This year’s Rock County Fair is being planned as a Great Local Get-Together, as the largest get-together, the  Minnesota State Fair, also makes a comeback.
“As a board we are excited to see everyone again,” said ag society president Adam Kinsinger. “I think people are ready and looking for a bit of ‘normal.’ There will be something for everyone.”
The county fair is scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, through Saturday, July 31, in Luverne.
Whether it’s food, entertainment, and/or a special event, the ag society board began to secure vendors and performers for this year’s fair months ago.
As a full listing of fair events are assembled in the coming weeks, board members have announced the grandstand activities for the three nights of the four-day fair:
•Thursday, July 29, features the Great Plains Tractor Pull.
•Friday, July 30, is a free concert by the band, “Undercover,” along with the corn hole tournament and a free-donation community meal.
•Saturday, July 31, is reserved for the long-running LSR Enduro Race.
In addition, there are many family-friendly attractions, such as the expanded Discovery Center and petting zoo, pig races, magicians and more.
“It feels great to be planning the fair,” Kinsinger said.
Watch for a full listing of fair events in the special section planned next month in the Star Herald.
 
4-H gearing up for ‘normal’ county fair
Officials with the Minnesota State Fair announced that the 2021 event will go forward with the normal timeframe of Aug. 26 through Sept. 6.
State 4-H Director Jennifer Skuza indicated the University of Minnesota Extension is currently working through details to offer a “safe and secure” encampment for general and livestock projects.
“With this in mind, we have retained virtual judging options in addition to reintroducing our in-person experiences during the state fair,” Skuza said.
Extension officials are encouraging in-person local fairs or showcase events.
“We are really looking forward to the fair this year and are working to get everything lined up and ready to go,” said Kelsey Maeschen, Rock County 4-H director.
Livestock shows will follow the traditional schedule and general judging day is scheduled for July 26.
Today is the fair registration deadline.
“I am anxious to see what our numbers look like and what projects are youth have registered for.”
Last year, the Minnesota State Fair was canceled, with 4-H Extension offering a virtual state event for general and livestock projects.
Locally, a virtual 4-H showcase was offered for general projects, with in-person livestock shows.
The shows were closed to the public and were live-streamed on the Rock County Extension Facebook page in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Local beef producers will host the 40th Annual Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Summer Beef Tour July 13.
The event travels to different parts of the state each year, and the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association was on deck to host in 2020 when the pandemic shut it down.
“We’re excited to get this Minnesota Cattlemen’s summer tradition back on track and put some ‘normal’ back in the summer,” said Jay Bakken, Beaver Creek, president of the local association.
The 2021 state beef tour features eight cattle-producing families who will host tours of their facilities to showcase feedlot production in Rock and Nobles counties.
“The purpose is to promote the industry and show off innovative practices that are happening out here,” Bakken said.
“It’s a good learning opportunity for other cattlemen across the state to see how our producers are managing their facilities.”
 
Tour isn’t just for beef producers
The Summer Beef Tour is for anyone who wants to board a bus and view the local operations, according to Bakken.
“It’s open to anyone, from fellow farmers to the local priest and hairdresser,” Bakken said. “You don’t have to be a farmer or involved in the beef industry to attend.”
He added that the $20 registration fee includes a midday lunch stop and a grilled steak dinner. The registration fee is waived for students, college and younger.
“We’ve had good support from our business partners who get to come along and learn about what we’re doing,” Bakken said.
“It creates opportunity for some face-to-face interaction between these vendors and producers.”
He said the ag economy in the beef industry is fairly far-reaching and the Summer Beef Tour is a good time for everyone to come together.
“It’s also a social time for camaraderie in the beef business,” Bakken said. “If there were ever a time to get support from your peers, this is it.”
“We have a lot of producers doing innovative things here and we’re going to see top-notch feedlot production enterprises in this part of the state.”
Summer Beef Tour registration information is at www.mnsca.org or by contacting Bakken at jsbakken918@gmail.com.
 
Summer Beef Tour stops include:
•Binford Feedlots (Grant and Eric Binford), northeast of Luverne, features bedded barns, slatted barns and modern feed commodity facilities.
•G&A Farms (Glen and Matt Boeve), Steen, features outdoor lots and a unique wastewater handling system with dewatering and pivot irrigation.
•Brad VanDeBerg, Hills, features a slatted barn, a unique shipping and receiving barn and working facility.
•Dave Mente, Adrian, features the tour’s only cow/calf operation. It will highlight rotational grazing and local seed stock display to illustrate genetics of breeding bulls.
•R&R Thier (Ryan Thier), Rushmore, features outdoor yards and bedded and slatted barns.
•Summit Lake Livestock (Russ and Brian Penning), Wilmont, features a unique hog-finishing barn converted into cattle slat facilities.
•Brake Feedyards, Wilmont, is a multi-generational Brake family feedlot operation
•3B Farms, Adrian, is a multi-generational Bullerman family slatted barn feedlot operation.
 
Fifteen tour buses,
eight ‘innovative’ stops
Fifteen tour buses will depart at 7 a.m. from headquarters at the ice arena in Worthington to the farms, where they will spend about an hour talking to the producers and viewing the facilities.
On the way to each stop, video footage from each farm is broadcast on the tour buses.
All buses will stop at the Magnolia New Vision facility for a noon meal, and then return to the ice arena in Worthington at 5:15 p.m. for an evening steak supper.

The June 17 ribbon-cutting and open house for the new Rock County Food Shelf culminated a six-month campaign to raise $225,000 to remodel the 2,000-square-foot building.
Today is the first time the new location will be used for food distribution.
Board chairman Pastor Roger Sparks commended those at the ribbon-cutting for the effort to open a larger facility.
“It’s amazing how many people in this community like to help others,” he said.
The city of Luverne purchased the building on West Maple Street and agreed to lease it to the Rock County Food Shelf for $1 a year. City leaders then challenged the group late last year to raise $225,000 to complete improvements.
The improvements included new doors and windows, shelving, a bathroom, commercial refrigerators and freezers, insulated walls and a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit.
“It is a matter of things falling into place at the same time,” Sparks said.
On Monday the Service Over Self youth participants moved the remaining items from the food shelf’s previous location in the United Methodist Church basement to the new location.
Mary Gehrke, the food shelf director, reflected on the opening that will serve more Rock County families.
“This is a pandemic blessing,” she said.
Due to no contact requirements brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, distribution for the past year consisted of volunteers packing boxes for the individuals and families and placing the boxes into vehicles. She said some received too much food and some not enough.
The new location allows recipients to choose their own items while allowing for social distancing and other pandemic requirements to keep volunteers and others safe.
The one-level building eliminates stairs, making the service available to more people.
The Luverne BackPack Program will also use the new food shelf location for their work in preparing the food packs for distribution to school-aged children.

Meetings
Grand Prairie Cemetery Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at the cemetery. In case of rain, meeting will be at Orv and Sons Plumbing in Ellsworth.
Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at Poplar Creek on Oak Drive. Masks are required in the building.
 
Blood drive June 24
The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Luverne from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at Grand Prairie, 105 S. Estey St. Donors can complete the RapidPass® pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. Follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 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.
 
Pulled pork feed, historic homes tour June 24
  A pulled pork feed fundraiser is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at the Hinkly House. A pulled pork sandwich, chips and a rootbeer float will be served for a freewill offering. The Hinkly House will be open for tours from 2 to 7 p.m. Golf cart tours of historic homes are from 2 to 3:30 and from 5 to 6:30 p.m., sponsored by the Chamber. Suggested donation for the tour is $5, and reservations may be made in advance at 507-283-4061.
 
Hospice donations due June 25
Sanford Luverne Hospice is changing the date of the Hospice Dinner & Auction to Thursday, Aug. 26, to better accommodate summer weekend plans. Note: Auction donations are currently being accepted thru June 25. Contact the hospice office at 283-1805 or email: helen.saum@sanfordheath.org.
 
Eden Lutheran Church annual service June 27
The Eden Lutheran Church of rural Jasper will host its annual service at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 27. Pastor Sue Grinde will officiate from the black Lutheran hymnal, followed by a potluck noon meal under a tent. At the 1 p.m. tolling of the bell, the congregation will gather for an afternoon meeting of history and singing favorite hymns. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Church cleaning will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, with coffee and sweets served. Call Bev at 507-348-4126 with questions.
 
