The Luverne High School baseball team tallied three more wins this week to move its record to 6-4 and extend its win streak to six. 
The Cards won two games in two towns on Tuesday, April 26, defeating Windom 11-1 in five innings in a late afternoon contest before stopping in Adrian on the way home to down the Adrian Area Dragons 10-7 in the night game. 
On Thursday, April 28, Luverne traveled to Worthington and defeated the Trojans 13-11 in eight innings. 
LHS was scheduled to play in Pipestone on Tuesday after this edition of the Star Herald went to press. 
The Cardinals will host St. James Area in a doubleheader at Redbird Field today (Thursday) and Marshall on Monday before traveling to Jackson for a twin bill against the Huskies May 12. 
 
Luverne 11, Windom 1
The Cardinals traveled to Windom for a 4 p.m. contest, the first of two games in two towns on the same day due to weather-related rescheduling. 
Luverne made the two-town doubleheader a little easier by winning the first game in only five innings, topping the Windom Eagles 11-1. 
LHS senior Casey Sehr pitched a complete one-hit game and struck out three and walked one. 
The Cards opened up the game early by scoring seven runs in the top of the second inning after the Eagles scored their only run of the game during the opening frame. 
Luverne went on to plate three more runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to trigger the ten-run rule and end the game 11-1 after five. 
Sehr and Connor Overgaard led the Cardinal offense in Windom.
Sehr had four hits, scored two runs and added two RBIs. Overgaard tallied three hits, had three RBIs and scored two runs. 
Both Sehr and Overgaard hit two doubles in the game. 
 
Luverne   0 7 0 3 1 x x  11
Windom   1 0 0 0 0 x x   1
 
                         AB  R     H    RBI
B Ripka            3     1     1     1
K Anderson     2     1     0     1
C Sehr              4     2     4     2
C Connell         2     1     0     0
C Overgaard    4     2     3     3
W Serie            3     1     1     0
J Stroh             1     2     0     0
R Sneller          3     0     1     0
E Domagala     3     1     1     0
K Buss             1     0     0     0
N Cole-Kraty    1     0     0     0
 
LHS 10, Adrian Area 7
Luverne won its second road game of the day when the Cards came out on top of Adrian Area 10-7 on April 26. It wasn’t as easy of a win as the first game of the day was, however. 
The Dragons held a 5-2 lead over LHS after two innings of play.
Lead-off batter Braydon Ripka started the offense for Luverne with a single, followed by a double by Kaden Anderson, the second Cardinal to bat. 
When Sehr reached base on an Adrian error, Ripka and Anderson both scored. 
The Cardinals then erupted for five runs in the top of the third frame. 
Sehr, Conner Connell and Overgaard all singled. Sehr scored on Overgaard’s single and Connell scored on a series of Dragon errors. 
A two-RBI single by Riley Sneller then scored Overgaard and Elliot Domagala, who was courtesy running for Jacob Stroh who had reached base on an error. 
The Cardinals’ fifth run of the inning came when Ripka hit an-RBI double to score Sneller to give LHS a 7-5 lead. 
Luverne added one more run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings while Adrian scored one run each in the fifth and seventh innings to result in the 10-7 Luverne win. 
Zach DeBoer was the starting pitcher for Luverne. He pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and five runs while striking out one and walking two. 
Stroh replaced DeBoer on the mound during the second inning and pitched for 5 2/3 innings. Stroh gave up three hits and two runs and struck out eight Adrian batters. 
Sehr scored twice for the Cards and totaled two hits and three RBIs. Anderson had three hits and one run, while Sneller scored two runs and two RBIs in the game. 
 
Luverne   2 0 5 1 1 1 0  10
Adrian      3 2 0 0 1 0 1   7
 
                         AB  R     H    RBI
B Ripka            4     2     3     1
K Anderson     5     1     3     0
Casey Sehr      4     2     2     3
C Connell         5     1     1     0
C Overgaard    3     1     1     0
W Serie            4     0     0     1
J Stroh             4     0     0     0
Z DeBoer          3     0     0     0
R Sneller          3     2     1     2
E Domagala     0     1     0     0
Carter Sehr      0     0     0     0
 
LHS 13, WHS 11
It took eight innings for Luverne to win its sixth consecutive game when the Cardinals defeated the Worthington Trojans 13-11 Thursday. 
The longtime conference rivals were tied 8-8 at the end of the scheduled seven innings in Worthington. 
Connell started the scoring when he hit a three-run homerun in the top of the first inning.
The Trojans scored one run in the bottom of the first and a second run in the bottom of the second inning to cut Luverne’s lead to 3-2. 
Connell, a Cardinal sophomore, came back to bat and hit his second home run in as many at bats.
The second home run scored two runs in the top of the third inning to expand the LHS lead to 5-3 with Connell responsible for all five runs. 
Connell was also the starting pitcher for Luverne. He spent five innings on the mound while giving up four hits and three runs and striking out eight. 
“It definitely wasn’t my best day on the mound, but I managed to get some outs and Casey (Sehr) and the defense made a lot of good plays behind me,” Connell said. 
“It was nice giving myself some insurance runs right away, which we ended up needing at the end of the game.” 
The next runs came in the fifth inning when each team plated one run, and LHS added one more run in the top of the sixth inning to bring the score to 7-3. 
Worthington scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth, however, to take an 8-7 lead going into the seventh inning. 
The Cardinals tied the game in the top of the seventh when Connell scored his third run of the game on an Overgaard line drive single to center field. 
When Luverne held the Trojans scoreless in the bottom of the frame, the game went into extra innings. 
LHS scored early and often in the top of the eighth inning, scoring five runs. 
Ripka led off the inning with a single and advanced to second base when Anderson took first after being hit by a pitch. 
Sehr then hit a double to center field, which scored Ripka. 
Anderson crossed home plate when Overgaard reached base on an error. Sehr and Overgaard then scored on wild pitches before Patrick Kroski, courtesy running for Serie, scored on a sacrifice by Stroh. 
Worthington made it more interesting by scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth, but it wasn’t enough. 
Luverne left Worthington with a 13-11 extra-inning victory. 
Anderson replaced Connell on the mound after five innings and gave up six hits and eight runs (four earned) and struck out two. 
 
Luverne     3 0 2 0 1 1 1 5   13
Wgtn          1 1 0 0 1 5 0 3   11
 
                         AB  R     H    RBI
B Ripka            5     2     2     1
K Anderson     3     2     1     0
C Sehr              5     3     3     1
C Connell         4     3     2     5
C Overgaard    5     1     2     2
W Serie            5     0     1     1
J Stroh             4     0     1     1
E Domagala     2     0     0     0
R Sneller          4     1     1     0
P Kroski           0     1     0     0
N Cole-Kraty    1     0     1     0

Has anyone ever heard of the National Fish Decoy Association? Neither had I until about two weeks ago.
This non-profit hosts the largest spearing decoy show in the United States. It was held in Perham, Minnesota, on the weekend of April 22-23.
There were many different kinds of decoys there, but they fell into two main categories. They had fish decoys and duck decoys.
I have a pretty good understanding of the decoy carving universe but I had never attended an event of the nature before.
The fish decoys were of the sort that one might use to attract a northern pike under the ice. The duck decoys looked much like the size and shape you might use to hunt waterfowl, but almost all of the decoys I saw that weekend will never be actually used for their originally intended use.
This show is actually a competition for carvers all over the United States who compete in 38 different classes under a variety of different specifications. Many carvers will submit several different fish or ducks in a wide variety of classes.
Many of the classes called for a decoy of a certain species of fish, and it had to fall within a size margin determined by the organizer.
I was actually a fish decoy judge at this show. Two other judges and I worked together to score about 10 of the 38 classes. Each class has its own special criteria and is a combination of differing percentages of swim ability and craftsmanship points. Some classes gave more points to swim ability and less on craftsmanship and vice versa.
I can’t remember all of the classes, but we judged red-tailed chubs, suckers, northern pike, trout of differing species, largemouth bass and several others.
Each decoy was attached to a jig stick and was individually maneuvered in a cattle tank full of water. Some decoys that looked absolutely gorgeous did not swim well, and others that did not look near as good swam great.
The judges worked together to agree to the different placements in each class. Many of the classes had substantial cash prize money attached. One large donor had put up $30,000 for the prize money for this show.
Some classes with cash awards were dictated to be purchase classes. This meant that the winners received the prize money but the sponsor providing the funds got to keep the winning decoys in exchange.
There is no way to explain just how beautiful these decoys were. I swear that if you put them in a natural stream, you would not have been able to tell them from an actual live fish. Hundreds of hours are spent creating these masterpieces.
In addition to the contest, there was a show floor that I am sure had more than 3,000 decoys on display that could be purchased. Many of these decoys would be called worker decoys and were for actual use in a spearing house some winter day. Others were created only for individuals interested in decoy collecting. Every conceivable species of fish could be purchased.
I did the best I could to keep my hands in my pockets and my billfold in my back pocket. But when there is a fish decoy that looks exactly like a baby hammerhead shark, that is a decoy that just had to go home with me. This is a collector decoy and not a worker.
The show had about 1,200 attendees the first day and boasted over 100 vendors. If it was related to fish and water, you could buy it at this show.
I did manage to wheel and deal with a friend of mine on one other decoy from a carver that had died about five years ago. Many of these decoys increase significantly in price after the carver has passed on as you know that he or she will not be making any more of them.
The same can be said for the collectors of spears. In many cases old spears can fetch way north of a grand or two.
If was an amazing adventure and I can’t wait to go again next year. The trip was made with my four dogs, and each and every time I let them out to stretch their legs, it was raining and the wind was blowing 40 miles per hour.  It was not the greatest “travel with dogs” weekend weather-wise.
To see and learn about old traditions is one thing I really enjoy. The years of carver experience at this show is unexplainable. I made many new friends and am even more hooked in fish decoys than before I arrived.
The really unusual thing I saw this weekend was the fact that many of the new carvers that did well in competition were young people. Most outdoor-related passions are aging out old white guys, and the spearing world is the exception.
It was great to see the passing of the baton to the future generations of decoy carvers. I do have some skills, but carving a decoy is not among them.
 
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.

As most of you know, Sunday is Mother’s Day.
I am grateful that God created moms. He did that in the very beginning time. He told Adam and Eve, the first two people created and the first married couple, to be fruitful and multiply. In other words, be a dad and mom. Parents are therefore a divine creation.
Most moms are special to their children, but a mom who loves the Lord is a blessing to the world.
In Proverbs 31:10-31 we read about a woman who fears the Lord. Listed in these verses are the ways moms serve.
Here are a few. She brings good, not harm and she works with eager hands. She gathers the food needed to feed her family. She runs the family business efficiently, and ministers to those who have need. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
It is easy to see in Proverbs 31 that God sees and understands that moms are busy people. Proverbs 31 also declares a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Thank You, Moms! Thank you for always putting your children first. Thank you for all the important but often unnoticed things which you do every day to make our lives easier.
Thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for getting us up every Sunday to go to church.
Thank you for reading us devotions, and thank you for teaching us to love Jesus.
Thank you for being there when we are sad, hurt, or confused.
Thank you for dropping everything you are doing to come and help us with our problems.
Thank you, Mom, for every one of your sacrifices. As your children, we hope that we can follow in your footsteps of love and service.

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, May 5: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, May 8: 9 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion. 10 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship. 5 p.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion. Tuesday, May 10: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, May 11: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. Thursday, May 12: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online: Sundays 9 a.m. on the church website www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab or go directly to our Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 will air our worship service Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on 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
Friday, May 6: 6:3o a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Saturday, May 7: Bridal shower for Mira Uithoven. Sunday, May 8: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday school. VBS registration opens. Tuesday, May 10: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. 7 p.m. Consistory meeting. Thursday, May 12: National Day of Prayer. 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, May 7: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, April May 8: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 9:45 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. Prayer Warriors following service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible study. Tuesday, May 10: 1:30 p.m. Sewn in Faith. 7 p.m. Scouts. Wednesday, May 11: 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, May 8: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. Tuesday, May 10: 1:30 p.m. Communion at MJBH. 2:30 p.m. Communion at Poplar Creek. Wednesday, May 11: 5:30 p.m. Bells. 6:15 p.m. Choir. 7:15 p.m. Session. 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
Friday, May 6: 7 p.m. Prayer Service and Time of Sharing. Saturday, May 7: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, May 8: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. 2 p.m. Sunday Fun Day. Monday, May 9: 10 a.m. Little Lambs Zoomobile visit. 1 p.m. Quilting. 7:30 p.m. Men’s Club. Tuesday, May 10: 7 p.m. Women’s Missionary Guild. Wednesday, May 11: 9 a.m. Little Lambs Devotion. 9:30 a.m. Bible Study. 1 p.m. Little Lambs Devotions. 1:30 p.m. Little Lambs Zoomobile Visit. 7:30 p.m. NYG Bible Study. Thursday, May 12: 9 a.m. Little Lambs Devotion. 10 a.m. Little Lambs Zoomobile Visit. 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
Billy Skaggs, 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, May 8: 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, May 8: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Sunday school. Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, even if fully vaccinated. 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, May 8: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, even if fully vaccinated. 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

City of Luverne filing for
candidacy opens May 17
NOTICE OF filing
affidavit of candidacy for council members
CITY OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that filings for office of Council Members open May 17, 2022, and shall close May 31, 2022 at 5 o'clock p.m. Filings or other questions should be addressed to the City Clerk, City Offices, 305 E. Luverne Street, PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota, 56156. Telephone 449-9898.
Any qualified and eligible person may file an Affidavit of Candidacy individually, or an application signed by at least five voters may be filed on behalf of and accepted by a qualified and eligible person.
The offices to be elected for which filings are open are as follows:
Mayor - 1  (4-year term)
(North) Ward I Council Member  - 1  (4-year term)
(South) Ward II Council Member - 1  (4-year term)
Jessica Mead, 
City Clerk 
(04-28)

SRDC hearing May 12
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) will hold a public hearing on its budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023) on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Worthington Fire Hall, 830 2nd Ave, Worthington, MN. The Hearing will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue until all persons wishing to offer a testimony have been heard. Copies of the proposed budget may be obtained at the Southwest Regional Development Commission Office, 2401 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN. Copies of the proposed budget are also on file with each county auditor, county coordinator, city clerk, and township association chair in Region 8. 
(04-28)

City of Luverne Board of Appeal
and Equalization meets May 10
ASSESSMENT NOTICE
The Board of Appeal and Equalization for City of Luverne, will meet at 4 p.m., on Tuesday, the 10th day of May, 2022, at the Luverne City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has 
been properly valued and classified by the assessor.
If you believe the value of classification is in correct, please first contact the assessor's office at 507-283-5022 to discuss your concerns. If you disagree with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. The board will review your assessments and may make corrections as needed. Generally, you must appeal to the local board before appealing to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization.
Given under my hand this 22nd day of April, 2022.
/s/ Jessica Mead,
Luverne City Clerk
(04-28)