Friday, December 22, 2017

Ice Spotters Concurred

All of our ice spotters concurred!  We now have our official ice-in date for 2017 on Long Lake confirmed.  It happened yesterday, Thursday, December 21, 2017, which fittingly was also the first day of winter.

Michelle Armstrong had the closest guess for the ice in date.  She guessed Dec 18th. The next closest guess was December 27th.  We had 15 people enter guesses for the ice-in date this year.  There will be a drawing for the quilt donated by Monika at the beginning of the Annual Meeting in June 2018.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Long Lake Area Association board and the LongLakeLiving.org website staff.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

The official Long Lake "Ice In" guessing contest is open.


I have been trying to be hopeful that this cold snap would not last.  But as of today,  I can't procrastinate any longer:

The official Long Lake "Ice In" guessing contest is open.  


Join the fun! Guess the “Ice In” date for Long Lake this season!  To participate, please send your guess of the date that Long Lake will be completely frozen over to longlakeliving@gmail.com.

All those selecting the winning date will be recognized on this blog. A drawing from ALL participant names will be held at the annual meeting for the lucky winner of a quilt, compliments of Monika; The winner can pick up the quilt when you are at the lake, if not present.

To help you with your guesses check out the link to the Ice Data page on our website. It has all the historical data.  Good Luck..

http://www.longlakeliving.org/p/ice-in-ice-out-data.html

Click on this link to view the entire 2017 Autumn Newsletter

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Beaver Hard at Work

This past summer Dan Rice, who has a cabin near Breezy Point on the west side of Long Lake, noticed that a couple of the trees on the point were losing some of the bark near the bottom of their trunks.  With a closer look, he saw that the bark had been chewed off in a perfect circle to girdle the tree.  By the end of the summer both trees had fallen into the lake; one to the north and one to the south.  It will be interesting to see if anyone sees the beaver working out on Breezy Point this fall or early next spring.  Thank you for the pictures, Dan.




Saturday, October 7, 2017

Long Lake resident is remembered.

Ardis G. Christen

Ardis Georgianne Fiskerbeck Christen was born in Superior, WI on February 19, 1938 to K. Victor A. Fiskerbeck and Violet Gulsvig Fiskerbeck. She died in Rochester MN at St. Mary's Hospital on Friday, September 15, 2017, following heart surgery on August 29, 2017.

She continued her education at Luther College where she met Dean Christen, her husband of 53 years, graduating with a BA in English and Speech Education in 1959. She received a Master of Science Degree from Mankato State University in Library Technology and taught in the Elkton, Rochester, and Stewartville Public Schools.

Dean and Ardis were married on August 16, 1959 and had two daughters, Lisa and Kari. She enjoyed spending her summers on Long Lake in Park Rapids where she loved watching the loons. She always kept an eye on the loon chicks in an effort to protect them from bald eagles.  She had an insatiable love of learning and thirst for knowledge and research which she delighted in sharing with everyone. Ardis felt most complete when she was caring for someone else. She was the primary caregiver for her mother and her husband in their last years. She cared about everyone she met and loved to help others. She always put others first. Family and friends were an important part of her life.

Link to Enterprise Obituary

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Primer on Line 3 Replacement Pipeline Project


The MN Dept of Commerce announces:  "Oil market analysis indicates that Enbridge has not established a need for the proposed project; the pipeline would primarily benefit areas outside Minnesota; and serious environmental and socioeconomic risks and effects outweigh limited benefit."

Read the full statement, submitted to the hearings on Sept 11th 2017:
https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/documents/34079/press-release-sept11.pdf

The Final Environmental Impact Survey has now been released, see: https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/resource.html?Id=3473



Comments on specific topics are solicited, and must be received by Oct 2nd:
https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/documents/34079/PUC%20Notice%20of%20Comment%20Period%20on%20FEIS%20Adequacy,%208.23.17.pdf

The  Public Utilities Commission will hold 10 public hearings in cities
along the proposed route.  The closest meeting to us will be in Bemidji on
Tuesday, Oct 17th, at 1- 4pm and 6 - 9 pm:

https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/documents/34079/Line%203%20Notice%20of%20Public%20and%20Evidentiary%20Hearings,%209.8.17.pdf

General background regarding the proposed  pipeline is at:
https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/line3/
During the first quarter of 2015, 82 Long Lake families contributed approximately $14,400 for Friends of the Headwaters to submit evidence requesting an alternate pipeline route (SA-04), and also to present to the appellate court, which  resulted in a unanimous ruling in FOH's favor, ordering a comprehensive EIS for oil pipelines in Minnesota.  The 2017 Environmental Impact Statement is the first and only EIS ever done on an oil pipeline in Minnesota.  The full data prepared by FOH is given here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz5QoonPZdZwbXdEclJYaVdTeVE/view

The final decision by the PUC is scheduled for April 2018 and between now and then there will be the public hearings and hearings by Administrative Law Judges.  Donations toward the legal costs for the FOH court appearances can be made  at:  http://www.friendsoftheheadwaters.org/index.html

The full schedule is given below, culminating in the PUC final decision in  April 2018
  • October 2, 2017 Comments on EIS adequacy due. This is the deadline to provide comment on the adequacy of the EIS.
  • October 11, 2017 Rebuttal Testimony due.  All rebuttal Testimony shall be served and filed by this date.
  • October 23, 2017 Surrebuttal Testimony due.  All surrebuttal testimony shall be served and filed by this date.
  • September 25, 2017 to October 26, 2017 Public Hearings
  • Sept. 26, 2017: Thief River Falls 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Sept. 28, 2017: St. Paul, MN 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 10, 2017: Grand Rapids 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 11, 2017 McGregor 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 12, 2017: Hinkley 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 17, 2017: Bemidji 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 18, 2017: Duluth 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 25, 2017: Cross Lake 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • Oct. 26, 2017: St. Cloud 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm
  • October 27, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at  Commission Offices in St.Paul, MN.  Sixth Prehearing Conference to discuss logistics of evidentiary hearings.
  • November 1, 2017 ALJ Report on EIS Adequacy due.  ALJ Lipman will issue his report on the adequacy of the EIS.
  • November 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9, 2017.  If needed, the hearing will also extend to Nov. 13, 14, and 15, 2017.  Evidentiary Hearing at Commission Offices in St. Paul, MN.  Evidentiary hearing on the Petition for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application.
  • November 21, 2017 Deadline to file exceptions to ALJ's EIS adequacy report.  This is the deadline to file exceptions to the report filed by ALJ Lipman related to the adequacy of the EIS.
  • November 22, 2017 Public Comment Period and Administrative Record Closes. Transcript of contested case hearing to be filed and made available to the public.
  • November 30 - December 11, 2017 Commission meeting/decision on EIS adequacy due.  The Commission will hold a public meeting and issue a decision on the adequacy of the EIS.
  • December 11, 2017 Initial Briefs of Parties Due.  Initial briefs shall be served and filed by this date.
  • January 15, 2018 Reply Briefs of Parties.  Reply briefs shall be served and filed by this date.
  • February 28, 2018 (Anticipated) Administrative Law Judge's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation to be filed.  The Administrative Law Judge shall serve and file her report recommending a route on or around this date.
  • April 30, 2018 (Anticipated) MPUC Decision.  It is anticipated that the MPUC will issue its final decision on or around this date.
Click here to see 24 maps that explain the pipeline project

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Thinking about Family Christmas Gift Ideas?

Greetings to LLAA members, families, and friends.  Many thanks to those who have already responded to the  2017-18 LLAA Foundation Fund Drive, described in the letter to our members.
(click here to see the letter)

Donations made before December 31st are tax deductible for 2017.  Also, donations can be made via a group gift from your extended family.  If your relatives exchange Christmas gifts among themselves, an idea for a good gift might be having people request that their personal gift be a check to the Foundation?
🎄What  could be a better gift than to help preserve our lake for the enjoyment of future generations?

To give a Christmas Gift to the Foundation, request that the donor mail a check to:
LLAA Foundation,
PO Box 808, 
Park Rapids MN 56470,
Include  "(Your Family's Name) Xmas Gift" in the check memo.

All of "(Your Family's) Xmas Gifts" will be combined based on the check memo notations. http://llaafoundation.blogspot.com/p/current-donor-recognition.html
Each contributor will receive a receipt for their tax-deductible gift.  Your Christmas gifts will help us reach the 2017-18 Fund Drive goal of $20,000 to contribute for the watercraft inspections, AIS education and the emergency response fund.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Update on Aquatic Vegetation Meander

Another activity by volunteers from your Lake Association to monitor and protect the lake. Thanks to Eileen Thomas, Harlan & Linda Johnson, CC White, Sharon Natzel, Larry and Barb Roberts, Jack Derr, Betty Larsen, Jim Blodgett, and Joanne Torfin for all the help. 

The aquatic vegetation meander along the lake-shore shallows, back bays, and stumpy areas was completed on Wednesday, 8/23/17.  On various excursions from August 11th to August 23rd a total of 11 participants focused their "eyes on the water" looking for any unusual plants not on our normal aquatic vegetation list.

We bagged 2 plant varieties to check with the DNR and they were OK.  Adding up the total hours involved comes to 60 person hours including the prep, boat driving, kayak paddling, wading, and cleanup time.

The most interesting aquatic plant was the tiny white flower on a long thin stem which is the Elodea (the three leaf plant) getting ready for next spring.  It's the winter bud process.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/native/elodea.html

The varieties of plants that we have on the lake can be found on our Long Lake Living website under Aquatic Plant Surveys:  http://www.longlakeliving.org/p/plant-survey-2011.html.  We spotted about 3/4ths of these plants in our meandering.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Taylor's Fishing Contest Entry

Taylor was fishing with her Dad on Sunday, August 6th, at about 3pm when she caught this rock bass.  She was fishing with a jig on the east side of the lake near Dakota Shores.  Taylor says she likes to fish with her family and likes learning more about all the types of fish in the lake.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

LLAA Board of Directors Update on Snails in Long Lake

The Faucet Snail is on the tip of the pencil.
The LLAA Board of Directors wanted to let everyone know that the MN DNR has identified a couple of different snail species that are now found here in Long Lake.

