WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 120 NO. 45 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Spring sports season comes to an end. PAGE 12
By boat, pony or rail: Historical Society illuminates early mail delivery Did the Pony Express ever deliver mail to Osceola? Who was the longest serving local postmaster? What part did the railroad play in bringing mail to our area? The Osceola Historical Society will answer these questions and more in interactive presentation on “Early Mail Delivery” Monday evening, June 4, at the Osceola Medical Center (Cascade Room), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome. Attendees are invited to bring early postal artifacts, stamp collections and memories to share after the program. Much research has gone into locating information about the area’s early post offices includ-
ing Farmington Center, South Farmington, East and West Farmington, Nye. Attendees will learn how many different post office buildings served the town of Osceola, and find out what part the United State Post Office played in the naming of communities. The Osceola Historical Society is a nonprofit organization working to preserve local history. Currently the organization owns the Emily Olson House at 408 River Street, which is open to the public for tours on Saturdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., from Memorial Day to mid-October, and other times by appointment. The group also owns the National Register
Osceola SOO Line Depot and partners with the Minnesota Transportation Museum to offer train rides in the St. Croix River Valley. In 2018, extensive work is planned to bring the archives into the digital age and a new history book is in the works for Osceola’s 175th Anniversary in 2019. Membership is welcome and many volunteer opportunities are available. For more information see the Osceola Historical Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/Osceola. Historical.Society/ or email osceolahistorical@gmail.com.
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Big fish
Brady Kobernick caught a large trout in the Mill Pond Saturday during the Osceola Fish Hatchery’s fishing clinic.
SUBMITTED
Steve Rasmuson, Sydney Paredes, Don Hansen and Rita Rasmuson at the St. Croix River Association annual gathering, after the Rasmusons had accepted the award for their work though the Watershed Cafe.
Watershed Cafe recognized for stewardship
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Fire Hall open house
The new fire hall boasts a locker room. Osceola Fire and Rescue opened the hall to the public on Saturday.
NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
An Osceola restaurant has earned this year’s St. Croix Watershed Stewardship Award. In May, the St. Croix River Association recognized the Watershed Cafe and its owners, Rita and Steve Rasmuson, for their contributions to stewardship of the St. Croix River and its broader watershed. Rita and Steve opened the Watershed Cafe in July 2014, and continue to carry out their original vision of operating a sustainably-sourced, community-focused restaurant along the St. Croix River. The Rasmusons honor the surrounding natural resources and the vibrant community by cultivating partnerships which support their environmental stewardship. They do so by collaborating with local farmers who provide much of the fresh produce, dairy prodADVERTISING 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
ucts, meats, and cheeses. They highlight these small business in the restaurant and on their Facebook page. Rita and Steve bring wholesome, local foods to the table for patrons to enjoy. The Rasmusons highlight the artwork of amateur and professional artists throughout the cafe. Currently on display are photos of the St. Croix and Namegakon Rivers, taken by renowned photographer, Craig Blacklock, as featured in his recently published photo book, “St. Croix & Namekagon Rivers: An Enduring Gift.” The Watershed Café is the chosen gathering place for conservation collaborations and river related celebrations. However, the Rasmusons’ influence goes far beyond the doors of the Watershed Cafe. Rita actively encourages conservation of the water-
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com
shed by leading presentations for local school children and actively encourages conservation in the course of doing business in the area. They donate significant time and talent in support of SCRA’s mission and work. Dan Willius, former SCRA Board Chair remarked, “Before they even understood the geographic scope of the watershed, Rita and Steve chose the name “Watershed Cafe” because of the strong connection they felt there would be between their new business and the St. Croix River. They wholeheartedly support the people and organizations working to protect the St. Croix. In particular, they have become strong supporters of the St. Croix River Association and the National Park Service.”
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone