By Lexi MooreHigh school reunions tend to bring back a flood of memories along with familiar faces and a hint of anxiety.For 97-year-old Olga Rogness, this year’s All-School Reunion in Hills has brought her more attention than she is accustomed to.As a 1926 graduate of Hills High School, she plans on attending her 80th class reunion this weekend. Unfortunately, time has not been as kind to her classmates as it has been to her. Olga remains bright and alert in her home at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. She is the only surviving student from her class.Without seeing the faces of those classmates, it is hard for Olga to find too many memories from her years at Hills High School, but she does remember the value of the education she received."It was the depression, you know," she said."What you did was valuable; you would do anything to get an education. It was very important in those days."And Olga did go to great lengths to attend school every day. Her father, Theodore Hanson, was employed by the railroad in Steen. This stroke of luck got her a pass on the area trains. In the morning she would head to the railroad tracks and hop a train to Hills.The kind of train didn’t matter. Sometimes it was a freight train; other times a passenger car, as long as it was headed to Hills.Once the train stopped in Hills, she had to walk to the school. The walk seemed especially long in the winter.At school she remembers studying Latin, science, history, phonetics and occasionally art. Although there were some athletics, sports were not nearly as important as studies.Olga also remembers the teachers."We loved them, they were our heroes," she said."We would honor them and hold them high in the community."Her graduation in 1926 was held with little fanfare. Few of the classmates she started school with finished."It was hard times," she said. "People had to work or help on the farm. I made sure school was important."Following graduation, Olga went to Normal School Training in Luverne. This was training for young women who wanted to be teachers. The training allowed them to student teach in various fields of study. When Olga finished training, she taught in one-room school houses in Rock County."I loved teaching and it was a way to earn money," she said.Olga’s only child, Robert, Golden Valley, helped arrange several recent outings for Olga to celebrate her reunion. She not only attended the H-BC graduation last weekend, but she was honored by Superintendent David Deragisch during the ceremony.She said she hopes to get a good meal during the reunion dinner at the Beaver Creek Golf Course and see the parade.Although Olga suspects time has changed the school she attended, she hopes it is still highly regarded in the area."Hills High School was one the best in the area," she said. "At least we thought it was."

By John RittenhouseA member of the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton track program qualified for the state track meet during the Section 3A Track and Field Championships staged in Pipestone Thursday.Mya Mann, an Ellsworth High School junior, placed second in the 400-meter dash to earn an individual berth into the state field.The top two finishers in individual events advance to state during section competition.Mann, who placed seventh in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:30.09, moves on with her second-place time of 2:30.09 in the 400.The Patriot will run 400 preliminaries at the Minnesota State Class A Track and Field Championships at Hamlin University in Roseville Friday evening. If she places ninth or better in the preliminaries, Mann will advance to the 400 finals set for 5:06 p.m. on Saturday.Along with placing in the 400 and 800, Mann ran a leg with H-BC-E-E’s place-earning 1,600-meter relay team in Pipestone.Mann, Amanda Connors and Jocelyn and Ashley Bucher finished eighth in the event with a time of 4:19.61.The H-BC-E-E girls, who scored 12 points and placed 19th in team competition at the section meet, also received an eighth-place effort from Rosie Lewis in the shot put. Lewis tossed the shot 35-0.No H-BC-E-E boys advanced to the state meet during section competition, but the Patriots did receive some strong efforts in individual and relay competition.The top effort came from the 400-meter relay team consisting of Kevin Vander Schaff, Cody Rozeboom, Pavel Matejski and Kerry Fink. The foursome placed second with a time of 45.36.Vander Schaff and Fink turned in fifth-place performances in the 100- and 400-meter dashes with respective 11.63 and 52.12 times.The 800-meter relay team consisting of Matejski, Rozeboom, Adam Finke and John Sandbulte finished fifth with a time of 1:37.05.Casey Van Midden Dorp and Dustin Verhey also placed in individual competition.Van Midden Dorp covered 19-4 1/2 to finish seventh in the long jump. Verhey ran 3,200 meters in 10:48.78 to finish eighth.The H-BC-E-E boys scored 23 points to tie for 13th place in the team standings.

