Prairie Rose Minnesota Community Fund grants and scholarships of more than $39,000 were awarded from 2023 disbursements from the $40,000 Enel Co. annual contribution.
The Community Fund Board of directors met recently to conduct the annual disbursement of student scholarships and organization grants. 
Six scholarships totaling $5,500 were awarded to area students in the Prairie Rose Wind Farm footprint. Scholarship recipients include Makenna Moss, Tori Hemme, Justis Ahrendt, Caleb Raak, Zach Ahrendt and Chance Tunnissen.
The Hardwick and Jasper communities split over $33,000 in grants. 
The city of Hardwick received a grant of $2,601 for park and recreation upgrades.
The American Legion Auxilliary will get $1,280 for a new sign for the Community Center.
The Hardwick Community Club was granted $3,725 for Jubilee Days and Santa Claus Day.
The Hardwick Fire Department received $15,200 for replacement of equipment.
The Jasper Fire Department received $7,686 for hoses and nozzles.
The Jasper Ambulance received $3,500 for a hand-held radio. 
Applications for the 2024 award period will be accepted after February at prairierosecommunityfund.com.
Recipients must meet qualifications of connection to the Prairie Rose wind farm footprint, which includes Hardwick and the portion of Jasper that’s in Rock County and the townships of Springwater, Rose Dell and Denver.

Drake University releases dean’s list
Ben Jarchow and Jade Smith, both of Luverne, were named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2022 semester at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
 

Hardwick student qualifies for college BPA Nationals
Minnesota West Business Professionals of America recently participated in the 2023 BPA College Division State Leadership Conference.
Macy DeSplinter, a business management major, earned second place in Interview Skills competition and the Meeting and Event Planning Concepts open event. She is now eligible to attend the National BPA Conference in Anaheim, California, at the end of April.
The online student from Hardwick earned her GED after 12 years of being out of school. “You can achieve big goals at many stages of life,” she said.

Eight 4-H’ers selected for scholarships
 
Eight scholarships were awarded to Rock County 4-H’ers, as determined by the county 4-H Executive Committee.
Sponsors include Sunshine Foods and the Marcel Reisch Scholarship Fund.
Recipients include:
•Krista Burkman, a senior at Brandon Valley High School, daughter of John Burkman and Crystal Burkman, Sioux Falls.
•Egypt Forrest, a senior at Luverne High School, daughter of Russell Forrest and Katie Walgrave, Luverne.
•Karly Kruse, a senior at Adrian High School, daughter of Kory and Michele Kruse, Ellsworth.
•Leah Kruse, a senior at Adrian High School, daughter of Kory and Michele Kruse, Ellsworth.
•Austin Ossefoort, a senior at Luverne High School, son of Josh and Becky Ossefoort, Luverne.
•Claire Popkes, a senior at Ellsworth High School, daughter of Darrin and Nancy Popkes, Ellsworth.
•Caleb Raak, a senior at Southwest Minnesota Christian High School, son of Philip and Theresa Raak, Jasper.
•Zach Uhl, a senior at Garretson High School, son of Mike and Anna Uhl, Garretson.

The fifth-annual Love the Burger Battle, sponsored by the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association, starts Monday, April 24, and continues through Saturday, May 27.
The Cattlemen’s Association will present the Love the Burger traveling trophy to the winner of the contest at 8 p.m. during the Buffalo Days Cruise-In on Main Street Luverne on June 2, 2023. 
Luverne participating restaurants will compete with their versions of classic American beef hamburger. Patrons are encouraged to try each restaurant’s burger in the contest to determine restaurant winners.
Participating restaurants in Rock County include Bogey’s Bar & Grill at Luverne Country Club, Green Lantern Bar and Grill in Hardwick, Hidden Hills Café & Hideaway Tavern in Hills and Howling Dog Saloon and Sterling’s Café & Grille in Luverne.
Customers will assign up to five points in each of five categories for every featured burger they try. The burger with the highest average points at the conclusion of the battle will be declared the winner.
Contest categories include patty, presentation, toppings, flavor and customer service.
Customers who participate will be entered to win in the restaurant gift card drawings. Ten $10 gift cards will be given by each restaurant.
Winners will receive their gift certificates in the mail and a listing of the winners will be posted on the Chamber’s Facebook page.
The event is coordinated by the Luverne Area Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau. Email luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us or call 507-283-4061.

