PROGRESS EDITION 2020 W E D N E S D AY, S E PT E M B E R 9, 2 0 2 0
CHARTING PROGRESS THROUGH ROUGH WATER
2020 challenges business unlike any other year in modern history Renee Richardson Managing Editor In a year when challenges lined up like relentless waves on a rocky beach, businesses had to do what they’ve always done — adapt, evolve, innovate — but this time at an extraordinary speed and scale. At the start of the year, 2020 was just a new number on the calendar. But before spring officially began, normal day-to-day life would be over around the globe. It may take going back to World War II to find such an all encompassing event extending over a long period of time with an uncertain outcome. For businesses, revenue streams were severely altered or ended altogether as though with the flick of a light switch. In the ensuing weeks, ingenuity, creativity and adaptability would be paramount as companies had to rethink everything about their operations and how they could reach customers in the new reality of the coronavirus pandemic. For Poncho and Lefty’s
restaurant owner Rich Proctor, the challenges the business would face in just two months weren’t conceivable as 2020 rolled into its first cold month of winter. In a lakes area economy — fueled in large part by a seasonal and summer influx and spending by part-time residents, visitors and vacationers — the summer months provide the year’s sustaining revenue, while winter is a time for businesses to hold their own. After a long winter, a spring thaw signals more than warming temperatures, it heralds healthier revenues are just ahead. That annual pattern ended in 2020. For Proctor, who owns multiple restaurants and has been in the industry for 30 years, this challenge was far greater than anything the long-lasting Great Recession had to offer. “This is way worse than that,” he said. “This was like slamming on the brakes.” Business for many retail establishments, restau-
rants, fitness centers, entertainment venues ended abruptly. Some hair stylists were in the middle of a customer’s cut when they learned the governor’s emergency executive order closed them down. One restaurant owner likened it to taking a punch. Others thought it would last a couple of weeks and things would return to normal. More than six months later, when Zoom has become a household name and Zooming a new verb, normal may still be a long ways away and not everyone thinks normal is coming back. “I’ve been in the restaurant business for 30 years now and I would have never guessed something like this would have happened,” Proctor said of the pandemic.
Being nimble, finding opportunities
history of working with companies in Asia. Zernov operates his Dragon Hunter business in Brainerd. For the past 12 years he’s worked mainly to design and source products coming out of China. Two years ago he started moving most of his business from China to Vietnam. In January, one of the main garment companies he works with said they started a production line of face masks. “And I really didn’t have a need for that,” Zernov said. “And then a month later, I had a customer in the United States ask me if I have a source for face masks. So you know, we put together a new supply chain and we’ve imported about 2 million KN95 masks.” Zernov just filed a patent for a consumer face mask that includes a breathing tube to sell in the
U.S. Face masks are something Zernov sees as being around for many years. Redirecting, refocusing and being nimble are keys in this challenging time, he said. For Zernov, it’s also about not having a “Woe is me” attitude but looking at diversity as an opportunity. Zernov has been working with medical products for more than 30 years going back to his Zercom Corp. There he manufactured
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com
CHALLENGES: Page H5
Entrepreneur Jeff Zernov, Renee Richardson / Brainerd Dispatch inventor of the Aqua-Vu underwater fishing cam- Jeff Zernov, inventor, entrepreneur and multiple-business owner in Brainerd, imported era, has started multiple millions of face masks at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and now has patent companies and has a long on his own KN95 face masks with color and a breathing tube.
A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER 2020 may go down in the history books as being the year the world stopped. To say it’s been challenging for everyone is an understatement. To say it’s been challenging for the business community, doesn’t really touch the surface. For many businesses, it’s an ongoing struggle to survive. Expectations for any return to a semblance of what was normal may be hanging on a vaccine for COVID-19. January started out simply enough with anticipation for all of what an election year can bring for a divided nation. Businesses were working through a milder winter than the previous year,
which produced 40 degree below zero temperatures. Life continued in a steady, predictable pattern, albeit with common concerns for a possible recession in the new year. In January, an article in Forbes listed a 20% chance for recession in 2020. That was long before a pandemic took hold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported between Jan. 21 through Feb. 23, 2020, public health agencies detected 14 U.S. cases of coronavirus disease 2019, now known by one and all as COVID-19, all related to travel from China. The CDC reported the first confirmed case in the United States that wasn’t travel
Table of Contents
related came on Feb. 26 in a California resident who became ill Feb. 13. Two days later, Feb. 28, a second non-travel case was confirmed in Washington state. By August, the pandemic had killed 162,000 Americans with as many as 1,000 per day adding to that statistic. But that is skipping ahead. It was still March when the world changed. On March 11, the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. At the time, the WHO listed more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths, adding thousands more people were fighting
NO OTHER: Page H4
Overview of a year like no other.................................................................................. H1 Downtown Brainerd welcomes new faces................................................................... H2 Biking boom builds........................................................................................................ H3 Wine and cats — a trip to Scandia Valley Vineyards .............................................. H11 Working from home, challenges and benefits.......................................................... H12 Awnings to boat covers and more at Canvas Tech.................................................. H13 Inventive, irreverent and flourishing: Zaiser’s in Nisswa ...................................... H21 What’s for dinner? Meat markets feed increased demand..................................... H22
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
PleasureLand RV has a sign along Highway 371 announcing, "We Sell Toilet Paper and RVs" as seen April 2.
Catering cascade: Chef Mike delivers ...................................................................... H23 Ownership shift at Positive Realty builds on tradition............................................ H26 Cragun’s Resort reaches milestone............................................................................ H31 Grateful for the outdoors, fishing guides hook into summer surge..................... H31 Holst Acres blossoms as year-round event center................................................... H33 Hiring: Blackline Conversions among those adding employees............................ H35 For companion videos and photo galleries to go with the stories profiled in the annual Progress Labor Day edition go to the Dispatch homepage www.brainerddispatch.com where readers, viewers and listeners will find links to videos, photos and the Dispatch podcast — DispatchCast.
Progress Edition
H2 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Alexis Weber and Chris Smith (right) point to one of the projects at Minnesota People gather for a Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce networking event Aug. 11, Makerspace. Smith was a Destination Downtown Business Contest finalist and opened at Five Rocks Distilling Co. on Washington Street in Brainerd. his business this year on South Seventh Street.
MINNESOTA MAKERSPACE, FIVE ROCKS DISTILLING CO. OPEN IN BRAINERD Destination Downtown Business Contest finalists continue to turn dreams into reality Renee Richardson Managing Editor Visions of a workspace where people could start their own micro-manufacturing, be entrepreneurs or have space to create gifts or explore a hobby were realized in the latest addition to downtown Brainerd. Chris Smith picked up a stack of round gleaming wooden discs with a Purple Fern logo. Creating the covers for a candle jar was one of projects Smith was working on as he fills orders for neighboring businesses. It’s that type of support from other businesses that is helping Smith through the complicated days of the coronavirus. “It’s been a roller coaster ride, that’s for sure,” he said. “There’s been tre-
mendous help through the community. Like there’s a grant from the city. So we got that. Without that, you know, things would look a lot differently. … So without the local support, I don’t think we’d still be here to be fully honest. And we’re still you know, riding on the edge basically trying to stay afloat any way we can. And that’s why we’re trying to get these classes going, just minimal size, eight people.” Smith owns Minnesota Makerspace on South Seventh Street. Makerspace was one of the Destination Downtown Business Contest finalists in 2019 and joins a crop of businesses from those three contest years that are now located or in the process of doing so in downtown Brainerd.
Just down the block is Marie Kirsch’s Knotty Pine Bakery, winner of the second Destination Downtown contest. Also on Laurel Street, a contest finalist and the 2019 winner are in the process of opening locations, with the Crow Wing Food Co-op moving into the former Hockey House and Loidé Oils & Vinegars opening in the former Utrinkets store front. Another contest finalist from 2017 also opened their microdistillery, Five Rocks Distilling Co., this spring at the intersection of First Avenue Northeast and Washington Street by Sakura Express restaurant. For Smith, the work from fellow businesses and fellow Destination Downtown contestants to create signs or other proj-
ects, has helped support him during the coronavirus ravaged retail season. He built a candle bar for Brenda Billman-Arndt, winner of the first Destination Downtown contest with her Purple Fern Bath Co. on Laurel Street, as she expands to candle making classes. Recently, he was working on a big order from the Crow Wing Food Co-op. Those orders helped Makerspace stay busy, but now with more opportunities for customers, Smith is trying to ramp up the business with the just posted classes and to add the membership component. Minnesota Makerspace is an avenue for do-it-yourself classes, retail space, and a creation space for members. As a host for micro-manufacturing, it
also serves as an incubator for other entrepreneurs by providing the space and tools, a 3-D printer, for them to work on their own projects — whether that’s a hobby or creating Christmas gifts for family and friends, or those looking for a way to have an DIY experience together complete with tools, materials and instructors. Smith plans to also have supplies for members like sandpaper and glue. The disruptions to the supply chain with the coronavirus has meant ordering items like screws wholesale went from a week or two to a month. The business concept is based on creating a place for people to go who have a desire to be able to make things with their own hands and be able to share
that experience with others — whether it’s a parent and child or friends looking for an event, or a couple on a DIY date for an experience event. To make the space work for the current demands on social distancing, Smith said they are adding guards between people on the workstations and spacing everything out to take all the precautions they can. For those who want a DIY kit to take home, Makerspace already has a host of options, even a Paul Bunyan kit with wooden pieces that can be painted and then put together. Smith wants people to know Makerspace is community oriented. “That’s been my goal the whole time,” he said. “We
DOWNTOWN: Page H6
Advertorial
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Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H3
MOUNTAIN BIKING JUMPS COVID-19 SLUMP, LOCAL ECONOMIES BENEFIT
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Jackson Pope rides on one of the trails Thursday, Aug. 6, at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.
By Gabriel Lagarde Staff Writer It can be difficult to quantify just how important mountain biking is to the Brainerd lakes area — a region already known for its robust nature tourism offerings — and how cities in the area have benefited, even transformed, by its emergence. As bike trails continue to crisscross the lakes area and expand, so has an
industry of hospitality — much of which has little to do with biking on the surface — also emerged and expanded. In Crosby and Ironton, the cities have seen an economic resurrection after decades of blight that came when taconite mining sputtered and died in the 1980s. Crosby has seen the opening of 15 new businesses and counting — all of them, one way or another,
tied to mountain biking. “The city was founded on the mining industry and then, later on, the Scorpion snowmobile industry and it’s experienced the rise and fall of those two things,” said Brielle Bredsten, the executive director of the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. “Now we’ve come back as a tourist destination that is nationally acclaimed for its bike
trails and the community as a whole has worked very hard to bring that about. Each business has its unique way of supporting that. Even now, people are still biking and when they come to our businesses, it’s been a huge asset for our community.” And they come by the thousands from all over the globe, Bredsten said, each of them spending roughly $421 per person
when they visit and the industry rakes in roughly $2 million per year toward local economies. Once the 75-mile trail system is completed, surveys by the International Mountain Biking Association predict the industry could accrue as much as $21 million annually. That’s bike shops, but it’s also restaurants, resorts, hotels, breweries and bars, gift shops and novelty stores.
This falls in line with national estimates by the IMBA, which released reports this year that indicate mountain bike trails across the country are seeing spikes of 100% to 500% in bike traffic compared to this time last year. NPD Sports — an industry analytics organization — recorded a 117% jump in bike sales in the same
BIKING: Page H7
Advertorial
Grants up to $10,000 are available to small businesses in Crow Wing County Small businesses in Crow Wing County that have suffered financially after having to close last spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for some monetary relief in the form of federal grant money. Grants of up to $10,000 are now available through the county’s Small Business Relief Grant Program, which has $3 million of federal CARES Act funds to help small businesses cover expenses like payroll, mortgage payments and utility bills. Businesses have until Sept. 18 to apply for a grant. Applications are being accepted by the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. (BLAEDC), which is administering the program for the county. To be eligible for a grant, business must meet all of the following criteria: • Demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic • Employ 50 or fewer employees • Be a private for-profit business with a permanent physical location in Crow Wing County • Be majority owned by a permanent Minnesota resident • Be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State and Minnesota Department of Revenue as of March 1, 2020 • Be in good standing with Crow Wing County and the city where the business is located
• Must have been temporarily closed due to Executive Order 20-04 and later clarified by Executive Order 20-08 The grant money must be used exclusively for these operating expenses: payroll, rent/lease/mortgage payments, utilities and payments to suppliers or other critical expenses. Within 60 days of receiving a grant, recipients must provide documentation of how the funds were spent for COVID-19-related expenses incurred b e t w e e n March 1, 2020 and Dec. 1, 2020. Any unused funds or funds that were used for ineligible costs, according to the county, must be returned to the county by Dec. 1, 2020. “There are a lot of small businesses in Crow Wing County that are really hurting financially from the pandemic,” said Tyler Glynn, BLAEDC executive director. “We strongly encourage them to apply for these grants because we know that every job we save can mean more economic security for those businesses and for all of us in Crow Wing County during these stressful times.” Grant applications are available from Monday, August 17th to Friday, September 18th. Applications can be found at www.growbrainerdlakes.org/ caresactapp or on the www.crowwing. us website. Questions about your small business application should be directed to Tyler Glynn at BLAEDC, 218-828-0096.
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DEADLINE TO APPLY IS SEPTEMBER 18, 2020.
Progress Edition
H4 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
NO OTHER From Page H1
for their lives in hospitals. In Brainerd and Crosslake, plans were progressing and in place for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parades. Brainerd was celebrating its 20th year. As of March 12, the Crosslake parade was still a go for its 46th annual event where people pack the streets. By March 13, the parades in both cities were canceled. Two days later, Minnesota detected the first confirmed cases caused by “community spread” or infections not epidemiologically linked to overseas travel. On March 16, Pres-
ident Donald Trump issued guidelines to limit gatherings of more than 10 people. By March 17, Minnesota reported all 50 states had reported a confirmed case of COVID-19. The CDC, by March 20, confirmed more than 15,000 COVID-19 cases in the U.S. The following day, the Minnesota Department of Health reported the first confirmed fatality due to COVID-19 in the state. On March 25, Gov. Tim Walz issued an emergency executive order for Minnesotans to stay at home beginning March 27 through April 10. In the stay at home order, “all workers who can work from home must do so.” Work-
ers in critical sectors with work that couldn’t be done at home were exempted and were asked to limit travel. The stay-at-home order would transition to a stay safe Minnesota order. March may be looked back at as a month of unity. Hearts went up in windows of stores and homes. Hashtags on social media and comments on residential sidewalks included the phrase “We are all in this together.” The unity didn’t last long and wearing face masks to help prevent community spread of the virus became politicized. Anecdotal observations in the early weeks had mask wearers in the minority, perhaps 20% of shoppers. In April, the state
recommended face masks. By late summer, wearing masks when shopping and working became the norm. Beginning May 18, retail stores and main street businesses reopened with social distancing plans and 50% capacity. Grocery and retail stores set up oneway aisles, separated entry and exit doors, limited customer numbers in the store at any one time, curtailed store hours to allow more time for deep cleaning and sanitizing. Smaller retail business owners, salon and restaurant owners questioned why big box stores could be open and deemed essential while they were not. The state outlined a phased opening plan with restau-
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal rants and bars, or places where people would congregate for longer times together and without face coverings, opening later. Chambers of commerce, major health care providers and businesses came together locally to create a safe reopening marketing campaign called Lake Country Cares. Between customers hoarding supplies like toilet paper, to supply chain interruptions, shoppers found limited selections for some products. Once common items, like cleaning supplies or computer monitors, were now out of stock. On June 1, bars and restaurants reopened for patio and outdoor service
with social distancing and limited capacity. Starting June 10, Minnesotans could gather outdoors with friends and family in groups of 25 or less, and indoors in groups of 10 or less with safe social distancing practices in place. Over time, Individual businesses — Costco, Menards, Target, Walgreens — adopted policies requiring customers to wear face coverings when shopping in the stores. The list would continue to grow nationwide. On July 25, the state required people in Minnesota to wear a face covering in all indoor businesses and public indoor spaces, unless alone.
Signs throughout the Brainerd lakes area related to coronavirus send messages of encouragement, open or closed status, safety guidelines and even humor. Advertorial
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CHALLENGES From Page H1
high tech products, including the pulse oximeter device (measuring oxygen in the blood) and portable defibrillator. Last year, he started a new company, Triumph LTD, for light therapy devices using red light therapy for a hand therapy device for people with arthritic hands, joint pain and hand ailments. For face masks, Zernov said he’s never seen a market identified where in a 30-day period there was a product everyone needed to buy and the product wasn’t available yet. In the next few weeks, Zernov said they hope to introduce their line of KN95 masks in colors and sell to a mass merchant retailer at a low cost, about $2.50. “I can’t draw on my past experience to bring me to where we are today because we’ve never been through one of these,” Zernov said. “... Talking to business people that I deal with and especially people in Asia, we haven’t recognized the impact on the supply chain yet.” Zernov said he’s talked to dozens of people and their supply chain is dry and it’s not going to start flowing again for months. Zernov said unemployment benefits are preventing a great recession, but there are jobs and companies that aren’t going to be coming back and losing summer’s earning potential will take a toll. “The death toll here in corporate America and unemployed people is going to be horrendous,” Zernov said. “I just feel so sorry. I have friends in businesses that they can’t get parts.” After weeks or months of being shut down, “now they’re back to work but the parts aren’t there.” Hunting and fishing, Zernov said, are hot consumer commodities right now. In other consumer spending, Zernov doesn’t believe people will be buying as much because they aren’t going to have as much disposable income. “I don’t see, I don’t think in my life, I will have a life like I had in December, I think between December and today, things have changed,” Zernov said of the pandemic’s effect.
Adapt, evolve, innovate
Stores set aside morning hours for older customers and front-line workers to shop. Floor decals were added to remind customers to maintain social distance or use one-way aisles to keep people from meeting face to face. Floor decals and tape were added to denote where to wait in line for the checkout lanes and keep the 6-foot distance. In short order, businesses put in Plexiglas barriers between customers and checkout clerks. Super One Foods added them at the end of the conveyor belts to also create a barrier between customers as they bagged groceries. LINDAR in Baxter, a plastic thermoforming company making products
for use with paint products and food packaging among other work, put its team to work on developing a face shield for health care and first responders. The Teehive changed from creating apparel and dancewear to making cloth face masks and gowns. Orders came in from across the country. Nathan Tuomi, Gull Lake Glass owner, was looking at postponed work and projects came to a standstill, but then was able to respond to Plexiglass orders and install them on the same day. Installations were completed at Costco, McDonald’s, Cub Foods, Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Home Choice, the Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center and Crow Wing County and more. As an indication of the demand, Tuomi said he sold more quarter-inch Plexiglas in a week than in all of the previous year. “And I think, when this is all said and done, I think people are going to change how customers interact with their employees,” Tuomi said at the time, adding he believed people will be a lot more cautious about transferring viruses, colds or influenza. “I think you’re going to see a lot of these shields be something that’s going to be part of everyday business. … I honestly think this is going to become the new norm to protect employees, and of course customers.” Cub Foods set up hand washing stations outside their front doors. Suddenly, those grocery store cleansing towels previously used by a few to clean their shopping carts became a sought after item. By late summer, face masks were a common sight for workers and customers. Perkins Restaurant added curbside, delivery and family meals to go and went even further beyond Perkins To Go to create the Perkins Market, selling essentials like meat and toilet paper. “Both as members of our communities and as business owners, we want to ease the impact of major life adjustments our customers are experiencing in any way we can,” said Alison Glenn Delaney, chief marketing officer at Perkins in April, via Franchising.com. “By offering needed staples like food and home products directly from our restaurants to customers, we’re doing what we can to support our communities, and the public will have a way to continue to show support for small business, as most of our restaurants are independently owned and operated. Our new Family Meals-To-Go will offer families a way to eat safely and easily at home, and get a break from having to cook during this challenging time. We are working to adapt to the changing needs of our customers, and Family Meals-To-Go are just the beginning of our efforts to meet our customers where they’re at — at home.”
Meeting customers curbside, with creativity
Poncho and Lefty’s also innovated, creating a pop-
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Rich Proctor, owner of Poncho and Lefty's, talks about his new outdoor seating expansion Thursday, Aug. 6, at the restaurant.
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H5
I don’t think in my life, I will have a life like I had in December, I think between December and today, things have changed. - Jeff Zernov
Renee Richardson / Brainerd Dispatch
Jeff Zernov pauses in his northwest Brainerd business Dragon Hunter. Zernov continues to innovate and invent products, including a new Triumph hand therapy device aimed at giving relief for those suffering from arthritic hand pain, stiffness and swelling. ular taco platter with all the ingredients neatly separated for the curbside pickup or delivery. The restaurant also partnered with a manufacturer, Han-San Company, and in March began selling Clear San liquid hand sanitizer for hands and surfaces by the gallon. Proctor said the decision to add the hand sanitizer as a sale item was well-received and was basically a way to help the restaurant stay afloat. “We just have to do what we have to do to survive,” Proctor said. “We’re in survival mode.” In August, Proctor said that people remain nervous about going out is evident in the sales. Mann Theatres’ Lakes 12 Movie Theatre started curbside popcorn and later added candy concessions in the weeks after the theaters were shuttered. Cars lined up to pick up the movie popcorn stretched past the Westgate Mall along Baxter Drive. Small businesses were forced to expand their online offerings, social media and curbside presence. In March, Knotty Pine Bakery owner Marie Kirsch began doing Facebook Live spots on baking with tips for viewers and she created kits people could order online, such as cookies they could order and then decorate at home with all the supplies included. The Traveling Art Pub, which relied on group painting events and social gatherings at resorts, businesses or bars, offered do-it-yourself kits people could order and then pick up at the store or have delivered. Prairie Bay restaurant sought and received Baxter City Council support to add off-sale liquor to sell bottles of wine or six-packs of beer with its carry-out or curbside service. In a letter to the city, Nick Miller, an owner of 3 Cheers Hospitality, which owns Prairie Bay among other eateries, said to grow and give customers more options they were creating a new profit center. “There are two emerging markets that we are interested in getting into,” Miller wrote, noting the popularity of packaged meals customers could cook at home with ingredients and instructions. “Grab and go foods are becoming more and more popular, especially when combined with online ordering.” In the spring, signs offering curbside service
how many were inside at any one time. Temperature checks, 20-second hand washing and contactless delivery became part of everyday life. Restaurants partnered with Food Dudes and Door Dash to add delivery. Instacart expanded its options to bring groceries directly from the store to the customer’s door. The ability to have nearly everything delivered from local stores and eateries is one of the changes that is likely to stay in place. For big retailers, like Target, Kohl’s, Aldi, Walmart and Best Buy, online orders have designated parking spots, a check-in option via a smartphone and an employee who will bring the product out to the customer’s vehicle. Contactless deliveries became a staple for online orders, all in an effort to reduce exposure to others and potentially the coronavirus. It hasn’t been without challenges. Recently, a group of 14 came into Poncho and Lefty’s but left when they were told they couldn’t all be seated at one table. Those who follow the rules, in place to help limit people’s exposure, either employees and businesses, have found themselves on the receiving end of aggravated and vocal customers who don’t like mask policies or social distancing. The hospitality industry was hard hit with resort and hotel restaurants, spas and pools all closed in the spring. Weddings were postponed. Reunions were canceled. Group business evaporated. Ripple effects were widespread. Main street shops in Nisswa felt the lack of full resorts and the postponement of major events like those at Brainerd International Raceway as those customer surges A changed landscape experienced with events didn’t materialize. for retail, restaurants, In March, the streets resorts around Brainerd were quiet Face masks and sani- as people stayed home tizing — everything from and others were telecompens, tables, and menus muting to work. — became a daily routine. Some restaurants moved to disposable menus. Businesses limited the number of people in the stores, reworked how customers flowed through their doors and were visible across the board from main street businesses to big box retailers. Parking spaces were dedicated for those ordering online and arriving for a pickup without ever needing to enter the store. To-go options from restaurants were standard along with a focus for consumers to support those businesses by ordering take home. “I think everybody is supporting everybody, buy local has been really strengthened because of this,” Proctor said. Target, Walmart, Costco, Kohl’s, Aldi and Cub Foods have dedicated parking spaces for those who order online and then pickup at the store. Customers simply check in on their smartphones when they arrive at a numbered parking spot. Best Buy set up a shopping model for online orders and curbside pickup as well as in-store shopping by appointment. At Poncho and Lefty’s, Proctor said the to-go orders took off for the restaurant as communities looked for ways to support local businesses. “The support has been really great with our community,” he said. “We were doing a lot of to-go.” While Proctor said to-go orders have slowed a bit as indoor seating opened to 50% of capacity, it is still very important. When the reaction to the coronavirus pandemic shuttered restaurants along with movie theaters, bowling alleys and gyms among other businesses, Poncho and Lefty’s also furloughed staff members. But Proctor said they were back to full capacity in the summer employing 40-50. “Our staff has been great,” Proctor said. “Without them we wouldn’t be at the place we are.”
