Each year the Southwest Crisis Center joins advocates, survivors and supporters across the nation to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
More prevalent than most realize, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.
Last year, the Southwest Crisis Center served over 500 individuals, families and children, providing nearly 5,000 services.
Domestic violence goes beyond the visible black eyes and bruises to encompass all forms of power and control such as isolation, a ruined credit score to keep a partner dependent, gaslighting, and threatening the safety and well-being of kids.
Anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual identity or orientation, socio-economic status or religious affiliation, can experience domestic violence.
This year’s national campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, strives to highlight how common domestic violence is.
No community is immune from domestic violence and its effects.
Whether we are aware of it or not, we all have friends, family members, co-workers and acquaintances who are experiencing/have experienced abusive behavior in a relationship. Therefore, we all can be that person of support and encouragement because we all know someone.
While supporting someone, it is important to note that ultimately it is the person experiencing the violence who is the expert in their own life and in the behavior of their abuser; therefore, a support person should never push their thoughts and ideas on the person they are trying to support.
Purple ribbons have been placed throughout area towns in recognition and support of those impacted by violence and to continue to raise awareness about this important issue.
For free and confidential services and information, individuals who think they may be experiencing domestic violence or who would like to know how they can help be the support person for someone can call the Southwest Crisis Center 24/7 safe line at 800-376-4311 or send a message through our website www.mnswcc.org.

A recent Star Tribune article pointed to a phenomenon that has ruined plenty of Sunday “fundays” for me. It’s called the Sunday “scaries.”
Sunday scaries is the tendency to overthink the workweek ahead.
The mind busily runs through everything that needs to be accomplished during the upcoming week. Worst-case scenarios of the imposing tasks creep into the mind, and before you know it, the weekend is over … and it’s Monday again.
The article points out that the Sunday scaries worsened during the pandemic. As we sheltered in place and worked from home, we began sleeping in the “office” and repurposing our kitchen counters as board rooms. Because we were home 24/7, the work week blended into what should have been personal time.
Instead of getting a sense of vacation vibes from a weekend, the pandemic made every day the same.
So how do you combat the Sunday scaries?
Luckily the article offers some helpful tips.
•Aim to have a truly recharging weekend. Find those activities and obligations that are recharging and do not overextend yourself. This eliminates the resentment of not having had time for yourself when Sunday night rolls around, which can exacerbate the dread of returning to work.
•Write a to-do list for Monday – and for the rest of the week, if necessary. Getting ideas and tasks out of your head and onto paper minimizes the anticipatory anxiety about the looming work week ahead.
•Create a Sunday routine to prep for the week ahead. A sense of empowerment is created when a routine is set up on Sundays such as doing laundry, selecting clothes for the week, grocery shopping or planning the weekday meals. Completing some Monday tasks on Sunday tamps down those scaries.
•Plan to wind down on Sunday evenings. Watching TV, exercising or playing games for an hour helps you to come off the weekend and transition into a calm state of mind. Don’t check your work email unless you know it will help you feel prepared. Getting plenty of sleep helps curb anxiety.
•Plan something fun for midweek. Thinking about enjoying leisure activities only on weekends puts a lot of pressure on those two days. So why not have some fun during the week, too. It’s a way to spice up the week and gives us a chance to relax during the week.
The “Wednesday scaries” sounds a lot less intimidating, doesn’t it?

