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.  

Lakestyle FAQs:

Q: How does the online version of Lakestyle Magazine work? 

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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Q:  What does it cost to subscribe?

A:  Lakestyle online is free.  In the event that we publish a print version when the economy improves, we'll let you know.

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       What should I do?

A:  Email us at comments@lakestyle.com.  Please note: unsolicited articles or other correspondance sent to Lakestyle is the exclusive property of Bayside Publications, Inc. and Lakestyle Magazine and may be used without compensation by Lakestyle.  Lakestyle reserves all electronic and print rights to all unsolicited correspondance. 

 

By Nancy Henke   Sun, Nov 30, 2008

 

From the Editor

Change is inevitable. Change can be good and change can be bad. It can make things easier to make them more difficult. It can make things easier or make them more difficult. It can be caused by growth or it can be caused by debilitation. Sometimes it is completely out of our control and sometimes it is up to us to make it happen.

Lakestyle is now in its sixth year of production and its seventh year of business. We felt that success should be celebrated with a few changes and updates. That being the case I got to thinking about change in general. It is such a mysterious and sometimes frightening concept. But like it or not, change is constant.

The idea of making a dramatic change sounds great right around the New Year. We often go on a diet, some of us begin to exercise, some start reading books or begin a self improvement program, some of us try to organize our files and cabinets or perhaps our calendars. It is a wonderful feeling to being anew.

January, often cold, and February, often cloudy, drag on and leave in their wake a certain amount of drudgery that makes it difficult to keep your eye on the prize. Simply looking at a cookie, or an overwhelming pile of paper, or running short on time can chase those goals away in a moment. March arrives and we often realize we’re no closer to our goal than the day we started working on it. What happened? And how do other people achieve their goals? How do they make a change?

I believe that change often happens in such small increments that we aren’t even aware it’s happening, and can only really see it when we look back and see what has changed. Like a child who grows up, we don’t see it happening, and yet it does. Slowly, over the course of many years they grow up. I wonder if that is how most successful changes occur; slowly, bit by bit, over time.

Our lives are made up of a series of choices. Often times we want to change by making one enormous choice, but it’s too big to maintain successfully. Perhaps if we were to make a change simply by altering a few small choices we would have more success. Some lake home owners maintain control over their invasive weeds by having scuba divers pull them out one by one. Over the course of time, the weeds are gone. I once read that you can lose ten pounds a year y cutting out 100 calories a day. I realize that ten pounds isn’t a miracle diet, but cutting out 100 calories each day sounds very manageable. I’ve watched my children learn to read by learning one letter each week. Again that sounds very manageable and they have had great success. I have a friend who plants one tree in her yard each year. It keeps both the cost and work to a minimum. Now, years after she began, she has a beautiful yard full of trees that her children can play beneath. Maybe you can’t have your entire rolodex of friends spend time with you at the cabin this summer, but you could manage to set aside one or two weekends. Each of these is a wonderful example of how great change can be made one step at a time. Ten years ago we began to dream about a magazine such as Lakestyle. The dreaming was a lot of fun. The steps it took to make it a reality were nearly infinite. Some days it seemed so overwhelming that one step was all we could take, and others were so charged with excitement that we were able to take many. The point is, by taking it one step at a time with our goal in mind, we were able to make it happen. When we look back at ten years of work we are amazed at all the changes we have slowly made in an effort to grow and make things better. You may have noticed some of our recent changes here at Lakestyle; one of those is reflected in our masthead/logo. I love this new look and am continually impressed with our graphic art department for its dedication to excellence, particularly with regard to our covers, and that excellence is reflected in our changes. One of our writers, Lee Hoedl, commented that the word “Lake” is strong and beautiful like a lake itself, and the newly-italicized word “style” is consistent with how the lake can help you to unwind and become more relaxed. I love the analogy. As you look out at your lake you may not even see the small changes that are occurring; the ice may be melting, the fish laying eggs, boats are being readied, and yet they are certainly happening. They may be subtle, small and quiet, but they are happening. If you’re ready to make a change, take your cues from the lake by making it one step at a time. If you’ve been forced to make a change you didn’t welcome, perhaps you can face it by taking a small step as well. In the slowness of the process perhaps you will receive peace, like the feeling of springtime fog over a lake as the ice melts into our summer playground. There can be good ahead from the changes that are happening now. Each time I am faced with change I find peace in the familiar prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. By Reinhold Niebuhr

I would simply add to take it one small, manageable step at a time, and we’ll continue to do the same in an effort to make Lakestyle better each issue.

                                                      Celebrating life on the water,

Nancy Henke, Editor

By Lee Hoedl   Sun, Nov 30, 2008

 

Essay and Photos by Lee Hoedl

It had been a subtle but extraordinary summer. Warmer and wetter conditions during the spring season had brought out the lush canopy of the wooded area. Fauna was abundant and present, while the surrounding foliage displayed its brilliant shades long into the autumn months. The weekends were long and warm and filled with measurable challenges and immeasurable laughter. This would prove to be one summer season to remember and one that would come to be known as: The Lesson of Leone, a Home on the Lake

It was a common lake cabin, in its infancy, which has grown beyond its initial walls to encompass three generations of memories. Situated on the eastern shore of Round Lake, the Clarens families have gathered countless weekends and continuous summers in this little plot of land called “heaven on shore.” And centered throughout the midst of it all, has been the family’s matriarch, Leone.

A woman of small stature and grand dreams, Leone is always the first one to welcome our family to the family cabin on any given Friday evening. And 2005 was no different, except for the wheelchair or cabin chair to which she was now confined. Diagnosed in early 1997 with pulmonary fibrosis, she survived far beyond initial projections and odds and was once again present to witness another glorious summer at Round Lake.

As spring emerged and the family cabin was opened to usher in another summer season, I took a moment to reflect back on one of my first visits to Round Lake. It was over fifteen years ago on a warm June day that turned into a cool June night…and all were asleep…except for Leone and me. Over a bowl of shared popcorn and a moonlit lake setting, I asked Leone, “What makes this lake, this place, so special?” Without hesitation, Leone responded, “I think it’s three things: No dress code, pure relaxation and love. You can dress and be any way that you want here. You’re expected to relax here. And finally, just love.” It never occurred to me to probe for a further answer from my future mother-in-law; it just seemed like the perfect answer to my question. And it would be these three things that Leone and I would later refer to as “the lessons of the lake.” While all three are important lessons of which to make note, it would be this particular third lesson I would ponder and reflect upon for years.

It has been Leone’s philosophy that a well-spent weekend at the lake consists of a full stomach and a full heart. That simply means that meals, snacks and refreshments are always being prepared and that we are enjoying each other’s company to its fullest. There are delicious doughnuts and pastries from the local bakery to be eaten in the early morning hours and we do it together. There is popcorn and s’mores to be made in the late evening hours and we do it together. And there are always Sunday services at the nearby country church to celebrate and we do it together. All weekends at the Clarens lake cabin have their own certain uniqueness to them, but these elements are the canvas on which all other events are painted- not to mention Leone’s and my late night conversations that began this summer season once again. Regardless of the topic from which we began, Leone always had a wonderful way of bringing the discussion back and centering on family and its importance. It has always been the trademark of our lively conversations and these conversations propelled us beyond the Memorial Day Weekend and well into June.

June’s unseasonable atmospheric conditions, originating in the Dakotas, brought the family lake home’s first catastrophic change since its construction. Powerful wind sheets suddenly and unexpectedly stormed across the area of Ottertail Country, leaving in its wake numerous felled mature trees, property damage and human injury. And although the family lake home suffered no structural damage, the lawn surrounding it was strewn with aged trees that would take the summer to remove and will take several seasons to split and dry into firewood. We lamented the loss of trees and the amount of work it would take to remove them and repair the surrounding area. It was only in the midst of this natural disaster that we quickly realized how grand the trees had become and how much shade they had provided. And through it all, my mother Leone continued to gratefully state, “I’m thankful that no one-friend or family- was hurt. That’s all that matters.” These truly remain the words and wisdom of a person who models the philosophy of fullness of heart.

June turned into July and July marched into August; grand lake weekends being filled with wonderful reminiscences of festively grilled meals, chilling rain showers, lively pontoon rides, overpowering sunsets, starry nights and laughter. Lots of laughter. And all the while. Leone was vividly present in our midst, sharing with us the rich season of human life… the vibrancy of adulthood and now, the continued fortitude of the human spirit in the face of waning physical strength. She would do what she did best: be the best “grandma lap” that any grandchild would want to sit in. And although it took an extraordinary amount of energy on her part and the part of my father Dick to bring her to the lake each weekend, they wouldn’t have chosen to be anywhere else. This is where they belonged.

September arrived with its sensuous hues; the extended graveled drive leading to the family cabin had now turned to dynamic shades of gold and red and auburn. Summer was quickly exiting. Leone’s specific illness robs the body of precious oxygen, so when she had the energy, Leone conserved hers by sitting on the lake cabin’s small deck and watching the lake fun and antics from a distance. It must have pained her to not be able to play with her grandchildren at the dock’s edge, but Leone wouldn’t have missed a moment of watching her family enjoy what was most precious to her: each other. She would sit there, in the absence of shade previously provided by the felled trees, and just smile. Shade or not, rain or shine, it was her personal heaven. And she continued to sit there and smile.

For practicality’s sake and due to busy family schedules, we chose to close our lake home for the season in early October. Leone was present as she had been each year for this annual ceremony. And upon our departure, it felt as if Autumn just did not want to let go of its secured hold for the moment; as if to provide one long and final goodbye. October gracefully strolled into November and November progressed onward. And with the first settled snowfall in mid-November, Autumn finally and gently relinquished its grasp. In wondrous symmetry, following the glorious passing of this season, Leone also took her restful leave on December 1. She left behind a husband, two daughters, a son, nine grandchildren, a fulfilled life of wonderful and selfless acts of kindness, and a rich legacy of wonderful family memories at the lake.

My friend, if we find ourselves on the fortunate side of Life’s journey, we are afforded approximately 70 years; that translates into 70 summers, 70 falls,70 winters and 70 springs with which to relish and celebrate. And for many of us, a good portion of those seasons are behind us. But this reflection is not meant to lament the past or fear the future, nor dwell on the potential somberness of the human journey. It is simply to remind each of us of the subtle and dynamic relationships we have with Nature and each other… relationships we tend to take for granted.

In what will seem like the blink of an eye, we each will have aged and have stored- if we’re fortunate-countless memories of our lake seasons with family and friends. We’ll glance into the mirrored and weathered face we’ve come to know so well and ask ourselves, “Where did the seasons go?” And we’ll realize that this aging and storing didn’t happen overnight; we just took it for granted…each day… each week… each year.

Like so many others, we may have initially built or purchased this setting on the lake to escape Life. But over time and nurtured by the very grace of Nature, we will realize that we now return to this setting on the lake again and again to fully experience Life. From this time here in this lake setting, we take with us a lighter and healthier perspective into our week of busied schedules. It is in this place, this moment, mingled with loved ones, where we rediscover uniqueness, creativity, acceptance, relaxation, hope, faith, family and love. And it is this perspective and renewed spirit that sustains us through all our dark nights and frenzied days.

Promise yourself: Let the moments of lake solitude cascade over you like a tidal wave, washing away all of the week’s chaos and confusion. Please don’t allow the petty transactions of the week to invade this wonderful refuge. Make right all your weekly mistakes and forgive your and others’ transgressions in this sacred place. Recommit yourself to your grander life goals and commitments in the light of the weekend’s sunsets. Allow the laughter to bring out that childlike nature of you that has been slowly and methodically set aside. Get back into the water and splash around.  Tell and re-tell your loved ones what you truly feel under the starry skies. Cherish and reflect on these moments as they occur- don’t wait until years down the road, for these years may not wait for you. Enjoy these present moments with all of your heart. Savor them. Share them. Invest in them. You owe it to yourself and those before and after you.

Allow Leone’s lesson of the lake to take root as well. First, there is no dress code. Come with no expectations or pretenses- just be yourself, for that’s all you are called to be. Be present for your family and friends. And then take that presence into your week. Second, you’re expected to relax. Life and Nature continue to demonstrate this subtle wisdom for you; live in today in your heart, head and actions. Sunrises and sunsets cannot exist in the same place at the same time, so enjoy the present moment as if it were your last. And third, love. It took me years to understand the subtle wisdom of Leone, but what I believe she was trying to tell me all along was to simply love the moment you’re in, love the person you’re in and love the greater Life you’re in.

And most importantly, whether you find yourself in a family- inherited lake cabin in northern Minnesota or a family- invested lake home on Lake Minnetonka, grasp the time you are given to truly make your moments a home to be remembered.

While the passing of Leone has been painful for our family, please make no mistake, when late spring arrives, we will begin to frequent and gradually celebrate the Clarens family lake home once again. And as much as it looked differently following the midsummer sheer winds, this home on the lake will also, most assuredly, feel different. For what transformed that simple lake cabin into a home has changed… but not gone. It was Leone who subtly taught us time and time again that it’s not just the physical lake property but the added and endearing human presence that breathes Life into our countless memories. And in the night’s glow of the family bonfire with family and friends, amidst the final casting light of sunset of Round Lake, Leone’s presence will be felt and we will again be reminded of how and why this small family cabin became and remains a home on the lake.

By Jay MacDonald   Sun, Nov 30, 2008

The price of historic character can be pretty steep. Here’s what it will cost to remedy the most common problems such as radon, lead and asbestos.

By Jay MacDonald, Bankrate.com

If you in the market to buy an older cabin, or if you already own one and aren’t sure what to look for, here is a list of common hazards found in older homes. Brace yourself. That old house can come with plenty of old problems, from asbestos in the attic to radon in the basement.

Such concerns don’t necessarily mean you must give up your dream of buying a piece of the past. But you do need to bring along a knowledgeable architect or design-build remodeling contractor to scout out hazards common in older homes.

And keep your checkbook handy.

“When you’re buying an old house, it’s not so much a matter of what you end up putting back into it. It’s the realization that you’ve bought old housing stock and it does need to be maintained to keep your investment up”, says David Tyson, a design-build professional in Charlotte, N.C. “If you spend your dollars right and do it well, it will hold or increase its value.”

Tyson and Dennis Gehman of Gehman Custom Builders in Harleyville, Pa., have each removed their own vintage homes. Here are eight hazards they say typically await older-home buyers, along with ways to deal with them and ballpark estimates of what it’ll cost to correct them.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It usually enters the home through cracks in the foundation.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one in 15 homes in the United States has a high level of radon. Real estate agents, contractors and home inspectors can help you test for radon before you buy.

“Options might be as simple as sealing the basement floor and installing ventilation, or as costly as tearing up the floor and pipes and re-doing it.” Says Gehman.

The costs to deal with radon range from $400 to $500 if you only seal the basement floor; $1,000 to seal and install a vent pipe up the exterior of the house; or as much as $5,000 to $6,000 for a new foundation and plumbing.

Cracked foundation

In addition to admitting radon, a cracked foundation left unaddressed can be a prescription for disaster. Common foundation materials used back then, such as cement and cinder blocks, crack and leak over time, especially if they weren’t sealed on the exterior side, which also was common in those days. Water seepage can lead to both structural threats (rot and termites) and health issues (mold and mildew).

“There are numerous sealants that can be applied on the inside of the block, but if there is a lot of hydrostatic pressure from the outside, it can just peel it off. Then you would need to do some sort of an interior drain on the inside of the foundation walls and pipe that into a sump pump pit and discharge it,” says Gehman.

An easy external tip: Make sure downspouts are draining water away from the foundation. Raised beds and extended runoffs might save you thousands in foundation repairs.

The cost for foundation repair runs from $1,000 for interior sealant to 10 times that for sealant and drain work.

Lead pipes

Even after lead pipes were replaced in the late 1940s, the earliest galvanized steel pipes still contained lead until it was changed over to zinc. Lead also was present in much of the solder used to join copper pipes as recently as the mid-1980s.

The easiest way to take care of lead in water pipes is with a filtration system. A kitchen system would run $500; a whole house system around $2,000.

It could cost upwards of $5,000 to replace all pipes in the house depending on how much of the structure has to be destroyed to get the old pipes out.

Lead-based paint

Lead-based paint is a tricky issue in a vintage home. In its solid form, whether on interior or exterior surfaces, it is not harmful unless ingested, such as by an infant chewing a sill. In all likelihood, the interior paint has already been painted over several times and is well encapsulated in a Latex-based product.

But when it peels or flakes off of exterior sliding, particles can become airborne or drop into soil where children or pets might ingest them or they could contaminate a vegetable garden. As a result, contactors typically prefer to remove exterior siding altogether rather than sandblast or attempt to strip layers of paint that could contain lead.

To remove and replace siding, get ready to shell out between $12,000 and $15,000.

Asbestos

This household hazard was most commonly used to insulate furnaces and boilers, as well as the water pipes leading to radiators. It also was commonly used in vinyl floor coverings, a cement-and-fiber siding called transite, and in a similar composite roofing material.

The health threat (asbestosis) comes primarily from the softer “friable” form found in insulation; when you touch it with your fingers, it sends up a small puff of toxic dust. Remodelers won’t, and legally can’t, touch the stuff without a permit.

“Some of it is still safe and some of it isn’t,” says Tyson. “Anytime you see a white cloth covering ductwork, you’ve got to assume that that’s asbestos, and you need to bring in a licensed professional to remove it.”

Interior repairs generally will run you between $500 and $1,000. The exact cost depends on the type and extent of the work required:

• $8 to $16 per linear foot for pipes and ductwork;
• $7 to $14 a square foot for wall and ceiling plaster; and
• $1 to $3 per square foot for floor covering.

The rule on exterior asbestos is let it be.

“It’s a good insulator and moisture barrier, and because it’s non-friable, chances of an asbestos particle flying free are pretty slim,” says Gehman. “If it’s in good shape, just leave it there.”

If you must redo the outside because of exposed asbestos, the cost will be $12,000 to $15,000 to remove and replace siding.

Grounded outlets

Electrical wiring in older homes differs from modern wiring in several respects.

The electrical box of yore was typically 60 or 100 amps. Today’s standard is 200 amps.

Wiring was typically not grounded. You have a visual clue here: two prongs on the outlets instead of three.

And parts of the older home where water is available (bathrooms and kitchen) were not fitted with a ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuit or outlet, which cuts off power immediately if an appliance comes in contact with water. Today, GFI also is required in at least one outlet in the garage because of the potential for water from vehicles and weather.

Rewiring your old house can be done room by room or all at once. In homes where behind-the-wall wiring is not practical, a good alternative may be concealing the new wiring behind the baseboards.

A single GFI outlet can cost as little as $75. The cost to rewire a kitchen so every appliance has its own circuit runs from $750 to $1,500. And if you have to rewire the entire house, expect to spend from $7,000 to $10,000.

Oil tanks

This was a common heating fuel source for many older homes. Most states require contractors to obtain a special, environmental permit before removing buried heating oil tanks. Samples must be taken from the soil around the tank to assess contamination.

Disposal guidelines vary. In Pennsylvania, Gehman says tanks are usually taken to a scrap metal yard where an acetylene torch is used to cut the tank in half, thereby igniting (and burning off) any remaining oil, while in North Carolina, tanks must be taken to a tank farm. Filling tanks with sand or rock may be an alternative.

If your old fuel oil tank didn’t leak, it will cost around $2,500 to dispose of it.

Wells, cesspools and septic tanks

Many vintage properties long ago converted to public sewer systems, leaving unused wells, cesspools and septic tanks on the property.

When a remodeling contractor unearths one of these surprises, the solutions vary, from draining the contents to filling it in some manner. If building is planned over the area, an old septic tank may have to be removed.

It costs around $1,200 to $1,500 to fill a septic tank, $2,000 to remove it.

Regardless of the type of hidden hazard that might lurk within the house, don’t count on your remodeling contractor to pick up the cost of fixing surprise problems.

“We actually have a clause in our contracted called concealed conditions,” says Tyson. “While I can do inspections all over the place and crawl in the attic and underneath the house; I don’t have X-ray vision. No contractor does.”

By   Wed, Aug 05, 2009

Insect bites are as much a part of summer as barbecues and ball games. Most bites are little more than a nuisance. even the mildest bite, though, can have major consequences if the insect happens to be a mosquito carrying encephalitis virus or a tick carrying the critter that causes Lyme disease. Other bites can cause considerable pain and swelling and a few can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, or major toxic reactions in anyone who gets enough venom.

Here is a rundown on some of the insects in your neighborhood.

Facts: Only female members of these species have stingers. They are responsible for most insect-related deaths in the U.S. (About 40/year because some people are allergic to their venom.)

Most Aggressive: Yellow Jackets

Most Docile: Honey bees

Nests: Yellow Jackets nest in the ground near human activity. Hornets and wasps nest off the ground away from people.

Avoid:

• Brightly-colored garments
• Floral patterns
• Sweet scents

Removing the stinger: Promptly scrape away the stinger with a sharp edged credit card; other methods of removal could release additional venom.

Treatment: Apply a cold pack; if needed take a mild pain reliever.

Alert: If hoarseness, wheezing, swelling of the mouth and throat, abdominal cramps, a racing pulse and lightheadedness occur get immediate professional attention!

Facts: Of the 60 species of North American spiders that bite people and have venom, only two are highly toxic. Those are the aptly named Black Widow and the Brown Recluse.

Alert: Signs of a Black Widow spider bite include severe muscle cramps that are especially severe in the abdomen, thighs, and back. Other signs may include widespread swelling, labored breathing and convulsions.

Signs of a Brown recluse spider bite include redness and swelling at the site of the bite and often blisters. In a day or two the area may enlarge and turn black.

Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention for bites by these spiders.

Facts: They are harmless unless carrying infectious agents. These infections are concentrated in certain locales.

Encephalitis: (Including the West nile virus) can crop up anywhere in the U.S.

Avoid: Areas of stagnant water where mosquitoes like to breed, and avoid being outdoors during dawn and dusk.

Bite prevention: See chart on DEET.

Alert: Encephalitis is swelling of the brain and is very serious. Watch for signs of encephalitis such as headaches and a fever.

Facts: 90% of the nation's Lyme disease occurs in the eight states from Massachusetts south to Maryland. However, outbreaks have been reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Avoid: Short sleeves and short pants when in the woods. Be sure to inspect yourself when you get home.

Also: It takes many hours to transmit Lyme disease, so you can prevent infection simply by removing the tick promptly with tweezers and washing with soap and water.

Alert: Watch for an expanding rash on your skin near the site of a tick bite. a rash usually appears 1-2 weeks after the bite with an average diameter of 5-6 inches and will persist for 3-5 weeks. It is not painful or itchy. If such a rash should occur seek immediate medical attention.

Patented by the U.S. Army in 1946, DEET is a synthetic chemical that is quite safe to use for repelling insects.

Adults: Can use products with 30%
Children: Can use products with 10%

In tests against other products Dr. Mark Fradin and Dr. John day found that science beats nature in insect repellents. They tested several brands of DEET against a new chemical repellent (Jr3535) and various natural lotions, sprays and wristbands.

Here are the results:

Article from Harvard Medical School's publication, "Harvard Men's Health Watch." For more information about Harvard Medical School's health publications visit www.health.harvard.edu. To order a subscription to one of HHP's award-winning newsletters call 1-800-829-9457. 

By   Wed, Aug 05, 2009

A recent Gallup poll found that americans rank entertaining - along with filing tax returns and visiting the dentist - as their number one stress-related event. Why is something that should be enjoyable causing such anxiety?

"Sometimes just the word 'entertaining' conjures up images of a picture-perfect home and fancy foods that are hard to pronounce, not to mention cook. But it doesn't have to be difficult," insists Pam anderson, author of "Perfect Recipes for Having People Over." anderson and the national Pork Board have some helpful advice for hassle-free entertaining this season:

Decide on the main course first. a large cut of meat that is easy to cook is usually an excellent option. Once you've nailed the cornerstone of your meal, the rest of the small stuff falls into place - whether you choose to cook, purchase or potluck.

Cook smarter, not harder. When choosing recipes, ask yourself questions such as, "How far ahead can I prepare this?" "How can I vary it?" and "What about leftovers?" For example, Anderson's Oven-Barbecued Pork is so tender and flavorful that your guests will think you slaved over it all day. Surprise! It cooks overnight, leaving little to do during a party. For a festive, no-fuss twist, anderson suggests a "make-your-own carnitas" bar. Guests can build their own fork-free carnitas with the pulled pork, tortillas and cream and salsa. As a bonus, the delicious leftover pork is perfect for busy weeknight suppers - anything from sandwiches to pizzas to quesadillas.

Go with the flow. No matter how organized you might be, there are always times when life manages to interrupt your plans. Taking little steps, such as setting the table in advance, conveys, "Welcome - I'm ready," even when you're not. Remember, the most important part about entertaining is spending happy times with friends and family.

Oven-Barbecued Pork

• 1 (8- to 9-pound) bone-in pork shoulder butt roast or fresh picnic shoulder
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more for sprinkling
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coarsely-ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 /2 cup dijon mustard

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 250°F.

Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder in small bowl. Pat roast dry and place on rack set over foil-lined shallow baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle top and sides of roast with salt, brush with half the mustard and sprinkle with half the spice rub. Carefully turn roast over. Sprinkle with a little salt, brush with remaining mustard and sprinkle with remaining spice rub. roast until meat thermometer registers 170°F, 9 to 11 hours, depending on size.

Transfer pork to platter and cool long enough to handle, about 1 hour. Cut roast into 1- to 2-inch chunks and shred meat into large bowl. add enough pan drippings to moisten pork and stir to combine. Serves 12 to 20.

By   Wed, Aug 05, 2009

Maggie Trenary and her husband were tired of hauling their boat to a farmer's mucky lake to practice water-skiing. The couple and one of their three children are passionate about water-skiing and regularly compete in events throughout the U.S.

Until they bought property at Trophy Lake estates I in Glenwood, Minn., last May, they had leased a small lake for practice time. "It was so muddy to ski on that no one else boated there," she said. But practice time is critical to gain a competitive edge. That was the family's main motivation to buy the Glenwood property, which features a man-made lake with conditions ideal for water-skiing. after spending just one summer at Trophy Lake estates, they credit it with making a big difference in their skiing skills and success in competitions. While the family's primary residence is on Lake Minnetonka, it can be difficult to practice on that busy lake where they face another kind of competition - from the many boats and personal watercraft.

Water-skiing can be difficult on any public lake, Trenary said. But when the Trenarys wanted to use a public lake that had less traffic than Lake Minnetonka, that meant time driving to a different lake and the need to haul and launch the boat.

In contrast, the home in Glenwood is built on a private lake with far fewer residents. Only eight properties are available at the Glenwood development, which features the first man-made lake of its type in Minnesota.

The Trenary's home has 700 feet of lakeshore; most have about 200 feet. a typical one- to two-acre lot on the lake costs about $150,000 to $195,000, according to Trenary, who is a realtor for Prem Properties.

Many residents on the man-made lake are recreational water-skiers and wake boarders, representing various skill levels. Conditions at the lake are controlled, which makes it an ideal spot for water-skiing.

"Wind just isn't a factor," Trenary said. When the lake was created, it was dug in a depression to minimize wind. Having a very narrow, long lake also is suited for water-skiing. Pine trees were planted around the lake as a windbreak, and for their natural beauty. "Once the trees mature, the lake will be totally wind protected," she said. In addition, "turnaround islands" break down the wake from the boats and prevent it from rolling from one end of the lake to the other, creating rough water.

"The water is an unbelievable color - crystal blue," Trenary said. When the lake was dug, it was lined with black plastic and then sand was hauled in before it was filled with well water.

The Trenarys typically water-ski two to three times a day when they're at their Glenwood property. Sharing lake time with the other property owners hasn't been a problem. "The most we've ever had is one other family on the lake when we were there, too, and we just took turns. It's usually one big happy group."

