Mobile dental clinic in Luverne May 18
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne on Thursday, May 18, at ATLAS of Rock County to provide dental care for adults and children of all ages. Call 612.746.1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance are accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Master Gardeners plant sale May 20
The Rock County Master Gardeners annual plant sale will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20, in the Atlas/Redeemed Remnants Parking Lot. Gardeners bring their pre-priced perennials, annuals, etc. to sell (no professional growers). Shoppers get great buys on plants and have gardening questions answered. Call 507 669-2905. 
 
Hardwick Memorial Day program May 29
Hardwick American Legion Post #478 will sponsor a Memorial Day Program at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Hardwick Veterans Memorial. In case of inclement weather it will be in the Hardwick Community Hall.
Guest speaker is U.S. Army Retired Colonel Kim Henningsen, a Vietnam veteran, of Jefferson, South Dakota. Readers will be Girls Stater Kiesli Smith and Army ROTC Cadet Gunnar Oldre, University of Notre Dame. Madi Oye will provide special music. Coffee, juice and cookies will follow the program.
 
Maplewood
Memorial Day program May 29
Luverne American Legion and VFW will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, in Maplewood Cemetery. Guest speaker is Kent Heronimus. The service will be broadcast on KQAD.
 
Park bison tours begin May 26
The Blue Mounds State Park has announced that it will begin offering bison tours on Friday, May 26. Call the park at 507-283-6050 for more information or reservations.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
To take advantage of lower fees and register by May 24 for football, volleyball, tennis, golf, morning rec, arts and crafts, basketball, track, gymnastics, and weight lifting.
Soccer Fun for ages 3 through second grade as attended during the past school year begins on May 30. Fee is $35/child.
 Grades 3-12 can learn about lakes and how to catch fish at School of Fish on May 31. Fee is $38 (and includes an adult buddy.)
Students grades 3 and older (as attended during 22-23 school year) will receive training that can prepare them to be Home Alone on June 1. Fee is $15.
Co-Ed Outdoor 3 on 3 Basketball League begins on June 1 for boys and girls in grades 3-6 as attended during the 22-23 school year. Fee is $50 (or $40 if registered for another basketball camp/offering).
 
SAIL classes in Magnolia
SAIL classes meet from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday mornings June 6 through Aug. 24, in the Magnolia Post Office. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E of Southwest Minnesota manager Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064, or A.C.E. volunteer Connie Frahm, 507-220-3584.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
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 begins at 6 p.m.
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 the loved one 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.

National Poppy Day is Friday, May 26, and Gov. Tim Walz declared May as Poppy Month in Minnesota.
Red poppies symbolize the sacrifice of United States service members killed while protecting our nation. 
They’re worn to honor those fallen heroes and to support military service people, veterans and their families.
Local American Legion Auxiliary members accept donations for poppies at Bomgaars, Pizza Ranch, Sunshine Foods and local banks.
All money collected directly supports service members, veterans and their families through the Legion’s outreach programs.
For example, American Legion Auxiliary members use the funds for Veterans Home bingo, painting, musical programs, newspaper subscriptions, Christmas presents, cover-ups and more. Also, money raised through poppy sales can now be used to support Honor Flights.
To donate or for more information, call Luverne American Legion Auxiliary President Dianna Tomlinson, 507-220-0275.

Sgt. Jeff Wieneke will retire next month after a 32-year career with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioners accepted Wieneke’s request May 2.
“It has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Rock County for over 32 years,” he wrote in his May 1 retirement letter.
“I have been fortunate to work with many people who are dedicated and passionate about law enforcement. I will take many lifetime friendships with me.”
His retirement becomes official June 30.
“Rock County has been my home for most of my life,” Wieneke stated. “I doubt there is a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
He’s served in a variety of positions at the sheriff’s office, most recently as investigator and sergeant, with previous positions as deputy and tactical operator for the H.E.A.T. tactical team.
“I want to thank all of my supervisors throughout my career, especially Sheriff (Evan) Verbrugge, who thought I deserved these opportunities,” he added.
The county is currently seeking to hire an officer for Wieneke’s position.
Verbrugge said the internal process to hire a new sergeant/investigator has already started.
“Once that has been completed, then we hope to interview for an open deputy position,” he said.
Counting Verbrugge and Wieneke, the Sheriff’s Office currently employs 13 officers.

