May/June Summer Scene 2024

A PUBLICATION OF THE PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE

Visitors to the Heartland Lakes area soon learn it’s the land of 10,000 things to do. To find out the latest local news and upcoming events, turn to the Park Rapids Enterprise, an award-winning newspaper published every Wednesday and Saturday. We offer year-round subscriptions for Minnesotans and out-of-state visitors. For more information, call 218-732-3364. Our office is located at 1011 1st. St. E., Suite 6, Park Rapids, Minn. You can find us online at www.parkrapidsenterprise.com, Instagram or our Facebook page.

Land of 10,000 THINGS TO DO

MAY

2: Nemeth Art Center opens with E.V. Day and Emma Beatrez exhibit

3 & 5: Park Rapids Classic Chorale Concerts

12: Park Rapids Area Community Band Concert at the Area High School Auditorium

18: Sculpture Trail opens, Park Rapids

JUNE

9: Nevis Sites ‘N Bites

13: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

15: Author Fest at American Legion

20: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

22: Dorset Boardwalk Art Fest

27: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

28-30: Akeley 75th annual Paul Bunyan Days

29: Water Ski Show, Halvorson Beach, Nevis

28: Sounds of Spirit Lake, Menahga

JULY

3: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

3-6: Headwaters ProRodeo and Xtreme Bulls Competition, Park Rapids

4: Fourth of July parade, Park Rapids

4: Community Band pre-fireworks concert

4: Rotary Fourth of July fireworks

5-6: Laporte Independence Days

5: Sounds of Spirit Lake, Menahga city beach

11: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

12: Sounds of Spirit Lake, Menahga city beach

12-14: Menahga Midsummer Celebration

13: Water Ski Show, Halvorson Beach, Nevis

13: Bands and BBQ, Nevis

16-21: Hubbard County Fair, Shell Prairie Agricultural Association

18: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

19: Sounds of Spirit Lake, Menahga city beach

19-20: Nevis Muskie Days

25: Crazy Days, P ark Rapids

25: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

26: Sounds of Spirit Lake, Menahga city beach

26-28: Lake George Blueberry Festival

26-Aug. 3: Northern Light Opera Company, “Chicago”

AUGUST

1: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

3: Water Ski Show, Halvorson Beach, Nevis

3-4: Antique Tractor & Engine Club Field Days

4: Taste of Dorset

8: Water Wars on Main Avenue

8: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

8: Backyard BBQ Challenge, Park Rapids

10: Northern Knights Run to the Rapids classic car show

10: Northwoods Triathlon, Nevis

15: 2nd Street Stage, Park Rapids

Welcome to the beautiful northwoods

The Heartland Lakes Area teems with the sights and sounds of the great Minnesota northwoods.

Enjoy our towns and its people while surrounded by pristine lakes and tall pine forests.

This region offers a variety of opportunities – from scenic retreats and outdoor sports to rich cultural experiences, shopping, dining and entertainment.

Jump into the water for swimming, tubing, water skiing or fishing.

Bike the famous Heartland Trail for a day of historic sights and healthy recreation.

Explore the scenic North Country Trail.

Play a game of disc golf, tennis or softball or have a picnic at one of the city or county parks. Golfers needn’t go far to find top-rated courses within a short

drive in any direction.

With more than 400 lakes, thousands of miles of trails and a wildlife refuge, the Heartland Lakes area is also a gateway to Itasca State Park, home of the Mississippi River headwaters.

Local art galleries and museums celebrate the history and artistic talent of our communities.

Park Rapids and surrounding towns host many summer festivals with parades, music, kids games and more.

From life on the lakes to exercise on the trails, shopping the unique stores or just kicking back with a good book beneath the Norway pines, the Heartland Lakes Area offers it all.

Flip through this issue of Summer Scene and you’ll find what you are looking for in lake and pine country. We just know that you’ll enjoy your stay.

▲ Itasca State Park bike trail (Enterprise file photo)

Hubbard County

FAIR

Carnival open at 12pm Bloodmobile 8am-12noon (or when completed) No grandstand events Carnival open at 12pm

10 FUN THINGS

1. Grab grub at Nevis Sites N’ Bites

Nevis will host this year’s Sites N’ Bites on Sunday, June 9. The event showcases food from local restaurants along with work by local artists and crafters. Stop by the Nevis Chamber building and food shelf booth to purchase a Sites ‘n Bites Passport for $5 or five food shelf items. Get the passport stamped at locations on the card to be entered in a drawing for gift certificates to local businesses.

