Among others, today is a date members of the Adrian High School cross country program have had circled on the calendars for a long time.Adrian will serve as the host school for the Section 3A Cross Country Championships at the Adrian Area Country Club this afternoon. The varsity boys run at 4 p.m. with the girls’ race to follow at 4:45.As AHS Doug Petersen recalls, this is one of four dates the Dragons have been awaiting for nearly one year."I remember telling the kids during last year’s cross country banquet that there were so many days before practice begins in August, so many days before the Red Rock Conference meet, so many days before the section meet, and so many days before the state meet," he said. "This is a big day for us because one of the goals these kids have had all along is to make it to state."If the Dragons get the job and send both teams to state, which could very well happen, it will be the perfect reward for a group of athletes and a coaching staff that worked hard and made a number of sacrifices to reach a common goal.Petersen started to feel good about his 2005 teams late last season when both squads placed fourth at the 2004 section meet. When a number of the program members approached him for advice on what it would take to get better, his response was swift."I told them if they want to take it to the next level, they will have to put in a lot of miles during the summer," he said.At the time, Petersen was asking the kids to make a commitment to the program. The coach wanted his athletes to sacrifice some of their free time in the summer to become better runners.As a sign of good faith, Petersen sacrificed his membership at the AACC to implement a summer running program that has helped lift the AHS girls to the No. 1-ranking and the AHS boys to the No. 3-ranking in the state’s coaches’ poll."I hung up the golf clubs for one year," he said. "I think I took them out twice this season. I told the kids this commitment I was going to make. Then I asked them, "What are you going to give me?"From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Dragons gave their coach sweat equity.In the summer program Petersen laid out, the kids had a choice of reaching one of three mileage levels. The first level was to run 300 miles, the second 400 miles and the third 500 miles. To add incentive to the runners, Petersen said he would take any of them on a trip to Custer, S.D., for a five-day retreat from July 20-24, if the kids had reached half of their mileage levels they had set for themselves for the summer.The retreat featured the opportunity for the runners to compete in a 5K run which was a part of Custer’s Gold Discovery Days celebration, and the carrot dangled in front of the athletes was big enough to capture their attention."We took 22 kids to Custer, where we did some camping, running, swimming and sight-seeing and had team meetings for five days," Petersen said. "We needed the kids to have a good running base before taking them to workout in the high altitudes (of Western South Dakota), so we needed them to be at or near their preset mileage goals for the summer."The commitment the kids made to Petersen persisted throughout the summer, as two runners reached the 500-mile mark, nine reached the 400-mile mark and the rest of them ran near 300 miles or more.Their hard work paid off during a successful regular season, which was highlighted by both teams winning RRC titles during the same year for the first time in school history.It was after the RRC meet that Petersen witnessed the ultimate act of personal sacrifice.Petersen wanted to reward junior Dustin Lonneman, a five-year member of the program, with a spot on the varsity team for today’s section race. Lonneman had been a fixture in the varsity lineup early in the season, but sophomore Jack Albertson passed him on the team’s depth chart as the season progressed.The day after watching Albertson help the boys win the RRC title, Lonneman approached Albertson in practice and told the younger athlete that he should run with the varsity team at the section meet."For a kid to do that… That’s a pretty big thing," Petersen said. "After seeing that, I know it will be something I’ll remember when I’m 85 and telling old cross country stories. In essence, that’s what our team has been all about this year."

Today I would like to address the subject of hugging. I was not raised in a hugging family, but I married into one. I like hugging and I’ve even initiated a hug of my own on occasion. Several weeks ago I attended the funeral for Carol Wessels. She was a friend, co-worker, and a family member of sort by marriage. At Carol’s funeral I got to hug my big brother and my sister-in-law. I hugged people I didn’t know very well, but it didn’t matter. We had Carol in common. At the end of the line I hugged Carol’s dad. When I get to hug someone else’s dad, I’m happy, because I lost my own father a long time ago.These funeral hugs represent the commonality of love and sadness that exists in each individual present. Every one is in the same sad boat. And when you hug each other, you know you’re not alone in that boat. There are other kinds of hugs, too. Goodbye Hug #1 happens when someone is leaving, but you know you’ll see them again sometime in the future. That hug will be followed up with an "I’m So Happy to See You Again" hug. Goodbye Hug #2 is for someone you won’t see for a long, long time and maybe not ever. Most of the time this hug does not get a follow-up hug. There is the "Comfort the Hurt" hug. It can occur between a parent and child, a husband and wife, or between friends. Oftentimes, the person who hurt you is the person who ends up comforting you. There is the "I’m So Happy I Could _____" hug. A hug of this nature occurs between two men watching the Minnesota Vikings play in the Super Bowl and the Vikings win. Oh, wait a minute that’s never happened. Let’s just say, when the Vikings make a touchdown, the men will jump up to hug each other and slap each other on the back. This type of hug is very rare in Minnesota. In the library business we have the "I’ve Been Wanting To Read This Book For So Long and I Finally Got It and I Didn’t Have to Pay For It" hug. We might see one of these hugs in the library this week because the new book by Patricia Cornwell is on the shelf. In "Predator" Dr. Kay Scarpetta is now freelancing with the National Forensic Academy in Florida. She takes charge of a case that stretches from steamy Florida to snowbound Boston; one that appears as unnerving as any she has ever faced. The teasing psychological clues lead Scarpetta and her team — Pete Marino, Benton Wesley, and Lucy Farinelli — on a hunt for a cunning and malevolent mind whose secrets have kept them in the shadows — until now. Also new on the shelf is "First Impressions" by Jude Deveraux. Eden Palmer knows how to make it on her own. The 40-something single mother has worked hard to raise her beloved daughter — now 27 and recently married. Sooner or later a woman must come into her own, and that's what Eden tries to do when she moves to Arundel, N.C, to take ownership of Farrington Manor, a beautiful old house filled with charm and memories that was willed to Eden by the person who cared for her when she needed it most. Torn between the desire to stay with her daughter and the need to build a separate life on her own, Eden opts for some distance and some much-needed perspective. She quickly learns that looks can be deceiving when her move is met with delight in some quarters and jealousy in others. Pursued by two eligible bachelors — the rugged Jared McBride and Braddon Granville, local lawyer and town catch — Eden is flattered, and more than a little suspicious. Juggling the attentions of two men is hard enough, but soon Eden's bid to start over plunges her in the middle of a mystery that threatens not just her plans and reputation, but her very life.

Our New HospitalThe following appeared in the Rock County Herald on October 13, 1905:NOW READY FOR OCCUPANCY AND WILL BEFORMALLY OPENED MONDAYDoors of Luverne’s Handsome New Hospital, Built by Dr. A. E. Spalding, Will be Thrown Open and Opportunity Given the Public for Inspection next Monday Evening — Institution a Monument to Builder’s Enterprise and a Source of Pride and Benefit to the People of Luverne.Luverne’s handsome new hospital, which has been built this summer by Dr. A.E. Spalding, will be formally opened next Monday evening, October 16, at which time the doors will be thrown open to the public and opportunity given to all who wish to inspect the institution. The doors will be open between 7:30 and 11 o’clock and all who wish to avail themselves of the invitation given will be cordially welcomed.The interior work in the construction of the building was completed last week, and the work of moving into the new building was commenced Monday. This work will be finished this week and