My name is Michelle Drake, and I'm writing from Seattle, Wash. I'm originally from Luverne, and now after being away for 23 years, I’m planning to move back with my daughter in August. The reasons behind this move are numerous; however, the primary reason is for the better education I believe my daughter will receive from the Luverne school system. My daughter has special needs. And as most parents of special needs children will agree with, finding the right school and programs to meet the unique needs of our children can be a daunting task. Yet, I believe the answers to those challenges were found within your school. This past May, after researching the benefits of a move to Minnesota, my daughter and I had the opportunity to visit the elementary school first hand. I cannot begin to express the joy I felt within my heart as I watched several students immediately welcome my daughter into the fold, so to speak. There was no hesitation on the other children's part whatsoever, simply acceptance. That spoke volumes to me and helped solidify my positive opinion of your school. As sad as it is to admit, the schools in Washington pale in comparison. While the Luverne school system is setting a new standard in special needs education by integrating students into regular classrooms, Washington schools are slow to accept this idea. In fact, I believe that continuing in the school system here in Washington will stunt my child's progress, perhaps even thwarting any future independence that would otherwise be realized.I have heard stories of families that have moved to Luverne purposely to have their children with special needs be in the Luverne system. And these families have seen amazing progress and growth in their children's lives while attending Luverne schools. It is my sincere belief that living and attending school in Luverne will only help bring the dreams I have for my daughter to become the independent, capable young woman I know she's meant to be to fruition. I'm excited to move back to my hometown, to be near my family, and part of such a nurturing community.Michelle (Niessink) Drake,Seattle, Wash.

With the high price of things, especially gas, people are having a hard time making ends meet. Like the saying goes, the rich are getting richer because they keep taking from the poor. It’s hard, but there are people out here who must be God’s little helpers, because the other day I got a $50 gift card for a local store here. It was signed "Enjoy." Since I don’t know anyone by that name, I hope that person reads this because I want to thank him or her for their very surprising and wonderful deed. This goes to show you there are some people out there willing to help others, and don’t want to be known. So for whom I consider a guardian angel, may God bless and keep you and yours healthy and safe.Thank you very much for it’s a very special person to go out of their way for others. Sheila JonesMagnoliaP.S. Oh yes, you got me scratching my head, trying to figure out who you are.

By Lexi MooreHills Council members voted on Tuesday to change the fee structure for specific rentals at the American Legion Hall.The city rents out the facility for events, auctions and fund-raisers, but recent inquiries about serving and selling alcohol at events prompted the council to discuss fees.In the past, renting the facility, regardless of the type of event, cost $150. The city required that $50 of the fee be paid at the time of reservation to secure the date. No additional deposit fee has been required.Councilman Ross Metzger made a motion to require a $500 refundable deposit if an event will be serving or selling alcoholic beverages. The $150 rental fee will remain the same. If the event does not lead to damage of the property, the entire $500 deposit would be returned following an inspection of the facility.Metzger said, "I don’t think it is out of line to require a deposit."The motion was seconded by Keith Elbers and passed.In other city business:
The city will ask Harvey Gehrke to put together an estimate to make changes to the city concession stand in the city park.Councilman Elbers expressed concern about foul balls being a hazard to spectators at the concession stand. He recommended extending the roof to provide a protective canopy.The council agreed and suggested the quote include replacing the frames on the windows, which are rotting.Gehrke volunteered to do the labor if the city would pay for the materials.The work would need to be completed before next year’s ball season begins.
The council also approved work to the city park’s flowerbeds. Next spring the beds are to be replanted with perennials by Wally’s Nursery.The perennials will withstand drought better than the annuals that are currently planted and will not have to be replanted annually.

By Sara QuamSouthwest Youth Services, Magnolia, has built a reputation for having a good program with residents who contribute to local organizations as volunteers.Executive Director Don Johnson said to county commissioners Tuesday that he hopes the county will use Southwest Youth Services for non-secure out-of-home placements when appropriate.Johnson said, "Just give us a chance because we really work hard for kids."Johnson was a part of the regular County Board of Commissioners agenda for informational purposes.Southwest Youth Services is a residential educational facility for boys who are sentenced there for minor crimes.The residents are often seen out and about in Rock County doing volunteer work for service organizations or government bodies.Commissioner Richard Bakken said he’s seen the students out in the community and known them to be polite and well-spoken as they are doing their valuable service work."Whenever we’re called upon, we try to bring the kids where we’re needed," Johnson said. "And we’re not going to bring kids into the community if they’re not appropriate."Southwest Youth Services has teachers and other supervisory staff and counselors who teach residents regular coursework and things such as anger management and manners.Johnson said, "We’ve done a lot of work to build the programs and feel proud of our facility."Johnson has been with the facility for four years. The facility averages about 30 residents daily. Most are from St. Paul or South Dakota, Johnson said.At a low point, the facility was struggling, with only about five residents. At that time, Omaha was a big user of the program, but Nebraska passed a state law forbidding out-of-state sentencing. Johnson had to sell the facility elsewhere and it’s caught on. He said they may increase their licensure to include more residents in the future.The Department of Corrections did a favorable license review on the facility. The state of Minnesota also makes sure the facility is meeting state education requirements."It makes me feel we’re doing a good job," Johnson said.In other business Tuesday, Rock County Commissioners:
Approved of posting a fish advisory sign at Schoneman Park south of Luverne. The sign will say something to the effect of "Be a sportsman. Release all walleyes less than 16 inches."The Department of Natural Resources is the only regulatory agency, but the county can post "advisories." Rock County wants this advisory to protect the current walleye population and allow them to become old enough to reproduce on their own.
Approved a one-time liquor license for the Luverne Community Foundation to serve alcohol at a fund-raiser at the Bowron bison ranch.

