Volume 22, Number 2, Spring 2012

Published by Big Sugar Bush Lake Association of Minnesotawww.bigsugarbush.net

Copyright 2012 Any use of information contained in this newsletter may not be used for commercial purposes without permission from the editor.

Things I learned from the LoonYou have to protect your family and be ready to warn of

Predators at any time.There's nothing as tasty as fresh fish!Sometimes it's better to stay below the radar of others.Bald eagles aren't all that they are bragged up to be.You can't just cross your toes and expect that your loon chicks

Will turn out all right.The call of the loon, at night, puts everyone at ease, especially

The moon.You can't just 'fly off' any time you please – you have to ask

Your mate to watch the chicks first.Sometimes you just gotta yell; just to get things off your chest!You don't have to evolve, if you don't want to – sometimes you

Are perfect just the way you are.Darryl Zitzow 12-03-09

Big Sugar BushAssociation MEETING

Saturday, May 26 at 2 p.m.at Richwood Winery

EDITOR'S CORNERBig Sugar Bushers,

Big news continues to be AIS - aquatic invasivespecies - (plant and animal). Thanks to Ken Mattsonand other volunteers who continue to follow this criti-cal topic on behalf of BSB. Please read the BOLDACTION NOW article for full details.

Several year back we featured a summary of thehistory of DNR test-netting done here. It was notedthat one report of a single "small mouthed bass" in atest net was found. I asked if anyone else had everencountered a small mouth here, noting that the iden-tification must have been an "error in transposing"information. No one came forward at that time.

Now, crack reporter and piscatorial raconteur,Jimmy Olsen, checks in with a most interesting storyof the existence of small-mouth here. I would havebet my best landing net that this couldn't be true. Seehis story.

The superb Flora color section of this editionspeaks for itself! Thanks to all the members who sub-mitted photos. Regretfully, there was not enoughroom for all of them. It is you who make the BSBNOTES what it is!

Inhale the springtime!Jim

CHILDREN ENJOYING THE LAKE!SPRING 2013 COLOR PHOTO SPREAD

(subject{s} must be 10 years or under when photo was taken.)E-mail to editor, or send hard copy. Note age when picture wastaken, and the current age of the subject{s}. Now it's up to you!

ICE LEAVES EARLY, SETS RECORD!Our ice-out record dates, kept over the years by Ken

Mattson and Lana Engbloom (and certainly others) indicatethe 2012 ice-out was exceptional- MARCH 23 - previousearliest date was April 4 in 2000. The latest on record wasMay 7 in 1996. The 21-year recorded average is April 17.John Boots charted the 2012 date.

The Mystery of the BSBSmallmouth Bass

By Jimmy OlsenIt was late in the summer of 2005, as R. J. Bullard set out for just

another day of fishing on Big Sugar Bush Lake. Rod, as he was knownback home in Omaha, was a recurring visitor at the cabins of Epperlieand Olsen over the years - so he knew his way around the lake_ A self-proclaimed expert fisherman (as they all are), Rod never set out insearch of his target species without a detailed plan backed by painstak-ing preparation. This morning, he was after the largemouth bass, old"bucketmouth".

Over the years, Rod had perfected numerous and varied techniquesand tackle, and developed many theories on exactly how the big blackbass would relate to different habitat and presentations. He was, in asense, a master angler. And so, he set out thatwarm summer day on Big Sugar to validate both his reputation and hisperception of himself – a Bass Master.

That morning, he did not turn the key to ignite his mammoth 175 hpMercury outboard motor on his boat as he usually did - electing insteadto use a more stealthy approach by lowering his 24 volt electric Pinpointtrolling motor, and deploying 2 out of 4 of his electronic depth finder /fish locators.

Smallmouth bass mystery, continued on page 2

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 2

Slowly and silently he moved out from the dock - a man fullof confidence and purpose – a man determined “to set theprongs” to a bigmouth bass. He had taken great pains toselect the deep-diving, crawdad pattern, Bagley lure the nightbefore - attaching it to a SPRO number 1 single snap with apalomer knot He matched the terminal tackle up with the lat-est, and most expensive, Berkley Trilene 100% fluorocarbon,professional grade, 10 lb. test, fishing line – along with a 6.5foot, medium action, Cabela's XML Series bass rod andShimano Chronarch baitcasting reel. He was all set.

As he worked his way out to the edge of the weed line,about 15 feet in depth, R.J. slowly turned his 18.5 foot, 50thAnniversary Series, Lund Pro V normal to the shoreline. Thisallowed him the best angle to cast parallel to the weed line.As an expert, Rod knew full well that largemouth bass wouldbe lurking at the base of the weeds this time of year. He alsoknew largemouth bass would be enticed by the deep diving,larger profile Bagley lure – imitating the size, shape, andmovement of the crawdad forage.

So it was no surprise to Rodney, that he felt adjoining hitjust as he pulled the lure free from an entangling weed. Heknew it would be the largemouth bass he was targeting. Hewas confident he would overcome this sporting fish with hiswell selected top of the line tackle and equipment – and, ofcourse, his master skills, Still, the feel on the end of the lineproduced something unnerving in Mr. Bullard's mind. Nothingso significant that he would panic mind you, but more tusslethan he expected. There was more pull, more movement,and at last an acrobatic move above water causing the oldmaster pause.

Finally, he pulled the fish alongside the boat and expertlylifted it in. But at the moment RJ. looked down at the fish, acognitive dissonance overcame him. The fish was not the old"bucketmouth", but rather a "bronzeback" smallmouth bass.How could this be, since it was a well-known fact that theMicropterus dolomieu species did not inhabit Big Sugar BushLake.

Well, it took a few moments, but Rod soon gathered his senses,and did what any redblooded Master Angler would – ran the boatback to the dock for his wife to take a picture. Then, in an act

exemplifying true sportsmanship, the smallie was released backinto the exact waters from whence it came – free to continue thesaga of its mysterious presence. This skillful act placed yet anoth-er notch on Rodney's belt of achievements: the documented catchand release of a smallmouth bass on Big Sugar Bush Lake – evenif it was just plain luck.

March is always a month of transition onBig Sugar Bush, with winter at the begin-ning and at least the promise of spring atthe end. This year, however, that transitionwas telescoped into the space of a dramat-ic five days. Here is how it went:

Thursday, March 8: The BSB world iscold and white. A strong north wind createsa ground blizzard on the lake, and the drivenorth from Richwood is an experience inwhite-out navigation.

Friday, March 9: Cold but not bitter.Sugar Hill Drive is drifted shut and has tobe plowed. Temperatures begin to rise atmidday and top 40 degrees by afternoon.

Saturday, March 10: Sunrise tempera-ture at 34 degrees and over 50 by noon.The Bootses purchase their first snowmo-bile and have time for one short andunpleasantly slushy ride on the lake late inthe afternoon. Township roads are turningrapidly from white to brown. Off the lake thedrifts are still deep, but they are so unsta-ble that the new snowmobile owners enjoy

their first full-scale tip-over in making theturn from the road into an unplowed drive-way.

Sunday, March 11: Sunrise temperatureat 40 degrees and rising: By noon the snowon Big Sugar Bush is gone, replaced by awind-riffled "lake" on top of the still-solidice. The trucks of the die-hard ice fisher-men throw tall rooster-tails of water andslush on their way to and from the dimin-ishing fish house village. Geese and swansare in increasing evidence over the lake.Snow is receding from the fields andwoods; except on the north-facing slopes,the land is brown.

Monday, March 12: Rain in the morning,followed by warm wind in the afternoon.Snow is gone by 4:00 pm.

Tuesday, March 13: Warm (60+degrees) and windy. The lake is black, theland brown. Ice on BSB is still solid enoughto drive on, but the roads and fields areready for spring. Four days ago, we werestill plowing snowdrifts. — J. BOOTS

Telescopic Transition!

Smallmouth bass mystery, from page one

BSB Annual 4th of July

Boat ParadeMeet in the Public Access

Bay at 2:00 PMPick up your Parade

number from "Becker'sRegistration Pontoon"

Door Prizes awardedimmediately after parade

in Public Access BayBoat and Shore

PARTICIPATIONWELCOME!

THURSDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP- (l to r) Nancy Nornes/Olson, Mary Ann Jasken, Jan Jenson, Mary Mueller, FranMattson, Sally Prickett, Justine Boots, Helen Olsen (93 years young mother-in-law of Sue), Sue Olsen, Gail Mohlenkamp,Betty Gunderson, Donna Sponberg. (Boots ̓photo)

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 3

Becker County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA) presidentDick Hecock released the following statement today regarding theoutcome of the criminal case against George Wynn, Fargo N.D.,for violating Minnesota's Aquatic Invasive Species laws:

The settlement and resulting misdemeanor conviction of GeorgeWynn for introducing zebra mussels into Rose Lake in Otter TailCounty is a clear and convincing indication of why the MinnesotaLegislature must enact stiffer penalties for violating the AquaticInvasive Species laws signed by Gov. Dayton in 2011.

The $500 restitution ordered hardly begins to cover the costs oftreating Rose Lake last October. The DNR estimates that cost toexceed $18,000 with no guarantee that the treatment will preventfurther spread of zebra mussels in Rose Lake or any of the lakesin the 87 miles downstream of Rose Lake on the Otter Tail Riverchain.

Because there is no known method of eradicating zebra mus-sels, we simply have to stop this behavior and making penaltiescommensurate with the damage is the only way to get these inten-

tional violators to change their behavior. In this case, the individ-ual responsible knew the boat lift was contaminated with zebramussels, transported it any way, and failed to report it to the DNR- all violations of Minnesota law.

What's the net result of one person's deliberate actions? Thisoffender got a slap on the wrist. Minnesota taxpayers got the treat-ment bill. The Rose Lake property owners get the uncertainty ofwaiting to see if the DNR's treatment is successful or if their prop-erty is irreparably damaged by his action. The boaters, anglersand swimmers also face an unknown future on Rose Lake. Onethat may include zebra mussels clinging to their boats, docks andlifts while shells of dead mussels litter the beaches. Longer term,the fish population will decline. All of this affects tourism and ourlocal economy while forever altering Minnesota's waters.

The Becker County Coalition of Lake Associations represents3,000 property owners on 34 lakes throughout Becker County. Themost current information can be found on the group's Facebookpage or by contacting beckercola@gmail.com.

Becker County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA) StatementRegarding Rose Lake Zebra Mussel Conviction

By Ken Mattson, BSB COLA RepresentativeA legislative summit was held in DL Sat. Jan. 14. It was well

attended by over 300 people from the area. Twelve state legisla-tors were in attendance, COLA reps from adjoining counties,Becker county commissioners, DNR representatives and local offi-cials. There was an excellent slate of well informed speakers.

The general theme is a more aggressive approach to preventthe spread of AlS. MN DNR has announced additional staffing and

the addition of more equipment for 2012. Last year DNR'sapproach was education and warnings for non-compliance relatedto AlS. They now will give citations and fine boaters who are innoncompliance of the state law.

This problem needs to have involvement of not only lake asso-ciations but individual property owners to educate others in termsof prevention.

More on page 10

Coalition of Lake Property Owners addresses Aquatic Invasive Species

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 4

Minnesota Wolf Management A RealityThe federal government has removed Minnesota's gray wolves from the federal govern-

ment's threatened species list and returned management to the state.MN DNR will manage the state's wolf population by state statute, rule and provisions of

a wolf management plan.Minnesota has a population of about 3,000 gray wolves, the largest population in the

lower 48 states. This is roughly twice the number required in the federal government's wolfrecovery plan.

