Thank goodness we’ve been receiving plenty of rain. With drier conditions, it would have been only a matter of time before someone would bring up the idea of having naked rain dancers. In March, Reuters news services reported, "Hundreds of Australian women danced naked at a secluded location amid drought-ravaged farmland in a ritual intended to bring rain." The dancers weren’t actually identified. We can only presume they were wives and daughters of farmers, and possibly sympathetic women from the community, willing to boogie for a good cause. "The dance was held alongside regional family day activities," continued the article, "with the women taken by buses to a secret location to complete the dance either naked or partially clothed, in sarongs." One organizer for the dance, who expected rain to fall within a week, noted, "It has been a great day for community connectedness and positive mental health for people in drought-affected areas." A great day, of course, if you’re not an easily embarrassed teenager who is reluctant to even accompany a mother to the grocery store out of fear she might sing along with the store’s Muzak system. It might be difficult to accept the mental picture of a mother baring it all in broad daylight. Community connectedness involving nudity might not be a top priority in other parts of the world where law enforcement officers are trained to recognize indecent exposure for what it really is. The ritual might have been a good idea for some dress store owner who, instead of receiving one case of non-returnable sarongs in a spring shipment, had to sign for one shipload of the garments. That’s a bad situation when few women can remember or care to resemble movie actress Dorothy Lamour, who often wore sarongs. Naked rain dancing might not be well-received in many of our own communities, where community connectedness is normally associated with church and school activities — bazaars, bingo games, fund-raising bake sales and potluck suppers. The rain dances might have been good news for bus drivers with wide-angle and close-up camera lenses and a market for grainy photos of dancing nymphs with stretch marks and other imperfections. After all, regular women were dancing, not Las Vegas showgirls. In our country, we have historically battled droughts with no-nonsense praying, salting clouds and hiring rainmakers. On extreme occasions, when we really can use some rain, we hang out laundry to dry, wash our cars, reserve tee times at a golf course, plan an outdoor wedding or clean every window in sight. All of those activities are guaranteed to produce torrential downpours. The Australian rain dances might have brightened the lives of the farmers worried about their crops. Perhaps the idea of their wives dancing around in their birthday suits and howling at the hot noonday sun was enough to make them temporarily forget their troubles and anxieties. In addition, there was always the possibility it might rain.

If you are a drinker of alcohol and have no control, by that I mean you can’t stop at two or three drinks, for God’s sake quit drinking before it’s too late.Drinking problems are not just for the blue collar man — there are many professionals (doctors, geologists, laboratory technicians, etc.) David Hauge, when you were interviewed the other day by Sioux Falls TV you were too passive on the topic of bars open later. You should have socked it to them. All people think about is making more money regardless of the consequences. I look back 20 or 30 years ago of all the unfortunate victims of drunk driving. One more hour of drinking can make a big difference. I should know, I’m an alcoholic. I drank very heavily for 20 years and regret every one of them. When you drink too much and can’t stop, wake up with the shakes, can’t get out of bed without drinking at least three drinks, you are on the way to a living hell. When drinking too much, you aren’t yourself. You do things you would not ever do sober. I know, that happened to me and many others. Alcoholic husbands are the worst, second to drinking drivers. I can think of many wonderful people just in Rock County who ruined their lives or killed others or themselves — and such young, sweet people. I thank God every day for keeping me alive. I was beat up so badly I ended up losing a breast, losing my self esteem and my children for five years. But God had other plans. Over the years of sobriety I have been able to help others quit, and they are so happy now.I have done some speaking and made people laugh and even changed their life style. I want to share this with everyone. Years ago detectives could scare you to death, threatening to send you to women’s prison for things you didn’t do. I am 70 years old now and it’s about time I shared my heartbreak with you.What really hurts is that some people still put me down. Go ahead, I know I have God in my heart and I have always been there for others when they needed me.I really got my life together when God brought true Christian friends to me — and nondrinkers.It’s never too late to quit drinking. It’s a beautiful world out there. Live life and enjoy it. Take time to smell the roses. And the greatest thing is being able to help others. Have you ever seen anybody who was just killed? You think of that the next time you want to go out and want to party until 2 a.m. You will discover the only true friends are nondrinkers. Pat Gehrke HartLuverne

The city of Luverne pays an Economic Development Director thousands of dollars a year to try and promote growth in Luverne, by giving thousands of dollars to individuals who supposedly don’t have enough money to start their own business.On the other hand, Rock County seems to want to discourage growth. When the Chairman of the County Planning and Zoning Board said he doesn’t like to see housing developments, one mile outside the city limits of Luverne, that is not a good omen. I have been to the Land Management Office four different times, in September, December, February and May, for information on a lot we wanted to build on. Not until the fourth time, did they inform me that it did not meet code. Supposedly, all lots where you want to build a house must have 200 feet of public road frontage in a non-subdivided area. It doesn’t matter that we bought this lot more than 20 years ago! If you are trying to sell or rebuild on an existing acreage without the "correct" amount of frontage, can it really be legally sold or rebuilt on? Does the front of the house have to face the road frontage? Why does the county care how much frontage a building site has? Aren’t there other landowners affected by this law?There are many building sites in Rock County overlooking the beautiful Rock River Valley. Many of these sites are on marginal land which has poorer productive capabilities. Some land is close to a 1/2 mile from a public roadway, because of the river. Why should a person have to buy 200 feet of land all the way to the road just to meet the "interpreted" zoning requirement? On a 1/2 mile distance, this would be an additional 12 acres. As long as a person has an easement access to their parcel, why not encourage building? Are county officials concerned our tax base is too high?Our county should develop the lower flood plain lands of the River Valley for recreational use and work with people to build on higher sites above the valley. More needs to be done to encourage development in Rock County instead of chasing people across the border to South Dakota. If the county would put a copy of the zoning laws in our county library maybe residents could find out for themselves what the code says. Would that be asking too much? Can the codes be revised to be more accommodating to builders?After all the problems with the previous Land Management Director, apparently the current employees feel they need to dot ever "i" and cross every "t." These strict interpretations of the zoning laws are just discouraging growth in Rock County. Gene AshbyRural Luverne

By Lori EhdeTwo more suspects among the six arrested around Thanksgiving last year were sentenced in Rock County District Court.Luverne’s Tony Tyler Tate, 35, was sentenced Monday to 4 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty on April 24 to second-degree controlled substance crime.His conviction stems from his role in selling a total of 13.6 grams of meth on four separate dates in October. Those transactions were caught on videotape by undercover officers.Tate was one of four others arrested just before Thanksgiving when a two-month investigation involving the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension wrapped up.According to the sentence order filed Monday, Tate must also make restitution in the amount of $1,200, pay a $50 fine and submit a DNA sample for testing.He is currently in custody at the St. Cloud State Penitentiary.Also sentenced in connection with those arrests is Luverne’s Dustin James Kruger, 19. He appeared in Rock County District Court on May 5 for a combined plea and sentence hearing.He was convicted of fourth-degree aiding and abetting a controlled substance crime for driving Gregory Stratton to and from what he knew to be a drug deal.Judge Timothy Connell ordered Kruger to serve 180 days in jail, with credit given for the time he’s served since his arrest.Kruger had at one time posted bail, but reportedly violated the terms of his release by using drugs, and was sent back to jail. He is currently in custody of the Nobles County Jail, Worthington.Kruger was also ordered to pay a fine of $2,038 and was placed on probation for seven years. His sentence order stipulates that he must complete outpatient chemical dependency treatment, submit a DNA sample and abstain from drugs and alcohol .Prosecuting Attorney Terry Vajgrt said some might argue Kruger’s sentence was too severe, considering his lesser role in the drug sales, but he said the punishment fits the crime. "It’s intended to be stiff," Vajgrt said. "One of the goals there was to deter others from getting involved in the sale of that drug."He said Kruger’s role was fairly minor in driving the car, but he had knowledge of the sale. "People need to know you cannot be involved in any way with the sale of a controlled substance," Vajgrt said.Tate and Kruger were arrested last November along