"Are you a man or a mouse?" may soon be more than a rhetorical question. It all depends on if and when philandering human males receive injections of a certain gene found in voles. (If you’re wondering where this is all going, field voles are also called short-tailed field mice. Stay with me.) Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University and Atlanta’s Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, according to Nature magazine, have been busy. They have successfully transferred "the gene for a key hormone involved in sexual behavior from monogamous prairie voles into the brains of their randy relatives, meadow voles." As a result, the previously promiscuous meadow voles in the experiments had "less of a roving eye and showed a distinct preference for their current partners." The scientists doubt that the same mouse monogamy gene will work for human males with wandering eyes because our relationships are more complex. However, there is always hope. This might be the perfect time to run with the idea and inject philandering human males –— they’re all over TV talk shows — with prairie vole "be true to your woman" genes. After the prairie vole gene injections have done their work, there should be many obvious signs of loyal-again male partners in our own species. The following lifestyle changes might indicate if someone you know has opted for vole gene injections: Whenever the former "ladies’ man" emerges from his house by way of the front door, he always pauses momentarily while he wiggles his nose, looks about furtively and sniffs the air. Instead of jogging around the neighborhood on weekends, he now appears to be scampering. On several occasions he pointedly refers to his children as "the litter." Now that he’s home more of the time, that litter appears to be increasing by leaps and bounds. Their backyard, which is filled to overflowing with children and their toys, looks like a movie set for the recent remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen." Instead of getting into his car and commuting to work like so many other men on the block, the guy next door has dug and now uses an extremely long, underground tunnel between his house and his workplace. He quite unexpectedly volunteers to pick up all of the acorns that have fallen from your oak trees in the fall. "I’ll take care of them for you," he mumbles, as he stuffs yet another handful of the acorns into his mouth. Your neighbor appears to have developed a terrible, inexplicable fear of cats. When he carries gifts home for his wife, they aren’t the usual bunches of roses or boxes of expensive chocolates. His gift choices are generally limited to huge wheels of cheddar cheese, gift boxes from Hickory Farm and pocketfuls of plant seeds. Prairie vole gene injections might be the answer to infidelity in our country. Critics of the plan will undoubtedly say that it’s best not to fool Mother Nature, but it’s better than fooling around. Instead of building a better mousetrap, perhaps we should be thinking about building a better mouse.

"Are you a man or a mouse?" may soon be more than a rhetorical question. It all depends on if and when philandering human males receive injections of a certain gene found in voles. (If you’re wondering where this is all going, field voles are also called short-tailed field mice. Stay with me.) Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University and Atlanta’s Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, according to Nature magazine, have been busy. They have successfully transferred "the gene for a key hormone involved in sexual behavior from monogamous prairie voles into the brains of their randy relatives, meadow voles." As a result, the previously promiscuous meadow voles in the experiments had "less of a roving eye and showed a distinct preference for their current partners." The scientists doubt that the same mouse monogamy gene will work for human males with wandering eyes because our relationships are more complex. However, there is always hope. This might be the perfect time to run with the idea and inject philandering human males –— they’re all over TV talk shows — with prairie vole "be true to your woman" genes. After the prairie vole gene injections have done their work, there should be many obvious signs of loyal-again male partners in our own species. The following lifestyle changes might indicate if someone you know has opted for vole gene injections: Whenever the former "ladies’ man" emerges from his house by way of the front door, he always pauses momentarily while he wiggles his nose, looks about furtively and sniffs the air. Instead of jogging around the neighborhood on weekends, he now appears to be scampering. On several occasions he pointedly refers to his children as "the litter." Now that he’s home more of the time, that litter appears to be increasing by leaps and bounds. Their backyard, which is filled to overflowing with children and their toys, looks like a movie set for the recent remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen." Instead of getting into his car and commuting to work like so many other men on the block, the guy next door has dug and now uses an extremely long, underground tunnel between his house and his workplace. He quite unexpectedly volunteers to pick up all of the acorns that have fallen from your oak trees in the fall. "I’ll take care of them for you," he mumbles, as he stuffs yet another handful of the acorns into his mouth. Your neighbor appears to have developed a terrible, inexplicable fear of cats. When he carries gifts home for his wife, they aren’t the usual bunches of roses or boxes of expensive chocolates. His gift choices are generally limited to huge wheels of cheddar cheese, gift boxes from Hickory Farm and pocketfuls of plant seeds. Prairie vole gene injections might be the answer to infidelity in our country. Critics of the plan will undoubtedly say that it’s best not to fool Mother Nature, but it’s better than fooling around. Instead of building a better mousetrap, perhaps we should be thinking about building a better mouse.

Surprise! Surprise! Summer has arrived at last! We have had two or three days with temperatures in the 80s and the sun was shining. These are the days for the golden warmth of family reunions, friendly gatherings at the ballpark or just catching up on the latest news. Now is the time to share the wonders of these golden days with family and friends, keeping the warmth of fun and fellowship glowing deep within our hearts. Congratulations to Harvey and Gertrude Rozeboom on the arrival of a new great-grandson, Regon Jon, born to Jeremy and Marita Smidt of Pipestone on July 8. Grandparents are Arlan and Barb Rozeboom, Pipestone, and Roger and Gloria Smidt, Pipestone. Harlan and Yvonne Rozeboom and Harvey and Gertrude Rozeboom attended the dedication of Tye Everett Rozeboom at the Baptist church in Burke, S.D., on Sunday, July 4. He joins one brother, Jon. They are the sons of Dean and Christy Rozeboom, Holland. Great-grandparents are Harvey and Gertrude Rozeboom, Hills, and Everett and Jeanette Vande Voort, Beaver Creek. Thursday, July 1, noon luncheon guests in the Jo Aykens home were her children and grandchildren, Paul and Carole Aykens, Susan Veldcamp and daughter, Jadeyn, Orange City, Iowa, Andrea Aykens, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Laurie Kurtz and daughter, McKenzie, Aplington, Iowa, and Joyce Aykens, Worthington.Pastor Dan and Karen Ramaker spent this past week vacationing in Colorado. They returned home Monday evening.The Orrin Aukes family celebrated the 4th of July with a family gathering in a Worthington park on Sunday, July 4th. Those attending were Nancy and Steve Willers and family, Fairmont, Mary and Clair Crawford, Beaver Creek, Brian and Christi Aukes, Lisa and Taylor Telford, Sioux Falls, and Orrin and Bernice Aukes. The Steen softball team won their game with Beaver Creek Friday night at Steen. Steen played Carmel at Sioux Center, Iowa, Tuesday, July 13. Steen Senior Citizens had their July meeting Tuesday, July 6, because of the July 4th celebration. Cards and games were played. Lunch was served by Winnie Scholten. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended the softball tournament which their granddaughter, Emma, was a member of. They won both of their games which were played at Frank Olson Park in Sioux Falls. Her team will play again on Monday evening. Good Luck to them!Our 4th of July weekend emphasized our independence as a nation and as an individual. Independence is very important to every one of us. However, there are times when we need to think about a declaration of dependence. You will realize dependence is also very important! I would like to share with you the thoughts in this article written by Lilia Dornak and titled "Declaration of Dependence.""How great it is to live a free and independent life, subject to no one, relying on our strength for welfare and happiness. However, it can be better to realize dependence on ourselves and find out our weaknesses. I am happy to declare my dependence … Upon God, who gives me life, and who sustains other things for my benefit. Upon human kind which orders and perseveres civilization fit to promote my well-being, and encourage me and sustain me when I fall.Upon enemies and malefactors, who make me aware of my own evil tendencies and to inspire me to control. Upon ideas offering me the sure accomplishment of inner realities.Upon imagination enabling me to cope with ideas.Upon memory and growth for the heightened experiences of growth and knowledge.Upon forgetfulness and sleep, when problems loom too large for me. Upon trees for shade, animals for beauty, and rocks for foundation. Upon sun and rain and air and all other elements of nature woven together for survival.And especially upon love, for the life it brings to all cr

Tess Louise, infant daughter of Jerad and Kris Van Maanen, Valley Springs, S.D., was baptized Sunday morning at services in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Her sponsors were Justin Van Maanen and Mike Top. They were dinner guests along with the grandparents, Randy and Brenda Van Maanen and Alan and Judy Top, all of Hills; great-grandparents, Louise Stegemann, Cliff and Carrie Boom, all of Beaver Creek, and Mae Top, Hills. Also, Marv and Melissa Top and Chantz, Sioux Falls, and Pastor Lowell and Sonja Berg attended. Barry and Carla Helgeson, Amy, John and Peter, Shoreview, were in the area over the weekend visiting with friends. The adults also were in attendance at Barry’s high school reunion at Beaver Creek Golf Course.First Lt. Chris Schubbe, son of Steven and Flora Schubbe, San Diego, Calif., spent from Saturday until Monday morning with his grandmother, Erma Schubbe. He is being transferred from Maxwell Air Force Base in California to Mt. Home Air Force Base in Idaho. A time for reunionsCanadian relatives of the Opheim family came to Minnesota to be part of a reunion of Cherland relatives at a lake near the Twin Cities. Henrik Cherland from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, came first to Hills to visit his aunt, Evangeline Opheim, and cousins, Alan, Mark and Paul. Ruth Cherland Hilderman from Abbotsford, B.C., joined her brother, Rick, in Hills and they joined other family members at the resort near the Cities. More than 200 Cherland relatives came from various parts of the U.S. for the reunion. Afterward, Ruth Hilderman returned to Hills, together with her sister, Susan and her husband, Volker Griefenhagen, and their two sons, Isaac and Jacob.On July 7, Ruth Hilderman and her aunt, Evangeline Opheim, drove to Manhattan, Kan., for a two-day visit with Alicia Opheim (widow of Milton Opheim). They returned to Hills on Saturday and Ruth flew home to British Columbia on Sunday, July 11. Bonnie Olson, St. Paul, and Laurie Hynes, St. Louis Park, came Friday evening for a visit until Sunday afternoon with their mother, Luella Schlueter. Saturday morning they went to Canistota, S.D., to help decorate a Schlueter float which was entered in the parade at the annual Spot Day that afternoon. There were 24 Schlueter relatives riding the float and it took first prize in the family division. They also visited briefly with Clayton and Shirley Ziebarth. Clayton was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. when George was a member and he was the chief pilot of the "Breezy" aircraft that was in the Hills parade one year. Later, there was a picnic supper at the Steve Schlueter place.Attending funeral services last Wednesday for Robert Larson, 77, at Armour, S.D., were Dennis Roning, Deneise Swanson and Scott, Paul and Mat Swanson.The H-BC high school class of 1979 had a reunion Saturday. Some members golfed in the afternoon and at 6 p.m. a dinner was served in Driver’s Restaurant at Beaver Creek Lodge. Nineteen members attended with the fartherest member, Linda Tilstra Gannon, coming from Blackduck. Lars and Cheryl (Boeve) Nielsen and children, Conner and Caitlin, returned to their home in Denmark Monday after spending two weeks in the home of her parents, Jim and Sharon Boeve. Lars was a foreign exchange student at the Mark and Karen Sandager farm. On Thursday of last week the family was entertained at supper in the Mark Sandager home. On Saturday morning Lars visited Vic and Fran Sandager. There were other get-togethers for them during the time spent here as well as celebrating Cheryl and Conner’s birthdays. Leona Goehle, Tyler, and her daughter Lorelee of California, were guests Friday afternoon in the Vic and Fran Sandager home.

10 years ago (1994)"Larry and Sherryl Knobloch, Hills, will welcome a new ‘daughter’ in August 1994, Chiaki Kubo, a Youth For Understanding International Exchange student from Japan. Kubo, who will be a student at Hills-Beaver Creek High School in Hills, will live with the Knobloch family for an academic year."25 years ago (1979)"H-BC’s marching band concluded its 1979 summer schedule with parade appearances at the Rock Valley Centennial and the Leota 4th of July celebration. The band won first place at both events."50 years ago (1954)"Weather? In plain words, it’s been hot. Sunday was a rough one, with the thermometer hitting very near the 100 mark. Monday was a little cooler and so was Tuesday. We could use a nice rain anytime now, as farmers plan to go harvesting the fine looking small grain crop."75 years ago (1929)"Quite a few of the young gentlemen of our vicinity motored to Rock Rapids Saturday evening, where they enjoyed roller skating at Island Park."100 years ago (1904)"The play, "The Noble Outcast," was given at the Hall Saturday night by members of the Ashcreek dramatic club. The acting was very well done, considering the short time some of the members have been practicing."

Robert Keith Jansma, 81, Albuquerque, N.M., formerly of Beaver Creek, died Thursday July 1, 2004.A memorial will be observed in Jasper where he will be buried next to his wife.Robert Jansma was born to Louis and Eva Jansma on March 2, 1923, in Beaver Creek. He spent 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a major after service that included extensive tours in Burma, Germany, Okinawa, Korea and Ft. Bliss, Texas. He had been a resident of Albuquerque since 1965.Survivors include three daughters, Maureen (Noel) Rozelle, Roxana Jansma all of Albuquerque, and Rita (Morey) Liebling, Sandia Park; five grandchildren, Stacy Rozelle and Richard Stacey, Albuquerque, Ryan Liebling, Los Angeles, Calif., David Liebling, Denver, Colo., and Bobby Jansma, Aurora, Colo.; one brother, Glenn Jansma, Norfolk, Neb.; and one sister, Betty Lou Paulsen, St. Cloud. Mr. Jansma was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, Jansma in 2003, and his son, Robert Jansma, in 1999.

