Culligan is moving into the former Stroeh’s Auto building on East Main Street, and the Luverne Economic Development Authority is helping with some exterior improvements.
At Monday morning’s meeting, the LEDA approved a façade improvement application for Prairie Water Solutions, LLC for the project at 321 E. Main Street.
The scope of work includes:
•replacing exterior glass store front with framed-in walls finished with metal panels.
•painting the exterior block walls.
•replacing windows.
•replacing the garage door and installing an exterior vended water machine.
•adding a new awning and business signage.
•improving the sidewalk entrance with a handicap-accessible ramp.
The total project cost is $66,405, not including additional interior updates and remodeling that aren’t part of the application, according to EDA director Holly Sammons.
“So, they are making a very large investment into the exterior and interior of the building, so it’s exciting to see,” she said.
The EDA approved a grant for Prairie Water Solutions in the amount of $21,000 and a loan in the amount of $21,000 at a rate of 4 percent for seven years.
Culligan is currently renting space in the brick building on West Main Street that formerly housed Palace Video.
Culligan now owns the former Stroeh’s space on East Main Street.

Meetings
Grand Prairie Cemetery Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the Grand Prairie Cemetery. In case of rain the meeting will be held in the office room of Orv and Sons Plumbing in Ellsworth.
 
Rock The Edge accepting service projects
Rock The Edge will host the local Service Over Self mission week June 26-29. If you have a project you need assistance with (painting, cleaning, yardwork, small construction, etc.) call 605-261-4000 or 507-227-1978. To volunteer as an adult, call 401-500-3427. Childcare provided upon request.
 
Common Ground at Plaza June 22
#Luv1LuvAll will host a free concert by “Common Ground” with musicians Brady and Katie Wrede from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the Plaza. Enjoy complimentary gourmet popcorn during the event. Open to the public. Bring a lawn chair.
 
Mobile dental clinic in town June 22
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne on Thursday, June 22, at ATLAS of Rock County (note the new location, use Community Room entrance). This clinic provides dental care for adults and children ages 0 to over 100. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance are accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
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. 
 Grades K-4 during the 2022-23 school year will have fun at Paint and Snack Classes on July 17 and Aug. 14.  Sign up for one class or for all three.  Fee is $33/class.
Grade 5 through adult can work on a clay project with assistance from an instructor during Open Studio. Reserve two hour blocks of time on  July 8 or August 12. Fee is $25 and covers all materials, glaze and firing.
Grades 9 through adult will get an introduction to the pottery wheel at Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel on June 17.  Fee is $30 plus a $10 material fee paid at class.
Sanford Luverne Summer Speed, Agility and Quickness (formerly Sanford Power) for grades 7-12 in the Luverne area starts June 21. Fee is $80 if paid by June 9.
 
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 parking lot off Maple Street on the east side of Generations Event Center. Pre-registration required call  Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
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.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Story Time in the Park is at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays through July at the following locations.
•June 15, Kolbert Park
•June 29, Veterans Memorial Park.
•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 Tuesdays, June 27 and July 18.
Afternoon Movie is at 3 p.m. Tuesdays for participants to enjoy popcorn and drinks beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesdays: Sing 2, June 27, and How to Train your Dragon, 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.
All Day Savenger Hunts challenges library visitors to find various items. Successful hunters can earn a prize. Hunts take place June 20 and July 25.
Ralph Covert concert, 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, in the library basement.
Mobile Sign Shop at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 22, features artist Peter Harken Thompson helping 60 participants make their own personal signs from word. Call the library to reserve a spot.
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 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.
 
Storytelling kits at library
Libraries in the Plum Creek Library System are rolling out their new 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 as well.
The initial checkout period for the kids is one week with two renewals.
 
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.

