Mary Carter accompanied Alf and Marilyn Metzger to Lyons, S.D., on Sunday to attend church services at the Lutheran Church. Mary’s great-granddaughter is a senior graduating from school there and the church was honoring the graduates of the church with a gift of a homemade quilt.Don and Edyth Briggs motored to Iowa City, Iowa, on Friday to attend funeral services for Don’s cousin, Shirley Briggs. They returned to Hills Saturday. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson and Dick and Audrey Heidenson enjoyed supper out Friday night and later attended the Tri-Valley Chorus and Barber Shop performance at Viborg, S.D.Wilmer and Betty Elbers returned home last week Thursday after attending the International Milk Haulers convention in Nashville, Tenn. Gene and Shirley Sandager, Brittany and Kelly were Sunday dinner guests of Fran Sandager at Tuff Village. Paul and Evangeline Opheim drove to Moorhead early Sunday morning to join family members in celebrating Benjamin Cherland’s graduation from Concordia College. He graduated with honors in music. Benjamin is the son of Carl and Meredith Cherland of Regina, Saskatchewan. Carl is the son of the former Ramona (Opheim) Cherland and Clarence Cherland. Paul and Evangeline returned home late Sunday evening. Leanna Gaugler turned one year old on April 29. She is the daughter of Jesse and Karen Gaugler. Her birthday was celebrated with the Drust and Page children and their moms. Also Leanna’s grandparents, Roger and Ardella Gaugler who came from Elgin, N.D., for the event. Roger, Ardella, Karen and Leanna Gaugler went to Brookings, S.D., on Saturday, April 30, to attend the graduation of Annie Gaugler from South Dakota State University with a major in animal science. She is the daughter of the Roger Gauglers. Karen and Leanna returned to Hills Saturday. Grace Miller, who had been hospitalized in Sioux Falls for a few days, has returned to her apartment in Luverne. Chuck and Rheta DeBoer spent the weekend in the home of their son, Jeff and Karen DeBoer and children, Josiah and Micah, in Garner, Iowa. Friday night Audrey Heidenson was a guest of her daughter-in-law, Lyn Heidenson of Brandon, S.D., at the mother- daughter banquet in Palisades Lutheran Church. Wilmer and Betty Elbers attended the confirmation services Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne in honor of their grandson, Steven Walker’s, confirmation. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson helped Patrick Anderson of Sioux Falls celebrate his birthday on Sunday. Colby Hadler, Edgerton, spent Friday with his grandmother, Joanne Goehle. Bob and Twila Kirsch spent Friday with family at Heron Lake. Riley Lentz came home with his grandparents to spend until Sunday here.

Where does the time go? Here it is May already and I feel I haven’t had winter, and I am not sorry. However, when May arrives there are all kinds of activities to convince you that it is later than you think! There was a time when we made May baskets and took them to our friends and neighbors. I haven’t heard of anyone bringing May baskets this year. I hope this tradition is not forgotten, as it was something the entire family could get involved with. Our weather has taken a turn back to cold temperatures once again. A cold wind has been blowing nearly every day. It has sort of grounded my spring fever. The weather forecast is for warmer temperatures to return later this week. I hope they are right, as I am ready and anxious to get outdoors and dig in the dirt. However, the weatherman has been known to make promises, and more promises, but let’s hope for the best this time! Friday evening visitors in the Henrietta Huenink home were Glen and Audrey Winter, Little Rock, Iowa.Lisa Telford from Sioux Falls recently had back surgery and is recuperating at the home of her grandparents, Orrin and Bernice Aukes. The Hills-Beaver Creek senior class will observe their Skip Day on Friday, May 20. They are planning to go to Valleyfair. Hope they enjoy it!There will be a Family Book Fair at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the elementary school library. Everyone is welcome. The H-BC basketball players named to the All Conference team were Travis Broesder, Kale Wiertzema, Tyler Bush, Zach Wysong and Tom LeBoutillier. Jo Aykens and Mildred Keunen, both of Steen, and Joyce Aykens, Worthington, were dinner guests at the Vince and Laurie Kurtz home in Orange City, Iowa, on Saturday, April 23. The event was in honor of McKenzie’s third birthday. Other guests were Paul and Carole Aykens, Susan Veldkamp and daughter Jadeyn, all of Orange City and members of Vince’s family. Among those from the Steen area attending the Southwest Crisis Center 9th annual Women’s Expo at Luverne United Methodist Church was Malena Boeve.The mother-daughter banquet will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at Steen Reformed Church.Congratulations to Shanna Tilstra, daughter of Arlyn and Melanie Tilstra, Hills, who will graduate from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, on May 7 with a degree in nursing. There will be an open house bridal shower for LaDonna Sandstede at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at Steen Reformed Church. Her parents are Terry and Glenda Sandstede, Steen. We will observe Mother’s Day this coming Sunday. It is our special day to honor our mothers and to let them know how much we care for them. I hope you enjoy the following thoughts regarding Mother’s Day. A Mother’s DayTheodore Roosevelt once said, "The successful mother, the mother who does her part in training her children who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community, and occupies, if she would only realize it, a more honorable as well as a more important position than any man in it. The mother is the supreme asset of national life."Many titles and phrases can define the word mother, yet none can fully capture the essence of the woman. We can conjure up visions of her smile or her frown; we can readily remember the security of her presence and the warmth of her touch. We can reward her with gifts, give her bouquets of flowers, relieve her from kitchen detail on her special day But the most precious gift, the gift that lasts, is our love for her. We honor mother best by doing what she would have us do, being what she would have us be, saying what she would have us say. We honor mother best by never forgetting who we are — her beloved children. A Tribute to MotherIf there is one word divine, it must be "Mother." Without her tender care, while still a part of her, my life could not have been. Without her dreams and aspirations, that spark which burst forth at birth could not burn so brightly. Without her earnest prayers and seeming sternness, Life’s purpose could not surpass its goal. And so to you, my Mother, a tribute to the name you bear — the sweetest word that was ever spoken — ‘Mother."Metha D. Keith

By now the Easter dinner leftovers are long gone, but what about those uneaten Marshmallow Peeps? The pastel-colored, chick-shaped confections may be a little harder and more difficult to chew, but Fortune magazine recently reported how the popular candies may be adapted for other uses. According to Fortune, consumers buy 1.2 billion Marshmallow Peeps a year. About a third of those Peeps "are bought not for eating but to be used in science experiments, arts and crafts and rituals." The arts, crafts and ritual uses are comparatively easy to understand, but the idea of using chick-shaped candies in the name of science is — much like a three-year-old Marshmallow Peep left on a shelf — hard to swallow. But it’s true. In the late 1990s, two professors from Emory University did extensive research on the Peeps and found only one liquid, an industrial-strength chemical solution, that could dissolve the candy chicks. On April Fool’s Day 2000, NASA launched five Peeps in a balloon from the Marshall Space Flight Center. Unfortunately, the candy chicks were lost when the balloon ruptured. Dissolving and astronaut-wannabe chicks aside, there must be other scientific uses for Marshmallow Peeps. For example, the chicks might someday be part of an important dietary study. One test group would be fed nothing else but leafy, green and yellow vegetables for one month. Another study group would be fed only Marshmallow Peeps. At the end of the study, the vegans will undoubtedly be lean, physically fit and eager to run the First Annual Marshmallow Peep Marathon Race. The Peep eaters will predictably be high strung, due to their high sugar intakes, and overweight. It all sounds very simple, but that’s how many dietary studies become bestseller books. The Peeps could also be used for longevity studies. It’s a commonly accepted fact that the candies have a shelf life of at least 25 years, which anyone knows is equivalent to 180 human years. Perhaps the physical makeup of Peeps could be adapted to humans. Should our skin be dyed bright yellow or pink so that we resemble them? Should we all be rolled in sugar in order to receive protective coatings against the elements? Military scientists at the Pentagon might consider the curious results of Peep jousting matches, the latest Peep torture shown on various Web sites. Peeps armed with toothpicks in their tiny beaks face each other in a microwave oven and as they expand from the radiation, their lances move closer. The first chick to strike a blow wins. This would be a perfect way for the Pentagon to observe the effects of radiation on military might and soldiers’ aggressiveness and willingness to go into battle. With a few graham crackers and a couple of chocolate bars, the discarded results of the experiments could become s’mores, a tasty treat for the weary scientists. The Peeps will not have melted in vain. Nursing students could practice giving injections to Marshmallow Peeps. They (the Peeps, not the nurses) are, after all, soft and pliable like many humans, but they won’t yell out when they’re in pain. Doctors in training could use the Peeps as they practice making first incisions for future surgeries. Perhaps the scientific uses for Marshmallow Peeps aren’t all that difficult to imagine after all.

Virginia "Ginny" Smedsrud, 64, Luverne, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at the Luverne Hospice Cottage.Services were Saturday, April 30, at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, The Rev. Del B. Sanderson officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Virginia Mae Reu was born September 7, 1940, to Arlo and Minna (Hansen) Reu of Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1958. As a senior in high school she began working at the Luverne Announcer and later also worked at the Rock County Star Herald for 46 years. On Feb. 23, 1964, Virginia married Myron Swenson. After their marriage they lived in rural Luverne. Myron died on Feb. 19, 1981.She married David Smedsrud on March 9, 1984, in Luverne. The couple lived in Luverne. In 2004 Mrs. Smedsrud began working as a caregiver at Habilitative Service, Inc., in Luverne.She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Hills Country Cruisers, and the Great Plains Street Rodders in Sioux Falls, S.D. She enjoyed collecting Garfield paraphernalia and other collectibles.Mrs. Smedsrud is survived by her husband, Dave Smedsrud, Luverne; a daughter, Kellie Jo Smedsrud, Yankton, S.D.; three brothers, Arvin (Bonnie) Reu, Roger (Cathy) Reu, all of Luverne, and Wayne Reu, San Diego, Calif.; three sisters, Lois (Rollie) Stauffer, Des Moines, Iowa, Nancy (Ken) Janssen, Ames, Iowa, and Jolene (Tony) Redder, Luverne; an uncle, Art Hansen, Luverne; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a longtime family friend, Norma.Mrs. Smedsrud was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Myron Swenson; infant brother, Ronald; brother, Robert; and an infant sister, Arlene Reu.A tree will be dedicated in memory of Virginia Smedsrud by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of the arrangements.

By Lori EhdeConnell Car Care, on East Main Street and Blue Mound Avenue, Luverne, will throw a big party Friday. They’re calling it "Customer Appreciation Day," but the occasion will also mark an official retirement and change of ownership.Dave Connell and his son, Terry, have been working together at the business since 1990 and as partners since 1996.Long history of Connells in car careFriday will mark Dave’s official retirement after 43 years in the car business. He used a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s Announcer to thank his employees and customers."The success of my business is a direct result of the loyal employees I have had over the years," he wrote. "I am very grateful to them."He specifically mentioned long-time workers John Van Dam and Bob DeSplinter.Dave found himself deep in Connell Car Care history as he prepared for retirement. "As I go through my customer list, many of the names are long-time customers of the Connells," he said. The list includes customers of his father, Hugh, and uncle, Keith, and grandfather, Esmond, whose wife, Louise, may actually be credited with a car business connection dating to the late 1800s.Her father, Dave’s great-grandfather Bierkamp, was with Home Automobile Company in Luverne prior to the turn of the century. That white building stood on the corner of McKenzie and Lincoln streets where the Klosterbuer and Haubrich law office is now located.Dave joined Connell Chevrolet as a technician in 1962 and his cousin, Pat Connell (now at Papik Motors), joined in 1972.The dealership was sold to Warren Schoon in 1982, and at that time Dave purchased Davis Motors and started Connell Car Care."Donna and I would like to thank all our customers and friends who have supported us over the last 40 years in Luverne," he said in Sunday’s Announcer. "Your loyalty and support are very much appreciated."New owner at the helmFriday’s party will also mark the official transition of Connell Car Care ownership to Terry Connell, who said he can’t remember a time when his hands didn’t have grease on them."I can remember being five or six years old and tearing apart my new bike," he said about tinkering being in his blood. "I took every bolt I could find out of that thing, and my dad was so mad. It was completely torn apart."It wasn’t long before his dad started channeling some of that natural ability, and Terry started working in the shop at 13 years old. "I fell in love with the business and still love it today," Terry said in the Announcer. "I have learned a lot along the way and still hold Dad’s opinions and point of view in high regard."Dave will still do some purchasing for the business, but he and Donna are selling their house in Sioux Falls and will live in northern Minnesota."The customers won’t notice much difference, but I just won’t have him to fall back on as much anymore," Terry said.He said the transition has been underway for several months, and master technician and service manager Greg VandeVelde will have added responsibilities."He’s got really good car knowledge," Terry said. "He’s been repairing cars for 20 years and he definitely fills the shoes for service manager real well."Terry said he doesn’t have plans for sweeping changes at the business but said it’s an important goal just to stay ahead of technology."Cars themselves are getting very high-tech," he said, "and I’m going to work hard to make sure that we’re up to date to handle any car in Luverne. We’ve always tried to be on the leading edge of independent shops in Luverne, and I plan to keep doing that."The open house lunch Friday will start at 11 a.m. and continue until the food is gone.

