In addition to journalism and survival skills, college taught me the harsh consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and reckless diet.
Late night homework with Cheetos, on-demand cafeteria soft-serve and weekend beer and pizza sent me home in sweatpants after my first spring semester.
Fortunately, a 20-something metabolism and occasional three-milers on the gravel road near Kenneth took care of the Freshman 15.
But it also taught me the value of quality running shoes and outdoor exercise.
It was tough to spend the money on that first pair of Asics, and I frugally wore them long past the recommended 500 miles. But the return on their investment made future purchases easier.
I continued replacing running shoes as they covered miles on urban lake trails and Twin Cities neighborhoods and then on blacktop shoulders when we moved “home” to Rock County.
When Jonathan came along, he rode in his stroller ahead of the Asics. (The rough gravel road bounced him to sleep.) By the time Carson arrived five years later, Jonathan was tooling along on his bike beside his brother’s stroller.
We lived within running and bicycling distance of the Blue Mound Trail when it was paved in the park. Carson graduated from his stroller, and we continued logging miles with two bicycles pedaling a safe distance ahead of Mom and often a dog.
As my running buddies grew older and developed their own interests, it became increasingly difficult to make time for the Asics.
There was T-ball, Little League, piano lessons, Tae Kwon Do, marching band, jazz band, football, basketball, tennis, outings with friends and numerous other activities that demanded attention.
I sneaked in a run whenever I could, sometimes late at night on the half mile of gravel near our home or during my lunch break on the bike path in town.
I’d occasionally meet 50-something marathoners on a 10-mile training run, and I envied their freedom — to the point where I wistfully contemplated a marathon in my retirement.
But soon enough my boys were driving to their own practices and social engagements, and before I knew it they were grown and investing in their own running shoes, much to their mother’s delight.
Among the wisdoms I hoped to impart on my children was the importance of outdoor exercise … for the body, brain and soul.
It's what has so far kept me healthy and my head on straight, and today I’m the 50-something runner (I “plod” now) amid younger athletes on the trail.
While I’m no inspiration for anyone’s marathon, I hope they know they’re on the right path.
Good health is a blessing, but it requires an investment of time and running shoes (and strollers, bicycles or whatever gets you moving) to enjoy for a lifetime.

A Minnesota boy makes a new friend in an online game. He thinks it’s a cute girl around his age. After chatting for a while, she sends him a nude photo of herself and asks for one in return. He sends a photo and suddenly his new friend stops being friendly.
She is actually an overseas criminal who demands money or says that photo will be sent to his parents and friends. Panicked and ashamed, the boy has no idea what to do next.
This and similar scenarios play out every day in homes around Minnesota. Financial sextortion is a growing issue affecting children and families in our state and around the country. Sextortion happens when someone tricks a person into sending them explicit photos then demands something in return for not sharing the photos. The extortionist often demands more pictures, videos, meeting for sex acts or money. The recent rise in cases has primarily been financial sextortion – simple blackmail.
Law enforcement nationwide received more than 7,000 reports related to online financial sextortion involving children in 2022, according to the FBI.
They identified at least 3,000 victims, primarily boys. Tragically, more than a dozen children committed suicide because they felt there was no way out from the sextortion scheme.  
FBI data shows a large portion of these cases originate outside the U.S., primarily in West African countries. That makes these cases extremely difficult to investigate or prosecute.
 
Prevention is the best way to keep children safe
“It doesn’t matter where in our state you live. If your child uses the internet, they are at risk,” said Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson.
“Parents and caregivers, you are the first line of defense when your child is online. Talk with them about being safe, especially when meeting new people and sharing images or videos.”
A Minnesota mom learned that lesson firsthand just a few weeks ago when her son fell victim to a sextortion scheme. She recounts how quickly the criminals manipulated her son into sending explicit pictures of himself.
Thankfully, he went to his parents for help. BCA Predatory Crimes agents are now investigating this case, along with many just like it involving families around the state.
“We need parents and trusted adults to have ongoing, open lines of communication with the children in their lives,” said Drew Evans, superintendent of the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 
“A child needs to know they have somewhere to turn. If you believe a child has been victimized, please let them know they haven’t done anything wrong and they can come to you if this or something like it happens to them. They are not in trouble, they are not alone, and there is help available.”
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined steps parents and caregivers can take if their child falls victim to a sextortion scheme:
•Get help before deciding to pay. Cooperating with the demands rarely stops the extortion or harassment.
•Report the predator’s account via the platform’s safety feature.
•Block the predator but do not delete the profile or messages because they could be useful to law enforcement.
•NCMEC can help you get the images off the internet if they were posted.
“As a parent and a grandparent, I know it can be awkward to talk to your children about sex,” said Jacobson.
“If you need help starting that conversation, there are resources available. Having a frank and honest talk with your child could be the difference. This can and is happening to Minnesota families and the consequences can be deadly.”
FBI resources and conversation starters can be found at  fbi.gov/sextortion

Luverne finished fourth Saturday at its own speech invitational.
Fifteen teams vied for the team trophies given to small and large schools.
Brandon Valley High School took the small school trophy while Russell-Tyler-Ruthton was the large school team champions.
For Luverne, seven speech team members were recognized for their performances.Results are listed below. (Blue and red ribbons are awarded to participants who place one and two places, respectively, from the medal round.)
•Discussion: Cassi Chesley, blue ribbon; Makayla Oechsle, red ribbon.
•Extemporaneous speaking: Parker Carbonneau, first; Zander Carbonneau, second.
•Great speeches: Nora Louwagie, fifth.
•Informative speeches: Jessika Tunnissen, second.
•Original oratory: Roselynn Hartshorn, third.
Saturday’s invitational featured 181 students, the largest tournament coach Gavin Folkestad has hosted during his 13-year tenure.
“We had a lot of great parent volunteers who helped with concessions and lunch for the judges’ lounge,” he said.

Dispatch report
Feb. 3
•Complainant on Manfred Drive reported a road and drive issue.
•Complainant on 221st Street and Highway 75 requested roadside assistance.
•Complainant on E. Brown Street reported a parking issue.
•Assistance was provided on Highway 23 and Interstate 90 near Manley.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 131st Street reported a pedestrian.
Feb. 4
•Complainant reported an outage.
Feb. 5
•Complainant on W. Brown Street reported harassing communications.
•Assistance from another department was provided eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 11, Luverne.
•Assistance from another department was provided on 201st Street, Hardwick.
Feb. 6
•Assistance from another department was provided westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 11, Luverne.
•Assistance from another department was provided on N. Kniss Avenue.
•A warrant was issued on N. McKenzie Street.
•An outage was reported.
•An outage was reported on E. Adams Avenue.
Feb. 7
•Assistance from another department was provided on N. Davidson Street.
•An outage was reported.
•A warrant check was conducted on W. Hatting Street.
•Complainant on W. Hatting Street reported suspicious activity.
Feb. 8
Complainant on N. Spring Street reported a parking issue.
•Roadside assistance was provided on Highway 23 and 191st Street, Edgerton.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 161st Street Jasper, reported a driving complaint.
•Assistance from another department was provided on 320th Street, Ellsworth.
•Complainant on N. Oakley Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported trespassing.
Feb. 9
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported harassing communications.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street reported trespassing.
•Complainant on E. Carol Street reported a scam.
•Assistance from another department was provided.
•Complainant reported a runaway.
•Complainant on Highway 23, Jasper, reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street filed a noise complaint.
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on 190th Avenue and County Road 4, Magnolia, reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Assistance from another agency was provided on Intestate 90, mile marker 2, Beaver Creek.
 
In addition, officers responded to 2 motor vehicle accidents, 2 deer accidents, 2 vehicles in the ditch, 2 transports, 17 ambulance runs, 4 paper services, 7 animal complaints, 1 fingerprint request, 10 burn permits, 2 alarms, 7 purchase and carry permits, 2 stalled vehicles, 35 traffic stops, 12 abandoned 911 calls, 1 welfare check, 2 OFPs and 4 follow-ups.

Card Showers
John Hup will celebrate his 90th birthday on Sunday, Feb. 19. Greetings may be sent to Minnesota Veterans Home; PO Box 539; Luverne, MN 56156.
 
Marti Boltjes will celebrate her 50th birthday on Monday, Feb. 20. Greetings may be sent to 111 W. Crawford Street, Luverne, MN 56156.