The state wolf plan is designed to protect wolves and monitor their population while giv-ing owners of livestock and domestic pets more protection from wolf depredation. It splitsthe state into two management zones with more protective regulations in the northern third,considered the wolfʼs core range.

The plan establishes a minimum population of 1,600 wolves to ensure the long-term sur-vival of the wolf in Minnesota. The state's wolf population was estimated at fewer than 750animals in the 1950s.

As required by the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will mon-itor wolves in Minnesota for five years after de-listing to ensure that recovery continues.

Minnesota DNR position statement: "The Minnesota DNR is committed to ensuring thelong-term survival of the wolf in Minnesota, and also to resolving conflicts between wolvesand humans."

Just as Harry Halvorson spots Snow White, the PurplePeople Eater and Big Foot on his backlot, his camerabatteries fail.

Lower deer populations and a windyfirst weekend of the firearms seasonresulted in Minnesota's deer harvestdropping 7 percent in 2011, according tothe Minnesota (DNR).

Minnesota hunters harvested192,300 deer during the 2011 season, adrop of 15,000 from the 207,000 deerharvested in 2010.

"Upwards of 50 percent of the annualdeer harvest occurs during openingweekend," said Lou Cornicelli, DNRwildlife research manager. "The highwinds hunters experienced openingweekend hindered deer activity and theassociated harvest."

Deer densities were lower in manyareas because of hunting regulationsdesigned to bring populations to goallevels, and because of a harsh winter in2010.

Now that many areas are at theestablished goal levels, there is a gen-eral dissatisfaction among hunters withthe current deer population. As a result,the DNR will develop a process in thenear future to reassess deer populationgoals. Although that process may not becomplete for several months, DNR staffwill examine population densities andtrends in all permit areas and beginmaking adjustments in time for the 2012season.

Minnesota deerharvest declines

Each year at this time, many female turtles move from lakes, ponds, wet-lands, rivers and streams to nesting areas, where they deposit their eggs inself-excavated nests. Unfortunately, many nesting areas are separated fromthe turtles' wintering areas by roads.

As a result, turtles are often observed crossing roads as they make their wayto nesting areas. "Many turtles and other species are killed on Minnesota roadseach year, especially during the nesting season," said Carol Hall, herpetologistwith MN DNR.

There are several ways people can help reduce road mortality for turtles.They include allowing unassisted road crossings. When turtles can safely crossroads unaided due to a lack of oncoming traffic, allow them to do so. Observefrom a distance and avoid rapid movements, because doing otherwise will oftencause turtles to change direction, stop or seek shelter within their shells.

Also people should avoid exces-sive handling. While wanting to inspectturtles closely is understandable,excessive handling can disrupt normalbehavior, according to Hall. If peoplesee a turtle or other animal on the road,they should slow down and drivearound it. Minnesota has nine turtlespecies, some of which are protected.

(For more informationwww.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/turtles/index.html.)

Give turtles a brake

What Floats Your Boat?Paddle on over to the 2012 Big Sugar Bush Kayak/Canoe Race and show us! Wednesday,

July 4 Check-in starts at 10:45 am. Races start promptly at 11 am. This year will feature thefollowing races:

Junior Kayak (13 and under)Junior Doubles - canoe/kayak with at least one paddler 13 or underOpen Kayak - kayak with one paddlerOpen Canoe - canoe with two or more paddlersRub-a-Dub - paddleboat, rowboat, log, inflatable toyThere will be a first prize award for the winner of each race and participation awards for

kids 14 and under. As always, keep in mind that the main purpose of these races is to havefun and show our kids that having a good time on the water doesnʼt require a motor!Information (including a map of the race) and forms will be handed out at the SpringMeeting,or follow the link listed on the Big Sugar Bush Lake Association website:http://bigsugarbush.net/index.html

Any questions, please contact Kay and Charlie Burke at kayburke5@comcast.netSee you at the races!

