Marla Kjellson returned to her home Saturday at Belleville, Ill., after spending a week visiting her mother, Margaret Bakker. Jan Solberg went to Wheaton on Sept. 4 to spend until Sept. 5 with her mother, Hattie Walz. Harvey and Peggy Wollman, Sioux Falls, were Sunday evening visitors in the home of Wilmer and Betty Elbers. Cliff and Vi VanWyhe returned home from a week’s vacation. They first stopped to see their grandson, Justin VanWyhe, who is attending North Dakota University at Fargo. They spent several days in the Leech Lake area and went to Hutchinson to see their granddaughter, Dr. Heather VanWyhe, and then went to Rochester to see another granddaughter, Lindsey DeWit, who teaches school there. June Albers returned home after spending three weeks visiting her sister, Fern Becker, at Fergus Falls.Mitchell and Madison Elbers, Valley Springs, S.D., spent Friday night in the home of their grandparents, Wilmer and Betty Elbers. Rodney and Gail Arendson, Freeport, N.Y., spent a week over Labor Day with Gail’s parents, Ray and Lois Nelson. Guests over the weekend were Bruce Nelson, Brooklyn Center, and Vicki Nelson, Mankato. Due to bus schedule problems, Ray and Lois took Vicki back to Mankato on Wednesday. Saturday, Lois Nelson and Al Berdahl took part in the Sioux Falls Municipal Band concert during the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 2004.

Where does the time go? Here we are about half through September and it seems to me it has just arrived! It is a very beautiful month. The leaves are beginning to turn, the flowers are in full bloom. Our grass is still green and our weather has been beautiful!I found this description of September in a magazine. There was no author listed so I cannot give you his name. It begins: "September’s charms — how they woo and hold us; there is so much to glory in and praise. Her peacefulness and gentleness seems to enfold us. There is magic in her golden haze. September’s beauty is a beauty of achievement; her arms are filled with golden sheaves. She counts no summer’s going as a bereavement; at the footsteps of winter, she neither trembles or grieves. Ah, September! Dahlias are flaming in September, blazing defiance of Jack Frost’s sharp breath. This is a fact I shall ever remember — beauty was present at fair summer’s death."What a wonderful description of the month of September!The Steen Senior Citizens had their September meeting on Monday, Sept. 13. It was a week late due to Labor Day and the Labor Day tournament which was in Steen. Joan Hoogeveen served the refreshments. The afternoon was spent in playing cards and other games. This is a little late but the primary election was Tuesday. I hope you didn’t forget to vote!Congratulations to Kristi Elbers and Daniel De Groff of Rochester who were united in marriage at Steen Reformed Church Saturday afternoon. The bride’s parents are Marlin and Linda Elbers of Steen and the groom’s parents are John and Barb De Groff from Yankton, S.D. The reception was at Beaver Creek Lodge near Beaver Creek. The couple plan to make their home in Rochester where they are both employed. Kathleen Esselink, who has been a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, was able to return to her home on Tuesday. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Old Time Fiddler’s concert at Lake Benton Saturday evening. The group that entertained were all from South Dakota. Our deepest sympathy goes out to our former Steen residents, Dries and Laura May Bosch, on the death of her sister, Margaret (Lynch), as we knew her, of Luverne, who passed away on Friday.Sunday afternoon Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended a program at Beaver Creek Nature Center near Brandon. This is an annual event and was very well attended. The Old Time Fiddlers presented the program which was greatly enjoyed by all. Daryl and Marie Paulsen met Daryl’s brother, Gary and his wife, Carlotte, in Minneapolis this past weekend where they attended a football game. They also enjoyed some sightseeing before returning home. The Hills-Beaver Creek students had their school pictures taken on Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Elementary School and at the High School also. I hope they turn out great!This week we either will observe Grandparents Day or will have observed it. I have had this little book here for some time titled, "Grandma Knows Best, But No One Listened!" I would like to share a few of the thoughts about grandparents and their grandchildren with all of you. Some of them will sound very familiar and others you may not have experienced as yet. It was written for grandmothers but I think it will apply equally as well with grandfathers. The book was written by Mary McBride and forwarded by Phyllis Diller. I hope you enjoy it. Grandmothers are known to say these kinds of things:"What a cute baby! She will be Miss America some day."Grandchildren also express themselves quite often and are known to say, "My Grandma always buys what I am selling!"Grandmas sometime say, "Let’s wait until tomorrow, then you will feel much better."At bedtime they know what time their cousins go to bed and they are not ready. I could go on and on with what grandmas and grandchildren say and do but what works for one doesn’t work for all! However, I need to share with you about Grandma being very busy. This point of view comes from a grandchild who says, "But my other Grandma turns off her dopey operas when I come. Other sayings: "My grandma can’t read stories, she makes them up." "My other grandma makes my birthday cakes from scratch!"Grandparents are very proud of their grandchildren and love them dearly but if you want a good laugh, just buy the book, "Grandma Knows Best, But No One Listens!"I hope you all had a Happy Grandparents Day or weekend!

Costco Wholesale Corporation, the world’s largest warehouse club operator, has introduced the ultimate lay-away plan — discounted caskets. Bargain-hunting customers in two of its Chicago stores can now choose to buy now and be buried later. The six models of steel caskets are reportedly priced at $799.99 and the color choices include lilac and Neapolitan blue. Floor models of the caskets are displayed next to mattresses in the two stores, although critics might argue that the gardening section is more appropriate. Casket deliveries can be expected within 48 hours, coincidentally the same time it takes to have a check cleared at a bank. Costco apparently doesn’t want to be stiffed along with the dearly departed. The greatest advantage to buying a floor model casket, reduced for clearance, would be to facilitate packing smaller items at the end of the checkout lane. Cardboard boxes always seem to be in short supply in discount warehouse stores, where you must pack up your own purchases and cart them out to your vehicle. You will simply be able to load the 50-pound bags of dog food, huge sacks of frozen chicken and other bulky, economy-sized food items into the casket. You will no longer have to worry about dropping loose purchases onto the store’s parking lot or somewhere between the car and your house. A primary disadvantage would be the 24-hour advance notice for purchases. To avoid this problem, caskets could be delivered to your home possibly years ahead of time and be used as coffee tables or spare beds for overnight guests. Last minute purchases might become unnecessarily complicated. "It looks like Aunt Josie is taking a turn for the worse. Someone should jump into the car and run over to Costco before it closes. Oh! And don’t forget to pick up the things on the grocery list while you’re there." Although many people might say they can’t tell the difference between the Costco caskets and the full-retail ones which often cost $1,500-$3,500, discerning funeral attendees might be able to. For example, a large, black-and-white Universal Price Code sticker, necessary for checkouts and impossible to remove, might be permanently attached to one end of a discounted casket. In other cases, a bright orange clearance sale sticker, stuck to the viewers’ side of the casket, might vie for attention with the UPC. As you glance into the open casket for a final farewell, you can’t help but notice some crumbles of dry dog food and a 48-ounce bottle of catsup, which have slipped unnoticed between the folds of satin lining. Several scratch marks and gouges are quite obvious on the casket, the result of being transported from store to home in the back of neighbor’s pickup or on top of the family’s car. ("This is a lot harder than loading a Christmas tree," pants a family friend.) If $799.99 caskets are possible now, it’s only a matter of time before another discounter will offer models at $99.99. When that happens, funeral-goers might notice caskets held together with shiny, half-inch metal staples. Upon closer examination, what appeared from a distance to be an expensive teakwood model with solid brass handles is actually cut from 4-by-8 sheets of wall paneling. It has flimsy plastic handles as well as bungee cords for security purposes. A sure sign that a discounted casket has been used is when the funeral has been postponed for one of three reasons — the bank couldn’t clear the check, the casket was back-ordered, or the neighbor’s pickup wasn’t available.

