NEW FACES, OLD PLACES

NEW FACES, OLD PLACES
Since our last printing, two Angle resorts as well as a
familiar Angle landmark have changed hands…
Sunset Lodge
The long awaited reopening of Sunset Lodge is
scheduled to take place in summer, 2012.
Construction is rapidly being completed (beautifully
too, I might add!) and the lodge is planned to open in
July, featuring a full bar and offering a short order
lunch and dinner menu. A private banquet room is
available with specialty meals with advance notice.
Lodging in private cabins or condos will be available in
autumn, 2012. Other services offered will be retail gas,
boat rental, guided summer fishing, hunting and ice
fishing. Sunset Lodge will be open daily, May through
October and January through March. Watch for more
information in coming weeks.
Contact info: www.sunsetlodgeresort.com
218-223-8211 or 855-634-1863
Flag Island Resort
May 1, 2012, Troy Gjovik and Tony McClean took
over the reins of Flag Island Resort. Troy, Tony and
manager Dan Schmidt plan to maintain the high
standards of the cabins, grounds and fishing services
to guests. Dock manager Craig and his staff will
provide lakeside services including bait, gas, rental
boats, and assistance docking your boat. The Blue
Eyed Chief will be open daily, afternoons to closing, to
the public and will offer wide screen TV, food & full bar
services. The dining room is now owned and operated
by S.C.O.P.E. (Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and
Education) from Hayward, WI. They have extensively
remodeled and upgraded the kitchen. Chris Wunrow
and his staff plan to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner
to guests, local residents, bar customers and lake
traffic. Stop by and check out the changes.
Contact info: www.flagislandresort.com
218-223-8011
Email – flagislandresort@wiktel.com
Norma Ray (the Cyclone houseboat)
Some have driven by, a lucky few have toured,
everyone’s wondered, and now two have purchased!
Yvan Fontaine and Gordon Hochkevich, from Kenora,
Ontario, purchased the big white landmark in the fall of
2011 from previous owner Ray Ostrom. Ray sold his
beloved boat, because of failing health, to Yvan and
Gord, who appear to have as much regard and
enthusiasm for the boat as Ray had. They have been
very busy all winter, updating and getting the boat
seaworthy again. So, if you’re fishing or boating and
your vision is obscured by a large white boat-shaped
object, look waaay up, give the guys a friendly wave
and wish them good seas.
OPEN LETTER TO THE ANGLE (submitted)
FROM: Concerned Angle Residents
Over the past several years numerous discussions
and negotiations have been taking place between
LOW County, State of MN officials and Indian officials
concerning a road and power easement on the NW
Angle. This has occurred with limited involvement from
Angle residents.
The purpose of this article is to inform and educate
everyone as to the status of these negotiations.
The current proposal calls for a transfer of 9800
deeded acres of MN public land (this includes 17 miles
of pristine shoreline) to the Red Lake Band in
exchange for a road and power line easement of 115
acres which would continue under the authority and
control of the Red Lake Band. It appears that the
current tone of this proposal is to try to get whatever it
is that Red Lake wants in hopes that the problem will
just go away.
This proposal leaves many unanswered questions
such as:
- right to move road right away
- airport
- shoreline development
- harbor
- shooting range
- casino
- logging
- forest fires
- deer shining
- gill netting
Do you have any additional thoughts and concerns?
If so, please contact Dave Vickaryous at 218-2234281 or Paul Colson 223-8181.
There will be an informational meeting 10:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, June 6th at Angle Outpost. In attendance
will be representatives from Senator Al Franken’s
office, Rep. Collin Peterson’s office, DNR, REA,
MinnKota, and the Red Lake Band. Please seriously
consider attending this meeting to bring your
questions and concerns to light. Lunch will be
provided by the Edge Riders.
A petition in opposition to the proposal is being
circulated. If you are interested in participating, please
call 218-223-4281 or 223-8181.
● Congratulations to graduating high school seniors:
Cole Wandersee, son of Deb Kellerman and Tony
Wandersee, who own Angle Inn Lodge. He’s
graduating from Warroad High School and his future
plans include St. Cloud State University.
Richard (Austin) Carlson, son of Beth Carlson. He’s
graduating from Warroad High School and his future
plans include continuing his education at the
University of North Dakota.
Devin Alsleben, son of Brett & Teri Alsleben &
grandson of Jim & Barb Alsleben, Litchfield, MN. The
Alsleben’s are cabin owners on Flag Island. Devin
has spent each summer at the cabin, at Laketrails,
fishing, and working at Sportsman’s. His future plans
include pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at
the University of North Dakota.
INVASIVE SPECIES LAW CHANGES
In a press release dated May 4, 2012, the MN DNR
announced that a program requiring owners to display
a decal on their watercraft was being discontinued and
is being replaced with an online education program. A
new law requiring online education for anyone who
transports watercraft with a trailer goes into effect in
2015.
On July 1, 2012, other new AIS laws will be instituted
and the penalties for law violations have doubled. For
further information regarding the Aquatic Invasive
Species laws, go to
www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/preventspread.html.
NEW ENTRY RULE FOR CANADA
Changes announced by the Canadian government
in March will make it easier for Americans with a
single DWI or other misdemeanor to enter Canada.
The new policy is a one-time break and is the start
of an on-going push to relax the restrictive entry
requirements that have cost Canadian tourism many
millions of dollars. The government is calling it an
interim measure, hoping for broader, permanent
changes in a year or two.
Under the changes, Americans who are convicted of
an offense – including a DWI – but receive no
imprisonment and have no other convictions or
charges could receive a free Temporary Resident
Permit (TRP), which normally costs $200. But the
directive from Citizenship and Immigration Canada still
leaves admission to the discretion of each border
officer.
To read the Operational Bulletin issued by the
Canadian government, go to
www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/20
12/ob389.asp.
● Sympathies to the Pat Stahel family. Pat passed
away Jan. 1, 2012 at his home in Carefree, AZ. Pat
and Lynne have had a summer home on the North
Shore of Oak Island for many years.
● Sympathies to the Sandy Grandgeorge family.
Sandy passed away after a long courageous battle
with cancer in Mar., 2012. Sandy and Jack have a
cabin in Butterfield Bay on Oak Island.
● Sympathies to the Darren Kunz family. Darren
passed away Dec. 17, 2011, after a battle with cancer.
Darren’s parents, Joan and Pete Kunz, have a cabin
on the North Shore of Oak Island.
● Sympathies to Sue & Duane Sellen and family on
the passing of Sue’s brother, Allen, on Nov. 30, 2011,
and Sue’s mom, Edna, on Dec. 2, 2011. Sue & Duane
own and operate D&S Storage & Service on the
mainland.
● Sympathies to the Irvin Keeler family. Irvin passed
away Mar. 5, 2012. The Earle/Keeler family has
owned land on the east side of Oak Island for many
years; it is currently owned by son Cole and wife
Betty.
THIS ‘N’ THAT
● Angle schoolteacher, Linda Kastl, was recently
featured in (and is the covergirl of!) the May-June
issue of Northwoods Woman. Available on magazine
shelves or at www.northwoodswoman.com.
● Sympathies to the Dan Frederick family. Mary’s dad,
Roland Hansen, passed away May 19, 2012. Mary &
Dan have a cabin on Flag Island.
● Congratulations to newlyweds Pam (Arnold) and
Martin Kamen. They were married in Florida on Dec.
17, 2011. Pam is the daughter of Doug and Irene
Arnold, who have a summer home on Birch Drive on
the mainland. Doug is responsible for our summer
maintenance of ‘the Angle Road’.
● Lawn mowing, trimming & yard clean up. Call 2234840 or email nlbakke@gmail.com to get on the 2012
mowing list.
Nikki Bakke & John Howard
● Congratulations to newlyweds Samantha (Carlson)
and Jared Shoen. They were married at the Angle on
Mar. 17, 2012. Sam is the daughter of RC and Mary
Carlson and is a familiar Angle sight on her
lawnmower. Jared is the son of Randy Shoen and
Mindy Shoen and is a familiar face, having worked
and lived at the Angle for some time.
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Natural insect repellant - 3 1/2 oz witch hazel, 1/2
tsp lemongrass oil, 1/2 tsp eucalyptus oil, 1/2 tsp
citronella oil. Combine all ingredients in a four-ounce
bottle. Shake the mixture before each use.
2
LAKETRAILS BASE CAMP NEWS (Sue Lemm)
NORTHERNMOST MARKER (w/photo)
Laketrails is gearing up for their 60th anniversary
celebration this summer. Teens have been paddling
the waters of Lake of the Woods since Frs. Bill
Mehrkens, Ed Herrold and Jerry Noesen first founded
the camp at Oak Point on land once occupied by
Booth Fisheries. Much has changed since 1952, but
the basic program has remained the same, and
campers still enjoy the fun and camaraderie of a
wilderness canoeing adventure.
This year a sixth session has been added, up from
five sessions the past several years. Kicking off the
season in June will be youth from Eagan High
School’s Summer Science Institute. They will be
celebrating their 20th season with Laketrails. Other
large groups on the schedule include Edina High
School and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bemidji and St.
Cloud. Many local youth are also signed on to paddle
and celebrate the anniversary season.
Laketrails will again host their “Painters in Paradise”
weekend, July 13-15, 2012. This relaxing weekend is
designed for hobby artists and can accommodate
those who paint, enjoy photography, drawing, or other
artistic hobbies. Those interested are encouraged to
visit the Laketrails website at www.laketrails.org or call
Sue Lemm at 800-450-6460.
An adult canoe trip is also in the works for those who
think the kids shouldn’t keep all the fun to themselves.
This 6-day canoeing adventure is planned for Aug. 1117 and will immediately precede the 60th reunion
festivities. Again, more details can be found on the
Laketrails website.
Catholic church services will be offered at Laketrails
several times throughout the summer depending on
the availability of clergy. At this time it is hoped to
have Mass on June 24, July 8, 15, and 22, and Aug.
12 and 19. Notices will be posted when definite dates
are confirmed.
The Chamber of Commerce has received the offer
of funds totaling $1,000 to build a marker for the
northernmost spot in the contiguous US – an inukshuk
(a stone landmark constructed roughly in the shape of
a human, typically used for navigation or a marker) –
spearheaded by Joan Undahl in cooperation with
Young’s Bay Resort. If you would like to be a part of
this project, please call Joan at 223-4010. This will
complete the four U.S. markers – most northern, the
Northwest Angle; most southern, commonly Key West,
FL; most eastern, West Quoddy Head, ME; and most
western, Cape Alva, WA.
BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
Join the crowd the weekend of Aug 4th for Blueberry
Festival. Traditional events like the Chili Cookoff and
the Blueberry Dessert contest will be held as well as
new events, plus activities for Relay for Life 2012. If
you can help or have an idea for a fun activity, call
chairperson Kellie Knight at 218-689-3327. Watch for
posters this summer.
LITERARY HAPPENINGS (Ann Zavoral) (w/photo)
Familiar Name on List In late January, 24 judges
met to choose the finalist for this year’s Minnesota
Book Awards. There were lots of familiar names on
the list, which was studded with many past winners
and past nominees, including William Kent Krueger.
Krueger was one of four finalists in the Genre Fiction
category, sponsored by Marvin Windows and Doors,
for his novel, Northwest Angle.
During the month of March, Minnesotans were
invited to cast their votes online to name a winner for
the Reader’s Choice Award.
Winners were announced April 14th at the 24th
annual gala event in St. Paul.
This summer, bookmarks and posters featuring the
2012 winning authors and books will be distributed to
libraries, public schools and bookstores statewide.
Minnesota Crime Wave On May 8, 2012, fiction
mystery writers from Minnesota Crime Wave
(www.minnesotacrimewave.org) visited Lake Agassiz
Regional Library in Moorhead, MN. When William
Kent Krueger, one of the authors, realized that Judy
Petermann was in the audience, he pointed out her
name on pg 90 of his newest Cork O’Connor novel,
Trickster’s Point. In Sept., 2011, Judy’s name was
drawn at a Warroad Public Library fundraiser as a
character name to appear in his next novel. Watch for
the release of this latest book of fiction on Aug. 21.
Judy is a retired teacher residing in Fargo. How has
Krueger chosen to portray her in his newest novel?
(And why is he wearing a prison suit in the picture???)
JULY LADIES TRIP (Ann Zavoral)
An overnight ladies trip is being planned for
Saturday, July 14, to Frost Fire, a summer theatre
destination in the beautiful Pembina Gorge
(http://frostfiretheatre.com/index.html). This summer’s
production is Ring of Fire, highlighting Johnny Cash’s
life story through his music.
Overnight accommodation has been arranged at
One Majestic Place, a beautiful retreat near Mountain,
ND (www.onemajesticplace.com). Expenses will be for
several meals, theatre ticket with meal ($41), an
overnight lodging, and other incidentals and shopping.
