COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY,APRIL 8, 2015 VOL. 31 NO. 49
www.countrymessenger.com $.75
WILDER FOREST: May Town Board requested to support potential land purchase. P5
At Elim, crucifix tells story through found art BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
The wood is worn, the statue a patchwork of irregular parts. Its shape seems a rough sketch of something more detailed to come. In the sanctuary of Elim Lutheran Church, the Lenten crucifi x sits at odd juxtaposition to the intricately carved altar, the meticulously soldered stained glass, the grandly lofted ceiling. According to Lynne Moratzka, that’s just how it’s supposed to be. The crucifi x, constructed from found junk material, represents Jesus’ message in addition to the story of his crucifi xion. “All during Lent we hear stories of Jesus encountering people who had been told they were junk — trash,” says Moratzka. “Even the cross was the least acceptable form of execution. It was the reserved for the worst. “Jesus turned everything upside down,” she continues. “He approached people who had been told they were junk and said, ‘You’re not.’ He turned the crucifix into something beautiful.” A crucifi x at Luther Seminary inspired Elim’s found-art crucifix. Local woodworkers Wayne Nickelson and Phil Peper, both members of the congregation, worked together to build it. Moratzka described Nickelson and Peper as SEE ELIM LUTHERAN, PAGE 2
With a little help from his friends Fundraiser for Dan Boardman will feature Beatles tunes
going through cancer treatment. He and his supporters have organized a fundraiser for April 25, at the Marine Village Hall. “We will be celebratBY SUZANNE LINDGREN ing Dan's love for the EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM music of the Beatles Marine resident Dan and the communities' love for Dan,” said Boardman is asking MacLeslie. for a little help from Boardman and his friends in his fi ght to overcome pancreat- friends will perform Beatles music from 7 ic cancer. to 10 p.m. While Board“Dan is well known man is going through in the area as a great treatment and is weakmusician, friend of er than usual, said many and a good MacLeslie, he is still neighbor,” said his able to perform on ocfriend Nanc MacLescasion. lie. “He just did a benefi t Case in point: For the in Minneapolis and he past six years, Boardrallied because music man has produced is energy for Dan,” she the annual Stockings Were Hung Christmas said. There will be a sugfundraiser at the Magested donation at the rine Village Hall to benefit the elementary door. Funds raised will go to the Boardschool. man family. Boardman was diagnosed last November, and is currently
SUBMITTED
Marine resident Dan Boardman will perform songs from the Beatles at his benefit show, April 25.
Rather than refurbish, city will purchase new fire tanker Response time requirements remain unchanged BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CAROL SEEFELDT
The Lenten crucifix at Elim, made of found junk material by Wayne Nickelson and Phil Peper, represents Jesus’ message as well as the story of his crucifixion.
NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
Scandia will likely be getting a new fi re truck but not any new firefighters following a pair of decisions last week. During the city council’s April 1 meeting, the council opted to replace, rather than refurbish, its
ADVERTISING 651-433-3845 sales@osceolasun.com
1991 Ford fire tanker. The city had considered refurbishing the truck, but determined that the costs of doing so would have been prohibitive compared to purchasing a new one. “From a depreciation point of view … it doesn’t make sense to refurbish something that old,” councilman Bob Hegland said. Scandia Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that refurbishing the tanker would cost between $150,000 and $180,000, while a new tanker
PUBLIC NOTICES 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 651-433-3845 office@osceolasun.com
would cost between $218,000 and $230,000. There is presumably some resale value to be recouped from the existing tanker as well. “It was hard to even get bids (on the refurbishing work) because most of the suppliers don’t want to mess with it,” Hinz said. Regarding its fi refighters, the council voted to keep as is its policy of requiring fi refighters to live within an eight minute drive o f SEE FIRE TANKER, PAGE 2
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone