Lake&Home Magazine Jul/Aug '18

Deck Decisions • Lake Home Accessibilit y • Controlling Weeds S u b s c r i b e b y v i s i t i n g w w w.l a ke a n d h o m e m a g a z i n e.c o m

JULY / AUG 2018

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LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE JULY / AUG 2018

JULY / AUG 2018 lakeandhomemagazine.com

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CONTENTS

78 VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 4 • JULY / AUG 2018 lakeandhomemagazine.com

From the Office 10

47 An Accessible Home

OFFICE

EVENTS

Events Calendar

SENIOR LIVING

Service Directory

Potato Lake 98

Tech World

FEATURED LAKE

by Jackie Jenson

FEATURED HOME 64 A Touch of Mountain Magic

Weed Beaters 34

DIRECTORY

Find the Right Professional for Your Next Project

57 At Home and in the

by Patrice Peterson

by Our Panel of Experts

Creating the Perfect Outdoor Living Space

Gifts for the Lake Lover

96

HOME EXPERTS

LANDSCAPING

SHOPPING

by Jackie Jenson

54 Your Questions Answered

Countertops

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Deck Decisions 18 Lake Gifts 30

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

for All Ages

by Erin Hintz

NEW! Lakes Area 12

Cornerstone Cabinets & 90

INTERIOR DESIGN

in Northern Minnesota

by Patrice Peterson

ON THE LAKE

Controlling Weeds Two Ways

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

42 Great Food in the

FEATURED HOME 78 Good for Another

100 Years

DINING

by Reba Gilliand

Lakes Area

Battle Lake Boathouse Cover photo by Scott Amundson Photography See story on page 64

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LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE JULY / AUG 2018

Volume 20, Issue 4 • JULY / AUG 2018 PUBLISHER Kip Johnson Lic. #BC520694

EDITOR Brent Rogness CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kip Johnson ADVERTISING/MARKETING CONSULTANT John Burns LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE – ADVERTISING SALES Erin Hintz • 218-205-2120 erin@lakeandhomemagazine.com Jerry Shea • 218-205-7454 jerry@lakeandhomemagazine.com

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LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE Published bimonthly by Compass Media PO Box 9761, Fargo, ND 58106 (218) 205-2706 lakeandhomemagazine.com artwork@lakeandhomemagazine.com Unless previously agreed, all rights remain the sole property of Lake and Home Magazine. ©2018 Compass Media Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without prior written consent.

Printed by LSC Communications, USA

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FROM THE OFFICE

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From the Office

y family often escapes winter for a week on Sanibel Island and it never fails that I return with envy for the people fortunate enough to live there all year. We’ve overheard people talking about the crazy Minnesotans who drive their “snow machines” on the lakes in the winter. Then I hastily come to the conclusion that they’re correct, this place is crazy, and start dreaming up plans to leave, with which I will never follow through.

Then comes July, and I realize that all the people who come here to enjoy a week of our Minnesota lakes have to be leaving thinking the same thing - those lucky people who get to live here. My attitude changes.

Even in the heat of the dog days of summer, I often find myself with goosebumps.

It’s the little things that get me, like the vivid hues of green that I dream about during the gray winter, the beaming smile on my daughter’s face as she runs, barefooted, around our yard with her dogs, my brother’s firework show that lights up our tiny cabin on the Fourth of July, fireflies dancing in our backyard as a fire cracks on the patio, a marching band in a parade, sitting back in a hammock and watching the activity on the lake. These are little everyday reminders that I’m so lucky to spend my life here.

This issue features many resources to help you take advantage of all the lakes area has to offer this summer including a calendar of local events and a featured restaurant.

My parents will start remodeling our family cabin this summer with the goal to make it a year round home. The objective is to make it easy to enjoy for everyone in the family, from their grandkids, to my grandparents, and, of course themselves throughout their retirement. The cabin really is a place for the family to gather so the topic of accessibility for everyone is on many lakeshore property owners’ minds. You’ll find many useful tips in the Accessible Homes for All Ages article.

In this issue we also cover deck decisions, weed solutions, and always a favorite, we’ll take you inside two gorgeous Minnesota lake homes. We hope you enjoy your copy, and the rest of your summer. ~L&H

Erin Hintz Advertising Sales

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Events Calendar Becker County Detroit Lakes: July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 August 7, 14, 21, 28

Tuesdays in the Park DL City Park Bandshell Free live music 6 p.m. dlccc.org

July 4

4th of July Fireworks DL City Beach

July 6-15

Northwest Water Carnival Parade, water fights, live music from Firehouse and Warrant and more visitdetroitlakes.com

July 7

Fly-In Drive-In Detroit Lakes Airport Classic cars and free airplane rides 8 a.m.

1498.eaachapter.org

July 7

Music On The Mountain: Big and Rich with Cowboy Troy Detroit Mountain 6 p.m. sportcodestore.com

July 17

Monroe Crossing Historic Holmes Theatre 7:30 p.m. dlccc.org

July 22

Arts in the Park Detroit Lakes City Park 100+ vendors sell handmade products in the shade 9 a.m. visitdetroitlakes.com

July 25-28

Becker County Fair beckercountyfair.tripod.com

July 26

Remembering Bobby Vee Historic Holmes Theatre 7:30 p.m. dlccc.org

August 2-4

WE Fest With Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill and more Soo Pass Ranch wefest.com

August 8

Cruise DL Night West Lake Drive along the DL City Beach 4 p.m.

Classic car show facebook.com/cruisedlnight

August 11-12

Quake the Lake Powerboat Races Detroit Lake City Beach Noon (laps), racing at 1:00 p.m. visitdetroitlakes.com

August 26

Boats and Bars Music and drinks combine for an on the water party Lakesareaparrotheads.com

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Frazee: July 27-29

Frazee Turkey Days Parade, food and family fun frazeecommunityclub.com

July 29

Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show Downtown Frazee 10 a.m. tylershipmanmemorialcarshow.com

Pine Point: August 11-12

Pine Point Powwow Grand Entry Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

218-573-2154

Rochert: July 1, 15, 22, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26

Wildlife Movies Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge 2 p.m. fws.gov/refuge/tamarac

August 8, 15, 22

Wild Wednesdays Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge 10 a.m.

Free, hour-long nature activity for kids 3-7 fws.gov/refuge/tamarac

MINNESOTA L AKES AREA

Beltrami County Bemidji: July 8, 15, 22, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26

Music Under the Pines Bemidji State Park 2 p.m.

218-308-2300

July 9, 16, 23, 30 August 6, 13

Yoga on the Beach Diamond Point Park 5:30 p.m. ci.bemidji.mn.us

July 12

North Country Park Hike 6 p.m.

Pre-registration required ci.bemidji.mn.us

July 19

Wellness Route Walk Paul Bunyan Park 6 p.m.

Pre-registration required ci.bemidji.mn.us

July 21

Jog for the Bog 5K Lake Bemidji State Park 9 a.m.

218-308-2300

July 26

Paul Bunyan State Trail Hike South Shore Park 6 p.m.

Pre-registration required ci.bemidji.mn.us

August 2

Diamond Point Park Walk Diamond Building 6 p.m.

Pre-registration required ci.bemidji.mn.us

August 8-12

Beltrami County Fair Beltrami County Fairgrounds beltramicountyfair.org

August 25

Drive In Movie Night Sanford Center 8 p.m.

Concessions for purchase

August 31

How Now, Powwow Lake Bemidji State Park 7 p.m.

Learn about powwow regalia, traditions and etiquette

Cass County Pillager: July 12-15

Cass-Pillager County Fair pillagerfair.com

Pine River: July 28

Pine River Summerfest Parade 2 p.m. pineriver.mn.com

Walker: July 4

Walker’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration Parade, bouncy games and obstacle course, fish fry, beer garden, music, fireworks leech-lake.com

July 5, 12, 19, 26 August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Walker Bay Live 5 p.m.

Location varies A new gathering featuring live music, food, art and beer around the city leech-lake.com

July 14

Kickin’ It Old Skool 4 With Bobby Brown, Flava Flav, Warren G., Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Tone Loc and 2 Live Crew Northern Lights Casino 7 p.m. northernlightscasino.com

July 15-16

Rock the Nights Northern Lights Casino 7 p.m.

An outdoor tent event featuring rock tribute bands northernlightscasino.com

July 19-21

Moondance Jam Featuring Kid Rock, Tesla, Joan Jett, Kansas, Fuel, Bret Michaels and more moondancejam.com

July 22, 24-28

“Patsy Cline at the Flame Café” Walker Bay Theater Wednesday, Sunday 3 p.m., other days 7:30 p.m. minnesotafolkloretheater.org

August 3

Oak Ridge Boys Northern Lights Casino 7 p.m. northernlightscasino.com

August 4

Walker Bay Day Walker City Park Vendor fair, 5K race, kids games and “The Big Dig” leech-lake.com

August 10-13

Leech Lake Regatta Leech Lake Sailing, campfires and live music shoresofleechlake.com

August 16-18

Cajun Fest Northern Lights Casino Cajun music, food and dancing northernlightscasino.com

August 24-26, 29-30

“On Golden Pond” Walker Bay Theater Wednesday, Sunday 3 p.m., other days 7:30 p.m. minnesotafolkloretheater.org

August 24

Cheech and Chong live Northern Lights Casino 7 p.m. northernlightscasino.com

JULY / AUG 2018 lakeandhomemagazine.com 13

Events Calendar Clay County Barnesville: July 12-15

Clay County Fair mnclaycountyfair.com

August 24-25

Potato Days Potato eating, sculpting and peeling contests and parades, music and much more potatodays.com

Rollag: August 31-September 3

Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion Steamer Hill Two daily parades, food, free train and carousel rides and gas and steam engines rollag.com

Crow Wing County Baxter: July 26

Herbs – Garden to Table Northland Arboretum 6:30 p.m.

Learn how to select and grow herbs 218-829-8770 Wild Edible Mushroom Workshop Northland Arboretum 11 a.m.

How to identify and forage for wild mushrooms 218-829-8770

Brainerd: July 1

PleasureLand RV Show and Go Brainerd International Raceway Road racing, drag racing, camping, music, classic car show and live music Brainerdraceway.com

July 8, August 5, 12, 15

Ski Loon Show Lum Park and Campground 5 p.m.

Water skiing shows skiloons.com

July 15-17

American Barnstormers Tour Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Antique aircraft, costumed re- enactors, food eeaa.org

July 18, August 1, 29

Wednesday Night Drags Brainerd International Raceway 4 p.m.

Anyone with a street legal car can race on the track brainerdraceway.com

July 31-August 4

Crow Wing County Fair brainerd.com/fair

August 25-26

Paul Bunyan 200 Bike 100 miles on the Paul Bunyan Trail from Brainerd to Bemidji and back Facebook.com/paulbunyan200/

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MINNESOTA L AKES AREA

Crosslake: July 7

July 14, 28 August 11, 25

July 7

August 4

Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye Crosslake Community Center 7 a.m. check in 5K, 10K and Kids Sunfish Dash races minnesotawaters.org/ whitefishareapropertyowners/ Crosslake Original Craft and Flea Market 13715 County Road 103 9 a.m.

Free admission 612-597-1827

July 10, 17, 24, 31 August 7, 14

Big Fun Tuesdays Crosslake Town Square 1 p.m.

Oversized games for kids, minnow races, face painting, candy and prizes 218-692-5447

July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18, 25

Crosslake Outdoor Music Series Crosslake Town Square 6 p.m.

218-692-8463

July 13, August 10

Outdoor Movies at the Crosslake Campground Crosslake Campground 9:30 p.m Free admission, water and popcorn 651-290-5792

Kayaking at the Campground Crosslake Campground 10:30 a.m.

Learn how to kayak at this free event.

Registration required.

651-290-5793

Whitefish Warrior Adventure Run Crosslake Community Center Trail run, archery, kayaking, mud crawl and more. Registration required.

Thewhitefishwarrior.itsyourrace.com

August 9-11

Crosslake Art Show Crosslake Community Center Over 35 local artists sell art and do demonstrations at this free event.

Sue Bowen, 218-545-1549

August 11

Cardboard Boat Races at Moonlite Bay Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar Boat inspection at noon, races at 1 p.m.

Kits available at 218-692-3575 moonlitebay.com

Pequot Lakes: July 3-4

Stars and Stripes Days Parade, fireworks (on July 3), craft vendors, bean bag tourney, bed races, food business.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Events Calendar

MINNESOTA L AKES AREA

July 7

Bands in the Park Trailside Park 7 p.m. pequotlakes-mn.gov

Douglas County Alexandria: July 4

Bean Hole Days Arts and crafts fair and a free baked beans and dinner roll lunch chris@pequotlakes.com

Star Storm 2018 Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center 7 p.m.

Food, drinks and games before fireworks at dusk arrowwoodresort.com

July 11-13, 17-19

July 4

July 10-11

“Bus Stop” Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium 7:30 p.m. glapa.info

August 4

Chokecherry Festival Trailside Park Chokecherry culinary contest, pit spitting contest, kids games, vendors and live music 218-838-8002

Nisswa: July 4, 11, 18, 25 August 1, 8, 15, 22

Turtle Races Downtown Nisswa 1 p.m. registration, 2 p.m. races Entry fee includes button and use of a racing turtle for a chance at prizes business.nisswa.com

Special Patriotic Concert Douglas County Courthouse 7 p.m. redwillowartscoalition.org

July 5, 12, 19, 26 August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Free Courthouse Concerts Douglas County Courthouse 7 p.m. redwillowartscoalition.org

July 7, 14, 21, 28

Races at Viking Speedway Viking Speedway vikingspeedway.myracepass.com

July 10-15

Legacy of the Lakes Summer Showcase Legacy of the Lakes Museum Live music in the garden, boat and car show, food, games and educational activities legacyofthelakes.org

July 17-22

“From Ava to Eternity: The Life and Music of Frank Sinatra” Theatre L’ Homme Dieu 7:30 p.m. tlhd.org

July 20

Broadway’s Party on the Street Downtown Alexandria Food, shopping, beer garden, street dance, family activities and food explorealex.com

July 20-21

Minnesota Motorcycle Rally Bike show, field events, street dance Apols Harley Davidson apols.com

July 28-29

“Driving Miss Daisy” Theatre L’ Homme Dieu 7:30 p.m. tlhd.org

Art in the Park Lake Agnes and Lake Henry Art, crafts and handmade items and live music andriatheatre.com

July 13-14

July 31-August 5

Big Ole SUPathon 7 a.m.

Paddleboard, canoe or kayak the Chain of Lakes and the Long Prairie River 320-852-7575

July 13-14

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” Theatre L’ Homme Dieu 7:30 p.m. tlhd.org

August 7-12

“Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” Theatre L’ Homme Dieu 7:30 p.m. tlhd.org

August 16-19

Douglas County Fair dcmnfair.com

Grant County Ashby July 20-22

Ashby Appreciation Days 5K, 10K, dinner, movie in the park, street dance ashby5K.com

Hubbard County Park Rapids: July 1, 8, 29 August 12, 18, 26

Itasca Music Under the Pines Itasca State Park 7 p.m.

218-699-7251

July 4

Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Races, pie bakers, outdoor concerts, fireworks, parade business.parkrapids.com

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Events Calendar July 4-7

PRCA Pro Rodeo Extreme Bulls and Broncs Jokela Prowest Grounds 6:30 p.m. parkrapidsbullride.com

July 11-15

Hubbard County Fair hubbardcountyfair.com

July 19

Smokey Bear Day Itasca State Park Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center 11:30 a.m.

Fire truck demos, forest crafts and activities, meet the Minnesota firefighters 218-699-7251

August 9

Wet and Wild Mississippi River Day Itasca State Park Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center 11:30 a.m.

Family-friendly water, wildlife and plant activities 218-699-7251

Mahnomen County Mahnomen: July 13

Trick Pony Shooting Star Casino 8 p.m. starcasino.com

July 20

Charley Pride Shooting Star Casino 8 p.m. starcasino.com

Morrison County Cushing: August 4-5

Scandia Valley Summerfest Scandia Valley Town Hall and Park Turkey BBQ, craft fair, petting zoo, horse rides, kids activities, pancake breakfast.

320-630-3467

Little Falls: August 9-11

Morrison County Fair morrisonfair.com

July 14

Morrison County Historical Society Walking Tour Meet at the corner of 2nd Ave & 2nd St NE 10 a.m. morrisoncountyhistory.org

July 27

Summer Harvest Dinner Sprout Growers & Makers Marketplace 5:30 p.m.

Five-course dinner from local chefs and farmers featuring regional products 320-412-3081

July 27

Pine Grove Zoo Traveling Art Pub for Adults Pine Grove Zoo 6 p.m.

Visit the zoo and create art to keep pinegrovezoo.com

August 1

Green Fair Folk Festival St. Francis Convent 4 p.m.

Music, 50+ craft, food and green living vendors fslf.org/pages/GreenFair

Pierz: July 14

Pierz Freedom Fest Featuring Montgomery Genty, Lonestar, Confederate Railroad and more Genola softball diamonds pierzfreedomfest.com

Randall: July 3-4

Downtown Randall Fireworks July 3, street dance, parade, bed races, dunk tank 320-232-9412

Royalton: July 7

Fire Up the Diamonds Royalton High School Diamonds Baseball and softball tournaments 5K, 1K and Fun Run, fireworks, inflatable games facebook.com/fireupthediamonds

Otter Tail County

New York Mills: July 7

Battle Lake: July 5, 12, 19, 26 August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Turtle Races

July 28-29

Wenonga Days Craft and vendor fair, Native American dance performance, turtle races, parade battlelakeparade.com

July 20-22

Art of the Lakes Studio Tour A free scenic, self-guided tour of 24 art studios in west central Minnesota artofthelakes.org

August 11

Art and Craft Affair Railroad Park Outdoor vendor show featuring handmade items, art and crafts artofthelakes.org

Fergus Falls: August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July 5, 12, 19, 26

Roosevelt Park Concerts at 6:30 p.m. and movies at 9 p.m.

All programming is free.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

218-998-2000 (movies) 218-736-5453 (concerts)

July 12

Shop Move N’ Groove Downtown Get active and experience art, shopping, healthy food and family fun.

Fergusfalls.com

Old Time Music and Dance 7 p.m.

New York Mills Cultural Center Learn to waltz, polka and couples dance to the Red Herring String Band.

Free.

651-216-4610

Ottertail: August 10-11

Otter Fest Minnow races, live music, demolition derby and family fun 218-457-0193

Perham: July 19-22

East Otter Tail County Fair eotcountyfair.org

Underwood: July 14-15

Phelps Mill Festival Phelps Mill County Park Art, crafts and entertainment in the park Phelpsmillfestival.com

Vergas: August 9-12

Vergas Looney Daze Street fair, parade, entertainment and food cityofvergas.com

Polk County Fertile: July 11-15

Polk County Fair polkcountyfairfertilemn.com

July 18-21

West Otter Tail County Fair wotcountyfair.com

Wadena County

July 27

Menahga

Hoot Lake Triathlon Hoot Lake Public Access 8 a.m.

Pre-register to run, bike and swim as an individual or team. fergusfallsymca.com

July 6-8 Menahga Midsummer Celebration Games, parade, fireworks menhaga.com

August 4

Royalton Platte River Day Parade, food, turtle races, youth tractor pull, petting zoo, doughnut eating contest, street dance.

320-584-6493

Have an Event?

Do you have an upcoming event that you would like to have featured in a future issue of Lake and Home Magazine?

Send your event info via email to: a rtwork @la k ea nd hom em a g a z i ne.c om

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GARDEN & LANDSCAPING

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A

typical deck is usually attached to a home or structure. Similar to a patio in many ways, but usually built above ground level, decks have traditionally been made of wood and often need railings. In the past 10-15 years, those traditions have changed drastically, and the choices available for materials and designs have transformed the deck industry.

Designing and installing a deck now has many more levels of complexity and choices, according to Kirk Bedin of Stenerson Lumber in Moorhead. “It’s no longer just about the deck, but more about an extension of the home and the entire use of your outdoor space,” he says.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DECKMASTERS

PHOTO PROVIDED BY STENERSON LUMBER

Whether a deck comes off a sliding glass door on the back of a house, or in front of a lake home to enjoy the view, choices for a deck were previously limited to a few different types of wood that needed to be stained or painted on a continual basis. A higher-priced pre-treated wood was the only other option. Now those options are numerous, and it’s all about “stylizing” a deck area.

“Building a deck isn’t as much of an afterthought as it used to be,” says Nathan Bradford, who works in the drafting and design department at Hilltop Lumber in Alexandria. “People aren’t just throwing it on later. We’re seeing them putting

more thought and bigger chunks of their budget into their outdoor living spaces.”

Josh Smook, manager of Deckmasters in Fargo, agrees. “The sky is the limit now when it comes to ideas for outdoor living spaces,” he adds. “They also don’t want to spend all their time painting and staining 20 LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE JULY / AUG 2018

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATTSON LUMBER

to keep up the look of those spaces, and the changes have been HUGE in the past 20 years in what most people call composite decking.”

LOW MAINTENANCE MATERIALS Although most deck suppliers and builders hesitate to label any composite material totally “maintenance free,” these long-lasting products require no painting or staining, and give the homeowner more time to enjoy the outside living area and lifestyle.

“Most people who are building decks now are looking for low-maintenance options,” says Matt Houde, of Mattson Lumber in Nisswa. “A lot of the ones we’re using are a cellular PVC – recycled materials with some wood components mixed in. Then it’s wrapped in another harder product with a PVC textured wrap on the outside so it looks like wood-grained decking.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DECKMASTERS

Composite decking comes at a higher cost than natural wood, of course, but the prices have come down since they were introduced several years ago, as many more choices and materials have now become available.

“The newer materials are the best of both worlds,” says Becky Hanson of Stenerson Lumber in Moorhead. “The lower price of the composite with the benefits of the PVC surface make it more fade resistant and stain resistant with richer, deeper colors.”

The surface of the decking used to be very coarse, but Hanson says the manufacturers have introduced a fine grain that is more like that of a fir tree. And instead of the initial single color, they’ve now added different colors of plastic so the wood look is multi-tonal, with several colors mixing together.

22 LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE JULY / AUG 2018

“The colorization goes all the way through the product rather than a surface coating, so it’s even more realistic looking,” she says. “One of the most popular and attractive colors we sell is from Armadillo, a Minnesota manufacturer. It’s called ‘Campfire,’ and it has red, gray and black streaks in a brown product.”

LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION. Before choosing the design or the materials or the colors, stylizing a deck means considering all the factors that can contribute to the outdoor experience.

Bradford says that one thing not everyone considers ahead of time is which direction the deck will be facing and how much or how little sun they will get during the day.

JULY / AUG 2018 lakeandhomemagazine.com 23

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DECKMASTERS

“Although the direction of a home’s backyard or how a house faces the lake can’t be changed, positioning of the outdoor living space can be adjusted with bigger front porches or a grilling deck off to the side of the house,” he says. “Placement can be critical. If there are no trees and the deck faces south, it can become too hot to use it for anything except sun bathing.”

PERGOLAS When too much sun becomes an issue, another deck option that has gained in popularity is to add a pergola – a patterned grid built above the deck.

“It’s kind of an open-air cover that gives you filtered light,” Smook explains. “You get a sense of being in a room without adding full cover or walls. It can be a nice intimate area you can enjoy but still maintain some level of shade.”

The level of shade from a pergola can vary, depending on the pattern itself and the amount of sun exposure, but some pergolas can provide up to 50-60 percent shade cover.

Pergolas can be an attractive design element on a deck, but in the past, they have been very costly and difficult to build. According to Bradford, many companies are now coming out with lowmaintenance versions of pergolas, and the kits are becoming easier to acquire and install.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY STENERSON LUMBER

RAILINGS

lake or simply provide a more expansive atmosphere on a deck.

Another way to add design to a deck is with a railing. Smook says the international residential building code dictates that if a deck is more than 30 inches off the ground, a railing is required. Choosing the right railing is serious business if you want to protect a million-dollar view of the

The designs and materials for railings have evolved, too. Instead of wood planks, a combination of wood posts and cable can provide either a contemporary or rustic look to the railing, while also preserving the view.

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Matt Houde of Mattson Lumber in Nisswa says that a popular option in the lakes area is an aluminum railing, with cable rail running horizontally through aluminum posts.

“With low-maintenance decking, homeowners also want low-maintenance railings,” he says. “Why put up a deck so you can see the lake, and then put up a railing that you can barely see through?

And why paint or stain wood posts if you don’t have to?”

LIGHTING AND PRIVACY With these newer railing systems, Paul Chan of Hilltop Lumber says that a number of lighting options have also become available.

“Some of that stuff is pretty cool,” he says.

“A ring of lights can be placed under each post cap. Then there’s actually a rope lighting system that fits under the hand rail, or a little light can be placed on every side of the post.”

Smook agrees the best and most popular option for a railing is stainless steel cables with aluminum frame. “But there are lots of options out there in the rail world,” he says. “There’s always something for everyone, with choices of aluminum, composite, custom-made wrought iron, or PVC. Some of those options are good, and some are not so good. Some are crazy cheap, and some are crazy expensive.”

Glass is another appealing design option that looks fantastic when it’s clean and streak-free. It would not be considered low maintenance, however, because a great deal of time and energy is required to keep it that way.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DECKMASTERS

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY STENERSON LUMBER 26 LAKE AND HOME MAGAZINE JULY

/ AUG 2018

It’s all LED outdoor lighting, according to Chan, which is more warm and welcoming and not as drastic as a flood light, especially for decks on lake homes.

If a narrow lot is an issue, other options for decks include a higher railing or an actual privacy wall made out of composite materials on one side of the deck. Decorative planters can also be hung from poles to keep the outside space from closing in.

WOOD DECKS Although the composite decks are looking more like wood, sometimes there’s still no substitute for the real thing. If pricing is an issue or a customer just wants to stick to a wood deck, Chan says one newer option that is becoming more popular and more available is what he calls “brown treated wood.” Instead of the typical green look of treated wood, it has a pigment stain added to the treatment, so it’s brown.

“It’s not as low maintenance as PVC, of course,” he says, “so to upkeep the color, you would have to continue to stain it every five years or so.”

Another way to add style and function to a wood deck is with decorative hardware.

According to Hanson, Simpson has hardware available with a black wrought iron look for angle bracing, T-bracing and bolt systems that have a functional purpose, but can ‘dress up’ a wood deck. She says there are other black or galvanized options out there, too.

“Decks. Patios. Pergolas. Railings. Lighting.

It’s all about the stuff that makes you enjoy your entire outdoor living space.

A perfect project is working closely with the homeowner, finding the right use of space, and then integrating their lifestyle into a designer deck and backyard that makes them feel it was worth the time, effort and money they spent to create it.” ~L&H

A PERFECT DECK Smook offers seminars at Deckmasters to give customers information about anything and everything that goes into creating and designing decks.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY STENERSON LUMBER

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Lake Season at the Winery | Carlos Creek Winery 320-846-5443 | CarlosCreekWinery.com WINE – CLOTHING – DÉCOR and more! Carlos Creek Winery has everything you need for a perfect day at the lake! Shop our wide selection of fun items for the cabin or check out our new clothing including lightweight sweaters and tshirts. We also carry a selection of MINI WINES – perfect for the beach or pontoon!

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$

Wood Guestbook Journal | Sunny and Clear From Minnesota artist Teresa Magnuson, these guestbook journals are designed to “bring out the sunshine.”

Her illustrations are laser engraved into a solid wood cover, giving it a timeless charm.

ETSY Shop: Sunny and Clear https://www.etsy.com/listing/603547014/ woodguestbook-journal-live-love-lake-mn

Lake-Themed Hats Periwinkle Marketplace Shop our Facebook page or stop by our summer pop-up shop at 231 Hwy 78 North, Suite E, Ottertail, MN. Open every day all summer.

• Finished Size: 5.5” w x 7.875” h with black double-wire spiral binding • Solid wood cover, Alderwood, 1/8 inch thick • Inside pages: ruled/lined part way, 100pg, 50shts, 60# text.

Made in Fergus Falls, MN.

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$

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Williams Company Store Ottertail | 218-367-3340 | 101 West Main Street Battle Lake | 218-862-6906 | 102 West Summit Street The Williams Company store has two beautiful locations.

Both stores are located in historic Minnesota towns; Ottertail and Battle Lake. Vacationers are drawn to our historic buildings and find themselves returning to the stores for our unique gift selections, fantastic espresso drinks & amazing deli food. Vacationers and local members of our community enjoy our friendly staff and small town charm.

