A modified I-90 construction schedule will lessen the impact on Luverne tourism business this summer, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Specifically, ramp closures at the Luverne exit will be delayed until Aug. 16 for the project between Luverne and Beaver Creek from June 14 through early September.
Starting Monday, June 14, westbound I-90 traffic will be shifted to the eastbound lanes, reducing traffic to a single lane with “head to head” travel utilizing existing crossovers east of Luverne and west of Beaver Creek.
Westbound traffic will be able to exit at Highway 75 in Luverne, but the westbound I-90 entrance ramp will be closed starting June 14 for the duration of the project.
To travel west on I-90 from Luverne, motorists take County Road 4 (West Main Street) to Beaver Creek and enter I-90 on the ramp west of Beaver Creek.
About 2 1/2 miles west of Beaver Creek, westbound head-to-head traffic from the eastbound lanes will cross over to rejoin the westbound lanes where construction ends near State Highway 23.
The westbound exit and entrance ramps for Rock County Road 6 at Beaver Creek will be closed starting June 14 for the duration of the project.
When the project details were originally announced May 26, Luverne’s westbound exit and entrance ramps were to be closed all summer.
However, Luverne leaders and Rock County Highway Engineer Mark Sehr worked out a delayed closure at Luverne in order to salvage some summer tourism business from westbound travelers.
“The modifications to the construction project provide more access into Luverne from the beginning of the project until Aug. 16, the end of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally,” said MNDOT District Engineer Greg Ous.
Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian expressed relief on behalf of South Highway 75 businesses looking forward to a post-pandemic rebound from pandemic setbacks.
“This will at least get us through the bulk of family vacation travel and Sturgis,” Baustian said. “This is a much more agreeable schedule.”
The westbound I-90 exit ramp to Highway 75 in Luverne will remain open until Aug. 16. The ramp will close after August 16 and remain closed until the completion of the construction project.
Exit and entrance ramps for eastbound lanes will remain open. Eastbound travelers between Luverne and Highway 23 will be impacted primarily by the two-way traffic configuration.
No detour is anticipated for through traffic on I-90. The traffic detours for the Highway 75 westbound ramps will be:
•Highway 75 in Luverne to westbound I-90: Rock County Road 4, past Beaver Creek to westbound I-90.
•Westbound I-90 to Highway 75 in Luverne (after Aug. 16): Rock County Road 3 at Magnolia to Rock County Road 4 west to Highway 75.
Construction includes resurfacing the existing westbound traffic lanes and ramps, reconstructing shoulders, resurfacing the bridge over Rock County Road 11 and drainage improvements.
PCiRoads, LLC. was awarded the project with a bid of $4,844,421.70.
Project information and a detour map is at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/i90sd-luverne/.

The Luverne Fire Department had the best idea all weekend when they set up the ladder truck to sprinkle passersby as they came through the parking lot between Lincoln Street and Luverne Street Saturday afternoon. As temperatures climbed into the upper 90s, children and adults alike paused to cool off under the cool mist. Pictured at right, Hayden Elbers gets a drink from a pipe on the rear of the fire truck. The fire department members also served burgers Saturday afternoon as a fundraiser for their organization.

Longtime business owners Orv and Bonnie Sundem will lead Saturday’s Friendship Days parade as a thank you for the community support they received operating their business
“We’ve served this community for quite a few years,” Orv said. “I would like to thank them for doing business with us all these years — they are the ones that held us together.”
For 57 years the Sundems operated a convenience store and gas station on First Street in Hills.
The Sundems closed their store in March 2020 out of concern for spreading the coronavirus. Orv’s station was a popular place for a morning coffee crowd to gather, he said.
A year later the couple decided to stay retired. The pumps remain open with fuel purchased by credit card.
The building is for sale.
“I would like to get a business back in there,” Orv said. “It could be an opportunity for someone.”
At age 83, Orv said it was time to retire. This spring the couple has taken a few trips.
“I wasn’t crazy about it (retiring),” he said. “We never had a chance to take off during the day. I should have done this a long time ago.”
Saturday’s parade begins at 10 a.m. and resumes an annual community celebration that was canceled last year.
A golf tournament and fast pitch softball game start the celebration Friday.
Saturday features a day of activities beginning with the FFA alumni pancake feed and ending with an evening street dance.
The majority of activities take place at Jacobson Park including a little league baseball tournament, vendor fair, noon beef meal, kids’ activities and a grave talk presentation.
Also taking place is a bean bag tournament and soap box derby. At dusk Saturday a movie will be shown at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Saturday activities wrap up with a firewords display at The Rez beginning at dusk.
Sunday features a youth fishing tournament from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Rez.
A full listing of activities and start times is available in the June 5 Announcer and online at www.star-herald.com.

Several local groups and individuals are teaming up to improve local mental health and offer support to prevent suicide.
With recent suicide deaths of Rock County residents and among loved ones of Rock County residents, a coordinated effort is underway to improve conditions for those who are struggling.
Luverne businessman Cary Radisewitz recently joined a group of school administrators and counselors, community counselors and mental health providers, Sanford physicians and staff and chemical dependency counselors.
They’ve working on a local version of the Max Marvin Foundation, started in memory of the 19-year-old Warroad hockey standout who took his life in December 2018.
Marvin is the nephew of Luverne Superintendent Craig Oftedahl, who is an integral part of the local group, which works with other suicide education and prevention programs designed to give kids basic health and wellness tools.
In Warroad, the Max Foundation supported Project 11, named for No. 11 Rick Rypien, a hockey forward for the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Moose.
Rypien publicly battled depression and took his own life at age 27, shortly after signing a contract with the Jets in the summer of 2011.
At the start of the 2019-20 school year, some of the programs fostered by Project 11 were incorporated into the Warroad schools, beginning as early as kindergarten.
Programs made possible by the Max Foundation provide lessons in friendship and character development for the youngest students, and progress up to fifth- and sixth-graders, who learn how to communicate feelings and self-reflection.
Local organizers hope to start the Project 11 program in Luverne, especially since studies show suicide becoming more prevalent in America, with the most pronounced increases in rural areas.
Especially after the isolation of pandemic social distancing.
“I feel that in the midst of a very trying year for all people, mental health support is incredibly important,” said Angela Nolz, who is facilitating local group meetings.
“This project is an opportunity for us to check in and support our youth as we transition back to normalcy. Giving our students the tools to be well impacts the health of our families and our community.”
 
Legislative help
The group is encouraged by U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s re-introduced legislation that would strengthen K-12 school-based mental health services.
Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee, said schools are an ideal setting to identify students who need mental health services and quickly connect them to help.
“Providing mental health services to students at school — where they spend a significant portion of their time — helps them thrive,” said Smith (D-MN).
“It removes many barriers to access, such as trying to figure out how to leave school in the middle of the day, and promotes behavioral health equity.”
Luverne Elementary School Counselor Marie Atkinson-Smeins welcomes Smith’s legislation.
“I believe it is urgent that the Mental Health Services for Students Act pass,” she said.
“There is an immediate need for schools to hire more school counselors and professionals who provide mental health services in order to meet the needs of all the students.”
She said there’s more need in Luverne than she and the other mental health professionals can meet.
“Counselors teach lessons on social emotional learning, lead small counseling groups and provide individual counseling sessions and collaborate with school staff, parents and community agencies to meet the needs of all the students.”
 
Financial support
As a soon-to-be retired American Family Insurance district manager, Radisewitz learned that his company provides grant support for causes employees designate.
He decided to start a local, Building Bridges JC (Jesus Christ or Just Causes), through the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
He hopes the money will support a new curriculum in Luverne Public Schools to educate students on caring for their mental health and recognizing signs of someone who may be struggling.
“When you look at some of the people who we’ve lost — they’re star athletes and top students,” Radisewitz said. “Who knew they were struggling?”
To support the project financially, contact LACF at (507) 220-2424. For more about the Max Foundation and Project 11, see marvinfoundation.org.

Meetings
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 14, in the township hall.
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.
 
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.
Pint Size Polkas will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at Poplar Creek Estates, 201 Oak Dr., with award-winning Mike Schneider. The free intergenerational event is open to the public.
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 15, Kolbert Park, 801 W. Warren St.
•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.
 
Blood drive June 14 in Adrian
The Community Blood Bank will accept donations from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 14, at the Adrian EMS Hall. To schedule an appointment donors can log onto www.cbblifeblood.org, click on “events” and select June 14 and “Adrian EMS Hall” from the calendar or call 507-483-2668. All who donate will receive an All-American blood donor t-shirt. Drink plenty of fluids prior to donating blood and bring an ID.
 
Senior food distribution June 17
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, June 17, in the parking lot at 319 E. Lincoln, Luverne. Call Linda Wenzel at 283-5064 for more information. Pre-registration is required.
 
Free food offered June 17
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 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. 
 
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.
 
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.
Take the Beginner 8 Hour Defensive Driving Classes (for adults 55 years of age and older) in order to save a significant amount on your car insurance.  This class (offered only twice a year) will be held 4 hours on June 10 & 17 at 5:30 pm. 
Distance Learning with Clay open to all ages.  Fee is $20.  Register by June 1.
Friday morning Hands on Science Adventure Day Camp will meet on June 4 — for grades 1-4 as attended during 20-21 school year.  Fee is $15.
Saturday, June 12, kids ages 3 through grade 3 (as attended 20-21 school year) and adults will enjoy Nature Crafts at Blue Mound State Park.  Fee is $17 per child.
 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.
Reclaimed Wood Art class on July 13 offers an opportunity to make a unique “string art deco” piece to enjoy at home or give as a gift.  Open to anyone grade 2 (completed) through adult.  Fee is $18/person.
 
Hospice event date change
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 21. Contact the hospice office at 283-1805 or email: helen.saum@sanfordheath.org.
 
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)
Host of Chamber events coming up
The Chamber is working with the Plaza Committee from LIFT to host some FREE community events for the public. The following are the announcements about the events: 
Night at the Zoo, Thursday, June 10, 3:30 until 7 p.m. in the Luverne City Park will have free activities for children, including the Great Plains Zoomobile, Fantasy Face Painting, Tracy Area Animal Rescue, other kids’ activities and prizes.
Brown Bag Concert, Friday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Luverne City Park. Bring a lunch and lawn chair and enjoy. Featuring Ron and Jane Cote. Sponsored by Main Street Financial Services
Yoga in the Park, Saturday, June 12, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Luverne City Park with Stephanie Hoven. Bring a mat and relax. Event is free and open to the public
Walk, Run and Roll, Saturday, June 19, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Luverne Trailhead (at East Main Street and Blue Mound Avenue). Put on your shoes, grab your bike and water and head out for a morning walk, run or ride on the Luverne LOOP. Stop by the trailhead on your trip to enjoy a treat from 75 Diner restaurant. For more information, contact the Luverne Area Chamber at  507.283.4061 or www.luvernechamber.com.

Recently a friend sent me a link to a satire video that had some fun with graduation open houses. 
“So spot on,” the friend remarked in the text. 
The video highlighted the most universal aspects of the traditional open house:
•Hastily cleaned garages with the normal garage items hidden behind a tarp.
•Display boards of photos from childhood — extra credit if the yearly school photos are lined up in order.
•Folding chairs and tables borrowed from church.
•Pulled pork sandwiches.
•Beverages in labeled coolers on the floor along the wall.
•Awkward small talk with the graduate and random people you might sit next to. 
Most of us who live in a small town can immediately recognize and appreciate these stereotypical highlights of the annual graduation open houses. 
Being a high school teacher in small towns for 18 years now, I’ve been to hundreds of open houses and definitely got a good laugh out of the video.
While it’s true that many graduation parties have a lot in common, I’m often most interested in what makes each party unique. 
The variety of foods served, decorations, venues, and more vary a lot more than that video admitted.
Each party tells a lot about the student and what their family is most proud of. 
Over the years I’ve come to realize graduation open houses aren’t really about the actual accomplishment of graduating from high school.
As the satirical video points out, almost all kids graduate. The parties are really about each family celebrating their kid.
Reminiscing on the first 18 years and recognizing all that it means to raise a child; the highs and lows, the good times and the challenges that have gotten the kids ... and their families … to this point. 
And looking forward to the future and all that lies ahead. 
An end and a start all at once. 
Truly a rite of passage. 
And sharing it all with relatives, friends, teachers, coaches, church and community members. 
The people who helped get the graduate ... and the family … to this point. 
It’s all so much more than cards, photo displays, folding chairs (that I don’t quite trust) and overly full stomachs. 
Sometimes we laugh at traditions and wonder why they continue or maybe even find them pointless. 
Other times we can step back and consider why they do and should continue. 
When we do, the pulled pork or walking tacos taste even better, the preschool pictures look even cuter, and the congratulatory handshakes mean just a little more. 
Congrats to the Class of 2021 and their families; not just for graduating, but for all that reaching the open house milestone actually means. 
Thanks for inviting me and letting me share in your important events.
And thanks, too, for those little red and white mints. I do love those.

We’ve started a new foundation in Rock County that I’d encourage you to join.  Building Bridges JC is non-profit that is part of the Luverne Area Community Foundation (LACF). 
All are welcome to participate. We are not affiliated with a church or a political party.
The goal of Building Bridges JC is to reach out to groups and individuals that need help and see if we can muster resources to help them. 
The term “building bridges” does not mean a physical bridge. It describes an attitude of looking for people who help and going to them, rather than waiting for someone to come to us. 
A big part of our charge is to help area nonprofit groups be more successful. Our local associations need help with fundraising, marketing, transportation, or more hands to set up for an event. 
We’ll be there for them.  Our hope is that we can use the talents of our group to make a positive difference. 
In our short existence we have already helped the local FCA youth football league purchase equipment and raise funds to help send older students to summer camps.
 
Help us help groups improve mental wellness
We are currently working with the school district and health professionals to bring some much-needed mental wellness assistance to Rock County.
Those signing up to be a part of Building Bridges JC can volunteer as often or as little as they want. They can also help to build a bridge to a nonprofit or individual that they know needs help. 
So we need you, but why do you need Building Bridges JC? For your health. 
According to Dr. Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin, adults in their 60s and older need to have a purpose. If they don’t have a purpose, it’s bad for their health.
Research shows that a lack of purpose is a huge red flag for early death. Studies show that those without purpose were twice as likely to die within the next five years when compared with people that reported a high sense of purpose. 
You need to consider teaming up with Building Bridges JC. The good work we’ll do will give you a sense of accomplishment which is huge for your overall health. Plus, it will get you out seeing others. 
Over the last three years there has been a 33-percent increase in the diagnosis of major depression in women. A big part of this increase has been driven by loneliness.
Also, 76 percent of middle-aged Americans reported moderate to high levels of loneliness. Loneliness is twice as much of a predictor of early death than even obesity. 
You need us, and we need you. What a great team we’ll make! The next time you’re sitting with friends, and everyone is talking about the Netflix series they’ve been watching or all the movies they’ve been buying from Prime Video, take note. 
Those activities are fun, but are they giving a meaning and a purpose? We have talent in Rock County that we need to get off the couch and into the community making a difference. Do it for your health. Do it for you. When you see what a difference we can make with those who need help, it will all be worth your effort. 
There are no fees to join, no age limits, no meetings or no time commitments. Our hope is to have a well-intended army of folks ready to help if we discover a need in our community. 
We’ll send out an email to all who join, letting them know that someone needs help. Those who are available will team up and try to figure out a way to help.
 
Donate to the cause
We need all kinds of talent. Those who are good on the computer, fundraisers, individuals willing to do light manual labor and last, but surely not least, we always need prayer warriors looking out for our success. 
Those who can donate to our cause please drop off a check at LACF (next to the Palace Theatre) or email me and I’ll help. 
All contributions are tax-deductible and 100 percent of your contribution will go to do good. 
Building Bridges JC is an all-volunteer organization. No one is paid. We won’t be able to help everyone, but we will try our best to make a difference to those we can. Please email me at cmradisewitz@gmail.com if interested. Blessings to you all.

Meinerts: 'I advocate for all freedom for every race and religion ...'
To the Editor:
I had a phone call from a gentleman about my letters to the editor. He was concerned about when I was going to stop with my “freedom” letters, asking how far am I going to take it? He told me I better think before I write another one, so I’ve been thinking.
How much freedom is too much? Do you want to live out the American Dream in full pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, or do you want to be stifled by the government? Who gets to decide what your freedoms are? When did we become a society where we can’t be friends with someone who has a different opinion? 
I advocate for all freedom for every race and religion, everybody deserves to have a voice. Doesn’t the First Amendment afford us all that right? As far as the laws that are passed, taking some of our freedoms, they seem like more of a moral issue. Because of those who choose to do wrong, we all suffer from another loss of freedom. Isn’t giving up your freedoms a mockery to the brave individuals who laid down their lives to establish this great country? The wise men who wrote the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence saw what could happen if they didn’t ensure our right to free speech. 
What about your religious freedoms? They have already been diminished by political correctness. Pastors can no longer call sin sin without the fear of being accused of hate speech. What about the greatest freedom of all, one that can’t be taken away by any man? I fear the people who share this message are in danger of being suppressed. The freedom to choose where you spend eternity.
Don’t take your freedom for granted.
Todd Meinerts,
Luverne

Dispatch report
May 28
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested notification.
•Complainant south of Luverne reported suspicious lights in the sky.
•Deputy is out with vehicle on 141st Street.
•Complainant on Interstate 90 and Highway 75 reported a driving complaint of a vehicle swerving over the lines.
May 29
•Deputy is out with vehicle at location on 141st Street.
•Complainant found a wallet.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a male smoking a glass pipe.
•Complainant on 161st Street reported two cars with windows broken.
•Complainant requested to speak with a deputy concerning property.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported an assault.
•Complainant southbound from Casey’s on Highway 75 reported a possible domestic situation.
May 30
•Complainant on 10th Avenue and 61st Street, Beaver Creek, reported a pickup.
•Complainant on N. Oakley Street reported a hacked Facebook account.
May 31
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 10, Luverne, reported a road hazard.
•Complainant on 10th Avenue and 61st Street, Valley Springs, reported a suspicious vehicle.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported that a lock was cut on a storage unit.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street, Magnolia, reported an issue with a locking mechanism.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported a female with a knife walking around the park.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue and eastbound on Interstate 90, Luverne, assisted a motorist at location.
June 1
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 8, Luverne, reported he hit a fox.
•Complainant south of Steen reported a property issue dispute.
•Complainant on N. Carol Street reported an attempted burglary.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a theft.
•Complainant on 21st Street and 110th Avenue, Steen, reported a road rage incident.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported theft.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported theft/break-in.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue and Elmwood Avenue reported found property.
•Complainant on W. Bishop Street reported he is hearing voices in her backyard.
June 2
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a vehicle with a flat tire.
•Complainant reported a scam.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and Dodge Street reported the crosswalk may not be working.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a possible drunk driver.
June 3
•Complainant on S. Blue Mound Avenue reported assault.
•Complainant on E. Brown Street requested property retrieval assistance.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street requested a utility shut-off assistance.
•A South Dakota probation officer requested assistance at the location eastbound on Interstate 90, near the South Dakota border, near Beaver Creek.
•Complainant on N. Cedar Street and W. Dodge Street, Luverne, reported she was almost struck at intersection.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a drunk driver.
In addition, officers responded to 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 deer accident, 1 vehicle in ditch, 1 transport, 8 escorts, 15 ambulance runs, 12 paper services, 5 animal complaints, 3 fingerprint requests, 10 burn permits, 2 gas drive-offs, 9 alarms, 2 drug court tests, 7 purchase and carry permits, 2 stalled vehicles, 12 traffic stops, 10 abandoned 911 calls and 3 tests.