Is Starry Stonewort coming closer?

Have a bit of time this Saturday morning? (8/19/23).

Join many Aitkin County residents and lakeshore owners to discover more information (and a hands on opportunity) about Starry Stonewort, an invasive species that spreads rapidly, creates health issues for lakes, and issues for lakeshore owners.

Check out this link, call the Aitkin County SWCD to tell them of your interest, or consider bringing a friend and helping to check out local lakes, including ours, with their shared knowledge and expertise.

Some LLPOA members have attended past events and some will attend this one at Clear Lake in the Glen, MN area……not far at all. less than 7 miles east on county road 12.

9:00 a.m., this Saturday, August, 19.

Information from the Aitkin Age

What is your Lone Lake design? Lone Lake makes me think of...

As time flies, we all appreciate exciting gear representing our favorite teams, cities, schools, states…..and LAKES!

Time now to help design the new Lone Lake gear. Get your creative juices flowing!

Some families have designed their own, others have looked on and wished for something portraying Lone Lake.

Contest is now open. Rules are simple:

1. Create a design of your own….no plagiarism (using a design already used for another purpose)….something that incorporates Lone Lake into the design. If you would like to use the Lone Lake logo - contact us via email and we will send you the artwork.

2. Colors are your choice.

3. This design will be shared with all via our online store for purchase. Online shirts (adults & kid sizes), mugs, hats, wall art, magnets…..

4. Online ordering will begin in October, right in time for that holiday season.

5. The winner will receive a free membership for 2024 to LLPOA. (We have heard that those who are children, grandchildren, relatives and friends of all sorts who have entered a LLPOA contest have traded that free membership to the lakeshore owners they know in exchange for wonderful treats!)

6. Contest starts now, ends at midnight, September 15, 2023

7. Email your design to lonelakepoa@gmail.com

Winner will be determined by a vote open to all LLPOA members towards the end of September. Good luck to all!

Another LLPOA step into technology!

A new Facebook page has been created based on feedback from the last owners’ survey. It was suggested we develop a Facebook page/group where members could:

• Share photos

• Ask questions about recent weather, electric status, etc. around the lake

• Ask about service providers used or recommendation on service providers

• Share information on lost/found items

• Etc
  

Below is the information for you to use on your Facebook account to find the new group. This is a private group so new users will need to request to join and be asked a question on two. It is open to Lone Lake property owners and their friends/family.  

Lone Lake Fans | Aitkin, MN | Facebook

Check it out and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

(FYI, it already works well —both a beautiful photo of the super moon and a lost ski and life jacket found their owner. Two different Lone Lake families shared their finds and both were returned to the owner, a guest at a cabin. Thanks to the honesty and effort of our lakeshore owners.)

Steve’s final presidential summary 😊

We had an amazing day to hold this year’s annual meeting. The weather, food, speaker and member turnout was great. It was the perfect ending to my 22 year presidency with some surprises, lots of emotion and a large cake donated by Mike Paulbeck! We honored Gloria Paulbeck and Dave Rued’s memory. Our speaker was Dave McMillan from the Long Lake Conservation Center who described the LLCC and also filled in for our other guest speaker (who fell ill), on the topic of Viewing the Northern Summer Sky.

The annual meeting was called to order and I delivered the state of the association and highlights from the past 22 years. Walt Weisser presented the Distinguished Service Award as he was the one who convinced me to become involved in the LLPOA and then to run for president. Several of the LLPOA Board gave emotional testimonials and presented a gift certificate for me to plant two apple trees that my departed wife always wanted. Yes, there were tears.   

A board recommendation to create a past president advisory position was passed and the board of directors then gave short reports on the year and the LLPOA election was held. A unanimous ballot motion was made and we elected:

• Tiffany Frazier as President

• Linda Szymanski as Treasurer

• Beth-Anne Rowe as Communications Director

• David Scott as Water Quality Team Leader

• Barb Dusbabek as AIS Team Leader

• Bob Burgmeier as Delegate at Large

The organizational meeting of the new board will meet August 12th to finish out this year and start planning for next year.

I personally would like to thank Paulbeck’s Country Market for our delish food at a discount and Mike for the gift of the carrot cake. Also we thank our host Dick Preiner for the use of his amazing facility. Finally, I would like to thank our incredible current and past LLPOA board members and all of you for your involvement, and in the LLPOA. I have loved being your president and look forward to where our new leaders will take us in the future.

