“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 was the Bible verse of the day for young flag football players who gathered after their recent Saturday morning games.
Every Saturday morning since Sept. 11, the west edge of Luverne would come alive with hundreds of elementary-age flag football players in jerseys touting team names like Broncos, Vikings, Falcons and others.
Softball diamonds, soccer fields and grassy areas in between were divided into kid-sized football fields surrounded by parents, grandparents and other fans in lawn chairs and on blankets.
More than 300 players on 28 teams come to Luverne from five different communities — Luverne, Edgerton, Hills-Beaver Creek, Adrian and Rock Rapids. Teams are organized by age in grades 1-6 through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
 
‘Humbling’ growth
FCA is an international non-profit Christian sports ministry with chapters in nearly all sports for all ages and incorporates Christian principles into team playing.
The Luverne FCA Flag Football league started six years ago when Ryan Johnson was looking for an FCA flag football team for his son.
“I learned that if I wanted a team, I should start one,” Johnson said.
That first year 120 local players participated, and the program has tripled in numbers since then.
“I’ve been blown away — and humbled — by the growth of it and how it has reached so many people and how it has benefited so many kids,” Johnson said.
Coaches and teams work on the fundamentals of football, teamwork and physical conditioning. And they learn what it means to be an athlete and a Christian.
“They learn the message of Christ and they learn how to grow and become better people,” Johnson said. “They learn how to be patient, how to be a teammate and how to be a competitor.”
Following their 9:30 a.m. Saturday games, players huddled with their teams to review play highlights and to bow their heads in prayer.
Then all the teams gathered for a final huddle to review their Bible verse of the week and what it means for them as athletes and as Christians. Players who could recite the verse from memory when called on were rewarded with T-shirts or footballs.
Guest speakers (some from the NHL and NFL) each week addressed the group huddles about what it means to be a Christian both on and off the field.
At their final Saturday morning game on Oct. 9, they heard from Greg Loy, a pastor in Rochester who played college basketball.
He used a boomerang as a “greater than” or “less than” math symbol and encouraged the athletes to think “less than” themselves and put others before themselves.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less,” Loy said. “The Bible says it this way: Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought, but honor one another above yourself.”
He said it’s true in relationships, families, marriages, church congregations, neighborhoods, at work, in school and also on athletic teams.
 
For the love of the game … and the kids
The flag football season wrapped up Saturday night on Cardinal Field in Luverne. “It was really neat for the kids when the lights came on,” Johnson said. 
He and Charlotte have three children (second, sixth and eighth grade) and he’s the Luverne High School principal. Organizing the FCA flag football league makes his life busier, but he said it’s worth his time.
“I do it because I love football, and I love the message that FCA provides,” Johnson said.
“But mostly, I love working with kids. It’s a joy to see kids learning to be part of a team … the thrill of winning and the sting of defeat and learning how to be a competitor and how to respond to coaches and referees.”
Registration for the 2022 season begins in June at southdakotafca.org. There is a flag football tab where the Luverne link can be found in the list of communities.

Rock Ranch, located west of Hills, recently expanded its equine-assisted psychotherapy services (EAP) and joined the nationwide organization Arenas for Change.
The therapeutic process uses horses as tools for improving mental health.
Rock Ranch founder Marie LaRock said Arenas for Change is a promising new resource to support and expand the Ranch’s EAP services.
“Therapy in this program is for everybody,” she said. “It is a matter of creating your story and working through it.”
The Ranch is already certified in Eagala equine therapy (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), which uses horses as a safe place for clients to overcome specific trauma issues.
Arenas for Change is a network of mental health professionals who share insightful ways horses can improve health and facilitate discussion within organizations like Rock Ranch that assist therapists with clients’ personal growth.
The recent in-person EAP training showed four local mental health practitioners how combining horses and storytelling can be a useful tool in getting clients to discover and work through challenging areas in their lives.
Four Rock Ranch volunteers were also trained in horse selection and how to keep clients and therapists safe during the therapy sessions.
Not a horseback riding program, clients and their therapist safely watch from a distance as four to five horses interact freely in the arena or a pasture. The horses’ natural herd behavior provides opportunities for stories to be discovered and told. And, over time, for healing to begin.
Clients are asked to make up stories from the horses’ behaviors, and this can open doors to discussing actual mental health issues. The trained therapists and certified equine specialists are there to help guide clients through the process.
“We believe our stories change,” LaRock said. “And we change through working through those stories.”
ARCH founder Lynn Thomas and co-facilitators Amanda Graham and Lynn Moore spent two days training Ranch staff and local mental health professionals.
She said the technique offers clients an opportunity to step back, examine their stories and find deeper meaning and understanding to issues the clients need to overcome.
“Horses are the best story editors,” Thomas said. “They have a way of bringing out stories in a deeper way.”
As clients create stories from their observation of the horses, they begin to feel emotionally safe. “The magic (of healing) begins,” Thomas said.
Rock Ranch is one of 16 to join Arenas for Change, which formerly organized in July, after a year of planning.
The training is supported by various monetary gifts including the Southwest Initiative Foundation, Luverne Area Community Foundation and individual donors to Rock Ranch’s education fund.
“If we are going to have talented people on our team, we feel it is important to provide training,” said Dan LaRock, who began Rock Ranch in 2016 with Marie.
The Ranch allocates $8,000 a year for EAP training that includes a scholarship fund to help clients afford the cost of care.
Mental health practitioners completing the training at Rock Ranch include Natasha Kellenberger (LMFT), Lynne Hunter (MSW CSW-PIP), Carissa Palmberg (MS, LPC, LAC) and Jill Jonnes-Kuca (MC, MACL, FFT).
Equine specialists include Marie LaRock, Dolores Bundeson, Patti Swenson and Jessica Richters.
LaRock, Palmberg and Jonnes-Kuca are also Eagala certified.
Staci Bundeson was recently hired as the Ranch’s office and operations manager, and Richters is the Ranch’s barn manager and instructor.
In addition to EAP, Rock Ranch offers beginning riding lessons and a senior saddle program.
For more information, visit the Ranch’s website, www.riderockranch.org.

Retired Luverne Building Center owner Sam Berghorst and retired Sewing Basket owner Barb Bork were named “Outstanding Chamber Members” for 2019 and 2020.
They were recognized Monday night at Sterling’s restaurant in Luverne where they were presented with Sioux quartzite stones etched with words recognizing their honors.
Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere joked that people were getting a “two for one” with the joint ceremony recognizing the past two years’ honorees.
 
Sam Berghorst
The 2019 honoree, Berghorst, would have been recognized a year ago, but the event was canceled due to the pandemic.
Monday night, Chamber Board President Robyn Wessels presented him with his award and read from a prepared biography listing his accomplishments.
“Sam brought his passion for this community into his business,” she said. “Luverne Building Center became a generous sponsor and supporter of many organizations and events throughout the community. When building or construction expertise was needed on a project, people came to Sam to ask for help.”
Much of his volunteer time went into the Blue Mound Ice Arena where he helped with the bleacher system, locker room, the larger lobby and concessions and space for dry-land training. 
When the First Presbyterian Church voted to renovate, remodel and re-configure the church, Berghorst was the first contact for the builder on the $1.1 million construction project.
“Sam has always been an active supporter of the Chamber by offering his equipment and resources to support community events,” Wessels said. “He stepped up to the plate to volunteer his time and financially support the programs and services we offered.”
He served for decades as a volunteer fireman and he volunteered and served on the boards of local organizations and institutions. Currently he is an active member of the Luverne Optimist Club, Rock County Fair Board and Luverne Eagles Club.
 