2. Admire creativity at Dorset festival

Dorset’s annual Boardwalk Art Festival celebrates Minnesota creativity. This family-friendly

outdoor event takes place along the popular boardwalk, which is lined with artists, craftspeople and authors. Join the street fair on Saturday, June 22.

3. Get your pic with Paul

Akeley’s 75th annual Paul Bunyan Days festival is planned for the weekend of Friday through Sunday, June 28-30. Most festival events will take place at Paul’s Patio in the center of town. The festival features a kids’ fishing contest, a parade, bands, dances and more. Go to akeleychamber.com for more information.

4. Rock out on Main Street

Bring a lawn chair to Main Street, downtown Park Rapids and enjoy free, outdoor concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays from June 13 through Aug. 15. The Park Rapids Downtown Business Association hosts the live concerts, featuring regional bands, a beer garden and family activities. More details can be found on page 22.

5. Watch ski team antics

The Park Rapids Water Ski Team is holding free, familyfriendly shows this summer at Halvorson Beach in Nevis. Shows start at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 29, July 13 and Aug. 3.

TO DO in May & June

6. Ride the waves

Boating is one of the best ways to enjoy the Heartland Lakes Area. The larger recreational lakes around Hubbard County are popular for pontooning, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and water sports.

7. Throw out a fishing line

Whether standing on a resort dock or casting from a boat, you can try to catch a “big lunker.” In May, shore fishing is a wonderful way to enjoy a day at a lake without a fancy boat or equipment. In June, try fishing in the early morning or evening.

8. Biking, hiking

Hubbard County’s beautiful

natural resources provide the scenery, while numerous trails offer outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to explore year ‘round.

The Heartland Trail is a 49-mile, multiple-use trail, open to non-motorized use.

The Paul Bunyan Trail is 115 miles long, extending from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park. It’s the longest of Minnesota’s state trails and the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country.

The North Country National Scenic Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S. and the only one in Minnesota. Anyone walking this trail is in for a treat as it meanders through forested hills

and valleys interspersed with rivers, lakes, and numerous wetlands. Maps, events and suggested hikes are available at www.northcountrytrail.org

9. Ride the countryside

Hubbard County is an ATV enthusiast’s playground. There are miles of ATV and OHV trails around.

10. Sculpture Trail

Sculptures created by Minnesota artists dot downtown Park Rapids and Red Bridge Park. Stroll along the trail to enjoy a dozen new sculptures. All artworks remain in place for a year and are available for sale.

Unique golfing experiences for all abilities

BY ROBIN FISH Park Rapids Enterprise

Whether you travel with your own clubs or rent at the clubhouse, the Park Rapids area offers multiple options for spending quality, summer time on the links.

Eagle View Golf Course

Eagle View Golf Course is located at 24988 U.S. Hwy 71, about 6 miles north of Park Rapids.

It’s an 18-hole course, open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the summer.

“It’s a walk-on golf course, so we don’t schedule tee times,” said course manager Amanda Yliniemi. “If you have a group, a party, a reunion or a company function, then you can call me (218-732-7102) and I’ll make sure that you’re accommodated.”

She described the course as familyoriented. “We do have a men’s league on Monday and Wednesday,” she said. “We have a women’s league.

We have a couples’ league. Our leagues are extraordinary and dedicated, going back 30 years with some of the same (members bringing) their families, and now their sons and daughters are in leagues.”

Yliniemi said the course’s difficulty ranges from beginner to expert. “The front nine is way different from the back nine,” she said. “And yet it’s all cohesive. Every hole is really different.”

GOLF COURSES: Page 10

Freshly Baked

Donuts

▲ A foursome of golfers sink their putts at Headwaters Golf Club. (Enterprise File photo)

GOLF COURSES

From Page 8

Recent upgrades include all-new golf carts, purchased in 2023.

Yliniemi described the course as a relaxed environment. “I think the people who golf there enjoy the peace,” she said. “We have a lot of locals who just ride up on their own golf carts.”

For more information, visit eagleviewgolfcourse.com or email info@ eagleviewgolfcourse.com.

