"Waste not, want not" must not be a popular expression in England. Reuters reports, "British households throw about a fifth of their food, untouched and uneaten, straight into the rubbish bin."In addition, the Britons no longer prepare meals from leftovers and "they over-cautiously chuck food, which may be perfectly edible, as soon as it passes its sell-by date." As a result, each man, woman and child throws out food worth $793 a year. They obviously weren’t raised with memories of America’s Great Depression hanging over their heads. The attitudes of British food tossers show up occasionally at our doorsteps in the form of the Expiration Date Police, or as we affectionately refer to them, the EDP. The EDP is made up of well-meaning friends and relatives, often grown children, who routinely check our refrigerators and kitchen shelves for violations of food expiration dates. Judging by their actions, their sole mission in life is to save us from ourselves. Sell-by dates, food expiration dates and best when used by dates are all the same to the EDP. They’re just different ways of saying the same thing. Younger generations may not believe this, but food expiration dates are fairly new. Until they came out, people were expected to use their own common sense and the choice of whether or not to die of bad food was always left up to the individual. The rule of thumb seemed to be, "If it smells bad, throw it out." If we threw it out, we inevitably experienced pangs of post-Depression guilt. Members of the EDP say things such as, "This blue cheese dressing expired three days ago! What are you trying to do, kill yourself?" They never knew my mother, who would keep opened jars of mayonnaise in the kitchen cupboard and would scrape off the surface mold on jars of her homemade jams and jellies, before serving them. If we would protest, her usual response was, "How do you think penicillin was discovered?" As usual, her logic was flawless. Being raised by people who had gone through the Great Depression with very little to eat was an adventure in itself. It was an indelible experience that would follow us the rest of our lives. As long as there are starving children in Asia, we continue to eat for them and the general good of mankind. Parental advice in those days consisted of four words, "Eat it or starve." If we refused to eat, no kind-hearted parent would try to appease us with a more palatable food choice. The only exceptions to the eat-everything rule were chunky milk and fuzzy leftovers, which had evolved over the years into more intelligent life forms and were able to communicate. All kids of that time knew that being a member of the Clean Plate Club was on the same level of saintliness as having perfect Sunday school attendance or an impressive report card. Perhaps there’s a good reason for those of us wiser and older to avoid both food expiration dates and having younger friends and relatives making throwaway decisions for us. This is especially true if the throwers are knowledgeable about current life expectancies. "Sis, I was just thinking. With her lifestyle, Mom was only expected to live until 80 and she’s 98 now.""Bob, are you thinking what I’m thinking?"As we overhear their conversations, we might as well be sitting there with expiration dates stamped on our foreheads.

I am writing this in response to the recent letters in the paper about the budget cut the School Board has made recently. All day every day kindergarten will no longer exist. While I am also very disappointed this cut was made, and that we will now be mixing private education with public education, I feel that people are missing the big picture.This is NOT the fault of the Luverne Public School system. They are short on money and they need to save somewhere. The School Board was forced to make a decision they did not want to have to make. They tried desperately to pass a referendum in the November 2004 election. The community voted to not support education, not the school. We cannot blame the school for this — they tried. The community believed that the school would not need to cut essential programs, and now they have.However, this is even bigger then the Luverne community. Education at our state and federal levels of government has taken drastic if not fatal cuts in the last four years. The Luverne Schools have been flat-lined in recent years while being asked to do even more with their money because of new federal standards. Recently a budget resolution was passed in the U.S. Congress that cut funding for education billions of dollars. In the last two years Gov. Pawlenty cut education 187 million dollars!I understand everyone's disappointment; I feel it, too. Before we start blaming the local people who are trying to make it better, we need to contact our leaders at the state and local levels: State Rep. Doug Magnus, State Sen. Jim Vickerman, U.S. Senators Norm Coleman and Mark Dayton, U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and yes, even President Bush. We need to let these people know that our education is vital and does not deserve to be cut! It needs to be funded.Sadie DietrichLuverne, Minnesota

We are writing this letter in response to the School Board’s recent decision to take away all day every day kindergarten from our child and his classmates. First of all, this decision seems very "convenient" for the School Board to make after the open enrollment deadline. Parents that would have chosen to open enroll their children with other school districts who offer all day every day kindergarten are no longer able to do so.Secondly, forcing parents to pay a high tuition for the enrichment program is unethical when all families will not be able to send their child. These kids have a right to be treated equally in regard to their public education. Is it fair to use these young children to set an example to the community for not passing the referendum? Kindergarten children’s academic success should not be at stake in order to fix the district’s financial problems. We wish the School Board would reconsider their decision to take away the current kindergarten program and do what is best for our children. Jason and Karla KruseLuverne

I’ve never heard of "all day every day" kindergarten. What would be next, all day every day every night kindergarten? When all day kindergarten (just five days a week) passed here, we called it taxpayer-subsidized daycare. I’d be more concerned about teaching approaches than length of time in a kindergarten class. My six-year-old goes to a public school optional half-day kindergarten and she'll enter first grade as a competent reader. Her older brother did, too. Almost all half-day kindergarten kids in the school do, and have been for 25 years. The school is called an Alternative Basic Curriculum (ABC) school. Did you ever think you’d live to hear that successful basic education approaches in grade school would be alternative instead of required? Our neighborhood public schools with full-day kindergarten produce new first graders that can’t read for the most part. If your concern is not free daycare and is really a good education for your offspring, make sure you have a proven phonics approach and experienced kindergarten teachers that know how to teach it. A disciplined school environment wouldn't hurt either. Jay Page Anchorage, AK

The past two years have been challenging and difficult years for advocacy and support service providers for sexual assault, domestic violence and general crime victim/survivors. Justice program funds for southern Minnesota judicial districts were cut by 25 percent.The service providers spent three months reviewing and revising the look of victim services in our area. Cuts were made in staffing, programming and the services which were offered. One program was forced to merge with another. Many difficult decisions were made to ensure that all victims in need of service would be able to find those services. Above all, that was the most important thing — no victim would be denied access to services.One of the positive things that came about in this process was a renewed collaboration among these programs. At 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, the Accord Training Academy will sponsor an informational meeting at the Southwest Crisis Center, 920 Diagonal Road, Worthington, for professionals and volunteers interested in providing support to victims of crime. The Academy will provide to all interested a FREE 40-hour training in Worthington. You can make a difference in your community by becoming a volunteer for any local agency or by educating yourself on the issues of victims and violence. Even if you choose not to volunteer for an agency, you can make a great difference to your family and neighborhood by being informed. Join the Accord Training Academy for the opportunity for education. To contact Accord Training Academy, call 507-831-1612 or atacademy@qwest.net.Ruth HubblingWorthington

Marquee gets another upgradeThe Palace Marquee, which recently received a $20,000 overhaul, is undergoing another upgrade.A couple of months ago, Ace Neon Signs Company, Sioux Falls, removed the entire marquee and took it to their shop in Sioux Falls.Over the course of a month or so, the sign not only got a new paint job, the neon tubing as well as the sockets for the incandescent bulbs were replaced.When the sign was installed, the BMAT board realized the side panels, which had been chasing lights, were now just flashing lights, not the way it was supposed to be.So if you drive down Main Street and notice the end caps are missing, they are back in Sioux Falls getting redone so they can chase again as they had in the past.The end caps, where the letters showing upcoming attractions are placed, should be back up by as early as the end of this week.Work begins on Highway 75 On Wednesday, May 11, the road construction project began on Highway 75 and 131st Street.The project extends from just south of Veterans Drive on Highway 75 to the intersection with 131st Street, the road that runs on the north edge of the new hospital property.A primary purpose of the Highway 75 project is to lower the height of the intersection of the two roads.The work on 131st Street includes applying blacktop as well as installing curb and gutter.The project is expected to take 8 to 10 weeks, which would put its completion in early to mid July.The official detour route includes County Highways 5, 6 and 8.College can be expensive; do you need help?Conservative estimates on college costs are from $10,000 to $30,000.If you choose to go to one of the more expensive schools in the country, you can spend from $40,000 to $100,000.Although there are a lot of scholarships for students with excellent grades, kids from low-income families, and future NBA stars, there are scholarship dollars for a variety of other students as well.According to the U.S. Commission for Scholastic Assistance, there are millions of dollars available to students from private sector scholarships, but much of the available money goes unused because parents don’t know how or where to apply for it.The commission supplies the public with over 1000 different private scholarships sources.The scholarship list include the scholarship names, addresses, application deadlines, summaries about the scholarships and the amount the scholarship will pay your child.While some scholarships pay the entire tuition, others allow money to be put toward living expenses and other fees.Most scholarships can be used at junior colleges, career and vocational schools, four year colleges, graduate schools, as well as medical and law schools.If you would like to obtain the scholarship list, send a self-addressed, stamped business-size #10 envelope to the U.S. Commission for Scholastic Assistance, P.O. Box 650067, Potomac Falls, VA 20165-0067.Historical Society sets second of tri-annual meetingsIf you would like to become involved in the Rock County Historical Society, put May 23 on your calendar.The second of their three annual meetings will feature Ida Reverts, who will speak on Rock County Century Farms.The group also reported $675 income from their latest steak fry fund-raiser at the Luverne Eagles Club.Some of the activities coming up in the next few months they would like you to know about include:
May 19: Salad Luncheon at the American Legion Hall.
June 11: A barn dance at the Century Barn of the fairgrounds.
August 18: An ice cream social on the lawn of the Hinkly House.
September 20: The annual dinner and raffle at the Blue Mound Banquet Center.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

It was disappointing to sit through Monday night’s special City Council meeting that resulted in the no-cause termination of Administrator Greg La Fond. Beyond being disappointing (because all the discussion went on behind closed doors) — it was probably illegal.Whether people agree or disagree with the end result, it is too bad for the 30 or so people in attendance and the readers of this paper that the real reasons for termination couldn’t be on the record. The "rolling quorum" of decision makers who met in small groups violates the principle, if not the letter, of Minnesota’s open meeting law.I am sure the Council was afraid of lawsuits for openly discussing personnel issues. But by meeting privately, they violated the request of La Fond, who wanted the discussion open. I won’t go on and on, shaking my finger at our tired and stressed Council members. I just hope they don’t operate in the same way in the future. And I also hope they don’t share things with their coffee shop friends while closing the meeting to the less privileged of us who still want to know public business.Speaking of furrowing my browTo me, "He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother" was a song about a piggy-back ride with a fat sibling … and I thought Credence Clearwater Revival was really giving directions to a "bathroom on the right." So Gwen Stefani’s new hit "Hollaback Girl" has proven puzzling to me. For many songs, I either hear the lyrics wrong, or my literal brain misinterprets them.Bachman Turner Overdrive’s "Takin’ Care of Business" could just as well be about bakin' carrot biscuits. ("Everyday!") And many people thought the Hendrix song "Purple Haze" had the words, "’Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "’Scuse me while I kiss the SKY."At first I thought Stefani’s song was "hollow-back" girl, meaning a girl who lacked a round rear end, perhaps. After a few times, though, I can now make out the lyrics … but still don’t understand them. I think it’s about cheerleaders fighting over nasty rumors … and then they eat fruit.Until performers start enunciating properly and until writers come up with lyrics easier to interpret, I’ll have to rely on a karaoke screen to know the words and for my cooler friends to tell me the meaning.

10 years ago (1995)
Luverne Municipal Airport has a new name — Quentin Aanenson Field. Aanenson is a Luverne native and graduate of Luverne High School who is well known for the public television documentary, "A Fighter Pilot’s Story," which he created to detail his experiences as a pilot in Europe during World War II.
Less than 10 percent of Rock County’s corn is planted and about 1 percent of soybeans are in. The ground is too wet and farmers are becoming nervous.
Harold Tilstra, Cary Radisewitz and Paul Doherty ran for Luverne School Board.25 years ago (1980)
In a special election, the majority of voters in the Magnolia School District voted to dissolve the school effective July of 1981. The margin was 55 percent for dissolving and 45 percent against.
Rock County met with property owners to discuss issues with expanding the landfill.
Jerilyn Britz, Luverne native and winner of the U.S. Women’s Open Golf Tournament last July, is featured in "Christian Life" magazine. She said she asks God to remove the fear from her game before she plays.50 years ago (1955)
The Hills Christian Reformed School held graduation exercises last Friday evening for five eighth-grade graduates, namely Betty Berghorst, Charles DeBoer, Anna Jean Esselink, Charles Top and Leland Van Tol.
Arthur Goembel of the Magnolia Juniors 4-H Club was the winner of the annual 4-H Talent Contest in Luverne, singing a baritone solo, "Service."75 years ago (1930)
Alfalfa acreage in Rock County increased from 4,601 acres in 1925, to 7,604 acres in 1929, or an increase of 60 percent.
New Census reports show a decrease in Luverne’s population. The population of Luverne is 2,641, compared to 1920, when there was a population of 2,782.
C.W. Soutar of the Boote Hatchery plant is constructing the most elaborate chicken house in the county that will house 1,200 laying hens.100 years ago (1905)
A civil service examination for rural free delivery service carriers was held Saturday by Postmaster M. Swedberg in the high school building, for the selection of a carrier for route No. 4, which will be started from the Luverne post office June 1.
There were six cases of tardiness recorded during the school year in Luverne, the lowest number ever.

By Lori EhdeRock County’s record number of feedlots under construction has area residents wondering how it will affect them and the environment.Doug Bos, assistant director of Rock County’s Land Management Office, said he can tell that people are concerned."We are getting calls and we are getting questions," he said.There may be as many as 25 new feedlot projects in Rock County this year. Last year, by comparison, there were four major constructions and expansions and three modifications (to manure pits and filter strips, for example).Common concerns aren’t only with the smell generated by cattle feedlots and hog confinements, but with the effect on the environment.Conditions are ripe in Rock County for conflict and animosity among neighbors when livestock facilities are built. "It can be a really touchy issue," Bos said. But he said both livestock producers and their neighbors are fortunate there’s a good plan in place to guide the process."We have good safeguards – checks and balances – in place," he said.There are four major entities dictating feedlot construction in Rock County:
Local feedlot ordinance: Rock County was the leader in the state more than 10 years ago when its planning and zoning commission adopted its own feedlot ordinance specifically for feedlots. It’s stricter than the state and federal guidelines, and it was updated and rewritten in 2000.
State feedlot law, known as Rule 7020, regulates feedlots and expansions in Minnesota.
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board oversees environmental impact of feedlots and expansions, and
Federal EPA rules. Has its own set of rules that governs feedlots.Permitted facilities are reviewed annually, and all registered feedlots are reviewed every four years."If people knew how many hoops producers had to jump through, they’d be more than surprised," Bos said. "It would help to ease concerns."Worth the paperworkLuverne’s Dean Tofteland is involved with two new site constructions and an expansion at his own farm."It’s a bigger process than I ever envisioned," he said. "But I feel confident in our Rock County officials and lawmakers. … The plan in place is really a good one."One of his new barns is owned by Titan, a group of Pipestone veterinarians who are purchasing land southwest of Hardwick from Tofteland. The location will house 2,400 hogs, which Titan will custom feed.He said the permitting process has helped everyone learn more about his intentions and about the local feedlot industry."There are large integraters putting up barns in Rock County, but Titan is just a group of young vets who are willing to invest in local agriculture," Tofteland said.He and the Titan vets are part of a larger group of 35 local investors in North Star Family Farms, which will own the hogs in the new barn. "It’s one way we can compete — by working together."Tofteland said the feedlot permitting process has allowed neighbors to be involved in the placement of the Titan barn, and plans have relocated the facility twice to a location suitable to most involved. "We’re trying to be good neighbors," he said."We didn’t have to move it, but when you put a barn up, it’s a big deal and it can impact people for a long time in the future."Feedlot Friendly vs. Good NeighborsBos said he gets the most calls from people concerned about proximity of facilities to residences.But he said Rock County’s feedlot ordinance is among the strictest in the state with regard to setback limits of facilities from residences.Last year, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty was promoting Minnesota as "feedlot friendly," Rock County didn’t make the list because its feedlot ordinance was too strict."We required too much distance between feedlots and residents to qualify," Bos said.Rock County requires a half-mile setback between a new feedlot and a residence. The state recommends a quarter mile.The local zoning ordinance requires a conditional use permit and hearing for new construction or expansions involving more than 1,000 animal units.At this hearing, the public can voice opinions to affect the Planning and Zoning Commission and County Board’s decision.A conditional use permit is also required for an expansion of more than 250 animal units if there’s a neighbor within a quarter mile.The state requires that any feedlot with more than 500 animal units comply by the "Good Neighbor Statute," which requires public notification in the local paper and certified mailing to landowners within 5,000 feet of the proposed construction.In this case, the neighbors can’t voice opinions to affect outcomes, but Bos said it’s the "good neighbor" thing to do, just to let people know what’s going on."It lets people know the producer is going through the correct procedures to properly permit the facility."Environmental protectionOne reason for Rock County’s strict feedlot ordinance is that shallow, vulnerable aquifers supply local drinking water.Through Global Information Systems data, the Land Management Office has mapped Rock County’s Drinking Water Supply Management Areas. "That’s where we get all of our drinking water from," Bos said.County officials are particularly sensitive to feedlot construction in these areas, and the local ordinance prohibits construction or expansion within 300 feet (about a football field) of the drinking water supply areas.Also protecting the environment are manure application plans required by all livestock producers going through the permitting process.Manure application plans require agreements with area crop produders to allow application of manure ontheir ground.These plans spell out where and how much manure will be applied, based on the soil’s nutrient management plan.These are also reviewed every four years.Since manure is used instead of commercial fertilizers, the process is both economical and environmentally responsible.Tofteland, who also farms crop land in several areas of the county, said he’s glad to sign the manure management agreements."I’ll take the manure," he said. "I’ve got two choices. I can purchase commercial, synthetic fertilizer, or I can utilize an environmentally friendly, organic, renewable fertilizer made from manure. When properly managed, it’s very good for the crops and safe for the environment."