Country Messenger 05.20.2020

COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

VOL. 37 NO. 03 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

911 CALLS : Scandia Council concerned about neighborhood. PAGE 2

Council meeting highlights community adaptability

‘Stuck in limbo’ College seniors miss graduation and enter uncertain job market

BY LESLIE MACKENZIE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

BY: C.L. SILL EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

Spring semester 2020 was made for procrastinators.

Work from home, pass-fail, distance learning — these words are music to the ears of those in the ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ fraternity.

The apex of this sanctioned laziness is being able to attend your own graduation in pajamas by flipping open a laptop on your coffee table, which is exactly what thousands of college seniors are doing across the country this month.

Online graduation ceremonies have taken the place of in-person gatherings as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to tear through social norms and milestone events worldwide. The change may be a dream come true for college slackers too lazy to iron their graduation robes, but for ambitious seniors trying to put a cherry on top of their education and jumpstart a career,

Adaptability was on display at the May 14 City Council meeting in Marine on St. Croix as council members, committees and the community shifted timelines, delivered services in a new way, and brainstormed ways to celebrate safely.

The Marine Library

SUBMITTED

Emily Smith and her family watch actor and comedian Will Ferrell give a commencement address during the University of Southern California’s live-streamed graduation ceremony.

it’s much more like a nightmare.

“It’s just bizarre, I keep thinking this can’t actually be happening,” said Osceola native Emily Smith, who graduated from the University of Southern California last weekend.

“We worked so hard for four years.”

Smith was drawn to

California in the way so many Midwestern kids are. It represented a chance to get away, to see someplace different and experience a whole new kind of existence.

She spent four years there studying communication, all the while looking forward to graduation. She watched the ceremony online

with her family last Friday, 2,000 miles away from USC’s campus.

She wasn’t even able to share the experience with the friends she’s made over the last four years.

“Graduation is the one thing everybody looks forward to,” she said. “It

Library chair Jim Maher reported that library service will begin on Saturday, May 22, for curbside pickup and possibly delivery for patrons who order books online or via email. The library is looking into remodeling the checkout area while the space is closed.

The library’s popular summer youth camp was cancelled, but the reading incentive program will continue. With so many businesses struggling financially, the library decided to use its own funds to purchase prizes for youth reading achievement rather than ask for business donations.

The library continues to sponsor River Radio, broadcast at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, and now in its eighth week. Program hosts Jim Maher and Gayle Knutson have interviewed some very distinguished guests. The May 16 program featured public health expert Dr. Michael Osterholm.

Housing The Mill Stream Cottages, a proposal to develop a dozen units of housing affordable for people earning $50,000 to $80,000, is off the table. It was no longer feasible once the price of the property increased. Community interest remains in creating residential housing affordable to the “missing middle” but another property would need to be found.

SEE LIMBO, PAGE 2

SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2

Scandia farmers market goes forward for summer 2020

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

The Scandia farmers market will take place this summer beginning June 10, with a few COVID-19 era changes.

The market will change locations and adopt public safety precautions similar to those being seen in retail outlets across the country.

“The city approved our using the parking lot at the community center,” said market organizer Sarah Porubcansky. “So the Scandia Community Center parking lot will be our location this year.”

The market is typically held at the Gammelgarden museum, but the parking lot will make social distancing efforts more attainable and allow for better traffic flow. Porubcansky said the location won’t be as pristine, but that this year is more about utility than it is the social experience of being at a farmers market.

“We’re moving from a community

SUBMITTED

The Scandia farmers market will take place this summer, but will look different than in years past.

gathering place to a more transactional market,” she said. “We’re an outdoor grocery store.”

The layout of the parking lot won’t allow for a one-way-street style traffic

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flow, but Porubcansky said the aisles will be more than wide enough for shoppers to maintain six feet between each other. They will only have one entrance to the market, to try to help

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control the number of people in the market at one time and remind those in attendance to practice social distancing.

“My concern is crowd control,” Porubcansky said. “We just don’t know how crowded it will be.”

She said normally the market is fairly slow paced and relaxed, without elbow-to-elbow traffic.

“But from what I’m hearing markets are busier than usual,” she said.

“Because people feel they’re safer, and they like being outside.”

The market will count patrons as they enter and have a limit the number of people who can shop at one time.

There will also be hand-washing stations throughout the market and shoppers will be required to wear masks.

In addition to social distancing, the market is hoping to limit the number of cash transactions through a program called green grocery shares. The program was originally designed to SEE MARKET, PAGE 3

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Bliss neighbors need ‘coaching on how to get along’ Council discusses concerns about 911 calls

BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It has been anything but bliss in Scandia’s Bliss Neighborhood.

After years of neighbors feuding with neighbors in the west Big Marine Lake subdivision, the Scandia City Council is trying to figure out what to do about it.

During the council’s May 6 meeting, councilman Steve Kronmiller, after speaking with several Bliss neighbors, implored the city to get involved.

Kronmiller noted that 13 percent of the 911 calls in Scandia came from the neighborhood, denoted on law enforcement call logs as simply “the 18000 block of Layton Avenue,” in 2019. Fifteen percent of the calls so far in 2020 have likewise originated from the neighborhood.

“The neighborhood is really in a state of chaos right now,” Kronmiller said. “There is concern that something tragic might happen.”

But what might be done about it is less clear.

For starters, the council acknowledged that enforcement of city ordinances has been inconsistent in the recent past, with some of the legitimate

would’ve been a lot easier to handle if you could take all of these punches while you were surrounded by your friends.

But suddenly we all had to return to the corners of the world where we’re from.”

Virtual graduation punctuated a spring of disappointment for Smith, who said learning from home has been less than ideal and has raised questions about the high pricetag on credit hours she’s now had to complete on her own.

“USC is one of the most expensive schools in the country,” she said. “And you don’t really pay to teach yourself your final semester of collage.”

The changing landscape will follow Smith into her post college world. Job markets are collapsing as the pandemic fueled recession looks as if it will be here for some time to

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FROM PAGE 1

The Short-Term Rental committee has completed its work and will bring forward its recommendations at the next Planning Commission meeting. A proposed ordinance will come to the Council at its June or July meeting.

Historic Preservation Grant Funds Available concerns having simply gone unprosecuted.

“In some cases, we need to be restarting the compliance process,” City Administrator Ken Cammilleri said.

But Cammilleri cautioned that many nuisance complaints, such as those addressing building issues, fencing, storage of vehicles and personal property, seldom get resolved immediately. City ordinances often call for a 28-day “fix it” period to allow a citizen to come into compliance, with citations that can be issued only after that period.

“The neighborhood needs to know we are going to enforce the ordinances,” Mayor Christine Maefsky said.

Code enforcement, though, will only address the legal issues. The interpersonal issues are another story.

Kronmiller characterized many of the 911 calls as simply “neighbors picking on neighbors.”

“They’re all kind of going crazy down there,” Kronmiller said. “They’re on pins and needles.”

Scandia Deputy David Peters told the council that the Washington County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t offered any particular strategy or guidance for dealing with the ongoing concerns.

“They’ve left it up to me and my discretion to handle it,” Peters said.

Councilwoman Patti Ray and

Maefsky suggested that some neighborhood activities, to allow people to get to know each other better, might be helpful.

Maefsky suggested the neighbors could use some “coaching on how to get along as neighbors.”

“Communication seems to be one of the fundamental issues (that is lacking),” Cammilleri said.

But there’s plenty of skepticism toward that approach.

Shortly after the May 6 meeting, one resident responded to the council discussion by writing a 1,500-word open letter to the city, zeroing in on one particular neighbor and pleading with the council to do more.

Another Bliss resident of 32 years, Brad Bergo, said he can hardly remember a time when police officer appeared in the neighborhood at all. Now an officer seems to be there every week.

Bergo said he is friendly toward all involved, but also tries to avoid being seen as “guilty by association.”

Bergo, who harbors his own separate list of grudges toward the city, doubts the council’s ability to do anything.

“I stay out of it,” Bergo said.

“It’s not my business. … I sympathize with everyone and I walk away.”

The next Scandia City Council meeting will be held May 19 at 7 p.m.

LIMBO: College students struggle in uncertain times FROM PAGE 1

COUNCIL: Meeting notes

come. Smith focused much of her studies on sports and music journalism — photography in particular. She was interning at Live Nation Entertainment in Los Angelos prior to COVID-19. When the pandemic hit she not only lost the internship, but the possibility of a fulltime job there after graduation.

“They were very upfront with us that our internships were essentially cancelled midway through the semester and that we shouldn’t be expecting to be hired,” she said.

Smith has applied for over a hundred jobs this spring and has been given the chance to interview for one.

“As soon as this all started happening I started getting a lot of email responses to my applications saying ‘sorry we’re no longer hiring for this role, or sorry we’re on a hiring freeze.’ So that’s where I’ve been at so far,” she said. “At one point this semester I just wanted to apply within the music industry. But now I’ve turned to applying for a lot of jobs I hadn’t been thinking about before. I’m looking for essentially anything that has the word communication in the title.”

Other seniors are experiencing much of the same, regardless of their area of expertise.

Macie Steffen is about to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in elementary education.

She’s been student teaching third graders from home this semester (an entirely different kind of challenge) and applying for jobs when they come up. Opportunities are limited however, as schools tighten budgets and competition for open positions increase.

“School districts are losing some of their budgets so there’s been a lot of teachers being laid off for things they can’t control,” she said. “So searching for a job is hard because there’s a lot of experienced and skilled teachers also looking for jobs.”

Steffen has interviewed for several positions so far, but has had to rely on virtual interviews.

“It’s hard to not be able to shake people's hand and really get to know them,” she said.

“It’s so much harder to get your personality across a computer screen.”

