Laker 4 - July 7, 2023

Port of Call | Page 3A

BUTTERNUT LAKES

We are over halfway there. Laker #4 out of seven means the days are passing by faster than we would like. Summer should really get a speeding ticket. During the summer, our hair gets lighter, our skin gets darker, the water gets warmer, the drinks get colder, the music gets louder, the nights grow longer, and life gets better. Why would we want this to pass by so fast?

Port of Call | Page 2B

DEER LAKE

Fishery | Page 4A

MUSKELLUNGE

Shore Leave | Page 11A

LUCKY DAYS

Ropes | Page 13A

MORE MUSKIES

Fishers of Men | Page 14A

CHURCHES

Crew Members | Page 3B

CELEBS

Galley | Page 2C

COOKING

Shore Leave | Page 5C

GANDY DANCER TRAIL

Ropes | Page 9C

WILDLIFE

Crew Members | Page 10C

CHRISTENSENS

This Laker shines on Deer Lake and Big & Little Butternut Lakes. You will learn about the beginnings of Luck, Wisconsin and the lakeside store that was part of it all, get schooled on the might musky, find a variety of foil pack recipes and see why the Gandy Dancer Trail has become a favorite for outdoor lovers from across the globe. You will also get the scoop on celebs who love Wisconsin lakes as much as we do! You know what they say, “Summer boys at the lake, like summer breezes, are never as cool as they pretend to be.”

The 2023 publication dates are:

Laker #1 – Friday, May 19

Laker #2 – Friday, June 9

Laker #3 – Friday, June 23

Laker #4 – Friday, July 7

Laker #5 – Friday, July 21

Laker #6 – Friday, August 11

Laker #7 – Friday, August 25

Enjoy your Laker and your summer!

April Ziemer, Editor

editor@theameryfreepress.com

Cover photo of Big Butternut Lake by Seth David Maack

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S BUTTERNUT! Both Big and Little

By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

No need to buckle up for the Butternuts, both quiet lakes offer a smooth summer ride for swimmers, fisherman and boaters of all sorts.

Big Butternut Lake is a 384acre lake located in Luck. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. It offers a swimming beach and visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing on the south western side of the lake. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Big Butternut is surrounded by about 100 homes, most of which are full-time residences, and is bordered by the Big Butternut Lake Campground and public beach, as well as Big Butternut Lake Park, which contains the Luck Municipal Golf Course.

The Luck Municipal Golf Course boasts that it is, “Nestled on the south shore of Big Butternut Lake, Luck Golf Course features a variety of tees and terrain to challenge and satisfy players of all abilities. Our beautiful lakeside facility offers eighteen holes of unforgettable golf: ten holes weave through a pristine pine and hardwood forest featuring several elevation changes,

SEE 10A

IT MUST BE THE MUSKY

By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Wisconsin’s State fish, the muskellunge comes from the scientific name Esox masquinongy (Esox comes from the old name for pike in Europe and masquinongy comes from the Cree "mashk" meaning deformed and "kinonge" is a pike.

Some spell it Muskie, others Muskyeither way-it is one heck of a trophy!

It is so highly valued that the State Legislature proclaimed it the official State Fish in 1955. More world records have been landed in Wisconsin than anywhere else. The current state and world record is a tremendous 69 pounds and 11-ounce fish taken from the Chippewa Flowage.

The muskellunge occurs in all three drainage basins in Wisconsin (Lake Michigan, Mississippi River, and Lake Superior) but is most widely distributed in the Chippewa, Flambeau, St. Croix, Black, and Wisconsin rivers of the Mississippi basin. Its presence in

central and southern Wisconsin is the result of widespread stocking of fry and fingerlings.

Within the north and south limits of the Wisconsin muskellunge range, spawning occurs from mid-April to mid-May, with the peak occurring early in the season. Optimum spawning temperature is about 55° F, but may

range from 49 - 60° F. Eggs are usually deposited indiscriminately over several hundred yards of shoreline. There is no parental care. Adult spawners return to the same spawning ground in consecutive years.

The natural home for the musky is in the northern lakes and rivers. It is a solitary fish and lurks in weed beds or

other protective cover. Anglers usually have the best luck fishing during the daytime. Large plugs, spoons, and bucktails are the best artificial baits. A live fish bait 10-12 inches long is also good.

Wisconsin is divided into two parts with two separate dates for the opener to go Musky fishing in the state. North and South!

The Southern Zone opens the first Saturday of May each year and the Northern Zone musky season begins the Saturday nearest to Memorial Day. Because it can span up to five feet and weigh up to 70 pounds, some who fish for muskies have been encouraged to throw them back to ensure the ecosystem of the lakes and keep the sport accessible. There are even regulations that make it illegal for people to keep a musky that’s below a certain size, as it likely hasn’t reproduced yet to keep the population numbers up.

Representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources feel

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“

I saw your ad in the Laker!"

Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

when you catch and release, these fish are caught numerous times and enjoyed by a whole bunch of different people, instead of just one person.

Catch and release is also ecologically beneficial as it is a way to balance the other fish populations.

A common misconception with muskies is they are ferocious fish that will take out all other fish species populations, but when you look at data and the research that's been done on muskies, the best fisheries are the most balanced fisheries that have pan fish all the way up to the big predator fish, such as muskies.

Some of the best walleye lakes in Wisconsin are also the state's best musky lakes; the best bass lakes are also the best musky lakes.

The number one reason to keep the mighty muskythe hang it on your wall.

The number one reason to release it- they do not taste very good, so take a photo with your trophy and let someone else have the fight of their life for their trophy too! ■

Wing & Irish Setter Boots, Minnetonka Moccasins, Western Boots for the Whole Family

BUTTERNUT

while the remaining eight holes play through a rolling countryside dotted with majestic oak and maple trees. Big Butternut Lake is visible from numerous areas on the golf course and the fall colors are absolutely beautiful.”

Sitting less than three miles away, Big Butternut’s sibling, Little Butternut Lake, is a 185-acre lake located just outside of Luck. It has a maximum depth of 23 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing and fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Local fishermen say the best time to fish the lake is early in the morning. If you hit the water by 5 a.m., your chances of

SEE

FRIDAY, JULY 21

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendor/Craft Fair, West 2nd Ave. Contact Amy At amydueholm@yahoo.com.

11 a.m. Food Court And Beer Tent Open. Food Court And Beer Hamburgers and Van Meter’s Brats & Hot Dogs.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Live Music By Shotgun Johnson And The Mississippi 7. Under The tent.

2-5:30 p.m. Live Music By Rex Cactus Cactus Under The Tent.

5-8 p.m. Kids Corner (By Luck Fire Hall.) Bounce House & Water Slide. 50¢/Ticket Or $3 Wristband For The Day Or

$8 Wristband For The Whole Weekend. Games Are Free! For The Whole Weekend. Games Are Free! Provided by Zion Lutheran Church of Bone Lake.

5-8 p.m. Luck Volleyball Root Beer Stand Luck By Food/Craft Vendors. Fundraiser For Camps & Tournaments. Freewill Donation.

5:30 p.m. Bed Races On Main Street. Contact Amanda At The Main Dish At 715-417-4170 To Register. Meat Raffle Under The Tent After The Bed Races. Meat From Wayne’s Foods Plus.

5:30-6:30 p.m. Youth Beanbag Hour! Grab Your Friends And Come Toss Some Bags! Main St. By Felicia’s Northern Bar. Pick Up Your Bags In Front Of Bar, Return Them By 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Felicia’s Northern Bar.

6:30.-? p.m. Adult Beanbag Tournament Main St. By Felicia’s Northern Bar. $30/Team of 2. Winner Takes All. Contact The Bar To Register 715-472-2575 Or Up To One Hour Before Start Time. Bar Sponsored by Felicia’s Northern Bar.

6:30 p.m. Coed Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament Begins. Contact Bear At 715-554-0599.

7-10 p.m. Live Music by Rex Cactus Cactus Under The Tent (After Meat Raffle).

SATURDAY, JULY 22

8 a.m. 5K “In And Out Of Luck” Run. Register online at www.tempotickets.com/luck5k or email Kyle at kjohansen@frandsenbank.com; up until race day. Park Ave. & 1st St. Park Ave. & 1st St.

8 a.m.-11 a.m. Aebleskiver, Danish Sausage and Local Maple Syrup. Served By The Luck Historical Society At The Luck Museum. (or we run out) Freewill Offering.

8:30 a.m. Softball Tournament Continues.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Luck FFA Antique Tractor Show. Luck Located South Main St., Contact Kasey Hulteen At 715-566-4988.

9 a.m-2 p.m. 23rd-Annual Classic Car Show. Show Contact Pete At 715-472-8525. Sponsored by Auto Plus, Baxter’s Classic Cars, Bon Ton Tavern, Caroon’s Exhaust, Felicia’s Northern Bar, Gone Green Recycling, Hacker Built & More, Bon Hawkins Perc Testing & Septic Systems, Larsen Auto Centers, Marine & Auto Custom Interiors, Hawkins The Main Dish, Peper Tire & Alignment, Polk Burnett Electric Co-op, Rick’s Barber Shop, SS Detailing and Thrivent Financial. Thrivent Financial.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Used and Collectible/Old Book Sale At Luck Public Library. Inside & Outside Building.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendor/Craft Fair, West 2nd Ave. Contact Amy At amydueholm@yahoo.com.

10 a.m.-Noon Live Music By Isaiah Otto Under The Tent.

a.m.-5 p.m. Luck Volleyball Root Beer Stand

By Food/Craft Vendors. Fundraiser For Camps & Tournaments. Freewill Donation.

10 a.m. Medallion Hunt Begins. Clues Posted Hourly On Windows Of Post Office. $100 Cash Prize. Sponsored by Sterling Bank, Luck. Luck.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Car Wash Fundraiser for Luck Youth Baseball. At Luck Fire Hall, Freewill Offering.

10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. BBQs, Pie & Ice Cream At The Luck Senior Center, 2nd Ave.

10 a.m.-4 p.m Kids Corner (By Luck Fire Hall.) Petting Zoo Provided By Luck FFA. Bounce House & Water Slide. 50¢/Ticket Or $6 Wristband For The Day Or $8 Wristband For The Whole Weekend. Games Are Free! Wristband Provided by Zion Lutheran Church of Bone Lake.

11 a.m. Food Court And Beer Tent Open. Food Court And Beer Hamburgers and Van Meter’s Brats & Hot Dogs. Noon-2 p.m. Royalty For A Day. Ages 5 And Up. Freewill Donation To Raise Money For A New Float. Games, Crafts, Snacks & Pictures! Dress In Your Best Royal Clothes - Receive Crown & Goodie Bag! Limitless Dance Studio. Snacks & Pictures! Dress In Main Street, Luck. Luck.

1-3 p.m. Live Music by Ethan Bergstrom Under The Tent.

3-5 p.m. Bingo Under The Tent.

4-6 p.m. HELDIG Motorcycle Show, HELDIG North Main, Contact Craig For Information At 715-327-3326. Sponsored by Ace Motorsports LLC, Luck and Trade Lake Cycle Co.

5-9 p.m. Street Dance By Roadhouse 6 On Main Street. FREE.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

8:30 a.m. Softball Tournament Continues.

9:30 a.m. Luck Lutheran Church Service In Triangle Park (Inside If Bad Weather). All Welcome!

10:30 a.m.-Noon Pancake Breakfast Immediately Following Church Service.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Life Link III Helicoptor Tours In Luck Fire Dept. Lot. Pending Patients and Weather.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendor/Craft Fair, West 2nd Ave. Contact Amy At amydueholm@yahoo.com.

11 a.m. Food Court And Beer Tent Open. Food Court And Beer Hamburgers and Van Meter’s Brats & Hot Dogs. 11 a.m. Zion Lutheran Contemporary Community Worship Service At Kids Corner. All Welcome! 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Live Music By The Groovin’ ’60s Band ’60s Band Under The Tent. Sponsored by Luck Clinic Of Amery Hospitals & Clinic. Noon-2 p.m. Kids Corner (By Luck Fire Hall.) Bounce House & Water Slide. 50¢/Ticket Or

MORE MUSKIES PLEASE!