Dispatch report
June 2
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a disorderly.
•Complainant on 80th Avenue, Hardwick, reported theft.
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on County Road 4, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported a parking issue.
June 3
•Complainant at Redbird Field reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 20, Magnolia, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported a civil issue.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker, 14, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant requested assistance from another department westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 20, Magnolia.
•Complainant on Sioux Valley Drive reported suspicious activity.
June 4
•Complainant reported a vulnerable adult.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported an assault.
•Complainant on N. Summit Avenue, Hills, reported an outage.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 16, Luverne, requested roadside assistance.
June 5
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 9, Luverne, reported debris.
•Complainant on State Highway 23, Garretson, reported road and drive law issues.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported property damage.
•Complainant on 61st Street, Beaver Creek, requested assistance from another department.
•A warrant was issued on 4th Street, Davenport, Iowa.
June 6
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 40, Worthington, reported fleeing.
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 9, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•A warrant was issued on S. Cedar Street.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90 near Magnolia and rest area, reported a transient.
•Complainant on Park Avenue, Kenneth, reported a civil issue.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 191st Street, Jasper, reported a fire.
•Complainant on W. Park Avenue, Kenneth, reported a civil issue.
•An unlock was requested/reported on E. Dodge Street.
•Complainant north-bound on 60th Avenue from Interstate 90, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Assistance from another department was requested on Highway 75 and 171st Street, Luverne.
•Complainant on N. Estey reported suspicious activity.
June 7
•Complainant on Dodge and Donaldson requested assistance from another department.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 13, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy.
June 8
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 13, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne reported debris.
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75 and State Highway 270, Steen, reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on County Road 4 and 100th Avenue reported debris.
•Complainant on S. Walnut Avenue reported a fire alarm.
June 9
•Complainant on S. Fairview Drive reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 9, Luverne, reported road and drive law issues.
•Complainant on Roundwind Road reported a disorderly.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported road and drive law issues.
•Complainant on W. Lawn Park Avenue reported suspicious activity.
In addition, officers responded to 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 deer accident, 1 vehicle in ditch, 1 transport, 2 escorts, 10 ambulance runs, 3 paper services, 4 animal complaints, 5 fingerprint requests, 10 burn permits, 1 alarm, 1 drug court test, 12 purchase and carry permits, 13 traffic stops, 40 abandoned 911 calls, 1 test, 2 welfare checks, 5 reports of cattle out, 1 OFP and 3 follow-ups.

The Plaza on Main in downtown Luverne hosted its first of many events this summer last week. 
The LIFT Plaza Committee, with the support of other local organizations and business sponsors, has organized dozens of free events throughout the summer.
Most of them will take place at the plaza on the corner of Main Street and McKenzie Street.
According to Luverne Area Chamber Director Jane Lanphere, the goal of the events is to build community by offering activities that are free of charge. 
“We encourage everyone to take part in these events and help us grow and develop our community through family-friendly events,” Lanphere said. 
Already this month the LIFT Plaza Committee has hosted live music on the Plaza, a “Touch a Truck Night,” a dance exercise event for seniors and a Dairy Appreciation Day with free ice cream given away over the lunch hour.  
Upcoming events are listed below. 
“We thank all the businesses and organizations who have joined together to create a wonderful summer of events that our friends, neighbors, families and visitors can enjoy,” Lanphere said. 
Bingo on the Plaza June 15
Play bingo for free from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at the Plaza on Main, hosted by Rock County Opportunities.
 
Stick Fitness June 16
Stick Fitness is a free exercise class hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness
at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, June 16.
                                                     
Luverne Loop golf cart tours Friday, June 16
The community is invited to take free golf cart tours of The Loop, hosted by the Luverne Chamber. Tours will depart from the Plaza on Main at 5 and 7 p.m. Friday, June 16. Call 507-283-4061 to reserve a seat.                                                    
 
Cell phone nature photography class June 17
A cell phone nature photography class for youth age 17 and under will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at Touch the Sky Prairie. The free class is taught by Jason Schutz and sponsored by the Luverne Chamber. Rain date for the event is June 24.
 
Senior dance June 22
Exercise through dance will be hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, June 22. The event is free.
 
Treats & Treasures June 22
Treats and Treasures, hosted by Luv1LuvAll, will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the Plaza on Main with a free snack and program info.
 
Squeals & Wheels June 26
Hosted by the Luverne Chamber, Squeals and Wheels is a free live animal event for kids at the Luverne City Park                                                                from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 26. Food will be available for purchase. 
 
Fascinating Frog Books June 27
Fascinating Frog Books is a child’s reading outreach program hosted by Rock County Community Library at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27.                                                          
                                   
Strength, Balance and Flexibility June 28
Strength, Balance and Flexibility, a free class to improve mobility, will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Plaza on Main and is hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness.
 
Free root beer floats and music June 28
Free root beer floats and music, hosted by Rock the Edge, will be at the Plaza on Main at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, to celebrate Rock the Edge Work Week.
 
‘Sip and Ride’ golf cart tour of The Loop July 1
Take a golf cart tour of The Loop, hosted by Luverne Chamber Saturday, July 1, at the Plaza on Main. Free tours are at 8 and 10 a.m., but call 507-283-4061 to reserve a seat.
 
Fourth of July concert
A Fourth of July concert with Ron and Jane Cote will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at the Rock County Courthouse Square.  Bring a chair.
                                   
Live music on the Plaza July 10
Live music on the Plaza is hosted by Luverne Street Music to 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 a chair.                              
 
Summer crafts and activities July 13
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.
 
Touch the Sky Prairie Nature Walk July 15
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 July 17
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
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 July 19
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.
 
Treats & Treasures
Treats and Treasures is hosted by Luv1LuvAll at the Plaza on Main from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20. A free snack and program info will be provided.
 
Live music on the Plaza
 Luverne Street Music is celebrating their 10th anniversary and will provide live music on the Plaza on Main at 5:30 Monday, July 24. Participants are asked to bring a chair.
 
Senior dance
Luverne Aquatics & Fitness will host a senior dance class at the Plaza on Main from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, to promote free exercise thru dance class.
 
Life on the Prairie
The Rock County Historical Society will host a hands-on prairie experience for kids from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Fitzer Barn on the Rock County Fairgrounds. The event is free.                                     
 
Live music on the Plaza
Ron and Jane Cote will provide live music at the Plaza on Main from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday, July 27. Enjoy lunch from Wildflower’s Lunch Trailer. Attendees are asked to bring a chair.
 
Seniors in motion
Seniors in Motion is a free mobility and fitness class osted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2.
 
Furs and Fossils
Furs and Fossils is a free “feel and learn” event for kids hosted by the Rock County Historical Society at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.  
 
Free root beer floats and historic downtown tours
To celebrate National Root Beer Float Day, Take 16 Brewing and the Luverne Chamber will host
golf cart tours of the historic Luverne downtown at 2 and 4 p.m. and serve root beer floats at the Plaza. Call 507-283-4061 to reserve a seat. 
 
Super Summer Books
 “Super Summer Books,” a child reading outreach, is hosted by the Rock County Community Library at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 10:30 a.m.Tuesday, Aug. 15.
 
Yard Games & Fellowship
Free fun activities will be available at the Plaza on Main from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug.17, hosted by Rock County Opportunities.Wildflowers Food Truck will be available for lunch.
 
Crazy Summer Fun for Kids |
This event is hosted by Luverne Chamber at the Plaza on Main from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 18. Free lunch will be served for kids. Reservations are requested by Aug. 16. Call the Chamber at 507-283-4061
 
Sip & Ride Golf Cart Coffee Tour
This event is hosted by Luverne Chamber at the Plaza on Main. Rides depart at 8 and 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, for the Tales of the Graves golf cart tour. Reserve your seat by calling the Chamber at 507-283-4061.
 
Stick Fitness
This is a free exercise class hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21.

Dispatch centers across the state and across the country are experiencing a significant uptick in pocket dials and hang-ups — with some 911 call centers seeing these calls go up 300 percent.
These misdials often require dispatchers and law enforcement officers to follow up with the caller to see if there is an emergency, which prevents them from answering other legitimate calls for emergency help. 
In Rock County, our dispatchers have reported similar dropped 911 calls.
For example, there were 411 abandon 911 calls in 2022, according to Margaret Pettit, lead dispatcher in the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
This year she said there have been 347 abandon 911 calls since Jan. 1, 2023. In May there were 84 and so far since June 1 there have been 55.
“Accidental 911s have always been and continue to be an issue for our agency,” Pettit said. “The update with Android uses has certainly increased this.”
While public safety leaders investigate what may be causing this spike in accidental calls, there are steps the public can take now to help ease the strain. 
•The public is asked to be aware that devices, such as cell phones or smart watches, can make emergency calls. Knowing how to activate the “Emergency SOS” feature can reduce instances of accidentally triggering a device — especially during high-movement activities.  
•Sometimes it’s just an instance of lint or grease jamming the trigger, so cleaning and maintaining the device may be another solution.
•Locking keypads using the keypad lock feature prevents a phone from responding to keystrokes until the user unlocks the keypad to intentionally make phone calls.
Finally, anyone who calls 911 by mistake should not hang up. The public is asked to let the dispatcher know the call was a mistake so they can end the call and move on to the next caller. 

The Redbirds scooped up three wins on the road in the past week to improve their record to 8-0 for the season, outscoring their opponents 103-9 in the first eight games.
The Redbirds beat Worthington 11-2 on June 7 and won two games on June 11, beating Hadley 4-2 and Heron Lake 17-0.
The Redbirds will take on Windom at home Wednesday, June 14, and they’ll travel to Jackson Sunday, June 18.
 
Redbirds 11, Worthington 2
The Redbirds took down the Cubs 11-2 in Worthington Wednesday, June 7.
Worthington managed to get two runs in the game but could not stop the Redbirds’ bats.
Luverne had 15 hits in the game led by Skyler Wenninger with four, Nick Smith added three, and Casey Sehr, Jake Haugen and Ethan Beyer all had two hits each.
Smith and Ben Serie both had three RBIs and Newt Johnson and Haugen added one RBI each.
Smith belted a line drive over the center field fence in the fourth inning, scoring Derek Lundgren and Skyler Wenninger.
Haugen started on the mound for the Redbirds, going six innings, allowing one run on five hits with five strikeouts.
Cade Wenninger came from the bullpen to throw three innings, allowing one run and striking out eight batters.
 
BOX Score
RBirds 1 1 2 3 0 0 1 3 0 11 
WRTH 0 0  0 1 0 0 1 0 0  2
 
BATTING
Luverne         AB R H    RBI
Lundgren 3 1 0 0
Sterrett 1 0 0 0
S. Wenninger 5 3 4 0
Ahrens 1 0 0 0
Smith 3 3 3 3
Overgaard 1 0 0 0
Serie 5 0 1 3
Johnson 5 1 1 1
C. Wenninger 5 0 1 0
Sehr 5 2 2 0
Haugen 4 1 2 1
Beyer 5 0 2 0
2B: C. Wenninger, Johnson, S. Wenninger, Haugen, Serie
HR: Smith
Total Bases: Smith 3, S. Wenninger 5, Haugen 3, C. Wenninger 2, Johnson 2, Serie 2, Sehr 2, Beyer 2
 
PITCHING
Luverne       IP H R  ER SO
Haugen          6   5   1   0   5
C. Wenninger 3   0   1   0   8
Pitches-Strikes: Haugen 85-71, C. Wenninger 52-30
Batters Faced: Haugen 26, C. Wenninger 11
 
Redbirds 4, Hadley 2
Luverne traveled to Hadley Sunday, June 11, to play the first of two games for the day.
The Redbirds beat the Hadley Buttermakers 4-2 for the win.
In a back-and-forth, low-scoring game, Luverne pulled out a two-run seventh inning win.
In the top of the second, Johnson singled a line drive to score Cade Wenninger and Haugen.
In the bottom of the sixth, Hadley tied the game, scoring two of their own.
In the top of the seventh inning the Redbirds shut the door on the game, scoring Sehr and Phil Paquette and holding Hadley to no runs in the bottom of the inning.
Sehr pitched a complete game, going seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, and striking out 12 batters.
 
