Years ago I tried scrapbooking. I even took a class. I dropped plenty of coins on all the gear, got my photos together and followed my teacher’s instructions to the letter. I cropped my pictures to the bone, placed them well, decorated, themed and made a few pages. It was OK but somehow disturbing. My efforts were pleasing to the eye but the lack of backgrounds in the pictures bothered me.Soon I was just nipping off the corners with a fingernail clipper, attaching the entire photos on the special acid-free pages, adding a few splashes of color with stickers, dates and backdrop paper. My instructor checked my progress. She shook her head, making little tsk-tsk noises, and tried to explain the necessity of cropping photos in the scrapbook world. She encouraged me to trim the photos into shapes and outline the main characters to get rid of the unnecessary bits and pieces in the distance. I looked at her with a mixture of shock and horror as if she had said the price of gas would soon hit $3. Cutting off and discarding the background of my photos assimilated to removing pieces of my past! The class was not graded but I would have certainly gotten an ‘F’ for "Failure to Crop."Cropping is something I cannot do in my life with my photos or much of anything else for that matter. I want to see that tree in the background of that print to remember that we planted it; to recall what size it was in reference to my children at that point in time; to remember its demise in a violent cross wind; to feel the tingle in my spine when I remember how frightened I was with three little children in that storm.I cannot imagine a photo of my siblings and me at my grandparents’ home without the background of the long-departed candy dish full of stale pink-and-white peppermints on top of the white plastic doily kept on the shiny coffee table in front of the nylon-looped tan sofa that refused to show any signs of wear. That couch was square, solid and hideous. It left patterned impressions on the backs of bare legs and felt like sandpaper on a young cheek. I envision it now, 35 years later, in perfect blocky shape in a lake cabin somewhere. It sits in the background of a photo taken with a digital camera where it will be transferred to a computer and then deemed worthy of deleting, storing on disk, printing or, heaven forbid, cropping. Speaking of memories, I recall seeing a movie about a young couple. The man hired a very expensive artist to paint a portrait of his wife whom he loved dearly. The portrait was exquisite and matched her to a tee. There was a terrible accident. She was killed and he was blinded.His sister came to live with him and he did all right until a few years down the road. He started getting real moody and silent. He would lock himself in his study for hours on end. Curiosity finally got the better of the sister and one day she carefully put a ladder up to the study window.There was her brother standing on a chair running his fingers over the painting of his wife. The darkness had swallowed him and his mind could no longer remember the face of his beloved. He was trying to use the texture of the portrait to help him recall. I weep just thinking about it. I am troubled to recently learn a dear friend that I visit with regularly has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. It is the beginning of Alzheimer’s but no one wants to call it that. I have heard that the memory uses triggers. Scents are huge memory prompts but many different things can set off a recollection. What if the background clutter of my photos is the one things that will someday help me remember the names that go with the smiling faces? Or even what they were smiling about? It is a chance I choose not to take. I refuse to crop my photographs of background clutter from the days gone by. What good is closing the gate if I can’t remember who opened it or why?Story ideas and comments can be e-mailed to at Nancy861@msn.com or called in at 962-3411.

By Lori EhdeLuverne’s Chris Ashby, 16, was killed Wednesday afternoon in an accident south of Luverne on Highway 75.According to the Minnesota State Patrol accident report, the accident occurred at 3:10 p.m. at the intersection of 71st Street and Highway 75 three miles south of Luverne.Ashby’s 2006 Honda Civic was broadsided by a semi driven by 42-year-old Todd Wessels, of Ellsworth.The report stated that both vehicles were headed south when Ashby did a U-turn on the highway and was struck by the semi.Ashby was pronounced dead at the scene. Wessels' condition was unknown at the time the State Patrol report was released.Cars lined the road and driveway at the home of Ashby’s parents, Gene and Barb Ashby, just east of Luverne later that day, and a wooden cross was erected at the site of the fatality.The Luverne Elementary School gymnasium will be the location for visitation and funeral services.Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, and the funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. SaturdayDingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, is handling arrangements.Ashby was known in Luverne as good student, gifted athlete and loyal friend and family member.The Star Herald Web site will publish a complete obituary on Friday. Its Thursday, July 13, edition will also feature a story about Ashby and how those close to him will remember him.