Barb Bork
Chamber Board Vice President Becky Walgrave presented Bork with the 2020 Outstanding Chamber Member award Monday night.
“No one has given more to the Main Street retail community than Barb, and we are thrilled tonight to publicly thank and honor her for her commitment to our community,” Walgrave said.
She said Bork and the Sewing Basket were partners with the downtown community.
“Barb served on countless marketing/promotion groups as Main Street businesses worked together to bring shoppers and visitors to the community,” Walgrave said. 
“When the opportunities came up to make Luverne a better place to live, work and play, Barb would lend a hand.”
Throughout her 41 years in business, the Sewing Basket became a retail hub for Main Street, attracting business downtown.
“Charter buses and carloads of quilters would pull up to the store to shop,” Walgrave said.
“Many of those quilters became longtime customers and would come back to the store time and time again for their supplies.”
Other retailers recognized the Sewing Basket as a downtown draw as quilters shopped other stores in the community.
“From special events like the ‘Shop Hop’ and ‘Row by Row’ promotions with other quilt shops – thousands of visitors would stop in Luverne every year for the unique experience they would have at the Sewing Basket,” Walgrave said.
  “We thank Barb for building a business that has grown into a quilting/sewing machine destination and creating a client base of visitors from throughout the tri-state region.”
 
Background
The Outstanding Chamber Member Award was developed in 2005 to honor retired persons who have made and are making significant contributions to the community through their time, actions, talents and dedication.  
Past honorees are: 2005 – George Golla, 2006 – Margaret Vegge,  2007 – Dave Smith,                 2008 – Merlyn and Lynn Lopau, 2009 – The Dispanet Family, 2010 – Betty Mann, 2011 – Terrie Gulden, 2012 – George and Corrine Bonnema, 2013 – Curt Bloemendaal, 2014 – Gary Papik,        2015 – Greg Burger, 2016 – Glen Gust, 2017 – Mike Engesser and 2018 – Mike Cox.

Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members will hire a theater director/adviser, at the request of a student.
Junior Britton McKenzie requested a spring theatrical performance at the school. High School Principal Andrew Kellenberger brought the request to the board’s Oct. 11 meeting.
“I am a big believer in opportunity,” Kellenberger said. “Having another art opportunity will allow more of our students to be active in our extracurricular activities and develop more student-leaders.”
When McKenzie expressed his interest in theater, Kellenberger encouraged him to poll his fellow students to gauge the interest in theater.
“Thirteen said ‘yes,’ with 18 ‘maybes’,” Kellenberger said.
The theater option returns after a year off during the pandemic, and that’s good news to McKenzie.
“I am extremely excited for there to be a theater program at H-BC again,” he said.
“I love theater because it gives everyone a chance to express themselves even if they’re not being themselves — you could let out your own emotions by portraying someone else’s.”
McKenzie has been involved in the arts through the Green Earth Players theater group in Luverne since he was 1. His father, Casey McKenzie, is a frequent actor in GEP productions and introduced him early on to other GEP members.
“They (GEP) feel like a family to me,” the younger McKenzie said.
Bringing theater back to the familiar walls of H-BC and connecting with another group of art-minded individuals also appeals to him.
“Hopefully the familiar space will make a space that fosters creativity,” McKenzie said.
The last H-BC theatrical production was 2019 when students performed “High School Musical.”
With the school board’s approval, the district is looking for a director/adviser for the spring play.
In the meantime, McKenzie encourages students to cast aside any preconceived judgments about theater.
“Theater is not widespread especially in rural communities,” McKenzie said.
“The biggest and most successful schools have theater programs. With the addition of a theater program (locally) I believe we are taking a step toward being one of those bigger, better schools — a school with ideals that embrace the arts.”

Hills-Beaver Creek’s last regular season home football game Oct. 14 was an important one.
It was Parents Night and a chance to end a two-game losing skid, so the Patriots needed to play well in front of the home crowd.
The home team responded with a 24-6 win over the Red Rock Central Falcons, lifting their record to 5-2 and putting an exclamation mark on Parents Night.
The Patriots, in their red-on-red uniforms, took the ball on their opening drive and went 62-yards in 10 plays to score on an option pitch.
Quarterback Oliver Deelstra optioned the defensive end and pitched the ball to running back Cole Baker who scooted 14-yards around the right end and into the north end zone at Patriot Field.
The two-point conversion run by Deelstra was good, and the Patriots’ lead was 8-0 early in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, the kick coverage team pinned the Falcons deep on their own 15-yard line on a big hit by senior Austin Allen.
After each offense exchanged fumbles, the Falcon offense sputtered again and faced a fourth and nine from their own 9-yard line.
The Falcons’ snap soared over the punter’s hands and out of the endzone. The Patriots held a 10-0 lead after the safety because of the bad snap.
In the second quarter, the Patriots turned the ball over on downs at the Falcons 36-yard line. However, H-BC’s defense held and forced a punt, and the offense started a drive at their own 18-yard line.
Another 10-play drive that covered 82 yards ended with a Cole Baker run from the 4-yard line. A completed pass from Deelstra to Andrew Harris extended the lead to 18-0 for H-BC going into halftime.
The third quarter saw neither team reach the end zone, but the Patriots defense, led by seniors Donovan Leenderts, Ty Bundesen and Cole Baker, shined the entire game.
In the third quarter alone, the Patriots “D” forced a punt and a turnover on downs by the Red Rock Central offense.
The Patriots offense drove for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but that drive started during the third quarter and covered 61 yards in 12 plays. 
Deelstra connected with Austin Allen on a four-yard touchdown pass, extending the Patriots’ lead to 24-0.
The Falcons finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard run. The extra point was no good, and the Patriots came away with the 24-6 home victory.
In reflecting on the game, Head Coach Rex Metzger said, “We did a nice job controlling the game with our run game,” he said. “With our 19 first downs we were able to keep our defense off the field for the majority of the game.”
The Patriots record stands at 5 wins and 2 losses, while the Falcons dropped to 3 wins and 4 losses on the season.
Hills-Beaver Creek travels to Edgerton to take on the 4-3 Flying Dutchmen on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Coach Metzger said he looks forward to playing Edgerton in the regular season finale. “It is always a big week when you play Edgerton,” he said. “We’ve had some great games over the years, and we expect it to be another fun game again this week.”
Since 1965, Hills-Beaver Creek and Edgerton have met 71 times in football and HBC has won 44 games and lost 27. 
 
Team statistics
HBC: 236 rushing yards, 138 passing yards, 374 total yards, 19 first downs, four penalties for 35 yards, one turnover.
RRC: 140 rushing yards, 48 passing yards, 188 total yards, nine first downs, three penalties for 15 yards, one turnover
 
Individual statistics
Rushing: C. Baker 30-135, Ty Bundesen 7-55, O. Deelstra 8-37, Drew Leenderts 1-9.
Passing: O. Deelstra 14-24 for 138 yards.
Receiving: T. Bundesen 8-64, Andrew Harris 3-49, Drew Leenderts 1-24, A. Allen 1-4, C. Baker 1-minus 3.
Defense: Donovan Leenderts 11 tackles, C. Baker seven tackles & one QB sack, T. Bundesen seven tackles & one fumble recovery, Brayden Metzger five tackles, A. Allen five tackles, Drew Leenderts three tackles & one fumble recovery.

