Country Messenger 06.17.2020

COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

VOL. 37 NO. 07 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

LETTER : Teacher bids farewell. PAGE 5

Council covers road updates, cell tower

BY LESLIE MACKENZIE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Short-Term Rentals

that followed. It is not an exaggeration to say each remaining member of this generation is a national treasure. They’re the last of the best of us, and are the reason this country exists today.

They saved the world.

Gerry Mrosla, chair of the Marine on St. Croix planning commission, presented information on terms of the short-term rental ordinance that the commission expected to present at a public hearing to be held sometime in July.

The terms included: • Three (3) short-term rentals per zoning district (excluding the schoolhouse building), with rental occupancy allowed for a total of 72 days per calendar year.

• A short-term guest rental would be for fewer than 30 consecutive days.

• The owner may or may not be on the premises at the same time as the guest.

• The owner must physically inhabit the property for more days and nights than it has been rented.

• If the rental is in a multi-unit property, not more than 50% of the units can be used for shortterm rental use.

• A short-term rental may only be operated in a principal structure, not a recreational vehicle.

The impact of this proposed ordinance would be to allow 15 short-term rental units across the five zoning areas of Marine, plus the units in the schoolhouse building. With a summer season of approximately 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day and no restriction on consecutive days, 72 rental days would allow for a building to be rented for most of the summer.

Council members were surprised and concerned that the proposal brought by the commission did not reflect what they thought was a consensus reached by the commission and the council at their May workshop. Following a heated discussion, the Council advised that they do

SEE VETERAN, PAGE 2

SEE MEETING, PAGE 3

SUBMITTED

Bill Patten and the crew of his B-17 Flying Fortress (front row, far right). The Osceola resident flew 34 combat missions in Italy and Germany during 1944-45.

‘The best among us’ WWII Air Corps vet turns 102

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

Stoicism doesn’t fade with age.

The Greatest Generation is more collectively

similar than any other generation in American history. They’re just about all the same.

Shared tragedy and hardship bring people together, and few people in this country have seen more hardship than those born between 1915 and 1925.

Almost to a member, the

greatest generation is stoic, humble, hardworking and more often than not very stubborn.

They’re remained that way even now in the twilight of their existence, molded and cast in iron by their upbringing during the Great Depression and the world war

Virtual running community of Marine on St Croix

BY DAN JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

There’s nothing like running along picturesque Minnesota trails, speeding through the twists and turns of dirt pathways beneath leaf-dappled canopies. But running is always better when you have a group of friends to cheer you on.

Running together is some-

thing that just can’t be done these days. Event organizers have canceled a large amount of races because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

For long-time sports enthusiast and Minnesota resident Bjorn Hagstrom, having a crowd of people running together, is one of the things he likes most about the sport.

Hagstrom had been prepar-

ing for months to compete in the Voyageur 50 mile race in Duluth this summer. When it was canceled, he decided to run his own marathon.

On June 6, Marine on St Croix, Minn. became Hagstrom’s racetrack. He quickly realized how difficult it was without any running partners.

“There’s no external motivation or peer pressure when you

feel that pain at mile 19, and you just want to quit,” Hagstrom said. “It was a little more brutal in that aspect.”

Throughout his race, he was cheered on by his wife Änna and two daughters, three of his dedicated athletic partners.

Together, the family forms a small team of adventurers who love being active. From ultimate Frisbee to cross country

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The Hagstroms lived in St. Paul but moved to Marine about six years ago to be closer to family, and to be closer to nature.

When Hagstrom was in high school, he only ran to get better at other sports. It wasn’t until these last few years that he began running competitively.

SEE RUNNING, PAGE 2

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VETERAN: 102 year old Air Corps veteran epitomizes the Greatest Generation FROM PAGE 1

That’s a massive reputation for a generation to hold up, and if there was a shred of arrogance among them, it might have gone to their head — but there’s not.

Bill Patten turned 102 years old last Sunday, and he epitomizes the collective mindset of his generation.

Patten grew up in Kansas City. They were poor, just like everyone else. The Depression hit the family hard. Patten’s father was often times out of work and food was sometimes hard to come by.

He remembers eating a lot of oatmeal.

Yet, there’s no sorrow in his voice when he talks about growing up, no ‘woe is me’ selfishness. Patten talks about his childhood just like everyone else his age does, and summed it up with a phrase that may as well be the official motto of the greatest generation.

“We got by,” he said. “We survived.”

Patten was 23 years old in December 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He had recently received his degree in aeronautical engineering,

so as the nation went to war he naturally gravitated toward flying. Patten enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and eventually became a B-17 pilot.

For anyone unfamiliar, B-17s were large, four Bill Patten engine bombers that specialized in daytime, high altitude bombing raids all over Europe during the war. They were big and slow, but tough. There are photos of B-17s that are nearly torn in half in the middle or missing large parts of their wings or tails landing safely after a mission. They were crewed by 10 men, four officers and six gunners, and it was Patten’s job to bring them all home in one piece.