This area is about 100 miles west of Roseau. For
more information or to sign up for the trip, email Ann
Zavoral at flagisle@gmail.com. Limited to the first 10
registrants.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
3
Sundays at 10:30 am – Church services at St. Luke’s
June 6 –10 am - land transfer informational mtg –
Angle Outpost, lunch provided
June 24 – 10 am - Mass at Laketrails
July 8 – 10 am - Mass at Laketrails
July 13-15 – Painters in Paradise – Laketrails
July 14-15 – ladies trip to Frost Fire Theatre
July 15 – 10 am - Mass at Laketrails
July 22 – 10 am - Mass at Laketrails
July 29 – Community Breakfast at Jerry’s
Hosted by Laketrails
Aug 4 – Blueberry Festival
Aug 4 – Relay for Life on the Lake
Aug 12 – 10 am - Mass at Laketrails
Aug 17-19 – Laketrails 60th Anniversary
Aug 19 – 10 am - Mass at Laketrails
CHAMBER NEWS (Deb Kellerman, treas)
Savings Balance as of 12/31/10
$12,679.41
Interest
31.64
Savings Balance as of 12/31/11
12,711.05
Includes set asides for the following projects:
Web Site Changes/Updates...2,000.00
Truck Wrap……………………1,200.00
Wild Flowers………………….3,380.00
Cook Books………………….. 2,550.00 *
*Cookbooks and inserts remain in inventory – can be
purchased at participating area businesses.
Checkbook Balance as of 12/31/10
$ 4,851.55
Deposit
15,077.01
Expenses
19,152.72
Advertising/Web Expense..$10,409.05
Wikstrom Telephone………
503.95
Roseau Electric …………..
75.60
Memberships………………
665.00
Insurance…………………..
451.00
Newsletter………………….
772.70
Event Expenses …………..
447.62
Postage ……………………
206.10
Wildflower Expense ………
895.70
Checks …………………….
45.00
Year End Disbursements… 4,681.00
School……………..$ 1,626
EMT……….………. 1,090
Snowmobile trails...
405
Fire Dept………….. 1,030
Wildflowers ……….
530
Checkbook Balance as of 12/31/11
820.84
EDGE RIDERS NEWS (Bonny Edin)
We had a busy and successful winter! It was a little
short – both in days and snow – but mild temps had
snowmobilers out on the trails when the snow finally
arrived. Trail marking and grooming presented a new
set of challenges, with all the ice movement on the
lake but Dave V. and crew did a great job.
The raffle and rally were very successful. The lucky
Rally winner of the Zack Shack was Jessica Howard,
NWA. Lucky raffle winners were:
Rolland Barlage, NWA – Sportman’s fishing pkg
Richard Allen McKeever, NWA – Browning .270 rifle
Sean Colliflower, NWA – 46” TV
Stan (Tin Shack) Erickson, NWA –Rocking Chair
Jeremy Sisler, Warroad – Weber Grill
Ron Lund, Warroad – Diamond Earrings
Molly Yokiel – St Peter, MN, & NWA – Quilt
For club or membership info, go to
www.nwaedgeriders.org.
Membership is down. Please use the membership
form from the website and join us today!
2011
2010
Web links –
19
19
Members –
108
137
CHANGES FOR NEWSLETTER
As you can see in the Chamber’s financial
statement, costs for printing and mailing the newsletter
continue to rise. As a result, beginning with the Fall
issue, 2012, distribution will change slightly.
For Chamber members, the newsletter will continue
to be sent in the manner that you’ve specified on your
membership form.
For non-Chamber members, the newsletter and
membership form will be available on the website free
of charge (www.lakeofthewoodsresorts.com) or will be
emailed to you free of charge (send us your email
address if you haven’t already.) Or you can subscribe
to have it mailed to you for a $5/issue fee (issues sent
twice per year). If you wish to subscribe, fill in the
mailing information on the enclosed sheet and mail
with your payment to Chamber of Commerce, PO Box
11, Oak Island, MN 56741.
ST. LUKE’S NEWS
(Bonny Edin)
The remodeling project was on track. Mike Edin had
installed the cabinets and was ready to spray the walls
when an illness laid him low for awhile. He’s on the
mend & will have the project completed soon.
LOW County Sheriff Dallas Block filled in at the
pulpit while Mike and Ilyne Rasmussen were away on
their trip. Thanks, Dallas!
Please join us for church services each Sunday at
10:30. All are welcome!
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A natural tick deterrent for human use is 1 part
teatree oil (also called melaleuca oil) to 2 parts water.