everything will be in readiness for the formal opening Monday evening.The building is a brick structure 40x60 feet with a basement, and two stories. It was erected at a cost of $10,000 and in point of construction and convenience is one of the most substantial buildings of its kind outside of the large cities. It is an institution which will always be a monument to the enterprise and public spirit of its builder and a source of constant pride to the people of Luverne. The formal opening of this institution next Monday evening will be one of the most important events in the history of Luverne and beyond a doubt due appreciation of this fact will be shown. A complete description of the building and its excellent equipment will be given in connection with the Herald’s report of the formal opening.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to th e Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Candy corn makes my teeth sensitive. I guess you’re either a Halloween person or you’re not. And I’m not. I can’t even remember the last one I enjoyed. It’s kind of like New Year’s Eve for me. I either don’t plan anything good, or I get my hopes up and it’s no fun anyway.It probably started early on in life. My family didn’t shop for trendy costumes. I remember one Halloween night when I had to walk my little sister around town to collect candy. My mom tied my hair up in a hat, threw one of my dad’s old hunting jackets on me, rubbed some mascara on my upper lip and cheeks for facial-hair effect and found some fake teeth in a "crafty Mom box" somewhere. "There, you’re a vagrant," she said. "Watch for cars … and save some Butterfingers for me."Despite my lack of enthusiasm, I look back at some costumes and realize how good they really were. The clown, the tiger with a wired tail that stood up — there were a few gems in my past.But Halloween evidently isn’t my holiday. I don’t even own a pumpkin decoration, even though some were only 30¢ at Loopy’s.In an effort to step up my Halloween spirit this week, I looked up the most popular costumes this year. Americans are spending $3 billion on costumes. The best-selling are still fashioned after hit movies like the "Batman," "Spiderman" and "Star Wars" series. "The Incredibles" and "Shrek" are also big.Here are the top sellers: 1. Darth Vader2. Batman3. Corpse Bride4. Fantastic Four for kids5. Harry Potter characters6. Dora The Explorer7. Disney Princesses8. Power Rangers9. Divas and fairies10. Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz"Renaissance costumes, such as wenches and jousters, are popular. Babies apparently wear lots of pumpkins, skunks and bumble bees. If you actually want to dress up, there are many options. A couple of easier, trendy ideas I found were Donald Trump (fun hair options) and Martha Stuart (crocheted poncho and a ball and chain). I just have one last thought on Halloween: If I’m the Scrooge of a wicked holiday, does that mean I’m an extra good person?Maybe I’ll have Mom come up with an angel outfit for me next year.

It’s not just the weight that’s falling off the Big Loser participants, but the inches are coming off as well.At the beginning of the Big Loser contest we all weighed in and had our blood work done. In addition to that, we were all measured at the neck, chest, waist and hips. Last week we were all measured again in the same four places.It was no surprise that we had all lost inches because we have all lost weight, but the number of inches lost by some was substantial. For the gals, Amy Vandevoort lost a total of seven inches. Terry Connell lost the most inches among the guys by dropping nearly nine inches. He lost four inches off the waist alone in the first four weeks. Toby Donth wasn’t far behind Connell, shedding some seven-plus inches. I lost seven inches myself, and I noticed that after the second measurements were taken, I am tied with two other guys with the smallest waist, yet I have the second largest hips among the guys. I thank my dad’s side of the family tree for that. Come to think of it, the Peterson family tree must be a pear tree.We had a tie for the Big Loser of the Week this week between Chantel and Terry Connell. Their total pounds and body fat percentage lost for the week tallied seven points each. Terry has been the weekly Big Loser before, but this is the first time Chantel has won the weekly crown. As you know, Terry and Chantel are on opposing teams. Chantel and I are teammates, so when this promotion gets down to the end and the total numbers are close, just remember Chantel is the one preparing Terry’s meals.

