Issuu

No. 4 July 12 – July 26, 2021

FREE

WHAT’S CRACKING AT BIG BUTTERNUT P. 8A

MAKE A WISH ON WHITE ASH LAKE P. 2B

Also Included A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE LUCK-E GET THE MEAT AND POTATOES ON LOCAL BUTCHER SHOPS GET TO KNOW THE NORTHERN PIKE

Sentinel Publications: Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger & Osceola Sun

The Cargo Manifest Galley A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE LUCK-E

p. 3A

Riggings GET THE MEAT AND POTATOES ON LOCAL BUTCHER SHOPS

Lazy days at the lake We are heading into deep summer, the best time of the year to be at the lake. Inside this LAKER, we have features on the Butternut Lakes and White Ash Lakes. There’s a look at the Luck-E Bar and Restaurant, a proﬁle of the Northern Pike, a story about local meat markets, a story about the Balsam Lake Farmers Market and a great feature about Glyn Thorman’s Glastron GT, the “Live and Let Die” James Bond boat. Enjoy your time at the lake! Three more LAKERS before summer is done. The publication dates are as follows:

LAKER #5 Deadline: Wednesday July 21 Delivery Date: Week of July 26 LAKER #6 Deadline: Wednesday, Aug. 4 Delivery Date: Week of Aug. 9 LAKER #7 Deadline: Wednesday, Aug. 18 Delivery Date: Week of Aug. 23

p. 5A

Port of Call WHAT’S CRACKING BIG BUTTERNUT?

p. 8A

Got a comment or a story idea? Email us at polkcountylaker@ gmail.com

Fishery GET TO KNOW THE NORTHERN PIKE

Enjoy the LAKER, and your summer! Tom Stangl, Publisher tstangl@theameryfreepress.com

p. 14A

Shore Leave p. 10B MAKE A WISH ON WHITE ASH LAKE

p. 2B 2A

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

Fishers of Men p. 11B

Cover photo of Big Butternut Lake courtesy of luckwisconsin.com

SENTINEL

Galley

A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE LUCK-E By Kelly Holm Founded in 1921, the Luck-E Bar and Restaurant marks 100 years as a staple of the Luck community this year, from its rumored early history of gangsters and bootleggers to its modern-day niche as a place for eats, drinks and dancing. But less than a month ago, this town landmark turned over a new leaf when Quinton Carlson of Balsam Lake purchased the restaurant June 10. Carlson and his wife, Lisa, had tended bar at the Luck-E for its previous owner, with him working on weekends and her working during the week. There had been talk between the couple in recent years about wanting to purchase the bar, but before that could happen, Lisa died at the age of 46 in February 2020. Now, Carlson has finally acquired the Luck-E in Lisa’s honor. “Some friends of ours owned it, and they… knew I had wanted to buy a bar for a long time, but I was waiting for the right opportunity, and so they offered it to us, and we decided to take them up on the offer,” he said. “As a tribute to [Lisa], and our family and our kids… we all just wanted to do it for her.”

Contributed The Luck-E Bar and Restaurant begins its second century, good food remains a constant.

The Carlsons raised four children, now young adults between the ages of 19 and 29, and two of them also work at the Luck-E. “My youngest son Dante, [19], works the kitchen. People really love his cooking, and he’s kind of a natural at it,” Carlson said. “My son Vincent, [22], helps manage the front of the house, and he bar-

tends here five nights a week, and everybody here loves coming into see him and interacting with him.” Carlson says he hopes to take the Luck-E in a new direction, in terms of both its menu offerings and its atmosphere. He plans to speak with local officials at July 14’s village board meeting, and has talked to chief of police Mon-

te Tretsven about keeping rowdy patrons at bay. “We will be bringing a new menu in the next couple of weeks. We’re working with our food distributor now to put that together [before Lucky Days]. The one major difference [from previous ownership] is, the owner’s always on site here, and I’m always available to talk to customers and help meet their needs,” he said. “There had been some trouble here with some of the clientele [in the past]… we’ll admit that. We really want this to be a very family friendly place. Weeknights until nine, we’ll really focus on having it be a restaurant where families can come and have dinner, and it’s very kid friendly. After nine, we turn down the lights a little and we switch to a more adult atmosphere, and have some music and dancing.” Over Independence Day weekend, Carlson was pleased with turnout at the Luck-E, despite anticipations that crowds might be slower due to Freedom Fest in Balsam Lake. The Luck-E featured a disc jockey and dancing for the holiday, and Carlson hopes to replicate the success at Lucky Days.

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SATURDAY, JULY 17 10 AM All Day (TF) Kids Fest & Lions Club Fundraiser Dunk Tank 10 AM TO 10 PM (SCF) Art, Craft & Vendor Fair opens on mainstreet along with sidewalk sales and fun all through downtown 12 PM Beer & Wine Garden opens 12 PM Annual party at St Croix Tavern with Pool Tournaments, Food, Bev & Live Music 1 PM (TF) Bootleggers Balls with Miss Myra 1 PM (SCF) Entertainment with Rex Cactus and The Radio Rangers Country Music Showcase & Comedy Show 3 PM (TF) Joe’s Eats Beneﬁt at Catholic Church 4 PM (SCF) Annual Talent Show 5 PM (SCF) Parade Line up 5 PM (TF) Childrens Parade (line up Roymaynes 4:45) 6 PM Parade Launch from SCF To TF via Hwy 8 Want to know if the power goes out at your lake home? Sign up to receive outage texts.

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SUNDAY, JULY 18 10 AM (SCF) Alliance Church of The Valley Church Service At The Overlook and free community meal after the service 12 PM - NOON (TF) Croquet Tournament at TF Elementary School 12 PM - NOON (SCF) Self-guided hikes, biking and trail outings in St Croix Falls – The City of Trails, Interstate State Parks in both MN & WI and in downtown Taylors Falls, MN and surrounding areas to include Franconia Sculpture Park, Wild River State Park, Wild Mountain Recreation Park and Trollhaugen Recreation Park. Enjoy!!!

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Riggings

GET THE MEAT AND POTATOES ON LOCAL BUTCHER SHOPS By Kelly Holm When you think about the smells of summer, few seem more quintessential than that of freshly grilled meat: it ranks right up there with marshmallows toasting over an open fire. Sure, you could bring meat from home up to the cabin with you, but if you don’t want to fill a cooler with ice, consider stopping by a local butcher shop to make your summer grilling special. If you’re in or near Centuria, Larsen Family Meats may be your best bet. Though the store itself is a development of recent decades, it’s a business that has been four generations in the making. “My great-grandpa bought the land we’re on, bought this part of farm for my grandfather when he came back from World War One,” proprietor Jerry Larsen said. “My father took it over from [my grandfather], and I took it over from [my father]. We milked cows until 2006, then we sold the milk cows, and we got into Black Angus [cattle] and raised some pigs. Since then, we’ve built the non-farm store here, so we sell retail off the farm.” In addition to locally-sourced pork and beef, Larsen’s sells wild rice blends from Spooner, honey from the Honey House in St. Croix Falls, maple syrup from Hustad’s Sugar Bush in Cumberland and cheese from Almena. Additionally, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the store has expanded their delivery service, and will deliver within Centuria, Balsam Lake, Luck and St. Croix Falls. “I try to schedule deliveries once a week in different directions from us… I charge five

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dollars, no matter if you want to get a couple of pork chops or a lot of meat. We take credit cards and EBT and everything when we deliver,” Larsen said. “One [customer] called not too long ago. They were going to rent a whole cabin and they had, like, 11 or 13 people coming up, and they ordered a whole bunch of meat [to be] delivered. There’s a few [customers] that will probably order once a month when they come up to their cabin.” Meanwhile, Van Meter Meats has been a mainstay in Luck for nearly four decades, and has also remained within family hands the entire time. Their specialties, according to co-proprietor Tim Van Meter, include homemade sausages, bratwursts and jerky sticks. “I think we have 11 kinds of [bologna] now. Beef sticks, there’s got to be at least six different flavors of them,” Van Meter said. “We

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may add new products, but we don’t do crazy things, we’ve done this for so long.” Van Meter Meats does custom processing for local beef and pork farmers, and you can find their products at a number of restaurants and retailers in the Luck area. “We have several local restaurants that we sell to, lots of meat raffles in this area that taverns do to raise money for nonprofits,” Van Meter said. “Some of the chain grocery stores carry our products, [as well as] convenience stores. In the local area, we’re pretty wellknown.” Currently, Van Meter is gearing up for Lucky Days, where the store will supply bratwursts at the ballpark and beer garden. There are still newcomers to the butchering business in this neck of the woods, however. In Siren, Block and Cleaver Artisan Meats launched in 2016 and opened its doors to the public in 2017. Approaching its four-year anniversary of retailing in November, Block and Cleaver emphasizes its focus on naturally smoked products. “My nuts and bolts and jerky, snack sticks, bacon, brats and summer sausage, seasonally,” said founder Adrian Dykstra. “We sell a lot in this local area and 40-mile radius.” A former certified public accountant, Dykstra previously worked as CFO of a small company that dealt heavily in meat sales, and became intrigued by the business of it all, eventually making the decision to open a shop of his own.

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FARMERS’ MARKET HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Balsam Lake has had a Farmers’ Market since summer 2002 - 23 years of fellowship!! It was an interest of Balsam Lake resident Karen Paulsen who was a newly retired family and consumer education teacher from Amery Schools and Esther Nelson a long time farmer living nearby on HWY 8. Karen said, “We both had the idea at the same time and a Balsam Lake resident introduced us. My husband, Elliot, and I grew vegetables and she and her husband, Dick, had honey, maple syrup, grew mushrooms and she preserved and canned. The husbands were behind the scenes - like putting up signs. And the first markets were on Paulsen land - corner of city road #I and #46. That was the first location - then across street from Pine Park, Pine Park itself, grocery store lot and now Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church lot since 2013. It is always changing with location of markets (but always an outdoor event), seasons of the summer (vegetables when they produce, each week unique mushrooms, spring starter plants to mature blooms to fall mums, sweet corn from down the road, pumpkins for jack0-lanterns, summer or fall squash. Different whims of vendors are always in flux

Contributed The bounty of summer is coming to the Farmers Market in Balsam Lake.

(when they have products to sell or all season or one day at a time) but everything produced or made locally and at home. Then all of a sudden, someone new will pop in with live chickens or rabbits or handmade soap or hand carved wooden spoons, handcrafted furniture or beautiful vessels made from dried, dyed and decorated gourds. We used to

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always have lots of baked goods made by local church’s assigned to each week. Now Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church makes cinnamon rolls for Memorial Day weekend and pies for Labor Day weekend and we might be surprised by a 4-H group in between. Regulations of health rules have changed over the years to make Farmers’ Markets safer. Call

manager Ester Nelson with questions at 715-268-8223. She will have answers after-all she has been there for 23 years. The changes are fun and unexpected but the regulars are what have kept people coming Friday (until about October 10 in every sort of Wisconsin “summer” weather) from 3 to 5 p.m. and remembered by tourists year to year! Es-

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ther Nelson is always there with homegrown mushrooms, their maple syrup, honey and her preserves. Carolyn Tourville always has several kinds of fresh eggs. Jeanne Alling comes from the Endeavor’s greenhouse with tasty hydroponic tomatoes (from the beginning of season and miniature ones are sweet as candy). Her daughter Jena sells homemade sauces like salsa and plants. Shirley Crow has gorgeous native plants. Michele Nelson brings frozen whole free-range chickens perfect for the rotisserie. Jay Olson and son come with maple syrup and garden treats. And of course Pike Hole Family Farms (Val and Brad Burke) with their prolific assortment of all the vegetables locally producible in Polk County - and some unexpected. And last week Patricia Hatele showed up with her beautifully decorated gourds! And more - it is always different and always a surprise- but still popular and a great fellowship for our community. ■ – Balsam Lake Farmers’ Market

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Galley LUCK-E | FROM 3A “This being our first Lucky Days, we’re not sure what to expect. We’re hoping to roll out a new menu by then, and other than that, we’ll have a DJ inside and a street dance outside,” he said. “We’re kind of just going to keep doing what we’ve been doing, and see how this year goes… we’re really going to focus on getting some more dinner items on the menu, getting some new steak and seafood options.” Though it might not look like the vision he’d originally planned with Lisa, Carlson still celebrated that he’d fulfilled a longtime goal. A 20-year veteran of the financial industry and a bartender since 1994, Carlson said owning a bar had been his dream “since I was in my early 20s, since I saw the movie ‘Cocktail’ by Tom Cruise,” and he praised the friends who

Contributed Hearty sandwiches are a mainstay of the menu at the Luck-E Bar and Restaurant.

sold the Luck-E to him and helped make the dream a reality. “They’re good friends.

Riggings

After I lost my wife, I think they kind of wanted to help out, and they’re very busy with some other

properties that they have,” he said. “They thought it would be good for them and me.” ■

Contributed A cool drink is always within reach at the Luck-E Bar and Restaurant.

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“It worked out in Siren because of the location… it’s in the Northwoods, it’s a vacation area, there’s a lot of traffic seasonally, there’s some great fishing lakes. It is a community that was in need, I felt like, of a business or a meat market,” Dykstra said. “Ultimately, we have the opportunity to be one of the centerpieces of barbecues, company outings, family gatherings a lot of the time when people get together, it’s focused around, what are they eating, and when we can provide a really great product that everyone can enjoy, it can really start to even impact the dynamics of that experience and that event.” Block and Cleaver products have been sold in over 100 retailers, including restaurants and boutique shops, the Dykstra has partnered with since his venture’s inception. Currently, you can find their brats and breakfast steaks at Gary’s Rude Cafe in Siren, ground beef and breakfast sausage at the Red Maple in Luck, and specialty sirloin at the FishBowl Bar in Danbury. “We pride ourselves very much on customer service,” Dykstra said. “We try to always be as friendly as we can. We did a lot of transactions between Thursday and Saturday [of Independence Day weekend], and… I don’t think we had one negative customer interaction.” ■

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JULY 12 – 26, 2021 | THE LAKER

Port of Call

WHAT’S CRACKING AT BIG BUTTERNUT? By Kelly Holm Located in close proximity to the Luck School District and Luck Municipal Golf Course, Big Butternut Lake is a small, kicked-back lake prized for its solitude. Measuring 384 acres and ranging 19 feet deep at maximum, it is an ideal water body to visit if peace and quiet is what you want from a day at the lake, rather than an afternoon of extreme sports. While you might not encounter many jet skis or wake boats making a ruckus

here, you could encounter some very energetic geese. “As many lakes do, we’ve had a lively goose population, and while it’s great wildlife, it can also cause problems for the lake, and the school,” Big Butternut Management District treasurer Craig Svendsen said. “We’ve done some goose control efforts over the years, to greater or lesser success.” One such suggestion the management district has made in the

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

Seth-David Maack Butternut Lake is home to some beautiful vistas.

Port of Call past is that homeowners along the lake leave their shorelines rough, which typically inhibits the pesky waterfowl from making and leaving their mark in yards. Another crackdown effort from past years is the act of goose egg oiling, for which a DNR permit has previously been required. Also known as goose egg addling, this process takes place during the early-spring breeding season and involves dipping a goose egg into corn oil, in order to prevent it from becoming viable and hatching. “If we’re able to dip a goose egg into cooking oil that egg will stay there, and the female goose will sit on that egg, but it won’t hatch,” district member Gary Zuckweiler said. “If we break the eggs, then the mother will lay more eggs.” Most recently, officials from the United States Department of Agriculture

Roger Mantile Fishing and boating are some of the things many enjoy on Big Butternut Lake.

(USDA) conducted a goose roundup at several area

lakes, including Big Butternut, with assistance from a

few homeowners. During this procedure, geese are

herded into an area that is temporarily fenced off, and from there caged and transported away from the problem location. “The school is a very productive, grassy, level area where [geese] like to go and spend a good share of the day, normally,” Svendsen said. “Generally in the springtime, when kids are still in school, they’re still over there and feasting away and leaving their markings behind.” Aquatic weeds such as curly leaf pondweed have also troubled Big Butternut Lake, and have enjoyed an excellent growing season this year due to a stretch of hot, sunny days in which sunshine was able to reach into the depths of the lake, enabling the weeds to grow thicker. The district does not currently have a harvester or employ a Clean Boats, Clean Waters program, but CONTINUED ON 11A

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JULY 12 – 26, 2021 | THE LAKER

