Project 412 Magazine - Winter 2024-25

Imagine. Inspire. Connect.

Celebrating artistic and entrepreneurial innovation in and around Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

WINTER 2024-25

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Welcome Project 412 was created with the dream of making Detroit Lakes and the surrounding 412 Lakes Area an even better community by making waves and thinking outside the box with amazing ideas. We know communities thrive when they invest in themselves and are always innovating, taking risks, and striving to become better.

Our mission is to connect and elevate the cultural and economic vibrancy of the lakes area. Think of Project 412 as a catalyst, cheerleader, and connector to encourage local business and community growth through projects, events, ideas, public art, and more!

Simply…we want to Do Cool Stuff! #DCS

Inside Our Community................................ 4 Public Art............................................. 6 Live Music........................................... 8 Trolls in DL......................................... 10 Entrepreneurial Support............... 12 More Cool Stuff................................. 14 Year in Review................................... 16 Let’s Imagine...................................... 18 Are You One of Our 412?................ 20 Become a Wave Maker.................... 22 Photo credit to Amy Stearns, Carmen McCullough, Doug Schultz, Lindsay Kaye Photography, Michelle Maier, and Thomas Dambo.

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Our Community In Detroit Lakes, we continue to witness the magic that occurs when a community comes together to build something extraordinary. In spring 2024, our small town became the home of international recycle artist Thomas Dambo’s largest Troll exhibition.

We needed to fill 472 volunteer time slots to build our larger-than-life Troll exhibit. As people stepped up to volunteer, we managed to fill those time slots…and then some! Our volunteers were fantastic! They created a positive environment and took true ownership of the project. Our community continues to be a gracious host to thousands of visitors who travel from near and far to see the Trolls!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this monumental project!

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Public Art With additional art surprises, public murals, utility box wraps, and the “Art on a Stick” installations, we continue to Create DL as the place to be. Check out our website at Project412MN.org and follow us on social media @Project412MN to see how we are spreading color and public art all across Detroit Lakes.

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Live Music We are live music enthusiasts! From WE Fest to the Historic Holmes Theatre to small bands in bars, we love it all!

Save the dates in 2025 for our Way North of Nashville Listening Room Experience on Saturday, February 1 and the Fabulous Armadillos on Detroit Mountain on Friday, June 27. Plus, this summer’s free Trucks & Tunes concerts are moving to Thursdays. So start your weekend early, grab your friends and family, and join the party in DL! Watch Project412MN.org for event updates or follow us on social media @Project412MN.

Thursdays, Summer 2025

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Saturday, February 1

Friday, June 27

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Trolls in DL International recycle artist Thomas Dambo and his trash-to-treasure crew left Detroit Lakes on June 10. Since then, the locations of our five charming trolls, one rabbit, and three mysterious portals placed in and between Fargo, ND and Perham, MN have been wildly popular!

About 20% of our Troll hunters live in and around Detroit Lakes while the remaining 80% have traveled from all over the world to see them!

Here are the number of visits to each sculpture as of October 31, 2024.

Alexa’s Elixir 57.8K

Ronny Funny Face 46.1K

Jacob Everear 26.5K

Barefoot Frida 30.8K

Long Leif 19.7K

The Golden Rabbit 9.3K

Many thanks to our generous Troll sponsors for helping to make this GIANT project possible: Arvig, BTD Manufacturing, Frank & Barb Foltz, Fritz/Lundmark Family, Herzog Roofing, Herzog/Hvidston Families, Ken & Helen Foltz, Midwest Bank, Otter Tail Corporation Foundation, Scott & Susan Busker Family, and SJE Foundation.

If you haven’t already, we invite you to experience the magic of this adventure starting in Detroit Lakes City Park or online at TrollsDL.com.

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Spring 2025

Monthly

Monday, February 24

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

– Steve Jobs

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Entrepreneurial Support We encourage entrepreneurs to create experiences that make Detroit Lakes an even more unique and memorable destination. Our monthly Deep Dive DL sessions provide the opportunity to connect with local entrepreneurs, creatives, and community members. And our first-ever Hot Dish microgranting dinner is yet another way we are supporting creative projects that build a stronger community.

In August we hosted Pitch 412, a new Shark Tank-inspired event providing entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch and showcase their business ideas.

Winners included Lillie’s Lollipops (First Place), Getaway Kimonos (Second Place), and Event Conex (Audience Choice Award).

Since the event, Lillie’s Lollipops has launched a food truck and retail location.

