Mary and I spent a couple of days in Des Moines recently for a family gathering, and from there we drove to Redwood Falls for our grandson’s confirmation.
We were a couple of hours into our trip when we pulled into a Kwik Star gas station. For whatever reason, what we know as Kwik Trips in Minnesota they call Kwik Stars in Iowa.
On our way out the door headed to our car, I noticed this girl digging through the trash receptacle. At first I thought she was looking for recyclables or maybe she had dropped something in there by mistake. She wasn’t wearing shoes or socks – she maybe was about 25 years old and looked a little disheveled.
Once we reached our car, I started to eat my breakfast sandwich while leaning on the hood of the car. I watched the girl pick out a bucket of popcorn that someone had tossed away. Next she pulled out a clear plastic container filled with chicken bones.
I thought, “Oh my word; she’s looking for something to eat.”
I watched as she went to the other side of the entryway and started digging through that trash container.
She never asked any of the customers that were coming and going for any money; in fact, she never bothered a soul.
I felt so sorry for her and a little guilty for enjoying my breakfast sandwich while she was rummaging through the garbage for something to eat. I had to offer her some help.
I started walking toward her as she made her way around the corner of the building. I hustled around the corner to catch up to her, and as I turned the corner, I almost ran into her while she was seated at a concrete picnic table enjoying a meal of other people’s garbage.
I had a $20 bill in hand ready to give to her so she could go buy herself something to eat.
Much to my surprise, she turned down my offer. I tried again to give her the money and again she refused.
She told me she was thirsty, and if I wanted to get her something to drink, that would be great.
I returned with some vitamin water and a third offer of the twenty. This time she told me she was trying to kick her drug addiction, and if she had cash, she would only try to buy drugs with it. She told me that she had been clean for a short while and was trying to stay that way.
Just a few minutes earlier I was feeling sorry for this person, and now I was admiring her. No matter what I thought of her current situation, she felt it was better than her life on drugs.
It’s been a couple of weeks since I met this person, but I can’t stop thinking about her. I didn’t get her name, I know nothing about her other than what you just read.
Yet, in a crazy kind of way, the person I tried to help has helped me more than she’ll ever know.

To the Editor:
I work at a retail store that requires mask- wearing for anyone within the store. Because of that, we have been called everything from a communist, a loser, stupid, dumb, and other names that I cannot print.
Wearing a mask does not take away your freedom. You wear a mask to protect your family, loved ones, and those around you from you, just like they wear a mask to protect you from them. It’s a matter of respect. It does not take away your freedom.
Does wearing a seat belt take away your freedom? Not being able to enter a restaurant without shoes or shirt, does that take away your freedom? Not allowed to yell “fire” in a crowed movie theater, does that take away your freedom? Having a speed limit or stop signs on a highway, does that take away your freedom?
I wore a steel helmet for 14 months in Vietnam as a ground infantry soldier, not unlike many other soldiers who have done the same thing over history. That did not take away my freedom – it probably saved my life, just like wearing a mask has maybe saved my life.
So, if not wearing a mask is more important to you than your family, friends, or those around you, then that is the least of your worries.
Alan Harnack
Beaver Creek

Dispatch report
April 23
•Complainant on 150th Avenue, Luverne, requested a deputy for a disorderly.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a suspicious vehicle.
•Complainant reported a disorderly party.
•Complainant on 121st Street, Luverne, reported a grass fire.
•Complainant requested assistance with a traffic investigation.
•Complainant on 121st Street, Luverne, reported a grass fire.
•Complainant requested assistance with a traffic investigation.
•Complainant on N. Elm Street reported kids in the roadway were swearing.
April 24
•Complainant on 40th Avenue, Hills, reported property damage.
•Complainant on E. Veterans Drive reported harassing communications.
•Complainant reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street, Magnolia, reported an assault.
•Deputy assisted state patrol on Interstate 90, mile marker 16, Luverne.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue requested assistance for patient.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 10, Luverne, reported an erratic driver.
•Complainant on E. Fletcher Street reported threatening voice mails.
•Deputy assisted MSP with traffic control westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 3 and 4, Beaver Creek.
•A passport was found at the location of Adams and Estey streets.
•Dispatch received 911 calls on E. Veterans Drive.
•Complainant on S. Donaldson reported someone hit an electrical box.
April 26
•Complainant on E. Fletcher Street requested to speak to a deputy about harassing phone calls.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, Worthington, reported he is being followed.
•Complainant on N. Donaldson reported vehicle driving around without headlights.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a scam caller.
•Complainant on W. Hatting street reported theft of vehicle parts.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported vehicle circling hospital and honking.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested deputy for discrepancy at front desk.
•Complainant on S. Main Street, Hills, reported bad checks used at business.
•Complainant on S. Church Avenue, Hills, reported threats received.
•Complainant on 70th Avenue, Jasper, reported a scam phone call.
•Complainant in city of Hardwick reported suspicious behavior.
•Complainant on E. Veterans Drive reported loud music playing at location.
April 27
•Complainant reported subject with Rock County warrant.
•Complainant on E. Minnesota Avenue, Steen, reported a subject with an active Rock County warrant.
•Complainant on E. Minnesota Avenue, Steen, reported a possible stolen vehicle.
•Complainant on County Road 4, Luverne, requested a deputy for employee trespassing.
•Complainant on 110th Avenue and 115th Street, Luverne, reported a sofa left on roadside.
•Complainant on N. Donaldson Street reported a parking complaint.
•Complainant requested release of property.
•Complainant on E. Dodge Street reported theft and damage to property.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy about a license plate issue.
•Complainant on Pine Drive requested personal property.
•Complainant reported a camera outage.
•Complainant reported threats.
April 28
•Complainant on E. Veterans Drive requested to speak to sheriff.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street, Magnolia, reported a runaway.
•Subject turned himself in on a warrant.
•Complainant reported a missing juvenile.
April 29
•Complainant on 241st Street, Edgerton, reported a bale fire.
•Complainant on N. Estey Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Veterans Drive reported property damage.
•Complainant on N. Water Avenue, Hills, reported theft.
•Complainant on E. State Street, Magnolia, reported a dispute and speeding.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported possible threats.
April 30
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75 and Luverne Street, Luverne, found a key and remote.
•Complainant on S. Freeman Avenue reported cap off fire hydrant.
•Complainant in Rock County requested to speak to deputy.
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported a threatened assault.
•Motorist was assisted on 161st Street and 150th Avenue, Luverne.
•Complainant requested identity theft information packet.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 5-7, Beaver Creek, reported debris on road.
•Complainant on E. 1st Street, Hardwick, reported a ditch fire.
•Complainant reported drinking and driving.
In addition, officers responded to 4 motor vehicle accidents, 8 escorts, 13 ambulance runs, 18 paper services, 12 animal complaints, 3 fingerprint requests, 27 burn permits, 3 alarms, 3 drug court tests, 14 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 15 traffic stops, 17 abandoned 911 calls, 1 welfare check, 2 OFPs and 2 follow-ups.

On Friday morning 91 students of the Luverne High School Class of 2021 posed for the annual senior group picture. In a tradition that started more than two decades ago, senior student council members determine a unique and memorable location as a backdrop for the photograph. This year’s picture was taken by Jim Juhl of Myhre Studio, who used a lift to position himself above the students for the best angle. This year’s location was close to home as students walked over to the performing arts center currently under construction on the school campus. Construction on the center began in the students’ sophomore year and will be finished this summer.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, May 10: Pork loin, sweet potato, broccoli, bread, bar.
Half-Price Day sponsored by First Presbyterian Church.
Tuesday, May 11: Ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, bread, dessert.
Wednesday, May 12: Taco salad with salsa, sour cream, corn chips; fresh fruit, dessert.
 Thursday, May 13:
Spaghetti, lettuce salad with dressing, fruit dessert.
Friday, May 14: Baked fish, brown rice, green beans, peaches.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846 to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

Open houses
An open house bridal shower for Cathryn Hartz, bride-to-be of Nate Mittendorf, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne.
 
Card showers
Anna Schouwenburg will celebrate her 95th birthday on Friday, May 7. Greetings may be sent to 505 E. 4th Street, Room 24; Hills, MN 56138.
 
Albert “Sonny” Matthiesen will celebrate his 80th birthday on Thursday, May 13. Greetings may be sent to South Shore Care Center, c/o Social Service, 1307 South Shore Drive, Worthington, MN 56187.
 
Norman and Darlene Gyberg will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, May 14. Greetings may be sent to 2012 101st Street; Magnolia, MN 56158.

10 years ago (2011)
•Area health enthusiasts are paying attention to the latest business news on Luverne’s Main Street.
A 24-hour fitness center is opening in the former Final Touch building, and it promises top-of-the-line equipment and programs.
Branagen Powers, rural Luverne, and Brian Beuning, Luverne, signed papers this week to purchase the 5,000-square-foot building from Mike and Lori Ketterling.
Construction will start next week to convert the space to a full-service, 24-7 fitness center known as Power Fitness.
Structural changes to the main floor will include adding and removing walls, primarily for two handicap-accessible bathrooms with showers.
Also, there will be two tanning rooms with 32-lamp beds that produce deeper tans in fewer minutes than the standard 24-hour beds more commonly used in the area.
 
25 years ago (1996)
•“A successful manager must exhibit a profound and abiding faith, trust and respect in and for the working men and women.”
This was Don Rust’s motto for the 39 successful years he spent with General Motors. He recently retired from the company after 20 years as manager of the Tonawanda engine plant in western New York.
Rust, Orchard Park, N.Y., (a suburb of Buffalo) grew up near Adrian and is a 1950 graduate of Magnolia High School. He recently returned to Rock County for a visit after his retirement banquet, staying with his brother, Bud, near Kenneth.
 While here, Rust shared with the Star Herald the highlights of his career. He shared several newspaper clippings from the Buffalo, N.Y., area in which his industry peers credit him with bringing about a “revolution” in quality, morale and teamwork in floundering Tonawanda engine plant.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•A downtown beautification project has been launched here as a joint project of the City of Luverne, the Chamber of Commerce, the County Extension Service and various other community groups.
Large flower pots were being unloaded Wednesday in the downtown district. Sixteen in all will be located on strategic points on Main street, and will be planted with low growing trees and other plantings. Plantings for each pot will cost about $15 or $20, it was announced. Money for the plantings has been furnished by various clubs and groups. The city itself purchased the concrete pots or containers, which are 3x4 feet in size, and are finished with an aggregate finish.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•Two Main Street business properties, and several residence properties changed hands this week, as the local real estate market hit a faster pace.
Largest single transaction of the week was the sale of the three-story brick structure which houses the Luverne liquor store, Cooney Cleaners and three apartments, by Percy Eberlein to B. E. Leas, Mr. Eberlein had owned the building for the past nine years.
Another transaction involving a business location was the sale by Carl Knutson of his building to Russell Tower. This structure, located on the north side of Main Street, is now occupied by Mr. Tower’s Skelgas store, and the Coffee Shop.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•A change in the ownership and management of the Legion café took place the first of the week, when W. D. Harding, who opened the restaurant about a year ago and had since conducted it, disposed of the business to Gilbert Johnson.
Mr. Johnson has been connected with the café for a number of months and is familiar with the requirements of the trade. He has had several years’ experience in the restaurant business and it is his intention to give his personal attention to the business.

“Generous hearted Rock countians came through in grand style for the annual Sister Kenny Fund Drive,” said Elmer Piepgras, Rock county drive chairman.
When the campaign for funds closed last Thursday, donations totaling $3,505.51 had been turned in. This is more than double the quota assigned to Rock county, $1,705.
“We certainly want to express our most sincere appreciation to all the good folks of Rock county,” said Piepgras.
“We know that they will have a glow of satisfaction in their hearts because this campaign was a success. They know that the money they gave went for a cause that will mean so much to alleviating pain, suffering and to saving life. They know that the time they gave to this campaign will pay greater dividends in health and happiness than anything else they could do.
“To all donors, to all campaign workers on behalf of the polio suffers, the ones who benefit by your kind generosity, we want to say thank you as sincerely as we can.”
Tabulation of the contributions showed the following amount by sections of the county.
Battle Plain Township - $193.00; Beaver Creek Township - $291.50; Clinton Township - $264.50; Denver Township - $184.25; Kanaranzi Township - $206; Luverne Township - $229; Magnolia Township - $175; Martin Township - $140.50; Mound Township - $172.50; Rosedell Township - $143.50; Springwater Township - $321.50; Vienna Township - $66.50; Beaver Creek - $48.20; Hardwick - $59.50; Hills - $84.25; Kenneth - $35.50; Luverne - $819.51; Magnolia - $70.80; Total $3,505.51.
 
         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.

Buck Underwood, Luverne, was nominated for the Patriot of the Year from the Heart of the Plains Chapter 5355 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart U.S.A.
Region III Commander Ken Teunissen said patriot members recently honored Underwood for his devotion and tireless leadership both to the chapter and to the Purple Heart Trial program.
Underwood was also nominated for the Patriot of the Year from the Department of the Dakotas, which consists of members from North and South Dakota.
Underwood assisted with projects such as:
•distribution of Purple Heart signs to the American Indian reservations, counties, cities and businesses;
•distribution of desk flag sets to legislators in Pierre;
•presentation of information about the Purple Heart to combat wounded veterans, seeking their membership in the Order;
•assemby and distribution of care packages to hospitalized veterans at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne and the veterans hospital in Sioux Falls.
Underwood participated in the South Dakota Veterans Council and assisted in lobbying for the new South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the cemetery will be at 2 p.m. Monday, May 31.
“It is a benefit to have dependable leaders that lead by example and set high goals for themselves,” Teunissen said.
“With Patriot Underwood’s leadership and patriotism, Chapter 5355 has been active in the community and the state.”