10A

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

Port of Call has in the past. In the event of an infestation by invasive species like carp, Eurasian milfoil or zebra mussels, lake association funds are available for the district’s use in combating the problem, but such a situation has yet to occur. The weeds do have a positive aspect, however, in being an ideal habitat for fish who prefer highly vegetated areas. Fingerlings are stocked every year, and within Big Butternut’s waters, you might catch panfish, sunfish, crappies, northern pike, bass and the occasional walleye. One public boat landing is available for fishermen not lucky enough to live on the lake. 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. Though problems at the lake come and go- a sewer line was put along Big Butternut’s southern shore about 15 years ago, much to the relief of those that lived there, and algae was a much bigger problem in decades past than it is now- it has always been an attractive lake by virtue of its quietness compared to other, larger lakes within the region. Over the Fourth of July weekend, it boasted no organized fireworks display or boat parade, and there are holidays on which 10 motorized boats out on the lake marks an unusually busy day. Sandy Madsen, the district’s secretary, praised the constancy of Big Butternut Lake. “Basically, everything is almost the same… as it’s been since we got here,” said Madsen, who first came to live at Big Butternut in 1983. “The lake association has been very active, and they’ve done many different things to improve the lake as the years have gone by, and if they’ve found that there’s something that isn’t working, then they stop.” ■

Big Butternut Lake Total Acres 384 Total Shoreline 3.4 miles Maximum depth 19 feet Village of Luck, Town of Georgetown, Polk County, Wisconsin

10 15

15 19 SD

S SPECIES OF FISH

Muskie N Pike Walleye L.M. Bass S.M. Bass Panfish Trout

BUTTERNUT | FROM 9A

SD Present

XXX

15 GR

SD SD 3

5 10

TOPOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS Marsh Submergent vegetation Emergent vegetation Public Access LAKE BOTTOM SYMBOLS MK Muck GR Gravel SD Sand

SD GR

SCALE (ft.) 500 0

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Wisconsin boating laws and regulations are enforced.

1,500

2,000

2,500

Produced by Big Butternut Lake Management District. July, 2012

Personal Water Craft: SLOW NO WAKE WITHIN 200 FT. OF ANY SHORELINE.

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 ¿sh 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.

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Live & Work Where You Love To Play JULY 12 – 26, 2021 | THE LAKER

11A

The Ropes

THE POWER OF BOND — THE GLASTRON GT-150 SHINES ALMOST 50 YEARS AFTER ‘LIVE AND LET DIE’ By C.L. Sill Ever get the sudden urge to use the word Octopussy, but can’t find the right time or place? Buy a Glastron GT-150. The American made speed boat was used by Bond in the 1973 film ‘Live and Let Die’ during a chase scene through the Louisiana bayou that crescendoed with a 110 foot jump across a dike and over top of two cars. Bond fans will no doubt scoff at the Octopussy reference, since it was actually an entirely different movie released over a decade after Live and Let Die, but the real beauty of Bond lies in his ambiguity. Bond can melt into any part of your life, be it his cars, boats, suit or vernacular. Doesn’t matter what particular movie it’s from, we all just want to inhabit a part of his soul. After over 60 years, Bond still reigns king in a world full of copycats, as well he should. And nothing puts you in his shoes, even if just for a moment, more than running your hands down the bright orange and white hull of a ’72 Glastron. The boats are not particularly rare, or even that expensive in terms of vintage speed boats. But they can’t be matched for nostalgia. Osceola native Glyn Thorman has been enthralled with the boats since he first saw ‘Live and Let Die’ in the summer of 1973, and has owned a number of GT-150s

Contributed Still photo from the 1973 James Bond ﬁlm ‘Live and let Die.’ In the movie, a Glastron GT-150 made a 110 foot jump across a dike in the Louisiana bayou, which set a world record for the longest speed boat jump in a ﬁlm.

in the last two decades. “The movie was OK, but the chase scenes were phenomenal,” Thorman said. “And still today I think (The GT-150) is one of the classiest looking boats ever built. It looks fast, it looks current — you could build that boat today and get a following.” Thorman is not a diehard Bond fan himself, but for some reason the boat latched on and wouldn’t let go. He bought his first GT-

150 in 2007, nine years later he owned three of them. Thorman thought that was a bit of overkill, as did his wife. “She told me ‘we don’t need a fleet. You’ve got three, maybe that’s more than you need,’” he said. Thorman is an almost obsessive collector, which is not to be confused with an obsessive hoarder — although their trajectories do stray dangerously close to one

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The Ropes

Contributed Glyn Thorman takes a ride in his 1972 Glastron GT-150. The boat tops out at around 45 miles per hour, but it feels much faster than that on the water. Contributed Reproduction hood decal made by Glyn Thorman

Contributed Glyn Thorman’s ﬂeet of Glastron GT-150s. He began collecting the boats in the mid 00s, but has since sold two of the three pictured here.

boats, firearms and toy cars attract a diehard niche audience willing to spend large sums of money for a new prized possession, or a new detail for their already existing prized possession. Among other ventures, Thorman reproduces and sells the hood decals for Glastron GT-150s. Hood decals are one of the first pieces to start decaying as a boat ages, and as Thorman made his way further down the Glastron rabbit hole he saw an opportunity to provide shiny new decals to Glastron owners obsessed with original quality parts. Thorman’s decals are spot-on to originals, down to the embossing. They’re so accurate that the Ian Fleming Foundation, which now owns the original boat used in the film, replaced its worn out decal with one of Thorman’s reproductions. That original boat was actually one of 26 Glastrons that were purchased for ‘Live and Let Die.’ The production crashed 17 of those 26 boats rehearsing for the jump scene, which was only filmed once. The GT-150 that made the filmed jump was outfitted with a 135 horsepower Evinrude Starflite engine. It was modified to have only one front seat, which sat in the middle of the boat rather than on the right side to maintain balance in the air. Two black railings were also added to the sides of the boat to keep it level on the jump. The 110-foot span broke the world record for longest speedboat jump in a film. The record still stands today. In the scene, the boat behind Bond also makes the jump successfully. But during filming that boat hit the GT-150’s wake and crashed shortly after landing. If you watch closely, you can see the boat veer sharply to the right and head toward the bank. The camera cuts just before the boat crashes. The boat only has a max speed of about 45 miles per hour, but on the water that feels more like 105. And anyway, the draw isn’t really the speed, but the style.

