Country Messenger 02.05.2020

COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

VOL. 36 NO. 41 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

HEALTH: County accepting nominations for Public Health Achievment Awards. PAGE 9

Historical Society preserves Warner Nature Center’s archives after closure CONTRIBUTED

In October 2019, the Lee and Rose Warner Nature Center in Marine on St. Croix closed its doors to the public after more than 50 years of operation.

In order to preserve the organization’s history and its impact on Washington County and the surrounding region, the Minnesota Historical Society recently acquired Warner’s archives. Nine boxes—including press clippings, photographs, newsletters, land management documentation and more—tell the story of the nature center’s decades of work promoting environmental education.

Highlights include: • Photos documenting the nature center’s land and programs, including photo albums created by volunteers • A doll of the center’s mascot, Andy Acorn • A ledger book with

Talks of new Marine Village School begin

BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

Discussion of bringing a new charter school to Marine began during a meeting Saturday, January 25. The new school is planned to occupy the former Marine Elementary site and hopes to open its doors in 2021.

Organized by new board members Win Miller, Brian Mader, Jean Spisak and Susan Loomis, conversations have already begun in private, but Miller provided that soon the public will have more involvement in this process.

SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 2

SUBMITTED

A photograph of a class at Warner Nature Center in the 1970s .

meeting minutes of the Nature Study Club, a women’s social and activist club, kept by Rose Warner in the 1940s • Maps and trail guides for the 900-acre nature center • Documentation of the

center’s extensive volunteer and educational programs "The Minnesota Historical Society has long been collecting materials that document the use and protection of our state's natural resourc-

es,” said Kathryn Hujda, MNHS manuscripts curator. “The Warner Nature Center's records build upon our existing collections and provide unique insights into the center’s robust educational programming.”

Marine Doc Night partners with Scandia Farmer’s Market Marine Documentary Night will wrap up its 2019-2020 season on Thursday, February 6 with the very popular documentary, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM. In conjunction with the film, the Marine Community Library and the Marine Film Society are collaborating with the Scandia Farmer’s Market. Several different vendors will be on

hand offering seasonal products for sale along with information about Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs).

Items can be purchased at the “pop-up” Farmer’s Market, which will be located on the main level of the Marine Village Hall, both prior to the screening of the documentary, and afterward.

NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com

The Biggest Little Farm was one of 15 feature documentaries from 2019 that was “shortlisted” for Oscar nomination consideration. The documentary is appropriate for all ages.

Doors open on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. with the film beginning at 7:00. A brief Q & A about sustainable and regenerative agriculture follows the screening.

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Ski race closing in on 50 years Boys and girls, young and old alike, everyone had a blast at the 49th annual Marine O’Brien Ski race January 26.

Nearly 200 participants joined in with one using a pair of 100 year old skis to cross the finish line. Next year will mark the 50th year of this exciting event.

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Brave Enough: Jessie Diggins book launch in the St. Croix Valley CONTRIBUTED

ArtReach St. Croix is pleased announce the official book launch for Brave Enough, the memoir from 2018 Olympic gold medalist, U. S. Women’s National Cross-Country Ski team member, and hometown hero Jessie Diggins, co-written with Todd Smith.

For the first time at this special event, Diggins will share the story of her journey from her childhood in Afton, MN, to one of the greatest sports moments in our nation’s history: her historic sprint to the finish line for Gold in the team sprint event at the Pyeongchang Olympics. Hear stories of races and ribbons as well as stories about the challenges and frustrations of becoming a serious athlete. And learn from Jessie herself about how she uses her platform as an Olympian Brave Enough, Jessie Diggins and World Cup athlete to memoir. fight for the causes that she is deeply invested in.

In the words of her teammate and fellow Olympic champion, Kikkan Randall, “Her story motivates all of us, and she gives us hope and real tools to tackle our biggest challenges. She is an inspiration for everyone!”

Copies of Brave Enough will be available for purchase from Valley Bookseller, or skip the line and pre-order a copy of Brave Enough through the Eventbrite link for pick-up at the event. Jessie will host an autograph and selfie line with help from the Stillwater Ponies Nordic team members.

Event details:

Sunday, April 5, 3-5 p.m. at Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Boulevard North, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested online at https://digginsbook.eventbrite.com or by calling 651-439-1465.

This event is part of ArtReach St. Croix’s NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Donations are requested for ArtReach’s literary arts programs and will be split with charities dear to Jessie’s heart including WithAll Foundation and Protect Our Winters. This event is co-sponsored by ArtReach St. Croix, University of Minnesota Press, Valley Bookseller, The Partnership Plan and Stillwater Community Education.

For the sixth consecutive year, ArtReach St. Croix has been awarded a prestigious grant to host NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. For more information about NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley visit ValleyReads.org. The full list of activities will be available soon.

ArtReach St. Croix seeks to support, foster and celebrate visual, literary and performing arts in Valley communities. By coordinating events, marketing initiatives and networking opportunities, ArtReach supports the work of artists and arts organizations, and provides arts leadership in the St. Croix Valley.

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Forest Lake man charged with multiple tax crimes The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Cook County Attorney’s Office recently charged Thomas Patrick Gearin, of Forest Lake, with 14 tax related felonies. Mr. Gearin is charged with four counts of failure to file income tax returns, four counts of failing to pay income tax, three counts of failing to pay sales tax, and three counts of conducting retail sales without a sales tax permit.

According to the complaint, Mr. Gearin owned and operated a glass installation company, Suburban Glass & Mirror Inc., until May 2012 when his sales tax permit was revoked for noncompliance. The complaint states that between 2013 and 2018, Mr. Gearin operated a new business, Bay Glass North Inc., despite never reinstating his revoked permit

for Suburban Glass & Mirror Inc. According to the complaint, Mr. Gearin earned income from his work but did not file individual income tax returns and did not pay income tax each year from 2013 through 2016. Additionally, the complaint states that from 2015 through 2017, Mr. Gearin collected sales tax for Bay Glass North Inc., but did not pay the tax to the state. According to the complaint, Mr. Gearin and his businesses, Suburban Glass & Mirror Inc. and Bay Glass North Inc., owe more than $74,000 in sales, withholding, and income taxes.

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Although most taxpayers com-

ply with tax laws voluntarily, the department takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.

Many of the department’s criminal case referrals come from public tips. There is a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects that a person or business is violating Minnesota tax laws. Local callers may dial 651-297-5195 or call toll-free by dialing 1-800-6573500. Tips can also be submitted to the department by email at tax. fraud@state.mn.us. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.

Get the latest news and updates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook and Twitter or by signing up for our email subscription list.

County Board adopts resolution recognizing, honoring O’Rourke for work The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution Jan. 28 recognizing and honoring Molly O’Rourke, who retired from her position as county administrator.

O'Rourke was hired

by Washington County March 13, 1995. She was promoted to the position of Director of Assessment and Taxation in 1998, promoted to Deputy Administrator in 2001, and promoted to County Administrator in 2012.

During her nearly 25 years of work at the county, O'Rourke focused on ensuring that the county provided excellent customer service, focused on prevention

SUBMITTED

Washington County commissioners presented outgoing Administrator Molly O’Rourke with a copy of a resolution that recognized and honored the work that she has done at Washington County for the past 25 years. They are Commissioner Lisa Weik, District 5, Commissioner Gary Kriesel, District 3, Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1, O’Rourke, Commissioner Wayne A. Johnson, District 4, and Commissioner Stan Karwoski, District 2.

activities, protected and improved the county's financial health, and increased the engagement of

county employees, as well as many other accomplishments and achievements.

O'Rourke was twice

recognized by her peers in 2019 with awards for her outstanding leadership.

SCHOOL: Board hopes to open doors in September 2021 FROM PAGE 1

“We started talking in September, so this has been brewing for a few months,” he said. “We’re a private group, but once we become a unit of government we will be governed by open meeting laws, so then all of our meetings will be open to the public.”

In that January 25 meeting, the board showed a presentation to community members of their hopes and plans and heard comments and questions from those attending. Miller attests that the general consensus overall was very positive.

“The community has wanted a school up there

since it was closed by the district,” said Miller.

“It’s important to the vitality of Marine as a city and a community that we have a school.

It helps downtown businesses and makes the whole place more vibrant. So, we’re intent on creating a school in Marine.”

The new school is intended to be a charter school that would open the school to all students despite ability or needs, be independent of public schools and remain tuition free. It would be run entirely by licensed teachers, parents, and community members.

The hopeful school’s mission statement is, “To provide a nurturing

and inclusive learning environment that fosters academic success in a traditional, yet dynamic classroom setting.” And will focus primarily on academics, ecology, community and service.

Miller expanded on this mission statement.

“We want a traditional schoolhouse with one class of 25 per grade,” he said. “Academic success has long been held high in Marine on St. Croix, but we also want to use up to date teaching methods. So, the curriculum will be forward looking.”

On topic of that forward looking curriculum are projects like the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts,

Math (STEAM) Lab, and Makerspace where students can use hands on training to build, create and learn. Students will also likely have a second language curriculum, and before and after school care included as well.

While this project is in its beginning stages, the current board is seeking additional board members and community volunteers who would be interested in seeing the school grow and thrive in Marine on St Croix.

“We’re very excited about bringing this school in and we hope to open our doors in September of 2021,” said Miller.

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FEBRUARY 6 The Biggest Little Farm – Final Documentary Film

The final documentary film of the 2019-2020 season will screen on Thursday at 7 pm at the Marine Village Hall.

Before and after the screening local vendors who have booths at the Scandia Farmer’s Market will be selling their wares in a mini-market in the Village Hall lobby. Local farmer, Pam Arnold, will discuss regenerative farming practices and answer questions after the film, as well. Free.

FEBRUARY 8 Belwin Nature Center Open House

Jessie Eckroad from Carpenter Nature Center will bring a live red-tailed hawk and hognose snake. Katie Burns, Minnesota Audubon Outreach Coordinator, will bring a largerthan-life owl pellet. This free, family-friendly event includes night hikes, guided star observing with Minnesota Astronomical Society members, and a campfire with s’mores.

Belwin Conservancy Education Center, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton 651-436-5189, www. belwin.org

Oscar Party

The Marine Film Society and the Marine Community Library are holding their annual Oscar Party as a fundraiser for the documentary film series. The five Live Action Short Films (not documentaries) will be screened and audience members will vote

for their favorite, just like the Academy. Visit marinecommunitylibrary.org to buy tickets to this fundraiser.

FEBRUARY 12 Giese Library talk The next Giese talk is at 5:50 p.m. with presenter Mary Jo Meadow Ph.D., professor emerita from Minnesota State University at Mankato.

The topic is What on Earth is a Chakra? Have you heard terms like “chakra” and “kundalini”, but are mystified by them? Or perhaps you have read something about them, and think they are weird ideas.

This talk explains these terms as a profound system of psychological self-understanding that comes from Hinduism.

It offers new and helpful ways to think of oneself.

The talk is free. Registration at resecum@ msn.com is requested but not necessary. Giese Library is located in Wyoming, Minn.

Young children enjoy Suzanne’s special books, songs, and activities at the library. Join us each 3rd Thursday of the month. Future dates: March 19, April 16 Marine Village Hall, 121 Judd Street, Marine on St. Croix, MN. MarineCommunityLibrary.org

7pm-Midnight $10 Entry Ticket at the door Beer and Mixers for sale Live Music Huge Raffle Auction @ the Scandia Community Center (14727 209th St N Scandia, MN 55073)

FEBRUARY 15

54th Annual Woodcarving Artistry Show

Education Center Third Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Explore the Belwin Education Center and its miles of rolling, wooded trails. Lynette Anderson, Belwin’s Interpretive Naturalist, will be in the Education Center building to greet you, answer your questions, and suggest hikes.

Bring your own snowshoes or cross-country skis. Hot cocoa and tea provided.

Belwin Conservancy Education Center, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton 651-436-5189, www. belwin.org

MARCH 14 & 15 The Metro Chapter of the Minnesota Wood Carvers Association will hold the event at Northtown Mall, located on University Avenue Northeast & County Road 10 in Blaine on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibitors will range from those newer to the craft to experienced award-winning carvers from the metro area and greater Minnesota.

Contact Show Chair Roger McCullough at 763-427-8822 for more information.

FEBRUARY 14

FEBRUARY 20

ONGOING

Family Game Night

The Happiness Playlist: How Music Heals with Mark Mallman

Stillwater support group for families

Have fun playing games, meeting new friends and families, and eating pizza! A gathering for the whole community. Hosted by Marine Community Library every 2nd Friday of the month. All ages welcome. Future date: March 13.

Marine Village Hall, 121 Judd Street, Marine on St. Croix, MN MarineCommunityLibrary.org

FEBRUARY 20 Super Storytime with Suzanne

Christian Women’s Connection Leap Year Luncheon Women are invited to “Leap Into Your Best Year” Luncheon on Monday, February 17, sponsored by River Valley Christian Women’s Connection. The 11:30 luncheon will be held at Alliance Church of the Valley, 1259 State Road 35, St. Croix Falls, WI. As we celebrate Leap Year, the special feature is The Frog Goes a Courting by Diane Harvey, William O’Brien State Park. Colleen Dittmer will be the soloist.

Inspirational speaker, Arlene Gabrielson’s message is titled “Happily Ever After (Hope for a Broken Heart)”. Cost of the luncheon is $12, payable at the door. This is not a membership club, but a woman’s luncheon. We expect and welcome first timers. The caterer will be serving the Volcano Meal. Some call it the Hay Stack. You’ll like it, but you must make your reservation by Tuesday noon, February 11 by calling Shirley at 715-483-1216 or text her, 715-338-

Mark Mallman is a Minneapolis music icon, rocking the airwaves from MTV to NPR. He will share stories from his book, and explain how listening to uplifting songs has helped him and why he believes this approach can work for you.

7:00 p.m. Marine Village Hall, 121 Judd Street, Marine on St. Croix, MN

FEBRUARY 29 Scandia Fireman’s Ball

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) sponsors free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. Group meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Stillwater Library, 224 Third St. N., in Margaret Rivers Room A. Use Third Street entrance and free parking ramp.

FFI: Call Marie or Bob at 651-770-1436.

Alcoholics Anonymous AA Big Book Study:

Mondays, 7 p.m., at Elim Lutheran Church, Scandia, in Room LL2 (lower level 2). Enter through the preschool door.

Tri-County Seniors (50+) DFL Luncheon Meeting (Eastern Anoka, Southern Chisago, & Northern Washington County’s) 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (First Tuesday of each month) Vannelli’s By The Lake Restaurant - Broadway & 55 - So. Lake Street. Forest Lake. FFI: ckgenz@ msn.com or call 763-2277536.

Mental Health Support Group A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets bi-weekly in Stillwater. Free, sponsored

by NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Led by trained facilitators who are in recovery.

Meets: first and third Mondays of each month, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Episcopal Church of the Ascension Office (215 North 4th St., Stillwater). FFI: Call Diane at 651-724-0977 or NAMI at 651-645-2948.

to 10:30 a.m, Learning Tree Yoga will present a free 30 minute BooksMoveMe yoga session for children and their caregivers.

Event is free and open to children 6 and under and their caregivers. No registration required.

Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake.

Family Storytime at Hardwood Creek Thursdays, from 10:3011:00 a.m. Children of all ages and their caregivers. Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake. 651 275-7300.

Super Storytime Tuesdays from 10:30 11:15 a.m. A craft or other activity with storytime. Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake. 651 275-7300.

Baby Storytime Wednesdays, 9:4510:15 a.m. Hardwood Creek Library invites parents and caregivers with babies 0-24 months.

Siblings are welcome! Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake. 651 275-7300.

Camera Club

Toddler Storytime

The St. Croix Valley Camera Club meets the third Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Chisago County Government Center in Center City. Meetings include a presentation followed by casual discussion.

Photographers of all interests and abilities are welcome.

Wednesdays, 10:3011 a.m. Children of all ages and their caregivers.Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake.

FFI: 651 275-7300.

BooksMoveMe Yoga Storytime at Hardwood Creek The first Monday of each month from 10 a.m.

Used Book Sale The Friends of the Osceola Library will hold a used book sale the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Discovery Center, 3rd Ave. entrance, lower level.

County Board sets election judge compensation The Washington County Board of Commissioners set the compensation rate Jan. 28 for election judges for the 2020 elections.

The proposed pay for an election judge is $11 per hour, a co-head judge is $13 per hour, a head election judge is $15 per hour, and absentee ballot election judge is $16 per hour.

Approximately 600 election judges will be recruited, trained,

and assigned to polling locations for the cities of Forest Lake, Grant, Lakeland, Landfall, Oakdale, Pine Springs, and Woodbury. The county also hires election judges to assist with absentee voting.

The other cities and townships in Washington County will recruit and assign judges in their own communities.

The cities will reimburse the costs of precinct election judges,

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election judge pay at other metropolitan area municipalities and recommended similar rates.

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FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Ready or not, election season is here

T

he first votes in the nomination process that will determine the names on the ballot for the presidential election in November happened this week.

The Iowa Caucuses were held Monday night and the New Hampshire primary is Feb. 11. These first two contests are meant to narrow the field of candidates as the primary season gets going.

Minnesota voters get their say March 3, Wisconsin voters April 7.

I lived in Iowa until eight years ago, attending and reporting on several caucuses. I still find it amusing how the political class has more than a mild contempt for the “retail” politics that need to be practiced in Iowa and New Hampshire.

“Retail” politics mean that candidates actually need to come to towns large and small, shake hands, look real people in the Publisher eye and answer questions. The conventional wisdom is this oneTom Stangl on-one campaigning allows voters to get the true measure of the candidates as well as an opportunity to hear directly their plans to address problems facing the nation.

Have been there, I can tell you many of the politicians do a fairly good job with this style of campaigning. The ones who don’t do it well are the ones who either skip the state or spend money on ads. Others argue Iowa and New Hampshire aren’t diverse enough, aren’t representative of the makeup of the nation.

I respectfully beg to differ.

States like Iowa, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Wisconsin have hard working people who play by the rules, make sure their children get good educations and believe in the inherent goodness of our nation. While we may be a bit cynical, in the end if we believe you are a good person, there’s very little we won’t do when asked to do it.

But we are far from being fools or bumpkins.

I think this unnerves politicians the most when they are forced to look us in the eyes and speak the truth. It’s easier to look at a camera, it can’t take the measure of your words and actions.

A camera won’t hold your eyes while you are talking.

Michael Bloomberg (who got in the race late) is skipping Iowa and New Hampshire, opting to try and make an impact on Super Tuesday, March 3.

In addition to Minnesota, voters in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia will hold primaries or caucuses. Bloomberg is spending millions of his own money on advertising in these states in hopes of getting the Democratic nomination.

While I understand the strategy, I hope he doesn’t succeed. I have nothing against Bloomberg. But I believe he is shortchanging himself and rural America by making the conversation about the future a one-way dialog.

In a few months, the political picture will become more focused as the two nominees are decided. We will (hopefully) get a small break before the conventions and the all-out war that will happen right up until November. It seems like we have been in campaign season since January, 2017.

Hopefully, the nominees will remember the lessons learned from interacting with voters in small town America. They could do a lot worse.

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@theameryfreepress. com, telephone 715-268-8101 or write me at P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI, 54001.

Thanks for reading I’ll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.

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Are we growing with technology?

I

f you’re reading this, it’s likely that you are holding a physical copy of the paper, but we are in 2020 after all. You could potentially be reading this on a computer screen, or more advanced yet, a smartphone. Not long ago this would be unimaginable, but now technology is on a non-stop course that is moving rapidly toward an increasing involvement in our every day lives.

So, what is it that we tend to do with this incredible technology?

Well, we certainly love our social media. Believe me when I say I am as guilty as the next person. Every day, I wake up, drink a glass of water and jump on Facebook. Why? At this point, I think that it has become entirely habitual, but I do think it Editor serves some role that would otherwise be filled by previous forms of Matt Anderson technology.

For instance, my wife and I don’t have cable television at home, so Facebook tends to be a source of “news” per se. Of course, you have to be hypercritical of the platforms you take your information from, but it’s still a way to find out what’s going on in the world in a way that is more personalized to you.

We also love watching videos of all kinds. It wasn’t until roughly 1998 that the decline of VHS tapes and the rise of DVDs began. Even then you had to have

a DVD player to watch any kind of video that wasn’t already on TV or the bare bones of the Internet. Now, if I want to watch a specific video about fishing, I can pull out my phone, type in what I want and I will likely find 100 videos on that exact subject. I think that is pretty darn remarkable.

Speaking of videos, let’s talk about streaming services. I mentioned that my wife and I don’t have cable TV. My question for you is this: why on earth would we want it?

There are at least four or five major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime that provide countless shows and movies for a fraction of the cost that a traditional cable provider would offer. Some, like Netflix, have no commercials at all, others have some commercials, but nothing close to the amount that cable has. So, lower cost, fewer commercials, and more to watch on demand leads me to believe that cable television is likely a dying animal.

Now we’re even dipping our toes in the world of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). Amazon’s voice controlled “Alexa” allows you to connect your entire world to a voice controlled A.I of sorts. You could say, “Alexa, we’re out of toilet paper, could you order me some?” and a pack of toilet paper could show up at your door the next day. As long as it doesn’t result in a robot takeover, I think I’m okay with it, but it’s a bit eerie SEE ANDERSON, PAGE 12

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The month of cakes

F

ebruary is birthday month at our house. Eight immediate family members, plus some close friends have birthdays. We try to condense some of the festivities and celebrate some together or we are celebrating birthdays twice a week. I call it the month of cakes.

Most of my family asks for the same cake on their birthday—Pink Cake. It’s a strawberry cake with almond cream cheese frosting. It is crazy delicious! But after eating it every week for a month, I’ll be ready for something different.

I crave a rich and decadent chocolate cake, but some family members want Grandpa’s spice cake or a vanilla cake with sprinkles or a tropWild Chow ical coconut cake. No chocolate. My birthday isn’t until April, but that is Lisa Erickson too long to wait. So, I make a cake for myself and share it.

My mother used to make a chocolate cake with regular cream cheese frosting. It still is one of my favorites, but I wanted something more chocolatey-fudgy.

The frosting is what makes this cake divine. It’s thick and fudgy. When you make a thicker frosting, the cake needs to be sturdy—but not tough so it will hold up under the pressure of spreading the frosting.

If the cake is falling apart when frosting it, freeze the layers, and then frost while they are frozen. It’s so much easier to work with.

THE POSTSCRIPT

“Mouse Vomit” Last week I started doing something I’ve never done before. I started writing fiction.

I realize this does not sound shocking since I’m writing every week. My husband, Peter, says I write fiction all the time—every time I write about him. But the truth is, I have not written a word of fiction since I was in the second Columnist grade and wrote, 500-Pound Carrie Classon “The Mouse.”

I can’t take credit for either the title or the protagonist, as they were assigned by my teacher, but I have to take full responsibility for the deeply disappointing conclusion of the story when our hero, the now very large mouse, threw up nearly 500 pounds of mouse vomit on the front lawn and was instantly restored to his original size.

You can now probably appreciate why I have avoided fiction since.

What happened last week was that I woke with a particularly vivid dream. I dream a lot and my dreams are usually weird, so this was nothing new. This time, it was a complete outline to

a novel. This was also not a first.

I have terrific stories plotted in my dreams and the moment I am fully awake they fall apart like cobwebs.

“Wait… was I on the couch or in a car? Was I rescuing my sister or a dog?” Poof! The idea is gone.

But this time, the idea stuck.

“Nonsense!” I assured myself.

I decided to prove to myself what a really dumb idea it was by writing it all down. To my consternation, the idea looked better on paper than it had in my head.

I promised myself I would let that idea slowly evaporate over the next forty-eight hours. I was certain there would be nothing left of it by then.

Two days later, I had characters jumping out of the woodwork and yammering at me night and day.

“Okay, fine!” I grumbled. I sat down and wrote 700 words.

“What the heck is that?!” I said to myself when I read it over. I generally think of myself as a fairly sunny person. This writing was dark, and ominous, and a little scary, and (at least to me) really funny.

So now it appears I’m writing a novel—with no training whatsoever, mind you, and no idea where I’m going. The story is spooling out faster than I can type it down and it doesn’t appear that I am inventing any

of it. It feels as if this story has tracked me down, gotten my phone number, taken my pet bunny hostage, and demanded I write it… OR ELSE. (I made up the part about the bunny.) So, I’m writing.

The more I write, the more I have become aware of how much time I spend trying to talk myself into doing the things I think I’m supposed to be doing instead of doing something that doesn’t feel like work at all, but feels more like a guilty pleasure, more like eating chocolate than anything productive.

Still, there are now 10,000 words staring me in the face and I know that I will finish this thing—whatever it is. I now wonder how many other ideas I may have discarded because I thought they were silly or I was unqualified or I just didn’t have the time.

I imagine there have been a lot.

But I’m not going to dwell on that now. Now I’ve got a book to finish and, while I don’t know how it ends, I’m fairly confident it will not involve a single ounce of mouse vomit.

Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.

Small Munsterlander

I Happy Birthday everyone!

