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:  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.

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By Nancy Henke   Sun, Nov 22, 2009

Employment recruiters say that one of the most difficult placements to make is getting someone to relocate to Minnesota.

The hardest, they say, is getting someone to relocate away from Minnesota. Once you've lived here you realize all of the wonderful things the upper Midwest has to offer. our many lakes, our boundary Water Canoe areas, our forests, our parks, and our distinguished education system are all attractive, but one of the most alluring things is the deep cultural training and performances that are available. Those are a few of the things Lise Houlton sees in Minnesota. Lise's work is one of the things that draw the rest of us.

Lise is the artistic director of the Minnesota dance theatre and school (MDT). She follows in the footsteps of her mother Loyce Houlton. Loyce's dance classes were the roots that led to the creation of the Minnesota dance theatre 42 years ago. Minnesota dance theatre is undoubtedly most famous for its production of Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy.

Lise, pronounced Lisa, is the daughter of William Houlton, an anesthesiologist and outdoor enthusiast, and Loyce Houlton, the famous teacher, choreographer, creator, and all-around arts enthusiast. All things considered, it is no wonder that Lise is a great force in her own right. She has taken the school and theatre that her mother created to new heights. And she has helped her mother's dream resurface; the dream that this community could be rich with dance, theatre, and art.

Sitting down to interview Lise, I was immediately struck by her appearance. She seemed quiet and reserved. Looking more closely I noticed an internal passion; her eyes seemed to be, well...dancing. Her warm, soothing voice and tender, beautiful smile project a great deal of calmness. And yet, there is such an energy within her. While dreaming of all that could be in the theatre, she is almost like a child in a candy store. It doesn't take much to get her going, and I can almost see the light radiating from her as she begins to create, choreograph, and dream. She cares deeply about the theatre, dance, and the future of the arts. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she shared her thoughts on the many topics that follow.

"My grandfather worked on the railroad in Duluth, where my mother was born. After he earned enough money he followed his life's passion, farming," said Lise. "The day-to-day labors of the farm were his love. It was the beginning of a family place, a place everyone loved." The 250-acre farm lise's grandparents bought was in Hoffman, Minnesota, near Alexandria. The farm's pasture surrounded a little lake. An old school house was being torn down and her grandparents wisely used the lumber from the school house to build a little cabin right on the edge of the lake. In a way, that cabin was a school, a place of personal growth and renewal for the family. The farm has been passed along to Lise's brother and it is still a working farm, keeping this Houlton legacy alive. Lise's father still goes to the lake every weekend to enjoy the outdoors, the serene setting, and to get away. "We loved going there as kids. We collected kindling to start the fire and my grandmother would cook on a wood stove. We had to go to the pump for drinking water and we washed the dishes in the lake. Now it has been modernized, but we fell in love with it long before the conveniences came along," remembers Lise. "I have a picture that i keep in my office at MDT. It is of the dock extending into the lake and the sun is beginning to set behind a billowing white cloud. When i see that picture, it calms me," said Lise.

Glancing at the photograph, a wistful, peaceful look settles onto her face. Lise is a living contradiction, at once both calm and passionate, both still and...dancing.

Lise grew up in Minneapolis, but spent many breaks, vacations, weekends and other times in New York to study. Her first job took her away from Minnesota, to Stuttgart, Germany to work with Glen Tetley for two years. Tetley was a modern dance choreographer and the artistic director of the Stuttgart Ballet during the two years that Lise was there.

"The world was both lonely and fulfilling. I was only 19 and not quite ready for my first professional job and the language barrier. Nor was i ready to be such a great distance from home, but Germany was a great location. It was close to France, Switzerland, Austria, and it was a wonderful place of departure for adventures and holidays," said Lise. However, her mother Loyce Houlton was experiencing trials with her diabetic neuropathy so she wasn't able to get to Europe to see Lise. Instead they would meet halfway while the Stuttgart Ballet went on tour. When Tetley left Germany, Lise decided to leave as well and came back to Minneapolis.

Shortly thereafter, Tetley was choreographing a ballet at the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. Having worked together those two years in Germany, Lise and Tetley had developed such an affinity, and she understood his movement so well, that tetley offered Lise the lead role for the premiere, living out every little girl's fantasy. More than a fantasy, this is more like a fairy tale for a dancer. ABT has a long roster from which they can choose dancers, but the role went to a newcomer, Lise. She was then offered a contract with ABT that brought her to New York.

After nine years in NYC, her roots in Minneapolis brought her back here to begin her own family. As she did this, she also carried on many family traditions. While she didn't know it at the time, her daughters would also have a passion for dance, eventually following Lise's path at ABT. Lise went to become the artistic director at MDT, just as her mother did years ago.

Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy is a time-honored tradition in which Loyce's beautiful choreography and Tchaikovsky's music (conducted by Philip Brunelle) come together to create a heart-warming holiday tradition. Much loved throughout the years, the production holds the distinction of being the longest running arts event in Minnesota history. "Over the years my family has seen every production of the Nutcracker in the Twin Cities and we simply think that Loyce Houlton's is the best. We won't see any of the others any more," said Laurie Anderson, a Plymouth mother of four. Other productions of MDT can be learned about by calling their office or visiting their website at mndance.org. Another production is Rumblings, a contemporary ballet with a vocal edge that explores the emotional blues with sensuous, powerful dancing and sensational singing. It combines Lise Houlton's stirring choreography with the musical artistry of arranger/pianist Tom Linker. This ensemble will work with music from Kurt Weill, Cyndi Lauper and Leonard Cohen and was first produced in 1999. Tickets are available through Minnesota Dance Theatre at 612-338-0627.

Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker carries so much with it. Back when it began there were only a few Christmas events in the area that people could attend. There are audience members from those first few years that are still attending this Nutcracker and attend it every year. Over the years the Twin Cities audience has made Loyce's Nutcracker their own. It is a magical production and there is a magical ownership by the audience. The production has intricate choreography using both youth and professionals. Last year's production had 60 local dancers ages 6 to 50, along with the Minnesota dance theatre Company's eight full-time professionals. That is part of the legacy of the Nutcracker, the new magic that the youth bring to it each and every year. Lise comments, "New generations every year make this a special production. It is rich on every level of beautiful music and beautiful dancing."

"Originally it was my mother's intention to do a different Christmas production each year. She was never at a loss for ideas or ways to interpret those ideas. One year she did Madeline's Christmas; the next was an amish tale shoo Fly Pie. The then Minneapolis symphony saw the Nutcracker and brought the production to Northrop auditorium for the beginning of a long collaboration with live music. That was the year the company left their first theatre home at the Moppet Playhouse and went to Northrop, beginning a wonderful tradition with live music," says Lise.

The original production was narrated, and as the years went on Loyce began to add different things to the Nutcracker. She created new additions, made changes, embellished and always kept the best. For her it was like playing dolls. "For thirty years the Nutcracker grew under Loyce's guidance. And since that time we have continued to honor her tradition of letting the Nutcracker evolve because that is what she would have wanted," Lise comments thoughtfully. She knows how intertwined her mother and the Nutcracker were and yet she has the wisdom to honor her mother's creation by continuing to let it grow and change. Lise realizes that "traditions have to adapt."

Lise literally grew up in the midst of the Nutcracker Fantasy, which allowed her to see so many aspects of the production. The Nutcracker Fantasy provides a measuring stick by which young dancers can see their growth and progress because it is performed on an annual basis. While it is difficult for anyone learning an art to measure themselves on a day-to-day basis, a performance will point out the progress that is made over the course of time. It is so affirming for the young dancers to realize that things they couldn't do a year ago, they have now mastered. Seeing themselves change from year to year gives them a great confidence and feeling of accomplishment in an art form that is otherwise difficult to measure.

For the company members, the Nutcracker Fantasy allows them to see their art through the fresh, wondrous and magical eyes of the young dancers. The professional dancers bring a high level of sophistication and technical ability to the Nutcracker, but the enthusiasm of the young dancers adds a certain energy to this particular production making it very special. Every year the experience of the Nutcracker gets richer and richer.

Loyce was an incredibly energetic, creative and theatrical force. "Each year, Christmas was theatre all over again in our home," reflects Lise. "She loved every holiday and made each one a theatrical event." The traditions were thick and full at the Houlton home. Lise continues, "I sometimes wonder if all of mom's constant outflow of energy simply sapped her of her energy to fight her illness (Loyce passed away in 1995 after fighting diabetic neuropathy for years). But she just couldn't help herself. She just couldn't let a holiday pass without it being a production. She had her downtime, but I don't know how she did it, putting so much energy into every moment of her life."

Many people believe that the Nutcracker is a traveling broadway show that only comes into town to do the Nutcracker production. But Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker is only one facet of this richly-talented, local organization. MDT also offers the community a more contemporary form of dance. The company explores new movement, playing with collaborations, and has different forces of energy coming together. "I would love to share the many things that MDT has to offer with our Nutcracker audience," says Lise. She grapples with how to do this. There is a whole other side to MDT, a very important part that works hard to bring this art form to our community year round.

There is a beautiful relationship between the company and the school of MDT.

Lise guides the school and the company with a quote used by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, "but first a school." "You can't have a company without a school, nor could you have a school without a company," she adds. "There needs to be an ideal that the students can work toward, and the company represents that ideal as well as serving in a mentorship capacity to the young dancers. It is our responsibility and privilege to nurture and inspire dancers of the future." The Nutcracker brings the school and the company together in a beautiful way. they are able to converge and offer one another something they couldn't otherwise have. The company offers a goal, something for the young dancer to aspire to, while the youth bring an enthusiasm and zestfulness which breathes life into the production. It is a compilation of training, energy, dreams, and discipline that comes together to create the magic of Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy.

Lise believes that the arts are essential and while most people agree with her that sentiment alone isn't enough to make it work. "The demands of dance are so physically difficult to conquer these days that injuries, expectations, and training make dancing professionally a very hard road. In addition, it is very difficult to make a living off of this art form. Most professional dancers realize that they need to have higher education and that after age 30 or so they will have to find another way to pay the rent. Dance, of all the arts, it seems has not come up to the level of the music world. It hasn't established itself as profoundly as music," reflects Lise. "Like musicians, dancers invest in many ways; physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially in both training, and accoutrements." Pointe shoes alone cost around $70 per pair. A dancer can go through as many as two to three pairs a week bringing the investment in shoes alone to close to $12,000 per year! One simple way for the community to support this art form is to attend a variety of the area's many productions.

Lise believes that every child should have the opportunity to explore music, dance, theatre, and all of the arts. She feels it is important to focus on more than just the performance aspects of the arts. Much joy is in the doing, in expressing yourself, yet she would love to see dancers in our area get some of the recognition that those in New York receive from their community. "We need to give this community what it wants," said Lise. "It is important to maintain a balance between having your own vision, and having a direct association with the community you are in, whether you're on the west coast, the east coast, the Midwest or anywhere."

Lise would love to see dancers observed on the same level as professional athletes. According to the american Journal of sports Medicine, research has shown that classical ballet exceeds even professional football in terms of the mental and physical demands of athletic performance. Lise would like people to consider dancers in comparison to athletes in other sports. "Who is truly powerful, who has the stamina, the lower heart rate, the muscle tone, and the coordination. Who would be the better athlete overall? They don't need to compete, but can they both be regarded as marvelous athletes?"

As a younger person it was hard for Lise to settle down or to just stop moving. She is finally at an age where she enjoys sitting still and letting herself be absorbed into the adventure of a good book. Among her favorites are biographical books and historical books. She is finally catching up and taking time to relax.

I noticed that Lise again glances to the photograph from her grandparent's lake. She seems to be relaxed and at peace. She comments that some day she may like to travel again. For now, it is obvious that Lise's life revolves around her family. That will never change; it too is a Houlton legacy.

As my time with Lise came to an end, I needed to take a deep breath. We were in her corner office overlooking Hennepin Avenue; a scented candle glowed on the table between us. I felt the deep history of the old building we were in, and I felt the life of the dancers surround me. The room was filled with positive energy. I was so struck by the beautiful spirit of Lise that I didn't want to leave so abruptly. I think we both knew that the spirit of Loyce was also present so we lingered a few moments soaking it up. What a joy to have had this interview!

By   Sun, Nov 15, 2009

There's so much to keep up with during the holidays - shopping, decorating, sending cards and managing social schedules. Being organized will allow more time for the joys of the season.

Mom, Where's the ...?

Tired of everyone coming to you when they can't find something? Here are tips from the pros for hot spots of disorganization.

Kitchen

Spin Zone - Lazy Susans provide access and visibility in packed pan-tries or refrigerators. Many sizes are available.

Clear Counters - For counters cluttered with more small appliances than the local Crate and Barrel, create more space by storing dust-collectors that aren't used daily.

Cupboard Convenience - Keep pots, pans and cooking utensils near the stove so that these items are handy when the heat is on and food preparation is underway.

Closet

Out With the Old - Make room by donating anything that hasn't been worn in the past year.

Stay in Season - Reorganize closets each season. Put out-of-season clothing and accessories towards the back of the closet or in other storage areas. (Label before storing for easy recovery when a heat wave or cold front hits.)

Get Stacked - Shoe-lovers should label stackable clear plastic shoe containers or tape a digital photo or Polaroid to shoe boxes to make finding just the right pair for each outfit a breeze.

Colorize - Group clothing by type and color to make finding specific garments easier.

Garage

Clear the Bench - Work benches are a catch-all for random items, including small dangers like loose screws and nails. Put small items in labeled jars or bins for easy access.

Peg the Problem - Install inexpensive pegboards with movable hooks behind workbenches and along garage walls to keep tools in reach and out of the way. From hammers to hacksaws, nearly anything with a handle can be hung.

Look Up Solutions - Hang off-season items such as sleds, bicycles and jogging strollers from the rafters. Sports and lawn care equipment organizers can be hung from walls to keep rakes and balls off the floor.

Resolve to Get Organized

As the holiday frenzy winds down, New Year's resolutions to get organized kick in. Whether the goal is to make room in the closet for new clothes, find space in the garage to park the car, or gather everything for tax season, follow these organizational basics from DYMO:

1. Be realistic: Tackle one room, closet or file cabinet at a time.

2. Everything has its place: Keep everyday items within arm's reach and store seldomused items in labeled containers. Keep your label maker handy. The DYMO Personal Labelmaker Plus comes with a handy magnetic holster for convenient storage on the refrigerator or file cabinet.

3. Get rid of it: Dispose of items not used for more than a year.

4. It's a date: Keep a calendar handy near the phone to schedule appointments, games, recitals and time for organizing.

5. Save the trees: Only store issues of publications needed for future use in labeled storage bins. Recycle the rest.

6. Train 'em young: Keep labeled toy baskets in rooms where the kids play. Get them in the habit of tossing toys back in the basket before bed and regain some adult space.

7. Get help: Tap the skills of an uber organized, or "Type O," person you know, or call a professional organizer to get you started.

8. Divide and conquer: Assign household chores to family members.

9. Cool reminders: Putting magnetic labels on the refrigerator with daily tasks and chores for each family member will help keep everyone accountable for his or her household responsibilities.

10. Maximize space: Add extra racks, rods and shelf dividers to closets or storage space.

For more organizational tips, visit www.dymo.com.

By Teri Bennett   Tue, Nov 10, 2009

The holidays are a wonderful time for entertaining, especially for your family. Traditions have been established over the years and they emphasize our sense of belonging and kinship. They may change and grow over time, but the heart of a tradition remains the same and everyone counts on that. Patti Jo Hermann and her family have been cutting their own Christmas trees for years. The tree cutting has evolved into a family event that is far more special than the tree itself.

This year Patti Jo allowed us to follow along with her family as they enjoyed a snowy day filled with sledding, snowballs, food and the selection of their favorite tree. We caravanned up north to Goldenman Christmas tree farm in Zimmerman, Minnesota. The snow field and trees couldn't have been a more beautiful scene for this family's gathering. The family's vehicles were parked close together and anyone with a tailgate opened it up to allow for a buffet of food and warm seating for cold family members.

The buffet came together quickly and beautifully with a simple menu of wild rice soup, breadsticks, hot cocoa, and Christmas cookies. It was perfectly suited for family members of all ages and warmed up the crowd after their snowy fun. The extra touches on the buffet like warm blankets and Christmas flowers made the family feel special and the family photos delightful. (This might be a good time to consider a family photo for your Christmas card.) Who better to bring out the special touches for than your family?

Recipe for a Special Family Day:

1. Local tree farm where you can cut your own tree

2. Warm outdoor clothes

3. Beloved family members

4. A simple and warm array of foods

Wild Rice Soup

2 T. butter
1 T. minced onion
¼ c. flour
4 c. chicken broth
2 c. cooked wild rice ½ tsp. salt
1 c. half and half
2 T. dry sherry
Minced parsley or chives

Melt butter in saucepan. Sauté onion until tender. Blend in flour; gradually add broth. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens slightly. Stir in rice and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Blend in half and half and sherry. Heat to serving temperature. Garnish with minced parsley or chives. Serves 6-7 (1 cup portions).

Variations: Add 1/3 c. minced ham or finely-grated carrots and 3 T. slivered almonds.

Pillsbury Breadsticks Bake according to directions, or brush with butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Williams Sonoma Cocoa Make according to directions and keep hot in a large thermos.

Caribou Handmade Marshmallows Available seasonally, just add to your cocoa, or they're great plain!

By   Tue, Nov 10, 2009

Patti Jo Hermann's Favorite:

Grandma's Spritz Cookies

2 cups butter
1-½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4-½ cups flour
Dash of salt
1 tsp. baking powder

Cream together first four ingredients until smooth. Sift flour, salt and baking powder together and slowly add to butter mixture. Mix thoroughly, chill for about an hour and put into cookie press. Press onto cookie sheet. Decorate with colored sprinkles, red or green cherries cut in half, or other holiday cookie decorations. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees. Clean cookie sheets between each baking.

This recipe has been handed down for five generations!

Nancy Henke's Favorite:

Forgotten Kisses

Preheat oven to 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
2 egg whites
Pinch of salt
½ scant tsp. cream of tartar
¾ c. sugar
½ tsp. vanilla Red, green, or yellow food coloring if desired
1-½ c. miniature chocolate chips

Beat egg whites until frothy, add salt and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff. Slowly add sugar while beating, beat until glossy. Add vanilla, mix thoroughly. Then mix in chocolate chips. Drop on greased cookie sheet. Place in oven, turn off oven, let sit for five hours.

Teri Bennett's Favorite:

Almond Bark Cookies

2-½ lbs. almond bark
2 cups Trix cereal
1 lg. jar dry roasted peanuts or almonds
2 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups colored marshmallows

Melt almond bark in double boiler. Add all ingredients except marshmallows. Fold in marshmallows last. Drop from spoon onto waxed paper and let set.

Karin Miller's Favorite:

Grandma Ella's Sugar Cookies

3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter

Mix the dry ingredients and blend in butter.

Mix and add the following to the above mixture.

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 T. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Refrigerate for 8 hours. Roll dough on floured surface. Use cutouts to make the cookies. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Powdered Sugar Frosting

1T. butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 T. milk

Blend butter and powdered sugar. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth.

Joni Danzl's Favorite:

Cranberry Orange Cookies

2-1/3 cups flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
½ cup sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2-3 tsps. grated orange peel
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar in large bowl until creamy. Beat in egg and orange peel. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop dough by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.

Carla Friedman's Favorite:

English Toffee

2 cups sugar
1 pound butter
2 T. warm water
¾ tsp. vanilla
2 cups crushed almonds
14-18 Hershey chocolate bars (plain)
9 x 13 cake pan

Layer nuts then chocolate bars. Do not overlap bars. Melt butter and sugar, boil, and then add water. Slow boil for 45 minutes until 300 degrees hard crack. Add vanilla, pour candy quickly over nuts and chocolate bars. Add layer of candy bars and remaining nuts. Cool before cracking.

Melia Liester's Favorite:

Gumdrop Cookies

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2-1/2 cups sifted flour
1 cup flaked coconut (optional)
1 cup cut-up red and green gumdrops (not the spiced kind)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and almond extract; beat. Add flour. Stir in coconut and gumdrops. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes.

Amy Gohman's Favorite:

Christmas Mice

Take a maraschino cherry with a stem, and dip it in melted chocolate. Put it down on its side on waxed paper to set.

Take an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss and glue it with melted chocolate to the end opposite the stem (flat kiss bottom to bottom of cherry).

Almond slivers for ears. Add eyes and a nose with red frosting.

They really are cute, and would be a good Christmas project for kids!

By Lakestyle Staff   Sun, Nov 30, 2008

Ever worried about falling through the ice into the frigid waters of a lake or river? Many people who fish on frozen water or drive a snowmobile or car onto a frozen lake have a healthy fear of falling through thin ice or an open spot in the ice.

So what would compel someone to intentionally submerge herself under the ice?

Investigative reporter Trish Van Pilsum wanted to help people who may find themselves in that scary, life-threatening situation. So she decided to experience the situation firsthand- i.e., being in a car as it is submerged in an icy lake. "Ice is unpredictable," she said. "People need to be aware and be prepared."

After Van Pilsum started researching the story idea, two young people fell through the ice on Lake Minnetonka and died. "Besides my personal passion for doing the story, when the two people died, it was almost like it was a sign [that I should do the story]."

While she worked with a diver using an air tank, and had an air tank for herself, it was a frightening experience nonetheless. She also took a few diving lessons in a pool beforehand.

"I still can't believe I did it," she said. "It was the most terrified I've ever been. This situation- going under the ice- was a core fear of mine." And that's from a reporter who has crawled through a burning house in pursuit of a story.

Van Pilsum won't ever forget that cold January day when taping took place. The wind chill was 30 degrees below zero. It took several hours for the crew to get the equipment set up. "It was very unpleasant to wait," she said. "I saw the car I was going to be in. I was so frightened, I couldn't speak."

       

Many viewers still remember the segment and comment on it when they meet Van Pilsum. "People appreciate the lengths you went to give them the story," she said. "It would be very easy to have done it the traditional way and have nothing. But this approach made people watch and remember. I wanted people who went out on the ice to think of me and be aware of what can happen.

"I have a responsibility to give people the information they need, and changing the way people look at the world," she continued. "That story defined what kind of reporter I would be at Channel 9."

STAY SAFE ON ICE

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends the following minimum thicknesses for safe travel on ice. Never ignore posted signs about ice safety.

These Thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

The Minesota DNR also provides the following recommendations.

• Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop. Test the thickness yourself using an ice chisel, ice auger or even a cordless 1⁄4-inch drill with a long bit.
• Refrain from driving on the ice whenever possible. If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry: Keep windows down, unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple emergency plan of action you have discussed with your passengers.
  
• Don't "overdrive" your snowmobile's headlight. At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice.
  
• Stay away from alcoholic beverages. Even "just a couple of beers" are enough to cause a careless error in judgment that could cost you your life. And contrary to common belief, alcohol actually makes you colder rather than warming you up.
• Wear a life vest under your winter gear. Or wear one of the new flotation snowmobile suits. And it's a good idea to carry a pair of ice picks that may be homemade or purchased from most wellstocked sporting goods stores that cater to winter anglers. It's amazing how difficult it can be to pull yourself back onto the surface of unbroken but wet and slippery ice while wearing a snowmobile suit weighted down with 60 pounds of water. The ice picks really help in pulling yourself back onto solid ice. CAUTION: DO NOT wear a flotation device when traveling across the ice in an enclosed vehicle!
  

Directions for making ice rescue claws can be found at www.dnr.state. mn.us/safety/ice/claws.html. For information on what to do when you or a companion falls through the ice, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/ index.html.

By Nancy Henke   Fri, Nov 14, 2008

I wonder what holidays each of you celebrate. I wonder what traditions, feelings, and build-up go along with those holidays. My family celebrates Christmas. Often times the build up to Christmas is a large part of the fun, but this year the build-up began a little too early, even for me.

It began in July. That nervous fluttering in my stomach that I get when I worry about all that goes along with Christmas. Why worry about Christmas in July? It all started very innocently on July 4th.

July 4th is my daughter’s birthday.(We call her our firecracker.) The idea of a birthday set my five-year-old son’s mind to work. He asked, “When is my birthday again?” I reminded him that it was in January, just a few weeks after Christmas. “Christmas is good too!” he declared.

Later that evening he began to pray for the expeditious arrival of Christmas, during our family prayers. He asked, “Please God, let Christmas come really fast.” How could God refuse that sweet voice, those blue eyes, that wonderful plea? Should I worry that Christmas was about to come barreling toward me at a rate I couldn’t handle? I wasn’t prepared to begin the long list of tasks. At the same time, I’m an adult, I understand time, and I know that it plugs along at the same rate as it always has, therefore I needn’t worry. Six months was plenty of time.

The next night my son prayed again, Please God, let Christmas come really fast.” Each night since that one in July he has prayed for the same thing. Occasionally he adds a little something like, “Please God, let Christmas and my birthday come really fast.” The flutter in my stomach became concern, and concern grew into nervousness.

Life blazes by me at a pace so incredibly fast as it is, what if my son’s prayers bring on an even faster pace? How will I find time to take the photo, send out the cards, bake the cookies, sing the songs, buy the gifts, wrap the packages, trim the tree, light the candles, build the snowman, call distant relatives, plan the menus, fight the crowds, and do it all with a loving smile?

It hit me, the answer, like an arrow piercing a bull’s-eye. In fact it looked exactly like a red bull’s-eye. The red letters formed in my head, but I didn’t even need to say them, the picture of the red and white logo could be seen from blocks away. I could get it all done at my local bull’s-eye store.

Like the swift, smooth rhymes of a Doctor Seuss book it all came to me. I could find it all there:

The boxes, the ribbons, the bags and the bows.

The movies, the cds, and books lined in rows.

The toys, the puzzles, the bikes, and the balls.

The clocks and the trays and the pictures for walls.

The produce, the dry goods, and even fresh meats,

The dressers, the tables, the lamps, and the seats.

The boxers, the blankets, the t-shirts, and slippers,

the powders, the baskets, and goggles with flippers.

The cups and the saucers, the coffees and teas,

door swags, dried flowers, and small ficus trees.

Beard trimmers, perfumes, toothpaste, and phones,

brushes, and curlers, and soft-soap that foams.

I will be ready! I will be smiling! I will be in the spirit!

Despite the fact that I’d figured it all out, that I began to prepare early, that I had enlisted help, that I worked faster and harder, I still made mistakes, I still forgot things, I still worried, and I still didn’t do it all.

I looked out my window and stared at the lake. No answers came erupting to its surface; no menu ideas, no phone calls, no greeting cards; nothing came from the lake no matter how long I stared. But it did offer me a gift. It gave me a moment to stop, to be still, and to collect myself. That was the gift I had needed. The moment of peace resulted in a new calm that I decided to try to take with me as I ventured toward the holidays.

I decided to take along a few different things than I had previously placed in my shopping cart. I realized that I will definitely forget somebody, inadvertently insult somebody, won’t show enough gratitude to someone gracious, I’ll certainly be late a time or two, and more than likely, I’ll forget to stop and enjoy it all. I hope to bring the gift from the lake along with me through the holidays, reminding me to stop, to be still, and to enjoy the time I have here. And I hope that when I do make mistakes, those around me will forgive me rather than judge me in that moment.

Therefore, I put a few extra things into my shopping cart this year:

Greetings, sincerity, thank-yous, and smiles,

hugs and warm wishes that stretch on for miles,

saying I’m sorry for my mistakes,

feeling alright even though my tree’s fake,

I’ll look at my family filled with joy,

even though I may have bought the wrong toy.

I’ll find kindness, patience, and countless gifts,

and try to set aside any silly old rifts.

Because I would rather be still and filled with peace than to be perfect. Whatever holidays you celebrate, I wish you the gift that water can offer you. I wish you peace. 

Nancy Henke, Editor