Laker 6 - August 9, 2021

No. 6 August 9 – 23, 2021

FREE

WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE AT LOVELESS LAKE? P. 8A

GETTING THE LONG & SHORT ON LONG LAKE P. 2B

Also Included A THREE-GENERATION BOWLING BACKGROUND NATURE ON PURPOSE PERK UP FOR YELLOW PERCH Sentinel Publications: Amery Free Press, Baldwin Bulletin, Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger & Osceola Sun

The Cargo Manifest Galley A THREEGENERATION BOWLING BACKGROUND

p. 3A

Riggings NATURE ON PURPOSE

p. 5A

Port of Call WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE AT LOVELESS LAKE?

Enjoy the 'dog days' The calendar has turned over to August, which means a couple things. The traditionally hottest days of the year, the so called "dog days" of summer are here.

Perfect weather for being at the lake!

It also means the end of the summer is approaching. But, don't panic, there's at least a month of fun and one more LAKER coming your way.

Inside this LAKER, we have features on Loveless Lake and Long Lake.

There’s a look at McKenzie Lanes, profile of the Yellow Perch, features on landscaping at the cabin and ways to make a firepit and plant pollinator friendly plants. C.L. Sill has a conversation with the author Dan Brown (not the one you're thinking of) and Lisa Erickson has thoughts on a perfect cheeseburger.

Enjoy your time at the lake!

ONE more LAKER before summer is done.

The publication date is as follows:

LAKER #7 Deadline: Wednesday, Aug. 18 Delivery Date: Week of Aug. 23

p. 8A

Fishery PERK UP FOR YELLOW PERCH

Got a comment or a story idea?

Email us at polkcountylaker@ gmail.com

Enjoy the LAKER, and your summer!

Tom Stangl, Publisher tstangl@theameryfreepress.com

p. 14A

Shore Leave GETTING THE LONG & SHORT ON LONG LAKE

p. 2B 2A

THE LAKER | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021

p. 10B

Fishers of Men p. 11B

Cover photo near Loveless Lake courtesy of Allen Carlson

SENTINEL

PU B L I C AT I O N S © 2021 The LAKER is proudly published

by Sentinel Publications , carrying on from Ledger Publications

Galley

A THREE-GENERATION BOWLING BACKGROUND

By Kelly Holm Last year marked sixty years of business at McKenzie Lanes, a staple of the Centuria community.

But even more impressive is the fact that despite relocations and renovations, this classic alley has never left family hands. Darren McKenzie, who has run the alley for the last twenty years, is the third-generation owner.

“My grandpa started it in ‘60, and my parents took it over from him in about ‘74,” McKenzie said. “And then in ‘01, we built the new building in the process of me taking it over from them.”

For its first forty years, McKenzie Lanes had been located on Main Street.

The original building possessed four lanes and a bar, and had an apartment above it. Now, the alley is located at 75 WI-35. It has doubled its bowling capacity and added a restaurant, and a larger bar to boot.

“The demand was up a little bit for bowlers, so

Contributed McKenzie Lanes has expanded from four to eight bowling lanes over the years.

we went from four lanes to eight lanes, and we just thought it might be a good idea to get out onto the highway, rather than down on Main Street,” McKenzie said. “We’re a little more visible, and it worked out good… honestly, it really hasn’t [changed much].

You get a few more faces,

people that stop in here that maybe didn’t stop in downtown when we were down there, ‘cause it was a smaller place and more of just a bar.”

McKenzie was roped into the family business from a young age, starting out as a child with stocking shelves and taking out

trash. At age 16 he had a pretty good idea that he wanted to take over McKenzie Lanes, and by 21, he had made the decision for certain. Between the two locations, McKenzie says he’s gotten to know just about everybody in town.

“If I don’t know their

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name, then I know what they drink,” he said.

“They’re pretty set in what they drink.”

During the summer months, McKenzie Lanes is open from 10 AM through midnight on every day but Monday.