Steffen said the deflated end of her senior year has left feeling a little lost. UW-Superior is giving current graduating seniors who missed out on a ceremony the chance to walk this coming December. Steffen said she’ll probably do that, but that she doesn’t know if it will feel the same.

“I feel like I’m stuck in limbo,” she said. “I did graduate, I did the four years, but I don’t feel like I got anything at the end of it.”

Resident Wendy Ward came to the Planning Commission with a proposal to offer historic preservation grants. The Old Shed Project will provide two grants in the amount of $900 each to Marine residents who want to do maintenance on historic outbuildings. The application process will be on the city website. The city is not providing any funding.

Cell Tower Project

It was determined that the city’s current highly restrictive telecommunications ordinance became obsolete when federal guidelines changed in 1996. The current ordinance would not allow the cell tower that is being proposed, or any modern cell tower. “We looked at this before and kicked the can down the road. Now the road is here,” said council member Roden.

The Council put ordinance review on the agenda of the planning commission.

The cell tower committee continues its research, with two possible sites. The total height and distance between nodes may change and the recent merger of T-Mobile and Spring may impact the project.

Public Safety Council member Miller reported that fire calls have outnumbered medical calls since the stay-at-home order began.

The fire department had received some federal funding for COVID-related expenses but fundraisers for the fire department are cancelled (the Art Fair) or will need to be reconsidered.

The Council will be releasing COVID guidelines in line with the Governor’s new Stay Safe order. It will encourage social distancing, wearing of masks, and no gatherings of more than 10 people.

The Council approved a 12- month interim ordinance that puts temporary restrictions on sex offenders moving into the Marine area until a permanent ordinance can be developed.

The interim ordinances includes language restricting the residence of registered sex offenders to greater than 1,500 feet from a public park, school, playground, licensed daycare center, or church. The Council is working with the City Attorney to develop a final ordinance.

Celebrations and Events There will be no 4th of July fireworks but the Council discussed when or whether there might be fireworks later in 2020. The celebration committee discussed how a founders’ day event could be held while still doing social distancing.

Sign-ups for the fall art fair, which benefits the fire department, were very low so the art fair committee recommended cancellation. Christ Lutheran Church is leading a proposal to hold a drive-by parade in front of the school to honor the graduating class of 2020.

Public Works The village center road project was delayed while archaeological excavations were done in the historic district. MnDOT completed its work and found nothing significant. The Historical Society still has to complete their work, but the Council felt it was reasonable to move ahead with asking for state aid. Work will not begin this summer as contractors are already booked but the Watershed District work may start in the fall.

The Council voted to purchase used street sweeping equipment for $25,000. With a normal street sweeping budget of $4,000 a year, this purchase will save money over time while keeping trash out of the river.

High Speed River Traffic Resident John Goodfellow reported a significant increase in high-speed boat traffic on the St. Croix. Council member Miller said he had talked to the sheriff and the commander of the water patrol who said they had stopped boats but had not been giving citations. In their opinion, the increase in non-compliance with speed rules was lack of awareness by people who normally go north but now are staying closer to home. The Council will start a task force in June. People were encouraged to call the sheriff’s department to report speeding.

Natural Resources Use of the Mill Site Park has increased 80 percent in the last four months. The committee has contracted with Native Landscapes to remove invasive species, to maintain native landscape, and to protect iconic trees. Mike Tibbetts will be building two new benches at the scenic overlook. The committee would like to dedicate the benches to Jack Warren and Chuck Arneson for their work establishing the Mill Site Park.

The Council approved a memorandum of agreement with Washington County to partner on weed control measures.

There is no legal mandate or funding required, but the partnership could allow Marine to receive grant funds if the county receives funding.

MAY 20, 2020

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ARNELL MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY

A

ll over the country, from New York to Wisconsin, North Carolina to Colorado and New Mexico, animal shelters are reporting massive upswings in the numbers of animals they’ve been able to adopt out or place in foster homes. Just as in the case of Arnell Humane Society, a fair number of shelters have completely emptied their kennels.

It’s not a mystery, why this is happening. As people are practicing social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19, many have come to the conclusion that now is the perfect time to bring a pet into their homes.

Of course, the pandemic has also brought its share of challenges to the pet-adoption world. Limited staffing, a decrease in income and the adoption process are all cramping our ability to carry on as before. The big, open house-style, animal-human meet-and-greets that are a shelter staple, simply are not possible during a viral outbreak. The bonding that takes place during those visits is essential to a connection between potential adopter and a pet.

Adoptions at Arnell are by appointment only and so that means that the “Meet and Greet” procedure begins online through adoptable pet photos and descriptions on the website. Email conversations and Pre-Adoption Inquiries will introduce you and let us know which animal you are interested in adopting.

The adoption transaction requires appropriate social distancing and safety practices. Dogs can be introduced to adopters in an outdoor arena, allowing for the distancing needed. Adoption of a cat is an indoor affair that has inherent limitations during a pandemic. Each is possible with new limitations for the shelter and for the adopter.

Increased adoptions are not the only win for animals and the planet during Covid-19. For centuries, humans have pushed wildlife into smaller and smaller corners of the planet. But now, with city streets emptied, nature is pushing back. Humans in lockdown have watched from afar as nature has come creeping out of the shadows.

Wild boar descended onto the streets of Barcelona.

Mountain goats have overtaken a town in Wales. In Israel, red foxes were seen wandering city streets; a herd of Fallow deer casually wandered and grazed in an English neighborhood. Whales are chugging into Mediterranean shipping lanes. And hundreds of baby turtles made their way toward the water along Brazil’s northeast coast, unmolested by people or pets. For all who cheer for the underdog, it is a great day for animals.

With more of us staying inside and off the roads, cities around the globe are reporting less air pollution. Washington, D.C., is experiencing its cleanest spring air in 25 years, while Los Angeles – once ranked as having the worst air quality in the country – is now boasting some of the best in the world.

Delhi saw a 60 percent reduction in pollution over a three-week period while its stay-at-home order took effect. Seoul, South Korea, saw a 54 percent decrease. Last month, in the northeast, NASA observed a 30% drop in the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide compared to the same month in previous years.

Once the restrictions are lifted and the pandemic over, the smog will undoubtedly return. But in the meantime, air quality researchers have been granted the gift of a natural experiment, one that would be impossible to replicate. These Corona virus skies should lead to a clearer understanding of our planet and our impact on it. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715-268-7387, Online: ARNELLHUMANE. ORG and Facebook.

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MARKET: Scandia will have farmers market this summer FROM PAGE 1

help low income shoppers but can also be used to help assist with socially distanced buying. Customers are able to buy ‘shares’ through the program and are given coupons to shop with after a portion of the cost goes to help those in need. For example, if you buy $100 worth of shares, ten dollars would go to the green grocery shares program and you’d receive $90 in coupons.

These coupons will be available at the green grocery shares booth at the market, but can also be paid for ahead of time by mail-

ing a check to Elim Church, care of Elim Grows, at 20971 Olinda Trail N. Scandia, Minn. 55073.

There’s a $20 minimum purchase required and shoppers should also include their name and phone number with the check.

“All I do at the vendors when I buy something is drop the coupon in a jar,” Porubcansky said.

“So nobody’s touching anything.”

Vendors collect the coupons and are paid out at the end of the day. Green grocery shares is also hoping to find a way to pay vendors via Venmo or other cashless applications to further limit interaction between vendors and

staff.

The market will not have any music or other attractions they would have in a normal year and staff is also not encouraging children to attend.

This may be difficult for residents who’re used to the farmers market being as much about social interaction as it is fresh produce, but Porubcansky said limiting features at the market is a necessary evil.

“We’re encouraging people to come alone,” she said. “Have one person come, have a list and get in and get out.”

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MAY 20, 2020

To the Class of COVID-19

I

t’s graduation season. The school year is coming to a formal close and even though this year has been far from normal, the rites of passage are once again upon us.

There are very few moments in our lives that clearly delineate moving from one season to another. Graduation is clearly one of these moments and it is all together fitting and proper we pause to celebrate the accomplishments of our loved ones.

I used to joke that without passages of life like graduation, many renovation and home improvement projects would never get done. In our deepest selves, we understand the importance of these moments to the point that we are even willing to go through the added stress of replacing carpet in the living room.

Think about that. It’s really a pain to tear up and put down carpet. It’s such a pain that you only want to do it a precious few times in your life.

I was thinking this past week about the extra special life lessons by the Class of COVID-19.

Publisher learned There are many, but I wanted to talk about a few here.

Tom Stangl Nothing in life is certain. At some level, we all know this but until we are faced with the cold, hard reality of the situation, it’s easy to brush this law of the universe aside. I doubt anyone would have guessed school buildings would have effectively closed in March for the school year.

In an average year, making that bet would have been even more insane than Powerball.

You can overcome many things in life. This fact is used many times in addresses to graduates. The Class of 2020 has learned this lesson over the past two months. From cancelled sports seasons to the loss of prom and even a formal graduation ceremony, seniors and their families have had to overcome a great deal of disappointment. Time will eventually ease these traumas, but that is cold comfort today.

In the end, family is there for you. If we have learned nothing else from the past two months of quarantine, we have learned that even if they drive you mad, your family will do what is needed to ensure you succeed.

From extended help with everything from math to physics to finding creative ways to learn, your parents walk the walk of loving care. You have to love someone to do trigonometry voluntarily.

And if you think they would have gone nuts at your graduation, you can only imagine the ends they are going to now to try to compensate for what COVID-19 has taken from you.

Cut them some slack, we are all in unimagined, yet unchartered waters.

To parents, do what you feel is right. Take solace in the fact you have brought your children through a pandemic to the cusp of adulthood. You persevered over Snapchat, peer pressure, vaping and the internet, you can get though the next few weeks.

Your extended family, the community, is celebrating with you, even if they can’t be with you.