The dash is partially made of wood grain and the instrument panel looks like a Swiss watch face. The vinyl seats are an immaculate orange to match the hull — the second you sit in them you start looking around for some kind of secret compartment that hides your Walther PPK and a ring that shoots poison darts. The wheel is thin but sturdy with elegant chrome inserts. The carpet — well the carpet is tacky as hell. But hey, it was 1972. The whole thing feels very much like sitting in a small European sports car, which is probably why they picked it for Bond in the first place. James Bond is the King Midas of masculinity. His cars, his cufflinks, his pistols and suits — everything he’s touched since 1963 has

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turned to gold. Bond is what we all hope to be. He’s noble and brave in spite of irreconcilable flaws, and who could ask for more than that out of life? Drive a speedboat this summer, even if it’s not a Glastron GT-150 (props to you if it is though). While you’re out ripping around, give in to your inner Bond. Remember what it was like the first time you sat in the theater and watched him save the world and get the girl. Let the theme song play in your head — and don’t fight the sudden urge to turn around and see who’s chasing you. ■

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13A

Fishery

GET TO KNOW THE NORTHERN PIKE By Kelly Holm If you want to acquire a lucrative scaly trophy from Wisconsin’s northern waters this summer, but don’t have the time or patience to pursue a lucrative muskellunge, why not set your sights on the northern pike? A close cousin of the musky, the northern pike is only slightly smaller than its relatives, making it the Badger State’s second largest carnivorous fish. And while pikes are known to taste quite similar to muskies, a northern pike is much more willing to bite. So, what do you have to do to earn that coveted tug? Let’s find out…

Identiﬁcation Facts Northern pikes appear a dull, muddy green in coloration, and are usually speckled with lighter-colored spots across the left and right sides of their bodies. Their undersides appear white or otherwise very light-colored, and they measure on average between 16 and 22 inches long and typically weigh about 34 pounds. Perhaps the northern pike’s most distinctive feature is its teeth, which are razor-sharp and number in the hundreds. Pikes’ tails are more rounded compared to their musky cousins, and while both species have scales on their faces and pores under their jaws, a pike has more scales and fewer pores (4 to 5), while a musky has fewer scales

Contributed

and more pores (6 to 9). The offspring of the female musky and male northern pike is known as the tiger musky. They generally have dark bodies and light stripes, spotted round tails and fins, and a median amount of face scales and pores (5 to 7).

Where to ﬁnd northern pike Just about any Polk or Burnett County lake is a safe bet for a day spent fishing for pikes, although you’ll want to consult the DNR lake directory to learn which bodies of water are particularly abundant in them. The northern pike is quite common throughout Wisconsin’s northern region, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one in the southern part, whether due to lack of glaciation or overfishing. Pikes are especially prevalent in waters flowing into and near the Great

Lakes or the Mississippi River. The northern pike tends to prefer shallower, colder habitats with plenty of weed growth to hide out in while lurking for prey. During the hottest days of summer, you might find them hanging out near inlets and streams, or near the lake bottom in deeper waters.

When to ﬁnd northern pike Considering their preference for chillier waters, it might not come as a surprise to you that winter is a more lucrative time for catching pikes than summer is. August tends to bring hotter temperatures and peak food supplies, so the northern pike will be less inclined to bite and more apt to seek out a lake’s coldest depths. Pike season officially spans from the first Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March of the following

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14A

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

year. During the two-month hiatus, the fish will probably be spawning, which takes place in marshy, vegetation-rich locales during the night hours in late March and early April.

How to catch northern pike Remember, they tend to be less discriminatory than muskies, so don’t be afraid to break out the colorful, noisy bait. Bright colors like white and orange, vibrations and sounds, and large bait are all known to attract pikes from great distances. Because the northern pike is stubborn and toothy, make sure your tackle is sturdy and substantive, and your leader is thick (ideally steel) so it doesn’t get bitten off! For more information on all things northern pike, check out the Wisconsin DNR. ■

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15A

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16A

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

No. 4 July 12 – July 26, 2021

LAKE R

FREE

Section B

Photo courtesy of Susie Kuhn

Sentinel Publications: Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger & Osceola Sun

Port of Call

MAKE A WISH ON WHITE ASH LAKE By Kelly Holm Near the town of Balsam Lake and the Apple River, you’ll find a small, shallow lake that boasts vibrant colors in the autumn and solitude throughout the seasons. Spanning 147 acres and measuring 9 feet deep at maximum, it could make a picturesque place to bring your pontoon or an optimal location to kayak with your kids. The lake is served by the White Ash Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District, with Jerry Campbell as chair and Pamela Johnson as treasurer. Currently, the P&R District is in the process of updating their Aquatic Plant Management Plan, which is renewed every five years through the DNR. “We just started the process for our new upcoming update, so we have to do some plant surveys with a plant engineer [for] water quality, and there’s a questionnaire that will go out to all of the different property owners on the lake,” Johnson said. “[That questionnaire] will address what [homeowners] see as issues for the lake.” Right now, problems being tackled at White Ash Lake include the harvesting of weeds, such as the

Susie Kuhn White Ash Lake is a placind and peaceful place to relax and unwind.

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Port of Call invasive curly leaf pondweed, in order to keep the waters navigable for boating and fishing, and the dredging of excess sediment in the Apple River, which connects White Ash Lake to North White Ash Lake. “The north lake is pretty much weedy throughout, with a variety of different weeds to be harvested. Both lakes are really very shallow, so the weed growth can get pretty thick. The [main] lake, the weeds are more just around the perimeter of it, so not as much in the middle,” Johnson said. “Right now there is a spot in the river that’s got a lot of sediment, and so that little chunk, we just got a permit to dredge it.” White Ash Lake has a Clean Boats, Clean Waters

Brian Kochendorfer The number of full time residents are increasing on the lake.

