The Minnesota DNR on Monday released three possible designs for the former state park interpretive center site that was once home to Luverne author Fred Manfred.
According to the DNR all three designs call for the house to be “deconstructed.”
Members of the public have until April 5 to comment on the trailhead development now called Eagle Rock Vista.
The building, constructed in 1961, is structurally damaged by moisture, and state engineers say there’s no way to rehabilitate it without water continuing to seep through the north wall of Sioux quartzite.
While community members advocated for its historical importance, facilities experts determined in 2019 it’s neither safe nor prudent to repair or reconstruct the building.
The state approved funding for a landscape architect to develop a plan that focuses instead on showcasing the location in honor of Manfred’s legacy “while better utilizing the resources in the area.”
The three design concepts released Monday provide a range of amenities from a basic trailhead structure to a picnic shelter and outdoor event space. However, none of the options include saving or rehabilitating the building.
“We understand the attachment that some people feel toward Frederick Manfred’s former home,” said Blue Mounds State Park supervisor Chris Ingebretsen.
“However, its very unique design made it susceptible to water intrusion, which severely compromised the building’s structural integrity over many years, to the point that restoration isn’t feasible.”
 
‘Save the Manfred House Inc.’ wants more time
Meanwhile, a small group with ties to Luverne has organized over the past 15 months to seek grant funding to save the building as a historically significant site.
“We’re concerned the DNR isn’t interested in preserving the house under any circumstance,” said former Luverne resident Tom Brakke, who is vice president of Save the Manfred House Inc.
“We feel that because of the historical significance of the house, the decision should have been more publicly vetted.”
Freya Manfred and her husband, Tom Pope, are president and secretary/treasurer of the group respectively. Several members are from Luverne or formerly lived there and have an interest in saving the former Manfred home.
Brakke said they question the process that determined the building can’t be saved, and he said it appears the state rushed to a conclusion “in order to get what it wanted — to get rid of the building.”
He laments that a public comment period of four weeks isn’t long enough to hear all voices.
“It seems like a very rushed job for such a significant project … once it’s gone it’s gone. This is too important,” Brakke said. “We don’t feel that [the process] has been open.”
The “Save the Manfred House” group reached out to Rolf Anderson, Minneapolis, who has an architecture degree and studies buildings to see if they’re eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
His evaluation concludes that it is eligible for the register under both literary and architectural criteria.
Anderson hasn’t been inside the building since before it closed, but he said it deserves a closer look.
“I would want to know, was the proper expertise brought to the table, like a historical architect?” he said Monday. “We feel that would really be key to knowing if it can be preserved.”
In his assessment he said the Manfred house architecture is on par with Frank Lloyd Wright, and he called it an “organic, site-responsive design, integrated into the surrounding landscape” with “unprecedented use of living stone.”
Brakke said regardless of its historic designation, he encourages people to get online and comment on the state’s form. He also encourages people to reach him at tom@tjbllc.com.
To read more about the project, review the conceptual designs, and learn how to share feedback with the DNR, visit the project webpage found at the park’s webpage mndnr.gov/bluemounds. The plans can be viewed in paper form at the Rock County Library.

After more than a decade, Luverne High School returns a team to the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League Tournament.
Eight students will compete in the March 15 virtual math bowl and tournament organized by Augsburg University in Minneapolis.
According to the university’s website, over 3,000 students from nearly 180 schools participate in 26 divisions each year.
Luverne has competed each year since the 1986-87 season, and this year will be the seventh time it has advanced beyond the regular season. The last time was in 2009.
Math League was founded in 1980.
Luverne belongs to the Dynamic South Division with Lakeview, Marshall and Montevideo high schools. The division is part of Class A Section 2 with Blue Earth Area, Fairmont, Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial and Tri-City United in Montgomery.
Class A consists of 52 schools. LHS finished the season in seventh place.
This year’s team was named division and regional champions, which isn’t an easy task according to second-year LHS adviser Aaron Perkins.
“There are times, looking at the questions and given the time constraints, if I don’t think I can answer very many of the questions,” he said.
There are 16 LHS students in Math League; eight compete as a team and the others compete as individuals.
Competing as a team at the state tournament are seniors Xavier Carbonneau, John Miller, Solveig Tofteland, Kaitlyn Anderson, juniors Trista Baustian Olivia Huisman, Burke Johnson, and sophomore Parker Carbonneau.
As the top individual in the division, Xavier Carbonneau competed in the state individual tournament March 8.
As a team, Luverne  competitors achieved their highest score of the season in the last of five meets. They tied Barnum High School with 176 points. St. Croix Lutheran High School had the top score of 325 points.
Teams answer as many of the 24 questions as they can in 12 minutes (many without the use of a calculator) in the four topics of algebra, geometry, trigonometry and precalculus.

