Years of emergency training and specialized equipment led to a successful grain bin rescue Wednesday afternoon in rural Rock County.
“It feels really good,” Luverne Fire Chief David Van Batavia said after the incident.
“Three guys were in the bin, and three guys came out. No one was injured.”
Involved in the incident were Ron Fick, Jim Fick and Mel Fick at the grain storage facility at 1159 101st St. southwest of Luverne.
The 911 call came in to dispatch at 2:28 p.m. that a man was stuck in a grain bin. When rescue crews arrived at 2:34, they discovered three men were in the bin.
Jim was buried nearly over his head, and Ron was entrenched up to his chest. Mel had shut off the unloading equipment and was frantically working to clear corn from Jim’s face so he could breathe.
Van Batavia said firefighters from Hills and Luverne worked together methodically to properly respond.
“It was time-consuming, but it was a well-run scene,” he said. “Everybody did their part and everyone was on the same page.”
Firemen took turns working in the bin, switching out frequently to take a break from the heat.
Van Batavia said grain bin accidents require a patient approach that’s different from fire calls or crash scenes.
“We’re used to responding quickly at accidents and fires, but these are different,” he said.
“When someone’s buried like that, you just want to hop in right away and help, but we have to set up ropes and equipment and get everybody set up properly.”
A key piece of equipment, he said, is what’s called a grain bin tube, an aluminum cylinder that’s assembled around a victim trapped in grain.
It’s lowered around the victim — pounded in like a fence post, and grain is removed from the tube via a portable auger to eventually lift out the trapped person.
That’s what happened Wednesday, except that a second tube was needed from the Hills Fire Department to help Ron.
“We didn’t realize until later that more than one person was trapped in the bin,” Van Batavia said.
Meanwhile, the Rock County ambulance service was on the scene, and Sanford air med was called for standby during the nearly two-hour episode.
As it turned out, air transport wasn’t needed, and the Ficks were treated and released, one at Sanford Luverne and two at the scene.
But the outcome could have been much different.
 
‘They saved our lives’
“It could have been ugly,” Ron said, recounting the moments inside the bin leading up to the 911 call.
He said the three of them were unloading corn from a large 48-foot bin when a chunk of corn plugged the auger.
He and Jim climbed up the outside ladder of the bin, climbed down the ladder on the inside, and walked across the grain down to the center bottom of the bin.
“The corn where we were standing was probably only three feet deep,” Ron said.
“And then all at once, it was like a big avalanche. The corn (piled against the bin wall) let go and came down on us.”
Fortunately, at that moment, Mel climbed the bin to check their progress and was able to shut off equipment and call for help. He then climbed back in the bin to help.
“He laid across the corn, using his body as a dam so that the corn couldn’t come down any farther until 911 arrived,” Ron said. “We have to thank him, too.”
In hindsight, he said they should have approached the plugged auger differently, but at the time they thought they were doing the right thing.
“Just like every other farmer, we thought we were doing it the proper way, and it ended up not being that way,” Ron said.
“We know better. We’ve heard all the stories. We thought we were being very cautious and it backfired.”
In the days since the accident, he said people have been supportive.
“We’ve had so many guys call and neighbors and friends tell us, ‘We do the same thing, and we’ve been in the same situation many times,’” Ron said.
Other than being stiff and sore, he said Friday that they feel fine, but shaken.
“They saved our lives,” he said. “We really appreciate the firemen and first responders. They really did an excellent job. We couldn’t have gotten by without them.”
 