Radisewitz: Retirement is really not that fun
To the Editor:
Isn’t retirement fun! So many days I feel like it’s summer and I’m a nine-year-old with nothing to do but look for adventure. Maybe go fishing or build a fort. 
For seniors October is like going back to school. That’s because it’s time to get serious and make the important decision on what health insurance plan to have in 2022.
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 is open enrollment period for Medicare, where we decide on which health insurance plan to have Jan. 1st. Should we keep the supplement we had for years or look at the Medicare Advantage plan?
How do we get the information we need to make the right decision?  So often sharing around the coffee table is all the information we have to make this important decision. We find ourselves asking if there is anywhere to get good, honest advice.
The answer is yes. A couple of resources for Minnesota seniors are the Senior Linkage Line and local retirement advisers.
The Senior Linkage Line 800-333-2433 is a service offered by the Minnesota Board on Aging and is the first place seniors should turn to with questions about health care, housing, legal services, etc. You might have to spend a few minutes on hold waiting for help, but the operators are very helpful. They take the time needed to answer all questions seniors have.
Local retirement advisers are also available to answer questions. They can educate you on the details of senior health plans in our area.
In 2021 health plans came to Rock County that pay for dental, vision, hearing, chiropractors, prescriptions and gym memberships for seniors. Might that plan be the best? Good question; you need to ask.
For retirees that are living check to check, you need to ask for help. Local advisers can help to see if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help with prescriptions offered by Social Security and the State of Minnesota.
Some companies use TV ads with ex-NFL players or movie stars encouraging you to call the number on the screen to find out if you qualify and to get $1,782 Medicare payment back. My advice is to NOT call that number. The TV ad company will sell your name to hundreds of insurance companies and your phone will ring off the hook until you’ll want to turn it off, or you’ll quit answering.
It is better to shop local. Find a retirement adviser to help, or apply on your own at SSA.gov under the Medicare tab. Sixty percent of the seniors that qualify for assistance don’t ask for help. They pay $148.50 each month to Social Security that they can’t afford.
Are some of the programs for seniors confusing? Yes, but there are free resources available to help. Now get your homework done and get back to building that fort. Enjoy retirement!
Cary Radisewitz
Luverne
 

The Luverne Area Community Foundation (LACF) is organizing the MAX YOUR COMMUNITY fund drive from Nov. 1-11.
 On Tuesday, Nov. 11, there will be a live KQAD radiothon broadcast from the LACF’s Main Street office.
Two of this area’s longtime trusted organizations, the Luverne Area Community Foundation and Red Arrow have come together to raise $100,000.
The Red Arrow organization was for many years the local version of the United Way.
A shortage of people power made it difficult for Red Arrow to continue its efforts to raise the much-needed funds for local charities.
Today, the LACF, with an enthusiastic endorsement from the retired Red Arrow organization, launched the MAX YOUR COMMUNITY fund drive.
Recently many of you, along with area businesses, received donor packets in the mail that will remind you of the great work Red Arrow had done for so many years and how to donate.
The $100,000 goal may seem optimistic, but the need is real. One hundred percent of the money raised stays in Rock County.
Rock County communities have a great opportunity to double down on their donation money to their community endowment fund.
If and when local Rock County communities (including Hills, Beaver Creek, Hardwick, Magnolia, Kenneth, Steen and Jasper) raise $5,000 for their community endowment fund, the LACF will match that amount. (FYI, Hills has already reached the $5,000 amount and the extra $5,000 for LACF.)
Ever since Mary and I moved to Luverne, we have always been amazed at how generous the people of Rock County are.
When the cause is right, you step up and write the check or use auto pay or round up your utility bill or Venmo or hand-deliver the money to the LACF office.
Today the cause has never been more right.
For more information on how you can help reach the $100,000 goal, contact Emily Crabtree at the LACF office: 507-220-2424 or email emily@LACF.org.

Heavy equipment moved into place Monday on the site of the future “PrairiE Loft” apartment buildings and a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the corner of Hatting Street and South Highway 75. The $8 million project will be known as PrairiE Loft 1 and PrairiE Loft 2 apartments, with the capital E representing “environmental sustainability and smart building practices.” Construction will use “Extreme Structural Insulated Panels,” high performance heat pumps, in-floor heat, LED lighting that qualifies for Energy Star, and the Net Zero Ready Program. The two buildings will have one- and two-bedroom units on three floors with elevators and off-street parking.

