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Minneapolis team falls at EHS

By John RittenhouseFor a game that wasn’t scheduled for more than one week, it drew a lot of attention.The Ellsworth boys’ basketball team entertained Minnesota Transitions Communications Arts, a team from Minneapolis, in a contest that was added to both teams’ schedules Feb. 22.Nevertheless, the game proved to be a popular one as the teams turned in a 188-point performance in a packed EHS gym.In the end, Ellsworth represented Southwest Minnesota well by posting a 98-88 victory to end its 22-4 regular season."It was an entertaining game," said EHS coach Markus Okeson."It was a packed house, and there were people from all around the area there. It was a good game for us because we got a little revenge after losing our last two games."The game was competitive from beginning to end.EHS led 49-42 at the intermission, and used a 49-46 scoring edge in the second half to win by 10."The key was we were able to handle their half-court trap without turning the ball over. They have some nice ball players who are really quick, but we handled their pressure and got some quality shots on offense," Okeson said.Cody Schilling had a big night for the Panthers. He scored 36 points, pulled down 21 rebounds, passed for 10 assists and blocked four shots.Bryan Kramer netted 14 points and collected 10 rebounds. Aaron Van Der Stoep and Ben Herman chipped in 26 and 18 points respectively.EHS drew the No. 1 seed for the South Section 3A Tournament. The Panthers will play Adrian or Round Lake-Brewster at 1 p.m. Saturday in Worthington.Box scoreDeBerg 1 0 0-0 2, Kramer 1 2 6-6 14, Schilling 12 1 9-14 36, Van Der Stoep 2 6 4-4 26, Herman 7 0 4-8 18, Jansma 0 0 2-2 2.Team statisticsEllsworth: 34 of 57 field goals (60 percent), 25 of 34 free throws (74 percent), 45 rebounds, 10 turnovers.MTCA: 34 of 79 field goals (43 percent), four of eight free throws (50 percent), 38 rebounds, five turnovers.

LHS boys finish with 17-6 mark

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne boys’ basketball team wrapped up a 17-6 regular season with a home game against Murray County Central Thursday.Although LHS coach Tom Rops was dissatisfied with the happenings overall on the court, the Cardinals did play well enough to secure a 61-48 victory.The win came one day after Luverne drew the No. 1 seed for the South Section 3AA Tournament for the second straight year.The Cards open the tournament by hosting Jackson County Central at 7 p.m. Saturday.Rops is hoping the Cardinals will turn in a more inspiring performance when tournament play begins.Luverne did outscore MCC in both halves of Thursday’s tilt, but the coach wasn’t sold on his team’s performance."We won the game, but we played pretty flat. I expect more out of our team than what I saw on Thursday. Hopefully, we can get it turned around in the playoffs," he said.The Cardinals sported a 35-27 halftime advantage against MCC before outscoring the Rebels 26-21 in the second half to win by 13.Seniors Nick Heronimus and Jake Hendricks led the Cards in scoring with 16 and 11 points respectively. Derek Boeve latched on to seven rebounds. Marc Boelman blocked seven shots.Box scoreHaakenson 1 1 0-1 5, Boelman 3 0 1-2 7, Miller 2 0 1-2 5, Hendricks 2 2 1-2 11, Clark 1 1 1-2 6, Sawtelle 1 0 0-0 2, Boeve 1 1 2-2 7, Heronimus 3 1 7-11 16, Ward 0 0 2-4 2.Team statisticsLuverne: 20 0f 58 field goals (34 percent), 15 of 26 free throws (58 percent), 31 rebounds, 13 turnovers.MCC: 22 of 60 field goals (37 percent), four of seven free throws (57 percent), 16 rebounds, 12 turnovers.

Five Dragons advance

By John RittenhouseFive Adrian High School athletes will be pulling double duty when the Minnesota State Class AA Wrestling Championships begin today at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.One week ago, Adrian locked up its third straight state tournament berth as a team. Over the weekend, five more members of the squad earned the right to compete individually based on their performances in the Section 3AA Individual Tournament staged in Redwood Falls Friday and Saturday.Seniors Brandon Bullerman and Cody Reverts captured section titles at the 135- and 215-pound weight classes to advance to state individually.Seventh-grader Brock Bullerman and juniors Tyler Wagner and Will Lutmer placed second at 103, 171 and 275 respectively to gain individual berths in the state classic."We had a pretty good weekend," said AHS coach Gregg Nelson."We had 11 of 14 guys make the semifinals on Friday, and we had 11 guys place fourth or better overall. As far as taking five individuals to state, I’ll take that every year."Brandon Bullerman, who won four straight matches to up his season record to 41-2, won his first three bouts of the individual event with pins. He disposed of Fulda-Murray County Central’s Cory Sandhurst in 2:49, Montevideo’s Chris Tastad in 3:46 and Windom-Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin’s Rueben Silvas in 57 seconds to reach the finals at 135.Bullerman completed his title run by securing an 11-2 major decision victory over Pipestone’s Taylor Evans.Reverts posted three consecutive wins and improved his season record to 35-3 while winning the crown at 215.Pins over Montevideo’s Collin Kruger (56 seconds) and F-MCC’s Will Steinmetz (1:35) sent Reverts to the finals, where he saddled Worthington’s Bryant Schroeder with a 14-4 major decision setback.Wagner went 3-1 to place second at 171 in Redwood Falls, where his record improved to 29-10.He recorded pins against Worthington’s Nate Steffl (1:25) and Luverne’s Dana Beyenhof (1:03) before posting a 12-2 major decision victory over Red Rock Central-Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s Joe Pfarr in the semifinals.Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Paul Carlson topped Wagner 5-2 in the championship match.Brock Bullerman and Lutmer had to win true second-place matches to punch their tickets to the state tournament.Bullerman bested RRC-W-WG’s Jordan Vollmar by technical fall and nipped T-M-B’s Zach Campbell before dropping a 1-0 decision to W-ML-B-O’s Josh Falk in the 103-pound championship match.Bullerman defeated Marshall’s Nate Zienstra 7-4 in the true second-place match.Lutmer advanced to the finals at heavyweight by pinning Montevideo’s Pat Gerdes in 55 seconds and nipping Pipestone’s John Lentz 3-2.After falling 4-0 to F-MCC’s Andy Witzel in the title tilt, Lutmer edged Marshall’s Blake Nath 2-1 in the true second-place showdown.Brock Bullerman and Lutmer will take respective 21-18 and 30-5 records to the state tournament. AHS is scheduled to compete as team at 10 a.m. today, with the individual competition beginning at 5:30 p.m.Adrian’s Andy Heitkamp (140), Zach Reker (135) and Nate Engelkes (189) all placed third at the section event with 3-1 records. Stephen Loosbrock (112), Matt Gades (125) and Tony Thier (130) went 2-2 and placed fourth. Clint Metz went 2-2 and placed fifth at 160, Luke Tiesler went 2-3 and placed sixth at 119 and Shea Klooster went 1-2 without placing at 152.

Remember when?

10 years ago (1996)
The Luverne City Council is reverting to its 1993 airport expansion plans because the current one could limit growth to the north.
Andy Steensma announced he’ll run again for his spot on the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Myhre Studio owner Bryan Green is going through boxes of old negatives that he acquired when he bought the business. They reveal the history of Luverne and its people in many aspects.25 years ago (1981)
Water and sewer projects dominate news in area towns including Magnolia, Jasper, Kanaranzi, Hardwick, Kenneth, Hills, Ellsworth, Beaver Creek and Adrian. They are redoing water and sewer facilities.
Luverne’s Dan Meyer is getting ready for state wrestling. 50 years ago (1956)
Excavation began Tuesday for the new Northwestern Bell Telephone company office building here. The Rolph Construction Co., of Luverne, began work on the building at the intersection of Luverne and McKenzie.
Chester Holm, of Grove City, has purchased the Smith Funeral Home. He has worked in the funeral business for 40 years.75 years ago (1931)
Carl Wiese Jr. suffered a double fracture to the left side of his lower jaw and also a hemorrhage of the chest Friday noon, when he was kicked by a horse.
May Brockway, one of Rock County’s first residents, died at her Luverne home.
Luverne won a debate contest against Worthington with the subject, "Resolved, that chain stores are detrimental to the best interests of the American public." Luverne upheld the affirmative side. Members of that team were Harriet Bell, Albert Christensen and John V. Connell.100 years ago (1906)
A large freight car bearing a placard on which were the words, "This car is loaded with Manchester’s crackers," passed through Luverne Tuesday, consigned to the Black Hills, substantiating the report that the Manchester company had captured the business of that section.
John Myers, of Magnolia township, and Henry Kremeier, of Battle Plain, returned Monday morning from a trip through Oklahoma. They made the trip for the purpose of investing in farm land, but did not find anything that particularly pleased them. Rock County looks pretty good to them now.

