Maple Ridge Produce expands

At the lake you can eat well and buy local, too

It has been a busy year for Erik Heimark and Jay Rigdon at Maple Ridge Produce, 29555 380th Ave. “We didn’t anticipate breaking even our first year on the farm,” said Erik. “But thanks to so many enthusiastic customers, we were able to not only break even and make a little profit.”

Erik and Jay in the almost-finished farm stand

As a result, they decided to expand their garden to just over two acres, build a green house, and a new farm stand at the corner of County Road 81 and Township Road 1028.

In addition to produce, this year the farm stand will include:

• A mini-fridge for farm-fresh eggs
• A refrigerator/freezer for produce, breads, and frozen meats
• Products from other farms such as home-made soap, maple syrup, USDA inspected pork and beef...and even goat!
• A card reader for credit and debit cards (we have to be home to use it though)
• A guest book for suggestions, comments, and questions
• A weekly recipe of the week

Last summer’s bounty of squash, melons and other veggies.

The stand will open Memorial Day weekend. Look for fresh cut rhubarb and asparagus, vegetable and flower starts, hanging flower baskets, jellies, jams, and relishes, homemade soap, farm-fresh meats, and our Maple Ridge breads!  “We look forward to seeing you throughout the growing season!” said Erik.

This year Maple Ridge Produce will also be hosting the Sustainable Farming Association's annual summer picnic. SFA would like to invite the Lone Lake Association members to join them for a potluck picnic extravaganza at Maple Ridge Produce on Saturday,  July 8th from 3-7 pm.

At this picnic you will be able to meet a variety of other local farmers in the area and see what they have to offer.  “It’ll be great to see you all there!”

For more information, contact Erik Heimark, Maple Ridge Produce at mapleridgeproduce@gmail.com or call 218-232-1303

Fun Facts from the lake

Please welcome Beth-Anne Rowe to the LLPOA board of directors!

Independence Day Boat Parade will be on Saturday, July 1 at Noon (NOT on the 4th of July).

Memorial Day Weekend: LLPOA Membership drive begins. Please welcome your door-to-door membership volunteers!

This year’s LLPOA annual meeting and picnic will be on Saturday, July 22 starting at 11 a.m. More details to come.

ICE WENT ON THE LAKE: December 10, 2016

ICE CAME OFF THE LAKE:     April 4, 2017 (see more historical dates here)

LAKE ELEVATION on May 10, 2017 was 1,264.23 ft.  The Ordinary High Water Mark is 1,264.6 ft.

LAKE CLARITY: the Secchi disk reading on May 10, 2017 was 28 feet

Neighborhood Crime Watch signs installed

You may have noticed the Neighborhood Crime Watch signs that appeared in the Lone Lake vicinity late last year.  They are posted to deter intruders by stating that “We immediately report all suspicious activity to our Sheriff’s Office.” Dave Scott, board member who coordinated the effort, said “Now you are supposed to watch and call the Sheriff.” Ten signs were erected in 2016.  The Aitkin County engineer donated several sign posts.

High water threatens water quality, erodes shorelines

Last August Lone Lake residents made willow wattles, a tied bundle of just-cut willow, alder and other young woody trees, which are staked just at the shoreline to capture organic matter from the lake and break wave action. Native plants, typically planted behind the wattle, set down deep roots and become established. Wattles can also be used on steep slopes on the land. (Pictured from front to back) Dave Scott, Carrie Van Slooten, Shelley Larson, Dean Frost, Julie Nelson and Kathryn Engdahl carry a newly made willow wattle from shore to lake.

Living on Lone Lake, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy a lake that has some of the clearest waters in Minnesota.  It’s not uncommon to be able to see 30 feet down into the water on a summer’s day.  We have not been plagued with blooms of algae or excessive plant growth -- a sign of too much phosphorus in the lake – that is caused by soil erosion, lawn fertilizer, decomposition of leaves at the shore, and other pollution running off the land.

But with more frequent spikes of higher than normal water levels, which we’ve been experiencing since 2014, shoreline erosion threatens to create more runoff from the land, and the pollution that is carried with it.  Even before the heavy rains of May 16-19, the lake was already just about 4 inches below our lake’s Ordinary High Water Mark.

“The shore land zone where you live is the lake’s first line of defense,” according to the Aitkin County Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Lake Stewardship. “What you and your neighbors do--or don’t do—on your shoreland property can have a significant impact on the quality of the lake.  Managing water quality means managing the land use around the lake to reduce the amount of pollution that enters the lake.”

Reed Canary Grass is a non-native invasive grass that crowds out more beneficial deep-rooted shoreline plants. Its blades are 1/2” wide, and the leaves stand up vertically. It is good to remove it — but don’t pull it because it will disturb the bank. Instead, “swipe” the leaves using rubber gloves and a cloth with a product like Rodeo if near the water, or make a home mix of Dawn detergent, vinegar and salt.

With persistent high water, “it’s really been challenging the last few years,” said Shelley Larson, preservation expert with Hayland Woods Nursery.  “We’ve been seeing water quality decline in lakes.” Shelley will be leading a second educational session and hands-on workshop to teach us about lakeshore preservation strategies and techniques at the lake on Saturday, June 10 starting at 10 a.m. Location: Dave Scott’s home at 29789 380th Ave. (Location may change – details will be published via email.)

New techniques, borrowed from nature, are replacing rip-rap, the traditional rock-based shore protection approach. “The old idea of rip-rap…the ice just shoves it back and eventually it just collapses,” she said. Instead, today, homeowners are encouraged to use natural woody materials such as fiber bundles and willow-wattles along the lakeshore. Planting native plants in the water and along the shoreline will “protect the toe,” she explained – the place where the water meets the lake.”  They will “absorb the energy of the waves.”

With Shelley’s guidance and funds from an Aitkin Co. Soil and Water conservation grant, a LLPOA team is working with interested homeowners to assess their lots and shorelines, and recommend erosion control and planting approaches.

If you are interested in participating and/or learning more, please attend the June 10 workshop, and/or contact Dave Scott at 218-927-2967, or Jennifer O’Neill at 218-839-6825. We will be publishing more information on our web site throughout the year: www.lonelake.org.

DNR walleye stocking strategy on Lone Lake

Marty Cook, LLPOA board member, provided details on a new DNR plan for Lone Lake stocking offered by Rick Bruesewitz of the local DNR office. The new approach will be closely monitored by the DNR to see if it will improve our walleye fishery.  Rick has agreed to update us as they learn results from the new approach. “LLPOA thanks Rick Bruesewitz and the DNR for all their help in the stocking program for Lone Lake,” said Steve Frazier, association president.

Independence Day fun starts with boat parade

Hi Lone Lakers,

Unbelievable! The 4th of July is right around the corner. The LLPOA Board of Directors wishes you a wonderful Independence Day weekend on Lone Lake.

Several activities are planned:

• Boat parade on Saturday, June 30 at noon. Boats should start at the public boat launch
• Lone Lake Triathlon on Tuesday, July 4 at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the swimming beach. No pre-registration.
• Boat inspections at the public boat launch Friday through Tuesday, conducted by Aitkin County AIS boat inspectors.
• And…down the road…on Saturday, July 22 the LLPOA Annual Meeting and Potluck

We are holding the boat parade on Saturday to take advantage of the time in which most members will be having events and company at their cabins.  Bob and Bobby Kosloski will judge and snap photos of festivities.  Entrants can win in three categories:  Best decorated pontoon, best decorated speedboat and best decorated dock.  We will engrave your name on the traveling trophy for that category and you can keep it for the year for bragging rights! And don’t forget to come down to your dock to watch and catch the goodies.

