COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 VOL. 33 NO. 31 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
TURKEY CARNITAS: Thanksgiving leftovers. PAGE 5
Tipsy Pies heading south along St. Croix
JESSICA ANDERSON | COUNTRY MESSENGER
Land of 10,000 lakes BY JESSICA ANDERSON INTERIM EDITOR
Being Minnesotans we know that frozen lakes and frigid temperatures are not going to keep fishermen from their fish. It’s likely you know someone who is champing at the bit to get out on the lakes now that ice has appeared on them, but this attitude can be dangerous: frozen lakes aren’t the safest of places. Because this autumn
has been so abnormally warm ice will not have built up on the lakes at the rate to which many of us are accustomed. Due to fluctuations like this ice fishing simply can’t follow as strict of a schedule that other hunting and fishing seasons do. Many people wonder “When is ice safe?” and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has a response. “There really is no sure answer. You can’t judge
the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors – plus the depth of the water under the ice, size of the body of water, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and local climate conditions.” However, the department does provide general guidelines to help us be safe on our frozen
lakes. When looking at the thickness of the ice, two inches or less is not safe even to walk on, four is okay for ice fishing and other activities only on foot, five inches can hold a snowmobile or ATV, eight to twelve a car or small truck, and twelve to fifteen a medium sized truck. But again there are other factors, for example if the ice you’re measuring is white/snow
BY JESSICA ANDERSON INTERIM EDITOR
JESSICA ANDERSON | COUNTRY MESSENGER
11 a.m. The bracelets will consist of a braided length of rope that is easily undone and to be used in emergency situations. In addition to making those, the kids will learn survival tips and basic knot tying. The next of these programs is all about snowflakes. They will learn why snowflakes
BY JESSICA ANDERSON INTERIM EDITOR
SEE ICE FISHING, PAGE 2
No need to hibernate Although bodies of water are turning to ice and the landscape is being coated in white it’s no reason not to enjoy the great outdoors. In this area we’re lucky to have William O’Brien State Park which offers many winter activities. These activities range from utilizing the hiking trails to participating in the several scheduled classes and events. The park is available for snow shoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, winter hikes, wildlife watching, and winter camping. Snow shoes are available for rent at the park office. Beyond these independent activities William O’Brien has put together several different scheduled events that appeal to a wide variety of interests and age groups. Over the season there will be three programs that are part of Kids’ Winter Wonderland. The first will be making holiday survival bracelets and will take place on Sat., Dec. 3, from 10 to
JESSICA ANDERSON | COUNTRY MESSENGER
Sara Hayden, owner of Tipsy Pies, hard at work in the business's new location in Stillwater.
occur when they do and in the form they take, as well as making their own snowflake to take home. This program will take place on Sat., Jan. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. The third and final of the Kids’ Winter Wonderland
This fall, after about five years of business in Marine, Sara’s Tipsy Pies has moved down to Stillwater. During the business’s residency in Marine it operated out of the Marine General Store. Owner Sara Hayden said of the shared space: “It’s been a huge benefit to my business.” Tipsy Pies occupied part of the lower level within the General Store, sharing the space with the General’s own bakery. “For a small business it’s the way to start off,” Hayden stated, adding “Andy [Kraemer, former co-owner of the General Store with wife, Karen] helped me quite a bit with the numbers” when the business first started. “He’s kind of a saint … and Karen was so wonderful.” But more room was needed for the growing business and she also felt they were “taxing the General,” taking up so much space. Hayden said she feels her pies and Marine go together well. “It fits—pie, the traditional, yet unconventional” nature of Marine. Originally from Stillwater, she admitted to being concerned before the business opened that the people of Marine wouldn’t be interested in “boozy pies,” but it turned out that [the General Store] was, for awhile, Tipsy Pies’ largest wholesale account. The main concern about Marine for Hayden was the distance. From the cities it’s a fairly long drive and while Tipsy Pies has customers who are willing to do the commute, not everyone is. “The farthest we’ve had someone drive is from Mankato.” She said, “The old saying is true, location is important.” For approximately a year and a half Hayden had been keeping an eye on the building Tipsy Pies now occupies. She learned that it was available in the midst of the State Fair, where Tipsy Pies are sold in huge quantities, and several wedding orders. It’s a very busy time of year for the business, so after the fair, they packed up and moved south. “It was harder than I thought it would be to walk away from Marine. The day I had to turn in my keys, when we were
SEE WINTER ACTIVITIES, PAGE 2 SEE TIPSY PIES, PAGE 2
NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
ADVERTISING 651-433-3845 sales@osceolasun.com
PUBLIC NOTICES 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 651-433-3845 office@osceolasun.com
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone