COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017 VOL. 33 NO. 52 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
POLLINATOR GUIDE: Rethinking the traditional lawn. PAGE 7
Scandia-Marine Lions aim to raise $30,000 for local scholars BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
As the Scandia-Marine Lions Club prep the grills for their May 6 chicken dinner, they’re hoping to make more than chicken. The group aims to raise nearly $30,000 for post-secondary scholarships this year. Thirty area students have applied for assistance of $1,000 each, and the club plans to fund them all. “We have some, but we’re hoping to raise quite a bit with the chicken dinner,” said the club’s president, Judy Rydeen. “A fun day is being planned including a simulcast of the Kentucky Derby, lots of kids games, adult games including a wine cork pull and bingo from 6 to 8 p.m.,” the group said in a press release. “Let students from our area know that you support them by having dinner, taking part in the games and making a generous donation.” On the menu: grilled chicken, potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, a roll, beverage and dessert.
WASHINGTON CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Ducks waddling under County Road 4. The tunnel, installed to prevent turtles from being hit by cars, is used by all manner of wildlife.
After success with turtle tunnel, crossing tallies continue BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
CAROL SEEFELDT
Bob Daniels and Jim Opp tend the grills at last year’s chicken dinner. The annual event raises funds for scholarships.
Spring Chicken Dinner What: A scholarship fundraiser for area students Where: Scandia Community Center (14727 209th Street N) When: May 6, 4-8 p.m. Details: Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 in advance, sold at Scandia’s Security State Bank of Marine, the Scandia Community Center or from a Scandia-Marine Lion. Children 5 and under are free.
Gateway to the north Trail plans continue JESSICA ANDERSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The project to connect the Gateway Trail from its northernmost point in St. Paul through Scandia, Minn. continues to be worked on and supported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other dedicated individuals. In order to deliver a proposal of a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to the city council and residents of Marine on St. Croix, two leaders of the DNR team attended the April city council meeting. The DNR representatives explained that state trails are authorized by legislature of the state of Minnesota, but are pursued due to community request. They also stated that for this project the team has only, and
will only, purchase land from willing land owners. Therefore, the state does not plan to utilize its power of eminent domain to complete this trail. Luckily, easements have been obtained all the way through to just north of Scandia. “The plan ultimately is to connect [the Gateway Trail] to Duluth” stated one of the representatives. The city council was concerned about what their obligations would be if they signed the JPA presented to them; they were under the impression that they would be allowed to be a part of the project to their discretion until the irretrievable investments were made. However, after reviewing the document given to them by the DNR representatives, the council did not feel comfortable signing it as it was worded. The representatives agreed to amend the wording to fit with what the council had
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agreed to. Council member Bill Miller stated that there will be a booth at the Millstream Day celebration with information on this project and to answer any questions the public may have. “I’d love input from the community,” he explained.
Other business • The city council received estimates from MnDOT on the land parcels along Highway 95 in the city center. They are currently waiting for more information. • The Stillwater School Board agreed to work with the city to get an appraisal on the elementary school property. • Washington County asked for contributions to a time capsule; the deadline is April 30. • The Stone House Museum is in need of some repair work. The council granted funds not to exceed $8,500.
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It’s a tough time of year for turtles. On their upland journey to lay eggs, the notoriously slow creatures often attempt to cross roads. Inevitably, some get hit. Because those turtles are prevented from reproducing, impacts on the future population are magnified. Although turtles pre-date dinosaurs by several million years, they are disappearing fast, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources. But drivers can help by reporting their observations of turtles crossing the road, successfully or not, to the Minnesota Turtle Crossing Tally & Count Project via HerpMapper (www.herpmapper.org; “herp” is an umbrella term for reptiles and amphibians). The citizen-sourced data helps show highway departments and conservation agencies areas that need protection and planning. The project is a partnership between the Minnesota Herpetological Society, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program, Washington Conservation District, Washington County Parks and others. In 2014, a turtle tunnel was installed under County Road 4 in the Big Marine Park Reserve to offer turtles safe passage between winter quarters and nesting areas. Of special concern were the area’s Blanding’s turtles, a threatened species. Since the installation, all manner of wildlife have been using the tunnel, reported Angie Hong of the East Metro Water Resource Education Program. “We have a motion-activated camera installed in SEE TUNNEL, PAGE 2
Goodbye Gathering planned for Marine Elementary Marine’s little school with a big heart is closing. To thank the multitude of current and former teachers, staff, kids, families, alums, and our beloved community, the Marine School Association will host a “Goodbye Gathering” Friday, May 26 from 3:15 PM - 5:30 p.m. at Marine Elementary (550 Pine St, Marine SUBSCRIPTIONS 651-433-3845 office@osceolasun.com
on St Croix). The event will feature: • Cake! • Food for purchase from the Scandia/Marine Lions (cash, please) • A slideshow of our favorite moments will run in the gym/cafeteria • Please send up to 3 digital images to marineSEE GOODBYE, PAGE 2
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