Could a Luverne car be coming back home?
For many years, people have talked about how nice it would be to get an original Luverne Automobile back in town.
That option is now being explored.
According to Dave Smith, Executive Director of the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, a 1915 Luverne Special Speed Roadster has been located in Wisconsin.
The car was built for the Indianapolis 500, but the engine turned out to be too big to qualify, so the car wasn't allowed to race.
Smith said Dick Herman has seen the car, and although it need lots of restoration, the engine, frame and other important aspect of the vehicle are still in good shape.
The skin of the car was made of aluminum sheet metal, and that would have to be replaced.
Smith said he'd like to get a group of people together who are interested in raising the funds it would take to bring the car back to Luverne and restore it.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, at the Luverne Pizza Ranch.
For more information, call Smith at 283-4061
Chamber sets date for 40th annual Hot Dog Night
The 40th annual Hot Dog Night in Luverne has been set for Thursday, July 11.
The event, which started as a customer appreciation night, will provide more than 10,000 hot dogs and 300 gallons of drink.
Grilling will begin at 6 p.m.
The Luverne Lions Club and the Rock County Dairy Association will also have their trailers on hand with some other summertime treats.
Entertainment this year will start at 6:15 with a Tae Kwon Do demonstration followed by the Spotlight Dancers at 7:00 p.m., both located in front of the Luverne Chamber office.
A jumping venue for the kids will be located in front of City Hall, and "Blues on the Rocks" promoters will be on hand to answer questions about the local Sept. 7th event.
The annual 4-H dress revue will be on the front lawn of the Hinkly House and music will be available at the Carnegie Cultural Center.
Schedule set for Blues Festival
The schedule for what is being billed as the first annual "Blues on the Rocks" has been set.
The Sept. 7 event at the Verne Drive-In will begin at 2 p.m. and continue until midnight.
Six bands have been booked for the weekend.
Here is the schedule and a brief description of the performers:
2:00-3:00 p.m.: Root City Band, one of the hottest up-and-coming bands around the Twin Cities. This young band plays funky blues, rock and soul.
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Dave Moore. In 1980 Moore teamed up with songwriter Greg Brown who was gaining a national reputation. He has backed up Brown on recording projects, extensive tours and has made several appearances on Garrison KeillorÕs A Prairie Home Companion. He still records and travels throughout the nation playing his unique style of blues and still appears on KeillorÕs program.
5:00-6:00 p.m.: Rockin' Daddy and the Rough Cuts. R. J. Mischo and Dan Schwalbe first preformed together in 1984 as members of Mojo BufordÕs band. Performing as "Blues Deluxe," the band evolved into one of the top blues acts in the upper Midwest. In May of 1993 they changed their name to Rockin' Daddy and the Rough Cuts and released their CD "Straight Shooter."
6:30-8:00 p.m.: Jake Shakey Newman-Markiss Band. Jake "Shakey" Newman, a 14-year-old harmonica sensation, has been playing to packed house around the state since August of 1999. The past two years Jake has been performing around the Twin cities at local blues jams. "Jake's remarkable harmonicing, combined with his youthful energy and enthusiasm, is leaving audiences shaking their heads in amazement."
8:30-10:00 p.m.: Renee' Austin. Described as passionate, Austin has a six-octive range that makes her hard to compare to anyone. From the time she started singing at age 4, she knew what she would do with her life. Since then she has developed her own unique style of Motown, R&B, Soul, Rock and Pop. Her debut CD, "Dancing with Mr. Blue," has grabbed the attention of the music scene in the Twin Cities along with rave reviews for her voice.
10:30-Midnight: Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings. Known as the Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings since 1993 and the Mellow Fellows prior to that, the group "has been blasting out their own soul-steeped brand of R&B and blues on a nightly basis." With the addition of 6-foot, 5-inch, 370-pound singer Ernie Peniston, the group has once again started recording. Some of their best-known recording in the blues community include "Poor Man's Blues," "Things That Make Me Mad" and "Help Wanted."
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate, which will open at noon.
Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com