By Lexi MooreThe First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Creek will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Sunday.Rev. Charles Thayer conducted the first service in Beaver Creek on June 6, 1880. Members of the community who were interested in joining the church began plans and construction of a building for their services.The building was dedicated on December 4, 1881.In 1954 the congregation completed the church manse or pastor’s residence next to the church. This building was remodeled in 2005. The renovations included finishing the basement to include two bedrooms, a full bath and a family room. Additionally, the floor plan was opened and new flooring and cabinets have been added.The manse will be open to the public during the anniversary celebration on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.During the early 1960s renovations on the church building began. On June 27, 1965, the new building was dedicated. It still welcomes parishioners at the corner of 3rd Street and 4th Avenue.Sunday’s celebration begins with a special service at 2 p.m. followed by an open house reception until 4:30 p.m.Former pastors Burton Blair, Robert Raedeke and Sara Hagena plan to attend the event.

Perry Lee Lien, 73, Huntington Beach, Calif., formerly of Hills, died Sunday, June 25, 2006, in California.Perry Lien was born August 24, 1932, to Leonard and Pearl (Sundem) Lien on the family farm near Hills. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.He married Jayne Graff of Clark, S.D., on Dec. 20, 1959. He had been stationed in California during his Air Force days and vowed to return, so after they were married, they moved to southern Calif. He worked at McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, Calif., until his retirement in 1996. After retirement he continued to do consulting work in the aeronautical industry.He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Huntington Beach, where he served as president of the congregation as well as on many other boards and committees. His interests included his family, friends, golf, traveling, "tinkering," genealogy and e-mail. Survivors include his wife, Jayne Lien, Huntington Beach; three children, Shelly, Tony and Patrick; a son-in-law, David; a daughter-in-law, Holly; eight grandchildren, Tyler, Lauren, Christian, Joshua, Nicole, Jacqueline, Matthew and Kellee; two sisters, Connie Eitreim and Juanita Hatlestad; five brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; and many friends. Mr. Lien was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Austin Lien Dinley, and one sister, Sonja.

Americans don’t throw around much Latin these days. Decades ago, students were required to take Latin classes in school, but not anymore. I can’t even think of Latin being offered as a class option, not even in college."Carpe diem" is one Latin phrase that seems to role off many tongues without hesitation. I am sure few know its origin, but almost all know its meaning: Seize the day!This fine little phrase was given to us by a Roman poet named Horace a long time ago.Lately I have changed the phrase to meet the needs of those around me. I have several people in my life who are either just beginning or are planning for great adventures. I encourage them to "carpe adventum" — seize the adventure.Life-changing adventures often follow less than appealing and uninvited life changes. These changes, whether a job loss, a death or an accident, can start out to be horrifying. The adventure that is to follow rarely presents itself in a pretty package or with a big neon arrow. Generally, it takes a search — a deep soul-scarring and gut-wrenching search.But usually an adventure can be found. It may not seem like an easy or probable solution to the situation, but there it is just begging to be tried.I can think of three lives around me facing such adventures and my dream for them is that they can seize it for all it is worth.The first of the three have been entrenched in their adventure for just over a month. My parents, who are in their late 50s, recently decided to use their retirement "nest egg" to become business owners. They purchased Pike Haven — a bait shop, restaurant and campground on Lake Oahe.They have never worked in the food or hospitality industry but somehow one of life’s unfortunate surprises pointed them in that direction. Now here we are as a family, cheering them on — watching them struggle to learn new things, hoping the adventure is worth the effort and that they never look back with regret.Their new life keeps them far too busy to evaluate how they feel. They are too busy seizing. Nearly every hour of the day they are improving the business or trying to find ways to make the lives of their customers better. The adventure is underway, and I don’t think they have ever felt younger.The small struggles they are facing and overcoming are taking years off them – I think they are beginning to feel like nothing can defeat them. That is the spirit one needs to hold on to when adventuring.The second couple I know is just waiting for their adventure to begin. After 10 years of security, friends and family, a co-worker of mine and her husband are planning to head south for adventures unknown.They have a plan to earn money and a possible idea of what they will live in, but no idea where they are going or how long they will stay.After spending a winter apart — again due to unforeseen circumstances, they have decided their lives are better together. For them, I hope the adventure keeps them together and happy. A lot can be said for financial security, but when you don’t have anyone to share it with, perhaps it is not that great after all.I know the couple will seize the adventure — their stories will be grand and their experiences will be rewarding.I am waiting for the final tale of adventure to unfold. A family who is very dear to my own is facing one of life’s worst tragedies following an accident experienced by their 18-year-old daughter. Just a few weeks after graduation, a promising future was nearly taken away from her.She was airlifted to Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls with head injuries, and suddenly her family and friends were facing a horrible situation. Doctors didn’t have much in the way of good news for the first week or so, but as I said, many adventures take a search.This young lady is still searching for a way out of her tragedy. As her brain begins to recover, she will be forced to evaluate her next adventure. It may not be what she pictured just a month ago as she graduated and spoke of scholarships, but I am sure life will be kind and will give her something extraordinary.Her adventure has not yet begun, nor is it even a thought in her head, but I remain hopeful that it will be there soon.When life knocks a person down, we have to accept it. After all, we have little choice. The sun keeps rising and setting and days go by. When we can finally accept a change in life, our eyes are able to open a bit wider and perhaps we can find the adventure hiding behind the change.Most importantly, when the adventure has been found, we need to live it and own the decision. We need to take in every aspect of it — the good, the bad, the triumphs and the failures. Carpe adventum.Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

10 years ago (1996)"Retiring Willmar educator Jack Anderson says he went into education because there were certain teachers and people at every level of his educational career "who really had an effect on me, and I picked up on that."Among those who made an impact: His high school football coach and ag teacher who provided caring and encouragement.Anderson is a 1956 graduate of Hills High School."25 years ago (1981)" ‘Pork on the Plaza’ will highlight downtown Minneapolis activities on Tuesday, July 7, when county cookout kings from various Minnesota counties compete in the 1981 Minnesota Pork Cookout contest at the NSP Plaza on the Mall. Tony Bosch of Hills will represent Rock County in the state contest." 50 years ago (1956)"Sid Hammer is leading the way by putting in a new sidewalk in front of the telephone office. Wouldn’t it be nice if the idea was contagious and everyone on ain street followed suit? Most of our sidewalks and all of the curbing are in pretty bad shape. If we all put it in at once, perhaps the job could be done much more economically."75 years ago (1931)"While operating the Linotype yesterday afternoon Roy called the writer’s attention to the thermometer hanging on the south wall close by the machine. It registered exactly 114, but the rebound of the sun on the curtain that had been pulled down over it probably helped raise the temperature. Both doors in the office were open and the draft going through resembled a good heating oven when mother baked bread. Yes, it’s hot!"100 years ago (1906)"The board of county commissioners met Monday at the courthouse in Luverne to finish up the work of the regular July meeting. At the first day’s session $14,000 was levied for county revenue; $1,500 for county poor; $9,200 for interest and bonds, and $2,000 for road and bridge fund."

Marv and June Albers, Cheryl Pavel and Cheyenne, returned home last Saturday after spending a week at the hunting and fishing lodge of Terry Albers near Glenwood. Cheyenne was the first one to snare a fish. Peter and Inge Zeilman returned to their home in Germany Friday after spending three weeks in the home of their daughter and husband, Karen and Jesse Gaugler and granddaughters, Leanna and Madison. Harriet Skattum spent a few days over the Fourth in the Dwayne Edwards home at Forestburg, S.D.Jill Kolsrud of Monroe, N.C., spent several days in the home of her parents, Dave and Char Kolsrud, Beaver Creek, and one day with her grandmother, Alice Kolsrud, Hills. Kris and Pat Anderson, Sioux Falls, S.D., entertained the family at their home on Lake Madison for the Fourth. Present were Margaret Erickson, Worthington, Anna and Mike Gilman and children, and Wendell and Kathryn Erickson. They spent from Saturday until Tuesday there. There was a Sandager gathering at the ranch at Burke, S.D., from Thursday until Sunday. There were water sports with raft rides on the tributary of the Missouri River and on Saturday night there was a rodeo. Folks came from throughout the United States with 80 individuals attending. Present from Hills were Fran Sandager, Sheldon and Ellie Sandager and Charlie and Mike Sandager. Some camped; some were at the bed and breakfasts and at motels. It was a fun time for all attending. Jesse and Riley Lentz, Lakefield, are spending several days in the home of Bob and Twila Kirsch. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson presented their color slide show of the European countries they visited at the Tuff Home on Friday. The Durst twins, Troy and Taylor, celebrated their third birthday last week with friends on July 3. On the Fourth the family motored to Mitchell, S.D., to spend until the Fourth in the home of Tim’s parents, Harry and Grace Durst and they helped the children’s grandfather, Harry, celebrate his birthday which was Friday.Vicki Nelson, Mankato, spent several days with her parents, Ray and Lois Nelson. While here they attended the musical "Forever Plaid," at the Sioux Falls Orpheum Theatre, the Sunday band concerts of Municipal Band, the Fourth of July parade, lunch and band concert at Sioux Falls Park for the Sioux Falls Sesquicentennial celebration and fireworks at Garretson, S.D. Vicki returned to Mankato Wednesday enjoying a picnic in Sibley Park with parents.