President’s message: Nov 8, 2020

By LLAA's President, Carolynne C. White. (Source: Fall Newsletter)
 

To start this article with a statement about how “odd”, “weird”, or “nerve wracking” this year has been, would hardly even cover the range of upset to our lives since the last newsletter. But during this bizarre time, Long Lake was abuzz with families and activities. It has been years since I have seen so many people water skiing or wakeboarding and not just pulling big tubes around. There was a lot of fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and even some sailing -- Families trying to make the best of pandemic.

Then we found Zebra Mussels at the south end. 
(See two articles about Zebra Mussels further on in this newsletter.)


What a summer! Hopefully the winter season will help us all find some calm and keep everyone in good health.


The lake was not the only place to spend time outside. During the summer there were more families out hiking in our tree farm. People would stop to ask permission to walk the trails, but many also asked, “What does that sign mean?". The sign says, “Delpha Hays White School Forest”. 

Delpha was my grandmother who came to Long Lake about 1929. She and my grandfather, Harold, were caretakers for the Pine Haven Beach Development. When the Development project failed during the Depression, they stayed on this land and as they could, they bought the out lots to the west of them. The main goal was to keep the area forested and not build on it. In the 1970s Minnesota enacted a tax plan to encourage people to use their lands to grow trees and preserve habitats. My grandmother was never one to spend money unnecessarily, especially on taxes, so she contacted the DNR and one of their foresters, Alan Wickman, came out to inspect the land between County 6 and Chippewa Loop. A plan was written up to show how a tree farm would benefit the land, the wildlife, and the people. The trails, made to be used in case of a fire, became wonderful walking and cross-country ski trails which we are glad to share with our neighbors. {But please no motorized vehicles.}

When my father retired and moved back here, he contacted one of the 5th grade teachers in Park Rapids. They arranged field trips for the kids to the tree farm. At the end of the trip each kid planted a 2-inch pine tree next to a stake with their name on it. Thus, it became an unofficial school forest. Unfortunately, only about 10 of those trees survived as the soil in the meadow proved to be of very poor quality. But those trees that survived add to the lovely view over our “beaver pond”. (There were actual beavers there about 5 years ago, but they have moved on.) The Tree Farm is now a MN Land Trust property, www.mnland.org.

If you want more information and pictures about the Tree Farm check out this page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/White-Family-Trust-Tree-Farm-100228668545910
(You will have to log in on your Facebook account to view this link.)

 

 

Q & A Webinar on Zebra Mussels with Nicole Kovar

On October 22nd we welcomed LLAA members to our Q&A on Zebra Mussels with Nicole Kovar, the Northwest Region Invasive Species Specialist. She has been in this role since 2014 in the MN DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division.   
 
Nicole received her bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University in East Lansing. Prior to becoming an invasive species specialist, Nicole worked for the MN DNR Wildlife Section for nine years in the shallow lakes program monitoring and managing aquatic habitat to benefit waterfowl and other wildlife. 
 
Nicole and her colleague Mark Ranweiler, an invasive species specialist from the Fergus Falls DNR office, used scuba gear to confirm adult zebra mussels at the south access here on Long Lake.   
 
Thank you, Nicole for sharing your expertise with us in our Q & A session.
 

 Watch Nicole's full Webinar on YouTube Here

 Below is a follow up letter from Nicole answering 4 questions asked by participants of the webinar

Hi there,

It’s always my pleasure and I’m very glad it’s useful!  Let me know anytime you’d need something similar done again.

1.   Filters can be found more readily through online sellers.  The type used are poly or nylon mesh bag filters (sock filters) that could be fitted right over the metal screen on the intake.  The size micron bags recommended are between 25 and 40 micron.  The earlier life stage of the mussels (1-2 days called trocophores) are 40 microns small.  A 25 micron filter has been shown effective to block most veligers in trials.  The higher number of micron the “harder” the draw on the irrigation pump so a person should keep that in mind.  25 might be the best compromise between filtering capability and ease to the pump.  If the filter makes the pump fail, there’s no sense to blocking the ZEB that may make the pump fail.  Here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/FSI-BPONG25X01-Filter-Micron-Polypropylene/dp/B008YHX224 .  I don’t recommend this over any other and I think a person should shop around for what suits their needs, making sure the size fits the intake screen.  It could be secured with the appropriate size hose clamp over the existing screen.  These would also require cleaning periodically as silt and debris will accumulate.

