The city of Luverne will likely continue its efforts to get border city legislation passed. The legislation would allow new and expanding businesses tax breaks in hopes of spurring economic growth.

The newly elected mayor and City Council members will vote next week on an ordinance approving continuing lobby efforts.

A Maxfield Research study showed that in some cases Luverne’s businesses are at a disadvantage to similar businesses in neighboring states.

Dilworth, Moorhead, Breckenridge, Moorhead and East Grand Forks are all Minnesota cities that have benefited from similar legislation.

Luverne is unique because unlike the other border cities, more than a river separates it from its major competition. Luverne is nearly 30 miles from Sioux Falls and still feels the damage.

The ghost of legislation past
Last year, the proposed legislation nearly passed; it was in the Senate's tax committee bills. Then, to relieve a stalemate situation, spending allocation was split three ways - one-third governor, one-third Senate and one-third House.

Then the spending was essentially split between party lines with the Senate dropping the tax committee bills in favor of education, human services and environmental spending.

"I think if it wouldn't have been for the one-third split, we would've gotten it," lobbyist Cory Elmer said to the council Monday.

With many new legislators in both Senate and House, Elmer said it may be more difficult to rally the support that the legislation had last year.

"Politically," Elmer said, "we were at a 50-50 chance last year. This year it's more like 60-40 that it won't."

He said if it looks like the legislation has no hope of passing, the city can stop its efforts at any time and end up saving the money it takes to keep trying. The estimated cost could be about $30,000 this year, using the already completed research.

The new legislative session began Wednesday, and the sooner the city starts plugging for the legislation, the better.

"It may help to some degree to be remembered from last year, but some of the major supporters are gone," Elmer said.

If the border city initiative passes, the state will set aside money for Luverne to use toward the tax relief. If the state sees projects that exceed that dollar amount set aside, it can lift the cap for those circumstances that may bring very high paying jobs or a great number of jobs to Luverne.

The cost of pushing the legislation is allowed for in the 2001 budget, but newly elected leaders will formally indicate support in an ordinance at their next meeting. New councilmen and the mayor have indicated they want to move ahead with the legislation.

Border city background
The earlier research study compared border cities, regional cities, western border cities and non-border cities of similar size, and Luverne falls behind in all categories.

The research also showed that Luverne has experienced slower economic growth than other border cities. It is illustrated best in a comparison with Brandon, once a smaller city than Luverne. Brandon's population surpassed Luverne’s through the '90s while Luverne’s stagnated.

Compared with regional cities, Luverne is behind most in household growth, job retention, gross sales and taxable property.

In short, Sioux Falls and Brandon provide stiff competition for Luverne, and other cities aren't suffering like Luverne.

By Lori Ehde
The serene beauty of quartzite rocks and tall grass prairie once enjoyed by Blue Mound Inn customers may become the private view of Barb and Bob Loosbrock.

The 45-year-old restaurant closed last week, and a local businessman is looking to relocate his business in the Blue Mound Inn building.

If that doesn't happen, the Loosbrocks will convert the spacious restaurant into their new residential dwelling.

The 11,750-square-foot building with vaulted ceilings and expansive windows is too large for a home, but Barb said they're looking at blueprints and making plans.

If they were to live there, the living quarters would occupy what is now the 50-by-90-foot south dining room.

The rest of the space would be utilized for garage, shop and office space.

Whether the building is purchased or becomes a residence, one thing is certain. The days of serving turkey dinners there are over.

Barb purchased the restaurant 27 years ago from Keith and Aldine Madison, who started the business in 1955.

The last day the Blue Mound Inn was open to the public was Dec. 20, and the last private party there was the Tri-State Insurance Company Christmas luncheon on Dec. 22.

Since then various entities in the industry have been buying the restaurant equipment. With her connections in the food service business, Barb said it has been more effective to put the word out than to have a public auction.

Barb sold the Blue Mound Catering Service on Nov. 7. For months prior to that, she'd been considering and looking forward to retirement.

While she won't miss the long hours and responsibilities, she said she'll miss the people.

"I'll miss the customers and the people I worked with," she said.

When the restaurant and catering business were operating daily, the place employed up to 30 people.

In recent years, Barb said she's found it increasingly difficult to hire good employees.

"When we were first open, the only other restaurants open on weekends in Luverne were the Dairy Queen and Tasty Freeze," she said. "When we needed to hire extra help, we'd put out the word, and weÕd have 12 or more show up wanting to be hired."

With many of her full-time employees considering retirement themselves, the hiring situation was a major factor in BarbÕs timing for selling the business.

In addition to missing her work family, Barb said she'll also miss her customers.

With countless tour buses making annual stops at the restaurant, she had the opportunity to serve people from all walks of life. "They were always really nice people," she said.

There are plenty of local people who will miss the Blue Mound Inn as well. In addition to weekly Rotary Club meetings, other large groups such as the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen's Association, the Corn and Soybean Growers and local farm cooperatives all met there for annual meetings and banquets.

Regardless of who came in to enjoy the turkey dinners, Barb said it was always rewarding to help people.

She most looked forward to wedding parties. "Weddings were always a lot of fun - decorating and coordinating arrival times - it was a lot of fun to see what people did to make their wedding the unique wedding."

The serene location of the Blue Mound Inn lent itself to everyday romantic encounters for her customers. "You'd see people steal a little kiss out on the rocks, or you'd see couples sitting on the rocks watching the sun go down," Barb said.

The property hasn't been listed with a Realtor. Different groups and individuals have considered the property for various ventures, but the Loosbrocks know, if it doesn't sell, they'll always have a scenic piece of real estate to make their home.

June 2000
*The Hills Economic Authority renegotiated its agreement to sell the former hardware store to contractor Jeff Bass. All parties seemed confused over the terms of the original agreement determined at their March 14 meeting.

*Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary school principal and curriculum coordinator Janet Knoll notified the H-BC School Board that she would be resigning at the end of the school year. Knoll accepted a position with the Woodbury School District, near the Twin Cities.

*Hills residents were told American Salvage and Surplus might close its doors if the store did not increase its profit. Storeowner Dave Dietrich, Sioux Falls, said the store need an increase of 25 percent to stay open.

*The School Board approved use of the Hills-Beaver Creek High School Library as a temporary community library during the month of August. The cost to start the library was $300.

July 2000

*The Hills City Council decided to produce a new brochure promoting Hills.

*From golf and volleyball tournaments to a lawn tractor pull and parade, Friendship Days in Hills provided fun for everyone.

*Gordon Helgeson, Beaver Creek, and M.R. "Big" Carrigan and Jeanette Tangeman, Luverne, were named Outstanding Senior Citizens of Rock County. Gordon Helgeson started the father and son pool tournament played each winter in Beaver Creek in 1983.

*Hills residents were informed by Community Club president Michele Nelson that the Aug. 7 meeting of the Community Club could be the last unless more people came forward to actively participate.

August 2000

*Hills Product and Design Center held its grand opening. Manager Amanda Rozeboom and owner Jeff Bass greeted customers and encouraged them to register for a number of prizes.

*Retired Lutheran Church pastor, Gene Sikkink, traveled to Mexico as a volunteer worker for a Habitat for Humanity program. "There is no happiness in having or getting, only giving," said Sikkink.

*The Tuff Memorial Home celebrated its 40th anniversary. An open house was held to celebrate.

*Plans for a golf course on the east side of Beaver Creek were revealed. A public meeting was held to determine who was interested in buying a membership. The investors and owners of the golf course are Mike Blank, Rodney Scholten, Leonard Scholten and Tim Lange.

*Kim Grengs was hired as the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School principal. Grengs was formerly a fifth-grade teacher in Farmington, a town near Northfield.

September 2000

*After two windows were smashed out of a school bus Aug. 2, the Hills Beaver Creek School Board discussed the possibility of building a new bus barn.

*Rauk's Market was robbed. Stolen were 20 cartons of cigarettes, a three-tier lighter display with 150 lighters and about 20 cans of Pringles chips.

*Tuff Memorial Assisted Living Apartments groundbreaking was held.

*Mae Top and her twin sister, Fae Aukes, celebrated their 75th birthday.

October 2000

*In the homecoming game, Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth, the state's seventh-ranked team was pitted against No. 2 Westbrook-Walnut Grove in a game with Southwest Ridge Conference and state poll implications at stake. Westbrook-Walnut Grove prevailed with a final score of 31-13.

*Ron Rauk, Beaver Creek, shared the story of his liver transplant surgery in August and his continuing road to recovery.

*The Patriot Partners addressed the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board and the City Council about building new locker rooms and a community fitness center at the high school.

*Patriot Millworks surpassed sales goals. The group of 21 high school shop students sold about $9,000 worth of goods to area furniture stores.

*Lt. Gov. Mae Schunk visited the Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary school.

November 2000

*American Salvage announced it would close its doors. Owner Dave Dietrich stated the business was losing more money than he thought.

*In a close Hills City Council race, Dana Dahlquist and Arlen Leenderts beat Linus Svoboda by only six votes. Julie Buysse and Jeff Dysthe carried the Beaver Creek City Council race.

*Cargill Inc. donated $3,267.75 to the Hills Rescue Unit to cover the cost of a new defibrillator.

*After lengthy discussion, the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board passed a motion to allow extracurricular activities no later than 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

December 2000

*Former Steen resident, Wilma Knobloch, supplied the Crescent with some of her delicious recipes.

*With annexation complete, the Hills City Council was able to approve a building permit for Tuff Memorial Assisted Living Facility at their Dec. 12 meeting.

*After 47 years in the banking business, Wendell Bengtson announced his retirement beginning at the first of the year. He had been employed at the Exchange State Bank, Hills, for 22 years.

A recent medical study by Dr. Joseph T. Lurito, assistant radiology professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, has created a stir among male/female relations.

His research suggests that men really do listen with just half their brains. In a study of 10 men and 10 women, brain scans showed that men, when listening, mostly used the left sides of their brains, the region long associated with understanding language. Women in the study used both sides.

Other studies have suggested that women can handle listening to two conversations at once. One of the reasons may be that they have more brain devoted to it, according to Lurito.

Many women after reading about this study immediately pointed the findings out to men in their life (I know I did) with interesting responses.

When I told a male friend of mine he immediately responded, "Well, men only need half their brain anyway."

Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I left that one alone.

Lurito stated he didn't want a battle of the sexes, he just wanted people to realize men and women may process language differently.

The study is just one of many differences between males and females. Most men and women tend to enjoy different pastimes. Some men and women, however, do not keep that in mind.

In a related, but disturbing turn of events, I have heard an increasing number of area men calling craft shows "crap shows."

I will testify there is absolutely no crap at these shows. The aisles are lined with crafts that many women find enticing. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.

I would argue if men used all of their brains, they'd see the beauty we do.

A man, who probably never set foot in a craft show, thought they only sold blue crafts at these events. As all women who attend craft shows know, there are many colors offered at these shows. Maybe his wife should really throw him off and come home with something hunter green.

Just as some men would not enjoy attending a craft show, I would most likely not enjoy deer hunting. I would not enjoy sitting in the cold waiting for an animal to walk by so I could kill it. Not to mention the fact that I would have difficulty shooting a deer, both because I have never shot a gun and because I think deer are beautiful, graceful animals.

I am not anti-hunting; I just know I probably wouldn't enjoy hunting as a pastime. I donÕt even need both sides of my brain to know this.

I question how much fun hunting really is when I hear stories of men falling asleep in deer stands waiting for their target. I have never fallen asleep at a craft show. I have yawned a few times but never fallen asleep.

I have vowed to take their word that hunting is "fun" at face value, and I expect the same in return concerning my interests.

The only fair conclusion to draw from Lurito's study is that there are differences between men and women. Not all men or all women enjoy the same interests or hobbies.

Tolerating these differences creates good relations between the sexes. It promotes peace and harmony on earth, or at least between men and women! After all, variety is the spice of life!

