Country Messenger 10.07.2020

COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2020

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

VOL. 37 NO. 23 www.countrymessenger.com $.75

NEWS: Lions Club invites public to "Decorate the Community" . PAGE 3

15th annual giant pumpkin weigh-off goes virtual Organizers expecting 100 plus entries between 600 pounds to more than 1 ton CONTRIBUTED

While the global pandemic has caused many groups to “throw in the towel” when it comes to hosting events, the St. Croix Growers’ Association (SCGA) has maintained a “show must go on attitude” with its 15th annual Stillwater Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, and it may be the best yet with possible world records set.

According to SCGA board member and event co-founder, Matt Marose, the group will have roughly 70 growers attending with a possible 100 entries, ranging from 600 pounds to more than 2,000 pounds. This would be double the number of entries compared to years past, said Marose. “This is due to expanding the number of entries to three per grower plus being one of SUBMITTED

SEE WEIGH-OFF, PAGE 2

Lions bring dictionaries to Scandia Elementary Lion John Tomlin, on behalf of the Scandia-Marine Lions Club, brought dictionaries to Scandia Elementary for all of Mrs. Gerschke’s and Mrs. Lange’s third-grade students. The Lions enjoy doing this annual tradition, which is one of many local community projects that support youth and education.

May Supervisors hear public feedback on Norrell project

BY LESLIE MACKENZIE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Kevin Peterson, Washington County engineer working on the Norrell Avenue project, reported to the Board of Supervisors on the results of the first public engagement period in July and August.

The online video, scrolling boards, map and questionnaire resulted in much more involvement than a typical open house: 687 online visits, 127 online survey responses, 27 mapped comments.

Eighteen residents attended the

open house in person, and 14 comments were received offline.

Two clear themes emerged: • Minimize impact to protect and preserve the scenic characteristics of the route.

• Improve safety for all, with many comments about bike safety and some requests for a bike path.

As a result of this input, the County proposed the following goals for the Norrell project: • Maintain the alignment of the roadway. Do not flatten the curves.

• Install 11-foot travel lanes (cur-

rently lanes are 12 feet) • Evaluate the shoulders for minor widening, if and where feasible • Complete a long-term reconstruction of the area of the roadway that is sloughing off into a nearby pond • Review opportunities for future railroad crossing improvement at this low-volume rail crossing (no major reconstruction) • Review areas for responsible stormwater treatment SEE MEETING, PAGE 6

SUBMITTED

Giant pumpkin grower, Pete Midthun, from Deer Park, Wis. standing next to his possible prize pumpkin, which weighed over 1500 mid-August. He estimates it will be near 1800 pounds by showtime. In 2018, Midthun ranked 14th in the world when he grew a 2091-pound pumpkin.

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Halloween Car Parade in Scandia On Saturday, Oct. 31, from 1-2:30 p.m., be a part of a Halloween Car Parade!

Drive your decorated car, truck, tractor, or float in a parade that winds itself through Scandia. The parade will make its way through neighborhoods, and on main roads and backroads. The Scandia-Marine Lions will be collecting food for the local food shelf and eyeglasses for its vision program in which they are refurbished and donated to those in need.

Community members who are not in the parade are encouraged to sit in their front yards to watch the car parade as it goes by their homes. Have the kids dress in their costumes and wave as the car parade goes by. (A map will be published on multiple social media sites and websites.) If the parade will not be going by your home, there will be plenty of places along the route to allow for 6’+ in physical distancing.

The parade's last vehicle will be a trailer, and Scandia-Marine Lions and community volunteers will collect food and eyeglasses during the parade.

The Lions also will accept cash/check donations for the food shelf at Elim Lutheran Church or the Lions’ local programs, including helping families in need around the holidays. (Please make the check payable to the Scan-

dia-Marine Lions and note in the memo field if it should be used for the food shelf or the Lions’ programs.)

The route will begin on Oren Road North; wind itself through several neighborhoods north of Highway 97, head south on Olinda Trail to the main intersection in town where it will turn left. The parade will go through several neighborhoods south of Highway 97 before it drives past the Scandia Community Center, north on Olinda Trail, and completes its route by the road leading to Scandia Elementary School.

Three winners in three categories will receive prizes for the best theme, most spirited and most creative.

All Halloween Car Parade participants must register by Oct. 23 on https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnOttkurty1PmVGXCZUg03k_8o04fxYaADZ8M4Ztig-yqcfQ/viewform. Check-in will be from 12-12:45 p.m. at 14363 Oren Road North where there will be Scandia-Marine Lions collecting food and eyeglasses from Car Parade participants as well as passing out small treat bags of prepackaged goodies to those in the Car Parade and car numbers for judging.

Contact Lion Ann with any questions or the link to the Halloween Car Parade Sign-up at arinkenberger@lions5m-6.org.

Empowering first-time homebuyers

Marine residents toast reconstruction project

SUBMITTED

Task Force members who could make it for the picture (Willenbring said there are several other members): are from left to right: Karen Kramer, Dan Willenbring, Tod Drescher, John Waugh, Dorothy Dietz, Mary Vogel and Nancy Cosgriff.

CONTRIBUTED

Marine on St. Croix residents who made up the Village Center Task Force are pictured Sept.

29 toasting the project finally starting construction.

Dan Willenbring, former Task Force Chairman, explained, the group of volunteers started over 10 years ago to get Marine residents engaged

on what the Village Center could look like.

“Many gatherings were had, meetings with businesses and city officials and a city council advisory group,” Willenbring continued. “The ideas were rolled into our comprehensive plan several years ago and finally the road improvements and traffic flow changes are happening.”

He added many im-

provements have been completed such as the path to the Mill Ponds, trail down to the River with help from the Historical Society and its volunteers, garbage dumpsters for the General Store and on Third Street and now the Storm Water Management, closure of N. Judd at Hwy. 95 and traffic calming in the village.

WEIGH-OFF: Annual event goes virtual FROM PAGE 1

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a handful of weigh-offs across the nation—maybe the world,” he said, “We all are in suspense to see what that day brings.”

The virtual event will livestream Saturday Oct. 10 via the growers’ website www.stcroixgrowers.com. The organization will start promptly at 9 a.m. weighing the pumpkins, and finish off the day with the awards ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Due to the Coronavirus, the actual event is not open to the general public, but people can do a drive-by viewing of the weigh-off-site, or “camp out” in his or her vehicle to watch the show at the intersection of Osgood and Highway 36 in Stillwater, Minn. This area is better known to locals as the “old Denny Hecker auto sales lot.” However, the official address is 14702 60th St. N., Stillwater.

While the event is hosted by the SCGA, it is a combined effort with Stillwater’s business group, summer Tuesdays. Together, they, jointly, raised $11,000 for this year’s prize structure.

Cub Foods, became this year’s key financial sponsor, when the grocer soley donated $4,000.

According to Marose and Joe Ailts, the SCGA president and the other event co-founder, Cub Foods was the lead sponsor of the weigh-off during the first few years of the event’s development.

Therefore, they both stated in agreeance, “The St. Croix Grower’s Association would like to give special thanks to them (Cub Foods) for their past and present contributions.”

A Deer Park, Wisconsin grower, Pete Midthun, who helped the SGCA earn a world record in 2018 for the top 10 heaviest weights at any weigh-off ever, will be back again to get his listing.

And, that’s what really counts to most growers is getting that recorded weight listed on the GreatPumpkinCommonWealth (GPC’s) website, according to Midthun. He estimates this year’s pumpkin will get around 1,800 pounds, but not beat his 2091- pound weight from 2018. That year, Midthun was ranked

14th in the world, and he walked away with quite a bit of prize money-- $5,000.

According to Ailts, the event had to change its prize structure this year, because of the Coronavirus having a slight negative impact on both the SCGA and summer Tuesdays’ bottom lines.

The 2020 top winner will take home $3,750 with second at $2,250; Third $1,500; Fourth to 12th place ranging from $600 to $112.75; and 13th to 20th place from $75-$18.75.

Growers are required to pre-register online at the group’s website www.stcroixgrowers.com. They will have three chances to earn GPC listings. The first entry is free for St. Croix Growers Association members or $20 for non-members. It serves as the grower’s official entry for the Stillwater weigh-off. A second entry is free for exhibition only, and the third entry is an additional $20 for exhibition only or free in exchange for three hours of “sweat equity” or volunteer work that day. The number of entries is limited to three per grower, and growers will need to pre-measure their fruit.

In addition to the giant pumpkins, the event will have the following competing subcategories: long gourd, watermelon, tomato, field pumpkin and bushel gourd. These entries will be recognized on the GPC website, but no prize money will be awarded, according to organizers. These entries are $20, and limited to one per grower. Pre-measurement will also be needed.

The GPC is the highest-ranking authority on giant pumpkin growing, and the SCGA’s event has been GPC-sanctioned since its inception in 2006. Their website is: www.gpc1.org.

The SCGA’s members reside in the Twin Cities and its surrounding suburbs and along Western Wisconsin-ranging from St. Croix to Polk counties to Pierce and Dunn counties. However, growers from all over the upper Midwest attend the weigh-off. For more information about the SCGA, please go to the website: www.stcroixgrowers.com or email: stcroixgrowers@gmail.com.

OCTOBER 7, 2020

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Lions invite public to “Decorate the Community” The Scandia-Marine Lions Club is inviting the public to be a part of the “Decorate the Community” Contest this year from Oct. 15-31. Decorate your yard or store-front in a fun, creative, and unique way that celebrates either Fall or Halloween. There are just a few simple rules: • Your yard or store-front must be either Fall- or Halloween-themed.

• Your display must not contain adult themes, gore or political messages.

• Decorations may include (but are not limited to): • Yard displays • Front porch displays • Window displays (inside or outside – but must be visible from the road) • Entrance Ways • Displays must be up by Oct. 15 and stay in place until Oct. 31.

Email a picture (or pictures) of your display with your name, address, and what category your decorations represent (Fall or Halloween) by Wednesday, Oct. 14 to arinkenberger@lions5m-6.org.

The “Decorate the Community” Committee will create a map with the addresses that show all the homes and businesses participating in the contest.

The map will be shared online on Nextdoor and multiple local Facebook pages and websites so the community can drive around to see all the decorated yards and businesses.

Prizes will be awarded to the top five winners and photos of their displays posted online. Winners will be notified by email and a prize mailed to them.

PUBLIC NOTICES WASHINGTON COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public accuracy test of vote counting equipment to be used in the November 3, 2020 General Election will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082.

FOR THE CITIES OF: CITY OF GRANT AND CITY OF FOREST LAKE AND CITY OF LAKELAND

Movie Night featuring Carnival of Souls (1962) at Hay Lake School Oct. 10 and used by the Washington County Rural School system until 1963. The building remained empty until 1970 when a group of citizens, many of whom graduated from the Hay Lake School, decided to clean and open the school to tours.

The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 1970. In 1978 the Washington County Historical Society purchased the school from the Forest Lake School District.

The Hay Lake School Museum is located at 14020 195th St N, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047.

Please contact Katie Hutton at katie@ wchsmn.org or 651-4334014 with any questions regarding this event.

CONTRIBUTED

The Washington County Historical Society is excited to hold a free outdoor movie screening of Herk Harvey’s Carnival of Souls. It is a horror movie about Mary Henry, a young woman who survives a car crash and finds herself drawn to a mysterious abandoned carnival. The film has a large cult following and has been noted by critics for its cinematography.

The movie will begin at dusk. Please bring your own mask, chairs, blankets, and snacks for this socially distanced screening! The event will be held outdoors but masks will be needed in the school.

The Hay Lake School was constructed in 1896

Seed collection October 11th from 12-2:00 there will be a native seed collection opportunity to support future habitat restoration at Jackson Meadow in Marine.

Meeting location is on the trail near 2100 Jackson Circle. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves.

AND CITY OF LANDFALL AND CITY OF OAKDALE AND CITY OF PINE SPRINGS AND CITY OF WOODBURY WASHINGTON COUNTY

833-314-1217

BOGO 40% OFF

If you would like to witness this demonstration, you are welcome to do so at the above-mentioned location.

Jennifer Wagenius, County Auditor Published in The Country Messenger October 7, 2020

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You know this already, right?

B

ecause you are reading this column, you understand the value of your local newspaper.

I think we can all agree on this point, gentle reader.

You aren’t here because you are one of my friends or family (hello, friends and family), you are here to keep your title as “the person who knows.”

You know who you are, the one who knows all about the controversy in local government. You know the scores of the games, you even know a great way to make a delicious patty melt that will blow your family’s mind.

You enjoy having this power. You like the way you are treated when you enter into conversations with friends and family. They all know score, if they have an arguPublisher the ment, you can settle it better than the Google box, because you know Tom Stangl the local nitty gritty. The Google box and the Tweeter don’t know, because they don’t know local.

You know local because you are connected. You know local because you read a newspaper.

It’s OK, your secret is safe with me. I know you, we talk here each week. I get you, you get me. We’re cool.

You, more than anyone else, appreciate National Newspaper Week. You understand that without your special connection of locally collected and curated news, you might be perceived as a little less cool, a little less wise.

You know the value of a newspaper to a functioning democracy. Heck, you even know the four other freedoms that are protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

I won’t tell anyone your source for being on the forefront of issues facing the community. You know the newspaper gives you a concise and complete look at the problems, opportunities and successes of the community.

You know the newspaper is often the only member of the public at meetings of government. In this role, the newspaper often advocates for the public’s right for access to information. You understand that the people’s business needs to be conducted in plain sight so you and everyone else can speak up when you see something that upsets you — before it’s too late.

You also know you have met many interesting people through the pages of the local newspaper.

The newspaper also tells you about cool and interesting events all over the community that are coming up. It’s OK, no one besides us needs to know that you wouldn’t be as well read, well informed or well-travelled without the newspaper.

Explaining where you got those cool photos on your refrigerator or in the scrapbook about your children will just be easier if you tell people you get the local paper. Really, people won’t judge you when you come clean about subscribing to the paper.

You might be surprised when you learn others are newspaper readers as well. In fact, this common bond with other newspaper readers might even lead to some interesting conversations about current events. Who knows, with your common shared knowledge of local events, you might even be able to form a club, or at the very least a very interesting coffee klatch or wine party.

And I know you know this already, but I feel I need to say it — we really appreciate you.

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

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

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Lucy wins again

I

’m old enough to have grown up on the Charlie Brown comic strip. Two of the most inalienable moments I remember about it, is the annual Christmas episode on television and when Charlie Brown is about to kick the football, Lucy pulls it away from him and Charlie Brown makes a complete idiot of himself.

With everything that has happened in 2020, one needs diversions or distractions.

For me, one of those distractions is the Minnesota Editor Twins baseball Jason Schulte club.

A good regular season team, but for some reason coming into this season has lost 16 straight playoff games.

It’s going to be different this year, we were told. The offense hit the most home runs in major league history last year and added a former Most Valuable Player (Josh Donaldson). After fans were

screaming to add pitching after what happened in 2019, management did that in acquiring Kenta Maeda from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A 60-game shortened season was announced due to COVID-19 and other shenanigans. What came from that was the news the Twins would only be playing teams from the American League Central and National League Central. Teams the Twins have feasted on in past years? Okay, sign me up.

The 60-game season went by like in a blink of an eye (it started July 24, I think) and just like that, Sunday, Sept. 27, the Twins officially clinched the division for the second straight year.

The opponent in the first round of the playoffs? The Houston Astros. Anyone who has followed Major League Baseball the last couple of years knows the rollercoaster Houston has gone through.

Needless to say, the 2020 Astros weren’t the same team who qualified for the World Series the last couple of years. And especially as the season played out, the Twins

had one of the best home records in Major League Baseball and the Astros had one of the worsts road records.

After seeing all that, I thought, okay, this would be the year; I wasn’t thinking World Series. No, I told myself, this will be the year; the Twins will win a playoff game.

Were the Twins coming into the postseason healthy? No. But, did I think they had enough to beat Houston? Definitely.

The first inning of Game 1 should have alerted me to those plans being in trouble. The Twins had the bases loaded with one out and couldn’t score. I’ve been to or seen enough baseball and softball games to realize, if that happens, you are in trouble.

The Twins did eventually score a run, but one could tell, either by radio or by television, this game had a bad feeling to it. The offense couldn’t do anything and therefore that means the pitching and defense had to have been perfect.

They broke. A key walk and an error in the ninth inning and SEE SCHULTE, PAGE 12

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WILD CHOW

THE POSTSCRIPT

The Stomachache

Impossible Lasagna

L

asagna is not easy to make. Maybe you’re saying to yourself, “but, you haven’t tried mine.”

Lasagna can be made a thousand different ways.

That’s the problem—everyone has strong preferences on how to make the perfect lasagna. Some people use sausage vs. ground beef. Then, there’s cheese. Do you like cottage cheese or ricotta? Do you mix in an egg?

Traditionally, lasagna is topped with mozzarella cheese, but I’ve eaten it with provolone and even Monterey Jack. Do you cook your noodles ahead of time or do you use the “no cook” kind? What kind of sauce do you use?

Traditional or bolonese? Is it chunky? The list goes on and on.

Lasagna is tricky. You’re dealing with people’s preferences. It’s subjective. It seems impossible to keep everyone happy.

10 years-ago I would have never dreamt of make lasagna for dinner guests, knowing how picky people can be about Columnist the ingredients. The last thing I want to see is a guest pushing Lisa Erickson food around his or her plate.

For years, I was notorious for changing up my lasagna recipe. Perfection was my goal. Sometimes it wouldn’t turn out. It always tasted good, but it could end up a gloppy pile of unidentifiable ingredients.

Other times it would separate, and puddles of unappetizing liquid would appear making my lasagna look like it was swimming.

This recipe stuck after my one of my son’s girlfriend announced, after one bite, “This is the best lasagna, but don’t tell my mom, she thinks hers is the best.”

People like this lasagna. It’s simple, mild, and not chunky. There is a lot happening with layers and flavors. Don’t add chunks of tomatoes or other veggies like onions because it could be one of the reasons why lasagna is watery.

This is the perfect recipe—one you can change and add what you like. Feel free to add sausage or switch out some ricotta for the cottage cheese.

For more information about “How to cook the best lasagna” and other recipes, please visit my website www.wildchowrecipes.com

I

get stomachaches. I get them with regularity and always have.

“It’s just gas!” my mother says, and of course, she’s right.

My mother tells me I get stomachaches because I have the “Benson stomach,” by which she means that I have the same stomach she has, which is the same stomach her mother which my Columnist had, grandmother inherited from her Carrie Classon mother—who

was a Benson.

It seems a little sad that the only time the Benson family comes to mind is when I have a stomachache. Seriously, I know almost nothing about the Bensons except that they were Swedish farmers prone to indigestion. It’s not much of a legacy.

Yesterday I had a doozy. It started during my hike. I had eaten nothing recently and eaten nothing different so there was no logical reason to suddenly get a bad stomachache shortly after I started my hike, which typically takes an hour and 45 minutes.

“It will get better soon,” I said as I walked. It did not.