The community loves these passages. A speaker at my oldest daughter’s graduation said commencement was like the launching of a ship. Many people played a role in the construction and wanted to be there for the christening. We all hold our breath as the ship rolls into the sea, bobbing until it finds its equilibrium.

Even if we can’t see the ceremony, we are still very proud of you.

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@theameryfreepress. com, telephone 715-268-8101 or write me at P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI, 54001.

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Illusion of wildness

W

e always wish we were somewhere wilder than we are.

I think that’s almost universally true for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. I often wonder if even guys who live in Alaska wish they lived in a wilder part of Alaska. I think they probably do.

When I was a kid I had to settle for the illusion of wildness, with my imagination doing most of the heavy lifting. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a town where you could still walk down the streets with a shotgun over your shoulder, but it was nowhere near the wild country I read about and watched in movies.

Fort Calhoun was rural, but in an eastern sense of the word. We were less than 20 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart, which made us city kids by default. It was some weird zone where Editor rich families sat in their multi-million dollar homes in the hills outside town C.L. Sill and watched hillbillies with Confederate flag stickers on their bumpers drive by. People from Wyoming or North Dakota would laugh if I described my upbringing as country, but someone from Chicago might scoff at the dirt roads and tailgates aesthetic.

Luckily it was still rural enough to hold a few pockets of timber that were up for grabs for any kid with some .22 shells in his pocket and the guts to ask permission. I didn’t have the guts of course, but Dad helped out in that department and I spent most of my childhood exploring a small piece of ground on the

south side of town owned by an old woman named Francis Shepard.

Most of the property was a corn or bean field, depending on the year. There was one good stretch of timber on the east side and an old railroad right of way on the west that had become a sort of overgrown hedgerow.

Butting up against the timber on the east was a fairly decent size pasture of native grass and another tiny piece of swampy timber where I once flushed what I now know was a woodcock. At the time I had no clue what it was, only that it’d scared me half to death.

In this tiny patch of land I was able to escape. I hunted rabbits and squirrels, made forts and dug foxholes.

Things got really serious when I discovered that a good size flock of turkeys was frequenting the east side timber and I shot my first two toms there when I was 14 and 15.

The entire piece of property totaled maybe 40 acres, a little more if I decided to trespass. Once in a while I’d sneak down to Stratbucker’s pond south of Shepard’s to fish for bluegill or shoot bullfrogs with a shotgun (that one I’m not super proud of).

I learned how to be alone with myself there. How to occupy my mind with passion and curiosity rather than a darkness I found I was naturally inclined to. It was all the timber and wildness I needed, and I was probably never more than 500 yards from someone’s house. (The entire place has since been completely destroyed by a large scale farming operation that bought the property around a decade ago, something I’ve never quite been able to come to terms with.)

SEE SILL, PAGE 6

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The Country Messenger (USPS 005-172) is published weekly by Sentinel Publications, 108 Cascade Street, P.O. Box 248, Osceola, WI 54020. Periodicals postage paid at Osceola, WI 54020. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Country Messenger, P.O. Box 96, Scandia, MN 55073.

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COVID-19 Lockdown Chronicles Volume 4: The great outdoors

S

ome good things have come out of COVID-19 lockdown. People are doing things differently.

Families are spending more time together, sidewalk art, and other works of art are flourishing—the great outdoors is topping the chart of fun safe things to do everywhere.

I am glad to see more people spending time outside.

The state parks, hiking trails, and sidewalks are full of people. Spending time outside is one of the safest things people can still do long after the lockdown.

Picnics are fun and with a little planning, they can be memorable meals.

Keeping things fresh or cold is the challenge when eating outside. Bread dries out quickly and anything cold warms up fast in the sun. Planning a meal with food items that are okay at room temp and are less likely to dry out are great choices.

To make your picnic perfect add a dessert that is easy to make and will taste better if it is not cold. In this dessert, the cookies are meant to get mushy and it tastes better at room temp. The flavors are subtle, but they Wild Chow come to life at room temperature.

Don’t leave this dish out all day—it Lisa Erickson will spoil. Make and serve it within a couple of hours or refrigerate it until you’re packed up and ready to go.

Picnic Strawberry Tiramisu 16 store-bought sugar cookies 1/3 cup half & half from Crystal Ball Farms 3 cups strawberries 1 lb. cream cheese at room temperature 2/3 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced (plus more for garnish) In a large mixing bowl, with a hand mixer blend the cream cheese and sugar. Add the vanilla and the whipping cream and beat until fluffy; about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

Line the bottom of 8 x 8 pan with the 8 of the cookies by breaking them to fit. Pour the half & half over the cookies, letting the cookies soak up the half and half. Top with a layer of strawberries (about half of them). Next, dollop half of the cream cheese mixture on the strawberries. Then, top with remaining cookies and repeat with the remaining strawberries and top with a final layer of cream cheese mixture.

Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for at least an hour for the second layer of cookies to soften. You can also refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove from the refrigerator and let sit at room temp for 3040 minutes. When ready to serve, garnish with fresh strawberries.

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes at www.wildchow.com or email her at wildchowrecipes@gmail.com.

TO THE EDITOR Nursing homes put elders at risk.

The current Covid-19 crisis has not so much caused as uncovered the real threat to our elderly populations.

The nursing home model of care puts our elders at risk.

While convenient for caregivers and relatives, the nursing home model of care cannot safeguard the health and well-being of residents precisely because of what it is: a large group of physically and mentally vulnerable adults pooled into one building and cared for by a limited staff on pay.

If you have an older relative in a nursing home please consider inviting them to live with

you in the safety of your home during this crisis and beyond.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: “Love begins by taking care of the closest onesthe ones at home.

Let us ask ourselves if we are aware that maybe our husband, our wife, our children, or our parents live isolated from others, do not feel loved enough, even though they may live with us.

Do we realize this?

Where are the old people today?

They are in nursing homes (if there are any.)

Why? Because they are not wanted, because they are too much trouble, because….”

Chiara Dowell Scandia, MN

THE POSTSCRIPT

Chatting with a Tree

E

very day I look down the trail in either direction, checking to see if anyone is coming. I’d just as soon no one knew I was talking to a tree.

I take the same hike every day. There are a lot of trails and most folks try different trails on different days.

I don’t. I do my best thinking on my daily walk. I am not seeking variety. Some days I am seeking inspiration.

Some days I’m Columnist looking for answers. Some days Carrie Classon I just want a little escape. More and more lately, I’ve been looking for comfort.

I visit a particular tree. I walk by a lot of trees, but this pine is special. It may not be the oldest, but it’s awfully old. It has survived at least a couple of major fires and still wears the blackened scars around its base. It has obviously had some close calls, but it is doing well now and it is not an exaggeration to say that this tree cheers me every single day I see it.

Every day, I risk a little embarrassment and have a word with my favorite tree.

I lean in close. “How’re you doing?” I ask.

A few weeks ago, the potential embarrassment of being caught chatting with a tree carried a lot more weight. Right now, I’m happy to get some comfort—and perspective—wherever I can.

I don’t really expect to hear anything back. (I tilt toward the edge at times but I haven’t quite toppled over.) Still, I figure this tree has seen it all: fires and droughts, woodpeckers and chainsaws, lightning and windstorms. All around my tree are the remains of dead trees—some that died within my lifetime, some that died long before I was born. This tree has beaten the odds and is standing here today, letting me know it can be done.

Every morning I read the news and every day I realize with greater certainty that nothing is certain. I have friends and family who rely on theaters and churches and concert halls and ballrooms to make a living and right now, the only thing they know for sure is that they will not know for a very long time when or if they will get their livelihoods back.

My cousin who tours with an a cappella singing group and my brother-in-law who stage manages corporate events and my other cousin who is a minister— they’re all wondering what their

lives will look like in a month or a year’s time. They are depressed and angry and confused and anxious in turn, but mostly they are uncertain because the times are uncertain.

In these times, my tree has become a lot more important to me.

This tree has seen it all.

And, although the tree doesn’t actually speak to me, it has a story to tell. Because somehow, this old tree managed to make it.

It had some luck. It sits in a low spot, where there has been more water over the eons and where fires have been more likely to hop over. Misfortune is never equally shared and this tree has survived, not simply because it is strong, but because it is lucky.

I feel very lucky these days. I feel lucky that I can get out of my house and take these walks in nature, but luckier yet to be like this tree—in a place where there is enough water and the worst of the fire has passed over.

And no, I’m not embarrassed anymore to be chatting with a tree.

Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.

It’s now or never

T

he two big Tom turkeys were gobbling up a storm. Big Gobbler One from the hill behind me south a hundred yards gobbled when another gobbler suddenly answered back 100 yards to my north with a challenging call. It was like I was in the middle of a YouTube video. They were hot and I was excited and nervous. It was the last day of my last season. I had gotten blanked in my first season, something that never happens, and now I was down to the wire on the last day of my last season.

It was like I was back in the batter’s box, top of 9th inning with two out. I was facing their ace with full count, 3-2 with the bases loaded in a scoreless game. It was now never. Or maybe it was the 4th Wild River or quarter of the football game with 2 minutes left; no timeouts and we Trails were starting on our own 16- yard line, down 4 points.

Jim Bennett My day started at 4 a.m.; early turkey seasons are sleep wreckers.

Car was already loaded so after a quick breakfast and a short drive I was at my spot at 5:00. I had a three quarters of a mile walk down a just planted cornfield along huge woods posted NO TRESPASSING. My foot hadn’t even reached the ground when a big gobbler sounded off from a tree perch 50 yards away. That gobble triggered a half dozen gobbler responses in a straight line across the posted woods. Suddenly, my plan to hike in and set up on the alfalfa field didn’t look so good.

