The Springwater Township Board annual meeting and election attracted 21 voters and several nonresidents Tuesday night, March 14.
That’s more than seven times the usual number at the annual meeting of an otherwise uneventful township in western Rock County.
At issue was snow removal — the difficulty in keeping roads cleared. And at the end of the night, the township board chair lost his re-election, and a 38-year snow removal contract will end this year.
Kurt Wenzel has been on the township board since 2009 and has served as chairman since 2016.
He was the only candidate on Tuesday’s ballot, but 20 people wrote in Curt Sandbulte’s name for the township seat. Only one person voted for Wenzel.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had that many people show up for a township annual meeting,” said Teresa Kramer, who has been Springwater Township’s clerk since 2001.
She registered three new voters that evening (the roster of registered voters in the township is now at 142).
She said tensions ran high at the meeting. “I haven’t seen anything like that before,” Kramer said. “They weren’t happy.”
Township constituents voted to pursue a snow removal contract with Chad Versteeg Construction for next winter.
The record shows Mike Gangestad made the motion and Dalton Gath seconded with those in attendance voting “aye” and no one voting “nay.”
Rodney Lowe has been Springwater Township’s contracted snow mover for 38 years.
“I’ll be the first to admit we’ve struggled this year,” Lowe said after the meeting. “When we get wind like this, it takes three to five days to get the roads cleared.”
He and his brother move snow on 103 miles of township roads — 55 miles in Springwater Township and the rest in two neighboring South Dakota townships.
“The thing that bothers me is that it sounds like they really bad-mouthed me at the meeting,” Lowe said.
“I get that nobody likes to look out and see the plow hasn’t been by, but we always try to make one pass, so at least people can get out. But we can’t help that wind blows the roads shut behind us. … It’s not like I’m sitting at home eating bonbons.”
He said Springwater isn’t the only township in Rock County struggling to keep up.
Beaver Creek Township hired an extra snowblower to help the plow driver keep up, and Rose Dell Township hired a dozer to push snow from the shoulders farther off the road.
“They’ve spent $50,000 just dozing the snow,” Lowe said. “That’s in addition to their regular plowing.”
Lowe’s bill so far in Springwater Township is roughly $80,000. ‘That’s the most it’s ever been,” he said. “A typical winter for Springwater Township is $11,000.”
He said citizens are usually happy with his work because he uses a snowblower to spread the snow out of the ditch, rather than just winging it up on shoulders.
This year, however, the practice of plowing a path and following up with the blower didn’t keep up with drifting snow that plugged the roads behind him.
Springwater Township Board member Tom Baustian said Lowe’s equipment has a plow, but not the extra blade to “wing” snow up on road shoulders.
“A wing on the plow buys you more time,” Baustian said. “When Rodney comes through with an 8-foot-wide path, it just drifts shut behind him. … The wind was the real enemy here. It wasn’t Rodney Lowe.”
Springwater Township’s contract with VerSteeg goes into effect next winter, but last week he started helping Lowe with the miles on the east half of the township.
Baustian admitted the meeting had become contentious, but he defended Lowe’s work history with the township.
“We appreciate all the service he has given us over the years,” he said. “We were just at a breaking point, and we were worried about liability … for emergency equipment to get in and out, if needed.”
For his part, Sandbulte said he wasn’t that interested in becoming an elected official; he just found himself moving his own snow this winter, and frequently the neighbors’ snow, when the township plow couldn’t keep up.
“It’s been a frustrating winter for everyone,” Sandbulte said. “Probably more so for livestock farmers trying to get feed in and trucks in and out.”
He has shared frequent social media video posts of himself cleaning the roads so he can feed and bed his livestock and help his dad, Gerrit Sandbulte, with cows that are calving.
“Also, I have a video of me bringing my kids to the county road for the bus in my loader tractor,” Sandbulte said.
He said many of the people who showed up at Tuesday’s meeting were frustrated with the condition of their roads this winter.
“Some of them have had to use paid time off because they haven’t been able to get to work for multiple days after a storm has ended,” Sandbulte said.
Sandbulte said he’s not exactly sure how he came to be an elected township board member.
“I’m honestly not sure who spearheaded the write-in,” he said. “I think it snowballed from one or two people, and they told one or two people, and so on.”
He was sworn in Friday, and his three-year term starts with the April 4 Springwater Township Board meeting.
“Hopefully I can do a good job,” Sandbulte said. “It will be a steep learning curve for me, but I travel all these township roads with the balers, so that should help. … I’ve talked to board members from other townships in Rock County who are more than willing to answer any questions I have.”

