Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671Minutes4-26-04The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semimonthly meeting at 7:30 pm in the library in Hills. Board members present were DeBoer, Larson, Boeve, Esselink, Leuthold, and Baker. Harnack was absent. Superintendent Deragisch was also in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Esselink. Vice Chairman Esselink recognized Jolene Farley of The Crescent as the only visitor to the meeting. Patriot Pride: Congratulations to the Junior class and their parents for successful Prom and After Prom activities Parents new to the area were impressed with the H-BC elementary & staff and plan to move into the districtElementary report was given by Mr. HolthausHigh School report was presented by Superintendent Deragisch.The minutes of the last meeting were approved as sent out. Motion by Leuthold, second by Baker, and carried to have one school board meeting in July. Summer board meetings were set for the following dates: May 10th & 24th July 12th June 14th & 28th August 9th & 23rdDiscussion was held concerning the school board staff development goals for 2004-05.Motion by DeBoer, second by Leuthold, and carried to pay the outstanding 1999-2001 Special Ed bill of $55,864.49 to Luverne Public School District.Motion by Boeve, second by Larson, and carried to end the last day of school on May 28, 2004 at 11:00 am for the high school and 11:15 am for the elementary.Discussion was held on the following topics: Potential cuts for 2004-05Information regarding operating referendums from area schoolsLegislative update was given by Esselink. Dates to Remember: May 10 School Board meetingMeeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.Ann Boeve, Clerk(5-13)

The Rock County Highway Department (RCHD) will be applying chemicals in our roadway ditches to control noxious weeds starting in late spring and continuing throughout the summer and fall of 2004. The RCHD uses a combination of HiDep IVM and Tordon 22k for noxious weed control. The RCHD strictly adheres to the wind restrictions for spraying which limits any chemical application if the winds are above 10 mph. The RCHD does limit our broadcast spraying to areas adjacent to corn fields and pastures. We will not apply our chemicals next to bean fields unless our personnel identify an area of noxious weeds. It is very helpful if the landowners/renters address any noxious weeds in the fence line to minimize the risk of crop damage for our chemical application. RCHD Chemical Harvesting Restrictions HiDep IVM: Contains 2-4-D and this has a 30-day pre-harvest interval for hay. If the plant is cut before the 30-day interval the chemical does not break down and should not be fed to dairy cattle. Tordon 22k: Contains picloram and this has a 14-day waiting period for harvesting for hay. Hay harvested before the waiting period and fed to livestock can cause damage to beans when the manure from the livestock is spread on ground intended for beans. If a County roadway ditch is to be cut for hay, please contact Mr. Walter Stearns, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, at (507) 283-5013 to determine if we have applied our chemicals to the roadway ditch in question. If a landowner/renter does not wish the roadway ditch adjacent to their land to be sprayed for noxious weeds, they must contact Walter Stearns, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, at (507) 283-5013. If the RCHD does not apply chemicals to a roadway ditch it will be the adjacent property landowner’s/renter’s responsibility to eliminate any noxious weeds. Mark R. Sehr, PERock County Highway Engineer(5-6, 5-13)

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFifth JUDICIAL DISTRICTCourt File No. P3-04-93NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF RockESTATE OFEinar Thorin DECEDENTNotice is given that an application for informal probate of the Decedent’s will dated October 8, 1999, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), has been filed with the Registrar. The application has been granted. Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed D. A. Roning whose address is: 201 Elizabeth Street, Hills, Minnesota 56138 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. Any objections to the probate of the will or appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Timothy K. Connell 4-26-04Timothy K. Connell, Judge of District CourtRegistrar Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 4-26-04Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507 283-911156674(5-6, 5-13)

10 years ago (1994)"It was bigger and better this year. …Ward reported that 62,000 pounds of garbage was collected on Saturday. ‘We had two garbage trucks full and Lyle (Bos) hauled away a fifth-wheel trailer and another small trailer full of appliances and iron,’ Ward said.On a normal Saturday collection day, Ward said between 31,000-32,000 pounds of garbage are collected."25 years ago (1979)"Linda Scholten, age 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Scholten, Beaver Creek, has been selected to be a state finalist in the 1979 Miss United Teenager Pageant to be at Winona State University in Winona." 50 years ago (1954)"Montie Horn, president of the local F.F.A. Chapter, received the highly coveted State Farmer Degree at the 18th annual State F.F.A. Banquet Monday evening, May 10. The degree is awarded to F.F.A boys for their excellence in farming and leadership. The total number awarded each year is limited to two percent of the total State Future Farmer of America members. Former Hills F.F.A. members who have received the degree are: Sheldon Sandager — 1942; Lee Sandager — 1943, and Edward Hartog — 1953." 75 years ago (1929)"The new fire siren was used for the first time last Monday evening at 7:30 when a phone call from the Simon Skovgaard farm, north of town asked for aid. The whistle had hardly quit blowing when the chemical wagon was brought into play and headed west. When the fire boys arrived they found that a spark from the gasoline engine in the workshop had started a fire and burned the building to the ground. The building contained a lot of tools and a barrel of gas, but luckily there was no wind to spread the flames to the house or barn." 100 years ago (1904)"When old Peter Halverson moved in from his farm this spring, his wife brought along an old family heirloom which has been in her possession for more than 45 years. It is an old Norwegian iron-bound chest which she inherited from her grandmother before leaving the old country. The figures 1746 are punched through the iron above the massive lock. Mrs. Halverson said the old relic has always been in the family and has evidently been handed down through seven or eight generations. It was made on the farm Hoff in Gran, Hadeland, Norway, and was brought to this country by its present owner when she immigrated in 1868. It was evidently made and presented to Mrs. Halvorson’s great-great-great-grandmother for her wardrobe when a young girl, as was the custom in those days."

Derek and Staci Bundesen have moved into their newly constructed home just south of the city apartments. Their residence has been sold to Brian Soehl who comes to Hills from Maine after retiring from the U.S. Navy. With him are his two daughters, Elizabeth, 5, and Emma, 3. Also, Paul and Stephanie Page and children have moved from the residence south of the school to the former Carrie Schouwenberg residence which they purchased.Leona Goehle, Tyler, spent an afternoon with Vic and Fran Sandager. Margo Edwards, Forestburg, S.D., was an overnight guest Saturday in the home of her mother, Harriet Skattum, and spent Mother’s Day with her.Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe attended a Mother’s Day dinner party at the home of Ron and Lexia DeWit in Sioux Falls Sunday noon. Others present were Steve and Marilyn and Justin Van Wyhe, Steen, Tom and Matthew Van Wyhe, Lindsay and Ashley DeWit, the Doug DeWit family and Mary DeWit, Sioux Falls.Vic and Fran Sandager and Mark and Karen Sandager were joined by Karen’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Prunty, Brookings, S.D., at a Mother’s Day dinner "out."Allan and Judy Top, Mike and Melissa Top and Chantz and Melissa’s mother of Sioux Falls enjoyed a Mother’s Day supper together in Sioux Falls Saturday evening. Bill Top, Sibley, Iowa, came for a visit Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening, Gerry and husband, Jim Sandstede took Mae out for supper in Sioux Falls. Mary Carter spent the weekend in the home of her daughter, Marilyn and Alf Metzger at Alcester, S.D. Sunday, they drove to Lyons, S.D., to have dinner in the home of her granddaughter, Joni and Todd Bunde. Charlie and Dawn Sandager and family spent Mother’s Day in the home of her sister, Laurie Johansen, in Tyler, with other relatives.Mother’s Day guests in the home of Joanne Goehle were Steve and Leanne Carmany and family, Tyler, Michelle and Mark Hadler and family, Edgerton, and Tom Goehle. Gerry Schlueter came from Lake Park Friday and spent overnight in the home of his mother, Luella Schlueter. Saturday they went to the Cities where she attended a bridal shower for her granddaughter, Kari Schlueter, whose wedding is scheduled for June 5. She attended a Mother’s Day celebration later that day when Ellen Hynes joined a group of youngsters who performed at a church gathering.

Do you remember who wrote the poem that began with the words "The North wind doth blow and we shall have snow, and what will the poor robin do then?" That is as much as I can remember and at this time of year, I don’t think I will worry much about the robin. What I am concerned about is when am I going to get my garden planted as the wind blows every day and he isn’t fussy about which direction he’s going to blow from. Each day I think tomorrow will be better, but no, it just blows from a different direction. So, the weeds take over. However, the lilacs are a beautiful color and my apple trees, which are in full bloom, make a beautiful white background and it would make a lovely picture. My garden is tilled but I haven’t purchased any garden seeds as yet. With this wind that continues to blow, my seeds would probably end up in Ash Creek! My beautiful deep purple lilacs have changed into pale lavender and my snow-white apple trees have lost most of their blossoms in the wind. So, enjoy what you have today as we don’t know what tomorrow might bring. Mother’s Day dinner guests in the Arvin and Cena Mae Tilstra home were Larry and Joan Moeller and Margaret Moeller, Mitchell, S.D., Norman, Diane and Amy Sjaarda and Fred Tilstra. The afternoon was spent with Elizabeth Elbers who is a resident of Tuff Home in Hills. Bernice and Orrin Aukes and son, Jeff, were Mother’s Day dinner guests in the home of their daughter, Nancy and Steven Willers in Fairmont. Mother’s Day dinner guests in the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City, Iowa, were Joyce Aykens, Worthington, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens, Steen. They also helped Paul celebrate his birthday.Saturday visitors in the Henrietta Huenink home were her children, Allan and Donna Bodewitz, Sioux Falls, Ken and Gwen Bodewitz, Valley Springs, S.D. Sunday visitors were Norma Van Wyhe, Lester, Iowa, and Jo Nuffer and family, Joe and Alex. Word was received here recently that Gary Rozeboom of Hills received a kidney transplant at Rochester the first of the week. If you wish to send him a card his address is: 1409 North Broadway, Rochester, MN 55906. I am sure he would enjoy hearing from you.Mildred Paulsen was a guest of Vern Behr and his sister, Caroline, to attend the Behr family Mother’s Day dinner in Sioux Falls.Steven Bosch, Minneapolis, son of Dries and Laura May Bosch, enjoyed the Mother’s Day weekend in the home of his parents. He returned to his home on Sunday. Melba Boeve, Marilyn Springman and Wilma Wissink left on Tuesday for Forest Lake where they spent Mother’s Day weekend visiting in the home of Julie and John Springman. Julie is Melba’s daughter. Wilma visited her son. They also celebrated the two daughter’s birthdays. They returned home on Saturday evening. Dries and Laura May Bosch were Mother’s Day dinner guests on Sunday in the home of their son, Paul and Diane Bosch, at Brandon. Other guests were members of Diane’s family. Mother’s Day dinner guests of Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen were his mother, Laura Paulsen and their son, Glen and wife Marla, and family of Sioux Falls. They enjoyed Mother’s Day dinner together at Luverne Pizza Ranch.The Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday, May 28. Baccalaureate will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30, in the Hills High School gym.It seems May is a very busy month. I never thought about it before but the first day of May was May Day. How many of you received a May basket? Then there was Mother’s Day which is a holiday, a time for friends and family to get together and remember days gone by. The next big event is graduation! A special day for every young person some time in their life. They have completed their high school years and most all of us felt we had arrived as we graduated from high school. There is nothing wrong with that. After graduation our lives enter an entirely different world. I am going to leave you with a few helpful hints which might be helpful to you as you encounter many new and different experiences. It is titled, "Five rules for a happy life."1. You’re capable of standing on your own but taking full responsibility for your own actions. 2. Careful to maintain a regard for other persons regardless of race or religion.3. Able to start work under your own power and not be driven to do the task. 4. Mindful of the fact that happiness comes only to those who have purpose in life. 5. Able to take good fortune with a gracious smile and meet misfortune with faith in your ability to overcome it. Just remember there is no failure until you fail to keep trying!

Increasing numbers of milk drinkers in Canada have the best of all worlds. They are able to eat their fish and drink it, too. "Some landlocked Canadian cows are enjoying a little seafood with their hay and grain," recently reported Reuters, "so they can produce a new kind of milk being touted for its benefits for the brain, eyes and nerves." Researchers at the University of Guelph developed the milk, which is now produced by herring-fed cows in Ontario and sold by Canada’s largest food processor and distributor. The milk provides a fatty acid, commonly found in salmon, trout and mackerel, to diets of people who don’t eat enough fish. Only time will tell if consumers will fall hook, line and sinker for the new dairy product. Will they drink it like fish or will they think of it as just another crazy fish story? We can only imagine that when fisheries and dairies join forces, their new combination beverage will be offered in the following types –— whole, two-percent, skim and lightly battered. The article from Reuters failed to mention the name of the new dairy product. To differentiate the herring-milk from what Coca-Cola spokesmen might call "Classic Milk," it could be advertised as "mish" or "filk." Both names are short and catchy, perfect for the advice mothers feel obligated to dispense. "Now, be sure to drink your mish, children, or your teeth, bones, brains, nerves and eyes will fall out." What’s good enough for Canadians eventually finds its way to our own grocery shelves. The following tell-tale signs might indicate if you and your family are drinking milk from herring-fed cows: You might suspect something is fishy when, halfway through a glass a milk, you have inexplicable cravings for tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon. You read on the milk carton that the milk inside is processed by Chicken of the Sea or Mrs. Paul, better known for her fish sticks. The "Got milk?" ads in the media take on a new flavor — "Got herring?" or "Got mish?" You develop an adverse reaction to anything resembling fishing nets, including hairnets, fishnet stockings, and even basketball, badminton and volleyball nets. With enough of the new milk in your system, you discover that you react differently to old clichés, such as "swim like a fish" or "to be like a fish out of water." When people tell you they have "other fish to fry" or that so-and-so should "fish or cut bait", you find that you are suddenly craving a tall, frosty cold glass of filk. Canadian critics of the new milk view it as a "fish out of troubled waters." They believe cows should continue turning grass and hay into foods for humans. According to the critics, cows shouldn’t be part of a designer diet fad. If scientists and nutritionists are going to go through all of the time, money and effort anyway, they should be able to come up with more palatable food combinations than milk and herring. Let’s face it. A herring is little more than a sardine without its can. For example, how about feeding lobster meat to beef cattle? That way, we could experience a true "surf and turf" dinner — all in one bite.

By Jolene FarleySince 2002 local vehicle owners have had the option of renewing their license plate tags online directly through a Department of Revenue Web site instead of at the county court house. The cost for tags is the same on the Web site, but when renewals are done online, Rock County loses the revenue generated from fees charged for each license plate renewal and title transfer.Rock County charges a $4.50 fee when license plate tags are purchased for motor vehicles at the courthouse and a $7 fee for long form applications used when transferring a vehicle title. License plate and title fees alone generated a record $66,310 for the county in 2003, up from $65,358 in 2002, according to Rock County Deputy Registrar Wanda Kafka. The office also handles driver’s license applications and renewals, boat and snowmobile licensing and hunting and fishing licenses. Rock County officials have no way to gauge how much revenue has been lost by online renewals but they suspect it is a low amount."We don’t know who sends them in," Kafka said. "I have a feeling it’s quite low for Rock County." But Kafka said if more people renew online, the county will lose money."It will be less revenue because we will not see any of the fees, everything goes directly to the state," she said. "When 100 people do that it’s quite a lot of money. … That’s the operating income for our office. The state doesn’t fund the offices with any income to operate off of."Kafka attributes the low Internet renewal rate to the fact that some in the county don’t have Internet access or a computer and some don’t like to give credit card information online.Kafka said she never knows how many renewals they will have during the year because residents aren’t required to renew their license plates in the county they live in.

By Lori EhdeThe middle school-high school office remodeling project became another casualty in the long and difficult process of cutting the budget.During their Thursday, April 29 meeting, Luverne School Board members rejected all bids on the project, postponing the work at least another six months.Plans were to continue the heating, air-conditioning and ventilation work on the south wing of the building, in addition to remodeling student services and administrative offices.The bids came in higher than anticipated, and Schaefer recommended putting the project off in light of current budget constraints."It’s all about prioritizing spending," he said. "These offices needed to be updated since I got here how many years ago, but it’s not an emergency."He mentioned the all-weather track is in dire need of resurfacing, with some places worn down to bare concrete."It’s time to redo that track, but it’s time to do lots of things," he said. "We never want to do anything that loses the confidence of the voters and supporters of our school."The remodeling project will be rebid in January, when contractors aren’t as busy, and there’s more competition for work.
Saw a presentation by Adaptive Physical Education Teacher Jeanne Bowron and some middle school students on cup stacking.
Heard that four high school students qualified for the National Spanish Exam. They are Amanda Saum, Nicole Willers, James Broomsfield and Becca Sandager.
Heard from High School Principal Gary Fisher that prom went well. "We need to thank the parents and community — especially all the businesses — for their support for prom," he said.
Heard from Fisher about a new program, "Breaking Ranks," a process to improve school environment and structure of schools. It involves drawing on information from a cross section of ninth- through 12th-graders."Information we get back will help us look at things we need to do to improve," Fisher said. "It’s a starting point for school reform at the high school level."
Heard from Middle School Principal Stacy Gillette that the sixth-grade choir concert is May 6 and the Middle School play is at 5:30 p.m. May 14.