Williamson probate

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFRONALD PERRY WILLIAMSON DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on Monday, March 27, 2006, at 3:30 p.m. a hearing will be held in this Court at Rock County Courthouse Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated February 13, 1979, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for the appointment of Dorothy Williamson whose address is: PO Box 302, Garretson, SD 57030 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ TIMOTHY K. CONNELLTIMOTHY K. CONNELLJudge Date/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKSANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeBENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.127 E. MainP.O. Box 746Luverne MN 56156-0746507-283-9546Attorney I.D. No. 112124(3-2, 3-9)

Severtson probate

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate of Arlyn Severtson, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 27th day of March, 2006, at 3:30 O’clock P.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated October 21, 2002, and for the appointment of David Severtson and Sterling Severtson, whose addresses are 1917 171st Street, Luverne MN 56156 and 1978 181st Street, Kenneth, MN 56147, respectively, as personal representatives of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representatives will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representatives shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate.Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: 2-27-06 /s/Timothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge /s/ /s/Daniel W. Vis Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828ID. #271238(3-2, 3-9)

ISD #2184 School Board meets Feb. 9

FEBRUARY 9, 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, February 9, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, and Bill Stegemann. Absent: Becky Walgrave. Also present: Gary Fisher, Marlene Mann, Donna Judson, Elaine Harms, Michelle Schrantz, Angie Swenson, Cloyce Smith, Todd Oye, Alissa Johnson, and Lori Ehde – Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bill Stegemann. Announcements were given.Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given. Todd Oye presented information on the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association membership dues and the possibility of the School District paying for head coaches to belong to this association. Business Manager Marlene Mann reported we have received a rebate from Centerpoint Energy. We have also received the tobacco settlement from the lawsuit started by Blue Cross Blue Shield in 1998. The amount Luverne received was $10,995.32. She also reported that we have received the vouchers for purchase of technology-related items from the Microsoft settlement. Luverne received a total of $90,141.36 which is site specific for the Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Alternative School. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve the school board minutes of January 26, 2006, with a correction from January to February on page two. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Radisewitz, to change the meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on February 23. Motion unanimously carried. Marlene Mann reviewed the Revised Revenue budget for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. The total revenue budget is now $11,727,392.00. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the budget as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to set the driver’s education fees at $245. This is a $5 increase from last year as recommended by Karen Willers, Community Education Director. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Fisher and Marlene Mann reviewed the track resurfacing project. Midwest Tennis and Track out of Dennison, Iowa, put together a budget estimate of $192,532.00 with an extra $7,100.00 added to the budget if the pole vault is relocated. Motion by Herman, second by Deutsch, to approve the bid specifications. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Baartman, to set a bid date of March 9, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. to receive bids for this project. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to accept the resignation of Michelle Schrantz as MS softball coach. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve the hiring of Lucinda Rofshus as MS softball coach. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to accept the resignation of Beth Behal, choir director, effective February 1, 2006. Beth had been on an extended leave of absence. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given.The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: February 9, 2006Cary Radisewitz, Clerk(3-2)

Mortgage foreclosure sale set for April 20

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 the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: September 21, 2001ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $76,500.00MORTGAGOR(S): Brian Beaner and Rebecca Beaner, husband and wifeMORTGAGEE: First Federal fsbDATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed September 26, 2001, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 151054ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Washington Mutual Home Loans, Inc., n/k/a Washington Mutual Bank, FA Dated: September 26, 2001, filed: September 26, 2001, Document No. 151055.LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:The West 150 Feet of Outlot A in Kleine’s Addition to the City of Magnolia, Rock County, Minnesota, and A Tract of Land described as follows: Commencing at the Southwest Corner of Outlot A in Kleine’s Addition to the City of Magnolia, Minnesota, thence Easterly along the South Line of said Outlot A a distance of 150 Feet, thence South 67 Feet along a line Parallel with the West Line of said Outlot, thence West Parallel with the South Line of said Outlot A a distance of 150 Feet, thence North 67 Feet more or less to the point of beginning.COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockTHE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $89,009.21THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; 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: April 20, 2006, 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept., Front Step, Luverne, MNto pay the debt 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 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) their personal representatives or assigns. "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 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: February 22, 2006Washington Mutual Bank, F.A.Assignee of MortgageeSHAPIRO, NORDMEYER & ZIELKE, LLPBY /s/ Lawrence P. Zielke Lawrence P. Zielke – 152559Craig M. Barbee – 0302016Diane F. Mach – 273788Attorneys for Mortgagee7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 390Edina, MN 55439-2306(952) 831-4060THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.(3-2, 3-9, 3-16, 3-23, 3-30, 4-6)

Did you hear?

Jackson Bond to appear on ‘CSI’Bill and Janet Preuss will be making sure they don’t miss next Monday’s episode of "CSI Miami."Bill’s great-nephew, Jackson Bond, age 9, will be one of the featured performers in the CBS series.Not a lot is known about the story line, so that will have to be a surprise, but how Jackson got to where he is, is not.Jackson was originally discovered two years ago at age 7 by a talent agent while performing a skit for a Twin Cities Lions Club.The talent agent must have had a good eye, because the first part Jackson was put up for was to play the son of Nicole Kidman in this fall’s movie release of "The Visiting," a remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," released in 1956 and again in 1978.Obviously, trying out for a role in a Nicole Kidman movie would be intense.Of 700 boys trying out for the part, Jackson was chosen.So from October to December 2005, Jackson spent his time with Nicole shooting scenes in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas.And he has very nice things to say about her.Since working on "CSI Miami," which was shot about two weeks ago, he has done commercials for "Build-A-Bear", a voice-over for U.S. Swim and Fitness, and this week is doing a shoot for Target.Next week Jackson is scheduled to fly to California to audition for 6 to 8 episodes of a pilot where the character plays a gifted athlete who also happens to be a genius.The production company hopes the episode will impress one of the networks and get picked for next year’s season.But for now, you can catch Jackson Bond on "CSI Miami" at 9 p.m. Monday, March 6.Bell Museum to honor BrandenburgLuverne native Jim Brandenburg will be the featured artist and special guest at "Drawn to Nature," a public benefit and art sale for the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum of Natural History .Brandenburg will be honored for his contributions to environmental awareness and preservation with a multi-media presentation and an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from the university.In addition to Brandenburg, participating artists include contemporary artist Daniel Wheeler, painter Cole Johnson, photographer Chris Faust, botanical painters Tim Trost and Wendy Brockman, landscape painter Scott Lloyd Anderson, naturalist Jim Rataczak and environmental sculptor Alis Olsen.The sale will feature more than 150 original pieces of art by Brandenburg and the guest artists.The event will be at 6 p.m. Friday, March 31, at the McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis. All proceeds will go toward the Bell Museum’s exhibit and educational programs.’05 deer harvest third largest on recordEven though deer harvested by firearms was down 6 percent, an 11 percent increase by archery and a 50 percent increase by muzzleloaders pushed the 2005 deer harvest above 255,555, the third largest in state history.Firearm hunters harvested 216,000 deer while archery and muzzleloaders harvested 23,200 and 14,000 respectively.Hunters who participated in the early antlerless season on Oct. 15 and 16 harvested 1600 deer, according to the Minnesota DNR.The past three years have been good to Minnesota deer hunters, providing hunters with the top three harvest years ever on record.A total of 59,000 hunters purchased an all-season license According to Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game coordinator, the interest in muzzleloader hunting is a primary reason for the increase."I think people are really grabbing on to the fact they can extend their time in the field by getting into muzzleloader hunting, which overall isn’t very expensive", Cornicelli said.Because of the mild winter we are currently experiencing, Cornicelli expects next fall to be another bountiful harvest.The antlerless season is also expected to continue to be used as a management tool as long as a large deer population exists. For the 2006 season, the deadline for the "either sex" permit application is Sept. 7 Archery deer hunting begins Sept. 16. Statewide firearms deer hunting season opens Nov. 4th and the muzzleloader season opens Nov. 25.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Know It and Grow It

Last weekend I was privileged to attend the Portland Home and Garden Show, and I am inspired! It was great to drive around and see green grass and daffodils and jonquils blooming … flower buds on trees ready to burst into color. I even planted broccoli and spinach in our son’s garden! Now I’m back to Minnesota and if there is only one advantage, I’ll get to see and do that as a replay. You can’t start planting yet, but you can appreciate this weather break to do some spring pruning. This is a great time to prune fruit trees, so let’s start there. Remember the late frost we had last May … it nearly eliminated the apple crop. Apple trees bear from the same "fruit spurs" indefinitely. If a spur has an apple on it this year, next year it will take a rest and set bud for the following year. Some varieties are known for this "every other year" abundant crop … other varieties are self-thinning and will produce every year without our intervention. Well, barring a repeat of last year’s frost, this is going to be the "abundant" crop year. This has two disadvantages: the tree produces too many apples … they are small and often the weight of the fruit results in branches breaking; second, you get more apples than you can use this year, and hardly any next year. So to break this cycle, we need to both prune and thin. Pruning is done now, removing the fast-growing "water sprouts" and keeping the tree structure open to allow light and air into the center of the tree. Consider that the best apples are usually on the top of the tree, the reason being that they get the most sun and air circulation. So pruning the tree to allow sunlight to penetrate through the canopy of the tree will, in effect, give the lower fruit the same advantage. Yes, hard pruning will result in less tree to produce, but the quality and size of the fruit that is produced will outweigh the loss from pruning.Thinning refers to eliminating the fruit on every other fruit spur. This can be done while the tree is in bloom or shortly after. You clip off just the blossom or fruit stem, not the spur from which they are growing. As a result, that spur develops flowers for the succeeding year, and the cycle is broken.Yes, that is going to take some time, but the payoff is annual production and better quality … it’s worth the effort. I have fun peeling a few big apples for an apple pie rather than a lot of little ones … and if you give your kids the opportunity to pick the apple they want, it will always be the biggest one … you get the picture!

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