By Sara StrongRock County’s K-9 unit, Deputy Ken Baker and dog Tarzan, made the county proud at a regional re-certification and competition event.Baker told Rock County Commissioners about the competition at their Tuesday meeting. He and Tarzan brought home a second place trophy, out of 59 units in the regional event. Baker said, "It’s accomplished through consistency and training." Out of a possible 700 points, Baker and Tarzan earned 685.5. The top score was 687.1."To achieve an award like this so early in our career is a fantastic achievement for Tarzan and me," Baker said.The K-9 unit was tested in a number of ways, including:
Article search — a person holds a small piece of evidence for 30 seconds and the dog has to find it in 12-inch high grass.
Box search — in a large area, the dog must find a person in a box, which sits among other boxes.
Obedience — the team is tested in heeling, walking control and distance control. Distance control is using voice commands from 50 feet away to control the dog.
Agility — the dog must complete obstacles in hurdles, crawling, broad jump, A-frame and catwalk.
Criminal apprehension without gunfire — the dog must not move while a decoy criminal runs; the dog must come when called even after starting a chase with a decoy; and the dog must physically apprehend a decoy.
Criminal apprehension with gunfire — a decoy fires six rounds toward the handler and the dog apprehends him.
Handler protection – a decoy physically assaults the handler and the dog must react without command."Each event demonstrates the K-9's willingness to work and to overcome obstacles that would arise in the streets," Baker said.Although Baker said he’s personally proud of the award, he said it couldn’t have been done without the other members of the Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Mike Winkels or the support of the Rock County Board of Commissioners. He said he’s also leaned on the continued expertise of his trainers in the St. Paul Police K-9 Unit.In other business Tuesday, the board:
Received an update on gravel tax collections from 2003: The Road and Bridge Fund got $20,064.61. Special Reserve Fund got $3,344.09. Townships got $10,032.32. Township revenues depended on gravel pit location.Breakdown of township revenue is: —Battle Plain, $1,869.87—Beaver Creek, $419.98 —Clinton, $421.98—Denver, $430.80—Kanaranzi, $419.98—Luverne, $2,056.19—Magnolia, $419.98 —Martin, $419.98 —Mound, $2,313.62 —Rose Dell, $419.98 —Springwater, $419.98—Vienna, $419.98.
Got an informational update on the local Veterans Affairs Office activities from 2003: —There are 942 veterans in the county who receive services through the local office —Veterans in the county received federal benefits totally $1,375,730 (for compensation, pension, education and insurance benefits) —221 veterans received care at a VA medical facility (outpatient and inpatient) —Veterans received $1,299,827 in VA medical care —In total, vets in the county received $2,675,557.

By Lori EhdeWiener dog races will steal the show at Luverne’s 42nd Annual Hot Dog Night on Main Street today.As of press time, 20 short-legged, long-bodied pooches were signed up to race during Luverne’s famed citywide grill-out.Greg Leuthold was one Chamber Board member who takes partial credit for the races, which are attracting entrants from the tri-state area."We wanted to see if we could come up with something fun and different to change things up a bit," Leuthold said.He said one of the board members recalled seeing something similar on a cable TV show. "We thought, why not try it?" Leuthold said.Race time will be 7 p.m. in front of City Hall.Orange snow fencing will line the 20-yard stretch, and each dog will be accompanied by two humans — one to hold them at the starting line, and the another at the finish line to coax them to the end.Sets of four or five dogs will race in heats, with the heat winners competing in a championship race. The prize will be a trophy, designed by Terry’s Trophies, depicting a wiener dog.There is no entry fee to participate.Another big attraction at Hot Dog Night this year will be a hot dog eating contest at Papik Motors.Hot dog eaters will sign up prior to the 6:30 start time, and a maximum of 10 will be allowed in the contest. If more are interested, names will be drawn to determine who gets to participate.According to Gretchen Papik, the plan is to time eaters for seven minutes and the one who gobbles the most hot dogs in that time is the winner."It’s our first year of doing it, so we’ll see how it goes," Papik said. "We hope we have a good turnout."There is no entry fee, and a Papik Motors Hot Dog Eating Champ t-shirt will go to the winner.Other Main Street activity tonight will include a Spotlight Dancers performance, Tae Kwon Do demonstration, mini train rides and music by Audience of One.The shaded front lawns of the Carnegie Cultural Center and Hinkly House Museum will again be the site of classic Hot Dog Night entertainment tonight.The local group, Country Grass, formerly known as Heartland Prairie Band, will play at the Carnegie from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and 4-H members will perform their annual Fashion Revue on the front steps of the Hinkly House starting at 7 p.m.Hot Dog Night in Luverne was organized 42 years ago by Chamber members as a way to express their appreciation to the community for doing business with them through the years.Merchants typically grill more than 10,000 hot dogs and serve 300 gallons of drink starting at 6 p.m.The Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 283-4061.

By Mark Remme,For the Star HeraldA new summer sport is creating a stir at the Enduro track near the Rock County Fairgrounds. The Luverne area is host to a new weekly event, which calls itself the Luverne Paintball League. Teams officially meet at 6 p.m. Mondays at the track. "It’s a national activity that has picked up steam lately," said LPL founder Chad Hess. "Among those labeled Extreme Sports, paintball (also known as splat ball) has recently passed snowboarding as the third largest in America." Hess established the league earlier this year after a long stint of his own paintball experience. "I’ve played the game for seven years before this league came about," he said. "I mainly played a lot of woods ball northeast of Luverne and then got into a league in Worthington. I decided I wanted to start my own after that experience." Hess put the word out in town and over the Web via his site, www.aimless.biz, and began to piece together a functional league. Paintball lovers from all over the area, including Luverne, Pipestone, Canby, Dell Rapids, Worthington and Hills, decided to join the venture. Teams are comprised of at least three members, although substitute players may be lined up to secure enough players each night. Each team was required to send in $150 as an activity fee, which is used to keep the field functional and for end-of-the year prizes. After being initiated into the league via the activity fee, the group of three must pick a team name. This year’s league is comprised of teams known as the Straitjackets, Zulu, Catalyst, Crazy Commandos, Pipestone Crew, The Knownames, Foothold Institution and Enigma.Consisting of eight teams, the league meets for 16 games each Monday night June 14 until July 26.Each team plays four games per night, followed by recreational scrimmages to hone their skills. Points given out during the regular season meetings dictate rankings during a playoff round robin tournament, which will be on August 7. Each game is timed with a five-minute limit, and is refereed by Chad Hess. Teams begin on opposite ends of the field next to a vacant flagpole. A flag flies at midfield, and the object of the game is to capture the flag and hang it on the opposing team’s pole before all team members are eliminated, which occurs when a player is hit once with an opposing team’s paintball. Teams achieve 10 points for eliminating each member of the opposing team, 25 points for pulling the flag, 15 points for attaining possession at the end of five minutes and 30 points for hanging the flag on the opposing team’s pole. Scattered throughout the field are inflatable obstacles, which promote shelter for the players as they move around. Known as bunkers, the teams joust for favorable positioning as they try to eliminate their opponents. Hess acquired the standard paintball equipment through National Paintball Supply, headed in New Jersey. Players enjoy comfortable equipment to keep themselves injury-free during competition. The only mandatory piece of attire is goggles for everyone who is involved with paintball. Even the fans that come to watch the games, must wear goggles, but many wear chest protectors, kneepads and other protective equipment. Paintball guns used in competition are operated by a pressurized tank secured behind the trigger.The balls fire out of the barrel at a maximum velocity of 300 feet per second, which is more than 200 miles per hour. Players are advised to fire at each other at a range no closer than 15 to 20 feet, to avoid injury. Directly above the pressurized tank is a compartment that holds the paintballs before they are shot. According to league regulation, each participant receives 480 paintballs per game. When a player is hit by a shot, a paint mark the size of a quarter is evident. Teams do not necessarily have to use different colored paintballs. Logistically, the game resembles many team sports that may be better known to the general public. "The game itself requires a lot of teamwork, communication, and planning," said Hess. "A group with better cohesiveness and preparation will be much more successful." League play is set for Mondays, but recreational paintball is open to the public on the weekends. A $30 fee is required to cover rental equipment and 500 paintballs. Recreational paintball meets on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. throughout the duration of the league’s regular season. Open games are free to attend, but players are required to purchase paint from the field.Despite achieving a successful turnout in its first season, Hess is looking to expand the league in the future. "Anyone who is interested in being a part of the league can check out our Web site or email me at chad@aimless.biz," said Hess. "Increasing the numbers in the league is definitely something we’d like to do." Until then, the original eight will battle for league supremacy throughout the summer.Hess said he plans to inflate a small bunker near pizza ranch tonight for Hog Dog Night in Luverne where he’ll be on hand to answer questions about the sport.He’ll set out a jar of paintballs, and give a free equipment rental to the person who guesses the correct number of balls in the jar.Hess can also be reached by cell phone at 227-7889.