Hills Christian School students (from left) Rachel Buys, Ben Pausma, Morgan Heibig, Taylor Leuthold, Kyle Vis and Joshua Davis are ready to travel to Sioux Falls Wednesday morning to purchase the toys they will donate to the Union Gospel Mission.

By Jolene Farley
Christmas is a joyous time of year for most, so during the Christmas season the Hills Christian School strives to help those who do not have much to be joyous about.

This year students and staff at the Christian School began collecting two weeks before Thanksgiving for the Union Gospel Mission, Sioux Falls.

Their goal was to collect $220 to $250 to buy presents for children who come to the Mission for a Christmas meal. Each child is allowed to select one unwrapped gift after the meal.

Christian School advisers and students traveled to Sioux Falls Wednesday to purchase gifts with the money they raised. Afterward, they toured the Union Gospel Mission.

In the past, the Christian School has sent money and school supplies to the Dominican Republic after a devastating hurricane destroyed schools in the region and sent Christmas gifts to the children of prison inmates.

Union Gospel Mission facts:

The Mission ministers to men, women and children who are young, old and of all races. There are many reasons for needing the Mission. Every person is different, and so is every situation.

The Mission receives no government or United Way Funding. Approximately 80 percent of income is derived from individuals and organizations with the remaining 20 percent from church donations.

*The Sioux Falls Union Gospel Mission began on March 17, 1900.

*The women's and children's facility currently has 32 beds for women and children.

*The men's facility currently has 32 beds for transient men and 38 beds for men in the rehabilitation program.

*The Mission has facilities to serve 200 meals three times a day with special meals provided on Christmas and holidays.

*The Shepherd's Gate Program provides long-term live-in rehabilitation. This includes daily Bible studies, work therapy, money management, and educational and life skills training.

*The Thomas F. Morse Center assists adults in getting a GED, high school diploma, job skills training or computer literacy.

January
Jan. 6: Blake and Denise Wysong, Hills, a girl.
Jan. 18: Jim and Cindy Denkel, Topeka, Kan., a boy.
Jan. 20: Paul and Amanda Sandbulte, Luverne, a girl.
Jan. 21: Tim and Kristi Matus, Appleton, Wis., a girl.
Jan. 27: Dennis and Brenda Hoogeveen, Maple Grove, a boy.

February
Feb. 2: Barry and Carla Helgeson, Shoreview, twins, a boy and a girl.
Feb. 9: Justin and Laressa Birger, Sioux Falls, S.D., a girl.
Feb. 19: Lynn and Amy Mogler, West Bend, Iowa, a girl.
Feb. 20: Curt and Cami Heydt, Sargeant, a girl.
Feb. 24: Stephen and Joan Michael, Hills, a girl.
Feb. 25: Todd and Diane Elbers, Luverne, a boy.

March
March 2: Neal and Misty Susie, Fargo, N.D., a boy.
March 10: Jared and Amanda Rozeboom, Hills, a girl.
March 13: Kevin and Dawn Lunstra, Valley Springs, S.D., a boy.
March 30: Chad and Jennifer Nelson, Hills, a boy.

April
April 4: Lee and Catherine Westphal, Hills, a girl.
April 14: Jason and Jodi Bosch, Hills, a girl.
April 21: Ardell and Jennifer Van Wettering, Luverne, a girl.
April 26: Scott and Kristi Ebert, Harrisburg, S.D., a girl.
April 27: Dan and Allison VerBurg, Hills, a girl.
April 28: Craig and Rebecca Gonnerman, Beaver Creek, a boy.

May
May 1: Jeff and Missy Bass, Hills, a boy.
May 2: Jeremy and Melinda Pavel, Luverne, a girl.
May 6: Carmen and Amy Christensen, Beaver Creek, a girl.
May 8: Daryl and Amy Fuerstenberg, Beaver Creek, a boy.
May 16: Scott and Michelle Klungseth, Aberdeen, S.D., a boy.
May 22: Chad and Rachele (VerMeer) Carver, Valrico, Fla., a girl.
May 23: Mark and Teri Richards, Steen, a girl.
May 28: Heath and Jessica Brouwer, Armour, S.D., a girl.

