COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 34 NO. 45 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
AMERICAN BIRKENBEINER: Local residents compete in annual race. PAGE 2
Scandia ski coach one of many who watched Olympic gold-medalist excel BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
After the world watched cross-country skier Jessie Diggins edge out Sweden for gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics, most Americans probably resumed their day-to-day business, perhaps with a bit of a lift. Not Denny Seefeldt. “I was so excited and had so much adrenaline,” said the longtime Stillwater cross-country ski coach, “I could hardly do anything else the rest of the day.” Seefeldt, who has volunteered to help coach Stillwater school district skiers for 23 years, was one of many coaches Afton-raised Diggins worked with as a young skier. Seefeldt recalled working with Diggins between her seventh and eighth grade years during a summer strength-training program. During the two-month session, Seefeldt would send the skiers on a 10-mile route, telling them to propel themselves with just their arms, a technique known as double pulling. To most it might sound like a long way. “Not for that little rascal,” said Seefeldt. “At the end of summer she was keeping up with two boys who were juniors and incoming captains, and another boy who’d just finished ninth
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Scandia residents gathered last week to discuss funding and taxes in the Forest Lake school district. The session, one of several district wide, was initiated by the district after voters last fall rejected two referendum questions that would have increased taxpayer funding. The first, to increase operating levy by $4.9 million ($750 per student) failed in a 57.5 percent to 42.5 percent split. The second, a $9 million bond to improve athletics and arts facilities, failed in a 57 to 43 percent split.
Financial challenges
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Denny Seefeldt with gold-medal cross-country skier Jessie Diggins in 2014. Seefeldt, who once helped Diggins train with the Stillwater ski team, said she excelled in capability and attitude from a young age.
grade who would go on to be a captain a couple years later.” But it wasn’t just her speed that stood out to Seefeldt. “She was always humble and gracious,” he recalled. “I never heard her complain about anything. … She has a positive attitude and is a tremendous role model.” That status was confirmed at
ing July 11, two $25, four $50, and one $100 winners will be drawn. That’s seven winners each month. The 84th winning ticket ($500) will be drawn on June 12, 2019. Winning tickets are put back in so you can win again and again. Each raffle ticket
“I think it’s fair to say that we as a district face financial challenges,” District Superintendent Steve Massey said at the Feb. 26 meeting. Presenting data that suggested state funding has not kept pace with inflation, Massey described the district’s operating levy of $462 per student as “on the low end” when compared to nearby school districts.
the American Birkebeiner, Feb. 24. “All the girls at the Birkie were wearing glitter on their faces and their socks on the outside of their ski suits,” Seefeldt reported. “That’s trademark Jessie Diggins.” Seefeldt, onetime mayor of SEE COACH, PAGE 2
Scandia-Marine Lion’s Club launches 11th annual Community Raffle Sale The Scandia-Marine Lions have begun their 11th annual sales of Raffle Tickets. Buy a ticket and take a chance at winning a cash prize. One raffle ticket, that’s one ticket, gives you 84 chances to win from $25 to $500. Each month, start-
Scandia residents discuss school funding
costs $15. All winners’ names are published in the Country Messenger. All proceeds after expenses go back into the community to help those in need or for the betterment of the community. You can purchase tickets from now until
the end of June 2018. For tickets, contact any Scandia-Marine Lion or call Lion John Venables 651-464-6259, Lion George Galleberg (651-433-5328), or Lion Robert Feidt (651-4335109).
SUZANNE LINDGREN | COUNTRY MESSENGER
Forest Lake Area School District Superintendent Steve Massey spoke about the districts financial challenges at a Feb. 26 community meeting in Scandia.
“When you go down Highway 61 through Mahtomedi, Stillwater, White Bear Lake,” he continued, “the students in those districts receive, on voter-approved operating referenda, $1,100 more per student on an annual basis.” The state gives the district about $6,300 per student each year, according to Massey. And taxpayers in the Forest Lake district currently add about $462 per student toward operating costs. SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 7
Paid for by Brent Reibel
VOTE on March 13 May Township Board Member BRENT REIBEL, Your Neighbor!
ConƟnued on page 8
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