White Ash and North White Ash Lakes

Produced by the White Ash Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District. June, 2019

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boat landings. Currently, a couple of volunteer residents are monitoring the lake regularly for clarity and phosphorus levels. “Last year, we did some neighborhood watch signs. A lot of the properties are closed up for the winter, and now there’s

program, which is largely focused on conducting boat checks during high-traffic holiday weekends, like the fishing opener or the Fourth of July. The program has a new coordinator this year, who is seeking more volunteers to monitor the primary

There are about 200 residential properties along White Ash Lake, and the number of residents that are full-time has been increasing in recent years. Pap’s General Store and Jonzy Market are both in close proximity to the lake, so boaters can stock up on snacks and other amenities before spending an afternoon out on the water. Fishermen can expect to find an abundance of panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike here. “Because it’s a small lake, it’s not a very rough lake, so it’s very calm and enjoyable to get out here,” Johnson said. “There are quite a few people who enjoy kayaking on the lake, and going between the lakes on the river.” ■

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Luck, WI Lucky Days

2021 Lucky Days FRIDAY, JULY 16 9 AM Sidewalk Sales on Main Street 9 AM - 4 PM Vendor/Craft Fair, West 2nd Ave. Contact Amy at amydueholm@ yahoo.com. 11 AM Food Court and Beer Tent Open. Hamburgers and Van Meter’s Brats and Hot Dogs. 2 - 5:30 PM Live Music by Rex Cactus under the tent. 5 - 8 PM Kids Corner by Luck Fire Hall. Kids Moonwalk. Provided by Zion Lutheran Church of Bone Lake. 5:30 PM Bed Races on Main Street. Contact Ben’s Northern Bar at 715-4722575. 6:30 PM Beanbag Tournament on Main Street by Ben’s Northern Bar. Contact Ben 715-472-2575. Sponsored by Ben’s Northern Bar. 6:30 PM Co-Ed Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament Begins. Contact Bear at 715-554-0599.

SATURDAY, JULY 17 8 AM 5K “In And Out of Luck” Run. Park Ave & 1st St. Register online at www. tempotickets.com/luck5k or email Kyle at kjohansen@frandsenbank.com up until race day. 8 - 11 AM Aebleskiver, Danish Sausage and Local Maple Syrup at the Luck Museum.

Served by the Luck Historical Society. 8:30 AM Softball Tournament Continues. 9 AM Sidewalk Sales on Main Street. 9 AM - 2 PM Luck FFA Antique Tractor Show on South Main Street. Contact Kasey Hulteen at 715-566-4988. 9 AM - 2 PM 21st Annual Classic Car Show. Contact Pete at 715-472-8525. Sponsored by Auto Plus, Baxter’s Classic Cars, Ben’s Northern Bar, Bon Ton Tavern, Caroon’s Exhaust, Hacker Built & More, Hawkins Perc Testing & Septic Systems, Larsen Auto Centers, Marine & Auto Custom Interiors, Nexgen Classics, Peper Tire & Alignment, Polk-Burnett Electric Coop, Rick’s Barber Shop, SS Detailing and Thrivent Financial. 9 AM - 2 PM Used and Collectible/Old Book Sale at Luck Public Library. 9 AM - 4 PM Vendor/Craft Fair, West 2nd Ave. Contact Amy at amydueholm@ yahoo.com. 10 AM Medallion Hunt Begins. Clues posted hourly on windows of Post Office. $100 Cash Prize. Sponsored by Sterling Bank, Luck. 10 AM - 3 PM Car Wash Fundraiser at Luck Fire Hall for Luck/Frederic Youth Baseball. Freewill Offering. 10 AM - 2:30 PM BBQs, Pie & Ice Cream at the Luck Senior Center, 2nd Ave. 10 AM - 4 PM Kids Corner by Luck Fire Hall. Kids Moonwalk and Kiddie Games.

Provided by Zion Lutheran Church of Bone Lake. 10 AM - 7 PM Matt’s Music Entertainment under the tent. 11 AM Food Court and Beer Tent Open. Hamburgers and Van Meter’s Brats and Hot Dogs. 2:30 - 4 PM Bingo under the tent. 5 PM Kiddie Tractor Pull featuring River Valley Pedal Tractor Pulls on Main Street. 4 - 6 PM HELDIG Bike Show on North Main. Contact Craig 715-327-3326. Sponsored by Ben’s Northern Bar and Van Meter Meats. 7 PM American Flag Retirement Ceremony at Jensen Furniture lot by Bella Salon, weather permitting. 7 - 11 PM Street Dance by Tim Baxster and the Mustangs. FREE. Sponsored by Ben’s Northern Bar, Bon Ton Tavern, Flying Pie Pizza, Luck-E Tavern and Main Dish.

SUNDAY, JULY 18 8:30 AM Softball Tournament Continues. 9:30 AM Luck Lutheran Church Service in Triangle Park (inside if bad weather). All welcome! Want to know if the power goes out at your lake home? Sign up to receive outage texts.

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THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

Shore Leave 10 AM Riding Lawn Mower Races. Contact Jake at 715294-0152. Sponsored by Peper Tire & Alignment. 10 AM - 4 PM Vendor/ Craft Fair, West 2nd Ave. Contact Amy at amydueholm@yahoo.com. 11 AM Food Court and Beer Tent Open. Hamburgers and Van Meter’s Brats and Hot Dogs. 11 AM Community Worship Service at Kid’s Corner. All welcome! 11 AM - 5 PM Live Music by the Groovin’ 60s Band under the tent. NOON - 2 PM Kids Corner by Luck Fire Hall. Petting Zoo Provided by Luck FFA. Kids Moonwalk & Kiddie Games. Provided by Zion Lutheran Church of Bone Lake. 12:30 PM River City Cloggers on Main Street (under the tent, if rain). 12:30 PM Kids Money Hunt Sawdust Pile. Ages 2-6 & 7-11. Located in Kids Corner by the Fire Hall. Sponsored by QuanexWoodcraft Division of Luck. 12:30 PM Queen’s Tea at Ruby’s Retreat, 210 Park Ave. 2 PM Huey Helicopter Flyover for Parade Kickoff. 2 PM Lucky Days Parade. Contact Sherrie at luckfestivals@gmail.com or 651-724-1440.

LUCKY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN! By Kelly Holm We’ve all heard the old adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and few occurrences have put that saying into perspective more than the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 saw many anticipated yearly observances canceled, from state fairs to sporting events to annual festivals, and Lucky Days was no exception. But that was then, and this is now. From Friday, July 16, to Sunday, July 18, Lucky Days is back after a two-year drought. The festivities will kick off Friday morning, with sidewalk sales and the craft fair beginning up at 9 a.m., and the food court and beer tent opening up at 11. Afternoon will bring live music by Rex Cactus, as well as an evening of bed races, beanbag-tossing tournaments, and a corner of fun just for the kids. The coed softball tournament also commences at 6:30 that evening. On Saturday, the “Out Of Luck” 5K run begins at 8 a.m., and runners can register through Friday, July 16, by emailing kjohansen@frandsenbank.com. A Danish sausage breakfast will also be provided by the Luck Historical Society. Meanwhile, the FFA Antique Tractor Show and 21st Annual Classic Car Show will run from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. But if vehicles aren’t your thing, the public library will be holding a used and collectible book sale during the same time frame. 10 a.m. brings the beginning of the medallion hunt, as well as the five-hour car wash fundraiser, which benefits Luck/Frederic Youth Baseball. Stop for some barbecue, pie or ice cream at the Luck Senior Center between 10 and 2:30, before kicking off the rest of an evening of fun- there’s something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for bingo, a bike show, or dancing in the street to Matt’s Music Entertainment. The Kiddie Tractor Pull and American Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held Saturday evening. Sunday will see a Lutheran church service in Triangle Park, as well as the Riding Lawn Mower

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Races. The Groovin’ 60s Band will provide music all afternoon long, and the River City Cloggers will perform on Main Street at half past noon. The Kids Money Hunt Sawdust Pile and Queen’s Tea at Ruby’s Retreat will also take place at 12:30 p.m., before the Lucky Days Parade at 2. For a full list of events, times and locations with contact information, see the event listing in this issue of the LAKER. ■

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The Ropes

GET WITH THE PROGRAM: THE DESIGN PROCESS tion phase. Once the Architectural Service type has been established, the scope, budget, schedule and other project consultants and team members are discussed. This article will only cover the project scope, the other topics will be in future articles. Clients also ask how architects are compensated. Two options to consider are a fee based on percentage of construction cost or a fee estimate determined by the scope of the project that is billed at hourly compensation rates for work performed by the architect. A good design firm should offer flexible options to consider that are reasonable and acceptable to the client. If remodeling the existing cabin is the direction forward the condition of the structure will need to be assessed. Rarely are there drawings or “blueprints” of a cabin. If no drawings are available, measurements are taken and a digital “as-built” drawing is prepared. The next step is to create a program that describes needs and

The Tap Architecture Team “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”-Benjamin Franklin When the car breaks down, you call a mechanic. When you have a toothache, you go to a dentist. When you feel ill, you see a physician. When you have problems with the spaces within which you work and live, why not consult with an architect? An architect will work with you to learn what the problems are (symptoms), define what needs improvement (diagnosis), and how to achieve it (cure). The planning phase is a critical aspect of any remodel or new construction project. Determining the type of Architectural Design Service that will be best suited to your project is part of that planning. These services can take on many forms. Two types of services are full services or designated services. Full services is a comprehensive process that involves the architect in virtually every aspect of the project from

Metro Creative Connection Developing a plan is a crucial ﬁrst step in your project.

design to project coordination during construction. Designated services cover more specific aspects of the project. For example,

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The Ropes problems with existing conditions and desired improvements. Then, the architectural style and specific details and materials regarding interior and exterior are discussed along with special amenities or aesthetic elements. Finally, we analyze and establish the needs and spatial organization of spaces, their sizes and their relationship to one another. In our previous article, “In the zone-In the know,” we discussed the zoning process and pointed to key topics one might encounter relating to your remodel or rebuild project. Once a zoning review has been completed, it should be clear what regulations one will need to comply with. This will provide a better understanding of your property and the options and challenges you will need to address. Then a site study is compiled to determine the orientation and relationship of the building to the site and critical elements such as access, vegetation, orientation, views, prevailing winds, and seasonal sun and shade. Once the program is completed to identify needs and an outline of modified or new space, the real fun begins. We start to design in sketch form through a collaborative process to produce a concept and design direction. First, floor plans, exterior and or interior sketches, and a site study are presented. The process might require a few design iterations with changes or tweaks before a final concept has been accepted. Then a refined design is produced based on changes from the sketch form design phase. Floor plans, elevations, and details are prepared with greater accuracy through the computer-aided drawing process. Scale and dimension are further developed, and Interior and exterior details are designed, along with additional architectural features such as cabinetry, stairs, fireplace, and other details specific to the project. Finally, construction documents (also referred to as blueprints or building plans) are produced. In this phase, a complete set of

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Metro Creative Connection A plan gives a common language for any project, a document everyone involved can refer to as the project progresses.

documents is produced at a level of detail and complication required to communicate the design to the project consultants—but to obtain permits and other necessary approvals from the municipality. The Construction Document set will also contain drawings and other documentation from consultants and other design team members.

The project budget and actual construction costs rarely align. However, working with other consultants, like a general contractor, can help maintain costs in line with budget constraints. Determining what phase of the process to assemble other team members and schedule will be discussed in future articles. ■

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DIT

LA KE

IONS SINCE 1958

MAIN S BAL T REE T •

Cool down with our many Áavors of ice cream.... *Wednesday Special serving at 4 p.m. *Thursday BBQ Rib Night serving at 4 p.m. *Friday Night Fish Fry and Prime Rib serving at 4 p.m. *Saturday Prime Rib serving at 4 p.m. *Sunday Breakfast serving 10 a.m.-2 p.m. *Pontoon Rentals *Cocktails available *Facilities for wedding dances, banquets and class reunions HAPPY HOUR 4-6 p.m.Wed.-Fri. $1 off Beer & Cocktails $1 off Appetizers

’S

VIV

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

• FAMIL

VIV’S KITCHEN & CATER 715-405-3848

www.vivskitchenandcater.com Check Us Out On Facebook!

~ Mediterranean Twist ~

Dine In, Take Out Or Cater ... Viv’s Is The Place!

104 First Avenue East & Cty. Rd. I, Balsam Lake • 715-614-1569

’s

Sports Bar

BINGO: Every Thursday, 6 p.m. HAPPY HOUR: Monday - Friday, 4-6 p.m. KARAOKE: Fridays & Saturdays, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

On Pike Lake, Amery, Wis. One mile north of Amery on Hwy. 46, 1/2 mile west on Cty. Rd. H • 715-268-8774

MAIN STREET • CENTURIA • (715) 646-2558

Specials

INDIANHEAD SUPPER CLUB

Walleye Wednesday: Walleye Dinner $14.95 Thursday: Jumbo Shrimp Dinner $14.95 All-You-Can-Eat Spare Ribs $14.95

107 Indianhead Shore Drive Balsam Lake • 715-485-3359

Dine in Only on Specials

Fish Fry (Fri. Only) Prime Rib (Fri. & Sat.) All dinners include soup or salad & choice of potato

Dine In or Take Out Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 5 p.m. Reservations Appreciated.

LUCK GOLF COURSE

Upcoming Events

Home Of The $20 Tuesday! Includes Cart

Saturday, July 17 Music by The Roberts Brothers Sunday, July 17 Music by Kevin Lombardo Saturday, July 24 Music Why Worry Music Saturday, July 31 Music by Allison Dyg

10B

Expresso • Wine Food • Craft Beer 1721 Highway 8 St. Croix Falls www.deerlakewinery.com 715-222-1221

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021

Stop In For Your Own Personal

“HAPPY HOUR” $1.00 Tap Beer For 1 Hour After Your Game! Call To Reserve Your Tee Time!

715-472-2939 Visit our Facebook page and our website for daily updates on special pricing and more!

www.luckgolfcourse.com

Jeneç’s Main Dish 219 S Main St. Luck, WI 54853 715-472-2378 Open M-F 7a-3p Sat 6a-3p Sun 6a-2p

The Ropes

PLEASE PRACTICE RESPONSIBLE CATCH AND RELEASE If you are planning on fishing this summer, please remember to release your catch responsibly. Fish have delicate gills and jaw muscles, and holding a fish by its gills or lower jaw can cause permanent damage, making it hard for them to eat after being released. Instead, hold your catch with two hands and gently release it back into the water. It’s important to reduce the stress on a fish after it has been caught. You can increase a fish’s chances for survival after being released by keeping a few things in mind: •

Land the fish as quickly as possible.

•

Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.

•

Handle the fish as little as possible. Use wet hands or gloves.

•

If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line and let the fish go.

•

Treat the fish gently throughout the release.

Contributed Holding a ﬁsh by its gills or lower jaw can cause permanent damage, making it hard for them to eat after being released.

Fishers of Men East Balsam Baptist Church Sunday Worship 9:00 A.M. Join us in person or online at www.eastbalsam.org

Faith Lutheran Church Sunday Worship 9:30 am

Pastor Diane Norstad 715-485-3800 County Road I and Mill Street, Balsam Lake

A hearty Welcome - Come as you are!

Georgetown Lutheran Church Sunday Services 10:30 am

715-857-5580 887 190th Ave., Co. Rd. G

East of Milltown & Balsam Lake Pastor Diane House • Fully Accessible www.georgetownlutheran.net

Join us for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook live @Georgetown Lutheran Church, Balsam Lake Communion First,Third and Fifth Sunday of the Month

715-857-5411 contact@eastbalsam.org

1816 - 108th St./Co. Rd. I Balsam Lake, WI

Fully Accessible

Come & Worship With Us

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church 507 Main Street Balsam Lake (715) 405-2245

Saturday Mass 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church 1050 Keller Ave. N. Amery (715) 268-7717

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m. Sunday Mass 10:30 a.m.

JULY 12 – 26, 2021 | THE LAKER

11B

WELCOME Live Music Line-Up Friday, July 16 • 6-10

Friday, July 23 • 6-10

Street Talk

Bear Creek

Saturday, July 17 • 6-10

Saturday, July 24 • 6-10

Up South

Triple Dog Dare

Sunday, July 18 • 2-6

Sunday, July 25 • 2-6

Chrome Wheels

Boston Haas

Take out & curbside also available! Grill open late. New Menu Items. Live Music Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Check us out on Faceb k! THE

Open Daily at 11 a.m. • 1301-105th Ave (County Rd C) • Amery 715-268-8572 12B

THE LAKER | JULY 12 – 26, 2021