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older.
The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Aug. 5, 1943.
Jacob Wahlert, Luverne, holds two county records and both records are worthy of note. First he is the father of 16 children, all of whom are now adults and living in various parts of the United States. Secondly, he claims the record of having more sons in the service of their country than any other father in this country. At the present time, five Wahlert boys are in uniform, and it is expected that two others will be called to the colors in the future.
Rearing a large family as Mr. Wahlert and his wife did was a job in itself; but it was a pleasant task, not a drudgery, Mr. Wahlert states. One of the secrets of their success, however, was the fact that they lived on a farm all the time the children were all at home. “There was plenty of work for them to do,” Mr. Wahlert said, “and plenty of space for them to play in so we always got along just fine.”
Mollie, the oldest, is now Mrs. George Blomnell, who lives in Minneapolis. George lives on a farm in Mound township. Rose is Mrs. Alfred Staeffler of Battle Plain township. William F. Wahlert lives in Dayton, Ohio, and Elizabeth lives with her parents at home. Cpl. Alfred Wahlert is stationed with the army at Warrenton, Pa. Harry and Raymond live in Cincinnati. Jacob, Jr. is serving with the U.S. Navy in California; Mamie, now Mrs. Dick Schmuck, lives in Luverne township; Mildred, Mrs. Dick Brewer, lives at Adrian; Sgt. John Walhert is serving with the army in North Africa; Ralph lives in Minneapolis; Pvt. Harvey Walhert is with the army at Boca Baton, Fla.; Pfc. Arlo Wahlert is stationed at Carolina Beach, North Carolina, and Dorothy, Mrs. William Lutt Jr., resides in Springwater township, Rock county.
Mr. Wahlert has been a resident of Rock county for nearly a half a century, and until moving to Luverne a year ago last spring, he had been a farmer all his life.
He was born in Germany April, 17, 1868, the son of John and Mollie Haack Wahlert. He lived with his parents until he was 16 years of age, attending school, and working out away from home as soon as he was able. In Germany, Mr. Walhert said, there were “no ifs or ands about it”, everybody between the ages of 7 and 14 attended school during the winter months. During the summer vacations, usually about four months in duration, he helped on farms, usually receiving about $10 for his summer’s work. However, even during the summer months, he had to go to school two forenoons a week.
Two of his brothers left home before he did, and came to this country, and they were so impressed by the United States that they sent him money to come here, too.
“Father was a working man,” Mr. Walhert explained, “and once a working man there, you were always a working man. You never had a chance to get ahead. I didn’t like the idea of working all my life for practically nothing, so I decided I could do no worse here, so I took a chance and came to America.”
In making the trip to this country, Mr. Walhert managed to get a stateroom in the middle of the ship. While the ends of the ship went up and down over the waves, the center of the vessel remained quite stationary and for that reason, he didn’t become seasick. After about 12 days on the ocean, they steamed into New York harbor. “Boy it was surely good to see land,” he said. “If you are accustomed to being on land, and then don’t see it for a while, it really looks good to you.”
A person had to do a lot of work for what he got in that pioneer era, according to Mr. Wahlert, even though America was then and is now, the land of promise. The working day on the farm began at 4 a.m. with the morning chores, and ended about 10 p.m. with the evening chores.
“People have changed a lot in the last 40 years, however,” Mr. Wahlert states, “and there’s an awful big difference in the way they live. Working half the night was a lot of foolishness. Get out early in the morning and then quit when supper time comes — that’s the way I think one gets along the best. When I first came to this country, though, everybody seemed to be working from daylight until dark.”
Mr. Wahlert settled first in 1884, in Iowa county, Iowa. The first grain binders had just come out then, and although clumsy, were a big improvement over the “self-rake.” Bundles were tied with wire, not with twine, and at threshing time, someone had to stand with a pair of nippers to cut the wire bands before the grain went into the threshing machine. About 12 head of horses were hitched to a horsepower which provided the motivating power for the rig. If any job was ever hard on horses, that was, Mr. Wahlert said. After they became obsolete, the steam rigs were used. Like anyone who has had anything to do with a steam threshing rig, Mr. Wahlert still likes the sight of black smoke puffing skyward, the sound of the whistle and the smell of steam and hot oil.
Mr. Wahlert came to Rock county in 1895, working first on a farm as a month laborer. That fall, he obtained a job with a threshing crew at $1.25 a day and helped the county until the latter part of October.
He began farming for himself in 1896 on a place in Luverne township, southeast of the county farm. On Nov. 20 of that year, he was married to Dora Bendt, in Luverne, by the late Judge Webber.
After they were married, they moved to the northeast quarter of section eight. Luverne township, about two miles west of Luverne, and lived there 12 years before buying the southeast quarter of section 35, range 46, in Springwater township, which was the Wahlert home until they sold out and moved to Luverne a year ago last March.
Although busy with his own affairs, Mr. Wahlert found time to serve as road boss in Luverne township during 1904, 1905 and 1906. While living in Springwater township, he served about 18 years on the school board of district 46 and held that position at the time he moved to Luverne.
Of a family of four boys and one girl, Mr. Wahlert is the only one living.
He has 25 grandchildren.
 
