Is this thing on?We have a kitty cat at the daycare. Talisha, a former exchange student, dubbed her "Rejula." I was told it is Swahili or some such for "sandpaper tongue." I thought it a superior and fitting name for a cat.As everything gets adapted to the children’s whims at daycare, the cat is called, in its entirety, the name given to her by the little imps: Reji Rejula Sandpaper Tongue Kitty. It is called across the house, down the stairs and out the doors in full voice approximately 73 times per day.Reji (what I choose to call her) was a give-away kitten from a rummage sale in the fall of 2004. She was meant to be a barn cat, as we are always in need of a good mouser on the farm.We brought three kittens home that day with the idea that they would live in the barn and do what cats are supposed to do. The two bigger dark calicos immediately took to their new home and did well there. Unfortunately, Reji, a gray and black tiger, developed a cough, and Doug said we needed to take her in the house, for he feared for her life.Our indoor cat at the farm house, Shadow, a cat very loving to adults but quite crotchety to other animals, would have none of it.I took Reji to the daycare house to nurse her back in shape and the rest is history. Our free kitten regained her health, got a glorious name and soon became a $225 cat after the vet bills for shots, spaying and declawing.Rejula was a well-behaved, albeit playful kitten, and has matured into a great and loving cat. The children have never been allowed to pick her up or carry her in any fashion, as that is a task reserved for grown-ups. I believe animals become wary of humans by being dropped or squished by small hands and I wanted to avoid this with her.As a result, Reji adores the daycare children and their respective parents and must be at the door to greet them all every morning.I have been doing daycare for over 20 years and a search through stacks of old records reveals that 138 children have crossed my path in one way or another — some for as little as two days and some from birth through today. I was shocked at the number and shaken that I could not put faces with a couple of the names.In my years of tending the young, I have taken to weaving tales from the threads of my imagination for my brood. My husband and our own children will attest that there are a multitude of these innocent little stories.I have heard from my kids of the past that these tales have made great and lasting memories. I hope that one day they will be passed along to their own kids.These little tales and tricks have become ceremony in our daily daycare practice. They are numerous but I would like to share one with you today.I played a harmless trick on my little tykes involving Reji one day that has become an ongoing rite. I took a pocket tape recorder and recorded my voice singing a ditty. I can’t even remember what it was.I turned up the volume, hid the player under the cat and played it back loudly as I sang softly into the end of Reji’s tail. Their little mouths dropped open in amazement.I explained that every once in a while God grants that some very exceptional cats get a microphone in the end of their tails. Our Reji is just such a special cat. These unusual devices only work on very extraordinary occasions and we never know when they might occur, so we are to check, at least once a day, to see if it is working.We are to gently grasp the near end of Reji’s tail, blow into the end twice and say, "Is this thing on? Is this thing on?" If it works, they are to let me know right away as it must be a very out-of-the-ordinary day and we should celebrate. There have been several false alarms and that microphone has yet to work again.Now in order to perform such a test, the children are instructed that they must have reached at least the age of four, as our Reji needs a gentle touch and little kids don’t understand that. They must also never try this with a strange cat, as ordinary cats don’t always take kindly to this technical stuff.Reji has adopted this ritual as common practice and actually seems to enjoy it. I wonder what goes through her mind.I bet many people wonder what goes through mine as well.Regardless, we check this cat’s tail religiously to see if it will be an out-of-the-ordinary day.As all the children come and go, I want each one to learn and know there can be magic wherever you look, and closing the gate is like closing a book. Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Nancy at Nancy861@msn.com or called in at 962-3411.

By Lori EhdePeggy Adams is the new advertising sales representative for the Luverne Announcer and Rock County Star Herald.She and her husband, Scott Adams, moved to Luverne last year in June from Litchfield where she worked in the reception area for Affiliated Community Medical Center.Prior to that, she worked six years at the St. Cloud Hospital as a cardiovascular technologist, which is what she has a degree in.Most recently she’s been working part-time for Preferred Rate Mortgage in Luverne, where she’s also been helping Scott in the real estate business.The Adamses returned to Luverne to buy her father’s business, Cragoe Realty, after Gene Cragoe announced his plans to retire.They also bought her parents' home just north of Luverne. They have three children, Jordan, 15, Travis, 12, and Paige, 10.It was the home she grew up in on a farm near Hardwick. The Cragoes moved the house to its current location on Highway 75 and County Road 8 several years ago.Adams went to grade school in Hardwick and graduated from Luverne High School in 1981.She said it’s good to be "home" again. "There are a lot of my high school classmates who are still around here," she said, adding that her job as a sales representative will help her reconnect with people."I’ll enjoy being part of the business community and renewing those old relationships," she said.Her first day at Tollefson Publishing was Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSSealed proposals will be received by the City Council of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota, at the Luverne City Hall, 203 E. Main, P.O. Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659 on Friday, the 12th of May, 2006, at 11:00 A.M. for the 2006 Seal Coat Improvements, Luverne, Minnesota, at which time the proposals shall be publicly opened and read aloud. The approximate quantities of work on which proposals will be received are as follows: 31,000 Gal. Bituminous material for seal coat 1,550 Tons Seal coat aggregateand other related items of construction.All bids shall be made on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer and shall be accompanied by bid security in the form of a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the City of Luverne, Minnesota, in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid, which security becomes the property of the City in the event the successful bidder fails to enter into contract and post satisfactory bond. Work shall be completed on or before September 9, 2006.The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities and irregularities. The City also reserves the right to increase, decrease or delete items of work to comply with budget limitations. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Project manual and drawings may be examined at the office of the Engineer or at the Luverne City Hall. Copies of said project manual and drawings may be secured from De Wild Grant Reckert and Associates Company, 1302 South Union Street, Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246, telephone 712-472-2531, FAX 712-472-2710, upon payment of ten dollars ($10.00), none of which is refundable. Published upon order of the City Council of Luverne, Minnesota. CITY OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTABy /s/ Andy SteensmaMayor (4-27)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALETHE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: May 1, 2000MORTGAGORS: William H. Bullis and Terry R. Bullis, husband and wife. MORTGAGEE: Option One Mortgage Corporation.DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded May 12, 2000, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 147827.ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTAGE: Assigned to: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. its successors and assigns, a nominee for "First Union National Bank, as Trustee of the Amortizing Residential Collateral Trust, 2000-BC3," without Recourse, Dated: June 22, 2001, Recorded: July 24, 2001, Document No. 150527.LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:The North Seventy-Six (N 76) feet of Lot Fourteen (14) in Auditor’s Plat No. 3, Subdivision of Outlot Seventeen (17) in County Auditor’s Plat of Luverne Outlots in Section Ten (10), Township One Hundred Two (102) North of Range Forty-Five (45) West of the 5th P.M.COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $43,190.00AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $43,226.35That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: June 15, 2006, at 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Office, West Entrance, Law Enforcement Center, 213 East Luverne Street, Luverne, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: None"THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED."Dated: April 19, 2006.Mortgage Electronic RegistrationSystems, Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee of MortgageeUSSET & WEINGARDEN P.L.L.P.BY: /S/ PAUL A. WEINGARDENPAUL A. WEINGARDENAttorneys for Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee4500 Park Glen Road #120Minneapolis, MN 55416(952) 925-688840-15940002868594THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.(4-27, 5-4, 5-11, 5-18, 5-25, 6-1)

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORSBITUMINOUS SEAL COAT – S.A.P. 67-030-09BIDS CLOSE MAY 12, 2006LUVERNE, MINNESOTASealed proposals will be received by the Rock County Highway Department at Luverne, Minnesota until 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 12, 2006.READ CAREFULLY THE PROVISIONS FOR THE WAGE RATES AS CONTAINED IN THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS, AS THEY WILL AFFECT THIS PROJECT. Proposals will be opened and read publicly in the presence of the Rock County Highway Engineer at the Rock County Highway Building located at 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne, Minnesota immediately following the hour set for receiving bids for the following Rock County Highway work. Bids will be awarded on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at the regular Board of Commissioners Meeting.BITUMINOUS SEAL COAT (S.A.P. 67-030-09) The major quantities of work are: 120,258 Gallons of Bituminous Material for Seal Coat and 4,950 Tons of Seal Coat Aggregate, FA-2(Mod).Plans, specifications, and proposals may be examined and obtained at the office of the Rock County Highway Engineer, 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue, P.O. Box 808, Luverne, MN 56156-0808.The non-refundable cost for Plans and one proposal will be $25.00.Bids must be accompanied by a certified check or corporate surety bond drawn in favor of the Rock County Treasurer in the amount of at least five percent (5%) of the proposal.Sealed bids shall be clearly marked "PROJECT NO. SAP 67-030-09."The Board of Rock County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any