BOX Score
RBirds 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 4
HDLY  0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2
 
BATTING
Luverne         AB R H    RBI
Johnson 3 0 1 2
Paquette 4 1 1 0
S. Wenninger 3 0 2 0
Serie 4 0 0 1
Beers 4 0 0 1
C. Wenninger 4 1 2 0
Haugen 1 1 1 0
Smith 2 0 0 0
Lundgren 2 0 0 0
Sehr 3 1 0 0
Total Bases: C. Wenninger 2, S.Wenninger 2, Paquette, Haugen, Johnson
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R   ER  SO
Serie        7   6   2   2   12
Pitches-Strikes: Serie 128-85
Batters Faced: Serie 30
 
Redbirds 17, Heron Lake 0
In the Redbirds’ second game Sunday, June 11, Luverne traveled to take on the Heron Lake Lakers.
Luverne sank the Lakers 17-0 in five innings as two pitchers, Beyer and Paquette, combined to throw a shutout.
Beyer took the mound for four innings, allowing two hits while striking out eight batters.
Paquette came in to relieve Beyer in the fifth inning, not allowing a hit and striking out one batter.
Luverne allowed the Lakers only two total hits and three covered bases in the game.
Smith had a good game with four RBIs, three runs, and covered five bases in the game.
Serie compiled three hits, three runs and two RBIs and four bases.
 
BOX Score
RBirds 5 3 4 3 2 x x 17 
HRNL  0 0 0 0 0 x x  0
 
BATTING
Luverne         AB R H    RBI
S. Wenninger 2 1 1 0
Maurer 2 1 1 1
Paquette 3 2 2 2
Smith 4 3 2 4
Serie 4 3 3 2
Johnson 2 0 0 0
Ahrens 2 1 1 0
C. Wenninger 3 2 3 1
Haugen 3 2 1 1
Lundgren 1 1 1 2
Beers 2 0 1 1
Sehr 4 1 1 0
2B: Smith, S. Wenninger, Serie
3B: Smith, C. Wenninger
Total Bases: Smith 5, C. Wenninger 5, Serie 4, S. Wenninger 2, Paquette 2, Ahrens, Haugen, Serie, Beers, Maurer, Lundgren
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R  ER  SO
Beyer       4   2   0   0   8
Paquette  1   0   0   0   1
Pitches-Strikes: Beyer 56-36, Paquette 19-13
Batters Faced: Beyer 16, Paquette 3

A chain link fence separates my backyard from the new Child’s Remembrance Garden in the northwest corner of Luverne.
The formerly neglected space in Tonto – now Firefly Park – has been transformed into a stunning collection of brick paths, a stone wall, a labyrinth, a fountain, a pergola and lots of greenscape.
The purpose of the garden is, “To provide a non-denominational safe area for people who have lost a child to grieve, remember and heal.”
Dozens of people meander through the garden every day. Some come alone to sit on one of the benches and stare quietly at nothing.
Others come with a spouse or a friend and stare together.
Kids charge directly up the rock wall and balance precariously on its highest edge. A sign proclaiming, “Do not climb” would be completely pointless.
Riders from the bike path park their bikes and wander through the garden, helmets in hand, reading the names on the bricks.
Occasionally a group will take a seat at the table under the pergola and rest awhile.
Young lovers on long walks, believing they are alone, use the space to process their issues. They are not alone. I am watering my shrubs and am right there with them.
I interviewed the members of the committee whose efforts built the garden. One desire they expressed is that the garden would be a place where their loved ones would be remembered. “We want people to say their names.”
Lots of sounds fill the garden. The ring of my wind chimes drifts across the fence.
A family of crows screeched and cawed its way through spring.
Squeaking chains on the park swings sometimes provide an odd background rhythm.
Kids yell.
Dogs bark.
A lawn mower.
A weed eater.
A truck braking on the highway.
A pheasant in the bean field honks his authority over the territory.
Blended with it all is the sound of water splashing from the garden’s rock fountain.
And sometimes, people walking through the garden begin to read aloud the names on the bricks.
From my side of the chain link fence I listen and cherish the sound.
“It’s working.”

