Country Messenger 07.01.2020

COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

VOL. 37 NO. 09 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

NEWS : Dating in the age of coronavirus. PAGE 2

Goose Lake residents struggle with shoreline management issues

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

SUBMITTED

Happy early 4th from Bill and Rita Fornell Bill and Rita Fornell in front of the USA mural they built on the side of County Road 7 to honor American veterans. Bill and Rita have lived in Marine for 23 years, but will soon be passing on the mural to the next homeowners, as they're getting ready to move to Oak Park Heights, Minn.

Rising water levels on Goose Lake in Scandia have left residents worried about property damage, unwanted standing water and potential flooding.

Greg Hed has lived on Goose Lake for almost twenty years. He’s recently lost several trees to the encroaching water and has also been unable to put his dock in the water. He said the water level issues began last year and have continued into this summer.

“If it gets high enough, the water will come into my basement,” he said.

Hed has been in touch with the Minnesota Department of Resources, the City of Scandia and the Carnelian-Marine St. Croix Watershed District to try to address the problem. Who is responsible for addressing the water level issue is somewhat of a grey area, which may be partially why the problem has thus far gone unaddressed.

“So who actually regulates the lake, kind of depends on what is being regulated,” said Scandia city administrator Ken Cammilleri.

The DNR is responsible for enforcing any existing regualtions concerning recreational traffic on the lake, which are implemented statewide. However, the town of Scandia is currently looking into the possiblitiy of implementing more localized regulations, which could help address the water level issue.

DNR announces changes to camping and lodging reservation window MN DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is shortening its window for making reservations for camping and lodging to 120 days, or four months. Previously,

customers could reserve campsites, cabins, yurts, tipis, and lodging facilities up to one year in advance. The change will take effect on July 1, 2020.

While the agency originally planned to make the change in the

fall of 2020, operational uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic and associated changes to cleaning protocols necessitate making the change sooner.

The policy change is based on customer survey results, data

SEE LAKE, PAGE 2

analysis, and a desire to improve fairness and equity in the reservation process.

“State Parks and Recreation Areas belong to all Minnesotans, so everyone should have SEE DNR, PAGE 3

SUBMITTED

Goose Lake shoreline in Scandia, Minn.

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JULY 1, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

Dating in the Age of Coronavirus

BY DAN JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

During the new normal of the Coronavirus, life looks a little different for everyone. For some, it means being stuck in a house with family for weeks on end; for others, it means endless Zoom conferences replacing in-person hangouts. For couples who are dating, the new “normal” looks even more abnormal.

“We were only two months into our relationship when we were pushed into quarantine,” said ShaeLynn Rickert, a student from St. Bonifacius, Minn.

“So, we had a lot to figure out.”

During spring break, Rickert was in Colorado Springs, Colo., with her family, waiting for her school’s guidance. Coronavirus cases were slowly rising in Minnesota. She guessed that spring break would be extended but was surprised to hear that the campus closed and classes switched to an online format.

The change in plans meant leaving behind her classrooms, her roommates, and her boyfriend, Ian Erickson, who lives in Blaine, Minn.

“I think the most rattling thing,” Rickert said, “was realizing we were going to have at least five months of long-distance, as opposed to the three we had anticipated over summer break.”

Erickson and Rickert called each other as soon as they got the news, trying to navigate their uncertain situation.

Sooner or later, they would have

DAN JOHNSON | THE SUN

Luke Johnson and Gloria Bartel.

had to maintain their relationship over long-distance, but the pandemic left no room for them to prepare for it.

“We knew we’d have to [have a long-distance relationship] at the end of the semester,” Erickson said, “but COVID came so unexpectedly, and suddenly we were faced with having to make the transition early.”

They promised to maintain contact, calling a few times a week and sending each other encouraging texts.

“Sometimes we watch movies and play games online,” Erickson said. “We also do Bible study every week.”

Transitioning into a long-distance relationship was easier for the two of them since they both had lots of experience maintaining distanced friendships online.

Rickert grew up overseas with her family as missionaries and moved around a lot after returning to the US. To keep up with friends, she became well acquainted with online tools to create a long distance commu-

nity.

“I’ve been managing long-distance friendships for over 10 years now,” Rickert said. “It is more complicated to navigate a romantic relationship long distance.”

“It’s not without its challenges,” Erickson said. “But we make it work because we both want to be with each other, and I’m very grateful for what we have.”

One of the biggest challenges they face is finding time to talk to each other. Since they both have jobs and are in different time zones, they have to work a little harder to get some quality time.

“You have to be intentional with your time,” Erickson said, “and that often comes to picking not only how you spend your time but also who you spend it with.”

With the added component of balancing life at home, and maintaining other friendships, Rickert and Erickson have their hands full. But they’re happy to go through it together, and they’re looking forward to where their journey will take them.

“I hope that we continue to grow in our understanding of each other,” Erickson said. “I hope we continue to talk often and support one another. It’s still painful being far apart, so I hope we keep finding ways to include each other in our daily lives.”

While Erickson and Rickert will be physically close only a

few times this summer, they’ll be keeping their distance until the college campus opens up again.

For other couples, the distance problem isn’t a factor, but other challenges have revealed themselves.

Luke Johnson, a carpenter in Madison, Wisc., has been navigating his own dating life amidst the new normal.

For about 10 months, Johnson has been dating Gloria Bartel, an assistant manager at Dairy Queen from Janesville, Wisc. As somewhat private people, their lifestyle in recent months has remained relatively consistent.

“Mostly, we just go on walks,” Johnson said, “and that hasn’t changed.”

Before the pandemic took the world by storm, they would often go to church together, hang out with friends, or go to parties.

These days, though, they stay around home, playing board games, doing puzzles, or going on walks. They’re careful to keep a tight group of friends to reduce the risk of getting sick and spreading the virus.

Staying at home has led to experimenting with cooking, as Johnson stocks up on food to avoid multiple trips to the grocery store.

“When we go shopping,” Bartel said, “Luke buys enough for the next month, so he doesn’t have to go shopping. But then he invites me over to his house, and I eat a lot of food.”

It’s important to them to maintain boundaries with other

people, so they don’t spread the coronavirus, especially because Bartel lives with an extremely high-risk person.

“I’m not too concerned about if I get it,” Johnson said. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m just more concerned about spreading it, and if I get it, I’ll probably spread it to Gloria, and if Gloria gets it, she’ll probably spread it to her roommate.”

With this in mind, Johnson is conscientious about taking precautions at work. He notices when some clients he’s working for are taking health guidelines seriously or not, and tries to compensate when he can.

“I’m careful,” Johnson said. “I wear masks everywhere, I use hand sanitizer, I wipe down my van.”

Bartel is similarly careful and only goes out for grocery shopping, work, and visiting Johnson. At work, she feels safe because of the precautions her workplace is taking.

Bartel and Johnson are looking forward to not worrying about safety every day. When the virus fades away, you can probably find them reconnecting with their church community and hosting board game parties.

The toll of these recent months has looked different for everyone. For dating couples, things are tricky, but these days can be used as a way to grow and love each other in ways unimaginable just a few months ago.

LAKE: Residents worry about rising water levels FROM PAGE 1 COUNTRY

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“Right now the city of Scandia is in the process of investigating whether or not we can implement surface water regulations,” Cammilleri said.

“In order for us to do that we have some technical information we have to submit and we have to draft legislation, all of which has to go to the DNR for approval.”

One of the regluations being considered is a no wake rule when water levels are above a certain height. This wouldn’t directly affect the water levels of course, but could help cut down on shoreline damage by recreational traffic while those levels are elevated.

“The concern has been raised that if people are out on the lake recreating and levels are high, it can really tear up the shoreline,” Cammilleri said. “So we’re looking into that.”

Adressing the water level directly is more challenging. A combination of several different issues could be causing the levels to remain high, and a solution has not yet presented itself.

It’s unclear whether or not Goose Lake has a natural inlet and outlet to allow for drainage, which means as lev-

wet year in 2019, may be leading to the shoreline issues.

Data provided by the Carnelian-Marine St. Croix Watershed District shows Goose Lake levels reaching the highest point in over a decade in mid-2019. Total precipitation in the Twin Cities for the 2018-19 ‘water year’ (measured from

SUBMITTED

Graph showing water levels on Goose Lake from 2010-present. Data provided by the Carnelian-Marine St. Croix Watershed District.

els increase, there’s nowhere for the extra water to go. This, combined with a historically

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Oct. 1 to the following Sept. 30) was 41.39 inches, the highest on record, according to the National Weather Service. This seems to be an obvious culprite for the surging water levels on Goose Lake. However, the 201516 water year was the second highest on record with 41.29 inches of precipitation and Goose Lake did not see a coorliating rise in water levels during that time. Also compounding the issue is the fact that levels

have actually increased again in 2020, surpassing the 2019 peak.

Hed believes the continuing increase in water levels may also be due to man made changes in the surrounding area.

“It’s man-made, engineered, drainage into the lake,” he said. “We’ve just had roads redone, with new culverts and improved drainage, channeling all runoff into the lake.”

Barb Galle is also a longtime resident of Goose Lake. She’s lost a number of trees to the rising water and also has contunal standing water in her pasture.

Like Hed, Galle has reached out to several local organizations to try to find some kind of resolution to the issue, but has so far come up empty handed.

“I’ve gone to Scandia, I’ve gone to the watershed district, I’ve gone down to the county courthouse,” she said.