It’s hard to stick to a plan when you know you are walking away from the goal line. It was like a 15 yard holding penalty on a TD or their outfielder making a diving catch on a sure hit up the gap. I was walking away from what I had come after and the gobbling continued with every step away. Trespassing was not an option nor was there any cover in a dirt field. I hate hunting blinds! It was back to my plan of walking to the other end of the woods and set up on the alfalfa field where we had been seeing all the birds this spring. Sun up was still 45 minutes away.

I got to the big rock blind, dropped off my vest with calls and walked into the alfalfa to set up 5 decoys--Two full-bodied hens and three Jenny Vane wind assist silhouette decoys, two hens and a jake. After getting settled in the fence line I pulled out my H.S. Strutt Grand National double slate over glass turkey call that I had picked up a couple weeks ago from a guy over on Lake Wissota. This call was a secondary purchase that came with the Lynch’s World Champion box call I’ve always want-

BRADY GEORGE

It wasn't the big gobbler he hoped for but it was the one that came in to the author on the the last day of the hunt.

ed, made in 1958. Through field and woods trials, the Strutt slate call had been my best performer. I was hoping to make a little magic happen with it now.

Shortly after sunrise I heard hens yelping south and gobblers greeting the sunrise. Crows, pheasants, ducks, geese, swans and a loon called from a WPA. Songbirds sung well enough to take home a Grammy. Red squirrels and chipmunks were rattling up the leaves making me think a turkey was walking by, but no such luck. I was being coy, calling infrequently hoping a gobbler might be near the hens I heard a quarter mile beyond where I sat sipping on a hot coffee.

That’s when the gobblers behind me sounded off making me happy that I had gotten that slate call in the deal. Every cute purr or light yelp was greeted by gobbling as they cut the distance between us in half. I wasn’t sure which way to face. Making a slight move I noticed movement 70 yards out.

A flock of 16 or so jakes were cutting across the alfalfa. Their path was going to take them out of range. It’s choice time--do I continue to seductively try to bring in the gobblers or take an easier route and call in a jake or 2 or ten? What’s that old adage about one in the hand is better than two in the bush?

SEE BENNETT, PAGE 7

6 COUNTRY MESSENGER

MAY 20, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

This too shall pass

O

ver the years I would rag on different issues over and over like keeping the countertops clean at home. These days it’s how to stay clear of the virus and how to keep our newspapers running with this fear and businesses closed.

Small business is really facing challenges these days with the required stay-at-home policies. Some of the larger box stores that handle multiple lines of goods have been able to stay open while many of the mom and pop stores have been forced to stay closed.

The question that is going around politically is whether people should be left to make up their own minds for their own safety rather than have government make that decision Gene for them. Wiscongovernor, Tony Johnson sin’s Evers, was overruled by the Supreme Court in Wisconsin.

I recently visited Mayo Clinic, which I do every four months to keep my PSA in control. It’s affected by some cancer cells in lymph nodes that resulted in a prostatectomy more than a decade ago. I am fortunate to have Dr. Eugene Kwon, immunologist at Mayo, who is also credited with the development of the Choline pet scan, a nuclear medicine used to detect live cancer cells in the body.

In my visit with Dr. Kwon on May 14th we discussed the COVID-19 at some length. He said we had two choices. Number one, we need to develop a vaccine very quickly and distribute 350 million vials across the nation.

When the swine flu occurred, vaccine was developed and it was wiped out in six months.

Dr. Kwon feels that we are putting too much emphasis and money on testing when we need to get a vaccine developed and distributed.

The other solution is to let natural immunity take over. The older population is more vulnerable than the younger population. Some who get it will survive. Others would die.

The best solution would be to get the vaccine developed.

We have had the Corona viruses before. The swine flu was a type of corona virus.

We will need to continue to practice good hygiene and wear a mask

whenever we are around other people. This means whether we are shopping, at restaurants, or wherever we go we need to keep the six feet distance between us and other people. This is also true for the workplace wherever it is possible.

By the way, my tests at Mayo came in favorable. The PSA was 1.4, down from 1.7 in December. Scans showed that my cancer cells that were in the lymph nodes did not change in size.

At all the entrances at Mayo there were people checking your temperature, asking questions on health issues, and issuing a sticker that gave you access to their medical services for that day. Everyone was wearing masks and the chairs in the waiting room were marked with papers on every other seat with a message to leave a seat open. As soon as someone left the seat it was wiped down with a disinfectant. The elevators were marked on the floor with six blocks for people to stand in. The hand sanitizer stations were readily available throughout the facility.

At one entrance I asked about how many had any symptom of the virus.

The person monitoring the station said they had one in 500 with a fever.

The bottom line to me is that we are all going to be wearing masks at our work and in public for an indefinite period of time. The best prevention also seems to be washing hands frequently.

There is a lot of ingenuity and creativity at work during this pandemic.

The other evening I was driving by the Acqua restaurant on Lake Avenue in White Bear Lake and I noticed a pickup truck with a table and two people sitting in it having their takeout dinner. They had a table cloth and dishes to make for a beautiful dinner setting. The temperature was not much over 60, but that wasn’t going to deter this couple from enjoying dinner overlooking the lake.

The Zoom app on our personal computer is getting used more and more in regular contacts with family, friends and even business conference calls and meetings. We have planned to meet with family once a week and every other week with a group of newspaper friends. A great way to stay in touch.

So this, too, will pass. We will slowly come back to a new normal and wearing masks may be a way of life.

Place of shelter

BY CHIARA DOWELL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Life during the Covid-19 pandemic has been like living in a science fiction novel. Walking into the grocery store this past Saturday and seeing more people with face masks than without, greeting the clerk from behind plexiglass and coming home once again with no toilet paper, it was hard to avoid thoughts of the apocalypse, and a not too distant future filled with robot employees, virtual workplaces and very little personal interaction.

Some people have met the crisis binge watching their favorite BBC period dramas. Some have carted off cases of Guinness from the liquor store. One guy in the St. Croix River Valley was seen filling his grocery cart with the entire Cub Foods stock of Yoplait yogurt cups.

Our family has geared up for the future by reinvesting in the stock market. No, not that one.

The other one.

After another commute to CostCo in the midst of all this madness, only to find their meat section had disappeared, my husband and I bought a Jersey cow.

“A what?” the grocery clerk asked me, face blank and fingers paused midair over the keypad.

“A Jersey cow.”

“What’s that?”

“You know, a cow! A real cow! So I can make my own butter and ice cream and cheese.”

Once she realized I was not talking about some

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to make cheese using bacterial cultures made with milk. The process is similar to using a sourdough culture in breadmaking.

All the bacteria necessary for cheese making can by sourced from its milk!

Asher’s book “The Art of Natural Cheesemaking” inspired me to get started with Jersey milk cheese without the use of freeze-dried starter cultures. I clabbered a quart of milk in a jar on the counter, marveling at how long it took for my raw milk to congeal. It still smelled sweet after 2 days out on the counter. When it became a yogurt-like mass I hung it from a bungie cord in a looseweave cotton cloth and let its whey drip for three days. Then I worked some kosher salt into it with a spoon before hanging it again for an additional half of a day. The result?

A lovely cream-cheese like addition to our family table.

Making cheese like this has given me a feeling of solidarity with much of the world I didn’t have before. It’s easy to forget not everyone in the world can just jog off to the store for cream cheese or crème fraiche if their recipes call for it. Straining yogurt-like cheeses through cloth is how most of the cheese in the world is made and has been made for centuries.

“Shelter-in-Place” has made us rethink what both shelter and place really mean — We’ve found richer meaning in both words.

BENNETT: It’s now or never FROM PAGE 5

Gene Johnson is the Publisher Emeritus at Press Publications in White Bear Lake, Minn.

product called “Jersey Cow,” she chuckled.

A good portion of our pasture went to burdock last season. After days of pulling it out and pausing only to disentangle burrs from our hair, boots, jackets, gloves, eyebrows and resident baby, we were ready to consider ruminants.

Two steers to make meat for us and our neighbors (and save us runs to Costco), and a cow to give us milk, butter, cheese, whipping cream, ice cream and a calf to boot. That sounded like a pro-active way to respond to “Shelter in Place.”

While we reaped all those delicious rewards, they would be fertilizing our fields and keeping the burdock at bay.

Buttercup arrived the week after my three dairy goats kidded. In four days I was awash in milk.

Milk filling my fridge in half-gallon jars. Milk cooling in the freezer, milk down my pants and into my boots when one of my goats got saucy and kicked the bucket. I was dreaming about milk.

One night’s dreamscape finale included swimming around with Esther Williams in a giant milking pail beneath a suspended wheel of cheddar.

Anxiety was heightened because I was waiting for a shipment of freeze-dried cultures to inoculate my milk for cheesemaking.

Until it arrived my hands were tied.

I was rescued by a fellow goat and veggie farmer. Canadian David Asher teaches people how

Going into jake mode, I immediately start a loud series of yelps that usually drives them crazy.

Sure enough, one comes walking right in while

the entire troop stops at attention. It’s over in a moment. The promise I made my wife for a fresh turkey dinner was now paid in full. I got that base hit; scored that final TD as the clock ran out.

Jim Bennett is an outdoorsman who lives and worked in the St. Croix River Valley and can be reached at jamesbennett24@gmail.com

SILL: The illusion of wildness FROM PAGE 4

As an adult I’ve been able to hunt in what I consider truly wild places. Huge tracts of national forest filled with bears and wolves and the kind of unknown I’ve been searching for all my life. It’s a dream for me to be able to hunt and explore places like that once in a while, but I still spend most of my time outdoors in places I wouldn’t consider wild in the traditional sense.

I’ve been hunting turkey this spring on a piece of public property less than 20 minutes from my house.

It looks oddly out of place for Wisconsin and almost reminds me of the western Nebraska sandhills. There’s a kind of sagebrush look to the place and the hillsides are cut with small ravines that were almost certainly made from running cattle on the property at some point in the past.

It’s flanked on either side by a housing subdivision and some kind of concrete manufacturing operation, but if you sit down in just the right spot you can see a great distance without running across any kind of manmade structure. You can see a creek to the west and a stand of hilly timber far off in the distance that reminds you that you are in fact in Western Wiscon-

sin sin.

I haven’t even come close to shooting a turkey this spring, but I like to spend my time at this spot. It makes me think about sitting up against a tree looking over Francis Shepard’s pasture, pretending I was someplace wilder than I was.

C.L. Sill can be reached at editor@osceolasun.com

MAY 20, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

7

www.countrymessenger.com

MOVIE REVIEW

T

his week we see the release of another kid’s movie, Scoob! If you are wondering why a studio would do this when people can’t go to the theaters, they are betting on repeating what happened when Trolls World Tour was released.

People are so starved for new content that Trolls made over $300 million world-wide, a opening then Contributing better the previous two movies in the franchise.

Writer Scoob! is another Paul Backstrom movie about every-

body’s favorite Great Dane, Scooby-Doo. In this latest adventure they team up with the super hero Blue Falcon (voiced by Mark Wahlberg), to foil the plans of Dick Dastardly (voiced

by Jason Isaac).

What were they thinking? The whole premise for this film is off.

Scooby-Doo has always been about solving mysteries, eating outrageous amounts of food and trying to unmask the villain. For some reason, the powers that be decided since super heroes are popular right now, this is the direction the film should go.

Maybe this would have been a better idea in the hands of a genius script writer. However, this film is a bland

mess and it shouldn’t surprise us to learn there were four credited screenwriters for this disaster. The general rule is the more screenwriters on a project the worse the film. Interestingly enough, for two of the screen writers this was their first screen writing credit. Ouch! The other two had written such masterpieces as Rampage (2018) and the miserable Addams Family movie from last year. The thing that shocks me is why they didn’t they look at all the pieces of previous Scooby-Doo material and draw inspiration from it. This movie just appears to be tone deaf compared to the canon of the Scooby-Doo universe.

The only reason, I didn’t give this

movie an “F” is because the voice acting was just fine. Scoob! features an all-star cast including Simon Cowell to beef up the poor writing, but it still doesn’t save this uninspired and lazy movie.

Overall, I would give this movie a D+ (A Below Average Movie). I wonder if the screen writers had seen Scooby-Doo before because this is not your typical Scooby-Doo movie. Instead of solving mysteries and having the Scooby-Doo gang run around and interact together, we are subjected to a low power super hero movie, with little interaction between the members SEE REVIEW, PAGE 11

...have a fun backyard barbecue.

We’re going to watch a parade, then...

Newspaper Fun! www.readingclubfun.com

Annimills LLC © 2020 V16-20

On Memorial Day . . .

Memorial Day is a time for us to remember and share memories of the people who have fought and given up their lives for our country. We remember them when we hold events in their honor, decorate their graves with flowers and watch military jets fly overhead. Memorial Day is also a good time to honor our living veterans.

We do this when we listen to them tell stories about their military service or we ask them to lead our parades. We also honor them when we raise funds to meet any special needs they may have when they come home after serving our country. Read the clues to fill in the holiday puzzle.

In Support...

Follow the dots to see the special flower. Color it in:

!

Wow

Kids: color stuff in!

4

soldiers

13

15

R

10

R

R

R

B

B

8

R

7

How We Remember...

6

There are many ways in which we honor people and keep memories alive!

Match the ways below. Then, find and circle the words in the puzzle: A. parades 1. displaying ________ B. flags 2. marching in ________ C. salutes 3. decorating service people’s ________ D. medals 4. flying ________ at half-mast E. graves 5. firing 21–gun ________ 1. reading a serviceperson’s ________ 2. listening to _________ 3. playing “Taps” on a ________ 4. watching a _________ explaining war events 5. praying for ________ everywhere

A. peace B. film C. bugle D. speeches E. letters

R

24

1

9

bugler

23

2 5

21 22 3 4

N L E T T E R S V P U

I am proud to flags decorate this brave soldier’s grave!

9. ________ are playing patriotic 10 songs 10. ________ are roaring overhead to honor service people who have died

20

R

R

12 11

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I D P K I M M N S U Y

O F U G Y B K I E T T

K R H R H C G J V R R

N T G E N F T H A D W

V Y F S K I F U R F Q

G U R A C L E Y G H V

T P W L P M S G N K C

R O O U L V D V O L H

F L A T F H C T Y N G

V K D E R E F F S F I

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people

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R

Volunteers sell little artificial flowers to raise money to help veterans.

We wear these red poppies as a symbol of those who have fought and died for America.

14

17

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boats

jets

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B = Brown R = Red

s

band

1

es 3. ________ are being said for peace arad p 4. ________ are firing salutes 2 5. a ________ is being laid at the Tomb of the Unknowns (service people) in 3 Arlington National Cemetery 6. ________ are flying at half-mast rs praye 7. a ________ is sounding Taps 8. little ________ filled with flowers 5 are being set upon the waters to 1. people in ________ are marching honor those who w have a died at sea wreath to the cemetery for memorial events 2. ________ are decorating graves of 7 soldiers and loved ones

R.I.P.

C M V S S G V C L K O

D J F K A E G A B H P

K H D H C Z G K U J K

P N C D V S K J T U M

O G S S F E J F R T L

K F J E W D U R E F N

M S P H B A Y G L D H

H L O C G R H B G

G A Y E J A B H U P

V D E E H P G T B L

C E G P U N T Y K A

S M K S M G R N V

Q A C D A E C A E P C

Help little mouse find the family picnic basket: Start

SEE ANSWERS, PAGE 9

8 COUNTRY MESSENGER

MAY 20, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

PUBLIC NOTICES CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: S.T. Mobile Diagnostics.

2. The address of the principal place of business: 324 4th Ave. SW., Forest Lake, MN 55025.

3. The complete name and street address of all persons conducting business under the assumed name, OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address: Sean Tipping, 324 4th Ave. SW, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

4. I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities, I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath: Cheyenne Moseley.

Dated April 28, 2020.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger May 13 and May 20, 2020

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA PUBLIC NOTICE OF ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Primary Election will be held in Washington County, Minnesota, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the polling locations listed below for the purpose of voting for candidates of the offices specified below. The polls for said election will be open at 7:00 AM and will remain open until closing at 8:00 PM. FEDERAL OFFICES • US Senator • US Representative District 2, 4, 6 STATE OFFICES • Supreme Court Associate Justice, Seats 3, 4 • Court of Appeals Judge, Seats 1, 9, 10, 13, 15 • State Senator District 38, 39, 43, 53, 54

• State Representative District 38A, 38B, 39A, 39B, 43A, 43B, 53A, 53B, 54A, 54B • District Court Judge District 10, Seats 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 22, 23, 24, 26, 32, 35, 38, 39, 43 The polling places are as follows: Precinct Name Voting Location Afton W-1 P-1 Shepard Of The Valley Lutheran Church, 14107 Hudson Rd S, Afton, MN 55001 Afton W-2 P-1 Shepard Of The Valley Lutheran Church, 14107 Hudson Rd S, Afton, MN 55001 Afton W-3 P-1 Shepard Of The Valley Lutheran Church, 14107 Hudson Rd S, Afton, MN 55001 Afton W-4 P-1 Shepard Of The Valley Lutheran Church, 14107 Hudson Rd S, Afton, MN 55001 Bayport Bayport City Hall, 294 3rd St N, Bayport, MN 55003 Baytown Twp. Baytown Community Building, 4020 McDonald Dr N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Birchwood Village City Birchwood City Hall, 207 Birchwood Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Cottage Grove P-01 Cottage Grove Elementary School, 7447 65th St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Cottage Grove P-02 Park High School, 8040 80th Street S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Cottage Grove P-03 Cottage Grove Middle School, 9775 Indian Blvd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Cottage Grove P-04 833 School District Service Center, 7362 Point Douglas Rd E, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Cottage Grove P-05 Cottage Grove Service Center, 13000 Ravine Pkwy S, Cottage Grove , MN 55016 Cottage Grove P-06 833 School District Program Center, 8400 East Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Cottage Grove P-07 National Guard Armory, 8180 Belden Blvd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Dellwood Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 Denmark Twp. Denmark Town Hall, 14008 90th St S, Hastings, MN 55033 Forest Lake P-1 Forest Lake City Center, Community Room, 1408 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025 Forest Lake P-2 Forest Lake City Center, Community Room, 1408 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025 Forest Lake P-3 Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Dr, Forest Lake, MN 55025

Answers

Forest Lake P-4 Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trl, Forest Lake, MN 55025 Forest Lake P-5 Forest Lake Service Center, 19955 Forest Rd N., Forest Lake, MN 55025 Grant Woodbury Lutheran Oak Hill Campus, 9050 60th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Grey Cloud Island Twp. Grey Cloud Island Town Hall, 9910 Grey Cloud Island Dr S, St Paul Park, MN 55071 Hastings W-1 P-1 Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Hugo W-1 P-1 Hugo Fire Hall, 5323 140th St N, Hugo, MN 55038 Hugo W-2 P-2A Oneka Elementary School, 4888 Heritage Pkwy N, Hugo, MN 55038 Hugo W-2 P-2B Oneka Elementary School, 4888 Heritage Pkwy N, Hugo, MN 55038 Hugo W-3 P-3A Hugo City Hall, 14669 Fitzgerald Ave N, Hugo, MN 55038 Hugo W-3 P-3B Rice Lake Centre, Hugo Public Works Bldg, 6900 137th St N, Hugo, MN 55038 Lake Elmo P-1 Lake Elmo Fire Hall, 3510 Laverne Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Lake Elmo P-2 Lake Elmo City Hall, 3800 Laverne Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Lake St. Croix Beach Lake St. Croix Beach City Hall, 16455 20th St S, Lake St. Croix Beach, MN 55043 Lakeland Lakeland City Hall, 690 Quinnell Ave N, Lakeland, MN 55043 Lakeland Shores St. Croix Embrace Church, 16600 7th Street South, Lakeland, MN 55043 Landfall Landfall Community Center, 2 4th Ave, Landfall, MN 55128 Mahtomedi P-1 Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 Mahtomedi P-2 St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 Marine On St. Croix Marine On St Croix City Hall, 121 Judd St, Marine On St Croix, MN 55047 May Twp. May Town Hall, 13939 Norell Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Newport Newport Elementary, 851 6th Ave, Newport, MN 55055 Oak Park Heights Oak Park Heights City Hall, 14168 Oak Park Blvd N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Oakdale P-1 Apostolic Bible Institute & Church, 6944 Hudson Blvd, Oakdale, MN 55128 Oakdale P-2 Transfiguration Catholic Church, 6133 15th St N, Oakdale, MN 55128

