Luverne actresses Brenda Winter and DJ Luethje returned to the Generations stage Thursday night as the popular “Marlene and Darlene” who had the audience of over 300 people rolling with laughter.
The May 11 event marked the fourth annual performance for the hapless elderly sisters who drove their “Toyota from Leota” to help Generations raise money for its operations.
“It was an amazing and fun show,” said Generations president George Bonnema.
“These talented ladies have a way of coming up with one-liners and facial expressions to support their conversation that is uniquely their own.”
Auctioneer Yvette Vander Brink joined the comedy act incorporating the auction of 10 “beautiful, elegant cakes donated by local specialty bakers,” said Bonnema, who also donated his famous carrot cakes for the auction and the raffle.
The cake auction contributed $4,150 to the overall evening receipts of $13,000, which will be used for programming expenses at Generations.
“The Generations event team members express their sincere appreciation for the people who supported and attended this great event,” Bonnema said.  
Among the fundraising efforts that evening was the raffle of a quilt started by the late Sandy Winter (Brenda Winter’s mother) before she died last fall.
 Marian Schneekloth and other Generations quilters finished it in time for the event on May 11, which happened to be Winter’s birthday.
Her husband, Gerald, and their children and grandchildren were in attendance.
 
Mortgage burning
In addition to the fundraising event, the Generations board burned their mortgage (in a large glass jar) to represent the total repayment of the loan plus interest to purchase the building.
It cost $975,000. They borrowed $600,000 at 4.24 percent, which meant another $27,000 had to be paid for interest on the loan.
As the audience applauded the burning mortgage, Bonnema reminded the group that Generation’s expenses are ongoing.
“The membership dues are still needed to pay the light bill,” he said. “That’s another $1,540 per month —times 12 months, so we’re looking at $18,480 per year just for utilities.”
That’s in addition to snow removal, property maintenance and other expenses, Bonnema said, explaining that fundraising efforts are ongoing.
But he stressed that Thursday’s fundraiser was for activities such as music, dancing, live music, cards, speakers, coffee and cookies, puzzle tournaments, make-and-take projects, SAIL fitness classes and more.
Generations takes in revenue through renting out the building for private parties, weddings, reunions, graduations and other occasions.
Also, Lutheran Social Services rents the kitchen and facility to serve senior diners in the area — roughly 20 to 60 people who eat lunch Monday through Friday.
LSS kitchen staff and volunteers also package and deliver home-delivered meals to Luverne, Adrian, Worthington, Pipestone, Hardwick, Jasper, Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen.
In all, the Generations kitchen serves 4,000 meals per month. Last March, 4685 meals were prepared.
Bonnema said the Generations organization mission statement is to “Live Well and Age Well,” and new members 55 and older are welcome to join “for nutrition, education, recreation, socialization and fitness.”
The Generations Facebook page lists events and menus for each month.

Construction on the alumni garden on the Luverne Middle-High School campus began in earnest last week with landscapers spending days removing dirt from the location.
Steve “Junior” Selseth with Oh’Landscapes out of Mayer, Minnesota, is heading up the project.
“This whole project is design built,” he said. “There is a basic format that was agreed upon but basically it is built as we go.”
Once the area is fully excavated, the project will begin first with the setting of 154 tons of granite slaps. Sioux quartzite boulders will be added along with similar materials used in other monuments and gardens in Luverne.
After preparations to improve drainage and the installation of electrical and irrigation lines are complete, the garden build will begin.
Timeline has Selseth moving the granite pieces into place the first week in June with construction finished before the start of the 2023-24 school year in September.
“It’s going to be a cool project,” Selseth said.
The alumni garden is a Luverne Education Legacy Fund (LELF) project, which funds various school facility improvements through community donations.
The garden project is primarily funded through the KAHR Foundation, including a hall of fame wall to recognize former Luverne students.
Initial costs were slated at $1.4 million.
The existing steel canopy will be incorporated into the garden design that includes a 30- to 40- person seating area with podium and sound system.
Vegetation will surround the garden.
 
Alumni hall of fame unveiled this fall
The inaugural induction for the Luverne Public School’s Alumni Hall of Fame will take place this fall during the district homecoming weekend.
Luverne Superintendent Craig Oftedahl reported to the March 23 school board that the selection committee received 20 applications.
“Very deserving nominations” is how Oftedahl described the candidates.
The committee anticipates selecting no more than eight individuals to honor. Nominees not selected this year will be considered the following year.
Individuals selected will have shown excellence in their profession; exceptional service, volunteerism and/or contributions to society; excellence in their personal endeavors; and/or contributions to education. Individuals must exhibit qualities of character and action to be outstanding role models for current students supporting District 2184’s vision: Learn, live, lead.

Bright smiles and enthusiastic applause Friday afternoon capped a successful junior kindergarten year at Luverne Elementary School.
The 12 students in the inaugural class performed their first musical program Friday afternoon in front of a large group of family and friends gathered in the gymnasium.
Music teacher Morgan Van Holland watched the students’ confidence grow since they started in September as they learned to use good singing voices (not shouting) and maintain a steady beat.
“When I had students come up with actions or ideas, I only had a few who were willing to share,” she said. “Now I have almost the whole class sharing.”
Van Holland’s music curriculum nurtured skills that students learned from teacher Susan Bullerman in the classroom. These include raising hands before speaking, following directions and learning the difference between walking and running feet.
Luverne established the junior kindergarten program as a voluntary option for the 2022-23 school year.
“Kindergarten classes often have students with limited exposure to the school environment, and at the same time some students who can read and write already,” said Principal Stacy Gillette.
“This discrepancy commonly leads to student frustration and an increase in inappropriate behaviors — which is a challenge for the teacher and puts a strain on the school support system. Such situations do not set up students for success.”
State education officials encourage all children who are 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten.
In Luverne, Gillette added, parents of students who turn 5 in the summer months often wait to send them to kindergarten until they turn age 6.
However, the cost of preschool tuition, ineligibility of learning scholarships and lack of day care have prompted parents to enroll their 5-year-olds in kindergarten ahead of their readiness.
“We proposed that instead of holding these students, let’s create a program to address their needs and welcome them to school,” Gillette said.
The all-day/every-day schedule mimics that of the regular kindergarten program.
Students attend recess, lunch, physical education, music and are transported to and from school the same as other elementary students.
The difference is in the classroom, where the teacher focuses on hands-on activities.
“The curriculum covers pre-kindergarten skills to get them ready for kindergarten the next year,” Gillette said.
Junior kindergarten is offered again in the fall due to the positive results from the inaugural class. It’s for students who will be 5 by Sept. 1, 2023.

Greeting customers and handling money is the only career Carol Nelson has known for 50 years.
To recognize the milestone, the staff of Security Savings Bank, Luverne, will honor Nelson Wednesday, May 24, at the bank on West Gabrielson Road.
The public open house will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
She insists the celebration is not for an upcoming retirement announcement.
“I think I’ll stick it out for a while longer,” she said. “I just enjoy it.”
Nelson (nee Wallenburg) began working for Exchange State Bank as a senior at Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1973.
She moved from the Hills location to Luverne in 2011.
Ryan DeBates, Luverne market president, nominated Nelson for the Pioneer Club through the Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA).
“The experience Carol has through her 50 years of banking is invaluable,” DeBates said. “She’s seen us through all the technology upgrades and improvements over the past five decades, and her involvement in implementing those successful changes is quite an achievement. We are appreciative of her dedication.”
Nelson will be recognized by the MBA for her 50 years of active service and industry leadership at the annual Summit Celebration Luncheon on June 13.

Luverne City Council members at their May 9 meeting authorized sale of general obligation improvement bonds in the amount of $1,585,000 to finance the Lopau housing addition development.
During the bid letting that morning, four firms submitted proposals for the bond sale, and Robert W. Baird investment bank was awarded the sale at 3.37 percent (better than the estimated 3.56 percent).
The city retained Northland Securities Inc., Minneapolis, to advise the sale of the bonds, and George Eilertson of the firm reported to the council Tuesday night. 
“Housing is a need in Luverne, and this is a project in line with that,” he said.
“The bonds will be issued to finance the public improvements with that project to get it ready for single family and twin home development. That is certainly a positive for the city.”
The bonds are structured with a 12-year financing term with a call date Feb. 1, 2030, which is the date the city could start prepaying on the bonds
“Hopefully by that date and any date thereafter you’ve sold all the lots and you can pay off the bond,” Eilertson said.
He said the Luverne’s strong financial management, strong fiscal policies, and solid budget reserves contributed to the city’s strong AA-minus bond rating through Standard and Poor’s rating.
Bond funds will hit the city’s account on June 1.
Construction to start this spring, lots ready this fall
Henning Construction of Adrian was the low bidder for the project at $1,480,513.80 (nearly $270,000 lower than the engineer’s estimate of $1.75 million).
The utility and infrastructure construction project includes an 8-inch sanitary sewer main and 6- and 12-inch water mains to serve the 24 residential lots.
Nineteen lots will be designated for single-family homes and five will be multi-family lots for twin homes (10 units on the north end).
Construction of infrastructure and utilities will start this spring and should be substantially complete this fall.
The existing property will be graded to accommodate a variety of houses, which include slab on grade structures, walk-out basements, garden window basements and full basements.
Lots will be accessed by 36-foot-wide asphalt streets, and drainage will follow curb and gutters, drainage swales in backyards and a storm sewer system that outlets into a detention basin on the east side of the extended North Walnut Avenue.
The detention basin will retain a portion of storm water on site that will drain through a filter before out-letting upstream of Poplar Creek and will reduce the proposed runoff flow rate.
The Luverne Economic Development Authority owns the lots and will host a public hearing later this year to set lot prices and establish protective covenants.
The lots will be on the market in 2023 and will be available for new home construction in 2024.
LEDA will use a combination of cash reserves and the revenue from lot sales to make bond payments, in addition to special assessments on the new properties and property tax levies.

Workers with Duininck Construction mill off the section of County Road 5 between County Road 6 and Highway 23 Monday evening. They recently finished paving County Road 6 between Hills and Beaver Creek, and they expect to have County 5 finished by the end of the week.

Mobile dental clinic in Luverne May 18
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne on Thursday, May 18, at ATLAS of Rock County to provide dental care for adults and children of all ages. Call 612.746.1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance are accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Master Gardeners plant sale May 20
The Rock County Master Gardeners annual plant sale will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20, in the Atlas/Redeemed Remnants Parking Lot. Gardeners bring their pre-priced perennials, annuals, etc. to sell (no professional growers). Shoppers get great buys on plants and have gardening questions answered. Call 507 669-2905. 
 
Hardwick Memorial Day program May 29
Hardwick American Legion Post #478 will sponsor a Memorial Day Program at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Hardwick Veterans Memorial. In case of inclement weather it will be in the Hardwick Community Hall.
Guest speaker is U.S. Army Retired Colonel Kim Henningsen, a Vietnam veteran, of Jefferson, South Dakota. Readers will be Girls Stater Kiesli Smith and Army ROTC Cadet Gunnar Oldre, University of Notre Dame. Madi Oye will provide special music. Coffee, juice and cookies will follow the program.
 
Maplewood
Memorial Day program May 29
Luverne American Legion and VFW will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, in Maplewood Cemetery. Guest speaker is Kent Heronimus. The service will be broadcast on KQAD.
 
Park bison tours begin May 26
The Blue Mounds State Park has announced that it will begin offering bison tours on Friday, May 26. Call the park at 507-283-6050 for more information or reservations.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
To take advantage of lower fees and register by May 24 for football, volleyball, tennis, golf, morning rec, arts and crafts, basketball, track, gymnastics, and weight lifting.
Soccer Fun for ages 3 through second grade as attended during the past school year begins on May 30. Fee is $35/child.
 Grades 3-12 can learn about lakes and how to catch fish at School of Fish on May 31. Fee is $38 (and includes an adult buddy.)
Students grades 3 and older (as attended during 22-23 school year) will receive training that can prepare them to be Home Alone on June 1. Fee is $15.
Co-Ed Outdoor 3 on 3 Basketball League begins on June 1 for boys and girls in grades 3-6 as attended during the 22-23 school year. Fee is $50 (or $40 if registered for another basketball camp/offering).
 
SAIL classes in Magnolia
SAIL classes meet from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday mornings June 6 through Aug. 24, in the Magnolia Post Office. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E of Southwest Minnesota manager Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064, or A.C.E. volunteer Connie Frahm, 507-220-3584.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Books on Tap takes place at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Take 16 in Luverne.
The 50 State Challenge for adults and older teens is currently underway where patrons are encouraged to read a book set in one of each of the 50 states through Jan. 1, 2024.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
STEAM kits are also available checkout. Motion, lights, hydropower, robotics and magnets are among the kits.
 
Food Shelf evening hours
The Rock County Food Shelf is open for an additional evening shift from 5 to 6 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month. Call Mary at 507-227-5548 or Katie at 507-227-3531.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

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

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