country courier - 12/09/2011

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1/16

Millions of children around the

world are familiar with plump and

jolly Santa Claus, much loved of

North America, with his red suit,

black boots and twinkling eyes. He

arrives Christmas Eve bearing

gifts from the North Pole in a

sleigh pulled by reindeer. Other

countries have their own native

gift bearers of the holiday season

as well.

CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS

In Italy, children receive gifts

from the good witch La Befana,

old, bent and dressed in black. La

Befana was a widowed, childless

woman when the Three Kings

passed on their way to see the

Christ child. When they asked her

the way to Bethlehem she was

b u s ycleaning

a n d

s e n t

t h e m

a w a y .

R e a l -

i z i n g

her mis-

t a k e ,

she left

t o

s e a r c h

for the

B a b y

J e s u s .

To this

day sheis still

search-

ing going from house to house on

Epiphany, January 6, leaving a

gift for good children.

Russian children await gifts

from Babouska, a farmer's wife

who offered food and shelter to the

Three Wise men on their journey

to Bethlehem, Baboushka declined

their offer of travelling with them

to visit the Christ child. Realizing

her error on the eve of Epiphany,

she tried unsuccessfully to find

them, but handed the presents she

had intended for the infant Jesus

to children she passed along theway.

In Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico

and South America, the Three

Kings or Wise Men bring

Christmas gifts to children, while

in France children eagerly await

the coming of Father Christmas or

Pere Noel who brings their gifts.

In some cultures, Saint

Nicholas travels with an assistant.

The old bishop Sinterklass arrives

in Holland on December 6 in his

red bishop's costume astride a

white horse. In many port towns,

he is said to have sailed in on a

ship from Spain. Beside him walks

Black Peter with a black sack anda book recording each Dutch

child's behavior through the year.

Good children receive a gift from

the bishop while bad children may

be carried away in Black Peter's

sack.

In Germany Saint Nicholas also

travels with a helper, known as

Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus, or

P e l z -

ebock,

a n d

comes

with a

sack on

h i s

b a c k

and a

rod or

switch-

es in

h i s

h a n d .

S a i n t

N i c h -

o l a s

g i v e s

gifts to

g o o d

children, while those who have

been bad are punished by the

assistant with a few hits of a

switch.

Swedish children wait for the

gnome Jultomten, also called

Julemanden or Julenisse, who

dresses in red and carries a sack of

gifts on his back. He flies in his

sleigh pulled by the Julbocker, the

goats of Thor, the god of thunder.

Elves, called the Juul Nisse, hide

in the attics of families throughout

the year, eagerly waiting to help

him. Children leave bowls of milk

or rice pudding in the attic for the

elves, hoping they will be empty in

the morning.

In Austria and Switzerland it is

Christkindl or the Christ Child

who arrives bearing gifts. In some

towns children await the Holy

Child and in others Christkindl is

a beautiful girl-angel who comes

down from heaven bearing gifts.

And in England a thinner ver-

sion of Santa Claus known as

Father Christmas, wearing long

red robes with sprigs of holly in his

hair, delivers gifts to children.

ServingServing TTodd Countyodd County, MN, MN

VOLUME 21; NUMBER 4 - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011 CIRCULATION 10,000 - FREE

Long Prairie projects are

greening the county

Country Courier

Keep up to date on all the localhappenings with a subscription

to the Browerville Blade

Todd County $22 In Minnesota $27 Out of state $32

Yes, I would like to subscribe to the Browerville BladePO Box 245, Browerville, MN 56438

Name_________________________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed

$________________ NEW______________ Renew______________ Gift______________

Please enter me in the cash prize drawing.

Long Prairie Packing Co. plans to construct an industrial anaerobic digester near the

plant that will reduce the amount and toxicity of pollutants entering area waters, and sig-

nificantly reduce the land application of industrial byproducts

The industrial anaerobic digester will produce biogas, which will significantly reduce the

plants dependency on coal-powered energy.

y Rin Porter

Three new projects underway

ear Long Prairie are greening

he county.

First, Jennie-O Turkey Store,

nc., is building a wood shaving

mill and office on U.S. 71 a few

miles south of Long Prairie in

ection 32 of Long Prairie

ownship. There will be a stor-

ge yard in back of the 8000 sq ft

mill for logs. The mill will pro-

uce pine shavings for use as

edding in turkey-growing facili-

es owned and/or operated by

ennie-O.

Construction of the mill begann October and is well underway.

To produce its product,

ennie-O will load wet logs into

he building at one end and pro-

eed through the manufacturing

rocess until dry wood shavings

ome out the other side of the

uilding, according to Jennie-O

aff member Scott Bjornson.

A grass buffer has been

nstalled between the log storage

rea and the ditch east of the

roperty, to protect water quali-

y. The ditch leads to Lake

harlotte.

When completed, the mill is

xpected to employ about fiveeople plus a manager.

Second, the city of Long

Prairie is working with Long

Prairie Packing to expand the

citys wastewater treatment

plant. The expansion was neces-

sary because Long Prairie

Packing asked the city to take

over treatment of its wastewater

after finding that the companys

pond system was no longer meet-

ing water quality standards of

the Minnesota Pollution Control

Agency.

Long Prairie Packing has

been discharging its wastewater

into the Long Prairie River after

treating it in ponds. LongPrairie City Clerk Dave

Venekamp said in a telephone

interview, The City has a

mechanical wastewater treat-

ment facility (that will properly

treat LPPs wastewater), so the

plants wastewater will be piped

from the ponds to the treatment

facility (when the expansion is

complete.)

The city of Long Prairies

wastewater treatment facility

includes sludge storage tanks

and rooms, mixing equipment,

etc., that are needed to treat ade-

quately the type of waste gener-

ated by the City, LPP, andCentral Bi-Products, Inc., before

discharging the treated water

into the Long Prairie River. The

MPCA is charged with monitor-

ing all treatment plants in the

state. The Long Prairie River

has been on the list of rivers that

the DNR is concerned about for

several years.

The city requested bids for the

treatment plant expansion last

spring. On June 23, the bid was

awarded to DiMar Construction

of Excelsior, Minnesota, after six

bids were received, opened, and

tabulated. Other bidders were

Eagle Construction, Magney

Construction, GridorConstruction, Robert L Carr

Company, and John T Jones

Construction. DiMar was the

low bidder on the project.

In August, the city sold

$4,821,000 worth of taxable

Public Facility Authority

General Obligation Bonds to pay

for the expansion project. Long

Prairie Packing signed an agree-

ment with the city in July to

repay that loan.

Venekamp said the construc-

tion of the expanded facility is

ahead of schedule. The workers

have done all they can outside

Continued on page 10. Continued on page 10.

How other

countriesobserve

Christmas

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

2/16

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HAPPY HOLIDAYSFROM THE RESIDENTS & STAFF

AT VALLEY VIEW ESTATES ASSISTED LIVING!

HOLIDAY DAIRY PROMOTION

With each purchase of a Dairy productat participating Todd County Grocery

Stores you will receive a chance to win a $25gift certificate for dairy products at that store

and a chance to win $500 in cash!

Look for entrys at these participating stores Steves Foods - Browerville

Jons Family Foods - Clarissa

Coborns - Long Prairie Shirleys Gas & Grocery - Eagle Bend

SAVE Foods - Long Prairie Annies Corner Store - Grey Eagle

Don & Daves Store - Cty Rd 26 - Browerville Ernies Food Market - Staples

(Drawing will be held December 19th,

Happy HolidaysFrom The Todd County ADA

& Todd County Dairy Farmers

People Behind The Product

odd County Country Courier, Page 2 Friday, December 9, 2011

DECEMBER IS...Hi Neighbor Month, National Stress Free Family

Holiday Month, Bingo's Birthday Month, Read A New

Book Month, Colorectal Cancer Education and

Awareness Month, International Calendar Awareness

Month, National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D)

Prevention Month, National Write A Business Plan

Month, National Tie Month, Rising Star Month, Safe

Toys and Gifts Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, Make a

New Year's Resolution to Stop Smoking, and Universal

Human Rights MonthDecember 1 . . . . . National Pie Day and Eat A Red Apple Day

December 2 . . . . . National Fritters Day

December 3 . . . . ..National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day

December 4 . . . . . Wear Brown Shoes Day

December 5 . . . . . National Sacher Torte Day

December 6 . . . . . National Gazpacho Day and Mitten Tree Day

December 7 . . . . . National Cotton Candy Day

December 8 . . . . . Take It In The Ear Day

December 9 . . . . . National Pastry Day

December 10 . . . . Festival For The Souls Of Dead Whales

December 11 . . . . National Noodle Ring Day

December 12 . . . . National Ding-A-Ling Day

December 13 . . . . Ice Cream and Violins Day

December 14 . . . . National Bouillabaisse Day

December 15 . . . . National Lemon Cupcake Day

December 16 . . . . National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

December 17 . . . . Underdog Day and National Maple Syrup DayDecember 18 . . . . National Roast Suckling Pig Day

December 19 . . . . Oatmeal Muffin Day

December 20 . . . . Games Day

December 21 . . . . Look At The Bright Side Day, National Flash-

light Day, National French Fried Shrimp Day,

and Hamburger Day

December 22 . . . . National Date-Nut Bread Day

December 23 . . . . Roots Day

December 24 . . . . National Egg Nog Day

December 25 . . . . National Pumpkin Pie Day

December 26 . . . . National Whiners Day

December 27 . . . . National Fruitcake Day

December 28 . . . . Card Playing Day and National Chocolate Day

December 29 . . . . Pepper Pot Day

December 30 . . . . Festival Of Enormous Changes At The Last

Minute and National Bicarbonate Of Soda Day

December 31 . . . . Unlucky Day

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

3/16

KONETZKOS MEAT MARKETBROWERVILLE, MN 320-594-2915

WWishing Everyoneishing EveryoneAAMerriest Of Holidays!Merriest Of Holidays!We Look Forward To Doing

Business With You In 2012

Congratulations ToTodd Strohschein Of Motley

Winner of the 2011 Deer Season Promotion

Happy HolidaysFrom The Browerville

Liquor Store Staff

Browerville, MN

320-594- 6445

Marlene, Karen, Tracy & Tiffany

G. Marlene Clark, P.A.25 3rd St. S Long Prairie, MN 320-732-2918

Wishing

Everyone

A Blessed

Christmas

Season

Todd County Country Courier, Page 3 Friday, December 9, 2011

Some of us like to decorate

ur homes the same way every

ear.

Some use

any of the

ame decorations

very year, but like

change things

p and use them

n differenta y s .

v e r y

ear each

oom is decorated,

ut not quite the same as

st year. If youre looking for

ome fresh ideas, I hope youll

nd these ideas helpful.

FESTIVE HOLIDAY

DECORATING

Most people and

families of the world

consider the

Christmas tree as the

holiday centerpiece of

the living room

during the

C h r i s t m a s

season. But a

Christmas tree

without attrac-

tive Christmas decora-

tions would not make the

entire living room vibrant and

full of the festive Christmas

spirit, Christmas bells

and balls are

amongst the top

Christmas decorations

of a Christmas tree.

There are Victorian

Christmas balls and bells that

are embedded with beads,

while there are other types of

these popular Christmas

decor embellishments that are

laced with ribbons and flower

designs. But there are lots of

other ways to decorate your

home.

1. Create a charming dis-

play of teddy bears dressed for

the season. Gather together

three or more teddy bears and

arrange them on a table or on

the floor in a corner. Dress the

bears with touques, scarves

and mittens. Place candy

canes in their hands or tiebows around their necks. You

can even wrap up some small,

empty boxes with Christmas

wrapping paper to place in the

bears' hands.

2. Display a collection of

nativity scenes from different

cultures.

3. Make simple bows from

Christmas print ribbon and

pin them to your curtains.

4. Hang a collection of

Christmas stockings on your

mantle, a shelf or the wall

(even if you don't stuff them).

The more the merrier when itcomes to nice christmas deco-

rations.

5. Revisit your childhood.

Cut snowflakes from white

paper and hang them in all of

your windows.

6. Buy a clear plastic show-

er curtain. Use a hot glue gun

to attach Christmas decora-

tions to the outside of the cur-

tain. Don't use breakable

ornaments - instead, try

small wooden or plastic

ornaments (remove any

hooks), bows, garland,

etc.

7. Use red

and green 3-

d imen s ion al

fabric paints to

trace simple

Christmas patterns

(like stars, bells,

Santas, stockings,

etc.) on a white

tablecloth.

8. Dress up your

house plants -

hang small

C h r i s t m a s

ornaments on them.

9. Tie a red ribbon

around a tall, slim drink-

ing glass. Fill the glass with

candy canes and display on a

shelf or side table.

10. Purchase plain

green or red place

mats and attach

Christmas rib-

bons, bows or small

wooden ornaments

with a hot glue

gun.

11. Fill a small glass

bowl or decorative

Christmas bowl with

small cones and display on

end tables, shelves, buffet

tables, etc.

12. For quick ornaments,hang Christmas cookie cutters

with ribbon. Hang them on

your tree or in a window so

other people can enjoy your

christmas decorations.

13. Create a cookie wreath

centerpiece for your table.

Just arrange Christmas cook-

ies in a wreath shape right on

the table cloth. No need to

attach them to anything

'cause everyone will want to

nibble at them. If you like,

place a pillar candle on a

small plate in the center of the

wreath.14. Decorate plain red,

white, green or gold candles

with 3-dimensional fabric

paint. Draw stars, bells,

angels, snowmen, etc. If you

make a mistake, let the paint

dry and peal it off, then start

again.

15. Pile a collection of

Christmas books on a side

table.

16. Purchase an inexpen-

sive mail box. Spray paint it

red or green. Use craft paints

to add simple Christmas

shapes (use our patterns), or

attach store-bought orna-

ments with a hot glue gun

(make sure your ornaments

will be able to stand up to the

elements).

17. If you have a large, bare

outside wall, try this simple

idea. Cut a Christmas silhou-

ette from a piece of plywood (a

silhouette of Santa, a snow-

man, etc works well).

Using screws, attach

your silhouette to a

short post that you

can drive into theground. You'll

want the sil-

houette to

stand right a

ground level

several feet away

from the wall.

Position a spot light

on the other side of

the silhouette so

that it will shine on

the silhouette and

project a large

shadow on the

wall. We've

seen this

done with a

s i l h o u -

e t t e

o f

J o s e p h

l e a d -

ing Mary who

is sitting on a donkey. It's

beautiful.

18. Wrap indoor Christmas

lights around a railing or ban-

ister. Secure periodically with

tape. Be careful to tape down

the electrical cord so that noone trips over it.

19. Add color to a room with

vases of red and white flowers.

Use roses, carnations, mums,

daisies, etc. Or, float the flow-

ers in large crystal or glass

bowls.

20. Wrap an assortment of

medium to large sized boxes

with Christmas wrap. Attach

ribbons and/or bows. Pile the

boxes in a corner from floor to

ceiling.

21. Sew scraps of Christmas

print fabric into a patchwork

tablecloth. Simply cut yourfabric into square pieces and

stitch together. Hem the

entire cloth. Sew ribbon the

edges, if you like. Make small-

er cloths to cover end tables,

night tables, TV trays, shelv-

ing, etc.

22. Cover an end table or a

shelf with white paper.

Arrange cut evergreen boughs

on to cover the table top. Place

tall tapered candles in glass

candleholders here and there

on the table top. Before light-

ing candles, be sure that the

greenery is not close enough to

catch fire.

23. Use pliers to bend coat

hangers into a simple wire-

frame tree shape. Wrap a

string of outdoor Christmas

light around the frame,

attaching with electrical tape

or duct tape. Stick the decora-

tion in a flower bed or on your

front lawn.

24. Hang mistletoe every-

where. Use false or fresh

mistletoe. This is classic

christmas decorations.

25. Wrap your doors inChristmas wrapping paper

and attach large bows make

from fabric or purchased at

your local craft store.

Christmas decorating ideas

Continued on page 4

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

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Whoopee Inn33234 County Rd. 16 Cushing 320-594-0024

LIVE MUSIC ~ Friday, December 16th8:30 pm - Midnight

Live Band Performers: Gabriel Noska

Jason Noska

Nathan Neuman

Dig out the vintage for our polyesterhemed evening! Prizes will be awardedor best costume. Come out and listen tothe band and enjoy our themed party!

Book your holiday parties with us!Christmas Wedding Birthday New Years & more!

GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE & CARINGBuy One, Get One (maximum of 6 hours,

good through 1/31/12) - One Per Family

Maple Hill Adult Day Services8 miles east of Browerville/9 miles west of Cushing

Companionship Activities Meals

Supervision Medication Assistance

Nancy Judd - [email protected]


26. String a ribbon from

ne end of a wall to another.

ttach the ribbon to the wall

at each corner) with thumb-

acks. Clip Christmas cards

o the ribbon with clothes

ins. If the ribbon is too long,

he weight of the cards will

ull it off the wall, so tack it

ere and there with more

humbtacks.

27. Make basic sugar cook-

s or gingerbread cookies.efore baking, make a hole

ward the top of each cookie

sing a straw. Bake and cool.

tring a ribbon through each

ookie and hang them on your

hristmas tree.

28. Purchase a large glass

late. Paint the underside of

he plate with gold craft

aint. Dry. Place the plate on

table and fill with several

hite or off-white pillar can-

les of varying sizes.

29. String popcorn, cran-

erries, cereal, beads, etc.nd hang the garlands every-

here.

30. Make some old-fash-ioned tree decorations. Wrap

nuts with aluminum foil; use

a needle and thread to stitch

a thread through the foil for

hanging. Glue ribbon to pine

cones for hanging. String

popcorn streamers. Make

paper chains. Cut snowflakes

from white paper.

31. Add a few drops of food

coloring to white glue. Put

the glue into a squeeze bottle

or icing piping bag. Draw

simple Christmas star out-

lines on waxed paper. Pipeglue onto the paper, following

your drawn outlines. Dry.

Peel glue ornaments off of the

waxed paper and hang in

windows with thread or rib-

bon.

32. Wrap a lampshade with

translucent Christmas tissue

paper. Put the paper on the

outside of the lamp shape,

overlapping the edges just a

little and tape the edges

down on the inside. Be care-

ful that the tissue paper

doesn't come too close to the

light bulb or it may catch fire.33. Cut pictures out of old

Christmas cards and create a

collage by gluing them onto a

piece of poster board. You can

frame the poster board if you

like or simply hang it on the

wall.

34. Replace your fish tank

background mural with a

piece of Christmas wrapping

paper or a collage made out of

pictures cut from Christmas

cards.

35. Twist garland or pop-

corn strings around rail-

ings or banisters and

secure here and there

with tape.

36. Using a glue

gun, glue candy

canes, side-by-

side (standing

on end with

their hooks

at the top)

to the out-

side of

a terra

c o t t a

pot. Tie a red rib-

bon around the pot.

Place a small poinsettia

inside the pot or fill the pot

with wrapped candy.

37. Tape a doily to the out-

side of a glass canister or

clean glass mayonnaise jar.

Spray the outside of the con-

tainer with artificial snow.

Dry. Remove the doily. Fill

the container with cookies,

candy, ornaments, etc.

38. Use scraps of

Christmas print fabric to cre-

ate quick sachets. Place two

pieces of fabric right sides

together. Pin a paper pattern

of a Christmas shape to the

fabric (use our basic pat-

terns). Cut the shape out of

both layers of fabric. Stitch

the fabric layers together all

along the edge, leaving a one

inch gap. Turn the sachet

right side out. Fill the sachetwith potpourri. Hand stitch

the gap closed. Place your

sachets in a basket by the

front door so you can hand

them to departing guests

(meanwhile, they'll fill your

entryway with wonderful

scent).

39. Remove your favorite

pictures from their frames.

Wrap the frames with

Christmas wrap and replace

the pictures.

40. Make a gingerbread

house. They make wonder-

ful centerpieces or christ-

mas decorations for any

table top.

41. Use a child's

Christmas pop-up

book as a center-

piece. Just open

the book up to

a desir-

able pic-

t u r e

a n d

place

th e

open

book in the

center of your table.

42. Hang a large

December wall calendar on

your wall. Count down the

days to Christmas by gluing

a brightly-colored bow on

each passing day.

43. Tie five or six cinnamon

sticks into a bundle using red

ribbon. Create a bunch of

these bundles and display

them in a bowl or on a plate.

Or, tuck bundles into nooks

and crannies on shelves and

table. They add a nice scent

to your room.

44. Pull out your old toy

trains. Run the track around

the perimeter of the

Christmas tree.

45. Paint the inside of a

glass white to simulate milk.

Display the glass along with

a plate full of cookies and a

hand-written Santa's wish

list. It looks great if you takea bite or two out of one cook-

ies.

46. For easy Christmas

tableware, tie red, green, or

gold ribbons to the stems of

wine glasses or the handles of

cutlery.

47. Cut pictures from

Christmas cards and

Christmas wrap for christ-

mas decorations. Decoupage

the pictures to the inside of a

serving tray. Be sure to cover

the entire surface of the tray.

Once all the pictures are in

place, cover the entire inside

surface of the tray with one

or two more layers of

decoupage medium.

48. To make a decorative

cookie plate, glue cinnamon

sticks and whole cloves to the

edges of a large plate.

49. Screw small hooks into

the ceiling and hang indoor

Christmas lights from them.

50. Print your favorite

cookie recipe on Christmas

stationary (or print it on a

white piece of paper and have

it photo copied ontoChristmas stationary). Roll

each recipe up like a scroll.

Tie the scroll with ribbon.

Place the scrolls in a basked

by your front door so you can

give them to departing

guests. You could also bake

up a batch of cookies. Wrap

each cookie separately in

plastic wrap and attach one

cookie to each scroll with rib-

bon (string the ribbon

through a hole in the plastic

wrap).

ontinued from page 3

FROM ALL OF US TOALL OF YOU

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

AARONPEGGY &STACEY

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

5/16

Riverside LiquorLong Prairie 320-732-2626Open Mon - Sat 8 am - 10 pm

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM

Riverside LiquorLong Priaire 320-732-2626

Open Mon. - Sat. 8 am - 10 pm

Holiday Wishes To You

From These Fine Merchants


There are lots of Christmas tradi-

ons that are practiced by a number

countries all over the world during

e holiday season. These traditions

n be as diverse as the culture and

ligious practices of each and every

untry in the world.

ORIGINS OF CHRISTMASFrom the Old English 'Cristes

sse' ~ meaning the 'mass of

hrist' ~ the story of Christmas

gins with the birth of a the Christ

hild in Bethlehem.

It is believed that Christ was born

n the 25th, although the exact

onth is unknown. December was

kely chosen so the Catholic Church

uld compete with rival pagan ritu-

s held at that time of year and

cause of its closeness with the

inter solstice in the Northern

emisphere, a traditional time of cel-

ration among many ancient cul-

res.

SANTA CLAUS

The origin of Santa Claus begins

in the 4th century with Saint

Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in

present day Turkey. By all accounts

St. Nicholas was a generous man,

particularly devoted to children.

After his death around 340 A.D. he

was buried in Myra, but in 1087

Italian sailors purportedly stole his

remains and removed them to Bari,Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas'

popularity throughout Europe.

His kindness and reputation for

generosity gave rise to claims he

that he could perform miracles and

devotion to him increased. St.

Nicholas became the patron saint of

Russia, where he was known by his

red cape, flowing white beard, and

bishop's mitre.

In Greece, he is the patron saint

of sailors, in France he was the

patron of lawyers, and in Belgium

the patron of children and travellers.

Thousands of churches across

Europe were dedicated to him and

some time around the 12th century

an official church holiday was creat-

ed in his honor. The Feast of St.

Nicholas was celebrated December 6

and the day was marked by gift-giv-

ing and charity.

After the Reformation, European

followers of St. Nicholas dwindled,

but the legend was kept alive in

Holland where the Dutch spelling of

his name Sint Nikolaas was eventu-

ally transformed to Sinterklaas.

Dutch children would leave theirwooden shoes by the fireplace, and

Sinterklaas would reward good chil-

dren by placing treats in their shoes.

Dutch colonists brought brought this

tradition with them to America in

the 17th century and here the

Anglican name of Santa Claus

emerged.

In 1822 Clement C. Moore com-

posed the poem A Visit From Saint

Nicholas, published as The Night

Before Christmas as a gift for his

children. In it, he portrays Santa

Claus:

He had a broad face and a little

round belly,

That shook when he laughed,

like a bowl full of jelly,He was chubby and plump, a right jolly

old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite

of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to

dread.

Other countries feature different

gift-bearers for the Christmas or

Advent season: La Befana in Italy ~

The Three Kings in Spain, Puerto

Rico, and Mexico ~ Christkindl or theChrist Child in Switzerland and

Austria ~ Father Christmas in

England ~ and Pere Nol, Father

Christmas or the Christ Child in

France. Still, the figure of Santa

Claus as a jolly, benevolent, plump

man in a red suit described in

Moore's poem remains with us today

and is recognized by children and

adults alike around the world.

CHRISTMAS TREES

In 16th-century Germany fir

trees were decorated, both indoors

and out, with apples, roses, gild-

ed candies, and colored paper.

In the Middle Ages, a popular

religous play depicted the

story of Adam and Eve's expulsionfrom the Garden of Eden.

A fir tree hung with apples was

used to symbolize the Garden of

Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play

ended with the prophecy of a saviour

coming, and so was often performed

during the Advent season.

It is held that Protestant reformer

Martin Luther first adorned trees

with light. While coming home one

December evening, the beauty of the

stars shining through the branchesof a fir inspired him to recreate the

effect by placing candles on the

branches of a small fir tree inside his

home

The Christmas Tree was brought

to England by Queen Victoria's hus-

band, Prince Albert from his native

Germany. The famous Illustrated

News etching in 1848, featuring the

Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and

their children gathered around a

Christmas tree in Windsor Castle,

popularized the tree throughout

Victorian England. Brought t

America by the Pennsylvani

Germans, the Christmas tree

became by the late 19th century.

Christmas Traditions

continued on page 6

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

6/16

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CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

IN THE U.S.

The variations of the Christmas traditions

of USA equal the number active cultures that

have settled in the land. These cultural contri-

butions were given a new lease of life by cre-

ative artists, authors, poets and songwriters,

and it was melded together by the power of

secular and commercialized media in record

companies, radio stations, television, cinemas

and now the internet. The unwritten law of

media is the presentation of a seemingly uni-

form celebration of the Christmas traditions of

USA. This is responsible for the world wide

acceptance of a universal Christmas image

which they get from the media. Nevertheless,the celebrations are peculiar to each region.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

According to legend, a kindly nobleman

grew despondent over the death of his

beloved wife and foolishly squandered his for-

tune. This left his three young daughters with-

out dowries and thus facing a life of spinster-

hood.

The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the

girls' plight, set forth to help. Wishing to

remain anonymous, he rode his white horse

by the nobleman's house and threw three

small pouches of gold coins down the chim-

ney where they were fortuitously captured by

the stockings the young women had hung by

the fireplace to dry. Read more about christ-

mas stockings

MISTLETOEMistletoe was used by Druid priests 200

years before the birth of Christ in their winter

celebrations. They revered the plant since it

had no roots yet remained green during the

cold months of winter.

The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to

have magical healing powers and used it as

an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward

of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a

symbol of peace, and it is said that among

Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe

would lay down their weapons and embrace.

Scandanavians associated the plant with

Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be

from this that we derive the custom of kissing

under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under

the mistletoe had the promise of happinessand good luck in the following year.

HOLLY, IVY AND GREENERY

I n

No r t he rn

E u r o p e

Christmas occurred during the middle of win-

ter, when ghosts and demons could be heard

howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly,believed to have magical powers since they

remained green through the harsh winter,

were often placed over the doors of homes to

drive evil away. Greenery was also brought

indoors to freshen the air and brighten the

mood during the long, dreary winter.

Legend also has it that holly sprang from

the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth.

The pointed leaves were said to represent the

crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross

and the red berries symbolized the blood he

shed.

POINSETTIAS

A native Mexican plant, poinsettias were

named after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassa-

dor to Mexico who brought the plant to

America in 1828. Poinsettias were likely usedby Mexican Franciscans in their 17th century

Christmas celebrations. One legend has it

that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit

the village Nativity scene, realized he had no

gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty

green branches from along the road and

brought them to the church. Though the other

children mocked him, when the leaves were

laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped

flower appeared on each branch. The bright

red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are

actually the upper leaves of the plant.

THE CANDY CANE

It was not long after Europeans

began using Christmas trees that

special decorations were used to

adorn them. Food items, such as candies

and cookies, were used predominately

and straight white candy sticks were one

of the confections used as ornamentation.

Legend has it that during the 17th century,

craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in

the shape of shephreds' crooks at the sug-

gestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne

Cathedral in Germany.

The candy treats were given to children to

keep them quiet during ceremonies at the liv-

ing creche, or Nativity scene, and the custom

of passing out the candy crooks at such cere-

monies soon spread throughout Europe. According to the National Confectioner's

Association, in 1847 German immigrant

August Imgard used the candy cane to deco-

rate a Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio. More

than 50 years later, Bob McCormack of

Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy

canes as treats for family, friends and local

shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law,

Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a

machine in the 1950s that automated the pro-

duction of candy canes, thus eliminating the

usual laborious process of creating the treats

and the popularity of the candy cane grew.

More recent explanations of the candy

cane's symbolism hold that the color white

represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he

shed, and the presence of three red stripesthe Holy Trinity. While factual evidence for

these notions does not exist, they have

become increasingly common and at times

are even represented as fact. Regardless, the

candy cane remains a favorite holiday treat

and decoration.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

A form of Christmas card began in

England first when young boys practiced their

writing skills by creating Christmas greetings

for their parents, but it is Sir Henry Cole who

is credited with creating the first real

Christmas card. The first director of London's

Victoria and Albert Museum, Sir Henry found

himself too busy in the Christmas season of

1843 to compose individual Christmas greet-

ings for his friends.

He commissioned artist John CalcottHorsley for the illustration. The card featured

three panels, with the center panel depicting a

family enjoying Christmas festivities and the

card was inscribed with the message "AMerry

Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward

company, department store operators, had

been purchasing and distributing children's

coloring books as Christmas gifts for their cus-

tomers for several years. In 1939,

Montgomery Ward tapped one of their own

employees to create a book for them, thus

saving money. 34-year old copywriter Robert

L. May wrote the story of Rudolph the Red-

nosed Reindeer in 1939, and 2.4 million

copies were handed out that year. Despite thewartime paper shortage, over 6 million copies

had been distributed by 1946.

May drew in part on the story "The Ugly

Duckling" and in part from his own experi-

ences as an often taunted, small, frail youth to

create the story of the misfit reindeer. Though

Rollo and Reginald were considered, May

settled on Rudolph as his reindeer's name.

Writing in verse as a series of rhyming

couplets, May tested the story as he went

along on his 4-year old daughter Barbara,

who loved the story

Sadly, Robert Mays wife died around the

time he was creating Rudolph, leaving Mays

deeply in debt due to medical bills. However,

he was able to persuade Sewell Avery,

Montgomery Ward's corporate president, to

turn the copyright over to him in January1947, thus ensuring May's financial security.

May's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed

Reindeer" was printed commercially in 1947

and in 1948 a nine-minute cartoon of the story

was shown in theaters. When May's brother-

in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the

lyrics and melody for the song "Rudolph the

Red-Nosed Reindeer", the Rudolph phenom-

enon was born. Turned down by many musi-

cal artists afraid to contend with the legend of

Santa Claus, the song was recorded by Gene

Autry in 1949 at the urging of Autry's wife. The

song sold two million copies that year, going

on to become one of the best-selling songs of

all time, second only to Bing

Crosby's "White Christmas".

The 1964 television special

about Rudolph, narrated by

Burl Ives, remains a holiday

favorite to this day and Rudolph

himself has become a much-loved

Christmas icon.

HANUKKAH

Commencing on the 25th day of the

Hebrew month Kislev, Hanukkah is a Jewish

holiday commemorating the rededication of

the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its dese-

cration by the Syrians.

In 168 BC, members of the Jewish family

Maccabee led a revolt against the Greek

Syrians due to the policies of Syrian King

Antiochus IV which were aimed at nullifyingthe Jewish faith. Part of this strategem includ-

ed changing the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy

Temple in Jerusalem - to a Greek temple com-

plete with idolatry. Led by Judah Maccabee,

the Jews won victory over the Syrians in 165

BC and reclaimed their temple.

After cleansing the temple and preparing

for its rededication, it was found there was not

enough oil to light the N'er Tamid, an oil lamp

present in Jewish houses of worship which

represents eternal light. Once lit, the lamp

should never be extinguished.

A search of the temple produced a small

vial of undefiled oil -- enough for only one day.

Miraculously, the Temple lights burned for

eight days until a new supply of oil was

brought. In remembrance of this miracle, onecandle of the Menorah - an eight branched

candelabra - is lit each of the eight days of

Hanukkah. Hanukkah, which means dedica-

tion, is a Hebrew word when translated is

commonly spelled Hanukah, Chanukah, and

Hannukah due to different translations and

customs.

The tradition of receiving gifts on each of

the eight days of Hanukkah is relatively new

and due in part to the celebration's proximity

to the Christmas season.

KWANZAA

Doctor Maulana Karenga, a Professor at

California State University in Long Beach,

California, created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is a

holiday celebrated by millions of African-

Americans around the world, encouraging

them to remember their African heritage and

consider their current place in America today.

Kwanzaa is celebrated fom December 26 to

January 1 and involves seven principles

called Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity),Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima

(Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa

(Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose),

Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

In the Kwanzaa ritual, seven candles

called Mishumaa Saba are placed in a Kinara,

or candleholder, which is then set upon the

Mikeka, a mat usually made of straw.

Three green candles are placed on the

left, three red candles on the right and a black

candle in the center, each candle representing

one of the seven principles of the celebration.

One candle is lit each day of the Kwanzaa cel-

ebration, beginning from left to right The col-

ors of Kwanzaa ~ black, red and green ~ also

have a special significance. Black symbolizes

the faces of the African people, Red symbol-

izes the blood they have shed, and Greenrepresents hope and the color of the mother-

land. The name

itself - Kwanzaa -

is a Swahili

word mean-

ing "fruits of

the harvest."

continued from page 5

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Need a fun, inexpensive activity

that the whole family can get involved

in? How about making your own

Christmas gifts for the family pets?

Even if youve never made home-

made treats for Fido before, here are

some recipes to try. Just remember,

no matter how delicious they might

look, these tasty treats are for dogs

only, so be prepared with a few

Christmas cookies just for the kids.

Chicken Liver Treats

A great chicken flavoured snack

for your dog full of the goodness andchicken livers.

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken liver

2 eggs

2 tablespoons molasses

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

1/2 cup dried milk

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a

blender and blend until smooth. Pour

onto a baking tray and bake at 400

until the sides start to come away

from the pan or a knife comes out

clean.

Let it cool, cut into pieces and

store in fridge!

Bacon Dog Biscuits

A simple recipe for dog biscuits.

Can be made with or without meat for

those that prefer veggie diets!

Ingredients

5 cups Whole wheat flour

1 cup Milk

2 Eggs

10 tablespoon bacon fat

1 pinch Onion or garlic powder

1 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup Cold water

1 tablespoon oil to grease pan

Makes about 40 dog biscuits

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350

degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Mixall ingredients well. Pinch off pieces

of the dough and roll them into two-

inch balls. Bake biscuits at 350

degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Let

them cool, then store in an airtight

container.

Munchy Crunchy Meat Treats

This recipe makes great crunchy

biscuit treats that keep really well.

Ingredients

1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 cups rice flour

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. honey

1/2 cup water

5 tsp. chicken or beef broth1 jar baby food meat (any

flavour)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients well.

Form into a ball. Roll dough out on a

floured surface. Cut out desired

shapes. Bake in a 350 degree oven

for 25-30 minutes. Let cool. The

treats should be hard and crunchy.

Chicken and Kibble

Great way to break up your dogs

meals and give less kibble!

Ingredients

3 to 4 chicken breasts (no bone,

no skin)

1 1/2 cups non-sticky rice (we use

basmati)fat free cottage cheese

Instructions

Microwave the chicken breasts

until fully cooked. Cut into tip of the

finger size pieces. Reserve the juice

for the first meal. Steam the rice until

fully cooked. Combine the chicken

and rice. Add a pinch of salt if you

didnt already salt the rice. Add any

other seasoning your dog likes.

When ready to feed the dogs,

combine half their recommended kib-

ble with sufficient chicken/rice mix-

ture to make up about 1/3 their ration.

Make up the rest with fat free cottage

cheese.

This makes a very low fat diet, typ-

ically less than 10%. You can add

vegetable fats or fish oil to improve

vitamin absorption, but do be spar-

ing. In the first batch of food, add the

cooking juices from the chicken to

the kibble.

This recipe makes enough food

for several feedings, so dont put the

chicken drippings in the storage con-

tainer: it will only hasten spoilage.

Also, dont leave the mix down: it willspoil very fast.

Barley Beef Biscuits

These biscuits are easy to make

and keep and freeze very well. We

always have a selection on hand!

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon garlic granules

4 tablespoons parsley

2 cups beef broth

2 cups barley flour

3-4 cups rye flour

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl, combine olive oil

(extra-virgin olive oil is more expen-

sive, but lower grade olive oils are

blended with other vegetable oils that

may contain corn or soy), garlic and

parsley. Heat the beef broth (its best

to make your own, canned or con-

densed broths have added salt, sug-

ars, and preservatives) or water until

steaming and add to the olive oil mix-

ture . Stir in barley flour and let cool

until lukewarm or cool enough to

work with. Gradually blend in rye

flour, adding enough to form a stiff

dough.

Transfer to a floured (rye flour)

surface and knead until smooth

(about 3-5 minutes). Shape the

dough into a ball, and roll to 1/4-inch

(6 mm) thick. Use the cookie cutter ofyour choice (we prefer to make small

bones) or cut into small squares.

Transfer to ungreased baking sheets,

spacing them about 1/4 inch (6 mm)

apart. Gather up the scraps, roll out

again, and cut additional biscuits.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove

from oven and turn over. Bake for an

additional 30 minutes, or until golden

brown on both sides. After you finish

baking all batches of biscuits, turn off

the oven, spread all the biscuits in

one baking pan and set them in the

oven to cool for a few hours or

overnight. The extra time in the oven

as it cools off helps make the treats

crunchier.Makes several dozen small treats

that keep and freeze well.

Cheese Bone Dog Cookies

Our dogs love cheese and these

cheese biscuits are a treat!

Ingredients

2 cups Unsifted all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups Shredded cheddar

cheese

2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped

1/2 cup Vegetable oil

4 1/2 tbsp Water (up to 5 tbsp.)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F. Make a

cardboard pattern of a dog bone, 4

inches long or use a dog-bone cook-

ie cutter. Combine flour, cheese, gar-lic and vegetable oil in container of

food processor. Cover, whirl until mix-

ture is consistency of coarse meal.

With machine running, slowly add

water until mixture forms a ball.

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces.

Roll out each piece to 1/2 thickness.

Cut out bones. Transfer to ungreased

cookie sheet. Bake in preheated hot

oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until bot-

tom of cookies are lightly browned.

Carefully transfer bones to wire rack

to cool completely. Refrigerate in air-

tight container.

Christmas for your furry friends

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Q. What did the Gingerbread

Man put on his bed?

A. A cookie sheet!

Q. What do you get when you

cross a snowman with a shark?

A. Frost bite!

Q. What do you call an

Eskimo cow?

A. An Eskimoo.

Q. How is the Christmas

alphabet different from the

ordinary alphabet? A. The Christmas alphabet

has NO EL.

Q. What do the elves sing to

Santa Claus on his birthday?

A. Freeze a jolly good fellow .

. .

Q. What do you call a cat on

the beach at Christmastime?

A. Sandy Claws!

Q. Why are Christmas trees

such bad knitters?

A. They are always dropping

their needles.

Q. What did the bald man say

when he got a comb for

Christmas?

A. Thanks, I'll never part

with it!

Q. Why did they let the

turkey join the band?

A. Because he had the drum

sticks.

Q. What do you when if you

cross an apple with a Christmas

tree?

A. A pineapple.

Q. What did the big candle

say to the little candle?

A. I'm going out tonight.

Q. Why wasn't the turkey

hungry at Christmas time?

A. He was stuffed!

Q. Why does Santa Claus go

down the chimney on Christmas

Eve?

A. Because it soots him.

Q. What kind of ball doesn't

bounce?

A. A snowball!

Q. What's the best thing to

put into Christmas pie?

A. Your teeth!

Q. What do you get when you

eat the Christmas decorations?

A. Tinsel-itus.

Q. Why does Scrooge love

Rudolph the Red-Nosed

Reindeer?

A. Because every buck is dear

to him.

Q. If athletes get athletes

foot, what do astronauts get?

A. Missletoe!

Q. What do you call people

who are afraid of Santa Claus?

A. Claustrophobic.

Q. What does Santa like to

eat?

A. A jolly roll.

Q. How does Santa take pic-

tures?

A. With his North Pole-aroid.

Q. What kind of bird can

rite?

A. A pen-guin

Q. What do you get if you

oss Santa with a detective ?

A. Santa Clues!

Q. What did Adam say on the

ay before Christmas?

A. It's Christmas, Eve.

Q. Why does Santa Claus like

to work in the garden?

A. Because he likes to hoe,

hoe, hoe!

Q. What happened when the

snowwoman got angry at the

snowman?

A. She gave him the cold

shoulder.

Q. What do snowmen wear on

their heads?

A. Ice caps.

Q. How do sheep say Merry

Christmas in Mexico?

A. Fleece Navidad!

Q. What is a snowman's

favorite lunch?

A. An Iceberger!

Q. What do vampires put on

their Christmas turkey?A. Grave-y.

Q. What did the ghost say to

Santa Claus?

A. I'll have a boo Christmas

without you.

Q. What do you call a snow-

man party?

A. A Snowball!

Christmas Jokes and Riddles

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

9/16

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Do your Christmas shopping at theThread Shed this year and bring home gifts of joy

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youre making your list for Christmas Shopping -bring it to the Thread Sheds - Shop and Save!

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THE GALLERYMain Street, Browerville

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Stop in for last minute gifts!

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Thanks to all our friends and neighbors,our favorite time of year is also our busiest.

Merry Christmas andHappy New Year too!


Confirmed cougar sightings

are becoming more frequent in

Minnesota, but evidence sug-

gests the large cats are most

likely rare visitors to the state,

according to the Minnesota

Department of Natural

Resources (DNR).

The recent shooting of a

cougar in southwestern

Minnesota, along with verified

observations of the big cats in

the state, are raising aware-

ness of cougars in the public

and media.

Within the past several

years, we have been able to

verify observations of individ-

ual cougars within our state,

said Dan Stark, DNR large car-

nivore specialist. Although

rare, we have verifiable evi-

dence such as trail camera pho-

tos, tracks and scat, and on

occasion, dead cougars.

Since 2007, the DNR has

confirmed 14 cougar sightings.Eleven have been from trail

cameras or video. One was

road killed, one was found dead

and one was shot. Dozens of

other, unconfirmed sightings

have also been reported.

Prior to European settle-

ment, cougars, also known as

mountain lions or pumas,

ranged across all lower 48

states. Their present-day range

is significantly smaller.

Confirmed breeding popula-

tions are recognized by state

game departments in 14 west-

ern states. The closest popula-tions are in the western

Dakotas, and the only popula-

tion east of the Mississippi

River is in Florida..

Why might cougars show up

in Minnesota? Cougars are

solitary, roaming animals, and

as young males reach maturity,

they begin to look for new ter-

ritory and will travel consider-

able distances. The timing of

many of Minnesotas verified

cougar sightings (mid- 2000s

and forward) is not unexpected

given the somewhat rapid

increase in the cougar popula-tion in the western Dakotas

that began in the mid-1990s.

Extensive research in the

Black Hills has documented

the changing cougar dynamics

that typically lead to increased

dispersal of young males.

DNA analysis from cougars

in Minnesota and other

Midwestern states, along with

cougar scat and hair found

here, indicates most of the ani-

mals are male likely coming

from the Black Hills popula-

tion in South Dakota and west-

ern North Dakota. However,given their long dispersal capa-

bilities, animals could show up

from numerous other locations

in the western U.S. as well.

In some cases, cougars

roaming through Minnesota

are leaving a remarkable

record. Scientists were recently

able to document and track a

male cougar via its DNA,

through the Twin Cities and

three different places in

Wisconsin before the same cat

was hit by a car and killed ear-

lier this year in Connecticut.

The cat was killed18 months

after it was detected in

Minnesota.

The cougar recently shot in

Jackson County was a 125-

pound male, estimated to be

one to three years old. The

DNR will send DNA samples

from the cat to a lab in

Montana so more can be

learned about it

Stark said there have been

no wild females cougars docu-

mented in Minnesota, and that

annual carnivore tracking

surveys by the DNR, which

includes scent-post and winter

tracking surveys, have record-

ed no evidence to suggest the

possibility of a resident popula-

tion of cougars in the state.

Although verifications have

increased, evidence of cougars

remains extremely rare. Incontrast, in Florida, where an

estimated cougar population of

only 100-150 animals reside,

an average of 23 cougar deaths

(14 car-kills) are documented

each year.

Although some cougar sight-

ings in Minnesota are accu-

rately identified, many obser-

vations from trail cameras and

tracks turn out to be cases of

mistaken identity. Bobcats,

house cats, coyotes, wolves,

fishers and light colored dogs

have all been mistaken as

cougars.A cougar will range in length

from four to six feet, with a

head that appears small in

relation to the body. The body

is tan except for dark face

markings and tail tip. The tail

will be nearly as long as the

body.

Human encounters with

cougars are extremely rare.

Even in California, which has a

population of more than 5,000

of the big cats, a person is

1,000 times more likely to be

struck by lightning than

attacked by a cougar. If anencounter does take place, stay

calm, face the animal, make

yourself appear large by open-

ing your coat or putting your

hands above your head, and

speak in a loud voice. Most

cougars will avoid confronta-

tion.

Cougars are protected ani-

mals in Minnesota. State

statute makes it illegal for a

citizen to kill a cougar in most

circumstances. Public safety

officials are authorized to kill a

cougar to protect public safety.

If a cougar poses an immediatethreat to public safety, contact

a DNR conservation office or

local law enforcement person

as soon as possible.

The DNR has recently

updated its cougar information

on its website. Visit

www.dnr.state.mn.us/ mam-

mals/cougar/index.html.

Cougars are rare but confirmed

visitors to Minnesota

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

10/16

r now, and will be concentrat-

g on inside work through the

inter. The expanded plant is

xpected to be online in the fall

2012. Progress payments

ade to DiMar Construction

ave totaled about $1.8 million

far.

The third major project under-

ay in the county also involves

ong Prairie Packing. Last

onth, the company reached an

greement with MPCA relating

water quality violations made

om fall 2009 to spring 2010.According to an MPCA news

lease, the company improper-

stockpiled and land applied

dustrial byproducts, and failed

maintain a required 600-foot

nd application setback from

urface waters at seven sites.

ome of the land applications

curred within farmed wet-

nds. The company also failed to

otify the MPCA or immediately

cover blood-contaminated

achate which spilled out of a

umpster and a large storage

te; improperly stored more

han 500 gallons of used oil; and

perated parts of the facilityithout a required federal and

ate industrial stormwater per-

it.

Of the $52,000 civil penalty,

alf will be paid to the MPCA,

nd half will be spent on com-

eting a supplemental environ-

ental project. Long Prairie

acking Co. plans to construct

n industrial anaerobic digester

ear the plant that will reduce

he amount and toxicity of pollu-

nts entering area waters, and

gnificantly reduce the land

pplication of industrial byprod-

cts (MPCA News Release, pub-

shed on their website inovember 2011).

The industrial anaerobic

gester will produce biogas,

hich will significantly reduce

he plants dependency on coal-

owered energy. According to

he Long Prairie City Council

inutes of Aug. 15, 2011, The

ogas can be used directly as

fuel or may be used to run a bio-

gas engine to produce electricity.

The estimated cost of the project

is $6 to $8 million. The tax incre-

ment generated by the develop-

ment in the (Tax Increment

Financing) district will fund eli-

gible costs such as site improve-

ments. The city has recently

annexed the property into the

city limits as requested by the

industry.

The city of Long Prairie

approved a Tax Increment

Financing (TIF) district toenable the industrial anaerobic

digester project and the waste-

water treatment expansion proj-

ect to go forward.

Long Prairie Packing is a part

of the Rosen Meat Group, one of

the leading meat processors in

the U.S. Rosen Meat Group oper-

ates four harvest and fabricating

beef plants along with three fur-

ther processing plants and a pet

treat plant. Rosen Meat Group

is a division of Rosens

Diversified, a family-owned agri-

cultural based business begin in

Fairmont, Minnesota, in 1946,

according to the company web-site. Today, Rosens Diversified

consists of a barge terminal,

Winona River & Rail, on the

Mississippi Rover in Winona; a

large crop protection sales and

distribution business called

Rosens Inc., headquartered in

Liberty, Missouri; and the Rosen

Meat Group headquartered in

Alexandria, Minnesota.

The meat groups harvesting

and fabricating plants are locat-

ed in Long Prairie and South St

Paul, Minnesota; Yankton, South

Dakota; and Gibbon, Nebraska.

The further processing plants

are located in Omana andBellevue, Nebraska and

Martinsville, Virginia. The pet

treat plant is in Minneapolis.

Construction on the new

industrial anaerobic digester

began in early December. It is

expected to employ about five

people when completed.

Construction of the Jennie-O wood shaving mill began and October and is will underway.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AROUND

THE WORLD

Afrikaner (Afrikaans) ~

Gesende Kersfees"Argentine ~ "Felices Pascuas"

Bohemian ~ "Vesele Vanoce"

Brazilian ~ "Boas Festas"

Chinese (Cantonese) ~ "Saint

an Fai Lok"

Danish ~ "Gldelig Jul"

Dutch ~ "Vrolijk Kerstfeest"

English ~ "Merry Christmas"

Filipino ~ "Maligayang Pasko"

Finnish ~ "Hyvaa Joulua"

French ~ "Joyeux Nol"

German ~ "Froehliche

Weihnachten"

Greek ~ "Kala Christouyenna"

Hawaiian ~ "Mele Kalikimaka"

Hebrew ~ "Mo'adim Lesimkha"

Icelandic ~ "Gledileg Jol"Indonesian ~ "Selamat Hari

atal"

Irish ~ "Nollaig Shona Dhuit"

Italian ~ "Buone Feste

Natalizie" - Natale italiano

Japanese ~ "KurisumasuOmedeto"

Korean ~ "Sung Tan Chuk Ha"

Lithuanian ~ "Linksmu

Kaledu"

Malay ~ "Selamat Hari Natal"

Maori ~ "Meri Kirihimete"

Norwegian ~ "God Jul" - Jul i

Norge

Romanian ~ "Craciun Fericit"

Peruvian ~ "Felices Fiestas"

Portugese ~ "Boas Festas"

Slovakian ~ "Vesele Vianoce"

Spanish ~ "Feliz Navidad" -

Cyber Navidad

Swedish ~ "God Jul" - Jul i

Sverige

Welsh ~ "Nadolig Llawen"

Projects, continued

Christmas, continued

Have a GreatChristmas!

Renew your subscription

to the Browerville Blade

OR Subscribe and be

entered into our

drawing for$100!Drawing will be held

March 14th, 2012.

$22In Todd County

$27

In Minnesota $32

Out Of State

$15College Rate

(9 month)

Merry Christmas To Our Readers & Advertisers!We Look Forward To 2012 With You!The Todd County Country Courier & Browerville Blade Staff

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

11/16

Demolition(as defined in Minnesota State Statutes)

(Price at Transfer Station)

Lg. quantity (10 yds or more/landfill) per yard $8.00Demolition (Transfer Station) per yard $10.00

Concrete (separate load/landfill) per yard $4.00Concrete (Transfer Station) per yard $8.00Demolition landfill gate fee $5.00

Demolition Containers

- REMODELING, NEW CONSTRUCTION OR JUST CLEANING UP -TODD COUNTY TRANSFER STATION

HAS THE RIGHT SIZE DEMOLITION CONTAINER TO FIT YOUR NEEDS.* WE DROP OFF AND PICK UP *

Free Items - Brush, leaves, grass clippings,

auto batteries & scrap iron

May - SeptemberHHW - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!

Rent per day $5.00Mileage per mile $2.50Todd Co. min. charge per trip $50.00Todd Co. max. charge per trip $150.00

HHW-Household Hazardous Waste

Garbage (Assorted material that is not specifically identified on this list)Minimum charge one bag or less $5.00

33 gallon can/bag $3.00Large quantity (must be weighed beforeunloading) price per ton $84 + 17% tax*Garbage price per lb. .05

Furniture( Including couches, chairs, mattress, box springs) $5.00

Brown Goods (VCRs, Stereos, etc.....) $5.00Computer monitor/TVs $10.00Ballast $5.00Fluorescent bulbs (over & under 4 ft) $1.00Mercury Vapor $5.00

White Goods(Large appliances including microwaves) $7.00

Tires (Prices double if tires are on the rim)Passenger $2.00Pickup (large 4 ply) $3.00Truck (20 or larger diameter) $5.00Large quantity (car, pickup) per ton $150.00Large quantity (tractor & industrial) per ton $250.00

*17% State Solid Waste

Todd County Transfer Station 2010 Product Price List

Todd County Transfer Station * 320-594-22101 mile South of Browerville on Hwy. 71

Were not just the dump anymore! Your 1 Stop Shop for All Your Disposal Needs!

- FREE -

- THINK GREEN - KEEP TODD COUNTY CLEAN -THE STAFF AT TODD COUNTY

TRANSFER THANKS THE PUBLIC

FOR THEIR SUPPORT

IN HELPING KEEP

TODD COUNTY CLEAN

AND OUR OPERATION

RUNNING SMOOTHLYSooner or later

it all comes to us


The Minnesota state parks

servation system is being

pgraded and will be temporari-

unavailable Dec. 27-Feb. 29,

he Minnesota Department of

atural Resources (DNR) said.

This will create a short-term

convenience, explainedourtland Nelson, director of the

NRs Division of Parks and

rails, but we know our cus-

mers will really enjoy the ben-

its of our new state-of-the-art

servation system.

The DNR is encouraging peo-

e to plan ahead and, if possible,

make their state park camping

servations for 2012, before the

urrent system temporarily

huts down at 8 p.m. Dec. 26.

Starting March 1, when the

ew system from US eDirect is

xpected to be fully operational,

will be easier to plan overnight

utings to Minnesota state parks

nd recreation areas. The new

ystem will feature interactive

aps and show where to find

vailable overnight lodging at a

ance.

We look forward to working

osely with US eDirect to launch

ur new reservation system in

arch and thank our customers

r their patience during the

ansition, said Nelson.

The existing state park reser-

vation system has been fully

user-paid through a state con-

tract since 2007, meaning no

state tax dollars are used to pro-

vide this government service.

The DNRs contract with its cur-

rent reservation-system vendor, Active Network (doing business

as Infospherix), will expire Dec.

31. The contract is rebid every

three to five years.

After carefully evaluating the

responses to its official request

for proposals (RFP), the DNR

awarded a three-year contract to

US eDirect, whose product,

Recreation Dynamics, best met

the criteria for cost effectiveness,

flexibility and user-friendly func-

tionality. No Minnesota compa-

nies responded to the DNRs

RFP, but as part of its agreement

with the DNR, US eDirect, which

is based in Roslyn Heights, N.Y.,

has agreed to operate a call cen-

ter in Minnesota.

Overnight stays at Minnesota

state parks and recreation areas

totaled 985,374 in 2010, up from

942,381 in 2009 and 863,075 in

2008.

Answers to frequently asked

questions about the new system

can be found at

www.mndnr.gov/reserve-faq.

The Minnesota Pollution

Control Agency is hosting a pub-

lic information meeting in

Perham to discuss the environ-

mental review of a proposed

expansion to the municipal solid

waste incinerator. The meeting

will be Dec. 14, from 6:30 to 9

p.m. in Perham City Hall, 125Second Ave. N.E. At this stage,

the MPCA is seeking comments

on the scope of the environmen-

tal review. Comments are being

accepted through Jan. 5, 2012.

The Perham Resource

Recovery Facility is operated by

the Prairie Lakes Municipal

Solid Waste Authority through a

joint powers agreement between

Becker, Otter Tail, Todd and

Wadena counties. The authority

proposes adding an additional

waste heat boiler as well as a

facility to help separate out recy-

clable items. The expansion

would increase the facility ssolid-waste-processing capacity

from 116 to 200 tons per day. The

facility generates steam that is

used by nearby businesses.

Earlier, the MPCA distributed

an Environmental Assessment

Worksheet as the initial step in

the environmental review

process. The authority has volun-

tarily agreed to continue the

environmental-review process

with a more detailed review

called an Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS). The purpose of

the scoping process that is cur-

rently underway is to define the

issues, impacts and alternatives

to be addressed by the EIS; the

expected schedule of completion;

and any studies that will berequired. The scoping process is

intended to focus the EIS by car-

rying forward only those issues

that are significant and require

additional information.

The purpose of the environ-

mental review process is to eval-

uate and disclose information

about the significant environ-

mental effects of a proposed proj-

ect. It is not intended to justify a

project; rather, the information

will be used by the MPCA as a

guide in issuing permits for the

project and in identifying meas-

ures necessary to minimize

adverse environmental effects.Comments on the EIS scoping

process for the Perham expan-

sion project will be accepted

through Jan. 5, 2012. Comments

should be sent to Kevin Kain,

MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N.,

Saint Paul, MN 55155, or by

email to Kain at

[email protected].

DNR QUESTIONOF THE WEEK

Q: Theres not much snow on the

ground in Minnesota yet. Are we

destined for a brown Christmas?

A: The chances of Minnesotans

enjoying a white Christmas vary

from place to place. A white

Christmas is loosely defined as

having one inch of snow on the

ground on Christmas Day.

The best chances of having a

white Christmas is almost guaran-

teed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and most of the Arrowhead

region. The odds decrease the far-

ther south and west you go, and tip

more in favor of a brown

Christmas. For example, in far

southwestern Minnesota the

chances of a white Christmas are a

little better than 60 percent. In 106

years of snow depth measurements

in the Twin Cities, a white

Christmas happens about 72 per-

cent of the time. From 1905 to 2010

there were 30 years with either

"zero" or a "trace" of snow. The last

time the Twin Cities saw a brown

Christmas was in 2006. The deep-

est snow cover on Dec. 25 was in1983 with a hefty 20 inches in the

Twin Cities, 21 inches in

International Falls and 28 inches

in Duluth.

To find out the probability of a

white Christmas in your area, log

on to

http://climate.umn.edu/doc/jour-

nal/white_christmas.htm

- Pete Boulay, DNR climatol-

ogist

DNR to upgrade statepark reservation service

SYSTEM WILL BE DOWN FOR TWO MONTHS

DURING TRANSITION

MPCA will host Dec. 14public meeting onPerham incinerator expansion

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

12/16

Professional & Business DirectoryProfessional & Business Directory

Building & Remodeling Farm Supply Healthcare

Technology

Noska Plumbing & HeatingNoska Plumbing & Heating

Complete Sales & Service Furnaces Water Pumps

Water Softeners Air Conditioners320-594-6366 Doug Noska

Browerville

Free EstimatesFree Estimates

218-738-2582 Eagle Bend

Master Plumbers #PM003101 Well Contractors

Drapery DesignThe latest window fashions

Ardis Ebnet, Designer/Consultant

(320) 732-373924901 325th Ave. Long Prairie, MN 56347

Blinds Shades Drapery Valances

FEED - SEED - FERTILIZER

CentralCentralAgAg SerServiceviceClarissa (218) 756-2112

Eagle Bend (218) 738 2552

Milking Equip.

Bulk Tanks

Water Cond.

Badger Feeding

Forage & Manure Systems

Berg & SiloMatic Equip.

WIC Equip.

Cow Mats

Stalls & Silos

Northland Dairy Supply, Inc.

Have your ad be seen by over 30,000 readers monthly! Call 320-594-2911 for more information.

Courier Classified Ads

COUNTRY COMPUTERS

The Solutions People

SALES - PARTS - SERVICEBusiness Computer Systems

33681 Co. 1 218-738-2842DrywallTilingTaping

FramingRoofing

Lic # 20634520

NoskaConstruction LLC

Grant Noska28888 Oak Ridge Road

Browerville, MN 56438

320-630-3638

Veterinary

Todd County Veterinary ClinicLarge & Small Animals

Dr. J.J. Sauer

Dr. J.R. Pieper Dr. C.W. Hanvy

Browerville & Clarissa 218-756-2226

Long Prairie 320-732-6922

Eagle Bend 218-738-3462

FOR SALEWooded 3.2 acre

island on pristine Coal

Lake, two hours from

Twin Cities in

Central MN. Own

your own piece of para-

dise: Camp site,

docks. Fish from your own

shore!

Located just across from public land-

ing for easy parking. Taxes: $76.00.

[email protected]

214 Main Street WestClarissa, MN 56440

Call Us Today!(218) 756-2234

Making Your Smile Blossom

Clarissa Family DentalJeralyn Bowie DDS


FOR SALEElectric oven, range tops, gas

dryers, tables, chairs, baskets,

purses, bedding, tools, fishing flys.

Lovens Browerville, 320-594-2464

tf

__________________________

CARD OF THANKSOur families would like to thank

all of you for your prayers, cards,

gifts, and acts of kindness at the

time of Genes recent death. A spe-

cial thank you to 911, Clarissa

Fire Department, Browerville

ambulance, Long Prairie Hospital

staff, Fr. Rich Walz, Fr. Peter

Vanderweyst, as well as St.

Josephs choir, funeral lunch com-

mittee. We would also like to

thank Charlene Klimek, organist,

Lloyd and Judy Buhl, for helping

after the funeral, Iten Funeral

Home, and our neighbors. Caring

families make a difference. Thank

you.Gina Motzko family

Mike Motzko family

_____________________________

FOR SALE96 Subaru Outback, runs ok,

higher mileage, $1000/BO. 320-

594-2911

House For Sale

4 bdr, 1 den, 1.75 bath, new steel siding, windows,doors, updated roof, deck, furnace, water heater,

water softner, central air w/humidifier,attached heated 2 car garage w/new doors

on just under an acre lot. $129,900, Browerville

Call 320-594-3025

For Sale:87 Chevy Blazer.

$2000Call:

(320) 360-1986

Kris WinkelmanRecipes

Don't put the grill away! I

know its getting cold but being

hardy outdoor people we can

handle it. This recipe is a fami-

ly affair. Fill bowls with all the

familys favorite vegetables or

follow the recipe to the T. Hand

each member a skewer or two

and alternate your vegetables

with your venison cubes. Grab

a hot beverage head outside

and grill until done.

Margarita Whitetail Kabobs

1 cup margarita liquid mix

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1/4 cup olive oil

1 pound white tail steaks

(cubed)

Mushrooms

Onions

Red and green bell peppers

(cut in to 1 to 2" pieces)Cherry Tomatoes

1 gallon ZipVac bag

Combine margarita mix,

salt, sugar, garlic and olive oil

and white tail cubes in zipper

bag . Let marinade for 30-45

minutes . Preheat grill to medi-

um. Assemble kabobs by alter-

nating meat and vegetable,

brush w marinade and grill to

perfection. (10 minute max)

If you have never tried

Capers well today is the day.

We have been using them for

years in our family dishes.

Some people say they give a

tangy lemon flavor and I tend

to agree. We also use them in

salads. They are actually small

green buds from an herb. Theyare dried in the sun and pickled

in a brine or wine. Try them-its

something new and will add

new flavor to your dishes.

Sauted Walleye with Capers

4 walleye filets

1/4 tsp salt & pepper

cooking spray

4 tbsp butter

1 med minced shallot

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tbsp drained capers

2 tsp lemon juice

Sprinkle fish with salt and

pepper. Spray non stick skillet

with cooking oil, heat add fish

cook 2 minutes until brownedturn fish and repeat on other

side or until fish flakes. Remove

from skillet place on serving

platter. (Keep warm) Add but-

ter to pan cook until browned

add garlic, shallots stirring con-

stantly. Remove from heat add

pepper, capers and lemon juice

pour over fish and serve.

Merry Christmasfrom

The Todd County Courierand The Browerville Blade

8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

13/16

StatemaBackhoe Service, LLC

Free Estimates

From design to installation

Compliance inspections

Licensed-Bonded-Insured

Site Prep

Basements

Waterlines

Driveways

Landscaping

Black Dirt

Gravel

Fill Dirt

Clearing & Grading

Ditch CleaningSnow Plowing-Commercial

& Residential

Construction &

Abandonment of Manure

Pits

Andy Statema

320-594-2912

Toll Free 888-594-6347

MPCA Certified Septic Systems

*Tune-Ups

*Custom Exhaust

*A/C Service *Brakes

*Coolant Flush *Computer

*Diagnostics *Alignment

532 Hwy 71 N., Eagle Bend -

218-738-2913

TTwardowski Excavating, Inc.wardowski Excavating, Inc.From Design to

Installation Dozer Work

Trackhoe Excavator Work

Dump Truck Hauling

Bobcat Work

Demolition

Driveways

Basements

Black Dirt SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Chad TwardowskiLong Prairie

Cell: 320-760-1127Home: 320-732-3809

Licensed Bonded

Insured

FREE Estimates

24 Hour Emergency

Service

615 South Nokomis, Alexandria ~ 320-762-0742

Brick Stone

Fireplaces

Landscape Products

MasonrySupplies & Tools

Daves Septic ServiceSEPTIC & HOLDING TANK SERVICE

PORTABLE TOILET RENTAL

Hewitt: 218-924-4659

Cell: 218-640-2339

David G. Rokes - Owner

Central Minnesota

Electric, Inc.

Complete

Professional Wiring

Service

John Wippler

& Al Poser

TheThe AfAffordablefordable

ProfessionalsProfessionals

320-632-3946

320-749-2449

Check usout on-line

www.bladepublishing.net

VFW111 1st St. S., Long Prairie

320-732-3873Hamburger Night

Every Wednesday

5:00-8:00 pm

GIZAPLUMBING & HEATING

EST. 1934

MARV GIZA GREG GIZA

061803PM 062674PM

218-894-2284 after hours: 218-894-1127

Heating & Cooling Systems Sheetmetal Work

Water Pumps

Plumbing Supplies & Fixtures

For The Do-it-Yourselfer

Clothing for Everyone, Household Items,

Tools, Toys & Misc.

THREAD SHEDS

Browerville

Thread Shed I320-594-6456

StaplesThread Shed II

218-895-5023

Sauk CentreThread Shed III

320-352-2829

Stop by one of the 3 Thread Sheds Today!

Dahlman Abstract Company

320-732-3997

Fax: 320-732-6162

332 Central Ave Long Prairie

( Located next to the Post Office )

SERVING TODD COUNTY

WITH COMPLETE

ABSTRACTING SERVICES

Incorporated since 1958

HAVE YOUR AD SEEN BY THOUSANDS

CALL STACEY 320-594-2911

TO PLACE YOUR AD IN THE TODD

COUNTY COUNTRY COURIER

Your business here...Contact Stacey:

320-594-2911 [email protected]


8/3/2019 Country Courier - 12/09/2011

14/16

Dr. Peter Brenny

Dentist218-894-2755Emergency and new

patients welcome.

If youre looking to buy,stop in and see one of our salesagents. We have many listings...

Ones sure to have your name on it!

Arlen Muenzhuber ~ Jamie Flan ~ Mona LaDue

www.east-westrealty.com

Long Prairie ~ 320-732-2222

Bill Nelson, Broker

Paving the way

for you!Staples, MN 56479

218-894-3105Asphalt Paving - Seal Coating - Fill - Black Dirt - Gravel -

Crushed Rock - RipRap - Sod - Basements - Site Prep - Driveways -

Ag Lime - Parking Lots- Landscaping - Ponds - Demolition -

Hauling - Excavating - Peat

Vanguard Insurance Services,Inc.

Independent Agent Joe Pesta Agency529 Lake St. S. P.O. Box 28, Long Prairie, MN 56347

320-732-6629 Fax: 320-732-1907

Auto Home LifeHealth Farm

Business

7 Lake St. N Suite 2

Long Prairie, Mn

56437320-732-3108

Member SIPC

www.edwardjones.com


Christmas time is here! Enjoy

he festivities while Santa's

elpers craft these fun kid-made

ifts.

Charming Magnet

Necklace

A sweet and special hand-

made gift for a lucky someone on

our child's list

This funky accessory features

ottle-cap charms that pop on

nd off a magnetic base. Use theaps to frame bits of artwork or,

or a fresh tw

country courier - 12/09/2011

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