Sept. 20 is National Backpack Awareness Day. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) strives to educate the community on the harmful effects of students wearing too heavy and/or improper-fitting backpacks. Across the country, 40 million students carry backpacks. In 2001, more than 7,000 emergency room visits were related to backpacks; half of those were in children ages five to 14 years of age. Within this age group it has also been reported that 60 percent experience chronic back pain from carrying backpacks that are too heavy. Other possible symptoms students may experience that are related to improper backpack wear are aching backs and shoulders, tingling in the arms, and standing with a stooped posture.What can be done to prevent injuries associated with improper-fitting backpacks, or backpacks that are too heavy?oMake sure backpacks weigh no more than 15 percent of a student’s bodyweightoLoad heaviest items closest to the child’s backoPlan ahead and carry only what is needed in the backpackoConsider a backpack on wheels if the pack is too heavyoAlways wear both shoulder straps; well-padded straps are best for preventing injuryoThe pack should fit snugly, close to the child’s back, never more than four inches below the child’s waistline; wear the waist strap, if availableThe goal of occupational therapists is the same as educational professionals: to help children safely succeed in school. Questions related to backpack safety can be directed to the Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center Occupational Therapy Department at (507) 449-1229.

In order to diffuse any accusations or attacks that could be leveled at me as a consequence of this letter, I wish to offer a full disclaimer for the comments I am about to make. Of course, as a supporter of open discourse, should I screw something up, I will be happy to answer any questions regarding this correspondence.I am a proud liberal who firmly believes that the foundation of our nation is the Constitution of the United States of America. This document was written by persons who saw their governing body as inhumane, over-reaching in its powers, and oppressive to its subjects.Nearly every male in my family has served in the Armed Forces.I am and have been against this war in Iraq.I am not a coward, and our President had my full support in going after the perpetrators of the attacks of 9/11.I want our troops to have the tools they need to fulfill, and most importantly, to survive the missions on which our Commander in Chief sees fit to send them.I know that National Guard members from our communities are to be sent to Iraq, if they are not already there. I wish them nothing but my utmost support and thanks.That disclaimer being provided, during this time of remembrance of 9/11/2001, we must remember who was responsible for that atrocity.It was not Iraq. I repeat, IT WAS NOT IRAQ! Yet that is where our neighbors, friends, brothers, husbands, sons, uncles, nephews, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters, nieces, mothers, wives, sisters are headed.IRAQ!!Sure, Saddam Hussein is a piece of crap, but he and his regime had nothing to do with 9/11. Yet the Bush administration cut and ran from their pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the man who called for the destruction of America and Israel, to topple a boxed-in, has-been dictator, Saddam Hussein.What has occurred since then has been perceived as an attack on all Muslims.Don’t believe me? I work with immigrants from Morocco, Palestine and Algeria who love America, especially Minnesotans, because we are so welcoming.Mustapha just gained his citizenship in May, and we held a party for him in the District Judge’s chambers (as a good Muslim, he drank non-alcoholic apple cider). He seeks to bring his wife and family here so that they can experience a better life. I feel that because Mu is a close friend, I have an insight to the Muslim-American community that many cannot have.No one overseas trusts us. The stories of Canadian flags on the backpacks of American students is not a myth. Our traditional allies now treat us like a case of diarrhea, but we don’t go away in a few hours, and their patience is running short, as if it were one-ply toilet paper at a rest area.We have been told that it was Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qeada that perpetrated the 9/11 attacks, from Afghanistan and the tribal regions of Pakistan, right?So where are all of our troops and military hardware?They’re not where they should be. They’re helping to create a civil war in Iraq.How can we go from being the Ambassadors of Democracy and Goodwill to being one of the most reviled superpowers since World War II?The answer, in my opinion, is that this administration had no plan (still has no plan) for post-war Iraq, had no plan for political fallout, and worst of all, had no plan to ever go after the real culprits of 9/11. In fact, the war in Iraq has spawned an entire generation of hatred that Al-Qaeda could only dream of, and that this administration, through its geopolitical ignorance, has only been more than happy to incubate.Being a responsible American citizen does not entail merely accepting what is spoon-fed to us during a convenient pre-election whirlwind "Fear Tour."For Donald Rumsfeld to suggest that people who think like me (and there are many, just wait for November) are appeasers in the vein of those who allowed Hitler to commit his atrocities and occupy Europe, not only belittles the geopolitical, genocidal scope of the Nazi movement, but more than adequately proves the mental deficiency of the Secretary of Defense.With utmost respect to our troops abroad I say, "Godspeed, and come home safely, as soon as possible."After all, their job is finished: George W. Bush proclaimed Mission Accomplished in 2003!Matthew P. HoilandMinneapolis

