The Sun 07.24.19

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019

Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897

VOL. 121 NO. 52 www.osceolasun.com $1.00

SPORTS: Braves overcome Millers PAGE 10

Dairy diverges in Polk County

How family farms are coping with the ever-evolving industry

BY KELLY HOLM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It is well known that Wisconsin leads the nation in cheese production. After all, it’s the reason Green Bay Packers fans proudly embrace the “cheesehead” label, despite the team’s name itself deriving from the meat packing industry. Perhaps

this statistic is why our state can still claim the title of America’s Dairyland, despite decades of lagging behind California in overall production of milk.

“I don’t know when Wisconsin became known as…

America’s Dairyland,” said Farmington township dairy

St. Croix Valley gets ready to Shine

SEE DAIRY, PAGE 13

BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

tional 45-minute interactive educational

Have you seen the “What is Shine” signs around town?

Set for August 5 - 11, Shine is a week of free events and services from car washes and lawn mowing to canoe trips and a pig roast.

Now in its second year, the effort is growing.

“Last year was kind of an experimental year,” said Larry Mederich, lead pastor at Osceola Community Church. “We had 65 volunteers. This year it’s 130, from three churches, ours, Hope Church and Bethesda Lutheran. We have seven businesses supporting it.

And I think it will get even bigger in the future.”

No longer recruiting workers, organizers are now looking for people to sign up for a house washing, lawn mowing, canoe trip or to spend an evening out with free babysitting. The above require registration

by August 2.

Other events — car washes, dog baths, prepaid loads at the laundromat, a kids carnival, and Sunday morning church service and pig roast — do not require registration.

Although the event is centered in Osceola, people in surrounding towns and villages are welcome to participate.

The offerings were well received last year, Mederich reported.

“A young lady came through the car wash,” he said. “She had the whole back of her car full of laundry. … I told her my wife was doing free laundry over at the laundromat. She almost cried.”

Shine volunteers power washed 12 houses last year and approximately seven dogs. Some 400 children came through for the kids carnival.

“And parents loved the parents night out,” Mederich said. “They got to get away and it didn’t cost them a penny.”

For volunteers, Mederich

SEE SHAKESPEARE, PAGE 2

SEE SHINE, PAGE 2

Shakespeare in the (state) park

BY KELLY HOLM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The St. Croix ArtBarn will not be the only company in the St. Croix Valley to perform Shakespeare under the stars this summer. On Saturday, July 27, Summit Players Theater is rolling into town to put on “Romeo and Juliet” at Interstate Park. The traveling troupe, which celebrates its fifth season this year, is dabbling in tragedy for the first time after previous runs of comedies such as “Twelfth Night,” and is hitting a longer list of state parks than ever before to commemorate this milestone.

“This show may be different from the comedies we’ve done before, but we’re offering audiences the same Summit Players experience they’ve come to know and love,” SPT founder and Executive Director Hannah Klapperich-Mueller said.

SPT aims to present Shakespeare’s work in an easy-to-understand, accessible manner.

“We cut the script of “Romeo and Juliet” down to [a] 75-minute adaptation… removing a lot of the extended metaphors and outdated bits of humor,” SPT’s Managing Director, A.J. Magoon, said.

“It’s all Shakespeare’s words, there’s just less of them.”

This, he says, makes the experience more fun and accessible for all attendees,

A.J. MAGOON

Mercutio (Hannah Klapperich-Mueller, right), Romeo (Ryan Zierk) and Benvolio (Jackson Hoemann) tease Juliet’s Nurse (Caroline Norton, left).

regardless of their age or level of familiarity with Shakespeare. In addition, the performance will be preceded by an op-

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THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

Polk County finances on track

SHAKESPEARE: In the park

BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

FROM PAGE 1

workshop, “Playing with Shakespeare: Get Outside with Will.”

“The workshop is focused on learning more about who Shakespeare was, what he wrote and why he wrote in the style he did,” Magoon said.

“We do a ‘Shakespeare Character Walk,’ where participants use their bodies and their movements to act out emotions, weather conditions and Shakespearean characters... At the end of the workshop, everyone gets a chance to act out a piece of Shakespearean text as well, meaning that they leave the workshop having been real Shakespearean actors.”

The outdoor aspect of SPT’s mission must also not be understated. At the original Globe Theatre in London, where Shakespeare’s plays were first performed, much of the stage was without a roof, and set design was simple.

“Because of this, Shakespeare’s plays are filled with language that describes nature so that his audiences could imagine where the action was taking place. Putting such beautiful, descriptive nature language in an actual outdoor setting allows the two to work together,” Magoon said. In addition to that, Shakespeare’s plays cover some really innate, important human themes like life, death, true love, personal identity and what it means to be human.

I think that setting these shows in an outdoor setting enhances these themes - there’s something about being out in nature that really helps us think about our place in the world, which is what Shakespeare’s characters are doing constantly.”

Despite Romeo and Juliet’s gloomy ending, there is still family-friendly humor to be found, and the performance is aimed at theatregoers of all ages.

“A lot of people think ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a tragedy all the way through, but it really isn’t,” actor Jackson Hoemann, who plays Benvolio, Lord Capulet and Friar Laurence, said. “For the first few acts, it’s a pretty funny and sweet romantic comedy. It’s got its dark moments later in the play, but it’s definitely not as violent as some of Shakespeare’s other plays.”

The performance is free of charge. The “Playing with Shakespeare” workshop begins at Interstate Park at 5:30 p.m. on July 27, while the play itself starts at 7.

“People tend to shy away from Shakespeare because they are worried they won’t understand it or they think it’s too high-brow,” Caroline Norton, who plays eight different characters in “Romeo and Juliet,” said. “Something I have learned by working with Summit is that Shakespeare is nothing if not accessible. We are still telling his stories over 400 years after his death because the messages they contain are still so relevant.”

Summit Players Theatre will perform “Romeo and Juliet” July 27 at Interstate Park. The performance is free of charge. The “Playing with Shakespeare” workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. The play starts at 7 p.m.

JULY 27 Braves vs.

Hayward Hawks Double Header 2 p.m. & 5 p.m.

UPCOMING August 2-4 - Braves at Spooner (league tourney) August 9-11 - State Semi Finals at Spooner, Haugen, Rib Lake or Altoona osceolabraves.com

All games at Oakey Park, Osceola, unless otherwise noted

Preparing for recession Osborne noted that the county should save in prosperous times for leaner ones, as recessions are part of normal economic cycles. At 121 months and counting, the nation is currently experiencing the longest period of economic expansion on

eventual recession by setting its fund balance at the right level.

According to Osborne, a healthy fund balance can protect against irregular cash flow and unforeseen costs, protecting the county’s credit rating and keeping programs viable even during a recession.

The fund balance was about $11.78 million in 2018, just shy of 45% of the county’s annual expenditures.

That’s comparable to other counties in the area, Osborne noted. Since 2009, the unassigned fund balance as a percent of expenditures has grown from 12.3% to 44.7%.

Looking ahead

THE SUN | DATA FROM POLK COUNTY

The county’s fund balance grew by $1.8 million in 2018. Efficient spending and strong sales tax compensated for unexpected costs.

quarter of the year, historically a sign of recession in the next nine to 18 months.

“It’s hard to have a crystal ball,” Osborne said, “but this is one of those things where you certainly want to keep it in mind.”

The county can prepare for

Budget ceilings have been set for departments for the 2020 budget.

As far as coming capital needs, top priorities include creating a long-term capital plan for the fairgrounds, assessing aging equipment and analyzing security needs at the government center.

The county’s revenue has increased from $51 million in 2010 to $56 million in 2018, which Osborne characterized as “mostly flat.” Tax levy limits, which since 2011 have dictated that the levy can increase only in tandem with net new construction, will stay in place under the latest budget. In 2018, Polk County’s net new construction was 0.8%, half the state average of 1.6%.

According to Osborne, the cap is not realistic in terms of long-term funding for county services.

“A zero revenue growth budgeting strategy cannot go on indefinitely,” he said, noting that aging buildings will require investment in the near future.

The county will have an opportunity to bond with minimal levy impact in 2022, when existing bond levels would drop from $2.4 million to $1.3 million.

Other business • Administrator Osborne noted that the state biennial budget has been signed, with an additional $30 million to help counties fund child SEE COUNTY, PAGE 9

Storm brings disaster level damages CONTRIBUTED POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

At approximately 5:10 p.m., July 19, a strong storm blew through the northwest corner of Polk County. Winds were reported in excess of 84 miles per hour, with hail and heavy rainfall.

The storm traveled southeast across Polk County, damaging, buildings, power lines and trees in Cushing, Frederic, Luck, Milltown, Centuria, Balsam

CLIP & SAVE

A.J. MAGOON

Romeo (Ryan Zierk) wins Juliet's (Nadja Simmonds) heart with a flower.

Efficient spending and strong sales tax more than made up for unexpected costs to Polk County in 2018, County Administrator Nick Osborne reported last week.

“If you look at our numbers, the news is good,” he told county board members during his annual report on the county’s financial condition.

The county brought in $1.98 million more than was budgeted and, in spite of some higher-than-expected costs, spent approximately $1 million less than budgeted for 2018.

“That means we had fiscal discipline in our departments and we are pretty good at budgeting and being responsible with taxpayer money,” Osborne said.

The new highway department garage was completed for almost $1 million under budget, and as a department, General Government spent about $1 million less than budgeted.

A chief cause of the increase in revenue was sales tax, which has been growing in the county since 2010.

The Community Services Department was $688,337 over budget, mostly due to increased need for child protective services, out of home placements for children, and other problems related to rising rates of drug use and addiction.

“We have taken steps to get more efficient in that area and it’s encouraging that the state is allocating more money to this area,” Osborne said. “But when you consider the over-under of all the different departments, we’re looking at an approximately $1.8 million increase to the General Fund, which is good news.”

record, going back to the mid 1800s.

However, the run has seen weaker economic growth than previous booms.

Osborne pointed to one sign of a coming economic downturn, the yield curve inversion. As of June 30, long-term interest rates have been lower than short-term rates for a

Lake, Clayton and Turtle Lake. Flash flooding also occurred.

Law enforcement, fire departments and first responders from surrounding communities were dispatched to assist in checking the areas affected by this weather event. Fires were also reported along with multiple reports of sparking power lines. Parts of the county lost power, affecting nearly 7,000 residents, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s

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Office. No major injuries were initially reported as a result of the event.

Damage assessments started immediately.

On the morning of Saturday, July 20, Polk County Board Chair Dean Johansen signed a disaster declaration for Polk County. The declaration will allow Polk County Emergency Management to seek disaster funding if recovery costs exceed established thresholds.

The Emergency Man-

SHINE: Event grows in year two FROM PAGE 1

Expires 09.15.19

400 Hill Ave, Star Prairie, WI • 715-248-3633

agement Coordination for Polk County is being handled by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management. Any questions regarding Emergency Management in Polk County or requests for assistance should be directed to Chief Deputy Chad Roberts via email at chad.roberts@co.polk. wi.us or by calling the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center at 715-485-8300.

described Shine as “the mission trip where you can sleep in your own bed.”

“It’s just people who want to show God’s love to our community,” he said. “There’s nothing confrontational about it.

If someone’s there we’ll ask if they have any prayer requests.”

A Sunday outdoor worship service and pig roast at Mill Pond Park will round out the week.

This year, two pigs will be roasted and served August 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

& JULY 24, 2019

THE SUN

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www.osceolasun.com

THROUGH OCTOBER

Bloodmobile will be at St. Croix Regional Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For an appointment call 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

Farmers Market in Osceola

The Osceola Farmers Market is open every Friday through October from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mill Pond Park.

JULY 30

JULY 25

Blood drive

Finding Frankenstein for families

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in the Osceola High School Commons from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For an appointment call 1-800-7332767 or visit RedCrossBlood. org.

Learn about the science and culture of the early 1800s from Mary Shelley herself while discussing science in society in the past, present or the future.

Meet at the Osceola Public Library, 1 p.m.

JULY31

Fools by Neil Simon

Last Wednesday Meal

Fools by Neil Simon at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls. More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

Last Wednesday Meal will be served by Zion Lutheran Church at the Osceola United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m.

Free.

JULY 26

AUGUST 1

Friday Night Improv

Wisconsin Hunter Education Course

Friday Night Improv at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls, 9 p.m.

More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

A Wisconsin Hunter Educcation Course is being offered at Osceola Rod & Gun Club on Thursdays and Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enroll at gowild.wi.gov. For more information, 715-483-9212.

JULY 27 Writers to read work

Fools by Neil Simon

Four area writers will read from their works published in the Summer edition of Soundings at 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts in Amery. The four writers are Amery’s first poet laureate LaMoine MacLaughlin, essayist Julie Smith, author and novelist Emily Murray and short story spinner Mark Hayes Peacock.

Fools by Neil Simon at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls. More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

AUGUST 2 Friday Night Improv Friday Night Improv at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls, 9 p.m.

More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

Fools by Neil Simon

Fools by Neil Simon at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls. More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

AUGUST 3 Friends of the Library’s monthly Used Book Sale 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wilberg Memorial Public Library of Osceola. Bag sale for juvenile books. Great prices!

Also, the End of Summer party will be at the library from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The summer learning program prizes will be drawn.

JULY 28 Summer Festival

St. Dominic Catholic Church in Frederic will be having their anual Summer Festival.

Chicken dinner, 10:30 a.m. until gone. Silent auction, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fools by Neil Simon

AUGUST 3-4

Fools by Neil Simon at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls. More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

Fools by Neil Simon Fools by Neil Simon at Franklin Square Black Box Theatre, St. Croix Falls. More information available at festivaltheatre.org.

JULY 29 Blood drive

AUGUST 7

The American Red Cross

Delivering Your Community Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897 108 Cascade street Osceola, Wisconsin 715-294-2314 715-755-3316

<www.osceolasun.com>

Dr. Thomas Dr. Joe Dr. Casey Hauge Tembreull Chantelois

• • • • •

Senior Citizens Club Osceola Senior Citizens Club will meet at noon on Wednesday, August 7 in the Senior Center at the Osceola Discovery Center for a potluck and meeting. Program speaker will be Eagle Ridge Senior Living. Please bring a dish to share. Everyone 55 years of age or older is welcome. For more information or to arrange a ride call (715) 294-4566.

ONGOING Monday • The Dresser & St. Croix Falls Area VFW Post #4186 meets the third Monday of every month at 2 p.m. at the Dresser VFW Hall.

• The Valley Chess Masters Club meets on the second and fourth Monday, 4:30 to 6 p.m., St. Croix Falls Public Library. scflibrary@stcroixfallslibrary. org.

• Read & Review Book Group meets the last Monday of the month at Dresser Library, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• The Voices of the Valley meets every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the ArtBarn in Osceola.

This group is for adults with special needs who enjoy singing. 715-494-0385.

• The St. Croix Valley Camera Club meets the third Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Chisago County Government Center in Center City.

Photographers of all interests and abilities are welcome.

• The American Legion Post 221 meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center. 715-294-3822.

Tuesday • Storytime every Tuesday at Osceola Public Library, 10:30 a.m.

• St. Croix Valley MOPS Moms group meets the first and third Tuesday at New Life Christian Community in Dresser. Morning and evening meetings. FFI: stcroixvalleymops@gmail.com.

Wednesday • St. Croix Falls Rotary Club meets in the French Room at the Dalles House Restaurant, noon. Lunch, business meeting and speaker. Warren White, 715-483-3010 or website at http://scfrotary.org/ • Book club for adults at Osceola Public Library the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Dr. Carla Hauge

Dr. Jordan Dittberner

Ceramic Crowns (1 day crowns) Oral Surgery (implants) Cosmetic • Orthodontics • Family Dentistry Sleep Apnea Testing and Appliances In-house Insurance Benefit Program

108 Chieftain St. • P.O. Box 159 • Osceola, WI

715-294-2202 • Fax: 715-294-9995

Books available at the library.

FFI: Anne Miller, 715-294-2310.

• Get Lit Book Club, second Wednesday of every month, 6 p.m. at PY’s in Osceola. Stop at the Osceola Public Library for a copy of each month’s book.

