Luverne school to host forum on rave parties
What is a rave party?
The term "rave party" has been around for a long time, but I always associated it with big-city after-bar parties where people of legal drinking age gather to do illegal things.

According to Jan Olson, the rave party is becoming more prevalent in large and small communities alike and involves underage kids, and she thinks you should know more about them.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, Mankato Police Officer Allen Schmidt will conduct a presentation on the rave party and how it is becoming more prevalent in smaller communities.

According to Schmidt, a rave party is "defined as an organized event that is touted as alcohol- and drug-free, but in reality, drugs are the main factor behind the party."

Some things to be discussed include:

music played at the party
clothing worn by the patrons
economics driving the parties
drugs involved
warning signs and ways drugs are being hidden.

Olson encourages any parent, educator, or adult who has a vested interest in children and their health to consider attending.

Spring clean-up and citywide rummage date set
As spring nears, you may want to start cleaning that junk out of your basement, closet or wherever it has collected over the past year or two.

Spring clean-up will start with the branch and tree pickup on April 15-17.

Junk items, wood, metal and plastic should be set out in separate piles for pickup April 22-24

The last pickup will be appliances on April 25.

This year, you must pre-register your appliance with City Hall and pay a $15-per-appliance fee.

Items considered appliances include: dehumidifiers, water heaters, washers and dryers, refrigerators, furnaces, air conditioners, stoves, deep freezers, microwaves, garbage disposals, trash compactors, and heat pumps.

The following week, the Luverne Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its citywide rummage sale.

This year the rummage sale will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Registration fee for the annual event is $10, which pays for advertising the sale, a lawn sign and your inclusion on the published list of participants which will be distributed.

To participate, you must sign up by April 12.

Minnesota closer to having official photo
You will probably be able to add one more item to your list of "Minnesota officials."

On Monday, Rep. Loren Solberg announced that the bill to make the picture "Grace" the official photograph of the state of Minnesota passed the House on a vote of 115 to 11.

The bill will go to Gov. Jesse Ventura for his signature.

Pet obituaries?
Always on the lookout for more readers and more revenue, the Philadelphia Daily News has initiated the publishing of pet obituaries.

Pet owners now have the opportunity to express how much they miss their recently departed companion by memorializing them in a pet obituary.

According to a recent Minnesota Newspaper Assn. Bulletin, the pet obits are selling for $52.08, which include a photo and a few lines of text, in the Philadelphia Daily News.

The notices appear once a month under the heading "A Fond Farewell to our Beloved Pet."

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Jason Douglas Berning, 23, Luverne, formerly of Adrian, died Friday, March 15, 2002, at his home in Luverne.

Services were Tuesday, March 19, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Revs. Gerald Kosse and James Berning officiated. Burial was in St. Adrian Catholic Cemetery.

Jason Berning was born to Doug and Kathy "Willy" (Reese) Berning on April 5, 1978, in Luverne. He graduated from Adrian High School in 1996. He attended Mankato State University in Mankato. He later worked at Sharkee's Sports Bar and presently was working at Herman Motors in Luverne as a financial officer.

Mr. Berning was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. He enjoyed golfing, landscaping and was a handyman.

Survivors include his parents, Doug and Kathy "Willy" Berning, Adrian; one brother, Jeremy Berning, Waite Park, paternal grandparents, Ed and Dolores Berning, Adrian; special friends, Renee, Logan and Tommy Norman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and good friends.

Mr. Berning was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Russell and Eleanor Reese.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Eva Berghorst, 77, Edgerton, died Saturday, March 16, 2002, at Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton. She was the mother of Sam Berghorst of Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, March 20, at First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton.

Dorothy Blom was born to John and Minnie (VandenBosch) Blom near Leota where she was raised and received her education. She was confirmed in faith at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota.

She married Samuel Berghorst on March 7, 1947, at the Bethel Reformed parsonage in Leota. Following their marriage they lived on a farm northeast of Edgerton. Mr. Berghorst died on Oct. 20, 1984. Following his death she moved off the farm and moved to Chandler where she lived until a tornado destroyed her home at which time she moved to Pipestone to live with her daughter, Mina. On Feb. 9, 1996, she moved to Edgebrook Care Center.

She was a member of Chandler Reformed Church in Chandler where she was very active in Ladies Aid as well as her Bible study group before entering Edgebrook Care Center. While living on the farm she was a member of First Reformed Church in Edgerton where she taught Sunday School for 20 years and also was active in Ladies' Aid. She enjoyed her years living in Chandler and could often be found helping her elderly neighbors and friends. She also did a lot of crocheting and making afghans and quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include five children, John (Linda) Berghorst, Randall, Mina Beck, Pipestone, Diana (Dave) Linnemeyer, Sioux Falls, S.D., Samuel Jr. (Barbara) Berghorst, Luverne, and Patricia (Greg) DeCramer, Edgerton; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother. John Blom, Idaho; and one sister, Johanna Pool, California.

Mrs. Berghorst was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two infant grandchildren, one infant great-grandson, and two sisters, Artie Menning and Cornelia VandeBrake.

Hartquist Funeral Home and Colonial Funeral Home, Edgerton, were in charge of arrangements.

Vivian Dorn, 74, died Wednesday, March 20 at Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. Funeral mass will be Saturday, March 23 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne, with Father Andrew Beerman officiating. Interment will be in St. Catherine's Cemetery, Luverne. Visitation will be Friday, March 22 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne.

Ben Dirks, 75, Luverne, died Monday, March 18 at the Luverne Community Hospital. Services will be Friday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Luverne, with Dan Smith officiating. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, March 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home.

James Gerhart Lewis, 77, Jasper, died Friday, March 8, 2002, in his home.

Services were Monday, March 11, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Burial was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jasper.

Jim Lewis was born to John and Johanna (Brennan) Lewis on Oct. 20, 1924, in Adrian. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

He married Evelyn Gilfoy on Aug. 19, 1947, in Lismore. In 1949 they moved to a farm near Jasper where he lived the remainder of his life. He was active in farming until 1957 when he was named office manager of the Rock County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and later as district director for Southwestern Minnesota ASCS. He retired from ASCS in 1987. Following retirement he sold real estate for Frakes Realty in Luverne.

Mr. Lewis was an active citizen in his community throughout his adult life serving on numerous boards, committees and commissions. He served as a Rock County Commissioner from 1990 to 1994. At the time of his death, he was an active member of Prairieland Economic Development Commission, the Rock County Planning and Zoning Committee, St. Joseph Catholic Church Finance Board and served as the clerk of Springwater Township. He was instrumental in lobbying to locate a Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was a Rotarian with the Luverne Chapter, a member of the American Legion and VFW and an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. He took great relish in helping his grandchildren become anglers. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Lewis, Jasper; two sons, James Lewis (partner, Bill Bloedow), St. Paul, Patrick Lewis (partner, Judy Freeman) Hector; two daughters, Connie (Ken) Peterson, St. Paul, and Rita Lewis, Arlington, Va.; three grandchildren, Kelsey and Nicholas, both of St. Paul, and Maria, Arlington; two brothers, Kenneth (Vaughn) Lewis, Worthington, and John (Polly) Lewis, Green Valley, Ariz.; and two sisters, Theresa (Patrick) Whalen, Hartford, S.D., and Margaret (John) Clasen, Hutchinson.

Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by one son, Dan, and one brother, Ted.

Foster-Hartquist Funeral Home, Jasper, was in charge of arrangements.

Norbert Andrew Henning, 77, Adrian, died Friday, March 15, 2002, at Arnold Memorial hospital in Adrian.

Services were Saturday, March 16, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse officiated. Burial was in St. Adrian Catholic Cemetery.

Norbert Henning was born to Charles and Clara (Bullerman) Henning on June 24, 1924, in Larkin Township, Nobles County. He attended rural school in Larkin Township. After his father's death he farmed with his family in Larkin Township and then moved to Olney Township where they continued farming.

He married Carolyn Spartz on Nov. 21, 1949, at St. Columba Catholic Church in Iona. The couple made their home in Adrian. He worked for Jake Forrette Construction and in 1972 he purchased the construction business. He retired in 1986.

Mr. Henning was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian where he was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Joseph Society. He was volunteer of the year at Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in 1996 and Grand Marshal of the Farm and Home Days in 1996. He enjoyed playing computer games.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Henning, Adrian; seven children and their spouses, Jaculin Ahern, Hixson, Tenn., Gary (Eileen) Henning, J. Scot (Kathy) Henning, and Jerry (Rose) Henning, all of Adrian, Eugene (Jean) Henning, Northome, Peggy (Monte) Knips, Houston, Texas, and Kieth (Laura) Henning, Crested Butte, Colo.; 20 grandchildren; and 11 brothers and sisters, Rosalia Woltjer, Alfred Henning, both of Worthington, Mary Ann Reining, Bertha, Virgil Henning, Laverne Henning, Lester Henning, all of Adrian, Franklin Henning, Sioux Falls, S.D., Cecelia Altman, Kenneth, Donna Deutsch and Betty Deutsch, both of Luverne, and Carol Jean Lupkes, Browerville.

Mr. Henning was preceded in death by his parents, three infant sons, one grandson, Corey, and a daughter-in-law, Monica Henning.

A tree will be planted in memory of Norbert Henning by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Services for Ben Dirks are at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne with Dan Smith officiating. Burial is in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at Engebretson Funeral Home in Luverne with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.
Ben A. Dirks, 75, Luverne, died Monday, March 18, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

By John Rittenhouse
Some clutch free-throw shooting by the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots gave them a berth in the semifinals of the South Section 3A Boys' Basketball Tournament Saturday.

Taking on No. 5 Murray County Central in a quarterfinal-round tilt in Worthington, the fourth-seeded Patriots drained five free throws in the game's final 1:20 to secure a 61-56 victory over the Rebels.

The win ups H-BC's record to 15-8 heading into tonight's semifinals in Worthington, where the team takes on top-seeded Southwest Christian at 6 p.m.

SWC, the three-time defending state champions, ousted Adrian 66-44 during another quarterfinal round game played Saturday.

The Eagles and Patriots have met two times during the regular season. SWC won both times, but the game played in Edgerton Feb. 19 was a tight one (59-54).

Saturday's clash against the Rebels also was up for grabs at the end of the game.

The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 46, and the score was knotted at 56 as time was winding down.

Patriot junior guard Darin DeBoer, who had not scored a point in the game, gave the Patriots a 58-56 lead when he drained a pair of free throws.

DeBoer added another free throw after Brad Haak made a pair in the game's final minute to ice a five-point Patriot win.

All things considered, free throws gave the Patriots their victory. H-BC outscored the Rebels 19-6 at the stripe during the game.

The game's first half featured both teams sporting two-point cushions at the quarter breaks.

H-BC played its way to a 15-13 edge during the first eight minutes of play. MCC countered by outscoring the Patriots 22-18 in the third quarter to gain a 35-33 edge at the intermission.

The Patriots tied the game at 46 with a 13-11 scoring cushion in the third quarter before outscoring MCC 15-10 in the final eight minutes of play.

Senior David Top carried the Patriots to victory by scoring a game-high 34 points. Top made 10 of 16 field goals in the game, and he canned both of his attempts from three-point land. Top was 12 of 12 at the charity stripe.

Haak, who scored 12 points and made all five of his field goals in the game, also turned in a solid effort. He had six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Top and Matt Buck led the Patriots with eight rebounds each. Lyle DeBoer contributed four assists to the win.

Box score
D.DeBoer 0 0 3-4 3, Van Maanen 0 0 0-0 0, Haak 5 0 2-5 12, Leuthold 0 0 0-0 0, L.DeBoer 2 0 0-2 4, Van Wyhe 0 0 1-2 1, Top 8 2 12-12 34, Buck 3 0 1-2 7.

Team statistics
H-BC: 20 of 40 field goals (50 percent), 19 of 27 free throws (70 percent), 31 rebounds, 18 turnovers.
MCC: 23 of 50 field goals (46 percent), six of eight free throws (75 percent), 22 rebounds, 18 turnovers.