Did you hear

Chamber banquet this FridayThe Luverne Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting and banquet this Friday at Sharkee’s.All Chamber members are encouraged to attend the annual event to find out what their chamber has been doing to promote Luverne businesses over the past year – and maybe even have a little fun.The evening will start with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and a brief business meeting at 6:30 p.m.At the end of the annual meeting, the entertainment will be a casino night.Six blackjack tables and three Texas Hold’em tables will be a part of the night, with volunteers from various chamber businesses serving as dealers.If you want to outwit one of the dealers, your choice of volunteers will include Cory Bloemendaal, Isaac DeBoer, Rodger Ossenfort, Linda Mollberg, Dan Dingmann, Craig Hohn, Rick Peterson, Adam Siebenahler and Curt Laudon.Everyone attending the event will get to start out with $200 in casino bucks.There will also be approximately 40 donated items, which will be auctioned off to help raise money for various chamber projects.If you would like to attend and don’t have your tickets yet, contact the Luverne Chamber office at 283-4061.According to Dave Smith, the Luverne Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1946, making 2006 their 60th anniversary.State announces opening dates for hunting seasonThe Minnesota DNR recently announced the opening dates for various hunting seasons in 2006.The state announces the dates as early as possible to give hunters the opportunity to make hunting plans and schedule vacations.Although the dates are considered tentative, pending final approval in June, it’s unlikely they will change, according to the DNR.Small Game:
Pheasant Oct. 14
Spring Wild Turkey April 12
Fall Wild Turkey Oct. 18-22
Fall Wild Turkey Oct. 25-29Big Game:
Bear Sept. 1
Deer archery Sept. 16
Deer firearms Nov. 4
Deer Muzzleloader Nov. 25Furbearers:
Fox, raccoon,badger, opossum Oct. 21
Mink, muskrat,beaver, otter Oct. 28
Fisher, marten, bobcat Nov. 25The waterfowl season opener will not be finalized until this summer.If you have comments about wildlife hunting and trapping seasons, the DNR will be holding meetings around the state during February and March. Dates will be set in late January.It’s not just about first classAs most of you have heard, the new rates for a first-class stamp went from 37 cents to 39 cents for a one-ounce first-class letter on Monday.In case you’re interested, here are the new and improved prices for other commonly mailed items:First class 2 oz. (old) – 60¢ (new) – 63¢Postcards (old) – 23¢ (new) – 24¢Priority Mail (old) - $3.85 (new) - $4.05Express Mail (old) - $13.65 (1/2 lb.) (new) - $14.40Express Mail (old) $17.85 (2 lb.) (new) $18.80This is the first time the U.S. Postal Service has raised its prices since 2001.According to the Postal Service, Congress passed a law in 2003 requiring the Postal Service to establish a 3.1 billion escrow account, with the use of the funds to be determined by Congress at a later date.Without the federal mandate for the escrow account, the 2006 increase in postal rates would not have been necessary.After adjusted for inflation, the cost of a first-class stamp is the same as it was in 1971, the year the Postal Service was created.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com