NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A VARIANCE TO THE CITY OF LUVERNE ZONING ORDINANCENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the City of Luverne Board of Appeals and Adjustments that a public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Luverne, Minnesota, at 5:00 p.m. on June 13, 2005, to consider a variance, as requested by Nathan Golla on behalf of Luverne Farm Store, Inc., to City Code Section 11.16, Subd. 2 (A), to allow two freestanding signs on business property instead of one and to City Code Section 11.16, Subd. 3 (a) to allow 60 sq. ft. of signage per side of freestanding sign instead of 32 sq. ft. per side on property located at 617 S. Kniss Ave., Luverne, Minnesota.All persons wishing to be heard in favor or in opposition to the variance request should be present at the hearing or present written comments prior thereto to the City Clerk. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s office, 203 E. Main St. (507) 449-2388.MARIANNE PERKINSCITY CLERK(6-2)

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: $84,997.40THAT 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: July 14, 2005, 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept., Front Step, Luverne, MN to 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: May 19, 2005 Washington Mutual Bank, F.A.Assignee of MortgageeSHAPIRO & NORDMEYER, L.L.P.BY /s/ Nancy A. NordmeyerNancy A. NordmeyerLawrence P. ZielkeCraig M. BarbeeAttorneys 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.(6-2, 6-9, 6-16, 6-23, 6-30, 7-7)

‘The War’ producers coming to LuverneKen Burn’s production company will be in Luverne this month.The purpose of the trip is to continue their research on their documentary film series about the American experience in World War II.They are asking anyone with photographs or home movies of Luverne or Rock County during the World War II era (1935-1945) to share their collections with the producers of the film at the Rock County Museum at 123 North Freeman (the former Masonic Lodge).The production crew will be in Luverne at the museum Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Some specific items they are still in need of include photographs or home movies of the following:
Luverne places: such as the Omaha railroad bridge, the Luverne train depot at night, Gimm and Brynes’ Restaurant
Luverne people: such as men who were wounded or killed in action in the war or Luverne residents at home or at work.
Luverne war activities or events: VE Day, VJ Day, scrap drives, people saving fat, civil defense wardens in the neighborhood, people listening to the radio for war news, funeral or memorial services.
Holidays in Luverne: Christmas
Seasons in Luverne: spring and winter especially
Post-War Luverne: parades and returning Vets.If you are wondering if your photos or films are the type of things the producers are looking for, contact Betty Mann at 283-2913.In addition to Luverne, the documentary film series titled "The War" will follow the fortunes of three other American towns: Sacramento, Calif.; Waterbury, Conn.; and Mobile, Ala.Is there anything to do?According to April Gangestad, children’s librarian for the Rock County Community Library, there are a lot of things for kids to do at the library.The library will be hosting more than a dozen summer programs. They include:
Butterfly House
Magic School
Karaoke Dance Party
Water Bug Party
Movie and Popcorn
Professional Storyteller
Pizza Party
Baby Bug Story Time
Lil Ladybug Story Time
Busy Bees Lunch Bunch
Story & Art
Jim Oliver
Mosquito RideRegistration for the programs is June 6 through 11. If you would like to know more about any of the programs, contact April Gangestad at 440-5040.Twins, anyone?Community Education is organizing a trip to see the Minnesota Twins.The game is this Sunday, and there are still seats left on the bus.The featured game will be the Twins vs. the New York Yankees.For $40, you will get a ride to the game, be dropped off at the door and receive a ticket for a seat in the second level along first base.The bus is scheduled to leave at 7:30 a.m. and return around 9:30 p.m. Game time is 1:10.There will be a stop for a light breakfast on the way up and at Old Country Buffet on the way back.If you would like to take the trip or want more information, contact Community Ed at 283-4724.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

It’s endless summers from now on; no more recess bells or bathroom breaksIt was a busy week in the halls and classrooms, as students completed their last days of school before summer vacation. And little things like a retirement here and there would go easily unnoticed. Several teachers quietly savored (or endured, depending whom you ask) their final days on the job –— not just for the school year, but for their careers.Luverne School Board accepted the retirements of seven long-time teachers this spring. They are:
Kindergarten Teacher Peggy Goettsch, who started in August 1979,
Kindergarten Teacher Shirley Harrison, who started in August 1972,
Third-grade Teacher Rhonna Jarchow, who started in January 1979
Phy Ed Teacher Steve Kollman, who started in August 1970 and
High School English Teacher Cheryl Roberts, who started in August 1974.If you add up their years of work in Luverne, the total comes to more than 150 combined years of teaching.It scares me to watch all that experience and dedication walk out the door. Every single one of these individuals has carved out a niche among students in Luverne. Mrs. Goettsch is known for her gentle demeanor, Mrs. Harrison for her creative spirit, Mrs. Jarchow for her entertaining projects (ornaments and hats, for example), Mr. Kollman for leveling the P.E. playing field and Mrs. Roberts for her attention to proper English grammar.Who will fill those enormous shoes? Who will be the voice of experience? Whatever will we do?I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll hire new teachers.And soon enough they, too, will carve out their own niches among students in Luverne.I could easily name a dozen teachers hired in the past 10 years who, in my opinion, are already legendary.I’ve lost track of the times I heard myself ask a teacher, "How do you do it?"How do they bolster enthusiasm when mid-winter doldrums set in? How do they inspire learning in a learning-disabled child? How do they coax patience from the attention-deficit child?It’s demanding work that’s not forgiving of weaknesses. I’ve seen teachers struggling with health problems and personal losses take charge of their classrooms with grace and strength … and energy. For this reason and many others, we at the Star Herald find teacher retirements newsworthy.Over the coming weeks of summer, as these new retirements become official, we’ll share their stories about memorable classroom moments, highlights in their careers and most challenging obstacles along the way.Congratulations on your retirements, teachers! May you enjoy a quiet future, uninterrupted by recess bells and milk breaks.

A new cemetery in Australia hopes to stand out from all the others. In fact, "stand" will be the operative word at the cemetery which, in addition to providing inexpensive ($781 in U.S. currency), environmentally friendly burials, will bury its guests in vertical positions. The Darlington cemetery rules will also require bodies to be buried in simple body bags — instead of the usual caskets and waterproof vaults. "When you die, you are returned to the earth with a minimum of fuss and with no paraphernalia that would affect the environment," a cemetery spokesman told Australian Associated Press. The bodies of the dearly departed will be stood up in groups of up to 15 at a time and animals will be allowed to graze on the land after it is stable again. The vertical concept in cemeteries will require us to rethink the way we view final resting places. For example, headstones would only serve to trip grazing cows and cause countless udder disasters. The closest thing you could have to a headstone would be your head, and that would be out of sight, beneath the surface of the ground. Presumably, special arrangements will be made for people who are literally a head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd. A recent press release failed to mention whether "vertical burial" means the cemetery’s new clientele will be placed headfirst or feet first at their final addresses. Either way, the expression "heads up" might take on a new meaning in the fine print of burial contracts. In the end, perhaps being buried headfirst or feet first won’t matter to people who couldn’t tell one end from the other while they were still alive. Burial grounds in pastoral settings might be confusing to first-time visitors, particularly small children. "Mommy, why did we drive all this way, just to stare at dumb old cows in a pasture?" "We’re paying respects to Grandpa, dear." "Grandpa’s a cow?" Being buried in a pasture might resemble spending eternity as a lucky, sometimes unlucky, square in a grid for Cow Pie Bingo, a popular diversion at so many country fairs and rural celebrations. And forget those cemeteries with scenic views. The closest one might come to a scenic view would be in-your-face, close-up encounters with grazing animals. "Standing room only" signs will no longer be limited to theaters, sports arenas or concert halls. They might be posted on a pasture fence near you. People who choose to be environmentally correct, even after death, will tend to be revered by their survivors. Environmentalists, who often took a stand during their lifetimes, will continue to do their noble work after they pass on. Those select cemetery residents will be referred to as "people outstanding in their field." For all time they will be remembered as "stand outs" and "stand-up guys." Finally, the traditional epitaph "Rest in Peace" will be considered to be outdated and no longer relevant. A modest sign, placed somewhere on a fence and out of the cows’ way, might simply read, "Stand in Peace."

I spent much of my Memorial Day in the Luverne, Ellsworth and Ash Creek area visiting family.I visited Maplewood, St. Catherine’s and the State Line cemeteries. I was so impressed with all three cemeteries. They were absolutely beautiful with all the flowers and mowed and trimmed to perfection. These communities are to be commended for doing such fine work in honoring those that have fought for our country and those that have gone before us.Marvin BoelmanSioux City, Iowa

10 years ago (1995)"Steve Wiertzema, H-BC High School’s athletic director, was honored as Worthington Community College’s Alumni Coach of the Year Tuesday, May 23, at WCC’s All-Sports Athletic banquet." 25 years ago (1980)"The Hills-Beaver Creek Patriot runners gave their effort at the state track meet this week and brought home a first place trophy and a second place trophy for those efforts.The medley relay team brought the first place trophy home to H-BC. Doug Deragisch turned in 23.7, Craig Olson turned in 23.6, Mike Elbers came in with a 50.6 on the third leg and Durant Kruger crossed the tape in 1.57.23 to bring the medley time to 3.35.13 for the state win." 50 years ago (1955)"Voters of District 79 School District chose to have their board of education issue bonds in the amount not to exceed $180,000 last Friday night, when they voted 234 in favor of the issue to 205 against. …At present, the architects, Wm. Beuttler of Sioux City, are making up the working plans for the building additions. It is expected that this work will take from six to eight weeks to complete."75 years ago (1930)"G.G. Sundem accompanied by J.O. Jacobson and J.M. Johnson attended a meeting of the Federal Land Bank at Mankato Tuesday. It was their unanimous opinion in commenting on the crops that Rock county again heads them all." 100 years ago (1905)"A.M. Sayre, as attorney for the estate of his brother, Thomas Sayre, has been successful in securing a settlement with the Illinois Central Railway Company and has received the company’s check for $2,400 and which is considered a very advantageous settlement, Thomas Sayre, it will be remembered, was killed by a train last fall on the crossing near the Viste farm where the approaching trains are obscured by a willow hedge."

I spent Memorial weekend with various members of my family at the Little Bend Bait Shop on the Oahe Reservoir 25 miles north of Pierre, S.D.The Oahe Reservoir was formed when the Missouri River was dammed in the 50's to help with flood control for some of the downstream states, such as Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois, where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi. Lake Oahe is the largest reservoir created by an earthen rolled dam in the world. There is little industry besides fishing on the Missouri River north of Sioux City, IA, so that the water is unpolluted and is an eco-system that supports many species of fish and other wildlife. My wildlife tally for this weekend includes turkeys, pheasants, a litter of kittens, longhorn cattle, regular cows, a prairie dog, gophers, buzzards, hawks, deer, a beaver, wild horses, fish of many species and two different snakes. Plus the sounds of what had to be dozens of coyotes.The lake is nearly 250 miles long, has approximately 2,500 miles of shoreline and is deeper than 200 feet in places.The Little Bend Bait Shop, where I spent my mini-vacation, is located at the top of a big hill overlooking the area where the lake meets with the mouth of the Cheyenne River and offers spectacular views of the region’s pristine landscape.The bait shop is owned by my grandfather, respectfully called Grandpa Stumpy, and is operated by my mother’s only sibling, Rocky Alexander. Of course, he is helped by a menagerie of generous family members, including his wife and sons, the youngest of whom is pictured at left with a northern pike he caught on Memorial Day morning.My family’s vacation trailer sits with about 15 others along the cliffs that overlook the river and is my father’s idea of the perfect place on earth.Within the walls of my grandfather’s bait shop, fishing stories are big business. You need to have hundreds of them and swear that every one is true. After spending three days in and around the bait shop, I feel compelled to share my new fishing story, and unfortunately it involves a RATTLESNAKE.After five hours on the water with my husband, older brother and father, we decided to beach the boat on the bank of a 50-foot hill to let my brother’s dog out for a run.I got out, eager to relieve myself and do some quick rock and fossil hunting.As I went to find a private area, I was scanning the ground for jade, rose quartz, bone or any other cool piece of history when my eyes scanned across a very large, GIANT, brown snake.I pulled the scream-and-run-away bit, because I was terrified. I knew I was in rattlesnake country and wanted nothing to do with that brown serpent. I wanted back in the boat where I would be safe.My older brother came over to confirm the sighting and decided the best action in this situation would be to throw a rock at the snake, just to make sure it was a rattler.Sure enough, after the rock was thrown and made contact, the slithering monster hissed, rattled and tried to strike. At that point my brother left it alone because he needed to keep his beloved dog out of harm’s way.Not even a minute later, my husband, who had missed most of the snake-related events because he was hiking up the hill, spotted a snake leaving shore and swimming across the bay.Indeed, it was the same snake I had seen. It was swimming for safety. I must admit that as scary as snakes are, they are pretty dumb. The water was just over 50 degrees and the air was colder than that, so I think within 20 feet the serpent was regretting its decision to flee via the water and was attempting to return to shore.Being terrified of snakes, I didn’t like this situation and was still encouraging my fellow fisherman to return to the boat and leave unharmed. Of course, men, especially fishermen, don’t like to listen to scared women so they watched as the snake got closer to shore.Suddenly my father got the brilliant idea to throw rocks at the rattler to keep it from approaching us or his boat.After the men in my life had hurled a dozen or so rocks, the snake resembled Ka from Disney’s The Jungle Book movie. His body was bent out of place and he wasn’t moving.Feeling triumphant, everyone boarded the boat and headed out of the bay. As we glided past the snake’s body, it suddenly snapped back to life, a stiff head followed us as we went by and then it was gone. It disappeared under the water about a foot off shore —never to be seen again, except in my dreams.We continued on our fishing journey and ended up catching the biggest walleye in the lake.Returning to nature for awhile can add years to one’s life; fighting snakes and watching wild animals frolic cannot be experienced at a zoo. The land surrounding the Oahe Reservoir looks untouched by man; it is nature in a very pure sense. Thank goodness, rattlesnakes like it there and not in Minnesota.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

Let’s get acquainted!New people in Hills are Jon and Kim Ehlers who have officially moved to Hills. They came from Parkston, S.D., and are getting settled in the former Ebert home, which they purchased last year. Kim and their son, Austin, have been living here since January when Austin enrolled in the Hills-Beaver Creek School. He will be a fourth grader in September. They have one other child, Stacey, who was a senior and graduated from Parkston High School. She will be going to college this fall. Kim works for Town and Country Realtors in Sioux Falls, S.D. Jon is in carpentry.Also, the new resident in the former Margaret Bakker home is David Top, who comes to Hills from Steen. He is employed at New Prairie Insulation in Beaver Creek.In one of the Solberg houses is Ron Solberg’s uncle, Elmer Neset who is 81 and comes to Hills from Crookston. Twenty-nine seniors graduated Friday night from Hills-Beaver Creek High School. Some of the parties and receptions for them were given that evening and also on Saturday.The Rez Park wasn’t lonely this past Memorial Day weekend, as a motor home and a tent were parked there, and folks, especially the younger generation, were throwing out their fish lines. People were out there investigating the new dock which is handicap-accessible and is a good improvement. The Beaver Creek Sportsman’s Club is to be commended for getting the project started. The Falls Park, especially the Falls Overlook Café in Sioux Falls, was also a popular place this weekend, with folks coming out for lunch at the old power plant that was built in 1909. I know they had three out-of-state visitors, as Janet (Heetland) and Lee Almquist of California and Wayne Schlueter, Wichita, Kan., along with Luella, enjoyed a noon lunch there. Try it out!Michele and Nikki Nester, Winona, came Saturday and, along with Joanne and Tom Goehle, went to Bonesteel, S.D., to attend the wedding of a niece and cousin, Jocelyn Jons and Matthew Flattery. Sunday they attended a Jons family reunion at the home of Joanne’s brother, Ed and Cheryl Jons. Joanne and family returned to Hills Sunday and Michele and Nikki left for Winona Monday afternoon. Mae Top attended her great-granddaughter Brooke Norgard’s fifth birthday party at Sibley, Iowa, on Saturday. Brenda and Colby Hadler, Edgerton, were visitors Monday of Joanne Goehle, along with Tom.Bob and Twila Kirsch, Barb and Ron Koch, Bismarck, N.D., and Barry Kirsch, Riverside, Iowa, attended graduation exercises for Breann Wheeler and Dylan Mathias from SSC at Okabena on Friday. Saturday they helped Jessica Lentz celebrate her 10th birthday. Barry returned to his home Saturday and Barb and Ron left for Bismarck on Monday.Saturday evening Andy and Frieda Mogler, Rock Rapids, Iowa, visited in the Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe home.Lee Jackson has finished his first term of college at the University of Minnesota and is home for the summer with his parents, Roger and Ruth Jackson. He is employed this summer at Wells Fargo in Sioux Falls. Alicia Sandager and her fiancé, Adam Compagnone, of New York City, spent the weekend in the home of her parents, Mark and Karen Sandager. Vi and Cliff Van Wyhe were guests in the Ron and Lexi DeWit home in Sioux Falls Sunday for a visit with Lindsey who was home for the holiday. Later, they visited at the Tom Van Wyhe home with Matt and Teri Mercer, who were home for the holiday.Jeff and Missy Bass hosted a family gathering Saturday. Those attending from a distance were Marlene and Del Negus, Davenport, Iowa.June and Cecil Rust, Spokane, Wash., visited her sister, Alice Kolsrud Wednesday. David and Char Kolsrud, Beaver Creek, took all out for dinner Wednesday evening and the visitors left Thursday morning. Arriving Thursday night from Kansas to spend until Sunday morning with Luella Schlueter was her son, Wayne. Friday, Luella’s cousins flew into Sioux Falls from Manteca, Calif., and spent the day here as her supper guests. Faith DeBoer and her daughter, Shari, and granddaughter, Kendra Doer, attended a bridal shower for Kelly Tucker, bride-to-be of Mark DeBoer, Saturday afternoon at Harrisburg, S.D.Lon and Ann Skattum and daughter, Kjersti, Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Sonja and Mike Brough, San Clemente, Calif., came Wednesday night to visit Lon’s mother, Harriet Skattum. All attended the wedding Saturday of Gretchen Edwards and Phil Frankin at a park in Mitchell, S.D. Gretchen is Harriet’s niece. The couple will live in Sioux Falls. Russell and Michael Vestlie, Madison, Wis., were Sunday afternoon visitors at the home of Martha Lindrud.Vernon and Ardoth Kraetsch, Windom, were Thursday afternoon visitors of Bob and Twila Kirsch.