I got to the halfway point in my hike and somehow felt the

Worth a thousand words

I

’d like to change things up a bit this week with a photo essay just because I have been blessed to meet and make friends with British ornithologist, John Richardson who is serving as the Fall Count Director of this year’s bird count on Hawk Ridge in Duluth. All photos were taken by British ornithologist John Richardson Program Director for this 50th year of the Duluth Hawk Ridge project.

Columnist Jim Bennett

Columnist

Red headed woodpeckers are rare this far north. Even more rare is capturing the bird in flight as it captures an insect.

This Long eared owl was captured at night and banded under red light to protect its eyes

Even migrating songbirds like this Philadelphia Vireo get counted on Hawk Ridge.

This young Northern Harrier, smaller than a red tail, has a small owl like face making it very unique. Look for fairly broad wings often held in a V-shape when flying.

PUBLIC NOTICE COUNTRY

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH JOIN US: Sundays, 8:15 a.m., face to face (um, mask to mask) In beautiful downtown Wolf Creek, Wisconsin OR Anytime on YouTube

2417 River Rd • St. Croix Falls, WI 54024

CARNELIAN MARINE ST. CROIX WATERSHED DISTRICT WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Managers of the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020, online via Zoom meeting to consider the proposed 2021 fiscal year budget and levy for the District. A meeting link is posted on the CMSCWD website www.cmscwd.org. A summary of the proposed budget provides for the following expenditures:

SEE ERICKSON, PAGE 7

WOLF CREEK

SEE CLASSON, PAGE 7

WILD RIVER TRAILS

The Best Lasagna

For the sauce: 1 – 29 ounce can of tomato puree 1 – 6 once can of tomato paste 1 cup good quality red wine 1 lb. ground beef ½ cup water ½ tbsp. Italian seasoning ½ tbsp. basil, plus 1 tsp—divided 1 tsp. garlic 2 tsp. onion powder ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp pepper flakes or ground pepper 1 ½ tbsp sugar

stomachache should realize that I had hiked for nearly an hour and respond appropriately. It did not.

Whenever I get a stomachache, I remember stomachaches of the past. I distinctly remember my 16th birthday being ruined by a stomachache.

I went to a restaurant famous for its spareribs. I haven’t eaten spareribs in years, but I can still remember how I was looking forward to those.

My family and I were served our spareribs and I had to leave the restaurant after what seemed like a single bite. I’m pretty sure my family packed up their meal and joined me almost immediately, but I

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Item Water Quality Aquatic Invasive Species Basin, Stream and Groundwater Monitoring Inspection & Maintenance Public Education Permitting Planning Administration ADMIN-STUDY/PROJECT BUDGET TOTALS:

704,185.00 37,500.00 75,000.00 30,000.00 34,200.00 64,000.00 80,000.00 144,407.00 $1,169,292.00

Projected carry-over funds from 2020, grants, and other income will reduce the total proposed levy to $754,500.00.

All interest persons will have an opportunity to be heard at said time and place.

Dated: September 15, 2020 Wade Johnson, President

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COUNTRY MESSENGER

OCTOBER 7, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

DNR seeks comments on reduced sunfish limits for Big Marine, Shields lakes

Lions Club to discuss fighting hunger and nourishing our community CONTRIBUTED

The Scandia-Marine Lions Club will be hosting its monthly Lions Lecture Series on Zoom Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m.

Speakers from The Food Group will be presenting information about fighting hunger and nourishing our community.

The presentation will include information about The Food Group and all of The Food Group programs including: Fare For All, The Food Bank, Twin Cities Mobile Market, and Big River Farms. The emphasis will be on Big River Farms and Fare For All, including ways that our community can support this dynamic farm that is in Marine on St. Croix as well as other Food Group programs.

These values guide the Food Group: 1. Food is a basic right for all individuals.

2. Everyone deserves access to healthy food, where they live that they can get to.

3. Everyone deserves access to foods that are familiar to them and fit their cultural and dietary

needs.

4. Working collaboratively with other community organizations drives our mutual success.

5. Operating in a way that supports equity, sustainability, and fairness to all builds stronger communities.

Learn about: Food Shelf Support – The Food Group partners with 170 food shelves and meal programs.

Fare For All – A traveling nutritious grocery store, which makes monthly stops at 37 distribution sites across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

Big River Farms – The Food Group’s newly acquired programming that offers organic and sustainable agriculture education for local immigrant and historically underserved farmers.

Visit the Scandia-Marine Lions’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ events/3248596978528900 for the link to the session on Zoom or see below for the direct Zoom link or phone number to call on Oct. 7. The session will be recorded and available after the session by checking the same link above.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking comments on a proposal to improve angling on two lakes in Washington County by reducing bag limits for sunfish.

Under the proposal, the bag limit for sunfish on Big Marine and Shields lakes would be lowered from 20 fish to either 10 or five fish.

The reduced bag limits would help protect larger adult sunfish, while also

increasing the average size of bluegills in each lake.

People wishing to weigh in on the proposal are encouraged to submit comments by calling the DNR east metro fisheries office at 651-2595831, emailingmetroeast. fisheries@state.mn.us, or by filling out an online survey athttps://www.dnr.state. mn.us/fish/sunfish/index. html.

DNR also will host an in-person meeting Monday,

Oct. 12, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at Big Marine Park Reserve, 17495 Manning Trail N., Marine on St. Croix.

The meeting will be at the outdoor pavilion near the playground, and will adhere to guidelines put forward by the Minnesota Department of Health for minimizing COVID-19 spread.

Comments will be accepted through Oct. 25.

MEETING: Feedback on Norrell project includes preserving the scenic characteristics of route FROM PAGE 1

The engineers did not consider it a priority to have this section of the roadway designated a natural historic preservation route. (Resident Laurie Allmann, who has been advocating this designation, said she was OK with it being scaled back for now and was happy that so many people had become engaged.)

Since bike safety was a major concern, Supervisors asked about the width of the shoulders.

Peterson said the driving lanes would be narrowed slightly to increase the

shoulder by 1 foot on each side. The engineers would not be designing for a certain width of shoulder but instead to minimize impact on the environment.

Board chair Bill Voedisch said a one-foot increase would be a concern. “There are bikes on that road all the time.

They aren’t going away.”

He asked the engineers to do provide more width where possible.

The engineers will be doing a drainage analysis and developing alternative plans to present at a future open house. No date has been set.

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

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

651-464-2082 www.olsonsinthepink.com

Panorama Stormwater The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution, formalizing the township’s decision last month not to financially support the Panorama stormwater project. The resolution, and a cover letter, will be forwarded to the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD).

Voedisch said it had become clear that what had begun as a $125,000 road project had become a $360,000 water quality project. It was the Board’s view that rather than the township and residents paying 2/3 of the bill and the Watershed paying 1/3, it should be the other way around.

