Laker 5 – July 15, 2022 by Amery Free Press

L KER

U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 54001 PERMIT NO. PI24160

Vol. 2022 • No. 5 • July 15 to July 28, 2022

FREE

HEAVENLY HORSE LAKE SAIL AWAY TO SAND LAKE

Also Included For love of country It’s hard to beat dinner at the Dalles House You are my sunshine sunshine ﬁsh Love at the lake: There must be something in the water Although it makes cents, does it really make sense to rent out your cabin?

Sentinel Publications: Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger & Osceola Sun

The Cargo Manifest Port of Call HORSE LAKE

SAND LAKE

p. 3A

p. 1B

Welcome to the fifth edition of the 2022 Laker Nothing beats these summer months. Long, easy, summer days filled with the people and activities we all love. Grab a group of friends and jump on the pontoon, fire up the grill and cheers to the best days of the year. However you like to spend your summer days, I hope the Laker encapsulates everything you love about life at the lake.

Galley DALLES HOUSE

p. 11A

LAKE COOKING p. 2B CABIN COCKTAILS p. 11C

In the fifth edition of the 2022 Laker, we spotlight Horse and Sand Lakes. You will learn the ins and outs of renting your lake property, receive answers to many frequently asked lake questions, get a schooling on sunfish, read about a special tribute to our nation and it’s veterans, find out what makes The Dalles House so special and get the scoop on some love struck lakies. You will also find information on upcoming local events, along with this edition’s featured cocktail and surf & turf recipes. You know what they say, “The tans will fade but the memories will last forever.” The remaining publication dates are as follows:

Riggings

Fishery

CABIN RENTAL p. 6C

SUNFISH p. 13A

I hope you are enjoying your Laker and your summer! April Ziemer, Editor editor@theameryfreepress.com

Ropes FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY p. 4A LOVE AT THE LAKE p. 2C LAKE FAQ p. 4C

Shore Leave UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS p. 4B 2A

Laker #6 – Friday, July 29 Laker #7 – Friday, August 19

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

Got a comment or a story idea? Email us at polkcountylaker@ gmail.com Cover photo of Horse Lake, Contributed

SENTINEL

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL | HORSE LAKE

HEAVENLY HORSE LAKE Horse Lake

BEHNING CREEK FISHERY AREA

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Acres: 227 Total Shoreline: 3 miles Maximum Depth: 11 feet Town of Osceola Polk County, Wisconsin

SCALE (ft.) 400 0

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Horse Lake is located next to the unincorporated area known as Nye. Sitting east of Osceola, it is not one of the busiest bodies of water in Polk County and to those who reside near or visit the lake, it is like a tiny slice of heaven. Horse Lake is a peaceful 221-acre lake that measures 11 feet deep and is accessible by one public boat landing. Behning Creek State public fishing area is situated northeast of Horse Lake. Sitting near the lake is the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail. Built on a former railroad corridor, this 14-mile trail begins in Amery, travels through the communities of Deronda, Wanderoos and Nye, ending about one mile from Dresser at 90th Avenue. The trail passes through maple and oak forests, wetlands, prairies and farmlands and past seven picturesque lakes. The trail crosses between the North Twin and South Twin lakes in Amery, then skirts Bear Trap, Kinney, Dwight, Horse and Lotus

lakes. A unique area surrounded by blips on the map known as Nye, Ubet, Wanderoos and Horse Creek, Horse Lake was once farmland. A 1920’s map shows land around the lake being owned by farmers Smith, Hokanson, Nehring, Hendrick, Gustafson as well as several Andersons, Olsons and Johnsons. Horse Lake’s fish include panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike. And if fishing’s your thing, especially carp fishing, Horse Lake should be a go-to spot, because if there’s one thing this lake has an abundance of, it’s carp, one of the most common invasive fish species in Wisconsin. “Lotus Lake flows into Horse Lake, then outflow goes to Cedar Lake, and there’s carp in all three,” said Polk County Water Quality Specialist Colton Sorensen. “What carp do is basically root up the bottom, and they’ll stir up sediment… releasing

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editor@theameryfreepress.com

Nye Ln

By April Ziemer

Horse

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ROPES | FLAGS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY An annual Bone Lake event grows by the year By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

While pontoon rides and fireworks are fun parts of July 4th lake activities, Bone Lake’s Bob Boyd has grown a flag retirement ceremony on Dueholm Drive into a treasured and touching Independence Day event. “This was our fifth year conducting the ceremony. It started with just a few friends and has grown ever since. This year we had 130 to 150 people present in our front yard on Bone Lake. They came by boat, walked over and drove in,” said Boyd. He said their goals have been the same from the beginning, which have been to demonstrate and explain proper flag retirement etiquette for worn out U.S. flags, honor the coming 4th of July-our independence, engage youth in the activities, honor veterans that are present and some that are past and provide education about the origin of the U.S flag. A glance into this year’s event would show St. Thomas Academy Cadets in attendance. Three chairs with hats for veterans, who were friends that recently passed. Previously Boyd cut up a U.S. flag into the 13 stripes and the union, to honor the original 13

Contributed Crowd gathered for the 2022 ﬂag burning ceremony.

colonies. He distributed the 14 pieces to individual youth. As he called out the colony name and date, they brought that stripe forward and gave it to a veteran who collected all 14 pieces, then took them down to another veteran that was manning the fire.

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Next, Boyd presented the veterans that were in the crowd. “We also had the honor of having two Gold Star families present. I introduced them and read how their family member was killed. The song ‘Some gave all’ was played. Very emotional as

you can imagine,” said Boyd. Flags were collected from individuals and families who had brought them forward to be retired. They presented them to a CONTINUED ON 5A

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ROPES | FLAGS FLAGS | FROM 4A veteran and then the flags were taken one at a time to the fire to be burned with dignity, honor and love of country. During the flag burning “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood was played. Boyd said, “In closing, a young lad from Unity high school played taps.” He shared this year there were participants from Texas to Canada, from California to New York, much like Lee Greenwood’s song. Boyd said, “We had a visitor from a European country during the ceremony. They were amazed that a community of people would come together around the flag, veterans, history and ceremony. They said that their flag did not have that special of a significance to them. They were shocked that we burned the flags they only have seen them burned in protest. For us we know what is in our hearts, we remember the sacrifices that others have made for our freedoms, so we retire them by burning them with honor, dignity and love of country.” ■

Contributed Salutes given to St. Thomas Academy Cadets.

Origin and Symbolism of the U.S.A. Flag The front of the U.S. flag contains three main features: stars, stripes, and a blue field. The colors and designs represent justice, strength, purity, and courage. The U.S. flag was preceded by the Grand Union Flag, which contained a blue field in the upper left corner of the design. This box was called the union, also known as the canton. The U.S. flag currently features the union in the same spot. The union represents an independent country. Its blue color represents justice. The union is always located at the top to symbolize the nation’s strength. In 1776, the union on the U.S. flag included 13 stars shaped in a circle. These stars represented the 13 original colonies. The original 13-star version of the flag was first unveiled on June 14, 1777, and that is why June 14 is known as Flag Day. Currently, there are 50 white stars scattered in the union. These stars symbolize the 50 states in the U.S. They are

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Contributed A piece of the ﬂag is handed over to a veteran.