Mortgage foreclosure sale set for Feb. 23, 2023 
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: Mannuel Olson, A Single Person
Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as 
nominee for Reliabank Dakota, its successors and assigns
Dated: September 25, 2018
Recorded: September 27, 2018
Rock County Recorder Document No. 193501
Assigned To: Citizens Bank, N.A.
Dated: October 14, 2020
Recorded: October 15, 2020
Rock County Recorder Document No. 198166
Transaction Agent: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.
Transaction Agent Mortgage Identification Number: 101134900000029609
Lender or Broker: Reliabank Dakota, a Corporation
Residential Mortgage Servicer: Citizens Bank
Mortgage Originator: Reliabank Dakota, a Corporation
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:  LOT 2 IN BLOCK 2 IN AUDITOR'S PLAT NO. 2 IN THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 2 IN TOWNSHIP 102 NORTH OF RANGE 45 WEST OF THE 5TH PM, ROCK COUNTY, MINNESOTA. 
This is Abstract Property.
TAX PARCEL NO.:  20-0215-000
ADDRESS OF PROPERTY:
728 N Estey St
Luverne, MN 56156
COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED:  Rock
ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $85,877.00
AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE: $102,709.00
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: February 23, 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  August 23, 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: December 21, 2022
 
Citizens Bank, N.A., Assignee of Mortgagee
By: HALLIDAY, WATKINS & MANN, P.C.
Attorneys for:
Citizens Bank, N.A., 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.
MN21097.
(12-29, 01-05, 01-12, 01-19, 01-26, 02-02)
 
 
Notice of postponement of mortgage foreclosure sale
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the above Mortgage Foreclosure Sale is hereby postponed to March 15, 2023, at 10 a.m., Lobby at Rock County Law Enforcement Center, 1000 N. Blue Mound Ave., Luverne, MN in said County and State.
 
Dated: February 28, 2023
 
By: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C.
Attorneys for:
Citizens Bank, N.A., Assignee of Mortagee
1333 Northland Drive, Suite 205
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
801-355-2886
MN21097
(03-09)
 
 
Notice of postponement of mortgage foreclosure sale
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the above Mortgage Foreclosure Sale is hereby postponed to April 6, 2023, at 10 a.m., Lobby at Rock County Law Enforcement Center, 1000 N. Blue Mound Ave., Luverne, MN in said County and State.
 
Dated: March 17, 2023
 
By: Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C.
Attorneys for:
Citizens Bank, N.A., Assignee of Mortagee
1333 Northland Drive, Suite 205
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
801-355-2886
MN21097
(03-23)

H-BC School Board 
meets Feb. 27
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
Feb. 27, 2023
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting at 7:05 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave, Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Bosch, Harnack, Helgeson,
Rauk, Rozeboom and Uittenbogaard. Superintendent Holthaus and Business
Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board member Gehrke and
Principal Kellenberger were absent.
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Harnack, and carried to approve the agenda.
No Visitors.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-Bus Driver Appreciation Day - 2/22 
-National FFA Week 2/21-2/24
-Read Across America Day March 2 
-Section Basketball Girls 2/25 and Boys 3/4 
-National Public School Week 2/27-3/3
Committee Reports/Updates:
-Personnel/Finance Meeting - 2/13, MSHSL Meeting 2/15
Motion by Harnack, second by Helgeson, and carried to approve
Consent Agenda:
-Minutes—2/13/2023
-Bills
-Imprest Cash Report
-Treasurer Report -Student Accounts Report
Motion by Helgeson, second by Uittenbogaard, and carried to approve
Revised District Budget Income and Expenses for Fiscal Year 2023
Motion by Rauk, second by Harnack, and carried to approve
Southwest West Central Service Cooperative 2023-2024 Contract
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
•Legislative Update - Rozeboom
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, February 27
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, March 13
ENTER CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Rauk, and carried to approve entering closed session for the purposes of developing or considering offers or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of real property, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3(c)(3). The real property is described as:
The East half (E 1/2) of the Southwest quarter (SW 1/4) of the Northeast quarter NE 1/4) of Sec. 28, TWP 102 Range 46 West of the 5th P.M.; [contains approximately 20 acres]
All of Block Twenty (20) and the following lots in Block Twenty-nine (29): all of Lots 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, the South 40.5 feet of Lot 8, all of Lots 12, 13, 14, First Addition, City of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, [contains approximately 5.68 acres]
Blocks ten (10) and (19), Original Plat, City of Beaver Creek, Minnesota
[contains approximately 4.96 acres]
City of Beaver Creek First Addition Lots 5 Thru 12 Block 23 & All of Blocks 24,
25 & 26
City of Beaver Creek Crawford’s Addition Blocks 3-4-5-& 6
City of Beaver Creek Outlot 6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14
City of Beaver Creek, MN Spring Brook Addition Parcels-
13-0127-000-13-0132-000
City of Beaver Creek, MN Block 5 Spring Brook Addition, Parcel 13-0154-000 The W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 2, Township 101N, Range 46W, of the 5th P.M., Rock County, Minnesota, Except the North 720 feet of the East 605 feet of the West 1325 feet.
RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Uittenbogaard, and carried
to approve adjournment of meeting.
Time of Adjournment: 8:18 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(03-23)

