The Luverne Country Club crowned its club champions for the 2021 season in recent weeks.
Mary Jo Graphenteen won the Women’s Club Tournament. Joe Dorhout came out on top at the Senior Men’s Club Tournament, and Ben Nath was crowned the Men’s Club Tournament champion. 
 
Women’s tournament
Graphenteen won her fourth consecutive, and fifth overall, LCC women’s club championship Aug. 10 with an 18-hole gross score of 77.
The tournament, which had been played on a Saturday for a number of years, was moved to a Tuesday this year in an effort to increase the number of participants.
The regular women’s league day is Tuesday. The effort was successful as 21 women competed in the tournament this year.
In addition to naming the club champion (low gross score), flight winners (low gross score) and the overall low net score winner (gross score minus handicap) were named.
“The new Tuesday format was a great way to play the club tournament,” Graphenteen said.
“Being divided into flights allows golfers to compete with players of similar skill level,” she said.
Dana Klay won the third flight with a score of 105. Joan Kindt won the second flight with a score of 93 and Marlene Kopp won the first flight with an 89.
The president’s flight was won by Sherry Dorhout  with an 88.
Overall low net score winners were Anitra Overgaard and Marlene Kopp, both with a 67.
 
Women’s tournament results
 
Third flight

1

Dana Klay

105

2

Stacy Schepel

109

3

Anitra Overgaard

123

 
Second flight

1

Joan Kindt

93

2

Susan Schneekloth

95

3

Lynette Springman

96

 
First Flight

1

Marlene Kopp

89

2

Sharla Reisch

96

 

Susan Skattum

96

 
President’s Flight

1

Sherry Dorhout

88

2

Colleen Nath

93

 

Tracy Hansen

93

 
Championship Flight

1

MaryJo Graphenteen

77

2

Melissa Sandbulte

82

3

Paula Lammert

87

 
Low Net Winner

 

Anitra Overgaard

67

 

Marlene Kopp

67

 

 

 

Senior men’s tournament
Joe Dorhout came out on top of the Senior Men’s Club Tournament at LCC Aug. 14 with a low gross score of 70.
“When you hit a lot of greens and make a lot of putts, you put yourself in position to possibly win,” Dorhout said. “It was a great day on a spectacular-looking course.”
The low net winner (gross score minus handicap) was Terry Reisch with a 65.
Flights were set up based on age range, and winners were determined using net scores (actual score minus handicap).
Scott Remme won the 40-49 age group with a net score of 66.
Dan Kern placed first in the 50-56 division with a net score of 69, while Gary Kurtz’ 70 bested the field in the 57-63 group.
Terry Reisch won the 64-71 division with a net score of 65, and Tom Arends came out on top of the 72-91 flight with a net score of 73.
 
Senior men’s tournament results:
 
Age group net winners:
40-49:

1

Scott Remme

66

2

Ryan Fick

73

 

Jeff Sehr

73

 
50-56:

1

Dan Kern

69

2

Jim Stratton

75

 

Cory Bloemendaal

75

 
57-63:

1

Gary Kurtz

70

2

Joe Dorhout

71

3

Scott Olson

73

 
64-71:

1

Terry Reisch

65

2

Spencer Sells

72

 

Steve Dirks

72

 
72-91:

1

Tom Arends

73

2

Dave Gangestad

75

 

Greg Thone

75

                                 
Low Net Winner
Terry Reisch                           65
 
 
Men’s Tournament
Ben Nath repeated as the LCC Men’s Club Champion during the annual tournament Aug. 21-22 with a score of 150.
Pete Connell placed second with a score of 153 and Coy Gonnerman’s 161 finished third.
“I’m glad I made the putt for eagle on 17 to tie Pete Connell,” Nath said. “A 3-stroke lead going into the 18th hole instead of a 2 or 1 shot lead was much more comfortable.”
“Thanks to the LCC grounds crew and staff for their hard work this weekend,” Nath said. “It was a wonderful weekend of golf with a great group of guys.”
The Men’s Club Tournament is a two-day, 36-hole tournament.
Players in the championship flight are divided into championship, president’s and vice-president’s flights after the first day of 18-hole play. The top eight players after the first day make up the championship flight for the tournament.
The third flight was determined by net score. All other flight winners were determined by low gross score.
 
