Like clockwork, as the flowers fill the yards, auction sale bills fill the pages of our local papers.Auctioneers must recognize the Midwesterner’s need to be outside after the long cold winter. Once the weather warms to nearly enjoyable temperatures, auctioneers begin to advertise the treasures they have to sell.The first day David and I moved into our home in Hills, the sound of a microphone could be heard in the distance. My mother, a lifelong auction junkie, recognized the sound and demanded we break from the hauling of boxes to follow the audio clues to potential treasures.We all obliged — after all, it was a hot September afternoon, and usually where there is an auction, there is a lunch cart of some sort. My father, my brother and I quickly browsed the boxes lining a side street in town, filled a delicious hamburger with garden-fresh fixin’s and returned to emptying the moving truck.Conversely, my husband and mother stayed behind. In David’s defense, he was witnessing his first auction sale and seemed a bit mesmerized by the process. My mother needed to be there to coach him as to the "rules" of the sale.The rules aren’t that tricky, but they are important. Rule No. 1: What you see is what you buy, without any guarantees. Lamps may not work, a table may never sit level, a box of dinnerware might be full of cracks — or, on the other side, a jewelry box might hold an antique diamond ring, a painting might be worth hundreds of dollars. My mother and I have sorted through more boxes of junk in search of potential treasures than I care to remember.Rule No. 2: Never show your true interests. No matter how perfect an item might be, you can’t let the other auction-goers know that you want it. You must play it cool.Rule No. 3: Help the auctioneers. If they are having trouble getting a bid, throw up your hand and bid a buck. Later, when there is something you want, they will remember the favor.Hours passed before my mother and David returned from the auction. When they did, they had a suburban full of stuff and apparently had several additional loads to haul back from the auction.I could see the excitement in David’s eyes. He liked auctions. We took another break while he told me all about the bidding and the prizes he had won.Yes, that is one of the joys of auctions. With traditional shopping, you go to the store that sells the item you need, you pay the posted price and then it is yours. You take it home with you with no questions asked. At an auction, you find things you need. It is rare that they have the exact item you seek, but as you roam the aisles of stuff, you find what you need. Then you must be patient enough for that area to be on the auction block – sometimes you have to wait for hours, the whole time keeping an eye on the prize.When the bidding starts, the game begins. Only one person will have the winning bid, only one will win. That thrill is so much better than shopping!Another charming aspect at an auction is the auctioneers themselves. Having spent my share of hours being held prisoner in karaoke bars, I understand the necessity for people with microphones to actually be entertaining. And usually auctioneers come through, especially in Hills.The Keith Elbers-Clark Ahders team is hilarious. Sometimes, while I listen to them trying to get bidders interested in yet another exercise bike, or a box of old books, I think the world should give them a radio show.A few weeks ago when bidding was slow on an old toolbox, Ahders said, "There is enough in there to overhaul an ant farm."Quick quips like that are not only frequent, but get better with time.This Saturday the men of Elbers Auction Service will haul out a street full of treasures at the same time the Beaver Creek auctioneer will take to his microphone. The weathermen are calling for a clear sky and perfect temperatures, so take a short walk to see what all the fuss is about. Although you won’t get guarantees while you are there, I can guarantee you will get a good meal and a few hearty laughs.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

Services for Alice Baker Behr will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 28, at American Reformed Church with the Rev. Dave Sikkema officiating. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Hartquist Funeral Home Engebretson Chapel in Luverne, with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Alice Baker Behr, 96, Hills, formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at Tuff Memorial Nursing Home in Hills.Alice Klein was born to Peter and Gertie (Harmsen) Klein on Feb. 27, 1910, in Rock Valley, Iowa. Early in Alice’s childhood her mother died from the war flu. Her father worked as a building contractor in Sioux Center, Iowa, where Alice began working as a hired hand at age 12. She married Lewis Baker on Feb. 11, 1932, in Valley Springs, S.D. They farmed in the area until 1964 when they moved to Luverne. Mr. Baker died on April 17, 1974.She married Peter Behr on Dec. 6, 1977. After his death on Feb. 27, 1980, after a battle with cancer, Mrs. Behr remained living in Steen before returning to Luverne in 1989. In July 2002 she became a resident of the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.Mrs. Behr was a charter member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. She was the congregation’s oldest member. She was a homemaker and tended many plants and flowers. She enjoyed crafts, making afghans and scrapbooking.She is survived by one son, Gerrit (Evelyn) Baker, Alexandria, two daughters, Gertie Ann Van Batavia, Alexandria, and Carol (Fred) Cook, Luverne; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Arthur Klein, Sioux Center.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Lewis Baker and Peter Behr; her daughter Jeanne and her husband Kenny Broesder; a son-in-law, Ben Van Batavia; one brother, Cornelius Baker, her sister Anna Soodsma; and a granddaughter, Melanie Cook.A tree will be planted in her memory by Hospice of Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital.Hartquist Funeral Home Engebretson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Hills-Beaver Creek School BoardMinutes4-10-06The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library in Hills. Board members present were Leuthold, DeBoer, Harnack, Boeve, Esselink, Fransman and Baker. Superintendent Deragisch and Principal Holthaus were also in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Esselink. Visitors to the meeting were recognized by the chairman. The only visitor was Lexi Moore of The Crescent. Motion by Harnack, second by Leuthold, and carried to approve the agenda with the addition of 6.4 Resignation of cheerleading coach, resignation of bus driver, and resignation of teacher. Patriot Pride: Theater students for the dinner theater performance Aaron Esselink for 3rd team All Area Worthington Globe Choir students for Superior rating in large group contest Volunteers at the elementary school Standard and Poor’s top 22 schools in AcademicsElementary report was given by Mr. Holthaus.High School report was presented by Superintendent Deragisch.The minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent out.Motion by Boeve, second by Fransman, and carried to approve the bills. Motion by Baker, second by Boeve, and carried to approve MSHSL membership for the 2006-2007 school year. Motion by Leuthold, second by Fransman, and carried to accept with regrets the resignation of Starla Scholten as cheerleading coach.Motion by Fransman, second by Harnack, and carried to accept the resignation of Michael Blank as bus driver. Motion by Boeve, second by Baker, and carried to accept the resignation of Rachelle McGill as high school teacher. All resignations were accepted with regrets and thanks to each employee for their years of service.Legislative update was given by Chairman Esselink.Updates were given by Mr. Holthaus and Superintendent Deragisch about the MCA II testing schedule. Superintendent Deragisch reported on high school college credit classes to be offered in the 2006-2007 school year. Mr. Deragisch gave an update on the district’s health insurance. Dates to Remember: April 21 Prom April 24 School Board meeting 7:30 p.m.Agenda items for next meeting: policiesMeeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Lloyd DeBoer, Clerk(4-27)

10 years ago (1996)"Matt Ebert successfully defended his state speech title. Going into the state speech tournament, H-BC junior Matt Ebert didn’t want to think too much about last year’s meet. He wanted his focus to be on the matter at hand — winning the "Great Speeches" category at the 1996 Minnesota State Speech competition.Ebert easily made it through the two preliminary rounds with the best score of all contestants and added a successful final round performance to capture another state title."25 years ago (1981)"For the second time in a 4-day time span the H-BC 4x800 meter relay team shattered their school record. Their time of 10:29.4 broke the record they set on Saturday by 38 seconds! The relay team was made up of Joan Olson (2:37.4), Sheri Hawes (2:45), Danette Hadler (2:32.9) and Brenda Goehle (2:32.0)."50 years ago (1956)"Not to be outdone, Hills service stations are taking part in the gas war which has been raging in the area for some time. Presently, you can fill your tank for 26.9 cents per gallon, the cheapest we’ve seen gas for many years. Ethyl gas is now 29.9 cents per gallon."75 years ago (1931)"The newly organized Luverne National Bank opened for business in the former First and Farmers National Bank building last Monday with the old Hills boy, A.A. Anderson, as cashier and managing officer. All your Hills friends are wishing you all kinds of success, Andy." 100 years ago (1906)"The farmers between here and Lester have secured sufficient contributions from the business men of Hills to aid them to build the telephone line from E.C. Dahl’s place to Hills, which adds another farmers’ line to the list."

Easter news continued … Traveling to Granite Falls Easter Sunday to spend the day in the home of Carol Beck were Mae Top, Judy Top, Mike, Melissa and Chantz Top and Erin Funk of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Jared, Krisl and Tess Van Maanen, Hills. Carol is Judy’s sister.Spending over Easter with Howard Hoyme were Neal, Cathy and Katie Hoyme, Pierre, S.D., and Jessica Hoyme, Spirit Lake, Iowa. Guests of Mark and Karen Sandager were Tom Sandager, Mankato, Ian Sandager, Ames, Iowa, Marge and Homer Prunty, Brookings, S.D., and Fran Sandager.Gregg and Diana Spath of Wells visited relatives in this area on Easter. They were Gregg’s father, Mike Spath in Sioux Falls and Gregg’s mother, Audrey Spath, a resident in Tuff Memorial Home, Hills, and their children, Jennifer and Ardell Wettering and Jill and Shawn Swenson and their families, Luverne, and Mike and Robin Spath and Madison, Hills. Bruce Nelson, Brooklyn Center, and friend, Virginia Pappas, St. Paul, spent the weekend in the home of Bruce’s parents, Ray and Lois Nelson.The all-school reunion is set for June 9 and 10 to coincide with the Hills annual Friendship Days celebration. To those of you who are planning to attend, get your reservations for the banquet in. Hurry and get signed up. The deadline for signing up is May 19.Hills is offering a household hazardous collection at the Hills City Shop from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, or hazardous wastes may be taken to the Rock County Transfer Station — old landfill — on Wednesday, May 10.

Well, here we are starting the last full week of April already. Hard to believe how fast it has gone. Spring is in the air, flowers are in full bloom and the trees are just ready to explode with vibrant colors. This morning as I was lying in bed, I could hear the world buzzing with activities — robins chirping, dogs barking, the backfiring of a motorcycle going past our house.And how could I forget the fresh smells of spring pouring in through the open bedroom window. Smells of freshly cut grass, nearby farmers putting on liquid hog manure and the fresh smell of coffee brewing — oh, what wonders to wake up to in spring! I don’t know about you, but one of the first things I do in the morning is head straight to the coffeepot to get that little pick-me-up to start off my day. This past week I heard a story of a grandmother who was surprised by her seven-year-old grandson one morning. He had made her coffee. She drank what was the worst cup of coffee in her life. When she got to the bottom, there were three of those little green Army men in the cup. She said, "Honey, what are these men doing in my coffee?" Her grandson replied, "Grandma, it says on TV, ‘the best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup!’" How priceless!Experiencing priceless moments this past weekend was the Sandbulte family. Robert and Lorraine’s daughter Stephanie and husband Jason along with baby Troy traveled home to visit family and to attend a wedding on Saturday in Edgerton. Also visiting Steen on Sunday night was Dr. Heather Bajema, niece to Linda and Brad Bosch. Heather was a featured guest at the RCYF meeting. She spoke on teen depression and its effects. Heather works for Southwestern Mental Health Center out of Worthington and Windom. This past weekend area juniors and seniors experienced the 2006 prom. They had an evening filled with star-studded events and entertainment. Many are still recovering from the lack of sleep.In other entertainment news, Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen attended the Al Opland Singers concert in Pipestone on Saturday evening. Their concert "Steps in Time" included many old-time favorites and will be showing again this weekend at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center. In hospital news:Melba Boeve underwent knee surgery last Wednesday to fix a torn knee pad. Melba is recovering well and is getting around at home quite well.Anna Meae Berghorst had an unplanned surgery last Tuesday evening. She had a pacemaker put in after experiencing several fainting spells. She is doing much better now and is glad to be home.Sadie Kessler took an unfortunate fall last Tuesday night. The rescue squad responded to the 911 call, and after an examination at the Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital she was released and is as active and normal as any 10-month-old. In church news:This evening the Brotherhood will be meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the consistory room. The RCYF sponsors will attend a workshop in Sioux Falls on Friday evening. On Saturday, Pastor Dan and Karen will return from Cedar Falls where they spent a few short days visiting their granddaughter. On Sunday evening, the Junior RCYF will share their talents as they lead the evening service.In closing this week: life is not about how fast you run the race, it’s that you even run it at all. Have a great week and God bless!If you have anything that you would like to have placed in the Steen News, contact Brian Dengler @ 855-2232 or by e-mail @ knowgrowshow@hotmail.com

