By Katie McGaffeeThe Patriot boys enjoyed their second win in a row on Thursday, Jan. 6.The varsity boys took the win with Tyler Bush netting nine points and grabbing 12 rebounds and nine assists. "The game was good, everyone played well." Bush said, "We didn't score very well, so we did other things like hustling and making the extra passes to score."Wiertzema sunk 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Wysong made 13 points and had five rebounds. "We played very hard against a big physical team," Coach Steve Wiertzema said. "Their size frustrated our offense, but we adjusted well."The junior varsity boys won with a score of 53-42. Aaron Esselink netted 17 points. The Patriots took on the Panthers in Ellsworth Tuesday, Jan. 11, and then traveled to West Lyon to take them on in a non-conference game on Saturday.Box Scores:Bush 0 4 1-3 9, Wysong 0 6 1-2 13, Wiertzema 1 9 6-8 27, Baker 0 1 0-0 2, LeBoutillier 0 2 0-0 4, Rozeboom 0 1 0-0 2.

By Lexi MooreThe old hardware store on Main Street in Hills is for sale through Real Estate Retrievers for a very reasonable price.I have just settled in here at the Crescent so I am not looking for a new career path, but if I had the time and money, I would invest in that building.I think there are plenty of viable business options for the hardware store building. Today, against my better business judgment, I am going to share some of my ideas for the space.Skating RinkThe costs to turn the building into a roller skating rink would be minimal. Once the shelves were removed, a person could polish the floor, hang up a disco ball and bring in the skaters.An out-of-box thinker might even consider building a half-pipe ramp in the back of the building that could be used by skateboarders, skaters and even snowboarders.Ice Cream Parlor or PizzeriaIce cream might sound silly this time of year, but business would be booming by the time May rolls around.Plus, having pizza available on Main Street is a brilliant idea. It’s cheap, easy to cook and there are few state health regulations to conform to.Community CenterIt would be really nice for the Martin Township to have a community center, a place that feels like a second home for residents and keeps younger community members occupied.The key element to making a community center profitable is membership dues. The dues should be low enough so that it is affordable for all families, but high enough for members to feel they need to use the facility.A large commons area where residents feel comfortable meeting for games and activities is essential.I recommend bringing in a ping pong table, air hockey table and a television for video games. Just imagine how many children would be interested in playing in a Madden tournament.Entrepreneurs, think of it as a Legion Hall stocked with activities.Coffee Shop/Book StoreIf I had the money, I would turn the building into a coffee shop packed full of good books, magazines and computers with lightning-fast internet connections.It would be really nice to have a local store stocked with gifts.The Internet would be an instant hit, especially if the proprietors were available to help educate customers on e-mail accounts, downloads, shopping and Web sites.The Home Store had already closed when I moved to Hills, so I am looking forward to seeing what will develop in the building.Starting new business ventures is hard and can be risky, especially in small towns. But I have a message for potential investors: Be brave; the people of Hills will support you. Keep our community growing in a positive direction and we will help your budding business grow.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 507-283-2333.

The biggest news this week is that there was very little news. I think we can blame the weatherman for that!The Steen Senior Citizens cancelled their January meeting because of the weather. The meeting was scheduled for the first Monday in January.Robert Sandbulte was admitted to Luverne Community Hospital on Friday with influenza. He was hoping to be able to return home on Monday. Donald Bonnema, son of Nelson and Minnie Bonnema, has been living in his parents’ home in Steen after his parents were no longer able to. He has decided to move to Rock Rapids, Iowa, to the Rosewood Heights Apartments. We will miss him in Steen, but we wish him all the best!Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Bush family on the death of Berdell "Bud" Bush, who passed away on Friday, Dec. 31.Hope Haven will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special time of praise and thanksgiving. The evening celebration will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the B.J. Haan Auditorium on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. The High Lights from Sioux Center will be in concert for Hope Haven. There will be a freewill offering taken for the ministry of Hope Haven. Henrietta Huenink attended the Korthals’ family gathering at the Fritz Korthals home in Worthington on Friday.With the coming of the New Year time seems to be on our minds more than usual. It probably is because when we have a New Year, we begin to realize how quickly time flies. It may not be, but I think it could be the reason for making New Year’s resolutions.When we think about it, time is definitely something we have no control over. So when I found these words titled "Time," I thought I would share them with you. Time is a pilferer, the poet said, which stole the hours away and took the roses from our cheeks, the sparkle from our eyes, the luster from our hair and the spring from our step.The poet is wrong. Time is not a pilferer. But I have been long on getting acquainted with Time. At 20 I gave no heed. At 30 I tried to outwit Time. At 40 I respected him. At 50 I began to appreciate Time.And now I really know him. Yes, Time took the roses from my cheeks but left a cameo instead — time lines that tell of laughter, deeper ones that speak of pain, all so delicately wrought that the etching tells the story of a life fully lived. For the sparkle in my eyes, retrospect and vision. For the luster in my hair, he gave me silver. For the spring in my step he gave poise. For everything he took, I have been reimbursed with pleasure.Time is God’s perpetual gift to man. Twenty-four hours a day are given to us for our very own. We may squander them, we may throw them away, or use them to drain dry if we will. Time will give again. Time is infinite. Beyond the unseen curtain, eternal ages are held in Time’s hands. Written by Bethal G. Squirie.

