÕre currently planning a feature story on young CJ Wilsey, who returned from Iraq to Luverne just in time to celebrate our nationÕs Independence Day.I can envision WilseyÕs story turning up 50 years from now when researchers comb our archives for a local perspective on the U.S. War on Terrorism.Wars or no wars, the Star Herald chronicles accomplishments of the communityÕs movers and shakers in addition to contributions of everyday men and women.ItÕs no wonder, then, that Ken BurnÕs New York film producers have turned to the Star Herald for a taste of Luverne.The Star Herald is celebrating its 130th birthday this year, and projects like the Ken Burns film emphasizes our important role in local history.ItÕs not that we, as news people, are so worthy of celebrating. ItÕs more that we as news people are celebrating the opportunity to tell Rock CountyÕs story for so many years.Thank you, readers (and your parents, your grandparents and great-great-grandparents), for 130 years of rich, colorful history. Without you, there would be no stories and there would be no Star Herald.
