Grant Hustad got his first taste of independence on Lake Minnewaska, years before he learned how to drive a car. "My first mode of transportation was on a skiff boat with a 12-hp Chris Craft motor," says Grant. "I'd skiff around to friends along the lake. I wasn't old enough for a driver's license but I could get around on the boat." Like most lake-lovers, Grant spent most of his spare time either on or somewhere near the water.

After high school graduation he attended Augsburg College in the heart of Minneapolis. It was a big change from his life in the small town of Glenwood and he got a taste of metropolitan life in the big city. It was a taste, however, that he never got used to. Soon after college graduation he moved back to his childhood hometown. "I decided this was where my roots are and they're pretty well established in this community. It was the lake environment that made me feel comfortable as opposed to being in the city," says Grant.

Fish-Wish

Years later, Grant and his family continue to enjoy the lake all year round, especially during the winter when the lake is transformed into a city of its own. Fancy fish houses of every type adorn the ice. Winter lake residents return to their favorite fishing holes and stake their claim to the location they hope will produce the largest of the winter's lake bounty. Grant's wife, Nettie Hustad, says it's like a "parade of homes" on the ice, each year producing larger, newer or re-vamped miniature cabins on the lake. "People really do take pride in their fish houses," says Nettie. Many are decorated with knotty pine, have two levels and sleeping quarters for overnight stays.

The Hustad's fish house is no exception. Grant describes it as a miniature cabin on wheels, complete with propane for heating and cooking, bunks in the back and a satellite dish. "It really allows for some time to watch TV, or work on office work, or spend some time on the phone," says Grant, who often combines business with pleasure. "If you want to watch a sporting event on TV, why not do it in the fish house and catch a fish at the same time." The Hustad's, their daughters and husbands who Nettie calls her "son-in-loves," all share the ice-cabin and enjoy the closeness they share. "Our experience with Lake Minnewaska is pretty typical of people in the community that don't actually live on the lake, but enjoy it nonetheless."

Year-Round Boating

Even with the popularity of ice fishing, there are some who feel the lake's best bounty isn't below the ice but is actually the frozen surface itself. Erick Gandrud is a third generation ice-boater. "My grandfather in the late 1800's did ice-boating on Lake Minnewaska on a homemade boat. My dad in the 1930's and 40's built a boat and did the same," says Erick, who built his first iceboat when he was ten and sailed it through his college years. "Ice boating is different from sailboats in that you go actually faster than the wind." The speed is part of the thrill of the sport according to Erick, who has no problem sharing the lake with the multitude of fish houses. "The only problem I have is with snow. The best ice is in the spring when the snow melts and the ice is clear of snow." Unfortunately, along with the best ice in the spring is more danger of thin or open ice, with which Erick has had personal experience. "Three years ago I was ice boating in February and I hit open water. It was one of those days where there were still fish houses on the lake but a crack had opened up. We surfed across 50-60 feet of water and on the other side was a solid sheet of ice that overturned the boat, but we were okay even though the boat was wrecked," says Erick, who keeps the boat's runner hanging in the garage to remind him of how close he came to permanently ending his enjoyment of the lake.

Vintage Views

The spectrum of interest in Lake Minnewaska is wide and varied, including those who find their greatest enjoyment not on the lake itself, but on its shore. For nearly a century, the Lakeside Ballroom was a Glenwood landmark, providing entertainment and a place to gather for generations. The wooden building played host to artists the likes of Louis Armstrong, Sammy Kay and Guy Lombardo. Weekend dances were a normal part of the community calendar until a faulty electrical connection sparked a fire that quickly engulfed and then consumed the old, wooden building in 2003.

The prime real estate property left in the wake of the fire in Glenwood's downtown area would have generated a hefty price, especially with developers closer to the metro area eating up available lakeshore property. But the city of Glenwood was not about to let their beloved ballroom go to the wolves. The city rebuilt the ballroom at a cost of $2.4 million, part of which was generated by local donations, and opened the new Lakeside Ballroom in August 2005. Like the memories created there, nothing will ever replace the old building. But everyone agrees the new building is quite nice with its padded maple dance floor, large meeting space, and adjoining bar and restaurant. Nearly the entire west-facing wall is comprised of windows, some floor-to-ceiling to take advantage of the sunset view. A cobblestone outdoor patio goes nearly to the edge of the lake. Those who prefer to enjoy the lake from a distance appreciate nearly the same view as those actually on the lake.

After the ballroom was reopened a group of performers, who had done a show at the high school, held their after show party at the Lakeside Ballroom. One of the cast members was also a regular performer with the well-known Garrison Keillor group. Keillor was impressed with what he heard about the Lakeside Ballroom and the city's commitment to restore such an important landmark to the community. To demonstrate his support, Keillor and his crew performed and broadcast their "Prairie Home Companion" show at the Lakeside Ballroom on February 25, 2006. Grant Thompson, manager of the ballroom, remembers the event well. "He wanted to help a small town support the ballroom rather than selling it off to a developer. He wanted to help celebrate the fact that the ballroom was rebuilt," says Grant, who helped Keillor plan the after show menu, a typical "Norwegian church basement meal" for which Keillor is famous for including in his show's monologue. "He hung out for quite a long time after the show. After everyone had eaten, the group went out and played for a couple of hours. It wasn't on the radio; it was just for our benefit, which for me was the highlight of the whole show."

Highlights on Lake Minnewaska are many and varied. Regardless of one's favorite Lake Minnewaska memory, however, all would agree that there is something about the lake that draws people to it, even if it's only a story they've heard about a fancy fish house, an open spot in the ice, or a musical performance by a famous group playing for only a handful of people.

Eat and Treats

Café Bella, 9 North Franklin Street, Glenwood, 320-634-3371; Fine dining, Italian menu, extensive wine selection; one of the servers is originally from Italy and has been known to sing spontaneously in Italian.

Lakeside Steak and Chophouse, Lakeside Ballroom, Glenwood, 320-634-0307; Serves a full range menu in a lakeside setting.

Gingerbread House Café; 9 North Franklin Street, Glenwood, 320-634- 4969; Serves tasty homemade pie and coffee for a mid-afternoon break.

Lake Minnewaska Facts

• Size: 7,110 acres, approximately 9 miles long
• Maximum depth: 32 feet
• 3 public access locations: Eagles Point, Starbuck Marina, and near the Glenwood Municipal swimming beach area
• Fish: bluegill, walleye, crappie, perch

Quick Clicks

• For a map of Lake Minnewaska, go to www.sportsmansconnection.com
• http://www.lakesideballroom.org/lakesidedanceclub/Home.html
  

By Liz Pasch