A resident asked about

the township’s plans to prevent pollution of the lake from road runoff.

The supervisors said the township still has an interest in solving the water problems and a well-vetted process with engineering staff and the Board so the problem would not fall by the wayside. Discussion continues with the Watershed District.

Fire Contracts The Board of Supervisors approved fire response contracts with the Marine on St. Croix Fire Department and the Scandia Fire Department. Both contracts had very small yearly increases.

Arcola Mills Several representa-

tives from the historic Arcola Mills Historic Foundation were present to respond to last month’s discussion about the dilapidated cabins remaining on the property. Voedisch pointed out that Arcola Mills had come before the Board many times since 2003.

The township had been asking for action for 17 years and the properties are still unsafe. He said the town planner will make a recommendation and the Board will make a decision.

Scott Eickschen said he is fairly new to the Arcola Mills board and that Arcola Mills is taking action. He reported that three structures had been removed and they are meeting with the DNR and Park Services about additional removals. Testing had been done on one building for asbestos and professional abatement is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Eickschen said one building – the Mill Cabin – is on the national historic registry and is in the process of a historic conditional assessment with the MN Historical Society. They urged the Board of Supervisors to view that structure through a different lens.

While the cabin is not the original mill house, having been rebuilt in the 30s or 40s, it is the foundation underneath that is protected.

Funders would like to see that site redeveloped.

Eickschen outlined what they can do to improve safety and wel-

comed advice on resources and funding to help them complete the work.

Chicken Ordinance In response to a citizen complaint about the amount of acreage a resident must have in order to keep chickens, Nate Sparks, May Township planner, conducted a review of chicken ordinances in other communities in Washington County. He suggested an ordinance that would include the following: • Lot must be a minimum of 2 acres • No more than 5 fowl, no roosters • All fowl must be kept within a confined area or structure • No waste may accumulate on-site and should be discarded regularly • Feed shall be stored in rodent proof container within a building The Board discussed a 100-foot setback and exclusion of geese. They asked the planner to draft a proper ordinance for review at their next meeting.

Dog Kennel Ordinance The Board approved the ordinance to amend the definition of a private kennel and a small business kennel, to specify the requirement of an interim use permit, the limit on the number of dogs, what happens with a violation of the nuisance ordinance, and how long an owner has to fix problems.

OCTOBER 7, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

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CLASSON: The Stomachache

ERICKSON: The Best Lasagna

FROM PAGE 5

still remember being in the backseat of the car with an awful stomachache on my 16th birthday, overwhelmed by the unfairness of life.

By now, I should know something about stomachaches. I know, once one starts, I must not eat anything.

If I eat anything, I will make it much worse and it will last much longer.

In spite of knowing this all my life, I cannot tell you how many times I have sat down to eat, felt a stomachache coming on, and decided “just this once” I can eat a little more (usually really fast) and everything will be fine. Everything is never fine when I do this.

So, now I tell my husband, Peter, “I’m getting a stomachache. If I eat, I will suffer.” Somehow, saying it aloud to another person makes me more accountable. If I then go back into the kitchen and fill my plate, I am proving to Peter (and myself) what an idiot I am.

I can go for months without a stomachache. I can persuade myself

that stomachaches were something that happened a long time ago and have nothing to do with me anymore. I start to think they will never happen again. It’s nice thinking this. It’s also not true.

But maybe dwelling on pain isn’t the best idea either.

Surely, in my life, I can expect a lot worse than a stomachache to come my way. Intellectually, I know this, and yet I spend almost no time contemplating future pain. Maybe living in denial isn’t the worst thing I can do. It isn’t fun to anticipate pain and I’m not sure it’s useful.

Instead, I try to notice all the days I feel good and I try to be grateful.

Yes, there will be more stomachaches because I come from a long line of gassy farmers. But today, I feel fine.

Till next time, Carrie

FROM PAGE 5

2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese 1 package oven ready lasagna noodles 1 – 16 ounce container of cottage cheese ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese 2 eggs In a large saucepan, brown the ground beef. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half. Add the tomato puree, water, paste, salt, sugar, and spices— reserving 1 tsp of the basil for the cottage cheese mixture. Simmer over very low

heat for 40 minutes; stirring frequently.

Cool slightly and set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, and remaining basil. Mix thoroughly. Set aside.

In a 9 x 13 glass baking pan, spoon a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Place 3 sheets of the oven ready noodles on the sauce and spoon some more sauce over the noodles. Top with a few scoops of the cottage cheese

mixture on top of the sauce, then sprinkle with about 2/3 cup of the mozzarella.

Repeat for the next two layers. For the last layer of noodles, cover only with sauce and top with the remaining mozzarella.

Bake for 30 minutes covered. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes until lasagna is set and serve.

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes by emailing her at wildch owre cip e s @ g m ail . com.

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

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Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting moves online in 2020 The event will be broadcast live on Facebook from Split Rock Lighthouse on Nov. 10, 2020 CONTRIBUTED

The annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting commemorates the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald and the loss of her 29 crew members on Nov. 10, 1975. It is also a time to reflect on the memory of all lives lost in Great Lakes shipwrecks.

This year the ceremony will be held via social media platforms on Nov. 10, 2020, starting at 4:30 p.m. with the beacon lighting following the ceremony at around 4:45 p.m. The video stream of the beacon lighting will be provided

by KBJR TV in Duluth and can be accessed live through the MNHS and Split Rock Lighthouse Facebook pages. It will also be available as a recording on Facebook and YouTube.

Split Rock Lighthouse's grounds will be closed.

Visitors interested in viewing the beacon in

person may do so from the shoreline in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. A state park permit is required.

Split Rock Lighthouse is open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through October 31, 2020. Interior spaces including the lighthouse and keeper’s residence are closed with access available to the grounds for spectacular views and limited access to the fog signal building and the visitor center.

Guests can purchase a timed entry ticket for $8 online or onsite. For more information visit mnhs. org/splitrock.

Edmund Fitzgerald Background The loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald and her crew members in 1975 shook the country. No freighter had been lost on Lake Superior since 1953, and the Fitzgerald was outfitted with an experienced crew and state-of-the-art technology. When it was launched in 1958 it was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes.

The Fitzgerald began her final voyage on Nov. 9, 1975, with a cargo of taconite she was transporting from Superior, Wisconsin, to Great

Answers

Lakes Steel near Detroit.