Late Night Show host Dave Letterman has a bit where he gives the Top 10 answers to a certain question. Here’s my version:The Top Ten Reasons to be a Christian10. Always have a place to go on Sunday mornings.9. Candles are used for more than soft lighting.8. No fights over the TV controller, sermons are live.7. Extra day of school for kids.6. Sundays are a good excuse to have lunch out.5. Always a good book to read.4. No one cares how well you can sing — Karaoke every Sunday!3. God keeps promises — no need for a handshake or a contract.2. Special meeting hall, complete with stained glass windows.And the number one reason for being a Christian is …We will always have a home in heaven and a God that loves us unconditionally! Well, this may not reach the Letterman Show, but it is a fun way to look at a commitment we make in our lives that will last forever. God is reaching out to each of us, hand extended, and waiting with love in a big heart for you to reach back towards God. When it feels like God has forgotten you, remember, you must reach out, too, to touch the hand of God. Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, in Romans 12, says, "Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer." That means reaching out to God and reaching out to God’s people. I love a new bumper sticker for the Episcopal Church. It reads, The Episcopal Church Welcomes Absolutely Everyone! What does it mean to be a Christian in your world?

The Cameron Grocery mysteryI received several calls from people in Luverne who remember Cameron Grocery.The business was located across the street from the Star Herald in the Quality Print building.According to Linda Cameron, who is currently working at the Minnesota Historical Society, her great-grandfather, John Cameron, came to Luverne in approximately 1908 and purchased the Handy Grocery from James Gibson.John Cameron ran the grocery business until 1921 when he sold the store to Harry Snook.Snook ran the store until 1923, when he sold the business to John Cameron’s son, J. Earl Cameron After about a decade of running the store, Earl sold the business to Harold and Dale Wildung in either 1932 or 1933, according to Jane Wildung.Harold had been in World War I and had some health problems because of a gas attack, according to Jane. He suffered a stroke in 1938.With Harold incapacitated, his wife, Dale, ran the store for a couple of years before selling off the inventory and closing the business.But Dale wasn’t ready to retire; she just didn’t care much for the grocery business.Dale’s sister owned a clothing store in Minneapolis, so Dale thought she would give the clothing business a try.She started the Luverne Style Shop, which, as we all know, is still going strong today and still in the Wildung family.And that’s what I found out because I found a yardstick.Fall decorationsThe members of the Luverne Chamber marketing committee will be decorating the downtown light poles for the fall season.The decorating will take place this Sunday, Sept. 24, beginning at 3:30 p.m.Only the light poles on the corners will be decorated this year.If you would like to help, volunteers are welcome.Bookin’ Buddies needs volunteersThe Bookin’ Buddies program is gearing up for the new school year.The Luverne Elementary School, along with the Child Guide Program, is looking for volunteers for its lunchtime reading program.Volunteers agree to mentor, talk, read, and share 30 minutes of their time each Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the school year with a second-grade student.You can sign up to be a full-time, part-time or substitute buddy.More volunteers will be needed for the first semester due to three classes of students in the fall and only two in the spring.The program is scheduled to start Wednesday, Oct. 4.If you would like to volunteer or would just like more information on the program, contact Lisa Dinger at the Luverne Elementary School at 283-4497, ext. 3580.Scarecrow FestivalThe recreation department of the Minnesota Veterans Home is planning the 10th annual Fall Scarecrow Festival.Last year various families, businesses, and organizations got together to create more than 35 displays.This year there will not be a specific theme for the displays, so participants can let their imaginations run wild.To reserve a spot, you should register with the Veterans Home by Sept. 28.Contest rules include:oSetting up for the contest will take place from Oct. 1 to 6.oDisplays will be attached to a steel white flag pole. The builder must bring a method of attaching the scarecrow to the pole, such as wire, twine and fishing line.oAll entries will remain on display outside during the month of October and may be subjected to severe wind, rain and/or snow. Construction of your scarecrow should be durable and all ornamentations securely attached.oScarecrows must be removed from the grounds by Friday, Nov. 3.A fall festival will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, on the Veterans Home grounds.Events will include carnival games, pumpkin painting, hayrides and more.Everyone is encouraged to come out and vote for your favorite scarecrow display.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Beauty pageant contestants have learned it’s popular to wish for "world peace and happiness" when making speeches.It sounds good.The world is full of good-hearted well-meaning individuals who would wish for the same the thing. We all would.If asked how we’d go about accomplishing world peace and happiness, though, we’d all be hard pressed for answers.The truth is, there’s no one single answer and there’s no one single individual who can do it.We’ve all learned by now "world peace and happiness" is just a warm, fuzzy sound bite that will never have a practical application in the real world.It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the evening news about world hunger and poverty.o1.2 billion people (20 percent of the world’s population) live on $1 per day or less.o840 million people (more than the population of the western hemisphere) are hungry.o6 million children younger than 5 die each year as a result of hunger.oOne in 10 U.S. households cannot afford to meet basic food needs.oOne in five U.S. children is born into poverty.It’s tempting to turn off the television and pretend we didn’t hear it.Or we can follow the lead of a few Rock County residents to tackle global problems one little fund-raiser at a time.For the 10th year in a row, the Rock County Crop Walk Committee is raising money for Church World Service to combat world hunger and poverty.No amount of money will eradicate world hunger, but a little money here and there sure helps.The 10th Annual Crop Walk will be Sunday, Sept. 24, starting at Luverne Public Schools on North Highway 75. Registration is at 1 p.m. and the walk starts at 2 p.m. Community members are challenged to raise pledges and contributions to support the work of Church World Service’s fight against world hunger. Twenty-five percent of Rock County’s Crop Walk funds are given to the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf, with the remainder going to global hunger relief efforts. Some people call it "improving our own little corner of the universe," and the approach makes sense. If enough people do this, a pretty good share of the world’s problems would be fixed. To help, call the Rev. Dell Sanderson, 283-4431, or Jane Wildung, 283-4691 or 283-4053.

One of my favorite library activities is the Daycare Outreach Program. Every two weeks during June, July and August, we send out a collection of books to the daycares. Jessica (children’s librarian) picks out the books, checks them out and puts them in crates. We have three RSVP volunteers, Alyce McClure, Audrey Jensen, and Claude Van Driel, who pick up and deliver the library books to approximately 250 children at 24 daycares. At the end of the summer, each child receives his or her own book to take home. Each RSVP driver and each daycare provider also receives a gift of appreciation. We obtained financial support from several organizations and we thank them: the Rock County Collaborative, Thrivent Financial Services, and our very own Friends of the Library. This year Jessica and I delivered some of the books and got to meet a bunch of our mini library patrons. It was lots of fun and I even got to play "stove" at one daycare. For those of you who are unaware, playing stove includes banging on the stove buttons to make the colored lights come on. It’s very complicated and only pre-schoolers and librarians can fully grasp the complex hand-eye interaction required to execute the game properly. Another of my favorite programs is the Friends Annual Book Sale. And that starts at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 21. The sale is open during library hours through 1 p.m. Saturday. We have hot romances, wild westerns, children’s books, inspirational fiction, cookbooks, CDs, videos, DVDs, etc. Come early for the best selection. Come on Saturday for the best prices, "A Bag of Books for Two Bucks." While you’re here to purchase a few books, you might as well check out a couple from the new fiction shelf. New this week is "Fool Me Once" by Fern Michaels. Olivia Lowell always believed her father's claim that her mother died in childbirth, until the shocking day a lawyer informs her that her mother has just passed away, leaving her a fortune. In her will, Olivia's mother reveals that she and two college friends committed a crime long ago, and now she wants Olivia to track down her accomplices and convince them to come clean.Feeling betrayed by her father, and unsure that she even wants her mother's tainted money, Olivia must decide if she can handle the secrets of the past. Fulfilling her mother's request won't be easy, nor will mending her relationship with her father. But with the help and affections of a handsome young lawyer, Olivia will come to understand who her mother really was, and who she, herself, was meant to be. New on the non-fiction shelf is, "While They’re at War" by Kristin Henderson. The author is married to a Navy chaplain who has served with the Marines in Afghanistan and Iraq. Her portraits of military spouses whose loved ones go to war are both deeply engaging and hard-won. Her insider experience allows her to uncover hidden and often difficult aspects of military culture on and off the bases. Henderson's story focuses on two women, Marissa Bootes and Beth Pratt, as their husbands leave for Iraq. Extraordinarily revealing scenes from the lives of these women and other military families illuminate the truths of living in the shadow of America's military. The overwhelming effects of anticipatory grief; feelings of alienation from non-deployed military and the rest of the world; the effects of e-mail/cell phone/CNN culture; and sometimes even homecoming violence. All of these, Henderson shows, are powerful psychological realities for military families.

I can’t imagine anyone enjoying the first two weekends of the NFL season more than I did.I was told a number of times that our Minnesota Vikings would be a team that will struggle because they lack star power, but I adopted a wait-and-see approach for the season.The Vikings recorded back-to-back victories over two NFC teams that advanced to the playoffs last season, so one has to wonder if having superstars on the roster is worth the extra baggage of relying on the ego-maniacs on the team.In my book, hiring a new head coach in Brad Childress and shipping Daunte Culpepper to the Miami Dolphins are the keys to our 2-0 start.Childress is a no-nonsense guy doing his best to return discipline to a team that sorely needed it, and he has impressed me beyond belief.His commitment to stick with the running game (something Mike Tice never did) wore down a Washington Redskin defense (a unit that ranked second in the NFL in 2005), leading to a 19-16 road win to open the season.Then on Sunday, facing a seven-point deficit against a Carolina Panther team the experts have pegged to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, Childress reached into his bag of tricks to stun me and the Panthers. The fake field goal play he called that resulted in a game-tying touchdown pass from kicker Ryan Longwell to seldom-used Richard Owens was a stroke of genius.There’s no way Mike Tice makes the same gutsy call Childress did on Sunday, and Childress was rewarded for it when Longwell booted the game-winning field goal in overtime.Childress also displayed knowledge in personnel matters when he cut the ties with Culpepper, a player many people (not necessarily myself) touted as being our superstar.Culpepper must have been under the impression none of us were watching the Vikings last season when he guided us to a 2-5 record before sitting out the final nine games with a knee injury, because he insisted on becoming a quarterback who should earn $10,000,000 each year.Childress, who had to deal with Terrell Owens as an assistant coach in Philadelphia, would have none of it. He sent Culpepper to Miami for a second-round draft choice, where he’s gone 0-2 and has thrown one touchdown pass and three interceptions for a Dolphin team that won the last six games of the 2005 season.Current Viking quarterback Brad Johnson might not be a superstar, but that doesn’t matter to me.All Johnson does is give us a chance to post wins by managing the game and protecting the football.Based on the boos from the bleachers during Miami’s home loss to Buffalo on Sunday, Culpepper still hasn’t figured out that possession of the ball is an important part of the game.The two interceptions he threw during the season opener in Pittsburgh sealed Miami’s fate and snapped his new team’s winning streak.From the clips I’ve seen from Sunday’s game against the Bills, with the ball slipping out of his hands in at least three of the highlight pieces I witnessed, it looks like our former superstar still handles the ball like it’s a live hand grenade when facing a fierce pass rush.Some say we didn’t get enough from Miami when we sent Culpepper to South Beach, but I’m not one of them. The way I see it, we stole a second-round draft choice from the Dolphins.

The Adrian volleyball team entertained its Parents Night crowd by sweeping a three-game Red Rock Conference match from Ellsworth Tuesday.Playing inspired volleyball on their home floor, the Dragons snapped a two-game losing streak in league play by handing the Panthers 25-11, 25-23 and 25-9 setbacks."With the exception of the second game, we handled the match very well," said Dragon coach Mary Jo Graphenteen."We didn’t beat ourselves. We let them make the errors."After falling behind 6-2 early in Game 1, Ellsworth trimmed the difference to two points (6-4) with a kill from Amanda DeBoer.Adrian countered with a 17-6 run capped by a service point from Kayla Bullerman to gain a 21-8 lead that led to a 25-11 win.Ellsworth led 6-2 in the second game only to fall behind 16-12 when AHS went on a 14-6 run ending with a service point from Bullerman.The Panthers regained the lead at 18-16 when Brooke Kramer delivered a kill, but the Dragons tied the score at 19 before opening a 23-20 cushion when Kelsey Tjepkes served an ace.EHS trimmed the difference to one point (23-22) with an ace serve from Mya Mann as the game progressed. Adrian, however, scored two of the next three points to prevail 25-23.Adrian’s Megan Graff produced an ace tip to give the Dragons a 7-2 lead in Game 3 that was whittled to two points (8-6) when DeBoer served a point for EHS.The Dragons dominated play the rest of the night by outscoring the Panthers 17-3 to clinch a 25-9 victory.Graff led the winners with seven kills, while Courtney Their and Kelsey Wiertsema chipped in six and five kills respectively.Bullerman served 14 points, registered 16 set assists and 10 digs. Jessica Loosbrock added nine service points to the cause.Kramer led EHS with seven blocks and five kills. Laura Timmer, who had nine digs, chipped in two kills.Ellsworth’s Amanda Connors had 11 set assists, Mann charted 10 digs and Brooke Kix served two aces.The 3-8 Dragons play in Fulda tonight. Ellsworth, 0-6, hosts Southwest Star Concept tonight.

Adrian’s impressive start to the 2006 football season continued Friday when the Dragons rolled to a 40-0 home win over Fulda.Senior quarterback Cody Kontz threw for three touchdowns and junior running back Jesse Brake ran for two more for the Dragons.Adrian’s defense turned in a dominating performance, limiting the Raiders to 57 yards and two first downs in a game that was all but over when the Dragons opened a 27-0 halftime advantage.The win was Adrian’s third straight, a run that has featured the Dragons outscoring their opponents by a margin of 111-6."We’re very pleased," said Dragon coach Randy Strand."We would have been happy to be 2-1 after three games. We’re 3-0 and very happy."The Dragons opened the game with an eight-play, 57-yard drive ending with Brake scoring on a four-yard run at the 8:43 mark of the first quarter.With Kontz recovering a fumble on Adrian’s 46-yard line later in the period, the Dragons marched 54 yards in nine plays before Brake found the end zone at the end of a six-yard run. The second touchdown was followed by a successful Kontz-to-Tyler Wagner conversion pass, leaving the Dragons with a 14-0 advantage.Adrian’s Will Lutmer blocked a punt and teammate Tyler Vaske recovered the ball on Fulda’s 24 in the second quarter.Four plays later, Kontz tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Wagner during a fourth-and-24 situation. Adam Diekmann tacked on the extra point to make it a 21-0 game with 4:02 remaining in the first half.As the half progressed, Diekmann returned a punt 15 yards to Fulda’s 36. Six plays later, Kontz hooked up with Wagner for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds remaining to give the hosts a 27-0 cushion.Adrian scored one touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters to complete the rout.A seven-play, 55-yard drive ended with Kontz firing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Diekmann with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter. Adam Diekmann added the extra point to make it 34-0.The Dragons drove 70 yards in nine plays in the fourth quarter. Brett Nowotny finished the march with a 16-yard touchdown run with 2:31 left to play.Adrian plays the 0-3 Canby Lancers in Canby Friday.Team statisticsAdrian: 354 rushing yards, 100 passing yards, 454 total yards, 18 first downs, nine penalties for 55 yards, one turnover.Fulda: 57 rushing yards, zero passing yards, 57 total yards, two first downs, five penalties for 35 yards, two turnovers.Individual statisticsRushing: A.Diekmann 1-4, Kontz 2-20, Brake 12-70, Glen Kruger 7-56, Nowotny 6-39, B.Diekmann 2-4, Joey Bertrand 12-78, Tony Thier 5-53, Tanner Loosbrock 2-24, Matt Gades 1-4, Pat Tischida 1-2.Passing: Kontz 6-10 for 100 yards.Receiving: A.Diekmann 1-13, Wagner 4-59, B.Diekmann 1-28.Defense: Mitchell Cox five tackles, Lutmer eight tackles, Reid Strand five tackles, Kontz one fumble recovery, Nowotny one fumble recovery.