column
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianOctober 08, 2025The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Oct. 23, 1941. Enjoying the distinction of being the only living charter members of the Luverne chapter of the Order of Eastern Star are Mr. and Mrs. Mark Swedberg, this week’s Diamond Club members. Active in lodge work, Mr. and Mrs. Swedberg helped organize the Eastern Star and have continued to maintain their memberships until the present…- By Lori Sorenson, editorOctober 01, 2025The Star Herald staff will visit the Luverne eighth-grade careers class Friday about opportunities in communication. I tell the kids that effective communicators are in demand across all job sectors. And I sometimes wonder about career paths I could have followed had I not landed at the Star Herald. For example, wordsmithing for chocolate marketing would be fun. “Close your eyes and taste the…
By RIck Peterson, general managerOctober 01, 2025My last couple of columns have been about things I love about this time of year. Well, here is one more. It’s not so much about what I love about this time of year, but more about the topic of conversation that really only happens this time of year. Pumpkins seem to be at the forefront of a lot of office conversation, as well at the Peterson household. Size, color, shape, how many and where to…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library directorOctober 01, 2025I just got back from the annual Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If you’re thinking it was one big nerd-fest, you would be right. And it was AWESOME. As you probably gathered from the title of the conference, it was focused only on small and rural libraries. Every session at the conference was aimed specifically at libraries in areas like ours…
September 24, 2025As I sat in the performing arts center Friday afternoon, memories unfolded as I watched the four retired educators inducted into the Luverne Educator Hall of Fame. Laurin Carroll, Gregg Gropel, Katie Hemme and Joseph Roberts were teachers of mine at one time or another during my elementary and secondary years in Luverne Public Schools. It’s been more than 40 years (for one teacher, 50 years)…
By Brenda Winter, columnistSeptember 17, 2025This fall, for the first time in 14 years, I went back to school when I joined three teachers and 18 students for the launch of Equipt Christian School in Luverne as a K-2 classroom helper. I don’t have an official title, but some of my more commonly used titles are, “Teacher” “Mrs. Teacher” “Mr. Winter" “Miss Winters” and “Gramma.” I’ve been amazed to observe, in just two short weeks, how…
By Lori Sorenson, editorSeptember 10, 2025Saturday, Sept. 6, marked 11 years of marriage to a man who is an absolute gift in my life. He makes me laugh with his goofy humor, he steadies me with his solid strength, and his quiet generosity makes me a better person. I smiled while sorting photos of the two of us captured over 20-some years of adventures we’ve shared as a couple. At the same time Saturday, my sisters and I were texting…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistSeptember 10, 2025The numbers are in, and they are the best we have had in a very long time. The Minnesota DNR has released the results of the August roadside counts, and if you are a pheasant hunter you should be excited. I have been doing the Nobles County Roadside Count routes for about 15 years. It took me over 20 years of waiting to get that volunteer job. I had to wait until the current driver either…- By Pastor Mark Eliason, Palisade Lutheran Church, Rock CountySeptember 10, 2025Grief is a powerful thing. It can, and often does, take control of our lives in ways we never thought possible. Much of the time we feel alone and as though no one understands how we are feeling and that no one can ever understand or help us through our grief. This past year I have been feeling this way. Since the beginning of 2025 up to today, I have lost 11 friends and loved ones to death;…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterSeptember 03, 2025We take our eyesight for granted. Each morning we don either glasses or contacts, with the luckier ones having no assistance whatsoever, in order to see clearly. I’ve learned recently that some people need transplants in order to achieve clear sight. Two Minnesotans currently have their sight again, thanks to Bryan’s donated corneas. A letter from the Dakota Lions Sight and Health in Sioux…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianSeptember 03, 2025The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group. Members of this group consist of persons age 75 and older. This article appeared in The Rock County Star on Sept. 18, 1941. Twins, who came to Rock county to break the prairie in 1884, are this week’s Diamond Club members. They are Carl and Julius Wiese, above, the former a resident of Luverne, and the latter of Crookston. Julius,…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library directorSeptember 03, 2025September is a great month at the library – but then again, every month is a great month at the library. What makes September so special? I’m glad you asked. It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month! There are almost 3900 people who have library cards with the Rock County Community Library, which is fantastic. However, we always have room for more! Check your wallet: do you see a green library card…- By Pastor Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, LuverneSeptember 03, 2025In a world that often dismisses sin as outdated or irrelevant, the Bible consistently reminds us that sin is no small matter to God. His holiness demands justice, and his perfect righteousness cannot overlook rebellion, pride, or disobedience. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals that God’s judgment against sin is real, certain and unavoidable. “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:…
By Brenda Winter, columnistAugust 27, 2025After hearing so much about artificial intelligence “taking our jobs,” I was curious if AI could write my column for me. With the prompt, “400-word local humorous newspaper column about growing zucchini in Minnesota,” AI wrote the following column in five seconds. Zucchini: Minnesota’s most generous neighbor If you’ve ever planted zucchini in Minnesota, you know it’s less “gardening” and…
By Lori Sorenson, editorAugust 20, 2025In the days following my husband’s appointment as sheriff, friends and acquaintances have, in gest, called me the future “First Lady” of Rock County. While I was flattered, something about the title for a sheriff’s wife didn’t ring true, so I asked Siri. In short, “first lady” is typically reserved for the wives of presidents, governors and mayors, but not for the wives of sheriffs. By…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianAugust 20, 2025The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group. Members of this group consist of persons age 75 and older. This article appeared in The Rock County Star on Sept. 4, 1941. Holding an Australian cavalryman’s horse, hearing the whine of bullets and watching four powerful horses slip and slide on an icy road in an attempt to move a heavy cannon sounds like story book stuff. But in…
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