Our weather this year has been very unpredictable. It must be frustrating for our weather forecasters! Most of the time I don’t get too excited about the weather. However, last Sunday evening when I went out to do chores, the sun was still shining but it wasn’t long until I thought I felt a raindrop. Then it wasn’t long until I knew I felt a raindrop and there were many more headed my way.It reminded me of my father, who was a farmer and when in the fields they had to pretty much guess what time it was. Consequently, he had his own way of figuring it out and shared it with all of us. He said if there was going to be a change in the weather, it would be at 3, 6, 9 p.m. or 12 a.m. and he was so right. I have watched it through the years and he was correct. So, if you are caught away from the weather forecaster, just remember that old saying. At any rate, these little showers of rain have changed my carpet of green grass into a golden carpet of dandelions. They remind me of the story of a little child who was shopping for his Mother’s Day gift. He said, "Roses are red, violets are blue and cost $12, too. Do you suppose I could settle for dandelions?"Mother’s Day guests at the Arvin and Cena Mae Tilstra home were Cena Mae’s mother, Elizabeth Elbers from Hills, and Arvin and Cena Mae’s children and grandchildren. The family of Henrietta Huenink helped her celebrate Mother’s Day at her home at various times Friday afternoon and Saturday evening. Mother’s Day guests in the Daryl and Marie Paulsen home were Marie’s parents, Fran and Jane Mainolfi, Sioux Falls, S.D., Steven and Sherry Paulsen and family, Hills, and Suzanne and Clark Meyer and son, Colby, Brandon, S.D.Melba Boeve and Wilma Wissink, Canton, S.D., spent Mother’s Day weekend at Forest Lake where Melba visited in the home of her daughter and husband, Julie and John Springman, to help their daughters celebrate their birthdays and also Mother’s Day. Wilma spent her time visiting in the home of her son Terry Randall and family for Mother’s Day. They returned home on Sunday.The H-BC track team sponsored a pancake supper at the high school commons. The proceeds from the event will go to the H-BC track team. Joyce Aykens, Worthington, Jo Aykens and Mildred Keunen, Steen, were Mother’s Day dinner guests at the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City, Iowa. Other guests were Vince and Laurie Kurtz and daughter McKenzie and Susan Veldkamp and daughter Jadeyn, all from Orange City. Mother’s Day guests in the Orrin Aukes home were their family, Orlie and Linda Aukes, Hills, Terry and Christy Aukes, Larchwood, Iowa, Mary, Clair and Lance Crawford, Beaver Creek, and Steven and Nancy Willers, Fairmont. An open house bridal shower for LaDonna Sandstede will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at Steen Reformed Church in Steen.We will soon observe Memorial Day. I have so many happy memories of the parades and marching bands we used to have on Memorial Day. I can remember watching a parade as they marched over the Rock River Bridge in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and tossed their flowers of remembrance into the river as they marched along. It seems everyone has memories of those special times. When I found this article titled "Let Us Remember," and since Memorial Day will soon be here, I decided to share the message it brings to us.Let Us RememberMemorial Day, the first of our summer holidays, means we will turn to our favorite pursuits — picnicking, boating, mingling with the crowds at the racetrack or the ballpark, puttering in the yard, or lazing in the sun. It began as Decoration Day, when garlands were placed on the graves of the Civil War dead. It became Memorial Day, an occasion for America to honor those who gave their lives in all wars. It has continued with solemn ceremonies in cemeteries across the country, with parades of school children proudly carrying American flags. And on this day families have decorated the graves of those whose memory they cherish.Yes, we need to relax and enjoy the holiday. But let us not forget to display the Stars and Stripes in our yards; to take that journey to the cemetery with our tokens of geraniums and peonies and wreaths; to wear the veteran’s poppy with concern for his welfare. Let us remember who we are and where we are, Americans in a free land with the power of self-determination, and pause to honor those who have preserved our heritage.

Sleep deprivation has become such a great problem in our country that it’s keeping us awake at night. The National Sleep Foundation recently reported that 75 percent of Americans have trouble sleeping, and while we should have seven to nine hours of sleep at night, our average snooze is 6.9 hours. Night after night, it all adds up. Although the sleep foundation didn’t mention the symptoms of extreme sleep loss, these obvious signs might be of some help:You startle awake halfway thorough your drive to work. When you arrive at work, you discover one of your shoes is a brown loafer and the other is a pink, sequined beach sandal. At the same time, you notice that your workplace parking lot is deserted and the doors are locked. Struggling past a sleepy stupor, you realize it’s Sunday. On an actual workday, you find out too late that you grabbed the wrong lunch bag off the kitchen counter when you left home. While your third grader will undoubtedly complain about having a container of unsweetened, plain yogurt and carrot sticks for lunch, you will have to settle for a peanut butter sandwich and a Twinkie packed in a SpongeBob SquarePants lunch box. The trusty old briefcase you grabbed in the hallway this morning turns out to be your wife’s sample case for her door-to-door cosmetic sales. You don’t know there’s a problem until you reach into the case during an important meeting, whip out a tube of bright red lipstick and announce, "This is what will keep our company from the brink of disaster."You’re a woman, you’re at work, and by 9 a.m. you find yourself in the vise-like grip of your daughter’s too-small pantyhose. Apparently, you weren’t very alert when you dressed in the morning and you failed to read the size tag in the back seam of the undergarment. As a result of the pantyhose trying to get back to its normal shape and size, you have no feeling below your waist. In general, your thought processes seem to have slowed down. When someone inquires about the names and ages of your children, you draw a blank. "Let’s see. There’s that one blonde girl and that other one that wears glasses. That’s all I can remember right now, but I’ll get back to you, OK?"There’s also the added weight problem, one of the most noticeable symptoms of sleep loss. Another study released recently by the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk found that total sleep time decreased as body mass index — a measure of weight based on height — increased. In other words, people who sleep less tend to be fat. In this case, look for these symptoms:The good news is that your closet is filled with clothes. The bad news is that they’re in eight different sizes. Snacking between meals has become such a habit that you eat leftovers directly from the refrigerator, leaving the door open. Forks and spoons are kept in the dishes so you won’t have to waste time and energy walking to and from the silverware drawer a few steps away. Finally, you know you’re experiencing a severe case of sleep deprivation when more often than not your typical response to a cheerful "Good morning!" is, "What’s so good about it?"

By Lori EhdeToday’s senior citizens don’t need to worry about proposed changes in the Social Security system.Any changes, such as those proposed by the president, would affect citizens 55 years old and younger.Then why did Jim Gelbmann spend time Monday with a room full of seniors talking about Social Security?"Because you people are the experts at the Social Security system," Gelbmann told them. "Many of you are drawing benefits from Social Security for amounts you have earned over your entire lives."Gelbmann is the state director for Sen. Mark Dayton’s office, and he was in Luverne Monday to explain proposed Social Security changes and get feedback.To illustrate what Social Security does for seniors, he said 7 percent of Minnesota’s seniors currently live below the poverty line."Without Social Security," he said, "that number would be 43 percent. That’s what it would be like to live without Social Security, and many of you know what it would be like to live without Social Security."Right now, 6.5 percent of people’s earnings go to Social Security, but the president is proposing that 4.5 percent be withheld for Social Security, with the other 2 percent free for the individual to invest in the private market.The advantage would be the potential to earn more interest on that money, but Gelbmann said Sen. Dayton opposes the president’s plan, primarily because Social Security wasn’t designed to be a pension plan."It’s built on a trust between generations," he said. "It’s a pay-as-you-go system whereby current workers pay benefits of those who have retired. It’s very different from stocks and bonds that have been set aside."Had it been designed that way from the beginning, Gelbmann said, it would have been a good idea, but because so many people have invested this way to this point, it would take $3 trillion just to make the transition.He said another flaw with the investment plan for Social Security is that the money earned on the 2-percent investment isn’t guaranteed to last the entire lifetime of the investor."You’re guaranteed Social Security for life," Gelbmann said. "It will be there until you die."He said if the president and Congress really want to make an improvement on Social Security, they should lift the cap on payments by high-income individuals.Right now, everyone making $90,000 or less pays 6.5 percent of their earnings to Social Security. Earnings over $90,000 are taxed 3.25 percent for Social Security."That type of system just isn’t fair," Gelbmann said.He said the president’s proposal is driven by the knowledge that the Baby Boomers will soon retire and start drawing Social Security, leaving fewer workers to pay into the system.The president refers to the problem as a crisis, but Gelbmann said there’s currently $154 billion more paid in than is paid out.If the surplus continues at the current rate, by 2028 there will be $6.6 trillion surplus.But by about 2028, he said there will be more benefits paid out than revenue coming in, and by 2041 it’s projected that Social Security will no longer have enough revenue to pay out benefits."So we have some time, so it’s not a crisis," Gelbmann said. "But the sooner we address the problem the better." Gelbmann encouraged residents to contact him at Dayton’s office with their thoughts and concerns. The toll-free number is 888-224-9043.

By Lori EhdeAn event at the Palace Theatre next weekend will combine the talents of local medical professionals with area musicians to benefit Children’s Miracle Network.The CMN Music Gala will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, with the doors opening at 6 p.m.Luverne music lover Sue Sandbulte came up with the idea and organized the event."I just could see all the talent we had in the hospital, and Children’s Miracle Network is such a good cause," said Sandbulte, who works as the service excellence representative for the hospital."And what better way to bring hospital staff and physicians together to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network?"A sampling of the lineup includes Dr. Diane Kennedy co-emceeing with KELO-TV weatherman Shawn Cable, who will also perform on stage.Renowned opera singer Emily Lodine will headline the musical acts with both a solo and duet with Cable.Dr. Joshua Crabtree and his wife, Emily (Bowron), will sing, and Dr. Don Smith will perform a comedy routine.Other comedians will include long-time hospital nurses Karen Roberts and Ruth Opsata, who will bring a "Hee-Haw" type of humor to the stage."In between musical numbers we’re going to have little comedy acts, just to break it up and keep it light and fun," Sandbulte said."I’m getting really excited about it. I think there will be nothing better than seeing these doctors and nurses who take care of us up on stage," she said.Sandbulte usually finds herself on stage for musical events. She teaches 17 piano students, is musical director for the Green Earth Players and plays in the praise band of her church. But this time, she said she’ll be backstage handling the details.It’s been a big project to coordinate, she said, but she’s been getting help from lots of different places.Schmitt Music in Sioux Falls, for example, will donate the rental of a $30,000 grand piano for the event, Sioux Falls Music will donate the use of a sound system, and Prairie Smoke Floral will decorate the stage with flowers and greenery.Blue Mound Area Theatre Board member LaDonna Van Aartsen will unveil the original Palace backdrop that’s never been seen.All proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network. "The Telethon is just a few weeks away, so we wanted to be able to present a big check to them," Sandbulte said.The hospital typically donates $5,000 to $6,000 to CMN through year-round local fund-raisers like the Cookie Factory, helium balloons and gift sales."We just want people to know it’s going to be a grand event – a formal occasion. People are going to be all dressed up," Sandbulte said."I hope everyone comes out. It will be very entertaining."Tickets will be available at the door for $7. Call 449-1248 for more information.

By Sara QuamThe Rock County Board of Commissioners commended Family Services, especially collections worker Wendy De La Rosa-Gacke, for recouping some of the assistance clients receive.Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said, "We’ve taken the philosophy that if you need assistance you deserve it, but if at a point you can pay it back, you should."People who live below the federal poverty level or who are already receiving cash assistance aren’t asked to repay any previous assistance.Collections are done for detox services and medical assistance in the case of someone who dies and has no spouse or children to live off existing assets.Since 1997, the county has collected almost $1 million. After state portions and local costs, the county has kept $328,954 of that. The cost of operating collections is about $20,000 a year, including salary and benefits. Federal money aids the program.Drug and alcohol reportThe board reviewed a Drug and Alcohol Normative Evaluation, which tracks information on people who’ve been through chemical dependency treatment in the county.In 2004, for example, there were 64 admissions to centers. Forty-three of those were men. (Some people may enter more than once and count as another admission.)Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "Our county certainly doesn’t have a shortage of these kinds of problems."Other facts from the report include:
The majority, 28, were age 18 to 24. The average age was 28.7 years old.
59 were white; 2 were Hispanic
39 were single
19 had full-time jobs; eight had part-time jobs, and 11 were students.
19 did not complete high school
27 went to treatment as a condition of probation; eight entered treatment to avoid losing a relationship
3 were pregnant
11 left the program against staff adviceMost of the inpatient treatment is done through the New Life Treatment Center in Woodstock, and most of the outpatient treatment is done through Luverne Community Hospital.Gas tax updateThe board received an update on the gas tax from Auditor Treasurer Gloria Rolfs. The taxes collected were increased slightly from last year.Duininck Brothers, Henning Construction, Northern Con-Agg, Pronk Ready Mix and W&N Construction contributed to the tax.The county received $22,630.65 for the Road and Bridge Fund; $3,771.77 for the Special Reserve Fund, and $11,315.33 for various townships.Luverne Township received the most, with $3,118.29.Capital improvementsThe Board voted to move forward in the development of a five-year capital improvement plan that would utilize bonding to pay for special projects.The Board set a public hearing for 8 p.m. Monday, May 23, in the Rock County Human Services Meeting Room. Commissioner Jane Wildung said the meeting should be at night to allow more people to attend. "I think this will be a good process," she said.If the board decides to use bonding to pay for special projects through the CIP, it is subject to a reverse referendum that can be forced through a petition.Chairman Ken Hoime said, "The CIP doesn’t force us to spend the money, but it gives us the authority."Based on taxable market value, Rock County may bond for $462,626 per year.

By Lori EhdeDuring a noon staffing workshop Monday, Luverne Superintendent Vince Schaefer announced to School Board members he intends to resign."Sometimes you get to a point when change is good," Schaefer said when asked why he’s leaving. "It’s just time for a change."Schaefer accepted a position with the Beresford, S.D. school district, which is about 30 miles south of Sioux Falls.He’s no stranger to South Dakota education, having served as superintendent of the Viborg, S.D., district prior to taking the helm in Madelia.Schaefer came to Luverne from Madelia in 1999, and his wife, Phyllis, has been a kindergarten teacher in Luverne as well."These last six years have gone by very fast," he said.He said he’d like to look back on highlights of improvements and accomplishments for the district, but unfortunately, he said it’s been a time frame marked by financial struggles."When you try to be the educational leader of a school district, and that role is to downsize the district, it’s a difficult role to be in," Schaefer said."State financing these past few years has been the most challenging part of my job."He said Luverne can be proud of its teachers and students for maintaining excellence despite all the cuts in staff and programming."I really hope that the community rallies together in November and passes the referendum," Schaefer said."It’s very important to the future of the school district to have the referendum in place."Outside of difficult financial decisions he’s been involved in over the past six years, Schaefer said he’s enjoyed Luverne and its people."I’ve had the opportunity to work with wonderful staff and I’ve had great board support," he said. "The community involvement has been great, and pride in the school has been outstanding."The board will receive his official resignation, during the May 12 meeting. It will be effective June 30.Board Chair Becky Walgrave said the board will start looking immediately to fill the position."I’m really sad to see him go. It’s hard to think about replacing him," Walgrave said."He’s been a really good superintendent. It’s been a tough time with finances, and he’s done a really good job recommending cuts and leading us through that."

By Lori EhdeThis year is shaping up to be one of the biggest growth years ever in the history of feedlots in Rock County.According to Doug Bos, Land Management Assistant Director, 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)."It’s huge," Bos said of this year’s activity. Most of this year’s plans involve hogs, but one third is for cattle."It’s probably the biggest expansion in cattle we’ve seen for quite a few years. … probably 10 years," Bos said.Of the 25 feedlot projects on deck for this year, at least five are for construction on new sites. Others involve new construction on existing sites, and others involve expansions or modifications to existing structures.Why the feedlot flurry?Bos pointed to both livestock and land markets as reasons for the jump in feedlot permits this year.For one thing, livestock prices – both cattle and hogs – are strong.Cattle prices are hovering at more than $1 per pound for finished cattle and as much $1.50 per pound per feeder cattle. Typically, 80 cents per pound is considered a good price.Hog prices are at nearly 58 cents per pound where typically they’re around 40 cents per pound.A reason for high livestock prices is that U.S. borders are still closed to foreign beef since the Mad Cow scare. This drives demand for all local meat, including beef and pork.Bos said contract feeding is becoming popular among producers putting up confinements. "Producers are paid a set amount to feed the cattle or hogs out," Bos said. "We’re seeing more interest among investors willing to put their money in livestock. This could be fueled by low interest prices – they’re getting a better return for their money in livestock."The other factor driving the feedlot building flurry, Bos said, is high land prices."Land prices have forced some producers to look elsewhere to make a living," he said. "I’ve heard renters say they’ve let land go because they just can’t make it work anymore. So they’re going to put up livestock barns to make up the difference."He said it’s an unofficial report, but he heard of land selling by Hills for $3,600 per acre. "If you figure 5 percent, that’s $180 per acre, in just interest alone without paying on the principle."As a result, land rent prices are also rising from the $100 to $120 per acre range to $150 to $180 per acre per year."When you jack it up that much, it’s tough to make it on that," Bos said.Environmental impactBecause it’s early in the permitting process, it’s hard to say how many more hogs and cattle Rock County will end up with at the close of 2005.To illustrate the impact, there are already more than 650 feedlots in Rock County, ranging in size from 2,400 hogs in a confinement to a corral with four horses.This year’s construction will increase the county’s number feedlots by about 3 percent, Bos said, and he estimates it will results in less than 10 percent more actual animals.But he added it’s fair to say the bulk of the work is for feedlots and confinements serving large numbers of animals at each site.The obvious concern with all the feedlot construction is environmental impact, but Bos said area residents should feel comfortable with the process.Rock County has one of the strictest and most comprehensive feedlot permitting processes in the state, and the larger new facilities are safer than many existing smaller open feedlots.For example, he explained the modern, underground pits can often be safer than open lots, because manure is contained, rather than running off an open lot into a drainage ditch or stream."Plus, the manure that’s produced is consistent enough it can be applied as uniformly as commercial fertilizer," Bos said."All of the feedlots, to be permitted, must have a nutrient management plan that factors in crop demand and nutrient availability."In other words, to complete the permitting process, producers must put a plan in writing where the manure will go and how much will go where.Economic impact"It’s a big investment for these guys," Bos said. "But it shows their commitment for the long-term."It costs more than $400 per animal unit space to put up a confinement cattle building. So a facility for 1,000 head of cattle costs more than $400,000 to build.The short-term effect of the feedlot construction boom has a positive impact on the economy from the attorneys and engineers to contractors and construction suppliers."The impact goes out much farther than the feedlots themselves," Bos said. "It creates jobs … The feed companies and fuel companies need drivers."But in the long run, Bos said, 2005 is the start of good things to come in the local economy."It isn’t just the numbers, per se, but we’re seeing the young farmers come in and make improvements and expansions," Bos said."For a long time we’ve been saying, the average age of our farmers is 57 and there’s been a real concern about who’s going to take over and fill these empty farm places in the county."Keeping the young producer in the community is the best thing about all this. … That to me signifies that we’ll stay a viable community both agriculturally and economically."