New book shares strategies for putting more (and bigger) muskies in the net

Musky season is officially open in Wisconsin, and as dedicated anglers pursue the elusive-but-coveted “fish of 10,000 casts,” recognized professional musky guide Steven Paul has created a new book designed to help anglers put more—and bigger—muskies in the net. The definitive guide to musky fishing, Next Level Musky Fishing is now available exclusively through The Musky Shop (www.muskyshop.com)

Paul, one of the country’s most recognizable musky experts, is a professional musky guide, celebrated lure designer, popular podcast host, and internationally soughtafter speaker and presenter on all things musky. A third-

generation musky angler, Paul currently holds Tennessee’s state musky record.

In Next Level Musky Fishing, Paul takes a deep dive into the world of musky fishing and explains the how— and the why—of landing these highly-pursued predators. The comprehensive guide to musky fishing, Next Level Musky Fishing takes readers

TELL OUR ADVERTISERS

far beyond the basics of musky fishing and unveils neverbefore-published strategies that work. From the tenets of trolling to mindblowing structure strategies; from incredible insights on musky behavior to strategically and effectively using technology; from the secrets of crankbaits to the demystification of moon phases, Next Level Musky Fishing has it all.

Intelligent, enlightening, and resplendent with jaw-dropping tips, tricks, and tactics, Next Level Musky Fishing shows, in simple but anything but simplistic terms, both how— and perhaps more importantly, why—to employ these powerful new strategies for landing fish. Part reference guide, part instructive manual, part expert musky guide in a book, Next Level Musky Fishing is a wholly invaluable resource.

According to legendary National Freshwater Hall of Fame angler Joe Bucher, “I am certain that once you read Steven Paul’s Next Level

Musky Fishing, you will become a more complete musky angler and learn something that could catch you the biggest fish of your life.”

Steven Paul is a native of West Virginia. He hosts the popular Musky 360 Podcast, is a highly in-demand professional musky guide (www.TennesseeMuskyFishing. com) and serves as Pro Staff for Livingston Lures, for whom he developed the game-changing Titan and Titan Jr. Lures. Steven is also the developer of a custom-built, handmade spinner bait from the Figure 8 Lure Company, and serves as a spokesperson for The Musky Shop. He lives in Tennessee with his wife. ■

St.

507 Main Street Balsam Lake (715) 405-2245 Saturday Mass

Georgetown

715-857-5580 887 190th Ave., Co. Rd. G Balsam Lake, WI 54810

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

Saturday Mass

Sundays at 10:30 a.m. uploaded to YouTube or Facebook page: https:/www.Facebook.com/ Georgetown.Church

LUCK

Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. 715-472-2605 510 E. Foster Ave., Luck secretarypaula@lakeland.ws www.lucklutheran.org

Co-Interim Pastors: Maggie Isaacson & Mary Ann Bowman

ALL

REDEEMER LUTHERAN - LCMS

600 Keller Ave. S., Amery 715-268-7283

redeemerlutheranchurch-amery.com

DOUG DAVIS,INTERIM PASTOR

Join

Sundays,

www.faithlutheranbl.org

BUTTERNUT LAKES | FROM 10A

reeling in dinner is good. The West Denmark Church sits on the west side of Little Butternut.

The community of Luck is loaded with recreational

opportunities galore. Access to the Gandy Dancer Trail, the National Scenic Ice Age Trail and Straight Lake State Park is all right at your fingertips. ■

Amery’ $

Brought to you by the Amery Community Club with valued partnerships

SHOP BIG • WIN BIGGER

POP. FULL OF FANTASTIC

SHOP BIG • WIN BIGGER Amery’ $

Shop Big in Amery! • 10am-4pm

Food & Beer • 4 pm • Michael Park

Game Time • 5:15 pm • Michael Park

For every $20 spent at an Amery Community Club (ACC) business, receive a special card for your chance to win a BRAND NEW CAR, a TRIP and other FABULOUS prizes

Brought to you by the Amery Community Club with valued partnerships

Services, goods, food and drink, ANYTHING (legally allowed per type of trade) from an ACC business-Spend $20 and get a card.

Grab your lawn chairs...food trucks and a beer stand will be waiting for those with cards collected throughout the day to register to play “Amery’s Price is Right”.

Spectacular Showcase Showdown Sponsors:

The Chevrolet dealer for Amery. We believe that our customers are as special as our cars, so we take car shopping to a whole new level. Stop in and meet our friendly staff.

Glamorous Game Giver:

Bringing you PLINKO!

Serving the Amery, Clayton and Clear Lake area since 1892. Published on Tuesdays, the Free Press is a tireless promoter of life in beautiful southern Polk County.

Visit our old public school house, now bar, grill & event center in Amery, for a quick bite, date night, or a fun night out.

The first five contestants will be called to “Come on down!” to bid on actual products from Amery stores. The closest bidder will play a Price is Right type game. Games will be followed by spins of the big wheel, and the show will end with the famous showcase showdown. FOR

Thinking about buying or selling a home? Our team will guide you through the whole real estate process and help you discover an amazing house to call home. NorthwestCommunications www.nwcomm.net .nwcomm.net

Show Supporters:

Thank You also to Amery Lamperts, JETA Electric, Polk-Burnett and several national

or TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT, OTHER AMERY EVENTS or ABOUT AMERY COMMUNITY CLUB BUSINESSES, VISIT

“Come on Down” Donors:

L KER

SECTION B

Big Butternut Lake

LITTLE BUTTERNUT LAKE FAST FACTS

Area 189 acres

Max Depth 23 feet

Mean Depth 8 feet

Boat Landings 1

Fish Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye

Invasive Species

Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris

BIG BUTTERNUT LAKE FAST FACTS

Area 378 acres

Max Depth 19 feet

Mean Depth 13 feet

Boat Landings 1

Fish

Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye

Invasive Species

Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife

DEAR DEER LAKE

By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Clear water and beautiful surroundings make Deer Lake a favorite. Spanning over 768 acres Deer Lake is popular for visitors. Since the first frame cabin was built on the shores in 1903, the waters have been adored by residents, including some well-known people over the years.