Creative Touch Boutique 320-762-8786 | 516 Broadway St, Alexandria MN We are a boutique store in downtown Alexandria, which carries home décor, gifts, and clothing. We specialize in women’s clothing with an emphasis on being cute, comfortable, and affordable. One whole section of the store is devoted to Minnesota clothing which includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats for both men and women. Also included in this section are gift items and home décor with a lake theme which includes personalized lake signs, lake map jar candles, cribbage boards, beer glasses, and coffee mugs. You will also find hundreds of signs with many featuring lake sayings. Follow us on both Facebook and Instagram. The store is open year-round, seven days a week, right in the middle of the bustling downtown Alexandria shopping district!

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Funky Farmhouse 218-770-1350 or 218-770-7130 | 231 Hwy 78 N. Unit D, Ottertail, MN Something for everyone! One-of-a-kind handcrafted, upcycled, and repurposed items. Homemade jewelry, wooden signs, various pieces of furniture. Inventory changes weekly.

Hours: May-Sept: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4 Oct-April: Weekends only, Hours TBD

Lake Pillow | Sunny and Clear Colorful fishing bobbers and lake themed pillows. Decorative pillow cushion designs in summer hues or vivid vintage colors. Suitable indoors or outdoors.

All illustrations and fabrics are original designs, giving you a one-of-a-kind pillow.

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$

PILLOW STUFFED

35

$

PILLOW COVER ONLY

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O ON THE LAKE

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Weeds are an important part of the lake ecosystem, but they are the bane of many cabin owners’ existence. Nothing ruins a perfectly good day at the lake like the squish of mucky, mossy algae under your feet and that creepy feeling you get when weeds wrap around your legs as you swim.

Plus, spending time clearing heaps of weeds from the beach and pulling weeds out of motors and off of docks is physically tiring, repetitive work, especially in the heat and humidity of high summer.

Thankfully, there are many options for dealing with weeds that provide homeowners with the attractive lake shore they want, while still respecting the needs of local fish and wildlife, as well as state and national regulations. Two of the most affordable include physical removal and chemical treatment.

Tim Brennan knows what a challenge weed removal can be, because he did it the hard way himself. A frustrating experience led him to create his signature product, the T-Weeder, a manual weed remover that he produces with the help of his wife and son in Fergus Falls.

“We bought a lake property near Ottertail, Minn., in 2005,” Brennan says, setting the scene for the struggle that inspired his business. “After purchasing a water trampoline, we found the kids didn’t want to use it. They had to swim through weeds to get to it, and then land in weeds when jumping off.”

Brennan did what most homeowners do; he dove in (sometimes literally) and kept on trying to remove the weeds. When sheer persistence didn’t work, he got creative.

“After trying several methods to remove the weeds, from chemicals to weed cutters and rakes (I even tried dragging a bedspring behind a boat), I came up with the idea and design of the T-Weeder,” Brennan says. “After a number of modifications I ended up with the current

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design, which does a great job removing a wide range of submerged weeds that tend to be the most annoying.”

The T-Weeder is a lightweight weed removal tool that’s shaped like a “T.” It’s attached to a 25 foot rope, so customers can pitch it like a baseball from the dock or the beach. The head of the “T” has a series of teeth like a rake, which are designed to snag and pull out aquatic weeds. To clear the area, you just pull the rake back using the rope and repeat as needed.

“The T-Weeder is affordable and it pulls most of the weeds out by their roots rather than cutting them, which keeps them gone longer,” explains Brennan. “It also removes and pulls in the weeds all in one effort. There is no need to go back into the lake to collect the weeds, so it is quite efficient.”

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As an added bonus, the collected weeds can be repurposed. “We used to spread them out on the grass in the sun,” says Brennan. “Once dried out, they burn up quickly in a campfire or compress into lawn bags easily. Aquatic weeds, once removed, also make great fertilizer for the garden. Just till them into the soil.”

Brennan also developed a second product, the T-Weeder2, to tackle mossy, mucky, bottom-growing weeds. It is heavier than the original and can more effectively tackle this specific type of weed. Both are available at tweedertool. com.

Weeds are classified as submersed (growing below the surface and not visible from above), emersed (with leaves or stems above the water, floating (weeds that float on top of the water, like water lilies) and algae (also called moss or scum) that doesn’t have leaves or stems.

From there, you need to determine the exact type of weed you’re dealing with.

If you can’t figure it out, the Aquacide Company team suggests emailing a

But as with any weed removal system, the T-Weeder does have its limitations. “I don’t recommend the T-Weeder for the removal of lily pads, cattails, bulrushes, and other reed-type weeds,” Brennan explains. “Those weeds all have an extremely strong stem and root system.”

As Brennan illustrates, it’s essential to understand exactly what type of weeds you’re trying to eradicate before you begin, so you can choose the best tools.

Aquacide Company of White Bear Lake helpfully lists the four main weed types on its website, killlakeweeds.com. Aquacide Company has been helping property owners deal with weeds since 1956, and the company’s expertise has evolved along with the weed removal challenges that homeowners face.

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close-up photo of your weed or mailing a clean damp sample in a zip-lock baggie to them for free identification.

Jamie Markoe of Aquacide Company says that there’s a good chance that, if your cabin is in Minnesota, you’re dealing with at least one of a few common weed varieties. “Three of the most common weeds Minnesotans encounter are coontail, Eruasian milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed.” photos provided by T-Weeder

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(Brennan adds that his clients also struggle with hydrilla.)

Two of these varieties are especially troublesome. “We are seeing more invasive, exotic weed species that come from foreign countries,” explains Markoe.

“Eruasian milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed are two of the most prevalent. Exotic weeds tend to be very aggressive and overcome native vegetation.”

Most people with a boat know to check to make sure that zebra mussels aren’t hitching a ride as they move from lake to lake, state to state and region to region.

But most water sports enthusiasts, anglers, beachfront joggers and swimmers never stop to think about the tiny weed fragments

photo provided by Aquacide

that stick to boats and trailers, tubes and water skis – not to mention particles that stick to pet fur, bathing suits and running shoes. Weeds are opportunistic and once they jump from one body of water to the next, even a small amount of plant matter can quickly take over.

will not stay in the water for more than 21 days.” All products from Aquacide Company (and any reputable weed control dealer) are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota State Department of Natural Resources.

Aquacide Company offers a variety of weed control options, including pellets, clear liquid and a granular product. The type of weed determines the method of treatment. For many weed types, pellets are suggested.

Once weeds are treated, it’s important to handle follow-up, so the dead vegetation doesn’t build up and produce muck in the water. “Following three weeks after with a natural bacteria like AquaClear Pellets will help to reduce decayed vegetation and clarify the water,” explains Markoe.

“Aquacide Pellets are very effective on broadleaf weeds,” explains Markoe. “This includes coontail and Eurasian milfoil.

Aquacide Pellets are biodegradable and

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No matter which weed removal method is right for you, you’ll need to get in touch with your local Department of Natural Resources. Removing weeds in public water with approved chemicals requires a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota DNR allows property owners to remove up to 2,500 square feet of submerged weed removal without a permit if you clear weeds manually, but larger areas require a permit as well.

That all makes sense, since the way you choose to control weeds doesn’t just affect your swimming area and dock.

It’s connected to what happens next door at your neighbor’s place and all around the lake. Carefully monitoring your own little corner of the lake with a goal of preserving the health of the entire ecosystem, maintains a lake for everyone to enjoy. ~L&H

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Photos by Kip Johnson / Lake and Home Magazine

Located in the heart of Minnesota lake country, Battle Lake Boathouse has opened under new ownership.

The new duo are experienced restauranteurs and have put together a fabulous menu and top shelf service to Battle Lake.

Seared Ahi Tuna Steak Ahi tuna seasoned with our spiced rub, seared rare, topped with avocado and jalapeno-pineapple chili salsa and served over fire-roasted red pepper risotto.

Boat Club w/ Sweet Potato Fries Our take on the classic! Oven-roasted chicken breast, smoked ham, bacon, sliced tomato and lettuce with our red pepper aioli served on toasted Vienna.

Boathouse Scampi Sauteed bay scallops, mussels, shrimp, garlic, basil and vine-ripened tomatoes, tossed with linguini in a light white wine cream sauce.

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Bait Bucket Pizza Pesto sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, anchovies, crab, shrimp and bay scallops with a hint of Old Bay Seasoning.

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I

INTERIOR DESIGN

T

he World Health Organization estimates by the year 2040, almost half of the world’s population will be over the age of 65 and under the age of 18. That means the homes we live in need to be accessible to the oldest and the youngest among us.

When you consider that Americans are enjoying longer lives and understand the many mental and social benefits to remaining in the home well into retirement, planning living spaces to meet current and future needs is a must.

Moreover, many of us will experience some type of diminished physical capacity at some point. Whether it’s recovering from an injury or surgery, or just the normal deterioration of vision, hearing and physical dexterity that comes with age, an intelligently designed home that’s accessible to all doesn’t seem like a luxury. It seems like a necessity.

Here is a room-by-room look at how to design and organize your indoor and outdoor living spaces so they are accessible to all ages and abilities. These simple steps will help your home age with you, whether you’re just starting out or entering your golden years.

ENTRYWAYS A simple way to make sure your space is accessible to all ages and abilities, is to plan that you have at least one entrance that is step free. A low-grade ramp or zero-step entry is a must for those in wheelchairs and for folks with limited mobility, but it’s also helpful for parents maneuvering strollers and for kids just learning how to get around.

The entryway should be completely flat.

Work to eliminate decorative platforms, elevated trim and raised thresholds in entryways and all over the home. As an added benefit, dirt and dust don’t get trapped when those features are eliminated, so it’s easier to clean – and no one has to worry about stubbing a toe or getting a wheel stuck.

