Luverne student graduates from USMC boot camp
Gavyn Boll graduated Aug. 6 from U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp at the Marine Corp Recruit Depo in San Diego, California.
Pvt. Boll will depart immediately for additional training with the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California.
Boll is the son of Scott Boll, Luverne, and Jennifer Pearson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
 
 
Hills farmer directs donation to fire department
 
Hills farmer Eric Fick recently directed a $2,500 donation to the Hills Area Volunteer Fire Department through the Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities.
The program recognizes that farmers are leaders in their communities and can identify worthy causes for the donation.
Since 2010, the America’s Farmers programs have awarded more than $59 million to community nonprofits, ag students and public schools across rural America.
Last August, farmers entered for the chance to direct a $2,500 Grow Communities donation to a cause of their choice.
To learn more about how America’s Farmers programs are making an impact, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com.
 
Atkinson-Smeins, Luverne Elementary School honored by ASCA
Luverne Elementary School counselor Marie Atkinson-Smeins was among 139 school counselors honored for their role in “Recognized ASCA Model Programs” (RAMP) during an awards banquet July 13 in Las Vegas.
As a RAMP designated school, Luverne Elementary “is committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-informed school counseling program and an exemplary educational development,” according to the banquet program.
The banquet was a part of the American School Counselor Association annual conference.
Atkinson-Smeins and Luverne Elementary were among 11 Minnesota schools honored at the banquet.

“We haven’t beaten them yet this year, so it should be a challenge.”
That’s how Luverne Redbirds player-manager Brooks Maurer looks at his team’s series with the Milroy Irish this week.
The Redbirds (23-5, No. 1 tournament seed) and Irish (28-6, No. 3 seed) face off in the best-of-three Region 13C championship series.
The Irish players are responsible for two of Luverne’s five losses this season.
Milroy defeated Luverne 10-4 on May 9 in Luverne and 2-1 in 10 innings July 14 at Irish Yard. 
Game 1 of the championship series is Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Redbird Field in Luverne.
Game 2 will be played at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Irish Yard, the ballpark built for the Irish in 2012.
If necessary, Game 3 will be played at 2 p.m. at Redbird Field.
By winning their respective semifinal series, each team has already qualified for the 2021 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament.
The team that wins the championship series will be seeded higher and receive a bye in the first round of the state tournament.
“It’s nice to qualify for the state last weekend so now there’s a little less pressure this week,” Maurer said.
The last two years the Redbirds have had to win the third place series to qualify to represent Region 13C at the state tournament.
The Irish are likely to give the Redbirds, who have won their four playoff games by scores totaling 43-0 so far, a challenge.
“Their top five batters are all really good,” Maurer said.
Irish Yard, the location of Game 2, makes the series a little more interesting for some players and fans.
“It’s like going back in time,” Maurer said. “It’s old school, in the middle of nowhere.”
The “Field of Dreams” Irish Yard is located just off Highway 19 between Milroy and Vesta.
The Milroy Irish began in 2009 and are one of two amateur baseball teams from the baseball-crazy town of 252 people.
The Milroy Yankees play in a different region (4C) at their historic ballpark in town.
The two Milroy teams do not play each other during the regular season and have yet to meet in a state tournament. 
Irish Yard includes some stadium seating, a large video board and a camera system that allows all games at the park to be broadcast on The Irish Yard channel on YouTube. 
“It’s definitely one of the more unique places we get to play at,” Maurer said.
 
2021 Region 13C
Semifinal Round Results
August 4 - 8
 
Luverne vs. Hadley   
Luverne 7, Hadley 0
Luverne 14, Hadley 0 (7 inn.)
 
Windom vs. Milroy Irish
Milroy 5, Windom 4
Milroy 4, Windom 1
 
 
2021 Region 13C
Final Round Schedule
August 11 - 15
 
Championship Series
Luverne vs. Milroy Irish
Wed, Aug. 11 at 7:30 pm in Luverne
Fri, Aug. 13 at 7:30 pm at Irish Yard
*Sun, Aug 15 at 2:00 pm in Luverne
 
Third Place Series
Windom vs. Hadley   
Wed, Aug. 11 at 7:30 pm in Windom
Sat, Aug. 14 at 2:00 pm in Hadley
*Sun, Aug 15 at 2:00 pm in Windom
 
*Game played if necessary

Rock County dirt track racers competed at three local tracks this weekend. Races were staged in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Slayton Friday night and near Hartford, South Dakota, Saturday night.
The weekly races at Worthington Speedway were postponed to Sunday and then rained out.  
 
Rapid Speedway
For the seventh time this season, Luverne’s Colton Arends drove his way to victory lane in the Stock Cars class Friday night at Rapid Speedway.
Five of his seven wins have been at the Rock Rapids, Iowa, track.
Arends placed just ahead of Scott Overgaard, Luverne, who finished second. Both Arends and Overgaard won their respective heat races.
In the Hobby Stocks A Feature race, Luverne’s Eric Gaul placed second. Katie Kracht, Luverne, finished sixth in the B Feature race.
 
Murray County Speedway
Hardwick’s Silas Top was the lone Rock County driver at Murray County Speedway in Slayton Friday night.
Top competed in the Bombers class and finished in fourth place in the A Feature race.
Below are the full results from Rock County drivers from Aug. 6-7.
 
Rapid Speedway – Aug. 6
Sportsman’s A Feature

Brandon Boeve

Beaver Creek

14

 
USRA Hobby Stocks A Feature

Eric Gaul

Luverne

  2

Katie Kracht

Luverne

18

 
USRA Hobby Stocks B Feature

Katie Kracht

Luverne

  6

Cadyn Wessels

Luverne

10

 
USRA B-Modifieds A Feature 1

Trevor Kracht

Luverne

15

 
USRA B-Modifieds A Feature 2

Trevor Kracht

Luverne

12

 
USRA Stock Cars A Feature

Colton Arends

Luverne

  1

Scott Overgaard

Luverne

  2

Kevin Kremin

Kenneth

11

Thomas Kracht

Luverne

17

Spencer Kalass

Luverne

18

 
Murray County Speedway – Aug. 6
MCRA Bombers A Feature

Silas Top

Hardwick

    4

 
I-90 Speedway – Aug. 7
USRA Hobby Stocks A Feature

Dylan Fitzpatrick

Magnolia

11

Cadyn Wessels

Luverne

13

Now is the time to grab a few boxes of shells and get your shooting eye tuned up for the dove season that starts on Sept. 1. Not everyone hunts doves, but a keen shooting eye will benefit every hunter, whether it’s ducks, pheasants, grouse or any other game on the wing.
When I finally got serious about hunting winged birds, I was already about 25 years old, and now this outdoor activity has become a full-blown passion, chasing upland game across four to five states every fall.
When it came to so-called prowess with a shotgun, I was at the very bottom of the pile. My shooting was way worse than awful, so I made up my mind to change that.
Thousands of rounds later and some instructing from expert shooters, I can now rate myself somewhere in the top 1o percent of my friends’ group. If a rooster pheasant or a sharp-tail grouse takes wing within 25 yards of my gun, it will most likely go home with me in my game bag.
After 35 years with a shotgun in my hands, I think I have figured out a few things that might be able to help you increase your take of birds and reduce excuses for missing easy ones.
If you are already a great shot, then by all means choose a shotgun gauge labeled sub-gauge. A 12-gauge shotgun is the standard across the mid-west, but you can also choose from the smaller 16, 20, 28 and .410 options.
The smaller the gauge you choose, the smaller the payload of shot you will be able to choose from. Twelve-gauge shells carry anywhere from 1 ounce to 1 7/8 ounces of shot per shell.
Sub-gauges often cannot reach even a 1-ounce payload. If you miss the bird three feet behind it, it won’t matter how big your shot payload is. The same can be said for all shots that are way off the mark.
But what about those shots where you’re just about on but still miss the target? This is where the choke of the gun comes in.
The choke is usually a tube that screws into the end of the barrel. The tighter the choke (smaller diameter), the tighter the pattern will be at distance.
For example, a full choke will have about a 25-inch pattern at 30 yards, where a more open modified choke will have a 30-inch pattern at the same distance. An improved cylinder choke has even less reduction and will result in a pattern of about 35 inches at those same distances.
That rationale would then lead you to reason that an open choke is the best option. At close ranges this might very well be the case.
The problem with an open choke is that at longer distances (45 to 50 yards) there will no longer be enough pattern density to actually kill the bird. You might make the perfect shot, but the number of pellets (shot in the pattern) is not dense enough to cover the whole pattern. You can actually get holes in the pattern at longer distances if the choke is too open or the distance too far.
After 35 years of chasing winged quarry, I have my own system to help me be more successful. I use an open choke all year long. This is the biggest pattern you can get. I compensate for this open choke with less pattern density at longer ranges by shooting a big gauge shotgun (12-gauge) and then purchasing shotgun shells with a much larger payload.
If I can shoot an open choke and then fill up the pattern with lots of shot (BB’s) I can fill in those loose patterns at longer distances.
In the early season when most of the shots are closer, I will use shells with 1 1/4 ounces of shot. In the later season with the same open choke, I will shoot shells that have at least 1 5/8 ounces of shot.
This allows me to have a bigger overall pattern (35 inches at close ranges and 50 inches at longer ranges) filled with lots of BBs to fill in my pattern.
This combination of an open choke and lots of shot has upped my close ration measurably. Some will say that a 12 gauge is too heavy to carry; hence my method would not work for them.
This might very well be true, but if you can carry a 12-gauge gun with a big pattern and lots of shot to fill the pattern, assuming you both shoot about the same accuracy, you will most likely come home with the heaviest game bag.
There is no substitute for practice and a great hunting dog. Ethical hunters want clean kills and wounded birds brought to hand. Practice now to have a more successful season.
 