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located in the union to signify that the states are all part of one nation. The background of the flag contains 13 horizontal stripes that alternate between red and white. These stripes symbolize the 13 original colonies in the U.S. The red and white colors represent purity and courage. The current design of the U.S. flag is its 27th; the design of the flag has been modified officially 26 times since 1777. The 50star flag was ordered by then president Eisenhower on August 21, 1959 and was adopted in July 1960. It is the longest-used version of the U.S. flag and has been in use for over 60 years.

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ROPES | FLAGS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

Contributed In remembrance of a veteran.

Contributed The folding of the ﬂag.

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ROPES | FLAGS she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

Folding a flag 6. 1. 2. 3. 7. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold signiﬁes our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.

The fourth fold exempliﬁes our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.

The ﬁfth fold is an acknowledgement to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the ﬂag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our ﬂag against all enemies.

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The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was ﬁrst-born.

The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and gloriﬁes, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and gloriﬁes, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

13.

The last fold, when the ﬂag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it ﬂies on Mother’s Day.

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PORT OF CALL | HORSE LAKE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ HORSE | FROM 3A nutrients [and] causing more algae blooms.” Carp became widespread in the United States in the late nineteenth century after being introduced as a food source, but quickly became a detriment to American waterways by muddying up lake bottoms, choking out aquatic vegetation and interfering with native species’ food supply. Though they already exist in high numbers, uninformed people can add to their populations through actions as seemingly innocuous as disposing of a pet goldfish. In the wild, goldfish can mate with carp, and will quickly revert to their natural grey color and expand drastically in size. “With so much water coming in and leaving the lake, it’s really hard to tell how they got there,” Sorensen said. “Just even releasing goldfish… if enough people released one goldfish, and they mated, they could potentially make a population.” As a low-clarity lake, carp activity can be to blame for a

Contributed An aerial of Horse Lake.

muddier-colored appearance. In order to cut down on Horse Lake’s population of this invasive species, the lake’s informal

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

association encourages both angling and bowfishing, and urges fishermen to report via survey the number of carp caught.

“At the boat landing, they have a mailbox [where] they asked… if you go out there and you catch carp, to report how many you got,” Sorensen said. Last year, Sorensen’s interns took on a water quality project to determine the causes of a rapidly forming delta in Horse Lake’s system and the influence of carp on area waterways. The delta is on the north end of Cedar Lake, which is connected to Horse Lake through Horse Creek. “It’s a lot of organic material,” Sorensen says of the delta. “It’s kind of like you took some sediment and some cattails and some other plants and threw it in a blender and chopped it up, and that’s what’s forming there.” The intern team canoed the entire length of the interconnected lakes, from Horse to Cedar, in order to gauge what might have caused the delta, but gathered that carp activity was disrupting the lakes’ balance within the entire CONTINUED ON 9A

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL | HORSE LAKE HORSE | FROM 8A system. A new aerial photo of the lake, which had last been updated half a decade ago, also shed light on how the water balance had shifted. “There [are] large changes in the river, where meander scars are made, where it was a curve but now it’s straight,” Sorensen said. “We have had high water for the last five years, lots of rain… Lotus Lake has got a big watershed that drains to Horse Lake, but also Horse Lake’s got more water in it… and all that’s just putting a lot more water in the system. They were trying to figure out what the cause of that delta is, and we’re thinking it’s just due to high water and lots of flow.” ■

Contributed Contributed

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ GALLEY | DALLES

IT’S HARD TO BEAT DINNER AT THE DALLES HOUSE By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

For an evening of dinner and dancing, the Dalles House is your one stop, perfect night out shop. For over seven decades, the iconic hot spot, sitting off of Highways 8 and 35 has been the place to visit for both food and entertainment. The Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge opened in 1939 with the original name Steamboat Round the Bend. The property acquired the name The Dalles House in 1954 and remained in the Miller family all the way until 2005 when Sonya Fry and Steve Balej purchased the property. The Dalles House is a classic Wisconsin Supper Club with a local ‘sconnie bar. It has withstood the tests of time. The Dalles

House has hosted dozens of celebrities, politicians and more importantly all the local folks over the years. The place has flooded twice and started on fire three times requiring an array of different rebuilds. The Dalles House has been a premiere dining destination for over 70 years and is suspect to being one of the first Supper Clubs of Western Wisconsin. The Dalles House deals out a bit of it all-entertainment, ambiance, service, steak, burgers, seafoods, local foods, salads, cocktails, local wine, local beer and let’s face it POPOVERS! Owner/Operator Sonya Fry Anderson said there are so many things that make the Dalles House special. “Superficially, from the CONTINUED ON 12A

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Contributed The Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge.

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11A

GALLEY | DALLES ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ DALLES | FROM 11A outside looking in, the Art Deco architecture and courtyard gardens make The Dalles House a unique looking destination. The Dalles House experience is special and different depending on if you sit in our elegant, white table clothed Supper Club, our fun and sometimes loud bar patio, our elegant Courtyard Garden patio or belly up to our waterfall bar,” she said. The craft cocktails and carefully created scratch foods are hard to find anywhere else. Fry Anderson said, “But the real, important, spectacular thing that makes The Dalles House Special is it’s team and commitment to community. Our team is passionate about our product, been through hell and back together, and still love pleasing our eclectic demographic of guests. Over the last 17 years we have been host to thousands of celebrations, happy or sad. Our team has lent a helping hand to youth sports, families in need, and all whom we were able to assist. The Dalles House legacy continues to shine strong and proud as a supportive member of St. Croix Falls.” When asked about the recent “comeback” of Wisconsin Supper Clubs, Fry Anderson said she believes many people are tired of the frozen to fryer

Contributed Sonya Fry Anderson prepares to serve up a mouthwatering treat.

foods found everywhere. “Many of our guests crave nutrient rich, hand crafted foods free of ego, herbs with a tweezer and real taste,” she said. Fry Anderson and the team at the Dalles House welcome you to visit and experience everything they have to offer. Fry Anderson said, “This restaurant has survived so much and so have our loyal team and loyal guests. When you dine out ANYWHERE, show appreciation, be empathetic, tip well and above all else, ENJOY YOURSELF, ENJOY YOUR COMPANY and be in the moment.” ■

Contributed Dalles House Chefs.

Contributed Every meal is a masterpiece.

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ FISHERY | SUNFISH

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE FISH By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Throughout the state of Wisconsin, including the lakes of Polk County, you can find waters with populations of Pumpkinseed sunfish. This is a fun fish to catch right from the shore. They are small (smaller than eight inches long) and taste good when pan fried - that's why they are also called "panfish." Although it is sometimes called the common sunfish, there is nothing common about the ornate Pumpkinseed. With a bright and intriguing appearance, this member of the sunfish family has a rainbow of colorful stripes and spots. Look for a purplish-red halfmoon shape on the black spot located on the gill flap - this red marking tells this fish apart from the bluegill with similar markings. The pumpkinseed's breast and belly are orange to red-orange, and its back and sides are brown to olive. The sides and back are speckled with orange, yellow, blue and emerald spots, also found on the rear, bottom and tail fins on some fish. Look for seven to eight dark vertical bands on its sides, alternating orangebrown and emerald or light blue, radiating back from the snout along the head and over the gill cover (operculum). The most colorful of the pumpkinseeds are the males who are breeding. The spiny-ray dorsal fins are joined and look like one big fin on their backs - but watch out for the sharp spines on the top and bottom if you hold one - ouch! Pumpkinseeds are found throughout Wisconsin, though they are less common the southwest part of the state because it lacks the glacial lakes that provide prime habitat for the species. Pumpkinseeds prefer cool to moderately-warm water. Pumpkinseeds can be found in ponds, small lakes, bays of Lake Superior, streams and in the backwaters of the Mississippi River. The Pumpkinseed's native range was originally limited to eastern North America, from Manitoba, Canada, east to the Atlantic seaboard, south as far as Georgia, and west through the Ohio Valley.