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material or adding a runner with some grip can help. Examine treads to make sure the foot falls naturally and there are no odd edges that can trip people.

Also check to make sure there’s a sturdy railing to hold. A more decorative railing or one that doesn’t actually run the entire length of the staircase might not be enough to offer the physical support family members and guests need. (And it might not be up to current building codes either.)

Exterior stairs present a thornier problem for homeowners, since many Minnesota lake cabins are set into or on top of steep hills, an architectural feature that’s difficult to change. If moving isn’t an option, Marine Innovations in Frazee has a clever solution. The company’s hillside trams operate like an elevator or a funicular, transporting people and household items with the push of a button.

Pocket doors, barn doors and bifold doors are easier to operate from a wheelchair and they take up a lot less space. This can be helpful to remember when considering closet doors or when working to maximize every square foot. D-lever or push button handles are easier to use for those with limited hand dexterity.

The majority of accidents that happen in the entryway are a result of tripping over debris, so work to keep these areas clear.

Install shelves to create storage areas for outgoing mail, homework and library books. Corral clutter like hats and gloves on racks or in boxes. The entryway will be more organized and safer for the entire family.

Keep stairs clutter free and think about ways that you can rearrange your life to make the majority of your living take place on the first floor. Perhaps the kids’ play area can be relocated to a corner of the kitchen or grandma’s favorite reading chair can find a new home in a sunroom so everyone can be together on one level.

STAIRCASES

Of course, if you’re buying or building a home you have a greater ability to limit the steps in your home in the first place.

Multi-level dwellings that minimize the number and steepness of stairs, and one-level living spaces that eliminate the need for them altogether, are increasingly popular. As the population ages, the resale value of these layouts is likely to increase.

Stairs are among the most dangerous areas in a home. Climbing stairs can be painful for those with limited mobility or joint pain and tricky for toddlers, kids, pregnant women and individuals recovering from surgery or illness.

Pay attention to the surface of the stairs as well. Slick tile or a wood floor with a lot of shine might look nice, but it could be treacherous to those who aren’t confident on their feet. Changing the flooring

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“It’s fully customizable,” explains sales and project manager Nicholas Botzet. “Our standard residential system is rated for 860 pounds to transport four people and a cooler or boat toys and anything else you need to transport up and down a hill.”

HALLWAYS & LIVING SPACES Make sure that all hallways are well lit. Place light switches in easy to find locations so the youngest and oldest members of your family can access them without difficulty. Make sure the lights over the stairs and landings can be turned on at the top or foot of the staircase, so no one has to venture up or down in partial darkness.

The optimal height for light switches is 38 inches off the ground. Rocker or touch switches are easier to use for people with limited dexterity in their hands and are a useful option for anyone else in the household that might have their arms or hands full with laundry, kids, or toys.

Consider remote control lights or touch switches on lamps in sitting areas so no one has to struggle with buttons or cords.

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body strength to maneuver frozen (and often heavy) items.

BATHROOM

KITCHEN

The bathroom is a common danger zone for falls. Getting up from the tub or toilet is difficult for those with limited mobility and the slippery nature of bathroom surfaces doesn’t offer much assistance.

The stress of bending and reaching can take a real toll on the body. Consider an open space counter with enough room for a wheelchair to go underneath. If it’s low (less than 36 inches high) then the young, the old and folks in wheelchairs can participate in meal preparation in comfort. Padded chairs with backs may help older family members stay comfortable at the table.

Make sure that floor tiles aren’t unnecessarily slippery. Consider covering the floor with a non-slip rug to add traction. Add a non-slip safety mat in the bathtub or shower as well. Raised thresholds are very common in showers, so consider replacing this tripping hazard.

If your tub or shower doesn’t have a grab bar, be sure to install one the minute that standing or sitting becomes a challenge.

If there’s already one installed with the tub, have a more flexible family member test it to make sure it can truly support an adult’s weight. (Some bars on older tubs are little more than decoration.) If more support is needed, there are support bars that attach to the outside wall of your tub to add extra stability without damaging the fixture.

Consider installing shelves and dishwashers that pull out like drawers to minimize the need to bend down and hoist objects up and out. Refrigerators that offer the same pull-out features and a freezer on the bottom instead of the top make it easier for those with limited upper

A support bar near the toilet may also be necessary. If you’re building a new home or remodeling your bathroom, consider reinforcing walls near the tub and toilet with 2x8s instead of 2x4s now so that you won’t need to rip out a wall to install a bar later.

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Simple switches like a removable sink nozzle mean that chefs don’t have to lift a full pot in and out of the sink. Locating outlets at different levels throughout the kitchen (including lower to the ground and on kitchen islands) and placing microwaves and other small appliances on a counter instead of above the stove or high on a shelf eliminate the need to reach up or climb onto a stool. And if radios and air conditioning units can’t be moved, replace them with remote controlled versions so anyone can turn them off and on safely.

OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES If you’re planning or remodeling an outdoor patio or sunroom, take care to minimize (or eliminate) platforms and also the number of stairs into and out of the space. Poured concrete or patio pavers can be a great safe and aesthetically pleasing option. Make sure the entire space is well lit and free of tripping hazards.

Lower the mailbox so folks in wheelchairs and young children can get the mail.

If walking to the mailbox becomes too strenuous, consider adding a seating

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area in the shade to add a much needed spot to rest as well as a place to enjoy the outdoors without needing to walk or stand.

YARDS AND GARDENS Switch to raised bed gardens to minimize bending over and make it easier for the whole family to garden together. There are also hanging planters, wall gardens and tiered planters to keep plants off the ground and easier to reach.

If you’re planting and landscaping now, make sure you’re thinking about how your plant choices and physical abilities will change over time.

“Typically stuff gets planted too close, so as it matures it’s much harder to manage and it gets overgrown,” explains John Emery, who owns Natures Garden World in Fergus Falls.

“Giving it the proper spacing while it’s small gives it longevity.”

Emery also cautions customers not to plant too much, too fast, since there’s no such thing as a maintenance free garden. “You can’t just plant it and forget about it,” he cautions. “Most people don’t realize how much care gardens take. Don’t plant too much so that you can keep up with it.”

Make sure to choose low maintenance landscaping elements as well. “Rock is easier to be top dressing with than woodchips because you’re going to be remulching every year or two years,” says Katie Gunderson, manager of Outdoor Renovations in Underwood.

“Rock is more permanent.”

Gunderson says that while perennial plants are typically less work than annuals, since you’re not replanting every year, there are even simpler options available. “Go and talk with the experts at your local garden centers about low maintenance plants,” she says. “Sometimes shrubs can be a little more low-maintenance than perennials because there isn’t as much clean up.”

And if you already have a wellestablished lawn and garden and are struggling to care for it, don’t hesitate to call a professional for help with maintenance. There’s no sense in risking your health and future mobility just to do things as they’ve always been done. Contracting with someone to fertilize and mow the lawn, water the garden, trim the shrubs, clean up in the spring, rake leaves in the fall and remove snow and ice in the winter allows you more time to do the activities that you love and give you more time with your family and friends. That’s money well spent. ~L&H

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Surround yourself with items that make you happy Mixture of colors and textures Greenery brings in nature and provides a calming effect

Use textures to create fun styles

Frames of loved ones

Little books you can read tidbits out of

Mix design styles, marrying them

Tealights for ambiance in the night

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H

Your Questions

Answered By Our Panel Of Experts

HOME EXPERTS

Question: Do wood doors hold up to Minnesota’s climate?

Answer: Brent Manley

Great River Door Company

Yes, absolutely! Wood doors have been around for centuries, adorning some of the most beautiful structures on the planet. No other door can offer the beauty, flexibility in design and efficiencies of a quality-built wood door.

Quality craftsmanship and modern engineering techniques assure stability and proper function for decades. Like any door, occasional maintenance will enhance and prolong the life of a wood door. Locations receiving direct sun will require more attention than entries that are well protected or facing away from the sun. A quality finish, well-maintained, is key to a longlasting wood door.

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All that said, a quality-built wood door is a great choice for any new home or to replace an existing door unit. While manufactured units are available in traditional styles, if you really want something special, you may want to check with local suppliers that can produce a custom door unit to your exact size and structural needs.

Some companies will even offer carved wood panels or etched/stained glass options. You don’t have to travel outside of central Minnesota to find several companies offering the highest quality wood doors available. Simply put, no other door can offer the warmth and appeal of a custom wood door. ~L&H

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA

“My clients who have worked with American Federal for their construction loans have appreciated the welcoming environment and professional advice provided by Chris Marvel. The entire staff at American Federal is committed to making the financing process stress free.”

- Dave Erwin, Dave Erwin Construction, Inc.

117 South Mill Street Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218.739.3377 888.389.3377

DOUGLAS COUNTY, MINNESOTA

DOUGLAS AND OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA

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S SENIOR LIVING

The soft comfort of a favorite reading chair nestled next to a warm fireplace, the sweet scent of sugar cookies baking in the oven, and the leafy view of a 100-yearold oak tree from the back porch. These are all the little things many homeowners hold dearest about their abodes. These are also the little things many homeowners miss most when they enter senior housing.

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PioneerLink® Mobile-Mate™ (24/7/365 Monitoring Service) Connected and Protected: At Home or On the Go! Mobile-Mate is a mobile safety device that allows subscribers to be active and independent, at home or on the go. Mobile-Mate operates on the AT&T™ cellular network and features GPS & LBS technology, 3-way conferencing, and optional automatic fall detection.

Technology, however, has stepped in to provide a plethora of new in-home care options, giving area homeowners new possibilities to stay at home longer.

Consisting of smart home monitoring devices, electronic medication dispensing units and Personal Emergency Response or PERs units, these new– fangled tools are giving seniors more time in their homes.

In this regard, local senior living organizations Pioneer Care and Knute Nelson are offering up a local link to these life-saving gadgets, enabling lakes area residents to remain in their homes for as long as they safely can.

“It is our mission to enrich the lives of everyone we serve,” says Konnie Evans, vice president of Home Care at Knute Nelson. “Through our continuum of care,

it is our goal to improve the health, wellbeing and independence of aging adults by allowing individuals to feel comfortable and safe wherever they call home; technology is one resource that helps us do that.”

The first line of being able to maintain in-home independence is the Personal Emergency Response or PERs unit for short. In brief, a PERs device is a pendant button worn either around the neck or on the wrist like a watch.

The system is simple. Pressing the button instantly dials out and activates direct communication to an established response team as an operator talks with the person in need and assesses their situation, explains Pioneer director of marketing and development, Steve Guttormson.

“We offer classic or PERs units called PioneerLink®. It is a waterproof pendant that offers one touch service in case of a fall or medical emergency,” explains Guttormson.

“Our PERs are similar if not the same as Life Line or Life Alert,” adds Knute Nelson’s Evans. “They are a peace of mind piece of technology that allows the client to get the proper help that they are needing in a quick, easy way.”

Both the Knute Nelson and Pioneer Link PERs are locally supported, meaning service and installation are handled by technicians and care centers from the area.

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Knute Nelson Mobile-Mate™ (24/7/365 Monitoring Service) Have you fallen recently or feel that you are at risk for a fall? Have you been to the emergency room or been hospitalized one or more times in the past three months?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, our Personal Emergency Response system can help! When seconds count, an Alert System can make a vital difference. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, getting help within one hour after a fall improves survival rate by more than 90%.

“We have trained staff that install the technology in the client’s home to ensure proper setup and function of each unit we offer,” explains Knute Nelson’s Evans.

see their detailed file of information as to whether they should call family, friends or neighbors prior to or after calling EMS,” explains Evans.

“The advantage of a PERs unit such as ours is that it is serviced and installed locally. If there is an issue, we fix it rather than sending the unit off to a service center: Everything is local,” adds Pioneer Care’s Guttormson.

For those on the go, technology today offers a PERs unit that goes beyond the home, something that can easily track movements, for instance, on a trip or in a car.

Another advantage is that when activated after a fall or medical emergency, the wearer’s information is received and processed locally too.

“If a client were to need to use their response system, the call center can

“We offer a couple different types of units that work both in the home and out in the community for those clients that are more active outside of their home.”

Remarks Guttormson: “We offer a mobile unit called Mobile-Mate. This mobile PERs unit utilizes cell phone towers to establish

location of the wearer by pinging the various cell phone towers.”

This unit works well for snowbirds, notes Guttormson, especially when traveling through a number of states to and from their desired destination. It utilizes existing cell phone tower networks and keeps track of a wearer’s location, enabling the nearest 911 service to be notified should an incident arise.

In addition to PERs devices, another great tool to help people remain at home is the advent of automated medication dispensing via a hand-held, at home, medication management unit that helps residents take their medications at the right time and in the right dose.

“MedSmart® was identified by our Advisory committee as one of biggest needs of our residents,” starts Pioneer Care’s Guttormson.

MedSmart® MedSmart® is an electronic reminder and dispensing system, programmable from one to six times a day, that helps individuals take medications properly and on time.

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Tunstall Lifeline VI™ (provided by Knute Nelson) The Lifeline Vi+ home unit is connected to the main power supply and your telephone line. It enables you to generate a call for help when you need it. Your MyAmie pendant is wirelessly connected to your home unit and enables you to generate a call for help from inside your home or garden.

The unit has a carousel which has 28 slots which can dispense 28 doses of what ever medication combinations are prescribed for any individual need. The unit itself can be set up by the homeowner or a designated caregiver.

“Med machines can be set up with the proper medications that are to be taken at certain times of the day. Up to a two week supply of pills can be set up in the machine. These medications can be set up by nursing staff, family, friends or the individuals themselves. When the scheduled times come due, the machine sends an alert and dispenses the medications that are due at that time,” says Evans.

One more tech tool is one which uses smart home technology to transmit important information to and from one’s home. Utilizing various communication platforms within the home, these new gadgets can both monitor and relay

vital blood pressure, heart and pulse information to their care center of choice.

“Our Telehealth system comes with a blood pressure cuff, scale, and pulse oximeter. All information is transmitted through the Telehealth system tablet which utilizes cell tower signal for data transfers to and from the client and Knute Nelson nursing staff,” explains Evans.

In short, technology is extending time Americans get to spend in the comfort of their home. Connecting remotely to a

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care center, designated caregivers and established medical professionals, these new gadgets can monitor blood pressure daily or even relay a fall to a specified response team. Providing peace of mind, these health monitoring systems are giving lakes area residents more options than ever, to maintain their health, well being and way of life. ~L&H

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F

FEATURE HOME

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A

t first glance, this sprawling, spacious home on Potato Lake could be mistaken for a mountain lodge. A curved driveway leads to the dramatic entryway, with an attractive and elegant mixture of wood, windows and stone. Three fireplace chimneys dot the multi-leveled roofline, and the lakeside windows provide a spectacular view from that entire side of the house.

The sizeable footprint of the home makes full use of the 150 feet of lakeshore on this heavily wooded lot, and a stone walkway leads down to the waterfront from a very slight elevation.

There are no mountains near this northern Minnesota lake home, and it’s not really a lodge at all. To homeowners David and Paula Donna, it’s called “The Cabin.”

going to play traveling baseball, we went out and began looking at cabins and purchased one on Potato Lake almost 20 years ago.”

The Donnas had spent several summer vacations in the Park Rapids area when their children were young. “We enjoyed listening to the loons, and we fell in love with the entire area,” explains David. “We were thinking about whether we should purchase something here, where our family could spend more time on the lake.”

Those children are all grown up and married now, and the Donnas have two young grandchildren. As the family began to outgrow their current space, and the lot next door became available, they were able to purchase it and consider building a new, larger home in the same location.

After exploring their options, they chose Wes Hanson Builders out of Crosslake, to both design and build their home. They worked closely with the firm’s architect, Matt Schmidt, to design what they began to call their “final destination” home.

Parents of active children would understand when he continues, “The day our son announced he was no longer

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"We enjoyed listening to the loons, and we fell in love with the entire area. We were thinking about whether we should purchase something here, where our family could spend more time on the lake."

David Donna // homeowner

“We wanted to make it so that everyone could be together, but not be on top of each other,” says Paula. “There is a separate living space for each of our children in this house – a bedroom suite with a bathroom. Plus there’s a bunk room for the grandchildren.”

“It was really important to us that we retain that “cozy” feeling, and we have accomplished that,” says Paula. “The two of us sit there in the morning, and it feels comfortable. Then we can fill the same area with a large crowd, and it’s still comfortable.”

One challenging design aspect was to make the rooms big enough so that when the entire family is at the cabin at the same time, they can sit together in one room. Since David and Paula’s plan was to transition from seasonal to permanent residents in this home, they also wanted to make sure that room was still intimate enough for the times when it’s only the two of them.

Schmidt says that many different design features can be used to create the “cozy” feeling the Donnas desired.

“You can use sunlight and a lot of windows to alter the spatial appearance of a room, and then you can use the scale and proportion of the elements within the room to provide a warmer mood,” he says.

“For instance, there’s a very high ceiling in the home’s great room, but lowering the beam work and truss work brings the room

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down to a smaller human scale. Even though this is a good-sized house by the numbers, it lives and looks a lot more cozy.”

Interior designer Annie Graunke of Studio M Interiors in Plymouth worked closely with the Donnas throughout the project. Schmidt found they shared the homeowner’s vision of a dream lake home that blended together a mixture of heavy timber, reclaimed wood, cherry wood, sheetrock, tile and metal to create a style that Paula calls “Modern Mountain Rustic.”

METAL WORK Jeff Kreitz of Creative Steel Work in Breezy Point describes the excellent layout and design of the Donna home more as “Northern Minnesota Modern.” His strong background in metal work and sculpting is evident throughout the home. This is evidenced by the copper oven hood grill, fireplace doors, stair rails, and numerous other custom panels, surrounds and hearth.

“This house has such a nice mixture of different types of metals, and also different materials and textures like wood, granite and glass,” he says. “It was great to work with excellent designers and homeowners who were enthusiastic about metal and let us have a little freedom to take their concept and give it a personal look and feel.”

CABINETRY Craig Ethen of Alpine Cabinetry in St. Cloud agrees that the mix of materials in the home and the blending of colors and styling is what makes it stand out. All the cabinetry they installed in the house is rustic cherry, and Ethen says it blends perfectly with the other woods, stains, paints, metals, glass and granite.

“To me, the home exterior and interior fit in with the area’s ‘Up North’ feel,” Ethen says.

“The designs weren’t overly modern or overly traditional, but we did a great deal of inset cabinetry, rather than overlay, which has its

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own style. Overall, the entire house has a great use of space with a lot of really nice lines to it.”

THE DESIGN Working together with Matt Schmidt and the Donnas made this project especially fun for Annie Graunke, the interior designer. She was involved from the very beginning of this project, and says it was an excellent fit with everyone involved.

“We all shared the same vision,” she says.

“David and Paula wanted this dream lake home, but they wanted it to be comfortable, relaxed, cozy and warm for their family to enjoy – not too heavy, not too dark, with rustic, reclaimed wood paired with light sheetrock walls and modern clean lines. It turned out very natural, very warm, very family friendly with fun accents.”

A couple of the accents Graunke mentioned include a nailhead grasscloth wallpaper behind the bed in the master bedroom and a blackened metal strapping around a kitchen island.

"We all shared the same vision.David and Paula wanted this dream lake home, but they wanted it to be comfortable, relaxed, cozy and warm for their family to enjoy."

Annie Graunke // interior designer

Couldn't have done it without: Alpine Cabinetry, LLC

page 71

Brainerd Glass

page 75

Brock White

page 23

Capital Granite & Marble, Inc.

page 69

Creak Builders, Inc. Creative Steel Work, Inc. Crosslake Roll Off & Recycling Crosslake Sheetmetal, Inc.

page 77

Custom Upholstery

page 75

Fiks-Con, Inc.

page 71

Flying W Gardens

page 77

Franzen Concrete & Masonry, LLC Great Northern Door Guida Masonry Hirshfield’s

page 69

John Franzen Stucco Lakes Millwork, LLC Lee Davis Electric, Inc. Mattson Lumber Co.

page 25

McPherson Products Modeen Company Montana Timber Products, LLC North Country Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Northern Tile & Stone, LLC Pete Ryan Custom Fireplace Installs, LLC

page 77

Putnam Hardwood Floors, Inc. Stonemark Land Surveying, Inc. Studio M Interiors Thelens Excavating, Inc. Warner Stellian Wes Hanson Builders

Back Cover JULY / AUG 2018 lakeandhomemagazine.com 73

For Paula, the reclaimed elm on the main level floors is another highlight because of the knowledge of where the wood came from: 80-year-old barns in Wausau.

“All the tile work done by Tim Nunn of Northern Tile and Stone is also excellent – he’s a real artist,” she says. “There’s a stone backsplash in one of the bathrooms, and we have a freestanding tub that has pebbles inset on the floor surrounding it.”

There’s something unique in just about every room in the house, according to Paula, and much of that is because of the “good fit” that Graunke mentioned.

“Annie did an excellent job with the design, and what we really liked about Matt Schmidt was that he grew up around Minnesota cabins and knew and understood our desires and concerns,” she adds.

Schmidt says it’s a “treat” working for clients who are so excited about what they’re doing.

"They gave me their concepts and ideas and what appeals to them, and they wanted us to turn it around and design this one-of-a-kind house especially for them."

Matt Schmidt // architect Wes Hanson Builders

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“They gave me their concepts and ideas and what appeals to them, and they wanted us to turn it around and design this one-of-a-kind house especially for them – not just something out of a magazine,” he says. “There are so many unique features in the house that stand out, like the staircases and the catwalk and the loft bridges. I’d have to say that one of the most important spaces, besides the family great room, is what I call the sun room. It’s a large indoor/outdoor space with walls of glass on each side that ‘pocket’ into the wall and disappear when not needed, and also drop-down screen doors that also roll up when not needed.”

The glass and screen doors operate independently, giving the room a number of different options for the time of day, the weather conditions, or insect activity.

With a family history of lake cabins, Schmidt understands that many people can have conflicted feelings about building a new home after spending so much time together in the existing structure.

“Even though they may have outgrown the current cabin, it can feel like they’re tearing down memories,” Schmidt explains. “We like to believe that when we’re building this new structure, we’re building it for new memories. The Donnas are starting a new chapter that will contain new family memories in this amazing lake home.” ~L&H

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F

FEATURE HOME

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T

he house sits on a bluff overlooking West Battle Lake where Native Americans once camped. In 1900, a wealthy industrialist chose the site for a summer cottage where he and his family could come to escape summer heat.

With three dormers and a large porch, the house afforded the family cool breezes and a spectacular view. A separate building housed servants’ quarters and a summer kitchen. The DeCatesby Ball family made the trek from St. Louis to Battle Lake each summer through the early 1930s.

In the 1940s, the local doctor bought the house and remodeled it into a yearround home. They enclosed the porch, turning it into separate family and living rooms, and added a kitchen with another bedroom above. The former kitchen/ servants’ quarters moved across the street where new owners turned it into a residential home.

My husband and I, by now the fifth owners, bought the house in 2000. The house was quirky and charming and sat on nearly an acre bordered on two sides by 10-foot lilac hedges—a perfect setting on which to indulge my love of gardening.

But after years of putting up with a kitchen so small two people in it were cramped,

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and an entrance that was a door onto a three-foot linoleum square with stairs leading down to the basement and up to the kitchen, we decided to make a change—but what change?

By that time, the house was 115 years old.

The lake entry leaked, porch windows were so difficult to take down and put up, I was sure another year of it and my husband would have a stroke. Chimney bricks were falling and roof shingles needed replacing, just to name a few of the many challenges an old house presents.

We began looking at house plans. We found several we liked... if we moved a bedroom from here to there, if we

reversed the plans so they fit the lot, if we added a porch on the east, and so on.

But then there was the history. Long-time residents were aghast when hearing we might replace the “Ball” house with a new one. Every old photo looking northeast featured the house with its distinctive second-story bump-out window. I myself loved the stories about the bluff house’s inhabitants and history.

My son was adamant: “Tear it down, Mom, and build a new one. It’ll cost a lot less.” He and his family had remodeled a 1920s house in southwest Minneapolis a couple years earlier.

In the end, history won. We worked with John Everts from Everts Lumber to redesign the old house. Our goals were straightforward: a more formal entry into the house, an open kitchen/family room combination with a booth, a master suite on the main level, and we wanted living spaces oriented to the lake rather than the interior of the home as they had been.

After talking with several builders, we chose Bladow & Sons as general contractor.

We were pleased with Bladow’s prompt reply to our inquiry, word of mouth praise from satisfied customers, and detailed estimates that included sub-contractors as well as general construction costs.

Having never built or remodeled before,

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we appreciated Bladow’s professionalism and timeliness throughout the project, and especially the fact that he was forthright about things that would increase costs, so we had no surprises.

Work began with demolition of the old porch, tree removal, and chimney repair before site prep and footing installation could take place. Given we would live in the house throughout construction, we asked Bladow to complete the kitchen/ family room/porch addition before remodeling the west side of the house, which would include tearing out the old kitchen. (Even though we eat out a lot, we figured nearly a year without a kitchen would be a hassle).

Early on we decided to design the kitchen ourselves working with John Everts and Michael Sanders of Ottertail Custom Cabinetry rather than engage the services of a kitchen designer. Truth be told, early choices, house constraints, and decades of cooking meals dictated much of the design.

Early choices included the decision to orient interior spaces to the outside, which meant windows looking out onto the lake, gardens, and a pond we had installed several years earlier. One of my “must haves” was a kitchen booth with windows on three sides to enjoy the view.

In addition to work-triangle guidelines, we placed appliances with an eye toward view as well as functionality. Originally, we included double ovens in the plan, but as John Everts and I stood in the space that was to become the kitchen, he commented on my large shade garden that would be obscured. We ultimately settled on an undercounter oven and southwest facing window. We chose a downdraft retractable exhaust-fan rather than a hood over the gas cooktop in the island to keep an open line of sight.

House constraints dictated other aspects of the addition, including size and placement. Tying the old house into the

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new required a 15 foot wide addition coming off the original dining room with a 4 x 7 foot bump-out to accommodate the booth. The 50-ft length was determined jointly by the decision to center the family room on the exposed brick chimney and to join what had been the old kitchen to the new by lining up the exterior wall even with that of the original kitchen.

Experiences in many kitchens over many years guided features included in the kitchen. We added a pantry for staples, canned goods, baking supplies, snacks, pop, recyclables, small appliances–in other words, everything I want handy, but out of sight. We have a “baking center” with 32 inches of countertop set three inches lower than the rest so, at 5 foot 2 inches tall, I don’t have to stand on a stool when kneading bread or mixing a cake. The counter is adjacent to the pantry and the cabinet below contains a large mixer on a pull-up stand. The kitchen also has a spice drawer, stacked baskets for potatoes and onions, an undercounter refrigerator for beverages, and a between-studs cabinet that holds keys and other small items and a chalk board on which to write a grocery list.

“We worked with Ottertail Custom Cabinetry to design the booth and cabinetry with a summer cottage feel – white, with board-and-baton insert panels and old-fashioned knobs and pulls.”

- homeowner

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My husband and I decided to keep the cottage character of the house without insisting on period authenticity. For example, in keeping with the original house, we duplicated the six-over-six divided windows and unique woodwork— white with rounded corners—but installed new windows with muntin bars between panes of glass rather than outside the glass.

We worked with Ottertail Custom Cabinetry to design the booth and cabinetry with a summer cottage feel – white, with board-and-baton insert panels and old-fashioned knobs and pulls. Granite countertops and the large island are the work of Agassiz Granite in Fergus Falls. The distinctive dark graygreen color dictated our remaining color choices. For several months we carried around a 5x6 inch granite sample to coordinate backsplash, furniture, and rug colors. The red oak flooring finished with a clear polyurethane completed the look.

“We appreciated Bladow’s professionalism and timeliness throughout the project, and especially the fact that he was forthright about things that would increase costs, so we had no surprises.”

- homeowner

Doug Trosdahl painted the custom-milled woodwork offsite to create a flawless finish that could not be achieved with a brush.

He also painted the interior of the house, indulging us through many color patches of sample paint to get the right ones.

Once the addition was complete, Bladow turned to remodeling the west side of the house. Subcontractors were hired for the complicated job of tying in old

and new systems including plumbing (Vacationland Plumbing), electric (Orhen Electric), and heating/air conditioning (All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning).

The former family room, office, and laundry with half-bath became a mainfloor master suite, and the former kitchen, a coat/mud room.