Mary Carter, who left for Lititz, Pa., on Dec. 23, returned to Hills Jan. 3. At Lititz she visited in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Dennis Smith. She and her daughter also went to Pittsburgh, Pa., to visit Jean’s granddaughter and husband, Sandy and David Ferguson, and attend a baby shower for them. Gary and Deb Bowman and their son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Pam Bowman and daughter, Kallie, of Sioux Falls, S.D., motored to Aberdeen, S.D., Friday to spend until Sunday in the home of their daughter and husband, Becky and Troy Woehl and children, Anna and Andrew. Also present were James ad Nicole Bowman and daughter, Morgan. They celebrated their Christmas and also a birthday and baptism. The immediate family of Frank and Berdella De Boer had a post-Christmas get-together Sunday in the garden room at Tuff Village. Don and Edyth Briggs attended a birthday party Saturday at Gigglebees in Sioux Falls for their great-grandchildren, Selina and Myra Wright, whose birthdays were Dec. 23 and 31.Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe attended a noon birthday brunch Sunday for Amber Arends in the home of Steve and Marilyn Van Wyhe, Steen. Dick and Audrey Heidenson spent three days last week in the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Mark Ausland at Apple Valley when their entire family was present. Sunday the Heidensons spent the day in the home of their son, Roy and family, in Brandon, S.D.Bernice Aukes was a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls Monday of this week. She had a total knee replacement and will spend a few days in the swing bed in Luverne Community Hospital to recuperate.

Scientists hope to learn more about humans from our cousins, the chickens. That’s right — chickens, our next of kin. An international team of researchers recently identified the one billion letters of the DNA code in chickens and, quite surprisingly, about 60 percent of protein-coding genes in chickens match those in humans. The scientists believe that chickens flew off our rung on the evolutionary ladder more than 310 million years ago, which is slightly longer than some chicken leftovers have been aging in my refrigerator. (To shed some light on how long ago we separated from chickens, consider this. More than 310 million years would make us more distant than third or fourth cousins, but we still wouldn’t want to marry chickens because such relationships are banned in most states.) The DNA discovery may explain the similarities we have shared with chickens throughout the ages and the references to gallus domesticus which continue to surface in our language and culture. For openers, perhaps the corporate decision to change the name of Kentucky Fried Chicken didn’t have anything to do with fats or fat-free diets. Maybe it came about because we don’t need to be reminded that we’re eating our own kind. Call it a Donner Party sensitivity. It might be why some guys tend to strut around like barnyard roosters when they could just walk. It may also explain why they carry combs. Our similarities with the bird world might be why some of us tend to chicken out when the pressure’s on and why other people call us "big chickens." This might be the reason why we find pecking orders in our workplaces and why we think our paychecks are slightly better than chicken feed. In a world of pre-pubescent pop singer wannabes, it might be why so many mother hen types feel compelled to protect their cute chicks. It explains why not all "Why did the chicken cross the road?" jokes are funny. Sometimes it’s difficult to laugh at ourselves. The new DNA studies might explain why it was so easy to understand the adventures of Henny Penny and The Little Red Hen when we were young children. This might explain why some of us count our chickens before they’re hatched while others of us are more timid and afraid to play chicken. It may be why children used to come down with chicken pox rather than a sickness related to another species, such as ground squirrel pox or giraffe pox. This might be why some of us are never able to think beyond the most basic of philosophical questions, "Which came first — the chicken or the egg?" The DNA studies might also shed some light on why certain spouses, many of them birds of a feather, try to rule the roost. Other spouses, less in control, might run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Our similarities might be why a few of us eat like birds. Ancestral links with chickens might explain why players on golf links score birdies and eagles rather than kitties and puppies. Finally, when author E.B. White wrote to humorist James Thurber, "I don’t know which is more discouraging, literature or chickens," he may have been referring to us.

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYDECEMBER 14, 2004Dana Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. Board present: Dana Dahlquist, Keith Elbers, Jim Jellema, Ross Metzger and Linus Svoboda. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer, and Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Guest; Lexi Moore, Reporter-Hills Crescent. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to approve the minutes of November 9th. Motion carried.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Jellema to approve payment of the November expenditures. Motion carried. The Board reviewed a list of repairs and replacement costs for apartment #500. A motion was made by Jellema, and seconded by Metzger, that the security deposit will not be refunded due to cleaning, repairs and replacement costs. None opposed, motion carried. The City’s auditors are researching the funding status of the tax increment districts, and whether payments are complete. The board tabled further discussion pending a report from the auditors.No further business, meeting adjourned.Connie J. WiertzemaSecretary(1-13)

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING and TRUTH-IN-TAXATION HEARING FOR THE CITY OF HILLSDECEMBER 14, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the truth-in-taxation hearing and regular meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Dana Dahlquist, and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer, Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests: Rich Crawford-Vantek Communications, and Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent.Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve the minutes of November 9th. None opposed, motion carried. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the November expenditures: General $8,751.47; Park $1,020.47; Fire $371.63; Street $3,838.39; Legion $327.69; Sewer $1,282.72; Garbage $2,983.08; Recycling $492.35; Water $4,833.01; Baseball $5.49; Softball $11.57. None opposed, motion carried. General Checking $ 60,744.76General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 243,300.81General Fund CD#17792 (prev. #15742) 2.5%, 5/29/03- cashed in 6/3/03General Fund CD#17760 (prev. #17573) 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,994.17Sewer Fund CD#17877 (prev. #17433) 2.5%, 10/18/03 --cashed in 10/03 – ($21,000 to general)Sewer Fund CD#18255, (prev. #18171) 1.5%, 7/19/04 - inter-fundloan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $70,771.64Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,401.93Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,416.35Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 22,151.49Southern Hills Apt. Acct. #1255 – account closed andtransferred to EDA checkingSouthern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 281.44Southern Hills CD#17759 (prev. #17572) 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,248.54EDA CD#17850 (prev. #17384) 2.5%, 5/7/05 28,668.82EDA CD#18275 (prev. #17268) 1.25%, 07/04 – inter-fundloan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay off apt. bond - $10,661.76EDA CD#18597, 1.0%, 12/17/04 (renew & int. added each month) 20,319.19EDA CD#18505, 1.0%, 12/22/04 (renew & int. added each month 10,695.47Southern Hills Apartment CD#17759 was transferred to a general fund CD after the Southern Hills Apartment accounts were closed. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to continue with *1.automatic renewals on EDA CD’s #18597 and #18505; and Fire Truck Replacement CD#18237. None opposed, motion carried. Ward reported that he received a certificate for years of service while attending a recent water seminar.Curbside Christmas tree pickup is scheduled for January 3rd – 7th. Ward reported on fire hydrants that are not working properly: the hydrant located at the corner of Hwy. 270 & Main Avenue does not drain down; and hydrants at Second Street & Water Avenue, and Second Street & Summit Avenue have low pressure. Ward was instructed to inform the Fire Dept. of this information.The Council discussed the mechanical problems with the city’s pickup. Council members will begin searching for new and used pickups, and scheduled a special meting for December 20th at 6:00 P.M. to review proposals. The school has taken possession on the garage near the city’s water tower, and provided the City with a certificate of insurance. Ward was instructed to have the electricity to the garage disconnected. The City will not carry fire/wind insurance on the building, only liability under their current policy.Garbage pickup is rescheduled for December 24th & 31st. The Council discussed the newly installed post office boxes along Hwy. 270, and the nearest intersecting street, Main Avenue. They feel it’s a liability issue, due to the nearby crosswalk, traffic off a busy intersecting street, parking along the highway due to various church functions, and the hazard of vehicles parking the opposite direction while picking up mail. The City Council will make the following requests to the Hills Post Office: (1) remove the postal boxes that are currently under construction along Hwy. 270; (2) that no additional boxes be installed along State Highway 270; (3) that the City Council be contacted prior to the installation of postal boxes within the city limits, due to city liability issues; and (4) to inquire whether the lobby of the Post Office could be locked well after 6:00 P.M.No visitors were present for the truth-in-taxation hearing. The Council will certify the adopted property tax levy at a special meeting on December 20th at 6:00 P.M. Rich Crawford of Vantek Communications attended the meeting to discuss the Council’s concern for the installation of radio antennas on the water tower, in that holes were drilled into the roof of the tower, rather than mounted on the railing. The Council requested that Vantek move the antennas to the railing and plug the holes, to be completed in the spring of 2005. The Council also discussed options for replacing and adding two-way radios for city maintenance. Ward inquired about purchasing a base radio for his home, and one additional hand-held radio, both with scanners. The Council agreed to test two hand-held radios, with no scanners, on a trial basis. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to adopt a resolution establishing a capitalization policy and capitalization threshold of $1,000. This policy is set for the purpose of the new reporting requirements associated with GASB 34 as of December 31, 2004. None opposed, motion carried. The Council reviewed information regarding the hiring, wages, and training of school crossing guards The City will contact the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board for their opinion regarding the same. The Council denied the Community Club’s request for a key to the Legion building. Svoboda proposed an approximate 3.103% increase for all city employee wages, and stated each salary per his notations, excluding Mayor and Council salaries. Dahlquist made a motion that the Mayor and Council salaries be included in the proposal. Motion seconded by Svoboda, none opposed, motion carried. Meyer Electric provided the Council with a price breakdown for the volleyball and basketball court wiring. The volleyball association will reimburse the city $44.70 for their portion of the wiring to the volleyball court. Ward inquired about reimbursement for 10 days of unused vacation days. Unused vacation days are either used or paid out at year-end.The Council tabled discussion regarding insufficient fund checks handled as misdemeanors within the city limits, pending information from the County Attorney’s office. The January meeting will be rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 10th at 6:00 p.m.No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M. Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(1-13)

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETINGOF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILDECEMBER 20, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the special meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, and Ross Metzger. Absent: Dana Dahlquist. Employees present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance.The purpose of this special meeting was to act on the City’s 2005 levy, and to discuss proposals for purchasing a new or used pickup.The Council reviewed seven proposals for the purchase of a pickup. Pending no other options are found by Jellema within the next day, a motion was made by Keith Elbers to purchase the 1988 GMC Sierra 2WD pickup at Papik Motors for $4,700. Motion seconded and carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to certify the City’s 2005 property tax levy as $55,447.00. None opposed, motion carried. Motion by Metzger, seconded by Elbers to adjourn at 6:20 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(1-13)

Clarence De Kam, 84, Rock Valley, Iowa, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, at Valley Manor. He was the father of Judy De Noble, Hills.Services were Monday, Jan. 10, at First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley.Survivors include his wife, Jennie De Kam, Hull, Iowa; five children, Nelva (Pete) Pollema, Hull, Fran (Myron) Moss, Helen (Brad) DeVries, all of Sioux Center, Jim (Marj) De Kam, Rock Valley, and Judy (Marlin) De Noble, Hills; three sisters, Frances Boer, Catherine Groeneweg and Martena Kragt, all of Rock Valley; a sister-in-law, Carolyn De Kam, Rock Valley; and a brother-in-law, John Oostra, Michigan. Memorials may be directed to Rock Valley Christian School.Porter Funeral Home, Rock Valley, was in charge of arrangements.