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 rise in yet another variant of COVID, the discussion around vaccines is getting heated again. Around dinner tables, out in public, and even in the parking lots of our churches, people are divided about what they believe is the right answer.
Nowhere is this battle more fervent, however, than on social media. People have lost friends and alienated loved ones over it.
I’m not going to tell you what to think about vaccines, but I do have something to say about the vitriol surrounding how many are dealing with it. Much of it boils down to fear. For some, it is the fear of contracting the virus while for others it is the fear that their civil liberties are being eroded. Both may be reasonable concerns, but giving in to fear is not the answer as it easily clouds our judgment.
A young woman, motivated by fear, posted on Twitter that not only had she gotten both doses of the Moderna vaccine, but that she later went to another provider and received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, “just in case!” The comments under her tweet were surprisingly supportive.
Others claimed to have done the same thing and, even more, they were seeking to arrange their own “boosters.”
Why were they engaged in this dangerous self-help strategy? Out of fear. They were afraid of COVID, afraid of Delta, and afraid of whatever might come next. I would not be surprised if they followed every breaking news bulletin about the virus. After all, fear is a popular tactic used by the media to manipulate people to tune in, and it is used by authorities to motivate people to comply. 
Fear is a favorite instrument of Satan, too. He uses it to manipulate and motivate people to lose their focus on God and redirect it to things they cannot control.
Whether or not you elect to receive the COVID vaccine is your choice. But, dear Christian, do not let yourself be motivated by fear to the point where you resent those who choose differently. Do not use fear to manipulate or motivate your neighbor.
The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” And Jesus tells us, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
If you are sick and tired of news and social media filled with contradictory information, political theater, and fearmongering, then turn it off and turn to God. God provides you a refuge through his unchanging Word and in the fellowship of saints. Open your Bibles, go to worship, and receive the gifts won for you by the sacrifice of Jesus.
God calls you through love to rest in him. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

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
Roger Sparks, Pastor
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on Roger Sparks’ Facebook page 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
1033 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, Aug. 12: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Saturday, Aug. 14: 5:30 p.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. Sunday, Aug. 15: 9 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. 10 a.m. Fellowship coffee and treats. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Aug. 18: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 7:30 a.m. Mom’s Bible study at Wildflowers. Thursday, Aug. 19: 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
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.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Friday, Aug. 13: 6:30 a.m. Community men’s Bible study. Sunday, Aug. 15: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 12:00 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
Saturday, Aug. 14: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Aug. 15: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:30 a.m. Streamed worship service with Laura Bormam and live streamed on Facebook and radio. Prayer Warriors after service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible study. Wednesday, Aug. 18: 8 p.m. AA meeting.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net— www.fpcluverne.com
Jason Cunningham, Pastor
Sunday, Aug. 15: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 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. Monday, Aug. 9: Peace and justice book study. Tuesday, Aug. 10: 1:30 p.m. Poplar Creek Communion. Wednesday, Aug. 11: 6:30 p.m. Session.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, Aug. 14: 5:30 p.m. Worship. Sunday, Aug. 8: 9 a.m. Worship service. 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. 449-6522; 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
 
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, Aug. 15: 10 a.m. Joint worship at Palisade Lutheran. Masks are no longer required 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, Aug. 15: 10 a.m. Joint worship at Palisade Lutheran. Masks are no longer required 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
Sunday, Aug. 15: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Home. 9:30 a.m. Youth time. 10 a.m. Worship service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:15 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor