Tara Zewiske takes her oath of office from Mayor Pat Baustian Monday morning in Luverne City Hall Council Chambers as a new board member of the Luverne Economic Development Authority. She is fulfilling the remainder of Mike Engesser’s term, which expires January 2023, and then will serve a six-year term set to expire January 2029.

Blue Mounds State Park will be closed to all visitors on Nov. 19 and 20 for a special deer hunt. The purpose of the hunt is to prevent overpopulation of deer and to protect natural resources.
“Too many of one animal or plant species in an area can start to throw off the balance of other species in that area,” said Tavis Westbrook, Natural Resource Program coordinator for Minnesota State Parks and Trails.
“When there are too many deer in a park, they feed too much on certain trees and native plants, so occasionally we allow deer hunts as a way to protect natural resources and bring the deer population back into better balance.”
Hunts also will take place at some other Minnesota state parks and recreation areas this fall, and access to these areas will vary. Some will remain open to all visitors, some will have limited public access and some will be open only to hunters with special permits.
The deadlines have passed for youth and adults to apply for the permits to participate in the hunts.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources thanks visitors for their patience and understanding during the hunts.
For a list of state parks and recreation areas that are open, partially open or closed during the 2022 hunting season, visit mndnr.gov/parkhunts, contact the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.us or call 888-646-6367 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sat.).
Details on which areas of each park affected by the special deer hunts can also be found in the “Visitor Alert” boxes on the individual park website pages at mndnr.gov.

As a little boy I was always looking forward to something. When will Grandpa and Grandma get here? How many more days until Christmas? When is Dad coming home from work? When is supper? When can we play a game, fix a puzzle, read a book, or watch Captain Kangaroo?
As I got older, I was still looking forward to many things. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to drive, get my first job, buy my first car, or graduate from high school.
Then I couldn’t wait until I was finished with college and started working full time.
I asked my wife to marry me with the wedding date over eight months later, and those eight months seemed like forever.
I couldn’t wait because I was always looking forward to something. I guess the reason this was true is because I believed that the best was yet to come.
I still believe the best is yet to come, and I want to challenge all of us to live that way.
In the book of Exodus, God, with his mighty hand and outstretched arm, leads the people of Israel out of Egypt. God parted the Red Sea, and the people crossed on dry land. They escaped Pharaoh and his mighty army through God’s miraculous protection.
Now safe on the other side out of their enemy’s reach, one would be certain that the people would believe that the best is yet to come. However, the people complained and they looked back. They wished they were still slaves in Egypt.
For some reason, they did not believe that the best was yet to come. Why did they look back with so much fondness on the days of their captivity? Why do we sometimes look back in our own lives at the good old days? Why do we try to live our adult lives looking back in time? Don’t we believe the best is yet to come?
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. He wants what is best for me and he wants what is best for you. Therefore we need to teach ourselves to look forward much more than we look backward. Otherwise we risk making the same mistakes the Israelites did.
Today we all need to make a choice. Will we choose to believe that with God’s leading in our lives, the best is yet to come? Or will we choose to live like our best days are behind us? Join me and let’s look forward together!