2.  This link https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais_transport.html  shows you the first three general permits would be most applicable for shoreline residents in different situations.  First one would be if maybe a resident raked up AIS from the shoreline but wanted to take it off the property to, say, the transfer station compost pile.  Second one would be for boats and third one would be for equipment, even if to go to their own address but they will be using the PWA and traveling down the road.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIMGrwZI8sc This is an example of a zebra mussel rejecting harmful algae.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SK5amoShPE&lc=Ugx_HQdScLZ8ACjWowp4AaABAg this is of Quagga but same theory.  The one I remember seeing was given in a presentation and I can’t find it online at the moment.  It was more of a microscope view.  I’ll keep searching to see if I can find it.

4.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwd6xdcwX2c This video is of Gobies eating ZEB.  Gobies are harmful invasives and also from the Black and Caspian Seas.  They are a historic predator of zebra mussels.

Please let me know if any additional questions come up.

Best and Be well!

Nicole 

Restore the Shore Tree/shrub/plant Orders for May 2021

 

The 2020 deadline for submitting your "Restore the Shore" Tree Order Form and payment for the delivery of trees in the Spring 2021 is coming up on Tuesday October 20, 2020.

Please mail your "2021 INDIVIDUAL Order Form" with your check (payable to "LLAA") to the following address: Long Lake Area Association PO Box 808 Park Rapids, MN 56470 Our Association "Restore the Shore" Coordinator, Sharon Natzel, will combine LLAA's order for the HC COLA/SWCD Restore the Shore program.  Near the end of April 2021, Sharon will contact those that ordered on Long Lake to arrange the delivery of your order when the product actually arrives around the first week of May 2021.

If you have questions, please call Sharon at 763-355-7908 or email: SharonMNatzel@gmail.com For ideas on kinds of plants to order, refer to the "Gardening Lake Friendly" presentation by Keith Manlove during the LLAA 2020 Annual Meeting.
https://www.longlakeliving.org/2020/06/lake-friendly-living-gardening.html

PS: Autumn Reminder Please help the Association locate Zebra Mussels in Long Lake. Inspect your own docks, lifts, rafts, boats for zebra mussels as you remove them from the water. Make sure to look in areas that have been in the shade under water for example the backside of dock tires. Include your findings on the equipment as you complete the “Eyes on the Water Survey.” (You will need to scroll down to find the survey.)  
An “absence” report is important too.

 Hubbard County COLA Eyes on the Water for Healthy Lakes Survey 2020



If you would like a second opinion as you inspect your own docks and lifts on your shoreline, contact one of our certified AIS detectors:  Sharon Natzel, 763-355-7908, sharonmnatzel@gmail.com  or  Jim Blodgett, 651-395-9317, jblodget@iusb.edu.   For more information see: https://www.longlakeliving.org/2020/09/autumn-reminders.html

The Story of a Long Lake Cabin and a Big Fish

Submitted by Nancy Oldham

My grandparents on my father’s side, Ella and Coyne Oldham, built their cabin in the “Pine Haven Beach” region of Long Lake in 1940.  The road they built on is now named Beach Haven Road.  They had been coming here for visits and fishing for years; I believe mainly staying with their friends, the Tam’s, or perhaps also the Wooter’s.  The fun backstory is that Dad told us Grandma bought the lot one fall after Grandpa had already gone home to Des Moines and without his knowledge.  They had three grown sons.  Dad said, “So, for the next two or three years, we got to build a cabin for our vacation!”  I asked him if Grandpa was mad.  “Oh, he pretended to be,” he replied.

In 1938, two years before they built their own cabin, my grandmother caught a 16 pound, 5 ounce Great Northern Pike on Long Lake.  We have the mounted fish, a photo, the rod and reel, a record of the Fuller’s notation, and her handwritten story about it.  

We have a Fuller's entry card dated a year later showing Ella caught a 17 pound, 5 oz Great Northern Pike!

This is the transcribed story she wrote.

“Women enjoy and know how to fish and get them, as well as men. For the past few years I have had the opportunity of spending three months of the summer in the north woods of Minnesota, accompanied by my husband and three boys, the younger one, [Doyle] being a hay fever patient. The first of September, all returned home to their duties except the younger one and myself. We remained until October first.

