Country Messenger

21/09/2025

Scandia opened its doors and its heart to our Sister City friends from Mellerud, Sweden, hosting a full week of cultural exchange from September 1 to September 9. The delegation arrived at MSP on Labor Day afternoon, was welcomed at the Gammelgården…

Scandia opened its doors and its heart to our Sister City friends from Mellerud, Sweden, hosting a full week of cultural exchange from September 1 to September 9. The delegation

20/09/2025

The opening of goose hunting, the first hunting season, is always announced by the guns of autumn, echoing across fields and forests. Ruffed grouse season has just opened quietly all across the Midwest. You’ll see grouse right at sunrise picking gra…

The opening of goose hunting, the first hunting season, is always announced by the guns of autumn, echoing across fields and forests. Ruffed grouse season has just opened quietly all

20/09/2025

Around the last presidential election, I looked to one of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln pleading with Americans to appeal to their “better angels” and realize that “we are not enemies, but friends.” After the events that transpired this pa…

Around the last presidential election, I looked to one of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln pleading with Americans to appeal to their “better angels” and realize that “we are

19/09/2025

As the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway rolls into another season, Minnesota and Wisconsin rail fans alike are remembering the woman who helped bring excursion trains to the valley. Vickie Jensen, who passed away Aug. 25, was instrumental in s…

As the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway rolls into another season, Minnesota and Wisconsin rail fans alike are remembering the woman who helped bring excursion trains to the valley.

18/09/2025

I get “the look” from Winnie, one of our dogs, on a daily basis.

18/09/2025

From world travels to her own backyard, Julie McGarvie has gathered a wealth of experience she now brings to the Marine Mills Folk School as its new Executive Director, aiming to expand programming while honoring the traditions that first drew her i…

From world travels to her own backyard, Julie McGarvie has gathered a wealth of experience she now brings to the Marine Mills Folk School as its new Executive Director, aiming

16/09/2025

14/09/2025

For nearly ten years, Nita Mae’s Scoop has been tucked behind the Marine General Store, serving up cones and community from its cozy yet hidden corner. Now, the popular ice cream shop is getting ready to step into the spotlight.

For nearly ten years, Nita Mae’s Scoop has been tucked behind the Marine General Store, serving up cones and community from its cozy yet hidden corner. Now, the popular ice

13/09/2025

Sept. 5 and my usual breakfast partners have failed to arrive. The grape jelly is uneaten and the sugar water feeder is full. It’s cold enough that those pesky little bees aren't around. The Baltimore Orioles must have headed south; dressed in such …

Sept. 5 and my usual breakfast partners have failed to arrive. The grape jelly is uneaten and the sugar water feeder is full. It’s cold enough that those pesky little

12/09/2025

Being a dad to my three-and-a-half-year-old Graydon is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. But at his age, our home is often filled with love and laughter one moment, then tears and tantrums the next. My wife Kylee often reassures me that he’s j…

Being a dad to my three-and-a-half-year-old Graydon is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. But at his age, our home is often filled with love and laughter one

12/09/2025

What could have ended as piles of debris is instead becoming a source of fresh food, as Marine on St. Croix families repurpose storm-downed logs into mushroom gardens expected to bear fruit as early as next year.

What could have ended as piles of debris is instead becoming a source of fresh food, as Marine on St. Croix families repurpose storm-downed logs into mushroom gardens expected to

11/09/2025

We have an interesting tradition in our nation – the people who are elected to represent us often do whatever they can to stay in office.