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Hills City Council meets Oct. 11

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILOCTOBER 11, 2005Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. with the following Council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Pete Hoff and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer; Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk; and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests; Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Hoff to approve payment of the September expenditures: General $60,735.31; Park $2,412.95; Fire $968.09; Street $2,740.91; Legion $901.74; Sewer $1,753.63; Garbage $2,962.22; Recycling $842.84; Water $5,068.83; Baseball $74.34; Softball $24.93. Motion carried.General Checking 28,012.89General Fund CD#18924, 3.55%, 6/9/05 (prev. #18614) 246,637.06General Fund CD#19056 (prev. #188764) 4.25%, 9/15/06 122,287.95Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18647 cashed in May 2005 0.00Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 1,938.48Hills EDA Checking - Acct. #1248 2,343.61Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 (248.89)EDA CD#18870, 3.25%, 5/7/06 75,630.77Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Metzger to approve the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. Additional information for Nick Klein’s building permit: the fence will be 80’ from the edge of the alley and 42’ from the street.The Council refused to rent out storage space for feed supplies. Elbers will obtain estimates to install tile in the city’s property in Park View Third Addition. The Council instructed city maintenance to install fencing around the recycling buildings. The Council denied a request to purchase an additional mower. The city maintenance department was instructed to store the handicap dock inside the maintenance building during the winter months. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger to contract with Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co. for auditing city records, not to exceed $3,650, $3,760 and $3,880 for years 2005 through 2007. Motion carried. Motion by Hoff, seconded by Metzger to pay the DRG, Mechanical bill for the installation of a water line to Alan Leenderts new home. Motion carried. An estimate from Connie Cole is forthcoming for painting the post office and American Legion building. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Hoff to adopt a resolution to assess the street improvement costs for Sixth Street in Park View Third Addition; and South Elizabeth Avenue in Park View First Addition; and also for outstanding utility and property cleanup costs. Motion carried. The Council will not insure the handicap dock; the premium is estimated at $118 per year. The November regular meeting is rescheduled for November 7th at 6:00 P.M., due to Election Day on the 8th. Due to the misplacement of an abstract for the property that Rod Verhey purchased for $1.00 from the City, property located at 220 South Main Avenue, the Council will contact Verhey to discuss options for resolving this matter. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger to refund a utility deposit to Dave and Lexi Moore. Motion carried. Motion by Metzger, seconded by Hoff to increase garbage and recycling rates $1.00 each, effective Jnuary 1, 2006. Recycling rates will increase from $2.00 to $3.00, and garbage rates from $4.00 to $5.00 per month. Motion carried.No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M./s/ Connie J. WiertzemaConnie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(11-10

Peeking in the past

10 years ago (1995)"In a special meeting last Monday night, building committee members brought their proposal before a full H-BC Board of Education. The board voted 6-1 in favor of sending building/remodeling plans to a public bond election with an estimated project cost around 5.5 million dollars. Ronald Crawford voted against the motion." 25 years ago (1980)"Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Goehle drove to Marshall Saturday to watch 14 college area girls basketball teams in a scrimmage. Leanne’s team from Augustana was a participating team." 50 years ago (1955)"Hills’ four building projects made excellent progress the past week. … Remolding work on the school is progressing; Chuck’s Champlin Service Station is nearing completion; Herman’s ‘66’ Service is also taking shape nicely; and the Village’s share of the building program in Hills has just about been completed, as the new pumphouse and pipelines for the new well are connected to the existing system."75 years ago (1930)"The Hills auditorium is capable of holding a large crowd and every seat was taken last Friday night to see the school play "Sonny-Jane." Miss Gladys Greehling is to be commended for getting the three-act play down to such fine points, and goes to show what students can do when they are prompted by an efficient instructor."100 years ago (1905)"Otto Paulsen of Steen is busy hauling lumber for a new barn and other improvements on the place he recently purchased out here."