Deer lake is located just off Highway 8, between Balsam Lake and St. Croix Falls, sitting five miles east of the beautiful and historic St. Croix River Valley. Between the lake and the river are many large gorges in the rocks, left by glaciers over 12,000 years ago. These gorges, many over 100 feet deep, are called dalles. The lake is spring fed both internally and externally with a maximum depth of 46 feet. A small dam at the east end of the lake helps assure a near constant water level.

The Deer Lake Improvement Association and the Deer Lake Conservancy have worked very hard for many to clean and maintain the pristine water quality that is now found in Deer Lake. According to the Deer Lake Improvement Association, Maintaining the high-water quality in Deer Lake is a top priority. The Association works closely with the Deer Lake Conservancy, Polk County and the Wisconsin DNR. The lake is consistently monitored to detect water run-off problems, undesirable aquatic weeds, or undesirable aquatic species such as zebra mussels, and appropriate action is taken.

Deer Lake has a very involved group of residents who are passionate about their surroundings. They have a group who participates in an Annual Clean Up Day each spring and a volunteer Board

MAKE NO MISTAKE-CELEBS LOVE WISCONSIN LAKES!

April Ziemer

editor@theameryfreepress.com

Celebrities are just like the rest of us (except they might have bigger bank accounts) they want to escape the stresses of the world and relax at the lake. It just so happens, some of our favorite lakes in Wisconsin, have been the favorites of the famous too!

Lake Geneva

On the surface, Lake Geneva looks like your typical midsize Wisconsin town, with its tiny downtown district, outer edges of fast-food frequents, and single-family homes surrounded by chain-link fences. But dig a little deeper, and a different side of Lake Geneva begins to emerge.

Tucked alongside the namesake body of water are the sprawling multimilliondollar estates of historically affluent Chicagoans like the Sears, Schwinn and Wrigley families.

How did this small Wisconsin town end up dotted with real estate that’s priced up to $40,000 per foot of shoreline?

In 1871, when Lake Geneva captured the attention of wealthy Chicagoans looking to trade the soot-filled city for small-town charm and the North Western railway ran regular between the two places. Wealthy families like the Maytags opted to erect luxurious “cottages” along the shores of Lake Geneva. Eventually it became tradition that women and children would summer here while working men shuttled back and forth on the train,

cementing Lake Geneva as the go-to getaway for affluent Chicagoans like the Wrigleys.

But it wasn’t just family-focused summer homes that cropped up here as the destination’s popularity blossomed. The Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired structure that today stands as the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa was originally the home of the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel. In fact, it was the first such resort in the country.

This quiet Midwestern lake town became host to a cadre of bushytailed Playboy Bunnies as government officials cut ribbons with Hugh Hefner himself on May 6, 1968. Over the years, the club hosted celebrities like Bob Hope and Sonny & Cher on its cabaret stage. According to Hefner’s daughter, the Lake Geneva outpost was one of his

favorites, namely for its design and its early debut. The club shuttered in 1981 amid financial problems and changing tastes.

The lake’s guest list didn’t stop with Hollywood celebrities. Even notorious Chicago gangsters like Al Capone couldn’t resist the charm of this small town, which served as a low-key pit stop on his way north. The kingpin ran a speakeasy in Wisconsin’s northwoods and often stopped here on his way to and from his illicit business.

Barker Lake

Speaking of mobsters, in Winter, Wis., is the Legacy Lodge, formerly known as the Barker Lake Lodge, a two-story log structure next to a golf course, both built by Chicago beer baron Joe Saltis in the late 1920s. Today, the walls of the

clubhouse are covered with old photos and articles about Saltis, who retired to the area by 1930.

Saltis was referred to as "Polack Joe." Saltis spent an estimated $100,000 into building this rustic two-story cedar log lodge, cabins and nine-hole golf course. Located Near Al Capone's Hideout.

Joe was credited with establishing the first Peace Agreement between all the Rival Gangs that included Al Capone. What may have been a contributing factor is Joe’s partner Frank McErlane considered Chicago's toughest thug at the time was responsible for using the first Thompson SubMachine gun to settle a dispute in 1925. Numerous brass cartridge shells have been discovered on the property while planting over 60 trees,in the Spring

Al Capone | Contributed

Elizabeth Taylor | Contributed

of 2011, while expanding an entry to one log cabin 15 bullets were divinely discovered lodged inside the interior wall.

Old owner David Palmer once met the son of a man who rowed the boat when Capone visited Saltis to fish for sturgeon. The six- to eight-foot fish can live up to 100 years. “Capone could have caught a 10-year-old sturgeon,” he said, “thrown it back because it was too small, and today you could catch the same sturgeon Al Capone caught.”

There’s some evidence that no matter how heinous their actions elsewhere, the criminal element minded their manners in Wisconsin, perhaps tamed by the sense of solitude they found there. In all his years at Barker Lake, Mr. Palmer said, Saltis apparently had only one run-in with the local law when he was fined for fishing too close to a dam.

Lake Minocqua

It was here on Lake Minocqua where a young Elizabeth Taylor spent 10 summers in those velvet years at the Cedar Gates estate owned by her millionaire art-dealer uncle, Howard Young. She loved to fish, said the late Ed Behrend, Young's personal fishing guide who taught her.

Young also hobnobbed with the likes of President and Mamie Eisenhower and journalist Bob Considine at Cedar Gates, a private home on the south shore of Lake Minocqua, which still remains one of the top fishing chains in the North with 103 miles of shoreline. When he died, he left $20 million to name the local hospital after him.

Three Lakes

Nestled along a chain of 28 lakes – the largest inland lake chain in the world – Three Lakes has long been a vacation destination. As part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Three Lakes, Wisconsin has access

to hunting, snowmobiling, biking, birdwatching, camping, and hiking trails.

Three Lakes is part of the Eagle RiverThree Lakes chain of lakes. The Three Lakes part of the chain starts with the Burnt Rollways Reservoir and includes 20 lakes ranging in size from 123 acres to 1012 acres. Water skiing, boating and wakeboarding are popular activities on the lakes. They are also known for their muskie and walleye fishing.

Frederick “Cy” Williams was one of the most prominent home run hitters in the National League. After retirement, Williams worked as an architect at the 3 Lakes Theatre in Three Lakes. Before that, he designed the Three Lakes Theatre's exterior and interior and later opened that June of the same year. Cy loved the recreation the lakes of the area provided.

According to the Three Lakes Historical Society, Carl Marty established one of the first Northwoods luxury resorts here in 1946 on the

shores of Deer and Big Stone lakes. His resort, the Northernaire, attracted celebrities like Bob Hope, Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd.

Bill Murray enjoyed fishing here as his mom had a place on the Three Lakes Chain. Bill Murray has also been to Eric’s Canoe and Kayak Rental on the St. Croix River!

The Butternut Lakes

Hit song writer Matraca Berg spent plenty of time at the Butternut Lakes while visiting her grandparents who had a farm near Luck. Her summer visits there inspired the song "Strawberry Wine" which was performed by Deana Carter. Berg co-wrote "Strawberry Wine" along with Gary Harrison. Berg won the "Song of the Year" at the 1997 CMA (Country Music Association) Awards.

“I just wrote the title down, ‘Strawberry Wine,’ because Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill -- that's what all the teenagers used to sneak off and drink and get sick on. I wasn't sure what it meant. I'm the kind of writer -- I kind of need music to figure stuff out. I usually don't come up with the words first; I'll have a title, and the music will tell me what it's about.

“But I figured out what it was about: My dad is a farm boy from Wisconsin, and I used to go up there and stay with [my grandparents] Inga and Elmer Berg ... And I met a boy up there. My Grandma Berg just kept having babies, so my aunts were my age. So, we used to run around and get in a lot of trouble together -- chase boys and whatnot. I told Gary this story, and he latched right onto it,” she said.

There you have it folks, a hit was made from summer love off of the shores of Polk County’s very own lakes.

Lake Superior

In Bayfield, musicians playing at Lake

Superior Big Top Chautauqua have stopped at Greunke’s First Street Inn – Leon Russell, Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, and Johnny Cash among them. Before boarding a ferry for a Madeline Island wedding, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston stopped for coffee.

Centrally located, the inn is a short walk from Lake Superior and the Madeline Island Ferry. The First Street Inn has 12 charming rooms that are quaint and comfortable. The Inn is known for its homey Bayfield atmosphere.

Today, stepping in Greunke’s Restaurant is like stepping back in the ‘40’s. The Coca-Cola memorabilia, the working Wurlitzer and old soda fountain counter conjure images reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell cover on the “Saturday Evening Post.”

John F. Kennedy Jr. and three friends checked in while owner Judith LokkenStrom was away for a day in August 1995. The group kayaked in the Apostle Islands on the weekend, and Judith was stunned when they walked in that Monday morning. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s John Kennedy.’ I asked the staff and they said, ‘Oh, yeah, they stayed here Wednesday.’ Nobody told me.”

John’s group was lucky to get a room in mid-August in Bayfield. “He had the humblest of rooms – bath across the hall, no TV. One (room) had air,” Judith says. The bill totaled $107 for four guys in two rooms, including breakfast.

Before John departed, Judith asked if they’d enjoyed their stay. He politely affirmed that they had. “I know John Kennedy thought it was absolutely beautiful. Of course, he was used to New York. I think he just loved going someplace with anonymity, and he would not have to deal with a bunch of people. He actually signed his own address, his own signature for his credit

Bill Murray | Contributed

DEER LAKE | FROM 2B

of Directors.

Beloved lake events include a Deer Lake Association funded firework show each Fourth of July weekend and a Fourth of July Boat Parade as well as Pontoon Parties and Music on The Lake.

Deer Lake is well known as one of the premiere fishing lakes in northern Wisconsin. It contains walleye, northern pike, bass, panfish, and some goodsized muskies.

On any given day you will see fisherman, swimmers and boats ranging from paddle boats to canoes; sailboats to bass boats, cruisers to pontoons.

Deer lake has one public landing on the far northwest side of the

SEE 9B

card. Everybody treated him as normal. I think he enjoyed it.”

And you can find John F. Kennedy Jr.’s signature framed on Greunke’s wall to prove it.

Red Cedar Lake

Sitting in Red Cedar Lake, Stout's Island Lodge on the Isle of Happy Days is just north of Rice Lake near Birchwood. Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere visited there in the late 90's.

Deer Lake

bathroom cabin on Deer Lake was the family’s weekend retreat where they fished, rode Jet Skis, and watched fireworks every summer.

Long Lake

Minnesota

Twins legend Kirby Puckett is just one of many Twin Cities celebs who appreciate everything Deer Lake has to offer. The Puckett’s five-bedroom, five

While Wisconsin has more than one Long Lake, Long Lake near Sarona, WI. Is where Larry the Cable Guy spends some of his Wisconsin get-a-way time. In fact, Dan Whitney is so well-schooled in all things Wisconsin you might think he and his comedic alter ego, Larry the Cable Guy, both hailed from here. He once said, “A lot of friends up there ... Everybody pretty much grew up the way I did, so I think that’s why I get along with everybody.” ■

Dan Whitney "Larry the Cable Guy" | Contributed

Adamark Auto Repair

ATV, Snowmobile, dirt bike parts & repair, tire alignment, engine & transmission, tune-ups.

715-646-1525

1725 Hwy 35 Centuria, WI 54824

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

SALES & SERVICE. SPECIALIZING IN OUTBOARD & INBOARD MOTORS.

SOUTHBAY PONTOONS

YAMAHA & MERCURY MOTORS

LUND & CRESTLINER BOATS PIER

PLEASURE DOCKS & LIFTS

FOAM WATERMATS

Boat Accessories and Engine Parts

Life Jackets

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

www.arrowmarineon8.com

Boat Bumpers

Tow Ropes

Water Ski Ropes

INDOOR

Business Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm; Sat. 8am-3pm; Sun. Noon-4pm

Terry Peer, Owner

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU ALL YEAR LONG!

L KER

SECTION C

Deer Lake

Vol. 2023

No. 4

July 7 - July 21, 2023

For more information about Deer Lake go to www.deerlakewi.com.

