Meetings

Springwater Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at the home of Teresa Kramer, clerk.

Lady Luverne Red Hats will meet at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the parking lot south of Glen’s for lunch at the Glass House in Ihlen and to tour windmills. RSVP to Connie Wieneke at 283-8470 by Sept 7.

Pink Ladies will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in Sanford Luverne Hospital.

Blue Mound Quilters will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in the basement at the Rock County Community Library to plan programs for the upcoming year.

Rock County People First will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at Pizza Ranch in Luverne.

Luverne Area Brain Injury Support Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in the Blue Mound Room at Sanford Hospital in Luverne. Call Jennifer Vander Schaaf at 283-5070 ext. 3040 with questions.

Luverne Music Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the high school choir room. (Note the new day.) All parents of middle school and high school band and choir students are encouraged to attend.

Hills Community Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the Hills American Legion Club room.

VFW Auxiliary #2757 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Rock County Courthouse Square.

Rock County VFW #2757 will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the lower level of the Rock County Veterans Memorial Building. Call Bill Martin, commander, at 449-8136 with questions.

Hollyhoppers Square Dance Club will meet for their membership dance at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at the Brown School in Pipestone. Jerry Junck will call this dance.

MS Support Group will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Rock County Human Services Building in Luverne. All persons with MS and friends and family are invited. For information call 283-2069 or 283-2964.

Celebrate Recovery, a faith-based 12-step program, meets at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the First Assembly of God Church west of Luverne. Call 283-9694 with questions.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Rock County Community Library.

Luverne Township Board meets at 9 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month in the Rock County Community Library.

Denver Township Board meets the third Tuesday of every month in the Hardwick City Hall.

Mound Township Board meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Monday each month at the Rock County Highway Building, Luverne.

Tops #777 meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday nights in Hardwick City Hall. Weigh-in is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Call Glenda, 449-0444, or Rayola, 348-7287.

Weight Watchers meets every Monday in First Presbyterian Church, Luverne. Weigh-in is from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and the meeting is from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Call (800) 651-6000.

Luverne Tops 698 meets for weigh-in at 8 a.m. every Thursday in the Pizza Ranch. The meeting follows at 8:45 a.m.

Events

Market continues through October

Vendors with Luverne’s Farmers Market continue to meet on Luverne’s East Main Street every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. They will continue through the end of the growing and harvest season in October. New vendors are welcome, but need to register through the Luverne Chamber office, 283-4061. Concessions are available during the Farmers Market, with proceeds benefiting local causes. Call Corrine, 283-4451, with questions.

Friends of the Library collects books for Sept. 16-18 sale

Friends of the Library will collect books for their upcoming book sale until Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Rock County Community Library. Book sale dates are Sept. 16-18. Donations will be accepted during normal business hours. Encyclopedias and textbooks will not be accepted. Call Dolly at 283-8966 with questions.

Remember Rally set for Sept. 11

The Eighth Annual Remember Rally will be Saturday, Sept. 11. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Howling Dog Saloon, Luverne, and the motorcycle run leaves at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds will help build a clinic in the Black Hills, for those affected by military, 9-11 and workplace contaminants For more information, contact Diane Sherwood at 283-4194.

Grace Lutheran hosts Sunday School Rally Day

Grace Lutheran, Luverne, will host its Sunday School Rally Day on Sunday, Sept. 12. Following are the activities: 8:15 a.m. will be the worship service in the sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. Great Plains Zoo Mobile; 10:45 a.m. Outside worship service. Bring pets, lawn chairs or a photo of a pet for the memorial board. In case of inclement weather, worship service will be inside without pets; 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch under the big tent. Petting zoo will be available at the far east side of the parking lot.

First Presbytrian hosts Sunday School Rally Day

First Presbyterian Church, Luverne, will host its Sunday School Rally Day at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, for parents and students in pre-K through 12 grade. Food, games and fellowship are planned in the fellowship hall.

Fall Storyhour registration

Call the Rock County Library, 449-5040, to sign up now for Fall Storyhour for pre-school children ages 4-5 through Sept. 14. Storyhour will be Thursdays from 10-11 a.m. Sept. 16 through Nov. 18.

Laptime for ages 0-3 and parents will be Fridays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 17 through Nov. 19. No registration is required. Join us for stories, songs, crafts and more.

AWANA starts Sept. 15 at First Baptist

Luverne First Baptist Church AWANA classes are at 6:55 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Sept. 15. Parents are invited to a hot dog supper for the first meeting. Call 283-4091 or 227-4952 with questions.

Vickerman appreciation event Sept. 15

The Minnesota Veterans Home is hosting an appreciation celebration Senator Jim Vickerman from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, in the dining room. There will be refreshments and a short program.

Adrian High School hosts blood drive

The Community Blood Bank will accept donations from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Adrian High School. Call Cindy Wolf at Sanford Adrian Clinic, 483-2668, for more information.

Cardinal Gold’n Bowl is Sept. 17

Luverne High School and the Luverne Area Chamber will host the 2010 Cardinal Gold’n Bowl Friday, Sept. 17, for the home football clash between the Luverne Cardinals and Jackson County Central Huskies.

Come for the game and enjoy a $3 grilled chicken breast supper courtesy of Gold’n Plump Poultry, Glen’s Food Center and Prairie Fire Barbecue Club. Serving begins at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Field until chicken is gone. Call the Chamber, 283-4061, with questions.

Historical society annual meeting and fundraiser 

The Rock County Historical Society's annual meeting and fundraiser banquet will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Blue Mound Banquet Center in Luverne. Join them for great food, entertainment by Emily Lodine Overgaard, a visual trip of the past year and a raffle drawing.

Dinner tickets are $20 and available at the Chamber office or Renfro Variety. RSVP by Sept. 19 at 449-2745 or 283-2913.

Blue Mound Church Fall Festival Sept. 19

Blue Mound Lutheran Church Fall Festival will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at the rural church northeast of the Blue Mounds State Park. Guest pastor will be Arlin Foss, Worthington. A catered meal will follow the service.

Community Ed: register now for upcoming activities

The new Fall Luverne Community Education brochure is now available. Find classes and activities for all ages in the brochure, or access it through the CE link on the school website at www.isd2184.net.

Call 283-4724, Ext. 4000 to register for the following:

New ECFE 12-week class sessions for parents and children, 0-5, will begin Sept. 14.

Students ages 4 years through grade 6 will have 4 days of Gymnastics the week of Sept. 13.

Students in grades 9-12 may take lessons through Songbird Voice Studio beginning Sept. 13.

Spotlight Dance begins the week of Sept. 13. Ages 3 and older should register now.

Community Ed is looking for 20 people who would like to play four sessions of Wednesday evening Adult Flag Football. Register by Sept. 17 for this $5 activity that will begin on Sept. 21.

FamilyU has openings

Children in grades K-5 in the Luverne School District may enroll in FamilyU for after-school care until 5:30 p.m. Snacks, games and activities, outdoor play and help with homework are provided.  Call 283-4724 with questions, or stop by Community Education.

Discovery Time openings

Luverne Community Education has openings in the Tuesday/Thursday sections of Discovery Time preschool for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Call Community Ed. at 283-4724 for more information.

Community Ed. looking for ideas, instructors

Community Education is inviting the public to submit new class and trip ideas or for volunteers to instruct classes for the fall/winter session. Call 283-4724 if you would like to teach a class or have an idea for a new class.

Head Start enrollment open

Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council’s Head Start Program in the Rock County area is looking for 3- and 4-year-old children and parents to participate in its early childhood program for the 2010-11 school year. Head Start provides educational, health, nutrition and social service assistance to children and their families. Call 800-658-2444 and ask to speak with Head Start Enrollment.

CoffeeBreak Bible Study

Luverne Christian Reformed Church, Luverne, meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays for CoffeeBreak Bible Study. The study will focus on the book of Judges. Story hour will be available for children ages two to kindergarten and a nursery will be available for infants. Call Cheryl Thacker at 283-3674 with questions or if you need a ride.

Big Buddies seeks mentors

The Big Buddies of Rock County program is looking for adults to mentor children in the community. Big Buddies are matched with children in grades K-6 and spend one to two hours per week together. Call Sherri Smith at 283-1302 for information or to apply.

Rose History books are available

The Rock County Historical Society now has copies of the 1911 Rose’s History of Rock and Pipestone Counties. These soft-covered books contain the history of Rock County only. The book is available for $25 plus postage. Contact Betty Mann at 283-2913 or at mannmade@iw.net.

Help needed at the museum

The Rock County Historical Society is seeking volunteers to help organize and archive data from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Rock County Museum on North Freeman Avenue. Help will be needed starting April 18. Interested volunteers can call Rock County Historical Society President Betty Mann at 283-2913.

Don’t overlook historical treasures

Local historical treasures are available for tours and visits in Luverne. The Hinkly House and Rock County Museum have summer hours from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but Historical Society staff welcome requests for scheduled tours. Call Lee Alexander, 283-9476, to schedule a tour and learn more about the roots of this community.

Unable to shop or cook on your own?

Luverne Senior Dining prepares and serves nutritious meals every weekday, and provides frozen meals for weekends. According to the Older Americans Act, senior citizens may contribute what they can afford for one meal per day up to seven days per week. Call 283-9846 for information and to make reservations.

Senior swim days

The Luverne Senior Citizen Center reminds area residents that the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center Senior swim times are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays. Non-members pay $1.50.

Prayer time

The public is welcome to participate in community prayer time from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays in the New Life Church office (located in the Brandenburg Gallery building).

Home delivered meals available to rural residents

Luverne Senior Dining and Nutrition Services Inc., Waseca, now offers home delivered meals to local rural residents 60 or older or to disabled younger residents. Call Neva, 283-9846, to order or to volunteer delivery services. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed mileage.

Cash for Kids recycling program

Luverne Elementary School, along with Parents: Partners in Prevention, requests free support from the public in its Cash for Kids recycling program that receives cash for old cell phones, laser cartridges and inkjet printer cartridges. Place the used items in their original containers or in a resealable plastic bag and drop them off at participating businesses or at the elementary school. Last year the school received $1,850 for technology, playground and classroom needs. Call Lisa Dinger at school, 283-4497, with questions.

VA benefits available to Iraq veterans

Veterans recently discharged from combat operations can have free medical care for two years for conditions related to their service, regardless of income status. Call Rock County Veterans Services Officer Ron Hansen, 283-5061.

Medical equipment available to public

The Rock County Retired Senior Volunteers Office has medical equipment available for use free of charge. It’s the equipment that the VFW used to loan out. A $25 deposit, which is refunded upon return of the equipment, is required. Call Greta, 283-5064 to inquire.

Need help with prescriptions?

Senior LinkAge Line has staff and community volunteers available to assist individuals one-on-one in finding programs that may help them pay for prescription costs. The phone number is 1-800-333-2433. The LinkAge Line, a program of the Southwest Minnesota Area Agency on Aging, connects seniors to services such as transportation, in-home services, insurance and finances. Prescription assistance, however, is the most common reason for calling the LinkAge Line.

L.O.T.S. of ways to help in Rock County

The following organizations offer Local Opportunities To Serve in volunteer capacities: Luverne Senior Dining, 283-9846, needs a dining room assistant; Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital, 283-1805, needs a patient care volunteer and clerical and fund-raising help; Good Samaritan Communities of Luverne, 283-9261, needs an advisory board member, special event assistant and computer user/typist; Southwest Crisis Center, 283-9917, needs an on-call advocate and office assistant; American Red Cross, 372-4702, needs health and safety instructors, bloodmobile volunteers and military communications coordinators; and Pinnacle Programs Inc., 283-4425, needs an AA/NA sponsor, mentor and arts and crafts assistant.

Call Retired Senior Volunteers (RSVP), 283-5064, for more information on local volunteer opportunities.