By Lexi MooreFew things I have written about in the Crescent have come up as often in my everyday life as my "issue" with snakes.Last spring in a shocking discovery I came across a snake while gardening. Before the shock wore off, I got on my computer and told the world (my column readers, anyway) about my fears and disgust with these seemingly innocent creatures.In my little column I pleaded with local residents to help me with my problem. I needed a cure and I needed it fast. I had suddenly become a prisoner inside my own house. My fear and subsequent paranoia were prohibiting me from enjoying my yard.In the weeks and months that followed the publication of my discovery, I have had many comments and suggestions about the situation. By and large, the majority are from others experiencing the same problem at their homes and wondering if I had come across a solution.I figured I would share what I had heard and tried.Last year, the only solution was to stay on the pavement if my husband was not home. If he was around, I could be in the yard. Being a chivalrous man, he would quickly be at my side when he heard my screams, shovel in hand, to "take care of the problem."Last winter he began preparing the house for this year’s serpent problem. All holes were sealed with some sort of crazy foam in a can, mothballs were placed strategically around buildings, and he assured me this year would be better.When the sun finally came out and we took to the flowerbeds, the lawnmower and the clothesline, I kept my eyes alert and always looking down. For the first few weeks I thought the problem had been solved. I hadn’t seen a snake, and my confidence was building.As is often the case in life, just when you start to let your guard down and feel secure, something happens.While home alone one afternoon, sitting on my front steps, enjoying the fresh air, being humored by the cats as they ate bugs and rolled in the dirt, I saw them. Yes, them.About three feet from where I was sitting, nuzzled up against the same concrete that held my backside, was a giant mama snake with what looked like dozens of super tiny and scary snakes on her back. It was as if she was giving her entire family a piggy-back ride through my front flower bed.I freaked out, ran into the house screaming, and then I remembered I had abandoned all of my cats out there with what could possibly become an army of snakes. The cats were clearly outnumbered and this was little Wendell’s (the kitten) second or third time outside.I quickly assessed the situation. Would it be best to rescue the cats or call for help? I opted to make some calls. First, to that chivalrous husband of mine, who was in the middle of teaching a class and offered zero help. In fact, his voice almost sounded as if he didn’t believe me. After all, he had already taken care of the problem.Next I called my mother. She offered plenty of sympathy but no solutions. She recommended I try to find out where the mother planned on going. Perhaps she would go back to the nest, which would make it easy for David to destroy the snakes.This sounded like a necessary chore. I took a big ol’ drink of lemonade, hoping the sugar would empower me. If I weren’t pregnant, I would have opted for something much stronger. I then put on some shoes and went back to my place on the steps. The snakes were still there, as were my cats. They weren’t paying any attention to the serpents or my anxiety.With just a few seconds of bravery I was able to discover a small hole in the concrete on my steps. A good portion of the mama snake’s back half was still in the hole. That was enough for me — I didn’t need to watch any longer. I was sure that was their home and I had plenty of snake imagery to last me years of nightmares.I showed off my discovery when David returned home from work, and I demanded action. We headed to the hardware store to get some magic foam.We also purchased cocoa bean chips. This mulch had been recommended by some of my readers and the Internet as a deterrent of snakes. Apparently, like marigolds and mothballs, the bean shells put off a smell snakes do not like.This past weekend, we finally had both the time and the energy to prepare the flowerbeds for the cocoa mulch. Unlike the snakes, we thought it smelled great – like a giant chocolate bar in our front yard. Plus the flowerbeds looked beautiful.So did it work?Within a day and half I found a snake at my front door. The dirt it liked to hang out in had been covered with cocoa beans, so it had decided to sunbathe on the concrete steps in front of my house. Unfortunately, screams and terror filled the final moments of its life. David quickly hunted it down.So perhaps the smell of the mulch worked, but I guess not well enough for them to move off my property. So far, that seems to be the case with every method we have tried. Fortunately, we don’t have as many this year. Plus, the advice of many not to be afraid is slowly sinking in — although I am sure the neighbors don’t believe that, since they are the ones who hear my screams.Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILMAY 9, 2006Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:07 P.M. with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Pete Hoff, Ross Metzger, and Linus Svoboda. Council absent: Keith Elbers. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer; and Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk. Guests: Tom Houselog-Rock County Land Records Director, Mark Hovland-Assistant County Assessor, Wendell Bengtson, Rod Verhey, Matt Taubert, CPA from Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co.; Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Svoboda to approve Mark Raymon’s building permit application for a patio and partial privacy fence. Motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Metzger to approve the April 11th minutes. Motion carried. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Metzger to approve the April expenditures: General $60,576.59; Park $739.87; Fire $37.65; Street $1,661.83; Legion $368.29; Sewer $1,016.99; Garbage $1,949.82; Recycling $2.00; Water $3,753.98; Law Enforcement $9,746.50. Motion carried. General Checking 59,037.57General Fund CD#18924, 3.55%, 6/9/05 (prev. #18614) 251,002.85General Fund CD#19056 (prev. #188764) 4.25%, 9/15/06 124,865.21Fire Truck Replacement CD#19200, 4.150%, 12/9/06 3,000.00Hills EDA Security Deposit Account .04Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 5,610.75EDA CD#18870, 3.25%, 5/7/06 78,108.74EDA CD#19293 (prev. CD#19164) 4.5%, 2/14/07 35,713.74EDA CD#19165, 4.25%, 11/15/06 138,000.00#2 FireTruck Replacement CD#19385, 4.5%, 3/24/07 5,000.00Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Hoff to renew CD#18870 at 4.75% interest. Motion carried. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Metzger to approve the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. Publish a notice to inform residents that sump pump hoses should not run into floor drains.The regular meeting was recessed, in order to open the Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting at 6:30 P.M. Tom Houselog, Rock County Land Records Director, and Mark Hovland, Assistant County Assessor, attended in order to review assessments with the City Council and any interested persons. Houselog noted that Svoboda and Wiertzema had attended the required training meeting, in order to hold this Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting. Residential property increased approximately 10.9%, and commercial decreased approximately 6%. Following property tax discussion with persons attending, no changes were made to any parcels, and the Board of Equalization meeting was adjourned at 7:02 P.M. The assessment contract with Rock County expires on December 31, 2006. Houselog will obtain contract renewal information to be discussed at a later date. The regular city council meeting reconvened at 7:02 P.M.The Council tabled decision for seal coating streets, awaiting final bids from Rock County. The Council agreed to continue with annual physicals for fire department volunteers.Discussed the problem with disconnection/reconnection fees versus monthly utility payments, for persons that go south for the winter months. The Council agreed to leave the policy as is, and that those utility patrons who are affected should be notified to explain the City’s policy. Notification on an annual basis may be helpful. Also, according to City ordinance, only the city maintenance department is allowed to disconnect and reconnect water service. Motion by Metzger, seconded by Hoff to grant a building permit to Derek Bundesen for a deck. Motion carried. Jellema proposed that a resolution be adopted to allow the use of motorized golf carts and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles on city streets. Details for the use of such vehicles will be drafted for approval by the City Council. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Metzger to proceed with the proposal. None opposed, motion carried. Matt Taubert, CPA from Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co., presented the Council with the City’s 2005 audit report. A few items regarding the Fire Department, 1) bids for a new fire truck, received by the Fire Department, must be on file at the City Office; 2) the transfer of any funds to the Fire Relief Association must be pre-approved by the City of Hills and Martin Township; 3) all fire call reimbursement funds must be forwarded to the City of Hills and Martin Township; and 4) the Fire Department must submit a final report to FEMA regarding the disbursement of funds. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Metzger to approve the audit report, with no changes. Motion carried. Mayor Jellema suggested that discussion continue regarding the procedure for negotiating employee salaries and benefits. The Clerk commented that in past years, employees were told to take the City’s insurance policy offered, or waive it. Now, two different insurance policies are offered to an employee’s family, wherein one policy the monthly premiums are paid through a separate salary to the employee. The Clerk suggested that since the City is paying for different policies, all employees eligible for insurance should be compensated through a payment in lieu of insurance. No further discussion. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Metzger to adjourn at 8:43 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(6-8)

10 years ago (1996)"Sixth graders Brittney Olson and Jana Hup both received the USD President’s Education Award for outstanding academic achievement."25 years ago (1981)"Steve Fagerness, Inwood, Iowa, has been named the new manager of Hills Coop Farm Service and will begin in that capacity on July 1st.Steve has worked for the past five years and has served as the counter man at Farmer’s Elevator Company of Rock Valley, Iowa."50 years ago (1956)"Miss Jean Scholten of Steen, daughter of Mrs. Douwina Scholten, will attend Girls State during the week of June 14th through the 21st. Miss Scholten is an outstanding Junior of Hills high school. … Miss Mary Jane Swanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Art Swanson was chosen alternate."75 years ago (1931)"Miss Thora Rodsater left last night for Worthington, where together with her friend Miss Ruth Goranson, they boarded the train for Los Angeles. Miss Thora will attend summer school there and visit her aunt Mrs. Fossen."100 years ago (1906)"These are the days that you find the small boys coming home with their shirts and clothes buttoned up the wrong way and sitting in the sun bareheaded to dry their head, and then brazenly stand ready to deny their anxious mother’s charge of having been in swimming."

Bob Thompson, 78, Apache Junction, Ariz., formerly of Hills, died as a result of a motorcycle/car accident on Friday, May 19, 2006, in Mesa, Ariz. A memorial service was Saturday, May 27, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bob Thompson was born to Alvin and Margie Thompson on April 5, 1928, in Hills. He entered the U.S. Army Feb. 22, 1951, and served two years stationed in Korea and Japan. He received an honorable discharge Feb. 3, 1953. Mr. Thompson was a member of the American Legion, Moose Lodge, Eagles and VFW. Survivors include six children, Carol, Rob, Sherry, Rochelle and Bob Jr., all of Colorado Springs, and Debbie, Kingman, Ariz.; two brothers, Ray Thompson, Clearwater, and Rodney Thompson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; two sisters, Norma Clemetson, Howard, S.D., and Bonnie Flood, Hartford, S.D.; and special friend, Norma Brack.Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marianne Stoltenberg.

Ruth Elaine Hommen, 80, Luverne, died Monday, June 5, 2006, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.There was a memorial service Thursday, June 8, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The Rev. Terry Morse officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Ruth Roberts was born to Neil and Jessie (Martin) Roberts on July 19, 1925, in Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1943. She later received her teaching degree from Mankato Teachers College in Mankato. She taught elementary school in Hills. She married Ole Hommen on June 12, 1948, in Luverne. The couple lived in Luverne all of their married lives. She worked as the Rock County Matron and Dispatcher for more than 20 years. She became a resident of Tuff Memorial Home on March 19, 2003. Mrs. Hommen was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, playing the piano and spending time with her family especially during the holidays. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim (Terri) Hommen, Odenton, Md., and Jack and Pam Hommen, Fargo, N.D.; two grandchildren, Andy Hommen, St. Cloud and Alicia (Randy) McCullum, Minnetonka; and two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Madison McCullum, Minnetonka. Mrs. Hommen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ole, in 2000.Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements. To sign a virtual register book go to www.dingmannandsons.com.

Paul Nelson drove to the Cities on Friday morning where he met his son Chris. Together they made a trip east, their destination being West Point, N.Y. Chris will spend two months there as an intern in the JAG program. In New York City they toured Manhattan, Central Park and the zoo. They saw the Statute of Liberty, Wall Street and many other sites. Paul returned home Sunday night. The time there should be a great experience for son Chris.Dick and Audrey Heidenson spent a week at Steve’s Resort on Battle Lake while they visited their son, Steve and wife Deb, and also visited Dick’s 100-year-old aunt in Alexandria. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson went to Hospers, Iowa, last Wednesday night where the group that they traveled with to the European countries gathered to exchange photos and slides. Dinner guests Sunday in the home of Chuck and Rheta DeBoer were the Rev. Jay and Mrs. Wesseling of Sheldon, Iowa. Supper guests were Lance and Arleen VanBeek of Sanborn, Iowa.Barry Kirsch of Riverside, Iowa, spent Saturday afternoon in the home of Bob and Twila Kirsch.Fran Sandager, Daryl and Jane Schubert, Clare and Isaac, Mark and Karen Sandager and Alicia Sandager of New York attended the piano recital and graduation reception of Philip Sandager, son of Jim and Louisa Sandager, at West Des Moines, Iowa, over the Memorial Day weekend. Also present was John Sandager of Colorado Springs, Colo.Sally VanWyhe has moved from her home in the country on Hwy. 270 into her newly constructed home in Hills. Her son Stan and his wife, Deb, have moved into the home she vacated. The Stan VanWyhe residence has been demolished and the acreage has been sold. Bernice Sandbulte is in the process of moving from her home south of Hills into her newly constructed home in the south part of Hills. We welcome these individuals to Hills.

