LSS meals at Generations
 
Monday, June 19: Salisbury steak with gravy, baked potato with sour cream, peas and carrots, bread, fruit.
Tuesday, June 20:
Tater tot casserole, green beans, peaches, dinner roll, bar.
Half-Price Day sponsored by American Reformed Church.
Wednesday, June 21: Chicken wild rice soup, carrots, fruit cocktail, breadstick, gelatin with whipped topping.
Thursday, June 22: Pulled pork on a bun, butternut squash, romaine salad with dressing, pineapple chunks, cookie.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Main Street Financial.
Friday, June 23:
Turkey Alfredo with pasta, broccoli, pears, garlic breadstick, dessert.
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.

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 October 14, 1943.
(Hardwick resident Mrs. Anna Varah continues her story from last week.)
The Ostreich family lived in Clayton county nine years and from there moved to Delaware county, Iowa, where they lived until 1885 when they came to Rock county, settling in Clinton township, just north of the Iowa line.
On September 28, 1887, she was married to James E. Varah, by a justice of the peace in Lyon county, Iowa. According to Mrs. Varah, Mr. Varah at that time was not permitted to be married in Minnesota because an Iowa law at that time forbade its residents from marrying outside the state.
They lived in Lyon county the first winter, and there experienced the famous blizzard of 1888. They had plenty of snow, Mrs. Varah declared, and it was extremely cold.
The next spring, they moved to a farm east of Ashcreek, where they lived for five years. From there, they moved to Murray county where they farmed until 1898 when they moved to a farm in Battle Plain township, five miles east of Hardwick. While operating a corn picker one day in the fall of 1914, Mr. Varah lost his hand and the following spring they moved to Hardwick.
They had no children of their own, but they took Truby De Vinney as a boy, and reared him.
One remarkable fact about her family, Mrs. Varah stated, is that there are still nine children living out of a family of 12. Her brothers and sisters include Mrs. E. S. Barker, Willmar; Mrs. Charles Mc Gowan, Pipestone; Mrs. Martha Raymond, Delaware county, Ia.; Mrs. Howard Adams, Suffolk, Mont.; Herman Ostreich, Leboth, S.D.; Paul Ostreich, Cromwell, Minn., and Henry Ostreich, Pennock, Minn.
Mrs. Varah is still very active. She kept a big garden this summer, and did considerable canning. She also raises a few chickens. One of her favorite pastimes is crocheting dish towels for her friends, and she also pieces quilts for others. During the last war, she did considerable sewing and knitting for the Red Cross, but thus far, she has not done any of that type of work during this war, she stated.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

10 years ago (2013)
•Workers removed the 1970s-era paneling covering the Power Fitness and Print Express buildings on Luverne’s Main Street Monday.
Luverne Economic Development Director Holly Sammons said part of establishing a historic district includes determining the historical status of various buildings.
Because these two buildings, along with the Creeger building, were covered up in the 1960s and 1970s it was impossible to determine their historical significance.
If the buildings are designed as historically significant, Sammons said improvements made to the facades by their owners will qualify for state and federal tax credits.
Until then, Sammons said the building owners are spending their own money for the visual improvement of Main Street.
 
25 years ago (1998)
•It’s a race against time for construction crews at the new Luverne Elementary School, with more than 80 people working at the site on a daily basis.
By all estimates, students will be able to attend classes in their new classrooms this fall, but construction manager Ron Domino isn’t making any promises. “We’re still on track,” is all he keeps saying.
At the Thursday, June 11, Luverne School Board meeting, Domino updated board members on construction progress. …
The link between the elementary and high school is now underway, and crews have started roof work on the gym.
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Mrs. Art Boeve of Steen is the 1973 Rock County Rural Homemaker. She represented the annual Rural Homemaker Day in Sioux City, Iowa, June 5.
Selection of the Rural Homemaker is based on her activities within the home and community — and this is where Mrs. Boeve really excels, according to her Extension Club members.
The Boeves are the parents of two daughters and a son — Anita (Mrs. Gregg Bosch) of Little Rock, Iowa, and Glen and Michelle at home. They moved to a farm near Steen 12 years ago from Iowa.
Mrs. Boeve is the president of her local Extension group — the Opportunity Club. She has been president of the Women’s Guild in the Reformed Church in Steen and has taught Sunday School and Daily Vacation Bible School.
 
75 years ago (1948)
•If all the people in the world were as honest as Mrs. Ella Hoffman, Luverne, there would be little need for police officers, said Officer Harry Schneekloth this week.
When Mrs. Hoffman was returning home from work at 6 a.m. Monday, she chanced to see a billfold lying in the street. She picked it up and carried it a few steps to where Officer Schneekloth happened to be standing, and handed it to him, telling him she’d just found it and didn’t know what was in it.
Officer Schneekloth opened it, and his hunch was right. It belonged to Clarence Thode, of near Luverne, who had reported it lost about 1 a.m. It contained not only valuable papers but also $69 in cash. It had been pressed flat, the police officer said, because it had been run over so much with automobile tires while lying in the street.
Thode rewarded Mrs. Hoffman with a $10 bill for her honesty.
 
100 years ago (1923)
•A deal for the purchase of the Luverne hospital property, which has bee pending for some time, was consummated this week, when Mrs. Alma Spalding and the other beneficiaries of the Dr. A. E. Spalding estate, sold the property to Drs. C. L. Sherman and C. O. Wright, each one purchasing a half interest.
Since April, 1921, the hospital has been conducted under a joint lease held by Drs. Wright, Sherman and Thorson, and the sale of property will therefore not occasion any pronounced change in the policies of the institution.
The new owners, however, will make a number of substantial improvements, including the refinishing of the interior of the building, and the installation of new furnishings and equipment, that will add greatly to the appearance and conveniences of the hospital.

Dolly A. (Oaks) Talbert, age 85, of Luverne, Minnesota, died Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Essentia Health Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota, following complications from a stroke.
Visitation was Sunday, June 11, from 3-6 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Funeral service was Monday, June 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Arrangements were under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home. To view Dolly’s LifeTribute video or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Dolly A. (Oaks) Talbert was born on February 6, 1938, to Lewis Sr. and Alice (Menike) Oaks in Aitkin, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm in West Libby Township, north of Palisade, Minnesota, where she attended country school until attending and graduating from Aitkin High School. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Palisade.
She furthered her education at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, graduating with a degree in vocal and instrumental music. Her passion for music became a career with her first teaching position in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Later, she taught in Rush City, Pine City, and Belgrade, all in Minnesota prior to teaching her last 23 years in the Luverne Public Schools.
On September 4, 1970, Dolly was united in marriage to Donald Talbert in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after an earlier divorce. Together they raised an amazing son, Stewart. The couple settled in Luverne where she taught and officially retired in 1993, though she never ceased her dedication to music and the education of others.
She continued to forge new relationships with other musicians through various musical collaborations. Her husband, Don, passed away in August, 2008, and music became her “life”, as she continued to reside in their home. Here, she privately gave piano lessons for many years.
She also maintained contact with students by serving as an accompanist for choirs and vocal and instrumental soloists at Luverne and Hills Beaver Creek public schools. Another joy for her was reading to classes in the elementary school in Luverne.
During her teaching career Dolly was a member of several professional organizations: LEA, MEA, NEA, MMEA, MENC, and ACDA. In 1989 Dolly received the “Teacher of the Year Award” from LEA; the “Minnesota Choral Director of the Year Award” from Minnesota Music Educators Association in 1992; “Friend of Education Award” from LEA in 2000; and most recently, in 2019, she was awarded the “ACE Award” from ACDA.
She served as chairperson of the Music Department in Luverne for many years; served as section leader for the Minnesota All State Women’s Choir for two years; and served as adjudicator for large-group and solo-ensemble contests throughout the state for a number of years.
Dolly rang in the Community Handbell Choir, under the direction of Sue Feltman; accompanied the Opland Singers in Pipestone, Minnesota, for several years; directed a Luverne Community Choir for a Christmas Cantata performance for two years; directed the choir for the Luverne All-School Reunion for two different years and the choir for the Luverne Quasquicentennial Celebration. She also had fun directing and accompanying a group of male colleagues, “The Has Beens,” for several years until her retirement.
Dolly was a member of the Pink Ladies and served on the Medical Home Patient Advisory Committee at Luverne Sanford Hospital.
She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. There, she served as director of the Folk and Chancel Choirs, and two handbell choirs, Deacon, and on the Call Committee, member of the Music/Worship Committee, helped with planning of worship services and was Chairperson for Grace’s Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. She has served as pianist for Saturday evening worship services for many years, and has directed and accompanied the Exaltation Worship Team for a number of years. She has written several hymns, composing the music for lyrics written by Rev. Norman P. Olsen, Rev. Dell Sanderson, and Rev. Maurice Hagen.
Dolly and Don enjoyed traveling. So while they were teaching and Stewart was a youngster, they would hitch up their travel trailer and visit many places throughout the United States, each summer taking them to a different area of the country. In the fall of 1977 they purchased a lot on Lake Shetek and began the task of preparing the lot for a building. Together, with Don’s expertise and good directions, the three of them built a cabin, starting in the summer of 1978. Thus, summer travel ceased while they worked diligently on construction, outside and inside.
By 1984 the cabin was pretty much completed, just in time for them to host an exchange student from Switzerland during the 1983-84 school year.
After Dolly’s retirement in 1993, the couple took many bus tours, always to places they hadn’t been. This became a pleasure for them and Dolly continued to go on bus tours after Don’s passing. She especially liked the “Mystery Tours”, having no idea where she would be going and enjoying every part of the mystery!
Family was very important to Dolly and her grandchildren, Ariana and Hayden, were her pride and joy. She had lots of fun making up new games for them, reading to them, and taking them on treasure hunts as she watched them grow.
On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Dolly passed away at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota, at the age of 85 years, four months and one day.
Dolly will be lovingly remembered by her son, Stewart, and his wife, Jennifer, of Lake City, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Ariana and Hayden; a sister, Diane Lande of Wheaton, Minnesota; a brother, Robert Oaks of Palisade; many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Talbert; a sister, Norma Jean LeRoy; a brother, Lewis Oaks Jr.; and her parents, Lewis and Alice Oaks.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church or Sanford Luverne Hospice.

George Paul Heronimus, age 90, of Ellsworth, died Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington.
He was born September 13, 1932, on a farm in Hanson County, South Dakota, to Paul and Jennie (Buss) Heronimus. George attended School District #1 Rock County through the eighth grade and completed his education at Luverne High School in 1950.
George entered the United States Army on February 15, 1953. He spent two years in the Armed Services during the Korean Conflict. He served his country until his discharge on February 7, 1955.
George and Phyllis married on February 22, 1955, at the Bethel Presbyterian Church in Reading. The couple was blessed with three children, Paul, Pam and Patty. George’s whole life centered around the farm, and he truly enjoyed all aspects of his dairy, swine and grain farm. He enjoyed the challenge of building, welding and fixing equipment.
His favorite times were spent watching his children participate in church, school and 4-H activities. He always enjoyed the Rock County Fair, watching his children exhibit and show livestock.
In 1980 they bought a motorhome and for 33 years they camped their way across America, traveling to all 50 states and all provinces of Canada. They also wintered in Arizona and Texas.
He was a member of the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. He served as elder, deacon, trustee and sang in the choir and rarely missed a Sunday service.
George is survived by his wife, Phyllis Heronimus, Worthington; son, Paul (Lisa) Heronimus, Ellsworth; two daughters, Pam (Mike) Hansen, Tyler, and Patty (Eric) Lindner, Worthington; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, officiated by Pastor Randall Knuth. Burial with full military honors provided by the Ellsworth American Legion was in the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian is in charge of arrangements.

Claribel Helen Grussing, age 85, of Rushmore, died Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Sunrise View Assisted Living in Adrian.
She was born November 12, 1937, in Dewald Township, rural Rushmore, to Bert and Agnes (Osbon) Groenewold. She attended school in Rushmore before graduating from Worthington High School in 1955.
Claribel married Myron Grussing on June 21, 1959, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rushmore. After their marriage, the couple lived in various cities including, Allan, Nebraska, Whiting, Iowa and Cottonwood, Minnesota. In 1963 they moved to the farm southwest of Rushmore.
Claribel was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Worthington and a faithful Christian. She was the seamstress of the family, sewing or fixing many outfits for both her children and grandchildren. She loved to cook, and she made sure everyone had enough to eat. Her buns, rolls, cookies, and French toast were legendary and often fought over by everyone. She was also an avid pinochle player and enjoyed besting everyone but was not a gracious loser. Above all, she loved working with Myron on the farm through supplying the meals, walking beans, helping with the harvest, gardening, and pitching in wherever she could.
Claribel is survived by her husband, Myron Grussing, Rushmore; three children, Deborah (Lorenzo) Perez, Highland, California, Mark (Paula) Grussing, Bijou Hills, South Dakota, and Kathryn (Chad) Duwenhoegger, Alexandria; daughter-in-law Kim Grussing, Rushmore; 14 grandchildren, Alex (Nani) Perez, Nicolas Perez, Aric (Chelsea) Perez, Matthew (Kaci) Grussing, Tyler (Taylor) Grussing, Randi Grussing, Ryann Grussing, Chase (Jazmin) Duwenhoegger, Levi (Jordan) Duwenhoegger, Nicole Duwenhoegger, McKenzie Duwenhoegger, Bailey Grussing, Brooke Grussing and Autumn Grussing; four great-grandchildren, Banks, Sutton, Cru and Madsen; and two brothers, Harlan (Vicki) Groenewold, Rushmore, and Wayne (Neva) Groenewold, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son Richard in 2017; two brothers, Robert and LeeRoy Groenewold; and two sisters, Darleen White and AnnMae Johnson.
Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian; visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral was at 11 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Daren Flinck. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Rushmore.

The Luverne baseball team came up short in the state tournament run, losing to Fairmont in the Section Championship Thursday, June 8, in Windom.
Fairmont beat Luverne 6-4 in the first game, forcing a second game to determine the section champion.
In the section playoffs, Luverne and Fairmont each won one game against each other, forcing another game June 8 to break the 1-1 tie.
In the second game, Fairmont handed the Cardinals a disappointing 3-2 loss to advance to state competition.
The Cardinals finished the year with a record of 20-6 and an 11-1 record in the Big South Conference.
 
Fairmont 6, LHS 4
Luverne traveled to Windom Thursday, June 8, for the Section 3A Championship against Fairmont, falling 6-4 in extra innings.
The Cardinals closed the first inning scoring four runs and taking the lead 4-0 over Fairmont.
Junior Will Serie doubled on a fly ball, scoring sophomore Carter Sehr, senior Riley Sneller and junior Jacob Stroh.
Junior Elliot Domagala followed with a double to drive in Serie.
And that is where Luverne’s scoring ended.
Fairmont scored one run in the top of the second and tied the game at four in the seventh inning, scoring three runs on one error, a single and a groundout.
In the top of the 10th inning Fairmont added two more runs, taking a 6-4 lead.
LHS was unable to produce any runs in the bottom of the inning and took a 6-4 loss.
Senior Zach DeBoer opened the game pitching for Luverne, going 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit, striking out two batters.
Junior Conner Connell came in to relieve DeBoer, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, striking out 10 batters.
Sehr then came into the game, pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, striking out one batter.
 
BOX Score
FRMN 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 2
LHS    4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr 4 1 1 0
Sneller 2 1 0 0
Stroh 4 1 0 0
Connell 5 0 1 0
Serie 5 1 3 3
Domagala 5 0 1 1
Schlosser 4 0 1 0
DeBoer 4 0 0 0
Buss 2 0 0 0
Miller 1 0 0 0
Left On Base: 8
2B: Domagala, Serie
TB: Connell, Domagala 2, Schlosser, Sehr, Serie 4
 
Pitching
Luverne    IP    H  R  ER SO
DeBoer      2.1   1 1   0   2
Connell     6.1   5 3   1   10
Sehr          1.1   2 2   2   1
Loss: DeBoer
Pitches-Strikes: DeBoer 50-29, Connell 116-72, Sehr 22-9
 
Fairmont 3, LHS 2
In a forced second game, Fairmont was able to walk off Luverne in a 3-2 win to advance to the Section 3A State Tournament.
The Cardinals scored their two runs in the top of the first inning.
Serie singled to right field, driving in Sehr from third base, and Domagala singled to left field, scoring Connell.
Fairmont cut the lead to one in the fifth inning and one run in the seventh inning to tie the Cardinals 2-2.
In the eighth inning, Fairmont reached first base on an error, bunted for an out, advancing a runner to second.
With one out and a runner on third base, Fairmont was able to score on an error and win the game 3-2.
Jacob Stroh started on the mound for Luverne, pitching six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three batters.
DeBoer came in to relieve Stroh in the seventh inning, pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out one batter.
 
BOX Score
LHS    2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FRMN 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr 3 1 1 0
Sneller 4 0 1 0
Stroh 4 0 1 0
Connell 3 1 1 0
Serie 3 0 1 1
Domagala 4 0 1 1
Schlosser 3 0 1 0
DeBoer 2 0 0 0
Ahrendt 2 0 0 0
Miller 1 0 0 0
Left On Base: 7
TB: Connell, Domagala, Schlosser, Sehr, Serie, Stroh
 
Pitching
Luverne IP H R ER  SO
Stroh       6   3   2   1   3
DeBoer  1.1  2   1   0   1
Loss: DeBoer
Pitches-Strikes: Stroh 96-56, DeBoer 24-17

Doris Lorraine Essman was born to Ole and Mary (Anderson) Hegstad on March 29, 1925, in Slayton, Minnesota. She was raised and educated through eighth grade in Slayton before moving to Ellsworth, Minnesota. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1943 and then attended Mankato State Teachers’ College in Mankato, Minnesota, graduating in 1944. She taught school in Adrian, Minnesota, and Ellsworth.
On August 9, 1946 Doris was united in marriage to Melvin Essman. The couple lived on his parents’ farm for two years and then moved throughout the Rock and Nobles County area before settling on a farm near Kanaranzi, Minnesota. During this time Doris worked at the Kanaranzi store and post office for a few years.
In 1989 Doris and Melvin moved from their home of 29 years into Luverne, Minnesota. Melvin passed away on October 30, 2008. Doris continued to reside in their home until March 2009, when she moved to the Poplar Creek assisted living facility in Luverne. She later transitioned to the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home. On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Doris died peacefully at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 98 years, two months and six days.
Doris was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She was a ruling elder, belonged to “Anchor Group,” and was involved in circle and quilting. She also belonged to Kanaranzi Ladies Aid.  She was a member of the Luverne Lions 92 and belonged to a bowling league. She enjoyed playing cards with her card club, knitting, crocheting, reading and fishing.
Doris is survived by her two children, David (Claudia) Essman of Deerwood, Minnesota, and Deanna (Robert) Wieme of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; daughter, Lori Essman; grandson, Steven Essman; parents, Ole and Mary; two siblings, Nona Walter and Minver Hegstad; and a step-sister, Juanita.
Funeral service will be Saturday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Luverne.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.

Who remembers the days, maybe back in high school, when we would all chip in money for gas? Man, it seemed like $5 would get you around all weekend. Not so much anymore.
This one time a group of us were on our way to the gas station for a weekend excursion. I don’t remember what we had planned, but I’m certain it wasn’t good. Anyway, the station was in our sights, the car chugged, and we ran out of gas. My buddy put it in neutral and started coasting. I remember thinking, if only this were the “Flintstones” we could drop our feet thru the floor and run like crazy! But, no … we stopped, got out and pushed the car the rest of the way. We learned a lesson to keep the tank full or at least keep the needle from bouncing on “E.”
I think the same thing happens to us spiritually. We need to be aware of the level of our spiritual tank. We want to avoid running low causing unnecessary wear and tear on our hearts and souls. Think about it. Our cars need fuel to keep running as do our spirits. It’s very important not to let your spiritual tank bounce on “E.” When we get down to mere vapors in our tank, we get tired and in our exhaustion is when the enemy attacks. He is waiting there, doing everything he can do just to keep us from filling up. Be vigilant to keep your spirit full, because we can’t step thru the floor like Fred and Barney to keep going.
Spend time with God through prayer, reading his word, and worship. Get out of the house and go to church, in your car … full of gas! Hang out with other believers. Do what you can to stay full. Pay attention to your personal spiritual gauge; don’t be comfortable with just glancing at it occasionally, assuming it has enough to get you through.
I had a truck with a broken gas gauge. I relied on how many miles I could go between fill-ups. Of course, I miscalculated one time and ran out of gas. Maybe this is how you have been spiritually; you’ve miscalculated how much is left in your spiritual tank and you’re not totally ready when the enemy attacks.
Isn’t this like the story of the ten virgins? Five virgins brought extra oil for their lamps and five did not. It would appear the five that didn't have enough oil seemed to have it together spiritually. Their lamps were burning.  But they didn't burn long. 
"The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them."  (Matthew 25:3)
They kept only enough oil to keep their lamps burning for a little while. But the wise girls were ready.
"The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps." (Matthew 25:4)
They brought extra oil along so when their tank ran low, they filled it back up again. Which is why we need to be filled spiritually so we are ready, no matter what happens.
In Jesus’ parable, the bridegroom didn’t come right away as was expected. The five who were unprepared ran out of oil and had to go out to buy some more. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. When the five girls got back, the door was closed, and they couldn’t participate in the celebration.
God doesn't always arrive when we expect him to either. Like the five wise virgins, we need to have enough fuel for today and for tomorrow and the day after that.