Stocking has extended its range west of the Mississippi Valley as far as the West Coast. Look for them in small groups. While young Pumpkinseeds will form fairly large schools that stay close to shore, adults prefer to travel in pairs or groups of three or four in areas with plants or submerged brush and are not often found in open water. These “Sunnies” cut through the water by swimming at right angles in search of insect larvae (especially mosquito larvae), mollusks, snails, other crustaceans, and small fish. Their mouths have blunt teeth on brush like pads along the jaw, and a few teeth like molars. Gill rakers (comb-like structures on gills) help filter small food particles from the water for feeding time in the afternoons. Small Pumpkinseeds are eaten by all predatory fish like yellow perch, bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and other sunfish. Like other sunfish, the Pumpkinseed builds a nest where they spawn when the water reaches between 55-63 degrees Fahrenheit. Males sweep out a saucer-shaped hole in the lake or streambed with their tail and move rocks with their mouth to form a four to 15-inch diameter nest in late spring. Nests are built in colonies, which may have as many as 10-15 nests. Females may produce from 1,500-7,000 eggs, which are fertilized by the male as they swim together in circles. Females leave the nest after spawning but males stay and are highly protective of the eggs. Male pumpkinseeds will even nip at hands or feet that come close to their nests. This protective behavior may continue after the eggs hatch and in some cases, if a fry strays from the nest, a male may capture it in his mouth and return it to the nest. Pumpkinseeds live an average of nine years. The world record for a Pumpkinseed sunfish is 2lbs. 4 oz., but in the State of Wisconsin the biggest reeled in was so far, has been 1 lb. 3.4 oz. ■

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Join us for weekly online or in person Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. See our Facebook Page. Outdoor Friendship Sunday with Higher Vision Quartet TBA

East Balsam Baptist Church

Tim Bjorge, Pastor Sundays: 9:00 am Worship 1115 Mains Crossing Ave. • Amery, WI 715-268-9291 • www.balsamlutheranchurch.org

Georgetown Lutheran Church Sunday Services 10:30 am

Sunday Worship 9:00 A.M.

or join us for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Join us in person or online at www.eastbalsam.org 715-857-5411 contact@eastbalsam.org

1816 - 108th St./Co. Rd. I Balsam Lake, WI

Fully Accessible

Come & Worship With Us

Faith Lutheran Church Sunday Worship 9:30 am

Pastor Neal Weltzin 715-485-3800 County Road I and Mill Street, Balsam Lake

A hearty Welcome - Come as you are!

14A

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

uploaded to YouTube or Facebook page: https:/www.Facebook.com/ Georgetown.Church

715-857-5580 887 190th Ave., Co. Rd. G Balsam Lake, WI 54810 East of Milltown & Balsam Lake Communion Every Sunday Pastor Diane House • Fully Accessible www.georgetownlutheran.net

St. Croix Valley

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Sundays: Bible Class 10:00 a.m. – Worship 11:00 a.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays: Bible Class 6:00 p.m.

2245 County Road T (Stanton Town Hall) Deer Park, WI 54007 www.stcroixvalley.churchofchrist.info

Join us on Zoom! For more‫ݒ‬info, contact Eric at 715-431-0053

Weekly Live Stream on Facebook: FirstLutheranChurchofAmeryWI

715-268-7135 • www.flcamery.org

LUCK LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sunday Services 9:30 a.m. 715-472-2605 510 Foster Avenue East, Luck Pastor Greg Ofsdahl llcpastor@lakeland.ws www.lucklutheran.org

Special Monday Summer Services June 13 – Sundaes on Monday June 27 – Worship on the Water July 11 – Sundaes on Monday August 8 – ATV Worship August 22 – Sundaes on Monday

“Opening Doors of Faith For All People”

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church 507 Main Street Balsam Lake (715) 405-2245

Saturday Mass 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church

1050 Keller Ave. N. Amery (715) 268-7717

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m. Sunday Mass 10:30 a.m.

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL | HORSE

Contributed Serene Horse Lake.

Contributed A whopper caught off the shore.

ELLNER’S

BLINDS • SHUTTERS • DRAPES

We Install, We Measure, We Design CALL US TODAY FOR AN IN-HOME CONSULTATION!

DENA CRESS OWNER

715-386-6093 403C Vine St Hudson Open by appointment www.ellners.com becky@valleyviewwindowtreatments.com

BECKY MORTENSEN SALES

JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

15A

“Installing & Maintaining Sustainable Landscapes”

Landscape Services • Boathouses • Firepits & Patios • Landscape Lighting • Master Plan Design • Outdoor Structures • Rain Gardens • Retaining Walls & Steps • Shoreline Restoration • Water Features • Turf Installation

Property Maintenance • Irrigation

Retail Products

• Mowing

• Huge Selection of: Perennials Annuals Trees Shrubs

• Fall/Spring Cleanup

• Landscape Materials

• Fertilization

• Garden Center

• Weed Control

• Floral Arrangements

• Winter Services

• Wood-Fired Brick Oven

• Enhancement Crew • Lawncare Services

916 BADGER DRIVE • BALSAM LAKE • 715-485-3131 • 888-374-8894 May and June Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 pm.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.

16A

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

L KER SECTION B

Vol. 2022 • No. 5 • July 15 to July 28, 2022

Contributed A beautiful Sand Lake sunset.

SAIL AWAY TO SAND LAKE By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Clear, calm, quaint and quiet…Welcome to Sand Lake. The deep waters of Sand Lake provide perfection for swimming and fishing alike. Located just east of the Town of Osceola, this 216-acre lake measures nearly 60 feet deep and is unusually clean to boot. According to a recent Secchi disk reading, Sand Lake’s clarity measures at 10.75 feet, with 8 feet being the average

visible depth for lakes in the region. “Sand Lake is mesotrophic (containing moderate levels of nutrients). That’s pretty good, considering a lot of our lakes are eutrophic, which are the more nutrientrich lakes,” said Katelin Anderson, the Education & Information Coordinator for Polk County Environmental Services. “The water quality is kind of above the average for the reason… unlike most of our lakes that do have water quality concerns, Sand Lake has pretty clear water.”

Sand Lake also boasts lower chlorophyll levels than most area lakes. Though the regional average is 15.4 micrograms of chlorophyll per liter, Sand Lake measures in at just 4.3 per liter. “It’s good if your chlorophyll number’s low, because chlorophyll is an indicator of algae,” Anderson said. Unlike many Polk County lakes, Sand Lake is largely unaffected by invasive CONTINUED ON 6B

JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

GALLEY | COOKING ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

COOKING BY THE LAKE From surf to turf, lakeside recipes you’ll love By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Even from the shores you can reel in enough sunfish to prepare a feast. With excellent flavor, they are low in fat and high in protein. The meat is white and flaky and can be sweet if the fish comes from clean, cool water. There are many ways to cook “sunnies”, with pan frying probably most popular.

