HBC 61, A-H 42
Senior Kenadie Fick put on a show as the Lady Pates basketball team pulled away in the second half for a 19-point victory in Alcester, South Dakota, on Saturday night.
Fick (seven steals and four rebounds) scored 34 of the Patriots’ 61 points while shooting a remarkable 7-9 from three-point range.
H-BC led 28-22 at the halfway mark before holding the Alcester-Hudson Cubs to just seven points in the third quarter on their way to a 61-42 win.
A pair of sophomores contributed to the Patriots’ victory as Lanae Elbers (nine points and three assists) helped lead the defense with five steals while Layla Deelstra (five points and four rebounds) threw in six assists.
McKenzie Voss (five points), Olivia Deelstra (five points), and Sam Moser (four rebounds) also played roles for the Lady Pates who travel to Lamberton Tuesday night, Dec. 20, for a matchup with the Red Rock Central Falcons.
 
H-BC Box Score
Fick 4 7 5-5 34, Rauk 0 0 0-0 0, L Deelstra 1 1 0-1 5, Voss 1 0 3-4 5, Bork 0 0 0-0 0, Steinhoff 0 1 0-0 3, Anderson 0 0 0-0 0, 0, Deelstra 1 1 0-0 5, Elbers 1 1 4-5 9, Fagerness 0 0 0-0 0, Spykerboer 0 0 0-0 0,  Harris 0 0 0-0 0, E Deelstra 0 0 0-0 0, Kueter 0 0 0-0 0
 
Team Statistics
H-BC: 19 of 45 (42 percent), 12 for 15 free throws (80 percent), 23 rebounds, 21 turnovers
 
A-H: 16 of 54 (30 percent), 8 of 16 free throws (50 percent), 26 rebounds, 23 turnovers

ML-C 67, H-BC 44
The Wolverines led from start to finish to beat the Patriots boys’ basketball team 67-44 Thursday night in Mountain Lake.
Scoring didn’t come easy for the Patriots as they shot just 28 percent from the field and 42 percent from the free throw line. The Wolverines held a 31-19 advantage at the break before pulling away for the 23-point victory.
The Patriots were led by seniors Cole Baker (13 points and four rebounds) and Drew Leenderts (12 points and six rebounds) offensively. Ty Bundesen (five points and six rebounds), Andrew Harris (five points and six rebounds), and Troy Durst (seven rebounds) also contributed for the Pates.
The Patriots look to bounce back as they travel to Alcester, South Dakota, Friday night to take on the Alcester-Hudson Cubs in a boys’/girls’ doubleheader. 
 
HBC Box Score
Baker 2 1 6-15 13, Raymon 1 0 0-2 2, Harnack 2 0 0-2 4, Page 0 0 0-0 0, Leenderts 1 3 1-2 12, Bundesen 1 1 0-0 5, Gehrke 0 0 0-0 0, Metzger 0 0 1-2 1, Taubert 0 0 0-0 0, Tatge 0 0 0-1 0,  Durst 1 0 0-1 2, Scholten 0 0 0-0 0, Harris 0 0 5-6 5, Wiersema 0 0 0-0 0
 
Team Statistics
HBC: 13 of 46 (28 percent), 13 for 31 free throws (42 percent), 37 rebounds, 23 turnovers
 
ML-C: 28 of 62 (45 percent), 8 for 20 free throws (40 percent), 37 rebounds, 14 turnovers

