2016 Progress Edition by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

BRAINERD LAKES AREA

Progress Edition B R A I N E R D

www.brainerddispatch.com

D I S P A T C H

L A B O R

D A Y

SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881

S P E C I A L

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

INVESTING in

2016

Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch

Royal Tire’s new building on Washington Street is part of the redevelopment along one of the city’s main thoroughfares.

Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch

On a hot August afternoon, crews work on the Dennis Drummond Wine Co. in preparation for a spring 2017 opening for the wine company, bistro and event center.

Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch

Construction for 48,200-squarefoot Avantech building in the Baxter Industrial Park was completed in the spring of 2016. The manufacturer is the sister company of LINDAR, which is across the street.

For Your Info Brainerd lakes area economic indicators

(2014) from Brainerd Lakes Economic Development Corporation. • 28,233 jobs, an increase of 534 compared to previous year. • 5,000 home-based businesses. • 2,074 companies. • $678 average weekly wages. Interesting fact: For 25 consecutive years, the greater Brainerd lakes area has annually added an average of 500 jobs and 30 new companies.

Renee Richardson Managing Editor The long recovery following the Great Recession found a hiring boom last year and in 2016, and construction and development plans followed. This year Brainerd’s jobless rate of 5.2 percent hit a low it hasn’t matched or seen in 15 years. As recently as 2013, every month of the year — save one — was still in double-digit unemployment in Brainerd. But the tide began to turn in the spring and summer of 2014. The Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation stated the successes of 2015 created heightened anticipation for 2016. “Over the past couple of years we are definitely starting to see construction, investment in equipment and people hiring,” said Sheila Haverkamp, Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. executive director. “I’m optimistic our

area will continue to move forward at a healthy pace and we’ll see job growth and creation in the years to come.” Haverkamp said they are continuing to see leads and prospects who are outside the lakes area but expressing an interest in being

part of the market. In recent years, multiple potential retail development projects seemed to evaporate as deal makers turned into tire kickers. But in 2016, retail appeared poised to make a jump start. HJ Development of Wayzata presented plans for two separate multi-store projects. One dubbed a junior box retail development was presented for wooded land between Costco and J.C. Penney Co. in Baxter. The other proposed to add a shopping center and two restaurants. After Costco joined the Baxter business landscape in 2012, expectations were other businesses would soon follow, especially in that section of the city. But a cascade of other construction didn’t

INVESTING: Page S5

Labor Day:

Honoring hard work and dedication

Pete Mohs Publisher My parents often emphasized the importance of developing a good work ethic. They made sure their six children enjoyed life but also understood their responsibilities with

chores around the house, from doing dishes to mowing and shoveling. My parents were preparing their children for career skills in the working world. Today is Labor Day, and we take time to honor and thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to their jobs. The Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal staffs also worked hard to produce the 11th edition of the Labor Day salute. Our writers and photographers put together editorial packages while our sales

Table of Contents

Overview .................................................................. S1 Labor Day ................................................................. S1 Toms TV ................................................................... S2 Breweries .................................................................. S3 Reader Submissions ................................................ S4 Metal Work ............................................................... S9 Babinski Properties ...............................................S10 Brainerd Bikes ........................................................S11 Crosslake Bike Stores ............................................S14 Jack Pine .................................................................S17

and production teams contributed advertising content in this series of sections that salute the area workers and owners of all sizes of business, who worked hard to make their dreams come true. Owning and managing businesses is never easy. Established businesses have achieved success over the years by providing quality products and services and navigating through the challenging economic times. A good example is our own newspaper industry, as we’ve adjusted to the

BLAEDC: Attracting Tech Ready companies to the lakes area Crow Wing County is reaping the rewards of an initiative to attract more technology-related companies to the Brainerd lakes area. During the past year, several tech firms have either opened offices in the area or expanded their operations, adding goodpaying jobs and helping the area’s increasingly diverse commercial economy. The Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation is the engine behind the Tech Services Initiative, which is showcasing the assets that make this area an attractive place for tech companies to do business. High on the list of valuable assets is an evergrowing fiber optic network that allows companies to move large amounts of digital data quickly over the internet. And BLAEDC’s local partners, like Consolidated Telecommunications Company, continue to invest in expanding the network throughout the region. The development corporation’s Tech Ready program is also

changes in technology to successfully combine our print and online coverage with the changing demand of our readers and advertisers. Meanwhile, new businesses gain success with determination and admirable marketing as they find their niche in each community. Patience is critical since financial success doesn’t usually happen overnight as owners follow their business dreams. Over the past decade, hundreds of long-time and new businesses have been recognized in our annual Labor Day salute. Those area businesses have covered many categories, especially from manufacturing,

Cuyuna ....................................................................S18 Big Axe S .................................................................... 19 Roundhouse ...........................................................S20 Gull Dam ................................................................S21 LAB S ......................................................................... 22 Cheers Hospitality .................................................S25 Moreys ....................................................................S26 Iven’s Turns Cowboy .............................................S27 The Barn .................................................................S28 Four Seasons ..........................................................S33

high on the list. Through partnerships with local tech companies, local high schools and Central Lakes College, education curricula are including a strong technology component, which prepares students for careers in technology. Tech Ready is creating a sustainable, homegrown workforce that tech companies find great value in. Available and affordable real estate is also a key component. Local industrial parks have affordable shovel-ready lots available with financing programs, and existing office buildings are move-in ready. Also, BLAEDC is gearing up for a marketing campaign to highlight local tech companies and feature the area’s infrastructure and attributes that make it a great option for tech companies looking for a place to expand or relocate in. The campaign includes generating media coverage in Twin Cities and statewide media.

retail sales and the service industry. This year, we’re again featuring a variety of topics from manufacturing companies like AJ Metal Works of Crosby, Nortech of Merrifield and Crow Wing Recycling of Brainerd/Deerwood. We also have stories on food-related businesses like Sprout Food Hub and Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace of Little Falls, Trident Seafood of Motley, Morey’s Seafood Market of Baxter and Four Seasons Shrimp Co. of Pierz. There’s also coverage of the increasingly popular craft brewery business in our area. The section also features business profiles

of owners, especially women who have found success like The Iron Waffle Coffee Company in Lake Shore, Ideal System Solutions of Pequot Lakes and Wild and Free Animal Hospital in Garrison. And finally, this Progress edition’s Labor Day salute recognizes businesses that are trending with an emphasis on future through promoting healthy living to companies doing testing and research, especially with a focus on environmental concerns. Please take time to read through all seven sections of our salute while you enjoy a relaxing Labor Day.

Sprout Food Hub ...................................................S34 Green Biologics ......................................................S35 Crow Wing Recycling ...........................................S41 Non Destructive Testing .......................................S42 Nortech ...................................................................S43 Wild and Free .........................................................S47 AW Research Lab ..................................................S48 Iron Waffle ..............................................................S49 Ideal System Solutions ..........................................S50

HOME THEATER

S2 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com

MORE THAN just a TV set Sampson and his employees have had to learn the ins and outs of new technology and new equipment in order to keep pace with a changing environment. “Any business, I don’t care who you are, if you don’t change with the times and evolve with the changing environment, you’re not going to make it,” Sampson said. The business has had to learn how to adapt and work with wired and wireless networks, Sampson said, as many people use online streaming services to watch TV and movies at home. Those services need to seamlessly interact with an audiovisual system. “That was something we never dreamt we’d be doing back in 1979,” Sampson said. “There’s a lot of things we just never dreamt would be happening in 1979 that we’re doing every day now.” Before the advent of cable TV, the business spent a lot of time working with antennas and installing them, Sampson said. Most people in rural areas had to use antenna systems in order to get TV service at their homes. There was also a lot of TV repair and selling and installing audio equipment. “We’d go out and dig the holes and pour the concrete and put these towers up,” Sampson said. “It was just a whole different world back then.” When satellite systems first came into vogue in the early 1980s, they were large, 10- or 12-foot satellite dishes, Sampson said. Tom’s TV would

For Your Info Tom’s TV

install these massive dishes, he said, and often installed two or three of them per day in the summer months. Thankfully, 18-inch satellite dishes started becoming more prominent, which made things easier. Cable companies also started expanding into rural areas, offering cable TV service to people who previously relied on a satellite dish. “A good number of those people switched over to cable, so we’d work with them as they switched to cable,” Sampson said. “We’d go in and reconfigure their control systems and get things set up for the cable system.”

Present day Today, the business does a lot of system maintenance and updates, Sampson said, along with selling and installing new systems. There’s a lot of systems the business originally installed 12-15

years ago which now need updating in order to keep up with new technology. “A lot of times it’s the house got sold,” Sampson said. “And the new homeowners just want new technology.” Even though he’s been in the industry since the early 1970s and every day sees the changes that have come about since then, Sampson said there are still times when he’s impressed by what modern audiovisual systems can do. One major change was when television broadcasting signals changed from analog to digital, he said. Sampson has added onto and expanded the building the business sits in on Washington Street over the years, he said. He looked at moving “to the west side of town” at one point, he said, but decided to stay put. Most of his business is done over the phone and there’s not many walk-in

Interesting or little known fact: Tom’s TV once installed a system that included more than $300,000 in audiovisual equipment in a single home.

customers, so the business location isn’t critical to success. “We’ve got a lot of clients that have never stepped foot in the store,” Sampson said. “They just call us when they need something.” There have been big changes in the audiovisual industry over the years, Sampson said. But what’s more notable are the smaller changes that happen every day. “You’re constantly evolving and making changes and adapting to what’s being developed and new product that’s coming out,” Sampson said. “It’s just a constant evolution from 1979 until now and I know it’s not going to stop anytime soon. It’s just going to

keep marching on.” Sampson hangs his hat on installing turnkey, user-friendly audiovisual systems for everyone from homeowners to government bodies. Tom’s TV recently updated the camera, recording and audio system of the Brainerd School Board meeting room at Washington Educational Services Building. The business also updated the audiovisual system in the conference room of the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, one of many conference rooms and meeting spaces the business has outfitted with advanced audiovisual systems.

TV: Page S6

“Serving the Lakes Area with Integrity Since 1979” 218-829-1777

Advertorial

Fall is a great time to call Positive Realty By JODIE TWEED

www.positiverealty.com | www.positivecommercial.com

a listing and why some homes sell quickly with multiple offers, Johnson said. “I wish I had a crystal ball sometimes and I knew exactly what price to list properties,” Johnson said. “The market dictates the price. The market will tell you if your price is too high, and it’s important to have an agent that pays attention to it.” People buy homes any time of the year. Fall may sometimes mean there are fewer homes on the market, but the key to a well-positioned home is to attract the right buyer. For many buyers, fall is their favorite time of the year. The busy summer is over and they’re ready to commit to investing time in looking at homes in person. An experienced real estate agent knows how to help clients prepare their home before it is ready for sale, how to price their home to compete in the current market and, of course, find prospective buyers. They understand that buying or selling a home is a big decision. Agents at Positive Realty understand what their clients need to buy or sell a home, and they work hard to make that happen. To learn more about Positive Realty, visit their website, www.positiverealty.com or call (218) 829-1777.

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4820 County Rd. 77 • Nisswa

Our mission is to continue to foster long-term relationships through trust and integrity. 001460736r1

While many homeowners may think spring is the best time to list their homes, you may be at an advantage if you list your home with Positive Realty this fall. Jeremy Johnson, salesman with Positive Realty said there is a lot of turnover in the market in the fall as homeowners want to be into their new homes before the snow flies. Positive Realty has been locally owned and operated in the Brainerd lakes area since 1979. Jack Antolak, Clint Nelson and Joe Zak started the firm as a three person office and Positive Realty now has 28 real estate agents and five administrative staff members who work at offices in Brainerd, Baxter and Nisswa. Johnson said the company had a productive year as more homes and businesses continue to sell. Positive Realty offers experienced and knowledgeable staff; the average real estate experience is 19 years for its agents. A recurring theme is that the Positive Realty agents are very personable and easy to work with. “We have a family-type business atmosphere,” added Antolak. He said companywide, the staff feels a strong connection to the community. Many are deeply involved in local churches, clubs and organizations and volunteer their time for charitable events. Our agents feel very connected to our community,” Antolak explained. They also take time to take care of their customers. Positive Realty owns its own moving vans. The vans are available for customers to use, and local charitable organizations may request to use the vans if they need them. It’s another way that Positive Realty takes care of their customers and gives back to the community. If you’re in the market for a new home or you are thinking about selling yours, stop by or call Positive Realty. While people may think you should contact a real estate agent after you’ve decided to sell your home, Johnson recommends consulting an agent early on in the process, even before you may be ready to list your home. Johnson said an agent can guide sellers in what home projects they should tackle before they list. You don’t want to spend money on home improvement projects that aren’t necessary to selling your home. When pricing your home, Johnson said many sellers think they need to build in a little “wiggle room” into their listing price. However, most sellers actually get more money for their property if they price it well from the start. Today’s home buyers are savvy and have more likely been searching for a new home for awhile. They have researched home values in the Brainerd lakes area and, most important, they know what they want. This is why most showings occur within the first couple weeks of

City: Brainerd Number of employees: four plus President Tom Sampson and his wife and Vice President Deb Sampson

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

The home theater room at Tom’s TV in Brainerd shows customers what the business can do when installing a home audiovisual system.

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Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer Home audiovisual systems have gotten much more complex since Tom’s TV in northeast Brainerd opened in the fall of 1979. Today, the business doesn’t repair any cathode ray tube TVs. Instead, the focus is largely on installing complex home audiovisual systems and making them as easy to use as possible for the homeowner. “It’s a turnkey system that when we’re done, they come home and they use it and don’t have to have a lot of instruction,” company President Tom Sampson said. “It’s something that’s very straightforward.” Sampson was 25 years old when he started his business and it was a whole different business in those days, he said. A large chunk of the business was spent on repairing equipment, he said. But as prices have dropped, repairs have become less frequent and simply purchasing new equipment instead has become the norm. Back in 1979, the business was based on selling to a customer and going to their home and installing it, Sampson said. If it broke, a technician would go out and repair it. Now, it’s about selling an entire audiovisual system, not just a TV. “We design and build these systems and very rarely do we really sit and talk with customers anymore about television features or amplifier features,” Sampson said. “They come to us and they want a turnkey system.”

LOCAL BREWERIES

www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S3

BOTTOMS UP, Brainerd lakes area Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Owner Chris French ﬁlls a beer from the tap at Big Axe Brewing Company in Nisswa.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

The beers at Cuyuna Brewing Company in Crosby have names inspired by the nearby dormant mines.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Owner Mark Anderson talks about coming up with the name of Gull Dam Brewing in Nisswa.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Dubbed “crowlers,” these cans of beer at Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter hold 25 ounces of beer.

Spenser Bickett other and the collaborative community that comes Staﬀ Writer with brewing beer. A handful of local brewers have been working Mark Anderson, owner of Gull Dam Brewing hard the past few years to make Brainerd lakes in Nisswa, said when it comes to more breweries area breweries into destinations on par with the popping up in the area, “the more, the merrier.” area’s iconic lakes. Having more breweries makes Brainerd a more There are currently four breweries operating in attractive option for people who want to come to the area. A fifth brewery is planning to open later the area to try different breweries, he said. this year and a sixth brewery is planning for a Anderson’s interactions with the area brewers spring 2017 opening. has a lot to do with navigating different These breweries are the local representation of a government regulations. He’s closest to Chris national and statewide trend of craft beer growth. French, owner of Big Axe Brewing Company, The total number of U.S. breweries reached a because of their interactions with the Nisswa City record level in 2015, the U.S. Brewers Association Council. reported in December. As of late last year there “Our relationships have mostly been talking were 4,144 breweries in the country, topping the about local government issues,” Anderson said. historic high of 4,131 breweries in 1873. There wasn’t much competition for breweries Minnesota hasn’t been immune to the trend last summer when Big Axe opened, French said. either, as the number of breweries in Minnesota Since then, Roundhouse Brewery opened in has steadily grown in the past few years, according Brainerd and two other breweries announced to the Brewer’s Association. A search for breweries plans to open. There’s a lot of bars and restaurants in Minnesota on the Brewer’s Association website in the area that seem to get by, he said, so having reveals 172 breweries. multiple breweries shouldn’t be an issue. According to the association, beer production “People are enjoying craft beer and supporting nationwide fell 0.2 percent in 2015, while craft it,” French said. beer production increased 13 percent. The Brewer’s The breweries in the area are friendly with each Association is a trade association representing other, French said, because if they work together, small and independent American craft brewers. they all benefit. Something like a brewery tour However you look at the numbers, craft beer that stopped at all the breweries would be an production has grown nationally and statewide “excellent benefit to all of us,” he said. and in the past few years, the trend has seeped “We’ll all just keep working to do the best we into the Brainerd lakes area. Still, the local craft can to make the best beer,” French said. “Let’s brewery community is a young one: the oldest craft brewery in the area, Jack Pine Brewery in BOTTOMS UP: Page S7 Baxter, opened in January 2013, less than four years ago. The area brews have already started popping up at beer festival events in the area, including the upcoming Harvest Moon Brew Fest Sept. 10 in Aitkin. Jack Pine Brewery, Big Axe Brewing Company, Cuyuna Brewing Company and Roundhouse Brewery will join the selection of beers from throughout the state at the event. The annual Grand January 2013 Jack Pine Brewery opens Brewfest at Grand View Lodge October 2014 Gull Dam Brewing opens also features area breweries in May 2015 Big Axe Brewing addition to breweries from the Company opens rest of the state. April 2016 Roundhouse Brewery opens Nisswa connections Fall 2016 planned opening for With four and soon to be Cuyuna Brewing Company six breweries in the area Spring 2017 planned opening for looking for consumers, people Local Artisan Brewery might think the breweries Spring 2017 planned opening of Jack are elbowing themselves out Pine Brewery expansion of the way for their part of the market share. Instead, the breweries have embraced each

For Your Info

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

The Local Artisan Brewery plans to open in spring of 2017 in the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Much of the wood at Roundhouse Brewery in the Northern Paciﬁc Center in Brainerd is reclaimed or reused.

Timeline of Brainerd lakes area breweries

Advertorial

Brekken’s: Providing Trendy and Unique Clothing to Area Residents By Becky Flansburg

being a unique characteristic of being a part of the Brekken’s staff. A graduate of Bemidji State University, Chad and wife, Cindy, are parents of Paige, Jordan and Aiden. The Brekken’s “family” includes Bob’s sister Paula Parrish, who has worked in the office for more than 30 years; sales associate Cindy Moberg, who has been on the Brekken’s staff for 22 years; Clarice Hardy who has been with Brekken’s for 12 years, Elli Watson who is celebrating five years with Brekken’s; Patrick Rivard, who is in his first year, and many other valued parttime sales associates. “The retail environment has changed so much over the last 30 years,” Bob noted. “Thanks to the vision and dedication of my team, this business can continually reinvent itself so we can keep offering our customers the latest trends and brands. There is a great family bond among everyone here and that family-like atmosphere spills over into how we treat our customers as well. We want everyone who shops here to walk away feeling good about their experience at Brekken’s, and also about their purchases. I believe that is what makes us unique. You won’t find anything quite like Brekken’s in the Brainerd lakes area.”

Thanks to our customers and our wonderful staff for another successful year of providing fashions and footwear to the Brainerd Lakes Area.

62 Years We couldn’t have done it without our great customers and we wouldn’t have great customers without our tremendously loyal staff.

Janet Banick Buyer/Merchandiser 20 years Full Time

Chad Davis Sales Manager/Internet 10 years Full Time

Cindy Moberg - Sales, 22 Years Claraice Hardy - Sales, 12 Years Elli Watson - Sales/Formal Wear, 5 Years

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Brekkens in Westgate Mall 001460209r1

Brekken’s Clothiers first opened its doors in 1954 in historic downtown Brainerd as a one of a kind retailer with a passion for providing trendy and unique clothing to area residents. Brekken’s is still going strong in its current Westgate Mall location over 60 years later under the direction of Bob Brekken, who continues to carry on Brekken’s dedication to community, quality merchandise and superior customer service. Brekken’s 4,000 square foot store is filled with the latest fashions, footwear and accessories for men and women from brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Roxy, Quicksilver, Billabong, UGG, Hurley and Fox. Brekken credits his loyal customers and dedicated staff for the continued growth and success of Brekken’s. Twenty years after starting as a sales associate, Buyer/Merchandiser Janet Banick strives to bring the latest styles and fashions to the Brekken’s sales floor. The Pierz native and her husband Todd are parents of five and grandparents of seven. Janet loves merchandising and the satisfaction that comes from seeing customers enjoy purchasing the fashions she has personally selected for Brekken’s. Sales manager and Internet Sales Director Chad Davis has been part of the Brekken’s staff for 10 years. The Verndale native cites the “family environment” as

Brainerd/Baxter www.brekkens.com

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S4 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

OLD STUFF resurfaces DeLynn Howard Staﬀ Writer When the Brainerd Dispatch polled readers looking for businesses with old office equipment on display or still in use, the Dispatch’s 1979 Bell and Howell Microfilm Reader came to mind. It sits in a small room near the Brainerd Dispatch newsroom. Former Dispatch publisher Terry McCollough uses the microfilm reader to compile information for the This Was Brainerd section on the editorial page of the Dispatch. He’s been gathering information from back issues of the newspaper since at least 2009. Former Advertising Manager Bob Turcotte did the column before that. McCollough sifts through the Dispatch on the microfilm reader from 20, 30, 40, 60, 80 and 100 years ago and pulls tidbits from each day for the well-read column. It’s quite the tedious process as McCollough needs to treat the machine with kid gloves. There are no parts available for the reader with the exception of light bulbs. “It and I, we’re slowly wearing out together,” said McCollough. The following businesses submitted some interesting items. The most unusual has to be the suppository maker from Roberts Drug. Marshik, Brainerd Savings and Loan, 524 S. Sixth St., Brainerd.

Submitted Photo

READERS CHOICE

Submitted Photo

Bob Perkins, regional manager of ﬁeld services at TDS Telecom, has a shelf of phones illustrating some of the history of the telephone industry.

A history of telephones Submitted Photo

This suppository maker from Roberts Drug was spared from the downtown Brainerd ﬁre that destroyed the drug store. The suppository maker was at the home of Mary and the late Duane Roberts at the time of the ﬁre.

Suppository maker from Roberts Drug Mary Roberts, wife of the late Duane Roberts, who owned Roberts Drug in Brainerd for many years until 1987 when it burned to the ground, submitted this picture of a suppository maker that was at their home when the drug store burned down. Mary Roberts said: “This machine was an advance, over rolling them with your own hands (as my husband, Duane, was taught to do in pharmacy school). He said it was very difficult to roll suppositories by hand in hot weather. It came with the store when he bought it.”

“In my office at TDS Telecom in Pequot Lakes, I have a shelf that shows some of the history of the telephone industry, including several types of phones, switches, insulators, test equipment and phone books. On the top shelf is a candlestick phone from 1936. The two copper phones, one on the top shelf and one on the second shelf, are from the 1950s. One is from Sweden and one is from Amsterdam. The black phone on the third shelf is the one my family used in our greenhouse business, Perkins Garden Center, when I was a kid. It’s from the late 1940s or early 1950s. The tan phone on the bottom shelf is a German hotel phone. The switches on display go through the history of phone systems from the 1930s to the 1980s, including a common battery phone, a step switch and an electronic switch. Digital switches are used today. The test equipment shown on the second and bottom shelves are what technicians would have used in the 1960s. The insulators on the top shelf were used on open wire telephone service lines. The second shelf contains two old phone books from 1957 and 1958, back from the party line days.” — Submitted by Bob Perkins, regional manager of field services, TDS Telecom.

Submitted Photo

Business cards the original owner of Pike Plumbing & Heating Roy Pike would distribute for advertising in the 1940s.

This Royal, B Model Typewriter is on display with its case at Brainerd Savings and Loan Association.

Pike Plumbing business cards

Geek for old stuff

“These are cards the original owner of Pike Plumbing & Heating Roy Pike would distribute for advertising in the 1940s. “If you had a hose that was leaking you would take off the gaskets (wheels) and replace it on your hose. We also have a photo but we have no idea who the couple is but we figure it had to have been taken in the early ‘40s when Pike was on South Sixth Street before he moved to Washington Street.” — Submitted by Jenny Kiehlbauch, administrative assistant, Pike Plumbing and Heating of Brainerd Inc.

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“I saw your call for photos of vintage office equipment in the paper. Here are a couple shots of my IBM Selectric III typewriter, a set of Telex headphones (like I used in kindergarten) and an old embosser with the church’s name on it for official correspondence. I’m a geek for old stuff like this, and churches have a ton of old stuff lying around. The typewriter still gets used when processing marriage licenses and other official documents and I’ll even use the embosser from time to time.” — Submitted by Pastor John Stiles, First Lutheran Church, 424 S. Eighth St., Brainerd.

Advertorial

Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch

Old oﬃce items from the Brainerd Dispatch include a waxer, a machine which coated the reverse side of text, photos and ads with wax. Those pieces were used to create a page for oﬀset printing. That page was photographed with a camera producing a negative image which was then used to create a printing plate.

OLD STUFF: Page S7

PEQUOT TOOL & MANUFACTURING

Pequot Tool and Manufacturing Provides Innovative Solutions To Customers’ Diverse Needs

Precision Machining • Fabrication • Assembly

By JODIE TWEED

Pequot Tool extends a heart-felt Thank You to all of our employees For their service and dedication. We wish you and your family a Relaxing Labor Day Holiday! 001452769r1

their customers. They work with many material types including steel, aluminum, stainless steel (300 & 400 series, 17-4, 15-5), brass, Inconel, titanium, hastelloy, and plastics. CNC Fabrication and Assembly Capabilities The Metal Fabrication Department at Pequot Tool and Manufacturing produces everything from component parts to complete assemblies, from prototype through production. They proudly offer world-class manufacturing and quality products based on their 35 years of industry experience in tool and fixture design, stampings, CNC punching and forming, laser processing of sheet, plate and tubing, welding, and assembly. They work closely with their quality-approved vendors to provide outside services, such as painting, powder coating, plating, heat treating and silk screening. They deliver value to their customers by offering design assistance and, in many cases, providing total project management including assembly, mechanical testing and warehousing for just-in-time deliveries. They work with many material types, including steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass and plastics. Employment Opportunities Pequot Tool and Manufacturing offers dream-come-true careers for skilled, experienced CNC machinists or & fabricators who have advanced skills in programming, setup and trouble shooting. If you enjoy a fast-paced production environment and want to produce intricate, close-tolerance parts on exotic and standard materials, then contact Pequot Tool and Manufacturing. Other opportunities can include CNC fabricators, welders, stamping and assembly, material handling, metal finishing and deburring, quality control, packaging, engineering, purchasing, inventory control and administrative careers in management and accounting. For more information on careers, visit their employment page at www.pequottool.com.

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Located in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes area in Pequot Lakes, Pequot Tool and Manufacturing has established itself as a machining and fabrication leader in the state. The locally owned and operated company provides innovative solutions to their customers’ diverse needs by producing high-quality component parts and complete assemblies. The company was founded in 1981 by Josef and Agnes Goerges. Thirty-five years later, the business has experienced steady growth with 95,000 square feet spread through several buildings in Jenkins. The business also grew from three employees to 180 employees today. Karlo Goerges, the Goerges’ eldest son, serves as chief executive officer, while his brothers, Joe, Mike, Brian and Gary also work in the family business. Their sister, Angela, also worked for the business for many years and although not active in the daily operations, serves on the Board of Directors and is a stockholder. There are seven siblings in the family, and all have at one time or another worked there. Customer Successes Pequot Tool has earned their significant repeat business from their valued customers in industries including aircraft, firearm components, medical, computing, printing, electrical equipment, industrial equipment, hydraulics and more. Most of their business comes through referrals from satisfied customers. At Pequot Tool and Manufacturing, they don’t just meet expectations – they exceed them. Precision Machining Capabilities Pequot Tool and Manufacturing provides a wide range of precision-machined component parts, from concept to full production, from basic to complex. Their experienced and continually trained workforce uses a full complement of state-of-the-art CNC milling centers, including both horizontal and vertical capabilities. They also feature Swiss turning and CNC multi-task turning to ensure customers’ satisfaction. The Engineering Department at Pequot Tool and Manufacturing uses the latest CAD/ CAM technology to develop the CNC programs and download them directly to the appropriate machines. This same technology is transferable to their Quality Assurance Department for part verification with their cutting-edge inspection equipment. The Quality Assurance Department also maintains their functional-gauge calibration lab. To uphold their standards of excellence through every part of every job, they coordinate quality-approved outside services, such as heat treating, plating, anodizing, and painting for

P.O. Box 580, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 • 218-568-8069 • pequottool.com

INVESTMENTS

www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S5

Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch

This year marks the ﬁrst year of operations for the 54,000-square-foot FedEx Ground sorting and distribution facility in the Brainerd Industrial Park. The facility, which is south of the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds was completed in the fall of 2015.

INVESTING From Page S1

materialize. The names of retailers interested in the area have had a common refrain, including PetSmart, T.J. Maxx, Michaels. The proposed junior box retail center in Baxter was identified with tenants of T.J. Maxx, PetSmart, ULTA cosmetics and an unnamed national sports retailer. HJ Development also presented plans for stores and restaurants on the undeveloped land on the southwest corner of Glory Road and Highway 371 across the street from Olive Garden. Other proposals for business additions — particularly redevelopment attempts at the old Wal-Mart store site where Gander Mountain came and went. Excelsiorbased Oppidan, completed its purchase of the former Wal-Mart store in late 2014 for a price in excess of $3 million, with plans to redevelop the 117,000-squarefoot site. In 2016, those plans gained new momentum. The parking area, with its neglected pavement, is now oversized after WalMart’s move farther south. But in August a new proposal to construct two new buildings in the parking lot facing Highway 371 in front of Gander Mountain came forward. The proposal called for a coffee shop, dental office and retail and restaurant space. In addition, Oppidan stated there are plans to redevelop the Gander Mountain site as well in the near future. Expectations were for construction in 2017. There were remodels such as Cub Foods in Baxter. And major landscape changes with the landmark Bonanza being razed

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

If development plans progress, Costco in Baxter will have new neighbors as retailers TJ Maxx, Petsmart and ULTA cosmetics, as well as an unnamed national sporting goods retailer.

for a new Riverwood Bank. New additions to the community included Mattress Firm, which is building a store along Dellwood Drive along the Highway 371 strip. Royal Tire put an emphasis on Brainerd by tearing down its Washington Street store and putting a modern 6,200-square-foot building up on the same site. West Washington Street was noted for its redevelopment last year and that rennaisance may be poised for the street going east into Brainerd as well, as the former Plasteramics building was demolished and a grassy lot created in its place creating a future opportunity to resculpt a major thoroughfare in Brainerd. Repurposing continued at the Brainerd Industrial Center, formerly the Wausau Paper Mill, and at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd. This year, Graham Technology’s company Green Nature Cycle, a lawn specialist recycler and biofuel company, announced it would be leasing 40,000 square feet of space at the 600,000-square-foot BIC. Building projects added to Fairview Conservancy office park in Baxter and a new office building went up on Forthun Road for Chad Schwendeman’s Exit Realty company with additional tenants included in the office building. Retail development often gets the most attention for what it will offer consumers living and visiting the lakes area, but Haverkamp said the solid groundwork to support it needs to be laid by good-paying jobs and quality, affordable housing as well. After a drought in construction in recent years, crews were busy building at multiple sites across the lakes area communities. The much-anticipated Aldi grocery store was a recent addition to the Baxter

offerings next to Target and appears to have found a steady following. Other plans, like the expected Dunkin’ Donuts construction in Brainerd, never came to fruition. On the other hand, long-held dreams such as the Dennis Drummond Wine Company, took a promise and turned it into reality as ground was broken and work on the site to include a bistro and event center began in the summer of 2016. Manufacturers and large employers were part of the mix in adding jobs. Haverkamp pointed to growth at Ascensus, which employs hundreds in Brainerd, and at Clow Manufacturing in Merrifield. Growth was visible in construction Construction for 48,200-square-foot Avantech building in the Baxter Industrial Park, which was completed in the spring of 2016. The manufacturer is the sister company of LINDAR Corporation, which is across the street. Avantech, formerly Lakeland Mold Company, is a leading manufacturer of cast and CNC aluminum tooling for the global rotational molding industry. This year marks the first year of operations for the FedEx Ground sorting and distribution facility in the Brainerd Industrial Park. The facility, which is south of the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds was completed in the fall of 2015. It is the first building to go up in the Brainerd Industrial Park’s 2007 expansion site. Even with all this activity, it’s not a complete list. There were multiple projects across the lakes area from construction for Dollar General in Pillager to efforts to re-open closed eateries and make fresh starts on Mill Avenue and on Highway 371 by Brainerd International Raceway. Traditions also changes as the venerable Iven’s on the Bay closed and has a new future as Northern Cowboy Flame N’

Brew. Countless entrepreneurs also took the plunge this past year to take a chance at being their own bosses. Filling all the jobs created with the growth may be one of the biggest challenges going forward as Enterprise Minnesota noted in its annual update on the state of manufacturing. It’s a point echoed by the ubiquitous hiring signs and by area employers. Tourism, a backbone of the lakes area economy, appeared to be in a strong position. Mark Ronnei, general manager of Grand View Lodge, said a trend is coming in a changed view of spending time up north. Ronnei said the change is coming from the goal of owning a getaway cabin in the lakes area to using the resorts to serve that function on multiple visits in a year. Visitors who don’t want to spend their free weekend doing yard work and cabin maintenance and who have children looking for more to do are seeing a new way to get the lake experience. So for a lakes area, battered by storms that damaged buildings and downed century-old trees, there were challenges in 2016. But there was also a rekindled investment. At the Lakes Area Music Festival in Brainerd, co-founder John Taylor Ward said people often ask him about the festival — which brings world-class musicians to the Brainerd lakes area each summer. The most frequent question, Ward said, was: “Why Brainerd?” Ward said people here know why. Building on its natural resources and its work ethic, the lakes area may not be at the super-heated growth witnessed before the long and painful Great Recession, but as BLAEDC’s Haverkamp noted, it is poised for steady growth. RENEE RICHARDSON, managing editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz.