Patten was stationed in Italy for the duration of the war. While infantrymen and other combat troops endured

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT SAINT MARY’S Claire Patterson of Marine on St. Croix has been named to the spring semester Dean’s List.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON The following students were named to the spring semester Dean’s List. Marine on St. Croix: Isaac Krahn, Emma Nelson, Reed Nelson, Cecelia Peterson (Dean’s Honor List) and Matthew Strupp.

Summary of Advertisement for Washington County Requests for Bids are being solicited until 2:00 p.m., July 14, 2020, for TH/36 Hadley Landscaping Project in Washington County.

Go to: http//www.co.washington. mn.us/bids.aspx for further details.

Published in The Country Messenger June 17, 2020

VETTER RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $15.96-$20.76 per month and business services are $34.56-$43.29 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in a government benefit program (Lifeline) to make residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers are those that meet eligibility standards as defined by the FCC and state commissions. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs.

The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be on either wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be 20 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or faster to qualify.

A household is defined for the purposes of the Lifeline program as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Lifeline service is not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in the program. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain a Lifeline discount can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, please call 1-888-833-9522 or visit centurylink.com/ lifeline with questions or to request an application for the Lifeline program.

anything else.

Patten is gentle and soft spoken. He’s matter-of-fact in the way that only army officers are and speaks directly.

You can see history in his eyes, but in general he looks much younger than he is. Just like the rest of his generation, he came home from the war and did the best he could to get on with his life. He raised a family and went on to a successful career in business. Today he has 17 great-grandchildren. There is profound joy in watching someone like him turn 102. His grit and resolve represent the best parts of humanity and he is a shining example of the generation we all owe so much to.

A movie came out in 2004 called “Ike: Countdown to D-Day” starring Tom Selleck as Gen. Eisenhower in the lead up to the Normandy invasion. As the movie comes to a close, Ike stands alone in his headquarters and reflects on the bravery and selflessness of the men he just ordered into battle. His last words ring true of Patten and every other member of the Greatest Generation.

“We may never see their like again.”

PUBLIC NOTICES

Morgan Vetter of Osceola received a scholarship from Catholic United Financial.

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

almost constant misery, the lives of B-17 crew members were bi-polar. When they left the runway on each mission they entered one of the most dangerous arenas of the war, as full of terror and death as any ground combat. But if they survived, they returned to the relative safety of base where they slept on mattresses and ate hot meals. No other branch of the service witnessed war as close and personal while simultaneously living so far behind the frontlines.

Patten endured all of this, and flew 34 combat missions in northern Italy and Germany in 1944-45. The death and fear he faced is unquestionable, but he talks about these missions like a plumber talks about fixing a sink.

“I suppose I had some misgivings,” he said. “But we were just so doggone busy. We were flying in close formation and watching for whatever might be up there. There was a lot of distraction.”

Patten’s Depression upbringing had made him tough above all else — able to endure anything the war threw at him and keep going. It was just a job, and he didn’t have time to think about

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

name and registered office address: Woodbury Community Foundation, 724 Bielenberg Drive Suite 129, Woodbry, MN 5515.

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 com-

1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: Woodbury Yellow Ribbon Network.

2. The address of the principal place of business: 724 Bielenberg Drive Suite 129,Woodbury, MN 55125.

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

pliance 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 March 20, 2020.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger June 10 and June 17, 2020

RUNNING: Marine on St. Croix resident creates running club FROM PAGE 1

So far, he’s run three marathons, including his recent solo run.

But Hagstrom isn’t stopping with a lone marathon. Instead of waiting for racing events to open up again, he wants to see his community stay active and healthy this summer. That’s why he created the Marine Running Club.

Using his professional skills in web design, Hagstrom created a website for the club where runners and walkers in the area can interact with the community virtually. The club is intentionally not focused on competition, so any casual runner or walker can join. However, the website features

SUBMITTED

Bjorn Hagstrom is starting a Marine running club to motivate his community to stay healthy.

leaderboards for various goal-measuring. As of June 14, there are 23 runners and walkers registered on the site, but

they hope to expand.

Hagstrom wants to see everyone in the area participate in some way, even if it’s just walking a

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few miles every week.

One of his goals is to see how far the town can run in one summer. He has hopes that collectively, they will top a thousand miles. With lots of neighborly enthusiasm and a healthy amount of social distancing, the Marine Running Club will undoubtedly travel far and grow stronger as a running community. “[I] just want to find a way to connect with other active folks in the area, virtually, at least,” he said. “To create a sense of team spirit, or that we’re kind of working on something together.”

The Marine runners hope that someday they will run together in-person. It may start small, with a handful of athletes, but they will be well-practiced by then.