DEER LAKE FAST FACTS

Area 820 acres Max Depth 46 ft

Fish

Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye

Mean Depth 26 ft Boat Landings 1

Invasive Species

Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel

COOKING BY THE LAKE From surf to turf, lakeside recipes you’ll love

By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Isn’t it crazy how a foil pack cooked on a grill can taste like a gourmet meal?!

Grilling both the main course and side dish in one pack is convenient and tastes better. Cooking all the ingredients in one foil pack certainly makes a delicious dish with combined flavors. The packet helps lock in the moisture creating the juiciest meat. Bonus: Cleanup is basically nonexistent.

Here are some foil packs that are easy to cook at the lake, but leave you feeling like you are dining at a fancy supper club.

Surf’n Turf foil packs

Surf’n Turf foil packs are perfect for summer grilling and everyday meals. The foil packs are easy and quick to prepare with all ingredients, and they can be grilled, baked, or cooked on a stove. The best thing about this recipe is that it cooks the steak, seafood, and a variety of vegetables all at once.

Ingredients for 4 people:

1/2 lb sirloin steak (diced)

1/2 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)

2 ears corn (chopped into 3 equal pieces)

4 cherry tomatoes (cut into wedges)

1 small red onion (thinly sliced)

2 limes cut in wedges

4 cloves garlic (sliced)

2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Olive oil (to drizzle on top)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare four 12-inch long aluminum foil sheets. Dice the steak into 1-inch thick cubes and cut each ear of corn into 3 equal pieces.

Divide steak, shrimp, corn, tomato wedges, red onion slices, lime wedges, and garlic slices on each piece of foil. Sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, fresh thyme leaves, ground cumin, and ground black pepper and drizzle olive oil on top.

Surf'n Turf foil packs | Contributed

Fold the foil in half and roll up the edges to seal the food tightly inside.

Heat the grill to high. Place the foil packs on the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes per side. Remove the packs from the grill once the shrimp is cooked through and the steak is cooked to your desired doneness.

Serve immediately with freshly chopped parsley on top and lime wedges.

*To make sure the steak is cooked evenly, ensure all cut pieces are the same size.

You can always open the foil to check the cooking status. The dish is ready to serve once the shrimp become pink and the steak is cooked to your desired taste. Be careful with the steam when you open the foil to check the doneness.

Sprinkle more Old Bay seasoning on the final dish if desired.

Tex-Mex Pork Chop foil packs

Tex-Mex is the fusion of Mexican and American cuisine, mostly of the Tejano which are Texans with Mexican heritage. It probably began when American settlers brought their cuisine to Texas, mixing it with the traditional Mexican cuisine.

Ingredients for 4 People:

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15.25 oz) sweet corn, drained

½ cup red or verde salsa, additional for serving

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

4 boneless pork chops, 1 to 1 ½-inch thick

1 tsp salt

1 cup shredded cheese, such as white

BOAT

or yellow cheddar, pepper jack, or monterey jack

Optional Toppings:

Lime wedges

Avocado or guacamole

Sour cream

Fresh cilantro

Fresh diced white onion

Fresh diced tomato

Instructions

To make in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut 4 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil or double regular aluminum foil into 18 x 12-inch sheets. Spray the sheets with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the black beans, corn, salsa, chili powder, and cumin.

Place each pork chop in the center of the foil and sprinkle with salt. Divide the bean mixture evenly around each pork chop. Top each pork chop with ¼ cup shredded cheese. Bring two opposite sides of foil together and fold over a few times, leaving enough room for heat to circulate. Fold the other sides to seal.

Put the foil packets on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 145°F. Remove from the oven and garnish with desired toppings.

To make on the grill:

Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium. Cut 4 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil or double regular aluminum foil into 18 x 12-inch sheets. Spray the sheets with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the black beans, corn, salsa, chili powder, and cumin. Place each pork chop in the center of the foil and sprinkle with salt. Divide the bean mixture evenly around each pork chop. Top each pork chop with ¼ cup shredded cheese. Bring two opposite sides of foil together and fold over a few

Tex-Mex Pork Chop foil packs | Contributed

times, leaving enough room for heat to circulate. Fold the other sides to seal.

Put the prepared foil packets on the grill, cover, and cook 10 minutes. Rotate packets ½ turn and cook 5-8 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 145°F. Remove from the grill and garnish with desired toppings.

Notes

DO NOT OVERCOOK! Use a meat thermometer throughout the cooking. Pork is dry and hard to chew when overcooked. Remove from heat when the temperature reads 145°F.

Cauliflower Curry Vegan foil pack

Did you know you can cook vegan curry on a barbecue grill in foil packets? This complete meal is as fun to make as it is delicious to eat. And don't forget the easy non-dairy yogurt sauce for serving.

Ingredients for 4 People:

For the yogurt sauce:

1 cup plain nondairy yogurt

2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro

2 Tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

1 Tablespoon lime juice

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon lime zest

¼ teaspoon salt

For the cauliflower curry:

1 pound cauliflower florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1 pound russet potatoes, diced

1 cup chopped white onion

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1 cup frozen green peas, defrosted

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (15 ounces)

1½ Tablespoons melted coconut oil, (or substitute olive oil)

1½ Tablespoons curry powder pinch of salt dash of pepper

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

To make the yogurt sauce: Place all the yogurt sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To make the cauliflower curry: Preheat the grill to roughly 400°F (204°C). In a very large mixing bowl, place the cauliflower, potatoes, white onions, tomatoes, peas, and chickpeas. Drizzle coconut oil over the top of the veggies and stir until coated. Add the curry powder and a pinch of salt and pepper and stir again until evenly coated.

Tear out 4 pieces of aluminum foil that are 12 x 18 inches (30 x 46 cm) and lay them out. Divide the curry cauliflower mixture between the 4 sheets, place it in the middle. Fold the two long sides in toward the middle and fold the seam together until it hits the filling. Fold the two short sides in, twice, to seal the ends.

Place each packet on the grill and cook for 7 minutes, flip them over and grill for an additional 7 minutes. Carefully, open one packet slightly, and poke the cauliflower and potatoes to see if they are tender. If not, cook until they are.

Once cooked through, place the packets on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before opening and serving.

