APRIL 8, 2015
THE SUN
5
www.osceolasun.com
SCF wastewater treatment plant: finished by fall BY SAMANTHA FOUNTAIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Saint Croix Falls City Council toured the headworks and wastewater treatment plant facilities at its March 30 meeting. Headworks is where the initial pool is located and where the first part of the treatment of waste takes place. In the initial pool untreatable solids are removed — most would be surprised by what gets flushed down toilets and needs to be filtered here.
The rest of the process takes place at the wastewater treatment plant. The facilities use a modern process called anaerobic digestion. Through this process, microorganisms break down organic materials like food scraps, manure and sewage sludge, in the absence of oxygen. Recycling waste through anaerobic digestion produces biogas and a soil amendment, two valuable by-products. The facilities are not up and running yet, but work is on schedule
to be completed by the end of this summer. Other business: The Saint Croix Falls Library has been granted three Class B Beer Licenses, one for each of their Monthly Film Events to be held April 14, May 12 and June 9. A public hearing has been set to vacate Alley 75, which is at the north end of town between Main Street and Hamilton. The council approved an engagement letter with Ehlers for continuing disclosure services.
TRAIN: Local author highlights Osceola, river in historical fiction FROM PAGE 1
The book, “From Rivers to Rails,” follows Stillwater Post reporter John B. Doelan as he covers paddleboat mishaps, an epic logjam and an economy bound for change with the arrival of a new railroad. “An important question is, why did they build a railroad here in the first place?” asks Brede. He gives it a second to sink in before revealing the answer. “Grain millers in the Twin Cities were a big reason. They needed a way to get their grain to the East Coast, primarily New York.” Brede, who researches local history on the Internet, at the library and through interviews, uses such questions to drive the book’s plot. The questions are embedded in history, but often buried in typical tellings. Where history gives all the answers, Brede’s storytelling allows the reader to wonder. “The big problem was getting the trestle across the St. Croix River,” he continues. “Would they do it at Sunrise in Somerset or north of Taylors Falls?” Brede’s interest in the history of the area likely started as a child, hunting and fishing along the St. Croix. He moved to Osceola as an adult in 1992, where he raised three children with his wife, Susan. But it wasn’t until he retired from a career in the financial industry in 2005 that he really started writing. Two years ago he started self-publishing through CreateSpace. ”Over the years I put together about 15 titles,” he says. “I’m the author, I
REMEMBER WHEN 10 years ago April 6, 2005 • The Osceola School District is considering starting a K4 charter school. • Osceola High School’s forensics team qualified for the Wisconsin High School Forensics Association state competition. Members included Tracey Breure, Danielle Cottor, Emily Pfannes, Vanessa Roberts, Jeremy Boucher, Brady Langer and Caroline Forrest. • Future Educators of America and Family, Career and Community Leaders at Osceola High School sponsored a Buy, Try and Sell program for students to buy pre-owned prom dresses. • The Osceola boys track team placed first at the All-American Invitational. They won five gold medals and Dave Hogen set a new meet record in the 400m dash. • The Osceola girls softball team lost to St. Croix Falls, 13-7. ª Polk County Sheriff Ann Hraychuck attended a state meth summit in Appleton in March. • St. Croix Falls high school students competed in the State Career Development Conference in Lake Geneva. Laura Houston placed first in her promotions role-play based on retail merchandising, Kyle Hawkins won for economics role-play in the area of vehicles and petroleum and Zach Whittenberger won for his role-play in business services.
PFC598 | CREATIVE COMMONS
A train crossing the Arcola High Bridge over the St. Croix River in March, 2009. Rail construction along the St. Croix is the topic of Fred Brede’s new book, “From Rivers to Rails.”
do all of the editing, cover creation, design, the whole gamut. The only thing I’ve had to expense is the printing press.” He even leads a class on how to create your own book at no cost. “A lot of people want to write family histories or a story about the horse they had when they were a kid,” he says, “but they don’t know how to do it. I kind of guide them through the process.” Brede’s says “Rivers to Rails” is for people who wonder what it was like to live in Osceola in the late 1800s. “The 1886 logjam plays a very critical part in what’s happening,” he says. “It took all summer to clear that jam. The reporter is reporting on the jam and on paddleboats meeting pine logs. It was a constant battle between the boat companies and logging companies.” Another of Brede’s books, “The Dam is Coming,” covers the logjam specifically.
“All of my books tie together: logging, paddleboats and now railroads are coming in,” he says. “They were building from both directions — Stillwater and Turtle Lake.” There were logistical problems along the way, he notes, but in the end the tracks of change were laid. “In September of 1887 the railroads met here and the town had a big celebration,” he says. Once complete, the railroad connected the people of Osceola to the rest of the nation, says Brede. “There were about four passenger trains a day. In the winter of ‘87 you could get on a train at 7 in the morning and be in Minneapolis at 9:05 [a.m.]. People started commuting, staying in the city and coming home on weekends. ... People were now connected to the world, they could go out west through the Black Hills or to New York City.”
And although there has been a great deal of change since, Osceola’s unique history continues to draw people eager to learn. With his book, Brede hopes to make that history a bit more accessible, even entertaining.
LETTERS: FROM PAGE 4
recruit, screen, train and match more volunteers to help your Polk County elderly and disabled neighbors age in place at home. Please join me in making a contribution to Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County.
20 years ago April 5, 1995 • The Osceola School District held an open house to dedicate the WestWING distance learning network. • Patty Wetterling visited St. Croix Falls on Thursday to talk to school children about personal safety. • Eddie Gwaizdon, Sarah Moore, Jessica Anderson and Anthony Hegge were named Osceola High School Students of the Month. • David Fritsche of Osceola has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Award. • Stephanie Jasken was named to the fall and winter quarter dean’s list at University
of Minnesota-Duluth. • Osceola High School Vaudeville Division III Odyssey of the Mind team placed first and advanced to state. Members were Jamie Koehler, Val Johnson, Bridgette Leonard, Jim Cook, Mickie Hawkinson and Amy Deloach. The Division III Scientific Safari team also will complete at state. Members were Ian Edlund, Cathy Cook, Angela Olson, Megan Hartman, Owen Swerkstrom and Jacy Wolter. • Osceola Middle School teams heading to state were Division I New Twist and Division II Scientific Safari. New Twist members were Eliza van de Wiele, Adam Dunnom, Terra Barrus, Dan Koehler, Kyle Miller, Andy Bader and Chris Lones. Scientific Safari members were Amber Dunnom, Athena Hermholm, Becky Bysrom, Seth Viebrock, Kristine Shores, Dustin Havlish and Eric Feske.
30 years ago April 9, 1985
• Shannon Olson has been chosen to receive the 1985 Motorbooks International $600 college scholarship. • Leanne Johnson has been awarded a scholarship through the Youth for Understanding organization and will travel to Japan for an eight-week stay. • Douglas and Ethelyn Schone have purchased Designs by Susan Charles and are renaming the business Osceola Interiors. • Nathalie LeNozach is the new Amity French aide at Osceola High School. • A 40th anniversary open house is planned April 14 for Sheldon and Florence Christensen. • Representatives of Aid Association for Lutherans presented Ed Seller with a check in excess of $5,00 for costs incurred from a back injury. • New owners at Buster’s Fairway, Albert Matthews and Charles Miller, took over operation of the grocery store on April 18. • The Osceola Business Association presented flowers to attorney Timothy Laux at the open house at his law office located in the Doll building.
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<www.osceolasun.com> Congratulations to Molly
Korzenowski
Carol Mattson, Interfaith Board Member
NOAH INSURANCE GROUP
LADIES: Night out for women of St. Croix Valley FROM PAGE 1
ness owners in Osceola to broaden the concept behind the salon’s night out. At the event, there will be demos for less traditionally feminine activities like archery, kayak and paddle board in Mill Pond Park — from businesses on both sides of the river. There will be gender-neutral activities like wine tasting as well as “girlie” things to do: shopping, a fairy garden display and a fashion show focused on local design-
ers. And yes, a chance for women to get their hair “did.” “We want women to look good, feel good and do good,” said Ross. “And have fun.” The event is largely unstructured. Visitors can come and go in Mill Pond Park from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The fashion show, which will feature all ages and sizes, is slated for 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Square. For more information check the event’s Facebook page: http://on.fb. me/1GBE046.
Winner of a Samsung Tablet!
Compliments of
Ryan Christensen
108 Chieftain Street • Osceola, WI 715-294-2202 • Fax: 715-294-9995