Country Messenger 08.05.2020

COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

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NEWS : Statewide tobacco sale age is now 21. PAGE 9

Minnesota schools reopening

Scandia will be home to Minnesota’s first conservation memorial forest

CONTRIBUTED

BY DAN JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

A forest in Scandia, Minn., will be preserved as the final resting place of loved ones who have passed away.

Early last month, the Scandia City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Better Place Forests (BPF) to maintain Minnesota's very first conservation memorial forest.

An alternative to traditional cemeteries, the memorial forest will be a place to celebrate life in nature. Families and friends will pour out the cremated ashes of their loved ones and dedicate a unique tree to them. The spot will be marked with a small memorial placard.

Better Place Forests, a company based in California, was co-founder Sandy Gibson's idea.

It came from a very personal and SEE FOREST, PAGE 2

COURTESEY OF BETTER PLACE FORESTS

Better Place Forests officials said they choose Scandia because of its excellent conservation value.

Thursday, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, along with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), announced Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year.

School districts and charter schools will begin in one of three models: in-person, distance learning, or a hybrid model. Experts at the Departments of Health and Education will partner with local school districts and charter schools to help determine which learning model they should use to start the school year. The decision-making process centers on the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students, staff, and families by using the level of viral activity in the surrounding county and other factors such as the district’s ability to meet mitigation requirements. The learning model decision will be announced by the local school district.

“As a classroom teacher for more than 20 years and a parent of a child in public schools, I am committed to providing a world-class education to our students while keeping them and their teachers safe,” said Governor Walz. “With this approach, we are pairing the knowledge and data from our Departments of Health and Education with the expertise of our local school districts to make the best decisions for our students across the state.”

DEED approves small business emergency loans throughout Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) last month announced that they have distributed small business emergency loans to 1,020 small businesses throughout Minnesota, helping them to survive the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program is part of a slate of emergency financing options for

small Minnesota businesses. Other state options included the Small Business Loan Guarantee program and the Small Business Relief Grant program.

State programs complement larger federal government programs, including Small Business Administration assistance, and the Paycheck Protection Program.

You can see a list of businesses that received a Minnesota Small

Business Emergency Loan, as well as a breakout of loans by region and lender, on DEED’s website.

Also today, Governor Walz announced the authorization of emergency assistance for five Minnesota counties that sustained extensive damage during spring flooding this year, especially to township and county roads. Hubbard, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, and Polk counties will receive state sup-

port after they experienced a combination of heavy rain and winter snowfall that caused the damage.

“One Minnesota means we come together to provide support when we see a community in need,” said Governor Walz. “We will work closely with these counties to provide disaster assistance and ensure they quickly recover from this flooding.”

Scandia Elementary will have students attending school fully in-person, while River Grove will announce their decision later this week.

SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE 2

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FOREST: Coming to Scandia FROM PAGE 1

traumatic part of his life.

When Gibson was ten years old, he lost his father to a stroke, and his mother to cancer when he was eleven.

Because the deaths were so sudden, they were buried near a boisterous street.

To Gibson, visiting the graves of his loved ones year after year surrounded by heavy traffic didn't seem fair.

He remembered his parents as nature-loving, peaceful people, and their burial place didn't honor that. That's when he set out to offer an alternative to crowded, busy cemeteries.

In 2015, Gibson and his friends Brad Milne and Jamie Knowlton founded Better Place Forests with the mission of honoring the legacy of loved ones. They work to offer a sustainable burial alternative for those who choose cremation, in beautiful nature settings.

Last year, BPF opened America's first conservation memorial forest in California, and have expanded into Arizona, with plans to spread their venues across the country.

Mark Kehke, Chief Real Estate Officer of BPF, is eager to reveal the new Scandia location, a unique place for local residents.

"Our customers get the opportunity to leave a legacy at an approachable price point," Kehke said. "Our average package is less than half the cost of a traditional burial."

While the forest is awaiting a grand opening at an unknown date, there is still lots of work to be done.

The goal is to maintain the natural ecosystem of the forest. That includes hiring local arborists and forest experts to study how native flora and fauna survive and travel in the area. Caretakers will be diligent in keeping out invasive species and preserving the natural peace of the location.

Another obstacle before opening is, of course, the Coronavirus.

"Our first milestone is to open the forest for online tours," Kehke said, "which is especially important given COVID-19. Unfortunately, the pandemic may cause delays in opening the memorial forest for in-person visits."

The workers at BPF are taking extra precautions to make sure visitors and staff are safe and healthy, even while getting a new location ready for opening.

BPF chose the Scandia location because of its excellent conservation value. The opportunity to protect the ecological beauty of beloved natural spaces is an integral part of BPF's mission.

"Under our management," Kehke said, "we will continue to provide watershed and viewshed protection, wildlife habitat and passage, and carbon sequestration.

Support from the Scandia community has been positive. Kehke said he was humbled by the warm welcome and affirming feedback from nearby residents and businesses. Even though in-person visits are still on hold for now, BPF is eager to hear from their new neighbors and settle into community life.

"Not only are we able to protect this forest which is home to Scandia's beautiful flora and fauna," Kehke said, "but we can now also offer families who choose cremation a private and permanently protected place to return their ashes to the earth."

Currently, BPF isn't planning on expanding throughout Minnesota to direct resources towards the Scandia forest.

The forest trails will be open for visitors by reservation only. However, residents within walking distance are welcomed to enjoy the walking paths when memorial ceremonies aren't taking place.

Belwin partners with city, county and DNR to create conservation area park in Afton More than 40 acres of land will be conserved and open to the public.

CONTRIBUTED

On June 23, 2020, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a Land and Water Legacy Program project that supports creation of a conservation area park with public hiking trails in the City of Afton.

Belwin Conservancy, the City of Afton, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the county reached an agreement on the concept, funding, and conservation easement partnership. The project requires the purchase of a 31-acre parcel from a willing seller and the placement of a permanent conservation easement on it. Valley Creek

SUBMITTED

Belwin conservation area park land.

flows southeasterly through the property for 750 feet, and the parcel contains wetlands, a pond, and forested uplands.

The land is adjacent to approximately 17 acres of Belwin Conservancy. As part of the overall project, approximately 5 acres of two of the City of Afton's adjacent parcels to the north will be protected by conservation easements and host a segment of trail.

Portions of Belwin Conservancy to the south will also host public trails.

“Many people had a hand in making this complex acquisition work, and in the process we have built some meaningful partnerships with the City of Afton and Washington County,” says Belwin Conservancy Executive Director Katie Bloome. “Over the next few years, we will work to create a

40-plus acre preserve open to the public less than a mile from downtown Afton.”

Belwin will contribute $157,500, own and manage the natural resources of the 31-acre parcel, and provide public access to a trail extending through 41 acres of land.

The county will contribute $507,500 to the project, and hold the 31-acre conservation easement. The city will contribute approximately nine acres in a conservation easement area, trail access, and funding for removal of buildings on the land, an archeological survey if needed, and management plans.

The state will contribute $290,000 to the project, with funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

Financial relief available for Washington County homeowners Homeowners in Washington County who have experienced a reduction in income because of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for one-time grants of up to $10,000 to help make housing payments.

A separate program providing rental assistance will be administered by Washington County’s Community Services Department.

Washington County received money from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu-

rity Act, or CARES Act, to assist small businesses, homeowners, and renters.

Assistance payment will be made directly to the entity owed, and the delinquency or financial hardship must be due to a COVID-19-related financial impact on the household and must be documented. Assistance may be used for payments of a home mortgage/loan, homeowners’ association dues, manufactured home community lot rent, and land payments for community land trust properties on the

household’s primary residence within Washington County. Other terms apply, and homeowners will be required to provide documentation of need.

The program will be managed by the Community Development Agency, which will be accepting applications after Aug. 1 at washingtoncountycda.org, Washington County Community Development Agency, 7645 Currell Blvd., Woodbury; email Homeownership@washingtoncountycda.org, or telephone 651-202-2822

SCHOOLS: Minnesota's Safe Learning Plan announced for 2020-2021 school year FROM PAGE 1

The Departments of Education and Health will work with school districts and local health professionals throughout the school year to help districts decide if and when they need to dial between learning models depending on the

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ularly critical at their developmental stage.

The Governor is also requiring school districts and charter schools to give families the option to choose distance learning for their student no matter which learning model their school district is implementing. Additionally, the Governor is requiring school districts to allow teachers and school employees to work remotely to the extent possible.

“We know that families, teachers, and students are juggling competing concerns as we approach ‘back to school’ this fall,” said Lt. Governor Flanagan. “While some are

eager to be back in the classroom, others have very real concerns about health and safety. That’s why the Safe Learning Plan sets the guidelines for how safely a school can reopen, based on regional data and the expertise of public health leaders and local administrators, while still allowing families, teachers, and staff to make the decision to stay home.”

Governor Walz is investing over $430 million in federal funding to help schools, educators, students, and families through this uncertain time. Funding comes from the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief, Elementary and

Secondary Schools Emergency Relief, and the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Walz provided $180 million through the summer to improve distance learning and fund summer learning programs. Today the Governor announced an additional $250 million of support that will: • Provide face coverings for every student, educator, and staff member; • Deploy a comprehensive COVID testing plan for educators and staff members; • Help cover operational costs, like cleaning supplies, transportation, technology needs, and Wi-Fi access; • Boost student, family,

and educator support, like digital navigation trainings, tutors, translation services, mental health support, and professional development.

Scandia Elementary School announced on its website they will start the school year with elementary, preschool and early childhood students attending school fully in-person.

Meanwhile, the River Grove Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, Aug. 6, to discuss the results of the parental survey, recommendations from the Teaching Team and administration to discuss its opening.

AUGUST 5, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

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www.countrymessenger.com

PUBLIC NOTICES CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

1. The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: CarefulLeigh Crafted.

2. The address of the principal place of business: 10370 Kimberly Ct. S., 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: Kyleigh Rumpca, 10370 Kimberly Ct. S., 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: Kyleigh Rumpca, Owner.

Dated July 2, 2020.

Filed with the State of Minnesota.

Published in The Country Messenger July 29, 2020 and August 5, 2020

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF WASHINGTON DISTRICT COURT PROBATE DIVISION TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Court File No. 82-PR-20-2532 Estate of DONNA PHYLLIS FREKING Decedent Notice is given that an application for informal probate of the Decedent’s will dated Aug. 18, 1986, has been filed with the Registrar. The application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed Robert Allen Freking whose address is 6 Cider Mill Way, Billerica, MA 018211957, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objects are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.

Any objections to the probate of the will or appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heart by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

Pamela Kreier Registrar July 10, 2020 Annette Fritz Court Administrator July 10, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger July 29, 2020 and August 5, 2020

Summary of Proceedings Washington County Board of Commissioners July 7, 2020 Present were Commissioners Fran Miron, District 1; Stan Karwoski, District 2; Gary Kriesel, District 3; Wayne Johnson, District 4; Lisa Weik, District 5. Board Chair Miron presided.

Commissioner Reports – Comments – Questions Commissioners reported on meetings and other events that they attended. Please see archived web streaming of the board meeting for full commissioner reports at www. co.washington.mn.us, under “County Board”.

Accounting and Finance Approval of the following actions: - Resolution No. 2020-073, declaring Washington County’s intent to retain a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm to perform its annual financial audit.

- Board workshop to review potential Washington County CARES Act funding plan.

Community Services Approval of the following actions: - Resolution No. 2020-069, MN Department of Transportation 20202021 Section 5310 grant of up to $320,000.

- Application for additional Emergency Services Program funds in the amount up to $145,000 to support sheltering those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency from the MN Department of Human Services.

General Administration Approval of the following actions: - June 16, 2020, County Board meeting minutes.

- Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. 3812 with the State of MN 10th Judicial District.

- Resolution No. 2020-068, declare a State of Emergency related to 2020 county flooding.

- Board correspondence was received and placed on file.

Human Resources Approval of the following actions: - Staff recognized and honored volunteers who contributed their time and talent by creating homemade masks that were donated to county staff.

Information Technology Approval of the following actions: - Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 13162 with On-Demand Group in the amount of $50,000.

- Contract No. 13504 with Metropolitan Council for the MetroGIS collaboration.

- Contract No. 13514 with Simacor in the amount of $126,000.

Property Records and Taxpayer Services Approval of the following actions: - Resolution No. 2020-074, providing for the subdivision of tax forfeited land.

- Resolution No. 2020-075, approving the sale of tax forfeited land to Washington County and the City of Lake Elmo.

- Appoint Commissiner Karwoski and Commissioner Weik to the 2020 county canvass board for the State Primary Election.

- Appoint Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Karwoski to the 2020 county canvass board for the State General Election.

Public Health and Environment - Approval of Resolution No. 2020070, delegate authority to the county’s Lower St. Croix One Watershed One Plan policy committee representative to vote on whether the final plan is to be submitted for review by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Public Works Approval of the following actions: - Contract No. 13523 with Metropolitan Council for the county’s allocation of Regional Park & Trail operation and maintenance expenses.

- Resolution 2020-071, proclaiming July 2020 as Park and Recreation Month.

Sheriff’s Office - Approval of Resolution No. 2020072, authorizing the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to enter into 32 Joint Powers Agreements for the purpose of providing a mass emergency notification system known as CodeRED within cities and townships of Washington County.

A complete text of the Official Proceedings of the Washington County Board of Commissioners is available on the county’s website: www. co.washington.mn.us, under County Board, or for public inspection at the Office of Administration, Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN. Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

Summary of Proceedings Washington County Board of Commissioners July 14, 2020 Present were Commissioners Fran Miron, District 1; Stan Karwoski, District 2; Gary Kriesel, District 3; Wayne Johnson, District 4; Lisa Weik, District 5. Board Chair Miron presided.

Commissioner Reports – Comments – Questions Commissioners reported on meetings and other events that they attended.

Please see archived web streaming of the board meeting for full commissioner reports at www.co.washington. mn.us, under “County Board”.

Community Services - Board workshop for an update on COVID-19 hotel shelter for families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

- Board workshop for a report on the county’s Food Security Unit efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Administration Approval of the following actions: - June 23, 2020, County Board meeting minutes.

- Resolution No. 2020-077, congratulations and gratitude to the Stillwater Gazette for 150 years of service to the St. Croix Valley.

- Resolution No. 2020-078, accepting Coronavirus Relief Funds and adoption of county spending plan.

- Resolution No. 2020-079, addition of employees to carry out the county’s Coronavirus Relief Fund spending plan.

- Appoint Commissioner Karwoski as the voting delegate, and Commissioner Weik as the alternate voting delegate, for the 2020 National Association of Counties (NACo) business meeting.

Public Works Approval of the following actions: - Resolution No. 2020-076, authorizing the Director of Public Works to enter into contracts for emergency repairs to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 12 at Kimbro Avenue in the City of Grant.

- Permanent use of fund balance in an amount not to exceed $700,000 to complete emergency repairs on CSAH 12.

- Board workshop to discuss Planning Advisory Commission and Board of Adjustment and Appeal membership.

- Board workshop to discuss implementing a Washington County specific cross-country ski pass beginning in the winter for 2020-2021.

A complete text of the Official Proceedings of the Washington County Board of Commissioners is available on the county’s website: www. co.washington.mn.us, under County Board, or for public inspection at the Office of Administration, Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN. Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

State of Minnesota District Court Washington County Tenth Judicial District Court File Number: 82-FA-20-2398 Notice of Issuance of Emergency (Ex Parte) Order for Protection by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8) In the Matter of JESSICA LYNNE WALCHESKI vs Timothy Jeffrey Borrman To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in this case. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s ofce within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator’s ofce at the following address: Washington County District Court 14949 - 62nd St. N; P0 Box 3802 Stillwater MN 55082 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

Respondent To Respondent named above: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in the above matter. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator’s office at the following address: 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

Dated July 30, 2020 Angela Williams Court Administrator / Deputy Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

State of Minnesota District Court Washington County Tenth Judicial District Court File Number: 82-FA-20-2796 Case type: Domestic Abuse Notice of Issuance of Emergency (Ex Parte) Order for Protection by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8) In the Matter of Terrin Nadine Gripp Petitioner vs.

Jeffrey Scott Lund Respondent To Respondent named above: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an Ex Parte Order for Protection has been issued in the above matter. You may request a hearing if you contact the court administrator’s office within 12 days of the date of publication of this notice. You may obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order for Protection and the form to request a hearing from the court administrator’s office at the following address: 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082 Failure to request a hearing or to obtain a copy of the Ex Parte Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order.

Dated July 30, 2020 Angela Williams

Court Administrator / Deputy Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

Summary of Advertisement for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) For Washington County

Request for Proposals are being solicited until 12:00 p.m., August 21, 2020, to provide JD Edwards EnterpriseOne IT managed services and development services to Washington County. Go to: http://www. co.washington.mn.us/bids.aspx for further details.

Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice of New On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License In accordance with Chapter 110: Alcohol Regulations, City of Scandia Code of Ordinances :

Notice is hereby given that the Scandia City Council will hold a Public Hearing on a proposed On-Sale and Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for “Rustic Roots Winery” located at 20168 St. Croix Trail, Scandia, MN.

The Public Hearing on the license application will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible. Given the current protocols for social distancing during the Covid-19 situation, the meeting will be held via online video and phone conferencing.

Submit written comments concerning this application to b.eklund@ ci.scandia.mn.us. To participate in the online meeting, call City Hall at 651-433-2274 no later than Monday, August 17, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. to register for the video conferencing. At said hearing all persons shall be heard who wish to speak for or against the proposed license.

Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Dated: July 30, 2020 Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

Dated: July 28, 2020 Annette Fritz Court Administrator Published in The Country Messenger August 5, 2020

State of Minnesota District Court Washington County Tenth Judicial District Court File Number: 82-FA-20-2849 Case type: Domestic Abuse Notice of Issuance of Emergency (Ex Parte) Order for Protection by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8) In the Matter of Shanet Rene Mathis Petitioner vs.

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A noble and essential business

H

ello! I was able to take most of last week off to putter around the house and take care of some tasks that have gone undone for too long. The weather was great and I had a great time. I may even do it again.

I casually tuned into the news and saw the virtual testimony of the CEOs of Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon. It was entertaining to see bipartisan bashing of the folks who essentially have control of a large block of information and our economy.

I doubt anything will come of the testimony beyond some campaign sound bites. It’s too little, too late to make a difference, unless there’s enough political will to force the smashing of the companies into smaller ones.

Newspapers watch these congressional sideshows in hope something be done about the aggregation Publisher will of news content. Google and Facebook make collections of local news Tom Stangl so that they can be displayed or linked to, been doing it for years.

While they don’t directly “steal” the news, they use short snippets and a link to the original story to provide a place where advertising can be displayed.

The majority of digital advertising dollars in the nation are spent with Google and Facebook.

Newspapers are now seeking to get some help through the tax code to help fund news operations, the most vital aspect of our operations. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (HR 7640) has been introduced into Congress.

Last month I saw an interview with Walter Hussman, Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Hussman runs the following in every issue, outlining the newspaper’s mission. It’s extremely well stated and encapsulates, in my opinion, what all news outlets should do: “‘To give the news impartially, without fear or favor.’ — Adolph Ochs, 1858-1935 “Impartiality means reporting, editing and delivering the news honestly, fairly, objectively, and without personal opinion or bias.

“Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium, and impartiality is the greatest source of credibility.

“To provide the most complete report, a news organization must not just cover the news, but uncover it. It must follow the story wherever it leads, regardless of any preconceived ideas on what might be most newsworthy.

“The pursuit of truth is a noble goal of journalism.

But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. Journalists’ role is therefore not to determine what they believe at that time to be the truth and reveal only that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth.

“When a newspaper delivers both news and opinions, the impartiality and credibility of the news organization can be questioned. To minimize this as much as possible there needs to be a sharp and clear distinction between news and opinion, both to those providing and consuming the news. “’A newspaper has five constituencies, including first its readers, then advertisers, then employees, then creditors, then shareholders. As long as the newspaper keeps those constituencies in that order, especially its readers first, all constituencies will be well served.’” Walter Hussman, 1906-1988 If you have a mind to, drop a line to your congressperson to share support for HR 7640. It’s a market driven solution to a very real problem.

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

Active member of

HOW TO REACH US: Our offices are located at 108 Cascade Street, Osceola, WI 54020.

We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. Call: (651) 433-3845 or fax at (651) 433-3158.

TO SUBSCRIBE: office@osceolasun.com The Country Messenger is mailed to the homes of subscribers for delivery every Wednesday. One year

I know what Charlie Brown feels like (sort of)

W

hen you think of the Charlie Brown comic strip, how many people would say Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown, as he’s ready to kick it, is at the top of their list?

That’d be it for me. And I’ve experienced that feeling a few times when it comes to the professional football team, which calls Minnesota home.

I’ve been a Minnesota Vikings fan for a long time now, and it’s safe to say I’ve seen Editor more heartbreak Jason Schulte than joy over the years. i h As an eight-year-old in 1987, becoming a fan, for the first time, seeing them win on the road against New Orleans and San Francisco in the playoffs and falling just short against Washington in the NFC Championship Game.

At the time, I thought, they’ll be in the Super Bowl sooner rather than later.

It took 11 years for another

chance. I thought 1998 was going to be the year. Vikings fans were treated to an offensive firework display nearly every game thanks to Randy Moss. I remember thinking what was more memorable at the time, watching the offense dominate teams or the fact the Vikings were finally beating the Green Bay Packers.

1998 was also the year in which the Super Bowl was in Miami, which was the same year, “Miami,” by Will Smith hit the airwaves (the number of times I played/heard that song was in the hundreds).

Another NFC Championship game appearance occurred, and all Vikings fans (myself included) thought, we’re going to beat Atlanta easily. Everyone knows what happened next, a missed field goal, a kneel-down, which shocked everyone and a defense that finally ran out of gas at the inopportune time.

Two years later, behind a rookie quarterback Daunte Culpepper, another offensive firework explosion resulted. Another division title, another playoff win, and one more conference championship

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appearance against a team the Vikings were favored against.

Wrong again. 41-0 is a score that has been etched in my mind for the last 20 years. It was so bad, I don’t even remember watching the second half.

So far, I’ve seen a rout, a loss in overtime and a pass in the end zone that went awry, which would’ve forced overtime. How many more different ways could the Vikings lose a conference championship game?

Meet 2009. If you ask a Vikings fan, which conference championship loss was worse – 1998 or 2009, both were terrible, so everyone’s correct.

Even a Packer fan would probably go back and look at the highlights of the 2009 game, and go, “Yeah, the Saints got the advantage on a few of those calls.” The Vikings didn’t lose that game because of the refs. They had five turnovers and made other mistakes (12 men on the field).

Yet what happened in 2017 might have been worse for me on a personal level. My oldest daughter SEE SCHULTE, PAGE 6

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Biking for egg bake

S

ome people bike for beer, I bike for egg bake.

I’m really close with my brother and my sister. Our personalities are a lot alike and we do many of the same things such as cooking, reading books about health and fitness, and mountain biking.

All three of us are mountain biking junkies.

Over the last couple years, we’ve been searching out new trails across Minnesota and Wisconsin, and Oklahoma (That’s where my brother lives) and trying them out.

Many mountain bikers like to share a beer after a hard ride. My brother has two little kids, so we try to ride very early in the morning before they wake up. “Biking for beer” is out of the question.

Mountain biking is hard work and burns a ton of calories. When get home or back to where Wild Chow we we’re staying, we’re hungry.

Egg bake is the perfect breakLisa Erickson fast after a big ride.

My sister in-law is a great cook, and this is her recipe. All three of us beg her to make it every year. It’s really easy and it tastes so good! Now that I have the recipe, I will be making it whole lot more often!

THE POSTSCRIPT

The Blue Tarp

I

noticed my wrists were sticking to my desk.

This was a gradual awareness. I spend almost all day at my desk and I don’t know precisely when it started, but I finally looked down because my wrists were undeniably sticky. I had used the wrist rest in front of my keyboard for… well, forever, and I’d noticed there were a few rips in the fabric. This Columnist had apparently progressed, comCarrie Classon pletely unnoticed, until the wrist rest had started to ooze some awful sticky substance, which was now stuck to my arm.

“How did this happen?” I asked myself.

I have a friend whose father was a hoarder. She described the process whereby the house slowly filled with his stuff. He would conquer one room and then, almost imperceptibly, move into the next room until one day, the family found they could no longer use the kitchen range because it was piled high with stuff.

“How does this happen?” I asked her.

I remember a trip across the

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and cottage cheese. Stir in the bacon, sausage, green chilies, and half of the cheese.

Pour into prepared pan. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes until cooked throughout. Serve immediately.

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes by emailing her at wildchowrecipes@gmail.com.

TO THE EDITOR Water Clouds In this time of stress and uncertainty, I have found it helpful to sit by water. We are blessed with nearby lakes, streams, and rivers.

Let's enjoy them and revel in the joy they give us during this pandemic summer. I sat this evening by the shore of Big Marine Lake and wanted to share a small poem that came to me. We are a terrific community. We have much to be thankful for, most especially the special natural environment we call home.

Water Clouds Sitting in the back of my boat tied to an aging dock, sun receding, swallows buzzing as agitated bees.

A solitary wood duck swimming, fish rising creating water circles mimicking solar systems.

Lake light ebbs, darkening moored boats resting with tow toys, readying for tomorrow's speed and children’s’ laughter.

I stare at the water, darkish clear, holding captive the sunset clouds, peaceful, undulating, deep, haunting.

I want to dive into the water clouds, touch them, swim among them, be them.

Dave Chittenden Marine on Saint Croix, Minn.

green peppers on it. All the peppers had faded to various shades of pale pink and baby blue.

Furthermore, the frame had come unglued and there was a giant gap where there shouldn’t be.

The whole thing looked dreadful, and it had been hanging there in plain sight for who knows how long without me noticing.

“Peter! The pepper poster looks awful!” Peter took a look at it.

“You’re right,” he agreed.

“How did this happen?”

I am replacing the pepper poster with a new poster of peppers.

They are brightly colored and hopefully will stay that way for a few years.

In the meantime, I am looking around the house as if seeing a newly discovered land, trying to see what I no longer notice. (Why is there a box of cookies tucked behind my printer? Why are there peat pots stacked on the washing machine?) It is a revelation, looking at my house anew.

And it’s probably a good exercise. I’d like to do whatever I can to keep from waking up one morning and looking out on a blue tarp.

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

Floating on the water

Ryi’s Egg Bake 12 eggs ½ cup flour 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 6 slices of bacon, cooked crispy 1 cup breakfast sausage, cooked 2 cups cottage cheese 2 4oz. cans of chopped green chilies 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

country when my husband, Peter, and I came upon a mobile home, sitting by itself, completely covered in a faded blue tarp. I assumed the home was abandoned until I saw there was a light on.

The light was kind of hard to see because all the windows were covered with the blue tarp.

“How do you get to the point where you are living under a blue tarp?” I asked Peter.

“Gradually,” he said. I think this is probably true.

I’m guessing there might have been a way to fix that roof that would have allowed the occupants to see out the windows. But they probably thought this would work for a little while. Then one day turned into two, two days turned into months and, after a while, they got used to it. Who needs curtains when all your windows are covered with a blue tarp?

I am spending more time in my house than ever before and it has caused me to notice things.

One morning I was waiting for my coffee to warm up and I got to look at the poster we have hanging in the kitchen. The poster predates our marriage. I remember how I liked it when I first saw it—a cheerful print of peppers in shades of red and green with the names of the peppers underneath.

I took a good look at that poster for the first time in ages and realized there were no longer red and

T

he Covid pandemic has changed our world and almost nothing about it has been for the better.

But I have noticed a few things that I like. The one I like most is seeing families and friends social distancing on the water. Boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boards, canoes spending quality time together. Weekends are a bit problematic with everyone off but weekdays are the best. Most of the lakes and rivers around here are ghost towns in the middle of the week and that has been a blessing in my family’s life. But not everyone can have a boat or even has room to keep a small kayak if they live in apartment or condo...Or can they?

Last weekend I drove passed a local lake that had parking lots full and people packed up and down the road but on this midweek day I was one of two vehicles with boat trailers in the parking lot. As we were getting the boat ready to launch I saw a single car pull into the lot and park.

My initial thought was that they going to meet someone there Wild River were and go boating as they had no kayak or canoe on their car and they were Trails not pulling a trailer with any crafts Jim Bennett either. Minutes later after launching the boat I pulled back up into the llott tto park k and d that’s t when I saw two people inflating kayaks. I had to go talk to them.

Their names were Anne and Amy. Their kayaks were the size of regular sit in style kayaks, the exact same shape and design. The only difference being is that they had been folded up to fit in the trunk or back seat of a small car. Now inflated and ready for the water I had to smile while talking to the two women about their inflatable crafts.

“My kayak had a couple of holes in it right when I got it” said Anne. “I took it back to the store to exchange it but they didn’t allow me to because I didn’t have the box so they wouldn’t let me exchange it. It’s very heavy duty and seems to be made of a similar material as the heavy duty tubes you see people pulling behind their boats. I took to a place and had it professionally patched and it works fine.”

Amy agreed with the idea of a plastic inflatable kayak and how convenient it is. “I love being on the water but what do you do if you don’t have storage because you live in an apartment or a condo? These are perfect. You just pop them out and inflate them in a few minutes and you’re on the water. I feel really safe in mine and they are so easy to paddle and maneuver on the water.” They were using two hand pumps to quickly and easily inflate their kayaks.

There are electric pumps you can plug into your

JIM BENNETT

Easy to paddle and maneuverable after just a few trips on the water Amy feels at home in the water enjoying a beautiful day in a crazy Covid world. Social distancing at its best.

vehicle.

I asked them if they fished. “I love to fish but I’m a bit concerned about the obvious things’” added Anne” That being hooks and sharp fins. Hooks are sharp and fish are not predictable. A sharp fin could pop a hole as could a hook. I asked them if that’s why they were staying closer to shore and not getting out too far into the middle of the lake. “We’ve only had these for about a month and only been out for a few times. I guess I would keep close to shore if I was fishing so I knew I could make it in. But I feel really safe in my kayak. I should have a patch kit though.”

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

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Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

6

COUNTRY MESSENGER

AUGUST 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

Minnesota waterfowl hunting regulations available Hunters looking for duck and goose season dates and regulations can find the information they need in the 2020 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations handbook, available on the Department of Natural Resources website at mndnr.gov/hunting/ waterfowl and in August wherever DNR licenses are sold.

The early Canada goose season begins Saturday, Sept. 5, and the regular duck and goose season opens Saturday, Sept. 26.

The new waterfowl hunting regulations for this year are: • The sandhill crane bag limit has increased to two per day in the northwest zone.

• The bag limit on scaup will be one per day through Oct. 22 and two per day the remainder of the season.

Waterfowl hunting licenses are on sale and are available at any DNR license agent, by telephone at 888-665-4236, or online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense.

SCHULTE: Football FROM PAGE 4

became a Viking fan that year and she had visions of a big year for the Vikings. After being burned one too many times, I kept telling her, don’t get ahead of yourself.

In the playoff game against New Orleans that year, when the Saints kicked what they thought was the game-winning field goal she still had faith.

When the Minneapolis Miracle happened, she was deservedly happy and thought this was it. Nothing’s going to stop this team now. I even thought of what could be, a Super Bowl trip, finally.

Until the following week. She experienced Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown for the first time. Look, the Vikings didn’t deserve to win that game and Philadelphia did, but seeing your children go through that and tell them “There’s always next year” was difficult.

Charlie Brown never got to kick the football and I’m realizing the Vikings may never reach or win a Super Bowl in my lifetime. I just hope she sees it.

Jason Schulte can be reached at editor@countrymessenger.com.

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The Yips

I

seem to have come down with a severe case of the yips.

Yips is a condition most commonly associated with baseball players and golfers, and involves a sudden loss of a particular skill.

It’s more specifically associated with uncontrollable twitches or muscle spasms that result in a decline in athletic ability. It’s now understood as mostly neurological in nature rather than psychological, but I’m using the term loosely. I don’t have any tics that I know of and my loss of ability is not in baseball or golf. I’ve no need to be proficient in a pickoff move to Editor first and I see golf as the minivan of C.L. Sill men’s recreation — safe, boring and favored by those without the originality to come up with an honest pastime. My yips seem to rise up every time I shoulder a shotgun and point the business end toward a flying object, be it feathered or clay.

I’ve never been a great shot, but my decline in skill with a shotgun has become much more obvious recently. It started last duck season. Through the first month of the season I shot maybe half a dozen birds, half of those being killed sitting on the water.

My rock bottom came on a warm afternoon hunt in mid October when I decoyed a lone Canada

Goose, let him land, took my time and still missed him clean as he sat in the decoys at 20 yards.

After it happened I stood up and looked around to see if anyone was watching, like a guy who trips and falls in public or goes face first into a sliding glass door.

Luckily the dog was the only eyewitness and has so far kept her mouth shut.

My shooting improved somewhat in the second half of the season, but the culmination of my misses left my ego severely bruised. And as I feared, my yips have followed me into this year, made obvious by my recent trips to the trap range. I made the mistake of keeping score the first time Dan and I went out. One hundred targets, 24 hits. Ray Charles could’ve done better with a box of .22 birdshot. My inability to be even mildly proficient in something I’ve been doing for 20 years is endlessly frustrating — maddening might be a better word. So much so, I started to ask myself some very serious questions.

“What am I doing with my life?”

“Can anyone who hits 24 out of 100 even begin to think of themselves as a duck hunter?”

“Should I sell all my guns, buy a Dodge Caravan and set a tee time for next Saturday afternoon?”

I still don’t have an answer to any of those questions, and am currently in the “blame everything else” stage of my yips. Like an infielder glaring at his glove after a ground ball squirts between his legs, I’ve convinced myself it

must be the shotgun. Bad loads, wrong choke, something’s got to be wrong with it. I’ve concluded the only reasonable thing left to do is buy a new one, preferably a ridiculously expensive one, and preferably without Erin finding out about it. Dad used to sneak new shotguns into the house by carrying them inside with a bunch of his old guns after we’d been out shooting trap — a bright, shiny new wolf hidden in with the sheep. I’ve never personally tried this method, but I think it may be time to give it a shot.

Eventually, after the buyer’s remorse sets in, I’ll move on to the acceptance stage of my condition.

I’ll realize I keep missing simply because I can’t shake the excitement of hunting ducks.

I’m never more nervous than the moment I watch a flock of mallards make their last turn into a strong north wind and head right for me. I’m damn near shaking right now just thinking about it. And shooting trap is only ever done to prepare for shooting ducks, so that makes me nervous as well. It feels amateurish to admit I still get so giddy. I want to be calculated, automatic and emotionless. But somewhere, deep down inside, I dread the day my blood pressure doesn’t skyrocket at the sound of unseen wing beats on an ice-cold November morning.

C.L. Sill can be reached at sales@baldwin-bulletin.com

All of us need to help revitalize our democracy

A

mid all the troubles occupying our attention, one of the more worrisome is also one of the least visible. It is the loss of public faith in the effectiveness of our representative democra-

cy.

While most state and local governments—and certain federal agencies—have maintained public support during the pandemic, concern over our system as a whole is palpable: that it has trouble responding to the country’s needs, is resistant to reform as society evolves, and continues to perpetuate inequality, social immobility, and basic unfairness when it comes to creating more opportunity, liberty, and justice for all.

These deficiencies corrode our unity and effectiveness as a Columnist nation. Americans increasingly divide themselves into different, Lee Hamilton often warring, political and cultural camps. Instead of working to create one out of many, they sort themselves into like-minded communities. They narrow, rather than expand, their sources of news and information, seeking those that reinforce their views. These days, we often live in different worlds from one another.

Politicians have played a significant role in this.

Some, including the President, are bent on stoking division. Many play to their parties’ bases. And some, at both the state and federal level, do their best to narrow the public support on which government rests by making it difficult for everyone who’s entitled to vote to cast an actual ballot.

To be sure, there are plenty of efforts in many communities to work against these trends, to expand participation and build connections, and to decrease division. Still, the challenge we face as a nation is to revitalize our democracy and its institutions. We need to strengthen representative democracy by restoring the effectiveness of government, rebuild Congress as a functional, co-equal branch of the federal government, and restore confidence in our institutions, public and private.

How do we do this? Calls for greater public participation and involvement are on target, but not enough. While I’m always encouraged by political leaders who seek to involve the public and by civic groups that try to enhance and encourage citizen participation, I believe we’re at the point where we need to repair our frayed institutions and push back

against the forces that divide us.

We are, after all, the United States. Our name expresses an ideal. So, for that matter, does the course of our history, which over time has trended toward expanding inclusivity and opportunity for all. One place to start is to appreciate our history and take inspiration from that history: to recognize where we’ve fallen short, but also to highlight the remarkable progress we’ve made and the efforts of committed citizens that made it possible.

We also need to recognize that divisiveness weakens us, and that efforts to reknit American society are now urgently important.

To that end, proposals for a year of national service strike me as particularly welcome. This would be expensive but focusing young Americans on a year of shared endeavor with others from vastly different backgrounds—in the military, in AmeriCorps, in internships or public-service opportunities—would help meet many needs and be well worth the expense.

We also need to up our game as ordinary citizens and beat back the drivers of divisiveness and polarization as we work to strengthen our communities.

Among other things, this means making an effort to seek out alternative points of view in the media and paying attention to objective, factual reporting. It means supporting measures that bring us together, such as bringing young people from all backgrounds and perspectives to work side by side in projects for the public good. And it means being thoughtful about our engagement: voting for candidates focused on pulling us together and working for the common good and putting our time and effort into causes that bring us together rather than pull us apart.

In short, we must decide what we can do in the voting booth and in our own neighborhoods and communities to revitalize our representative democracy. Our aim is to make our communities and our country better places to live: more creative, inclusive, and welcoming. The answer lies not in the stars, but with all of us.

Lee Hamilton is a Senior Advisor for the Indiana University Center on Representative Government; a Distinguished Scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

AUGUST 5, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER www.countrymessenger.com

2B

Better Customer Service

REASON NO.

Tired of being herded like cattle through chain stores?

Look local ig chain stores may offer slightly lower prices on some items —if you’re lucky — but one thing they’re almost universally criticized for is customer service.

WEEK 2 OF 4

If you want to be served by businesses that truly care about you, it’s best to find local stores that know their products and, more importantly, know how to treat people.

LOCAL SHOPPING

STATS

70%

CLOSER RELATIONSHIPS

The individuals that run and own local businesses could be your friends, neighbors, or even a relative. This relationship allows the consumer to forge an actual friendship and respect with the proprietor of the business. Small business owners generally go the extra mile to ensure you find what you need and that your needs are taken care of while you shop with them.

That professional relationship can open other doors to you that you will not get at other retailers. Many small business owners take great pride in serving their neighbors which lends them to being far more flexible than a corporate entity.

GREATER LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

A 2004 study in Andersonville, Ind. showed that, per square foot of space, local firms had 70 percent greater local economic impact than chain firms.

By sourcing more of their supplies and products from local vendors, employing local people and keeping their profit close to home, these businesses contribute more to the local economy.

PEOPLE YOU KNOW

The greatest treasures of the small businesses who bring all of these things

to a community are the owners. Unlike the rushed and harried seasonal workers at big chain stores, owners and employees of local shops are people you recognize from within the community.

This makes visiting their businesses more personal than a standard shopping trip. Staying local gives you an opportunity to establish relationships with shop owners who can come to know your preferences and will be able to help you more easily, leading to a relaxed, personal shopping experience.

MORE INVOLVED

Many local business owners are also active in the town and nearby areas.

The man who helped you pick out the perfect present for your niece may be the same person who puts out a fire at a neighbor’s house. The hairdresser could be the one overseeing the next big seasonal festival. By supporting the livelihoods of these people, you in turn support their ability to give back to the community.

GOOD VALUE

We all want to get a good value on the products we buy. But if the money you spend isn’t going to help your friends and neighbors locally, how much of a value is it really?

Before you buy that television, MP3 player, bookcase — or any other product of the sort — call up your local small business. Ask them if they have any price matching programs. Many businesses do, but the information is often posted on signs in the store that are overlooked by shoppers. That means there is a good chance you can get your product at a competitive price and still support your local business community.

Resisting the pull of out-of-town stores can be difficult, but the benefits of local shopping are worth staying close to home. Keeping money and consumer loyalty within the local economy helps create a community atmosphere, and that’s great for customer service.

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COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

BUSINESS EXPANSIONS : Council approves. PAGE 2

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

ELIN BOURNE

Party on the patio

Coronavirus wreaks havoc on dairy farms

The Founders Day Soirée will still take place this year on August 20 in Marine On St. Croix.

But, like everything else these days, it will bend its knee to COVID-19 COVID 19 regulations regulations.

The second annual event will look different than the inaugural celebration last summer, but will still feature many of the same activities.

The event was ins inspired pired by a popula popularr French celebration called Soirée en Blanc, or party in white.

“It’s basically kind of a pop up dinner party,” said Charlie Anderson, who helps organize the Founders Day event. “There’s a secret invite and everybody wears white and shows up at a predetermined time. There’s usually live music and dancing and then at a certain time, everybody packs up and poof, they’re gone, just like they’d y never been there. So that’s kind of the concept that it’s based on.”

BY DAN JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

In Wisconsin, dairy’s kind of a big deal. Whether it’s the creamer for your morning coffee or the shredded parmesan on a spaghetti dinner, dairy seems to work itself into every part of the day. That’s why we celebrate June Dairy Month every year to show our local farmers some love.

Dairy Month started in 1937 as an incentive for people to drink more milk during the warmer months in summer, as dairy farmers a e s had ad a su surp plus us o of milk tthat at might have gone to waste. Now,

SUBMITTED

The Marine on St. Croix Founders Day event will return in 2020, but will follow pandemic guidelines.

DAN JOHNSON

Dairy month began in 1937 and is celebrated nationwide every June.

VOL. 37 NO. 05 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

Anderson and the other organizers mixed that idea with the founding of Marine on St. Croix, and came up with the Founder’s Day Soirée. Marine was discovered as a suitable PAGE 2

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Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

STANGL: Masking our feelings. PAGE 4

Socially distance dist anced d Founders Day Founders Soirée coming i A in August

Patrons of the Brookeside Bar and Grill enjoy an evening of dancing to the music of Christopher Snyder and friends last Wednesday.

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Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

VOL. 37 NO. 08 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

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NEWS : Marine sex offender ordinance. PAGE 2

Scandia offers bars fee relilieff

Workingg man’s architecture Marine resident offers grants to help rebuild aging outbuildings

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM

1931 was a diffi ficult year.

The Great Depress p ion was nearing g its peak, prohibition was still in full swing and in the Great Plains the dust bowl was just beginning. All across the country there was suffering, as unemployment rose and families went

hungry. It seems odd to think during all that chaos, Lewis Shawe came to the cliffs of the St. Croix Valley and built a truly magnifi magnificent ficent home.

Shawe was a recently widowed opera singer (a character description that should be reserved for dime store romance novels, but is nonetheless true) and built much of the home himself. It stands two stories with a foundation of stone quarried on the property and a very rare, unobstructed view of the river below. The idea of a lonely opera singer laying the foundation or fram-

ing walls by himself brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘whistle while you work.’

The home is brill brilliant, iant, and overtly historic. There’s a soul to the property that doesn’t exist in the suburbs. You just know things have happened here, and it stirs the longing for a time machine to appear pp out of thin air with the date set to 1931.

One of the property’s most unique features is a cabin that sits just to the north of the main house, where Shawe lived while he built the house. It’s no

BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SEE BUILDINGS, PAGE 2

Meet Scandia Scandia Elementary's new principal

‘Ra Ralph lph’ss pre pretty tty go good od gro grocer cery’ y Owner remembers h history off Generall Store, beginnings of Country Messenger

BY DAN JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

BY ELISE BOURNE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If downtown Marine on St. Croix were a dinner table, the Marine General Store would be the centerpiece.

The oldest general store in Minnesota has hung on through boom and bust, somehow able to maintain its historic integrity as other small town groceries closed closed up shop, eaten alive by chains and corporate megastores.

The General Store’s quaintness isn’t forced q upon residents and visitors. It doesn’t try too hard to be ‘vintage’ or ‘retro’ — it just is. That’s what at makes a es tthe e st store o e and the town so special, and is in large part why Marine has remained such an attractive location for artists, writers and d all ll other th manner

bigger than a one-car garage, with a small basement below for storage.

The cabin has a stone fireplace, a porch overlooking the river and smells smells the way only a building of its age can smell — of dark, damp wood and creosote. The air hangs heavy inside the shed, making the smell that much stronger. g It’s not necessarily y a good g or bad smell, but alerts the nostrils to the presence of time gone by.

Marine on St. Croix is filled fi with

SUBMITTED

The Marine General store when owned byy Ralph p Malmberg. g

of dreamers looking for a unique place to call home. o e.

The General Store has

living in North Minneapolis in the neighborhood ood he e grew g e up in with t his wife Marion and

used as loyalty reward programs for businesses. “$10 $ 0 worth o t of o gro g oceries was worth $10

Julie Hull is a very busy woman. Between accepting the role as Scandia Elementary School Principal, moving to a new house, and caring for two kids and a husband, she was generous to take some time and tell me a little bit of her story.