Getaway Kimonos has ordered their first production run, launched a website, and is preparing for their first wholesale market. Many thanks to all the applicants and to those who came out to support our finalists. We look forward to doing it again in Spring 2025!

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Saturday, September 6

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Saturday, July 12

More Cool Stuff In addition to welcoming our Trolls to DL this past summer, we took on two new race events. The Tour Da Lakes bike races were held in July in memory of Mark Knutson. The Dick Beardsley Races were held in September bringing over 1000 runners to Detroit Lakes. It was an incredible day of energy and excitement in beautiful Detroit Lakes, Minnesota! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 6, 2025 for our 30th Anniversary Event!

We brought Climbing Boulders to Detroit Lakes’ rec center just north of City Park and collaborated with Broken String Guitar Club, Detroit Lakes Poetry Walk, Stumble Upon Art Youth Program, and many more. Detroit Lakes Tribune’s readers also voted Project 412 as #1 Non-Profit in the Lakes Area!

Thanks to the enthusiastic involvement of all our participants, volunteers, and sponsors, we continue to raise awareness and support of our mission to Do Cool Stuff #DCS!

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Year in Review As we attempt to quantify the creation of places and events that inspire, let’s take a look at 2024 by the numbers as of November 1: • Way North of Nashville 3.0: 4 singer-songwriters, 13 types of bourbon, 299 attendees • Kite Festival: 2 days, 40 kites, 9 kiters • Trucks & Tunes Free Concerts in the Park: 9 vendors, 9 concerts, 56 musicians, 4775 attendees • Salsa Contest: 2 categories, 14 salsas, 6 judges, 6 winners • Sculptures: 10 bollard lights, 2 sculptures, 2 artists • Tour Da Lakes Mark Knutson Memorial: 3 races, 200 racers, 4,395.5 miles biked • Dick Beardsley Races: 4 races, 1212 racers, 10,101.3 miles ran • Murals: 3 murals, 2 complete, 1 in progress, 2 artists • Art Surprises: 11 around town • Utility Boxes (in collaboration with the Public Utilities Department and Arts & Culture Commission): 79 submissions, 5 new wrapped boxes • Art on a Stick (in collaboration with the Arts & Culture Commission): 31 submissions, 16 coming soon to a park near you • Deep Dive DL: 8 events, 12 entrepreneurs, 122 attendees, 381 YouTube views • Pop-Up Coworking: 137 attendees, 248.5 hours • Business Support & Connections: 77 businesses, 160+ hours • Celebrating Local Businesses: 16 new businesses and related milestones • Pitch 412: 16 applicants, 4 finalists, 100 attendees • Troll Project Preparation: 10 generous sponsors (see page 11), countless planning sessions • Troll Project Build: 5 weeks, 30,000 screws, 2 telehandlers, 1 missing troll head (we found it!), 300 volunteers, 1 big party, 1 artist talk with 600 attendees, 25 meals + so many Troll Treats!

• Troll Project Reveal: 800 birdhouses, 3 portals, 5 trolls, 1 rabbit, 6 pupil parties • Troll Project Results: 3 website crashes due to traffic, 103,285 website visits, 222,714 page views, 1 TEDX Talk in Fargo, 30+ media interviews and articles including the front page of USA Today – Above the Fold!

(Also see the number of visits per Troll on page 11.)

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Follow along Larry’s Way in Detroit Lakes City Park to find this series of motivational art surprises that can only be seen when rain falls! Created by Hannah Irene Marie.

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Let’s Imagine Imagine retreating from the “real” world to experience a quiet oasis of beauty in nature, with flowers and greenery providing a year-round sanctuary for residents and visitors to the Detroit Lakes, Minnesota area. Imagine more larger-than-life sculptures and a meandering trail system for walking, hiking, biking, and other recreational activities.

Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park is currently in development in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Contact Amy at Amy@Project412MN.org to learn more about this exciting new project!

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“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

– Fred Rogers

Are You One of Our 412?

Project 412 was founded on the belief that if we all come together we can do great things! Our goal is to find 412 people to give $412/year for 4 years and 12 months.

Those dollars are then matched 1:1 so we can do EVEN MORE cool stuff!

Foundational Sponsors The foundation of Project 412. These gifts pay for all operating and administrative expenses.

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Mike Brodsho Scott & Susan Busker Carlson Family Foundation Central Market Steve & Michelle Daggett Frank & Barb Foltz

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Foltz Logistics Ken & Helen Foltz Mark & Cindy Fritz Family Foundation Phil & Dianna Hansen Mike & Cheryl Hutchinson Matt & Jodie Johnson

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Lakeshirts Lakeside Tavern & Brewery Long Bridge Bar & Grill Dennis & Jeanne Lind Michelle & Terry Maier Ryan & Chelsea Manke

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Midwest Bank Dave & Deb Pratt PRO Resources The Fireside The Hotel Shoreham Zorbaz

White Caps Wave Makers who give $4120/year or more.