"It's like a country club here," Trenary said. "It is very private." Having access to a volleyball court, tennis court, swing sets and other amenities also adds to the country club feeling.

"Before, we had to pack up and drive some distance and tow the boat, be gone all day and then race home. Now it's right in our backyard. We can spend more time skiing because we don't have the packing and travel time.

"It's a great way to spend a summer, spend time with your family and get out and get some exercise," she added. "This just made more sense for us instead of driving to a recreational lake."

First in the State

Grant Hustad was another avid water-skier in search of a better location to practice. He and his daughters had competed in locations throughout the U.S. While competing in other states, Hustad became familiar with residential developments on man-made lakes and was determined to create one in his home state of Minnesota.

"I developed a dream," Hustad said. His first such development, Trophy Lake estates I, in Glenwood, was followed by Trophy Lake estates II in Pine Island and Trophy Lake estates III in Center City. Hustad is presently working on a fourth development on a man- made lake.

Trophy Lake Estates now hosts two or three water-skiing events of its own each year.

Typical buyers have been "a real cross section," according to Hustad. "We generally find two or three people in the family with an interest in water sports, but the level of interest can vary." In addition to an interest in water sports, the privacy afforded by the few lots per lake is another attraction. "The neighbors become a very close-knit group. My wife and I enjoy the privacy we have when our kids and grandkids come over; we can spend private time on the beach with them. Every weekend is a party up here."

Having a lakeside retreat in town has advantages over driving to a cabin up north, Hustad said. "If you have kids, they definitely will like having a lake in their backyard. Once they become teenagers, they often are involved in sports or church activities and it's more difficult for the entire family to get away for a weekend." But having a place in town makes it much easier for the family to enjoy the water and still get to family members' commitments.

Making a Lake

Creating a lake does require a thorough regulatory process involving numerous state agencies. "Ultimately, we end up with a project that is environmentally friendly," Hustad said. "It complements the watershed and environmental issues."

Because the finished lake is private, the department of natural resources isn't involved in any use of weed killers and algaecides in the water. Hustad said that any runoff entering the lake is managed to control nutrients that might otherwise be carried into the lake. Waterways carrying water to the lake are planted with grasses to serve as a natural filter. Boating activity also helps keep the water agitated, which prevents stagnation.

"The water is as fine a water quality as you can get," Hustad said. and because the lake is private, sand can be placed on beaches - something restricted on public lakes.

Fishing is an option in the developments' lakes, too, as walleye, pan fish, bass and yellow perch are stocked. The depth of Trophy Lake estates lakes is about six and one-half feet in most areas, with some spots reaching 13 feet to provide fish habitat.

As this issue went to press, one lot was available in Glenwood as well as several in Pine Island and eight or 10 in Center City. The Center City development has two lakes side by side; eventually, 25 homes will be built on the two lakes.

Man-Made Lakes In Minnesota?

Minnesota could be called the land of 11,842 lakes and a few that don't officially count.

Besides the private lakes dug primarily for water recreation enthusiasts, other lakes you drive by may not be natural occurrences. Several large, abandoned mining pits in northern Minnesota, as well as gravel pits, have filled in with water, giving the appearance of a lake. "Some of them are quite deep," according to Glen Yakel with the Minnesota department of natural Resources. The water is largely from groundwater that rises and fills in the depression.

In addition, early settlers, who often built homes near water, sometimes dammed up a stream or a river in order to impound a water supply. For example, some counties in southwestern Minnesota have no natural lakes yet you can see reservoirs of water that sure look like natural lakes. One is Split Rock Lake in Pipestone County near Ihlen, Minn.

"Making a lake isn't something you'd typically do [today] because of the economics of it," Yakel said. "Water supply issues usually drove the reservoir type of man-made lake.

"In the 'land of 10,000 lakes,' you wouldn't expect to find lakes that are man-made."

Quick Clicks
Trophy Lake Estates
www.trophylakeestates.com
651-245-7325

By Laura Westphal   Wed, Aug 05, 2009

The 12-foot Alumacraft is flat-bottomed, painted dark green, and floating a few feet from the dock. An Evinrude 9 1⁄2 h.p. motor crouches silently on its back end. John-John sits on a faded blue cushion. He is shirtless as he expertly ties a frayed ski rope to the cleat in the back corner of the fishing boat. John-John is 9-years-old. It is a perfect day in early June, 1967. The water is still a little chilly this early during a northern Wisconsin summer. There is a scrawny girl in the water thrashing awkwardly in her struggle with the long, yellow skis. The uncomfortable orange life jacket hinders her attempts to get balanced and her frustration is palpable to the several kids standing nearby on shore. This is a rite of passage for all the lake kids and no adults are present. The girl is 7-years-old and John-John is her brother. A splash and grumble from behind alert the girl that her big brother, Brett (the eldest of the crowd at age 10), is coming into the water to help. He puts the ski handle into the little girl's hands and balances her so that the enormous skis can right themselves. John-John starts the engine; to the girl it is incredibly loud. She sets the ski rope aside--no way. Brett hands her back the rope and reminds her to keep her back straight and her knees bent. even though she has watched lots of people ski, and grew up around boats, even thought about this moment many nights in her bed, she sets the rope aside again. Her brothers grow exasperated. Brett holds the rope as John-John slowly putt-putts forward; the Evinrude sputtering and kicking off gray smoke. Just before the slack is gone, Brett puts the ski handle back in the girl's hands. When the rope is taut John-John twists the motor's handle to full throttle. Brett throws her forward onto the surface of the water. Before she knows it, the girl is sliding across the glass and even sees her reflection. She is in awe of this new sensation. The Evinrude is roaring, her muscles are singing and the girl is exhilarated. John-John grins at her broadly and life is so sweet. Within a week she is on one ski tooling around the lake.

That was my first time on skis. I have never forgotten the thrill and joy of that day. My goal ever since has been to get as many people water-skiing as possible. I have taught dozens of kids and hapless adults to ski. Thoughtlessly I never kept a list of my pupils or their ages; a true regret. although their method was quite effective, my teaching technique is quite different from my brothers'. Looking back, my brothers got the main thing right, I got up skiing. But, wow, the scary things they got wrong (in today's terms) that were perfectly perfect in the 1960s. I survived didn't I?

I start my lessons on dry land, before the lake is even in sight. always talk up the pure fun and joy of being on the water. I find out if my student can swim and if she is comfortable in the water, especially the deep water where wipeouts occur far away from the dock. The student's parents are sent away, lest they interfere with the student-sensei rapport. It is suggested they watch from a distance and come down to the dock with cameras ready in about 30 minutes. now the kids' skis are shorter and tied together so smaller legs don't struggle to stay balanced. The student and I talk through everything: the sound of the engine (now a fabulous inboard with a deep, musical roar), the pull against the boat, bent knees, straight back, tense biceps, strained thighs, heels pressed down, neoprene life jacket zipped snugly, hand signals understood, spotter at the ready, and an awesome ski boom. ah, that boom. It makes teaching future skiers very easy. I can talk to the kids while they're hanging onto the bar. They get a great feel for the water and a grinning, glowing confidence to move onto the next step without being too tired. A 5-foot-rope is looped over the end of the boom. The new skier gets the feeling of being pulled out of the water; they are slightly less stable on the water but they quickly adjust and test out pressing down on their heels, moving left and right, standing up straight, the danger of locked knee joints. after the short rope lesson the new skier goes all the way behind the boat using a standard length rope. Usually she gets up on the first try and the whole lesson takes about a half-hour. We all know that slalom lessons will come soon. With perfect timing I swing the boat near the dock where proud parents are waving. When the water is glass, those grins reflect a long way.

I love that boom and use it to teach kids to slalom, trick ski, wake board and barefoot ski, too. I can teach wake boarding, but am not proficient at it myself, plus my screaming upsets the dogs. I used to barefoot ski, but to be realistic those wipe outs hurt. Who knew water could be so bruising? knee boarding is fun, for a while, but the tubes the kids love now? Totally scary to me. How could kids like tubing better than slicing the water or touching that dropped elbow when water is glass?

A few summers ago I took John-John (now just one John) barefoot skiing on the boom. He really wanted to go because the water was glass. My spotter sat in the back of the boat. John's a big guy now, ex-college football player with shattered knees. When he is barefooting the spray is huge and white. Halfway through his run, John's swimming suit (cut-off jeans held up by a busted electrical cord) slid to his ankles. neither the spotter nor the people along the shore could see beyond the great splashing, oh, but I could. John, then 44, cackled with laughter and refused to just drop off even though I (then 42) begged him to please end my torture. I turned my eyes to the lake, watching to make sure my skier was safe from other boaters, and gradually I slowed down enough to dunk my brother into the water. Spending summers on a lake with my brothers, little sister, countless friends, neighbor kids and cousins, was like a wonderful dream. I'm sure it rained, got windy and the mosquitoes swarmed, but that isn't what I call to mind. Then the days were long, hot and the sky impossibly blue. The lake is flat and calm and the air is sweet. Kool-aide never tasted better. We had picnics almost every day (because mom locked the four of us outside the cabin all day). I call this image to mind when I'm cold or having a bad day. I use this image to defeat the picture I would otherwise carry of the much older John-John barefoot skiing on my boom.

Ski Tips Up; Hit It!

While it is nice to have a ski boat, a boom, and the newest skis, none of that really matters to the person at the end of the rope. The things they need the most are adequate (and safe) equipment, a good boat driver, and a patient and positive teacher. Teaching someone how to ski shouldn't be an unpleasant or painful experience; it's supposed to be fun!

It helps if the future skier can observe a few other skiers in action, from the boat and from the shore. Skiing can be rather intimidating, especially if they are surrounded by a bunch of experts. a few stories of your first experiences (sugar-coated a bit if necessary!) can help to relax them. Start slow. Have them try the skis on while standing on the dock and also in the water. For kids, doing this a day or two before the actual attempt can help to get them more comfortable with the whole experience. Work on position, and explain to them what it will feel like to get tugged out of the water while trying to stand on two pieces of wood.

The mood of all those involved can have a big impact on the experience. The skier should not feel pressured or rushed.

Equipment

While the gear today has changed from when we adults learned to ski, the basics remain. a life jacket, skis, rope and a boat are still all that's really needed. Be sure to learn the rules in your area regarding life jackets, spotter requirements, and the hours of the day skiing is allowed. It is imperative that anyone learning to ski wear a properly-fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device. even the most advanced swimmer can get in trouble after a tough fall.

For kids, just about any boat with a 50 h.p. engine will be plenty adequate. That may be enough for an adult, depending on the size of the individual. a pontoon is fine, as long as there is a ladder for getting out of the water away from shore. Make sure there is a secure point to attach the rope. An adult can put a large amount of force on the rope when getting up.

The skis should be sized appropriately to the skier; the bindings should be snug, but not too tight. If the water is cold, a wet suit can help a lot. The skier will likely spend a fair amount of time in the water. Don't forget to remind the skier to make sure their swimsuit bottoms are on tight!

Teaching

It is important that the skier receives instruction from one or two people at the most. It is hard enough to understand one set of instructions, and additional voices will confuse them even more. If someone wants to offer advice, they should mention it to the one giving the advice. It is best if the instructor is in the boat, and an experienced person helps in the water. Sometimes the hardest thing for the kids is keeping the skis on, and in the right position. an extra set of hands is a big help.

The old advice of "ski tips up, arms straight, knees bent, lean back" still holds true. It really is hard to adequately explain what it will feel like when they say "hit it."

Driving the boat can be the most difficult job. The right timing and amount of acceleration are critical to a successful attempt. While an experienced skier can adapt to a wide range of pulls, the novice needs the right amount at the right time. The line needs to be tight without dragging the skier, the ski tips up, boat pointed straight, clear path ahead, no big waves near the skier. If the boat has a good mirror, it may be best if the driver dictates when to go. Otherwise, an experienced teacher can do it. The weight of the skier plays a big role in how hard to accelerate. Too hard, and the skier gets the rope yanked away, or worse, does a face plant. Too slow, and the skier gets dragged; 15 to 25 mph is all that is needed, again depending on the skier's weight. Make sure to tell the skier that if they are about to fall, they need to let go of the rope. I have had several people (usually adults) try to hang on a bit too long. That can be painful!

Using a ski boat with a boom is the easiest way to teach. Getting up with a rope is the hardest part about skiing, and the boom gives the skier the feeling of skiing, so they know what to expect when getting up with a rope.

By   Wed, Aug 05, 2009

We all seem to think that when we grew up, things were different. Grandparents and parents tell of the days when they would leave their house on their bike in the morning and not come back until dinnertime. They would swim and fish and spend the entire day outside with their friends. it seems so odd to the parents who are raising young children now. While there are many good reasons to not let your children be gone on their bikes for an entire day, there can be a happy medium. Children, parents and grandparents can find a healthy interaction with nature.

Here are 20 ways for you to start traditions with your children or grandchildren while enjoying the lake and nature lifestyle:

Early morning canoe breakfast- pack coffee, donuts, juice and fruit and set out with the little ones in the middle and the adults at each end of the canoe. Take in the stillness of the air and the quiet waters as you share the sunrise.

Nature trails - Build and maintain nature trails that can be used over and over again throughout the year. Leave treasures to surprise the kids the next time they journey down the pathway.

Campfire song books - This is a good one for the grandparents who have been singing the same campfire songs ever since they can remember. Make up some song books and laminate them so they can be used for years to come. This can also be fun for prayers before meals and at bedtime.

Plant wildflowers- Add more flowers to the scenery around your lake home. Containers of wildflower seeds can be purchased at most local hardware stores or nurseries. Sprinkle the seeds in the early spring and watch your wildflower gardens multiply each summer.

Scavenger hunt- An all-time favorite for not only the list makers, but also for the scavengers who are working to complete their tasks. Group kids and adults together. Mix it up a bit and group people who don't know each other as well, and it will give them a chance to work together.

Kindling baskets- A good project for the kids to do while the adults are packing up to head home after a weekend away. Give them an oversized basket and have them fill it with small twigs and pine cones so your kindling is all set for the next visitors.

Paint rocks- Whether you paint rocks with just water to see the beautiful colors, or paint, this is something that anyone at any age can do. First find rocks that have the shape and texture of your masterpiece and paint away. paint rocks like animals or build a city. Then set the rocks out for everyone to admire.

Building a fire- A good life lesson is to teach an age-appropriate child the proper and safe way to build a fire. it will be a major accomplishment to the little eyes who have watched the adults tackle the project in the past.

Learn to play the guitar or harmonica- don't we all wish we could play an instrument that others can enjoy? This is something that even the most unlikely Uncle can do if he puts his mind to it. Many local music shops sell these items and also have lessons available.

Grandparent's sunset boat cruises- parents sit back and enjoy some peace and quiet while the Grandparents bring the grandchildren on a boat ride all alone to share stories and watch the sunset as another day on the lake comes to an end.

Raspberry and Strawberry picking- Walk through the woods and find wild raspberries and strawberries and bring them back for lunch. This would be a good opportunity to point out the good and bad plants in the woods. Showing them what they can and can't eat is a good lesson, along with what poison ivy looks like.

Fireworks alternative- Have fun with glow sticks as a safe alternative to fireworks. Again, most ages can enjoy this nighttime fun. Get a variety of colors and sizes. These can be purchased almost anywhere, including the gas, station on your way to the lake. This will also be a good way to see where the kids are as night approaches.

Diving for treasures- pull out the masks, fins and snorkels and have the kids dive for treasures in the shallow area of your beach. if the older kids want to go deeper, go for it. Money, anchors and nets all make great items to search for including dad's sunglasses that fell overboard last summer.

Birdhouse kit- A great project for the Grandparents to do with the kids. Kits are available at most home stores and many nurseries. After following the painting directions, consider spraying a clear coat varnish over the birdhouse to make it last longer. Then tack it up on a tree that is visible from the deck and watch for renters.

Polar bear swim- in the early morning when most people are still sleeping or drinking coffee, bring the little ones who wake early out for a polar bear swim. Give the fish under the dock a nice wake up call....oh and all your lake neighbors too! Who doesn't love the sound of children giggling?

Build a tree fort- This can be as simple as a piece of plywood one summer to a full blown tree fort with electricity. Most kids are fine with the plywood and they can eat their lunch up amongst the squirrels with their buddies.

Rope swing- An all-time favorite for the kids who have no fear. An old deer stand makes a great platform for the kids to get their footings before they launch up and over the water. Get Grandpa off the chair to give this one a try!

Grandparents lake journal- put together a journal for your grandchildren. Ask some interesting and thought-provoking questions. What is your favorite memory of the lake from your childhood? How did you learn how to swim? Who used to bring you fishing? do you have any good fishing stories? How about the big storm that came through at the cabin when you were 10? What wishes do you have for your children and grandchildren?

Campfire candles- Melt old candles over the campfire and make new ones in the sand or old muffin tins. you can buy wicks at most craft stores and candle wax too. Use the candles to light the walking path that evening.

Photo cards- Take digital photos of the pathway to the water, the dock, the scenery or anything that will remind you of the lake. Then print note cards and give them to the lake home owner as a thank you. or enjoy photos of your lake home on note cards to be used all year long. A gentle reminder of the sights during your visit to the lake.

For more ideas about enjoying nature and the great outdoors that surround us when we are at the lake, visit the Lake Hom and Cabin Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

By Mike Elliott   Wed, Aug 05, 2009

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a protected federal wilderness along the Minnesota and Ontario border that features over 1,500 miles of lakes, rivers and streams. These waters are connected by portages, the very paths that fur traders and Native Americans used hundreds of years ago to adorn Londoners with beaver top hats. Remnants of this bygone industry are now preserved at the Northwest Fur Company's replica fort on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation.

Over 200,000 people will visit the BWCAW this season and you can be one of them. This area is so loved that a permit is required to insure solitude and increase your chances of wildlife sightings and of finding open camp sites. The permit system also minimizes human impact in the region.

On your first visit you are more likely to see modern voyageurs sporting L.L. Bean boots, gortex hats and hauling kevlar canoes instead of colorful sashes, moccasins and big birch bark barges. Ultra-light equipment makes paddling a picnic when compared to the two ninety- pound packs of fur hauled by the real voyageurs. No surprise that rum was a hot commodity and complications from hernia, not drowning, were a frequent cause of death.

If portaging, camping with critters, and swimming nakey in the lakey is not your style, don't worry, you can still enjoy this region by day tripping in the BWCAW and return in time to enjoy a cool beverage, hot sauna and a comfortable cabin. A trip here does not have to be a hell in the dells experience if you are the type of camper that prefers a sleep number over glacial shield granite.

The idea of BWCAW for everyone hit me on a June Father's Day trip with my sons a few summers ago. We enjoyed great weather, fantastic northern lights and the bass were on the bite. To top it off, I just shot a moose with my camera. We also salvaged a crushed canoe from a set of rapids, including the gear and May permit, for two paddlers from St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The nearest road from the accident was at least thirteen miles of rugged terrain and without their canoe and no signs of a fire scar at the mishap, hypothermia and the men's safety became our mystery, concern, and prayer. We quickened our pace attempting to turn over the cargo before the ranger station closed.

I spotted the bridge at our take out when an older man waved us down from the bow of a rental canoe. Another canoe followed close behind. The gentleman had a broad smile and wanted information. Where had we been? What was it like? Did we hear loons, owls, wolves? Did we see any wildlife and what type of fish did we catch?

If the party was going to make camp before dark, I mentioned that they had about six more hours of paddling and three portages to go. The man chuckled, "Oh no," he said, "We are just day tripping and this is my best gift ever!"

The group was from Iowa and staying at a local resort. The man was a retired teacher and this was his first visit to the BWCAW. He learned about the area from one of conservationist Sigurd Olson's many books. His son and grandchildren planned the vacation as an 85th birthday surprise, fulfilling grandpa's BWCAW dream.

Day tripping! I made a few day trips with my wife and small children before my first week paddle with a good friend in 1988. Jim and I were green as grasshoppers but smart enough to hire an outfitter for our first overnight trip.

Most outfitters are small business men and women that pride themselves on meeting and exceeding customer needs from outfitting a party for a week or a solo kayaker for a day. They live there, are knowledgeable and for the most part do not speak with accents like the characters in the movies Fargo or North Country.

To get started on any trip, I would purchase one of Robert Beymer's guide books titled Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Volume I covers the western section of the BWCAW and access points including the Fernberg Road, Echo Trail and Highway 1 as well as the Crane Lake area.

Volume II takes in the eastern region and all accesses from Tofte to Grand Portage, Minnesota. These roads, also known as trails, include the Sawbill, Caribou, Arrowhead and the notorious Gunflint, which offers accommodations for all skill levels and pocketbooks. If a U. S. Forest Service camp is not your style, check out some of the Gunflint's first-rate lodges, many with classy menus and good chefs.

Even without a canoe atop your car these routes are great day trips in themselves. I have seen as much wildlife (road kill aside) on them as on the water. With just a tad of research, these roads all provide many day tripping opportunities. I will share four of my favorites. All are spurs off the Echo Trail near Ely and just a sampling of what awaits you.

Day Tripping for Pictographs

The South Hegman Lake entry offers access to the most vivid pictographs in the BWCAW. The mystery and educational aspect of the paintings, along with plenty of rock outcroppings for exploring, makes this a perfect day trip for kids. Blueberry season is just an added bonus for most young explorers. The trip starts with an easy 80 rod portage. Rods are the measurements used on all canoe maps. One rod equals the length of an average canoe or about 16.5 feet.

After the 10 rod portage into North Hegman Lake, look to the western shore cliffs which became the rock canvas for ancient travelers hundreds of years ago. These pictographs attract curious paddlers, but are also considered spiritual in nature by others. Many believe they should not be photographed because of this.

Tripping the Angleworm Trail

It's no Kekekabic, the brutal 40 mile trail that connects the BWCAW's west and east, but the Angleworm is a perfect hike of tall pines, great vistas and pristine waters. This 12-mile loop encircles Angleworm, Home and Whiskey Jack Lakes. It starts at the Angleworm Portage. This is a rugged haul for paddlers balancing packs and canoes but a much easier trip if you travel light and on foot. The complete trek is a feat for a day trip, but who will know if you cheat?

One Day at a Time on Lake One

This is one of the busiest entry points in all of the BWCAW making it difficult to secure overnight permits, but day trippers are fee free. Make sure to bring a map and compass or a big ball of string. The lake is large and beautiful but it can be confusing because of its many islands. This is a popular lake so if lost you will not be alone.

Kawishiwi Lodge is just a short paddle from the access. The lodge is the only resort allowed in the paddle-only section of the BWCAW. It features several housekeeping cabins, each furnished with a canoe and indoor plumbing. This allows a family the flexibility to day trip every day and return to a wood fire sauna and cozy cabin each evening.

Several summers ago we rented a couple of log cabins with friends of ours and our young children. When the rains came we all went to Ely. If you go, make sure to visit the International Wolf Center and while there ask to see the BWCAW permit video as it will give you a quick primer on the area and everything you need to know about camping or day tripping.

The Dorothy Molter museum is just down the road. The "Root Beer Lady" was no friend of wolves and got in trouble with the Forest Service for that and a few other things during her life in her modest cabin on Knife Lake where she made and sold her homemade brew to thirsty paddlers.

Another worthwhile trip is the drive to the Tower Soudan mine. It is operated as a Minnesota State Park and a real down under tour. You will leave with an appreciation for the character and grit of the miners, their families and what helped build this area before canoeing became its domain.

Get Buzzed by the Chain Saw Sisters Day or Night

The Chain Saw Sisters Saloon is 18 miles north of Ely and, yes, they have chain saws all over the place. For a small fee they will secure your vehicle and rent you a canoe for a trip starting at the Mudro Lake entry. A short paddle through Picket Creek takes you into Mudro Lake and beyond if you desire. When you return, make sure to stop for a cold one. They will autograph your map, just don't ask them to clean and cook your walleyes. Oh, and don't forget the T-shirt.

IF YOU GO YOU NEED TO KNOW

Permits are a must:

Day trippers can self issue at any entry point without the red tape and fees. Maximum party size is nine people and four canoes. No glass or metal cans are allowed except for repellent and medicine. Camping and fires are allowed only in designated campsite grates and sometimes not at all depending on conditions. You are required to have your permit with you at all times. Hefty fines are enforced especially for not extinguishing fires, makeshift camps and oversized groups.

Bugs:

Truth be told, during July and August they are no worse than any urban neighborhood and on the water almost nonexistent. It might be luck, or the garlic, but on most summer trips I only break out the deet at dusk or on a swampy portage. Wearing light-colored clothing and camping on a breezy point minimizes mosquitoes.

Bears and other wild things:

During 17 years of BWCAW canoeing I have never seen a black bear. The key to bear security is a clean camp. Pack food in zip-lock bags or plastic containers. Only cook what you will eat, leftovers are not an option. Never clean fish in camp and put the remains away from camp on a rock for the eagles and otters. Then grab your binos and watch the show.

This area is also home to mergansers, beaver, loons, owls, eagles, osprey, wolves, deer and moose to name a few. Your chances to hear or observe any of them are magnified by quiet paddling, traveling in small groups and spacing your canoes far apart on the water.

Fishing:

80% of the fish lurk in 20% of the water, but bring other food just in case. Look for points, boulder fields, islands and changing structure as you paddle. I am amazed at how many anglers pass up the fertile waters above and below many portages as they hurry on their way. Try dragging a jig or lure behind your canoe. Most northern pike can keep up and they have saved many a shore lunch when the fishing stinks.

A small plastic tackle box will suffice. Leave the expensive lures at home as they will end up on the bottom of the lake, a reason I never swim barefoot and make a hobby of bringing swim goggles on every summer trip to gather other anglers lost tackle.

I've given up on most live bait with the exception of leeches. Minnows are not practical unless you catch them yourself. Worms get rancid in the summer heat. A simple plastic kool-aid container will hold a few dozen leeches and also offers quick access and easy changing of their water.

Safety and first aid:

Life jackets are a must for all kids and non-swimmers, but when to wear them is still a freedom we have as adults. In summer months and on smaller lakes and calm rivers I find them hot and cumbersome. However, I'm a believer when it comes to fast water, cold water, and when crossing big or windy lakes.

Bring a small first aid kit and some good bug dope for any trip. Caution is your best friend. Scout rapids and portage if there is any doubt. Be sure-footed on portages and careful when you hop out of your canoe as this is where most injuries occur. Falling into an ice cold bog hole on a hot summer day is rejuvenating, but in September it can mean trouble. 

WEB SITES

A simple BWCAW search will put you into contact with everything from the U.S.F.S. reservation system to outfitters. My favorite web sites are www. canoecountry.com and www.info@bwca. com. These sites also offer links to most area attractions mentioned in this article and the firsthand experiences and photos of many canoe trippers.

MAPS

BWCAW canoe maps are available from most outfitters. They can be obtained direct from www.mckenziemaps.com or www.fishermaps.com. Mark the front with trip highlights like favorite "honey holes" and campsites. Use the back to keep a journal to share with other paddlers.

MORE BOOKS

Magic on the Rocks,
by Michael Furtman
"Magic" contains many photos and illustrations that describe the history and legends of the ancient pictographs.

A Boundary Waters Fishing Guide,
by Michael Furtman
Will teach you how to fish the BWCAW and also contains an index of each lake's depth, size and what species lurk below. This will prevent you from wasting a week chasing walleyes on 100-feet-deep trout lakes. Furtman's diagram on how to fillet a northern pike without the Y-bones will win many wagers.

Canoeing & Camping Beyond the Basics,
by Cliff Jacobson
Jacobson is a teacher and author of several outdoor books, but this one is perfect for BWCAW wilderness camping.