Oakdale P-3 Redeemer Baptist Church, 2479 Geneva Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128 Oakdale P-4 House Of Prayer Church, 6039 40th St N, Oakdale, MN 55128 Oakdale P-5 Silver Lake Methodist Church, 5399 Geneva Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128 Oakdale P-6 Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128 Oakdale P-7 Hope Evangelical Free Church, 7910 15th St N, Oakdale, MN 55128 Oakdale P-8 Guardian Angels Church, 8260 4th St, Oakdale, MN 55128 Pine Springs OH Anderson Elementary School, 666 Warner Ave S, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 Scandia Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073 St Mary’s Point St Mary’s Point City Hall, 16491 St Mary’s Point Dr S, Lakeland, MN 55043 St Paul Park P-1 St Paul Park City Office, Council Chambers, 600 Portland Ave, St Paul Park, MN 55071 St Paul Park P-2 St Paul Park City Office, Community Room, 600 Portland AVE, St Paul Park, MN 55071 St Paul Park P-3 Heritage Park Building, 1345 Laurel Ave, St Paul Park, MN 55071 St Paul Park P-4 St Paul Park City Office, Community Room, 600 Portland AVE, St Paul Park, MN 55071 Stillwater Twp. Stillwater Town Hall, 13636 90th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-1 P-1 First United Methodist Church, 813 Myrtle St W, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-1 P-2 St Paul Lutheran Church, 605 5th St S, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-2 P-3 Ascension Episcopal Church, 214 3rd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-2 P-4 Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 4th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-3 P-5 Stillwater Readiness Center (Armory), 250 Mary Knoll Drive, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-4 P-7 Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1616 Olive St W, Stillwater, MN 55082 Stillwater W-4 P-8 Lily Lake School, 2003 Willard ST W, Stillwater, MN 55082 To Be Determined Your assignment is yet to be determined., When you have been placed,, Washington County Elections will notify you., ,

CLUES ACROSS 1. It’s now called Experian 4. You can draw it 7. Very fast aircraft 10. Go quickly 11. Fifth note of a major scale 12. Biochemical abbreviation 13. Make somebody laugh 15. Returned material authorization (abbr.)

16. City in NE Morocco 19. Colorless gas 21. NE football player 23. A snake is one 24. Small spot 25. Inform 26. Republic of Ireland 27. Large statues 30. Documents about an individual 34. Helps little firms 35. Namibia’s former name 36. Large insects 41. Thirsty 45. A well-defined track or path 46. One who utilizes 47. Plant-eating mammals 50. Not in tip-top shape 54. Alternate names 55. A part of a broadcast serial 56. City in central Italy 57. LOTR actor McKellen 59. Trees provide it 60. Men’s fashion accessory 61. Type of screen 62. Snakelike fish 63. Possesses 64. When you aim to get there 65. Tooth caregiver CLUES DOWN 1. Hit heavily 2. Italian rice dish 3. Some are cocktail

West Lakeland Twp. Oak-Land Middle School, 820 Manning Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 White Bear Lake W-4 P-2 WBL Alternative Learning Center, 2449 Orchard Ln, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Willernie Willernie City Hall, 111 Wildwood Rd, Willernie, MN 55090 Woodbury P-01 Woodbury Baptist Church, 6695 Upper Afton Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-02 Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-03 Woodbury High School, 2665 Woodlane Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-04 Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-05 New Life Academy & Church, 6758 Bailey Rd, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-06 Bailey Elementary School, 4125 Woodlane Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-07 King Of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-08 St John Lutheran Church, 1975 St John’s Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-09A Brookview Elementary School, 11099 Brookview Road, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-10 Central Park, 8595 Central Pk Place, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-11 Lake Middle School, 3133 Pioneer Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-12 Valley Crossing Community School, 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN 55125 Woodbury P-13A Liberty Ridge Elementary, 11395 Eagle View Blvd, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-14 Five Oaks Church, 4416 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-15 East Ridge High School, Cafeteria, 4200 Pioneer Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129 Woodbury P-16 St Ambrose Church of Woodbury, 4125 Woodbury Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129 Jennifer Wagenius, County Auditor

Request by Liam McNally, on behalf of Better Place Forests, for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to create a conservation memorial forest on a 112-acre property on Lakamaga Trail. The property is more specifically described as follows:

Washington County Property Identification Numbers: 21.032.20.33.0004, 2 8 . 0 3 2 . 2 0 . 2 2 . 0 0 0 1 , 2 8 . 0 3 2 . 2 0 . 2 1 . 0 0 0 1 , 28.032.20.12.0003, and 28.032.20.24.0002.

Anyone wishing to express their opinion on this proposal will be heard at the public hearing. Given the current protocols for social distancing during the Covid 19 situation, the meeting will be held via online video and phone conferencing.

Submit written comments concering this application to mail@ci.scandia. mn.us. To participate in the online meeting, call City Hall at 651-4332274 by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to register for the video conferencing. This notice is given pursuant to the Development Code of the City of Scandia. Contact City Hall for information about this request during office hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays.

Brenda Eklund City Clerk Dated: May 14, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger May 20, 2020

CITY OF SCANDIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Scandia will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following:

Published in The Country Messenger May 20, 2020

CITY OF SCANDIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

4. A citizen of Israel 5. Read-only memory 6. Passed by 7. Northern diving ducks 8. References 9. Iranian language 13. Swiss river 14. Woman (French) 17. Gov’t department (abbr.)

18. Consumed 20. Ailments 22. Balkan Jewish appetizer 27. Reciprocal of a sine 28. Skywalker mentor __-Wan 29. Resinous secretion of insects 31. Similar 32. Female sheep

NOTICE is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Scandia will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following:

SEE LEGALS, PAGE 9

33. Cool!

37. Borders the Adriatic Sea 38. Flowers 39. It’s sometimes upped 40. Immobile 41. Female body parts 42. Common request 43. Made a second thrust 44. Fell into deep sleep 47. Subway resident 48. Brew 49. The event of being born 51. Aspirations 52. Doctor of Education 53. Punk musician __ Dee Ramone 58. A subdivision of a play

MAY 20, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

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OBITUARIES

On Memorial Day . . .

!

Wow

Roger Heinisch Roger Heinisch, age 81, of Scandia, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2020.

He was born in St. Paul, graduated from Cretin High School, and went on to earn a bachelors and master’s in mechanical and heat transfer form Marquette University. He later earned a PHD in Nuclear engineering from Purdue University. Roger also proudly served his country with service in the USMC. For much of his career, Roger worked at Honeywell. He served on many boards and eventually retired as the Vice President of ATK. Roger loved to fish and hunt. One hunt brought him to Kodiak Island where he was able to harvest a bear, and now has a very nice rug. He will be missed by all.

He is preceded in death by daughter, Veronica; and brother, Paul.

Survived by wife of 56 years, Joyce; children, Theresa (Don) Frogner, Michael (Tammy); 8 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren; and brothers, Denis and Earl.

Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer’s research in loving memory of Roger.

A private interment will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held when all this madness is over.

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A. parades B. flags C. salutes D. medals E. graves

1. displaying ________ 2. marching in ________ 3. decorating service people’s ________ 4. flying ________ at half-mast 5. firing 21–gun ________ 1. reading a service person’s ________ 2. listening to _________ 3. playing “Taps” on a ________ 4. watching a _________ explaining war events 5. praying for ________ everywhere

K F J E W D U R E F N

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Volunteers sell little artificial flowers to raise money to help veterans.

We wear these red poppies as a symbol of those who have fought and died for America.

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I am proud to decorate this brave soldier’s grave!

R.I.P. Created by Annimills © 2020

PUBLIC NOTICES FROM PAGE 8 Request by Peter Goers for a Variance from lake setback to reconstruct a residential structure at 12730 182nd Street North, Scandia, Minnesota.

The property is more specifically described as follows: Washington County Property Identification Number 33.032.20.34.0008 Anyone wishing to express their opinion on this proposal will be heard at the public hearing. Given the current protocols for social distancing during the Covid 19 situation, the meeting will be held via online video and phone conferencing.

Submit written comments concering this application to mail@ci.scandia. mn.us. To participate in the online meeting, call City Hall at 651-4332274 by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to register for the video conferencing. This notice is given pursuant to the Development Code of the City of Scandia. Contact City Hall for information about this request during office hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays.

Brenda Eklund City Clerk Dated: May 15, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger May 20, 2020

CITY OF SCANDIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Scandia will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following: Request by Gary Markgraf for approval of a Variance from a wetland setback to replace a septic system at 23820 Loton Avenue North.

The property is more specifically described as follows: Shady Oaks Block 2 Lot 4 and Lot 5, Washington County, MN Anyone wishing to express their opinion on this proposal will be heard at the public hearing. Given the current protocols for social distancing during the Covid 19 situation, the meeting will be held via online video and phone conferencing.

