10 years ago (1994)"When it comes to making ends meet, farmers and the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council are teaming up to do just that. And when it comes to getting a job done, farmers and the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry are getting that done, too. Earlier this year, the PIC established a program for those farmers, spouses, young adults over age 18, and other disaster affected persons to earn some extra cash. PIC funded temporary jobs to assist in clean-up, repair and/or reconstruction of disaster damaged public property."25 years ago (1979)"The official announcement that the Hills-Beaver Patriots will join the Big Seven Football Conference was made this week by Patriot Head Coach, Dale Huber. The Big Seven is a 9-man football conference. The Patriots switched from the 11-man football game this year and by doing so dropped out of the Star Conference they have played in for the past several years. The teams involved in the Big Seven conference are Balaton, Cottonwood, Hendricks, Ivanhoe, Morton, Lake Benton and Raymond."50 years ago (1954)"Elsewhere in The Crescent this week will be found an announcement that Dr. John M. Hermanson is going to resume his practice at Valley Springs, after about a year’s absence. Having built up a considerable practice in this area, his many friends will be happy to hear this news."75 years ago (1929)"Neighboring exchanges are commenting on the big lot of solicitors, agents, beggars, etc., who are infesting their towns. Same can be said for Hills. Naturally, as long as people keep on handing out money to beggars, just so long will they steer clear of everything that looks like work. In the case of an old man, it’s different, but the healthy and strong can find plenty of work on farms if they try."100 years ago (1904)"Monday will be Hallowe’en and we would advise our citizens to snugly stow away all loose property about their premises, load the family blunderbuss with a generous supply of crushed rock salt and keep it trained all night in the direction of the backyard. The grown-up Hallowe’en imps have become bolder each year, and a few shot-gun compliments would not come amiss from long-suffering property-holders. Next year this place will in all probability be incorporated and the village marshal will be instructed to invite a little party of deputies to stay up all night with the imps, and see that the topography of the town remains unchanged."