COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2018 VOL. 34 NO. 38 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
CENTENARIAN: Former Marine Elementary school teacher turning 100. PAGE 7
Marine wraps winter doc series with ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ The Marine Community Library and Marine Film Society will end its 2017-18 documentary series with the Sundance-selected documentary “Most Likely to Succeed.” The film offers an inspiring look at what students and teachers are capable of — if we have the vision and courage to transform our schools. You don’t have to be a current student or parent to appreciate the significance of education reform. As a viewer is quoted, “This film is SEE DOCUMENTARY, PAGE 2
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New owner Laura Miron Mendele, seen on the left at the Withrow Ballroom 28 years ago, says she has great memories of the local institution.
A boy studies a series of gears in "Most Likely to Succeed," which will be shown Feb. 1.
Scandia Cycling Club? It is never too cold to think about warmer weather and bicycling. Scandia and surrounding areas offer many scenic and safe routes to enjoy the benefits of bicycling. John Chrun is organizing an informal cycling club with various rides throughout the week accommodating different levels of skill and conditioning. A weekday ride for those who are either retired or have the flexibility to participate, an early evening ride for those who want to cycle after work, and a weekend ride. It is proposed that rides begin at the anticipated “gathering place” that Cycling Scandia has identified (yet to be approved) by the ice rink warming house. On occasion a carpool from that location could be organized to take advantage of other routes, such as the Gandy Dancer State Trail, Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, the River Road north of St. Croix Falls or Lily Lake Park beginning at Harriet Island. If you have an interest in participating in informal group rides this coming bicycling season, contact John Chrun at jchrun@aol. com.
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Dreaming of summer, John Chrun is organizing an informal cycling club with rides to accommodate different levels of skill and conditioning.
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Withrow Ballroom will remain event center The historic Withrow Ballroom, an 89-yearold event center that’s fostered and hosted multiple local weddings through the years, has been purchased by a young entrepreneur with local roots and a solid background in event planning. New owner Laura Miron Mendele says she’s among many residents of the northeast metro with great memories of the rustic 10-acre facility between Hugo and Stillwater. Several couples in her family originally met at the center’s regionally famous dances, while several others chose the spot for their wedding
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receptions. In fact, she treasures a photo of herself at age 4 hitting the ballroom’s famous dance floor at such an event. “I’ve always loved Hugo and was jealous of family who lived there, so the fact this was in Hugo was just an added bonus,” notes Mendele, 32. “I’ve always wanted to own an event center, and this became available and was perfect and ready to go.” Pending renovations, she says, the 533-seat facility will tentatively re-open by February of 2018 and begin booking events immediately, with a comedy show already SEE BALLROOM, PAGE 2
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