COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 VOL. 36 NO. 35 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
COUNTY BOARD: Negotiations underway for administrator. PAGE 7
City Council discuss art fair future in Marine BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
The continuation of the Art Fair in Marine on St. Croix was brought to the table at the Dec. 12 City Council meeting after the Relief Association voted to continue the fundraiser for another year. A list of challenges making it difficult to keep the event thriving were discussed along with possible outcomes after the 47th event 2020. “The Art Fair has been a community event in Marine on St. Croix for 40 some years, but the last five years have seen a decrease in public attendance and vendors including the amount of money we’re making and we believe there are several reasons for this,” said council
Council increases sewer fees again BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sewer system users in Scandia are getting another rate increase in 2020. The Scandia City Council last week approved a 5 percent across-the-board increase in fees for residents who use the city’s “201” sewer systems: the Bliss and Anderson-Erickson sewer systems
which serve about 110 homes on either side of Big Marine Lake, and the Uptown sewer system which serves many of the businesses and homes near the city center. The rate increases aren’t entirely unanticipated, though. City officials have been preparing financially for roughly $1.2 million in SEE SEWER, PAGE 2
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With convenient ways to buy and sell art online, small town art fairs are seeing a decline in public and vendor attendance, including Marine on St. Croix.
SEE ART FAIR, PAGE 2
The Christmas Story St. Luke 2: 1-20 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and
lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they went there, the days were accomplished that she should
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be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said
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unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and SEE CHRISTMAS, PAGE 2
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SUBMITTED
Scandia Good Neighbor Award A Good Neighbor Award Proclamation was presented to Scandia resident, Ruth Willius, at the December 17 City Council meeting. Scandia Mayor Christine Maefsky presented the award, thanking Willius for her contributions to the Scandia community. Willius was nominated by Janie O’ Connor who attributed her volunteer work with the Marine Area Community Library Board and service as Chair of the Children’s Committee.
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