Don’t worry, I am not here to tell you to build a bunker, store up on food, or buy a lot of toilet paper. This is usually what people think of when they hear the word apocalypse.
There can be pictures and thoughts when we hear of the end of the world. Things like large disasters, famine, zombies (possibly?) and a final judgment.
But the interesting thing about the word apocalypse, at least when it is used in the Bible, means nothing along those lines. It has less to do with the end of the world and destruction and more to doing with “revealing.” In fact, that is exactly the definition, it is “to uncover, reveal, lay bare or pull back the covers.”
So how are we living in the apocalypse?
Jesus brought the apocalypse (revealing) of the Father. He also brought the apocalypse (uncovering) of a new life in him when he rose from the dead. And if you have read any of Paul’s letters in the New Testament, this is his main message: living in the apocalypse (revelation) of Jesus Christ. He writes to church after church trying to help them comprehend this new way of living and a new perspective.
This is similar to when you have an “Aha!” moment – when you taste real tacos compared to chain store tacos. There is no going back! Or, on a more serious note, it is as if you were living as a slave and then you were set free. There would be a whole new way of living, thinking, acting and deciding.
One way Paul reveals this apocalypse in almost all of his letters is by calling these followers in Christ “saints.” In our world when we hear of a saint, we think of Mother Theresa, or maybe the older man down the street who gives everyone cookies on Christmas. We attribute “saint” to someone's actions that they do.
Paul’s definition of being a saint is all because of what Jesus has done. Through His life, death and resurrection we are now saints, holy ones, set apart, seated with Christ. It is a new identity for anyone who is a believer in Christ.
Can you imagine how this helped Paul in his own life? After persecuting the church, he is met by Jesus on the road to Damascus and has an apocalyptic encounter that changed the way he viewed all of life.
Of course there may have been times he struggled with guilt in his past life, but God reminded him that he is a saint, a new creation because of what Jesus did. It is real freedom and life that he wanted to share with everyone.
How have you experienced the apocalypse of Jesus? It is more than just attending church and trying to be a good person. It is not just a change in your Sunday morning schedule. It is a transformation in how you view God, yourself, others and the world.
I pray that you would continue to have a greater understanding of the apocalypse of Jesus and live in that reality every day.

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Joe Steenholdt, Pastor
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays: 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, April 20: 11 a.m. Amazing Grays. Saturday, April 22: 1 p.m. Family Earth Day at City Park. Sunday, April 23: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Coffee/Sunday. 4:30 p.m. 2024 Youth Gathering info meeting. Tuesday, April 25: 7 a.m. Dorcas Circle at The Bean. 8:30 a.m. Grace Noted assembly. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 3 p.m. Communion Service at Poplar Creek. Wednesday, April 26: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Friday, April 21: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, April 23: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. Tuesday, April 25: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, April 26: 5:30 p.m. Midweek meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Clubs and Youth Groups. 7:30 p.m. PC Awards Night. CommServices are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
 
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Saturday, April 22: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, April 23: 9:30 a.m. FUEL/Adult Sunday School. 9:45 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Monday, April 24: 6:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, April 25: 9:30 a.m. Folding Team. 1:30 p.m. Sewn in Faith. Wednesday, April 26: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Prayer Chapel. 6:15 p.m. FUEL and Confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: fpcemilie@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 19: 9 a.m. Morning circle. 1:30 p.m. Afternoon circle. 5:30 p.m. Bell Choir. 6:15 p.m. Chancel Choir. 6:30-8 p.m. Senior Highs. 7:15 p.m. Deacons. Saturday, April 22: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Blue Mound Quilters in Fellowship Hall. Sunday, April 23: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday School. 10:15 a.m. In-person Worship Service (View on Facebook under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne, City of Luverne's LUV TV or on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays), Youth Sunday School during worship. Monday, April 24: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Quilting group. Tuesday, April 25: 11:30 a.m. JOY Club meal and program. Wednesday, April 26: 5:30 p.m. Bell Choir. 6 p.m. Women’s Chorus. 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Fellowship Time. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. 6:30 p.m. Kids for Christ. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org. Holy Communion is offered on 2nd and 4th weekends and Liturgical Feasts.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, April 23: 10:30 a.m. Worship at First Lutheran Church. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. All are welcome. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Sunday, April 23: 9 a.m. Worship Service at Palisade Lutheran Church. 10 a.m. Sunday School. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Praveen Muthasamy Pastor
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 5 p.m. Evening worship service.

The Luverne High School trap shooting team posted scores for Week 3 of the season at the Rock County Sportsman’s Club.
Holden Overgaard and Jacob Madison each shot a perfect 25 in one of their two rounds. Both posted a combined score of 47 out of 50 for the week.
 
Week 3 scoring
                                 Round1   Round 2    Total
Landon Ahrendt             0             0              0
Cash Bonnett                 0             0              0
Morgan Bonnett             15           12           27
Tyson Cowell                  0             0             0
Alex Dewispelaere.        20           23           43
Fox Forrest                    12            9            21
Lucas Hansen                12           17           29
Jacob Henning               24           19           43
Samuel Honerman         15           19           34
Gavin Hoven                  21           18           39
Andrew Kinsinger          23           22           45
Linkon Knorr                   0             0             0
Jacob Madison               25           22           47
Lucas Madison               23           21           44
Austin Morseman            0             0             0
Liam Murphy                 20            23           43
Makayla Oechsle            18           20           38
Austin Ossefoort            24           19           43
Holden Overgaard          22           25           47
David Rathman               22           24           46
Jaden Reisch                  23           19            42
JT Remme                      19           23            42
Rayann Remme              16           18           34
Tucker Remme              17            17           34
Sawyer Sasker                16           17           33
Cameron Wieneke          12           10            22
Grant Wieneke               19           18            37
Piper Wynia                    20           21           41

The Luverne boys’ tennis team opened its season Monday, April 17, against a tough and talented Sioux Falls Lincoln team in Sioux Falls.
“For the day, we went 0-14 in matches without winning a set, but I was very impressed with everyone’s efforts and attitudes,” head coach Nate Rud said.
“Playing our first match with seven new starters against a very good team whose players play year-round was not ideal scheduling.”
Senior Parker Carbonneau played competitive in his singles match, losing 6-4, 6-2 to a strong Lincoln player.
 
Singles Results
Senior Nathan Nath def. 6-0, 6-1
Senior Logan Ommen def. 6-2, 6-0
Senior Ross Bergman def. 6-0, 6-0
Senior Parker Carbonneau def. 6-4, 6-2
Freshman Zander Carbonneau def. 6-0, 6-0
Sophomore Kalab Hemme def. 6-0, 6-0
 
Doubles Results
Seniors Parker Carbonneau and Logan Ommen def. 6-0, 6-2
Seniors Ethan Nath and Ross Bergman def. 6-1, 6-0
Freshmen Calab Kracht and Zander Carbonneau def. 6-0, 6-0

The Hills-Beaver Creek golf team traveled to Mountain Lake Thursday, April 13, for the Patriots’ first meet of the season.
H-BC, Mountain Lake, and Red Rock Central golfers participated in the event.
The Patriots had two girls and one team of four boys compete in the event.
Freshman Abby Olson scored a round of 55 for H-BC and was the meet medalist for the girls.
“Abby started as she ended last season. She has made great strides in golf as she has only played for one year,” said head coach Dan Ellingson.
“I look for her to be breaking 50s soon.”
Junior Taylor Spykerboer shot a round of 64 for the Patriots.
“Taylor has made much improvement in the last year, and she has the potential to continue on that path,” Ellingson said.
For the boys’ team Ellingson said he sees room for improvement as the season progresses.
“Even in the windy conditions at Mountain Lake and it being only the third time outside all year, the team made improvements during the round.” 
Playing for H-BC were sophomore Cameron Allen with a round of 57, senior Brock Harnack with a 58, freshman Callum Bartels with a 61, and eighth-grader Camdyn Broesder finishing with a 66.
“Of the five varsity golfers on Thursday, only one had participated in competitive golf before this season,” Ellingson said. 
“We have some well-rounded athletes on the team, and they will improve as we continue with the season.”
Medalist for the boys was Devyn Remple from Mountain Lake with a round of 39.
H-BC is scheduled to host Adrian in Larchwood Tuesday, April 18, for a golf meet, and the team will travel to Luverne Thursday, April 20, to play at the Luverne Country Club.