This week’s Star Herald features a story on Generations’ next steps in their mission to improve senior nutrition in Rock County.
Senior nutrition used to be a poverty topic for the community group, Luv1LuvAll.
Luv1LuvAll grew out of a Blandin Foundation initiative called “Leaders Partnering to End Poverty,” and senior nutrition was identified as one piece of the poverty puzzle.
Now, fully embraced by Generations’ mission, Luv1LuvAll is turning its attention to moving other poverty puzzle pieces to more solid footings within the community.
All of us can help the group reach their goals through Luv1LuvAll’s “Cookies for a Cause” fundraiser.
For $5 each, packaged, beautifully decorated Valentine’s Day sugar cookies ready for your favorite persons are for sale with the help of the Luverne Area Chamber. The Chamber has agreed to organize sales and is ready to take orders now through Saturday, Feb. 5.
Pickup will be between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.
This is Luv1LuvAll’s only fundraising event, having switched from Christmastime poinsettia sales to Valentine’s Day cookies. The funds raised will be used to fill the organization’s various task forces gaps that grants and other funding sources won’t cover.
Dental care access, brain health, one-stop resource information, opioid use and housing are the current poverty areas the Luv1LuvAll group is working to provide solutions for in Rock County.
So, buy one cookie or 100 for Valentine’s Day and support the area’s anti-poverty efforts.

Monday marked Betty White’s 100th birthday and the world waited to celebrate.
Unfortunately, Betty had other ideas.
The actress, comedian and animal lover died Dec. 31 at the age of 99, 17 days short of the century mark.
My sister, Avis, would have been 64 on Monday. I wish she could have made that century mark. Instead, Dec. 24, 2021, marked a decade since her early and unexpected death.
I personally didn’t know Betty White. Just like millions of others, we watched on our small screen TV as Betty’s career began, and it spanned seven decades. Betty included many insights into how to live life in the seven books she authored.
Many of those life inferences I wish I could share with my sister. Instead, I share them with you, Star Herald readers.
My list of “Bettyisms” include:
•Don’t think of work as work. Think of work as “gigs,” because you never know which careers life could take you to. For Betty that meant gigs on the radio, on game shows, in front of the television camera, behind the television camera and writing books.
•Age is a number. We think when we reach a certain age, we should no longer try new things or continue a career beyond a certain year. Betty was over 50 years old when she played her most pivotal television role as Sue Ann Niven on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” At age 88, Betty hosted “Saturday Night Live” to some of the show’s highest ratings.
•Be adaptive and keep busy. Television wasn’t even a thing when Betty began her entertainment career. She evolved as the technology became available. Ag age 98, Betty voiced the toy tiger named “Bitey White” in the computer-animated movie, “Toy Story IV.”
•Life is not that short. Betty’s optimism and seamlessly endless energy shows us that life can be long, and it’s not a waste of time to make people smile. Betty showed us that being kind to people also doesn’t have an expiration date.
As we go about our days, we should all keep these sentiments in mind. I see my sister in all of these Bettyisms. I feel a reconnection, and it feels like a warm hug.