The good news is that they ARE NOT the Big Four Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) mentioned in the recent Star Tribune article.

Our Hubbard County AIS Program Coordinator, Bill DonCarlos, reminded us today to be sure to continue to practice prevention and reiterated the importance to clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and equipment.  Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.  You may call 218-252-6738 to make a convenient free appointment to decontaminate your watercraft when going between lakes.

1) The Faucet Snail verification by the MN DNR has placed Hubbard County's Long Lake on the infested waters list now displayed on the DNR website:  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html

The Faucet Snail is an intermediate host for three intestinal trematodes, or flukes that cause mortality in ducks and coots.  Faucet Snails are also found on First Crow Wing, Second Crow Wing and Upper Twin Lakes in Hubbard County. There is no known treatment option at this time.

Here are a couple of links that explain Faucet Snails more.

2) These nuisance Banded Mystery Snails (pictured below) were found when a family was cleaning their swimming beach near the northwest end of the lake.  Another family on the northeast side of the lake has started a compost pile in their back acres with washed-up snails.

The Long Lake Area Association Board of Directors checked into these one inch snails and learned they were first noticed in the lake in 2011.

The Banded Mystery Snail is a species used in home aquariums.  Please don't let the kids bring their "pretty shells" to another lake.  There is no known treatment option at this time.

They are called mystery snails because in spring, they give birth to young, fully developed snails that suddenly and mysteriously appear.  After reproducing in their fourth year they die and their shells wash up on shore and smell.

Here are two links that help explain the Banded Mystery Snails even more:
A letter in PDF form of this post can be found on the Board Communications Page.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Gabby's Fishing Contest Entry

Gabby, who is 10 years, was fishing with her mom and her sister, Taylor, on the east side of the lake near Dakota Shores.  Gabby caught this large mouth bass with a pink jig on Saturday, August 5th, around 8:30 pm.  She loves to fish because it's entertaining and fun, plus she likes to out fish her mom!!

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Teyla's Fishing Story

Teyla caught a Long Lake perch on July 20, 2017 while fishing from CC White's dock.  She was fishing with a small piece of watermelon colored Gulp Bait and her Mickey Mouse pole.  She likes to fish and to have her picture taken with her fish.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Updates from Long Lake Area Association

1) The Star Tribune has an excellent two part article entitled, "Zebra Mussel Surge Imperils Lake Life":
2)  More Starry Trek:  Participants willing to help search for Starry Stonewort on our Hubbard County lakes public access sites from 8:30am to 1pm on 10 next Saturday, 8/5/17, are needed.  Please register here:  https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/news/starrytrek-reg.   You will get training on how to identify Starry Stonewort on that day, so no experience is needed.

3)  Are you willing to help here on Long Lake for 3 hours?  We will do our Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) aquatic vegetation meanders in the shallow water littoral area where vegetation grows to identify any invasive species on Friday 8/11, Tues 8/15 and Monday 8/21.  We will need to troll along the water on pontoons, in fishing boats, in canoes or kayaks looking into the water (in the, hopefully, calm shallow waters) spotting vegetation that is out of the ordinary.  Samples will be taken using a rake and identification tools.  We will team up in 3-hour shifts with the desired goal to cover all the lakeshore in the LLAA neighborhoods in the 3 days.  Contact Sharon at sharonmnatzel@gmail.com to volunteer or to get more information.
Not into vegetation but like to be on the water?  We will need pontoon/boat drivers.

4)  Don't forget to participate in the ongoing LLAA Kids Fishing Contest and also the Adult's Fishing Challenge.  Both are going on here on Long Lake.  See details on our LongLakeLiving.org website:
Enjoy the rest of the summer on on Long Lake!!

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

DNR Firewise Tips

Photo from DNR firewise page
The  Firewise specialist's talk at the LLAA Annual Meeting was so important that we sent out this e-blast for those who were not at the meeting and also as a reminder for those who heard the talk.

Based on local historical experience, Long Lake shores (especially the jack pine areas along the west shore) are considered possible tracts for raging fires.  In such a case poorly maintained properties will burn while well maintained properties can often be saved.

Spend some time to:
  • Remove pine needles and leaves from your roof and gutters
  • Remove pine needles/leaves next to building walls
  • Remove the lower branches of nearby trees
  • Remove nearby dead vegetation & branches
  • Relocate woodpiles away from buildings and gas tanks

✔︎Go here for a full list of 25 "firewise" tips:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/25tips.html  

✔︎For a good Powerpoint and a photo checklist follow the links below:
Backyard Firewise Ecology
Conducting a Home Risk Evaluation

✔︎For tips on reducing fire risk from brown jack pines, see:
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_jack/ht_jack.htm

In a fire emergency your cabin or residence phone will be auto-dialed by the sheriff's office.  In the case of an evacuation the evacuation route will be specified.  Cell phone numbers can also be on the auto-dial list, so please call the sheriff's office at 218 732-3331 to add your cell phone to the list.