• Adult basic education classes at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC).

Enroll any time. Call 800-2439482 ext. 4257 or visit witc.edu/ adult/basicedprogram.htm.

• Open Mic Night at PY’s Bar & Grill in Osceola, every third Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bring your instrument and participate in an open jam or feature your own music.

Call 715-294-3314 for more details.

• Osceola Senior Citizens Club meets the first Wednesday of every month at noon for a potluck and program in the Senior Center at the Osceola Discovery Center.

Thursday •Polk County Democrats meet the second Thursday of every month at the Village Pizzeria in Dresser at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday • Friends of the Osceola Library meet each second Saturday at the library at 10:30 a.m. 715-294-2657.

• Osceola Running Club meets at Mill Pond Park in downtown Osceola at 7 a.m.

Saturdays. Anyone interested in running for fitness and fun is welcome. The “Lap around Osceola” is a “no drop” jog of about 3 miles. Go to www.runosceola.org, text or call Paul Smith at 715-410-6047.

• River Valley Stitchers meet the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Senior Center, in the Discovery Center building.

Quilters, sewers, knitters, and crocheters of all ages and skill levels are invited. Bring your own project to work on.

Sunday • Times in Which We Live meets the first and third Sunday of each month at the St. Croix Falls Library at 6:30 p.m.

DVDs are shown about current events. 715-755-3473. or email Steve at thekinzers@me.com.

• An open song circle meets at the St. Croix Falls Public Library from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the second Sunday of the month. 715-501-4487. or liabeing@gmail.com.

Diane is a two year old orange Tabby with white mittens and a bib. Diane is all about “Keep Calm and Carry On.” She lived with children, ages five months to three years in her previous home and was great with them. She enjoys her role as a Lap Cat and is happy to soak up the love. Diane takes other cats in stride.

Diane isn’t pushy or demanding of attention. Because of her even temperament, she has been overlooked by adopters in favor of more active cats and kittens. She has been waiting for her new home since May 23. As a two year old cat, Diane’s adoption fee is reduced to $50.

There are a wide range of adult cats and kittens in need of homes at Arnell Humane Society. Laid back Benny is black and white and as his name implies, he is easy going. Tibbs is declawed, brown Tabby and white. He loves attention. Willy is a mitted brown Tabby that loves to play with feathers, very handsome. Wesley and Sawyer are twin orange and white Tabby and kittens, three months old.

Jane is just under one year. She has a short soft orange coat with tiny mittens. She melts into your hand for gentle petting and purrs to your heart’s content. Trista has a blue grey Tabby coat with ear tufts. She is a great cat, lovely in every way. She plays, she purrs, she gets along with other cats.

This time of year, requests for kennel space for cats are overwhelming. When one cat is adopted, we are able to take in another.

So, when you adopt one cat, you are helping two cats find homes.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY • Osceola TOPS meets at Trinity Lutheran Church. Weigh-in, 7-8:20 a.m., meeting, 8:30-9:30. FFI: 715-755-3123.

• Lego Lab, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dresser Library.

• Non-denominational men’s prayer breakfast, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Osceola Community Church, 651-329-9535.

• Tai Chi, 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center.

THURSDAY • Free Baby & Me classes from 5 to 6 p.m. at Osceola Medical Center. To register, 715-684-4440.

• Dual Recovery Anonymous, 7:15 p.m. at the St. Croix Falls Alano. 715-7553639.

• AA meets at Trinity Lutheran Church, Osceola at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Dresser.

• Family Game Night at Dresser Library, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Osceola Seniors 500 card group, 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center.

FRIDAY

• AA meets at Trinity Lutheran Church, Osceola at 7 p.m. Topic meeting.

• Qigong, 9 a.m. at the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center.

SATURDAY • Weight Watchers meets at Hope E. Free Church, Osceola. Weigh-in, 7:30 a.m. Meeting, 8:15 a.m. Kim, 715-4170683.

MONDAY

• The Indianhead Barbershop Chorus meets at 7:30 p.m. in the government building in Balsam Lake. 715-483-9202.

• Divorce Care Support Group, Grace Church of Osceola, 6:30 p.m.

• AA meets at Trinity Lutheran Church in Osceola at 7 p.m. and Osceola United Methodist Church at 7 p.m.

• Music and Movement storytime, St. Croix Falls Public Library, 10:15 a.m.

• Little’s Storytime at Dresser Library, 10:30 a.m.

• Qigong, 9 a.m. at the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center.

TUESDAY

• AA for women at Trinity Lutheran Church in Osceola, 7 p.m.

• Seniors on the Go card group, 12:30-4 p.m in the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center.

• Storytime, Osceola Public Library, 10:30 a.m. 715-294-2310.

• Osceola Seniors Duplicate Bridge, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center in the Osceola Discovery Center. Jeff, 715-781-6080.

Adopt your next feline friend forever and help us pay it forward.

This past week, Arnell staff participated in a seminar to learn to help shelter dogs, be dogs, in playgroups with other dogs. Allowing time off leash, to run and play with like minded dogs, gives shelter dogs a chance to blow off steam during playtime.

The dogs learn from each other, how to accept and play with other dogs, learning appropriate behavior with subtle guidance from a human recess monitor. This new program for shelter dogs was developed by “Dogs Playing for Life.” The play groups improve the quality of life for dogs in the shelter and gives the shelter staff new understanding of each dog’s personality and behavior, allowing them to facilitate more informed adoption matches.

It was thrilling to see 15 dogs running, playing, lounging and sharing the wading pools, in a small enclosed yard. We learned proper introduction, play styles and personalities, how to avoid problem interactions and encourage proper behavior. This new tool will help Arnell assess and exercise dogs at the shelter. Their playtime at the shelter will help them cope with the stress of a shelter stay and make them a more adoptable, well rounded canine citizen.

With a successful week of adoptions, three dogs are available for adoption. Woody is a happy, very playful black and tan Lab Mix. Melody is a small to medium sized Black dog with a thick coat, fold over ears and a zest for life. She is six years old and ready to take on the world. Aspen has a short dark Fawn coat. She is full of beans, always ready to play. Best guess on her breeding includes some Jack Russell Terrier. They all need homes. Adopt at Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715 268-7387.

Arnell Memorial Humane Society 715 268-7387: ARNELLHUMANE.ORG and Facebook

4 THE SUN

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JULY 24, 2019

Why we can’t sleep

W

e are navigating our way through deep summer, a time to enjoy the beauty and abundance of nature and generally try to slow down our self-imposed need to rush and obsess about things that are out of direct control.

I have been thinking about this a great deal lately and I appreciate this opportunity to talk with you about this, gentle reader.

I’ve come to the conclusion that our lives are far too easy and we somehow have a need for struggle hard wired into our genetic makeup.

When I grew up in the 1960s and 70s, my father worked full time, five and a half days a week. My mother did not work outside the home for much of my childhood.

Publisher Mom may not have earned a paycheck, but she put in a full day, Tom Stangl every day.

She made three meals a day, did laundry with a wringer washer, cleaned the house and paid attention to our petty squabbles. For those of you who never had the pleasure of doing laundry with a wringer washer, it was a true physical workout.

The machine needed to be filled up with a water hose, drained by another hose and the clothing passed through a wringer to get the excess water removed. The clothes then went into a rinse tub to remove soap and were passed through the wringer again before being hung on a clothesline to dry.

Mom did her work efficiently to find time to read part of a novel and catch part of her soap opera on television before getting lunch and supper ready.

No microwaves, no fast food, just a plain meal with meat, potatoes and a vegetable. Oh, and she made cookies and cakes for dessert as well.

My dad, (aka The Chief) worked very hard as an automotive mechanic. He devoured his lunch so he could take a cat nap before returning to work.

As hard as may parents’ lives were, they were a breeze compared to their childhoods. Technology and consumerism have promised improved quality of life for every successive generation, but I wonder if we are using that energy in a positive way.

I know the good old days weren’t as good as we like to recall but it seems to me that even though life was a struggle, there was a sense of a noble exhaustion at the end of the day. My parents knew that they had done their jobs providing shelter and food for their families and could feel proud about the manner in which it was accomplished.

It is rare today that there is an adult who doesn’t work outside the home. We use many prepackaged and processed foods and there are many communities where you can get a hot meal 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No more need to struggle with meals. Laundry is done by efficient machines. What used to take my mother hours to do can be done with very little human intervention in the same or less amount of time.

Instead of having the noble exhaustion, we have insomnia. Instead of meaningful interaction with people, we snipe and pick at persons we don’t even know through the thin air.

Something needs to change. We need to find a way to have noble exhaustion again.

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@theameryfreepress. com, telephone 715-268-8101 or write me at P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI, 54001.

Thanks for reading; I’ll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.

Active member of

HOW TO REACH US: Our office is located at 108 Cascade Street, Osceola, WI 54020. We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday. Call: (715) 294-2314, (715) 755-3316, or fax at (715) 7553314.

TO SUBSCRIBE: office@osceolasun.com The Sun is mailed to the homes of subscribers for delivery every

If you don’t love it, leave it?

T

here’s a refrain that’s been circulating for the past week. The tune sounds about 50 years old, and it goes like this:

Editor Suzanne Lindgren

I hear people talkin’ bad, About the way they have to live here in this country Harpin’ on the wars we fight And gripin’ ‘bout the way things oughta be And I don’t mind ‘em switchin’ sides And standin’ up for things they believe in But when they’re runnin’ down our country, man They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me

That’s Merle Haggard with his 1970 hit, “Fightin’ Side of Me.” It’s a catchy tune, a song that’s easy to like. And I see the logic behind the lyrics he sings later: “If you don’t love it, leave it.”

Sure. If you think it’s better elsewhere, go there.

But something about the sentiment has always given me pause. Does offering a critique of a state of affairs, specific policies or even an elected leader mean you’re not devoted to America?

Or is the right to offer such critique elemental to the founding principles of the nation itself?

Is it, conceivably, one’s patriotic duty to speak up?

It’s interesting, if you fast-forward to 2003, Haggard himself defended the Dixie Chicks when they voiced criticism of then-president George Bush during an

international concert tour.

“They’ve cut such an honest groove with their career,” he wrote in an essay on his website, quoted

by Rolling Stone. “Because they don’t like George Bush, should we take their records off? I really found that sort of scary. Are we afraid of criticism? And if so, why? It seems to me, we’re guilty in this country of doing everything we’ve always opposed all my life.

I’m almost afraid to say something. It got to the point where my wife said, ‘Be careful what you say.’

Well, that’s really not the Merle Haggard America I’m used to.”

We’ve entered a politically polarized era. But it turns out we’ve been here before.

So I’ll ask the same thing Haggard did. Are we afraid of criticism? And if so, why?

I don’t wish to offer pat answers or make this issue simpler than it is. But I do believe if we want to create an atmosphere where people can speak, we must respect differences of opinion and stop ourselves from responding to criticism as a threat.

Anything else, to invoke Haggard once more, is “really not the America I’m used to.”

I welcome your response to this editorial column: editor@osceolasun.com.

“It got to the point where my wife said, ‘Be careful what you say.’

Well, that’s really not the America I’m used to.”

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TO THE EDITOR Local control and jobs

YEARS AGO

In disturbing news, our new State Representative, Gae Magnafici, seems to be stepping right into the same role as her predecessor, Adam Jarchow, by continuing his efforts to thwart local control and decision-making in favor of consolidating power in Madison with one-sizefits-all solutions that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work.

For example, Rep. Magnafici is a co-author of AB-277 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a bill that would prevent local zoning ordi-

nances from applying to the siting of concrete production facilities used for transportation projects.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities and the WI Counties Association are both against it. Why? Because it tramples on local authority and for no good reason.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also concerned about Rep. Magnaficiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seeming lack of interest in growing jobs in Wisconsin. At her listening session in Grantsburg last month I spoke about the tremendous opportunity for growing jobs in

Wisconsin by supporting policy measures to lead our state rapidly towards 100 percent renewable energy in the coming years.

Other states, both â&#x20AC;&#x153;redâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;blue,â&#x20AC;? are poised to capture the tremendous economic growth that is occurring in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and Wisconsin is being left behind.

Disappointedly, Rep. Magnafici has refused to sign on to any clean energy job proposals that have been introduced.

At this point in her tenure, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m becoming more

and more disappointed in her votes and actions and her lack of initiative on important issues. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spent time and energy writing to her numerous times about the issues above and many others and have given her a wealth of information to help in her understanding.

I have heard nothing back from her, not a peep. I can only conclude that she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care and feels that there is no need to respond to her constituentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerns.

John Bailey Grantsburg

THE POSTSCRIPT Summer birthdays

I

t was my birthday this week.

Those of you with summer birthdays know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little different.

In the middle of March, everyone says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wow! A birthday party!â&#x20AC;? You bring treats to school and everyone is happy for an excuse to celebrate.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different for the summer kids.

Everyone is already busy with vacations and visitors and then, somewhere in the middle of all that, someone says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carrieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it?â&#x20AC;?

My birthday was Columnist particularly unreliable because it fell when the plant Carrie Classon where my father worked as an engineer shut down and he always took that time off. We loaded up our Studebaker or Hornet or Volvo and headed off to California or Wyoming or Canada, to visit aunts and uncles or go camping or, one memorable trip, go backpacking.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d drive for what I seem to remember were endless days, my sister and me in the backseat, my mom and dad and dog in the front.

This seating arrangement held until my mom poured coffee and our dog, Boots, remembering the one-and-only time mom had spilled hot coffee on her, frantically jumped into the back

seat until the lid was safely back on the thermos. This caused my mother fresh guilt every time she had a cup of coffee for every vacation for as long as Boots lived. Boots lived a long time.

Somewhere near the middle of our vacation, usually just after weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d reached our destination, my birthday would arrive. One year we were in Canada and my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister made a cake with coins wrapped in tinfoil baked inside. This was terrifically exciting. Another year, in California, I had a watermelon cake which I remember as something really special although, as I think back on it, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pretty sure my â&#x20AC;&#x153;watermelon cakeâ&#x20AC;? was simply a half watermelon with candles stuck into it. (This free tip provided for busy parents of young children.)

But the most memorable year was when we went backpacking. I was turning thirteen, which meant my sister was only eight and we hiked over the mountains carrying everything we needed for a week. My sister had an enormous pack filled with the huge sleeping bags of the era. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t weigh much, but it made it appear as if there was some pretty serious child endangerment occurring. There is a photo of her lying by the side of the path in which it looks as if she might never rise again.

Then, right in the middle of it, my birthday arrived.

In theory, chocolate pudding

should solidify without refrigeration.

But my Birthday Pudding remained liquid. My mother says she honestly forgot the candles but, seriously, with the weight she was carrying, deciding to haul one less box of candles would have been perfectly justified.

The waterproof wooden matches were lit and set in the middle of the pudding where they immediately sank and sizzled out. It was, without a doubt, my best birthday ever.

Earlier that day I stepped between two rocks where there was still snowâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in July! The snow was much deeper than I thought, and I laughed out loud as, for a moment, I was stuck in a snowdrift on my birthday. That night we camped by a stream and I listened to the water run until I fell asleep.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had some amazing birthdays since then, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget watching thirteen matches descend into chocolate pudding as my mom and dad and sister sang: Happy Birthday, to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Carrie.

Happy Birthday to you!

And it was.

Till next time Carrie Carrie Classonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memoir, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blue Yarn: A Memoir About Loss, Letting Go, & What Happens Next,â&#x20AC;? was just released. Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.

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30 years ago July 26, 1989 â&#x20AC;˘ Osceolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new public library opened to the public during regular library hours on July 20.

Bessie Green checked out the ďŹ rst book. â&#x20AC;˘ Navy Seaman Recruit Chad Lyons has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Fla. â&#x20AC;˘ Shooting his ďŹ rst 100 straight, Jeff Demulling won a trip to Ohio to shoot at the National Trap Shoot on Aug. 14-18.

He competed in the junior class at the Wisconsin Trap Shooting Association State Trop shoot.

He hit 322 out of 400 to ďŹ nish in the top of Class B. â&#x20AC;˘ Michael and Dana Blue had just moved into a home in rural Osceola on Friday. On Saturday they woke to a ďŹ re that gutted the home. They believe a grill that had been used the night before on the deck, had caused the ďŹ re. â&#x20AC;˘ Bids should be ready for letting in March 1990 for the rebuilding of County Road M. Construction should start shortly thereafter.

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20 years ago July 28, 1999 â&#x20AC;˘ Hall of Fame Coach Bud Grant was on hand Friday at the Braves game to help honor former Osceola Braves coach Lute Pettis. â&#x20AC;˘ The ArtBarn has chosen Craig Naylor of Kalispell, Mont., as their composer in residence as part of the nationwide Continental Harmony program. â&#x20AC;˘ Area youngsters joyfully braved the heat and growing

blisters on their hands to participate in the ďŹ rst-ever Junior Golf Camp at Krooked Kreek. â&#x20AC;˘ Norma and Reuben Johnson planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 8. â&#x20AC;˘ With only three conference games remaining on the schedule, the Braves secured one of the top spots in the conference over the weekend with two convincing wins. â&#x20AC;˘ Dennis Frandsen, owner of Rural American Bank, has received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by the accounting ďŹ rm of Ernst & Young.

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10 years ago July 29, 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ Zack Clark, son of Tracey and Dan Clark of Dresser, was chosen to be the Minnesota Twins Mini Mascot on July 12. â&#x20AC;˘ Youth from Peace Lutheran Church in Dresser traveled to Lynchburg, Va., to help people of the Blue Ridge Mountain area. â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola resident Rick Jennings and his canine partner competed in the U.S. Police Canines Association Region 12 Patrol Dog recertiďŹ cation trials. Jennings and his partner won the Top Dog trophy, the Dual Purpose trophy and the Region 12 and Region 18 traveling trophy. â&#x20AC;˘ Governor Jim Doyle visited Crystal Ball Farm south of Osceola during at three-week tour of the St. Croix River Valley. â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola officer Samantha Byram and her canine partner, Smokey, took ďŹ rst place in the U.S. Police Canine Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Region 18 suspect search ďŹ eld trial. â&#x20AC;˘ Current and former members of the Osceola Braves organization were inducted into the newly created Hall of Fame. Inductees included Lute Pettis, Derek Anderson, Ken Staples and Dave Leske.

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115 East, State Capitol Bldg. Mailing address: P.O. Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707 â&#x20AC;˘ (608) 266-1212 EversInfo@wisconsin.gov â&#x20AC;˘ www.evers.wis.gov

Rep. Gae Magnafici 28th Assembly District P.O. Box 8952 â&#x20AC;˘ Madison, WI 53708 (608) 267-2365 or 1-888-534-0028 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax (608) 282-3628 Rep.Magnafici@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Patty Schachtner 10th Senate District State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 â&#x20AC;˘ Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 Sen.Schachtner@legis.wisconsin.gov

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POLK COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

ST. CROIX VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

Three ways to beat slugs

W

I

t’s the time of year when slugs thrive in gardens. The slimy worm-like creatures seem to eat everything in sight. They live in high moisture environments, especially under pots, rocks, boards, mulch and deep vegetation.

There are some natural predators of slugs, toads and snakes specifically. Others such as chickens, ducks and raccoons will eat slugs, but can also damage your flowers/ veggies.

Because I am phobic about snakes, to prefer to use other Columnist means toI tend control slugs. Here are three common home remedies for Julie Kuehl slugs.

• Surround your plant with crushed egg shells, sand or copper wire. They don’t like crawling over these items.

• Cut a grapefruit in half and hull out all but the white lining, place it upside down in the garden for a few days. The slugs will crawl under the grapefruit and after a couple of days simply remove the grapefruit.

• There are several drowning methods for slugs.

They are attracted to small containers buried next to plants and filled with either beer or a brew made of 1 pound brown sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons of yeast mixed in warm water. The slugs will crawl in after the beer or brew and drown.

Hopefully everyone will get a chance to get out to the Polk County Fair. If you do, I hope you will look for the Polk County Master Gardeners booth and play our “Are you Smarter Than a Master Gardener?” game or just chat with a Master Gardener.

Remember if you have a topic you would like more information about, let me know at gardenvarietycolumn@gmail.com.

Until next time keep on playing in your garden and then sit and enjoy the quiet beauty of a well-tended garden.

Julie Kuehl is a Polk County Master Gardener.

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annigan Days is over for another year. The weather nearly cancelled it Saturday morning, but late in the day the rain stopped and was very nice for the parade. We managed to sell lots of “pork chops on a stick,” along with hot dogs and brats on the patio on Saturday. They were very tasty along with potato salad and baked and lots of Columnist beans delicious bars and cake too. Special Pat Willits thanks to all who stopped by to eat, people seemed to enjoy themselves; it was quite a good crowd.

Most folks stayed for the great parade. It was fun to see and hear

the marching bands, the different city royalty floats, even St. Paul Winter Carnival Royalty and the grand marshals from Taylors Falls and St. Croix. Fire departments showed off their latest trucks, etc.

Lots of handouts from folks in the parade pleased all the children and older folks too. Even our dog, Chuck, got a couple of treats.

Good music all weekend on the overlook and lots of fun was had by all. Putting all of this together was no easy task, thanks to those in charge. Don’t think you can top it next year!

Thanks to all who spent time in helping at the center on Saturday.

All our hard work paid off. Special thanks and businesses that helped with the food we served. It is greatly appreciated. It takes everyone working together to make things work. Thanks again!

Don’t forget the County Fair starts July 25 for four days, lots of fun to be had there, good food, lots of talented people display their crafts, animals, and good music for sure. See you there!

The center is located downtown St. Croix Falls. Don’t let the mess next door bother you, come right on by to the center, just a minor detour.

Winners for 500 on Sunday7/14: Paul Strasser, Shirley Sims, and Bruce Medchill. 9 Bid: Paul and Bruce.

Tuesday 7/16 Hand and Foot: Ione White. 500: Jan Johnson.

Thursday 7/18 500: Pat Willits, Ray Nelson, Betty Wilson. 9 bid: Nel Medchill and Bruce Medchill Sunday 7/21 500: Bob Norlander, Sandy Bishop and Cathy Smith. 9 Bid Cathy Smith and Ray Nelson.

TO THE EDITOR ‘Castle Storming,’ a rebuttal The writer of “Castle Storming 101” badly mischaracterizes the July board meeting in the Town of Farmington. Residents, yes residents, were listening outside the windows because the room was full, even standing room taken. There were over a hundred in the room, more outside the hall, and nearly all were residents of either the Town of Farmington or the Village of Osceola.

He ignores the fact that, in less than a week, the EcoClub from Osceola High School, and others, gathered 365 signatures.

Again, most of these were from the Village or the Town.

Even more unfortunately, he incorrectly states the citizens’ concerns as only a threat to the beauty of the area (apparently unimportant), few local jobs and the potential failure of frac sand mining.

He ignores that most of the discussion revolved around health concerns caused by the impact on air and water quality. He also ignores the further discussions of the impact on the local medical center and elder care facilities, the loss in property values and the damage to tourism. According to a recent survey conducted by the Osceola Chamber of Commerce, 57% of local businesses surveyed thought the mine would have a negative effect on the local economy (30% thought positive).

He also dismisses those citizens affected, mainly from the village that virtually surrounds the mine, as NIMBYS. But of course, it is not his property values that are going down, not his well or water at risk, and he does not get to sit on his porch in the evening listening to the mining equipment until 9 most evenings.

And those who are concerned about the mine’s impact on their neighbors, he calls “enviro-activists” and “anti-everything activists.” Instead, he urges the board to act on behalf of those constituents who weren't there because they “don't really care.” I think this comment speaks for itself.

released 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates to data going back to 2009 shows that 15 Wisconsin counties rank in the top 10% of the nation in increases to their Simpson index.

This metric gauges the probability on a scale of 1-100 that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic backgrounds.

In order of largest gains to diversity over the eight-year period, they are: Trempealeau, Lafayette, Pepin, Chippewa, Price, Clark, Door, Sauk,

Vernon, Iowa, Kewaunee, Richland, Pierce, Green, and Rusk counties.

These counties remain overwhelmingly white.

All 15 have a white population that encompasses at least 90 percent of the total population.

They also fall on average roughly seven points short of the state’s overall index score of 17.2 and 47 points short of the nation’s overall diversity marker.

But ACS data shows the white population share is shrinking — due in large part to an influx of Latinos. While some of this is driven by Latinos who live in Wisconsin moving away from their traditional base in the southeastern part of the state, UW-Madison political science Professor Benjamin Marquez told WisPolitics.com that Wisconsin is seeing “a lot of movement” directly from Mexico and South and Central America.

“What’s happening is that they are responding to a market; they’re responding to a market for employment,” he said.

UW-Madison Applied Population Lab Associate Director David Long agreed, noting the phenomenon was also “due

Mike Forecki Osceola

‘Decomposition,’ a rebuttal

We are writing in response to Doug Wellumson’s letter, “Decomposition,” of July 12 in which he assumes that people representing the League of Women Voters (LWV) were in attendance at Rep. Magnafici’s listening session in Grantsburg.

Not only does he accuse the LWV of “converging” on the listening session, he accuses those people of taking over “limited speaking time with volleys of criticism.”

As League officers, we can assure you that we did not promote League participation at the June listening session. Wellumson also leads the SEE TO THE EDITOR, PAGE 9

CAPITOL REPORT

Influx of Latinos leads to spike in diversity in largely white Wisconsin Counties CONTRIBUTED WISPOLITICS.COM

An influx of Latinos is helping some of the least diverse counties in Wisconsin rank among those in the country seeing the greatest relative increase in diversity.

A WisPolitics.com comparison of recently

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in part to out-migration of non-Hispanic whites from some of those same communities.”

“There’s some evidence that the exodus of young, mostly white workers from rural Wisconsin communities creates a vacuum in the labor market and demands for workers in those areas that the Latino population is moving in to meet,” he said According to Marquez, the growth in population was being spurred not only by employers seeking to fill positions in a strong economy with low unemployment, but also by Latinos already in the country recruiting friends and family from their native country.

“When somebody shows up in one of these small towns, they don’t do so willy nilly,” he said.

“They’ve been told that there are opportunities that there could be a job there for them.”

While this process may have been “an accident of history” at first, Long said, “once it gets going it becomes a self-reinforcing phenomenon.”

Long added that changes to certain industries SEE CAPITAL REPORT, PAGE 8

JULY 24, 2019

THE SUN

7

www.osceolasun.com

BIRTHS

WEEKLY MEDITATION

ST. CROIX REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin July 4, 2019: A boy, Calvin Joseph King, weighing 7 pounds, to Courtney and Jason King, Frederic.

July 7, 2019: A girl, Oakley Ann VanSomeren, weighing 9 pounds 9 ounces, to Annie Grossenbacher and Jake VanSomeren, Amery.

July 7, 2019: A boy, Car-

ter Lee Luther, weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces, to Krystal and Derek Luther, Clayton.

July 14, 2019: A boy, Dominic Alexander Bonse, weighing 11 pounds 2 ounces, to Josephine and Jeremiah Bonse of Cloverdale, MN. July 15, 2019: A boy, Declan Lewis Deal, weighing 8 pounds six ounces to Caitlyn and Ethan Deal of Frederic.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – EAU CLAIRE The following students received degrees in May. Osceola; Daniel Cronick, marketing; Gabe Feldt, music August Guenthner, geography; Randall Mortel, political science; Emily Ollig, information systems; Paul Willett, communication.

St. Croix Falls: Erica Begmann, social work;

Bailey Hansen, kinesiology and psychology.

PURCHASE COLLEGE Solomon Falls of Dresser has been named the spring semester Dean’s List.

ST. OLAF COLLEGE Olivia Peer of Dresser and Evan Gorres of St. Croix Falls have been named to the spring semester Dean’s List.

UW-Stevens Point spring graduates 2019

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point conferred degrees on more than 1,250 graduates on May 18, 2019. Ceremonies were held at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the UW-Stevens Point Multi-Activity Center in Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall (formerly the Health Enhancement Center).

Clear Lake, WI McKenna Hammons, Bachelor of Science, Wildlife, Cum Laude Frederic, WI Sarah Morley, Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, Cum Laude

BY MARK BARLOW GRACE CHURCH

Jesus began his ministry with some very significant words: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). These are significant words because they summarize much of Jesus’ purpose on this earth: to lead the lost to believing in him for their salvation. The apostle John carried on that same mission of Christ and tells us, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Believing in Jesus is the goal, and he is the only means to eternal life. However, just believing that Jesus existed is not sufficient.

Even non-Christian historians overwhelmingly accept the validity of a Jewish man named Jesus who had a great following the first century. So, the question is whether this Jesus is who he says he is.

Is he truly God? Does he genuinely offer salvation? Is this eternal life found only in him? Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one

else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only means to eternal life, but we must do more than just believe he existed.

Jesus’ words at the beginning of his ministry clarify exactly what we must believe in order to have this eternal life that he offers. He says, “Believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). So, what is the gospel? Christians often identify the gospel as the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection. The gospel that we must believe in order to have eternal life is that Jesus is God, that we are sinners, that he lived a perfect life in place of our sinful life, and he offered himself as a sacrifice to die in our place for our sins and rose from the grave conquering sin and death. His death on the cross fulfills God’s wrath toward our sin when we place our faith in Christ as our Savior. Jesus takes our sin and gives to us his perfect righteousness. When we believe this, we, like Christ, rise to new life, to eternal life in him (Romans 6:3-5).

That is the gospel that must be believed in order to have eternal life. It is more than just believing that Jesus existed. And though what was just described is the gospel message, the gospel that Jesus

refers to includes more than just his death and resurrection. God himself is the gospel. The gospel is that when we believe in Christ, we actually get God! So, the gospel is not just that you get eternal life; the gospel is that you get God for eternity, whom is the highest prize and the most treasured possession imaginable. The gospel is not only what Jesus did for us, it is the totality of all that his word teaches as a means to lead us to a greater understanding of who he is so that we can know him, love him, serve him, enjoy him forever, and lead others to the joy that we have found in him.

Therefore, the gospel is the entirety of Scripture which is meant to lead us to God through Jesus so that we can spend eternity in his presence, where there is never-ending joy and eternal pleasure (Psalm 16:11). Do you believe the gospel? Have you obeyed Jesus’ command to believe the gospel?

If not, simply talk to God. Repent (confess that you are a sinner and turn from sin) and ask God for forgiveness. He offers is freely, it is a gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Vacation Bible School at Shepherd of the Valley Vacation Bible School is being offered at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in St. Croix Falls. It’s a time for the kids, pre-K through sixth, to have

some fun together and to learn a little about Jesus.

It will be Aug. 5-9 from 1 to 4 p.m. The VBS theme is “Miraculous Mission –Jesus saves

the world.” There will be games and snacks.

Shepherd of the Valley invites our neighbors in St. Croix Falls and the surrounding area to have their kids attend

VBS. There is no charge.

For details call Paul Markel at 715-327-3879, or Shepherd of the Valley Church at 715483-1186.

———————— OSCEOLA MEDICAL CENTER SPIRITUAL CARE 2600 65th Avenue, Osceola https: myomc.org/wellness/ spiritual-care 715-294-2111 Chapel open daily for meditation.

———————— OSCEOLA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 306 River Street, Osceola P.O. Box 447 Pastor Jack Starr 715-755-2275 osceolaunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com SUNDAY: Worship 10 a.m.

Coffee Fellowship, 11 a.m.

———————— PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA), 2355 Clark Rd., Dresser 715-755-2515• plcdresser.org Pastor Melissa Carmack Pastor Dwaine Sutherland Find us on Facebook! peace@centurytel.net SUNDAY: Worship, 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

———————— PRAIRIEVIEW COVENANT CHURCH OF NEW RICHMOND 1396 210th Ave. 2 miles north of New Richmond on Hwy. 65 Pastor Rudy King 715-248-0600 SUNDAY: Worship 10 a.m.

———————— REDEEMER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Wisconsin Synod Corner of Adams & Louisiana St. Croix Falls Rev. Timothy Blauert 715-483-3401 SUNDAY: Worship 9:15 a.m.