“And I’ve gotten nowhere.”

She said the lack of response has been very frustrating, especially as the issue continues to get worse.

“They need to listen to the property owners,” she said. “I shouldn’t have half of a lake in my backyard.”

JULY 1, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

3

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DNR: Policy change for camping and lodging in MN

OBITUARIES

Matthew A. “Matt” Anderson

FROM PAGE 1

equitable access to facilities and campgrounds,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “As our lives have become busier, it’s more difficult for people to plan vacations a whole year in advance. Shortening the reservation window will better accommodate visitors’ busy schedules and allow more people to enjoy the most desirable campsites and lodging.”

DNR surveys indicated that most visitors plan their overnight visits to parks and recreation areas a few months before they go and that many could not plan an entire year in advance.

The operational uncertainties of COVID-19 have created new challenges for the State Parks and Recreation Area system, including the recommendation to provide a 24-hour gap between lodging reser-

vations. The pandemic also forced the agency to cancel more than 25,000 reservations due to necessary closures in April-May 2020. A shorter reservation window will facilitate implementation of the gap between lodging reservation and any future operational changes that may be needed.

All reservations made before July 1, 2020 will be honored, even if they are for a date beyond the new 120-day reserva-

tion window. However, if a customer needs to change a reservation, a rebooking will only be possible within the new 120-day window.

For more information about the reservation window change, please visit the DNR website or contact the DNR Information Center at info. dnr@state.mn.us (link sends email) or 888-6466367.

Matthew A. “Matt” Anderson, age 39 of Chisago City, Minn., died on June 22, 2020. He is a member of Iron Workers Local 512. Matt is survived by his parents Brad and Debbie Anderson; sisters Renee’ Rautio, Amy (Tim) Reddy, Kelly (Aaron) Gross, and Patti Anderson; nieces and nephews Raven, Ayden, Felix, Glory, Owen, Clara, and Tommy; friend Char Nelson and her children Morgyn and Myka; and lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Private services were held June 29 at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom, Minn. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Interment at Elim Cemetery in Scandia. Please direct all Memorials to family. Donations will be made to Canvas Health of MN or Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TOWNSHIP OF MAY WASHINGTON COUNTY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of May will be conducting their monthly board meeting virtually on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. All interested parties are encouraged to submit public comments to the Town Clerk/ Treasurer by Noon on Thursday, July 2, 2020 via email linda@townofmay. org or by attending the Town Board Meeting via telephone conference/ video conference (the ZOOM invite is posted on the town’s website (www.townofmay.org)).

Dated this 19th day of June, 2020.

Linda M. Tibbetts Clerk/Treasurer Town of May Published in The Country Messenger June 24 and July 1, 2020 STATE OF MINNESOTA WASHINGTON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File Number: 82-CV-20-2078 Case Type: Harassment Caroline Ann Claussen vs KAURENE MARIE KOST Order for Publication

(Harassment) [Minn. Stat. § 609.748, subd. 3(b)] Based upon the Petitioner’s Affidavit and Request, IT IS ORDERED: 1.The notice shall be published one time in a legal newspaper in Washington County.2. Costs for notice by publication shall be paid by the Court. The Court may assess such costs against Respondent.

Dated June 18, 2020 Judge Juanita Freeman Published in The Country Messenger July 1, 2020 STATE OF MINNESOTA WASHINGTON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Judicial District: Tenth Court File Number: 82-CV-20-2078 Case Type: Harassment Caroline Ann Claussen Petitioner vs Kaurene Marie Kost Notice of Issuance of Harassment Restraining Order

by Publication To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Harassment Restraining Order has been issued on May 19, 2020.

D A hearing is scheduled for the following date, time, and location: Date: Time: D a.m. / D p.m.

Location: OR E A hearing has not been scheduled.

You may request a hearing on this matter by ling a Request for Hearing HAR301 with the Court within twenty (20) days of the date this Notice is published. You may get a copy of the HRO from the court administrator’s office at the following address: 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater MN 55082.

Failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or to get a copy of the Harassment Restraining Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

Dated June 24, 2020 Cindy S. Roewer Court Administrator/Deputy Published in The Country Messenger July 1, 2020 STATE OF MINNESOTA WASHINGTON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File Number: 82-CV-20-2077 Case Type: Harassment Bruce Carl Claussen vs KAURENE MARIE KOST

Order for Publication (Harassment) [Minn. Stat. § 609.748, subd. 3(b)] Based upon the Petitioner’s Affidavit and Request, IT IS ORDERED: 1.The notice shall be published one time in a legal newspaper in Washington County.2. Costs for notice by publication shall be paid by the Court. The Court may assess such costs against Respondent.

Dated June 18, 2020 Judge Juanita Freeman Published in The Country Messenger July 1, 2020 STATE OF MINNESOTA WASHINGTON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Judicial District: Tenth Court File Number: 82-CV-20-2077 Case Type: Harassment Bruce Carl Claussen Petitioner vs Kaurene Marie Kost Notice of Issuance of Harassment Restraining Order

by Publication To Respondent:

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Harassment Restraining Order has been issued on May 19, 2020.

D A hearing is scheduled for the following date, time, and location: Date: Time: D a.m. / D p.m.

Location: OR E A hearing has not been scheduled.

You may request a hearing on this matter by filing a Request for Hearing HAR301 with the Court within twenty (20) days of the date this Notice is published. You may get a copy of the HRO from the court administrator’s ofce at the following address: 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater MN 55082.

Failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or to get a copy of the Harassment Restraining Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

Dated June 24, 2020 Cindy S. Roewer Court Administrator/Deputy Published in The Country Messenger July 1, 2020 CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: Equity Builders LLC. 2. The address of the principal place of business: 8619 W. Point Douglas Rd. S., Ste. 220, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

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: Tong Xiong, 8619 W. Point Douglas Rd. S., Ste 220, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

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: Tong Xiong.

Dated June 26, 2020.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger July 1 and July 8, 2020

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www.countrymessenger.com t g

JULY 1, 2020

Celebrations are needed

W

e are nearing Independence Day, the traditional midpoint of summer. Saturday marks the 244th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a day traditionally filled with families, food, fun and fireworks.

I say “traditionally” because, like everything else in 2020, July 4 celebrations will be different this year.

Social distancing continues to be observed by many and health experts tell us that doing things outdoors can minimize the risks associated with coronavirus. That’s good news, because I believe we need to gather as much and as responsibly as possible now for several reasons.

We need to see our friends and Publisher family.

It’s been nearly four months since the news of the virus spreadTom Stangl ing in our nation became the leading story for many news outlets.

With over two million confirmed cases, over 120,000 deaths and over 736,000 people recovered, the virus has tested every aspect of our way of life.

Now that stay at home orders are being relaxed or struck down by the courts, we can move around with fewer restrictions. It’s important to exercise some common sense and strong sanitary hygiene, but we can and should see one another, as long as everyone involved is willing and able.

It’s been a long spring and early summer and we have up to a year more ahead of us before a vaccine is developed to protect us all, especially the most vulnerable in our society. The ties of family and friends sustain us through many trials and travails of daily life. When we have the chance to gather, we should do so while it is reasonbly comfortable outside.

Summer, like many of the good things in life, tends to slip away before we realize it was here. I believe this will happen more than normal this year because many community celebrations and “normal” summer activities are not being held, in the interest of public safety.

I’m not going to debate the merits of herd immunity or the liability of having a community celebration where adequate social distancing can’t be achieved because the point in the minds of many on each sides of these issues is made up. I only hope we can agree to disagree on these things and remain civil to one another.

I know this may seem difficult to some, but we must try.

Which brings me back to the Fourth of July.

Families can and should, in my opinion, get together for a gathering that keeps everyone safe but also nourishes the need we all have to be part of something larger than ourselves. This will look different for every family and that’s OK. We shoot off some fireworks (or watch some being set off) during the Independence Day holiday, reminding us of the fight for our nation’s freedom so long ago. I believe it is all together fitting and proper we gather this year to celebrate our interdependence with each other.

It’s a healthy thing to admit and acknowledge our need to be loved and to be near those we love.

Technology helped us through the first part of the pandemic and will be needed in the fall and winter, but while we can, let’s go outside and be with each other.

Thanks to the communities who are proceeding with fireworks this weekend. We will set more off when a vaccine is in circulation.

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.

COUNTRY

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Will you marry me, eventually?

E

rin and I decided to postpone our wedding.

I’ve tried really hard lately not to bend to the will of the pandemic, but we just didn’t see any other solution. We had a lot of people coming in from out of town and I wasn’t super thrilled by the idea of a cut down guest list, so we put everything on hold until next spring.

It was a hard choice to make. I know as a man I’m not supposed to admit this openly, but I was really looking forward to the wedding. As a matter of fact I had to talk Erin into having a wedding in the first place, she wanted to just go down to the courthouse and get it over with. I was the one who wanted the whole nine yards. Not that I wanted some elaborate blowout. I’m of the Editor general mind that the gold standard C.L. Sill for today’s weddings is a complete gimmick. The modern wedding was invented to con rich girls whose dads call them princess into forking over half their trust fund for a fancy dress and some overpriced shrimp cocktail.

We’re a little more no frills than that, and are shooting for something in between a graduation party and a redneck kegger.

I was looking forward to the wedding for a lot of reasons, the main one being I still kind of enjoy the traditional idea of professing your love to your wife in front of everyone you know. I oftentimes still feel like I belong at the kids table on Thanksgiving and

being married is such an adult idea. It’ll make me feel like a grown man.