The Singing Wilderness and Listening Point
are just two of the many writings of Sigurd Olson, who fought for preserving this land and water when it was unpopular to do so. His pages are what pulled me to my first day trip years ago.

AUTHORS NOTE: The two men avoided hypothermia and survived their chilly ordeal. The swift water swept them broadside into an unforgiving boulder. With no matches and zero options they bushwhacked through the forest edges for over fourteen hours, using a compass and keeping the river in sight. My sons met with them in St. Paul to hand over the salvaged gear. They were already planning their next trip.

By Ken Jahnke   Thu, Aug 13, 2009

If you have decided to take a vacation by a lake, why not try a vacation on a lake? There are many options available to help families of any size have a great wilderness vacation without having to rough it camping.

Surrounding Superior National Forest are great waterways with many companies offering houseboats for rent from one to seven days, or more. The service levels available vary from company to company, and most have a website that can help you work your way through your choices.

The houseboats available range in size from 30-feet to over 55-feet long. They are designed to accommodate 2 to 15 people, and come with all of the comforts of home, including a Jacuzzi if you cannot bear to leave it behind. I would recommend following the outfitter's guidelines for the number of people that will comfortably fit on each size houseboat. Most of the outfitters have an older fleet and newer fleet. The newer boats generally have more features, are a foot or two wider, and rent for a higher fee. They also might have restrictions on whether the family pet can come along. Of course none of the boats are speed cruisers, and the bigger, heavier boats will go a little slower while using more fuel.

The list of options available for this style of vacation seems endless. However, all boats must have a second boat with a motor for safety reasons, and the cost of this second boat, motor, and the fuel are not included with the cost of the rental, but you cannot use the boat without them. You can select different types of watercraft to fit this need, from simple Lund 16-foot boats with a 15 to 25 horsepower motor, to fully-loaded fishing boats. of course, prices vary on these. Or, you are welcome to bring your own boat and motor. Just remember to get the trailer in proper working order prior to leaving by checking the lights and greasing the wheel bearings.

The service level available for your meals also varies. While restaurant service is not available, most outfitters will offer an outline for a menu, and some will even do the shopping and have the food loaded for you when you are ready to depart. I have done my shopping at the closest town to the departure point, and it has worked out well. The best advice is to write the menu, make a shopping list, and bring along a few extras. Refrigerators are about the same size as your home refrigerator. Remember that you will be doing a lot of activities in the water and fresh air which usually means a big appetite. Outfitters might also offer an every-other day supply run where they will bring ice, beverages, food, and fuel for you. of course, this is also an a-la-carte service. Most houseboats come with a fully-equipped kitchen, including all of the needed pots, pans, utensils, and place settings. Grills are often found on the front porch of the boat, with chairs and a table for dining outside. some models also have a screened- in area to keep out the flies and mosquitoes that might be accompanying you on your voyage. The roof can double as a sunning area during the day, a campground during the evening, or usually is the site of the Jacuzzi on the boats equipped with one. Your kids will get to know how to get up to the roof within minutes of your anchoring, as this is the launching spot for the water slide off of the stern of the boat.

Fishing equipment is available for you to rent, or you can bring your own. If you are not familiar with the lake, or how to find the fish that might be available, guide services can be arranged, but they need to be booked well in advance. If you want to find the best fishing, this is a great way to find the productive spots on the lake. Kids will be more likely to enjoy fishing with Mom and Dad if they are able to land a few!

Housekeeping is the responsibility of the captain and crew. The fresh water supply is limited, but by using a few practical conservation practices, such as not letting faucets run, you should not have any problems. I was very glad that I brought along an extra scrubbing pad for the pots and pans. Linens are available, or again you can bring along your own. If you select the linen service, it is a very minor additional charge, and the space savings I had by not packing them on my second trip was well worth it. While we did take very quick showers, it was great being in the wilderness without having to use outdoor plumbing. Bathrooms are equipped with chemical toilets similar to those found in motor homes. Make sure to go over the instructions with the outfitter prior to shoving off, and double check the supply of chemicals. They work great when used properly.

Knowing that you will be on or in the water during your vacation, life jackets are a must. They served double duty as great water toys while we were swimming. We brought our own life jackets, but the houseboats come equipped with the good old orange Mae West style. one of the great features on the houseboat is the availability of one or two 110 volt outlets. I was able to take as much video as I wanted, and I could recharge the batteries each day.

Rates are for the houseboat only, and the days generally "push off" during the early afternoon, and have an arrival time around 8 or 9 AM back at the dock. You can leave the Twin Cities early in the morning and arrive with the houseboat ready to go. Just pack your clothes, and they do the rest. If you would like to save some money, you can bring your own food, fishing boat and motor, fishing gear, and linens. Early planning and communication with your chosen outfitter will help insure that you enjoy your trip.

Floating vacations are a great way to bond with your kids, and families really have a chance to connect. The biggest challenge that you will face is where to go and what to do. The only limiting factors will be the time and funds available in your calendar and budget.

By Mary Syvett   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

The Sault Ste. Marie locks between Lakes superior and Huron serve as a vital gateway for Great Lakes' shipping. It's a delightful fringe benefit that people get to enjoy watching gargantuan freighters slip into the locks as tightly as a foot into a slipper.

Each year, under the gaze of an army of visitors, 15,000+ vessels pass through the locks. If you make a pilgrimage to view the nautical spectacle, you'll find plenty else to do, including making your own passage through the locks on an excursion boat. In all of America, there is no place where so much quiet history prevails.

Why A Canal?

A geological quirk of nature caused Lake Superior to have an elevation 20 feet higher than Lake Huron, into which superior flows. Another accident of nature caused the St. Marys river not to flow gradually over its 63-mile length. Instead, a drop occurs in a stretch of water three-quarters of a mile long and a quarter mile wide.

A plan to build a canal here was proposed in 1788. In 1797, the Northwest Company, trade concessionaire for the region, built a primitive lock on the Canadian side. It served for 15 years, until destroyed by American troops during the war of 1812.

Without a canal, ships were portaged around the rapids using mules, men, grease and logs. By 1850, however, this improvisation could no longer do. Copper mining in Michigan's Upper Peninsula was developing; also, the iron ore deposits there were known to be almost inexhaustible. However, the exploitation of these resources was held in check by the shipping blockade at Sault Ste. Marie.

After years of intense labor, on April 19, 1855, a powder blast broke through the wall of earth that separated the new Sault Ste. Marie canal from Lake Superior. On June 18, the steamer Illinois headed the procession of ships that made its way through the canal.

An event more indicative of the canal's role in history occurred on August 17. That day, the brig Columbia, carrying iron ore, passed through the locks on its way down to the Cuyahoga river and the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company.

This was the first shipment in a trade that would reach an annual 100 million tons a century later.

  

What To See And Do.

The Soo locks form the last of 16 water steps in the St. Lawrence seaway system, linking Lake Superior with the Atlantic ocean. Ships flying the flags of many nations pass through the locks during the shipping season.

Translated as "Big Cape," Gros Cap is where Lake Superior is said to end and the Saint Marys river to begin. Located at the end of Hwy. 550, a trail leads to an overlook 650 feet above the lake. All ships entering and leaving the Sault Ste. Marie facility pass by this immense ridge. It is an impressive sight to stand there and watch the international nautical procession pass by.

In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, which is located in Locks Park along west Portage Avenue, a working model of the locks can be viewed. the Center's overhead video continually announces the arrival of the next ship.

Outside, one can climb an observation platform to watch freighters move through one of mankind's great engineering feats. Visitors thrill to the foreign flags of many nations that fly above the wheelhouse as ships squeeze through.

The heart of the Soo experience is to be found aboard a tour boat as it travels through the locks. Tours run May 15 to October 15, starting at 9 a.m. After "locking through," the two-hour boat tour sails upriver to the foot of the st. Marys rapids-the "sault," or "jump," which is the namesake for the Michigan city and its Ontario sister.

Islands dot the waters of lake Huron, from Sault Ste. Marie southward to De Tour, Michigan, and then west to St. Ignace. Of these, Mackinac is the best known.

Mackinac Island clings to the past, when it was a place where the wealthy vacationed. Visitors to Mackinac Island find the lack of gasoline-powered vehicular traffic invigorating. Walking, bicycling and horseback riding provide excellent sightseeing and exercise opportunities. Persons who are less inclined to physically exert themselves find the island's horse-drawn carriages a delightful way to get around.

On the Michigan-canadian border, a mile of water plays an important role in the industrial economy of North America. From the days of the early fur traders, the inland waterway from the St. Lawrence river to the great lakes has long been a vital commercial route. The rapids at Sault Ste. Marie were an obstacle to the canoes and later steamers that transported industrial and commercial products. Construction of a series of locks here was an important step in promoting development of America's heartland. A visit here is both entertaining and educational. 

By Barb Umberger   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

If you want to know how much the people living near the Iowa Great Lakes, in northwest Iowa, care about their community, consider two words: Arnold's Park. the park is an amusement park on west Lake Okoboji that dates back to 1886, making it the oldest one west of the Mississippi river.

In 1999, a developer from sioux Falls, S.D., bought the park with the intent of building lakeside condominiums. when the public learned of the transaction, a movement to "save the park" began in earnest. More than $7.6 million was raised in seven weeks. Donations came from individuals, corporations, foundations and local governments, as well as state grants. the park was eventually sold to a local museum, the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, which had taken a leadership role in saving the park.

Keeping the park means that visitors can continue enjoying the more than 30 rides and other attractions, including a 63-foot Ferris wheel, the "Legend" roller coaster and go-karts. Carnival games, shops and food stands also await guests who can either drive or boat to the park.

"We had donations from all 50 states and seven foreign countries," said Joe Vander Laan, a local business owner who lives with his family on Big spirit Lake. "we had a lot of small contributions. Kids sent the money they earned from lemonade stands."

Vander Laan visited the Okoboji lakes region virtually every summer weekend as a child, spending each waking moment with the other children whose families trekked to the same lake. He loved his visits so much that he couldn't wait to move there when he finished college. "I didn't think there was another choice," he said.

"The lakes are unique but it's the people who keep me here. It's a small town; we all know each other, but the locals welcome everyone who visits. there's a great feeling here - a circle of friendship."

Dickinson County is only one of seven that is growing in the state of Iowa according to Vander Laan. The county has about 16,000 residents, but that count grows to about 150,000 in the peak summer months. An active winter season, spotlighted by the "University of Okoboji" winter Games, draws about 80,000 visitors to the region.

"While many visitors are from sioux Falls, s.D., omaha, Neb., and Des Moines and sioux City, Iowa, many people from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area find the drive is faster to the Okoboji area, than shorter distances to Minnesota lakes, because the traffic to Iowa is less," Vander Laan said.

He cites a good mix of agriculture and industry in the county, including tourism, as contributing to the strong economy. one example of a local, thriving business is Pure Fishing, headquartered in spirit Lake, which is the world's largest fishing tackle company (http://www.purefishing.com/menu.cfm?p_ menu=395&cm=395).

Vander Laan owns a construction business, JVL Corporation (www.JVLCorp.com), which focuses on lake-related commercial and residential properties. some projects involve tearing down old cabins and, in their place, building large, year-round homes. while the majority of lake properties are used seasonally, an increasing number are being used all year. "Before, you could drive around in winter and see lights on in about one in 10 homes. Now more and more are lived in year-round," Vander Laan said.

"What I've found is that people may move to California or the east Coast, but they want to retire here. they don't feel as safe on the coasts. they want to be in the Midwest."

Beauty of glacier-carved lakes

What draws people to the Okoboji lakes region, and keeps them coming back, is the beauty of glacier-carved lakes. the chain of lakes called the Iowa Great Lakes extends from the Minnesota border southwest several miles, covering about 15,000 square acres. Five interconnected lakes join Iowa's largest natural lake, spirit Lake, to form the Iowa Great Lakes. the five are East Okoboji, West Okoboji, Lower Gar, Upper Gar and Minnewashta.

The most desirable of the five is West Lake Okoboji. It is spring fed, 134 feet deep and most known for its deep blue color.

So is West Lake Okoboji the third bluest lake in the world? Connie Cory and many other locals have heard that claim many times over the decades - a pronouncement allegedly printed in National Geographic magazine. that would place it behind switzerland's Lake Geneva and the deep turquoise waters of Lake Louise.

"For some reason, the water is very blue," Cory said. "The beauty of such clean blue water is piercing. When the sky turns orange, the lake turns purple - wham, just like that."the top part of a wave reflects the sky-blue or gray, or even white, but the under-part of the wave is where you see the color," Cory added. "That can be blue or gray or navy or purple. Many people love the lake when it is dead calm, the trees mirrored around its rim. But I like it best when it is dancing-talking to me."

Besides its beautiful color, the waters of West Okoboji are relatively clean. "The clean water is a big draw," Cory said. "We used to say that a dive into Okoboji cures everything. Where other sailors would carry a thermos on board - or a pop or a beer - Okoboji sailors used to carry just a cup." In the winter months, the frozen lake accommodates ice skating, cross-country skiing and ice boating.

As a child, Cory and her family lived in Des Moines but summered on the lake. Her grandfather bought the family cottage and eventually Cory and her husband built a year-round home on the lake. That followed a wedding ceremony on a steamboat on West Lake Okoboji. Back 100 years ago and more, visitors often took steamboats to an inn on West Lake Okoboji, or to other stops, after traveling by train to the region from points east.

Despite the throngs of tourists whose visits continue today, Cory said, "There's quite a lake family feeling here."

One point of distinction on West Okoboji is the many oak trees that surround the lake. Often, lakeshore in the upper Midwest is dotted by evergreen trees. West Lake Okoboji has 26 miles of shoreline - marked by many bays and points that enhance the beauty and interest for property owners and visitors.

Okoboji mayor wouldn't live anywhere else

Bob Schneider sails on lakes across the United States but he is always happy to come home to Okoboji. He grew up about 50 miles from here, summered in Okoboji and has lived here full- time since 1973. He is now the mayor of Okoboji.

"This is the number one second-home location in the state of Iowa," he said. "People have been coming here for some 100 years." He described an influx of visitors from Sioux Falls, S.D., that took place about 20 years ago when that city's economy boomed.

A main attraction to the Okoboji area is the clean water, Schneider said. "The city fathers in the 1930s had the foresight to put in sanitary sewers around West Lake Okoboji and most of the other lakes. That was pretty unique." He said the deep blue color of West Lake Okoboji is caused by the particular algae that grow there.

"The lake is busy but it doesn't have near the traffic of other big lakes in the Midwest," he said. The local economy is strong and growing. In the winter, the population of Okoboji is about 900, but it swells many times that number in the summer. "We only have 16,000 people in Dickinson County, but 73 restaurants are open in the summer. It's quite a tourist spot."

Assessed value in the town is about $270 million, Schneider said, attesting to the volume of non-resident lake homes.

"The quality of life here is absolutely wonderful," he said. "We have great schools. With such terrific tax bases, our schools benefit. I wouldn't live anywhere else."

West Lake Okoboji highly sought-after

Kirk and Sue Westergard, owners of Okoboji realty, specialize in West Lake Okoboji. As a deep, spring-fed lake with intensive blue water, West Okoboji is highly desirable, Kirk said. "It's a place where generation after generation have visited. The turnover rate is very low."

Many of the properties are like legacies, Kirk said, with some that haven't changed hands since the 1930s. Out of the more than 1,000 cottages and homes around the lake, only 25 to 30 sales occur each year.

Most properties remain seasonal but, increasingly, small cabins are being sold to people ready to tear them down and build large homes. While many states are represented, most properties are owned by families from Omaha, Neb., Des Moines, Iowa, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Sioux City, Iowa, along with cities and towns in between.

Depending on location and other factors, buyers looking for 50 feet of lakeshore can expect to pay about $500,000 to $600,000, with 100 feet of lakeshore fetching between $1 million and $1.2 million. "Certain parts of the lake are not as expensive," Kirk said. "But for many parts of the lake, expect a ballpark range of about $10,000 to $12,000 per front foot."
The lake offers good fishing, Kirk said, with a number of state records set by individuals fishing West Lake Okoboji. Other popular activities are boating, swimming, parasailing and scuba diving.

Beside lakeside recreation, the area offers opportunities ranging from a thriving summer theatre, the Lakes Arts Center, a county- wide system of paved trails, several amusement parks and movie theatres, and six golf courses.

---

Quick Clicks

Arnold's park (Historic Amusement park),

Arnold's park, Iowa
www.arnoldspark.com

Explore Okoboji
www.exploreokoboji.com

Fishing, Hunting information
http://vacationokoboji.com/2002/05_sports/05_05outd.html

Golf courses
http://vacationokoboji.com/2002/05_sports/05_03golf.html

Iowa great lakes Maritime Museum
http://www.okobojimuseum.org/museum.htm

Okoboji Online
www.okoboji.com

Okoboji Tourism committee, iowa great lakes area chamber of commerce
www.vacationokoboji.com

Parks and Nature Areas
http://vacationokoboji.com/2002/05_sports/05_06parks.html

Ranch Amusement park, Okoboji, iowa
http://www.ranchamusement.com/man-aged/index.html

Recreation Equipment rental (boats, PWC and tubes; snorkeling and SCUBA gear, skates and skis, parasailing, bicycles)
http://vacationokoboji.com/2002/05_sports/05_01rec.html

Western iowa Tourism region
www.traveliowa.org/

By   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

The freezer is the unsung hero in your kitchen. Sure, it's not the most glamorous of kitchen appliances - not as snazzy as an upright mixer, and not as aromatic as a coffee maker - but it can save your sanity on those nights when you have no answer to your family's question: "What's for dinner?"

When you're relaxing by the lake you don't want to stress about last-minute meal plans. Thankfully, with a few new habits and a little advance preparation, meals can be ready to go whenever you need them - just reach into the freezer.

Meals-to-Go

While it sounds like lingo from a fast food joint, meals-to-go are frozen home-cooked meals that are ready to heat and serve. sounds good, right? But, how can you accomplish this?

Some people take one or two days a month to cook dozens of meals to fill their freezer. This method is appropriately called once-a-month cooking. You can accomplish similar results with less work by simply preparing twice as much food whenever you cook a freezer-friendly meal. It takes very little effort to make twice as much stew, soup, casserole, or other one-pot meals.

For example, when you make homemade spaghetti sauce, make twice as much as usual and freeze half. Voila - you have one meal within the next month that will only require reheating and boiling some pasta. The same is true for homemade stews, soups, or casseroles. By doubling up, and freezing one half of those meals, you have a quick and easy dinner at your fingertips in the freezer. Have a goal to make double portions twice every week, and your freezer will quickly grow with meal options for those nights when you don't have time to cook.

Freezer Essentials

In addition to frozen home-cooked meals, every freezer should also be well stocked with some basic essentials. These can be used together with your frozen meals, or used in other recipes. Having these ingredients on hand means you can whip up a delicious and nutritious meal quickly and easily, without an extra trip to the supermarket.

Essentials:

• Your family's favorite cuts of chicken, meats, and fish (Tofu and TVP also freeze well for the vegetarians in your family)
  
• Frozen vegetables and vegetable mixes
  
• Frozen fruits
  
• Ice cream or frozen yogurt
  
• Frozen bread dough (to make breads, breadsticks, pizza dough, rolls, sweet rolls, etc.)
  
• Frozen juices (for use in beverages, baking and certain main dish recipes)
  

Freezing Tips

1. Freezer bags or plastic storage containers keep your frozen foods and meals in the best condition. Ensure the seals on bags or containers are tight, to prevent spoilage.
   
2. Label each baggie or container with the contents. You don't want to have to guess what it is later on!
   
3. Use up older food first. You'll know this by always marking the date on any food you add to your freezer. This prevents waste.
   
4. Most food can be safely frozen for three to six months. If you haven't used it by then, it's best to throw it away.
   
5. When reheating frozen meals, use plastic containers made for use in the microwave. The meals can also be reheated on low on the stovetop or in the oven.
   
6. Keep a list of freezer contents to refer to when you want to make a meal from the freezer. Add to the list when you add new food, and mark off what you've used.
   

These essentials work well together or along with your meals-to-go. For instance - you can use two essentials - say sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and a package of frozen veggies, together with a few seasonings, to create a fast stir-fry. Just boil up some rice, and the meal is complete.

DINNER TIME!

Now, how do you use your well-stocked freezer to put a meal together? simply take out one or more components right from the freezer. some ideas are:

• Frozen pasta sauce, warmed and served over pasta, or tossed together with pasta and baked as a casserole in the oven. Grate a little cheese over the top.
  
• Reheat a stew or soup, and serve with fresh rolls and a green salad. reheating can be done on low heat on the stove, or just pop the contents of the stew or soup right into a crockpot, and let it simmer slowly for hours.
  
• A casserole reheated is delicious served with steamed veggies.
  
• Chili can be served as is, or try spooning it into tortilla shells with sour cream, grated cheese, and salsa for an alternative burrito.
  

By making extra meal portions, and stocking your freezer with handy essentials, you'll find your freezer becomes your best friend at mealtime! You'll have extra meals ready whenever you need them. Use these handy tips to take the terror out of that dreaded question: What's for dinner?

By Lee Hoedl   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

It was an all too familiar sight and sensation; the early morning sun breaking across the wooded canopy behind our lake home, showering its golden rays across the mirrored waters of Lake Leander. and there was I, like so many times before, sitting beneath the weeping willow while witnessing another glorious dew-drenched spring morning emerge from my favorite place on this planet. But there was a striking difference this time: Emily. Waking in the early hours of dusk, my daughter anxiously chose to join me on this morning's journey down the winding staircase to the shoreline and then to the nestled refuge I discovered decades ago, as a child, at the foot of the grand weeping willow.

The silence of the wondrous moment was only disturbed by our gentle breathing...and then she had to ask.

"Tell me again why this place is your most favorite place, daddy."

"There are too many wonderful moments of past springs and summers from which to choose as the defining moment, Emily. But this is a place where I knew I could always go to be peaceful and gain a greater perspective on Life."

"You're peaceful under this sad tree, daddy?" "Yes, I am peaceful, Emily, but sadness is only one part of this tree's story. There's a reason why the weeping willow looks happy and sad at the same time. Would you like to know the origin of the willow? It is a tale that has been passed down through the generations and was told to me - under this very tree - by your grandfather during one of his last summers here at the family lake home."

Not sure what another hour of silent observation of the sunrise would hold, Emily quickly opted for her grandfather's story. Drawing a deep breath, I said, "As numerous and as deep are the lakes of Minnesota, so are its tales and folklore. And here is where this tale begins..."

Eons before the great northern woods saw the face of humans, the Grand Designer had already completed his plan for populating the area with all varieties of rich vegetation, greenery and fauna. He had strategically placed the most majestic pines and hardwoods in the very heart of what is now known as Minnesota and then abundantly sprinkled it with endless lakes and rivers. In his grand scheme, he had set down the responsibility of protecting these natural resources and beauty to the Guardians. and it was the Guardians that set to the task of naming this creation nature and promoting its goodness for the eons ahead.

Several millennia had past since the inception of nature and humans now roamed the land. Integral to any architectural plan, the Guardians were instructed to gather in audience with the Grand Designer to review nature's progress.

"Grand Designer, we are quite pleased with the evolution of your nature but we have become concerned with the humans you have created. We fear they are not utilizing your nature the way it was intended. They rarely come to witness the grandeur and majesty that is nature itself."

"What is it they come to witness?" inquired the Grand Designer.

The senior Guardian stepping forward stated, "The humans now only come to the forest - at the very least - to escape their personal life; to lick their emotional wounds and lament their regrets."

"Ah, regret," sighed the Grand Designer, "one of my most subtle mysteries and gifts to these humans. You see, unlike the nature that envelopes the planet, humans were given the gift of free will to use wisely. Unfortunately, from their very birth they often choose to use it foolishly. and because of this, humans continue to suffer from their three greatest regrets. Unlike the aurora Borealis who dances to its greatest passion, humans choose to never explore their greatest passion - be it a person or mission. and unlike the grand twilight sunset who shares its deepest meaning with all, humans never realize the deepest personal meaning in their life. and unlike the mighty oak that remains true to its central purpose, humans all but deny their grandest purpose. sadly enough, it is these three regrets under which most humans are yoked and burdened."

"So what then shall we do, Grand Designer?"

"Leave it to me," declared the Grand Designer. "I must reflect on this matter and prepare a subtle message to these humans."

In the blink of a human eye, decades passed and the Guardians were reassembled to witness the unveiling of the Grand Designer's plan. All Guardians were exuberant, as each past assembly and unveiling was grander than the one before; the Grand Canyon, the expanding Universe, human emotions, and love - just to name a few of the most recent unveilings.

The Grand Designer proclaimed, "I have created and packaged my message to the humans, so whenever they enter these forests, they will be reminded of the grand life they are called to live." And with the swoop of his grand brush...a somber but showering tree appeared before the group. The Guardians grew very puzzled, but quiet.

"This is your message?" asked the Senior Guardian sheepishly. "Pardon me for asking, but how, Grand Designer, will this help our problem with the humans?"

"You don't see the majesty in the simplicity of this message, my friends?" asked the Grand Designer. "I have created a new species of tree never before seen; a hearty and lively tree and it will be called the Willow. It is a wood that will thrive in the northlands and be found peacefully growing near water's shores where humans often go to find their solace."

"Notice its trunk, my friends. Its trunk would always spawn three major branch trunks as a reminder of these humans' three greatest regrets: one's greatest passion never explored, one's deepest personal meaning never realized and one's grandest purpose denied. The outward branches of the willow will yield to its own weight and bow to the earth, as humans often bow to the regrets that shackle them throughout their life."

The group remained silent as the Grand Designer continued with his unveiling and explanation.

"And while the tree will appear gentle with its attractive flowers, its branches would sprout raspy buds that would pull at the face and hair of any person who walks beneath it; a reminder of the constant pain caused by harboring such personal regrets."

"Will the humans find this new species comforting?" inquired the senior council member.

"Under its weighted branches, humans will sit and feel safe. Many will never realize its message but they will unknowingly find solace. The lucky few will walk away transformed. and as a sign of great hope I have in these humans, I have also designed the tree to have the ability to quickly shed its branches, as a reminder to them that they are able to shed their regrets in life, if they so choose. It will be a tree that will readily take root from its own cuttings and prosper across many habitats and soils - its message to be spread far and wide to any and all humans..."

"Is the story true, daddy?" asked Emily, as she stared unbelievingly into my eyes.

"Whether or not the tale is true, Emily, it is a wonderful reminder that we each must never fear our greatest passion - be it a person or mission. It is what fuels our very heart. and we must never close our eyes to the personal meaning our life holds for us. It is what fuels our spirit. And finally, we must never turn our back on our grandest purpose and journey in this life - it is what weds our heart to our spirit. so, the next time we pass through or sit under a willow, Emily, we will always be reminded of the sadness that comes from a life lived with regret and, at the same time, the glory of a life lived with no regrets at all."

"And I can pass this story on to my children someday, daddy."

"Yes, Emily, and the best way to pass on this story is to begin living a life of no regret."

"Can we start right now, daddy?"

Suddenly, sitting peacefully under the branches of this grand willow, leaning against the large rock where the wooded bog meets up with the peaceful lake, and holding on to my dear child, it was clear to me why this is my favorite place. a place and a moment forever filled with no regret... one of the lucky few.

By Barb Umberger   Wed, Aug 12, 2009

Have your children asked when they can take over the controls of the family boat? Are their friends using personal watercraft and your kids can't wait to take your family's watercraft for a spin? Do you just have questions about when it is legal and safe for your children to take the next step?

Each state has its own regulations regarding the age at which individuals can operate a boat or personal watercraft. Depending on their age, children may need to take a course to learn important safety information.

The following information lists age requirements for motorized watercraft operators in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as availability of boating safety courses and contacts for more information.

Minnesota

Age restrictions for operating a motorboat in Minnesota (except personal watercraft such as a Jet ski,® waverunner,® etc.)

OPERATOR AGE: Under age 12

• 25 hp or less - no restrictions
  
• more than 25 hp through 75 hp - must have someone at least age 21 on board within reach of the controls
  
• over 75 hp - cannot operate, even with an adult on board
  

OPERATOR AGE: Age 12 to 17

• 25 hp or less - no restrictions
  
• over 25 hp - must either have:
  
• a watercraft operator's permit or
  
• someone at least age 21 on board within reach of the controls
  

If your children are ages 12-17, are visiting Minnesota and already possess a valid watercraft operator's certificate/permit issued by your home state, they don't need to obtain another one from Minnesota.

Age restrictions for operating a personal watercraft (Jetski, waverunner, etc.) in Minnesota

OPERATOR AGE: Under age 13

• Cannot operate, even with adult on board
  

OPERATOR AGE: Age 13

Must either have:

• someone at least age 21 on board or
  
• a watercraft operator's permit and be in visual supervision by someone at least 21
  

OPERATOR AGE: Age 14 to 17

Must either have:

• a watercraft operator's permit or
  
• someone at least 21 on board
  

WATERCRAFT OPERATOR'S PERMIT

Minnesota

Children ages 12 to 17 who need to obtain a watercraft operator's permit in Minnesota have three options:

1. Home study course

The Minnesota DNr offers a home study course called "Boating and water safety." the DNR mails a Minnesota Home study watercraft Permit Packet to your home. After reading the materials, children complete a workbook and a test, and mail them with the application form to the DNR. If a passing score is achieved, the DNR will mail an operator's permit. Allow about three weeks. Children must carry their operator's permit with them every time they operate a watercraft.

To request the home study packet, either call the Minnesota DNR at (651) 296-3336 or 1-888-646-6367, send a request by e-mail to boatandwater@dnr.state.mn.us, or write to:

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Boat & Water Safety Section
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4046

2. Classroom courses

Organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power squadrons, American red Cross, and some local school districts, sponsor free or low- cost education programs that qualify in Minnesota for obtaining a watercraft operator's permit. Check for a list of classes at www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ boatwater/education.html or call BoAt/u.s. at 1-800-336-BoAt to find the class nearest you.

3. Online "Boat Minnesota" course

Access http://boat-ed.com/mn/ for more information.

Go to the Minnesota DNr web site for the most current boating safety laws and information: www.dnr.state.mn.us/boating.

Wisconsin

The following information is from the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources:

Who can operate a motorboat in Wisconsin?

• No one under the age of 10
  
• Children ages 10 and 11 if accompanied in the boat by a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by a parent or guardian
  
• Children ages 12-15 if accompanied in the boat by a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by a parent or guardian, or if in possession of a Boating safety Course Completion Certificate issued by the Wisconsin DNR or another state (this does Not apply to the operation of personal watercraft)
  
• Anyone 16 years of age and older
  

There are no age requirements for operating a boat that is not equipped with a motor.

Who can operate a personal watercraft in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin DNR defines personal watercraft (PWC) as motorboats, but lists the following, additional age restrictions on their operation:

• No one under the age of 12 may operate, lease or rent a personal watercraft
  
• No one under the age of 16 may rent or lease a personal watercraft
  
• Children ages 12-15 may operate a personal watercraft if in possession of a boating safety course completion certificate issued by the wisconsin DNR or another state. Adult supervision is not a substitute for a certificate
  
• Anyone 16 years of age and older can operate a personal watercraft
  

BOATING SAFETY COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

Wisconsin

Children who need to obtain a Boating safety Course Completion Certificate in wisconsin have two options:

1. Classroom courses

Classroom courses taught by volunteer instructors are offered throughout the state. Cost in 2004 was $10.

The classroom boating safety course consists of eight hours of classroom instruction in the principles of boating safety. Its objective is to reduce the potential for boat accidents, injuries and fatalities; reduce the potential for conflict between different types of boating activities and other resource users; and promote safe, responsible and ethical use of the environment and our resources.

Anyone age 10 or older can take the class and receive a safety education completion certificate upon their successful completion of the course. (the certificate does not become valid until a child reaches age 12.)

2. Online courses

Online courses are offered through Boating Basics online (not recommended for children under age 14)

---

Additional Information on Boating safety Classes and regulations

BOAT/U.S. (information on boating safety classes)
1-800-336-BOAT or www.boatus.com

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (information on boating safety classes)
www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/classes/master.shtml

The web site lists 10 courses sponsored by the auxiliary, and includes links to each state for more information on course availability and class schedules.

U.S. Power squadrons
http://www.usps.org/

The U.S. Power Squadrons is a non-profit, educational organization devoted to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Local squadrons offer boating safety courses on a regular basis to boaters in their communities. these courses are open to the public and there is no age limit for participants. Courses are held in classrooms or other public and private facilities.

To locate a class sponsored by the U.S. Power squadrons, simply type in your zip code at the following web site: www.usps.org/d_stuff/classes.html. Or call 1-888-For-USPS. Two courses are available for home study, including the online "America's Boating Course," a joint course offered by the U.S. Power Squadrons and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/education.html

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/boatage.htm

Jet ski is a registered trademark of Kawasaki Motors Corp.
Waverunner is a registered trademark of Yamaha Motor Corporation 

By Joni Danzl   Tue, Aug 11, 2009

Outdoor kitchens have now gone beyond grills and pergolas, expanding to include sinks, refrigerators, cabinetry, and marble counter tops. With waterfront property values soaring, and family time at a premium, people really want to maximize the investment in their homes and in their families. Why spend time on the road or in airports when you can savor leisure time at the lake with family and friends?

Keeping close ties to family and friends

Here in the Midwest people look for ways to extend the summer season, giving them more time to relax with family and friends. Chris Cregness, of Outdoor Kitchens, Inc., a company specializing in design, installation, and landscaping of outdoor kitchens, says that parents and grandparents are driving this trend. "We want our kids to bring their friends to our house. That gives us more time with them and we can supervise what they're doing. We also like to include extended family and friends. Our outdoor kitchen gives us a chance to be part of the party even when we're cooking."

Outdoor kitchens that stand up to Midwest winters

Freezing temperatures and piles of snow may create havoc in rush-hour traffic, but they don't pose a hazard to today's special outdoor appliances and furnishings. Rod Tuenge from LakeView Appliance Distributing, a Viking dealer, says that Viking outdoor appliances are marine-grade stainless steel with a special insulation that can withstand the elements all winter long. Along with recommended natural countertop materials such as slate, marble, and natural tile they give you maintenance-free surfaces that can easily withstand winter conditions.

How is the typical outdoor kitchen equipped?

Tuenge says, "It can be as simple as a cabinet for your grill, or as spectacular as a full kitchen with grill, refrigerator, stovetop, beverage dispenser, storage and eating area. An outdoor kitchen allows you to cook and entertain outside without having to run in and out for beverages, side dishes, condiments, bread and pots of food."

New outdoor products on the market:

Woks, griddles, and searing units for your grill Ice Makers Ovens Ventilation Hoods/Fans Grills refrigerators/ refreshment Centers Countertops stovetops sinks Cabinets warming Drawers smokers Pergolas/Awnings outdoor Furniture Planters Lighting Patio Heaters outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits Landscaping Components to consider: Don't overlook these extras: Lamps Refreshment Centers Sound Systems Kitchen Gardens; loaded with tomatoes, herbs, and salad greens to provide you with fresh ingredients all season long

Components to consider:

• Grills 
• Refrigerators/ Refreshment Centers 
• Countertops
• Stovetops
• Sinks
• Cabinets
• Warming Drawers
• Smokers
• Pergolas/Awnings
• Outdoor Furniture
• Planters
• Lighting
• Patio Heaters
• Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits
• Landscaping

Don't overlook these extras:

• Lamps
• Refreshment Centers
• Sound Systems
• Kitchen Gardens; loaded with tomatoes, herbs, and salad greens to provide you with fresh ingredients all season long

New outdoor products on the market:

• Woks, griddles, and searing units for your grill
• Ice Makers
• Ovens
• Ventilation Hoods/Fans 

Designed to your specifications

Whether you prefer grilled, aged porterhouse or seafood sizzling with garlic and ginger, you can have your preferences designed into an outdoor kitchen. Special grills accommodate oversize woks; others have their own special smokers. Steak aficionados will appreciate grills with infrared searing panels that seal in juices before further grilling. Outdoor warming drawers are now available to keep it all hot until serving time.

Outdoor kitchens can be added easily to existing lake homes, without involving lake set-back restrictions. Without even drilling a hole you can add a portable refreshment center that provides cold water, drainage, and ice storage with just a simple hook-up to a hose. Many of the new outdoor appliance models can either be installed or used free-standing for extra flexibility. An added plus to some of the new outdoor built-in grills is that they are "zero clearance" so you can position them safely without cumbersome surrounds.

Stainless steel is a popular outdoor kitchen material because of its weather resistance, but other surfaces are also available. Special outdoor enamel finishes from Viking come in blue, forest green, and graphite gray to give you design options that will make the most of your home.

Working it into your landscape

It's important that your landscaping and your outdoor kitchen work together, if at all possible, and that it all works together with the style and character of your property. Ideally you will work with a designer who is familiar with the unique aspects of outdoor kitchens. A few key decisions can make a big difference in the usability of your new outdoor kitchen:

• Think about the view. Most people want a view of their guests and a view of the water from where they're cooking, so careful planning now will add to the cook's enjoyment later. You also need to think about concealing the unpleasant areas of your outdoor kitchen. Dirty dishes, trash receptacles and the like can be cleverly concealed by careful placement of cabinetry, overhangs and partitions.

• Keep an eye on air circulation patterns and set up your kitchen facilities so that smoke moves away from guests. Outdoor ventilator hoods are available, but the most effective mode is locating your grill to take advantage of wind direction to move smoke away from your party. Careful placement of trees, shrubbery, and trellises will help divert smoke and obscure everyday kitchen messes.

• Surfaces and foundations. Contractors recommend a solid, level surface for outdoor kitchens that include more than a grill. Pavers, cement, or stone on level ground are ideal. Raised decks will most often require added reinforcement when equipped with more than a grill.

• Don't forget the extra touches that pull it all together. A collection of sturdy outdoor furniture offers comfort and style. Trellises covered with vines, perennial borders, and trees add bold color and extra shade. Place pots of rosemary and basil near your grill to provide zesty last-minute additions to your dishes. The right lighting lets you party until the wee hours and adds a festive glow.

Keeping it comfy when there's a chill in the air

"You can really extend the season here in the Midwest if you have an outside heat source," says Cregness. Portable fire pits and heaters are available in many sizes and price ranges and can quickly expand your comfort options. Outdoor fireplaces, either gas or wood, are also becoming increasingly popular. The advantage of a gas fireplace is that you can flip a switch and have instant ambiance with time left over to sip a glass of Pinot Grigio. A wood fireplace challenges you to get a fire going, but you'll have the crackling embers, the spicy wood scent, and the chance to roast a few marshmallows if you like.

With an outdoor kitchen you can start your season early and keep it going into early winter. You can be a good host (and a good parent) and still have some fun yourself. And at the end of the day when the boats are docked, and the little ones are in their pajamas, you can savor extra time outside watching the sun go down. Just relax in front of the fire, knowing that your guests have easy access to food and beverages, and there's really no need to go inside-yet! 

Suppliers:

Hoigaards; 952-929-1351; Distributor of outdoor kitchen products, including outdoor fireplaces, portable heaters, gazebos, furniture, outdoor appliances and cabinetry.

LakeView Appliance Distributing; 952-934-5155; Distributor of Viking Products, including outdoor grills, warming drawers, ventilation hoods, refrigerated beverage centers, and stainless steel cabinetry.

Outdoor Kitchens, Inc; 952-476-1419; Designs and installs outdoor kitchens, including landscaping.

Warners' Stellian; 651-645-3481; Minnesota's Appliance Specialists have been selling appliances since 1971.

By Teri Bennett   Tue, Aug 11, 2009

Meet our two moms: Karen is a stay-at-home mom who had many years worth of memorabilia gathered for her graduate and his party. And our other mom, Danna, is a working mom whose yard was completely torn up only two months before graduation. Even with their hands full, these two moms pulled together a couple of fun, creative, and organized graduation parties for their two graduates Brett and Ricky. They shared these tips with Lakestyle readers to help simplify the whole process.

This day is all about the graduate!

The party should be planned around them, their favorite foods, their favorite pastimes, and anything else they love.

Choose your setting.

Brett's party was centered in the front yard and garage, Ricky's in the back yard and around the pool. Just be sure you have some kind of cover for guests in case of stormy weather; the garage or a tent works well.

Add to the festivities with a few clever ideas.

You will need a place to collect cards; these are great ideas to consider; Brett had a basket and Ricky had a painted mailbox. Centerpieces are a clever way to spread photos throughout the party. Both Danna and Karen were able to incorporate photos into many things, and also had some posters made as well. Use a theme of something the graduate likes, for example, a 'car' theme, or a 'sports' theme. Karen made wonderful use of Brett's sports jerseys to show how much he'd grown and changed throughout the years.

Menus should incorporate the graduate's favorite foods.

Keeping the menu simple will help control chaos at the party. Ricky loves breakfast foods so Danna had an omelet bar set up at his party, as well as a coffee bar. Brett loves pizza, so his mom Karen had them being baked fresh throughout the open house.

Other things to consider:

• Get started early! Creating videos or blow ups of photos takes a lot of time, especially during graduation season.

• Have water bottles with the graduate's picture on them.

• Consider having your party on a weekend other than the actual graduation so that you and the graduate can enjoy the festivities more. Consider a Friday night as it leaves the rest of the weekend open to attend other parties instead of spending the weekend getting ready for your own.

• Pick a theme. Some creative ideas are; Mexican food and music, ice cream social, or desserts only. Keep it simple. No one is extremely hungry because they are generally traveling from party to party. Another option is to have your party at the park or combine your party with another graduate if the two are good friends.

• Gifts for graduates can be easy; they want and need money! Suggested amounts are $15-$25 for good friends; $50-$100 for your graduate's best friend. Gift cards to Target, Best Buy, and Bed, Bath and Beyond are also popular.

• Print out the graduate's nicknames, favorite phrases or quips. Laminate them, cut them out and attach to centerpieces to give guests insight into the graduate's world.

• Rather than a large cake, consider serving themed cupcakes as they are much easier to serve. They can be decorated with the school letter or mascot and a fun idea is to arrange them in the shape of the school letters.

• Hire someone (or recruit family and friends) to help with the cooking and serving so that you and the graduate can be with the guests.

• Place disposable cameras out for people to help capture the day. A collection of photos in an album will make a great parting gift for the graduates as they head off to college.

• Have an easy activity ready for the graduates and their friends. Volleyball, or something like it, will keep them busy and at your party.

• Place a new address book near the card holder and have guests sign in (including e-mail addresses) and the graduates will have their own directory to take with them to college.

• Shadow boxes also create a great place to store and present memorabilia for the graduate. Having them out at the party will stir up memories for everyone.

By   Tue, Aug 11, 2009

boat n.: a hole in the water that one throws money into. For many, boats and boating bring to mind many numbers: Watercraft title: $41, cost to "summerize": $200, new prop: $150, gasoline for an afternoon of water-skiing: $45. This got our research staff thinking...what does boating look like "By the Numbers?"

We started with the obvious:

How many boaters are there in the U.S.? 72 million (5.5 million also water-ski)

Percentage increase in boaters since 2001: +5.8%

Percentage decrease in number of people participating in water-skiing since 1997: -53%

Amount spent in Minnesota on boats, trailers and accessories (2003): $601 million

Rank in number of registered boats (2002)

• Minnesota: 5 with 834,974
• Wisconsin: 6 with 619,124

Number of states that require a user fee for non-motorized boats: 7 (including Minnesota)

Minimum age to operate a personal watercraft:

• Minnesota: 13
• Wisconsin: 12

Who is required to take a boating education class in order to legally drive a boat with more than 25 horsepower?

• Minnesota: Children ages 12-17
• Wisconsin: Children ages 10-16

Lake Minnetonka Facts and Figures

Approximate number of boats on Lake Minnetonka on a typical weekend afternoon? Around 1,250 to 1,500. Acres of water per boat? Around 10. Average length of boats on Lake Minnetonka in feet: 21. Percentage of boats that are moving at any one time? 60%. Time of day when the traffic peaks? 4 p.m. Percentage of boaters satisfied or very satisfied with their outing? 91%.

Brainerd Area Lakes Facts and Figures

Approximate number of boats on Brainerd area lakes on a typical weekend afternoon? Around 1,250 to 1,500. Acres of water per boat? Around 90. Average length of boats on Brainerd area lakes in feet: 18 feet. Percentage of boats that are moving at any one time? 40%. Percentage of boaters satisfied or very satisfied with their outing? 88%.

Percentage of boaters that have fished within the last 2 years: 80%

Number of boating fatalities (2003): 703

Percentage not wearing a personal flotation device: 86%

Boat: A hole in the water that we throw money into? Hardly. Boating is more like a quiet watering hole in our busy lives where we stop to refresh and recharge. And, it is a whole lot of fun to boot.

By Nancy Henke   Fri, Jul 31, 2009

When you really love the water it shows. It is apparent that Peter Rogers loves the water. A self-proclaimed water rat, Peter has woven his passion and his office together to create an atmosphere that is both inspiring and fun. Immediately upon entering the building that houses his marketing, communications, and fulfillment company, PRA, you are immersed in the lake lifestyle. Adirondack chairs welcome people in the waiting area, a water fountain is gently heard in the background, sails and a deck surround the offices, but the gem in the middle is an actual boat. "It is the perfect setting to communicate to our clients that this is the land of 10,000 lakes and we Minnesotans can have a lot of fun," said Peter.

Peter grew up in the Lake Minnetonka area and his roots are bedded deeply. His love of the water has manifested itself in quite a collection of boats. He has raced with the Minnetonka Yacht Club for years, and his first love is sailing. He is also an avid fisherman, and loves boats of every kind. Therefore using a boat for an office was the perfect match for Peter. He began to investigate the idea further.

He started looking around for a boat with a large deck area that could accommodate a good work space. As he passed by Tonka Bay Marine one day he noticed what appeared to be an old 28' Safticraft Deluxe Sedan (his research led him to this conclusion with relative certainty).The open hull on the boat made it a good fit for the end product. It turns out that the boat had been used as an icebreaker on Minnetonka each spring.

Peter had the boat towed to another location where it was sandblasted and then towed to the construction site. They had to tow the boat into the shell of the office building before they could put up the final walls. Once in place it was easy to imagine that the boat would become the centerpiece. It definitely needed a lot of work to get there though.

Jeff Danberry, of The Danberry Company, was strongly recommended by many of Peter's friends. So Peter called Jeff and asked him if he wanted to tackle a new type of construction. Jeff was excited about the prospect of doing something so unique and rose to the challenge of restoring the boat and incorporating great work spaces and work storage. The desk was designed and built specifically for the hull of the boat, as was the credenza, file cabinets, and extra seating for guests.

The details add to the authenticity of the boat/office. There is teakwood on the floors and actual boating cleats are used as hardware on the drawers. The aft cabin is still somewhat private and houses a place to relax, a small bar, and a bit of storage. The ropes, original sporting decals, canopy and lights are the perfect finishing touches for this special office.

The fun doesn't stop with this central piece though. The company's office space also has a harbor house. It is furnished with director style chairs that you'd find on many boats. There are flags running down from the harbor house that don the names of employees on one side and clients on the other. There is also a huge sail as a backdrop that once belonged on Tommy Burrton's A-boat.

Now that he has finished his special office space Peter has found a new way to appease his passion for boating. He is in the midst of refurbishing a boat named The Madame. It belonged to his parents and was named after his mother. When they said they were going to get rid of it, he quickly stopped them and began the refurbishing process. After the boat is finished he will make good use of it by doing "The Loop."

The Loop is for adventuresome boaters that want to travel around the United States and part of Canada via the water. The various waterways used to do the loop are sprinkled along the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, the Tennessee River and the Intercoastal waterways. You can use the waterways to go whatever route you choose, and you can take varying amounts of time. Some boaters finish in as little as six months; others take their time over the course of a couple of years. Peter will begin his trek in Fort Meyers and will head up the east coast to the Erie Canal. The Madame happens to be the ideal size to make this trip; very manageable and maneuverable. Between legs of the trip he will fly home, work for a few weeks and fly back out to make another leg. It should prove to be the trip of a lifetime.

Peter Rogers is like many of us all-around water enthusiasts. His passion is contagious and inspiring. His is an enviable lifestyle. Even when he is at work he can capture the feeling of the water. When seated at Peter's desk, the view is out the stern of the boat where a line has been set and has caught a large Snook. The Snook is part of a painting on the wall that encompasses his view. The rest of the painting is of the Sanibel Island area and was painted by artist Ed Philpot. (Ed's name has appeared alongside Terry Redlin as he is a fellow habitat stamp contest winner.) Peter said "the painting reminds me that good things are not far away."

By Kathy Borras   Thu, Jul 30, 2009

Whether you're scrounging around the local flea markets or hunting for treasures in bazaars around the world, you can strike a great deal if you know how to play the game. Hone your skills with these ten tips from "The Fearless Shopper."

1. Relax and have fun. It's a game, not a confrontation.

2. Comparison shop. Know the relative value of an item. Before haggling, get the feel of the market. See what the locals are buying and paying.

3. Before you bargain for anything, decide, "What is this worth to me?" "What is the most I am willing to pay?" Then ask the price. That way you'll know how much bargaining room you have.

4. If a merchant asks an absurd price, offer an equally ridiculous low price. You'll probably meet somewhere in the middle. But if you start in the middle, you'll have less room to maneuver and you'll pay more than you should.

5. Dress the part. Don't traipse through the souks in your finery if you want a good price. 6. Learn numbers in other languages. Carry a calculator or a currency exchange cheat sheet. Believe me, even if you're great at math, market merchants have been in the game for much longer than you have.

7. It never hurts to make an offer. All anyone can ever do is say no.

8. Carry cash and pull out just what you are willing to part with. The sight of real money is a powerful inducement for the vendor to close the sale. In foreign countries, often pulling out dollars in a lesser amount will be acceptable. But in any currency, pull out less cash than asked for and try saying, "This is all I have on me. Will you take it?"

9. Save ruthless bargaining for the merchants; bargain with compassion with an artist or craftsperson.

In bargaining, like in life, often you get what you want if you truly don't care. So, be ready to walk away. On the other hand, don't leave behind something you absolutely must have. Find out more shopping tips in "The Fearless Shopper: How to Get the Best Deals on the Planet" (Travelers' Tales).

 

By Barb Cross   Thu, Jul 30, 2009

The perfect lakeshore means something different to everyone, depending on what they wish to do with it. Those of us that are lucky enough to own lakefront property, or spend time on a lake, know that shorelines can be weedy, rocky, steep, flat, sandy, heavily wooded, and it doesn't matter because we love being near the water. Whatever kind of lakeshore you have, and whether you bought it for recreation, scenic beauty, or as an investment, we have common goals. We want to protect the resource we love and maximize our enjoyment of the lakeshore.

Your shoreline is under attack every day from weather. Wind, rain, ice and temperature extremes threaten to destroy lakeshore. Nature is not the only devastating force. Boat wakes can also be harmful, especially when water levels are higher than normal. Property that consistently is pounded by waves will lose soil and eventually property value.

Nature has a way of protecting itself. Ice ridges, dunes, vegetation, and even driftwood can absorb wave energy and slow the destruction of erosion. Submerged plants provide underwater cover for aquatic animals, break wave action, and keep sediment from being stirred up. Trees, shrubs and ground cover living on the shore, above the water, slow down runoff into the lake, reducing erosion. Plants also keep the lake clean by absorbing chemicals that would otherwise make their way into the water.

The laws that were set up to protect our lakes and streams, and the governmental agencies that enforce the laws, support the fact that nature does a good job on its own. The agencies encourage property owners to keep shoreline in its natural state. This, however, can create problems for homeowners trying to "improve" their property and enjoyment of the lake. It also is a problem for the governmental agencies that are entrusted to protect the lake.

Careful considerations when you purchase, plan, and develop your property will allow you to get through the red tape of the permit process and develop your shoreline to suit your needs.

Choose the right lakeshore for your lifestyle. A sandy beach will be hard to build on top of a mucky bottom, easy access to the lake will be difficult on a steep cliff, and views are difficult to achieve and maintain on a heavily wooded lot. Conflicts with governmental regulating agencies will occur when alterations to property are drastic. If you have purchased the right property you will be able to add improvements that enhance your site and not change the character of it. Do your homework and make sure you buy lakeshore that fits your wish list.

When you develop lake shore, there will be ordinances to follow and permits to obtain, but planning and good design will make the process a lot easier. A good design will:

• Maintain setback requirements and keep structures, roads, and septic systems away from the shoreline
• Creatively incorporate design elements to fit into the shoreline landscape instead of create the landscape
• Maintain and protect existing vegetation
• Enhance plantings with native tress and shrubs to soak up runoff and absorb lake contaminates
• Minimize paved surfaces which can increase runoff
• Design driveways, pathways, patios and other hard surfaces to drain away from the lake
• Control erosive soil with retaining methods including vegetation, walls or gabions
• Install riprap to protect shoreline
• Use careful and strategic cutting of trees to open up and direct views to the lake
• Use Best Management Practices during construction
• Consider scheduling construction in stages to minimize the impact of a large construction project

If you plan shoreline improvements, check with your local government agency to find out what permits are needed. There are a number of county, state and federal agencies that have jurisdiction in public waters and wetlands so more than one permit may be required. Make sure you get the permit before you begin the work and follow the specific construction guidelines to ensure the construction does not compromise the water quality.

Wind, water and ice threaten to destroy shoreline and surrounding property.

Choose the right lakeshore for your lifestyle.  If your land isn't right for a beach,consider a swimming raft instead of installing a beach.

Riprap is the most common shoreline treatment.  The rock prevents the shore from being eroded by wind and boat wakes.

Retaining Wall:  Helping nature deal with erosion by artificial means is more expensive, but  can be a way too maximize the lakeshore and protect your asset. 

Buffer strip:  A strip of vegetation along the shoreline breaks wave action and traps sediment and contaminants before they drain into the lake. 

Vegetated Slope:  Vegetation works well as a natural retaining wall.  Roots penetrate deep into the soil and stabilize soil layers.

Trim for the view:  Be selective in cutting vegetation.  Carefully trim trees up for a view, but leave the under story to hold the bank. 

Glossary of Terms

Beach Sand Blanket: Sand that is added on top of existing shoreline to form a beach.

Best Management Practices (BMP):  Actions you can take to reduce the impact of construction on the environment.

Buffer Strip:  Vegetated area adjacent to the shoreline that helps prevent contaminants from reaching the water.

Erosion:  The process of soil or rock being worn down and carried away by weather or water.

Gabions:  Rock filled wire baskets used for erosion control and often covered with plant material.

Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL):  The highest water level that a lake has maintained for enough time to leave evidence on the landscape.  It is a legal designation that must be determined by a DNR hydrologist.

Riparian Zone:  The land next to a body of water that may experience flooding.

Riprap:  Large rocks placed at the shoreline as protection from erosion.

Run off:  Water flowing over land that could cause erosion.

Shoreland Regulations:  Land adjacent to a body of water that is regulated as to the type and extent of development.

Watershed:  The area where surface water drains to a body of water.

 

By Nancy Henke   Thu, Jul 30, 2009

The tsunami in the Indian Ocean has abruptly ended the lives of over 200,000 people and has changed the lives of countless others. It is hard to think about water without the images of the tsunami and all of its devastation coming to mind. And at the same time, it is heartwarming to see the compassion that moves us all to help in situations like these.

As a child I worried about what would become of me if something happened to my parents. As a spouse I've worried about what I would do if something happened to my husband. As a parent I can't even fathom what my life would be like if something happened to my children. We've all gone down that road. But what I can't even begin to imagine, without my heart squeezing and writhing in pain, is what I would do if I had to choose which child to save, or if I couldn't reach my child before the wave carried them away forever, or if my entire village and everyone I knew were taken from me in an instant. And then, to have to worry about how to feed my family, how to house my family, or simply how to get fresh drinking water would be the aftermath for a long time.

Water is an ever-changing entity. It can bring destruction and it can bring life. It can be frightening and it can be beautiful. It can be bountiful as it is here in Minnesota, or it can be sparse as it is in many poorer countries. Water, for those of us fortunate enough to live on a lake, is truly a blessing. It refreshes our souls, calms our nerves and literally washes stress from us as we play in, and around, it. Many, in fact most, in the world are not as fortunate.  

As I reflect on the world's events, I try to focus on those things that really matter, how I can help others, and how I choose to live my life:

• I try to remember that a grateful heart is a happy heart.
• I try to remember that I am fortunate to have a lake home and that it is my responsibility to help those less fortunate.
• I try to remember to sprinkle my summer calendar with breaks.
• I try to remember that my time on the lake is a gift, and I am just a short term visitor, so I try to refresh my memory with boating regulations and other lake rules.
• I try to remember that my choices impact others, but if they are good choices I can make a positive impact.
• Mostly, I try to remember to celebrate life each and every day; it is fragile and it is a gift.

I also often think of just how fortunate we are to have you as a customer. As Lakestyle enters its sixth year in print, I thought it time to stop thinking this and actually tell you:

• Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback; it is what keeps us focused on the things that matter to you.
• Thank you for sharing your lake experiences and photos with us; these treasures are what make Lakestyle better.
• Thank you for all of your suggestions, comments and, yes, even the occasional criticism.
• Thank you for reading Lakestyle.

On a final note, we are working on producing our second annual Lakestyle Buyer's Guide as a service to our readers. Our premier issue was the first of its kind and a great resource as a single place to find all of your lake living services. Please feel free to e-mail us with category suggestions or other ideas for our second issue at buyersguide@lakestyle.com.

Thank you again and keep celebrating life on the water!

Nancy Henke, Editor

 

By Barb Umberger   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Is this your year to buy a lake cabin or lake home? Don't know where to start? Wonder if you should wait until the weather warms and more properties are listed?

First, if you are ready to begin your lakeshore search today, don't wait for warm weather. Although there may be less inventory in winter months, some listings that did not sell the previous year may be reduced in price, or a newer, fabulous piece of real estate may become available and you won't be competing with summer buyers.

Second, if you are ready to find that lakeside retreat, but want to make sure you are considering important steps and details, read on. Lakestyle talked with a number of realtors experienced in sales of lake property. The following "tips and tricks" are based on their advice to help buyers start off on the right foot.

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Identify your goals; describe your ideal property

• Know exactly what you are looking for. Is it a view of a gorgeous lake or a place to regularly use your boat or personal watercraft? A cabin with a sandy beach for swimming? How important is the local school district? What about the drive time to work? Or are you strictly interested in the investment potential?
• How important is elevation? If you want a lake home or cabin only for the view, a higher elevation is better. Elevation is generally better from a noise perspective and may mean fewer mosquitoes than a location right on the lake! But if your family includes children or older adults, you may not want them to traverse stairs to the water or dock.
• Determine the general location where you'd like to buy - whether it's a specific lake, an area surrounding a favorite town or even an entire county or counties.
• Establish minimums regarding lot size and/or structure - number of bedrooms, baths, frontage feet on lake, seasonal or year-round use. Do you need a garage?
• Each lake has its own premier locations. Buy what you can afford, understanding that the property is an investment and its value is highly dependent on location.

Select an experienced realtor

• Take advantage of a realtor's expertise. Negotiating offers is a crucial part of the process as well as the follow-up with home inspections, financing and title work, etc. Many Web sites, such as www.realtor.com, can help you find potential realtors; then make some phone calls.
• Work with a real estate agent who is "local" to your area of interest. Local realtors are the most knowledgeable about market values, lake characteristics and, of course, properties currently for sale.
• When you find a good agent, make contact often - yes, even to the point that you think you are "bugging" the agent. That way the agent will think of you often and keep you high on the list.
• Don't tell the agent that you "have years to find the perfect spot." You want to keep the agent motivated to look for you. Saying you have years tells the agent that you may just be "looking."

Do your homework

• Get pre-qualified with a lender. The "pre-approval letter" from your lender tells the agent you have done your part and are a serious buyer. It also tells the seller that you are prepared and have put some effort into purchasing property. In situations where multiple offers are presented, and offers are equal, sellers sometimes lean toward pre-qualified buyers because they already know they have the purchasing power.
• Keep checking Web sites and tell your agent of any properties that look interesting. Let the agent find out information about the property. Know that once you call another realty firm, it may claim you as its buyer and not allow your agent to be involved in the transaction should you decide to purchase that property.

Make the most of your time

• Drive along area roads and familiarize yourself with detailed street maps. That way, when you or your agent find a new property, the address will help you decide if you are interested.
• Save yourself and your agent time, and be considerate to sellers. If at all possible, drive by a property prior to scheduling an appointment. Why set up an appointment if you don't like the location of the property?
• Bring your camera and a notebook to appointments. Jot down likes and dislikes of each property and share those thoughts with your realtor. (By the end of the day, most buyers can't remember what the first house looked like.) Buyers will require the expertise of a realtor even more after they've located that "perfect property." Remember, you are entering into a legally binding contract!

Ask key questions about your favorite property

• What is the property's exposure and orientation to the water? Consider how that affects your view from inside, and factors such as the amount of sunlight entering the cabin or home
• Have your agent or other knowledgeable person assess the shoreline's condition. Some shorelines need to be riprapped to stop erosion-- more often, west-facing properties.
• Know the lake's traffic patterns. Are boats cutting across close to the property to get to the channel? Is there a public access point a few doors down?
• Verify pertinent information by calling the county zoning department, the Department of Natural Resources or other government office.
• Call a local business that puts in docks on a particular lake. Ask questions about the lake and the shoreline.
• If the property, including the beach, is still covered with snow, ask if the owners have photos showing the property in warmer weather.
• Meet the neighbors! Ask them about water depth and quality, and why they chose this particular lake and site. Who knows the lake better than the people who already live there?

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Adele Butenas, Coldwell Banker Backstrom and Associates, Pelican Rapids, Minn. 1-800-830-8723
Patti Jo and Matthew Hermann, Edina Realty, Wayzata, Minn. 952-475-4909 (Patti Jo), 952-475-4910 (Matthew)
Cheryl Larson, Mille Lacs Realty, Isle, Minn. 1-800-893-8829
Tim Lovett, Coldwell Banker Burnet, Minnetonka, Minn. 952-470-2525
Bob and Mary Ritter, Remax, Wayzata, Minn. 952-475-8050 or 1-888-475-8001

By   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

When Gail Vinje's husband wanted a new Viking range in their kitchen, she knew it wasn't going to work. A change was definitely necessary to fit a large, high-end range into the space. It was just the impetus to get Gail and her husband thinking about remodeling.

Because Gail is in the mortgage industry, she knows many people in the building/remodeling business. She has known Jeff Danberry, of the Danberry Company, for fifteen years and they've worked on many projects together over the years. She chose the Danberry Company for many reasons; it is a small enough company that you deal directly with Jeff, it is a large enough company that they can handle a large project like hers, and previous clients of Jeff's have all been happy with his work and in their dealings with the Danberry Company. With that decision made it was time to start thinking about how to fit that new range into their kitchen.

After many ideas were tossed around, the final decision was chosen for its very creative use of space. An new eat-in counter was extended into the current porch attached to the kitchen. Sometimes it's necessary to think out of the box. Also, the kitchen was bumped out about 4-5 feet. These two changes provided all the space they needed to make everything work.

Jeff recommends that clients first choose their appliances and the design should be created around them. The client then gets what they want and it isn't necessary to re-design as much later in the process. Next he has clients choose their cabinets, door styles, and colors. It helps to have photos from magazines showing exactly what you want to avoid confusion. Jeff's company has a cabinet maker with a wide range of knives that can be used to cut the many different styles his clients may be seeking. He will have a sample cabinet made for clients to see before cutting the rest. For very specific designs, a special knife can be made for an additional cost of around one thousand dollars. Generally people find what they want without this extra step.

"Gail's kitchen isn't huge, but it still works," says Jeff. "It has a good design of working spaces. I try to group food preparation items together, like the stove, the refrigerator and storage cart in one area, while the sink, the dishes, and the dishwasher are together in another area. It is important to have an expert help with a kitchen design so everything will flow well in the end."

After years of experience with people Jeff also advises, "It isn't always necessary to spend tens of thousands of dollars on plans with an architect. Often times on smaller projects we are able to use a draftsman to do a blueprint of what the homeowner wants, and then we tweak that as we go along. It is inevitable that there will be changes made to the plans along the way. Using a draftsman can save a lot of money on this type of project. Try to be open and flexible, allowing for changes as you go through the process." Jeff goes on to say, "Choose a builder you are comfortable with and one you trust to guide you through the process."

Gail likes to decorate and did a lot herself, but she and Jeff agree that it's important to use an interior designer. "I could make the majority of the choices myself, but it's important to be sure you're doing the right thing and that everything is going to pull together in the end. They have a knowledge base that the average person doesn't have. It really helps with the end result," says Gail.

When asked about her favorite part of the kitchen Gail hesitated for a second. It is clear she is really happy with the entire project. She then answers, "I really like the glass cabinet between the kitchen and the porch. It not only opens things up, but the light coming through is beautiful, especially when the sun is setting. I also like the 4" cove molding, and the inset cabinet doors with European hinges. That coupled with the hardware reminds my husband and me of the 1920s homes we grew up in. It feels like home."

By Barb Umberger   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

If you've recently joined the ranks of lake home or lake cabin owners, you're not alone. Just take a drive around almost any lake in the upper Midwest, and there's a good chance it will be dotted with lake homes and cabins.

Fewer cabins that are older and small occupy lakes today. More and more small cabins are being torn down to build bigger cabins or multi-million-dollar homes.

What's fueling the rush to the lakes? Why are people so interested in finding or building that perfect lake home?

REASONS ABOUND
Cheryl Larson, a realtor with Mille Lacs Realty in Isle, Minn., believes the growing popularity is due to any number of reasons. "I think we're just better off than in the past and can more easily afford to purchase a second home or a cabin," she said. "And most people who went to cabins earlier in their lives enjoyed themselves and now want to re-create that for their family."

With today's busy lifestyles, a cabin can mean relaxation, family times and getting back to nature. "For me, I can just look at the lake and feel how it soothes me," Larson said. "Who doesn't enjoy the multi-colors of a sunset on a calm body of water or taking a jump off the dock? I believe there's no better place to entertain family and friends than at the lake."

In addition, as the baby boomers age, they're thinking about what they want for retirement. For some, that means buying lake property today.

While other investments can show wide "mood swings," as Larson described them, lakeshore is an attractive real estate investment. "The easiest is to purchase a lake lot or a small cabin. That way, buyers have less maintenance and cost involved in holding the investment. At least during the term of ownership, there is some use and enjoyment with the property."

THE PERFECT FAMILY RETREAT
Adele Butenas, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Backstrom and Associates, Pelican Rapids, Minn., looks at the growing interest in lake homes from a personal point of view. She and her family have a lake home they open each April. They stay there on the weekends until school lets out, and then it becomes the family's home base during the summer.

"We all live in the same house and it is the same lake, but it offers something different to each of us," she said. "At the end of my husband's work day, he can't wait to go fishing. Our youngest, who is 13, loves to fish. He and my husband spend many evenings together fishing. I don't know if they talk much, but they share a common love of the sport."

When Butenas joins them on the lake, it generally is on the family pontoon. She typically brings a book and a pillow. Besides reading, she enjoys the onboard family conversations.

Her 16-year-old daughter loves to swim, sunbathe and play with her dog. "They sit lakeside for hours just goofing off," she said. Butenas' children frequently have friends visit their lake home, and she appreciates the added benefit of knowing what they are doing.

"For me, I am happy just to sit and enjoy the serenity of the lake. We blended eight children and, during the winter months, we can go long periods of time without actually seeing them. During the summer, it's a different story. We all get together and have fun just doing the simple things. It doesn't matter whether you are seven or 70; the lake has something to offer you."

"For those reasons, first and foremost, I believe people want lakeshore property. Retreating to the lake has happened for generations. They probably did it for the same reasons years ago as we do today. It offers something for the entire family."

When people seek Butenas' assistance in finding a cottage or home, or a bare lot, they almost always talk about their family's needs. "So I guess in a society that has become as fast paced as ours, it is the opportunity we all seek to hide away for a while."

Besides being an ideal location for a family, buying lakeshore is a sound investment. As Butenas said, "I have watched my 401(k) shrink and we've all read the horror stories of lost fortunes in the markets, but lakeshore real estate continues to grow in value at a rate that is sometimes hard to comprehend."

By Lee Hoedl   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Spanning across five Minnesota counties, it offers a veritable smorgasbord of scenic delights during any season. But it is not for the anxious of spirit or the greedy of heart; its riches of forest, fowl and flower are shared slowly for all to witness and remember. For it has come to be fondly known as simply The 113.

During the summer months across northern Minnesota, all of Minnesota State Highway 113 bustles with the yearly excitement of those returning to their personal fishing and lodging locations. In the fall, the same highway stretch provides memorable scenic vistas of magical colors to excite the soul while winter brings with it picturesque scenes straight from Currier and Ives. And spring unfolds its new life alongside this gentle drive of The 113. Spanning 46 miles across southern Mahnomen and northern Becker counties, Minnesota Highway 113 remains a best kept secret of scenic Minnesota byways; at least, until now.

Intersecting Minnesota Highway 32 in northern Norman County, eastbound Highway 39 officially becomes The 113. Seventeen miles further east, one will enter the cozy traditional town of Waubun and here is where the adventure begins. So fold back this page, grab a camera, begin marking mileage from this point and be prepared to exit your vehicle several times along the beautiful byways of The 113.

The first eight eastern miles from the Junction of U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 113 - east of Waubun - will take you through the serene environment of the Waubun State Wildlife Management Area; ideal for photography of water fowl and deer. Signs posted along the way will caution you several times of wildlife crossings. Upon Mile 8 of your journey, you will find yourself entering into the wondrous 59,500 wooded acres of the White Earth Indian Reservation and the White Earth State Forest... and into the heart of The 113.

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Mile 12 - You will venture upon your first set of lakes: the McCraney, Gull, Wadena, Egg and Snider Lakes. Snider Lake, with public access on its southeast shore (via County Road 4), is said to be the haven for both bald eagle and golden eagle sightings. Local Snider Lake resident Karen Berger attests to the plethora of wildlife available for photographing, "Along with loons and other waterfowl, there is other wildlife from deer and moose to timber wolves and bear."

Mile 15 - The Tulaby Creek, connecting McCraney Lake and Tulaby Lake, will intersect with and run alongside Highway 113 in several locations. It is a subtle opportunity to experience the gentle wooded rivers of this area. You may have to park your vehicle off the side of the road and walk a few paces, but the gentle murmurs of the area's rivers will do wonders for your spirit.

Mile 18 - You will witness the sparkling waters of Tulaby Lake on your right, with public access to the water on its north shore. It is a lake known for its bluegill, green and pumpkinseed sunfish, whitefish and its yellow perch. Should you be looking for fishing bait or local hospitality along your drive of The 113, take the time to stop at the Tulaby Lake Inn. Kim Harstad, owner of the Inn, will gladly direct you to numerous photographic opportunities along The 113, regale you with lively stories of local black bear sightings, and provide you with groceries and authentic wares from the White Earth Indian Reservation.

Heading east from the Tulaby Lake Inn, you will continue to see speed limits posted at 50 mph; this is not only advantageous for safety reasons along the winding wooded highway but also for the wonderful photographic opportunities that present themselves along your drive. Take advantage of the posted speed... or act like a local and drive just a bit slower through this area.

Mile 22 - At Mile 22, where Mahnomen, Clearwater and Becker Counties meet, you will be introduced to the quaint little settlement of the Elbow Lake Village, nestled on the shores of Elbow Lake. Spanning over 1000 acres to the south of Highway 113, Elbow Lake is also well known for its share of bluegills and yellow perch. Exiting out of the Elbow Lake Village area, Highway 113 begins its graceful winding among majestic stands of white birch, interspersed with flourishing evergreen. This thankfully continues throughout the remainder of the 24 miles to the junction of Highway 113 and Interstate Route 71.

Mile 28 - Continuing through a large elliptical bend of Highway 113, you will cross between the two lakes of Juggler and Pickerel. Local roads will lead you to public access for each lake; Juggler is locally known for its rock bass, while Pickerel flourishes with yellow perch and whitefish. Great stands of white birch and mirror-like waters can be found in these parts.

Mile 33 - Continuing on your drive east, you will reach Bad Medicine Lake and its one main dedicated rest stop along Highway 113. Step out and stretch your legs as you take advantage of the southward view across Bad Medicine Lake. If you are lucky enough, you will arrive at this point by late afternoon to witness a glorious setting sun or early evening moon rise over Bad Medicine.

Mile 37 - Mile 37 and 40 will guide you along the Missouri Lake and the Twin Island Lake; again, wonderful opportunities to add tranquil lakescape photographs to your collection. Keep your eyes on the right side of the road and your odometer - it is very easy to pass by a number of memorable scenes.

Mile 40 - Twin Island Lake will be your last large lake vista while driving east on Highway 113. At this point, you will begin to notice the highway is now bordering the southeast corner of Itasca State Park. Again, stay alert as you will be entertained by the over twenty varieties of orchids and ancient stands of Norway and white pines this area has to offer! Some of the best wooded sunrises can be found in this remaining six-mile stretch of The 113.

Finally, Mile 46 will find you at the junction of Highway 113 and Interstate Route 71. Should you decide to go north at this junction, you will quickly find yourself at the south entrance of the majestic and legendary Itasca State Park. Should you decide to go south, you will be treated to a relaxed wooded drive toward Park Rapids.

But if you are carefree enough and have the time, turn your vehicle around and head west, treating yourself once again to the splendors of the 113.

By Pamela M. Bossard-McDanolds   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Once upon a time, not too long ago, a pontoon boat was the kind of boat your grandfather would own. Slow and ugly, they would, more often than not, have canopies with little "used car lot" flags fluttering in the breeze, and chug along with an itty-bitty 10 horsepower pull-start engine.

Times have changed. Pontoon boats these days are trés cool. They are practically floating summer cottages that become a home away from land enabling boaters to have fun until the sun goes down.

"Pontoons are very user-friendly boats. They are easy to drive and fun to have," says Tom Schupbach, vice president of Manitou Pontoon Boats.

The SUV of the Boating World
For the family looking for a versatile boat that can keep everyone happy, the new generation pontoons fit the bill. "For the family looking for a good all-around boat, the pontoon is a great choice," says Schupbach, "It is the SUV of the boating world."

In fact, so many boating families have discovered the versatility of pontoons that sales are exploding. "A lot of people are becoming two-boat families. They may have a dedicated fishing boat or dedicated inboard ski boat, but then they also have a pontoon boat for overall fun," says Schupbach.

Indeed, the once lowly pontoon boat has undergone a quiet revolution emerging from an ugly duckling to a graceful swan. And this swan comes equipped with everything to meet a family's on-the-water needs. The long list of standard features on most brands includes bimini tops, tilt wheel, stereo systems, lounge seating, and abundant cup-holders.

It's Hip to Be Square
Unlike traditional V-hulls, pontoon boats use almost every square foot of deck space. More deck space means more room for friends, more room for walking around, more seating and more amenities.

"The pontoon boat is the ultimate family boat. It can carry three generations of family and someone can ski," says Tom Cooper of Bennington Marine.

Pontoon boats are a lesson in functionality and comfort. For Mom and Dad, pontoons offer lounging areas and eating areas with soft, comfortable seat cushions and removable tables. Convertible seating turns seats into couch beds perfect for curling up for a summer nap or an afternoon with a book. "Pontoons are one of the most versatile boats available. They can putt around the lake for a Sunday ride or cruise up to 40 mph without hindering performance or handling," says Cooper.

Option packages can turn a pontoon boat into a personalized floating island. Fishing packages add depth finders, aerated live wells, trolling motors, stainless steel rod holders and fishing seats.

The performance packages crank up the fun by adding tow rings and boarding ladders, lifting strakes, and hydraulic steering. Coupled by a new four-stroke outboard, the performance-equipped pontoon boat will satisfy all but the pickiest of slalom skiers.

    

Family fun shouldn't have to end with the words, "I gotta get back to the dock." Pontoon boats offer options to enable families to spend all day on the water. Porta-potties, bar-b-que grills, galley sinks, refrigerators, stereos with CD players, and even baby changing tables make pontoon boats comfortable for everybody, all day, every day.

Because they don't have a V-hull for cutting through the water, pontoon boats should be used primarily on inland waterways. Pontoon boats will remain stable through calm water and small chop of one or two foot waves. But pontoons don't generally respond well to the larger waves found in big water like the Great Lakes, San Francisco Bay or parts of the Chesapeake Bay. In those conditions, a pontoon boat will take some water over the bow. Although experienced boaters will be able to handle a pontoon in bigger water, the basic rule of thumb is, "if it has a tide, don't take a 'toon.'"

Prop-er Performance
Even though Mom and Dad may want to get to a good spot, drop anchor and relax, the kids may be ready to rev things up a bit. While pontoon boats won't often be seen running the slalom course, they do a very admirable job pulling a skier out of the hole and whipping a tuber around in a frenzy of smiles and laughter.

Most pontoon boats come with two engine choices: outboard or inboard/outboard. Traditionally, I/O's have been more expensive, quieter engines, but with the advent of the new four-stroke outboard, the difference in both cost and speed is negligible.

One distinct disadvantage to an I/O is the increased draft. "I/O's are not good for shallow water. They draw 18 to 24 more inches than the outboards," says Randy Rohrer, owner of Big Bee Boats in Duncannon, PA.

Since both engines are four-stroke, they have good low-end torque to get the boat up on plane and the skier out of the hole. Because of the added engine weight, a pontoon with an I/O will dig a deeper hole when the throttle is punched.

Underneath It All
There are two types of platforms available on pontoon boats; wood or aluminum. The wooden platform base is the most common, and most manufacturers guarantee the platform for the life of the boat. The wood platform is cooler in the summer, and is more stable. It also provides a smoother overall ride.

The aluminum platforms reflect heat back into the carpet, making the floor hotter in the summer. Often, aluminum floors are very thin, and they are not made up of one continuous sheet of aluminum, but rather, they are constructed from a series of aluminum strips.

Know Thy Tubes
The basic premise behind pontoon boats is that they float on two or three aluminum tubes that run the full length of the boat. Most come standard with two 25-inch diameter tubes. The tubes basically glide through the water, as opposed to a deep V-hull, which cuts through water. Pontoon boats can float in as little as twenty-four inches of water, and even less if the motor is trimmed.

The tubes on most boats are guaranteed for the life of the boat and provide amazing stability. "You can't capsize a pontoon boat," says Johnnie Baker, national sales manager for Landau Pontoons. "They are remarkably stable."

Boats come standard with two tubes, but many people are purchasing the triple tube version. Triple tubes, or tri-toons, increase the boat's buoyancy by fifty percent, making it sit higher in the water than a two-tube. The third tube also increases the boats structural rigidity allowing for a higher horsepower engine. "The triple tube is faster up on plane, and has better maneuverability than a double tube boat," says Baker. "Folks who have a tri-toon tell me that they'll never go back to a double tube."

Towing a Pontoon
Despite their size, pontoon boats are lightweight compared to other boats of the same length. A 25-foot pontoon boat can weigh as little as 2200 pounds. Because of their lightness, they are easy to tow. Any vehicle with a tow rating of about 3000 pounds can get your pontoon boat to the water. Keep in mind that the tow rating includes not only the boat, but also any fuel in the tanks, equipment, and people riding in the vehicle.

Wrap Up
Today's pontoons offer better performance, more comfort and good looks. They have evolved into a family friendly, comfortable and versatile boat. Pontoon boats offer so many options that a boating family can personalize theirs to fit their lifestyle. If your family has different ideas of what a day on the water should include, a pontoon boat might just be the right choice for you.

By Barb Umberger   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Many lake home and cabin owners spend as much time at their dock as they do indoors. Whether you are looking to replace your dock or you just wish your existing dock could be outfitted with useful accessories, the following sampling of products will give you some great ideas. All are intended to enhance usage of your dock and your time; some focus on improving safety for you and your guests, or protecting your lakeside vehicles and toys from the elements.

Three popular dock accessories are available from ShoreStation. The gear tower - perfect for hanging life jackets, tow ropes or towels. The large tabletop can be used for drinks, a radio or even cleaning fish. The gear tower includes a plastic waste can and has an optional light attachment. The Aqua Step, a smaller version of ShoreStation's Shore Steps, makes it easy to get in and out of the water, especially for children and seniors. And the ShoreStation's cedar-plank swivel chair is perfect for parents wanting to keep an eye on children swimming nearby, as well as for fishing or just relaxing. Contact ShoreStation at 1-800-859-3028 or log on to www.shorestation.com.

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Pier Pleasure provides a variety of lifts, docks and accessories. Dock accessories include:

1. A tripod winch that lets you remove your dock without getting into the water. It breaks the suction of dished footpads from the bottom of the lake and raises the dock sections so they can be transported to storage.
2. Aluminum dock steps with skid-resistant tape and adjustable legs to accommodate any water depth. Angle can be adjusted.
3. A wheel cart used for installing and removing sectional deck systems. The cart attaches to the top side of the dock sections, enabling you to simply push, instead of carry them to and from a storage area.

 Contact Pier Pleasure at 1-800-658-7010 or visit www.pierpleasure.com.

         

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ShoreMaster now makes curved dock sections that are fully compatible with its sectional docks, and are available with the same decking options - plain aluminum, white painted aluminum, cedar or IPE hardwood. Round, waterfront platforms can be created by fastening together curved sections. An 8-foot-diameter circle is created with 90-degree sections, and a 12-foot-diameter circle with 45-degree pieces. A gazebo-style setting is also possible, complete with an optional round canopy and railing. Contact ShoreMaster at 1-800-328-8945 or visit www.shoremaster.com.

  

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Marine Dock & Lift is selling new styles of dock furniture from ShoreMaster that complement its new curved docks. It also handles a full line of products from EZ Dock, including new bench designs and hexagonal dock sections. Constructed with rugged polyethylene, EZ Dock's modular building-block design enables broad configuration flexibility. Its beige color reflects heat - important for bare feet. Slip-resistant surface. Call Marine Dock & Lift, Center City, Minn., at 651-257-4265 or 1-800-314-3625. Visit online at www.marinedocklift.com.

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DAKA Docks & Lifts of Pine City, MN New this year at DAKA is a Roll-In Sectional Dock made up of 5-foot wide decking sections (compared with conventional 4-foot docks) to create 25% more decking surface. The low profile aluminum frame and wheels sets every 12 feet create a clean, stylish look. Plus, an innovative screw-jack leveling system provides independent side to side leveling and 36 inches of travel. DAKA also offers a full line of accessories to increase the form and function of any shoreline system including an Adjustable Shore End Wheel Kit and steel or aluminum Swimming Ladders available with 3 or 4 steps to add convenience and safety to the dock end.

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Porta-Dock's line of framework, configurations, decking and accessories is guaranteed to work with any model of boat, pontoon or personal watercraft. Products include a shore-end ramp section in 4- and 8-foot lengths; dock benches in fiberglass, aluminum and cedar, and armrests in fiberglass and aluminum; a shore-end wheel kit for easily rolling the shore end of your dock; horizontal and vertical boat and dock bumpers in white or gray; and canopies to fit all models of boat docks and boat, pontoon and personal watercraft lifts. Canopies are available in white, hunter green, gray and beige. For the nearest dealer, call 1-800-783-7070. Visit www.porta-dock.com

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Contact Harris Warehouse and Canvas for ready-made and custom-made boat covers, boat lift and dock covers, and slip covers for items like personal watercraft. Hundreds of materials available; lifetime warranty on workmanship. Harris also repairs zippers, tears, patches, grommets, snaps and more. Call 612- 331-1321 or 1-800-397-5026 or stop in at 501 - 30th Avenue S.E., Minneapolis.

     

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Hill Hiker "lifts" transport people up and down steep inclines. Residential customers include people of any age who face a steep incline from the cabin to the lake. Each lift is custom-configured for each hillside and angle of incline. Models for residential and commercial installations are available; residential models hold up to 750 pounds. Call Hill Hiker, Inc., at 952-476-2422. Check out the products online at www.hillhiker.com.

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Anchor torch poles to your dock without a drill or hammer. The self-anchoring Tiki Deckster® holds all types of torches. Simply drop its T-bar between two deck boards, twist and tighten to clamp the base to the dock. Durable ABS plastic body and stainless steel T-bar.

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The Shore Tracker® Marine Railway System uses a 1.5 HP electric motor to power a two-way winch for retrieving and launching watercraft. With standard capacity of 5,000 pounds, it can be adjusted to fit runabouts, pontoons, inboards, deck boats and floatplanes. All parts are maintenance-free galvanized steel. The Marine Railway System is manufactured by D.H. Docks & Tracks in Nisswa, Minn. Call 218-963-2566 or 1-888-DH-DOCKS. Visit online at www.dhdocks.com

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Roll-n-Go® shore ramps use affordable aluminum docking as an alternative to PWC lifts and boat lifts. Four models (1200, 2000, Pontoon and PWC) provide options for all personal watercraft and many boats, including pontoons. For example, the 54-pound, 11-foot Model PWC holds up to a three-person personal watercraft or 1,000 pounds. Roll-n-Go also offers leg supports for their ramps as well as their new Float Kits which allow their ramps to be attached to existing docks for out-of-the-water docking. Aluminum construction with stainless steel hardware. Contact Roll-n-Go atm1-866-876-5548 or visit www.roll-n-go.com.

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Sunstream FloatLift^TM by Niccum Docks, Inc. This new product offers ultra high-speed hydraulic lifting of boats with incredible ease. With the push of a button on a remote control you are able to raise or lower your boat within 30 seconds. You can even stop it partway to allow for easy loading and unloading or cleaning. These lifts can be used in practically any water location and is solar charged to provide even greater flexibility of usage. For more information call Niccum Docks at 763-682-4600 or visit www.sunstreamcorp.com.

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Tie your boat to any spot in any dock by packing the Portable Dock Cleat. No tools are needed. Simply insert its T-bar between boards in a dock or pier and rotate, then tighten by hand, as directed. Place a knotted rope through the wrench and pull tight. Stainless steel anchor. The portable Multiple Fishing Rod Holder holds one or two rods from your dock. Works with spinning rods, pistol-grip rods, casting rods, surf rods and cane poles. No tools needed to install it. The rod holder's T-bar fits into the gap between deck boards.

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Do you know the definition of a pier versus a dock?

Many of us in the Midwest refer to our piers as docks. (To keep things simple we have referred to piers as docks throughout the accessories article.)

A PIER: A seaside structure: a platform built on stilts jutting out into a body of water, used as a boat dock, a place from which to fish, or as an entertainment center.

A DOCK: A place for ships to moor: an area of water between two piers or next to a pier, where ships can be moored safely for loading and repair.

Our thanks to an observant Lakestyle reader who brought this to our attention.

By Pamela M. Bossard-McDanolds   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

The surface of the Earth is three-quarters water. That means there is plenty of room for lots of boats. But it also means that water pollution is a very real concern. With more and more boats and personal watercraft showing up each year, we should all take the time and effort to keep our boating areas free from chemicals.

Every time a boat is cleaned, chemicals from the cleaning agents end up in the water. Even pulling the boat out of the water for cleaning contributes to water pollution. When the boat is rinsed, the water and chemical residue wash down the street drains. The street drains empty into streams, the streams empty into rivers, the rivers empty into...well, you get the idea.

So how can the average boater do their part to keep our waters clean? One important way is to use Earth-friendly cleaners to wash your boat. Simply put, you probably have stuff in your kitchen to use on your boat. Stuff that won't harm or kill the wildlife or vegetation, can't build up to dangerous levels, and is safe around pets and children.

Here are some safe cleaners to try. These cleaners may require a bit more elbow grease than the harsh retail chemicals available, but don't despair. It's a small price to pay for clean, healthy water.

FIBERGLASS
Baking Soda & Water Paste
Rub gently with a sponge; use lemon or lime juice for a final wipe down to get a shiny, fresh-smelling finish. (Use with care, can be abrasive.)

WINDOWS, GLASS AND MIRRORS
Vinegar, Lemon Juice & Warm Water
Pour solution into a spray bottle, spray on windows and wipe off with paper towels or newspaper. (Newspaper eliminates lint.)

CHROME
Apple Cider Vinegar/Baby Oil
With a soft cotton cloth rub vinegar onto chrome. Follow with a dab of baby oil on a fresh cloth to restore a bright shine.

COPPER
Lemon or Lime Juice & Salt Paste
Rub gently to clean and add a fresh scent.

PLASTIC
White Vinegar & Warm Water
Wipe down plastic surfaces with a sponge or cloth and the vinegar mixture.

STAINS; INSTEAD OF BLEACH
Hydrogen Peroxide
To weaken the solution you can add water. This will bleach any fabrics or carpets so use with care.

WOOD
Olive Oil or Almond Oil
Rub a small amount on wood as a natural moisturizer and to add shine. Do not use on exterior surfaces as they will not hold up in direct sunlight.

Many of these natural cleaners you probably already have in your kitchen cabinets. If not, all of them are as close as your local grocery store. Another added plus is that they are relatively inexpensive to purchase.

Keeping our planet clean should be a priority for everyone. And, as more and more boats show up on our waterways, pollution from chemicals will increase. If we all make a small effort now, we will be rewarded with clean, clear water for our tomorrow, and our children's future.

By Barb Umberger   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

A small, secluded lake in northwestern Wisconsin may have claimed its first "property sale by loon" six years ago when Dale and Ruth Warland were searching for a lake cabin. After friends recommended the area, the St. Paul couple had scheduled seven properties to visit with a realtor. That turned out to be six more than Dale needed.

As he described, "I sat in three spots on the first property and said, 'This is it.' " Dale first paused in the cabin's main room, lined with picture windows. He also took a break on the screen porch and then found a good spot down on the lakefront. "At the same time I sat by the lake, I heard a loon's song and I guess he gave the sales pitch." Dale said it was a feeling about this particular cabin, the whole atmosphere, as much as a visual for him.

Growing up on a farm near Fort Dodge Iowa, "lake cabins" were not in his family's vernacular or schedule. But Dale and Ruth had rented cabins over the years on Sand Lake, near Moose Lake, Minn., and definitely enjoyed the experience.

End of a singing era

The Warlands likely will have more time to visit their cabin when the Dale Warland Singers disbands. After 31 years, the a cappella choral group's founder and music director has decided to make time for other priorities.

Dale wants time to pursue other professional and personal interests - impossible with his current seven-day commitment to the choral group. He welcomes more freedom in his schedule and opportunities to do guest conducting, teaching and composing/arranging.

"I'm not stopping conducting," he said. "I'm not retiring; I'm reinventing." Dale said he wanted to stop when he was at the top of his game - and the same for the singers. "I didn't want to continue conducting and have someone say, 'I think you should stop.' " He also wanted to do so while the organization is strong and the finances are solid, which they are. "We have been blessed with a strong staff and board, and support from the community."

The Dale Warland Singers has been a dream come true for Dale. "Very few people are as fortunate as I am. One of the biggest human tragedies is not doing what you want to do. For me, it's been doubly good in that I haven't had to do it by myself. I've had many singers, staff, an incredible board and other support around me."

Besides continuing with music, Dale wants to study French and spend more time with photography and watercolor painting. "My health is good," he said. "I want to do things I haven't had time to pursue in the past."

Dale Warland and The Dale Warland Singers have been nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Choral Performance.

Year-round retreat . . . and studio

The Warlands thrive in the lake cabin's beauty and closeness to nature. Of course, the setting is also a great place to have a studio.

"There's a certain spiritual quality that feeds the soul and the mind," Dale said. "It's easier to compose when your mind isn't cluttered."

The cabin's garden-level studio is complete with a digital piano for score study and composing. Dale also brings a laptop computer with him to keep in touch with office staff, and to handle correspondence and other work. "It's a great place to work and focus on one or a few things, versus at home, where you face more interruptions. I think the simple beauty and quietness makes it ideal for me."

The Warlands have made wonderful friendships during their time at the lake and enjoy sharing the cabin year-round with friends and family members, including their two adult children. Fellow composer Steve Paulus, and his wife, Patty, also have a cabin near the Warlands' property.

That said, an active social life isn't the couple's number-one pursuit at their lakeside retreat. One of Dale's favorite activities at the cabin is the drive to town he takes first thing each day to buy a newspaper. He enjoys the drive through the countryside, often spotting wildlife in the early-morning sun. Watching and listening to the loons also gives special pleasure to the couple. "We find them such amazing creatures," he said. "We feel constantly drawn to them; they give us inspiration and are a special part of our cabin."

"The simplicity of it all is what I like," Dale said. "The cabin is somewhat remote, but that is part of the charm."

"The peace and solitude is an inspiration; the entire atmosphere is an inspiration," Dale said. "We find, after six years, that we love and appreciate it more and more."

By Geoff Higgins   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Buying a boat or a personal watercraft can be a lifestyle changing experience, so how does a person know which boat is going to suit them best? There are plenty of factors and details that make or break a happy boat purchase for people. A few experts from the boat sales industry lent us some advice to help you make the proper decisions when either buying or upgrading a boat.

Do your homework. The first (and most important) piece of advice that all of the experts tend to agree on is making sure customers understand exactly what they are looking for in a boat. People that are seriously pursuing a boat purchase need to make sure they ask themselves a lot of questions about what it is they specifically want to use the boat for, such as:
How many people are you planning on having in the boat?

• Do you plan on entertaining friends on the boat, or is it going to be just your family?
• If you have children, how many do you have?
• Do you live on a lake or are you planning on traveling with your boat on a trailer?
• What size of lake are you planning on using your boat on, big or small?
• What are the regulations on the lakes on which you wish to use your boat?

What is going to be the primary use of your boat? Do you plan to fish, or are you going to use your boat for water sports? Are you looking to have a boat to cruise and relax in? Or, all of the above?

There is no "best" time of the year to buy a boat; it is not always price that makes it the best time of year to buy. It is true that there are times of the year when it may be easier to find cheaper prices on boats, but price is less important than finding a boat that fits your needs. If you buy a boat in autumn you may have a chance to order your boat to arrive in the spring. This can be a way to avoid winterizing your boat for that winter. When you purchase a boat at the end of the season it usually means that you are getting a leftover boat that did not sell during the season. New models can be found at boat shows and at the dealers in the early spring season.

Use boat shows to your advantage. You can have a great buying experience at a boat show, but be prepared for anything while shopping there. The experts think that boat shows are really great for educating customers on new boats and personal watercrafts. They also warn people not to be lured into a purchase for the wrong reasons. If you are planning on buying a boat at a boat show, tour dealers before and after to make sure that you really are going to get the best deal. Don't fall for the gimmicks and the free giveaways. Do not buy a boat because there is a vacation package that comes with it. Focus on the boat you are buying, and make sure you are buying a boat that fits your needs and desires. Buying a boat in the location where you will use the boat can be an advantage. There will be less hauling, and more readily available service at your disposal. Purchasing a boat at a show is not always convenient in this way.

By Kathleen Laing   Tue, Aug 04, 2009

The glories of summer are approaching and you are eagerly looking forward to enjoying every precious minute. The sun, sand and water beckon you outdoors during these wonderful months. But the truth is, you have a few indoor things that call to you too. Your lake place begs for a dose of TLC, but you don't want to spend a lot of time, effort or money - you just want to spruce up your haven for the season.

Good news! There are many easy and exciting things you can do to help make your lake place more enjoyable for you and your guests-without breaking your back or the bank.

Guidelines for Updating

1. REDUCE stow away, give away, throw away
2. RECYCLE use what you have in a new way
3. RE-DO paint

The first step is not necessarily the most fun, and it does take time and energy, but it's very important: get rid of clutter. Ruthlessly decide what you want to keep and remove the rest. Actually, once you get things in order you may decide that this is all you need to do!

But if you are ready for more fun, then it's time to think out of the box. Take a second look at what you have and determine how you can use things in a different way. As you inventory your furnishings ask yourself, "Is this serving me best where it is? Could it be used in a different place or for a different function?" Maybe the TV trays that are usually folded up and stored in a closet could be used as bedside tables. Would the mirror that's hanging in the hallway work better in your living room-or maybe even outside on the front porch, reflecting the lovely lake scenes? The old bench that's in your entry might be just what you need in the kitchen or the living room. The lamp at your bedside might work great in the hall or even on your bathroom counter.

Even when making new purchases look for ways to use something differently. Bathroom fixtures need replacing? Remember that outside lights can look great inside too. Be innovative and willing to try something in a new way.

Don't be afraid to paint anything if it's dated, worn or just doesn't work for you in its present condition. Don't necessarily get rid of Grandma's '60's lamp just because it's orange and lime green. If it's the right size and shape, and you need it, paint can do the trick. Lamps and light fixtures can easily be transformed with paint and new shades.

You may desire even more change. Paneling or cabinets can look new and sparkling clean with a coat of primer and paint. Countertops, floors, brick, even ceramic tile and wallpaper can be transformed with paint!

FURNITURE

Map Table

This is a great conversation piece and a way to document lake lore. And it cleans up like a dream! I used an old Formica kitchen dinette table, but any table would work.

1. Clean and then prime your table.
2. Paint the table a neutral color. (I used a sandy beige). Let dry.
3. Trace an outline of your lake onto the table, filling up most of the space. (I used an aerial photo map of our lake that was a perfect fit.)
4. Paint the lake a light blue. Let dry.
5. Paint a green, brown or black shoreline an inch or two wide around the edge of the lake.
6. Stencil the name of your lake in the center in black letters.
7. Stencil compass points, NSEW, if desired. Let dry.
8. Use a permanent black marker pen to star and list points of interest on the lake: the deepest spot, best fishing hole, islands, points, sand bars, historical places, relative's or friend's residences, camps, resorts. Let dry.
9. Brush with several coats of water based polyurethane, drying well between each coat. (Do not roll or sponge on; it will bubble.)

Dining Redo

Recently I painted an oak dining room set that was in perfectly good shape but "fought" with too many other woods in the room; paneling, trim, other furniture. After priming I brushed on a brown/black satin latex paint for the hutch exterior, the table base and chairs, and a khaki/beige for the hutch interior and tabletop. The set is now a stand out that looks like it belongs on the pages of the latest Pottery Barn catalogue.

CABINETS AND VANITIES

Simple changes can make a big impact:

• Remove a couple of upper cabinet doors to display glassware, plates and special accessories.
  
• Replace dated hardware.
• Remember, too, that doing away with the upper cabinets that hang over a peninsula can be an "instant" makeover. It will open up your room and make it feel brighter and bigger.
• Paint!

FLOORS AND COUNTERTOPS

Do you have a "vintage" linoleum floor that's worn and dingy, but you're not ready to replace? Kitchen and bathroom countertops that are outdated? Paint them for pennies!

Here's how:

1. Strip floor or thoroughly clean countertop.
2. Roll on two coats of tinted primer, drying between coats.
3. Apply two coats of semi-gloss latex paint, again drying between coats. At this point you can add a stencil or other design if you wish. (See Map Table for idea.) You may want to paint the edge of the countertop a different color.
4. Brush (do not use roller or sponge) with at least two coats of water based semi-gloss polyurethane, drying thoroughly in between.

WALLS

Picture This

Simple inexpensive frames will look great if kept to the same size and style.

• Use maps as picture matting.
• Paint nautical flags on square artist canvas.
• Frame magazine pictures.
• Print and frame your favorite quotes.

Paint Paneling

• Fill any nail holes.
• Lightly sand.
• Prime.
• Roll on paint (I like satin latex).

Paint Wallpaper
(Some wallpaper can be painted-it's always best to test a small section first!)

• Spackle seams and nail holes to smooth.
• Prime.
• Roll on paint.

Quotes to Frame

"To lie awake in the marvelous air... one is always refreshed by the night up there." -Mable Dodge Luhan, Trek to Blue Lake
"Nature has been for me, for as long as I can remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight." -Lorraine Anderson, Sisters of the Earth
"For a moment, as they stood at the porch edge, all life seemed frozen in a picture." -Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel

As you can see, when it comes to updating, almost anything is possible. Just remember- keep it simple and have fun. Happy summering!

 

By Barb Cross   Fri, Jul 31, 2009

The colors you choose to put in your garden greatly affect how it will look, but did you know that color can influence the way you feel in your garden? Bright, bold colors invigorate and energize while soft pastels are passive and relaxing. Colors trigger unconscious emotional responses and knowing more about them will help you design spaces that create the mood you desire. Whether you want to liven up your patio for entertaining or make your deck a weekend retreat, using color can greatly enhance the enjoyment you get out of your yard.

Our world is made up of millions of discernable colors, and you can find flowers in nearly every color of the spectrum. Technically speaking color is light. Differing wave lengths of reflected or absorbed light may not be interesting to all of us, but those of us who love flowers care that a purple flower will get lost in a shady area and bright colors do well in sunlight.

The color wheel is the best tool to help us understand the possibilities. The three primary colors are red, yellow and blue. Combine these and you get secondary colors of green, purple, and orange. Adding black to any of these colors will produce "shades" and adding white will create "tints" (pastels).

Reaction to colors is cultural, but researchers in the U.S. have found the following:

• RED is a color that demands attention. It is associated with heat, activity, excitement, power and dominance. The color red stimulates heartbeat, breathing and appetite. Red is a primary color, but its appearance in flowers is rarely pure. It tends to lean to the blue side of red (purple) or the yellow side of red (orange). These two types of red are rarely used together.
• ORANGE represents excitement and can be stimulating. It is second to red, not quite as strong as red, and not as sunny as yellow. 
• YELLOW is an attention getter. It is considered optimistic, and can enhance concentration and speed up metabolism. Yellow is difficult for the eye to take in and too much can be overpowering.
• GREEN is calming, serene and refreshing. It is the easiest color on the eyes and is always present in the backdrop of foliage.
  
• BLUE symbolizes loyalty and causes the body to produce calming chemicals. It makes people feel peaceful and tranquil. Blue is a recessive color that creates an impression of distance and can be cold and depressing.
• PURPLE is heavy and intense and is the color of luxury, wealth and sophistication. It is a recessive color and can disappear in shady gardens.

Design Tips for Using Color

• Use the same color repeatedly in different garden areas to unify the entire yard.
• Choose colors that look good with their surroundings and won't get lost against their background.
• Pastel colors can get washed out in bright sunlight unless they can be viewed up close.
• White and cream flowers, as well as silver foliage, work well for blending different colors.
• Bright, vibrant colors hold their color well even in brilliant sunshine.
• Light-colored flowers lighten up shady areas.
• Use warm colors to make a garden seem larger, and cool color pallets to give the illusion of the garden being farther away.

The more you learn about color, the better you can use it to your advantage in designing your landscapes. Color helps you enhance your outdoors and create the mood you desire.

Warm colors (red, oranges and yellows) attract attention and create a sense of warmth and security. Flowers in this color pallet are a good choice for front entries, or a patio where you entertain. Cool colors (greens, blues and purples) promote serenity and relaxation. Choose these colors where you like to feel relaxed and contemplative.

Flowers you can use to paint your garden are found in nearly every color of the spectrum. Combining flowers with different colors that look good together is difficult for many people. Replicating something you've seen, or sticking with the tried and true, will always look good. If you are ready to try something new, following the basic color combination schemes mentioned next will make it easier for you.

Harmonious colors (blues and violets, or reds and oranges) blend colors next to each other in the color wheel. Harmonious color combinations unify a garden, are gentle on the eyes, and are a good place to start if color decisions are difficult for you.

Complementary colors (red and green, or blue and yellows) are made up of colors opposite on the color wheel. This combination is playful, creative, and will add vitality and contrast to your garden.

Monochromatic colors makes an impact with only one color. There are many shades within one color, and many shapes, sizes and textures to light up your garden with a sophisticated look.

By Teri Bennett   Fri, Jul 31, 2009

My good friends Karen and Jerry Elling have a fish fry with their family at least once a summer. They gave me a "how to" lesson on a beautiful summer afternoon. Their recipe and expertise, combined with my outdoor dining room, made for a day at the beach full of good tasting food and cheerful surroundings.

We set up a kitchen area a safe distance from everything. Karen and Jerry brought their propane, outdoor cooking stove, and heated oil in a large deep fat fryer. (A large cast iron frying pan would also work.) A small table nearby served as a workstation, complete with fish batter, a serving platter and water in an antique thermos to use for clean up.

The deck at the water's edge served as the perfect location for our outdoor dining room. I wanted everything to be casual and fun because we were at the beach. I used bright, eye catching colors and "beach friendly" items. I really wanted to embrace the beach and sand rather than fight them. The surrounding benches made a perfect enclosure to help define the dining room and provide more seating.

The picnic table adorned with denim added to the rustic, casual feeling. I used an antique pitcher full of cut flowers, a colander full of lemons, and antique tins with candles for the centerpiece. I laced newspaper with red ribbon to use as casual placemats, keeping grease off the table. After the meal trash could be collected in the pocket of the placemat. (This is especially useful if you choose disposable plates and napkins.) I chose to use old, mismatched skillets as dinner plates and I tied heavy antique silverware to the skillet handle with a red bandana, which also served as a napkin.

The buffet table offered up a mixture of old- time serving pieces and bright colors to create a casual, comfortable and cheery addition to the party. To decorate I used potted flowers adorned with fish baskets hanging from garden poles that I had inserted into the pots. Inside the baskets I placed candles for ambiance, and lemon wedges for color and a fresh scent.

Beverages can be old-fashioned root beer, beer, or lemonade served from an antique thermos. Keep it cool, simple, and plentiful when you're at the beach.

A simple, refreshing dessert was the perfect end to this outdoor meal. I made a Sand Pail Cake and layered it into a clean pail. For fun I served it using a new shovel and tin cups. It was so simple and cute.

DEEP-FRIED FISH
Ingredients:

• Lawry's Season All
• Oven Style Original Shore Lunch
• Smart Start Cereal (crushed)
• Fish Fillets (Crappies, Sunfish or larger fish such as Bass, Walleye, or Northern can be cut into 2-3 inch pieces.)

Pre-soak fish fillets in salt water for 1-2 hours. Drain & rinse. Season fish lightly with Lawry's Season All. Mix two parts Shore Lunch with one part crushed cereal. Put 1/2 coating mixture in a large plastic container with cover. Add six to ten pieces of fish, cover and shake until fish are completely coated with mixture. Remove and put fish in grease preheated to 325 degrees. Cook until done (nicely browned). Remove and drain on paper towel. Repeat process, adding more Shore Lunch/cereal mixture to the container as needed. (Do not add all the Shore Lunch/cereal mixture to the container as it gets soggy and may not adhere to the fish.)
Top with chopped green onions and serve with Tartar sauce, mustard, and malt vinegar.

     

BEST EVER BAKED BEANS
Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1 small onion
• 1⁄2 c. catsup or BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 3 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. prepared mustard
• Pepper
• 1 can baby lima beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 lg. can B & M Baked Beans
• Bacon

Mix all ingredients. Place strips of bacon on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. (Sausage, hamburger, or ham pieces may be added to make it heartier.)

REDSTONE CORN BREAD
Ingredients:

• 3⁄4 c. corn meal
• 3⁄4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 tsp. salt
• 1 1⁄2 T. baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 3⁄4 c. sugar
• 7 oz. cream corn (1⁄2 can)
• 2 oz. diced green chilies, drained well (1⁄2 can)
• 1⁄2 c. butter
• 1⁄2 c. shredded jack & cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together all ingredients in the order given. Pour into greased 8" or 9" iron skillet. Bake 35 minutes. Insert toothpick. If it comes out clean the corn bread is done. If not, continue baking and check with a toothpick every five minutes until done. Serve warm with Redstone Maple Butter.

 

REDSTONE MAPLE BUTTER
Ingredients:

• 1 pound butter
• 1 c. maple syrup
• 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt

Allow butter to soften to room temperature. In mixer, (using a ladle attachment if available) whip butter and salt until creamy. Slowly drizzle syrup into the mixture until well blended.

SAND PAIL CAKE
Ingredients:

• 2 lg. boxes vanilla instant pudding (Prepare according to 5 minute pudding directions.)
• Four 6-oz. lemon chiffon yogurts (Yoplait custard style works best.)
• 1 pint whipping cream (whipped)
• 2 c. crushed pecan sandie cookies
• 1 c. Swedish fish candy

Put 1⁄2 of the vanilla pudding into the bottom of a clean pail. Next add a layer using the entire amount of lemon yogurt. Continue to layer with 1⁄2 of the crushed cookies, remaining 1⁄2 of the vanilla pudding, then the whipped cream, remaining crushed cookies, and top with Swedish fish.
Other great fish recipes to use at your fish fry:

PICKLED BASS
Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 c. vinegar
• 3⁄4 c. sugar
• 3 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. pickling spice
• 1⁄2 large onion, sliced
• Bass fillets

Put cleaned fish fillets into a flat pan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Turn burner to simmer and cook about 5 minutes. Remove fish from water and let cool. Pack fish and onion in clean, sterilized jars. (Pint or quart size work well.) Bring vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices to a boil. Pour, or ladle, hot liquid over fish and cover with lid. Let cool and refrigerate. Marinate for at least three days before eating.

FISH MARINADE
Ingredients:

• 1 c. olive oil
• 1⁄3 c. lemon juice
• 1⁄2 tsp. salt
• 1⁄4 tsp. pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1⁄2 tsp. thyme

Fish fillets
Mix all ingredients well and marinate fish in a covered container for about six hours in the refrigerator, turning fish after three hours. Drain fish and discard marinade. Cook on grill until done (larger fish 10-15 minutes).

Our thanks to: Mary O'Neal and Co.
219 Water St.
Excelsior, MN 55331
952-470-0205
And to: Redstone American Grill
Minnetonka and Eden Prairie

By Nancy Henke   Fri, Jul 31, 2009

When I first moved to our lake home six and a half years ago, I didn't worry too much about making friends. I'd only moved about twenty minutes from my previous community that held many friends and lots of family, and seemed close enough to fill my needs. It didn't take too long before I realized I didn't know anyone at my church, my children's school, or near my house. Luckily, within a few short months, I was invited to join a book club that would change that circumstance, and my life.

I met Laurel Lee Duerson Bredholt at our first book club meeting (it was actually more like a party that included talk about a book). The entire group, including Laurel and I, seemed to gel immediately. We all formed fast friendships with one another that felt like they'd been years in the making. We continued to meet for book club and began to add various get-togethers; coffee outings, birthday parties, Christmas parties and eventually weekends at Laurel's cabin. It was at one such get together, a gingerbread house- making party, where Laurel first told me her doctor had found a lump in her breast that had been sent immediately for a biopsy. We all waited optimistically for good news. Days later Laurel recounted the afternoon when she heard her garage door going up unexpectedly. She knew it had to be her husband coming home early, and that meant bad news. It was a momentary setback for Laurel; a diagnosis of cancer that she was determined not to let get in the way of her life.

Laurel set many things into motion at that point in time. She had always been a lively go-getter, but she really poured it on after her cancer diagnosis. She fought the cancer valiantly, she poured her heart out to her friends, she remained optimistic for her children, and she continued to live life with vigor. It seemed as though she always had a party to put together, a friend on the phone, a volunteer position she was fulfilling with expert technique, or a room she was decorating so beautifully that we all wanted her to help us with our own homes.

Most of all Laurel would laugh. She wasn't afraid to talk about her cancer, but she didn't want to dwell on it. She seemed to want to run ahead of the cancer, doing everything to beat the odds. And she did. During her brief remission she began teaching those around her how to live. I'm not sure where she got the energy to do everything she did, but she took part in so many things and was the instigator of many outings.

In the photograph on the opposite page you can see some of us gathered for a girl's weekend at Laurel's cabin. Despite the fact that it was hours away from home, Laurel had the place decked out with music, beds, and a spread of food that looked like a caterer had prepared it. She convinced us we could take the boat out, so we proceeded to do just that; shoving off from the dock, starting it, restarting it, floating some (a little worry on my part about an unplanned swim), and fortunately a final start of the engine executed solely by women. She navigated her way across the lake to a nearby restaurant and later delivered us safely back at the dock of her cabin.

It was so empowering to feel Laurel's optimism. Her laughter and happiness were contagious. Through time spent with her, I learned about her love of her cabin, her love of a getaway, her love of her family and friends, and her love of the lake. I learned of her strength, a strength that ran deep and would carry her through the rest of her journey, still loving, still laughing, and still optimistic.

A few months later, back at her cabin, Laurel and I were walking up a slight incline when I noticed she was breathing quite hard for such a short walk. It was my first indication that something was wrong. Maybe deep inside Laurel knew something was wrong, but she never let on. I think it was the deep love she felt for her two beautiful children that kept her going. She was bound and determined to make it through her battle against cancer for them. She wanted to be there loving them forever. If she was afraid the cancer was back, she didn't show us, she just kept on living and loving.

But, the cancer was back. The news set an even quicker pace for Laurel. She didn't rush anything, but she didn't waste any time. She savored all of her time; time with her children, time with her family, and time with her friends. Hugs came often from Laurel, smiles came freely, laughter came easily, and tears generally streamed over the top of it all. She gave herself completely to those she loved.

Every time I called Laurel I was amazed at what transpired. I would say "Hi Laurel, it's Nancy." And she would respond with sweet surprise, "Hi Nancy!" as though mine was just the phone call she was hoping for. I don't know how she made each of us in her life feel so special, but she did. I would love to live like Laurel, I would love to give like Laurel, and I hope to love like Laurel did.

Laurel passed away October 28, 2003. While we are all so sad not to have her near to hold, to laugh with, and to talk to, we feel so blessed to have loved her and to have been loved by her. She has been such a gift to all of us. Each day I hope I learn to live a little more like Laurel, with courage, wisdom, strength, optimism, and love.

I encourage you to live more like Laurel too. Embrace that which you love in life, your family, your friends, and life at the lake.

Nancy Henke, Editor

By Tammy Ruggles   Tue, Aug 18, 2009

Hollywood has always managed to capture the comfort and coziness of cabins and lakes, as well as the hazards that lurk in the minds of a scriptwriter.

What better way to relax in your cabin by the lake, than with some movies that feature cabins and lakes.

What would you add to the list?

The Great Outdoors, starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd: A lakeside family vacation is disrupted when the in-laws drop by for a family visit in this comedy adventure. 1988.

Ain't No Way Back, starring Campbell Scott and Virgina Lantry: Can two feuding families finally call a truce in a peaceful cabin in the woods? 1990.

Bitter Moon, featuring Hugh Grant and Kristin Scott Thomas: A cabin sets the stage for a consuming love story between a writer and a woman he met on a bus. 1992.

Cabin Fever, A group o friends are snowbound in a cabin, but tension mounts when a wounded stranger stumbles inwith the ominous phrase, "I have to warn you! Someone knows!" 1998.

The Channeler, featuring Dan Haggerty, David Homb: A mysterious hermit living in a cabin seems to know the secrets regarding some paranormal activity going on in the woods. 1990.

Christmas In Connecticut, with Dyan Cannon, Kris Kristofferson, Tony Curtis: A man who lost his cabin to a fire asks for a home-cooked meal, and the star of a TV cooking show invites him to a live Christmas dinner on the air. 1992.

The Companion, A romance writer retreats to her cabin to begin her next book, and brings along a companion; a humanoid android that she's programmed in the areas of cooking, cleaning, and sexuality. 1994.

A Crack In The Floor, featuring Gary Bussey and Bo Hopkins: A recluse living in a secluded cabin has his solitary world shattered by outsiders. 2000.

Ice Men, featuring David Hewlett and Martin Cummins: A weekend getaway of hunting and fishing at a cabin is disrupted by some unexpected visitors. 2001.

In The Lake Of The Woods, starring Peter Strauss and Chilton Crane: A better-than-average TV movie about a senatorial candidate who takes his wife to a private cabin to recuperate after his campaign is damaged by accusations that he ordered the massacre of a Vietnam village. 1996.

Martin's Day, featuring James Coburn, Lindsay Wagner, Richard Harris, Justin Henry: A lonely little boy becomes enamored with a charismatic escaped convict who seeks to return to his childhood cabin. 1984.

The Parent Trap, featuring Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson: Twins who were separated at birth reunite, and try to get their divorced parents to do the same. 1998.

Another Stakeout, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, and Rosie O'Donnell: In this sequel to Stakeout, the cops are assigned to stakeout the Mafia from a lakeside home. 1993.

Fear, starring Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William L. Petersen: A beautiful lakeside home is the setting for a troubled young man who enters the life of a family who lives there. 1996.

Lake Placid, with Bill Pullman and Bridget Fonda: A serene lake is besieged by a man-eating alligator. 1999.

A Month By The Lake, with Vanessa Redgrave and Edward Fox: An older woman and a younger man begin a relationship at her beautiful lakeside villa. 1995.

The People Across The Lake, featuring Valerie Harper and Gerald McRaney in this TV movie about a couple who move to a lakeside town to get away from city crime, only to find that it isn't much safer. 1988.

Cabin By The Lake, starring Judd Nelson: In this comedy thriller, a killer who lives in a cabin by the lake tends to his collection of victims. 2000.

By Ed Knapp   Tue, Aug 18, 2009

A century-old dilapidated barn on the side of the road in Pennsylvania may appear to be an eyesore to some, but beneath its weathered exterior hides a wealth of timbered beams and craftsmanship that have survived the test of time. A world away in Kumming China, intricately carved doors from the Ching dynasty are salvaged from buildings slated for demolition. These architectural elements both await rebirth as a part of a new support structure called the "new old house."

New Old House: Designing with Reclaimed Materials is a blueprint for blending in home and business design , emphasizing the use of vintage materials.

The old water-powered Millmont Grist Mill, circa 1840, was the hub of all trade and farm activity in the township of Millmont, Pennsylvania. Farmers brought their crops and goods to be milled, paying the mill owners with a portion of their milled goods in lieu of monetary recompense. The mill was five stories tall, approximately 100 feet wide and 300 feet long, and the timbers were all of red and white oak. In true recycled form, this incredible structure-- steeped in history-- was transformed into a beautiful home. All of the large structural oak timbers were installed in the lower level of the main house and many were placed back into their original fits and joinery. Original oak was used in the ceilings of both the interior and exterior areas of the home. The master bedroom has a trellis system built from white birch that was harvested from standing dead timber in the Adirondacks. The great room has a nautical theme, with timber trusses made of resawn pine timber and numerous carved corbels and braces; the balcony is carved from cherry. Distressed and reclaimed cherry is used extensively throughout the living room, dining room, stairwells, and hallways, and some of the bedrooms were appointed with antique log siding and chestnut flooring.

---

The front elevation of the house shows it highly unusual blend of antique knotty shutters and entry, as well as a flared, shingled wall design and stone foundation. Photo courtesy of Harrison Design Associates, Inc.

Another example of the ability to transcend rustic materials for a more elegant old-world feel is seen in this river-rock fireplace with its antique timber mantel. The timber truss above is made of antique pine and traditional joinery. The finials and curved beam ends were all made by Vintage Beams & Timbers. Photo by Gil Stose.

The dining room table at the Gold Tree Cottage is made from an antique plank door. Notice the contrasting reclaimed ceiling beams and the fieldstone kitchen hearth into which the commercial range top and hood are recessed.

The owners of this home have made excellent use of both built-in modern convenience and hand-hewn cabinetry; on the far side of the kitchen is a small wine cooler underneath the cabinetry, alongside a wet sink. Photo by Gil Stose.

The master bedroom features a unique, white birch tree trellis set off by gray penling. The storm-damaged trees, approximately five years dead and still standing in the forest, were hand-logged. All parts of the trees were utilized in this design. Photo by Gil Stose.

Antique floor timbers were sawn in half and applied to the walls of one of the children's bedrooms, creating the look of an authentic cabin. The chinking is a light gray color, and the floors and trim are antique chestnut lumber. Photo by Gil Stose.

The covered porch is enhanced by exposed hand-hewn timber, reclaimed from the Barker barn in Ohio. The timber was pressure-washed and sealed with clear finish. Notice the exposed mortise holes. Local stone was used on the floor and the arches. Photo by Gil Stose.

Color variations, knots, old nail holes, checks, and cracks lend personality and a sense of history to this children's checker table and chairs, built from antique lumber. Photo by Gil Stose.

Seen from the main house, the boathouse features a similar gambrel roof line and a terraced walk that is cantilevered over the water. The lower floor was constructed at water level and is used for storage; the two upper levels serve as a studio and guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of Harrison Design Associates, Inc.

 

     

  

By   Tue, Aug 18, 2009

Read to star looking for that perfect lakeside retreat? Have your eye on a gem but hope you don't overlook some critical steps before you sign the contract? Several real estate experts share tips to make your journey smoother and with fewer problems or surprises down the road.

Tim Lovett, Coldwell Banker Burnet (952-470-2525)

• "Location, location, location." Each lake has its own premier locations. Buy what you can afford, understanding that the property is an investment and its value is highly dependent on location.
• What is the property's exposure and orientation to the water? Consider how that affects your view from inside, and factors such as the amount of sunlight entering the cabin or home.
• Take a look at the lot's elevation and the shoreline's condition. If your family includes children or older adults, you may not want them to traverse stairs to the water or dock. Also, have your agent or other knowledgeable person assess the shoreline. Some shorelines need to be riprapped to stop erosion-- more often, west-facing properties.
• Know the lake's traffic patterns. Are boats cutting across close to the property to get to a channel? Is there a public access point a few doors down?
• If you are buying a lake home, learn about the local school system, the travel time to work and shopping, and the mix of families living nearby.
• What typically happens is that buyers eventually find the land, the lot, the location and the exposure more important than the building. "There's a limited amount of lake property available," Lovett said, "and God only made 25 percent of it west facing."

  ---

Terry Metzger, Four Seasons Realty (1-888-324-7565)

• Keep your options open. You may be surprised at what you end up buying compared with what you first thought would interest you.
• Know why you want the property or cabin. If you want to retire someday at a lake home and you are in your 30s today, consider just buying land and holding it until you can build the lake home of your dreams. If you are buying lakeshore for an investment, make sure that all the things about the lake and property would be appealing to a potential buyer.
• Listen to your agent when he or she suggests a different are than you were considering, or a different size body of water. Visit the lake on a Saturday and check out the kinds of activity taking place. Picture your family there.
• Look at the lot from the water. "Many times, I bring my clients out on my boat so they can see what the property looks like from the water," Metzger said. "It is a great way to see the possibilities from a different perspective."
• Don't be afraid to keep asking questions about the lake or the area. There is so much to know when making this type of purchase, and if you intend to keep the property for a long time, you don't want to forget any details.
• Be patient. Many people look at different options before they make a decision. Don't be afraid to get in the car and drive to take a look. Stop in the town nearest the property and check out how it feels and what it offers.

  ---

Nancy Arneson, Edina Realty, Wayzata (952-74-8648)

• Keep in mind your planned use for the lake. Are you "lookers" or will you actively use the lake?
• What type of shoreline do you want? Steep? Level? East or west facing?
• What is the quality of the lake water? The Department of Natural Resources rates water quality as A (best), B, C or D. People who want to swim in the lake should make sure the water is fairly clear. To others, water quality makes little or no difference.
• Depending on intended use, learn if the lake bottom is mucky, sandy or has a drop-off.
• What is the neighborhood like? If you are a parent with young children, you may want to be near neighbors with young children. If you are retired, you may want a more private lot.
• What is the location's proximity to a city? How close do you want to be to a hospital, grocery store, shopping or other amenities?
• What is the area's noise level? Is the lot near a highway with significant truck traffic? Is the lake frequented by people using personal watercraft?
• The least important factor is the quality of the structure. As Arneson said, "You can fix that. The structure is the first thing people look for, but they should be more concerned about things they cannot change, such as the lake bottom."

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Marie Everson, Minnesota Realty, Lake Minnetonka (952-471-0033)

• Know the ordinances that apply to your property. As one example, "hardcover" pertains to the amount of land that can be covered with a home, garage, deck, etc.
• Ask the seller for pictures of the property in other seasons to verify the quality. A sandy beach may be covered with ice the day you visit, and so could weeds on the beach.
• Make sure the property will accommodate the dock you want for your boat. Zoning in some communities prohibits or restricts docks located within a certain distance from a neighbor's property.
• Select an agent who is knowledgeable of a particular lake area to ensure compliance with local ordinances.

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Chad McDonald, Lakehomes.com, Grand Rapids (1-866-327-9889)

• You need to use common sense, of course, but don't wait too long to make an offer when you are interested in a property. This is certainly true in Itasca County's hot real estate market where lake property values have been increasing by 15 to 20+ percent each year. McDonald expects that trend to continue in the near future.
• Pay more attention to your own interest level than to what others think about a particular property-- even, in some cases, when the appraisal comes in under what you offered to pay. The value of a property is what it's worth to you.

  ---

Jim Atkinson, Minnesota Power's ShoreLand Traditions, Duluth (218-343-9119)

• If you don't have knowledge abut local zoning requirements, find someone who does. Find out who deals with zoning and issues permits. Have that person meet you on site and hear your plans. Do you intend to keep the site as is, add on to it, or tear down and rebuild? Zoning ordinances vary by location and can be limiting. For example, the amount of vegetation you can clear within the "shore impact zone" may be restricted.
• If you buy a bare lot and want to develop it, the process is much easier if you star with the septic system, especially if the lot or its usable space is relatively small. "It's a lot less frustrating to start there," Atkinson said.
• Often, people like to purchase a cabin or home that has less than the required setback, offering them closeness to a lake. Being only 40 feet from a lake may be great, but remember that if you later want to add a deck or a mud room, you will be at the mercy of local zoning authorities. You'll need to be willing to spend the time required to attempt to get a variance approved. "Think long and hard about your level of tolerance regarding government control," Atkinson added.

  ---

Margi Raines, Minnetonka Realty (612-804-9807)

• Many city dwellers who want a lake home are entirely surprised by what their dollar buys on a lake. The same amount that could buy a mansion in town may only get you a fixer-upper when it is on a lake. Expect a learning curve.
• Make sure the realtor you work with is knowledgeable about the area and has lakeshore expertise. That goes for people who are selling a lake home, as well as those ready to buy. Realtors not familiar with lake home pricing may underprice it.
• Make sure you know what you are buying. For example, on Lake Minnetonka, some lakeshore is private, but on some lots, the city owns 12 feet from the lake.

By Barb Umberger   Tue, Aug 18, 2009

Some people believe that Jeff Passolt showed early promise as a broadcaster back when he competed in a talent show. No, he's way too young to have performed before Ted Mack or Ed Sullivan. The talent show in which he participated took place around a crackling campfire in Wisconsin's north woods, back when he was a child.

This particular talent show was a summer ritual for his extended family, including a passel of Passolt cousins. With Jeff being one in a band of six brothers, however, his immediate family alone had a good start on cornering the talent competition. These days, as news anchor for the Twin Cities Fox network affiliate, KMSP-TV, channel 9, and regular participant on KQRS-FM's morning radio show, Passolt displays his talents to a much broader audience.

100-YEAR HISTORY

For close to 100 years, Passolt's family has owned and made extensive use of lakeside acreage in northwestern Wisconsin. Passolt's maternal great-grandfather originally purchased the land for farming. He made valiant attempts to farm the land but the sandy soil didn't cooperate. Jeff's great-grandparents and grandfather lived in the property's log cabin for three or four years, but realized that the soil just wasn't meant to grow crops.

The log cabin burned down during World War I and was never rebuilt. "He was a very pragmatic guy," Passolt said. "If he wasn't going to be living there, he wasn't going to build another house."

The property waited for the next generation to discover its true gift. Not long after serving in World War I, Jeff's grandfather returned to the property, which would become his campsite. "While a good chunk of the original property was sold, he manage to hold on to what we have now through some tough times," Passolt said, including the Great Depression and World War II.

In the 1960s, the property was split into four parcels-- one for each of Grandfather Earl King's daughters, including Jeff's mother, Nancy. Jeff's father, Bob, built a 12-foot-by-16-foot shack on the property in the mid-1960s, but the six Passolt boys generally pitched two tents for their visits, which sometimes lasted for two or three weeks.

Jeff's father did the family's cooking from "the cook tent," an old Army tent that has taken on near-mythical status in the family's memories. "Dad did a lot of the outdoor cooking in those days," Passolt said. "Mom was busy watching all the kids. My dad used a Coleman stove and we sat at a picnic table inside the tent. Let me tell you, food never tasted so good." Imagine the smell of bacon and eggs wafting through the early-morning north woods air. "The aroma of the food was just overwhelming," Jeff said. Jeff's dad is equally famous for his "Bob Passolt stew," also cooked in the great outdoors for many years.

In the early 1980s, family members decided it was time to add on to the shack, turning it into a two-bedroom cabin. And in 2001, for his parents' 50th wedding anniversary, Jeff and his brothers decided to make further improvements. The brothers and their dad spent weekends over six months gutting the cabin and making many improvements, including adding tongue-and-groove pine and a new porch. Passolt's parents now spend virtually every summer at their refurbished cabin.

Passolt himself always wanted his own cabin on the lake. The first step toward that goal occurred when he and his oldest brother purchased two of their aunts' parcels of land in 1993. Then in 1998, he hired a builder and construction began. Passolt's wife, Lisa, helped design their cabin.

The year 1998 also marked the arrival of electricity to the family property. When electric power was added to Passolt's cabin, it was extended across the property to his cousinss' and his parents' cabins. Previously, power was delivered by generator.

Passolt's new lake cabin sits on more than seven acres, with 370 feet of lakeshore. The extended family maintains a total of about 30 acres and approximately 1,300 feet of lake frontage.

Two years ago, Passolt hired a timber company to thin the lot's jack pine. The entire family then took on the task of planting 2,000 pine seedlings by hand. Back in the 70s, another planting by family members took place on his parents' land. Those Norway pines are now 35 feet tall.

The sight of the pines is just one symbol of the ever-present family history at the lake. Inside Passolt's cabin, it is clearly visible in a prominent wall of photos. Passolt assembled a photo montage of various family members at the lake, starting with his great-granparents.

"We have all sorts of photos. There's one of my great-grandparents with my grandfather when he was in his teens.

Another shows that their dock was where mine is today. In fact, my cabin is located where we used to camp with grandpa and his four daughters in the early 60s. We'd pitch tents in a semi-circle-- almost like scout camp."

Even choosing a name for his cabin is tied to family history. "King's View Lodge" is named for the view his Grandpa King had of the lake. Passolt's cabin is situated on the same property as the original turn-of-the-century log cabin.

Favorite Memories

Needless to say, Passolt has a flood of memories about time spent on the lake.

An important one is spending Christmases there with his wife, Lisa, and their two daughters, Lesley-Anne and McKenna. "We always spend Christams at the cabin," he said. "We have an old-fashioned Christmas. We find a tree in the woods, cut it and bring it back. My wife always jokes that we find the most scraggly, sickly looking tree, but hey, I don't want to cut a nice one," he said with a laugh. There's that family pragmatic streak reappearing.

Passolt also treasures the time at the cabin he spends on "projects," whether they involve making repairs or spending time at a favorite hobby, woodworking. "I'll see a picture in a magazine and decide to make something similar," he said. Among his handcrafted creations are coffee tables, end tables, TV tables, headboards, sconces and lamps. "I find woodworking a good stress reliever," he explained, "and there is no shortage of logs here." Passolt takes care to burn a name, design or other message into his finished works with a soldering gun.

Passolt credits his father with teaching him the right way to do woodworking. "My dad has always been handy and kept telling us, 'Get it right. Get it level.'"

While Passolt uses electric saws and other power tools, he marvels at what his ancestors were able to construct with hand tools. "I tease my dad now," Passolt said. "He built that 12-by-16 cabin without any power tools, hacking away with his hand saw. It's a good lesson for all of us."

Passolt moves from respect for his father's skills to the skills of his own log cabin's designer and builder, Don Neumann, of Wisconsin Pioneer Log Homes. "This cabin is quite a change from the old days. It's like artwork. He built the cabinets by hand, made the doors from scratch. We feel very lucky to have this."

Besides enjoying the beautiful cabin and his woodworking, Passolt finds plenty to do at the lake, which the family visits year-round. It doesn't hurt that one of his brothers was a developer of Black Bear Golf Course about three minutes away. "It's a real hub of opportunity here," Passolt said. "You have a choice of things to do, or you can just enjoy the beauty and solitude."

     

Looking back, almost all of Passolt's experiences at the lake have been overwhelmingly positive. Of course, there was that time at age 12 when he and a cousin got lost in the woods. "We weren't found until 10:30 that night," Passolt said. "I'll never forget that."

But most memories recall happy times-- summer afternoons spent pulling kids (or being the kid) in innertubes or skis behind a runabout, fishing from an old swimming pontoon, Fourth of July nights when one of his uncles always managed to shoot off some fireworks, days spent shoveling snow off part of the lake for ice skating, and those wonderful nights around the campfire.

"Most kids went to camp," Passolt said. "This is where I went."

And he wouldn't have had it any other way. "We feel very fortunate."

By LuAnn Hatten   Tue, Aug 18, 2009

There are two ways to look at a fishing tale. First, you will bring home the beginnings of a meal fit for a king. Second, you will create memories that will last a lifetime.

My tale began when I was six years old. I remember everyone telling their own fishing tales, especially my Grandma and Grandpa Kaufman along with my Uncle Conrad, better known as Uncle Connie. Their tales were the ones my dreams were made of, good times with people I love. Before I could qualify to go spring ice fishing with them I had to pass two tests. They were simple really; I had to be able to tie on my own hook as well as bait that hook. At the age of six I had them both conquered and was ready to go have some of the fun I had been hearing so much about.

That first day we got up at 5:00 am, had breakfast and were on our way to the bait sop by 6:30. The sun was on the rise and so were our hopes of a big catch. We had our bait, wax worms and a dozen small minnows, and our  yearly licenses in hand. The man at the bait shop had been kind enough to let us know of the latest hot spots on the nearby lake. It wasn't long before we had dropped our plain hooks on drop lines into the holes we had drilled and chiseled by hand. It was the beginning of my own fishing tales.

The older I got, the more I learned. At the age of ten I was able to help with the decision of where we would fish. That meant a lot to me. They trusted my fishing abilities and they trusted my judgment. At age twelve I was able to help cook our catch when we got home. On one such occasion my Uncle Connie turned to me and said, "I'm not going to take you fishing anymore. You embarrassed me today. You out-fished me in front of my parents and friends." I can still remember everyone laughing that I had out-fished such an experienced fisherman. It seemed funny at the time, but I wasn't laughing anymore.

I thought my uncle was quite serious. All through dinner and the evening, he never let on that anything was any different than he had stated. My fishing tales were flashing before my eyes. What had I done? How would I make things right? The end of the evening was drawing near. My grandma, grandpa and uncle were getting ready to head to their homes. They were almost to the door when my uncle yelled to me, "Same time tomorrow Luey!" It made me feel like a king! The fish dinners were always great; the fishing memories were even better. Happy fishing!

By Barb Umberger   Tue, Aug 18, 2009

Lake Pepin: This beautiful lake is twenty-two miles long, varies in width from one to two and a half miles, and covers about thirty-eight square miles. It was caused by the delta of the Chippewa spreading across the gorge of the Mississippi at the southeastern end of the lake. Because of its steeper garde, the smaller Chippewa was able to bring in more glacial debris than the Mississippi could carry away. This delta provided a natural dam and as the water was backed up, Lake Pepin was formed. State highway 35 hugs Lake Pepin along most of its Wisconsin shore and has been called one of the most scenic drives in America. One of Lake Pepin's admirers was William Cullen Bryant. He praised its natural scenery and declared the area "ought to be visited in teh summer by every poet and painter in the land." Erected 1979

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The enormous lake stretched flat and smooth and white all the way to the edge of the gray sky. Wagon tracks went away across it, so far that you could not see where they went; they ended in nothing at all.

Pa drove the wagon out onto the ice, following those wagon tracks. The horses' hoofs clop-clopped with a dull sound, the wagon wheels went crunching. The town grew smaller and smaller behind, till even the tall store was only a dot. All around the wagon there was nothing but empty and silent space. Laura didn't like it. But Pa was on the wagon seat and Jack was under the wagon; she knew that nothing could hurt her while Pa and Jack were there.

At last the wagon was pulling up a slope of earth again, and again there were trees...

"We're across the Mississippi!" [Pa] said, hugging her joyously. "How do you like that, little half-pint of sweet cider half drunk up?"...[Laura] asked if they were in the Indian country now. But they were not; they were in Minnesota.*

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With that, the Ingalls family left behind Pepin, Wis., and their little house in the big woods, just north of town. The lake they crossed that winter on their wastward trek was Lake Pepin, a widening of the Mississippi River, spanning the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Many people living in small towns near the lake today tend not to move away. Take Mike Carpenter, postmaster at Maiden Rock, Wis., on state Highway 35. Aside from a stint in the military, Carpenter, who was born in Stockholm, Wis., has worked in Lake City and Red Wing, Minn., and Pepin and Nelson, Wis., before accepting the postmaster's job in Maiden Rock. Notice a pattern here? While Red Wing is just north of Lake Pepin, the other towns border the lake.

Ellen and Lyndon Carpenter

His parents, Ellen and Lyndon Carpenter, also have strong ties to the Lake Pepin area. While they did move two years ago, it wasn't before Lyndon had lived on the same property northeast of Stockholm for 85 years. The Carpenters' property had been in the family since 1854 when Lyndon's grandparents homesteaded the former 160-acre farm.

"We saw the lake all the time," Ellen said. "We could see the lake from our driveway, especially when the leaves were off the trees. It is such a beautiful lake and makes a beautiful drive."

Lyndon's other tie to Lake Pepin history is that he, along with his brother, 91, and sister, 94, are the closest surviving relatives of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Their paternal grandmother and Laura's mother were sisters. The Ingalls children often played with their cousins at the Carpenter family homestead.

That connection to the author was not lost on Wilder's fans. Over the years, visitors from across the country and from as far away as Japan found their way to the Carpenters' farm to meet Lyndon and have their picture taken with him. "They'd come by the busload to see the museum in Pepin and the cabin built where the Ingalls' house stood in 'Little House in the Big Woods,' " Ellen said. She noted that Wilder's books are part of the school curriculum in Japan and other countries.

Before starting her writing career at age 65, Wilder wrote to Lyndon's grandmother for details about Wilder's childhood, her family and the local area. "That started her with those books," Ellen said. "I never get tired talking about the family, and about Laura and her books."

Ellen has plenty of memories of her own of the Lake Pepin area. She remembers going with friends in the late 1930s on the excursion boats that used to cruise Lake Pepin. "They left from the dock in Stockholm. It was so beautiful at night, so quiet and no mosquitoes by the time you got to the middle of the lake. When the moon was shining on the lake, it was just like you were coming alive," she said. "It was so gorgeous. I have such beautiful memories."

David Sheridan

David Sheridan is helping many people make lake memories today. Sheridan's consulting business is based in Pepin, Wis. He also teaches people how to sail.

Sheridan's core business focuses on business and staff development, coaching, team building, sales training and developing marketing programs. Being located on Lake Pepin means that clients have a scenic drive and a relatively short one, whether they are venturing from the Twin Cities, Hudson, Wis., Red Wing, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., or Rochester, Minn. The city of Pepin also offers guests a five-star restaurant and other dining venues, bed-and-breakfast lodging, hotels and shopping.

Being located on the lake also means that the water can be incorporated into hands-on training. One component of Sheridan's business is teaching leadership and team building skills to corporate employees through experiential exercises. Sheridan frequently takes a group of co-workers out on Lake Pepin and requires them to work together on the boat, a skill that can be translated to the workplace.

The team on the boat isn't always made up of grown-ups, however. Sometimes, team members include six 14-year-old "at-risk" children. Teaching them to steer a 31-foot, four and one-half ton sloop opens their eyes to the possibilities in life, Sheridan said.

Everyone who has visited Lake Pepin with Sheridan comments on the lake's beauty. "This area is like the land that time forgot," he said. "There's an older-generation charm here and a sense of industry." The industry is apparent, with trains running alongside the lake and, in shipping season, barges forging through the lake.

"When you're in Pepin, you feel like you're standing in the heart of America," Sheridan said.

The Jewel

The area's beauty is a big draw for a new housing development in Lake City called "The Jewel."

As director of sales and marketing Greg Katz described it, "It's the beauty of Lake City, it's Lake Pepin and some of the most beautiful river bluffs in the United States." He called Lake City and Lake Pepin Minnesota's best-kept secret.

The 632 acres that comprise The Jewel had been owned by Lake City's Jewell family for nearly 130 years. Dr. Phineas Jewell settled there in the 1870s. A pioneer in the field of horticulture, he established a tree farm on the property.

Twenty-five years from now, if all of the 1,650 Jewel home sites are occupied, the population of Lake City would double what it is today, Katz said. The Jewel's 18-hole, Hale Irwin-designed golf course opened in July of 2004.

Ed and Merle Sjostrom

Ed Sjostrom was born in the house where he and his wife, Merle, live today on a hill above Maiden Rock and Lake Pepin. His grandfather bought the property in 1875.

Sjostrom describes how the importance of the lake has changed over the years. In earlier times, the lake was the best way to transport people and produce. And commercial fishing was an important way to make a living. Today, large barges tote coal and grain on the waterway, people worry about the mercury content of the fish, and the lake is largely known and used for recreation.

"Before, the lake was used for the essentials," he said, "and now it's more about recreation."

Sjostrum described winters past when people drove across the lake to shop in Lake City. As a child, he often crossed the lake on ice skates. He also recalled the days when fish caught locally needed to be loaded onto trains for shipment. Anyone in Maiden Rock at the time the train pulled in was expected to help and to move fast.

Sjostrum remembers a former neighbor, Fred Johnson, a bachelor who farmed nearby. Johnson had a fascination with riverboats. Whenever he saw or heard one of the big boats approaching Maiden Rock, Johnson would run down the hillside, get into his rowboat and make his way onto Lake Pepin to take photos. The Sjostrums and others were given some of Johnson's photos when he died in the 1940s. The photos were taken in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.

Another story related to the bluffs near Maiden Rock describes how the village was named. Legend has it that Maiden Rock was named for an Indian maiden who leaped to her death from one of the rocky cliffs near the village, because of a tradition that forbid her to marry the one she loved.

Maxine and Marshall Schaal

Maxine and Marshall Schaal have lived in several different houses but the retired couple made their home in Lake City 12 years ago. It's not because any of their eight children live there. They came for the beauty.

"The lake and the bluffs are just beautiful," Maxine said. "And everyone is so nice." The couple always enjoyed taking drives, and a favorite one from their previous home in West St. Paul was driving south on one side of the Mississippi River to the Lake Pepin area and returning on the other side of the river.

Not Your Typical Minnesota Lake

When most Midwesterners talk about going to their lake cabin, Lake Pepin doesn't immediately come to mind. The shores of Lake Pepin are not peppered with cabins or new, multimillion-dollar homes. They no doubt would be if the shoreline wasn't so close to highways, railroad tracks and bluffs rising about 450 feet above the lake.

But tourism is the area's big industry. Take a drive past the lake on any spring, summer or early fall day and you will see dozens of boats and sailboats, people with fishing poles, and others walking near the lake, simply enjoying the view.

Another distinction separating Pepin from other midwestern lakes is its location spang in the middle of a major thoroughfare, the Mississippi River. Its placement dictated much of its utility for hundreds of years.

Lake Pepin has always been a hub of activity, although the types of activity have varied widely. In earlier times, commerce related to Lake Pepin involved fur trading; raft boats directing tons of lumber downriver to sawmills; steamboats transporting supplies and people, and steamboat crews purchasing wood from river towns to burn on board; and multimillion-dollar operations to find clams and mussels in the lake. The shells were used for buttons while the "meat" was used for livestock feed. Pearls were another source of income and were sold for jewelry. Barge traffic on the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin started in 1930 and continues today.

Today, the lake offers year-round recreation-- cross-country skiing, skating and ice fishing in winter, and fishing, sail boating and other recreational boating in the summer. And we must not forget water skiing. The sport of water skiing was invented by Ralph Samuelson in 1922 on Lake Pepin.

        

HISTORY**

A lake is formed

So how can a lake form in the middle of the Mississippi River? Heather Anderson, glacial geologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, can explain it with ease. But a picture helps the rest of us.

The story begins in a glacial period about 12,000 years ago. As the glaciers receded, the massive flow of water slowed. Sediment carried by the faster-moving Chippewa River was deposited when it hit the slower-moving Mississippi River. The delta that formed caused a damming effect on the Mississippi, and Lake Pepin was created. Anderson calls the lake's creation in the river fairly unusual.

At one time, Lake Pepin is believed to have extended to St. Paul, but as the flow of water decreased and more and more sediment was deposited, it gradually shrunk to its present size of one and one-half to three miles wide, and 22 miles long.

EXPLORATION

In the late 1600s, the Dakota Sioux controlled the land around the lake, but the Chippewa disputed Sioux ownership at the lower end of the lake. Many battles ensued, with the last battle for ownership occurring in 1851.

During thelate 1600s, the 1700s and the early 1800s, Europeans who came to the Lake Pepin area explored it, established forts and were involved in the fur trade. The first white explorer was Fr. Louis Hennepin, who canoed through the lake in 1680. Two French explorers named the lake in honor of "Pepin the Short," Charlemagne's father and ruler of France from 740 to 768. Several French forts were constructed along the lake in the late 1600s and early 1700s. In 1763, the British took control of the land around Lake Pepin.

In the late 1830s, harvesting of white pine in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin began. Logs were floated down the St. Croix and Chippewa rivers and formed into rafts. Some rafts were so large that they could be measured in acres, containing as much as 10 million board-feet of lumber. The earliest rafts traveled with the river current and were steered with large bow and stern rudders. Steamboats were later used to guide and propel the log rafts faster and more safely.

In 1878, enough white pine floated into the Mississippi River to produce an estimated 826 million feet of lumber, 218 million shingles and 109 million laths. By the early 1900s, much of the region's timber had been harvested. The last raft left the upper Mississippi in 1915.

BUTTON, BUTTON

Another major industry along the lake--clamming-- began in the late 1800s when some clams in Lake Pepin were found with pearls inside. Pearl buyers started visiting the clammers each day to buy pearls that would be resold on the East Coast or abroad.

At first, clammers were only interested in pearls so they discarded the shells. But imaginative and industrious types soon realized that the shells could be used to make buttons, cuff links, hair clips and other items. The meat was sold for hog and chicken feed.

From the 1880s to the 1940s or 1960s [accounts vary], mussel and clam shells were used to make mother-of-pearl buttons. Thousands of people harvested and sold mussels or worked in button factories. During its heyday, button factories were located in Lake City.

Lake Pepin was an important location for the shells until overharvest and pollution reduced the mussel population, leaving today's button wearers with their choice of colored plastic.

BARGE TRAFFIC

After the "River and Harbor Act" passed in 1930 and the construction of dams along the upper Mississippi River was finished, barge traffic on the river and Lake Pepin began. Barges pushed by tugs carried farm produce, petroleum, chemicals and manufactured goods. In 2001, close to 1,200 tugs pushing barges carrying more than 12 million pounds of materials passed through Lake Pepin. Barge traffic on the lake usually begins in mid-March and stops near the end of November. The last barge of 2002 left St. Paul on its downriver route on Nov. 25.

The surface of Lake Pepin usually freezes in early December. In some sections, the ice becomes more than 25 inches thick. The lake usually opens in March, when a new season of barge traffic, fishing and sailboating begins.

EAGLE WATCHING

A drive along state Highway 61 near Lake City or on state Highway 35 on the Wisconsin side of the lake makes it hard to believe that the Bald Eagle recently was one of our nation's endangered species. While a few hundred eagles used to winter along the Mississippi River, there are now thousands. Bald Eagles were recently removed from the endangered species list, but are still considered endangered in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Bald Eagles flourish near Lake City and Wabasha, often seen soaring over Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River. Just south of the mouth of Lake Pepin is a major roosting site for wintering Bald Eagles-- called, what else?-- Bald Eagle Bluff. According to the Minnesota DNR, the eagles use perch trees during the day. The trees are close to food sources in open water, yet protected from the extremes of winter winds. From here they can access the different habitats provided by river, floodplain forest and bluffs south from Camp Lacupolis through Read's Landing. The eagles return in the afternoon to roost in the mature, largely oak woods.

This area is one of only four important Bald Eagle winter roost sites along Minnesota's Upper Mississippi River Valley. Weekly monitoring over the past 15 years has documented from 20 to 70 eagles wintering here daily. The greatest concentrations of Bald Eagles occur here from late fall to early spring.

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Quick Clicks

Lake City Chamber of Commerce
1-800-369-4123

Lake City Tourism Bureau
www.lakecitymn.org

Great River Birding Trail; Audobon-Upper Mississippi River Campaign
www.audubon.org/campaign/umr

Mississippi Valley Partners
Online Travel Guide
www.mississippi-river.org

On-Deck Seminars and Charters
www.on-deck.com

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*Excerpt from Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
**Historical data largely based on information from Mississippi Valley Parners Web site, www.mississippi-river.org/lakepepin.html

Steamboat photos taken by Fred Johnson, courtesy of Ed and Merle Sjostrom

By Barb Cross   Mon, Aug 17, 2009

What kind of garden do you want this year?

Want to try gardening but you're not sure where to start? Figure out what you like and start small. Try adding a rose garden, a vegetable garden, a shade garden, a butterfly garden, a rock garden, a cutting garden, or a kitchen garden.

Do you want to fix a yard problem? Do you need more privacy? Do you want to open a view? Do you have steep slopes you are tired of mowing, or do you want a green and weed-free lawn? Do you have a drainage problem with standing water?

Do you want to minimize the amount of maintenance? Tired of weeding, cutting grass, and watering? If gardening and yard maintenance is a chore, maybe you have too much to maintain.

Do you want to be outside enjoying your yard more? Try adding a play area for the kids, a patio, a gazebo, a fire pit, or just some furniture in a spot to relax.

That's the thing about gardens and outdoor spaces. It's always something. Think of it as therapy for your mind and exercise for your body. Figuring out what you want is sometimes the hardest part of having a yard you enjoy. Begin by looking at your yard from all different angles and deciding what you need and what you like. Take a walk in and around your neighborhood, check out books at the library, and go online collecting ideas that will work in your area.

An idea is what you want; a plan is how to do it. No matter what the scope of work, a scaled drawing of your project is necessary. Create a scale drawing of your yard using graph paper with 1/2" grid. Each square of the graph paper represents 1 foot of your yard. Begin by placing your house and other structures you want to keep, like driveways, existing trees and plants. The more detail you add the more accurate it will be. Start sketching what you'd like to accomplish, keeping in mind that time and money may limit your end result. Your plan is a process and you can come up with a strategy to break it into projects that are not overwhelming. Prioritize the projects and soon you will have achieved the plan you wanted. Planning is tedious and a lot of work, but it is the key to getting what you want.

Need help?

If this seems overwhelming, there is help available. There are people who are trained to help you plan, design, install and maintain, but sometimes it is difficult to figure out who to call. The lines between many of these disciplines are blurred and expertise varies from person to person within each category, but describing the different roles in broad, general terms may help you find the right person to help you.

Master Gardener:

A master gardener has a horticulture background and in Minnesota has completed the horticulture program through the University Extension Service with 48 hours of classroom instruction. They work closely with the Extension Service and are very educated in lawn care, tree and shrub care, annuals, perennials, bulbs, pest and weed control, soil science, plant nutrition, fruit and vegetable cultivation, and other related topics. Master gardeners volunteer their time and share information from the University Extension Program. You can find out more about master gardeners, or ask them a question about your garden by contacting the web site, www.extension.umn.edu or by calling 612.624.4771 or 888.624.4771.

     

Landscape Contractor:

The primary focus of this profession is construction and installation of residential and commercial landscapes. They are often trained in plant identification, turf grass management, landscape construction, decks, garden pools, waterfalls, retaining walls, patios, walks, outdoor lighting, plants and lawns. Contractors may have backgrounds in landscape design or landscape architecture.

Landscape Designer:

A landscape designer works primarily with residential plans that include plant materials and gardens, decks, patios, driveways, pools and other amenities that enhance a landscape. They often are trained in design, plant and landscape maintenance, and landscape construction, and are knowledgeable about the range of options and possibilities. The training for this profession varies widely.

Landscape Architect:

Landscape architects are often confused with landscape designers, because in some cases the work they do overlaps. Landscape architects have a bachelors or masters degree in landscape architecture, several years of practical experience and successful completion of a state licensing exam. Training includes design, plant materials, grading and drainage, and other related studies that allow them to interact with architects, engineers, environmental disciplines and contractors in collaborative efforts. Some landscape architects work on residential designs, but other projects may include malls, parks, playgrounds, housing subdivisions, and commercial and industrial sites.

Landscape Nureries:

The staff of a landscape nursery may include any or all of the describe professions, you just need to ask. They are in the business of selling plant materials and will focus primarily on designing and installing trees, shrubs and other plants. If you are looking just for a planting plan, they often provide a design service free or at a discount if you buy the plant materials from them.

Top Ten Annuals for a Sunny Garden	Shade Garden Picks	Attract Butterflies to Your Garden by Planting	Plants for Privacy Hedges
Petunias Zinnia Celosia Alyssum Salvia Marigold Cleome Ageratum Snap Dragon Impatiens	Lilly of the Valley Violets Begonia Coleus Impatiens Astilbe Hosta Ajuga	Bee Balm Yarrow Sedum Aster's Milkweed Purple Coneflower Butterfly Weed Black-eyed Susan	Amur Maple Lilac Highbush Cranberry Dogwood Cotoneaster Euonymus Arborvitae Ninebark

Plant an Early Spring

Want spring to come a little earlier? Try planting bulbs indoors; it's easier than you think. There are lots of flowering bulbs to choose from. If you are not sure, start with bulbs that don't require chilling and work up. You'll find they are all easy once you know how.

There are two tricks. The first is to time your planting so the bulbs bloom when you want them to. The second is to keep them cool long enough so strong roots develop that can support healthy leaves and flowers.

Timing

Timing blooms when you want them is easy if you use the timetable for forcing bulbs.

bulb	description	weeks of chilling	weeks to bloom
Paperwhites	Grows easily in soil or gravel. Very fragrant whtie flower	None	3-5
Amaryllis	Large red flower, a popular plant at Christmas	None	6-8
Crocus	Large flowered varieties are showy	15	2-3
Hyacinth	Colorful and fragrant spring flower	12-14	2-3
Iris	Needs good drainage	15	2-3
Muscari	Very small plant and bloom	13-15	2-3
Tulip	More difficult because long chilling period needs steady temperature	14-20	2-3
Daffodils	Needs very bright light after chilling. Miniature varieties are best for forcing	15-17	2-3

Work the calendar backwards and plant accordingly. Here's how.

Materials you will need:

1. A clean bowl or pot
2. Rocks, packing peanuts or broken pottery pieces (to be placed at the bottom of your pot, if the pot does not have drainage holes)
3. Potting soil
4. Bulbs
5. Shovel or scoop
6. Gloves (to save your hands)

Planting

Select the right pot for your bulb. Allow at least 2 inches of dirt under the bulb and choose a pot big enough for the tip of the bulb to be even with the rim of the pot once it is planted.

If your pot does not have a drainage hole, place "ballast" in the bottom so the new roots will not become water logged.

Place dirt in the pot allowing at least 2" of dirt under the bulb.

Gently place the bulb on the soil with the pointed end facing up. Feel free to place as many bulbs in the pot as it will hold without the bulbs touching.

     

Bulbs are often showier in larger numbers. Don't be afraid to crowd a pot with bulbs, it will be a full, striking display. A general rule of thumb is to plant in odd numbers. The smaller the pot and the fewer number of bulbs the more important this will be.

Add more soil and pack it around the bulbs. Leave the tips exposed.

Water the soil well for it to settle around the bulbs. Be careful not to over water and drown the bulbs. Keep the soil moist at all times.

Label the pots with the planting date, the variety of bulbs, and the date you will bring it into the light and "force" them to bloom.

Chilling

The purpose of chilling is to grow roots that are strong enough to support healthy foliage and blossoms.

Place the container in a cold dark area. An ideal temperature for bulbs is between 41 and 45 degrees F. An unheated basement, porch or garage is a possibility, as well as an old refrigerator, depending on your circumstances.

If the room is the right temperature, but it is very bright, you can cover the pot with a box.

Check on your pots periodically. Keep the soil moist. If you have a thermometer you will be able to verify if the temperature is correct. If you don't have a thermometer, the temperature is too warm if the bulbs are growing tops prematurely. If the temperature is too cold, the roots will not grow.

Forcing Blooms

Once the bulbs are rooted, it is time to force, or coax, the plant into growing foliage and blossoms. This is done by changing the temperature and light conditions.

When the specified time has elapsed for chilling bring your plant into a location where there is indirect light and temperatures between 55-65 degrees F.

Keep the soil moist.

When the shoots reach a height between 4-6 inches, gradually move the pots to a sunny location. A south or west windowsill with temperatures between 68-72 degrees F. will be ideal.

To make your blooms, or early spring, last longer, move the pot out of direct sunlight when you can see color in the buds.

Feeling like you want to see some fresh green and don't have the time or energy to force bulbs? There is nothing that signals the arrival of spring faster than watching the grass green up and the sound of the lawnmower. It's so easy and it doesn't take much time, money or even planning.

Find a clean pot and fill it with dirt. Scatter grass seeds on top and water gently. Set the pot in your home where it will receive good light and keep the top 1/2" of soil damp. In 7-10 days you will begin to see grass seedlings and in a few weeks you will have lush green grass.

By Teri Bennett   Mon, Aug 17, 2009

Your summer calendar may be marked with the date of a special upcoming wedding. Now is the time to start thinking about hosting the bridal shower, and your lakeside setting may be just the right spot to have it! What a wonderful excuse to decorate your yard.

My inspiration was based on every young girl's tea party. Those tea parties were all about Parasols, purses, and high heels. Every bride shared in these dress up fantasies. I wanted to bring this dream to life for the bride; to go back to the days of everything girly, fun, and frilly.

I chose a location in my yard that would create an outdoor dining room. The four large trees surrounding the table seemed the ideal frame for this. To further the appearance of an outdoor room I added a few tables from the inside; the ice cream parlor table and chairs were perfect. Once you've found a spot for your table you can begin to pull out all of your finery. This is the perfect occasion to use your satin, lace, china, and anything else that sparkles. You will want your bride and her special guests to feel pampered and indulged.

An antique umbrella seemed just the thing to build my theme around. To update it and make it more fun, I had the old fabric removed and replaced it with beautiful willowy ribbons. Small flowers were attached to add a finishing touch and the entire umbrella was set into a large floral arrangement as a centerpiece.

My linens and dinnerware were all mixed to add depth to the table, but all were of high quality and loaded with details to let the bride know she was special. To build on the idea of celebrating the bride, I draped her chair with a lace tablecloth and a purse full of flowers. The special theme was carried even further by setting each place with a ceramic high-heeled shoe and a small floral arrangement. Each was topped with a place card indicating where guests were to be seated and doubled in purpose as a small remembrance for each guest to bring home with them.

For the menu, I tried to keep things simple and elegant. As guests arrive, I suggest greeting them with a flute of champagne to celebrate. Wrapped asparagus works well as an accompaniment. I set a sidebar as our buffet table. I chose my serving dishes to coordinate with our theme, and to also add varying heights to the table. For example, a new bird bath was a fun surprise from which to serve the salad. Family wedding photography, candles and vases can all add a special touch to the buffet table. The chicken bacon wraps I chose were not only delicious, but were beautiful on the table as well. A salad and some crusty bread were all that we needed to round out the menu.

Serving dessert from a side location allows your guests to get up and move around a bit. I couldn't resist the charm of the tiered dessert tray with its matching dessert plates and coffee cups. They adorned our dessert table wonderfully.

Hosting a wedding shower can be nostalgic and sentimental. Why not embrace the event and the bride? Let her know she is special by hosting her day in a manner fit for a queen. (At least the queen we all dreamed we would be some day.)

Springtime Salad

Salad:

• 1 head romaine lettuce, washed and torn
• 1 medium red onion, cut into rings
• 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 pt. fresh strawberries, sliced
• *1/4 c. candied pecans

*Candied pecans:

• 1 tsp. Karo syrup
• 1 T. butter
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. candied pecans

Heat until melted, stir in nuts and let cool.

Dressing:

• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 drops Tabasco sauce
• Dash of pepper
• 2 T. vinegar
• 3 T. sugar
• 1/4 c. salad oil

Combine dressing ingredients in a container and shake well. Mix dressing with salad just before serving.

Asparagus Appetizer Wraps

• 6 slices white bread
• 1/2 c. cream cheese
• 1/2 c. blue cheese
• *6 blanched asparagus spears

(*To blanch the asparagus spears simply submerge them in boiling water for three minutes. Remove and immediately place in ice cold water until vegetable is cool through to the center. Pat dry before using in recipe.)

Cut crust off of bread. Mix cheeses together and spread mixture on bread.

Place one asparagus spear on each slice of bread and roll up bread around asparagus. Brush with butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 6 minutes or until golden. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve.

Gift-Wrapped Chicken with Sesame-Ginger Sauce

• 2-8 oz. pkgs. crescent rolls
• (keep cold until ready to make)
• 2 c. cooked chicken breast, sliced and lightly tossed with sesame-ginger sauce
• 16 broccoli spears, blanched and patted dry
• 16 slices of bacon, cooked
• 8 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1 bottle Litehouse brand Sesame-Ginger Dressing and Sauce (any sesame-ginger sauce will work.)
  

On a cookie sheet, (works best if it is not an air-bake pan) lay flat 2 crescent roll triangles facing away from each other the long way. (Do not ovrlap the crescents, have seams touching and press together with fingers to seal.) Next, lay 2 broccoli spears in the center of the dough, then top with 1/8 of the cooked chicken, 2 strips bacon, and 1 slice of cheddar cheese. Pick up each end of dough, twist on top and lay ends to look like a ribbon. (See picture.) Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 min. or until golden brown. Transfer to serving tray or individual plates. Drizzle 2 T. of sauce on each sandwich wrap. Serve immediately.

Makes eight sandwiches.

Rhubarb Torte

• 2 sticks butter
• 2 c. flour
• 2 T. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 6 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 c. cream or hal & half
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 T. flour
• 5 cups rhubarb cut up, fresh or frozen
• 10 egg whites
• 12 T. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Crust:
Mix together butter, 2 c. flour, 2 T. sugar. Pat into 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Custard:
Mix together 1/2 tsp. salt, egg yolks beaten together with cream, 2 c. sugar, 4 T. flour, and rhubarb. Pour over baked crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

Topping:
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks appear. Add 12 T. sugar (1 T. at a time), vanilla, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Spread over custard and bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

*If using a 10" round form pan (as shown), bake crust 16-18 minutes. Use 3/4 c. less of custard mixture, and use only 4 c. rhubarb.

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Our thanks to:

Dilly Lilly
4611 Excelsior Blvd.
St. Louis Park
952.920.7500

Katherine Ltd.
952.949.3190

Linen Effects
6900 Oxford St.
St. Louis Park
952.848.1055

By Nancy Henke   Mon, Aug 17, 2009

You may have noticed that Lakestyle has four issues each year. These issues mirror the seasons of the year, and the seasons of our lives. We have chosen this approach to better celebrate life, whether you live on the water or not. This past autumn and winter I, like many, was forced to watch several close friends of mine struggle with serious illnesses. As the seasons turn I look forward to the cheer that comes with spring. Melting ice, foggy sunrises on the lake, running streams, leaves beginning to bud, and the return of the birds bring the excitement of rebirth. This year, I am particularly looking forward to the hopeful feeligns that come with spring. As the ice melts off the lake, I hope the troubles melt off of my friends' shoulders.

As I watched them struggle during the long, dark hours of winter, I often found inspiration in the following words of Mother Teresa that are posted on my refrigerator door:

"Do It Anyway"-- Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable,
Illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse,
You of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will
Win some false friends and
Some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spent years building,
Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people
Will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best,
You have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It was never between you
And them anyway.

Even if it doesn't seem like enough, even if their troubles won't melt off their shoulders and get whisked down-stream by the strong spring current, these poetic words challenged me to take risks, reach out and continue to try and help. They encouraged me when I made mistakes or was too tired to do more. These words inspired me to try new things. May her words inspire you too, and may spring bring you hope eternal.

I would like to introduce to you a newer member of our Lakestyle staff. Her name is Barbara Cross and she is a Landscape Architect. She has taken over the Lakestyle Gardening section, and comes to us with a lot of new and inspiring ideas. Check out her articles and begin dreaming of the many ways you can plan your lakescape and how to bring beautiful spring flowers to your lake home a little early. What a great way to usher in the spring.

I'd also like to call your attention to an article featuring Jeff Passolt of FOX News 9. His history of seasons at the lake and what they mean to him echo the thoughts and feelings most have about our own lake time. This is a side of Jeff Passolt we don't get to hear about on the nine o'clock news. Our thanks to Jeff for sharing his story with us!

To me, spring at the lake is a special time. The many signs of its arrival bring with them the hope of new beginnings. It's a chance to wipe the slate clean, start over, and make changes for the better. It offers the opportunity of rebirth.

Whether our tasks are large or small, life changing or repetitive, it can get tiresome and difficult to do the right thing. But at the end of the day it is a wonderful feeling to know that you have. Spring is a reminder that it is never too late to make a good choice, to reach out to someone, to live life to its fullest.

As your lake opens, the days warm and new life begins to blossom, may the season find you taking new risks, trying new things and connecting with others in everyday ways. Enjoy the bloom that will certainly follow!

Nancy Henke, Editor