Headwaters Golf Club

Headwaters Golf Club is just north of Park Rapids city limits at 20018 County Road 1.

“We’re kind of unique,” said Ted Usher, general manager at the club. “We have 21 holes – 18 holes they can actually play, and three extra holes that our junior golfers get to go out and play.”

The club’s junior golf program runs from June through July. “We have a couple hundred kids in our junior program,” said Usher. “It’s a good place for them to go and learn.”

The course has a nine-hole ladies’ league that starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays – “just go and have fun and have some lunch afterwards,” Usher said – plus a more serious, 18-hole women’s league that starts at 11:30 a.m. and a 12-hole league that goes out at 1:30 p.m. On Thursdays, they also have a nine-hole men’s league that starts at 5:30 p.m.

“We offer memberships, but we’re open to the public,” said Usher. “Anybody that wants to play in any of our leagues can come out and just pay a green fee. It’s usually reduced cost.”

Opened last year was the clubhouse’s 5,000-square-foot patio with an outdoor bar. “It’s a fan favorite for all the local people and the people out visiting,” said Usher.

Golfing wise, Usher described hole 6 as the course’s signature hole. “From the white tees, it’s 423 yards, and there’s an elevation change as it goes to the green,” he said. “The green’s really interesting, as well. It’s pretty tough to putt on. We’re known for our fast green speeds. People really love that.

“We always hear that our golf course is in the best shape of any golf course

around. From tees to fairways to greens, everything is manicured to the fullest, and it’s always in tip-top shape.”

Usher said visitors should schedule a tee time. “They can book from our website, www.headwatersgolf.com, or they can give us a call in the golf shop, 218-732-4832. It’s option 1 to schedule a tee time.”

Bears Den Golf Course

Bears Den Golf Course is located at 18454 Dayspring Drive, about 3 miles east of Park Rapids city limits. It’s at Timberlane Resort, off County Road 20 on the east side of Long Lake.

“Our course actually has a bear’s den on it,” said owner Skyler Akason. “I think it’s the only course in Minnesota with an actual bear’s den.”

He said the den makes hole 8 the course’s signature hole.

According to Akason, the course has 10 holes, including a practice hole, as well as a driving range and a putting green. “We have the only practice hole in the state of Minnesota,” he said. “You get to play the practice hole before you start on hole 1.”

The course currently opens from 8 a.m. to to 8 p.m. From around Memorial Day, it will open at 7 a.m. and stay open later during the summer.

Akason said they encourage golfers to schedule a tee time (call 218-732-7373), but they do allow walk-ins. “We do offer memberships, but it’s not required,” he added.

Akason said they’re working on a number of improvements, such as updating benches, ball washers and other course equipment and remodeling the lodge. They also have all-new golf carts.

The resort has a shop where they sell golf balls, gloves and related items, and rent out clubs in case a vacationer didn’t bring their own along.

Meanwhile, he said, it’s nice to have a resort on site, so guests staying at the resort can golf right there.

“A lot of people do like that it’s a nine-hole course,” said Akason. “They’re here on vacation. They want to get out on the water, but they enjoy being able to golf nine holes and then get out on the lake and do other stuff.”

For more information, visit /www. timberlaneresort.com/golf.

Blueberry Pines

Blueberry Pines is located at 39161 U.S. Hwy 71, about three miles north of Menahga.

GOLF COURSES: Page 13

▲ A golfer hits one out of a sand trap at Blueberry Pines, north of Menahga. (Enterprise File photo)

POBox311|Sebeka,MN56477 218-837-5171

POBox250|Menahga,MN56464

Disc golf and mini golf fun abounds in Heartland Lakes area

BY ROBIN FISH

Park Rapids Enterprise

For golf enthusiasts and those who aren’t so committed, the Heartland Lakes area boasts a wealth of recreational opportunities that aren’t quite golf.

Disc golf

Heartland Park in Park Rapids is operated by Hubbard County Parks & Recreation, and features a nine-basket disc golf course.

County Parks Supervisor Greg Hensel said he believes the course is fairly popular. “We’ve had several groups at a time out there,” he said.

Hensel recalled that the park’s disc golf course was designed and installed by a young man working on his Eagle Scout project.

He added that the county is clearing brush for a future disc golf course in Farris Park, up north in Farden Township.