The practice
of saving lives
Fortunately for the Ficks and others who have been trapped in grain, Hills and Luverne firefighters are trained for grain bin rescues.
Van Batavia said firemen train annually in the CHS bins with “Rescue Randy,” the 180-pound, 6-foot-tall dummy. “We throw him in one of those big bins and then we rescue him,” Van Batavia said.
Without the grain tubes he said the Ficks wouldn’t have gotten out of the bin on their own.
“Absolutely not,” Van Batavia said. “You would never get anywhere on that call without the tubes. The only thing you could do is to start taking it out the bottom.”
This response isn’t preferred, he said.
“That’s your initial reaction – just open the door and let the corn out, but you get this rush of corn and then nothing,” he said.
The bottlenecked corn then needs to be shoveled.
To illustrate how effective the tubes are in protecting victims from crushing pressure, he said firemen had to wait until the next day to recover the equipment from the Fick bins after they removed corn.
And then they discovered the welds on the aluminum had been broken. “It’s crazy the amount of pressure it kept off them,” Van Batavia said.
The tubes will need to be replaced, but he said CHS and New Vision have been generous about providing funding for local firemen to have them on hand.
“It’s a smart thing for them to have out there, to make sure everybody has what they need,” he said.
Van Batavia said he remembers the first one he assisted with in 2010. “We ended up punching a bunch of holes in the bin to get the corn out,” he recalled.
Since then, he said he’s helped with three additional grain bin rescues and also a trench cave-in at a construction site.
Despite new rescue techniques and equipment, grain bin accidents are often fatal, according to the National Ag Safety Database.
Just over 200 farmers have died as a result of grain bin suffocation accidents over the past 30 years, the organization reports.
It takes four seconds for an adult to sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to get free without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed and die from suffocation.
Rescues are difficult because of the force of downward-flowing grain.
Research shows that 900 pounds of pull is required to raise an adult mannequin covered with corn, which is why grain bin rescues are so difficult.
Meanwhile, the Ficks are glad to be among the survival statistics.
“Between the rescue workers and God watching over us, we are here today,” Ron said.
“I just gotta put that out there. There were some guardian angels watching over us, that’s for sure.”

“Kids Rock! Child Care Center” is the name chosen for the community day care center in Luverne, and local leaders and organizers have launched a campaign to raise $1 million in donations to help pay for construction.
“Kids are the center of this project,” said Luverne Economic Development Authority Director Holly Sammons, who has been instrumental in organizing the project and securing funding. “The center will serve many families and businesses throughout Rock County.”
She explained the rationale behind the name of the facility, which was the result of a visioning process with many involved. “Not only does ‘Rock’ refer to our geographic location, but it also symbolizes the rock-solid foundation we want to provide for kids and young families,” Sammons said.
After decades of searching for a solution to the local child care shortage, Sammons said it’s rewarding to see a finish line. She compared it to giving birth.
“I feel like we’ve been ‘pregnant’ with this project for a very long time. The contractions are starting and it’s time for labor and delivery,” she said. “We’re ready to give birth to this project and watch it come to life.”
The city of Luverne, with support from Rock County and federal funds, is converting the former Total Card Inc. building (originally Tri-State Insurance) into a day care center.
The city paid $515,000 in March 2022 for the 30,000-square-foot office building, which needs $6.3 million in renovations to become a child care facility for up to 186 children.
Studies show a current day care shortage of 120 slots, and that doesn’t account for more than 100 new jobs coming online with new employers in the next year. Many of those workers will also need child care.
The new facility, which will open in phases, will eventually have capacity for 24 infants, 42 toddlers, 60 preschoolers and 60 school-age children.
The city has committed $2.15 million toward the project. Rock County will pay $550,000, and a grant through the USDA will cover $2.6 million.
A community fundraising campaign is expected to contribute $1 million, and the Kids Rock non-profit announced those fundraising goals this week.
“A community-based child care center will fill a critical role in the social infrastructure of a healthy community, allowing children, families, businesses and communities to thrive,” is on the cover of a colorful brochure touting the Kids Rock! Child Care Center.
The mission of the non-profit is to “build a rock-solid foundation that prepares children to thrive socially, emotionally and academically,” with a vision to “invest in children for the future of our communities.”
 
Community donations goal is $1 million
Community donations will help pay for cribs and cots, highchairs, tables, desks, chairs, stools and flexible seating.
It will help fund interior remodeling, rugs and carpet, office equipment and commercial kitchen necessities.
It will also help pay for strollers, wagons, trikes, scooters and outdoor playground equipment, as well as balls and toys for the indoor activity room.
Additional funds will be needed for learning equipment required by the Minnesota Department of Health. For example, equipment is needed for block play, gross motor skills, dramatic play, nonmobile play, manipulatives and library, music, art, science sensory exploration.
 
Kids Rock! partners with LACF to accept donations
Kids Rock! Child Care Center is partnering with the Luverne Area Community Foundation to accept charitable donations.
Contributions over $1,000 will be recognized on a permanent donor board in the facility.
Checks payable to LACF can be sent to 102 E Main St., Luverne, MN 56156. Call 507-220-2424 for information.
Renovation work on the building starts this summer with a projected opening late in 2024 or early 2025.
Once construction is complete and the center is furnished, the city will turn over the facility to a non-profit for $1 per year.
The city will continue to subsidize its operation, maintenance, snow removal, lawn care and utilities.

The first group of inductees into the new Luverne High School Alumni Hall of Fame have been named by the Hall of Fame committee. 
The Class of 2023 includes six individuals and one team. In alphabetical order, the honorees include:
•The players, coaches and manager of the 1964 state championship basketball team. The team brought statewide fame to Luverne during an era when there was only one class of competition, there were no girls’ sports, and the state basketball tournament was the most focused-on high school sports event in Minnesota. 
•Quentin Aanenson, Class of 1939. Aanenson was a celebrated World War II fighter pilot whose first combat mission was during D-Day in 1944.  He was featured in the nationally known documentaries, “A Fighter Pilot’s Story” and the Ken Burns series, “The War.” 
•Jim Brandenburg, Class of 1963. Brandenburg is an internationally known nature photographer. He was a contract photographer for National Geographic magazine and commissioned to create a nature stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. 
•Jerilyn Britz, Class of 1961. A professional golfer for 26 years, Britz won the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour in 1979 and was the first woman inducted into the Rock County Hall of Fame. 
•Warren Herreid, Sr., Class of 1938. Herreid had a distinguished 41-year career with the Minnesota National Guard. He was instrumental in founding Luverne’s “Last Man’s Club,” the Rock County Veterans Memorial and the Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight and is the inspiration behind the Herreid Military Museum in Luverne. 
•Betty J. (Soutar) Mann, Class of 1948. Betty Mann has been the force and inspiration behind the celebration, preservation and education of the history of Rock County for generations. She had the vision for the Rock County History Center and was instrumental in its fundraising and construction.
•Monti Ossenfort, Class of 1996. Ossenfort was a stand-out quarterback for LHS and the University of Minnesota, Morris. He began his NFL career in 2001 and has advanced through the ranks with the Houston Texans, New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans. In 2023 Ossenfort was hired as general manager of the NFL Arizona Cardinals. 
The Alumni Hall of Fame is intended to recognize the accomplishments of former Luverne students while inspiring current students to strive for greatness in their professional or personal lives. 
New members will be honored during an induction ceremony in the new Luverne High School Alumni Garden Oct. 6 and introduced at the Homecoming football game that evening. 
A new class of inductees will be added to the Hall of Fame each fall during LHS Homecoming ceremonies. 
The Alumni Hall of Fame is organized by the Luverne Education Legacy Fund (LELF) and the Luverne Alumni Hall of Fame Selection Committee. 
Committee members include Superintendent Craig Oftedahl, former teachers Jeanne Bowron and Elmer Menage, current teacher Jason Berghorst, School Board member Mike DeBates, LHS alumni Emily Crabtree and Gary Papik, and Chamber Director Jane Lanphere.

Luverne High School 2021 graduate Jayson Rops returned in May from Luneburg, Germany, where he spent the semester studying abroad at Leuphana University. 
Rops, who just completed his sophomore year at the University of South Dakota, studied in the city just south of Hamburg, Germany, from January to May as part of the University Studies Abroad Consortium. 
“I had thought about studying abroad but was uncertain about the cost and being so far away from my family and everything I knew,” Rops said.
“But eventually I decided that I was just going to do it and didn’t let myself back out of it,” he said. 
Rops, the son of Tom Rops and Jodi Rops, joined 25 other university students from all across the nation in the program. 
“The thing I enjoyed most about my semester was all the people in the program with me,” Rops said. “I met some really cool people.”
As a history major planning to become a teacher, Rops also enjoyed the opportunity to study near and visit so many historic sites. 
In all, he visited seven European countries: Germany, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland and England during his semester abroad. 
“Seeing all that history and iconic landmarks was surreal,” Rops said. 
Rops and another student from Texas resided with a host family in Luneburg, a city of about 70,000 people that included classic German architecture, cobblestone roads and plenty of bars and breweries.
He attended classes Monday through Thursday and was able to take advantage of his passport and inexpensive transportation to visit so many other locations. 
After two years of German classes at LHS, Rops said he could understand more German than he could speak. 
While at Leuphana University, he took German language classes and a Nazi German History course. 
“I think this opportunity will benefit my career as a teacher,” Rops said.
“It will also benefit my life in general because I was exposed to an entirely new culture and society and learned things from a completely different perspective.”
Rops said he hopes to return to Europe in the future to visit Paris and Rome again, specifically the Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles. 
“There is just so much history in those cities and Paris, especially, was beautiful,” he said, adding that the opportunity to study internationally was worth it. 
“I highly recommend studying abroad to everyone. Even if they are unsure about doing it, just do it,” he said. “It was the best four months of my life.”

Enore Boelman sat down with her first book in January, and six months later she’s read 50 of them.
The 92-year-old Luverne woman is just one of a handful of Rock County Community Library patrons to finish the “50 States Challenge.”
“I didn’t know I would be able to finish before the end of the year, but once I got started, I got into it,” she said.
The Challenge requires patrons to read 50 books, each set in a different state. The books must be checked out from the Plum Creek Library System.
The Challenge began Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31.
Rock County Librarian Calla Jarvie said she’s surprised patrons are finishing the challenge only halfway through the year. To be on pace to finish by the end of the year, 25 books, e-books or audio books should be finished.
“Everyone who completes the challenge will get a prize,” Jarvie said. “We’re just not sure what that is yet.”
Sheets to record the book selections by state are still available at the library.
“If you haven’t started, it’s not too late,” said Boelman, who read 50 large-print books that her daughter, Becky Sehr, brought her from the library.
“She really got into the challenge, often saying, ‘Get down there and get me my next book,’” Sehr said.
Boelman raised eight children on a farm and later opened a day care business. She then worked 20 years in the lunchroom at Luverne Public Schools.
She turned to reading once she retired in 2015.
“Her whole life she would like to read, but she didn’t have the time,” Sehr said.
The 50 States Challenge prompted Boelman, who prefers Christian fiction, to read other genres. She skipped over some authors’ offensive language, but finished all the books and later said she liked some books she wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.
For example, Boelman now reads mystery novels. “I couldn’t quit until I found out who did it,” she said. “I can see why people get hooked on reading mysteries.”
Now that she’s completed the 50 States Challenge, Boelman has moved on to the library’s summer reading program with a satisfied feeling.
“It makes me feel good. I’m glad I did it,” she said.

Bids to finance a portion of the $29.975 million needed for the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek came in with interest rates lower than anticipated.
Five bids were submitted for the $20.5 million bond sale on June 20.
Hilltop Securities of Dallas, Texas, submitted the lowest bid of 3.8352 percent interest.
At their June 26 meeting, H-BC board members approved granting the 20-year general obligation bond to Hilltop Securities.
All five bids were lower than the pre-interest sale rate of 4.35 percent estimated by Ehlers Inc., the district’s public financial advisers, in the May presale report.
Aaron Bushberger with Ehlers presented the final sales results to board members.
“Actually prior to the (April 11) election we were assuming 5 percent,” he said. “So we were below both thresholds — really good news here.”
The lower-than-expected interest rates result in an additional $696,279 in premium and interest savings from the presale estimates. The savings will be applied to the building project.
The highest of the five bids was 3.9105 percent from Northland Securities on behalf of Security Savings Bank in Hills.
“To have five bids within seven or eight basis points is really indicative where the market is at this time,” Bushberger said. “Overall, you’re getting more funds at a lower interest rate — both positives for the district.”
H-BC district voters approved a two-question $29.975 million bond referendum on April 11.
Because plans for the new elementary school and improvements at the Hugo Goehle gymnasium and secondary school occur over a two-year period, an additional bond sale of $8.475 million will take place next year, possibly in April.
“The second (bond) issue is going to be dependent on, if you need the funds or not, where your bids come in,” Bushberger said. “We will really be able to get a real good and accurate picture at that point.”
Bid letting is expected to take place in October or November.
 
H-BC received a solid credit rating
Hills-Beaver Creek Public Schools received an “A+” credit rating for the June 22 bond sale, along with a “AAA” credit rating from the Minnesota Credit Enhancement Program.
Noted in the S&P Global credit report is a stable outlook in the district and the state, primarily due to a growing tax base.
In 2023, assessed values from residential assessments increased 19 percent from the previous year. Preliminary data has assessed values of agricultural land increasing 20 to 30 percent in 2024.
“This growing tax base somewhat mitigates the large debt burden and future elevated debt carrying costs,” the report stated.
Currently the district has $6.875 million in debt from the secondary school built in 2010. This debt will be retired in 2035.
Key to the district’s credit stability is its financial management team, according to the report.
“We believe (H-BC) has good policies and practices that resulted in significant growth in general fund reserves, which averaged an annual $400,00 surplus over the past eight years,” the report noted.
Also noted was the district’s reserve policy to maintain 20 percent of general expenditures.
The report noted a downside scenario that if the district unexpectedly materially draws down its available reserves, the credit rating could be lower.
As a participant in the state’s credit enhancement program, however, H-BC can use the state’s higher credit rating for the bond sale.
Under the program, if the H-BC district fails to repay its debt, the state will service the debt from its general fund.

Luverne City Council members approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the proposed multi-family housing project at their regular meeting June 27. 
The project in the Sybesma Addition would have 30 mixed income, two-story townhomes built along Highway 4 west of the current Rock Creek Townhomes on Oak Drive. 
The four-structure development would provide
two-, three- and four-bedroom townhomes, each with an attached garage and an in-unit laundry. 
The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SMHP) is proposing to develop, own and asset manage the development, just as it does the existing Rock Creek Townhomes.
The SMHP is applying for funding through the multi-family consolidated request for proposal and for housing tax credit programs. 
According to Luverne City Administrator Jill Wolf, in order to apply for the funding mechanisms, the project is required to adhere to income limits of 50 to 60 percent of area median income. 
In addition to the funding options, the housing partnership asked the city to sell the land for $1 and to create a TIF district in order to make the project financially feasible. 
The way tax increment financing works, the new owners of the bare lot will pay full taxes on the improved property, but the difference between the current tax amount and the new tax amount will pay down the TIF debt.
After the TIF expires, in this case 25 years, local governments will benefit from taxes paid on the full value of the developed property.
Wolf said the TIF housing district would help pay for the infrastructure and is expected to generate around $99,000 in tax increment financing over 26 years. 
“What a great project for the city of Luverne,” said Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian. “There's always a waitlist out at the Rock Creek Townhomes, so this is needed.”
Wolf told the council the city’s recent housing study identifies a need for the proposed housing project. 
“The housing study did show a need for 33 units at that 50 to 60 percent of area median income level,” Wolf said. “This (project) would be 30 units so it would just about meet that need.”
The SMHP has indicated it plans to apply for the funding in July and will find out this fall if the Luverne project is accepted. 
If the application is denied this year, the partnership intends to apply again for funding next year.
If approved this year, construction on the housing project could begin in 2024.

