Seven dedicated individuals devote time and energy, making sure Luverne Public Schools is helping every child learn at a high level.
The Minnesota School Boards Association has set February as Minnesota School Board Recognition Month to build awareness and understanding of the vital function elected school board members play in our society.
We here in Luverne are joining other public school districts across the state to celebrate and honor our board members and their commitment to Luverne and the students in our schools.
Tim Jarchow, Eric Hartman, David Wrigg, Michael DeBates, Ryan DeBates, Randy Sasker and Zach Nolz are Luverne’s elected members.
They make decisions every month, with some decisions being more difficult than others. They spend hours studying education issues, listening to constituents and reviewing regulations in order to provide the kind of accountability our community expects.
The key work of a school board is to raise student achievement by:
•creating a vision for what the community wants the school district to be and for making student achievement a top priority.
•establishing standards for what students will be expected to learn and be able to do.
•being accountable for their decisions and actions.
•creating a safe, orderly climate where students can learn and teachers can teach.
•and forming partnership with others in the community to solve common problems.
Even though we’re making a special effort to show our appreciation this month, school board members’ work is a year-round commitment.
It is important to thank board members for volunteering their time and energy to our school. The role they perform is a staple to the democracy of our state and nation. Public education is vital to our continued success.
Thank you, board members, for promoting the vision of “Learn, Live, Lead” at Luverne Public Schools.

The calendar’s turned to February, marking a month into 2023 and those New Year’s resolutions I wrote in pencil.
Instead of erasing those words of what I intended to do this year, I’ve embraced those goals.
I vowed to be more active and not to say “no” to a physical challenge.
With the resolution in mind, I picked up a bowling ball Saturday for the first time in years and competed against my youngest son.
Then I embraced my grandsons’ desires to slide down those piles of snow Grandpa Foddy piled throughout the yard. I raced the 3- and 5-year- olds up the 12-foot piles with sleds in tow.
At first, I helped the youngsters pull their sleds and themselves to the top of the piles, steadying them as they sat on the slippery, ridged plastic sled, and pushed them down the slopes.
Then I joined them.
We had a contest to see who could slide the farthest (they could), and I pulled them along the ice-covered driveway at a jog (they shouting to go faster, me keeping the same plodding pace).
We had a blast.
I didn’t break an arm or leg, die of exhaustion, or find it hard to move the next day.
Next up to not saying “no” to a physical activity is the Gladiator Assault Challenge in May.
I’ve been asked to join a team and complete a 5K course filled with obstacles involving climbing, jumping, crawling, balancing and MUD.
I think I can do it.
If it wasn’t for the New Year’s resolution and continuation of the wellness program I started in November, I wouldn’t have even considered doing something like the gladiator challenge.
Ninety days ago I was 23 pounds heavier and an inch thicker in stature. Getting up off the floor from a sitting position was difficult, and completing more than a couple of pushups wasn’t possible.
While the pushups have become somewhat easier, bending down and getting up from the floor is no longer a problem.
I’ve also agreed to don that swimsuit that’s been mothballed and join my grandchildren in the swimming pool for the annual family reunion.
Each year I’ve sat around the pool and watched the kids in the water.
Not this year.
My mind doesn’t view myself as heading toward being a senior citizen. I am determined not to let my body think the same thing.
So, readers, I double dog dare you to get off that couch that I, too, used to sit on and watch other people have fun. Be the one actually instigating the fun, no matter if it involves physical activity or not.

According to Weather Bug, the forecast for Saturday’s Luverne Leap is 27 degrees and sunny. Let’s hope so.
The leapers will be taking the plunge into the icy water down at The Lake starting at 1 p.m. As of this writing, nearly 30 people, young and not so young, have signed up.
This is the inaugural Luverne Leap, and everyone is invited down to The Lake to cheer or jeer the leapers on. Let’s let the leapers know we support and appreciate their courage by showing up and cheering them on.
There will be hot chocolate available to help keep you warm.
Here is the list of 29 leapers: Flipper Man, Dr. Joshua Crabtree, Sheriff Evan Verbrugge, Mike Davis, Dave Duffy, Pat Baustian, Jason Oye, Joel de Cesare, Tim Gust, Amanda and Cora McDonald, Brady Dinger, Pat Saum, Jeff Stratton, James Roby, Jody Reisch, Knute Oldre, Reece Carlson, Colby Crabtree, Eric Sage, McKenzie Rosales, Connie Morrison, Dustin Rodger, Stacy Mente, Lucas Peters, Jackie Johnson, Dylan Gehrke, Isaac DeBoer and Emily Crabtree.
You know what I find really cool about the list above? It’s the cross section of people that have stepped up to the plate – or in this case, the hole in the ice – for a good cause.
That cause is the Luverne Area Community Foundation Grant Fund, which is open to all Rock County nonprofits for projects that strengthen and impact the members of our communities.
Each leaper has filled out the necessary paperwork assuring everyone that they are doing this of their own free will and are assuming any risk. That alone should tell you something about the leapers.
Each leaper paid the $25 leaping fee and has to raise at least another $75 in donations to the Foundation.
If you would like to donate, it doesn’t get any easier than this. There will be a sand bucket set up down by The Lake for you to drop off a donation.
In addition to that, Flipper Man will be available for adoring fans to take a selfie with him for a freewill donation that they can drop in the sand bucket.
Another way is to just call Emily Crabtree at the LACF office 507-220-2424 and she’ll be happy to help you. You can make your donation in the name of any of the leapers to help them reach their goal.

It was a full house Monday night at Big Top Tents and Events in Luverne when more than 450 people attended the Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Association annual banquet. The speaker, Amanda Radke, a columnist and rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota, told the crowd how important it is for farmers to advocate for themselves among a growing and noisy group of animal rights activities and environmentalists criticizing their industry. Steak was on the dinner menu, and at the end of the evening, all attendees left with frozen steak or beef sticks, courtesy of the Rock Nobles Cattlemen.

Dispatch report
Jan. 21
•Complainant on 81st Street reported road closure.
•Complainant requested assistance from another department.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported lost property.
•A search warrant was issued.
Jan 22
•Complainant in Uithoven Addition reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on Kniss Avenue and Barck Avenue reported a pedestrian.
•Complainant on N. McKenzie Street reported a fire.
Jan. 23
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported threats.
•Complainant on County Road 5 and 90th Avenue, Luverne, reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant on 121st Street, Luverne, reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue requested assistance from another department.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street reported suspicious activity.
Jan. 24
•An outage was reported.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant in the city lot reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on Highway 75 reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on E. Fletcher Street requested assistance from another agency.
•Complainant on Highway 75 reported a driving complaint.
Jan. 25
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and County Road 20 reported a weather issue.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on E. Veterans Drive reported a civil issue.
Jan. 26
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported harassing communications.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested assistance from another department.
Jan. 27
•Complainant on 251st Street reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant on E. Crawford Street reported a sudden death.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 7, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Training was taking place.
•Complainant on State Highway 23, Beaver Creek, reported burglary.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 18, Magnolia, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on W. Warren Street reported a noise complaint.
Jan. 28
•Complainant on E. Crawford Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 110th Avenue, Luverne, reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on 110th Avenue and 121st Street, Luverne, reported a garbage complaint.
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported harassing communications.
Jan. 29
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on W. Veterans Drive requested assistance from another department.
Jan. 30
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a miscellaneous public assist.
•Complainant on S. Buckingham Street, Hardwick, reported a miscellaneous public assist.
•Complainant reported a theft.
•Complainant on E. Fletcher Street reported suspicious activity.
Jan. 31
•An outage was reported.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported theft.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on Main Street reported a disorderly.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue requested assistance from another department.
•Complainant on S. Donaldson Street reported a disorderly.
•Complainant on W. Hatting Street reported an open door/window.
Feb. 1
•Complainant in Rock County reported the weather.
•An outage was reported.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 9, Luverne, reported debris.
•Complainant on Edgehill Street and Kniss Avenue reported a fire call.
Feb. 2
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on Edgehill Street reported a theft.
•Complainant on S. Sherman Avenue, Jasper, requested an explosives permit.
•Complainant in Luverne reported a threat.
•Complainant on Highway 75 requested roadside assistance.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 5, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
Feb. 3
•Complainant on Manfred Drive reported road and drive laws.
•Complainant on 221st Street and Highway 75 requested roadside assistance.
•Complainant on E. Brown Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on Crawford Street requested assistance.
•Complainant on Highway 23 and Interstate 90, Manley, requested assistance.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 131st Street, Luverne, reported a pedestrian.
Feb. 4
•Complainant reported an outage.
In addition, officers responded to 6 motor vehicle accidents, 4 deer accidents, 3 vehicles in the ditch, 1 transport, 1 escort, 29 ambulance runs, 11 paper services, 5 animal complaints, 6 fingerprint requests, 17 burn permits, 1 background check, 1 driver’s license check, 1 gas drive-off, 3 alarms, 1 drug court test, 15 purchase and carry permits, 6 stalled vehicles, 88 traffic stops, 26 abandoned 911 calls, 2 welfare checks, 1 report of cattle out, 5 OFPs and 5 follow-ups.
This record report was compiled Jan. 21-Feb. 4.

Twenty-Four Luverne High School students rode their snowmobiles to school on Friday, Feb. 3, as part of the school's annual Snow Week festivities, which were enhanced by record amounts of snowfall this winter. The special week included coronation of Snow Week king and queen Ross Bergman and Emma Beyer, a trip to Great Bear Recreation in Sioux Falls, ice skating at the Blue Mound Ice Arena, special dress up days during the week and other activities.

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 July 29, 1943.
This article is continued from last week.
That fall, Mr. (Theodore) Lemke was helping his father plow. The place they were working was a considerable distance from home so they would take along enough provisions to last two or three days. They slept between some grain stacks which provided shelter for them. On October 15 that year, a rain began to fall, and the elder Mr. Lemke told his son that they had better not stay out any longer, but had better go home. They had no more than arrived home, than a blizzard struck and they were snowed in the rest of the winter. The blizzard lasted two or three days, and after the storm subsided, they went out to look for their stock. They found their oxen and hogs in an open straw shed which had been blown nearly full of snow. After much hard work and shoveling, they were able to get the animals out.
His father homesteaded on section 22, Denver township, and there they erected a frame shanty which they gave a protective covering of sod. The house was warm in winter, even though they burned nothing but twisted flax for fuel.
They enjoyed good crops those years, Mr. Lemke said. Wheat and flax produced high yields. At that time, there was no railroad into Hardwick, and all grain was hauled to Luverne. He recalls that he has hauled wheat into town when as many as 30 or 40 wagon loads were ahead of him, waiting to be emptied at the elevator.
Only perseverance and good fortune saved the Lemke cattle herd from being lost during the blizzard of 1888. The animals were about 60 or 70 rods from the barn, when Mr. Lemke, who was afoot, and his brother, who was on horseback, tried to drive them toward the barn. The stock came within about 15 or 20 rods of the buildings, and then refused to go further. Although the two boys tried to prod them along, they would not move until finally Mr. Lemke decided to walk ahead of them and call them. His idea was a success, for they followed him until they were safe inside their shelter. By that time the storm had reached such severity that they virtually had to feel their way to the house.
The first years here, they were troubled with prairie fires. Several times, the fire came within a short distance of the buildings, and the only thing that saved them was the fact that a fire break had been plowed around them. At night, one could see flames leaping all along the horizon, Mr. Lemke said.
Two years before he was married, Mr. Lemke bought a farm on section 24, Denver township. His father had first bought the land from a man by the name of Dennis Murphy. All he paid for it was 50 cents. Mr. Lemke explained that the land was mortgaged, and his father in addition to giving Mr. Murphy’s wife a half dollar, paid the mortgage on the land and obtained it that way. Mr. Lemke bought it from his father for $1,200.
On June, 26, 1893, he married Anna Helden, at Hardwick, and they made their home on their farm until 1926 when they moved to town.
“During all those years, Mr. Lemke said, “I never had a vacation. I don’t believe I was ever away from home at chore time one night when I was farming.”
Since coming to Luverne, however, Mr. Lemke has “taken life easy.” He and Mrs. Lemke traveled in the western states, making a leisurely trip by car several years ago.
They have four children, Herbert, who lives on the farm near Hardwick; Mrs. Peter (Amgard) Lynch, Luverne; Mrs. Carl (Elsie) Hoepner, and Mrs. Otto (Ruth) Lynch, both of whom live at Santa Ana, Calif. They also have nine grandchildren.
Mr. Lemke is now believed to be the oldest man holding membership in St. John’s Lutheran church here. His father helped found the German Lutheran congregation at Hardwick which church was served by the pastor of the local congregation. Mr. Lemke remembers when traveling missionaries conducted services in the Hoffelman home here, the first German Lutheran services ever conducted in this area.
Going on 79 years, Mr. Lemke states that he has enjoyed good health all his life, with the exception of several weeks last winter when he was quite seriously ill. He attributes his long life and good health to the “grace of God,” stating that “it was just God’s will that I managed to pull through alive. I was sick last Christmas.”
Of eight children in the Lemke family, Mr. Lemke is one of five still living. His brothers and sisters include Ferdinand Lemke, Los Angeles; Mrs. Will Brennan, Watertown, and Mrs. Gust Manke, Princeton, Minn.
Mr. Lemke states that he never had time to become involved in politics. The only public office he ever served was that of being member of the school board. He has held a number of offices in the church, however.
 