Hills local news

Audrey and Dick Heidenson, Hills, had quite the exciting month of October while vacationing in the Chicago, Ill., area. They left Hills on Wednesday, Oct. 5, and returned home on Monday, Oct. 31. First they visited with friends and family in the Chicago area and attended Dick’s 62nd high school reunion. Approximately 200 people, including spouses, attended the reunion and Dick and Audrey really enjoyed the get-together. From there, they traveled to the Boston area and spent time visiting their nephew, Rick Swanborg and family. Oct. 22nd found them back in Apple Valley at their daughter’s home, Jan (Heidenson) and Mark Ausland, ready to celebrate Audrey’s 80th birthday. The day was great and everyone made it back to Apple Valley to celebrate with Audrey except one grandchild. The evening of Audrey’s birthday found Dick not feeling too well. Dick then ended up taking an ambulance ride to St. Paul on Saturday, Oct. 22, Audrey’s birthday, to the hospital. On Monday, Oct. 24, Dick underwent a heart angiogram and angioplasty. He was able to leave the hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and they returned home to Hills on Monday, Oct. 31. Dick is doing fine now, I am glad to say, and this was one birthday Audrey will never forget. Looking on the bright side, as Audrey stated, "Needless to say, we saw a lot of family either way, at the party and at the hospital." Happy Birthday, Audrey, and get well, Dick! Alice Kolsrud celebrated her Nov. 3rd birthday with family on Friday, Nov. 4. Harlan and Bonnie Kolsrud of Worthington and David Kolsrud of Beaver Creek took their mother out to dinner at the Red Lobster in Sioux Falls. They all shared a special evening together. Happy Birthday, Alice!Kathryn and Wendell Erickson traveled to Eden Prairie on Friday, Oct. 28, and attended the confirmation of their granddaughter, Krista Gilman, on Sunday, Oct. 30, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Krista’s parents, Anna (Erickson) and Mike Gilman hosted the family get-together in Krista’s honor. Also attending the confirmation party were the following children of Kathryn and Wendell’s: Kirsten Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D., Margaret Erickson, Worthington, Charles Erickson, Waconia, and Hans and Susan Erickson and family of Eagan. They all had a very good day and enjoyed celebrating in Krista’s honor. Congratulations, Krista!Three-year-old Colby Hadler was able to spend Saturday, Nov. 5, with his grandma, Joanne Goehle. Colby lives in Edgerton and is the son of Brenda (Goehle) and Mark Hadler. Colby keeps grandma busy and Joanne finds him totally delightful!I would like to say "Thank You" to everyone who helped make the Tuff Bazaar on Nov. 5 so great! It takes many people and lots of hard work on your part. Again, thank you for all of your work. Thank you to Diane and Eugene, owners of the Hills Donatello’s Café, for their contribution to the raffle drawings at the Tuff Bazaar, which I was lucky enough to win one of. I would like to thank not only Diane and Eugene, but everyone who contributed prizes, food, handmade items and time and love to making the Bazaar so great!Sunday, Nov. 6, Joanne Goehle and son Tom traveled to Tyler for the confirmation of Joanne’s grandson, Andrew Carmany, at First English Lutheran Church. Andrew is the son of Steve and Leanne (Goehle) Carmany. Steve is also the minister of the church where son Andrew was confirmed. Leanne teaches high school in Lake Benton. Congratulations, Andrew. I would like to remind everyone that the "Hills Local News" for the Nov. 24 Thanksgiving issue needs to be called to me by Wednesday, Nov. 16, to make the Thanksgiving issue. So, come on, everyone out there, give me a call before Nov. 17, leave a message if you need to, and I will call back. Thank you!

Hermina Mulder

Hermina Mulder, 94, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, at the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Services were Friday, Nov. 4, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Maurice E. Hagen officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne.Hermina Meester was born to Dan and Agnes (Buss) Meester on Aug. 29, 1911, in Lyon County near Rock Rapids, Iowa. She married Henry Mulder on Nov. 28, 1933, at Worthington. They lived their entire married life on several different farms in the Minnesota and South Dakota areas. They farmed near Adrian until 1941 when they moved to Garretson, S.D., where they farmed the next 16 years. In 1978 they moved near Steen where they lived the past 20 years. In 1998 shortly after her husband died, she moved to Centennial Apartments in Luverne until she moved to Parkview Manor in Ellsworth. Two weeks ago she was admitted to Sioux Valley Hospice in Luverne. Mrs. Mulder enjoyed farm life, working side by side with her husband. She also enjoyed milking cows, growing beautiful violets, crocheting and knitting and having her family over for special occasions and Sunday dinners. Survivors include three sons, Ron (Betty) Mulder, Duane (Joyce) Mulder, all of Luverne, and Ervis Mulder, Canton, S.D.; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Harold Meester, Huxley, Iowa. Mrs. Mulder was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Henry, and three sisters. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Loretta Merrill