A long-time Minnesota resident, Hull grew g up p in New Prague, where most of her family still lives. She represents the state well, as her favorite hobbies include outdoor activities like camping, fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing. In fact, her whole family gets involved. involved Hull and her husband Jason have two Julie Hull children; a daughter, Quinn, and a son, Grayson. Right now, they’re in the process p of moving g to a new home. Their old house in New Ulm is a lengthy two-hour drive from the new house in the Forest Lake area, but the family is still dedicated to Minnesota living.

Once settled into her new home, Hull is eager to beg begin work o as Sca Scandia d a Elementar e e ta y Sc School’s oo s newest principal.

“I spent ten years teaching in New Prague at Falcon Ridge Elementary,” Hull said. “I was a kindergarten teacher and I was a reading

SUBMITTED

Marine Memorial Memorial Day Day parade parade

The taverns of Scandia are getting some local relief.

In response to business impacts caused by y the COVID-19 p pandemic, the Scandia City Council last week refunded $465 worth of liquor license fees to the city’s three on-sale bars: Meisters Bar & Grill, The Brookside Pub, and The Scandia Creamery.

The amount returned equals an 11week proration of the businesses’ $2,200 annual license fees.

“We don’t have many ways to support our businesses,” said Mayor Christine Maefsky who proposed Maefsky, proposed the idea. idea “B But ut this is one thing we can do.”

City Attorney Eric Sherburne advised the council that the action was legal.

“The city doesn’t have unfettered discretion when it comes comes to liquor license license fees,” Sherburne said. “But this is OK.” Minnesota’s bars have been closed since March 17 as part of Governor Tim Walz’s Safer At Home executive order.

Bars may begin utilizing their outdoor seating beginning June 1, but remain closed to indoor service.

Marine on St. Croix hosted a parade on Memorial day to honor American veterans that began at Oakland cemetery and ended downtown in front of the Marine General Store. Leading the parade are (L to R) Andy Creager, Charles Anderson and Scott Kromer.

Library Libr ary gets cre creativ ativee with with summe summerr event event plan planning ning

BY DAN JOHNSON MESSENGER INTERN

The local library in Marine on St Croix, Minn., is an exemplary model for creating community. Despite it’s small size, the volunteer-run library sponsors numerous events throughout the year y for all ages. g It’s not just j a place to read books — it’s a place to share stories.

With the ever-developing Coronavirus situation, Ruth Willius, Marine a e Library b a y board boa d member e be a and d chair of the children’s program committee, is fi library to continue supporting the community.

The library is well-suited for

intimate groups, clubs and wedding receptions — not for social distancing. With the popular Science/Art Camp cancelled, cancelled along along with weekly Story Time and other events, Willius has her children’s program team brainstorming fresh ideas.

Thankfully, the library’s fourth annual Summer Reading g Incentive Program isn’t going to be cancelled so easily.

“We can do this,” Willius said.

“Because kids should read, and read, ead, a and d read, ead, and a d so we’re e e doing do g itt online.”

website. Instead of dropping off their reading ballots in a jar at the library, participants will submit their reading lists online online.

Every week, four names will be drawn as winners, two for younger children and two for older children, with gift cards to local businesses as prizes. p Usually, Marine Library y accepts donated gift cards, but this year they’re buying their own to support local businesses amidst lockdown-induced financial strains.

Another ot e innovatio o at on in the t e prop o gram is the updated prizes. In pre-

Other business: • The city’s y auditing g firm,, Schlenner Wenner & Co, gave a presentation and issued a “clean” opinion of the city’s finances.

• The council approved a staffi fing policy revision that will allow city workers who are injured on the job to use their paid sick or vacation leave in lieu of accepting worker’s compensation, which pays a reduced wage.

• The council selected Swanson Haskamp Consultin Consulting g, LLC to conduct a review and rewrite of the city’s development and zoning codes for a fee of $27,750. The review is required by law as part of the city’s comprehensive plan update. p • The council approved an agreement with Washington County that provides the city up to $8,000 to be used for municipal recycling program expenses in 2020.

0 0. A co contra t act ct with t tthe e Was Washingg ton Conservation District for technical The next Scandia City Council meeting

SEE PRINCIPAL, PAGE 8

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AUGUST 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

MOVIE REVIEW

I

1945 - World War II Ends - 2020 To mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II, we are putting together a special section about the men and women from our area who served.

We need the community’s help in finding and giving credit to these veterans, living and dead. We have a page on our website, https://www.countrymessenger.com/site/forms/ online_services/wwii_submissions/, where you can share details and a photo of your veteran.

We plan to release the section in August before the 75th Anniversary of the end of the war on September 2.

Thanks for your help!

COUNTRY

Answers

was wrong, last week, yes you can write this on your calendars. No, The Rental didn’t suddenly become a Shakespearian masterpiece for the ages, instead I was wrong that Hollywood/movie producers seems to only want to release movies that are poor in quality until the pandemic is over.

I was talking to my friend, who is a writer and director, and complaining about the quality of the VODs (Video on Demand) being released. He told me about this great independent science fiction film called Archive, which had just been released. Oh, my goodness he was right, this film was awesome in all the ways that Contributing all the trash I have been watching the last Writer several months has not Paul Backstrom been.

Archive follows the journey of George Almore who is working feverishly on a true human artificial intelligence (AI).

He must complete his final prototype in secret because he intends to use it to be reunited with his dead wife.

This is the first full-length feature that Gavin Rothery has written and directed. Gavin is better known for working on the visual effects and in the art department for films and video games. I think we can see his influence on this film in that the visuals effects are stunning. He is very good at using practical and well as computer effects to craft a world that looks as stunning as any Hollywood Blockbuster. As good as he does with the visuals, he does even better with crafting a wonderful story for us to experience. With new screenwriters, I tend to really harp on their lack of character depth and wishy-washy story lines. Gavin seems to avoid all these shortfalls by creating deep and complex characters, which have more

CLUES ACROSS 1. Opposite of on 4. Creator 10. No seats available 11. About springtime 12. Flagship ESPN show (abbr.)

14. Automobile 15. A matchup 16. Porous volcanic rock 18. Utter repeatedly 22. Not written in any key 23. Revolved 24. Archrival 26. Within 27. Smoker’s accessory 28. Disfigure 30. Primordial matter 31. Thrust horse power (abbr.)

34. Kisses 36. Some is iced 37. A way to derive 39. Unaccompanied by others 40. Discontinued Google app 41. Tony B. left his heart there 42. Condiment 48. Ancient Italian city 50. One who distributes payoff money 51. Guarantees 52. Highly decorative 53. Strike with a stick 54. Pie _ __ mode 55. Spanish be 56. Glued 58. A way to drench 59. Part of the body 60. Changes the color CLUES DOWN 1. Passerine birds 2. Noisy quarrel 3. The front arm or leg of an animal 4. Early multimedia 5. Golden years 6. Large mollusk

humanity in them then all the characters I have seen recently. His story also creates a steady rise in tension throughout the narrative, which again is something, I have rarely seen recently. The last part of his writing I was really impressed with was his inclusion of a powerful theme, which asks us to look at how we view death.

The only part of his writing I think can use some work is that he tends to meander a little too much in the middle of the movie, which could turn off people who would like more action or don’t like doing a deep dive into the theme of a movie.

Theo James from Divergent plays our protagonist George Almore. He puts on a one of a kind performance, which I hope will get him nominated for an Academy Award. All the performances were well done, and since this movie has so few characters each performance is amplified. Kudos to all the actors in this movie as their performances I think really make this film a must-see film.

Overall, I would give this movie a B+ (A Good Movie). Being a first-time screenwriter doesn’t mean that your film is doomed to being a bore fest or an unwatchable mess. Gavin Rothery does a masterful job with his first full-length feature screenplay, creating a story and characters which have a lot of depth. He also explores a very interesting and powerful theme in how humans deal with death. The visual direction of this film is simply spectacular. It was heads and shoulders above all the films I have seen for 2020 so far. This is a must watch just for how beautifully and artfully this film has been shot. Theo James is simply brilliant in this movie and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t get nominated for an Academy Award. His performance gives this movie the emotional edge it needs as it explores its weighty theme. The only reason, I didn’t give

7. Small arm of the sea 8. Persian jurisdiction 9. Atomic #81 12. From end to end 13. Adorable 17. Ma 19. Nearly falling 20. Portable conical tent 21. Excessive fluid accumulation in tissues 25. Fish with high dorsal fins 29. Equal (prefix) 31. Aquatic plant genus 32. Choppers 33. Hand parts 35. Region bordering the sea 38. Well-liked 41. Nap 43. It’s used to make beer 44. Related on the father’s side

SEE MOVIE REVIEW, PAGE 9

45. Senior officer 46. Delicacy (archaic) 47. Figures 49. A way to take away 56. Beloved sandwich __&J 57. Symptom typical of withdrawal (abbr.)

FIND US ONLINE! COUNTRY

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Statewide Tobacco 21 goes into effect Landmark law is ďŹ rst step in reversing youth tobacco epidemic

FROM PAGE 8

it an “A� was that it is a very slow burn movie.

