Tough Winter, Spring Coming?

Aitkin County Native Plant Offer

Aitkin County SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District) is again offering a variety of native plants, trees, and shrubs for purchase. Orders, (including payment), are due by April 22. Pick-up is mid May. Check out their offers here

Sad LLPOA news

While it has been a long winter, it has become a sad winter for some LLPOA families.
Three property owners have passed away in recent weeks. Our thoughts and prayers for these and all Lone Lake families.

Karen Frazier, lot #111 on Oak Avenue, longtime LLPOA treasurer, organizer, always working for whatever lake association effort needed time and effort, and wife of LLPOA president Steve Frazier, died suddenly in mid February. Services will be this week. Use this link for information

John Ekstrand, lot #41 on 380th, passed away in mid January. A resident of Iowa, check this link from the Des Moines Register for more information.

Marilyn Backstrom, lot #83 on Oak Avenue, died earlier in February . Use this link for more information.

Willow Wattle projects completed for 2021

Installation at Gay VanSlooten’s home

Two September installation dates for the properties of Wetmore’s and Van Slooten’s were completed thanks to the help of Lone Lake volunteers, a grant from the SWCD of Aitkin County, and instruction from two master gardeners.

Take a boat ride past the properties on the NE and SE sides of the lake. Watch for the wooden stakes that are pounded into the massive bundles of saplings which will become part of the shoreline and help prevent further erosion along the banks. This keeps the soil, leaves, and other objects on the shore rather than making the water cloudier. In the future, watch for growth from the many native plant species that were planted inbetween the many tree branches/trunks.

Thinking of making your shoreline sturdier to prevent erosion from wind and waves? Native plants meant for areas such as lakeshore in this area will help keep the dirt on the shore. Click here to find a list of good plant choices for spring 2022 and beyond. Shelley Larson, naturalist in this article, is the professional with whom LLPOA works. These plants are the ones used in the two preservation efforts in 2021 and past years.

How will events such as the boat parade and triathlon be adjusted if/when Lone Lake has invasive species?

2021 was another challenging year for AIS inspections. Lone Lake did qualify for a grant to inspect on weekends and over the 4th of July week. Unfortunately, the county was challenged to find individuals to inspect watercraft at the public landings. As a result, not all lakes or time slots were covered. We have yet to receive a summary of the AIS inspection results but will forward it to the LLPOA members once it is completed.

Most of the property owners have removed their lifts, docks, and watercraft. We are fortunate to have additional shoreline to store the equipment this winter. Here is something we all can do right now to help keep our lake clean.

Now is a good time to spend 10 minutes and inspect the equipment for signs of zebra mussels.

An easy method to do this is to run your hand over a smooth edge of the dock/poles/feet, boat lift bars, or the bottom of a boat.

If you feel anything like sandpaper it could be a sign of zebra mussels. If anyone suspects they may have signs of zebra mussels, reach out to any of the LLPOA board and we can assist in inspecting the equipment or contact the DNR to report the situation. lonelakepoa@gmail.com

A new AIS species the state of MN and DNR are watching closely for signs of spreading is Starry Stonewort. These unwanted algae grow into thick bushes that can take over breeding areas for fish, overcome native vegetation, and disrupt a lake’s recreational activities.

Starry stonewort impacts:

  • Dense mats at the water’s surface inhibit waterways and clog boat propellers.

  • Overtakes habitat and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially lowering diversity.

  • Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native fish and wildlife.

See this link for additional information on
Starry Stonewort - An Invasive Species We Need To Watch | Be Aware

Fall President's Letter

As the sun sets on another season on Lone Lake we would again like to do an end-of-the-year report from a number of us on the LLPOA Board of Directors.

As lake association president it was great to almost return to normal after the pandemic. The hot weather and drought did not hamper us in completing our entire LLPOA program and activities thoughout the summer.

Our membership and attendance at lake association events was the best that it has been in years. Hey, we even ran out of chairs at the annual meeting this year with 68 attending!

Thank you for your participation and continued support of our lake association. Also a big thank you to our Board of Directors with each of them doing their share to make this a successful year. A special shout-out to Beth-Anne Rowe for all our great newsletters and Bev Napurski our website and Facebook postings.