100% of this support goes back into the community for all the work we do!

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Action Fabricating, Inc Anonymous Boys & Girls Club Thrift Store Adrienne & Larry Buboltz Judith Cherry Gary & Paula Christensen

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Marsha Congdon Kathy Dickson Ross & Paula Gonitzke DL Hotel Group Eginton Family Charitable Fund

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Steve Evans and Annie Milnor Anthony & Karin Gambell Josh & Brook Herzog Hough, Inc. Matt & Jodie Johnson Karra & Nate Krump Malstrom Electric

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Mithun Family Foundation Pro Custom & Security Terry & Jane Stallman Amy & Mike Stearns Team Lab Dale & Denise Thompson VFW Post 1676 Washington Square Mall Webber Family Motors

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

– Fred Rogers

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Wave Makers These are all other Wave Maker gifts which also go 100% back into the community.

Every dollar is matched so your gift goes further!

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Accessories Unlimited Action Realty Bruce & Provi Airheart Janice & Joe Albanese American Family Insurance-Hedstrom Agency Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous At Ease Dock & Lift Paul & Joleen Backlund Yvonne Bakken Chris & Autumn Baumler Chuck & Diane Becker Bob & Bonnie Bekkerus Chris & Mara Bergen Tim & Cheri Bergien Del & Norma Bergseth Don Blanding Bluebird Books Natalie Bly Matt & Amy Boeke Hans & Sue Borstad Jason Boutwell Diana Brennan Bucks Mill Brewing Mary & Kenneth Brill Cindy & Jim Bruflodt Mitch & Jackie Buboltz Lisa & Charles Buck Jessica & Brian Burhans Sam & Allie Busker Shelby Busker Jim & Cheri Buus Vicki & Frank Callaghan Joyce Campbell & Skip Honke Erik & Teke Carlson Craig & Mary Beth Caulfield Nick Christenson Kurt & Chelsea Christianson Roger & Kimberly Christianson Chuck & Kari Collins Cotton Lake Association Bob & Christy Daggett Dave & Roxann Daggett Damien Society Design 2 Sell Detroit Lakes Lions Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary Ashley & John Drewes Holly & Wade Dutton David & Bobbi Edson Terry & Barb Eiter Jed & Amy Erickson Tom & Ann Erickson Marlene & Lucho Espejo Mary Ann Evans

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Every Runday, LLC Dr. Calvin K Fercho Family Foundation Brian & Abigail Ferdon Denise Fett Shirley Fihn Eric & Kristi Flyen John Flynn Steve & Rhonda Fode Kathryn Foltz Cathy Fritz Greta Fritz Mike & Wendy Fritz Kimberly Fuhs Steve Fuhs Eloyce & Gene Gaffney Emma Gergen Mary Beth & Hans Gilsdorf Bob & Diane Gorden Brad and Janet Green Haga Kommer, Ltd. Mark & Karen Hagen Michael & Katie Haggart Nancy Haggart Tom & Janice Haggart Peggy & Roy Hammerling Howard & Carla Hansen Norm & Lisa Hanson Marc Hartman Georgia Hecock (In Memory of Dick Hecock) Matt & Dianna Hedstrom Nancy & William Henke Jim & Judi Herk Michael Herzog Josh & Amy Hochgraber Keith & Pat Hochgraber Lucas & Mackenzie Hoffman Sarah & Jason Hofmann John Holland HomeSmart Adventure Realty David & Mary Hunter Dave & Terri Hutchinson Lauryl Ivers Jack Chivers Realty-Blake Olson Peter & Ann Jacobson Greg & Jenn Johnson Lucy Johnson & Tom Tollefson Tre’ Johnson Pam & Bob Jones John & Gail Jordan Bonnie Juma Kristal Kadrie Terry Kalil Dave & Maureen Karsnia Trish & Ron Kershner John & Renee Kerzman John & Ruth King

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Heather & Robert Klabunde Kerry & Sharon Kligerman Tom & Joyce Klyve James & Kristine Kenner Lee & Ellen Kensinger Kenny & Pam Krebs Jeff & Deb Krueger Patty & Dave LaBarre Lake Detroiters Assoc.