Living in a cabin on the lake shore we enjoy all phases of “wildlife”, especially hiking, swimming, rowing and fishing. Until four years ago my family was content with me at the oars while they did the angling. One day while we were out on a fishing trip, someone remarked, “Ella, why don’t you fish?” Well, the spirit moved and I learned how to cast, but I am a left-handed angler. My family then presented me with a “True Temper” casting rod and  “Pflueger Akron” reel. I enjoy getting out on the lake before daybreak, and watch the sunrise and fish at the same time, and have had many an exciting experience which has resulted in many a good catch, in spite of being surrounded by men who claim they are ‘professional anglers”.

September 5th was Labor Day, and nearly all campers had left the lakes for their homes elsewhere, while we still had some good fishing ahead of us. It was a cold, foggy day, temperature 48 degrees, and the wind east, which made the lake very rough, but we decided to go out and try our luck. We started out with the motor, but found it impossible to go where we desired, so resorted to the east side of the lake. I settled myself with a sigh of relief after facing the cold wind, and cast my line out with a copper daredevil on for bait.  I dropped the bait close to some logs. I started to reel in but my bait seemed to be stationary.  I finally moved it slightly, so was sure it was weeds or a log. I worked carefully and moved with caution. Finally, I could reel my line in a little, then the fight began. I worked for some time before I could even get it where I could see it, then did I ever work and oh, the thrill. With much patience, and plenty of tight line and nerve, I got him to the boat then went to bring him in. He took another grand run and again I got him to the boat, and took him by the eyes and gills and brought him in and stunned him. Then entered him officially at the Fuller Tackle shop in Park Rapids and won the week’s prize for the large fish, which was a silver spoon.  Now I am going after a Muskie.”

Ella and youngest son, Doyle

Three of Ella’s granddaughters maintain cabins on Beach Haven Road today, Nancy Oldham in the original 1940 cabin.  Jean Dalton has remodeled the cabin next to it that her parent’s built in the late 1960’s. Pam Oldham Petersen and her husband Mick bought Verna Plaster’s  (and then Kaiser’s) cabin three doors down.

Autumn Reminders:

With Labor Day weekend in the rear view mirror, we are all thinking of Fall. Many families are already taking boats, docks, lifts, and other toys out of the water.  Here are some items to remember:

 

1. If you hire a lake service provider (LSP) to take out your docks, lifts, and/or boats remember to ask if they are MN DNR certified.  The MN DNR maintains a list of certified LSPs for Hubbard County.  Follow this link and scroll down until you see "Park Rapids":

MN DNR List of Dock Service Providers, Hubbard County


2. If you have a zebra mussel settlement sampler (PVC tube, cinder block, plates, etc), please check it one last time and fill out the “Eyes on the Water Survey” even if you do not find any AIS.  An “absence” report is important.  Clean the sampler and reinstall next spring.

Hubbard County COLA Eyes on the Water for Healthy Lakes

3. Inspect your own docks, lifts, rafts, boats for zebra mussels as you remove them from the water. Make sure to look in areas that have been in the shade under water like the backside of dock tires, for example. Include your findings on the equipment as you complete the “Eyes on the Water Survey”.  An “absence” report is important too.

Hubbard County COLA Eyes on the Water for Healthy Lakes


If you would like a second opinion as you inspect your own docks and lifts on your shoreline, contact one of our certified AIS detectors:  Sharon Natzel, 763-355-7908, sharonmnatzel@gmail.com  or  Jim Blodgett, 651-395-9317, jblodget@iusb.edu.  


4. It is illegal to transport AIS (zebra mussels, etc) on a road.  This guide for shore-land owners helps explain when a permit is needed to transport boats/equipment with attached AIS like zebra mussels. This also helps address storing lifts, docks and watercraft for winter.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/shoreland_owners.html

5.  Learn techniques for improving water quality through the free 1-hour virtual workshop(s) Lawns to Lakes: There is a Connection.  Registration information here: 

https://www.longlakeliving.org/2020/09/after-our-annual-meeting-presentations.html

6.  #2020Census:  Now through Sept 30th Seasonal Homes and Cabins – you DO need to complete the #2020Census for that address if you have a lake cabin or vacation home.  If no one usually lives or sleeps at that address, answer ZERO for number of people in that household.  If you have received a Census Form or an Invitation to Respond online go to https://my2020census.gov/, mail the form in, or call 844-330-2020.  Use your Census ID or your physical address.  The importance of the Census for Hubbard County is outlined in the Park Rapids Enterprise article 9/12/2020:

https://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/news/government-and-politics/6656331-Conway%E2%80%99s-plea-Fill-out-the-U.S.-Census-form