Each scene builds up the tension and brings us more insight into James’ character but it goes about it in a very methodical way, which could be very off putting to those, who want a lot of action or who don’t have time to invest into the theme of the film. If you like thoughtful science fiction movies, great characters, an awesome story, and wonderful visuals definitely buy this movie. The best part is that you can buy it for only $12.99, which is cheaper than many of the other VODs on the market.

CONTRIBUTED

On August 1, 2020, the statewide tobacco sale age will change to 21.

Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation celebrates the landmark Tobacco 21 law, which is the result of broad efforts from bipartisan leaders, local communities and a nationwide movement to protect kids. “Minnesota’s Tobacco 21 movement began with a few concerned residents and physicians and ultimately gained the support of more than 75 communities, thousands of youth and parents, and lawmakers from all over the state,� said Molly Moilanen, Vice President at ClearWay MinnesotaSM and Co-Chair of Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation. “Tobacco 21 is not the last step – but it’s an important first step toward preventing youth tobacco addiction.�

Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation is a coalition of more than 60 organizations that share a common goal of reducing youth tobacco use and ending commercial tobacco’s harm for good. The coalition is united behind four major policies that reduce youth smoking and nicotine addiction, including raising the tobacco sale age to 21, increasing tobacco prices, prohibiting the sale of all flavored tobacco products and investing in tobacco prevention programs.

Urgent action is needed to combat rising youth tobacco use and protect lung health, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic and new warnings of suspected vaping-associated lung injuries (EVALI). The 2019 Minnesota Student Survey found that more than a quarter of 11th-graders and more than one in 10 8th-graders used e-cigarettes in the past month. From 2016 to 2019, 8thgrade vaping rates nearly doubled and overall, rising youth vaping rates erased two decades of progress to reduce youth tobacco use. E-cigarette use is harmful to young people because nicotine in any form harms the developing adolescent brain and can prime youth for addiction to cigarettes and other substances.

MOVIE REVIEW

Archive is unrated. I would probably rate it R for language, violence, and adult themes, which include suicide. The film was directed and written by Gavin Rothery. Archive stars Theo James, Stacy Martin, and Rhona Mitra.

Visit us online: COUNTRY

. .com

Minnesota’s Tobacco 21 law gained strong bipartisan support in both chambers and was swiftly signed into law by Governor Tim Walz. The state law follows federal action to raise the tobacco age. In December 2019, the U.S. Congress made the federal tobacco age 21, and it immediately went into effect. In addition to aligning with the federal tobacco age, Minnesota’s Tobacco 21 law updates relevant state tobacco definitions, penalties and signage requirements. The law aims to ensure strong compliance and enforcement of Tobacco 21, without punishing young people targeted by the tobacco industry with tactics including social media influencers, kid-friendly flavors and stealthy products.

The goal of Tobacco 21 is to stop tobacco addiction before it starts, since nearly 95 percent of addicted adult smokers started before 21. A seminal study by the National Academy of Medicine estimated that Tobacco 21 would lead to enormous health gains, including a 25 percent reduction in smoking initiation among 15-to-17-year-olds.

Unfortunately, Tobacco 21 alone will not be enough to reverse the state’s skyrocketing youth tobacco rates. That’s why Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free

Generation urges lawmakers to adopt comprehensive tobacco prevention policies. Removing highly attractive flavored tobacco products from the market and investing in sustainable prevention programs are the next steps needed to ensure every Minnesota child grows up free from tobacco addiction. Several legislative proposals to achieve those goals advanced in the 2020 Legislative Session but were halted by the legislature’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The burden of tobacco addiction and disease remains unconscionably high in diverse communities, in large part because menthol tobacco products have been heavily marketed toward African Americans, LGBTQ, youth and other priority populations.

Among African American smokers – who have been targeted by aggressive advertising in Black magazines and neighborhoods and other tactics – 88 percent smoke menthol, compared to 22 percent of white smokers. The U.S. Food and Drug Association’s refusal to include menthol tobacco in its 2009 ban on flavored cigarettes has institutionalized these disparities and cost precious lives. Research estimates

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SEE TOBACCO, PAGE 11

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

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

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

Elim Lutheran Church Scandia (651) 433-2723 www.elimscandia.org Senior Pastor Scott Westphal Associate Pastor Meredith McGrath 9 a.m. Worship Outdoors at Gammelgarden

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

Forest Hills

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

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

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

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

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

Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church (LCMS)

25402 Itasca Avenue Forest Lake, MN 55025 651-462-3535 / lordofthelakes.org Pastor Craig Bertram

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

Osceola Community Church

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

St. Croix Falls Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

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

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

Osceola Medical Center Spiritual Care

St. Croix Falls United Methodist Church

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

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

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

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

St. Francis Xavier Catholic

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

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

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

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

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

10

COUNTRY MESSENGER

AUGUST 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

AUTO BODY

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Certified Public Accountants Accounting • Taxes • Payroll • Business Consulting

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

AUTOMOTIVE

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

LAW OFFICES

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

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

LOCAL SHOPS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

COMPLETE AUTO SERVICE CENTER We will not be undersold

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

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

651-433-5167

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

21060 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN

www.scandiaheating.com

PLUMBING

BEAUTY

TROWBRIDGE PLUMBING

BEAUTY COUNTER Game changing personal care products free from harmful ingredients

Residential - Service - Remodel

• Skincare • Cosmetics • Bath & Body • Sunscreen • Family

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

FOOD & BEVERAGE

12450 Morris Trail N, Marine-On-St. Croix

651-433-4500

INSURANCE

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

Mike Trowbridge

REAL ESTATE

NOAH INSURANCE GROUP

UNIQUELY GENERAL

trowbridge_plumbing@hotmail.com

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

Ross and Adam Brunfelt Your Local Real Estate Agents!

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

651.433.3333 • www.TheBrunfelts.com

TRAILERS/REPAIR

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

EDUCATION & SCHOOLS

Bill Schifsky Custom Trailer Mfg. SINCE 1972

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

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

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

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

LAWN & SPORT

To advertise in the Business Builder: 13 week minimum Call 651-433-3845 for more info.

Servicing all major brands Lawn & garden, mower service.

CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS 21240 Olinda Trail N., Scandia, MN Saturday 8 a.m. - noon Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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

651-433-4668

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

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

VETERINARIAN

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

651-433-3666

AUGUST 5, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

11

www.countrymessenger.com

Red Cross encourages donations to keep TOBACCO: Age change to 21 robust blood supply as pandemic continues FROM PAGE 9

Right now, the American Red Cross has an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma, a potentially lifesaving treatment for patients with COVID-19. The Red Cross has seen demand for convalescent plasma more than double over the last month as the number of coronavirus cases increases across the U.S. Convalescent plasma products is now being distributed faster than donations are coming in.

Individuals who have fully recovered and received a verified COVID-19 diagnosis are urged to sign up to give convalescent plasma now by completing the donor eligibility form at RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid.

Convalescent plasma is plasma that is collected from patients who have recovered from an infection and have antibodies that might help fight that infection – in this case, those who have fully recovered from COVID-19.

With each donation, COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to help up to

should postpone their donation.

three patients recover from the virus.

Blood donors needed to keep supply strong amid pandemic

Blood donation safety precautions

Donation appointments can be made for the coming days and weeks by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma, including convalescent plasma, Aug. 1-Sept. 3 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon.* Plus, come to give by Aug. 31 and automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm, redeemable through the 2021 season.

American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19

Please check redcrossblood. org or call 1-800-RED CROSS for current blood donation centers days and hours.

Though this summer may feel different than summers past, one thing remains constant: The need for blood donations to help save lives.

The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to give blood to restock the shelves for patients battling disease and facing the unexpected.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the country have stepped up to help by giving blood or platelets with the Red Cross. Blood donations from healthy individuals are just as essential now to meet patient needs, and those who gave this spring may be eligible to help again.

that if menthol had been banned in 2010 when all other flavors were disallowed, by 2050 there would be a 10 percent reduction in overall smoking prevalence and up to 633,252 lives would be saved, a third of whom would be African Americans. Minnesota can end the sale of all flavored tobacco products – especially menthol – to improve the health of Black communities and protect youth from addiction.

Minnesota also faces a huge loss in tobacco prevention resources at the same time the state faces a youth tobacco epidemic. The CDC recommends the state invest $53 million in tobacco prevention and cessation efforts each year, yet Minnesota only spends about a third of that amount and resources are declining.

ClearWay Minnesota currently funds the majority of the state’s spending on tobacco prevention and will sunset in 2021. Minnesota can invest in sustainable prevention programs by dedicating new or existing tobacco revenue – which totaled $780 million in 2019 – to prevention.

In addition to preventing youth tobacco use, these efforts could

ensure that every Minnesota resident is protected from the predatory tactics of the tobacco industry.

The Tobacco 21 law, COVID-19 pandemic and suspected EVALI cases will hopefully provide additional motivation for Minnesotans to make a quit attempt. An estimated 574,000 Minnesotans still smoke and many want to quit. Early studies have found COVID-19 may be particularly dangerous for people with lungs weakened by chronic disease, asthma and smoking.

Thankfully, all residents can access free quit-tobacco help through programs offered by Quit Partner. Minnesotans can call 1-800-QUIT NOW or visit quitpartnermn.com to access free services, support and medication. The state is also offering a program tailored to teens called My Life, My Quit.

