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Organizations hit the pavement

By Lexi MooreFund-raising keeps youth organizations afloat. Although most groups collect small fees from their members to help cover the costs of activities, treats and projects, they still have to find a way to raise additional dollars.During the upcoming weeks, two local organizations, Girl Scouts and Rock County 4-H, will be running fund-raising campaigns in the Crescent reading area.4-H "Fruit and More" SaleCloverbuds in kindergarten through second grade and 4-Hers in third grade and up will sell assorted boxes of mouthwatering fruit, along with popcorn, cheese, beef sticks, pickled herring and a variety of frozen foods.Supporters can purchase fruit boxes that include apples, oranges, pears and grapefruit. The prices range from $9 for a half box of pears to $23.50 for a full box of oranges. Mixed boxes start at $17.Last year in Rock County, 4-Hers earned a profit of $9,366. Four percent of their earnings, $374.64, helped pay for members of the group to attend camp, the state fair, and partially cover the costs of project meetings and day camps."When a 4-H member first approaches a customer, their knees may be shaking and they may be a bit tongue-tied," said Deb DenHerder at the Rock County Extension Office. "However, with a little experience they begin to build up confidence dealing with people. This is an important skill when dealing with the ‘real world’." Local 4-H leaders have been organizing this sale for over two decades. It provides 4-H members with a chance to build confidence, develop positive people skills, overcome shyness and keep organized.In addition to reinforcing qualities learned at 4-H meetings, members will learn to take time to make sure their orders are correct.This provides a good basis for the organizational skills needed in all aspects of life.When residents open their pocket books to the 4-H sellers, they are benefiting, too. "You will also have the opportunity to receive some nutritious mouth-watering fruit, or some topping-laden pizzas, or some delectable pies or cheesecakes."Products are available until Feb. 20. The delivery of food is scheduled for March 17.Call the Rock County Extension Office at 283-1302 to schedule a visit from a local 4-H representative.Girl Scouts offer a sweeter saleWhen Elizabeth Ranfranz decided her daughter would benefit from participating in Girl Scouts, she did not realize the costs that would be involved in being the Scout leader.Girl Scouts Troop 805 now has seven members, and the cost of holding meetings and planning activities continues to increase. The national Girl Scouts organization offers local troops one major fund-raiser per year – the cookie sale.Troop 805 began selling cookies for $3.50 a box on Jan. 27. The sale lasts through Feb. 15 and Ranfranz warns that the group will not be able to sell cookies after the cutoff date. Payment will be due the first week of March, when the cookies are delivered.The national organization promotes the activity of selling cookies as directly related to their purpose of helping girls realize their full potential and become strong, confident and resourceful citizens.Each chapter is given the chance to set their own prices. The group assures all of the proceeds they earn will stay in the local community. This encourages goal setting, money management and teamwork.The money earned by Troop 805 will help the group recruit additional members, improve Scouts activities, keep event fees at a minimum and sponsor special projects

Frank Top

Frank Top, 85, Marshfield, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, in Marshfield Care Center.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in the Hills United Reformed Church, Hills. Interment will follow in the Christian Reformed Cemetery.Mr. Top was a retired farmer and member of the Niangua United Methodist Church. He was also a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.Survivors are his wife, Evelyn; one daughter, Linda Doumas; two granddaughters, Kari Kooiman and Kelli Ivy; two brothers, Bernard Top and Marinus Top; and two sisters, Jennie Top Vander Wal, and Joan Top Fransman.He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jennie Top; his wife Eleanor; a son, Lee Top; six brothers, Albert, Henry, Clarence, John, Ralph, and Herman Top; and a sister, Jennet Top Van Holland.Fraker Funeral Home of Marshfield is in charge of arrangements.

Darlene Anderson

Darlene Iona Anderson, 87, Luverne, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 30, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, with the Rev. Lowell Berg officiating. Burial was at Flowerfield Cemetery near Hills.Darlene Moon was born July 18, 1918, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Allen and Leona (Puckett) Moon. She attended school in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School in 1937. She married Elmer Anderson on Aug. 18, 1937, at the First Christian Church in Sioux Falls. They moved to Luverne in 1968. Elmer Anderson died in March 1971 as the result of a car accident. Mrs. Anderson continued to live in Luverne. She married her husband’s first cousin, Arthur Anderson, on June 14, 1975, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. The couple lived in Luverne. They were retired and enjoyed traveling. Arthur Anderson died Jan. 24, 1994. She continued to live in Luverne.Mrs. Anderson was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hills and joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills when the churches merged. She was active in Ladies Aid, Circle and the church board. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and led Bible studies. She served on the Flowerfield Cemetery board for a number of years. She called for bingo at the Senior Center and Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home. She was a member of the Kitchen Band, RSVP, Pink Ladies, Rock County Fair Board, Republican Party and volunteered at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.She loved traveling and visited all 50 states and many countries around the world. She also enjoyed spending winters in Texas, journaling, reading, playing games with her family, and watching the Minnesota Twins.Mrs. Anderson is survived by her son Jack (Doris) Anderson, Nevis; two daughters, Judy (Melvin) Elbers, Round Rock, Texas, and Victoria Throop, Fairbanks, Alaska; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Joan (Ed) Perry, Las Vegas, Nev., and Becky (John) Steffes, Wauwautosa, Wis.; many stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; two brothers, Allen (Mary) Moon, Sioux Falls, and Morris (Carol) Moon, Wilmot, S.D.; and other family and friends.She was preceded in death by her two husbands; one stepdaughter, Emily Radi; and three brothers, William, Kenneth, and Francis Moon.Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Grace Brandt

Grace Brandt, 90, Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at the Rock Rapids Health Care Centre in Rock Rapids. Services were Thursday, Jan. 26, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids with the Rev. Jeff Schleisman officiating.Grace Brandt was born Sept. 14, 1915, in Woonsocket, S.D. to Henry and Amelia (Knute) Spies. She attended country school and helped her parents on the family farm. In 1933 she and her family moved to Granite Falls, where they continued to farm. She married Leonard Brandt Sept. 10, 1934, in Milbank, S.D. They lived in Granite Falls until 1942, when they moved to Rock Rapids. She worked as a bookkeeper for an independent producer and later sold retail at Bernsteins and Rose Store in Rock Rapids for many years. Shortly before retirement she worked in the assembly line at K Products in Rock Rapids. Mr. Brandt died Jan. 26, 1971. She moved to Rock Rapids Health Centre in September 2005.Mrs. Brandt was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids and active in the Saint Catherine Society. She was an avid bowler and continued bowling until she was 85. She enjoyed flower gardening, arts and crafts and bingo.She is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Edward) Lens, Beaver Creek, and Karen Lens, Rock Rapids; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one sister, Florence Springer, Marshall; one sister-in-law, Mabel Brandt, Granite Falls; and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four sisters, Edna Plasky, Ella Budde, Elma Peters and Wilma Stange, and three brothers, Robert Spies, Albert Spies and William Spies.Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids was in charge of arrangements.

Peeking in the past

10 years ago (1996)"When Matt Ebert returned home last weekend, after spending five months in Washington, D.C., he returned having lived a dream which he hopes will soon be his future. Ebert was one of only 30 high school juniors in the nation selected for the semester-long United States Senate Page Program." 25 years ago (1981)"This year, Hills-Beaver Creek has hired Mrs. Cyndi Ebert as the guidance counselor in addition to her English and German teaching assignments.Mrs. Ebert graduated from Minot Sate College in 1970. She has also been doing graduate work at Augustana College and South Dakota State University." 50 years ago (1956)"The Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow in Hills High School is Carol Jean Nelson. She received the highest score in a written examination which tested the homemaking knowledge and attitudes of senior girls in the graduating class. She will be entered in competition to name the state’s candidate for the title of All-American Homemaker of Tomorrow …Carol’s plan for the future include college and a career in home economics." 75 years ago (1931)" ‘Old Timers’ as well as ‘Young Timers’ who get a kick out of ‘old stuff’ might be interested in the discussion of ‘Locating Historic Places in Rock County,’ which will be a feature of the program planned by the society for Monday evening, February 2nd, in the Commercial Club Rooms at Luverne.Some old Rock County residents recall the old mill site on the Rock River, the Estey dug-out, the Indian Mounds in Battle Plain township, the cave occupied by the James Bros. following the Northfield robbery, etc."100 years ago (1906)"The Crescent has taken up this matter of telephone charges between here and Beaver Creek with F.W. George, Superintendent of the Western Electric Telephone Co. of Mason City, Iowa, and that gentleman admits that the charge of thirty-five cents is excessive as compared with the charge of fifteen cents to Luverne. He give us a reason that it is necessary to use two different systems by transferring at Luverne in order to get to Beaver Creek. However, Mr. George has promised to endeavor to have the rate adjusted, and The Crescent can assure him that any relief he can secure will be greatly appreciated by a large number of telephone patrons."

At home in Hills

The opening door illuminated the room.Stunned, it didn’t move.A series of screams prompted the ugly creature suddenly to life.It slowly and stupidly waddled across the basement floor, eventually taking refuge under a guest bed in a far corner.Footsteps quickly ascending three flights of stairs followed the screams through the house.Following a winded and haphazard explanation, the man of the house went to investigate and retrieve the laundry now held hostage in the dryer.Again, as the lights came on, it froze in the doorway.Now, in addition to being ugly and stupid, it was showing signs of bravery.How could it have come out from hiding so quickly? Not even five minutes had lapsed between the initial discovery and this second finding.This time it did not hide as it had. Again, it went for the bed, but only pulling half its body underneath, its backside and considerably grotesque tail exposed in full light.Once the man had confirmation of its existence and was informed that it would not be an option to kill it while it was in the basement, a call for a plan of attack was necessary.Without hunting skills, weapons of war or any prior experience, a plan was not quick in the making.Phone calls were made, suggestions were taken – yet the laundry remained unclaimed.Armed with the protection of a broomstick, the man rescued the laundry, and I, the woman of the house, developed a foolproof plan.We needed to recruit help. We needed a local hero with experience and trapping skills.That man was Hills City Maintenance Manager Wayne Ward.Within minutes of being contacted regarding "the situation," he delivered a trap of the "no kill" variety.As any good woman would do at this moment, I fled. A work-related commitment took me out of the house for the next two days. I commanded that it be removed before I could return.Night 2 began with the trap set, baited heavily with cat food, but in the morning, the food was gone and the trap door had been closed.Nevertheless, the trap remained empty.Now this monster had added "crafty" to its ever-growing list of personality traits.Night 3, the trap was set again, this time with a trail of yummy kitty morsels leading the way. Clearly, the man was getting braver. No longer did he need the broomstick for protection.But, alas, in the morning that ugly beast had evaded capture.I had no choice but to return home. My state newspaper convention was over, and I doubted Tollefson Publishing would want to put me up in a hotel while I waited this thing out.That night, mustering up all the brave nerves I had, I descended the stairs to the basement. Assuring the safety of my dear love and myself, I carried a broomstick in each hand. Together we reset the trap, strategically placing the food in hard-to-reach places.Even the craftiest of creatures was not going to get fed this time without getting caught.The lights in the basement stayed on to ensure safe passage to and from the laundry area during the evening. The plan was to turn them off before bed and awake to find our furry invader captured.As with many things we do, the plan did not work.When he returned to the basement with the first load of laundry, he could hear a familiar sound. The crunches coming from the cage were just like those we hear when our cats are munching at their bowls.Eureka, this time we had it!Together we used our broomsticks to slide the cage against our dehumidifier. This thing would have to be a Houdini to escape now.For the first time, I looked it in the eyes and almost began to cry.The poor little opossum was scared to death. Instantly, I understood that it hadn’t purposefully wanted to ruin my life, it had just wandered into my basement and was frightened. I am sure it would have preferred to stay with its family and friends for the past three nights, but instead I had trapped it.When Wayne arrived on Monday morning to take the cage and the scared house guest away, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.I did not bother to ask Wayne the fate of the animal; I would rather go on believing it was reunited with its family, and they all decided they would be safer living at the Rez than in my busy neighborhood.Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

Hills local news

Dewayne and Margo Edwards, Forestburg, S.D., came Saturday to spend until Sunday in the home of Harriet Skattum. On Sunday their daughter, Gretchen, of Sioux Falls joined them.Twila Heigre and three children of Sandness, Norway, came Friday to visit her parents, Jim and Sharon Boeve, and other relatives. Sheryl Nielsen and her new baby, Crista, born in August, arrived Sunday night to visit her parents, Jim and Sharon, and other family members.Visitors Sunday of Sig and Jo Jacobson at the Village were their daughters, Joyce of Mankato, Annette of Sioux Falls, and Sylvia, Luverne. Joyce recalled working at the Hills Crescent setting type in her early years. She now teachers computers in the Mankato schools.Sunday supper guests of Luella Schleuter were Phyllis Gropel and Gregg and Jane Gropel, all of Luverne.Chuck and Rheta DeBoer celebrated birthdays last week. One was for Chuck and another was for their grandson, David Hofman. David was 4 years old and is the son of Seth and Susan Hofman of Melvin, Iowa. Jeremy and Rachael Van Beek of Doon, Iowa, were also visitors.Floyd and Mary Kraetsch of Luverne were supper guests Thursday in the home of Bob and Twila KirschWendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the Thrivent training session for board members Saturday at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.Rodney Arendsen, Gayle (Nelson) Arendsen’s husband, of Freeport, N.Y., arrived in Hills Monday to spend a couple of days in the home of Ray and Lois Nelson. He is their son-in-law and was on his way home from Gillette, Wyo., after visiting his father and sister.Wendell and Kathryn Erickson and Ray and Lois Nelson attended the South Dakota Symphony Dakota Chamber Orchestra concert in Luverne Sunday afternoon.Colby Hadler of Edgerton spent last Tuesday and Wednesday with his grandmother, Joann Goehle.

Ho-shooting Rockets gun down H-BC girls in Hills Friday night

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek girls dropped their fifth consecutive game when they challenged Comfrey in Hills Friday.The visiting Rockets shot the ball well early to open a 15-point halftime advantage.H-BC was unable to get back into the game in the second half as Comfrey prevailed 77-56."They played really well early," said H-BC coach Jason Blosmo. "Once again, we just couldn’t come up with big baskets or the key stops when we needed them."Comfrey, which hit on 47 percent of its field goals during the game, assumed control of the contest by outscoring the Patriots 42-27 in the first half.The Rockets used a 35-29 scoring cushion in the second half to win by 21.Chelsi Fink led the Patriots with 24 points. Kerri Fransman netted 11 counters, while Stacy Bush scored 10 points and passed for five assists. Kari Roozenboom snared 11 rebounds.Box scoreFransman 2 2 1-2 11, Bush 3 0 4-8 10, Tilstra 1 0 1-3 3, Fink 9 1 3-4 24, Roozenboom 3 0 2-4 8.Team statisticsH-BC: 36 percent field goals, 11 of 21 free throws (52 percent), 29 rebounds, 13 turnovers.Comfrey: 47 percent field goals, six of 14 free throws (43 percent), 29 rebounds, five turnovers.

Last-second shots prove to be fruitless for boys

By John RittenhouseFor the second consecutive game, the Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ basketball team fell one point short of recording its second win of the season on its home court.Seven days after losing a one-point game to Red Rock Central in Hills, recent history repeated itself when Round Lake-Brewster nipped the Patriots 63-62 Thursday.H-BC experienced a successful start as the hosts opened a 14-2 lead early.RL-B, however, moved in front late in the first half before Patriot Cody Rozeboom gave H-BC a 33-32 halftime edge by hitting a three-point shot before time expired.RL-B led by five points late in the second half only to have H-BC tie the game with a three-point play from Halden Van Wyhe with less than two minutes remaining.The Raiders moved in front 63-62 as the game progressed. H-BC had some chances at victory in the final seconds but couldn’t convert a pair of free throws or a pair of tip-in attempts in the final four seconds, leaving the Patriots one point short at game’s end.Missed free-throw opportunities proved to be costly for H-BC in the game. While RL-B went 15 of 19 at the line, H-BC went 11-23.Aaron Esselink turned in a solid performance for the Patriots by scoring 25 points and snaring 17 rebounds.Jason Hup, who hit seven of 10 field goals in the contest, chipped in 15 points.Rozeboom finished with six rebounds, five assists and three steals.Box scoreVan Wyhe 2 0 2-3 6, Rozeboom 1 1 0-0 5, Finke 0 2 1-3 7, Scholten 0 0 2-3 2, DeBoer 0 0 0-0 0, Hup 7 0 1-4 15, Sandbulte 1 0 0-0 2, Esselink 10 0 5-10 25.Team statisticsH-BC: 24 of 49 field goals (49 percent), 11 of 23 free throws (48 percent), 30 rebounds, 15 turnovers.RL-B: 21 of 49 field goals (43 percent), 15 of 19 free throws (79 percent), 23 rebounds, eight turnovers.

Remember when

10 years ago (1996)
The Rock County Historical Society has a chance to expand after the Masons offered their temple to the group. The building is located on the corner of Lincoln and Freeman Streets.The Historical Society has been hoping to enlarge museum space, which it has in the Hinkly House now.
A hospice cottage in Luverne may provide another possible care option for terminally ill patients in southwest Minnesota. Barb Glad is the program director for Hospice of Luverne and Adrian Community Hospitals and has had the dream to have a facility like the one that is planned.25 years ago (1981)
The Chicago and Northwest Railroad has approved plans to improve five or six miles of track from Iowa Beef to Magnolia.
Rock County farmers have until April 15 to sell two and one-half million bushels of corn back to the government, or come up with more than $5 million in loans to carry them until prices improve. Elevator managers wonder how they will move that much grain if it all pours on the market at once.50 years ago (1956)
Martha Sellen, Miss Rock County of 1955, added a new title at Sioux Falls Monday night when she was crowned Miss Sioux Empire. The 20-year-old Luverne girl captured the hearts of the judges of the Sioux Empire Farm Show with her beauty and her unique display of pen and ink drawings and fashion designs.
Rock Countians are learning that a low water supply is a problem for many in the area. It is being called a "critical" issue. One privately owned well in Luverne has produced some one million gallons since the first of November for hauling to farmers and communities.75 years ago (1931)
Owing to the frequency and irregularity of time at which relatives and friends of incarcerated persons persist in calling at the county jail to visit them, Sheriff F.F. Kitterman has found it necessary to limit the period when such callers can be admitted, to two days a week — Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. — and the time limit for such visits 15 minutes for each call.
Sixteen brood sows and a boar mysteriously disappeared from the yards of J.M. Baker in Kanaranzi village Wednesday night. There was no trace of them found and the supposition is that they were stolen and trucked away.100 years ago (1906)
A bar and barbershop will be opened in the basement of The Manitou in the near future. This is the announcement of C.A. Sampson, proprietor of Luverne’s handsome and commodious hotel.
The Luverne Creamery is now paying 24¢ per pound for butterfat delivered at the creamery. The receipts are quite large for this season.

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