Spray on socks, shoes, pant cuffs. Safe for humans
as teatree oil is also used to heal cuts, scrapes, burns
and infections.
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(w/photo)
KASTL BENEFIT (Bonny Edin)
ARENS HERITAGE SETTLEMENT
Linda Kastl, Angle resident and the sole school
teacher for nearly 30 years, had emergency surgery
after a spinal cord stimulator procedure left her with
internal bleeding, putting pressure on her spinal cord
and leaving a large blood clot at the base of her spine.
Linda suffers from Length-Dependent Peripheral
Neuropathy and the stimulator had been implanted to
relieve pain in her legs and feet. Because of the
complications, Linda is suffering from numbness, back
pain and other issues.
An area benefit to help defray some of the financial
stress was held for Linda on May 19, featuring a
community breakfast as well as a great Chinese
auction. If you missed it but would still like to donate,
any amount would be greatly appreciated and can be
sent to St. Luke’s Church (notation ‘Kastl’ on the
memo line), PO Box 85, Angle Inlet, MN 56711.
Jim Hallan, retired Warroad teacher & owner of The
Other Place on America Point, and Sue Lemm,
Warroad grade school teacher & director of Laketrails,
stepped up and filled in admirably at the school.
Thanks, Jim & Sue!!
(Michelle Friend)
Bara Arens’ drive for producing art work and her
love of creating displays for public enjoyment have
culminated in the Arens Heritage Center, a multibuilding compound on Oak Island featuring a variety of
displays and entertainment.
Projects already completed are an 8’ lighthouse
made of found objects (aka what most people
consider junk – but Bara finds a way to repurpose
such things, oven knobs into owl’s eyes, e.g.) Also
crafted of found objects is the Animal Tree, a totem
depicting each of the characters featured in Bara’s
recently completed second series of books. The
Studio and Studio B are the original art gallery and the
newly completed custom crafted addition, itself a work
of art, where Bara’s artwork is displayed. The Native
American dwelling contains several collections of
artifacts and art.
There are other projects slated to be ready for public
viewing by early summer. Bara moved the old oneroom Oak Island schoolhouse to the Arens property.
Refurbishing will provide a reading room and a replica
historical school room setting, as well as displays and
collections of early 20th century items. Also new to the
property is a pioneer log cabin that was the childhood
home of Grace “Ducky” Webb. Another log cabin will
be furnished to replicate life of bygone years, featuring
more collections and antiques. And there will be a
Gypsy Wagon. Yep, a Gypsy Wagon.
The Arens Heritage Settlement, located a few doors
down from Sunset Lodge, will be open to the public
sometime early this summer. The property’s park-like
setting is conducive to self-guided tours, interactive
recreating and loosely structured meanderings. There
is no fee to visit the Settlement, but a free-will
donation is appreciated. Artwork by Bara will be
displayed throughout all of the buildings and can be
acquired for a donation (some pieces will have a
suggested donation amount.) Look for informational
posters announcing the official grand opening.
RELAY FOR LIFE – 2012
(Patti Swanson)
WHY? When we fight together, we are bigger than
cancer. We want to defeat cancer forever and help
those suffering from cancer now. The Relay is a
wonderful opportunity to “celebrate” those who have
had cancer and are survivors; to “remember” those
loved ones who lost their battle with cancer; and “fight
back” against this horrible disease.
WHEN? Saturday, August 4, 2012
WHERE? All around the NW Angle! Luminaries can
be placed on your dock, on your roof, on your deck,
or anywhere around your resort or home. Each
luminary is in honor or in memory of someone special.
Let’s light up the mainland and islands with this
symbol of hope. We can then travel under the full
moon on Aug. 4 to enjoy the beautiful sight. Opening
ceremonies will be held at Jerry’s Restaurant on
Saturday morning, Aug. 4.
HOW? Teams will sell luminaries for $5 each AND
have many different fun projects to raise money to
fight cancer. Every dollar gets us closer to a cure!
JOIN A TEAM! START YOUR OWN TEAM!
SPONSOR the event! DONATE!
Please let Patti Swanson know if you are willing to
help in any way or have any questions! 218-223-4573
or email her at pswanson@ruralaccess.net.
.
PROGRESSIVE DINNER
The Progressive Dinner was held on Feb. 11, 2012.
46 people made the rounds to the four stops which
included new participant Angle Outpost (appetizers),
Jerry’s (soup & salad), Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
(main course), and Angle Inn Lodge (dessert). Great
food was served to and enjoyed by all! Next year will
see some slight changes to the ticket sales process so
be sure to plan to buy or reserve your tickets early!!!
Watch for details in the fall newsletter.
Mosquito Spray - Put Listerine in a spray bottle.
Spray the lawn, deck, picnic area, lawn chairs, swing
sets, standing water, the frame of doors & windows –
even inside the dog house! Effects last about 2 days.
This makes good mosquitoes – DEAD ONES!!!
5
BONNIE BRAE CLUB
In 1972 Don purchased 5.2 acres from Bobbie and
Louie which adjoined the Bonnie Brae Club on the
east side and acquired a first option to buy the
adjoining property, which included the BBC. In 1978
Don received a call in Peoria, IL, his home town,
telling him that Bobbie and Louis had decided to sell
and move to Mena, AK, as Bobbie’s health had
deteriorated and thoughts of a warmer climate were
drawing them south. In 1979, the deal was completed
and Don packed up and moved to Oak Island to
become the proud owner.
Basically the business consisted of a tavern (the
BBC), a small four unit lodging facility, and the
homestead cabin. The tavern had a wooden floor,
which deteriorated over the years and was sinking into
the ground until it had a mostly dirt floor behind the
bar. On New Year’s Eve, the tavern was opened up
even though there was no insulation in the building.
The barrel stove was fired until it was cherry red and
jumping off the floor. Everyone had enough
‘antifreeze’ so no one really cared how cold it was!
Wanting to cater to the true fishing sportsman, the
name was changed to the Bonnie Brae Resort. Don
successfully ran the operation as a fishing camp and
the tavern was open to the general public until 1988. It
had become obvious that the clientele desired a more
modern operation.
In the fall of 1988 he tore down the old tavern and
replaced it with the current log lodge. At the same time
construction was begun on the condominium unit to
the west of the lodge. These projects were completed
in time for opening in spring of 1989. As the business
continued to grow, a new log 4-plex was built in 1992.
In addition, the US Post Office was relocated from the
Bay Store on the west side of Oak into a new facility
next to the new lodge.
After owning and operating the business for 25
years and enjoying the work and camaraderie of
customers and friends, Don sold the resort to Jerry
and LuAnn Hennum, owners of Sportsman’s Lodge at
Baudette, in May, 2003. Many thought that Don would
travel after being tied to the business for 25 years but,
as he says, ‘Why take a vacation when you’re already
in Paradise?’
For marketing purposes, the name was changed to
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge. Although the name
was changed, the friendly, customer-conscious
atmosphere continues.
(w/photo)
(Ducky Webb & Don McClanathan)
(Ducky remembers) Evadelle (Bobbie) and George
Bray bought a piece of property owned by Fred Calvin
on the east end of Oak Island in 1940. For several
years, they lived in a cabin that was on the property in
which Shady Federspeil, brother to Ed Federspeil who
lived on Brush Island, had been living. Shady’s log
cabin was located approximately where Don
McClanathan’s guest house is now and had been built
in the late 20s or early 30s. The Brays raised
chickens, goats and a huge garden. George was gone
a lot, working in Chicago. I liked to go over and spend
time with Bobbie when she was alone, staying for
several days. Bobbie was always making fun things,
like a ginger bread house that she carried by hand on
snowshoes all the way to the school, about 1 ½ miles
away, for our Christmas party so it wouldn’t get
damaged!
They bought the land where the present
Sportsman’s is from George and Lilly Earle around
1942. The Earles did commercial fishing from there
and had a fish house, ice house to put up ice in winter
for summer use, and other small buildings. About that
time they also bought the Case property from Maud
Case.
After the war they started a War Surplus store in
Warroad. They also had a dry dock around that time.
They were divorced in 1949, and in 1950 Bobbie
started what was known as The Bonnie Brae Club.
(The term ‘Bonnie Brae’ is a Gaelic term which,
loosely translated, means ‘happy times’ or ‘good
times’. A definition from another source says that the
Gaelic term means ‘pleasant or pretty hill’.) Bobbie
worked at the dry cleaners in Warroad in the winter
and sold or traded pieces of property to build her place
up. The Club sold ‘setups’, meaning guests brought
their own bottle of liquor to the club and had their drink
mixed.
Many will recall the fun dances with the impromptu
bands made up of anyone who came along that could
play an instrument. Charles McKeever often called
square dances. Schottisches, the butterfly & other old
time dances were enjoyed. Bobbie hired bands from
‘town’ for the 4th of July and other special occasions.
Bobbie rented a few rooms and had a large dock
where the cabin cruisers could tie up. She worked in
town or Peoria, IL, in the winter. In 1966 or ‘67, Bobbie
married Louie Mindl from Warroad. They operated
until Don McClanathan bought it in Dec., 1978.
(Don remembers) I had started vacationing in the
area in 1966, staying at the old log cabin where Brays
had homesteaded. It hadn’t been occupied for several
years, so the first few years of vacationing, Don
shared the cabin with bats & snakes.
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COOLER CORN - Cooking corn on the cob for a
large gathering? Put shucked corn in a clean cooler
(yes, take the beer out first!), add some salt and 2
kettles of boiling water. Close the lid and wait 30
minutes. Perfectly cooked & ready to eat! It will stay at
the perfect level of doneness for a couple of hours!
6
(w/photo)
THE LADIES WHO LUNCH – Winter chapter
KITE TOUR on LOW (Kate Perkins)
(Nancy Magoon)
We had three Ladies Luncheons this past winter and
I think everyone enjoy getting together, not only for the
lunch but being able to spend time visiting. Our first
lunch was on January 21st at Jerry’s and gave all the
ladies a chance to meet the 2 newest McKeever
babies. Andie McKeever, daughter of Richard Allen
and Lisa, was born in September and Bridger, son of
Brian and Jenny, was born in December. We had a
few other kids attending, Ava McKeever, Bridger’s big
sister, John Howard’s daughter, Jessica, Alice
Edman, daughter of Mary and Allen, and Illene and
Mike Rasmussen’s grand daughter, Eliana, which
made the luncheon extra special!!
Our second lunch was at Angle Inn on February
22nd and, because of the warm weather, our third
lunch on March 13th had to be changed from
Sportsman’s to Jerry’s – who would have thought we
would run into that problem so early!! We will start
again in Jan. so watch for posters in the usual spots.
We got some funny looks, heading out onto the ice
without a snowmobile, fish house or bombardier. Lots
of people asked what we were up to, and I think some
thought we were crazy. Our plan was to kite ski all the
way from Rocky Point, on the south end of Lake of the
Woods, to Garden Island, 18 miles NE.
Kite skiing is a growing sport. It involves harnessing
yourself to a giant kite and using the wind to pull you
around on skis. We pulled sleds behind us, loaded
with our gear, including a large tent & woodstove.
The first morning there was no wind, so we set off
through a village of fish houses, pulling our sleds,
walking across the ice and making our way north. It
was pretty slow going.
Beyond the fish houses, about 2 miles from shore,
came the expanse of nothingness – the Big Traverse.
The name fell pretty accurately on our trek. By 3 or 4
pm, we’d made about 6 miles. It was time for a break.
After just enough time for us to sprawl our gear out
across the ice, the wind picked up. We threw up our
kites and packed our things. Angie, Brody, Bryce,
Summit (an Alaskan husky) and I took off just as the
sun was going down.
As we kited along, the sun began to set & the stars
came out. We made it another 5 miles in about 45
minutes. We started to get chilly, so we set up camp &
cooked dinner. We were at least 7 miles from land in
any direction. There were absolutely no prints or
tracks anywhere in the snow, besides our own.
The following morning we made coffee and watched
the sun come up over the ice in a chilly haze of pink &
orange. We ate, packed up our gear and once again
tossed our kites in the air. The wind was from the
south, so we were headed straight downwind. Taking
a path downwind is not as easy as one might think.
Kiting is like sailing. Going downwind involves tacking
back and forth, so it took about 8 miles of kiting to
make it 4 miles downwind.
We reached Garden Island with daylight to spare for
collecting firewood & kiting around. Now that we had a
source of wood, we stoked the woodstove to about 80
degrees in the tent & soaked up the warmth.
That night the northern lights lit up the sky.
The next morning our friend Mike showed up with a
snowmobile, as there was no wind. We made our way
the 10 miles to Oak Island, where we did some fishing
& kiting. On the way home the following day, the snow
collecting on the roads could only mean more winter,
meaning more adventures before the ice goes out.
Go to http://vimeo.com/37634347 to see the northern
lights video they made & to www.explorethewind.com
to see great pictures of their kiting adventures. Feb,
2012, trip. Kate & Bryce are former Laketrails staff.