         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.

10 years ago (2013)
•Matt Christensen stepped out of his comfort zone in August—about 8,000 miles out.
He said the four months he spent in Tanzania, which is centrally located on the east coast of Africa, taught him that the people there are generous, welcoming, “and just the nicest people.”
Christensen spent fall semester on the study abroad assignment with a group of students studying with the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.
A senior biology student at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Christensen spent six weeks in the large port city of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania studying the language, taking university classes and being amazed at “being in a town that large with that many monkeys.”
 
25 years ago (1998)
•Concerns about traffic congestion near the Luverne Public School campus appeared on the County Board agenda Tuesday.
Luverne Superin-tendent George Maurer and Luverne School Board Chairman Steve Tofteland met with County Commissioners during their regular meeting to discuss traffic concerns on Dodge Street and Highway 75.
The School Board submitted a resolution requesting the county to upgrade, expand and extend Dodge Street (County Road 5) from Donaldson Street to Highway 75 to make it a three-lane street. This would allow for a turning lane into the school property and onto Highway 75.
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Luverne High School Cage Coach Laurin Carroll was chosen as the “Basketball Coach of the Week” last Friday night, Feb. 2, on WCCO Radio’s “Prep Parade.”
Coaches and players featured on the program are nominated by the program’s Sports Advisory Board, a panel of sports editors and announcers from all sections of the state. Coach Carroll will receive a parchment certificate from the station and Midwest Federal, program sponsor.
Carroll, currently in the midst of his first year as the Cardinal cage mentor, received the award following Luverne’s 52-51 victory over top-rated Windom on Jan. 26.
 
75 years ago (1948)
•Steps to provide a new community hall for the village of Beaver Creek heads the list of projects which the Beaver Creek Commercial Club will undertake in 1948.
Alfred E. Precht, who was re-elected president of the club at their first annual meeting Monday night, said that a five-man committee had been appointed to investigate the matter of building the hall, and to devise means for raising the necessary funds.
At their meeting Monday night, Lawrence Thompson, who last served as a member of the board of directors of the club, was elected vice president to succeed A. W. Tiahrt. George Schniderhan was re-elected secretary-treasurer. L.M. Larsen was elected director to replace Mr. Thompson, and E.J. “Cowboy” Eleeson was elected director to succeed Bill Jansen. Gale Tower was re-elected director.
 
100 years ago (1923)
•In order to further safeguard the health and physical welfare of pupils of the Luverne schools, the school board has completed arrangements for the addition of a health nurse to the school corps.
Mrs. Clara Herm, of Lake Mills, Ia., has been engaged to arrive here next week from Tracy, this state, where she is at present engaged. Her office will be at the Central building.
One of the first duties of Mrs. Herm will be to make a physical examination of all the pupils of the schools in order to detect those who show symptoms of the grippe, influenza or severe colds. During the “cold” epidemic which has been sweeping over this city and vicinity the past few weeks, the number of absences at the high school daily averaged from 25 to 45 and at Central school this number is even greater. It is recognized that colds are contagious and spread very rapidly, especially among school children.
The contention has been made that the county nurse is to take care of all the schools in the county, and that therefore the services of a school nurse would not be required. The county nurse, as she is often called, is not paid by the county, but receives her salary from the Red Cross funds. With her various duties, she is unable to give the time and attention that are required to protect the health of as many pupils as are enrolled in the Luverne schools.

Luverne speech team members opened the 2023 season Saturday in Worthington.
The group didn’t place as a team.
Luverne was among 16 teams at the annual meet where 156 students competed in 13 speech categories.
“With several other activities taking place, we had a smaller group than usual,” said coach Gavin Folkestad.
“We did have several new members place well and several veteran members showing improvement from last year.”
Six Luverne students were recognized for their performances. Blue ribbons were presented to students one place out of the medals; red ribbons for two places out of the medals.
•Original oratory: Roselynn Hartshorn, sixth; Hannah Kempema, blue ribbon; Will Johnson, red ribbon.
•Informative: Jessika Tunnissen, third.
•Great speeches: Nora Louwagie, fourth.
•Discussion: Zoey Berghorst, fifth.
Luverne competes in their home speech invitational Saturday.