JUNE 17, 2020

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OBITUARIES

Lee D. Sandager

Lee D. Sandager, age 94, died at his home in Marine on St. Croix with his wife Betty at his side on Monday, June 8, 2020. He had a long and productive life filled with a variety of experiences, dear friends and a loving family.

Lee was born on Feb. 5th, 1926 to Nels and Clara Sandager in the small southwest farming community of Hills, MN. He was 6th of 9 children and spent his early years helping on the family farm. After graduating from Hills High School he moved onto the University of Minnesota where he earned his B.S. and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Education.

He was an active participant in social and academic activities on campus and while living at FarmHouse Fraternity he developed cherished lifelong relationships. Lee’s first teaching job took him to Climax, MN for 2 years and subsequently to Forest Lake where he spent the next 30 years teaching high school agriculture. He was an inspirational and innovative teacher who developed an outstanding FFA program. He was inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame and selected by his peers as the MN Agricultural Instructor of the Year. Upon reviewing his life he recognized and often expressed one of his greatest satisfactions was following the lives and careers of his students.

His international work began when he was recruited by Columbia University to participate in a teacher training program in Kenya, East Africa.

He and his family lived there for 2 years while he trained teachers and wrote agricultural curriculum for the Kenyan schools. This was the beginning of a 2nd career for him involving international agriculture work. For the next 8 years he was employed

by Experience Incorporated, a Minneapolis based ag consulting firm, to manage agricultural projects worldwide before retiring. The following 10 years Lee did voluntary short term assignments for USAID in Eastern Europe and East Africa. Many of these travels included his close companion and wife, Betty.

Lee received many awards and commendations for his involvement in community and professional life. He was a lifelong, active member of the Lutheran church, recognized by the Elim congregation for his leadership to establish the successful Elim Foundation. Lee was honored as the Outstanding Senior Man of Washington County and selected among the U of M alumni for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lee is survived by Betty, his wife and soulmate of 72 years, his sons Dan (Sandy), Rick (Lynn), Erik (Brigid) and daughter Patricia (Doug Thomas) and Sue. He leaves 10 grandsons and their wives along with 12 great grandchildren.

If desired friends may make memorial contributions to the Elim Foundation, Elim Church in Scandia MN. A special thanks to Lakeview Hospice for their wonderful care.

A graveside service will be held for the immediate family and a Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date.

MEETING: Council covers River Wake taskforce, road updates FROM PAGE 1

not want to make changes to a proposed ordinance at an open meeting. They asked the commission to review the workshop guidance and come back with a final product more in line with what had been previously agreed upon.

Sex Offender Residency Ordinance The sex-offender residency ordinance has not yet been drafted but council member Charlie Anderson explained his intent for the ordinance in greater detail. It would specifically apply residency restrictions on level 3 offenders (those most likely to reoffend) who had been convicted of sexual contact with a non-familial minor, or for production, possession or distribution of child pornography.

Roads Report Leads to Citizen Questions Behind the scenes, progress continues on the village center road project with submission of the state aid request and a cooperative agreement with the Watershed District, MnDOT, the DNR and Marine.

Residents were urged to submit comments to Washington County for its pedestrian and bike plan.

The survey is located at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ MOVEbikepedsurvey.

Marine resident Wendy Ward addressed the Council to ask about the decision-making process for the purchase of the $25,000 street sweeper, which had not been part of the regular budgeting process. She asked if this was the best use of city funds and offered a variety of potentially more beneficial uses toward which the money might have been directed, including a public restroom. The Council responded that the money was drawn from funds that were specifically earmarked for such purposes.

Another resident requested that the city pursue action to officially lower the speed limit on Highway 95. Council members said they do not have control over that decision. They have worked with MnDOT to get the crosswalk and speed detecting signage installed, and MnDOT was allowing trees to grow closer to the road, a design feature that has a traffic calming effect.

Public Safety COVID safety signage has been

created and placed in public gathering areas. The City has crafted a public safety plan, which primarily covers employees and people visiting city buildings.

Only one sentence in the 4-page plan touched on public meetings, stating that the city has moved meetings to a larger venue to promote social distancing, along with offering an electronic option to participate.

During the June meeting there was no opportunity for members of the public accessing the meeting via ZOOM to participate, unless specifically called upon, as no one was monitoring the ZOOM account.

River Wake Taskforce The city continued to discuss the formation of a river wake taskforce with initial members John Goodfellow and Bill Miller.

The task force would take a twopronged approach to the problem of excessive wakes with an education and awareness campaign, and support for enforcement efforts. The Council is generally in support of this effort but the taskforce is not yet formed.

Mill Stream and Parks Master Plan Noting that Marine does not have any zoning for parks, council member Charlie Anderson proposed that a coalition be formed to vision a master plan for community parks, green spaces, the public-school property, and the Mill Stream. The coalition would include interested citizens and private and public land owners along the Mill Stream, city parks, school land, bike trails, and public spaces in Jackson Meadow. The goal would be to create a community vision and a master plan that protects the health of the Mill Stream and its shoreline and increases public engagement and enjoyment of parks and green spaces.

Cemetery Addition The Council discussed the need to begin setting aside funds for a new addition to the cemetery, to be located behind the public works building, off Old Guslander road. While acknowledging that a preferred location would have been across the street from the existing cemetery, a request to the state for a land swap with this William O’Brien State Park land was not approved. The land in question is already owned by the city. The addition will allow the city to offer burial blocks for

families. There are currently 104 grave sites available, but only a few blocks of five.

Cell Tower The Communications Infrastructure Subcommittee has prepared a proposed survey for review by the Planning Commission. A representative from AT&T expressed concern that the project would not move forward this year, noting the public safety drawbacks caused by poor cell phone coverage. Council member Anderson said the Council was well aware of the safety issues but that it was in the hands of the Planning Commission to revise the ordinance and the process must be followed.

Holidays Council member Gwen Roden proposed having a town procession for the 4th of July, like the Memorial Day procession.

The Council approved the idea but someone needed to organize it. Council member Anderson proposed another Founder’s Day event for the afternoon of August 23, in Burris Park, which was approved. The Council decided there would be no fireworks for New Year’s Eve.

GreenStep Efforts continue to find a workshop date for the Council and the GreenStep Cities Committee. The committee has created a website detailing its proposed workplans and submitted that to the Council.

Good Neighbor Award The Council approved the creation of a Good Neighbor award, to be given to Megan Lapos for her work organizing a “freecycle” event in May. Initiated from the Marine Buy/Sell/Trade/Barter Facebook page, Megan helped organize a community give-away event that included 17 locations, helping people pass along their unused items to new owners.

Tort Liability The Council voted not to waive tort liability insurance.

In a city with a demographic that skews far older than the county average of 38 (median age of Marine residents is 51), the move to in-person meetings in a building with limited ventilation was concerning to some, including members of the town Safety Committee.

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JUNE 17, 2020

Lessons learned from 'The Chief'

S

unday is Father's Day, a time to remember and honor the paterfamilias, father, the head of the household, Pop, Dad -- whatever his moniker at your house—Sunday is the day to pause and appreciate his contributions to who you are as a person.

I have said numerous times, and will continue to say it, the 'nuclear' family: mother, father and children is the bedrock foundation of our civilization. While we can carry on without this structure, the stress on the rest of society will be great and expensive.

I by no means mean to disparage single parents. These folks have to be both the mother and the father to their children. It is difficult enough being one, I can't image the pressure of having to be both.

My parents have both passed, so my siblings and I are now the generation, and, as those of Publisher "older" you who are in the same place can attest, it is a strange place to be, Tom Stangl especially at holidays like Mother's and Father's Day. My father, who regular readers of this column will know as "The Chief,” worked as a mechanic at the Chevrolet and later Buick dealership in the small town where I grew up. His specialty was the Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission that General Motors used from the 1960s to the 1980s.

He stood on a concrete floor all day working to provide for a wife and six children. My mother worked part time as a nurse, which helped our family's income later, but make no mistake, the Chief was the breadwinner.

He went to work at 7:30 each morning, got an hour off for lunch (spent half of it napping) and came home hungry at 5:30. It was never a good idea as a child to wake the Chief, whether he was napping after lunch or dozing off watching television after supper. The phrase "don't poke the bear" comes to mind. It may be tempting, but it never ends well.

My generation was taught by our mothers to leave our fathers alone.

I have heard that much of who we are is formed by our parents and our observations of who they are as men and women, husband and wife, father and mother.

From the Chief, I learned the value of work and the importance of following through on commitments. If you said you were going to do something, you did it. It didn't matter if someone else didn't follow through, what mattered was that you did.

We didn't have much money growing up. Six kids, one income, do the math. But we didn't go hungry or naked and had a roof over our heads.

That didn't stop us as foolish young children from asking for things we really didn't need.

The Chief had a real gem for such requests, one that I used on my children and I hope to live long enough to see my grandchildren hear it from the lips of my children: "People in Hell want ice water." Succinct and to the point, but makes you think. Works on many levels.

Good or bad, I realize that I am the sum of my experiences and have been heavily influenced by my father.

For that, I will always be grateful.

Happy Father's Day. 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.

Thanks for reading I’ll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.

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Tough guys

I

’ve always admired tough guys.

We were kind of raised to. Dan and I had this very traditional admiration of masculinity and worshipped soldiers, fighters and adventurers. We fancied ourselves students of this kind of behavior and I think we’ve unknowingly continued to do so as adults. We spend a lot of time going out of our way to do stuff that’s physically demanding, oftentimes just to see if we can. It feels good to try and be tough, although I don’t believe I’m experienced or capable enough to be officially classified a ‘tough guy.’

