The weekend provided a wonderful time for renewal, and the warm weather gives a glimpse into a bright and wonderful summer — so much different from last year.
At this time 365 days ago, the coronavirus pandemic made me stop and evaluate how to safely interact with my grandchildren.
It often meant I didn’t make car trips to Iowa and opted instead for FaceTime, packages in the mail and promises to see the young ones soon.
While technology is wonderful, it can’t replace actually being face-to-face with the grandchildren.
 I’ve missed the added dimension and excitement of sticky fingers, high-pitched screams and the energy in the room.
This year, as the pandemic continues, I’m still cautious in my travels, making few if any stops along the way. If I do, I wear a mask and wash my hands as soon as I arrive and before I even pick the wee little ones up for a hug and a kiss.
My grandson Logan turns 2 this weekend. I didn’t attend his party last year but wrote him a letter explaining why he didn’t see Papa and Mmmmm-aw (his way of saying MeeMaw) in the flesh for his first birthday.
But we have continued to bond throughout the strange year that was 2020. Now 2021 is bringing on the babies.
By the end of the year I will have three additional great-nieces or great-nephews, and if that is not exciting enough, there will be a third grandchild.
And this one’s parents don’t live three hours away; they’re just a quick 30-minute drive to Adrian. I’ve already warned my son that grandparents have visitation rights any time of the day.
As the number of grandchildren grows, so does the fear that I won’t be able to effectively develop that MeeMaw relationship with each of them.
What happens if there get to be just too many?
Right now three is not a large number.
Each week I read the obituaries in the Star Herald, and one recent tribute listed 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
I wondered if she was able to meaningfully connect with each one of them? And if she did, how did she do it?
I don’t have any experience developing connections between generations since my grandparents were all gone by the time I was 2 years old. But I am going to try my hardest and think creatively with each one of them.
Psychologists say a child’s bonding with grandparents can lead to happier adulthood. What better way to combat anger in our society than grandparenting the next generation to be kind and considerate and mind their manners.
A connection can be made even if communication is done digitally or, as my personal favorite, by the written word through emails, text messages or even letters as the grandchildren get older.
Children need a person outside of their parents in whom they can confide feelings rather than act out in the world around them.
A grandparent fills a fun role in assisting the next generation, and I’m up for the challenge — even as the numbers increase.

It’s always trendy to criticize government — its taxes, spending and general overreach and control over the lives of hard-working American citizens.
And, sometimes criticisms are warranted.
But sometimes government does accomplish good things, and this week the Star Herald shines light on a few government projects with positive impacts on the community.
For example, we have an update on the Rock County Food Shelf’s renovation of a city-owned building.
The city of Luverne purchased the former dental office in 2017 for $36,000 and added it to the stock of property for potential development.
Yep. It was more government spending on more city property to be maintained by tax payers, and more reasons to criticize “the government.”
For the casual observer, the story might end there. But those paying attention to the long game can see the end result of that investment.
Often the city buys blighted property and improves the lot for sale to a business that constructs something with taxable value. Everybody wins.
But there are other investments that pay dividends in ways without dollar signs.
Like the city’s investment in the former dental office building on West Maple Street.
As we’ve been reporting, the city will lease it to the Rock County Food Shelf for $1 per year.
Will the taxpayers get a return on that $36,000?
That depends whom you ask and what you consider to be a “return on investment.”
The Food Shelf operators can now do more with their volunteers and their donations, and they can help more local families access fresh meat and produce in an atmosphere with some semblance of dignity and grace.
While the public-private arrangement is new to the food shelf, it’s not a new concept for local government.
The city has several arrangements with non-profit organizations that operate in city properties.
Examples are the Palace Theatre, Redbird Field, Blue Mound Ice Arena and the Carnegie Cultural Center.
Examples of more direct subsidies are the pool and fitness center, the city park and pocket parks and the Luverne Loop Trail. All totaled, they take a respectable bite out of the city budget.
Are these losing propositions?
That depends whom you ask and what you consider to be a return on an investment.
The city calls them “quality of life” investments. Considering the positive impact of these investments on local culture, recreation, health and wellness, what would you call them?

Frakes: One party rule here
To the Editor:
I can’t understand why everyone is running down China. Aren’t their politics the same as we have here? Don’t we also have one party rule?  What the top dog says is law? Doesn’t our government want to control all our energy sources, churches, businesses and the citizens up to and including when and where we can work and where we can’t, and even how to breathe and where we can breathe and where we can’t. Hello!!??
Bill Frakes,
Luverne
 
Smith: 'Normally I get a chuckle and move on'
To the Editor:
As a recent transplant to Luverne, I have been amused by Mr. ToddMeinerts’ weekly letters to the editor.
While I have not found his letters to be particularly cogent, I normally get a chuckle and move on. However, hismost recent letters warrant a brief response.
First, downplaying the current pandemic as “just a virus” and questioningthe safety of the approved COVID-19 vaccines is at best ignorance and atworst willful malfeasance. Mr. Meinerts has zero qualifications to issuecreditable medical guidance, and readers should consult their primary care medical provider if they have questions about vaccines.
Second, Mr. Meinerts seems to have an issue with the 1.9T American Rescue Plan. As is widely understood, this bill provides temporary direct payments to most Americans. He asks, “Did anyone get a $5,722 check? I didn’t…” The absurdity of this question is that a quick Google search will reveal that Mr. Meinerts has taken over 75K in federal farming subsidies.
I have zero problems with farming subsidies. I do, however, have problems with people that bemoan federal spending and the national debt without first acknowledging that they have taken more in federal government payouts than 99 percent of American citizens.
Might I humbly suggest that any future opinions on government spending start with a bit of self-reflection or a perusal of Matthew 7.
Tom Smith
Luverne
 
 
Radisewitz: 'Don't let these events define you'
I thought Lori Sorenson's recent article about local youths wrecking Christmas displays was right on the mark. Yes, it was heartbreaking. Yes, the young people should be held accountable, and yes, this doesn't have to be the end of the story.
To the young people, friends and family. … Don't let these events define you. Let me share stories about others who walked in your shoes. 
South Dakota had a former governor who was arrested more than once in his youth. He joined the marines, found his calling and became the longest-tenured governor in that state's history (16 years).
A friend named Charlie was in a similar embarrassing situation in a small town. He vandalized some properties and his antics made the front page. Charlie paid his dues, refocused, and went on to be one of the most successful investment advisers in the country. He now lives in Beverly Hills and his clients are TV/movie stars we watch every day.
In high school a member of my class made some bad decisions. She paid her dues, focused on her future, and today is a highly regarded judge for the state of California.
These three plus many others owned up to their mistakes but didn't let those actions define them.
As a community, I hope we can let these youths and their families heal.  Many of us know that but by the grace of God we could be in their shoes.
Life is not defined by when you hit rock bottom but how far you rebound.
Mother Theresa said it best: "Don't spend time judging others; that gives you less time to love them."  
Cary Radisewitz
Luverne

Next to hunting season this is my favorite time of the year. I like to call it “change-over season.”
It’s time to put all the winter gear away. Snow boots, coats, hats and gloves have been stowed away for another year.
Putting the snow blower and shovels away is especially satisfying in that it gives me the feeling of “I made it through another Minnesota winter.”
I know, I know. There is always the chance of one or maybe two more snowstorms, but I’ll deal with that if it happens.
Of course, before the snow blower can go into the shed, the lawn mower has to come out. If it were possible for lawn mowers to smile, I would swear when I rolled the mower out into the sun this past weekend, it seemed to be smiling.
There is always a bit of winter residue in the yard that needs to be cleaned up, but even that is enjoyable because you can look forward to green grass, trees budding and flowers and shrubs coming to life.
There is also the “change-over” in apparel that is underway as well.
Sweatshirts, sweaters and long-sleeved shirts are put away and short sleeves and shorts become the attire of the day.
I must admit sweatshirts and sweaters do a better job of covering up the winter added poundage than shorts and T-shirts do.
Golf clubs, fishing rods, bicycles and ball gloves are pulled out of storage, dusted off, and are put to use.
I suppose maybe I am enjoying the start of the spring season more this year, because last year – as  with many things we took for granted – spring  seemed to be put on hold.
Spring is here; enjoy it.   

Dispatch report
March 25
•Complainant on County Highway 4, Magnolia, requested deputy patrol area due to speeding trucks.
•Complainant on W. Hatting Street reported a man with a knife.
•Suspicious activity was reported at location on Estey and Lincoln streets.
•Complainant on S. Estey Street reported a motor vehicle theft.
•Complainant on State Highway 23 requested we pull a dead deer off the road.
March 27
•An accident with property damage was reported at Oakley and Howe.
March 28
•Complainant north-bound on Highway 75 from Luverne reported an emergency vehicle driving erratically.
•Complainant on W. Barck Avenue reported a loud fight and threats of assault at location.
March 29
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy about a possible fraud.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported someone is messing with thermostats in the building.
•Complainant on Interstate 90, mile marker 14, Magnolia, reported harassing behavior.
•Complainant reported a broken window.
•Complainant one mile west of Luverne reported a fire at location.
•Complainant on 160th Avenue, Edgerton, reported a fire.
•Complainant on Cedar Street reported a set of keys found on roadway.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a probation violation.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported a disturbance and verbal altercation.
March 30
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy about an ongoing issue.
•Complainant on 3rd Street E., Jasper, would like to file a theft report.
•Another department requested information.
March 31
•Subject was arrested on Watonwon County warrant.
•Complainant on 121st Street reported a scam phone call.
•Complainant on 191st Street reported a microwave was dumped in ditch near location.
April 1
•Narcotic law violation was reported at location on Interstate 90, mile marker 13, Luverne.
•Property damage was reported at location on S. Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant on Walnut Avenue reported theft of property at location.
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported a parking issue.
April 2
•Complainant on S. Freeman Avenue and W. Hatting Street reported a controlled gas purge at location.
 
In addition, officers responded to 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 deer accident, 6 escorts, 20 ambulance runs, 2 paper services, 5 animal complaints, 10 burn permits, 2 alarms, 4 drug court tests, 11 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 10 traffic stops, 8 abandoned 911 calls, 5 tests, 1 welfare check and 1 OFP.

The city of Luverne and the Luverne School District are teaming up on a joint project to improve streets around the school that have been torn up because of the school construction project.
The city project consists of mill off and overlay of both West Adams and North East Park Streets.
An alternate project would put a new sidewalk or trail connector from the bus barn area to the Luverne Loop to the West.
The new sidewalk will pick up where the current one ends at the bus garage driveway and continue west until it meets the paved path west of the bus garage.
Council member Caroline Thorson said the extra piece of sidewalk will be a welcome piece along a busy County Road 5/West Dodge Street.
“When you’re heading west on Dodge in the evening, that sun hits you right in the face, and if someone’s walking on the edge … it will be nice to have the sidewalk.”
Council member Dan Nath said the connection will create safer pedestrian access to soccer fields, softball diamonds and cross country trails on the west edge of the school campus.
“With all the activities out there, that sidewalk will be very well used,” Nath said.
The total cost of the city’s portion of the work is estimated at $213,500.
City and school leaders hope to save money by using the same engineer, bidding the project together, and using the same general contractor.
Both entities will pay separate contracts for their own work on their own properties.
Plans and specifications were approved last month, and bids were opened Tuesday morning.
Council members will take action on the low bid at their next meeting April 13.

Rollie, the large pet rabbit of the Pat and Angela Swyter family in Luverne, helps with the trimming of the landscape Saturday in preparation for the Easter holiday the following day. Normally housed in the family garage, Rollie enjoyed the weekend’s 80-degree temperatures by staying in the family’s front yard under the watchful eyes of and close proximity to Chloe and Pat Swyter. “He doesn’t go anywhere,” Chloe said.