Due to a developing winter storm, the captains of the Fitzgerald and a nearby ship, the Arthur M. Anderson, stayed in close radio contact as they traveled, agreeing to take a more protected northerly route across Lake Superior.

By the afternoon of Nov. 10, winds had reached near hurricane strength.

At 3:30 p.m. Captain Ernest McSorley reported that the ship had suffered damage to a fence rail and lost its radar. He asked the Anderson to guide them to Whitefish Bay, Michigan. At 7:10 p.m., McSorley radioed that “We are holding our own.” Five minutes later, the ship disappeared off the Anderson’s radar.

The Edmund Fitzgerald was found a few days later in two pieces beneath 530 feet of water about 17 miles from the entrance to Whitefish Bay. Though the ship went down in the storm, the details of why it sank are still largely debated today.

Explore more about this and other Great Lakes shipwrecks on the Split Rock Lighthouse website.

County Board conducts public hearing on county cross-country ski pass The Washington County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing Sept. 15 while considering whether to implement a Washington County specific cross country ski pass beginning this winter.

No residents participated in the hearing. After the hearing, the board authorized a revision to Washington County’s 2020 Fee Schedule to implement a Washington County Parks Cross-County Ski Pass, beginning with the 2020-2021 ski season.

A public hearing is required for revisions to the county fee policy.

Washington County has been a part of the Great Minnesota Ski Pass since 1980. The state-run program has seen no increase in revenue since 2008 to assist in the maintenance of cross-country ski trails. In recent years, the fund has not generated enough revenue to off-set grant expenses, which has delayed payments to Washington County and has the potential to create funding gaps. State grant requirements to receive funding have also increased, which takes additional administrative time and limits the county’s ability to collect revenues.

Reimbursement for the state ski pass has been $21,000 a year, plus $1 for each permit that the county sells, which has remained the same since 2008. In 2017-2018, the county sold 1,169 daily passes, 721 annual passes, and 113 three-year passes.

Creating a county cross-country ski pass will reduce the administrative burden to staff, maintain revenue, create a lower barrier to entry for new skiers, and allow more flexibility in

CLUES ACROSS 1. They look out for kids 4. Play 7. Water (French) 8. Prayer leader 10. Small constellation 12. __ Carta: influential royal charter 13. Pressure unit 14. Extrasensory perception 16. A symbol of “Aloha” 17. Portion of the small intestine 19. Psychedelic amphetamine 20. Very long period of time 21. British overseas territory 25. Cereal grain 26. Car mechanics group 27. Wish harm upon 29. At a specific prior time 30. Peyton’s younger brother 31. UK firefighters’ union 32. Carroll O’Connor’s screen partner 39. Popular show honoring musicians 41. Basics 42. Honk 43. Trent Reznor’s band 44. Patti Hearst’s captors 45. Long-legged wading bird 46. Specialized biological grouping 48. A coin goes in it 49. Of the wind 50. One-time measure of length 51. A very large body of water 52. River in NE Scotland CLUES DOWN 1. Boston hoopster 2. A type of bribe 3. SE England county

county operations. Based on Department of Natural Resources ski pass sales at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, it is expected that ski pass sales would generate $23,000 on a low snow year and $40,000 on a good snow year.

There are ski trails in five county parks: • Big Marine Park Reserve, 1.1 miles • Pine Point Regional Park, 4 miles • Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 12.2 miles • Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, 4.9 miles • St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, 7.2 miles.

4. Returned material authorization (abbr.)

5. “Hotel California” rockers 6. Italian province 8. Mischievous child 9. Popular street name 11. Boxing promoter Bob 14. Snakelike fish 15. Break into pieces 18. The Bay State 19. Time zone 20. Port city in Yemen 22. In name only 23. 007’s creator 24. No (Scottish) 27. Baseball’s Gordon and rock’s Snider are two

28. Pie _ __ mode 29. Don’t know when yet 31. Supervises interstate commerce 32. Make a ringing metallic sound 33. Helps little firms 34. Pound 35. Lilly and Manning are two 36. Put on the back burner 37. Baltimore ballplayer 38. Cuddle 39. Poker stake 40. Drinks to celebrate a birth (Spanish) 44. Pouch 47. Not around

OCTOBER 7, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

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It’s time for fall

OBITUARIES

Connie Mae Buelow Connie Mae Buelow of Taylors Falls, Minn., died Aug. 13, 2020, at the Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale, Minn. She was 8 80.

Connie was born June 6 1940, to Duane and 6, M Marcella Bursell in St. P Paul, Minn.

Connie was preceded i death by her parents in a her sister, Mary and E Ellen.

She is survived by her h husband Jim; sons Marc ( (Livi) and grandchild dren Alexa and Hailey o Marine on St. Croix; of E Eric of Osceola; Paul (Stephanie) and grandchildren Neave and Finn of Woodbury; stepson, Gary (Barb) and son James of St. Paul. She is also survived by her cousins, nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

A Celebration of Life 1for Connie will be Oct.10, at Osceola Community Church, 2492 Education Ave., Osceola, with social distancing in place. A light lunch will be service at noon with Connie’s service starting at 1 p.m.

Memorials preferred to The Charis Prision Ministry of Minnesota. P.O. Box 102, Hopkins, MN 55343 or online at www.Charismn.com.

Guided bird hikes in Washington County Parks continue Oct. 24 A rotating schedule of bird hikes throughout Washington County Parks will continue with a hike 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Big Marine Park Reserve.

Hikers should park in the playground parking lot, where the group will meet.

Registration is required, as group size is limited, and may be found on the Washington County Parks web page.

Learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home and contribute to citizen science data collection

by completing bird count surveys with the guide. The surveys collected will assist the county’s Natural Resources team and related work in conjunction with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund grant.

For Washington County park locations, see www.co.washington. mn.us/parks. Under park locations, find a county map with park contact information; search “guided bird hikes” on the county website for more information.

BY SARAH STROMMEN MN DNR COMMISSIONER

Minnesota’s seasons can change quickly. It often seems that just when you get settled into a summer routine, summer ends. That was doubly true this year.

COVID kept me closer to home this summer. My family and I got to know the parks, trails and waters near our house. And instead of our usual out-of-state summer trip, we opted for a Minnesota staycation this year. We spent time biking, fishing and walking dogs on Minnesota public lands and waters—and we weren’t alone.

It seems the pandemic encouraged Minnesotans everywhere to get outside. We waived to neighbors on normally vacant trails, watched families exploring Minnesota parks, and swapped quick fishing reports with other anglers on the lake.

I’d like to think so many of us turned to the outdoors because celebrating Minnesota’s natural beauty is an innate part of who we are. It’s where we instinctively go to recharge and revive ourselves.

And if ever we needed a recharge, this summer certainly was it.

As summer’s days grow shorter and cooler, it’s clear we’re not ready to head indoors—unless, of course, “indoors” is a tent or a camper cabin. Campgrounds are still buzzing with activity, fishing license sales are up, and trails continue to draw hikers, bikers and bird watchers.

That’s probably because fall may be Minnesota’s best season, offering its own unique options for outdoor activities.

With the summer crowds gone, fall fishing is hard to beat. In my house, fall is time to bring out the big gear and search for muskies.

We enjoy fishing the quiet lakes and watching the loons prepare for their upcoming journey. Crisp fall nights also are wonderful for camping. This is the perfect time of year to stay in one of the many camper cabins the DNR has available at state parks throughout Minnesota—they’re warm on chilly nights, but still offer a great camping adventure. If a more rustic camping experience is your thing, our state forest campgrounds have first-come, first-serve sites. Download a geoPDF map of the forest to your cell

phone and you can roam to your heart’s content and never get lost.

Of course, you might want to get a little lost in the splendor of fall color. Hiking, biking and bird watching amongst trees dressed in reds, golds and yellows is a great way to spend a fall day. If you’re looking for new places to watch the fall color show, the DNR’s webpage (mndnr.gov/fallcolor) has you covered with a Fall Color Finder Map, updates from each state park (including suggestions for things to do in addition to looking at leaves), fall color forest drives, and even a fall color email alert.

And then there’s hunting. I’m always cautious about promising good hunting—I don’t want to jinx anyone, especially myself—but I’m encouraged with prospects for deer hunting in many parts of the state. The same goes for pheasants: spring nesting conditions were good and August roadside counts were up. For most hunters, even the slightest positive sign is enough to get us planning our next outing in the woods and fields. If you’ve never been hunting, but have an inkling to try, I encourage you to get some training, perhaps find a mentor and give it go this year. The DNR’s Learn to Hunt web page (mndnr.gov/gohunting) has how-to guides and even virtual hunting classes to get you started. The site can also connect you with hunting opportunities

for youth, women and those with physical challenges.

No matter how you choose to get outdoors as the summer slips into fall, I would encourage you to #BeGoodNATUREd. As more people connect with and enjoy the outdoors through hiking, ATV riding, hunting, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities, let’s celebrate the fact that we have more people loving Minnesota’s great outdoors and make room for everyone. Model good outdoors etiquette. Lend a hand. Leave no trace. Show that Minnesota’s public lands are open and welcoming to all—and all of us must care for them.

The pandemic has changed many things for most of us. But what it hasn’t changed—in fact, what it has highlighted—is our love of the outdoors and our need to connect with nature. So let’s not mourn the passing of summer.

Instead, let’s be thankful that in Minnesota we get to experience all four seasons and the outdoor opportunities each offers. Get out your flannel and your blaze orange, it’s time for fall.…and save a little time to plan for the exciting outdoor activities yet to come this winter!

Sarah Strommen is the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This fall you’ll find her and her family on the water, in the woods or on the trail.

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 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,

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OCTOBER 7, 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

OCTOBER 7, 2020

COUNTRY MESSENGER

11

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County Board approves grant to provide COVID-19 testing in county Washington County will use a $360,000 grant from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to support COVID-19 testing.

The County Board accepted the grant Sept. 15.

The county has been actively involved in the COVID-19 response since March. Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 remains a barrier for residents and facilities in the county, due to supply shortages and access to labs. The county will work with the SEOC to coordinate additional COVID-19 testing in the county. Testing services could include mobile delivery, as well as testing events, both small and large, at locations around the county. Events may be

targeted to high-risk and high-need populations, with the emphasis on residents who may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

The testing will be done at no cost to residents who are tested, and will be done regardless of symptoms.

Testing events will be coordinated between the county, the SEOC, and the City of Cottage Grove, which will provide trained testers/swabbers and other support. The County Board approved a contract with the city for an amount not to exceed $860,000, which will come from the $360,000 grant and $500,000 that Washington County received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)

MEET the CANDIDATES Marine on St. Croix Mayor

Act. The money will pay staff, such as nurses and community health workers, and for supplies for the clinics.

The county is planning initial events, which will depend on available locations, supplies and staffing.

The county will work with other agencies as needed.

The testing will be done in addition to the testing by Bluestone Physicians under a county contract. The primary focus of the work of Bluestone will be targeting and offering testing at residential care facilities, such as long-term care and group homes, but it may be expanded to include other community-based settings.

Get to know the candidates for Mayor for Marine on St. Croix as they discuss the issues. River Radio hosts Jim Maher and Gayle Knutson will moderate these online candidate forums.

Submit your questions in advance by email info@marinecommunitylibrary.org or during the event.

The two candidates running for Mayor of Marine on St. Croix, incumbent Glen T. Mills and challenger Kevin Nyenhuis, will discuss the issues. Link to the event at https://us02web. zoom.us/j/88674643053 Marine candidate forums are hosted by the Marine Community Library and River Radio.

MARINE MAYOR Tuesday, October 13, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

For information on voting, go to: mnvotes.org.

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.com

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

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102

300

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Free Items

Services

For Sale

Storage Rent

FREE: Leather Flexsteel recliner, cream color. 651-433-5018.

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

Erickson piano service. Bryan Erickson Tuning-RegulationRepair 715-463-5958 \ 507-475-2584 Problems with your car insurance? Tickets? Accidents? Been canceled? Call Noah Insurance for help at 715-294-2017.

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

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

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

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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.

352 Home/Office THE SUN HAS YOUR office supplies – File folders, labels, register and other tapes, envelopes of many sizes, copy paper by ream or sheet and much more. Let us help you today, 108 Cascade, Osceola.

715-294-2314.

501 Real Estate Wanted Do you have a home, lot, cabin or commercial building to sell? We'll buy when you want, as-is, no fees. Call Micah at 651.400.0530

Color COPIES available at

The Sun

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“SERVING YOUR AREA”

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Visit us online: DELIVERY DRIVER WANTED Tuesdays Only The Osceola Sun and Country Messenger is seeking a reliable person to pick up and deliver our papers from the printer. This position is on Tuesdays for a full day. Duties include driving to Cambridge, MN where our papers are printed, picking up and loading the mail bags and bundles, then delivering papers to post offi ces and store locations that sell single copies in MN & WI. Must have a good driving record, the ability to lift 50 pounds, attention to detail and the ability to deal with the public. Pay: $100 a week, $180 if you use your own vehicle (van or truck).