The business of Big Top Tent Rentals is getting bigger, according to expansion plans in the former Bomgaars building in Luverne.
Big Top Tent Rentals owners Jordan and Stacey Smidt attended Monday morning’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority to discuss their business expansion at 321 W. Hatting St.
In 2015 they bought the tent rental business from Mike and Wanda Jarchow and expanded it in 2019 to include a snow removal service and a portable bathroom rental service.
Now they’re expanding to offer indoor event space and diversify their rental services.
“It will offer the option of not only us going out to them, but they can come to us,” Stacy Smidt said.
“There’s no kitchen, but there’s a prep room, and they can bring everything in from their caterers.”
Essentially, the expansion will offer more options year-round instead of just seasonally, with both on-site and off-site options.
Their large property also provides the ability to host outdoor events on site as well, with the renovated indoor space serving as a back-up plan in the event of inclement weather.
A 40-by-40-foot patio and tent will be added to the north side of the building for outdoor space that is ADA compliant.
Half of the building is currently used for storage of their tents and equipment, and the other half offers additional space for indoor events with renovation.
The large building also offers space to add business offices, restrooms, and storage and catering rooms.
Big Top currently employs four full-time and three part-time employees.
The scope of the business expansion project also includes:
•adding offices, break room, catering room, storage room and new ADA-compliant bathrooms.
•upgrading and installing plumbing, HVAC, electrical and fire sprinklers to meet code requirements.
The expansion project will cost $310,000 and the LEDA approved two loans totaling $30,000 to support it.
The LEDA approved a $25,000 Gap Loan at 2 percent interest for 10 years with monthly installments.
The Big Top Tent Rentals project also qualifies for a $5,000 Rural Business Assistance Loan at zero percent interest for five years with monthly installments.
The loans, secured with a mortgage on the property, were approved unanimously by the LEDA. “Congratulations and good luck,” Mayor Pat Baustian told the Smidts.
The project is also being financed in partnership with a bank loan, an SBA loan and owners' equity.

St. Patrick’s Day parades aren’t typically a big deal in Luverne, but this year it will mark a turning point in a pandemic that’s canceled most forms of community celebration.
“The last parade in Rock County was for the Band Festival in 2019 so we have had a long dry spell,” said Luverne Area Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
To entice more parade entrants, the Chamber is offering a gold dollar coin to each participant at the end of the parade route.
“Like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” Lanphere said.
“Decorations don’t have to be complicated … just wear some green and have some fun. Get your family, friends and neighbors to join.”
The parade will start at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, in the Living Rock Church parking lot on East Main Street and will end at the Palace Theatre on Freeman Avenue.
All businesses, individuals and families can participate with no pre-registration required.
Entrants must meet in the Living Rock Church between 4 and 4:30 p.m. to be included in the parade lineup.
For more information contact the Luverne Chamber at 507-283-4061 or luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us.

The Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a $25,000 gap loan for Schomacker Properties to help with a $153,000 construction project between their two stores on Main Street.
Randy, Sharon, Anthony and Joe Schomacker own and operate Schomacker's Home Galleries located at 202 E. Main Street.
They started with a cleaning business, then added flooring and appliance and then mattresses. 
They recently purchased The Sewing Basket located next door at 204 E. Main Street from Barb Bork.
EDA Director Holly Sammons in her report Monday explained the rationale behind that decision.
“They saw the traffic that the Sewing Basket brought to Main Street from around the area and understood what impact that store closing would have on our community,” she said.
“They saw an opportunity to expand their business by integrating the two stores.”
Schomackers bought the business, the building and the equipment, keeping the same staff and hiring a new manager to replace Bork.
Their business expansion project includes removing a section of the wall between the two retail stores and creating a large doorway between the Sewing Basket and Schomacker Home Galleries.
“This will allow both customers and sales staff to go back and forth and will create efficiencies in running both businesses,” Sammons said.
Additionally, the project includes installing a lift in the back of the store for deliveries and storing appliances and inventory in the basement space for warehouse and storage.
Schomacker’s Home Galleries and the Sewing Basket have two full-time and eight part-time jobs.
The scope of the business expansion project includes:
•create structurally sound access between both retail stores.
•cut hole in floor, create and install lift for moving appliances and inventory to the basement.
The EDA unanimously approved the $25,000 Gap Loan Monday.
Terms of the loan will be 2-percent interest for a 10 year-term with monthly installments.
The loan will be secured with a mortgage. The project is being financed in partnership with a bank loan and owners' equity.
The Schomacker gap loan was one of three $25,000 loans the LEDA approved Monday.
ATLAS received a loan to help with its expansion into the former Kawasaki building, and Big Top Tent Rentals received a loan to support its expansion of indoor and outdoor onsite rental space in the former Bomgaars building.