Nate Golla of the Luverne Farm Store presents a $1,200 check to BackPack volunteer Rhonna Jarchow (left), Rock County Food Shelf volunteer Katie Baustian and LACF Director Emily Crabtree Thursday morning, April 1, in the Luverne Area Community Foundation office. Golla presented the check in honor of the 2021 Pancake Day, which was canceled for the second year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the funds that would have been spent on Pancake Day will now benefit the BackPack Program and Rock County Food Shelf instead. He noted that the Farm Store’s customer appreciation event continued for 55 consecutive years prior to 2020, and the donation at least marked the Farm Store’s commitment to the community. “We’re making the donation in honor of our customers,” Golla said.

10 years ago (2011)
•Many of Rock County’s bridges are nearly 70 years old, and those structures are not only showing wear, but they’re not safe for heavy loads.
During Tuesday’s Rock County Board meeting, commissioners received a list of bridges that are posted as unsafe for heavy loads.
Of the 320 bridges in Rock County, 27 are considered unsafe for loads normally allowed on roadways and bridges up to 80,000 pounds. …
County Highway Engineer Mark Sehr said the bridges are safe for normal traffic, but they are posted with signs prohibiting heavy loads.
“These bridges were built in the 1940s and ’50s with timber supports and pilings, and they weren’t designed for the truck types, heavy equipment and machinery we use today,” he said.
“Those supports are rotting at the water level and are showing their age; they’re deteriorating faster than we can replace them.”
 
25 years ago (1996)
•Luverne is again making its mark on foreign lands — this time in the southeastern European country of Turkey.
Izmir, a city of 3 million people located on the Aegean Sea, has contracted with Luverne Fire Apparatus, Brandon, S.D., to purchase 20 pumpers, two rescue trucks, two tankers and one aerial ladder.
The contract is one of the biggest orders the business has ever filled, according to Steve Reedy, vice president of Luverne Fire Apparatus.
“It’s going to have a real positive impact on the whole operation of our company,” Reedy said.
At noon on Friday, five men from Turkey visited Brandon to inspect their first shipment. They also met with Luverne Fire Chief Jim Johanssen to learn how a volunteer fire department works in a rural community.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•The names of Vickie DeGroot and James Johnson, Luverne High School band members, were omitted in a news release printed in last week’s Star-Herald concerning scholarships to participate in the annual Dorian Music Camp at Luther College in Decorah, Ia., on June 20-26.
The scholarships were awarded students who performed in an outstanding manner for the 22nd annual Dorian Instrumental Festival at Luther in March.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•Mrs. Ralph Duba announced that she had purchased the fixtures and equipment of Etta’s Café from Mrs. Etta Dehmlow. She stated that she planned to dispose of the fixtures at a public auction Monday.
Mrs. Duba has rented the location, formerly occupied by Mrs. Dehmlow, and in the near future would open a ladies ready-to-wear store there.
Mr. Duba emphasized that the ladies ready-to-wear store will be solely his wife’s and that he would continue to operate his Duba’s Service Station and Café.
Mrs. Dehmlow stated that she had no definite plans for the future, other than that she was going to take a vacation. She had been in the café business here for the past six years, the last three of which were spent in her present location.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•According to present expectations, try-out work preliminary to the organization of the American Legion baseball club that is to represent Luverne during the coming season is to start about April 15th, or as soon thereafter as weather conditions will permit.
An organization to take charge of the project has been effected, with Ray Engan, Esq., as business manager and secretary; A. T. Suurmeyer, treasurer, and Leo Dressen, manager-player. At the present time there are about twenty-six candidates for positions on the team.
So far as possible the club is to be composed of members of the American Legion, who with the exception of possibly the pitching staff, are to be non-salaried players, and is hoped to be able to avoid asking the public for any direct donations for the maintenance of the team.