Last week I gave you all the rundown about how the 2021 pheasant season went.
Record-keeping for some outdoor people is totally off the charts. One guy I know records every flush and every harvested bird on every spot he has ever hunted over the past 20 years before he goes to bed. I would fall asleep trying to do that.
I don’t have a lot of my outdoor facts and figures written down. Mostly they live in my memory back in my favorite brain folder called a life outdoors. One of the events that my memory is really good about is if one of my dogs gets hurt or injured. These things I always remember.
The more dogs you own, the more likely you are to have dog injuries. This is no different than them vomiting on the rug. If you have one dog, this is a rare occurrence; if you have four dogs, it happens four times more often.
This season I had three dog injuries. Tracer, my 10-year-old, was racing all of the other dogs down the hall toward the garage I was headed to and collided with my 7-year-old, Sarge. Sarge is the linebacker and Tracer is the quarterback, and the end result was a front right leg limp on Tracer that sidelined him for two weeks. Meds were acquired and the injury did linger on and off for almost the first half of the season. Tracer would later tangle with barbed wire and that was eight stitches and another two weeks on injured reserve.
My newest dog, the one that needed the experience more than the rest of my seasoned team, was Ghost. He was 1 1/2 years old at the start of the season.
I describe a newly trained dog as being the equivalent of a vocational school graduate in the area of diesel mechanics. When students graduate from a diesel program, they have acquired a tool box full of tools and the knowledge to use each tool for its intended use. All that they lack is experience. An inexperienced mechanic cannot compete against a mechanic that has been twisting wrenches for 20 years.
The same expectations have to be used with a new dog. Take that inexperienced dog hunting a lot. Do so with no other dogs or hunters other than yourself if you can. This is where the most beneficial experiences come from.
There were fewer birds this season so it’s hard to leave the A-Team mechanics home to take out the new vocational school graduate, but this is what I did. This is another reason my total bird harvest was down this year. Ghost was doing really well. As is normal with young dogs, he was a little high strung and hunted really fast.  With time he will slow down and start to use his sniffer more efficiently.
We were walking up a small creek and smashed his front left leg into a sharp steel edge of a field tile outlet. When the outlet was cut to the proper length, the saw line did not line up, and it left what looked like the head of a spear bent down. Ghost caught that pointed edge, and it tore a seam about three inches long, deep enough to affect the tendons in his leg.
Off to the vet we went. After cleaning out the wound, the vet moved Ghost’s toes and I could see the tendons move in his leg. No tendon was severed, but they were traumatized and a fair amount of swelling was present. This was a pretty extensive injury and should have mended quite quickly. By now you have to add in the “luck of the Scoot.” My nickname is Scoot, and if anything can go bad, it usually goes bad for me.
Ghost started building up fluid in that spot and had to have it drained. The stitches under the skin started an irritation, and what would have been a two-week period on the injured reserve list ended up being about five weeks before he was ready to go hunting again.
He made it out the last two weeks of the season, and by then all of the roosters were super smart. December was a really difficult month for me as far as flushing and killing any birds. Ghost really spent most of this season with me trying to keep him controlled and not ramming around.
He missed the best part of his first year not getting the experience he needed. You can say, “Well, there is always next year,” and I said that, too. But a hunting career for a Labrador is about 10 years long, and 10 percent of that time was kind of a washout.
All of the dogs are back to their pre-season fitness levels but will now have to wait another nine months to get back to doing what they love and were bred to do. Many dogs make you know your veterinary really well, and I visited my support staff for a holiday get-together after the season closed. It is important to have a relationship with a vet you trust and I get lots of opportunities to do just that.
Here’s to hoping the season of 2022 does not include frequent trips to see them. Only time will tell, but a life without four dogs seems to me to be a life not lived to its fullest. Only if you hunt with a dog or dogs can you relate to my issues, but there is not one serious hunter I know who would ever trade for a day without 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.

Dispatch report
Jan. 7
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 161st Street, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on Main Street and Cedar Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on S. East Park Street reported a stolen package.
Jan. 8
•Complainant on S. East Park Street reported a gas leak at location.
•Complainant on 241st Street, Jasper, reported a possible trespassing.
•Deputy out with subject at location on Highway 75.
Jan. 9
•Complainant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, requested assistance with temporary housing.
•Assistance from another department was conducted in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported a black SUV swerving and speeding.
•Deputy reported a disorderly subject on W. Bishop Street.
•Deputy assisted state patrol on a vehicle search.
Jan. 10
•Complainant on S. Donaldson Street reported that she was assaulted.
•A 911 outage was reported at location.
•Complainant on County Highway 4 reported a liquid spill.
•Complainant on County Highway 4 and County Road 17, Manley, reported large bolts or spikes sticking up in intersection.
•Complainant on W. Lincoln Street reported a scam.
•Complainant reported threats.
Jan. 11
•Metro Communications reported a pursuit eastbound of the state line on Interstate 90, Beaver Creek.
•A parking issue was reported on W. Main Street, Hardwick.
•Complainant on Highway 75, Luverne, reported debris in roadway.
•A deer permit was issued on Highway 75.
•Roadside assist was provided at the Blue Mound Chapel.
•Complainant on E. Lincoln Street reported a private property issue.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested assistance at location.
•Assistance from another department was conducted eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne.
Jan. 12
•Complainant on E. Mead Court reported property damage.
•Complainant on E. Hatting Street reported theft at location.
•Roadside assistance was conducted on Highway 75 and 171st Street, Luverne.
•Complainant on Main Street and Bluemound Avenue reported suspicious activity.
Jan. 13
•Complainant on County Road 9, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 160th Avenue, Ellsworth, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on E. Brown Street reported a subject with Rock County warrant.
•Complainant reported a road closure on Main Street to Summit Street, Hardwick.
In addition, officers responded to 3 motor vehicle accidents, 12 ambulance runs, 2 paper services, 4 animal complaints, 1 fingerprint request, 42 burn permits, 1 driver’s license check,  6 alarms, 3 drug court tests, 4 purchase and carry permits, 2 stalled vehicles, 19 traffic stops, 14 abandoned 911 calls, 1 test, 4 welfare checks, 1 report of cattle out and 2 follow-ups.

The team kicked off the 2022 competitive season Sunday in Burnsville. Catch up with the school’s two robotics teams in an update in next week’s Star Herald.

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on July 7, 1905.
Was a Grand Success
Such Was Luverne’s Celebration of the Glorious Fourth
6000 People Were in Attendance
Notwithstanding Preceding Unfavorable Weather Conditions, Luverne Observes Our Nation’s Birthday With a Notable Successful Celebration—Occasion Graced by Presence of Governor John A. Johnson Who Delivers Inspiring Address—Splendid Program Carried Out to the Satisfaction of All
This article is continued from last week.
The Exercises—Governor Johnson’s Address
Promptly at 10:30 o’clock, under the direction of Jay A. Kennicott, president of the day, the exercises were opened with the singing of “America” by the quartette and the audience, accompanied by the fourth Regiment band, which was followed by the invocation by Rev. A. H. Carver, and a musical selection, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” by the Ladies’ quartette composed of the Misses Matilda Skyberg, Alice Olds, Eda Graaf, and Mrs. S. C. Rea, with Mrs. Harrison White as accompanist. Acting Mayor C. O. Wright delivered a short and pleasing address of welcome in behalf of the citizens of Luverne, N. R. Reynolds, Esq., read the Declaration of Independence with pleasing effect, and after a solo, “Barbara Freitche,” by Mrs. Edith Carpenter Klock, with Mrs. Jay A. Kennicott as accompanist, Gov. John A. Johnson, the speaker of the day, was introduced. This was the crowning event of the day, and as our splendid young chief executive  stepped to the front of the platform under the overhanging flags, tall, erect, resolute his handsome  face lighted by that genial nature and love of his fellows which has won for him the affection of all who know him, yet dignified by the consciousness of his position and the grave responsibilities  of his great office, he was greeted by the large audience with an enthusiasm which had in it all the depths of pride in our chief executive, honor for his office, and sincere respect, admiration and affection for the man who has so conspicuously honored his exalted position and justified the trust reposed in him. Here, as everywhere, John A. Johnson was equal to the occasion. Like all his oratorical efforts his address was brilliant and inspiring. His clear, resonant voice carried every syllable to the remotest listener and from the first earnest word to the thrilling peroration he held the fixed and delighted attention of the audience. In the main it was a speech of the Roosevelt type—earnest, impressive and patriotic, with a deep and sincere purpose—an appeal for character, patriotism, manliness, for the sturdy virtues that transcend partisanship and find expression in good citizenship, for sane, decent, simple, earnest living, for education of the kind that makes sound manhood and womanhood, for love of justice and righteousness, and for practical and effective devotion to a high sense of public and private duty. “I want good government and I care not from whom or what party it comes” was the key note of the governor’s appeal to the broader and higher patriotism that rises above party and partisanship, and the sentiment was most heartily applauded. But the governor did not forget that people like to be amused as well as instructed and his genial good nature and wit broke out occasionally in appeals to mirth that relieved the tension of earnest thinking. On the whole it was a magnificent address and the enthusiastic approval, delight and approbation with which it was received found expression in ways that could not be misunderstood. At the close of the exercises and as the governor passed from the platform to his carriage he was fairly besieged by the people who desired to meet him and to give expression to their good will and admiration. As a matter of fact no governor or other distinguished official who has ever visited Luverne was ever greeted with such manifest respect and sincere affection as was shown toward Governor Johnson at the conclusion of his address. Unfortunately the governor was obliged to leave for his home in St. Peter on the 12:20 train and for this reason was compelled to forego for himself and deny to the public the pleasure he would have had in meeting more of the people who desired to greet him personally. For the pleasure his visit gave us and the distinguished honor accorded to Luverne by his presence on this occasion, Gov. Johnson will always have the sincerest and deepest gratitude of all our people.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

January … my least favorite month – cold, lots of cloudy days, short hours of daylight, nothing much to do except move snow and work on taxes.
Well, maybe not the “nothing to do” part, because it is the perfect time to plan next year’s vegetable and/or flower garden.
It is amazing that the day after Christmas, seed and nursery catalogs appear in my mailbox, and that continues for most of the month.
And I study every one of them because I am a passionate gardener. So I get out last year’s garden map and plan the rotation of crops for the coming growing season.
I know that sounds complicated, and for the average home gardener it might be asking for more time than they are wanting to invest.
Nonetheless, if you are interesting in growing a vegetable garden in 2022, we have a great opportunity for you to learn the “whys” and “how tos” at a seminar I am presenting this Saturday, Jan. 22, from 1 until 1:30 p.m. at Take 16’s meeting room.
Love To Grow Expo is hosting this educational event, and I am one of the presenters. Thirty minutes will not get you a degree in edible agriculture, but it will give you valuable information to help avoid common mistakes and set you up for a successful gardening adventure.
Google Project Food Forest or check the ad in the Announcer for more info. This just might be the highlight for me in January 2022!

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Jan. 24: Chili, cheese sandwich, fruit, bread, dessert.
Tuesday, Jan. 25: Ham with raisin sauce, au gratin potatoes, peas, dinner roll, dessert.
Wednesday, Jan. 26: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, California Normandy, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Main Street Financial.
Thursday, Jan. 27: Sausage egg bake, peas, cinnamon applesauce, coffee cake.
Friday, Jan. 28: Beef stroganoff with egg noodles, mixed vegetables, mandarin oranges, dessert.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846 to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

10 years ago (2012)
•Colleen Deutsch, Luverne, has been chosen to be the Legend of the Year for 2011 at Children’s Care Hospital and School, Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Deutsch a registered nurse, has worked as a nurse on all the units and is now the nurse care coordinator for the Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.
Deutsch was chosen from nearly 500 staff members at Children’s Care for the award.
 
25 years ago (1997)
•At 11 a.m. Monday, planners of the Mary Jane Brown Congregate Living apartments took their final deposit on the last available unit.
Less than one month after officially announcing the project, all 28 apartment units of the planned congregate living facility have been spoken for.
 
50 years ago (1972)
•Farmers Union Co-op Oil Company in Luverne managed by Leroy Lindblom was one of 207 cooperatives in 9 states that received a 1971 Sparkle Award from Farmers Union Central Exchange last month.
John McKay, marketing division director for the regional supply co-op, presented the award.
Presented annually to co-ops served by Central Exchange, the Sparkle Award goes to those cooperatives receiving an extremely high rating in such areas as service station performance, employee attitudes, and general appearance of its facilities.
 
75 years ago (1947)
•Action to secure a trunk highway extending east and west through Steen and Hills from Highway 75 to the state line, has been taken by the county board of commissioners.
At a meeting held Wednesday, the board adopted resolutions asking that State Senator Milford Davis and State Representative Roy H. Cummings introduce bills in their respective chambers for the road because of the heavy traffic which it now carries. …
Because of this insistence and because the heavy traffic makes maintenance of the present road costly to the county, the board decided to ask the state to designate it as part of their highway system.
 
100 years ago (1922)
•Efforts to secure at least a small ice rink in order that those who skate may enjoy at least a few weeks of this delightful sport were set afoot this week, and the indications yesterday were that a rink would be established within a few days.
Those interested in the movement propose to flood the paving on Luverne street between Freeman avenue and Cedar street to provide the desired rink.