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TUESDAY, AUGUST33, 9, 2016 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2222
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Cost of Polk Co. alcohol abuse tops $60 million annually
COUNTRY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 2222
Serving Marine-on-St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
‘Community Conversation’ offers staggering statistics and ‘hope’ for the future
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SENTINEL
BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
BURNETT COUNTY
ing, pitching, and putting, but I think the most enjoyment came when they went on the course,” says program coordinator, Gloria Lansin. Lessons on the course included golf etiquette, being courteous, learning what different colored stakes meant, and the most important lesson--standing still after you hit the ball.
Information presented during the August 4 ‘Community Conversation’ at Amery High School was staggering for those in attendance. According to data provided by Polk County Health, the annual economic cost of excessive alcohol use in Polk County has been quantified THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 2222 to $60.2 million. VOL.With 131 NO. 19an www.moraminn.com $1.00 residents, that estimated 44,000 equates to more than $1,360 for every man, woman and child in Polk County. The costs are shared between taxpayers, excessive drinkers and their families, and others including private health insurers, employers, and crime victims. Of the $60.2 million, $43.4 million is attributed to lost productivity, $6.6 to healthcare, and $10.1 million to the criminal justice system, motor vehicle crashes, and other consequences. The data details that binge drinking is responsible for 76 percent of the cost, defined as five or more drinks per occasion for men, and four or more drinks per occasion for women. The ‘Community Conversation’ event offered a
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JESSICA DE LA CRUZ|AMERY FREE PRESS
One last round
Amery Golf Coach Steve Wilhelm coached his last round of the Junior Golf this year after 39 years with the program. He took a moment to pose with a few youngsters at this year’s tournament that capped off the 2016 program on July 26.
Another Junior Golf program in the books BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
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June and July learning, improving their skills, and enjoying the game. The kids were divided into groups going into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, the 2nd group grades 4-7, and the upper grades 7-10. A tournament on July 26 brought the program to a close, and included a ‘Drive, Chip and Putt’ contest that works much like a golf version of ‘Punt, Pass and Kick.’ “The instruction included driv-
COUNTY ST
This summer marked the 39th and final year for Steve Wilhelm’s involvement in the Amery Junior Golf Program, and 78 local kids were lucky enough to get his instruction for one last round. The program is held every spring at Amery Golf Club. Area youth spent Monday afternoons in
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Experience farm life at 35th Annual Farm City Day
THE SUN It’s time once again for St. Croix County’s annual Farm City Day, a time for people from all walks of life to come together in a day that celebrate’s rural heritage. This year’s Farm City Day marks 35 years for the event. The Kuschke Family will host a full day of free food, farm tours, music and fun at their homestead, the Crisdhome Farm, northeast of New Richmond in rural St. Croix
County. Farm City Day is held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Kruschke Family’s farming roots run deep in Northwest Wisconsin. One hundred and six years ago, the train pulled into the New Richmond depot and the Kruschkes’, Ernest and Anna, unloaded their 20 cows, pigs, chickens and worldly belongings and herded their animals for the four
miles to their new 160 acre farmstead came a family corporation, Crisdhome Farm, Inc. With continued expansions in Stanton township. Lean times came with the Dust Bowl over the years the farm now runs 2500 and Great Depression of the 1930s. acres of owned and rented land. The Hard work and a commitment to the chicken and hogs were phased out farming life persevered and obstacles years ago to concentrate on the current were overcome by the first and second 110 cow herd of registered Holsteins. The focus on the history of breeding generation of Kruschkes. In 1967 the farm started to expand cows was to obtain correct typed aniby purchasing 80 additional acres that mals that are saleable. Registered adjoined the farm. In 1970 the farm beTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBERSEE 33,FARM 2222PAGE TWO VOL. 131 NO. 19 www.moraminn.com $1.00
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