With area State Fair menus being released, it is time to think about food on a stick-but why wait for the fair? Grab the skewers-it’s kabob time!

PAN(ﬁsh)CAKES This is a great way to use any single freshwater fish, especially “sunnies” or combination of fish. They are very similar to crab cakes but have freshwater fish instead CONTINUED ON 3B

Contributed Sausage Squash Kabobs

ART IS A FORM OF COMMUNICATION FOR EACH ARTIST.

Fast, Friendly, & Affordable!

FINE ART

Automotive Repair Shop

Specializing in Diesel • Snowmobiles • Classic Cars • ATVs • Tow Steel/Aluminum Welding • Watercraft We do NOT offer body work or painting

126 State Road 35 lauberautoworks@yahoo.com

PATRICIA DUNCAN FINE ART

Milltown, WI 54858 www.lauberautoworks.com

Ga ery/Studio

Metro Creative Connection

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

Hosts Oil And Pastel Painting Classes Painting Retreat: Wellness Through Art Thinking and spontaneously reacting to the gifts of nature. It is a form of meditation, expressing feelings, ideas and observing on a deeper level. Engaging all senses in the Plein air experience. LOCATED ON EAST SIDE OF BONE LAKE \ LUCK, WI

612.644.6798

by appointment only

mpatriciaduncan@aol.com patriciaduncanart.com

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ GALLEY | COOKING COOKING | FROM 2B of crab. The cakes have an outstanding flavor and are easy to make. The best part is that the recipe can be made in advance and then assembled at the last minute. Ingredients • 1 lb. uncooked fresh fish, chopped* • 1 cup canned corn (or fresh sweet corn cut off the cob) • 1/2 cup finely diced onion* • 1/2 cup finely diced green pepper* • 1/2 cup finely diced celery* • 3/4 cup mayonnaise • 1/2 tsp. dry mustard • Pinch of cayenne pepper • Salt & pepper to taste • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 1 1/4 cups plain bread crumbs • 2 Tbs olive oil • 2 Tbs butter • 1 package Hollandaise sauce mix Instructions *To speed up the prep time, you can use a Kitchen-Aid mixer with the food grinder attachment with the coarse blade to grind the fish, onion, green pepper and celery together. The fish and vegetables will be chopped/ ground to a uniform size very quickly. If you do not have a meat grinder or maybe you're in a cabin with just the basics, simply combine the chopped fish,

For over 40 years

onions, green peppers, corn and celery in mixing bowl and toss well. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise with mustard and cayenne. Stir into fish mixture. Add salt and pepper. Use rubber spatula and gently fold in egg and approx. 1/3 cup of the bread crumbs. Chill (covered) the fish mixture for an hour. Note: Fish mixture may be "soupy" Add more bread crumbs as needed. Form the fish mixture into 8-10 patties and carefully cover patties with remainder of the crumbs. Heat a non-stick, heavy aluminum or cast iron skillet; then add one tablespoon of oil and one tablespoon of butter. Cook patties over medium heat (three minutes per side). Add more oil or butter if necessary. Sauce: Follow the directions on the package. Spoon on to cakes when ready to serve. Cakes can be made ahead. You can freeze them uncooked and fry at a later time.

Sausage Squash Kabobs The zesty honey-mustard glaze gives a lovely sheen to the sausage and veggies.

PAP’S GENERAL STORE “Apple River”

• ATM • Gas • Groceries • Slushies • Lottery • Ice • Maps • Propane Exchange • Wood • Bait • Licenses • Tackle • Wine • Swanks Meat • Sweatshirts & T-Shirts • Information • FREE WIFI

CANOE & KAYAK SALES & RENTAL

AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF TOP LIQUORS, WINES AND THECOLDEST BEER OPEN 365 DAYS since 1982 Hours • 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

County Road E North of Hwy 8 715-268-8108

Ingredients • 1 pound small red potatoes, halved or quartered if desired • 1 tablespoon water • 1/2 cup honey • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest • 1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced 1/2 inch thick • 2 small yellow summer squash, sliced 1/2 inch thick • 2 small zucchini, sliced 1/2 inch thick Instructions In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine potatoes and water. Cover and microwave on high until tender, 6-8 minutes; drain and set aside. For glaze, combine the honey, mustard and orange zest in a small bowl. On eight metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread the sausage, potatoes, yellow squash and zucchini; brush with half of the glaze. On a lightly oiled grill rack, grill kabobs, uncovered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until vegetables are tender and sausage is heated through, 10-16 minutes, basting frequently with glaze. ■

SALES & SERVICE. SPECIALIZING IN OUTBOARD & INBOARD MOTORS.

SOUTHBAY PONTOONS YAMAHA & MERCURY MOTORS LUND & CRESTLINER BOATS PIER PLEASURE DOCKS & LIFTS

FOAM WATERMATS Boat Accessories and Engine Parts

Boat Bumpers

Towables

Tow Ropes

Life Jackets

Water Ski Ropes

Interstate Batteries

1956 Highway 8, St. Croix Falls 715-483-2880 www.arrowmarineon8.com

INDOOR STORAGE PONTOON REFURBISHING

Business Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat. 8am-3pm; Sun. Noon-4pm Terry Peer, Owner JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

SHORE LEAVE | EVENTS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

UPCOMING SUMMER LOCAL EVENTS: JULY IS A BLIND DATE WITH SUMMER By April Ziemer

Keeper’s Tent right outside. 10 a.m. – Jeanne Wicklund 11 a.m. – Centenarian Celebration • 12 p.m. – Rick and Kenny • 2 p.m. – T.C. Hatter • 3 p.m. – Good News Club • 4:30 p.m. – T.C. Hatter • 5:30 p.m. – Good Neighbors Ministry Ukulele Show • 7 p.m. – Jim Mitchell Hypnosis Show Beer Garden Stage • 4 p.m. – The Pitt Crew Grandstand • 7p.m.-Garden Tractor Pull and Truck Pull • •

editor@theameryfreepress.com

If you are ready to take a break from the lake, the upcoming weeks offer plenty of opportunities to soak in some summer fun. Head to Luck and find the gazebo in Triangle Park each Tuesday at 6:30 P.M. for live music, June through August. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and meet your friends and neighbors for dinner and music in the park. Amery’s Summer Wednesdays concert series kick off at 6 P.M. every Wednesday in Michael Park. Music on the Overlook happens Fridays at 6 P.M. at the scenic Overlook Park Riverview Stage in downtown St Croix Falls. The third installment of Amery’s Music on the River Events is Friday, August 19. Food, drink and a classic car show with opening music beginning at 5 P.M. and the headliner taking the stage at 7 P.M. The Polk County Fair will run from Thursday, July 28-Sunday, July 31, 2022. The Polk County Fair Grounds are located at 800 Louisiana ST. St. Croix Falls, WI. 54024

Daily events • • •

•

Barn Tours Dairyland Adventure ADRC Building Activities – Fall risk screens, Memory screens, Hospitality Center (adult oriented) Friends of the Library

SATURDAY JULY 30, 2022 April Ziemer | Amery Free Press

• •

Building (Free games for children: toddler thru 10 years and used book sale, this is a library fund raising event with a 50% matching grant) Polk County Beekeepers demonstrations Little Red School House – local history experts onsite 10am-8pm to answer your questions.

• The entertainment schedule is as follows:

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022 Main Stage • 10 a.m. – Flag Raising on the patio with the National Guard • 10 a.m. – Genealogy Judging by the Polk County

Genealogical Society. Located in the Admin Building. • 10 a.m. – Rex Catus • 1 p.m. – T.C. Hatter • 3 p.m. – T.C. Hatter • 4:30 p.m. – Matt Glenna • 7 p.m. – Jim Mitchell Hypnosis Show Beer Garden Stage • 8 p.m. – The Dweebs Grandstand • 6 p.m.-Horse Pull

FRIDAY JULY 29, 2022 Main Stage • 10 a.m. – Maple Syrup Judging by the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association members. To be held either in the Crops building or in the Bee

Main Stage • 10 a.m. – Kidde Pedal Tractor Pull • 12 Noon – T.C. Hatter • 3 p.m. – Polk County Talent Show (2022 talent contest) • 6 p.m. – Oakwoods • 8 p.m. – Jim Mitchell Hypnosis show Grandstand • 1 p.m.-Tractor Pull

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2022 Main Stage 10 am – Church Service by First Presbyterian 11 am – Sawyer Dreams 1:30 pm – 2022 Fairest of the Fair Coronation 3 pm – River City Cloggers Grandstand 2 p.m.-Demolition Derby *Editor’s note: All events subject to change. ■

“GIVE ME A CALL. WE CAN TALK ABOUT AUTO, HOME, COMMERCIAL (AUTO/PROPERTY), RECREATION VEHICLES AND LIFE.”

MICHAEL A. HANSEN Insurance Agent/Owner

317 B Main Street P.O. Box 460 Balsam Lake, WI 54810

Phone: 715-485-3941 866-892-1753 Fax: 715-485-9697

hansen.insurance@yahoo.com

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

911 Frontage Rd. Balsam Lake

715-485-3368 ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWS HAIL AND WIND DAMAGE HOME OR BUSINESS WE HANDLE INSURANCE CLAIMS WE SPECIALIZE IN BUILDING POST FRAMES / BARNS

Trust in our 26 years of experience for your next project Call: 715-485-3269 • 651-338-2046

kmgrdh@centurylink.net • aberleconstruction.com

NEW CONSTRUCTION REMODEL IN-FLOOR HEAT WI #668164

thepipepros.com

24-Hour Emergency Services

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL | SAND LAKE

Contributed Taking ﬂight across the waters.

Contributed When the sun sinks down on Sand Lake.

Unity Business Park • 1514 - 190th Ave. in Balsam Lake

715-825-4870

Showroom Open to the Public 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday E-mail: NCS@lakeland.ws www.nelsonconstrucctionservices.com

JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

PORT OF CALL | SAND LAKE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ SAND | FROM 1B species. Though Chinese mystery snails, curly leaf pondweed and narrow leaf cattails have all been detected within Sand Lake’s waters, their numbers are minimal and not making much of a detrimental impact, perhaps due to the lack of inlets or outlets. “As of right now, they’re not becoming a nuisance for recreation or things like that,” said Polk County Water Quality Specialist Colton Sorensen. “For snails, you can’t really do anything… curly leaf pondweed, since it’s in such low density… it’s hard for them to really do any control measures. If there were to be an increase in curly leaf or something where they had to start spraying for it, then maybe they would end up forming an association or district.” The lake was not always unaffected by invasive species, though. In the early 1960s, large numbers of invasive carp populated Sand Lake, and chemical treatments were implemented to kill off the invasive population. After the lake was reclaimed, the Wisconsin DNR stocked it with native species such as walleye, yellow perch, fathead minnows, ciscoes and trout. Within 10 years, bass, pike, bluegills and crappies showed up in Sand Lake as well. “With Sand Lake not really having inlets and outlets, that would make a control project easier, because there’s nowhere for them to Contributed

CONTINUED ON 7B

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

A picturesque Sand Lake scene.

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL | SAND LAKE SAND | FROM 6B move,” Anderson said. Sand Lake’s waters hold northern pike, sucker, sunfish, carp, warmouth, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, bullhead, walleye, pumpkinseed, rock bass, perch, largemouth bass and bluegill. Peak fishing times for getting a bite are between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The lake possesses one public access boat landing located at Nelson Drive. It is a popular fishing destination in both winter and summer. Bethesda Lutheran Church sits on the south shore of Sand Lake. Other smaller lakes, Poplar Lake and Bear Lake are just within miles of Sand Lake. ■

Contributed Serenity in all seasons.

SEE SAND LAKE MAP ON 10B

Contributed Sand Lake fun in the sun.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU ALL YEAR LONG!

info@milltownpowersports.com | 715.825.3833 Contributed A quiet evening on Sand Lake.

Summer Hours: Mon - Fri 9-5 • Sat 9-2 • Sun 9-Noon Winter Hours: Mon - Fri 9-5 • Sat 9-Noon

JEWELRY, WATCH, & GIFT IDEAS

Your Hometown Jeweler 890 Main St. • Baldwin, WI

(715) 684-2823

Family-Owned for 38 Years

Open Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm • Saturday 9am-3pm

JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

SHORE LEAVE | DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

ON PIKE LAKE Open Wed-Sat 4-9p; Sun 10a-1p DAILY SPECIALS • Wednesday: Chef ’s Choice Special serving at 4p • Thursday: BBQ Rib Night serving at 4p

FAMILY TRADITIONS SINCE 1958

• Friday: Fish Fry and Prime Rib serving at 4p

Check out our made from scratch menu!

• Saturday: Prime Rib serving at 4p • Sunday: Breakfast serving 10a-1p

Famous Pizza and Pitas since 1958

Happy Hour 4-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri.

Craft beer • Domestic Beer Signature Agave Infused Margaritas • Other Signature Craft Beverages

Pontoon Rentals Facilities for wedding dances, banquets and class reunions

~ Mediterranean Twist ~

Main Street | Balsam Lake

715-405-3848

vivskitchenandcater.com Check us out on Facebook!

YACHT AND SUPPER CLUB

796 100th Street • Amery, WI 54001 One mile north of Amery on Hwy. 46, 1/2 mile west on Cty. Rd. H • 715-268-8774

Dine In, Take Out or Cater...Viv’s Is The Place!

Burgers • Soup Sandwiches • Salads Wraps • Appetizers and, of course, BEER Friday Fish Fry All Day 100% Alaskan Cod

Great Burgers • Large Draft Selection

TAC TWO Established 1995

SPORTS BAR & GRILL

Full menu available

Downtown Amery, WI

715-268-8222 tactwobarandgrill.com

“AT THE HEAD OF THE CATTAIL TRAIL”

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

TAC-TWO • TAC-TWO • TAC-TWO • TAC-TWO

“AT THE HEAD OF THE CATTAIL TRAIL”

• • • •

Breakfast Served All Day Full Menu Take Outs Available Friday Fish Fry starts at 11am

715-948-2975 764 Hwy 63 • Clayton, WI

RESTAURANT

Specials

INDIANHEAD SUPPER CLUB

Walleye Wednesday: Walleye Dinner $15.99 Thursday: Jumbo Shrimp Dinner $15.99 All-You-Can-Eat Spare Ribs $15.99

107 Indianhead Shore Drive Balsam Lake • 715-485-3359

Dine in Only on Specials

Fish Fry (Fri. Only) Prime Rib (Fri. & Sat.) All dinners include soup or salad & choice of potato

Dine In or Take Out Hours: Wednesday-Sunday at 5 p.m. Reservations Appreciated.

