Dad and I hold our forks in mid air, staring into space the way people do when they sample food.
We’re trying to figure out Mom’s potato salad recipe.
Potato salad was Mom’s premier dish. Her barbecued chicken was good, and so was her apple crisp, but nothing compared to the potato salad.
It was the German version – heavy on the mustard and onions. She used Miracle Whip, not mayo. A little salt – but not too much. (You can always add more later.)
No sugar.
She didn’t use fancy things like chopped celery or relish. The potatoes were always just a tiny bit undercooked. (Or they turn to mush when you mix it all up.)
The hard-boiled eggs were dropped into ice water to make them peel more easily. (And never use fresh eggs.)
Mom’s batches of potato salad were large. Really large. There was always enough for 20 people and leftovers. (It’s better the second day.)
And so, Dad and I carry on the potato salad experiments.
The first attempt was a dismal failure because I used mayo and not enough mustard and onion.
Dad added an entire onion and said it was getting closer.
The second attempt began with a trip to the grocery store for Miracle Whip. I’m not sure I’ve ever bought it before.
I searched for “German potato salad recipes” and found a few that used a lot of mustard and onion. (Like they are supposed to.)
One called for apple cider vinegar which I’m not sure Mom ever used. (You don’t need it if you add enough mustard.)
One said the onions were optional. (That’s what you think.)
I settled on a recipe that seemed most similar to Mom’s and followed the instructions to a T.
(Oh for Pete's sake, just add things until it tastes right.)
I used homegrown potatoes and onions, half a dozen hard-boiled eggs, Miracle Whip and enough mustard to make it bright yellow.
We sample.
It’s better.
The fresh onions are delicious. The potatoes are cooked just right. The Miracle Whip helped.
But, again, we stare into space and think … something is still missing.

I have been on a journey to lose weight over the course of two years dating back to September of 2021.

On Saturday my family and our Verne Drive-In family of workers hosted the first annual “Carson’s Cause Car & Truck Meet” to raise awareness about brain health and suicide prevention.
It was a chance to remember Carson Ehde who died last fall from suicide at age 21. And it was a chance to raise money for the foundation we started in his memory.
I poured my whole heart into this event — because I loved Carson and because I know how much he loved his 1997 Chevy Silverado.
We had dated for two years, and I spent hours with him while he detailed every inch of his truck and talked about the next big thing he’d do to make it more special.
Today, his family keeps it parked in the shop under a blanket, but we take it out for special occasions to remember Carson and to promote Carson’s Cause.
Saturday’s car and truck meet at the drive-in was the perfect occasion to do that.
I wanted the event to be big, and I wanted it to be meaningful. So, the work started months in advance to promote it and to involve the right people.
Social media channels drew in the younger crowd, and printed flyers were posted around town and in every auto parts store in Sioux Falls to reach an older crowd with the classic cars.
Next, I reached out to the news outlets in Sioux Falls to see if they’d do a story before the meet. There was no promotional coverage, but to my surprise, Dakota News Now came to the meet.
Photojournalist Sam Tastad captured images of the event and he spent time interviewing us about Carson, his truck and brain health and our mission.
An hour later he left to work on the story, and we were left hoping our message came across right.
When the segment aired Sunday night, we exhaled. The story was amazing, and we were grateful to have Carson’s Cause shared with a larger audience.
As we look back on the night, we realize how grateful we are for all the volunteers and support we received.
Professional Ag Marketing donated hamburger patties for Uncle Mike to grill, Linda DeSplinter from Green Lantern volunteered her talents at the fryers, and we had donated prizes from Wayne’s Body Shop, Get Money Golf, Luverne Livestock Auction, Custom Offsets and Henry’s Window Tinting.
At the end of the night, we raised over $20,000 for Carson’s Cause, and donations are still coming in.
These funds join all the other generous donations that have poured in since we started the fund last fall. The money will help us continue reaching children at Luverne Elementary School and expand into other schools.
Losing Carson was heartbreaking, but we hope the tragedy can result in something good.
Thank you, everyone, who joined us at the drive-in Saturday night and supported Carson’s Cause.
With your help and with every dollar donated, we’re changing how we talk about brain health, and we hope to prevent others from losing hope and taking their lives.