By Lori EhdeLuverne’s Chris Ashby, 16, was killed Wednesday afternoon in an accident south of Luverne on Highway 75.According to the Minnesota State Patrol accident report, the accident occurred at 3:10 p.m. at the intersection of 71st Street and Highway 75 three miles south of Luverne.Ashby’s 2006 Honda Civic was broadsided by a semi driven by 42-year-old Todd Wessels, of Ellsworth.The report stated that both vehicles were headed south when Ashby did a U-turn on the highway and was struck by the semi.Ashby was pronounced dead at the scene. Wessels' condition was unknown at the time the State Patrol report was released.Cars lined the road and driveway at the home of Ashby’s parents, Gene and Barb Ashby, just east of Luverne later that day, and a wooden cross was erected at the site of the fatality.The Luverne Elementary School gymnasium will be the location for visitation and funeral services.Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, and the funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. SaturdayDingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, is handling arrangements.Ashby was known in Luverne as good student, gifted athlete and loyal friend and family member.The Star Herald Web site will publish a complete obituary on Friday. Its Thursday, July 13, edition will also feature a story about Ashby and how those close to him will remember him.

REQUEST FOR BIDSLUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLSNotice is hereby given that bids will be received until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2006, at the Office of the Superintendent, Luverne High School, Luverne, Minnesota, for the furnishing of the following products: A. Dairy ProductsDetailed specifications and information are available at the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. The School Board reserves the right to reject any and all quotes and bids and to waive any technicalities. Cary Radisewitz, Ed.D.Clerk(6-29, 7-6)

Public NoticeClose Proximity Property Owners and Local Officials of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionNotice is hereby given that The Rock County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 10, 2006, at the Rock County Family Services Building located at 2 Roundwind Road in Luverne, MN at 8:00 p.m. to act on the following conditional use permit application:Conditional Use: Operation of an existing feedlot over 1,000 animal units. In accordance with Minnesota Rule 7020.2000, subp. 4, notice is hereby given that Christensen Family Farms has made application to the Rock County Feedlot Officer and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit for an existing site with no new construction.MPCA rules and permit guidelines require new NPDES permit applications to reflect the physical capacity of the existing facilities and not the actual number of animals housed in the existing facilities.Property Owners: Christensen Family Farms, Inc. Legal description: SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 11, in Springwater Township, T103N, R46W, Rock County, Minnesota.Facility Name: Christensen Farms Site C-18The existing site consists of total confinement barns as follows:(1) 71’x410’x2’ building with 541 head of swine and 19 head capacity increase = 560 head of swine over 300 lbs.(1) 61’x377’x10’ deep pitted building with 1031 head of swine and 109 head capacity increase = 1140 head of swine over 300 lbs.(1) 61’x395’x10’ deep pitted building with 1078 head of swine and 222 head capacity increase = 1300 head of swine over 300 lbs. The existing facility houses 2650 swine over 300 lbs., including litters with the sow (1060 animal units). The physical capacity of the facility is 1200 animal units. The described property is zoned as A-2, General Agriculture. All persons interested may appear and be heard at said time and place or submit views in writing or by representative. Dated: June 29, 2006By Order of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionEric Hartman, Zoning Administrator311 W Gabrielson RoadLuverne, MN 56156507-283-8862(6-29, 7-6)

Public NoticeClose Proximity Property Owners and Local Officials of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionNotice is hereby given that The Rock County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 10, 2006, at the Rock County Family Services Building located at 2 Roundwind Road in Luverne, MN at 8:10 p.m. to act on the following conditional use permit application:Conditional Use: Operation of an existing feedlot over 1,000 animal units. In accordance with Minnesota Rule 7020.2000, subp. 4, notice is hereby given that Christensen Family Farms has made application to the Rock County Feedlot Officer and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit for an existing site with no new construction.MPCA rules and permit guidelines require new NPDES permit applications to reflect the physical capacity of the existing facilities and not the actual number of animals housed in the existing facilities.Property Owners: Christensen Family Farms, Inc. Legal description: NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 16, in Springwater Township, T103N, R46W, Rock County, Minnesota.Facility Name: Christensen Farms Site C-12The existing site consists of total confinement barns as follows:(1) 71’x410’ building with 541 head of swine and 19 head capacity increase = 560 head of swine over 300 lbs.(1) 78’x325’ building with 1031 head of swine and 109 head capacity increase = 1140 head of swine over 300 lbs.(1) 60’x335’ building with 1078 head of swine and 222 head capacity increase = 1300 head of swine over 300 lbs.The existing facility houses 2650 swine over 300 lbs. including litters with the sow (1060 animal units). The physical capacity of the facility is 1200 animal units. The site has (1) 100’ diameter x 8’ deep concrete manure storage and (1) 300’x800’x11’ liquid storage area. The described property is zoned as A-2, General Agriculture. All persons interested may appear and be heard at said time and place or submit views in writing or by representative. Dated: June 29, 2006By Order of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionEric Hartman, Zoning Administrator311 W Gabrielson RoadLuverne, MN 56156507-283-8862(6-29, 7-6)