Greetings! I hope that you all had a great Memorial Day weekend and were able to spend much needed time with family and friends.I apologize for not having the Steen News last week. My wife and I were planning on being on vacation this past week but my wife who is 29 weeks along started preterm labor. We spent the good majority of Memorial week and this week in the Avera McKennan Hospital trying to get her contractions under control. So far so good and every day is a blessing.As we have now entered the month of June, I’m reminded that vacation time is here once more, with all its joys and thrills; the time to scale the mountain heights and roam the lovely hills. The time to go down to the beach and learn to fish and swim; but let’s not forget the Lord of all and what we owe to Him.Vacation time is the time to rest, to relax and be at ease, to forget our worries and our cares and do just what we please. It’s true our bodies need some rest, from worry, work and care. But let’s remember each day and go to Him in prayer.Our bodies need our constant care to keep them fit and trim; but God alone can help the soul so let us trust in Him. And as we seek for fun and ease our bodies to renew. Let us draw yet closer to the Lord who died for me and you.In Steen News:Many Steen residents enjoyed a beautiful weekend with above normal temperatures. Farmers are out in full force spraying and haying. Things look really great and the little shot of rain on Sunday morning really helped things along. Many are hoping for a little more rain this weekend as things are drying out quickly. Over Memorial Day weekend many attended services honoring our vets and the sacrifice that they have made. Bill and Bertha Bosch along with Mildred Keunen attended a Memorial Day catered meal at the Valley Springs VFW. Jo Aykens spent Memorial Day in Worthington with daughter Joyce, son Paul and daughter-in-law Carole Aykens,and granddaughter Susan Veldkamp. They had lunch together and enjoyed the gorgeous day. Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen left Tuesday for Indiana to attend Riley Paulsen’s graduation from Frankton High School. Riley is the son of Floyd and Marianne Paulsen; Riley graduated third highest in his class of 80. He plans to study graphic design at Ball State University in Indiana. On Tuesday Mildred Keunen traveled to Sheldon with good friend Dena Hibma from Edgerton. They met Dena’s sister Arlene Westerveld and had lunch at the Family Table and took a tour of the newly remodeled hospital.Also over the Memorial Day weekend many softball lovers had the opportunity to take in some exciting fast pitch games. On Friday evening Steen lost to the Luverne fast pitch team 10 to 3 but ended up taking first place at the Luverne Memorial Day Tournament. This Friday evening they will be playing once again in Steen against Lester, so come out and enjoy some great fast pitch softball.On Wednesday evening the first summer REC night took place. Many area kids turned out to play kick ball and enjoy a little summer fun. If you know of any area kids looking for something to do on Wednesday nights, drop them off at the Steen softball diamond at 7 p.m. for fun and adventure.This coming Tuesday Dana Beyenhof, son of Wayne Beyenhof of rural Steen, will be heading for basic training for the National Guard and will be gone most of the summer. We wish him the very best.In Church News:The Steen Reformed Church is getting ready for Vacation Bible School which starts next week. Start time is 9 a.m. and goes to 12:30 p.m. This year’s theme is Fiesta. Today Pastor Dan will be leaving for Pella where he will participate in the Reformed Church of America’s annual General Synod. He will return on June 13.Tuesday evening the consistory will meet at 8:15 p.m. Hope Circle will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Girls League will participate in the Relay for Life at the Luverne City Park on Friday.That’s all for this week. Have a great weekend, and if you get a chance, go out and enjoy Friendship Days in Hills.If you have anything that you would like to have placed in the Steen News, contact Brian Dengler at 855-2232 or by e-mail at knowgrowshow@hotmail.com.