Working from home was such a major shift, some formerly basic items like computer monitors were suddenly sold out and on back order. As spring progressed, traffic picked up. By summer, the streets, while perhaps not as busy, were certainly in summer traffic mode. For summer residents, no longer tied to myriad sports and activities for their children in the Twin Cities, and with opportunities to work remotely, the seasonal residence that looked good for sporadic or weekend visits, became a summer long stay. Summer brought new options for area restaurants. Beyond putting in curbside pickups, restaurant owners looked to the options for outdoor and patio seating to add spaces and appeal to diners who were not yet comfortable with going inside. When the restaurant could seat 50% of its customers inside, Proctor said the Poncho and Lefty’s patio wasn’t being used. But Proctor said after the statewide face mask order went into effect in July, they put the patio back in place for people who didn’t want to go inside. “We’re in kind of the same boat as everyone,” Proctor said. “It’s kind of a day-to-day thing.” What will help business survival? More Paycheck Protection Program small business loan dollars would help, Proctor said. “Because I think this could go on for awhile.” By early August, a number of businesses had closed their doors for periods of time after an employee or patrons tested positive for COVID-19. For Proctor, this experience has highlighted a lesson. “You just can’t take things for granted,” he said. “ … It can change tomorrow.” Renee Richardson, managing editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch. com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter. com/DispatchBizBuzz.
H6 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Alexis Weber (left) and Chris Smith highlight a workshop project with a variety of stained wood that is used as a backdrop for cutouts or personalized signs in Minnesota Makerspace in downtown Brainerd.
DOWNTOWN From Page H2
haven’t been able to do a lot of community stuff yet, just because we’ve been trying to get the retail side — the only thing we could open up first. But I want people to be able to come in here with an idea, make it happen, and have the potential to sell it in our retail shop, and then have the potential to start their own small business out of it. And then we also want to do a lot of DIY classes so people can come in and learn new skills.” Paintable cutouts of Paul Bunyan or a space odyssey sit just inside Minnesota Makerspace in do-it-yourself activity kits along with string art kits, with plans to build on those offerings. Alexis Weber, Smith’s girlfriend, is helping at Makerspace and working on kids classes. She said the class size will be limited and kids will be able to come in, sit apart and work on a project. The DIY kit will be placed in individual buckets for each child so they will be the only ones touching it. The area will be sanitized after the classes. One of those classes created a wooden robot using wood pieces and all kinds of hardware odds and ends. Smith said, looking at the project, he had to make his own robot and had fun doing it. That’s the kind of experience — fun, learning a new skill and occupying time — he wants others to enjoy, particularly after this extended period of time staying home and limiting interaction. He sees it as entertainment for all ages, especially now. Smith said he has all the goals from his business plan created for the contest and now he just has to stay pointed in the right direction while also adapting to the current situation. The retail side was the smallest part of the plan, but it’s become the entirety. “So I’ve kind of had to start with supplementals to keep it alive and going to help support getting to the community part,” Smith said. “And I know once I do get people in here and people come to classes, I feel like people will start to understand the concept and really support it, and I do have a vision to eventually make the back end nonprofit. I just gotta get to that point, too.” Smith wants to attract founding members who can help give constructive feedback on everything from the shop’s layout to
the overall experience. By winter, when people are really cooped up, he’d like to have that aspect of the business fully rolling. “People are gonna feel like they’re really cooped up, and they’re gonna want to get out of their house,” Smith said. “And if it’s a safe environment for them, I feel like people will love to do it. So that’s what we’re gonna do, treat it like a gym, you know, spray down tools after you use it. sanitize stations.” Smith joined the Destination Downtown Business Coalition board, spearheaded by other contest alumni in Billman-Arndt and Kirsch. “Without the support group of local businesses, we wouldn’t be where we are today,’ Smith said.”... And we’ve been working hard together to make beautification movements and marketing for downtown, like how can we help businesses get through this? So I feel like there’s a lot going on behind closed doors that the community might not know, but we’re definitely reaching out for support on those kinds of things.” That activity is what is going to help people get through the pandemic and the economic challenges, Smith said. “This is the only thing helping them get through it.” Across the street from Makerspace, another new downtown business opened this year with Open City Thrift, pre-loved clothing and goods, and owned by HollyRose and Steven McKnight. Smith said he and the McKnights talk to each other like a little support group, checking in on how things are going and keeping each other informed about potential grants or funding opportunities. “Basically, somehow there’s been a miracle every month that kind of keeps us going, honestly,” Smith said, noting the supportive orders from other businesses wanting a sign, or grant dollars from the city. “So I have a tremendous amount of support from the community and like the business community. And now I think it just needs to get to the point where retail picks up with what people know about us and what we offer.” Smith noted the personalized gifts the shop has and Weber pointed to the opportunity for members to join now to have their local handmade gifts from local artists ready for the holiday season.
BY THE NUMBERS
12
The number of judges Destination Downtown Business Contest challengers had to convince during a presentation in a “Shark Tank” like setting to explain their vision and business plan.
49
The number of applications from entrepreneurs for the contest’s first year.
70
More than 70 applications were received for the project’s second year in 2018.
80
About 80 applicants entered the third and final contest for 2019. It offered the largest prize package to date with a grand prize value of $65,000.
Makerspace has items that can be personalized, like adding the family name to a cribbage board. Makerspace has the store, has online shopping on its website and has an Etsy account. Smith said they’ve been getting orders to personalize Connect Four game boards every other day with customers choosing their game colors. “Our goal is to get like anybody who does any sort of hobby that they want to teach other people, we would love that because we want it to be as diverse as possible,” Weber said of classes, such as leather sewing. Smith said they are formulating many ideas and plans, and at some point they will be able to get those spinning tires on the pavement to take off. Ideas like after-school education in everything from chemistry to robotics. With a changed business landscape, Smith said, hopefully, his beginning where it feels as though he is climbing a giant hill to get his business started
will mean there is smooth sailing at some point. He sees the micro-manufacturing, with locally sourced products popping up in small towns with Makerspace options, as a way for people to gain supplemental income at a time when they need it to get through these tough times. Times that push creativity and innovation. “I think once I get memberships open and classes start filling up, I think I’ll finally sit down and think OK, I can breathe for a second and this is actually happening,” Smith said. “Right now I’m just on high alert, you know, fight or flight kind of thing. I’m definitely sticking for the fight. And I think it’s gonna be months before everyone gets through this.”
Five Rocks
The microdistillery, Brainerd’s first, opened July 1 for cocktails. Lisa and Bill Desrocher wanted to own their own business for a long time
when the Destination Downtown contest provided an opportunity for them in 2017. In March, Five Rocks Distilling Co. made and gave out hand sanitizer to the public for free as they joined the community effort against the coronavirus pandemic. The Desrocher family expected to be ready for a spring opening for their Five Rocks Distilling Co. but instead of distilling spirits from the Brainerd microdistillery, they created a product now in huge demand and gave it away. They were working with a base from Jack Pine Brewery for the sanitizer. Five Rocks also creates cocktail kits like the recent 5Rocks coming in with the weekend clutch- Blueberry Thyme Moscow Mule cocktail kit available for purchase while supplies last. Featuring Cold North Vodka, FeverTree Ginger Beer, Homemade Blueberry Thyme simple syrup, limes, recipe card, thyme and blueberry garnish. Five Rocks makes Cold North Vodka, Lizzy’s Gin and Straight Bourbon Whiskey along and sells cocktail kits and apparel.
Crow Wing Food Co-op
Crow Wing Food Co-op has an expansion plan, prepared by board member Jennifer Jacquot-DeVries, which proposes to move the cooperatively owned grocery store — specializing in local, organic and allergen-free foods and directly linking consumers and growers — to a larger space with a modernized image. The co-op proposes to expand its retail space, prioritize pastured meats, organic products and locally grown produce. It would include a mini cafe and smoothie bar to provide more options for prepared food and beverages. In May, Jacquot-DeVries’s plan submitted for the Destination Downtown contest noted construction was expected to cost $250,000 with most of that going to equipment such as the $75,000 for the walk-in cooler system and displays. The co-op is expanding from 900 square feet from its current site at Washington and North Eighth streets to about 4,000 square feet. “And in that additional space we’ll add the deli and smoothie bar, bring in many more bulk bins for low waste shopping, have expanded freezer/cooler space for a greater selection of pastured meats and regional dairy products,
and of course we’ll have space to expand our produce and grocery departments as well,” the co-op stated on its Facebook page. “We believe this new space will serve our community well for DECADES to come.” In July, the co-op announced major funding news. “The Hunt Family Foundation has committed a $100,000 challenge grant to support the expansion and relocation of Crow Wing Food Co-op. Now, we need our community to step up and help us meet this challenge! Every dollar you donate (up to $100,000) is matched by the Hunt Family’s gift, and helps to make this expanded Co-op a reality. Not only that, our friends at Prairie Bay Grill will donate a $10.00 off coupon for Prairie Bay to all who donate $10.00 (or more) to this campaign.” The co-op noted its mission for the expansion is based on having more locally sourced food available, having healthy foods, being a great workplace, and modeling eco-friendly practices, community and business partnerships and drawing people to downtown. “Thank you to the Hunt Family, our friends at Prairie Bay, and everyone who has donated so far! We see you, we hear you, we are grateful for your support. The Co-op staff and board of directors are working hard to make this happen and your support means so much to all of us.”
Loidé Oils & Vinegars
Originated in Nisswa, and previously already expanded to Walker, Bemidji and Monticello. Its downtown Brainerd location is anticipated to provide an expansion into high-end professional appliances, such as a steam oven, host appliance demonstrations and cooking classes with the potential to add cooking accessories, gadgets and utensils. Loidé Oils and Vinegars includes a tasting bar and gifts. It includes artisan extra virgin olive oils imported from all over the globe and aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy. The business is owned by Lois Hensel Renee Richardson, managing editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch. com. Follow on Twitter at www. twitter.com/DispatchBizBuzz.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
(Left to Right) Work from fellow businesses, like these candle jar tops for fellow downtown Brainerd business Purple Fern Bath Co., has helped support Minnesota Makerspace during the coronavirus ravaged retail season. Five Rocks makes Cold North Vodka, Lizzy’s Gin and Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Customers sample Five Rocks Distilling Co. product during a Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce networking event in August.
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
BIKING From Page H3
time period. If COVID-19 is turning the American economy upside down, mountain biking isn’t just an exception, it’s thriving. Jonah Moline, manager of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, said park agents have been tracking how many bikers pass through the trails. The data remains incomplete as the recreation area works to establish sensors on all of its trails and attendants work through technical issues. In addition, the program is in its infancy with little points of reference to go by. As such, the picture is a little
murky, but it will grow clearer with time and indications are that many of the major trails in the recreation area could attract as many 90-130 bikers on average per day, with major trails clocking as high as 31,000 hits down to 13,000 hits — or when a bike passes the automated sensor — since the beginning of this year. And if there’s anything that’s driving this industry, it’s the friendliness and enthusiasm of the mountain biking community all over the world, said Luke Lundquist, the owner of Cykel, a newly minted bicycle shop based in Ironton, which opened in June. While many longstanding businesses struggle to keep their footing amid
Progress Edition COVID-19 and economic fallout related to that, Lundquist said Cykel has thrived and remained busy since its opening in the middle of a pandemic. “Our mechanic who’s been doing this for 10-15 years, he warned us and said, ‘You’re going to be a lot busier than you’re planning.’ ... We’ve exceeded our expectations for the amount of business and people have been so nice. I mean, the mountain biking community up here is — gosh, it’s the nicest group of people,” Lundquist said. “I don’t know that we’ve had a crappy customer.” “Our whole thing is that we want to have fun,” Lundquist added. “If you come into Cykel, every-
thing here you can ride — it doesn’t matter if it’s brand new, or whatever comes in. Our big thing is to have fun for the employees and the people and be a place you want to hang out.” Lundquist, a 1990 graduate of Crosby-Ironton High School with ties to New Prague and Maple Grove, said Cykel came from a moment of spontaneity — though the desire to own a bike shop and firmly plant themselves in the biking community is anything but a sudden development. The Lundquists are biking enthusiasts, with both daughters participating in competitive triathlons through high school and into college.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H7 The Lundquists may not have known what they were getting into when they asked their daughters — one a high school senior, the other in college — what their ideal summer job would be. “They said, ‘Run a bike shop in Crosby,’” chuckled Lundquist, who ran a resort years ago and his other startups in the Twin Cities area. “We jokingly called our Realtor and then about three months later we were buying the building in this area and that’s literally the story.” The result is a 1,100-square-foot store, with 1,000 feet of service space to house 35 bikes in a slick environment that lends the establishment a sense of cutting-edge
modernity and a sort of sparse, spartan ethos. Lundquist said he runs the business as a family operation, with two full-time employees and two parttime employees — two of which are his daughters. “It just couldn’t have been a better experience,” Lundquist said of Cykel’s genesis. “Our customers are great. The community is great. I couldn’t be more happy doing this and it’s one of those places where it’s just fun to hang out.” GABRIEL LAGARDE may be reached at gabe.lagarde@brainerddispatch. com or 218-855-5859. Follow at www. twitter.com/glbrddispatch.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by Kelly Humphrey
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
BUSINESS
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.
Greta Larsen and her dad Peter Larsen take their bikes around a practice trail in the skill building area at Miner’s Mountain Rally Center Thursday, Aug. 6, at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.
CITY
Near Crosby-Ironton.
SIZE
Opened in 2011 as one of Minnesota’s newest state recreation areas, the CCSRA covers 5,000 acres of mostly undeveloped woodland and abandoned mining pits. Roughly 800 acres of that has been incorporated into 25 miles of mountain bike trails, which take advantage of the northland ambiance, pockmarked mine country, and natural reddish loam sometimes called “Cuyuna gold” or “red gold” by outdoor enthusiasts.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The country is experiencing a resurgence in bicycling during the coronavirus pandemic. The trend adds to an already existing increase in a bicycle-fueled economy in the Cuyuna area, highlighted by new business openings like Cykel in Ironton.
INTERESTING FACT:
Estimates from 2017 indicate the outdoor sport brings 25,000 visitors to CrosbyIronton every year, which equates to a $2 million bump to the local economy in direct spending as biking enthusiasts from across the globe flock to the burgeoning attraction along the Cuyuna Range.
WE TAKE
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
CUSTOM
TO A NEW LEVEL.
COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL / ARCHITECTURE
A Special Thanks to our employees for your hard work & dedication and a big thanks to our community for your ongoing support & continuing to shop local!
We meet bi-weekly, first and third Mondays of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
712 Maple Street, Brainerd MN 56401 218.828.9000
www.theofficeshopinc.com
211 MN Ave N, Aitkin MN 56431 218.927.6911
Location is:
Lutheran Church of the Cross 5064 County Road 13, Nisswa, MN behind Schaefers Foods
Our goal is to provide a safe environment to share our stories, and to provide support and education to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. *please note that we are a group for adults only **contact Jeri Borgwarth at jeriborg@hotmail.com with questions…
Talk Saves Lives.
Dr. Jackie McCall
THAT’S THE HY-TEC WAY. ////////////////////////////////////
A Sincere Thank You to all of our Patients and Staff for another great year.
LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR VISION!
7870 Excelsior Rd., Baxter
218.828.9545 • 877.338.3957 (218) 829-8529 • HYTECCONSTRUCTION.COM BRAINERD, MN
Treatment of eye infections, injuries & glaucoma Consultations for laser and cataract surgery Eye exams • Contact lenses • Eye wear 001755593r1
H8 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Advertorial
Cub for Life: A motto to live by By SHEILA DECHANTAL
For Your Life. TM
Brainerd Store
L
ocally owned and operated, Cub Foods in the lakes area is a long time community staple. It was on Sept. 11, 1985, that Sherm and Steve Quisberg became owners of the Brainerd County Market. At that time, Bryan Jelinski was hired as the 4 p.m to midnight manager. Now, 35 years later, Bryan is the store director for the Brainerd location, and the longest Cub Foods employee of the two local franchises. In 1991, the Baxter location on Edgewood Drive, opened as County Market and became a Cub Foods in 1999. The store director of the Baxter location is Steve Daoust. They built a new store located across the parking lot and opened as Brainerd Cub Foods in 2002. The Quisbergs still own the Cub Foods, now run by the third generation, Chris, who is the company president, son of Steve, and grandson of Sherm. The two stores, interestingly enough, have a bit of a different clientele. The Brainerd location feels like the neighborhood store, located in northeast Brainerd. As Bryan states, it is not unusual to see the same people come in two or three times a day. They live close and coming to Cub to pick up a few things is convenient and part of their day. The Baxter location certainly takes care of the residents in Baxter and the surrounding areas, yet tends to pick up more of the people coming into the lakes area for the weekends and tourist season. Their sales spike in the summer months whereas the Brainerd location’s sales tend not to fluctuate as strongly. Cub Foods has always played a role in the community, taking Lakes Proud very seriously. It is not unusual to find a youth group or nonprofit offering to bag your groceries, earning tips to raise funds for its cause. They are supporters of local needs — the Salvation Army, Sertoma, Susan G. Komen, Chamber and
ditch picks, just to name a few. They play a significant part in community activities and support. The motto for Cub Foods is: Cub for Life. This means Cub is there for you through all stages and ways of life from working parents, to stay at home caregivers, young adults, to the elderly. Through the years, Cub has grown with the community and its needs. In June of 2019, the local stores implemented Instacart to allow ordering online for those who would prefer to pick up their groceries at the curb or even have them delivered. The focus at the time was finding different ways to support local purchasing as well as making shopping local convenient. They had no idea at the time how valuable this service would become within a year. COVID-19 brought new opportunities to both stores. Bryan states, “We went from winter staffing and winter flow of customers to summer plus overnight. You know what to expect for sales and traffic for say, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day weekend, or Thanksgiving; but this, of course, was something new entirely. There was no way to plan or prepare for it.” Suddenly put into the position of being one of the few ways people were able to shop for the majority of their food in the early weeks of COVID was a real call to arms for grocery stores. The Cub staff stepped up and made it happen. Truly put in a position they never expected, they rose to the challenge. As COVID hung on, both stores changed from 24 hours a day to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., allowing for the staff to close down the store and take the time for the additional cleaning and sanitizing of the front area and check out as well as around the store. Even now aswarehouses work to keep up with the supply and demand, the Cub teams continue to do their best in providing a safe shopping experience for their customers.
One of Bryan’s takeaways during this experience is the kindness of the majority of their customers. “People come up and thank us for what we are doing. That is new. It is something I will hold on to probably for forever.” Cub Foods offers ways for their patrons to save. By downloading the app, you can get in on Friday Digital Deals and instant savings on products. You can also see the weekly ad for the Cub you frequent. They have a fuel rewards program where you receive 10 cents off a gallon of gas at any Holiday Gas Station Store for every accumulative $100 spent at Cub. They pride themselves on having what the customer is looking for in price, service and quality. Bryan recalls something that Sherm Quisberg said many years ago that has stuck with him. “You need three things to have a strong community: Good churches, good schools and a good business community. We can check off all three.” FUN FACT
In the late ‘80s, Joe Gustafson, who had built the original County Market building, asked Steve and Sherm to take a ride with him. They went and looked at what appeared to be a sandlot in Baxter. At the time, the only retail store in this area was Fleet Farm. Joe told the Quisbergs, “You need to purchase this land. Someday this area will be where it is all happening.” While skeptical, Steve and Sherm did purchase the property, and a few years later, they opened as County Market in 1991. Joe was spot on in his vision and the Quisbergs have never regretted that decision.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cub Foods offers online ordering, curbside pickup and delivery. You can see full details on the Cub Foods app you can download from your phone or by going online to www.cub.com.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H9
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Brainerd Store
Baxter Store 35 Years of Providing the Lakes Area great service, fresh produce, award winning meats while also providing the best in Deli, Bakery and Floral Services.
Thank you to not only our local customers but our dedicated, hardworking Staff !
Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day! BRAINERD 417 8th Ave. NE BAXTER 14133 Edgewood Dr. N. For Your Life. TM
OPEN 24 HOURS
H10 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Advertorial
Clow Stamping: 50 years and still going strong By Sheila DeChantal
Clow Stamping was voted Best Large Company to Work For as well as Best Manufacturing Company in both 2018 and 2019 by our community. And, for good reason. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020, Clow Stamping has survived the test of time and continues to thrive. Clow Stamping first began in 1970 in St. Louis Park. The company made its way to the current location in Merrifield in 1973 and was fully operating at its new location in 1974. What began as a small family owned business has grown to be a professional leader in the metal stamping industry. While they have had their ups and downs through the years, there have been far more positives and the company continues to grow. The company has had 12 additions since their move to Merrifield, making the current size of the facility 285,000 square feet. They attribute their success to continually working hard to provide the best solutions to their customers challenges, whether that be in design, manufacturing or shipping. Clow Stamping makes metal stamping, weldments and assemblies for more than 400 companies in industries such as agriculture, power sports, exercise equipment and lighting. They have a strong standard of excellence, making it the goal of Clow Stamping Company to be recognized by their customers, employees and community as a responsible business committed to continual improvement in environmental management and pollution prevention in all business activities.
Currently, Clow Stamping has 460 people employed across three shifts. They are providing more jobs than over 97% of other Minnesota manufacturing companies. Priding themselves on being a family-focused company, they are looking to add to their team. Chief Executive Officer Reggie Clow says they could use about 70 more employees at this time. Clow states, “We are looking for good long term employees. We offer competitive wages and a generous benefits package that is better than most companies offer.” Clow says he can hire and train 9 out of 10 people. If interested, don’t let lack of experience be a deterrent. While COVID-19 caused a significant dip in business in the early months, now they are operating with even higher numbers than forecasted pre-COVID. Not only does Clow Stamping show a commitment to their employees through training, benefits, wages and support, they also hold a strong commitment to their customers. It is their endeavor to exceed customer requirements and expectations in all areas of business. Their goal is to enhance their leadership in the industry while creating mutually beneficial relationships. What does the future hold? For Clow Stamping, they expect continued success and are confident they will continue to provide stamping and fabricating of metal components for original equipment manufacturers for another 50 years. And they’ll do it the Clow family way — through hard work, honesty and innovation.
Work where you play. Start your career today! Clow Stamping is currently looking to add approximately 70 people to their existing team. They offer competitive wages and benefits. To find out more about employment opportunities, see their website at clowstamping.com.
Now Hiring
clowstamping.com • (218) 765-3111
Thank You
To all our employees and clients. It is our honor that we are working with such dedicated people.