By John RittenhouseA Hills-Beaver High School senior has been invited to participate in the Special Event during the annual Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls Friday.Cassi Tilstra, an H-BC standout runner, will be one of eight entries in the Girls 400-Meter Dash, which is the Special Event for the 2005 meet.The daughter of Arlyn and Melanie Tilstra will run in Lane No. 1 during the 7:40 p.m. race.Tilstra and Allie Smith of Wahpeton, N.D., are the seniors in the field.Juniors include Mitchell Christian’s Andrea Nielsen, Lead-Deadwood’s Breynn Feterl and Bridgewater-Emery’s Heather Wollman.Sophomores in the field are Rapid City Steven’s Samee Pagel, Gayville-Volin’s Emma Erickson and Parker’s Abby Plucker.All the juniors and sophomores represent South Dakota Schools.

By John RittenhouseHills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton track athletes claimed four meet championships at the Pipestone Arrow Relays Tuesday.Two titles each went to the H-BC-E-E boys and girls squads, which competed in the Class B version of the meet.No team results were available from the meet.The highlight of the meet from H-BC-E-E’s standpoint is the effort turned in by Mya Mann, Rosie Lewis, Cassi Tilstra and Kelly Mulder during the 400-meter relay. The foursome won the event with a meet record time of 53.9.The H-BC-E-E girls also won the medley relay with a time of 4:38. Amanda Connors, Ashley Bucher, Tilstra and Mann formed the team.Amanda Tilstra placed second in the 400-meter dash and Rayna Sandoval finished second in the 3,200-meter run with respective 1:05.39 and 13:02 efforts.The Patriots placed second in the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 10:14.9. Mann, Bucher, Cassi and Amanda Tilstra ran the race.H-BC-E-E’s boys won the 400- and 800-meter relays with respective 46.06 and 1:35.3 times. Jan Sommerling, Jon Klaassen, Cody Scholten and Tyler Bush teamed up in the 400. Sommerling, Darrin Weikamp, Scholten and Bush ran the 800.Scholten, Weikamp, Sommerling and Bush finished second in the medley relay with their 3:44.34 time.Roger DeBoer (18.21 in the 110 hurdles), Weikamp (55.8 in the 400) and John Sandbulte (46.12 in the 300 hurdles) placed second individually.Here is a look at the rest of H-BC-E-E’s individual efforts from the Arrow Relays.H-BC-E-E girlsThird place: C.Tilstra, high jump, 4-6; Kari Roozenboom, 110 hurdles, 18.56.Fourth place: Jocelyn Bucher, 300 hurdles, 55.13; Sandoval, 800, 2:42.5; 1,600 relay (A.Tilstra, J.Bucher, Amanda Connors and A.Bucher), 4:31.42.Fifth place: A.Bucher, long jump, 13-2 1/4; 800 relay (Brittany Helgeson, Roozenboom, J.Bucher, Lewis), 2:01.3; Amanda DeBoer, 1,600, 6:07.9; Mulder, 200, 29.53.Sixth place: Connors, long jump, 13.1;Roozenboom, triple jump, 28-6; Lewis, discus, 87-1.H-BC-E-E boysThird place: Scholten, high jump, 5-10; Derek Haak, 1,600, 5:04.2.Fourth place: Sandbulte, triple jump, 36-2; Dustin Verhey, 3,200, 11:13; Haak, 800, 2:12.Fifth place: 3,200 relay (Tyler Paulsen, Brent Kramer, Cody Penning, Sandbulte), 9:24.21; 1,600 relay (Klaassen, Sandbulte, Cody Schilling, Haak), 3:53.11.Sixth place: Bush, triple jump, 35-1; Kenny Gardner, 200, 27.1.