The Firewise Specialist, Dan Carroll, who spoke at our LLAA Annual Meeting invited folks to call him if they had specific questions that couldn't be answered through all the resources available.  His office is in the lower level of the forestry building in Park Rapids.
Phone: 218-732-3309 or Email: dan.carroll@state.mn.us

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Owen's Bass Fishing Story

Owen was fishing off the dock at Grandma & Grandpa's cabin on the east side of the lake next to Dakota Shores.  He was using Power Bait Grubs.  Owen caught the bass about noon on Friday, June 16th.  He loves to try and catch the big ones and to out fish his dad.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Flotilla 2017 Photo Show

Following is a video composite of photos from our 2017 Fourth of July Flotilla.  Photographs were contributed by Carolynne White, Linda Johnson, Donna Neumann, Sharon Natzel, and Barb Roberts.

Thanks to all of you who participated and made this another wonderful parade!  The flotilla is a fun way to start the Fourth of July for everyone participating and those watching from shore.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Join the 2017 Long Lake Flotilla!

Time to Decorate your Boats, Pontoons, etc.

The annual flotilla, held on July 4th, is a Long Lake tradition.  As in previous years, all who wish to participate are asked to gather in front of New Frontier Resort at 9:50AM.

Participants will follow either the North or South route Leaders as they lead off at 10AM.  Like last year, we want to continue to encourage more Northerners to join in for the North route please!  This is always a fun event for everyone around the lake.  Start thinking of decorating ideas!

If the weather doesn’t cooperate that day and we have to cancel, we will update the status of the Flotilla here on the Long Lake Living website and the Long Lake Living Facebook page at 9:30AM on Tuesday, 7/4/17.

For decorating inspiration we have included this slideshow we put together from last year's flotilla or if you are using a smart phone or tablet click here.

**** ****

Friday, June 30, 2017

Winners for 2016-17 Kid's Fishing Contest Are......

We had 13 entries this year.  Each entry's name was put into a hat and drawn at random to determine the winners.  Each winner received a DQ certificate at the annual meeting or will be receiving one in the mail when the contact information is confirmed.  See the individual fishing stories for each entry by following this link.

The goal of this contest is to encourage kids and their families to fish in Long Lake.  It does not matter if you catch a giant Northern Pike or a pretty little Pumpkin Seed.  It is the fun factor that counts!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Spenser's Fishing Story



Fifteen year old Spencer caught this large mouth bass on a minnow near Pine Island on Sunday, June 11th.   He was fishing with his sister, brother, parents, uncle and aunt.  Spencer loves family fishing vacations.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Landon's Fishing Story


Landon, who is 12 years old, caught lots of sun fish and rock bass.  This rock bass was caught on Sunday, June 11th, near Pine Island while he was fishing with his sister and brother, parents, aunt and uncle, and grandpa.  Landon loves vacationing and fishing with his family

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Sophia's Fishing Story


Sophia was fishing off the dock on the north end of the lake.  She was using night crawlers for bait.  She caught lots of sunfish and blue gill.  This fish was caught Sunday, June 11, while fishing with her brothers, dad, uncle, and grandpa.  Sophie is 11 years old and loves to fish!

Invitation to Long Lake Association's Annual Meeting

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 
Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County) Inc.
Annual Meeting.

 Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Hubbard Community Center 
  •  9:30am   Social -  refreshments and registration.
  • 10:00am  Business meeting - timely information, breaks, ends with door prizes! 
We plan to have you home by noon and up to date on Long Lake happenings.  The detailed agenda is attached.  Our excellent speaker lineup includes:
  • Dan Carroll, MN DNR Firewise Specialist, on how to protect our homes and property to help prevent fires now

  • Bill DonCarlos, Hubbard County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Coordinator, on watercraft inspection, decontamination station, and other components of the county's program
.
  • Doug Kingsley, MN DNR Area Fisheries, on Long Lake's walleye stocking program and recommendations for future stocking

Follow these links to see:

There are always great door prizes.  Pictured is the grand prize basket from last year... What is going to be in this year's basket?

Monday, June 12, 2017

Ella's Fishing Story

Ella
Ella went fishing with her brother, Alex, their parents, and their grandparents.  They caught numerous sunfish and rock bass using night crawlers.  She caught this one the morning of June 6th near Wooter's Point on the east side of Long Lake.  She enjoys fishing and being out on the lake.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Alex's Fishing Story

Alex caught this fish at the north end of Long Lake (east side) on the evening of June 5th.  He and his sister, Ella, were fishing together with their parents and grandparents.  He used night crawlers as bait for catching many sunfish and rock bass.  He loves catching fishing and eating them.