Enjoy your holiday. 23103 COUNTY RD 3, MERRIFIELD, MN 218.765.3111 | WWW.CLOWSTAMPING.COM
PROGRESS EDITION 2020 W E D N E S D AY, S E PT E M B E R 9, 2 0 2 0
FINE WINE MEETS ‘HILLBILLY’ ATMOSPHERE AT SCANDIA VALLEY VINEYARDS Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Jon McClain shows off four of his 14 varieties of wine Monday, Aug. 3, at Scandia Valley Vineyards in Cushing.
By Theresa Bourke Staff Writer CUSHING — A mixture of growing intrigue in wine and a temporary bout of insanity led Jon McClain to establishing his own winery. An industry somewhat sidelined by the microbrewery boom of the last decade following the 2011 “Surly Bill” allowing breweries to sell their products in on-site taprooms, Minnesota’s wine trade continues to grow. There are a lot more wineries in the Land of 10,000 Lakes now than when McClain opened in 2013, but none quite like his. Scandia Valley Vineyards lies on 5 acres of land north of Cushing in Scandia Valley Township, about 25 miles southwest of Brainerd. Rows of vines growing five varieties of red and white grapes cover about half the property. A large red barn sits in the background, paying tribute to the land’s former days as a dairy farm, and a camper off to the side operates as the sales office. In front of the camper sits a wooden deck lined with basil plants, which give off an aroma that pairs well with the wine. Before the days of the coronavirus, servers would provide table service to the outdoor customers, uncorking the bottles of wine at the table as patrons watched it splash into their glasses, instead of having to go up to a bar. The old red barn and the sales camper, paired with fine wines and specialty olive oils and balsamic vinegars, give Scandia
Valley Vineyards a rustic yet refined feel. Or as McClain would say: “We kept everything really hillbilly.” That’s what he believes sets Scandia Valley apart from other Minnesota wineries. “We didn’t want to be pretentious,” he said. “We wanted to be simple, focus on Minnesota fruit, and just make the experience here fun.” The witty banter from friendly, outgoing servers, McClain added, helps make customers feel like they’re a part of the Scandia Valley Vineyards family. First-time customers turn into repeat customers, as word of Scandia Valley Vineyards spreads through summer resort-goers and seasonal cabin dwellers. McClain opens his doors and uncorks his bottles Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, welcoming guests to outdoor picnic tables where they can sample up to six different wines at a time.
The wine
Fourteen varieties of wine line McClain’s shelves — seven reds and seven whites. He’s grown his shelves from four varieties of each when he first opened in 2013, slowly adding new blends each year. Last year he added a 15th — a white dessert wine — but soon decided it wouldn’t last. The mixture proved labor intensive, and McClain didn’t feel like he could charge enough to offset the costs. Of the varieties on hand now, McClain is especially
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Grapes at Scandia Valley Vineyards in Cushing begin the process of veraison, or the process of ripening, Monday, Aug. 3, meaning they begin to turn from green to red.
proud of his hops wine, something he may be the only vintner in the state to produce. Primarily used in breweries, hops give the wine a unique smell reminiscent of beer. “It tastes like wine,” he said, “but after you swallow it you pick the hops up again. So, that’s a really interesting one.” The idea came after McClain read about a winemaker in New Zealand doing something similar and thought he would give it a try. He processed white California grapes — as the Minnesota ones are too acidic — with citra and cascade
hops, which generally go into India pale ale beers. It proved a worthwhile task, as the first small batch he made sold out
in 30 days. A large batch this year has now dwindled down to just three cases. A picture of Bob Marley accompanies “Don’t Worry — Be Hoppy” on the wine’s label. The only other wine that doesn’t feature Scandia Valley’s signature loon on the label is Chase Cat, named and produced in honor of McClain’s old cat, Chase.
“It was my daughters’ cat, and after they both went off to college, they asked me if I’d take care of him,” he said. “So he moved up here with me in ‘06 after I bought this old dairy farm and started putting the vines in. And he lived 17 years, and when he passed away, I buried him in the vineyard, and I decided I was going to make a wine just to kind of commemorate — as the label says — 17 years of ‘catpanionship.’” The label features a photograph of Chase, and the golden-colored wine made from a blend of LaCrescent and Prairie Star grapes resembles the cat’s color. McClain is unsure if it’s the novelty of Chase’s picture and story or the tasty tropical flavors of the drink that make Chase Cat his top selling wine. The LaCrescent white wine is a close second. Scandia Valley’s top red wine is the Classic Red Barn, made with a special blend of Minnesota grapes to give it a sweet flavor. “A lot of people around here like sweet wines,” McClain said, noting the Classic Red Barn is best served chilled, while most others are recommended to be drunk closer to room temperature. About 80% of the grapes McClain uses for his wines are Minnesota grown at his winery or by other growers in Crow Wing and Stearns counties. He imports the rest from California to supplement his supply.
SCANDIA: Page H14
Progress Edition
H12 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
BUSINESS AS (UN)USUAL How working from home is changing workplaces and the lives of employees By Chelsey Perkins Community Editor When Chet Goetz learned he could work exclusively from home after changing roles with his employer Cargill last fall, he had no idea he’d be ahead of a rapid global transition prompting millions to conduct business in their houses. No longer tethered to a physical place of employment, Goetz and his wife considered their options and made a life-altering decision: they packed up their family, left their Twin Cities home and began a new chapter in the Brainerd lakes area. A strong internet connection was an essential feature when searching for a house, Goetz said, along with an office space with the option of privacy in the event of conference calls. Of course, a bigger yard surrounded by the northern Minnesota forest didn’t hurt. Just a few short months later as the coronavirus pandemic forced many employers to send their workers home, those features emerged as major selling points for people in the position to follow the Goetzes’ lead. So-called “Zoom rooms” — or office spaces with aesthetically pleasing backdrops for video conferences — have cropped up as selling points on real estate listings, according to news website SFGATE. The Star Tribune recently reported a home buying trend surprising real estate agents. The sale of lake homes,
particularly those within a couple of hours of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and with reliable internet connections, saw a noticeable spike. Others looked for ways to convert their own spaces into effective working environments and beef up time management skills, all while navigating home life upheaval wrought by the closure of schools in favor of distance learning and the stress and uncertainty of a major public health threat. As Goetz and his wife were already homeschooling their three daughters, he said he found himself in an unexpected mentoring role with others on his Cargill Protein-North America team. “I’ve offered advice for anybody that was interested in trying to do their own homeschooling, and I’ve been a listening ear for those who’ve been having challenges,” Goetz, 41, said by phone in early August. “For a lot of people, it’s been quite the juggling act, trying to balance everything, having day care issues. “ … Our company has been great about vocalizing over and over the commitment of being understanding of our coworkers. Everybody is in a unique situation. That includes giving people adequate time for family issues that come up.” While employees grappled with the new reality of working — and teaching, eating, entertaining children and everything else
Submitted photo
Chet Goetz poses with in his home office with his stand-up desk. Goetz, who transitioned to permanently working from home in the fall in his new role at Cargill, made the decision along with his family to move from the Twin Cities to the Brainerd lakes area. The family sought a home with a Northwoods feel, along with a strong internet connection and the space for a private home office. — from home, companies dealt with the logistics of a dramatic shift in doing business. From lining up technological needs, to ensuring effective communication, to managing physical office space and
recognizing flexibility with home-work life balance would be key, employers faced a multitude of their own challenges. Retirement savings firm Ascensus sent 95% of its national workforce home,
including approximately 500 lakes area employees based in the company’s Brainerd location. Although plans to leave the company’s south campus at the juncture of highways 25 and 210 were already
in motion, Executive Vice President Steve Christenson said the acceleration into widespread working from home has the company continuing to
UNUSUAL: Page H15
Advertorial
Waste Partners By Nicole Stracek
As a family owned garbage and recycling collection company, Waste Partners was formed by father-son duo Gary and Eric Loge in 2000. A year later, longtime friend and co-worker John Laufersweiler became a partner as well. This base of knowledge and experience provided the platform from which to grow their business. And grow it did. From three employees and 600 customers at the beginning to 33 team members servicing about 14,000 of our lake country friends and businesses today. Both of Eric’s sons, Drey and Jace, have joined the family business and are proud to continue the tradition of providing dependable, courteous and value priced collection services. It is their team of professionals that really make the business shine.“Waste Partners is a third generation family owned business and our crew is an extension of our family. We understand that our continued growth is a testament to the service performed by our team every day.” “The name Waste Partners itself is an indication of the company’s focus. Our intent is to form partnerships with our customers, the communities we serve, and the environment we
live in. We believe this culture will translate into a positive work setting for our people, creating a business climate built on loyalty, trust, dedication, and exceptional service.” Waste removal is necessary for any home or business so why not choose a company that cares about the service they provide. The office staff is from the lakes area and are experienced, knowledgeable, and best yet - available to answer your questions. They utilize many of the tools to communicate today such as phone, email, instant message, and yes, they still use an answering machine so you can always leave a message at a time convenient to you. In addition the drivers show pride in what they do with clean trucks while mechanics keep them safe and dependable behind the scene knowing none of this is possible without them. On Labor Day especially, we want to thank our employees for their time and dedication they invest into our business every day.
Thanks to all our employees for their hard work and dedication over the years. Have a safe Labor Day! • Family Owned & Operated • Active Involvment in Area Community • Experienced, Safe & Organizations & Events Knowlegeable Staff • Recycling Service • Clean, Well-Maintained Available in Many Equipment Locations
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Residential Garbage Collection & Commercial Waste Collection Waste Partners, Inc. Website: www.wastepartnersinc.com 2928 State 371 SW Cust Svc: info@wastepartnersinc.com PO Box 677 Pine River, MN 56474 218-587-8727 (office) 218-587-5122 (fax)
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H13
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Melecia Chavez (left) and husband Rick Low spread out material for a boat cover they are working on Thursday, July 30, at their business, Canvas Tech, in Pine River.
CUSTOM BOAT TOP MANUFACTURER WEATHERS UNCERTAIN ECONOMY custom manufacturer of boat tops, covers and serves the Rick Low doesn’t have a upholstery lot of free time as co-own- Brainerd lakes area. “Today, we started a top er of Canvas Tech because business has been good for for a guy that fishes for salmon in the Great Lakes. him and his wife. “We’ve cut back on our He needed a top that was advertising because we’ve at the height that he wants got just so much work it’s it, so it will fold down in incredible. We’re backed up a particular way when he three weeks now — going has a fish on … so he’ll be on more than that, really,” able to lower the top quickly, easily, out of the way,” Low said Monday, July 27. The Pine River-based he said. By Frank Lee Staff Writer
Low and his wife recently returned to Minnesota from South Florida to take care of his mother, who was in her 90s, and decided to start Canvas Tech following their decades of experience in the Sunshine State. “We bought a place in Backus and bought the old Shamp’s Meat Market that was pretty much a staple
of equipment and proudly ndoor air quality has never install industry leading RUUD heating and cooling systems. been more important. RUUD has won several awards You want your family for efficiency and innovation, and employees to have including being named the the freshest, cleanest air. most reliable brand through Ventilation is an important Consumer Report. factor in preventing viruses and bacteria from spreading Fall is the perfect time for indoors. JIBEC Heating and a “clean and check” service Cooling can help make sure offered by JIBEC. Not only your heating and cooling do you find your home and system is operating at its business a wonderful place highest level. Beyond service, to hibernate in the winter, so JIBEC also specializes in new do the critters. Their team construction and retrofits. members will make sure your vents are clear, and furnace Owners Jake and Jenny and air exchanger are working Niggeler have always properly and free of dust considered their employees essential to their business. “We and debris. They can also are so proud of them. They are help you with other indoor air quality products such as so good with our customers.” dehumidifiers, UV ductwork Part of that customer service lights to reduce mold, dust includes taking the right and bacteria and a product safety precautions while in a called “Plasma Pure” that traps customer’s home to ensure particles within your ventilation everyone’s well-being. system. JIBEC’s customer base Jake and Jenny want to continues to grow. They have thank their customers for been recognized as one of their continued support. They the “Best of the Best” for are exceptionally proud of Heating and Cooling as well their business that focuses as a “Top 10 Business With on honest and upfront the Best Customer Service” in communication, attention to the Brainerd lakes area. Jake and Jenny, as well as their six detail and incredible customer employees, service all brands service.
I
Upholstery technician Cody Taylor works on a project Thursday, July 30, at Canvas Tech in Pine River.
BOAT TOP: Page H18
Advertorial
By Denise Sundquist
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Happy Labor Day Today we celebrate all who work. With hard work comes great satisfaction.
We would like to thank our wonderful team and our fabulous customers for your support. We greatly appreciate all of you.
Our hardworking team at JIBEC Heating and Cooling is dedicated to meeting all your HVAC needs.
218-828-0330 jibechvac.com | 1775 Dandelion Lane SW, Brainerd
Progress Edition
H14 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Jon McClain checks grapes on his vines at Scandia Valley Vineyards Monday, Aug. 3.
“It’s a lot of work, but it is satisfying, especially when people like what I produce.” - Jon McClain
SCANDIA From Page H11
Behind the wine
McClain, 65, has a long background in the food and beverage industry with companies like Kemps and Hormel but he didn’t pick up winemaking until a little later in life. “I have some chef friends, and they kind of got me into wine,” he said. “Then I started as a hobbyist 24-25 years ago, making wine with whatever I could find to ferment in my kitchen.” That turned into a retirement project, eventually evolving into Scandia Valley Vineyards. McClain ran across what is now his vineyard one April when he came up north to set up his camper — now the sales office
— at its seasonal spot on Lake Shamineau. While going for a leisurely drive he happened upon an old dairy farm with a “for sale” sign. “It was really in bad shape. I mean, way overgrown with big bushes and lots of trees, and you could hardly see the house because of all the big bushes growing up,” he said. “And I said, ‘This would be perfect for my little winery.’” He visited the property with a Realtor on a Sunday and owned it by Monday. If asked how he came to the decision to open Scandia Valley Vineyards, McClain will say he was temporarily insane, not realizing how much work would go into the business. Starting in 2005, he hand-tilled the more than 1.5 miles of rows by him-
self. Then the trellises went up, and by 2006 he began planting his grapes. At the end of 2012, McClain decided it was time to retire from corporate American and focus on opening his winery. Books, seminars and consultations with other winemakers helped McClain learn the trade. The Minnesota Grape Growers Association hosts a yearly convention with plenty of helpful information supplied. “A lot of stuff you just kind of learn by doing,” McClain said. “The first time I came out here to prune in March, early April, I didn’t know what I was doing. I had a little diagram.” Eventually — through some trial and error — he learned what worked best for him and his grapes.
Advertorial
Your neighborhood paint store: Hirshfield’s of Baxter by Rebecca Flansburg
The Minnesota seasons may come and go, but North Country homeowners and professionals know that the need for home improvements rarely ends. As their tagline implies, Hirshfield’s Paint in Baxter has a solid reputation as “Your neighborhood paint store” and are known as the area’s premier paint, wall coverings, fabrics, window fashions, and decorating center. Located just off Highway 371 on Clearwater Road, Hirshfield’s offers notable brands like Magnolia Home ®, Benjamin Moore ®, and PPG ProLuxe formerly known as Sikkens ®, so area residents and visitors can choose from over 5,020 paint colors for every project and budget. The MN made Hirshfield’s brand of paint is also a customer favorite. The company produces over 5,000 gallons of premium paint each day for commercial contractors and consumer use throughout the Midwest. As an experienced company with deep Minnesota roots, Hirshfield’s has never wavered from its core mission of providing customers with the products and the technical expertise they need to handle any home or business project. Familyowned since 1894, this business is dedicated to supplying Lakes Area DIYers, homeowners, and contractors with the
guidance, tools, and color options on everything from custom stain and paint matches to application trouble-shooting and expert advice on window treatments. As the times have changed, so has this hometown decorating store. “We know our customers have concerns regarding COVID-19, and we’ve taken every precaution to keep our customers safe,” shared Store Manager, Jeff Lewis. “We always welcome visitors to our store, but for those who are hesitant to come in, we offer quick and easy online ordering.” Lewis went on to share that, once a customer places an order through their online ordering system, the Hirshfield’s team can have that order ready in a little over an hour on regular business days. “We also offer curbside pick-up for customers who would prefer to stay in their vehicle,” he added. “Customer service is essential to us, and our goal is always to make sure that every customer leaves our store with all of their home improvement or new construction project needs.” So if you’re looking to harmonizing your home’s interior or freshen up your business’ exterior, Hirshfield’s has everything you need to make sure the job is done right. For more information on Hirshfield’s, visit them on the web or on Facebook.
He also learned what doesn’t work, like bitter cold winters with prolonged below zero temperatures. McClain’s grapes fell victim to the polar vortex of two winters ago, which blasted the lakes area with air temperatures of 30 below zero, and wind chills even lower. Brainerd saw a 59-day stretch with below zero temperatures that year. “I had 100% (of the vines) die back to the ground,” he said. “So all the trunks that had been there for years and years and years were all dead.” The vines have since grown back up from their roots and began producing fruit again this year. Though not as abundant as in a normal year, clusters of grapes dot the newly grown vines, and as of early August, some of the reds had started veraison
— the process of ripening and turning from green to their reddish-purple color. McClain said there isn’t much he can do to save his plants in such cold weather, but he has developed a trick to ward off fungal infections. Tomato plants sit at the ends of his rows of vines, but it’s not just because he likes the fruit. “Tomatoes will show a fungal infection before the vines will,” he said. “If I start seeing some fungus on the tomatoes, I know it’s time to spray the grape vines. That way I stay ahead of it.” Rose bushes work, too. On the chemistry side of things, McClain said he got a really good manual and took a couple training sessions. “The chemistry is pretty easy,” he said. The secret to good wine is to create a balance among
all the different factors of wine, including fruit flavor, alcohol content and acidity. “If you have too much acid, the wine’s going to be bitter. If it’s too fruity, it tastes like grape juice. If the alcohol is too high, they call it ‘hot.’ You can really pick up the alcohol,” McClain said. “And so you just want to kind of have everything in balance so it’s very harmonious and pleasant to the palate. And that’s where the skill comes in.”
Beyond the wine
Fermented grapes aren’t McClain’s only product. He also works with an importer in Oakland, California, and bottles olive oils and balsamic vinegars under the Scandia Valley Vineyards brand.
SCANDIA: Page H17
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H15
HOW TO MAKE WORKING FROM HOME WORK
Photo illustration by Metro Newspaper Service
More people found themselves working from home during the pandemic with challenges and rewards for those new to telecommuting and analysts predicting a long-term shift in the workplace.
UNUSUAL From Page H12
evaluate space needs throughout the country. “What gave us the opportunity to do this is for a number of years, we already had a work from home policy,” Christenson said by phone, noting about 15% of the company’s employees worked from home for at least part of the workweek. “This helped in being able to adapt to a work from home policy, but (the pandemic) really changed the scale and we had to do it in a shorter term.” Ascensus isn’t the only workplace examining how working from home may impact physical office spaces. Northern Tool + Equipment announced in June it would transition 60-plus team members from its Pequot Lakes contact center facility to a remote, work-at-home model. As a result, the company stated it would close its contact center located in the city’s industrial park since 2000. Northern Tool reported in a news release that prior to the COVID-19 impact, the company had already transitioned nearly half of its employees from the contact center to a remote model and the COVID-19 outbreak accelerated this shift. “As we move through this change, our primary goals are to provide our team with a safe place to work and a flexible schedule as well as an improved work-life balance, and we are excited to deliver on these promises that are important to our employees here in Pequot Lakes,” Chris Erath, senior director of contact centers at Northern Tool + Equipment, stated in the release. Brainerd-based strategic communications company Strateligent — formerly Red House Media — also announced in June its employees would not return to a centralized office after months of remote work. In social media posts and on the company’s website, President Aaron Hautala said not only did the organization’s work lend itself well to a work-from-home model, the change led to increased productivity and improved work-life balance. “Our Strateligent team started working from home as a way to stay safe, but we’ve found that working from home helps us to serve our clients more efficiently, too. We’ve increased productivity, built stronger relationships, and made our work environment safer. We’ve reduced stress and improved work-life balance. That’s why we are excited to share that we’ve
chosen to capitalize on this remote work opportunity and will continue working from home going forward,” Hautala shared in a Facebook post. “Our business is our people — and where our people are, Strateligent is. From our home offices in Brainerd, Baxter, Cuyuna, Fort Ripley, Nisswa, and Pine River, we will continue to expand our culture of excellence, camaraderie, and customer service, just as we always have.” Local telecommunications company CTC found itself in the dual role of transitioning a majority of its employees to work from home, while also bolstering its broadband connectivity and Wi-Fi accessibility to improve access to telework, distance learning and telemedicine for the community as a whole. The company established about 50 free Wi-Fi access points throughout its service area intended to provide internet access for those in need to complete homework assignments or visit with medical professionals, for example. It’s also pursuing multiple broadband expansion projects this summer and fall with assistance from federal funds appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. Andy Isackson, CTC’s director of member operations, said they observed a 28% increase in overall bandwidth usage by customers between February and March, when schools closed and a stay-at-home order went into effect in the state. Meanwhile, the company set up 65% of its employees to work from home, purchased a corporate Zoom subscription and ensured remote access to company servers and the phone system. “We normally see a ramp-up in usage from spring to summer, and then in the fall, it ramps back down,” Isackson said during a phone interview. “This year, it’s pretty much steady across time. …. Overall from last year, we’ve seen a 20% increase (in broadband use).” At Staples-based Sourcewell, which provides cooperative purchasing opportunities for local governments among other things, employees not only transitioned to the virtual realm to complete tasks, but some also found ways to redirect efforts. The services of Tech Mobile, a Sourcewell educational initiative connecting teachers with technology such as 3-D printers, were no longer needed amid empty classrooms. Marketing Director Travis Bautz said this opened the door for new uses for the machines, such as producing person-
al protective equipment. Bautz said more than 1,900 pieces of items, like ear savers for face masks, were created through 3-D printing technology. “I think the thing that’s been interesting to see is how people really just find new ways to make it work and do good work and keep serving,” Bautz said in early August. Now five months into this new reality, a common theme emerged in the experiences of both employers and employees — finding ways to stay engaged in both formal and informal ways. Often missing from the landscape of video teleconferencing and instant messaging is the chance to connect with employees and coworkers on a more personal level. While weekly companywide addresses were a common tactic to keep employees in the loop on business-related news, chance meetings at the water cooler to discuss weekend plans or share Netflix recommendations are difficult to replicate naturally in remote work settings, company leaders said. Ascensus’ Christenson said this led to the establishment of online coffee breaks for team members. “They’re not just business focused, but how are you dealing with day care or dealing with the dogs in the background,” Christenson said. “We have found different ways to not just keep in contact but to keep incentives for engagement.” Bautz of Sourcewell said the beginning of almost every virtual meeting features a five-minute COVID break for informal chats. “They’re so eager to hear from each other, just how’s it going for you, how are your kids,” Bautz said. “That has been something I have heard a lot about.” At CTC, organized activities that normally would’ve meant gathering in one place have moved online, too. Isackson said in addition to online happy hours, employees recently had the opportunity to take a cooking lesson from local chef Matt Annand, complete with a box of ingredients to follow along. Another virtual offering featured fishing guide Jason Freed, who shared tips this spring ahead of the fishing season opener. Looking ahead, some employers are preparing themselves for the eventual return of at least some employees to offices, with new considerations in place for the health and safety of workforces. Nate Grotzke, senior adviser for commercial real estate company Close-Converse, said while initial indications had him expecting
Whether working from home is a breeze or an uphill battle varies from person to person, and the added challenges brought by impacts of the coronavirus pandemic can make it even more difficult for many. Videolicious, a company that helps businesses including the Dispatch create video productions, recently offered tips for success in the home office. • Stick to the rhythm of a routine. While it may be tempting to roll out of bed and straight to the computer without the motivation to look presentable for the office, Videolicious notes this common trap can compromise one’s ability to get the job done. “Neglecting personal care can compromise your focus and make you feel sloth-like, which reflects in the quality of your conversations and your time spent on projects,” the company’s newsletter stated. “Be sure to get dressed in the morning as usual and keep your hair and face presentable enough to join video conference requests on short notice.” • Take frequent stretch breaks. This tip is relevant whether in the office or at home, although it may be less likely natural opportunities to get blood flowing — such as a lunchtime walk with coworkers — are fewer and further between. “Taking a 20-minute yoga break or simply standing every half-hour to stretch or pace your living room floor will help generate the same positive effects and improve overall concentration,” the newsletter stated. • Separate work space from living space. It may be beneficial to establish zones within a home to create a brighter line between work life and home life. While larger homes make this easier than apartments or spaces shared with others, Videolicious states it’s still possible to set aside space for a home office environment.
vacant office space because of the pandemic, he’s now seeing a potential need emerge for larger spaces in an effort to accommodate social distancing. Christenson said some employees found working from home to be a smooth transition, but others miss the office environment and are hoping to eventually transition back. “We’ve had a number of people saying, ‘I thought I wanted to work from home, but I’m ready to go back to the office and get back among coworkers,’” he said. “ … I think that’s going to vary by
“You can still section off personal space from work space with the likes of shelves, curtains or rearranged furniture, which will help you feel more in control of your schedule and mark natural time shifts throughout your day.” • Fill your body with good fuel. Don’t let a pantry filled with goodies serve as a lure away from healthy eating habits that assist in productivity and overall health. Fresh fruit and healthy proteins with good fats, such as a handful of nuts, can offer the fuel needed without the possibility of packing on the pounds. • Replace lengthy emails with video. “Recording video messages for colleagues and customers can help mimic the feel and flow of in-person conversations when you can’t be face-to-face, and also help you express your message better,” the newsletter suggested. “Making a request or providing important feedback are better received with the assistance of body language and voice inflection, which are always lost in text.” Videolicious stated it may be more likely a message will be received in its entirety this way. • Don’t forget to unplug. Eliminating the usual routine and removing boundaries between work and home can make it difficult to disengage from email or the computer, resulting in working beyond the usual quitting time. Videolicious recommends sticking to self-imposed deadlines and when the work day is over, shutting down all work-related communications. “Changing your location by going outside for a walk or switching rooms to make a friendly phone call will send your body and mind a signal that you’re off the clock and help you unwind.” Source: Videolicious weekly newsletter.
each individual business, but we’re always going to have the hybrid of having office space and working from home.” Bautz said he thinks this moment will result in permanent changes for Sourcewell, but how those will look remains to be seen. He noted how much technology played into the success of the workfrom-home transition, and if this pandemic would’ve occurred 20 years ago, it would’ve been much more difficult to maintain business as usual. “We’ve found lots of great ways to work remotely and
we will be taking advantage of that going forward. I don’t know exactly how it’s going to land,” Bautz said. “ … How would we have done this without the technology we have today? There’s just a lot of things that are probably going to stick. … We kind of pride ourselves in having a resilient and resourceful team and it’s really caused people to look at their work and reimagining how to do it.” CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey. perkins@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at twitter.com/ DispatchChelsey.
