The Lone Lake annual meeting and picnic was held on Saturday, July 17th at 11:00 at the Preiner Storage Building on Oak Avenue. The 66 in attendance were treated to a served lunch of extra special Paulbeck’s own sausages, baked beans, potato salad, chips, cookies and refreshments. All the food was through Paulbeck’s Market and Mike gave the association a special discount on the incredible jumbo sausage hot dogs
Prior to the meal, four members were remembered that passed away this past year: JoAnn Preiner, Russ Peterson, Bill Sauerbrey and Julian Grev who just passed on July 3rd. .
Keeping with our “Going Local” theme, our guest speaker was Erik Heimark of Maple Ridge Produce. He and Jay’s farm is adjacent to Lone Lake on 380th Avenue. Erik gave the 4 year history about the growth of their farm to its current 4 acres. Growing from a small outdoor food stand to their newly renovated trailer that is open for sales on the honor system. All the produce is naturally grown. Many other items are available at their trailer and they also sell at area markets while also supplying 11 wholesalers.
Members were amazed at their greenhouse tomatoes reaching 8 feet in height with large beautiful tomatoes. All of their naturally grown produce is huge and healthy and the farm also has chickens, ducks, cats, dog and goats.
Over the years they have also grown the ingredients and made incredible breads of all kinds but now they are devoting most of their time to farming. However they have great plans for the future including have a “Barn Wedding” venue and increased acreage and production.
Erik boasts that the soil is richer after they farm it and the water is cleaner using their natural farming techniques. He also says that “We would not be here and so successful without the support of the people on Lone Lake.” These two young men are amazing and talented as Erik is also the Agricultural Science teacher at Aitkin High School and Jay is an artist and carpenter, making Tiffany styled stained glass lamps and other creative works of art.
Erik ended by thanking everyone for their support and invited them to stop in and shop at their produce trailer especially at harvest time.
The Annual Meeting was called to order by President Steve Frazier and gave a review of the year’s road clean-ups, the 4th of July’s Lone Lake triathlon and boat parade winners and the awarding of medals and traveling trophies.
Matt VanSlooten, triathlon organizer, noted that this was the 20th year of the LLT and it is a local fun event and encouraged more of the young people to get involved next year.
Steve announced the winners of the boat parade with the speedboat honors going to the Weisser Family, pontoon winners were the Decker/Sanford family and dock honors going to the VanDuesen Family and presented them with the new Lone Lake Traveling Trophies that they can display on their mantle until the next 4th of July.
Amendments to the LLPOA Bylaws to make all 13 members of the LLPOA board terms be two years on a staggered basis was discussed and passed unanimously. The election followed with Steve Frazier-President, Karen Frazier-Treasurer, Beth-Anne Rowe-Communications Director, David Scott-Water Quality Team Leader, Steve Frazier-Planning and Zoning Director, and Mark Sauerbrey was elected to the At Large Director and the newest member to the Board.
Linda Kics (Secretary) presented the 2019 Minutes and they were accepted unanimously. Karen Frazier (Treasurer) presented the 2020 financials which were accepted unanimously and noted that we now had 99 members so far this year.
Then each Board Member gave a short report on their area. Beth-Anne Rowe (Communications Director) urged members to send ideas for stories to her, to get involved in the Summer Photo Contest and reviewed this year’s winners and requested photos from past years to add to our historical pictures of Lone Lake. Website and Data Director Bev Napurski discussed our LLPOA Website and Facebook locations and our large following on-line.
AIS Team Leader Linda Szymanski reported that Lone Lake is Aquatic Invasive Species free and that Aitkin County Inspectors continue to conduct inspections at the Public Landing even though there is a shortage of certified trained inspectors. Steve reported on the Planning and Zoning issue of a posting online for a camping and RV site on the SW corner of the lake and that the new Zoning Administrator Andrew Carlstrom ordered the owner to cease and desist. Zint Kics our Fish & Wildlife Team Leader reported that there was no seeding of Walleyes last year but will occur next year and a fish survey will also take place. Steve reported on behalf of Maureen Sanford -water surface use team leader that the only issue was concern about deep wake boats and possible damage to the shoreline and degradation of water quality. Steve urged water sports people to stay in the deep parts of the bay because of the lower lake level.
The final report was by David Scott – Water Quality Team Leader and noted that the lake is down a foot since April and tree lower than the lake average. Also, the water clarity was 35 feet in April and now at 23 feet due to algae bloom and increased boat traffic. Dave also noted that some personal water craft were violating the law on being on the water prior to 9AM and/or not off by the hour prior to sunset. He urged PWC owners to check the boating regulations so that they don’t get ticketed by the Sheriffs Boat Patrol that visit our lake on a regular basis. He also announced that Shelly Larson will be visiting several properties on July 23rd to assess need actions and vegetation to protect the shoreline that is part of our Lakeshore Restoration Grant.
Steve finished the meeting by announcing that the LLPOA has two final events and they are the Labor Day weekend boat Inspections and the road clean-up on Saturday, September 11th. He thanked everyone for their support and membership in the Lone Lake Property Owners Association.