Nevis has its own disc golf course with five baskets at Deer Lake Park, off 7th Avenue between Pleasant Street and Main Street.

The St. Urho Disc Golf Course has a 12-basket disc golf course. It’s located in the city-owned Menahga Memorial Forest Park and Campground, 825 Aspen Dr. S.E.

Wayne Isaacson, a member of the Menahga Disc Golf Club, recently pitched the idea of adding six holes to the course, where nearly 3,000 rounds were recorded last year.

“It’s a fast growing sport,” plus it appeals to younger people, he said. “I’m 63, and I’m addicted to it.”

A hidden gem, the Osage Lions Park, lies about 0.7 mile north of State Hwy. 34 on Washington Drive in Osage.

Among other amenities, the park boasts a nine-basket disc golf course.

“It seems like even people who live here in Osage don’t realize that we have a beautiful little park with a shelter,” said Lions member Paul McKibben.

According to McKibben, the park and the disc golf course are open to the public.

McKibben added that the club plans to build a pickleball court in the park.

Mini golf

Birdie’s Mini-Golf opened in 2023, with 36 holes of western-themed fun divided into two 18-hole courses at 16670 State Hwy. 34, just east of Park Rapids. The course includes water features as well as a clubhouse.

In Nevis, another mini-golf course is nestled alongside the gift shop formerly known as Shenanigan’s, now called Sunshine and Willow.

According to owner Tracy Ganley, the nine-hole course is “simple but fun,” with loop-the-loop and over-the-bridge putting greens, among other whimsical challenges.

It takes about a half-hour to play through. Players can stop in the boutique to collect clubs and balls, Ganley said.

There’s a golf simulator, called the Golf Cavern, at 1104 Park Ave. S., Suite 4, in Park Rapids. Opened in May 2023, it features two 20-foot-by-13-foot-4inch simulator bays.

▲ A disc golfer takes a shot at one of the baskets in Heartland Park, operated by Hubbard County in Park Rapids. (Enterprise file photo)

▲ Nearly 3,000 players visited Menahga'a St. Urho Disc Golf Course in 2023, according to the UDisc app. (Shannon Geisen/Enterprise)

GOLF COURSES

From Page 10

It’s an 18-hole golf course, typically open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“The most prominent way to get a tee time is to call in (218-564-4653),” said Gavin Mickelson, head golf professional at Blueberry Pines. “We have online booking as well through our website (www.blueberrypinesgolf. com). Otherwise, walk-ins are welcome as well. You’re always guaranteed you’ll get on.”

The course offers memberships but is also open to the public, Mickelson said. “Any and all are welcome.”

Regarding what’s new, he said they’re working on paving some cart paths that are currently gravel.

“We’ve got a three-hole stretch on the front nine, holes 5, 6 and 7,” said Mickelson. “We call them Death Valley. There’s a little sign on the fifth hole that explains them. They’re incredibly unique. They’re way back off the corner of the course, and they’re surrounded

by a lot of swampland, low ground. They’re difficult, challenging and quite different.”

Asked what golfers like about the course, Mickelson said, “There aren’t a lot of courses like it, especially around here. The layout’s very unique. It was really well designed. It’s got a lot of character, a lot of different hole structures that make you play differently than a lot of courses do.

“The conditions are excellent, always. The greens are very playable. Very big, forgiving greens. It’s a different golf experience than a lot of people have probably had before.”

Brookside Resort

Brookside Resort is located at 31671 County Road 50 on Two Inlets Lake, near Itasca State Park and 14 miles from Park Rapids.

The resort has a nine-hole golf course where, according to brookside-resort. com/things-to-do/golf-tennis, par is 27 and the course record is 24. Rental clubs and pull carts are available at the clubhouse, and registered guests can golf for free during the first four and the last two weeks of the resort season.

Summer hours are about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to co-owner Joanna Wallenberg, starting Saturday, May 25 and running through Labor Day.

“We don’t take any tee times,” she said. “It’s a very laid back, casual course. So, just walk on.”

You don’t have to be a guest at a resort to golf there, she added.

What’s special about it, Wallenberg said, is that it’s “really an awesome place to go, learning, with your family. It’s an easy place to bring kids. There’s no pressure. It has a little less of the formality of a (typical) course. So, it’s an OK place to have a kid or an adult practice some skills, let groups pass you. It’s very laid back.”