See you on the lake!
Steve Frazier, Past President, LLPOA

New LLPOA President’s message 😃

Hello friends of Lone Lake!

I'm excited to step into the presidential role and get to know all of you! Connection is so important for our lake community, so this year’s theme is:

You're never alone on Lone Lake!

I'll be thinking up some fun events to propose to the board at our August 12th meeting. If you have an idea of something fun to do on or around the lake, feel free to email me! tiffanylynfrazier@gmail.com

Have a safe and wonderful summer!
Tiffany

Lone Lake Mid-summer news to stay in the know!

• Lone Lake hats and Lone Lake historical review books…..see photos above and below, are still available. $5 hats (limited colors). Books are $40 (color) and $20 (B&W). 2005 printing but history hasn’t changed, just further back and more historical! Email lonelakepoa@gmail.com of your interest.

Some interested people would like to add more history to this amazing publication. Interested in joining them? Let us know with an email to lonelakepoa@gmail.com

• Aitkin Riverboat Day are coming! August 3-5. Dump Run 5k, Saturday parade, city-wide events, lots of activities for all.

• Have you noticed Lone Lake water clarity has diminished? That is normal for this time of the year. Secchi disc reading was “only” 20 feet. (Remember this compares to 4-6 feet in many area lakes.). Less water (see below) contains more of our pollutants. Please keep a strip of unmowed/natural vegetation next to the water. No fertilizer either. Thanks to bigger boats for staying in the middle of the lake….less turnover of lake bottom materials.

• With rainfall this year about 5 inches below normal, Lone Lake continues to be lower than desired. 1 inch of water on an acre of land is about 27,000 gallons. With Lone Lake being 448 acres, 1 inch across the lake is over 9 million gallons. A sunny day can evaporate an inch of water as well. Easy to see another reason to worry about drought conditions. We need rain.

• We still have the grant opportunity in 2023 for one willow wattle shoreline improvement project. Please email lonelakepoa@gmail.com by July 31 with your lot number and contact information.

Interested in a coir log for your shoreline? Coir logs are made of natural fibers, containing no chemicals or pollutants. Life span of a log can be 2-5-8 years or more. Blocking waves to reduce erosion is their purpose. Most likely you have seen them at construction sites, hillsides, and streams. “Google” coir logs for assorted videos and information. Read more here  

LLPOA is considering a bulk purchase if interest is shown. Please email lonelakepoa@gmail.com by August 5 with your name and lot number if interested. These choices; (willow wattle and coir,) will be on the board agenda, very helpful to know if Lone Lake has interested property owners.

Thinking September? Please add the annual fall road clean-up to your calendar for Saturday, September 9th. 9:00 a.m. Join your neighbors to assist with the perimeter road cleaning of Lone Lake before winter. (Date doesn’t work for you? Let us know in an email that you have/will clean a certain section.) The pandemic taught us that flexibility is the key. Thanks for your help! Delicious (donated…thanks!) Paulbeck’s bakery treats and coffee for you on September 9th..

Pictured are the traveling trophies for the LLPOA boat parade and dock decorating contests. Next year they could be proudly displayed at your cabin. Start your plan now for 2024!

Spiny water flea & water rafts

Reminders from Aitkin County…….

Some Lone Lake property owners got a surprise last week. County inspectors checked swim rafts/slides, etc. that are left on the lake overnight for their registration with the county. Those unregistered raft owners received a reminder that Aitkin County requires you to register the anchored item with them each year. $2/year, sold in 5 year blocks. More information click here

Also a reminder was given to some boat “captains” that MInnesota law requires all children under age 10 to wear the life jacket, not just have it along in the boat. Keep the kids safe!

A Sneaky Cloning Culprit…..not yet in Lone Lake but time to be aware.

We continue to be vigilant for zebra mussels, but what do you know about the spiny waterflea? Thanks to the Aitkin Age, hopefully more county residents are aware of this critter that will hitch a ride on or in your watercraft. Read this

Another reason for a hot bath after using another lake and returning to Lone Lake and our need for inspection at the landing. One such machine is located(on summer weekends) at the nearby Spirit Lake public boat landing. Please read the link above to be more aware. Another way to show you care about your lake.

Safety on Lone Lake

Lone Lake facts: 

• 448 acres of water

• many bays

• the narrows

• a public landing

• a public beach

• some shallow areas

• some deep areas

All used by more than 15 types of equipment and the human body.

How do we share?

Those sunny, calm days. Your dream day from January..

Basic common sense is the most used answer. But what does that mean?

• Stay right when meeting and passing

• Dusk, dawn, night must have lights

• Floating rafts (Aitkin County law) must have reflectors and be registered

• Speed harms? How many watercraft make Lone Lake “busy” for you? An opinion but keep it in mind.

• Life jackets—can yours be seen when in the water? Sun, reflection, and time of day sometimes make certain colors tough to see when in the lake

• Required life jackets under age 10. Not a choice—-state law.

• Jet ski (PWC) hours 9:30 A.M. to 1 HOUR BEFORE sunset MN State law

• Boats, watch your speed within 100 feet of shoreline. Almost no wake. Do your part to control erosion. This is a concern from many owners.

• Watching for swimmers? 448 acres also available to swim/float/tread water

• Swimmers—common sense—if in a normal boat lane of traffic, have a boat of some sort accompany you

• Fishing?—the fish bite location varies. Make sure your watercraft is seen.

• Boats without motors have priority over boats with motors due to steering/speed issues. Motor boats please slow down when in their presence—lessen that wake for others

• Wake boats easily can swamp even pontoons, speed boats and their tuber/skier. etc. Wake boats please stay in deep water to help eliminate huge wakes on shorelines.

• Skiers—drivers should help you have a safe passage with a space cushion around you. Don’t ski through areas meant as a beach.

• Lone Lake narrows—Everyone— a good place for polite consideration of others. Practice your “tricks” out in open water, not shutting down that passage.

Why? Every so often you hear about some of the scary and horrible accidents that happen on a lake. Let’s keep Lone Lake safe for everyone.

Important Dates and Times to Know

All of June

Watch for the LLPOA membership volunteer at your door, often leaving a membership form if they have missed you. Let’s work together to keep Lone Lake clean. Click here for online membership link. Thanks

June 16-17

June 16. Rivers & Lakes Fair needs volunteers to set up at Long Lake Conservation center. Call Aitkin County SWCD @ 218-927-7284 to let them know you can help.

June 17. Rivers and Lakes Fair. 9am-2pm. Bring the family to one of the best Aitkin area outdoor events. Long Lake Conservation Center. Mushrooms, dragon flies, spiders, and loons are some of the 2023 presentations available. AIS and other topics also featured at numerous booths and displays. Free.

July 4

July 4. 8:30 a.m. Annual Lone Lake triathlon. Public beach. Swim, run, bike. Teams or individuals. All are invited to participate or cheer on the competitors.

July 4. 12 Noon. Annual LLPOA boat parade. Decorate your boat (of any type) or your dock to celebrate our freedoms. Meet at the public landing by noon to circle the lake for the dockside spectators. Bad weather cancelled the 2022 event so all are looking forward to your entry. Boats will head west (clockwise). Please add your lot number to your entry for the dock and boat competition.

July 5-8

Aitkin County Fair at the fairgrounds in Aitkin. Fun for all, give it a try.

July 15

11 a.m. Annual LLPOA meeting. Preiner’s garage (thanks) again will be the site of this lunch and presentation. Come visit with Lone Lake neighbors and make new friends. Nothing to bring.

2023 brings with it the opportunity for assistance with your shoreline renovation. Losing too much shoreline due to erosion, etc? Please contact LLPOA with your information and some assistance may be available. lonelakepoa@gmail.com

Spring Road Cleanup 2023

Our Spring Road Cleanup was a huge success with 19 members enjoying coffee and rolls compliments of Paulbeck’s Market. We treasured the help from the two young men who worked hard at collecting garbage and dogs who accompanied others! The roads and ditches around Lone Lake are now cleaned of winter debris. Even a boat cover was found and returned to its owner, thanks to our Facebook readers. Thanks to all who participated either on the planned date and those who walk often and pick up items throughout the year.

Steve Frazier showing off his lake rake for leaves