H16 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
WHAT DOES WORKING FROM HOME LOOK LIKE?
Submitted photo
Director of Customer Success at Marketron, Kim Cox didn't need to make any adjustments to work from home due to COVID-19. She's been doing it for 11 years already. By DeLynn Howard Staff Writer
I found the most important tool for me was to Working from home treat everyday like I was looks a bit differently for ‘going’ to work. Showeveryone in these unprec- er, hair and makeup set the stage to ‘go’ to work. edented times. For some, working from That regiment continues home has been a constant, to work well for me. It something they’ve always puts my mind in the right done. For others, like place as I go to my office many of the employees of each morning. I must say, I was lucky. the Brainerd Dispatch and When COVID-19 hit, I had Pineandlakes Echo Journal, it’s been about adap- to make no adjustments at all. A lot of people were, tation and adjustments. The Dispatch asked our and are still, struggling to readers what working figure out a good workfrom home looks like and space, especially if there we had a few submissions are multiple people tryalong with photos of home ing to work from the same home. offices and set-ups. They may want to consider a closet?” 11 years in a Kim Cox, Brainerd home office Director of Customer “I’ve worked for MarSuccess at Marketron ketron Broadcast Solutions, a software company Shares space out of Hailey, Idaho, for 18 years. The first seven with dogs “I work at Crow Wing Kalsey Stults often shares her work from home space with years I traveled, installing Energized as a commuand training software at radio stations all across nity health and wellness the USA and Canada. As specialist. My job shifted technology advanced, I to working from home at was able to do my work the beginning of COVID. remotely and have been in I moved my office into a home office for the past our guest room. I share my space with my dogs 11 years. I found out early on who are usually underthat I needed to get fairly neath my desk or on my organized and to carve out bed. They’ve made a few a very specific workspace. appearances during my I ended up emptying out a video calls and meetings. One benefit from worklarge closet/storage space. ing from home is that That’s as good as it got I can work outdoors on in the house I lived in at beautiful days. the time. I worked in that One challenge is a lack small space for a number of a dedicated space for all of years. Although small, of my supplies and mateit was designated specifirials, but I’ve made due cally for me to work in and with what we already had it served me well. for storage and space.” I have since moved from Kalsey Stults, Baxter the closet office. When Community Health and shopping for my current Wellness Specialist residence, I only considered homes that had a Working from home space I could use as an office. My work space has positives and currently occupies a spare negatives bedroom. Over the years, “Working from home I have acquired quite a in a small space for bit of equipment to make months now, I undermy work life easier and stand both the positives more productive. I have and negatives (spring Submitted photo a standup desk, sever- and summer). Crow Wing Energized Marketing Associate Millie Engisch, al computer screens, file Brainerd, works from home in her small space. cabinets, printer, etc. But WORKING: Page H19
her dogs. Pictured on the bed is Scout.
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Kalsey Stults, community health and wellness specialist for Crow Wing Energized, says one of the perks of working from home is working outside on beautiful summer days.
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
SCANDIA
Operating today
McClain got a late start From Page H14 this year — like most seasonal businesses — due to A dozen varieties of olive the coronavirus pandemic. oil are on the menu, with He wasn’t able to open flavors like wild rosemary, up for wine tastings until blood orange, Eureka June 27, about a month lemon, Tuscan herb, gar- later than normal. lic, basil and black truffle. He no longer serves Likewise, 14 flavors of bal- bread and oils out of an samic vinegar are available abundance of caution and for purchase, including now employs just one black cherry, cinnamon server — instead of the pear, raspberry, blueber- regular four — to serve ry peach, vanilla orange, wine in disposable plastic cranberry pear, grapefruit, cups for customers who black truffle sea salt and want to sample. jalapeño lime. Patrons write their In the days before names and contact inforCOVID-19, Scandia Valley mation in a guestbook wine tastings came with upon arrival to help with a complimentary sampling contact tracing if it’s ever of oils and vinegars with necessary and are encourbread. aged to reserve a table
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H17
ahead of time. Walk-ins will still be welcome if table space is available, though. Tables are sanitized between uses, and McClain and his server wear gloves and masks. Bottles of wine, olive oil and balsamic vinegar are always available for purchase by calling the winery. Looking back at what he has now created, that temporary bout of insanity seemed to have paid off for McClain. “It’s a lot of work,” he said, “but it is satisfying, especially when people like what I produce.” For more information on Scandia Valley Vineyards, visit www.svvwine.com. THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch. com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ DispatchTheresa.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com
BUSINESS
Video by Steve Kohls
Scandia Valley Vineyards.
CITY
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Jon McClain is joined by his cat Boots at his winery Scandia Valley Vineyards in Cushing. One of the wines is named for McClain's cat, Chase, who passed away.
Cushing.
SIZE
Owner and four servers before COVID-19.
INTERESTING FACT:
Scandia Valley Vineyards produces a wine made from hops, which is primarily found in beer. The hops give the wine a unique beer aroma with a crisp white wine flavor and an aftertaste similar to an IPA beer.
Seven varieties of white wine are available at Scandia Valley Vineyards in Cushing.
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Advertorial
Now You Can Believe Your Eyes
Northern Eye Center By Carissa Andrews
Are things looking a little fuzzy in your world? Maybe it’s time to schedule an eye exam where the focus is on you. Northern Eye Center is the lakes area’s go-to eye care specialists. With locations in Brainerd, Little Falls and Staples, they offer a wide variety of eye care services to protect and improve your vision. Northern Eye Center’s optometry and ophthalmology staff have the experience and expertise to deliver quality eye care. Some popular services include: • Complete eye health exams • Contact lens fittings • Eyeglass prescriptions • Macular degeneration treatment • LASIK surgery • Cataract surgery • Glaucoma surgery • Cosmetic eyelid surgery The Experienced Pair in Eye Care - Northern Eye Center and Great Northern Opticians Are you searching for the perfect frames to enhance your vision and self-esteem? Northern Eye Center is paired with Great Northern Opticians in the Brainerd office and they provide the finest selection of frames in the lakes area -- with more than 1,000 men’s, women’s and children’s frames. You can rest assured you can find the look to perfectly compliment
your style. Plus, you’ll always get the best lenses possible because they work with an independent lab to get it all done right the first time. Personal Service for your Precious Sight Whether it’s choosing new glasses or contacts, a comprehensive eye exam, or a specific eye health question, you can trust the experienced team at Northern Eye Center and Great Northern Opticians. Call 218-829-2020 to schedule an appointment. We strictly follow the CDC guidelines to protect our patients and staff and help slow the spread of disease by providing a safe and healthy environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Don’t get lost in the shuffle. Northern Eye Center will provide personal service to protect your precious sight. *Edits made by Northern Eye Center.
Follow us on Facebook 218-829-2020 • NorthernEyeCenter.com • NorthernEyeCenter Brainerd • Little Falls • Staples
Progress Edition
H18 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
BOAT TOP From Page H13
up here in the Pine River area,” he said. “It was empty for two years, and we thought maybe that’ll be a good place that we can set up shop, right in the heart of the lakes area.” Founded in 2018, Canvas Tech was responsible for the recent large awning installation at Bob and Fran’s Factory Direct furniture and appliance store in downtown Brainerd. “Mostly, we do where the person will bring us the boat — say, ‘Here’s my boat. I want to make a cover for it,’” Low said. “And I’ll ask a few questions — like ‘Do you keep it in the water? Is it on a trailer? Do you keep it on a lift?’ — those sorts of questions.” The family-operated business with 35 years of experience uses digital measurements and plotting to get the correct fit for a boat. “We’ll discuss how we fasten it down — snaps, rope or ratchet — for a cover and the types of materials. There are different types
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The new 50-foot awning at Bob and Fran's in Brainerd was made by Canvas Tech in Pine River. of fabrics we use depending upon the type of customer,” he said. Leaving a boat uncovered when not in use can damage it, but there are other reasons to use a properly-fitted cover, from keeping it clean from dust to protecting the parts from cracking. “With the higher-end customer, we lean them towards the product called Sunbrella, which is a water-repellent, breathable fabric that holds up about 20 years here. If they’re, you know, more economical and want
something that’s tough as nails then we lead them toward a product called Aqualon,t which is a vinyl waterproof material that’s light,” he said. Canvas Tech offers mooring covers, travel covers and slipcovers for boats in addition to custom covers. “If they’re an older client, you know, we want to make sure that they’ll be able to put it on, or we want to use a lighter fabric for them … that’s not going to kill the person trying to put it on because it weighs, you know, 75
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
pounds,” he said. Canvas Tech also offers long-lasting boat and pontoon enclosures that are custom-made and vinyl see-through windshield and pontoon covers, but that’s not all the business does. “We do so much custom stuff. … A guy calls us and goes ‘The sun is shining in my porch, and I have screens up, but I need a visor that’s going to hang down 24 inches, 14 feet long that will block the sun in the late afternoon. It’s just shining in and it’s killing me,’” Low said. Other services and products offered by Canvas Tech include custom upholstery for boats and yachts, such as cushion, foam and wood replacement, and vinyl seat recovering; for auto, such as street rod and hot rod interiors, and classic car restoration; and for recreational vehicles. “We also go mobile to the bigger boats up in Walker. There are some 30-, 40-, 50-footers up there that we’re working on,” he said. “We go out there, we’ll make a
fitting, and we’ll bring it back here, we’ll sew it up, and we’ll go out there, put it back on and fit them, or bring it down here.” Canvas Tech also restores pontoons, boats and vehicles; offers patio mesh and furniture cushion replacement, patio umbrellas and patio furniture storage covers; and repairs canvas for suitcases, umbrellas and tarps, in addition to making awnings like Bob and Fran’s in Brainerd. “We contracted out the metal fabrication,” Low said of the 50-foot awning. “Actually, we bolted it together. … I sewed it up here and then brought it down there … and we had like 11 people carry that thing out of the building, out into the street.” Bob and Fran’s is a local family-owned furniture, appliance and
mattress store with a four-floor showroom of in-stock merchandise. “We got into position, so it was ready to go up,” Low recalled of the awning installation process. “And we had a couple of manual forklift jacks, and we raised the thing up to the side of the building and bolted it on there.” Low said he even had a Saudi Arabian prince as a client in the late 1980s. “We were just, you know, at the right place at the right time,” Low said. “He was in the country buying a lot of things to bring back to Saudi Arabia, and he bought several boats, cars, all kinds of things, and he needed covers for all of it.” FRANK LEE may be reached at 218-855-5863 or at frank.lee@brainerddispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchFL.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by photographer Kelly Humphrey of Canvas Tech.
BUSINESS Canvas Tech.
CITY
Pine river.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Four.
INTERESTING FACT:
Made a cover for a horse trailer for a Saudi Arabian prince.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Co-owner Rick Low works on putting a custom made cover on a boat Thursday, July 30, at Canvas Tech in Pine River.
Advertorial
Brainerd Savings & Loan continues to serve the Brainerd Lakes Area Brainerd Savings & Loan has been handling the banking needs of the Brainerd Lakes Area for nearly 100 years. At Brainerd Savings & Loan you are not just a customer you are an owner. The employees of Brainerd Savings & Loan believe that customers, with every visit, deserve excellent customer service. This Labor Day, and every day, they say thank you to their dedicated staff. Brainerd Savings & Loan’s staff of Universal Bankers and experienced mortgage lenders have a whole array of products, services and tools to share with you. They look forward to visiting with you about everything from traditional banking to mobile banking, from local Visa® and CardValet® to personal and home loans. Going above and beyond is just their way of doing business. They deliver on their commitments and take your financial needs seriously… they work for you and in your best interest.
Brainerd Savings & Loan employees continue the nearly 100 year tradition of personal banking service in the Lakes Area. We all look forward to serving you by providing solutions for all of banking needs. Brainerd Branch
The Board of Directors and employees of Brainerd Savings & Loan are tuned in to this area. They spend time volunteering, serving in various city and county government roles. They volunteer for non-profits, schools and churches. This area is important to them because this area is also their home.
524 South Sixth Street Brainerd, MN 56401 Phone|218.829.5183 Fax|218.829.7078
Drive Up Hours: Monday & Friday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - Noon
Brainerd Savings & Loan is proud of its history and is excited about the future. They look forward to partnering with you to achieve your financial goals. Because of dedicated employees, committed leadership and sound financial philosophies Brainerd Savings & Loan will continue to be the area leader in the banking industry. Banking
Lobby Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
way… whenever and wherever you want it.
Drive-up ATM 24/7
Online Branch Brainerdsavings.com Open 24/7 Online Banking | Mobile Banking | Mobile Deposit | Loan Applications
In
Best Interest.
In
Best Interest.
NMLS #410361
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
WORKING From Page H16
Positives: Wear tank tops or hoodies and shorts, no make-up, surrounded by art, fresh air through open windows, classical music, the aroma of coffee, Zoom, Teams. Negatives: Miss smiles and direct connections and talks with co-workers (loss of human interaction), noise from lawn service mowing and planes and helicopters flying overhead, no handy food at the hospital cafeteria for breaks, asking questions takes more effort and organization of thoughts, feeling isolated, Zoom, Teams. My concern for fall and winter is how the shorter, darker days will affect my mood and productivity, so I plan to invest in some lighting to stay ahead of potential seasonal affective disorder issues. And yes, online meetings are both a blessing and a curse.”
Millie Engisch, Brainerd Marketing Associate Community Health Crow Wing Energized
Haven’t missed a beat
Jill Wasson Sprague, media consultant at the Brainerd Dispatch, began working from home in March due to COVID-19. “I have been able to work from home without missing a beat. I miss my co-workers but can still stay in contact with them through my computer and phone. I can still help all of my customers and I have been able to continue to help with their advertising needs just the same from home as if I were in the office.” Jill (Wasson) Sprague, Crosby Media Consultant
Mornings allow for more focus and creativity
“I always thought that working from a home office wouldn’t work for
Progress Edition my position. My position involves accounting and HR functions so I need to be accessible to the financial data and cash reports as well to our employees. Our company was prepared with the software and equipment that was needed to work from home once our office (Brainerd Dispatch) closed due to the pandemic. Testing out remote working, I found that I am more focused and creative earlier in the morning and have the bonus of eliminating a 20-25 minute drive. I am more efficient and prefer to work independently so I get more done. There are less distractions but plenty of opportunities to communicate with my co-workers via phone, instant messaging or email. I’ve learned: ► It is important to take a mid-day break to have lunch and relax a bit or the day gets really long. Don’t forget to stand and stretch on occasion. ► My hardwood antique chair is being replaced with a more ergonomic cushioned chair. ► My four-legged assistants tend to bark only when I’m on sensitive phone calls. ► Working from home requires discipline; I don’t know that everyone is cut out for it. ► My goal will be to split my week up with two days working from home and three days working in the office. For me and my position, I think that will provide maximum productivity and job satisfaction.” Kari Lake, Brainerd Brainerd Dispatch Controller
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H19
lot different from working from home full time. I never thought I could do that — work from home full time. Too many distractions, I thought, like laundry, talking on the phone, cleaning the house, etc. But I was wrong. I’ve been working from home since late March and honestly, I love it. Face to face communication is by far always best, but I’ve learned that teleconference phone calls and online software work when communicating with co-workers. Attending city council and other meetings online via Zoom has worked as well and saved me a lot of miles on my car and precious time spent driving. I believe I get a lot more done than when I went to an office every day. Yes, there are the above mentioned ‘distractions,’ but they don’t consume my work day. And it’s nice to keep up on laundry by throwing in a load during the day here and there. The best part is I can be at the ‘office’ within 30 seconds of getting out of bed. The bad part is I’m always at the office, 24/7. My main distractions have proven to be my cat, who tends to bug me around 3 p.m., thinking it’s dinner time, and my daughter’s dogs when they’re at my house. The bigger dog has proven to be a wonderful officemate, wanting nothing more than to zonk out on a blanket at my
Submitted photo
Brainerd Dispatch Controller Kari Lake, pictured with her dog, Ruby, didn't think her position would allow her to work from home but is finding the balance enjoyable. feet in my spare bedroom-turned-office. The smaller dog barks at everything and sometimes comes in and just stares at me. I’m not sure why. I certainly don’t like the circumstances that prompted me to work from home. But I don’t mind staying put for the foreseeable future.” Nancy Vogt, rural Brainerd Pineandlakes Echo Journal editor
desk in my bedroom (better lighting). It’s not too bad, but it is easier to hear the toddler being a toddler so it’s a bit of a trade-off. My cat, Mork, likes to come into my ‘office’ in the afternoons and sleep either on my lap or at the foot of the bed. I think she’s trying to escape the toddler as well.” Dan Determan, Nisswa Pineandlakes Echo Journal sports reporter
A lap desk, a toddler and a cat named Mork
“My work station has changed from a card table in the basement to a lap
Submitted photo
While working from home, Dan Determan, sports reporter for the Pineandlakes Echo Getting more done Journal, is often supervised by his cat, at home “Technically I’ve been Mork.
Submitted photo
working from home for
Jill Wasson Sprague, media consultant for the Brainerd 14 years, doing night and Dispatch, enjoys working from her Crosby home but weekend work on a laptop. I’ve learned that’s a misses her co-workers. Advertorial
CTC pivots as COVID-19 continues As our personal and professional lives have been upheaved into a state of uncertainty due to COVID-19, CTC has been presented with many unique challenges and an equal number of opportunities. “Necessity is the mother of invention” has become a common phrase in their offices. For instance, for the first time in the cooperative’s 70year history, CTC’s annual meeting was held virtually. With over 100 in attendance it provided CTC’s leadership with a unique chance to showcase their expertise in the area of technology and the benefits of having powerful internet. (To watch a recording of the meeting visit www.goctc.com/ After CTC held their first-ever virtual annual meeting annualmeeting.) on June 3, 2020, images of participants in the 2020 CTC Regardless of any change Legislative Meeting can be seen on this laptop. CTC has made or choices they’ll be facing in the future, one thing re- services to area businesses and residents inmains certain. More and more people are rely- cluding schools, healthcare facilities, restauing on reliable broadband internet. It’s no sur- rants, retail stores, families, apartment buildprise that usage of CTC’s broadband network ings and entire communities. has increased by 20%, as compared with 2019. CTC continues to make decisions and create Whether it’s to video chat with their doc- partnerships that allow them to reach as many tor, check in with their teacher, binge-watch- under and unserved areas of the state as possiing a newly released TV show, make reserva- ble. It’s core to their mission and will continue tions at their favorite restaurant, call their co- to drive their future growth. workers, or order hand sanitizer to be shipped In 2019 they were awarded grant funding to their home... the uses for internet are as var- from USDA’s ReConnect program and DEED’s ied as the days are long. Border to Border program, which is helping Did CTC ever imagine this type of demand them reach new areas. Over 900 more homes and need for internet? Regardless of the an- and businesses will have access to their fiber swer, the foresight held by CTC’s current and internet networks as a result of this financial past leadership has put them in a unique posi- support. Dovetail that with funding from UStion. As an essential service, they are respon- DA’s Community Connect program and they sible for providing critical internet and phone are making significant headway in new areas. In true cooperative spirit, their continued partnerships with Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative and Arrowhead Electric Cooperative allow their organizations to grow and members to prosper. Last year CTC also moved into a newly remodeled Brainerd office. Now, they wait to move back in again; this time from their remote and sometimes makeshift offices. So as we all demonstrate a level of patience and optimism that wouldn’t otherwise be expected, the staff and board of directors at CTC extend their best CTC staff show their unity and team spirit wishes of health and prosperity to all communiby sporting the 9th Street Social Club’s “Be ties within the Brainerd lakes area and beyond. They appreciate your continued support! Social” shirts.
What’s in a Name? At CTC we believe there’s a lot in a name.
Maybe you were named after a TV show character or a bibical figure or your name has been handed down through the generations. Maybe your parents decided everyone’s name had to start with “K”, they ALICIA randomly picked one out of a book, or they liked ANDY the shoe clerk’s name. ANGELA ANITA Regardless of how you got your name, BRENDA it’s an important part of who you are. BRIAN F. The staff at CTC take that to heart. BRIAN K. JORDAN Whether a tech rings your doorBOB JOSH I. bell and calls you by name CHAD JOSH V. or a member services rep CHRIS KANDI handwrites your name CODY PATTY KELLY B. on a sympathy card... CONNIE PAUL C. KELLY M. knowing a person's CYNDI PAUL W. KIRSTEN name matters. DANIEL PAULETTE KODY DAVE ROXI LAUREN DON RYAN LEANA EDDIE SARAH LISA And ERIC G. SHAWN F. MARK that’s ERIC J. SHAWN R. MAX why we’d ERYK STEF MEGAN like to recGREG STEVE MICHAEL ognize eachand HANNAH TINA MIKAYLA every one of our JACKIE VAN MIKE employees by name. JAMIE ZACH MONA JAN MORGAN CTC wouldn’t exist withJASON A. NEIL out them and given the JASON B. NOAH fast and frenzied pace of our JENNIE NOLAN business - especially in these last JEREMY few months - we appreciate their flexJESSE ibility and tenacity now more than ever. JIM JODIE Thank you, CTC staff, for your dedication to JOE our members and the communities where we all live, work, and play. With kind regards, Kristi & The CTC Board of Directors
CTC_employeethanks_laborday2020.indd 1
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H20 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Advertorial
A commitment to excellence by Sue Ready
Since 1978 Nor-Son Construction and Nor-Son Custom Builders have been nationally respected businesses bringing their award winning designs to the upper midwest and neighboring states. Nor-Son Inc, a parent company to Nor-Son Construction, offers a full range of services including construction management, design/ build and general contracting. It serves clients in health care, hospitality, commercial construction and has many completed projects in education, retail, office and manufacturing. They are headquartered in Baxter. Their mission is to develop long-term client relationships, sustainable growth and fulfilling careers while creating environments of distinctive character. Nor-Son President and CEO Andy Anderson feels strongly the success of an organization is built around the people. There are 125 fully engaged staff who take pride in their workmanship with attention to detail and employing high standards, right down to the last finishing details. Since the company has a reputation for quality workmanship they seek the best when hiring. Those with excellent skills gravitate to working at Nor-Son. There is a history of longevity with company employees who have become a family of hardworking, creative and responsible individuals. They care about their clients, vendors and contractors.
Nor-Son is an essential business adhering to state regulations and OSHA. A high commitment to the safety, health and well being of their employees, partners and customers has been a top priority. In response to COVID-19, they have instituted a preparedness plan which includes health screening, sanitizing protocol and masks. It follows the industry’s guidance developed by the state of Minnesota for job sites and office locations. Since their offices are temporarily closed, see their website for contact information at https://www.nor-son.com/. Nor-Son Custom Builders offers design and construction services at their Baxter office. They use a design and build concept keeping the architect and builder on the same page. Not only do they create custom homes but renovate and add additions to lake homes. Interior design services are also available for finish selections
such as tile, carpet, cabinetry and millwork. In 2013 Nor-Son expanded to an office in Wayzata. At this location they are able to offer services for clients in the Twin Cities area. They collaborate with many residential and commercial architects throughout the metro area and into the northern markets. Anderson feels “two offices allows the company to expand its reach. Many of the clients, city dwellers, build second homes in the Brainerd lakes area. It is a convenient way for clients to stay in touch with the design and build of their homes.” This past year Nor-Son Construction earned a National Award of Excellence in Construction for the St. Andrews Catholic Church renovation in Brainerd. Nor-Son Custom Builders also received a National Award of Excellence for Electric Modern Transformation on Gull Lake. Over the years Nor-Son Custom Builders has garnered 54 awards and Nor-Son Construction 44 awards. Anderson notes “his company is proud of every award for different reasons. It’s an outstanding company that comes together for their clients, performs a project and does it right.” The lakes community area is enriched by the presence of the Nor-Son Construction and NorSon Custom Builders who value their employees, take pride in their workmanship with quality finishes and are client focused.
HOMES
HOSPITALITY
HEALTHCARE
COMMERCIAL
NOR-SON.COM
PROGRESS EDITION 2020 W E D N E S D AY, S E PT E M B E R 9, 2 0 2 0
BEHIND THE RED DOOR Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Biff Ulm stands outside of Zaiser's in Nisswa, a store his family has owned since 1987. Ulm transformed the store from a Minnesotafocused souvenir and toy shop to a trendy independent department store.
Face of Zaiser’s and Minnesota Nice Enough finds success in risk-taking By Chelsey Perkins Community Editor NISSWA — Biff Ulm makes a lot of mistakes. Those mistakes come with the territory, he said, of being willing to take risks and try new things. “One philosophy as a business that’s really, really core to me is that mistakes are OK, and we just need to learn from them, and they’re just an opportunity,” Ulm said in late July while seated in the pocket park in downtown Nisswa. The second-generation owner of Zaiser’s retail boutique, a 73-year mainstay of Nisswa’s Main Street shopping corridor, has overseen the transformation of his parents’ business from Minnesota-themed souvenir and toy shop to quirky, independent department store. He’s also dovetailed his knack for divining what customers want to buy into Minnesota Nice Enough, an exploding business currently producing artistic, snarky stickers and camping mugs. And the pandemic has done nothing but inspire even more creativity in Ulm — he’s exploring the possibility of another business marrying the concepts of personal gift shopping with subscription boxes a la Stitch Fix. “My biggest joy is when we actually put something out there, and again … what’s the worst that’s going to happen?” Ulm, 45, said. “I’m going to fail, and that’s just an opportunity to learn, and then
games and missing out on my kids. So it’s kind of crazy — people would say In the beginning retail’s a lot of work. But Ulm grew up surround- I came to retail to have a ed by entrepreneurship — simpler life a little bit.” first in West Palm Beach, Florida, before his family What’s inside settled in the lakes area. The first couple years His parents Mark and Kay were spent returning the Ulm owned the Mille Lacs store to the level his father Lake Curio Shop in Gar- left it, Ulm said, before he rison, where they also began to experiment with opened a meat and fish merchandise and layout. market. The Ulms then The store’s seen a few purchased Zaiser’s in additions from the tiny 1987 from Rose Zaiser and footprint of the original eventually went on to own building, resulting in an seven gift shops through- eclectic floor plan that Ulm out northern Minnesota. spent time outfitting into Ulm took a stab at retail more defined sections. His management on his own goal? To offer customers after college, buying the items they won’t be able Painted Turtle gift shop to find in big-box stores, just down the sidewalk bigger department stores from Zaiser’s. Although he or even online. loved the store and enjoyed “We love stuff that has running it, his passion for — I want to say it nicephotography led to estab- ly — that has unsanlishing another business, itized designs, because which eventually became sometimes you see those successful enough, Ulm designs like in a departsaid, that his wife gave ment store, that type of him a choice — the store thing, and it just looks or the studio. He chose like it’s clip art. And we the studio. For 15 years, he want people who are like photographed weddings, employing real artists, and portraits and more, his we’re trying to get them work infused with a bent here,” Ulm said. toward photojournalism. There isn’t enough room In 2012, his parents here to list even a fraction asked if he’d be interested of what Zaiser’s carries, in taking over the helm ranging from kitchenware, at Zaiser’s. jewelry and children’s “The store wasn’t run- books to footwear, home ning to its fullest poten- decor and yes, in the spirit tial. And they approached of what Zaiser’s once was, me and said, ‘Hey, would Minnesota-themed souveyou have interest in being nirs and inexpensive toys. here?’” Ulm said. “It was Shoes are a centerpiece of my best year photograph- the store’s offerings, feaically, like financially. But turing higher-end brands I’m like, you know what, such as Pikolinos, BirkenI’m missing out on soccer stocks and a signature,
I’ll pivot and try to do it better next time.”
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The cabin work space Wednesday, July 29, on the Ulm property in Nisswa. longtime partner brand — Minnetonka moccasins. “You’ll see people who come in, and they remember when their grandparents came in and bought them their first pair of Minnetonkas, and now they’re bringing their grandkids in, and we hear those stories,” Ulm said. There’s also an “R-rated” section, featuring merchandise with irreverent sayings and self-deprecating humor. This includes a line of naughty socks, as Ulm called them, which are a huge seller for the store. “We say rated R. It’s probably not truly R, it’s probably more PG-13. But we give people fair warning,” he said. “If you go in that section, there will be a four letter word or two, and they’re used in kind of a harmless sort of way.” Ulm employs numerous routes to track down items fitting the store’s aesthetic and the latest
trends, both the traditional and the modern. Wholesale gift markets provide a mind-boggling selection of goods, for instance — one in Atlanta spans three city blocks and is 20 stories tall. But in today’s world, even more so in light of the pandemic, creators are turning to digital platforms like Etsy and Instagram to entice buyers. Ulm said he likes to find makers who are just starting out, ones who give back to charities and those who take into account ecological concerns. He also keeps an eye out for local artists and companies. There’s still room for the traditional “up north” wares the tourists expect, though. This includes a toy section curated specifically with cabin living in mind. “When kids are on vacation, $20 in their pocket, they would rather buy four things they can play with at the cabin, than one thing,” Ulm said.
This summer, Ulm brought back mystery grab bags — paper sacks filled with a selection of toys for $4.99. Each one is different, and the only rule is no peeking. It’s a nod to nostalgia and a project of his father’s, whom Ulm said found great joy in buying toys for the store over the years.
Along came 2020
When the realities of the coronavirus became clear this spring, Ulm tapped into his propensity for experimentation to find ways to keep people shopping. He employed some of the same tools as many retail locations, offering curbside pickup and shopping by appointment, rearranging the store to improve traffic flow and create more space, departing from fitting shoes for customers to mostly self-service. But in other
RED DOOR: Page H28
Progress Edition
H22 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
LOCAL MEAT MARKETS GO HOG WILD KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
James Tretter (left) has been a sausage maker for 45 years. He enjoys a laugh with owner Ron Nieken Thursday, July 30, at RJ's Meats in Hillman. By Frank Lee Staff Writer Ron and Jenny Nieken took ownership of a local meat market in Hillman more than a year ago, and business has been good — maybe too good. Formerly known as Lakes Meat Market, the married couple renamed it RJ’s Meats. It was founded, however, by Richard “Stuffy” Stauffeneker in 1978 and opened as Stuffy’s Thriftway. “We get nothing but absolute praise about our fresh meats,” Ron Niek-
en said. “We do about 25 different varieties of sausage, home-cured bacon, and we’re big into custom-processing.” Meat processing plants in April, including Smithfield Foods in South Dakota, shut down and Tyson Foods in Iowa suspended production because workers tested positive for COVID-19. That has meant more work for area butchers. “We have been extremely busy,” Nieken said. “It has been absolutely crazy and we’ve actually added
two full-time positions as a result of the demand that’s going on right now, so it’s been absolutely wonderful on our end of it.”
pick up the meats that they need, be it retail meats like your steaks, sausage, bacon, anything like that, or ordering quarters or halves through several of the farmers around the RJ’s Meats in Hillman area that we do processing Ron Nieken handles the for,” he said. wholesale custom slaughSmithfield Foods closed tering and meat processing, such as pork, beef, its pork production facilbuffalo, sheep and veni- ity in April due to workson, while his wife handles ers who tested positive for the grocery side of things COVID-19 and were linked to 238 cases in the commuat RJ’s Meats. “It’s just a comfortable nity. The plant produced feeling for them, knowing up to 5% of all Amerithat they’re not having to can pork and was the “No. go to a big box store to 1 U.S. producer of pack-
aged meats,” according to officials. “That actually drove up a lot of the demand because a lot of the products that we order in to handle through on the retail end of it here we were unable to get,” Nieken said of plant closures. South Dakota’s governor ordered the Smithfield Foods plant closed for weeks, resulting in 3,700 workers off the production line. Pork was not the only meat, however, in demand by consumers. Hamburger was the No. 1 requested
item at RJ’s Meats at the time, according to Nieken. “The shortage just kept increasing because of so many of these processing plants — that had workers with their COVID-19 cases — shutting down. It was really hard. I think people initially panicked, and bought anything and everything they could get their hands on,” Nieken said. Nieken said meat prices have dropped back down but are not at levels that they were before.
MEAT: Page H25
Advertorial
Crow Wing County Fair Creating Community Memories by Sue Ready
Open to the Public to Rent SPACE IS AVAILABLE AT THE CROW WING COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS:
Crow Wing County Fair is an annual community event held since 1872 in various locations moving in 1937 to Brainerd, MN. It’s held the first week of August. COVID-19 crisis prompted cancellation of the 2020 fair, impacting their revenue. The Crow Wing County Fair began as an agricultural event providing a place for county residents to exhibit their products. It’s an educational non-profit organization run by the Agricultural Society and one of the five largest fairs in Minnesota. Their main mission is to provide an event for the community and pay homage to the agricultural heritage of the county. They’re one of the few fairs offering free admittance. Keeping the organization running smoothly are board members and General Manager, Gary Doucette, Seasonal fair office locations are in Land Services Building November 1-May 31 and Administrative Building Fairgrounds May 31-November 1. Over the years the fair has seen many changes. Rob Fitzsimmons and The Photography Club partnership with the fair has helped support growth potential. Brainerd Snodeos Snowmobile Club commitment to the fair has helped sustain a variety of events. Food booths, always a big draw, offer more diverse
choices with ethnic dishes available. Permits are needed each year. Doucette noted, “How wonderful the inspectors are to work with. They’re available for help and support so we’re able to adhere to the rules and regulations of the state.” Several years ago, Mills Automotive Group in Baxter sponsored the enlargement of Mills Free Stage with larger seating capacity. As a result bigger name entertainment has been attracted and can be accommodated. Barb Burgwald is responsible for organizing these venues. Talent contests held on stage with prizes offer a chance to enter Minnesota State Fair Talent Show. The horse arena has been enlarged. Under the auspices of Tammy Blazek, Boots’n Buckles Saddles Club, regional and state shows are hosted there. Other popular fair attractions include: The Midway, The Tractor and Collector Car Parade, Horse and Livestock Shows. The fair supports the concept go green throughout the grounds and composts whenever possible. Keep in mind Crow Wing County Fair is more than just a fair. The fairgrounds offer a unique venue for special events and gatherings. Winter rental storage is available. For rates and more information call 218-829-6680 or manager@crowwingcountyfair.com
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n a h t e r o m e r a e W ! r i a F y t n u o C a ALSO AVAILABLE : Boat, Classic Car and RV Storage Early Fall thru Spring Call the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds at 218-829-6680 or Gary Doucette at 218-838-9671 for more information or to reserve a date for your event.
WWW.CROWWINGCOUNTYFAIR.COM
Crow Wing Fairgrounds · PO Box 361, Brainerd, MN 56401 www.facebook.com/CrowWingCountyFair
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H23
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Mike Scofield, owner of Chef Mike's Catering, wipes down a counter in the kitchen Friday, July 31, at his business location south of Brainerd off Business Highway 371.
CHEF MIKE’S CATERING EVOLVES, ADAPTS WITH UPHEAVALS OF COVID-19
said of his career arc with a shrug. “More or less, I just Some people chase their kinda fell into it.” It’s been just over two aspirations. Others are just and a half years now since along for the ride. Consider Mike Scofield, he started his operation south of Brainerd, off of Chef Mike’s Catering, Business Highway 371 and to fall squarely into the next door to the Wild Rice latter group. His culinary Depot. Since then, there’s career has been marked been no shortage of chalby a series of sponta- lenges, preeminently the neous decisions and a bit emergence of COVID-19, of serendipity — from the but Scofield has been able moment he took a job as a to weather the upheavals fast food kitchen manager with a signature touch of when he was 19, to the adaptability and spontapresent day, where he’s neity, mixed with toughoperating a catering busi- ness and grit from decades ness he never pursued, nor manning the kitchen. expected to own. Chad Knudson, the “I didn’t actually start owner of the Wild Rice this type of stuff until I Depot, of which the Chef was 26 years old,” Scofield Mike’s Catering building is By Gabriel Lagarde Staff Writer
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part of the larger complex, spoke warmly of the catering business in a threefold sense — as somebody who’s personally known Scofield for years, as a property leaser who’s worked with restaurants and catering businesses for years, and as a customer who’s experienced Scofield’s culinary wizardry for himself. “He’s been fantastic,” said Knudson. “He’s done things differently than the previous owners who had that building for eight and a half years. He worked with them, he bought it out, and now he’s taken it somewhere really different.
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“I’m excited for him. It’s been fun watching him grow and actually change from what he thought he was going to do. He’s been willing to change and he has a history of working so many different styles, cooking so many different cuisines — he’s just open to whatever you need and whatever he needs to do.” Scofield first made himself known in the lakes area as a chef in resort kitchens. Then, in 2017, Scofield said he took a chance on catering after more than 20 years in resort dining, it was a highstress, high-demand atmosphere with little margin for mistakes.
“There, it was always other people, how they wanted it, their preferences and their needs,” Scofield said of the opportunity to own his own catering business. “Here, I’m working on my own to provide for my family. Sometimes I feel spread too thin, but I’m more in control.” It really is a flavor-ofthe-day sort of operation — often, to the point, Scofield said, where unexpected challenges may emerge to cook a certain dish in a short amount of time for 300 or 400 people — or 1,500 or 2,000 people — at a given event. But, Sco-
field always finds a way. It’s a deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment that comes after hours of stress, sweat and heat. But, then, that’s par for the course. If it wasn’t catering, it was resort dining. If it wasn’t resort dining, it was culinary studies and the rigors of line cooking. If it wasn’t that, it was managing a fast food kitchen at the age of 19. At first glance, this career trajectory has the look of singular focus, propelled by a desire to prepare food and feed the masses.
CATERING: Page H27
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Progress Edition
H24 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Customers order at the front counter Friday, July 31, at Von Hanson's Meats in Baxter.
MEAT
hand how the coronavirus and COVID-19 upended the From Page H22 meat industry with supply chain interruptions. Von Hanson’s “At first, it was absolutein Baxter ly gangbusters — almost Von Hanson’s goal at its meat markets in Minnesota like people were, you know, is to “deliver personalized they didn’t know how to full service, in a friendly react, so we were on the old-fashioned meat market verge of running out every environment,” according day — ground beef,” Von to the chain’s proprietors. Bank said. “A lot of times Ben Von Bank owns and manages the Bax- we were the only place in ter location along High- town with burgers. … It way 371 and knows first was just chaos.”
National Beef, a beef processor, temporarily suspended operations in Iowa in early April after a worker tested positive. Tyson Foods also suspended production in early April at an Iowa pork plant following more than two dozen cases of COVID-19 involving workers. JBS is an American subsidiary of the world’s largest processor of fresh beef and pork, but it closed a pork plant in Minnesota where more than 2,000 workers pro-
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cessed 20,000 hogs daily. It was the third JBS plant to suspend operations due to coronavirus infections. All those closures led to a rush on meat buying at the local level. “At one point, we were, like, running 200% over last year’s numbers,” Von Bank said of sales. “I think we’re probably, like, maybe up 30%, I would say, for July. But as far as payroll goes, there was really no one to hire, so I have had my guys
working crazy amounts of overtime.” Still, Von Bank said he wouldn’t be using the processing plant closures as a reason to take advantage of his customers. “At first, our profit margin took a 10% hit because of the price fluctuations, and, you know, we weren’t willing to raise our prices to certain levels because, you know, which just didn’t think it was fair, so we took the hit on our end,” Von Bank said.
Von Bank said because of the governor’s stay-athome order and closure of nonessential and dinein businesses to slow the spread of the virus, more people were making meals at home. “So people were coming in getting 50 pounds of ground beef, you know, 30 pounds of ground beef, which created a crazy amount of demand. And we were seeing the prices go up,” Von Bank said.
MEAT: Page H25
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H25
MEAT
full, but I’m starting to fill up through deer hunting From Page H24 already,” he said. Because of the pork processing plant closures in Thielen Meats April, pig farmers were of Pierz Thielen Meats is a killing piglets because of full-service, fourth-gen- a lack of room to raise the eration meat market newborns and there was founded in 1922, but little no market at the time to in its storied history has sell them, according to the prepared it and other meat Associated Press. “The pig farmers didn’t markets for the changes of have any place to take their the last few months. “Every day now seems livestock, so they were out like a Saturday … and Sat- selling it to just the general urday was my best day public and then the generof the week,” co-owner al public needed a place to Andrew Thielen said. “And process it if they couldn’t it’s almost impossible to do it themselves … so most of the markets were pretty find new help.” Thielen Meats hand well booked that could do cures all of its hams and custom work,” he said. bacon in-house and offers Backus Locker beef that is cut fresh daily and all-natural Amish in Backus Owned and operated by grown chicken. “Most people are stay- Dave and Jan Schmid, the ing at home, and I think Backus Locker is a meat they’re doing a lot more market and processor that grilling and camping … offers, for example, venistaying at home rath- son, beef, pork and poultry er than going out to eat processing. “A very large portion of and going on vacations out of state because I think the locker plants used to everyone’s kind of stick- have storage lockers for ing near home or stay- people that, when they ing inside Minnesota,” processed their meat, they didn’t have to take it all Thielen said. “We noticed that you home. We still have probcouldn’t maybe get exactly ably about 50 lockers that what you wanted,” Thiel- they store the meat in,” en added. “It’s not like Jan Schmid said. The old-fashioned meat there was a total shortage, but you would get shorted market has been in opersome things. But it was not ation since 1947 and offers the end of the world. We a variety of retail meats never had a week gone by for sale, and farm and wild that I can remember that game processing services — a place where one can we ran out of anything.” Thielen Meats produc- find everything from bear, es more than 100 variet- antelope and mule deer ies of fresh and smoked sausage to bacon, roast sausages and also makes beef and smoked turkey. “Not everybody had ready-to-cook products such as meatloaf, mari- electricity (back then), so nated steaks, chicken when you processed your animal, you rented storand pork. “Was there a short- age space in the freezer. age? Not really, you know, And then when you came because you just paid more to town, you took meat money for it. ... Prices went home,” she said of the cold through the roof on beef. storage facility. Tyson’s largest meat And unfortunately, that processing plant also has to get handed down to the customer, you know?” closed at the end of April Thielen said. “I mean we in Iowa. It handles 4% of were paying almost double the country’s pork, so hog farmers had fewer options for our burger meat.” where to send their animals. The Schmids had to Glen Meats in Aitkin Jason Plekkenpol owns turn away between 400 Glen Meats in Aitkin, and 500 hogs for processwhich opened in 2015, ing, and they are booked but what a difference five into February. “It’s abnormal. … When years can make. “Business was good the big plants went down before the pandemic. It’s … the farmers didn’t want been really good since the to destroy the hogs, so pandemic started, and they offered them cheaper most of it is on the custom for people, people bought side where people bring hogs and they were scramin beef or pigs, you know, bling to find places to proto have processed that cess them,” she said. “Our are their own or that they whole butchering schedule purchase from someone,” has been full since May. “When the bigger plants he said. Plekkenpol said tra- closed up, there was less ditionally he does not product available and have many custom orders the prices went up, you because area farmers pre- know?” she added. ‘They fer to do it in the fall or seem to be leveling back off, so they’re, you know, spring when it is cooler. “We were booked pretty they’re coming back down heavily through until July to about where they were and then I backed off on at before.” FRANK LEE may be reached at taking some just because 218-855-5863 or at frank.lee@ of the Fourth of July and brainerddispatch.com. Follow him stuff like that. ... And then on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ afterward, I’m starting to DispatchFL. fill up. I’m not completely
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Employees at Von Hanson's in Baxter have been working overtime to fill the increased demand for orders as more people ate at home and stocked up on meat.
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
RJ's Meats is located at 36929 Highway 27 in Hillman. The store features a full meat market and grocery store for area residents.
BUSINESS RJ’s Meats.
CITY
Hillman.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Seven (full time).
INTERESTING FACT:
Co-owner Ron Nieken worked for the founder, Richard “Stuffy” Stauffeneker, before purchasing the business after it changed hands. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Jenny and Ron Nieken are the owners and operators of RJ's Meats in Hillman.
BUSINESS Von Hanson’s.
CITY
Baxter.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 10.
INTERESTING FACT:
Two employees have remained with the meat market since it opened in 2006.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Videos by photographers Kelly Humphrey and/or Steve Kohls
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
CITY
CITY
CITY
Backus Locker. Backus.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 10.
INTERESTING FACT:
Built in 1947 as a cold storage facility with 100 rentable lockers.
Glen Meats. Aitkin.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Seven.
INTERESTING FACT:
Bestsellers include beef sticks and summer sausage.
Thielen Meats. Pierz.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 25.
INTERESTING FACT:
It’s a fourth-generation meat market.
H26 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Dan Determan / Echo Journal
Andy Hayes (left) and Jeremy Johnson are two of five longtime Realtors at Positive Realty who took over as owners of the company in January.
POSITIVE REALTY UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP Business has been in lakes area for more than 40 years By Dan Determan Echo Journal Staff Writer Positive Realty has been a staple of the lakes area for more than 40 years. Now it is under new ownership, but that doesn’t mean things are likely to change. Founded in 1979 by Clint Nelson, Jack Antolak and Joe Zak, Positive Realty’s ownership shifted in January to five longtime employees: Jeremy Johnson, Andy Hayes, Jeff Torfin, Tim Nelson and Keith Schwankl. “We were all previous agents here for years,” Johnson said. “Ownership was switching a bit, and it was just time for some new energy.” Despite the change in ownership, the three founders still work there. “Not many agents leave Positive Realty,” Johnson said. “We (Johnson and Hayes) have both been here at least 14 or 15 years, and the number of agents who have left to go work elsewhere can probably be counted on one hand. When people come
to work at Positive Realty, most of them retire at Positive Realty.” The reason the company’s roughly 30 employees are prone to stick around, according to the owners, is the atmosphere present when one walks into the office. Positive Realty has offices in Brainerd, Baxter and Nisswa. “We try to create a family environment — a place where you don’t need to lock your office doors, necessarily, or hide leads from competitors,” Johnson said. “We are a very welcoming brokerage for the agents.” While many real estate companies have a specific specialty, the owners said they specialize simply in meeting the needs of their clients, from smaller-scale homebuyers to “countless” commercial developers. “There are certain offices that specialize in commercial real estate and others that specialize in land,” Hayes said. “We just specialize in real estate. There is no transaction that is too small, and obviously not one that’s too big.
We work with first- and second-time homebuyers, investors and the cabin crowd.” The change in ownership certainly came at an inopportune time, with the COVID-19 pandemic coming about mere weeks later, but the owners have said the health crisis has actually not been too hard on the real estate business. “Business has been very good,” Hayes said. “COVID hasn’t slowed us down as much as we anticipated it would. We are probably seeing more people from the Twin Cities area moving up here … So we remain very optimistic. Regardless of what happens we always feel the Brainerd lakes area is going to be a good spot to raise a family and set down roots.” “We really are where people want to be,” Johnson added. One thing that has changed for the company in the wake of the pandemic has been the way showings take place in a world where people are wary of face-to-face contact with others.
“Technology is constantly evolving,” Johnson said. “Because of the coronavirus, we now realize that it is really easy — and very practical — to do showings via Zoom or FaceTime.” “I had clients buy a place sight-unseen from Arizona,” Hayes said. “I did a video tour and sent the link. That is kind of the market we are in, though. If you want something, you don’t have a whole lot of time.” As Positive Realty goes through its transition, it’s owners expect to see some continued growth and some updates to its offices. “We have always been known as a company with a crazy amount of integrity, and I think we have a really strong, positive reputation in the area,” Johnson said. “What we are trying to do is piggy-back off of that fabulous name and reputation, then bring it to the next level.” Dan Determan may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@ pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www. twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan.
BUSINESS
Positive Realty.
CITY
Offices in Brainerd, Baxter and Nisswa.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Roughly 30 as of mid-August.
INTERESTING FACT:
Founders Clint Nelson, Jack Antolak and Joe Zak are still employed with the company, but ownership has shifted to five longtime employees.
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
CATERING
Brainerd lakes area. When the opportunity arose in From Page H23 2017 for him to start up his own catering business, That just isn’t the it wasn’t planned in the case. Sure, Scofield said, least, but he leaped at the he enjoys cooking and opportunity anyway. he always has, but he’s And so Chef Mike’s more or less chanced upon Catering — with all its every opportunity. He unpredictability — fits didn’t realize how much Scofield like a glove. he’d enjoy managing a “I take this because fast food kitchen until he I’m my own boss. It’s the was in the thick of it. He flexibility of it,” Scofield took up culinary school said. “One day I could be largely on a whim at 25, at someone’s home makthen followed an invita- ing a whole tenderloin, tion by his brother to a the next I could be serving resort kitchen up in the a nursing home tater tot
Progress Edition hotdish. Anything goes. For the market I’m in now, I shoot for comfort food. Baked chicken. Pulled pork. Homemade mac n’ cheese. We don’t have any set style, so we can adapt to what people need.” The general approach hasn’t changed much since the pandemic — which is to say, there’s isn’t so much an approach, so much as intuition and spontaneity — but Scofield said there has been a significant uptick in business since the advent of COVID-19.
In the days of yore before the coronavirus, Scofield often worked alone for major life events like weddings. Now he has a group of seven part-time employees as he meets a burgeoning need for business luncheons and employee socials at various businesses across the lakes area. One development that’s distinctly tailored to the pandemic? A surge in requests for microwaved boxed lunches or packaged meals, where he has delivered over 350 in three
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H27 weeks, often to people who can’t make it to the grocery store because they’re elderly, disabled, working late, and so on. This has led Scofield to reconfigure his business to be just that more mobile, able to transport foods in seven different types of containers and deliver them with ease. Still, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
“It’s the same old business model. For the first 3-5 years, hit the grindstone,” he said. “That’s where we’re at.” GABRIEL LAGARDE may be reached at gabe.lagarde@brainerddispatch. com or 218-855-5859. Follow at www.twitter.com/glbrddispatch.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by Kelly Humphrey
BUSINESS
Chef Mike’s Catering.
CITY
Brainerd.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Eight.
INTERESTING FACT:
One day I could be at someone’s home making a whole tenderloin, the next I could be serving a nursing home tater tot hotdish. Anything goes. - Mike Scofeild
The proprietor of Chef Mike’s Catering, Mike Scofield, has more than two decades of culinary and kitchen management experience, which may be one reason he’s confident he can feed a small gathering of five, or 2,000 people at the drop of a hat. His secret? Take a little at a time. If a chef and a small crew of assistants handle a 400 people for an hour-long sitdown, then 2,000 people need to be spaced out in one-hour increments over five hours.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Mike Scofield, owner of Chef Mike's Catering, talks about some of the portable equipment he can take to catering sites. Advertorial
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Progress Edition
H28 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Shoppers James and Stephanie Bernstrom look at the kitchen section July 29 at Zaiser's in Nisswa. Owner Biff Ulm said when selecting merchandise for the store, he looks for designs people won't be able to find elsewhere.
RED DOOR From Page H21
ways, he added his touch and listened. “We realized quickly, people wanted to shop, they just didn’t feel safe shopping. So everything that we do — and this is just where I have found success in every business — is just really listening to the customer,” he said. “We’re here to serve them. And if we can create success for them, and whatever that is, we’ll be successful, you know.” The store now offers themed boxes containing a multitude of gifts, day brighteners
as much as special occasion shopping simplified. He’s finding these are popular not only for events such as kids’ birthdays, but for defining life moments, such as housewarmings. They’re often destined for family far away — or who feel far away, due to social distancing measures. In another interesting twist, Ulm replaced the store’s landline with a text line in an effort to remove barriers for customers to communicate. He and his team use an app called Avochato, a text messaging platform allowing realtime conversations with customers. For Zaiser’s, this also means personal shopping for people. Ulm offered an example from earlier that day: a query a b o u t
whether the store carried popsicle molds. In response, an employee would take pictures of a variety of options, text those pictures to the potential customer and go from there. They also put more emphasis on social media, engaging customers through photos and videos. “We’re really adhering to where this can be an oasis. Because shopping in certain places is weird right now, I mean, just straight up. So we want it that people can come in here and they don’t feel rushed, that they know where they’re going,” Ulm said. “ … So if we get close to capacity, we close it down at the door. We do online reservations, and it’s worked. I was nervous about it a little bit, but it’s worked so great, because c u s tomers can really shop and they feel, they just feel comfortable.” Ulm said while he expects the store’s revenue to be down from a typical year, it won’t be as bad as he once thought it might be. The innovation the coronavirus wrought opened Ulm’s eyes to another possible venture online: gift merchandise curation. “There could be a new marketplace for online retail. We just firmly believe, like Amazon has its place for commodity based things, but for real specialty retail … the place that I see it the most is curated wardrobes, right now. So, can we curate gifts?” he said.
ta Nice Enough, rocketing toward massive expansion. His stickers can now be found in more than 140 retail locations across the state and into surrounding states, with some of those also carrying the camp mugs he produces. This consists of mostly other small retailers, including area locations such as Christmas Point and The Crossing Arts Alliance. But he also recently landed an account with sporting goods chain Scheels. He hired five sales representatives last year to find even more opportunities to place his creations on shelves. Ulm remembers the exact moment the brand name came to him. After selling a “Minnesota Nice” shirt to a customer in Zaiser’s in 2017, the next customer in line chimed in, “Well, it’s nice enough.” And the seed of an idea began to germinate. Ulm first produced T-shirts with the flagship design, a buffalo plaid outline of the state with “Nice Enough” laid over it.
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
I just love bringing success to other artists and bringing that exposure. - Biff Ulm
That evolved into stickers, however, Ulm again took his own advice and listened to customers. He noticed a large number of younger shoppers carrying reusable water bottles with them, and he also noticed they were often personalized. A tagline was born: “Kickass tattoos for your stuff.” Or, in more family-friendly stores, “Killer tattoos for your stuff.” Zaiser’s provided the perfect testing ground for designs he created himself, most of which are drawn by hand. But this wasn’t possible until Ulm figured out a complex problem — how to manufacture the stickers without so much waste. In traditional manufacturing, Ulm saw the potential for a huge number of his stickers to ultimately end up in a landfill, if he produced too many of a style that proved to
be a slower seller. After near obsessive levels of research, he landed on a concept familiar in the realm of brews and booze: micromanufacturing. “If I have an idea, we only need to produce like 25 of it, I will test it in Zaiser’s before we even bring it to full market and then there’s no waste. Everything is made on demand,” Ulm said. So where can one find the headquarters of Minnesota Nice Enough? In the basement of the Craftsman bungalow he shares with his wife Katie, three children and three dogs on the edge of town. Packed into what was once his photography studio are a massive printer, a laminator and a large-scale cutting machine. And while the space is small and the
RED DOOR: Page H29
A new adventure
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The original design of Biff Ulm's decals, which he creates alongside two other artists with his company Minnesota Nice Enough.
In the midst of adjusting to the unexpected challenges of 2020, Ulm somehow managed to find the time to send his other business, Minneso-
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The footwear department at Zaiser’s carries a number of higher-end shoe brands, including a flagship offering in Minnetonka moccasins. Owner Biff Ulm said shoes remain a signature part of his business’ offerings.
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Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H29
BUSINESS
Zaiser’s and Minnesota Nice Enough.
CITY
Nisswa.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
A Minnesota Nice Enough decal designed by Biff Ulm, alongside the embroidery piece he made that served as its inspiration.
RED DOOR
also brought into the fold two other Minnesota artFrom Page H28 ists to increase the variety and broaden his audience. process is micro, Ulm said “I just love bringing on average, he ships out success to other artists and 10,000 decals a week. bringing that exposure. So While 85% of the busi- it’s more of a collaborative ness is decals, Ulm also effort,” he said. “ … I think heat presses designs onto I’ve got 150 designs of my enamel camping mugs own in the line.” destined for some of the woodsier retail locales. No ‘I’ in team While Ulm’s entreThose then find their way into a kiln in Ulm’s garage preneurial successes are undoubtedly impressive, for finishing. The products aren’t only he’s quick to point out he’s completed on the prop- by no means a one-man erty. They’re also born band. And those who work there, often in the timber for Ulm are quick to point frame cabin Ulm built just out he’s by no means a steps behind their home. typical boss, and Zaiser’s It’s a kid-free zone, Ulm is not a run-of-the-mill said, where he and his wife summer retail job. Ulm’s team works on whet their creative appetites. Ulm draws sticker both businesses: one day, designs there among other they might be behind the creative projects. Katie’s counter ringing up purmost recent endeavor is chases, and another, they may be brainstorming face mask sewing. The decal designs range social media outreach for from nature-themed Minnesota Nice Enough (think campfires and or packing up decals loons) to funny (like Big for shipment. Katie Jobe is a 21-yearFoot crowned as undefeated hide and seek champi- old college student with on) to political (the state four years of Zaiser’s of Minnesota emblazoned experience. Back for the with “FeMNist”). Ulm’s summer, when she’s not
focused on the footwear department, she’s bolstering social media marketing for Minnesota Nice Enough. It’s ignited a passion in her she didn’t realize was there, she said by phone in early August. “He’s such a good leader and he’s shown whatever your passion is, just go for it,” Jobe said. “Some things might not work the way you thought, but you can always try again.” She said she feels as though she’s part of something bigger and like her opinion is valued. When summer ends, she plans to continue her marketing work remotely. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had,” Jobe said. “I know I’m young and haven’t had as many experiences as a lot of people, but I don’t know how a job could beat this job.” Ana Hennes has spent 15 years working at Zaiser’s, and she said every day, it feels nice to go to work. While mostly focused on the store, Hennes said she’s also involved in Etsy selling for the decal brand. Hennes is a woman of color originally from Colombia,
and she said things she appreciates about Ulm and the store are open-mindedness, bravery and a willingness to take risks. She said this is especially true when it comes to merchandise, when some might expect the Zaiser’s of their childhood when they walk through the red door. “He always does high quality in everything he does,” Hennes said during a FaceTime interview. “He don’t half-ass stuff, no. He wants the best. And he’s not happy until he can get the best. If he can’t, he just don’t do it.” Ulm said the diversity of his staff is a key to his success — something he didn’t intentionally plan, but a feature that’s worked to the business’ advantage. He said hearing a wide variety of opinions from a team he trusts to guide him has opened more doors than anything he could have done on his own. “I have very conservative, very liberal, I have openly gay, I have a trans employee. I have all this diversity inside and we look
Six year-round, with more summertime employees.
INTERESTING FACT:
Zaiser’s first opened in 1947, and the Ulm family purchased it 40 years later. Secondgeneration owner Biff Ulm now also runs a company called Minnesota Nice Enough, producing decals and camp mugs. On a big day, Ulm said he can produce upwards of 20,000 decals from the basement of his home.
at each other just based on the work, and like, how we treat each other, and we’ve navigated that so easily so well,” Ulm said. “ … I learn so much from my team, trying things, and we learn from each other. So, I think it’s a real danger — this gets into more of a philosophical side — but the thing that I’ve learned … is that you
put good people in there and you let them go. “If I can bring them success, they will bring me success. So I try to create a successful environment for not only my customers, but for my team.” CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey. perkins@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at twitter.com/ DispatchChelsey.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by Kelly Humphrey
Advertorial
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Labor Day travelers, vacationers and community members can rest assured Pequot Lakes Supervalu has gone above and beyond to ensure their customers’ safety without diminishing their shopping experience. “Customers have always commented on how clean our store is,” Store Manager Corky LeDoux shared. “Maintaining that standard, along with the new state mandates for sanitizing, is what we focus on daily. Our team goes the extra mile to clean, disinfect and take every precaution necessary to keep our customers safe.” Since 2010, Pequot Lakes Supervalu has been striving to bring more to the lake country community’s table by providing the best grocery value in a convenient one-stop venue. “We blend value, service, selection, attention to detail and a hometown feel to serve our customers the best way possible,” LeDoux concluded. “That’s just the Pequot Lakes Supervalu way of doing business.” To learn more about Pequot Supervalu or to view their weekly specials, visit them on the web: https://www.pequotlakessupervalu.com.
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H30 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal Advertorial
Advantage PCA & Senior Care focuses on quality and experience By Sue Sterling
Advantage PCA & Senior Care is a family owned and operated in-home care provider serving 12 counties in north central Minnesota since 2008, located in Baxter. They are licensed, certified, bonded and insured to provide non-medical home care services that are tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. There is no greater responsibility than taking care of your loved one and that’s why Advantage PCA & Senior Care focuses on quality and experience. Once caregivers complete the training requirements, they are also educated on each client’s We truly appreciate individual care the dedication and plan, which allows commitment of our them to provide staff. We all work personalized together to meet support based the needs of our on the personal clients safely and needs and/or professionally diagnosis of each client. Advantage PCA & Senior Care’s Licensed Social Workers and Registered Nurses provide training and supervision to ensure client health, safety and well-being. Hear what Advantage clients have to say: “What a wonderful team you all are! Your care and kindness is so helpful.” – Mary O. “I just want to express my thanks for all you did and continue to do to keep my mom, Janice, safely in her home. Your caregiver, Marie, has been so kind and caring. I would highly recommend Advantage to anyone!” – Laura R. Many of the caregivers and the office staff at Advantage PCA & Senior Care have some level of personal experience with someone in their life needing care, giving them first-hand understanding of what the families of their
clients are experiencing. This year has been a challenging one for everyone and Advantage PCA & Senior Care continues to focus on the health and safety of their caregivers, clients, families and communities in which they live. Caring for others one-to-one is a very rewarding experience. The caregivers at Advantage PCA & Senior Care can provide physical support and peace of mind to their clients and their families by helping them live happier and healthier lives in the comfort of their own homes. They can assist clients with day-to-day tasks such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal prep, fall prevention, dressing, grooming, toileting, bathing, mobility,
transfers and much more. Some clients require assistance with full daily cares and some clients hire Advantage PCA & Senior Care for meal prep, homemaking or companionship. “We are very passionate about our services and the life changing effects they can have on not just the recipient, but the entire family and the communities they live in. Conscientious, compassionate and caring summarizes our commitment to those whose lives we touch. We are so proud of our dedicated caregivers – they are the real heroes for what they do on a daily basis and for the positive difference they make in each client’s life.” – Cindy Urbaniak, Founder/CEO
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PROGRESS EDITION 2020 W E D N E S D AY, S E PT E M B E R 9, 2 0 2 0
80 YEARS OF HISTORY LIVES ON AT CRAGUN’S ON GULL LAKE By Theresa Bourke Staff Writer 1940 marked the second year of World War II, the debut of Disney classics “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia,” the birth of legendary martial artist and actor Chuck Norris, the death of “Great Gatsby” author F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant. The Brainerd lakes area was forever changed that year, too, with the founding of Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake. Merrill Cragun Jr., better known around town as “Dutch,” was 8 years old when his parents Merrill Sr. and Louise started their now famous lakes area resort. Now at 88, Dutch has gone from bait boy to resort owner alongside his wife Irma. He stood by as his parents turned tax-forfeited land into what is now a year-round vacation destination complete with over 200 lodging options, five different dining experiences, three golf courses, more than 400 employees and eight decades of rich history. And Dutch has been around for all of it.
CRAGUNS: Page H38
FISHING GUIDES HAD SLOW START, BUT ARE BACK IN BUSINESS
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Nate Berg's fishing rod bends during a late July fishing trip with his friend Ben Aeiltz on Lake Edward. Berg is a fishing guide in the Brainerd lakes area.
the course of the summer and goes on almost 50 different lakes. It was a fishing opener “It depends on what spethat really never was in Brainerd Guide cies of fish they want to 2020 in the midst of the Service John Blong, Ranger Pro- catch,” Blong said on pickcoronavirus pandemic. Fishing guides in the staff guide of Brainerd ing a lake. “We typically go Brainerd lakes area got a Guide Service, was getting to the lake where we think late start, per Gov. Tim ready July 16 at the Breezy they can have the most Walz’s executive order. Point Marina at the resort action for that species.” Blong, who for the most They were unable to take to take out customers Tim anyone out during the and Kathy Garry. They’ve part guides returning cusfishing opener; and when gone fishing with Blong for tomers, said in January he had about 80 fishing trips guidelines began to lift about 20 years. Blong said he has been on the books and when a bit they were able to have only two people on fishing the lakes since he March came along, he their boats. was about 12 years old. His didn’t even want to answer Things evolved over the parents had a place on Pel- the phone. summer and fishing guides ican Lake. Blong is a math“Every phone call was have been busy. Fishing is ematics teacher at Brainerd somebody canceling,” he an outdoor activity, so peo- High School and he said said. “Then my number of ple may feel more safe out instead of painting houses bookings went down to 40. Steve Kohls/ Brainerd Dispatch on Minnesota waters. in the summer, he would And then basically I talked A few fishing guides take people out fishing. He with the other guides and John Blong (right), Ranger Pro-staff guide of Brainerd Guide Service, talks July 16 at the Breezy Point Marina on the Breezy Point Resort property about the fishing season in the lakes area took a typically takes about 170moment to share how 180 fishing trips during FISHING: Page H34 as his customers Tim and Kathy Garry listen. By Jennifer Kraus Staff Writer
business has changed with the pandemic.
H32 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Advertorial
pineandlakes.com
Thursday, May 23, 2019 • $1.00
Pequot Lakes fire tower repairs planned
Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
Amber Taylor of the University of Minnesota Raptor Center introduces a bald eagle that the center rescued years ago to a crowd at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground in Crosslake on Saturday, May 18.
By Travis Grimler Staff Writer Crosslake earned the honor of becoming the state’s fourth Minnesota Audubon Bird City. The designation, awarded Saturday, May 18, is twofold, said Bird City Program Manager Katie Burns. It’s about recognition for the city, but it’s also about engagement. “It’s something that is designed to help com-munities that are doing great things for the environment and community be recognized for those things and provide a pathway for those communities that are already interested in doing these things to add to that as time goes on,” Burns said. The Bird City program is relatively new to Minnesota, but it is tried and true in Wisconsin. “We had worked with Bird City Wisconsin to learn about their program and had done some piloting with a small number of communities in 2016 and then took what we learned from those pilot cities and made some adjustments,” Burns said.
By Frank Lee Brainerd Dispatch Staff Writer Crow Wing County is seeking bids from contractors to perform repairs and improvements to the historic Pequot Lakes fire tower it bought from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. County commissioners heard at the Tuesday, May 21, committee of the whole meeting from the land services department about the future plans for the planned tourist attraction. “We just sent the (request for proposal) to the State Historic Preservation Office,” said Ryan Simonson, county environmental services supervisor. The 100-foot-tall fire tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and has been on the National Historic Lookout Register since 1993. The tower is on a 40-acre parcel of land, which was also included in last fall’s purchase of the tower for $1. “They have a 30-day review period where they’re going to review all of the improvements that we’re proposing and make sure that our plans fit within all the National Register of Historic Places guidelines,” Simonson said of the preservation office. The fire tower north of County Highway 11 and east of Highway 371 was built in 1934. It was initially closed two years ago due to vandalism and misuse. Windows have repeatedly been broken in the cab with equipment thrown from the top of the tower. “We’re making all these improvements and still keeping that historic integrity,” Simonson said of the project, which will be completed by Sept. 15. The proposed work includes the stairway treads, landings and handrails; the tower legs, cables and antennas; cab floor, walls, ceiling and windows; and tower base. “I think June 7 we’re due to hear back from the State Historic Preservation Office … and then select a contractor in late June hopefully, and they will have plenty of time to make improvements before this fall,” Simonson said as he presented his timeline for the project. Future plans include to work on sign or kiosk design from November to May 2020; install a new restroom facility by June 2020; and purchase 69 acres of nearby private land using Legislative-Citizens Commission for Minnesota Resources funds by August 2020.
Echo Journal switched to Wednesday delivery in 2020 Readers of the weekly Pineandlakes Communications newspapers) online Echo Journal began receiving the by activating a digital membership that weekly newspaper one day in July 2020 comes with your print subscription. when it switched from being a longSimply go to pineandlakes.com/actitimeBIRD Thursday publication to Wednesout the e-edition and those Ellen Germundson performs “Count vate. On Me” withCheck her fellow Nisswa CITY: Page A8 Elementary School fourth graders Friday, May 17, at their graduation program. See more photos on Page A12. day delivery. FIRE TOWER: Page A6 of other Forum Communications newsThe move made sense since it was papers. It’s just like paging through and alwaysMEMORIAL printed on TuesdayDAY nights, SPEAKER reading your printed newspaper, but LED INTERESTING but only the convenience stores and LIFE you won’t get ink on your hands and grocery store copies were available on you can increase the text size among Wednesdays. other features. If you need a little help, This is believed to be a first in the contact our circulation department at history of the Echo Journal, which has 218-855-5897 or email memberserbeen a Thursday publication since the vices@brainerddispatch.com. Lake Country Echo and Pine River The Echo Journal staff, which has Journal merged to become one broadprimarily been working from home sheet newspaper in the fall of 2013. A Veteran Ralph Taylor, sitting on his deck in Crosslake, will be the Memorial Day guest speaker at Swanburg Cemetery. TAYLOR: Pagesince A6 COVID-19 started, continues main reason for the earlier delivery was to focus localfor news coverage. The PR-B School District seeks publicon input strategic plan to coordinate with its sister newspaper, Echo Journal covers the news for the Brainerd Dispatch. The Dispatch dozens of cities in Crow Wing and Cass print editions are now delivered on Counties including Pequot Lakes, Pine Wednesdays and Saturdays. Page A6 River, Breezy Point, PR-B: Backus, Crosslake, The Echo Journal can be read onVolume 6 • Issue 36 Nisswa and Merrifield. The publication line as an e-edition as well. AREA If you’re a • OBITUARIES EVENTS A4 A7 • OPINION A10 • SPORTS B1-B3 • RECIPES B4 also focuses on coverage of the school snowbird who goes somewhere warm districts of Pequot Lakes, Pine Rivand sunny for the winter, you can er-Backus, Brainerd (Nisswa School) still read your Echo Journal (and the Brainerd Dispatch and all other Forum and the Crosslake Charter School.
T
By Travis Grimler Staff Writer
hose attending the Memorial Day service at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Swanburg Cemetery near Crosslake will have the honor of hearing from Ralph Taylor, airman first class with the Navy, sergeant first class in the National Guard and a pioneer in the sunflower industry. Taylor’s career reflected his past. He grew up in the farming community around Olivia, Minnesota, in a family steeped in military tradition. His father and five uncles were all National Guardsmen stationed in Alaska during World War II, though the military gave his father an out upon realizing he had seven children back home. “They said, ‘You’re in a demanding industry of farming,’ and they discharged him back home. He would have liked to have gone, but it would have been a bad
Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal
GREAT GRAD
move,” Taylor said. Taylor said his brother served in WWII, stationed in Pearl Harbor during the attack with the USS South Dakota, one of the ships that was damaged but not destroyed in the 1941 attack. Taylor’s sister was a nurse serving the armed forces in Alaska. Taylor was virtually fated to join up. “When I was 18 I joined the National Guard,” Taylor said. “When I graduated I joined the Navy and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Then I was aboard USS Saipan, an aircraft carrier.” Taylor had many experiences in the service. He remembers experiencing historical events all from the perspective of an aircraft carrier. “We were in the Caribbean about the time Fidel Castro landed there,” Taylor said. “It was kind of an unsettled time. (Fulgencio) Batista was a dictator there and
The Pine River-Backus School District is in the initial stage of developing a strategic plan. The school board is working with the Minnesota School Boards Association to provide guidance and assist with the planning. The school board is seeking input from school district residents and staff to help identify the school district’s strengths and
Castro was coming on and going to save the world.” Taylor was aboard the Saipan on Dec. 24, 1948, when the aircraft carrier took on a XHJS-1 helicopter and three HRP-1 helicopters before taking off for Greenland to assist in the rescue of 11 airmen who crash landed on the ice cap. “We had one of the fastest aircraft carriers in the Navy,” Taylor said. “They put one of those big banana helicopters on there and we steamed as fast as we could go out there.” A C-47 airplane on skis stole their thunder, however, by arriving ahead of them to rescue the airmen. Later, when the Korean War started, Taylor was stationed at the Naval Air Training Command center in Milton, Florida, where they helped pilots get certified to fly.
areas for improvement. School district residents and staff can give the school board feedback by completing a survey or attending a community forum Thursday, June 6. The MSBA will analyze the information gathered from the survey and community forum to help identify school district strategic priorities.
There are four ways to contribute through a district survey: ► Provide input by filling out the online version of the “Pine River-Backus Strategic Planning Survey.” Go to http://bit.ly/PRBPlan2019 before 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, to fill it out. ► Stop by the Pine River-Backus School District Office at 401 Murray Ave. in Pine River to pick up
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Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
Labor Day
a copy and fill it out. Completed surveys should be returned by 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, to the district office at the above address. ► Call Rita Sepin at 218-5878005 to request a survey to be sent to your home, or request the survey via email by contacting dendicott@prbschools.org.
4285 West Lake St. | Pequot Lakes | 218-568-8521 001758930r1
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Brainerd Dispatch Makes Major Change By Pete Mohs, Publisher
There was a major change in the publishing of the Brainerd Dispatch in July of 2020 with the switch from delivering a printed newspaper six days a week to two days per week. It marked the end of a 137-year streak of having a printed daily newspaper in Brainerd. The community still has a newspaper six days a week, but four of those days are exclusively delivered in the digital format of the E-edition. The Dispatch now publishes a midweek print edition each Wednesday and a weekend edition delivered on Saturday. Forum Communications, which owns the Dispatch, also announced a reduction in publication days for other newspapers in Fargo, Duluth, Rochester and Willmar in 2020. Reducing print publishing dates is an industry trend that accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past couple years, the Brainerd Dispatch has been moving to an audience membership program to focus on serving both its print and digital customers. The paid membership package combines the Dispatch printed edition, the E-edition
featuring digital newspaper pages and brainerddispatch.com website access. Readers are encouraged to create a Brainerd Dispatch account and activate the digital account that comes with their print subscription. You can do so by going to brainerddispatch.com/activate. Once activated, members can pull up the e-paper pages in a similar format to the newsprint editions. The Dispatch circulation department will be available to answer questions by calling 218-855-5897 or email memberservices@brainerddispatch.com. The Dispatch has been responsible for covering our area since it was first published in 1881. From the start, the task was to cover local, state and national news for our newspaper readers. The newspaper was a main source of local information and that still continues through a variety of delivery forms. Today, the Dispatch has an annual audience of more than 22 million page views with 2.4 million users while many also read the Dispatch E-edition. We also produce podcasts and have expanded our video coverage with breaking news and weekly features. And we are active in social media like Twitter updates that link our stories to Facebook posts.
THIS WAS THE
Over 130 years and we’ve never missed a publication date. EVER.
1881
First edition: Dec. 22, 1881 (weekly)
1907
1907 Fire destroys original building. Paper moves to South Sixth Street
June 16, 1883, City council votes Brainerd Dispatch as the city’s official newspaper
1883
1920s
Earliest microfilm issue: Vol II No. 33, published on Aug. 2, 1883
First South Sixth Street Home shown in the early 1920s
1968
Second South Sixth Street building Composing room at 215 South Sixth Street office in 1968
1990
Brainerd Daily Dispatch
1996
1990- The Brainerd Dispatch moves to 506 James St.
2001
2010s
Brainerd Dispatch begins engaging socially on the web by creating forums, chat rooms and personals/dating pages
2010s- Brainerd Dispatch gets a Facebook page and a Twitter feed
1996- The Brainerd Dispatch becomes available on the Internet
2020 2020- Brainerd Dispatch switches to 2 days per week print publication. The Dispatch still publishes digital E-edition newspapers six days a week.
Dedicated employees as well as loyal readers and advertisers have kept Brainerd Dispatch the Brainerd community newspaper for over 130 years!
THANK YOU! Happy Labor Day!
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
HOLST ACRES OFFERS FUN FOR ALL AGES
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H33 Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Holst Acres in Staples is a family friendly event center, which hosts parties, laser tag, haunted trails and Santa events at Christmas.
Owners hope to be open for fall fun By Jennifer Kraus Staff Writer STAPLES — Build it and they will come ... for some fun. That was the thought process Derek and Jen Holst had when building Holst Acres in Staples 12 years ago. Holst Acres offers the popular fall family activities, such as a corn maze, hayrides and haunted houses; and also year-round laser tag and an event center for people to rent for birthday or
graduation parties, wedding and baby showers, painting events or anything a person would need space to host. The couple also hosts seasonal events, such as a Santa’s workshop during the holidays. “We started this because we wanted to have something fun for families to do in Staples,” Derek Holst said while standing in front of the barn style event center he built on a sunny mid-July day.
HOLST: Page H36
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Derek and Jen Holst of Staples talk about Holst Acres, a family friendly business they own catering to receptions in their main building, haunted trails during the Halloween season and Santa events at Christmas.
Advertorial
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The Good Samaritan Society makes a difference in our community WRITTEN BY CARISSA ANDREWS That’s not all the Good SamariThe Good Samaritan Society has Through our tan Society offers their employa reputation that precedes them. It’s one deeply entrenched in the mission we are ees, either. Good Samaritan Society has recently rolled out love for offering quality healthdedicated to the Earn to Learn Scholarship care services to the citizens in program. This allows eligible its communities. Since the late sharing God’s students to gain knowledge in 1960s, it has offered senior housing, assisted living apart- love through the the industry and provide opportunity for continued education. ments, skilled nursing care, work of health, The Earn to Learn Scholarship is post-acute care, therapy and made available to the following: rehabilitations services—as well healing and as specialized care for seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s disease ETL candidates are stucomfort. • Eligible and dementia-related health issues. dents who are at least 16. • They must meet all the Good SamariThey continue to be one of the largest tan Society employment standards and employers in the community; employing Minnesota Department of Labor worker roughing 460 individuals from Brainerd standards. to Pine River. The Good Samaritan Society • Along with receiving the entry-level wage is always searching for quality individuals for the specific job the student is hired looking to enter the healthcare and nursfor, an additional 75 cents an hour is put into to their scholarship account, which ing fields. This includes nursing assistants, can grow to a maximum of $1,000. LPNs, RNs, universal workers, as well as • To maintain eligibility in the program, maintenance, dietary, and housekeeping the student must continue employment at departments. least to the day of high school graduation. • Students wishing to work in this program Good Samaritan Society proudly offers and earn scholarship funding can cona generous scholarship up to $12,000 for employees while they are working in Long tinue post-graduation employment up to Term Care and seeking a two-year LPN Labor Day during the year they graduate. degree. They also offer up to $24,000 in scholarship funds for employees seeking All of the Good Samaritan Society locations a four-year RN degree while employed have worked hard to raise the bar when it by the organization. Both require working comes to the care needs of local community 10-16 hours per week while utilizing the residents. The entire Good Samaritan Socischolarship program. In many ways, it’s like ety staff are a team of dedicated individuals on-the-job training and it’s an exceptional who have a common goal in treating resiway for people as young as 16 to gain the dents with love, dignity and respect. Think experience they need, along with their edu- of not just having a job but a profession cation to enter the nursing field. with a mission. To learn more, visit: www.good-sam.com/careers
www.good-sam.com/careers
Progress Edition
H34 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
FISHING From Page H31
said you know all we got to do is just make it through, we can make it through the season, we’ll be fine. And then basically what happened was sometime around the end of May, it just exploded. People were coming out of the woodwork, they couldn’t take your kids to camp, there was no hockey practice, there was no baseball and the only thing that was left to do is go fishing. And so we have been running nonstop, crazy, crazy since we could open on May 18.” Blong said it started out that you could only fish with a family member. Then you could take one or two people on the boat for about a week or so, and now they can take anyone fishing. “It seems like when they come up here they don’t think the COVID virus exists,” Blong said of his customers. “You’ll see 3,000 people standing on a sandbar like they did up at Cross Lake for the Fourth of July. People shaking hands, hugging. It’s totally different from what you see in other areas. People get up here and we’re up in the big open areas and I think people just feel safer, I have no idea. “I don’t make judgments or whatever but it seems like when people get to Little Falls, they just take a deep breath and they’re like ‘Ahhh we got out of the Cities.’ When they get up here it’s just like everybody’s relaxed. So, life is good.” Blong said in the beginning they would wear plastic gloves and masks when they went out fishing, but shortly after they stopped doing that as they were outdoors. Blong loves being a fishing guide with customers like the Garrys, who he has fished with for years. The Garrys have a time-share at the resort so they go out
fishing with Blong a few times each summer. “We always have a great time and always catch a lot of good fish,” Tim Garry said. “John is a pro, I mean he really is. He always takes care of making sure that the boat’s clean and whatever else, you know. “The COVID thing, that’s really kind of a political thing but at the same time, you know you do what you have to do, you sanitize your hands, wear a face mask and whatever else. I sell real estate so we’re real into, you know, making sure light switches are scrubbed down or whatever. My bride here is retired so she does what she has to do. Her parents are 90 years old so she’s really good about, you know, staying away and keeping her distance when she goes grocery shopping.” Kathy Garry of Forest Lake said in their neighborhood people have been staying close to home and have been fairly respectful of other people’s feelings on social distancing and wearing a mask. “So when you’re out you look around you and if there are people that seem to be, consciously, like, ‘Stay away, stay away,’ you just stay away,” she said. “And like I said, when we go out into those more public places like the grocery stores and things, I’ll put out a mask if it makes people feel better.” Blong’s wife, Michelle Blong, said one thing she has noticed with fishing this season is the people are so happy to get out of the house and out on the lake. She said her husband took a woman who was quarantined in her home for a while and was stressed but was finally able to get out to go fishing with her grandson. Michelle Blong said it’s been a particularly fun year, even with COVID, from the perspective that people are so grateful to be outdoors.
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
BUSINESS
Brainerd Guide Service.
CITY
Brainerd lakes area.
NUMBER OF GUIDES Blong is the owner and he works with five other independent guides.
INTERESTING FACT
“We have had clients who started out as an infant on the boat and we have watched them grow up and fished with them as college students to older adults,” Michelle Blong said. “We have clients who call him Uncle John ... and families send us Christmas cards with John in it. We’ve developed amazing relationships.”
Nisswa Guides League
Glen Belgum has been a fishing guide for the Nisswa Guides League for close to 45 years. “We got a really late start ... we couldn’t really work,” Belgum said. “We couldn’t take any clients out til toward the end of May. And then it was only two people in our boat plus the guide, which is fine. I mean, at least we were out working. “And then it was about mid June when we were allowed to take three or four people. It pretty much was back to normal by mid-June. It started out
A SPECIAL
Submitted Photo
Glen Belgum, who has been a fishing guide for the Nisswa Guides League for close to 45 years, caught this nice fish on North Long Lake in June 2015.
slow because everyone was very fearful of it. COVID affected our business like it did a lot of businesses. We certainly aren’t the only ones affected by it.” Belgum said typically, once the walleye opener weekend hits, fishing guides are busy through the end of October. He said July and August are the busiest times of the season as that is when tourists are in the lakes area. Belgum said he may get a few new clients each year, but most of his business is mainly all people who have used his services for years.
“It’s a business that if you’re new to the business of fishing/guiding, you’re not going to have much business just because you don’t have a client base,” Belgum said. “It takes time to develop and build a clientele. ... It takes years and years to do that. “Just about every week is filled with people that I’ve fished with before. I’ve got people I’ve fished with for 38 years in a row, they are very loyal customers. It’s like buying a car, if you like the salesman and they treat you right, you’ll come back. This is a people business and you have to be friendly. You have to be patient. But you have to catch fish. I mean, that’s what people are going to come back for. That’s what people are going to pay you for. They can go out and not catch fish on their own. When they hire you, you better catch fish.”
Belgum, who is one of about 10 fishing guides with the Nisswa Guides League, said they have a core group of lakes they fish between Gull Lake to the Whitefish Chain, including some of the bigger lakes like Pelican, Lake Edward and North Long. Belgum said it depends on the week, the weather and what the client wants on choosing a lake to fish. Belgum said in the beginning masks were mandatory and then people were allowed to make their own decision whether they would wear one or not. People also rode in their own vehicles instead of with the fishing guide to the boat landing to be safer. “When we’re in the boat and fishing, we’re a distance apart from each other,” Belgum said. “Plus
FISHING: Page H37
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Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Progress Edition
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H35
BLACKLINE CONVERSIONS SEEKS A DOZEN EMPLOYEES
By Travis Grimler Echo Journal Staff Writer Blackline Conversions LLC on the north end of Pine River is welcoming approximately a dozen applicants to fill its new facilities and ramp up production fast. The company, which recently expanded to a newly built $1.3 million facility, produces custom interiors for recreational vehicles, horse trailers and fish houses. The locally owned business’ bread and butter may turn out to be its contract in finishing interiors for Yetti Fish Houses. “Currently we have 21 employees,” said owner and General Manager Micah Eveland, a Pine River-Backus High School graduate. “We’re looking to get somewhere in either the low 30s to high 20s.” The business seeks cabinet builders, assembly line carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other professionals to fill the ranks. In part, the need to fill the new 30,000 square feet of
building space is driven by a tax-abatement agreement Blackline has with Cass County, the city of Pine River and the Pine River-Backus School Board. However, Eveland is looking to fill more positions than necessary to help ramp up production. “Everything is booming. We have several hundred orders to fill before the end of the year depending on how fast we can ramp up,” Eveland said. “What employees we get will determine if we can meet those needs. We just have to get them in here, get them trained and get them producing.” The new shops are already full of Yetti trailers. The tax-abatement agreement also had requirements for pay rates and benefits. Eveland said his positions have full benefits with short- or longterm disability and competitive pay. “I think that’s something this area needs,” Eveland said.
Eveland’s company began operation out of Backus before construction began on the new facilities in November 2019. The building was finished in February. The shops have space for work on 10 trailers at a time, which is approximately four times the capacity of the Backus location. Blackline Conversions also contracts with Featherlite and Elite Horse Trailers. For these companies, or custom orders, the staff at Blackline Conversions installs special interior finish, upholstery, unique cabinetry and custom layouts. Eveland first moved onto the lot north of Pine River in 2019 using existing buildings there. It wasn’t long before he was seeking to expand both the space and the workforce. It was only later in the same year that Eveland sought a tax abatement with Cass County, Pine River and the Pine River-Backus School District.
The abatement allows Blackline Conversions to more easily afford the cost of the expansion through temporary property tax relief for five years, with the business’s tax capacity increasing over time. For the first two years, Blackline Conversions will be refunded 100% of its new property taxes since expansion. In year three, the reimbursement will be 75%, with 50% in year four and 25% in year five. In year six, 2026, the abatement will cease, and the city will collect and retain the full tax the Blackline LLC expansion generates. Taxing authorities readily agreed to the abatement, believing a manufacturing facility such as this would be good for the economy, but there were stipulations. Blackline Conversions must employ 25 workers within 24 months and pay these positions at least $15 per hour. The conditions of the agreement will be tracked through an annual job wage summary submitted to the city.
Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
Micah Eveland owns Blackline Conversions and recently built a new facility just north of Pine River.
BUSINESS
Blackline Conversions.
CITY
Pine River.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
21 as of mid-August.
INTERESTING FACT:
Owner Micah Eveland is part of the same Eveland family that owns the Scamp Trailer Co. in Backus. Before acquiring shop space in Pine River, some of Blackline Conversions’ work was done at the Scamp facility.
Travis Grimler may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@ pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www. twitter.com/@PEJ_Travis.
Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
(Clockwise, from top left) Tom Jackson, Mike Roundhag and Trevor Balbach work in the new Blackline Conversions facilities. Nick Griffith hangs a door inside of a Yetti trailer at Blackline Conversions. The inside of the new Blackline Conversions shop is spacious, but once the work force is fully staffed, it will likely be more bustling.
H36 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
A special course is set up at Holst Acres for laser tag. Participants can play laser tag while other family friendly activities are being hosted at the event center.
HOLST From Page H33
Holst’s primary job is owner of a construction company called D.H.C of the Lakes Area. “The first few years it was a little more family oriented,” Holst said of the hayrides and haunted houses. “But as time went on, people who came wanted us to get more serious about it and make it more scary. So then it was more teenager friendly. We didn’t really have anything for families so then later on we added the laser tag and the corn maze for families to do for fun.” The Holsts have about 12 acres of land and have a few haunted houses and hayrides located in the woods for people to go through. It takes a person less than an hour to walk through. The Holsts said attendance over the years have gone up and down, with the lowest about 500-600 people to a high of 1,200 people for a season. Derek Holst said he likes to find out where customers are from and he said most are from within a 60 mile
radius, though not a lot of local people. Holst said he thinks the reason why the local people don’t come is because they think the corn mazes and haunted houses are the same every year. However, they change it up every year to make it more interesting. “There are some things that are almost impossible to change, but we do change it every year,” Derek Holst said. “The haunted houses are more geared for the teenagers and up because it gets pretty scary. But the corn mazes are geared for the younger kids and the laser tag is for all ages.” Laser tag — a recreational sport using infrared-emitting light guns to tag designation targets — is offered at the Holsts and the arena is located in the building that holds the event center. The arena consists of two levels with string lights all around, disco lights and music. Each game includes two teams of 10-12 people and is recommended for ages 6 and up. Holst Acres, like other entertainment businesses, had to shut its doors during the pandemic and
the Holsts are hoping to be able to open in the fall, which is their busy time. During an interview in mid-July, rules and regulations were still up in the air, but they were able to rent out their event center for people to use while practicing social distancing and using of masks. The event center is equipped with a large overhead door to allow people to ease between indoors and outdoor use. “We’ve never had set hours, it is by appointment or by reservations,” Derek Holst said. “People can give us a call to set up their reservations.” The Holsts said if the state allows them to open their business fully this fall, they will be open minus the corn maze. “I didn’t plant corn this year, just planted sweet corn this year to sell,” Derek Holst said. “There is a lot of time and effort that goes into that corn maze, and I was just afraid that (the corn maze) wasn’t gonna happen and I hated to stick thousands of dollars into that corn maze. It’s not so much putting in the corn. It’s the time I put into cutting the maze and then you got to main-
tain the maze and it’s just constant.” The Holsts have a different maze design each year — it was shaped like a carved pumpkin in 2018. The Holsts have about 50 volunteers to help put together the haunted houses — people who are good at creating a scary experience for people. The Holsts may host a fall festival at the property, depending on the COVID guidelines. “Even if we’re not in a shutdown, people are still kind of skeptical about doing anything,” Derek Holst said. The Holsts have another building next to the event center that will allow customers more freedom to social distance themselves when lines begin to get long for the haunted houses or hayrides. The building will include tables and snacks for people to enjoy. JENNIFER KRAUS may be reached at jennifer.kraus@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5851. Follow me at www. twitter.com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by Steve Kohls
We started this because we wanted to have something fun for families to do in Staples. - Derek Holst Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
A special party room at Holst Acres in Staples can be used to host parties and receptions.
BUSINESS Holst Acres.
CITY
28943 Todd Line Road, Staples.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Derek and Jen Holst.
INTERESTING FACT:
“I wouldn’t say this is an interesting fact, but I have learned people don’t plan that far ahead. Maybe about two weeks and that’s it. And some are shorter like a day,” Derek Holst said.
Progress Edition
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
FISHING From Page H34
you’re out in the fresh air. I think people felt pretty comfortable, you know, in spite of the COVID fear right now. I mean, being outside in a boat in fresh air where you are a distance apart from each other, people feel pretty good about that. I mean, we have had nobody complain about (saying)... ‘I don’t think I should go fishing because COVID is gonna get me’ or anything like that. I mean, we just haven’t had issues like that. We tell people if you feel more comfortable wearing a mask then do it, but to be honest, we haven’t had too many people that wear masks out fishing.” Belgum said most people from the Twin Cities tell him that it feels like “normal living” in the Brainerd lakes area, a more relaxed feeling. “They’re telling us that they like the open air up here,” Belgum said. “They like the idea of doing outdoor activities, and I think they feel pretty secure and pretty safe. And you know, whether that’s going fishing, golfing or going out to eat. I think when people go inside, like to eat, a lot of people still like to wear the masks as COVID is still on everyone’s mind. It’s not so much on everyone’s mind when they’re out fishing to be honest with you. It really isn’t that big of a deal to people right now, at least when they are on the water fishing ... then I think they feel very safe, very secure.”
Nate Berg Fishing Guides
Nate Berg, who grew up in Wisconsin, has been a fishing guide for about 17 years. Berg started his own fishing guide business about six years ago based on the premise of raising funds through the guide business to donate to charities in the form of fishing trips. Berg said most of the charity work he does is for youth, such as the Minnesota Chapter of the Outdoor Adventure Foundation, which provides outdoor adventures to children and young adults with life-threatening illnesses as well as combat disabled veterans. He also works with the Wounded Warrior Project and Hometown Hero Outdoors, where he takes law enforcement officers, military service members and veterans out fishing to help them heal and to make them smile all while enjoying the outdoors. This year, they did 22 donated trips, down from previous years. Fishing trips have been down this season because of the coronavirus. “I feel very, very bad for the guides who are full time,” Berg said of the fishing guide season. Berg said most fishing guides have a main source of income and then being a fishing guide is more like a secondary job. Berg’s main job is as a videographer, filming fishing and hunting shows for Jason Mitchell Outdoors. “I know what it’s costing us and we’re not full time,” Berg said. “We do probably 40 and 80 trips a year, depending on the year. And we’re down over half. And the guys that are full time that require this as their main income and their only income, I can’t imagine how bad they’re struggling. I feel so bad for them. ... I have other fishing guides who work with me and I’ve actually sent a lot of people to the fulltime guides, just because they need the help and it’s the right thing to do. “We’ve been hit really hard here in Brainerd. It’s amazing to see a lot of the fishing guides that are full time, you’ll catch them out on the water and they’re fishing together ... and it’s a weekday. They should have clients, you know, and it’s pretty sad. But (as of July 16) it’s picked up quite a bit here in the last month, but boy it was pretty dry in
May and June, and I was like, I hope they all can make it. It’s scary. “So this year, we’ve been down just like everybody else. ... In fact, the very first weekend that they shut down, it cost me a 15-person corporate trip for ice fishing and a 10-person family trip the next day. I mean that was almost $4,000 gone right there. It’s tough to rebound from that, but you just got to, you know that at the end of the day there’s a lot of people worse off than us. We’re at least getting business now. There’s a lot of people that are still laid off and it’s scary.” Berg believes the pandemic will lead to a huge increase in the fishing industry, as they are seeing more people on the lakes fishing. Berg, who also does the fishing reports for Visit Brainerd, was fishing July 16 on Lake Edward with his friend Ben Aeiltz of Lake Shore, who he met first as a client he took fishing. Aeiltz, who moved to the lakes area two years ago, said he wanted to learn how to fish Gull Lake and other lakes in the area. Aeiltz enjoys fishing and said he would like to take people out fishing, like Berg, but he noted he has no patience. “It takes a lot of patience to do what he does,” Aeiltz said. “You really have to watch what your clients are doing as it could be the first
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H37
time they have a fishing pole in their hands.” After a few fishing trips, the two became friends.
Cindy Gibbs
Cindy Gibbs does not run a fishing guide business, but volunteers for charitable fishing events for organizations such as Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, Confidence Learning Center and Wounded Warrior Fishing. The tournaments were either canceled or went virtual because of the pandemic, so things have been slow for her. “It’s sad for those kids, they are just bummed they can’t get out to fish,” Gibbs said of the campers at Camp Confidence. “Virtual fishing tournaments have opened up where people can fish anywhere in the state. They measure the fish, take photos and send it in.” Gibbs said spring was tough for fishing guides and others in the fishing industry with the stay-athome order. Gibbs said the weather pattern this past spring also was poor and the fish were not biting. Gibbs said she and her husband, J.R. “Coop” Cooper, who has been a fishing guide all his life, would go fishing on their own as everyone was staying at home. Cooper was inducted into the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame in March 2019. As social distancing guidelines were lifted (and the
BUSINESS
Nisswa Guides League.
CITY
Nisswa.
NUMBER OF GUIDES 10.
INTERESTING FACT
“Our group of guides is the oldest fishing guide group in the state of Minnesota. You know, Marv Koep started this whole thing out of Nisswa Bait and Tackle in 1961. And, you know, Al Lindner, Ron Lindner and all of those guys started our group. We have just continued our group of guides. We’ve taken over 50,000 professional guided trips, you know, and that’s a lot of fishing trips. “The first question most people always ask me, if I have a new trip with them is ‘How many years have you been doing this?’ And they’re not being mean about it. They want to know that they’ve got someone that they can trust, that has experience that can go find fish, and I say I’ve done this for over four decades.” Also of note is the Nisswa Guides League works alongside S&W Bait and Tackle.
FISHING: Page H39 Advertorial
Lakes Area Powersports: For all of your powersports needs and beyond By Nicole Stracek
Lakes Area Powersports is a family owned business located in the heart of the beautiful Leech Lake area. Situated just north of Walker on Highway 371, Lakes Area Powersports is Minnesota’s premier all season powersports dealership. With a mission to provide exceptional products through exceptional service, owners Mary Jo and Doug Wolter, alongside their team, strive to exceed customers’ expectations. With a personal passion for powersports and customer service, the team at Lakes Area Powersports takes pride in listening to customers’ needs to help find the products that are right for them. Whether you are a summer enthusiast or a snow fanatic, Lakes Area Powersports offers products and services from sought-after brands such as Polaris, Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Can-Am and Manitou, as well as a wide array of parts, accessories, oil and clothing. Lakes Area Powersports carries a full line of Polaris ATVs, side by sides and snowmobiles; Can Am ATVs and side by sides; Sea-Doo watercrafts; Ski-Doo snowmobiles; and Manitou pontoons. In addition, they have lawn and garden equipment from Toro and STIHL. For your lakeside needs, Lakes Area Powersports carries FLOE docks and lifts. If you are looking for a trailer, they carry brands from FLOE, Triton, Trophy and Karavan. Their full-service shop is staffed with three extremely skilled full-time technicians to take care of all your service needs. As a locally owned business, the community and customers they serve take center stage. “I think one of the things that truly sets us apart is that not only do we pride ourselves on building individual relationships with our customers, we believe in the products we sell to them. From sales to service, our entire dealership team rides the products we sell - whether it’s on the snow, water or dirt. We’ve
found in traveling to dealer shows across the country and meeting with various staff throughout those dealerships, that’s not always the case. We are totally unique in that respect. Our team doesn’t view it is a job; we view it as a lifestyle.” For all your powersports needs and beyond, visit Lakes Area Powersports in person, visit their website at www.lakesareapowersports.com or call 218-547-1558.
Thank you to our dedicated employees for all their hard work throughout the year and to our friends and customers for their business!
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Check us out on Facebook at Lakes Area Powersports and on Instagram @lakes_area_powersports STIHL KLIM 509 TROPHY-TRITON
218-547-1558 | www.lakesareapowersports.com
H38 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
CRAGUNS From Page H31
He recalls being in charge of minnows, worms and frogs in the bait shop at ages 9-10. He remembers what used to be a short summer-only resort season of nine weeks from about mid-June to just before Labor Day. His home office is a testament to all the traveling the Craguns did in the winter months when there was no resort to run. “Nothing happened on Memorial Day,” he said. “Some fishing, but no families. Absolutely too far from the Twin Cities.” But there is one unusual Memorial Day weekend that still sticks out in his memory. Dutch was college-aged and had been tasked with painting the floor in the main lodge in anticipation of guests in the coming weeks. But to his surprise a gentleman pulled up in a car and asked if they had a room available. A flustered Dutch eagerly said they did — though didn’t let slip the resort was completely vacant — and offered the man accommodations at $50 for the weekend. After having painted himself out the front door of the lodge, it soon dawned on young Dutch he would have to traipse back through his freshly painted floor, leaving sloppy footprints along the way, to get the guest’s key. Then he had to do it again upon remembering the papers for the gentleman to sign. Dutch remembers when the resort began making an appeal to snowmobilers and other winter visitors but didn’t have winterized cabins or a circulating pump to keep the water from freezing. He recalls the first year of golf at the resort, when hot dogs and hamburgers were sold out of a tent before the clubhouse existed. And he’ll never forget his round of golf with former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura. The 20-year-old newspaper article is framed in his home office. He remembers when the resort began recruiting college students as summer employees, and later international students when summer internships became more prevalent, pushing many kids in another direction. He can still picture the original outdoor pool and recalls an instance long ago when former Brainerd Mayor Ed Tom O’Brien hosted an auction at the pool to raise money to enclose the facility but was taken by surprise when a sudden storm surged through, bringing dark
skies, pouring rain and a power outage. “So here’s Ed Tom, the mayor, conducting an auction in the dark. And he got it up to $5,000,” Dutch said.
21st century resort
Much has changed since those early days, as Cragun’s adapts to the world around it to stay on top of its game. Today the resort is in the midst of a $20 million expansion and remodel project started back in 2015. Lobby areas, hotel rooms, cabins, golf courses and the marina have all seen upgraded facilities and amenities. Visitors can now rent brand new pontoons, speedboats, Jet Skis, stand-up paddleboards, row boats, canoes and bicycles to enhance their outdoor experience. This new equipment appears to have come at just the right time, as Nancy Krasean, who works in marketing, said this year has been “insane” for rentals. Seeing two available pontoons at the dock on a warm sunny afternoon Thursday, July 23, was abnormal, she said. After the coronavirus lockdown earlier this spring, everyone seems to want to be outside on the lake. Inside, the resort’s hotelstyle rooms are undergoing renovations, with new electric fireplaces, carpeting, sliding glass doors and overall layouts. What hasn’t changed, though, is the lake view present from every room, except for those poolside. “People will say, ‘Oh, the halls, you walk forever,’” Krasean said. “Well, it was built that way so every room has a view of the lake.” And except for those on the golf courses, so do 90% of the cabins. There are 65 in total, and 21 with at least four bedrooms, conducive for large groups. “Our cabins have been extremely popular,” General Manager Eric Petereson said. “And this year especially, with people wanting to be able to spend time together with their family and maybe just do more of the activities on their own away from the other guests.” Peterson feels Cragun’s multitude of large cabins set the resort apart from others in the area, as do the 205 hotelstyle rooms, which he said are especially condu-
Progress Edition cive to corporate business clients who are in town for conferences. “That’s a great differentiator for us,” he said, noting business conferences used to be the resort’s bread and butter. From about the late 1990s up until roughly 2008, Peterson said a vast majority of Cragun’s business was hosting corporate conferences and events. But the resort’s clientele — just like most other areas of the business — has changed over time. “We’ve evolved and been able to kind of change and grow the family and the social business, as well as our golf business,” he said. Cragun’s is no longer quite as reliant on corporate customers as it used to be, which Peterson thanks his lucky stars for this year, as business
conferences have essentially vanished during the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s important to diversify and have a variety of guests,” he said. “But again, we’re still a lake-focused, family-oriented resort.” And families wanting a weekend getaway have been plentiful. At the end of July, Krasean said the resort was running near 100% occupancy every weekend. “As soon as the pools were opened, you couldn’t answer the phones fast enough,” she said. Gov. Tim Walz’s stayat-home order restricted non-essential travel and closed non-essential businesses March 27. Some businesses began opening back up May 18, but public pools could
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Submitted Photo
Shown with Cragun's staff are Merrill Cragun Sr. (left), his dad Virgil Cragun, and Louise Cragun (right). not open until June 10. That date marked a sharp upward tick in Cragun’s guests. “As soon as they found out they could get out of town, they got out of town,” Krasean said. Cabins were ready for visitors, including new builds like the Bayview Villas. Complete with seven bedrooms and six bath-
rooms, the cabins are especially popular with golf groups and large families, Krasean said. Three floors of living space provide separation for those who want privacy but also include a pool table and plenty of communal spaces to bring groups together. And of course there’s the clear view of Gull Lake, where the resort’s yacht, the North Star, can be seen cruising the lake with guests from May through October.
Golfing at Cragun’s
Golfing groups have other housing options closer to their destination as well. Large 6-10 bedroom houses sleeping up to 24 people sit near the golf courses and feature game rooms, big screen TVs and firepits. Though guests may not be able to see Gull Lake from these lodgings, they can certainly look out onto another pride of resort’s — the golf courses. Golfers have three courses to choose from at Cragun’s — Dutch’s Legacy, Bobby’s Legacy and Reversible 9. Bobby’s Legacy carries the name of Robert Trent Jones Jr., the architect behind both
CRAGUNS: Page H40
Submitted photo
Dutch and Irma Cragun pose with Paul Bunyan at the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center.
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FISHING From Page H37
state stay-at-home order was lifted) they began taking a few close friends out fishing on their own. They did not do anything tournament related primarily because of safety reasons for themselves and others. They hope to do some fishing tournaments this fall or winter. “I have been in contact with fishing guides and it has been hard with social distancing,” Gibbs said in a July 16 interview. “In the beginning, you could only take one or two persons out and ... then you have to help with netting the fish and that is hard to keep that social distance. I think there was a lot of mix up on what you could do and what you couldn’t do it (with fishing). It was never really clear when it should have been clear on what the guidelines were.” Gibbs said she volunteers to take people out fishing who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to get out. “I promote being a good steward of the fishing industry, and helping others enjoy learning about our fisheries here in the Brainerd lakes area,” Gibbs said. “Knowledge from boat safety, understanding water is a powerful force of nature, to be respectful, knowing why some weeds are good for fish, how to use the right tools for fishing and how to have fun finding the fish. “I was once told that the days you don’t catch fish is a day you have gained valuable knowledge. So this is really what I try to do when I am out with a group of children, students or adults.”
Visit Brainerd
Mary Devine Johnson, executive director of Visit Brainerd, said most people go directly to the hotels they are staying at, which have all the tourism information they will need. Visit Brainerd is the official destination marketing organization and visitor’s bureau for the cities of Baxter and Brainerd. Johnson said people are vacationing this summer during the coronavirus pandemic, and taking trips closer to home. People are making reservations at the hotel for the same day of their inquiry or the next day. “People are kind of making some of those last minute decisions to come,” Johnson said. “They’re just ready to get out or something freed up with their schedules. As far as people doing fishing activities and that kind of thing, typically those folks are at the resorts. However, we have had hotels report that they are seeing more boats than ever before because they think the rates are competitive. People are just getting out of wherever they were for a couple of days to come up and go and do outdoor activities, a lot of biking activity, people that are doing kayaking, that’s what we’re seeing on top of cars and trailers at the hotels right now.” Johnson said once the water parks and pools opened, it was a game changer for the local hotels, because they all of a sudden started to see their reservations go up. People stay at the hotels and are able to do any of the area attractions in the lakes area, all while practicing social distancing. “We have just a lot of natural social distancing activities here, with biking and fishing and golf-
ing and other activities in the area.” Johnson said Visit Brainerd is seeing a lot of people from out of town vacationing in the lakes area. People are driving between two to three hours to their destination. A couple from Fargo, North Dakota, were on their honeymoon and visited the office checking out the attractions. The couple stated they canceled their bigger trip because of the pandemic, but chose to stay at a cabin in the lakes area. Another couple from Rochester canceled their flight and were traveling in the lakes area to go camping in their recreational vehicle. “As a whole, about a third of the people are ready to go, another third are in the middle and a third of the people won’t travel until there is a vaccination or until the virus is more contained,” Johnson said of people going on vacations. “This is pretty typical across the state and nation right now.” Visit Brainerd, a nonprofit corporation, is committed to promoting Brainerd and Baxter as a leisure, business and convention travel destination, and as the economic center of the Brainerd micropolitan area, according to its website. One thing that has been interesting this summer, Johnson said, has been the number of people coming into Visit Brainerd asking about relocation information.
U.S. Travel impact
Since the beginning of March, the coronavirus
Nate Berg Fishing Guides. Brainerd lakes area.
NUMBER OF GUIDES
He is the owner and works with a few fishing guides.
INTERESTING FACT
“When I was 9 my brother bet me that I couldn’t fish every single day. during summer vacation. Well I did for 46 straight days. The next year, in March, it was 1988, we had a really bad drought year and it was a hot spring, we didn’t have any snow and all the ice was gone. He bet me that I couldn’t beat 46 days. So, March 27, 1988, was the first day I went fishing and the last day that I fished was Sept. 9, 1991 — for 1,261 straight days. ... My older brother wanted time to spend with his girlfriend. “Some guy decided to become my ‘quote, unquote’ agent and started pushing my story to different magazines, newspapers to some of the local TV shows and I ended up on what was called ‘Lucky 13,’ it was out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I used to watch it ... and I ended up on his show at 121 days. Well, it kept on going and this guy kept on pushing me. I still don’t know who this guy is to this day. He stayed anonymous, which is sad. I wish I’d known.” Berg said during those days several media outlets did a story on him, including NBC Nightly News, ESPN and People Magazine. “This is kind of how I got into this industry,” he said.
pandemic has resulted in $297 billion in losses for the U.S. travel economy, according to the U.S. Travel Association by Tourism Economics. As of July 18, the travel association stated the U.S. is on pace for more than $51 billion in travel spending losses. The continual depressed levels of travel spending produced a loss of $38 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue since March. This includes $23.6 billion in federal taxes, $8.7 billion in state taxes and $5.7 billion in local tax revenue. In Minnesota alone, people spent the below amounts on travel spending. The amounts are in the
millions and were reported weekly at the end of each week: ► $112 million was spent by week ending May 30 ► $123 million, June 6 ► $127 million, June 13 ► $128 million, June 20 ► $145 million, June 27 ► $193 million, July 4 ► $154 million, July 11 ► $151 million, July 18 ► $160 million, July 25 ► $161 million, Aug. 1 The latest forecast prepared for the travel association projects visitation and travel spending both domestic and international. ► Through the end of 2020, the report estimates $505 billion in losses for the travel industry for a total of $81 billion
in lost federal, state and local taxes by the end of 2020. The travel industry is not expected to recover until 2024. ► The three recovery initiatives would generate an estimated $71 billion for the travel industry by the end of 2021, delivering $163 billion in economic output and restoring nearly 800,000 jobs. JENNIFER KRAUS may be reached at jennifer.kraus@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5851. Follow me at www. twitter.com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by Steve Kohls
BY THE NUMBERS (2019): $1.1 TRILLION
Total domestic and international inbound traveler spending in the U.S. which generated a total of $2.6 trillion in economic output.
15.8 MILLION
Jobs supported by travel expenditures, includes $9 million directly in the travel industry and $6.8 million in other industries.
1 OUT OF 10
U.S. jobs that depend on travel and tourism.
NO. 7
Where travel ranks in terms of employment compared to other major private industry sectors.
2.3 BILLION
Number of person trips Americans took for business and leisure purposes.
Travel is among the top 10 industries in 49 states and Wages shared by American Washington, D.C. in terms of workers directly employed by employment. travel. Direct spending by resident $179.7 BILLION and international travelers in the U.S. averaged $3.1 billion Tax revenue generated by a day, $128.6 million an hour, travel spending for federal, state and local governments. $2.1 million a minute and $35,700 a second.
$277.4 BILLION
2.9%
BUSINESS: CITY
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 H39
Submitted Photo
Percentage of nation’s gross domestic product attributed to travel and tourism.
(SOURCE: U.S. Travel Association by Tourism Economics: https://tinyurl.com/y5makx9e)
Cindy Gibbs, who does not run a fishing guide business but volunteers for charitable fishing events, holds up a nice northern.
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Progress Edition
H40 Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Brainerd Dispatch and PineandLakes Echo Journal
Submitted Photo
This aerial photo shows Cragun's Resort on Steamboat Bay on the south shore of Gull Lake.
CRAGUNS From Page H38
Legacy courses. Jones’ father, Robert Trent Jones Sr., was a famous golf course architect who designed and redesigned more than 500 golf courses throughout the world. Once Dutch — who took over as general manager in 1957 — and his crew landed on Jones Jr. as the designer in 1997, Chuck Klecatsky came on board as the head professional hired to introduce golf to the resort. He remains on staff today as the golf manager. Klecatsky recalls the dawn of destination golf courses in the Brainerd lakes area. The Pines at Grand View Lodge was the first to open in 1990, followed by the Classic at Madden’s, Deacon’s Lodge at Breezy Point and finally the courses at Cragun’s. With so many other golf courses in the area, Klecatsky said it’s Cragun’s two championship courses and one nine-hole par 3 course operating out of the same clubhouse that set the resort apart from competitors. “It gives us a lot of flexibility to take care of a lot of different customers,”
he said. “... We’ve got our resort guests that come up and stay with us playing with us. We’ve got local members, and we’ve also got the general public. So those are three different customer bases that we’re able to take care of. That’s kind of the unique part is a lot of the other resorts have multiple golf courses, but they’re not out of one clubhouse.” The clubhouse turns into a community of sorts, Klecatsky said, with groups coming back year after year for the last two decades. “And that’s all of Cragun’s,” he said. “Making friends with everyone year after year. So that’s really neat.” New visitors were scheduled to hit the Cragun’s links this summer with the inaugural CRMC Tournament to be the first event of the Mackenzie Tour PGA Canada Tour played outside of Canada. Dutch’s Legacy was primed to be the host. But the coronavirus pandemic, the event was put off until 2021. But either way, it’s an honor for the resort. “It’s very exciting to be the first event south of the border,” Klecatsky said, adding he hopes the event will help spread the word of
Brainerd as a tourist destination and help promote all sorts of recreational activities in the lakes area along with golf. After all, the greens at Cragun’s aren’t just golf courses. They’re, well, legacies. “Dutch and Irma named it the Legacy for a reason. They were so generous to protect that piece of land and turn it into golf courses instead of just making it into commercial real estate,” Klecatsky said, noting the property, with its recreational preservation, will live on as a legacy long after the founders are gone.
Secret to success
While Peterson credits the diversity of Cragun’s offerings as a large part of the resort’s popularity, Dutch will say the secret to his success is the woman who stood by his side throughout it all. As a nurse from British Columbia, Canada, Irma’s adaptability and flexibility, Dutch said, proved crucial to the resort after the couple married in 1965. The restaurant, Irma’s Kitchen, is a testament to her long-standing contributions. “Irma was a nurse, but she took over that kitchen
and organized everything,” Dutch said. “And from the dining room, (she) took over everything. I mean, she was doing all the finances and stuff. And she was managing the resort.” Now Irma’s Kitchen joins four other dining spots at the resort — Bear Trap Lounge, Lakeside Dining Room, Legacy Bar & Grille and Cabana Cafe — catering to a variety of palates, just like the resort itself.
Looking to the future
Cragun’s Resort has undoubtedly come a long way from the time when Merrill Sr.’s college buddy Jack Madden nudged him into the resort business, and when college-aged Dutch was focused on capers at the University of Minnesota with fraternity brother Jack Ruttger. The founders kept up good relationships with their fellow lakes area resort owners, but did their best to differentiate themselves. And those efforts continue today, as the remodel project progresses and will only pave the way for more upgrades in the future to keep guests coming back. “We have to keep going. That’s just the way the industry is,” Peterson said. “... I think the Brainerd lakes area is still an under-
appreciated area as a rule for vacationing, but I think it just continues to evolve and change.”
Gallery & Video BD Photo brainerddispatch.com Video by Kelly Humphrey
THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch. com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ DispatchTheresa.
BUSINESS
Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake.
CITY
East Gull Lake.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES More than 400.
INTERESTING FACT:
Except for poolside hotel rooms and golf course cabins, all lodging accommodations have a view of Gull Lake.
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