FIRST YOU FIND A TREE….
(w/photo)
His name is Talon and if you put a ‘T’ on the end of
it, it describes what this young man has plenty of –
talent! He is, among many things, a college student,
an EMT, a builder, a lure maker. Now he adds birch
bark canoe builder to the list. Talon Stammen, whose
family is building a log home on Brush Island, spent a
week last fall at North House Folk School with his
grandfather, Art Grabowski. They were featured in the
NHFS newsletter. Talon is a soft-spoken and quietly
enthusiastic 18-yr old with more knowledge and
experience in traditional craft than most people 3
times his age. Art is 98 yrs old and the reason Talon
knows as much as he does.
Talon came to North House to make a traditional
birch bark canoe. He has been working along side his
grandfather since he was old enough to hold a
hammer, so he is no stranger to working with his
hands. In fact, he pays particular attention to the
methods & techniques used by native peoples before
electricity, plastic, and salvaged Campbell’s soup cans
were used to boil pine sap & bear grease. As Talon
was studiously hand-planing every cedar rib for the
canoe, Art was in the instructor’s workshop trying his
hand at turning bowls on an electric lathe.
The pair exemplified North House’s mission of
intergenerational, life-long learning. Who says you
can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Or a young dog old
ones? It’s all captured on film.
Excerpts are reprinted here with permission of North House Folk
School. North House Folk School is an educational non-profit
organization in Grand Marais, MN, teaching traditional northern
craft. Find out more at www.northhouse.org.
7
Storage Now Available
Chicken Buffet
located near Angle Outpost
Saturday Evenings
May 26 thru Sept 1
NO BUFFET on July 21 or Aug 25
Come check out our newly remodeled bar and
decks; relax and enjoy an evening with
neighbors and friends.
Reservations for parties of 8 or more are
appreciated.
Contact John Anderson
218-205-6542 or 218-685-5480
Original homestead cabin of Shady Federspeil, later
homesteaded by Bobbie & George Bray (about 1940),
located approximately where Don McClanathan’s guest
cabin is currently.
Bobbie Bray, approx 1950
The Bonnie Brae Club
built 1950.
4-unit rental building in background
built 1956
9
Bobby Bray
at the Hanson’s (Bay Store)
Christmas 1950 or 51
Bobbie & Louis Mindl,
at the Bonnie Brae Club,
sometime in the late 1960’s
Original bar at the Bonnie Brae
Owner, Don McClanathan (left)
1987
winter transportation
Will Steiger’s dog team stopped on their way
to Point Barrow, AK 1985 or 86
10
Steak House added to the Bonnie Brae Club 1985
Owner, Don McClanathan (left), cooking steaks
in the Steak House for guests. The Steak
House was in operation from 1985-2003.
Bonnie Brae Resort
July, 1993
2 examples of an Inukshuk. Simple or elaborate,
they come in all shapes & sizes and are primarily
constructed of rock. Many are visible along
shorelines in the Angle area.
Judy Petermann and William Kent Kreuger with the of
jacket of Krueger’s latest book Trickster’s Point, in
which one of the characters is named for Judy.
11
The ‘before’ pictures of
the old one room school
house on Oak Island that
is now part of the Arens
Heritage Settlement.
The ‘after’ will be
available to tour this
summer.
First you find a tree…..take some of these
and some of those
melt down & mix some of that
do a little of this
do a LOT of sanding to these and
VOILA!, you get THIS!!!
A hand crafted birchbark canoe!
Talon Stammen & his grandfather learn the traditional art of canoe building at North House. From top left – wood to make the
cedar ribs; some of the tools used to shape and assemble; Talon & instructor mixing pine tar & bear grease to be used to
pitch the canoe; Art taking a break from the canoe to make a wooden bowl; Talon shaping & sanding ribs for the canoe; the
canoe, assembled and waiting to be pitched.
Pictures courtesy of North House.
12
Harnessing the wind for transportation
Another way to fly a kite!
Ice ridge? No problem! Just jump it!
Tenting under the Northern Lights show
at Garden Island, 2/12/2012
Yes, once in awhile the wind does NOT blow on Lake of the
Woods! When it doesn’t, it’s nice to know a guy with a
snowmobile for a little tow.
Pictures & entertainment provided by Angie, Brody, Bryce, Kate and Summit (Alaskan husky)
13
The kite ski harness.