Public NoticeClose Proximity Property Owners and Local Officials of the Rock County Planning and Zoning Commission.Notice is hereby given that the Rock County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 10th, 2006, at the Rock County Family Services Building located at 2 Roundwind Road in Luverne, MN at 7:45 P.M. to act on the following conditional use permit application:Close Proximity Property Owners and Local Officials of the Rock County Planning and Zoning Commission. Conditional use: For the expansion of an existing feedlot over 1,000 animal units. Property Owner: Bacon Maker FarmsLegal Description: SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 34 in Martin Township, T101N, R46N, Rock County, Minnesota.The existing feedlot consists of: three open lots, 190’x120’, 230’x150’, 190’x140’, that will have a totally contained vegetative treatment runoff system and house 950 head of finishing cattle. A 30’x240’ total confinement building with a poured concrete pit to house 800 head of finishing pigs, a 20’x40’ total confinement building and a 24’x44’ total confinement building with a 30’x16’ poured concrete pit to house 400 head of nursery pigs. Existing animal unit capacity is 1270. The proposed expansion consists of a 180’x300’ open lot with a totally contained vegetative treatment runoff system to house 300 head of finishing cattle. The total animal unit capacity of the site will be 1520. The described property is zoned as A-2, General Agriculture. All persons interested may appear and be heard at said time and place, or submit views in writing or by representative. Dated: June 29, 2006By Order of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionEric Hartman, Zoning Administrator311 W Gabrielson RoadLuverne, MN 56156507-283-8862(6-29, 7-6)

By John RittenhouseThe slumping Luverne Redbirds dropped their fifth consecutive amateur baseball game Sunday.Hosting Gopher League rival Wilmont, the Redbirds yielded six third-inning runs and couldn’t recover the rest of the way in what turned into a 15-4 loss."It was an ugly game," said Redbird coach Barry Shelton.After Wilmont scored six times in the top of the third, Luverne countered with a two-run rally in the bottom of the inning to make it a 6-2 game.Terry Eernisse and Adam Kurtz ignited the uprising by slapping singles. Eernisse scored the first run when Tim Boen bounced out. Dustin Groen singled home Kurtz.The way the game played out, the four-run deficit after the third inning would be as close as the Redbirds would come to catching the Cardinals.Wilmont scored three runs in the fourth inning to lead 9-2 before Luverne plated single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to trail 9-4.Three-run rallies in the eighth and ninth innings gave Wilmont an 11-run victory.Kurtz was hit by a pitch and scored Luverne’s sixth-inning run when Rob Fodness singled.Tony Sandbulte walked and scored on an error in the seventh for the hosts.Kurtz tossed the first two and two-thirds innings for Luverne and was saddled with the loss after yielding five earned runs.Jared Pick, Zach Wysong, Eernisse and Fodness all pitched in relief.The 7-9 Redbirds attempt to snap their losing skid when they play two games Sunday.Luverne hosts Spencer at 2 p.m. before traveling to Pipestone for a 7:30 p.m. game.Box score AB R H BISandbulte 4 1 1 0Studer 5 0 2 0Wysong 4 0 1 0Eernisse 4 1 2 0Shelton 1 0 0 0Kurtz 3 2 1 0Boen 4 0 0 1Groen 4 0 2 1Fodness 4 0 1 1Pick 4 0 0 0

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne American Legion baseball team went 1-4 at the Brookings Tournament over the weekend.The Cardinals split games on Friday, beating Cokato after losing the opener to Pipestone.Coon Rapids bested Luverne on Saturday, while Mayville, N.D., and Brookings saddled the Cards with losses on Sunday.Luverne, 2-9 overall, finishes the regular season with a road game in Adrian Friday.Brookings 5, Luverne 0The host team handed Luverne its second shutout of the event during Sunday’s tournament finale.The Cards were limited to a pair of hits in the contest.Phil Paquette doubled in the top of the fourth inning and Ben Nath singled in the sixth.Brookings scored singled runs in the second and third innings before icing the win with a five-run fifth inning.Andrew DeBoer tossed the first four and two-thirds innings, taking the loss for Luverne. Nath pitched the final inning and one-third.Box score AB R H BIClark 3 0 0 0Boomgaarden 2 0 0 0Paquette 3 0 1 0Reisch 3 0 0 0DeBoer 3 0 0 0Nath 3 0 1 0Goembel 3 0 0 0Bruynes 3 0 0 0Richters 1 0 0 0Hoff 1 0 0 0Mayville 5, Luverne 1Mayville scored the game’s first five runs and coasted to a four-run win over the Cardinals during Sunday’s first game.The North Dakota team put together two-run rallies in the first and fourth innings and plated a single run in the top of the third to gain a 5-0 lead.Luverne’s lone run came in the bottom of the fourth.Tyler Reisch singled, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by DeBoer and scored on an error.Paquette pitched the first three innings of the game and took the loss after surrendering three runs. Micah Boomgaarden threw four innings of two-run relief.Box score AB R H BIClark 3 0 1 0Boomgaarden 3 0 0 0Paquette 3 0 2 0Reisch 3 1 1 0DeBoer 3 0 0 0Nath 3 0 0 0Hoff 1 0 0 0Bruynes 2 0 0 0Goembel 3 0 0 0Richters 2 0 0 0CR 6, Luverne 0The Cardinals couldn’t produce a run during Saturday’s tournament game in Brookings.Coon Rapids limited Luverne to a pair of hits in the contest.CR, on the other hand, scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, one in the fourth and three in the fifth to win handily.Jake Clark and DeBoer singled in the first and second innings respectively to account for Luverne’s hits.Caleb Bruynes worked all six innings on the mound and took the loss.Box score AB R H BIBoomgaarden 3 0 0 0Clark 3 0 1 0Paquette 3 0 0 0Reisch 3 0 0 0DeBoer 3 0 1 0Hoff 2 0 0 0Goembel 2 0 0 0Richters 2 0 0 0Bruynes 2 0 0 0Luverne 4, Cokato 2The Cardinals picked up their second win of the season during Friday’s second game in Brookings.With Nath tossing a complete game to keep Luverne close, the Cards overcame a 2-0 deficit to win by two runs.Cokato gained a two-run lead by plating single runs in the top half of the first and fifth innings.Luverne tied the game at two in the bottom of the fifth before producing the game-winning runs in the sixth.Derek Elbers walked and Seth Goembel singled before scoring the fifth-inning runs when Zach Olson slapped a two-run single to left field.Clark walked and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth when Reisch singled. Elbers singled home Reisch to cap the scoring.Nath limited Cokato to five hits and two runs during his seven-inning effort on the mound. He walked four batters and fanned three.Box score AB R H BIBoomgaarden 3 0 0 0Clark 2 1 0 0Paquette 3 0 0 0Reisch 3 1 1 1Nath 3 0 2 0Elbers 2 1 1 1Goembel 3 1 1 0Bruynes 3 0 1 0Richters 2 0 0 0Pipestone 4, Luverne 1The Cardinals opened the tournament by dropping a three-run decision to rival Pipestone Friday.The score was knotted at one after four innings of play, but Pipestone scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to settle the issue.Pipestone scored the game’s first run in the first inning before Luverne tied the contest with a counter in the bottom of the second.Reisch singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nath and scored the tying run when Goembel singled.Clark went the distance on the hill. He surrendered seven hits and one walk during a three-strikeout performance.Box score AB R H BIBoomgaarden 4 0 1 0Clark 4 0 0 0Olson 3 0 0 0Reisch 3 1 1 0Nath 2 0 1 0Goembel 3 0 2 1Bruynes 1 0 0 0Paquette 1 0 0 0Richters 3 0 0 0Elbers 3 0 0 0