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)

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)

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

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!

In a few minutes I will be ranting and raving about the IRS, but let me preface my diatribe with this: I believe in paying taxes. If we don’t give part of our paycheck to the government, they can’t help us out with the basic necessities (libraries, roads, Medicare, courts, parks, student loans, etc.) I’m willing to pay my fair share. However, I have a few issues. For the past two months, people have been coming to the library to get tax forms. Some have been crabbing at us (gentle librarians) because of difficulty in locating the forms they need. Believe me when I say, "You are preaching to the choir." The IRS and the Department of Revenue aren’t very friendly to taxpayers. We have the money. They want the money. Yet they make it as difficult as possible for us to pay our taxes. If they want a portion of our hard-earned income, and we are willing to pay, couldn’t they at least provide each taxpayer with the basic forms they need. Those of us who are adept at using the Internet, and those of us who e-file, don’t have a problem. But there are many individuals who aren’t and don’t. I suspect that the main reason tax forms are difficult to come by is the refund issue. The government is hungry for money (I didn’t say greedy) and is reluctant to refund the excess money you gave them in 2005. They received an interest-free loan from you and they aren’t eager to pay it back. They know they have to, but why not make it as difficult as they can. Some people even use the IRS as a savings vehicle so they have a big refund coming. This is not financially prudent. There are no earnings on that money. The library is the only location to pick up a tax form. We ordered hundreds of forms and instruction books, and our inventory was depleted in a few weeks. We can still print or photocopy forms and instructions for you for 20 cents a page. Or you can get the forms from the IRS Web site. Or you can call in and order a form. We have an information sheet with the necessary addresses, Web sites and phone numbers. When you stop by the library for tax forms, please know that the library staff is just as disturbed about the situation as you are. And while you’re here, check out a good book to calm those hostile thoughts about the tax season. New on the fiction shelf this week is "The Two-Minute Rule" by Robert Crais. Ask anyone on the wrong side of the law about the two-minute rule and they'll tell you that's as long as you can hope for at a robbery before the cops show up. Break the two-minute rule and it's a lifetime in jail. But not everyone plays by the rules ... When ex-con Max Holman finally gets out of jail, freedom doesn't taste too sweet. The only thing on his mind is reconciliation with his estranged son, who is, ironically, a cop. But then he hears the devastating news: His son and three other uniformed cops were gunned down in cold blood in Los Angeles the night before Holman's release. When the hit is exposed as a revenge killing and the question of police corruption is raised, it becomes a father's last duty to clear his son's name and catch the killer. "The Two Minute Rule" is a gripping, edgy suspense from the author who sets the standard with surprising plot twists and powerful characters.

The following appeared in the Rock County News on Dec. 8, 1892:KNISS & HUNTINGTONReal Estate, Loan and Insurance AgentsThis firm needs no introduction to the people of Rock County, but to our other readers it gives the News pleasure to present the names of these enterprising and reliable men. P.J. Kniss, the senior member, located in this county twenty-three years ago, before the government survey, and was for several years president of the First National Bank, of which he was the principal organizer; he is also well known throughout the state having served three terms in the Minnesota State Legislature. C.E. Huntington has been in our city for nearly nine years a part of the time acting as cashier of the First National Bank, since which time he has been with Mr. Kniss. These gentlemen are well acquainted with the lands in this and adjoining counties, and can give customers the benefit of their knowledge as to value and quality of lands. They have a large list of lands for sale in Rock County, the "Banner County of the West;" they also have a fine list of desirable property in our city of Luverne, besides lands in Brooking County, South Dakota. They are prepared to loan money on first mortgages at reasonable rates; no long delays in getting money. Customers can pay interest at their office and get their coupons, thus saving the trouble of sending money themselves and waiting for the loan companies to return coupons whenever they get ready. If fire insurance is wanted they can insure you in any one of the several old reliable companies that are absolutely safe. Call and see them if anything is wanted in their line; they will always be found pleasant, ready for business and will use you well whether you are able to deal with them or not. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Little fish in ‘big box’ have always fought to thriveI work for a locally-owned business that isn’t a part of a chain or franchise in any way. That’s pretty rare — even more rare if you consider that Rock County has mostly small businesses.Few companies are truly locally born and bred these days.I bring this up because in the 1931 Rock County Herald, an article ran about the subject, "That chain stores are detrimental to the best interests of the American public."The Luverne debate team, with Harriet Bell, Albert Christensen and John V. Connell, upheld the affirmative of that idea and won a contest. I thought it was interesting that in 1931 chain stores were an issue, when I was under the impression that Rock County Main Streets were lined with mom and pop merchants, even considering the large, but local, Nelson Bros.The Luverne debate team argued, "… that the benefits claimed by chain stores do not exist; that they are a menace to industry, and work a harmful influence in the communities where they do business. It was also contended that on account of the centralized ownership and control, chain stores have monopolistic tendencies, and often force independent merchants out of business by price-cutting, which was also alleged to affect the prices on certain farm products. Delivery service maintained by many independent merchants was cited as a factor in making their goods cost more than chain store merchandise, but was emphasized as a commonly recognized advantage to the public. The benefits claimed were refuted by the statement that the independent merchant can operate his business with direct supervision and personally take an active part in the development and improvement of his town, and keep in much more personal contact with patronage. Particular stress was given the point that the independent dealer had helped to build up the community, but the chain institutions came in after the work of settlement was completed and the town prospering."The Worthington team argued on behalf of the benefits of chain stores, saying, "They have grown until they have become indispensable. They have often been around for a long time, meaning that people have faith in them. They are efficient, that’s why they are cheaper."I guess even Sam Walton started out as a five-and-dime owner before opening his first big Wal-Mart in 1962. He was one of the first large businesses to include profit sharing and discounts for employees, things that are both more common today.But I bet if there were a Wal-Mart here, he wouldn’t have advertised in our small newspaper and a couple of mom and pop places would have closed.Whether smaller businesses or groups like the Chamber of Commerce should do anything about chain stores … and what that would entail is beyond me. Either way, it appears that the discussion about "big box" stores isn’t going anywhere. As a matter of fact, it hasn’t in the past 75 years.

Before the Adrian girls’ basketball team delivered Randy Strand his 300th victory Saturday, the AHS coach wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure.After bumping into Lisa Strand at the AHS-Southwest Christian basketball game in Edgerton Feb. 20, I could detect a certain amount of stress in the voice of the woman who will celebrate her 21st year of marriage with coach Strand this June.At that time, the Dragons were about to begin their fourth attempt to give the coach his 300th win after winning game 299 in Ellsworth Feb. 9. Complicating the situation was the fact that it was Parents’ Night at SWC, and the E-Gals fans had just given their head coach (Cal Hoekstra) a standing ovation after he received a plaque for winning his 300th game earlier in the season."Speaking of 300 wins, this could be the night," I said during my conversation with the coach’s wife.Then came Mrs. Strand’s unexpected reply: "I hope so. I’m tired of driving this damn cake around."At that point, I had it all figured out.Lisa Strand wasn’t experiencing the pressure of a three-game losing streak that came at the heels of a string in which the Dragons won six of seven games. This woman had a secret surprise in store for her husband when he did collect his 300th win, and her man wasn’t coming through with the victory that would set her free."Mary Ellen Kellen made the donated cake on Feb. 8, the day before we beat Ellsworth. We played Fulda two nights later, and I wanted to make sure I had it, just in case we won that game," Lisa explained.With the cake hidden in her Trailblazer for the Fulda game on Feb. 10 in Adrian, Mrs. Strand was at peace. The Dragons were unable to knock off the Raiders that night, but the cold spell the area was experiencing at the time served as a perfect place to hide a cake that could be presented to her husband on Feb. 14, when AHS hosted Luverne.When the Cardinals knocked off the Dragons by two points in Adrian on Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Strand thought the Dragons would be able to top Edgerton Public two nights later. The Dragons led at halftime, prompting her to pull the cake out of her car and stash it in the concession stand at AHS.Edgerton, however, rallied late to win the game, and Lisa became concerned."I didn’t want Randy to jump in my vehicle to go on a scouting trip and find the cake, so I gave it to my sister (Kellie Thier). Kellie had it in her freezer from Feb. 16-20, and she brought it with her to the SWC game."After the cake was hidden for five more days, it once again was transported to a parking lot of a different sports venue on Saturday. Finally, when the Dragons upset SCC in a game that could have gone either way, Lisa Strand was able to surprise her husband with a cake that had a shelf life of 17 days."They said the cake still tasted pretty good," Lisa said."The best thing about it was Randy didn’t think I knew how many wins he had. He always thinks I’m way out in left field most of the time."Coach Strand should never underestimate Lisa again, because this resourceful woman had two contingency plans in place just in case the Dragons didn’t beat SCC on Saturday.Her second plan was a stroke of genius.Prior to Saturday’s tilt, Lisa made a sticker that read "Congratulations on 300 wins, almost."Personally, I liked the first plan she shared with me after the Dragons fell to SWC in Edgerton Feb. 20."What will you do with that cake if they lose to SSC in Worthington on Saturday?" I asked."I’ll tell you what I’ll do," she replied, with a hint of anger in her eyes.Then, acting as if I were the coach, Mrs. Strand showed me what she had in mind.After watching Lisa go through the motions of picking up the baked item in her palm and hurling it toward my face, her intent was unmistakable."Here’s you’re damn cake," she said.

It is hard to believe, but it’s been a year since I started working at the Star Herald and Mary and I started a new chapter in our lives. In just the last year a tremendous amount of change has transpired in Luverne. John Call is the new city administrator, Gary Fisher is the new superintendent, and Donna Judson is the new middle/high school principal. We have the new Sioux Valley Medical Center complex, and along with that, the Highway 75 road project heading north out of town was completed. We have a new main street overlay and new lights to go with it. We have a new fire truck and soon a new addition to the fire station big enough to house it.We have had several new or expanded businesses in the past year. A few that come to mind include Glen’s Food and Gas Center, Family Dollar, DC Storage, Primary Residential Mortgage, Luverne Welding Shop and a new car wash on Highway 75. We should have had a new Dingmann Funeral Home by now, but that should happen soon. Several new owners have taken over or bought into existing businesses like Troy Tuma at the Howling Dog, Tammy Makram at the Coffey Haus, Mike and Dawn Vanden Top at Manitou Carpets, Jen Rolfs (partner) at The Furniture House, Terry and Chantel at Connell Car Care and Scott and Peggy Adams at Cragoe Realty. In addition, we’ve also seen several ambitious business owners expand, improve and/or relocate in the past year.For Mary and me, our first year in Luverne passed very quickly. We get asked a lot by old friends and new acquaintances how we like it here. The answer is always the same: we like it here very much.