Operation Christmas Child collection begins Nov. 17
Boxes and brochures for Operation Christmas Child may be picked up now from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Reformed Church, 304 N. Fairview Drive, Luverne, using the south entrance of the church. National collection week is Nov. 17-24. With questions or or for more information call Edna Buys at 507-227-7169 or Charla Sandbulte at 507-227-1722. You may also go online to samaritanspurse.org for more information.
Community blood drive Nov. 17
The Community Blood Bank will accept blood donations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at Sanford Luverne Medical Center. All those donating will receive a $20 Kwik Trip gift card. To schedule an appointment, donors can log into cbblifeblood.org, select “Donate Now” and “Event Calendar,” then choose Nov. 17, or call Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222.
Elementary programs are Nov. 21
The third- and fourth-grade students at Luverne Elementary will take to the stage Friday, Nov. 21, at the performing arts center.
Third-graders will perform at 1:15 p.m. and fourth-graders at 2:15 p.m.
Both programs are open to the public.
UMC offers free Thanksgiving community meal
The Luverne United Methodist Church is hosting their annual Thanksgiving community meal at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. This is completely free of charge. A pickup option is also available.
SHARE distribution
The Rock County SHARE program will be distributing groceries, clothing, toys, socks/underwear, and personal hygiene products to Rock County residents in need from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne (304 N. Fairview
Drive). Those wishing to receive from the program must apply by Wednesday, Nov. 22. Please note, the SHARE program will NOT be accepting donations of used
items at this time. To support SHARE, please mail your monetary donation to SHARE, PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156. For more information contact Amy at 507-227-6944 or Monica at 507-820-1100.
Town and Country Garden Club will make pots Dec. 2
Town and Country Garden Club will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Harmony Gardens to make Christmas porch pots. The greens and embellishments will be provided. Participants need to bring their own pot. Charge will be $40. Please register by Tuesday, Nov.
25, by calling 507-669-2905. Visitors or new members are always welcome. Join us for this fun, festive event!
Community Ed seeks ideas, instructors
It is time to start planning the Community Ed winter brochure, which will be published in the Luverne Announcer on the weekend of Jan. 3 and available on the Community Education website on Monday, Jan. 5.
•If you have a new class idea to offer or a request for a particular class, email 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, submit information to da.hoogendoorn@isd2184.net.
The most recent brochure (and past
brochures) can be accessed on the school website at https://comed.isd2184.net/ and under the “brochures” tab in the top right corner.
Community all Education thrives through the sharing of talents, interests and information from members of the community.
Thank you if you have taught a class through Community Education in the past.
Census information needed for preschool children
If you are new to the community, please call Community Education at
507-283-4724 with your family information for all children ages zero 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 three-year-old children living in Minnesota. If your child is four years old and has not been screened, please call 507-283-4724. The screening should be completed prior to
kindergarten.
Community Ed Events offered
Taking Defensive Driving classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance premiums. As of July 1, 2024, 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. The schedule for Luverne classes follows: upcoming class —Dec. 8.
Come check out all the best that the Community Education early childhood programs have to offer at Early Childhood Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 13. No fee, but registration is required.
Parents of student drivers can attend a free, driver, Drivers Education Parent Class on Nov. 17 to reduce the required supervised driving hours from 50 to 40. Open to all parents of teens with their permit or those enrolled in a driver education class with the Luverne Driver Ed program. No fee, but registration is required.
Students in grades 1-5 can learn basic yoga poses through fun games and activities during four-week series of classes at Mini Mats: Yoga for Kids starting Nov. 20. Fee is $20.
Ages two through 5 years will enjoy activites in the preschool rooms when they attend Grandparent & Me with a grandparent or another special adult on Nov. 20. Fee is $40.
Learn family-friendly budgeting tips, ways kids can earn and manage money, and how to start meaningful conversations about finances at Budgeting for Families on Nov. 25. This class is for adults, but children ages 8 and older are allowed to attend with an adult. Fee is $10.
CoffeeBreak on Tuesdays
The CoffeeBreak Bible study group meets each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for Bible study on the book of Timothy and story hour for children three years old through kindergarten. Nursery is available for the littlest ones. There is no charge and no prior Bible knowledge is necessary. All faiths and all ages are welcome. Call Kristi Stroeh at 507-227-5102 or email at kristi.stroeh@hotmail.com
Library happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Fall Story Times are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. now through Nov. 20.
Empower Hour is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays now through Nov. 20. Different STEAM activities and snacks will be offered every week. Open to all elementary students.
A Year with Jane Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Hinkly House in Luverne. Participants will discuss “Sense & Sensibility” by Jane Austen.
Books on Tap book club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month.
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.
SAIL classes are being offered
SAIL classes are being offered every Monday and Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. now until Nov. 26 at Poplar Creek Estates, 201 Oak Drive in Luverne. Class leaders are A.C.E. Volunteers Kris Waknitz and Diane Noyes.
SAIL classes are being offered every Monday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. now until Nov. 28 at the American Reformed Church social hall, 304 N. Fairview Drive, Luverne. Class leaders are A.C.E. volunteers Francis Ladd, Gordon Mulder and Corey Ziegler.
SAIL classes are being offered every Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. now until Dec. 3 at the Hardwick Community Center. Class leaders are A.C.E. volunteers Marilyn Oye and Lorna Bryan.
SAIL classes are being offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-10 a.m. from now until Dec. 18 at the Magnolia Post office, 113 Luverne Street, Magnolia. Class leaders are A.C.E. Volunteers Connie Frahm and Dennis Strassburg. Call Connie, 507-220-3584 or Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064 for information or to register.
There is no cost to attend these classes; however, donations will be accepted. For information or to register, contact Linda Wenzel, 507-283-5064.
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.
Community Ed
Register for classes and activities by calling the Community Education office at 507-283-4724.
Blue Mounds State Park offers events
Programs will be canceled in the event of poor weather conditions. Call the park or check the online Events Calendar. If you need an accommodation, please contact park staff at bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or at 507-283-6051.