Good Times ~

Good Drinks ~

Good Company Cool down with our many Áavors of ice cream.... Serving espressos, lattes, frappes and coffee (iced or hot) Homemade sandwiches (hot or cold) big enough for 2 Specializing in Catering/private Chef in your home Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

104 First Avenue East & Cty. Rd. I, Balsam Lake • 715-614-1569

Daily Specials Happy Hour • Monday-Friday 4-6pm Catering Available Dine in or Carry out available

212 Main St. Luck • 715-472-2959 Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. Sun. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-close • Fri-Sat 7am-close Kitchen Hours: Sun-Thru 8am-9pm • Fri-Sat 7am-10pm

49 Main Street, Milltown • 715-825-3314

’s

Sports Bar

BINGO: Every Thursday, 6 p.m. HAPPY HOUR: Monday - Friday, 4-6 p.m. KARAOKE: Fridays & Saturdays, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

MAIN STREET • CENTURIA • (715) 646-2558

Go Ahead – Make Your Day @ Balsam Lake Cafe

• Breakfast All Day • Lunch • 12 Flavors of Mimosas • Heat & Eat Freezer Meals ENJOY ON OF OUR FRESH BAKED CARAMEL PECAN ROLLS WITH A SIGNATURE ESPRESSO DRINK

JEFF’S BLACKSMITH SHOP BAR & GRILL New Menu Happy Hour M-F 4-6pm • Meat RaІe Sat @ 3pm Hours: Mon at 4pm till close • Tue-Sat 11am till close

Mon-Fri 7:30am-2pm Sat-Sun 8am-2pm

NEW OUTDOOR BAR & PATIO SEATING 1873 W Bone Lake Dr, Balsam Lake • 715-857-5679

405 Main Street • Balsam Lake • 715-501-8868 JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

Sand Lake

TOPOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS Wetland Emergent vegetation Steep slope Public Access LAKE BOTTOM SYMBOLS GR Gravel MK Muck SD Sand

195th St

Acres: 187 Total Shoreline: 2.6 miles Maximum Depth: 58 feet

Town of Garfield, Town of Osceola Polk County, Wisconsin

SPECIES OF FISH PRESENT X Walleye X Largemouth Bass X Panfish

117th A

115th Ave

200th St

TO ST. CROIX FALLS

PORT OF CALL | SAND LAKE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

Sand Lake

40 SAND LAKE MEMORIAL BEACH

MK SD

Birch Ln

30 20 10 5

192nd St

110th Ave

SCALE (ft.) 0

400

800

1,200

1,600

2,000

Map art © Karen Engelbretson 2022

Welcome to beautiful Balsam Lake, a village living in natural harmony. Established in 1905 the Village of Balsam Lake rests on the southwest shore of Balsam Lake in one of the most prime tourist locations of northwest Wisconsin. Whether you are looking to relax or take part in a wide variety of activities, both on and off shore, the Village of Balsam Lake is the place for you! The Village is nestled on the largest lake in the area, (2,054 acres), which is teeming with ¿sh to satisfy the most avid of anglers. The unique shoreline stretches 65 miles and the lake is dotted with picturesque islands and bays. Fine Dining and casual eateries abound and over 50 businesses provide a vast array of services.

Live & Work Where You Love To Play

10B

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

Download Free SmartHub App Track your electricity use Manage your electric account View and pay your electric bill View and report power outages

Want to know if the power goes out at your lake home? Sign up to receive outage texts.

polkburnett.com 800-421-0283

Home of SunTuria Solar. See solar energy tracker and schedule tour online.

Customize Your Outdoor Living Space

GARDEN & CENTER

Patio Installations & Fire Pits Paver Walkways Retaining Walls Stone Steps

Enhancing Your Property’s Landscape

Water Features Landscape Lighting

Additional Services Include Shoreline Rip-Rap & Restoration

25% OFF

Hydro-Seeding

Perennials, Trees & Shrubs

Trees and Shrubs

Milltown VFW 200th Avenue

Hwy. #46

Bulk Landscape Supplies

GARDEN & CENTER

LakeSide Landscaping Balsam Lake

For more information & a free quote: 715-825-2202 or info@ lakeside-landscaping.com Located 3 Miles north of Balsam Lake, east of the VFW on 200th Ave just off Hwy. #46

STONE CREEK LLC

WE DO IT ALL! • Custom Cabinetry • Countertops • Flooring • Window Treatments • Kitchen/Bath Fixtures

Professional Sales and Installation 715.268.HOME (4663) 551 State Hwy 46 • Amery, WI 54001

SHOWROOM HOURS

www.stonecreekcustominteriors.com

Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm

info@stonecreekcustominteriors.com

Saturday by appointment

JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

11B

12B

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

L KER SECTION C

Vol. 2022 • No. 5 • July 15 to July 28, 2022

Contributed Night sets in on Horse Lake.

JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022 | THE LAKER

ROPES | LOVE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

LOVE AT THE LAKE: THERE MUST BE SOMETHING IN THE WATER By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

It is frequent to hear, “Love is in the air.” No doubt about it though, love has actually been in the sand. Romance has been washing up onto the shores of a Bone Lake sandbar, which sees couples sailing off into the forever sunset. Looking back, it seems like a simple enough story. Mark Walsingham and Jacqueline Remackel met on the sand bar in 2020, 4th of July weekend. They were introduced and later that night, they met up Wilkins resort. “The rest is history,” said the couple. Their parents both have places on Bone Contributed Lake. Over the past few Mark Walsingham and Jacqueline Remackel. years the couple has discovered they have a lot in common. “We love doing and working out,” said Remackel. the same things, wine, cooking They are currently living in

AUTO LOAN

LOCK & SHOP GUARANTEE Get Preapproved & Lock Your Rate For 60 Days! Lock in your low auto loan rate today at rcu.org/LockARate 800-341-9911 Subject to credit approval.

THE LAKER | JULY 15 - JULY 28, 2022

SARAH FRENCH

ROYAL CREDIT UNION MEMBER

Julie Dornseif and Joe Remackel.

Nashville, where Remackel is in Med school.

Here is where the story gets a little more interesting…The person who introduced the couple at the sand bar was Julie Dornseif. Dornseif herself had found love at that very same sandbar in 2019. Just who was the guy who won her heart? It was Jacqueline Remackel’s father, Joe. “His friend from Rest Point set us up and we got engaged on Christmas 2021. Joe had a place at Rest Point and I had a place at Sunset Cove,” said Dornseif. Joe Remackel and Dornseif will be married next April. With one engagement down, it was time to move onto the next. Contributed Walsingham said, “The proposal to Jacqueline was a total surprise, CONTINUED ON 3C

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ROPES | LOVE LOVE | FROM 2C

Contributed The sandbar proposal.

Off the Top

HAIR SHOP NEW LOCATION 97 W. Main Street, Suite 1 Milltown • (715) 825-5000

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but since we both met at the sand bar, I decided with the help of my family and Jacqueline’s family it would be a perfect place and all our families would be there for the special surprise. Our family planned a dance to make it unique to the song ‘I think I want to marry you.’ I also flew back to meet with Joe and Julie to ask permission to marry his oldest daughter and Julie was happy to help for the big surprise,” said Walsingham. Of course, Jacqueline Remackel said, “YES!” So, there you have it, a father and daughter both found sandbar love a year apart on beautiful Bone Lake. Both family couples have an extreme love for the waters where they met. Dornseif said, “I have been there since I was born, 1968! It was my grandparents place since the 1940’s crazy huh?” “Lots and lots of history from my relatives, my great uncle owned the bar called Snyders, it burnt down and sold to Wilson, which is now Wilkins,” said Dornseif. Joe Remackel has since sold his place at Rest Point and is now with Dornseif at Sunset Cove. Walsingham’s relatives have places on Bone Lake and his uncle on Sunset Cove as well. Jacqueline Remackel and Walsingham said, ““We are not sure where the wedding will be and have not set an exact date yet, but it would be great to have some kind of party at Bone Lake.” The couples agree that for people who love the lake, it is a perfect place for couples to meet and fall in love. We’ll see who is next… ■

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ROPES | FAQ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

WISCONSIN LAKES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Why are water levels on my lake lower? Low water levels are occurring in many places throughout the state and the reasons why vary according to the type of lake and circumstances. Lakes where water levels are controlled by a dam or other structure may not experience as drastic a drop as natural glacial kettle lakes common to northern Wisconsin and the central sands area. These lakes typically have water levels that are controlled by the elevation of the groundwater table, which in turn reflects the amount of rain water and snow melt that soaks into the ground and eventually reaches an aquifer -- minus the amount of groundwater discharging from the aquifer to lakes, rivers and wetlands and public and private water wells. Lower water tables occur if less water enters the

aquifer or more is taken out, or both. A drought, changes in land use that allow less water to soak into ground, increases in pumping -- all can affect groundwater table levels, and in turn, lake levels. Often, it's a combination of all three: lean water years due to natural conditions like a drought are exacerbated by human actions; people withdraw more water, or pave over more land and destroy wetlands, decreasing the water reaching aquifers. Groundwater monitoring well records in some areas indicate that water levels today are nearing the low levels seen in the late 1950s to mid-1960, and which contrast to the high peaks seen in the early 1990s.

What causes water levels to go up and down? Lake water levels can fluctuate naturally due to rain and snowfall,

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which varies widely from season to season and year to year. While some lakes with streams running into them show the effect of rainfall almost immediately, others, such as seepage lakes, may not show the effect for months. Seepage lakes are landlocked water bodies that do not have a stream coming into or out of them but get most of their water from precipitation or runoff, supplemented by groundwater. Seepage lakes are the most common type of lakes in Wisconsin and many of them in northern Wisconsin are now experiencing lower water levels. Although changes in water levels may be perceived as a problem for property owners, it is natural for lakes to go up and down in cycles that are decades long.

Are low water levels bad for lakes? The short answer is no. In fact, periodic low water conditions can be beneficial for lake ecosystems. It consolidates sediments, allows new plants to colonize the lake bed and it provides habitat for rare plants and shorebirds. In fact, one of our rarest shoreline plants, Fassett's Locoweed, is dependent upon periodic fluctuations of water levels to grow. This plant is only found in a handful of lakes on the planet (all in Wisconsin) and all of these lakes are subject to wide fluctuation in water levels. When water levels return, this expansion of plants becomes habitat for fish and wildlife, removes nutrients from water, and can increase water clarity. However, human actions that cause water levels to drop farther than this natural CONTINUED ON 5C

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ROPES | FAQ FAQ | FROM 4C variation, or prevent the lake from returning to normal conditions, may harm the lake and its inhabitants over the long-term.

Can anything be done to restore water levels (or remove excess water)? On lakes with connecting streams or dams or other water level control structures, modifications may be considered to temporarily raise or lower the water level due to extreme conditions. However, permanent changes in water levels have huge implications for downstream property owners and users and are often very controversial. Establishing or changing levels on a lake with a water control structure will require DNR approval. Lakes without natural outlets are even more difficult to address. Pumping water into a seepage

lake can be expensive and results in very little change in the water level, as most of the water is basically recycled back to the local groundwater system.

What causes the foam on my shoreline? In most instances the "foam" we see on the surface of our lakes and streams is natural, and while it's not aesthetically pleasing, it's harmless. The foam is created when natural organic compounds, such as those from decomposing plants and animals, are mixed with air as a result of wind and waves, or as water flows through rapids or over a dam. The foam often will collect on a downwind or downstream shore. In some cases, the foam appears after a bloom of a species of algae called a diatom, which has silica-based shells that break down.

Is my lake safe to swim in? Recent surveys indicated that 60 percent of Wisconsin adults swim. Whether they swim at a pool or in a natural water, common sense precautions can help you maximize your fun. These tips will help you stay safe on the water, avoid getting sunburned and avoid getting sick if there are elevated bacteria levels in the water. Beachgoers can check the DNR's online map to get upto-date information about water quality at their favorite Great Lakes beaches and at many inland beaches.

How can I get rid of all these weeds by my dock? Hold on -- that might not be a such good idea! Aquatic plants form the foundation of healthy and flourishing lake ecosystems - both within lakes and rivers and on the shores around them. They not only protect water quality,

but produce life-giving oxygen. Aquatic plants are a lake's own filtering system, helping to clarify the water by absorbing nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen that could stimulate algal blooms. Plant beds stabilize soft lake and river bottoms and reduce shoreline erosion by reducing the effect of waves and current. Healthy native aquatic plant communities help prevent the establishment of invasive nonnative plants like Eurasian watermilfoil. They provide important reproductive, food, and cover habitat for fish, invertebrates, and wildlife. So in order to maintain healthy lakes and rivers, we must maintain healthy native aquatic plant communities. Removing any aquatic plants should be done in a manner that limits the disturbance to the overall plant community and may require a permit from DNR. A healthy diversity of native CONTINUED ON 10C

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RIGGINGS | CABINS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

ALTHOUGH IT MAKES CENTS, DOES IT REALLY MAKE SENSE TO RENT OUT YOUR CABIN? The Pros and Cons and Dos and Don’ts By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

You own a lakeside cabin and you find you don’t use it very often. Maybe you bought your retirement lake home years before you will actually need it. Or, you would love to buy a vacation home but need some help paying for it. If it only were as easy as tossing out your keys to shortterm guests when renting out your cabin, but it’s not. The vacation rental industry is growing rapidly on the whole, as many travelers are searching for that home-away-from-home

to spend their vacation. In fact, revenue in vacation rentals amounted to $49.541 billion in 2020. You cannot expect everything to take care of itself. In fact, there is so much involved in having vacation rental that getting it right from the start can be tough — manageable but tough. Is the right decision to rent out your cabin? If so, how do you prepare? The internet is a booming with those searching to rent a cabin and people wanting to rent their homes. With sites like airbnb and VRBO, independent homeowners can spread the word about their

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rental cabins to a wide audience Some choose to have a property manager to book guests, collect rent, take care of maintenance and market their properties to would-be guests.

PROS 1. Talk to your accountant about tax situations that could arise for owning and renting the home, although, vacation rentals in general are great writeoffs. Owners can easily write off many expenses to off-set the income, including depreciation, loan interest,

HOA dues, PMI, furnishings and supplies. Many of these things are cost of ownership when you own a second home, which are generally not refundable unless you are renting out your property. 2. Renting out a cabin/lake home, is an excellent way to offset the cost of ownership of the property. Some find they are able to cover 75 percent or more of their mortgage from renting. 3. You’ll still have time to enjoy your own cabin. The CONTINUED ON 7C

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ RIGGINGS | CABINS CABINS | FROM 6C average owner that rents, does it about 18 weeks each year. Many people are able to find a balance between personal and rental use. This is especially true if your cabin’s location affords a mix of seasonal activities.

CONS 1. Things wear out. Be prepared to re-invest in the cabin as needed. Plan to replace things that wear out, like furnishings and linens. 2. It is important to remember to lock up all of our personal items, like food and lake toys. That adds time to our leaving and when we return. 3. Keep in mind that even with careful screening, people may not always treat your cabin with the care you would.

Dos and DON’Ts Clean Your Home Obviously, your home should be clean and in good order upon the arrival of your guests. In particular, the bathrooms and kitchen should be spic and span. The beds should be made up with clean linens. Many hosts hire housecleaning services to do a thorough cleaning before guests arrive. Some do it themselves and save the expense. Safety First There should be no obvious

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Contributed Rather than letting it sit empty, many choose to share their lake getaways with guests.

safety hazards like exposed wiring or a loose step. Fix anything that may cause the injury of a guest and have functioning smoke detectors. Equip Your Home for Guests

Your home or apartment should be equipped to make your guests stay as easy and pleasant as possible. This is the way to get good reviews and repeat business on sites like Airbnb and VRBO. You should, for example, provide:

with style

•

Clean towels and linens (these don't' have to be the same as you and your family use)—you should have a set of at least two towels, hand CONTINUED ON 9C

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ RIGGINGS | CABINS CABINS | FROM 7C towels, and washcloths per guest • Extra blankets • An ironing board and iron • Dishes, silverware, and pots and pans sufficient for the maximum number of guests you host • A microwave oven • Potholders • Coffee maker, teapot, and toaster • Basic seasonings and food items like sugar, salt, butter • Cleaning supplies including hand soap, dishwashing liquid and disinfectant • Basic toiletries like toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues • A first-aid kit • A fire extinguisher • All remotes necessary to operate the television and other devices • Trash can liners • Fans • Extra light bulbs. *Most guests will expect to have access to the Internet. If this is not available, make sure your guests are aware of it before they rent with you.

While not necessary, nice added offerings include playing cards and other games. If you're near the beach or have a pool, beach towels and chairs guidebooks and maps to the area, and a hair dryer. Some hosts get creative and leave goodies for their guests like bottles of wine, chocolate, fresh fruit, or local delicacies. DO Leave Detailed Instructions The more written instructions you leave for your guests the better. This way guests won't have to call you every time they have a question. Be sure to include instructions on how to operate all the remote controls for your television and other electronics, as well as how to access your Internet connection. Also leave clear instructions on how to operate the dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer, stove, heating and air conditioning system, and any security system. Explain where the trash and recycling should be taken. Local rules about parking should also be covered. It's also a good idea to provide a list of local grocery stores, gas stations, and recommended restaurants.

DO Make sure to fully explain your "house rules" Is smoking is allowed? (If yes, provide ashtrays, or specify limits as to where a guest can smoke--such as out on the deck.) May your guests have parties? May your guests play loud music after 10:00? If you allow pets, provide specific pet rules and suggestions for local dog parks. DO Leave contact numbers Be sure to leave your contact information (email and phone) if your guests need to get in touch with you. Also provide local emergency numbers and the address and number of the nearest hospital. DO Get proper insurance A regular homeowners policy rarely covers a vacation rental. Ask your agent what type of policy you need for a home that is used for short-term rentals. ■

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ROPES | FAQ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ FAQ | FROM 5C aquatic plants can also help prevent exotic species from becoming established in the lake.

How does a lot of boat traffic affect the water quality of a lake? Several Wisconsin studies have examined the impact on lakes of boats. Generally, the studies found that boat counts on weekends doubled or tripled on average for most weekends; water clarity was temporarily reduced on weekends; shallow lakes and near-shore areas are more affected than deeper lakes; and boat traffic may stimulate algae growth in lakes containing soft-water sediments. Another Wisconsin study concludes that motor boat traffic can reduce aquatic plants by cutting them up or scouring away the sediments they need to grow in. Shoreline erosion from boat wake can also be problematic, especially in small lakes and bays that are protected from windgenerated waves. Much of these impacts can be lessened by operating boats at no-wake speeds in shallow areas. The environmental impact of oil and gas from many of the newer boats with more efficient engines is likely to be minimal versus the older 2-cycle motors; however; the total effects are unknown at this time.

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Where can I learn more about the threat of invasive species to Wisconsin's lakes? Plants or animals that are not native to lakes or streams in Wisconsin are often referred to as "exotic species" and are considered to be "invasive" if the species was introduced by human action to a location, area, or region where it did not previously occur naturally; if it becomes capable of establishing a breeding population in the new location without further

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intervention by humans; and if it spreads widely throughout the new location. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, a deadly fish virus found in Lake Michigan and the Lake Winnebago system that can kill a broad range of our native fish, is the latest and potentially most damaging of these unwelcome guests. Invasive species cause more damage in some places than in others, but generally they can crowd out native species, which in turn impacts other species that depend on them for food and habitat, interfere with recreation, impact industry and cost taxpayers and consumers money. The most common way aquatic invasive species are spread to new waters is by clinging to boats, boat trailers, or in bait buckets or bilge water. Cleaning boats before leaving a launch and getting rid of unwanted bait in the trash are key prevention steps. Such prevention is critical because there are no good controls for these invasive species. ■

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ GALLEY | COCKTAILS

CABIN COCKTAILS By April Ziemer

•

editor@theameryfreepress.com

After a long day on the lake, why not try out a new cocktail for sipping by the campfire? There are few escapes as relaxing as twinkling stars, a crackling fire and a cool drink Consider the legwork done of finding some of the best summertime cocktails.

Kentucky Bourbon Lemonade • • •

• • •

3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup water 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (from approximately 6 lemons) 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves 1/2-2/3 cup Bourbon (depending on your tastes) 6 cups ginger ale

additional lemon slices (for garnish) In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water and heat over MED heat. Heat until sugar dissolves into water and mixture is clear. Simmer 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat. Add lemon juice, mint leaves, and Bourbon, then let mixture cool. Pour mixture through a fine strainer into a large pitcher to remove solid particles and mint leaves. Add ginger ale and stir to combine. Add ice and lemon slices and serve cold.

Rowdy Watermelon • • •

2 ounces silver tequila ½ ounce fresh lime juice 4 ounces watermelon puree

• •

1 pinch salt Soda water to top (roughly 1 ounce) • Garnish: mint leaves Fill a highball glass with ice and add tequila, lime juice, watermelon puree, and salt. Top with soda. Stir and serve, garnished with a few mint leaves.

Lake Breeze • • • •

Contributed Kentucky Bourbon Lemonade

1 1/2 ounces vodka 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice 2 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice Garnish: lime wheel

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice and stir gently to combine. Garnish with lime slice. ■

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