Advertorial

A Charming Host

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes By Becky Flansburg Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes rates or they can be purchased for day visiwould like to thank the community for vis- tors as well. iting their premier vacation area hotel, waIf meetings and events are on the itinterpark, meeting and event spaces and the erary, The Sands Ballroom can accomBaxter’s Bar & Grill. The dedicated team modate groups and wedding receptions at Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes is for up to 300 people. Three smaller meetcommitted to making wonderful memories ing rooms can accommodate groups from and creating great experiences for all of 14 to 50 people. Event or meeting attendtheir guests. ees will benefit from a new banquet menu Arrowwood Lodge has 102 spacious designed to take care of any group’s food rooms and suites; so large they are called and beverage needs. Full service catering “cabins.” Each room is comfortably de- is available to serve guests for special ocsigned for the business or vacation trav- casions like wedding receptions, board reeler in mind. Room amenities include a treats or family gatherings. refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, Check out their new website at www. hair dryer, iron and ironing board and free arrowwoodbrainerd or call them at (218) high-speed internet. Other conveniences 822-5634 for more details or to answer any include a fitness center that is perfect for a questions you may have. staycation workout and several rooms and suites that have outdoor patios overlooking the courtyard. Baxter’s Bar & Grill is Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes’ onsite place to dine and relax with a favorite beverage and amazing menu items. Guests can choose from appetizers, sandwiches, steaks, seafood, pasta, hand tossed and wood fire pizzas, fresh salads with house made dressings, and much more. Large groups will appreciate the private dining room and all guests agree that the Lodge’s new look and experience is Northwood’s dining at its best! For those looking for some great recreation or downtime activities, there is always something fun to do in the courtyard. Guests can enjoy Arrowwood Lodge’s new zip line, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits or simply enjoy the evening out by the bon fire. Their littlest guests are also sure to have a good time on the courtyard’s adventure-filled children’s play set or at the Paul Bunyan Indoor Waterpark. Passes to the waterpark are included in most room

Baxter’s Bar & Grill at Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes

Come in and check out our new menu

(but we kept your old favorites too!)

Daily specials for food and drinks! Come in and experience it for yourself... fine dining with a casual atmosphere.

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Happy Labor Day! Baxter’s Bar & Grill | 6967 Lake Forest Road Baxter, MN | (218) 822 - FOOD www.arrowwoodbrainerd.com 001449052r1

HOME THEATER

S6 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

From Page S2

Doing it all Many of the new customers to Tom’s TV are referred there by satisfied customers, Sampson said. Most of those new customers aren’t aware of what a professional audiovisual system is capable of. “A lot of people don’t realize this can all be done,” Sampson said. The “this” Sampson is referring to includes hitting one button on a touchscreen remote and having the lights in a home theater dim, a projector lower from the ceiling and a projector screen descend from the ceiling, all at once. Hitting another button to watch TV turns on the cable receiver and automatically switches the TV to the correct input for cable. Sampson also noted how voice recognition technology will soon be at the point where someone can control the lights, speakers, TVs and more in their home with voice commands. “We’re taking that item and incorporating it into an entire turnkey system, that’s where the money is made,” Sampson said. Sampson revealed one way he’s been able to generate business over the years. When installing control panels with digital displays, he would program the display to say something like “Welcome to the Jones residence.” Other people would laugh and say he was crazy for doing it, he said, but there was a reason behind it. “My feeling was that if they ever sell the house guess what’s going to happen? The new owner’s going to call us to change that name,” Sampson said. “And it works every time.” When installing a new system, Sampson always makes sure the system can be easily serviced in the future. This means installing equipment on an easily accessible rack or mounting a TV on a swinging rack, so it can be pulled away from a wall. These touches can cost a little more, he said, but saves time down the road. “Saves us a headache and we probably make less money that way, but it just makes that much nicer for the homeowner,” Sampson said. From time to time, Tom’s TV will tackle installing an audiovisual system in a recreational vehicle, Sampson said, but it’s rare. It’s often problematic work and can involve pulling up and replacing the interior of an RV in order to properly install wiring and cabling. Tom’s TV also doesn’t install audio systems in cars or boats, instead leaving that work to

capable car audio businesses. “That’s kind of a whole other arena,” Sampson said. “It’s a pretty specialized trade and we let the car audio guys handle that.” Instead of compelling his employees to think outside the box, Sampson said, he tells them to think inside the box and stay in their box. The “box” is an employee’s skill set and knowledge base, so when an employee ventures out of their box, “you’re going to get into things you don’t understand,” he said. To combat these limits, Sampson and his employees are always studying and learning about new equipment and technology, in order to expand their boxes and give them more tools for problem-solving. Each employee has a different-sized box, he said, and brings different skills to the business. “Between the bunch of them, somebody’s always got the knowledge and the expertise that it takes to get the job done,” Sampson said.

Congregation customization Earlier this summer, Tom’s TV installed a custom audiovisual system for Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Backus. Pastor Stephan Rutherford said the system consists of three large, about 75-inch TVs mounted in the sanctuary that are used to display the order of service and song lyrics during services. Several members initially approached the rest of the congregation and offered to cover the cost if the church decided to install the system, Rutherford said. The congregation voted to accept the proposal, he said, and appointed a committee to manage the project. Several members of the congregation knew about Tom’s TV and had heard good things about the business. Tom’s TV installed a system at Living Savior Lutheran Church in Lake Shore a few years ago, so members decided to approach the business for an initial quote. Working with Tom’s TV was simple and straightforward, Rutherford said. The business initially met with members of the congregation in Nisswa to talk about what the members wanted in the system and Tom’s TV clearly outlined what was possible, he said. After that, employees came to the church to chart and map the system and then sent a detailed proposal to the church. The congregation accepted the proposal and a couple weeks later, a crew came and installed the system in under a week. The entire system is controlled by one touchscreen remote, Rutherford said. Once the system was installed, Sampson spent about 2-3 minutes showing Rutherford how to use it, “and frankly, that was all one needed,” Rutherford said.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Service technician Scott Niedfeldt explains a dedicated home theater system set up for demonstrations at Tom’s TV in Brainerd. “They did a really good job of making that a very simple, straightforward, kind of intuitive control scheme,” Rutherford said. It’s also possible for the system to show movies or display a feed of the camera mounted in the sanctuary, but the church hasn’t used those functions yet, Rutherford said. Initially there were a few members who weren’t sure if they’d like the system, he said, but after a few weeks of use, almost all the members rely exclusively on the system during services. “By and large, everyone really appreciates it,” Rutherford said.

Customer connection For the most part, Sampson said his business isn’t targeted to the person who just wants to go to a big box store and buy a certain size TV and connect it to a Blu-ray player. That’s a simple system and doesn’t require professional setup. Instead, he said his business is going after the customer who wants something better than what the chain stores offer. “They want that turnkey experience,” Sampson said. “They don’t want to … get loaded up with a whole car full of boxes and go home and have to figure out how to hook all this stuff up.” Having a custom, professional home audiovisual system is much simpler and easier than buying different pieces of equipment separately and trying to put it together yourself, Sampson said. It often results in a coffee table full of remote controls, which Sampson uses when he visits a customer’s home. He simply asks the homeowner to turn the TV onto cable service. “They don’t know how to do it,” Sampson said. “So that’s when I bring up our control systems.” Sampson offers a personal deal to homeowners who purchase a control system. If they use it for five days and

Advertorial

Educated, Experienced, and Excited About What We Do By SARAH KATZENBERGER

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SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett.

J.N. Landscaping

JN Landscaping Storm damage can leave a previously well-landscaped yard looking like a messy new construction site. Even once the mulch and rocks are cleaned up that grass is trimmed again, it seems like it would take years to get back the shade provided by large trees that have fallen. Not when JN Tree Service Landscaping is on the job. The Fort Ripley based company owned and operated by ISA certified arborist, Joe Nelson has equipment capable of gently moving and replanting trees up to 30 feet tall. “That’s a big tree,” Nelson said. “That’s instant shade.” Nelson said the company’s specialized method of replanting large shade and evergreen trees not only provides an instant change to landscape, they also ensure healthier longer lasting trees. “The odds of the tree staying healthy and living are way higher than trees planted that are balled and burlapped,” Nelson said. JN Tree Service and Landscaping also specializes in building boulder retaining walls, boulder rock garden and rip-rap shorelines. They work with clients to install serene waterfalls and ponds along with sodding, shrubbery and flowers. Looking for the perfect way to set the backyard scene for those warm Minnesota summer nights? JN Landscaping design and install pavers, patio and a backyard fire pit with a unique look providing the perfect ambience to share with friends and family. In addition to repair landscaping lost to storm damage, JN Tree Service and Landscaping works with homeowners on new construction projects as well as those looking for landscape revitalization or a complete redesign. For more wooded properties needing some landscaping changes, JN Tree Service also orders wilderness clearing. JN will clear out trees and underbrush to help uncover to right canvas to expand your home’s landscaping and improve your property’s versatility.

it isn’t easier to operate, he’ll come back and remove it free of charge. “I’ve never taken one back, it works every time,” Sampson said. “Once somebody has one, they won’t live without one.” Most of the time, the TV in a system from Tom’s TV is selected on size, not features, Sampson said. Most customers don’t even know what brand of TV they have, he said, they just want it to work. A lot of Tom’s TV customers have a home audiovisual system in another home, Sampson said, so they know what a professional system can do. This has resulted in Sampson doing a lot of work in the Twin Cities and throughout the country, because customers love the system in their second home and want one installed in their primary residence. The past few years, Sampson has tried to cut down on the outstate jobs, he said, because it can get too time consuming and has a low return on investment. One outstate job that sticks out was one in Las Vegas that was featured in two local newspapers, he said, where one of the customer’s neighbors was Celine Dion. Children in the exclusive housing development would stop and stare at Sampson’s cheap airport rental car, he said, but the Maseratis, Lamborghinis, the Ferraris, “they didn’t give them a second look.” Sampson recalled the homeowner’s reaction at a recently completed job as a rewarding aspect of what he does. Once the system controls were turned over to the man, he raced around the yard and the deck, testing out the outdoor audio speakers, a smile plastered on his face. “It’s like a 12-year-old kid at Christmas,” Sampson said. “That’s a good feeling when you’re done and people are really happy with what you do.”

For more information on the services offered by JN Tree Service and Landscaping visit their website at www. jntreeservice-landscaping.com/ or call (800) 630-2960.

Educated, Experienced, and Excited About What We Do! • BOULDER RETAINING WALLS • BOULDER ROCK GARDENS • RIP RAP SHORELINES • WATERFALLS & PONDS • SODDING • SHRUBBERY

Nelson has equipment capable of gently moving and replanting trees up to 30 feet tall. “That’s a big tree,”

• FLOWERS • PAVER STONE PATIOS, WALKWAYS, AND FIREPITS • LANDSCAPE REVITALIZATION OR REDESIGN • LARGE SHADE TREES AND EVERGREEN TREES • ROCK & MULCH LANDSCAPING

Nelson said. “That’s instant shade.”

1.800.630.2960 218.232.7328 www.jntreeservice-landscaping.com

Locally Owned & Operated

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www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S7

OLD STUFF

Submitted Photo

Jill Beyer submitted this photo of a switchboard that has been in her oﬃce building since the early 1900s. The building was originally her grandparents’ home along with Arvig Telephone Company.

From Page S4

Switchboard on display “This switchboard has been in my office building since the early 1900s. The building was originally my grandparents’ home along with Arvig Telephone Company. They lived in it along with running it as a business in the front where the switchboard sits. The building was moved when the new Arvig Telephone office building was built (now TDS). After that, it was my grandma’s home until she died and then offices for various businesses over the years, including Pine River Bank, Citi Lites Cable Locators, Interlake Cable, We Like It Website designers. Currently used as offices for Wildwedge Golf and RV Park and Birdie Babe Golf.” — Submitted by Jill Beyer.

Submitted Photo

This is a an old check writer at Brainerd Savings and Loan. Brenda Marshik says to validate a check, just “pull the hammer down.

Brainerd Savings and Loan Association “Here at Brainerd Savings and Loan Association, we don’t have any oldest pieces of anything. We have antiques and achieved history. We have a hightech Royal, B Model Typewriter with case and all its paraphernalia, including the purchase receipt. You can still listen to the rat-tat-tat of the keys as you depress them, a true treasure to be sure. If you have a taste for the nostalgic, you can still sit in the old high-backed, wooden chair that was once placed in front of the typewriter, sadly relegated at present to a ‘water closet.’ Or, if you prefer, you can punch the keys of the old check writer and pull the ‘hammer’ down to validate a check. “Unfortunately not for public view, Brainerd Savings and Loan still has one of the original, hand-written ledgers from the fire complete with soot and dust from the ‘fire-proof cabinets.’ We were known as Brainerd Building and Loan in the old Baehr Building down on Front Street — the name always makes me think of the old movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’” — Submitted by Brenda Marshik, Brainerd Savings and Loan, 524 S. Sixth St., Brainerd.

BOTTOMS UP From Page S3

hope the area supports all of us and we’re all successful.” There will definitely be more breweries coming to the area, French said, because it’s a great business to start small

and grow incrementally. There’s not many barriers to entry, he said, other than market saturation.

Brainerd/ Baxter bond Roundhouse Brewery co-owner and president Mark Lelwica said he was shocked by the reception he got when

he told brewers in the area about their plans to open a brewery. They were welcomed with open arms, he said, and he learned quickly the craft brewing community is a fraternity of passionate people. “I never envisioned this to be a competition,” Lelwica said. “I’ve always envisioned this to be a collaboration.” Co-owner and chief financial officer Dan Meyer has already started meeting patrons who have come to the area because there’s now four breweries to check out. It’s hard to predict where the local brewery community is going to go, Lelwica said. The area will be covered well for the next couple of years, which will force brewers to produce a better product, he said. Some more breweries might pop up, but they’ll need a good product and a good experience to do well. There’s plenty of opportunities for brewers if they scale their production correctly, Meyer said. A brewer needs to identify their market and build their system to fit it, as opposed to starting small and hoping to explode in growth, like Summit

Brewing Company in St. Paul did. “Frankly, I’d hate to see somebody try to open one and fail,” Meyer said. “Because then right away, it sort of puts a black eye on the rest of us.” Jack Pine Brewery owner Patrick Sundberg knows all the other brewers at the area breweries “on a first-name basis,” he said. It’s good to have people like that to bounce ideas off of, he said. A brewery taproom feels like a neighborhood pub, he said, and everyone has their favorite one. Still, a lot of local craft beer fans go to different breweries and don’t stick to just one. “You don’t really have much of a brand loyalty,” Sundberg said. “You always want to try new flavors, experiment with new things.” The collaborative relationship with the area breweries means more potential for beer tourism, Sundberg said. When he started, his was the only brewery within 60 miles. Now, people can visit the area for a day and hit four breweries.

Growing group So far, Cuyuna Brewing Company owner Nick Huisinga has met some of the Roundhouse Brewery

owners, who provided him with some tips for inspections. He’s also met with Sundberg and talked about different setups for brewery equipment. He also has connections with Foxhole Brewhouse in Willmar and Goat Ridge Brewing Company in New London. “Other brewers are happy to help out,” Huisinga said. “Everybody I’ve talked to has been great and the community’s been great.” Brewers have a mentality that they’re not competing with each other, Huisinga said. Rather, they’re competing against beer behemoths like Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller for the overall beer market share. “When you have that mentality and that idea, you can help somebody out,” Huisinga said. Larger breweries have started taking notice of the booming growth of homebrewing, Huisinga said. Some have taken the step of posting scaleddown versions of their beer recipes online so people can try them at home. “It’s really neat because it’s about raising more awareness and making quality craft beer, not

about competing with each other,” Huisinga said. Before Prohibition, there used to be a brewery in every town, Huisinga said, because it was the only way for people to get beer before refrigerated shipping came around. Today, local breweries are part of the “buy local” movement and are helping bring communities together, he said. The Local Artisan Brewery wants to be a part of the local brewery community, co-owner Jesse Bleichner said, in order to draw people to the area and promote brewery tourism. The Bleichners were waiting until the lease was signed before reaching out to the area brewers and letting them know about their plans, co-owner Jessica Bleichner said. They’ve toured the breweries and hope to organize brewery tours or other events with the breweries, she said. “Any of the towns that we’ve visited where there’s multiple breweries, they help each other out,” Jessica said. “I hope for it to definitely be a fun community.” SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow

Advertorial

Brewery Expansion Planned for Spring

before opening the brewery gave him valuable experience that he has been able to apply in his own business. “This facility has served us really well,” he says of the location on College Drive. “I started the business on overgrown home brew equipment basically. It was very cost effective. But the new location will offer some nice benefits.” The tap room is one part of the brewery that has been a pleasant surprise. “Our tap room is too small. I didn’t realize that this was going to hit such a nerve with people and that so many people would love essentially coming into a garage and having a couple beers with their friends.” The new facility means being able to expand the Tap Room hours and being able to offer space to rent out for birthday parties and for charitable organizations that might need space to meet and for other events. Production will also easily double for Jack Pine Brewery in the new facility and a canning line will be implemented to compliment the production of the 22 oz. bottles already sold at retail outlets from the Brainerd lakes to St. Cloud.

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When Jack Pine Brewery opened in Baxter three and a half years ago, it was the only brewery within 60 miles. Each year the business has continued to grow and this spring it will move from the current location on College Drive to a new building, just south of Arrowwood Lodge. Expanding from 3300 square feet to 7400 will allow the brewery to add additional equipment, and make space for more customers during its popular taproom hours. “And we’ll be able to add an outdoor patio, which is something we’ve always wanted to do,” he says. When Sundberg started the brewery he was a staff of one and a few volunteers. Today he has three full-time employees and seven part-time workers. He plans to hire additional staff once the new building is ready. Sundberg started brewing his own beer when he was in college. He found the process interesting, fun to tinker with, and he enjoyed all of the science in the process. Graduating from college with majors in math and physics, he says he worked in engineering and quality control before deciding to go into business for himself. Sundberg says all of the places that he worked

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By Sheila Helmberger

S8 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com Advertorial

Accra Home Care Services Available Accra, a nationally recognized name in home care for more than 20 years, has expanded its services to the Brainerd area. Accra’s mission is to provide services and supports to people with disabilities and older adults living at home in their community. As a non-profit organization since 1991, Accra has provided services that support the independence of the individual. Accra knows that the individual or family with disabilities need to find high quality caregivers and are determined to keep a high rate of pay for those Personal Care Assistants so that the goal of long term care for the consumer, remains with the same care provider for consistency, familiarity and overall care. Person-centered planning puts the individual and/or family in control of the choices that affect their lives. Accra offers Personal Care Assistance services for children and adults with disabilities, chronic diseases, behavioral diagnoses and mental illness who need assistance with personal care in their home

or in the community. These services are funded through government health care programs to help individuals who are unable to fully care for themselves and allow them to stay in their homes. Personal Care Assistance can help with “activities of daily living” such as dressing, grooming, eating, bathing, transfers, mobility, positioning and toileting, as well as other healthrelated tasks, re-direction of behaviors and “instrumental activities of daily living” such as light housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation for adults. When young adults with disabilities are preparing to make the transition from high school to work or postsecondary school, services and programs do not discontinue. At its best, the person-centered planning process can strengthen the transition to post-school activities by: • Enhancing the quality of assessment and planning activities for both high school transition and adult services for youth with disabilities; • Fostering positive working relationships between families and professionals;

•

• • •

Providing a way for educators and case managers from other agencies to better coordinate their services; Connecting families to adult service agencies before a student leaves high school; Helping ensure that services support the youth’s goals and lead to successful outcomes; and Helping identify and cultivate natural supports in the community.

To qualify for PCA (Personal Care Assistance) services, a consumer must receive Medical Assistance (MA), be eligible for the Alternative Care program for qualifying seniors or pay privately. Consumers, who have already identified their PCA, can direct their own care or have a responsible party assist them. They are also able to communicate these cares to the PCA providing services.

How to get PCA Services from Accra? 1. Do you have Medical Assistance (MA)? If yes, go to step 2. If no, you will need to apply for MA by contacting your county human services office or you can call MN Care State Office at 651297-3862 or 800-657-3672, or print an application at www.dhs. state.mn.us/healthcare or apply online at www.applymn.dhs. mn.gov. 2. Have you had an assessment to qualify you to receive PCA services? If yes, go to Step 3. If no, you will need to contact your county or health plan for a nurse to come out to authorize services. Tell the nurse at the time of the assessment that you want Accra to be your PCA provider. 3. Do you have PCA with another company, but want to switch to Accra? If yes, the process is easy. We will have you sign a change of agency form and help coordinate the transfer of services to our agency.

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www.accracare.org

For further information regarding any of Accra’s services – call our Brainerd office at 218-270-5905 or 866-935-3515. You can also visit us at www.accracare.org. Accra is also providing educational forums for any school, mental health facility, hospital or Moms groups that would like more information on services

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Brainerd Labor Day Progress ad.pdf

NO LIMITS. JUST POSSIBILITIES. 25 years of knowledge, experience and resources. We provide personalized services and supports to children, adults and families of all abilities and age, helping them live their lives without limits.

Non-Profit Home Care Agency

Call our Brainerd office and ask about the possibilities!

218-270-5905 or 866-935-3515

www.accracare.org

BRAINERD LAKES AREA

Progress Edition B R A I N E R D

www.brainerddispatch.com

D I S P A T C H

L A B O R

D A Y

SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881

S P E C I A L

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

AJ Metalworks in Crosby: Father-son venture creates a path back to hometown living

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Ryan Witt, a prize employee of AJ Metalworks in Crosby, welds together a metal frame for a chair. Witt currently has ﬁve years of welding experience.

Tamara Horton Dispatch Intern When Jeff Aumock and his son Jay Aumock first purchased AJ Metalworks in Crosby in February of 2014, the father-son duo was interested in creating enough business to establish themselves and eventually allow Jeff to retire near his old stomping grounds, the Brainerd lakes area. Jeff lives in Princeton and has been in the metal fabrication business for over 35 years. He owned his own metal shop there for 21 years after leaving the Navy. “I was looking for something to get back up here,” Jeff said about why they chose to purchase a shop in Crosby. He loves the lakes area and enjoys spending time with his parents, who live on Roy Lake. Jeff has interest in land near Gull Lake but he joked, “If you love what you are doing why would you want to retire?” Jay currently resides in Becker with his family and stays here with his grandparents during the week instead of making the haul back and forth every night. The oldest of four Aumock siblings, Jay has grown up around metal fabrication shops his entire life, learning the tricks of the trade from his dad and other machinists or welders he has worked with through the years. “I always took every welding class in high school,” Jay said. “The rest of my training was just being around the shop since I was at least 10.” The business, located at 660 Superior Ave. in Crosby, is a contract job shop that handles metal repairs, welding, fabrication, shearing, sawing and custom work. Jeff can also partner jobs with Becker Machine and Tool (a shop he still manages in Princeton) in order to offer full machining capabilities for anything they can’t currently do in house. One of their largest customers, Kutzke Furniture of White Bear Lake, provides them with custom orders that they

fill regularly for different models of chairs used in the medical industry. The chairs are typically seen in waiting rooms or cafeterias. Another job they are working on is for foodservice shelving for Croft Pub & Grub, a new establishment in Crosby. They also work locally with United Packaging, fabricating miscellaneous metal reinforcement and mounting brackets for their industrial packaging products that are used to encase large items for shipping. In his spare time, Jay is always looking for new ideas to increase sales. For example, during the winter he has designed some heavy-duty metal spears and scoops, some of which have a custom Marvel Comics “Punisher” logo cut-out on them — a unique request from a customer. They have also made custom fireplace rings and customized metal pieces to decorate the gussets and other hardware of log homes. Spring tends to be a busy time for AJ Metalworks. People putting their docks in discover damage and are looking for a place that can provide a fast turnaround to get their dock ready for the season. Jay has fixed many pontoons, docks, boats, and several aluminum repair jobs have come to them due to the recent storms that passed through in July as well. One good turn deserves another, and such is the case with AJ Metalworks. They often get referrals from customers in the Brainerd lakes area and do business with metro area clients. “Being from Brainerd and growing up in Brainerd means a lot to people, too,” Jay said. “When they find out that you are trying to get back to the area people appreciate that.” Aumocks also purchase whatever shop supplies and inventory they can from local businesses. “This is a relatively small shop for what we do,” Jeff said. “Luckily we stay in the realm of small product lines that enable us to process them in the space that we have.”

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Jeﬀ Aumock, owner of AJ Metalworks in Crosby, enjoys sharing the details about his business. Aumock has over 35 years of experience in the industry. He explained that the cost of overhead and the equipment they have can get quite spendy, so keeping overhead low is key to a successful bottom line. Ryan Witt, an employee, is “the cream of the crop,” according to Jeff. Witt has been welding for five years and used to work with Jay building fireplaces before he came to work for AJ Metalworks. Witt lives in Crosby

and has been with the company almost since it began in 2014. Both Jeff and Jay commute over an hour each to get to the shop from home. “He made the commitment and moved right away,” said Jeff. “Sometimes when I’m driving home I think, ‘Man if I was Ryan I would be home already.’” They had a lull in business earlier in the year, which unfortunately

led to the layoff of one employee. Now that business is back on track again they have re-hired the employee on a parttime, on-call basis. Looking ahead, the Aumocks would like to expand in the Crosby area. If business continues to increase they will eventually need more space. With only a half acre of land at their current location and residential lots all around

them, there’s not much room for expansion. Jeff would like to see them get more involved with tubing and pipe bending by adding new machines and maybe expand on their cutting capabilities with the purchase of a laser or high-definition plasma CNC table. Since expansion is not really in the cards, a new building will likely be in the future for AJ Metalworks.

For Your Info AJ Metalworks City: Crosby Number of employees: Four Fun fact: Owner Jeff Aumock’s father ran the SuperValu bakery in Brainerd years ago.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Jay Aumock operates one of the machines at AJ Metalworks in Crosby.

S10 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

FAMILY BUSINESS

www.brainerddispatch.com

Young man takes over family business At 23, Babinski runs Babinski Properties By Nancy Vogt Echo Journal Editor At age 23, John Babinski is running the family business his grandfather founded in the way his grandfather taught him. “I’ve been part of the business since age 6,” he said of Babinski Properties, a family-owned property management and development company with an office in Pequot Lakes and main office in Sioux Falls, S.D. “I’ve been part of the business forever, working with my grandpa and my dad side by side, helping out after school.” After his grandfather, Donald Babinski, had a stroke that left him unable to talk for about a year before he died in August 2014, the younger Babinski took on a bigger role. He took over the helm and has been running Babinski Properties with the same people his grandfather employed. Babinski’s brother, Ryan, 22, also works for the company, as does their cousin, Donald Travis Grimler/Echo Journal Snyder. John Babinski, 23, talks about his grandfather, the late Donald The business builds Babinski, and the family company, Babinski Properties, while at and manages apartment the Babinski Foundation. buildings in Pequot Lakes (including Pequot Pines, Pequot Estates, Janice Estates and Pequot Cottages, which opened a year ago for people age 55 and older), South Dakota, the Twin Cities area and Naples, Fla. “I knew one day it was going to have to happen,” Babinski said of running of the company. After his grandfathered suffered the devastating and unexpected stroke, “I didn’t really have a choice,” he said. Now he learns every day he goes to work. “Everyone makes Travis Grimler/Echo Journal mistakes,” Babinski said. The Babinski Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter, is being con- “There’s no mistake you structed on 365 acres oﬀ County Road 29 in rural Pequot Lakes. can’t fix.” Completion is anticipated by the end of the year. He estimated his

grandfather built over 50 different complexes before he died. “Don started the business from nothing,” Babinski said, referring to his grandfather, “beginning in the 1940s forming steps, then digging basements.” John Babinski grew up spending half the year in Pequot Lakes and the other half in Naples. He attended Nisswa Elementary School, then attended high school in the Twin Cities, where his mom lived after his parents, John and Lynn, divorced. He continued spending the summers up north and working for his grandfather’s company. After his dad died in 2006, “Grandpa took on the role of being Dad,” Babinski said. The summer before his senior year of high school, Babinski decided to move up north permanently. He is a 2011 Pequot Lakes High School graduate who now lives in Nisswa, near his grandmother, Elizabeth (Betty) Babinski. He did try college after high school. “I went to college at CLC (Central Lakes College) for business management for about half a month,” he said with a laugh. “I realized that they were teaching me how to do everything. It just was a different way that my grandpa really did his business, and I figured the best way was to stay on board and keep making money and get to know the business.” One of Babinski Properties’ biggest projects right now is a no-kill animal shelter being built on 365 acres off County Road 29 in rural Pequot Lakes. Called the Babinski Foundation, completion is expected by the end of the year.

“He loved dogs and cats and hated the government,” Babinski said of his grandfather, so before he died he left his apartment buildings to run the Babinski Foundation, a dog and cat refuge. A five-member board will be established to run the foundation, which will become a horse refuge in a few years as well. “So we have to keep building more apartment buildings and keep generating revenue to make this thing run, and that’s what we’re going to keep doing. So we’re planning on next year starting to really take off on new construction of apartments, and hopefully everything goes smooth for the future,” Babinski said. Donald Babinski bought the former Crafters Mall buildings at Highway 371 and County Road 107 in Pequot Lakes to house the animal shelter. He died before that became reality, and those buildings now are the home office for Babinski Properties. When John Babinski started looking at costs to turn that complex into an animal shelter, he decided it made more sense to build a new facility in a different location, rather than along the new fourlane Highway 371 being built right behind the buildings. He admits he had no idea how to build an animal shelter and has learned a lot along the way. Work continues on the expansive building that will house up to 100 dogs and 100 cats, with expansion plans already in the works for room for 100 more of each. “We have no idea how many animals will come in,” Babinski said. The Babinski family is also philanthropic. The

For Your Info

Babinski Properties

City: Pequot Lakes and Sioux Falls, S.D. Number of employees: 60 Full Time Fun fact: John Babinski is an animal lover who has three dogs: Terry, a German shepherd; Sasha, a St. Bernard; and Kernal, a German shepherd/husky. family donated $50,000 for the playground at Sibley Lake Park in honor of Donald and Elizabeth Babinski. Babinski Properties helped install the playground at the Adams Family Playground in Pequot Lakes, and the company donated and installed the dog fence at the Babinski-Wilson Dog Park in Pequot Lakes. John Babinski said his grandpa was like a second dad, even a main father, to him, and he’s had help from good family friends along his journey. “It’s my job,” he said of running Babinski Properties. “I wake up and do it. “It doesn’t pay too bad,” he added with a smile. “I’m making pretty good money for the age I am.” Regarding the future, Babinski noted plans to build a new office building for Babinski Properties on the cleared lot between the mini storage buildings and Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union in Pequot Lakes. Also, the plan is “to keep throwing apartment buildings up like crazy,” and, perhaps, townhomes and rental units as well. NANCY VOGT may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@ pineandlakes.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PEJ_Nancy.

Advertorial

Schroeder’s Appliance is famous for quality product and customer service By JODIE TWEED

JULY 1 - SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Owner Chuck Schroeder said he’s noticed that the housing market has been steadily improving because of all of the orders for new appliances he’s seen come in from builders and homeowners. But then, Schroeder’s Appliance Center has a strong customer base. The locally owned and operated appliance sales business has been in the Brainerd lakes area for more than 56 years. The company was founded in 1960 by Schroeder’s father, Ken, who bought the company from Melon Communications. At the time, radio was popular, and the company sold and serviced radios. The business soon evolved into television sales and repairs, and then transitioned into selling appliances. Today Schroeder’s Appliance Center is known for its quality name brand appliances and the fact that the company services what they sell. This is a big reason why many people chose to purchase their appliances from Schroeder’s; they know if there is a problem they have a local company to call for repairs. “We have a service department that takes care of customers,” Schroeder

explained. “If you have problems, you’re not calling an 800 number. We get things taken care of right away. It’s very important to our customers and our customers rely on us. We service anything we sell.” Schroeder’s Appliance Center remains a family business. Chuck Schroeder’s father and company founder, Ken Schroeder, still works part-time there and Chuck’s sister, Karen Schroeder-Stave, a first-grade teacher, also works part-time. Chuck Schroeder said word of mouth is one of the biggest reasons why new customers walk through the front door. They also keep prices low to compete with the larger stores. “Nine times out of 10, our new customers say somebody told them to come here because we take care of our customers.” When you visit the store, you’ll get personalized service from one of Schroeder’s knowledgeable sales staff. They offer a wealth of knowledge about the appliances they sell, and they can work with you to find the appliance that fits your needs, but also your budget.

*See store associate for rebate form with complete details. Only valid at participating KitchenAid brand retailers. Consumer may choose one model per appliance type up to a maximum of 6 models, with a maximum rebate amount of $1,500 per household. Rebate in the form of a KitchenAid brand MasterCard® Prepaid Card by mail. Additional terms and conditions apply. ®/™ ©2016 KitchenAid. All rights reserved. To learn more about the entire KitchenAid brand line, please visit kitchenaid.com. CCP-19152

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When local contractors need an entire set of household appliances they know to stop by Schroeder’s Appliance Center in Baxter.

16603 State Hwy 371 North, Brainerd/Baxter • 218-829-3624 (Just North of the Pine Beach Rd)

Schroeder’s Appliance Center has six full-time and two part-time employees. “On this Labor Day, I’d like to thank all my employees for the hard work,” Schroeder said.

SCHROEDERSAPPLIANCE.COM

www.brainerddispatch.com

Many spokes of cyclenomics revolving in the lakes area Renee Richardson Managing Editor When Russell Frey opened what he describes as his micro-bicycle shop in 2011, he had no idea what to expect as far as longevity. Each year built upon the previous one. Day by day, with a lot of work hours in between, Acceleration Sports and Fitness on Laurel Street on Laurel Street in downtown Brainerd grew. “I guess I’m shocked at how diversified it’s become,” Frey said. “It’s growing and it’s crazy.” Just look at the relatively recent surge in interest in fat bikes — those bicycles with the big, nubby 4-inch or wider tires noted for their stability and traction on dirt and snow. Frey said four years ago there were maybe a dozen manufacturers. The last time he looked, perhaps a year-and-a-half ago, he said the number had grown to more than 80. Now Frey suspects it’s even higher. The internet remains major competition for independent bike shops, Frey said. “That’s probably the biggest challenge,” Frey said, but noted something brick and mortar stores provide a service that

RECREATION

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S11

online operations may not be able to. “You can’t walk into the internet and establish a relationship.” Frey joined other bike shops serving the Brainerd and Baxter areas for decades in Easy Riders and Trailblazer Bikes. A push for fitness may be combining with increased options in terms of trails and technologies to bring people back to that shared first exhilaration of biking on two wheels — and the Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch independence it promised Jim Anderson (right), Hackensack, checks his new electric bike at Easy Riders in Brainerd as technician Brian Moon adjusts the — for the first time. seat. Anderson said the pedal-assist bike allows him to stay active and handle hills while riding.