Burke family steps forward . . .

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 5

Sugar Busher John Boots harvests where few dare togo. He will have a yearʼs supply within an hour. Whatis he after? (answer lower on the page)

Answer to Challenge: Diamond Willow shafts to convertinto canes, walking sticks, novelties.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFUSIOLOGYYour first challenge is to answer each of these cues with a

proper bird name.1. A paranoid bird in a china shop___________________2. A silversmith's feathery accountant(!) ______________3. Can one of these regularly fly straight? ____________4. A hairless duffer's two-under hole _________________5. A coughing derrick in Burnside's Bay. ______________6. Unwelcome at a happy warrior's picnic_____________7. Plum-colored seed-eater during a thunderstorm(!) ____8. Might mess with Prozac in Albany ________________9. Ruby is first name of crowned royalty______________10. Iridescent baseball team's sacrificer ______________11. Could she really fledge an almond? ______________12. Trolling a treble-hooked crown by Nornes' dock _____13. an arrogant, lying slough-pumper (shy-poke) _______14. an icy spin-out. ______________________________(Oh, OK. So you're stuck on one or two. Don't despair, the

answers are on page seven. All you have to do is matchthem up.)

By Sally PrickettThe three families (Beckers, Burkes, and Pricketts) who initiated this

social event last year have decided to do so again in 2012. The formatwill be very similar with the emphasis on being casual and fun! Everyoneis asked to bring their own drinks and a chair. Time is after dinner begin-ning at 7:00 PM and ending??????? Location will again be the Prickettswhich can be accessed via road (32555 Sugar Creek Rd) or lake (TurtleBay). We have a good-sized screen porch, outside patio, and a fire ring.

In addition, the Burkes have invited members of the "CurrentGeneration" to attend a corresponding party located at their home. Theirdriveway is the next one (32607 Sugar Creek Rd) down the road fromPricketts. "Current Generation" members may drop off the "NextGeneration" at Pricketts and proceed to the Burkes. "CG" members whohave child care duties are welcome to bring children to the Burkes!

The only major decision to be determined is the selection of a date.With July 4 being a Wednesday, we decided to gather input from thoseinterested. Therefore, if interested in attending, please return your datepreference(s) to Kay Burke at KayBurke5@comcast.net. or 952-435-6398 (res), or 218-983-4063 BSB Lake by May 19, so results may beshared at the Association Meeting on May 26.

Pre-July 4 dates: July 1 Sun, or July 2 Mon, or July 3 TuesPost-July 4 dates: July 5 Thurs, or July 6 Fri, or July 7 SatPlease send your first and second choice to Kay (above) by May 19.

Response does not mean you have to attend but rather you hope to. - Sally, Kay, and Diane,

with advice given by husbands and our own "NG"

Next generation party July 22Organizers seek input

Since late January, over 300business owners have attendedMinnesota's inaugural LakeService Provider (LSP) trainingsfor Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)prevention. Working in partnershipwith the Minnesota DNR,Minnesota Waters has conductedthirteen trainings across the stateto date and twelve more trainingswill be held over the next month incommunities throughoutMinnesota. As a result of ground-breaking AIS legislation passed in2011, lake service provider busi-ness owners or senior managersof the company are required toattend the in-person training andthe same individual that attendsthe training is required to apply forthe permit. Ask your serviceprovider if they are certified.

Participating businesses havebegun to implement a variety ofbest management practices toprevent the spread of AlS. As dis-cussed in the training, lake servicebusinesses play an integral role inthe fight against AlS and theirleadership in this effort is essentialto preventing the spread.Likewise, many LSP questions

and suggestions have been great-ly useful as we refine the training,online application process, andtools available for these business-es.