Richard Gere, Kenny Rogers, that singer they used to call the Silver Fox — what was his name? Oh, yeah, Charlie Rich. And you’ve all seen that handsome husband of mine …I love the look of graying hair on men. It gives them the distinguished look of worldly wisdom. God graces the lucky with a brush stroke of gray at the temples that blends upward and backward with what can only be described as downright artistic. Few women are graced with this effect. My own tresses have started turning into this salt and pepper mixture of gray and dirty brown. I’m not even sure when this all happened. I just looked one day and there it was. I stood there gazing in the mirror at someone who surely could not be me. When did I start to look older? I sure do not feel older on the inside.Why is it that the gray hairs are always a different texture and seem so much shinier than my real hair? They are shorter, too. Did the good stuff abandon ship and leave the wimpy aged-looking to take its place? When there were just a few grays poking out, I used to fib that they were cosmetic highlights that went bad. If something is going to go bad, like my hair, why couldn’t it have gone to the ‘dark side’?I went to beauty school in the early ’80s, where I learned that the color of hair has a life span just like anything else. When the follicle stops producing the melanin needed for color, you get hair with no color, which just happens to be gray.When I was a young adult, I experimented with hair coloring just for fun. My locks have been practically every shade under the sun, but tinting your hair by selecting a chemical process is a whole lot different from nature deciding. Though I’m sure it did not happen overnight, it feels like someone has just played a very cruel joke on me, and I, the self-crowned queen of levity, am having trouble finding the humor in the entire situation. There is an old wives’ tale that states that if you pluck out one gray hair, two will grow back in its place. I did not think this was true, and maybe that is why I am now having the trouble that I am having.I have heard parents blame their children for the appearance of gray hairs on their heads. I have jested, "I can feel my hair turning gray" in the direction of our children on more than one occasion, and perhaps I will place the final blame on them. One way or another, it is definitely someone’s fault.I’ve a feeling my own mother grayed early, but I don’t remember exactly when. By my calculations, I am positive that my older brother and younger sister were responsible for 92.76 percent of any graying in our family. Ah … numbers! Who could argue with such a precise computation?Mom now has this striking crop of white hair that looks great on her. She wears it in a pixie cut and it looks fittingly perky, as that is the type of woman she is. Amazingly, Dad has a good percentage of his hair still brown. I figure fathers must not be affected like mothers in a lot of ways.In the Bible, Proverbs 16:31 states, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."I don’t think that the queen of levity is ready for such a crown. And should one really wear two crowns at once? Surely the fashion authorities would be breathing down my neck over such a faux pas. So I have started coloring my hair. After all, my driver’s license states that my hair is brown and I would hate to be a breaker of the law and misrepresented on such a legal document. I have learned that law enforcement officers do not find some things humorous and this just might be one of them. I’m not going to push my luck.My hair is now my "natural" color. Or is it the color that it used to be my natural color? In either case, it matches what my driver’s license says. Let’s just hope the police don’t start carrying around bathroom scales in their squad cars or I could really be in a lot of hot water.Call me "Miss Clairol number 308" and with that I close the gate.Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Nancy861@msn.com or called in at 962-3411.

MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATECERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAMEMinnesota Statutes Chapter 333The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable consumers to be able to identify the true owner of a business.1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Stubbe Construction2. State the address of the principal place of business. 411 S Steen St Steen MN 561733. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name or if the business is a corporation, provide the legal corporate name and registered office address of the corporation. Lucas Stubbe 411 S Steen St Steen MN 561734. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. /s/ Lucas Stubbe 3/22/06 Lucas Stubbe – owner Date Lucas Stubbe 712-470-2495Contact Person Daytime Phone Number(4-20, 4-27)