Dockside - Winter 2010-11

Winter 2011

>Warm up your home and scoff at winter

7 ideas for a

WINTER WAKE-UP!

New Year, New Boats:

2011 BOAT PREVIEW

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DOCKSIDE Publisher:

Jennifer Sorenson jsorenson@swpub.com

Editor:

Angelo Gentile agentile@swpub.com

Designer:

Brian Sorenson bsorenson@swpub.com

Contributors this issue: Mathias Baden,Vicki Bont, Richard Crawford, Judy Monn.

Advertising Sales: 952-345-6477 Dockside is published quarterly by Southwest Newspapers. For advertising information, call 952-345-6477. For general comments and questions, send e-mail to agentile@swpub.com or call 952-345-6676.

Visit us online at: www.docksidemagazine.mn All contents copyright © 2011, Southwest Newspapers.

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ABOUT DOCKSIDE MAGAZINE We love our lakes in Minnesota, in every season.

Dockside Magazine covers lake life all year round.

Publishing four times a year, the magazine invites readers to enjoy an engaging mix of features covering lifestyle-related stories and recreational-oriented topics, capturing the passion we have for playing and living on our gorgeous Minnesota lakes.

We focus our attention on Lake Minnetonka, Prior Lake, and all of the scenic lakes in our southwest metro region.

Welcome to life on the lake.

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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on the cover Season Preview

departments

10 Launch

Winter Wake-Up Seven ways to embrace the winter wilderness.

features Lake Lifestyles

14

Scoff at Winter Stay warm with these home enhancements.

2011 Boat Models Preview

5 Robins in winter and a quick question for Prior Lake artist Theresa Beissel.

Marina

18 Festivals

New Year, New Boats Take a preview look at these selected 2011 models.

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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Cold Weather, Hot Fun Plan your winter outings with this calendar.

Visit us online at www.docksidemagazine.mn

Purchase $250 & receive $25 Gift Card

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Wooden Wonders Lake Minnetonka’s Mahogany Bay is a leader in vintage watercraft.

On the Cover: Going cross-country skiing? Take your dogs with you—it’s called Skijoring.

Explore Minnesota Tourism photo.

Editor’s Note Winter is a busy time

I’m always surprised at the stunning array of activity that occurs in Minnesota in the dead of winter: prep sports abound, winter festivals are everywhere, and active folks can choose from a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc.

Along these lines, you’ll find articles in this issue to help you embrace the cold and get out there and have some fun. Plus, we have a whole page of winter festivals and events listings to help you plan your winter outings (see page 22).

In addition, we also offer an article on staying warm at home this winter. The story features a number of home enhancements that will keep you toasty and cozy. Finally, we also look ahead to spring and summer with our 2011 boat season preview.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and ideas about this magazine. Contact me at agentile@ swpub.com or 952-345-6676.

–Angelo Gentile

News • Ideas • Tips

Launch

Robin in winter Robins are spring and summer birds, but they are surprisingly hardy and, depending on the severity of the winter, not all robins head south. As the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has reported, just as poor weather might force birds to move, fair weather can encourage them to stay. During the 2001 Christmas Bird Count (a 24-hour tally of birds observed nationwide), birders at Lowry Nature Center near Victoria counted record numbers of cedar waxwings, robins, and many waterfowl species. Lack of snow, warm temperatures, and open lakes created tolerable conditions for many birds, and they lingered. The American Robin website, by Laura Erickson, reports that robins only spend the winter in areas where there is some food available, so feeding them isn’t necessary. Nevertheless, a lot of people enjoy offering them food. Robins will not take birdseed. Sometimes they’ll take frozen fruit, though it’s often hard to teach them that fruit in a feeder is food, Erickson writes. One of the best kinds of food for wintering robins—and the easiest for them to discover—is mealworms. You can put out a dozen mealworms on a sunny day when the temperature is above freezing and nearby robins will often notice their wiggly movements and investigate. Once robins discover the mealworms, they’ll come back even when the temperature is below freezing and the mealworms are stiff. Find out more at Learner.org/jnorth/robin/.

Read my lips

Drive safely this snowmobile season

In winter, Minnesota becomes the land of 10,000 lip balms. Okay, most of us say chapstick, but that’s actually a brand name. An informal office poll here revealed a few favorites:

Minnesota’s snowmobile season is here, and conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remind snowmobilers to drive safely and drive smart.

Burt’s Bees Beeswax As Glamour.com says, the familiar, heavy beeswax balm has become a drugstore classic, and for good reason.

Follow these DNR safety tips: DON’T DRINK - Drinking and driving can be fatal. Drinking alcohol before or during snowmobiling can impair judgment and slow reaction time. Snowmobilers who have been drinking may drive too fast or race across unsafe ice.

Nivea: This brand has a wide array of lip balm choices, including a new product featured on its website: Pure & Natural Milk & Honey, which “pampers your lips with ith long-lasting and rich care with the power of nature. 100 percent free of preservatives.”

Carmex: This classic brand has been protecting lips since 1937. n protect The company claims to have sold more than an 1 billion of those tiny jars. Many of us never hit the cross-country ski trails without Carmex along.

Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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Quick Question

Prior Lake artist Theresa Beissel In 2011, I resolve to: Beyond her work as a watercolorist, Beissel teaches at Oak Hill Elementary School in Lakeville.

She and her family like Prior Lake, she says, because they can stay connected to nature but yet are also close to the hub of Minneapolis and St. Paul. “Our yard is a habitat for wild turkeys, pheasants, owls, and other Minnesota wildlife.” You may have seen Beissel’s work at the Scott County Art Crawl 2010, Grape Stomp at Crofut Winery 2010, or on the Minnesota Artists’ website, mnartists.org.

Q. A.

This is a charming winter landscape. Where is it?

“I painted this picture of the scene in my front yard. The snow glistened in the sun causing a magical scene from my front window. The long, blue shadows stretched across the pink and turquoise blanket of snow.

The tranquil quietness spread through the forest…I reflected how Prior Lake is sleeping quietly as it rests after summer fun. The peacefulness of winter needs to be cherished for its own beauty.”

SLOW DOWN - Speed is a contributing factor in nearly all fatal snowmobiling accidents.

about the destination, planned route and expected time of return.

BE PREPARED - Bring a first-aid kit, a flashlight, waterproof matches, and a compass.

STAY ALERT - Fatigue can reduce a driver’s coordination and judgment.

ICE ADVICE - Avoid traveling across bodies of water when uncertain of ice thickness and strength. Snow cover can act as a blanket and prevent safe ice from forming. Never travel in single file when crossing bodies of water.

BRING A BUDDY - Never travel alone.

Most snowmobile accidents result in some personal injury, which is particularly dangerous if alone. If traveling alone, tell someone

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

No longer waste my time reliving the past.

Instead I will spend it worrying about the future.

■

Give up chocolates totally. 100 percent.

Completely. Honestly.

■

Read the manual... just as soon as I can find it.

■

Think of a password other than “password.”

■

Not tell the same story at every get together.

■

Assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else’s fault.

Try craft brews this winter Craft brews have redefined how people think about American brewers and their offerings.

Today’s beer lovers are trading up to “better” beers for their own consumption and as gifts.

A 12-pack of a worldclass American craft beer is about the price of an undistinguished bottle of Champagne or wine. Beer has become the beverage of celebration. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Samuel Adams, 60 percent of men would rather toast with beer than Champagne.

Right now is probably the best time in history to be a beer lover. Craft brewers are experimenting with styles that challenge people’s perception of what beer can be. For example, Samuel Adams is offering Infinium, a Champagne-like brew that is the result of a collaboration with the Weihenstephan Brewery in Bavaria, Germany.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS - Use a full-size helmet, goggles, or face shield to prevent injuries from twigs, stones, ice, and flying debris.

Clothing should be worn in layers and should be just snug enough so that no loose ends catch in the machine.

WATCH THE WEATHER - Rapid weather changes can produce dangerous conditions.

■

New Year’s Resolutions?

Maybe not Enough of the losing weight, exercising more, and being-a-better-person resolutions. Here are a few quirky resolutions from Newyearfestival.com and Humormatters.com.

