Meetings
Luverne Music Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the LHS Choir Room. Everyone is welcome. Contact Heather Johnson with questions, 507-920-6825.
Battle Plain Township Board will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the conference room ofEdgerton Ag, 1300 Mechanic St., Edgerton.
Compassionate Friends will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at the Luverne Area Community Foundation Office located next to the Palace Theatre in Luverne. The group is for anyone who has experienced the death of a child, grandchild or sibling of any age and from any cause. Call 605-254-2072 or email pat.saum@gmail.com.
Free tax preparation
AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation for low-income and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays starting Feb. 9 through April 15. Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return and a form of identification to document social security number. Masks required.
Free food Jan. 20
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 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.
‘Love to Grow’ Expo Jan. 22
Project Food Forest and local sponsors will host a “Love to Grow” Expo from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Take 16 on East Main Street. The event features Luverne horticulturalist George Bonnema and other professional presenters, a showcase of local projects, and vendors with locally produced goods and materials.
Appetizers and charcuterie of locally sourced ingredients are included in the ticket price, and specialty craft infused beers and herbal teas will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Project Food Forest's outreach and education efforts throughout the region. Tickets — $30 in person and $15 virtually — are at Eventbrite.com.
Contact Kimberly Rockman, 605-951-0227, with questions.
Winter Carnival Jan. 22
Luverne Music Boosters Winter Carnival will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the Luverne Classic Gym. The event features food, games, prizes, Bingo, a cakewalk and more to benefit music education in Luverne Schools.
Online mental health classes
NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will offer free online mental health classes for January and February.
Among them are suicide prevention classes called QPR – Question, Persuade and Refer — plus a special one for ag communities.
The classes are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with a mental illness, service providers and also for the general public. Go to namimn.org and click on “Classes.”
Community Ed
Call Cindy at Community Ed, 507-283-4724, to register for classes.
Community Ed website is http://www.isd2184.net/Communit_Ed/index.htmlRefresher 4-hour Defensive Driving Class will be Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Luverne School students, grades 8 and older may register now for the Winter Session of Student Driver Education that begins Jan. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. The fee is $355, which includes 30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind the wheel instruction. On Jan. 24, out-of-district students may register for open spots in the winter session.
First Aid/CPR/AED Certification Class is Feb. 3. Fee is $58.
Students ages 3-12 years old will learn to play the orff instruments (smaller version of xylophone) at Melodious Mallets. Class begins Feb. 4 and culminates with the Luverne Street Music Spring Showcase in May. Fee is $100 for 16 lessons.
Register by Feb. 9 for the ACT Prep class that begins Feb.24 for juniors and seniors. Fee is $125.
Softball Camp begins on Feb. 10 for six sessions for girls in grades K-8 who are interested in being catchers and pitchers to learn and practice their skills (experienced or inexperienced). Sign up by Feb. 1 at the lower fee of $60.
Preschool Fun for children ages 0-5 years and parent Jan. 25 or Jan. 27. No fee, but registration needed to reserve morning or evening play time.
Happenings at the Rock County Library
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
The 2022 Winter Reading Program, “Catch a Keeper at your Library,” is currently under way and goes through March 31. Read or listen to 12 books checked out from the Rock County Library and win a fabulous prize. Winter Reading Bingo will also be played. Bingo sheets are available now at the library.
Who says kids get to have all the fun? An Adult Show and Tell will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, at Take 16. Bring an item (or items) to tell us about or perhaps a story or two. It will be a fun and relaxing evening of sharing tales of local brews.
Bring your creative selves to Bad Art Night at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 17, at Take 16, and compete to see who can make the worst piece of art with provided supplies. The less artistic ability you have, the better. Prizes will be awarded.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.
Goehle gym open Sundays through March 27
The Hugo Goehle gymnasium in Hills is open for public recreation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays now through March 27.
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents.
Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota.
Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.