Steve Frazier
LLPOA President

End of year reports from LLPOA board members

Lone Lake facts and figures
Thanks to board member Dave Scott, we are always aware of how the health of Lone Lake can affect all of us and our investment.

Secchi disc (water clarity) 2021 summary***

Deepest reading June 4 @ 35’

Shallow reading July 21 @ 20.5’

Final reading September 30 @ 25’

***cloud cover, sun angle, lake usage, boat size/usage, weather, wind, day of the week all contribute to the readings

As a comparison, an average reading of 40’ in the 1980’s put Lone Lake in the top 10 for cleanest lakes in MN. Lone Lake is still clean, but no longer in the top echelon. What can each of us do to make sure 2022 brings lower phosphorous, less algae, and no swimmer’s itch to Lone Lake?

NOW is the time to: clean your lakeshore of any dead matter. Remember that phosphorus comes from dead plant matter. Fewer leaves means less phosphorus and a cleaner lake. Rake that border of dead leaves away from the shoreline now. Thanks

Lake Levels

Water levels have been an issue throughout the drought of 2021. As in the past, lake levels will rise and fall. Photos and the lake history show this year not to be so different from drought years in the 2021 Fish and Wildlife Update

Clearing of Lone Lake overflow obstructions

Due to the drought there has been no water in the overflow, consequently daily inspections have been halted for the season. (Overflow is located at the northwest end of the lake)

Loons

There are two mating loon couples on our lake but there were no baby loons reported this year

Lone Lake Fish Assessments/Restocking

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the DNR did not stock Lone Lake with walleye fry this year. The Minnesota DNR does assessments/surveys every few years to determine quantity and size of fish species found in a particular body of water, this determines the quantity and size of fish, (only walleye for Lone Lake) that are needed for restocking of fish. The next scheduled assessment/survey for Lone Lake is scheduled for 2022 but because no walleye fry were restocked in 2020 the lake survey may be postponed. The next regularly scheduled survey is for 2024.

Information on how and why the Minnesota DNR Section of Fisheries does lake surveys can be found on the following Minnesota DNR website.

Thanks to Zint Kics for the fish and wildlife leadership and summary. Water levels will come back up but when cannot be predicted.

Keep in mind lakeshore owners can only change their structures on the property, not their lakeshore or the lake. Clean water was the definition of Lone Lake and a goal continuing today.

Planning and Zoning Team

We had a calm year on Lone Lake in terms of Planning and Zoning. We only had one incident relating to having commercial camping and RV sites on a lake property but the new Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Carlstrom declared it in violation of zoning requirements and the owner was told to cease and desist.

It is always wise to check with Aitkin Planning and Zoning if you are planning on making changes to your property all the way from tree removal to new construction or renovations.

Steve Frazier - Planning and Zoning Team Leader

LLPOA Treasurer’s Update

Thank you for your membership in the LLPOA. This year we had 129 lakeshore residents join and/or renew their membership.

I want to thank all the membership volunteers for their neighborly door to door contacts for memberships (we need more volunteers for 2022, a great way to meet others on the lake). A special thanks to Bev Napurski for her help in updating the 2021 Roster which is now posted on-line for members. We hope you received the updated version. If not, please contact us at lonelakepoa@gmail.com

Thanks to your membership dues, we currently have some funds in reserve to keep Lone Lake ready when we may become one of “those” lakes that find an invasive species has infiltrated our lake.

We also contribute to:

First Responders of Aitkin County (all of us may need them at some point)

ACLARA, the Aitkin County group that shares information on keeping lakes clean

Research on lake management

Lake inspections

The Rivers and Lakes Festival in June, 2022.

We provide bags for road clean-up

2021--all the food at the annual meeting in July due to pandemic issues.

Most of all, we need to be prepared for the AIS issue.

Help us all by always checking your boat and working with the inspectors at the landing. If you desire more detailed financial information, please email us at lonelakepoa@gmail.com. Thank you so much.