Men’s Tournament Results
 
Third Flight

1

Logan Stratton

148

2

Josh Gangestad

149

3

Mark Springman

151

 
Second Flight

1

Don Klosterbuer

187

2

Chris Denhoed

188

3

Evan Verbrugge

189

 
First Flight

1

Dan Kern

172

2

Tom Kopp

173

3

Tim Diedrich

176

 
Vice-President’s Flight

1

Cody Hemme

169

2

Cory Norman

170*

3

Greg Stratton

170

 

*playoff

 

 
President’s Flight

1

Joe Dorhout

163

2

Colton Arends

164

3

James Stratton

168

 
Championship Flight

1

Ben Nath

150

2

Pete Connell

153

3

Coy Gonnerman

161

Local leaders and child care professionals gathered for an emergency meeting last week after a number of in-home providers closed and announced closures.
Ten Rock County providers left the profession in the past year, leaving roughly 120 children needing care elsewhere. That’s in addition to nearly 200 slots already needed locally.
Luverne provider Nikki McLendon addressed the group Tuesday evening, Aug. 17, in Luverne City Hall. She described calls from three women expecting their first babies and seeking child care.
“They were looking ahead, but I can’t help them,” she said about closures earlier this year. “I don’t know where to send them. Nobody has openings for years.”
Shortly after that, two more providers gave notice that they were closing.
“My phone blew up,” McLendon said. “I had seven more families call me looking for day care, and again I didn’t know where to send them. … Two weeks later I had four more newly expecting moms call.”
The providers recently leaving the profession are doing so for many reasons — some are retiring, some are moving on because their own children are older, some found opportunities in other professions or are continuing their education.
McLendon said it’s not unusual for providers to come and go, but more are quitting than starting, and she’s trying to recruit newcomers on social media and among child care families.
“It’s not one of those things where you can put out a job application to fill out,” she said. “And it’s such a trying job with long hours, and you have to open up your home.”
The meeting included Mayor Pat Baustian, Rock County licensing director Jessica Schmit, Chamber director Jane Lanphere, Sen. Bill Weber and LEDA director Holly Sammons.
 
Trending numbers
They reviewed trending numbers in the past five years since the city’s child care study.
There were 56 licensed child care providers in Rock County in 2016 compared with 37 in 2019 and 28 today, creating a rapidly widening gap between working families who need child care and the available slots with licensed providers.
Sammons said child care has been a priority for the city, especially from an economic perspective, because if there aren’t places for workers’ children, it’s harder for businesses to find workers and it’s harder for the community to recruit businesses and industry.
The group reviewed incentives through the Southwest Initiative Foundation for child care businesses, but those are long-term opportunities.
They also discussed the fact that regulations have eased some in recent years and grants are available for home improvements, playground equipment and other capital investments.
Some discussion focused on potential after-school care, so that providers could fill those tw0-hours-per-day slots with a full-time toddler or baby. The Family-U program at school fills quickly.
At the end of the meeting, the group agreed to set a September meeting designed to recruit more providers in Rock County.
“Behind all this strife, there might be another opportunity for someone,” Baustian said.

Rock County’s small cities will see significant increases in law enforcement expenses beginning in 2022, after years of little to no wage and equipment increases.
Increases for wages and equipment range from $1,095 for the city of Kenneth to $14,770 for Hills.
The mayors of Hills, Beaver Creek, Magnolia, Hardwick, Steen and Kenneth met with Rock County Commissioners and the Rock County Sheriff on Aug. 17.
The increase amounts (based on population) were revealed and discussed.
•Hills (pop. 686) increased by $14,770 from $24,256 to $39,026.
•Beaver Creek (pop. 280) increased by $4,841 to $15,929 from $11,088.
•Magnolia (pop. 196) increased $1,970 to $11,150 from $9,180.
•Hardwick (pop. 189) increased $1,618 to $10,752 from $9,134.
•Steen (pop. 171) increased $2,184 to $9,728 from $7,544.
•Kenneth (pop. 60) increased $1,095 to $3,413 from $2,318.
Historically the small cities collectively paid the salary and equipment costs (including a vehicle) for the equivalent of one officer, which is currently estimated at $90,000.
“What the intent was with all the small cities — going back I believe to the early ’90s or late ’80s — was that together they would pay for one officer,” said County Administrator Kyle Oldre.
“There would be enough money together that they would generate one officer in the county.”
However, he said contract increases have not kept up with actual expenses.
In 2021 the small cities paid $63,520 toward one officer. The shortfall was covered in the county budget.
Rock County has 9,704 residents according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Of that number, 4,946 live in Luverne and 1,582 in the county’s small cities.
The annual budget for the Rock County Sheriff’s Office is just over $2 million and includes 12 peace officers.
According to Sheriff Evan Verbrugge, the majority of the calls to law enforcement come from the city of Luverne (about 62 percent).
Because of the call volume, Luverne negotiates a separate contract that is not based on population but on the level of services.
For 2022 Luverne’s contract is $1.03 million.
Calls to the small cities make up about one percent of the call volume to law enforcement.
Verbrugge said animal complaints, domestic issues and mental health calls make up the majority of the visits to the small cities.
“It all depends on who is in your community for calls and service,” he said.
Larger communities such as Sioux Falls and Fargo, North Dakota, are also a factor within smaller cities.
“Criminals are mobile,” Verbrugge said. “We are getting a lot of activity up north and coming on down.”
Steen Mayor Mel VanBatavia inquired if there are areas in which local residents can help law enforcement.
“We don’t want to de-fund (police), we want to fund,” he said.
Each city will discuss the individual law enforcement contracts at upcoming council meetings.
The five-year contract proposes annual increases of 2 to 3 percent through 2026.
“With the (previous) zero and 1 percent increases, a lot of stuff has fallen behind,” said Hardwick Mayor Willy Baker. “We need to step up and pay our fair share.”

To encourage more Luverne students to attend games and activities at home, the Luverne Board of Education voted unanimously to waive the $4 student ticket fees.
The decision was made at a special Thursday night, Aug. 19, meeting, and the waiver of fees is effective immediately.
Adult single tickets remain at $6 and an adult season pass is still $85.
Board members discussed ticket prices and activity fees at an Aug. 12 workshop.
Board members were open to increasing school pride and students gathering at supervised events with friends and classmates.
“I want as many kids at every event as possible and not pay for it,” said board member Jeff Stratton.
Elementary students (K-5) must attend the home events with an adult.
All Luverne students will be issued an activity pass and are to keep a picture of it in their phones.
Luverne joins a growing list of Big South schools who waive entrance fees to home activities.
Worthington, Blue Earth, Waseca, Windom, New Ulm, Jackson, Fairmont, St. Peter and Pipestone already allow their students to attend home events at no charge.
While admittance to home activities is free, Luverne reinstated activity fees after waiving all fees last year due to the coronavirus.
High school students must pay $75 per sport and $45 for each fine arts activity. Middle school student fees are $45 per sport and fine arts activity. The maximum payment per family is $250.
 
School board approves hiring more personnel
In other business at the Aug. 19 special meeting, Luverne School Board members hired:
•Tyler Reisch as business manager effective Aug. 30 at a salary of $83,500.
•Krista Ahrendt as B-squad volleyball coach.
•Brandi Johnson, Rebecca Dunn and Tonya Honermann as food service workers effective Aug. 16.
•Meegan Ross as Early Childhood Family Education and Discovery Time paraprofessional effective Aug. 30.
•Eric Arnold as middle school girls’ tennis coach.
•Epiphany Knedler as long-term substitute for Nowatzki, who was approved for a four-week medical leave of absence beginning Sept. 1.
The board also accepted resignations of Wes Jansen, custodian, effective Aug. 13, and Lacey Sik, paraprofessional, effective Aug. 6.

Meetings
Rock County People First will meet Monday, Sept. 13, in Luverne Pizza Ranch for a 5:30 p.m. meal and 6:30 p.m. meeting.
 