One lake service providerexplained, "the training is verysupportive of this new law. Need tokeep pushing to protect our lakesfor future generations. Full inspec-tion, decontamination andpatience is all it comes down toprotecting our waters..."

Service providers' employeesare also required to complete anaquatic invasive species trainingand exam, which will be offeredonline. Those employees will beable to log on to the training web-page, complete the training aboutaquatic invasive species laws andprecautions, and will then be ableto print their certificate upon com-pletion. This onlinetraining will be made available onthe DNR website within the nextweek. The business permit holderis responsible for ensuring that allof their water-working employeeshave a current certificate. (thanks to MINNESOTA WATERS

organization and Bob B.)

CHALLENGE

300+ Lake Service ProvidersReady for Permits

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 6

A LOCAL TREASURE...The Chef-

She was born in Nebraska and raised on a farm where shedeveloped a love for organic gardening and an appreciation forhome-canned vegetables and meats. She went to college tobecome an art major and interior designer but two years later whena friend invited her to try her hand at making soups for a localrestaurant, she readily accepted the challenge. She raises orchids,she crochets, and she tends scores of houseplants in her green-house. In her summer herb garden there is lemon marjoram, tar-ragon, thyme, basil, cilantro and chives, all of which flavor the dish-es that grace her buffet table. A spring-to-fall garden behind herhouse produces tomatoes, ten kinds of peppers, asparagus andrhubarb among other delicacies which she offers to her guests asthe changing season provides its bounty. She is a CertifiedExecutive Chef, an honor bestowed upon her by the AmericanCulinary Federation in 1990. Meet Linda May, chef and owner(with her husband Chris) of New Horizon Resort on White EarthLake.

At the University of Nebraska, she completed a degree inBusiness Administration and Food/Nutrition with a minor in geron-tology. For fifteen years she was the Vice President of the FoodServices Division of the Swanson Corporation where, among otherthings, she managed the Senior Feeding Program; her dutiesthere included the daily preparation of 3,000 congregate mealsand 1800 home delivered meals. She credits her interest in andlove for food service and production to her grandmother, Louise,who was a dietitian and the "best cook I have ever known. I canstill taste her sauerbraten, her sweet and sour red cabbage, herwiener schnitzel with supreme sauce." It is she who is the inspira-tion for Linda's "German Night" celebrations at the New HorizonLodge.The Lodge-

Linda's enthusiasm for her complementary roles as cook andcreative chef is everywhere evident at the Resort. She is the writerand editor of the New Horizon News. She has developed a cater-ing service with a variety of menus for in-house functions as wellas carry-out catering. She hosts wine tastings, exotic beer tast-ings. When she considers a base menu for her evening buffet tableor a special events evening, she always tries to pair foods that gotogether by texture, taste, and color combinations. She easilymanages dinners for 30 as well as 150. She loves preparing the bi-monthly Sugarbush Lake Dinners because "you folks encourageme to experiment with new ideas and I love the chance to be ableto choose the ingredients, the spices, the herbs." She has newideas for our dinners together this summer, one of which will fea-

ture Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, a recipe given to her by aguest, a Mahnomen County Sheriff. Her dinners feature locallygrown produce from the Lakeview Green House, the Garden HillsFarms, and items from other organic gardeners from Fertile andTwin Valley. The coffee beans come from a roasting company inBagley, the honey from a resident of Little White Earth Lake, themaple syrup from their own trees. Also available for purchase inthe Lodge are soaps, jewelry, photo greeting cards, all made bylocal folks.The Cookbook-

Her cookbook, published in 2011, carries the title "I Want ThatRecipe" and was a labor of love for her children, her friends, andher New Horizon cabin and restaurant guests. It is part personalmemoir, part helpful hints, and part time-saving strategies, partguide for the inexperienced cook, part photo album, and part his-tory. She began this project by organizing a lifetime's collection ofrecipes, shared, tested, and modified by friends and family mem-bers. Some were hand-written, some tom from magazines ornewspapers, treasures from her grandmother, special treatsemailed from friends. Many she invented herself but quickly cred-its inspiration from many other cooks and books, among which shecited Rombauer's "Joy of Cooking," Julia Child's "Mastering the Artof French Cooking," Jacques Pepin, Cooks Magazine, MotherEarth News and a favorite on-line source: RecipeSource.com.Recently, she found a copy of the Culinary Arts Institute Cookbookon the shelves of a used bookstore and was amused to see, in thedessert section, her very own cheesecake recipe, aptly titled"Linda's Cheesecake." When asked to choose a favorite recipefrom among all those in her book, she was quick to say "choco-late." When you taste the "Brownie Fudge Pudding" and ask forthe recipe, it is on page 103 of "I Want That Recipe." On sale in theNew Horizon Lodge.

ROMANCING THE STOVEWoodland Cuisine By Jolm And Justine

Look for oxcart historystory in the next edition

Due to the large volume of content in thisissue, the much-awaited, highly acclaimed,Potentially award winning 4th installment of theBSB History Series, OXCART TRAILS OF BIGSUGAR BUSH AREA will not be featured in thisedition as promised. It will come to you in theSummer printing of the NOTES (Please renewyour membership anyway). -ed.

Who Needs Weeds?-Steve Enger, aquatic plant management program, MN DNR Aquatic plants serve many important functions in lakes. They

prevent shoreline erosion, stabilize bottom sediments, providehabitat for fish and wildlife, and tie up nutrients that might other-wise grow algae. Shoreline property owners should keep the dis-turbance of near shore vegetation as small as possible.Removing too many aquatic plants can impair their ability to per-form these important functions.

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 7

THE RICHWOOD PHILOSOPHER, AIS, ANDTHE U.S. GOVERNMENT

WELL, HAVE YOU GOT IT YET?Got What? I asked.MILFOIL, MAN, MILFOIL!You mean that invasive Eursasian stuff?The Richwood Philosopher nodded,No, we don't have it here, but I hear some lakes close do ...THAT'S TOO BAD.Yea, it would be horrible to have it, I read it tangles in motor

props, clogs swimming areas, changes of the whole lake ecology!NO, I MEAN IT'S TOO BAD YOU DON'T HAVE IT.I was stunned. Over the years the Philosopher has often chal-

lenged my thinking. But this was too much!Have you lost your mind? The State and lake associations have

spent millions to control it, research at universities is a major pro-gram. Where is your head, Man?

AND WHAT HAS ALL THE MILLIONS AND RESEARCH GOTUS? he slowly asked.

At that moment, I couldn't think of a response. His eyes nar-rowed, sensing the blankness before him, delighting in his deft-ness.

MY BROTHER LESTER GIVE ME A JAR FULL OF THE STUFFIN APRIL, IT'S ALL OVER BY HIS PLACE IN ST. CLOUD, NOWHE SHIPS EVERY MONDAY.

I was incredulous. You brought Eurasian milfoil to BeckerCounty? Isn't that risky?

PROCESSING, MAN, FOR PROCESSING. MY OLD BEAVERHIDE PRESS TAKES ABOUT A PINT AT A TIME. SQUEEZE OUTTHE WATER AND LET 'ER DRY FOR A WEEK AND YOU'VE GOTTHE FINEST SMOKING WEED EVER JUST A HINT OF BEAVERCASTOR IN THE LUNGS. MAKES SIR WALTER RALEIGH'SDISCOVERY LOOK LIKE A BOY SCOUT PROJECT!

I was dumbfounded.MY FIRST BUSINESS WAS AT THAT OUTDOOR CONCERT

LAST WEEK AT WALKER. I SENT SOME WITH THE LaPORTEKID. HE SAID THEY WAS SKEPTICAL UNTIL HE MENTIONEDIT WAS ILLEGAL. SOLD OUT IN TWENTY MINUTES. FOURHUNDRED-FIFTY BUCKS. AND THAT WAS JUST FROMLESTER'S FIRST JAR...

