PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) will hold a public hearing on its budget for Fiscal Year 2005 (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 at the Center for Regional Development, 2401 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN. The Hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. and continue until all persons wishing to offer testimony have been heard. Copies of the proposed budget may be obtained at the Southwest Regional Development Commission Office, 2401 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, Minnesota. Copies of the proposed budget are also on file with each county auditor, county coordinator, city clerk, and township clerk in Region 8.(5-27)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Luverne City Council will hold a public hearing commencing at 5:00 P.M., Central Daylight Saving Time, on Tuesday, June 8, 2004, in the City Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to discuss and hear testimony relating to the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Luverne prior to taking action regarding the Plan. A copy of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Luverne is available at the City Clerk’s Office.All citizens are encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and/or give comments. Any citizen may also submit written questions or comments prior to the hearing by addressing them to the City Administrator, PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156.Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, MN (507) 449-2388. Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(5-27)

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSLUVERNE, MINNESOTANotice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the City of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota, at the office of the City Administrator, 203 E. Main St., PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659, until 10:00 AM on June 17, 2004, and will be publicly opened at said time and place for the purchase of one (1) 40 foot Aerial Man Lift Device with Service Body. Plans and specifications, proposal forms and contract documents may be seen at the office of the City Administrator, City of Luverne, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156.No bids will be considered unless sealed and accompanied by a bidder’s bond naming the City of Luverne as oblige, certified check payable to the City of Luverne or a cash deposit equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, which shall be returned or forfeited as set forth in the Contract Documents and General Specifications. The City reserves the right to retain the deposits of the three lowest bidders for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, waive irregularities and informalities therein and further reserves the right to award the contract for the best interests of the City in its sole option. Greg A. LaFondCity Administrator(5-27)

10 years ago (1994)"The Luverne Municipal Airport is beginning to look more like a facility suited to serving a busy community.The final touches on the arrival and departure maintenance building are being completed, a new maintenance hangar lease has been signed and the next phase of the airport plan is set to begin."25 years ago (1979)"The first year of a five-year project to produce a detailed soil map of Rock County has been completed. Marc Diers, of the USDA Soil Conservation Service, and Norm Kuhlman, of the University of Minnesota Experiment Station, have spent the past 12 months gathering geological information. The initial information that was compiled was used to make a generalized map of the county to indicate the location of the different geomorphic land areas."50 years ago (1954)"With additional firms, organizations and individuals adding their pledges to those already in, the hospital fund drive edged toward the $30,000 mark this week.Dick Creeger, city fund chairman, said that with still one third of the business district to be solicited, he felt the campaign was progressing satisfactorily, and that the goal would be met."75 years ago (1929)"Present indications are that the teaching of band and orchestra music will have an important part in the curriculum of the Luverne schools next year. Questionnaires are being sent out this week by Supt. H.C. Bell to definitely ascertain just how many parents have students in the Luverne schools whom they would like to have secure the benefits of special training."100 years ago (1904)"Early last January while sewing, Miss Altha Ackley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I.L. Ackley, accidentally swallowed a needle, but after a few days’ worry she gave no further thought to the matter. During the latter part of the winter and all spring she suffered considerably from pains in her left side and limb, which she attributed to rheumatism, having forgotten all about swallowing the needle. Nor did any thought of the needle occur to her when, while walking on the street one day last week, when she noticed that her clothes caught against something on her limb, causing her a great deal of pain. As soon as she reached home she made an investigation and found the point of a rusty needle protruding through the skin on the front of her limb midway between the hip and the knee. She immediately secured a pair of tweezers and attempted to remove it. … Aside from the soreness caused in removing the needle, Miss Ackley feels no ill effects from the incident."

Called to be a Small ChurchFor several years we have had the focus at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church to become a huge congregational church in Luverne. We had visions of a packed house. To think small was to give up on God’s plan for us. Anything less than stuffed pews or a second worship service was unthinkable and not an encouragement to the greater church. Now I am not so sure that is what we are called to be.What is wrong with a church where nobody has to wear a nametag?What can be wrong with a worship service where only first names are needed for prayers?Isn’t it OK that we greet each other with, "How’s your sister’s kids?" or "Got your yard mowed this week? Need help?"It’s what happens within the congregation that makes the difference not how many voices are heard! Holy Trinity has 15 to 20 faithful members coming each week. Some say they could not stay home on Sunday morning because of the draw to be among the chosen few! How many churches can say that all the members come every Sunday? I bet 99 percent of the time we can say that!And, small as we are, our Bishop for the Diocese of Minnesota will be here to confirm three new members to our flock. Instead of saying we only have three, we rejoice that we have three! Isn’t that what it is all about? At 10:45 a.m. on June 13, Bishop James Jelinek will celebrate with us at our worship service. He will be there with all the regalia of a royal celebration for our congregation! Chances are we won’t fill the pews but we will be there with voices big enough to fill the church with praise and adoration. If you ask me, that is the goal of large or small congregations. We are open to what God has in mind for the future of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. We will continue to open our doors to all peoples wishing to seek God within our walls. We think we have lots to offer anyone who needs to know God through Jesus Christ. The Episcopal Church is a church accepting all people who wish to have a relationship with God and believe that Jesus Christ is the way to everlasting love. One thing for sure, there is always room for more on Sunday mornings!

A pilot for Japan’s All Nippon Airways has been suspended from his dream job while he undergoes medical tests for possible sleep deprivation. Late last month, Reuters reported that the pilot "fell asleep at the controls for several minutes while on a domestic flight and had to be awakened by a government inspector who was traveling in the cockpit." Actually, the inspector had to wake the pilot twice, while the plane cruised at 36,000 feet on auto-pilot. A co-pilot was also present in the cockpit and could have taken over the controls, so the passengers were never in real danger, noted a spokesman for the airline. Small comfort. The following tell-tale signs might indicate, while you’re still at the airport, if your plane’s pilot, or some other plane’s pilot, is sleep-deprived and might fall asleep at the switch. For example, a smooth landing might not be in your future if you see a person, who appears to be a pilot, splashing cold water on his face at a drinking fountain next to your plane’s boarding area. You should be particularly cautious if you saw the same pilot only a few minutes before, asking for a triple-shot espresso at a nearby Starbucks. He may or may not have been joking about receiving the beverage intravenously. As you sit in the boarding area for your flight, you can’t help but notice that the stranger sitting next to you has fallen asleep with his head on your shoulder. As he snores with his mouth open and his hat slightly askew, your discomfort is compounded when you also notice he is wearing a pilot’s uniform. Another tell-tale sign? Your ticket may have been for Memphis, but as you leave the plane, the flight attendant smiles sweetly and says, "Welcome to Detroit!" Finally, you will know your plane’s pilot has some sort of sleep disorder when you hear disturbing announcements from the cockpit to the cabin after takeoff. "Good morning, er, good afternoon, this is your captain speaking. We have reached an (yawn) elevation of 30,000 feet and we should be landing in — er, your destination, whatever it is — in a couple of hours or so." "This is your captain. My co-pilot, what’s-his-name, has given the word (yawn) that we will be landing in Seattle in two hours and 18 minutes. That last airport must have been Minneapolis, right? Thanks to him (yawn) for that bit of information." "I know which intercom button to push! Do I have to beg? Where’s my coffee?" "It has been brought to my (yawn) attention that my previous announcements might have had a distressing effect on those of you traveling with us today. For that I apologize, but there’s a good reason. I was involved in a 36-hour dance marathon until eight this morning, and let me (yawn) assure you, the trophy was worth it." "This is your captain, again. Thanks for flying with us today. Stretch back in your seats, relax and (yawn) enjoy the bright, sunny view outside your windows. It’s the warm sun kind of day that can make you wish you could curl up with a good book and maybe catch a little shut-eye — now, where were we? Oh, yeah. We will be landing (yawn) at our destination, Dallas, in just a few minutes. Wait a sec — make that Seattle. You know what I mean. Where IS that coffee?"

Proud to be an AmericanAs we approach Memorial Day, I am reminded of what a great country we live in.It has been six months since the death of my husband, David Sietsema. He fought the battle of cancer for two years and, sorry to say, the cancer won.We were fortunate in one respect — we had time to make plans, say goodbye and remember all the good times. My family and I cherish all the great memories that we have.On Nov. 4, 2003, Dave and I were told he had six months to live. On Nov. 24, Dave chose to go to the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. He lived out his remaining days at this wonderful facility and on Nov. 29, Dave was called home. So the six months we were told he had was cut short by many days. But as we know, only our Lord knows when our time in this world is done.As Dave and I sat and planned his funeral, many thoughts and ideas went through his mind. One of them was that at his graveside military service he wanted there to be one member from the United States Marine Corps to be present and help fold the flag that draped his casket. Dave was a member of the USMC from 1961 to 1966. Well, thanks to our son, Brian, and Ron Hansen from Rock County Veteran’s Services Office, Dave’s wish was granted three times over. Three Marines came to the cemetery in Luverne. The day before Dave’s funeral I received a call from a Marine in St. Paul extending sympathy from the Corps to me and my family and informing me there would be three Marines coming. He also stated that they were proud to be a part of the graveside military rites to lay a fellow Marine to rest.When the flag was removed from Dave’s casket that cold, windy day, a chill ran through me. Not only because of the Marines but also because of how proud Dave would have been to have them there, folding the flag that made him so proud and presenting it to his wife of 35 years. Needless to say, I was very honored as the Marines presented the flag to me and said, "On behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps and the President of the United States, it is my honor to present this flag to you."Wow! What a great country we live in. We, as Americans, should be proud of our president and our military forces. Not only do they fight for our freedom, but also for those who are less fortunate than we are. And they take great pride in honoring their former members and their families in their time of need.God Bless America,Linda SietsemaLuverne

What about these gas prices? It’s getting to be too much.People are losing their jobs because of places closing up, layoffs or hours cut.Income stays the same or it gets less all the time. How can a person make it now days? You feel for those who have to travel out of their hometowns any distance, now that the gas keeps going up. And did anyone realize that the more miles you put on your vehicle, the higher your insurance goes? I was told the reason they figure the more you’re out there traveling, the better chances of getting in a wreck. Heck! You can be backing out your driveway and have an accident. Or just buy a car, take it off the lot and have an accident. Where and when does all this stop?Sheila JonesMagnolia

10 years ago (1994)"Fourteen members of Steen Reformed Church gathered Monday to construct the church’s new pews. The group spent the morning unloading and a good deal of the afternoon assembling the 36 pews from Gunder Church Furniture in Humboldt, Iowa. Once completed, the church will have a seating capacity of approximately 450." 25 years ago (1979)"It was a good trip for Roger Jackson and Dave Nelson this week as they brought home 47 1/4 pounds of walleye for their efforts. The two entered and won first place in the Northern States Power Company Fishing Tournament on the Missouri River north of Chamberlain, S.D. The pair have already sampled the flavor of their prize catches."50 years ago (1954)"Monday evening this vicinity had a general alarm due to a fire in the Reformed Church. Children playing on the grounds noticed it before the fire had much of a start by a side window near the inside door. The Hills and Luverne fire departments were called and a bucket brigade and hand extinguishers kept the fire under control until the Hills Department arrived to put the blaze out. Considerable smoke and some water damage resulted. The Luverne chief said he thought spontaneous combustion of sawdust, which had evidently been used to insulate, was the cause."75 years ago (1929)"Ole Myrlie began laying the supports for the floor in L.J. Gordon’s new telephone office building last Monday morning. Lars Hovland and Alfred Bakk are also expected to be on the job and it won’t be but a few days until the frame work will be completed."100 years ago (1904)"Hall & Sample’s United Wagon Shows of Circus, Museum and Vaudeville will be in Hills under canvass Saturday, May 28, and everybody should take a holiday with their wives and children and devote the day to amusement and seeing strange sights, listening to music and forgetting all about the sweat and toil of work-a-day life. This show has the finest horses, a big band, the greatest gymnasts, the most flexible contortionists, the greatest clowns, the funniest comedians, and the greatest curiosities ever carried by a wagon show. Free street parade at 1:30. Free exhibition outside follows. Admission 25¢, Children under 12 years, 15¢.