She said their most talked-about hole is the longest one that goes over a hill, so you can’t see the green from the tee.

“At the top of the hill there’s a pole with a suggested aim,” said Wallenberg. “So, if you aim at this pole, you’ll be pretty close to the hole.”

On really hot summer days, she said, they sometimes turn that hill into a water slide.

Robin Fish can be reached at rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com.

Bunyan Trails Dr in Nevis • (218)

• Lodge with Rec Room

• Tiled Showers & Laundry Heated Swimming Pool Shu eboard & Horseshoes

• Sandy Beach • Ping Pong & Games

• Boats & Motors

• Tennis / Pickleball Court

Store & Snack Bar Canoes & Kayaks

• Gi Shop

• RV Supplies

• Boat Launching Ramp

• Internet Available 23801 Green Pines Road, Park Rapids, MN 56470 • Phone: (218) 732-5234 gocamping@vagabondvillage.com—www.vagabondvillage.com

Park Rapids’ Most Complete Deluxe Campground on Potato Lake

Meet Minnesota’s eagles

LORIE SKARPNESS

Park Rapids Enterprise

There are two eagle species living in Minnesota.

Bald eagles are the easiest to spot, while golden eagles are seen less frequently.

Erik Thorson is Park Rapids area wildlife supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). He said that eagles are one of the earliest nesters in the state.

“We have a healthy population of eagles, so it’s pretty common to see them in this area,” he said. “Bald eagles make their nests out of large sticks, most often in the canopies of large, white pine trees. They often use the same nest year after year, building them up each year. Sometimes the nests go down in storms or because of the weight.”

Thorson said, while driving through the Northwoods, motorists should be on the lookout for eagles.

“Watch for bald eagles feeding on roadkill deer along ditches,” he said. “They’re quite active in the spring and early summer. Be careful, because a lot of times, they have a full belly and have a hard time getting off the ground. They’re not as agile as smaller birds, so watch out for them along the roads and be aware an eagle might be flying off a carcass. A fair amount of eagles get hit along roads while feeding on deer carcasses. If there is a deer carcass in a ditch near your property, drag it farther away from the road if possible”

Special protections & programs

Christine Herwig is northwest assistant regional manager of the DNR’s ecological and water resources division.

She explained that an executive order by President Jimmy Carter who served from 1977 to 1981 directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to send eagle carcasses in decent condition to the National Eagle Repository to be used by Native American tribes for ceremonial purposes.

“The feathers and bones are cleaned and distributed to tribes nationally, by request,” she said. “Until all of those requests are filled, the eagles can’t be used for scientific or educational purposes. We also have a federal law that protects both bald and golden eagles. Their nests, eggs and chicks are also protected. We’re not supposed to do anything within 330 feet of a nest in

are often seen flying over lakes to catch fish or feeding on dead deer along roadways.

terms of habitat management during the nesting period to minimize disturbance of the birds.”

Bald versus golden

Herwig said bald eagles are not mature until they are four years old.

“Bald eagles go through a feather molt,” she said. “When they are in the nest, they are a dark chocolate brown all over. They acquire more of their white feathers and the white head and tail over time. There is a period when they look a lot like a golden eagle. We get a lot of people seeing slightly older bald eagle chicks and thinking they’re golden eagles.”

She said golden eagles have a dark head and golden feathers at the back of their neck as well as a light white area at the base of their tail.

“These are subtle features to look for,” she said. “The golden eagle is also a little bit bigger than the bald eagle. It’s hard to tell them apart when they’re flying. Also, the male bald eagles are about a third smaller than the females. That’s because the females have to defend themselves in the nest.”

She said the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a good source of information about eagles.

Lorie Skarpness can be reached at lskarpness@parkrapidsenterprise.com

Bald eagles are one of the earliest nesters in the state. They

(Adobe Stock)

Golden Eagles have a dark head and golden feathers at the back of their neck as well as a light white area at the base of their tail.

(Adobe Stock)

▲ Giiwedinong Treaty Rights & Culture Museum opened in Oct. 2023. (Shannon Geisen/Enterprise)

Giiwedinong museum highlights area’s Indigenous culture

Exhibits about the Anishinaabeg are featured at the Giiwedinong Treaty Rights & Culture Museum, located in the former Carnegie Library at 101 2nd St. West in Park Rapids.

It is the first Indigenous-led, independent museum in Minnesota.

Giiwedinong means “in the north” in the Ojibwe language.

The museum features rotating exhibits of both emerging and established Anishinaabe artists. The newest addition to the museum property is “Not Afraid to Look,” a sculpture created by Charles Rencountre. The sculpture symbolizes collective

efforts to protect the water and honor the water protector movement. It is a replica of the 18-foot tall statue at the Sacred Stone Camp on the Missouri River, where it stood during the Standing Rock resistance gathering.

The museum showcases diverse exhibits, including historical and modern treaties, cultural art, and insights into the Anishinaabe way of life.

“The museum is dedicated to documenting not only the history of treaties and the Water Protector Movement, but also a wide range of social movements, such as civil rights and environmental activism,” executive

director Sara Littleredfeather said.

Summer events include a “Possession of the Species” parade, hosting a film night for viewing the movie “Bad River” and opening an outdoor Native artisans market.

A gift shop at the museum features art, wild rice, coffee, food products, clothing, books and art.

The Giiwedinong museum is funded entirely by private contributions.

For more information on the museum exhibits, go to www.giiwedinong.org or contact them through their Facebook page.

The fishing opener refers to the start of fishing for walleye, northern pike, bass and trout in lakes on inland waters of Minnesota.

About 500,000 people were expected to fish on Saturday, May 11.

Seasons for some other species, including sunfish, crappie and channel catfish, are open all year.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

► Although not every kind of fish lives everywhere, 162 species of fish can be found in Minnesota waters.

► Minnesota has 11,842 lakes that are 10 or more acres in size, 4,500 of which are considered fishing lakes. There are more than 16,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, including 3,800 miles of trout streams.

► Fishing supports 28,000 Minnesota jobs, according to the American Sportfishing Association.

The purchase price of every fishing license goes into the Game and Fish Fund, a dedicated account that can only be used for fish, wildlife, law enforcement and certain other outdoor-related activities.

More information on fishing in Minnesota is available at mndnr.gov/fishing.

Northern Pike

Black Crappie

Walleye

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Pumpkinseed

Smallmouth Bass

11th Crow Wing Lake

HeadwatersoftheCrowWingchain

EleventhCrowWingLakeis locatedjustnorthofAkeley. Thereisapublicaccessand campgroundownedand maintainedbythecityofAkeley, locatedonthesoutheastern shore.Theaccessis0.5miles northofStateHwy.34atthe HeartlandTrailAccessRoad. Anewculvertwasinstalledon StateHwy.64,whichseparates theeastandwestbasinsof11th

CrowWing.Thenewculvert designaccommodatesthe passageofmostboatsand pontoons.

FISHING

AccordingtotheMinnesota DepartmentofNaturalResources (DNR),11thCrowWingis“adeep lakewithexcellentwaterquality andlotsofstructuretochallenge anglers.”TheDNRsaysthe lakesupports“agoodwalleye

populationthatmaintainshealthy numbersandsizerangesof fish,aswellasprovidingangling opportunitiesfornorthernpike, largemouthbassandpanfish.”

NESTINGLOONS

The10th/11thCrowWing LakeAssociationownsan artificialnestingplatform.A loonpairutilizeditin2022and successfullyhatchedtwoeggs. Thechickssufferedpredation

fromeagles,soin2023,thelake associationmovedthenesting locationtotheeastbasinand purchasedcamouflagenetting. Boatersareremindedtorespect theloonsbygivingthemplenty ofroomduringnestingandwhile swimmingwiththeirchicks. Informationprovidedbythe10th/11th CrowWingLakeAssociation(https:// crowwing11.org)andtheMinnesota DepartmentofNaturalResources.

Itasca State Park attracts a million visitors – literally

Minnesota’s oldest state park is 133 years old.

Itasca State Park was established on April 20, 1891 to preserve the old growth pine trees that were in danger of being logged.

Itasca State Park encompasses Lake Itasca, the official source of the Mississippi River, and a scenic area of northern Minnesota that has remained relatively unchanged from its natural state.

Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Stand under towering pines at Preacher’s Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann’s Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota’s seven National Natural Landmarks.

For more information about the park events and schedules, call Itasca State Park headquarters at 218-699-7251, email itasca.statepark@state.mn.us or go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/ itasca/index.html.

