Friends of Ripple Lake

Transcription

1 Friends of Ripple Lake Volume 9, Issue 1 Spring 2015 FOR receives grant to help prevent AIS The Friends of Ripple Lake Association Board applied for and received a grant to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The $2,880 grant, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Invasive Species Program, will be put toward three main things: A flier to Ripple Lake property owners, educating them about AIS; Inspectors who will be at the Ripple Lake public access during several key dates from the fishing opener through Labor Day; and A banner at the public access, letting everyone know when inspectors are conducting inspections. As part of the grant, the association also agreed to provide volunteer inspectors. Training is available and volunteers only need to help out for two-hour stints at various times throughout the summer. The board is purchasing vests to help identify volunteers who will help inspect watercraft and educate boaters who use the public access. If interested in volunteering, please contact Grant, continued on page 2 Inside this issue: Boat inspection training Annual Meeting to feature Wild & Free Order your Ripple Lake apparel Submit your favorite Ripple Member profile: Andersons built great wall of Ripple Lake There are several landmarks that help boaters navigate on Ripple Lake, but one of the most popular has to be the house with the wall located in the north bay. The home has been owned by Barry and Eileen Foss since 1988, when they purchased it from Gust and Laura Anderson. The Andersons, along with Gust s brother, Lars, who also lived there for a while, built the large stone wall over a five-year period, until it became the massive landmark that still stands today. Anderson family history After Gust moved from Sweden to Minnesota, he met Laura in They married on April 2, 1938, at the Lutheran Church in Marine on St. Croix, which was used in the film Grumpy Old Men. Their only son, Roger, was born in Andersons, continued on page 3 It took the Andersons five years to build the wall that separates the house (pictured in the 1980s) and Ripple Lake.

2 Page 2 Grant to prevent AIS, continued from front Al Pearson, or alsandy.pearson@ gmail.com. Also, see important information about volunteer training, at right. Educate your guests When friends and family visit this summer, be sure to educate them about the importance of the clean/drain/ dispose method of preventing AIS from entering Ripple Lake. To help teach your guests about preventing AIS, refer to the information below and to the flier, included with this newsletter. Please keep the flier handy or post it on your refrigerator as a way to remind everyone about how we need to work together to keep our lake clean and healthy. Preventing AIS is easy as 1, 2, 3 1. CLEAN all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels and other prohibited invasive species from watercraft, trailers and waterrelated equipment before leaving any water access or shoreland. 2. DRAIN water-related equipment (boat, ballast tanks, portable bait containers, motor) and drain bilge, live well and bait well by removing drain plugs before leaving a water access or shoreline property. Keep drain plugs out and water-draining devices open while transporting watercraft. 3. DISPOSE of unwanted bait, including minnows, leeches and worms, in the trash. It is illegal to release live bait into a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody to another. If you want to keep your live bait, you must refill the bait container with bottled or tap water. Boat inspection volunteers need to attend training In conjunction with our grant that enables us to hire boat inspectors to help prevent AIS, we also need to provide volunteers. To become a volunteer boat inspector, you must attend a short training session to become certified. Even those previously certified need to attend for retraining. Training is available at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Hazelton Township Hall, U.S. Hwy. 169, in Aitkin. You must pre-register to allow for training materials to be ordered. Contact Walt Weisser at or at dwonlone@gmail.com or Keri Hull at the DNR: or keri.hull@state.mn.us. Provide your name, phone number, the name of the lake you represent and your address. addresses will not be shared. In addition, you must submit a completed annual Criminal Background Check Consent and the DNR Volunteer Agreement form. You will receive both these forms prior to the training via . Training specifics The first part of the training (1.5 hours), focuses on AIS volunteers. You ll learn what to expect, how to work with the public and how to conduct an actual inspection by going outside for a hands-on demonstration. You ll also learn about laws pertaining to AIS, where to look on the watercraft for invasive species, and more about the DNR AIS Prevention Program. Part two of the training (1-1.5 hours), includes general information about various invasive species and the importance of preventing their spread. This portion of the training is recommended for all volunteers who have never participated in a training program before. However, it is optional. The certification training will be valid for three years. Those certified in 2015 will not need to attend another classroom training session until However, in 2016 and 2017 you will need to participate in an online refresher and again be required to complete and submit the annual Criminal Back- Boat inspection weekends Boat inspections will take place at the Ripple Lake public access on the following weekends: May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 25 June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 July 4 and 5 Sept. 5, 6 and 7

3 Page 3 Andersons, continued from front Gust owned Anderson Roofing in Minneapolis, but his love of fishing lured him to Aitkin. The family purchased a small cabin on Ripple Lake In In 1952, they tore down the original structure and built a new one in its place. They completed one remodel in 1965, just one year before Gust closed his business and retired to Aitkin so he could spend more time on Ripple Lake. While Gust enjoyed fishing, Laura spent time entertaining and cooking Swedish favorites. She often used a large bell to call everyone in from the lake and gather for supper. The bell became part of the Anderson family after Gust reroofed Aitkin High School. He kept the bell as part payment for the work he completed. When the Andersons sold their place in 1988, the bell was repurchased by the Aitkin All School Reunion Committee and is now back at the high school, albeit indoors. Another Anderson family story revolves around Roger and pal Dewey Fenstermaker. In the early 1960s, they drove an old checkered taxi cab out on Ripple Lake, which was not completely frozen at the time. The ice below them started to crack and the pair had to knock out the car s back window to escape the vehicle before it sank to the bottom of Ripple Lake. John Rikala of Aitkin Motors rigged up some type of special crane that eventually recovered the vehicle. There were several stories about Roger s antics over the years. Laura s obituary notice even included the following: Every time she [Laura] went to the doctor s office, she would be wringing her hands and Dr. Smisek always asked her What has Roger done now? Gust passed away in Laura lived in a couple of apartments and later at a nursing home in Minneapolis until she passed away in Roger, too, has since passed away. Today, the house with the wall is about to change hands again, as Barry and Eileen recently moved to Cedar Lake. Regardless of who lives in the home, however, everyone will no doubt continue to reference good fishing spots, where they live and where to meet on the lake according to where the wall is located. The large school bell, which once helped call boaters in for supper at the Andersons, is now back at Aitkin High School. DNR postpones trailer decal program The DNR postponed the new trailer decal program that was due to go into effect July 1. The state legislature is now considering changes to the program, which would have required every trailer to display an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) decal, indicating that the trailer s owner has completed an online AIS course.

4 Page 4 FOR Annual Meeting to feature Wild & Free FOR members are invited to our Annual Meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at Maria Chapel (southwest of the public access). This year s meeting will include board updates and election of a new board member to replace outgoing member Brian Orlowski. Thanks for your service, Brian! The meeting will also feature a presentation from Wild & Free. This non-profit organization is dedicated to educating the public about wildlife, their habitat, and relieving the pain and suffering of wild animals. The organization, located in Garrison, rehabilitates wildlife until they are healthy enough to be released back into their natural habitat. They have helped numerous species over the years, including bear cubs, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, deer, loons, turtles, rabbits, owls and much more. We look forward to see a great crowd at this year s meeting! Time to renew your membership! Watch your mail for your yearly opportunity to join or renew your membership in the FOR Lake Association. You can submit your $20 annual dues by mail or at the annual meeting on June 6. The FOR Board has a goal to increase membership to at least 50 percent of all those who live on or have private access to Ripple Lake, so please plan to join or renew your membership in the lake association. As a reminder, your dues help FOR: Preserve and protect Ripple Lake and its surroundings. (Read evidence of this in the front-page story about the grant we received!) Enhance the water quality, fishery, boating, safety and aesthetic values of the lake as a recreational asset for today and future generations Provide two yearly newsletters and continuous updates via our website: friendsofripplelake/. Provide opportunities to get to know your neighbors Your membership is very important. Thanks for your support! Other FOR events planned for remainder of 2015 May 16 Road cleanup at 8:30 a.m. (meet at corner of Hwy. 39 & 305th St.) followed by Board Meeting at 9 a.m. Location to be determined/announced via and website. June 20 River & Lakes Fair at Aitkin High School, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free! July 4 Boat Parade, 11 a.m. (Decorate your favorite floating vessel and gather in the north bay.) July 25 Board Meeting, 9 a.m. August 15 Fishing Derby registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; Derby from 9-11 a.m. Annual Association Picnic, Noon, place to be determined. Watch mail/ for details. September/October We had such a great turnout for wine making/bottling last fall, we ll plan another event where we will make beer as well as wine. Watch mail and for details. October 3 Road cleanup at 8:30 a.m. (meet at corner of Hwy. 39 & 305th St.) followed by Board Meeting at 9 a.m. December 5 Board Meeting at 9 a.m., followed by holiday social time.

