Remember When May 14, 2020

10 years ago (2010)
•Just in time for the summer tourism season, Luverne’s travel and information center is ready for visitors on South Highway 75.
Vance and Becky Walgrave gave their business, Those Blasted Things, a makeover with a new façade of rustic cedar, reminiscent of a Black Hills lodge.
Along with that, they’ve been working with the city and the Luverne Chamber to become an information center for visitors entering town from I-90.
“There are a lot of cars that never leave these four corners,” said Vance Walgrave, pointing to gas stations and fast food across the street to the east and to the south. “A lot of cars.”
He said people looking for information about Luverne might ask a restaurant or gas station, but he and Becky are hoping these people notice Those Blasted Things and stop there.
Attracting visitors will be easier now, thanks to an official green and white “Information” sign going up on the boulevard this week.
 
25 years ago (1995)
•Residents spend a lot more time in the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center lounge lately, gazing out the window.
Their attention is focused on construction crews working on the new addition to their home. If all goes well, Phase 1 of the project will be complete Sept. 1, and MJB administrator Linda Studer is hoping work will begin this fall on Phase 2.
Work for Phase 1 includes a new addition to the south which will allow for a larger physical-occupational-and speech therapy room, a more accommodating residents’ lounge and an activity room to allow for more diverse recreation. This activity room will include a kitchenette equipped with a sink, stove and refrigerator.
 
50 years ago (1970)
•Rock County’s total population dropped by 652 persons, according to preliminary population counts announced Wednesday by Carroll Stenson, supervisor of the 1970 census in this area.
The preliminary figure for Rock County is 11,212. This compares with the 1960 count of 11,864.
Only seven of the 18 counties in the district had population increases, but their gains were enough to bring the overall total up to 392,972 as compared to 375,475 in 1960.
 
75 years ago (1945)
•Roger Oldre, 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Oldre, who reside north of Magnolia, was seriously injured Thursday evening when he was kicked in the head by a vicious horse.
The lad was leading the horse when the animal suddenly wheeled, striking him in the head with his hoof. He suffered a compound fracture of the skull, a fractured nose, and will possibly lose the sight of one eye.
He was rushed to a Sioux Falls hospital where he is being treated by specialists.
Latest reports on his condition are encouraging.
 
100 years ago (1920)
•Through the purchase last week of Illuminator, an April yearling Deroc Jersey boar, Albert Larson, of Magnolia, is now numbered among the numerous registered swine breeders of Rock county who have sires of outstanding quality at the head of their herds.
Illuminator is sired by Pathfinder Giant, and from a Col. Protection dam, and was purchased for $1,000 from H. A. Sexsmith, of the Duroc Jersey Bulletin. Mr. Sexsmith raised the hog on his father’s farm near Creston, Ia., and he is one of a litter from the top-priced sow at C. P. Dexheimer’s sale held a year ago last winter.
Since receiving this hog, Mr. Larson has received an offer of $1,500 for him, but this was declined as Mr. Larson feels that Illuminator will prove a splendid investment for him at even a much larger valuation.