Meetings
Battle Plain Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13, in the Edgerton Ag conference room.
Tour de Donut July 15
The annual Tour de Donut will be Saturday, July 15, at The Lake in Luverne. Start time of the first event is 7 a.m. New this year are 7- or 11-mile tours on the Luverne Loop or the Luverne Loop and Ashby Trail. Register at https://tinyurl.com/donutMN
Euphonium music at Plaza July 20
#Luv1LuvAll will host Matthew Dulas, who plays the euphonium, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at The Plaza on East Main Street. Gourmet popcorn and freshments will be served.
Suicide prevention info online July 25
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Minnesota Chapter online “Introduction to Suicide Prevention” is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Register at https://tslmn-0725.attendease.com.
Learn common risk factors for suicide, how to spot warning signs in others and how to keep community members safe.
The online event is paid for with funds raised through the Luverne Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Contact Angela Nolz, angela.nolz@sanfordhealth.org with questions.
Mobile dental clinic in Luverne
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne on Wednesday, July 26, Thursday, July 27, and Thurs. Aug. 17 at ATLAS of Rock County. (Note the location, use Community Room entrance). This clinic provides dental care for adults and children of all ages. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
Free summer events
Summer crafts and activities, hosted by Rock County Opportunities, provides free activities and fun for all ages at the Plaza on Main from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 13.
Jim Brandenburg’s Touch the Sky Prairie Nature Walk with naturalist Pat Doyscher will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Prairie Waterfall Trail.
Zumba Fitness & Fun is a free exercise class hosted by Luverne Aquatic & Fitness at the Plaza on Main from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 17.
Fun at the Beach books, a child reading outreach program, is hosted by Rock County Community Library at the Plaza on Main from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 18.
A Fun Day for Kids, hosted by Quality Printing, will provide free activities and games at the Plaza on Main at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 19.
Treats & Treasures is hosted by Luv1LuvAll at the Plaza on Main from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20. A free snack and program info will be provided.
Live music on the Plaza Luverne Street Music is celebrating their 10th anniversary and will provide live music on the Plaza on Main at 5:30 Monday, July 24. Participants are asked to bring a chair.
Senior dance Luverne Aquatics & Fitness will host a senior dance class at the Plaza on Main from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, to promote free exercise thru dance class.
Life on the Prairie The Rock County Historical Society will host a hands-on prairie experience for kids from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Fitzer Barn on the Rock County Fairgrounds. The event is free.
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Paint and Snack Classes for grades K-4 during the 2022-23 school year are July 17 and Aug. 14. Fee is $33/class.
Cake Decorating Camp for students in grades 3-5 (as attended in the 22-23 school year)is July 18 & 19. Learn to bake and decorate cake from start to finish! Fee is $100. Register by July 13 (Community Ed office closed July 14-28).
Yoga grades 3-5 starts July 24 for four sessions. Fee is $40. Register by July 13 (Community Ed office closed July 14-28).
Missoula Children’s Theatre returns to Luverne on July 31-Aug. 4 for ages Kindergarten (as attended during 22-23 school year) through age 18 to perform in “The Princess and the Pea.” Fee is $35 paid by July 13.
Park announces July programs
The Blue Mounds State Park has announced its July programs and events. Contact bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6050 with questions or special requests.
Built Like a Bison will be from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Eagle Rock Vista. Big, bold, and beautiful; bison have been roaming the prairies of North America for hundreds of years. Discover what it takes to be built like a bison and thrive on the prairie at this stop-and-go style program.
Storytime on the Plains will be from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the bench across from Campground Host. Long before writing and libraries, people have been sharing their culture, history, and values through story telling. Hear stories that have been shared on the Great Plains for centuries. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Story-lovers of all ages are welcome.
Mammal Mania Nature Cart will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Picnic Area. Bison may be the star of the show, but they are not the only mammal that make their home at the park. All ages welcome!
Magical Monarchs will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Amphitheater. The monarch has become a national icon for pollinators across America. From life cycles to a long migration, explore the world of pollinators through the lens of our state butterfly. Bring a chair as seating is limited.
Wetland Wonders will be from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Picnic Area. Home to animals like great blue herons, painted turtles, and beavers; wetlands are more than just a swamp. Discover the wonders of wetlands through eyes of animals big and small and learn why we as humans need these wonderful places. This program is designed for ages 6-12 years old, but all ages are welcome.
Blue Mounds Birding will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Picnic Area. Learn about popular bird species at the park how to identify birds in the wild. We will hike a short half-mile hike to practice new skills. *Bring sun and insect protection as well as good walking shoes. Bring your binoculars if possible. All ages welcome.
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
All Day Savenger Hunts challenges library visitors to find various items. Successful hunters can earn a prize. The last hunt takes place July 25.
Story Time in the Park is at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays through July at the following locations.
•July 13, Kolbert Park
•July 20, Veterans Memorial Park
•July 27, Hawkinson Park
Traveling Story Time continues in city or county parks in all the communities outside of Luverne in July.
•Monday, July 17, 10 a.m. Magnolia; 10:45 a.m., Kanaranzi.
•Wednesday, July 19: 10 a.m., Hardwick; 10:45 a.m., Kenneth.
•Monday, July 24, 10 a.m., Beaver Creek, 10:45 a.m., Hills, 11:30 a.m., Steen.
•Wednesday, July 26, 10 a.m., Magnolia, 10:45 a.m., Kanaranzi.
Plaza Story Time with children’s librarian is at 10 a.m. at the History Center Plaza on Tuesday, July 18.
Arts & Crafts provides an hour of fun for kindergarteners through fifth-graders. The event begins at 3 p.m. each Wednesday through July.
Teens in Action provides a time for children ages 12 to 18 to meet and discuss books, music and movies. Meets each Thursday at 3 p.m. through July.
Books on Tap takes place at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Take 16 in Luverne.
The 50 State Challenge for adults and older teens is currently underway where patrons are encouraged to read a book set in one of each of the 50 states through Jan. 1, 2024.
Summer reading program for youth and adults is currently underway now through Aug. 15. Youth can pick up the “Find Your Voice” reading log to earn prizes for the number of books read. In the adult program, for every five books read, patrons may enter their name to win one of three gift baskets.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration is at 6 p.m.
SAIL classes in Luverne through Sept. 28
New SAIL classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 11 through Sept. 28 at Generations Event Center in Luverne. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life, improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E. of SWMN manager Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064 or A.C.E. volunteer Corey Ziegler, 507-920-0587.
SAIL classes start in Beaver Creek Aug. 7
New SAIL classes meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 7 through Oct. 25 in the Beaver Creek City Council Meeting Room. The free classes, Stay Active and Independent for Life improve strength and balance. Call A.C.E. of SW MN manager, Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064 or A.C.E. volunteer Nancy Lange, 605-838-5915.
Kits available at library
Libraries in the Plum Creek Library System have Storytelling Kits in a wide range of subjects from ABCs to Zoos. Each of the more than 130 kits contains a variety of materials based on the kit’s theme. Some include Wonderbooks, puppets, music CDs and DVDs. Various learning activities can also be found in the kits.
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 loved ones to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
STEAM kits are also available checkout. Motion, lights, hydropower, robotics and magnets are among the kits.
Food Shelf evening hours
The Rock County Food Shelf is open for an additional evening shift from 5 to 6 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month. Call Mary at 507-227-5548 or Katie at 507-227-3531.
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.
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.