Spring Home & Garden 2022

Spring

HOME & GARDEN

Saturday, April 30, 2022

A Bog Lake modern beauty Is your home underinsured?

A special supplement to the

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2 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

LOCATED IN PARK RAPIDS

Specializing in Customer Service YOUR IDEAS BROUGHT TO LIFE!

Congratulations

Bob Bensen & Patricia Smith

218-732-8061 700 East River Dr. Park Rapids, MN www.jecabinets.com

SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 3

A BOG LAKE MODERN BEAUTY Bensen-Smiths create bright retirement home

BY SHANNON GEISEN Park Rapids Enterprise

A

twisting, gravel road leads you to the home of Bob Bensen and Patricia Smith and the shores of Bog Lake, near Osage.

A striking, modern abode emerges from the wooded landscape.

The Bensen-Smiths bought the 14-acre, undeveloped property from Bob’s cousin.

BY SHANNON GEISEN Other than his brother’s five acres and a few Park Rapids Enterprise other neighbors on the environmental lake, the rest is largely owned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“I think there’s eight people on the lake,” Bob said.

BOG LAKE: Page 6

4 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

Photos by Shannon Geisen / Enterprise Patricia Smith an d Bensen worked wi Bob th local contractors to bu ild their retirement home.

SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 5

Contributed / Bob Bensen and Patricia Smith Bob Bensen and Patricia Smith’s two-story, three-bedroom home sits on Bog Lake, near Osage. The sloped metal roof is complemented by rusty red and black siding, plus real limestone from Wisconsin.

BOG LAKE From Page 4

“It’s kind of a family peninsula,” Patricia said.

They built the three-bedroom home from scratch.

“Yeah, there was not a driveway,” said Patricia. “There was a fourwheel-drive trail.”

This was their first time building a house. Construction began in October 2019 and finished in September 2020.

The home overlooks Bog Lake, which connects to Straight Lake.

“We can actually see water in three directions. It’s nice,” Patricia said.

They also look upon numerous species of trees.

“The most prominent are oaks, but there are some fir trees, pine trees.

Quite a bit of birch,” Bob said.

“Bob has identified 12 trees,” like tamarac, Patricia added.

Prior to moving to northern Minnesota about 3.5 years ago, they lived in Northfield, Minn.

They traveled around the country a lot for Bob’s job as a research scientist.

BOG LAKE: Page 8 6 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

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SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 7

The mirrored kitchen backsplash reflects sunlight and lamplight. “It’s glass and it has a metallic look,” Patricia said. “We love the way colors bounce off of it.” Electric outlets are also tucked under the cabinets.

BOG LAKE From Page 6

Patricia was a math teacher in gifted education for middle school. They retired a couple years ago.

They hired Bernie Gartner as their main contractor, supplying Gartner with some building sketches.

When Gartner didn’t balk, but seemed intrigued by their home design, Bob said, “We knew he was our guy” – adding, “we told him not to let us do anything stupid.”

They used local companies for the plumbing, electricity, cabinetry, flooring and more.

Uneven cabin heights, combined with a panel of square windows, break up the high wall.

Below: One of Patricia’s favorite features is the “appliance garage,” the cupboard on the counter storing kitchen appliances.

Modern, not rustic

The couple specifically sought to create an airy, bright, modern home.

“We want to be able to see the lake when you open the door,” Patricia said.

An open floor plan and 20-foot, sloped ceiling greets you when you step inside.

Bob said, “We said we didn’t want a lake cabin. We wanted it to be open.”

Patricia agreed, adding, “We didn’t want it to be rustic, cabin-ish. A home, but a modern home.”

The ceiling, railing, trim and window frames are all made of birch.

“I wanted a clean look – that was my thing,” Patricia said.

In order to define the kitchen, the

BOG LAKE: Page 10 8 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

The kitchen island is the focal point of the the two-toned kitchen, with overhead lighting dropping from the high ceiling in dramatic fashion.

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The vertical, see-through railing from the wraparound deck is repeated in the stairwell. As an added safety measure, the steps are illuminated by light-sensitive and motion-activated lights.

In this open floor plan, the kitchen melds with the living room and dining area.

BOG LAKE From Page 8

couple added an island. It’s lit from above by a wooden structure that drops dramatically from the high ceiling on black metal bars.

Patricia said, “I love this kitchen. It’s the best part of the house.”

The walls and cabinets are a twotone gray.

During certain times of the day, Patricia said the colors shift and look the same.

Eischens Wood Products, Inc. helped the couple choose colors and cabinet handles.

The Bensen-Smiths opted to skip upper-level dish cabinets in favor of deep, pull-out drawers. Design experts say putting more items below the kitchen counter – including dishes, pots, pans and glasses – is not only a more ergonomic solution, but also great for aging in place.

“I just love it,” Patricia said, showing drawers of various sizes.

She even has a spice drawer, perfectly suited for that assortment and ease of use.

But her favorite feature is the 10 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

spacious “appliance garage.”

“Your appliances are handy. You just have to pull them out, but they’re not an eyesore or taking up counter space,” she said.

Inside, outside design

The living room features comfy furniture, green house plants, a lake view and warm fireplace.

The Bensen-Smiths credit Chase Flooring for the remarkable fireplace tile.

Bob explained, “What we wanted was a dark gray. We wanted it not shiny, and we wanted it to not be one shape.

They got some floor tiles, cut them and made a design.”

Patricia said she’s never been a fan of gas fireplaces with fake logs. As they searched for the perfect fireplace at Wilkening Fireplace, they discovered one with multiple flames amid river rock and shiny, black, tempered pieces of fire glass.

Sliding glass doors lead to the wraparound deck with its unique “seethrough railing.”

Bob pointed out that a lot of early railings had horizontal wires, but these are vertical. It’s a safety feature, so grandkids aren’t tempted to climb

Flames are nestled among river rocks and tempered fire glass.

the railing.

They liked the railing so much, they repeated inside on the stairwell to the basement level.

“One of the things that Frank Lloyd Wright would do is he’d try to confuse inside and outside, so you couldn’t tell where the house ended. You’d bring an outside element into the house. It looks fine, plus it keeps it open,” Bob said.

Through design, Bob said they designed the home so you can stand at any point indoors, yet still be able to see outdoors.

Lake views

The master bedroom enjoys a nice view of the lake.

Even while resting in bed, Patricia said they can gaze at the trees through the bedroom windows.

They’ve witnessed wildlife, too, like fox, mink, short-tailed weasel or deer.

The master bath mimics the colors of lake and sand.

Patricia accentuates the beachy motif with tan-colored towels, bath rugs, shells and other decor.

The shower tile incorporates shades of blue and wavy patterns, all the work of Chase Flooring.

BOG LAKE: Page 12

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SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 11

“

One of the things that Frank Lloyd Wright would do is he’d try to confuse inside and outside, so you couldn’t tell where the house ended. You’d bring an outside element into the house. It looks fine, plus it keeps it open.”

- BOB BENSEN

The sloped ceiling begins in the master bedroom and continues into the living room area.

The second guest room boasts two beds.

Eischens Wood Products, Inc. made the cabinets in the master bath, guest baths and kitchen. All the drawers have softclosing slides.

BOG LAKE From Page 10

Originally, Patricia wanted to use a cobalt blue, but it was too difficult to match countertops and tile choices.

“It’s so hard to match blues. You don’t realize there are so many blues. Some blues just don’t work with other blues,” she said. “I’m glad I went with this blue rather than the cobalt blue.”

The couple is pleased with the final result.

Bright and warm To keep the basement light and bright, everything is trimmed in white.

They also installed numerous dimmable, recessed lights.

A game room, two guest bedrooms 12 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

The master bath’s countertop is by Cambria.

“It’s a blended brand. It’s 80% stone. They have different designs,” Bob said.

and a bath complete the basement.

Sliding glass doors lead to a patio with seating.

The cheery, yellow bathroom is for guests. The couple has two daughters, one son and two grandchildren who visit.

“I’m not one for bright colors, and I surprised myself with these colors down here. Again, we’re in a basement. I want it to be bright,” Patricia said.

One of the bedrooms is cantaloupe melon, the other mustard yellow.

“Again, I surprised myself,” Patricia said.

To control humidity, they invested in a Broan residential air exchanger. “This is something everyone should have,” Bob said.

The high-ceilinged master bath includes a

BOG LAKE: Page 14 hot tub.

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A game room on the basement level leads to a walkout patio.

Below: The couple utilized granite remnants for the countertops in the two smaller bathrooms. Bob said the sinks were less expensive than the drop-in kind.

A portion of the game room is a sports den.

BOG LAKE From Page 12

To evenly heat the home, they set up two thermostats, one for each heating zone: the upper floor and the basement.

“They turn on independently,” he explained. The result is the basement is always at a steady temperature.

Due to northern Minnesota’s long, tough winters, the Bensen-Smiths chose 14 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

top-of-the-line, double-glazed windows.

While they get a great internet signal to the home, they added boosters on each level of the house.

A free-standing bar with cabinets and a sauna are the only two unfinished pieces remaining in the house.

All in all, they are very content in their wooded, lakeside retreat.

Shannon Geisen can be reached at sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com

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Adobe Stock

Is your home underinsured?

LORIE SKARPNESS Park Rapids Enterprise

W

ith big jumps in the cost of building materials in the past two years and inflation continuing to climb, local insurance agents shared some advice for homeowners to help make sure their insurance will cover replacing their home in the event of a fire or other disaster.

Replacement value

Jim Engst is owner of the Itasca Region Insurance Agency in Park Rapids. He said it is important for people to realize there is a big difference between the tax assessment value of their home and the home’s replacement value, which factors in the costs of labor and materials now.

“When they assess a property, they are estimating what you could sell it for,” he said. “Replacement is what it would cost today to have a 16 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

contractor come in and build it from the ground up.”

For example, a home on a lake is usually assessed higher than the same exact structure in town, but the replacement cost would be the same for both.

His advice is to call your insurance agent to price out the rebuilding cost of your home.

“We can plug numbers into an estimator replacement cost calculator and it’s pretty accurate,” he said. “There are different grades of materials and it can make a huge difference in replacing the interior. If you take two homes that are 1,000 square feet and one is with basic cabinetry and the other is custom built that one will be more expensive to rebuild.”

Michael Huotari is an agent for the First National Agency in Menahga. He said the calculator “takes into account

the building materials, which have been going up quite a bit. Most people who have replacement cost coverage are bumped up a certain percentage each year for inflation, but even with that they still might be underinsured.”

Compare coverage, review your policy For new homeowners, Huotari said it is a good idea to compare coverages to see what option is best for them.

“Different companies have different rates,” he said. “There are some policies that don’t have replacement value but actual cash value. Sometimes you can’t give replacement costs on homes because of the condition or other issues.”

UNDERINSURED: Page 18

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Cardboard

Please pay attention to recycling labels and only recycle what is listed on the recycling dumpster/container. Also remember that all rechargeable and lithium batteries must be brought to the HHW area of the transfer station and can’t be placed in the garbage.

Plastic bags can be recycled at Coborn’s or Walmart in Park Rapids.

Agricultural plastics including silage wrap, along with boat wrap and greenhouse film can be brought in separately to either transfer station to be recycled.

Hubbard County has an organics recycling program for food waste at the South Transfer Station. If you would like to sign up for the program, you can register on-line at www.co.hubbard.mn.us/waste.

Finally, be sure to place items that are still usable in the reuse bunker/area and check out the bunker to see if you can find any discarded items to reuse or recycle. If you have any questions email: solidwaste@co.hubbard.mn.us or call (218) 732-1468.

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SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 17

UNDERINSURED From Page 16

Shutterstock

How to add shade to a deck or patio

H

omeowners eagerly await the arrival of the warm weather so they can cast off the remnants of cabin fever and bask in the sunshine. However, as summer nears its dog days, the same sun homeowners once coveted can contribute to uncomfortable conditions in outdoor entertaining spaces.

Homeowners who want to be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces in an array of temperatures can think about investing in shade solutions. Sun-blocking ideas like awnings, shade trees and large umbrellas can help people enjoy their yards all day long. ► Canopy: A patio canopy is typically a freestanding unit that can be installed over a patio or a deck. Some people prefer to bolt it down so it will not be knocked over in windy conditions. The fabric on the canopy can be removed during the offseason, helping to improve its longevity. ► Awning: Awnings may be stationary or retractable. Many are installed directly onto a home and can cast shade on specific areas of outdoor entertaining spaces. ► Shade sail: Similar to an awning but a bit less structurally rigid, shade sails are large pieces of triangular fabric installed over areas of a patio, pool or landscape, according to The Family Handyman. Shade sails are light and airy and can be customized. ► Trees: A natural way to increase shade in a yard is to plant more shade trees.

If sun glare is an issue all year long, and it’s not just the heat of the sun that is troublesome, think about planting evergreen trees. Deciduous cousins will drop their leaves in fall and only be effective during the warm weather. ► Patio umbrellas: Many umbrellas start at around $25. Umbrellas can be paired with patio tables, while stationary cantilever umbrellas sit out of the way on their own heavy-duty stands. A cantilever umbrella tends to provide more shade than patio table umbrellas. ► Curtains: Homeowners can block sunlight outdoors the way they do inside.

Hang curtains from the sides of canopies or between posts on a deck to provide shade and cozy spaces.

Shade is in high demand when the sun is hot. Options abound for making outdoor areas more comfortable.

18 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

Pat Sullivan is an agent for State Farm in Park Rapids.

“At this time, looking at your homeowners policy is really important because numbers for building costs and contractors are changing constantly,” he said. “You get what you pay for. Insurance is a promise from the company and every company makes a different promise.

Some may not have replacement costs because they want to keep the cost of the policy low. Then you’re really in trouble if you have a loss because not only does it cost more to rebuild it, but they may pay a depreciated value on the home versus a replacement value.

