How well do you remember those U.S. history lessons?
If you’re like me, I don’t remember those intricate details necessary to receive my U.S. citizenship. Luckily I don’t have to pass the test now in effect for those who are seeking citizenship.
Out of curiosity I tried to answer the questions the New York Times used in its recent story about the new citizenry test questions. 
Below are 10 questions. How many of these could you answer without using Google?
1.) James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
President during the War of 1812;
Fifth president of the United States;
Writer of the Declaration of Independence;
First Secretary of State.
2.) The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
Washington crossing the Delaware;
Battle of Tippecanoe;
Battle of Fort Niagara;
The Treaty of Ghent.
3.) What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
It guarantees the rights of criminal defendants;
It states that the powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people;
It abolished slavery;
It prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
4.) Whom does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
People living in their state;
People living in their congressional district;
Citizens in their congressional district;
Their political party.
5.) Who appoints federal judges?
The Chief Justice;
Senate;
President;
Attorney general.
6.) How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
four;
five;
six;
nine.
7.) The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
The Missouri Compromise;
the Trail of Tears;
the Battle of Little Bighorn;
Sherman’s March.
8.) Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.
Clara Barton;
Eleanor Roosevelt;
Mary Baker Eddy;
Sojourner Truth.
9.) The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
We the People;
Self-government;
One from of many;
One nation, indivisible.
10.) What is the form of government of the United States?
Democracy;
Monarchy;
Aristocracy;
Oligarchy.
Do you feel confident you answered at least six correctly?
New citizens need to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly.
Answers to the previous questions are:
1.) James Madison was president from 1809 to 1817 and was our nation’s leader during the War of 1812.
2.) George Washington crossing the Delaware River occurred Christmas Day 1776, bolstering troop morale to eventually defeat the British.
3.) The Tenth Amendment states “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
4.) U.S. House of Representatives represent people living in their congressional district, which averages 700,000 people.
5.) The president appoints a federal judge with the Senate confirming the decision.
6.) Four of the nine Supreme Court judges are needed for the court to review a case and five out of the nine are needed to overturn the lower court’s decision.
7.) Sherman’s March occurred in 1864 and eventually brought the Confederacy’s surrender in the Civil War.
8.) Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was the women’s rights activist.
9.) E Pluribus Unum means “out of many, one.”
10.) The United States is a democracy — government by the whole population.
As U.S. citizens, we all should be able to answer those questions about our history and our Constitution correctly and not just guess.

So have you had a heart attack lately? Hopefully your answer is no, and just because February is heart month, that is no reason to have one.
But if you happen to have a heart attack any time soon, Rock County is a pretty good place to have one.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of suffering from a heart attack, your chance of surviving such an event is largely affected by how fast you get the medical attention you need.
A vital piece of equipment that is used to restart the heart is something called an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and the sooner it’s used, the better.
Our local ambulances, sheriff’s department vehicles and fire department have AEDs with them. In addition to those, there are nearly 50 such devices placed throughout Rock County.
You can find them in public gathering places such as the library, schools, city hall, the courthouse, ice arena, churches, grocery stores, funeral homes and bars and restaurants.
So if your ticker decides to take a break and time matters, chances are you might be close to one of those AEDs.
Those AEDs are only as good as the batteries and pads that are part of the machine.
The batteries and pads need to be serviced every 12 months or so, and that runs about $175 per machine per year.
You can help keep those AEDs in tiptop working order by “adopting an AED.”
Contact Emily Crabtree at the Luverne Area Community Foundation office at 507-220-2424.
Better yet, you can adopt online by going to luverne.fcsuite.com/erp/donate.
Don’t be shy. If you want to adopt more than one, by all means do so.
Still on the fence about adopting? Consider this. By adopting an AED, you can save a life – your loved one, your neighbor or a co-worker – or maybe yours!
The adoption hotline is now open. Give Emily a call.

To the Editor:
Our founding fathers came from monarchies in Europe where they foundthat absolute power corrupts absolutely. So they wrote theConstitution so that there would be checks and balances so no onecould rule absolutely.
But since Minnesota has a law that we cannot prosecute the police,there is no check and balance. This situation where it is possible forthe police to cover for each other’s mistakes will inspire people that want to get by with crime to become policemen. When George Floyd got killed by a policeman, the other police automatically lied, sayingthat he had resisted arrest when he had not. But some police are honest. Since more police die from suicide while being investigated than are killed by the public, there are some policemen that do try to stop the problem cops. But those who joined the police force becausethey wanted to be able to get by with crime seem to think that theirlittle world will fall apart if they can no longer be a cop, so they commit suicide.
When George Floyd got killed, there were so many protests so immediately that it seems as if there was a huge problem that peoplejust needed proof to respond. When Derek Chauvin callously looked into the camera while he killed Floyd, it seemed as if he knew full wellthat he would get by with it.
We need checks and balances on the police. When the legislature doesnot allow the courts to prosecute a criminal cop, then there is nohope for justice ever. No hope brings never-ending frustration which results in mental illness which brings
more crime.
                    Roger  Elgersma
Pipestone

Dispatch report
Jan. 29
•Complainant reported threats.
•Complainant turned in weapon parts.
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported found property.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported lost property.
Jan. 30
•Complainant on 85th Street reported theft.
•Hit and run was reported at location on 121st Street, Luverne.
Jan. 31
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a diesel fuel spill.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a vehicle parked in lot for extended time.
Feb. 1
•Complainant reported theft of a checkbook.
•Complainant requested warrant/hit confirmation.
•Complainant on W. Interstate Drive reported theft by check.
•Complainant on W. Gabrielson Road reported a juvenile runaway.
•Complainant on E. Minnesota, Steen, reported multiple nuisance problems.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported vehicle in parking lot running with nobody around.
Feb. 2
•Complainant requested to speak to deputy.
•Complainant on Roundwind Road reported vehicle passed bus stop arm.
•Complainant on 251st Street, Jasper, reported a strong propane smell in the area.
•Missing person was reported at location at E. First Avenue, Beaver Creek.
Feb. 3
•Complainant on W. Mead Court requested to serve a shut-off notice.
•Complainant on E. Dodge Street reported elevator maintenance issue.
•Complainant on S. Estey Street requested deputy assistance.
•Complainant on Mag Road, Luverne, reported license plates found in car wash.
•Complainant eastbound on County Road 4, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant on N. Cedar Street reported vandalism.
•Hit and run was reported on N. Kniss Avenue.
Feb. 4
•Assistance from another department was requested westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Beaver Creek.
•Complainant reported a phone outage.
•Complainant on W. Hatting Street requested to speak to a deputy.
Feb. 5
•Complainant on 91st Street, Luverne, reported mailboxes were knocked down.
 
In addition, officers responded to 1 deer accident, 1 motor vehicle accident, 2 vehicles in ditch, 6 escorts, 20 ambulance runs, 2 paper services, 5 animal complaints, 8 burn permits, 1 vehicle impound, 1 alarm, 12 purchase and carry permits, 18 traffic stops, 6 abandoned 911 calls, 2 tests, 2 welfare checks, and 3 follow-ups.

The Luverne Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association gave away hundreds of pizzas Saturday in the parking lot of Living Rock Church on East Main Street in Luverne.
About a dozen volunteers dressed in warm boots and multiple layers against the sub-zero wind chills hand pizzas through car windows of the drive-through event.
“It was cold, but we have no regrets,” said club member JoAnn Vanderburg.
“It was an opportunity to give back to the community and show the love of Jesus and offer prayers of hope with anyone who wanted to pray with us.”
She said many who were receptive to praying had concerns about health issues and employment problems related to the pandemic.
The local CMA chapter typically takes orders to raise funds for its annual “Run for the Son” ministry, but this year Vanderburg said the pandemic created a new way to minister.
“I’d been praying about it … I didn’t know if we should ask for donations for orders this year,” Vanderburg said.
“Then one of our members said he’d been abundantly blessed this year and offered $2,000 to buy the pizzas to give away.”
Other club members chipped in with their own donations toward Saturday’s event that drew 60 vehicles.
“We were also happy to hear some of them say they know of someone they will be sharing the pizzas with,” Vanderburg said.
Left-over pizzas were later delivered to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Mary Jane Brown Home and to The Cottage where one of the CMA members, Keith Lemke, recently passed away under hospice care.
For more information about CMA and its mission, president Steve Steensma can be reached at 507-920-8659.

Bullerman named to dean’s list at UW
Paige Bullerman, Adrian, was named to the Fall 2020 semester dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. To be eligible, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA.
Bullerman is majoring in forensic investigation.
SMSU Marshall releases dean’s list
Cassidy Teunissen, Luverne, and Brayden Tofteland, Beaver Creek, were named to the Fall 2020 dean’s list at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. To qualify, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA with a minimum of 12 graded credits.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Feb. 15: Ham and scalloped potatoes, peas, bread, fruit cobbler/crisp.
Tuesday, Feb. 16: Spaghetti, green and wax beans, fruit cocktail, garlic bread, cookie.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Security Savings Bank.
Wednesday, Feb. 17: Baked fish, scalloped potatoes, beets, dinner roll, gelatin.
Thursday, Feb. 18: Pork loin, sweet potatoes, broccoli, bread, bar.
Friday, Feb. 19: Meatloaf, baked potato with sour cream, broccoli, bread, cake.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Main Street Financial.
 
