Vienna Township Board
Vienna Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, in the Kenneth Community Hall.
 
Community Ed seeks ideas, instructors
 Those who have new ideas for Luverne Community Education can email li.nath@isd2184.net or call 507-283-4724. Those interested in teaching a class or updating information for a class they’re teaching should email c.arends@isd2184.net. Information is due by Aug. 6.
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.
 
Manure Demo Day and commercial recertification Aug. 10
The Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District will be part of a first-ever Manure Demo Day Tuesday, Aug. 10, at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris.
The morning session for commercial animal waste technicians (CAWTs) begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes lunch. Space is limited to the first 100 people for the CAWT session. Pre-register by visiting https://z.umn.edu/MDD2021.
In-field demonstrations — free and open to the public — will begin at 1:15 p.m. Exhibitors and vendors will be on site to answer questions and provide product information. Rock County SWCD/Land Management can be reached at 507-283-8862 or www.rockswcd.org.
 
Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction Aug. 26
Tickets are on sale for the Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction set for Thursday, Aug. 26, at Grand Prairie Events. Registration and online silent auction are at 5 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Buy tickets on or before Aug. 12. Call Hospice Office (507.283.1805). For seating request, make arrangements by Aug. 6.
 
Steen carnival Aug. 11
The Reformed Church of Steen will offer its annual carnival from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, with a meal, free inflatables, cruise-in and more. Call Brad Bosch, 507-855-2284 for details.
 
Summer band lessons start Aug. 16
Teacher Angie Swenson will offer free lessons for all Luverne Elementary School fifth-grade beginning band students. Lessons are not mandatory but they offer students experience before school begins.
Lessons will be Aug. 16-19 and 23-26 in the elementary music room:
•flutes at 1 p.m.
•clarinets, 1:30 p.m.
•saxophones, 2 p.m.
•trumpets, 2:30 p.m.
•trombones, 3 p.m.
•French horns, baritones, tubas, 3:30 p.m.
•percussion, 4 p.m.
Students will need an instrument and lesson book. Orders from Schmidt music will be available on the first day of lessons.
Students are encouraged to attend one or all of the lessons.
 
‘Pint for Pint’ blood drive at Take 16 Aug. 6
The Community Blood Bank and Take 16 Brewing Co. will host a “pint for a pint” community blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at Take 16 on East Main Street, Luverne. Donors are encouraged to give blood to help Take 16 Brewing Co. in the competition against Remedy Brewing Co. of Sioux Falls to win the traveling stein for the most blood donations. For information, log onto www.cbblifeblood.org. All who donate receive an event blood donor T-shirt and a pint of beer. To schedule an appointment, log onto www.cbblifeblood.org, select Friday, August 6 and Take 16 Brewing Co. or call 605-331-3222.
 
Learn about fruit trees and berry bushes Aug. 19.
Learn about the fruit trees, berry bushes and others that grow well in our area during a multi-sensory experience at the Prairie Ally food forest and productive perennial riparian buffer. University of Minnesota Extension Agroforestry Educator Gary Wyatt will present information at from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at 308 N Blue Mound Ave. Cost is $15. Register at projectfoodforest.org/events.
 
 
Free food for seniors Aug. 19
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, with drive-thru distribution in parking lot at 319 E. Lincoln, Luverne. Call Linda Wenzel at 283-5064 for more information. Pre-registration is required.
 
Free food offered Aug. 19
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 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.
 
Community Education announcements
Luverne Community Education is closed for the final two weeks of July and will reopen Aug. 2. Registrations for the following classes can be taken at that time. Call 507-283-4724 to sign up. See comed.isd2184.net to view the brochure and list of offerings.
Friday morning Adventure Day Camps End of Summer Fun will be Aug. 13 at the Rock County Fairgrounds. Fee is $15 per day. Limited to 15 students in grades 1-4 as attended during the 2020-21 school year.
Have fun cooking at Kids in the Kitchen this summer for grades K-8 includes Bakery Fun Aug. 19. Fee is $16/child.
Students ages 8-13 may attend Boot Camp the week of Aug. 2-6. Learn how to muster, march and drill, about military history and the American flag, complete service projects, hear guest speakers who were in the military and more. Cost is $60.
Art Camp is three days of creativity for students who added grades K-5 during the past school year. Dates are Aug. 10, 11 and 12. Cost is $100.
Grades K through adult will Learn to Play Chess on Aug. 10, 17, 24 and 26. Use grade attended through the 2020-21 school year. Last class is a tournament. Great adult/child activity. Fee is $15.
Taking Defensive Driving Classes allow adults aged 55 or older to save on insurance premiums. After the beginning eight-hour class, a four-hour fresher class must be taken every three years to receive the reduced premium benefit. Beginning class is Nov. 11 and 18. Four-hour refresher is Sept. 16
 
Library Happenings
The Rock County Library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For additional questions, contact library personnel at 507-449-5040 or rocklibrarystaff@gmail.com.
Toby Kid presents “Color Your World” with interactive comedy, magic, puppetry and silliness at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at library.
The Adult Summer Reading Program continues through Aug. 15. For every five books read, a prize slip is earned for one of several gift baskets.
Monthly trivia nights with locally written questions are the first Thursdays of the month at Take 16 on East Main Street in Luverne for teams of one or more individuals. No pre-registration is necessary. Library personnel conduct the event.
 
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.
 
Highway 91 bridge near Adrian now open
The Highway 91 near Adrian opened at traffic and detours were removed Friday.
The $1.9 million replacement over Interstate 90 began on April 12 and was completed by Redstone Construction of Mora. The project that replaced the bridge, guardrails and improve the drainage from the structure was originally scheduled to be completed next month.
 
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.
 
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. A workshop on edible perennials will be Aug. 19. Contact: prairieallymn@gmail.com, 605-951-0227. Also, visit projectfoodforest.org/events.
 
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)

The results reported for Open Class competition at the 2021 Rock County Fair are as follows:
Floral
•Best of Show: Nick DeBoer.
•Reserve Best of Show: Eileen Hemme.
•Champions of Subdivisions: Jean Jongerius Hoffman, Eileen Hemme, Nick DeBoer, Shirley Connor, Cambrie Bork, Marlyn Luitjens.
•Reserve Champions of Subdivisions: Eileen Hemme (2), Lorraine Stoel, Tori Hemme, Carissa Cunningham, Branlie Bork, Marilyn Luitjens.
Baking
•Best of Show: Barb Sandbulte.
•Reserve Best of Show: Clay Thone.
•Champions of Subdivisions: Barb Sandbulte, Clay Thone.
•Reserve Champions of Subdivisions: Becky Sehr, Jaden Clay.
Fabric Challenge
Best of Show: Sharon Zinnel.
•Reserve Best of Show: Barb Sandbulte.
Gift Basket
•Best of Show: Shirley Connor.
Place Setting
 •Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show: Jean Jongerius Hoffman.
Digital Books
•Best of Show: Joan Chesley.
•Reserve Best of Show: Shirley Connor.
Photography
•Adult Champion: Jacey Vandenhoek.
•Reserve Champion: Heather Johnson.
Junior Champion: Caylix Buchholz.
•Reserve Champion: Tori Hemme.
Sewing
•Junior Best of Show: Ashlyn Johnson.
•Reserve Best of Show: Anna Schrik.
•Adult Best of Show: Carol Goehle.
•Reserve Best of Show: Denise Dirks.
•Champions of Subdivisions: Carol Goehle, Mary Brown, Vicki Maurer, Dawn VanderBeek.
•Reserve Champions of Subdivisions: Barb Sandbulte, Denice Dirks, Vicki Maurer.
Needlework
•Best of Show: Dawn Vanderbeek.
•Reserve Best of Show: Verla Fick.
•Champions of Subdivisions: Dawn VanderBeek, Becky Anderson, Debra VanHeerde.
•Reserve Champions of Subdivisions: Debra VanHeerde, Marcia Essman, Phyllis Heronimus.
Senior Citizens
•Best of Show: Barb Sandbulte.
•Reserve Best of Show: Barb Sandbulte.
No other information.
Wood and Wood Carving
•Best of Show: Dana Denelsbeck.
•Reserve Best of Show: Ike Brake.
•Junior Champion: Tyvan Walgrave.
•Reserve Champion:  Emma Cowell.
Junior Arts and Crafts
•Best of Show: Katherine Pizel.
•Reserve Best of Show:  Morgan Ahrendt.
•Champions of Subdivisions: Ava Steinhoff, Kinser Klosterbuer, Taedra Mckenzie, Matthew Koedam.
•Reserve Champions of Subdivisions: Larissa Steinhoff, Calla Thone (2), Emmet Woodley, Aaron Nath.
Arts and Crafts
•Best of Show: Evan Prekker.
•Reserve Best of Show: Evan Prekker.
•Professional Best of Show: Lori Witte.
•Champions of Divisions: Evan Prekker (2), Elizabeth Kelm, Carol Walgrave.
•Reserve Champions of Divisions:  Annaliese Braucht, Evan Prekker, Dawn VanderBeek, Carol Walgrave.
Home Preservation
•Best of Show: Becky Ossefoort.
•Reserve Best of Show: Becky Ossefoort.
•Junior Champion: Larissa Steinhoff.
•Junior Reserve Champion: Anna Uhl.
Fruits and Vegetables
•Best of Show: Becky Ossefoort.
•Reserve Best of Show: Chloe Schoeneman.
•Champions of Subdivisions: Becky Ossefoort, Chloe Schoeneman.
•Reserve Champions of Subdivisions: Becky Ossefoort, Beau Lessman.
Crops
•Best of Show: Eric Fick.
•Reserve Best of Show: Eric Fick
•Champions of Subdivisions:  Eric Fick.
•Reserve: Eric Fick.
•Tallest Corn: Dave Hamann.
•Reserve tallest corn: Reece Weber.
Bucket of Flowers
•Best of Show:  Ardeth Schmidt.
•Reserve Best of show: Donna Sjaarda.
•Special Honors:  Elaine Hamann, Marie Klarenbeek, Lynda VanRuler, Delores Halversen, Doris Essman.

The Luverne Area Chamber and local sponsors are planning several free community events and activities in the coming weeks.
•Summer Olympics for kids will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, in the Luverne City Park. Activities include Fantasy Face Painting, the Rock County Library, Chuck’s Snow Cones, a “Torch Run,” prizes and “Mr. Twister.”
•Local vocalists and guitarists Ron and Jane Cote will sing and play music from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, as part of the Brown Bag Concert series in Luverne City Park.
•Courtney DeBoer will bring her workout routine, “CoreFit with Courtney,” to Grand Prairie Events from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14.
The 45-minute body weight workout, for beginners or advanced exercisers, focuses on both strength and cardio with cool down and stretching at the end.
 
Joy Ride golf cart tours
Also, Luverne Joy Ride golf cart tours offer a unique way to see the community.
They will depart from Take 16 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. for the next four Sundays.
Aug. 8 will feature the Loop, Aug. 15 will tour historic downtown, Aug. 22 will be the historic homes tour and Aug. 29 will be on the Loop trail.
Three six-passenger golf carts are available for riders at $5 per person. Bring a Take 16 Brewing Co. receipt and the tour is free.
For reservations or to arrange a custom tour, call the Chamber, 507-283-4061.

You don’t need special training to have an open, authentic conversation about mental health.
For most of us, talking about other aspects of our health — like a recent surgery or treatment — comes easy. Brain health should be the same.
Often, just talking about it can be the first important step in staying connected and helping get support or treatment if needed.
The Luv1LuvAll team members with the Brain Health Initiative have teamed up with Luverne schools and Sanford Luverne to bring suicide survivor Kevin Hines to the community on Sept. 1. (See the front page story.)
He’ll be talking about living with mental illness and about surviving a suicide attempt.
And he’ll talk about ways to begin the conversation about mental illness and asking the question, “Are you OK?”
Organizers hope that this will be a kick-off to suicide prevention in our community, and the intent is to have ongoing conversations and opportunities to talk about suicide.
It is time to have these conversations openly, and it’s time to support one another in our mental health. Plan to come and listen to Kevin Hines to learn how it’s done.
He’ll be there at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, in the school’s new performing arts center. (It will be the first event to be held in the new auditorium.)
Meanwhile, if you’re hurting, ask for help. If you know of someone hurting, reach out.
Are you OK? Is something wrong? Can I help?
Hines says that these were the words he desperately wanted to hear in the moments before he catapulted himself over the rail of the Golden Gate Bridge.
We don’t have to be mental health professionals to be kind.
But there are resources to help guide the conversation.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers the following tips for talking about mental health:
•When someone is struggling, just listen, and let the person share at their own speed.
•Don’t pass judgment or offer advice — just be there.
•We all experience mental health differently, and that’s OK.
•Check back in, and offer to connect them to help if they need it
The AFSP website offers these and many other practical tips for how to reach out for help, how to help someone thinking about suicide, and more.
Locally, connect with the Brain Health Initiative on the Luv1LuvAll Facebook page.
And plan to join the conversation on Sept. 1 with Kevin Hines.

A few weeks ago our church hosted a “Christmas in July” Sunday just for fun. 
Adrian’s town celebration is known as “Christmas in July.” 
