James Milton “Jim” Sommers, 78, Pipestone, formerly of Trosky, died peacefully under hospice care on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Monday, June 21, at the First Lutheran Church in Pipestone.  Interment was in the Trosky Cemetery in Trosky.
Arrangements were provided by the Hartquist Funeral Home – Pipestone Chapel, hartquistfuneral.com. 
(0624 DN)

John  Albert  VandenHoek, 69, Luverne, died Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at his residence in Luverne.
A private family service will take place at a later date.
 (0624 DN)

Lions Club members from District 5M3 recently donated 350 tie blankets to the Sanford Children’s Hospital. Pictured are (from left) Shawni Jones of Sanford, Lions 5M3 Vice District Governor Gordon Mulder, Carrie Vindopp of Sanford, 5M3 District Governor Dave Jannsen, Chantel Yearling of Sanford, 5M3 Past District Governor Don Kuehl of Sanford, 5M3 Childhood Cancer Project Chairwoman Dianna Kuehl, Sheri Fischer of Sanford and Pat Glaubitz of Sanford.

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Aug. 17, 1877.
At a meeting of the St. Paul board of education held recently, a contract was entered into with Wilson, Hinkle, & Co., of Cincinnati, by which text books are to be furnished the city schools at one-half the rates formerly paid for the same books. The Superintendent was duly authorized, and directed to furnish an estimate to parties handling them of the probable number of each kind that will be needed during the first term in the ensuing year.
The following is a schedule of the books, with the prices at which they will be furnished by agents appointed to handle them. It is proper to add that all but two of the series of books named in the contract are at present in use in the city schools, so that no extra expense will be incurred by pupils.
       Schedule:
Harvey’s first reader - 14c,
Harvey’s second reader – 27c, Harvey’s third reader – 55c, Harvey’s fourth reader – 44c, Harvey’s fifth reader – 66c, Harvey’s primary speller – 14c, Harvey’s language lessons – 20c, Harvey’s elementary grammar – 30c, Harvey’s English grammar – 57c, Electic geography, No. 1 – 48c, Electic geography, No. 2 – 95c, Electic primary copy book – 7c, Electic copy book – 10c, White’s primary arithmetic – 20c, White’s intermediate arithmetic – 31c, White’s complete arithmetic – 57c, Brown’s physiology – 85c, Norton’s philosophy – 95c.
From the foregoing it will be seen that prices have been reduced to something like reasonable figures, bringing necessary text books within the reach of many people in very moderate circumstances and breaking up, so far as the city schools are concerned, one of the worst monopolies with which the parents of this country have to contend. It is altogether probable that other publishing houses will have to reduce the former exorbitant prices, in which even our public school officials should take the necessary steps to secure the benefit of such reduction. In this way, whether the law enacted last winter is carried out or remains a dead letter, parents of school children will be relieved in a great measure of a most unconscionable tax, and one for which there can be offered no reasonable excuse.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

As you read this, my wife, Beryl, and I will be in kayaks, floating down the White River in Arkansas. We will start at the tail waters of Beaver Dam and mosey downstream, enjoying the beauty along the way.
All the descriptions I have read say you can sit back and enjoy the beauty as the current pushes you downstream. The only paddling needed is for course corrections. I am looking forward to what I believe will be a very peaceful day.
I find that sometimes our spiritual life is much like floating down the river. We want to enjoy the goodness of God and the joy of God’s hand of protection, but we expect it to just come to us without any work or effort on our part. Like floating on a “spiritual kayak.”
The supreme object of the life of every man and woman should be to know Christ more and to make Him known. That doesn’t happen by just floating though the Bible, only paying attention to the beautiful accounts and skipping the parts that are hard work or sound like hard work. 
Christian life often feels like you are paddling upstream, fighting the current all the way. In a way, that is true because Christ-like living goes against the flow of culture.  The current of today’s culture will push you downstream into rapids of sin, knocking you against every rock, log and/or sand bar.  The current is so strong you fail to see the beauty around you because you are just trying to survive.
In paddling the “kayak of spiritual life,” there are five things that will let you see the beauty of the Christ as you go against the flow of culture. 
First, you must believe the Bible is true, without error. Jesus has the words of eternal life. (John 6:68.) 
Second, study is required to know the complete truths of God and not just the parts that are exciting. Apollos, in Acts, said that we need to be “mighty in the Scriptures.” Study is the only way to be mighty.
Third, honor what God says. Proverbs says true beauty has come down out of heaven from God – His precious Word, which is more valuable than gold or jewels. 
Fourth, love it. “O how I love your law! It is my mediation all day,” wrote the Psalmist. We spend time with what we love. We find time to cherish what we love. How much time are you spending in the Bible?
Fifth, obey what the Bible says. It is one thing to know what it says, but even greater to obey what it says. 
Paddle your “spiritual kayak” upstream for the glory of God and you will be amazed at the beauty you see. Float in the culture current and the scenery will soon turn dingy and cold.

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 at 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, June 24: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Saturday, June 26: 5:30 p.m. Worship service. Sunday, June 27: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10 a.m. Fellowship coffee and treats. Tuesday, June 29: 7 a.m. Dorcas Circle. 8:30 a.m. Grace Notes assembly. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 2:30 p.m. Worship at Poplar Creek. 5 p.m. Exec meeting. Wednesday, June 30: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 7:30 a.m. Mom’s Bible study at Wildflowers. Thursday, July 1: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are still 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. – NEW TIME! Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on Sundays at 8:15 p.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
Mike Altena, Pastor
Friday, June 25: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Power Connection. Saturday, June 26: 9:30 a.m. Bridal shower for Emilee Johnson. Power Connection. Sunday, June 20: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. Power Connection. Tuesday, June 29: Noon Staff meeting. 7 p.m. 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
Ph. 283-4529; email: luverneumc@iw.net
Thursday, June 24: 1-3 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Rock County Food Shelf curbside. New location 208 W. Maple Street.
Saturday, June 26: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, June 27: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:30 a.m. Worship service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible study. Monday, June 28: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Tuesday, June 29: 9:30 a.m. Folding Team. Wednesday, June 30: 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, June 27: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. In-person Worship service and through Facebook Live Sunday. 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.
 
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, June 26: 5:30 p.m. Worship. Sunday, June 27 : 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday school and Adult Bible study. 7 p.m. Online Bible study. Worship service is 75 people. 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, June 27: 10 a.m. Joint worship at Palisade Lutheran Church. Masks are no longer required if fully vaccinated. Facebook live. 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, June 27: 10 a.m. Joint worship at Palisade Lutheran Church. 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, June 27: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Home. 9:30 a.m. Youth time. 10 a.m. Worship at Bethlehem with Holy Communion. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, June 29: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:15 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, June 30: 9 a.m. Quilting.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Teen volunteers with Rock the Edge youth use grocery store carts to move items from the Rock County Food Shelf's previous location in the United Methodist Church to the new building on Maple Street. They are (standing from left) Abby Boltjes, Anja Jarchow, Kristin Rud, (seated) Cheyenne Schutz and Kayetlin Huiskes. The food shelf move was among dozens of local projects the teens volunteered with over the past week in Luverne and Rock County.

A longer-than-anticipated design process has delayed construction of the Minnesota National Guard Luverne Readiness Center.
Under the original design schedule, project manager Paul Kempton with the Minnesota National Guard predicted construction on the local armory would be underway by now.
Instead, he is waiting for next month’s bid opening, which was originally scheduled for April.
“It’s been a long design process going through the MNG (Minnesota National Guard),” he said last week.
Groundbreaking was supposed to be in May, but Kempton is nervously waiting for the six-week bid process to finish.
His concern: The rising costs of construction materials will cause bids to be high for the $16.5 million project.
“I am always concerned,” he said.
However, officials with the design and engineering firm TKDA in St. Paul are cautiously optimistic.
“We will see what the bids come in at,” Kempton said.
The armory will house Luverne and Pipestone guard units, and construction funding will be a unique blend of state, federal and private funding sources.
While the facility features recruiting offices, classrooms, and a hall for monthly guard assemblies, the public can use the two full-sized basketball courts when not in use by guard members.
The K.A.H.R. Foundation, a philanthropic organization of Jeannine Rivet and Warren Herreid II, is providing more than $6 million toward the 49,902-square-foot building project.
After the July bid opening, a five-week negotiation and mobilization period takes place before the actual construction begins.
Construction is expected to take 18 months, putting the opening of the new armory into 2022.

The Luverne Redbirds improved to 11-3 on the season by going 3-0 this past week.
Luverne opened the week by defeating the Brandon Valley River Rats 6-5 on Wednesday, June 16.
The Redbirds then swept a doubleheader against Adrian on Sunday, June 20. Luverne won game one of the doubleheader 11-3 and then took game two 5-0.
 
Luverne 6, Brandon Valley 5
With the game tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Skyler Wenninger hit an RBI single to walk it off for the Redbirds on Wednesday, June 16.
Ben Serie pitched all seven innings and picked up the win on the mound for the Redbirds.
 
Luverne 11, Adrian 3
The Redbirds took game one of their doubleheader against Adrian on Sunday, June 20, 11-3.
The Redbirds scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump on the A’s early.
Adrian scored two runs in the top of the third to trim Luverne’s lead to 4-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning the Redbirds blew the game wide open by scoring seven runs to make it an 11-2 ballgame.
The A’s scored one run in the top of the sixth inning to make the final score 11-3.
Derek Lundgren pitched all seven innings for the Redbirds and struck out nine batters.
 
Adrian 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Luverne 4 0 0 0 7 x
 
Batting: Nath 1-2; Johnson 2-3; Zeutenhorst 1-4; Haugen 2-4; Lundgren 1-2; Reisdorfer 1-4; Meyer 1-4
HR: Johnson, Zeutenhorst
RBI: Johnson 4; Zeutenhorst 3; Lundgren; Reisdorfer; Meyer
 
Luverne 5, Adrian 0
The Redbirds completed the two-game sweep of the A’s by blanking them in game two 5-0.
The Redbirds pushed across two runs in the top of the first to take an early 2-0 lead.
In the top of the third Luverne scored one more run to push their lead to 3-0.
The Redbirds scored the final two runs of the game in the top of the fourth to make the final score 5-0.
 
Luverne 2 0 1 2 0 0 0
Adrian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Batting: Nath 1-2; Paquette 1-4; Johnson 2-4; Zeutenhorst 3-4; Haugen 1-4; Lundgren 1-4; Reisdorfer 2-4; Crabtree 2-4; Meyer 1-3
RBI: Paquette 2; Johnson; Zeutenhorst; Haugen