Meetings
Blue Mound Cemetery Association Board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at the home of Randy and Kathy Remme.
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 7, at the township hall.
Vienna Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, in the Kenneth Community Center.
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 Son’s 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.
Nutrition for Seniors July 3
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3, as a drive-thru distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street on the east side of the Generations Event Center. Pre-registration is required. Call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
Blue Mounds State Park programs and events
Fly on over to the naturalist table from 2-4 p.m. Friday, July 4, to attend Things with Wings Nature Cart to find out what things with wings can be found here in the park. After visiting with the naturalist test your skills by going on a scavenger hunt. *Activities take about 10-15 minutes. Meet at the Amphitheater.
Have you ever wondered how the 100-foot Sioux Quartzite cliff formed at Blue Mounds State Park? Explore the park’s ever-changing landscape and attend Let’s Rock: Geology Hike from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, on this 1.5-mile hike across the mound. Be prepared for uneven terrain as we discover how ancient rivers, glaciers and humans have affected the land we see today. Meet at the Eagle Rock Vista Trailhead.
Calling all junior park rangers! Get ready to meet two of the park’s smallest hunters: dragonflies and damselflies, between 2-2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at Junior Park Rangers: Dragons and Damsels. After discovering what make these little creatures such effective predators, make a small craft to fly home with. Meet at the picnic shelter.
Slap! Come learn about America’s largest rodent from 7-7:45 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at Beavers: Nature’s Engineers. From big teeth to webbed feet, we will discover how these persistent critters use their unique adaptations to impact the landscape in dramatic ways. All ages welcome. *Bring a chair as seating is limited.
Bison are not the only mammal that call Blue Mound State Park home. Attend Mammal Mania and take 5-10 minutes to stop by the naturalist table to see and touch some furs and skulls of the different mammals you can find at that park from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 6. Meet at the Amphitheater.
*Programs will be canceled in the event of poor weather conditions. Call the park at 507-283-6051 to check status of event.
If you need an accommodation, please contact park staff at bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or at 507-28306051, two weeks prior to the event.
July 4 event at The Lake
The Davis Lake Triathlon will be at The Lake Friday, July 4, with the Minnow Race at 8:30 a.m. – individual or team relay; and 9:15 a.m. for the Shark Race – individual or team relay. Both races are open to all ages. Registration and more info can be found at
https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/Luverne/DavisLakeTriathlon. A 20 percent coupon code is available at checkout, use “DLT20” to receive your discount.
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 Caroline 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.
Register for jigsaw puzzle event July 23
The first Rock County Fair Jigsaw Puzzle Event will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at the fairgrounds in Luverne.
Registration is open until Tuesday, July 8, and is limited to 30 teams.
Teams up to four people choose from three puzzle classes based on age: 18 and older, 11 to 17 and grandparent/grandchild. Entry is $30 or $50 depending on class entered
Cash prizes will be given.
Entry forms are available at the Rock County Library, Luverne Pizza Ranch, Rock County Star Herald or Sunshine Foods, all in Luverne or online at the Rock County Fair social media page.
For more information contact Brad Beers 507-220-1045 or Robert Remme 507-220-0177.
Community Ed
Register for the following classes and activities by calling the Community Education office at 507-283-4724.
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 9, 16, 23, 30, and Aug. 6, 13. No fee, but please call Community Ed to register.
Soccer League meets for four weeks starting on Aug. 5. Children ages 4 through grade 7 as attended during the 24-25 school year may play. After June 9, registrations accepted only if open spots on rosters, and fee will be $60. Final date to register will be Monday, July 7!
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.
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.
Plaza Storytimes is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, at the Plaza on Main in Luverne. A special story will be read.
Travel Storytime with Bronwyn takes place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through July at the city parks in Hills and Hardwick: July 9 and 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 Craft Wednesdays will occur from 3 to 4 p.m. July 2, July 9, July 16 and July 23 at the library. The event is open to children ages kindergarten through fourth grade.
All Day Scavenger Hunts are scheduled for Tuesdays, July 8 and Aug. 12. A list of scavenger items is hidden throughout the library where finders can earn prizes. The hunt is open to all ages.
The Spoon Man will perform at 3 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the library. Jim Cruise has played the spoons for more than 35 years and has traveled the U.S. The event is open to all ages.
The Rad Zoo will be at the library at 6 p.m. Monday, June 30. Attendees will be able to touch various reptiles while learning interesting facts.
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 3, Veterans.
•July 10, Hawkinson.
•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.
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.
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.