Ten Luverne High School students participated in 10 events at the state Secondary Business Professionals of America convention March 9-11 in Minneapolis.
The top three individuals or teams in each event move on to compete at the national BPA convention April 26-30 in Anaheim, California.
No LHS student qualified for the national contest.
Results are as follows:
•Podcast production team: Reese Louwagie, Mallory VonTersch, Jadyn Hart, Averill Sehr, eighth.
•Entrepreneurship: Kylie Vander Lugt, 16th.
•Fundamental accounting: Anja Jarchow, 25th, Reese Louwagie, 34th.
•Administrative support concepts: Augusta Papik, 60th, Isabella Lanoue, 96th.
•Computer programming concepts: Connor Bose, 57th, Kasey Buss, 58th.
•Digital communication and concept design: Isabella Lanoue, 49th.
•Digital marketing concepts: Isabella Lanoue, 105th, Augusta Papik, 116th.
•Financial math and analysis concepts: Kylie Vander Lugt, 84th.
•Medical terminology concepts: Augusta Papik, 92nd, Kylie Vander Lugt, 151st.
•Meeting and event planning concepts: Kylie Vander Lugt, 103rd.
LHS students qualified for the workplace skills assessment program at regional contests.
The WSAP prepares students to succeed, and it assesses real-world business skills and problem-solving abilities in finance, management, information technology and computer applications.
There are 72 BPA competitive events.

Mortgage foreclosure sale set for May 25 
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of that certain Mortgage, dated May 3, 2018, executed by Randy L. Hamm and Gina L. Hamm, husband and wife, as Mortgagors, to First State Bank Southwest, organized and existing under the laws of Minnesota, as Mortgagee, filed with the Rock County Recorder on May 9, 2018, as Document No. 192638;
That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all notice provisions and conditions precedent as required by law; and that the mortgagee or assignee has elected to declare the entire sum secured by the note and mortgage to be immediately due and payable as provided in the note and mortgage;
That the original or maximum principal amount secured by the mortgage was Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand and No/100 DOLLARS ($225,000.00);
That there is due and claimed to be due on the mortgage, including interest to date hereof, the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Nine Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-Eight and 83/100 DOLLARS ($189,638.83);
And that pursuant to the power of sale therein contained, said mortgage will be foreclosed and the tract of land lying and being in the County of Rock, State of Minnesota, described as follows, to-wit:
 
The North Five Hundred Fifty-five (N 555) feet of the West Four Hundred Seventy-five (W 475) feet of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of Section Twenty-three (23), Township One Hundred Four (104) North, Range Forty-four (44) West of the 5th P.M., Rock County, Minnesota.
 
Property address:  1912 221st St., Edgerton, MN  56128.
 
Parcel identification number: 01-0098-000.
 
will be sold by the sheriff of said county at public auction on the 25th day of May, 2023, at 10:00 o'clock a.m., at the Rock County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office located at 1000 North Blue Mound Avenue in the City of Luverne, in said county and state, to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage on said premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law, subject to redemption by the mortgagor, their personal representative or assigns within six (6) months from date of sale.
TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY:  If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under Section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on November 25, 2023.
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.
Transaction agent:  N/A.
Transaction agent’s Mortgage identification number:  N/A.
Mortgage originator:  First State Bank Southwest.
THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT.  ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.  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.
Dated this 13th day of March, 2023
 
