I finally became a Covid statistic just before the end of 2021 when I tested positive.
Even though I was fully vaccinated, I still contracted the virus. I knew from the get-go that was a very strong possibility.
The reason I went in for testing wasn’t because I was sick and had all the symptoms. It was more like I was a half a bubble off plumb on the feel-good level. Of course, Mary was relentless in her encouragement for me to get tested.
We had planned to connect with family over the New Year’s weekend, and more as a precaution and concern for other family members — and to get Mary off my back, I went to the Sanford drive up testing site at the ambulance garage.
I was tested at 10 a.m. and then followed post-test protocol and went home and waited for the results.
The New Year hadn’t started yet, so my “be more patient” lifestyle hadn’t kicked in yet.
I kept checking My Sanford Chart with no results, so I called the Sanford Medical Center and was told my results were being processed.
I was on my stationary bike when my results finally came back. I about fell off my bike when I saw “POSITIVE” typed just below test results.
I called the Star Herald office with the news, and they couldn’t believe it.  Next call was to the family to cancel our New Year’s plans.
Mary came home shortly after I completed my phone calls, and I told her the results. As you can imagine, there was an onslaught of “I told you so,” and of course followed by a couple of “I knew it.” There wasn’t much I could say but, “You’re right as always.”
We put together the housing arrangement for my five days of quarantine. Honestly, three of the five days were over the holiday weekend, so it wasn’t a huge work issue.
Like I said earlier, I am fully vaccinated, and while the vaccine didn’t prevent me from getting the virus, I am here to tell you I give the vaccine full credit for my very mild symptoms. 
I actually enjoyed my quarantine time. For the most part I felt pretty good, and by the time Day 5 rolled around, the bubble on the feel-good level was about dead center.
I know you heard this many times before, but from my experience, getting vaccinated is the way to go.

 
Kracht: 'How about you?"
To the Editor:
2021 is over, but where are we with the Covid-19 pandemic? We are still getting the same confusing, contradictory advice from the same people who have been wrong every step of the way.
Remember the promise from the person who is now in the White House? “We are not going to shut down the economy and the country, we are going to shut down the virus!” He also said, “We are eight months into this pandemic, and Donald Trump still doesn’t have a plan of how to get this virus under control. I do!”
Well, now we know that was a lie. Now he has apparently hoisted the white flag, saying, “There is no federal solution to this pandemic. We will leave it up to the states.” But still trying to push federal mandates. Does any of this make sense?                
Then this geriatric idiot goes on national television, squinting at the teleprompter, and tells us we are in for a winter of serious illness and death. Great Christmas message, genius!
Then there are the things about Covid no one is talking about. The lockdowns didn’t work. The masks didn’t work. The vaccine doesn’t seem to be working very well, either.
There have been more deaths from Fentanyl overdoses than Covid in 2021 between the ages of 18 to 45. Fifty-three thousand from Covid, seventy-two thousand from Fentanyl. Go ahead, fact check it.
Why hasn’t it been reported that more people have died from Covid under this administration than the previous one? Or the fact that more people have died since we have had a vaccine than before we had one? How many so called “Breakthrough” infections have there been in the U.S.? Doesn’t the CDC want the public to know this information? Is it because they have been pushing the vaccine so hard and it doesn’t seem to be very effective?
Remember, we were first told it was 95 percent effective. With a second dose, it would keep you from getting it. Now, get your booster, and you might not get as sick. Does this sound like they are being totally honest with you?
What about natural antibodies from having Covid? Therapeutics for treating Covid, that have been around for years? Well, follow the money. Nobody is going to make millions of dollars from that!
Now we have the new variant, Omicron. Not as deadly, they say, with symptoms being sneezing, runny nose, and headache. We used to call that a head cold.
Don’t get me wrong. Covid is real. I know people who have died or gotten very ill from it. My family and I have had Covid.
With all of this, I have lost all faith in our leadership, government, and our health care system. How about you?                                                                                                           
Mert Kracht,
Luverne

Dispatch report
Dec. 31
•Complainant on S. Donaldson Street requested to speak to a deputy.
Jan. 1
•Complainant on E. Dodge Street filed a disturbing the peace complaint.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court requested to speak to a deputy.
•Fire reported at location on 170th Avenue, Luverne.
Jan. 2
•Complainant on 170th Avenue, Luverne, reported kids locked in car.
Jan. 3
•Complainant on E. Fairway Drive reported credit card fraud.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant on W. 4th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reported subject with Rock County warrant.
•Complainant on 121st Street, Garretson, South Dakota, reported property damage at location.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 11, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
Jan. 4
•Complainant reported rural soliciting.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported trespassing at location.
Jan. 5
•Complainant on W. Warren Street and Sunshine Avenue reported garbage cans in the road.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported disturbing the peace.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported theft.
•Complainant requested monthly siren testing.
•Deputy on Fletcher and Freeman streets reported a stop sign down at location.
•Complainant on S. Fairview Drive reported theft at location.
•Trooper on Koehn Avenue and S. Walnut Avenue requested assistance with a fleeing vehicle.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported suspicious activity.
In addition, officers responded to 1 deer accident, 1 transport, 9 ambulance runs, 1 parking violation, 20 paper services, 3 animal complaints, 2 fingerprint requests, 30 burn permits, 1 gas drive-off,  1 alarm, 2 drug court tests, 2 purchase and carry permits, 2 stalled vehicles, 7 traffic stops, 12 abandoned 911 calls and 2 welfare checks.

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.
Large Crowd in Attendance
Expectations of a large crowd were not very bright even with the dawn of a beautiful day. The heavy rains had washed out many culverts in every direction and had made the roads seemingly impassable. Doubtless the belief was generally entertained that the celebration would be abandoned. But the patriotism of our people—the spirit which makes July the Fourth the grandest and most glorious day of the year in any country in the world—was equal to the occasion. It was our Nation’s birthday and that nothing short of a deluge on the day itself would keep the people from celebrating it was well apparent by noon. At 8 o’clock in the morning the Bonnie Doon train brought five coaches packed with citizens from Doon, Rock Rapids and Ashcreek; other trains added their quota in generous measure, while from every roadway carriages brought hundreds of people from the surrounding country, many of them driving miles out of the regular road to avoid washouts, until at noon it was estimated that there were fully six thousand people present.
Greeting to Gov. Johnson
Gov. Johnson A. Johnson arrived from St. Paul at 5 o’clock in the morning and was escorted to The Manitou where he made his headquarters during his stay. Luverne greeted him in gala attire, for on the day previous the people of Luverne had made up their minds to celebrate in spite of the rain and between downpours during the afternoon had put up the elaborate decorations planned, which being of “fast” colors did not lose their beauty by the drenching received. Private decorations by the business men and others were added at an early hour and by 9:30 not only Main street but many residences were gaily bedecked in the holiday attire of bunting and flags.
The Parade
The program of exercises for the day was opened by the parade which formed at the corner of Main street and Freeman avenue. This feature was the only one of the many arranged by the committee which suffered seriously by the rain. The muddy streets made it impossible for many to participate who had planned to do so, and accordingly the parade was robbed of many of its best features. The parade was headed by the South Dakota Fourth Regiment band followed by the carriage containing Gov. Johnson, carriages containing the city officers, the ladies who participated in the musical program at the patriotic exercises, the callithumpians, headed by the callithumpian band, and a long line of citizens in carriages. The course of the parade was from Freeman avenue down Main street to Spring street, thence north to Lincoln street, thence west to McKenzie street, thence south to Main street where it continued to the starting point, thence north two blocks to Luverne street grounds where the patriotic exercises were held.
Callithumpian Prize Winners
The callithumpian feature of the parade was excellent and entitles the participants to much credit for the originality and successful execution of their ideas. Nine prizes were awarded as follows: First prize, $10, to a group of Pickaninnies dancing on a platform erected on a wagon; second prize $7, to the Callithumpian (Luverne) band; third prize, $5, to Fred Crawford and Ed. Thompson, Pygmy Hose Co., fourth prize, $2.50, to A. E. Wyse, poultry merchant; fifth prize, $1, to Frank Fritz, dressed as a giant; sixth prize, $1, to Corse Horne and Barton Chapin; the seventh, eighth and ninth prizes of $1 each were awarded to the following outfits, the owners of which are unknown: Foreigner with carpet bag, two with white horse and grass in cart, and Zouave.
         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.

Jeff and Carol Tweet, Lismore, announce the engagement of their daughter Paige Tweet to Tucker Oeltjenbruns, son of Glen and Christine Oeltjenbruns of Luverne.
Paige is a 2018 graduate of Adrian High School and graduated from South Dakota State University, Brookings, in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and a minor in marketing. She is currently working in Worthington at Fulda Area Credit Union as an ag support specialist. 
Tucker is a 2018 graduate of Luverne High School and is currently working at C&B Operations in Luverne as a diesel technician. He graduated from Lake Area Technical College, Watertown, South Dakota, with a degree in diesel technology.
They are planning a June 2022 wedding in Luverne.

10 years ago (2012)
•Ever since Breanne Hup, Luverne, was a little girl, she has been intrigued by all things African. Last month that intrigue led her on a nine-day mission trip to Zambia, a small country in south-central Africa.
Hup, daughter of Ken Hup, is a registered nurse at Sanford Hospital Luverne.
As part of a 10-member team from the Ransom Church in Sioux Falls, Hup’s mission assignment included teaching hygiene classes at a weeklong Bible camp for 250 young people between the ages of 11 and 27.
The theme of the Bible camp was, “Never the Same Again,” which, Hup said, turned out to be true for her as well as people who came to the camp.
 
25 years ago (1997)
•The wind chill factor is more than an abstract figure when electricity fails in a blizzard.
About 70 Rock County rural families learned more than they wanted to know about subzero survival skills when they lost power during last weekend’s storm.
Rock County customers of Sioux Valley Southeastern Electric Cooperative were without power from about 11 p.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday.
With blowing and drifting snow reducing visibility and closing roads, several families were rescued by emergency caravans Friday that took them to Luverne where they could stay with family members or friends in warmer quarters.
 
50 years ago (1972)
•During 1971, 255 hearings were held in Probate and Juvenile Court in Rock County, Judge Helga Skyberg reported this week. The hearings involved estates, guardianships of minors and incompetents, juveniles, inebriates and mental cases.
Total appraised value of property involved in probate proceedings aggregated $5,306,546.10.
New estates included 25 petitions for general administration, 45 petitions for probate of wills, two for special administration and two for descent or summary distribution, with the total value amounting to $3,726,933.16.
During the year real estate sold through the Court amounted to $249,876.15.
 
75 years ago (1947)
•Mothers of grade school children at their meeting Tuesday of the “Mothers Club” found a number of things not entirely to their liking and was announced that steps will be taken to improve the situation.
The city street department came in for criticism because officials this year have failed to protect the coasting hill as in the past. No barricades or warning signs have been erected as in other years and the children who use the hill for coasting are risking their lives with passing cars.
The mothers also commented on the fact that this year the city has failed to provide a skating pond for the youngsters. The only entertainment being provided for the youngsters is by the commercial institutions which they can frequent.
The dangerous situation existing at the junction of highways 16 and 75 was discussed. It was reported that several school children have had “close calls” at that corner. The group plans to have a delegation request city officials to provide an officer at that corner, three times a day, to furnish additional protection for the tiny tots using that crossing on their way to and from school.
 
100 years ago (1922)
•Otto Bierkamp was elected president of the Luverne Commercial club, Harper Shaffer, vice president; F. A. Leicher, secretary; and Wm. Jacobsen, treasurer, for the ensuing year at the annual meeting of the club held Thursday evening of last week.
In addition to the regular board of directors of twenty-five members, an executive committee of five was selected upon whom the responsibility of mapping out the activities of the club will rest. This committee is composed of the president and secretary, F. C. C. Smith, G. A. Hagedorn and J. H. Stewart.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Jan. 17: Orange chicken, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, mandarin oranges, cookie.
 Half-Price Day sponsored by Security Savings Bank.
Tuesday, Jan. 18: Goulash, peas, tropical fruit, garlic bread stick.
Wednesday, Jan. 19: Chicken fiesta casserole with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, pears, dessert.
 Thursday, Jan. 20: Chicken-fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, bread, dessert.
Friday, Jan, 21: Fish patty with tartar sauce on a bun, cheesy hash browns, baked beans, peaches.
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.

Theresa A. Burmeister, 57, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls following a battle with cancer.
A funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial follows at Woodstock Cemetery in Woodstock. Memorials may be given to Theresa’s GoFundMe page.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0113 DN)

Frieda Kooiker, 68, Magnolia, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.
Arrangements are pending with the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
 (0113 DN)