Community Education announcements
Luverne Community Education will offer the following activities and classes in coming weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to sign up. See comed.isd2184.net to view the brochure and list of offerings.
Kids in grades 1-3 (completed) can sign up for Paint and Snack Classes on June 24 and July 22.  Sign up for one class or for all 3. Fee is $33 per class.
Create three wooden games at Beginning Wood Working on July 6 and 8 and then enjoy playing the games at class.  Open to anyone grade 2 (completed) through adult. Fee is $25.
 
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.
Summer Reading Program, “Reading Colors Your World,” registration is now open to all ages. Pick up a reading log at the library.
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.
Story Time at the Park will feature songs and stories with children’s library Bronwyn Wenzel each Tuesday through June and July at a different park in Luverne. The events begin at 10:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. The schedule will be:
•June 22, Veterans Park, 1211 N. Elm St.
•June 29, Hawkinson Park, East Adams Avenue.
•July 6, Evergreen Park, North Blue Mound Avenue.
•July 13, Kolbert Park, 801 W. Warren St.
•July 20, Veterans Park, 1211 N. Elm St.
•July 27, Hawkinson Park, East Adams Avenue.
 
Southwest Crisis Center offers trauma-informed yoga
The Southwest Crisis Center yoga support group is expanding this summer to weekly sessions from noon to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays through July 13 at the Luverne City Park. Bring a yoga mat as limited qualities will be available. Sessions are directed by Rock County advocate Jennifer Lindsey and is free and open to the public. Contact Lindsey at 507-283-9917 or Jennifer@mnswcc.org with questions.
 
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. June through August or by appointment. Volunteers are needed Tuesdays from 10a.m. to noon and Thursdays at 5:30 June through September. Workshops are planned for June 5 (companion planting), June 10 (tree care) and Aug. 19 (edible perennials). 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 Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a June 17 fiery crash south of Jasper that took the lives of both drivers involved.
According to the accident report, the incident was reported around 6 a.m. Thursday in the curves of Highway 23 at Milepost 11 in Springwater Township.
It involved a southbound 2005 Ford pickup driven by Matthew Alan Crawford, 44, of Slayton and a northbound 2018 Chevy pickup driven by Jacob Vincent Mulder, 26, of Brandon.
According to the State Patrol, a witness traveling behind the southbound pickup told authorities that it had crossed the centerline just prior to the crash.
The two vehicles collided head-on and burst into flames, killing both drivers at the scene.
Assisting the State Patrol were the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper Fire and Rescue, Jasper EMS and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The June 17 edition of the Rock County Star Herald featured a story about Hills-Beaver Creek valedictorian Lauren Tatge and the wrong photograph was used with the writeup.
Her correct image is seen here, and the Star Herald regrets the error.
The Star Herald strives for fairness and accuracy in all of our coverage. To report an error or omission, contact editor@star-herald.com or call 507-283-2333.

Tomorrow will be an exciting day for the Hills-Beaver Creek High School choir.
The group will be the opening act for the rock ’n’ roll group, Foreigner, at the Washington Pavilion.
The H-BC choir was originally scheduled for the Sioux Falls event in May 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was postponed for more than a year, according to director Amy Comp.
“It was a long year of waiting to see if we would be able to participate,” she said. “It’s different than we originally planned when we auditioned — we were going to sing on stage with Foreigner, but they are not ready to have students on stage with them.”
Instead, she said the group prepared the three a cappella songs to perform on stage before the concert and then the students will get to attend the Foreigner event.
The group will sing “Dust in the Wind,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Don’t Stop Believing.”
Comp recorded the students performing a Foreigner song and entered the recording in a local radio station contest. To her surprise, her group was chosen.
“We’re beyond excited,” she said.
Students performing include Allie LaRock, Tara Paulsen, Lexi Drake, Holly Barron, Britton McKenzie, Leif Tollefson, Regina Afkas, Tahliya Kruger, Madison Gaugler and Mazzi Moore.