A Veteran’s TakeThe Greatest Generations, Part IAs another Veterans Day approaches and the seasons change in our neck of the woods, I hope that people can take a minute to think of all of the men and women who have gone into the service, during war and peace to defend the freedoms so many of us take for granted.One of the greatest groups out there answered the call to service after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Theirs was possibly the greatest military mission ever, period. As technology was progressing, the Germans and the Japanese were amassing the capability to truly take over the world. By the time we entered the war, Britain and Russia had become mere speed bumps to the Germans and we were the only great threat to their desires of world dominance.In recent years, the veterans that undertook this great task have gained the nickname of "The Greatest Generation." I would tend to expand that definition. When you look at the entire country during World War II, there were not too many people that did not contribute to the war effort. The men that left their loved ones to fight the Nazis and the Imperial Japanese had this huge advantage over anyone that has gone after them.The government and the people of the United States had been watching the happenings overseas as the Axis Powers rolled through weaker nations. The warning signs had been there for years as Hitler came to power and began rebuilding the German military and the Japanese had been on mainland Asia for years raping and pillaging the countryside. Then when Hitler unleashed the new Blitzkrieg in Europe in the late 30’s, we were shocked and appalled. We were also sitting back hoping that we would not have to get involved.As a nation we were apprehensive to get involved again. World War I was still fresh in our minds, but, when war was brought to our shores by the pilots of the Imperial Japanese Navy, our nation stood together as one. Those that did not actually go to fight worked in factories that retooled to build the machines of war, bought war bonds, or collected scrap metal. The average citizen had to accept rations of food and the lack of new vehicles, tractors, and other necessities. The people of this country knew that it would take the sacrifice of every man, woman, and child if we wanted to retain the freedoms we so loved. A few years of sacrifice were of little concern for an entire future.All of the people that worked together to win World War II could really be our Greatest Generation. They stood in the face of an overpowering threat and were absolutely determined to stop the aggressors. That generation lost a lot of men in a few years and the financial cost was huge. But they knew the importance of winning that war, and what losing would mean.To be continued:Curtis Hendel Adrian

As election day approaches, I have a few thoughts on the Luverne Public School referendum. I sometimes think that adults get consumed with dollar signs and forget whom this referendum will ultimately impact ... the children of our school district. Unfortunately, the students of Luverne Public Schools are unable to vote on this issue. In the end, they have to live with the results of what adults deem appropriate or in their best interest. Life is not getting easier, but quite the opposite, it is more difficult to make a living, and it is a necessity that our children receive a solid and diverse education so that they can grow up to be productive adults. This does not happen overnight and does not miraculously happen when they go off to college. It starts here at home and in our public schools.Now, some people believe that the state government should raise our taxes to fund education. If and when that were to occur, would we be guaranteed that all of the dollars generated from our community would come back to our local school? I would rather pass this referendum and know that my money is staying in my community to educate my children and their classmates. The children will be the ones who suffer if the residents of this school district do not band together and pass this referendum.As you go about your daily lives, observe the children around you and ask yourself if you would be able to look those children in the eyes and tell them that they do not deserve the best education that this community can offer. I urge the residents of this school district to rethink their position on this issue and keep in mind who this referendum is about ... the children.Seana GraberLuverne

Last week I wrote a column about attending a 10-year reunion for my high school volleyball team’s state championship win.In the column, I said I couldn’t remember much about the tournament or the win. This made me nervous as time ticked closer to the reunion … so much that by Friday afternoon I thought I might be going crazy.I guess I didn’t like that I didn’t have any of these memories. If winning was so monumental that I needed to go back to my old high school gym for the first time in 10 years to be recognized – why didn’t I remember?On Friday, the plan was to leave for Madison, S.D., (home of my high school) moments after my husband arrived home from work. David arrived home about 20 minutes late because he had helped a co-worker change a tire.At this point I must remind anyone still reading that I was emotionally not myself because I was nervous, worried and not happy about having to do this.Leaving Hills late intensified that situation. My mother and father had invited us for cocktails and cheese before I needed to be at the gym to speak with the current volleyball team.My mother thought cheese and finger foods would calm me down and give me a chance to reminisce with my father – an avid fan of my sports years.However, as we drove north, I was behaving horribly. I was upset that we were going to miss the celebration my mother had planned and I was still unsure about what to say to the volleyball players.It is a testament to David’s patience that he didn’t leave me on the side of the road, standing next to naked cornfields. Fast forward an hour, and we are at my parents’ house with about 20 minutes to mingle and munch – thanks to David’s excellent driving skills.As my father starts to fill me in on the details of the championship season, I realize that nothing he is saying can be of any use to current volleyball players – but the cheese is delicious and the laughter calmed me down.When I enter the gym, I spot Kari Stratton, a dear friend of mine and teammate of any sport I played since sixth grade.We were best friends forever throughout much of my time in Madison, but her extreme desire to play collegiate and professional sports took time away from our friendship as high school came to a close. This encounter would be our third in 10 years.She is a great athlete. She was our class president and went on to play basketball at the University of Wyoming and Augustana.Of course, she remembered EVERYTHING about our tournament bid, including the names of girls on the teams we had played. The names, scores and injuries didn’t bring back much of my memory, but when she started telling me about the nights back at the Holiday Inn and who our roommates were, I had my eureka moment.Suddenly I was able to differentiate between this volleyball tournament and the many basketball tournaments.I had been focusing on trying to recall the games we had played when I should have been trying to remember the good times had.I have always been a believer of doing things for enjoyment. If it is not fun then it probably isn’t worth doing.Don’t misunderstand, I like to work hard and be challenged, but I need that work to be fun.If I can’t smile through a task, I would rather not do it.I have always been this way. I was a happy child and strive to be a happy adult.I think this attitude prevented me from becoming overly invested in the competition of athletics in high school. It was more about participating in a social experience.Going to state, whether for volleyball, basketball or softball meant I got to spend quality time with my girls, social time with my coaches and I was able to make new friends while there. I don’t think I wasted much of my energy on strategy or being upset about a loss. For me, that just wasn’t the point.Between recalling outstanding plays and talking about a pending induction to the Madison Hall of Fame, Kari was talking to me about our 10-year class reunion. She is in charge of the planning and apparently is going to be as dedicated to it as she always was to sports.I, for one, kept looking at my husband and parents, vowing not to become too fanatical as the reunion approached. After all, I have plenty of great memories to share with my classmates and I think I can remember the names of all 89 who graduated with me.Overall, I was glad I attended the event; my coach was so overjoyed to review the season we had played and remember the progress we had made. She was just as happy to hear where we had ended up in our lives.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

10 years ago (1995)"Joyce ‘Kitty’ Helgeson has been at the Beaver Creek Information Center for more than two decades — helping people find their way, giving weather reports or doing any of the other many tasks which may arise during a typical day’s work.After 21 years, Helgeson will retire as the senior travel information clerk at the information center. Oct. 31 will be her final day at the office." 25 years ago (1980)"The election results show Bud Bush winning the mayor’s seat with 299 votes to Vander Woude’s 39. In the Hills City Council race Neil Bly and Tony Bosch were the winners. Bly had 194 votes, Bosch 170, Wilmer Elbers with 137, ‘Ike’ Larson with 105 and Jim Iverson with 35." 50 years ago (1955)"Probably the best news we’ve heard in Hills the past few weeks is the fact that water from our newly drilled well is considerably softer than from the old one. … Meanwhile work is progressing on hooking up the new well to the system. This week the well will be connected to the existing system by pipes and John DeHaan and his men are putting up the new pump house."75 years ago (1930)"The Hills Creamery came within sixteen hundredths of a point in capturing first place at the recent State Butter contest held in St. Paul. Lake Benton got first place. This speaks well for our home creamery."100 years ago (1905)"These are the days when the farmers’ boys with the iron wrists and husking mitts gets into the cornfield at daybreak and all daylong keeps a steady stream of the golden ears batting against the sideboard until dusk. It’s a pretty strenuous job, and there’s no doubt but what these boys can do justice to their evening meal and bunk. This is getting to be a great corn country and there is a whole army of men busy in this section at present harvesting one of the biggest corn crops in the history of Martin township."