8 minute read
A horse’s body contains 205 bones
from The Sun 06.10.2020
by The Sun
the guidelines, and she hopes that everyone can learn valuable lessons from the Coronavirus situation.
“I think it’s important just to take a step back and chill out,” she said. “I think people just need to stay home and rest their bodies.”
Advertisement
Just a few miles down the road in Marine on St. Croix, Minn., Matt Miller has been getting ready to open up the Brookside Bar and Grill’s patio dining area. He arranged outdoor seating with tables spaced a safe distance from each other, with no more than six chairs at a table. The patio could seat up to 50 people.
Inside, most of the furniture has been removed, so people who enter for to-go orders have space to stay away from others. The restrooms have been made as touch-free as possible
“Like everyone, we’re bummed,” Miller said. “This is just not something that anyone wanted, and it’s just unfortunate that it’s happening. And much of it’s out of our control.”
He’s decided to take the setbacks in stride and not let the situation upset him. Each day, he’s listening for health guidance from the CDC
May 13 Safer At Home struck down
SUBMITTED
COVID-19 numbers have risen steadily in Polk County since the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Evers Safer At Home order. The Polk County Health Department reported 6 confi rmed cases on May 13, and as of June 8 there are 33 cases countywide.
and the government.
Since Brookside closed on St. Patrick’s Day, Miller began curbside pickup in late April. He’s been happy with the support from his customers and hopes it continues, especially with the recent outdoor seating development.
Washington County has 731 confi rmed cases of COVID-19 as of June 8, according the Minnesota Department of Health. The total cases in Minnesota increased by over 4,000 between May 26 and June 8.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Evers Safer at Home order on May 13. On that day there were 13,538 COVID-19 cases in wisconsin and just four confi rmed cases in Polk County. As of June 8 there were 20,835 cases statewide and 33 cases in Polk County, according to the Polk County Health Department.
Business owners in Polk County, however, are up for the challenge of balancing health and maintaining local businesses.
Cascade Bar and Grill in Osceola, owned by Wayne Erickson and his son, Tyler, faced a diffi cult shutdown on St. Patrick’s Day. They had just received their liquor license fi ve days before, which was especially frustrating.
“I understood the need to do it, but I think it went too long,” Erickson said. “It’s hurt a lot of businesses.”
Recently, Erickson has been working nonstop to get the bar ready for customers. He’s taking all the precautions he can, from prepackaging condiments to using paper menus, plastic cups, and spacing tables six feet apart. Tables are limited to six people unless they’re family, and the tables and bar are sanitized regularly.
“I think it’s safe as long as you’re smart,” Erickson said. “Do the right things. Sanitize. If people want to wear masks, they’re welcome to.”
Another challenge the bar faces is the infl ux of customers from Minnesota. People who have been itching to get back to normal are driving across the border to take a break from staying home.
Right now, Erickson encourages everyone to support local businesses.
“I go to the other bars around here and eat,” he said. “Support the local people. Any community should do that.”
Down the street in Osceola, the Watershed Café’s dining room has been open since the morning after Memorial Day.
ARNELL MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY
Rita Rasmuson, co-owner of the Watershed, has been operating the café with her husband Steve since 2014. They’ve become a staple in the community and receive a lot of business from across the border.
So far, one of the biggest hurdles for Rasmuson is the negative environmental impact being a to-go restaurant has on the earth. The purpose of the Watershed is to provide a sit-down environment with real plates and silverware and minimal waste. With no time to prepare, the staff immediately went to work transitioning into take-out service by using compostable, recyclable materials.
From there, Rasmuson faced more diffi culties, like cutting staff hours and navigating how their food quality would hold up after a car ride. The new take-out-only service lasted until recently when the dine-in option became available.
“The next step was to limit people in the building,” Rasmuson said. “So, it was almost like we had to make a barrier to protect ourselves as much as we needed to protect our customers.”
As a family-oriented restaurant, there are concerns that if one person contracts Coronavirus, it will spread quickly. With two of Rasmuson’s sons and her husband working at the café, the whole family is intentional about complying with safety measures.
At fi rst, some customers weren’t following safety procedures, and Rasmuson and her staff had to state the rules fi rmly.
“Going out to dinner’s a nice thing,” she said, “so respect it.”
Looking to the future, Rasmuson doesn’t see things going back to normal anytime soon. Restaurants will continue having a diffi cult time staying open if their community does not support them. She hopes the current situation will encourage everyone to shop locally for food and support farmers.
As the businesses in Polk County continue to offer their services during these times, and Washington County begins to do the same, everyone should take extra precautions and stay safe while supporting each other. It’s vital now more than ever to respect the physical and fi nancial well-being of our communities.
Abigail wears a short blue coat with white mittens and bib. She is a little spitfi re, a combination of unbridled bravado and heart. Abigail is not afraid of anything. She will play with an older kitten or entertain herself with fuzz balls and shadows. Abigail is sure to be a force to reckon with. She would make an excellent playmate for another bouncy kitten.
When you can get her to stop for a minute, Abigail will collapse into your chest for cuddling. Her purr is immediate. Abigail is ready to move home with you.
It is strange time to make your way through all of the uncertainty and chaos of Covid. All alone, Abigail found her way to the Arnell shelter by way of a kind lady who found her meowing in her yard. She is not alone in her predicament. In a good year, June is the month of kittens coming out in force. This year, with limited resources and shelter operations stunted by the virus, kittens and all homeless pets, will need extra help from the community.
With cases of Covid on the rise in Polk County and the surrounding areas, Arnell shelter operations will be possible with some restrictions. Dog and cat adoptions will take place by appointment. Available pets will appear on our web site. Interested adopters will make their introduction to Arnell by fi lling out an online “Pre-Adoption Inquiry.” The inquiry will allow Arnell to set up appointments to meet the animals.
Dog introductions will be an outdoor affair. Kitties chosen will be met in a designated “Meet and Greet” room. Masks are required to enter the building.
It is a much different process than we are used to and takes some time to respond and coordinate.
And so, this week there are a few new faces looking to make your acquaintance. Duncan and Addison are three month old kittens. Duncan has a medium length, blue and white coat. His sister Addison is mitted with short hair and an unusual diluted blue coat. It is a pale silver chocolate color. She is very unique.
Sebastian has a short black coat. He is two years old with beautiful yellow-green eyes. Sebastian is a loving fellow. He is gentle and friendly, just wants to be loved. Cecily is a fi ve year old shorthair Calico with a classic markings. She too, is very sweet and will make a great companion.
Adoptable dogs are Big and Small. Shotgun is the biggest. He is an 80 pound, two year old Husky/Malamute-Shepherd Mix. Shotgun gets along with other dogs and wouldn’t mind a spot in your lap. Shooter is one year old Aussie-Shepherd. He has a red Aussie coat and two ice blue eyes. Shooter would make a great companion for a home without other dogs or cats.
Dottie is a black and white Heeler Mix with blue eyes and a soft bunny fur coat. She is a character, voicing her opinion and wiggling into your heart at the same time. Mia is a seven year old brindle Boxer. She has lots of energy, enjoying her walks and all attention she can get. Mia would love to curl up on your couch and watch the world go by.
Another cuddler is Pierre. He is a 12+ year old Toy Poodle. Pierre would be content to stay in your lap all day with the exception of being carried around when you go somewhere. Pierre gets around on his own just fi ne but at his advanced age, he is ready to enjoy his golden years being pampered and adored. View our adoptable animals on our website: www. ARNELLHUMANE.ORG. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715 268-7387, Amery.
Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, all gatherings of 10 or more are being curtailed. If there is an event you were attending, please call to see if it is occurring. The Out & About page will return when this restriction is lifted, hopefully soon.
Proud to make an IMPACT ON LOCAL
BUSINESS!
Need business advice?
FBB is honored to be a trusted source of expertise with PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM loans and more.
