Gracewin nearing full capacity

By Sheila Helmberger

Only six opportunities remain to get in on the Cooperative lifestyle at Gracewin Living Cooperative in Baxter. With 87 percent of the building already filled, the remaining units will not last long.

Gracewin offers members a chance to thrive in an active 55-plus housing community with all the same financial and tax benefits that benefit a single homeowner.

Take the stress and work out of your life by utilizing the professional property and management team at Gracewin, offering maintenance free living both inside and out with your own heated parking space.

Upscale finishes, including quartz countertops, vinyl/tile flooring and an ensuite bathroom with a step-in shower means you can stay in your home as long as possible. Enjoy social opportunities with others in the cooperative that include monthly birthday parties, yoga classes and other scheduled gatherings.

Whatever it is you love best about your current home you can have it at Gracewin. Whether it’s a BBQ space together with friends, a hobby room, an outdoor patio, or fire pit, along with an onsite fitness room and an outdoor terrace with views of Perch Lake. Gracewin is pet friendly for up to two pets and is fully accessible with an elevator.

Make an appointment to see the available floorplans at Gracewin today and secure your new home. Making the move means you will be on the list even if your perfect floor plan is not currently available because those already living in the cooperative have the first option as other homes become available.

Call Gracewin today before the last six homes are and paddle boards available to guests at no additional cost.

During the winter months, the resort caters to people looking to ice fish, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers taking advantage of its location.

Boyd Lodge is certainly a family endeavor, but the Schwieters were all in agreement the resort would not be what it is today without their past and current employees, whom they consider a part of their family.

“We’ve always looked at our staff as part of our family because if things don’t get taken care of, people aren’t coming back. They’re what makes us who we are. Without that, we’re not here and we can’t do it alone,” Mike said.

“It has really been a labor of love,” Nancy said of everyone who’s worked at the resort.

Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, Mike said the employees at Boyd Lodge were largely to thank for providing exemplary service and giving guests a great experience without ever missing a check-in.

“We’ve been very fortunate and blessed with the staff we have. When COVID came in, we were trying to figure out what we were going to do. (The staff) were like, ‘We’ll figure it out,’” he said.

Even

A part of the area

While there are a variety of reasons guests keep coming back to Boyd Lodge, Mike said the resort has always been just one part of the appeal of Crosslake and the lakes area as a whole.

“As much as I would like to think people come to Boyd Lodge just for Boyd Lodge, I know that 90% of our guests go do stuff away from here. They’ll go to Nisswa to go shopping, they’ll go to Crosslake to hear music in the park, they’ll go to Cuyuna to go biking,” Mike said. “So if you’re not promoting and encouraging the whole community, you’re missing out because I think this area has something to offer everyone.” Regarding people visiting from the Twin Cities, Roger noted that this part of the state gives people the ideal getaway.

“I think that we in the Brainerd area are the most crucial point of tourism in the state. There’s no other area that has what we have to offer,” Roger said.

“One of the benefits is that we’re only about three hours away. So it makes it easy for people to come and enjoy a different style of living. Here you can be in the woods, sit by a wood fireplace and you can really relax,” he said.

Boyd Lodge

Where: 36539 Silver Peak Road in Crosslake.

Number of employees: 30 (During peak summer months)

Interesting fact: The initial property that started Boyd Lodge in 1934, and included 200 feet of shoreline on Lower Whitefish Lake, was purchased from the railroad for $2, which would be equal to about $48 in 2024. TOM FRAKI, staff writer, may be reached at 218-855-5863 or tom.fraki@ pineandlakes.com.

BY SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER

It’s hard to miss Holiday Inn Express’s blue and yellow water slides while driving north on Highway 371, but what you can’t see from the road is the hotel offers more fun than meets the eye. Tucked in the corner of the waterpark is the Brainerd lakes area’s only laser tag arena and it’s available to everyone.

“You can come in and play a game or two or play unlimited laser tag,” said Holiday Inn Express General Manager Tom Vasecka.

Since opening in 2016, Holiday Inn Express’s laser tag has been a great stop for locals and out of town guests alike. The 2,300-square-foot multi-level arena can host up to 24 players at one time and is available for players ages five and up.

While the waterpark and complimentary breakfast is always included with an overnight stay, laser tag can be added on to hotel packages for a nominal fee.

Vasecka said laser tag is also a great alternative to standard team building exercises. From sports teams to corporate groups, Vasecka said laser tag is a great way to build camaraderie, “It’s a great bonding experience,” Vasecka said. “Companies use it for team building – or stress relief. It gives them an opportunity to learn strategy and find out who their natural leaders are.”

Laser tag at the Holiday Inn Ex-press in Baxter is open seven days a week during the summer months from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m Friday and Saturday. Hours in the school year shift to 10 a.m. -10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information on laser tag at the Holiday Inn Express call 218-824-3232 or visit https://brainerdhi.com.