The Luverne Basketball Association hosted a "Teal-out" night Dec. 7 when the Cardinals hosted the Jackson County Central Huskies in a girls’/boys’ doubleheader. The evening raised awareness for mental health and suicide prevention while also supporting a local scholarship. T-shirt sales, a pulled pork supper, half-time shootouts at both games and donations to the cause allowed the LBA to present a $3,000 check to Luverne Dollars for Scholars to benefit the Daniella “Dani” Rose Gacke Scholarship.

This has been a fabulous fall for conservation work, and I spent the last six to eight weeks with a variety of needed preparations for the coming spring. These include mowing fire breaks and seeding grasses.
If you intend to do a prescribed fire in the spring, you need to do all of the preparations before the snow flies.
I mowed about five miles of burn breaks so that when the temperatures warm in the spring, the cut grass areas will green up much faster and provide a suitable break in the grass to keep the fire from creeping into places you do not intend to burn.
Mowing in the fall is even better if you can rake the mowed vegetation off the path. Many folks make the mistake of raking the debris into the burn area. They think this will allow the dry grass to burn when the fire is started.
The problem this causes is the pile of grass 12 inches deep or more will smolder for a really long time when you light the fire in late April or early May. Always rake or use a leaf blower to move that material to the outside of the intended burn area.
Most folks who do small burns use an ATV or side-by-side. Also keep in mind that 25 to 50 gallons of water get used up pretty fast trying to reach a smoldering ember 12 inches deep in a debris pile.
I also did some volunteer work for the Minnesota DNR and did some burn breaks for them on state wildlife management areas. You need a special permit to help out in this way and, mine took three years to get.
If the burn breaks are not completed, the burns will not be done the following spring.
Spring prescribed fires are the most successful to improve habitat conditions with the reduction of volunteer trees and setting back the undesirable cool season grass species. I also mowed all of the parking areas on these hunting spots in my county.
Another big project that needs to be done in the fall for best results is native grass seedings. Seed is spread on the ground after the soil temperatures cool to a point where nothing will germinate. A snow packs the seeds to the ground and good germination is the result.
Seeding can be done in the spring, but you would need to run a packer over it for best results, and the snow actually does a better job. Many people fear that a fall dormant seeding will allow the seeds to blow away in a big wind. I did 65 acres last fall, and the wind blew 50 mph for three days afterward, but the spot came up just great.
I took on the biggest project that I have ever done, and it took every free moment in the month of November after work hours and on the weekends to complete. Most CRP seeding areas are pretty small.  Sixty acres on private land would be considered on the large side. I recently completed a 455-acre seeding in the month of November, and it took over 100 hours and 10 days to complete.
There were over 6,500 pounds of seed that needed to be applied at a rate of 13.46 pounds per acre. It takes a GPS and some specialized equipment to do this kind of work, and I learned the hard way that a spare GPS is a good idea in case one loses battery power.
So, with the big project finished, I started on some smaller ones and finished last Saturday with what will be a beautiful demonstration pollinator spot in conjunction with Pheasants Forever.
There are over 65 species of different flowers and a small number of shorter grass species in the mix.
These native seeding areas take two to three years to really look good. In the first year, native plants spend almost all of their energy putting down root structures, many that are more than 12-15 inches deep in order to allow these plants to survive when many others would perish.
Native plants can withstand drought and floods far better than GMO-modified seeds can.
All that is left to do now is finish out the last couple weeks of the pheasant season and sharpen the tips of my spear for when the ice is thick enough to start chasing the elusive Northern Pike. I will keep you in the loop on that in a future column.
 
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.

