Monday, due to the 4th of July holiday, no regular activities occurred at the Village. Several tenants were given the opportunity to spend the day with their families. For dinner those who stayed enjoyed a picnic dinner consisting of hamburgers on fresh buns, potato salad, baked beans and watermelon. Wednesday afternoon tenants enjoyed watching a video and enjoying popcorn. Paul and Bertha Thompson observed their wedding anniversary on July 8.For breakfast on Friday tenants enjoyed waffles with various toppings. Later in the evening a group from Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, Iowa, conducted a hymn sing. We thank the group for their visit. The Village Library is located in the Garden Room on the lower level. The hours at the library are from 9 to 11 a.m. the first and third Saturday of the month.

10 years ago (1995)"Austin Cragoe was selected to attend the 1995 Teen Achievers of Minnesota Scholarship and Leadership program July 21-23 at St. Cloud State University.The three-day event was designed to recognize and reward excellence in teens and to develop and enhance social and leadership skills."25 years ago (1980)"Jim Jellema, Hills, has been named the assistant manager of Rock County Co-op Oil Company in Luverne. Jim has run the bulk truck route for the Hills and Steen area since August of 1971. That route will now be taken over by Dennis Roozenboom of Hills. The change in the bulk truck route ownership and the assistant managership are effective immediately." 50 years ago (1955)"Plans are being made ready and contractors are busy figuring costs for another new business building in Hills. This time it’s Herman’s Service Station which is going modern in Hills. The plans call for a one-stall station, 28x36 feet in dimension, with possibilities of additions at any time the owner may choose to do so in the future. It will be of brick and tile construction, located just across the street from his present station." 75 years ago (1930)"If it is ever found out who the guilty party is that cut the wire about every five feet around the Hills Creamery lawn, it won’t go very easy with them, as the Creamery will do everything in its power to find out who the party is even though it will take five years to run them down. It is very dangerous to let a brainless person like this run loose. Hills Creamery."100 years ago (1905)"The hoboes who come around to the back door begging handouts and money are getting nearly as numerous as in the days of Coxey’s Army. Have a loaded gun laying handy and don’t go away from the house and leave the doors unlocked. The boldness and nerve of this gentry is something surprising."

Sunday evening was a perfect night to be out-of-doors. It was the evening chosen by Steen Reformed Church to hold their annual outdoor concert in the Steen park. The concert began at 6:30 p.m. but many people arrived prior to that time. There was a very good turnout. Bleachers had been brought in from the ball diamond and other seating was available. Many brought their own lawn chairs. I would guess at least 200 people were in attendance. There were cars parked everywhere and some were still driving around. It is a very special service for the Steen church. There was no admission charged. Ice cream, cookies and hot or cold drinks were also available without charge. The program for the evening was well done and those attending enjoyed it very much. A copy of the program has been included in my column, as I thought someone might want to contact some of the group and have them come to their church: The Glory Inc. BandA group of high school and college youth from Hull, Iowa. They will lead us in praise and worship, a pre concert worship event. Hear by FaithThey come to us from Hermantown. They consist of Tina Larson, Dede Greene and Chad Larson. Nancy Larson is the accompanist. Their music style is described as uplifting, upbeat and with close harmony. Joe DorhoutJoe comes from Luverne. He is often requested to sing at local churches and other community events. He also has participated in a couple of Green Earth Players musicals. The Integrity SistersThey come to us from Sioux Center, Iowa. Their names are Kansas, Jamie, Kasondra, Kelsie, Jasmyn Calkhoven. They sing Praise and Worship, Christian Contemporary and Christian Pop. They have sung at a number of local festivals such as Lifelight Fest in Sioux Falls, and in the Freedom Fest in Sioux City, Iowa. Henrietta Huenink, Joan Hoogeveen and Winnie Scholten attended the Valley Springs celebration this past weekend. The Steen softball team will play Friday, July 15, at Rock Rapids, Iowa. The Hills Indees will play at Steen Tuesday evening, July 19. This is a Tuesday night so perhaps you should check the date to be sure. There was a Keunen family reunion Sunday morning following the church service. It was at the Pizza Ranch in Rock Rapids. Those attending were Beth Sakurai, Japan, Ginger France, Sioux City, Iowa, Bill and Bertha Bosch, Mike Bonnema, Mildred Keunen, Jo Aykens, all of Steen, Leslie and Linda Hengeveld and David, Valley Springs, Don Bonnema, Rock Rapids, and Joyce Aykens, Worthington.In our world today there seems to be so much stress, so much cruelty, dishonesty, etc. However, we are all familiar with what is going on in our everyday lives. I don’t know about you but there are times I just do not want to hear any more of it.When I found this article titled "The Joy of Laughter," I decided we could all use a little or maybe even a lot more laughter. I hope this will cheer you up and help us all to get on the sunny side of life once more!The Joy of LaughterBy R.G. IngersollThe laugh of a child will make the holiest day more sacred. Strike with the hand of fire, O weird musician, thy harp strung with Apollo’s golden hair; fill the vast cathedral aisles with symphonies sweet and dim, deft toucher of the organ keys; blow, bugler blow, until the silver notes do touch and kiss the moonlit waves and charm the lovers wandering ’mid the vine-clad hills. But know your sweetest strains are discords all compared with childhood’s happy laugh — the laugh that fills the eyes with light and every heart with joy. O rippling river of laughter, thou art the blessed boundary line between beasts and men, and every wayward wave of thine doth drown some fretful fiend of care. O laugher, rose-lipped laughter of joy, there are dimples enough in thy cheeks to catch and hold and glorify all the tears of grief.

Surprise visitors at the home of Mae Top on the 4th of July included cousins Mr. and Mrs. Richard Forde, Greenview, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lutz, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Millie Lutz, Omaha, Neb.Enjoying dinner Tuesday night at the home of Harlan and Bonnie Kolsrud in Worthington were Andy and Stacey Bommersbach and girls, Kent and Paula Kolsrud and girls, all of Sioux Falls, David and Char Kolsrud and Chris, Beaver Creek, and Alice Kolsrud, Hills. Alyce McClure, Luverne, visited Mae Top on Thursday, July 7.Don and Edyth Briggs traveled to Detroit Lakes on Tuesday, July 5, to visit Marge Hellie, who was in the hospital there with a hip replacement. On Wednesday, Don and Edyth attended a funeral for a friend in Fergus Falls and returned home to Hills that day. Marvin and June Albers celebrated the first birthday of their great-granddaughter, Tabitha, of Sioux Falls on July 4. Her parents, Jeremy Albers and Judy Garretson and boys were also guests.Cliff and Vi VanWyhe, Hills, celebrated Cliff’s birthday in Sioux Falls on Sunday, July 10, with son Tom and grandson Matthew VanWyhe, daughter, Lexia and girls, Lyndsey and Ashley DeWit, all of Sioux Falls, and son, Steve and Justin VanWyhe, Steen.Don Briggs participated in the parade in Valley Springs, S.D., with the El Riad Big Band on Saturday. After the parade there was a get-together at George Gulson’s home west of Brandon, S.D., which Edyth and Don attended. A daughter, Anna Marie, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces, was born to the Rev. Jeff and Karen DeBoer, Garner, Iowa, on June 28. She joins two older brothers, Josiah, 4, and Micah, 2. Grandparents are Chuck and Rheta DeBoer, Hills, and the Rev. Mark and Corrie Zylstra, Allendale, Mich. Great-grandparents are Frank and Berdella DeBoer, Hills.Saturday, July 9, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer and Berdella DeBoer, all of Hills, and Allen and Mary Van Raalte, Larchwood, Iowa, traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, where they attended the wedding of Mark DeBoer, Hills, and Kelly Tucker, Sioux City, Iowa. Lynwood Johnson, who formerly lived in our area, is a patient at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofGerald H. Rierson, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 8th day of August, 2005, at 3:30 O’clock P.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated April 24, 2003, and for the appointment of Darla L. Rierson, whose address is 569 70th Avenue, Beaver Creek, Minnesota 56116, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.Dated: July 12, 2005 /s/Timothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge/s/ Douglas E. Eisma /s/Douglas E. Eisma Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 25Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828I.D. #158343(7-14, 7-21)

Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671MinutesThe Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library in Hills. Board members present were Leuthold, Boeve, Esselink, Harnack, and DeBoer. Baker was absent. Superintendent Deragisch was also in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harnack.Motion by DeBoer, second by Esselink, and carried to amend the agenda to include 5.9 Personnel – resignation of Jennifer Madsen. Noted that item 5.4 and 6.3 are the same item. Motion carried. Visitors to the meeting were recognized by the Chairman. The only visitor was Lexi Moore of The Crescent.Patriot Pride: Tyler Bush qualified for the State Track meet in the 800 runGraduation went wellGreat school yearThe minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent out. Motion by Leuthold, second by Boeve, and carried to approve Todd Holthaus as the LEA rep for Hills-Beaver Creek. Motion by Leuthold, second by DeBoer, and carried to ask Rollie Crawford to fill the remainder of Matt Larson’s term of office on the school board.Motion by Esselink, second by Boeve, and carried to approve the resolution to establish dates for filing affidavits of candidacy for the November school board election.Motion by Leuthold, second by DeBoer, and carried to approve the revision of Policy #210 Conflict of Interest for School Board Members. Motion by Boeve, second by Esselink, and carried to approve the revision of Policy #211 Criminal or Civil Action against School District, Board Member, Employee or Student.Motion by Leuthold, second by DeBoer, and carried to approve the revision of Policy #213 School Board Committees. Motion by Esselink, second by Leuthold and carried to give permission for Supt. Deragisch to purchase a used bus with the spending limit of $30,000.00.Motion by Boeve, second by Esselink, and carried to accept with regrets the resignation of Jennifer Madsen high school special ed teacher. The board wishes to express their thanks for the fine job she did last year. Legislative update was given by Esselink. The June 30 school board meeting will be held at the elementary school in Beaver Creek. Dates to Remember: June 30 School Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. July 18 School Board meeting 7:30 p.m.Agenda items for next meeting: School Board picnicMeeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.Ann Boeve, Clerk(7-14)

Arnold K. Roen, 92, Madison, Minn., formerly of Luverne, died Friday, June 24, 2005, at Madison Lutheran Home.Arnold Roen was born to Benhardt and Agnes (Reinsnaas) Roen on Sept. 5, 1912, in Luverne. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He graduated from Luverne High School. He enrolled in the University School of Mortuary Science in 1934. Upon graduation he worked at Nicol’s Mortuary in Superior, Wis. In 1937 he opened the Roen Funeral Service in Madison. He married Inez Rortvedt in 1939. Mrs. Roen and her infant son both died in childbirth in May 1941. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1943. While in the service he married Ada Tenney, who died in 1961. Two children were born to this union. He was honorably discharged in May 1946. He returned to Madison and purchased the Hofstad and Hanson Funeral Service and then moved to the Zahrbock Funeral Home. He married Ruth Dixon Beninga in 1965. He retired in 1978. They enjoyed living in Madison in the summer and many years of wintering in Arizona.Mr. Roen was actively involved in every facet of the Madison community. In 1986 he received a plaque of recognition from the Mortuary Science Division of Minnesota for 50 years of dedicated service. Survivors include two children, Arvin (Karen) Roen, Indio, Calif., and Janice (Harvey) Moen, Roseville; four grandchildren, Jeff (Karen) Moen, Falcon Heights, Jason Moen, Shoreview, Erik (Suzanne) Roen, Simsbury, Conn., and Wendy (Will) Buckhanan, Gunnison, Colo.; four great-grandchildren, Annie Moen, Ava Moen, Sam Buckhanan and Elise Roen.Mr. Roen was preceded in death by his parents, three wives, an infant son, Arvid, and three sisters,

By Sara QuamLuverne Economic Development Director Jill Wolf said she is talking to a prospective occupant for all or part of the hospital once it is vacated for its new location this summer.The Luverne Economic Development Authority will meet with the business in August. Details can’t be released because plans are just in the preliminary stages, but what is now the hospital might become a technology center with various educational opportunities.Wolf said the occupant would be new to town, not relocating from another existing site in Luverne.Wolf also reports that:
Total Card Inc. has a target of 150 employees by Sept. 1. As of its one-year anniversary in May, there were 107 employees.
The KELO-TV ad campaign is getting more airtime than the city paid for or was promised. The city doesn’t have to pay extra for this airtime that scheduling allowed. The ads feature Job Opportunity Building Zones and highlight community features that the city hopes will draw visitors, residents and businesses.
Luverne Economic Development Commission may help a business, Magnolia Wood Creations, locate to Luverne. The cabinet business has existed for a few years and is looking for more space, including possible retail display of cabinets and furniture.Co-owner Kevin Frodermann is interested in locating in the former Northco building on McKenzie Street, behind FRACCO.
LEDA is hosting a luncheon with Steve Ducek of Prairieland Economic Development. He will give a brief presentation on loan programs and funding opportunities available through the Minnesota Community Capital Fund and the Southwest Minnesota Regional Development Commission.The meeting will primarily be for local lenders and LEDA members, but it is open to the public. The date is set for July 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Wolf for more information at 449-5033.

By Lori EhdeJust in time for the July 4 holiday weekend, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty approved a funding package that would keep state parks open for camping.That news arrived Thursday, June 30, just as campers with reservations in the Blue Mounds State Park were packing for the weekend.The local campgrounds were booked full for the weekend, but as time ran out on the regular legislative session, lawmakers still couldn’t agree on several budget plans – including the Department of Natural Resources.Campers with reservations in Minnesota state parks were warned they may need alternative plans if the state government shut down.Jack and Gloria Jonas, Fergus Falls, made their reservations for the Blue Mounds State Park camp site more than two weeks ago.They planned to stay at the campground near Luverne on their way back from a July 4 family gathering in Nebraska."With the possible state shutdown, we didn’t know what to expect," Gloria Jonas said from her campsite Tuesday morning. "The first thing I said to the park ranger when we got here was ‘I’m sure glad you’re open.’"On June 30, Gov. Pawlenty signed a bill that was passed by the Minnesota Legislature that approved funding for the DNR for the biennium.Approval of this budget means that all DNR facilities, offices, services and state parks have funding to remain open for the next two years.But as of press time Wednesday, a complete budget agreement still hadn’t been reached in the Legislature.The most visible signs of the state government partial shutdown were closed rest stops along highways, including the Beaver Creek Travel and Information Center on the Minnesota-South Dakota Border along I-90.The state also received emergency funding to continue delivering services to the health and safety of Minnesota residents, including the State Patrol.About 9,000 of the state’s 48,000 employees didn’t report to work Friday after the state budget wasn’t approved.Among those were workers at driver’s license exam stations, including the one in Luverne.Funding for transportation, social services, health care and public schools was not approved before the start of the new budget cycle, forcing offices associated with those programs to close.Construction projects along state roads will continue, but district DOT offices, such as the one in Windom, will be closed to the public.