By John RittenhouseThe Adrian baseball team moved within one win of wrapping up at least a share of the Red Rock Conference title by toppling two league foes.The Dragons posted a two-run win over Southwest United in Heron Lake Friday before besting Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin by four runs in Adrian Tuesday.Adrian also played at the Windom Invitational Tournament Saturday, going 1-1 and placing second.The 10-7 Dragons play in Edgerton today and Luverne Monday. Adrian hosts Pipestone Friday.Adrian 10, ML-B-O 6A seven-run second inning carried the Dragons to a four-run win over the Wolverines in Adrian Tuesday.The seven-run outburst, which featured a three-run triple by Nick Weidert and a two-run single from John Archer, gave the hosts a lead they would never relinquish.Glen Kruger, who led AHS with three hits in the game, and Brandon Diekmann added RBI doubles during the seven-run second inning.ML-B-O trimmed the difference to two runs twice (7-5 and 8-6), but the Wolverines couldn’t recover from Adrian’s big second inning.Kruger singled and scored on a passed ball in the fourth inning and picked up an RBI for a fielder’s choice when AHS scored two runs in the sixth. Diekmann added a sacrifice fly to the cause in the sixth.David Hoffer pitched seven innings to pick up the win. He walked five batters and surrendered 11 hits.Hoffer, Weidert, Archer and Cody Kontz slapped two hits each.Windom tourneyThe Dragons went 1-1 and placed second during Saturday’s four-team tournament in Windom.Adrian advanced to the championship game by defeating St. James 10-6 in Game 1. Windom nipped AHS 7-6 in eight innings during the title tilt.A seven-run third inning set the stage for Adrian’s four-run victory over the Saints in the opener.The score was knotted at two before the seven-run eruption, which was highlighted by a two-run single by Diekmann.Archer tossed three and two-thirds innings of four-run, seven-hit ball to pick up the win for AHS. Cody Kontz worked the final three and one-third innings to earn a save. He allowed two runs and two hits.Diekmann led the Dragons with two hits and four RBIs against SJ. Kruger drove in two runs with two hits.Windom pushed a run across the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning to edge the Dragons 7-6 in the championship game.Adrian, which led 2-0 early, found itself facing a 6-5 deficit before knotting the score at six in the top of the seventh. Kontz walked and scored on Levi Bullerman’s sacrifice fly to force extra innings.Hoffer tossed the first two and one-third innings for AHS, surrendering four runs and four hits. Diekmann pitched five innings of relief and took the loss. He allowed four hits and three runs.Hoffer led the Dragons at the plate with three hits. Bullerman drove in three runs and collected two safeties. Diekmann and Joel Hoffman slapped two hits each.Adrian 2, SWU 0A strong pitching performance by Will Lutmer carried the Dragons to a two-run, nine-inning win over Southwest United in Heron Lake Friday.Lutmer pitched a nine-inning shutout for AHS, limiting the Wildcats to four hits and one walk during a five-strikeout effort.Adrian scored the game-winning runs in the top of the ninth.Diekmann ignited the rally with a lead-off double. Kruger chased home the game’s first run with a double before scoring the second run when Weidert bounced into a fielder’s choice.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne tennis team is riding a five-match winning streak after posting a pair of home wins early this week.The Cardinals nipped Fairmont by one point Monday before rolling to a five-point victory over Martin County West Tuesday.Luverne, 11-4 overall, plays at the Southwest Conference Tournament in Redwood Falls today.Luverne 6, MCW 1The Cardinals ran their winning streak to five straight matches with a five-point home win over the Mavericks.Led by a sweep from the doubles teams, Luverne controlled play during a convincing win."Our doubles teams played a lot better at the net, and that made a big difference," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "We continue to be aggressive and force the other team into bad decisions and bad shots."Luverne, which received a forfeit at No. 3 doubles, received straight set wins from its other teams. David Nelson and Derek Boeve notched 6-2 and 6-1 wins over Nate Scheiber and Lucas Schwager at No. 1. Weston Sawtelle and Zach Sanderson secured 6-1 and 6-0 victories over Ben Jellema and Jordan Scheiber at No. 2.Dusty Antoine (6-1 and 6-2 over Chris Kuehl at No. 1), Brandon Deragisch (6-2 and 6-1 over Matt Harbitz at No. 2) and Matt Kreuch (6-2, 7-6, 7-4 in the tie-breaker at no. 4) recorded singles wins for the Cards.MCW’s Mike Lundquist topped Nick Heronimus by 6-3 and 7-6 (7-4 in the tie-breaker) scores at No. 3.Luverne 4, Fairmont 3The Cardinals recorded their 10th win of the season when they edged Fairmont by one point in Luverne Monday.The teams split matches in singles play, but LHS went 2-1 in doubles to settle the issue.After losing a 6-3 decision to Andrew Evelsizer and Lake Kot in the first set of the No. 1 doubles match, Luverne’s Brandon Deragisch and Nick Heronimus rallied to notch 6-1 and 6-4 wins in the final two sets to win the battle. Matt Kreuch and Jamie Vickery cruised to 6-2 and 6-1 wins over Paul Fordier and Reid Rosen for LHS at third doubles.Dusty Antoine and David Nelson earned singles wins for LHS.Antoine saddled David Kopischke with 6-0 and 6-2 setbacks at No. 1. Nelson handed Ted Schaffer a pair of 6-0 setbacks at No. 2.Fairmont’s Andy Melchek topped Derek Boeve by 6-3 and 7-6 (7-4 in the tie-breaker) at No. 3 singles. Paul Brummons bested Zach Sanderson by a 6-2, 1-6, 10-1 tally in the super tie-breaker at No. 4.Brady Schmidt and Mason Mahoney notched 6-2 and 7-5 wins over Luverne’s Weston Sawtelle and Erik Stegemann at second doubles.

Longtime Hills resident Ruthmary Jackson was inducted into the Brandon Valley Fine Arts Hall of Fame Friday Night. Jackson taught high school arts at Brandon Valley High School for 30 years before retiring last spring.Jackson was one of only four teachers inducted into the first Fine Arts Hall of Fame inaugural class. She attended the dinner at the Brandon Valley Performing Arts Center along with her husband, Roger, and her son, Lee. The dinner featured a performance by the Brandon Valley One Act Play and several musical numbers before the inductees were presented with their plaques.Jackson started at Brandon Valley in 1974 after graduating from the arts program at Sioux Falls College. During her tenure she saw many changes in the school district including her biggest challenge, the addition of Advanced Placement Art. The AP art class came in her final years of teaching and gave her an opportunity to push serious art students to the next level. In doing so, she gained the satisfaction she desired to finish her career. In addition, she had numerous students place at the Region Art Show and the Augustana Art Show."Teaching art for 30 years has been a good journey. Traveling within and amongst my students’ works has taught me patience and satisfaction. I thank each of you for the opportunity to work with them… the visual arts students from Brandon Valley, Rowena and Corson area," were some of the words Jackson spoke during her acceptance speech.One year into retirement Jackson is keeping busy with projects around her house and garden. She nurtures and shows prize-winning irises, she plans on attempting new sewing projects, and she has become an avid digital photographer in and around Hills.

By Lexi MooreResidents in Hills may have noticed the red and blue writing on the windows of the old Hills Home Store on Main Street. It now says, "Around the Clock Fitness and Tanning," and the writing on the windows was the first indication that the building had changed owners.The building was purchased by Stacen and Donna Burgers in May with the intent of opening a 24-hour fitness and tanning center.Donna had been thinking of opening her own business for the past three years and thought the building was perfect for her plans."I have always wanted my own gym and when this building came up for sale, I thought it would be the perfect size and location for a fitness center," said Donna. "After telling Stacen my idea, he immediately took it and ran with it."The Burgers have never owned a business before but are enjoying the process of starting one in their hometown.They said they plan "to provide a safe and clean environment with excellent equipment and to have a positive impact on all who use our facility."Around the Clock Fitness and Tanning will offer a unique and new opportunity for residents in the area. Individuals and families who sign up to be members at the facility will have access to the building on a 24-hour basis.After signing up for a tanning, fitness or combined membership, members will be given a Personal Identification Number that they can enter into a key pad at the front of the building. A valid PIN will grant members access through the front door of the building. The PIN will give members the ability to use the facility anytime, day or night.The Burgers said they have spent a great deal of time on security to ensure members are safe and feel secure while using the Around the Clock building.Surveillance cameras have been installed throughout the building and will be regulated by the owners. The business is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State office. In addition, the Burgers will be in and out of the building throughout the week.If members have concerns or problems, the owners encourage members to discuss the situations with them.The fitness center in the building will be equipped with treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, individual cybex machines for the lower and upper body, a Smith machine, Preacher curl machine, back extension machine, ab crunch station, dumbbells, knee raise-dip machine and more.The tanning facility will feature a Sun Vision bed by Wolf Tanning that will have 32 bulbs. Tanning sessions will be available for up to 20 minutes at one time.Work on the building has been steadily progressing for the past couple of weeks and should continue throughout May. If equipment continues to arrive on schedule, the Burgers hope to open by June 1.They are offering a 10-percent discount on annual memberships from now until their grand opening on June 11.Residents interested in becoming members can call Stacen or Donna at 962-3790, 605-929-6506 or email burgers@alliancecom.net.

Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671Minutes4-25-05The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library in Hills. Board members present were DeBoer, Larson, Harnack, Esselink, Boeve. Absent were Baker and Leuthold. Superintendent Deragisch and Principal Holthaus were also in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harnack. Motion by DeBoer, second by Esselink, and carried to approve the agenda. Visitors to the meeting were recognized by the chairman. The only visitor was Lexi Moore of The Crescent. Patriot Pride: Jesse Zarmbinski placed in the Spelling Bee Juniors for doing a fine job with Prom Junior parents for the after-prom party Cassi Tilstra in the Howard Wood 400 special feature race Elementary report was given by Mr. Holthaus.High School report was presented by Superintendent Deragisch. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent out.Motion by Esselink, second by Larson and carried to accept with regrets the resignation of elementary secretary Connie Olson effective June 30, 2005. The board thanks her for her many years of service to the district. Motion by DeBoer, second by Esselink, and carried to accept with regrets the resignation of board member Matt Larson effective May 30, 2005. The board extends their appreciation for his years of service to the district. Legislative update was presented by Esselink.First reading of Policy #205.First reading of Policy #206.First reading of Policy #208.Dates to Remember: May 9 School board meeting May 23 School board meetingAgenda items for next meeting:Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.Ann Boeve, Clerk(5-20)

Burger King, M&M’s, 7-11, Kellogg’s, Cingular Wireless, Legos, X-Box are all on board the Star Wars craze, but living in rural southwest Minnesota you may not even know that tonight, just moments after midnight, millions of people in America will fulfill their destiny.After 27 years of wondering and theorizing, Star Wars fans will finally see just what it is that makes Darth Vader so mean and nasty.Why does he need to choke people with his mind and destroy entire planets? Ten years ago Star Wars creator George Lucas began filming a new epic saga that would explain to fans and non-believers why the forces of good and evil in the cosmos were at odds in his famous trilogy.He decided to write, produce and direct three new movies that portrayed the stories leading up to Hans Solo and Luke Skywalker’s epic adventures with Princess Leah and a Wokie named Chewbacca.WARNING: I am a Star Wars Fan.Beginning with Episode I - The Phantom Menace Star Wars fans saw a young boy, not much older than nine, being trained by Jedi Masters. Fans of the original movies recognized his name, Anakin Skywalker, and knew that this boy would become Darth Vader, the face of the Dark Side.This movie and its follow-up, Episode II - Attack of the Clones, developed a cosmic plot complete with politics, racism, war and of course a battle between what is good and what is evil.Even casual viewers of the original movies would agree that Darth Vader is a part of the evil side of the force regardless of whose father he might have been. Most fans side with Yoda and the evil one’s son, Luke Skywalker.The first two installments in the new movie trilogy conflict with the first trilogy by painting an easier-to-like picture of Anakin Skywalker. This is especially the case in the second movie when the actor playing Anakin is a handsome, young, blonde actor named Hayden Christensen. In fact, you almost feel bad for him as he is taken from his mother and forced to travel to battle at such a young age.This brings me to the final episode opening tonight in movie theaters. How will Lucas be able to make a new generation of kids, who admire this younger, cooler version of Darth Vader, understand that he is evil?I just can’t figure out how it will happen.Most of the commercials for the afore-mentioned products are using the traditional Darth Vader (in a black mask, breathing heavily) as a marketing tool, further committing a generation of new fans to the Dark Side.I was a child of the original movies, I cheered for Princess Leah and the Ewoks, I loved Yoda, and I even base some aspects of my life on his teachings."Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will...""Always in motion is the future."I fear that this new generation, which has many evils in their real world, is going to fall for the Dark Side. They will have sympathy for Lord Vader and accept the excuses Lucas is giving us for his behavior.How will that kind of attitude translate onto our playgrounds and baseball fields this summer?Only time will tell, but I urge you to be smart Star Wars consumers. Star Wars is one of the all-time moneymaking franchises, generating nearly $3.4 billion in global box office cash and $9 billion in retail sales since 1977. Most of the collectors’ memorabilia being offered at 7-11 and Burger King will not be worth what consumers are paying for it.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)"Tara Boeve was on her way to setting a new school record by nearly snaring four firsts at the County Conference meet Thursday. However, the Lady Patriot fell short and collected three. Boeve won the 200 and 400 meter dashes and the long jump."25 years ago (1980)"Five area Jaycees attended the Annual Conference in St. Paul. They included Ron Rauk, Jim Sammons, Paul Schroeder, John Schwartz and Keith Braun. Four Bronze Key Awards were presented to the members." 50 years ago (1955)"Interest has shown up more enthusiastically the past week on the coming school bond election issue, scheduled for Friday, June 3. The school officials are also urging legal voters (freeholders or not) in the district to be sure to turn out for the public hearing, to be held in the school house Thursday night preceding the election, June 2."75 years ago (1930)"Rock Rapids had its first service station robbery on Friday night of last week, a robbery that netted an unidentified man $18, which he took from Kenneth Sater, Standard Oil attendant, at the point of a gun. In the place of the $18, the unwelcome visitor left a cheap brass-cased watch, on which he had sought a loan from the station attendant. The watch has no value, aside from that of a momento, a reminder of the visit."100 years ago (1905)"At a meeting of the township board of supervisors of Martin township held here last Friday, the contract for a steel bridge across Mud Creek was let to The Hewett Bridge Company of Minneapolis for $987.00, that being the lowest bid out of the six bids submitted, the bridge to be completed in two and a half months from date of contract."

Sigrid Severtson, 82, Luverne, died Sunday, May 15, 2005, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Wednesday, May 18, at Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth. The Rev. Kerry Boese officiated. Burial was in Kenneth Cemetery. Sigrid Barstad was born to Simon and Petra (Brastad) Barstad on Sept. 23, 1922, in Konsmo, Norway. She moved to a farm in Rock County in 1925 at the age of three. She attended elementary school in Rock County and later in Fergus Falls. She also attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. She worked as a clerk at Sears in Minneapolis and at Renfro’s and Coast to Coast in Luverne. She married Arlyn Severtson on March 21, 1958, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. After their marriage the couple farmed near Kenneth. She was a homemaker. The couple retired in December 1990 and moved to Luverne. Mrs. Severtson was an active member of Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth where she was in choir, taught Sunday School and belonged to the WELCA Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Garden Club and the Sons of Norway. She enjoyed gardening and flowers.Survivors include her husband, Arlyn Severtson, Luverne, two sons, (David (LaNore) Severtson, and Sterling (Denise) Severtson, all of rural Kenneth; seven grandchildren, Brianna, Lindsey, Connor, Lexie, Andrea, Kristoffer and Riley Severtson; one brother, Noralf (Bernice) Barstad, Luverne; and many cousins in Norway. Mrs. Severtson was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Malinda Severtson in 1958; an infant brother, Nels Barstad, and a sister-in-law, Irene Barstad. Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Wendell and Kathryn Erickson were guests of their daughter, Margaret, for Mother’s Day at Steffanie’s restaurant in Worthington and had a chance to visit the new exhibits at Nobles County Art Museum. Then they attended the 3 p.m. concert given by St. Olaf College Symphony Orchestra.Helen Schoen, Albert Lea, and Rudy Phillips and Tony and Annette Goettsch, Sioux Falls, S.D., spent Mother’s Day in the home of Dean and Peggy Goettsch. Marv and June Albers, Cheryl Pavel and Cheyenne, Hills, and Larry Albers, Pierre, S.D., returned to their homes Monday after spending a week with June’s sisters in the Cities. All of June’s sisters were able to be present. She also attended a baby shower while there. Jim and Bea La Rock, Elk River, spent the weekend in the home of their son, Dan and Marie La Rock and children. A week ago, Lee and Betty Sandager and Marie Muckala came to visit in the Sheldon Sandager home and, along with Sheldon, went to Ravenna, Neb., to visit Verne and Bev Reinertson.Michele Nestor came from Winona Friday and along with Joanne Goehle went to Yankton, S.D., for a niece’s wedding rehearsal. On Saturday they returned to Yankton to attend the wedding. Michele provided the music for the event. Don and Edyth Briggs drove to St. Peter Saturday. Don attended the St. Olaf conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine. The banquet was at Gustavus Adolphus College. Harriet Skattum and Ellie Sandager attended the Sioux Valley Nurse’s Alumni banquet at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls on May 7. Last week Tuesday evening, Betty Elbers attended the Washington High School band concert in Sioux Falls in which her granddaughter, Kelsey Elbers, participated. On Thursday evening Wilma and Betty Elbers attended the swing choir concert at Washington High School where their granddaughter, Kelsey Elbers, also performed. Dean and Peggy Goettsch, Tony and Annette motored to Ramona, S.D., Saturday to attend the graduation party and graduation for Dean’s niece.Joanne Goehle drove to Lake Benton Friday to see the RTR performance of "The Wizard of Oz," which was given at the Lake Benton Opera House. Andrew and Alyssa Hadler had parts in the musical. Mary and John Federicks and family of Ripon, Calif., attended graduation ceremonies for their daughter, Lindsey, last weekend at Northwestern College In Orange City, Iowa. Joanne Goehle and Tom went to Edgerton Sunday to attend the confirmation of Katie Hadler. At this writing Harriet Kolsrud, Sioux Falls, is a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital. Marv Albers underwent same day surgery last Wednesday at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls and is now home recuperating.