My last column was about my fishing trip, and this one is about Mary’s and my recent trip to Las Vegas.
To give you an idea of how the overall trip went, the file I created for all the flight, hotel and other information was called “the trip from hell” file.
We were one of four couples going to Vegas to celebrate the 65th birthday of the “baby” of the group. He was the first of the group to book the flight for himself and his wife, and he did so on Frontier Airlines through Expedia. He shared with us the unbelievable low price and great departure time, albeit out of Minneapolis. We had never before used Expedia or flown on Frontier Airlines but went ahead and booked our tickets.
One day after the flights were booked and hotel reservations were made, our flights were canceled and a couple of other Frontier flight options were made available. Option one took 13 hours to get there, and option two was on completely different days than when we wanted to go. Needless to say, we cancelled everything and started the process over. We ended up flying Delta to and from, and I can’t say enough good things about Delta … highly recommend them.
That’s not to say our experience with the TSA was delightful.
After zigzagging our way through the line to get to Mr.TSA and present our driver’s license, which we did, upon his inspection of said license, he said the words you never want to hear from Mr. TSA: “We have a problem here.”
It seems while I was booking our tickets, I put my date of birth on Mary’s ticket and her date of birth on my ticket. Mr. TSA seemed to be taking great pleasure in telling me I had to go back to the Delta ticketing area and have them change the dates of birth.
As you can imagine, I handled this with great calmness and control of any verbal outburst.
Mr. TSA told us that once we had the corrections made, we could come back through the priority line directly to the front of the line.
Lucky for me, Delta had a “Delta help agent” line for stupid people like me that need help fixing their mistakes. It was no surprise that the Delta help agent … and now Mary … seemed to take great pleasure in my blunder.
Another reason to recommend Delta is this little booking error on my part was fixed in as little as three minutes and the Petersons were headed back to Mr. TSA in the priority line right to the front of the line. Mr. TSA greeted us with “That didn’t take long.” He wasn’t sure if the change would be in the system that quickly. He checked and thankfully the dates had been corrected and the problem solved.
That was until Mr.TSA said we have another problem: The genders are wrong. I had Mary listed as male and me as female. So much for calmness, and the verbal outburst was just about to be unleashed when I had a thought. I asked Mr. TSA, “When you consider the world we live in today, do you think our gender really matters?” He looked at me and said, “Enjoy your flight.”
All in all, if you disregard the ticket mess and the fact that we got lost trying to find our room, not to mention getting charged (wrongfully, I might add) $36 for a box of intimate pleasure items that were in a display case in our room, we had a great trip.

Olson: Water on earth is about 4.5 billion years old

Letter to the Editor:
Re: article in current Star Herald about Rock County Water System receiving a

grant to determine nitrates and also the age of water in Rock County.
If you google “How old is drinking water,” you find that all water on earth is about 4.5 billion years old. It was formed during the formation of

the solar system and just cycles and changes form (as rain, snow, sleet, etc.) No new water has been added since that time.
Perhaps the grant is designed to determine how long nitrates have been in the

county’s water?
I like to tell people I only drink fresh water; it’s 4 1/2 billion years old!
Ken Olson,
Luverne native now in Pinedale, Wyoming