5 Page 5 Ripple Lake clothing items available to order Get Important Updates at Annual Meeting June 7 Don t miss out on wearing THE latest fashion trend this summer: new Ripple Lake clothing items! The Friends of Ripple Lake Association Board is working with Shirts Plus of Aitkin to make several items available. The shop created a new design, shown at right, that can be screen printed on T-shirts, sweatshirts and more. The shop can also embroider our newand-improved FOR logo (see sample at left) on hats and apparel. Ordering details Please place your orders for screen-printed items by May 22 by going to ripplelake/. (We will have Shirts Plus of Aitkin run another batch of screen-printed orders later this fall, before the holidays.) You can place orders for embroidered items at any time, since these are made as they are ordered. A sample of popular items and pricing is below. For color details, sizing, exact pricing and more, visit the website listed above, stop in the store in downtown Aitkin or call Other Events for Remainder of 2014 This is the new Ripple Lake design that can be screen printed on a variety of items. Visit the online store at T-shirt Item* Description Price 100% preshrunk cotton, variety of colors, sizes S XL From $9.95 (includes screen-printed Ripple Lake design); add $5 for embroidered FOR logo) Long-sleeve T-shirt 100% preshrunk cotton, ribbed cuffs, variety of colors, sizes S-5XL From $14.95 (includes screen-printed Ripple Lake design); add $5 for embroidered logo Tank top 100% preshrunk cotton, variety of colors, sizes S-3XL From $13.95 (includes screen-printed Ripple Lake design); add $5 for embroidered FOR logo Hooded sweatshirt 50% cotton/50% polyester, pouch pocket, 35 available colors, sizes S-5XL From $19.95 (includes screen-printed Ripple Lake design); add $5 for embroidered FOR logo Zip-up hoodie 50% cotton/50% polyester, 20 available colors; sizes S-5XL From $24.95 (includes screen-printed Ripple Lake design); add $5 for embroidered FOR logo Flex-fit cap Adjustable cap Cool and dry fabric keeps perspiration away, lets air in; spandex sweatband retains shape; colors include navy, white Khaki and black; one size Self-fabric closure with D-ring slider and tuck-in strap; available in 13 colors; one size From $9.95 (add $5 for embroidered FOR logo) From $6.95 (add $5 for embroidered FOR logo) * This is just a sample of items. For a full product list, visit the store or website.

6 Board Member Contacts Check out our website: Although you can still get to our website by entering: from there you now need to scroll through the list of lake associations to find our name. The direct link to our website is: friendsofripplelake/ Jim Nelson, President Gayle Gilbertson, VP Ruth Jorgenson, Sec Marge Spiel, Treasurer Evan Green Brian Orlowski Al Pearson John Steeber Lori Welle Like us on Facebook! (Friends of Ripple Lake) Get updates via We want to keep members updated on what the FOR Board is doing, so we send meeting minutes, meeting agendas, and news about special events to those for whom we have addresses. If you prefer not to receive these, just reply back. If you want to be added to the list, please send your address to Submit your favorite Ripple Lake photos! There are never enough sunsets to photograph or wildlife to capture on film. Share your favorite photos of boating, fishing, wildlife and other adventures on Ripple Lake, and we might use them in the next newsletter or on our website. Send photos to P.O. Box 253 Aitkin, MN 56431