Meetings
Grand Prairie Cemetery Association will have their annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 21, at the Grand Prairie Cemetery. In case of rain the meeting will be held in the office room of Orv and Sons Plumbing in Ellsworth.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Poplar Creek Estates, 201 Oak Dr., Luverne. All are welcome. Call 507-935-8173 with questions.
Fresh herbs and raspberries available now
Red and black raspberries and a variety of herbs are free for the public to pick at Prairie Ally
right now (308 North Blue Mound Ave in Luverne).
Blue Mounds State Park offers events
Prairies are famous for wildflowers, and the most well-known celebrities start blooming in July. Join the naturalist from 7-8 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Wildflower Celebrities for a backstage tour of the year’s biggest show: summertime. Be prepared for up to one mile of walking with water, insect repellent, and sturdy footwear. Meet at the Cart-in Campground parking lot.
The tallgrass prairie ecosystem evolved with fire and must be burned still today. Blue Mounds State Park uses special tools, skills and strategies to keep prairie fire from becoming wildfire. Drop by the naturalist’s table anytime between 2-4 p.m. at Controlling Fire with Fire, Saturday, July 12, and touch base with your inner prairie pyromaniac. Meet at the Nature Cart at the Amphitheater.
There is only one rock at Blue Mounds State Park: Sioux Quartzite. The geological features found in this formation tell 1.7 billion years of earth’s history. Come explore and listen to the naturalist interpret what is Written in Stone from 7-8:15 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The program will begin at Eagle Rock Vista Trailhead and includes a one-half mile walk on a rough prairie trail.
All snakes are carnivorous predators, including the five species found at Blue Mounds State Park. Are these reptiles ruthless murderers, or simply a partner in the dance of life and death? Drop by the Amphitheater anytime between 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, July 13, to attend Death by Snake and explore what death by snake means for life on the prairie.
Programs will be canceled in the event of poor weather conditions. Call the park at 507-283-6051 or check online. If you need an accommodation, please contact park staff at bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us prior to the event.
Soil Health Field Day July 17
The Rock County Land Management Office and Rock County Soil Conservation District will host a Soil Health Field Day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Eugene Halbur Farm, 518 30th Ave., Jasper.
Featured guest will be Russell Hedrick, a North Carolina farmer who broke the national corn yield record in 2022 with 459.91 bushels per acre utilizing regenerative farming practices.
Topics will include product use and application (timing and methods), crop inputs, maximizing yield and
and return on investment.
Lunch is provided. RSVP by calling the Land Management Office at 507-283-8862.
Community Ed
Register for the following classes and activities by calling the Community Education office at 507-283-4724.
Community Ed seeks class ideas and instructors. If you have a new class idea to offer or a request for a particular class,
please email me at li.nath@isd2184.net or call 507-283-4724. If you have details for a class you would like to teach or are updating
information for a class you will be teaching, please submit your information by
e-mail to da.hoogendoorn@isd2184.net. You may access the most recent copy of the brochure (and past brochures)
at the school website at www.isd2184.net and then to Community Education.
Community Education thrives through the sharing of talents, interests, and
information from all members of the community. Thank you, if you have
taught a class through Community Education in the past. Sharing your ideas
for new classes or names of potential instructors is much appreciated, too. We look forward to hearing from you. The new brochure will be available on Aug. 30 in the Luverne Announcer or online on September 2.
Play Dates at the Park give parents and their children birth to five years an opportunity to connect informally by meeting at the City Park at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, July 16, 23, 30, and Aug. 6, 13. No fee, but please call Community Ed to register.
Preschoolers age three through grade 2 (as attend in the 2024-2025 school year) can get creative with colorful sidewalk chalk art on Aug. 7. Join Jana Zeutenhorst and her daughters for an hour of
outdoor fun and imagination. Fee is $13; all materials provided.
Does your child enjoy reading? Book Club may be for them! Students in
grades 2-4 (as attended during the 24-25 school year) will meet on Aug. 11, 12,13 and 14. A snack and book will be provided. Fee is $30.
Taking Defensive Driving classes allows adults 55 years of age and
older to save on insurance premiums. You are able to take a four-hour class to receive the discount, and then repeat the class every three years to continue receiving the discount. An eight-hour class is no longer required for beginners. The schedule for Luverne classes follows: Four-Hour Classes –Aug. 11.
Join for a relaxed Morning Book Study on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the
outdoor green space at Rock County Community Library! Bring your coffee, enjoy a tasty breakfast cookie from The Bean, and connect with
fellow readers you discuss thought-provoking books each month. Register early to ensure a copy of the book is available for you. Fee
is $5.
Boys and girls in grades 2-7 (as attended during the 24-25 school year) are invited to compete in Punt, Pass & Kick Competition on
Aug. 13. Fee is $10.
Nutcracker events July 12
Saturday, July 12, various events will be offered at the Luverne City Park. Beginning between 5-6 a.m. is the self-paced half marathon walk (City Park, Ashby Trail, and Luverne Loop.) At 6:30 a.m. are the half marathon and half marathon relay. The Nutcracker half mile for ages 9-14 begins at 9 a.m. The Nutcracker short half mile (approximately 1/3 mile) for ages 2-8 begins at 9:20 a.m. Just for Nuts half mile, relay or individual, will begin at 9:40 a.m. (as many team members as you want.) Costumes are required; cash prizes to winner and best costumes. Registration and more info
https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/Luverne/NutcrackerHalf Use “Nutcracker20” at checkout to receive a discount.
Library happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
A children’s Summer Reading Program, “Level Up at Your Library,” is underway. The eight-week program is open to children ages infant through teen who may earn fun prizes and a chance to attend an end of summer pizza party based on the number of books read.
Adult Reading Program continues through Aug. 15. For every five books read, earn an entry into a prize basket.
Travel Storytime with Bronwyn takes place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through July at the city parks in Hills and Hardwick: July 23 in Hills, and June 25, July 16 and July 30 in Hardwick.
Afternoon Movie events are scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesdays, July 22, and Aug. 19, in the library basement. Movies (in order of viewing) are “The LEGO Movie,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and “The Wild Robot.” Snacks and a drink will be provided.
Arts and Crafts Wednesdays will occur from 3 to 4 p.m. July 16 and July 23 at the library. The event is open to children ages kindergarten through fourth grade.
All Day Scavenger Hunt is scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 12. A list of scavenger items is hidden throughout the library where finders can earn prizes. The hunt is open to all ages.
Park Storytime occurs at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at various parks in Luverne. Along with a book reading, music and fun activities take place each week. Dates and park locations include:
•July 17, Evergreen.
•July 24: Kolbert.
•July 31, Evergreen.
Teens in Action (grades 5-12) takes place at the library at 4 p.m. Thursdays in July for game playing and socializing.
Climb Theatre will conduct an interactive play, “The Tortoise and the Hare: Rematch,” at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at the library. The event is open to everyone.
Curtis Hed Magic Show takes place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at the library. Comedian and magician Curtis Hed has been performing for more than 40 years. The event is open to all ages.
Adult Spelling Bee will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Take 16 in Luverne. This debut event will take words from the Scripps National Spelling Bee lists and lists of commonly misspelled words. Teams up to four can complete. Teams must register and are eligible to purchase extra chances for a donation to the Friends of the Library.
Games and Puzzles takes place Tuesday, Aug 5, at the library. All ages are welcome to play games or work on puzzles from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Trivia Night is the first Thursday of each month at Take 16 Brewing Co. in Luverne. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the trivia beginning at 7 p.m.
Books on Tap book club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month.
SAIL classes in Luverne
SAIL classes are being offered every Monday and Wednesday morning now until Aug. 27 at Poplar Creek Estates, 201 Oak Drive, Luverne, on Mondays from 9-10 a.m. and Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Class leaders are A.C.E. Volunteers Kris Waknitz and Diane Noyes.
SAIL classes are also being offered every Monday and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. until Aug. 28 at the American Reformed Church Social Hall in Luverne, 304 N. Fairview Dr. Class leaders are A.C.E. Volunteers Francis Ladd and Corey Ziegler.
There is no cost to attend these classes, however donations will be accepted. For information or to register, contact Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064.
Al-Anon meets on Wednesdays
An Al-Anon group will meet each Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the library at United Methodist Church in Luverne. Use the back northwest door for entrance.
Slice of Faith offered last Sunday of each month
All are invited to join in an evening of worship, Bible study and pizza. This will be offered the last Sunday of each month through May at the Luverne Pizza Ranch starting at 4 p.m. Enjoy prayer, sharing God’s word, conversation and a delicious buffet! Cost for the pizza buffet will be each participant’s own expense.
ATLAS to host GriefShare
ATLAS of Rock County is hosting a spring session of GriefShare support groups from 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays through May 26 in the ATLAS community center in Luverne. All are welcome to join as it is discovered what is “normal” in grief. The weekly meetings will feature a 30-minute video, followed by discussion, fellowship, and time to work through the participant guide book. This is free of charge. Call or email Matt with questions, 507-227-2569; mdnath1989@gmail.com
Grief Support Group meets once a month
A grief support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Blue Mound Room at Sanford Luverne Medical Center, 1600 N. Kniss Avenue. There is no fee to attend. Feel free to bring your own refreshments. Contact Ryan Ostgaard with questions, 605-312-5504.
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.
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.