Fishing derby Aug. 29
The Luverne Optimist Club Fishing Derby will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Minnesota Veterans Home pond for ages 5 to 15. Food and prizes will be available.
 
Relay for Life Aug. 27
Rock County Relay for Life will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at Take 16 Brewery on East Main Street in Luverne. The meal, catered by Sunshine, is from 5:30 to 7. Kids Zone, with bubbles, chalk, face paint, temporary tattoos and bean bags. At 7 p.m. the Bottoms Up Pink Ladies will make a presentation. The Glow Run events are as follows: The half-mile fun run/walk is at 8 p.m, one-mile fun run/walk is at 8:20 and the 5K run/walk is at 8:45 p.m. Call Faye Bremer, 507-920-2715 for info, or see Rock County Relay for Life on Facebook.
 
Community Ed fall offerings
The Fall Community Education brochure — covering the months of September, October, November and December, will be available Sept. 5 on the school website at www.isd2184.net under the Community Education link.
 
School office open for registration
Families interested in registering their students for the 2021-22 school year are encouraged to call Luverne School District to set up an appointment. The Luverne Middle School-High School office is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the phone number is 507-283-4491. The Luverne Elementary School office will open Aug. 2 and the phone number is 507-283-4497.
 
Friends of Library book sale starts Sept.16
The Rock County Community Library will offer a fall book sale from Thursday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Sept. 18, in the library basement. Hours on Thursday and Friday are 10 a.m. to 7 :30 p.m. and the Saturday bag sale is from 10 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. A special time of 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesday is open for Friends of the Library to shop. Anyone wanting to join Friends of the Library may do so at the door Wednesday evening and take advantage of early shopping. Books may be donated to the library any day the library is open. Not accepted are encyclopedias, textbooks, Reader’s Digest books and VHS or
cassette tapes
 
Explore Prairie Ally
Free guided tours at Prairie Ally Outdoor Center (308 N. Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne) are Thursdays at 6, 6:30, and 7 p.m. through August or by appointment. Volunteers are needed Tuesdays from 10a.m. to noon and Thursdays at 5:30 June through September. Contact: prairieallymn@gmail.com, 605-951-0227. Also, visit projectfoodforest.org/events.
 
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. Nominees should also exhibit quality in character and action as to be outstanding role models for the county’s citizens. 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.
 
Take and Make bird treat kits
Stop by the Luverne Area Chamber at 213 East Luverne Street to pick up one or more Take and Make bird treat kits. Kits are free, but a $5 to $10 donation is welcome to benefit Project Food Forest in Rock County. (Or donate online at https://donorbox.org/support-pff)

Additional stimulus aid will pump more than $2 million into infrastructure projects within Rock County.
The federal government’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) will deliver $350 billion across the U.S. in response to the COVID-19 emergency and stimulate job development.
Rock County will receive $1.8 million over two years. Deadline to commit the dollars to approved projects is 2024.
Rock County commissioners met in an Aug. 17 afternoon work session to discuss where the dollars should be spent.
In 2020 the commissioners distributed $1.1 million in coronavirus recovery dollars over a six-month period. Commissioners focused on distributing money to small businesses affected by the pandemic.
ARP dollars can be spent for:
•supporting public health response.
•replacing public sector revenue loss.
•water and sewer infrastructure.
•negative economic impacts.
•premium pay for essential workers.
•broadband infrastructure.
Commissioners identified a need in three areas: invest in water and sewer infrastructure, support public health response, and address negative economic impacts.
They gauged interest in where the county could spend the ARP money with the small city mayors of Hills, Beaver Creek, Magnolia, Hardwick, Steen and Kenneth. The city of Luverne had a council representative at the Aug. 17 evening meeting.
Commissioners took no formal action as the federal dollars would be spent.
County Administrator Kyle Oldre told the mayors that the commissioners are interested in partnering with another entity or entities to fund a community day care center.
“The board is interested in doing something with bricks and mortar,” he said. “If we’re going to grow the workforce long term, we are going to need that day care piece.”
Currently commissioners earmarked 10 percent (or $180,000) toward addressing the negative economic impact the shortage of day care options creates.
Another 10 percent (or $180,000) of the county’s $1.8 million is earmarked toward ambulance equipment, with the largest amount $1.2 million (70 percent) going toward water and sewer infrastructure.
Because the county owns the Rock County Rural Water System, commissioners are looking to dedicate $540,000 for improvements. They would place $720,000 in a matching grant program (up to $100,000) for water and sewer improvements in area cities.
City leaders could leverage their own ARP dollars with the county’s.
“The goal is to make those dollars available to all the communities … get some money out there to do infrastructure items that are necessary but not popular because they’re expensive,” Oldre said.
Cities cannot spend ARP money on street improvements, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which administers the program.
In addition to the county’s $1.8 million, cities and townships are also receiving money under ARP, which includes:
•Battle Plain Township: $20,370.
•Beaver Creek Township: $39,480.
•Clinton Township: $28,350.
•Denver Township: $17,745.
•Kanaranzi Township: $25,410.
•Luverne Township: $50,400.
•Magnolia Township: $21,840.
•Martin Township: $39,480.
•Mound Township: $26,355.
•Rose Dell Township: $21,105.
•Springwater Township: $25,830.
•Vienna Township: $15,855.
•Beaver Creek: $29,400.
•Hardwick: $19,215.
•Hills: $68,355.
•Kenneth: $6,930.
•Luverne: $475,755.
•Magnolia: $21,945.
•Steen: $17,325.
Amounts are based on $105 per capita based on the 2018 population estimates.

Duininck Inc. crews pave North East Park Street in front of the Luverne Middle-High School Thursday morning, Aug. 19, before work stopped for rain showers Friday and Monday. Work resumed Tuesday morning during another round of showers with the paving around the school expected to be finished by the end of the day. Since Friday, the area has received over an inch of rain.

Under Monday’s newly adopted return-to-school plan, Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members recommended face coverings in all the buildings but didn’t mandate mask use.
Due to a federal mandate, masks are required to be worn by students and staff in school buses and other district vehicles.
The unanimous decision came at the suggestion of Superintendent Todd Holthaus, who indicated if coronavirus conditions worsen, the plan could change.
He said if the Minnesota Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control calls for any changes, he as superintendent could make immediate changes.
Long-term changes would be determined at an emergency school board meeting.
“It’s a fluid situation to a degree,” Holthaus said.
The plan details respiratory etiquette, prevention measures, self-screening, social distancing, ventilation and training.
The “Safe Return” plan is available on the district’s website.
 
In other business, H-BC Board Members:
•accepted the resignation of Rachel Wipf as paraprofessional.
•approved hiring Tedra Voss as paraprofessional at $16 per hour.
•added a “C” team coaching position to the 2021-22 volleyball season. Cost is $1,600.
•were notified that school board appointee Harley Fransman filed for the open school board position on the ballot this fall.

In 1 Peter 5:8 the Good Book says, “The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” This image suggests the enemy is not always obvious. The enemy slinks and hides in the bushes as it looks for lunch.
The verse also says, “Be alert and of sober mind,” suggesting that awareness of the enemy requires paying attention to the true source of attack. 
So who is my enemy?
School board members are not my enemy. Parents who want their children to attend school mask-free are not my enemy, and neither are those who want the children to wear masks. 
People who chose to receive the COVID shot are not my enemy. People who do not choose the COVID shot are not my enemy.
Your different opinion does not make you my enemy.
If I spent time in careful reflection (and I don’t), I might conclude the most dangerous enemy to my physical wellbeing is the 30 pounds I need to lose.  
Every day, the extra weight attacks my heart, lungs, arteries and joints and makes me more susceptible to a severe case of COVID. 
I often consider this as I open bags of chips.
The most dangerous enemy to my mental wellbeing is the headline news I consume on a daily basis.
The Bible has a recommendation on that, too. Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” I often consider this as I click on another depressing news headline.
The “enemies” in our lives are not people with different opinions. The enemies are the choices we make – how we treat our bodies, what we put into our heads and how we react to the world around us.
School board members face a difficult choice. Parents sending (or not sending) their kids to school with (or without) masks face a difficult choice. 
We are groups of people with differing opinions. We are not enemies.
Don’t let The Enemy cause us to believe that we are.