Loretta M. Merrill, 80, Sioux Falls, S.D., died Nov. 5, 2005, at Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls. Services are at 1:30 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. Loretta Braese was born April 21, 1925, in Madison, S.D. to George and Alma (Raschdorf) Braese. After graduating from high school in Madison, she attended the University of Sioux Falls and received her teaching degree. Her first teaching position was in 1949 at Montrose, S.D.She married James Merrill on Dec. 14, 1951. After being a homemaker for several years, she returned to her teaching career in 1964 at Garretson, S.D. A year later she began teaching in Hills-Beaver Creek and taught until her retirement in 1990.Mrs. Merrill enjoyed music and was involved with the Messiah Christmas production. She was a member of First Baptist Church, El Riad Shrine Auxiliary, SDEA, Eastern Star, and was a past member of the University of Sioux Falls Alumni Board.Survivors include two sons, James Merrill II, Randallstown, N.D., and Allen (Deb) Merrill, Sioux Falls; one daughter, Barbara (Randy) Webb, La Vista, Neb., three grandchildren, James (Stacy) McNeely, Owatonna, Randy Webb Jr., Ames, Iowa, and Katie Webb, Omaha, Neb.Mrs. Merrill was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one daughter, Lynda Merrill.Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

Dale Hartz

Dale Carl Hartz, 76, Luverne, died Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital in Luverne. Services were Tuesday, Nov. 8, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Gary Klatt officiated. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Dale Hartz was born to Harry and Lula (Wulf) Hartz on April 28, 1929, in Luverne. As an infant he lived with his parents on a farm in Springwater Township, Rock County. They later moved to a farm in Beaver Creek Township where he was raised and attended country school. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1947 and continued to help on the family farm.He married Joyce Binford on July 4, 1951, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. In September 1951 he entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. Following his discharge from the service in September 1953, he returned to farm in Beaver Creek Township. While farming, he worked for several years at Iowa Beef Packing in Luverne. He also drove a school bus for 19 years. In 1996 they moved to Luverne, but he continued to help on the farm until recently when he began having health problems. He was diagnosed with cancer on Oct. 20. Several days later he was admitted to Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital Hospice. Mr. Hartz was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was also a past member of Dell Hogan American Legion Post 123 in Luverne. He served on the Beaver Creek Township Board for several years. He liked to fish and he enjoyed gardening. He especially liked collecting antiques that had to do with farming.Survivors include his wife, Joyce Hartz, Luverne; four children, Betty (Roger) Lauck, Steen, Dawn (Lyle) Impecoven, Larchwood, Iowa, Barbara (Bill) Rodd, Fort Myers, Fla., and Allan (Nancy) Hartz, Luverne; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.Mr. Hartz was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dennis Hartz, and one infant sister, Harriet. A tree will be planted in memory of Dale Hartz by Sioux Valley Luverne Hospice. Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Dries Bosch

Memorial services for Dries Bosch will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Steen Reformed Church in Steen. Burial will take place at 12:30 p.m. at Eastside Cemetery, near Steen. Dries D. Bosch, 79, Brandon, S.D., formerly of Steen, died Sunday, Nov. 6, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Dries Bosch was born to Dick and Dena (Hoff) Bosch on Feb. 9, 1926, at the family home in Steen. He attended elementary school in Steen and graduated from Hills High School in 1944. After school he worked at the Luverne Creamery for two years before entering into the U.S. Army. He served in the Occupational Forces in Japan and received his honorable discharge on April 20, 1947. He returned to Steen and began working at John Morrell in 1947. He married Laura May Doyle on Jan. 9, 1948, at First Baptist Church in Luverne. In 1950 they moved back to his hometown, Steen, and raised their five sons. He retired from John Morrell in 1989. After retirement they remained living in Steen and he worked part time at Greenview of Minnesota rest area near Adrian. They moved to Bethany Meadows in Brandon in 2004. Mr. Bosch was a lifetime member of Steen Reformed Church, having served as a deacon and an elder. He also served on the town council in Steen and was a member of the Morrell Club. In retirement he enjoyed mowing, fishing trips to Canada and golfing with his brother. He loved Minnesota sports and attended many Vikings games with his sons. In July 1999 he was the champion of the "Bosch Open" Golf Tournament. He loved playing cards at the Senior Citizens Center and with his family. Survivors include his wife, Laura May Bosch, Brandon; five sons, Steven Bosch, Minneapolis, Gregg (Anita) Bosch, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paul (Diane) Bosch, Brandon, Jeff (Toni) Bosch, Walbridge, Ohio, and Tom (Amy) Bosch, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Cornie (Darlene) Bosch, Luverne; and two sisters, Gert (Dick) Hup, Hills, and Betty Boeve, Luverne. Mr. Bosch was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister in infancy, and one brother-in-law, Edward BoeveRoste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Tigers eliminate Dragons

By John RittenhouseThe 2005 football season came to an end for Adrian during the championship game of the Section 3A Playoffs Friday in Springfield.Taking on the state’s No. 1-ranked team, the Springfield Tigers, the Dragons knew they needed to play mistake-free ball for four quarters to register an upset.It didn’t pan out for the Dragons.AHS turned the ball over three times and made some mental mistakes on defense during the contest. Springfield took advantage of the miscues to record a 24-0 victory over the Dragons."We didn’t do much offensively, and they were able to run against our defense," said AHS coach Randy Strand, who led the Dragons to a 7-4 record this fall."We held them in check for a while on defense, but we lost our discipline at times with some players not following their assignments. Offensively, we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we did have to score."Springfield ran for 289 yards in the game, and they put together a pair of extended drives that yielded three points in the early stages of the contest.The Tigers started their first offensive possession of the game on their 38-yard line and moved the ball to the AHS 13, where they missed a 34-yard field goal attempt at the 8:08 mark of the first quarter. Springfield’s second possession developed into an eight-play drive that ended with Mason Fredin booting a 30-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead at the 3:55 mark of the first period.Adrian had two golden opportunities to take the lead in the second quarter, but the Dragons couldn’t put the ball in the end zone.The Dragons moved the ball from their own 42 to Springfield’s 18 early in the second quarter, but the threat was squelched when Tiger Zac Sturm intercepted a pass in the end zone. The Dragons got the ball back when Alex Suedkamp recovered a fumble on the Springfield 18 one play later. Adrian, however, gave the ball back to the Tigers when it was flagged for an offensive pass interference penalty four plays later.After the penalty, Springfield moved the ball 68 yards in 12 plays with Sturm scoring on a two-yard run to make it a 9-0 difference with 4:20 remaining in the first half.The Tigers scored 15 points with their first two offensive possessions of the second half to ice the game.It looked like the Dragons, who were playing as the kicking team, caught a break when an AHS player nabbed the ball out of the air during the kickoff to start the second half. The officials, however, ruled the ball belonged to Springfield because no kicking-team player can catch the ball before it touches the ground or an opposing player first.The Tigers then moved the ball 53 yards in 12 plays with Sturm scoring on a 13-yard run with 6:51 remaining in the third period. When Sturm carried in the two-point conversion, Springfield sported a 17-0 lead.Adrian tried to extend its first possession of the second half by trying to run for a first down out of punt formation, but the run was stopped short of a first down. Springfield took over on its own 44 and moved the ball 56 yards in 12 plays with Josh Nachreiner scoring on a three-yard run with 11:18 left to play. When Fredin added the extra point, the scoring was complete.Team statisticsAdrian: 73 rushing yards, 112 passing yards, 185 total yards, five penalties for 52 yards, 10 first downs, three turnovers.Springfield: 289 rushing yards, 21 passing yards, 310 total yards, six penalties for 70 yards, 19 first downs, one turnover.Individual statisticsRushing: Billy Anderson 11-33, Jory Haken 6-8, Cody Kontz 5-27, Clint Metz 2-5.Passing: Cody Reverts 4-17 for 82 yards, Kontz 2-5 for 30 yards.Receiving: Tyler Wagner 2-40, Anderson 2-49, Ryan Lonneman 1-9, Nate Enkelkes 1-14.Defense: Glen Kruger 16 tackles, Will Lutmer 13 tackles and one sack, Suedkamp one fumble recovery, Metz 13 tackles.