The Luverne Cardinal football players knew they had a big challenge this week as they faced off against undefeated Fairmont.
The Cardinals played a strong first half, as they trailed by a score of just 16-14 at halftime. In the end, Luverne could not pull off the upset as they ultimately lost by a final score of 28-18.
“I am proud of how our team played against an undefeated Fairmont team,” Cardinal coach Todd Oye said.
“If we can continue to improve, we will start winning these close games.”
It looked like the Cardinals were in for a long night when Fairmont marched down the field quickly on the first drive.
Starting with the ball on their own 48-yard line, Fairmont quarterback Zach Jorgensen completed a pair of 23-yard passes to get his team into the end zone. After a successful extra point, Fairmont took a 7-0 lead just 2:37 into the game.
In its first possession, the Luverne offense quickly picked up the first down but couldn’t get any farther and was forced to punt the ball back to Fairmont.
The Luverne defense fared much better on the next Fairmont possession.
With Fairmont facing third and 10 from their own 45-yard line Luverne senior  Nathaniel Cole-Kraty broke through the Fairmont offensive line and sacked Jorgensen for a 15-yard loss.
Fairmont would look to punt on fourth down but a bad snap forced the kicker to run and Cole-Kraty was there again to make the tackle, which gave Luverne the ball back on the Fairmont 27-yard line.
The Cardinals capitalized on the excellent field position just two plays later.
After a short run on first down, the Cardinals took to the air on second down. Junior wide receiver Gannon Ahrendt beat his man down the left side of the field, and quarterback Casey Sehr hit him in stride in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown reception.
The two-point conversion was no good and the Fairmont lead was now 7-6 with 3:37 to go in the first quarter.
After a couple of defensive stops from each team, Fairmont pinned the Luverne offense on its own 4-yard line on fourth and 11 with 6:11 to go in the second quarter.
The Cardinals’ punt gave Fairmont excellent field position going into their next drive. 
Taking over at the Luverne 30-yard line, Fairmont pounded the ball on the ground three straight times to get to the 5-yard line. Jorgensen threw for his second touchdown of the game on the next play as he found teammate Hudson Artz in the corner of the end zone.
After they made the extra point, Fairmont had a 14-6 lead with 4:09 to go in the second quarter.
The Cardinals got a big play from Ahrendt on the kickoff as he broke through the center of the Fairmont kickoff team for a 43-yard return which brought the Cardinals to the Fairmont 41-yard line.
After a couple of nice runs by senior running back Ashton Sandbulte and a 10-yard reception from Sehr to Eli Radtke, the Cardinals made their way to the Fairmont 18-yard line.
Sehr then found Sandbulte in the air on the next play, and Sandbulte ran over a couple of Fairmont defenders on his way into the end zone. The Luverne two-point conversion attempt was no good, and the score was now 14-12 with 1:55 to go in the second quarter.
Neither team was able to score the rest of the half, and the teams went into halftime with Fairmont leading 14-12.
The Cardinal offense couldn’t get anything going in the third quarter, but the defense held strong for nearly the entire quarter.
With just 38 seconds to go in the third quarter, Fairmont’s Eli Anderson took a short pass from Jorgensen and was able to break through the Cardinals defense for a 57-yard touchdown. The point after was good and Fairmont took a 21-12 lead. 
Luverne couldn’t answer back and was forced to punt on its next possession. 
Fairmont took advantage and put together another scoring drive to pad the lead. Once again it was Jorgensen throwing for a 3-yard touchdown, his fourth of the game. After another successful extra point, Fairmont had a 28-12 lead with 6:06 to go in the game.
The Cardinals would not give up and put together a nice drive of their own in response to the Fairmont touchdown. 
Sandbulte led the Cardinals down the field as he racked up 30 yards of rushing on the drive.
Facing a first and 10 from the Fairmont 20-yard line, Sehr found Radtke in the end zone to give the Cardinals their third touchdown of the game.  The 2-point conversion attempt was no good and the score was now 28-18 in favor of Fairmont with just 2:18 to go in the game.
Fairmont was able to run the clock out on its next possession to take the victory. 
The Luverne Cardinals will look to get back on track Wednesday night when they travel to Waseca. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
 
Team statistics:
Luverne: 133 rushing yards, 105 passing yards, 238 total yards, 13 first downs, 2 penalties for 20 yards, 0 turnovers.
Fairmont: 116 rushing yards, 169 passing yards, 285 total yards, 18 first downs, 3 penalties for 25 yards, 1 turnover.
 
Individual statistics:
Rushing: Ashton Sandbulte 21-99, Zach Kruse 2-14
Passing: Casey Sehr 8-15 for 105 yards (3 TD)
Receiving: Eli Radtke 3-35 (1 TD), Gannon Ahrendt 1-25 (1 TD), Ashton Sandbulte 1-18 (1 TD)
Defense: Nathaniel Cole-Kraty 7.5 tackles, Ashton Sandbulte 7 tackles, Anyuon Atem 5.5 tackles, Jamie McCarthy 5 tackles

A Christmas lighted train engine will join the 2021 community holiday plans, which kick off with fireworks Nov. 28 in Luverne City Park.
Ellis and Eastern Railroad will transport Santa and Mrs. Claus through several communities on Sunday, Nov. 28, ending in Luverne in time for the grand lighting of decorated city park.
“We really want this to be special for kids and the community,” said Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
She’s encouraging individuals, businesses and organizations to start planning now to be part of the effort.
“Anyone is welcome to be part of the fun,” Lanphere said.
The city park will be open on Nov. 1 for people to start putting up displays. Security cameras will be in place to deter vandalism, or at least record activity for restitution.
All displays should be in place and ready to turn on by Nov. 26.
“If everyone does a little bit, we can have every tree and bush decorated in the park,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can do to make it extra festive.”
The theme this year is trains, along the lines of the “Polar Express” children’s story.
The Palace Theatre will show the popular computer animated “Polar Express” movie that weekend, and community members are encouraged to decorate lighted displays in the park under the theme of trains.
On the night of Nov. 28, the park will open at 6 p.m. to let cars into the park to watch the fireworks, which will begin at 7 p.m.
“We’re hoping we can get 100 cars in there. The south berm is the greatest place to see the fireworks,” Lanphere said.
Each car will be charged $10 to enter, and children will receive a treat and locomotive bell.
When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the park, people in cars will be instructed to roll down their windows and ring their bells.
“They’ll be told that if Santa hears the bells, the park will light up,” Lanphere said.
“When the lights come on, those cars inside the park will get to circle the displays first, and then we’ll open up the park to everyone.”
Lanphere said the lighted park evening is a solid plan, regardless of pandemic shifts.
“This will totally be a fun thing to experience for families,” she said.
“It’s been another trying year for families and individuals, and if the pandemic flares up again, we’ll be safe. Everyone will be in their cars with their own families.”
 
Timeline:
On Nov. 1 the park will open for decorating to start.
On Nov. 26 decorating will be done with all displays ready to be plugged in.
On Nov. 28 the community will celebrate the holiday kickoff at the park.
•At 5 p.m. the train will arrive with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the holiday-decorated Luverne Depot on Freeman Street.
•From 5 to 6:30 p.m.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for photos with children at the depot, where people can tour the station.
•At 6 p.m. the park will be open for cars to enter for viewing the fireworks.
•At 6:30 p.m. the train will return Santa and Mrs. Claus to the city park for fireworks.
•7 p.m. – Fireworks start
•After fireworks are over, children will be instructed to ring their bells and the park displays will light up simultaneously.
To reserve a space at the park to decorate a holiday display, call the Chamber, 507-283-4061.
Lanphere said participants will get all the information they need about electrical hookups and other details when they sign up.

A South Dakota circuit court judge sentenced 36-year-old Nicholas Floyd, to 30 days for his reckless driving conviction in the 2019 crash that took the life of 22-year-old Brooke Thompson, Luverne.
Floyd initially faced a second-degree manslaughter charge, a felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. However, a plea agreement earlier this year reduced the charges to reckless driving.
Floyd was the driver of the 2011 Peterbilt Conventional box truck that struck Brooke’s vehicle in I-90 construction zone near Brandon on July 23, 2019.
Floyd’s reckless driving conviction is a misdemeanor that could carry a maximum penalty of 365 days in jail.
In a letter to court, the Thompson family expressed their frustration with the 30-day sentence.
“Any possible sentence for a misdemeanor reckless charge is a mere slap on the wrist compared to the devastation Floyd caused our family. He gave us a life sentence without her and our sweet Brooke paid the ultimate price for his actions. She had so many plans. There are no words to describe how insanely much we miss her.”
Nearly three dozen people supported the Wayne and Mary Thompson family Monday afternoon during the sentencing hearing.

Meetings
Town and Country Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Lois Petersen’s home. The topic will be “Fall and Winter Decorating” using items from your garden or kitchen. Call Linda at 507-597-6378 for more information. Gardeners welcome.
Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at Poplar Creek Care Center. Masks are required. Call Diane Karlstad, 507-530-3307, with questions.
 
Free food offered Oct. 21
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at the Generations Building on East Lincoln Street in Luverne. Vehicles should enter the west parking lot from Lincoln Street and drive to the double glass doors on the west side of the building where volunteers will load groceries into cars. Walkers should receive their pre-packaged groceries on the east side of the building. Call 507-283-4366.
 
Bloodmobile in Luverne Oct. 27
The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will accept donations from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Grand Prairie Events on South Estey Street. Donors can save time by scheduling and appointment through RapidPass® and completing screenings ahead of the donation. To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. 
 
Mobile Dental Clinic Oct. 27
A mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Rock County Health and Human Services community room. These clinics provide dental care for adults and children of all ages. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Trick or Treat at MJB Nov. 1
The Good Samaritan-Mary Jane Brown Nursing Home will offer trick-or-treats from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, in the form of a parade outside the front windows so residents can view from safely inside the building. Candy will be handed out at the end of the decorated path. Call 507-283-3117 with questions.
 
SWCC business meeting Nov. 1
The Southwest Crisis Center annual business meeting is Monday, Nov. 1, at the Worthington Events Center. In-person attendance begins with a 5:30 p.m. meal and Zoom attendance begins at 6 p.m. The event will feature highlights from the staff, a financial report and information about the SWCC’s program and services. To RSVP email Alejandra at alejandra@mnswcc.org or call Sara at 507-376-4311.
 
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection week is Nov. 15-22, and boxes can be ordered online at samaritanspurse.org or picked up at the American Reformed Church where they can be dropped off Nov. 15-22. Call Karen Bosch, 605-413-9676, or Charla Sandbulte, 507-227-1722, with questions.
 
One Warm Coat donations accepted
The Rock County One Warm Coat Project is collecting clean, reusable coats of all shapes and sizes (children’s coats are especially needed) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Oct. 31 at ATLAS for Life. Drop off bins are on the west side of the building. Coats may also be dropped off at the Luverne Elementary School during the month of October. Call Destiny, 507-220-0030, Atlas of Rock County, 507-449-5777, or Lisa Dinger at school, 507-283-4497. Coat drive dates are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 6.
 
Library happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email at rockcountystaff@gmail.com
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 10:30 a.m. Fridays through Nov. 19. As the weather permits, the event will in one of Luverne’s city parks. See the library’s social media page for specific locations.
 
Community Education offerings
Luverne Community Education will offer the following classes and activities. Call 507-283-4724 or visit the website: comed.isd2184.net
Defensive Driving Classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance premiums. Beginning classes will be Nov. 11 and 18 (four hours each evening).
Children 0-5 years and parents can use the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom for Outdoor Play Time on Oct. 19 for a morning or evening session. It’s free but registration is required.
Use glaze, heat, flames and cooling to turn plain pottery into beautiful pieces of art at Raku Saturday on Oct. 23. Fee is $5 plus pay for the pottery you choose at the studio.
Register by Oct. 27 for Wednesday night Men’s Basketball November through February.  Fee is $35 for the four months.
Swap Party on Oct. 25. Bring five new or like-new items to trade in these categories: fall women’s clothing, housewares, decorating items or games/puzzles. Browse through items and leave with as many or as few as you like.  Fee is $5.
Babysitting Basics for students in grades 5-8 will be Oct. 25 and 28.  Fee is $15.
Students (grades 1-4) will paint a Halloween themed painting at Paint & Snack class on Oct. 28.  Fee is $33.
Register now for the Music Man Bus Trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theater on Nov. 6. Cost is $115.
 
Hospice volunteer training offered in October
Sanford Luverne Hospice is in need of men and women volunteers at The Cottage and for patient visiting. An application and orientation is required and will be offered in October. If interested, contact Helen Saum at 507-283-1805 or email: helen.saum@sanfordhealth.org
 
SHARE applications accepted through Dec. 8
Rock County S.H.A.R.E applications are due by Nov. 24. forms are available on the Luverne Chamber website home page (in English and Spanish). Distribution is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8. The S.H.A.R.E. program distributes groceries, clothing and toys to Rock County residents who are in need of support.  Donations of used items are not accepted. Monetary, tax-deductible donations can be mailed to SHARE at PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.
 
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents. Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota. Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.