COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY,APRIL 8, 2015 VOL. 31 NO. 49 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
WILDER FOREST: May Town Board requested to support potential land purchase. P5
At Elim, crucifix tells story through found art BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
The wood is worn, the statue a patchwork of irregular parts. Its shape seems a rough sketch of something more detailed to come. In the sanctuary of Elim Lutheran Church, the Lenten crucifix sits at odd juxtaposition to the intricately carved altar, the meticulously soldered stained glass, the grandly lofted ceiling. According to Lynne Moratzka, that’s just how it’s supposed to be. The crucifix, constructed from found junk material, represents Jesus’ message in addition to the story of his crucifixion. “All during Lent we hear stories of Jesus encountering people who had been told they were junk — trash,” says Moratzka. “Even the cross was the least acceptable form of execution. It was the reserved for the worst. “Jesus turned everything upside down,” she continues. “He approached people who had been told they were junk and said, ‘You’re not.’ He turned the crucifix into something beautiful.” A crucifix at Luther Seminary inspired Elim’s found-art crucifix. Local woodworkers Wayne Nickelson and Phil Peper, both members of the congregation, worked together to build it. Moratzka described Nickelson and Peper as SEE ELIM LUTHERAN, PAGE 2
With a little help from his friends Fundraiser for Dan Boardman will feature Beatles tunes BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Marine resident Dan Boardman is asking for a little help from his friends in his fight to overcome pancreatic cancer. “Dan is well known in the area as a great musician, friend of many and a good neighbor,” said his friend Nanc MacLeslie. Case in point: For the past six years, Boardman has produced the annual Stockings Were Hung Christmas fundraiser at the Marine Village Hall to benefit the elementary school. Boardman was diagnosed last November, and is currently
going through cancer treatment. He and his supporters have organized a fundraiser for April 25, at the Marine Village Hall. “We will be celebrating Dan's love for the music of the Beatles and the communities' love for Dan,” said MacLeslie. Boardman and friends will perform Beatles music from 7 to 10 p.m. While Boardman is going through treatment and is weaker than usual, said MacLeslie, he is still able to perform on occasion. “He just did a benefit in Minneapolis and he rallied because music is energy for Dan,” she said. There will be a suggested donation at the door. Funds raised will go to the Boardman family.
SUBMITTED
Marine resident Dan Boardman will perform songs from the Beatles at his benefit show, April 25.
Rather than refurbish, city will purchase new fire tanker Response time requirements remain unchanged BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CAROL SEEFELDT
The Lenten crucifix at Elim, made of found junk material by Wayne Nickelson and Phil Peper, represents Jesus’ message as well as the story of his crucifixion.
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Scandia will likely be getting a new fire truck but not any new firefighters following a pair of decisions last week. During the city council’s April 1 meeting, the council opted to replace, rather than refurbish, its
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1991 Ford fire tanker. The city had considered refurbishing the truck, but determined that the costs of doing so would have been prohibitive compared to purchasing a new one. “From a depreciation point of view … it doesn’t make sense to refurbish something that old,” councilman Bob Hegland said. Scandia Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that refurbishing the tanker would cost between $150,000 and $180,000, while a new tanker
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would cost between $218,000 and $230,000. There is presumably some resale value to be recouped from the existing tanker as well. “It was hard to even get bids (on the refurbishing work) because most of the suppliers don’t want to mess with it,” Hinz said. Regarding its firefighters, the council voted to keep as is its policy of requiring firefighters to live within an eight minute drive of SEE FIRE TANKER, PAGE 2
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