By Nancy Henke   Thu, Nov 19, 2009

Lakestyle was founded in 2000 with one goal, to celebrate the lake lifestyle.  We do this by bringing original information and ideas tailored just for lake home and cabin owners (or those that would like to have one).  Each "issue" is full of stories that offer suggestions, tips, tricks or ideas that help you make the most of your life on the lake.  If it doesn't have special relevance to lake home or cabin owners, we won't cover it.

Our regular departments include:

• Lake Things We Like:  We scour the world for products and services that are of particular value to lake home and cabin owners and share them with you here.
• The Lakestyle Featured Home:  An in depth look into a beatiful lake home that you can use as you plan changes to your home.
• Lakestyle Gardening and Landscaping: A focus on making the most of your lakefront yard.
• Lakestyle Entertaining: What is happening in and around lakes and how you can enjoy yours.
• On the Water:  Boats, boating, docks, water toys.  If it is done on the water, you'll find it here.
• Lakestyle Getaways:  Even lake people travel.  In Lakestyle Getaways we cover travel ideas and resort reviews for those times when you leave your own shore.  
• At the Cabin:  Just for those that have a lake home as their cabin or cottage. 
• Lakestyle Q&A:  Got a lake related question?  We'll get you an answer.  

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A:  Freed from the long production schedule and other limitations of print, Lakestyle releases "issues" on as the information becomes available and is pulled together into an "issue".  Other than that, Lakestyle Magazine online is just like the print version.  Full of original stories with great photography.

Q: What is an "issue"

A:  An "issue" is a batched release of a group of stories much like an offline magazine.   

Q:  How often will an issue be "printed"

A:  No more frequently than once a week and no less frequently than quarterly.  We will release an issue of Lakestyle when there are enough related and interesting articles to batch into a single release.  Generally, this will be monthly but during the spring and summer, it may be as frequently as weekly while in the winter months (when many cabins are closed and many lakes frozen) there may be only one issue each quarter.

Q:  If the schedule isn't set, how will I know to visit lakestyle.com to see new content? 

A:  You can visit as frequently as you like (and we certainly hope you do whenever you have a lake related question) but to make it easier we will send out an email summary with each issue.  Click here to get on our complementary update list.   Here is our commitment to you:

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By Nancy Pias   Tue, Mar 10, 2009

You’ve packed the car for a weekend excursion to the lake and take one final inventory. Swimsuits, beach towels, sand toys, snacks, kids…Check! Not so fast. What about the first aid kit? Do you have your insurance card? Do you know where the nearest hospital islocated? Although it is impossible to anticipate everything that can go wrong at a summer cabin, resort or campground, the proverbial ounce of prevention can go a long way when it comes to keeping your brood healthy.

We came up with a few tips:

Bring a thermometer. “It’s a cheap item, a couple of bucks, with a lot of bang,” says Frank Rhame, MD, who specializes in internal medicine and infectious diseases at Allina Medical Systems – the Doctors. Make sure you seek medical help when a fever is high, prolonged or unexplained, particularly if accompanied by concerning symptoms such as a severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, swollen throat, a strange rash or listlessness. 

Shield yourself from attack. Protect skin from insect and tick bites by staying inside at dawn and dusk and avoiding dense woods and bushy areas with high grass. If you venture outside, make sure you wear long pants, sleeves, socks and shoes. Dr. Rhame suggests applying insect repellent with DEET concentration in the 30-percent range for adults and 10 percent for children. Check your family, pets and clothing for ticks daily; the chance of getting Lyme disease is small if a tick is attached to the skin less than 24 hours. 

Stay vigilant about food safety. Dr. Rhame points to the potential for food-borne illness when food goes without adequate refrigeration. “When camping, your set of food preparation standards can quickly deteriorate,” he says. Keep cold foods cold — refrigerated or on ice — to prevent bacterial growth. Campers using cook stoves should allow plenty of ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Save your skin. Sun protection at every age is important to prevent the damaging effects of sunlight. Minimize sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). When outside, wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat, and be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks U VA and U VB rays, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. Apply sunscreen liberally and often, particularly after swimming or sweating.

Stop the itch. Stay away from plants with three leaves (i.e., poison ivy, oak and sumac). Poison ivy rash appears as a red rash with small bumps or blisters. If you come into contact with the poisonous plant, wash skin with soap and water to remove residual poison and prevent it from being spread. Don’t scratch — dirty fingernails can cause a secondary bacterial infection. Although Dr. Rhame says extreme cases are treated with steroids, the usual course of treatment is “just time.” Treat symptoms with a soothing bath or over-the-counter aids.

Beware of bonfires. Every summer children are injured by stepping or falling into bonfires. If you build one, Dr. Rhame suggests drawing in the dirt a “circle of safety” about four feet around the fire. Unless accompanied by an adult, children should not be allowed to enter the circle.

Don’t get hooked. In case of a fish-hook incident, Dr. Rhame recommends removing the hook with wire cutters (most emergency rooms have them) and passing the hook through rather than backing it out to minimize tearing. Wash the wound with soap and water and use antiseptic ointment.

Don’t be stupid! Increased activity on lakes and rivers means more potential for accidents and injuries, particularly where jet skis and water skis are involved. “Neutralize the testosterone,” advises Dr. Rhame. For treating sprains and strains, use RICE as a rule of thumb: Rest, Ice the injury, Compress the injured area to reduce swelling, and Elevate the injured body part.

By Patrice Frantz   Tue, Nov 18, 2008

Compelled by nature and its environs, legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright strove to create structures that grew out of the chosen surroundings, incorporating the naturally occurring such as trees and running brooks, native wood and stone. He revealed inimitable works as a archaeologist reveals an ancient treasure.

Found in 36 states and three countries yet today, Wright’s designs run a continuum from the pristine to, well, gone.One can find examples restored to their original splendor, maintained with dignity by loving homeowners or fighting to survive in a fast-paced society, unappreciative or unaware of their significance.  And some sit quietly among the masses. A cluster of cottages on White Lake near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan has done just that for over a century.

Following the great fire of 1871, the rebuilding of their city brought prosperity to many Chicagoans, some of whom would board Great Lakes steamships and summer in lakeside towns.  Eventually, communities of summer cottages were established along the shores of Lake Michigan and smaller inland lakes.  Built between 1897 and 1905 in Whitehall, Michigan, Wright designed six cottages for the extended families of attorney Thomas H. Gale, a prominent real estate broker and his childhood friend and brother-in-law, Walter Gerts. Gale and Gerts were previous clients and neighbors to his own home and studio in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. The stepping off point of a burgeoning career, many models of Wright’s innovative “prairie style” homes remain in this bedroom community today.

The eastern-most cottage of the compound was commissioned by Walter’s parents, George and Mary. Frequently called the “Bridge House,” this 1902 home exemplifies the Wright tenet of man accommodating nature as opposed to nature accommodating man. Extending toward the shore off the two story board and batten house, a porch creates an arched bridge over winding Birch Brook which traverses the property, emptying into picturesque White Lake. Albeit on a much smaller scale, some see the cottage as a precursor to Wright’s Pennsylvania landmark home, Fallingwater. Although additions and improvements were made through the years, this distinctive home slowly fell victim to time and neglect, going the way of many Frank Lloyd Wright structures.

Enter Laurel and Clive Cooper

The Coopers are the sort worthy of homage from cottage lovers everywhere.  Like many of us that have nurtured once dilapidated or ignored spaces back to their intended glory, these good people had a vision.  Not that it was unconditional love at first sight.

Hearing the house was on the market, the Coopers were intrigued. With experience in the construction field, Clive must have sensed the degree of sweat equity the place would exact. “I drove down the drive, took one look and drove out.”  Laurel, on the other hand, was smitten despite a disconcerting  conversation with her daughter.  “Oh, that’s the haunted house!” she informed her parents.  Apparently the kids in the community, aware of its rundown condition and vacant status, would sneak into the house to do what teens do. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.  Eventually, they set foot into the cottage and the rest is history.  Clive’s instincts were pretty good, though, and Laurel’s estimate for the renovation process was about five years.

“We were both still working at the time and would work on the house in the evenings.”  And there was plenty to do. Only half the house was winterized with the large living space needing wall board as well as flooring.  To restore authenticity, white painted fireplaces were sandblasted.  The house was rewired and three pane windows installed to ward off the cold Michigan winters. A wise investment considering  three of four walls hold 24 windows total.  Much of the original siding needed replacement. In construction, Wright had held to his custom of using native materials, drawing from Michigan‘s then great pine forests. Laurel remembers this as a pleasant surprise, a rare event in any renovation process.  “I was afraid it would be an expensive wood and was relieved it was white pine. It was a nice surprise.”  A “double house” built to accommodate the family on one side and visitors equally on the other, the original design consisted of two “L” shaped plans placed back to back. An adjoining lakeside porch was created to span the creek, hence the unique bridge feature.

Anchoring the open yet cozy living space is a large hearth original to Wright’s design. The point of the triangular hearth bisects the far end of the living area. In keeping with the home’s symmetry, there is a separate fireplace on each side with a single chimney.  The beautiful plank ceiling soars through beams to a pinnacle at the room’s center. The Cooper’s elimination of a wall between the living area and the kitchen provides inspiring water views.  Past double doors, what was once an open air porch is now a one of a kind three seasons room. Visitors are met by cool lake breezes through multiple screened windows. The chant of the brook delights as it tumbles its way to the lake. Suspended from the ceiling are two beautiful canoes handcrafted by Clive in his garage woodshop, an addendum by the Coopers. Sitting just east of the cottage and sporting the same deep green hue, the garage would have one believing that it, too, was of Wright’s hand. Its attention to detail links the home’s present day caretakers to its icon designer.

Nestled beneath the watercraft, large soft cushions are supported by vintage wooden bases that lift to double as storage. Although the innovative use of space for storage lends to a Wright design, it is not known if it is original. According to Laurel, there is much wrangling among visitors over who gets to sleep here and its not hard to imagine why. One can immediately envisage retiring there on a summer’s evening while the breeze, the brook and the lapping waves bid sleep. Beyond comfortable seating, sailboats carved on a wooden screen door lead way to the lake. The porch steps terminate with large pedestal planters, a Frank Lloyd Wright staple.  “We just live out here in the summer. Everyone does,” shares Laurel.  The porch also holds other Wrightian treasures and allusions to its designer. Clive points out sloping fascia running along both sides of the porch extension, hinting a pagoda influence.  “I’m not sure if that was intentional or just the result of time,” notes Clive. This wouldn’t be a stretch for Wright. As the architect of the Imperial Palace in Japan, he demonstrated a penchant for oriental design. Not knowing if the designer or Mother Nature fashioned those eaves doesn’t diminish the appeal of this little quirk.  Frank Lloyd Wright came from a time when accomplishment was honored, revered. In his era, great works were not associated as much with style or category as they were with their creator. A Frank Lloyd Wright home stands apart and despite condition, they seem to call out for human contact. Not unlike a wounded or neglected animal, they will give their all to the people willing to take them in and rehabilitate them.  The Coopers are a testament to this. They are quick to share their many memories of living in and with this cottage. As they speak of moments with grandchildren and friends spent at this lake house, or even their adventures in renovation, the awe and wonderment are still apparent. It is as if the time, sweat and tears put forth have been a privilege not a burden. The Coopers have stayed the course in their quest to make the cottage their home while respecting its history.

By Teri Bennett   Tue, Nov 18, 2008

For more recipes and wine pairing ideas, visit www.progressofoods.com and www.sargento.com. All materials courtesy of: Blackstone Winery / Progresso / Sargento

Celebrate great taste during Italian Heritage Month this October with these sumptuous recipes from Chef Michael Chiarello. High-quality ingredients are the stars of classic Italian cuisine, so before you start dicing and sautéing, enjoy the first step in great cooking: going to the market.

To make elegant entertaining simple, Michael suggests stocking your pantry with a few dependable staples. “Fill your kitchen with the best ingredients like tomatoes, canned at the peak of freshness, fine cheese and a few bottles of approachable, food-friendly wines and you will be able to create a meal in no time at all that will bring down the house.”

Parmesan Herb-Crusted Turkey Scaloppini ~ Serves 4

For Turkey:

1 boneless skinless turkey breast (1-1/2 lb.)
Dash coarse sea salt (gray salt)
Dash freshly-ground black pepper
1-1/2 cups Progresso Italian Style Panko Bread Crumbs or Progresso Italian Style Bread Crumbs
3/4 cup Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf ) parsley
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (gray salt)
Dash freshly-ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 eggs
Olive oil for frying

For Arugula Salad:

About 8 cups arugula (4 oz.)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 lemon, quartered

Cut turkey breast diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Between sheets of plastic wrap, pound turkey to 1/8-inch thickness with meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle with dash salt and dash pepper; press seasonings into turkey with fingers.

In small bowl, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and dash pepper. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil; work with fingers to moisten crumbs lightly. Spread mixture on dinner plate. Spread flour on another dinner plate. In shallow bowl or pie plate, beat eggs slightly with fork.

Dip turkey slices into flour to coat both sides; shake off any excess flour. Dip into eggs, letting any excess drip back into bowl. Coat completely with bread crumb mixture, pressing crumbs in place; place on tray. Cover; refrigerate until ready to fry.

Heat 12-inch skillet over high heat. Add 1/4 inch olive oil for frying; heat to almost smoking. Add as many turkey slices as skillet will hold; do not crowd. Cook about 2 minutes or until bottom is golden. Turn slices; cook about 30 seconds longer. With tongs, remove turkey as each slice is done, allowing any excess oil to drain back into skillet; place on several thicknesses of paper towels. Repeat with remaining turkey slices.

Place arugula in large bowl. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to coat leaves lightly. Add squeeze of lemon juice, additional salt and pepper; toss, taste and adjust seasoning.

Divide turkey evenly among dinner plates, placing in center of plate. Mound salad evenly on top of turkey. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of each salad. Garnish plate with lemon quarter. Serve immediately.

Blackstone Chardonnay

Tasting Note: Blackstone Chardonnay is a fantastic food wine with a bright, well-balanced character and a long, lingering finish. Its acidity balances out the olive oil used to sauté the scaloppini, yet it won't overpower the turkey. And it has enough body and fruit to work well with the lemon and arugula.

Southern Italian Ratatouilli ~ 8 side-dish servings

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups sliced fresh wild or domestic mushrooms (1/4-inch thick)
1 cup thinly sliced leeks (white portions only)
Coarse sea salt (gray salt)
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
6 teaspoons finely-chopped fresh thyme
1/2 cup finely-chopped (1/4 inch) red bell pepper
3 cups finely-chopped (1/4 inch) zucchini (about 1/2 lb.)
3 cups finely-chopped (1/4 inch) yellow summer (crookneck) squash (about 1/2 lb.)
1 can (28 oz) Progresso Diced Tomatoes, undrained
2 cups loosely-packed baby spinach, cut into 1/4 inch strips
1/4 cup coarsely-chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan Cheese

In 12-inch skillet, heat 4 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook without stirring about 1 minute or until brown on one side. Turn mushrooms; cook 1 or 2 minutes longer or until browned. Reduce heat to medium. Add leeks; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook about 2 minutes or until leeks are soft but not brown. Add 2 tablespoons garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in 2 teaspoons thyme. Scrape vegetables into large bowl. Rinse skillet (scrub if anything is stuck and burned).

In same skillet, heat another 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper; cook about 1 minute. Add zucchini and yellow summer squash; cook about 2 minutes or until translucent and water is released. Stir in remaining 4 teaspoons thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread vegetables in bowl with mushrooms to cool quickly and retain color.

In same skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 teaspoons garlic; cook just until lightly colored. Stir in tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer about 5 minutes or until mixture thickens.

Add spinach; toss until wilted. Pour mixture into bowl with other vegetables; stir until cooled slightly. Add basil and cheese; toss until well mixed. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Note: Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc is bright and fresh with tropical fruit flavors and a touch of classic herbal notes. Its racy acidity and crisp, clean finish are a great match for this recipe’s medley of vegetable flavors and basil and garlic accents.

Mozzarella-Stuffed Portabellas ~ Serves 6

6 large fresh portabella mushrooms, stems and gills removed
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Progresso Balsamic Vinegar
Dashcoarse sea salt (gray salt)
Dash freshly-ground black pepper
3/4 cup Progresso Italian Style Panko Bread Crumbs or Progresso Italian Style Bread Crumbs
1/2 cup Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh basil
1-1/2 cups Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese

Heat oven to 425°F. In medium bowl, toss mushroom caps, 2 tablespoons oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to coat. Arrange mushroom caps on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes or until soft. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil and remaining 2 tablespoons oil.

Divide mozzarella cheese evenly among mushroom caps. Spoon bread crumb mixture evenly over cheese.

Roast 7 to 10 minutes longer or until mozzarella cheese is melted and bread crumb mixture is golden brown. Serve hot with marinara sauce or other tomato sauce.

Blackstone Merlot

Tasting Note: Blackstone Merlot is a supple and well integrated wine characterized by rich fruity notes. It has soft tannins and a pleasant lingering finish. Its smooth fruit-forward drinkability will enhance the flavors of this recipe.

By Lee Hoedl   Tue, Nov 18, 2008

It was a rich and fertile forested land along the western shore of Lake Michigan, complete with an elaborate river system connecting the Bay of Green Bay in norther Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. From the Door Peninsula to the lower basin of Lake Michigan, this territory, which would later be called Wisconsin, was originally inhabited by the Fox, Mascouten, Potawatomi and Ho-Chunk (Winnebag) native Indian tribes. And they flourished along the Menomenee, Kinnickinnic and Milwaukee Rivers.

Regardless of the specific tribe, history attests that they were a respectful and spiritual people who were known for their personal connection with and responsibility to Nature. From their children to their surroundings, careful attention to the naming of their world was paramount and intricately woven within their spirituality.

Within this land sprinkled with gentle moraines, winding eskers and occasional kettles and kames, these tribes would come to realize that the Menomenee, Kinnickinnic and Milwaukee Rivers converged and flowed effortlessly into Lake Michigan. It is here where the careful naming of this sacred place- long before it would become the bustling metropolis of Milwaukee- took place; it would be known as the "gathering place by the waters," or in the Ojibwe language, it would be forever referred to as...
                                    omaniwakiing
                  Our gathering place by the waters

Autumn remains this author's favorite season; a season whose beauty and elegance is only matched by its briefness. It is that cherished momentary view from a mountain peak, following a 12-hour hike and climb to the summit. It is that quickly welcomed handshake and medal after the completion of a grueling four-hour marathon. And it is that glorious and cooling, but ever so brief, sunset after a simmering summer day. At first glance, it may simply be seen as a brief seasonal celebration that seems to quickly usher out the summer heat and usher in the winter chill. But for the reflective eye, it is so much more. For it may very well serve as our omaniwakiing, our gathering place and reflective moment by the waters.

So much of our life, my friend, seems to be filled with ongoing periods of great activity and upheaval, forever connected by brief moments of quiet and reflection. And while the length of time spent in our activity and upheaval seems to far outweigh our moments of quiet, the irony ultimately lies in these brief lulls and reflections. For it is these brief moments of comfort, these events of rejoicing, and these milestones of marketing that subtlely, but significantly, bring greater definition to the rest of our life. They set the pace and practice of our journeys to follow. They accentuate and record what we have learned- and have not learned yet- in our busied adventure through Life. And they invite us to develop clarity, closure and questions on so much of our unexamined life.

We gather together in momentary silence to acknowledge the departure of a friend or family member. We gather in joyous jubilation at the union of loved ones and on the anniversary of one's birthday. We stop for a brief time to glance at the wonder of Nature, be it a sunset, a canyon, or a starlit night. We hug and kiss our loved one in passing each morning on the way to that first cup of coffee. We gather together for a brief moment each week to acknowledge and praise our Higher Presence and we offer a hurried word of thanks in prayer each day. We take a moment for cursory congratulations to a colleague or ourselves on a significant accomplishment. And we frantically gather digital images and mementos all along our activity-strewn life, so as to allow a nostalgic peer backward in the years to come.

Although seeming as insignificant and fleeting as the season of Autumn, these are powerful moments of consciousness that provide us with poignant clarity into our actions and poise the great questions of our life. They are the punctuation of the run-on sentence of our days. They are our omaniwakiing, our gathering place by the waters; they are our precious moments of reflection, of peace and of discernment.

For me, I've discovered my omaniwakiing in several wonderful places and manners over the years. But most recently, I have truly enjoyed an unsuspecting gathering place by the waters at a gentle and modest country church in northern Minnesota. It is everything you would envision in a small country church; it is a community where the parishioners are warm and welcoming, the priest is poetic and the simple choir sings every verse of every song. And it is this parish to which I take my family each weekend that we find ourselves at our lake home during the summer months.

From the Memorial Day Weekend through the Labor Day Weekend, if you happen to find yourself in Ottertail County on an early Sunday morning, drive five miles north of the city of Ottertail on State Highway 78. Turn right (east) on County Highway 14 and drive another three miles until you've reached this small country church on the right side of the road and not far from the northern shore of Rush Lake. During these summer months (barring a summer downpour), Sunday services move from the inside of this beautiful and traditional country church to a graceful and majestic stand of birch, oak and pine just outside. And it is among this stand of trees where this omaniwakiing has occurred for so many local inhabitants and visitors over the years. Regardless of your religious affiliation, once you are seated among this canopied cathedral (especially during those brief Minnesota Autumn weekends), you will quickly realize you are on hallowed ground. It remains a glorious chance to slow down, breathe in the very essence of Life, search for answers, reconcile one's wrongs, and recommit oneself to an unending source of hope.

Over the years, my friend, you most likely have come to realize and have revisited your omaniwakiing time and time again. It may be reached by a simple outboard motor or a canoe paddle. It may be within a specific time of day or simply within the arms of loved ones. It may be along a favorite scenic drive or in a favorite comfortable chair. And looking back over this summer season, you may come to realize that your omaniwakiing has been on the very shores of your lake home; brief weekend moments to slow down, search, reconcile, and recommit along the water's edge.

It is inevitable, my friend, that a wisp of winter breeze will eventually tug at the final leaves of Autumn and this season will silently and uneventfully come to a close. So take this passing Autumn moment to draw on its wisdom and insight, while standing humbly in your personal omaniwakiing. And remember that our cherished memories of discovery, comfort, rejoicing, and hope will forever remain here until we meet again, here among our gathering place by the waters.

By Lee Hoedl   Tue, Nov 18, 2008

Using the creative contrast of basic black and white photography beginning in the 1930s, the legendary American photographer Ansel Adams infused a reinvigorated American spirit for the natural environment and for the lifelong hobby and craft of photography. His personal passion, which exudes through all of his dynamic photography of such majestic regions as the Sierras and Grand Tetons, was also instrumental in aiding in the continuation of the Sierra club, the designation of Sequoia and kings canyon as national parks, and the heightened awareness of numerous environmental issues within the past 50 decades. Adams once attempted to explain his work and art by boldly stating, “To the complaint, ‘There are no people in these photographs,’ I respond, ‘There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer.”  In all of his work, Adams was intentional in capturing the right moment and then generously allowing for personal emotion and interpretation; his work was to be shared openly, honestly and unselfishly with the world.

In this same spirit and passion, professional nature photographer Doug Miller loves to share his images and techniques with others. And Miller has begun to attract attention with both his still and action nature photography. Hailing from the Excelsior area, Miller’s personal photographic resume, beyond the natural setting of the upper Midwest and North America, includes photo shoots in Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and the rainforests of South America.
As it pertains to the topic of capturing action photography within Nature, Doug is a steadfast advocate of composition; preparing oneself by experimenting with angle and perspective of the subject and then focusing less on taking numerous pictures while focusing more on taking a limited number of quality pictures. 

Action photography skills are a necessary tool for anyone who wants to shoot anything from a water skier to a bird. Doug offers the following advice to help you advance your skill level in action photography:

• Many people are finding that digital SLR cameras (single lens-reflex), cameras with interchangeable lenses, are now affordable. The SLR format opens up a treasure trove of possibilities for amateur photographers, especially when it comes to shooting action images.

• One really great feature of digital SLR’s is the ability to change the film speed (or ISO) on the fly to accommodate action shots. That was never possible with film. With film, if you loaded 100 speed film in your camera and you needed to take some action shots, you were simply out of luck. Many people carried more than one camera body loaded with different film speeds so that they could switch from portrait to action photography. With digital you can switch the ISO with the click of a button and go from portrait to sports photography in an instant.

• A fast ISO of 400 or 800 will catch and stop most action. However, what you gain in sharpness, you lose in richness and texture. A low ISO setting of 100 or 200 will provide richer close-up or landscape images but require slower shutter speeds and often result in blurry action shots.  Experiment with your ISO settings to determine the best setting for each situation. Take into account the light levels and the speed and proximity of the action. If it is darker, set the ISO to a higher speed. If the action is close and fast, also use a high ISO. However, if you have a bright sunny day, and the action is a bit further away, you may find that even a 200 ISO setting will work well.

• Another factor in action photography is the aperture setting. The aperture refers to how much light enters the camera. A low aperture setting means that the iris of the lens is wide open and letting in a lot of light. If you have a lot of light, then that facilitates the ability to take a photograph with a fast shutter speed and catch the action. However, a low aperture setting also means that only your subject will be in focus and not much else. Again there is a trade off. You may stop the action with a low aperture, but you will find that only one water skier is in focus. If it is a bright sunny day and you want to bring out some of the background, choose a higher aperture setting. Remember, that higher setting will cause your shutter speed to slow down, but don’t worry too much if the shutter speed remains faster than 250th of a second.

• Don’t forget to be creative in your action photography. A low aperture setting creates a softer focusing appearance and can bring an artful touch to an action photo. Similarly, near sunset you can intentionally take a light reading on the sky and end up with a nice action silhouette.

Doug Miller advises, “Nature rarely stands still for any photographer. Enjoy nature for what it is and if you happen to get an opportunity for a greatphotograph, be prepared!”

The possibilities are only limited by any preconceptions that you may have.  Minneapolis-born American photographer and colleague of Ansel Adams, Minor White stated, “No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer It has chosen.” And in a similar sentiment and hope regarding your personal action photography, Doug Miller advises, “Nature rarely stands still for any photographer. Enjoy nature for what it is and if you happen to get an opportunity for a great photograph, be prepared!”

Doug Miller’s photography, such as those displayed within this article, is available for viewing and sale at www.loonseye.com.  Doug’s photography is reasonably priced and will make a wonderful addition to one’s lake home and hearth. His passion for the environment exudes through not only his photography, but also through his philanthropic support of such environmental programs as the Will Steger Foundation and the Global Warming 101 Initiative by the sale of his photography.

By Nancy Henke   Tue, Nov 18, 2008

Is there something in the water?

That's a funny phrase. We use it to define all sorts of phenomenon like population spikes, a large number of accidents, a rash of crime, or a rash of kindness. We use it as an excuse as to why people behave unusually good or unusually bad. One creative author, SARK, says of children, “If they’re crabby, put them in the water.” It’s true, there is not a lot that a good long bath can’t help to make at least a bit better. What is it in the water that soothes the soul, refreshes the spirit, and makes us feel free?

Is there something in the water that makes us feel good? Is there something about living next to it that makes us happy? That idea made me wonder about happiness and what actually impacts our level of finding it or feeling it. Scientists have done numerous studies on happiness, happy people, optimistic people and the lot. Dr. David Myers is a psychologist, and author of many books, who has studied happiness and has some very interesting suggestions on how to increase your chances of finding it. (His findings are fascinating and you can get more details about them at his website www.davidmyers.net.) One way he suggests we find happiness is by acting happy. As silly as you may feel trying to act happy, it really does work. If you’re having trouble with this I’d suggest a walk to the lake, with a smile on your face. Now I ask you, is it possible to be on a dock, on a boat, or swimming, and not feel happy? So head to the lake and, in no time, you’ll be feeling happier.

Myers also suggests investing in close relationships. Living near a body of water or owning a cabin means that you probably do a fair share of entertaining friends and family. It gives you a great excuse to be with people and build relationships with them. You are automatically doing exactly as Myers prescribes, and this often leads to some happy times and happy feelings. It builds traditions and memories. Maybe there really is something in the water, something that begs us to have fun, to invest in relationships, and to focus on the good in life.

I happen to love the book series by David Niven, Ph.D. entitled The 100 Simple Secrets of...I’ll focus on The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People. He sites many studies in the book that lead him to his conclusions. At the end of each short chapter is a fact from a study or scientist to back up his conclusions.

Niven suggests that we turn off the TV. “Watching too much TV can triple our hunger for more possessions, while reducing our personal contentment by about 5 percent for every hour a day we watch,” sites Niven. What we focus on is often what becomes what we want and what we believe we need. The mass marketing appeal of television is very enticing, growing our hunger at an alarming rate.

Watching less television also goes hand in hand with Myers’ belief that we should stay active to be happy. Less TV is likely to lead to more activity which in turn leads to a happier and more satisfying life. Niven suggest we enjoy what we have instead of trying to have the most. “People who have the most are only as likely to be happy as those who have the least. People who like what they have, however, are twice as likely to be happy as those who actually have the most.” I would presume that most of us really enjoy what we have: the lake.

Finally, Niven reminds us to have fun. “Having fun is one of the five central factors in leading a satisfied life. Individuals who spend time just having fun are 20 percent more likely to feel happy on a daily basis and 36 percent more likely to feel comfortable with their age and stage in life.” I could easily argue that some of the most fun moments of my summer were spent on or near the lake. There must be something in the water.

I say all of this somewhat tongue in cheek as I know it’s not really the water making us happy, but rather the choices we make, the way we view things, personal belief in ourselves, not dwelling on regrets and mistakes, and instead focusing on the good things in our life. There’s probably nothing in the water. However, there may be something to be said for those of us who have found something we love, something that helps us focus on happiness, and for many of us that is the lake. 

By Nancy Pias   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

You've decided to remodel your lake home. Short of paying cash, how are you going to finance it?

Before you do anything, determine your goals and long-term plans, says Joe O'Kane, general manager of Wealth Enhancement Mortgage Services. He asks: "Are you remodeling to sell or staying long-term? Do you have a lot of equity? Is the cost of the remodel going to be substantially greater than your existing home lien?"

One option is to refinance your existing mortgage. If you can save money by lowering your interest rate, this may be a good option. But don't forget to factor in closing costs and other fees, which can make refinancing cost-prohibitive. O'Kane adds that refinancing may not be a wise choice for homeowners who are planning on selling, or those who already refinanced at a lower rate. In those cases, he says, "It may make more sense to finance your remodel with a home equity loan or home equity line of credit."

A home equity loan, sometimes called a second mortgage, allows you to borrow against the equity in your house without changing the terms of your original mortgage. Although interest is tax-deductible, you may pay a higher rate than you would by refinancing your mortgage. A fixed-rate home equity loan is a straight loan, amortized over a set period of time.

Another way to borrow against the equity in your house is a home equity line of credit, in which a lender provides immediate funds at no cost.

Because interest rates are adjustable, it may be more difficult to set a budget. On the flip side, says O'Kane, "It's flexible. You can use it as a revolving line of credit, running it up and paying it down." A home equity loan and home equity line of credit both use your house as collateral. If you don't pay your debt, you could lose it.

Choosing the best way to finance your remodel can be a confusing process, so make sure you find a broker who truly understands your goals. Simply shopping for the best rate can be a big mistake, says O'Kane. "Like anything, you should be getting comprehensive advice."

By   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

What do you love about water?

The beauty and the power of water. I have never been a strong swimmer, but by kids are and will be. Max is 7 and Makena is 6 and they have been in swimming non- stop since they were a year old. Max is a Fish at the YMCA, Makena is a Minnow. they really love being in the water. I like being on top of the water. I am a certified SCUBA diver and really enjoy under the water as well.

What is your favorite water-related activity?

Fishing is #1 for sure. Love ice-fishing and really enjoy pulling a walleye onto the boat.

What is your favorite water memory?

Scuba diving in square Lake and ice fishing in Aitkin. Also our recent week on rainy Lake is right up there. who do you think of when you are thinking of water/lakes? someday (hopefully soon) owning a cabin on a small lake. Will take any leads on property!!!

When you go to the lake:

Do you like to get away from it all? No phones, no e-mails, no television? Or do you like it posh? Hot tubs, dining, and massages?

We stayed in a family cabin on Grindstone Island on rainy Lake. He running water was lake water filtered for cleaning up, not for consumption. Of course, there was an outhouse.

Walleye for dinner on the grill sounds perfect to me. Of course, a nice pontoon ride to a nice resort is a must at least one night of vacation.

What body of water would people be most likely to spot you on?

Big Marine north of stillwater. Of course, the st. Croix river. I can't tell you the ice fishing lake in Aitkin or I would lose my family privileges. I have been sworn to secrecy. you should taste the crappies!!

What distant lake would you like to visit someday?

I will go back to rainy Lake. I have not spent time on vermillion; would love to do that soon. After a week on rainy I will reconfirm: there is NO BETTER summer vacation then a lake in Minnesota.

And for good measure:

What good movie have you seen lately?

Sweet Land

What good restaurant have you dined at lately?

I'm a huge fan of the Bayport Cookery.

The only water I don't enjoy is on a golf course!

Lee is co-host of the Cities 97 Morning Show, Monday thru Friday 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and on KARE 11 Saturday, Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

By Nancy Pias   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

We've all seen it: the run-down house on the lake that is sold, then torn down and rebuilt into something magnificent. Think Cinderella goes to the ball.

Rebuilding a lake home definitely has its advantages. "You can get the amenities people like: higher ceilings, heated basement floors, and a more energy-efficient friendly home. Some of those things you just can't do with a remodel," says Mark Oehlke, president of Mulberry Builders, who adds that many lake homes were built as cabins, so the infrastructure is just not there, particularly for those wanting to make it habitable year-round.

Then there's the financial - and hassle - factor. "The bottom line, from a square foot and timing basis, is that it's generally less expensive to build new," says Oehlke. "You can tear down the old one and have new footings and foundation done in a week."

Rebuilding is not always a slam-dunk decision, especially when you begin diving into lake zoning rules. To meet setback requirements, new homes often must be moved back much farther from the shoreline than where the original home or cabin stood. In addition, hard-cover requirements often limit the percentage of a lot that can be covered by a home, garage, even patios and driveways. While that might effectively guard against the creation of oversized "McMansions," it's often difficult to build within these pre-set parameters.

Many people decide to remodel instead of rebuild based on these restrictions, or because financially they need to take it slowly, perhaps remodeling in stages. Still others love the challenge of the remodel - the ability to tweak their home exactly to their liking. "Maybe it's just moving a wall," says Oehlke. "After you've lived in your home for a while, you know exactly what it needs - not necessarily a complete overhaul, maybe just a tune-up!"

This is the story of two very different lake home transformations. One involved planting brand-new roots, while the other blossomed from within.

Jeff and Lisa Schuler knew they had hit the jackpot when they bought their quaint summer place on Crookneck Lake, south of Motley. The sleepy two-bedroom cabin, situated on 50 feet of lakeshore, was the perfect size at the right price, ideally located less than two hours from their home in the Twin Cities.

"We were planning to have that cabin long-term," says Lisa Schuler. "It was a nice little place where we could spend summer weekends."

As their family expanded and one son turned into two, the cabin experienced its own growing pains. Over the years, lake water and run-off from rain and surrounding cabins had leached into the crawl space beneath their cabin, rotting the support beams. As the floors began to slant and cabinets sagged away from the walls, the Schulers pondered their options. Should they try to repair the damage or rebuild?

The decision was made for them during Labor Day weekend 2002, when they heard a support joist snap. "It sounded like a gun shot," Schuler recalls. At that moment, the rebuilding process began.

The couple quickly learned that tearing down and rebuilding on lakeshore property is not an easy feat. Because of lot-size limitations, they needed a variance from the county zoning commission to rebuild. Their proposal to build 50 feet from the shoreline, while 20 feet further back from the original structure, still fell short of strict zoning requirements.

"We didn't know what we would be dealing with," says Schuler, recalling the day they went in front of the county zoning commission to plead their case and present the architectural plans for their new lake home. "It felt a little like going to the principal's office!" Fortunately, the county board agreed it was in the best interest of the property and the lake to rebuild.

Schuler feels one reason they were approved is because they took time to learn what the zoning commission considered appropriate options, and they came armed with a desire to preserve the beauty and vitality of the lake. "We didn't go overboard with luxury," she says. Although they wanted to create a year-round lake home, they opted not to install a furnace or air conditioning, relying instead on more energy-efficient, allergy-free in-floor and sideboard heating and the fresh lake air for cooling. The home also remained dishwasher-free.

In a surprising twist of fate, they were even able to preserve the original cabin when a contractor offered to move the structure to a new lot a few miles away. His son and family now live in the cabin that provided years of memories for the young Schuler family.

Today it's a bit hard to remember how things once were. The modest lot is now home to a beautiful lake dwelling sided with Norway Pine logs. Landscaping adds to the appeal and also serves a purpose, ensuring water is funneled away from the home's foundation.

Inside, the rustic charm of the original cabin has been replaced by a light, airy cottage feel. The main floor, covered with tile flooring for easy maintenance, includes two bedrooms and a combination kitchen/living room with windows overlooking the lake, new kitchen appliances, silestone countertops and plenty of cabinet space.

The second-floor loft features an additional bathroom and large bedroom for guests. No space is unused, from the cushioned reading nook underneath the steps to the otherwise unused space under the slanted roofline, where the Schuler boys retreat to watch movies and play games.

Although the journey was at times rocky, Schuler is glad things worked out the way they did. Buying the cabin may have been a stroke of luck, but rebuilding it was most certainly a labor of love.

When Christopher Giles and Sara Affias heard about the home for sale on Lake Minnetonka's Forest Lake Bay, situated on a one-acre lot with 100 feet of lakeshore, they took a chance and made an offer. At $5,000 less than the asking price, with a contingency on the sale of their home in Wayzata, it was a long shot. Within a week, another couple countered with a stellar offer: asking price, cash and no contingency. Surprisingly, the seller declined, opting to accept the offer from Giles and Affias for one reason: they pledged not to tear down the home and rebuild. "He raised his family here. He loved it here," says Giles of the owner, who had occupied the home for 30 years. "He wanted someone who appreciated what it was - not someone who was going to tear it down."

Giles and Affias planned to remodel the rambler-style house, built in 1935 and renovated twice since. Avid cooks, they wanted a kitchen more suited for their passion. In addition, they planned to connect the cottage-style detached garage, which seemed quaint but became less- than-desirable after they moved into the house in December 2003.

What started as a modest plan to remodel quickly escalated into a major remodel after Giles and Affias met with an architect to draw up plans and began talking to contractors. Their investigation into prohibitive lakeshore zoning requirements confirmed that remodeling on the existing foundation would allow them to achieve their goals more cost-effectively than attempting to rebuild.

In August 2004, the couple moved out of the house and let Mulberry Builders begin knocking down walls. During the six- month renovation project, the 1,700 square-foot house grew to 3,400 square feet with the addition of two bedrooms, one bathroom and a mud room on the main floor, and a second-floor bonus room with three-quarter bath, which they added for resale value.

Although the original structure remained largely intact, builders tore out the existing galley kitchen, dining room, office space and two small bedrooms. According to Giles, every other room in the existing house was "touched" with new carpet, paint, trim and doors. The addition of American Black Walnut wood flooring throughout much of the house provided a seamless transition from old to new.

Perhaps most dramatic was the kitchen renovation. Giles recalls how builders "came in with a sawzall, cut through the roof and walls and chopped off the corner of the house. For that little piece, it was cheaper to tear it down," he explains.

The gourmet kitchen now features a subzero refrigerator and six-burner Wolf stove, and a center island topped with a beautiful slab of Van Gogh granite. For the countertops, the cooking couple chose durable, non-porous soapstone.

In January 2006, Giles and Affias moved back to a lake home transformed, yet not far from its humble roots. The final price tag for the remodel was more than double their initial budget, but a wise investment, according to Giles. "The way I look at it, we doubled our equity," he says.

As the self-described "lake people" head out on the water to boat or race sailboats, they know it was worth every penny.

By George Linkletter   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

You can't drive by Lake Mauweehoo on Route 37 in Sherman without noticing Mimi Nelson's home. Or more precisely, without noticing the colorful metal sculptures that decorate her lakeside cottage property.

But just driving by provides only a glimpse of the sculptures. It isn't until you stop and see the full complement of her work - up-close and against the backdrop of the lake - that you truly appreciate the beauty and the sense of flair they bring to her country home.

"I didn't always work in metal," she explained in a recent interview. "I started out about 20 years ago carving stone. But I shifted to metal because I liked the freedom to create with color and different sizes and shapes."

As the sculptures on her property clearly show, she favors brilliant reds and purples for color - "for the contrast they provide against the ground and water" - and fluid shapes such as spirals, circles and wave-like designs that emphasize grace and continuity.

the appeal of the abstract

People who admire her work often say they can see a concrete image or object in her sculpture. But Mimi insists her goal is to create a feeling with her art and not a specific 'thing.'

"It may be that placing the sculptures next to the water helps people see waves or birds," she continued. "But I just try to create lines and images that are pleasing to look at and embody concepts such as motion or lightness."

Mimi, now 82, was not always an artist. Indeed, the native New Yorker came to art rather late in life, even though she harbored a "desire to sculpt for years." She finally gave into the urge when she decided to close her office one day a week - she worked as a psychotherapist - and use the time to sculpt. "Soon, I couldn't stop," she said. "It was almost a compulsion and was a much needed release from the pressures of work."

"I've always enjoyed art, especially the many opportunities I've had to visit museums and galleries over the years," she continued. "So even without any formal art training, I knew that once I decided to try my hand I was confident I would stick with it, even if the precise methods and mediums might change over time."

There have been some necessary detours along the way, too. Her full-time career kept art a part-time activity for several years. There was also the need to provide care for her husband, George, who became ill and has since passed away. They were married for 20 years. It was a second marriage for both.

More recently, her time was devoted to renovating her cottage on Lake Mauweehoo. The property provides more outdoor space to showcase her art than her previous home on Hubbell Mountain Road, which is also in Sherman. But it needed extensive remodeling and upgrading. "I think I've rebuilt just about everything in this house except for the living room floor," she said as she crossed her fingers for luck.

surrounded by art

Now, collecting and creating art is her full-time passion. Dozens of her earlier efforts in stone and metal decorate the interior of her home, as do her many paintings and other pieces of art that she has collected over the years.

Her enthusiasm for art is unchecked. Ask her a question, such as how she goes about creating her metal sculptures, and the reserved demeanor of a professional therapist quickly fades into the joy you might expect from a child pondering the possibilities of a new box of crayons or a jar of Play-Doh.

"I never start with just a single design in mind," she explained. "Usually, I create several small objects from separate pieces of sheet metal. Over time I discard the designs that I don't like and incorporate features from the ones that I do like into a composite design."

"It's really a building process where I start with something small and keep adding to it until I'm satisfied." Plus, nothing is wasted. The discarded designs and features are remembered and often reemerge in future sculptures.

Mimi uses simple materials for her initial designs, usually disposable cooking pans, which she cuts with a pair of kitchen scissors. She then manipulates the metal, bending it, cutting it and twisting it until it resembles the desired shape. She examines the piece from all sides as she goes about her daily life, adding a small tweak here and there, all to make sure it is pleasing to view from all angles. The whole process can take from several days to many weeks.

The initial desktop designs are no more than a few inches in size, but the eventual sculptures will exceed several feet when fabricated. So, to make sure she has the final proportions just right, she cuts out pictures of people from magazines and places them next the mini-sculptures to help her determine the best size for the final product.

Once satisfied with both the design and its dimensions, she takes the mini-sculpture to a metal fabricator in Bethany where the final sculpture is produced and painted.

"Occasionally, I create a design that is very complicated to fabricate," she pointed out, "and we may have to make adjustments in production." After all, it is one thing to create a spiral out of a thin metal sheet; it is quite another to create the same shape with a 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch sheet of steel.

Once the metal sculpture is finished, it is trucked and installed on her property. Or, if the piece has been created on commission, it is shipped directly to her client for installation. Most of her work is for her own enjoyment. However, a few pieces have been sold to private collectors and businesses.

Mimi is gratified that people like her work enough to want to buy it, especially since the steel and shop labor she relies on can be expensive for a retired person on a limited income.

But her art is really an expression of herself and her life. She can see a piece and recall what she was thinking and feeling while she created it, even what events - like the birth of a grandchild - were occurring at the time. So her sculptures also serve as an over-sized scrapbook.

As for the future, Mimi knows that her property is limited in size and can only accommodate about another half dozen or so pieces. But she wants to keep active and hopes to continue creating art for others to enjoy.

By Barb Umberger   Sun, Aug 09, 2009

Sibley State Park Abounds in Natural Beauty

There's more to the Little Crow lakes region in Minnesota than its most-well-known body of water, Green Lake. About 15 miles north of Willmar, in west-central Minnesota, lies Sibley State Park, which is set amid a number of beautiful lakes.

Five lakes are located inside the park and four other lakes are partially inside the park's boundaries. Sibley State Park is an all-purpose park, offering hiking, fishing, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding and picnicking. About 700 to 800 campers can be accommodated.

Hike to the top of Mount Tom, one of the highest points in the area, and you can see as far as Willmar. The park's interpretive center is staffed year-round by a park naturalist.

The Minnesota Legislature established Sibley State Park in 1919, naming it after the state's first governor. From 1935 to 1938, about 200 men from the Veterans Conservation Corps built roads, buildings and trails within the park. Several granite buildings remain from their hard work, along with a memorial statue at Robbins Island Park in Willmar, near the county's historical society museum.

Privacy, beauty of Lake Andrew

When Paul and Jane Hedin look across Lake Andrew from their home, all they see is Sibley State Park. A lakeside Bible camp also contributes to much of the lakeshore being undeveloped. Being on a dead end road adds to the couple's extensive privacy - as do the more than 50 trees, many of which are oaks that have stood for more than a century.

With more than 100 feet of lakeshore and a lot that's nearly 275 feet deep, the family property is one of the largest lots on the lake.

"This is a beautiful lake," Paul said. "It's just gorgeous. A recent study of Willmar-area lakes indicated that Lake Andrew, with clarity rated at 13 and one-half feet, is nearly twice as clear as Green Lake.

To show how much lake property has increased in value, a 20'x20' room the couple added last winter cost nearly as much as their entire purchase of the property 17 years ago.

Preserving history and memories

Forty-nine years ago, Don and Judy Heath spent their honeymoon night on Lake Andrew in a cabin owned by Victor Lawson, a former Willmar mayor, state senator and Minnesota Senate Majority Leader. Lawson also was involved in national politics, being a supporter of William Jennings Bryan.

Judy Heath's father was Lawson's nephew. Judy Heath and Jane Hedin are sisters.

Don remembers Lawson's extensive book collection kept at the cottage. Those books along with papers and other items and memorabilia are now housed at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society.

Lawson acquired several hundred acres on the lake in the 1930s, including several thousand feet of shoreline. The family eventually gave 60 lakefront acres to the Lutheran church in Minnesota for the Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp. The remainder of the property, except for Ekeberg Beach, which included about 35 acres along the shore of Lake Andrew, was given to Sibley State Park, which now surrounds Ekeberg Beach.

Judy's father had the land along Ekeberg Beach made into lots in 1960 when Lawson died, and sold them cheaply. "He did that so, as he said, the less fortunate people could have lake property," Don said.

In 1983, Don and Judy bought her late aunt's property. It included the 100-year-old cottage, which they then used as their home away from home for 20 years. The couple always planned to build a new home on the Lake Andrew property when Don retired. One condition Judy set was preserving the old cottage on the property, so the architect hired to build their new home was tasked with including the old cottage in the plan. The Heaths worked with SALA Architects' principal architect Katherine Hillbrand.

The finished home blends old and new in nearly 8,000 square feet of living space. The cottage's outside and interior walls were removed but the old ceiling was kept, as was the overall feeling. "It has the same feeling as when it was built 100 years ago," Don said, "but now it is up to code." We wanted to make our home feel comfortable and homey," he said.

"We cut off the second floor to make the pitch match the roof of the new house," he said. The "cottage's" new second floor serves as his office. The property has the appearance of a compound, with the lines of the old house combined with the new building, and a guest wing.

Besides the beauty of their home, Don and Judy have an enviable, private spot on the lake. Their neighbors include the Bible camp and the state park, which take up about one-fourth of the entire lakeshore.

While he grew up in Willmar, Don's jobs in the computer industry took him to locales far from Minnesota. And when he was named the first president of the Internet Society in 1996, it took him all over the world. "I traveled everywhere as part of my job and it was fun. But now I have no desire to travel." Spending quiet times on a pontoon or golfing nearby suit him just fine.

Heath Home

Don and Judy Heath worked with Katherine Hillbrand, principal architect at SALA Architects, Minneapolis, to build their retirement home on Lake Andrew. The home needed to accommodate sizeable social events as well as the Heaths' desire for private and intimate spaces.

Paying homage to Judy's family history on the lake also was paramount, including preserving and renovating a 100- year-old lake cottage. In fact, the cottage became the fulcrum for a much larger complex. Its form is still recognizable and a constant reminder of wonderful memories for the Heaths.

Three separate stairs lead to three private areas of the house. One set of stairs leads from a library housed in the original cottage to an office on the second level. The second set of stairs serves as the owner's private realm. This suite acts like a small house within a house, Hillbrand said, in that it has its own kitchenette, fireplace and gabled roofs.

An enchanting "secret door" and passageway lead from this second level abode to an office in the old cottage. The third set of stairs leads from the main living area to guest quarters above the garage and, ultimately, to a tower.

The tower and guest's domain are separated from the owner's suite, yet joined by a roof terrace over the central living area. The hillside tower was built as a retreat for meditation, music and stargazing.

According to Hillbrand it "acts as an eye for the mind and a beacon at night that signals to owner and guest alike that they can leave the hustle and bustle of the world behind."

Stone terraces at every door encourage neighborliness and provide opportunities for intimate gardening.

Four generations on Lake Florida

Bob Dickerson can tell you all about family history in the Sibley State Park area. He is the fourth generation of his family to operate Dickerson's Lake Florida Resort. He owns it with his wife, Connie.

In the early part of the last century, Bob's great-grandfather was advised to spend time in lake country because of a health condition. One summer in the early 1920s, he took leave of his general store in southern Minnesota and went camping with Bob's then-five-year-old father to look for a lake retreat. They rowed around various lakes, camping on the shores of six or seven, and then came across Lake Florida. "My great-grandfather saw this beautiful location facing west," Bob said, "and decided to buy it and build a resort." It opened for business in 1924.

Four of the original buildings remain, with a total of 13 lakefront cottages on 450 feet of sandy lakeshore. Today, the resort caters to young families with small children, but often sees families in their second or third generation return to the lake each summer. "One family has been coming here for four generations," Bob said.

With no televisions in the cabins - by design - visitors have free access to bicycles and a 14-mile paved trail, inner tubes, hydro-bikes, canoes, sailboats and fishing gear. Two 100-foot docks end with an 8-by-12 deck with benches for relaxing or fishing. "Before my dad died, we put in the first new, aluminum dock in 1994," Bob said. "We learned we paid more for that dock than he paid his mother and stepfather for the entire resort when he returned from World War II."

The Dickersons have been offered plenty of money to sell their resort, but they're not interested. The history and the memories don't come cheaply. "Our desire is to continue the tradition of 'building sandcastles and memories' for future generations," Bob said.

From 1940s cabin to yearround home

Jim Morris has enjoyed Lake Florida since the early 1940s when his parents bought a cabin on the lake. Now he and his wife, Barb, own a year-round home on the property. "My parents kept adding on to the cabin, and then we added on and added on a couple more times," Morris said.

They've lived there year-round since 1995. Their three sons also enjoyed the lake and now so do their children. The Morrises hosted their granddaughter from California for a visit this summer. "She likes to lay about, fish from the dock and generally have an unprogrammed few days," he said.

When Morris first came to the lake, most structures were cabins, but that is changing with larger homes being built. "With the cost of land, it's more desirable to have a year-round place," he said. "Buying land today is quite an outlay.

"It's a nice little lake and it's a reasonable distance from the Twin Cities," he said.

Rich Native American history

"People from the Twin Cities haven't found this beautiful mid-Minnesota area yet - they all head north," added Doug Mossberg. He and his wife, Peg, lived on Green Lake for 20 years.

One hundred years ago, people from Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa headed to Kandiyohi County by train to the area's lakes for a cooler summer environment. "To this day, many summer visitors are from south and southwest of here," he said.

Mossberg has been fascinated all of his life with the area's American Indian history, which covers thousands of years. "They came here for the same reasons as other people - food and a healthy climate. The summer weather was cooler here than further south." Every spring, the Dakota people, part of the Sioux nation, harvested buffalo fish, which is similar to a carp. Kandiyohi means "plentiful buffalo fish in Dakota language."

Mossberg led the development of a replica Indian village at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center near Lake Florida. The nonprofit learning center provides environmental education and "outdoor experiences."

"The Indian village replica represents all of the Indian people who lived here during the last 12,000 years," Mossberg said. The earliest were the Paleo, then Archaic, followed by Woodland Indians who were mound builders, and the Dakota who are still in the area today.

The 500-acre learning center occupies a farm originally settled by Swedish émigrés in 1871. The farm site was covered by the Wisconsin Glacier until 12,000 years ago. When it melted, the beautiful, glacial topography became habitable by the Paleo Indian people.

Quick Clicks

Dickerson's Lake Florida Resort

Gateway to Spicer, Minn., Green Lake and the Little Crow Lakes Region

Kandiyohi County, Area Lakes Guide

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

Sibley State Park

More Sibley State Park

Willmar Convention and Visitors Bureau

By   Sun, Aug 09, 2009

About that tacky chandelier presiding over your dining room table - it's time to go. And have looked at your carpet lately? You know, the shaggy stuff from the 1970s?

Let's face it, the longer we live in our homes, the more we get used to them. Downright familiar, in fact - and that's not always a good thing. "Every once in a while you should look at your house with a critical eye, like you're in the market to buy it," says Mark Oehlke, president of Mulberry Builders. From this vantage point, you likely can find ways to update and upgrade without undertaking a major remodel. Here are 10 ideas:

1. De-brass and delight. Bid adieu to polished gold hardware on cabinet knobs, handles and pulls, as well as door knobs and hinges. Consider the homey, warm appeal of oil-rubbed bronze or the sleek elegance of satin or polished nickel. You’ll find an eclectic array of hardware styles, sizes and finishes now available. Do the same for your brassy light fixtures and you’ll see your house in a whole new light. Or, for just a few dollars, try spray-painting your current light fixtures to make them look like new.

2. Create instant curb appeal. For a lasting first impression, replace your weathered front door with something inviting. Solid wood doors offer timeless beauty, but consider upkeep. Steel, aluminum or fiberglass may be better options if you want security and durability without all of the maintenance, and some styles closely resemble wood. Add architectural panache with decorative glass and panels.

3. Be counter-intuitive. If you’d love to remodel your kitchen but don’t want the expense or hassle of a major overhaul, consider replacing countertops – or even just the center island for a dramatic focal piece. Choose from man-made solidsurface countertops like Corian and Silestone; natural stone, such as granite, soapstone, or marble; or even cement. Don’t rule out price-pleasing laminates – some of today’s styles even replicate the look of granite.

4. Hit the deck. A peeling, faded deck can quickly diminish your home's exterior potential. Consider installing a durable synthetic decking product. One option, Procell, made of solid-core, cellular vinyl, is resistant to mold and easy to maintain - particularly attractive for a deck at the lake, where a heavy tree canopy may prevent wood from drying, making it susceptible to rot. Add a little glam with new balusters and glass panels.

5. Make your millwork work for you. Transform your home by replacing interior trim and doors with any of the myriad of wood species that have exploded onto the scene. Look beyond old standbys like oak and maple to find a species that complements, rather than matches, your wood floors. Try knotty alder for rustic charm. Dress up a dining room or kitchen with new crown molding, or open up a world of possibility by upgrading from flat to paneled doors.

6. Let your landscape sing. Add color to your doorstep with pots full of vibrant flowers, and substitute with festive spruce tips in the winter months. Invest in a few new shrubs, and don't forget the mulch, says Oehlke. "Have it delivered for less than $100 - it's like carpeting for your flowerbeds!"

7. Enhance your view. You don't need to replace windows to give them a facelift. Dress them up on the outside with flower boxes and shutters to give your home instant charm. Inside, new window treatments can make a big statement and needn't be expensive. Replace heavy drapes that make rooms look darker or smaller. Borrow a tip from Adrienne Thompson, Excelsior Real Estate, and move drapery rods higher and wider for an effect that is "much grander."

8. Let wood floors breath. Speaking of carpet, it might be time to take a peak at what lies beneath yours. If it's wood flooring, consider pulling up the carpet and refinishing hardwood planks. Then throw on a great area rug. Clean or replace tired, worn carpet throughout your house.

9. Add a spark. Nothing says "1980s" like a gas fireplace with brass accents. For an easy fix, Thompson suggests spray painting the grill black using heat-resistant paint to completely change the look. If you really want to warm things up, install a new fireplace insert and add a screen to give it more authentic appeal.

10. Stage it. Just like a realtor might stage a home before selling it, use a discriminating eye to make simple, décor-enhancing changes. Cut out the clutter. Splash on a fresh coat of paint. Hang an old window sash or the perfect mirror on a wall. Find ways to add architectural interest. Rearrange your furniture or, if you're adventurous, suggests Thompson, "Go away for a night and have someone you trust rearrange it for you!" Inspired? Looking at things with a fresh perspective can spark creativity and breathe new life into your home, without the expense of a major remodel. Now, about that outfit hanging in your closet. You know, the one you wore to your senior prom?

By Joni Danzl   Sat, Jul 18, 2009

Long before the boat goes into storage and the down comforters come out, you can start adding stylish updates to your home for the cooler months. It doesn't take a lot of doing to crank up the style dial-and have it done well before the first frost. Five style trends for Fall 2007 will get you started in the right direction. 

1. Green-Inspired and Fashion Forward Everyone is talking about "going green!" Not only is it good for the planet and good for your health, but it's good for your sense of style. Designers are creating cutting edge recycled and organic goods that are stylish as well as practical. Beautiful new furnishings can be made from sustainable materials. Bamboo takes many forms from window treatments to furniture to rugs. It grows fast and requires little pesticide or fertilizer. Cork and palm are rapidly renewable trees that yield handsome and sturdy furniture and flooring. Reclaimed lumber from old buildings and lake bottoms is widely available and can give your home character that new wood cannot imitate. For a contemporary addition to your home, add modular components made from recycled stainless steel or plastic to provide sleek, functional storage for books and office supplies.

2. Earth Tones - Shift from Neutral to Overdrive! "Earth tone" doesn't mean tan or green anymore. For color inspiration look to nature, across the globe! Choose tangerine, amethyst, dill, bittersweet, blackberry, or pelican as accent colors or your central theme. Try a splash of color on just one wall to update a great room the easy way. If you're a true aficionado of traditional neutrals add some kick with brilliant pillows, candles, or pottery. For a mantel makeover display three oversized vases in mustard, teal or garnet. Then add a few stems of ornamental grass to one of the vases. You get the idea-just a few thoughtfully placed and color- charged accessories can enliven any room. Turn up your sense of style for fall with a fresh palette and unexpected design. The fall days pass so quickly-just a few simple updates, with a keen eye toward color selection, will help you enjoy the fall season in comfort and style.

3. Hand-Crafted Goods With Heart and Soul There's something warm and soulful about hand-crafted goods, whether you buy in boutiques or galleries or make them yourself. Give your home that unique human touch... hand-thrown pottery lined up on your kitchen island ... an African textile displayed along a stairway ... a chunky hand-knit throw at the end of your bed. It's a great way to set your home apart and support the work of local and global artisans. Try to work at least one of these ideas into your fall update and you'll enjoy it all winter.

4. Heavy Metal for Warmth and Substance To take a room quickly from "cookie cutter" to classy, add some heavy metal. Stunning railings, metal sculptures, planters, chairs, and lamps can be used center stage or as accent pieces. Browse the galleries and art fairs for unique pieces. You probably have treasures in your closets, too-bring out your copper, bronze, nickel, and wrought iron pieces to add luster, warmth and substance to your home in the colder months. Try pairing massive iron candlesticks with citrus-hued candles. Fill a copper cauldron with eggplants or lemons. Add architectural interest to your powder room with new or reclaimed nickel faucets and lighting. And don't just store those brass goblets. Take them down and pour a few sips of cabernet! 

5. Loft Contemporary - You Can Do It! Who says you can't add a bit of urban chic to your lake home? Look for clean lines in a club sofa, a modern trestle table, or a threesome of cubes used as cocktail tables. A contemporary rug in earthy tones (think cinnamon, graphite, or cobalt-not beige!) can energize even the most traditional room. Or go for table linens with crisp geometric or abstract patterns to lend unexpected pizzazz. Who can't fit a few city-slick touches into their lakestyle home?

By Nancy Pias   Sat, Jul 18, 2009

Photography by Kelly Realty, New Auburn, WI

     

Perhaps you've always dreamed of owning a little place on the lake. Or you're seriously in the market for an oasis with 100 feet of shoreline. Maybe an opportunity to buy lakeside just dropped into your lap.

Before you take the plunge, you need to test the waters. We talked to several real estate specialists who agree: buying lakeshore property is a different animal. Here are a few factors to consider before you get your feet wet.

Lakeshore quality. Does the property offer beachfront with clean water and a nice sandy bottom? Or does it feel rocky or weedy, soft and murky? Check the Minnesota and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Web sites for water clarity and quality data for state lakes. And don't forget to factor in lake depth, says Pat Kelly, Kelly Realty in New Auburn, Wis., where many of the surrounding lakes have depths of up to 100 feet. "Most of the time that equates to clean, spring-fed water and less weeds, and water levels don't fluctuate as much," he explains. Adrienne Thompson, Excelsior Real Estate, advises potential buyers to be mindful of the time of year, or talk with someone who knows the lake well. "In spring, everything looks great," she says. "Come late summer, however, that same lakeshore may be over run by lily pads and reeds."

Location, location, location. On Lake Minnetonka, property on the east side draws a much higher dollar amount, in part because of easy access to major highways and the Twin Cities. "The farther west you go, the more value you'll see per square foot," says Matthew Hermann, Edina Realty in Wayzata. Similarly, cabin owners often get more for their money if they are willing to travel farther from the Twin Cities. However, Kelly warns that too much travel time can be a detriment. "If it's too far away you won't pack up the kids and go," he says. Don't forget to factor in boat traffic on the lake, as well. A cabin overlooking a busy channel or located near a hopping lakeside restaurant is likely not as desirable as one in a more secluded bay.

Lake size. In the Blue Diamond area of Western Wisconsin, lakeshore properties on low-density lakes generally have a higher value than lots on neighboring lakes with more development. "Each lake has a different value per foot of frontage,"says Kelly. But when it comes down to it, finding the right lake size depends largely on your desires. "Are you just going to look at the lake and drink coffee? Or is water-skiing a passion?" asks Thompson.

     

Elevation. Again, the old saying, "If the shoe fits, wear it," applies. Some lake home owners enjoy the view from high on a hill overlooking the shore. Generally, the lower the bank and fewer the steps, the higher the value. "A high bank rules out a lot of buyers," says Kelly. 

Finding the right realtor

If you're in the market for lakeshore property, Jim Christensen, Kurilla Real Estate in Nisswa, recommends finding a local realtor who is an expert in lakeshore properties, doing at least 80 percent of his or her business on the water. "If you don't have proper representation, you can pay more than you should."

Kelly, who has lived on the lake all of his life, agrees. "Go with a local. It goes so much smoother," he advises. "Some of the nightmares are because realtors don't know a thing about the area" or the history of the property. Hermann adds that realtors who know the ins and outs of a lake also know where to avoid.

Kelly's associate, Eric Larson, offers another reason to go local: The relationship doesn't end after the sale. "People we sell to call us constantly for advice, from which contractors to use to where to get a bite to eat," he says. It's all about service, after all.

Quick clicks for lake clarity information:

Minnesota DNR Web site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

Wisconsin DNR Web site: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/lakes/

By Kelly Klein   Sat, Jul 18, 2009

The Autumn/Winter season is the biggest season in fashion, which means that this is the time when the most new trends are introduced on the runway. Curiously these trends often seem to be at odds with each other, causing some designers to go in complete opposite directions of one another. And yet, in a way, this matches perfectly with the seasons; the warm weather of summer holding on as long as it can before the bitter cold of winter sets in. This season you can expect nothing less, with the continuation of volume mixed with slim body conscience items, we see opposites paired together for a look that works. This year designers added new adversaries to the trend contention, causing the ultimate battle: masculinity versus femininity in our clothes.

This season designers have been adding a masculine edge to many of the must- have pieces for fall. vests are reinventing themselves into key items, tailoring the look to be masculine in inspiration, yet feminine in the way it hugs a woman's curves. A more tailored body has been seen in suiting, dresses and outerwear this season. So when you're looking to add a new element to your wardrobe, try raiding his closet instead of yours. Who says you can't play dress up anymore? 

If borrowing from your husband or boyfriend's closet just doesn't seem like you, adding femininity to your wardrobe is also a key trend for fall. This summer we started to see more and more feminine details added to garments, such as ruffles, pin tuck pleating, lace and bows. This fall the trend has been picked up in a big way in many collections. 

This outfit by Marc Jacobs is rampant with masculine overtones and details. A vest of this style is a great interpretation of the trend, but with a fit that flatters. (Right)

One of the tops that I like, and fits perfectly with this theme, is the blouse that ties at the neck with a bow. Another element in this trend is the fabric these pieces are done in; soft and flirty fabrics, as well as lots of silkiness. One way designers incorporated both the feminine and masculine trends into their collections for fall, was to use the 1940's for inspiration. Think tailored dresses with feminine details such as flutter sleeves. Another fall trend is mixing in pieces with military undertones, keeping the trend alive, just not as big as it was last fall.

     

This blouse by Bette Sung ties at the neck but has a lower neckline keeping it feminine and flirty.(Left)

40's inspired dress by Karen Walker.(Center)

This dress by Roberto Cavalli is a great example of the tailored yet feminine silhouette that this trend embodies. It has dimensions that are inspired by the 40's, but is more wearable than other pieces from the runway. (Right)

The volume that blew into stores last fall, and has continued to be a key influence in our wardrobes, is sticking around for another season. Instead of the bubble in your skirt, it has moved to the sleeve, and the backs of dresses and tops. Over-proportioned backs, reminiscent of creations from some of the first innovative designers like Paul Poiret, have been huge influences to designers today by adding an interesting silhouette to the season. This dress by yeohlee is a perfect example of the exaggerated back in a shiny metallic fabric. you can also continue to pair voluminous tops with pencil skirts and slimmer bottoms for a trendy look.

Other things in style this season are novelty fabrics and subdued colors. The fabrics that will catch your eye this winter are bold houndstooths, colorful plaids, and textured tweeds. These patterns will be adding a much needed mix to stores this fall. Colors have taken a turn to the dark side, with grey as a base for the season. Shades of grey are infused with splashes of jewel-toned colors to add life to an otherwise monotone palette. The yellow that brightened our summer has been dulled to golden mustard, and while some bright colors have survived the change in season, others have gone down a notch to conform to this colder and darker time of year. Metallics have continued to grow from last year's trend of silver and gold, and now elements of shine can be added to that group. The patent leather that used to accent our outfits has worked its way up from our shoes and belts, and spread to the rest of our wardrobe.

As the leaves change this fall to shades of yellow, orange and red, getting their own makeover, give yourself an update by adding any of these trends to your everyday look. I hope you enjoy the cool, crisp weather of fall before the temperatures drop to below zero (for what can only be described as a true Minnesota winter), when I'll be back to let you in on the trends for the holiday season. But for now, happy shopping!

Military details are still holding strong on this jacket by Aquascutum.

By Lyndsey Danberry   Tue, Nov 18, 2008

As frost engulfs the lush green grass of summer, lake homeowners begin to prepare for fall, which means putting away the summer toys...a chore that we all dread. But, with a few simple tricks, we can tell you how to make packing and storing much easier.

First and foremost remember the three M's - mice, moisture and mildew.

Without the proper storage and winterizing of water toys, these M's will make for a very unhappy spring . Here are a few helpful tips:

• Be sure to open all boat compartments and hatches to ensure good airflow, avoid moisture, and prevent mildew. Don't wrap items tightly that need to breathe, and beware of places where mildew can grow. Lawn furniture cushions and life preservers, for example, should be thoroughly dried before storing.

• Leaving life jackets, ski ropes, buoys, canopies or towels in your boat can be an easy way to save space, but be sure to hang them up to dry before packing them away for the winter.

• Go through your boating accessories, such as ski ropes, tubes, and life jackets. If the kids have grown out of it or it's torn, don't waste the time and space storing something you won't use next season. Also keep in mind that it is a lot less expensive if you replace worn summer items in the fall when everything is on sale

• Be smart about how and where you organize and be sure to label everything. Keep like items together so when you need something it's easier to find; separate the boating equipment from the patio supplies.

If your boat is not an efficient place to store your toys, Frontgate offers a wide range of storage units that fit nicely into your garage, basement or storage shed. They offer adjustable, open-wire, steel shelving that fits nicely into a corner. Each 3'-wide shelf on the four-tier unit holds up to 300 lbs. If you need something more heavy duty, they also offer a steel, 6'6" W x 6'6" H shelving system that is built to accommodate up to two tons. If you're still unsure about the best way to store your summer toys, go to The Container Store. Their organizing experts will help you design the perfect storage solution. However, if your summer cleaning isn't that extensive, don't underestimate the ease of going to Target for a couple of their plastic bins.

Once the boat is cleaned out and the toys are packed away - get the kids to vacuum and wash windows - it's time to start winterizing. Start with the WD-40, a product that took 40 tries to successfully create, and using a clean towel wipe down all metal parts, particularly ones that aren't aluminum, as well as moving parts such as hinges. It's also a good time to change the oil to prevent internal damage caused by moisture that may have accumulated over the summer.

Most boats in Minnesota use lake water to cool the engine and therefore it should be flushed out before going into storage for the winter. Jim Gountains, owner of Ski Boat Solutions, uses a pump that injects antifreeze into a boat's cooling system to displace any water that might freeze. Antifreeze is also helpful in preventing corrosion.

When you're done, sit back, relax and enjoy the changing leaves, the chill of fall and the fact that in nine long months you will be able to unpack all the summer toys and do it all over again!