Meetings
DFL of Rock County will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the Rock County Human Services Building on Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne.
UMC hosts free meal April 23
The United Methodist Church will host its free community meal at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, in the church fellowship hall in Luverne. All are welcome. A pickup option is available. Call 507-283-4529.
Al-Anon meets on Wednesdays
An Al-Anon group will meet each Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the library at United Methodist Church in Luverne. Use the back northwest door for entrance.
‘Bunnies, The Musical’ set for April 24
Luverne Elementary students in junior kindergarten and kindergarten will perform “Bunnies, The Musical,” at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the performing arts center. The event is open to the public.
Blue Mounds State Park offers events
Join the naturalist from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, for a two-mile hike along the Mound Creek Trail for Blue Mounds Birding to practice birding skills and learn tips and tricks to identify some common bird species in the park. Dress for the weather including good walking shoes. Bring binoculars if you have them (some will be available to borrow). All ages and experience levels welcome! Meet at the picnic shelter.
Each spring the Blue Mounds bison herd expands as the cows give birth to little red calves. Stop by the naturalist’s table anytime from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, to attend Bison Babies Nature Cart and learn about growing up as a bison and hopefully catch a glimpse of a newborn through the spotting scope. *Bison are wild and unpredictable. Viewing them during the program cannot be guaranteed. Meet behind the park office. If you need an accommodation, please contact park staff at bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6051, two weeks prior to the event.
Hardwick congregation to worship in Jasper during summer
Zion Lutheran Church of Hardwick will undergo a major building facelift this summer. Congregation members will worship at Trinity in Jasper beginning Sunday, April 27. Sunday services are 9:30 a.m.
Zion will be the host congregation and will be led in worship by Pastor Ed Borchardt of Zion Lutheran Church, Hardwick.
Zion's church office will remain open. Call 218-535-0283 for pastoral care or call church office, 507-669-2855.
Nutrition for Seniors May 1
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and
older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will be from 1:30-
2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, as a drive-thru distribution
in the parking lot off Maple Street on the east side of the
Generations Event Center. Pre-registration is required. Call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes to begin May 6
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota will provide a total of six Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes on Tuesday mornings, beginning Tuesday, May 6, through Tuesday, June 10. Each class will be from 9:30-11 a.m. at the A.C.E. of SW Minnesota Rock County office, 105 S. Estey Street, Suite #2 in Luverne. Pre-registration is required. Call program manager Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064.
First Presbyterian Women host Kids Rock for ecumenical coffee
The First Presbyterian Women will host Kids Rock Board President Emily Crabtree to speak on “Investing in Our Children” during the ecumenical coffee at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 7.
The event, which includes refreshments, will be in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church Luverne. RSVP by texting or calling 507-227-1427.
Ride a bus to the
May 24 Twins game
The Lismore Presbyterian Church will sponsor a bus trip to the Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City game on May 24 in Minneapolis.
The Reading Bus Lines bus will depart at 8 a.m. and return around 8 p.m. at the Kum and Go store in Adrian. Game seats are in the Section S Legends Landing. The trip includes all-you-can-eat burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, popcorn, chips and soda.
Cost per passenger is $120 and includes the bus ride, game ticket and food. Call Kraig Rust, 507-920-7290, for reservations.
Another Twins Game trip is planned for July 30.
Apply for a Main Street Veterans Banner project
Applications are accepted now through May 1 on a first come, first served basis for the 2025 Main Street Veterans Banner Project.
Cost is $125 with 85 pole locations available along Luverne Main Street.
One side of the banner has a photo and info of the veteran. The other side reads “Thank You for Your Service.”
Applications are at www.LuverneChamber.com. For more information, call the Luverne Area Chamber at 507-283-4061.
The Main Street Veterans Banner Project is organized by the Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow Design Committee in partnership with the city of Luverne and the Luverne Area Chamber.
Library happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Trivia Night is the first Thursday of each month at Take 16 Brewing Co. in Luverne. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the trivia beginning at 7 p.m.
Winter Storytimes with Bronwyn will be 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 30. Evening story times will be 6 p.m. Thursdays.
Books on Tap book club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month.
Community Ed
Register for the following classes and activities by calling the Community Education office at 507-283-4724 If you have a new class idea to offer, a request for a particular class, or a class you would like to teach, please email Lisa Nath at li.nath@isd2184.net or call 507-283-4724. The community ed brochure is at the school website, www.isd2184.net and then Community Education link.
Luverne school students grades 8 and older may register for our summer session of Student Driver Education. The fee is $365, which includes 30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind the wheel instruction. The summer session begins June 16. Non-Luverne School students may now register for open spots in the summer session.
Taking Defensive Driving classes allows adults 55 years of age and
older to save on insurance premiums. As of July 1, 2024, you are able to take a four-hour class to receive the discount, and then repeat the
class every three years to continue receiving the discount. An eight-hour
class is no longer required for beginners. The schedule for Luverne classes follows:
Four-Hour Classes – May 12, June 9, Aug. 11.
Date Change! Kids in the Kitchen (grades K-6) will make Easter & spring themed treats on April 24. Fee is $26 per child or $43 if you register and pay with a sibling or friend.
Amazing Raku on April 26 is open to all ages, but those in grade three and under must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $10, plus
you will pick out and pay for a pottery bisque piece at the studio for $10-$30 cost.
Expand your knowledge and confidence navigating the digital world at Tech Savvy Survival in 60 Minutes: Essentials for Everyday Life on May 6. This is a virtual class offered through Zoom. Fee is $24.
Master the essential tools offered within Google Suites at Power Up with Google Suites: Essential Tools for Everyday Tasks on May 8. This is a virtual class offered through Zoom. Fee is $25.
Slice of Faith offered last Sunday of each month
All are invited to join in an evening of worship, Bible study and pizza. This will be offered the last Sunday of each month through May at the Luverne Pizza Ranch starting at 4 p.m. Enjoy prayer, sharing God’s word, conversation and a delicious buffet! Cost for the pizza buffet will be each participant’s own expense.
ATLAS to host GriefShare
ATLAS of Rock County is hosting a spring session of GriefShare support groups from 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays through May 26 in the ATLAS community center in Luverne. All are welcome to join as it is discovered what is “normal” in grief. The weekly meetings will feature a 30-minute video, followed by discussion, fellowship, and time to work through the participant guide book. This is free of charge. Call or email Matt with questions, 507-227-2569; mdnath1989@gmail.com
Grief Support Group meets once a month
A grief support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Blue Mound Room at Sanford Luverne Medical Center, 1600 N. Kniss Avenue. There is no fee to attend. Feel free to bring your own refreshments. Contact Ryan Ostgaard with questions, 605-312-5504.
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.
Food Shelf evening hours
The Rock County Food Shelf is open for an additional evening shift from 5 to 6 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month. Call Mary at 507-227-5548 or Katie at 507-227-3531.