(Photos by Shannon Geisen/Enterprise)

Hidden treasure of Itasca Backcountry campsites

HEATHER FUNK

Integrated visitor services coordinator,

Itasca State Park

If you’re looking for a late spring or early summer adventure at Itasca State Park, consider an overnight trip at a backcountry campsite.

These campsites can only be accessed by foot and require that you carry all of the gear you need in a backpack, hiking some distance into the wilderness to your campsite. This form of outdoor recreation is known as backpacking.

Itasca State Park has 11 backcountry campsites, each of them a hidden treasure in their own right, but none of them quite so spectacular as backcountry campsites No. 3 and No. 4, located along the shore of beautiful Hernando DeSoto Lake and offering total tranquility deep in the Itasca forest.

Getting there

The Hernando DeSoto Lake campsites can be reached in multiple ways, allowing you to choose your own adventure.

One option is to park at the DeSoto Trail trailhead, located on Wilderness Drive, and hike four miles to your campsite, enjoying a long stretch of the old-growth, red and white pine forests Itasca State Park was established, in part, to preserve.

Another option is to hike a section of the famed North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT), a rugged, singletrack trail that takes you on a moderately-hilly journey through the forest and culminates in a winding path along the shorelines of Morrison and Hernando DeSoto Lakes. Park at the NCT trailhead on County Hwy. 113, hike three-quarter miles on connection trails before intersecting with the NCT, then continue another two miles to your campsite for a total hike of approximately 2.75 miles.

The third option is to harness your inner explorer and portage your watercraft 0.5 miles on the DeSoto Lake Trail. This trailhead is also located along County Hwy. 113 on Itasca’s southern boundary. Paddle across Hernando DeSoto Lake to your campsite on the opposite shore.

What to bring

Planning your camping trip for late spring to early summer should help you avoid the plague of pesky insects

▲ A map of Itasca State Park summer trails and facilities is useful when planning a backcountry camping trip. (Contributed/ Heather Funk)

typically encountered later into the warm season, but you still shouldn’t leave your bug repellent at home.

There are important considerations to be made when packing for a backcountry outing.

Weather can vary dramatically in this season, so plan ahead for potentially cold and wet conditions. Conventional backpacking wisdom encourages a three-layer clothing system to prepare you for the changing conditions you may encounter: a breathable, moisturewicking base layer, an insulating midlayer and a waterproof outer layer. Also

pack at least two pairs of socks, so you always have a warm, dry pair.

Warmer daytime temperatures can dip dramatically overnight. Make sure your sleeping bag is rated for comfort at the lowest temperature you will encounter. A sleeping pad of some sort is an essential piece of gear, insulating you from the ground and preventing the cold from seeping directly through your sleeping bag.

Keep in mind that Itasca State Park is home to black bears, racoons and other

CAMPSITES: Page 21

CAMPSITES

From Page 20 ▲ All backcountry campsites at Itasca State Park include an in-ground fire ring, a cleared area to set up your tent and a primitive latrine. (Contributed/ Heather Funk)

small creatures, which if given an easy opportunity, may raid your backcountry picnic.

Avoid encouraging these encounters by storing your food and other scented

items responsibly inside a bear canister or the bear-proof food lockers provided at your campsite.

In addition to food lockers, all backcountry campsites offer an in-ground fire ring, a cleared area to set up your tent and a primitive latrine (toilet paper not included).

All campsites are located near a

Kinkel Laundry

natural water source, but the water must be filtered before it is safe to drink. Pack in what you can reasonably carry for drinking and cooking and plan to filter the rest.

Backcountry camping at Itasca State Park requires careful preparation and can be challenging, but it is also a very unique and rewarding experience.

2nd Street Stage kicks off June 13

Join the great community get-together’s 12th summer concert series, 2nd Street Stage, on Thursday nights from June 13 through Aug. 15, except Wednesday, July 3.

The Park Rapids Downtown Business Association hosts the free, outdoor concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. with bands, a beer garden and family activities downtown. Bring your own lawn chair.

The beer garden opens at 5 p.m. for a social hour while you find your spot, listen to the sound check and greet neighbors and friends. Support this great event by buying an official 2024 button and receive $2 off all beverages at the beer garden. Christian Clark of Park Rapids designed the 2024 2nd Street Stage button.

