GEP’s ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ Saturday at Palace"Cheaper by the Dozen," which has been made into a movie twice by Hollywood, will be performed on stage at the Palace Theatre starting this weekend."Cheaper by the Dozen" was first made into a movie in 1950 and more recently in 2003, with Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt and Hillary Duff.The dates for the play are March 19 to 21 and March 26 to 28.Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday show time is 2 p.m.The box office for the play is at the Carnegie Cultural Center, 205 N. Freeman in Luverne.Box office hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. This season marks the 26th year the Green Earth Players have been providing live theater for Rock County.Home Show set for March 27Luverne’s 13th annual Home Show has been set for Saturday, March 27.Various local and regional businesses will showcase their wares in the Blue Mound Ice Area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The focus of the day will be on new construction, remodeling, landscaping, financing and home decorating.As of Wednesday, 16 booths have been reserved by various businesses.If you would like to show off your business or home products, there is still time to rent a booth.For more information, contact Mike Engesser at 283-4463 or Jim Boeve at 283-2366.Home Delivered Meals, now available to rural residentsNutrition Services, Inc., Waseca, MN, the new provider of Senior Dining and Home Delivered Meals will now provide those same options for rural residents.The new rural meal delivery will be provided to people over 60 years of age or disabled younger people.Meals normally consist of frozen meals once per week.Hot meals will be delivered the first day that meals are ordered and frozen meals for the rest of the week.Senior dining meals at the Luverne Senior Citizen Center are available to anyone age 60 and over and spouses of an eligible diner regardless of age.If you would like to know more about the program, contact Neva Clausen at 283-9846.All meals are approved by a registered dietician.Nutritional Services Inc. provides Senior Dining and Home Delivered Meals in 5 regions in Minnesota and have 175 dining sites and expect to provide over one million meals in the coming year.Family Fun Night for summer recreationA Family Fun Night for the Luverne Community Education Summer Rec program is scheduled for Monday, March 22.The evening will start at 6:30 p.m. with registration for softball and baseball At 7 p.m. the Spotlight Dancers will perform before the main event, which is the Luverne Has Beens (teachers) vs. the KELOland Almost Stars.16 or more teachers will provide the talent for the Luverne team with another 8 serving as coaches, referees and cheerleaders.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

‘The secret to success is knowing who to blame for your failures’Former Star Herald reporter, Carole Olson, posted on her computer a quote by American hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. It said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."Carole wasn’t much of a hockey fan, as I recall, but she — like most of us — appreciates a well-coined inspirational phrase.One of my favorite quotes is by long-time marathon runner John Bingham, who said, "The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."Entire books are published on famous, inspirational quotes, and the American public buys them by the millions. We frame these messages on desktops and the wall. We put them on calendars, coffee mugs, t-shirts and Post-It notes.It’s a good thing, on one hand, because it means we at least intend to become better people — or at least more motivated, more patient, more loving, more something.On the other hand, we’ve reached a market saturation for the warm fuzzies, lending rise to anti-inspirational products offering a little comic relief.Despair Inc., Austin, Tex. is marketing this sentiment with products touting hilarious messages that perfectly counter all the good we’ve aspired to be."Cynical marketers have begun to fashion negative parodies to sooth the intellects, if not the souls, of a population grown weary of cheap hope," its catalog advertises. In the Positive Negations collection, Despair Inc. offers "idyllic titles coupled with dispirited sayings that promise happiness from afar, then slap you in the face for being so gullible."oSuccess: "Some people dream of success, while other people live to crush those dreams."oAchievement: "You can do anything you set your mind to when you have vision, determination and an endless supply of expendable labor."From the Idiotic Insights collection, there’s…oIdiocy: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups."oCluelessness: "There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots."From the Entropic Expression collection there’s…oDysfunction: "The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying relationships is you."oMistakes: "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others."From Megalomaniacal Maxims, there’s…oArrogance: "The best leaders inspire by example. When that’s not an option, brute intimidation works pretty well, too."oPower: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. But it rocks absolutely, too."oElitism: "It’s lonely at the top. But it’s comforting to look down upon everyone at the bottom."oBlame: "The secret to success is knowing who to blame for your failures."The phrases, printed in stately type on serene photographs, can be purchased on coffee mugs, calendars, t-shirts and posters.Despair Inc. cleverly tells customers, "Motivational posters don’t work. But our Demotivational posters don’t work even better," and "Operators are waiting to take your money."Does it mean we’re bad people with twisted humor if we order products from Despair Inc.? No. It means we’re good people who recognize the value of a little comic relief.The company recognizes this too. "No matter who you are, you have the potential to be so much less," founder and COO E.L. Kersten writes. "And with the transformative powers of our Demotivators® products, you will be."

Luverne Community Hospital Service Excellence Representative Sue Sandbulte greets Gert DeBoer on her regular rounds as part of her duties to make sure patient needs are met.By Lori EhdeIn an effort to capture and retain business in a competitive health services market, hospitals are giving their patients red-carpet treatment beyond medical treatment.Luverne Community Hospital has developed a "service excellence representative" position to improve the overall hospital experience for its patients.Sue Sandbulte, who’s worked at the hospital for four years, was hired to fill the position.She said the position was developed as a public relations response to keep patients coming to Luverne, but the end result is simply better care for patients."I’m not here to take the place of doctors, nurses and staff," Sandbulte said. "But I can find out what patients’ concerns are and get the right person to address those concerns."For example, she said a patient may be concerned about how much a medical procedure might cost, so she would contact the billing department and get answers. "I can’t solve problems, but I can find people who can," Sandbulte said.Another example might be a person wondering why her procedure’s been delayed a couple hours. Rather than waiting and worrying, Sandbulte said she can find out why there’s been a delay and how much longer the wait might be.She also visits with families in waiting rooms, and can even be called in to assist a family in a medical emergency like a car accident.Often her role comes down to being a friendly face in a time of crisis. "I can offer them coffee or blankets or a phone to contact other family members," Sandbulte said. "If you can make them feel a little bit better, that’s what it’s all about."Sandbulte said her work is rewarding because people respond positively to helpful offers. "When I come and ask if there’s anything I can do, they kind of perk up when I say things like that," she said. "And there’s something about coffee that’s comforting."She said she’s also been well-received by health professionals as well."It frees up the doctors and nurses to do what they need to do," she said.On the lighter side of her job duties, Sandbulte pushes her "cookie cart" to patient rooms, offering snacks and drinks. "That’s a real good way to get into every patient’s room and visit with them and find out if they have any concerns I can help them with," she said.In addition, her duties include acting as a liaison between hospital departments, communicating with clergy, delivering newspapers, e-mails and flowers to patients, making phone calls or looking up phone numbers for patients and working with hospital volunteers.Sandbulte, who worked 12 years as a receptionist with Tri-State Insurance, and describes herself as a "people person" said her new job is perfect for her."I love it here, and I love working with people," she said. "I think being born and raised here, I’ve seen having a hospital in this community is important. Now, to be a part of it is very exciting to me."

By Sara StrongWith 21 electrical projects to complete by the end of this year, the city probably won’t save money by switching in-house electrical management to Missouri River Energy Services."There are some financial advantages," City Administrator Greg LaFond said Tuesday, "But that doesn’t mean we will save money the first year."Some of those 21 projects can’t be postponed, due to the Sioux Valley hospital and clinic project. Others were going to require special contractors outside the city’s employees, and MRES can handle those contractors now. The city will pay more for more work done in town, on top of a management fee. The Luverne City Council still hasn’t finalized a contract for MRES to take over the management of three electric utility employees. If it goes through, they would no longer be employed by the city, although the city would direct their work priorities through MRES.Councilman David Hauge said, "I think it’d be a good idea to get going on this." LaFond will finish a cost comparison and bring it to the council for a vote at a future meeting.Bill Radio of MRES said the savings would come if there are times when all three workers aren’t needed in Luverne at once and could be used in other MRES projects.This year’s aggressive work schedule probably won’t allow for the employees to work out of town.LaFond said the savings will show in not hiring a new engineer to mange the utility and public works departments. That position (a combined Darrell Huiskes and Red Arndt) would cost a minimum of $100,000 considering salary and benefits.So far, concerns in the department have been about a worker three years from retirement, who doesn’t want a job change to affect his standing.Pet licenses The city pays about $6,000 annually in impound costs for dogs and cats. It may be a small budget item, but it’s one the Luverne City Council is considering revamping in order to save money.The city is generating only minor amounts of revenue through licensing dogs — $8 for spayed or neutered, or $12 otherwise.LaFond said, "Maybe you’re convinced that there are only 54 dogs in the city. I’m not."Councilman Bob Kaczrowski suggested some dog owners don’t know they are supposed to license their pets.LaFond said that the city could ask veterinarians to help inform the public, as they get pet shots or medical care, that dogs are supposed to be licensed."Is it really fair to the taxpayer who doesn’t have an animal, to have to pay for this service? It’s an inequity," LaFond said. "A taxpayer subsidy to some extent is understandable, but maybe not to this extent."The council didn’t discuss whether it will suggest that cats also be licensed.Last year, 17 cats and 17 dogs were impounded. About half of the animals in the pound are euthanized. Some of that could be avoided if the impound could notify the proper owner. However, some people abandon animals in town with the intention of the pound being forced to have them euthanized.All found animals that are turned into the pound are posted, and City Hall is the contact place for that. The pound holds animals for five business days before putting them down.

By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members started the process of a summer remodeling project by setting April 14 as the date to receive bids from contractors.The south wing of the middle school-high school will receive a new heating and cooling system, and offices in that wing will be remodeled and updated. The plan is for the principals’ offices, currently across the hall from each other, to both be located together on the west side of the hall, along with a conference room.On the east side of the hall, student services will be located together with a shared reception area. These offices include counselor, school nurse and athletic director.At their Friday meeting, board members set bid opening for 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 14.Work will start this summer when school gets out.The work is a continuation of the heating and cooling renovation in the middle school-high school building that started last year.Work on the west wing was completed last year, along with updates to the hall lighting.Similar work on the north wing will be done next year.Transportation bidsThe board accepted bids on two school buses and one Suburban-type vehicle Friday.The low bid of $117,308 was submitted by Grande American Blue Bird, Anoka, for two 72-passenger buses.The district purchased the second bus from Grande American with convection heat for an additional $350.A bid of $122,947 was submitted by Hoglund Bus Co., Monticello.The board also approved the low bid of $24,973 from Nelson Dodge-GMC, Fergus Falls for a 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500. Other bids were submitted by Papik Motors, Luverne, for a $27,530 Chevy Suburban, and by Herman Motors for a $27,300 Ford Expedition.Because the low bid was so much lower than the local bids, board members said they were obligated to go with the low bid. The district is obligated to accept the low bid, if there’s not a specific reason not to, for example, if the low bid didn’t meet specifications.Nelson-Dodge will deliver the new Yukon and drive back the 1999 Chevy Suburban trade-in. It had 190,00 miles on it.

By Sara StrongThe latest draft of the Comprehensive Plan makes it clear how Luverne can organize and plan its way to a successful layout, including business and residential growth.Plan consultant Rusty Fifield said, "We delved into character, clearly more than in your current Plan."The Plan process is at the draft stage now, and committee members will narrow their focus and bring concerns to a meeting for a final draft next month.Fifield said at a Comprehensive Plan meeting Tuesday, "It’s important that your zoning ordinances flow back to the Comprehensive Plan.That means that the city should follow it’s own advice when opportunities for development or redevelopment arise — and steer the appropriate developments to the right areas of town based on the Plan.One of the brainstorms to come out of the Comprehensive Plan so far, is to have a stopping point for visitors just off Interstate 90. The Chamber would be ideal for this.City Zoning Administrator Dan Delgehausen threw out the idea that a herd of bison could be located behind businesses off Highway 75 and Interstate 90. That would draw people, and make Luverne’s prairie/bison theme more visual, rather than conceptual. Drivers could see it and make unplanned stops, increasing the potential to spend money in town.Of course, it’s just an idea at this point, but the Plan committee was excited about theme ideas and business that could branch off of that.Also new out of these planning meetings is the idea of developing a campground near the existing City Park. Kniss Avenue The Plan says it "seeks to sustain and enhance the residential quality of the Kniss Avenue corridor north of Main Street."Redevelopment of the area, as homes are sold, should focus on residential uses, not converting homes to businesses.It also says the intersection of Kniss and Main should become a strong physical and visual connection with the downtown. If that occurred, then people would be attracted off Kniss and into the downtown.DowntownEven though downtown is primarily for commercial uses, parks are a part of the outskirts of downtown, the City Park, Redbird Field and Riverside Park.The parks offer a "source of attraction for the downtown. People pass through the downtown business district to gain access to these parks. Tapping into this market provides a business development opportunity."The Plan also said a trailhead between downtown and Blue Mounds State Park should be established near the Public Works Building. Presently, there is no symbol to newcomers that the path leads to the state park.The Plan raises the possibility of starting a campground adjacent to a city park.Despite access to existing parks, the downtown isn’t a green place. Buildings and parking dominate the core of downtown, but a few green features could help its overall image."Trees, plantings and other landscaping should be included in streetscape improvements," the Plan said. Municipal parking lots also provide an opportunity for bringing small green spaces into the downtown.North and south developmentsGrowth on the north and south edges of Luverne are tailored for highway business, commercial and industrial in this Plan.Fifield said that current residential properties south of Interstate 90 may need to resign themselves to the fact that businesses want to locate on Highway 75 near the interstate. "It seems to me to be a strong business area, and if you allow it go to residential, you lose that opportunity," he said.Considering the new airport project, Fifield said the area is directing the way it wants to go, even without a clear Comprehensive Plan. Development to the north of Luverne, where the new hospital and clinic will be, will be commercial. The city will try to limit commercial sprawl to businesses related to the hospital and clinic. Other businesses that may want to locate near the hospital, simply to capitalize on higher traffic counts, will be steered toward other commercial districts in town.The Plan committee doesn’t want the rest of the town vacated and shifted toward the new hospital area.The next Comprehensive Plan meeting will go over the same concepts after committee members have had time to consider options.

By Sara StrongThere’s already been some degree of success to the city’s marketing campaign to draw businesses to Luverne. A new Luverne Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce Web site has gotten about 150 hits, and the former Tri-State building is attracting interest."For the first time since it’s been listed, someone contacted the Realtor," Economic Development Authority Director Dan Statema said. "I expect to show it within a week."A series of ads in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader last week drew attention to Luverne, highlighting Job Opportunity Building Zones and the vacant Continental Western Group (Tri-State) building. Another ad pointed out quality of life issues such as good schools, residential lot prices and the upcoming new hospital and clinic.Together, Statema hopes the Argus Leader ads make a lasting impression on businesses to the west that thought Minnesota wasn’t a good relocation option.The Luverne City Council approved the $40,000 budget for all facets of marketing in the city, including Web site development and printing work."It may seem like $40,000 is a lot of money to spend, but all it takes is one business…" Statema said.Statema estimates that he spent $10,000 of the budget locally, and he isn’t spending the remainder of the $40,000 just yet. He’s waiting to see results from regional advertisements before spending the rest."We had a good week last week, but this is really our biggest week," Statema said.More ads are going in newspapers and other publications in Sioux City, Iowa; Omaha, Neb.; Madison, Wis.; Des Moines, Iowa; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chicago; Kansas City, Kan. Ads will also appear in the Midwest Real Estate Journal."Then we’ll hold off on ads for a while and do more direct mailing and let people use our Web site," Statema said.The new Web site is www.luverneadvantage.com.

Beaver Creek city employee Lloyd DeBoer earned the city a certificate of commendation from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for his "efforts to help protect and preserve the waters of Minnesota." DeBoer makes sure the city complies with the agency’s permit program.By Jolene FarleyLloyd DeBoer marks 30 years as a city of Beaver Creek employee this year. He holds many titles."When I first started, nobody told me what my job responsibilities were," he said.Today, DeBoer doesn’t seem to mind that he is almost always on call for a variety of tasks."Everybody calls me; they kind of leave it up to me," he said. He was hired in 1974 right out of high school as a police officer for the community of 250 people. He was issued a nightstick but never given a gun. The police officer that held the position before DeBoer reportedly took the gun with him when he left town.During those days a dance hall was open in town, which meant extra traffic. If DeBoer needed backup, he recruited some of the community’s burly residents to help. DeBoer is no longer the town cop. Law enforcement services are now provided by Rock County.DeBoer is currently in charge of water and sewer, building and street maintenance.He attended classes to earn his water and sewer license from the Minnesota Department of Pollution Control.He is the city’s dog catcher, rounding up stray canines.He helps collect garbage in town in an attempt to keep garbage rates down.He became a licensed tree inspector during the Dutch Elm Disease crisis. DeBoer inspected every elm tree in town and marked 80 for removal. DeBoer enjoys the variety of his job. He also enjoys the people in the community he has gotten to know."I treat everybody like family, if I can help somebody I try to help them," he said.He is particularly attentive to the older residents in town. "I always kind of look out for the older people," DeBoer said. DeBoer has served on the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board for 10 years and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Creek, the Beaver Creek Fire Department and First Responders. He also coached youth baseball and basketball.DeBoer and his wife, Marilyn, have three children, Darcie, Darin and Devin."The years go by so fast," he said. "I was pretty young when I started this job right out of high school."

By Jolene FarleyHills-Beaver Creek High School senior Lee Jackson received the Triple "A" award from the Minnesota State High School League. The Academics, Arts and Athletics Award was started in 1988 to recognize and honor high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the fine arts. The program elevates academic standards and creates a greater awareness of League-sponsored activities and their values. It provides member schools with the opportunity to participate in a statewide program that supports, promotes and recognizes academic and extra-curricular achievements. To be nominated a student must be a high school senior, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, comply with the MSHSL’s Student Code of Conduct and complete an application form and submit it to the appropriate person. "I have had the opportunity to work with Lee as a student in my class, an athlete on teams I have coached and also helped him with his post-secondary plans," Hills-Beaver Creek High School Counselor Dan Ellingson wrote in his letter of recommendation about Jackson to MSHSL."Lee is a truly a young man that a teacher and a coach feels privileged to have on their team or in their classroom." "Lee is involved in all aspects of school life, fine arts, and athletics. Lee is academically outstanding in his grade and school.""Outside of school, Lee is a leader in his church group, plays the piano, sells his wildlife oil and water color paintings, and he is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Yes, this is one person who has accomplished all of this in 18 short years."The Triple "A" Awards Banquet is Saturday, March 27, in Minneapolis.