First State Bank Southwest, Mortgagee
/s/ Michael S. Dove
Michael S. Dove   #214310
GISLASON & HUNTER LLP
2700 South Broadway
P. O. Box 458
New Ulm, MN  56073-0458
Phone: 507-354-3111
Fax: 507-354-8447
Attorneys for Mortgagee
(03-23, 03-30, 04-06, 04-13, 04-20, 04-27)

Rock County Highway Dept. seeks bids for bituminous crack sealing by April 17
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
BITUMINOUS CRACK SEALING / S.A.P. 067-030-016
BIDS CLOSE @ 10:00 A.M. APRIL 17, 2023
LUVERNE, MINNESOTA
Sealed Sealed proposals will be received by the Rock County Highway Department at Luverne, Minnesota until 10:00 A.M. on Monday, APRIL 17, 2023.
READ CAREFULLY THE PROVISIONS FOR THE WAGE RATES AS CONTAINED IN THE PROVISIONS, AS THEY WILL AFFECT THIS PROJECT.
Attention is called to the fact that the contractor must comply with the **Special Equal Employment Opportunity Provisions** as contained in this Proposal.
Proposals will be opened and read publicly in the presence of the Rock County Highway Engineer at the Rock County Highway Building located at ll20 North Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne, MN immediately following the hour set for receiving bids for the following Rock County Highway work. Bids will be awarded on Tuesday, April 18TH, 2023 at the regular Board of Commissioners Meeting.
The project consists of a Bituminous Crack Seal Treatment. The project is located on various roads in Rock County
The major items of work are: 63,287 pounds Bituminous Sealant for Crack-filling
Plans, specifications, and proposals may be viewed, and downloaded at www.questcdn.com and at the Rock County Highway Department website, www.co.rock.mn.us/highway.  Questions may be directed to the office of the Rock County Highway Engineer, 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue, P.O. Box 808, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0808 / 507-283-5010.
The non-refundable cost for plans and one proposal will be $30.00.
Bids must be accompanied by a certified check or corporate surety bond drawn in favor of the Rock County Treasurer in the amount of at least five percent (5%) of the proposal.
Sealed bids shall be clearly marked “PROJECT NO. S.A.P. 067-030-016”
The Board of Rock County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any defects therein.
Rock County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Mark R. Sehr, P.E.
Rock County Highway Engineer
(03-23, 03-30, 04-06)

Meetings
Blue Mound Cemetery Association will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, in the home of the Randy and Kathy Remme.
Pleasantview Cemetery Association will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 3, in the home of Brent and Jodi Taubert. Call 605-929-1593 with questions.
Parkinsons Support Group change of date – The group will now meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Poplar Creek in Luverne. All are welcome. Call 507-935-8173 with questions.
 
UMC community free meal March 22
The United Methodist Church will host its Wednesday night free community meal at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22. A pick-up option is available by calling 507-283-4529.
 
Kindergarten Round-up March 23
Luverne Kindergarten Round-Up will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Luverne Elementary School for an informal “meet and greet” open house. Children must be five years old before Sept. 1, 2023, in order to register for kindergarten. Contact the Elementary Office at 283-4497, Opt 4, with questions.
 
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.
 
Child’s Remembrance Garden Wine Tasting and Dinner March 25
A Wine Tasting and Dinner for the Child’s Remembrance Garden will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Big Top Tents and Events, Luverne. A cash bar is available for those not drinking wine. Get tickets by March 22 at Blue Mound Liquor or 507-449-5052. See childsremembrancegarden.org or the group’s Facebook.
A photo table will honor children who have gone too soon. To share a photo contact Mary Thompson, 507-920-6226.
 
‘Amphibians and Reptiles’ at Blue Mounds March 25
Meet from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, in the Picnic Shelter at the Blue Mounds State Park for a program on “Amphibians and Reptiles.”
Learn which amphibians and reptiles you can find in the park and explore the life cycle of these animals to discover how they give clues about the health of an ecosystem.  Call 507-283-6050 for details.
 
Students perform ‘Barnyard Moosical’ and ‘Yee-Haw’
Luverne Elementary School students will perform two musicals on Friday, March 31, in the school performing arts center.
First-graders will perform "A Barnyard Moosical" at 1:30 p.m. and second-graders will perform “Yee-Haw” at 2:15 p.m. Both programs will also be streamed online.
 
Mobile dental clinic in Luverne March 30
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne Thursday, March 30, in the Rock County Health and Human Services community room.
This clinic, organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force, provides dental care for adults and children ages 0 to over 100. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance are accepted.
 
Tree trimming and pruning help
Project Food Forest is offering to help with any and all tree trimming for trees less than 10 years old. The local organization will provide one-on-one guidance in the process, specifically tailored to individual trees. To schedule a service, email mickey@projectfoodforest.org or call 605-215-1051.
The service is available through March 31, weather permitting.
 
Senior nutrition distribution April 6
A.C.E. of SW MN will offer Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and older, from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 6. It will be a drive-through distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street at new A.C.E. office location of east side of Generations Event Center. Pre-registration is required for those who are not already registered. Call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
Registration opens 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.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Taking Defensive Driving Classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance. The Beginning 8-Hour Class is April 17 and 24 (four hours each evening). Refresher 4-Hour Class is April 3.
Project Food Forest can help you tap your maple tree and make maple syrup with Community Wide Maple Tapping starting in mid-March. Fee is $12.
Students in grades K-5 can learn to decorate spring-themed cookies like a professional at B's Bakehouse on April 3. Register by March 24. Fee is $30.
Students in grades K-12, it’s time to sign up for summer T-ball, baseball or softball. Register before March 27 for lower fees and an assured spot on a team. 
 
Free tax preparation at library
AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation for low-income individuals and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays starting Feb. 13 through April 15.
Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return and a form of identification to document social security number. Tax returns for 2021 will be prepared if requested.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
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.
Winter Book Club meets at different local restaurants during February and March.
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.
The annual Plum Cleek Library System winter reading program, “Get Wrapped in Reading,” goes now until March 31.
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.
 
Community Ed announcements
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
ECFE Classes for children ages 0-5 years and parents offers information and support to parents and provides activities for parents and children to explore together through classes that meet once a week throughout the school year. 
New Residents: Census Information Needed for Preschool Children. Call 507-283-4724 with information for children ages 0 to kindergarten. The school district uses the information for planning purposes, mailing out information on school events, including the state-mandated Preschool Screening for all 3-year-old children.
 
Food Shelf evening hours
The Rock County Food Shelf is now 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.

The NCAA tournament, known as March Madness, showcases some of the best basketball talent in the nation, but for every tip-off, students and fans are likely tipping back an excessive amount of alcohol.
It can be challenging at any time of the year to avoid excessive alcohol use. It can be particularly difficult for someone in recovery or the average person choosing sobriety for their health.
Fortunately, there are practical approaches that anyone can utilize to avoid excessive alcohol use during March Madness and maintain their sobriety.
However, if you know someone struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, they must receive help. Addictions always worsen with time and no treatment.
“Binge drinking is most common among young adults ages 18 to 34, primarily among men,” said Marcel Gemme of addicted.org.
“We have found that adequate preventative information and awareness about the dangers of binge drinking has helped numerous people avoid the pitfalls.”
Avoiding binge drinking or relapsing takes work and awareness, and one can still enjoy March Madness.
Suppose someone is in recovery from addiction or choosing sobriety. In that case, begin by identifying relapse triggers, such as places, people, groups, events or environments. Avoid these and set clear boundaries and limitations.
Manage any negative emotions with healthy outlets such as exercise or hobbies. Attend the game or post-game celebrations with other sober like-minded people. Bring non-alcoholic drinks. Practice saying no when offered alcohol.
Finally, have an exit plan if things become too much to manage, and lean on support such as family, peers, friends or group meetings.
In contrast, suppose someone is a casual drinker of legal age. Stick to one or two alcoholic beverages during the game.
Drink lots of water and have a full meal to avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Avoid drinking games and any environments promoting excessive alcohol use. Do not drink and drive, even if you do not feel intoxicated.
Binge drinking is a method of consuming alcohol that rapidly increases blood alcohol concentration to or above .08 percent. Among men, this may take five or more drinks within two hours, and for women four or more drinks in two hours.
There are significant dangers associated with this type of drinking. The unfortunate consequences negatively affect college students, their families, and college campuses.
While poor academic performance is obvious, the more severe consequences include alcohol poisoning, suicide attempts, health problems, personal injury, DUIs, unsafe sexual behavior, violence, sexual assault, assault and even death.
All of this is avoidable with awareness and prevention.
March Madness offers some of the best basketball in the nation, but festivities should never cost someone their health or future.
Make good choices, stay aware, and be responsible.
 
Nickolaus Hayes is a health care professional in the field of substance abuse and addiction recovery with a focus on education.