I'm a concerned parent that has a child that was planning on going to kindergarten next fall. But the decision the School Board has made has possibly changed our minds.We are in the Ellsworth School District and open enrolled to Luverne. Since both my husband and myself graduated from Luverne we felt that we wanted the same for our kids. We are considering sending our son and daughter (which is in second grade) to Ellsworth. We have sent our son to Discovery Time for two years for him to get used to going to every day all day and now that was all for nothing.I would like to know how the School Board came up with dollar amount for the Kinder Plus? A lot of families will not be able to afford to send their child to this program. I thought Luverne has a policy of No Child Left Behind! But I guess we can for the Kindergarten kids. Disappointed Future Kindergarten Parent,Jeff and Missy FickEllsworth

Recently there was a Star Herald article about the School Board’s decision to eliminate all day every day kindergarten, but do people fully understand what was decided? While I do not agree that reducing the kindergarten program was the only acceptable option, that is not my greatest concern. Why was there no parent or community involvement in this decision? A survey was sent out in kindergarten roundup packets recently, but many parents did not receive it timely or were unaware that it was included. Is the School Board prepared to allow families to open enroll into surrounding districts that offer all day every day kindergarten since their late action to eliminate the Luverne program was taken well after the open enrollment deadline?My biggest concern is the $150 monthly fee for the afternoon program. One-hundred and fifty dollars is a lot of money for many families. The Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program may be able to help some, but not all. And, while the afternoon program is optional, it will present a definite advantage to children participating in it. Children whose families cannot afford the program will miss out, and they will fall behind. Has the School Board thought about how it will provide the skills these kids are missing when they get to first grade?Go back to the table. Get creative, be innovative and find a way to fund all day every day kindergarten for ALL of these kids.Diane Holmberg Luverne

I’m writing in concern for the upcoming 2005-2006 school year in regard to the kindergarten program.I understand why the school needed to cut the all-day-every-day program, but I am very disappointed. I know the town prides itself on our excellent school programs and that’s why it’s hard to understand why we would want our children to only get half-day kindergarten while all the small towns around us are still providing their kids with an all day every day kindergarten.I’m also concerned with the enrichment program they are offering in the afternoon for $150 a month. That is a lot of money for an enrichment program and it would leave a lot of kids unable to participate because of the cost. My understanding was that all children are entitled to equal education in a public school system and this is not equal. I’ve been told that my concerns don’t really matter, but I’m choosing to share them anyway in the hopes that somebody does care. Kristee and Mike HartLuverne

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYApril 12, 2005Dan Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA, called the meeting to order at 8:15 P.M. with the following Board members present: Dana Dahlquist, Jim Jellema, Keith Elbers, and Linus Svoboda. Board members absent: Ross Metzger. Others present: Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary; Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer; and Lexi Moore, Reporter-Hills Crescent. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Jellema to approve the minutes of March 8th. Motion carried. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the March expenditures. Also, to combine the EDA’s CD’s into one, to be reinvested, along with $10,000 from the EDA checking account. Motion carried. The Board approved a written recommendation from LDH Construction to make minor repairs in apartment #502.The Board agreed to hire Olson’s Pest Control to treat the outside perimeter of the condo building for termites. No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 8:23 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaEDA Secretary(5-5)

COUNTY OF ROCKNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON INTENTION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BONDS AND THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THEREFORNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the County Board of the County of Rock, Minnesota will meet on May 23rd, 2005, at 8:00 P.M. at the Rock County Human Services Bldg. in Luverne, Minnesota, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on (a) the intention to issue general obligation capital improvement plan bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,750,000 and (b) the proposal to adopt a capital improvement plan therefor. The proceeds of the bonds will be used to finance various capital improvements within the County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 373.40.All persons interested may appear and be heard at the time and place set forth above. If a petition requesting a vote on the issuance of the bonds is signed by voters equal to 5 percent of the votes cast in the County in the last general election and is filed with the County within 30 days after the public hearing, the bonds may only be issued upon obtaining the approval of the majority of the voters voting on the question of issuing the bonds. Individuals unable to attend the public hearing can make written comment by writing to the County Administrator, County of Rock, Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota 56156. Written comments must be received prior to the public hearing.BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY BOARD/s/ Kyle J. OldreCounty Administrator(5-5, 5-12)

10 years ago (1995)"Hills-Beaver Creek School District residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 16, to elect two board members to three-year terms. Incumbents Dan Siegfried and Eugene Sandager are seeking re-election to the board. Both have served one three-year term. Beaver Creek’s Lloyd DeBoer has also put his name on this year’s ballot."25 years ago (1980)"The Beaver Creek State Bank was recently accepted into the National Register of Historical Places. The honor is given to special buildings considered worthy of preservation. Placement of the property makes it eligible for federal grants for preservation purposes."50 years ago (1955)"The juvenile population of our community is enjoying real fall carnival enjoyment this week on account of a gayly painted pony Merry-go-round and Kiddy-car ride having set up business on the empty lots across the street from the band stand. One remarkable thing about the hurdy-gurdy organ is that the music ground out is all nice, clean music, with a lilt and swing from the gay nineties and on, instead of the usual hot tom-tom banshee stuff that rasped the nerves of music lovers the past decade. It’s good business, too, as it draws the old folks around and makes them easy marks for extra nickels." 75 years ago (1930)"A.A. Anderson tendered his resignation yesterday as vice president of the First & Farmers National Bank in order to give his undivided attention to real estate loans and a general brokerage business. He expects to open an office in Luverne in the near future, says the Rock County Herald." 100 years ago (1905)"The board of health the past week has been getting after persons who have been in the habit of burying dead horses and cows in close proximity to the business portion of our town. This is a proper move and the board of health should be commended for their action in this matter and should have the support of all good citizens."

Ruben Vestlie, 84, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Rock County, died Friday, April 29, 2005, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.Services were Wednesday, May 4, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Burial was at Flowerfield Cemetery in Hills. Ruben Vestlie was born in Rock County to Norwegian immigrant parents Ole and Ragna (Bakken) Vestlie in 1921. He grew up on farms in Beaver Creek and Hills.He married Jennie Gabrielson, Luverne, on Dec. 2, 1946. They made their home in Sioux Falls. He worked for Hassenstein Steel Company, where he became skilled in welding and steel fabrication. He retired in 1983. Mr. Vestlie was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. He also was well known for his gardening skills. Survivors include two sons, Russell (Debby) Vestlie, Madison, Wis., and Richard (Lauri) Vestlie, Sioux Falls; one daughter, Marlys (Frank) Bernard, Sioux Falls; 12 grandchildren, Michael, Joel (Cathie), David, Jeremy, Sarah, Joshua, Kate, Karin, Kristen, Kaylyn, Kyla and Reece; one great-grandchild, Hannah; and one sister, Martha Lindrud, Hills. Mr. Vestlie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jennie in 2003, one grandchild, Adam, one great-granddaughter, Grace, and one sister, Jennie Nelson.Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

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