COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 33 NO. 49 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
RARE PLANTS OF MINNESOTA: Upcoming Riverway Speaker Series PAGE 6
Court of Appeals rules in favor of District 834
Destination Imagination: Scandia students advance to state The Scandia Elementary IB World School Destination Imagination Team, under the direction of sixth grade teacher Emily Stegmeir, received a first place rating at the Destination Imagination Regional competition on Saturday, March 25. Destination Imagination is a problem solving competition where the students had a challenge to complete within an 8 minute time period. For this year's challenge, "Show and Tech," students had to build a stage that moved a team member, design an opening act and a headlining act, and incorporate technical effects while staying within a budget. Scandia’s team of fourth, fifth and sixth grade students competed in the middle school division. The competition was held at Blaine Middle School. Under the moniker
Affirms board’s decision to close schools BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
SUBMITTED
Scandia Elementary School’s Destination Imagination team received a first place rating at the regional competition March 25. They now advance to the state meet on April 22 at Jackson Middle School/Champlin Park High School. Front row: coach Emily Stegmier, Bella Plummer and Andrew Jensen. Second row: Josie Clemens, Carolyn Crum, Kaylee Robinson and Evan Wood.
Techno Perfecto, Scandia’s team competed against five other teams
in grades six through eight. They now advance to the state meet
on April 22 at Jackson Middle School/Champlin Park High School.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed on Monday the Stillwater school district’s decision to close Marine, Oak Park and Withrow elementary schools. The suit was filed last March by citizen group 834 VOICE, which argued that the school board did not have enough information to make its decision. The court found that the school board’s March 3, 2016, public hearing fulfilled the statutory requirements for a school closing and that the decision to close the schools was supported by substantial evidence. “School boards are empowered by the
Minnesota legislature, and entrusted by the district residents who elect them, with the authority to conduct the affairs of school districts,” Appeals Judge John Rodenberg wrote of the decision. “This authority includes the power to open, close, or reorganize schools ‘as [the board] may deem advisable.’” It doesn’t necessarily mean the court agrees with the school board’s decision. “School-closing decisions are by their nature political decisions, entitled to judicial deference and respect because the decision to close a school is so important to the local community,” Rodenberg wrote. “For that reason, courts decline to substitute their judgment for the judgment of locally elected SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE 2
'Scandinavians in the State House' Author to visit Marine BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
As a boy growing up in Stockholm, Sweden, Klas Bergman was captivated by what he describes as “the epic stories of immigration” told by Vilhelm Moberg, Swedish author of the four-book series “The Emigrants.” “I read those four books, and became fascinated with what happened with the immigrants, and their destinies,” he said of the protagonists who have come to represent the experiences of hundreds of thousands who settled in Minnesota between 1850 and 1930. “Eventually I came here myself and studied, then got started as a journalist and writer.” As Bergman details in his new book, “Scandinavians in the State House: How Nordic Immigrants Shaped Minnesota Politics,” these immigrants quickly wove themselves into the political fabric of their new home, leaving a legacy evident today. Bergman will discuss the book later this month in Marine with Dag Blanck of Uppsala University, Sweden, and Steven Schier of Car-
Klas Bergman
leton College in Northfield (see sidebar for details). According to Phil Anderson, president of the Swedish American Historical Society for 28 years and a Marine resident for the last four, Bergman is in a unique position to offer such a perspective. “Klas has been in very interesting places,” he explained. As a student in California in the 1960s and later as a Washington correspondent, Bergman had a close view of the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, Watergate,
NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
Youth camp to spark creative business ideas
the Reagan years and 9/11. “He’s an American citizen,” continued Anderson, “but he has an interesting perspective that’s both on the inside and outside, and comparative. His (2013) memoir is made up of observations of decades of life in America and reporting. His grasp of political events is really impressive.” According to Bergman, dual interests in immigration and politics led the research process for “Scandinavians in the State House.” “I was talking to some Minnesotan friends who said maybe I should write something about Scandinavians in Minnesota,” Bergman recalled. “There was a lot already written about it, but I’m also very interested in politics and have covered politics for various newspapers. So … I combined my two big interests, immigration and politics, and found, quite frankly, a fascinating story of how all the Nordic immigrants very quickly became involved in Minnesota politics and played a big role from early in the state’s history.” The book explores themes
Make a good living or make a difference? Social enterprise is where these seemingly conflicting ambitions collide—sparking some amazing business models. The Stillwater Area Foundation is now taking applications for its first-ever Sparks! Social Enterprise Camp for high school students. The day camp will take place in downtown Stillwater this summer, June 19-23. Participants will spend five engaging days listening to guest speakers, visiting social enterprise businesses throughout the Twin Cities and, ultimately, developing concept plans for their own social
SEE AUTHOR, PAGE 2
SEE SPARKS, PAGE 2
ADVERTISING 651-433-3845 sales@osceolasun.com
PUBLIC NOTICES 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
High school students in District 834 are invited to apply
SUBSCRIPTIONS 651-433-3845 office@osceolasun.com
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone