By John Rittenhouse
A free throw by Jody Rentschler with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game gave the Hills-Beaver Creek girls' basketball team a season-opening 33-32 win over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton in Tyler Monday.

Rentschler, a 5-7 sophomore guard, came up with the biggest play of the game during the first varsity contest she played in.

R-T-R, which sported leads at the first three quarter breaks, found itself trailing 32-30 after H-BC outscored the Knights 8-2 in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Knights tied the game at 32 with 1:45 remaining, and H-BC then opted to hold the ball in an attempt for a game-winning shot in the final seconds.

Rentschler came up with an offensive rebound and was fouled in the act of shooting with 2.5 seconds left to play, when she made one of two free throws to give her team the margin of victory.

R-T-R sported 10-9, 20-15 and 28-24 leads at the first three quarter breaks, but the Patriots made seven of nine free throws while outscoring the hosts 9-4 in the final eight minutes of play to pull out their victory.

"Any time you can win a game, no matter how you win it, you're happy as a coach. Our girls played really hard, and they played excellent defense," said Patriot mentor Tom Goehle.

Becky Broesder led H-BC's fourth-quarter charge by scoring five of her team-high 13 points in the period.

Jamie Arp had eight rebounds, Erin Boeve three blocked shots, Shanna Tilstra three steals and Broesder three steals for the Patriots.

H-BC plays in Bigelow tonight and in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Saturday before hosting Pipestone-Jasper Monday.

Box score
C.Tilstra 0 0 0-0 0, Olson 1 0 1-2 3, Sandstede 0 0 1-3 1, Rentschler 1 0 3-4 5, S.Tilstra 1 0 2-2 4, Broesder 4 0 5-7 13, Boeve 1 0 3-6 5, Arp 1 0 0-0 2.

Team statistics
H-BC: nine of 32 field goals (28 percent), 15 of 24 free throws (63 percent), 26 rebounds, 19 turnovers.
R-T-R: 11 of 51 field goals (22 percent), 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent), 35 rebounds, 16 turnovers.

A honor roll
Seventh: Aaron Aristeo, Jason Hup, Jessie Leenderts, Jason Martens, John Sandbulte.

Eighth: Melinda Feucht, Kelly Mulder, Cassi Tilstra, Gregory Van Batavia.

Ninth: Erin Boeve, Jeremy Elbers, Kelley Fransman, Lee Jackson, Amanda Olson, Drew Spykerboer, Trey Van Wyhe.

Tenth: Jesse Leuthold, Jessica Martens, Tyson Metzger, Jody Rentschler.

Eleventh: Miranda Anderson, Rebecca Broesder, Jana Hup, Tonya Leenderts, Brittney Olson, Kevin Van Batavia.

Twelfth: Sarah Alink, Jamie Arp, Lance Crawford, Stacy Elbers, Shanna Tilstra, Christopher Willers.

B honor roll
Seventh: Brianna Boeve, Devin DeBoer, Jarid Hoogendoorn, Jessica Penning, Kari Roozenboom, Ashley Sundem.

Eighth: Robert Baker, Michael Bos, Ashley Bosch, Travis Broesder, Ashley Buck, Justin Hinks, Christopher Nuffer, Brittney Rozeboom, Deidre VandenBussche, Kale Wiertzema.

Ninth: Jessica Arp, Kristin Harsma, Alissa Hoyme, Dylan Klarenbeek, Adam Lange, Lance Larson, Melinda Sandstede, Jordan Scott, Jessica Wassenaar.

Tenth: Dustin Bonnema, Melissa Fagerness, Kelsey Hansel, Clint Roozenboom, Sarah Rozeboom, Kyle Sammons, Dustin Seachris, Angela Sjaarda.

Eleventh: Nicole Bonestroo, Jody DeNoble, Nathan Fick, Trisha Larson, LaDonna Sandstede, David Scott, Justin Van Maanen, Lee Walraven.

Twelfth: Joshua Bosch, Tom Bosch, Rachael DeHaan, Derek Ehde, Chris Fransman, Morgan Lange.

By Lori Ehde
A few tears have been shed in First Baptist Church following the news that Pastor Tom Mabe is leaving Luverne.

"It's best to leave while they still love you," said Mabe, who has led the congregation for more than 10 years. "I'm hoping most of them still love me, because I sure love them."

Mabe has accepted a call to minister in Colony Park Church, Edina, where the congregation has dwindled from 225 members to 85.

"We're looking to help turn it around," he said. "There's lots of potential in the Cities, but it'll be an adventure for us … It's the kind of challenge I like."

He said the Edina church seats 450, so he pointed out that Luverne visitors are assured a good seat if they stop in on a Sunday morning.

Considering Luverne's average attendence swelled from 150 to 260 under his leadership, Mabe said he's forward to the challenge of working with the Colony Park.

"It was a really difficult decision to make for us. The people and the whole town have been wonderful. … It's not just a church we're leaving; it's the town as well. We’ve had good support."

First Baptist Church completed a massive expansion and remodeling project in August.

Mabe has been able to enjoy the new building for a few months, but he said the timing is right for his departure from Luverne.