Of course, there’s Christmas in July on the Hallmark Channel. 
And, not surprisingly, more stores are offering “Christmas in July” sales. 
All of this Christmas talk caused me to think of a wish list. 
I’ve written about my personal wish list for Luverne in previous columns, and some of those wishes have come true.
Other wishes are still on my list. Here’s my current Top 5 Wish List for Luverne:
5. Dar’s Pizza.
It’s hard to admit that Pipestone has some things better than Luverne, but Dar’s is a no-brainer. 
I would love to see – and taste – Dar’s II, Dar’s South, or whatever they’d want to call it, open in the old Bluestem restaurant. 
Just think of the business they could do along the interstate and being closer to Sioux Falls. 
4. Kwik Trip.
Anyone who travels around much of Minnesota knows there are convenience stores and then there are Kwik Trips. 
To say that the arrival of a Kwik Trip in your town changes your life might be an exaggeration, but every time I stop in a Kwik Trip, or when I am in Luverne’s small, crowded Casey’s, I think of how great it would be for Kwik Trip to build on the old Sharkee’s lot. 
3. A larger Lewis Drug.
The loss of Shopko was a major setback for Luverne. 
The condition and current hours of Luverne’s other discount retailer makes it difficult to shop there.
I now find myself buying most household goods at the newer, smaller Lewis Drug stores in Sioux Falls. 
And each time I do, I feel guilty and wish we had a larger Lewis in Luverne with more merchandise so that I could shop locally. 
2. A permanent Star Herald sports reporter.
This is the second summer in a row that I’ve filled in as a sports reporter while the Star Herald looks for a permanent one. 
I’ve learned that people still read the sports pages and care about the coverage that our local teams receive. 
I really do, too. 
1. A normal school year.
This one is my real wish. Newspaper reporter is my summer job. Teaching social studies is my vocation and my passion. 
I want nothing more than a school year that allows all kids to go school every day. … Preferably without wearing masks and social distancing. 
So, I guess my real wish is that the people of Rock County and all of America would come together to make that possible. 
To do so, we all need to leave politics (both sides), cable news (all of the channels) and social media out of it and just get back to trusting our local doctors and health care experts. 
If we do, maybe at least one wish on my list will come true.
That would be even better than Kwik Trip or Dar’s Pizza.

Question: I've often wondered why Troopers wear their badges on their pocket flaps and not their chests like other law enforcement officers. Can you tell me the story behind that?
Answer: Each individual agency and department will have different rules and regulations as to how the badge is to be worn, although badge placement isn’t random and has some historical significance. Law enforcement agencies will often reinforce the pocket that is being used to hold the badge, which will typically be on the left side of the uniform. Whether worn on or over the pocket, the badge is to sit on top of the police officer’s heart.
The badge is to be worn over the heart for two main purposes: first, to remind them of their pledge to protect; and second, because the left arm was the arm that often held the coat of arms shield of knights to protect the heart, leaving the dominant hand to fight with a weapon.
The badge represents those who protect and serve. Similar to the knights of old, the badge has become a universal symbol that can be recognized quickly by anyone, regardless of where they are from or what language they speak. This can be extremely beneficial as police officers, troopers and sheriff’s deputies come across people from all backgrounds and from all over the world.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at Statue 169.791 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

Corrections:
•A headline in the July 29 edition of the Star Herald incorrectly stated the date of the Manure Demo Day as Aug. 2. The correct date, as detailed in the first paragraph of the story, is Aug. 10. Late registrations will be accepted.
•The July 29 Star Herald story about a motorcycle vs. van accident incorrectly identified Brittany Ruiter as a passenger, when in fact she was listed in the accident report as a witness to the incident and not involved in it.
The Star Herald regrets these errors and apologizes for inconveniences they may have caused. The Star Herald strives for fairness and accuracy in all its content. To report an error or omission, contact editor@star-herald.com or call 507-283-2333

Rock County motorists may want to avoid County Road 5 (Dodge Street) west of Luverne for the next week or two. The county state aid blacktop is getting a mill off and overly from Highway 75 west to County Road 6 (the Beaver Creek road.) The road is not closed, but travel is reduced to one lane in several areas. The best alternative for traveling west from Luverne is currently County Road 4 (Old Highway 16), because Luverne's I-90 ramp to travel west remains closed while constractors continue working on the westbound lanes between Luverne and Beaver Creek.

Dispatch report
July 23
•Complainant on 140th Avenue and 171st Street, Luverne, reported lost property.
•A public assist was conducted.
•Complainant on County Road 6, Beaver Creek, reported a ditch fire at location.
•Complainant on 200th Avenue, Kenneth, reported theft at location.
July 24
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 17, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on Fairway Drive reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90 and S. Kniss Avenue reported debris on the road.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported an assault.
•Complainant on Interstate 90 overpass bridge and 200th Avenue reported an individual on bridge at location.
•Complainant on 41st Street and 50th Avenue, Hills, reported an outage.
July 25
•Complainant on W. Adams reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 120th Avenue, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•A hazmat spill was reported at location on S. Walnut Avenue.
•Deputy reported an equipment malfunction.
•Complainant on W. Lincoln Street reported harassing communications.
•Complainant on W. Lincoln Street reported harassing communications.
•Deputy spoke to juveniles in the municipal parking lot behind Minnwest Bank.
•Complainant on S. Central Avenue, Hills, requested a deputy for a civil issue.
July 26
•Complainant reported an identity theft.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy.
•Report of train blocking roadway at location on County Highway 4.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street reports harassment.
•Deputy assisted motorist on State Highway 75, mile marker 13.
July 27
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported loud music.
•Assistance from another department was requested.
•A driving complaint was reported westbound on County Road 4, Luverne.
•Accident with property damage was reported on Blue Mound Avenue and Roundwind Road.
•A warrant was issued on E. Brown Street.
•Assistance from another department was conducted north of Interstate 90 on Highway 23, Beaver Creek.
•Complainant on E. Crawford Street reported drug paraphernalia at location.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 6, Beaver Creek, requested lights for tow.
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75 requested assistance.
•Complainant on 60th Avenue and Interstate 90, Beaver Creek, reported a possible dangerous situation.
•Subject being held in Worthington on Rock County warrant.
July 28
•Complainant on Main and Donaldson reported an active warrant at location.
•A public assist was conducted in Jasper.
•A public assist was conducted on N. Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 19, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant in the ER reported they needed assistance.
•A public assist was conducted on Highway 269, Jasper.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street reported a group of kids disturbing the peace.
July 29
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a property issue.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 18, Magnolia, reported a driving complaint.
July 30
•Deputy assisted Nobles County eastbound on Interstate 90, exit 18, Magnolia.
 
In addition, officers responded to 4 motor vehicle accidents, 2 deer accidents, 3 transports, 7 escorts, 13 ambulance runs, 13 paper services, 2 animal complaints, 3 fingerprint requests, 1 vehicle impound, 7 burn permits, 1 driver’s license check, 3 drug court tests, 7 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 17 traffic stops, 16 abandoned 911 calls and 1 OFP.