The Hills-Beaver Creek volleyball team faced Edgerton and Murray County Central on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and Thursday, Sept. 29, losing to the Dutchmen and the Rebels in three sets each.
The Patriot volleyball players will travel to Marshall for a tournament on Oct. 7 and 8.
 
EHS 3, H-BC 0
Two teams that just met in a match less than a week ago went head-to-head again Tuesday evening, Sept. 27.
In the last matchup, Edgerton defeated H-BC in four sets, marking the first time that H-BC won a set since the start of the season.
On Tuesday, Edgerton had no problem taking H-BC in three sets, 16-25, 17-25, 17-25. H-BC played without setter Brynn Rauk, who suffered a possible concussion.
Edgerton took an early lead in all three sets and maintained the lead easily.
Player stats were unavailable as of this writing.
 
MCC 3, HBC 0
The H-BC volleyball team traveled to Slayton Thursday to play a very good MCC team.
Inconsistencies in playing time, fundamentals and team leadership continue to plague the H-BC team.
The Patriots were called for several double hits throughout the match, and MCC had no trouble taking control of the game.
MCC started the game with three straight ace serves and went on a 7-0 lead before H-BC scored. Larissa Steinhoff and Lanae Elbers each got a kill before the set ended 25-8.
Steinhoff started the second set with a kill followed by Bailey Spykerboer getting a point off a serve to make it 0-2. Layla Deelstra scored a point off a tip and the score tied 3-3.
Grace Anderson passed to Spykerboer to set Elbers up for a kill to keep the score close 7-6.
Elbers added another kill followed by a kill by Steinhoff 14-8. Taylor Huisman and Ella Sammons also added kills before the set ended 25-12.
The third set started out hopeful for the Patriots, who carried a 5-7 lead before MCC tied it at 9-9. The score was tied again at 12-12. Elbers added two kills before MCC finished the match 25-14.

We are working our way into the third installment of a four-part series in the subject of training your own dog.
We started with owner commitments and expectations and moved into how easy it is to get your dog to go for a relaxing walk with you or another member of your family.
Today we start with the most basic command of “sit.” You can do “sit” first and “heel” second, but all of them need to be mastered in order to set the foundation for more advanced training.
“Sit” to me is misunderstood by many dog owners. They think if a dog sits when told, they have mastered all that is required. This is far from the truth. When you command a dog to sit, it means sit until I tell you to do something else or release them from the command with the release word OK.
There is really no reason to use the command “stay” if they have a complete understanding of the command “sit.” Using the same leash and slip chain collar as before, you give the command “sit” and then give the leash an upward jerk and repeat the “sit” command. A movement by the handler in the up direction fits with the understanding that when the dog’s head moves upward, it tends to make the butt end of the dog go downward.
So, you intermingle the “heel” and “sit” commands. As the dog gets better, you don’t necessarily need to give the leash a jerk every time. A “sit” or “heel” command with no correction is called a freebie. You utilize the leash jerk with freebies in a non-rhythm cadence. If you give three freebies and then one jerk and repeat this over and over, the dog will start to anticipate the correction and might start sitting when no command is given.
When “sit” is well understood, you will need to replace the 4-foot leash with a 30-foot check cord or rope. Give the command “sit” and then start to walk away. If the dog breaks and follows you, say “no” firmly and return the dog to where it was, give the rope an upward jerk, and repeat the “sit” command.
When you can give the “sit” command as you walk away and the dog stays in place, you are getting somewhere. Let the rope slip through your hands until you are 30 feet away. Walk in a circle around the dog, repeating the “sit” command. I know I have a dog with a complete understanding when I can circle around the dog two or three times and the dog does not move. Advance this even further, but gently pulling on the rope while reminding the dog with the “sit” command. You will ultimately get to a point where you can pull on the rope hard enough that the dog’s butt will come off the ground and they will still not move. Release the dog with the word OK.
We will use this same effort on the “here” command. Have the dog sit and walk to the end of the 30-foot rope. Command the dog with a “here” command and give the leash a jerk. When they get about 10 feet from you, you can then give the “heel” command. A dog can only be expected to do one thing at a time. You cannot and should not command the dog with “here,” immediately followed by a heel command and then immediately followed up by a sit command.
Allow the dog to complete one task and then instruct them on the next command. Call the dog “here,” and when it is about 10 feet from you, give the “heel” command. When the dog has reached “heel,” then – and only then – give them the “sit” command.
I said in an earlier column that a dog is not an electronic device like a computer keyboard. You cannot expect them to execute three or four commands at one time and then expect them to execute them all in order.
When working on the “here” command, we also utilize freebies with no cadence. Command “here,” and then give the rope a stiff tug. When the dog has complied, then move away and command “here” without a correction. Mix both a freebie and a rope jerk with no rhythm so the dog does not start to anticipate and either move or sit with no command given by you. This is an important recommendation when training your own dog.
Each session should last no more than 15 minutes. Each session should start out with 2 minutes of fun and end each session with two minutes of fun. As the dog gets better and better, they are still getting a correction occasionally from a jerk on the rope or leash even when they are doing everything right. This is a necessary step if you want sponge bucket obedience and not post it note obedience.
By keeping the sessions short and ending each session with a little fun, you keep the attitude of the dog high, and training sessions are looked forward to instead of dreaded.
Part 4 will be the introduction to the whistle and electronic training collars. Stay tuned
 