Erin and I met online, which sounds super lame but is actually a decent story. When I moved to St. Paul my best friend was an online dating fiend and was constantly trying to sell me on its merits.

I’m actually 85 years old on the inside, so I didn’t understand it or have any use for it. I made fun of him about it relentlessly, but he eventually wore me down. I was in a new city and only knew a handful of people so I figured I’d give it a shot — Erin was the first person I met.

We were instantly a couple. The week between our first and second dates was the longest time we would spend apart from each other for over two years. It was so easy, we fell in love without even realizing it.

Looking back, I fell in love with Erin because she was so different from who I thought I wanted. I’d spent the better part of my life trying to will the world into handing me the woman of my dreams on a silver platter, and Erin bucked everything I thought I was attracted to. I went through a lot of phases when I was younger and my taste in women always paralleled my current interests. When I was a hillbilly, I wanted a redhead in a ball cap and wranglers. When I was a hipster I wanted a quinoa eating liberal who talked too much. When I was a hippy I wanted a stoner chick with long, curly blonde hair. No matter what, the girls in my head were always very similar to me, and Erin couldn’t have SEE SILL, PAGE 7

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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.

Tom Stangl, Publisher C.L. Sill, Editor Eric Buelow, Graphic Design Elise Bourne, Advertising Barb Wetzel, Office Assistant Carrie Larson, Circulation Manager Rick Brandt, Delivery

JUNE 24, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

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Star Spangled Cheese Curd Cheeseburgers

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Father’s Day marked the start of BBQ season for us. My husband was surprised by a new grill from the kids. We promptly made burgers and have been cooking on it since.

Our last grill was literally falling apart. We had stopped using it for ribs, burgers and fish. It’s no fun when everything is burning, yet undercooked.

I’ve been craving cheesy Juicy Lucy burgers—the ones with the cheese in the middle. I’ve made them before but have been disapWild Chow pointed when the cheese oozed out of most of them and started the Lisa Erickson grill on fire. Maybe it was the grill?

I don’t have time for kitchen (or grilling) failures when I have a crowd of people.

I’m not going to let that happen again. Adding the cheese as part of the burger mix is an interesting way to get a cheesier flavor. I’ve tried adding cheddar to the ground beef, but it melts away when the burgers hit the grill. Cheese curds, on the other hand, are a little firmer and do not melt as much because the cheese is not aged. If you want to make your burgers extra special, try adding a flavored cheese curd like ranch.

Top each burger with an additional slice of smoked cheddar and you have a winning combination. Add a little bacon and you’ve got the perfect burger for the Fourth of July celebration with family and friends.

Bang! Yum. These burgers are loaded with flavor and will have you singing. Happy 4th of July!

THE POSTSCRIPT

The World of Birds

T

he raven nest was the big news this spring.

Our neighbor, Joe, who belongs to every social organization in town, found himself with very little to do. So, every afternoon, Joe parked himself in his Adirondack chair and watched the ravens—frequently with a cocktail.

This pair of ravens got a late start, I thought.

There was another pair I passed Columnist on my walk every day. They Carrie Classon did some quick renovations on an existing nest and got right down to business. But this pair in our backyard seemed (like so many young couples) to realize a little late that they were going to need a home for their babies.

“Oh my gosh! We better get building a nest!” they frantically began collecting sticks to build the giant structure about sixty feet in the air, in the crown of the neighboring pine tree. Then, one day not too long later, we could hear the unmistakable sound of baby ravens demanding food.

From then on, it was a nonstop show, with parents madly flying back and forth trying to keep their demanding brood fed. That

Preheat grill to 500 degrees or above.

SEE ERICKSON, PAGE 7

TO THE EDITOR Amateur nights at Marine City Hall At the beginning the Covid-19 lockdown, the Marine City Council began meeting in ZOOM conferences online. I believe the April and May meetings were via ZOOM. People could see and hear without risking infection. But the audience was unable to ask questions and otherwise interact with the council.

That is, until Thursday, June 11, 2020. An elected city official decided it was time to return to live meetings in City Hall. This was apparently a violation of the Governor’s order currently in effect.

This official hooked up microphones, intending to broadcast only the council members’ voices, no video, no visuals, over ZOOM. It was a disaster. People at home could hear and understand clearly only the mayor and the city clerk. All other members of the council were thoroughly garbled. We could rarely tell who was speaking.

A person, asked to help with sound, said he had suggested that the council members should bring their laptops, tablets or smart phones. With each person online via ZOOM, people at home would have seen and heard the meeting.

I did hear a council member and a member of the Planning Commission shouting at each other angrily. That came through clearly.

The Council meeting was probably held in violation of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, which I understand requires that all meetings where public business can be transacted, be open to the public and public notice be given properly beforehand.

The February 2020 Planning Commission meeting was regularly scheduled for February 25. However, February 25 was also the date of Minnesota’s SEE TO THE EDITOR, PAGE 8

down the street who knows all about the world of birds. “Great horned owl,” he said and he sounded like he knew what he was talking about.

“There are two pair in the neighborhood. Ravens are very vulnerable in the nest. A great horned owl can kill a skunk with no problem. The middle of the night is when they do their work.”

He did not think the little ravens had survived the night.

“There’s a whole world of things going on with birds that I never guessed,” I told him. “And it’s violent!” My neighbor agreed.

I brought the news home to Peter. He nodded. He didn’t really think the raven chicks made it either. Peter calls it the “Saturday night massacre” and he still watches the nest in the evenings.

No one is there.

I lay in bed last night with the window open. The wind was strong and I could hear it blowing through the pine trees. I thought about all the things happening right in my backyard that I would never know about. I thought about all the dangers I never considered—just because they were not a danger to me.

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

Keep the doctor away

Cheese Curd Burgers 4 onion buns, lightly buttered and grilled 1 lb. ground premium beef 4 slices smoked cheddar cheese 8 oz cheese curds any flavor or plain, chopped into ¼ inch pieces 8 strips cooked bacon ½ tsp seasoned salt 1 small red onion, sliced ½ cup honey BBQ sauce

is when Joe began his permanent residency in the blue Adirondack chair. Both my husband, Peter, and Joe are retired and the raven nest is between our houses. Comparing raven notes became the new thing that replaced all the other things Joe and Peter used to do.

It was last Saturday night that everything went wrong.

Peter woke up around midnight to the sound of ravens screaming.

“What’s going on out there?”

Peter asked. After a terrific lot of noise, the commotion died down.

But then, just before sunrise, it started up again and this time it even woke me. It sounded like there was a war happening in the backyard.

The next morning, the nest was vacant.

“What happened?” Peter wondered. Nothing good for the ravens, that was for sure.

There were no more baby ravens screaming for food, no more parents flying back and forth, no more pairs of ravens flying at sunset. The sky was empty—except for hummingbirds, but they don’t really count.

Peter wrote to a friend who used to be an animal control officer in town. He said it could have been a hawk or an eagle or an owl. He said ravens were ferocious fighters and they might have moved the chicks to another location.

But I talked to our neighbor

I

f you are reading this column I am guessing you like the outdoor life and all the benefits we pick up along the way like fish dinners, creamed pheasant, smoked duck and fresh apples off the tree. Planting apple trees is something I always wanted to do and after about 6 years of messing up I’m starting to get the hang of it. When I bought this hobby farm as a retirement home I envisioned several things: dog kennel, garden, plenty of places to hunt close by on all the public land in the Western Wisconsin Prairie pothole region and St. Croix Counties Canada goose corridor.

Apple trees weren’t really high on my agenda but they are now. I really messed up right off the bat by a Pink Lady tree, my wife’s Wild River buying favorite apple. I searched and found one as well as a Fuji, Gravenstein Trails and a Yellow Transparent. I got Jim Bennett them in the ground and after a great year of growth I was expecting limited amounts of apples heading into year three.

But two bad things happened. Rabbits girdled three trees and were just getting started on the Pink Lady.

The girdled trees were sure to die but the Pink Lady survived, but little did I know it that it would not produce apples where we live in Zone 3. It will do great in Zone 5 so the rabbits might have well chewed that tree up. I do get about 10 apples a year from it, pretty ridiculous for a tree that big.

I was told, after the tree died, that I had a small chance of getting apples. That slim chance depended on selecting one of the suckers that could grow up to turn back into an apple tree. Gravenstein never produced any suckers thanks to the rabbits, but I chose one sucker from the Fuji and the Yellow Transparent. Mr. Fuji turned into a beautiful tree and produces bushels of marble-sized apples every year and taste about as good. The Russian Yellow Transparent is an apple producing machine comrade.

Although the trunk looks weird, split into several smaller trunks, it is the best tree in my orchard of 13 trees today.

I do have 4 amazing trees, a variety most people haven’t heard of. They are red-fleshed apples. When I was a kid I bit into an apple, green on the outside and as red as a barn on the inside. I never forgot that apple, its cool color, juiciness and flavor. My goal was to find a red-fleshed apple tree and get one in the ground. The first one I found was grown in Maple Valley Orchard near Green Bay as a bare root plant. How could I go wrong? It was called a Pink Delight and it was sent in a box pruned perfectly. Not only does it have red flesh but also pink

flowers and reddish leaves in early spring.

I ordered a second red-fleshed tree off a web site that has quickly become a favorite, called One Green World. The second tree is Hidden Rose and it too has bright red flesh, flavor and a juiciness that runs down your chin. Although both apples are susceptible to skin issues you can grow great fruit with a bit of care. The extra work is well worth it when you watch friends and relatives take their first bite of a red flesh apple and look inside to see the deep hues of red and pink tasty meat.

Since my initial tree order I have added a couple trees every year to meet my tastes and those of my family, as well as adding some historic apples-Honey Crisp, Snow Sweet, Cortland, Braeburn, Wolf River and two more red-fleshed apples. They are called Redlove, developed by Markus Kobelt in Switzerland, so you know they will fit into climate unlike the Pink Lady. They’re called Calypso and ERA and are more disease resistant than the older SEE BENNETT, PAGE 8

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6 COUNTRY MESSENGER

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

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COUNTRY MESSENGER

7

www.countrymessenger.com

ERICKSON: Burgers SILL: Will you marry me, eventually?

FROM PAGE 5

FROM PAGE 4

In a small bowl, mix the ground beef, chopped curds, and seasoned salt. Form into 4 patties and create a small indentation the size of a tablespoon in the middle of each patty. When the burgers cook, they will not puff up in the middle.

Place patties on the hot grill. Reduce temperature to medium and cook 3-4 minutes. Flip and place the smoked cheese on each slice. Continue until cooked throughout or to your liking.

Place each burger on grilled bun. Top with bacon, onion slice, and honey BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.

been more different.

Erin was (I use past tense for a reason) a city girl, through and through.

She was born and raised in Minnesota, yet the first time she ever saw the Boundary Waters was on a trip with me the first summer we were dating.

She’d never camped, fished, hunted or held, much less shot, a gun. All these things I thought would have put us at odds actually made the relationship so much more interesting.

I loved exposing her the things I loved, and learn-

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. For more recipes, you can email her at wildchowrecipes@gmail.com.

iing about b t the th things thi h she loved. She taught me new truths about the world, and about myself. I loved her kindness and her laugh, and I still do.

M fid My confi dence iin our relationship, which is supreme, stems partially from this ability to respect each other’s differences.

It comes in handy when

I want to go out fishing for a weekend, but also when we’re in a fight about something. Our own personal passions never dwindle, so we sometimes scream and yell up one side of an argument and down the other. But the purity of our appreciation for each other means it’s always worth it in the end. We’ve crossed this wonderful threshold into complete understanding, and it’s made me love her in a way I honestly didn’t think was possible.

Whether it’s next spring or next fall or next decade, I’m ready to get married.

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

23

102

454

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Experience with boats/trailers and GPS systems beneficial but not required. If you wish to apply or have questions regarding the position, please contact Mike at:

Sales Manager Sentinel Publications, publishers of the Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger and Osceola Sun, is looking for an outgoing, detail orientated person to help our sales team succeed.

Our five newspapers, websites and dedicated jobs board, applylocal.jobs, reach over 60,000 each week.

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8 COUNTRY MESSENGER

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JUNE 24, 2020

SHERIFF’S REPORT City of Marine on St. Croix

JUNE 14

in the 1000 block of Quant was reported.

JUNE 19

At 2:02 p.m. a complaint about an animal in the 16000 block of St. Croix Trail was received.

City of Scandia

JUNE 12

JUNE 16 At 3:25 p.m. a 911 call was abandoned in the 16000 block of St. Croix Trail.

At 9:25 p.m. public assistance was needed on Cherry Street.

At 9:42 p.m. suspicious activity on Judd Street was reported.

JUNE 17 At 11:25 a.m. a welfare check at an unknown location was requested.

June 18 At 10:50 a.m. a complaint about a driver on Highway 95, just south of Maple, was received.

At 5:23 p.m. an accident on Tanglewood and Nason Hill was reported.

At 9:22 p.m. a road hazard

At 12:18 a.m. suspicious activity in the 19000 block of Parkview Lane was reported.

At 8:11 a.m. a scam was reported in the 22000 block of Kirk Court.

At 11:11 a.m. public assistance was needed on O’Brien Trail.

At 11:34 a.m. a follow-up was done in the 20000 block of Manning.

At 12:49 p.m. a scam was reported in the 15000 block of 240th.

At 6:23 p.m. a complaint about an animal on 220th and Peabody was received.

At 7:18 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000 block of Scandia Trail.

JUNE 13

At 7:50 p.m. a complaint about burning on Oren and Olinda was received.

At 10:21 p.m. a civil matter in the 21000 block of Meadowbrook Circle was reported.

JUNE 14 At 2:16 a.m. a 911 line was abandoned in the 14000 block of Scandia Trail.

At 10:11 a.m. a complaint about parking in the 20000 block of Quint was received.

At 2:17 p.m. a public works concern in the 18000 block of Langly Court was reported.

At 4:54 p.m. a complaint about traffic on Lofton and Scandia Trail was received.