———————— RIVER VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH LIGHTHOUSE 1289 160th Street St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

715 483 5378 715-483-5378 Pastor Jonah Fetzer SUNDAY: Worship 10 a.m.

———————— ST. ANNE PARISH 139 Church Hill Road Somerset, WI 54025 715-247-3310 Rev. Andy Anderson SATURDAY: Mass 5 p.m.

SUNDAY: Mass 8 and 10 a.m.

———————— ST. CROIX FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Upper St. Croix Parish 300 North Adams Street St. Croix Falls 715-483-9494 churches@centurytel.net umstcroixfallswolfcreek.org Pastor Ran Yoo Pastor Kooko Kim Sunday services 10 a.m.

———————— ST. CROIX UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 201 N. Adams, St. Croix Falls www.scuuf.org Rev. Kelli Clement SUNDAY: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday 10 a.m.

———————— ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH Franconia, MN 651-465-7345 www.stfrancisfranconia.org Fr. John Drees SUNDAY: Mass 9:15 a.m.

———————— ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC Osceola Rev. Andy Anderson 715-294-2243 SATURDAY: Mass at 4 p.m.

SUNDAY: Latin Mass, 8:30 a.m.

Mass at 11a.m.

———————— ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC 490 Bench Street Taylors Falls, Minnesota

651 465 7345 651-465-7345 www.stjosephtaylorsfalls.org Fr. John Drees SATURDAY: 5:30 p.m. Vigil SUNDAY: Mass 7:30 and 11 a.m.

———————— SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD 140 Madison Street St. Croix Falls Pastor Mark Schoen 715-483-1186 SUNDAY: Worship Services 9 a.m.

———————— TRINITY EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH (WELS) 300 Seminole Ave., (Ct H M) Osceola 715-294-2828 • www.trinityosceola.com Pastor David Rosenow (920-645-7526) SUNDAY: Worship 9 a.m. • Wed. 7 p.m.

Bible Class, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

———————— TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF GARFIELD 1578 85th Ave., Amery Pastor Lori Peper 715-268-9577 SUNDAY: Worship Service 9:30 a.m.

———————— WEST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN (ELCA), 447 180th St., Osceola www.westimmanuel.org Rev. Rexford D. Brandt SUNDAY: Worship Services, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

———————— WORD OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP Cliff Bjork, (651) 465-7373 366 Bench St., Taylors Falls, Minn.

SUNDAY: Worship Service 10 a.m.

———————— ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH (Wisconsin Synod) East Farmington Pastor William Brassow (715) 294-3489 THURSDAY: Worship, 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Worship, 10:30 a.m.

CHURCH LISTINGS ALLIANCE CHURCH OF THE VALLEY 1259 Hwy. 35 South, St. Croix Falls 715-483-1100 www.stcroixalliance.com Senior Pastor, Gary Russell Associate Pastor Jeff Naegelen Youth Pastor Chris Folkestad SUNDAY: Worship 8:30 & 11 a.m.

———————— ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH East Farmington Rev. Andy Anderson SUNDAY: Mass at 9 a.m.

———————— BETHANY LUTHERAN Star Prairie Pastor Dan Pennington (715) 248-3730 blcsp@frontiernet.net SUNDAY: Traditional Worship 8 a.m.

Contemporary Worship 9:30 a.m.

———————— BETHESDA LUTHERAN LCMC 1947 110th Ave. Dresser Sand Lake 715-755-2562 www.bethesdalutheran.ws Pastor Peter Rimmereid Associate Pastor Scott Adkins SUNDAY: Contemporary/Traditional worship, 9 a.m ———————— CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 150 Fifth Street Marine on St. Croix, Minn.

Pastor Joel Martin 651-433-3222 SUNDAY: Worship 8:15 & 9:45 a.m.

———————— EL SALEM/TWIN FALLS CHRISTIAN CENTER Six miles east of Dresser on Co. Rd. F, 1751 100th Ave. Pastor Darryl R. Olson 715-755-3113 SUNDAY: Morning worship 10:30 a.m.

Evening service 6 p.m.

————————

EUREKA BAPTIST CHURCH 2393 210th Ave., St. Croix Falls Pastor Seth Brickley 715-483-9464 SUNDAY: Worship Service 10 a.m.

———————— FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 661A West Street Taylors Falls, MN 55084 651-465-6792 www.firstbaptisttaylorsfalls.com Dr. Kevin Schumann, Pastor SUNDAY: Worship 10.15 a.m.

———————— FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 561 Chestnut St. Taylors Falls, Minn.

SUNDAY: Worship 9 a.m.

———————— FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 719 Nevada St. St. Croix Falls Reverend David Maghakian 715-483-3550 (office) SUNDAY: Church Service 10 a.m.

———————— GRACE CHURCH – OSCEOLA Pastor Mark Barlow Amy Germain, Day Care 722 Seminole Ave. Osceola info@gracechurchosceola.com 715-417-0752 Day Care: 715-294-4222 SUNDAY: Worship Service, 10 a.m.

———————— GRACE BEREAN FELLOWSHIP 421 4th Street, Centuria Duane Gallentine, Pastor 715-755-2523 FRIDAY and SUNDAY KJV Bible Study/Fellowship ———————— GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Nye Area/Wisconsin Synod 2098 70th Avenue Pastor Nile Merseth SUNDAY: Worship 9 a.m.

———————— HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH

M i at Zi h Ch h Meeting Zion LLutheran Church 28005 Old Towne Road Chisago Lakes, Minn.

651-260-5100 www.holyx.net Fr. Bill Neumann, pastor SUNDAY: Worship 9:30 a.m.

———————— HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH 523 First Street, Clayton 715-948-2203 Father Christopher Wojcik SUNDAY: Liturgy 9:30 a.m.

———————— HOPE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 933 248th Street, one mile north of Osceola on Highway 35 Pastor Nate Roschen 715-294-2112 • www.hefc.org SUNDAY: Worship 10 a.m.

———————— JOURNEY CHURCH 131 Broadway, Amery www.journeychurch.city office@journeychurch.city 715-268-2223 SUNDAY: Worship Service 9 a.m.

———————— NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Non-denominational 201 State Hwy. 35, Dresser Pastor Tony Minell, 715-417-1982 galatiansii20@yahoo.com Church office: 715-417-0945 SUNDAY: Worship Service 9:30 a.m.

———————— NEW WINE COMMUNITY CHURCH 309 5th Street, Centuria Pastor Scott Petznick (715) 338-8912 Worship 10 a.m.

———————— OSCEOLA COMMUNITY CHURCH 2492 Education Drive, Osceola Larry Mederich www.osceolacommunitychurch.org SUNDAY: Worship 9 and 10:45 a.m.

These Church listings are sponsored by the following concerned and responsible businesses and industries. They deserve your continued support and patronage!

108 Cascade Osceola www osceolasun com www.osceolasun.com

715-294-2314

304 Cascade St • Osceola, WI

715.294.2183 MidWestOne.com

GRANDSTRAND FUNERAL HOME Osceola 294-3111

Osceola, WI 294-2158

8 THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

OBITUARIES

Sharon Marie Barr

Earl Melvin Foss

Jacob H. Ward

Sharon Marie Barr of Turtle Lake Wis., died July 10, 2019, at the Amery Hospital after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was 74.

Sharon was born Aug. 7, 1944, in Amery to Clyde a Kathryn (Lovgren) and F Fox. She graduated from O Osceola High School.

Sharon was married t Donald W. Anderson to i 1962 and to this union in five children were born.

S married Gerald W. She B Barr in 1979.

Sharon was a memb of United Covenant ber C Church and enjoyed servi with the ladies in the ing k kitchen.

She loved being a mother, grandmother, g great grandmother, and a auntie to all the children in the family. She was an excellent cook and never let anyone leave her house hungry. She loved going to all the kids’ sporting and music events, reading, tending her flowers, feeding the birds, visiting with friends and family and much to her boys’ chagrin, she was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Kathryn Fox; her husband, Gerald Barr; and brothers Lawrence Fox and Ardell Fox. She is survived by her five children, Jolese (Michael) LaBlanc, Jackie (Andy) Van Heuklom, Doug (Leslie) Anderson, David (Stephanie) Anderson, Darren (Joan) Anderson, three step-children, Tammy (Rod) Turcotte, Jason (Toni) Barr, Joy (Dennis) Waalen; 20 grandchildren, Justin (Micki), Heather, Ryan (Jennifer), Rhonda, Lucas (Lindsay), Dan (Beth), Alex (Samantha), Jenny, Stephanie (Nick), Ben, Elizabeth, Natalie, Rachel, Brandy, Chase, Brandon (Alyssa), Tyler, Malane (Ron), Beth, Jill (Matt); 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Darlene (Bill) Blair, Julie Ann Fox, Ione (Tim) Thompson, Kathy (Gary) Hauble, Sandy Fox, Michael (Kathleen) Fox, Mervyn (Manuella) Fox, Dean (Julie) Fox and Arlyn Fox as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were July 17 at United Covenant Church in Clear Lake with Pastor Dan Pearson officiating.

Interment will take place after the service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Turtle Lake Wis. To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute please visit www.williamsonwhite.com Arrangements were entrusted to the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 222 Harriman Avenue North Amery, Wisconsin 54001.

Earl “Sonny” Melvin Foss, age 85, of Osceola, Wis., passed away Thursday, July 18, 2019 at his home on the family farm in Osceola.

Earl was born April 6, 1934 at home on the farm in Osceola Township to parents, Ernest and Alma (Larson) Foss.

He lived near or on the family farm his full life (and died in almost exactly the spot where he was born). Sonny was baptized on May 6, 1934 and confirmed in his faith June 5, 1949, both at West Immanuel Lutheran Church. He married the love of his life, Marlene Mork on February 7, 1958 also at West Immanuel. Sonny and Marlene rarely spent a day apart from the day they met through their 44 years of marriage until Marlene passed away on May 6, 2002.

Sonny was highly skilled in many trades and worked as a mechanic, carpenter, farmer, machine builder and for 29 years as a technician for Viking Gas. Sonny enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood working, traveling with Marlene and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Many would say he could fix anything. In his later years, he enjoyed roaming the farm on his Ranger and keeping a sharp eye on the crops and wildlife from the lovely view from his recliner. His unique blend of strong work ethic, old-fashioned goodness, appreciation of the simpler things and deep thoughtfulness set him apart. He will be dearly missed.

Sonny is survived by his children, Bruce (Laura) Foss, Sherry (Mark) Schroeder and Kim (Jon) Foster; grandchildren, Bruce, Jr. (Melissa) Foss, Cory Foss, Erick (Kelly) Foss, Dain Foss, Trever Foss, Elise Schroeder, Sydney Schroeder and Tia Foster; great-grandchildren, Alivia and Camdyn Foss; brother, Roy (Beverly) Foss; sister, Betty (Dale) Bliese; brother-in-law, Donald Waalen; sister-in-law, Sue Ann Foss; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Sonny is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marlene; brother, John and sisters, Mary (Charles) McElfresh and June Waalen.

A memorial service was held 11:00am, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at West Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osceola and was followed by a private interment at the West Immanuel Lutheran cemetery. Preceding the service, a visitation took place from 4:00pm -7:00pm, Monday July 22 at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola, and continued one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements were made with the Grandstrand Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com. Memorials may also be directed to Adoray Home Health and Hospice or West Immanuel Lutheran Church – Youth Programs.

Jacob H. Ward, age 39 of Eau Claire died on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 as a result of an accident near Chippewa Falls.

Jacob was born on June 12, 1980 in Osceola to parents, Greg and Alynda (Spencer) Ward. Jacob attended school in Osceola until he was 16 when he contracted Meningitis and he suffered from traumatic brain issues and Epilepsy. He completed his education at Unity High School in Balsam Lake. Jacob eventually moved to Eau Claire where he continued to receive medical help and also working several different jobs at local restaurants and grocery stores. He loved listening to music, target shooting with his dad, visiting parks with his fiancé Diane and coming home to Osceola for visits with family and time spent with his niece and nephew.

Jacob is survived by his fiancé, Diane Larson of Eau Claire, father, Greg Ward of Osceola, sister, Angela Brown of Osceola, niece, Olivia, nephew, Logan; his paternal grandmother, Connie Ward of Osceola; stepfather, John Meier of Centuria as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lindy in 2017; maternal grandparents, Jack and Gail Vezina; paternal grandfather, Harold Ward; step grandmother, Anne Meier and cousin, Christie Lucken.

Memorials may be directed to the Epilepsy Foundation (Wisconsin) 1812 Brackett Ave. #5, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Memorial services will be held 1:00 pm, Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola, with pastor Angie Kutney officiating. Visitation will be held on hour prior to the service. Arrangements are being handled by Grandstrand Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.

John Paul Rud John Paul Rud age 77, of East Farmington passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, July 22, 2019 at Regions Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Monday, July 29, 2019 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in East Farmington. Visitation will be held from 4:007:00 pm, Sunday, July 28, 2019 at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola, WI and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Grandstrand Funeral Fu Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.

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were also playing a role in the shifting demographics of rural Wisconsin. He pointed to the dairy industry, noting the shift away from traditional small dairy farmers to concentrated animal feeding operations that require “a large hired workforce as opposed to a few kids and maybe a few hired hands.”

While much of the focus on Latino immigrant labor tends to fall on agriculture — an industry Long says is “particularly reliant” on immigrant labor — ACS stats also show manufacturing was a close second as the industry with the largest number of Latinos in a majority of the 15 counties.

Those two industries alone employed roughly 50 percent of the Latinos who worked in those

counties. That figure nearly doubles the rate for Latinos in the state as a whole, where employment is spread fairly evenly across the 13 categories tracked in the ACS data.

Marquez credited the spike in Latinos taking labor-oriented jobs in rural areas to migrants who come to the United States without receiving higher levels of education in their home countries.

“The typical immigrant comes to this country, at least from Mexico, with about a sixth-grade education and that’s equivalent to about the eighth grade here,” he said. “That’s what you can get free in Mexico.”

Marquez said because the school system in Mexico is built for those who can afford to pay for it, a majority of first-generation immigrants coming to Wisconsin look to work

in industries that “tend to be physically hard enough to make others shy away.”

But Long said he wonders how long the shift westward will last.

“There have been lots of reports of immigrant workers from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America leaving Wisconsin as a result of increasing political hostility and immigration enforcement at the state and national levels, so the trends may already be shifting back,” he said.

The Capitol Report is written by editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics, and is distributed for publication by members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

Copyright © WisPolitics. com

JULY 24, 2019

THE SUN

9

www.osceolasun.com

MARRIAGE LICENSES Benjamin Brian Bahneman and Lauren Anne Valencour of Circle Pines are to be married August 3, 2019.

Rob Andrew Dittel and Julie Elizabeth Snodie of Balsam Lake are to be married August 3, 2019.

Jacob Allen Kruzan of Mellen and Grace Liana Marek of Georgetown are to be married August 19, 2019.

Jeffrey Walter Owens and Briana Leigh Blume of Lorain are to be married August 3, 2019.

TO THE EDITOR FROM PAGE 6

readers to websites that are five to seven years old and based out of Virginia and Florida. As officers of the LWV-Upper St. Croix Valley, we direct Sun readers to the Wisconsin LWV site and invite you to look at the League’s current positions on Government, Natural Resources, and Social Policy. (www. lwvwi.org) The League takes positions on key public policy issues after study, debate and consensus by League membership statewide; the national league does

the same (www.lwv.org).

In the same letter, Wellumson also writes that Laura Tiede’s recent letter (July 5) to the Sun editor reflected the LWV’s positions.

Ms. Tiede never claims to represent the LWV’s positions, nor is she a member of the League of Women Voters Upper St. Croix Valley.

The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech. The listening sessions offered by Gae Magnifici and other elected representatives support this amendment, allowing them to hear from their constitu-

ents. Thank you. Letters to the editor are also a vehicle for freedom of speech. Kudos to Ms. Tiede for speaking up!

Mr. Welllumson, it is not your place to impede the freedom of speech. Stop super-imposing your political opinions on people or organizations who are committed to working on behalf of improving the lives of people in Northwest Wisconsin.

Carolyn Saunders, chair LWV-USCV Barb Wetzel, vice chair LWV-USCV

Finding Frankenstein at the library Monsters, science and history CONTRIBUTED WILBERG MEMORIAL LIBRARY

The library’s Summer Learning Program is continuing with Finding Frankenstein For Families presented by the Bakken Museum on Thursday, July 25, at 1 p.m. This family-friendly event is intended for ages 4 and up. Mary Shelley herself will talk about her book, medical science of the 19th century, as well as modern science.

This “can’t miss” event is a part of the Summer Learning Program. If you haven’t registered your children yet, it’s not too late! Drop into the library anytime to register and pick up reading logs — every completed reading log is a chance to win the grand prize. You need not be registered to attend the Finding Frankenstein event.

All programs are free of charge and made possible by the generosity of First National Community Bank, Friends of the Osceola Library, and our local businesses. For more information, call the library at 715294-2310 or visit our website, osceolapubliclibrary.org.

Wisconsinites take to the water CONTRIBUTED WI DNR

Hot summer weather this week has many people looking for ways to cool down. Some rivers are busy with people tubing, kayaking, and canoeing and others are heading out in search of beaches.

River levels continue to be high in northeast Wisconsin. In the last week, southern Oconto and Marinette counties received up to 5 inches of rain, which pushed flows in the Oconto, Peshtigo and Menominee rivers to much higher than normal levels. Because of the high water, many small lakes in Central Wisconsin have slow no wake restrictions in place.

Driven by a growing number of calls and complaints about excessive wakes, both Wisconsin and Minnesota have launched an educational effort urging people to "Own Your Wake - for everyone's sake," to spread the word about minimizing wakes that might pose a nuisance or hazard to others.

More than a year after the Father's Day flood event took out a dam and drained Interfalls Lake at Pattison State Park, the lake has refilled and the beach has reopened to the delight of visitors looking cool down with a swim. The Woods Lake beach at Governor Thompson State park with its 150-foot sand beach has been attracting swimmers. Due to high Lake Michigan water levels the beaches at Whitefish Dunes State Park have shrunken some but access is still open at two beaches. To find more locations and the latest beach condition reports search the DNR website for “beaches.” A reminder most beaches do not allow dogs. To find pet swim areas at state properties search the DNR website for “pets.”

County issues swimming advisory at Milltown Half Moon Beach CONTRIBUTED POLK COUNTY HEALTH

The Polk County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Half Moon Beach, Milltown, due to high levels of Fecal Coliform Bacteria. High levels have been confirmed in conclusive water tests done July 3 and July 10, 2019. The swimming advisory will remain in effect until two consecutive tests resulting in acceptable levels are obtained.

Wisconsin State Statute, 254.46, gives local health departments the authority to restrict swimming if a human health hazard exists.

The testing consists of sampling for fecal coliform bacteria, an indicator of human and animal waste contamination. Current test methods cannot detect all pathogens (disease-causing organisms) or give instantaneous results. Testing requires 24 to 48 hours of incubation before problems can be detected, leaving ample time for exposure to occur. Current analytical methods do not distinguish between human and animal waste contamination.

Swimming in unsafe water may result in minor illnesses such as ear, eye, nose and throat infections, the most common being gastroenteritis (upset stomach). Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of getting sick when they ingest contaminated water.

The Polk County Health Department recommends swimmers take caution when swimming at any beach, especially after heavy rains. Bacteria counts usually rise after a rainstorm at all beaches. The most frequent source of fecal bacteria contamination is waterfowl.

If you are concerned about “swimmer’s itch,” a type of dermatitis causing a rash and itching, swimmers should rub off with a rough towel before the water film dries on the skin surface. An immediate fresh shower after leaving the water is also effective.

For more information about swimming beach monitoring and safety, you can call the Polk County Health Department at 485-8532. Updates regarding swimming advisories in Polk County can be found at www.polkcountyhealthdept.org.

COUNTY: Finances on track FROM PAGE 2

DNR

Woods Lake at Governor Thompson State Park has a 150-foot sand beach.

Channel catfish are being caught on the Wolf River. Anglers targeting yellow perch on Lake Winnebago have been having success, with some anglers even catching limits. Walleyes are also still being caught throughout the Winnebago system.

There was good fishing for perch and walleye this week along both the east and west shores of Green Bay. Finally the news anglers fishing northern Door County wanted to hear: chinook salmon have started to show up, with boats catching upwards of five fish. Smallmouth bass fishing in and around the Mink River was still producing fish, with even a few 5-pound fish being caught yet. On the bayside, smallmouth bass fishing remained steady throughout the week with boats catching roughly 20 fish per boat.

Fishing activity on southern

Lake Michigan picked up quite a bit this week out of Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha with onset of a Salmon-A-Rama tournament.

The most targeted fish were kings and coho; however, most of the fish reported were lake trout and steelhead with some salmon also caught.

Turkey broods are being seen and the young seem to have more than doubled in size over a weeks’ time. Reports of fawns are still coming in strong with one report this week of a doe with triplets.

Loons are serenating into the night on Northwoods lakes.

Bergamot, purple coneflower, blazing star, butterfly weed and black-eyed Susan are adding pops of color on the landscape. Strawberries, blueberries and Juneberries are ripening.

welfare issues related to caregiver addiction.

• Jeff Peterson, Town of Georgetown, proposed that the board enact a moratorium on largescale livestock farms in Polk County. Board Chair Dean Johansen noted that concentrated animal feeding operations are “on the board’s radar.”

• The board approved a resolution to resolve interest and penalties at Green Whey Energy, an anaerobic waste treatment facility. The company is in bankruptcy proceedings and owes the county $1.59 million in real estate taxes.

Resolving interest and penalties increases the likelihood that another company would buy Green Whey and pay the delinquent tax principal.

• County staff will develop a resolution toward accepting ownership of the Clam Falls Dam. • A resolution was approved in support of Telecommuter Forward certification.

• Steve Arduser of Apple River was appointed to the Board of Adjustment.

• A request for proposals went live July 16 for a consultant to help with the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail master plan.

ORDINANCE # 19-03 To amend the Code of the Village of Osceola: Section 207-6 Stop signs, traffic control lights and railroad crossings The Village Board of the Village of Osceola does ordain as follows: Section A Osceola Municipal Code Section 207- 6 C. Four way stop signs, is hereby amended by the addition of the following: (name of street) (For Vehicles approaching on) Chieftain St. Fourth Avenue Section B This Ordinance shall take effect upon its adoption and publication.

Adopted: July 9, 2019 Published: July 24, 2019 Village of Osceola Signed : Jeromy Buberl, Village President Attested : Frank Pascarella, Interim Village Administrator

AND OUTDOORS 10

THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

Clear path for Braves playoff berth

Boaters asked to limit damaging wakes CONTRIBUTED WI DNR

Boaters, paddlers, anglers and swimmers, as well as shoreline property owners, are put at risk when boat operators throttle up and leave wakes in their paths - forcing others on the water to react quickly to the sudden rough water that slams other vessels and crashes into the shorelines.

The Wisconsin

Department of Natural Resources is joining the Minnesota DNR in a public campaign urging all boaters to be aware of the risks and problems caused by boat wakes and to take steps to reduce big wakes.

Driven by a growing number of calls and complaints about excessive wakes, both states launched an educational effort urging people SEE BOATERS, PAGE 11

INTERSTATE PARK PROGRAMS

GARTH OLSON

Matt Schultz, Brady Berg and Tom Johnson shake hands after a 3-1 win over the Brill Millers.

BY REAGAN HOVERMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Considering the rollercoaster-like season that the Braves have been having this year, it’s difficult to comprehend how they have maintained a chance at making the playoffs as the season begins to concludes.

Only a few weeks of schedule games are left for the Braves to secure a playoff spot before the postseason begins in the middle

of August. Despite having large swings in their season, the Braves still have a fighting chance to cash in on a playoff berth in the coming weeks.

Here’s the scenario: If the Braves win their next three conference games, they are guaranteed a playoff spot.

Anything other than that, then there is a chance they are left on the outside looking in.

The must-win game to keep the season alive was against the Brill

Millers on July 21. From the moment of the first pitch at Osceola’s own Oakey Park, the atmosphere resembled that of a playoff game.

There were seven innings of highly contested baseball with errors and mental mistakes being few and far between, along with an atmosphere and style of game that is rarely found in a regular season contest. The score was close through the sixth inning, the SEE BRAVES, PAGE 11

Fishing with Parkinson’s

“It got so bad that I couldn’t drink a glass of water without spilling it all over myself.” on McCorkle described his early battles with Parkinson’s after being diagnosed with the scary health problem in November. “It affects my balance, I struggle to get out of booths at restaurants and I had to stop driving for a while. I’m doing martial arts therapy for my motor skills, working out daily. They say that dance is good but I’m scared of dancing and how I look when I do it,” he added with a smile.

Jon loves the outdoors and fishing for brook was his earliest love. His dad told him he caught his first brook trout when he was one year old.

His earliest memories do go back to when he was about 4 years old living in Dallas, WI. Jon used a willow or alder branch with monofilament line and worms back in 1953. He tried fly fishing around age 12 and got hooked.

“That’s when I saw my first Herter’s catalog and I wanted to do it bad! Dad a rough old fly tying vice I used Wild River had with things we had around the house Trails to tie my earliest flies. Deer hair, chicken hackle from the barnyard, Jim Bennett duck feathers and woodcock feathers

J

we shot and Dad had some peacock herl. I borrowed Mom’s sewing thread and used fingernail polish for a sealant but most of flies just fell apart after a couple fish. My sister had a really nice hat with some very fancy decorative colored hackle that I would occasionally cut a few strands off without her noticing it.

Eventually I pretty much ruined her hat and kept it hidden until I was brave enough to ask her if I could have it. She didn’t know I had pretty much wrecked it and luckily she said I could. I felt very relieved.”

“I saved my money and bought a good vice, hackle, feathers, fur, kip tails, silk threads, and sealant and started to make my own flies. I tied and sold buck tails for northern pike anglers for a little money around Weyerhaeuser where we now lived. My dad, Ray, moved the family there after the track closed down in Dallas where he was yard foreman.”

Jon loves brown trout and steelhead but his greatest love was, and still is, centered on brook trout. “I think it’s because of the places they live, the sound of the water and the beautiful fish they are. Nothing is as colorful as a brook trout, except maybe a wood duck and I use their feathers to catch brookies. I remember Dad and I would go and take some bacon and a pan and go fishing when I was a kid. We’d cook that bacon SEE BENNETT, PAGE 15

The Outdoorsman’s Journal is brought to you by:

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715-294-2314 715-755-3316

715-294-2165 Fax: 715-294-2892 401 South Cascade Osceola, Wisconsin osceolaautobody@centurytel.net

Let’s Go Mucking for Macroinvertebrates, July 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Join the St. Croix River Association, the National Scenic Riverway, and the library for a mucking event at the Lake O’ the Dalles.

Come and see what creatures you can find!

Let’s Go Paddling!, July 24, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Join the St. Croix River Association, the National Scenic Riverway, and the library for an evening of paddling at the Lake O’ the Dalles.

Canoes, paddles, and life jackets will all be provided.

Nature Storytime, July 25, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Preschoolers and their caregivers join us for a nature story, activity, and snack. Every Thursday, we meet at the Ice Age Center for this weekly summer nature program.

Canoe Lessons, July 26, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn paddle strokes and helpful tips for canoeing on the water at the Lake O’ the Dalles. Meet near the Beach House. Canoes, life jackets, and paddles will all be provided.

Kubb… Give it a Try!, July 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by the Ice Age Center to learn to play the lawn game of “Kubb” (Swedish Viking Chess). The object of the game is to knock over wooden blocks (kubbs) by throwing wooden batons at them.

Fun for all ages!

Shakespeare in the Park: Workshop, July 27, 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Play games, work with text, and explore the natural world through the lens of Shakespeare’s words. Meet by the amphitheater.

Shakespeare in the

SCOREBOARD BASEBALL AMERICAN LEGION games at high school varsity field July 26-30: State at Chippewa Falls.

BRAVES BASEBALL July 24 at River Falls Fighting Fish,

Park: Show, July 27, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Meet at the amphitheater for an outdoor performance of the Shakespeare classic, Romeo and Juliet.

Families welcome.

A Mammoth Comparison, July 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Symbol of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the wooly mammoth was an impressive animal. But how big was it? Visit the Ice Age Center to compare sizes of the different mammoth species.

Pothole Trail Hike, July 31, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign to hike with the park naturalist and learn about the trail’s unique geology.

Nature Storytime, August 1, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Preschoolers and their caregivers join us for a nature story, activity, and snack. Every Thursday, we meet at the Ice Age Center for this weekly summer nature program.

Coloring in the Park!, August 2, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. In celebration of National Coloring Book Day, there will be 3 areas set up with different park related images to color. If you collect and color all 3, you can pick out a small prize at the Ice Age Center (see also for coloring locations).

Canoe Lessons, August 3, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wisconsin Interstate Park and the St. Croix River Association are joining forces to promote safety on the water. Meet at the Beach House on Lake O’ the Dalles to experience this free canoeing opportunity. Space is limited, so make sure to arrive early. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets will all be provided.

7:30 p.m., First National Bank Field.

July 27 vs. Hayward Hawks, (Double Header) 2 p.m and 5 p.m game.

Aug. 2-4 at Spooner (league tourney).

Aug. 9-11 State Semi Finals at Spooner, Haugen, Rib Lake or Altoona.

Aug. 16-18 State finals at Menomonie.

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BOATERS: Wake awareness FROM PAGE 10

to “Own Your Wake - for everyone’s sake.” The goal is to spread the word about the importance of minimizing wakes that might pose a nuisance or hazard to others.

Anyone with information regarding natural resource violations, may confidentially report by calling or texting: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay information to conservation wardens.

“Wisconsin is known for its abundant waters that are destinations for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Sharing our resources keeps it fun and safe for all - and that means operating with the other vessels in mind,” said Todd Schaller, Wisconsin DNR Chief Conservation Warden.

Herons, egrets and cranes, oh my!

The summer boating season with a mixture of speedboats, fishing boats and “wake boats” has given rise to increasing concerns around large wakes and the problems they can cause. (Wake boats sit low in the water and produce big waves that someone being towed can surf.)

Common wake complaints in the summer include damage to shoreline properties, docked boats as well as paddlers and swimmers who get caught in the wakes’ rollers.

“One person’s boating fun should not cause safety concerns and damage for others,” Schaller said.

“We hope boaters understand the impacts of boat wakes and voluntarily comply with existing rules and basic principles of on-the-water courtesy, to own your wake for everyone’s sake.”

BRAVES: playoffs still possible FROM PAGE 10

Braves holding a 2-1 lead. In the seventh inning, the Braves hit a one-out triple, followed by an RBI single to shallow center field, giving the Braves an insurance run and a 3-1 lead.

The Braves’ 3-1 lead ended up being enough to earn a tough victory against one of the teams they are in a race with for one of the two remaining playoff spots.

Braves player/manager Brian Hronski discussed what the victory means for their season.

“I told the guys before the game that our season is on the line. If we lose this game our playoff chances are pretty much eliminated. This win sets us up for next weekend, we have three games we can win and two of them are at home. I’m really proud of the team that showed up today,” Hronski said.

The Braves also had excellent communication in the field throughout the game: players calling out potential double plays, teammates letting other teammates know what position they need to be in at different times, and positive remarks whenever somebody made an impressive play.

“The focus is always better when your back is against the wall. It helps when I’m on the field, I’m seeing and saying things that I would normally be saying from the dugout,” Hronski added.

Following a crucial victory to keep the season alive, suddenly the Braves’ morale has been boosted and there is a palpable level of confidence circulating throughout the dugout.

“I could totally see us winning two of our three games next week, giving us a chance to sneak into the playoffs. We’re done with Spooner, and we can beat Hayward and we can potentially beat them in a doubleheader,” Hronski said.

Next weekend the Braves finally get their chance to secure a playoff spot. On July 27 they host a doubleheader at Oakey Park against the Hayward Hawks.

