Vienna Township meets Sept. 12
Vienna Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Kenneth Community Center.
Senior Nutrition Assistance Program Sept. 7
The Nutrition Assistance Program for those 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SWMN, will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, with drive-through distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street at the new office location on the east side of the Generations Event Center. Pre-registration is required. Call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
Optimist Club Fishing Derby Sept. 10
The Luverne Optimist Club will host its annual fishing derby from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Veterans Home pond in Luverne for ages 15 and younger accompanied by an adult. Food will be available and prizes will be awarded. Call Travis Pierce (220-5191) or Stan Steensma (227-0681) with questions.
Adrian blood drive Sept. 12
Sanford Health Adrian Clinic will host a community blood drive 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Adrian EMS Building. Donors can schedule at www.cbblifeblood.org or call 605-331-3222. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. All donors receive a $10 Subway gift card.
‘Rock the Ride’ Sept. 12
The Substance Free Coalition of Rock County will host a Rock the Ride bike ride event Tuesday, Sept. 12, on the Loop starting at 6 p.m. at the Luverne Aquatics and Fitness Center.
Ride at your own pace and at 7:15 p.m. enjoy free pizza at Luverne City Park. This is a family-friendly event open to the public to support those living a substance-free life. Call 507-227-1978 with questions.
‘Out of the Darkness’ walk Sept. 16
The “Out of the Darkness'”suicide awareness and prevention walk will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, in the Luverne City Park. Registration and breakfast are at 8:30 a.m. Preregister online at afsp.org/luverne
Blue Mound Lutheran Fall Festival
Blue Mound Lutheran Church Fall Festival will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, with guest pastor Craig Grams. A catered meal will follow the service in the parish hall. Everyone is invited.
Library book sale set for Sept. 20
Friends of the Library Annual Fall Book Sale will be in the Rock County Library basement from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m, Thursday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 22, and from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 23. A “Friends Members Only” pre-sale will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 20.
Census info needed for preschoolers
Families new to the community are encouraged to call Luverne Community Education at 507-283-4724 with information on children ages 0 up to kindergarten. The district uses the information for planning purposes and to alert families about school opportunities. Families with 4-year-olds not yet screened for preschool should call to schedule a screening prior to kindergarten.
SAIL classes continue in Beaver Creek
SAIL classes meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Monday through Wednesday 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.
Living Works Safe Talk Sept. 30 in Hills
Learn the warning signs of suicide and how to prevent it at a four-hour workshop, Living Works Safe Talk, Saturday, Sept. 30, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. Call Diana Buffington, 507-920-2506, for registration information.
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
The Fall Community Ed Brochure is online and in the Labor Day edition of the Luverne Announcer. Registrations began Sept. 5.
Recreational Pickleball meets at St Catherine’s Church on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings, and Thursday evenings beginning Sept. 6. Fee is $20.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) for parents and children birth to age 5 Fall Session begins on Sept. 12. There are three morning classes and one evening class time to choose from. Meet other families and learn parenting tips.
Junior Cardinal Cross Country for grades K – 6 is from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Sept. 12. On the last day, Oct. 5, kids will do their own race at the end of the home varsity cross country meet. Fee is $30.
Using Snapchat Safely in 2023 virtual class will be Sept. 14. Join the class at Community Education or attend online.Fee is $20.
Fall Gymnastics for ages 4 through Grade 6 will start Sept. 18. Fee is $50 for K-6, and $36 for preschool.
Volleyball Basics for Grades 1-4 meets Sept. 18, 21, 25, 28. Fee is $25.
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
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.
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 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.
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.