Karen Frazier, LLPOA Treasurer

President's Letter by Steve Frazier

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The work of the LLPOA continues after our wonderfully attended annual meeting and we would like to bring you up to date following topics and events:

Fall Road Clean-up Saturday, September 11th

Current Water Concerns Around the Lake

LLPOA Lakeshore Restoration Grant

Neighbors Pitch-in to Help the Grev Family

Plans for 2022

Fall Road Clean-up Saturday, September 11th

The last LLPOA event of the season is the fall road clean-up to be held on Saturday, September 11th at 9AM at the public beach. Coffee and rolls, donated again to us by Paulbeck’s, will be served and a chance for neighbors to connect. Cleaning areas will be set-up and a group photo taken for the LLPOA newsletter and Facebook posting. This is a fun and easy way to end the summer and a great way to keep the area around Lone Lake beautiful. Come join us and bring family and friends.


Current Water Concerns Around the Lake

There are several current water concerns that we would like to share with members. First is the low water level of the lake. David Scott, our Water Quality Team Leader, has let us know that the lake is now down over 14” due to the drought. Water clarity, the Secchi Disk reading, is at 23’, down from 35’ at the beginning of the summer season.

Secondly, with the lower lake levels, we would like to remind members that when they are cruising the lake, please stay well out from the shore to prevent damage to the lake bottom. We know that prop wash effects the lake bottom sediment and vegetation if less than 15 feet of depth.

Third, due to lower lake levels taking boats out at the public landing will be more difficult this fall. Also because of powering-up of boats coming out of the lake there is a depression right off the ramp. According to F.I.R.M., fishing boats and pontoons shouldn’t have too much difficulty getting out but larger ski boats and wake boats should consider getting out because if their boat trailer goes off the ramp into the depression they could sheer an axel in trying to get out. So be careful not to go off the ramp when taking out your boats.

Fourth and finally we have complaints about personal watercraft violation of operating before MN state law of 9:30AM and after the hour before sunset which is currently 8:07PM. Let’s all work to be good neighbors

LLPOA Lakeshore Restoration Grant

The LLPOA has a $3000 Grant from Aitkin Soil and Water for lakeshore restoration. On Saturday, July 24th Shelly Larson and her intern Laura Hendrickson accompanied by David Scott, Karen and Steve Frazier toured four of the six member lots that had expressed an interest in naturalizing and sustaining their shorelines. Shelly assessed the needs of each property and will submit an estimate of the cost to the LLPOA. Once the estimates are in a member participation team(s) will be assembled along with the lot owners to help with the plantings and willow-wattle shoreline wave protection structures. Watch for upcoming announcements for Shoreline Restoration work teams. The LLPOA thanks David Scott for his work of organizing this effort to help preserve and improve the beauty of Lone Lake.

Thank you LLPOA Members for your support of our lake association through your memberships and providing sweat-equity in our association’s many projects. Thanks again.



Neighbors Pitch-in to Help the Grev Family

Thanks to the 16 Lone Lake neighbors and friends that came on July 22 to mow, clear brush and debris, clean gutters and trim trees for Lone Lake neighbor Julian Grev.

Many hands make for small work. Thanks to: Kirstin Grev, Steve & Karen Frazier, Mustafa Bulut & Grandson, Julie & Jerry Nelson, neighbor, Kathryn Engdahl & Dean Frost, David Scott, Jeanie Thompson and friend Bill, Susan Saetra, and Mary Ann and Stephen Gmach. Steve and Karen Frazier thank all these people for their help in honoring Julian’s life in this small way.




LLPOA Sets 2022 Program Calendar

At the August 21st meeting of the LLPOA, the Board of Directors set the 2022 program calendar that runs from May to September. (Website Calendar). The Board also welcomed its newest member Mark Sauerbrey as a Director and thanked outgoing Director Maureen Sanford for her term on the Board. We want to thank all of you for your membership in the LLPOA as we had 120 sign-up and/or renew their memberships this year. Together we can enhance and preserve the health and beauty of Lone Lake for the future.


Steve Frazier-LLPOA President
See you on the lake!

Lakeside News

Lake levels Obvious to all, potentially harmful to your boats, toys, plant and wildlife, the lake levels continue to be heading downward. (How much the rain of the past week has run off into the lake is a work in progress.) Lake levels continue to be about 14” lower than spring 2021. Warm water temperatures this year allow additional growth of many wanted and unwanted species.

Docks and lifts all around the lake are in jeopardy of not being used. Word has gone around from some lake businesses to immediately check your ability to get your boat off the lift. Some residents can’t get their boat on the lift anymore, making for a short boating season.

Boats trolling too close to shore are now turning up the bottom levels of the lake. Your boat’s motor could have the ability to “mess with” something 15’ down. Keep that in mind when moving along the shoreline. Stay deeper than ever in recent memory.

If you employ a firm for dock/lift removal, the possibility exists they will be removing items early due to low water levels.

While your lakeshore seems extremely low this year, this level was common for many years during the 1900’s, most recently starting in 1988. Check your photos and notes from days gone by and please share some with us. We do know many areas of the lake previously were not water covered and had various uses including a crappie hatchery and a farm.

Something on the good side—-despite algae, etc. and regular August growth, Dave Scott reported the Secchi disc read 23’ last week. Could that be because you took the dead leaves and other matter off the public beach…..or your beach……you didn’t fertilize near the lake……you left a strip of unmowed growth along the lakeshore……you drove your boat responsibility, keeping in mind wave action on shorelines???

Most likely a combination of all, residents thank you for trying to keep Lone Lake clean.

Fall Road clean-up: Saturday, September 11. A good day to do a good deed and be thankful you are enjoying life 20 years later. Meet at the public beach @ 9a.m. for coffee and rolls provided by Paulbeck’s. IF you choose to clean a section of the ditches along Lone Lake before September 11, (County Road 28/Ditch Bank/290th Street, County Road 81/380th Avenue, Deer Street or Oak Avenue), please communicate that with us on Facebook or an email. Thanks and see you soon.

AIS—Aquatic Invasive Species. Most importantly, thank you to all who have donated to this fund or for an hour of inspection fees for our public landing. Every day we have an inspector on site is a good day for Lone Lake. County/state grant money will again be applied for in 2022 but nothing is ever guaranteed. Please be patient with inspectors asking you for information and checking your boat and trailer.

As fall approaches and you remove your docks and lifts, please check them carefully for anything that shouldn’t be there. Run your hand on all surfaces—feel it—-if it isn’t smooth, feeling more like sandpaper, there could be tiny AIS growth attached to your apparatus. Time to search online or ask the county for help.

Zebra mussels flourish in nearby lakes. Check your dock and lift, they may be using your lakeshore.

We are continuing to search for Lone Lake news and photos for days gone by. If you have knowledge or photos, please email us the information. Thanks. lonelakepoa@gmail.com


Amazing Lone Lake Summer Photos

Mid August wrapped up the final season for the LLPOA pandemic inspired photo contests. The smoky sun from wildfires, water, celebrations, and residents of all shapes and sizes appeared in the many photos. Thank you for sharing your views of life on Lone Lake. Summer 2021 winner is Keith Youngquist, seen above, combining water, boat, fun and the setting sun. Judges noted this “wrapped together everything a Lone Lake summer is hoped to be.”

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While LLPOA photo contests will go on hiatus for now, keep an eye on the Aitkin Independent Age newspaper for photo contests as well as mid MInnesota area publications. Thanks to all for taking and submitting the photos and to all others for taking a moment to relax and enjoy our lake through the lens of someone else.

Additional photographers highlighted in this newsletter, in order of their a photos. Could one of them be your neighbor?  Isn’t it great to see your lake when you couldn’t be there!

Thanks to:

  • Kathryn Engdahl

  • Amber and Nick VanDeusen

  • Judy Skoog

  • Stephanie Kingsland

Annual Meeting & July news from Steve

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​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.

Interested in detective work?

Time to join the “Starry Trek” event

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Join the group, meeting close by at the Ripple Lake public access on Saturday, August 21, at 8 a.m. Training will be given before volunteer detectives head out to nearby lakes. You will search for starry stonewort, a fast-growing, grass-like form of algae. It is believed to be spread by boats, trailers, etc. As it reproduces, it creates dense mats on the lake surface. That interferes with just about all lake activities.

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Link here to Aitkin county SWCD.org, click on Starry Trek and select the Ripple Lake location in Aitkin County.

Materials and other items will be provided for all participants.

This is a great …..and close by….opportunity to learn how to identify native and non native lake plants. We all thank you for sharing your time and efforts.