I would first like to say there are always two sides to every story. With that said, I would like to bring to discussion the subject of what is right and wrong when you live in a small community. In the last few years, Luverne has made strides to become a growing and prosperous community. As you look around you will see new businesses coming to town all of which will help the community in their own ways. And I’m sure it is safe to say that the most lucrative project / business investment has been the construction of the Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center. With 10’s of millions of dollars going into the project, thousands of dollars were donated from local families and businesses alike. That is what is great about a city like Luverne; with all the differences each individual has, it seems like every time someone is in need they can rely on someone or something within the town to help them out. The Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center is not excluded in this statement. They have benefited greatly from the generosity of each citizen and business that donated toward the cause of helping the community to stay healthy. So what is the issue here, one may ask? The issue is: How is the town of Luverne going to continue to be prosperous when generosity is paid back by individuals going out of town to do their business when it is quite obvious there are businesses in town that offer the same services? My point is that the recipient of each of your donations — Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center — went out of town to buy most of their products, such as furniture and thousands of dollars in televisions and numerous other products. Let’s put it this way, your donation went to our hospital and clinic (who claimed this was a local project and as much business as possible will stay in Luverne), which then went out on a shopping spree that benefited the businesses in town very little. They went to Sioux Falls businesses, for instance Karl’s Home Audio and Appliance, who did not contribute to the project AT ALL. And for what, products that they could have bought here in Luverne.The natural reaction you may have is maybe the prices were higher here in Luverne. That would be a good question. However, that is NOT the case. I know the Furniture House as well as the local Sears store has Price Matching options in the case of product you see elsewhere is cheaper. To top it off, neither of these two businesses were even asked to bid on these products. Basically, that means each individual purchase would have been significantly cheaper than what our local medical provider actually spent on their purchases. So the question beckons, is Luverne’s prosperity going to represent each one of us losing our grip on what is right and wrong?Mike Miller, Rural Rushmore

A few weeks have passed since Rock County’s Relay for Life was held. It was a great event at our beautiful city park with great weather. There are many people who made the Relay possible, and I would like to mention them: oThe committee that worked so hard and took their part of the planning and got it completed.oTeam captains and members who had many exciting fund-raisers during the year, as well as all the sponsors that donated either cash of products for the supper.oThe Pork and Beef Producers who did the grilling and the Livewires 4-H Club who helped the team volunteers with serving of the meal. oThe entertainers who shared their talents, and Jerry Gladis, the DJ who provided the sound system and music throughout the night. oThe city and the employees who worked with us during the event, Ken Vos, John Stoffel and Ivan Kooiker. oBonnie Reu, who brought the many cords, lights and other supplies.oThe Star Herald for all the articles they publish regarding the Relay.oThe people who support the fund-raisers, purchase baskets and just come to the Relay for Life event.It was a very exciting night, and some of the things that I am thinking about still are the Survivors’ Lap and all those who walk that lap. It is such a special but a very emotional lap. Mike Van Der Brink, the honorary chair, was able to be there after having surgery in Rochester only 12 days before. Another thing is Tom Comsudes from Atlanta, Ga., who promoted Rock County’s Relay for Life all year by taking pledges for his 100-mile walk. He came to Luverne and started walking at the city park on Wednesday, walked on Thursday and Friday and finished on Saturday around 2 a.m. He brought a donation of $8,396. When asked why he does it for Rock County, he said, "Because Rock County cares." Thanks, Tom, and also to your family who came and walked with you and supported our Relay. I also really enjoyed the presentation by the Hardwick American Legion on the meaning of the different folds of the flag. The Luminary Ceremony was beautiful with bags all the way around the park. Congratulations to Jon and Kristin. That was the topping on a wonderful evening.In closing, I want to say that because of everyone who supported the Relay in some way, the total raised is more than $75,000. A BIG hats off to Nancy Kaczrowski for co-chairing with me for two years and her work for Relay before that. It has been fun to get to know and work with her. Also thanks to my family for supporting me during the planning stage and being there for me that night. God Bless you all.Glenda SchomackerLuverne

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,