When the packets are opened, squeeze lemon juice over each one, and top with salt and pepper. Serve packets alongside yogurt sauce and enjoy. ■

Cauliflower Curry Vegan foil pack | Contributed

THE GANDY

By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

The southern segment of the Gandy Dancer State Trail travels for 47 miles in Wisconsin through the communities of Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Frederic, Siren and Webster, ending in the town of Danbury at the Minnesota border. Here a 520-foot trestle crosses the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway into Minnesota.

Combined with the northern section, the rail-trail rolls for 98 miles from St. Croix Falls north to Superior. Along the way, it crosses into Minnesota for 32 miles and then returns to Wisconsin.

Built on a former railroad corridor, the trail is named for the work crews who laid the railroad tracks. The crews used tools made by the Gandy Tool Company of Chicago and were known to work by keeping their voices, feet and tools in harmony, leading them to be called "Gandy Dancers."

The Gandy’s southern 47 mile segment is open to people powered activities spring thru late fall. The level grade and hard packed limestone surface is safe and accessible for people of all abilities. People love to hike, run, geocache, set personal goals and train for

events on the Gandy. Many use it for daily bike rides, work commutes and walking.

The crushed-limestone trail follows an old route of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, which became the Soo Line Railroad after a 1961 merger. Wisconsin Central Ltd. gained control in the late 1980s, disusing this branch. The states of Wisconsin and Minnesota acquired the right-of-way, and Wisconsin surfaced the southern section with limestone in 1995.

Beginning in St. Croix, you can set off on the Interlink Trail that leaves the Polk County Information Center. With 15 trails for hiking, biking, and crosscountry skiing, the town on the St. Croix River has earned its nickname of “City of Trails.” This portion of the Gandy Dancer Trail also overlaps the western tip of the state's expansive Ice Age Trail; this National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles from here to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

As you leave Riegel Park, you’ll be passing through forests and farmland for the rest of your journey. This area is sparsely populated, but you’ll find small towns with services every 4–8 miles. The first of these is Centuria, which you’ll reach in less than 5 miles, where the trailhead has a library.

Another 10 miles up the trail, after passing through Milltown, you’ll arrive in Luck. The town earned the title “Yo-Yo Capital of the World” after Duncan Toys opened a yo-yo factory here in 1946 to take advantage of the area’s hard maple forests. You’ll find Frederic in another 6 miles where the circa-1901 Soo Line Railroad Depot has been renovated and serves as a museum.

Well moves us.

After visiting Lewis, in another 5 miles you’ll arrive in Siren, named for the (misspelled) Swedish word for “lilac.” The town also has a vintage railroad depot, privately owned, and a park on the shores of Crooked Lake just north of town. The trail passes through Veterans Park, in the heart of Siren.

North of Crooked Lake, the trail passes the Amsterdam Sloughs State Wildlife Area, where bald eagles and blue herons make their homes.

More services are available in Webster in 6 miles, after which the final leg to the trailhead in Danbury is the longest, about 10 miles. The trail crosses the St. Croix River on a 520-foot trestle into Minnesota here.

A WI State Trail Pass is required for bicyclists age 16 or older. You can buy annual and daily passes from designated vendors along the trail or at the Polk and Burnett County Tourism Centers. A state trail pass is not required for hiking and running.

Walking your dog? Owners are required to pick up after pets and have them on a leash, 8 feet or shorter.

The Gandy Dancer is one of the area’s finest amenities and is host to more than 30 events and activities

The rural communities along the trail provide sites of interest as well as many services. Lodging, campgrounds, restaurants, ice cream shops, museums, art galleries and bike repair stations can be found in many of the trail towns.

Users of the trail have shared the following comments:

“Nice Long ride! I rode in two days, from Danbury to Frederick and back first, then from St. Croix Falls to Frederick and back I saw a bear and three otters.”

“The trail is well maintained and wide.”

“We enjoyed the rides & the charming small towns very much.”

“We road 15 miles from St Croix to Luck and the same back yesterday and simply loved it. The track, while crushed gravel, is very smooth and a hardpacked surface. The track is generally very well shaded that makes it cool in Summer. There were very few fellow travelers, and all were polite. A drink at one of the few quaint townships along the way provided a nice break!” ■ Contributed Contributed

KEEP WILDLIFE WILD

Wisconsin's year-round outdoor activities bring people outside to enjoy the natural environment and have an opportunity to view and appreciate wildlife resources. Wild animals are valued by many, and it's important to observe them at a respectful distance to keep them wild and allow for their life in the wild to continue.

During the warmer months of spring and summer, the frequency of human-wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals. While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people interfere in wildlife situations because they incorrectly assume a young animal is orphaned.

How to tell if a wild animal is truly orphaned

The following are tips for determining whether these common animals are truly orphaned. For the protection of all young wildlife, please do not revisit a nest site and do not let dogs and cats near the area.

White tailed deer

Young deer, called fawns, can weigh as little as three pounds at birth. For the first 2-3 weeks after they are born, fawns lack the strength and speed to escape from danger. During this time, they move very little and rely on their spotted, camouflage coat and lack of scent to protect them. The mother further protects her fawn from predators by staying some distance away except when it is time for the fawn to nurse, often just every few hours.

Tip: If you find a fawn lying alone unless the fawn is sick or injured, leave it alone. Leave the area and do not go near the spot again. The mother will not return if people or dogs are present. Do not touch the fawn or bring children, dogs or friends to look at it. Doing so could endanger the fawn

by giving away its location to a predator, and its mother won't return to nurse the fawn while people or dogs are nearby. If a fawn is in obvious danger, such as next to a road or in a parking lot, being mindful of your safety and the safety of others, you can use clean gloves to pick up the fawn and move it to a safer location, as close as possible to the location it was originally found. You can also slowly, quietly and gently try to guide the fawn away from hazards and to a seemingly safer location. The mother will find the fawn. Although you should avoid touching the fawn unless necessary, it is a myth that the mother will reject the fawn if it has a human scent on it.

