By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek boys snapped a two-game losing skid when they dismantled Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 70-52 in Hills Thursday.

A balanced H-BC offense featured five players reaching double figures in scoring for a Patriot basketball team that posted its first win in 2001.

Even more impressive than H-BC's offensive output was its effort on the boards. The Patriots outrebounded the Knights 32-17, and that was the key to victory in the mind of H-BC coach Steve Wiertzema.

"We rebounded really well," he said. "We had 19 offensive rebounds, and that was the difference in the game."

The game was a tight one in the first half, but H-BC took control in the second half by outscoring the Knights 42-23.

R-T-R, which led 16-14 after eight minutes of play, had a 29-28 halftime lead erased when H-BC went on an 18-6 scoring spree in the third quarter to gain a 46-35 advantage.

The Patriots increased the difference to 18 points in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Knights 24-17.

Brad Haak and Lance Crawford led H-BC's second-half assault on the Knights.

Haak, who had eight rebounds and three assists in the game, netted eight of his 12 points in the second half. Crawford tossed in seven of his team-high 13 points in the third and fourth quarters.

Matt Buck had 12 points and eight rebounds for the winners, while Lyle DeBoer chipped in 11 points and four steals.

Chris Fransman added 10 points and Darin DeBoer four assists to the winning cause.

Box score
D.DeBoer 0 0 0-1 0, Van Batavia 0 0 1-2 1, Van Maanen 0 0 0-2 0, Fransman 0 2 4-6 10, Haak 3 0 6-12 12, L.DeBoer 4 0 3-4 11, Van Wyhe 0 0 2-2 2, Top 1 1 4-8 9, Crawford 6 0 1-2 13, Buck 6 0 0-2 12.

Team statistics
H-BC 23 of 59 field goals (39 percent), 21 of 41 free throws (51 percent), 32 rebounds, 12 turnovers.
R-T-R: 20 of 45 field goals (44 percent), eight of 15 free throws (53 percent), 17 rebounds, 21turnovers.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek made a bid to knock off one of the top teams in the Red Rock Conference when it hosted Fulda in a girls' basketball game played in Hills Monday.

H-BC rallied from what was an 11-point deficit in the first half to knot the score at 34 early in the fourth quarter, but the Raiders outscored the Patriots 7-4 the rest of the way to post a 41-38 win.

After Becky Broesder, who led H-BC with 12 points, gave the Patriots a 4-2 lead with a field goal early in the first quarter, the Raiders put together a 13-2 run to move in front 15-6 before Jody DeNoble scored for H-BC at the buzzer to make it a 15-8 game at period's end.

Fulda increased its lead to 11 points (19-8) early in the second quarter before H-BC went on an 8-0 run capped by Jody Rentschler's field goal with 3:00 remaining to make the difference 19-16. The Raiders ended the period with a 7-2 spurt to take a 26-18 advantage at the intermission.

The third quarter belonged to the Patriots as they trimmed Fulda's lead to four points three times, with the last occasion coming when Shanna Tilstra made a shot at the buzzer to make it a 34-30 difference.

Field goals by Erin Boeve and Jamie Arp in the first 2:30 of the fourth quarter knotted the score at 34, and the Patriots trailed by one (39-38) when Boeve drained two free throws with 16 seconds left.

Fulda, however, received a pair of free throws by Erin Oakland with 14 seconds remaining to make it a 41-38 game, and the score remained that way when Tilstra's potential game-tying three-point shot drew iron with three seconds left.

Boeve finished the game with 10 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Brittney Olson and Broesder had five and four assists respectively for H-BC.

Box score
Olson 1 0 0-0 2, Sandstede 0 0 0-0 0, Rentschler 2 0 0-0 4, Tilstra 2 0 2-2 6, Broesder 6 0 0-1 12, DeNobel 1 0 0-0 2, Boeve 3 0 4-10 10, DeHaan 0 0 0-0 0, Arp 1 0 0-0 2.

Team statistics
H-BC: 15 of 46 field goals (33 percent), sic of 13 free throws (46 percent), 22 rebounds, 13 turnovers.
Fulda: 15 of 39 field goals (38 percent), nine of 15 free throws (60 percent), 24 rebounds, 18 turnovers.