Lakes Community Co-op Lakes Sport Shop Tanner & Alyssa Lane Lauren & Garrett Larson John Leberman Adam & Sydney Lee Richard & Carol Lee Roger & Jan Lee Sheree Lenz Lew & Laurie Lewandowski LGM, LLC Lilac Homes Memory Care Mark & Roxann Lindquist Josh & Sara Loeffen Lucky Little Learners Lucky Penny Trading Eric & Katie Lundmark Kirk & Diane Lundmark Amy & Tom Lundberg Samantha Maier Garrett & Madison Malstrom Markuson-Baer Insurance Tom & Lori McCauley Andy & Kelsey McCombs Carmen & Kevin McCullough Kyle Meacham Meadowland Surveying Tom & Renee Michon Chris & Katie Miller Darlys & Ed Miller Becky & Kevin Mitchell Patty & Kent Mollberg Tom & Pam Mortenson Ellen Moses LeAnn & Brant Mouw Ron & Gwen Mueller Bryce Nelson Jade Nielsen Nancy Noben-Trauth Mike & Betsy Norby Holly & Chad Okeson Paul & Julia Okeson Sid & Laurie Olson Stu & Kathy Omberg Melissa & Dave Opsahl Jennifer Paulsrud Linda Pavek Ryan & Maree Pesch Pat Pfeifer PJ’s Properties-Rentals George & Sue Portilla

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Paul & Beth Pridday PRO Resources Judy Quam Daniel & Rebecca Rantanen RE/MAX Lakes Region - Lisa Jasken Kristi & Jon Riewer Sandi Roel Sam & Moriya Rufer Annette Robertson S & G Distributions Lori & Tim Sayler Steve & Sarah Schacht Vern & Adele Schnathorst Kelly & Mark Schiffner Paul & Carole Schornack Schultz Garage Kara & Joe Schumann Dan & Beth Schupp Tom & Mary Seaworth Charlie Seuntjens Kevin & Carol Shipley Mike Sidders James & Sharon Sinclair Jim & Deanna Sinclair Vicki & Kelly Skaurud Skin Detroit Lakes Michele & Jeff Sliper Ron & Sandy Sprafka Travis & Ashley Stone Jeff & Shelly Stowman Cindy & Brian Swanson Gregory & Christy Tehven The Hideaway Resort The Real Estate Company of DL The Real Estate Company of DL-Chris Nord Bob & Dani Thibodeaux Pete & Jayne Thielen Tom & Trish Thorson John & Karen Thorpe Tomlinson Schultz Trophy House Paula Trom Tom & Kari Tschider TS Dock & Lift United Savings Credit Union Andy & Nicole Van Dam George & Liz Van Dam Rich Warner Tom & Karolyn Watson Dave West and Cheryl Chivers Bill & Deb Wickum Annell & Kelly Williams Fred J. Williams Shawna & Gregory Willson Brad & Deb Wimmer Mitch & Deb Wimmer John & Connie Wood

Thank you to all these generous folks who have invested in our community!

What a fantastic list of people who want to Do Cool Stuff!

Imagine how much more we can do when you join us!

Turn the page to find out how you can become a Wave Maker today!

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Become a Wave Maker!

We can’t do this alone – nor should we! Let’s work together to make our community the best it can possibly be. Thanks to our foundational sponsors who support our operating expenses, each Wave Maker dollar is put 100% back into the community to “Do Cool Stuff” #DCS. As a Wave Maker donor, your financial support will be matched dollar for dollar by a local foundation so we can do even more Cool Stuff!

Make your year-end donation today to support our efforts, receive the added benefit of reducing your taxable income, and to help us make an incredible impact in the coming year!

Help Us Reach Our Goal of Creating 412 Wave Makers!

If paying by check, return completed form with payment to: Project 412, 806 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Donation Amount: o $412 Pledge:

o $4,120

o Other _________

o 4 Year- 12 Month Commitment (5 Years

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OR o One Time Donation Business Name _____________________________ Phone _________________ Donor Name ___________________________ E-mail ______________________ (Optional) Spouse Name________________ E-mail ______________________ Mailing Address _____________________________________________________ Many Ways to Donate! o Online at: Project412MN.org o Check enclosed payable to Project 412 o Venmo @Project412 o I want to set up an ACH payment plan o Charge my credit card #_________________________________________________ Exp. Date _______ /_______ CVC _______ Billing Zip ________________ How do you want to be recognized for your support? o Name: _________________________________________ o Anonymous Donor

Thank you for supporting Project 412!

Project 412 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with Tax ID # 88-3176887.

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www.Project412MN.org ©2024 Project 412