In the winter, the alley is open on Mondays from 11 AM through midnight, with business hours on the other days remaining unchanged. The clientele is split fairly evenly, McKenzie estimates, between open bowlers and leagues, of which there are single-sex, mixed couples, and youth options. McKenzie Lanes is always down for a celebration— over the years they’ve hosted company gatherings, lake association dinners, children’s birthday parties, “and we do some adult ones over in the bar, with our DJ area and dance floor.”

In the restaurant, you’ll find classic American pub fare, as well as homemade pizzas and soups crafted CONTINUED ON 4A

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Galley MCKENZIE LANES | FROM 3A by members of the McKenzie family.

As for the question of whether McKenzie Lanes will remain a family affair? It’s too early to say just yet, although the next generation has been active behind the scenes. McKenzie’s stepchildren, now in their 30s, worked at the alley when they were in high school. His 18-year-old son, he says, would be the most likely bet for a fourth-generation owner. Right now, both of McKenzie’s teenage children work in the kitchen.

No matter what, though, hometown memories are sure to be made at McKenzie Lanes for years and decades to come.

“I proposed to my wife here,” McKenzie said.

“We’ve still got a couple of bowlers left that have bowled at the original place from day one.” ■

Contributed A gyro pizza is among the featured items.

Contributed

Contributed

The lanes has a bar as well as food.

Pizza and bowling go together.

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Riggings

NATURE ON PURPOSE

By Kelly Holm

they might be too indicative of the city life that you and your 2.5 kids are trying to escape. Try to stick to native vegetation— if you aren’t living here full-time, you won’t be able to give special care to plants that aren’t specifically suited to your area’s conditions. If your cabin’s in a naturally shady area, don’t plant anything that requires maximal sunlight.

So the inside of your cabin is all cozy and rustic, with a vintage stone fireplace, a canoe-shaped bookshelf, and Big Mouth Billy Bass singing “Take Me To The River” on the wall. But what about the outside? Landscaping at your cabin can be daunting, especially if it’s your first property and you aren’t even sure how you should— or if you should— mow your grass.

But think about it: you come to the lake so you can get back to nature, right? That isn’t to say that you should let weeds grow unencumbered and turn a blind eye to the neighbor’s dog pooping on your lawn, but if you want your cabin to look distinct from the city you fled, a natural-inspired aesthetic is the way to go.

Taking precautions You’ll need to make sure you won’t unintentionally run into any wires or pipes when you start making alterations to your yard.

Consult with the utility folks in your area so you know where everything is nestled. You might have come to your cabin in search of a simpler life, but that

Intentionally unintentional

Metro Creative Connection Some long term planning needs to be considered before making cabin improvements.

doesn’t mean you want to take yourself back to the 1800s in knocking out all your electricity. If there are power lines ranging over your property, be careful when planting trees— you wouldn’t want to put a tall one underneath a wire

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that it’ll hit when fully grown.

Don’t measure by city standards Flower boxes, a neatly manicured lawn and a white picket fence might work back home, but

Again, your cabin isn’t the best place for elaborate, meticulously designed flower arrangements in patterns that definitely don’t grow like that in the wild. When going for a rustic and lived-in look, you want something that appears low-maintenance and naturally occurring, even if it’s staged: if you’d like a large boulder on your front lawn for the kids to sit on, for example, don’t just plop it onto the grass, but partially submerge it into the ground so it looks like Mother Nature placed it there all by herself.

CONTINUED ON 6A

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Galley

THE PERFECT WISCONSIN CHEESEBURGER

By Lisa Erickson Wild Chow

My summer is so busy, I had my first grilled hamburger this past Monday. It was divine. I went all out. I buttered the bun and toasted it, added my favorite burger cheese and special sauce. It’s always about the cheese and the special sauce.

I have been working so hard on opening my new shop that cooking for myself and my family has been the last thing on my mind.

I’ve eaten enough peanut butter or tuna sandwiches over the last couple of months to last a lifetime.

Blaa!

When I finally did have a moment to think about what I wanted, I craved a loaded burger and sunshine. I didn’t want any kind of burger. I wanted a burger I would remember, and I wanted to eat outside.

I know burgers can be delicious on their own but adding the right sauce and the right cheese take burgers to the next level. For years, I would never take the time to make a special sauce until I realized how easy it is to make it.

Burgers that are grilled or charbroiled can have a strong flavor.

Adding a cheese that can stand up to the char broil is crucial.

So not only does this burger have a special sauce it also has a secret recipe for the cheese from all over the world called VAT17 from Deer Creek.

This cheese is the culmination and effort to capture the best attributes of 17 different cheddar

cheese from all over the world into one cheese. I’d say they’ve don’t it. Surprise! —This cheese has won numerous awards and is from a Wisconsin cheesemaker.

VAT 17 is nutty, tangy, bold, complex. Perfect to stand up to a grilled burger. Pair with the special sauce and you’ll be the envy of every backyard BBQ. Don’t take my word for it, try it!

The Perfect Wisconsin Cheeseburger Serves 4 1lb. best quality hamburger, divided into 4 patties 6 oz VAT 17 World Cheddar (found at specialty cheese shops), cut into slices 4 slices of cooked bacon 4 buns Butter And garlic salt Preheat your grill to hot.

Butter the buns and quickly grill for about 30 seconds, buttered side down on the grill; set aside.

Grill the burgers to your likeness. After the first flip, cook for 3-4 minutes and add 2 slices of cheese to each burger. Grill for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Spread each bun with the special sauce. Place burger on the bottom of the bun. Top with bacon and more sauce, if needed.

Serve immediately.

Special Burger Sauce* ½ cup mayonnaise

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combined all the ingredients in a small bowl. Allow the spices to meld for a couple of hours in the refrigerator before serving. ■

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Metro Creative Connection Beef, cheese and special sauce make a unforgettable burger.

Organic, nutrient-rich mulch is best for lawn conditions, and is less likely to attract bugs or disrupt animal grazing habits. And, of course, clean your boat when taking it in and out of the lake so you don’t accidentally spread invasive species from previous travels. ■

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Port of Call

WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE AT LOVELESS LAKE?

By Kelly Holm Despite its name, Polk County’s Loveless Lake offers much to love for the anglers, boaters and recreators who call it home. Measuring 132 acres and boasting just a little over a hundred residents, only about a quarter of whom are yearround, it is a tranquil destination for all who enjoy the Balsam Lake area.

Originally called Big Bass Lake— the complement to Little Bass Lake, which is connected to Loveless through a spring— the lake was renamed Loveless in honor of Joseph Loveless, an early Balsam Lake settler who was born in New Jersey and raised in Ohio before making his way to Wisconsin. With his brother William, Mr. Loveless built and operated a mill for half a century on the land that

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Allen Carlson A mill was operated on the site of the only public boat landing at Loveless Lake.

THE LAKER | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021

Port of Call being.

“This planktothrix rubescens got so active that it made the pH of the lake shoot up in May. The lake turned a real milky, weird turquoise color because the algae actually sort of committed suicide,” Barnes said. “The pH in the lake went up so high that it killed the algae off— I think the calcium citrate, maybe, was what was making the lake look this blue color— and when that settled, the lake was perfectly clear.”

During the algae’s reign of terror on Loveless Lake, the lake association displayed cautionary warnings both on their website and at the public boat landing advising recreators to take discretion when enjoying the lake: showers are recommended right after a dip in the water, for example. Though tests have shown that the water quality on Loveless Lake has improved since mid-June, the warnings are still in place at the public landing.

“We’re still waiting to see what’s happening,” Barnes said. “It’s been a little stressful for the lake. Right

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is now the lake’s only public boat landing. He was also a storekeeper and started Balsam Lake’s first school.

In present-day times, however, the lake is anything but loveless, as the Loveless Lake Property Owners Association was founded in 1996 by residents who loved the lake enough to form an organization devoted to its preservation and improvement. These days, one of the biggest battles Loveless Lake faces is algae bloom.

“We’ve had a pretty significant algae bloom that happened last fall, that continued through the winter and into the spring,” said Susan Barnes, the lake association’s secretary. “This is a little bit of an unusual type of algae that can live in cold water, which is why it lives through the winter under the ice.

When the ice melted it was still there, and made the lake look like a chocolate milk color… It was pretty disturbing.”

Feeding on nitrogen, this rare form of algae has a name fit for a supervillain: Planktothrix Rubescens. And like a supervillain, this algae has been defeated in Loveless Lake— at least for the time

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10A

THE LAKER | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021

Port of Call LOVELESS LAKE | FROM 9A now the water quality is really good, it is safe to swim in, and so we have people boating and water skiing and things like normal.”

Another issue Loveless Lake faces is that of water runoff from the surrounding area.

“About ten years ago, the Polk County Land & Resource Department had built a holding pond and a standpipe that was designed to hold the runoff that was coming off of the farmer’s field that was surrounding the lake, so that it could soak into the ground,” Barnes said. “But over that ten-year period, that holding pond has filled in… all that water is running into the lake. We’re going to redo that mitigation system and the holding pond, in

Allen Carlson Four season fun is found at Loveless Lake.

A fire is the the perfect end to a day at the lake.

conjunction with the Polk County Land & Resource Department.”

Additionally, the lake association has been working with the land and resource department on performing shoreline evaluations with individual homeowners regarding runoff on their property. As a lake surrounded by hills on three sides, runoff has proved a persistent issue.

“Any time we have a big rain event, that runoff just adds to the load Allen Carlson that’s already in the lake and creates algae,” Barnes said. “It really is constantly refurbishing itself.” ■

Welcome to beautiful Balsam Lake, a village living in natural harmony.

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Fishery

PERK UP FOR YELLOW PERCH

By Kelly Holm If a quick, easy and tasty catch is what you’re after, search no further than the yellow perch! These members of the panfish class are known for chowing down upon all types of bait, and, with adults usually measuring less than a foot long, being a breeze to reel in. In fact, nibbling perch can be quite the nuisance for fishermen who would rather see interest from a walleye or musky. No matter what sort of catch you’re after, however, the yellow perch is always a welcome addition to any angler’s dinner plate.

Identification Facts

Contributed

Naturally, a yellow perch will sport gold-colored scales along its lower sides, but also possesses green or brown stripes and a pale belly. Its back will typically be a darker color, and its upper fins can come in a variety of brown, green or gold shades while its lower fins are usually orange or yellow. The potency of the yellow perch’s coloration can be influenced by age or habitat, with juvenile fish and fish living in clear, vegetation-lacking waters tending to appear more subdued yellow.

Their length and size also depends heavily on habitat. Smaller or more crowded lakes, where fish and other aquatic fauna must compete for limited resources, might yield perch measuring less than half a foot. If you cast your line in Lake Superior, however, your bounty may be in the 8-to-12 inch range.

Where to find yellow perch Yellow perch are generally plentiful in the northernmost waters of Wisconsin, as they are a glacial lake species, but they’re a flexible bunch. They thrive best in clear lakes with

moderate vegetation levels, but can adapt to all manner of habitats. They’re tolerant of temperature fluctuations that their closest relatives may not survive, and can withstand diminished oxygen levels. Perch like to feed at the bottom, and may be found alone or in schools of hundreds. The smaller the school, however, the shallower the water you’re likely to find them in.

When to find yellow perch Spawning season is at its peak in April, with mature fish hanging around vegetated, rocky or sandy bottoms to pass on their genes. It’s open season on yellow perch all year round along Lake Superior and most Wisconsin inland waters, but late spring and early summer are the most optimal times to try your luck. As spring slips into summer, perch start to migrate from the shallows in which they spawn out into deeper waters. You’ll likely bring in the biggest haul if you pursue perch in the early morning, late afternoon or anytime in the eve-

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THE LAKER | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021

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ning.

Yellow perch are also a common winter delicacy, making a worthy match for ice anglers.

Make sure you’ve got the proper accommodations for a long line, however— they like to spend the colder months up to five dozen feet deep!

How to catch yellow perch Just about any bait will make your best bet!

Worms, insects, shrimp and everything in between prove a tasty last meal for an unfortunate perch. Use a sensitive bobber and tackle, and prepare to learn to discriminate between different tugging sensations— while perch will take just about any bait, their bites aren’t as intense as some of their cousins’ due to their lack of canine teeth. You may think you’ve got a catch at the slightest hint of line pressure, only to reel in an empty hook.

For more information on all things yellow perch, check out the Wisconsin DNR. ■

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16A

THE LAKER | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021

No. 6 August 9 – 23, 2021

LAKE R

FREE

Section B

Metro Creative Connection

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

Port of Call

GETTING THE LONG & SHORT ON LONG LAKE

By Kelly Holm Bordering Balsam Lake and Centuria, Polk County’s Long Lake is a peaceful destination for your aquatic leisure activities, whether you’re into pontooning or scouting for panfish. Spanning 273 acres, it’s large enough to comfortably maneuver a boat around without the packed recreational atmosphere of many of the area’s larger lakes— and these days, Long Lake is clearer than ever.

In recent years, Long Lake had suffered from excessive blue-green algae blooms, inhibiting plant growth and obstructing water clarity. In the early 1990s, Secchi disk measurements gauged the lake’s clarity at around 8 feet deep, but in the mid2010s, one could only expect to see less than 5 feet into Long Lake’s deepest waters. That is, until alum treatments were applied to the lake beginning in 2019.

“After the alum treatment, in ‘19 [water clarity]

Contributed A public access is located on Long Lake at Long Lake Park.

increased to 9 feet deep, and in ‘21 it’s increased to 12 feet deep,” said Polk

County Water Quality Specialist Colton Sorensen.

“It hasn’t been like that in

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was perhaps a small silver lining in that it also impeded the spread of curly leaf pondweed, an invasive weed that has proved a menace in many bodies of water within Polk and Burnett counties.

“Historically, [the protection & rehabilitation district] did spray for curly leaf pondweed, but then they had really bad blue-green algae blooms,” said Katelin Anderson, the Education & Information Coordinator for Polk County Environmental Services. “The plants just couldn’t get enough light to grow… They definitely have had more plants growing now with the clearer water, they’re taking up nutrients that aren’t available for algae.”

Additionally, the presence of the invasive Chinese mystery snail has also been detected within Long Lake. In order to prevent its numbers from growing, and to curtail the introduction of more invasive species, the lake maintains an active Clean Boats, Clean Waters program, with volunteer inspectors keeping track of boats as they maneuver in and out of its waters.

Long Lake is bordered by Long Lake Park on the Centuria side, and is accessible by two public boat landings. Common fish species include the largemouth bass and the northern pike, as well as numerous varieties of panfish.

As a common ice fishing destination, this is truly a lake to be enjoyed all year round. ■

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For more information about the lake visit www.longlakepolk.com.

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3B

The Ropes

SPARK A CONVERSATION Wood-burning fire pits are wonderful focal points for the gathering space in your yard.

Bonus: They’re easy to build in an afternoon. Here’s how.

Select a Site Before you even look at your yard, you need to check with local restrictions, building codes and homeowners association rules to make sure you can have a fire pit. You’ll also need to read your homeowners policy to make sure it doesn’t affect your coverage.

Choose a site well away from the house and with plenty of room to sit around the fire. Clear away any plants an debris from your site.

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stake in the center of the site and mark out a circle where you want the pit to go. The diameter you draw out should be slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the fire pit ring you’re going to build. Clear out the sod and dirt down to a depth of about seven inches and keep the area level as you work. Pack the remaining dirt down solidly with a hand tamper.