2 cups flour 2 cups sugar 1 cup cocoa powder, with one Tbsp removed 2 tsp baking powder 1 ½ tsp baking soda 1 ¼ tsp. salt 2 eggs 1 cup buttermilk or milk, room temp ½ cup vegetable oil 2 tsp vanilla 1 cup warm strong coffee Frosting: ½ cup butter, softened 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 4 ½ cups powdered sugar 2 tsp vanilla ½ tsp salt ½ cocoa powder Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Sprinkle with cocoa powder and shake around pans to coat; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder & soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Mix until combine. Do not over mix.

Add the coffee and stir until no flour lumps remain.

Batter will be very loose. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until cake springs back in the middle when lightly pressed and the sides have pulled away from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For the frosting: In a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese together. Add the cocoa powder, salt and vanilla; mix until combine. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Mix until smooth.

Spread immediately on cooled cakes and serve.

Refrigerate any leftover cake.

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes at www.wildchow.com or email her at wildchowrecipes@gmail. com.

’m looking to change my game of dogs from flusher/retriever breeds to pointers. I’ve got all kinds of friends who have also gotten into various pointing breeds as they have gotten older, for the same reasons as I. Most seem to have found what they wanted, with a few exceptions. That exception is a pointer that is a solid retriever on both land and water. Although most of my friends who own pointing dogs have told me that retrieving is not the reason they got pointers. Age has that effect on us … we have slowed down.

They call the best retrieving pointing dogs versatile pointers.

I think this is just an attempt to get their friends with Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Springer Spaniels to actually believe that pointers and setters are Wild River reliable retrievers. But in secret they’ve admitted that their dogs Trails may not actually be good retrievers. Some friends will even admit Jim Bennett that their dogs won’t retrieve some game at all, namely wood cocks, a bird that even some retrievers refuse to pick up.

For me, standing over a dead bird is just not good enough; I want it delivered to hand.

Right off the top I’m going to eliminate Pointing Labrador Retrievers off my list of pointing dogs. A Lab, by its name Labrador Retriever, is not a pointer in my book, but I don’t own all the books. The key word here is retriever and that is what these dogs have been doing forever, so trying to create a pointer from this breed just sends chills up my spine. Take a look at British Labs to see what a real lab is and what it looks like. The long nosed, skinny

pointing lab is just not odd looking.

Of the pointing breeds Brittanys get a lot of positive reports for retrieving as do German Shorthairs, Vizslas, Wiemaraners, a few Setters, German Wirehairs, and Drahthaar will fare as good all around dogs that point and retrieve to some degree, but when push comes to shove icy waters will keep some of them on shore. The owners of breeds that struggle in water, and especially icy water, argue that their dogs are pointers and that is the game they play. Minnesotan Marc Paul, an old friend who owns a German Wirehair, told me that his dog has retrieved every pheasant he dropped in water, but it’s not his duck dog.

I want a pointer that's an all the time water retriever that I can use for grouse, pheasant, quail and ducks too, so I’ve continued my search. I found a little known dog that is peaking my interest, a Small Munsterlander. Originally a breed developed in Europe, like almost all historically great hunting breeds, this dog was bred for German nobility.

But those standards were abolished in 1919 with the promulgation of the Weimar Constitution recognizing all Germans as equals before the laws of their country. It is one of the four oldest versatile breeds, thought to be over 500 years old. So far my search shows few breeders in the U.S., but there are some in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I have sent out feelers to get in touch because after spending hours researching pointing dogs online and watching them perform on YouTube, they have my attention.

Obviously more to come. . .

Jim Bennett is an outdoorsman who lives and worked in the St. Croix River Valley and can be reached at jamesbennett24@gmail.com

Visit us online: COUNTRY

.com

6 COUNTRY MESSENGER

FEBRUARY 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

Cable Knitting Unlocked

Nurturing the Wild Design with Nature Conference: Sat., Feb. 29 in St. Paul

BY ANGIE HONG EAST METRO WATER

“What is that over there?”

“It’s the wild,” said the mole.

“Don’t fear it.”

“Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid.”

- Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse

CONTRIBUTED

Marine Mills Folk School offers a variety of traditional skills classes in the beautiful St. Croix Valley. Since opening in October 2018, the traditional arts & crafts school has continued to invite artist-instructors to share their skills in creative, hands-on classes.

“We’re excited to welcome back Sarah Grays on February 22 to teach a knitting class,” noted Nanc MacLeslie, a Board member on the programming committee for the folk school. “Sarah is a talented fiber artist who will be helping knitters with some beginning experience take the next step to expand their skills.” Learning to cable knit mittens can be intimidating, but this class will offer practical approaches to reduce each knitter’s concerns. Each participant will leave able to use double-pointed needles plus will be able to read patterns and charts.

All hands-on classes at the Marine Mills Folk School provide a supportive environment where participants are encouraged to ask questions, share knowledge and experience the joy of creating.

Other upcoming classes include: Norwegian Rosemaling Painting – 2 day SEE CLASSES, PAGE 7

A friend gave us a new book for Christmas and you should absolutely buy it for yourself.

There are gorgeous illustrations and it is one of those children’s books that you realize is actually for adults.

Two days after my son and I read The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse together, it suddenly occurred to me that it was possible to walk across the river from Minnesota to Wisconsin. We borrowed my husband’s truck, so as not to get stuck at the bottom of a snowy hill, and headed north past Marine on St. Croix with two pairs of snowshoes, a dog in a parka, and some snacks. The snow on the river was perfectly flat and glittered in the sun as if someone above had poured a giant bottle of glitter onto the earth. When we got to the other side of the river, we sat on a fallen tree for a while to gaze at the view and howl to the wolves. The scene looked exactly like Mackesy’s illustration of the wild. It was beautiful and perfect, and we had it all to ourselves.

In 1977, nine people attended a natural landscaping workshop offered by the Schlitz Audubon

SUBMITTED

On an island in the St. Croix River.

Center of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and like Charlie and I, fell in love with the wild. The group of friends became so intensely interested in the concept of landscaping with native plants, that they created a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public and inspiring people to bring the wild into their own backyards.

Since then, Wild Ones® has grown into a national organization with chapters in 17 states. Minnesota is home to seven Wild Ones chapters, including the St. Croix Oak Savanna, Twin Cities, and Big Woods chapters in our area.

In addition to organizing monthly speakers’ series, special events, and guided hikes for the public, Wild Ones also sponsors an annual Design with Nature conference. This year’s theme - Where have all the Fireflies Gone? - explores some of the

ways that gardeners can nurture, strengthen and sustain the complex and fragile web of life in our own small corners of the world.

Key note speakers at the conference will include Neil Diboll, a pioneer in the native plant industry, who has operated Prairie Nursery in Wisconsin for 30 years. Diboll will talk about creating low maintenance, sustainable, native gardens that provide enjoyment for gardeners as well as habitat for birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other creatures. Thelma Heidel-Baker, an entomologist, environmental educator, and organic farmer will talk about beneficial insects, including pollinators, predators, decomposers, and herbivores, and the important role that insects SEE CONFERENCE, PAGE 7

L A C O L E R WE A AL! C O L G N I & STAY Our ads will be in the local Country Messenger every Wednesday!

We can also send to your inbox every week!

Join our eClub at festivalfoods.net/signup

Hugo | 14775 Victor Hugo Blvd Hugo, MN 55038 (651) 762-3618 | Hours: 6:00am - 11:00pm | festivalfoods.net

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER www.countrymessenger.com

CONFERENCE: Wild Ones annual Design with Nature local flora and fauna flourish -filled with bird and insect songs, busy bees and other bugs.”

The 2020 Wild Ones Design with Nature conference will be held at University of St. Thomas on Sat., Feb. 29, 9am-4pm. To learn more and register, go to www. designwithnatureconference. org. The cost is $60/70 (members/ nonmembers) before January 29, or $75/85 before February 15.

On an island in the frozen St.

FROM PAGE 6

play in maintaining healthy soils. Alan Branhagen, Director of Operations at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, will offer guidance “for people who want to live in an aesthetic that captures the spirit of our place in the Upper Midwest and not the ubiquitous traditional landscape of anywhere U.S.A. … a place they can celebrate the wonder of the wild, where the

CLASSES: Marine Mills FROM PAGE 6

Croix River, a snow covered tree waits patiently for you to come, rest, and enjoy the view. Go out in the wild, I say, and bring some back for your home.

Angie Hong is an educator for East Metro Water, a local government partnership with 24 members - www.mnwcd.org/ emwrep. Contact her at 651-330-8220 x.35 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org.

(February 8 and 9) Fermentation Workshop : Sauerkraut 101 (February 22, 9:30-11:30) Create a Keep-sake Memory Bear (February 22) Introduction to Tai Chi (February 29) Marine Mills Folk School’s mission is to support and strengthen connections by inviting all people to discover the joy of learning and creating together. Located in Marine on St Croix, MN, the school offers adult and intergenerational classes in traditional arts and craft skills. Please visit https://marinemillsfolkschool.org/ for additional information or to see a complete listing of classes.