There are many who put me to shame, everyone from Navy Seals to construction workers. I admire them all and hope to someday be as tough as they are. But the tough guys I admire more than anyone else, are actually not guys Editor at all.

I developed an interest in dogs when C.L. Sill I was very young. All kids love dogs I guess but I was interested in them beyond fluffy tails and wet kisses. My aunt Jeri was a veterinarian and from the time I was around 10 until I graduated from high school I worked in her small animal clinic. I did a lot of cool stuff, watching surgeries and restocking medical supplies — but mostly I swept the floor and cleaned up poop.

I wanted to become a vet myself, until I got to college and realized my chances of passing biology and chemistry were about the same as a blind golfer hitting a hole in one with a pool cue.

Anyway, the job gave me an incredible opportunity to see and interact with all kinds of dogs, and I quickly fell in love with hunting dogs in particular.

I admired what sporting breeds looked like, smelled like and acted like. There was a stoic confidence in a shorthair or a lab that made me instantly respect them.

They were also the toughest SOBs I’d ever seen in my life. I vividly remember cleaning up a kennel room that looked like a Law and Order crime scene while the recently stitched-up yellow lab that had caused the mess stood in a kennel watching me and wagging his tail. I loved that kind of toughness.

I also loved their history. Dogs have always been bred to work, and one of their oldest occupations was finding and retrieving game. That kind of partnership makes me feel like I’m taking part in something ancient and sacred.

We always had hunting dogs when I was a kid, though they seldom hunted. The first dog that was technically ‘mine’ was a little English setter named Hilly, although at 15 I was pretty much incapable of taking care of anything, so in actuality she was really Mom and Dad’s.

My first real dog was another setter, Loxley, whom I bought shortly after I moved to Minnesota in 2015.

Erin and I had just started dating and for some reason I thought throwing a puppy into the middle of a brand new relationship was a great idea. It was a poop-filled disaster but somehow we managed to figure out how to take care of her. Two years ago we added our lab Bruly to the mix, which was much smoother than the first go SEE SILL, PAGE 8

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Addicted to beerbattered cheese curds

T

he first time I had deep-fried cheese curds was in 8th grade. A friend was obsessed with them and it was all she talked about. We went to the Minnesota State Fair together. I remember it well because it was the first time my mother let me go by myself. The first thing we did when we arrived on that hot August day, was run, dodging people and animals, across the vast fairgrounds to the food building.

We waited in line for what seemed like forever, watching people at the front of the line get their curds and scurry to the nearest available table.

When it was finally our turn, we giggled and didn’t care that there weren’t any tables left. We ate more than half of our cheese curd mountain standing three feet from the Mouse Trap counter despite dirty looks from other customers waiting in line. I was in heaven.

Cheese curds do crazy things Wild Chow to people. It’s one of the reasons I became a cheesemaker!

Lisa Erickson My husband recently asked me if I put some addictive substance in the curds when I make them. No, they’re just that good. I love battered cheese curds as much as the first day I tried them. I don’t eat them as much as I used to because most fried food does not agree with me. Air fryers work well. They great because you get the same flavors and textures, but with much less fat!

This recipe can be made deep-fried or air fried.

Beer Battered Cheese Curds 1-2 pounds fresh cheese curds* 1/3 cup Sturdiwheat or any other pancake mix that calls for only water 1/3 cup Sturdiwheat cheese curd mix or Ÿ cup cornmeal ½ tsp seasoned salt ½ cup light beer 2 cup oil or use an air fryer In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the beer; mix just until the batter holds together.

Add the curds. Stir to coat.

Heat the air fryer or cooking oil to 380 degrees.

With a spoon, drop battered curds on to the hot air fryer pan or into the oil. Cook until golden brown turning once with a slotted spoon. Remove and serve with homemade ranch dipping sauce. See the recipe below.

SEE ERICKSON, PAGE 7

TO THE EDITOR Teacher bids farewell

Dear Forest Lake Schools Families, After teaching in the district for 40 years, I would like to say thank you for sharing your children with me. In 1980, I began my career teaching halfday Kindergarten classes, driving on my lunchtime from Scandia Elementary to Lino Lakes Elementary. I remember feeling I was in near heaven when those little voices called me “teacher� and gave me hugs! Throughout my career, that feeling has not changed, although I have taught other grades and at other schools (Columbus Elementary – PM Kindergarten and currently Linwood Elementary Kindergarten).

I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was very young. I continue to find it utterly fascinating being part of the process of children growing and learning – especially during the almost magical age of Kindergarten. There is no more satisfying challenge than finding a way to help a child succeed. Thank you for trusting me with your child and allowing me to be part of their journey in learning. I’ve been blessed with families who really want to work as partners and many of you have become my friends. I treasure all the crazy moments, silly stories and ones that made me cry. Your child, like every one since 1980, has become “my child� and will forever hold a special place in my heart. So again, thank you. It has been a great privilege and joy to be part of your child’s life. Keep in touch; I love to hear how “my kids� are doing. Oh, it is still fine to call me teacher and give me hugs.

With heartfelt thanks, Becky Magnuson and her faithful puppet, Squeaks (nee Meyers, Myrick)

THE POSTSCRIPT

“The Agate Polisher�

I

don’t think it’s my imagination that Father’s Day seems like a last-minute add-on. “Oh! We have Mother’s Day. We probably should do something for fathers‌â€?

On Mother’s Day, a bouquet of flowers or brunch seems to do nicely every year.

There isn’t an equivalent gesture for Father’s Day. The gift suggestions now being advertised all seem a little desperate. A Columnist watch? A wallet?

A gas grill? A Carrie Classon “whiskey set�?

Since my dad’s watch and wallet are with him 90% of his waking life, I’m thinking he’d rather choose his own. A gas grill seems a bit much.

(Mom gets eggs Benedict and dad gets a $1200 grill?) I’m not even sure what a “whiskey set� is but I know my dad wouldn’t drink whiskey if you paid him.

My dad has now spent more time retired than he spent working—which is a wonderful milestone. He was hired while he was still in college to work as an engineer and he stayed with the same company his entire career.

My dad wore horn-rimmed glass-

es and carried a pocket protector and a slide rule in his shirt pocket. He sang bass in the church choir which meant he was always in the back row and I could only see him when he was stretching for a high note and got up on his toes to reach it.

My dad was always ready to try something new. He raised bees in the backyard and helped us dip candles in his workshop and polish agates in a tumbler. I remember the sound of the rock tumbler, polishing away, and a perfectly smooth agate coming out.

Then, every July when the plant where my father worked was shut down, my family would pile into the car pulling a pop-up camper and head out on vacation.

The story goes that my sister and I were quarreling. We generally got along pretty well but a full day in a hot car could get on anyone’s nerves. On this particular day, we were arguing about (of all things) who was going to get in the lake first once we got to the campground.

Dad was driving. Mom was sitting in the front seat with the dog. My sister and I were busy squabbling and no one saw my father as he quietly emptied his pockets, removed his belt, and silently unhooked his seatbelt.

(This was before cars had all the buzzers and bells.) We drove into the campground and, the moment

we hit the parking spot, my father threw open his door and sprinted straight to the lake and dove in. My sister and I sat there in stunned silence.

I don’t remember what happened after that. I just remember my father, flying into the lake, proving both of us wrong—and what an amazing dad he was—in one lightning move.

My dad doesn’t move quite as fast these days. He calls himself “an old geezer,� although I can’t imagine anyone else does. He still builds things in his woodshop and splits wood with the log splitter and rides bike with mom. He still routinely surprises us. And he still listens to the worries and complaints of his daughters.

My sister and I hand these worries to him like rough stones and my dad handles them like the agate polisher we had as children.

By the time my dad is through with them, our worries are worn smooth. Our worries are no longer sharp or dangerous. They are polished to a gentle luster by our dad’s loving concern.

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

Old river men and walleyes

R

iver men of days past were crusty old men, unshaven, wearing dirty clothes with patched knees, shirts ripped and torn. Old River Rats who’d shuffle along the docks, laces dragging from old boots with worn leather and holes in their soles. A cigarette dangled from their mouth. Their old sweat stained hat pulled down low faded out under a hot sun. They’d know the river better than anyone, could smell walleye and feel channel cats moving up stream. Tobacco on their chin and shirt, they were often followed as others tried to ply their secrets. The river was their school. They earned a degree, living off it and feeding their family from its bounty. They loved their lives. They loved the river and would fight to protect it. Most of those old timers are from a forgotten era that only old guys like me can remember.

St. Croix County resident of 56 years, Gregg Bennett is isn’t a River Rat and he knows it. He has that same deep love for the river. A graduate of Hudson High School and Wild River UW-Madison earning a Chemical Engineering degree before heading Trails to UMass at Amherst for his PHD in Material Science. Yesterday he may Jim Bennett have wished he had River Man’s degree when the three of us were on the river chasing walleyes. “You can see all the fish on the graph and on side imaging. I was here a couple days ago and must have caught 20 shorts, put a few in the box, some eaters and tossed back any over 20s. Today is just a onesie twosie day.� For those who don’t speak fluid walleye, shorts are too small to keep. Today is just a one or two fish day. I’m eating some between 15� to 19� but any walleye over 20 inches go back!

Gregg’s father, my brother Richard, told me that Gregg likes to master everything and feels his oldest son is trying to master walleye fishing on the river. “I’m sure he was frustrated when he couldn’t get all the fish showing up on his electronics to bite.

Gregg’s had a very successful career working for 3M in Turkey and Germany, learning both languages to succeed where the previous manager failed by trying to get employees there to learn English!�

Gregg, like every kid, started out fishing with his dad, my brother Dick. Dick loved to fish and that pair started out fishing in a little rowboat until Dick got a motor and later moved to canoes; Gregg went along at age 8 with a church group on several Boundary Waters (BWCAW) trips. Mary, Gregg’s mother, is most proud of him for his love of the Lord.

Dick feels the BWCAW really created Gregg’s love of the outdoors and fishing. But life is more than

fishing and later Gregg’s job took him away from it and the things he loved to do with his dad.

Even the best boat and electronics won’t catch fish after a front rolls through. To break the boredom Dick reminisced about another trip he and Gregg had on the water. “We first noticed the big muskie as he was reeling in a small bass. I knew that if we held the bass there was a good chance the big musky would hit it and sure enough it did.�

Like an exploding bomb everything blew up. The big fish held that bass in its mouth and a great fight ensued. Then they realized they didn’t have a net.

SEE BENNETT, PAGE 7

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6 COUNTRY MESSENGER

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JUNE 17, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

7

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BENNETT: Old river men and walleyes FROM PAGE 5

Gregg’s solution was to jump into the lake and swim to a cabin to borrow a net. Just like that, the 8 year old was in the shallow water and soon back with a net.

After letting go of the fish and then smashing it a second time they got the musky almost in close enough to land after about a 45 minute fight. But when the musky saw the boat it was gone.

Then Gregg realized the net from the elderly lady was rotten and falling apart in the boat. After a quick swim back and apologies they continued their adventure.”

Although our excursion didn’t have that kind of excitement it was fun and successful despite whitecaps from winds of 17 mph

JIM BENNETT

After battling wind and whitecaps most of the day this pair of happy anglers pose on calmer water with a walleye and a sauger taken during a recent outing on the river. St. Croix County residents Gregg and his dad, Dick Bennett have fished together 50 years!

ERICKSON: Cheese curds

with gusts up to 25. I was amazed watching Gregg run the trolling motor, kicker motor and the big outboard simultaneously to keep us on fish while keeping four lines, two with planer boards, untangled, as well as keeping two old men from falling over board.

We all caught fish and laughter filled the air. It was a good day on the river.

“My fondest fishing memories were when Dad got me up 5 a.m. to catch sunnies and crappies.

Now he’s almost 80 years old and I get to drive him.”

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

FROM PAGE 5

Ranch Dipping Sauce: ½ cup half & half* ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. buttermilk powder ¼ tsp. seasoned salt ¼ tsp. dill 1 tsp. parsley ¼ tsp. celery salt ½ tsp. onion powder ¼ tsp. garlic powder In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and half and half until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth again. Serve with cheese curds.

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

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

23

102

454

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JUNE 17, 2020

SHERIFF’S REPORT City of Marine on St. Croix

JUNE 2 At 1:49 a.m. suspicious activity on Broadway and Ostrum was reported.

At 7:13 p.m. welfare was checked on 2nd Street.

June 6 At 4:26 until 5:05 p.m. boats were stopped on the river.

City of Scandia

MAY 31 At 12:46 a.m. suspicious activity in the 16000 block of Pilar was reported.

At 8:09 a.m. an alarm sounded in the 21000 block of Olinda.

At 11:47 a.m. a neighbor dispute in the 18000 block of Layton was reported.

At 12:33 p.m. a 911 line was abandoned on Oxboro Avenue and Lane.

At 6:10 p.m. a person was reported missing from the 21000 block of Pomroy.

JUNE 1

At 8:44 a.m. an alarm sounded in the 21000 block of Novak.

At 7:42 p.m. a medical need in the 19000 block of Quinnell was reported.

At 7:52 p.m. indecent exposure on the river, just north of Log House Landing, was reported.

At 8:06 p.m. a complaint about traffic on St. Croix Trail and Oakhill was received.

At 10:24 p.m. threats were reported in the 10000 block of 216th.

JUNE 2 At 10:14 a.m. a medical need in the 13000 block of Scandia Trail was reported.

At 4:08 p.m. a child custody issue in the 19000 block of Maxwill was reported.

At 4:15 p.m. a road hazard on Old Marine and Olinda Trails was reported.

At 4:51 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 18000 block of Layton.

At 5:52 p.m. a road hazard

on Mayberry and 195th was reported.

At 7:04 p.m. a 911 line was abandoned on Goose Lake.

At 7:51 p.m. a public works concern in the 15000 block of Pilar was reported.

At 9:39 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 20000 block of St. Croix Trail.

JUNE 3 At 3:32 a.m. an intoxicated person on St. Croix and Scandia Trails was reported.

At 10:17 a.m. a complaint about an animal in the 11000 block of Scandia Trail was received.

At 3:06 p.m. a civil matter in the 18000 block of Layton was reported.

At 6:05 p.m. fire was reported in the 14000 block of 195th.

At 9:58 p.m. a disturbance at Log House Landing was reported.

on St. Croix and Scandia Trails was reported.

At 4:11 a.m. property damage in the 22000 block of St. Croix Trail was reported.

At 1:05 p.m. a complaint about an animal in the 12000 block of Oakhill was received.

At 1:42 p.m. a civil matter in the 12000 block of Mayberry was reported.

At 3:54 p.m. property damage in the 11000 block of Mayberry was reported.

At 4:48 p.m. a complaint about an animal in the 22000 block of Nolan was received.

At 5:44 p.m. a complaint about traffic on Scandia Trail and Meadowbrook was received.

At 11 p.m. a medical need in the 21000 block of Meadowbrook was reported.

Town of May

JUNE 4 At 3:24 a.m. an accident

MAY 31 At 1:09 p.m. a 911 line was

abandoned in the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail.

At 2:38 p.m. a complaint about noise on Bass Lake was received.

At 7:24 p.m. a wild animal in the 14000 block of Manning was reported.

JUNE 1 At 2:39 p.m. an accident on Manning and 170th was reported.

At 4:22 p.m. public assistance was needed on 122nd and Manning.

At 6:37 p.m. a 911 line in the 12000 block of 120th was abandoned.

At 9:55 p.m. suspicious activity in the 13000 block of Partridge was reported.

JUNE 2 At 6:40 a.m. a complaint about a driver on Manning and 170th was received.

At 9:50 a.m. a complaint about an animal in the 12000 block of Quail was received.

At 12:35 p.m. theft in the 16000 block of Square Lake Trail was reported.

At 4:56 p.m. trespassing on Arcola Bridge was reported.

JUNE 3 At 6:59 a.m. a road hazard on Square Lake Trail and Partridge was reported.

At 8:56 a.m. a medical need in the 11000 block of 180th was reported.

At 4:43 p.m. a complaint about a driver on Manning and 148th was received.

At 6:08 p.m. trespassing on Arcola Bridge was reported.

At 6:54 p.m. a complaint about burning on 150th and May Avenue was received.

JUNE 4 At 5:11 a.m. a directed patrol was in place in the 11000 block of 120th.

At 9:26 a.m. a water violation occurred at Big Carnelian Lake Boat Landing.

At 1:59 p.m. a complaint about traffic on Square Lake Trail and May Avenue was received.

At 6:11 until 6:40 p.m. five county park incidents occurred on Square Lake Trail.

At 7:24 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 10000 block of 180th.

Spotlight on Area Businesses SILL: Tough guys

Young & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning Young & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning has been helping people in the St. Croix Valley prepare for cold nights and days for 25+ years. Great advances have been made in fuel-efficient heating and air conditioning since then, and Young & Sons can help customers decide which new equipment is right for their home.

If you’ve been considering an upgrade to your heating system, let us show you how upgrading your equipment can lower your utility bills. Many of your neighbors have already upgraded their heating systems and are enjoying increased comfort, decreased utility bills, and the peace of mind that comes from a reliable heating system. Don’t wait until your system breaks down to do it!

To all of our customers who have already upgraded their system, we thank you very much for your business.

Inc.

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around (I try not to be one of those dudes who talks about his dogs like they’re his kids, so I apologize if that sounded too paternal).

I’ve done my best to train them myself, which works better some days than others. I spend a lot of time with both of them, and I admire their toughness every day.

We fish together a lot in the winter. It never ceases to amaze me when they pile into the river when it’s 15 above zero, swim to the other side, shake off and look at me like ‘now what.’ Bruly will sit on a dog stand in the marsh with sleet hitting her in the face for four hours and then leap into ice cold water to retrieve a duck with the same intensity as if it were 65 and sunny. It’s got nothing to do with me or the way I trained them, it’s just in them. It’s hundreds of years of selective breeding mixed with thousands of years of evolutionary grit — and it’s beautiful.

The next time your dog launches into the lake to fetch a tennis ball and brings it back to you, take the time to bend down, stick your nose in the fur of their neck and take a big whiff. What hits your nostrils will be the smell of a timeless gift, and an age-old promise to be as tough as they possibly can, no matter what you ask them to do.

I wish they made candles that smelled like wet lab.

Drain and Sewer Line Cleaning Sewer Line Thawing High Pressure Jetting Septic Tank Cleaning & Repairs Lift Station Pump Repairs Sewage Treatment System Installation Full Service Excavation

Call Young & Sons at (651) 433-4500 to schedule an appointment.

Heating and Air Conditioning

FROM PAGE 4

Certified by M.P.C.A.

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Advertise your business in

THE LOCAL FOCUS! • Reach Customers on a weekly basis • Full color on the highly visible back page of the Country Messenger • Includes a one week feature, highlighting the special details of your business Call 651-433-3815 or email sales@osceolasun.com

Olson’s Sewer Service, Inc. Olson’s Excavating Service

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