Senior Nutrition Assistance July 6
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 & older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SWMN, will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 6, as a drive-thru distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street on the east side of Generations Event Center. Pre-registration is required. Call  Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
Dementia series begins July 7
Free “Getting to Know Dementia” will take place from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. on July 7 and 21, Aug. 4 and 18 and Sept. 8 at the Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The information sessions are hosted by the Alzheimer’s Alliance LLC. Contact Elena at 605-545-0758 for more information.
 
Blue Mound Cemetery picnic
The Blue Mound Cemetery Association annual picnic will be at noon Tuesday, July 11, at the home of Randy and Kathy Remme on Tuesday. Bring potluck items and drinks. Plates, cups, napkins and silverware will be provided.
 
SAIL classes start in Luverne July 11
New SAIL classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 11 through Sept. 28 at Generations Event Center in Luverne. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E. of SWMN manager Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064 or A.C.E. volunteer Corey Ziegler, 507-920-0587.
 
Tour de Donut July 15
The annual Tour de Donut will be Saturday, July 15, at The Lake in Luverne. Start time of the first event is 7 a.m. New this year are 7- or 11-mile tours on the Luverne Loop or the Luverne Loop and Ashby Trail. Register at https://tinyurl.com/donutMN
 
Free summer events at Plaza and courthouse
Live music on the Plaza hosted by Luverne Street Music, will celebrate their 10th anniversary. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the Plaza on Main. Attendees are asked to bring chairs.    
Summer crafts and activities, hosted by Rock County Opportunities, provides free activities and fun for all ages at the Plaza on Main from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 13.
 Jim Brandenburg’s Touch the Sky Prairie Nature Walk with naturalist Pat Doyscher will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Prairie Waterfall Trail.                         
Zumba Fitness & Fun is a free exercise class hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 17.
Fun at the Beach books, a child reading outreach program, is hosted by Rock County Community Library at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 18.
 A Fun Day for Kids, hosted by Quality Printing, will provide free activities and games at the Plaza on Main at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 19.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Defensive Driving next refresher four-hour class is July 10. 
Paint and Snack Classes for grades K-4 during the 2022-23 school year are July 17 and Aug. 14. Fee is $33/class.
Students (grades K-6) can decorate Summer themed cookies at B's Bakehouse on July 12. Register by July 5. Fee is $35.
Grade 5 through adult can work on a clay project with an instructor during Open Studio. Reserve two hour blocks of time on July 8. Fee is $25 and covers materials and firing.
Participants (grades 3-5 and age 14-adult) can learn the basics of knitting at Knitting for Beginners on July 10. Fee is $28 and includes yarn and needles. 
At Couples Yoga for Adults, learn independent and partner poses that encourage relationship building, communication, and trust. Couples can sign up for 4 sessions starting on July 10. Fee is $40.
Wrestling Camp for grades 1-11 (as attended during 22-23 school year) on July 10. Fee is $50 (or $30 for any additional registration after the first).
Defensive Driving Refresher 4 Hour Class is July 10. Beginning Class – Sept 11 and 18 (four hours each evening).
Cake Decorating Camp for students in grades 3-5 (as attended in the 22-23 school year)is July 18 & 19. Learn to bake and decorate cake from start to finish! Fee is $100. Register by July 13 (Community Ed office closed July 14-28).
Yoga grades 3-5 starts July 24 for four sessions. Fee is $40. Register by July 13 (Community Ed office closed July 14-28).
Missoula Children’s Theatre returns to Luverne on July 31-Aug. 4 for ages Kindergarten (as attended during 22-23 school year) through age 18 to perform in “The Princess and the Pea.” Fee is $35 paid by July 13.
 
