For the fourth consecutive year, the Luverne Redbirds will compete at the Minnesota Class C Amateur Baseball State Tournament.
The Redbirds, now 27-3 on the season, earned the trip to state by winning their Region 13C Final Four series over the Fairmont Martins 2-1.
Luverne won the first game 12-2 at home Aug. 3. Fairmont defeated Luverne 6-5 Friday night before the Birds came out on top of Fairmont 12-0 at Redbird Field Sunday night.
“Qualifying for state is always a highlight of the summer,” said Luverne player-manager Brooks Maurer. “It’s what we play for.”
 
Luverne 12, Fairmont 2
No. 2-seeded Luverne opened the best-of-three Region 13C Final Four series  against the No. 6-seeded Fairmont Martins with a 12-2 victory in eight innings at Redbird Field Wednesday, Aug. 3.
Luverne tallied eight runs in the first six innings before the Martins plated two in the top of the seventh to make the score 8-2.
When the Redbirds scored four more runs in the bottom of the eighth frame, the game ended 12-2 because of the ten-run rule.
Phil Paquette (3 hits, 3 runs, 2 RBIs) scored his first run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Ben Serie to left field.
In the third inning, Paquette scored his second run when pitcher Jake Haugen hit a sacrifice fly to the same left fielder.
Ethan Beyer scored in the fourth stanza when Paquette hit a line drive single to center field.
Paquette then scored his third and final run of the game on a passed ball to bring the score to 4-0 after four innings.
Luverne scored two more runs in the next inning with back-to-back RBI doubles.
Beyer scored Haugen with a double to right field before Gaige Nath’s double to right field scored Beyer.
In the sixth inning, a sacrifice fly by Haugen scored Skyler Wenninger, who had  reached base on a double.
The next batter, Cade Wenninger, hit a line drive single that scored Ben Serie, to make the score 8-0.
After Fairmont scored two in the top of the seventh, the Birds answered with four runs in the eighth to bring the game to an end.
Newt Johnson hit a single, and Cade Wenninger and Beyer earned walks to load the bases. When Nath was hit by a pitch, Johnson scored.
A sacrifice fly by Derek Lundgren then scored Cade Wenninger before back-to-back singles by Paquette and Skyler Wenninger scored Beyer and Nath.
Haugen pitched the complete game. He gave up six hits and two runs and struck out seven.
 
Fairmont   0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 x      2
Luverne    1 0 1 2 2 2 0 4 x     12 
 
                           AB  R      H      BI
D Lundgren     5      0       1       1
P Paquette       5      3       3       2
S Wenninger   5      1       4       1
B Serie             3      1       1       1
N Johnson       4      1       2       0
J Haugen         3      1       2       2
C Wenninger   4      1       2       1
E Beyer            3      3       1       1
G Nath              3      1       1       1
 
Fairmont 6, Luverne 5
The Redbirds’ 20-game win streak came to an end with a close 6-5 road loss to the Fairmont Martins Friday night.
The setback, Luverne’s first since June 6 and third loss of the season, almost didn’t happen.
The Redbirds faced a five-run deficit entering the ninth inning and almost came back by scoring four runs in the final stanza, but it wasn’t enough as the game ended 6-5.
Luverne scored first in the game when a triple by Declan Beers scored Serie.
Fairmont then scored four runs in the sixth inning, one more in the seventh and another in the eighth to take a 6-1 lead after eight innings.
Then the Redbirds made it interesting.
In the top of the ninth inning, Beers and Haugen reached base on back-to-back singles.
Cade Wenninger then reached base on an error by the Fairmont third baseman, which scored Beers and advanced Haugen to second base.
A wild pitch to Beyer then advanced Haugen to third and Wenninger to second.
Haugen then scored when Beyer hit a ground ball and reached base on an error by the shortstop. Wenninger moved to third on the same play before scoring on a passed ball while Colby Crabtree was at the plate.
Beyer then scored on a passed ball during the next at bat to bring the game within one run.
When Lundgren grounded into a fielder’s choice to third, Nath was out at second, the game came to an end and the Martins forced a third and final game to settle the series on Sunday.
Serie pitched the first seven innings for Luverne. He gave up seven hits, five runs and struck out six.
Crabtree came to the mound for the eighth inning. He gave up one hit and one run and struck out one.
 
Luverne    1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4      5
Fairmont   0 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 x      6 
 
                           AB  R      H      BI
D Lundgren     5      0       1       0
P Paquette       2      0       0       0
B Serie             3      1       0       0
D Beers            4      1       2       1
J Haugen         4      1       1       0
C Wenninger   4      1       0       0
E Beyer            4      1       0       1
C Sehr              3      0       0       0
C Crabtree       1      0       0       0
G Nath              3      0       0       0
 
Luverne 12, Fairmont 0
For Luverne, the decisive game of the best-of-three series between the Luverne Redbirds and Fairmont Martins was worth waiting for.
The game was originally scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Redbird Field, but rain and wet field conditions delayed the game until 7 p.m.
When rain continued Sunday afternoon, the first pitch was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to allow for field preparation.
Although wet conditions continued, the game was played, and the Redbirds’ famed offense made quick order of the Martins, winning 12-0 in seven innings.
“I knew coming into it that conditions wouldn’t be favorable,” said Luverne’s starting pitcher Cade Wenninger.
“But I knew if I could get my balls to my defense, they would make plays to get us off the field.”
And that’s exactly what happened.
Wenninger pitched a complete seven-inning shutout, giving up only three hits and two walks while striking out nine.
The Redbirds opened up the game by scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Beers and Johnson led off the inning with consecutive walks before a sacrifice bunt by Haugen advanced the runners to second and third bases.
Beers then scored on a wild pitch. Beyer was hit by a pitch to put himself and Johnson at first and third bases respectively.
A double by Lundgren scored both Johnson and Beyer. Paquette then singled to score Lundgren.
Skyler Wenninger hit a single before a Serie single scored Paquette.
A walk to Beers loaded the bases, and Wenninger then scored when Johnson earned a bases-loaded walk.
The Birds plated four more runs in the fourth frame.
Skyler Wenninger and Serie reached base on walks. When Johnson reached base on an error, Wenninger scored. Haugen was then hit by a pitch to load the bases again.
Cade Wenninger then hit a single to score Serie before a single by Beyer scored Johnson and Haugen.
Haugen and Beyer scored the final two runs of the contest during the sixth inning off RBI singles by Lundgren and Skyler Wenninger.
When the Redbirds had a 12-run lead in the seventh inning, the mercy rule ended the game. Luverne won the series 2-1 and qualified for a fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament.
Lundgren led the offense for Luverne, going four for five at the plate, scoring a run and adding three RBIs.
“This summer has really been fun so far and it’s awesome to play with such a great group of talented guys,” Lundgren said.
“It’s always fun to go to a state tournament and compete against some good teams and players,” Lundgren said. “We are looking forward to that.”
 
Fairmont    0 0 0 0 0 0 0 x x       0
Luverne      0 6 0 4 0 2 x x x     12 
 
                           AB  R      H      BI
D Lundgren     5      1       4       3
P Paquette       4      1       1       1
C Crabtree       1      0       0       0
S Wenninger   4      2       2       1
B Serie             3      1       1       1
D Beers            2      1       0       0
N Johnson       2      2       0       1
J Haugen         2      2       1       0
C Wenninger   4      0       1       1
E Beyer            3      2       2       2

Luverne High School band director James Jarvie is looking forward to the 2022 marching season only due to its normalness.
The fourth-year director at LHS has persevered through a move from Ellsworth High School, a Luverne construction project and two years of the coronavirus pandemic that has left the program membership at half its normal size.
“That really hurt us,” Jarvie said of the coronavirus social-distancing rules. “Most said, ‘I’m not marching in a mask.’”
Band membership is at 47 as the program completes the second week of a three-week camp. There are 12 color guard members.
This year Jarvie, along with senior drum majors Parker Carbonneau and Grace Ingebretsen and first-year drum major junior Emma Lusty, is focusing on the basic maneuvers and body positions.
“My hope is to increase our overall scores by 10 points or higher,” Jarvie said.
This spring, band members worked with a clinician on breathing fundamentals to increase the volume of their sound.
They will perform “Fat Bottom Girls” by Queen as parade competition music and are working on a field show that is different from those of years past.
Jarvie said instead of telling a story, this year’s field program called “Haunted” conveys a theme.
“It’s a little bit of fun but mostly it is spooky and creepy,” he said.
And the woodwinds wear masks of a different sort when they don paper mannequin-like white faces and perform in a 16-count dance during the program around grave stones.
“It’s a fun new addition the band gets to do,” said senior Tori Hemme.
The band will perform during the halftime games of the Cardinal football games on Sept. 9 and 30. The pep band will perform at the Oct. 19 game.
They will also attend the following Saturday competitions:
•Waseca Marching Band Festival, Sept. 17.
•Tri-State Band Festival, Sept. 24.
•Brandon Big Sioux Review, Sept. 24.
•Sioux Falls Festival of Bands, Oct. 1.
•Orange City Dutchmen Field Competition, Oct. 8.
A public indoor marching band concert wraps up the band’s 2022 season Monday, Oct. 17.

The filing deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 16, for local leaders interested in running for office.
So far, two new candidates — Zach Nolz and Scott Wessels — and incumbent Eric Hartman have filed for five open seats on the Luverne School Board.
The open seats are held by Katie Baustian, Reva Sehr and Jodi Bosch — all three of whom have indicated they will not seek re-election.
A fifth seat on the Luverne School Board is open for election because deputy Jeff Stratton resigned this summer to become the school resource officer this fall.
Retired school board member Colleen Deutsch was appointed to fill Stratton’s seat through Dec. 31, but the Nov. 8 ballot will elect a candidate to fill the remaining two years of the term.
In the Hills-Beaver Creek District, open seats on the H-BC board are currently held by Harley Fransman, Renee Knobloch, Ethan Rozeboom and Arlyn Gehrke.
As of noon on Tuesday, no one had filed in the district office.
The filing deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, for open seats on school boards, all Rock County municipalities (except Luverne) and townships that hold their elections in November.
School Board candidates should file in district offices, city candidates in respective city offices, and township candidates with their respective townships.
 
Cities and townships
Based on information available at the courthouse, following are the other local government seats open for election Nov. 8 and the incumbents currently serving:
Beaver Creek: Mayor Josh Teune and council members Jeff Dysthe and Pat Bender
Hardwick: Mayor Willy Baker and council members Gordon Hansen and Tom Haas
Hills: Council members Vickie Busswitz and Alan Leenderts
Kenneth: Mayor Keith Hoven and council members Sheri Vyskocil and Laurie Gangestad
Magnolia: Mayor Dennis Madison and council members Melanie Madison and Jeff DeGroot
Steen: Mayor Lynette Woelber and council members Jazmine Dagel and Brad Bosch
Battle Plain Township: Supervisors Eric Sas and Aaron Sandbulte
Denver Township:Treasurer Lloyd Hemme and supervisors Tony Roosand Donald Arends
Martin Township:Supervisor Nathan Fick
Rose Dell Township: Treasurer Jerry Purdin and supervisors Larry Fjellangerand Joe Buysse
Vienna Township: Treasurer Albert Rust and supervisors David Severtson and Brad Skattum

Meetings
Battle Plain Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Edgerton ag conference room.
Blue Mound Cemetery Association will meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Blue Mound Church.
Luv1LuvAll Board will meet from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, in the Southwest Health and Human Services Building in Luverne. All are welcome to join the group, which works to unite the community in support of dignity and opportunities for people to move out of poverty. Call Holly at 605-413-5415.
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in the township hall in Beaver Creek. 
MS Support Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug 16, at Luverne Pizza Ranch. All persons with MS are invited. For info call 283-2069 or 283-2964.
 
Plaza ribbon-cutting and concert Aug. 11
The Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow Plaza Committee will host a ribbon-cutting and concert Thursday, Aug. 11, at the “Downtown Plaza on Main” to celebrate the new plaza building.
The new Wildflowers food and beverage trailer will serve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The ribbon-cutting will be at 11:15 a.m. The Ron and Jane Cote concert will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The community is welcome to attend.
 
Missoula brings ‘Hansel and Gretel’ to Luverne Aug. 15
Missoula Children’s Theatre returns to Luverne on Aug. 15-20. There are openings yet for actors kindergarten (as attended during 21-22 school year) through age 7 and ages 12 - 18 to take part in the live production of “Hansel and Gretel.” Fee is $45. Call Luverne Community Education 507-283-4724 to register.
 
Give blood Aug. 15, get DQ gift card
Sanford Luverne Medical Center will host a community blood drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Schedule donations at www.cbblifeblood.org (select “events” Aug. 15, and Sanford Luverne Medical Center) or call 605-331-3222. All who donate will receive a DQ gift card.
 
Summer band lessons start Aug. 15
Free band lessons for fifth-grade beginning band students will be Monday through Thursday, Aug. 15-25, on the following schedule:
Oboe 12:30, flute 1, clarinet 1:30, sax 2, trumpet 2:30, trombone 3, French horn-baritone-tuba 3:30 and percussion 4 p.m.
Lessons (not mandatory) allow students to get experience with their instruments before school starts. They need not come every day. They’ll need their instruments and books. Instruments, books or other supplies that were ordered will be delivered to school.
Contact Angie Swenson, 507-283-4491 ext. 2670 or a.swenson@isd2184.net.
 
Rock the Edge Prayer Breakfast Aug. 18
Rock the Edge youth and community prayer breakfast will be Thursday, Aug. 18, at Luverne High School.
Breakfast is at 6:30 a.m. in the commons, and the program, featuring Trenton Bass and Game Plan 4 Hope, starts at 7 a.m. in the performing arts center.
There is no cost to attend, but donations are accepted to support Rock the Edge activities.
RSVP by Aug. 15 at rocktheedgemn@gmail.com or call 507-283-2316.
 
Senior Nutrition Program Aug. 18
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 & older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18. It’s a drive thru distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street at the new A.C.E. office on the east side of Generations Event Center. Pre-registration required call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
Food distribution is Aug. 18
New Life Celebration Church’s third Thursday monthly food giveaway is now at the Atlas building at 101 W. Maple St. in Luverne. The next distribution is 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, until the food is gone.
Enter from Maple Street and stay along the west side of the building. Parking lot opens at 3 p.m. Do not block the Redeemed Remnants parking lot, intersection or alley entrance. Food will be loaded into vehicles, which then exit via the alley going west toward Estey Street.
Call 507-283-8963 or 507-283-4366 with questions.
 
Register students new to Luverne district
Families with children who are new to the Luverne School District can set up an appointment to register for the 2022-23 school year.
Call the Luverne Middle School/High School, 507-283-4497, or the elementary school, 507-283-4497. Both offices are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Aug. 1.
 
Give blood Aug. 23 in Luverne
The American Red Cross will accept donations from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Living Rock Church on East Main Street in Luverne.
Donors in August will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice and will be automatically entered for a chance to win gas for a year, a $6,000 value. Schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 
‘Out of the Darkness’ event needs support
Luverne will host the second annual “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk on Saturday, Sep. 10, at the Luverne City Park. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will be from 9 to 11 a.m.
This event raises money for research to end and prevent suicide and to show community support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide or have struggled personally with suicide. To pre-register for the walk and to learn more, visit afsp.org/luverne
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
The Adult Summer Reading Program is currently underway at the Rock County Library. For every five books read between now and Aug. 15, an entry may be placed in the drawing to win one of four gift baskets. The program is open to ages 18 and older and includes e-books and e-audiobooks.
Storytime @ the Park will be 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in various parks in Luverne.  Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. The last story time will be July 28 in Hawkinson Park.
Teens in Action (grades 5-12) will meet from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. A different activity will be featured each week.
Readers in grades K-4 who completed all eight weeks of the summer program will be invited to an End of Summer Pizza Party at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4.
Teens (grades 5-12) who complete a bingo card will be invited to a pizza/prize party at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5.
Seed library is open and available to anyone in the public who wants to plant a garden. Flowers, fruit and vegetable seeds are available for free.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Register for Luverne
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Missoula Children’s Theatre returns to Luverne on Aug. 15-20. There are openings yet for actors kindergarten (as attended during 21-22 school year) through age 7 and ages 12 - 18 to take part in the live production of “Hansel and Gretel.” Fee is $45.
Taking Defensive Driving Classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance premiums. A four-hour refresher class will be offered on Aug. 18. The eight-hour beginner Defensive Driving class will be offered on Nov. 7 and 10.
Register now for Discovery Time preschool starting in September for your child ages 3-5 years of age. There are openings in all sections. Early Learning Scholarships may be available to those who qualify.
 
Downtown properties labeled with former occupants
The Rock County Historial Society has distributed updated information about which businesses previously occupied stores and properties on Main Street Luverne. If additions or corrections should be notes, call 507-283-2122.
 
Prairie Ally seeks workers
Volunteer workers are needed from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Prairie Ally public food forest for a variety of maintenance tasks. No RSVP necessary. Other work opportunities are available by appointment by contacting info@projectfoodforest.org. Donations are also welcome for Prairie Ally, which is located along Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for more than 3.1 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland Signup, the highest in history.
This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and promoting plant and animal biodiversity and conservation, and it’s part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address climate change and to conserve natural resources. 
“This year’s record-breaking Grassland CRP signup demonstrates the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
“Grassland CRP clearly demonstrates, time and time again, that conservation priorities and agricultural productivity not only have the capacity to coexist but also complement and enhance one another. Through all our working land conservation programs, farmers and ranchers play a critical role in helping secure the future of both our food production and our natural resources.” 
Nationwide, this year’s Grassland CRP signup surpassed last year’s 2.5 million acres by 22 percent. So far this year, producers have enrolled 2 million acres through the General Signup and more than 464,000 acres have been submitted through the Continuous CRP Signup.
This means about 5.6 million acres are entering CRP in 2023, surpassing the 3.9 million acres expiring this year.
Grassland CRP supports grazing operations and also biodiversity to conserve environmentally sensitive land, such as that prone to wind erosion.
Grasslands enrolled in CRP help sequester carbon in vegetation and soil, while enhancing resilience to drought and wildfire.
Meanwhile, producers can still conduct common grazing practices, such as haying, mowing, or harvesting seed from the enrolled land, which supports ag production.  
Producers can still make an offer to participate in CRP through the Continuous CRP Signup, which is ongoing, by contacting the FSA at their local USDA Service Center.
To learn more, visit usda.gov.

Luverne will host its second annual ‘Out of the Darkness’ suicide prevention walk on Sept. 10 following an amazing outpouring of support for our walk last year.
The Luverne community has been known to lend a hand in hardship and prides itself in the health and sustainability of the community.
Our goal is to ensure the mental health of this community is also considered. We want to provide support to those who suffer with mental health concerns or suicidal thoughts to know they are not alone and that help is available.
We also want to express to those who have lost a loved one to suicide that we see them and support them in their grief.
We are seeking community partners and sponsors to support this walk and these goals.
More than 48,000 Americans die by suicide each year. It is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States and is the eighth-leading cause of death in Minnesota.
The Out of the Darkness Experience like the one in Luverne on Sept. 10 raises awareness, creates connections, builds community and provides hope.
More than 1,500 walkers, volunteers, partners and advocates worked together to raise over $230,000 to increase awareness and support the fight against suicide in our state.
This outpouring of support is a strong indicator that the conversation about mental health and suicide prevention is changing, improving and expanding.
As we all protect our mental health and cope with uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide.
Our Luverne walk raised over $15,000 last year and hosted 300 walkers. We connected people with much-needed programs this year, and we couldn’t have done it without generous support for our cause.
Now we are hoping to surpass our fundraising goals this year to help the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention continue the important work of saving lives.
The foundation helps develop suicide prevention initiatives and education programs, and it maintains a powerful voice in mental health and suicide prevention advocacy efforts.
Support is available to those affected by suicide, to suicide attempt survivors, and to those struggling with mental health conditions. Our goal is to ensure mental health is a part of the conversation during difficult times.
Luverne’s Out of the Darkness Walk will be Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Luverne City Park. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the walk is from 9 to 11 a.m.
To join us for the walk, register at afsp.org/luverne.
To support the effort financially, contact me at angela.nolz@sanfordhealth.org

A few weeks ago, my 11-year-old television quit. 
My first course of action was to ask two tech-savvy friends for TV advice.
Both suggested a “smart” TV. One specifically suggested an Amazon Fire TV that he had purchased online earlier this year.
Being a middle-aged, traditional shopper, I wasn’t quite ready to purchase a TV online.
So, off to Best Buy I went.
No doubt the young salesperson saw opportunity when I walked in aimlessly asking about smart TVs.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not totally new to this technology. I’ve had an Amazon Fire Stick for a few years now.
But now it was time to take the next step. It was time for a true smart TV.
After an acceptable amount of questions and research, and the kind of pointless delay that only someone as frugal as I can muster, I made the big purchase – a 55-inch, Amazon Fire TV with full Alexa capabilities. Basically a giant computer that you can watch TV on.
I was feeling pretty smart.
I called my tech-savvy friend from the Best Buy parking lot to brag about my purchase and the good deal I got.
In just a few days, the Best Buy installers arrived to deliver and install my new smart TV. And then things went downhill quickly.
As soon as the young men entered my living room, one commented on the age and size of my cable box. It was too old and too simple for my fancy new TV. Enhanced service was a must, according to these experts.
I wasn’t feeling so smart, now.
Then it was time to connect my Wi-Fi to this new TV that’s so smart. I could almost see the judgment on the faces of my Best Buy guests when they walked into my home office and saw my aging modem and router – also not good enough for my super smart purchase.
Enhanced service was a must.
I told the Best Buy guys I’ve always lived by the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” My Wi-Fi was good enough for my computer and Netflix so it was good enough for me.
Until it wasn’t smart enough for my Smart TV.
So now it was time to call the cable company.
After the kind of negotiations that only someone as frugal as I can muster, I arrived at a price-acceptable plan for wireless streaming cable TV and greatly enhanced internet.
One week later, the friendly Bluepeak technician arrived and brought with him all kinds of smaller, fancier, nearly wireless equipment.
After installing new boxes, resetting Wi-Fi connections and programming a new remote, we were in business.
My new TV is bigger, clearer, and much smarter, my internet is faster and my bill should be smaller.
My technology has officially joined the 2010s. Maybe even the 2020s!
And maybe I and my home are just a little smarter. 

Despite budget surplus, Greater Minnesota seniors left behind in legislative session
 
To the Editor:
During the 2022 session, senior care was on the forefront at the Capitol.Debates were taking place and proposals drafted.
The Minnesota Senateapproved substantial funding to increase base wages for aging servicesworkers on a bipartisan basis, but then the House and governor did not followsuit.
The legislative fix desperately needed for seniors and long-term care facilities was bogged down in disagreements and ultimately stalled.
It's more than a disappointment – it’s a crisis. Minnesota is unique inthat the Legislature sets the wages for caregivers.
Without adequate funding and critical policy changes, long-term care facilities are left in the lurch,waiting for the next session while seniors are being turned away and ourcaregivers are leaving the profession at alarming rates.
There are currently23,000 job vacancies across Minnesota’s senior care facilities, with nocurrent solution to fill them.
The stress of the pandemic and years of inaction by the Legislature has left senior care in animpossible situation.
As closures loom, access to care is quickly disappearing. Eighteen nursing homes in Minnesota have closed theirdoors since 2019, including six in 2022 alone.
We cannot sit idle and watch our system of care collapse. Please join me inurging our legislators to prioritize seniors and get caregivers the help weneed.
The state is projected to have a $10 billion surplus, and just a small fraction of those funds would change the trajectory of senior care in Minnesota for decades.
Jason AndersonDirector of LTC services, Sanford Canby Medical Center-Sylvan Court andPlace
 

August is a big month for me, and this year especially has more milestones than usual. August is my wedding anniversary and my birthday month.
Mary and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary Saturday by attending our youngest granddaughter’s fifth birthday party.
We have seven grandchildren, and celebrating the youngest one’s birthday on our 45th anniversary allowed us to reflect on the past 45 years. Mary and I have three kids and seven grandkids. Now that is an anniversary gift we can enjoy every day of the year.
August is also my birthday month. My birthday this year, like our anniversary, is a milestone year as well.
My actual birthday is a little over a week away, but according to Medicare I am already 65.
Oddly enough, after 45 years of marriage I found myself thinking more about the past and all the joys we have shared over the years.
At 65 I constantly find myself thinking about how I am aging and what that means for the days and years ahead.
I jotted down a number of things that remind me nearly every day of the years ahead. Maybe some of you can relate.
I recently discovered putting my belt through the loops before I put my pants on makes that a lot easier.
The other day I found myself running late for work because I was reading the latest edition of the AARP magazine.
The heating pad is my new best friend.
Hearing isn’t what is used to be; eyesight isn’t much better.
This isn’t a new thing, but sometimes I forget where I parked my car.
Tall toilets are a must.
My crappy penmanship is beyond crappy.
Gray hair — who cares?
Senior discounts are automatic.
Conversations are more about who retired, who is sick, and who died.
I take pictures of the menu with my phone so I can enlarge the text enough to read it. And that is with the cheaters.
For those of you who know what the 10-step rule is, does it ever increase to 15 steps?
My daily exercise workout program includes putting my shoes on, walking up the stairs from the basement, and getting in and out of the car, just to name a few.
One of those grabber tools to pick things up off the floor is a must.
In addition to all of the aforementioned aging milestones, this is the one that bothers me the most: Mary and I were looking at a very recent picture of us from the Cardinal Pride Parade. We were doing what most people do when they are looking at pictures of themselves … you know …  checking to make sure your zipper is up, checking out your hair, relieved that there is nothing stuck on your teeth. I was feeling pretty good about how we looked in the picture until Mary said, “It looks like you need a bra.”
Anniversary No. 46 is iffy after that comment.