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)

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse April 04, 2006Chair Wildung called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present.Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the April 04, 2006 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the March 21, 2006, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Jarchow requested to pull item #3 from the consent agenda for later consideration; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve consent agenda items 1, 2, & 4, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Foster Care Relicensing – Nick and Shawna Sjaarda2. Adult Foster Care Relicensing – Habilitative Services Inc. (Walnut and Oakley sites) 3. (pulled for later consideration)4. Resolution No. 07-06, supporting the efforts of the SWRDC in economic developmentRaevette Loonan, Southwest Minnesota Crisis Center Director, informed the County Board that April was Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention month. She also stated that in the month of July 1 through January 1, 2006, she had worked with five primary and two secondary sexual assault victims and had conducted twenty-four presentations reaching six hundred eighty-three people. The County Board thanked her for the presentation and update. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to appoint Joyce Oldre to the Rock County Community Library Committee, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the per diems of $1,230.00 and additional claim payable to Herman Motors for $25,280.00. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve the per diems and claims as presented, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General Revenue $ 11,710.62 Family Services $ 82,544.47 Road & Bridge $ 13,393.68 Land Management $ 567.06 Rural Water $ 8,372.75 TOTAL $116,588.58Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the fund balance report presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer presented an office restructure update informing the board of a timeline of activities that will be occurring. The Auditor/Treasurer requested that the HAVA monies be placed in a separate checking account, specifically in the Exchange State Bank of Hills; motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, authorizing the request, declared carried on a voice vote. Mark Sehr, county engineer, requested to bid the 2006 Seal Coat project with a bid opening date of May 12th @ 10:00 A.M.; motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to authorize the bid letting for the 2006 Seal Coat project, declared carried on a voice vote. Kanaranzi Township presented a request for $2,000 in park funds; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to approve the request, declared carried on a voice vote.Mr. Sehr reported on snow removal expenses relating to Sunday, March 12th, presented as informational only. He presented the 5-Year Construction Plan; the plan will also be presented April 18th at the Annual Road & Bridge Hearing. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to adopt Resolution 06-06, support of the Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating all of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Revenue to transportation, declared carried on a voice vote.Judicial Ditch No. 3 information was presented; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to deny Mr. Fiegen’s request to change the scope of work as the board is not authorized to make such a change, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed of a group of citizens working on a petition for improvements regarding Judicial Ditch No. 2 and that they have scheduled a meeting on April 10th @ 7:00 P.M. at the Rock County Highway Department. Jeff Haubrich, Assistant County Attorney, introduced Mike Schneider, a new attorney at the law office of Klosterbuer & Haubrich. The County Board was informed of the Southwestern Mental Health annual meeting on April 12th. The County Board discussed the draft administrative order requiring a deputy to attend all court sessions. The County Board requested that the number of hours of court time and the percentage of cases that are contentious be calculated to determine the amount of staff hours needed and directed the Building Committee to request a meeting with the sheriff, judge, and county administrator to discuss the numbers. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to move to join the Smoke Free Coalition, declared carried on a voice vote. The Rock County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was discussed and the 5-Year CIP will again be adjusted upon the preliminary report from Paulsen Architects regarding the Heartland Express building plan. A Veterans Memorial was discussed with preliminary plans to locate the memorial around the canon on the south side of the courthouse. There was a request by a private individual to conduct these preliminary plans. The County Board requested authority to review plans and give final approval, and based on that, there was a motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to authorize the individual to do the artistic and architectural work for a Veterans Memorial, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Bakken informed the County Board that they will present the Water Plan for state review and approval on Thursday.Commissioner Jarchow provided a Public Health update.Commissioner Boyenga informed the County Board that the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) has met and that they have additional funding to allocate. Also reported that the DAC is operating under an Interim Director, Beth Bartels. Commissioner Hoime provided an Energy Taskforce update and there is a plan in place for the metro members of the Energy Taskforce to come down and tour southern Minnesota and look at alternative fuel sources.With no further business to come before the board, meeting was declared adjourned. Jane Wildung, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(4-20)

MARCH 23, 2006MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Thursday, March 23, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Vicki Baartman. Also present: Gary Fisher, Marlene Mann, Stacy Gillette, Donna Judson, Alissa Johnson, Marie Atkinson-Smeins, Greg Antoine, Matt Crosby – K101/KQAD Radio, and Lori Ehde – Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bill Stegemann. Announcements were given. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Marie Atkinson-Smeins, Elementary counselor, presented information regarding her program in the Elementary School. Administrative reports were given.Superintendent Fisher reported on the Strategic Planning process. He also reviewed the previous plan that was written ten years ago. He will begin organization of the core committee this spring with meetings to be held this summer. He would like to plan for implementation of the plan this fall. Motion by Deutsch, second by Radisewitz, to approve the school board minutes of February 23, 2006. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Walgrave, to approve payment of the school district bills in the amount of $1,126,647.05. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to receive the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of February 28, 2006. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Fisher and Business Manager Marlene Mann reviewed the following bids received on March 9 for the track resurfacing project: NAME: BASE BID ALT #1 ALT #2 ALT #3MIDWEST TENNISAND TRACK $172,626. $5,400. $5,250. $13,812.FISHER TRACKS $182,556. $6,189. $6,000. $11,607.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Kopp, to accept the base, alternate #1, and alternate #2 bids from Midwest Tennis and Track from Dennison, Iowa. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Herman, second by Deutsch, to approve Policy #404.15 – Minnesota State High School Coaches Association. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to table action on the 2006-2007 school calendar to the April 27 school board meeting. Mr. Fisher has been approached by a staff development committee representative about reinstating some of the early dismissals to allow additional staff development opportunities. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to approve the following contracts with the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative for the 2006-2007 school year: Contract or Service ECSU Membership $ 1,766.00 Regional Mgmt. Info. Serv. 19,806.00 Special Education Services 86,858.00 Cooperative Purchasing 150.00 Regional Spec. Needs Proj 6,588.00 Environ/Occup Health/Safety Prog 5,985.76 Health & Safety Mgmt. Asst. 1,793.96 Drug and Alcohol Mgmt. Fee based on program level Technology Services 1,875.00 Grand Total $ 124,822.72Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Kopp, second by Walgrave, to approve a five-year contract with Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative for access to a Trillion wide area network. The cost of the contract will be $1,748.99 per month after E-rate discounts. Motion unanimously carried.Business Manager Marlene Mann reviewed the revised expenditure budget for the 2005-2006 school year. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the new expenditure budget at a total of $12,368,923.00. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to set April 19 at 1:00 p.m. to receive bids for tuckpointing the Middle/High School building. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Walgrave, to set April 19 at 1:30 p.m. to receive bids for roof replacement. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Herman, second by Radisewitz, to set April 19 at 2:00 p.m. to receive bids for floor tile replacement. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to set April 19 at 2:30 p.m. to receive bids for classroom lighting in the Middle/High School. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to set April 19 at 2:30 p.m. to receive bids for acoustical tile and grids in the Middle/High School. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to accept the resignation of Lori Oechsle as Head Volleyball coach effective March 1, 2006. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Walgrave, second by Herman, to approve the Final Seniority and Probationary List for Certified Staff as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Kopp, to approve a maternity leave request from Amy Dulaney, Elementary Speech Pathologist, for twelve weeks beginning this summer through approximately September 30. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve a maternity leave request from Michelle Brunk, MS/HS Special Education teacher, for twelve weeks beginning this summer through approximately September 30. Motion unanimously carried.Committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.Dated: March 23, 2006Cary Radisewitz, Clerk(4-20)

***ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID***NOTICE TO BIDDERS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT BID PACKAGENotice is hereby given that sealed bids shall be received by the City of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota, at the office of the City Administrator, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, Minnesota, 56156, until 2:00 P.M. on the 16th day of May, 2006, and shall be publicly opened at said time by designated agents of the City of Luverne for single combined bid: New Building Expansion, Luverne Fire Department, 213 East Lincoln St., Luverne, Minnesota.All bids shall be made in accordance with the contract documents. Mailed bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to the City of Luverne, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, Minnesota, 56156.Full responsibility for timely delivery of mailed bids prior to the deadline for receiving bids rests with the bidder. No bids shall be considered unless sealed and accompanied by a bidder’s bond, naming the City of Luverne as obligee, certified check payable to the City of Luverne or cash deposit equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid. Bid security shall be returned or forfeited as set forth in the Contract Documents. The City of Luverne reserves the right to retain bid securities of the two (2) lowest bidders for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. A pre-bid meeting shall be held at the Luverne Fire Department Building, 213 East Lincoln St., on Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive questions of the bidders and view existing conditions of The Work.Interested parties desiring a complete set of construction documents shall obtain them for a refundable plan deposit of $150.00, payable to Marquis X Erickson, Architect, available from the office of the Architect, Marquis X Erickson, Architect, 101 S. Main Ave., Suite 601, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104 or from the City Clerk, City of Luverne, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, Minnesota, 56156-0659. Plan deposit shall be refunded upon return of construction documents in good, unmarked, condition within 10 days after bid opening.It shall be the bidder’s responsibility to make inquiry as to any addenda issued.The successful bidder shall be required to furnish a contract performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond in the penal amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price as originally bid or subsequently modified. The City of Luverne reserves the right to reject any and all bids, waive irregularities and informalities therein and further reserves the right to award the contract for the best interests of the City. The City of Luverne is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Published upon order of the City Council of Luverne, Minnesota./s/ John Call, City AdministratorCity of Luverne, Minnesota(4-20)

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)

By Lori EhdeTwo new deputies were sworn in Tuesday afternoon in the Rock County District Courthouse.Daryl Fuerstenberg, Beaver Creek, and Mike Westerbur, Luverne, are new part-time hires with the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.Fuerstenberg, a 1992 Hills-Beaver Creek graduate, earned his associate’s degree in law enforcement last summer from Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington."Law enforcement has always been interesting to me," Fuerstenberg said. "This just fits me. It’s who I am. I have a fond appreciation for the law."Fuerstenberg has 11 years of experience with Beaver Creek fire and rescue squad.He lives in Beaver Creek with his wife, Amy, and their three children. Westerbur graduated from Jasper High School in 1990 and Alex Technical College in 1992 with an associate’s degree in law enforcement.He worked as a deputy in Pipestone County for 3 1/2 years and in Murray County for 1 1/2 years before taking what he called a "day job" in Sioux Falls doing security work.Westerbur started dispatching in the Rock County Sheriff’s Office last summer, which led him to apply for the part-time deputy position."I thought it would be fun to get back into it," he said. "I thought I could offer my skills in the town I live in."He lives in Luverne with his wife, Beth, and two children.As part-time deputies, Fuerstenberg and Westerbur will fill in where needed within the department, and for now they will both keep their other full-time jobs.Fuerstenberg works for New Prairie Insulation, Beaver Creek, and Westerbur is a security supervisor for Avera McKennan, Sioux Falls.According to Sheriff Mike Winkels, the County Board approved the part-time hires earlier this year to alleviate overtime expenses.But now, Winkels said, a full-time deputy, Brian Bose, has left the department, so another full-time deputy is still needed.The department operates on 12 full-time deputies when it’s fully staffed.

By Sara QuamHeartland Express isn’t losing a great number of customers since its rate increases at the beginning of the year. The new rates are based on distance from the Heartland bus headquarters in Luverne. People further from the home base pay more.Rates hadn’t been increased for three years prior to this.oRides within the first zone — Luverne and a four-mile radius surrounding Luverne — are $2.oRides within the second zone — another five miles from Luverne — are $3 per ride.oRides within the third zone are $4.oRides within the fourth zone are $5.About 85 percent of the riders from Heartland Express are from the city of Luverne. About 65 percent of the total miles driven by Heartland Express are outside the city limits, however.Heartland Director Terrie Gulden said the change has been positive for the bus system. Ride numbers are actually stable.In January of 2005 there were 2,544 rides. In January 2006 there were 2,334.In February there were 2,617 rides and in February ’06 there were 2,417.In March 2005 there were 2,465 rides and in ’06 there were 2,813. Revenues are greater in all the months since the rate increase, with a high of $4,285 in March, compared to $3,427 in 2005. In other business Tuesday the board:oDecided not to buy a garage the city of Luverne wants moved in order to complete its fire hall expansion. The county estimated a new garage of the same size would cost $16,999. The city was asking $10,000 for its garage (recently purchased from the school district) and the county would still have to move it, insulate it, refinish the outside to fit in with the courthouse campus and set it in concrete.The county is interested in a garage for maintenance supplies and equipment.oApproved the low bid for road reconstruction on County Road 4, from County Road 11 (the Steen blacktop) to 6 (the north-south Hills and Beaver Creek blacktop). The bid went to Buffalo Bituminous, of Buffalo, at $1.439 million. The engineer’s estimate was $1.481 million. oApproved appointments to the Community Corrections Advisory Board from Rock County. They are Terry Vajgrt, Randy Ehlers and Martha Morris. Nobles County will have six representatives to that board.oDiscussed finding a way for Midwest Wireless to erect a cellular phone tower near Beaver Creek to avoid the frequently dropped calls or no service in that area, especially near the interstate. The county owns a small piece of land that could be used for it, whether it is sold to a private party for Midwest Wireless use or it is leased or donated. The board authorized Commissioner Richard Bakken and County Administrator Kyle Oldre to work on the project.oApproved a conditional use permit for Steve Vis, Martin Township, to expand an existing livestock feeding operation by greater than 250 animal units, within 1/4 mile of a neighboring dwelling. A similar conditional use permit for J.J. Von Holtum, Luverne Township, was passed.The board also approved of a conditional use permit for gravel extraction and stockpiling of concrete and asphalt for the purpose of recrushing and recycling in Battle Plain Township.oAccepted the resignation of Norma Remme from Rock County Family Services. She has been employed with the county for 15 years.