In the early 1990s, character education became a term teachers examined. Now, a speaker touting the benefits of character education is coming to Luverne to deliver a message of its importance to parents.

Hal Urban will speak to teachers and give a public presentation at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in the Elementary School Commons.

Urban said the speech, "Raising Good Kids - 4 Suggestions," is ideal for parents, but it can be applied to any member of the community.

"I have concerns about young people's character, and that's why I'm doing this," Urban said.

He said the old notion of becoming what you are exposed to rings true. "Children are bombarded with garbage.
… violence, sex, rampant materialism, bad language."

Urban teaches high school psychology and government and also teaches part-time at the University of San Francisco. His awards range from "Most Supportive Professor" to "National Educator of the Year."

He travels across the country and around the globe to speak on character development. His trip to Luverne will be his first to Minnesota.

Character education in schools isn't something that teachers lecture about in a separate course - it's a principle integrated into curriculum of all grade levels. To Urban, good character has roots in everything from good manners to genuine kindness.

There have been hundreds of books in recent years published on the principles of character education. Urban’s is one that has stood out. "Life's Greatest Lessons - 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know" was first printed in 1992, updated in 1997, and the third edition was recently released.

Hal Urban's presentation, at 7 p.m. Monday in the Luverne Elementary Commons is targeted toward parents. The book that gained Urban notoriety, "Life's Greatest Lessons - 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know," will be available for sale.

Some chapter titles from "Life's Greatest Lessons":
-Success is more than making money.
-Life is hard and not always fair.
-Life is also fun and incredibly funny.
-Being thankful is a habit — the best one you'll ever have.
-Honesty is still the best policy.
-Goals are dreams with deadlines.
-There is no substitute for hard work.
-Successful people don't find time — they make time.
-The body needs nutrition and exercise — so does the mind and the spirit.
-Essential #1 is being a good person.

Florida boy asks for state information for school project

To the editor:
My name is Jeff Wooley and I go to Callahan Middle School in Callahan, Fla. In my 7th grade class we are doing a state fair project and I chose your fabulous state.

I would greatly appreciate it if your readers could send me anything that has to do with your state. I would like them to send me postcards of the state, maps, brochures, sport teams, information on historic sites, statistics, autographed sports cards or items, information on wildlife and the animals, water from a lake with a label to describe it, or anything else that would be helpful for my project.
I will also send a thank you letter to anyone who sends me any useful items. If anybody has pictures of snow or waterfalls I would also be very grateful. My address is Jeff Wooley, Mavericks Team, 1645 Old Dixie Hwy., Callahan, FL 32011.

Jeff Wooley
Callahan, Fla.

Survey on field's fate is welcome

To the Editor:
We're pleased that the public can vote on the use of Fledgling Field by marking Yes or No on the back of their utility bills.

We see how busy the tennis courts are in the summer. We hear parents cheering for their children at the soccer fields on Blue Mound Avenue. We know many supported and worked so that our town could have an ice arena. We walk over to the park area across from the peaceful little lake of the Vets Home with grandchildren. ThereÕs even a semi shelter with picnic tables. Our church team uses the ball diamonds across from the large east park. Both are very well maintained.

We appreciate all this and we hope we keep the choice of two fine funeral homes also.

Bernie and Jeanette Top
Luverne

By Lori Ehde
Luverne will stage its own version of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life June 15 and 16.

The Relay for Life has become the trademark fund-raiser for the Society, the world’s largest non-profit health organization committed to cancer research, education and service.

Cindy Arends, who is serving as corporate sponsor chair of the local event, is one of the organizers who felt it was important that Rock County has its own Relay for Life.

"I was impressed by what I saw in Pipestone last summer when they had their first Relay for Life," Arends said. "It affected me, because my dad died of cancer 13 years ago."

That September, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and died in December.

"I had no idea this was in my future when I first inquired about Relay for Life last summer, but now it means even more to me," Arends said.

Most volunteers, like Arends, get involved for similar personal reasons.