"With the building project complete, they're really ready for someone new," he said. "I'm hoping the next man that comes in can continue the spiritual growth."

Mabe hasn't always been on track for the ministry; in fact his earlier life was destined for quite a different track.

"When I was 22, I really was at the end of my rope spiritually," he said. "All I knew was I needed to be saved. I walked into a church one day in Des Moines and asked for a pastor... and he led me to the Lord."

After four years of marriage, he said he and Stephenie both changed their lives at the same time.

"I realized there's got be more to life than 60, 70 or 80 years that we live," Mabe said. "Now I see life in terms of our eternal purpose. We're created to know God for eternal life."

He said he's seen God work through him in ways he didn't think were possible. For example, he used to be shy speaking to a small handful of people. Now he preaches to hundreds.

He said working with people has been the most rewarding aspect of his job.

"I really enjoy getting to know people and loving people," he said.

The Mabes came to Luverne in July 1990 after ministering in Colfax, Iowa, for six years.

"We put our resume out and we got the call to come here. We really felt this was the place to be," Mabe said. "Luverne was a great place to raise our children."

Their three children are now grown. Sharif, 30, and her husband, Vince Welch, live in Blair, Neb. They have a 2 1/2-year-old son, Gavin, and are expecting another in January.

Shanna, 26, and her husband, Michael Golden, live in Sioux Falls.

Joshua, 23, is a fifth-grade teacher in Helendale, Calif.

Mabe said of all the places he's lived, he most considers Luverne his home, and it will be hard to leave.

"Your hearts just get knitted together strongly after 10 years. It’s like family. There's been a lot of tears already. It’' been difficult," he said.

"The good thing is we know we’ll spend eternity with the Lord, and those friends are forever, so that helps."

The community is invited to First Baptist Church at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, following the praise and worship service for a pie fellowship in Tom and Stephenie's honor.

Robert and Delwyn Walraven began business west of Hills 30 years ago. Wally's Nursery began with bedding plants and expanded to nursery stock and landscaping. During the Christmas season, they sell Christmas trees.

Wally's Nursery typically orders 250 evergreen trees during the Christmas season. "Some years we sell them all. Some years we are stuck with them," said partner Delwyn Walraven.

The Walravens transport their stock themselves from Maryland, Wis., usually the second week of November. "Usually the week of Thanksgiving people start buying trees, but this year the week before was busy. It was a change of pace," Delwyn said.

He said Christmas trees used to be mostly Scotch pine, then customers switched to white pine. The current trend is the Frasier fir. Trees vary in price for $30 to $60, depending on height.

Wally's Nursery flocks approximately 50 to 60 trees a season. "Either people like them or they don't like them," Delwyn said. He usually flocks trees the traditional white, but has also flocked in pink and blue.

Wally's Nursery also sells wreaths, poinsettias, and roping. The business is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 on Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sunday.

Wilma Knobloch has always enjoyed cooking, and her family has certainly appreciated her efforts. Recently, Wilma's cooking earned her recognition from the country cooking magazine Taste of Home.

Wilma's recipe for Fudgy Fruit Dip is featured in the Good Food That's Good For You section of the January/ February issue of Taste of Home.

Wilma is quoted in the magazine as saying, "This rich chocolaty dip is especially nice at holiday gatherings or served with fresh strawberries."

A Spear, Ill., native, Wilma remembers growing up working in the apple orchards owned by her family. Several of her favorite recipes include apples as an ingredient, according to Wilma.

Wilma learned to cook from her mother and some friends. She also credits several good cookbooks. "Tons of cookbooks," said Wilma's husband, Melvin.

Wilma and Melvin lived on a farm near Steen for 31 years. They raised hogs and butchered chickens. Cooking for five children, Derek, Denton, Julie, Dudley and Dustin, provided lots of opportunities to try new recipes.

Wilma was not aware they were publishing her recipe in Taste of Home. She found out from a friend who received her copy of the magazine in the mail a day earlier than Wilma did.

Wilma submitted six recipes for dips to Taste of Home about three or four years ago. The recipe published was among those recipes.

She has continued to submit periodically to Taste of Home and occasionally to the Farm Journal. Some of her recipes are included in the Lester Cookbook available at the People's State Bank, Lester.

Wilma's all-time favorite recipe is Garden Club Chicken Casserole which is included in this issue of the Crescent.

Her favorite kitchen gadget is the cheese slicer from Pampered Chef.

When asked what his favorite dish is Melvin diplomatically stated, "I like anything she fixes." His particular favorites are chicken noodle soup and apple pie, according to Wilma.

In addition to working at home, Wilma was employed at the Tuff Home for several years, first as a staff nurse, then as director of nursing before moving off the farm to Rock Rapids last year.

Area residents enjoyed a free meal on Saturday at Hills Appreciation Day. Area businesses provided the meal to customers as a show of appreciation for their business throughout the year. Katie Angelo carefully considers what to ask for while she sits on Santa's lap. Katie and her mother, Jeanne, came to visit Santa at the Tuff Home Saturday.

By Lori Ehde
Dolly Talbert and her shepherds will again perform their musical version of the traditional Christmas story.