We extended the cottage feel to design choices in the master suite. The carpet— feathery fronds on a black background— was purchased through E.J.’s Flooring in Battle Lake and are reminiscent of gentle breezes on lazy summer afternoons. A stand-alone sink and soaking tub in the master bath would be right at home in earlier times. Tyler Severson completed the look with white subway tile and black trim on shower walls and black-and-white octagon porcelain tile on the floor in the shower and bath. Pocket doors set the master suite apart from a lake-side entrance and adjacent living areas.

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Our decision to orient the house to the outside extended to the rest of the main floor. We replaced windows in the living room to match those in the new master suite and porch, which created a bank of windows overlooking the lake. Opposite, the original 1901 dining-room windows, formerly exterior and now interior, look onto the new street-side entry.

Matching old and new roof lines afforded the opportunity to create an additional second-floor bedroom. The 16x25 foot room with cathedral ceiling adds to upstairs sleeping accommodations for

visits from our three adult children, their partners, and seven grandchildren. The new bedroom is situated off the former master bedroom, which we turned into an office.

The project wrapped up just before Christmas, so landscaping was left to the summer. Ben Hovde from Lawn and Limb designed the wide, curvy sidewalk that leads from off-street parking to the new front entry.

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The reward of nearly 15 months of construction and another few weeks of landscaping is a beautiful home we enjoy every day in every season.

This 118-year-old house may be good for another 100 years. ~L&H

“The reward of nearly 15 months of construction and another few weeks of landscaping is a beautiful home we enjoy every day in every season.

This 118-year-old house may be good for another 100 years.�

- homeowner

D

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

by Jackie Jenson

Located in the northwestern Minnesota community of Fergus Falls, Minn., Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops has been helping lakes area residents transform their living spaces to beautiful, functional rooms of distinction for more than a decade. Drawing on materials of stone, wood, laminate and solid surface in addition to color trends in grey, white and blue, these cabinet and countertop professionals are giving homeowners the tools to create stylish rooms, equipped to conveniently store their wares, all the while making them more accessible.

Started in 2007, Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops began as an arm of Cornerstone Construction & Design, explains Mike Thorson, owner of Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops.

“Looking to add a complementary addition to our construction business, we began fabricating laminate countertops, primarily as a wholesaler, in a small rented space, not much larger than a double garage, in Fergus Falls.”

Over the next four years, adds Thorson, they continued to grow their cabinet/ countertop company, adding more products (solid surface, hardware), retail sales and cabinetry.

“It has been a steady process building on our reputation and the success of being the only local countertop fabricator, providing quality products and exceptional service.”

Located for the past seven years in their current location, Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops has been flourishing and sustaining year over year growth.

“We have expanded from a 1,200 square-foot facility and one employee to 7,000 square-foot facility and seven employees,” remarks Thorson. “With the knowledge and energy of our committed and experienced staff we look forward

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to continuing to grow alongside our customers and community one project at a time.”

What is your service area?

Rachel Larson (Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops general manager): We focus largely on Otter Tail County, although we are happy to serve clients state-wide. Our customers include clients in Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, the Twin Cities, Alexandria, and various lake locations in Otter Tail County.

What types of goods and services do you offer your clients?

With regard to countertops, are there any new innovative products on the market?

Larson: Cornerstone offers a variety of countertop, cabinet and hardware options for our clients. With regard to countertops, for example, we offer options including laminate, solid surface, wood, quartz, and granite. We also have access to specialty products such as PaperStone and 3form. Cornerstone is proud to fabricate and build the laminate and solid surface products we offer in our shop. We carry seven lines of laminate and six lines of solid surface, a variety unmatched by other regional fabricators. We also offer a variety of edge profiles including square, bevel, bullnose, and waterfall. Our talented fabrication staff takes great pride in providing not only a quality product, but excellent customer service after install.

Amanda Magnuson (Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops kitchen designer): Quartz is a monumental material in countertops right now. Maintenance free is what everyone wants and quartz is the product to achieve this, however, it is not always in a person’s budget. High definition laminates are much more advanced than they used to be showing a wide

In addition to the products we fabricate in-house, we work with trusted area quartz and granite fabricators that work with numerous quartz brands which can be viewed in our showroom as well.

range of color along with movement that is also in natural stone. Combining a high definition laminate with one of Cornerstone’s “Hampden” or “Concord” edge profiles and the addition of a Karran undermount sink, a customer can achieve a high-end look with a smaller budget. For those that are ecologically conscious, there is the option of going with a PaperStone which is a relatively new product that is made from recycled paper and non-petroleum resin.

Between the advancement in cabinetry colors and wood species as well as so many options for countertops, no two kitchens have to be alike anymore and tailoring these spaces to fit the customer’s needs, allows our customers to get exactly what they want no matter how big or small their budget.

What are the hot cabinet trends for 2018?

Magnuson: Being able to make life easier with smart storage solutions is big right now. Whether that’s roll trays, smart use of drawer space, spice pull outs/racks, trash bins, proper utensil storage, etc., it’s all about ease of access and creating efficiency within the kitchen.

We are also seeing people opening up their spaces more. This can be as simple as an open shelving concept or tearing down a wall and incorporating the kitchen to living and entertaining spaces or building a home with the kitchen open to other areas. People are definitely expressing their personalities more and more in their homes and it’s exciting to see. A bold color on an island, a statement choice in countertop material or an area designated to artisan pottery or heirloom pieces, we are seeing it all. This does not have to be limited to the kitchen or bathroom either.

Incorporating a bar area in a family room, specially designed cabinetry for the garage, organized and functional closets or creating a good work/storage area in a crafting room for example are trends we are seeing more and more.

Is there a particular wood or color your clients are asking for this year?

Magnuson: The white, grey and blue hues are strong colors that we receive requests for. Anything that will give a home the sense of character and charm is very popular. While we don’t see as much of the rustic woods trending nationally, there seems to be an upper Midwest sense of

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pride in all things slightly rustic or humble with the comforting appeal of warm rich woods. Wood species like knotty alder, rustic hickory and a pull towards walnut are being used as statement pieces.

What are some of your cabinet lines?

Larson: Cornerstone offers options for both residential and commercial applications. Our fully custom residential offering is Bayer Interior Woods, which is manufactured in Sauk Centre, Minn. The Chelsea line is a full custom cabinet line with endless options including custom door styles and paint and stain match. The Samantha line is an entry level option that still has a wide variety of styles, woods, and finishes.

We are also proud to carry Fieldstone Cabinetry. Fieldstone provides the pricing benefits of state of the art factory production while not skimping on quality details like plywood box construction and dovetail drawer boxes or bells and whistles like full extension drawer glides and soft-close hardware. Produced in Sioux Falls, SD, Fieldstone provides our customers access to custom cabinet quality that is budget friendly.

Additionally, Cornerstone fabricates in-house custom, European style casework for commercial installations. To complement our cabinet options, we offer a variety of door pulls and handles, as well as cabinet accessories to make organizing your cabinets effortless.

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Are people re-facing cabinets and sinks and what does that entail?

Larson: We do get occasional requests for re-facing and do offer that as an option. There can be cost savings compared to installing new cabinets. The most important thing to note with re-facing, is that your cabinet interior stays the same, so if your drawers are sticky or you have water damage in your sink base, those issues will remain the same despite the outside of the cabinet appearing new. Before moving forward with a cabinet re-face, we first inspect your existing cabinets to see if they are structurally acceptable for re-facing. If they are a good candidate for re-facing, we will move forward with the bid.

What makes Cornerstone the right choice for your customers?

Thorson: At the end of the day what sets Cornerstone apart is service. What Cornerstone strives to focus on from start to finish is how can we truly serve our clients.

It’s that type of perspective, to above all serve people, that has driven our success. The biggest driver of our growth has been repeat customers and referrals. A deeply satisfied customer is what we strive for and is what will continue to propel Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops into the future.

Larson: From beginning to end, we want to help our customers get the right product, design and experience that not just enhances their homes but enhances their lives. ~L&H

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INSULATION

LUMBER

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

HOME BUILDERS

GUTTERS

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

TREE SERVICES

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

SEPTIC SERVICE

MARINE / WATERCRAFT REPAIR

FLOORING

CABINETS

MARINE / WATERCRAFT REPAIR

FLOORING

CABINETS

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QUARTZ & GRANITE

MASONRY

SHOWERS

CABIN CARE

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L

FEATURED LAKE

Potato Lake Hubbard County

Size: 2,096 Acres Max Depth: 87 ft.

County: Hubbard

Potato Lake supports both a smallmouth bass and largemouth bass fishery. Smallmouth bass are abundant in the rock and gravel bars of the main basin, while largemouth bass are less abundant, and are found in the bulrush stands and submerged aquatic vegetation beds of the west and east “arms”.

Clarity: 5.1 ft.

Shore Length: 14.81 mi

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Potato Lake is located seven miles north of Park Rapids in Hubbard County. A stateowned public access is located on the north shore and a county-owned access is located on the west “arm” of the lake. Boating access with small craft is also available from the inlet river connecting to Eagle Lake. There is a fixed crest dam at the outlet that prevents boat travel downstream. The fixed crest dam was installed in 2004 and the design allows for fish passage. Potato Lake is a very popular fishing lake in the Park Rapids area. Potato Lake is well known for its walleye population, but also provides angling opportunities for northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.

Walleye abundance was down slightly from recent surveys and below the current

management goal.

Walleye abundance since the early 1980’s has been steady, with gill net catch rates fluctuating within the range for similar type lakes and around the management goal.

Northern pike abundance was up from recent surveys and above the range for similar type lakes. Northern pike numbers have been high in Potato Lake since the 1998 survey.

Other species include black crappie, bluegill, rock bass, tullibee (Cisco), white sucker, shorthead redhorse, and yellow and brown bullhead.

Currently, no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have been identified in Potato Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boats before leaving the access. ~L&H