I stood at the bottom of the inflatable water slide with my cell phone camera pointed at the kids tumbling through the spray and landing in a laughing heap in a puddle at the bottom.
I was there on official business as the Star Herald photographer covering Hills Friendship Days, but the kids didn’t know this.
A few of them looked sideways at me as they pivoted their bare feet in the muddy grass to climb the stairs for another go.
A few parents also noticed the grownup with a cell phone camera.
Thankfully, one of them recognized me as legit and greeted me with conversation. It was the sort of exchange you’d have with a familiar friend or colleague.
And it was the sort of social interaction that likely reassured nearby parents I wouldn’t abduct their children.
But the kids weren’t reassured. Most of them didn’t care; they were having a great time cooling off in the hot midday sun.
But when I captured an image I believed would work for the paper, I attempted to get the subjects’ names for the photo caption.
“Who are you?” I asked the kid in the gray swim trunks.
“Who are you?” was the look he gave me.
After he glanced nervously at the line of grownups standing in the shade, I apologized and clarified that I was with Star Herald and could I use his photo in the paper.
He either understood my introduction or got the nod from his mom, but I got the kid’s name and his friends were a little less bothered by my presence.
I felt a bit irrelevant, longing for the day when the “newspaper lady” was welcome at local functions.
She’s no longer a big deal for more reasons than her equipment (that’s a topic for another column), but it occurred to me that I don’t have this problem when I’m using my Canon Rebel XT with a 105 mm lens attached.
A bulky camera with a long lens at a community celebration somehow identifies a photojournalist on official business.
A random person with a cell phone in the midst of innocent children — not so much. (By the way, kudos to the kids who were smart enough to question the stranger.)
I like my good ol’ Canon, but I’ve increasingly had more success with my 2019 iPhone 11 Pro than with my 2005 Canon EOS digital camera. The iPhone does better in low light and with wide angles, captures more vibrant colors and I don’t have to remove an SD card or connect a cord to “airdrop” the files to my iMac.
Plus, I can share the images to our Star Herald Facebook page while still on assignment.
I still carry my Canon and its zoom lens for the long shots and sports plays, but now anymore, I just wear it around my neck to command respect.
“Yes, I’m here on official business,” it tells people, even though I’m shooting with my iPhone. “No, I’m not creeping on your children.”
 

Thumbs up — to the fantastic lineup at the Rock County Fair coming up at the end of July. There is something for everyone, and it’s clear our local fair board put thought and creativity into the lineup of offerings.
Thumbs down — to Mother Nature for scorching heat and stingy rainfall this month. In a typical feast and famine cycle, we’re now longing for some of those rainy days that flooded our fields and homes only a few years ago.
Thumbs up — to Hills council members and Hills residents for their efforts in making The Rez and city parks welcoming and pleasant places to spend an afternoon — or perhaps a weekend in the new rental cabin.
Thumbs down — to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for poor planning on the I-90 resurfacing project between Luverne and Beaver Creek. We’re grateful for smooth roads, but it’s too bad we had to beg for a better schedule to salvage some summer tourism dollars.
Thumbs up — to the Luverne High School drama department and their production of "Grease." After more than a year off the stage, director Shawn Kinsinger and LHS students deserve all the accolades we can give them for such a marvelous production.
Thumbs up — to the Rock County Food Shelf volunteers and their successful capital campaign and move into a new and more convenient facility on West Maple Street.
Thumbs down — to Dollar General for closing intermittently for lack of employees. Yes, there’s a labor shortage everywhere following the pandemic, but when your wages are lower than literally every other starting position anywhere, it might pay to invest in workers. 
Thumbs up — to the city of Luverne and Luverne Flowers for beautification work around town. It makes us proud to live here, and it presents a great first impression for visitors.
Thumbs down — to state legislators for failing again to complete their work during the regular session. Shame on them. The rest of us wouldn’t have jobs if our work performance history were this poor.
A BIG thumbs up — to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and received the coronavirus vaccination. It’s what allowed our lives to return to a pre-pandemic normal. To those who declined being a part of that effort, you’re welcome.
Thumbs up — to those who work on our community celebrations and to those who come out and support them. It's great to see people smiling and greeting their neighbors again.