...of our friends and classmates.

We’re making Valentines for all...

Newspaper Fun! www.readingclubfun.com

Kids: color stuff in!

Annimills LLC © 2020 V16-5

Happy Valentine’s Day! Good Fun and Good Business too!

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4 6. Red roses are thought to be the most romantic Whew! I’ve been delivering and the most popular kind given on Valentine’s Day. Valentine surprises all day long.

3 7.

The first type of this gift may have been I’m tired, but happy because it’s 1 2 made out of shells and bones. Ancient nice that so many people care lovebirds 7 Egyptians gave this gift made out about other people and want to 6 of gold with precious stones to kings.

5 Read these clues to fill in send them nice Valentines!

8. Some people will go to the crossword to discover poem ic s plays or comedy ______. the most popular gifts given on Valentine’s Day: mus 9. These sugary messages were invented by 1. Poetry and fun Valentine stories will Sweet 8 Oliver Chase in 1847. Today, the Necco fly off store and library shelves. company makes about 100,000 10 2. The first box, introduced by Richard Cadbury, had rts y hea d n pounds of these a day! a c 9 a painting of his daughter holding a kitten on its f l o 10.

People will create special cover. Later, he created the first heart-shaped box.

12 wers 13 memories attending heart 3. These used to be made by hand and delivered parent/child or other in person. Now they are machine-made and 11 family ______. about one billion are mailed all over the world. lry Can you find jewe 11. Bakeries will sell cakes, 4. These snuggly birds, along with doves, have s k and circle 12 or cupcakes and Valentine ______. boo been popular to give or use in designs for 14 more words that 12. The oldest of these is thought Valentine’s Day. Each year, Fort Worth Zoo have 3 syllables to be the one discovered on a in Texas lets people add a “wild child” to their cookies as in the word s family by buying a Valentine’s Day (skunk, penguin) clay tablet written about 4,000 years show ¸=HS࠮LU࠮[PUL¹& or other adoption package. The money ago (from a priestess to a king). cards raised goes to care for animals.

13. People will enjoy this meal out. s colate es o 5. People will sell a lot of pizza, doughnuts 14. People will buy tickets to listen to c h c n a dinn d er and other food items in this shape. romantic ______ at concert halls.

96 There are 97 94 so many 95 93 92 special 91 90 88 deliveries 89 86 87 to be 84 85 made on 82 83 Valentine’s Day 80 81 that the Post 78 79 Office gets 76 77 extra help to 75 74 73 72 bring the mail.

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Start at the star and follow the dots to see who is helping with Valentine deliveries!

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A Special Valentine Delivery!

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Hearty Sayings!

Match these sayings to their meanings: 1. change of heart 2. cross my heart 3. eat your heart out 4. half-hearted 5. heart of gold 6. heart of stone 7. have your heart set on something 8. having a heart-to-heart 9. take something to heart 10. to your heart’s content 11. heart is in the right place 12. heart skips a beat

Be Mine

A. is kind and caring B. to want something a certain way and not be willing to work out a different way to do it C. make an important promise D. very uncaring E. not giving something your full effort F. take something very personally G. to make someone jealous H. frightened or excited I. as much as you want J. change your mind K. meant well L. have a meaningful talk SEE ANSWERS, PAGE 15

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8 COUNTRY MESSENGER

FEBRUARY 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

PUBLIC NOTICES SECTION 00100 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2020 Street Improvements

City of Scandia Scandia, MN

RECEIPT AND OPENING OF PROPOSALS: Sealed proposals for the work described below will be received at the Office of the City Administrator, City of Scandia, 14727 209th Street N., Scandia, MN 550738503 until 10:00 am on February 20, 2020 at which time the bids will be opened and publicly read.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The work includes the construction of approximately: 25,800 SQ YD Mill Bituminous Surface 1.5” Deep 5,000 TON Type SP 9.5 Wearing Course Mixture 4,600 SQ YD Bituminous Reclamation – 8” Deep together with numerous related items of work, all in accordance with Plans and Specifications. This project is subject to Responsible Contractor Certification.

COMPLETION OF WORK: All work under the Contract must be complete by October 2, 2020.

PLAN HOLDERS LIST, ADDENDUMS AND BID TABULATION: The plan holders list, addendums and bid tabulations will be available for download on-line at www.boltonmenk.com or www.questcdn.com.

Any addendums may also be distributed by mail, fax or email.

COLOR COPIES available at

The Sun 108 Cascade

Osceola

TO OBTAIN BID DOCUMENTS: Complete digital project bidding documents are available at www. boltonmenk.com or www.questcdn.com. You may view the digital plan documents for free by entering Quest project #6641167 on the website’s Project Search page.

Documents may be downloaded for $30.00. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@ questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, viewing, downloading, and working with this digital project information. An optional paper set of project documents is also available for a nonrefundable price of 50 per set, which includes applicable sales tax and shipping. Please make your check payable to Bolton & Menk, Inc. and send it to 2035 County Road D East, Maplewood, MN 55109-5314, (651) 704-9970, fax (651) 704-9971.

BID SECURITY: A certified check or proposal bond in the amount of not less than 5 percent of the total amount bid, drawn in favor of City of Scandia shall accompany each bid.

OWNER’S RIGHTS RESERVED: The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any irregularities and informalities therein and to award the Contract to other than the lowest bidder if, in their discretion, the interest of the Owner would be best served thereby.

Dated January 21, 2020.

Published in The Country Messenger January 29 and February 5, 2020 LEGAL NOTICE William O’Brien State Park Proposed Boundary Changes Deletion: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails, intends to support the proposed deletion of the following lands from the statutory boundary of William O’Brien State Park, consisting of approximately 4 acres.

The following description defines the area to be deleted from William O’Brien State Park in Washington County.

Those parts of Section 25, Township 32 North, Range 20 West, Washington County, Minnesota, described as follows:

Answers

The west two rods of the Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, the west two rods of the north two rods of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, and the east two rods of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter.

AND The east two rods over and across the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, excepting therefrom the north 200 feet of said Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter.

Also, the west 2 rods of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, excepting therefrom the north 266 feet of said Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter. Also, the south 66 feet of the north 266 feet of that part of said Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter lying southwesterly of the existing public road known as 199th Street North.

Please contact Wayne Boerner, Park Manager at 1-651-539-4983 if there are any questions.

Published in The Country Messenger February 5, 2020 Summary of Proceedings Washington County Board of Commissioners January 7, 2020 Present were Commissioners Fran Miron, District 1; Stan Karwoski, District 2; Gary Kriesel, District 3; Wayne Johnson, District 4; Lisa Weik, District 5. Board Chair Karwoski presided.

Board Chair and Vice Chair for 2020 Commissioner Fran Miron was elected Chair, and Commissioner Lisa Weik was elected Vice Chair, for 2020.

Commissioner Reports – Comments – Questions Commissioners reported on meetings and other events that they attended. Please see archived web streaming of the board meeting for full commissioner reports at www. co.washington.us, under “County Board”.

Community Corrections Approval of the following actions: - Contract No. 12935 with Youth Service Bureau.

- Contract No. 12944 with Satellite Tracking of People LLC for electronic monitoring services.

Community Services Approval of the following actions: - Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs, Mpls VA Health Care System, to provide one stall for parking at Hardwood Creek Regional Transit Center.

- Contract No. 13126 with Country Services, Inc. for case management services for persons with developmental disabilities.

- Contract No. 13128 with Thomas Allen, Inc. to provide in-home services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

General Administration Approval of the following actions: - 2020 County Board meeting schedule has changed from previous years. The board will meet on most Tuesdays, with 30 board meetings scheduled in 2020 and 5 workshop only meetings. For the first half of the year, the board is planning to meet 3 times per month, and 2 times per month the last six months of the year. Similar to previous schedules, the board will not meet on any Tuesday which is a legal holiday or any 5th Tuesday of a month. The board meetings will continue to begin at 9:00 on Tuesdays, with the exception of two meetings a year that are required to be evening meetings per statute. The Board Chair can call an evening meeting or a later start time, when necessary, to conduct business or to allow for evening access by citizens or interested parties.

- Resolution No. 2020-001, the 20202022 newspaper publication bids were awarded to Country Messenger and Stillwater Gazette.

- Memorial Day appropriations of $100 each, upon request, in 2020 for military service organizations.

- Reappointments of citizen volunteers to advisory committees.

- Adoption of the 2020 Washington County Legislative Agenda.

- Resolution No. 2020-002, adopting the Washington County 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

- 2020 Commissioner assignments to committees, commissions, and joint powers boards.

- Board workshop to review Executive Order 13888 regarding refugee resettlement.

Public Works Approval of the following actions: - Resolution No. 2020-003, to acquire right-of-way for County State Aid Highway 15 and Trunk Highway

CLUES ACROSS 1. Indicates number of days 6. When you hope to get there 9. Hairstyle 13. Black (Spanish) 14. Expresses pleasure 15. Away from wind 16. Tech pros organization 17. Wile E. Coyote is familiar with it 18. Clean 19. Saints’ signal caller 21. A way to hunt 22. Poetries 23. Automobile 24. Secondary school (abbr.)

25. Indicates before 28. Male parent 29. Short-billed rails 31. It pays to keep yours 33. On occasion 36. David __, US playwright 38. Slang for cigarette 39. Vaccine developer 41. Returned to health 44. Toni Morrison novel 45. Period between eclipses 46. Veterans battleground 48. Gang 49. A radio band 51. Jaws of a voracious animal 52. Elaborate garments 54. Chinese province 56. Checks 60. Horizontal passage 61. Steep hillsides 62. Fertility god 63. Dried-up 64. Signs a name 65. __ Winger, actress 66. German river 67. Gov’t lawyers 68. Take something somewhere CLUES DOWN 1. __ Blyton, children’s author 2. Colleague 3. “The African Queen” writer

36 interchange in the City of Lake Elmo.

- Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. 12967 with Twin Cities Hardware, Inc. in the amount of $4,547 for work on the Wildwood Library project.

- Permanent use of fund balance in an amount not to exceed $17,700 from the Capital Repair Fund to furnish and install updated audio visual equipment.

- Permanent use of fund balance in an amount not to exceed $17,000 from the Capital Repair Fund to furnish and install updated in-room audio amplification equipment.

- Will Schroeer, East Metro Strong Executive Director, presented an overview of recent accomplishments and upcoming activities.

- Change Order No. 2 to Contract No. 12459 with Paragon Restoration II in the amount of $141,502 for the Law Enforcement Center parking ramp project.

- Board workshop to review Woodbury Drive and local roads contract incentives for construction.

A complete text of the Official Proceedings of the Washington County Board of Commissioners is available on the county’s website: www. co.washington.mn.us, under County Board, or for public inspection at the Office of Administration, Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN. Published in The Country Messenger February 5, 2020 CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: Healthy Minds.

2. The address of the principal place of business: 7165 Stratford Road, Woodbury, MN 55125.

3. The complete name and street address of all persons conducting business under the assumed name, OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address: Carin Osvog, LLC, 7165 Stratford Road, Woodbury, MN 55125.

4. I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person

4. Crater on the moon 5. Toward 6. Overhang 7. Identifies something close at hand 8. Sign language 9. Unbroken views 10. Ancient Greek City 11. Stretch out to grasp 12. Alcohols that are unfit for drinking 14. Humorous stories 17. Long song for a solo 20. Barrels per day (abbr.)

21. City of Lights 23. A place to sleep 25. Advanced degree (abbr.)

26. The back 27. Furniture-makers Charles and “Ray” 29. Songs to a lover 30. Gland secretion

whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities, I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath: Carin Osvog.

Dated September 12, 2019.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger February 5 and February 12, 2020

Certificate of AMENDMENT TO Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: The Nicholas Group.

2. The address of the principal place of business: 8450 Demontreville Trl N. Lake Elmo, MN 55042.

3. The complete name and street address of all persons conducting business under the assumed name, OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address: McDermott Services LLC, 8450 Demontreville Trail N. Lake Elmo, MN 55042 4. I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities, I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath: Sue A. Chamberlain.

Dated December 2, 2019.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger February 5 and February 12, 2020

32. 10 meters 34. Disfigure 35. Stores grain 37. Sacred book of Judaism 40. Catch 42. Promise 43. Challenges 47. Russian space station 49. Banking giant 50. Served as an omen 52. Drenches 53. Type of sword 55. Minor planet 56. Messenger ribonucleic acid 57. Japanese ankle sock 58. Obtain in return for services 59. Waste matter 61. A proposal to buy at a specified price 65. Unit of loudness

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY Claire Patterson of Marine on St. Croix has been named to the fall semester Dean’s List.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – STOUT McKenzie Brogan of Scandia graduated in December with a degree in Graphic Communications.

UNIVERITY OF WISCONSIN – RIVER FALLS Kelli Frederickson of Scandia graduated summa cum laude in December with a bachelor of science degree in Marketing Communications.

Board approves contract Collins Electrical Construction Company will service building electrical systems for Washington County, after the County Board approved a $216,750 contract with the company Jan. 28.

The service contract provides for the routine and complex work on major and minor building electrical systems at 17 locations throughout Washington County. The contract includes projects not to exceed $50,000, analysis of major equipment, consultation on energy optimization, and one-hour emergency response time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Members named to Library Board The Washington County Board of Commissioners named members to the county’s Library Board Jan. 28.

Sunday Olayinka, Woodbury, was named as an at-large representative; Mary Burke, Marine on St. Croix, was named as a District 1 representative; and Shawn Foster-Huot, Cottage Grove, was named as a District 4 Representative, all appointed to first terms expiring Dec.

31, 2022.

David Olufson, Mahtomedi, was also re-appointed to the Library Board as an at-large representative, and will serve a second term through 2022.

The Washington County Library Advisory Board is advisory to the Library Director, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners, which is the governing board of the Library.

SUBMITTED

During a surprise event last year, Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik, District 5, presented the Woodbury High School Environmental Club with a 2019 Public Health Achievement Award to club advisor Dr. Nour Sinada and captains Callie Kiedrowski and Marta Struve, with Commissioner Lisa Weik.

Washington County accepting nominations for 2020 Public Health Achievement Awards Washington County Public Health & Environment is seeking nominations for the 2020 Public Health Achievement Awards, with a Feb. 24 deadline.

The awards will recognize and honor residents who devote their time, energy, and talents to improve the public health or environmental conditions of individuals, families, and communities in Washington County. These residents help families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and leaders better understand the value of public health and encourage

the adoption of preventive habits that help promote health in many facets of life.

Public Health Achievement Awards are available in the following categories: • Youth – group or individuals who are 18 years or younger at the time of nomination • Individual – individuals who are 19 years or older at the time of nomination • Group – an established group (community coalition, partnership, school, or organization) regardless of age

Winners of the 2020 Public Health Achievement Awards will be celebrated during National Public Health Week, which is observed April 6-12 as part of an initiative to create the healthiest nation in one generation.

Online nominations must be submitted by 8 a.m. Feb. 24. For more information about selection criteria and how to submit a nomination, see www.co.washington.mn.us/publichealthaward.

AREA CHURCHES Ascension Episcopal Church 214 North Third Street N, Stillwater (651) 439-2609 • www.aechurch.org Rev. Marilyn Baldwin Rev. Daniel V. Pearson, Interim Rector Mindy Boynton, Christian Ed/Youth Nancy Whipkey, Director of Music Sunday: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, no music 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, with music

The Baha’i Faith For information about Baha’i Faith or times and places of meetings call (651) 433-3686.

Christ Lutheran Church 150 Fifth Street, Marine (651) 433-3222, office ext. 10 Pastors Joel Martin and Hannah Bartos Sunday Worship 8:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

Kid’s Church during 9:45 service.

Wednesday Life Night schedule: Community Supper at 5:30 p.m.

Faith formation classes for all ages at 6:30 p.m.

Elim Lutheran Church Scandia (651) 433-2723 www.elimscandia.org Senior Pastor Scott Westphal Associate Pastor Meredith McGrath 8 and 9:30 am in the Sanctuary 8:45 am Adult Christian Education in the Library 10:35 Kid City Sunday School

Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA) Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA) Forest Lake (651) 464-3323 886 North Shore Drive Pastor John Klawiter Sunday Worship: Traditional, 9 a.m.

Contemporary Praise, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday: Worship 10 a.m.

Forest Hills United Methodist Church

Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church (LCMS)

Hwy. 97 at County Road 34 S.E. Forest Lake (651) 464-5249 Pastor: Rev. David Werner www.foresthillsumc.net 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship

25402 Itasca Avenue Forest Lake, MN 55025 651-462-3535 / lordofthelakes.org Pastor Craig Bertram Regular Worship 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Communion First and Third Sundays 9:00 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Class

Grace Church 722 Seminole Ave. Osceola Pastor Mark Barlow Amy Germain, Day Care Bety Greydanus, Office Manager “The Cure for the Common Church” e-mail: info@gracechurchosceola.com www.gracechurchosceola.com or call (715) 294-4222 or (715) 755-3454 Sunday: Praise and Worship Service 9 a.m. with Children’s Church Adult Bible Study 10:45 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School 10:45 a.m.

Christian Child Day Care Monday-Friday 5:30 am – 6 p.m.

Hosanna Lutheran Church (ELCA) Living, loving and serving as Jesus did... so that all may know him.

9300 Scandia Tr. N. Forest Lake (651) 464-5502 www.hosannaforestlake.net Linda Friesen, Lead Pastor Jen Collins, Associate Pastor Sept-May Worship Schedule Sunday 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

In Great Hall (lower level) Wednesday (thru Apr) 6:00 p.m. in Garden Chapel (upper level)

Lakes Free Church www.lakesfree.org Lindstrom (651) 257-2677 29620 Olinda Trail N. Senior Pastor Jason Carlson, Associate Pastor Stephen Moore Sunday Worship 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Maranatha Church Chisago Lakes Campus 10963 Lake Blvd. (Hwy 8) Chisago City (651) 257-8605 Pastor Bill Headley Worship service Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday service 9:30 a.m.

Osceola Community Church 2492 Education Dr., Osceola, WI Larry Mederich, Pastor (715) 417-0608 • www.occconnect.org Sunday Worship 9 a.m. with provided Nursery Kids Church 9:30 a.m.

Meeting in home groups throughout the week. Call for details, 715-294-4332.

Osceola Medical Center Spiritual Care

2600 65th Avenue, Osceola, WI www.myomc.org/specialtyserv_1chapel.php 715-294-5645 fax: 715-294-5712 email: alan.hagstrom@myomc.org Chapel open daily for meditation.

Osceola United Methodist Church 306 River Street Osceola, WI (715) 755-2275 osceolaunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com

Fellowship at 11 a.m.

River Valley Christian Church Lake Elmo (651) 430-9950 5900 Lake Elmo Avenue N. (Hwy 36 & County Road 17) Pastor Jon Neitzel, Teen Pastor Greg Hamm Children’s Pastor Karen Hynes Sunday Worship and Childrens’ Church 9:30 a.m. Nursery available.

Saturday Worship and Children’s Church, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday Teen Service 7:00 p.m.

St. Croix Falls Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Father John Drees Three miles north on Hwy. 95 from Hwy. 97. West on Redwing 1/4 mile.

St. Joseph Catholic Church 490 Bench St., Taylors Falls, MN (651) 465-7345 Father John Drees Sat. Mass 5:30 p.m.

Sun. Mass 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Cluster

- www.scuuf.org

Osceola (715) 294-2243 Rev. Andy Anderson Saturday Mass: St. Joseph’s, 4 p.m.

St. Anne’s, Somerset 5 p.m.

Sunday Mass: Assumption, East Farmingon 8:30 a.m.

St. Anne’s, Somerset 8 & 10 a.m.

St. Joseph’s, Osceola 10:30 a.m.

Call for weekday mass and reconciliation schedules.

St. Croix Falls United Methodist Church

Trinity Lutheran Church (WELS)

First 3 Sundays of each month @ 10 a.m.

201 North Adams St., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 Rev. Kelli Clement

Upper St. Croix Parish 300 N. Adams St. • (715)-483-9494 Pastor Carolyn Saunders Pastor MIke Brewbaker Sunday Service 10 a.m.

Osceola (715) 294-2828 300 Seminole Avenue Sunday Worship: 9 a.m.

Sunday School/Bible Class: 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday worship: 7 p.m.

St. Croix Valley Friends Meeting

Trinity Lutheran Church

Stillwater (651) 439-7981 Seventh Day Adventist Church, Fifth & Laurel Streets Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. Childcare available.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Franconia (651) 465-7345 Sunday Mass: 9:15 a.m.

Stillwater (651) 439-7400 www.trinitylc.org • 115 North Fourth Street Pastors: Dan Poffenberger & Stephanie Vos, Saturday Evening Worship: 5 p.m.

Sunday Worship: 9 a.m Traditional; 10:30 a.m. The WALK Contemporary Worship Children’s Learning, Sunday 9 a.m. and on Wednesday 6 p.m.

Wednesday 7:15 p.m. “The River” Youth Worship

10

COUNTRY MESSENGER

FEBRUARY 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

AUTO BODY

715-294-2165 Osceola, Wisconsin - Hwy. 35 south of town

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Indoor air quality experts 24 Hour Service 21260 Olinda Trail N.

651-433-5167 www.scandiaheating.com

LOCAL SHOPS

Remedies for This and That: bulk herbs and spices, bath and body products, household products, baking products, handcrafted teas and jams, vintage gifts and products made by local and area artists.

21060 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN

PLUMBING

AUTOMOTIVE COMPLETE AUTO SERVICE CENTER We will not be undersold

Alignment • Brakes • Exhaust • Shocks Plows • Tune-ups/engine diagnostics Keyless Entry and Autostarts • A/C Service 14520 60th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082 651-439-0403 • www.fredstireandservice.net

TROWBRIDGE PLUMBING 12450 Morris Trail N, Marine-On-St. Croix

Residential - Service - Remodel

651-433-4500

trowbridge_plumbing@hotmail.com Mike Trowbridge

651-707-2528 Fax: 651-213-0070

INSURANCE REAL ESTATE

CLEANING

Birdly Girl Domestic

Quality cleaning done by one person...

ME! Experienced, Loyal, Hardworking, Reliable, Honest, Excellent References.

NOAH INSURANCE GROUP Osceola • 715-294-2510 • 877-571-9315 Stillwater • 888-430-6624 www.noahinsurancegroup.com

Ross and Adam Brunfelt Your Local Real Estate Agents!

Call us today for a free market analysis of your home!

651.433.3333 • www.TheBrunfelts.com

“City Cleaner Gone Country”

612-703-6868

LAWN & SPORT

FOOD & BEVERAGE Servicing all major brands Lawn & garden, mower service.

Great Case Discounts Your Party Headquarters

CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS

651-433-4668

21240 Olinda Trail N., Scandia, MN Saturday 8 a.m. - noon Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

651-433-5845 • 21190 Ozark Ave N • Scandia, MN STORE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. • Fri. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

LAW OFFICES

TRAILERS/REPAIR

Bill Schifsky Custom Trailer Mfg. SINCE 1972

Aluminum Utility Trailers Mobile Displays • We build Tiny House Trailers 651-257-5340 • www.customtrailers.biz • Scandia, MN

TRAILER REPAIR Axles • Couplers • Wiring • Brakes • Aluminum & Steel Welding

VETERINARIAN

SCANDIA VET CLINIC

UNIQUELY GENERAL Open Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Sun. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

WHERE LEGALITY MEETS PRACTICALITY Legal services in the areas of real estate, wills and trusts, probate, business transactions, petroleum.

Office 651-487-1208 (ext. 1) • Fax 651-487-0662 kirsten@libbylawoffice.com • 21060 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN

HOURS: Monday - Friday • 8 to 5:30 Saturday • 8 to noon

651-433-3666

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

11

COUNTRY MESSENGER www.countrymessenger.com

Farmers will continue to lease agricultural land in county parks The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed to three leases for agricultural land in county parks Jan. 28.

When Washington County acquires farmland within one of its regional parks, some of the land is often kept agricultural until it’s needed for park purposes Currently, Washington County has 241.95 acres of land that is leased for farming; 112.1 acres in Lake Elmo Park Reserve and 105.1 acres in St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

The land at Big Marine Park Reserve was recently acquired and is not included in that total acreage.

As a part of Washington County’s commitment to pollinators, the county is continuing a provision of the 2018 farmland lease that prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which are linked to

declines in bee and butterfly populations.

Bids for the lease of agricultural land were requested and opened at a public opening Jan. 7.

Ronald Schiltgen will lease the agricultural land in Big Marine Park Reserve, and David See will lease the agricultural land in Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

Rental rates paid for individual tracts of farmland depend on the productivity of the land, expected crop prices, costs of production, United States Department of Agriculture programs, and the supply of and demand for rented farmland in the community. Seventy percent of the revenue received from the rental of agricultural land goes into a fund created for “non-recreational” revenue.

The remaining 30% is used for in-lieu-of tax payments.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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PHONE: 651-433-3845 | FAX: 651-433-3158

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Free Items

Services

Storage Rent

HAVE SOMETHING TO give away? Run three weeks, nonbusiness related for FREE. Must be from the area. To place an ad call 715-294-2314.

RESUMES copied for free if you have been laid off and looking for work. Stop in at The Sun, 108 Cascade, Osceola.

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Farmington Mini Storage: For all your storage needs. Now offering climate controlled units. 10x10, 10x15, 10x20, 10x25. Now accommodating 5th wheelers, boats and campers.

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Erickson piano service. Bryan Erickson Tuning-RegulationRepair 715-463-5958 \ 507-475-2584 Problems with your car insurance? Tickets? Accidents? Been canceled? Call Noah Insurance for help at 715-294-2017.

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Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

Custom Furniture refinishing, stripping and repair. Do it right, reasonably. The Cellar Door, Taylors Falls, 651-465-5551.

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COUNTRY

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COUNTRY

We’re Hiring School Bus Drivers!

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

EDITOR The Sun and Country Messenger are seeking an editor to lead our newspaper.

We’re looking for a strong wordsmith with excellent news judgment who shows the ability to develop content for our newspaper and website.

Interested candidates should demonstrate strong writing and editing skills, enthusiasm for the news and an eye for detail and design. Familiarity with AP style, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop and photography are preferred for this position, which includes some night and weekend work.

Benefits package includes paid time off; health, vision, dental, disability insurance and 401k.

Applicants should send cover letter, resume and writing clips to: Tom Stangl, Publisher The Sun • P.O. Box 248 • Osceola, WI 54002 tstangl@theameryfreepress.com Equal Opportunity Employer

The School District of Osceola is looking for both regular and extra-curricular trip School Bus Drivers!

What does it take to become part of team?

The ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License with school bus endorsement, DOT Physical and criminal background check. We provide behind the wheel training to give you the skills necessary.

Great pay and work schedule!

APPLY ONLINE www.osceola.k12.wi.us or call us at: 715-294-3456 School District of Osceola is an Equal Opportunity Employer

COUNTRY

EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH

MISCELLANEOUS

COMMERCIAL APPLICATORS Competitive wage and bene ts, meal allowance, paid lodging. Traveling position for railroad vegetation control, 60-80 hours/week. RAW (Cooperstown, ND) 888/700-0292 info@rawapplicators.com www.rawapplicators.com

FARMERS, LANDSCAPERS OR GARDENERS did you or a loved one use Roundup Weed Killer and were diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Cancer)?

You may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles Johnson 800/535-5727

MOBILEHELP America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety and peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call today! 855/610-5151

WANTED TO BUY OR TRADE

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FREON WANTED: We pay CA$H for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certi ed Professionals. Call 312/626-3558 or visit: RefrigerantFinders.com

DONATE YOUR CAR truck or boat to Heritage For The Blind. Free 3-day vacation, tax deductible, free towing, all paperwork taken care of 844/220-9501

DISH NETWORK $59.99 For 190 channels! Add high speed internet for only $19.95/month. Call today for $100 gift card! Best value & technology. Free installation. Call 855/562-4309 (some restrictions apply)

Advertise here statewide in 230+ newspapers for only $279 per week!

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AT&T WIRELESS Two great new offers! Ask how to get the new iPhone 11 or Next Generation Samsung Galaxy S10e on us with AT&T’s Buy one, Give One offer.

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ONLY $279 to reach a statewide audience of 1.7 million readers!!! 1-800-279-2979 A PLACE FOR MOM The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is free, no obligation. Call 844/347-2104

Reporter The Country Messenger is seeking a freelance reporter to help report the news of our community. If you have a knack for seeing beyond the obvious and a well-developed sense of curiosity and enjoy sharing stories, this might be a great fit for you.

Send resume and writing clips to: Matt Anderson, Editor Country Messenger P.O. Box 96, Scandia, MN 55073 Email: editor@countrymessenger.com

12 COUNTRY MESSENGER

FEBRUARY 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

SHERIFF’S REPORT City of Scandia

At 2:28 p.m. theft was reported in the 18000 block of Lamar.

At 12:08 a.m. a follow-up was done on Manning and 228th.

At 4:54 p.m. a neighbor dispute in the 18000 block of Layton was reported.

At 6:48 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 18000 block of Manning.

12000 block of 181st.

At 11:55 a.m. suspicious activity on Scandia and Manning Trails was reported.

At 11:55 a.m. an officer assisted another agency in the 16000 block of O’Brien Trail.

At 5:08 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 10000 block of 230th.

At 6:17 p.m. a complaint about traffic on St. Croix Trail and 240th was received.

At 9:19 p.m. a driver in the 14000 block of Scandia Trail was stopped for a traffic violation.

JANUARY 22

JANUARY 24

JANUARY 25

JANUARY 20 At 2:30 p.m. a complaint about traffic on Scandia and Olinda Trails was received.

At 5:53 p.m. disorderly conduct in the 22000 block of Perkins was reported.

At 7:27 p.m. a complaint about traffic on Scandia and Olinda Trails was received.

JANUARY 21

At 11:33 a.m. a driver on Oakhill and 199th

was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 3:26 p.m. theft was reported in the 18000 block of Langly.

At 11:02 p.m. an accident on Manning and 228th was reported.

JANUARY 23

At 10:32 a.m. a 911 call was abandoned in the

At 8:02 a.m. a vehicle off the road in the 20000

block of Manning was reported.

At 9:02 p.m. a driver in the 10000 block of Scandia Trail was stopped for a traffic violation.

Town of May

JANUARY 19 At 5:08 p.m. a fire in the 13000 block of Manning was reported.

JANUARY 20 At 3:30 p.m. an officer assisted another agency on 120th and Myeron.

At 5:46 p.m. an accident on Square Lake Trail and Northbrook was reported.

At 6:06 p.m. harassment in the 14000 block of

130th Street Lane was reported.

JANUARY 21 At 1:28 p.m. a medical need in the 15000 block of Ostlund was reported.

January 22 At 3:46 p.m. a medical need in the 14000 block of Oldfield was reported.

At 4:06 p.m. an assault in the 12000 block of St. Croix Trail was reported.

At 9:09 p.m. an accident on Manning and Lynch was reported.

JANUARY 23 At 11:40 a.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000 block of Ostlund.

At 3:02 p.m. an accident

in the 13000 block of Manning was reported.

At 4:11 p.m. a snowmobile violation was reported in the 12000 block of Keystone.

JANUARY 24 At 9:52 p.m. a driver in the 16000 block of Square Lake Trail was stopped for a traffic violation.

JANUARY 25 At 12:13 a.m. a driver in the 14000 block of Manning was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 4:21 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 12000 block of Square Lake Trail.

ANDERSON: Technology

Spotlight on Area Businesses The Brookside There’s more to the Brookside than good food.

Owners of the two restaurants — the longstanding Brookside Bar & Grill in Marine on St. Croix and the newer Brookside Pub in Scandia — certainly take pride in bringing locals and visitors a good meal. But they also take pride in their business model of cooperative ownership. “We’re very proud to be employee owned and managed,� said managing partner Matt Miller.

Four other staff members — Carlos Travis Cuellar MacGregor, Matt McHenry,

Mandi Burmeister and Grayson Taylor — are partners in the business, operating both locations. “They’re part of the decision making process,� Miller said. “Their role has been so instrumental in creating the culture at Brookside, which has given us the ability to expand our offerings to Scandia.�

These include never-frozen, hand-patted burgers, hand-

carved ham and turkey, the Brookside’s own corned beef and prime rib, and other daily specials. Happy hour is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In addition to great food and service, Brookside features live music from local artists on weekends from May to September. You can stay up to date with the entertainment by going to www.brooksidemn. com.

FROM PAGE 4

to say the least.

While all of this is very neat and convenient, the reason I am so perplexed and amused by this fascinating technology is how we choose to use it. The computers that we use today (including our smartphones) are more advanced than what was used on the Apollo 11 mission. We have more information at our fingertips than ever before and rather than a vigorous appetite for learning this wealth of knowledge, we look up funny videos of cats on YouTube, or binge watch The Office on Netflix for the 15th time. What’s worse is that socializing has been diminished to likes on Facebook and conversation is rarely done outside of a text message.

So, I’m stuck in the middle of this technological revolution. On the one hand, our potential is nearly limitless with the ever increasing technology at our disposal. On the other hand, I see the worst of people come out from social media and other forms of technology. While I am not anticipating a robot takeover, I do wonder if we are handling the expansion of this technology in a way that is entirely healthy for the human race. Maybe I’ll ask Alexa to find the answer to that question.

I always welcome your comments, questions and concerns. Feel free to reach out at any time.

Matt Anderson editor@countrymessenger.com 651-433-3845

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