defects therein.Rock County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.Mark R. Sehr, P.E.Rock County Highway Engineer(4-20, 4-27, 5-4)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALEDate: March 20, 2006YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT:1. Default has occurred in the conditions of the Mortgage dated January 11, 2000, executed by Ardythe Gass, a single woman, as Mortgagor, to Minnwest Bank, as Mortgagee, and filed for record January 24, 2000, as Document #147218 in the Office of the County Recorder of Rock County, Minnesota. The land described in the Mortgage is not registered land;2. The Mortgage has been assigned as follows: Not Assigned;3. The original principal amount secured by the Mortgage was: $39,000.00;4. No action or proceeding at law is now pending to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part thereof;5. The holder of the Mortgage has complied with all conditions precedent to acceleration of the debt secured by the Mortgage and foreclosure of the Mortgage, and all notice and other requirements of applicable statutes;6. At the date of this notice the amount due on the mortgage, and taxes, if any, paid by the holder of the Mortgage is: $33,767.87.7. Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, the Mortgage will be foreclosed, and the land described as follows:Lot Four (4) in the First Subdivision of Block Six (6), in Greenvale Addition to the City of Luverne, Minnesota,will be sold by the County Sheriff of Rock County, Minnesota, at public auction on May 11, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., at the West front steps of the Rock County Law Enforcement Center, located 213 East Luverne, Minnesota;8. The time allowed by law for redemption by Mortgagor(s) or Mortgagor’s personal representatives is six months after the date of sale; 9. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED;10. IMPORTANT NOTICE. THIS DOCUMENT IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Attorney for Mortgagee:/Glen A. Petersen/Attorney-in-Fact for Minnwest BankAttorneys for MortgageePetersen & Engels, PLLC225 North Tyler StreetP.O. Box 671Tyler, MN 56178Phone: (507) 247-5515(3-23, 3-30, 4-6, 4-13, 4-20, 4-27)

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton girls’ track team secured a meet championship during an event in Iowa Tuesday.With West Lyon’s track under repair, the meet was staged in Hull, Iowa.The strange venue didn’t seem to bother the girls’ 1,600-meter relay team, which recorded the winning time of 4:23.35 during the meet.Ashley and Jocelyn Bucher, Mya Mann and Amanda Tilstra formed the winning team.Mann, Tilstra, Rosie Lewis and Amanda Connors placed second in the distance-medley relay with a 4:34.6 effort.The Patriot boys placed second in five events during the meet.Kerry Fink led the way by placing second in the 200- and 400-meter dashes with respective 23.78 and 53.19 times.John Sandbulte cleared the 400-meter hurdles in 51.56 to place second, and Dustin Verhey finished second in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 11:12.3.H-BC-E-E’s 400-meter weightmen’s relay team consisting of Kale Leuthold, Nathan Tinklenberg, Travis Christians and Shane Kooiman placed second in 54.42.Here is a look at the rest of H-BC-E-E’s top-six finishers during Tuesday’s meet.H-BC-E-E girlsThird place: Mann, 200, 27.9; 400 relay (Connors, Tilstra, Rayna Sandoval and Lewis), 57.55.Fourth place: Lewis, discus, 85-11; Cassie Duncan, high jump, 4-6; Mann, long jump, 14-3; 3,200 relay (Sandoval, Heather Esselink, Ashley and Jocelyn Bucher), 11:13.8.Fifth place: 800 relay (Kari Roozenboom, Esselink, Ashley and Jocelyn Bucher), 2:01.4; sprint-medley relay (Roozenboom, Esselink, Connors and Sandoval), 2:08.9.Sixth place: Connors, long jump, 13-7.H-BC-E-E boysThird place: Kevin Vander Schaff, 200, 23.81.Fourth place: 3,200 relay (Brent Kramer, Terrence Reid, Joel Van Batavia and Sandbulte), 9:30.2; 800 relay (Adam Finke, Cody Rozeboom, Cody Schilling and Vander Schaff), 1:39; 1,600 relay (Rozeboom, Tyler Paulsen, Sandbulte, Fink), 3:45.6.Fifth place: Cody Penning, 3,200, 12.06.5; Paulsen, 1,600, 4:58.6; distance-medley relay (Rozeboom, Schilling, Jon Klaassen and Finke), 4:01.9; 400 relay (Roger DeBoer, Pawel Matejski, Klaassen and Vander Schaff), 48.4; Kramer, 800, 2:17.3; Matejski, 400 hurdles, 1:04.1.Sixth place: Fink, long jump, 18-4.

By John RittenhouseKerri Fransman and the Luverne High School softball team received a heart-breaking loss in Luverne Saturday.Luverne led 5-2 through six innings of play before Edgerton rallied to plate six runs in the top of the seventh frame to gain a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.Fransman, a Hills-Beaver Creek High School junior, experienced a rough day at the plate during Saturday’s 8-6 loss.The LHS shortstop went hitless in four trips to the plate in the game.Luverne led 5-2 through six innings of play before Edgerton rallied to plate six runs in the top of the seventh frame to gain a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.The 3-5 Cardinals, who had a contest in Slayton canceled Monday due to a scheduling conflict, host Adrian Area and Jackson County Central for double-headers today and Tuesday respectively.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek was among 22 Minnesota school districts recognized as academic "outperformers" by Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Service.To be identified as an "outperformer," a district must consistently outperform demographically similar school districts. Standard & Poor’s, an independent research company, found that 332 school districts in Minnesota had sufficient data for analysis. Of the 349 districts, 22 or 6.6 percent outperformed similar school districts in reading and math proficiency for consecutive years.The company uses three fundamental criteria to identify outperforming schools. The first is that school districts must achieve higher levels of student proficiency than peers. Outperformers must have higher percentages of students who score at or above state standards on reading and math tests than other school districts.The elementary school scored 94.9 percent in both math and reading, while the high school scored 87.8 percent in reading and 79.5 percent in math.The second criterion is that districts must perform at a level that significantly exceeds statistical expectation. Meaning that schools must achieve proficiency levels that fall above the level for the expected performance.The final criterion is that schools must outperform consistently for at least two consecutive years.The company developed the analysis used to identify outperforming districts as a way to highlight outstanding academic performance and to help educators in school districts with similar demographics identify appropriate benchmarks to guide their own improvements.