The Luverne Community Choir, under Talbert's direction, will present Ralph Carmichae's cantata, "’Specially for Shepherds," tonight and Friday.

The 45-minute performances are at 8 p.m. in Grace Lutheran Church.

It's the same production as the 1997 version, but this year she said there's more drama.

"There are some wonderful scenes and some great choreography this year," she said. "It really looks sharp."

Through Talbert's connections with the Al Opland Singers, she enlisted the expertise of Annie Miller, a Pipestone teacher who choreographs dance scenes for the Opland Singers.

"She has done a wonderful job putting a new look to our show," Talbert said.

Nearly 70 people, including singers and technical support, are involved in this year's production. Of those, more than 60 percent are returnees from the 1997 performance.

"We have a good nucleus of returnees, which is why were able to do the choreography," Talbert said. "The music was still in their heads, so we were able to take it a step further this time."

The cantata is about the traditional biblical Christmas story played out by singers and soloists in full biblical costume.

"I have done a lot of cantatas in my day, but I haven't done one that tells the story better than this one," Talbert said.

Even baby Jesus will be played by a live actor. Singer Carrie Overgaard was pregnant when rehearsals started several weeks ago, and she agreed, if the baby was a boy, that he could play the role of Jesus.

She and Chad did have a boy, Nathan, on Nov. 1, and Talbert said he responded well to his role during Monday's rehearsal.

The performance, a benefit for Rock County’s Emergency Food Shelf, is also part of Grace Lutheran Church's 50th anniversary celebration.

"That's why it's at our church," Talbert said. "But we wanted to make sure it's an ecumenical venture."

Even though the performance this year is at Grace, the performers come from all area churches from many communities in the county.

Talbert said her singers come from Beaver Creek, Steen, Magnolia, Hardwick and Kenneth, in addition to Luverne.

During the first production in 1997 at the American Reformed Church, organizers underestimated community interest in the event and the audience spilled out beyond the sanctuary.

This year, those interested in attending could pick up free tickets at the Chamber office to be assured of seating. Those tickets were gone as of Tuesday morning, but people are encouraged to come anyway to take the seats of possible no-shows.

Since the event is a benefit for the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf, admission will be food items or cash donations, which will be taken at the door by Lions Club members.

By Sara Quam
Luverne faces challenges in drawing new businesses to town, but Economic Development Director Tony Chladek hopes those challenges can be met.

Major blocks to new businesses are low unemployment and lack of office spaces, according to Chladek, who presented extensive business and employment research at the Tuesday EDA meeting.

Rock County's unemployment rate is at about 2.4 percent, the lowest in the eight-county southwest Minnesota region.

"I think that's a significant piece of information," Chladek said. "We're just not going to see huge employers coming to our area with the unemployment rate we have."

New businesses in the county are usually small and employ about three to four people to start with.

"A new business that employs 300 people is a homerun, and that just doesn't happen very often," Chladek said.

Chladek brought to the meeting many labor figures divided into employment areas.
Compared to the rest of southwest Minnesota and the state as a whole, Luverne is average or above average in most categories. For example, Rock County has a higher concentration of employees in the finance, insurance and real estate fields.

The state averages well above the county, however, in weekly wages with $643.97, compared to Rock CountyÕs $408.25. The countyÕs weekly wage rate averages to be slightly below southwest Minnesota which averages $424.72.

Growing in greater Minnesota
One thing in southwest Minnesota's favor is the support of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, which has set a goal to help curb urban sprawl in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

It hopes to do that by encouraging new and expanding businesses to take advantage of rural Minnesota's quiet lifestyle, room to grow and good schools and amenities.

If those plans work, businesses will bring a higher population of workers as they relocate to greater Minnesota.

When businesses want to locate in a town such as Luverne, a deterrent can be that there's no available office space. Small technology-based companies often have few workers and just want a small office for their base.

That's where the term incubator building comes in. The term refers to a large building that houses a few to several office spaces. Businesses within the offices can be completely independent or share some facilities and resources.

Cities sometimes develop the buildings and rent out space to new businesses to help them get started - usually with a three-year time limit and increasing lease rates during the business's time there.

Some grants are available and some groups may be interested in sponsoring an incubator building project, which typically cost about $1 million for a new or retrofitted building.

"If we put out the feelers, we can make it happen," Chladek said.

The National Business Incubation Association says 87 percent of businesses who leave the incubator facilities are still in business and that 84 percent stay in the same communities they started in.

EDA looks at service training
The EDA will start offering monthly training for service industry employees. The cost of the project is free to businesses for a trial period and will cost the city about $1,000 after grant assistance.

The monthly seminars will help improve the first impression many travelers get about the city. Luverne Chamber of Commerce Director Dave Smith said it is good for employees, businesses and the community.

The classes will be an option for all Luverne businesses and employees. Smith said the image of service workers and their attitudes when curious travelers stop make a big difference in the success of the community.

Luverne's Jesson Vogt straps on a pair of snowshoes Saturday afternoon in the Blue Mounds State Park. He was one of several people who participated in the park's snowshoe workshop, which culminated with a session on tracking animals in the snow. Park activities continued Sunday with a dedication of the new all-season warming house.