Did you hear?

Coffey Haus changes hands todayEffective today, the Coffey Haus on Luverne’s Main Street will no longer be the property of founder Sue Gruis.Gruis, who started the Coffey Haus in September 1996, has sold the business to Tammy Makram.Nine years ago Gruis said she saw the need for a different kind of restaurant on Luverne’s Main Street and over the years customers have been loyal to her vision.Over the years she added events for local artists, had wine tasting and even hosted one wedding.But the original concept of quality, light lunches and gourmet coffee has remained the same.Makram, who is currently an employee, was also one of the original members of the Coffey Haus staff.Gruis plans to help Makram through the holidays with some of the parties her customers have booked and after that, has no immediate plans.As for Makram, she plans to continue with the same formula the Haus has always had, with some additional hours which will start after the first of the year.Parade of Homes on Saturday The Luverne Hockey Association will once again sponsor Luverne’s Christmas Parade of Homes.The tour will take place from 1 to 5p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.This year five homes will be a part of the parade. Participants include:
Keith and Lois Hebig, 710 Britz Drive.
Ned and Shelley Sandbulte, 26113 488th Ave.
Jim and Diane Ouverson, 720 Britz Drive.
Vivian Holtz, 910 N. McKenzie.
Tom and Bev Martius, 507 Britz Drive.Tickets for the event are $7 with a $1 discount for advanced sales until Friday, Dec. 2, at the Luverne Chamber Office or the Blue Mound Ice Arena.On the day of the event tickets will be available at the Craft Show at the high school or the Carnegie Cultural Center.Christmas at the Palace set for Dec 16.Plans are underway for the 2005 Christmas at the Palace.The annual Christmas event includes choirs and groups from area churches, as well as other local talent.The evening, which will be emceed by George McDonald, will begin with music by the Luverne High School Band.Other participants will include:
American Reformed Church Choir
First Baptist Interpretive Worship Dance Team
First Presbyterian Church Bell Choir
Grace Lutheran Church Bread of Life Worship Team
Pastor Hagen
Luverne Christian Reformed
New Life Celebration Women’s Trio
St. John Lutheran Church
Ron & Jane Cote
United Methodist Church
Felicia and Anissa Hanson
Linda Iverson
Graber Family
Gretchen Jepperson
Heidi Sehr
Karen Jepperson
Katie McClureThe grand finale for the evening will be all the choirs joining at the end of the concert to sing "Hallelujah Chorus," directed by Dolly Talbert.The theme for this year will be "Christmas Traditions."Admission for the event is $5 with the proceeds going to the Rock County Food Shelf and the Palace Theatre.You can still give to SHAREOne more reminder — if you would like to donate items to the SHARE program, collection times will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, and from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 8, at Sharkee’s.If you would like to make a cash donation, mail it to SHARE, P.O. Box 792, Luverne, MN, 56156.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com