The city of Hills received an anonymous letter singling out various blighted properties in the city.
The city, however, can’t act on the letter’s request because the letter was unsigned.
“You can’t go the sheriff with a complaint, if nobody signs it,” said Mayor Keith Elbers.
The letter listed 17 residences by address, which they considered a nuisance, and the city’s responsibility to enforce its own nuisance ordinance.
The letter dated May 8 asked: “Doesn’t the town have an ordnance (sic) against this saying the town would clean them up and fine property owners taxes?”
The council discussed the letter’s contents at their May 9 meeting.
They agreed many of the listed addresses violated the city’s public nuisance ordinance. Some did not.
The three-page nuisance ordinance adopted in 2013 provides a detailed list of what is considered a public nuisance.
Among the nuisances are:
•abandoned and junk vehicles.
•accumulation of manure, refuse and other debris.
•storage of discarded materials, which are no longer used for purposes for which they was manufactured.
Annually, city officials tour the city and notice properties in violation of the ordinance. Letters are sent to those residences explaining the violation and request mitigation.
Ordinance violations are a misdemeanor.
The city’s letter reminds residents they face a $500 fine per violation if blight is not removed from the location. The penalty doubles for a repeat violation occurring within 12 months at the same location.
However, enforcement of the blight ordinance starts with a signed complaint from a resident.
Until a complaint is received, city officials will continue to educate residents about the nuisance ordinance.
Council member Stacen Burgers said the annual letters should “coach” residents on what is expected in the city of Hills.
“If people understood the value of just talking with their neighbors, it can go a whole lot further than what we can do,” he said.
“If you can’t get a neighbor to cooperative, you simply have to fill out the complaint. But you have to put your name on it for us to be able to do anything about it.”

Members of the non-profit Save the Manfred House Inc. issued a position paper last week accusing the Minnesota DNR of neglecting the historic Manfred House and demanding public engagement before the structure is torn down.
The group was founded in September 2019 out of concern that the historically significant Manfred House, built by noted Minnesota author Frederick Manfred, was being neglected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
It is located atop the Blue Mounds within the state park north of Luverne and most recently served as the park interpretive center until 2016 when it was closed to the public.
“We call on the DNR to reexamine its intent to tear down the Manfred House, to engage experts and the public more fully, and to conduct a more objective review of the situation than has occurred to date,” the group asserts in the position paper released May 11.
“Only after that is done should the possibility of the demolition of the Manfred House be considered.”
This position paper asserts that the DNR:
•has not lived up to its obligations to steward the Manfred House on behalf of the people of Minnesota.
•has not properly considered public opinion in formulating its plans to tear down the Manfred House and has consistently misrepresented the extent of its public outreach.
•issued a Request for Proposal that was designed to result in the DNR’s desired outcome of the demolition of the Manfred House, rather than considering all reasonable options.
•has not engaged with the proper experts to consider the range of possible options for the Manfred House.
•did not support the listing of the Manfred House on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation the house received for its cultural significance and unique design.
•has not been responsive to requests from SMH for information that is in the public interest.
Each of these assertions is expanded upon in the full text of the 1,700-word document which can be found at savethemanfredhouse.org.
The DNR responded on Tuesday to the position paper saying:
“The DNR just received a copy of the position paper from the Save the Manfred House group.  We are in the process of reviewing the document. 
“The DNR hopes to continue to work with the community to develop an approach that honors the historic contributions of Mr. Manfred.”

Forty-two years ago this spring, I ̶ 18-year-old sage that I was  ̶ gave the student address to the Class of 1981.
There were two speakers. I don’t remember who the other speaker was, and I doubt we made lasting impressions on our classmates.
As a matter of fact, I doubt we made any impression on our classmates.
Advice is like that.
The inspiration for my address was a young, lost blackbird that had joined me earlier that week for a brief walk down Luverne’s Main Street ̶ past Smith’s Furniture.
I don’t recall what I was doing there, and the little bird certainly did not know what it was doing there.
“What are we doing and where are we going?” seemed like a fitting motto for both the bird and for me at that particular stage of our lives, but probably lacked the motivational tone required of a graduation class address, so I kept looking.
In the early 1980s inspirational greeting cards were all the rage. My friends and I sent each other cards with “Deep Thoughts about Deep Things.”
Along with the little bird, the card that inspired my graduation talk read,
“Unfold your wings and fly.
Away, into the starry sky.
Friend of mine,
have a good time.”
 
I’m not sure “having a good time” was the most noble of life’s endeavors, but it rhymed with “mine” so I went with it.
I knew a lot when I graduated from high school. I knew I would “fly away” and never live in Luverne. I would never marry a farmer, never have three kids, and as I once announced to my mom while we pulled weeds, “Never!” have a garden.
By 1994 I was married to a Luverne-area farmer, had three kids and a big garden.
In 2023 I’m married to a Luverne-area photographer (same guy), have three kids, four grandkids and an even bigger garden.
So, Class of 2023, as you look forward to the rest of your lives, just know this: Whatever you think you know is probably wrong.
 
Have a good time.

I have been asked a lot lately what I think about the growing movement across the country and here in Minnesota to end subminimum wages for people with disabilities in the next five years.
It's comforting that Minnesota has a Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages to help develop a plan if this bill does pass.
However, I’m nervous about removing options for individuals with disabilities. Higher wages would be fantastic for those we serve who can work competitively in the community.
Our goal at Rock County Opportunities (RCO) is to encourage independence and sustainability, but we know there is not a one-size-fits-all service. Everyone we serve is completely different.
I have supported individuals with disabilities for the last 15 years in several different areas, and I believe that the more options we can offer, the more successful the individuals we support will be long-term.
RCO’s mission is to empower people of all abilities to achieve all they can. We serve individuals with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. I believe that RCO is the only nonprofit disability service provider in Luverne.
The individuals we serve at RCO can choose what their day will look like. They can:
•participate in our enrichment programs, working in the community while receiving a competitive wage,
•work with our Vocational Rehabilitation Services program to get help finding an independent job placement, or
•work in our facility which holds a 14c subminimum wage certificate.
This certificate allows us as a small rural nonprofit organization to provide choices to the individuals and families we support.
As minimum wage increases and more jobs become automated, my fear is that jobs may not be available for many of the individuals we support who cannot work competitively in the community.
I also do not know what our individuals will do during that lost time that they would have been working in our facility. Several people we serve need consistent support from their dedicated staff team to complete the required tasks.
The timing of this also concerns me when there are more than 3,500 Minnesotans that are currently on waiting lists to receive day and employment services exactly like the services we provide here at RCO. Some have been waiting for more than three years.
At RCO we do not want to prematurely remove our 14c certificate without a solid understanding of what will replace this opportunity for the individuals we serve.
After speaking with the families and individuals who would be impacted by the elimination of subminimum wage, I am not certain that the wage is more important than an established environment where the individuals feel safe, accepted, and have a sense of purpose.
I have learned to trust that families know the individual needs and preferences of their loved ones better than I do.
I do not know what the impact of this legislation will be if passed.
I hope we are looking at data in other states that have already made the decision to eliminate subminimum wage to understand what that might look like here in Minnesota.
I know that here at RCO we will continue to advocate for those we love and support as we have been for the last 55 years.
At the end of the day, I am confident that RCO and other providers like us will continue to find creative ways to carry out our mission while providing opportunities for those we serve to make choices in how their services are received and delivered.

In recent weeks I have been planning for an upcoming fishing trip.
For years my two fishing buddies, Leroy and Dan, and I — and yes, I have fishing buddies … I also have hunting buddies, side-by-side buddies, and I even have a group of Power Ball buddies, not to mention my coffee buddies — anyway, my fishing buddies and I get together for a four-day trip to the waters of the Missouri River. Due to Covid and other events, our fishing trip has been canceled two of the last three years.
Planning for weeks in advance, I compose a list of the things I need to bring along on the trip. This helps me at least in my mind think that the trip is a bigger deal than it really is.
Believe it or not, the fishing tackle, rods and reels and bait are the easy part. Planning for the weather is a much different story. Morning temps for fishing can be cold, damp and windy. Raingear, hats and gloves certainly need to be packed. Midday weather could be calm, sunny, hot and humid. Afternoon weather could be hotter and winds more than likely will pick up, causing rough waters. You can bet that the rain suit will be the attire of the day for at least one of the four days.
Hopefully we’ll be catching and eating a lot of fresh fish. But what we really need to catch up on is the past couple of years. In that time, two of the three of us have retired. If you’re reading this column you know that I am not one of the two. One of the three moved from South Dakota to Minnesota and has regretted it ever since. Leroy’s dad died about a year ago, and Dan’s brother was killed in a motorcycle accident roughly the same time.
We all have kids about the same age and a dozen or more grandkids to catch up on.
Dan and Leroy grew up in Redwood Falls, and I think they might have even been in the same grade if not darn close. I enjoy listening to the two of them reminisce about their wild high school days. The funny thing is, their high school days sound a lot like mine … only the names are different.
We don’t waste a lot of time talking politics, mostly because we all are on the same/right side of the fence.
All three of us are a little disappointed Minnesota didn’t end the taxing of Social Security benefits, and I know one is really happy about the new pot legislation.
Friends, fishing or hunting or riding side-by sides in the Black Hills and laughter … there is no better way to spend four days.

Protecting the elderly: Minnesota’s battle against the landline shutdown        

 'People with mental health feel isolated'
Letter to the Editor:
In Minnesota, I recently discovered that telecom companies were granted FCCapproval last August to deregulate the shutdown of copper wire landline phoneservice. Instead, they are allowed to substitute it with internet-based phone service.
This ruling has profound implications for Minnesota’s most vulnerable population segments. If the federal government fails to champion their interests, it becomes incumbent upon the state government to step forward and take action.
As outlined in the FCC order, the cost-intensive maintenance of landlineinfrastructure impedes our progression toward the next generation ofcommunication technology.
Explain this perplexing situation to my parents or the 740,000 seniors inMinnesota who still rely heavily on landline service. My parents struggle to navigate their cell phones, and frequent disruptions plague the internet connection in theirhome. It is unfathomable to tether their primary mode of communication to such an unpredictable entity as their internet connection, not to mention the complete blackout of internet service during power outages.
The FCC’s decision places the profit margins of telecom giants above theneeds of rural communities, elderly individuals and regions with inadequateinternet accessibility. It becomes the responsibility of the Minnesota StateLegislature to intercede and advocate on behalf of those most likely to bemarginalized in this change for the “better.”
Cole Griffin,
Luverne 
Letter to the Editor:
First, I think Lori Sorenson is one of the strongest and most courageous women I know, and thank you for sharing and bringing mental health to the forefront to the community.
I would like to share my story. Eleven years ago, I had a “mental breakdown,” and although I knew intellectually that depression and anxiety were nothing to be stigmatized, emotionally I stigmatized myself. It wasn’t until I went to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy group five years later that I finally integrated my intellectual self with my emotional self. What an eye opener!
I still have problems and will continue to do so as mental health issues are chemical problems in the brain and don’t go away. But there are tools to help when times get difficult.
Right now, times are difficult for me. Scott Ehde’s death and numerous other people I’ve known have been devastating for me.
I realize that rural areas all over the country are experiencing high rates of suicide, but Luverne’s rates are higher than most, especially among young people. My feelings are that it is in part the attitude of stigmatization in the community and lack of true help for these people. These are thoughts I’ve had for some time and would like to share.
People with mental health problems feel isolated and that they are the only ones who feel the way they do. I truly believe that group therapy can be a lifesaver. It was for me.
I would like to see Avera/Southwestern Mental Health Center purchase a van and transport people to Sioux Falls for group therapy. These kids and adults need to know that they aren’t the only one with issues, because that’s how they feel. Talk therapy only goes so far. Trying to do it in Luverne is too close to home, and the embarrassment is too heavy.
I believe that there needs to be support groups for parents of children/loved ones with mental health problems. The first being therapist led who can help these parents deal with their children’s or other loved ones’ issues. The second being for those that have lost loved ones that would be strictly a support group for them and not in any way associated with a therapist.
Maybe some of these things are already being done. I've been gone for a while. Most of all the community at large needs to stop stigmatizing people with mental health. They are normal people with an invisible illness.
No one would stigmatize someone because they have cancer or some other form of illness that is visible.
This is also a heavily religious community who rely on prayers and the Lord to help them. Prayers are wonderful and God helps, but he helps those who help themselves. We have to do our part of the work.
I know this is a difficult journey, but it is a worthwhile journey, and if it saves one life, it’s worth it.
I pray for all the families that have lost loved ones to suicide. I wish love and support for each and every one of you.
Cathy Rockman
Maple Grove