At 11 p.m. a road hazard on St. Croix Trail and Quinnell was reported.

JUNE 15 At 9:30 a.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000

At 10:40 p.m. welfare was checked in the 14000 block of 202nd.

At 11:31 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000 block of Oakhill.

JUNE 16

JUNE 12

At 4:13 p.m. a follow-up was needed in the 23000 block of Pickett.

At 5:07 p.m. a 911 line was abandoned in the 23000 block of Lofton Court.

At 6:49 p.m. an accident in the 22000 block of St. Croix Trail was reported.

At 9:45 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 15000 block of Scandia Trail.

At 9:53 p.m. suspicious activity in the 12000 block of Scandia Trail was reported.

At 9:55 p.m. a complaint about an animal in the 16000 block of 220th was received.

At 1:11 a.m. public assistance was needed on 170th and Manning.

At 6:50 p.m. theft in the 13000 block of St. Croix Trail was reported.

At 11:11 p.m. a driver in the 12000 block of 170th was stopped for a traffic violation.

At 10:43 a.m. a scam was reported in the 12000 block of Partridge Court.

At 12:07 p.m. public assistance was needed in the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail.

At 3:24 p.m. an accident at Big Carnelian Lake Boat Landing was reported.

At 3:54 p.m. an accident in the 12000 block of Norell was reported.

At 4:06 p.m. an order for protection was violated in the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail.

JUNE 13

JUNE 15

At 8:01 a.m. a complaint about an animal on Otchipwe and Ozark was received.

At 9:59 a.m. public assistance was needed in the 11000 block of 180th.

At 4:14 until 6:08 p.m.

10 complaints came from Square Lake Park.

At 4:40 p.m. a disturbance in the 13000 block of 177th was reported.

At 5:52 p.m. a scam was reported in the 13000 block of Lynch.

At 6:44 p.m. theft was reported in the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail.

At 10:18 p.m. a 911 call was abandoned in the 12000 block of Manning.

At 9:38 a.m. a medical need in the 11000 block of 180th was reported.

At 1:11 p.m. suspicious activity on Square Lake Trail and Norell was reported.

At 8:24 p.m. a complaint about an animal in the 11000 block of 170th was received.

Spotlight on Area Businesses Advertise your business in

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES, ONE-ON-ONE ADVICE Heidi Gemuenden, AAMS®

651-433-5167

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

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Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.

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

Financial Advisor

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

TO THE EDITOR: Meeting FROM PAGE 5

21260 Olinda Trail N.

Jane Dreyer & Katie Giefer

At 12:32 a.m. a disturbance on Square Lake and St. Croix Trails was reported.

At 11:22 a.m. an alarm sounded in the 14000 block of Oakland.

At 5:52 p.m. a fire in the 13000 block of Otchipwe was reported.

red-fleshed apples.

I catch myself looking for apple trees every spring and I’ve already preordered three trees for next spring. My son Josh, 30 years my junior, gave me grief about planting apple trees at age 62, now seven years ago. Today he’s encouraging my success so he can harvest my reward. What 3 trees will I get next spring? The White Cloud Apple and yes it is WHITE. Developed in Siberia, it will handle our winters and is the second Russian tree in my little orchard. Tree two I have coming is the Black Oxford and yes, the color closely resembles that darkest red/purple, almost black apple imaginable. It was found in Maine around 1790 so it too should fit in well here. The last tree on order is called Hudson’s Golden Gem, a gorgeous russeted golden skin having crisp, sweet flesh the flavor of ripe pears was found growing in a hedgerow around 1900.

Looking back, my father Earl McClay Bennett lived to be 83. I’m wondering how big my orchard could end up being if I can hold those wascally wabbits at bay until I’m that age or better!

Call 651-433-3815 or email ads@osceolasun.com

Call us for a quote!

JUNE 16

FROM PAGE 5

• 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

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Town of May

BENNETT: Apples

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JUNE 14

block of 214th.

At 2:54 p.m. a complaint was received about shots fired in the 22000 block of Kirk.

At 8:30 p.m. an alarm sounded in the 22000 block of Lofton.

Certified by M.P.C.A.

www.olsonsinthepink.com

Member SIPC

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state-wide caucuses. To avoid a conflict, the Planning Commission met a night before its scheduled date, on February 24. This was announced verbally at the end of the Council Meeting earlier in the month. The only official public announcement of the new date of February 24 was a notice on the bulletin board on the front of City Hall. It was not announced on the city’s calendar of meetings on the City’s website or in the current mailing to all city residents, which published the February 25 date.

If meeting dates are changed, they should be moved to later than originally scheduled, not earlier.

We are a small town, and the council generally does a conscientious job with the public’s business.

But they should stop the craziness.

Larry Martin Marine on St. Croix