First pitch for the opening game is set for 2:00 p.m; first pitch for the second game is scheduled for 5 p.m.

CLARIFYIBLY | CREATIVE COMMONS

Stan Tekiela, nature photographer, in British Columbia in 2015. The Minnesota-based naturalist spoke at Wisconsin Interstate Park July 13.

BY KELLY HOLM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Even if one does not recognize the name Stan Tekiela, they may have books by this renowned Minnesota-based naturalist, author and photographer. Tekiela authored the popular “Birds of [state name],” “Trees of [state name]” and “Wildflowers of [state name]” field guides, highlighting the flora and fauna of locations all across the country.

When Tekiela spoke at Interstate Park on July 13, numerous attendees brought their copies of these pocket-sized manuals for him to sign.

But it was Tekiela’s 2016 book, “Cranes, Herons & Egrets: The Elegance of our Tallest Birds,” that inspired this lecture.

Tekiela said that the book was originally

intended to focus merely on cranes, but his publisher was lukewarm to that idea. “‘Do you really think we want a book with 180 pages of grey birds?

We need something else like herons and egrets.’” is how he summarized Adventure Publications’ skepticism. So he gave in, crafting a tome featuring all three birds.

However, herons and egrets are not related to cranes.

“They may look similar, but they’re not in the same family,” the naturalist said.

Tekiela has led annual excursions to Nebraska’s Platte River to witness the springtime migration of sandhill cranes for the last 30 years, taking 14 passengers with him on his “Birding Bus.” Sandhill cranes are the most populous species of crane in the

Strange trash could bring reward CONTRIBUTED SCRA

The St. Croix River Association (SCRA) is inviting the public spending time on the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers to participate in a watershed-wide river cleanup on Saturday, July 27.

Summer is busy on our rivers and litter can quickly build up, creating eyesores, causing harm to wildlife, and releasing pollutants.

We are encouraging you to clean up the rivers as you paddle and

enjoy this National Park.

Many canoe and kayak outfitters throughout the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers are participating in this cleanup and will provide bags for trash collecting.

Participating outfitters include Hayward Outfitters, Log Cabin Resort, Jack’s Canoe Rental, Wild River Outfitters and more.

You can submit photos of your cleanup finds to info@scramail. com and enter a contest for a chance to win a cool river inspired gift. Categories are: largest single

item; most unusual and/or interesting object; and largest volume of trash taken out of the river. Photos must be submitted by August 1.

Organizers hope everyone who enjoys spending time on the rivers practices good stewardship and lives by the old saying, “Leave it better than you found it!”

More information and registration is available at: https://www. stcroixriverassociation.org/event/ st-croix-and-namekagon-riverclean-up-day.

United States, and the lesser sandhill crane is their most prominent subspecies. Up to 450,000 of these birds migrate every year.

Whooping cranes, the other crane species in the U.S., are much rarer.

Less than a century ago, they were on the brink of extinction, with only 23 alive in 1941. Today the wild population sits at about 500, but their reproduction remains stagnant, according to Tekiela.

“You’d think we’d be

doubling their numbers every five years or so, and we’re barely adding to those numbers,” he said.

While sandhill cranes like to nest on the ground among wetlands, herons and egrets like to nest in trees. They reuse their nests every year, and continually make them bigger, adding onto them with new sticks. One can witness this at the blue heron rookery at Cedar Bend, SEE NATURALIST, PAGE 12

Thank you to ALL of the local businesses for the ongoing support of Osceola Youth Baseball again this year. Also, thank you to the Osceola School District for use of the ҕelds and to all of the volunteers who make this program a success!

PRIZE

WINNER

Tickets for 2 to Packers/Vikings Game at Lambeau Field ................. Andy Anderson Tickets for 2 to Minnesota Vikings home game .................................. Dean Koehler Tickets for 2 to Minnesota Wild home game ........................... Kathryn Schumemen Traeger Grill ........................................................................................Deb Rutledge Tickets for 4 to Brewers game at Miller Park....................................Sheryl Schmidt Tickets for 4 to Twins game at Target Field ......................................... Vincent Hahn Cedar Lake Speedway Package for 4...................................................... John Sheet Tickets for 4 to St. Paul Saints game at CHS Field ....................... Joe Drutschmann Tickets for 4 to St. Paul Saints game at CHS Field ........................... Austin Rudnick Wild Mountain Waterpark passes for 4 .............................................Dennis Potting Trollhaugen Adventure passes for 4 ..................................................Colleen Leckey $100 Gas Card ..................................................................................... Bob Thomas Oak Glen Golf Package ........................................................................... Sandra Ball Krooked Kreek Golf Package ................................................................ Farmer Freer $50 Amazon Gift Card .....................................................................Shirley Johnson $50 Amazon Gift Card ................................................................................. Amanda $50 Dicks Sporting Goods Gift Card ......................................................Jon Rassett $50 Dicks Sporting Goods Gift Card .................................................... Jerry Hertzel $50 Gas Card .................................................................. Michelle & Kenneth Rattei $50 Gas Card ...................................................................... Jeremy & Amy Fossum $150 Osceola Cleaners Certificate .....................................................Tee Harrington $50 Bill’s Ace Hardware Gift Certificate ............................................ Matt Wassman $25 Target Gift Card ...............................................................................Nancy Beck $25 Target Gift Card ............................................................................ Tim Viebrock $25 Home Depot Gift Card ..................................................................... Val Hanson $25 Home Depot Gift Card .................................................................... Kyle Jensen $25 Menards Gift Card .......................................................................... Mark Almlie $25 Menards Gift Card ............................................................................. Cody Hoff $25 Fleet Farm Gift Card ......................................................................... Tara Adam $25 Fleet Farm Gift Card ................................................................ Rodney Robbins $25 Bill’s Ace Hardware Certificate ....................................................... Alex Rogers $25 Bill’s Ace Hardware Certificate ............................................... Amy Mackenroth $25 Bill’s Ace Hardware Certificate ................................................ Richard Gregory $25 Bill’s Ace Hardware Certificate ..................................................... Tim Viebrock $25 Gas Card ................................................................................. Brian Gillingham $25 Gas Card ........................................................................................ Mark Almlie $25 Gas Card ......................................................................................Andrew Janis $25 Gas Card ..................................................................................Angie Wassman

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JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

Almelund Threshing Company hosts 17th Tractor Caravan

BY BRUCE NELSON CONTRIBUTED

Tractor drivers are invited to take a relaxing ride on a scenic 34-mile route through rural Minnesota to the Almelund Showgrounds.

The caravan gathers 9 a.m., August 4, at the Olson Farm (39853 Forest Blvd, North Branch).

Once tractors are at the Almelund Showgrounds, drivers can leave them there for the show. Bus transportation back to the Olson farm will be provided. Peterson’s Repair and Towing, Lindstrom, will provide rescue service if there are any breakdowns.

Caravan speed will be 8-10 MPH, mobile outhouses will be provided. For more information: http://www. almelundthreshingco.org, Al 715-646-9393, Bruce 715825-4237, fatmanvb@lakeland.ws.

Schedule 9 a.m. Complimentary coffee and donuts 9:45 a.m. Drivers’ meeting (attendance required) 10 a.m. Departure Pit stop, Tesoro gas station, convenience store, The Hungry Farmer Butcher Shop.

Pit stop, John Ekstrom farm.

Pit stop, Hay Days Snowmobile racing facility.

Pit stop, Joanne Johnson at the summit of Amador Hill.

Pit Stop, Almelund Heritage Center Arrive, Almelund Showgrounds approximately 4 p.m.

SUBMITTED

Beginning at the Olson Farm in North Branch, the caravan will make its way to the Almelund Showgrounds using mostly county roads.

Proposed Caravan Route Beginning at the Olson Farm 39853 Forest Blvd North Branch, the caravan will leave the Olson Farm heading south on County Road 30, to County Road 17.

The caravan will turn west to the first Pit Stop at the Tesoro facility. Back on the trail, the group will head east on County Road 17 joining back up with County Road 30, where it will turn south.

The caravan will turn northwest on County Road 18, continuing to County Road 14 where it will make a left turn. It will travel to County Road 72 where it will turn east and travel to the John Ekstrom farm for the second pit stop.

From there the group will continue east to County Road 72 & County Road 11 where it will go north on County Road 70, proceeding to the Snow Barons snowmobile racing facility and the third pit stop.

People from the snowmobile club will be there to greet the group and give guided tours of the facility.

Leaving the snowmobile complex, the caravan will travel north on County Road 70 where it will cross MN 95 and head to County Road 81 and turn east to the fourth pit stop, hosted by Joanne Johnson on the summit of Amador Hill.

When leaving Johnson’s farm, drivers are advised to put tractors into a lower gear as the road will be on a very steep decline. As the road flattens and turns north, the caravan will make a slight right turn onto County Road 12 to downtown Almelund, where it will head east on Maple Drive to the last pit stop, the Amador Heritage Center. The Center will be open for all to enjoy.

The Heritage Center is well stocked with hundreds of exhibits and artifacts from local life over the past 100 years or so, including restored log buildings.

From Almelund, it’s a short drive southeast on MN 95 to the destination. This is the proposed route and is subject to change due to weather or road conditions.

Drivers are advised to attend the Drivers Meeting at the beginning of the caravan for the latest information.

Make your own iron sculpture at Franconia Sculpture Park CONTRIBUTED FRANCONIA SCULPTURE PARK

Every summer for the last 20 years, iron artists from around the globe join Franconia for a sizzling outdoor iron pour. The sculpture park invites the public to participate in this unique opportunity by carving a block of sand that will create a unique cast iron sculpture poured during the annual Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour on Saturday, August 3, from 12 to 8 p.m. Bring the family and make a day of this free event where all are welcome.

At the Hot Metal Pour, witness artists operating a furnace that heats up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit, as they pour over 8,000 pounds of red-hot molten iron into artist and community-made molds. Attendees of the Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour also have the opportunity to participate in six behind the scenes guided tours throughout the day.

The artist-led tours provide attendees a short history of iron casting, detailed information about the process of metal casting, and give participants the chance to more deeply examine the process of creating art and the life of an iron artist.

The seven community mold-making workshops are spread throughout various dates before and during the day of the Hot Metal Pour on Saturday, August 3. You only need to attend one workshop to complete your mold for your sculpture.

• Saturday, July 20 or

SUBMITTED

A ladle crew pours molten iron into carved sand molds created by public workshop participants for the Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour.

Sunday, July 21, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, July 27 or Sunday, July 28, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 31 or Thursday, August 1, 4 to 7 p.m.

• Saturday, August 3, 11am to 3 p.m. - This is the day of the pour, please arrive by 2 p.m. so you have time to complete your mold by 3 p.m.

The workshops and Hot Metal Pour occur in the Open Studio Work Area within the Park. There is no charge to attend the workshop. Sculpture mold prices are based on size (an additional processing fee will apply for credit card purchases).

Participants will start with a resin-bonded block of sand that has a recessed area ½” deep with a 6”, 8”, or 10” diameter, depending on the size of the mold. Using drawing and carving tools provided, they carve into the block of sand to create a negative space or cavity,

which is the area where molten iron will be poured to create a unique sculpture.

Reservations required for all workshops except the one on August 3.

Sign up at: https://www. franconia.org/hot-metalmold/ To learn about the mold-making process, see a video at: https:// vimeo.com/105711858 Visit https://www.franconia.org/ to learn more.

This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Thank you!

COMING SOON July 27: Music@ Franconia: Scottie Miller Band August 3: Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour

August 10: Resident Artists Hot Metal Pour August 31: Music@ Franconia: Ipso Facto September 28: 23rd Annual Art & Artists Celebration

IF YOU GO WHAT: 2019 Community Mold-Making Workshops and Hot Metal Pour WHERE: Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 Saint Croix Trail, Franconia, MN 55074 Highways 8 & 95, Chisago County, 3 miles west of Taylors Falls, MN WHEN: • Saturday, July 20 or Sunday, July 21, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, July 27 or Sunday, July 28, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 31 or Thursday, August 1, 4 to 7 p.m.

• Saturday, August 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. AND Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour from 12 to 8 p.m.

NATURALIST: Author of popular field guides visits Interstate Park FROM PAGE 11

just north of Marine on St. Croix and easily accessible by canoe from Osceola. At Tekiela’s own heron rookery, however, many trees, and therefore nests, are falling in the water.

“Then they move on and find another location,” he said.

If community members want to advocate for bird populations such as these, Tekiela recommends volunteering at a local nature center or sponsoring a crane at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, where all 17 crane species worldwide can be found.

COURTESY TRUDY LORENZ

KELLY HOLM | THE SUN

The blue heron rookery at Cedar Bend is accessible by canoe from Osceola.

Stan Tekiela autographs a book for a fan at Interstate Park

JULY 24, 2019

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DAIRY: How are family farmers coping with the changing economic landscape of America’s Dairyland?

FROM PAGE 1

farmer Bill Thiel, who farms with his wife Linda, “but the peak of dairymen [in the state] was 103,000 in 1959.”

Alas, this figure is no more. That number has dwindled to 8,419 as of last year, and is continuing to drop at a rate of around 4%.

“I remember being told back in the ‘80s that 20 percent of the dairymen would be gone in five years,” Bill said. “It couldn’t be, ‘cause there were 54 dairymen in Farmington township in 1982… you thought they [were] wrong, and then, by golly, it happened.”

The decline in Osceola township has been similarly dismal. In 1975, the township possessed 25 dairy farms. Now, just one remains. But what became of the other 24?

Perhaps Mike Mallin has a clue. His family was in the dairy business for “many, many years, ‘til we burned down in ‘99.”

After the fire, the Mallins did not bother to reopen.

“The industry said you needed to go to more cows,” Mallin said.

“Then we decided, my father was getting up there in age, it was time to get out. I work for the Village of Osceola now.”

Urbanization, Linda Thiel asserts, also has an impact.

“The [Twin] Cities moving out this way has put a higher value to the property, to the land, so that to actually take and buy it for agricultural use is not sustainable,” she said.

Opal Haase, who runs Hillview Dairy with her husband Bill and their sons Jared and Jason, offered a more optimistic perspective.

“Just because a farm goes out doesn’t mean they went under. Maybe they have chosen that they no longer want to milk cows, maybe they would like to try something else,” Opal said. “A lot of times it’s because of the circumstances… maybe it’s the long hours that they want to change and get out of, or maybe they just feel that it would be a better lifestyle

for their family or that they could get a lot of money for selling their land, and maybe they could retire or do something different. There’s so many reasons to exit dairy that I wouldn’t say they went under. I would never say that about any farm, especially a dairy farm.”

Hillview, which has been in the Haase family since Bill’s relatives bought it from a Civil War widow in 1887, has locations in both Somerset and Farmington townships. The former site is where calves are born and raised, while the latter is where cows are milked. At the time of the couple’s high school graduation in 1971, the farm milked 16 cows.

That number reached 50 by 1978, thanks to an expansion of the original barn in Somerset. In 2004, the Haases built a new milking parlor in Farmington township, and now they milk over 500 cows.

“We went from 16 cows and we were able to get enough stuff paid off that we could build a new barn and milk more cows, and we’ve always milked more and more cows to pay for everything,” Opal said. “We’ve taken the risk of purchasing land and borrowing money to do that, and then some of the times the land prices would go down or something and cattle prices would go down, but we were able to see our way through those down times, and then you go on to the next part.”

While the Haases may be staying above water, Wisconsin is also ranked first for farm bankruptcies, a trend that has persisted for the last three years, and farms here, particularly dairy farms, are smaller than the national average, which a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article suggests is an underlying factor behind the bankruptcies. Despite this, however, Community Homestead, Osceola’s agriculture-focused cooperative organization that advocates for adults with special needs, feels content about the size of their dairy.

“We’re very small by what’s become conventional standards. We’re small even by organic standards,” dairy manager Eric Witt said.

Their milking parlor is designed for 36 cows.

“Most dairies have had to expand to at least 100, 200 cows or much bigger. In a way, being able to remain small is one way to gauge success. It is our goal to continue to be small… and we don’t really have the infrastructure or the fields to get much bigger.

A lot of dairies have been forced to get big or get out. Our hope would be to stay small and stay in.”

The Thiels milk a similar number of cows, but like many other smalltime dairy farmers, they have sought additional employment.

“In 2000, both Linda and I took off-the-farm jobs,” Bill Thiel said.

“Knowing the farm needed a little boost, we needed to get some more income without necessarily milking more cows.

In 2000… we were maybe milking 50 cows.”

At that time, the Thiels had four dependent children. Bill took a job at NorthWire, while Linda worked at St. Croix Floral and later Pharmasan, which was shut down by the government in late 2017. “[Taking second jobs] helped us get through,” Bill acknowledged, “but now, the last six, seven years, farm income as a whole has declined and suffered terribly. Even with the supplement of off-farm income.” Excess milk production has created a surplus, leading to quotas from distributors such as the Thiels,’ LandO-Lakes, and milk prices are stagnant.

Generational demographics don’t exactly paint a pretty picture either. The average age of an American dairy farmer is 58, a number that has risen for the past 30 years, according to the U.S. Labor Department, and the next generation often are uninterested in taking over their aging parents’ farms. One of the Thiels’ five sons would someday like to convert the dairy to a tree farm, while another would rent the land out to

KELLY HOLM | THE SUN

Bill Thiel pointing out the inscription of 1899, the year the oldest part of the barn was constructed, in the brick.

KELLY HOLM | THE SUN

Bill Haase standing next to his grandparents’ buggy.

a larger entity. “[The dairy crisis] has changed our outlook on how and when we can retire,” Linda said. “We [only] have thoughts [about retiring].”

Even the optimistic Haases had to take a sober outlook on what the future may entail.

“We’ve been through

these down cycles before, but this one’s probably longer than most of the cycles have been. The prices have been low for a longer time than we’ve seen in our lifetime,” Opal said.

In spite of the hardships and uncertainties, however, the Thiels say they cannot regret

choosing a life in dairy farming.

“I don’t think we’d have changed anything that we’ve done. I always thought [the farm] was the place for raising the kids,” Linda said.

Bill agreed. “That’s the best crop that we raised.”

St. Croix Falls students score college credits CONTRIBUTED SCF SCHOOLS

Thirty-one St. Croix Falls students earned 44 passing scores in a total of nine classes by taking advanced placement coursework and tests during the 2019-20 school year. The school's overall passage rate, 86 percent, significantly exceeds the state's average.

In seven of the 10 AP classes offered this year, 100 percent of the students who completed the AP exam received a

score that will earn college credit. This is especially impressive given there are no grade point average requirements or limits on who can take an AP class at St. Croix Falls High School.

"Our students are extremely well-prepared," said Principal Peggy Ryan.

"Our teachers do an exemplary job thoroughly preparing students across the board, both in AP instruction and in all courses across the curriculum.

And our students are taught in pre-K through 12 that quality work is the

expectation."

In dollars and cents, a student earning college credit for their AP courses can earn 3 or more credits which equals anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars per class.

"We've had students earn enough college credits to skip a semester or more in college. That's a huge advantage," Ryan said.

St. Croix Falls offers AP classes on a rotating basis: US history, world history, government and politics,

comparative government and politics, biology, chemistry, music theory, studio art, language and composition, literature and composition and psychology.

Students can also take advantage of independent study and online preparatory coursework that leads to other college credits.

"Our college-bound students continue to demonstrate that the preparation offered at St. Croix Falls brings definable, measurable results," Ryan said.

14

THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

Wisconsinites invited to aquatic invasive Snapshot Day CONTRIBUTED RIVER ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN

Water lovers of all ages are invited to join a search for aquatic invasive species on August 17.

This fun, hands-on effort, known as Snapshot Day, relies on participants to monitor local lakes and streams at designated sites across the state for signs of non-native plants and animals that pose risks to Wisconsin waterways and wildlife.

Information collected will be provided to the WI DNR to inform and guide monitoring and response efforts.

Volunteers are key to the success of the event. Coordinated by River Alliance of Wisconsin, in partnership with UW Extensionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Citizen Lake Monitoring Network, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Snapshot Day is entering its sixth successful year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More and more people want to know how they can help protect the local lakes, rivers and streams they love. Snapshot

COURTESY ANGELIQUE DAHLBERG.

Angelique Dahlberg of the St. Croix River Association, during Snapshot Day 2017.

Day makes taking care of our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waters both fun and efficient. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a great

new way,â&#x20AC;? explained Natalie Dutack, AIS watershed groups manager at River Alliance of Wisconsin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen nature lovers, paddlers and anglers take part. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also had families, troops of Scouts, and retirees come out. Everyone enjoys the hands-on opportunity to learn more about the waters near them, and by providing a venue and some training we can help them become stewards of their waters,â&#x20AC;? Dutack continued.

Alix Bjorklund, coordinator at the Timberland Invasive Partnership, is preparing to host their second annual Snapshot Day with partner Langlade County. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were blown away by the number of volunteers we had and the level of interest they took in contributing to the health of the water habitats in their area through citizen-based monitoring,â&#x20AC;? she elaborated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These types of monitoring events greatly augment the hard work being done by invasive species managers in our

community-building event that connects people to their local waters in a whole

SEE SNAPSHOT DAY, PAGE 15

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2. Most auto policies will also not pay for diminution or reduction in value of the rental car.

3. If traveling outside of the United States, your auto policy may not provide any coverage at all.

Not all auto insurance policies are created equal, and it is important to check with your agent prior to renting a vehicle to make sure you understand your coverage and options.

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JULY 24, 2019

THE SUN

15

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BENNETT: Angler with Parkinson’s hasn’t given up on brook trout FROM PAGE 10

up and it wasn’t the lean bacon we have today. It was full of fat.

We’d each catch our 10 fish limit of brookies and fry them up right on the stream. I love to eat fish, fried, baked or grilled in tin foil with salt, pepper and butter over an open fire!”

Jon’s hand shakes all the time but he says he is a lot better since he went on medication and he now feels safe driving when he feels up to it. He gave up driving for a

while, got better and occasionally drives to the store. Now with medication he is able to drive a bit more. That was toughest. Going from a retired guy who was active every day and fishing several times a week to a nearly 70 year old man who got out yesterday for the second time all year brook trout fishing. He wears a Medical Alert device that his kids bought him in case he falls and hurts himself.

Jon’s or anyone’s future with Parkinson’s is not a good prognosis and Jon understands that.

More medications, possible brain surgery to implant stimulation devices but he is remaining optimistic. “I’m taking big steps, I exercise daily and I get real tired.

I hear boxing is good. I’m doing work to keep my mind sharp to fight dementia. I’m going to keep working.” But dancing is where Jon draws the line!

Jim Bennett is an outdoorsman who lives and worked in the St. Croix River Valley and can be reached at jamesbennett24@gmail. com.

HOROSCOPES

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you have the gumption to complete projects that others may never even attempt.

Put your best foot forward and get to work so you can start producing some results.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, a friend or family member looks to you for advice this week. Do your best to put yourself in this person’s shoes and let him or her know that your support is unwavering.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, a great opportunity to express yourself comes along this week. Make the most of this chance to let others see your creative side. You won’t be sorry you did.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 A goal that seems unlikely is still worth working toward, CLUES ACROSS 1. Partner to “oohed” 6. Frying dishes 10. Turncoats 14. Tropical fruit 15. Combinations of ideas 17. Sick 19. Consumed 20. Is in possession of 21. Zodiac sign 22. Hem and __ 23. Small country along the Arabian Peninsula 24. Petty quarrel 26. Scold 29. Volcanic crater 31. Present 32. TV network 34. “Rule Britannia” composer 35. Some hold lunches 37. Spring harvest in South Asia 38. Feline 39. Precipitation 40. In addition 41. Using as a foundation 43. Without 45. Ancient Roman garment 46. Political action committee 47. A way to excite 49. Swiss river 50. A place to relax 53. NE Ohio ballplayer 57. Rocky bodies orbiting the sun 58. Horse-drawn vehicle 59. Soaks 60. Cunning 61. The underworld

CLUES DOWN 1. Water (Spanish) 2. Your parent’s sister 3. Incline from vertical 4. The night before 5. Female descendants from American revolutionaries 6. Exclamation of disgust

Cancer. Others will be there to offer support and guidance as you pursue this very rewarding goal.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Your financial savvy comes into play this week, Leo. Put your skill for finding deals to work and you will see your balances grow as much as possible.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Give yourself time to form an opinion on an important issue in your life, Virgo. The more time you take, the more clearly you will see the issue at hand.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 A budding friendship commands your attention this week, Libra. Give this relationship the attention it deserves and you just may establish a bond as strong as steel.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Think before you speak this week, Scorpio. Quick wit may lead to some easy laughs, but it’s best to consider how your words affect those around you before you speak.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, criticism is coming your way and is intented to be constructive. Recognize others are trying to help and take their opinions to heart.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Give yourself a little more time to solve a puzzling problem, Capricorn. Within a few days, you might have the fresh perspective you need to find a solution.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Not everyone moves at high speeds, Aquarius. Just because others can’t seem to keep up

with you, doesn’t mean they do not have anything to offer.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, focus on doing an activity that brings you joy. This activity is a great way to spend some free time each day being productive.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS JULY 21 Damian Marley, Singer (41) JULY 22 AJ Cook, Actress (41) JULY 23 Daniel Radcliffe, Actor (30) JULY 24 Jennifer Lopez, Performer (50) JULY 25 Meg Donnelly, Actress (19) JULY 26 Jason Statham, Actor (52) JULY 27 Alex Rodriguez, Athlete (44)

How you feeling?

Hot, hot, hot!

Real Hot!

G

uess what I don’t have at work? Air conditioning. Guess what I am not doing when I get home? Cooking anything in the house.

I’ve been feeling like a wet rag at the end of the day. Air conditioning at work is out of the question because I’m heating giant 400-gallon vats with a boiler and steam at Crystal Ball Farms dairy, pasteurizing milk. In the winter it will be a tropical paradise, but now when I get home, I want to chill—literally!

My family will be eating ice blocks for dinner unless dinner is cooked outside. But what about dessert?

Not an easy thing to cook outside.

Anything high in sugar, such as tends to burn on the grill.

Wild Chow cake, Fruit has a high water content and a lower amount of naturally occurLisa Erickson ring sugar, making it perfect for the grill.

Warm fruit in summer? No Bueno! With warm fruit the flavor profile is limited, and the sour flavors are accentuated. The subtle “fruity” nuances become muted. Letting the fruit cool before serving will help the unique tastes shine and keep you cool.

It’s easy to cook any kind of fruit over a grill or fire.

I cook it before my meat or starch and move it to the side when I cook a steak or veggies. Depending on the fruit and the temperature of your campfire or grill, it can take up to 40 minutes to bake or soften. Apples take the longest, but cherries, peaches, and pineapple only take a few minutes.

On hot summer days, there is nothing like lightly cooked fresh fruit over a frozen bowl of vanilla ice cream or a cool bowl of yogurt or fresh ricotta cheese with Buster Poindexter singing in the background… hot, hot, hot!

Campfire Peaches Serves 6 3-4 large peaches (or pineapple, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, or apples), peeled and sliced 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup maple syrup 1 cup pecans, toasted Build a fire or heat a grill to approximately 400 degrees. Shape two large pieces of heavy-duty foil into a shallow bowl for the fruit mixture and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine fruit, syrup, and butter.

Pour into the prepared foil. Bring edges together, but do not seal completely. Place on a cooking sheet to transport to grill or fire. Carefully place on a grate over the fire. Cook until some of the fruit is tender.

Remove and cool completely.

Serve with vanilla ice cream and top with nuts.

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes at www.wildchow.com or email her at wildchowrecipes@gmail. com.

7. Affirmative votes 8. Midway between north and northwest 9. Soft-shell clams 10. Layer at the back of the eyeball 11. Tennis great Arthur 12. Where golf games begin 13. Soviet Socialist Republic 16. Capital of Zimbabwe 18. This and __ 22. Laugh

23. Adhere to the rules 24. He comes each December 25. Before 27. Hindu cymbals 28. __ and flows 29. Personal computer 30. Semite 31. “Star Wars” hero Solo 33. Data executive 35. Hybrid fruits 36. Capital of Latvia 37. Moved swiftly 39. Troublemaker 42. Averts 43. Garment worn by S. Asian

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women 44. It cools your house 46. Homes to bachelors 47. Besides 48. Cowboys great Leon 49. Griffith or Rooney 50. Province of Pakistan 51. Part of a book 52. Gasteyer and Ivanovic are two 53. Automobile 54. Afflict 55. To the __ degree 56. Arrived extinct

SNAPSHOT DAY: August 17 FROM PAGE 14

area. After a successful first year, we are thrilled to be able to take part in the event again and educate more citizens on how they can help prevent the spread of invasive species to the rivers and lakes they hold dear,”

shared Bjorkland.

Coordination of this event is made possible with support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources through an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Education, Planning and Prevention grant.

IF YOU GO When: Saturday, August 17, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: St. Croix Falls. Register to see location specifics: www.wisconsinrivers.org/snapshot-day/ Advance registration is requested by August 2 for planning, but will remain open until August 15.

Details: Following a brief identification training, volunteers will disperse to collect samples at critical monitoring sites, then reconvene to report what they found and celebrate a great time outdoors. No experience is necessary. Free. Recommended for ages 8 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult.

16 THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

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JULY 24, 2019

THE SUN

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Dresser man graduates from Polk County Treatment Court

BY KELLY HOLM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Just a week after celebrating Independence Day with his family, one Dresser resident celebrated his own kind of freedom. For Matt McCarty, 26, July 12 marked his 532nd day sober from meth and his graduation from Polk County’s Treatment Court program.

The treatment court, which was originally established in 2008, serves as an alternative to incarceration for individuals contending with substance abuse, who are at a moderate to high risk of re-offending. The program requires participants to maintain sobriety, meet with sponsors and support groups, obtain steady employment, complete coursework and perform community service. Also, participants must check in with Judge Dan Tolan regarding their progress weekly at treatment court, which convenes every Friday at 9 a.m. in Branch 1 of Polk County’s Circuit Court.

McCarty first entered treatment court on January 9, 2018, after several years of methamphetamine abuse.

“I was on the verge of losing my family and going to prison, before I got into treatment court,” he said. “I started using meth when I was 18, and all the way up until I was 24, it was nothing but in and out of jail for years.

I spent all my birthdays

To place an ad call: 715-294-2314

KELLY HOLM | THE SUN

Matt McCarty celebrates his graduation from treatment court with a crown and a snack. Upon entering Polk County’s treatment court program, McCarty vowed not to shave until he graduated. That day came July 12, but he’s keeping the beard.

since I was 18 in jail. … I didn’t have any goals, the only goal I had was to use drugs all day and as much as I could.”

Since starting the program over a year and a half ago, McCarty performed 151 hours of community service, 2.5 times the required amount of 60. He has paid

$3,000 in fines, passed 155 drug tests, maintained housing and employment, reconnected with family and obtained shared placement of his daughter McKinley, 4.

“I really wasn’t a part of her life for the first three years ‘cause I was in and out of jail … up until last year,” McCarty said.

Recently he spent the Fourth of July with McKinley, watching four different fireworks shows, and is about to enroll her in pre-K. Tolan commended McCarty for building new positive relationships in the community throughout the duration of his time in the program.

“He was able to change his whole social network by himself since starting treatment court,” Tolan said.

McCarty stated that severing connections with old friends who enabled his drug use was the most difficult aspect of the program for him.

“I’ve known them for so long, some of them I went to elementary school with,” he said. “It was a long friendship, or what I thought was a friendship, that I had to cut off.”

He expressed gratitude for faith-based support networks in his life, such as Osceola Community Church, and for his sponsor, Chris Lyman. And he has an unconventional method of marking his progress: the length of his beard. When McCarty entered treatment court, he vowed not to shave until he graduated.

“When you started [treatment court], you were going to trim your beard. Is that going to happen?” Tolan asked prior to McCarty’s graduation.

“No,” McCarty responded. “This is a part of me now.”