with 18-year-old Gregory Stratton, 40-year-old Gregory Lynn Wade, 48-year-old Oliver Crawford and 18-year-old Noi Chitmany.Wade was sentenced April 28 to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree controlled substance crime.Stratton was sentenced April 15 to serve nearly five years in prison after he was convicted for second-degree controlled substance crime.Chitmany, who was 17 when she was arrested, was sentenced April 7 through the "extended juvenile jurisdiction." If she completes her juvenile sentence and doesn’t violate any probation orders, she will have satisfied the conditions of her sentence. If she doesn’t, she will be treated as an adult and ordered to serve 48 months in prison.Crawford’s trial is set for July 30 and 31. He is already in prison serving time for his role in the Dec. 21, 2001, Harvey’s Trading Post burglary.Vajgrt said the County Attorney’s Office hasn’t prosecuted as many meth-related offenses since the Thanksgiving arrests last year."I do think law enforcement has done a good job," Vajgrt said. "We obviously need to keep working at it, but I think they’ve put a significant dent in the drug traffic here."

By Sara StrongSince the "Conceal and Carry" law, or the Minnesota Personal Protection Act, took effect May 29, people have been trying to absorb the details.The law made getting concealed weapons permits less difficult, taking much of the discretion from sheriffs, who issue permits.There are different rules within the "Conceal and Carry" law for different circumstances, which will make getting used to the new law a little tricky.The fine printBusinesses can request that guns not be brought into a "private establishment," but it’s unclear whether public areas have the same right. Rock County intends to post its buildings anyway.Before the bill passed, the League of Minnesota Cities attempted, but failed, to amend the bill to specifically allow public facilities, such as city halls, parks, and recreation centers, to prohibit concealed weapons on the premises.Churches are a "private establishment" in the same way as businesses, so they also have to prominently post a conspicuous sign saying that guns are banned from the premises. In addition to the sign, the owner or a representative must personally inform people of the posted request and demand compliance.Before the law was passed, more than 300 organizations, including city councils, police associations and churches opposed the legislation, arguing that the new law would put an estimated 90,000 additional concealed weapons onto the streets. Currently, fewer than 12,000 people have concealed weapons permits. Supporters of the legislation were the National Rifle Association, Concealed Carry Reform Now and the Republican Party of Minnesota.Boundaries of the lawSheriffs are bound to issue handgun permits to applicants without felony convictions. Before this law, sheriffs could consider personal history outside of felonies — a number of high misdemeanors or unstable mental health, for example, could cause a sheriff to not grant a permit.Rock County Sheriff Mike Winkels will issue the permits, and he expects that number to be near 200, the same amount of people currently issued handgun permits.Once an application for a concealed gun permit is completed, sheriffs have up to 30 days to check an applicant’s background and another five days to actually issue a permit.In Rock County, no permit applications have been filed. Sheriff Mike Winkels said that is probably because potential applicants haven’t gotten a chance to complete required training yet.Once finalized, the permit information is not public information in Minnesota, meaning that the Sheriff’s Office can’t release who has gun permits. Handgun permits and concealed weapon permits are not a matter of public record and haven’t been for about 10 years in this state. South Dakota gun permits are open files, however.Breaking the lawoIt is a gross misdemeanor for a person to carry a pistol in a public place without a permit.oIt is a petty misdemeanor for a person authorized to carry a gun to not have the permit card in immediate possession. (The charge will be dismissed if the person demonstrates later that the person was authorized to carry the handgun.)oIt is a misdemeanor for a permit holder to fail to notify the issuing sheriff of a change of address or a lost or destroyed card.oIt is a misdemeanor for a person with a permit to carry or possess a firearm on school property. It is also a felony for a person without a permit to carry or possess a firearm while knowingly on school property.oIt is a petty misdemeanor to remain at a private establishment that has banned weapons. The owner may not ban guns in a parking facility or parking area, so people have a place to store their guns while they’re in a business.oThis law establishes a new set of crimes known as "carrying while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance." It is a misdemeanor for a person to carry a pistol in a public place when the person’s alcohol concentration is less than 0.10, but more than 0.04.Most violations will not result in a forfeiture of the person’s gun.

By Sara StrongLocal bartenders may not have to wave goodbye to customers anymore, as they leave for last calls in South Dakota and Iowa.In July, state law allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. instead of the previous 1 a.m. closing. South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin have allowed the 2 a.m. closing time for years, prompting Minnesota’s change.Depending on the location, it’s up to cities or counties to approve the change. In Rock County’s case, the ordinance doesn’t need changing because it was already unspecific about closing times.Businesses that want to stay open until 2 a.m. must file for a separate permit from the state, almost like a liquor license. The fees for that permit range from about $200 to $600. Businesses will be charged on a sliding fee based on earnings from alcohol.Staying open until 2 a.m.?oKJ’s, Hardwick, probably notoGreen Lantern, Hardwick, unsureoHowling Dog, Luverne, yesoEagles, Luverne, unsureoSharkee’s, Luverne, probably weekendsoMagnolia Steakhouse, Luverne, as needed if busyoKenneth Bar, unsureoKelly’s Roadhouse, Hills, nooBeaver Bar, Beaver Creek, probably notoDriver’s, Beaver Creek, unsureoLuverne Country Club, rural Rock County, as neededoRock County Sportsman’s Club, rural Rock County, unavailable for comment

Bollinger heads for retirement, sells practiceAfter 34 years in the Luverne dental community, Bill Bollinger announced this week that he would be retiring.In a letter, Bollinger thanked his patients for their loyalty and said "I am eager at this time in my life to spend more time with my family, particularly my 5 grandchildren."Bollinger also took this opportunity to announce the sale of his practice to Dr. Mark Bierma.Bierma, a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in May of this year, grew up in New Brighton, Minn.Mark’s wife, Aleta, is a pediatric nurse, and they have an infant daughter, Katelyn.The Bierma’s recently purchased a home in Luverne and started moving in last week.The first day on the job for Luverne’s newest dentist will be July 14.Bridge work closes overpass at MagnoliaA three-bridge project will close the I-90 overpass near Magnolia.The bridge over I-90 at the Magnolia exit, County Road 3, is expected to be closed until late July.The bridges are to be milled and overlaid, along with some guardrail improvements.Nobles County Highways 19 and 9 are the other two bridges affected.The detour for Rock County Road 3 will be the township road east of Magnolia.Progressive Contractors of St. Michaels was awarded the project with a bid of $350,619.Will Rock County bars stay open until 2 a.m.?Under legislation passed in the Minnesota Legislature, Rock County bars, as well as the rest of the state bars, will now be able to stay open until 2 a.m. if they choose, and if the cities allow them.The additional hour will cost the bars an additional fee. For bars with annual alcohol sales of less than $100,000, the yearly fee is $500. If annual sales are in excess of $100,000, the fee is $600.Bottle clubs, or 3.2 taverns that gross less than $100,000 will pay $200, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.The fee is scheduled to expire on July 1, 2005.The additional hours of bar time is estimated to bring in an additional $11 million in sales taxes along with the estimated $2.5 million from the licensing fees.Governor Pawlenty had opposed the expanded bar hours as a legislator, but agreed to sign the bill if it included using the fees for an additional 50 state troopers.The new troopers are likely to be laid-off city police officers according to State Patrol Chief Anne Beers.Of the 535 uniformed officers, 421 are assigned to patrol highways, down from 450 twenty years ago.Once the new troopers are on the job, patrolling hours will be extended to 3 a.m.Minnesota currently ranks 47th in the nation in per-capita trooper coverage.None of the additional troopers will be assigned to the metro area.Who’s going to stay open later?Statewide about two-thirds of the state’s bars are expected to opt for the new hours, including nearly all of the largest 2000.Along with the additional fees the bars will pay, the federal government will also kick in $1 million a year toward additional liquor control.The driving force behind the additional hours came from lobbying efforts of the Minnesota Hospitality Association, a group that represents bars, restaurants etc.The group had been trying to expand liquor hours for the past several years.It was the hospitality groups’ contention that the earlier closing hours (1 a.m.) was a hindrance in getting national associations to hold their conventions in Minneapolis and St. Paul.Closing time for bars in Minnesota has been 1 a.m. since 1949.