COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 37 NO. 18 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
NEWS : DNR gives advice to avoid interaction with bears. PAGE 12
River Grove announces its new teachers CONTRIBUTED
River Grove announces its new teachers for the 2020-21 school year. The first day of school will be September 8. Students will either be attending school through hybrid model or 100 percent distance learning.
Sydney Fuerst, Kindergarten
JASON SCHULTE | MESSENGER
Andrea and Greg Sandager with some of the 11,000 vines they planted at Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia. The business will open up to the public Saturday.
Sandagers excited about future of Rustic Roots Winery BY JASON SCHULTE EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
What began over a year ago will culminate Saturday for Andrea and Greg Sandager. Rustic Roots Winery will open up to the public that day, the latest business venture for the pair as they own Abrahamson’s Nursery as well. Rustic Roots Winery is located at 20168 St. Croix Trail in Scandia, which is located across the highway from Abrahamson’s Scandia location.
The pair officially bought the farmland last July with the purposes of making it a winery. “We thought it’d be a great setting for a vineyard,” Greg said, with advisors from the University of Minnesota concurring, highlighting its exposure to the sun, the elevation and its drainage. Along with personal interest, Andrea explained, community interest played a factor as well. “We thought having a winery would make
Scandia more of a destination,” she said, highlighting its proximity to the Twin Cities area. The name bears significance as well. “I’ve spent my entire life in Scandia,” Greg explained. “We have roots in the area. We both went to Forest Lake. Added Andrea: “The name fit with our feeling. We wanted a place where people could stay for awhile.” Last summer was preparation of the land for planting the 11,000
Madison Clepper, Second Grade
vines currently in the ground. This winter and summer have been about remodeling what was a residential home into a storefront. As of now, the business will feature nine varieties of wine – four white, four red and one rose in assorted sweet and dry flavors. COVID-19 guidelines have thrown a wrench into indoor seating, but the pair said there’s plenty of room to enjoy SEE WINERY, PAGE 14
Sydney has an Elementary Education and Special Education (Academic Behavioral Specialist) Degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. After completing her degree, Sydney worked as a naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. At Wolf Ridge, she learned a lot about teaching through place-based and experiential learning. Sydney is very excited to bring this knowledge Fuerst into her teaching at River Grove. Outside of the classroom, Sydney enjoys carving spoons (out of wood), knitting, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and spending time with family and friends.
Madison Clepper graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul with a degree in elementary K-6 education as well as a degree in early childhood/ preprimary. Her previous
Clepper
SEE TEACHERS, PAGE 6
Early deadline Due to the Labor Day holiday on Sept. 7 the deadline for press releases and advertising for the Sept. 9 edition of the Country Messenger will be noon on Sept. 3.
PATRON TEQUILA
S PECIALTY SPECIALTY SP C BEERS BEER B R S • FINE WINE • DISCOUNT LIQUORS CROWN ROYAL
BUD LIGHT SELTZERS
Silver & Reposado
1.75 Liters
12 Pack Cans 4 Varieties
$37.95
$39.95
750ml.
$10.99
Sale prices good through September 13, 2020 or while supplies last.
Offering Curbside Pick up for call ahea d orders
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