The Lone Lake Mini-Triathlon organized by the VanSlooten families and sponsored by LLPOA starts at swimming beach at 8:30 a.m.  Participants can join as a team or do the swim, bike and run events

individually.  Just come and do it – no pre-registration is required.  We encourage members to come out and compete and/or cheer-on the competitors.  The LLPOA awards 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals to the winners and the winners are featured in the newsletter.

The work side of the LLPOA goes on throughout the year even while everyone is out having weekend fun.  We thank Linda Szymanski our AIS inspection coordinator for organizing our member volunteers and County AIS boat inspectors throughout the summer and specifically on the big 4th of July weekend.

I want to thank all the people who have given time and talent to making Lone Lake a wonderful place.  Our LLPOA runs completely on volunteers.  We can’t thank these volunteers enough.  It takes courage to do something you’ve never done before and join up with people you don’t know.  It also takes time – and for many of us, we’re at the cabin to relax and escape from weekday obligations.  So, let’s thank our neighbors who pitch in to keep Lone a great lake and community.

Many of us are getting up in age, and we need some of the 40, 50 and 60 year-olds to step up and help out – whether it’s serving on the board, helping out at the public launch, keeping the outgoing-water culvert clear, writing stories for the newsletter or web site, taking water samples, or leading on improvements and service projects.  We need you.

A final note: On July 22 at 11 a.m. we will be holding our Annual Meeting and Potluck.The Annual Meeting is always a fun meeting with great food, information and a good way to meet with neighbors and to get lake association news. We hope to see you there!

Finally, thank you for your LLPOA membership as all of us work together to enhance, protect and preserve the beauty of Lone Lake.
We’ll see you on the lake! — Steve Frazier, LLPOA President.

Inspectors examine 25 watercraft

Thanks to everyone who volunteered for inspections on Memorial Day weekend.  The weather was cool and rainy, but that did not stop boats for entering or leaving the lake.  The team conducted 25 inspections over two days.  We had 60% coverage over the weekend, far from our in-kind goal of 90% volunteer coverage.  The county picked up two of the open shifts on Saturday so in total we ended up with 80% coverage.

Of the 25 inspections:

• 17 were lake owners launching their watercraft for the summer;
• 8 watercraft belonged to people visiting or fishing for the day or weekend.  Of these, the boaters reported that they were last in one of four local lakes: Cedar, Sugar, Ripple and Round.  Of these lakes, Round is known to have zebra mussels.  Thanks go to Steve and Karen Frazier, who informed the individuals that a very thorough inspection would need to be conducted on their watercraft.  The individuals elected to leave and not be inspected.  Great save, Steve and Karen.

Remember that emergency brake!

One other unusual event occurred over the weekend.  Late Monday afternoon, two individuals came to view the lake from the access.  Somehow, the small pickup they were driving was either left in neutral or the brakes failed.  The truck started rolling and went in the lake almost to the point of going completely underwater.  A tow truck was called and the truck was pulled from the lake about 3 hours later. Unfortunately, we did not think to inspect the truck or ask what lake it was last in.  Hopefully it had been more than two weeks. Everyone was okay.

Again, thanks to everyone for your time over Memorial Day weekend.
-- From Linda Syzmanski, AIS coordinator

County grant helps Lone Lake residents with shore land

In the June 10th workshop,Lone Lake participants learned how to use inexpensive, natural materials to prevent erosion and build back shoreline.

“The shoreland zone where you live is the lake’s first line of defense,” according to the Aitkin County Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Lake Stewardship.  A healthy shoreline helps to keep lake water clear and combats erosion caused by loss of natural vegetation, high water, waves and ice-action.

In 2016 LLPOA received a $5,000 grant from the Aitkin County Soil and Water Conservation District to help residents stabilize and prevent shoreline erosion. Funds can be applied to land and shoreline assessments, planning, and plant or other material purchases.  The grant funded a shoreline workshop in June attended by 17 lake residents, and another workshop held last summer.  The lake association must provide 25% of project funding, which can be met through volunteer hours.

RESOURCES FOR NATIVE PLANTS
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/mcbs/plant_lists.html
http://www.prairieresto.com/CategoryList.php?cID=12

One Lone Lake project has been started on the Burgmeier property.  In this situation, berms will be created to stabilize soil; willow wattle will be made and installed in the lake; and, native, deep-rooted vegetation will be planted along the slopes and shoreline to filter run-off that comes across the property into the lake.  The Burgmeiers and others will match 25% of the grant with other related improvements and volunteer hours. Several other projects are being evaluated for summer completion.

Left: Participants gathered and tied alder, willow and other woody plants into a long sausage-like willow waddle, which was staked into the water near the shore edge.

Right: Shelley Larson, shoreline protection consultant, points out the beneficial shoreline plants, such as sedges and blue flag irises.

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If you are interested in learning more about the shoreline protection initative, and feel your property can benefit from shoreline improvements, please contact Dave Scott at (218) 927-2967 or Jennifer O’Neill at (218) 839-6825.

• Leave trees and snags that have fallen into the lake as is, unless they create a boating hazard.  Woody vegetation traps other materials that eventually build up the shoreline. And, importantly, it supports the fishery. “Undeveloped lakeshores have lots of trees in shallow water around the shoreline and generally have more and larger fish and a more diverse and observable wildlife community,” states the MN DNR.
• Don’t pull up stumps near the shoreline.  It disrupts the ground and soil can quickly erode and wash into the lake.
• Aquatic plants in the lake will break choppy waves. If you have bull rushes or water lilies, maintain them.  You will have a quiet space.
• Reed Canary Grass is a shallow-rooted, non-native grass that prevents deep-rooted plants from getting established.  It should be removed using water-safe products, such as “Rodeo.”
• Anyone who has muskrat damage should plant Blue Flag Iris. Muskrats hate them and will leave your shoreline alone.
• The DNR should approve of any planting done IN the lake.  Contact your local DNR office.  However, you may install willow wattle in the lake, near your shoreline, without their approval.
• If you have rock “rip-rap,” you can plant right into the spaces between the rocks.  You can even shove stems of willows and red-osier dogwood right into the water, and they will grow.  The plants will help to stabilize the banks.

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From Shelley Larson, Minnesota shoreline protection specialist:

“Wild Blue Flag Iris are blooming like crazy in the roadside ditches right now in your area. If you would be interested in keeping track of big patches and collecting seed, they are very easy to grow from seed and you could produce large numbers of plants.  Bonus: If muskrats bother your shoreline, they are one of the best soil stabilizers/muskrat repellants to plant at the water’s edge behind the willow wattle. The seedpods turn brown and then split open – then the seeds are ready. All you need to do is throw them in a seed flat filled with garden soil and store it outside this winter. They will come up next spring. They won’t get very big the first year but still could be planted out on shorelines. They’ll be fine and protective of your shoreline, as the water level bounces up and down.“ 
This could be a real help to our water quality and they are beautiful, to boot!

Summer’s almost here - Plenty happening in ‘17

(l to r) Karen Frazier, Edna Baker, Jennifer O’Neill, Jerry Baker, Roy Carlson and Dianne Weisser display the spruce, balsam and dogwood seedlings given away to members on May 7, 2017.

Hi Lone Lakers,
Welcome to another wonderful year on Lone Lake.

LLPOA started the season early on Sunday, May 7 with the Road Clean-up and a Tree Giveaway event, which kicked off our “protect your shoreline” summer theme.  Due to schedule conflicts and the arrival of our bare-root trees, the LLPOA board decided to start the summer’s activities a week earlier than our usual 2nd week in May.  We had a beautifully clear day in the upper 60’s.  Twenty-five members took part in the Road Clean-up with many new faces on the cleaning crews.  Everyone enjoyed chatting with neighbors over coffee and rolls before taking off for their cleaning assignments.  About 35 members took advantage of the Tree Giveaway -- White Pine, Dogwood, Red and White Spruce, and Balsam Pines were on offer.  We want to give special thanks Walt and Dianne Weisser for organizing the cleaning teams and putting signs on the roads, Beth-Anne Rowe for the coffee; Karen and Steve Frazier for the rolls; and David Scott for ordering and getting the trees for the event.

Our next events will take place over the Memorial Day weekend. LLPOA will be doing boat inspections for aquatic invasive species (AIS) the entire weekend from Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29 as part of our responsibility for funding of the Aitkin County AIS Inspection Program.  Our member volunteers need to provide 10% of summer inspections to qualify for the grant.  Lone Lake volunteer inspectors work with boaters at the public launch on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekends to meet our funding requirement.  So if you have not signed-up yet please do so by contacting our LLPOA AIS inspection coordinator Linda Szymanski (ljsatthecabin@msn.com).  Let’s fill all of the inspection 3-hour shifts and protect Lone Lake from zebra mussels and other AIS intruders!

Thanks to the 2017 Road Clean-Up Crew! Your neighbors made this spring’s trash clean-up event a big success! On hand were Dick Preiner, Linda Kics, Dzint Kics, Liz and Ian Hawkinson, Dave Rowe, Beth-Anne Rowe, Barb Schlagel, Jim Benda, Karen Bretzman Prell, Kathryn Engdahl, Dean Frost, Walt Weisser, Dianne Weisser, Dave Bendorf, Michele Bendorf, Dave Scott, Dave Hawkinson, Jerry Baker, Edna Baker, Roy Carlson, Jeff Habercorn, Jennifer O’Neill and Hunter.

On Memorial Day weekend we will also be contacting residents for our annual LLPOA membership drive.  We have a great group of member volunteers that will be stopping by to request your $25 membership renewals.  We had 131 members join last year and we urge you to join again this year as we all work together to fulfill our mission to enhance, protect and preserve the beauty of Lone Lake for the future.  We have lots of things planned for this year and will be highlighting them in upcoming News Briefs.

Let me know your thoughts at sfrazier@usjet.net or on our Facebook page. Thanks for your support and we’ll talk again later.

Steve Frazier, LLPOA President.

June President's Letter

Hi Lone Lakers,

What a beautiful summer on Lone Lake! I know it’s tempting to spend every single minute at the lake in the summer, but we want to draw your attention to an event in downtown Aitkin that’s worth a few hours of your time. That is the Aitkin Rivers and Lakes Fair, which will be this Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It focuses on lake, environmental, and recreational topics that are critical to a healthy lake community. Please strongly consider attending it. Our lake association is a proud sponsor.

The annual event is a collaborative effort of many lake associations, area businesses and governmental entities. Many Lone Lake residents volunteer at the Rivers and Lakes Fair. We especially appreciate Steve Hughes and Janet Smude, of the Aitkin County Soil and Water Conservation District, for their leadership and organizational work. There are activities to appeal to adults and children alike.

Thank you also for your renewed membership in the LLPOA. We hope you have been contacted by one of our membership team members and received your “Clean, Drain and Dry” sign for your dock. If we missed you, please fill out the membership form at the end of the newsletter and send it and your $25 to LLPOA, P.O. Box 10, Aitkin, MN 56431.

Protecting our lake is everyone’s job! We still need boat inspectors for the 4th of July weekend, the non-holiday weekend of July 22-24 and Labor Day weekend. Contact Linda Szymanski, LLPOA AIS coordinator, at ljsatthecabin@msn.com listing the days and times that will work for you. If you are open to any day/time, please respond with this information, as well.

Finally the 4th of July Weekend is right around the corner. The annual Boat Parade will be on July 2nd at noon. We hold the parade on Saturday so that more members can take part and enjoy the parade. However, the Lone Lake Triathlon will be held on Monday, July 4th at 8:30 at the swimming beach. We’ll let you know more about it in the next newsletter. See you at the lake!

Steve Frazier, LLPOA President