Electric bikes

What may the future include? In terms of electric motors to assist bicyclists, the future is already present. Changes in technology will likely be a driving force going forward. Electric or e-bikes have more than one variation. There are pedal-assist bikes to help the bicyclist who is pedaling based on the biker’s pedaling speed. It’s an assist to help a rider but doesn’t drive for them. A commuter may be more interested in an electric bike with power on demand using a hand throttle, so the bike can go forward without input from the rider on the pedals. For commuters and those tackling hills, the

motor is able to help them keep up with other riders and handle challenging terrain without being so taxed they have to get off and walk. Zac Swarthout, new owner of Trailblazer Bikes in Baxter and Nisswa, sees the electronic bikes and pedal-assist bikes as having a considerable future. “That’s by far where we are going to see the largest increase as we go down the next five to 10 years,” Swarthout said. His business focuses on the pedal-assist bikes that can now make the Cuyuna mountain bike trails more accessible to people. The pedal-assist bikes still leave the rider in control. It’s not a motorized bike,

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but makes it easier for riders to keep up with friends or handle hilly terrain. Overseas, Swarthout said electric bikes are 60 percent of new bike sales. But he noted that does come with a heavy emphasis on commuting. It’s not without complexity and even legal issues of which styles of bikes are allowed. Frey noted as avid bicyclists age, they may not want to do the 100mile rides anymore, but may still be able to do 40 miles on their own and then use an electric bicycle to assist them on the return home. Frey said he’s convinced those links to the electric industry — with concerns

for pollution and carbon credits among them — will continue as the technology gets better and better. Just as disc brakes provide an option and

advantages in being lighter as weight is not centered on the wheel but on the center bike hub.

BIKES: Page S15

For Your Info

Acceleration Sports and Fitness since 2011, Easy Riders since 1973, Trailblazer Bikes since 1998.

• 115 - the number of miles on the Paul Bunyan State Trail, which extends from Crow Wing State park to Lake Bemidji State Park. It is the longest of Minnesota’s state trails and the DNR reports it is the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the United States. • 25 miles of mountain bike trails in the Cuyuna State Recreational Area opened to the public in 2011.

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Whether your home renovation project is large or small, Budget Blinds offers affordable options for every budget. Michael and Jane Larsen, along with their son, Jordan Jane Larsen Larsen, opened Budget Blinds in the Brainerd lakes area in 2013. Their family — and their family business — grew this year. Their daughter, Casey, married Robbie Bohn in March, and the newly married couple recently opened a new Budget Blinds franchise in the St. Cloud area. Budget Blinds is one of the largest window treatment specialty companies in the country, but the Larsens’ family business offers a wide range of home decorative finishes. Custommade shutters have been a popular addition for both homes and cabins, adding value and style to your home. They can do custom paint and stain, perfectly matching your existing woodwork. They use a manufacturer closer to home so there isn’t a big lag time between ordering and installing, usually about three weeks, said Larsen. In addition to draperies and window coverings, the Larsens can help homeowners pick out soft treatments, decorative side panels, padded cornices, duvet covers and even

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S12 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com Advertorial

Changes to Local Cub Stores Celebrate Changes in Lifestyle and Taste By SHEILA HELMBERGER

Baxter Store through its charitable bagging program. Group members volunteer on peak weekends to bag groceries for customers in exchange for donations. The program has benefited local youth charities, school groups, church groups, and other community groups. It helps move customers in and out a little quicker and the donations are free will. Jelinski said it is a program he is proud of and has allowed these groups to go on trips, help finance uniforms and go toward other needs. “The community provides the funds but we give them the vehicle and we have standards we want to hold them up to. Budgets get tighter and tighter every year. It would have told me 39 years is team building and community ago that we’d be selling water in a bottle I would have laughed members like to see the kids earning the money.” They also at you. Today with the refresh we expanded our water section offer a brat and pop program to help with fundraising needs. to 60 feet. You can buy water, The Quisberg family owns both enhanced water, flavored water, the Brainerd and Baxter Cub mineral water, vitamin water. stores, where they have about Now I have an entire aisle 225 employees, as well as the dedicated to water.” Alexandria Cub and the Pequot Those on a gluten free diet Lakes Super Valu. “The owners are finding more products have been really good to the than ever on grocery shelves employees and the employees and a focus on GMO products have been really good to the is also changing the way we shop. “More farmers are getting owners,” says Jelinski. “It’s always fun to work for someone who interested in growing and providing those things so there’s wants to be innovative. Some more availability which is driving of us started with them really young. There are still a handful the cost down,” says Jelinski.” Quality is getting so much better of people who have been here since the beginning. We’ve than what it used to be.” had some people retire in the The northeast Brainerd company and that opens up store is a throwback to the neighborhood store, says Jelinski. opportunities for other people to move up the ranks and that, in ‘We are still in a neighborhood turn, opens up positions for new where we see the kids walk in for a loaf of bread or a gallon of hires.” Jelinski says his longevity milk. We love our tourists but we with the company has allowed him to hire three generations of also recognize that local people one family and, as a boss, he said are our bread and butter. They continue to shop here the other it’s a great feeling to hire a 16or 17-year-old student and then nine months of the year.” see them go on to college and One way the company gives watch them succeed. “It’s just back to the local community wonderful to be a part of that.” is by supporting youth groups

Brainerd Store The Cub Store in Baxter was built in 1991 making its debut as a County Market. The store has seen a few changes over the years, but this spring it went through a major renovation. “We completely changed the front of the store and added a large number of new cases throughout the store,” says store director, Bryan Jelinski, explaining some of the changes. “The expansion of our produce department puts a little more emphasis on organic foods. We added more ready-to-eat meals in the deli, which was made larger as well, and we put in a fresh seafood case. We have a whole new décor package and the bathrooms were remodeled. We really reset the entire store including the grocery aisles and every department. Every single product was touched. Some were moved and some just got slid down.” The Brainerd location also went through changes. “We refreshed our grocery department and our dairy/frozen and the meat department. We brought in a significant amount of new items we weren’t able to carry before,” he says, “We still have the same sized box. We

just had to see what else we could fit in it.” “The food industry itself is changing all the time,” says Jelinski, explaining why it is important to keep pace with market trends. “Hundreds of thousands of new items have been brought into the marketplace just in the last few years. The Food Network and shows like “Chopped” have broadened the consumer taste and we find things we never carried before are all of a sudden in demand. We live in a really cool era where we have so much food available to us on a daily basis.” Adapting to current lifestyles is another reason to make a change in the stores. “The Brainerd store has been here for 14 years. Look back at where your own life was 14 years ago, where your kids were, where your spouse or significant other was, how much it all has changed. All of us will probably say we don’t eat like we used to, and a lot of people will say they eat better than they used to. For us to sit back and just leave things the way they used to be won’t work.” Jelinski has been in the grocery business for 39 years. “If you

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S13

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Bike business starts chain reaction

Theresa Bourke/Echo Journal

After coming to the lakes area after 1996, Ben Gibbs started Crosslake Sales and Randombikeparts.com. Using their bulk buying strategy, Gibbs expanded the business to include Crow Wing Cycle Works in Jenkins, his storefront. Today, his online store, randombikeparts.com, still makes up the majority of his business.

manufacturers with overstocked merchandise. We would bring it all here to the Crosslake, Jenkins area and sell it all online. We would sell it on eBay, Amazon and our website randombikeparts.com.” The company has a goal of reducing prices by 50 to 60 percent of normal retail through bulk buying and closeout items. Gibbs, a Fifty Lakes resident, has expanded the business in recent years. In the beginning, the operation was based out

of warehouse space in Crosslake with 12,000 square feet. “We were thinking we would have enough room forever,” Gibbs said. “That lasted about two years or three years.” They expanded storage into Jenkins, where they found space visible not only from Highway 371, but also from the Paul Bunyan State Trail. “When this building was for sale here in Jenkins, and it is over 20,000 square feet, we thought it would

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“Randombikeparts is just online,” Gibbs said. “We have over 3,000 items online with huge discounts there. The bike shop here, what we do is we have a lot of bikes. A lot of what we sell online is here and what we have here is pretty much at a healthy discount.” One secret to Gibbs’ low prices is a history of involvement in the bicycle industry. Before coming to the lakes area, Gibbs sold bikes in the Twin Cities. At one time the company

had 55 employees and sold 8,000 bikes a year. After selling that shop in 1996, he opened an online company called E Discount Bike, which grew to 14 employees selling 200 to 500 orders a day. He sold that company just before coming to Crosslake to start randombikeparts. com and Crosslake Sales. “A lot of people love to live up here.

CROSSLAKE SALES: Page S16

To the teams of LINDAR Corporation and Avantech

LINDAR Corporation, Avantech diversify and expand their global reach

Thank you for your commitment, your talent, and your hard work! Your companies are leaders in their industries because of your daily profound contribution. On Labor Day we celebrate opportunities and achievements. We celebrate you! Thank you!

By JODIE TWEED

themselves bringing in more business from OEM clients. LINDAR recently purchased another automated thermoforming machine that, once installed in November, will operate about three times faster than their current machines, Haglin says. They also expanded into the 3-D optical image market, working with clients to deliver competitively priced 3-D images on their products. The company purchased a large piece of equipment from Austria that allows them to use patented technologies to develop their 3-D business, offering some exciting possibilities in the near future. “This equipment is designed to run 24 hours, seven days a week. It’s going to be a whole new market and a new product line for us,” says Haglin. “We’re really going to have a competitive advantage with this machine.” LINDAR has about 125 employees and, like Avantech, is always searching for skilled technical workers. LINDAR production lines now run 24 hours, five days a week. Haglin says they would like to expand to a seven-day full production line schedule. They’re also exploring possible expansion at LINDAR’s manufacturing facilities to meet its growth demands. LINDAR and Avantech are also taking a new, slightly different approach than other manufacturing companies to hire and retain employees. They are looking at ways to offer job flexibility and other work-life balance benefits for their employees. “We’re a family-owned business, and we want to honor family commitments so our employees can take part in their kids’ sports events, for example,” Haglin says. “It’s always been very important for us, but as we continue to grow, we need to retain that experience and knowledge because there is no way we could do what we are doing with expansion without a dedicated team that puts out the effort day in and day out.” 001462021r1

Sister companies LINDAR Corp. and Avantech became neighbors last year when Avantech’s new manufacturing facility was built across the street in the Baxter Industrial Park. The new building gave Avantech, which engineers and manufactures both cast and CNC aluminum molds for a global molding market, room to expand and become more efficient. The move couldn’t have come at a better time. “We’ve experienced some really good growth,” explains Tom Haglin, chief executive officer. He and his wife, Ellen, who serves as corporate director of public relations, own both companies. “Last year was our best year ever and now we’re ahead of last year and it’s because of the team we have and what they bring to the table.” Phase I development at Avantech is now complete with two more phases in the design stage to manage the projected future growth. The business, which manufactures molds that are then used to produce plastic parts for many notable U.S. companies, including John Deere, Old Town canoes and kayaks and Toro, is now positioned to become a full-service fulfillment center. They guide clients through the tool-building process from a design concept to outsourcing its production. Avantech has about 85 employees and continues to hire to accommodate its anticipated growth. They’ve invested in additional equipment, including thermoform processing. You have likely picked up a package created by LINDAR Corp. at your local grocery store deli. LINDAR designs, engineers and thermoforms several hundreds of plastic parts that service the Paint Sundry, Food Packaging and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) industries. They continue to expand their market reach in the food packaging industry. Haglin said last year LINDAR launched its first patented tamper-evident packaging for bakery goods. They’ve also found

be perfect,” Gibbs said. “We filled it completely with bicycles and bicycle related products. Over the years we had people driving by on the bike path. It’s a great location, so we had lots of people driving by daily. We thought, ‘Why don’t we build a shop up here?’” The shop — Crow Wing Cycleworks — opened in 2014, bringing the bikes they had been selling online for years to the storefront in Jenkins, at much the same prices.

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Travis Grimler Echo Journal Staﬀ Writer Like the bikes he sells, Ben Gibbs’ businesses based in Jenkins and Crosslake run on two wheels. It all started in 2006 with Crosslake Sales and its online store, randombikeparts.com. “We really started out doing a lot of stuff online,” Gibbs said. “We would buy companies out in the bicycle industry from places in Spain, China, Taiwan, Africa,

RECREATION

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BIKES From Page S11

That can translate to less fatigue for a bicyclist at the end of the day. Kenn Shepherd, owner of Easy Riders in Brainerd, said the electric bike interest is really growing. Now in his 44th year in the bike business, Shepherd said he is seeing people return to cycling who haven’t been on a bike in 20 or 25 years. He said the electric-assist bike is providing a way for people to be more active as it lets them get back out there without worry they won’t have the energy to get back or keep up. He said customers include those who are coming back from health problems or dealing with hip or knee replacements. With the smart engine, the harder a person pedals the more assistance it provides. Jim Anderson, Hackensack, purchased a pedal-assist bike from Easy Riders recently. After owning the bike a few weeks, he logged about 75 miles. He said he was enjoying the bike and it allowed him to handle the hills and keep riding.

Walkable, bikeable More com munities are involved in the conversation of making it easier and safer to walk and bike. Shepherd serves on Brainerd’s walkable bikeable committee. “Brainerd is really trying to be a bicycle friendly area,” Shepherd said. “Bicycling is a good way to see our area.” Safety is another main consideration and a long-held interest for Shepherd. He said having daytime running lights on bicycles, akin to those on automobiles, was recently studied and showed there could be a 33 percent reduction of crashes involving bikes if they were implemented.

“So it’s worth pushing that high visibility,” Shepherd said. Shepherd said he’s witnessed more cycling groups formed and out in the lakes area every week. A group of riders, of any ability or bike, goes out on a Saturday morning ride once a month. Participants bring children and pets on tagalongs so the entire family is part of the excursion. There are numerous cycling groups in the lakes area and less formal gatherings of friends for weekly rides. Shepherd is part of one that goes out every Tuesday. For avid riders there are apps that can let them know how they compare to other riders who have traveled the same trail in terms of speed and distance. Frey noted one bike that may be bringing people back to their roots is a focus on a gravel bike or all-road bike similar to the one kids start out with — a little wider tire and sturdy frame to handle dirt roads, grassy meadows and paved trails. One bike to do it all. “There is something new everyday,” Shepherd said. “That makes it very exciting. After 44 years I’m still coming to work everyday and still enjoying it.” For Swarthout, the greatest increase in bicyclists is coming from those looking for an opportunity for fitness for low impact. “That’s probably the No. 1 area we see the increase in,” Swarthout said. Swarthout said the resurgence of a gravel bike, or all-purpose bike with slightly bigger tires, is growing while the roadtype bike is declining as more people make the change. “We are kind of seeing a resurgence into cycling because of the fitness aspect more than anything else,” Swarthout said. He said biking is something available to all ages from children well

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S15

into adulthood, a full-life event. Three-wheel bikes, Swarthout has a recumbent version that helps people who have balance issues or back surgery, also provide another way to be active with greater stability. “Our biggest goal is making sure people are staying outside and being active,” Swarthout said.

Cyclenomics While the Cuyuna mountain bike trails have been a recent focus of bicycling attention and continue to draw people to the region, bicycling in general is gaining and the lakes area has a multitude of offerings on red dirt and paved trail. What may surprise people is how many visitors come with an intent to see the lakes area a bike seat. Just watching passing vehicles is one way to note how many are now sporting bike racks. “We are seeing people come from all over the world spending time here,” Shepherd said. Shepherd pointed to the popularity of the addition of the Paul Bunyan State Trail link to Crow Wing State Park. “The Crow Wing State Park trail has really been a hit,” Shepherd said. Easy Riders, made the list of America’s Best Bike Shops in 2015 by the National Bicycle Dealers Association. The Brainerd business mapped out a 6-mile route, all on paved trail, it dubbed the Tour de Brainerd. The loop includes three city parks, including Kiwanis Park. Easy Riders covers a variety of recreation in addition to bicycles and rents equipment, including bikes. “Our rentals are way up,” Shepherd said, noting they may have 25 or more bikes out at the same time. He’s looking at expanding his inventory of 45 rental bikes next year. People coming to rent bikes tell Shepherd they come up

Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch

Acceleration Sports & Fitness opened in 2011. Owner and operator Russell Frey said bicycling is diverse, technology will continue to change bikes and Brainerd has a lot to oﬀer cycling enthusiasts and casual riders. every year to cycle in the lakes area. With young people and strong BMX community, Shepherd said the high school mountain bike team is also growing across Crosby and Brainerd. And Cuyuna is looking to become the fat tire biking capital of the world. Swarthout said the Cuyuna influence carries benefits beyond its own borders. “You are talking about a huge economic impact for the area that will be felt in a 30-40 mile radius. It just helps with that extra bit of tourism.” Trailblazer Bikes rents bikes from its seasonal Nisswa location. Swarthout said he sees a trend with more people purchasing bikes for their seasonal homes so they don’t have to transport them but it also helps grow the rentals at the Nisswa shop. In Brainerd and Baxter, Swarthout said there is a direct relationship to the economy and the growth in cycling and Cuyuna’s mountain biking. “It’s a huge thing for us but even more so for the community,” Swarthout said. He noted the increased number of children he now sees out riding bikes in the Cuyuna area. “It is pretty amazing

and getting kids active,” Swarthout said. “I think it helps everybody. It gets our kids on bikes.” Swarthout said the community support to add to Cuyuna’s effort to add trails and grow the riding options from one day to three days is important. “It’s going to help our community as a whole,” he said.

A cycling future “It’s certainly growing — I think it’s just the awareness of just cycling in general,” Frey said. He noted 3-D printing for bike part, lighter frames and other upgrades like the electric assistance. If there is a time to be alive and enjoy all that the lakes area and cycling offers — certainly it’s now, Frey said. He asked if the lakes area’s growth could have been predicted going back decades. So what is next? Twenty years from now where will the growth pattern be? “The Brainerd area and cycling in general has a lot to offer,” Frey said. “The cycling diversity — how many communities are lucky enough to have the multiple brands represented and places to ride them. I really feel Brainerd is blessed and hasn’t really exploited that.” Frey pointed to the

extensive trails from the Paul Bunyan State Trail from Crow Wing State Park to Bemidji to local bike trails and on-street bike lanes as all being part of the mix in encouraging cycling. Trail from crow wing state park to bemidji, cuyuna, local trails and bike lanes, number of bicycling groups. Sometimes not everyone in Brainerd is aware of what the area has to offer, Frey said. “I’m shocked at the number of people cycling related that find a small dealer like us,” he said. Brainerd is on the map for a lot of things, but it could still grow, Frey said, adding the opportunity is there for the vision and what it could become. Frey said his business is still thriving now into its sixth year because the customers who came in those first days are still coming back. “I’m blown away by it there is a whole new culture to cycling,” Frey said. “... Maybe we are linked to it from being kids. It’s everybody. Everybody is interested in bikes maybe that’s the whole beauty of it.” RENEE RICHARDSON, managing editor, may be reached at 218855-5852 or renee.richardson@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ Dispatchbizbuzz.

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For more information about JN Tree If it feels like devastating wind damage Service, visit their website at www. has increased, it’s because it has. Joe jntreeservice-landscaping.com or call Nelson or JN Tree service said the last couple of summers have seen an increase (800) 630-2960. in severe storms with countless downed trees due to high winds. “It’s been more than average, for sure,” Nelson said. “It seems like it may be something that continues to be a problem.” JN Tree Service is locally owned and operated and ready to help homeowners LOT CLEARING tackle the clean up or downed or — damage trees. The company specialized WOODS CLEARING in hazardous tree removal and highrisk trimming. Nelson’s crew removes — trees and brush safely and quickly to TREE REMOVAL AND TREE help homeowners avoid further damage caused by hazardous tree fall. “Trees — close to the house can pose major risk TRIMMING especially if they fall onto the home — and cause structural damage,” Nelson said. “That’s something you want to do STORM CLEANUP everything you can to prevent.” — Nelson said it’s important to deal with BRUSH CLEARING AND fallen trees quickly so they don’t pose risk to the homeowners property, spread CHIPPING disease or turn into a fire hazard when — neglected too long. Bad weather tends to bring stormSTUMP GRINDING chasing tree removal companies from around the state and even outside of Minnesota. Many inflate the pricing and seek out homeowners willing to pay more for fast service while unknowingly letting unlicensed companies create further liability on their property. Nelson said it’s never a good idea to hire an amateur to handle dangerous tree removal work. “Hiring an ISA-certified arborist is hugely important,” Nelson said. “We’re not just a pick-up and ladder — we are professional arborists.” In addition to tree-removal JN Tree Service offers lot clearing, wood clearing, trimming, storm clean –up, brush clearing and chipping and stump grinding. When large portions of property are left with down trees, JN Tree Service can help clear out damaged areas and reclaim your property for more efficient use.

S16 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

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RECREATION

CROSSLAKE SALES From Page S14

It was 14 years ago I had a business in the Cities and a cabin up here. I told (my wife) we should move up here and she said, ‘Let’s do it,’” Gibbs said. “We sold our house and kept our businesses running. … Then one of my main guys, Tom Maschhoff, decided to build a cabin for a house. We decided, why don’t we move the

operation to the lake. At that time I decided to sell the old company first. Then Tom and I became partners in Crosslake Sales. We love living here. People travel from all over the world to hang out in this area.” Gibbs’ business location is prime partially due to the surrounding environment. “The people are great,” Gibbs said. “The lakes are great, the fishing is great the bikes are great.” While he enjoys the trail

front location of his store, he said the online sales are still a bigger part of his business. “We are just having fun doing what we are doing,” Gibbs said. “On our website you see new stuff daily. There is always something new there. This week I’ve done three different deals worth probably a million (dollars) in product.” TRAVIS GRIMLER may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@ pineandlakes.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PEJ_Travis.

Theresa Bourke/Echo Journal

After coming to the lakes area after 1996, Ben Gibbs started Crosslake Sales and Randombikeparts.com. Using their bulk buying strategy, Gibbs expanded the business to include Crow Wing Cycle Works in Jenkins, his store front. Today, his online store, randombikeparts.com, still makes up the majority of his business.

For Your Info Crosslake Sales, randombikeparts.com, Crow Wing Cycleworks

Theresa Bourke/Echo Journal After coming to the lakes area after 1996, Ben Gibbs started Crosslake Sales and Randombikeparts.com. Using their bulk buying strategy, Gibbs expanded the business to include Crow Wing Cycle Works in Jenkins, his store front. Today, his online store, randombikeparts.com, still makes up the majority of his business.

City: Jenkins and Crosslake Number of employees: 18 Interesting or little known fact: Ben Gibbs previously owned both a storefront bicycle shop and an online bicycle sales company with, at one time, over 50 employees. Gibbs is also partial owner of the Aqua-Vu company that produces underwater cameras used primarily for fishing.

Thank you…

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Edgewood Vista Participates in Alzheimer’s Fundraising Walk By JODIE TWEED

“If you don’t have a team, sign up with us and walk with Edgewood,” Bode said. “We are big walk supporters.” Edgewood Vista has been part of the Brainerd/Baxter community for the past 11 years, providing quality care for seniors and a peace of mind to their families. The facility was built in 2005 and underwent renovations in 2012. They have 108 residents who call Edgewood Vista home in independent living, assisted living and memory care. They have about 90 full- and part-time employees dedicated to caring for residents. They offer a full and varied activities schedule, including outings like shopping trips, as well as spiritual enrichments. Bode says employees are dedicated to providing a quality of life for residents. “They’re caring and they are here because they want to be,” Bode said of her employees. “We have a real community feel here and our employees are a huge part of that.”

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Edgewood Vista’s employees have a special place in their hearts for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and/ or dementia. The Brainerd assisted living community has a 40-apartment memory care unit, and its employees go through specialized training to care for patients suffering from memory loss. This is why Edgewood Vista is a proud partner of the 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, a fundraising walk held Sept. 24 at Forestview Middle School in Baxter. Last year Edgewood Vista had about 75 people — employees, residents and family members — who walked and raised money for their team. They raised $3,000 to support Alzheimer’s support, care and research. For community members who would like to participate in the walk, Edgewood Vista Executive Director Michelle Bode encourages them to call Edgewood Vista to walk with their team or they can stop by and drop off a donation toward the fundraising event.

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

JACK PINE

looks to make a jump Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Owner Patrick Sundberg talks about the growth of Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter.

For Your Info Jack Pine Brewery City: Baxter Number of employees: Seven Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer BAXTER — The first person to dip their toes into the craft brewery market in the Brainerd lakes area was Patrick Sundberg, who opened Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter in January 2013. Since then, the brewery has grown rapidly to the point where Sundberg is planning a relocation and expansion. He’s hoping the new location, next to Arrowwood Lodge in Baxter, will be opening in 2017. Until then, visiting the brewery on a Monday or Tuesday when the taproom is closed and employees are brewing and bottling beer in the space, resembles the image of an adult sitting in a chair in an elementary school classroom. The chair still works for sitting, but it’s obviously not a correct fit.

Necessary expansion What Sundberg is most looking forward to about the expansion is simply having more breathing room and more space. The brewery is crammed into its current space, he said, and despite that, is keeping up with demand. “We are still keeping up, but it’s put stress on both me and everybody that’s working here,” Sundberg said. “It’s been fun, but it’s been challenging.” Sundberg thought he would get 5-7 years out of the current space on College Road and didn’t fathom he’d be planning an entirely new brewery and expansion within three years. Instead, he said he started seriously thinking about an expansion after six months of operation. One such casualty of the small space has been brewery tours. Sundberg said he had to back off on offering weekend tours because when more than six people are in the taproom, it gets too noisy to properly do a tour. But he has noticed a lot of weekend customers going from one area brewery to another, doing their own tours of area breweries. Sundberg was surprised at how busy the taproom has been. Taprooms used to be a secondary brewery attraction, he said, now there’s an entire culture built around taprooms. “I thought our taproom would be more than adequate and I was completely wrong,” Sundberg said. A lot of newer taprooms have things

months have seen Interesting fact: Owner Patrick Sundberg the debut of Cask holds a National rank as a beer judge Thursdays, which through the Beer Judge Certification allows the brewery Program, a nonprofit organization that to play with different certifies and ranks beer judges. He is one flavors in the beers, of 800 people worldwide to obtain the he said. Before rank of National or higher. beer is carbonated in a brite tank, it’s instead put into a cask where sugar is added to carbonate it. The brewer will also add some kind of which is what his first-year projection new flavor to vary the taste of the cask is for production. A lot of the growth will come from selling four- and sixbeer. “We can throw whatever we want to in packs of canned beer, he said, which is there,” Sundberg said. “It’s always kind the biggest selling segment of beer. The of an adventure, you never know what’s current facility doesn’t have the capability to can beer. going to happen with it.” Some of the casks have gone over well, From brewer to boss Sundberg said, while others haven’t. By Sundberg’s role in the three years of far, the biggest hit was Dead Branch with raspberries and hibiscus, he said, which the brewery’s lifespan has changed from produced an amazing, bright pink color. doing everything to having to step back The brewery recently added canned and delegate certain tasks to employees. growlers and sold 120 of them over the There’s three full-time employees and Fourth of July weekend, Sundberg said. seven part-time employees who work in The brewery sells the canned growlers, the taproom, so Sundberg doesn’t have dubbed “crowlers,” along with full-sized his hands in everything the brewery does 64-ounce growlers and a smaller-sized all of the time. “That’s been interesting, it’s been growler. challenging,” Sundberg said. “But it’s been fun bringing other people into the Bigger brewery The distributor Jack Pine Brewery fold.” Sundberg never saw himself in the picked up in November, C&L Distributing Inc., has brought the beer into role he has now when he was starting establishments in the area and in St. the brewery. Back then, he said he just Cloud. That relationship opened the wanted to pay his bills. He expected he brewery’s distribution area and fueled would have to keep his part-time job, instead he was surprised by the strong the expansion, Sundberg said. “They were kind of the main driver, reaction. “The local community just was ready because they had a market available, they for it and they just grabbed onto it,” were eager to sell it,” Sundberg said. The brewery has plenty of room to Sundberg said. “We blew through our grow and, in a way, Sundberg feels like three-year projections in a couple how he did when the brewery opened the months.” Sundberg isn’t brewing very often now; first time. The expansion is conservative, it’s one of the tasks he’s had to delegate The beer manageable and has the capacity to add to a full-time brewer. If there’s a new There was one beer on tap for Jack Pine more production if necessary, he said. Brewery’s opening day and selection grew The current production maximum, batch coming out, he’ll do the recipe and to three beers after a few months. Those which the brewery will hit this year, is oversee things, but he joked that he’s first three beers were Duck Pond, Fenceline about 800 barrels per year, Sundberg passed off the “heavy lifting and sweaty and Dead Branch, which Sundberg considers said. They brew six to seven batches per work.” “It’s fun,” Sundberg said. “That’s part the brewery’s core beers. week in the summer, he said, and in the “Most people can find something they spring they were brewing five batches of my role that I want to work myself back into.” like between those three,” Sundberg said. per week. One of Sundberg’s biggest challenges The new brewery can easily produce Now, there’s 10-11 beers on tap at any given time, Sundberg said. The past few 2,000 barrels per year, Sundberg said, when he started hiring people came from the fact that not everyone has his depth of professional brewing knowledge to pull from. He was forced to set procedures and reevaluate what he was doing, which in turn made things more consistent. “It made our process a lot better, too,” Sundberg said. “That will help us as we grow further too and add more people in, to have that baseline.” With the new expansion, Sundberg is sure he’ll have to continue to step away from certain parts of the business. He still oversees some parts of running the taproom, but will continue to pass those off as he works in a full-time taproom manager. “I’m sure the same thing will happen with the production side,” Sundberg said. “It’s always a challenge and that’s something that I’ve really struggled with, is trying to identify things that I can hand off.” Jack Pine Brewery currently doesn’t have, like an outdoor patio. The new expansion will feature a bigger taproom, an outdoor patio and will be a bit easier to get in and out of, Sundberg said. It will also allow the brewery to host food trucks. Most notably, the newer facility will have a much bigger production system. The current 3-barrel system will be replaced by a new 15-barrel system. There will also be a full canning and bottling line. The square footage will double from 3,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet. The new taproom will be 2,000 square feet and there will be a space available to rent out for private events. “We’ve got a nice, good mix of industrial feel here and we’re going to try to preserve a lot of that in the new space,” Sundberg said. Sundberg is hoping the new, expanded building will be built before winter with production up and running by spring with the taproom opening shortly after. He’s working with Nor-Son Inc. on the design and construction of the new brewery. It was good to work with the city of Baxter on the expansion, Sundberg said, as many of the questions had been asked and answered when he opened the brewery the first time. Breweries are now a proven commodity statewide, he said, and he’s proven his concept works. “The second go-round was a lot easier than the first one,” Sundberg said. “The first one, there was a lot of educating, a lot of teaching on what it was.” Unfortunately, Sundberg has to go through the licensing and permitting process again when the brewery moves. But he’s done it before, he said, and can draw on that experience to help make the process easier. “I’ve been through it once before and kind of know the path we need to take,” Sundberg said.

Contributed photo

A mockup design of the planned Jack Pine Brewery expansion, which will be designed and built by Nor-Son, Inc. The expanded brewery is expected to open in spring 2017.

JACK PINE: Page S22

S18 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

BREWERY

www.brainerddispatch.com

Brewing beer

by the mine pits Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer CROSBY — The craft brewing craze is coming to Crosby, with the Cuyuna Brewing Company slated to open later this year on Main Street. Cuyuna Brewing Company is part of a first wave of businesses coming to Cuyuna and capitalizing on the influx of people coming to the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, owner Nick Huisinga said. True North Basecamp opened last fall, Mixed Company, a Kava House opened in 2013 and there’s another cafe planned to open as well. Potential entrepreneurs see these businesses succeed and decide to join in, he said. “There will be a trickle effect, it’ll start to snowball,” Huisinga said. “It’s neat to see a city revitalizing and growing and expanding.”

building as possible and stay true to the industrial and historical roots,” Huisinga said. The bar will run along the back wall and the brewing equipment will be in the back room, so when patrons are sitting at the bar, they’ll be able to see the brew tanks. The brewery won’t use all the space in the building to start, so there’s room to grow, Huisinga said. There will also be outdoor seating along the side of the building on the sidewalk. The building used to be a bank at one point, so there’s a large, walk-in safe in the corner. It’s not usable, Huisinga said, but it does serve as an interesting design piece. Most breweries use a chalkboard to display the beer that’s on tap, he said. He plans on using a large, old window from the building’s basement and using dry Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video erase markers to list beers and prices. The front windows of Cuyuna Brewing Company in Crosby display the beers the brewery plans Getting the correct licensing and to debut. Historic aesthetic equipment needed to start a brewery The brewery has taken residence in a pales in comparison to the work needed “There’s a lot of similarities,” Huisinga Huisinga plans on selling growlers and 100-year-old building on Main Street to bring a historic building up to code, said. “At one I ferment bacteria, the other being open Thursday through Sunday, that Huisinga is currently working on Huisinga said. The building has been one I ferment yeast, I ferment beer.” hours to be determined. People will be getting up to code and ready to host he vacant since 2005, so there’s a lot of work The beers that will be served in the able to bring their own food into the and his wife Laura’s vision. That vision to be done. brewery have names like Yawkey Red, taproom, which won’t serve food. includes using large wooden electrical Ranger Strong and Silver Dollar Lager, Huisinga will have a 500-liter system spools as tables, preserving the tin ceiling The beer which hearken back to the area’s mining which will produce 4.26 barrels. He’ll and as much of the building’s character Huisinga has been brewing as a hobby roots. The descriptions of the beers on the have three fermenters so he can ferment as possible. There’s a gritty feel to the for about five years, but when he started, brewery’s websites provides background three batches at a time. Some people have space, which falls in line with the area’s he jumped right in with both feet. He information on what each beer is named already told him they would be interested mining roots, Huisinga said. enjoys cooking and making things, so after. in purchasing kegs once he’s up and “Just try to use as much from the brewing was a “Not only do we want our patrons to running, but that’s a ways down the road. natural fit. enjoy the beer,” Nick Huisinga said. “We “I just hope the excitement translates “I bought bigger want them to learn more and love more into business,” Huisinga said. equipment, I didn’t about this place we call Cuyuna.” start slow because Huisinga plans to open with five beers Business beginnings I knew that I loved on tap, but will rotate them frequently. Huisinga has always wanted to own his it right away,” He wants to brew a lot of different beers, own business, so it made sense to him to Huisinga said. so he doesn’t plan on brewing the same turn his brewing hobby into a business. Huisinga is handful of beers all the time. Every brewer wants to have a brewery, he from Willmar and “I want to have new things for people said, but he didn’t think it would happen. currently works to try all the time,” Huisinga said. He could have opened a brewery in the Twin Cities The brewery plans on focusing on anywhere, but wanted it to “have the at a vaccination experience and quality, Huisinga said. wow factor,” Huisinga said. He and his laboratory. Brewing Experience comes from the space, history, wife took a trip to the area last summer City: Crosby and lab work area, building and community, he said, and fell in love with it. He met with Number of employees: Just Nick complement each while the quality part of the equation and Laura Huisinga, for now. Aaron Hautala, volunteer president of other, he said, as comes from making great beer. the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, working there has Interesting fact: Brewer and owner The dormant iron ore mines have and Jessica Holmvig, executive director of made him a better become a gold mine for beer names, the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Nick Huisinga’s day job is at a vaccine brewer and brewing Huisinga said. Tying the beers into the laboratory in the Twin Cities. has made him better local history adds to the brewery’s wow BREWING BEER: Page S23 at work. factor, he said.

For Your Info

Cuyuna Brewing Company

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S19

Big Axe

cuts into the market For Your Info Big Axe Brewing Company City: Nisswa Number of employees: 13-14 Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Big Axe Brewing Company in Nisswa sits on Main Street next to the Happy Camper Cafe. Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer NISSWA — The newest Nisswa brewery, Big Axe Brewing Company, sits on Main Street near other Brainerd lakes area icons like The Chocolate Ox and Rafferty’s Pizza. Owner Chris French grew up just south of Nisswa and went to high school in Brainerd. His parents own Stone House Coffee in Nisswa as well as the building Big Axe sits in. After college, he moved around and eventually bought a cabin in the area, which brought him back into the area more frequently. French started noticing how wellreceived Stone House Coffee is and how his parents spend time getting to know their customers and people enjoy the environment. He strived to incorporate those values into Big Axe, to focus on the customers and to produce and sell a local product. “We’re brewing beer and people are in the taproom and they can come back and ask me a question,” French said. French has been brewing beer for about 5-6 years. He started getting more passionate about it as he went along and started romanticizing the idea of opening a brewery. “For some reason, it never occurred to me to do it anywhere else but here,” French said. French’s first batches of beer made for great learning experiences, he said. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to brewing beer and can get very complex. Brewing makes for long, hard days, he

said, and when the work is over, you still have to wait two weeks while the beer ferments to see if it turned out. “The waiting is always the hardest part,” French said.

Interesting fact: Owner Chris French went to Carleton College in Northfield for biology, which has helped with all the biology and chemistry involved in brewing beer.

different things you can do with beer, you’ll never be able to do it all.” There was a lot of anxiety over opening Big Axe beer is on tap in a few different the brewery, French said, which gave way establishments locally but the brewery to relief when the opening finally came. isn’t focused on distribution, French said. The beers “went over pretty well,” he Instead, the focus is on the taproom said, and patrons were supportive and and making that experience better for understanding. patrons. The brewery is always trying to get It took some work to convince the better and try new things, French said, Nisswa City Council that a brewery and which means making tweaks to the beer. taproom is good for the area, French said. There’s so many ways to change how beer There’s a lot of different ways to look at tastes, he said, so there’s always more to the issue, but a brewery can serve as a learn. He admitted there is concern when recruitment tool that brings people to the changing a beer and not knowing if it will area, he said. turn out, but people have been supportive “Tourism is what 90 percent of the of the changes the brewery has made. economy here is based on, now beer “It’s always a little scary when you’re tourism is huge,” French said. changing something,” French said. Biking on the Paul Bunyan State Trail “There’s a little bit of trepidation in and stopping in for a beer is an “awesome changing anything when it’s working. way to spend a day,” French said. He’s If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but fortune seen lots of people coming to the brewery favors the bold.” with their bikes and had a few bicycling The brewery opened with five beers clubs stop by the brewery last summer. on tap and now has nine beers on tap, “If we had a trail to each brewery, that French said. There are base beers like would be perfect,” French said. “But the Wheat, Amber, IPA and Stout that we’ll take the one that’s right out our they add flavors like coffee and cherry to backyard.” to provide a variety of tastes. There are Big Axe has a 7-barrel system and also seasonal brews like an Oktoberfest, a its annual production capacity is 350saison and a brown ale. 400 barrels. Currently, the brewery is “Part of the fun is doing new things, at about two-thirds of that maximum trying new tweaks, trying new recipes,” capacity, French said. There’s a fullFrench said. “There’s just so many time brewer on staff now, which means

The beer

French only brews as a fill-in when needed. The brewery has 13-14 employees. “It melts my heart to see other people coming in and drinking and enjoying the beer,” French said. “To be able to share beer is a lot of fun.”

Business beginnings

French really started thinking about opening a brewery when his dad bought the building Big Axe sits in. It’s an ideal location and the idea started bouncing around in his head. “My passion for beer and making beer and this location that came in front of us made it seem like that was the way to go,” French said. “Put the two together, it really seemed like that could be a winning idea.” French had been talking about starting a brewery for a while before his dad finally told him to stop talking and start doing something about it. Shortly after, Jack Pine Brewery announced its Kickstarter fundraising campaign and got started two years before French did. “It kind of hit me like, ‘Well, better get going here,’” French said. The brewery opened in May 2015. Andy Hess, a friend proficient in carpentry, helped build out the space, which features a dark wood ceiling and strong red and black themes, which are the brewery’s primary colors. It took about a year to get things ready to open, which included construction, licensing, permitting and changing the ordinance in the city of Nisswa to allow taprooms. The brewery’s design was a team effort that included French, his wife Rebecca, Hess and Sara Raimann, an interior designer with The Hearth Room in Baxter. French wanted bold colors,

BIG AXE: Page S23

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Advantage Seamless Gutters in Baxter started out as a one man crew. Owner Cory Jay said he focused originally on roofing and siding and the business was headquartered out of his garage. Six years ago he decided to put his sole focus on gutters. A full-service gutter business, the company does installs and all other types of gutter work. “We’re one of the only companies north of the Twin Cities that does copper fabrication. The custom work is all handmade and done completely on site. All of our copper work is soldered right there.” Located on Forthun Road, the facility was remodeled this past winter to include a showroom. Besides initial installation, Jay says gutter protection has become more popular than ever as homeowners look for the lowest maintenance possible. Today, Jay says he has 14 employees, doubling the size of his company every year for the past five years. He said not long ago he and his wife, Kari, took a picture of their fleet and marveled at how things have changed since the early days of the company.

S20 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

BREWERY

A new turn on an

OLD SPACE

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Beer names at Roundhouse Brewery in the Northern Paciﬁc Center in Brainerd are inspired by the facility’s railroad roots. Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer When Roundhouse Brewery opened in April in the Northern Pacific Center, it signalled craft beer’s return to the city of Brainerd. According to the Crow Wing County Historical Society, the last brewery in Brainerd ceased operations in the 1910s, so it had been roughly 100 years since a brewery had operated in the city. Mark Lelwica, co-owner and president, said he and Dan Meyer, co-owner and chief financial officer, talked about the possibility of opening a brewery in March 2015. They’re both social people and knew friends might be interested in investing. They found some willing investors and put together private funding. From there, it took a little more than a year to open. Lelwica and Meyer grew up in the Staples area with brewer Chuck Martin, who was brewing in Ohio but wanted to return to Minnesota, Meyer said. There was a lot to do to get the brewery off the ground, but the group knew early on who the brewer would be. “We’ve done homebrewing before,”

Lelwica said. “And we knew right away that wasn’t the role we were interested in.” The lease for the space was signed in June 2015 and construction started in November 2015. Things were then ready for a late April opening. The Roundhouse Brewery team saw a gap in the craft beer market in Brainerd, Lelwica said. The Nisswa area is covered by the two breweries there and Jack Pine Brewery covers Baxter, he said, but there wasn’t anything in Brainerd. “That combined with the fact that this type of a site, this type of a venue was available,” Lelwica said. “Really kind of solidified for us that this is where it’s supposed to be.”

Historic space History oozes out of the taproom at Roundhouse, which is something the team wanted to tap into, Lelwica said. Historical photos of the Northern Pacific railroad shops, courtesy of the Crow Wing County Historical Society, hang on the walls. “People love having a story not just

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Good Samaritan Society-Communities of Brainerd and Pine River Offers Exciting Incentives for Employees

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Good Samaritan Society has been a part of Brainerd since the late ‘60s. They have established themselves locally as one of the area’s largest employers. Ken Martin, Senior Living Specialist, says the organization employs around 460 full time staff members between the campuses in Brainerd, Baxter and Pine River. Totals closer to 500 with part-time staff. Positions available include universal workers, dietary, housekeeping, certified nursing assistants, LPNs and RNs, as well as office positions in HR and administration. The organization serves more than 27,000 residents 55 and older nationwide. With 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day positions are often available within the company to work with residents in a variety of ways. Some of the incentives to join the staff make it worthwhile as well as rewarding. Les McCoy is the recruiter for the Good Samaritan Society. He says as a non-profit organization, they are able to offer employment incentives for workers that other companies can’t match. A $4,000 scholarship is available for employees while they are working in Long Term Care and seeking a two-year LPN degree and an $8,000 scholarship is offered for employees seeking a fouryear RN degree while employed by the

company. Both require working 12 hours a week, or 24 hours within a single pay period. A childcare reimbursement of up to $360 is also offered for time spent in class per semester. Reimbursement for transportation expenses to and from classes is also offered and once the employee is finished with school there is a monthly $200 loan repayment program. Besides working closely with classes at CLC and other post-secondary schools to place healthcare workers, Good Samaritan Society – Communities of Brainerd and Pine River also offers a unique experience to high school students. Positions are available for those who are at least 18 and considering nursing and other health care positions after graduation. McCoy says it’s a unique experience because it gives students an opportunity to apply for a job, interview and when they are hired and finish training they have a chance that is hands-on to see what it is like to work in the healthcare industry and witness some of the benefits first hand. Keeping in step with the Good Samaritan Society’s vision ‘To create an environment where people are loved, valued and at peace’, McCoy says, “They can go home at the end of the day knowing they were able to help someone, and that’s a great experience in itself.”

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behind the product but the space they’re in,” Lelwica said. “They like feeling connected to those things.” The name for the brewery came from the decision to locate it at the Northern City: Brainerd Pacific Center, Lelwica Number of employees: Seven, said. Roundhouse is including brewer Chuck Martin catchy and easy to say, he said, and ties into Interesting fact: A historical photo of the old roundhouse workers who used to work in the Northern that used to be there, Pacific Center railroad shops hangs in the the footprint of which Roundhouse Brewery taproom. One patron is still visible outside was able to identify her grandfather in the the brewery’s parking photo when she stopped in for a pint. lot. The railroad theme also provides a wealth of options for naming beers. There’s a Boom Lake Lager, named after the site of the last brewery “Everything here is old and it’s got in Brainerd. The description for Angel character.” Seat Amber Ale teaches people about what an angel seat is. Many breweries The beers offer smaller samples of different beers Roundhouse Brewery opened with two in what’s usually called a flight. At beers on tap, Lelwica said, as natural Roundhouse Brewery, flights are called delays kept them from opening with tracks. more. Within a week they had expanded to “It’s been fun from that aspect that four beers and two weeks later increased people are learning more about railroad to six. Now there’s 10 beers on tap. history and terminology,” Meyer said. “A variety that appeals to pretty much “Rather than just Thomas (the Tank almost any palette,” Meyer said. Engine).” There will be seasonal beers and The NP Event Space brings in a lot of Lelwica admitted he hasn’t yet had one traffic to the Northern Pacific Center of Martin’s beers that he didn’t like. Craft and the brewery has been able to capture beer is a growing industry and consumers some of that traffic, Lelwica said. The are becoming more educated and critical location in general has a lot of traffic, of what they’re drinking, he said. he said, so he’s happy they were able to “For people to come in and taste these come into the space when they did. beers and be pretty critical about it,” “It’s a beautiful property that’s got Lelwica said. “Despite all that, we still a lot of potential,” Lelwica said. “And have gotten very positive feedback.” we feel very fortunate we were able to It’s rewarding to create something capitalize on it when we did.” people are excited about, Lelwica said, It’s early, but Lelwica said he sees and to see people connect with each other the brewery continuing to focus on the over the space and the beer. There’s a taproom experience. The team sees the good atmosphere and good beer which brewery as a “30-mile radius venture,” leads to good conversations, Meyer said. he said, one that will focus on serving the “There’s an excitement and an energy needs of the area first and foremost. when people come through the door that “We’re open-minded enough that we you can’t help but absorb,” Lelwica said. know that this has to evolve and that it’s Roundhouse Brewery is on tap in about going to take time to do that,” Lelwica 16 establishments in the community, said. Meyer said. The brewery wants to keep The team hasn’t spent much money on growing and there’s already test batches furniture or decor in the taproom, Lelwica being brewed, he said. It’s exciting to see said. The wood that makes up the tables what Martin is planning on brewing next, comes from fallen trees on land owned Lelwica said. by Lelwica’s and Meyer’s fathers. Other “Hopefully you create something that tables and chairs came from Culver’s in people love,” Lelwica said. “And if they Baxter when the restaurant completed do, awesome. And if they don’t, you know a remodel and was going to get rid of what, it’s beer.” them. Most of the wood in the space is reclaimed and reused. “It fits this building,” Lelwica said. ROUNDHOUSE: Page S23

For Your Info

Roundhouse Brewery

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S21

GRABBING

a Gull Dam beer Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer NISSWA — The second brewery to take up residence in the Brainerd lakes area was Gull Dam Brewing, which was opened in October 2014 in Nisswa by owners Mark and Barb Anderson. They started homebrewing in 2011 and liked what they were brewing, Mark Anderson said, so they decided to see if others did. Anderson is a private pilot so he started bringing his beers on flights and letting people try it. “We were just having a midlife crisis and trying to have some fun,” Anderson said. “Let’s try this, we’ve never done it.” Those early samples led to rave reviews, which made the Andersons think they were on to something. They noticed the booming growth of breweries in the Twin Cities and decided to open their own brewery in the area. “Why don’t we do this up around Gull Lake,” Anderson said. They bought an iconic building on Highway 371 just south of Schaefer’s Foods. The building, built in 2002, Anderson said, features an eye-catching water wheel on its front side facing the highway. The brewery recently added an outdoor stage in May, which could be used year-round for outdoor music, Anderson said. It was frustrating when trying to open the brewery, Anderson said, because of the government regulation, licensing and

permitting involved. Delays pushed the initial opening from May 2014 to October 2014. “It seemed like the biggest obstacle was government,” Anderson said. Anderson is no stranger to government — he represents District 9A in the Minnesota Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video House of Representatives, but is not The idea to start Gull Dam Brewing in Nisswa came up after owner Mark Anderson and his wife seeking re-election this year. For the opening day, Anderson said Barb experimented with homebrewing. the brewery had 3,000 wristbands for drinking-age patrons and ran out of gave away growlers on Sundays, which said. The new outdoor stage helps wristbands. The brewery sold 33.5 kegs of violated city ordinance. Council members transform the taproom into a place for beer, which is a state record for breweries believe the brewery was giving away good music and entertainment, he said. on their opening day, he said. “We’re trying to provide a very fun filled growlers with the purchase of a “Can anybody beat 33.5 kegs on their T-shirt on Sundays. establishment, so it’s not just the beer opening day?” Anderson said. “And and our name,” Anderson said. What’s in a name? nobody’s come forth.” The brewery’s first head brewer was The Gull Dam Brewery name came Steadman, who left after a year to open Growlers? about because the brewery is named after a brewery in New Mexico. The brewery’s Both Nisswa-based Gull Dam Brewing the Gull Lake Dam, Anderson said. The assistant brewer was promoted to head and Big Axe Brewing have had run-ins dam, along with the Gull Lake Dam Road brewer after learning the brewery’s with the Nisswa City Council when it leading to it, are commonly shortened to recipes under Steadman. comes to selling beer, and then growlers, the Gull Dam and the Gull Dam Road, he “It’s not that hard, it’s like baking a on Sundays. City ordinance allows on-sale said. cake,” Anderson said. liquor sales on Sunday yet it wasn’t until “The name Gull Dam, everyone has The brewery is focusing on recipes it’s February before Gull Dam was allowed made fun of that for years and years, used before and making small tweaks to sell beer on Sundays. Big Axe had an but yet nobody’s ever registered it or like adding flavoring to them, Anderson on-sale Sunday liquor license at the time trademarked it,” Anderson said. “It’s said. Other than that, the recipes aren’t Gull Dam’s was approved. just a play on things that’s actually been changed much, he said. Then in June, Big Axe owner Chris around the local history here for 100 “We do have some good recipes,” French asked the council to reconsider its years.” Anderson said. refusal to allow taprooms to sell growlers A notable decoration in the taproom is The brewing system can produce 2,000 on Sundays. At the time, he noted Anderson’s collection of growlers from barrels per year and current production Sunday beer sales already are allowed, breweries all over the country. They line is half of that, Anderson said. He’d like with Nisswa convenience stores allowed a shelf on one side of the taproom and are to “expand this tremendously,” which by sell 3.2 beer on the result of Anderson’s flights all across comes from increasing the brewery’s Sundays. The state the country. distribution. The beer is currently in area Legislature gave Luke Steadman, the original head establishments and in the Twin Cities cities the authority brewer, left his mark on the taproom. and Rochester, he said, with plans to to allow or not allow The reclaimed wood that makes up part expand bit by bit. taprooms/breweries of the bar comes from Steadman’s family “We’re just doing it a little bit here, a to sell growlers of farm in Pennsylvania. It’s from an 1870 little bit there,” Anderson said. “Trying beer on Sundays. dairy barn that was part of the family for to keep the mystique of Gull Dam beer In July, the council five generations before it was torn down. out there.” approved Sunday Gull Dam beer is getting good growler sales for The beer reviews and the name is a “marketing Big Axe, while Gull Dam Brewing opened with three phenomenon,” Anderson said. Because City: Nisswa withholding that beers and now has nine beers on tap, of that, the potential for the brewery is Number of employees: 12 ability from Gull Anderson said. There’s one specialty beer, “endless,” he said. Dam. Instead, the the Gull Dam Jet Ale, which is only sold in “Someday if I could buy a Gull Dam Interesting or little known fact: The Gull council could seek to bomber bottles. There’s also two rotating beer down in Miami, I think that’d be Lake Dam, for which Gull Dam Brewing is impose punishment flavored beers on tap for the summer. pretty cool,” Anderson said. named, is 104 years old. because council The coolest part about running a SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or members believe the brewery is simply serving people who like spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett. business illegally the beer and like to have fun, Anderson

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S22 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

BREWERY

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Something’s cooking

IN THE LAB

Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer The latest brewery planned to hit the Brainerd lakes area wants to be a hotbed of experimentation for its homebrewing owners. The Local Artisan Brewery, owned by Jessica and Jesse Bleichner, is hoping to open in the spring of 2017. The two secured a space in the first floor of the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd. The acronym for the brewery will be the LAB, as the Bleichners plan to experiment with much smaller batches than the other breweries in the area. The Bleichners have been homebrewing for about eight years, Jessica Bleichner said. They enjoy traveling and visiting other breweries and were inspired to open their own. “It was like, ‘Why aren’t we doing this?,’” Bleichner said. “‘Let’s do this.’” The Bleichners are currently completing their business and financial package for the business, Jessica Bleichner said. They are working with the Small Business Development Center at Central Lakes College to make sure the business is setup correctly. They’ve already gotten the city ordinance changed to allow the brewery to operate in the building, but there’s still a long road of permitting and licensing involved before the first beer is poured. “I’ve definitely had to embrace the slow and steady wins the race aspect,” Jessica Bleichner said. “Which I’m not normally that kind of person.”

from local farmers. They’ll only sell pints and growlers. “We’re really going for the small-scale craft end of it,” Jessica Bleichner said. The nanobrewery system will be a two-barrel system and they’ll brew once or twice a week, Jesse Bleichner said. They’re hoping to sell eight barrels per month to turn a profit, Jessica Bleichner said, so it’s a very small scale. “It’s really small compared to what a lot of breweries are doing,” Jesse Bleichner said. “We’re hoping the craft aspect of it will be a draw.” The small scale means the LAB will be able to try different things with the beer and have a wide variety of beers on tap, Jessica Bleichner said. “We’re going to be the LAB, we’re about experimenting,” Jessica Bleichner said. “I really like that we’ll be doing small batches and have the ability to play around with it.” The science aspect of brewing really appeals to both Jesse and Jessica, who love doing homebrewing together. Jessica Bleichner sees the LAB as a way to combine the science and art of brewing. “Brewing is very much an art form to me,” Jessica Bleichner said.

For Your Info Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey Gallery and Video

Local Artisan Brewery

Jesse and Jessica Bleichner plan to open the Local Artisan Brewery in the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd.

City: Brainerd Number of employees: Just owners Jessica and Jesse Bleichner, for now. Interesting fact: Owners Jessica and Jesse Bleichner plan to have a small stage in the LAB to provide a performance space for local musicians.

said, which has eliminated the high startup costs of bringing a space up to code. “We looked at several other places throughout the community and just the amount of investment to get it up to Offerings code would have been out of our range,” The LAB will also make homemade Jessica Bleicher said. Bringing the brewery into the Franklin sodas and will have a limited food menu, Jessica Bleichner said. All the food and Arts Center can only help the building beverages in the LAB will be made from flourish, Jessica Bleichner said. The LAB plans to collaborate with other local ingredients. Those local growers are “very excited” about the opportunity, she artists in the building, Jessica Bleichner said. Nano model “We’re really going to be playing The Franklin Arts Center space is around with the taste of the area,” Jessica a good fit for the LAB’s nanobrewery Bleichner said. From Page S17 model, Jesse Bleichner said. The brewery The LAB will hopefully have a line of 10 will focus heavily on the “craft” in “craft taps, Jessica Bleichner said, two of which brewing,” he said, and engage with the will be nitro offerings. There will also be Sundberg’s ultimate job is to make arts community in the building. Jessica soda and other options for people who sure the end product at Jack Pine Bleichner’s Vespertine Tribal dance don’t want alcohol, she said. Brewery is good, whether the product group was in the building for a few The plan is to be open seven days a is the beer or the taproom experience. years so she’s well connected with the week, with hours still to be determined, “I’ve always tried to hire and train other tenants in the building. Those other Jessica Bleichner said. people to do a better job than I have,” artists are very excited to help the LAB Sundberg said. The space open and get started, she said. The most rewarding part of the The nanobrewery business model The 1,900-square-foot space currently experience so far has been meeting means the LAB won’t be distributing beer features bare concrete walls and floors people, Sundberg said. People in the to any outside establishments, Jessica and a wall of windows letting natural light taproom and at bars and restaurants Bleichner said. They’ve connected with into the room. Fortunately, there hasn’t in the area have been warm and the Minnesota Hop Growers Association been much construction work required receptive, he said. and will be getting other ingredients to get the space ready, Jesse Bleichner

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said, but she didn’t want to reveal many specifics. They’re planning on putting a small stage in the space to help promote the performing arts, she said. “We’re really going to try and include a lot of aspects that maybe people don’t always see as artistic,” Jessica Bleichner said. “And bring them in and welcome them.” SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett.

“The people that gather around good beer, it’s been really invigorating to see that,” Sundberg said. It’s exciting to go into a restaurant and see Jack Pine beer on tap, Sundberg said, but he actually gets more excited to see other people recommend the beer. “To hear some random waitress, who I don’t even know, pitch this local beer … without any prompting or anything,” Sundberg said. “To hear other people get excited about it, that’s really thrilling.” SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett.

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BREWERY

www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S23

BIG AXE From Page S19

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Patrons of Roundhouse Brewery in the Northern Paciﬁc Center in Brainerd can take the beer home in growlers.

ROUNDHOUSE From Page S20

The brewery has a 7-barrel system and Martin brews about twice a week, Lelwica said, for an annual production of about 700 barrels. If the demand increases, the current system will allow the brewery to increase production along with those demands, he said. Roundhouse Brewery has seven employees including Martin. He’s a talented, detail-oriented brewer with a chemistry background, Lelwica said, and “there’s a lot of people that come in here each week and validate that.”

Getting going The city of Brainerd has been supportive throughout the process of opening the brewery, Lelwica said. The city hadn’t yet defined breweries, taprooms or brewpubs, he said, so the team was able to work with them to define those terms and add them to city ordinances. “They saw our vision, they understood our vision,” Lelwica. The investors involved in the operation each bring different opinions to the table, Lelwica said, and it’s an eclectic mix of people. It’s healthy and helpful to have different people involved, he said, because they see things differently and offer different ideas or solutions.

Alcohol is heavily regulated so licensing was a long process, Lelwica said. Adding nine owners into the process complicates it, he said, so “you just kind of put your head down and go.” The infrastructure in the brewery space was inadequate, Lelwica said, so the team spent a lot of money and time getting it up to code. Most of the costs came from electrical, plumbing and heating, air conditioning and ventilation upgrades, along with purchasing the brewing equipment. Despite the mounting costs, the team knew the NP Center space was the place to be. “I don’t think we were ever deterred from this property,” Lelwica said. Roundhouse Brewery won’t serve food because it’s not their passion, Lelwica said. People are welcome to bring food in, though, and the team hopes to attract food trucks to the location in the future. Food trucks providing a starting point for hopeful restauranteurs, he said, and he hopes the city will become more open to them in the future. “That’s progress, that’s growth, that’s entrepreneurship,” Lelwica said. “That’s an opportunity for people to establish more business and to bring more attention and more commerce to this area.” SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett.

hence the red and black, as well as a fusion of industrial and rustic themes. One of the space’s features is the word AXE spelled out in the support beams in the ceiling, which French said was Hess’s idea. This summer has featured a new addition to Big Axe in the form of Wednesday trivia nights at the brewery, put on by Trivia Mafia, which hosts trivia nights throughout the state. Teams of one to six people can gather to play for free and try to earn prizes which include movie passes, among other goodies. The brewery has only been doing the trivia nights for about two months, French said, but they’ve been wellreceived. A lot of people enjoy coming to the brewery for trivia and making a night of it, he said, and the Trivia Mafia setup is unique and offers a different trivia experience. He noted the brewery may change trivia nights to Thursday in the future, but it hasn’t been decided yet.

Growlers? Both Nisswa-based Big Axe Brewing and Gull Dam Brewing have had runins with the Nisswa City Council when it comes to selling growlers on Sundays.

BREWING BEER From Page S18

and learned about the growth in the area thanks to the mountain bike trails at the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. “From that point on, I knew this was the place,” Huisinga said. “After meeting with the two of them, then I knew.” Huisinga is currently working on the licensing for the brewery, which goes at its own pace. Like Jack Pine Brewery before it, Cuyuna Brewing Company has launched its own crowdfunding campaign to help raise funds for the remodel. In one month, the campaign has raised $8,190 toward its $15,000 goal. At different donation levels, there’s different rewards for those who contribute. The Small Business

In June, French asked the council to reconsider its refusal to allow taprooms to sell growlers on Sundays. At the time, he noted Sunday beer sales already are allowed, with Nisswa convenience stores allowed to sell 3.2 beer on Sundays. The state Legislature gave cities the authority to allow or not allow taprooms/breweries to sell growlers of beer on Sundays. In July, the council approved Sunday growler sales for Big Axe, while withholding that ability from Gull Dam. French was “really excited” when the council approved Sunday growler sales, he said, as he wasn’t sure it was going to happen. The council decision reflected the work the brewery put in meeting with people and informing them about the brewery’s stance on the issue. “Putting some convincing arguments behind our position I think helped,” French said. “We’re just really excited that we’re able to offer this to people now that they’re kind of expecting it everywhere else in the state, even in Brainerd and Baxter.” The brewery’s first Sunday growler sales day was July 31 and the brewery celebrated by offering a free pint of beer with every growler purchase, French said. The day was well-received overall, he said. SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett.

Development Center at Central Lakes College has helped Huisinga manage the brewery’s budget and finances. “From what I’ve heard, people are excited and hopefully that’ll translate into helping us out,” Huisinga said. “And getting some limited edition perks.” A previous survey of bikers coming to the recreation area to use the trails had generated around 700 responses, Huisinga said. When asked for what amenity the bikers wanted most, a brewery with a taproom was one of the most popular responses. “That’s what’s exciting about this for Crosby and the other businesses that have opened,” Huisinga said. “We’re going to be keeping tourists here more.” SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett.

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Edgewood Dental Gives Back By BECKY FLANSBURG

As an established dental practice located in Baxter’s Grizzly’s Center, Edgewood Dental is wellknown throughout the lakes area as an excellent place for cosmetic and family dental care. Dr. Jeanni R. Foss, Dr. Victoria Severson, Dr. Wendy Tanner and the Edgewood Dental team welcome new patients and are proud of their reputation for providing outstanding patient care. But what area residents may not be aware of is Edgewood Dental’s commitment to giving back to the community. Dr. Foss and her team are heavily involved in many charities and initiatives including the Dental Lifeline Network, a humanitarian organization focused on providing dental outreach services for developmentally disabled individuals. Edgewood does their own yearly, in-house donated dental services program to assist individuals unable to afford dental care due to financial limitations related to medical, physical, mental and age-related challenges. Other charities and events that this flourishing dental practice is involved in includes being the premier sponsor for Race for Grace, donating to local schools and non-profits and being active in the Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) initiative. On GKAS Day, dental offices all over the U.S. open their doors to provide free dental services to under-served children in their communities. Edgewood Dental has been participating in this program since 2006 and each year the program continues to grow with more volunteers and children served. With an eye on continually offering ways to provide the utmost comfort, convenience and optimal oral health to patients, Dr. Foss recently added Dental Edge Lab, an in-house dental lab that enables Edgewood to make their own crowns, bridges and more in-house. Edgewood and the other local participating dentists rotate being on-call for the Essentia Emergency Room staff and use their dental expertise to better address traumatic dental injuries and relieve pain. Whether it’s providing services for patients in need, or practicing preventative dentistry with lakes area residents, exceptional patient care is always a top priority. Dr. Foss and the team at Edgewood Dental firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile that cultivates confidence and enhances life. 001459289r1

HAPPY LABOR DAY from EDGEWOOD DENTAL

Edgewood Dental has provided exceptional care for the Brainerd Lakes Area since December, 2004 and is actively involved in community programs and services. We want to give you a beautiful, confident smile that will enhance your everyday life! To make an appointment, call our friendly staff or visit us online today!

Have a safe and happy Labor Day from everyone at Edgewood Dental!

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Dr. Victoria Severson, DDS

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S24 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com Advertorial

Stained-glass project pays tribute to Essentia Health’s core values and employees BY JODIE TWEED

Essentia Health will soon install a lasting tribute to the “It is wonderful that we are working with a local artist in six Benedictine values that the Brainerd health care system designing stained glass art that embodies our core values.” has long valued and to its employees who exemplify those Each year Essentia Health honors six of its employees, values. nominated by their colleagues, who best exemplify those Brainerd artist Greg Rosenberg is creating three stained- six core values. Last fall’s recipients were Kim Schuman, glass windows, each nearly four-feet wide and seven-feet Guest Services Attendant, Hospitality award; Dr. Kelli tall, that will brighten up the hospital’s cafeteria. The art Leland, Pierz Family Clinic, Justice award; Pat DeLong, piece will reflect each of Essentia Health’s core values — Chief Nursing Officer, Quality award; Connie Beto, Family teamwork, hospitality, stewardship, respect, quality and Birthplace Ward Clerk, Respect award; Bonnie Garding, justice. Human Resources, “Both my Stewardship award; parents have and Julie Mueller, been in and out Pillager Clinic Patient of the hospital Representative, and we were Teamwork award. really impressed Bonnie Garding Adam Rees, President, Essentia Health Central Region. said receiving the with the care that goes on there,” Stewardship award Rosenberg said. “This was quite an honor to be called, was a big surprise and a special honor. She was nominated and it fits exactly what I try to do in my work anyway, for her willingness to take on additional assignments, for giving people a break in life. It’s a piece that is supposed being exceptionally organized and making great decisions to offer people a little bit of peace and comfort during a when balancing the needs of many different people. “It was an honor to know that people pay attention to stressful situation.” The 12-foot wide woodland scene will be rich in detail, what you do and that they care,” Garding said. “When asked how Essentia Health carries out its mission depicting Minnesota wildflowers, trees, birds, deer and a pond. Rosenberg has finished the first window and is ‘to make a healthy difference in people’s lives,’ I explain it’s all about our dedicated employees and physicians and currently working on his second window scene. “Creating a legacy in which we honor our co-workers the caring spirit our patients experience when they receive through beautiful artwork is exciting,” said Chaplain Lee our services,” explained Adam Rees, President, Essentia Casey, who is the director of Mission and Spiritual Care. Health Central Region.

L-R: Bonnie Garding, Human Resources; Connie Beto, Family Birthplace Ward Clerk; Pat DeLong, Chief Nursing Ofﬁcer; Dr. Kelli Leland, Pierz Family Clinic; Julie Mueller, Pillager Clinic Patient Representative; Kim Schuman, Guest Services Attendant

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1,431 EMPLOYEES 270 VOLUNTEERS 6 SHARED VALUES Our values guide everything we do. At Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Clinics, we have great employees and volunteers that are here each day to make a healthy difference in the lives of individuals, families and our community. In doing so we share a common set of values — Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork. These values guide the ways we’re here with you, providing a deeper kind of care for everything that’s essential to your health.

RESPECT

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STEWARDSHIP

TEAMWORK EssentiaHealth.org

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“it’s all about our dedicated employees and physicians and the caring spirit our patients experience when they receive our services”

BRAINERD LAKES AREA

Progress Edition B R A I N E R D

www.brainerddispatch.com

D I S P A T C H

L A B O R

D A Y

SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881

S P E C I A L

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

3 Cheers continues to spread joy and good food

Jeremy Millsop Food Writer Emerging from the steam of a fast-boiling batch of penne could be the next crop of recognizable chefs in the Brainerd lakes area. The vessel for these masters of merriment and marinade to elevate into the spotlight could be the same venue that produced arguably the two most identifiable faces on the lakes area food scene — Prairie Bay. Matt Annand and Nick Miller went from running the Baxter restaurant to owning it last year. Along with business partner, John Poston, the three have developed 3 Cheers Hospitality LLC. The trio owns Prairie Bay, Sherwood Forest in Lake Shore and operates the food and beverage at Lost Lake Lodge also in Lake Shore. Along with a growing catering and banquet schedule and the Central Lakes College cafeteria, the group also will be expanding into the Crosby area. With a workforce of more than 125 employees, Miller and Annand are instilling the same business philosophy used by former Prairie Bay owner Mike Bullinger. “We give them a voice in the company,” Annand said. “They don’t just do as they’re told. They know what our vision is and everyone kind of falls in line with that vision, but everyone has a way to direct that vision themselves. There

10 to 12 years.” Annand added the only reason the company can do what it does and be at many places at once is because of the staff it employs. “We could do 20 different restaurants, but you’re not going to be able to execute if you don’t have the people that we have,” Annand said. “We have great people.” Great people with a wide-range of experience in numerous avenues of preparing and serving food. The Miller-Annand crazy thought train has created food trucks, wedding catering, catering at WeFest for up to 20,000 people, catering at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway and many other events ranging in size and complexity. They’ve cooked in upscale restaurants and on a grill in someone’s backyard. At the forefront has been Annand and Miller. They are largely the two most recognizable faces in the food industry. But as their responsibilities change so too will that exposure. And they are happy with that. “I want the Jami Walgrens and the Amy Kidrowskis and the Matt Masons and all these people that are stepping up and being the leaders to be the new faces that you see,” Miller said. “It’s not necessarily Matt you see on the line or me on the floor. You see that recognizable face and that’s what makes people

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

The ingredients for a lobster stir fry with shrimp and scallops in the kitchen at Lost Lake Lodge. might be dishes on the menu that are this chef’s or that chef’s because we want them invested in the company like it’s theirs. Because it is.” Miller said before they became owners they were treated like owners. That’s a concept that will remain. Also remaining will be the off-the-wall ideas that endeared Miller and Annand to the lakes area. Ideas like a food truck that, despite facing many bureaucratic hurdles, was a sight for sore eyes for some. Those crazy, but exciting ideas and inclusion in the process are why many of Prairie Bay’s staff has remained for up to 12 years. “Consistency is huge as a team,” Annand said. “We retain a lot of our employees because they realize, I think, this is a family type of thing. We treat our employees like family. We get along with them. We fight with them like all families do, but we hang out with each other and we’re in the trenches together when it’s go time. “I think we have virtually no turnover aside from the fact that people leave for college and things like that. We have people that have been with the company for

comfortable to come. We have customers who ask, ‘Who is working the grill?’ Because they love how a certain person makes their steak. Because you can see them. ‘Oh, there is Damien Proffit. I want him to make my steak.’ That’s what makes people comfortable. “We are really hoping that the next group that are very capable and have worked hard and have done a lot for this company are the next faces.” News flash: Annand does not make your chicken penne anymore. Steve Vitale does. In fact, Vitale has done it for 12 years. Jen Neff is another talent mentioned by the group. She’s been the event coordinator for five years. Also mentioned was up-and-coming sous chef Jenna Brower, who is on her second year with the team. “We’re ambitious,” Annand said. “We as a team want to continue to grow because we have a lot of good ideas and we have good people to do them. But we can’t do those good ideas if we can’t keep the people that we have.” The company is also able to keep its employees busy. Personnel are encouraged to work at all the properties, but it isn’t

mandatory. A waitress could serve breakfast at Lost Lake Lodge and then hit the lunch rush at Sherwood Forest a few hours later. “We have a pretty big footprint as far as what we do in the course of even a day,” Annand said. “We’ll do multiple events and then have four restaurants operating with a smaller staff than you think we would have to accomplish that.”

Sherwood Forest When Poston purchased Sherwood Forest the first thing he heard was, “Don’t make it fancy.” Poston said customers wanted a casual dining experience when at the lake and Sherwood Forest is tucked between Gull Lake and Lake Margaret on County Highway 77 south of Lake Shore. Despite the casual ambiance, Annand stressed customers still want quality and an experience. “I call us a gastro pub with a Minnesota flare,” said Annand. “We’re trying to do interesting, unique food, but have it be Minnesota approachable. That’s sort of the menu direction. Our prices have gone down from the past. It’s a lot of sliders and sandwiches, but we also have entrees. You can come here and eat and have a great meal or you can come here to dine. “We’ve incorporated some things from Prairie Bay onto this menu — the greatest hits, if you want to call them that — to boost what we’re doing here because we know they work well. They’ve been received well.” Local has always been Prairie Bay’s focus. The concept expanded to the company’s new stable of savory rendezvous. On Sherwood Forest’s menu is The ‘Local” a Hollister Family Farm grassfed burger with Fox Farm bacon. The onion rings and fish are battered in Jack Pine Brewery’s Fenceline beer. What’s more Minnesotan than Spam? You can try the Spam musubi at Sherwood Forest. Annand said they produce food to the highest degree without the pretension of more formal dinning experience. It’s a concept that lends itself to the main goal the company wants Sherwood Forest to become. “One of the things that we’re doing here is building a community here,” said Poston. “We have the Iron Waffle, which is on our property, but we don’t operate the business. It’s a coffee shop and a speciality waffle shop. It’s nice to have on the property. We have the Bride’s Cottage right across here because weddings are certainly a focus at Sherwood Forest. Weddings have taken place here for 90 some years. Weddings are still a big part of what we do. We have had six weddings this year. We’ve had brides get married here because their parents or grandparents got married here. It’s been a tradition for a very, very long time. We’re trying to keep that tradition going.” Proof of the group’s community motivation is the Holiday House during Christmas, where the historic lodge is decked out in Christmas decorations. Santa arrives and children are entertained with arts and crafts, while the parents are entertained

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls/Gallery and Video

Prairie Bay head chef Tim Bollum moves a brisket to the oven in the kitchen at the restaurant in Baxter. with food and drink. This fall the all-youcan-eat crab and fish fry will return. Annand said the summer months are when the chefs get to itch their creative spirits. Sherwood Forest has had a rocky past with ownership changes, closing for long stretches of time and other issues, but Poston believes those times have changed. Miller agrees. “People are thirsty for this place to be a success,” said Miller. “In 2014, we were kind of in and out of here. We had weekend service, but people were interested. It’s on the road so people see it, but this lodge and what it was built as is a collection place for the community that was the resort. People just naturally gravitate to this building because it’s so unique and different. We just wanted to keep that thread going. We wanted this to become that neighborhood bar. It feels like the place you miss going to and look forward to returning all winter. We wanted a place that is very cozy, very comfortable. You can come in after work or off the lake. This is just the lodge.” Miller said with good product and good people, integrating into the community was easy. Annand didn’t necessarily agree that it

as opposed to just a little cracker box that was just barely able to keep up. It’s a pretty big restaurant.” It’s a restaurant Miller believes is able to cater to

that place for people. Then tell them that we will be open. And people came. It was really well supported.” Another big development will be the addition of

For Your Info 3 Cheers Hospitality LLC City: Baxter, Brainerd, Lake Shore and Crosby Number of employees: More than 125 Fun fact: Matt Annand does not make the Chicken Penne at Prairie Bay anymore.

the family off the boat and the couple on their first date. The future also looks bright. Of course the tandem of Annand-Miller have big to gigantic plans for the property. They would like to expand the outside capabilities and use the back deck more. Sherwood Forest is still part time during the winter. Last year, it was open Thursday for dinner and Friday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. The group would love to see it become a full-time

a bike trail running by Sherwood Forest.

Lost Lake Lodge

3 Cheers hospitality found a home at Lost Lake Lodge after being invited in by Rebound Hospitality, which owns the property. “The folks that own the resort now are primarily in the boutique, hotel, motel business,” said Poston. “This is the first resort property they’ve owned. They don’t really like to be in the food service part of it so they looked for a good partner up here. That’s how we got involved with them initially.” And the partnership has provided yet another taste experience for local customers as well as resort guests. Going with a global flare and led by Mason and his 10 years with the company, Lost Lake Lodge’s menu ranges from Asian duck steam buns and spicy Bombay chicken curry to house made pan-fried gnocchi and an Ahi tuna sandwich. “The food there, the atmosphere and service is a little bit more upscale Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls there by design, but it’s Chef Chris Meitzner prepares food in the kitchen at Sherwood still not stuffy,” Annand said. “It’s not overbearing. Forest Lodge. The scheme of the menu is a little bit more global was easy, but said having restaurant. “We took it as a victory flavors, but still using local a quality team, led by first-year head chef Jason that we were open year- products. Everything we do round last year,” said at Prairie Bay, Sherwood Eslinger, helped. “To accomplish that Miller. “We were fine. Forest or Lost Lake Lodge we’ve thrown some pretty There was a couple of uses as much local product good talent at it in terms weeks in January where as possible. That’s kind of of back of the house,” said it was. … It works year- where we are going over Annand. “We reconfigured round. It was certainly there. It’s going really the kitchen. We expanded a question mark, but we well.” it to make it a kitchen thought about it, but the 3 CHEERS that you could actually goal last summer was to HOSPITALITY:Page S29 deliver good food out of build that clientele and be

RESTAURANT

S26 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Employee Laura Lasher adjusts a sign in the fresh ﬁsh display case at Morey’s Seafood Markets in Baxter.

Morey’s is more than seafood Spenser Bickett Staﬀ Writer Along Highway 371 in Baxter, an iconic giant rainbow trout alerts drivers to the presence of fresh seafood from around the world. Morey’s Seafood Markets in Baxter and its partner store in Motley are closely intertwined with Morey’s Seafood International, based in Motley. The Morey’s story started in 1937 when a truck, driven by an angler on his way to the Twin Cities from Lake of the Woods, broke down in Motley, said Paul Burton, general manager of Morey’s Seafood Markets. Ed Morey traded corn and other goods to the angler in exchange for the fish, which were going to spoil. Morey then smoked the fish and gave it to the people of Motley, who loved it, he said. “Everyone raved about it and said ‘Ed, this is your calling, this is what you need to do, you need to sell smoked fish,’” Burton said. From there, Morey started traveling to Canada and setting up business relationships with people in the seafood industry, Burton said. The fish were shipped to Motley, where they were smoked and processed. The retail store in Motley started almost at the same time as when that first batch of fish was smoked, he said. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the business changed hands a couple of times, Burton said. Then in 1986, Steve Frank, Burton’s fatherin-law, took ownership of the company along with his father and brother. In 1996, Frank took independant ownership of the retail side of the business, which includes the Motley and Baxter stores. The Franks and the Moreys have a long tradition of collaboration. Elyse Frank Burton, the current vice president of operations of Morey’s

Seafood Markets, is the fourth generation of the Frank family to join the family business of selling seafood. “We’re probably one of the largest retailers of smoked fish in the country, between this store and the Motley store,” Burton said.

Selling seafood Seafood is unique in that people have the preconceived notion that it’s difficult to prepare, Burton said. It’s rewarding to show people how to prepare salmon or crab and how simple it can be, he said. Many people hear about the health benefits of eating seafood and come to the store to learn how to incorporate it into their diets. “They come in and ask ‘What’s good and how do I prepare it?’” Burton said. What sets Morey’s Seafood Markets apart from a grocery store is all the employees can answer those questions and lead a customer through how to prepare a certain type of seafood, Burton said. “You’re not on your own going into the dark taking a salmon filet home to put on your grill,” Burton said. “Anyone can run you through the basic steps of preparing that so it’s easy and not intimidating.” Morey’s Seafood Markets has both regular customers who stop in once or twice a week yearround, as well as seasonal customers who make an annual stop on the way to their seasonal residence, Burton said. The market in Motley has much more of a heritage because it’s been there since the beginning, he said. “You have people that come in that are 65 years old and say ‘I remember coming here with my grandfather in the ‘50s,’” Burton said. All of the smoked fish in the market is processed by Morey’s Seafood International and many of

the fresh and frozen items come from a Morey’s Seafood International distribution center in Golden Valley, Burton said. “We still have a very strong working relationship with Morey’s Seafood International and buy 90 percent of our fish and seafood from them,” Burton said. Perishability is the biggest challenge when it comes to selling fresh seafood, Burton said. Retailers have to know how fresh fish was handled and processed at the source, he said, and continue to handle it properly in the store. There’s only three or four days before fresh fish needs to be eaten or frozen. “Would I eat fish that’s been in there longer than that? I would,” Burton said. “But I want it to be as fresh as possible for our customers.” The frozen fish is sold out of the freezer case, Burton said, which has its benefits. The season for wild Alaskan salmon only lasts 4-5 months, he said, so freezing it allows the store to sell it when it’s not in season. The per pound cost for seafood at Morey’s Seafood Markets is higher than at the grocery store, but it’s like the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” Burton said. The price is higher because the quality is higher, he said, and the in-store experience is a cut above. “Getting top-notch customer service that you don’t find a lot of places in this day and age,” Burton said. “Yes, you’re going to pay a little more. But you’re going to have help on how to prepare it and what you need to do to have a successful meal.”

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Lobster tails at Morey’s Seafood Markets in Baxter are shipped to the store from across the world. store is family-owned and family-operated, he said, and the family likes to take care of the staff. Burton is a fourth-generation Brainerd native. “We’re very handson,” Burton said. “We’re very active, we’re not just owners.” Burton was working in the action sports industry as photographer and videographer and in the marine industry when he started dating his nowwife, Elyse Frank Burton. He was looking for a

Family vibe Morey’s Seafood Markets is known for its family environment, Burton said, in that the employees are seen as an extended family. The

career change and the Franks were looking for someone to work in the Brainerd store. “It’s the typical Cinderella story, I started out sweeping and mopping floors,” Burton said. “Whatever hours I could get.” He started working for the company in the summer of 2005, he said, and was made a manager two years later in the summer of 2007. “I wasn’t made a manager the day after the

wedding,” Burton said. “I started sweeping and mopping floors, doing dirty jobs, doing whatever it took so I could work.” Burton is an avid angler and enjoys fishing during his time off. But, he joked, there’s a saying among those who work in the seafood industry. “If you sell fish, you can’t catch fish,” Burton said.

MOREY’S MORE THAN SEAFOOD: Page S30

For Your Info Morey’s Seafood Markets City: Baxter and Motley Number of employees: 25, between the two stores. Interesting Fact: General Manager Paul Burton’s favorite type of seafood to eat on a special occasion is lobster.

Thank you my Great TEAM. Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day!

WISHING ALL OUR HARD-WORKING EMPLOYEES & AMERICANS

HAPPY LABOR DAY

Laurie Hall 326 W. Laurel St.

Brainerd, MN (3 blocks South of Walgreens)

828-0460

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WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY & SAFE

LABOR DAY

Lakes Area Premier Electrical Contractor

Thank you to our customers for their continued support and thank you to our staff for their hard work during another busy season.

Holden Electric has been a premier electrical contractor in the Brainerd Lakes Region since 1957. Agate Electric opened in 1999 along Minnesota’s North Shore and grew to be one of the largest in that region. Holden Electric in Baxter is now the Corporate Headquarters for both businesses and we couldn’t be prouder. Our strength of over 50 electricians allows us to serve customers statewide.

We are a Full Service Commercial and Residential Electrical Contractor

* Service Departments in Baxter and Two Harbors * We can handle day-to-day commercial or residential projects of any size. *Large fleet of vehicles on the road every day to provide the fastest and highest quality electrical service *Holden Electric is also your limited energy contractor specializing in Fire Alarm, Data Rack, Card Access and CATV. *FREE ESTIMATES & 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

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Our Guarantee of Quality

Holden Electric Co., Inc. is committed to providing the best electrical and technical solutions for our customers through quality, value, and service. We strive to implement a long-term relationship with our customers based on safety, prompt service and anticipating our customers’ needs. To guarantee quality, we continually invest in training and education for our workforce and give our employees the proper tools and equipment for every job.

• 7669 College Road, Baxter • estimating@holdenelectric.com w w w. h o l d e n e l e c t r i c . c o m

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218-829-4759

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P.0. Box 639, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

RESTAURANT

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NORTHERN COWBOY

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S27

to make its debut in former Iven’s on the Bay site

Jennifer Stockinger Staﬀ Writer Move over Iven’s On the Bay and come on in the Northern Cowboy Flame N’ Northern Brew. Brew. Iven’s, a seafood finedining restaurant, had been a landmark for more than 30 years along Highway 371 on North Long Lake’s west bay. Iven’s was started by Iven and Marlene Hudalla and sold to Keith Carlson and Sara McCabe in 2004. The fine-dining restaurant sold again in late July and this time it will no longer be known as the Iven’s Brainerd lakes area residents have come to know. The new owners, Brian Burggraff of Brainerd and Dan Lee of Maple Grove, have a new vision for Iven’s. They are excited to share it and hope lakes area residents and tourists come to love it too. Burggraff and Lee, friends for about 25 years, are not new to the restaurant business. They have close to three decades of experience under their belts. Burggraff worked in food service at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake, Chase on the Lake in Walker and the Mall of America. Lee worked at Champps and other restaurants in the Twin Cities metro area. The friends talked about going into business for years, but weren’t serious about it until five years ago. They said they’re not getting any younger and decided if they were going to go into business, now was the time. They weren’t sure if they should start a restaurant in Brainerd or the Twin Cities, until they saw Iven’s was for sale. Iven’s was a perfect location for their Northern

Cowboy, as it was off a four-lane highway, near Brainerd and on a lake. They jumped at the chance and closed on the 3-acre property July 29. They purchased the restaurant, liquor store and the house next to it, which will be Northern Cowboy’s office and storage space. They own 700-feet of lakeshore and have worked with the DNR and Crow Wing County to redevelop the shoreline. They added a new dock and cleared out the dead trees and brush to make about 50-feet of shoreline more open for the restaurant. Burggraff and Lee want an expanded lake view for customers and want boaters to have easier access to the restaurant. The outdoor patio itself will not be expanded, but the view will be more open and scenic. People will be able to sit within 30 feet from the lakeshore when dining. Northern Cowboy will not be like Iven’s. The atmosphere, decor and food will be different. Burggraff and Lee said Northern Cowboy is not a fine-dining restaurant, nor is it a burger joint. They said it will offer casual dining “with a unique twist” and will be set in what they call a “Modern Northern atmosphere.” “We hope people will be pleasantly surprised,” Burggraff said. “We don’t want people to think we are drastically far away from what Iven’s menu was. We’re not fine dining. We are definitely more casual. ... We’re taking our experiences as we both have been in the hospitality business for close to 30 years each and our chef has a fabulous background,

Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger

Brian Burggraﬀ (left) and Dan B. Lee, owners of Northern Cowboy Flame N’ Brew oﬀ Highway 371 on North Long Lake, smile in the midst of construction of the main level of the restaurant. too. I think people will be surprised with some of the specials that we will come up with.” People can order anything from simple to extravagant menu items at Northern Cowboy. “We want people to feel welcome when they walk through the door, no matter how they are dressed,” Burggraff said. “People can come in for wings to watch a football game or they can come in for more of a fine-dining meal.” Lee believes fine-dining restaurants have been struggling to stay open year-round. He said they want Northern Cowboy to be a “unique and fun” place that will make the locals want to come back all year-round. The owners want people to come to the restaurant for a meal or appetizer or just to have a beverage anytime, not just for special holidays like anniversaries or birthdays. The owners plan to host activities throughout the year to keep customers entertained, such as hosting a dog sled race or fall harvest event. Food at Northern Cowboy will be across the board

For Your Info Northern Cowboy Flame N’ Brew City: North Long Lake’s west bay, north of Brainerd Number of employees: About 30 Interesting Fact: Is the general fact that the entire atmosphere on the North Long Lake’s west bay will change from a higher-end martini bar/fine dining to a “Modern Northern” casual atmosphere. from affordable lunch menu to sandwiches of all kinds to a dinner menu of seasonal seafood, cut steaks, salmon, shrimp, turkey, prime rib and other proteins. All the proteins and seafood will be smoked. Lee said 75-80 percent of their food will be made from scratch and they’ll offer their delicious au gratin potatoes made from a recipe they have been working on perfecting for years. “We want people to tell others that they gotta have it,’” Lee said of their specialty foods. Lunch prices will range from $5-$10 and dinner will range from $10 to $35,

with several menu items in the mid $20s range. Changing the atmosphere of the venue began with redoing the walls, which was a work in progress throughout the month of August. The owners have no plans to change anything structurally with the restaurant. They are updating the walls and fixtures on the main level. Reclaimed wood from a torn-down barn near Brainerd is being used for the walls and a vaulted ceiling in the bar area, along with tin to give the restaurant a more modern feel. “We are not going to have any fish or deer

mounts on the wall,” Burggraff said. “We have our own brand we are working on.” Burggraff came up with the concept of the business 20 years ago when he was living in Mankato. He was planning to leave the hospitality business and was working on earning his real estate license from Four Seasons Realty in Breezy Point.

NORTHERN COWBOY: Page S31

Advertorial

Ascensus continues its commitment to growth, community service

Together

in the Brainerd Lakes Community

By JODIE TWEED

Ascensus, last year named to the 34th annual Inc. 5000 list of fastestgrowing private companies in America, continues to grow as a corporate leader in retirement and college savings plan services. The company has been part of the Brainerd community for more than 30 years. While Ascensus works to improve the lives of their clients through its retirement, college and health care savings services, they also focus on fostering success for their own employees, including the 450 employees at the Brainerd office. The company is always growing, adding employees to meet the demands of each business sector they serve. “We are a national company but the folks who work here love to live in the Brainerd area and are very active in the community as well,” explains Barb Van Zomeren, a vice president in the Brainerd office. “We focus on our associates’ growth and development to make sure Ascensus is not just a job, but a career for them.” Van Zomeren says being an active member of the community is also important for the culture of the company. Associates are encouraged to volunteer and participate in local events through a paid Volunteer Time Off program. In taking advantage of this program, they have supported many causes such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, an event in which Ascensus was also a gold sponsor. You’ll find associates engaged with children at Camp Confidence and Junior Achievement, which provides in-classroom instruction dedicated to educating students about financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

We thank our associates for their dedication to help over 7 million Americans save for college, healthcare, and retirement while actively contributing to the Brainerd Community.

Barb Van Zomeren

Camp Confidence

Bridges of

• Junior Achievement

Hope • Women’s

bigBowl • Relay

Ascensus fosters community involvement at the office as well. They serve as a donation site for both the Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center and Bridges of Hope. A team delivers the donated items from its staff to the organizations. The company also encourages employee resource groups, which allow associates to connect and support others who are going through similar life experiences. These groups host fun work incentives for associates to volunteer or donate to a cause, such as pizza lunch days or wearing jeans during the work day. Ascensus helps over 7 million Americans save for a college education, healthcare and retire successfully. The company has 12 locations around the country. The Brainerd offices are the second largest.

CMY

for Life®

Shelter • Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family • Susan G.Komen Race for the Cure® • Alex’s Lemonade StandSM • Adopt a Highway®

Make a difference in the world from right here in Brainerd. Find your opportunity with a leader in financial services at careers.ascensus.com. A career you value. A company that values you.TM Ascensus® and the Ascensus logo are registered trademarks of Ascensus, Inc. “A career you value. A company that values you.TM” is a trademark of Ascensus, Inc. Copyright ©2016 Ascensus, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

RESTAURANT

S28 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

This old Barn

www.brainerddispatch.com

Brainerd restaurant has made it right for 7 decades

and pickles. Initially, Gary limited his activity in the restaurant operation itself to just grilling — his mother baked the pies. But in 1989, she retired after 20 years, and he had to learn the secret of the best key limes and french silks (it’s the crust). And so it went on, for decades more, unchanging as presidents came and went from office. Gary thought about expanding The Barn once — when an adjacent property was on the market for $10,000. But then he got some advice from his father when he told him of his plan to buy the neighboring building and expand the restaurant. “He said, ‘But is it broke?’” Gary recalled. It’s not as though there haven’t been modernizations, though. “I think for the most part, we’re doing the same thing we were doing 40 years ago,” he said. “But the internet has brought our name out there.” For example, 1,200 people like the The Barn on Facebook, and the restaurant is also

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The Barn Diner has been serving food since 1946 at its location on Washington Street in Brainerd. Gary has owned the cafe since 1970. As he was eating supper in it one day some 40 years ago, the prior owner came up to his table and asked the 19-year-old Gary to talk. “Nineteen years old, didn’t think you had enough money to pay for your supper,” Karen said. But he wound up purchasing the entire restaurant. It was the Maid-Rite sandwiches that attracted him to buying, Gary said. For the uninitiated, a Maid-Rite is a loosemeat sandwich, where the ground beef is cooked in a secret sauce supplied to franchisees by the 90-year-old Maid-Rite Corporation in Iowa. The resulting savory concoction is placed between a bun with mustard, raw onion

rated 4.5 stars on Yelp, a crowdsourced rating website. The general consensus is the restaurant is small and diners will likely face a wait, but the food and atmosphere are more than worth it. One of the reviews from a younger-looking patron helpfully notes there is a Pokestop for Pokemon Go players.

A ‘family’ of faces Many of the regulars are a bit longer in the tooth than that patron, though. A cadre of older and middle-aged men have a very specific seating order at the counter and jokingly grouse when an out-oftowner unwittingly steals their spot. One such regular is Bob Crawford, who considers The Barn to be his favorite

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

With the smells of homemade pie and Maid-Rites wafting through the air, customers crowd into The Barn on Washington Street in Brainerd. Customers include regulars who come back for the tasty homemade food the restaurant serves. place except for one thing. “I wish they would put a (expletive) dishtowel over them pies,” he said, as his buddies broke out in laughter. “Because I’m a diabetic. I have to sit here and drool every day.” “They’ve somewhat become family,” Gary said of his customers. “You know when their birthday is, you know when their kids are coming home. What’s really neat is, people I graduated (with) in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, are coming home for reunions, and they’re bringing their grandkids ... down to The Barn, (saying) ‘This is where we had our first date, this is where we used to hang out after high school.’” People on welfare and millionaires, Republicans and Democrats have come in The Barn for a bite. “Here, they’re just people,” Gary said. He turns 65 this year, prompting anxiety from customers who wonder what will happen to the restaurant if he retires. He’ll stay at it as long as his health holds steady, he said. As to advice for someone who wants to start a small business, Gary’s words were simple. “Be willing to put in the time,” he said. “So many of them think they can come in here in six months, and not be here. They’re not here, they’re gone. But if you’re willing to put in the time for the first four to five years … it takes that long to be successful.” ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-855-5860 or Zach.Kayser@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ ZWKayser.

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

Homemade pies at The Barn are sought after by customers far and wide.

For Your Info The Barn Diner • 46-the number of years Gary Kinney has owned The Barn. • 19-the age he was when he bought the restaurant. • 1,200-the number of “likes” for The Barn on Facebook.

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Zach Kayser Staﬀ writer For 70 years, the restaurant known as the Barn has persevered in Brainerd, largely by remaining consistent. It’s probably pretty close to what people imagine in their minds as they listen to Garrison Keillor talk about the Chatterbox Cafe in his tales of Lake Wobegon on the radio. Owner Gary Kinney and his wife Karen took a breather from their work recently to sit down at a picnic table behind the small, cabin-like restaurant to talk about their experience running it. It’s the comforting normalcy that keeps customers coming in and sitting down at the counter, Karen said. “Nothing’s changed, and that’s what people like,” she said. The two met when Karen started working at the restaurant. Now they complement each other, Gary said, pointing out that not a lot of couples can say they like being together almost every moment of every day.

Closed in Observance of Labor Day September 5th Pine River • Emily Pillager • Nowthen Breezy Point www.pineriverstatebank.com

Thank You…

Sharing the Warmth of the Gospel in the Brainerd Lakes Area

To our dedicated staff and caring community. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Dollars raised in our Thrift Store go to help those in need in the Brainerd/Baxter Lakes Community!

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Sunday Services at 9am Sunday School at 10:15 — Please Join Us — 13815 Cherrywood Drive, Baxter, MN www.ChristBaxter.com • 829-4105

www.facebook.com/Brainerdsalthriftstore Accepting Donations, Call For Information 001460058r1

Store Hours: M-F 9am to 5pm, Saturdays 9am to 3pm, Sundays Closed

218-822-3559

609 Norwood Street • Brainerd, MN

The clean you expect. The service you deserve.

BIG THANKS to our dedicated employees & customers

Serving The Lakes Area For Over 20 Years

Celebrating

We take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to our dedicated staff. You are the reason for our solid reputation. John Morales Susan Johnson Eric Malone Sarah Ombicha Cinnamon Hall Amanda Rokio Sheree Evenson Tina Watson Barb O’Brien Anna MacArthur Bill Bailey

51 Years

Janice Czech Matt Derry Molly Doble Janine Kelling Cody Thurston Carmel Hoglund Vicky Merinen Mardy Swenson Lorena Horak Suzanne Waller

218-829-4076

Baxter Industrial Park

of Busine ss!

A PINE -

FAMILY RESTAURANT

218-568-8353 001459746r1

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Bev Smith Laura Block Ariadna Koch Jake Immel Jake Scharber-Pikula Kyle Carner Tracy Carner Derek Kocak Joan Lendway Will Carter

throughout these 51 years!

Hours 6:30 am-9pm

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

Highway 371 & County Road 16 in Jenkins — 2 miles North of Pequot Lakes

www.brainerddispatch.com 3 CHEERS HOSPITALITY: Lake Lodge From Page S25

At Lost Lake Lodge the local concept can be found in most dishes, including the local hydroponic romaine house salad, which includes farmer’s market vegetables and local shrimp. “One of the thoughts is you take Matt’s talent and the way he puts together menus along with the talent he has surrounding him and each restaurant is a little different chunk of the kaleidoscope,” Miller said. “It’s a little different picture you see. It’s still recognizable flavors and recognizable people. But each place has its own unique personality. Not only does it make it fun for the customers, but it makes it fun for the team. We don’t ever want to be the chain that has all the same menus. You’ll see favorites, but you don’t see the whole thing.” Lost Lake Lodge bread is not made on-site anymore, but one of the group’s crazy ideas is to bring the bread-making concept back and of course in a big way. “As they redevelop Lost Lake the property, we’ve had some conversation about putting up a building on the Sherwood Forest property and putting the Grist Mill on it,” Poston. “And making the walls of the building primarily glass so people could stand outside the building and watch the process as it happens. We would use the bread or the mill product for all of our locations.”

Prairie Bay Where it all began for Miller and Annand. Home. Prairie Bay Grill and Catering enveloped the lakes area community. It’s the locale that made local the norm. “Prairie Bay has become kind of the go-to spot for the area,” Annand said. “It’s the fail safe. It’s almost the neighborhood joint.”

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S29

Miller added: “We’re 13 years in. From what it started as to what it is now is very different. It’s morphed into a more broad spot that’s appealing to everybody. We’ve taken all the input in. Matt does menu changes and every time the menu changes there is a dish that always has to stay.” Annand said he gets yelled at every time he changes the menu because something someone loved is removed. The battle between fresh and relevant versus what works and what makes people happy and comfortable is a constant struggle. The building hasn’t changed much in 13 years, but the staff has expanded. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel there, but we’re looking at giving the place some love,” Miller said. The group would love to incorporate a workable patio. Currently the patio is on the east side of the building, but it becomes dark in the afternoon, where if it was on the west side it might be more appealing later in the day. “There’s great things in Prairie Bay’s future,” Miller said. “It’s as much a part of all the crazy and new ideas that we do. It’s the flagship. Those people there have built the foundation that supports everything we do.” Like the food created at all the properties, the relationships the people at Prairie Bay created with the lakes area was built from scratch. From the ground up is a philosophy Annand loves as does his stable of chefs, led by Prairie Bay head chef Tim Bollum, who has been with the team for 10 years. What customers receive is the chef’s creation. Not something off a truck. “It’s a longer process than opening cans and boxes,” Annand said. “It takes a little bit longer, but it’s worth the wait. I don’t want to say we’re slow. But we’re slow food done fast. We cook everything at our

properties. On a busy day it might take a little longer because each thing is getting built each time. There isn’t a microwave anywhere. We cook one pasta dish in a saute pan. The chicken penne takes about 13 different steps in succession to do it properly. That’s every single time you cook that one dish in the one pan. You multiple that by a full dining room and you can see why it’s a whole different thing working at a restaurant like Prairie Bay than it is most places.” Prairie bay braises its own meats. It breaks down its own fish. All the sauces and soups are from scratch.

The hidden gem and others One of the best reasons to go back to college might be for the food. 3 Cheers Hospitality is still in charge of the cafeteria at Central Lakes College and word is getting out about the quality. “We’re still at CLC,” Annand said. “That’s a cafeteria, but a little more upscale. John Pulsifer is the chef there and he cooks from scratch. He cooks his roasts and turkeys and makes his own soups. It’s a step above institutional food. You can get cheese sticks at CLC, but you can also get lobster bisque at CLC. “The daily deals are $5.50 to $6 and it’s a great deal. We’re actually courting people from around the area to make that an actual destination to come and have lunch. The public is welcome.” Prairie Bay handles all the catering duties and Miller said the company has seen a big uptick in the catering business this season. The catering jobs range in all sizes. The group scheduled 50 weddings this summer — almost double from last year. “The catering business is doing great and the restaurant business is up as well,” Miller said. “It’s nice to see, 13 years

Advertorial

Hirshfield’s offers full-service decorating center for both homeowners and building professionals By JODIE TWEED

BAXTER — As interest rates continue to drop, now is the perfect time to build a new home or tackle the home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. When local contractors need paint or stain, they often turn to Hirshfield’s in Baxter. It’s a one-stop full-service decorating stop. The Baxter store is both a wholesale and retail store. They have two full-time employees dedicated to providing in-home consultations and installations of custom window treatments for homes and businesses. Store manager Jeff Lewis said he and his employees have noticed an increase in new home construction, as well as remodels. Sadly, the storm damage to Brainerd lakes area homes and businesses during the past two summers have also contributed to an increase in sales. “We’ve seen a huge increase,” Lewis said, adding that they have hired additional fulltime employees to keep up with the demand. “The banks are lending again and we have definitely seen a lot of people who are taking an advantage of the lower interest rates. The housing market has picked up and people are buying and selling homes. Thanks to all our great customers, we had a good year last year

and we’re on track this year for another good year.” Hirshfield’s has been in its Baxter location since 2000. The Minnesota-based company is a fourth generation, family-owned business that has been in the decorating business for more than 100 years. Founders Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894. The Baxter store has eight full-time and three part-time employees. They are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Customers who are interested in selecting paint to freshen up the look of their home can drop in at the Baxter store, located at 7447 Clearwater Road. Or they may visit the company’s website, www.hirshfields. com. The website offers a downloadable app that allows mobile users to experiment with Hirshfield’s paint colors, using photographs of their own home or office. Customers can also join the Color Club, which will keep track of all your paint color selections, including custom color formulations and stain color formulas. So whenever you need to match paint, you’ll always have a record at any Hirshfield’s Decorating Center.

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in, clearly we’re doing also want it to be open something right because year-round. Poston said the move people keep coming.” to Crosby puts the The future of the 3 company in a whole Not everything has new demographic and worked to perfection. The geographic category. He’s food truck, while popular, hopeful it will create more was a logistic nightmare. catering opportunities and It wasn’t part of the the group stressed the ownership change and the building’s proximity to company was fine with the bike park and the bike that. trails of the Cuyuna Range “We’re comfortable now was a catalyst for them to throwing out 20 ideas and look east. knowing 19 are going to “They’ve established a be terrible,” Annand said. little Renaissance period “One of them is going to in Crosby,” Annand said. be good. Anyone that is a “But, like we said about success has made many, giving the employees many mistakes to get to their own voice, we also that point. We’re OK with want the communities we it. We really are.” go into to have their own Said Miller: “The truck voice in that place. We wasn’t a failure. We just want it to be theirs and not had so many hurdles. It just another offshoot of us. made me learn a ton about We’ll listen closely to what city governments and a ton the community wants and about red tape and green we’ll produce it for them if tape. There were people we are able.” who were very supportive Annand said they’ll come of it. We would drive into in with a fresh exciting communities and there concept, but he’s excited were different levels of to see what the location support for it. You could turns into because of the see that you could make feedback they receive from an impact with it. But now the community. we can do other things Miller said the group like cater a wedding in a hopes to expand its talent community that hasn’t base as well and its reach. seen that or doesn’t think But they don’t want to we go that far. We travel create a bunch of Prairie a long ways. The food Bays across the state. After truck was a great learning all, variety is the spice of experience.” life. The group will take “We have a lot of crazy what they learned and ideas,” Annand said. “All incorporate it into their over the country pop-up new business venture, restaurants are really huge. which will happen in Chefs or organizations find Crosby. little spots and they put up “We’re working on a restaurant for X amount that now. It used to be of time and operate it and the Crosby Bakery. It’s then they are on to the next next to the bike park and place or the next space. In kiddie-corner from the some ways that’s what we new brewery,” Poston have done. said. “We’ll look for a We’ve been at the collaboration with them. Quarterdeck. We were We’re still working on at the Gull Lake Yacht the food ideas, but it will Club and now we are at probably have a wood- Lost Lake Lodge. We do fired pizza oven. The way different catering so we to describe it might be a are already in the process mini Prairie Bay.” of doing that. Everytime The group also owns we go somewhere new it’s the vacant lot west of fun to come up with, as the building so Poston a team, what our concept said they want to will be and what we’re incorporate outside dining actually going to produce. opportunities with a cozy So far everything has been atmosphere inside. They well received.”

Lost Lake Lodge celebrates 70 years Lost Lake Lodge on the Gull Lake Narrows has been part of the lakes for 70 years. Ray and Fran Schwartz began construction of Lost Lake Lodge in 1946, opening the restaurant that year. “A year later they opened the first two cabins on the resort. Over the course of the next 12 years they built 10 additional cabins, and by 1970 they had doubled the size of the dining room, added a recreation room, enlarged the beach, and added new docks,” Lost Lake Lodge notes in its online history. A photo on its website shows a vintage sign sitting in sand next to a unpaved road with an arrow indicating Lost Lake Lodge was a little farther off the beaten path. The sign noted the resort offered the American plan, offered modern cottages and private lake with a dining room open to the public. Over the years, it’s been the place where locals reported seeing famous faces, even an actor from a popular television series. “When Bill and Ethelmae Carter bought the resort in 1970, they followed the same formula for success, welcoming old and new friends to the expanding lake resort,” Lost Lake Lodge notes. “In 1987, when Tim and Cindy Moore took over, their commitment to preserving the natural setting drew more friends to the relaxed retreat. Doug and Pat Lewis brought their own touch, enhancing restaurant fare and adding dining that overlooks the Gull Lake Narrows. It’s really no surprise the current owner, Rebound Hospitality, includes Brett Reese, whose family has gathered at Lost Lake for years.”

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RESTAURANT

www.brainerddispatch.com

MOREY’S MORE THAN SEAFOOD From Page S26

Store features The store features a deli case of ready-to-eat spreads and salads that are made right in the business, Burton said. The snacks and appetizers are different than what a customer might find at the grocery store, he said. The store is also known for selling trays of sushi on Fridays. “It’s a big production to produce all these deli salads and keep them fresh and full,” Burton said. What’s truly unique about Morey’s Seafood Markets is its selection of pickled herring, Burton said. There are a dozen different varieties, ranging from a standard wine sauce herring to the newest variation, the smokey pepper bacon herring, he said. Fresh fish from all over the world is delivered to the store almost every day of the week, Burton said. Big items for the summer are wild salmon and halibut from Alaska, which has a short fishing season, he said. Frozen seafood is also a staple in the store and is as diverse as the fresh seafood selection. “Frozen stuff is something that makes life a lot easier for us,” Burton said. “Definitely in the winter months when business is a little slower.” Morey’s Seafood Markets is known for its frozen shrimp, lobster and crab, Burton said. The king crab legs are much bigger than those found in a grocery store, he said, and three types of lobster tails are exceptional. Morey’s carries lobster tails from cold-water lobster. While smaller than warm-water lobster tails, lobster tails from cold-water lobster have sweeter, firmer meat, he said. “It’s just what we do to set ourselves apart,” Burton said. One of the secrets about Morey’s Seafood Markets is the selection of cheese from all over the world, Burton said. There’s also

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

An external kitchen at Morey’s Seafood Markets in Baxter oﬀers a selection of fast and fresh staples like ﬁsh tacos and walleye sandwiches. now, very near the current location, Burton said. When the original Brainerd store opened in 1978, the iconic oversized rainbow trout was fixed to the top of the sign, Burton said. It was also on top of the sign at the store’s location across Highway 371 from its current spot. Now, it sits out in the parking lot. “It’s just something that we’re known for, it’s kind of considered a landmark and something that’s been part of the community since 1978,” Burton said. From there, the store moved up the highway to the Baxter Village retail center where it stood before relocating across the highway in May of 2015. The market relocated across Highway 371 because the family thought business would pick up on the east side of the highway, Burton said. The new location has direct highway access, as well as more space, he said, and business has picked up since the move. “It’s easier for people to get in and out of here,” Burton said. “But the other two businesses that Location changes are here, all three of us In 1978, the original complement each other.” Morey’s shares a wall Brainerd market was built where Book World sits with Von Hanson’s Meats pasta, crackers, chips, marinades, sauces and more lining the walls of the store. “We’re probably 60 percent fish and seafood and 40 percent gourmet grocery,” Burton said. In May, the market added a food trailer to its location in order to serve fresh, simple food right at the store, Burton said. The original building in Brainerd had a restaurant inside until 2006, he said, so the food trailer is designed to bring back some of the old favorite items like fish tacos and walleye sandwiches. “We have simple menu items that are easy for our guys to prepare out there,” Burton said. “It’s good food that’s quick.” The market decided on a food trailer as opposed to a brick and mortar restaurant because it was less expensive than building, Burton said. It’s more cost effective and stays put in the parking lot, he said. “It’s been a huge success for us,” Burton said.

and the two stores are actually connected via a sliding door between them. It’s a benefit to have the specialty meat retailer next door, Burton said. “That was probably one of the biggest draws to us moving into this space,” Burton said. Before the move in May of 2015, Burton had a good working relationship with the owners of the Baxter Von Hanson’s Meats. He sat down and talked about the move with them and determined the two stores don’t have many competing or overlapping products. People can do their entire weekend shopping in the retail center he said, between the two stores and Westside Liquor. “It was more of a complement to have each other next to each other than a competition,” Burton said. SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@ Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video brainerddispatch.com. Follow Morey’s Seafood Markets in Baxter sits along Highway 371 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ 16-3858_Lakes Ad for Dispatch.qxp_Layout 8/8/16 12:59 PM Page 1 next to 1Von Hanson’s Meats. spenserbickett.

Advertorial

Community-Grounded and Locally-Driven: Lakes Printing Announces Expanded Creative Services Team There’s something about living in this community that only the people who live here can understand. It’s that friendly and familiar face at the grocery store or bank. It’s the ability to call upon someone – day or night – when you need a helping hand. We are neighbors helping neighbors. Twenty-eight years ago, Lakes Printing was created with that exact concept in mind. Community-grounded and client driven, this hometown and locally owned printing business continues to position itself as that dependable friend you can call on whenever you’re in need; that friendly welcoming smile that puts you at ease. In an effort to provide enhanced services and resources, Lakes Printing has expanded its Creative Services department. What this means for customers is quality, affordable and dependable graphic design and marketing resources for any size business or organization. With four full-time employees in its Creative Services staff, Lakes Printing can now provide a variety of high-quality services often found only through an agency. And the strength of this service is in the ability to assist clients on a variety of levels – whether it is logo design and complete marketing concepts, or you are simply in need of printing from already prepared files. Lakes Printing is equipped to work with a variety of software applications and programs, both from Mac and PC.

“We are excited to bring this opportunity to our community,” said Dode Pohlkamp, co-owner of Lakes Printing and part of the Creative Services department. “We have a dynamic team of experienced individuals who will sit down with a client to determine their needs and provide top-notch service on everything whatever the client needs.” In addition to leading the way in design and project execution, Lakes Printing is also proud to provide continuing leadership in the communities it serves. The twenty employees of Lakes Printing are seasoned professionals in the printing industry. They understand design, offset printing, digital printing, complete bindery processes and presorted mailing. “Lakes Printing is the perfect fit for me,” said Becky Stock, an employee with Lakes Printing. “I love the family oriented feeling you get when you walk in the door. Everyone is always willing to help out in any area of the shop, and everyone here is friendly and fun! The part of my job I love the most is the variety of projects I get to work on and all of the different people I get to work with. I love that Lakes Printing is such a huge part of the community, helping with sponsorships and donations to anything and everything. The staff here at Lakes Printing, truly, will do whatever it takes to get your job done.”

Creative Inspiration for the entire Lakes Area

We want to be your design, offset printing, digital printing, bindery and mailing professionals. We want to be your printer. Please contact us.

Phone: 218-829-7790 | Fax: 218-829-0977 1223 Oak Street, Brainerd, MN 56401 | www.lakesprinting.com

RESTAURANT

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S31

NORTHERN COWBOY From Page S27

He drove back and forth for classes when he saw the old Edgewater Restaurant in Breezy Point, which is demolished now, was for sale. He thought he and Lee should buy it, but it was off the beaten path. Burggraff said in order to make it work he would have to come up with something clever, different. He said one day he was thinking about it when he was traveling and he heard a Garth Brooks song on the radio. He said he wanted to have a place where you could not only play country music, but a place where you could play any music genre. “The name just popped into my mind,” Burggraff said. “Northern Cowboy. My thought was that we all have a little cowboy in us. ... In the olden

Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger

Brian Burggraﬀ (left) and Dan. B. Lee, owners of Northern Cowboy Flame N’ Brew located at former Iven’s on the Bay oﬀ Highway 371 on North Long Lake, pose in early August during the early stages of remodeling the restaurant.

days we used to ride horses and now we ride things with horse power, such as boats, vehicles, motorcycles.” Burggraff kept the idea to himself and when the time was right, he told Lee his idea. Lee loved it. Then they decided they didn’t want to call the restaurant the typical bar and grill, so they came up with “Flame N’ Brew.” Flame represents the fact they’ll be smoking their proteins and seasonal seafoods, and brew represents the brew/ beer they’ll be offering, which includes beer from the breweries in the lakes area. People will not see much change in the lower level of the restaurant. The owners are working primarily on the upstairs, main dining level. Plans for the lower level are to add an audiovisual system in place, which will add the needed technology to host corporate meetings, weddings and other

events. “We are already getting bookings for the downstairs,” Burggraff said. “People are inquiring about Christmas parties, we’re excited. We also will be doing catering.” The goal for the restaurant was to open at the end of August. It will be open seven days a week and have about 30 employees. Hours may be 11 a.m. to close. The former liquor store will be known as the Northern Cowboy Market. The market will sell merchandise with the restaurant’s logo displayed on T-shirts, mugs, as well as food products the restaurant will use on its menu items, such as pickles and beef jerky. JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@ brainerddispatch.com or 218-8555851. Follow me at www.twitter. com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.

Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger

This is the main logo for Northern Cowboy Flame N’ Brew, which is expected to open at the end of August.

Advertorial

Northern Eye Center By SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER

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cataract surgery, lid surgery, laser surgery, glaucoma surgery and they treat conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Great Northern Opticians, the optical company that shares the building with Northern Eye Center, also has a vast selection of frames to choose from making it easy to find the right pair of glasses to fit your prescription. “There are many reasons to visit Northern Eye Center, one being we have a great reputation as we have been part of the Brainerd Lakes community for over 55 years practicing quality and consistent eye care,” Sabir said. “Secondly we offer a comfortable, friendly atmosphere in which we often start off with patients, but end as friends.” To learn more about ther services offered by Northern Eye Center or to make an appointment at any of Northern Eye Center’s three locations, Call 218-829-2020 or 1-800-872-0005 for Brainerd appointments or 320-632-2391 for the Little Falls office or check our their web site at northerneyecenter.com

Dr. David Sabir, M.D.

Dr. Bradley Adams, O.D.

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Eye health is something a lot of people don’t think about until problems become very clear — or blurry depending how you look at it. Ophthalmologist David Sabir of Northern Eye Center said when it comes to protecting your vision, there’s no time like the present. Like visiting the doctor’s office for a check-up or the dentist to have your teeth cleaned, Sabir said eye care is extremely important to overall health. In some cases a routine eye exam can point to underlying medical conditions like diabetes. Sabir has been at the Northern Center since 1997 and performs a wide range of treatments both medical and surgical. Sabir is joined by optometrists Bradley Adams, who services the Brainerd office, and Ken Dodge in Little Falls. Northern Eye Center makes staying on top of vision concerns easy. The clinic operates at locations in Brainerd, Little Falls and Staples and offers complete eye care for patients of all ages — from very routine to very complex services. The clinic’s services include LASIK surgery,

Are you ready to change your life?

Dr. Ken Dodge O.D.

S32 September 1, 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ September 5, 2016

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BRAINERD LAKES AREA

Progress Edition B R A I N E R D

www.brainerddispatch.com

D I S P A T C H

L A B O R

D A Y

SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881

S P E C I A L

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

The bountiful seas of Pierz Where others farm corn, Four Seasons Shrimp Company farms exotic crustaceans

Zach Kayser Staﬀ writer A thousand miles from any ocean, a flotilla of shrimp grow big and tasty, ready to be popped into the mouths of Minnesotans. Kevin Smude and his business partner Joel Fischer, each veterans of two tours in Iraq, decided to put their military skills into creating the secondever shrimp farm in the state. Rather than the sea, the shrimp live in 21 circular blue tanks inside a new building in the Pierz Industrial Park. The two dubbed their business “Four Seasons” because the heated facility means they can grow shrimp year-round. Smude said he got the idea when he was being medically discharged from the National Guard. He was interested in farming, but his injuries meant he needed something less physically intensive than say, raising dairy cows. In early 2014, he and Fischer started researching possible ag ventures, looking at farming fish, like tilapia. Then, they settled on a shrimp farm. It’s an industry that, like some of the shrimp at Four Seasons, is still in the larval stage. But it’s maturing fast. “When we first starting looking at shrimp farming, there was like 18 farms in the nation,” Smude said. “There’s over 150 farms now, just in a year and a half.” The first-ever shrimp farm in the state, Northern Tide in Elgin, did paid consultant work as Four Seasons got off the ground. Four Seasons also consulted with the Central Lakes College Small Business Development Center for help with getting started, and they wound up becoming the first shrimp farm in Minnesota to get an ag loan, Smude said. Eventually, Smude would like to form a network out of the various current and future Minnesota shrimp farms, working together

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Swimming pools line the inside of a warehouse in the industrial park in Pierz, ﬁlled with shrimp in various stages of maturity. Four Seasons Shrimp Company is a unique business in the heart of Minnesota farm country.

to explore undiscovered country. Fischer and Smude aim to provide a more organic, healthy product then the big seafood companies in southeast Asia. In addition to being more sustainable, the Four Seasons shrimp simply taste better, Smude said — the same as freshcaught shrimp from the ocean. Their building was built last spring, and they’ve been farming shrimp for almost a year. Smude and Fischer are the farm’s sole employees, caring for tens of thousands of shrimp at any given moment. They receive the baby shrimp from a nursery in Florida — each about the size of an eyelash. A biofloc bacterial system both keeps the tank clean and forms 30 percent of the shrimps’ diet, Smude said. The farm also gives the shrimp a feed from Louisiana, comprised of corn, soybeans, fish oil, and greens. Four Seasons will test a new feed created by the Minnesota-based AURI, Smude said, which hopefully will eliminate the cost of getting feed from out of state. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls There’s a fair bit of Translucent shrimp are captured in a net at Four Seasons Shrimp in Pierz. The new business oﬀers customers freshly farmed chemistry involved with the farm. On Smude and shrimp. Fischer’s rounds each day, they check each of the 21 tanks for pH balance, salinity and nitrate buildup. Breaking such new ground with a little-explored segment of agriculture isn’t too intimidating, Smude said. “I like it,” he said. “It’s kind of like a challenge to me.” Four Seasons plans to do wholesale and sell shrimp in bulk at some point, Smude said, but right now their business mostly consists of selling retail directly to customers who come up to the front desk, just a few feet away from the shrimp tanks themselves.

FOUR SEASONS: Page S39

For Your Info Four Seasons Shrimp Company Age of the shrimp when they reach Four Seasons: 11 days Species: Northern Pacific White Facebook Followers: More than 1,500 Employees: 2 Time it takes for shrimp to grow to eating size: Four Months

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

A steel building in the industrial park in Pierz houses a unique business for central Minnesota. The Four Seasons Shrimp Company oﬀers fresh shrimp for walk-in customers.

NONPROFIT

S34 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

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Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Arlene Jones, manager of Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace in Little Falls, bags local produce oﬀered through the community-supported agriculture program at St. Gabriel’s Hospital. The CSA program is one of several partnerships the marketplace is participating in.

Growing a movement Local food hub connects people with what they eat

Chelsey Perkins Staﬀ Writer LITTLE FALLS — Earlier this summer, Krystal Katzenberger tried bok choy for the first time. Her family received it as part of a communitysupported agriculture share, along with a recipe suggesting how to cook the Chinese cabbage. Weeks later, Katzenberger and her 12-year-old daughter Kylee Charpenter learned to prepare peach salsa using ingredients from local farmers. “I’m not scared to try new things,” Katzenberger said. “It’s taking food that you would never think to put together, and you put them together. It’s better ideas, a healthier way.”

Cooking up community Katzenberger is a participant in the Live Better Live Longer Eat Smart program, a community outreach program offered through CHI St. Gabriel’s Health. The program takes referrals from local providers for who might benefit from participation. Katzenberger was referred by her children’s school nurse. A free, bi-weekly community-supported agriculture share or CSAs

— which provides fresh local produce directly from farmers to consumers — is one of the offerings of the program, along with cooking classes and demonstrations for how to use that produce. In late July, Katzenberger and about 15 others prepared kale with bacon and summer vegetable pasta in the demonstration kitchen at the Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace in Little Falls. Elizabeth Quillo, a University of Minnesota Extension educator, led the class along with demonstrations afterward for those unable to attend. Quillo said the classes are an important tool to reach out to the community and promote healthy eating. “Some people, they’re not familiar with a lot of vegetables,” Quillo said. “They aren’t able to risk financially fitting that into their budget and then wasting it. Having tried it, now they’re going to be more willing to buy it. It’s not a risk anymore, because they know that their kids are going to like it and they’re going to eat it.” After eating what they’d created, the cooking class participants lined up to collect their bounty:

romaine lettuce from Barry Thoele in Staples; kale from Chuck Tangen in Motley; cherry tomatoes from Levi Lambright in Eagle Bend; cucumbers from Joseph Borntrager in Clarissa; zucchini from the Agua Gorda Cooperative in Long Prairie; eggs from Debbie Funk in Rice; and green beans and thyme from Arlene Jones, co-owner of the Farm on St. Mathias and the manager of the Sprout Food Hub.

Nurturing family farms The marketplace and processing center is the latest endeavor of Sprout Food Hub, a nonprofit organization with the mission to promote locally produced food while affording local producers the opportunity to become more economically viable through the use of shared resources to distribute and market their products. Besides the demonstration kitchen, it includes a large space for market vendors, a processing kitchen, commercial coolers and freezers and other storage areas — all within a large industrial facility that once housed a Crestliner boat manufacturing operation. The food hub works with more than 60

For Your Info Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace, operated by Sprout Food Hub City: Little Falls Number of employees: Three, plus dozens of volunteers who help pack community-supported agriculture boxes, distribute food, work at markets and complete other tasks.

local growers utilizing sustainable practices and serves restaurants, schools, hospitals and CSA customers. The hub distributes more than 100,000 pounds of food each year and educates small farmers on food safety, business planning and economic research. For Jones, who was on hand to distribute the produce that July day, the Eat Smart program is an example of numerous goals of the organization coming together. “My ultimate goal always is supporting small family farms and keeping small family farms in business,” Jones said. “But we have

to place more value on our food … (such as) what you put in your body and the benefits of healthy food versus manufactured food. We need to place more value on food by eating healthy and supporting our local economies by purchasing local food. I think we’re getting there.” Jones said the demand for local food has become so strong it’s been difficult for the hub at times this summer to meet it. This includes CSA programs at two other area health care providers — Lakewood Health Systems and CentraCare Health. The demand these offer guarantees revenue for the

farmers, she said. “We need some structure and sustainability in the distribution,” Jones said. “The CSA programs have been really beneficial for that.” The hub is coordinating 220 shares this year, up from 120 the previous year. At 30 pounds per weekly share, farmers are guaranteed distribution of 6,600 pounds of food each week.

GROWING A MOVEMENT: Page S36

What a Workforce! THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES

Interesting Fact: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture maintains a directory of Minnesota growers called “Minnesota Grown.” In 2015-16, directory listed 1,027 farms and farmers markets throughout the state.

We salute the hardworking Americans who keep our country moving forward with their dedication, determination and innovation.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES!

Happy Labor Day!

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Kylee Charpenter and her sister Macie Katzenberger prepare kale in the kitchen at Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace in Little Falls. Cooking classes oﬀered to users of a community-supported agriculture program encourage parents to learn kitchen skills with their children.

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ENVIRONMENT

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S35

From farm to ﬁngernails: GreenBiologics remakes Little Falls ethanol plant A multi-million dollar conversion project in Little Falls aims to bear uncommon, environmentally sustainable fruit when it’s completed later this year. Green Biologics, which is based in the city of Abingdon in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, bought the Central MN Ethanol Co-op, originally built

in 1999. The co-op was renamed Central MN Renewables. GreenBiologics has about 100 employees, counting the 35 in the Little Falls plant. In addition to the plant, the 13-year-old company’s facilities in America are located in Ohio, Virginia, and Iowa. Whereas ethanol is typically used as a component of biofuel gasoline, the solvents that the new plant

will produce sell for much higher because they can be used for a wider array of products, GreenBiologics Global Vice President of Marketing David Anderson said in an email. The solvents, n-Butanol and acetone can be used directly as components in paint, coatings, inks and adhesives, Anderson said, or they can be combined with other

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GREENBIOLOGICS: Page S38

Company’s base city: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

975 3rd St. SW, Crosby, MN 218-546-2100 l www.graphicpkg.com

A HUGE THANKS

to all our employees for making this possible! Your hard work in design, innovation and manufacturing is greatly appreciated 001456316r2

the customer. Sundquist added that in many cases, customers will fly in from all over the world during the final test phase in order to learn how their particular machine works, making Crosby a quiet hotbed of international travelers. “It’s a great opportunity for us to know who we are building for,” Sundquist said. Employees also travel to customer sites around the world to help unpack and set up machinery and to provide training for the customer’s employees. Sundquist said operations have ramped up as demand has increased over the last couple of years. Two years ago, the company produced 25 machines from start to finish, and now they are producing 50 machines a year in the same footprint. “We’ve had to get really creative,” added NelsonRichards. At any given time, production teams are working on 15 new machines on the plant floor, and as many as 25 are in some stage of production. The increase in demand at the Crosby plant has in turn created a surge in new hires. Nelson-Richards said the company has added 20 new hires over the last 18 months, mainly in fabrication, assembly and engineering.Nelson-Richards said most of the company’s hires have highly technical degrees.This summer they expanded their team with five college-aged interns from colleges across the Midwest. The Crosby facility currently employs 125 people, 70 of whom work on the production side of the operation. Just inside the company’s manufacturing plant a banner hangs with names of employees and their various tenures with the company; some are even second-generation employees.Five years, 10 years, as many as 30 years with the company. Sundquist has been with the operation for more than 25 years. “The people here take tremendous ownership in what we do. They have grown with this company,”NelsonRichards said. “There’s not one person in this building who doesn’t do their job to the best of their ability. At the end of the day everyone is just incredibly committed to putting out world-class machines on time and of the highest quality.”

Number of Clostridia bacteria strains

A Legacy of Innovation by talented and dedicated employees

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. expands its global reach CROSBY — Tucked behind CrosbyIronton High Schoolis a division of one of the largest international companies in Minnesota, and most people in the area do not even know it exists. “We get that a lot,” said Karleen Nelson-Richards Human Resources Manager at the Crosby facility. Graphic Packaging International, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., produces folding paperboard cartons that hold things like soda cans, beer, and cereal. “Pretty much everything in a box is from Graphic Packaging,”said General Manager Matt Sundquist. The company has more than 50plants worldwide, 13,500 employees, sales of $4.4 billion dollars and operates one of itsmost vital operations right in the heart of Crosby: the company’s machinery division. The plant manufactures automated machinery used in beverage packaging operations for the company’s customers throughout the world. Machines currently in production will eventually make their way to operations in the United States, China, Singapore, Japan, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Norway, and Spain. “We ship just about anywhere in the world,” Sundquist said. The machines produced in Crosby are not compact. The production takes place in the plant’s 170,000 square foot facility. Theycan be made of more than 3,000 unique parts, more than half of which are designed and produced in-house. From start to finish, it takes around six months to design and build the machines,and they can stretch more than 35 feet in length. Upon completion they are loaded and shipped off to their final homes across the globe. When they are in full operation, machines can completely produce from 70 up to 500 packs per minute. “People think we put together widgets, butit’s not just some parts we’re throwing together,”Sundquist said. “It’s highly technical.” Sundquist said that before the completed machines are shipped off to customers, they are rigorously tested on-site with actual product to make sure everything is working as it should before the machine runs “live”at

things. “Butanol can also be used as co-monomer to produce downstream derivatives such butyl acrylate, butyl acetate, and butyl glycol ethers to name a few,” Anderson said.

Green Biologics

Have A Great Labor Day!

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Zach Kayser Staﬀ writer

For Your Info

NONPROFIT

S36 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com

Steve Kohls/Brainerd Dispatch

Kala Sawyer of Little Falls chops bacon with her daughter in the demonstration kitchen at Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace in Little Falls. The pair was participating in a cooking class oﬀered through the Live Better Live Longer Eat Smart program at CHI St. Gabriel’s Health.

This is in addition to the variable demand at farmers markets and through food service and institutional customers. Jones said some of the CSA shares might be expanded through the winter months, a previously difficult task made easier by the processing kitchen now available at the Sprout facility. Items such as canned tomatoes or frozen summer produce can be distributed in the harsh months of January and February. “Right now, I have a box of green beans back there that I think I’m going to end up flash freezing,” Jones said. “That’s the benefit of these kitchens, is that food doesn’t have

MOVEMENT : Page S37

Thank You!

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From Page S34

to go in the compost pile.” Jones hopes other local farmers or artisan food producers will take advantage of the kitchen and storage spaces as well. In late July, Sprout officially launched its licensed facility for rent. Oma’s Bread will be one of the first to use the kitchen for baking breads, pies and specialty items such as German späetzle for sale to the public. “We will use the kitchen to bake our products. We are required to use a commercial kitchen for preparing foods that will be sold to the public,” said Annette Schmid of Oma’s Bread in a news release. “The Sprout Food Hub’s licensed kitchen allows us Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls to do that. We pay to lease Cooking class participants enjoy the ﬁ nished product from their lesson in the kitchen AT Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace the facility and it gives in Little Falls. University of Minnesota Extension educator Elizabeth Quillo, (center) taught the class. us adequate space, ovens and equipment to expand our capacity and market channels.” GROWING A

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GROWING A MOVEMENT

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Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S37

thrive, America won’t thrive. It may be 15 percent of the population that lives in rural America, but we feed the whole other 85 percent.” A litany of others spoke as well, including local growers, representatives from other food hubs around the state and Colleen Landkamer, the state director of USDA Rural Development. “It’s all about your resilient region in this area, and it’s all about people coming together making a difference and improving the quality of life and financial stability for people in this region,” Landkamer said. Cheryal Hills, executive director of the Region Five Development Commission, was one of the major backers of the Sprout marketplace, Jones said in April. The food hub concept fits into a vision of economic development as part of the Resilient Region initiative, the mission of which is to sustainably plan regionwide infrastructure such as housing, transportation, land use, energy and local foods. Carol Anderson, director of Community Development of Morrison County, told the Brainerd Dispatch at the kickoff event that she sat down with Hills after learning more about the local foods

everyone. Jones believes the vision is realized within people like Katzenberger and Kylee. “When I make a salad now, I don’t just do the ranch and the lettuce,” Katzenberger said. “I put zucchini in it or more healthier greens — a lot of spinach now. … I do feel good. If you eat the wrong food, you’re like, ‘I’m so full, I don’t want to do anything.’ But if I eat my salad and my good meals, I’m like, ‘I’m feeling good, I can still accomplish something for the day.’” For more information, visit www.SproutMN.com and follow the Sprout Food Hub and Sprout Growers & Makers Marketplace on Facebook. Markets are planned for the remainder of the year at the facility, located at 609 13th Ave. NE, Little Falls, for the Sprouting the grassroots Jones said it’s the following dates: Sept. 10, members of the community Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Nov. 26, that will ultimately Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. shape the direction of the initiative. From the CHELSEY PERKINS may “30,000-foot view” of a be reached at 218-855resilient economy to small 5874 or chelsey.perkins@ changes in the choices brainerddispatch.com. Follow of individuals in their kitchens, the local foods on Twitter at www.twitter. movement is different for com/DispatchChelsey. focus of the Resilient Region initiative. Partners involved in the planning and initial funding process for the Sprout facility included the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the USDA, Region Five, the Initiative Foundation, the city of Little Falls and the National Joint Powers Alliance, among many others. Anderson said the project not only expands the Sprout Food Hub’s capacity for providing local foods to area school districts and healthcare facilities, it also boosts the local farming economy. “If a farmer has money in his pocket, he’s going to spend it,” Anderson said. “And he’s going to spend it in his local hometown. That’s why it’s so important. We want him to stay in this community, raise kids in this community, send them to our school districts and then when you get your profit, go downtown and spend it.”

Arlene Jones and grandson Eli Gangl move produce from the large cooler space at Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace. The produce was distributed as part of community-supported agriculture shares.

GROWING A MOVEMENT From Page S36

Another local producer signed up to use the space is the Agua Gorda Cooperative, which provided the zucchini in the CSA share Katzenberger and others took home. Besides zucchini, the Long Prairie cooperative is growing 45,000 pounds of tomatillos for a tamale factory in the Twin Cities, Jones said. The cooperative

is planning to prepare salsa in the Sprout kitchen, an example of a value-added product Jones said small family farmers might not be able to produce as readily without access to the shared space.

included Lisa Mensah, undersecretary of rural development from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the grand opening, Mensah said there’s a misconception that rural America is stagnant or on a downturn, and what she Cultivating rural resilience saw while visiting central The food hub concept Minnesota painted an has gained cachet, entirely different picture. particularly among those “This is a vision that seeking ways to improve only people with great rural economies. In April, vision could have created. the marketplace facility ... I’ve seen a food economy opened to great fanfare, that isn’t just boutique, drawing the praise of but is really something several high-profile permanent,” Mensah said. government officials. This “If rural America doesn’t

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

University of Minnesota Extension educator Elizabeth Quillo demonstrates preparing basil to Kimberly Abraham and her daughter Alexis at the Sprout Growers and Makers Marketplace in Little Falls.

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On this Labor Day, we wish to thank our dedicated employees who are helping make dreams come true every day.

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As a local, member-owned organization, we believe it’s our job to be there as your financial partner, working to strengthen our community, a place we all call home. One customer at a time. One dream at a time. Let’s start with yours. Brainerd Savings & Loan has been helping families and businesses meet their financial goals since 1922. When you are working to make your dreams happen, it can be so much easier when you have a banker who is on your side, by your side, and whose heart is right here, with you, in the Brainerd lakes area. We don’t have stakeholders, but instead a board of directors made up of local business people who are tuned in to the unique needs and best interests of our community. Our employees and our board members spend time volunteering in our community, serving in various city and county government roles, volunteering for human service organizations, our schools and our churches. We are proud of our long, rich history in this community! Providing our members/owners with traditional banking services along with exceptional online and mobile banking experiences allow them to stay connected even when on the go.

S38 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

TECHNOLOGY

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Submitted photo

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., visits the Central MN Renewables plant in Little Falls Aug. 16.

GREEN BIOLOGICS From Page S35

“These monomers are used to produce products as diverse as cosmetics and plastics, to household and industrial cleaners, high performance coatings, lubricants and pharmaceuticals.” The green chemicalmaking process works

by fermenting the Clostridium bacteria, the catalyst that spurs the chemical reaction by which renewable biomass materials like corn are converted into the chemicals. The resulting products will be shipped across the U.S, as well as to buyers in Europe and Asia. While Anderson said the company does not “disclose specific

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headcount details,” the company kept on the old workers and added a “significant” number of new employees because of the expansion. At the time the deal was announced in December of 2014, GreenBiologics planned to spend $60 million to $70 million to buy and renovate “one of the more successful ethanol operations in the state” the Star

Tribune reported. Earlier in 2014, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture awarded the company half a million dollars in grant money to find new uses for corn. The St. Cloud Times reported that by the end of last year, the company had raised more than $76 million from global investors for the changeover. The project was

profiled by a Forbes Magazine contributor in May, who compared it to a critical scientific effort during World War I to turn acetone into smokeless gunpowder. “The products in question here have the very chemicalsounding names of n-butanol and acetone, but these are compounds that occur widely in nature,” contributor Steven

Savage said. Savage also noted that about 35 percent of the farmers in the old co-op rolled their investment into the new company. ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-8555860 or Zach.Kayser@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ ZWKayser.

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BUSINESS

www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S39

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Kevin Smude uses a net to sample his shrimp from a tank at Four Seasons Shrimp in Pierz.

FOUR SEASONS From Page S33

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Kevin Smude of Pierz holds a shrimp that was grown in the tanks at Four Seasons Shrimp. The venture was started by National Guard veterans who has each served two deployments.

Many sales are arranged through the farm’s Facebook page, Smude said, the brainchild of his wife Lisa. The customers set up a time where they can get shrimp, at $20 per pound. Four Seasons also has sold shrimp to Prairie Bay Grill and Catering. Smude, a former combat engineer who got his discharge papers as a platoon sergeant, said his time leading dozens of soldiers overseas works well in a civilian business setting. He and Fischer’s similar military experience helps them get along, Smude said. There’s a different troop of workers Smude shares the farm with: his kids Kaitlyn, 9, Joseph, 6, and perhaps someday in the future their little sister Nora, 3. He uses it as an

opportunity to spend time with them, and instill a work ethic. He’d like it if they someday join the business when they’re adults, but he doesn’t expect it of them, he said. “That would be nice, but I’m not going to hold them to it,” he said. “As long as I kind of teach them the right things when they’re younger.” The farm is in the running for the Minnesota Cup, a prestigious award for startup businesses in the state. They find out in August whether they’re in the top three, and the winner receives a $30,000 prize. ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-855-5860 or Zach. Kayser@brainerddispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter at www. twitter.com/ZWKayser.

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S40 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com Advertorial

Superb Flooring For Every Room By Becky Flansburg

The road to home improvement begins and ends at Tyke’s Carpet on Highway 371 North in Baxter. Despite the grand, castle-like appearance of this local flooring warehouse, shoppers don’t have to be royalty to enjoy great customer service, a knowledgeable staff and deals fit for a king and queen. Owned by long-time Brainerd lakes area residents, Tyke and Shirley Bassett, the business has been a family affair for well over 50 years. Tyke’s father and grandfather both worked in the carpet business and Tyke’s son, J.B. Bassett is the fourth generation of Bassetts to work in the business. The family’s vast knowledge of the carpet and flooring industry, paired with great products at exceptional pricing, is what has kept Minnesotans coming through their doors since 1965. Since beautiful homes need stunning floors to match, Tyke’s offers vinyl, laminate and carpet selections that are hand-chosen to reflect important factors like budget, longevity, comfort and color matching. The Tyke’s Carpet showroom is filled with a wide variety of in-stock carpet selections, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and vinyl and tile from names like Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington, Mohawk, Congoleum and Armstrong. Free estimate and free measuring is also available and all brands are backed by manufacturers’ warranties. “Customers who stop in to our store have thousands of options to choose from,” shared Shirley. “People appreciate being able to see the carpet and the colors they want in full rolls, not little sample swatches. Being able to look and touch the carpet or the flooring is a huge benefit for those choosing flooring. So many people are disappointed when they order the carpet of their dreams off of a little color sample because the die lots can vary so much. We have a huge inventory and selection so our customers know what they

are getting immediately. We can special order flooring, but the majority of the time people are able to find what they want right within our current inventory.” Attention to detail and an honest, upfront way of doing business is one of the many reasons for the company’s longevity. The Tyke’s Carpet team is also committed to working hard and a possessing a genuine desire to do only their best work for their clients. The business works with only professional installers and all work is guaranteed for one year after installation. Competitors have come and go over the years, but the fortress of Tyke’s Carpet castle has remained strong. “Customer’s satisfaction is our absolute specialty,” informed Tyke. “We want people to know that, when they walk through our doors, they will receive the personal touch that they deserve. Our wide selection includes a variety of colors, styles so you can personalize your kitchen, bathroom, or other living spaces to your exact specifications. We design each of our products and services to fit into any unique budget, with pricing that you simply can’t find anywhere else in the Brainerd lakes area.” When looking for carpets for a remodeling project or new construction, the experts at Tyke’s Carpet are always on hand to help homeowners add the elegance look of tile to their kitchen, choose luxurious carpeting customized to any room or use and recommend flooring products that perfectly reflect personal tastes and styles. Experience the magic of Tyke’s Carpet Castle and discover the superb flooring that you’ve been looking for.

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Official Greeter, Brandy, Welcomes You to Tykes!

BRAINERD LAKES AREA

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S P E C I A L

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

MINING METALS THROUGH RECYCLING Crow Wing Recycling reclaims past for the future

Renee Richardson/Managing Editor

Grant VanWyngeeren, company vice president, watches bits of metal on a conveyor belt in Crow Wing Recycling’s Deerwood plant. Renee Richardson Managing Editor An average car has $2 in coins stuck between seats or hidden in crevices. Adding that up between vehicles headed for an industrial shredder could amount to thousands of dollars annually and it’s just one way Crow Wing Recycling is reclaiming valuable metals that otherwise would fill landfills. Every year the Treasury Department handles about 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at over $30 million. But those battered coins — some recognizable and others taking a trained eye to spot for the shiny discs they once were — are just a small part of Crow Wing Recycling. At Crow Wing Recycling’s plant in Deerwood, the conveyor belts travel steadily depositing its cargo of recyclable metal — fragments at a time — into mini-metal mountains. The tinkling sound of bits of falling metal — as it moves from those conveyor belts to growing piles of sorted material — is a steady chime. For Crow Wing Recycling, finding every little piece of valuable,

Grant VanWyngeeren reached into a bin collecting the tiny pieces of copper wire left over from appliances or a car body. The pieces are 4 inches or smaller. VanWyngeeren said the technology is the only way the company could recover so many fragments of copper wire. Sensors spot a bit of metal — perhaps copper or brass — along the conveyor belt and coordinate a burst of air to deflect the metal out of the waste stream and into collection bins. The process allows even more and smaller pieces to be reclaimed and reused. There are too many different metals in an appliance or vehicles so it has to be sorted further into types — aluminum, copper, brass and so on — for end users. The main focus in Deerwood is the nonferrous metals — recovery of aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, insulated copper wire. Crow Wing Recycling is based on Industrial Park Road in south Brainerd. In 2009-10, the company investment in a $5.5 million addition of a giant shredder, which reduces a full-sized car to fist-sized

16,000-square-foot building formerly owned by L&M Steel. The Dutch VanWyngeeren family purchased the 50-yearold Crow Wing Recycling business in 1996. On Dec. 3, 2012, Crow Wing Recycling became the new owner of the former Weyerhaeuser Trus Joist plant in Deerwood with its 225,000-square-foot plant and 440 acres. Just after the purchase, Grant VanWyngeeren, company vice president, said they weren’t sure how they would incorporate the plant into their business but it was too good of a deal to pass up. VanWyngeeren oversees the daily operations and played a major part in the company’s growth. Annual sales grew from $400,000 in 1996 to $50 million in 2012. “I think really highly of Grant VanWyngeeren as a young entrepreneur in our community,” said Sheila Haverkamp, Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. executive director. Haverkamp said VanWyngeeren was brought up in the business and provided vision and leadership to bring it to a

demand, Haverkamp said. Haverkamp said she thinks VanWyngeeren is going to be one of the up and coming leaders of this next generation. Crow Wing Recycling expands Expanding to include

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

the former Weyerhaeuser company near Deerwood provided a desired access to the rail line. In addition, the building came with all the equipment that Weyerhaeuser used to produce engineered strand lumber before shutting

Renee Richardson/Brainerd Dispatch

bits in less than a minute, was the focal point of the company’s expansion. With options for new markets, the company added neighboring

whole new level. Haverkamp describes VanWyngeeren as astute and kind. He’s creating a great place to work as well as meeting market

be mined from landfills, providing a new source of such material.” In the U.S., MIT reports more than 4.6 million tons of electronic waste were disposed of in American landfills in 2000 and “such material

A front-end loader drops raw material into a bin as a conveyor belt takes it inside Crow Wing Recycling’s Deerwood plant to extract nonferrous metals.

A staﬀ worker at Crow Wing Recycling in Deerwood checks material on a conveyor belt. The main focus in Deerwood is the nonferrous metals -- recovery of aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, insulated copper wire. reusable material is not only the family business but one that keeps landfills from filling up as a throw-away society upgrades.

equipment to forklifts to paper clips. After the purchase, the building sat for an additional nine months to see if there were prospective buyers. Then Crow Wing Recycling went forward with the plan to expand

down. Weyerhaeuser officially exited the homebuilding business in 2014. At the plant in Deerwood, everything was left in place, from manufacturing

its operation. Crow Wing Recycling remodeled its offices in 2013 using office furniture and items from the Deerwood plant. Office furniture they didn’t use was donated to charity. Room was running out at the facility on Industrial Park Road in south Brainerd. So Crow Wing Recycling moved its processing out to Deerwood. It allowed the machinery to be moved inside out of the weather and provided room to expand from three pieces of sorting machines to 12. Conveyors move the reclaimed metal to piles where it can then be picked up and shipped to buyers. And Crow Wing Recycling is still using just a fraction of the massive Deerwood plant, allowing plenty of room for future growth. Crow Wing Recycling now buys material from other recyclers who shred vehicles and appliances as it has the means to refine the recycling process even further and extract more and more metal before it’s lost to a landfill. Landfills themselves represent a new recycling frontier. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology notes landfills “are a largely untapped resource for many strategic metals” and “valuable recyclable materials formerly regarded as waste can

has potential to provide a new supply for declining supplies of metals such as the platinum group elements and rare earths, both of which are found frequently in electronic products.” Landfill mining could create some exciting opportunities for the future, Haverkamp said. Reclaiming the future In the former Weyerhaeuser building near Deerwood, the once bustling plant with a future sat vacant, frozen in time. Weyerhaeuser’s plant sign is still in place at the Deerwood facility although its future has a new outlook and there is new life in the facility with Crow Wing Recycling’s operations. The plant was previously known as MacMillan Bloedel, which modified oriented strand board technology to produce laminated strand lumber, which is used for framing. Production began in October 1991. The company reported the Deerwood site was originally chosen as a site for production based on

MINING METALS: Page S44

S42 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

TECHNOLOGY

www.brainerddispatch.com

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Owner and founder Don Booth uses the magnetic particle bench unit to inspect metals for stress fractures and cracks at the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing in Baxter.

American Institute of Nondestructive Testing:

For Your Info

Thriving school of the future

What kind of courses are there? There are specific online courses on ultrasound testing, radiography testing, magnetic particle testing, penetrant testing, visual testing, and courses about industry codes and specifications.

Now in it’s third year of operations, AINDT has doubled in size moving into a larger building to accommodate more equipment and students. It is one of the only institutes offering blended learning (online instruction with hands-on experience) for nondestructive testing in the country. Last year, they had 63 graduates with a 97 percent placement in the field. They hope to exceed those numbers this year. Their staff works continuously with students until they find a career path. Job interviews via Skype have even been arranged right at the school. Don Booth, company CEO and founder, grew up in the area. A graduate of Pequot Lakes High School, Booth “did his time” in the industry working over the road. He worked in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in the oil fields that feed the Trans-Alaskan pipeline

as a nondestructive testing inspector and an American Petroleum Institute aboveground storage tank inspector. He opened this institution to help others learn the trade and better their lives financially, academically, and systematically.

NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING: Page S45

Happy

Dr. Jackie McCall

A Sincere Thank You to all of our Patients and Staff for another great year.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!

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We’d like to take a moment to thank our Staff and Patients for a wonderful year! Enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day!

The working men and women who form the backbone of our economy have earned our admiration, respect and best wishes. We’re proud to salute them.

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Fun fact: Owner Don Booth has used his radio-graph equipment to aid construction workers in finding rebar and wiring in floors and walls on construction sites.

Thank you to all our wonderful employees.

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pipelines, equipment and many other important elements required in everyday life. With infrastructure constantly aging, testing is always needed, which makes jobs in the industry readily available. Not only are they vital to communities, but they serve an ongoing need that is always changing and adapting to fit new industry standards. “What we do here is important. You know, you don’t hear about the plane that didn’t fall out of the sky or that bridge that didn’t collapse,” Nortech’s website states.

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Tamara Horton Dispatch Intern BAXTER — At first sight “nondestructive testing” seems like an alarming phrase to someone unfamiliar with the terminology. However, it is a booming and important business that is right in the lakes area’s backyard. The American Institute of Nondestructive Testing is a licensed private career school in Baxter that trains students how to perform the necessary tests to locate the indicators and discontinuities that may cause failures or shut downs in systems or equipment. What does that mean? Graduates of AINDT are the people who test parts used to manufacture planes, trains, and automobiles. They are the people with the specific knowledge and hands on experience called on to inspect bridges, railways,

American Institute of Nondestructive Testing

TECHNOLOGY

www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S43

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Todd Grabuski pots circuit boards by sinking them into a solution that creates a waterprooﬁng layer on them at Nortech Systems in Merriﬁeld as Director of Operations Gary Hedstrom looks on.

Nortech Systems Merriﬁeld leads the industry in electro-magnetic products Tamara Horton Dispatch Intern MERRIFIELD — Last year marked 25 years in the industrial and commercial applications business for Nortech Systems, which has been a leader in electro-magnetic products for Minnesota and around the world. This shareholderowned company has seven locations around Minnesota, each one specializing in its own unique set of core products. Nortech also has locations in Mexico and China. The Merrifield location has 87 employees currently

running two shifts at in a 47,000-square-foot operation. The company has its own engineering department with four engineers on-site daily. Merrifield specializes in integrations, but all sites are designed to work harmoniously together. For instance, if one shop gets an order that is too large to handle another location can take on the overflow, performing the same tasks and allowing the product to still be delivered in a timely matter and have the same quality as the other shop. Director of Operations Gary Hedstrom, a Brainerd

resident, began as a plant manager working out of Bemidji, which was the foundational site of Nortech. Later Hedstrom began managing the Merrifield plant, moving up to his current position in 2014. He now presides over four Minnesota locations and one in Wisconsin, traveling to each location bi-weekly or as needed. With over 37 years in the industry, Hedstrom is proud of all they have accomplished. “Working with the people and creating a team and motivating that team to do the best they possibly can,” have been

highlights, Hedstrom said. “I enjoy talking to them (co-workers) everyday and making them feel part of the team not a business, they have to feel a part of something to get them motivated to go to that next level.” According to its website, several Fortune 500 companies and smaller specialty companies look to Nortech Systems to provide full service electronic manufacturing services and both are equally important business partners. This means not only does Nortech create the product, but they also will service it and make

repairs or enhancements as the need arises. Nigel Tinsberg, director of marketing for Nortech, has been with the company for over a year. Formerly working with St. Jude Medical, Tinsberg said he appreciates Nortech because, “there’s a real can-do attitude with the staff and getting to work on some of these projects is something that you want to be a part of.”

Nortech’s niche Quality control is a huge factor in their line of business. After all, errors and flaws can take a large bite out of their bottom

line. “Having expert people, expert design, quality, and total value are the four things that we strive to deliver to our customers.” Tinsberg said. “That’s what sets us apart.” He explained creating a work order (specified directions on how to assemble a product) and having workers trained to efficiently deliver a product is crucial for them to give their customers what they need.

NORTECH: Page S46

Advertorial

Cherrywood Fabrics By BECKY FLANSBURG

Karla the green light for the contest and threw in two tickets to the Broadway show as a prize incentive. Participants were given 6 months to make a small quilt expressing their interpretation of the theme using the exclusive golds dyed for the contest. An astounding 304 entries were juried down to a collection of 120 quilts for the traveling exhibit and self-published book. This process was done electronically by three judges from across the country. Whether you are a quilter, wearable artist, mixed media artist, fashion designer, home decorator or just like to play with fabric, Cherrywood Hand-Dyed Fabrics will inspire you. For more information, visit them on the web at http://cherrywoodfabrics.bigcartel.com

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Cherrywood Fabrics is a small handdyed fabric business in Brainerd that has a big following in the quilting world. The business has made a national name for itself with their luscious hand-dyed cottons that sports the exclusive look of suede. The subtle tone-on-tone variations in the color give these specialty fabrics a richness and depth that is unmatched. Cherrywood’s dedication to quality has earned them a stellar reputation around the world with quilters, designers, wearable artists and home sewers. Owned and operated by Karla Overland, Cherrywood fabrics boast unique color collections, high thread count, has colorfastness and has the added benefit of having no right or wrong side. Over the years the business has continued to cultivate a reputation for high-quality, scrumptious colors and personalized customer service. “The dyeing process is a multi-stepped job that takes a full day and several people,” Karla shared. “It’s very labor intensive. We estimate by the time the fabric is ready for the consumer, it has been handled at least 10 times by human hands – another reason it is so soft. ” When the company outgrew its previous building, Karla launched a year-long search for a new space. Cherrywood moved to its new home in the Baxter Industrial Park in September 2015. The business then hired two full-timers and one part-timer in addition to the three subcontractors who do packaging from their homes. Together the Cherrywood Fabrics team produces hundreds of yards of hand-dyed cotton fabric that is sold at national quilt shows and worldwide online. This year Cherrywood hosted its second national contest with the theme “The Lion King.” The Disney Theatrical Group granted

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S44 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

RECYCLING

www.brainerddispatch.com

For Your Info Crow Wing Recycling Employees: The business employs about 30 with 10 of those staffers at the Deerwood facility. • The car crusher takes 30-45 seconds to reduce a full-size car to a pile of fist-size metal pieces. • The company recycles cars. Steel is then shipped to steel mills across the U.S. Interesting fact: People have been known to pack a vehicle with extra weight, which plays into recycling value. That has included watering down seats in an attempt to add weight to a Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Weyerhaeuser’s plant sign is still in place at the Deerwood facility although its future has a new outlook and there is new life in the facility with Crow Wing Recycling’s operations.

MINING METALS From Page S41

the availability of aspen and a motivated workforce. MacMillan Bloedel formed a partnership with Trus Joist and became Trus Joist MacMillan. Weyerhaeuser purchased Trus Joist in 2000. In October of 2007, Weyerhaeuser announced it was closing the Deerwood plant, which produced engineered strand lumber, indefinitely in response to the slow housing market. The year before the plant reduced its production in a slowdown and never returned to running at its previous 24-hour seven-day schedule. The Deerwood facility was consuming 170,000 cords of wood a year, or 3.85 million tons when running at its full operation. The plant employed 158 workers when the closing was announced. At the time, Weyerhaeuser officials said they didn’t plan to list the plant for sale and were keeping the machinery in shape with the potential for a re-opening in the future should the housing market and home building rebound. But that was in the early days of the Great Recession. No one could have guessed how long the recession would last or how long the recovery would take. In the plant, computers left on desks and workstations abandoned as though the occupants expected to be back at work the next day. The Weyerhaeuser building sat empty for five years. “It was almost like Chernobyl, it looked like they left on a Friday and never came back,” VanWyngeeren said. They even found a class ring in one desk drawer. Randy Holmvig, the last and only Weyerhaeuser employee on the job

vehicle and even putting a deceased cow inside. Don’t try it. Staffers are wise to such attempts.

watching over the shuttered and idle plant for two years before it changed hands, is now Crow Wing Recycling’s plant manager in Deerwood. A Weyerhaeuser plant making identical product in Kentucky was torn down to the ground, VanWyngeeren said. Endless supply chain? VanWyngeeren said one question for the industry was whether it would go through all recyclable material at some point. But it’s not just old vehicles or equipment coming through the pipeline. The waste stream includes three-year-old washing machines that are more expensive to fix than replace with a new model. “There is a constant turnover of all those consumer products today,” Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video VanWyngeeren said. “It’s cheaper to buy new.” On Dec. 3, 2012, Crow Wing Recycling of Brainerd became the new owner of the former Weyerhaeuser Trus Joist plant in Recycled aluminum is Deerwood with its 225,000-square-foot plant and 440 acres. put back into use. “Realistically in about seven to 10 days that product will be melted into new ingot and on its way to Briggs and Stratton or Volkswagen or Chevy to be melted into components for cars or lawnmowers,” VanWyngeeren said. “So within two weeks that is heading back into the supply chain if you will.” And about those battered coins in the recycled metal? VanWyngeeren expects to add the technology available to reclaim those coins left in vehicles in the next 18-24 months. He said looking at options and new technology keeps the work new, interesting and exciting. VanWyngeeren said they Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson are always looking for Metal fragments, including short lengths of copper wire, are colthe next thing that will lected from the waste stream at Crow Wing Recycling in Deergive them an edge in a Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson competitive industry. Grant VanWyngeeren, Crow Wing Recycling, holds a battered wood to be reﬁned further and its metal mined for reuse. “There is always something quarter. Capturing coins left in vehicles reduced to scrap metal new and better.” is in the company’s near future. The average vehicle has $2 in RENEE RICHARDSON, managing change hiding between seats. editor, may be reached at 218-

855-5852 or renee.richardson@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ Dispatchbizbuzz.

s k n a h T A MILLION

u o Y k n a h T

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DISCOVER THE DISCOVER THE GRE DISCOVER THEBRAINERD GREATER LAK DISCOVER GREATER To our Employees and ClientsTHE BRAINERD LAKES AR BRAINERD LAKES AREA for Being the Building Blocks BRAINERD LAKES AREA of our Business.

We’d like to take a moment this Labor Day to thank all of our employees and the men and women who work hard to serve our community.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

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TECHNOLOGY

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September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S45

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Ultra sonic exam units are used by students to look for corrosion and metal thickness at the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing in Baxter.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Owner and founder Don Booth examines a radiograph ﬁlm at the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing in Baxter.

NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING From Page S42

He decided to stay in the area to be close to his family. Sticking to his late father Robert Booth’s business motto, Booth said, “You just wake up every day and do the best you can and don’t worry about the competition.” He explained how his

business is not just out to make money. They want to give their students value for their dollar. Having several certifications under his own belt, he is always striving to learn more. Booth hopes to take the business to the international level within a year. This would allow people from any country to partake in their program. “It’s a process that just takes time,” Booth said. He explained that going international involves a

lot more training hours and there are different certification requirements for different regions.

How it works Tuition is $9,995 per student with an on-site lending program available at 0 percent interest. A substantial discount is offered to students paying cash up front. After completing all required classroom online training — approximately 244 total hours — students then complete practical hands-

Advertorial

CTC: Setting the Standard in Telecommunications. By Becky Flansburg

CTC’s vision of being the premier provider of communication solutions and one that enhances their customers’ personal and professional lives, all began in May of 1950. That spring, seven farmers held their first official meeting of the Crow Wing Cooperative Rural Telephone Company to take on the responsibility of expanding affordable communication services to the rural areas of America. For more than 50 years, CTC has remained committed to bringing technology and connectivity to the Brainerd lakes area and is setting the standard in telecommunications. CTC’s offerings include Digital TV, High Speed Internet, Phone and SmartHome Monitoring. CTC also offers business class TV, Internet and Phone Service, including Hosted PBX Phone Systems and IT support services. CTC also offers 1 Gigabit Fiber Internet service – the fastest Internet available. The people who make up CTC’s team of more than 50 employees are another reason for the company’s continued success. “A big component to the continued growth and expansion of this company is the amazing people that we employ,” shared Marketing Lead, Kelly Burns. “People come to work here and stay here. It’s

not uncommon for us to celebrate a 25plus years of employment milestone at CTC. I believe this loyalty stems from the fact that our employees not only believe in this company, but that we all share the same vision and dedication for providing the best service to our customers possible.” CTC lives up to its cooperative name by being an asset to society in many ways. CTC was recently recognized by the NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, as the only company of more than 900, which has earned not only the NTCA Certified Gig-Capable Provider designation, but also the Smart Rural Community Showcase Award and the Smart Rural Community Collaboration Challenge Grant. In addition, many employees volunteer their time within the community. CTC has also contributed more than $100,000 in donations to the local community during the past five years. “CTC is a great place to work within the Brainerd lakes area, which is a great place to live,” Burns said. “We want to thank all of our employees for fueling the continued growth of this company and for being committed to giving back to the community where we all live, work and play.”

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Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Owner and founder Don Booth uses the magnetic particle bench unit to inspect metals for stress fractures and cracks at the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing in Baxter. on training with certified instructors who have worked in the industry which takes 18 days. The entire program can be completed in six months. Upon completion students are in the field earning between $40,000-50,000 per year to start. Certification is received through their employer after receiving the appropriate amount of hands-on experience and only qualified testing sites offer the exams for

letup in sight for work in the energy industry and What others have to say about AINDT infrastructure rebuilding. “Through many We believe in training guest speakers and and that your institute the experience of the instructors, the online will do well by turning class sessions go far beyond out qualified personnel,” the basics and provide a said John Newland, Jan X real world foundation that cannot be learned from a NonDestructive Testing book alone,” said current and Inspection Solutions student Myles Colligan. CEO. “The industry needs qualified nondestructive TAMARA HORTON may be reached testing technicians at tamara.horton@brainerddispatch. everywhere. There is no com or 218-855-5892. certification.

TECHNOLOGY

S46 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

NORTECH From Page S43

“If you are relying on people you’re only as good as your process,” TInsberg said. There are two processes the Merrifield shop partakes in. The automated surface-mount process which produces in .2 seconds printed, assembled circuit boards that allow more than one to be cut from the same sheet. This ensures better quality and a more efficient production. The through-hole process is all or mostly assembled by hand. This process takes much longer, 22 seconds to be exact, and involves manually preparing parts and putting them all on by hand. It is how all industries began assembly of these products years ago. Keeping throughhole processes running is Nortech’s niche. It takes time, money and engineering to create the processes that would bring shops over to the automated side. Many shops just don’t want this hassle. “That’s kind of our sweet spot,” Hedstrom said. “Low volume, high mix, legacy boards — our large competitors really don’t want that business so they take the high

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volume SMT (surfacemount technology) work, which is hard for us to compete in.” Nortech does extensive business with clients in medical, defense and aerospace operations, therefore it is important for them to maintain certain confidentials when it comes to specific products.

The ‘black box’ version for trains To maintain some anonymity clients names were withheld; however, the Merrifield site is working on a locomotive computer blue box, similar to the black box of a plane. “This box is taking pictures and audio at every railroad stop. They can actually track the train as it’s going down the tracks,” Hedstrom explained. “We’ve been manufacturing these since 2000.” Another project in house is an intricate control box for a power management company. “This is basically the brains behind the computer generator. When you see this from inside you’ll see how incredibly complex it is,” TInsberg said. Aside from creating these products the company also supplies on-going support with recalibrations, repairs, upgrades, maintenance,

For Your Info Nortech Systems City: Merrifield Number of employees: 87 Fun fact: The original facility was formerly known as Zercom Corporation, which was built near both Crystal and Campbell lakes, 1.3 miles out of town. Zercom used the lake for testing the products they made back then such as depth finders.

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

Internal components are exposed inside of a blue box for a locomotive at Nortech Systems in Merriﬁeld. diagnostics, and retesting after the fact to ensure the fixes have worked. Employees at Nortech are diversely cross-trained and each individual plays a role in quality control by inspecting as they go and knowing what to look for to meet quality guidelines. They have a quality engineer, two quality managers and a team of inspectors to ensure the highest quality product leaves their facilities. The testing area electrically tests between 70-80 percent of all boards after they are built to make sure they work. Tests are designed either by Nortech or its clients in accordance to what the needs are.

Merrifield opportunities Assembly in the Merrifield plant is its strongest feature. “Really where we shine is when we are able to

put those things that we make in all of our facilities together in what we call our higher level assemblies,” Tinsberg explained. “That is something that is totally unique to this site.” An end-stage process, proper shipping procedures are also very important. Hedstrom acknowledges that static electricity can really harm their products. “Static electricity is not a friend to anything we build,” he said. The company follows strict Electrostatic Discharge guidelines for packaging put in place by the American National Standards Institute. Typically Nortech uses standard shipping methods but are open to using a customer’s contracted shipper if necessary. “Whenever possible we want to be flexible to what the customer is asking for,” TInsberg said.

Nortech is always looking for top-notch people to join its staff. They specifically look for “hand-eye coordination; great eyesight; ability to read work instructions, rulers and measuring equipment; and ability to learn and do multiple jobs,” Hedstrom said. “We will train them to do all of these items. We have a full time trainer on staff.” “They are looking for employees like me,” said Todd Grabuski, an employee manning the potting machine. Tinsberg agreed, and jokingly added, “We haven’t perfected the cloning machine yet.” Over the next five years Nortech expects to keep flourishing. Hedstrom sees expansion happening already. “We’ll be going after more HLA (higher-level assemblies), and subassembly areas are already growing,” he said. Tinsberg highlighted

the work they are doing to become more costeffective. “Customers want to limit the number of suppliers they work with so your people can be more efficient when it comes to their supplier base,” he said. “The trick is to be one of those companies that makes the cut. Not only offering one component but multiple.” As a member of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Nortech extends its good fortune in several ways throughout the community. Not only are they working to keep local people employed with competitive wages and benefits, but they also help out local charities. Each year employees hand-pick the charity that they will donate funds to. They also donate throughout the year to many organizations and events upon request.

Advertorial

Lonesome Cottage By Danae Blanck Anderson

Lonesome Cottage, located in Pequot Lakes, is a one-stop shop destination for fine furniture, customizable bedding and unique home decor. “A fun place to wander through” no matter what your style is, said Jill Andersen, co-owner with her husband, Brandon Andersen. The Andersens have enjoyed being employers for the past 13 years. They have watched their company grow from 100 percent local only sales to nationwide and now truly a global company in the furniture industry. Today they have about 75 employees which include sales support staff and furniture craftsmen. They believe in working hard to be an easy company to be in business with in regards to employees and vendors alike. Besides great log furniture, Lonesome Cottage is a resource for cedar, hickory and authentic reclaimed barn wood coming from dilapidated barns in places such as Tennessee and Kentucky. Andersen noted the barn wood is really popular currently. It is also a way to be part of the green move-

ment with recycling goods to create new products. A new line they recently introduced is done with circle sawn pine called their “Frontier Line.” These furniture items are painted carefully with distinct color options, like Driftwood Gray and made to look aged with a lighter less expensive process. Finally, “Beetle kill” or “Blue stain” pines are being used to create wonderful pieces of furniture with a two-tone swirl affect. This is really a sustainable effort to make use of the millions of acres of trees from The Rocky Mountains like northern Colorado and southern Wyoming that have been destroyed by the mountain pine beetle epidemic. What a story Lonesome Cottage furniture can tell! Lonesome Cottage is hoping the new bypass for State Highway 371 does not hurt their foot traffic at their full showroom nestled back off 371 north near the Oasis Center now. However, by taking the bypass, the public will have the opportunity

to view the backside of the manufacturing facility in the Industrial Park in Pequot which will help remind them they are still around and working hard making quality furniture right here in the lakes area. The Andersens are proud to say that all of their

furniture is made in Pequot Lakes. “Most people don’t realize how large the facility is,” Andersen said. “We want to thank our entire staff for making us who we are today,” Andersen stated. “We have awesome employees.” 001462357r1

BRAINERD LAKES AREA

Progress Edition B R A I N E R D

www.brainerddispatch.com

D I S P A T C H

L A B O R

D A Y

SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881

S P E C I A L

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

Guardians of the wild Wildlife rehabbers rescue squirrels, nurture relationships

Chelsey Perkins Staﬀ Writer GARRISON — When Debbie Eskedahl describes what her work in wildlife rehabilitation means to her, the story of “The Star Thrower” is what comes to mind. In the oft-retold story adapted from a 1969 essay, a man walks along a beach, throwing starfish back into the ocean after they’ve become stranded by the tide. Another man approaches him and asks why he would spend his time rescuing the creatures, when his efforts will have no impact on the population as a whole. The man continues casting the starfish into the sea, replying, “It made a difference to that one.” For Eskedahl and her business partner Katie Baratto, this parable is akin to the work they do at Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation in Garrison. The nonprofit organization rescues, rehabilitates and releases orphaned and injured wildlife, including birds, deer, bears, raccoons, foxes, squirrels and a number of other species. “We’re just trying to give back with our expertise,” Eskedahl said. “We’re trying to give back to the community what we can. … Every animal plays an important role in our ecosystem and deserves a second chance at life. As humans, we tend to put our value system on them.”

Bears, barred owls and a bittern

On a steamy day in late July, the population at the rehab center recently dwindled following the release of several fawns back into the wild. Three recently released barred owls perched nearby, still consuming dead mice placed on a platform thrice daily until the raptors can support their appetites with hunting skills alone. Two outdoor pens contained black bear cubs and coyotes, shielded from human interaction to help ensure successful release. A great horned owl, missing its horn feathers from a recent storm, occupied an outdoor cage. Inside, a family of gray fox kits occupied a large pen next to a few rescued raccoons, and a woodpecker flittered about in a small bird cage. And these were just the

residents in the rescue facility. Down the road at Garrison Animal Hospital, baby animals and others in need of specialized care resided, including a young loon, an injured swan and tiny squirrels in need of frequent feedings. Baratto checked in on a small, heron-like bird called a bittern, a rare visitor to the center. Between 3 and 4 months old, the bird was nearing release after proving it could catch and eat live minnows. It was fullsized, but still had fuzzy down poking out among its feathers. Baratto said she would consult a local birdwatching club to learn where another population of bitterns exists. “We try to let them go where there’s some other one of his species on the lake,” she said. Eskedahl and Baratto are veterinary doctors and co-owners of the animal hospital, where all the necessary examinations, treatments and surgical procedures for the rescued wildlife are performed. All of their time is donated to the separate nonprofit Wild and Free, which is supported entirely through volunteer efforts and private donations.

The people’s profession

Eskedahl moved to the area and opened the hospital and rehab center in 1990. There was no wildlife rehabilitation center in the area at the time, and it remains the only center-based rehab in the Brainerd lakes area. The next closest facility able to accommodate the breadth of species treated at Wild and Free is in Duluth. Eskedahl said she’s long been interested in rehab work. She worked at the Raptor Center while attending veterinary school at the University of Minnesota, fueling her natural inclination toward working with animals. Baratto began working at the animal hospital in 1998 as a high schooler and never looked back. The Crosby-Ironton High School graduate earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Minnesota. “You know you like it, if you come back after that long,” Baratto said. “I just never wanted to do

anything else.” The profession itself has evolved in recent decades as enrollment in veterinary schools is nearly 85 percent female, Baratto said. This trend is easily recognizable in Garrison, where every staff member is a woman. The veterinary profession is not for everyone, even many who believe they want to enter the field, she said. The animal hospital accommodates many students to expose people to the profession early on. “I bet half of people say, ‘Oh no, this is not what I thought it was, it’s not playing with kittens and puppies.’ … It’s highpaced and sometimes it’s stressful,” she said. “We do have to put animals to sleep and we have to deal with clients who are confused or stressed out or mentally upset otherwise, and it can be scary.” Sometimes, that means dealing with upset clients facing pet emergencies in the middle of the night. Eskedahl and Baratto trade on-call weeks, during which they are available 24 hours a day to potentially save a pet’s life. Recently, Baratto was called in past midnight to see a pet that she determined required euthanization. The client’s 12-year-old son was at home a half-hour away and wanted to be with the pet. Despite the early morning hour, Baratto encouraged the client to go home and get their son. “I’ll be tired the next day, but what’s two hours of sleep for me versus permanent closure for the kid?” Baratto said. Ultimately, she said, being a veterinary doctor is far less about the animals than one would expect. “This is a people job. We get to do this, and it’s what you love, but they don’t come in unattached to a person. You really have to care about the owner and the owner’s quality of life with their pet,” she said. “There’s a lot of personal relationships that are formed there, if you’re doing it correctly. Especially in a small town like this. In the last two or three months I think we’ve sent flowers to four or five funerals. They’ve been clients for 30 years. We know them, we know their pets. … It’s how it should be. It’s how human medicine should be.”

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

Veterinarian and co-owner Katie Baratto holds a baby squirrel at Garrison Animal Hospital. The goal was to eventually release the squirrel back to the wild through the Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation program.

Brainerd Dispatch, Kelly Humphrey - Gallery and Video

A barred owl peers down from a tree at Wild and Free in Garrison. Recently released birds typically hang around near the facility for a couple weeks before moving on.

For Your Info Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation; Garrison Animal Hospital City: Garrison Number of employees: 12 employees of animal hospital, 76 active volunteers Fun fact: Wild and Free volunteers logged 4,042 hours in 2015 and were expected to exceed that in 2016.

Rehabilitate and educate

For Baratto, a similar maxim applies to the work in wildlife rehabilitation. “We’re not affecting the squirrel population, by what we do,” Baratto said. “It’s the individual animal and the people. It means a lot for the public to be able to call someone and be told what to do. And if nothing can be done, to be able to bring it in and know that it’s going to be cared for the best it can be.” A large part of rehabilitation work also involves educating the public, whether it be what one should do if they find an animal in need of rescue or steps one can take to help assure the animal does not need rescuing in the first place. Almost all of the wildlife cared for at Wild and Free are there because of some kind of human intervention — they were hit by cars, ran into power lines or were shot. “You wouldn’t believe

how many swans and eagles we get in that are shot purposefully,” Eskedahl said. And some of the animals are completely fine, but are “rescued” mistakenly. Baratto said this year, the center housed half the fawns it typically sees — a victory from her perspective. Fawns are one of the most common animals believed to be orphaned, when really, it is natural behavior for the baby deer to be left alone for sometimes days at a time. “They don’t have much scent, and they’re safer than they are with her (their mother) hanging around them,” Baratto said. Sometimes, people will take wild animals home and attempt to raise them before realizing they’ve taken on more than they bargained for. This is the wrong course of action for multiple reasons, Baratto said. Not only does it greatly increase the

likelihood an animal can no longer be released to the wild — which often leads to euthanization — but it’s also against Minnesota state law. Only those who’ve obtained permits through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are allowed to house wildlife. Two of the three black bear cubs at Wild and Free this summer are tame because they were kept in a home for more than a month before they were turned over to the rehab center. Baratto said because of this, there is no way they can return to the wild and instead, the organization must find a zoo willing to take the bears. A tame gray fox kit kept in a different home was euthanized, because there was no place for it to go.

GUARDIANS OF THE WILD: Page S51

RESEARCH

S48 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com

Analyzing aqua A lakes area lab keeps tabs on water health

Brainerd Dispatch Steve Kohls

A.W. Research Laboratories co-owner Sara Ahlers talks about the water testing facility.

Chelsey Perkins Staﬀ Writer In the Brainerd lakes area’s corner of the world, water is a way of life. At a laboratory near the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, analysis of what that water contains is the focus of three women. Certified by the Minnesota Department of Health, A.W. Research Laboratories offers testing of drinking

water, industrial and municipal wastewater, stormwater, groundwater and surface water in lakes and rivers. The water is tested with techniques ranging from hands-on sampling and lab work to high-tech analysis with complex machinery. Sara Ahlers, Stephanie Kuesel and Sarah Fogderud share ownership of the lab, acquiring it jointly following the death of its founder, Alan Cibuzar, in 2014. “When you’re an owner, you just look at everything from a totally different perspective,” Fogderud said during a July interview. “I’m really thankful that I have two other people to share that responsibility with. All three of us can kind of take on the different pieces of that ownership responsibility.”

Meet the team

Fogderud, 31, is the most recent addition to lab team, joining in 2008. Originally from Bismarck, N.D., she

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

Glass bottles are used for testing at A.W. Research Laboratories. earned a biology degree from Gustavus Adolphus College. Her primary duties are working directly with clients and keeping the books. Ahlers, 43, has served as laboratory director for 17 years. She hails from Red Lake Falls and attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. As laboratory director, Ahlers oversees certification and quoting for clients, which include private homeowners, municipalities, lake associations, state

For Your Info A.W. Research Laboratories City: Brainerd Number of employees: four, plus a summer intern Interesting fact: The company has its origins in 1972 in the back of Paul’s Shoes in downtown Brainerd, where a young Alan Cibuzar began his work in spectral imaging and remote sensing.

agencies, septic inspectors and real estate agents. Kuesel, 39, is a 15-year employee of the company. She is from Little Falls and earned degrees in water resource technology and environmental resources from Vermillion Community College and the University of Minnesota. Kuesel’s role is as laboratory manager, overseeing the day-to-day testing and management of lab resources. Together, the three are continuing the legacy of one of the first statecertified water labs in Minnesota — but not without Cibuzar in mind. “He worked 24 hours a day,” Ahlers said. “He was a great teacher.” A.W. Research was born in the back of a downtown Brainerd shoe store, owned and operated by Cibuzar’s father, Paul. It was in this space where Cibuzar began his work on remote sensing and spectral imaging — work that would later bring him international recognition in the field of environmental

remediation. Cibuzar’s imaging work — which involved photography from an airplane to locate pollution sources — was the first division of the company. His love of Minnesota lakes led to the pursuit of the water testing and consultation aspects of the business. Cibuzar moved A.W. Research to a doublewide modular home on the airport grounds in 1997, where it’s been ever since. Ahlers said Cibuzar was in the process of planning his retirement from the business at the time of his sudden death from a heart attack. “He really wanted to give the company to us, to let us take it over at that point,” Ahlers said. “We had been working with him a couple years to try to purchase the company.” The three worked with Cibuzar’s wife, Shellie, to complete the ownership transfer. The business shifted focus away from remote sensing, a passion of Cibuzar’s the new owners did not feel

comfortable pursuing. But evaluation of the safety of drinking water and wastewater, and the health of groundwater and surface water, remains the focal point of the lab.

Drink to your health

When it comes to drinking water, tests conducted in the lab can confirm the presence of coliform bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, lead or copper — all of which may cause either immediate or long-term health effects. Kuesel said municipal water systems are required by law to be tested monthly, but for those connected to private well systems, testing is up to the individual homeowner. Oftentimes, this means testing may not be completed for many years at a time. “A lot of people don’t really think about their drinking water until they’re selling their home and are forced to test it,” Kuesel said. “They should be testing it once a year.”

ANALYZING AQUA: Page S52

Advertorial

Locally Owned, Deerwood Bank, Expanded Into The Metro

Enjoy your Labor Day!

By Becky Flansburg

From all of us at Deerwood Bank.

“Our business philosophy is based on the belief that our success as a community bank depends upon our commitment to and deep knowledge of the communities we serve,” said Deerwood Bank President and CEO, John Ohlin. “American Bank of St. Paul shares this philosophy and is an excellent fit for our bank, our communities and the customers we serve.” Along with Deerwood Bank’s value-added services that Deerwood Bank customers can now enjoy include EMV Chip enabled Debit and Credit Cards, Touch ID, Debit Card Fraud Alert App, thousands of surcharge free ATMs nationwide and Real Time Debit Card transaction processing. Member FDIC

We’ll see you back at the bank on Tuesday. Our Deerwood Bank offices will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 5th. If you start missing us, we are always around online through our website or on facebook. Have a fantastic weekend!

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Deerwood Bank, a communitybased, locally-owned bank founded in 1910, announced last year their acquisition of American Bank of St. Paul. Deerwood Bank now covers the Northern Minnesota resort and lakes markets that have long been popular vacation and second home destinations of the Metro Minneapolis-St. Paul. Strategically, the bank’s customers and prospects can now work, live and play, all while having access to and the support of Deerwood Bank. Deerwood Bank now has full service locations in Bemidji, Brainerd, Blackduck, Deerwood, Garrison, Grand Rapids, Baxter, Northome, Mendota Heights, St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights and Apple Valley.

www.deerwoodbank.com Visit us on www.facebook.com/DeerwoodBank

SEASONAL

www.brainerddispatch.com

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S49

Iron Waffle brings new twist to the breakfast standard Jennifer Stockinger Staﬀ Writer LAKE SHORE — Berries of all kind. Nutella, Biscoff spread, peanut butter, caramel, marshmallow fluff, hot fudge, chocolate syrup, apple butter, honey, cream cheese, maple syrup. Nuts, goat cheese, bacon, meat, Oreos to peanut butter cups. The list of toppings a customer can order on their “Iron Waffle” is long, and equally difficult to choose from for customers stopping in at the Iron Waffle Coffee Company. The Iron Waffle Coffee Company is on Interlachen Road in Lake Shore, next to Sherwood Forest. Owner Stacy Stranne’s opened her seasonal business in 2015 and the waffle company has become a place area residents and tourists want to visit. The business — open from Memorial Day to Labor Day — has gone so well that Stanne is in the process of opening another Iron Waffle in Colorado and she is considering whether to keep the business in Lake

Shore open all year-round. “It’s been going great,” Stranne said of business while sitting on the front patio of The Iron Waffle Coffee Company during a hot day in July. “I honestly didn’t expect this. We have had good business. During our first weekend open I was taken back with everyone who came. People have been so supportive and like the waffles.” Stranne said the location by Sherwood Forest is perfect, as it’s a cozy area nestled among towering pines and the area is known as a little community to the locals and visitors. People didn’t have a place to go that was close and now they do, she said. The Iron Waffle offers its signature pastry waffle, with chunks of pearl sugar, served with powdered sugar. There are “build-your-own” waffles and the breakfast, savory and sweet speciality waffle menu items. People can order a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin, bagel or, of course, a waffle. The

Maple Liege Waffle is the restaurant’s signature waffle topped with butter and local maple syrup. Then there are the savory waffles — signature waffles topped with the right ingredients to please the customer, including The Bacon Goat, topped with goat cheese, bacon and honey, and The Skinny topped with vanilla yogurt, a choice of fruit and granola. And then there are specialty waffles, for those with a sweet tooth. This menu offers refreshing ice cream sandwich to sweet waffles, like the S’mores, Peanut Butter Cup, Dirt Cake, Nutty Marshmallow. And not to be forgotten, the Pecan Cinnamon Roll, topped with cinnamon sugar blend, sweet icing, caramel sauce and pecans. The waffle shop also offers hot and cold drinks, such as specialty coffee, Italian soda, lattes and chai latte to fruit smoothies and ice cream treats. Stranne said when creating the menu, she researched several places

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The Iron Waffle Coffee Company owner Stacy Stranne displays one of the Lake Shore shop’s specialities. The Iron Waffle offers its signature pastry waffle, with chunks of pearl sugar, served with powdered sugar, to the build-your-own waffle, to its breakfast, savory and sweet speciality waffle menu items. around the country that made waffles to come up with her own menu. She said she chose waffle creations she thought people would want in the lakes area. She knew people would want breakfast so she added the breakfast items, added the savory

and dessert items to have a good mix, trying to please everyone. The Iron Waffle’s top sellers are the waffle sandwiches and the breakfast items. Stranne said the maple bacon is a good seller. “Everyone loves bacon,” she said.

Stranne, a 2008 Pequot Lakes High School graduate, always wanted to open a business, but not with food. She wanted a boutique or something with interior design.

IRON WAFFLE: Page S51

For Your Info The Iron Wa�e Co�ee Company Address: Lake Shore. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Employees: Five plus the owner. The waffles: The mini-waffle is called the Liege, a richer, denser, sweeter and chewier waffle native to Eastern Belgium.

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The Iron Waﬄe Coﬀee Company on Interlachen Road in Lake Shore bustles with people during the Fourth of July week this summer. Advertorial

Country Kitchen would like to say THANK YOU! to all our dedicated customers and staff members!

By BECKY FLANSBURG

“A place like home” is the tagline and mission of Country Kitchen of Baxter. As one of the Baxter’s oldest family dining restaurants still in its original location, Country Kitchen has been serving good ol’ belly-filling American comfort foods, in a dining atmosphere that feels like home, since 1973. The Country Kitchen franchise has been serving up homestyle comfort foods, with modern twists, in their full-service, familystyle restaurants for over 75 years. The business’ origin began as a nickel-and-dime hamburger stand and drive-in and eventually evolved in what it is today – a modern family-style restaurant where hungry diners can enjoy breakfast all day, lunch, dinner and enticing desserts at affordable prices. Owners Kevin and Marilyn Stumpf purchased the Baxter Country Kitchen in March of 1994 and together the couple has never wavered from their vision of serving exceptional meals and treating their guests like they’re being welcomed back home. Though their business is all about pleasing the patrons who walk through their doors, the Stumpfs have also worked to create a supportive atmosphere for their employees. “Some of our staff have been with us for 10-16 years,” Kevin Stumpf noted. “Our mission is to provide the best dining experience possible and thanks to the dedication of

our amazing staff, we’ve been able to do that year after year.” Their menu is filled with savory options to satisfy any taste bud and the restaurant is also known for their mouth-watering country burgers. For those not in the mood for a juicy burger meal, diners can choose from hearty skillets and omelets, healthy and filling salads, savory sandwiches, tender steak and pot roast dinners. Open at 6 a.m. daily until 7 p.m., except on Sundays when they close at 3 p.m., Kevin Stumpf shared that it’s their passion for serving delicious food and providing memorable hospitality that keeps their customers coming back again and again. “I believe that we have the best pancakes, burgers and comfort dinners in town,” Kevin Stumpf confirmed. “Country Kitchen’s catering option is growing in popularity as well and can cater for groups as large as 100 people. Whether it’s for company luncheons, special occasions or family gatherings, our catering clients appreciate our professional service, home-cooking style of foods and exceptional desserts. With all of our customers, we strive to provide personal hospitality touch to everyone who walks through our doors. We treat our staff and customers like family because that is what they are to us.”

“We try to give that personal hospitality that you would give to people in your own home.”

Donovan Abbot Dawn Barthman Michael Bernath Scott Borders Brittany Comings Floyd Davis

Jason Ebel Collen Schienbein Danielle Hoheisel Jessica Sommers Jessie Johnson Hillary Stumpf Camryn Lucksinger Jeramie Torgerson Pamela Ohman Lisa Ullrich Randi Roseman Victoria Winter

We wish everyone a Safe & Fun Labor Day Celebration! Don’t forget to stop in your locally owned Country Kitchen

Get Us To Go! 7788 Fairview Rd, Baxter

218-829-1739

Kevin Stumpf, Owner

www.BAXTERcountrykitchen.com 001457931r1

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Country Kitchen – A Place Like Home

SYSTEM SOLUTIONS

S50 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

www.brainerddispatch.com

Woman-owned business earns top honors in technology Theresa Bourke Echo Journal Staﬀ Writer Ever-changing and fast-paced is the world of technology. Individuals and businesses alike strive to keep up with the constant advancements. Elise Hernandez McGuire’s commitment to technology goes a little further. As owner of Ideal System Solutions Inc. in Pequot Lakes, technology is her business. For almost 20 years, Ideal System Solutions has provided infrastructure technology solutions to government and commercial organizations nationwide. “The infrastructure might be the systems, the desktop, the data center, the network,” Hernandez said. “We may design, implement and support the entire solution or just a component of the solution.” Hernandez’s longtime interest in technology led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business, psychology and Spanish from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master of Business Administration degree in management

and marketing from Metropolitan State University. “I’ve always been in the technology industry since right out of high school,” she said. “So technology has been part of my life since I first started in my career.” Though she originally wanted to become a lawyer, Hernandez began working at technology companies after high school and college. The diversity of the field piqued her interest and led her to where she is today. “There’s a lot of opportunities,” she said. “It’s very dynamic, and there’s a lot of places you can go within technology. There’s a lot of different things you can do.” With offices in Pequot Lakes and Minnetonka and remote locations around the country, Ideal System Solutions is a growing company that Hernandez and her husband, John McGuire, started in their Pine River home after Hernandez wrote the business plan as a part of the graduation requirement for her master’s degree. “After I wrote the

Theresa Bourke/Echo Journal

Elise Hernandez McGuire, owner of Ideal System Solutions Inc. in Pequot Lakes, was recently inducted into the Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame. Hernandez started the company with her husband, John McGuire, in 1997. business plan, I just decided, why not?” Hernandez said. “I’ve already done all of my homework, and the

For Your Info Ideal System Solutions Inc. City: Pequot Lakes and Minnetonka Number of employees: 15-18 (in each location) Interesting or little known fact: Ideal System Solutions was started in Hernandez’s home in Pine River.

plan was in place, so (we) decided to start the company. So we officially opened January of 1997.” The company office in Pequot Lakes opened in 2008 after the company grew too big to run out of Hernandez’s house. Since she is originally from the Minneapolis area, there has always been an office in the Twin Cities. It was Hernandez’s husband who led her north to the Brainerd lakes area. “We were both in the technology industry together. We worked with the same company, and in

1995, I came up here and visited the area,” she said. “(I) fell in love with it, fell in love with him, and still here.” As the company has grown, so has its recognition in the business world. Ideal System Solutions’ long list of honors includes spots in DiversityBusiness.com’s Top 500 Women Owned Businesses in the U.S. and Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Minnesota from 2003-2016, but they don’t stop there. Earlier this year, Hernandez was inducted

into the Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, an award she was “very humbled and very honored” to receive. “Some of the other awardees were absolutely incredible — their backgrounds, their stories, the caliber of women that were selected,” Hernandez said. “I’m just honored to be part of such a distinguished group of women.”

WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS: Page S51

Advertorial

Thank You

Quality, Service & Freshness Pequot Lakes Supervalu By BECKY FLANSBURG

hand-cut meats are also sure to please any gathering or family meal. Labor Day travelers and vacationers encountering road construction in the Pequot Lakes area can rest assured that Pequot Lakes Supervalu has gone above and beyond to ensure their safe entry and exit to and from the store. A new road has been created that provides their visitors and shoppers with an alternative route to the stoplights. This newly created side road, located in the northwest corner of the parking lot, was built with safety in mind, but also as a way to help travelers and local shoppers get back on the road to their final destination easily. Since 2010, Pequot Lakes Supervalu has been bringing more to the lake country community’s table by providing the best grocery value in a convenient one-stop venue. By blending value, service and selection to serve their customers, this thriving grocery store provides shoppers with consistently great-tasting food, at lower prices, along with a hometown feel.

Thank you to our employees for all their hard work. Thank you to our customers, we appreciate your continued patronage

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Whether you are planning a backyard family BBQ or a late night date night, Pequot Lakes Supervalu’s hometown feel and upscale atmosphere provides visitors and shoppers with high-quality foods at affordable prices. As a family owned and operated fullservice 30,000 square foot grocery store located in the heart of the lake country, Pequot Supervalu is known for their quality, service and freshness. Their friendly staff takes pride in the store’s authentic Minnesota northwoods feel and is always on hand to ensure every shopping trip is an exceptional experience. Easily accessible off of Highway 371 North in Pequot Lakes, visitors to the store will enjoy the hundreds of specials throughout the store and options like deli trays to fit any occasion, fresh cut flowers, a variety of natural and organic products and many local items that can’t be found anywhere besides northern Minnesota. Their Lakes Area Pharmacy is a handy source for prescription refills and their vast selection of fresh produce, tasty bakery items and

30503 State Hwy 371, Pequot Lakes, MN (218) 568-5001 7AM - 10 PM 001459325r1

www.brainerddispatch.com

From Page S50

As for her business’ other achievements, Hernandez knows she alone cannot take credit for all the success. “Mostly these awards are for the company,” she said. “This company has been built on a team effort. It’s not about me and me winning the awards. It’s about the organization winning the awards. And I just have a really great team of people that make those awards possible.”

Though the company’s achievements are important for Hernandez, being able to spend time with her family is the highlight of being a business owner. “I would say the best part about owning your own company is the flexibility,” Hernandez said. “I have two teenage children. They were babies when I started the company, but I’ve had a lot of flexibility to spend time with them, to participate in their sports, their school activities.” For others who are interested in starting their

own business, Hernandez has a few tips. “There’s so many resources out there that you can tap into for people that … want to look into owning a business or entrepreneurship,” she said. “Reach out to other people that own companies. Ask a lot of questions; network. And do your research and make sure that it’s a viable business plan, and once you determine it is, just go for it.” THERESA BOURKE may be reached at 218-855-5880 or theresa.bourke@ pineandlakes.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PAL_Theresa.

Honors and Achievements United States Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency • MBDA Minority Business Enterprise of the Year Award 2015 • January Entrepreneur of the Month 2016 Minnesota Economic Development Association • Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014 Department of Energy • HUBZone Small Business of the Year - Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2011 • HUBZone Small Business of the Year - Department of Energy 2010 Small Business Administration • Minnesota Minority Small Business Person of the Year 2007 • SBA Region 5 Small Business Subcontractor of the Year 2008 Harris Corporation • Harris GCS HUBZone Supplier Excellence Award 2014 Boeing Company • Boeing Performance Excellence Award 2013 Enterprising Women • Woman of the Year Award (highest level) 2009 National Association of Women Business Owners • Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame 2016 • Minnesota Emerging Women Business Owner of the Year 2008 • Established Woman Award 2009 Twin Cities Business • 100 People to Know in 2016

IRON WAFFLE From Page S49

However, she said Nisswa has plenty of those businesses and not many specialty food places. “I thought this would be unique enough for people to come,” she said. “People come because they are curious. … The biggest hurdle was people thought they would be getting a really big waffle, and it’s not. This is the original waffle, it’s not the American waffle we have today. It is made out of dough and it is filling.” The idea of starting a waffle specialty shop came to Stranne while she was in Colorado with her boyfriend Jeremiah Duvall, who is a pipeline inspector. There she saw a food truck that sold dessert waffles with ice cream. Funny thing was, Stranne had never eaten a waffle. “I was never a big breakfast eater,” Stranne said. “I had my first iron waffle on the food truck and the freaky thing was I fell in love with them.” Stranne began to research ways on how to start her own waffle food truck in Nisswa and ordered the heavy iron waffle maker. However, it sat in a box for a few years until Stranne was approached by John Poston, who owns the Iron Waffle building, which was the restaurant’s old bunkhouse. He asked her if she wanted to lease it. Poston, along with Matt Annand and Nick Miller, operate 3 Cheers Hospitality LLC, overseeing Sherwood Forest, Prairie Bay and Lost Lake Lodge. Stranne said Poston

GUARDIANS OF THE WILD

The Business Journal • Women in Business Honoree “Woman to Watch” 2009

From Page S47

Women’s Enterprise USA • Top Women’s Business Enterprise List 2008

The best course of action is to call Wild and Free first before doing anything, Baratto said. “A lot of people will just grab something, which, No. 1, is not safe for them most of the time,” she said. “Even squirrels and bunnies bite, and they carry fleas.” A contingent of volunteers seeks to spread that education through presentations to various community groups. Nearly 80 volunteers are actively involved in the organization in one way or another — a huge number in comparison to the early days, when Eskedahl was nearly on her own.

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal • Top Minority Business Honoree 2008 • Top IT Consulting Firms 2010 • Top 25 Minority-Owned Businesses 2009, 2010, 2011 • Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses 2010, 2011, 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine • Top 50 Woman-Owned Companies 2007 DiversityBusiness.com • Top 500 Diversity Owned Business in the U.S. 2004-2016 • Top 50 Diversity Owned Businesses in Minnesota 2003-2016 • Top 500 Hispanic American Owned Businesses in the U.S. 2003-2016 • Top 500 Women Owned Businesses in the US 2003-2016 • Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Minnesota 2003-2016 • Top 500 Privately held Businesses in the U.S. 2006-2010 • Top 50 Privately held Businesses in Minnesota 2003-2016 Hispanic Business • Cover Feature March 2009 • Top 500 Largest Hispanic-Owned Companies in the US 2006-2013 • 100 Fastest-Growing Hispanic Companies in the US 2007-2011

thought it would be nice if she opened a business to complement Sherwood Forest. Through those discussions, the Iron Waffle Coffee Company was created. Stranne said they went through ups and downs when they first opened as they learned the perfect hours to be open and making sure the other daily operation tasks were going well. She said the first few weekends were swamped as summer just began. Stranne’s friends and family helped pitched in to help. Stranne has a staff of five, including Kay Saxvold, the business’ baker. “I’ve known Kay all of my life,” Stranne said. “She hired me at age 14 at the Dairy Queen in Nisswa and Pine River. I also hired my friend Sarah Markham, who also worked with us at the Dairy Queen. We all know each other’s work ethic and get along great.” Everything at The Iron Waffle was going so well, Stranne opened another Iron Waffle in Springs, Colo., this past May. There are seven employees and the location is larger than

Government VAR • Top 25 Leading Minority Solution Providers 2007, 2009, 2010 W2W • Ascendancy Award for Business Women 2010

Thank You SCI Employees for your dedicated teamwork and care. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@ brainerddispatch.com or 218-8555851. Follow me at www.twitter.com/ jennewsgirl on Twitter.

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The Iron Waffle Coffee Company offers indoor and outdoor seating. The waffle specialty shop is located off Interlachen Road in Lake Shore. Although the plan calls for Baratto to eventually own the veterinary practice on her own, she joked she doesn’t expect Eskedahl to ever retire. She described the mentorship she received as a young woman from Eskedahl as “priceless,” and it is something she believes attracts the next generation of veterinarians to work with her in Garrison. “That’s become a very big goal for me, to be good at that, to be a mentor to the staff,” Baratto said. “It’s important for anyone, but for women that’s a big thing, to have somebody to lean on when you need it. Because you will. You can’t be a professional who is on-call, and a business owner, and a mom, and a wife, and be active in your church, and do all the

Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 Making Memories for Youth & Veterans in 2016

CRN Magazine - Everything Channel • Tech Elite 250 List 2013 • Elite Power Women of the Channel 2010-2014 • Solution Provider 500 2009-2015 • North America’s Top 500 Technology Integrators 2010 • Diverse 100 2010

the one in Lake Shore. However, the menu is similar. Stranne said they also tried to decorate the Colorado house the same as the one in Lake Shore, to keep the cozy, rustic feel. Stranne said her former boss at Red Umbrella in Nisswa, PJ Overvold, helped her decorate the waffle house. The two of them in the past had decorated Sherwood Forest for the Christmas season. Stranne said she is happy with how business is going at the two locations. She has been traveling back and forth to keep them running, but plans to hire the appropriate staff so she won’t have to travel as much. “This never would have been possible without the support of my family and friends,” Stranne said. “They’ve stepped up to help me so many times. I also thank all the customers and employees, without them this wouldn’t be possible.”

hobbies that I like to do — you can’t do that without help. “You’re still going to break down and cry and have bad days and that’s life, but to have that support and that faith behind you, it’s the only way you can do it.”

Become involved Want to become involved in Wild and Free, or assist the organization through donations? Visit www. wildandfree.org to view a donation wish list and find the form to become a member. Send an email to info@wildandfree.org for more information. CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ DispatchChelsey.

We Proudly Support Our Communities

BHS Band Scholarships & Student of the Month $11,800 A personal Dictionary to each 3rd Grader in our Region Central Lakes College Veterans Dinners $2,000 Veterans Twins Game Trip $2,000 Meals to The SHOP drop-ins $2,500 Educational materials to VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic $1,200 St. Cloud Veterans Hospital Bingo $1,100 Youth Activities: Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, Americanism Essays, Football, Hockey, Softball Area High Schools for Grad Blasts And more...

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WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS

September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016 S51

Thank You To Our Staff

Happy Labor Day!

Good Neighbor Home Health Care is one of the largest companies in the Brainerd Lakes Area because of dedicated and committed employees, many of whom have been with the company since its inception 33 years ago. Good Neighbor couldn't have grown like it did without the professionalism, compassion and skills that our workers bring to the job every day while providing our clients with nursing care, nurse management, personal care and companion care - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're proud of our staff members and thank them for their loyalty to Good Neighbor Home Health Care.

Baxter Facility 7756 College Drive Baxter, MN 56425

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Brainerd Facility 1100 Industrial Park Rd SW Brainerd, MN 56401

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Our Mission: To be our customers best value supplier.

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RESEARCH

S52 September 1, 2016 • September 5, 2016

ANALYZING AQUA From Page S48

One contaminant that appears more widespread than initially understood in the lakes area is arsenic. Through its testing of wells throughout Crow Wing County, A.W. Research has amassed dozens of results indicating arsenic levels in many private wells exceed the federal health limits. Arsenic is odorless, tasteless and is known to be harmful to human health, depending on the chemical form, dosage and length of exposure. It is a chemical element that is part of the Earth’s crust and naturally occurs in soil and rock. According to Minnesota Department of Health, arsenic can dissolve from the soil or rock into groundwater, and almost all sources of arsenic in well water in Minnesota are naturally occurring. Arsenic is present in the environment from human applications as well, including from its use in pesticides and treated wood products, although these uses are in

decline because of health concerns. There is evidence people who’ve consumed arsenic at levels of 100 parts-per-billion over an extended period of time can develop diabetes, nervous system problems, several circulatory diseases and high blood pressure. Studies have also linked long-term arsenic exposure to certain types of cancers, particularly of the lungs, bladder and liver. Evidence of health problems at even lower exposures, however, prompted the federal government to change the health limit from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in 2001. One way for affected homeowners to combat arsenic contamination in wells is to install a reverse osmosis filtration system. Homeowners would not know it was there, however, if it weren’t for water testing. And the testing completed by A.W. Research is different than that of some professional water treatment companies. Those tests typically identify iron, hardness or

tannins, which although sometimes annoying, do not pose health risks. “There are state and federal laws for doing these tests,” Ahlers said. “All of us who are here are trained on the testing that we’re doing.” One way the owners are helping people remember to test their wells is through reminder cards. Three years after testing, homeowners receive a postcard suggesting they re-test their water. The process for initiating testing is not difficult — homeowners are provided bottles from the lab, which they fill from the tap and return. Each sample is assigned a unique number and undergoes the tests requested by the customer.

Our lakes, our future

The safety of drinking water and the health of groundwater and surface water in the lakes area are closely linked — after all, these are the sources from which drinking water is acquired. Because groundwater is so close to the surface in central Minnesota, it’s essentially the same water as is found

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Employees Lori Ruﬀ (left) and Ben Stubbs work together on water samples at A.W. Research Laboratories.

www.brainerddispatch.com

Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls

Sarah Fogderud, A.W. Research Laboratories co-owner and controller, inventories water samples at the company. in the lakes, Fogderud said. Fogderud works closely on the lakes program, which involves partnerships with lake associations, watershed districts and other local units of government to sample surface water. The sampling is used to develop monitoring programs, identify environmental trends and make recommendations on water management. One of the ways to monitor lake health is with the Carlson Trophic Status Index, which allows comparisons across lakes for the presence of total phosphorus, chlorophyll and water clarity. Fogderud said for the most part, lakes in the Brainerd area are faring pretty well — particularly in comparison to lakes in southern Minnesota, of which many have been recently deemed impaired. “They still have a chance if we’re careful about how we develop around them,” Fogderud said. “The biggest thing with lakes is just the way we treat them, with how we live along

the shoreline. … People come up here and buy a lake cabin … and they have their nice suburban lawn. That’s great in a city and in a suburb, but you can’t transport that up here and expect everything to work out OK. When you’re living on a lake, you’re part of that ecosystem, so it’s people being willing to give up some of those aesthetics.” Giving up on those aesthetics means allowing natural shoreline to dominate, refraining from fertilizing near the shore and maintaining septic systems to ensure they’re not leaking into lakes. Fogderud said she believes awareness of the importance of co-existing with the lakes is increasing among people, and it’s important to her to be a part of that. “I really like working with the people that come in. Just helping them, whether they have a concern about their drinking water, or a concern about their lake, just helping them to get the information they need to

make the right decisions,” she said. “I think it’s really empowering for people. I like to be that resource, that place where they can come with questions. And if we can help, we’ll help.”

An impending move

A new chapter for A.W. Research Laboratories is on the horizon, as officials at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport look toward growth. The plans call for the lab to vacate its present location next year, to allow NorthPoint Aviation to leave the terminal and expand a nearby building. Ahlers said they are working with airport staff to see if another location of the property would work, but otherwise, they intend to stay in Brainerd to remain the most accessible to their customers. No matter the physical location, the faces of the lab say they will continue keeping the proverbial finger on the pulse of the lakes area’s water health. CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ DispatchChelsey.

Advertorial

Widseth Smith Nolting: Designers of Some of the Area’s Best Known Landmarks By Sheila Helmberger

A tour of the communities of Brainerd and Baxter offers beautiful landscapes and exciting architecture. Widseth Smith Nolting has had a hand in creating some of the area’s most notable and appealing sites. A few of the most recognizable landmarks the company has been involved with include the bridge on the Paul Bunyan Trail, Forestview Middle School, the downtown Brainerd streetscape project, Essentia’s new clinic located in Baxter, the Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center, the new Miracle Field in Brainerd, St. Francis Catholic School Addition and the Essentia Health Sports Complex (formerly the Brainerd Civic Center). WSN was also instrumental in the redesign of Don Adamson Field next to the Brainerd High School, the Riverside Drive Project and the new pavilions at Whipple Beach and Oscar Kristofferson Park. The company employs about 60 people in the local office, open since 1978. It is one of eight that are located in Minnesota and North Dakota. The office building located off of Highway 371 holds architects, civil engineers, land surveyors, and environmental scientists. The company also

Brainerd High School Artificial Turf

employs staff in water resources, mechanical, electrical and structural engineering as well as communications. The blend of professions that are located within the one company serves its customers well. “One of the strengths of our company,” says Kevin Wernberg, Executive Vice President, “is we can provide everything from soup to nuts when it comes to designing a building or helping a community build a road. If they want to add street lighting we can bring in electrical. We can add in irrigation or mechanicals and we have all of that right here in house.” WSN also works with clients to help individuals, communi-

Essentia Health — Baxter Clinic

ties and other entities secure funding in the way of grant money for needed projects. So much of the work the company does is behind the scenes that it often goes unnoticed, much like the way WSN gives back to local communities. Employees volunteer in various ways, from being active in local cycle and snowmobile clubs, to supporting grad blasts at local high schools. Volunteer hours by employees are also spent at Habitat for Humanity and Camp Confidence. Each year the company participates in the United Way Chili cook-off, where it has all but locked in the permanent title of People’s Choice.

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Riverside Drive - Ahrens HIll—Brainerd

St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School Addition—Brainerd

Baxter Water Tower—Baxter

Essentia Health Sports Center—Brainerd

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