Cottontail rabbit

A cottontail's nest is typically a shallow cup scraped into the soil, lined with some of the mother rabbit's fur and some dried grasses. In human residential areas, these nests are often in unusual locations, such as the middle of a lawn, by a sidewalk, on a playground or in a garden. To avoid attracting the attention of predators to her nest, a mother rabbit does not stay with her young but only visits the nest briefly at dawn and dusk for quick feedings.

The young cottontails, called kits, open their eyes at 1 week old and begin exploring outside of the nest for short periods to nibble on the grass at about

2-3 weeks. A cottontail rabbit that is about the size of a softball (4-5 inches long) with eyes open and the ability to hold its ears upright should be capable of being on its own and should be left alone. Cottontails can have multiple litters each year so kits may be encountered any time from spring through fall.

Tip: If a nest is disturbed by a pet, or child or because of lawn work, the nest can be rebuilt, the kits replaced in the nest and the mother will likely return. To determine if the nest is abandoned, you can place several grass stems or very fine twigs in a crisscross pattern over the nest and check it the following morning. If the pattern has been disturbed, then you know the mother has been there to feed the kits. After you have determined the kits are not orphaned, do not keep visiting the nest as your scent could lead predators right to the nest.

Songbirds

A songbird's nest, depending on the species and habitat, maybe in the branches of a tree or shrub, in a tree cavity, in a birdhouse, on an artificial structure like a porch light or even on the ground. Most songbirds incubate their eggs for about two weeks.

Once the eggs hatch, the featherless "nestlings" remain in the nest for about two weeks and are completely dependent on the parents for warmth and

parents are still tending to it. When a parent bird returns it may just stop by for a moment to stuff some food in the fledgling's mouth and take off again right away to find more food. Unless the parents do not return within one hour, they should be left alone.

Raccoons

food. Young songbirds leave the nest ("fledge") before their flight feathers are fully developed and cannot fly for several days.

After leaving the nest they are referred to as "fledglings." They will hop around on the ground and make short, lowlevel practice flights, building their strength and coordination as they gradually learn to forage for food.

Tip: It is a myth that parents won't return to care for a young bird if humans have touched it. If you find an uninjured bird that is featherless or with only a few small feathers, or if it's unable to hop from one spot, it probably needs to be placed back into its nest.

If the nest has been destroyed, an artificial nest can often be created with a clean, empty plastic container like a margarine tub. Make sure the container has drainage holes on the bottom and line it with a thick layer of dried grasses or fine twigs for cushioning and insulation. Secure the new nest as close as possible to the original nest location. Watch from a distance for at least one hour to see if the parents find the nestling in the new nest. Unless a parent bird does not return to resume care for the nestling within one hour, it should be left alone.

If you find a fledgling, keep cats, dogs and people away from it and watch from a location where the parent birds cannot see you to see if the

A female raccoon will typically make her den in a tree cavity, but will sometimes occupy an attic or chimney, if accessible. Young raccoons, called kits, are born into litters of 2-6. Their eyes begin to open at about 3 weeks of age, and at 4 weeks teeth begin to erupt. At 6-8 weeks, raccoon kits are capable of walking, climbing and running and may begin to explore alternate den sites with their mother. Weaning occurs at 8-12 weeks, but the kits may remain with their mother until the following spring.

Tip: If you find a raccoon kit outside of its den and it appears to be sick, cold, weak, injured or still has its eyes closed, you should contact the DNR or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. If you find a seemingly healthy kit with its eyes open, and it's away from its den (e.g. on the ground) but not in immediate danger, watch from a distance to see if it climbs back up to its den or if its mother retrieves it. Unless the kit is still there after two hours, it should be left alone.

If raccoons have taken up residence in your attic, eaves or chimney, they can usually be forced to relocate by making the area less appealing to them. The mother will likely relocate the kits to another den site, carrying one baby at a time. This process may take multiple nights. Preventive measures are also needed to ensure that another raccoon will not occupy that space in the future, so be sure to securely close any possible points of entry and/or cap your chimney after the entire family has left.

It is a myth that parents won't return to care for a young bird if humans have touched it.

LUCK-A TALE OF TWO LAKE CITIES

By April Ziemer editor@theameryfreepress.com

Luck was originally two settlements, Luck on Big Butternut Lake, and West Denmark further west, founded by Danish immigrants in 1869 on the north and west shores of Little Butternut Lake and extending out for a few miles.

The historic West Denmark settlement is the site for the first cooperative creamery in the United States and has one of the oldest Danish Lutheran congregations in the country. Stories have it that travelers who reached the shores of Big Butternut Lake by the end of the first day were “in Luck”. A store owned by William Foster was built next to the lake.

The two settlements knew it was impractical to remain separate entities but disagreed about which would be the center of town.

The railroad settled the issue when it laid tracks near the eastern settlement. Luck was not incorporated until 1905, several years later than most surrounding villages.

According to Luck Remembered, NJ (Nels Jorgen Christensen) was born in Denmark in 1861. Both of his parents died when he was young and at the age of 15, because of the stories of his uncle Tom Christensen, he came to America. The year was 1876 and his uncle lived in the Luck area. Luck was nothing more than a stopping place at the time for the lumberjacks.

Foster’s place on Big Butternut had a general store and saloon. In 1888 after working a lot of different jobs, NJ bought a half interest in the store with Foster. In 1895, he took sole possession. Luck was really booming at this time, the main street ran east-west and originated at the lake. Businesses up and down main street of "Old Luck" or "East Luck" were popping up everywhere. Around 1900, the railroad was platted about a half mile west of the village on land owned by Nelson Lawson and that is where the Soo Line built their depot.

Lawson began plotting out a new town site including the north south main street Luck has today. Businesses started opening up on this new main street and with the railroad being so close it made since for the businesses in "Old Luck" to start moving. And they did. This included in many cases, whole buildings being moved, including NJ’s off of Butternut.

Chester Christensen would join his father NJ in business on Luck's current main street years later, after East Luck was gone.

NJ died in 1929, the Luck Enterprise at the time noted that the funeral at the time was the most well attended event in Luck's history. ■

Another view of the Christensen store on Butternut, courtesy of Judy Tretsven Parker. NJ's wife Rosie Tretsven is holding son Elmer and NJ is holding son Chester.

Foster’s place on Big Butternut had a general store and saloon Contributed