Call 715-294-2314 or email office@osceolasun.com.

COUNTRY

Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

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

Email drb@friendlysmilesfargo.com

WANTED TO BUY

MISCELLANEOUS

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

ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks!

Get 4 free burgers and 4 free chicken breasts. Order the Omaha Steaks Classic @ only $129. Call 844/331-1614 mention code 64185ZBT or visit w w w. o m a h a s t e a k s . c o m / m e a l s 3 0 1

WANTED: ALL 1970S MOTORCYCLES Running or not. Titled or not.

Winter is coming. Sell now while prices are high! Call Dan at 612/720-2142

MISCELLANEOUS 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 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 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 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

Northwire, Inc. is looking for great people to join our production team. Fulltime production positions are available in:

EXTRUSION, BRAIDING, HALL (2ND & 3RD SHIFTS)

MAINTENANCE (3RD SHIFT ONLY)

Pay $15-$18 starting depending on position. Full benefits package provided.

If you are interested in working with us, apply in person or send resume to Northwire, Inc. 110 Prospect Way, Osceola, WI 54020 or email to HumanResources_ Northwire@lemo.com.

Northwire is an Equal Opportunity Employer Male/Female/Veteran/Disability

12

COUNTRY MESSENGER

OCTOBER 7, 2020 www.countrymessenger.com

SHERIFF’S REPORT Marine on St. Croix

SEPT. 20 At 11 a.m., theft was reported on Judd Street.

At 11:30 a.m., an alarm sounded on the 17000 block of St. Croix Trail N. At 6:39 p.m., property damage was reported on Broadway Street.

SEPT. 23 At 9:02 p.m., an accident was reported on Judd Street.

SEPT. 24 At 10:16 a.m., a traffic stop was made on St. Croix Trail N. Sept. 25 At 9:42 p.m., an abandoned 911 call was reported on 3rd Street.

May Township

SEPT. 20 At 3:48 p.m, trespassing

was reported on the 13000 block of May Avenue N.

SEPT. 21 At 4:11 p.m., a civil matter/dispute was reported on 13000 block of 177th Street N.

SEPT. 22 At 10:13 a.m., a public works concern was reported on the 170th Street N./Orwell Road N.

SEPT. 23 At 11 a.m., an animal complaint was reported on the 11000 block of 148th Street N. At 3:57 p.m., a fraud/ scam was reported on the 14000 block of Kirby Avenue N. At 8:22 p.m., a fire was reported on the 16000 block of Square Lake Trail N. At 8:24 p.m., a driving complaint was reported

SEPT. 26

on Manning Trail N./ Square Lake Trail N.

At 8:06 a.m., an alarm sounded on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. At 9:55 a.m., a traffic stop was made at 170th Street N./Kirby Avenue N.

SEPT. 24 At 7:58 a.m., an alarm sounded on Square Lake Trail N./Norell Avenue N. At 8:48 a.m., a traffic stop was reported on the 16000 block of Kimbro Avenue N. At 1:45 p.m., a welfare check was made on the 15000 block of Ostlund Trail N. At 4:47 p.m., an alarm sounded on the 17000 block of Manning Trail N.

Scandia

SEPT. 20 At 8:59 a.m., an alarm sounded on the 14000 block of Scandia Trail N. At 12:42 p.m., a driving complaint was reported on St. Croix Trail N./ Scandia Trail N.

SEPT. 25

SEPT. 21

At 10:06 a.m., a road hazard was reported at 170th Street N./Manning Trail N. At 8:55 pm., a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 14000 block of Ostlund Ct. N.

At 8:37 a.m., a suspicious person/activity was reported on the 19000 block of Quinnell Avenue N. At 11:09 a.m., a parking complaint was reported on the 18000 block of Layton Avenue N.

Spotlight on Area Businesses

At 4:55 p.m., a parking complaint was reported on the 18000 block of Layton Avenue N.

SEPT. 22 At 3:13 p.m., a public works concern was reported on Penfield Avenue N./215th St. N. At 3:50 pm., a vehicle unlock was made on the 19000 block of Quinnell Avenue N. At 7:38 p.m., a vehicle unlock was made on the 12000 block of 238th Street N. At 8:34 p.m., a driving complaint was reported on Olinda Trail/240th Street N.

SEPT. 23 At 12:22 a.m., an open door/window was reported on the 22000 block of Manning Trail N. At 2:53 p.m., an animal complaint was reported on Hwy. 97 at Meadowbrook Avenue N. At 6:51 p.m,. an animal complaint was reported on the 16000 block of O’Brien Trail N. At 9:49 p.m., an accident was reported on the 23000 block of Paris Avenue N.

SEPT. 24 At 11:06 a.m., a traffic stop was made on the 12000 block of Scandia Trail N. At 11:42 p.m., a lockout was reported on the 14000

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THE LOCAL FOCUS!

block of Scandia Trail N. At 12:58 p.m., an incident was reported on the 22000 block of Perkins Avenue N. At 5:40 p.m., a park complaint was made on the 23000 block of Paris Avenue N. At 7:55 p.m., a driving complaint was made on the 18000 block of Layton Avenue N. At 8:32 pm., a fire was reported on the 18000 block of Layton Avenue N.

SEPT. 25 At 12:10 pm., an alarm sounded on the 21000 block of Ozark Avenue N. At 2:19 pm., a civil matter/dispute was reported on the 21000 block of Olinda Lane N. At 9:12 p.m., internet crimes were reported on the 14000 block of 202nd Street N.

SEPT. 26 At 12:25 p.m., a parking complaint was reported on the 18000 block of Layton Avenue N. At 12:36 p.m., an animal complaint was reported on the 23000 block of Manning Trail N. At 3:55 p.m., a public works concern was reported on the 22000 block of Manning Trail N. At 6:25 p.m., trespassing was reported on the 17000 block of Layton Avenue N.

SCHULTE: Lucy wins

• 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

FROM PAGE 4

Houston scored three runs to break the game open.

You knew the Twins weren’t going to do anything in the bottom of the ninth and they didn’t.

Okay, that’s one game, I told myself. The Twins can rebound and force a game 3. Their offense was even more putrid in Game 2 and once again Houston capitalized late and broke the game open.

It was 3-1, going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but as a fan, it felt like 10-1.

So, I was wrong on both counts and the losing streak is now 18 straight playoff games and once again, Lucy has the last laugh and as a fan, I make a complete idiot of myself.

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

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

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR? LET ME RETURN YOUR CALL

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

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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