With a deadly open-water season nearly in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that lakes and ponds throughout the state have started to freeze – and that where ice hasn’t formed, the water is dangerously cold. It’s up to all people to choose to stay safe around the water or ice, according to the DNR.
Where there is ice, its thickness this time of year is highly variable and subject to the whims of Mother Nature. And where ice hasn’t formed – or where it freezes at night and opens during the day – the water temperature is so low that an unexpected fall in can be deadly.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, it’s vital that parents talk with their kids about staying safe. With a couple of days off from school, it’s natural for kids to want to be outside, and water and ice tend to be a natural draw.
“There’s nothing worse than when a time of year that should be festive turns tragic,” said Lt. Adam Block, boating law administrator for the DNR Enforcement Division.
“Teaching your kids to be vigilant around the water this time of year – and doing the same yourself – isn’t just a good idea. It’s an absolute necessity.”
Anglers and others who recreate on the ice should stay on shore until there’s at least 4 inches of new, clear ice. Anytime people are on the ice, they should check its thickness every 150 feet. Block urges people to check ice thickness for themselves rather than deciding to walk on the ice based on what they’ve heard or read.
Each year, unexpected falls into cold water lead to serious injury and death. Wearing a life jacket is the best way to avert tragedy, since the initial shock of falling into cold water can incapacitate even strong swimmers.
Carrying a good set of ice picks can help a person get out if they fall through the ice, and a cell phone, whistle or other communications device makes it more likely they will be able to call for help.
 
General ice safety guidelines
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following these guidelines can help minimize the risk:
•Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).
•Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
•Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
•Bring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
•Don’t go out alone; let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
•Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
The minimum ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice are:
•4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.
•5-7 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
•8-12 inches for a car or small pickup.
•12-15 inches for a medium truck.
•Double these minimums for white or snow-covered ice.
For more information, visit the ice safety page and the cold water danger page at www.mn.state.us.gov.

In the first chapter of Luke, the Holy Spirit makes us witnesses of two miraculous encounters.
First, the angel Gabriel appears to the priest Zechariah and reveals to him that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a child even in her advanced age. They were to name this miracle child John, and he would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.
Six months later, just a three-day walk away in Nazareth, Gabriel appears again, this time to Mary, a young virgin, and he tells her that she will also bear a child, Jesus, who would be the Savior of the world.
For Christians, this is a familiar story, especially around this time of year. Every Christmas we hear of these amazing things from the lecterns and pulpits in our churches. Our children act them out in pageants. Special worship services are held to commemorate the birth of Jesus. In fact, we hear this story so often that I think the momentousness of the event gets lost. We know the story by heart but the specific details get smoothed over and lost in the retelling.
In my own re-reading of Luke, a detail jumped out at me that I hadn’t considered too deeply before. Not long after Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary, she left Nazareth and traveled to see her relatives. Luke 1:39-40 says, “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.”
What stood out to me were the words, “with haste.” Why was Mary in such a hurry? What would provoke her to travel, pregnant and without her betrothed, a three-day’s journey to see Zechariah and Elizabeth?
Imagine how alone Mary must have felt at hearing that she would bear the Messiah. She believed the angel’s words, but who would believe her? She trusted in God’s plan for her, but could she trust her family and friends to understand? After a couple of months facing the scrutiny and judgmental stares of her community, she likely wanted to be with someone who would understand.
Zechariah could empathize. The same angel that came to Mary first appeared to him. Elizabeth would understand. After all, she too carried a special child. Mary sought out the company of those who believe as she did.
The unbelieving world today celebrates a very different Christmas than we Christians. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus, who came as a baby but also grew to live, die and rise again to reconcile us to God. The Holy Spirit gives us faith to believe that God will fulfill all that he has promised.
Still, as the people around us move further from God, we may begin to feel alone. In response we would do well to imitate Mary and seek out other believers, and with haste!
If you’ve been away from worship for a while, this Christmas is the perfect time to return. If you don’t have a church home, find one that believes and teaches all that God has revealed to us in his word.

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. 16: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, Dec. 19: 9 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion. 10 a.m. Coffee and treats. 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas party. NO evening worship. 4-5 p.m. Live Nativity Drive-thru. 5-6:30 p.m. Live Nativity Walk-thru. 6:30 p.m. Worship practice. Monday, Dec. 20: Grace Notes deadline. Tuesday, Dec. 21: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Dec. 22: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 3-8 p.m. Pizza Ranch Tip Night. NO Faithweavers. NO Youth supper. NO Confirmation. 6:30 p.m. Voices of Grace rehearsal. Thursday, Dec. 23: 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
Wednesday, Dec. 15: 7 p.m. Advent Vespers. 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. 17: Youth room reserved. 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Saturday, Dec. 18: 4 p.m. Youth room reserved. Sunday, Dec. 19: 9:30 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. 3 p.m. Christmas Sing-a-long. Tuesday, Dec. 21: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. 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. 15: 6:15 p.m. FUEL. 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Saturday, Dec. 18: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Dec. 19: 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. 6:30 p.m. ALIVE Christmas party. Monday, Dec. 20: Messenger deadline. Tuesday, Dec. 21: 10 a.m. Shut-in visits. 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. 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
Sunday, Dec. 19: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. 5-8 p.m. Feast and Fellowship. Wednesday, Dec. 22: 5:30 p.m. Bells. 6:15 p.m. 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
Thursday, Dec. 16: 11 a.m. DCE meeting in Luverne. Saturday, Dec. 18: 5:30 p.m. Worship service. Sunday, Dec. 19: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible study; Children’s Christmas program practice. 4 p.m. Sunday School Christmas program. Monday, Dec. 20: 1 p.m. Quilting. 7 p.m. Parish Planning council. Newsletter deadline. Tuesday, Dec. 21: 2 p.m. Deborah circle. Wednesday, Dec. 22: 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. NO KFC/HS Youth group. 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
Sunday, Dec. 19: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10 a.m. Sunday school. Wednesday, Dec. 21: 7 p.m. First Lutheran Council meeting. 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, Dec. 19: 10:30 a.m. Sunday school Christmas program at Palisade Lutheran Church. 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
Nita Parker, Pastor
Saturday, Dec. 18: 9:30 a.m. Sunday school Christmas program practice. Christmas caroling. Sunday, Dec. 19: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas program. Lunch will follow. 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. Tuesday, Dec. 21: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:30 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, Dec. 22: 9 a.m. Quilting. NO Confirmation. 7 p.m. Social/Dessert time. 7:15 p.m. Worship service. Friday, Dec. 24: Tuff Chapel Christmas service. 5 p.m. Bethlehem Christmas Eve service.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Notice of assessment 
hearing for Lincoln Pipestone rural water 
system
STATE OF MINNESOTA IN DISTRICT COURT
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LYON Subject Matter: 14 Other Civil
Court File No. 42-CV-06-1150
 
In the Matter of Assigned to Judge Tricia B. Zimmer
 
LINCOLN PIPESTONE RURAL WATER SYSTEM
Petitioner
 
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Notice is hereby given that Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System (“LPRW”) has
 filed a Petition at the Lyon County, Minnesota District Court, which requests that the real
estate owned by all individuals and businesses who connected to LPRW
in 2021, and who have not fully paid for their connection to LPRW, be assessed
for all remaining costs to connect to LPRW.   
  A hearing on this Petition is going to occur in one of the courtrooms at the Lyon County Government Center, which is located at 607 West Main Street,
Marshall Minnesota 56258 on January 5, 2022, at 1:15 p.m.
Written or oral objections will be considered at the hearing.
The proposed assessment rolls are on file with the County Auditors of Jackson County, Lac Qui Parle County, Lincoln County, Lyon County, Murray County, Nobles County, Pipestone County, Rock County, and Yellow Medicine County.
The area proposed to be assessed consists of every parcel of land benefited by the connection to LPRW, and which was previously petitioned
for improvement by the owners of said parcel of land.
  The assessments will be made without regard to acreage or frontage on the water mains or branches of the water system. No assessment will be made upon land, which has not been made the subject of a petition or has not been designated and requested to be served by the owner. 
Aimee Primus
Court Administrator
 
By: Amy Larson
Deputy Court Administrator
November 24, 2021
 
This instrument drafted by:
Ronald J. Schramel
Attorney for Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water
Atty. Reg. No. 254757
Schramel Law Office 
910 Fourth Avenue – PO Box 505
Windom, MN 56101
P - 507-831-1301
F - 507-831-4200
(12-09)