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 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
Sundays 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, Nov. 10: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, Nov. 13: 9 a.m. Worship service with baptism. 10 a.m. Coffee. Sunday School. Drums & Jesus. 2:15 p.m. Worship at Poplar Creek. 6:30 p.m. Transitional Task Force meeting. Tuesday, Nov. 15: 8: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Nov. 16: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. 6:15 p.m. 8th Grade confirmation class. 7:30 p.m. 9th Grade confirmation class. 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, 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
Thursday, Nov. 17: 9 a.m. Cookie Crew. Friday, Nov. 18: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Saturday, Nov. 19: 5:30 p.m. Buntjer Family adoption fundraiser. Sunday, Nov. 20: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. Tuesday, Nov. 22: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. 7 p.m. Cantata rehearsal. Wednesday, Nov. 23: NO Midweek activities. 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve worship service. Services 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
Thursday, Nov. 17: 7 p.m. New AA group. Saturday, Nov. 19: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Nov. 20: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school; FUEL. 9:45 a.m. coffee hour. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Monday, Nov. 21: 6:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, Nov. 22: 1:30 p.m. Sewn in Faith. Wednesday, Nov. 23: 5:30 p.m. Community Thanksgiving meal. NO FUEL and confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Nov. 24: Office is closed. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:15 a.m. Worship service. Youth Sunday school during worship service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Thursday, Nov. 17: 10:30 a.m. SD DCE Cluster. Saturday, Nov. 19: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 11:15 a.m. Junior Choir. Monday, Nov. 21: 1 p.m. Quilters meet. 7 p.m. Parish Planning Committee. Wednesday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve Worship. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Thursday, Nov. 24: Church office closed. 1:30 p.m. Chapel – Mary Jane Brown. 2:30 p.m. Chapel – Poplar Creek. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
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
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sunday, Nov. 20: 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
Thursday, Nov. 17: 7 p.m. Parish Council meeting at First Lutheran Church. Sunday, Nov. 20: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 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
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Thursday, Nov. 17: 1:30 p.m. Palisade WELCA meeting. 7 p.m. Parish Council meeting at First Lutheran Church. Sunday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 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
Sunday, 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
Sunday, 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
Sunday, Nov. 20: 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
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Mortgage foreclosure sale set for July 28 
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:
DATE OF MORTGAGE: June 24, 2021
ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $78,780.00
MORTGAGOR(S): Noah D. Meyer, a single person
MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.
TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.
MIN#: 1005210-0808093166-7
(05-13, 05-20, 05-27, 06-03, 06-10, 06-17)
LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON THE 
MORTGAGE: Plains Commerce Bank
SERVICER: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed June 30, 2021, Rock County Recorder, 
as Document Number 200387
ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:
The South Sixty (S 60) feet of Lot Five (5) in Block Three (3) in Barck, Adams, and 
Howe's Addition to the City of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 703 N Spring Street, Luverne, MN 56156
PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 20-0258-000
COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Rock
THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $80,311.75
THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; 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: July 28, 2022, 10:00 A.M.
  PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept, Front Step, 
Luverne, MN 56156
to pay the debt 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) the personal representatives or assigns.
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 January 28, 2023, or the next business day if January 28, 2023 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
"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 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.
 
Dated: May 27, 2022
 
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC
Assignee of Mortgagee 
 
LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP
 
BY ___________________________
Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778
Gary J. Evers - 0134764
Joseph M. Rossman - 0397070
Attorneys for Mortgagee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
1715 Yankee Doodle Road, Suite 210
Eagan, MN 55121
(952) 831-4060
 
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR
(06-09, 06-16, 06-23, 06-30, 07-07, 07-14)
 
Notice of postponement
 
NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
The above referenced sale scheduled for July 28, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., has been postponed to August 30, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., and will be held at sheriff's main address West Side Sheriff Dept, Front Step, Luverne, MN 56156.
  Unless the mortgage is reinstated under Minnesota Statute 580.30 or the property is redeemed under Minnesota Statute 580.23 the property must be vacated by February 28, 2023. If this date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the date to vacate will be the next business day at 11:59 p.m.
 
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR
 
Dated: July 29, 2022
 
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC
Assignee of Mortgagee 
 
Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778
Gary J. Evers - 0134764
Joseph M. Rossman - 0397070
Attorneys for Mortgagee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
1715 Yankee Doodle Road, Suite 210
Eagan, MN 55121
(952) 831-4060
22-114832
Attorney for Assignee of Mortgagee
(08-04)
 
Notice of postponement
 
NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
The above referenced sale scheduled for August 30, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., has been postponed to September 29, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., and will be held at 
sheriffs main address West Side Sheriff Dept, Front Step, Luverne, MN 56156.
Unless the mortgage is reinstated under Minnesota Statute 580.30 or the property is redeemed under Minnesota Statute 580.23 the property must be vacated by March 29, 2023. If this date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or 
legal holiday, the date to vacate will be the next business day at 11:59 p.m.
 
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR
 
Dated: August 22, 2022
 
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC
Assignee of Mortgagee 
                                                            
Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778
Gary J. Evers - 0134764
Joseph M. Rossman - 0397070
Attorneys for Mortgagee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
1715 Yankee Doodle Road, Suite 210
Eagan, MN 55121
(952) 831-4060
22-114832
Attorney for Assignee of Mortgagee
(09-01)
 
Notice of postponement
 
NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
The above referenced sale scheduled for September 29, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., has been postponed to November 1, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., and will be held at 
sheriffs main address West Side Sheriff Dept, Front Step, Luverne, MN 56156.
Unless the mortgage is reinstated under Minnesota Statute 580.30 or the
property is redeemed under Minnesota Statute 580.23 the property must be vacated
by May 1, 2023. If this date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the date to
vacate will be the next business day at 11:59 p.m.
 
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.
 
Dated: September 26, 2022.
 
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC
Assignee of Mortgagee 
                                                           
Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778
Gary J. Evers - 0134764
Joseph M. Rossman - 0397070
Attorneys for Mortgagee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
1715 Yankee Doodle Road, Suite 210
Eagan, MN 55121
(952) 831-4060
22-114832
Attorney for Assignee of Mortgagee
(10-06)
 
Notice of postponement
 
NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
The above referenced sale scheduled for November 1, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., has been postponed to December 16, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., and will be held at Sheriff's
main address West Side Sheriff Dept, Front Step, Luverne, MN 56156.
  Unless the mortgage is reinstated under Minnesota Statute 580.30 or the property is redeemed under Minnesota Statute 580.23 the property must be vacated by June 16, 2023. If this date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the date to vacate will be the next business day at 11:59 p.m.
 
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.
 
Dated: November 3, 2022.
 
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC
Assignee of Mortgagee 
 
Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778
Gary J. Evers - 0134764
Tracy J. Halliday - 034610X
Attorneys for Mortgagee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
1715 Yankee Doodle Road, Suite 210
Eagan, MN 55121
(952) 831-4060
22-114832
Attorney for Assignee of Mortgagee
(11-10)

The Star Herald went to press Tuesday afternoon as voters were still participating at the polls, but local election official Ashley Kurtz was keeping tabs on Election Day processes.
“We have not had any hiccups so far,” she said Monday. “Everything has been going smoothly. We are in close contact with the post office too and will continue to be throughout the day tomorrow.”
She said postal workers have kept an eye out for ballots to make sure they get where they belong.
“We’ve even received ballots that weren’t put in the mailing envelope, just the signature envelope, so they are working hard to help the process,” Kurtz said.
As of noon on Tuesday, Kurtz said her office had accepted a total of 1,714 absentee and mail ballots.
Considering there are 5,582 registered voters in Rock County, that equates to a 31-percent voter turnout long before the polls closed.
Eighteen of Rock County’s 24 precincts are mail-ballot-only precincts, so that accounts for a good share of the early voting.
 Absentee voting began Sept. 23, and that’s when people could begin applying for absentee ballots.  
In 2020 there were 1,181 absentee ballots and 2,024 mail ballots for a total of 3,205. By comparison, in 2018 Rock County had 459 absentee ballots and 1,454 mail ballots for a total of 1,913.
Kurtz said some voters have been influenced by online disinformation about “rigged” voting and have even harassed courthouse election staff.
“To be honest, it’s been brutal here as far as how staff has been treated by some voters with regard to the mail and absentee voting process, which is something we’ve never really dealt with in years past,” she said on Oct. 24. 
But she said the voting process is more secure than ever, explaining how her staff processes ballots at the courthouse.
They get scanned one at a time into a voting machine that records information on a jump drive.
At the close of the polls, the drive gets transferred to a secure computer that’s not connected to the internet.
That computer then generates a jump drive that gets uploaded to the Minnesota Secretary of State Office where results are posted online.
Kurtz said her office has been helping to register new voters, many of them young people and first-time voters.
Voters can check the status of their ballots at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx.
The Minnesota Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us/elections, will also carry election results as the precincts deliver them.
See the Star Herald website, www.star-herald.com, and Facebook page for updates and final results.

Harvest for local farmers wrapped up quickly this fall, thanks to dry conditions that affected yield potentials as well as drying expenses at harvest.
“Yields have been good,” said Centrol’s Mark Moeller of Luverne.
“But with the dry growing conditions, there was some potential left in the field. Most people are happy with what they got.”
Cornfields that received timely rains yielded well, ranging high in the 230 to 250 bushels per acre. Soybean fields also yielded high with timely rains, averaging between 50 and 60 bushels per acre.
Fields where moisture was lacking, especially in August, saw yields drop to around 120 to 150 bushels per acre for corn.
Fields near Magnolia and Kanaranzi were among the areas that received timely rains in August along with areas in Rosedell and Springwater townships.
The Luverne area received rainfall in July that helped sustain crops through the summer heat of August.
Some areas had surprisingly good yields despite the weather conditions.
“The Hills area seems to pull yield out of thin air,” Moeller said.
However, crops located in the northern half of the county received little to no rainfall in August
The significant rainfall helped harvest move rather quickly over the last month.
According to Monday’s state crop progress report, corn harvested for grain was at 92 percent complete, on pace with last year and 13 days ahead of the five-year average. Average corn moisture content is 16 percent.
The fall’s drought conditions led to nature completing most crop drying.
“Guys didn’t mind waiting for the crop to dry in the field,” Moeller said. “With (corn) moisture levels in the upper teens to low 20s, it only took a few days to dry down to the optimal 15 percent — especially on those windy days.”
According to the latest drought monitor report, Rock County continues under moderate drought conditions, while surrounding counties have areas of severe and extreme drought.
“I wouldn’t mind a good rain,” Moeller said. “Or a good snow cover.”
The warm, dry conditions during harvest were the opposite of this year’s spring planting weather. Moeller observed 2022 as one of the coldest springs of his 34-year career.

“Elf, the Musical Jr.” brings an early holiday spirit to the local area.
The Green Earth Players present the children-only production for seven shows, Nov. 11, 12 and 13 and Nov. 17, 18, 19 and 20. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m. Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.
“Every few years the Green Earth Players try to produce a show that features the youth in the community,” said director Shawn Kinsinger. “We were overdue for such a show after the pandemic, so we started researching.”
GEP’s research led them to Elf Jr. which involves 39 children in the cast with no adult actors.
“When the entire cast is together, there is a lot of energy,” Kinsinger said. “The trick is to get everyone pointing that energy in the same direction. That may seem like catching water with a net, but the cast brings it all together for one of the group numbers. It is impressive.”
Elf Jr. follows the movie, “Elf,” closely, Kinsinger said.
Buddy (portrayed by Ashton Taubert) is raised by elves at the North Pole, believing himself to be an elf like everyone else. The secret, however, gets out and Santa (Xavier McKenzie) tells Buddy he can find his birth dad, Walter Hobbs (Britton McKenzie), in New York City.
On his arrival to Manhattan, Buddy is met with the sights, sounds and people of the Big Apple. Buddy also faces the harsh reality that his dad is one the naughty list and his half-brother, Michael (Oliver Carbonneau), doesn’t even believe in Santa.
“There are plenty of roles for all ages of children, catchy songs and a feel-good story,” Kinsinger said. “The show is going to be a great way for Luverne to kick off the holiday season.”
Other characters (and local actors) include:
•Charlie (Noel Henrichs)
•Shawanda (Elaine Nath)
•Deb (Leah Moeller)
•Emily Hobbs (Emerson Remme)
•Saleswoman (Grace Prohl)
•Manager (Taedra McKenzie)
•Jovie (Lexi Drake)
•Santa’s helper (Becca Beaner)
•Fake Santa (Keiton Koller)
•Sarah (Lydia Jarchow)
•Mr. Greenway (Braxton Lafrenz)
•Chadwick (Brayden Luethje)
•Matthews (Deegan Darveaux Stoffel)
•Charlotte Denton (Sarah Prohl)
•Darlene Lambert (Emersyn Roos)
•Emma Van Brocklin (Alayna Oechsle)
•and the ensemble (Rory Nolz, Sophia Nolz, Ricky Nadolski, Luke Nath, Braelinn Papik, Trent Dekker, Emileigh Koller, Harper Hulstein, Kenzi Petersen, Mya Wermager, Daphne DeBoer, Athena DeBoer, Kallista VanGrootheest, Aubrey Nuffer, Ava Lafrenz, Charlotte Rensink, Arya Tollefsen and Nora Tate.
Backstage assistants are Makayla Oechsle and Anthony Beaner.
“These kids have massive imaginations that come up with these big, bold ideas for the characters they play,” Kinsinger said. “The self-esteem they build isn’t only good for the young actors and actresses, it enriches us as a community.”
Helping Kinsinger with rehearsals are adults Dave and Anissa Vis (assistant director and music/costume coordinator), Katrina Brown (choreographer) and husband, Chris, who works with the children in small groups.
“The big payoff is, after opening night, when they see how much the community enjoyed their performance,” Kinsinger said. “Seeing the sense of accomplishment of a cast of kids is different than what you see with a cast of adults.”
Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for students and are available at the Palace Box Office on Main Street Luverne, by phone 507-283-4339 or through online purchase at palacetheatre.us