H-BC School Board 
meets March 27
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
March 27, 2023
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting at 7:02 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave, Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Bosch, Gehrke, Harnack, Helgeson, Rauk, Rozeboom and Uittenbogaard. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance.
Motion by Bosch, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve
the agenda. No Visitors.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-Basketball All-Conference - Beau Bakken, Olivia Deelstra, Lanae Elbers -Basketball All Conference Honorable Mention - Jamin Metzger, Layla Deelstra, Abigail Harris
-Superintendent Holthaus was awarded the Minnesota Association of School
Administrators Region 3 - Administrator of Excellence Award.
Committee Reports/Updates: 
Building Grounds - 3/16
Motion by Uittenbogaard, second by Harnack, and carried to
approve Consent Agenda:
-Minutes—3/6/2023, 3/13/2023, and 3/17/2023
-Bills
-Imprest Cash Report
-Treasurer Report
-Student Activity Accounts Report
Motion by Harnack, second by Rauk, and carried to approve Donation Resolution: 
$5,065.26 from Frank Boon Trust for Weight Room Enhancement/Summer Speed
Training
$300 from Alliance Communications for 2nd grade Science Field Trip
$300 from Sioux Valley Energy for 2nd grade Science Field Trip
$300 from Amber Engelkes with Hideaway Cabin for 2nd grade Science Field Trip
$20 from Blackbaud Giving Fund for Elementary Student Council
$20 from Blackbaud Giving Fund for Secondary Student Council
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Bosch, and carried to approve 2023-2024 District Calendar Adjustment to Fall Elementary P/T Conference Days.
Motion by Helgeson, second by Harnack, and carried to approve Friday, March 24 as a student contact day and Monday, April 10 as a Staff and Student School in session Day- makeup school cancellation day from March 16 and 17.
Motion by Uittenbogaard, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve
Resolution for Termination/Non-renewal of Arielle Larson as Teacher at the
end of the 2022-2023 school year.
Motion by Helgeson, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve Resolution
for Termination/Non-renewal of Lydia Scruggs as Teacher at the end of
the 2022-2023 school year.
Motion by Bosch, second by Harnack, and carried to approve Resolution for
Termination/Non-renewal of Allesia Kolles as Teacher at the end of the
2022-2023 school year.
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Secondary Principal Report
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
•Legislative Update- Rozeboom
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Bond Referendum Public Meeting, Tuesday, March 28 at Hugo Goehle Gym
in Hills
Bond Referendum Election- Tuesday, April 11, 2023- 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, April 17 (moved because of canvass of election)
Regular Board Meeting Monday, April 24
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Harnack, and carried to approve
adjournment of meeting.
Time of Adjournment: 8:07 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(04-27)

The Luverne High School drama department will bring “creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky” characters to life in “The Addams Family: The Musical.”
The first of five performances of the musical comedy starts tonight, Thursday April 27. Others are Tuesday, May 2 (recently added), and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 4, 5 and 6, in the school’s performing arts center.
All performances begin at 7 p.m.
Director Shawn Kinsinger said he chose the production for its humor and songs.
“Much of the singing in The Addams Family is not the typical choral singing you would hear at one of the high school choir concerts,” he said.
“This gives the students the chance to experiment with different styles and techniques. The humor in this show is great.”
The large cast features Addams Family characters of:
•Gomez Addams portrayed by senior Parker Carbonneau.
•Morticia Addams, by sophomore Bri Kinsinger.
•Wednesday Addams, by junior Alex Perkins.
•Pugsley Addams, by freshman James DeBates.
•Uncle Fester, by sophomore Xavier McKenzie.
•Grandmama, by freshman Rebecca Hoogland.
•Lurch, by sophomore Chase Matthiesen.
•Cousin It, by senior Myles Trimble.
The plot centers around the Addams Family annual gathering at the family crypt to celebrate their ancestors (living, dead and undecided) when it is discovered that Wednesday has fallen in love with a “normal” boy and is getting married.
This boy and his family, the Beinekes, are coming to dinner to meet Wednesday and her family. Wednesday convinces Gomez to keep the engagement from Morticia so they can try to act as “normal” as possible to win them over.
Uncle Fester has decided that, to help Wednesday, the ancestors will not be allowed back into the crypt until they’ve helped Wednesday seal the deal.
Pugsley, however, has a different idea and his mischief with one of Grandmama’s potions adds a twist to the dinner.
“This sets the stage for an ‘eventful’ evening for everyone involved,” Kinsinger said.
Other cast members include the Beineke family: dad Mal, (freshman Zander Carbonneau), mom Alice, (junior Abby Boltjes) and Wednesday’s boyfriend (Lucas, freshman Elijah Henrichs).
•Ancesters are Hallie Pergande, Steven Wood, Priscilla Muehr, Audrie DeBates, Andrea Luitjens, Brooke Vis, Lexi Berg, Brooklyn Wicks, Nora Louwagie, Janica Oechsle, Bethany Behr, Chris Bonilla, Hunter Cope and Ashlyn Johnson.
“The group of ancestors are all individual characters themselves,” Kinsinger said. “This allows each student to bring their ancestor to life in their own creative ways.”
A large production crew supports the students on stage.
They are stage manager Kaitlin Conger, Makayla Oechsle, Isabella Benson, Travis Schempp, Korben Fisher, Egypt Forrest, Zoey Berghorst, Cam Aukes, Austin Morseman, Elizabeth Mulder and Andrew Kinsinger.
Director Kinsinger said the students are excited about the musical, which features elaborate sets that raise and lower from the art center’s ceiling. This feature was part of the PAC’s construction completed two years ago.
“Luverne has always supported live theater in our community and we are thankful for that,” Kinsinger said.
“We look forward to showing off what the new performing arts center can do. … It’s an absolute spectacle of a set.”
Parents Cody Henrichs and Mike Carbonneau helped construct the Addams mansion and various wheeled scenery for the two-act play.
The music, however, keeps the action moving, Kinsinger said.
“The music is top-notch and the students are excited about it,” he said.
“The characters are fun, and not just the family that everyone is familiar with — there is a group of dead ancestors that show up in the beginning that is full of odd and peculiar characters that hang around throughout the entire show.”

Mortgage foreclosure sale
set for June 29 
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:
Mortgagor: Logan Crosby and Hallie Crosby, Husband And Wife
Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as 
nominee for First International Bank & Trust, its successors and assigns
 
Dated: September 9, 2022
Recorded:               September 14, 2022
Rock County Recorder Document No. 203176
 
Assigned To: Citizens Bank, N.A.
Dated:                    January 20, 2023
Recorded:              January 24, 2023
Rock County Recorder Document No. 203954
 
Transaction Agent: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.
Transaction Agent Mortgage Identification Number: 100080500000457556
Lender or Broker: First International Bank & Trust, a Corporation
Residential Mortgage Servicer: Citizens Bank
Mortgage Originator: First International Bank & Trust, a Corporation
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot Eight (8), except the South Five (S 
5) feet thereof, In Block Two (2) of Park View First Addition to the City of Hills, 
Rock County, Minnesota. 
This is Abstract Property.
TAX PARCEL NO.: 15-0283-000
ADDRESS OF PROPERTY:
700 Elizabeth Ave S
Hills, MN 56138
COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED:  Rock
ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE:  $256,500.00
AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE: $267,584.53
That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;
PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:
DATE AND TIME OF SALE: June 29, 2023, 10:00 A.M.
PLACE OF SALE: Lobby of Rock County Law Enforcement Center, 1000 N Blue Mound Ave, Luverne, MN
to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within 6 Months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.
DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: The date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under Minnesota Statutes section 580.30 or the property redeemed under Minnesota Statutes section 580.23 is  December 29, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.   If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m.  
MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:  NONE
THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL   DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.
Dated: April 20, 2023
Citizens Bank NA f/k/a RBS Citizens NA, Assignee of Mortgagee
 
By: HALLIDAY, WATKINS & MANN, P.C.
Attorneys for:
Citizens Bank NA f/k/a RBS Citizens NA, Assignee of Mortgagee
1333 Northland Drive, Suite 205
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
801-355-2886
651-228-1753 (fax)
THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT.  ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
MN21479.
(04-27, 05-04, 05-11, 05-18, 05-25, 06-01)

A proposed solar energy generation project north of Magnolia is doubling in size thanks to delays with the original plans for the Elk Creek Solar Farm.
National Grid Renewables (NGR) is reapplying for state permits and is now asking to expand from the proposed 80-megawatt to a 160-megawatt solar farm.
NGR originally received a certificate of need and a site permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in December of 2020.
“Due to significant delays to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) interconnection queue review process for the project, Elk Creek was not able to meet its original target commercial operation date of Dec. 31, 2021,” stated Marc Morandi, NGR’s solar permitting specialist.
Now complete, the review revealed NGR could expand its interconnection up to 160 MW of power generation. As a result, NGR reapplied to PUC to permit double the original request.
The PUC has not made a decision.
Original plans involved 976 acres in the sections of 27, 34 and 35 in Vienna Township. The expanded plans include an additional 500 acres in the same townships as originally planned plus land in Section 3 of Magnolia Township.
Supervisors in both townships previously supported the original project, as did the Rock County commissioners.
Both the Rock County Board and the Rock County Economic Development Authority recently sent letters to the PUC in support of NGR’s expansion plans.
“We believe this project will bring significant economic development and will have a long-term financial benefit to the area,” wrote Economic Authority Chairman David Riphagen.
“We believe the Elk Creek project represents cost-effective renewable energy generation, and we look forward to the project adding economic development to our region.”
The support letter pointed to the added full-time jobs and production tax payments to the county and the hosting townships as specific benefits.
Morandi indicated if the PUC approves the necessary permits this year, construction could begin in the spring of 2024 with completion by December 2025.

City Council members on Tuesday, April 18, toured an East Dodge Street home that’s being remodeled with help from students in Luverne High School’s trades class.
The class is called “Today and Tomorrow’s Tradesmen” (Tnt Tradesmen), and it’s led by LHS woodshop teacher Darrel Van Aartsen of Van Aartsen Construction.
The school partners with the city through building inspector Chad McClure.
The city had an empty lot at 409 East Dodge Street after a structure was taken down through the blight removal program.
The home, formerly office space for Real Estate Retrievers on South Highway 75, found its way to the vacant lot last fall after the Realtors sold it to the city for $1.
The city arranged for Berghorst and Son, Hull, Iowa, to move it, and the trades class learned about all the construction processes along the way.
Students used computer aided drawing to help plan the layout of the rooms, and they helped build the new garage and basement.
It’s now a five-bedroom house with two bathrooms, new kitchen cabinets and appliances, new basement and a new 26-by-30-foot double garage.
As the interior process is nearing completion, students and builders will have a chance to showcase their work during a May 21 open house from 4 to 6 p.m.
“They’re pretty excited about it and feeling pretty good about what they did,” Van Aartsen told council members during their April 18 tour.
TNT students are Josh Evans, Austin Ossefoort Nick Hansen, Luke Hansen, Trenton Carson, JT Remme, Harrison Uithoven, Ryan Vos and Tyson Cowell.
Van Aartsen said his goal for the class was to introduce many types of trades and occupations involved in building a house.
For local contractors, plumbers, electricians and other trades, educating a local workforce will hopefully mean some students learn the trades and remain in Rock County to work.
Council member Caroline Thorson praised Van Aartsen, McClure and the other professionals involved.
“Darrel, this is such a cool thing you’re doing for the kids,” she said. “It’s another great public-private partnership and an example of what this community is able to do.”
The city owns the property and will sell it once construction is complete.
Proceeds from the sale of the home will support another construction project — another home remodel or new construction — for the 2023-24 school year.

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood insurance program agreed to update local maps to include flood mitigation projects implemented almost three decades ago.
Poplar Creek and Rock River watershed areas will be studied and maps updated before the final approval process starts again, possibly late this year or in the spring of 2025.
That’s according to Jeff Weiss, surface water and floodplain engineer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, who confirmed plans on April 18 with Rock County Commissioners.
“There has been additional discussion and investigation and FEMA decided they are not going to go ahead with the draft maps that are out there now,” Weiss said via Zoom.
“They’re going to decide to put the process on hold until the issues in the city of Luverne are addressed.”
Weiss, who began working with the DNR in 2020, reflected back to the initial mapping meetings between FEMA and local officials in 2016 to update the 1970s flood maps.
The completed draft maps were revealed in December 2022 when Luverne and Rock County officials noticed flood plain surrounding Poplar Creek had remained unchanged.
It failed to reflect an extensive flood mitigation project after 1993 that slowed the water flow through the Poplar Creek watershed located on the west side of Luverne.
Local officials estimated 30 to 40 homes would no longer be in the flood plain as the result of those mitigation efforts, but they were still in the flood plain on FEMA’s December 2022 draft map.
FEMA officials later noticed that mitigations efforts in the Rock River watershed east of Luverne were also not included.
“Those two streams, Poplar Creek and Rock River within the city of Luverne, were not specifically included in the scope of work so that’s why they were not done with that (updated) study,” Weiss said.
“From what I understand, there was some miscommunication in productivity and mismatched expectations between what we are doing with the work and what the city and the county wanted to get at with these maps.”
Weiss said FEMA is committed to amending the scope of work to study the effect of the mitigation projects on future rain events involving Poplar Creek and the Rock River.
Weiss further clarified the reason for his Zoom presentation to the county commissioners with a letter to County Administrator Kyle Oldre dated April 17.
“FEMA has committed to fund this work, and the MnDNR has committed to complete it,” he wrote. “Work will begin after funds are available in October 2023.”
The April 18 commissioners meeting was also attended by city of Luverne representatives, including city building inspector Chad McClure,
McClure first pointed out at the public meeting in December about the possibility that the preliminary flood maps were missing mitigation information.
His sentiments about FEMA finally updating the maps mirrored those of the commissioners.
“From the city standpoint, we don’t care how long it takes,” McClure said. “Working off the old paper maps is arduous, but I would rather do that than work off something that is inaccurate.”

A rare diagnosis of rabies in a Nobles County feedlot calf has four people completing post-exposure treatment.
The rabies-positive bovine is the first to be detected in the state since 2020.
Local veterinarian Erin de Koning said skunks and bats most commonly transmit rabies locally.
“Cattle and horses are curious animals, and they will put their noses down and follow the animal around,” she said. “Then they get exposed or bit.”
Rabies is transmitted through saliva of a rabid animal.
Cattle are not normally vaccinated for rabies.
According to the state Board of Animal Health, a Nobles County calf began acting strangely on April 10 and was straining to defecate.
The veterinarian diagnosed a possible intestinal blockage and relieved the pressure surgically.
Three days later the calf struggled to stand and died that evening.
Necropsy samples were sent to the South Dakota State University diagnostic laboratory, which confirmed rabies on April 15.
The calf was housed in a pen of 28 other feedlot calves with dozens of farm cats present on the premises.
The veterinarian recommended vaccinating the calves and keeping them confined for six months. Cats were also vaccinated and will be quarantined for six months.
The state’s veterinarian recommended that the owner undergo post-exposure treatment for rabies, because there was contact with the calf’s mouth during treatment and no gloves were worn.
The veterinarian treating the calf and two assistants who restrained the calf during surgery also opted for the treatment.
All dogs, cats, ferrets and horses should be current on vaccinations.
If vaccinated animals are exposed, a rabies vaccination booster is recommended within 96 hours.

Two county road improvement projects will begin in May, once the current work to replace three bridges along County Road 6 between Beaver Creek and Hills is complete.
According to county engineer Mark Sehr, the culvert replacements are scheduled for completion by May 1, followed by two mill off and bituminous overlay projects scheduled this year.
The first overlay project is six miles of County Road 6 from Beaver Creek to Hills, which also involves a railway crossing improvement project.
The second overlay project is four miles of County Road 5 from County Road 6 to State Highway 23.
Sehr estimates it will take three weeks to complete the 10 miles of mill off and overlay.
However, start of the projects are dependent on the lifting of weight restriction limits on local roadways.

Meetings
Springwater Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, in the township hall.
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.
 
LHS to perform ‘Addams Family’ musical
Luverne High School Drama Department will present four performances of the “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” on April 27, May 4, 5 and 6 in the performing arts center.
Curtain opens at 7 p.m.
 
Kindergartners to perform April 28
The kindergarten students of Luverne Elementary will perform “Getting Down with Mama Goose” at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, in the performing arts center.
The performance will also be livestreamed from the school’s social media site.
 
State park naturalist offers programs April 29
The Blue Mounds State Park naturalist will offer two programs on Saturday, April 29, at the picnic shelter.
“Predator vs Prey,” from 10 to 11 a.m. is designed for ages 6-12, but all ages are welcome. From the smallest insect to the largest fish in the river, every animal plays a role in the ecosystem.
“Beavers: Nature’s Engineers” from 3 to 4 p.m. is about America’s largest rodent. Discover how these critters use unique adaptations to impact the landscape. The program will conclude with a short walk to the creek to look for beaver activity. 
Contact park staff at bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6050 with questions.
 
‘Coach Stig’ coming to Luverne May 1
Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow will bring John Stiegelmeier to the Palace Theatre in Luverne at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 1.
“Coach Stig” is known as the winningest football coach in the history of South Dakota State University. His message, “It Takes a Whole Team to Win,” is free and open to the public.
Tickets for reserve seating and a VIP reception at Sterling’s are available (in advance) as a fundraiser for LIFT. Call the Chamber, 507-283-4061.
 
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.
 
Virtual Medicare 101 Class May 3
A virtual class about the basics of Medicare Part A, B, C and D from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, will offer information about when and how to enroll. Register at https://bit.ly/3Yl6hIr
The free class is a service of Senior LinkAge Line funded by the Minnesota Board on Aging. Call 1-800-333-2433 with questions.
 
Ecumenical Coffee May 3
The Presbyterian Women will host an Ecumenical Coffee at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Speaker will be Pastor Jakob Danilko on Ukraine and current needs. All are welcome.
 
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.
 
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 brochure will be published April 29 and delivered with the 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. Registrations will be taken starting on May 1.
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, daycares, 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.