Dispatch report
July 21
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 18, Magnolia exit, reported a transient.
•Complainant on N. East Park Street reported weapons.
•Complainant on County Road 5 and 110th Avenue reported a driving complaint.
July 22
•A weather reported was issued.
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75 reported trespassing.
July 23
•Complainant on E. Dodge Street reported weapons.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported road and drive laws.
•Complainant on 100th Avenue, Hardwick, reported trespassing.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne, requested roadside assistance.
July 24
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported theft.
•Complainant north-bound on Highway 75 from the Iowa border requested assistance from another department.
•Complainant on S. Central Avenue, Hills, reported a missing person.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested extra patrol.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported drunkenness.
July 25
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street reported theft.
•Complainant on S. Estey Street reported a disorderly.
•Complainant reported training in session.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported debris.
July 26
•A weather alert was issued.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported a fire.
•Complainant south-bound on Highway 23, mile marker 10, Jasper, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on McKenzie and Warren streets reported suspicious activity.
•Extra patrol was requested at the fairgrounds.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported lost property.
July 27
•Complainant on S. Estey Street reported disturbing the peace.
•Extra patrol was requested at the fairgrounds.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Street reported a fire.
•Extra patrol was requested at the fairgrounds.
July 28
•Complainant at Verne Drive-In requested an unlock.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on W. Koehn reported an accident to property damage.
 
In addition, officers responded to 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 deer accident, 1 transport, 1 escort, 12 ambulance runs, 6 parking violations, 2 paper services, 5 animal complaints, 4 burn permits, 1 alarm, 2 purchase and carry, 3 purchase and carry permits, 4 stalled vehicles, 52 traffic stops, 6 abandoned 911 calls, 2 tests, 2 welfare checks, 2 reports of cattle out and 1 OFP.

Card showers
Mary Lutmer will celebrate her 90th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 10. Greetings may be sent to Minnesota Veterans Home – Luverne, Attn: Mary Lutmer, 1300 N. Kniss Ave., PO Box 539, Luverne, MN 56156.

LSS meals at Generations
 
Monday, Aug. 7: Salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, dinner roll, fresh orange.
Tuesday, Aug. 8:
Taco salad with salsa and sour cream, corn, fresh apple, dessert.
Wednesday, Aug. 9: Baked chicken, baked potato with sour cream, peas, bread, dessert.
Thursday, Aug. 10: Chicken salad sandwich, cucumbers, fruit.
Friday, Aug. 11: Kielbasa, scalloped potatoes, carrots, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by McClure Electric.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Pam Franken at 283-9846, extension 11 to reserve one day prior, to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

Walgrave earns master’s degree
Michael Walgrave, Luverne, graduated following the Fall 2022 semester from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin, with a Master of Science in Sustainable Management.
 
Baustian receives doctorate at U of W Madison

Tanner Baustian, Luverne, earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Spring 2023 semester commencement at the University of Wisconsin Madison.  

10 years ago (2013)
•Luverne salon owner Diane Elbers is moving Hair Ltd. From 101 South McKenzie Street to 111 West Main (the tiny building with the “Vineyard Growth Associates” sign just west of the Manitou Hotel building).
Elbers said that one of the best parts of moving the business is “that sign will finally come down. It hasn’t been Vineyard for years and years.”
Elbers said the move from a larger space to a smaller one will help give her clients a more relaxing salon experience.
“I’ve wanted a smaller, more intimate setting so we decided, rather than go bigger with more chairs, we’d go bigger with more service.”
 
25 years ago (1998)
•The intersection of East Maple Street and South Cedar Avenue will take on a new appearance this summer. Gary Papik plans to demolish the old Schoon/Papik Motors building later this month.
The buildings have been vacant since 1996 when Papik Motors moved to a new facility on I-90.
Papik said the buildings have been for sale since they were vacated, but that with costly repairs or demolition needed, few buyers have shown interest.
“I’ve got some parts of the building with the roof caved in. I can’t do anything with the building. I’ll have more options with bare land. It seems that is what people are looking for when they come to town.”
Economic Development Director Tony Chladek inspected the building and consulted with commercial contractor Curt Valnes and Luverne Building Inspector Joe Kauth.
In a memo, Chladek wrote, “Both buildings are clearly substandard and economically unsalvageable.”
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Don Suprenant, owner of Myhre’s Studio, has been using cameras for many years.
And during those years, he’s sold a lot of them … different makes, different sizes, and for different purposes.
But, he says, he’s never been as excited about a new innovation in picture taking as he is in the new Polaroid SX-70, unless it was the original Polaroid, the first instant picture camera when it was introduced a number of years ago.
“I read about the SX-70, when it was first introduced,” Don said, “and I figured it must be something with advantages that you don’t get in other cameras. Now that I’ve seen it, I can only say it’s almost unbelievable what it can do.”
 
75 years ago (1948)
•Rock county’s 1948 free fair is going to have entertainment that is different, according to Secretary George Golla.
A thrill show, and two nights of midget auto racing are scheduled as entertainment for the grandstand spectators the three nights of the fair.
The nationally famous “Death Drivers” will present a thrill-packed performance on the night of August 31. They will “jump” cars over trucks, drive through flaming walls, and have a number of other chilling acts, featuring both cars and motorcycles.
Midget auto racing, featuring some of the Upper Midwest’s best cars and drivers, will headline the programs on the evenings of September 1 and 2. “We’ve booked a good racing program for these two nights,” Golla said, “and racing fans both young and old will have the time of their lives on these two nights.”
 
100 years ago (1923)
•A new athletic organization for Luverne, to be known as the Luverne Horseshoe Club, was organized at a meeting held Monday evening at I.O.O.F. hall. Ray Geerdes was elected president of the club; John Lamm, vice president; D.W. Campbell, secretary; James McKeon, treasurer.
Three courts have been installed in the back of the McGrath building on the south side of Main street, and this has been electrically lighted and otherwise fitted out in excellent condition for playing. At least two more courts, it is expected, will be put in during the summer.
 

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older.
The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Nov. 25, 1943.
         Perhaps one of Luverne’s best known residents is Frank H. Fritz, retired plumber, whose experiences if listed in chronological order and in detail would fill a good size book, and would be as interesting, perhaps, as any biography of a mid-westerner ever written.
         Mr. Fritz has virtually been on “his own” since he was seven years old. One of a family of 17 children, he left home to live with his grandparents, after his grandfather had promised to give him a pony.
         “Grandfather was in favor of union hours,” Mr. Fritz said, “only his viewpoint was somewhat different from those of this day and age. He believed in an eight-hour day, alright; eight hours in the forenoon and eight hours into the afternoon.
         “As a matter of fact,” he added jokingly, “sometimes when we got up in the morning, we’d meet ourselves just coming to bed.”
Born in Wisconsin
         Mr. Fritz was born in Durand, Wisconsin, October 22, 1868, the son of Jacob and Caroline Fritz. His father, a cabinet maker by trade, had taken up a homestead in Wisconsin in 1858. He had served seven years as an apprentice cabinet maker in France before coming to this country, and had also served three years with the German army during the Franco-Prussian war.
         After Mr. Fritz went to live his grandfather, he helped on the latter’s farm until 1882. As a boy, he bound grain side by side with a man on one of the old reapers which had just come into being. He earned the first money he could call his own, however, by picking up lumber along the river and selling it to the local lumber dealer. He explained that a sawmill was located up the stream from Durand, and the finished lumber was floated down on rafts. Occasionally, lumber would fall into the water and float onto sand bars, and it was this that he picked up and sold. He collected $8 worth one Sunday, he recalls.
         Another way he earned money was by taking fishermen out at night to spear fish. At this job, he earned as high as $1.50 per night.
         Speaking of fish spearing, he related that he can also take credit as being a professional fisherman. He speared various kinds of fish in the Chippewa river, and these sold to the meat markets for two cents a pound. The dealers retailed the fish for four cents a pound, he said.
Learned Tinner’s Trade
         In 1882, he hired out to a man in Durrand to learn the tinner’s trade. The first year he earned $75, the second $100, and the third, $125, but during the latter year, he had to pay for his board out of his earnings. During those years, he not only helped his employer with his trade, but he took care of his team, and milked the family cow besides. Despite the seemingly meager wages, he managed to save $100 in those three years, and at the same time, he bought his own clothing.
         He finished learning the trade in July, 1886, and he then decided to go to South Dakota to help with harvest. He got as far as Glenwood, Minn., and there he obtained work with a railroad grading crew, hauling provisions with four miles and a wagon from Glenwood to Elbow Lake.
         “I’ve hated a mule ever since,” Mr. Fritz said, and explained his dislike for the hybrid equine by stating that every time he crossed ground that was soft underfoot, one of the mules would lie down. “The only way I could get that mule started again was to unload the wagon by packing whatever I was hauling on my back to dry ground, and then reload it again.”
“Good Old Days”
         In his younger days, he also did some logging in the northern woods. “Lots of times,” he said. “I’d be standing in icy cold water clear up to my armpits. Those really were the good old days!”
         The spring after he worked at Glenwood he came to Luverne, arriving here May 5, 1887. He immediately entered the employ of the late J.W. Gerber, pioneer hardware merchant, and worked for him until January 1893.
(Continued next week).