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.

10 years ago (2011)
•Luverne School District is among eight districts in southwest Minnesota in line to receive a sizeable technology grant.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will award $369,000 in grants to promote distance learning in rural schools.
In Luverne that will likely translate to more course offerings for students and more opportunities, according to Superintendent Gary Fisher.
“With the grant, it will allow us to improve equipment we have in our classrooms,” he said.
Minnesota’s Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative will receive the grant funds—about $10,000 per school—and will distribute the money in the form of equipment.
Other southwest Minnesota schools in the cooperative to receive technology grants include Windom, Adrian, Jackson, Pipestone, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Westbrook-Walnut Grove and Southwest Star Concept.
Each school will receive roughly $10,000 which it will match.
 
25 years ago (1996)
•The Rock County Historical Society came one step closer to acquiring the Masonic Temple for use as a museum Tuesday.
The Luverne Masons are offering to give their building to the Historical Society, but the society can’t afford to accept the offer without securing funding to maintain the building.
Betty Mann, president of the Historical Society, and Don Klosterbuer, secretary of the group, approached the Rock County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting Tuesday to ask for help.
The county already makes an annual contribution of $2,250 to the Historical Society. Commissioners agreed to increase that contribution by $4,000 for an annual gift of $6,250.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•Mrs. Allyn Meester was named this month as Magnolia School’s Teacher of the Year, according to Superintendent  Floyd Fandrich.
Mrs. Meester was chosen on the basis of her skill in the teaching profession and the outstanding example she has set to serve as an inspiration to both teachers and students at Magnolia.
The Magnolia teacher has been a first grade instructor in School District 669 since September of 1954. She came to Magnolia with a two-year state teaching certificate from Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Not content  with just a teaching certificate, she returned to Augustana in 1957 for summer and night classes until she earned her bachelor of science degree in 1962.
Since then she has continued to further her knowledge in the fields of corrective reading and elementary music.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•M. R. Roberts announced that his new lunch room, just east of Thomas the Jeweler’s, would be opened for business today. He plans to call the place “The Grill,” and he plans to feature sandwiches, soups and home made pies.
The place has been newly decorated and 10 booths installed. There will also be six or eight counter stools.
“There’s nothing like it in town.” Roberts stated, “and the public is invited to come in and pay us a visit. We want you to see how we prepare food, and to taste its goodness.”
 
100 years ago (1921)
•An event of pleasing importance to people of Beaver Creek and vicinity will take place this evening, when the newly organized American Legion post at Beaver Creek, known as Rochau-Henton Post 10’, will give its first dance, as the opening event of Beaver Creek’s new theatre and dance hall.
The acquisition of a theatre at Beaver Creek was made possible through the purchase by A. J. Peters and O. J. McDermott of the former Wiken garage from W. E. Norelius, which took place about two weeks ago.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village (continued from 02-04-20 edition of the Star Herald)
 
         No sooner was the town-to-be laid out than activity in its promotion became evident. The first to build on the site was A. E. Patterson, who completed a grain warehouse about the first of September, 1885. Ezra Rice put up the second grain house later in the same month, which was opened for business with Thomas Ganfield in charge. The depot was also erected during the fall of 1885, but it was not until October 18, 1886, that the station was formally opened. G. T. Bandy, formerly of Cazenovia, was installed as agent. A number of residences covered the improvements of the latter year. Mr. Bandy became Kanaranzi’s first postmaster, assuming charge at the opening of the office on January 28, 1887. As a result of the heavy wind storm on August 2, 1887, Kanaranzi was for a time with only one grain warehouse, the establishment of E. A. Brown who had succeeded A. E. Patterson, suffering complete destruction. It was immediately rebuilt. In October, 1887, a correspondent boasted for the town two grain buyers, a newly established stock yard and a photographer.
         Kanaranzi was without a mercantile establishment for the first three years of existence. The first store was opened by C. Northrup and E. Milne in a building they erected early in October, 1888. Several months later this firm sold to G. T. Bandy, the station agent, who during the season of 1889 also engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Bandy disposed of his interests in 1891 to Elias M. Blakeslee, who in June succeeded him as postmaster.
         With the addition of a lumber yard, blacksmith shop and saloon late in the year 1892, Kanaranzi  reached the high point in its development. The last two decades have changed but little the appearance of the village, but it has experienced all the healthful tendencies of improvement which a community of its size can exhibit. A substantial $1200 school building was erected in the village in 1899.
      The story of the village of Manley will continue in the Feb. 18 edition of the Star Herald.
         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.