A while back I ran a column on all of the follies you can witness at a boat ramp on a busy day. These are truly enough to make you laugh until it hurts.
I thought it would be responsible to share a few boat ramp etiquette rules to ensure that you are not the next internet sensation.  These are so simple I can’t believe everyone does not already know them, but it certainly is not the case.
Rule No. 1 is to learn how to back a boat before you get to the boat ramp. Backing a trailer is a learned skill and is best learned and practiced in an empty parking lot. You don’t have to be a master at it, but knowing the basics is a must.
The key to backing a trailer is to keep both your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel. If you do this, the trailer will move in whichever direction you move your hands keeping your hands on the bottom of the wheel. Once your hands get north of 9 o’clock or 3 o’clock, this is no longer the case. Practice ahead of time and refresh your skills if you need to before you decide to keep all of the other boats at the landing waiting for you until they vocalize their displeasure to you.
One guy in line once told me the reason the guy who was having trouble and was not good at backing a trailer yet is because he had not been hollered at enough yet.
Don’t get in the unloading line until you are ready. This means putting all of your gear in the boat in the parking lot ahead of time. Unloading the boat and then parking a long distance and trudging three trips back and forth to load your gear is very uncool. Make sure you remove the rear boat tie-downs ahead of time. Make sure the plug is in.
A real way to become unpopular is to try to budge in line. Many of the boat ramps in my neck of the woods have parking for only two or three rigs at a time. If you have little patience for others who struggle to load or unload their boat, oftentimes I use a landing that might not be as good but will certainly have less traffic.
I might even pick a lake with less potential in order to reduce the congestion at the landing and the frustrations that can accompany it on busy weekends.
If the boat ramp only has one land lane and you are a solo operator, when the boat is free of the trailer, quickly move it over to the other side of the dock and secure it properly. This allows the next person to unload while you go and park the truck. If you have a helper, have them move it out of the way. This can speed up the process for everyone else trying to maximize their time on the water.
The same can be said when you are coming out from the water. Load the boat and move out of the way. There is no need to unload the boat contents into the tow vehicle while blocking the landing. Pull up and out of the way and make your transfers after you have cleared the ramp area.
Trash is another problem folks have trouble with at a public boat launch. When the trash can is full, as it often is, don’t just throw your trash to the ground next to the can. If the can is full, take your trash home with you. Boy, that is a tough one.
Don’t clean your fish at the boat ramp unless there is a special place to do so. The same can be said for cleaning birds at a public hunting area as well, but that is a different story. There is not much that smells worse than rotting fish guts in an overflowing garbage can.
The last recommendation is the hardest. If you fish or recreational boat enough you will certainly come across others who either don’t know or don’t care about the basic rules of etiquette. When you run across these folks, please use an additional amount of patience. The desire to read someone a riot act for bad behavior is strong. In the end these altercations usually end badly even if you are completely in the right. Choose where you load and unload on whichever lake you choose, and pick those that might be less used. Education for those less learned works but only if delivered in a manner that does not end in raised voices.
Everyone is just trying to enjoy their time at the lake, and these basic courtesies can go a long way to making sure everyone can do just that.
 
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.

This weekend is the Rock County Fair. It is a time of fun and family activities, a time for people to bring things for judging, things like cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, fruit, vegetables, baked goods, arts and crafts, sewing, needlecraft, presentations, photography, examples of wood and metal work, and so much more!
The things that people bring are the best of their best, things that they hope will win a ribbon or a prize, and perhaps even advance to the State Fair! Men and women, and children of all ages (well, kindergarten and above) put forth their best effort and proudly show off what they have produced.
When I go to a fair, whether it be a county fair or the State Fair, I always enjoy going to the 4-H and creative arts areas, and the animal barns. There you see the fruits of the entrants’ labors, the best that they have to offer.
County fairs give children, youth, and adults a chance to try something new or perfect a skill they’ve been working on. Especially in the 4-H program, feedback and coaching are given to allow the entrants to improve and do even better next time.
God expects our best. In fact, in Leviticus 22:20, God says: You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable in your behalf.”
God wants our best, not something that is okay, or passable, but our very best.
One person’s best is not necessarily the same level as another person’s best. God does not compare us to each other but considers each of us individually – just as personalized constructive feedback is given at 4-H judging, so the entrant can continue to improve their skill.
Some may be experts in one area, such as showing an animal, cooking, baking or preserving food, or creating something to wear or decorate a home, but completely without talent in another area. And that’s okay! But whatever you do, do your best.
So, take time this weekend to take in the Rock County Fair. See the animals, exhibits, and demonstrations. Marvel over others’ talents. Enjoy time with your family and friends. Ride the rides on the midway, watch or participate in competitions, eat good food and listen to good music, and enjoy God’s creativity in creation, and in how God has gifted people with creativity. And always do your best with whatever you set your hand to.

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
Ann Zastrow, Pastor
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, July 28: 7:30 a.m. Mom’s Summer Bible Study at Wildflowers. 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, July 31: Sports Theme Sunday—9 a.m. Worship Service. 5 p.m. Worship Service. Tuesday, Aug. 2: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Aug. 3: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. Priscilla/Elizabeth Circle will NOT be meeting. 7 a.m. 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, July 28: 9 a.m. Cookie Crew. Friday, July 29: 6:3o a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Saturday, July 30: Baby shower for Nate and Emilee Haraldson. Sunday, July 31: 9:30 a.m. 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
Saturday, July 30: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, July 31: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:30 a.m. Hymn Sing Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, Aug. 2: 9:30 a.m. Folding Team. 7 p.m. Cub/Boy Scouts. Wednesday, Aug. 3: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Aug. 4: 11 a.m. Salad Luncheon. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, July 31: 9:30 a.m. 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
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, July 30: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, July 31: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday school; Adult Bible Study. Wednesday, Aug. 3: 9:30 a.m. Bible Study. 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, July 31: 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
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, July 31: JOINT Worship at Palisade Lutheran. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, July 31: JOINT Worship at Palisade Lutheran. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4.
 
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
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion. 9 a.m. Sunday School. 7-8:30 p.m. Youth group meets. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesdays: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:30 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. Quilting. 6 p.m. Confirmation. 7 p.m. Social/dessert time. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday night worship service.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Carlson probate 
STATE OF MINNESOTA PROBATE COURT
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                     PROBATE DIVISION
 
In Re: Estate of                                                              Court File No. 67-PR-22-174
Steven David Carlson,
a/k/a Steven D. Carlson, a/k/a/ Steven Carlson,
Deceased                                        ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING
FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND
APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE,
IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION
AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
 
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:
It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 19th day of  September, 2022, at 8:30 O'clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated May 8, 2020, and for the appointment of Dianne Marie Carlson, whose address is 615 N. Oakley, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representatives will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate.
Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representatives or to the Court Administrator 
within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.
 
Dated: July 21, 2022 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Natalie Reisch 
Attorney for Petitioner Court Administrator Eisma and Eisma
130 East Main (COURT SEAL)
Luverne, MN 56156
507-283-4828
I.D. #158343
(07-28, 08-04)

Luverne residents, alumni, businesses, organizations and individuals hosted an epic four-day party Thursday through Sunday for Cardinal Pride Weekend.
Festivities started Thursday, July 14, with 15,000 free hot dogs, courtesy of local businesses, for the 60th anniversary of Luverne’s iconic Hot Dog Night, which included Wiener Dog Races, live music, beer garden, demonstrations, fire department sprinkler, corn hole tournament, inflatables and more.
The Friday Night Cruise ‘N Park drew classic cars to East Main Street from 5 to 9 p.m. where there were food trucks, live music and a Take 16 block party.
Saturday’s parade was a chance for alumni to shine in a reunion band, class floats and more. See www.star-herald.com for more photos and information.

At the Cardinal Pride “Generations of Excellence” event Saturday at the LHS performing arts center, audience members viewed what’s next for Luverne Public Schools.
Hosted by current school superintendent Craig Oftedahl, the event featured vocal and piano performances by future and past LHS graduates.
Oftedahl took audience members on a look back at the recently completed construction project.
A 15-minute photo montage included pictures of the performing arts center at various phases of construction.
He also showed the 75 people in the audience what’s next at Luverne Public Schools.
“The next item I am looking at for school improvement is a big dream,” he said.
“I want to look at turf on our football field.”
A turf field benefits several of the school’s departments and programs, Oftedahl said.
“The field would obviously benefit the football program, but it also could used as an outdoor classroom by our physical education department and out music department,” Oftedahl said.
The baseball and softball teams could have their early season practice on the turf and the golf program could also get early season swings in.
The turf would also be a community benefit.
“We have been told by several large schools in Sioux Falls that they will no longer compete in Luverne at the Tri-State Band Festival because we do not have turf,” Oftedahl said.
“Not only will it help continue drawing bands in for Tri-State, it will be used extensively by our own marching band for practice.”
The change from a grass infield to turf would also be the time the district would look at replacing the visitors’ bleachers and adding a multi-use fieldhouse and storage facility west of the home bleachers.
“I believe it is important to not get stagnant and keep trying to improve the opportunities for the next generation of Cardinals,” Oftedahl said.
No costs were mentioned with “the big dream” but there was an appeal to the public for contributions through the Luverne Education Legacy Fund.
 
Garden, signage project coming in 2023
Delays in receiving the black granite pushed the start of the Alumni Garden project to 2023.
Superintendent Oftedahl said the $1.5 million garden south of the middle-high school canopy, is a gift from Warren Herreid II and Jeannine Rivet.
The garden and outdoor classroom project is slated to be finished next summer in time for the inaugural Luverne School Hall of Fame induction in October.
“That focal point will be a large piece of black granite from Cold Spring, Minnesota, with the names engraved indicating their arrival in the Luverne School Hall of Fame,” Oftedahl said.
Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2023. Forms are available at the district office.
New front lawn signage along Highway 75 is also planned for the school. The current sign is inoperable and cannot be repaired due to its obsolete design.

When the Kenneth School was demolished earlier this month, the event evoked memories of better days for the former white two-story, two-room facility.
Most memorable was the winding metal fire escape once attached to the northwest corner of the school built in 1901.
For those in the Kenneth community, the fire escape was a popular slide.
“That was more fun than anything,” remembers Doris (Halverson) Hoven, who attended the school before it closed in the spring of 1968.
An upstairs door accessed the fire escape, but children found another way to enjoy the spiral slide.
“After school we would climb up on the inside and slide down,” Hoven said.
Located on West First Avenue, the school never had indoor plumbing or running water.
School children would use an outhouse on the back southwest corner of the two-acre property and were able to drink from a fountain located inside as long as the water tank was kept filled.
Hoven recalls that students would sign out on the blackboard to use the outhouse. Most students brought lunch to school each day, while some of the town kids were able to go home over the noon hour.
Hoven said she transferred to Magnolia when she entered the seventh grade.
She and her husband, Keith, returned to live in Kenneth later on when the school had become Kenneth’s community center and city hall.
“We had Halloween parties there,” she said about the second floor being turned into a haunted house.
“It was more fun just planning it,” Hoven said.
The former school soon became the hub for other activities such as Santa Days, an election polling place, Bible school and a meeting area for the 4-H club.
Picnics were enjoyed on the school’s vast lawn.
People would use the plumbing facilities Lutheran church across the street when possible.
 The school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The city hall moved from the school to the former grocery store on Main Street after the business closed in 1993.
The school gradually fell into disuse, and the roof began to leak which continued until the demolition. Birds and other critters moved into the school.
The Kenneth City Council sought ways to save the building. They opted instead to tear the school down and level the lot.
“The inside was horrible,” said council member Laurie Gangestad.
The school’s playground equipment will stay.
The council allowed useable materials to be salvaged before the demolition occurred.
Mike Davis used lumber from the school for his rental cottages and gathering space at The Lake in Luverne.
“We used the window trim from inside the school for the main building at The Lake,” he said.
Bead board from the school’s walls became the ceiling in one cottage, and he was able to salvage the chalkboards. He left the original patina on the wood.
“I would have salvaged more but that smell was overwhelming,” he said.
The school bell was removed and placed in front of the Kenneth Fire Hall for the city’s centennial in 2000. The school bell is still displayed there.