COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 33 NO. 50 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
THE DEBATE CONTINUES: Log House Landing. PAGE 7
Conversation blooms in Marine, 'en español' BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
“Estoy feliz” and “estoy triste hoy” aren’t the first phrases one would expect to hear inside the Marine Cafe on a typical Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, they were the foundation of conversation for a group of seven who gathered there last week, part of a loosely organized Spanish language club that’s been meeting for about two years. Ruth Willius founded the group using the Country Messenger to find others interested in practicing together. “I decided to start the group because I was trying to learn the Spanish language more and recapture what I had lost,” she explained. “To do that, you have to converse in the language.” Although some in the group study independently, the emphasis of their standing
Panorama paving project unlikely BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
May Town officials plan to formally reject a paving proposal next month, after a poll of property owners who would have been assessed revealed that fewer than half supported the project. A larger number had expressed initial interest in the idea of paving the 550-foot stretch of Panorama Avenue, a narrow section in a hilly area prone to erosion and potholes. But after a feasibility study estimated costs of $122,300 — or $6,300 to $7,600 per property depending on the township’s contribution, if any — several changed their minds. Engineer Katie Koscielak, a consultant from WSB, polled 13 of the 16 who would have been assessed for the project. Six were in favor, seven SEE PAVING PROJECT PAGE 6
SUZANNE LINDGREN | COUNTRY MESSENGER
Ruth Willius, who started a conversational Spanish language group in Marine, chats "en español" at the Marine Cafe.
Wednesday meeting is on speech — a draw for some members. “No hacemos la tarea,” explains Lonnie Lovness with a smile. Translation: “We don’t
do homework.” Around the table, Lovness’ comment is met with laughter. “Lonnie no le gusta tarea,” Willius explains. Lovness would rather
chat than study. But that’s not the only reason she sticks with the group. As Lovness explains mostly in
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
SEE SPANISH CLUB, PAGE 2
May Town officials reviewed wear and tear to the township’s historic town hall last week, and decided to look into the cost of repairing the aging structure. Rot is eating away at the exterior and interior. The front porch is
Museum opens for season April 28 What was life like for early Swedish immigrants to Minnesota? What did they bring with them? What did they leave behind? What’s your family’s story? Could you do it? Gammelgården Museum invites visitors to hear the stories of early Swedish immigrants in this year’s exhibit is “Immigrants: Comin’ to Amerika. Tell your story.” Displays provide a fascinating insight into the wrenching process of crossing the ocean to a new land. In 1869 immigrants had to provide their own food for the two-week journey. In 1885 they were instructed to bring their own straw mattress, their own tin cup, knife, fork and spoon. See how they lived on the ships in steerage a deck below the cattle, because the cattle were considered more valuable! As visitors tour the five preserved and restored buildings on the Gammelgården grounds, they will see how these early immigrants lived, worked and prayed. Their stories may inspire visitors to begin to discover and tell their
Repairs considered for May Town Hall
listing to the left. The roof has missing shingles and vents. The building is separating from the foundation, which is “sagging and settling,” according to board supervisor John Pazlar. A main support beam is no longer straight, and parts of SEE REPAIRS, PAGE 2
SUBMITTED
Gammelgården Museum’s new exhibit explores the theme, “Immigrants: Comin’ to Amerika. Tell your story.”
families’ stories or their own stories — whether from a century ago or a year ago. The exhibit offers resources to get visitors started, questions for family members to ask each other, and websites and organizations that can assist in the search. The museum is open daily, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tours offered Friday, Saturday and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
Purchase tickets in the Museum Gift Shop. Group tours available by reservation. Information: call 651-433-5054, check www.gammelgardenmuseum.org or email museum@gammelgardenmuseum.org. The Gammelgården is powered by volunteers, from tour guides and Butik staff to gardening and technology. There are also paid positions currently open. Visit the website for more information.
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MAY TOWNSHIP
May Town officials reviewed wear and tear to the township’s 123-year-old town hall last week, and will look into the cost of repairing the aging structure.
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