To see the complete summer line up, go to www.parkrapidsdowntown.com and follow 2nd St. Stage on Facebook.

JUNE 13 - THE 4ONTHEFLOOR

An American rock ’n roll band, The 4onthefloor brings their high-octane rock to every venue. Outlaw country, classic rock and modern brilliance are all showcased during the energy exchange that is the 4onthefloor live. The crew – Gabriel Douglas and five special guests –gets everybody involved with their

pulsating, rhythmic beat, allowing people of all ages to succumb to the joy of music. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of ZZ Top, Zac Brown Band, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Trampled By Turtles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, DriveBy Truckers, Steve Martin, Halestorm, Guster, 311 and countless others.

JUNE 20 - CHRISTOPHER DAVID HANSON BAND

Christopher David Hanson and his eclectic three-piece band play a mix of all-original roots rock, with a twist of throwback country, big band swing, three-part harmonies and choruses. A Nashville recording artist himself, Hanson fronts the group with his soulful vocals, guitar playing and songwriting that hits you right in the heart. The rock solid rhythms and song oriented drumming of Jim Pietila, paired with the chest thumping low end of James Christian on bass guitar, round out this vibrant trifecta and invite folks to get up and gravitate to the dance floor.

JUNE 27 - MAE SIMPSON MUSIC

Hailing originally from South Carolina, Mae Simpson has been shaking up the Minneapolis music scene ever since her band formed in 2018, performing on larger and larger stages to a growing base of loyal fans across the

Midwest. Led by her powerful vocals, the sixpiece band weaves elements of funk, soul, pop, rock and country into her sound. The band has released two EPs, “Feel It Comin’” in 2018 and “Did You Make it Back” in 2020. The band’s debut full-length album, “Chandelier & Bloom,” released Sept. 2023.

JULY 3 - THE

FAT CATS

The Fat Cats have been a staple of the upper Midwest for over three decades, entertaining audiences with a broad selection of rock ‘n’ roll songs. In February, they released a new CD. Members are lead singer Doug Newman and bassist Wes Horn, the original members and leaders of the band, along with lead guitarist and vocals Buck Rasmussen, lead guitarist and vocals Quinton Vonish, keyboardist and vocals Mark Lane, and drummer Timmy Loud.

They have shared the stage with many national and international bands such as REO, Wall Flowers, STP, Goo Goo Dolls, Puddle of Mud, ZZ Top, Little Feat, Boston, God Smack and many more.

Antiques in Minnesota's Vacationland

▲ Emma Beatrez’s “Hypnotic Stranger” is an oil on canvas. (Contributed/Nemeth Art Center)

For more than 40 years, the Nemeth Art Center (NAC) has been providing exceptional art opportunities to the Park Rapids area.

Admission is free to the NAC galleries, which are open and free to the public from May through September.

This season features new work from E.V. Day, Emma Beatrez, artist-inresidence Madeleine Bialke and Wayne Gudmundson.

Find contemporary work at Nemeth Art Center

“With an invigorating range of new and established artists, thoughtprovoking themes and captivating techniques, we are committed to delivering an extraordinary artistic experience for our visitors,” said Executive Director Mark Weiler.

According to Weller, Day is a New York-based artist “whose work explores themes of sexuality and humor while employing gravity-defying suspension techniques.”

A Minneapolis resident, Beatrez’s work

encompasses sculpture, figurative and abstract painting and installation..

Day’s and Beatrez’ exhibits run from May 2 through July 6, with an artist reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.

NAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is located upstairs in the historic Hubbard County Courthouse, located at 301 Court Ave.

For more information about upcoming exhibits and membership privileges, visit www.nemethartcenter.org.

Little emergencies are a big deal.

Life happens. When you need care, you need it fast. With our NEW Primary Care Clinic and 24/7 Emergency Department, you’re in good hands with CHI St. Joseph’s Health in Park Rapids.

NEW Primary Care Clinic

Same-day and next-day

• appointments Care for all ages

• Located in the lower level of

• the hospital Call 218.616.3900 to schedule

• Emergency Department Open 24/7

• Level IV Trauma Center

• Acute Stroke Ready Hospital

• Women’s Choice Award

•

• for Emergency Care For emergencies, call 911

For more information on our services, please visit chisjh.org or call 218.732.3311