Luverne Counseling’s façade improvement is a perfect example of the how the program works, according LEDA director Holly Sammons.
She updated the Luverne Economic Development Authority Monday on the recent Main Street project and on the city’s façade improvement program to date.
In 2016 and 2017 Sammons worked with the business to create a first design proposal and worked through color revisions and options to create a design plan.
“A vision, a budget and a goal gave them the tools they needed to plan for the project for someday in the future,” Sammons said in her report.
In 2019 she said they again revisited the colors to find the right theme for the building.
Project developers had hoped for a spring 2020 project, but COVID delayed those plans, Sammons said. “Everyone in the business community was left wondering what this meant for their business operations,” she said of the pandemic.
By fall Luverne Counseling owners were able to get loans and grant approval and start construction. They worked on the project through the winter and finished last week with the awnings and lights.
“The most important part of a successful project is the planning and preparation, and they executed their project to perfection,” Sammons said.
Luverne Counseling, owned and directed by clinical counselor Erica Hough, opened six years ago in the former Myhre Studio building on West Main Street.
It provides psychotherapy and a wide range of counseling services, and employs several counselors and therapists in various lines of specialty.
On the Luverne Counseling Facebook page, a Feb. 24 post announced the project completion.
“Thanks, Dave Nessink and crew at Superior Caulking. Thank you, Holly Sammons from city of Luverne, for helping us through the process,” it said.
“And a huge thank you, Jackie Pizel, our assistant office manager, for coordinating so much of this. We love it.”
The facade improvements  cost roughly $76,800 and Luverne Counseling received the maximum grant and loan allowed through the program — a $21,000 grant and a $21,000 loan. The business invested $29,800 of its own equity.
The loan, at 2-percent interest, will be repaid over a period of seven years.
To date, Sammons said the Historic Façade Improvement Program has supported 23 façade projects between 2015-2021.
The LEDA has loaned out $158,000 dollars and granted $321,000 dollars during the course of the program.
The private sector has invested over $531,000 in equity into the projects, totaling over $1 million of investment into our Main Street.
 
Background
The Historic Façade Improvement Program was developed in 2014 to support the revitalization of Main Street and downtown Luverne while restoring buildings as closely as possible to their historic appearance from 1878-1948.
The city covers architectural costs for a professional design proposal to ensure projects align with the goal of a historic Main Street.
Funding provided through the program can be used for materials, construction, awnings, signage and lighting.
One-third of qualifying projects is paid by a grant, one-third by a low-interest loan, and one-third is owner equity.

Gevo Inc. is seeking to hire 20 employees for a May 1 reopening, according to Agri-Energy plant manager Phil Cherry.
“We are excited to get things back to ‘normal’,” he said March 3. “Whatever that is — so we must put quotes around normal.”
In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic forced Agri-Energy to stop producing isobutanol, a jet fuel made from corn.
On March 27, 2020, plant officials laid off 27 employees due to the pandemic’s negative effects on market prices.
Last week, however, Cherry confirmed 20 individuals will be rehired at the Luverne plant. Positions include boiler operator, lab technician, maintenance technician and process operator, according to the Gevo.com website.
Cherry said if key people are hired and trained in April, the plant would meet the May 1 reopening timeframe. Job postings were made on Feb. 25 and interviews have already started, he said.
Since the Luverne plant’s closure almost a year ago, Gevo officials have secured a long-term renewable hydrocarbons purchase and sale agreement with Trafigura Group to provide global customers with the low-carbon jet fuel produced at Luverne.
Trafigura is expected to take delivery of 25 million gallons annually including the renewable aviation fuel starting in 2023.
To fulfill the upcoming orders, Gevo is raising capital and, as of September 2020, has raised $46 million so far.
The funds will be used to continue retrofitting the Luverne plant to use renewable electricity and renewable natural gas to produce renewable gasoline, jet and diesel fuels.
The capital would also assist in the construction of three new production plants, including one near Lake Preston, South Dakota, where 240 acres were recently purchased.
The March 3 hiring announcement comes just weeks after Cherry wrote a letter assuring the community that parent company Gevo was not abandoning the Luverne production plant.
In his Feb. 11 letter to the Luverne community, Cherry mentioned that Agri-Energy was seeking a project manager to assist the Luverne location to use renewable natural gas from dairy cows to lessen the plant’s dependence on natural gas derived from fossil fuels.
The first part of Gevo’s green energy plan was completed in March 2020, just before the plant closing.
Gevo partnered with Juhl Energy of Chanhassen to construct two 2.5-megawatt wind turbines. The turbines came on line for electricity production in April 2020.
The Rock County Wind Fuel project generated 12,934 megawatt hours in 2020, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Meetings
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in the township hall.
American Legion Auxiliary Dell Hogan Post #123 will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Pizza Ranch in Luverne. Call Dianna at 507-283-1934 with questions.
 
Donate blood March 8 in Adrian
Community Blood Bank, Adrian EMS and Sanford Adrian Clinic will host a community blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 8, at the Adrian EMS Hall (201 Main Ave.).  Donors are are encouraged to schedule an appointment go to www.cbblifeblood.org, select “events” and choose March 8 and Adrian Community, or call Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222.
 
Dental clinic offered March 12
#Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force will offer a dental clinic for adults and children of all ages on Friday, March 12, at the Rock County Health and Human Services building. Call 612.746.1530 to schedule an appointment or stop by the human services office for assistance in scheduling. General exams and services will be provided. All forms of insurance accepted.
 
‘In the Garden’ March 16 portrays memory loss
A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota is presenting the second one act play about memory loss in their online educational series titled “In the Garden,” by Matthew Widman, the Memory Care Plays Anthology.
The production is an educational tool for both community and families navigating through the Alzheimer’s/Dementia decision-making process.
This free virtual play will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16. Please sign up through Eventbrite at https://marshall-garden2021.eventbrite.com.
 
Free food March 18
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 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 with questions.
 
Join the St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17
Register now at the Luverne Area Chamber to enter the 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Main Street Luverne. All businesses, individuals and families can participate with no pre-registration required. Entrants must meet in the Living Rock Church between 4 and 4:30 p.m. to be included in the parade lineup. Every parade participant will receive a gold dollar coin at the end of the parade. For more information contact the Luverne Chamber,507-283-4061 or luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us.
 
Community Education
Luverne Community Education will offer the following classes and activities. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Babysitting Basics for grades 5-8 will be on March 15 and 18. Fee is $15.
Springtime Snack & Paint on March 18 for students in grades 1 – 3 will teach about spring flowers and animals with paint snacks. Meet at Coffey Contemporary Arts. Fee is $33.
Maximize Your Memory – attend by Zoom or in person on March 24.  Learn when to be concerned and techniques to improve your memory!  Register with your email.  Fee is $5.
Preschool Fun Time on March 30 for parents with children ages 0-5.Registration required, but no fee.
Intro to Weight Lifting provides a comfort level for training at a fitness facility or at home. Meet in the new weight room at the high school for 7 sessions beginning April 6.
 
Rock County spring weight restrictions in effect
Spring weight restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, March 4, on Rock County roadways. Load restrictions starting and ending dates are based on how the weather is affecting roadway strength. The dates are based on monitoring roads as weather conditions change, and they are variable, so drivers must check for updates throughout the spring. Call the Rock County Highway Department, 507-283-5010.
 
Tax assistance for available for Rock County residents
United Community Action Partnership will be providing free online virtual tax assistance for residents living in Rock County and surrounding communities. See website for details at https://www.unitedcapmn.org/services/community-family-services/tax-clin…
The number to make an appointment and to get intake forms sent via mail is 507-537-1416 ext. #2163. You can also email Courtney Newgard at Newgardcourtney.newgard@unitedcapmn.org with questions.
 
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)