Meetings
Springwater Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the township hall.
Senior nutrition distribution Sept. 1 at A.C.E.
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at new office location on the east side of Generations Event Center. It’s a drive-through distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street (don’t block parking for ATLAS Ministries to the east). Pre-registration is required by calling Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
Note: This senior nutrition distribution event has changed to the first Thursday of the month.
Musical lunch break at Plaza on Main Sept. 1
Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow Plaza Committee will host another Musical Lunch Break Concert at the new Plaza on Main Thursday, Sept. 1.
Wildflowers mobile coffee boutique will serve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Ron and Jane Cote will provide music from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the plaza lot east of the History Center on East Main Street.
SAIL class starts Sept. 2
Another Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) will begin Friday, Sept. 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The strength, balance and fitness program is offered at no cost through A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota.
The 24 classes will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 to 11 a.m. through Oct. 28. Sheila Stegenga is the volunteer class leader. For more information or to register, contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
‘Out of the Darkness’ walk Sept. 10
Luverne will host the second annual “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Luverne City Park. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will be from 9 to 11 a.m.
This event raises money for research to end and prevent suicide and to show community support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide or have struggled personally with suicide. To pre-register for the walk and to learn more, visit afsp.org/luverne
‘Medicare 101’ online class
Learning what to do when you become eligible for Medicare can seem overwhelming, so Senior LinkAge Line and Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging is offering a free online class, “Medicare 101.” The class at noon Wednesday, Sept. 7, covers the basics of Medicare Part A, B, C and Part D and offers information about when and how to enroll. To sign up, visit https://bit.ly/3ub8byS.
Optimist Club Fishing Derby Sept. 11
The Luverne Optimist Club Kids Fishing Derby will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Veterans Pond in Luverne for ages 15 and younger accompanied by an adult. There will be food and prizes. Contact Travis Pierce, 507-220-5191, or Stan Steensma, 507-227-0681.
Food distribution is Sept. 15
New Life Celebration Church’s third Thursday monthly food giveaway is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Atlas building at 101 W. Maple St. in Luverne.
Enter from Maple Street and stay along the west side of the building. Parking lot opens at 3 p.m. Do not block the Redeemed Remnants parking lot, intersection or alley entrance. Food will be loaded into vehicles, which exit via the alley going west. Call 507-283-8963 or 507-283-4366 with questions.
Book sale starts Sept. 15
The Friends of the Rock County Library annual book sale is Thursday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 17. Times are from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15; from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; and from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p. m. Saturday, Sept. 17 (bag sale).
Book donations must be dropped off at the library before Sept. 14. A members-only night will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. For more information, contact the library at 507-449-5040.
Blue Mound Lutheran Church observes 150th
The Blue Mound Cemetery Association will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Blue Mound Lutheran Church with a Fall Festival service at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the church in rural Luverne. A catered meal in the parish hall will follow the service, led by guest pastor Gary Klatt. All are welcome.
Register students new to Luverne district
Families with children who are new to the Luverne School District can set up an appointment to register for the 2022-23 school year.
Call the Luverne Middle School/High School, 507-283-4497, or the elementary school, 507-283-4497. Both offices are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Register for Luverne
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Register now for Discovery Time Preschool starting in September for your child ages 3-5. There are openings in all sections. Early Learning Scholarships may be available to those who qualify.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes for children ages 0-5 is a Community Education program for parents and their children from birth to kindergarten age. It offers information and support to parents and provides activities for parents and children to explore together through classes that meet once a week throughout the school year.
New residents: Census information is needed for preschool children. If you are new to the community, please call Community Education at 283-4724 with your family information for all children ages 0 up to kindergarten. The school district uses the information for planning purposes, mailing out flyers regarding school events, including the state-mandated Preschool Screening for all 3-year-old children living in Minnesota. If your child is 4 years old and has not been screened, please call 283-4724. The screening should be completed prior to kindergarten.
The Community Ed Fall Brochure will be available in the Luverne Announcer on Labor Day Weekend and online Sept. 6.Taking Defensive Driving Classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance premiums. The eight-hour beginner Defensive Driving class will be offered on Nov. 7 and 10.
Register now for Discovery Time preschool starting in September for your child ages 3-5 years of age. There are openings in all sections. Early Learning Scholarships may be available to those who qualify.
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
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.
Prairie Ally seeks workers
Volunteer workers are needed from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Prairie Ally public food forest for a variety of maintenance tasks. No RSVP necessary. Other work opportunities are available by appointment by contacting info@projectfoodforest.org. Donations are also welcome for Prairie Ally, which is located along Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne.
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.