On Thursday, The Rock County Sheriff's Office took reports of vandalism to the Rock County Courthouse glass door as well as the Rock County Attorney's Office.
Damage was caused by someone shooting a BB gun at the windows, causing several thousand dollars in damage to both locations.
The Rock County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s assistance in providing information about the vandalism.
A reward is available to anyone giving information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Call the Sheriff's Office at 507-283-5000 or email evan.verbrugge@co.rock.mn.us or email investigator jeff.wieneke@co.rock.mn.us.
“Your assistance is greatly appreciated,” the Sheriff’s Facebook page posted.

Dispatch report
Oct. 8
•Complainant on Highway 75 reported pedestrian is on roadway.
•Complainant on W. Dakota Street, Beaver Creek, reported trespassing.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a deputy conducted patrol of area.
Oct. 9
•Lyon County Sheriff’s Office requested RCSO assistance.
•Complainant on W. Main Street, Hardwick, reported someone on his property.
•Subject in Casper arrested on Rock County warrant.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a stolen vehicle.
Oct. 10
•Complainant on S. Boone Street, Rock Rapids, reported subject with Rock County warrant.
•Report of no parking sign was run over on Cedar and Main.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported vehicle parked at dam for several days.
•Complainant in Spring, Texas, reported emergency out of county.
Oct. 11
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 51st Street, reported an obstruction on the roadway.
•Complainant on S. Cottage Grove Avenue reported lost saddle bags.
•Complainant on 90th Avenue, Steen, reported subject driving without a valid license.
•Complainant on 161st Street, Luverne, reported smoke sighting.
•Complainant on Koehn Avenue reported found billfold.
•Complainant on 131st Street and 120th Avenue, Luverne, reported a field fire.
•Complainant on E. Veterans Drive reported theft at location.
•Complainant on 150th Avenue, Luverne, reported manure on roadway.
Oct. 12
•Complainant on County Road 20 and State Highway 23, Jasper, reported vehicle ran stop sign.
•Complainant on N. Prospect Street and E. Main Street, Hardwick, reported park vandalism.
•Complainant on W. 3rd Street, Hills, reported received threats.
•Complainant on Edgehill Street reported a lost wallet.
•Complainant on 41st Street and 50th Railroad Crossing, Hills, reported a train malfunction.
•Complainant on 60th Avenue, Beaver Creek, reported theft of vehicle rims and tires.
•Complainant on W. Bishop Street reported suspicious activity.
•Repairs on County Road 4, railroad crossing west of Manley.
Oct. 13
•Complainant on E. Main Street requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant reported a stolen vehicle.
•Complainant on E. First Avenue, Beaver Creek, requested information on driving status.
Oct. 14
•Complainant on E. Brown Street reported someone shattered a window.
•Complainant on N. McKenzie Street reported a vandalized window.
•Complainant on Mag Road reported break-in/theft.
•Complainant on 171st Street, Luverne, reported a road rage incident.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported buckets of chicken guts dumped at location.
•Complainant on W. 4th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reported subject with Rock County warrant.
•Complainant on 51st Street, Luverne, reported a runaway child.
•Complainant on W. Interstate Drive requested assistance with a warrant.
In addition, officers responded to 5 motor vehicle accidents, 11 ambulance runs, 1 paper service, 5 animal complaints, 2 fingerprint requests, 1 burn permit, 1 alarm, 8 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 7 traffic stops, 6 abandoned 911 calls, 1 welfare check, 2 OFPs and 1 follow-up.

Card Shower
Joyce Hansen will celebrate her 75th birthday on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Greetings may be sent to Box 197, Hardwick, MN 56134.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Oct. 25: Chicken stir fry with brown rice, Oriental vegetables, mandarin oranges.
Tuesday, Oct. 26: Spaghetti with meat sauce, lettuce salad with dressing, Texas toast, pineapple, cookie.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Grace Lutheran Church.
Wednesday, Oct. 27: Creamy chicken, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, bread, warm fruit crisp.
 Thursday, Oct, 28: Pork loin, candied yams, broccoli florets, bread, dessert.
Friday, Oct. 29: Meatloaf, baked potato, stewed tomatoes, dessert, bread.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Main Street Financial.
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.