One fun way to sample the variety of craft beers out there is to “build your own mixpack” at your next social gathering. Ask each guest to bring a six- or 12-pack of their favorite brew. At the beginning of the party, set all of the beer out on a table and let the guests take turns picking different beers to sample, allowing everyone to try something new.

Source: ARA Content

Dockside reader Jane Crosson captured the cold beauty of ice on Lake Superior last winter.

Send your photos to agentile@swpub.com. In the subject line, include the title “Dockside Pictures.”

We extend thanks to readers who continue to send us photos. In this picture, Connie Claire Szarke, of Mound, paddles with her Shetland Sheepdog, Kipp, on West Arm Bay, Lake Minnetonka.

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That’s right—wherever you are, you can find a state forest nearby that’s open to explore at no cost to you. No vehicle permit required. No reservations are needed for state forest recreational facilities; camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. State forests also serve as a great starting point for visiting various state parks, state trails, and state canoe routes. For more information, visit dnr.state.mn.us

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Marina

Wooden wonders Lake Minnetonka business a leader g watercraft in the world of vintage

Photo by Richard Crawford Posh, left, the signature Mahogany Bay boat featured in the corporate emblem, was on display in September at the Annual Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous at Maynards Restaurant on Excelsior Bay of Lake Minnetonka. The show featured a number of vintage boats, above and facing page.

Story and Photos By Richard Crawford Todd Warner’s passion for vintage wood boats began at an early age.

His dad and grandfather were avid boaters and Warner spent many hours with his family boating on Lake Minnetonka in classic wood boats.

Todd Warner has been involved in the boating business for nearly 40 years.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up in and around Lake Minnetonka, which had a rich history in boatbuilding and boat ownership, and I was able through osmosis and direct activity to learn about the industry,” Warner says.

At age 15, Warner started working at the Tonka Bay Boatworks.

That began a lifelong journey in the boating business.

In 1968, a fundamental shift occurred in the boating industry when fiberglass boats overtook their wooden predecessors. The fiberglass boats required less maintenance and were less expensive.

“By that time the attraction of not having to work on a speedboat outweighed the perceived value of these American treasures,” Warner says.

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

Mahogany Bay buys, sells, services, restores, and transports the finest vintage boats in the world. The Mound-based business specializes in serving vintage boat owners within 350 miles of Mound. For more information, go online at www.mahoganybay.net.

At the time, wooden boats were nearly valueless, says Warner, who recalls going to marinas and watching people burn boats just to get rid of them.

Warner founded and owns Mahogany Bay, one of the world’s leading authorities on vintage watercraft. Mahogany Bay, which uses a tagline “Passion, disguised as a business,” buys, sells, restores, and maintains classic wooden boats. About half of the company’s customers are from Lake Minnetonka.

The company has restored and sold some of the rarest and most sought-after vintage boats in the world.

One of those boats will be unveiled for the first time in nearly 40 years at the upcoming Minneapolis Boat Show Jan. 20-23. The boat, named Tempo, was once owned by legendary big band leader Guy Lombardo. For the past 16 years, restoration work has been ongoing on the 44-foot boat that was built by craftsman John Ludwig Hacker, the foremost naval architect of the 20th Century.

Tempo and Mahogany Bay’s flagship boat, Posh, also built by Hacker, are considered to be two of the most valuable wooden boats in the world, Warner explains.

Boat unveiling Tempo, a 44-foot wooden boat built in 1936 that was owned by big band leader Guy Lombardo, will be unveiled after nearly 16 years of restoration work at the upco ming Minneapolis Boat Show.

The vessel has more than 35,000 hour s of restoration work. Tempo is one of three custom commuter boat s designed by John Ludwig Hacker. Mahogany Bay has two of the boats in its collection. The Minneapolis Boat Show is Jan. 20-2 3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. For more information and tickets, go online at www.

MinneapolisBoatShow.com (Photo cour tesy of Mahogany Bay).

To put it into some context, when Tempo was originally built in 1936, a new Bugatti sports car cost $6,500. Today, a 1936 Bugatti is

Boats that you could get for $5,000 in 1981 are now selling for between $75,000 and $150,000.”

Mahogany Bay has restored and sold some of the rarest and most sought-after vintage boats in the world.

Warner is passionate about preserving and celebrating the great heritage of the vintage boats. “Classic boats have been my lifeblood, my passion, and my dream for over 40 years,” Warner says, “and I hope that those who are lucky enough to take one of them home will find their stewardship as rewarding as it has been for me.”

Richard Crawford lives in Deephaven and is the publisher and editor of the Chanhassen Villager.

worth $4.4 million. When Tempo was built, it cost $65,000.

“Through the years I’ve watched the classic wood boats slowly gain recognition as great and rare American treasures,” Warner says. “They embodied naval architecture, engineering, woodwork, design style, and craftsmanship, all at the highest possible level, and people are coming to realize just how rare this American art form truly is.” While owning a wooden boat isn’t inexpensive, Warner contends they’re a good investment because there is a finite supply.

But even the vintage boat industry hasn’t been immune to the recent difficult economy.

To jump start business and, in some respects, the entire vintage craft industry, Warner conducted a first-of-its-kind auction this fall in Winsted. In one day, the company sold $4 million worth of inventory to people throughout the world.

“The auction certainly demonstrated that the boats had value,” Warner says. “I think classic boats offer the greatest investment protection.

Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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Season Preview

SEVEN FUN WAYS TO EMBRACE THE WINTER WILDERNESS.

BY MATHIAS BADEN

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

Snow is falling. Don’t curl up in a blanket on the couch by the fire. It’s time to go outside!

Gear up at some of the great outdoors stores in the southwest metro area, or throughout the Twin Cities, and get out in the elements.

It’s not that difficult for a couch potato to learn the ways of the wild. If you’re a beginner among outdoorsmen, here are some things you have got to try:

HIKING

Speaking of waterfalls, most of the ones that aren’t dried up until springtime are frozen quite solid by now. With the right equipment and a little help from an experienced climber, even a beginner can climb an icicle. You will need a permit and safety gear.

A LOCAL TRAIL “I’m happy when I’m hiking!” That was my father’s usual song for a walk through the woods.

Suggestions: Get down by the Minnesota River. There are beautiful sights all along the Minnesota River Trail between Belle Plaine and Shakopee.

Suggestions:

ICE

CLIMBING

Take a walk on a creek. Smaller creeks freeze over in the middle of winter. An early-morning stroll can net a lot of looks at critters and their footprints.

Lilydale Regional Park, off Highway 13 just south of St. Paul, is a favorite for Twin Cities ice climbers. The best areas in which to climb are in the former brickyard featuring frozen trickles of water from the bluffs above. There’s a waterfall there, too. Maps can be found at stpaul.gov.

Of course, if you’re a day tripper, Taylors Falls and Red Wing come to mind as great winter and summer climbing locations.

Create your own waterfall tour using the paperback “Minnesota Waterfall,” by Steve Johnson and Kenneth Belanger. In the wintertime, stick to the bigger ones, like Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. The best waterfall excluded from the book might be the Sand Creek waterfall in Jordan’s Lagoon Park.

GEOCACHING Go geocaching. Take a global positioning system (GPS) unit with you on a hike toward a treasure. Armed with only the latitude and longitude coordinates of the location of your prize, you will follow clues or find a cache at the location to which your GPS unit leads. Really, you can do this during any season, but winter offers a particular challenge.

Suggestions: All 72 Minnesota state parks participate in the Geocaching Wildlife Safari. Minnesota Valley Recreation Area is one of 25 state parks at which you can learn more about geocaching.

Don’t know the first thing about geocaching? Take a class for families through Three Rivers Park District – go to threeriversparks.org. Equipment is provided for your use during the class.

Check out geocaching.com and mnga.org.

Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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ICE FISHING I’m no ice fishing expert, but I think it’s worth a try. Scott, Carver, and Hennepin counties are full of lakes–big and small–for successful ice fishing.

Suggestions:

SKI

Go with an experienced angler, after the ice is thick. Bring the right equipment, and consult your local bait shop if you need advice.

JUMPING

Stick to the obvious lakes at first. Lake Waconia, Lake Minnetonka, Spring Lake, and Prior Lake are sure-fire ice fishing lakes.

But find your own secret fishing spots after you’ve gained experience.

Start at the top of the world, take a leap, and then experience the rush of flying.

SKIJORING

How much fun can you have with a couple of dogs and a few hours in ice-cold weather?

Tons! Skijoring is somewhat of a cross between cross-country skiing and dog sledding.

It’s designed as a race, but why not use it as simple recreation.

Suggestions: Huskies aren’t the only sled dogs, but you need to own dogs that are large and love to run.

Buy comfortable harnesses for you and your dogs.

Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage and many others have trails designated for multiple uses, including skijoring.

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

So you’re getting braver and you want to try something really exciting. World class facilities for ski jumping are not far away. The ski jump at Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington stands at K70, just shy of Olympic size.

Suggestions: Nervous? If you’re concerned about collisions and injuries, this sport is safer than football. Learn on the small jumps (K25 and K10), and work your way up.

Children are encouraged to start early.

Start at the top of the world, take a leap, and then experience the rush of flying.

Go to minneapolisskiclub.org. The club also specializes in cross-country skiing and Nordic combined.

SNOWMOBILING After such dramatic snowfall early in the season, some of the happiest winter recreationists are those who fire up snowmobiles.

Suggestions: The first time, hop on the back of a larger sled with a veteran snowmobiler.

Get a Sno-Trails map of Scott County, and a map of Carver County (ccsnowrunner.com).

Don’t skip over open water. Seriously! Apparently, some people think this is a good idea.

Attend the vintage and antique snowmobile show held on Lake Waconia in late January.

Get a free subscription to Savvy.mn Magazine

Beyond these seven items, feel free to try a range of other winter activities, too: ice sailing, downhill skiing, winter camping, snowshoeing, and kiteboarding. There are plenty of other enjoyable outdoor winter activities.

The challenge for most of us is to get out of the house and into the snow – any way we can. Enjoy the open air in a state that loves to be wild.

Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent.

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ShopRobs.com Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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Lake Lifestyles

Scoff at Winter Stay warm with these home enhancements

BY VICKI BONT Outside, the winds are blowing snow across the frigid landscape of your lake and the temperatures are heading below zero. Welcome to another Minnesota winter.

But you can scoff at winter these days, with an endless array of home enhancements to keep you warm. Here’s a scenario that highlights a selection of these products.

The scenario starts with you waking up in your master suite, which is warming up automatically, while a gentle soft light also begins to glow.

The Lux Programmable Thermostat, (starting at $40 at Menards,) has kicked in 15 minutes before your alarm clock, sending warm air to all the bedrooms and baths. Also, the Philips SRS 100 Morning Sunrise Dawn Simulator, ($99 at the Brookstone Store,) has again successfully awakened you and your wife before the radio alarm and weather report.

You slide out of bed and pad comfortably in your bare feet to the bath because you installed radiant heated floors, which included all the bedrooms and tile for the two full bathrooms. It even proved to be a bit of a cost-saving luxury at $4 to $10 a square foot.

Speaking of your first stop in the bathroom, it doesn’t hurt that the heated toilet seat is set for 100 degrees, cost $100, and just took minutes to change out. It was a weekend project ordered online.

Next, you jump into the shower where your hot water tank is programmed to heat water on a timer. It also has separate lines to specific showers and sinks, so you never have to run water down the drain to get the shower water hot.

Plus, since you have an Angel Aire, pressure-balanced, thermostatic valve/fixture on the shower ($400-$900), you can dial up your own pre-

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

The shower in this master bath has a steam shower, the floor has radiant heat, and the tile is a “custom rug” made by New Ravenna Mosaics for Fantasia Showrooms, International Market Square, Minneapolis. New Ravenna Mosaics hand cuts Italian marble into patterns and designs. There are more than 30 colors available and custom designs are encouraged. See Fantasiashowrooms.com (Photo courtesy, Fantasia).

Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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Stay warm this winter with the Ofuro, a Japanese soaking tub made for Fantasia Showrooms, International Market Square Minneapolis, by Sonoma Cast Stone. The tub is handmade concrete and the depth of this tub makes it unusual. Luxury options include an embedded heating element for $2,500, and a spa air-bubble system. The tub holds 70 gallons. Many colors are available as well as custom colors. See Fantasiashowrooms.com (Photo courtesy, Fantasia).

Sources for products mentioned in this story Brookstone/ Gadgets/ Ridgedale Mall, Minnetonka/Brookstone.com Angel Aire / Heating and plumbing, Burnsville/ angellaire.com Fantasia/Luxury bath fixtures and tile, International Market Square, Minneapolis/fantasiashowrooms.com Sun Control of MN/ 3M window films / Eden Prairie/ suncontrolmn.com

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Dockside â—† Winter 2011

Premier Pool/ Bullfrog Spas/Chanhassen/ premierpool.com

programmed personalized water temperature and spray control settings.

Also, the settings protect you from that wicked toilet-flush surge of hot or cold water.

Lake Living in the Winter…

After the shower, you grab a fluffy warm towel off the heated towel bar. Your wife surprised you while you were at a recent Saturday morning workout when she mounted the bar to the wall in the bath, and then used the standard plug below to complete the job. The designer look cost $300.

In the kitchen, she has already enjoyed her green tea from the Brewbot and left homemade bread in the $600 warming drawer for the kids. You grab a roll out of the drawer and coffee from the Brewbot, while heading to the garage in just your suit. You know that the garage will be warm, thanks to the timed infrared shop lamps mounted on the ceiling, which have already been on for 15 minutes, heating every surface in the garage.

Both of your cars and the teen’s Jeep will be warm.

You’re also not concerned about that nasty, north-facing, steep driveway being iced over, as that is under-layered with radiant heat and can be warmed to melt snow and ice at your command. You figure that, at $10,000 to $15,000 to install, it has actually saved you money in car and landscape repairs since junior started driving this past February.

At 3 p.m., The Lady of the House returns from her consulting job in a mini-flurry. The heated driveway is cleared, and she pulls into the garage, where she knows the timed infrared lights will evaporate all the snow and slush from her SUV and the garage floor.

She pulls off her boots and puts them on the Brookstone boots dryer next to her mitten dryer, (each $49,) and walks barefoot across the radiant-heated tile to look out the west-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows.

There, she has removed all the window treatments and has only special, 3M-designed window coverings that are UV-, heat-, and glare-resistant.

The windows provide a wonderful view of the kids on the hockey pond below; the 3M window products are priced at $7 to $10 a square foot.

By the time you roll in, the wind and clouds have cleared. In fact, a beautiful sunset is bursting through the west windows. You spot your wife in the outdoor Bullfrog Spa you had installed next to the pool house last summer and hurry to join her.

You arrive and see that she has all of the infrared patio heating lamps on with their stand-alone propane fuel tanks going and putting out 46,000 BTUs each. You purchased more this year at Costco for $139 (lamps are 89 inches tall). Notably, the Bullfrog Spa has its plumbing in the water, not in exterior cabinets like most spas. Therefore, it is built to stand whatever the North Country can throw at it. Models range from $9,000 to $12,000.

A new hot tub or snowmobile!

Stop in to South Metro Federal Credit Union and talk to a loan officer about a Home Equity Loan for that new hot tub or a loan for a snowmobile.

Seasons change. Lifestyles change. Experience all 4 seasons of lake living with a loan for that snowmobile you always dreamed of. South Metro Federal Credit Union will lend up to 100% of its NADA value and you can take up to 60 months to repay.

Your home could be your best borrowing alternative.

Home Equity Loans • • • •

Variable or Fixed Rate Loans Loans up to 80% of your home’s value Up to 15 years to pay A second mortgage, so you can keep your lowinterest first mortgage If you live, work or worship in Scott County, join today.

Soon you and the whole family head inside to have dinner. Everyone is gathered around a roaring fire in the great room, and you’re especially content because you don’t have to stock the wood. Your secret is a vent-less gas fireplace. Depending on the model, these units can put out between 10,000 and 40,000 BTUs (prices range from $400 to $6,000).

You and your wife end the night by retreating to the upstairs master bath, with its lake view from the spa (just like the one on pages 14 and 15). You use the steam shower, or maybe the Ofuro Japanese soaking tub (see photo, facing page; made for Fantasia by Sonoma Cast Stone; $2,500) before turning in after another day scoffing at Old Man Winter.

(Special Thanks To: Mike Wistrand, 16-year home remodeling and repair professional, Miketheneighborllc@gmail.com).

Vicki Bont is a Victoria-based freelance writer.

2573 Credit Union Drive, Prior Lake • (952) 445-0888

www.southmet.com Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

17

2011 BOAT MODELS PREVIEW

New Year, New Boats Take a preview look at these selected 2011 models.

Welcome to 2011. A new year brings many new elements to our lives: new year’s resolutions, new challenges, and, of course, new boat models!

Here’s a look at selected 2011 models.

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

Bayliner 285 SB This 28-foot-7-inch sport cruiser has sleek looks, functional space, and plenty of creature-comfort luxuries, all for a price tag under $95,000. As Boating Magazine mused, the 285 SB is “a weekender with galley, full head and two private staterooms priced like a day-tripper.” Visit Newbaylinecruisers.com.

Sea Ray 240 Sundancer and 330 Sundancer These are stunningly gorgeous cruisers from Sea Ray. The 240 is easy to drive and maintain, Sea Ray boasts on its website, and the model offers “all the comforts that have made our industry-leading express cruiser series so popular.” Depending on features, standard equipment, and additional options and accessories ordered, you can probably design/build a 240 for a little north of $100,000. The 330 Sundancer takes you further into opulence. Again, Sea Ray: “The epitome of elegance, luxury and grace, this magnificent cruiser is the ultimate reward for a lifetime of excellence.” This model is closer to $300,000. Visit Searay.com.

Sea Ray 240 Sundancer

Sea Ray 330 Sundancer

Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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CALENDAR: Boat and Sports Shows What better way to get a look at the new boat models than to attend a boat and sports show in your area. Here’s a quick look at events coming soon.

January 13-16:

February 11-13:

Minnesota Sportsmen’s, Boat, Camping, and Vacation Show, River Centre, St. Paul.

Stpaulsportshow.com

St. Cloud Sportsmen’s, Boat, Camping, and Vacation Show, St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud. Cenaiko.com/sport_sc.html

February 16-20 Duluth Boat, Sport, and Travel Show, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth.

January 20-23: Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis.

Minneapolisboatshow.com

March 30-April 3 79th Annual Northwest Sportshow, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis.

Northwestsportshow.com

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Crestliner Sport Fishing Boats: Pro Tiller and 1650 Fish Hawk models These made-in-Minnesota boats are designed specifically for anglers. The Pro Tiller models are tiller-controlled boats that feature an all-new command console with a lockable sliding electronics tray, dual baitwells, a massive stern livewell that boasts an oversized door for easy access and a smoother ride for fish, and expanded storage capabilities overall. The 1650 Fish Hawk models are also all about fishing, with features such as: open cockpit design allowing driver and passenger to maneuver in their seats 360 degrees, tilt steering wheel with helm seat slider, plenty of rod storage, and a stern livewell. Both model versions are powered by 50-horsepower, four-stroke Mercury engines. Both also have MSRP totals of $14,695.

Price includes boat, motor, and trailer. Pictured: Fish Hawk 1600, top, Fish Hawk 1650, left, and Pro Tiller, below. Visit Crestliner.com.

Crestliner 1600 Fish Hawk

Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk

Crestliner Pro Tiller

Sailing: Catalina Yachts Catalina Yachts are the most popular sailboat models on Lake Minnetonka, says Capt. Joan Gilmore, who heads up the Upper Minnetonka Sailing School. For 2011, Catalina has updated its popular 22 Sport, above, which, the company says, is easy to trailer and a great boat to step up to from dinghy sailing.

Additionally, the Capri 22, pictured on page 18, is also new, providing, as the company says, a “sweet sailing performance in nearly all conditions.” A complete racing package also is available. Prices vary for each model.

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21

Festivals

Cold Weather, Hot Fun Compiled by Judy Monn Oh, the weather outside is delightful! So, here are some selected winter festivals and events to warm your heart (if not your toes).

Chanhassen February Festival Lake Ann Park Saturday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Celebrate what’s best about winter on beautiful Lake Ann! Bring the family for ice skating, an ice fishing contest, and hand-warming bonfire.

Visit the city’s website, www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/parks/febfest.html.

The 27th Annual Chilly Open on Lake Minnetonka Presented by the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce Saturday, Feb. 12 Can’t wait until spring? Hit the ice with hundreds of other golf fanatics playing two, nine-hole courses on Lake Minnetonka. If you’re worried about getting cold, there will

be a chili cook-off and live band in the 19th Hole tent. Tee times are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.; call 952-473-9595 for availabilities and more information.

Ice House Contest on Prior Lake Sponsored by the Prior Lake Association Saturday, Feb. 19 Is your Prior Lake ice house your pride and joy? Enter it in this fun contest! There’s no entry fee but, as the saying goes, you must be present to win. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, including largest, smallest, comfiest, relic (kind of like oldest — described as “still standing, but barely”), Caddyshack, most colorful, and most innovative. Photos of winning ice houses and their proud owners will be posted on the Prior Lake Association website, priorlakeassociation.org.

The 125th Saint Paul Winter Carnival Jan. 27 – Feb. 6 Self-proclaimed as “the coolest celebration on earth,” St. Paul’s Winter Carnival is a winter mainstay for those who revel in our frozen climate. From the ice sculpture contest to Klondike Kate, there are many Carnival events and personalities that people wait to see each year. You’ll find more at winter-carnival.com.

U.S. Pond Hockey Championships Lake Nokomis Jan. 21 – 23 Perhaps Fred Haberman, the founding commissioner of the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, said it best: “[This is] hockey the way nature intended—outside at the absolute coldest time of the year.” In other words, these people are nuts. But if you love hockey and you long to have your team’s name engraved on the esteemed Golden Shovel, this event will do it for you. There are five divisions, with each team guaranteed at least four games, and players from every hockey-playing state in the country (with a few ringers from Kansas, Texas, and California thrown in).

Spectators welcome. Go to uspondhockey.com for more information.

Ice sculptures are an artistic part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Explore Minnesota Tourism photo.

22

Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

Follow the dogs at the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth and along Lake Superior’s North Shore.

Superior. Like others in his tribe, he was an avid trapper, hunter, and fisherman. He and his brothers created a vital communication link by carrying mail bags along their Lake Shore Trail trap line between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. The modern sled dog marathon commemorating John Beargrease racks up 373 miles in a large loop starting and ending in Duluth. For driving directions to follow the mushers, go to beargrease.com.

City of Lakes Loppet Minneapolis Uptown Area Feb. 5 – 6

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Starting and ending in Duluth Jan. 28 – Feb. 3

Wax your cross-country skis and get thee to Uptown for two days of nonstop activity and racing. Saturday is family day, including the Minne-Loppet, Pasta Feed at Uptown’s Old Chicago and Luminary Loppet at Lake of the Isles. Sunday is the day for serious competition, with both the Hoigaard’s Classic (25k) and the City of Lakes Freestyle Loppet (33k) beginning in Theodore Wirth Park and ending in Uptown. Find registration and event information at cityoflakesloppet.com.

John Beargrease, a Native American of the Anishinabe people, was born in 1858 and lived with his family on the North Shore of Lake

Judy Monn is a Chanhassen-based freelance writer.

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Summer

Winter

Beautiful in every

season

Winter wonderland may take its toll on you but we love to use it to our advantage. It’s time to dream! We’re

done with the visions of sugar plums and are moving onto visions of flowers, water features, pergolas and night lighting. Let your dreams lead you to a vivid discussion with one of our award winning designers and together we can help your dreams become reality in the spring! Don’t just dream, call 952-361-9954 today!

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the Environment ® Hedberg Award of Excellence

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Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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