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Jolene FarleyBethlehem Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School begins next week and the organizers of the event have many fun things planned for those attending.In keeping with the Son Harvest County Fair theme, homemade bread baking, pie making and ice cream making demonstrations will be given.The whole week will "kind of bring back the old-time, old-fashioned county fair and also teach them patience, kindness, peace, love and joy," according to Co-director Glenda McGaffee.Each day is dedicated to a different mini-theme (patience, kindness, peace, love, and joy) pertaining to the broader theme "Growing the Fruit of the Spirit." Co-director Deb Bowman has crafts, garden boxes, terrariums, animal keepers (made with garden gloves and cans) and other crafts planned for the kids. Students are asked to bring a white T-shirt to the sessions. The logo from the Bible school will be ironed on the shirts as a keepsake for the kids. Henrietta the Chicken is the mascot for the week, and students will learn the Chicken Dance. "You’ve got the little kids," said McGaffee. "They’ll like that." The themes and activities are planned to make learning about the Bible fun for participants. "I hope they enjoy it," McGaffee said. "Plus learn the fruits of the spirit. It will be a fun learning experience."As the grand finale, the children will perform a Grandstand Revue, including skits and music, at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Tuff Memorial Home and at 10 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Five sessions, open for 3-year-olds to sixth-graders, are offered from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday, June 9, through Friday, June 13. Parents can still pre-register their children by calling McGaffee at 962-3697 or Deb Bowman at 962-3794. Everyone is welcome.

By Lori EhdeAngela Van Holland, DVM, joins the long-standing list of veterinarians at Rock Veterinary Clinic.Originally from rural Trent, S.D., Van Holland completed her undergraduate studies at South Dakota State University, Brookings, and earned her doctorate of veterinary medicine May 10 from Iowa State University, Ames."I’m excited to be in the community, meeting people and becoming involved in animal health care — in both large and small animal medicine," Van Holland said.She said she was attracted to the Luverne clinic for a number of reasons. "I’m interested in mixed animal medicine, and it’s relatively close to home," she said.She lives in Garretson with her husband, Travis Van Holland, who works with Ted Berghorst of Ted’s Equipment Installation, Beaver Creek.Like most veterinarians, Van Holland said she got into animal science because she enjoys animals, but she had other inspirations as well."Our local vet (the late Jim Swenson, Jasper) sparked my interest," she said "He was always very kind and willing to explain things."Rock Veterinary Clinic has had a contract with the Sioux Falls Livestock Auction since last summer, so Dr. Gordon Hamann said the clinic needed to hire."It takes one vet full-time over there now, so we just need more help," he said.Van Holland joins Hamann, Dr. John Bowron, Dr. David Iverson, and Dr. Kay Burkhart at Rock Veterinary Clinic, located south of Luverne on Highway 75.Hamann and Bowron have been with the practice for 36 and 32 years, respectively. Iverson and Burkhart both came on board in 1979.Van Holland said it’s a bit intimidating to work among so many seasoned veterinarians, but Hamann said it’s nice to have "new blood" in the practice."She’s just got a great personality and attitude," he said. "We are looking forward to the months and years ahead with her in our practice."