ArtReach’s annual members show CONTRIBUTED ARTREACH

The Annual Members Show at ArtReach St. Croix opened on Thursday, July 11, with a reception and awards presentation. This year’s exhibition features many different kinds of artwork by artists who live or work in the St. Croix Valley.

Two cash awards were presented at the reception.

The Best of Show award went to Jerilyn Strand for her alcohol ink painting, “Garden Beauties,” and funded by Melynda & Loren Gilberg of Peak Atlas Chiropractic. The VAC Award selected by members of the ArtReach visual arts committee was presented to Marianne Barratt for her painting “Pond Magic.”

A third cash award, The Audience Award, will be announced at a closing reception on Saturday, August 24, 2 to 4 p.m. Each gallery visitor during the run of the Members Show is invited to cast a vote for their favorite artist or piece. All votes received by 3 p.m. on the day of the closing party will be tallied to determine the award winner.

The Annual Members Show will be on view through Saturday, August 24. The galleries at ArtReach St. Croix are free and open to the public Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.

To learn more about this and other St. Croix Valley events, visit www.StCroixSplash.org.

SUBMITTED

Best in Show Award Winner Garden Beauties by Jerilyn Strand

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Roofing

Real Estate

Deadline: Fridays at noon

Tax Services OPEN YEAR ROUND TO MEET YOUR TAX NEEDS BOOKKEEPING, PAYROLL, SELF-EMPLOYMENT, RENTAL, BUSINESS, NON-PROFIT & PERSONAL TAX RETURNS

NEUMANN ROOFING We clean gutters.

SAINT CROIX FALLS OR 715-483-9711

715-220-0053 • 715-294-1662

Real Estate

Septic

Trailers/Repair Home Sales Septic Inspections

JEAN LUNDGREN Cell: 651-308-2221 Office: 715-294-4373 jeanlundgren@gmail.com www.jeanlundgren.com

Unlocking Doors to Your Future!

Sewer Service 715-755-4888

GRANTSBURG 715-463-2066

Licensed in Wisconsin WOWRA CERTIFIED POWTS EVALUATOR

Septic Pumping Roto Rooting Toilet Rental

Septic Tank Risers & Covers Pipe Camera Viewing, Locating, Jetting Luxury Restroom Trailer Rentals

Bill Schifsky Custom Trailer Manufacturing Designing and Manufacturing Specialty Trailers Since 1972 • Aluminum Utility Trailers • Mobile Displays

• We build Tiny House Trailers TRAILER REPAIR Axles • Couplers • Wiring • Brakes • Aluminum & Steel Welding

651-257-5340 www.customtrailers.biz

Scandia, MN

PHONE: 715-294-2314 | FAX: 715-755-3314

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THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

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102

Free Items HAVE SOMETHING TO give away? Run three weeks, nonbusiness related for FREE. Must be from the area. To place an ad call 715-294-2314.

102 Services Custom Furniture refinishing, stripping and repair. Do it right, reasonably. The Cellar Door, Taylors Falls, 651-465-5551.

352

452

Services

Home/Office

Erickson piano service. Bryan Erickson Tuning-RegulationRepair 715-463-5958 \ 507-475-2584

THE SUN HAS YOUR office supplies – File folders, labels, register and other tapes, envelopes of many sizes, copy paper by ream or sheet and much more. Let us help you today, 108 Cascade, Osceola.

715-294-2314.

Rentals/ Residential

Problems with your car insurance? Tickets? Accidents? Been canceled? Call Noah Insurance for help at 715-294-2017.

RESUMES copied for free if you have been laid off and looking for work. Stop in at The Sun, 108 Cascade, Osceola.

300 For Sale NEW BUILDING SITE For Sale - 1 and 105 acres. Country lots – Osceola Dresser area.

715-755-3377

452 Rentals/ Residential FOR RENT IN Village of Osceola in Hidden Hollow Estates, 2+BR upper level duplex.

Private location close to downtown and schools. One stall garage, lawn care and snowplowing done for you. No smokers. No pets. $1000/mo., 612245-1115.

Available Aug. 15.

FOR RENT: 1BR apt. in Osceola. No pets, no smoking. $450/ mo., $450 security deposit. 715-491-5862.

454 Storage Rent Farmington Mini Storage: For all your storage needs. Now offering climate controlled units. 10x10, 10x15, 10x20, 10x25. Now accommodating 5th wheelers, boats and campers.

715-2943078 or 1-800-2828103.

STUMP GRINDING AND REMOVING 800-282-8103 • 715-417-0303

“SERVING YOUR AREA”

• Reliable • Professional • Insured • Free Estimates

JOHNSON

STUMP GRINDING Local Business for 15 Years Free Estimates • Insured Lawn Friendly $

10 off with ad

715-491-0097 715-268-2409

GOT LAND? Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a FREE info packet & Quote.

1-866-309-1507 www.

BaseCampLeasing.com (CNOW) ROOFERS INC R E A S E R E V E N U E ?

Will train contractors, proven, 40-year system for low slope metal/flat roofs. Low investment.

Margins: $2,500 day possible. Daniel: 660605-3951, Emanuel: 715-314-0520 (CNOW) O X Y G E N Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: 888-332-9680 (CNOW) Earthlink High Speed Internet.

As Low As $14.95/ month (for the first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-8777 9 4 - 5 7 5 1 ( C N OW ) D O N AT E Y O U R CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND Fr e e 3 D ay Va c a tion, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-8557 1 1 - 0 3 7 9 ( C N OW ) DIRECTV & AT&T. 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT Package.) AT&T Internet 99 Percent Reliability. Unlimited Texts to 120 Countries w/ AT&T Wireless. Call 4 FREE Quote- 1-8662 5 2 - 8 8 0 5 . ( C N OW )

S AV E O N Y O U R N E X T P R E S C R I P T I O N !

Wo r l d H e a l t h L i n k .

Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified.

Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-866-546-5275 Call Now! (CNOW) D I S H T V $59.99 For 190 Channels $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-8559 9 7 - 5 0 8 8 ( C N OW ) W A N T E D FREON R12: We pay CA$H. R12 R500 R11 Convenient, Certified Professionals (312) 291-9169 Refr igerantFinders. com/ads (CNOW)

Delivering Your Community ADAMS STUMP GRINDING 715-554-1020

<www.osceolasun.com>

COLOR COPIES

NOW HIRING!!!

available at

The Sun 108 Cascade

Cash or check only

Now available at:

THE SUN Servi Serving erviing Polk Polk County’s Coun County ounty’s y’s St. S . Croix Cro Croiix Valley V Valley since since 1897 1897

108 Cascade Street Osceola

Mascarpone Floor Lead Brine/Cure/Cleaning Relief Operator

OPERATOR/ASSEMBLERS 2nd shift Hours 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. & 3rd shift Hours 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.

OPERATOR/BACK-UP QC 2nd shift Hours 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

full color

Cheese ProducƟon

2nd shift Hours 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. & 3rd shift Hours 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.

2nd shift Hours 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. & 3rd shift Hours 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.

2018 Polk County Platbooks Available!

MulƟple PosiƟons & ShiŌs Available!

MATERIAL HANDLER

MOLDING TECHNICIAN

Osceola

$40

Thermal Plastic Design, Inc. A Precision Custom Injection Molding Company Specializing in Engineering Polymers is seeking qualified candidates for the positions:

View us and the job descriptions online:

www.tdimolding.com T.D.I. offers competitive wages and excellent benefits.

Qualified applicants can apply in person or by sending a resume to: Thermal Plastic Design, Inc. 1116 East Pine Street • St Croix Falls WI. 54024 Attn: H.R. Manager • Email: hr@tdimolding.com

ProducƟon wages start at $14-$16 hourly!!

Skilled posiƟons $17+ depending on experience! $1.50 night shiŌ diīerenƟal!

1.5x pay on Sunday Work FT hours in just 3-4 shiŌs per week!!

Work is physical and involves liŌing of 25lbs conƟnuously throughout the shiŌ. Must be dependable and work well in a team environment.

Why work for us?

• Comprehensive beneĮt package • Great vacaƟon plan • ReƟrement plan with company contribuƟon • OpportuniƟes for growth • A history of stability and security – no layoīs or downsizing!

To apply, please visit

www.LakeCountryDairy.jobs or stop by and Įll out an applicaƟon!

Lake Country Dairy AƩn: Human Resources 458 Western Boulevard | Turtle Lake, WI 54889 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

JULY 24, 2019

THE SUN

19

www.osceolasun.com

Public comment sought on proposed rules to assess the health of Wisconsin water bodies CONTRIBUTED WI DNR

The public has until September 20, 2019 to provide feedback on two proposed rule revisions related to assessing the overall health of lakes and streams in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on two proposals that would update Wisconsin Administrative Code related to protecting water quality.

"The goals of these revisions are to clarify policies, provide consistent processes and provide protection of aquatic life and recreation for the public," said Kristi Minahan, a DNR water quality standards specialist. "These rules describe how the biology of a lake or stream, such as its fish, insect, plant and algae communities, are used to assess its overall health.

They also establish how algae and plants will be used to determine whether a water body is responding to elevated phosphorus levels and whether it may need a different phosphorus criterion."

The first rule (Natural Resources Board order WY-23-13) addresses processes the department uses to assess bodies of water for impairments, including biological criteria for water quality standards and phosphorus impairments.

The second rule (NRB order WT17-12) would establish a process for determining when an individual waterbody needs a higher or lower phosphorus criterion than the statewide target in order to meet water its quality goals.

The proposed language can be found by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for "public input" and clicking on the buttons for "proposed rules" and then "Permanent" rules and looking for Board Order numbers WY-23-13 and WT-17-12.

A public hearing will be held for both rules at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, with simultaneous telepresence in Madison and Green Bay. Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings or by mail to Kristi Minahan, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison WI, 53707-7921, or by email to Kristi.

Administrative Professional Instructor - Adjunct DNR

Biologists examine stream insects collected for a stream health survey.

Minahan@wisconsin.gov or DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov. Comments and questions may be directed to Kristi Minahan by phone at 608266-7055.

People can sign up for email

notifications of updates by clicking on the email iconin the footer of the DNR website, following the prompts, and then selecting Water Quality Standards and Assessments under the "Water" topic listing.

Outreach Center Technician Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Balsam Lake Outreach Center

Applications are being accepted from qualified candidates for a part-time Outreach Center Technician at our Balsam Lake Outreach Center. This 1400 hour position will be responsible to provide high quality customer service and share out information about all WITC programs as well as courses. Additionally, this position will foster relationships, coordinate campus events, provide hospitality services for groups at the outreach center and maintain accurate financial records. This position averages 26 hours per week annually, but actual weekly hours may vary due to supervisor expectations.

This position is located at our Balsam Lake campus and is an extension of the New Richmond campus.

For a complete job description, list of qualifications, and to apply: Visit our website at: https://www.witc.edu/about-witc/employment

Deadline to apply: August 4, 2019 WITC is an Equal Opportunity/Access/ Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and Educator TTY 711

Student Services Assistant (FT) Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township

COUNTRY

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College New Richmond Campus

Make A Difference! Be a part of a TEAM! Do you have excellent customer service skills along with a passion to help students succeed? How would you like to be a part of the WITC Student Services team?

Applications are being accepted from qualified candidates for a full-time (1950 hours/year) Student Services Assistant at WITC New Richmond Campus. Job duties include but are not limited to answering the phone, supporting student registration, making appointments for members of student services, working with new and continuing students that walk into student services from inquiry through graduation. This position will also have Employment Services responsibilities that will include planning events on campus.

For a complete job description, list of qualifications, and to apply: Visit our website at: https://www.witc.edu/about-witc/employment

Deadline to apply: August 11, 2019

Delivering Your Community

THE S THE SUN UN Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Any WITC Campus

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is seeking a learning-focused, creative, and dynamic individual to teach Administrative Professional Program coursework and provide a WITC presence at recruitment and community events. This position reports to the Associate Dean on campus. Primary responsibilities include instruction, learner assessment, curriculum improvement, academic advising, and program promotion/recruitment.

For a complete job description, list of qualifications, and to apply: Visit our website at: https://www.witc.edu/about-witc/employment

Deadline to apply: July 30, 2019 WITC is an Equal Opportunity/Access/ Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and Educator TTY 711

<www.osceolasun.com>

PARKER HANNIFIN CORPORATION

CNC and/or Automatics Set-Up Operator Grade: Dependent on Qualifications/Experience Location/Shift: Grantsburg, WI - 2nd Shift Primary Duties: • Set-up and operate CNC and/or Acme Gridley Automatics Screw Machines • Recording production counts, performing part inspections as required • Knowledge of blueprint reading • Understanding of cutting tools, their geometry and behavior • Experience with the tools required for mechanical inspection (calipers, height gauges, pin gauges, rules, and micrometers) • Strong working knowledge of various quality and inspection requirements, manufacturing processes, and measurement techniques Minimum Qualifications: • Personable • Good Verbal and Written Communication skills • Good dexterity • Attention to detail through visual inspection • Excellent attendance • Technical Program Degree or High School Diploma/GED with a minimum of 2 years’ experience • Required to stand most of the time • Required to lift up to 35 pounds Work Environment: • Required to work with coolants and/or cutting oil • Medium noise level

WITC is an Equal Opportunity/Access/ Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and Educator

Apply online: www.parker.com

TTY 711

Parker Hannifin is an EEO/AA Employer/ Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.

20

THE SUN

JULY 24, 2019 www.osceolasun.com

www.osceolasun.com

NOW HIRING

All positions starting at $17/hour PLUS signing bonus opportunities!

FIRST SHIFT 7:30 – 4:00 Full-time employment No experience needed, in-house training

Automotive and machining experience preferred and starts at a higher rate, but not required.

Quarterly attendance bonus opportunity, 401k, vacation days, personal days, and a great company culture.

Come join our team!

MELISSA WARD

Wannigan Days 2019 Left: Osceola High School’s marching band performed in the Wannigan Days parade last weekend in St. Croix Falls.

Right: Nora Wondra with the St. Croix Falls High School Marching Band in the Wannigan Days parade.

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ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS

Tri Star Engines & Transmissions 320 10th Avenue, Baldwin, WI 54002

What’s Your Skill?

MULTIMEDIA Advertising Consultant Sentinel Publications, publishers of the Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger and Osceola Sun newspapers is expanding its sales force.

We are looking for an outgoing, responsible and well-spoken individual to work with small and medium businesses, assisting with their marketing and advertising needs.

SKILLED POSITIONS

Our publications, in print and online, are the most well-read publications in the market and provide an excellent platform for delivering results. If you enjoy helping others, being creative or talking with people, this job may be perfect for you.

CustomFIRE is a leading manufacturer of second stage Fire Truck Bodies located in Osceola, WI. For more information, visit www.customfire.com.

Sales experience preferred, but will train the right person. Must have current drivers license and reliable transportation. We offer a competitive salary and commission and full benefits package.

General Summary: Openings for Full Time/Day Shift positions on our Crew. We are seeking quality conscientious individuals who are versatile in working with metal. Prior Industrial, Agricultural, or Truck Equipment Experience Required.

Send resume to Tom Stangl, Publisher tstangl@theameryfreepress.com

Day Shift, Full Time

Requirements: Background in one or more of the following other mechanical skill areas: metal fabrication, welding, assembly, 12-volt vehicular wiring, plumbing, or heavy truck body work including painting.

• High School diploma or GED preferred • Excellent Attendance is a Must • Work References Required • Pre-employment drug and alcohol screen required.

• Benefits include: • Day shift • Uniforms • Major medical insurance for family • Individual life and disability insurance • Vacation/holiday pay – including birthday • 401K with employer contributions.

FLEXIBLE FINANCE Get Quick Cash Loans up to $5,000 Installment Loans Title Loans We Offer $50-$100 Referrals Flexible Finance (in Walmart’s parking lot) 2161 US Hwy. 8, St. Croix Falls 715-393-8095

Call Now, Apply by Phone!

Now through vthe end of July!

Delivering Your Community

Apply in Person: 8 AM - 5 PM or by appt after hours

Up to

50% OFF Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc. 509 68th Avenue • Osceola, WI • 715-294-5823 Equal Opportunity Employment

every day through July

Downtown Osceola • 715-294-2154

Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897

<www.osceolasun.com>