Relay for Life involves teams of runners and walkers competing against each other to raise the most money.

Teams of individuals representing corporations, hospitals, neighborhoods and families take turns on the track with at least one team member on the track at a time.

The Relay for Life is now held nationwide, and thousands of people participate each year to help fight cancer.
The event is most noted for its luminaries that glow in memory of individuals who have died from cancer, or in honor of those who have survived cancer.

The paper sacks, containing sand and candles, are displayed around the track and are illuminated during a special lighting ceremony at dusk.

March 8 will be the official kickoff of Rock County’s Relay for Life. That meeting will involve corporate sponsors, team captains and co-chairs to discuss the purpose and goals for the event.

Don and Betty Cashin, two local cancer survivors, have been named honorary co-chairs for the event.
In December, local organizers mailed letters to area businesses announcing the event.

The letter also outlined several ways to get involved.

• Corporations, businesses and group sponsors are needed to donate advertising dollars to promote Relay for Life.
• Teams of eight to 10 walkers are needed to compete to raise money during the night of walking.
• People are needed who are willing to buy luminaries in memory of their loved ones who have died from cancer or to honor those who have survived cancer.
• Volunteers are needed to help with any part of this activity, from setting up to cleaning up and to support Relay for Life by attending.

Arends can be reached at 669-2905. Vicki Baartman, 283-4119, and Janet Marshall, 283-4192, are co-chairs for Relay for Life in Rock County. Helen Saum, 283-4340, is team recruitment chair.

By Jolene Farley
Warmer temperatures the past few weeks have brought area farmers relief after the sixth coldest November and second coldest December on record.

No matter how low temperatures dipped in November and December, farmers with livestock had to brave the cold.

At Hills Bros. Farms, Hills, Mike Sandager and his brother Pucky (Gene) ventured out every day to feed approximately 900 head of cattle.

The Sandagers feed them once a day at 3:30 in the afternoon. This schedule has worked well for them, according to Mike, but because the animals must keep eating evenly during cold weather they have to be careful to feed at the same time every day.

Hills Bros. Farms uses a two-phase feeding program. Calves 450 to 700 pounds are fed a diet high in roughage to build their frames. Cattle 700 to 1,200 pounds are fed a high corn ration to add weight. The cattle are sold when they weigh 1,200 pounds.

If the Sandagers suspect a storm is coming, the feed mix is adjusted. Cattle donÕt eat as much during a blizzard so they increase the long stem hay, which produces heat.

Hills Bros. Farms has lost only one animal to cold weather this winter. The business has been lucky, according to Mike.

He said cattle actually do better if they are out of the wind but not inside a shelter. If they are inside, they all bunch together and that creates heat. Heat causes moisture, and the cattle get wet. Then they go outside and the moisture freezes on their coats.

The Sandagers, like their cattle, endure the cold, "The key thing is to keep moving," said Mike. "If you are doing work you don't get cold."

They cover their faces with handkerchiefs or scarves. The tractor Mike uses to feed with doesn't have a cab. "I did freeze my ears one time," he said.

Winter means special problems for cattle producers. Cattle waterers freezing is a cold weather hazard. Heaters run continuously in the tanks to keep water thawed. This drastically increases electric bills for farmers.

Corn for the feed mix can freeze into large chunks, which can damage equipment.

Although Hills Bros. Farms suffered only one casualty this winter the Sandagers have a much subtler worry.

Cattle show a loss of weight gain during extreme weather because all the feed they're given serves only to maintain them - not to put on weight. This affects the farmers' end return. No weight gain means feeding an animal longer until it reaches the desired weight.

For example, Mike said they went a couple of weeks with no gains on their herd when the weather was so cold. Their cattle are gaining again since the temperature has warmed up.

It has been worse, Mike said, recalling the winter of 1996 being the worst. Winter started early and there was no break that year.

Snow was piled so high they couldnÕt get anywhere. The Sandagers did not own a tractor snow blower so they spent a lot of time scooping trenches next to fences. Snow drifted so high cattle could walk right out of the fences.