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday set its 2005 preliminary levy at 5.5 percent more than this year’s. The county will collect a total of 3,191,769 and anticipates $941,558 in aid. The county is spending about $481,055 more than in 2004.The 5.5 percent levy increase doesn’t mean each property owner will pay that much more in county taxes. Individual valuations or classifications affect tax bills. Also, the tax base has increased. The overall growth means less is needed from individuals who all share in the levy collectionCommissioner Bob Jarchow said he was comfortable with the 5.5 percent levy increase. "I look at the preliminary levy as building in a cushion for the county," he said.State law requires the preliminary levy be set in September and then finalized in December. The preliminary levy may be decreased, but not increased before it is certified.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said that with the state budget shortfall, the county’s aid might change. "I am not all that confident that we’ll actually get this aid when the state is a billion short," Oldre said.Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "This budget is really being held hostage by a few things."Another variable in the county budget is the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, which the county said it will no longer share with the city. The county terminated the agreement in order to recoup lost money from the city of Luverne, which terminated its dispatching joint powers agreement and the $155,847 that came along with it.The county was slated to pay $68,066 for the pool in direct payments and per diem costs for board members. It removed that from the budget, but may be open to reinstating the joint venture if other city contracts pan out.Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "The pool is valuable for all citizens of the county.Also a budget variable is the city of Luverne’s intention to pay its law enforcement contract in 2005. The county has budgeted for the city to pay $669,366 for law enforcement services, even though the city cancelled dispatch.Jarchow said he hoped the board didn’t consider partnerships in law enforcement and the pool together while negotiating."I personally think they are mutually exclusive, independent operations and contracts," Jarchow said.He says that, referring to some contract proposals from the city of Luverne that have included both law enforcement and pool numbers.Truth in taxation statements sent out in the fall will tell property owners what to expect to pay when all levies are certified.Department budgetsCommissioners are still in the process of reviewing department budgets for 2005.Tuesday, they heard from two: Family Services and the Rock County Community Library.Family Services has a proposed levy of $920,006, or a 6 percent increase from 2004.That includes the assumption that the costly budget item of out-of-home placements (foster care, treatment centers, etc.) will stay the same as 2004.Payroll costs assumed merit system and cost of living increases; 8 percent health insurance rate increase; a retirement and replacement hire; a new full-time financial worker (40 to 45 percent federally reimbursed), and an additional part-time accounting technician (33 percent federally reimbursed).Family Services also budgeted a 20 percent increase in Southwestern Mental Health Center Block Grant (a $16,451 increase); and allocated $10,693 to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.The Rock County Community Library will receive $113,000 from the county. The library needs new computers and carpeting, but doesn’t have those improvements budgeted for 2005. With the loss of the bookmobile, librarian Glenda Bremer said, "We’re trying to still get out there in the county."Children’s librarian April Gangstad used a grant to visit 24 day cares with a summer reading program. That reached 145 children.Bremer shared a monthly report with the board to illustrate the use of the library. In August, there were 4,859 borrowers. There was an average daily circulation of 299, and a monthly circulation of 7,768. All numbers reflected an increase from the same time last year.

By Lori EhdeThe parish nurse program at Luverne’s United Methodist Church has grown from a good idea for a local congregation to a state model for other communities to build on.The Southwest Minnesota Foundation recently approved another $10,000 to support parish nursing in Luverne. It’s the third and final year for the grant, but Foundation staff members had high words of praise for registered nurse, Tammy Moeller, saying she’s built a program others can aspire to match.Moeller appreciates the compliments, but said she’s really only doing what she loves to do — making people feel better, physically and spiritually."I’m very glad I chose this occupation," she said. "I love the work and I love the opportunity to help so many people."Moeller previously worked at Luverne Community Hospital and the Hospice Cottage. She started the more administrative job of safety officer at the hospital when she heard of this opportunity."God has a way of making it work," she said. "I did it with faith, and I just prayed that it would work out."The Foundation is one of several funding sources for the parish nursing program, but Moeller’s salary is paid primarily by the Methodist Church.The Rev. Bart Fletcher brought the idea to the congregation three years ago because he spent much of his time during visits dealing with matters that were better left to a nurse. The church agreed that it would be ideal to return to the old tradition of being involved with health care.The Methodist Church partially funds Moeller’s position, which is also funded by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The purpose of Moeller’s work is outlined as health education, counseling, illness prevention and being a community resource liaison. Moeller said in her fourth year on the job, she’s fulfilled all those requirements. "I’m most proud that people are talking about parish nursing," she said."I think every church and community should support it, because it’s getting people back to thinking about other people. … That was the original purpose of the parish nursing — It’s caring for people."As a registered nurse, she observes things like ankle swelling or medication side effects with a trained eye. And she’s also a concerned friend who can see if her "patients" need more help than they’re getting."The most invasive thing I do is blood pressure checks," Moeller said. "For anything more, I get them to their doctor."She gets satisfaction out of knowing her work can make a difference in the lives of her patients and their families. For example, one person had a low blood level after a recent surgery that might have been fatal had Moeller not detected it and recommended treatment."I guess in this situation, I was just the person who had the medical knowledge to help someone get help before they ended up seriously ill," she said.The success of the program lies in referrals which come primarily from within the Methodist Church congregation. But the program was clearly developed as a community outreach tool, as well, and Moeller said she’s seeing more and more patients outside of her church.And that, she said, is what it’s all about."That’s the bottom line," she said. "People are caring for people again."Moeller doesn’t have many set office hours, but she can be reached by cell phone at 920-7653 for information on programs or to get a visit from Luverne’s parish nurse.

By Lori Ehde"It could have been worse," Cary Schroeder kept repeating after his Edward Jones investments office was destroyed by a car last week.At nearly 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, a 1999 red Monte Carlo driven by 17-year-old Chessa Ossefoort veered off Main Street, ran over a postal drop box and crashed through the brick wall at the Freeman Avenue intersection.Ellie Oldre, office administrator, works in the front of the building, which was completely demolished."I thank the good Lord I’m still here," she said. "If I had been a little farther south, it would have been a completely different story."The impact sent bricks and glass flying in all directions, and a large shelving unit struck the far wall adjacent to Dr. Bill Preuss’ chiropractic office next door.Kim Arends, office manager for Preuss, was in the Jones office talking to Oldre when car crashed through the wall. Her back was to the front windows, and she was facing Oldre, who was seated behind the desk counter."The only thing I remember is Kim was talking to me, and it was like a football player hit her from the south and sent her north," Oldre said.She said the impact split the L-shaped desk and pushed it back."My chair has wheels, and I kind of moved with my desk," Oldre said. "If I’d been in a stationary chair, I would have been under the desk."Arends said she briefly thought about the people trapped in their offices during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks."That came to mind," she said. "I looked around and wondered how Ellie and I were going to get out of there."She said both she and Oldre were a bit traumatized at first. "I just stood there literally screaming," Arends said. Both women had scrapes and bruises, but they said it would take longer to heal emotionally."You sort of play mind games … all the ‘what-ifs.’ If Kim hadn’t been with me, I might have been at the copy machine where there’s a whole pile of bricks."Arends said she had nightmares that night. "I dreamt that someone was trying to kill me," she said.People tell them they’re lucky, but Oldre disagrees."Luck had nothing to do with it," she said. "We had the good Lord and all his angels with us."Schroeder, an investment representative with Edward Jones, is just glad he’s dealing only with inconveniences of the destroyed building. "We’re fortunate we didn’t have some deaths," he said. "It’s just a crazy, crazy deal."Questions about causeOssefoort, who was not injured in the accident, said it’s been an uncomfortable week as people speculate about the cause of the accident and about her health."I don’t want people to jump to conclusions," she said. "One kid at school even accused me of doing it on purpose. … Someone else said I might be pregnant and that’s why I blacked out."She said she doesn’t remember anything after turning the corner at the stoplights on Highway 75 and Main Street. "Everything went black," she said.Ossefoort said she’s also bothered that people think she may have been distracted by her cell phone, which both Oldre and Arends recall seeing in her hand at the time of the accident."My phone was in my purse in the back seat," Ossefoort said. "Although that was the first thing I grabbed when I came to. I called my mom."Cell phone records have been requested to determine the timing of the call.Relocated across streetSchroeder said he and Oldre have been sharing his office space in the north part of the building, but as of today they’ve temporarily moved operations across the street to the former Luverne Chamber Office.With the front under construction, clients had to access the Edward Jones office through Dr. George McDonald’s optometric clinic. "It wasn’t real convenient," Schroeder said.Further, the noise of hammer on bricks and cement saws rumbling in the background haven’t made for an ideal work environment.So, to escape distractions, Edward Jones will be located at 102 E. Main St. for the next few months. "We’re trying to get the word out to our clients," Schroeder said.The phone number to reach the business will stay the same.Earl Hanson, who owns the building, said he appreciated quick response from Marilyn Bloemendaal and Pam Haakenson at Buffalo Ridge Insurance."They really took me by the hand," he said. "Before I knew it they had a contractor on site."He said Tom Nergaard, Luverne, had been working in Magnolia, but came immediately when Haakenson called. "They just dropped what they were doing and came over," Hanson said.The building has been declared structurally sound and repairable, but it will take time to repair it.Hanson said ballpark estimates at the time of the accident put damages at somewhere between $30,000 and $50,000. That’s not figuring possible damage on the Preuss side of the wall.But, Hanson, too, said he was grateful the outcome wasn’t worse."Buildings can be fixed and replaced, but when you get a loss of life or a personal injury, it’s an entirely different issue," Hanson said.

By Sara StrongThe Luverne Planning Commission reviewed a new zone that will give the commission more control in the core of Luverne.A new Downtown Zone will be established if the proposed plan goes through. The City Council must approve it after a recommendation from the Planning Commission and a public hearing.The Downtown Zone would be a square area from East Park Street on the west, Crawford on the north, Blue Mound Avenue on the east, and Fletcher on the south.Zoning Administrator Dan Delgehausen said the new zone plan will also give the Planning Commission flexibility.In this new zone, to build new or substantially remodel, people must apply for conditional use permits through the Planning Commission.Conditional use permits mean the city can impose specific requirements on the property, from materials used to landscaping.Character and scale of surrounding properties will be strictly considered in the conditional use permitting process.The control of downtown’s appearance was set as a priority during the recent Comprehensive Plan process.The only properties not developed in the proposed Downtown Zone are the former Fledgling Field and parking lots near the clinic.

By Sara StrongThe Luverne Economic Development Authority is looking forward to a possible deal that will bring a Canadian company to Luverne through JOB Zone incentives.City Administrator Greg LaFond said the business is close to making a commitment to come to Luverne.He said, "We’re not anticipating offering a great deal, because there won’t be many employees."The company may employ eight by its second year.Esurance is a company that sells and services car insurance through the Internet and competes with companies such as GEICO and Progressive.It is also planning an office in Sioux Falls.The Luverne branch could be located in the former Exsito building, which is now occupied on a month-to-month lease by Falcon Pallets.LEDA coordinatorThe LEDA coordinator’s job description was also discussed at its Tuesday meeting.Essentially, day-to-day supervision will be done by City Administrator Greg LaFond — similar to what is done with all department heads who answer to him.The LEDA will set direction and manage policies that the coordinator will carry out.

By Sara StrongDiane Sherwood doesn’t want the third anniversary of Sept. 11 to go without recognition for those who died in the terrorist attacks. She also thinks it’s important to continue helping survivors who are still suffering emotionally and physically. "There are cases where these workers are losing lung capacity as time goes on, and cancer cases are increasing. … They first said cancer would show up in 20 years, but they’re getting it now," Sherwood said.She organized Remember Rally, a national motorcycle rally effort that will take place in at least 25 locations — from Alaska to New York to Texas — Saturday afternoon. All of the proceeds from registering for the event go to rescue worker charities."We actually had three planned in Florida, but with the hurricanes, they might not be able to do it," Sherwood said.Locally, the rally starts with registration at the Howling Dog at 11 a.m. From there, bikers will drive down Main Street, Luverne, with local firefighters.People are invited to line Main Street at 12:30 as a show of support when they pass.One of the organizers of a New York run is a firefighter suffering from multiple health problems after working on the World Trade Center disaster site.Sherwood said, "There was a host of chemicals they ingested. So many toxins were released when the buildings burnt."Sherwood’s firefighter friend said he hopes to be strong enough to make the ride this year, but isn’t holding out much hope that he’ll even survive two more years.His insurance company just discontinued his coverage, and he’s on multiple medications."Remember Rally has been an amazing project. You talk to these people and it’s so emotional," Sherwood said.Registration for the event is $10 per rider. From Luverne, bikers will go to Wilmont, Key Largo, Fulda, Bigelow, Ellsworth and back to the Howling Dog for free barbecues and Pepsi.