“Minnesotans for a SmokeFree Generation is grateful for lawmakers, advocates and partner organizations that have stood up to Big Tobacco and pushed for bold action to protect our kids,” Moilanen added.

“Minnesotans are hungry for even more meaningful action to prevent youth addiction – let’s get it done.”

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

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Free Items

Services

Services

Help Wanted

For Sale

Storage Rent

FREE: Used chain link fencing. 20 ft x20 ft enclosure. 48” higghh wittae. 651-3510490.

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

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

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

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

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

HELP WANTED: Age 55+ workers needed for part-time custodial/ groundskeeping at William O'Brien State Park.

Call Green View, 651-639-1913.

WANTED: Experienced housekeeper.

715-294-2270.

FOR SALE: Two Diamond Back cross country bikes. Exc. Condition. $170 each or 2 for $300. (cash only). 651-433-2888.

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

715-755-3377

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

715-2943078 or 1-800-2828103.

WANTED TO BUY

MISCELLANEOUS

SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE SEEKS Associate Dentist because of increase in patient volume. Potential earnings $300K plus. Includes bene ts.

Email drb@friendlysmilesfargo.com

WANTED 1970S MOTORCYCLES Running or not, no title okay! Get cash and make some room! Always paying more! Call Mike at 320/420-7675

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

WANTED TO BUY OR TRADE

AT&T WIRELESS Two great new offers! Ask how to get the new iPhone 11 or Next Generation Samsung Galaxy S10e on us with AT&T’s Buy one, Give One offer.

While supplies last! Call 855/332-0464

CONTRACT SALESPERSON Selling aerial photography of farms on commission basis. $1,000 signing bonus! $1,500-3,500 weekly proven earnings. Travel required. More info msphotosd.com or 605/882-3566

FREON WANTED: We pay CA$H for cylinders and cans.

R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient.

Certi ed Professionals. Call 312/626-3558 or visit: RefrigerantFinders.com

FARM EQUIPMENT

ENJOY 100% PERFECTLY TENDER and guaranteed! 20 main courses plus get 4 free burgers. Order the Butcher’s Bundle - only $69.99. Call 844/331-1614 mention code: 61086TVG or visit w w w. o m a h a s t e a k s . c o m / d i n n e r 3 9 7

EMPLOYMENT

FARMING IN MINNESOTA? Our hunters will pay top $$ to hunt your land. $5M liability coverage included.

Call 866/309-1507 Promo code: 312 w w w. B a s e C a m p L e a s i n g . c o m

HAY BALES WANTED: STRAW AND HAY ACRES I am also available for custom square and round baling. Call John at 701/269-3413

MISCELLANEOUS

DIRECTV SWITCH & SAVE! $39.99/month.

Select all-included package. 155 channels. 1000s of shows/ movies on demand. Free Genie HD DVR upgrade. Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 months! Call 877/350-0094

DISH NETWORK $59.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing fast internet $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & get a free $100 Visa gift card. Free voice remote. Free HD DVR. Free streaming on all devices. Call today! 855/562-4309 TIMESHARE CANCELLATION EXPERTS Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833/619-1117 DONATE YOUR CAR truck or boat to Heritage For The Blind. Free 3-day vacation, tax deductible, free towing, all paperwork taken care of 844/220-9501

Advertise here statewide in 230+ newspapers for only $279 per week! Call 800-279-2979

COLOR COPIES

STUMP GRINDING AND REMOVING 800-282-8103 • 715-417-0303

“SERVING YOUR AREA”

available at

The Sun 108 Cascade

Osceola

• Reliable • Professional • Insured • Free Estimates

Classified Advertising Representative Sentinel Publications, publishers of the Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger and Osceola Sun is seeking a Classified Advertising representative. The position will work cooperatively with other members of the sales team to serve existing customers, create new customers and meet monthly sales goals.

Duties include: • Working with customers and ad designers to develop and place ads in print and online • Actively seeking new print, digital and niche product advertising revenue The ideal candidate will have a passion for customer service, the ability to meet deadlines and a real attention to detail. Prior sales experience preferred.

Microsoft Office and basic math skills required. Position pays base plus commission.

SEND RESUME TO: Tom Stangl, Group Publisher Amery Free Press P.O. Box 424 • Amery, WI 54001 tstangl@theameryfreepress.com

12

COUNTRY MESSENGER

AUGUST 5, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

SHERIFF’S REPORT Marine on St. Croix

JULY 19

At 4:08 p.m., an accident was reported at Ostrum Trail N. tunnel.

JULY 20

At 10:53 a.m., property damage was reported on Judd Street.

the 14000 block of Old Guslander Trail N. At 7:12 p.m., a 911 abandoned call was reported on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 9:35 p.m., an animal complaint was reported on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N.

JULY 20

JULY 22

At 7:38 p.m., suspicious person/activity was reported on Blue Heron Lane.

JULY 23

At 2:57 a.m., an alarm sounded on Judd Street.

JULY 24

At 5:15 p.m., a boat stop was made on the St. Croix River.

May Township

JULY 19

At 10:11 a.m., a missing person was reported on

At 10:15 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 10:25 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 10:29 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 10:55 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 11:02 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N.

At 11:32 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 11:46 a.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 12:56 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 6:01 p.m., a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 13000 block of May Ave. N.

JULY 21 At 7:05 a.m., a welfare check was made at the 14000 block of St. Croix Trail N. At 4:57 p.m., an animal complaint was reported on May Ave. N./120th St. N. At 10:03 p.m., a 911 abandoned call was reported on the 12000 block of Ozark Trail N.

JULY 23

At 2:02 p.m., an accident was reported on the 13000 block of Manning Trail N. At 2:19 p.m., a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 2:34 p.m., an accident was reported on Manning Trail N./Square Lake Trail N.

JULY 24 At 12:17 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 12:23 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 12:29 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 1:11 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 1:18 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square

Spotlight on Area Businesses Security State Agency – familiar name, small-town care With Security State Agency, you’re getting more than just a familiar name; the business has longstanding ties to the St. Croix area.

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

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

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

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

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

Jane Dreyer

Katie Giefer

Agent

Agent

jdreyer@themarinebank.com kgiefer@themarinebank.com

Contact Security State Agency at 651-433-5753.

JULY 25 UNSURE WHETHER YOU CAN RETIRE? LET’S TALK.

Scandia Office • 651-433-5753

Call us for a quote!

Heidi Gemuenden, AAMS®

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

Financial Advisor

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

21260 Olinda Trail N.

651-433-5167

Jane Dreyer & Katie Giefer

www.scandiaheating.com COUNTRY

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

12450 Morris Trail N Marine-On-St. Croix

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

651-433-4500

www.countrymessenger.com

Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.

Lake Trail N. At 1:24 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 1:36 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 1:44 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 1:48 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 1:55 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:02 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:08 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:12 p.m., a driving complaint was reported on 170th Street N./Manning Trail N. At 2:17 p.m., a watercraft complaint was reported on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:35 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:40 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:44 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:49 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 2:54 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 3:39 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 3:46 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 3:51 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 4:24 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N.

Certified by M.P.C.A.

www.olsonsinthepink.com

Member SIPC

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

At 10:06 a.m., an animal complaint was reported on Partridge Road N./ Square Lake Trail N. At 2:30 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 2:38 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 2:53 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 3 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 3:12 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 3:56 p.m., an accident was reported on Square Lake Trail N./Paul Ave. N. At 4:31 p.m., a park

complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 4:40 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 4:55 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 4:59 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 5:03 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 15000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 5:12 p.m., a suspicious person/activity was reported on May Ave. N. At 9:53 p.m., a traffic complaint was reported on St. Croix Trail N./ Square Lake Trail N. At 10:39 p.m., a traffic complaint was reported on Manning Trail N./170th Street N.

Scandia

JULY 19 At 9:51 a.m., a traffic complaint was reported on Scandia Trail N./Odell Ave. N. At 3:57 p.m., a traffic stop was made on Scandia Trail N./Olinda Trail N. At 5:08 p.m., a civil matter/dispute was reported in Scandia.

At 7:43 p.m., a civil matter/dispute was reported on the 15000 block of Oakhill Road N.

JULY 20 At 10:22 a.m., found property/item was reported on the 12000 block of Lakamaga Trail N. At 11:14 p.m, a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 21000 block of Pomroy Ave. N.

JULY 21 At 11:03 a.m., fraud/ scam was reported on the 16000 block of Oakhill Road N. At 11:37 a.m., a 911 abandoned call was reported at 220th Street N./Pomroy Ave. N. At 6:17 p.m., an ordinance violation was reported on the 18000 block of Layton Ave. N. At 6:34 p.m., a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 23000 block of Lofton Ct. N. At 7:43 p.m., an abandoned vehicle was reported on the 14000 block of 209th Street N. At 9:26 p.m., an accident was reported on Olinda Trail N./Old Marine Trail N. At 9:38 p.m., an accident was reported on Scandia Trail N./Manning Trail N. At 9:54 p.m., a 911 abandoned call was reported on the 18000 block of Olinda Trail N. At 10:42 p.m., a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 21000 block of Ozark Ave. N.

JULY 22 At 3:38 p.m., a 911 abandoned call was reported on the 2100 block of Ozark Ave. N.