This certainly is a joyous season! Christmas music fills the air. Christmas greetings arrive from distant friends. Families gather joyfully around the Christmas dinner. Children try unsuccessfully to contain their excitement as Christmas draws near.
What is a “Merry Christmas,” anyway? To some, a Merry Christmas is simply a happy time of year when they can get together with family and friends. To some, a Merry Christmas is a break from busy schedules at school or work. For many charities Christmas is a time when there’s an increase in donations from the public. And for lots of children Christmas is when they receive toys and fun gifts in brightly wrapped packages.
Sadly, these ideas and concepts of a Merry Christmas are short-lived. Once the Christmas season is over, the joy and happiness can quickly vanish. The relaxing time off from school and work comes to an end. There are gifts and toys that are broken, set aside, or returned to the store. Some charities start planning how to collect more funds next year. And inevitably, the troubles and arguments that plagued families before Christmas seem to pick up where they left off after the holiday.
Even more serious and disheartening is the fact that many people do not know, believe, or have lost focus in the true meaning of a Merry Christmas. There are individuals in our nation who contend that the words “Merry Christmas” are politically incorrect. They claim that these words are offensive to others. The truth of the matter is they refuse to see the joy and grace in those beautiful words. And they don’t realize that their claims are being used by the devil to remove the true focus of the real meaning of “Merry Christmas.”
Praise God that the true meaning of Christmas is still found and celebrated in countless homes and Christian churches across our nation. The words of the angels recorded in Luke 2:10-14 are still just as true and meaningful as when they were first spoken:
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
The true joy of a Merry Christmas is found in Christ, the holy babe born in Bethlehem, the Savior of the world. With his incarnation, the God-man Jesus came to our earth to do for us what we could not do for ourselves: the little boy child grew and lived a life of perfect devotion and obedience to his heavenly Father. Later, although pure and innocent, he willingly endured the awful pain, punishment and death on the cross to pay for the sins of all. Then on Easter Sunday Jesus rose back to life, triumphant over death, proving he is true God and that he fully accomplished God’s plan of salvation for all nations.
The forgiveness Jesus won is God’s perfect rest and comfort that we need. It gives us peace knowing that all of our past sins, failures and mistakes have been washed away. Our hurtful words, lost tempers and displays of selfishness are erased. We are truly forgiven in God’s sight! And that gives us strength to ask for forgiveness from those we’ve hurt and empowers us to forgive those who have wronged us. Best of all, Jesus’ peace and forgiveness promise that all who trust and believe will enjoy perfect rest, peace and joy in the glories of heaven.
This is what we celebrate at Christmas. This is why we keep Christ in a Merry Christmas. Immanuel, “God with us”— his birth for you, me and all people gives a joy that will not fade with the passing of the Christmas season but will remain ever alive in the hearts of all that believe. You’re invited to God’s House to welcome the Savior and celebrate the true meaning of a “Merry Christmas!”
May the Lord Jesus bless you and yours with his peace and joy!

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, Dec. 23: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Friday, Dec. 24: Office is closed. 3 p.m. Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve service. 5 p.m. Musical Prelude. 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Saturday, Dec. 25: No activities. Sunday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. Worship. No Sunday school. 5 p.m. Worship. 6:30 p.m. Worship practice. Tuesday, Dec. 28: 8:30 a.m. Grace Notes assembly. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Dec. 29: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. No Faithweavers. No Confirmation. Thursday, Dec. 30: 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
pastorapalmquist67@yahoo.com
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Friday, Dec. 24: 5:30 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve worship. Saturday, Dec. 25: No services. Sunday, Dec. 26: 10:15 a.m. Festive Christmas Day song service. 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. Wednesday, Dec. 22: 7 p.m. Advent Vespers.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Thursday, Dec. 23: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Sunday, Dec. 26: 9:30 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. 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 (formerly First Assembly of God)
1075 110th Ave., 2 miles west of Luverne on County Rd. 4
Ph. 612-800-1255; email info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor; Annette Junak, Assistant Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship service. Children’s church for ages 3-6th grade and nursery for ages 0-3 provided during our services. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Worship service. All services are in-person and all are welcome.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Wednesday, Dec. 22: 5:30 p.m. FUEL family pizza party. 6:30 p.m. FUEL Christmas program. NO Confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Dec. 23: 4:30-7 p.m. Christmas Meditation. Friday, Dec. 24: 5 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service. 6 p.m. Community MEAL. Saturday, Dec. 25: Office is closed. Sunday, Dec. 26: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 9:45 a.m. Coffee hour. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible study. Monday, Dec. 27: Pastor Dorie on vacation through Jan. 2. Tuesday, Dec. 28: 9:30 a.m. Folding Team. Wednesday, Dec. 29: No Wednesday night classes. 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— www.fpcluverne.com
Jason Cunningham, Pastor
Friday, Dec. 24: 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service. 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Sunday, Dec. 26: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. Wednesday, Dec. 29: No bells; No choir. 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
Sunday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. Worship. Monday, Dec. 27: 1 p.m. Quilters meet. 3 p.m. Youth Night at Pizza Ranch. Wednesday, Dec. 29: 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. 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, Dec. 19: 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
Friday, Dec. 24: 6 p.m. Christmas Eve worship. No Christmas Day worship. Sunday, Dec. 26: 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
Friday, Dec. 24: 8 p.m. Christmas Eve worship. No Christmas Day worship. Sunday, Dec. 26: 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
Sunday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion. NO Sunday school. NO Youth groups. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, Dec. 28: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:30 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, Dec. 29: 9 a.m. Quilting. NO 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

Expiration of redemption notice for Rock County
NOTICE OF EXPIRATION OF REDEMPTION
 
state of minnesota ashley kurtz
 
COUNTY OF ROCK COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER
 
TO: ALL PERSONS WITH A LEGAL INTEREST IN THE PARCELS OF REAL
       PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING NOTICE
You are hereby notified that the parcels of real property described below and located in Rock County, Minnesota, are subject to forfeiture to the state of Minnesota because of the nonpayment of delinquent property taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs levied on those parcels. The time for redemption from forfeiture expires if a redemption is not made by the later of (1) 60 days after service 
of this notice on all persons having an interest in the parcels, or (2) May 14, 2021.
The following information is listed below:  the names of the property owners, taxpayers and interested parties who have filed their addresses under Minnesota Statute 276.041; the addresses of the parties; the legal description and parcel identification number of each parcel; and the amount necessary to redeem a parcel as of the date listed below.
 
***PLACE PARCEL ID AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION HERE***
 
Failure to redeem the lands prior to the expiration of redemption will
result in the loss of the land and forfeiture to the State of Minnesota.
The amounts listed above must be paid to redeem if paid on or before December 31, 2021. Please contact the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office
to verify the amount due if paid after December 31, 2021.
Inquiries about the delinquent tax proceedings described above can be made to the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer at the address and phone number listed below.
Witness my hand and seal this 3rd day of December, 2021.
 
Ashley Kurtz
Rock County Auditor-Treasurer
204 E Brown St
PO Box 509
Luverne MN 56156-0509
Telephone: (507) 283-5060
(12-09, 12-16)

Termination of parental rights over minor
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA IN CIRCUIT COURT
                                                                         
COUNTY OF MINNEHAHA                                           SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
 
IN THE MATTER OF THE     ADP. 21-119
TERMINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS OVER
 
L. J. F. (DOB: 10-26-17)   AMENDED EX-PARTE ORDER FOR
                                                              PUBLICATION AND SUSPENSION OF
MINOR CHILD                 TIME
 
This matter having come on before the Court via Affidavit on Petitioners' Motion for Publication, Ex-Parte Order and Suspension of Time, the Honorable Sandra Hanson, Circuit Court Judge, presiding; and the Petitioners being represented by their attorneys of record, Tressa Zahrbock Kool and Kaleb Paulsen, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and the biological father being unpresented because of his unavailability, it is hereby:
ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that Petitioners' Motion for Publication, Ex-Parte Order and Suspension of Time is granted; it is further
ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that Petitioners' Notice of Hearing setting forth the February 11, 2022, hearing date on Petitioners' Petition for Involuntary Termination of Parental rights shall be published in a legal newspaper in Rock County, Minnesota.
 
Dated this 6th day of December, 2021.
BY THE COURT
 
COURT SEAL   /s/ Honorable Sandra Hanson
Circuit Court Judge
 
ATTEST: /s/ Angelia M. Gries, Clerk of Courts
State of South Dakota,
Minnehaha County
Dec. 6, 2021
(12-16, 12-23, 12-30, 01-06)

A ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday afternoon for the new $17.5 million Minnesota National Guard Readiness and Community Center in Luverne.
Federal, state and local leaders observed the official launch of a 46,293-square-foot facility on West Koehn Avenue in Luverne’s Industrial Park.
Officials shared remarks at a public event at the current National Guard Armory on South Freeman Avenue and then traveled to the building site with gold shovels for the groundbreaking
The Luverne center features assembly halls, work bays, storage areas, classrooms, learning center, and a fitness center with locker rooms, according to construction and facilities management officer Lt. Col. Troy Fink.
“The new training and community center in Luverne will be a quality, eco-friendly building that will enhance training, bring new capabilities to the area, and contribute to the mission readiness of the soldiers in the local unit,” Fink said.
Once finished in 2023, the readiness center will receive LEED Silver Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and focuses on encouraging more sustainable approaches in the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated.
The Luverne readiness center will have a closed-loop ground-source Geothermal heat pump, demand control ventilation, air cooled chiller, efficient high-quality LED lighting, and daytime adaptive and occupant-dimmable lighting controls.
The new facility is not only for the military but the community at large, a role that has been limited in the current facility.
“The presence of National Guard members will provide significant benefits to the community, county and state of Minnesota for decades to come,” said Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian.
“It will be a visible anchor in our community that all citizens of Luverne and fellow Minnesotans can be proud of.”
When not in use by Guard members, the large assembly hall can transform into two full-sized basketball courts for public events.
The Luverne readiness center is the first of its kind to be built with federal, state and private funds.
The KAHR Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Jeannine Rivet and Warren Herreid II, pledged more than $6.2 million toward the project.
The addition of private funding accelerated the National Guard’s plans to possibly bring the Luverne and Pipestone guard units of the 1st Battalion and 125th Field Artillery Regiment together into one readiness center, according to Don Kerr, executive director of the state Department of Military Affairs.
The Foundation’s contribution allows for the construction of an additional assembly at the readiness center.
“We were happy to accept a very generous offer from the KAHR Foundation,” Kerr said. “This, combined with the provision of land by the city, accelerated our plan to replace the armory in Luverne.”
An analysis of both units will take place with any formal consolidation plans announced closer to the Luverne location’s opening in 2023.
Battalion leader Lt. Col. Mark Gile will oversee the analysis.
“Our organizational intent is to consolidate the Battery in Luverne, but that has not been approved at this time,” he said.
As for the current armory, Kerr said that the building will be offered for sale.
“The armory will be appraised and offered for sale for the appraised value first to the city and the county, and then to the general public,” Kerr said.
The current Luverne armory was built in 1922. Planning for the new readiness center began in 2017.
Preparation of the 15-acre site began last month by Henning Construction of Adrian. Brennan Companies of Mankato are the project’s general contractors.
 
About the Minnesota National Guard
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 soldiers and airman who serve in 58 communities across the state.
The citizen-soldiers and airmen are “always ready” to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities. For more information, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.

The Blue Mound Tower turns 50 this year just as it wraps up a major construction and remodeling project.
The seven-story, 70-unit apartment building welcomed its first tenants Feb. 20, 1971, and a community open house that summer hosted more than 1,200 people from 62 towns and 11 different states.
On Thursday, Dec. 16, an open house will again welcome the community, this time for holiday treats and building tours to celebrate the Blue Mound Tower 50th Anniversary.
The event, from 1 to 5 p.m., will also celebrate the building’s $1.3 million construction project.
Over a year in the making,  work centered on overdue infrastructure updates, such as a leaky roof, outdated safety features and inefficient lighting and plumbing fixtures, to name a few.
A new generator now operates elevators and provides electricity to primary areas of the building in the event of power outages.
Housing director Tammy Johnson provided regular updates on the organization’s social media page.
“Tenants who were not able to use the stairs during a power outage will now be able to safely use the elevators and not worry about the risk of entrapment,” she said.
“Oxygen-dependent tenants will be able to transfer their concentrators to the first floor and plug into generator-powered outlets. They will no longer have to worry about having enough portable oxygen tanks on hand during longer outages.”
Other electrical improvements include a new intelligent fire alarm system, digital thermostats, GFI outlets and baseboard heaters.
The project also:
•improved the sprinkler system and fire alarm panel.
•improved handicap access to the west entrance.
•replaced faulty windows.
•upgraded security lighting.
•replaced toilets with water conservation models.
•replaced lights with newer and more efficient LED fixtures.
On the building’s exterior, construction workers removed and replaced building joints/ sealants and also removed and replaced all window and air-conditioning sleeve sealants.
 
Skylights replaced
While many of these upgrades were overdue and vital to the health and safety of the building occupants, the most highly anticipated project was replacing the stained, leaky skylight windows.
The new skylights are energy-efficient with high performance ratings (R-Value and U-Value). During the roof construction, old insulation was replaced with a thick layer of new insulation.
“This is a beautiful building. The new skylights made a world of difference,” Johnson posted. “A lot of our projects were much needed infrastructure upgrades so it is nice that there are things we can enjoy, too.”
As if to put icing on the cake, the atrium paint was refreshed from a yellowish color — likely original to when the building was first opened — to a cleaner white shade.
“It’s really pretty when the sun shines in,” Johnson said. “We decided to do the high walls a very neutral/timeless color because it could be another 50 years before they paint it again.”
 
Project funding
The $1.3 million project was funded in part by grants through the Department of Employment and Economic Development and deferred, forgivable state loan through the Publicly Owned Housing Program.
The work also qualified for water and electrical rebates with its efficiency upgrades.
Johnson worked tirelessly to secure the grant funding as part of her overall quest to make the Blue Mound Tower a warm and welcoming home for tenants.
Her efforts earned her the 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award at the annual conference of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials earlier this year.
“One of the reasons Tammy was selected for this honor was due to the kindness and care she shows residents,” said Dara Lee, Minnesota NAHRO vice president.
“Her residents love and respect her as she does her best to provide them with a comfortable home.”
The Blue Mound Tower serves a diverse population of all ages, including elderly, disabled and college students — who share a common bond under the one roof.
“We really are like a big family out here,” said Johnson, who knows nearly all the tenants by name.
“The different generations enrich each other’s lives. Our college students are a breath of fresh air for our other tenants and our older tenants are adopted parents or grandparents for our students. It’s a nice blend.”
Now, Johnson said she’s glad construction is nearly done. “Tenants have had to put up with a lot of noise and distractions, but it’s a small price to pay for all the upgrades we’re getting,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t be more excited if it was in my own home.”