Submit written comments concering this application to mail@ci.scandia. mn.us. To participate in the online meeting, call City Hall at 651-4332274 by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to register for the video conferencing. This notice is given pursuant to the Development Code of the City of Scandia. Contact City Hall for information about this request during office hours, Monday through Friday

from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays.

Brenda Eklund City Clerk Dated: May 15, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger May 20, 2020 CITY OF SCANDIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Scandia will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following: Request by Greg and Andrea Sandager for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a Winery Use at 20168 St. Croix Trail North. The property is more specifically described as follows: Washington County Property Identification Number 24.032.20.41.0001 Anyone wishing to express their opinion on this proposal will be heard at the public hearing. Given the current protocols for social distancing during the Covid 19 situation, the meeting will be held via online video and phone conferencing.

Submit written comments concering this application to mail@ci.scandia. mn.us. To participate in the online

meeting, call City Hall at 651-4332274 by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to register for the video conferencing. This notice is given pursuant to the Development Code of the City of Scandia. Contact City Hall for information about this request during office hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays.

Brenda Eklund City Clerk Dated: May 15, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger May 20, 2020

CITY OF SCANDIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Scandia will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following: Request by Jeffrey Gacek for an amendment to an existing Interim Use Permit for a Rural Event Facility operating as Redeemed Farm at 12680 Scandia Trail North, to increase the permitted number of small events on an annual basis.

A Variance to allow more than one

small event per day is also requested.

The property is more specifically described as follows: Washington County Property Identification Number 16.032.20.31.0006 Anyone wishing to express their opinion on this proposal will be heard at the public hearing. Given the current protocols for social distancing during the Covid 19 situation, the meeting will be held via online video and phone conferencing.

Submit written comments concering this application to mail@ci.scandia. mn.us. To participate in the online meeting, call City Hall at 651-4332274 by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to register for the video conferencing. This notice is given pursuant to the Development Code of the City of Scandia. Contact City Hall for information about this request during office hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays.

Brenda Eklund City Clerk Dated: May 15, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger May 20, 2020 CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: Sammys Seeds.

2. The address of the principal place of business: 4135 Benjamin Dr. #134, Woodbury, MN 55129.

3. The complete name and street address of all persons conducting business under the assumed name, OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address: Samantha Larson, 4135 Benjamin Dr. #134, Woodbury, MN 55129.

4. I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities, I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath: Samantha Larson.

Dated April 28, 2020.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger May 20 and May 27, 2020

AREA CHURCHES Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, all gatherings of 10 or more are being curtailed. Please call to see if church services are being held in some capacity.

Ascension Episcopal Church 214 North Third Street N, Stillwater (651) 439-2609 • www.aechurch.org Rev. Marilyn Baldwin Rev. Daniel V. Pearson, Interim Rector Mindy Boynton, Christian Ed/Youth Nancy Whipkey, Director of Music

The Baha’i Faith For information about Baha’i Faith or times and places of meetings call (651) 433-3686.

Christ Lutheran Church 150 Fifth Street, Marine (651) 433-3222, office ext. 10 Pastors Joel Martin and Hannah Bartos

Elim Lutheran Church Scandia (651) 433-2723 www.elimscandia.org Senior Pastor Scott Westphal Associate Pastor Meredith McGrath

Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA) Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA) Forest Lake (651) 464-3323 886 North Shore Drive Pastor John Klawiter

Forest Hills United Methodist Church Hwy. 97 at County Road 34 S.E. Forest Lake (651) 464-5249 Pastor: Rev. David Werner www.foresthillsumc.net

Grace Church 722 Seminole Ave. Osceola Pastor Mark Barlow “The Cure for the Common Church” e-mail: info@gracechurchosceola.com www.gracechurchosceola.com or call (715) 294-4222 or (715) 755-3454

Hosanna Lutheran Church (ELCA) Living, loving and serving as Jesus did... so that all may know him.

9300 Scandia Tr. N. Forest Lake (651) 464-5502 www.hosannaforestlake.net Linda Friesen, Lead Pastor Jen Collins, Associate Pastor

Lakes Free Church

www.lakesfree.org Lindstrom (651) 257-2677 29620 Olinda Trail N. Senior Pastor Jason Carlson, Associate Pastor Stephen Moore

Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church (LCMS) 25402 Itasca Avenue Forest Lake, MN 55025 651-462-3535 / lordofthelakes.org Pastor Craig Bertram

Maranatha Church Chisago Lakes Campus 10963 Lake Blvd. (Hwy 8) Chisago City (651) 257-8605 Pastor Bill Headley

Osceola Community Church 2492 Education Dr., Osceola, WI Larry Mederich, Pastor (715) 417-0608 • www.occconnect.org

Osceola Medical Center Spiritual Care

2600 65th Avenue, Osceola, WI www.myomc.org/specialtyserv_1chapel.php 715-294-5645 fax: 715-294-5712 email: alan.hagstrom@myomc.org

Chapel open daily for meditation.

Osceola United Methodist Church 306 River Street Osceola, WI (715) 755-2275 osceolaunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com

River Valley Christian Church Lake Elmo (651) 430-9950 5900 Lake Elmo Avenue N. (Hwy 36 & County Road 17) Pastor Jon Neitzel, Teen Pastor Greg Hamm Children’s Pastor Karen Hynes

St. Croix Falls Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 201 North Adams St., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 Rev. Kelli Clement www.scuuf.org

St. Croix Falls United Methodist Church Upper St. Croix Parish 300 N. Adams St. • (715)-483-9494 Pastor Carolyn Saunders Pastor MIke Brewbaker

St. Croix Valley Friends Meeting Stillwater (651) 439-7981 Seventh Day Adventist Church, Fifth & Laurel Streets

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Father John Drees Three miles north on Hwy. 95 from Hwy. 97. West on Redwing 1/4 mile.

St. Joseph Catholic Church 490 Bench St., Taylors Falls, MN (651) 465-7345 Father John Drees

St. Joseph Catholic Cluster Osceola (715) 294-2243 Rev. Andy Anderson

Trinity Lutheran Church (WELS) Osceola (715) 294-2828 300 Seminole Avenue

Trinity Lutheran Church Stillwater (651) 439-7400 www.trinitylc.org • 115 North Fourth Street Pastors: Dan Poffenberger & Stephanie Vos,

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COUNTRY MESSENGER

MAY 20, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

AUTO BODY

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Certified Public Accountants Accounting • Taxes • Payroll • Business Consulting

715-294-2165 Osceola, Wisconsin - Hwy. 35 south of town

AUTOMOTIVE

433 3rd Ave, Clear Lake, WI • (715) 263-4111 338 S Washington St, St. Croix Falls, WI • (715) 483-3782 OverbyFinancial.com

LAW OFFICES

WHERE LEGALITY MEETS PRACTICALITY Legal services in the areas of real estate, wills and trusts, probate, business transactions, petroleum.

Office 651-487-1208 (ext. 1) • Fax 651-487-0662 kirsten@libbylawoffice.com • 21060 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN

LOCAL SHOPS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

COMPLETE AUTO SERVICE CENTER We will not be undersold

Alignment • Brakes • Exhaust • Shocks Plows • Tune-ups/engine diagnostics Keyless Entry and Autostarts • A/C Service 14520 60th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082 651-439-0403 • www.fredstireandservice.net

Indoor air quality experts 24 Hour Service 21260 Olinda Trail N.

651-433-5167

Remedies for This and That: bulk herbs and spices, bath and body products, household products, baking products, handcrafted teas and jams, vintage gifts and products made by local and area artists.

21060 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN

www.scandiaheating.com

PLUMBING

BEAUTY

TROWBRIDGE PLUMBING

BEAUTY COUNTER Game changing personal care products free from harmful ingredients • Skincare • Cosmetics • Bath & Body • Sunscreen • Family

JACKIE WYLIE Consultant sunflower4@frontiernet.net order online: beautycounter.com/jackiewylie

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Residential - Service - Remodel 12450 Morris Trail N, Marine-On-St. Croix

651-433-4500

INSURANCE

Great Case Discounts

NOAH

Your Party Headquarters

INSURANCE GROUP

651-433-5845 • 21190 Ozark Ave N • Scandia, MN STORE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. • Fri. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Osceola • 715-294-2510 • 877-571-9315 Stillwater • 888-430-6624 www.noahinsurancegroup.com

trowbridge_plumbing@hotmail.com Mike Trowbridge

651-707-2528 Fax: 651-213-0070

REAL ESTATE

Ross and Adam Brunfelt Your Local Real Estate Agents!

Call us today for a free market analysis of your home!

651.433.3333 • www.TheBrunfelts.com

TRAILERS/REPAIR

Bill Schifsky Custom Trailer Mfg. SINCE 1972

HOME • AUTO • BUSINESS • LIFE • FARM • AND MORE

Open Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Sun. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Phone: 715-256-8286 • Text Line: 715-202-2873 Email: service@crexinsurance.com www.crexinsurance.com

EDUCATION & SCHOOLS

LAWN & SPORT

UNIQUELY GENERAL

Servicing all major brands Lawn & garden, mower service.

A K-6, tuition-free public charter school in beautiful Wilder Forest. We get kids outside, taking learning beyond the classroom!

CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS

14189 Ostlund Trail N., Marine on St Croix MN 55047 info@marineareaschool.org • www.marineareaschool.org

Saturday 8 a.m. - noon Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

21240 Olinda Trail N., Scandia, MN

651-433-4668

Aluminum Utility Trailers Mobile Displays • We build Tiny House Trailers 651-257-5340 • www.customtrailers.biz • Scandia, MN

TRAILER REPAIR Axles • Couplers • Wiring • Brakes • Aluminum & Steel Welding

VETERINARIAN

SCANDIA VET CLINIC HOURS: Monday - Friday • 8 to 5:30 Saturday • 8 to noon

651-433-3666

MAY 20, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

11

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REVIEW: Scoob!

FROM PAGE 7

of Mystery Inc. Who thought this was a great idea? It isn’t like there isn’t enough source material floating around the internet for them to have viewed prior to writing this uninspired paint by numbers bland kids movie.

This is not a Scooby-Doo movie but simply another poorly written super hero movie with a couple of popular culture reference jokes that land about half the time.

This is not worth the twenty dollars I paid to rent this movie. Do not rent this ever, because there are so many better Scooby-Doo television series and movies to watch.

Scoob! is rated PG for some action, language and rude/ suggestive humor. The film was directed by Tony Cervone. It is no wonder the movie was a mess because they had four screenwriters who were credited with this flat story including Matt Lieberman, Adam Sztykiel, Jack Donaldson, and Derek Elliott.

Scoob! stars the voice talents of Will Forte, Mark Wahlberg, and Jason Issacs.

PHONE: 651-433-3845 | FAX: 651-433-3158

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Free Items

Services

Storage Rent

FREE: 5 ft. tall oak bookshelf w/glass doors. 715-294-2796.

Problems with your car insurance? Tickets? Accidents? Been canceled? Call Noah Insurance for help at 715-294-2017.

Farmington Mini Storage: For all your storage needs. Now offering climate controlled units. 10x10, 10x15, 10x20, 10x25. Now accommodating 5th wheelers, boats and campers.

715-2943078 or 1-800-2828103.

FREE: Rocking chair to rock in, recliner to recline in, kitten for companionship. 715294-3644.

HAVE SOMETHING TO give away? Run three weeks, nonbusiness related for FREE. Must be from the area. To place an ad call 715-294-2314.

102 Services Custom Furniture refinishing, stripping and repair. Do it right, reasonably. The Cellar Door, Taylors Falls, 651-465-5551.

Erickson piano service. Bryan Erickson Tuning-RegulationRepair 715-463-5958 \ 507-475-2584

RESUMES copied for free if you have been laid off and looking for work. Stop in at The Sun, 108 Cascade, Osceola.

150 Help Wanted HELP WANTED: Age 55+ workers needed for part-time custodial/ groundskeeping at Interstate and William O'Brien State Parks in Minnesota.

Contact Green View, 651-6391913.

COLOR COPIES available at The Sun

108 Cascade • Osceola

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800-282-8103 • 715-417-0303

“SERVING YOUR AREA”

• Reliable • Professional • Insured • Free Estimates

For Sale NEW BUILDING SITE For Sale - 1 and 105 acres. Country lots – Osceola Dresser area.

715-755-3377

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MOBILEHELP America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety and peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call today! 855/610-5151

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SEASONAL PARKS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER The City of Scandia is accepting applications for a seasonal parks and grounds maintenance worker (40 hours/week with weekend hours). The position will perform a wide variety of tasks necessary to the seasonal maintenance of grounds, equipment and buildings at City parks and municipal buildings. General tasks will include mowing, trimming, litter removal and preparing facilities for recreational use. Minimum qualifications include: 18 years of age or older, valid class “D” driver’s license and a good driving record. Previous grounds maintenance experience desirable. Pay is $12-$14.00 per hour, depending upon qualifications. No benefits. City application required. For a copy of the application materials, contact the City at 651-433-2274, or visit the City web site at www.ci.scandia. mn.us. Submit completed application packet to: City of Scandia, 14727 209th St. N., Scandia MN, 55073 by 4 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2020.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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While supplies last! Call 855/332-0464 ENJOY 100% PERFECTLY TENDER and guaranteed! 20 main courses plus get 4 free burgers. Order the Butcher’s Bundle - only $69.99. Call 844/331-1614 mention code: 61086TVG or visit w w w. o m a h a s t e a k s . c o m / d i n n e r 3 9 7 DIRECTV SWITCH & SAVE! $39.99/month. Select all-included package. 155 channels. 1000s of shows/movies on demand. Free Genie HD DVR upgrade. Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 months! Call 877/350-0094

12 COUNTRY MESSENGER

MAY 20, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

SHERIFF’S REPORT City of Marine on St. Croix

MAY 4 At 8:13 a.m. public assistance was needed on Pine Cone Trail.

At 8:04 p.m. a disturbance on Pratt was reported.

City of Scandia

MAY 4 At 9:37 a.m. public assistance was needed.

MAY 5 At 10:56 a.m. a civil dispute in the 18000 block of Layton was reported.

At 11:19 a.m. a complaint about an animal on 240th and Manning was received.

At 7:53 p.m. a complaint about noise in the 18000 block of Layton was received.

At 8:24 p.m. a driver on Manning and 180th

was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 8:33 p.m. a complaint about an animal on Manning and 216th was received.

MAY 6 At 7:46 a.m. an accident in the 16000 block of 199th was reported.

At 7:49 a.m. public assistance was needed.

At 3:03 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 14000 block of Scandia Trail.

At 4:08 p.m. theft was reported in the 16000 block of O’Brien Trail.

At 9:10 p.m. a complaint about noise in the 18000 block of Layton was received.

MAY 7 At 9:19 a.m. a violation of a predatory offender restriction was reported in the 21000 block of Ozark

Court.

At 2:44 p.m. a complaint about noise in the 18000 block of Layton was received.

At 5:47 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 12000 block of 228th.

At 5:58 p.m. a driver in the 14000 block of Scandia Trail was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 11:59 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000 block of Scandia Trail.

MAY 8 At 12:02 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 18000 block of Layton.

MAY 9 At 9:52 a.m. a boat was stopped on Big Marine Lake.

At 10:48 a.m. an officer assisted another agency in the 16000 block of Quality Trail.

At 12:35 until 2:22 p.m. in

three different incidents, boats were stopped on Bone Lake.

At 3:41 p.m. property damage in the 20000 block of Olinda was reported.

Town of May

MAY 3 At 7:54 a.m. a driver on 170th and Keystone was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 8:52 a.m. a driver on 170th and Manning was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 1:19 p.m. a 911 call was abandoned.

At 4:57 p.m. a medical need in the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail was reported.

At 5:47 p.m. a 911 line was abandoned in the 13000 block of May Avenue.

MAY 4

Spotlight on Area Businesses Security State Agency – familiar name, small-town care

With Security State Agency, you’re getting more than just a familiar name; the business has longstanding ties to the St. Croix area.

Security State Agency has been serving the community for over 90 years. The agency is located in the Scandia Plaza on Highway 97 and in offices with Security State Bank of Marine.

Security State Agency is an independent agency representing a number of insurance companies.

The agency offers auto, home, boat, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, business, life and health insurance.

Contact one of Security State Agency’s licensed agents, Katie Giefer or Jane Dreyer, for a quote or stop in.

Security State Agency’s small-town location allows the agency to foster a personal business relationship with their clients.

At 8:52 a.m. pubic assistance was needed in the 14000 block of St. Croix Trail.

block of 130th.

At 1:33 p.m. welfare was checked in the 12000 block of Ravine Circle.

At 5:29 p.m. a medical need in the 12000 block of 170th was reported.

MAY 5 At 9 a.m. a complaint about an animal on Partridge and 122nd was received.

At 9:23 a.m. a suicide was reported.

At 11:58 a.m. an abandoned vehicle in the 14000 block of Manning was reported.

At 5:19 p.m. suspicious activity in the 14000 block of Manning was reported.

At 5:43 p.m. an animal bite in the 15000 block of 133rd was reported.

At 8:05 p.m. suspicious activity in the 11000 block of 124th was reported.

MAY 7 At 7:26 a.m. an abandoned vehicle in the 14000 block of Manning was reported.

At 9:09 a.m. an overdose was reported on Square Lake Trail and Paris.

At 8:08 p.m. a complaint about a driver on Square Lake Trail and Paris was received.

MAY 8 At 10:13 a.m. a complaint about traffic on 170th and Orwell was received.

At 1:10 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 10000 block of 130th.

At 6:41 p.m. a complaint about an animal at Arcola Bridge was received.

At 7:25 p.m. a complaint about an animal in the 140000 block of Ostrum was received.

MAY 6 At 8:44 a.m. public assistance was needed in the 11000 block of 120th.

At 10:29 a.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000 block of Old Guslander.

At 1:09 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 10000

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MANKATO Brett Leick of Marine on St. Croix received a bachelor of science degree in communication studies and Randie Bauman of Marine on St. Croix, received a masters of science degree in reading on May 9.

FIND US ONLINE! COUNTRY

Jane Dreyer

Katie Giefer

Agent

Agent

jdreyer@themarinebank.com kgiefer@themarinebank.com

Contact Security State Agency at 651-433-5753.

CONGRATULATIONS NEWLYWEDS. GET STARTED ON BUILDING A SOLID FINANCIAL FUTURE. LET’S TALK.

Scandia Office • 651-433-5753

Call us for a quote!

Heidi Gemuenden, AAMS®

• Furnaces - Boilers • Radiant In-Floor Heat • Air Conditioning • Gas/Oil/Electric • Specialist in Air Quality • Geothermal Systems • Residential/Commercial • 24 Hour Service

Financial Advisor

41 Judd Street Marine On St. Croix, MN 651-433-1776

21260 Olinda Trail N.

651-433-5167

Jane Dreyer & Katie Giefer

www.scandiaheating.com COUNTRY

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

12450 Morris Trail N Marine-On-St. Croix

P.O. Box 96 Scandia, MN 55073 Phone: (651) 433-3845 Fax: (651) 433-3158

651-433-4500

www.countrymessenger.com

Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.

Certified by M.P.C.A.

www.olsonsinthepink.com

Member SIPC

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Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township