The Luverne comedy duo “Marlene and Darlene” will return to the stage Thursday night, May 11, for a dessert theater fundraiser at the Generations Event Center on South Estey Street.
Actresses Brenda Winter (Marlene) and DJ Luethje (Darlene) will join auctioneer Yvette Vander Brink to raise money for the Generations special events fund.
The event will mark the third stage appearance of the hapless elderly sisters who “travel in their Toyota from Leota, Minnesota” to Luverne to advocate for a cause.
This time, their visit has two primary objectives, according to Winter: to make people laugh and to convince people that Generations is a fun place to be.
“People need to laugh,” Winter said. “It’s been a tough go these past couple years for so many people. We must laugh.”
The dessert auction becomes part of the Marlene-and-Darlene skit when the sisters decide, “We don’t need no auctioneer; we can do this ourselves.”
Marlene makes Darlene promise that they will not call their sister, “Charlene, (Vander Brink), the famous, successful, good-looking auctioneer with a handsome husband.”
But when things get out of hand, Charlene comes to the rescue.
When asked if Winter and Luethje have rehearsed with Vander Brink, Winter said, “You know Yvette, right? I am not writing any lines for her. DJ and I are just going to hold onto our hats. … She’s her own show.”
In addition to George Bonnema’s legendary carrot cake, the dessert auction introduces featured cakes in the program, but two last-minute, unplanned entries show up when Marlene and Darlene add their own cakes to the lineup.
Advance tickets for the Marlene and Darlene dessert auction are $20 in the lobby of Generations from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through May 8 Tickets at the door will be $25 the night of the event.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, and the show begins at 7.
Raffle tickets for several donated gifts — many valued at more than $100 — are also available in the lobby. See the Generations Facebook page for details.

Meetings
Kenneth Cemetery Association annual meeting will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6, in the Kenneth Community Center. Members and non-members are encouraged to attend.
Sanford Luverne Pink Ladies will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 8, in the Sanford Luverne meeting room. Call Sharon at 507-227-3821 with questions.
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 15, at the township hall in Beaver Creek. 
MS Support Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday May 16, at Pizza Ranch in Luverne. All persons with MS, family and friends are invited. Call 507-283-2069 or 507-283-2964.
American Legion Auxiliary Post #123 will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, at the Luverne Pizza Ranch. Call Dianna Tomlinson at 507-283-1934 with questions.
 
LHS to perform ‘Addams Family’ musical
Luverne High School Drama Department will perform the “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” on May 4, 5 and 6 in the performing arts center. Curtain opens at 7 p.m.
 
Powerful Tools for Caregivers starts May 3
A series of six classes, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, starting May 3, at A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota, located in the Generations building in Luverne. Classes to help caregivers take better care of themselves are free, but registration is required by calling 507-283-5064.
 
Nutrition for seniors May 4
A.C.E. of SW MN will offer its Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and older from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 4. The drive-thru distribution will be in the parking lot off Maple Street on the east side of Generations Event Center. Pre-registration is required by calling 507-283-5064.
 
Fifth-grade band concert May 5
Luverne elementary fifth-grade band concert will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 5, in the performing arts center. The public is welcome to attend.
 
SAIL classes start May 8 at Generations
SAIL classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings starting May 8 through June 30 in Generations Event Center in Luverne.
The classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. There is no cost, but pre-registration is required by calling Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064, or ACE Volunteer Cory Ziegler, 507-920-0587.
 
‘Marlene and Darlene’ return to Generations May 11
Local actresses Brenda Winter and DJ Luethje will return as Marlene and Darlene in “Piece of Cake” at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at Generations. Tickets for the third annual Dessert Theatre are $20 in advance (in the Generations lobby 9:30-1 p.m. April 24-May 8) and $25 at the door to benefit special events at Generations. Email livewellagewell100@gmail.com.
 
Register until May 10 for 4-H camps in June
Youth who have completed grades 3-6 can attend one of two residential camps at Lake Shetek June 19-21 and June 21-23. 4-H staff and high school youth counselors lead activities, small group discussions and outdoor activities during the camps.
Registration is open until May 10. Contact the Rock County Extension Office, 507-283-1302, or mnnext-rock@umn.edu.
 
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. 
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
The summer Community Education brochure was included in the April 29 Luverne Announcer. Many of the classes have early registration deadline of May 24 for lower fees. Register for football, volleyball, tennis, golf, morning rec, arts & crafts, basketball, track, gymnastics, weight lifting, wrestling. 
Defensive Driving refresher four-hour classes are May 8, June 12, July 10. The beginning class is Sept. 11 and 18 (four hours each evening).
Families, day cares, and visitors are invited to play and learn in the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom located on the southwest corner of school property. To order a paver (to support the project maintenance), or to reserve a time for a field trip to the classroom, call 283-4724.
 
SAIL classes in Beaver Creek
SAIL classes meet in Beaver Creek Monday and Wednesday mornings now through May 24.
The classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. They meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Beaver Creek City Hall in Beaver Creek. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required by calling Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064.
 
SAIL classes in Hills
SAIL classes meet in Hills Monday and Thursday mornings now through June 22. The classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. They meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Game Plan 4 Hope, 312 W. 3rd St. in Hills. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required by calling volunteer class leaders Carol Gerhke, 507-220-1116, or Nelva Behr, 507-962-3413.
 
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.
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Fridays now through April 28. Stories and make-and-take crafts are the same at either event.
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.

Kindergartners at Luverne Elementary School took to the performing arts center stage Friday afternoon for their first music program of their academic careers. The 71 students sang several popular Mother Goose rhymes including “Mother Hubbard,” “Jack B. Nimble,” “Three Little Kittens” and “Humpty Dumpty.” Conducting the students is Morgan Van Holland.

Bittner probate
STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT
ROCK COUNTY                          FiFTH JUDICIAL COURT
                                                                    COURT FILE NUMBER: 67-PR-23-63
  CASE TYPE: INFORMAL PROBATE
In re the Estate of Thomas Jay Bittner,                                                            
Deceased       Notice of Informal Probate of Will and
Appointment of Personal Representative
and Notice to Creditors
 
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:
Notice is hereby given that an application for informal probate of the above-named Decedent's Last Will dated August 8, 2022, has been filed with the Probate
Registrar, and the application has been granted. 
Notice is also given that the Probate Registrar has informally appointed the following: Kenneth Jay Bittner, whose address is 4371 Briarwood Lane, Minnetonka, MN 55343
as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative, or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-607, and the court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. 
Any objections to the probate of the Will, or to the appointment of the personal
representative, must be filed with this court, and will be heard by the court after the
filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.
Notice is also given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to
the Court Administrator within four (4) months after the date of this Notice, or the claims will be
barred. 
 
Dated: April 10, 2023 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
/s/ Natalie Reisch Court Administrator
 
(05-04, 05-11)

For the 28th year, the city of Luverne has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
At their April 25 meeting, City Council members formally recognized city finance director Robyn Wessels for her efforts in qualifying the city for the award.
“Thanks for the great job you do,” Mayor Pat Baustian told Wessels.
He pointed out that Wessels had big shoes to fill when former city finance director Barb Berghorst retired, and he thanked Wessels for maintaining the legacy of excellence.
Wessels thanked the council but also credited city staff for their contributions to qualifying for the award.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. It represents a “significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the city of Luverne for its comprehensive annual financial report every year since 1994.
It is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with high standards for preparing government financial reports.

A group of women motorcycle riders will ride through Luverne Saturday as part of the International Female Ride.
The riders, roughly 100 expected to participate, will leave Sioux Falls around 10 a.m. and will take county roads to Luverne, arriving between 11 and noon.
They’ll parade through town before stopping for lunch at JJ’s Tasty Freeze on South Highway 75.
The event is sponsored by Vern Eide Motoplex to spotlight women riders in the area, but all riders are welcome, according to organizer Lynnette “Nettie” Lawrence, Vern Eide apparel consultant and two-wheel enthusiast.
“Building lifelong bonds with local women and having a blast, all while riding and exploring the natural landscapes and historical landmarks of this region, can be rewarding,” she said.
“There’s a lot to be learned from group riding. Creating a community who watches out for one another, builds personal character.”
She said roughly 19 percent of motorcyclists are female, nearly doubling from 2009, with the median age of female motorcyclists being 39.
The largest interest appears mostly in cruisers, followed by scooters, and then sport bikes.
“Female motorcycle clubs have grown increasingly popular as women are drawn to motorcycling for the camaraderie and outdoorsy feel and fun,” said Lawrence, a member of the local Litas lady riding chapter.
The International Female Ride Day will start at 9 a.m. at Vern Eide Motoplex with women-owned businesses serving coffee and breakfast on site.
Also, women-owned businesses will offer a vendor fair throughout the day, and a raffle drawing at 3 p.m. will benefit the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety (formerly Children’s Inn).
Lawrence can be reached at llawrence@verneide.com

Foster Care Month in May offers an opportunity to recognize foster parents for providing care and stability to children in crisis across Minnesota.
Children often experience mental health challenges from trauma and family disruption. In fact, mental and behavioral health is the most significant unmet health need for children and teens in foster care.
As many as 80 percent of children in foster care have significant mental health issues, compared to about 20 percent of the general population.
“Addressing the mental health needs of children, youth and parents can bring success to families who get the support and services they need,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.
Children who cannot safely remain at home may be placed temporarily in family foster care or a group residential facility. In 2022, 11,235 children and young adults in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care.
When out-of-home placement becomes necessary, relatives and kin are the first consideration.
Maintaining these relationships can increase stability, reduce trauma and help children maintain a sense of family, belonging and identity.
Minnesota counties and agencies are working to preserve family connections, with 62 percent of children in foster care in Minnesota placed with relatives.
Even with the growth in relative and kinship placements, many agencies still need more foster parents, particularly those who can help meet children’s mental health needs.
Counties are seeking foster families with expertise – or willingness to learn – to support children with trauma and other mental health needs.
Culturally appropriate mental health supports that recognize the identity, culture and lived experiences of children and youth help make services and supports more effective and result in better long-term outcomes.
Foster parents may be licensed to provide training and assess foster families’ strengths and needs. They also help create individual training plans to meet the needs of children in foster care.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides funding to train and support foster families.
Ideally, these agencies have a large enough pool of foster parents to enable children and youth to remain in their communities and schools, while having their needs met.
For more information visit the Department of Human Services’ webpage, mn.gov/dhs.

Each day in May I’m walking at least 9,000 steps, and walking more than four miles a day allows for a lot of thinking.
A recent New York Times article with the headline, “Lean into negative emotions. It’s the healthy thing to do,” has me thinking differently.
It appears when we experience a bad feeling, we don’t have to love the feeling. We just have to try to feel neutral about it.
The study found people who react neutrally were just as psychologically healthy as those who reacted positively. They suggest approaching the feeling with curiosity.
After all, the feeling won’t be around forever.
And it appears well-being increases with age.
As I move toward my sixth decade of life, I’ve turned my focus on my physical well-being.
As a result, I recently put my negative emotions toward the medical community behind me.
I visited a physician for a health check-up after a decade-long hiatus.
“Normal” is what she confirmed as a baseline, just in case my health condition changes for the worse.
The best part of the whole visit was when the nurse asked me to step on the scale — that’s when normal felt really good.
I was no longer considered obese.
When the “Healthy Communities” survey for planning at Southwest Health and Human Services appeared in my mailbox, I was excited to tell someone that I exercise regularly. I’m no longer considered overweight and I pay attention to my diet.
I answered all 64 questions and wondered if only those who work at their wellness respond to surveys?
Do people lie?
Tell the whole truth?
I’ll admit that prior to starting my wellness journey six months ago, (I suspect this is what most people do) I would have set the survey aside and promptly forgot to answer the questions.
Those answers could bring more wellness benefits to our communities no matter what our physical conditions are.
Now that I am more aware of walking paths throughout the region, I appreciate communities and individuals who make these public amenities possible.
Now we just have to use them because there is nothing better for the mind than a little fresh air as we view the natural environment around us.
I don’t know about you, but this month I am going to experience nature firsthand 9,000 steps at a time.

It’s the first week of May, and until this week it felt more like March. Prom has passed, citywide cleanup is in the books, and Mother’s Day and the Minnesota fishing opener are just around the corner.
Driver, beware, because this week is garage sale week. Some sales start on Wednesday, but for the most part Thursday through Saturday are the big days. Traffic through the neighborhoods will be heavier than normal where quick stops and midblock U-turns will be the norm.
This week the city crews have been picking up branches and by week’s end will more than likely be starting their weekly mowing schedules.
A week or so ago we all received our proposed property taxes for the upcoming year. It’s no surprise there was a bit of grumbling at the coffee shops and bars, but I challenge you to find a city that does a better job of plowing streets in the winter and cleaning up our household junk, not to mention the hours and hours of mowing they do every summer.
Another treasure this city has is Redbird Field, which by the way is the site of an exhibition baseball game between the hometown Redbirds and the Sioux Falls Canaries at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6.
The Take 16 Brewing company is sponsoring the event. Admission is bucks for adults and free for students.
Birds Brew Pale Lager, brewed by Take 16, will be available at Redbird Field and at the after-party in the Take 16 beer garden.
Nothing says summer like baseball, beer and brats.