Park announces July programs
The Blue Mounds State Park has announced its July programs and events. Contact bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6050 with questions or special requests.
Colors of the Prairie will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 7, at the Eagle Rock Vista. Walk the prairie (up to a mile) to see what plants are blooming in early July. Bring sun and insect protection, a water bottle, and good walking shoes. All ages welcome.
Making Tracks Nature Cart will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8, at the picnic area. At this pop-up program explore the different tracks animals leave behind and imagine how they move and make prints.
Historic Geology Hike will be from 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at the Eagle Rock Vista Parking Lot. Travel back through time with the naturalist on this 1.5-mile hike along the Bur Oak Trail down to the historic quarry. From ancient rivers to glaciers to park trails explore the park’s ever-changing landscape. Bring insect and sun protection and good walking shoes. Note: The trail is not stroller or wheelchair friendly.
Built Like a Bison will be from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Eagle Rock Vista. Big, bold, and beautiful; bison have been roaming the prairies of North America for hundreds of years. Discover what it takes to be built like a bison and thrive on the prairie at this stop-and-go style program.
Storytime on the Plains will be from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the bench across from Campground Host. Long before writing and libraries, people have been sharing their culture, history, and values through story telling.  Hear stories that have been shared on the Great Plains for centuries. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Story-lovers of all ages are welcome.
Mammal Mania Nature Cart will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Picnic Area. Bison may be the star of the show, but they are not the only mammal that make their home at the park. All ages welcome!
Magical Monarchs will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Amphitheater. The monarch has become a national icon for pollinators across America. From life cycles to a long migration, explore the world of pollinators through the lens of our state butterfly. Bring a chair as seating is limited.
Wetland Wonders will be from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Picnic Area. Home to animals like great blue herons, painted turtles, and beavers; wetlands are more than just a swamp. Discover the wonders of wetlands through eyes of animals big and small and learn why we as humans need these wonderful places. This program is designed for ages 6-12 years old, but all ages are welcome.
Blue Mounds Birding will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Picnic Area. Learn about popular bird species at the park how to identify birds in the wild. We will hike a short half-mile hike to practice new skills. *Bring sun and insect protection as well as good walking shoes. Bring your binoculars if possible. All ages welcome.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
All Day Savenger Hunts challenges library visitors to find various items. Successful hunters can earn a prize. The last hunt takes place July 25.
Story Time in the Park is at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays through July at the following locations.
•July 6, Evergreen Park
•July 13, Kolbert Park
•July 20, Veterans Memorial Park
•July 27, Hawkinson Park
Traveling Story Time continues in city or county parks in all the communities outside of Luverne in July. 
•Monday, July 10, 10 a.m., Hardwick; 10:45 a.m., Kenneth
•Wednesday, July 12, 10 a.m., Beaver Creek, 10:45 a.m., Hills; 11:30 a.m., Steen.
•Monday, July 17, 10 a.m. Magnolia; 10:45 a.m., Kanaranzi.
•Wednesday, July 19: 10 a.m., Hardwick; 10:45 a.m., Kenneth.
•Monday, July 24, 10 a.m., Beaver Creek, 10:45 a.m., Hills, 11:30 a.m., Steen.
•Wednesday, July 26, 10 a.m., Magnolia, 10:45 a.m., Kanaranzi.
Plaza Story Time with children’s librarian is at 10 a.m. at the History Center Plaza on Tuesday, July 18.
Arts & Crafts provides an hour of fun for kindergarteners through fifth-graders. The event begins at 3 p.m. each Wednesday through July.
Teens in Action provides a time for children ages 12 to 18 to meet and discuss books, music and movies. Meets each Thursday at 3 p.m. through July.
The Oz Brothers visit the library at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 11.
Books on Tap takes place at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Take 16 in Luverne.
The 50 State Challenge for adults and older teens is currently underway where patrons are encouraged to read a book set in one of each of the 50 states through Jan. 1, 2024.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration is at 6 p.m.
 
Kits available at library
Libraries in the Plum Creek Library System have Storytelling Kits in a wide range of subjects from ABCs to Zoos. Each of the more than 130 kits contains a variety of materials based on the kit’s theme. Some include Wonderbooks, puppets, music CDs and DVDs. Various learning activities can also be found in the kits.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging loved ones to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
STEAM kits are also available checkout. Motion, lights, hydropower, robotics and magnets are among the kits.
 
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.
 
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.