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.

Minnesota’s youth deer season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23. The season coincides with statewide teacher workshops, so many Minnesota students don’t have school during the youth season.
To participate, youth must be 10-17 years old and have a deer license. Participant numbers are not limited and there is no special permit, so parents should purchase or obtain a regular deer hunting license for the youth who will be hunting.
An adult parent, guardian or mentor must accompany youth ages 10-13. All hunters and mentors, regardless of whether they are participating in youth deer season, must follow blaze orange/pink clothing requirements.
Adults may not hunt, unless they are in an area open during the early antlerless season and have the corresponding license.
Complete youth season details are available on the DNR youth deer hunting page: mndnr.gov/Hunting/Deer/Youth.html.
Or contact Barbara Keller, DNR big game program leader, 651-259-5198.

I searched the internet for what other people believe is the greatest need in the church today and found a variety of answers.  One person said we have a false idea about who Jesus is, another said we don’t understand the holiness of God, another said discipleship, another said we don’t really know who Jesus is and live accordingly.
All the answers I saw reflected a broken or tattered relationship with God. We do not understand and/or practice what God says.
I invited our church to read though the entire Bible in 2022. We started in Genesis and are now reading in the minor prophets.
There has been a repeated theme as we read. Adam and Eve wanted more and turned to the forbidden fruit. They were hoping for something more but found only brought-on grief. During Noah’s time frame the whole world turned away from God, and God finally executed judgment on the sin-filled people. As Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt toward the promised land, it began with their great excitement in the greatness of God but was soon lost in complaining and discontentment.
The behavior of people is repeated over and over again in the books that follow Exodus. Isaiah, Jeremiah and the numerous other writers of the minor prophets chanted the mantra, “Repent and follow God.  If you fail to repent, God will judge you.” Over and over the people of Israel failed to listen even though God always provided a means for forgiveness and reconciliation.
God continually extended hope. But God held them accountable.
What is the greatest need of the church? The people I read on the internet expressed it in different ways, but the short message is to know God and live for Him.
Many people going to church today seldom read their Bible during the week. If the only time you open your Bible is Sunday at church, you will miss many things God has for you.
If your lawyer only opened a law book one day a week and read a page and put it away again until next week, would you want that person to represent you in court? No, because they don’t know the law of the land. 
The greatest need in the church today is for people to “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, correctly understanding (applying) the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

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, Oct. 6: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, Oct. 8: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Sunday School; Drums and Jesus; Coffee with Council. 10:15 a.m. Tenth Grade Confirmation class. 1-3 p.m. HS activities at city park. Tuesday, Oct. 11: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 6:45 p.m. Ministry meetings. 8 p.m. PPC meeting. Wednesday, Oct. 12: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. 6:15-7:25 p.m. Confirmation class for 8th grade. 6:30 p.m. Voices of Grace rehearsal. 7 p.m. 10th grade confirmation pictures and pizza party. 7:30-8:40 p.m. Confirmation class for 9th grade. 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, Oct. 6: 9 a.m. Cookie Crew. Friday, Oct. 7: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Sunday, Oct 9: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. 2-4 p.m. Middle School gathering. 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. MJB and Poplar Creek. Tuesday, Oct. 11: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. 7 p.m. Consistory meeting. Wednesday, Oct. 12: 5:30 p.m. Midweek Meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Clubs and youth groups. 8:15 p.m. Cantata rehearsal. 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
Saturday, Oct. 8: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Oct. 9: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school; FUEL. 9:45 a.m. coffee hour. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. Prayer Warriors after service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Monday, Oct. 10: 6:30 p.m. 2nd Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, Oct. 11: 1:30 p.m. Sewn in Faith. 7 p.m. Scouts. Wednesday, Oct. 12: 6:15 p.m. FUEL and Confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Oct. 6:  New AA group. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, Oct. 9: 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
Saturday, Oct. 8: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, Oct. 9: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School; Adult Bible Study. 11:15 a.m. Junior Choir. 2 p.m. 2nd Sunday Fun Day. Monday, Oct. 10: 1 p.m. Quilters meet. Tuesday, Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Women’s Missionary Guild. Wednesday, Oct. 12: 9:30 a.m. Bible Study. 10:30 a.m. Little Lambs Chapel. 1 p.m. Little Lambs Chapel. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. Kids for Christ. 7 p.m. Senior choir. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Thursday, Oct. 13: 9 a.m. Little Lambs Chapel. 12:30 p.m. Rock the Edge meeting at LHS. 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, Oct. 9: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m. JOINT Worship Service at First Lutheran w/Installation Service of Pastor Mark Eliason followed by a meal at the American Legion in Valley Springs. Sign-up sheet at both churches for food to be brought to the Legion 9:00-9:45 am Sunday morning. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish. Wednesday, Oct. 12: 6 p.m. Confirmation starts for ALL 7th and 8th graders. We will meet at First Lutheran.   
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m. JOINT Worship Service at First Lutheran w/Installation Service of Pastor Mark Eliason followed by a meal at the American Legion in Valley Springs. Sign-up sheet at both churches for food to be brought to the Legion 9:00-9:45 am Sunday morning. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish. Wednesday, Oct. 12: 6 p.m. Confirmation starts for ALL 7th and 8th graders. We will meet at First Lutheran. Thursday, Oct. 13: 1:30 p.m. WELCA meeting. 7 p.m. Palisade council meeting.
 
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, Oct. 9: 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

On Saturday, the Verne Drive-In outdoor theater honored the late Carson Ehde and more than 60 other individuals in the area who lost their lives due to mental illness and suicide.
The Rozeboom family, which owns the theater, offered free admission to the season’s final night of movies as a way to increase awareness of the mental health crisis. 
Grieving friends and family were offered ballons to write messages on and release following a tribute video on the big screen featuring photographs of those whose lives were lost to suicide and mental illness.
Donation boxes and QR codes accepted contributions for the newly established fund, “Carson’s Cause,” through the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
Workers donated their concession tips and the drive-in family matched cash contributions and donated concessions proceeds for a total of $5,000 in cash.
Other donations and electronic gifts bring the Carson’s Cause fund to nearly $13,000.
The fund was established following Ehde’s Sept. 13 death to support local efforts to educate youth and the community on mental health and suicide prevention.
See luvacf.org for more information.

Zach Nolz
 

Zach has lived in the district for almost nine years and is a family medicine physician at Sanford Luverne. His wife is Angela, and their children are Sophia, 11, Rory, 8, and Isabella, 6.

Ryan DeBates
 
 

 
Ryan has lived in the district for about 20 years and is market president for Security Savings Bank in Luverne. His wife is Stacy, and their children are Brody, 21, Jenna, 17, and Trevor, 15.

Randy Sasker
 

Randy has lived in the district for 38 years. He works with and operates his own business, Sasker Construction. He and his wife, Lisa, have four children, Cody, 22, Lacey, 18, Sawyer, 16, and Layne, 15.