“Some companies exclude coverage of your roof or siding or windows.

Another thing you need to know about your policy is the coverage for loss of use of your home. A lot of insurance companies will limit you to 12 months or 10% of the insurance policy on your home. Other companies cover 24 months or 30%. That’s important because it’s impossible to get a contractor right now. If you have to wait a year for them to even start building a new home, you may run out of money that way too, having to pay to live somewhere else.

That’s why it’s important to know what you’re paying for and compare coverage on different policies.”

Document your home’s contents Sullivan said it’s also important for people to make a video or take pictures of the contents of their home and store it in the cloud or a safe location outside the home as that will help them inventory what possessions they lost in the event of a house fire or other disaster.

Andrea Nordick is co-owner of Northway Insurance in Park Rapids.

She said her advice to customers is to review their policy with their agent.

“If you have any concerns that you might not have enough insurance, set up an appointment to review it with your agent and make sure they know about any improvements you’ve made,” she said.

Lorie Skarpness can be reached at lskarpness@parkrapidsenterprise.com

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Photos by Adobe St When determinin ock g which breeds you woul d like to purchase, consid er purpose of your ch the icken layer, broiler, dual – purpose or pet?

BACKYARD CHICKENS An introduction to raising small flock poultry

BY TARAH YOUNG

P

Hubbard County University of Minnesota Extension

eople might be interested in starting their own small flock for many reasons: a greater understanding of where their food comes from, a ready supply of eggs and/ meat, an activity for kids to get involved in, or even for pets.

Careful planning and preparation prior to your chicks’ arrival will help ensure the establishment of a healthy flock for your family’s enjoyment and food production.

Layers and broilers Pullets (young females) begin laying eggs at 5 to 6 months of age and production is greatest for the first two 20 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

years, and declines every year after.

It takes a hen 25 hours to produce an egg, laying not quite an egg a day.

Average life expectancy is 3 to 8 years, but hens typically decline in egg production the third or fourth year.

Most common breeds for laying hens

for Minnesota’s harsh winters are the White Leghorn, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Orphington, Ameraucana and Cochins.

Broilers, or meat birds, can vary in their maturity time. Cornish, Plymouth Rock and New Hampshire breeds feather rapidly, mature early and have the most economical conversion of feed to poultry meat.

Some flock owners use White or Barred Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshires for meat.

These breeds generally don’t grow as rapidly as the crosses and take more feed per pound of weight gained.

There are also many breeds that are dual purpose, for both eggs and meat.

CHICKENS: Page 22

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SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 21

CHICKENS From Page 20

When determining which breed(s) you would like to purchase, consider these factors: ► purpose of your chicken (layer, broiler, dual purpose or pet) ► number of eggs per year and color of eggs ► size of chicken and feed efficiency ► temperament Breed catalogs from your choice of hatchery is a great resource to get more information about specific breeds as well as the Hubbard County Extension Office.

Housing guidelines Think long-term: What kind of housing do you want to have for your chickens? Allow 3 to 5 square feet per adult.

If the long-term housing is not finished yet, chicks need far less to get them started.

Make sure to have a feeding area (with natural light if possible), roosting area (usually elevated, and 1.5 to 2 square feet per adult depending on the size), bedding (straw, shavings, corn cobs, etc.), nests (1 nest for every 4 birds) and clean water.

Meat birds do not need roosts or nests.

Housing should protect the birds from predators and ideally provide comfort, natural light and ventilation (natural or electric).

If you would like to include a run to allow chickens to get outside of the coop, make sure the fence is sturdy enough to keep predators out.

Preparing for chicks Consider having the chicks vaccinated at the hatchery against coccidiosis; coccidiosis causes diarrhea and can quickly kill chicks. An alternative is to use medicated feed to help ward off illness.

Chicks need a draft-free, clean space and protection from predators.

Use a bedding for chicks – large flake wood shavings are the best. Since straw doesn’t absorb moisture as well, it would need to be supplemented with new straw frequently. Sawdust works well to absorb moisture, but sometimes chicks eat too much sawdust, which can cause digestive issues. Paper can also become soiled easily and slippery.

I suggest using a small space to keep the chicks in, and expand it as they get larger.

22 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

Remember to use appropriately-sized feeders and waterers for the size of the chicken.

Providing a heat source, such as heat lamps, is essential.

Chicks need to be kept at 90 to 95 degrees for the first week of their lives, and the temperature can gradually be reduced to 70 degrees over three to four weeks. A 5-degree reduction each week is recommended.

Fully feathered chicks at four weeks old require little to no heat, except if the temperatures are below 60-65 degrees.

Infrared bulbs only heat the body of the chicks, not the air around the bird.

In really cold weather, it might be best to use a regular incandescent heat bulb.

Make sure to have clean, room-temperature water ready for the chicks.

Including a small amount of electrolytes, probiotics and/or vitamins in the water can be beneficial, too.

Dunking each chick’s beak into the water is a good practice, so they know where to find it and how to access it.

Remember to use appropriately-sized feeders and waterers for the size of the chicken. Using smaller waterers for chicks reduces the chance for spilling, keeping the area dry and clean.

Nutrition Layer chicks’ starter feed should contain 18-22% protein formulated for chicks and be given to them until they are 6 weeks old.

At weeks 7-16, the starter can be reduced to 16% protein. During this time, grit can be added to their diet.

Grit settles in the gizzard, helping digestion, nutrient absorption,and overall faster growth.

At week 16, a complete feed can be purchased with 15-17% protein.

Once the laying hens are beginning to produce eggs (around 5-6 months old), their diets can also include forages, grains, bugs, grit to aid in digestion and crushed oyster shells to add calcium.

If you begin to notice thin shells on the eggs, make sure to add 2.5%-3.5% calcium by using crushed oyster shells.

For broiler chicks, provide a chick starter feed that is 22-24% protein or close to it for at least the first week and up to week four. Then switch to a finisher feed, with no less than 18 to 19 percent protein for the duration.

One final reminder: although chicks are so cute and fluffy, they can carry diseases. Be sure to always wash your hands after handling chicks.

If you chose to start your own small flock, good luck on your chicken-raising adventure!

Tarah Young is an Hubbard County University of Minnesota Extension educator in agriculture, food and natural resources. If you have any questions about this topic or any others, contact her at 732-3391. If information Tarah Young about agriculture, gardening and natural resources interests you, consider signing up for the Hubbard County UMN Extension Agriculture, Gardening and Natural Resources E-newsletter at z.umn.edu/HCExtensionNewsletter.

Graphic by Minnesota Department of Health More than 40 percent of Minnesota homes have dangerous levels or radon gas. The nationwide average is 1.3 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), but the average level of radon in Minnesota homes is about 4.6 pCi/L.

Radon in homes is a common, preventable cancer risk

T

he Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is urging everyone to test their home for radon.

According to a media release, the colorless, odorless gas occurs naturally in Minnesota soils and is found at elevated levels in nearly 40% of homes in the state. It is also the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Each year, this unwelcome house guest kills more than 21,000 people across the country. Though there are cheap and easy ways to test for radon, many people are unaware of the risks and may not be getting the help they need to be safe, the release states.

Meanwhile, the radon risk is largely preventable through testing, improved ventilation and other measures. With more people working from home, testing is more important than ever to determine if a home’s radon levels present a health risk.

Dan Tranter, supervisor of the MDH Indoor Air Program, said many people are unknowingly exposed to high levels of radon, putting them at risk for lung cancer, while several common misunderstandings discourage people from testing their homes for radon.

RADON TESTING: Page 24 SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 23

RADON TESTING From Page 23

For example, many people think their home does not need to be tested, or if they test once they don’t need to test again, or if their neighbor’s radon level is low, they don’t need to test.

Testing should be conducted in all homes, regardless of foundation type, soil type, age, presence of an air exchanger or insulation, Tranter said. Even if the initial test shows the radon level is low, it’s a good idea to retest at least every five years, because levels may change.

Homes with mitigation systems should also be retested, he said. Monitors on mitigation systems do not show the radon level, so the homes should be retested at least every two years.

New homes are built with radon resistant features, but they can still have elevated radon and should be tested, the release states.

MDH is partnering with local public health departments and other organizations to make test kits available at low or no cost. Participating agencies and vendors can be found at data.web.health.state.mn.us/web/mndata/radon, along with maps showing statewide radon testing levels by county and census tract.

Photos by Minnesota Department of Health According to MDH data, only 0.4% of Hubbard County properties have been tested for radon. Based on these tests, it is estimated that 39.3% of homes in the county have radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L.

Hubbard County’s levels are high According to the census tract map, radon levels are slightly higher in the northern portion of Hubbard County than in the rest of the county.

Statewide data shows the average radon level in Minnesota homes is about 4.5 pCi/L compared to 1.3 pCi/L nationwide.

Meanwhile, only 1-2% of homes in Minnesota are tested In this census tract across northern Hubbard County, 15 of 2,456 annually; health officials recommend testing at least 20% homes have been tested for radon, averaging levels of 61.1 parts annually. They also find that testing and mitigation are per 10,000. less frequent among communities with lower incomes and more renters.

Health professionals recommend radon testing during real estate transactions, the release states. Sellers must disclose any prior radon testing under state law. The MDH recommends including radon tests in home inspections and provides a list of licensed radon measurement professionals at www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/ radon/findprof.html.

Tests should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied. Test devices are usually placed in the home for two to five days. The best time to test is during the heating season.

In homes with high radon levels, radon reduction typically involves installing a venting pipe and fan to pull the gas from under the home to the outside. Professionals conducting radon mitigation must be licensed by the MDH, follow standards and affix an MDH tag to the system. For a list of licensed radon mitigation professionals, visit www. health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/radon/ mitigation.html.

The MDH does free inspections of radon mitigation systems installed after June 1, 2020 to ensure systems were installed correctly and meet minimum requirements. To request an inspection or for more information, contact the MDH Indoor Air Unit at health.indoorair@state.mn.us, call 651-201-4601 or 800-798-9050, or visit www.health.state. mn.us/communities/environment/air/radon/index.html.

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Contributed / John and Ann DeCoster The DeCosters’ original cabin, at right, and its large guest addition command a view of Lower Bottle Lake. Landscaping, including a seeded lawn with an irrigation system that pumps water from the lake, was put in by Flying W Gardens.

COUPLE CREATES SPECTACULAR CABIN ADDITION Planning issues bear unexpected results

BY ROBIN FISH

A

Park Rapids Enterprise

recent home addition on Lower Bottle Lake turned a quaint log cabin into a spacious, eight-bedroom, six-bathroom family resort.

If it weren’t for county planning ordinances, it might have turned out very differently – and perhaps not half as grand.

In 1980, brothers John and Steve DeCoster bought five cabins from the Hoosier Beach Resort, along with three acres of lakeshore property. They jointly owned the land but designated the cabins, two for John’s family, three for Steve’s.

26 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

“When we paid that off, we tore our two down and built this,” John said during a tour of the original log cabin he shares with his wife, Ann. Complete with a walk-out basement, the log home already had three bedrooms (one up, two down), three bathrooms, a stone fireplace and a laundry room before a previous addition brought a garage and a home office.

In 2020-21, they added a dining room, a huge great room with a vaulted ceiling and bar, a mudroom with no-step entry, three more bathrooms with a second laundry room, three guest bedrooms, a children’s playroom with bunk beds, and a second master bedroom with a private patio.

When Steve passed away in 2019, John and Ann bought out the family’s interest in the property and tore down the remaining three cabins. They initially planned to build a freestanding guest house for their son and daughter, nephews and nieces, and all their kids and grandkids.

Then they ran into a series of complications with planning approval.

Headaches pay off

According to county ordinance, John said, “If you have a primary residence, regardless of the size of the lot, you can only have a 700-foot additional

BOTTLE LAKE: Page 28

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BOTTLE LAKE From Page 26

building, which was smaller than any one of the buildings we tore down.”

A surveyor told them they couldn’t subdivide the lot because of its irregular shape. They applied for a variance, but ran into one challenge after another.

Then they learned they could build an addition with no variance and no size limit.

They brought in Eric Munson with Emcon, Inc. as their general contractor, and Matt Henry as project manager.

Starting from a template in a book published by Log Homes Minnesota, Henry tweaked the design.

More challenges arose, with a proposed patio and fire pit deemed “not significant enough” to connect the cabin to the addition. Instead, they built the dining room, with three broad steps down to the guest wing.

A door separating the two living spaces was ruled out, John said, because it would make the home a duplex. Equipping the bar as a kitchen would have the same effect. Nevertheless, Ann said, “It’s turned out just great.”

Instead of a door, there’s an arch through the cabin’s end wall. Rather than match logs to fill in the kitchen window, the couple kept it as a passthrough so people in the kitchen can join the entertainment on the other side.

The result isn’t what they originally planned, but the DeCosters agreed the wrangling over permits brought unexpected blessings.

In giving up their plan to keep space open between the guest house and the cabin, they gained a large play area at the far end of the property.

Planning to import unfinished lumber for tongue-and-groove paneling when John and Ann DeCoster built the original cabin on a portion of the Hoosier Beach Resort bought by John and his brother, Steve, in 1980. Their recent addition continues the all-

BOTTLE LAKE: Page 30 wood theme of the original cabin.

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Contributed / r John and Ann DeCoste us vio pre rs’ ste The DeCo age, addition included the gar ng api dsc lan the d at right, an lkaround the basement wa out, created by Flying W Gardens.

BOTTLE LAKE From Page 28

the Canadian border closed, Emcon worked with Northland Lumber to find a load of prefinished knotty pine instead.

“Things happen for a reason,” John said.

Redundancies and economies

The addition has its own septic system, air conditioning and propane heat, thanks to facilities Steve already had in place.

Flying W Gardens installed a lawn irrigation system with water pumped from the lake, saving well water. “Then we had them hydroseed the lot,” John said.

“We had grass within four weeks.”

The company also put rock and edging around the entire building. The DeCosters called Flying W “just awesome.”

For energy control, they installed an electronic thermostat they can program from their phones. In the vaulted ceilings, new and old, they added a product that keeps the insulation from sliding down.

“In the winter, even when it’s 20-, 25-below zero, with the windows we’ve got on the south side, during the day the heat doesn’t even come on,” said John.

BOTTLE LAKE: Page 32 30 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

Robin Fish / Enterprise A huge, vaulted great room paneled in tongueand-groove knotty pine offers guests a bright view of Lower Bottle Lake, access to a concrete patio and plenty of seating to watch the bigscreen TV.

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BOTTLE LAKE From Page 30

In the summer, the sun stays above the roof’s south overhang, reducing heat intake from the same windows.

John was pleasantly surprised with the first year’s electricity consumption since adding on. “It’s expensive, because it’s a big place,” he said, “but it isn’t twice what we were paying before.

Maybe 20% more.”

“

I’m really happy we used Park Rapids people, there’s a lot of good contractors and subcontractors around here. I don’t think people realize it. And they take pride.”

- JOHN DECOSTER

Proud to go Park Rapids “We’re extremely pleased with all of the vendors,” said Ann. “I’m really happy we used Park Rapids people,” said John. “There’s a lot of good contractors and subcontractors around here. I don’t think people realize it. And they take pride.”

He said Munson “was fair with us, gave us good pricing, worked his tail off every time we had a curveball thrown at us.”

They also appreciate the touches Henry suggested, like stamped concrete for the patio and the accent ceiling under the lakeside eaves, continuing the knotty pine look from inside.

Landquist Rustic Wood Furnishings custom-made the high-top dining room table, matching a set of rustic bar stools they’d made for the family four years ago.

John praised “everybody, from Davis Electric to Area Excavating to Flying W. They showed up. They did their job.

They coordinated.”

Other subcontractors were Jeff’s Professional Tree Service, Interstate Log Home Refurbishing, Leeseberg Cabinets, Lakeside Floors and Design, Elsner Well Drilling and Samuelson Laney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling.

“All of them respected us as owners,” John said. “They cleaned up after themselves. They showed up when they were supposed to.”

And they persevered despite trying circumstances, like workers testing positive for COVID and having to quarantine. “They met the challenge,” said John.

The couple has taken steps to ensure the home will remain a retreat for their family. “We probably spent more than we should have,” John admitted, “to make sure there’s adequate space for the generations after us.”

Robin Fish can be reached at rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com.

32 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

Photos by Robin Fish/Enterprise The DeCosters’ cabin addition includes a guest master bedroom, complete with its own master bath and walkout patio.

Below: One of three guest bedrooms in the DeCosters’ new wing continues the rustic cabin look without sacrificing energy efficiency.

While the addition’s bar area lacks the cooking equipment to make it a true kitchen, its connection to a no-step entry, great room and multiple bedrooms makes it an ideal location for John and Ann DeCoster to age in place.

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HOW TO GIVE THE YARD A SPRING HOUSE CLEANING

BY DON KINZLER

D

The Forum

id you hear about the two ferns that were close companions? They became fronds forever.

April is when our yards and landscapes come to life after their winter hibernation. Spring is always uplifting, but the disappearing snow often reveals matted grass, rabbit damage, and an assortment of other tasks needing our attention.

Lawns

DON

KINZLER Growing Together



► Snow mold is widespread this spring. The long winter and continuous snow cover on ground that hadn’t frozen deeply last fall favored the buildup of the fungus that appears as gray or pinkish webbing on the surface of matted grass. ► To remedy snow mold, fluff up the affected lawn areas with a leaf rake. Raking aerates and untangles matted grass, improving the lawn almost immediately. Snow mold usually doesn’t cause long-term problems, unless left unattended.

Michael Vosburg / The Forum ► Voles were active in lawns once again, creating their sur- The above-ground portions of perennials can be cut back after the face channels through the turf while working under the procoldest temperatures are likely past. tective snow cover. Raking the areas to remove the chewed-up grass is usually all that’s needed, and most lawn areas regrow from vole damage without further repair measures. ► Power-raking, also called dethatching, can be destructive to a lawn if done too soon in spring while the turf is moist and tender. To reduce the risk of tearing up grass plants, delay power-raking until grass is actively growing and mowed several times. Many lawns never need power-raking, which is an operation intended to remove excess thatch. To assess thatch content, cut a wedge-shaped plug from the turf profile and measure the undecomposed layer between grass blades and soil. One-half to one inch of thatch is considered a beneficial amount, conserving moisture, shading the roots, and suppressing weeds. ► Spring lawn fertilizing recommendations have changed over the years, based on turf research. The old way of thinking was to apply fertilizer as early as possible to “get the grass to green up.” Research showed much of the fertilizer was wasted in spring rain runoff before the grass was ready or able to use it. For a more effective approach, wait to fertilize the lawn until it’s green and actively growing, with Memorial Day and Labor Day being the two most beneficial and easy-to-remember yearly target dates. Fertilizing in May provides nutrition for lawns recovering from vole damage, last year’s drought, Michael Vosburg / The Forum Snow mold and vole damage are often remedied by simply raking. and snow mold.

34 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

Perennial Garden

► Most perennials survive winter best with above-ground parts left intact. Cut them back in April after the coldest weather is likely past, and before new growth emerging at ground level reaches an inch. ► Many native pollinators survive winter by nesting in the hollow stems of perennial flowers, and they don’t emerge until weather is reliably warmer. Because the stems we remove in April might still contain these beneficial pollinating insects, it’s best to pile the stems discreetly at the rear of the perennial garden, or another out-of-the-way place, until late May, when the insects will have emerged. ► Nearly all perennials thrive in soil that’s high in organic matter. Incorporate several inches of peatmoss or compost into the soil surface. ► Adding a layer of mulch over the soil of a perennial bed will conserve moisture, keep the soil cooler, and diminish weeds. Shredded wood mulch is more plant-friendly than rock mulch, which becomes hot in summer and weighs heavily on plant roots, compacting the soil.

Shrubs

► April is the preferred month to prune deciduous (leafy) shrubs. Evergreens can wait until May and June. Pruning of spring-flowering shrubs, like lilac and forsythia, can wait until after blooming if this spring’s flowers are desired. ► Rabbit damage was severe this winter and many landscape shrubs offered fine dining. Deciduous shrubs can be pruned down to a point below the rabbit injury and they usually regenerate fine, sometimes growing better than before. ► Evergreen shrubs, such as arborvitae, don’t have the ability to recover from rabbit or deer injury the way deciduous

Shutterstock

shrubs do. If branches are gnawed and foliage is stripped back to older inner branches, new foliage rarely regenerates in that area. That’s why past rabbit or deer injury is often evident for the remainder of an arborvitae’s life, and unfortunately there’s little remedy once damage is done.

Trees

► Most tree types are best pruned in April before new leaves emerge. Exceptions are birch and maple, which bleed sap when pruned in spring, so pruning can be delayed until leaves are fully expanded to minimize sap oozing.

Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County.

Readers can reach him at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.

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Call Toll Free: 1-800-450-4432 • 218-564-4432 SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 35

Contractors planning ahead due to supply issues LORIE SKARPNESS Park Rapids Enterprise

S

upply chain issues are still impacting building supply stores, and contractors are planning ahead to make sure they have what they need for upcoming projects.

Karrin Lindow is the owner of Nevis Lumber. She said windows are the hardest thing to get right now. “Depending on the brand they can be up to 22 weeks out, but for some companies it’s 12 weeks.”

Lindow said most doors are coming in two to three weeks.

“It depends on the kind of door you’re picking out,” she said.

“If you’re picking a basic door, those are still coming fairly quickly. But if you are ordering a fancy one, those can take longer. With anything, if you get into special order expensive lines, that’s what’s taking the longest. For example the basic line of Marvin windows is 12 weeks out and their signature line better quality windows can be 22 weeks out.”

She said contractors are ordering materials ahead of time so they will have them when they are ready to do a building project.

“Contractors are taking it in stride and planning ahead,” she said. “It takes awhile to build a house.

A lot of our bigger contractors are ordering the stuff right away instead of waiting. They’re getting their customers to figure out what

they want right away. As soon as they get the sale, they come in and order windows, so when they are ready to put them in they are here.”

Vergil Miller is a manager at Spirit Lake Lumber in Menahga. He said some things are still hard to get. “Some windows are taking 22 weeks to get. Marvin windows are 22-26 weeks out. With all kinds of things you order and you’re never sure what you’re going to get. We still have supply issues with some things, but we order ahead on most supplies, too. Some door companies are discontinuing certain special-order doors because they don’t have enough of a workforce to make them.” He said they have a list of contractors available for their customers.

“It’s a little hard finding someone to do the work, but not too bad,” he said. “You might have to wait four months.”

Miller said prices on building materials are continuing to increase. “It’s both supply and demand and inflation,” he said.”

He said they have been busy this spring.

“People are building,” he said. “Houses everywhere, on lakes and in town. A little bit of everything.”

Lorie Skarpness can be reached at lskarpness@parkrapidsenterprise.com

Adobe Stock 36 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022

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SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2022 | 39

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