Alex

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Meeting for Comments on Canadian Tar Sands Pipeline Wednesday

Please Attend the Public Information Meeting on Enbridge Energy's Proposed Line 3 Pipeline Project routed close to Long Lake!  This is your chance to give your comments in person.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Park Rapids High School Cafetorium
401 Huntsinger Ave
Park Rapids, MN 56470

You will be able to ask questions like:
  • “Can heavy tar sand oil be removed from the bottom of lakes and rivers after a spill?”
  • “What compensation can a property owner expect for their property declining in value following a spill?”
  • “What is the estimated cost of cleanup and recovery of a major oil spill near Park Rapids?”
  • “Will drinking water have to be brought in to Park Rapids after an oil spill?”

More information about the draft Environmental Impact Statement, the public meetings, and the public comment period can be found at:
https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/documents/34079/Notice%20of%20DEIS%20Availability,%20Meetings,%20Comment%20Period,%20Line%203,%205.15.17.pdf
Scrolling down to page 6 on the above linked document you will find links giving more detailed information about the Line 3 Pipeline Project and there are maps on page 8 at the bottom of the document.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

You are the First Line of Defense Against AIS: Ask Questions


Do you know that in 2011 Minnesota passed a law for service providers so that AIS, such as the Zebra mussels pictured here, are not transported from one waterway to another?  Contamination from nearby infested lakes, such as Leech Lake (Zebra mussels), Detroit Lake (Zebra mussels), Twin Lakes and Crow Wing Lakes (faucet snail), needs to be prevented.

To view a map showing infested lakes, follow this link and click on the maps tab:  http://www.eddmaps.org/midwest/tools/infestedwaters/

Check if your service provider uses equipment in infested lakes like Leech Lake (the big lake near Walker) or Detroit Lake.  Call ahead before delivery to check how they decontaminate their trucks, trailers, boots, and clothing.  We are going to need extreme vigilance to prevent contamination.  While certified providers have been trained, it is well worthwhile for each of us to call our provider and make sure the precautions are being taken.

According to the law, service providers are individuals or businesses hired to install or remove water-related equipment, such as boats, docks, boat lifts, or structures, from waters of the state. They are required to obtain a permit from the DNR before providing any of those services.  Permits are granted after the principal person in the company has attended and passed a 3 hour training course relating to AIS issues and paid a $50 fee.  All employees must take an online AIS course.  Vehicle stickers and wallet cards are then issued.
See:http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lsp/index.html

To confirm your provider is permitted visit:  http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/permits/lsp/lsp-permits.pdf.  Look under Hubbard County or if the provider is further away, check Clearwater, Beltrami, Cass, Wadena, Becker or Otter Tail counties.

Please be sure your guests decontaminate equipment coming from infested areas.
Check information and times at:  http://www.longlakeliving.org/p/blog-page_6.html

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Association Members Spring Roadside Clean Up

On May 6th approximately fifteen Long Lake Area Association members helped clean the ditches along a 7 mile stretch of County 20 and the lake access areas.  It was a beautiful day to be out and help beautify the area around Long Lake.  We were able to collect a pickup load full of garbage in a short period of time, proving that our clean up activity is important to the health and well being of our lake.  Thank you to all who volunteered.  Our Fall clean up date will be Saturday September 16, 2017.  Everyone is invited to join us! - Jamie Beretta

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Saturday Fishing Opener, Sunday Mother's Day

As so often happens in Minnesota, the fishing opener and Mother's Day coincide again this year.  We wish the best of luck to all the anglers and a very happy Mothers Day to all mothers.

A few reminders for everyone at the start of this busy season on the lake:
  • Be aware of the damage invasive species can do to a lake and please be vigilant to help keep Long Lake free of Zebra Mussels and other forms of aquatic invasive species.  Please clean, drain, and dry your boats.  We're very fortunate here in the Park Rapids area to have a handy and free decontamination station.  Information and a map to the location can be found on our Watercraft Decontamination Information page:  Watercraft Decontamination Information Page
  • A copy of fishing regulations for the 2017 season can be found on the Minnesota DNR's website here:  2017 Minnesota Fishing Regulations
  • Remember that LLAA's "Kids Fishing Contest" ends June 22nd at 10pm.  Be sure to get your entries in so they can be posted before the LLAA Annual Meeting which is on Saturday June 24th.  There have been eight entries so far this year.  Three lucky winners will be drawn at the meeting.  Check out the Kids Fishing Contest Page for all the details of the contest and to see the entries.  http://www.longlakeliving.org/p/kids-fishing-contest.html
A new fishing contest will be announced at the LLAA Annual Meeting and we will post about it later on the website.  This new challenge will be for adults.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Long Lake Remembers Bill Stover

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAwJcyFBDS-gIyaBku6d3PkSkHdzyD3HXztdKLCVKzvJWI5GHfI7IUR82U3lUoJRaUGomxnhcMzHPkNrSVwn5IQR8meEWmBKod7Kmw8FmKOr6-aBwd1NEG2es66-94oBXnyyzXTLD0NE/s1600/bill+stover.jpgLloyd William (Bill) Stover died on Thursday, April 27th, at Diamond Willow in Park Rapids.