June
June 7: Harvey and Heidi Gehrke, Hills, a girl.
June 10: Jon and Twila Heigre, Sandnes, Norway, a girl.
June 21: Steve and Jackie Wells, Sioux Falls, S.D., a boy.
June 28: Carter and Amy Leuthold, Coon Rapids, a girl.

July
July 2: Dr. Douglas and Esther Van Marel, Huron, S.D., a girl.
July 14: Ronnie and Natasha Jensen, Brandon, S.D., a girl.

August
Aug. 1: David and Dawn Leenderts, Hills, a boy.
Aug. 17: Nathan and Carrie Bakker, Hills, a boy.
Aug. 20: John and Lisa Teune, Steen, a boy.
Aug. 23: Dan and Marie LaRock, Hills, a boy.

September
Sept. 10: Jason and Angie Blosmo, Garretson, S.D., a boy.
Sept. 13: Robert and Angela Westrum, Steen, a boy.
Sept. 14: Rev. David and Bonnie Fagrey, Rapid City, S.D., a girl.

October
Oct. 6: Mike and Michele (DeGroot) Weber, Brookings, SD., a boy.
Oct. 8: Randy and Kathy Fick, Beaver Creek, a girl.
Oct. 11: Kevin and Brenda Auch, Freeman, S.D., a girl.

November
Nov. 2: Randy and Laurie Schott, Steen, a boy.
Nov. 20: Scott and Kris Sundem, San Diego, Calif., a boy.

December
Dec. 1: Brenden Kurrasch and Misty Gislason, Luverne, a boy.
Dec. 2: Michael and Traci Sechler, Arden Hills, twin boys.
Dec. 6: Kelly and Dawn Hadler, Luverne, a girl; Craig and Tracy (Hadler) Soehl, Marshall, a boy.
Dec. 21: Ken and Tammy Bos, Steen, a girl.

Rock County will have a new assessor after almost three months of sharing one with Nobles County.

Tom Houselog, Pipestone, has left the same position in Pipestone County. Houselog started to familiarize himself with the office Tuesday.

County Administrator Kyle Oldre said, "He comes to us with 25 years assessing experience. He brings a lot of talents and abilities to the office and he'll do a great job for the county."

Houselog's first official day on the job is Jan. 2, with a salary of $44,268. The assessor's duties include evaluating properties to help determine taxes on them.

He replaces Bob Meester, whose contract was not renewed three months ago.

By Lori Ehde
While many families are hoping everyone will like their gifts this year, Pastor Tom Mabe's family is hoping for one thing: that he can be out of the intensive care unit by Christmas.

Mabe has been fighting for his life in Sioux Valley Hospital since he collapsed in his home Dec. 6 from an aortic aneurysm.

According to his family, he's still very weak, but he's making "baby steps" toward improvement.

"Anything's better than the roller coaster we were on last week," said Mabe's daughter, Shanna Golden.

After surgery on Thursday, Dec. 7, to bypass the damaged aorta, Mabe improved quickly, and his family was encouraged by the weekend.

But by Monday, he was back on the ventilator after his lungs filled with fluid and his organs started shutting down.

Gaining strength from the ventilator, he quickly improved, and by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, he was strong enough to breathe on his own.

That lasted until Friday, when it became apparent his body needed help breathing again. He was placed back on the ventilator until Wednesday.

Doctors can't make a long-term prognosis for Mabe at this point, but his family does understand that when he's off the ventilator, he's strong enough to make it on his own, and when he's on it, that means he needs help.

"They told us it was going to be like this," Shanna said. "They told us we can't be discouraged about the ventilator. He just needs his rest, and he breathes easier this way."

The good news, though, is that he doesn't have a temperature and all his organs are functioning normally.

The ventilator at first was providing 100 percent oxygen for Mabe's blood, but that soon dropped to 45 percent, and now heÕs using it only to help expand his lungs.

Shanna said the family is learning more than they need to know about modern medicine.

"There are so many complications that can come up," she said. "The human body is so intricate. This affects the kidneys, and that affects the lungs ... It's amazing."

He did undergo a minor surgery over the weekend to drain a pocket of fluid that was pressing on his left lung and part of his heart.

Doctors can still hear some fluid in his lungs, but Shanna said that procedure has provided some relief.

She also said he's received more blood as well, to help bolster his strength.

When he was admitted to the emergency room, he received so much blood, that Sioux Valley approached the family about seeking volunteer donors with O-positive blood to replenish the supply at the regional blood bank.

This is reportedly routine when any patient requires a substantial blood transfusion.

When the call went out to the First Baptist Church congregation, word also got out to the Luverne community, and more than 100 volunteers have signed up to give blood.

"One of the nurses said to me, 'On behalf of the Sioux Falls Regional Blood Bank, we want to thank you for helping us out.' It is a wonderful thing," Shanna said, "because obviously this is the time of year they run very low on blood."

The Sioux Falls Regional Blood Bank team will be in Luverne on Dec. 27 to accept donations.

Shanna said the family continues to hinge hopes on the tiny steady improvements, and she said her dad is still overwhelmed by all the prayers and support from the community.

"He's getting lots of cards - Christmas cards and get-well cards. People have been so wonderful," she said. "Mom will read a few to him at a time, but he gets choked up, and he'll motion to her that that's enough for now."

As long as he's in intensive care, Shanna said the family has to be careful not to let his blood pressure rise too much, and anything that makes him emotional will do that.

"We're praying he's out of intensive care by Christmas," Shanna said. "The nurse said that's a good goal, but they're not guaranteeing anything."

A fund has been set up locally to help defray medical expenses for Mabe and his family. Donations are being accepted at First Baptist Church, Minnwest Bank, First Farmers and Merchants Bank and First National Bank.

By Sara Quam
The Rock County Board Tuesday passed a 4.77-percent levy increase over last year's budget, with some changes made since the preliminary levy was set at 5 percent.

The total budget for 2001 is about $3.2 million, an increase of $152,825 over the 2000 budget.

Changes in the budget since the preliminary levy was set in September included a denial of additional staff request at Family Services and allowing 1 percent of the levy increase to be set aside for dedicated general fund reserves.

Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said, "We're in need of staff people, and it would benefit the citizens of Rock County. I'd like to see a commitment to hire those staff people."

When children have to be taken out of their homes due to any number of reasons, those costs come from the out-of-home placement budget under the welfare department. In 1999, out-of-home placement costs were nearly $500,000 but will be closer to $420,000 this year.

"You can't predict what's going to happen with out-of-home placements," Bob Jarchow, board chairman, said. The welfare department is the most costly for the county to operate.

Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "I understand the need for additional staff, but in fairness to the county, I think we need to look at the expenditures of the department and see what we can afford."

The board also took into consideration that state and federal election changes may affect the way county welfare departments operate in coming years. Wildung said a "wait and see" approach might be the best option in this case.

County salaries
The board also adopted a new pay plan for union, non-union, salaried and hourly-paid staff. The pay plan reflects a 2.5 percent increase.

Hourly pay ranges from $7.15 an hour to $22.21 an hour. Salaries will range from $1,795 a month to $5,822 a month.

County salaries make up about 75 to 80 percent of the budget. Even so, the board decided it was better to keep good employees, who have proven to be valuable than to try to recruit and train replacements.

Wind power dues
The Energy Task Force is asking for an additional $1,500 from Rock County to go toward wind power lobbying efforts. The board agreed to pay this amount, making the county's total contribution $2,500.

Rock County has just one experimental tower on the ridge west of Hardwick.

Considering that, Commissioner Ron Boyenga said since other counties in the task force have so many more towers, that the fees could be changed to a schedule based on number of windmills.

He argued that of the nine counties in the group, Rock County will benefit least from the lobby efforts immediately.

Commissioner Wendell Erickson said, "I don't doubt that we'll end up with windmills here."

"Energy is something that's always going to be needed," added Commissioner Ken Hoime. With electric deregulation a possibility looming in the future, other sources of that energy may be a wise investment, he said.

Although the board is sanctioning payment of the fee, it isn't committed to pay in future years if it doesnÕt see a need. All other counties had committed to pay well before Rock County Commissioners decided to do the same.