Pinkal earns spot on All-State squad

By John RittenhouseThomas Pinkal’s last high school race was a good one at the Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Championships Saturday in Northfield.Pinkal, a Luverne senior who qualified for the state meet individually, capped a successful season by turning in an All-State performance on the course at St. Olaf College.Pinkal ran an LHS boys’ record time of 16:51.3 on the course, finishing 20th in a field of 154 runners.Since the first 25 runners to finish the race are rewarded by being placed on the All-State Team, Pinkal will go down in history as the second LHS male to be so honored."He made the All-State Team and set our course record. That’s a pretty good day," said Cardinal coach Bruce Gluf."He wanted to finish with a medal (the first eight finishers receive medals in state competition), but I told him making All-State would be nice before the race. Then we went out there and did it by running a good race."Experience worked in Pinkal’s favor Saturday.As a member of Luverne’s state-qualifying boys’ team in 2004, Pinkal wasn’t overwhelmed by being a part of cross country’s biggest meet of the season.Instead, the LHS standout ran his second-fastest time of the year. In the process, he improved his finish from 72nd at state last season to 20th on Saturday.Gluf, who describes Pinkal as being the perfect senior, said a long summer of hard work paid off for the athlete."Thomas is as hard a worker as I’ve had over the years. He’s a blue-collar kid, and I don’t mean that in a demeaning way. He gets his success through hard work. To come from finishing 72nd last year to making the All-State Team is really something. I hate to see him go."

LHS girls improve position at state

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls turned their fourth consecutive appearance at the Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Championships staged in Northfield Saturday into their best finish as a team at the state classic.One year after placing sixth in team competition, the 2005 Cardinals moved up one notch by placing fifth in a 16-team field.Luverne compiled 146 points, finishing 83 points behind neighboring state champion Adrian, which finished the meet with 63 counters. The Cards finished the run within striking distance of the Blake School, which placed fourth with 130 points."Our goal was to finish in the top five, and the girls went out there and did it," said Cardinal coach Bruce Gluf. "All of the kids on the girls’ side ran great races. All of them ran personal- or seasonal-best times."As she has all season, Luverne sophomore Lexi Heitkamp led the Cardinals to their best finish as a team in state competition.Heitkamp ran a 15:04.4, earning a position on the All-State Team by placing sixth individually.The Top 25 individual finishers make the All-State Team, and the top eight runners receive medals for their efforts. Heitkamp, who shaved nearly five seconds off her time on the same course when she finished 11th last year (she also placed 11th in state in 2003), met the criteria in both cases."We always knew Lexi had the capability to get a medal at state. She really looked determined and ran a great race, as did all of our girls," Gluf said.Debbie Schneiderman made a bid to earn All-State status before coming up short late in the race. Schneiderman placed 28th in 15:32.8.Kayla Raddle (49th in 15:55), Katie Schneiderman (63rd in 16:09.5) and Kelsey Dooyema (87th in 16:36.5) made scoring contributions to Luverne’s team effort.Amanda Kannas and Rachel Saum finished 100th and 137th with respective 16:49.5 and 17:50.7 times.Gluf said he didn’t have to say much to inspire his runners prior to the race. Since most of the athletes possessed past state experience, his message was simple."I just told them to go out and run the races of their lives, and they did. They all were very relaxed," he said."We’re very happy to finish fifth. That’s a great accomplishment. There are a lot of kids who’ve never been to one state meet. Our girls have been to four in a row. That’s something they should be proud of."Team standings: Adrian 63, Staples-Motley 71, Perham 109, Blake School 130, Luverne 146, Providence Academy 163, Rochester Lourdes 214, Lac qui Parle Valley 220, Fairmont 266, East Grand Forks 268, La Crescent 281, Esko 283, Blue Earth 302, St. Cloud Cathedral 314, International Falls 326, Mille Lacs 348.

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