Bill will be missed by the Long Lake community. His family is one of original families to build a cabin on the west side in what was called Pine Haven. His grandfather, Harry Taylor Stover, bought a lot on Chippewa Loop in 1928. His father, Lloyd Stover, as a college student took a summer job surveying Long Lake for The Burris Pilkington Company. This was the company that was selling lake lots from the present day Beach Haven Road to the north end of Chippewa Loop.  Many residents will recognize the name Stover as Stover Bay near the Pine Haven Christian Assembly Camp. (Some of the old maps have misspelled it as Stoffer Bay.)  While the Stover cabin on Chippewa Loop still remains in the family, Bill and his wife, Kristi, had their own cabin on the east side of the lake. Bill and Kristi met at Long Lake as her family, the Beals, also have a cabin on Chippewa Loop.

More information can be found in the Park Rapids Enterprise by following this link:
www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/obituaries

Monday, May 1, 2017

Spring Lakeshore - Tips and Resources

Despite our up and down temperatures (first spring, then winter and back to spring) we are all thinking of yard work.  Picking up the branches, leaves, pine cones, etc. that fell over the winter and figuring out how to improve our lake lots.

We all know that we should make intentional plans to help capture run off water and protect the lake from excess nutrients.  We know to put in some native plants to keep down shore erosion, but what kind of fertilizers?  Should we even use fertilizers?  How short should we cut the grass?  Who can help answers questions like these?  On Saturday the Park Rapids Enterprise published a very good article to help everyone "lake scape" their property to protect the health of the land and the lake. 

Follow the link below for the whole story.

PRE: Tips, Resources for Spring Lakeshore Improvement


Friday, April 7, 2017

Official Ice Out date for 2017 is April 7 for Long Lake

The last ice on Long Lake was sighted at the south end early this morning (4/7/17)
 but it was gone by 9:30 am.


According to our data, 2012 had the earliest ice out and 2013 had the latest of ice out.

Last year (2016)  the ice out date was April 6th.  We will have an update posted in a couple of weeks about the statistics of ice going out in early April, but it appears to be within the same statistical norms as last year.  Not unusual but on the earlier side than most year:

Hurray for David Anderson, Elizabeth Nelson,  Jerrie Pritzlaff.  They all guessed the ice out date correctly.  They get bragging rights for the rest of the year and recognition on Facebook, our Newsletter and this blog.  

 

Random Drawing for the Quilt!

 




The Quilt winner is Bob Oliver. He guessed 4/13/2017 which is pretty close to the mark.  Bob's name was chosen at random from the 85 guesses that were submitted to Long Lake Living.  All guesses were put on a spreadsheet and organized according to the date guessed.  Then a random number generator was used to pick one number (37).   That line on the spreadsheet was Bob's number.  He can arrange to pick up his quilt directly from Monika Wilkins.  He received an email with the details. 






Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Links to Hubbard County Community 2017 AIS Prevention Event - Held on 3/20/17

Local news sources, organizations, and churches helped promote the Hubbard County Community Interdenominational event held Monday evening 3-20-17 Riverside United Methodist Church hosted for the 2nd year by Pastor Chip Nielsen.

1)  Introduction and Welcome – Pastor Chip Nielsen, Riverside United Methodist Church, Park Rapids
2)  Short video produced by Wildlife Forever on the Clean Drain Dry Initiative. (Leaders in the fight against invasive species.)
3)  New Challenges and Responses to AIS by Nicole Kovar, MN DNR Invasive Species Specialist.
4)  Hubbard County’s AIS Prevention Program by Bill DonCarlos, Hubbard County AIS Program Coordinator.
5)  Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates, Jeff Forrester, speaking on Statewide Challenge, Legislation & Policy at Capital.
6)  The Value of Clean Water – Shared Resource and Responsibility, by Dan Kittilson, Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (HC COLA).
7)  Hubbard County COLA has posted a page with links to each power point presentation.  Click this link to see each power point.
8)  Park Rapids Enterprise Articles:

Remember to Clean, Drain, Dry 

your watercraft and equipment  plus  Decontaminate

Friday, March 24, 2017

DNR Needs Our Help to Maintain Services for Our Lakes

At the HC COLA meeting held the evening of March 23rd, Doug Kingsley, MN DNR Area Fisheries Supervisor, spoke about the need for the proposed increase in hunting and fishing license fees.


The DNR's request for a license fee increase is part of the governor's budget.  Become informed about what is at stake for our lakes - and let your representative know how you feel about the proposed license increase ..

The proposal should keep the Game Fish Fund solvent until 2021. The last time there was an increase only half of it was approved so the Fund is running out of money. These programs which include research, enforcing, and managing fish and wild life are meant to be funded through these fees not from other sources.

Please use this link www.mndnr.gov/licensedollarsatwork to learn more about the proposal yourself.  You can even learn about the current resources right here in our local area!  Please get the word out to your lake association members to inform them about this important opportunity.  Consider speaking to your legislators regarding your own viewpoint.  Find your legislators here: http://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/

It is an important part of the economy in our area and one in which we, as citizens, can have our say.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Ice Out Guesses

Statement from Lou Schultz:

"The data shows that the mean (or average) ice out date for Long Lake is April 20 with normal variation extending from March 20 to May 20.  Only three years out of a thousand could it fall outside those dates.  The exceptions, due to special causes outside the system, could be from global warming, earthquakes, a satellite controlled mirror reflecting the sunlight down on a GPS coordinate of our lake, forest fire around the lake, etc.  All we can say with some assurance is that the ice will go out on Long Lake between March 20 and May 20.  In between there is anyone’s guess."
Click here to see charts and graphs of all collected data

So what is your guess?  Join in this yearly guessing game:  Email us at longlakeliving@gmail.com with your guess as to when you think Long Lake will be completely free of ice. The definition of Ice Out on Long Lake is when there is no ice anywhere on the lake.

Everyone that enters the contest will have their name put into a "hat" for a drawing.  The prize will be a quilt, donated by Monika Wilkins, LLAA President. (Photo below)

The person who guesses the actual date of ice out or comes the closest, will win fame and bragging rights on Facebook and the website until next Spring.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Two Ways You Can Help fight AIS!

Attend This event: 

Monday, March 20th, 7 pm, Riverside United Methodist Church, Park Rapids.

Hubbard County is now surrounded by infested lakes.  Are we doing enough?

Speakers will be:
  • Nicole Kover – Park Rapids DNR
  • Bill DonCarlos - Hubbard Co AIS Prevention
  • Jeff Forester – Minn. Lakes and Rivers Advocacy Assoc.
  • Dan Kittilson – Hubbard Co COLA
Be There!

Click here for a link to more information about the event.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 Here is another way you can help Long Lake:

Please plan to attend your Township Annual Meeting 
on Tuesday, March  14, 7 PM:
Henrietta Town Hall

  • Henrietta Township, 19401 State 226  (on the road to Dorset)
  • Hubbard Township at the Hubbard Community Center, 12141 County 6  (between Hilltop & the Long Lake Theater in the town of Hubbard, MN)
Hubbard Town Hall


 

Also, please plan to attend and support the AIS Watercraft Inspection Funding for 2018!



Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Important Updates from COLA

We want to highlight two updates from the Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations [HC COLA] meetings:

▶︎ First, the Enbridge’s Proposed Line 3 Replacement is the exact same route as the now tabled Sandpiper line which runs through Minnesota’s cleanest waters.  It is not a “replacement” in the normal sense of the word.  It is abandoning the current Line 3 Pipeline, leaving it where it is, and building a new one on the same route that they originally proposed as the Sandpiper Pipeline.  It puts Park Rapids water supply at risk along with area lakes and rivers.  You can read the details of it’s impact specifically on Hubbard County here: http://www.hubbardcolamn.org/county-impacts.html  You will also find information and links to alternate route proposals in the article.

For extensive information on the pipeline and efforts to have an Environmental Impact Statement [EIS] on the project check out the Friend’s of the Headwaters Website. http://friendsoftheheadwaters.org/index.html
and http://friendsoftheheadwaters.org/latest-news-and-information.html

▶︎ Second, DNR Firewise specialist, Dan Carroll, spoke about Long Lake as "Priority 1" for Park Rapids.  It’s populated and dense with trees. On Long Lake’s west side from Hubbard to Hafner’s Greenhouse on170th Street and the entire area east of County Road 6, there are 1200 structures.  Long Lake is 9 miles long; the Green Valley fire was 9 miles long.  The Green Valley fire had 30-40 mph winds behind the fire from the west and northwest, which is unusual.  Fire typically feeds on south or southwest wind. There are things we as homeowners can do to help prevent fires now.  For assessment assistance or questions, contact Dan at 218-732-3309, the local DNR forestry office.

The plot shown below is of the Green Valley 2013 Fire, courtesy MN DNR.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Eaglets Hatching Soon

Baby eagles from the MN DNR webcam nest should hatch in about a week!  The link to the DNR eaglecam is always in the "Webcams" box on the sidebar or you can click here:
Minnesota DNR Eagle Cam

 According to the Minnesota DNR:

The bald eagles have been diligently incubating the eggs in the nest for nearly a month.  The male and female take turns keeping their eggs warm and dry in a deep pocket in the middle of the nest.  Even though the nest has at times looked chilly and sometimes was covered in snow, bald eagles in Minnesota have adapted to laying and caring for eggs in these conditions.

According to Reference.com:

Baby eagles are called eaglets or chicks.  Bald eagle chicks hatch out of round or oval eggs that have been incubated for approximately 35 days.  They weigh about 2 ounces when they're born and can gain 6 ounces of weight every day.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Could Spring Come Early???!!!

These photos were taken last weekend by Nolan Kern and he sent them to us to share them with you.  His family has a cabin on Beach Haven Road.  His pictures show how the snow is starting to melt a bit, but most of all Nolan is sharing with us the beauty of Long Lake in this winter season.

There are things to do and beauty to be seen here at the lake year round. Click on the individual photos to see each of them in a larger format.







Saturday, February 11, 2017

A History Lesson in Long Lake Lot Economics!


These initial Long Lake Shore Owners were provided Lots in 1868 as Soldiers Script and sold the entire 89.63 acres just two years later for $1222:
  • Lots 2 & 3 near the southwest end of Long Lake in Section 17-139-34 were sold by Joseph Gaylord Smith in Feb 1870 for $1222.00 for the entire 89.63 acres. Joseph had received the two lots as Soldiers Script in February 1868. He and his wife, Mary B. Smith undoubtedly enjoyed their cash flow from the sale of these lots on Long Lake. 
In approximately 1885 with the building of the dam and the flooding of existing shoreline, there was some devaluing of certain lots.

Fast Forward to 1923 when three men and their families purchased lots on the then newly mapped Pine Haven Beach development in the southwest portion of Long Lake; Joe Tam, Don Sanders and Bill Burnett. The men all worked in various capacities for the Des Moines Post Office. Joe Tam and Bill Burnett split a lot so each family could be safe and close to each other on the 50 foot lots.
Taxes in approximately 1934 or earlier were about $4 a front foot. Later, Joe Tam’s daughter Barbara (2nd generation) and her husband, George Curtis purchased a cabin and lot for $400 on Long Lake.

In 1969, Barbara & George Curtis’s daughter, Judy (3rd generation) explored the idea of purchasing land on the northeast side of Long Lake in 1969 when she was approximately 35 years of age:
  • The letter from the land owner of Eagle Bay Lots at that time explains the front foot rate is between $30-35 depending on the lot. The terms on any offered tracts are equal to $500 down per each lot, with balance payable per month in the money equivalent to 5/7 ounces of gold, including interest at 6.5% per annum...... The seller goes on to explain that “Since our money is being devalued so rapidly, it is necessary in self- protection to make this provision, as money paid in the future could quite conceivably have about the same value as German marks after World Wars I and II...... “
  • Read more about the interesting marketing approaches by the land owner that includes the future price of a hamburger sandwich, the prized eating qualities of Long Lake’s fish, and a cash deal also which doesn’t involve the gold equivalents – now in our Long Lake History.
  • Original letter
Judy did not end up purchasing a lot on Long Lake but continued to enjoy her parent’s cabin on the East side near Dakota Beach. Special thanks to Barbara Curtis for sharing this piece of Long Lake history with us from her late daughter’s estate records.

Remember -     It’s your turn now to record and share your family stories!


Monday, January 16, 2017

A “Birds Eye View” of a portion of the Long Lake Minor Watershed!

Special thanks to the Marie & Tom Hass group who flew over and snapped pictures in early November 2016 after the leaves were down.  Marie’s family home is on Crystal Beach on the east side. She grew up on Long Lake. They were helping explore from the air to see if there was a visible river connecting some of the lakes in our Long Lake Minor Watershed.  Older MN maps show a river connecting Sweitzer and Mud / Long.  It wasn't possible  last autumn to tell from a boat on Mud Lake as fallen trees and high brush at the north end limited visibility and any passage.  

The first photo below is Rockwell Lake with visible wetland/water between Sweitzer Lake on right.  Long Lake is at the top right.  You can see Mud Lake in the middle of the picture, separated from Long Lake by Hwy 34 where a culvert allows water to flow year-round.  Sweitzer has a smaller culvert where water flows toward Mud/Long year-round.  No surface water connection is visible between the water bodies currently;  just wetlands.

Darrin Hoverson, our local MN DNR Hydrologist, gave an excellent Long Lake Watershed power point presentation at our June Annual Meeting (view  here).  Darrin answers additional questions below on the groundwater connections.  


Darrin explained that the Long Lake Minor Watershed system of lakes is connected through groundwater and, at times, the surface water, when waters get high.  Sweitzer Lake is near the top of the surface- and ground- watershed.  Generally the water flow direction flows towards Mud Lake and then into Long Lake.

The green lines on the 1st map below shows an area just north of Sweitzer Lake where the four minor basins meet.  Surface water would flow towards those four basins; Deer/Ida, Ingram/Potato, Fish Hook, and Sweitzer/Long.  Much of this area does not have a connected surface for water to flow, but water will infiltrate into the ground then move as groundwater.  There is a lot of water stored in the ground.  When water flows through the culverts in late winter from Sweitzer and Mud (after no liquid precipitation has fallen) this is known as base flow.  The volume of water is close to the amount discharging from groundwater (springs) into this surface water system.  We are able to see the flow direction for the surface water in red in the 2nd map below with the 2-foot contours map overlay.  The flow direction is from Rockwell, Sweitzer to Mud, then Long.  When the county Geologic Atlas comes out in the next couple years, Darrin says we can learn more about the deeper groundwater connections.