7th annual Crop Walk scheduledRock County’s 7th annual Crop Walk has been scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28.The Crop Walk is Rock County’s effort to help raise money to support hunger programs locally, nationally, and internationally.One hundred percent of the money raised goes to support the work of the Church World Hunger Service’s fight against hunger in the world.Of that money, 25 percent will stay in Rock County to help with our local hunger programs, 25 percent will be used to support Minnesota hunger programs, 25 percent will support national hunger programs and the other 25 percent will support international hunger.Registration will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Rock County Highway building on Blue Mound Avenue.Last year 180 Rock County citizens participated in the Crop Walk, raising over $6,000.If you have any questions about the event, contact Del Sanderson or Jane Wildung.Hunger Facts:* 1.3 billion people (20 percent of the world’s population) live in absolute poverty, with incomes less than $1 per day.* 31,000 children under the age of five die each day, more than half from hunger.* 7 million people die from hunger related causes each year.* 3 percent of those deaths are the result of famine.Are you ready to go back in the water?It’s the first weekend of the month, and that means it’s movie time at the Palace.This weekend "Jaws" will be shown to celebrate its 25th anniversary.The movie won three academy awards after it premiered in 1975. It went on to become the fastest-grossing film of all time, surpassing "The Godfather" as well as becoming the first movie to gross more than $100 million. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, moviegoers will be eligible for drawings for a seafood dinner gift certificate from Sharkee’s, Country Kitchen and the Magnolia Steak House after each showing.The movie will be shown Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-7 beginning at 7 p.m. each night.Tri-State to kick off 53rd yearThe Tri-State Band Festival committee is preparing for the 53rd Tri-State Band Festival.Approximately 2000 band students will converge on Luverne. This year’s event will be Saturday, Sept. 27th.Glenda Bremer will serve as this year’s parade marshal, which will host 17 participating bands.The day will start on Luverne’s Main Street at 10 a.m. with the parade competition, followed by field events at the Luverne High School athletic field at 1 p.m.Admittance to the field events requires a Tri-State Band Festival Button, which can be purchased at the gate, or on Main Street, prior to the parade.Citywide rummage sale set for SeptemberIf you have too much stuff around the house, maybe a rummage sale is just what you need.The Luverne Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring another citywide rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20.For a fee of $12, the Chamber will advertise your location in the Luverne Announcer as well as other surrounding newspapers, give you a rummage sale sign and distribute 1500 maps at local convenience stores.Rest areas could stay open until 2004Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who also serves as the state transportation commissioner, has come up with a plan to keep the state’s rest areas open until June of next year.Under Molnau’s plan, Mn/DOT would use $2 million in unspent appropriations from the fiscal year 2002-2003 biennium to supplement rest area funding in 2004.In a recent press release from Molnau’s office, the Lt. Gov. said the plan would give the Pawlenty administration an additional year to explore more efficient ways to operate the state’s rest areas, including privatization, enhanced partnership with local communities and businesses, better management of hours of operation and potential closure where closure makes sense.What does it cost to live in Minnesota?According to Jobs Now Coalition, the annual cost of meeting basic needs for a single person with one child in Minnesota is over $32,500, which is $20,000 over the federal poverty line.For a single person with two children the cost is over $37,000.Less than half, 45 percent, of the workers in the state earn that level of income.In a family of four, both parents have to earn an average of $11.40 per hour.ongrats to Relay for LifeCongratulations to the Relay for Life committee.The totals for their efforts are in and the group raised $57,763.Their initial goal was $35,000.More that 1000 people gathered at the Luverne city park to participated in the June 21-22 event which raises money to fight cancer.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com