Purchasing a snow blower "has made life a lot simpler" for them this year.

Cattle farmers have enjoyed high prices last year and this year, at 70 to 76 cents per hundred weight. "It hasn't been that high for several years," Mike said.

But as with many agricultural markets, the costs of production are catching up with profits.

For example, with markets indicating another good year for feeder cattle, Mike said producers paid a premium this year for calves.

Also, hay prices are about three times higher this year due to lower supplies and increased demand.

"Last year we made about $50 per head, but this year, we're lucky if we break even or make $5 a head," Mike said.

He added that one good year of cattle prices is hardly enough to make up for the two years prior to last year, when cattle producers lost $50 to $100 a head.

By Jolene Farley
Data from a survey mailed by the Hills-Beaver Creek school system on Jan. 4 and 5 will help determine whether the School Board should proceed with plans for new locker rooms and a community fitness center.

The survey, prepared by the H-BC School Board and Superintendent Knoll, was sent to all families with children enrolled in the district.

The survey contains a variety of questions. Some pertain to the quality of the H-BC school system, others to the locker rooms and community fitness center.

Section A asks for a response to the following yes or no questions:
-Our school expects the best from our students.
-Our school expects the best from our school staff.
-The school provides a climate which helps manage studentsÕ behavior in a positive manner.
-The curriculum is meaningful and applicable to real-life situations.
-I am effectively informed about my childÕs progress in school.
-I am effectively informed about the schoolÕs educational programs and policies.
-The food service program provides nutritious food for students.
-Our lunch prices are reasonable.
-The school buses are clean and safe.
-The transportation system is prompt and dependable.
-Children feel safe in the school environment.
-The instructional staff have open lines of communication with students and parents.

Section B contains the following questions:
-All things considered, our schools are better today than they were five years ago.
-The Hills-Beaver Creek School District provides quality educational services.
-Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D, and Fail to show how well they're doing in school. Suppose the Hills-Beaver Creek School District were graded in the same way. All things considered, what grade would you give the H-BC School District?
-Do you feel the community would benefit by having a community fitness center?
-Would you pay a yearly community fitness center membership? (circle one): $75, $100, $125 or no.
-Are the present high school building and locker rooms able to meet the needs of our high school?
-The school buildings are well maintained and kept clean.
-In my contact with the school office personnel, my needs are met promptly, courteously and professionally.
-Do you read the school newsletter?
-How many years have you lived in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District. (circle one): less than a year, 1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-10 years or 10 years or more.
-If a community fitness center were built, what equipment would you like to see? (essay)
-What is your primary source of school information? (essay)
-Do you have any school district concerns? (essay)

"It looks like it will give us some kind of direction," said Knoll, who has looked at some of the comments but has not tabulated the results yet.

"I think it is an opportunity for people to give feedback; not everyone is going to be positive. I am pleased with what we got back. When you ask for comments you have to be prepared to get what you get."

Although no cut-off date was specified on the survey, return so far has been good, according to Knoll.

The district has received approximately 200 completed surveys from respondents out of 700 mailed. This is about what the board hoped for when it sent the surveys.

"We have not tabulated or done a thing with them," said Knoll. "We hope to do a draft for the (School Board) meeting on the January 22." Knoll plans to have the H-BC math class do the final tabulations.

Knoll said they will wait until they receive only a few stragglers a day before compiling the results.

The board plans to conduct a community meeting to further explore the locker room and community fitness center issues at an undetermined date in February, according to Knoll.

"If the public sees it as a need the board would proceed," said Knoll. "The board has no desire to go to vote. They would use existing money in the general fund for locker rooms. If the fitness center was built we would have to get the city or county involved. We donÕt have that kind of money."

The district is still accepting surveys and reminds everyone to return them.

By Jolene Farley
The Luverne Elementary School gym is the site of this year's Rock County Sportsman's Show on Saturday, Feb. 10.

The Sportsman's Show, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is an event for both avid outdoor enthusiasts and the average family interested in outdoor activities.

Nationally-recognized bow hunter and nature photographer Judd Cooney will present two seminars. Missouri River fishing guide Gary Allen will also provide a seminar and be on hand to answer questions.

Other seminars offer information on ice fishing techniques, wild turkey hunting, plug pulling for walleye, lake fishing, whitetail deer and elk hunting, and Missouri River hunting.

Plans are underway to offer several youth seminars and possibly a separate exhibitor fair geared toward youth.

Advance tickets are available from committee members or at the Rock County Extension Office, Luverne. Tickets for adults are $2 with children 5 and younger free.

Proceeds from the event will go to Big Buddies of Rock County, the Hills-Beaver Creek/Steen Baseball Association, Patriot Partners, Steen Community Park Committee and Hills Lions Club.

By Lori Ehde
Anonymous angels saved Christmas this year for boys at Pinnacle Programs Inc. in Magnolia.

The organization is a residential treatment program for troubled youth operating out of the former Magnolia school since 1995.

Of the 23 boys staying at Pinnacle over the holidays, only a handful saw their families for Christmas, and of those who stayed in Magnolia, only a couple received gifts from home.

Most of the boys, ages 13 to 17, are from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area or from other large cities.

Many are from homes so troubled that, given the chance, they'd rather not celebrate Christmas with their families.

For years, teachers and staff at Pinnacle have looked for creative ways to make Christmas special for the boys. That has meant special meals, Christmas parties and activities.

In recent years, staff members have pooled resources to buy small gifts for the boys to open.

While the efforts were thoughtful and appreciated, opening a generic gift that everyone received wasn't the same as getting a personal gift meant specifically for them.

Last year about a week before Christmas, Pinnacle business manager and co-owner Sonja Crowley put up an "Angel Tree," in an effort to reach each one of the boys personally.

The boys were asked to write on a card what they wanted for Christmas, and those wish lists were hung on the tree in the Pinnacle lobby.

Initial requests were modest, Crowley said. "They'd ask for socks or toiletries or small things they needed," she said. "So we went around again and asked if there were any fun things they wanted to add to the list."

Staff members, volunteers and area residents then retrieved those lists and anonymously purchased the requested items.

"At first the kids didn't believe it would happen," Crowley said. "But they were surprised."

Actually, Crowley said everyone was surprised at the generosity of the gift-buying "angels."

"That first year it was kind of rushed, but this year we started early, and it just exploded," Crowley said. "We had people calling for names long after they were gone from the tree. People spent a lot of time shopping for hard-to-find items."

Most of the boys received everything on their lists plus stocking stuffers besides.

Two Omaha, Neb., boys, A.B. and J.W., agreed to be photographed and interviewed by the Star Herald about their Christmas angels. A.B., 13, has been with Pinnacle since Oct. 27, and J.W., 17, has been there since July 28.

Both were struck by the generosity of their angels.

"I was surprised that people care for me - people I don't even know," J.W. said. "It surprised me."

A.B. was pleased with his gifts and the Christmas experience offered by Pinnacle.

"I'm happy they gave me a Christmas to spend like a family," he said. "It surprised me that people would pick a name off a tree and go buy for us."

The boys weren't the only ones surprised by the Angel Tree response.

"My office was packed with gifts," said assistant director Rebecca Dreesen. "I was amazed by the turnout and the amount of money that people spent."

Special education teacher Diane Schmidt said news of the Angel Tree traveled fast, even in circles outside of Rock County.

"I was flabbergasted at the generosity of the people and the interest," she said.
She had mentioned Pinnacle's tree to her Zion Lutheran Church choir members in Sioux Falls, "and they jumped on it," she said, estimating the group spent $800 on gifts.

"I'd come home at night and I'd find gift bags stuffed between my doors," she said.

At a time of year when so many organizations are seeking donations, why such a positive community response?

"I think it's that so many kids don't have homes to go to for Christmas," Schmidt said.

Another possible reason for the generous response, Dreesen said, is that Pinnacle kids make frequent contact with the Rock County community through various activities.

Having faces to attach to some of the names on the wish lists may have prompted more interest.

The Angel Tree will go up at Pinnacle again next year, in addition to satellite trees volunteered at other locations in the area.