Mulder calls it quits
Our current representative at the Minnesota State Legislature has decided not to run for re-election.
Richard Mulder, (R-Ivanhoe) has served District 21B for eight years, first elected in 1994.
Mulder cited a desire to spend more time with his family, which has expanded with a number of new grandchildren in recent years.
Arlene Lesewski, our current senator, also announced she would not seek re-election.
With the new district lines in place, neither Mulder nor Lesewski would have represented Rock County if they had chosen to run.
With the new apportionment lines, current House and Senate members that would represent Rock County, if re-elected, would be Rep. Ted Winter, Fulda, and Sen. Jim Vickerman, Tracy.
The new lines for the U.S. House of Representatives moved our current member, Mark Kennedy, out and moved Gil Gutknecht (R-Rochester) in.
Local blood bank changes name
The regional blood bank, formerly known as Sioux Falls Regional Blood Bank, has changed its name.
The organization is now known as "Community Blood Bank."
According to Reid Holsen, director of the blood bank, the new name "reinforces its mission to ensure an adequate and safe blood supply for the communities it serves."
The Community Blood Bank is a shared community resource, providing blood and blood products to more than 25 facilities in eastern South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.
It is the exclusive provider for the Luverne Community Hospital.
The Community Blood Bank will be at Luverne Community Hospital from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11.
The bloodmobile operates on an appointment basis, and the donation process takes about 30 minutes, according to Holsen. Walk-ins are also welcome.
If the name Holsen rings a bell, that might be because he spent his early years in Luverne, when his father, John, was the senior high school principal in Luverne.
Buffalo Days is around the corner
With Buffalo Days only a few days away, all of the plans are in their final stages.
Friday:
The activities will begin Friday, May 31, with a collector Car Cruise-In at the Magnolia Steak House at 6:30 p.m.
Also on Friday will be a 5 and 10 K walk/run, family run and kids walk, with registration for all the events at 6 p.m.
Saturday:
Saturday will start with a Belgian Waffle feed, sponsored by the Red Cross, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
A Buffalo Bike/Run will begin at 8 a.m. with the parade starting at 10 a.m.
Arts in the Park will also begin at 10 a.m., which will include entertainment and the world famous Buffalo Chip Throwing contest at 2 p.m.
Sunday:
SundayÕs events will highlight sky diver demonstrations at the Luverne airport throughout the day.
The open house at Blue Mounds State Park will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will continue until the 1,400 free buffalo burgers are given away.
Contact the Luverne Chamber of Commerce at 283-4061 for more information.
In all, the event is expected to draw approximately 10,000 visitors to Luverne over the three-day period.
The Fair needs your buckets
If you like to plant flowers, why not show them off at the fair?
The Rock County Fair will be again offering their "Buckets of Flowers" in the Open Class Competition at the fair.
If you want to enter, now is the time to get your buckets of flowers planted with either seed or plants.
After the judging, the buckets are set around the fairgrounds to help beautify the area.
If you are interested in participating, you can pick up a bucket at Fodness Realty at 105 E. Main.
Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com