COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 35 NO. 45 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
READY, SET, GROW: Master Gardeners offer class on prairies, berries, trees. PAGE 11
River Grove will stay in Wilder Forest for now BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
The River Grove Board has suspended discussions about potentially moving the school’s campus. The decision follows a Feb. 27 letter from the charter school’s authorizing agent, the Minnesota Guild, recommending delay of the decision until the school’s fifth year of operation. “The Minnesota Guild expects River Grove to remain at its current site location at Wilder Forest for the duration of your five-year lease with Wilder and your initial charter contract term with the Minnesota Guild (i.e., through June 30, 2022)” the letter reads. “We will not provide written consent for your school to change sites until after your lease obligations with Wilder are fulfilled and your school successfully moves through your contract renewal process with the Minnesota Guild. “We encourage you to focus on continuing to establish your wonderful new charter school at its existing site and consider facilities/site options later in your initial contract term (i.e., during your school’s fourth year of operation) so you can make an official decision during your fifth year of operation, which coincides with your school’s contract renewal year with the Minnesota Guild.” In a March 1 email, River Grove’s board chair, Lisa White, and chair elect, Dan Miller, advised the community of plans to suspend discussions, including cancellation of a March 5 board workshop. The next River Grove Board meeting will be held March 19 in the River Grove Commons.
Combine clerk, treasurer positions? Question goes to May Township voters BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
May Township voters will be asked March 12 whether to combine the township’s clerk and treasurer positions into one. Bill Voedisch, chair of the
town board, said approval would bring efficiency to township administrative duties. “The Town Board is urging a ‘yes’ vote to again give us more flexibility in managing these positions in the future,” he said, noting that years ago residents voted to fill the positions by appointment rather than election. “If it passes, again there will be
little change right away since we have already appointed a deputy treasurer who is working with Cheryl Bennett until she retires at the end of March. But down the road we could in fact have a single professional doing both functions, which could be a tremendous efficiency for the town. “State stature allows the citizens of a township to
vote on these questions,” he continued, “and the town board believes the flexibility afforded the town by these initiatives will serve the citizens well, now and into the future.” Linda Klein, the town’s former clerk, said she plans to vote against the measure. “I spent almost 25 years as SEE MAY TOWNSHIP, PAGE 6
From bark to box: folk school offers birch-crafting course Birch bark has been harvested and used to create useful objects in northern countries since ancient times. Containers such as cups and bowls, baskets of any size, building material for living quarters and canoes were made and used by peoples in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Russia and more locally, by Native Americans. Marine Mills Folk School is pleased to announce a new class will be offered March 23 where students will learn to prepare birch bark and then craft a beautiful birch bark box. Fred Livesay, long time folk school instructor, emphasized that no birch trees were harmed during the harvesting of the birch bark. During the class Livesay will review the safe harvesting methods used as well as the historical use of birch bark, noting “students will learn a traditional ‘finger type joint’ as they practice safe carving techniques – come be amazed by the birch!” Founded in 2018, 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, 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.
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Fred Livesay, long time folk school instructor, emphasized that no birch trees were harmed during the harvesting of the birch bark
‘Station Eleven:’ Kicking off the NEA Big Read Hosting its fifth annual NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley, ArtReach St. Croix is one of 75 organizations nationwide awarded a prestigious grant to host NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership
with Arts Midwest. “Station Eleven” is the chosen book for 2019, exploring life before and after a global flu pandemic leads to the collapse of modern society. Weaving together several different stories, the book primarNEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
ily centers on a crew of resilient performers in a traveling symphony, who perform Shakespeare plays and pre-collapse music for the small, isolated communities of a dystopian future. With the structures of modern civilization ADVERTISING 651-433-3845 ads@osceolasun.com
stripped away, the book celebrates the strength of people determined to preserve what was best about the world. To kick off a month of guest speakers, book discussions and related programs, ArtReach is excited to present the St.
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Croix Valley’s Traveling Symphony. On Sunday, March 31, the symphony will feature a trio from St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, and on Monday, April 1, artists from the Festival Theatre will perform Shakespearean scenes. These performers will
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visit grocery stores, coffee shops, libraries and more to bring random acts of art into the Valley. "This is an opportunity to bring art into unexpected places," shares SEE BIG READ, PAGE 2
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