What You’ll Need You’ll need trapezoidal blocks, which are more narrow on one side to allow the edges to fit snugly together in a circle. The bottom of the fire pit will be crushed gravel paver base, available at your local hardware store, that’s about five inches thick. Put the gravel down and then wet it with a hose

and tamp it down. Make sure the surface remains level.

Put down the first layer of blocks around the hole, checking that it remains level as you work. If you need to, add leveling sand beneath blocks to keep it straight.

Assemble the next row of blocks, staggering the joints. Before you add adhesive, put in the fire bowl or ring to check the fit. Make sure the lip rests on the edge and adjust the positioning as needed.

After you’ve checked to make sure it fits well, then reassemble the blocks with construction adhesive. Test fit each layer before you add adhesive.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your adhesive to determine how long it needs to cure before you can use your fire pit. ■

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4B

THE LAKER | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021

The Ropes

DAN BROWN — NO, NOT THAT ONE Dan Brown looks like he was assembled in an underground laboratory at the Orvis Headquarters.

Tall and clean cut, the Taylors Falls, Minn. native arrived for his interview in a fleece vest atop a sweat-wicking, UV protective fishing shirt. I know this for a fact, because I have the exact same shirt at home in my closet.

He pulled up in a small SUV, the rear window adored with the kind of obligatory stickers that lets the world know he is indeed a fly-fisherman. Everything about Brown exposes his passion for fly-fishing. I half expected him to get out of the car with a rod tube in one hand and a hazy IPA in the other.

Brown is a long-time fishing guide and freelance writer who wrote a weekly column for the Chisago County Press for many years. He was here to promote his recently released book, a collection of 75 of those columns — And if his name sounds familiar, you’re not mistaken.

Dan Brown is also the name of the famous author of “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons,” whose books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Rather than change his name to avoid confusion, Brown chose to embrace the connection, and poke fun at it. He titled his book “Da Fishi Code: Serious and Not-So-Serious Stories from da Rivers, Lakes, Fields, and Life.”

Doubling down, the cover of Brown’s book also mirrors that of the Da Vinci Code. The Mona Lisa poses prominently on the right side, a large steelhead clasped in her usually non-existent fingers. The satire seems heavy

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Contributed “Da Fishi Code: Serious and Not-So-Serious Stories from da Rivers, Lakes, Fields, and Life” is a collection of 75 outdoor essays by Taylors Falls native Dan Brown, who shares a name with one of the most famous authors in the world.

By C.L. Sill The Wing Beat

There’s something to be said about the brevity of a newspaper column.

Writing a story in under a thousand words on a tight deadline is a little like defusing a bomb.

Decisions have to be made quickly — Cut the red wire or the blue wire, and live with the outcome either way. Brown effectively balances the urgency of a weekly newspaper column with the narrative prowess of more long-form writing. The result is a book full of quick hitting, highly personal and genuinely funny stories.

In just over 200 tightly packed pages, Brown details his personal fishing and hunting experiences over the last several decades, with a few odd tales unrelated to the outdoors mixed in for good measure.

Many of his columns are “in the moment” style stories of big trout caught on the Namekagon or fighting a sturgeon on a fly rod, but he really shines in the abstract. Brown quotes Thoreau, talks about hope and the restorative qualities of nature and never misses an opportunity to describe the landscape surrounding him.

The publisher who told Norman Maclean he had too many trees in his manuscript would’ve surely rolled his eyes at “Da Fishi Code,” but Brown’s appreciation for the outdoors reads incredibly genuine, and his creative talent is legitimate.

One of the most striking stories in the book and a departure from his normal rhythm is “Two Night’s in Chile.” It’s Brown’s only venture

handed at first, but it dovetails nicely upon further inspection.

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7B

The Ropes

"LET'S GO TEAM!" There are many facets to consider when remodeling or rebuilding a cabin. Depending on which path you decide to take will require different measures. One crucial step is assembling a team of qualified professional consultants and trade-related contractors. They play a vital role in any successful project.

As with any design, cost and budget are significant factors affecting the scope of the project.

They not only impact the quantity, i.e. (size of the project), but the quality (types of materials) related to the project. Therefore, it's often a challenge to align the budget with actual construction costs.

However, the architect working with consultants and a general contractor early in the design phase can help maintain costs in line with budget constraints.

In nearly all instances, the structural engineer is involved with the project as a consultant to the architect. In our previous article, "Our Cabin-Remodel or Rebuild," we discussed one of the initial stages is to assess the condition of the existing cabin structure, "the bones." What type of foundation does the cabin rest

on, and what condition is it in?

Does the cabin need updating to meet current codes and construction methods, and can it support modifications or an addition?

And with any remodeling or new construction project, a soil analysis will be required to determine if conditions are suitable to support the loads or weight imposed on them. Along with the general contractor, they can help identify early in the design process cost considerations related to structural elements.

Determining what phase of the process to assemble other members of the project team is essential. The scope of the plumbing, electrical, or heating systems might significantly impact cost, and determining what those costs are early in the design process helps maintain the budget. Working with a reputable general contractor, they typically have a list of trades that they would recommend.

Mechanical engineering is the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and sometimes plumbing of the building. These disciplines are handled in two ways: On smaller projects, es-

pecially most residences, they are through a design-build process (HVAC contractor designs or retains an engineer). HVAC is under contract with the general contractor and coordinates his work with the architect. Plumbing is usually done on a design-build basis, similar to HVAC. For larger, more complex projects, especially those requiring licensed certification, meDetermining chanical is what phase of engineering usually done the process as a consulto assemble tant service and part of other the architect's members of contract with owner. the project theMany other team is disciplines can contribute essential. to the cabin's design, usually as consultants to the architect. Civil engineers design utilities such as sewer and water, site grading, drainage, and roads and drives. Landscape architects can be engaged in the design of outdoor spaces.

Plant materials, paving, and earth sculpting can contribute signifi-

cantly to the aesthetic of a site.

Just as the architect designs spaces in a building, the landscape architect designs exterior spaces to complement the architecture.

Interior designers complement inside spaces by designing textures and colors of floors, walls and ceilings, and their furnishings.

These, too, can be under contract with the architect or directly by the owner.

Any successful project requires a great deal of planning and scheduling. The time of year you start the design process will impact the construction start date.

Also, the complexity and size of the project can influence the duration of the design phase. A smaller project or an internal rearrangement can be accomplished year-round. However, additions and new construction can have a limited window of opportunity when considering seasonality.

There are many variables in play. Teaming up with the right players is a key to the project's success.

– The Tap Architecture Team ■

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The Ropes SILL | FROM 5B into fiction and was originally submitted to the ‘Prose for Papa’ contest, which is held annually at the Ernest Hemmingway Festival in Ketchum, Idaho. The story borrows heavily from Hemmingway’s style, but stands up on its own in spite of that.

It follows a meandering, downtrodden writer on an exotic fishing trip to Chile that isn’t going as planned. The world Brown creates around his main character is lively and vivid, so much so that you forget you’re not in the middle of a novel when the story ends. It’s worth the price of the book alone.

In an age of outdoor media where storytelling is so often cast aside in favor of the ten millionth article about how to catch spring crappies, it’s refreshing to see a book like Brown’s be published.

As we stood on the sidewalk after the interview swapping fishing stories, a passerby pointed to the book in Brown’s hand, the Mona Lisa adorned on the cover and the name “Dan Brown” in bold, golden letters just visible below Brown’s hand.

“Oh, another Da Vinci code,” the man said.

Not quite buddy — not quite.

For information on how to find “Da Fishi Code: Serious and Not-So-Serious stories from da Rivers, Lakes, Fields, and Life,” visit www.danbrowntrout.com C.L. Sill can be reached at thewingbeat@gmail.com ■

OLSON SEWER 2083 100th St. Luck, WI 54853

PLANTS TO REPEL MOSQUITOES While you should welcome some insects to your gardens — remember those pollinators? — there are other pests that are less welcome.

Among those are the scourge of the summer months, the mosquito.

What are Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes cause the most deaths of any other animal taxonomy per year, killing more than 700,000 people annually. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of host animals, including humans, and transfer pathogens from host to host.

Diseases such as malaria, Chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever and others are spread from mosquito bites. In humans, mosquitoes appear to prefer people with type O blood, heavy breathers and pregnant women.

Most mosquitoes feed during dawn or dusk and rest during the heat of the day.

Repelling Mosquitoes There are a host of mosquito repellents on the market. Candles, bracelets, sprays, zappers, they all work, usually with some chemical help. But there’s also a natural way to go.

Many plants will help keep mosquitoes from invading your space. Here’s a list of plants with mosquito-repellent properties to help keep your garden pest-free this summer.

• Lavender and marigolds. These flowering plants emit a smell that deters mosquitoes. You can grow both of these in pots and they give you gorgeous blooms to boot.

• Citronella. You may be familiar with the citronella candles, but those things get their distinctive smell

Adobe Stock

from the citronella plant. It and other lemon-scented plants repel mosquitoes.

• Rosemary, basil and sage. These kitchen herbs also keep mosquitoes and other pests away from your home. Both do well in containers or in the ground.

• Bee balm. This pollinator-friendly plant also keeps mosquitoes away. Crush the leaves to release the repellent oils.

• Allium. These bulbs are the family that brings you garlic and onions. They release a strong smell that mosquitoes don’t like.

What Else Can You Do? While making the environment inhospitable to mosquitoes is a great way to keep them away, you also need to make sure you aren’t doing them any favors. Eliminate standing water as much as possible and treat pools and ponds to keep mosquitoes from laying their eggs there. ■

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The Ropes

PERK UP FOR POLLINATORS Bees and other pollinators — bats, butterflies, beetles, wasps and birds, among others — play a critical role in nature and in our food production system.

According to the USDA, more than 100 different crops worth $18 billion rely on pollinators.

But some pollinator populations are in rapid decline.

Colony Collapse Disorder The Western honey bee, in particular, is vulnerable to colony’s collapse disorder, a condition that causes worker bees to disappear, leaving behind only the queen and some nursemaid bees to care for babies. The USDA says the disorder is likely the cause of stressors in the environment, such as pests, disease, pollutants, nutritional deficits and cloak of habitat.

Because the problem was recognized, honey bee populations are recovering. There’s still work to do, however, in bringing bee and other pollinator populations back.

Ways You Can Help One thing everyone can do is to choose landscaping and gardening projects that include native species that flower at different times of year to provide a steady food source for pollinator populations. Bees and other pollinators prefer clumps of flowers in different colors and shapes. If you live in an area that hosts a monarch migration, plant milkweed in your yard to provide food for caterpillars.

In addition to good groceries, you can also

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provide nesting sites. Butterflies like the monarch prefer specific plants for hosting their larvae, like the milkweed, while hummingbirds like trees and shrubs. Bees like to build nests in the ground on in wood or dry plant stems.

Provide nesting sites for bees by leaving ground nesting sites that are well-drained and face south so they get the most sun. Dead or hollow stumps and plant stems also make great bee habitat, or you can buy artificial nesting sites that are attractive additions to your garden.

Bee Better Program Bee Better Certification is a program funded through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. It certifies the use of pollinator-friendly conservation practices on farms.

Manufacturers that qualify can use the Bee Better certification logo on product packaging, giving consumers an option to support farms that support bees. ■

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

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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.

AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021 | THE LAKER

11B

WELCOME Live Music Line-Up Friday, August 13 • 6-10

Friday, August 20 • 6-10

Shirts & Skins

County Line Band

Saturday, August 14 • 6-10 Saturday, August 21 • 6-10 Drop Tailgate

Triple Dog Dare

Sunday, August 15 • 2-6

Sunday, August 22 • 2-6

Sarg

Chrome Wheels

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 | AUGUST 9 - 23, 2021