By Lori EhdeIn the face of rising health costs and health insurance premiums, finding solutions on an individual level seems impossible.But Sioux Valley executives were in Luverne last week to share information on trends and issues in healthcare and to offer a few ideas for curbing the problems.Ray Trankle, public affairs vice president for Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health Systems, described trends in healthcare as brewing up the "perfect storm" for driving up the costs of healthcare.He said the rising cost of pharmaceuticals, physician shortages and advances in technology are all contributing to higher health care costs.But two other factors – an aging population and increased use of healthcare among all ages – is combining with the other three factors to create a crisis in today’s healthcare."Millions of baby boomers will be accessing healthcare … and at the same time there will be fewer physicians," Trankle said."Even if we filled every medical school in every state, in 20 years there still won’t be enough doctors, and that’s going to drive costs."He said that’s especially the case, considering rising consumer demand for healthcare."The sheer utilization of healthcare – not age-related – is increasing dramatically," Trankle said. "And most of it is for things that aren’t emergencies."He said people who have met their deductibles figure if they have access to healthcare, they’ll use it, because somebody else is paying for it.Also, weekend acute care clinics are crowded with patients who have ailments that could be treated by their regular physicians during a weekday office visit. Trankle also used the example of the parent of a boy who bumps his head while falling off his bike. The doctor may recommend the parents observe the boy for signs of concussion, but the parents, if they’re insured, may demand an MRI."With this approach, it may appear as though somebody else is paying for it, but everyone pays for it in the end with higher healthcare premiums," Trankle said.He said people need to start taking more responsibility for their health and for their healthcare and realize that they are paying for it, even if insurance pays the bill.He said health savings accounts encourage consumers to make wiser healthcare choices. HSAs are pre-tax accounts that members draw from to pay medical expenses. Insureds need to have access to high deductible plans to participate in HSAs. Because they don’t need to be spent down like flex accounts, the tendency is to spend it wisely. Beyond smart healthcare choices, Trankle said people need to also be smart about their personal health."It’s how we care for ourselves that dictates a high percentage of what we consume," he said."We need to eat healthier, exercise more, don’t smoke and get regular screenings, because if we don’t, we’re going to end up accessing that healthcare more often." He especially stressed not smoking. "Smoking is horrible for a person and their family," he said, adding that children with health problems are often linked to parents who smoke.MedicareTrankle said under-funded Medicare is putting additional strain on the healthcare system. As healthcare costs rise, government officials in charge of the Medicare program have put a cap on the amount of money it will reimburse providers for each procedure or visit, regardless of the actual costs."If Medicare would step up and pay what it said it would pay, it would have a tremendous impact on healthcare costs," he said, adding that shortages in Medicare funding are often made up by paying consumers and insurance companies."The next time you see your Washington senator or Congressman, you ask them what they’re doing about Medicare," Ray said.Trankle’s presentation was part of a "Leadership Luncheon" Monday at Luverne Community Hospital.He and two other Sioux Valley executives met with members of the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce Board with the idea that this group would share information with other community members.Chamber Director Dave Smith said he’d explore opportunities for Ray to present the information to a broader community group at another date.

By Sara QuamSix-year-old Bailey Herman, Luverne, is recovering from a dog injury that required plastic surgery last week.Wednesday, April 20, Bailey was with his dad, Joel, visiting relatives Don and Barb Gonnerman who own the dog. Don wasn’t home at the time but said the injury wasn’t a bite. He described it as a deep scratch from the dog’s paw, based on what the Gonnermans’ 10-year-old saw and told them. Joel was just a few feet from Bailey and the almost 200-pound Saint Bernard but didn’t see the incident.He just heard Bailey yell out, "Dad," and turned to see his son lying on the ground, his face covered in blood.Joel said, "It was a dog he’s probably seen 50 other times in his life, so he knew him." Kellie Herman, Bailey’s mom, said the injury over his cheek, nose and eye scared her and her husband.Joel said, "Blood was just squirting out of his eye and all I could think of was getting him to the hospital."Once in Sioux Falls, Bailey was in surgery for 2 1/2 hours.Kellie said, "Bailey doesn’t remember it happening. He told people at the hospital that his mom was a scaredy cat because of my reaction when I first saw his face," Kellie said."He can see and open his eye now. He looks good compared to what he did. His eyelid was ripped and just hanging there and I was worried about him not being able to see."Joel said it was lucky that the dog didn’t harm Bailey’s eyeball. Now Bailey is recovering at home with help from antibiotics, salve and eye drops. A tube inside his eye gland, draining through his nose, will stay there for eight weeks.He has a follow-up appointment with the surgeon Wednesday, and he’ll find out when he can go back to school.Barb Gonnerman has had the dog for seven years and doesn’t plan to put it to sleep."It’s been hard for everybody," Kellie said. "We don’t even know if we’re going to keep our own dog [a boxer] yet. He is great with our kids, but you never know."Joel said, "Dogs are still dogs."The Hermans said they are thankful for the many calls and well wishes they’ve received since Bailey was hurt.

By Lori EhdeAs opening date approaches for Sioux Valley’s new hospital and clinic in Luverne, it’s getting easier to put details on the timeline.During a lunch meeting Monday with Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Sioux Valley Hospital executive Stan Knobloch provided some details.oMay 16: Road construction will start at the intersection of Highway 75 and 131st Street (the former township road that borders the north side of the hospital property). It’s an eight-week project that will involve grading the hill on Highway 75 for a safer intersection, adding a turn lane and putting pavement, curb and gutter on 131st Street.If weather cooperates, the road work will be complete on July 15.oJune 1: The new water tower on the northern edge of the property will be done. The 300,000-gallon, 175-foot-high structure will bring water not only to the hospital but to northern city neighborhoods where water pressure has been poor. It will bear the logo of the city of Luverne on one side and Sioux Valley on the other. oJuly 10: Public open house. Details will be released later.oJuly 29: Official move-in day. Some administrative offices will be able to move prior to this date.Knobloch said the whole front part of the hospital is done — with cabinets, paint and carpeting complete in the reception, business and medical areas.Work is still underway in the inpatient wing, which will be complete about mid-May.Work in the emergency room, radiology and labor and delivery rooms will be complete about mid-June.The $17.8 million, 95,000-square-foot facility will more than double the space of the current hospital and clinic.The hospital will be called "Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital," and the clinic will be called "Sioux Valley Clinic Luverne."

By Sara QuamFor the first time, Luverne will be one of the sites for a paint ball tournament as a part of the Northern Plains Ultimate Crown.The Luverne City Council approved a lease agreement with Chad Hess, Aimless Enterprises. Hess will pay for the use of baseball field, plus $100 deposit, July 9 through 11 and provided proof of proper insurance.A group of local paint-ball enthusiasts meets at the Rock County Fairgrounds Saturdays, but will use the city diamonds for the tournament because the fairgrounds are booked for enduro races.Hess said the tournament will draw more than 150 people from South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota. The competition is one of six in the region.Council member Pat Baustian said, "I would like to recognize you for taking this initiative. Thank you for bringing the number of people to town that you are. It’s good for the city — good for hotels and the food industry."Hess said the paint balls are environmentally safe and shouldn’t leave marks on the field because they are made from a food-grade dye and gelatin. They wash away in water.The activities will be contained within a netted area so the public can watch.City marketing viewedThe KELO-TV advertising campaign featuring the city of Luverne began getting airtime this week.The CBS affiliate in Sioux Falls, S.D., gave the city a tape of the ads, which the Council watched Tuesday. The ads have five slight variations based on private sponsorships of the commercials.Council member Esther Frakes, who also serves on the Luverne Economic Development Commission said, "We think this will be a positive thing for the community." The commercials feature the state park, hospital facility, quality school district, housing developments, Pool and Fitness Center and Job Opportunity Building Zones.Financial honorFor the 10th consecutive year Finance Officer Barb Berghorst received recognition for Excellence in Financial Reporting based on the city audit.City Administrator Greg La Fond said, "This is not something that every city receives automatically or without a great deal of effort."Berghorst also gave credit to staff in City Hall, particularly to accountant Candy Reese.