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

LSS meals at Generations
 
Monday, Feb. 20: Hamburger gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, dinner roll, dessert.
Tuesday, Feb. 21: Chicken ala king, peas and carrots, pineapple chunks, brown rice, gelatin with whipped topping.
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Tuna noodle hotdish, peas and carrots, tropical fruit, dessert.
Thursday, Feb. 23: Pork loin, candied yams, California Normandy vegetables, dinner roll, bar.
Friday Feb. 24: Lemon pepper fish, baked potato with sour cream, coleslaw, bread, apple dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Security Savings Bank.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Pam Franken at 283-9846, extension 11 to reserve one day prior, to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

10 years ago (2013)
•Forty-seven members of the Blue Mound Figure Skating Club competed at the Frosty Blades competition at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine Feb. 8-10. The BMFSC successfully defended their 2012 championship by topping the 20-team field with 767 points. Second place went to NSC Schwan Rink with 55 skaters and 581 points. Third place went to Sioux Falls with 32 skaters and 504 points. The next competition for the BMFSC is Blades of March event staged at Parade Garden in Minneapolis the first weekend in March.
 
25 years ago (1998)
•With boosts from private business, volunteers, an extra city donation and a possible no-interest loan, Luverne baseball players could set their spikes on an irrigated, freshly sodded, new baseball diamond this spring.
Jerry Buss of McClure Plumbing and Heating volunteered to acquire at cost and help install sprinkler equipment for the Luverne Baseball Association and the city diamond. Buss said he did not have an exact estimate from his suppliers, but it would probably cost less than half of earlier estimates. The Association would provide labor for the installation, under supervision of his son, to help reduce the cost.
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Lexia Van Wyhe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Van Wyhe of Steen, was chosen as FFA Sweetheart of Hills-Beaver Creek High School for the 1972-1973 school year. Miss Van Wyhe is active in chorus, president of the band and is a member of GRA and FHA. Lexia was selected from three candidates. The other candidates were Marcia Boeve, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Boeve; and Becky Leuthold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Leuthold.
 
75 years ago (1948)
•The well-known Galloping Gophers basketball team, which includes several University of Minnesota football players, will perform here Sunday. The team will meet the Luverne American Legion team at 2:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, and a fast game of basketball is anticipated.
Listed on the Gopher line-up are: Chuck Dellago, Larry Olsonaski, Larry Hallenkemp, Capt. Steve Silianoff and Harold Olson.
Playing on the Luverne team will be Joh Reimer, Ace Canfield, Melvin Smook, Keith Connell, Howard Helling, Leonard Hansen, Bob Meyer, Bob Wildung, and perhaps several others.
 
100 years ago (1923)
•The “cold” epidemic which has been sweeping over the country during the past few weeks seems to be keeping up to the original firm hold which it had gained here. This probably is due now to the unusually severe spell of cold weather which descended upon Rock County this week, and took many unawares.
Report from the high school and from the graded school are to the effect that although coughs and colds appear to be just as prevalent as heretofore the attacks are not so severe, and daily absences have decreased somewhat in number.
On Wednesday, session was dismissed at the Central building because of the extremely cold weather, which made it impossible to heat the building sufficiently for the comfort of the occupants. The building is cold and hard to heat, and several times during the previous winters it has been necessary to do likewise.

A Honor Roll
Quarter 2
Seniors: Justis Ahrendt, Mariam Alinizi, Abigail Anderson, Ross Bergman, Emma Beyer, Parker Carbonneau, Zachary DeBoer, Marcus Feit, Egypt Forrest, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Jacie Graham, Lauren Hansen, Jadyn Hart, Jocelyn Hart, Tori Hemme, Camden Hoven, Camden Janiszeski, Anja Jarchow, Ashlyn Johnson, Katharine Kelm, Reese Louwagie, Lacey Morseman, Priscilla Muehr, Ethan Nath, Mallory Nelson, Logan Ommen, Isabella Oye, Averill Sehr, Carsen Tofteland, Cedar Viessman, Mallory Von Tersch, Christina Wagner, Elizabeth Wagner.
Juniors: Morgan Ahrendt, Tyler Arends, Alexsis Berg, Zoey Berghorst, Kayla Bloemendaal, Abby Boltjes, Brynn Boyenga, Kai Buss, Cassandra Chesley, Conner Connell, Jenna DeBates, Elliot Domagala, Ryan Fick, Elle Halverson, Henry Hartquist, Roselynn Hartshorn, Uriel Hernandez, Julia Hoogland, Addison Huiskes, Kira John, Patrick Kroski, Maya Limones Gonzalez, Jacob Madison, Tyler Rolfs, Dennie Sandbulte, Elizabeth Smidt, Sarah Stegenga, Zachary  Terrio, Sklyar VanderSteen, Brooklyn Wicks, Steven Woods.
Sophomores: Zachary Brown, Amira Cowell, David Happeny, Owen Janiszeski, Katia Jarchow, William Johnson, Caitlin Kindt, Brianna Kinsinger, Linkon Knorr, Nora Louwagie, Andrea Luitjens, Xavier McKenzie, Liam Murphy, Emma Nath, Janica Oechsle, Corynn Oye, Katherine Pizel, Ella Reisdorfer, Maria Rops, Kylie Vander Lugt, Sage Viessman, Zane Walgrave, Piper Wynia.
Freshmen: Anna Banck, Rhiannon Bartels, Julia Beyer, Connor Bose, Zander Carbonneau, Maddux Domagala, Fox Forrest, Elijah Henrichs, Tyler Hodge, Ella Hoogendoorn, Jaydon Johnson, Hannah Kempema, Allie Kracht, Addyson Mann, Logan Mann, Nicholas Mann, Paula Martinez, Greta McClure, Cameron McCrary, Nardy Merida, Elizabeth Mulder, Gabriella Nath-Huls, Makayla Oechsle, Jordyn Reisch, Adelyn Rodriguez, Emma Saarloos, Austin Sandbulte, Ella Schmuck, Ava Sieve, Jessika Tunnissen, Brooke Vos, Hannah Woodley.
 
B Honor Roll
Quarter 2
Seniors: Micah Andersen, Josie Anderson, Brock Behrend, Brady Bork, Trenton Carson, Tyson Cowell, Lily Ehlers, Ashton Eitreim, Sarah Gehrke, Andy Halverson, Lucas Hansen, Grace Ingebretsen, Tiana Lais, Isabella Lanoue, Jocelynn Mann, Deziree Nath, Carly Olson, Austin Ossefoort, Lola Peterson, Gavin Reisch, Joseph Remme, Alyia Renken, Travis Schempp, Riley Sneller, Ryenn Stegenga, Bonita Tiesler, Kamryn Van Batavia, Kalyee Voorhees, Ava Vortherms, Ryan Vos.
Juniors: Tucker Banck, Cash Bonnett, Morgan Bonnett, Zakada Bradley, Tucker Dammann, Sarah de Cesare, Kenedee Franken, Morgan Hadler, Kyliauna Hendricksen, Izabel Honerman, Morgan Jonas, Cade Kracht, Ava Loosbrock, Emma Lusty, Gracie Nath, Rayann Remme, Sawyer Sasker, Mitchell Sauer, Tori Serie, Kiesli Smith, Owen Sudenga, Perceyis Trierweiler, Zane Verba, Josie Voorhees.
Sophomores: Keaton Ahrendt, Jaelyn Arp, Bethany Behr, Payton Behr, Kaelyn Braun, Jaycee Chapa, Kaitlin Conger, Audrie DeBates,  Trevor DeBates, Marcos Diaz, Kaleb Hemme, Zariah Holmgren, Ashton Hood, Leif Ingebretsen, Ryker Johnson, Camden Kunkel, Christopher Matthiesen, Elijah McLendon, Regan Mehlhaff, Layke Miller, Hallie Pergande, Blaycie Remme, Tucker Remme, Layne Sasker, Alexander Schlosser, Carter Sehr, Hannah Sneller, Maren Stegenga, Coulter Thone, Kendra Thorson, Marcus Vortherms, Elijah Woodley.
Freshmen: Jocelyn Altman, Ella Apel, Isabella Benson, Alexander Booe, Kasey Buss, Jayden Dass, James DeBates, Joshua Hansen, Thomas Held, Dawson Holtz, Rebecca Hoogland, Gavin Hoven, Levi Huisman, Alexis Hultgren, Caleb Kracht, Jaxon Lais, Landyn Lais, Elizabeth Lantgen, Xander Remme, Riley Ripka, Blake Sauer, Traytan Sayavong, Madison Schepel, Zoey Smeins, Blake Swenson, Jace Tofteland, Katelynn Van Belle, Hadley Vanderburg, Kianna Winter, Aaliyah Xaysongkham.