Some day this guy was just more than I can put my mindaround.

RIGHT NOW, I GOT ABOUT 50 LBS PROCESSED AND DRY-ING IN PETE'S ATTIC AT THE RICHWOOD STORE. MARY RED-BIRD IS HAND MAKING LABELS (his eyes twinkled with delight).THE LABEL SAYS "RW ILL-EAGLE WEED"!

OLD OIVA LINENANlN DOES THE PRESS WORK. HE'S DEAFAND ONLY SPEAKS FIN; SUPERB EMPLOYEE! I NEVER BEENMUCH FOR SERVILE WORK, MYSELF...He paused, looking intohis pink wrinkled palms.

THE WORLD NEEDS ENTREPRENEURS, he continued, YOUTHINK FOR ONE SECOND THAT BILL GATES IS UNDERSOMEONE'S DESK LOOKING FOR TWO MATCHING WIRESTO CONNECT? HUH? YOU SEEN A QUEEN BEE OUT FORAG-ING FOR POLLEN?

I admitted I hadn't.His eyes met mine. THERE ARE WORKERS IN THIS

WORLD...AND THERE ARE THINKERS, NOT ONE BETTERTHAN THE OTHER, UNLESS, OF COURSE, THEY TRY TO DOTHE OTHER'S JOB...He chuckled a capitalist's chuckle, I HIREONLY LOCALS...

But don't you think you should have it checked? You know, test-ed?

I could see the veins in his neck began to bulge, his face grew

red, his eyes widened.YOU MEAN LIKE THE F.D.A.? THE GOVERNMENT F.D.A.?His volume sky-rocketed. ONCE A BUREAUCRAT SAYS "RW

ILL EAGLES" IS LEGAL, I'M FINISHED! YOU THINK THE F.D.A.WOULDN'T TELL THE A.M.A? HUH? TRUST NO AGENCY THATHAS THREE LETTERS.

YOU THINK THE D.E.A. WOULD IGNORE ME? I BET THEA.T.F. WOULD CALL IT “TOBACCO" SO I.R.S. COULD TAX IT.THE I.R.S. WOULD WANT TO KNOW MY INCOME! MYINCOME, MAN!

His ranting became thunderous.YOU THINK A GUY IS GOING TO WRITE ME A CHECK

BETWEEN TWO CAMPERS AT THE MOONJAM CONCERT, SOI CAN CHART MY INCOME? YOU THINK I'M GOING TO WRITEHIM A RECEIPT? HUH? THE I.R.S. WOULD PUT THE STATE ONME...MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE!

AND DAMMIT, THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING! THE D.N.R.,T.I.P, S.S.A.! ANY GOVERNMENT GROUP THAT USES INITIALSIS OUT TO CONTROL YOU! SCREWING UP YOUR FREE-DOMS! He was fast losing control.

Trying to calm him, I asked him when he would be processingagain...

The E.P.A. WOULD HASSLE ME, he shouted, as a loose panein the porch window rattled. THE R.B.C.!

The R.B.C.? I was puzzled.THE RESERVATION BUSINESS COUNCIL, MAN, THE TRIBE!

His eyes returned to mine, his voice hushed.MARY REDBIRD IS NOT LEGAL, his words now slow and

deliberate.Come on Man, how can that be?SHE'S NOT, he said, shaking his head. YOU KNOW WAY BACK

WHEN THE BORDER BY ANTLER, NORTH DAKOTA, WASPROTECTED BY TWO RUBBER CONES AFTER 5PM? His voiceheld each word, WELL, SHE RODE HER BIKE ACROSS.

He studied the floor. SHE'S GOT NO SOCIAL SECURITY NUM-BER, NO DRIVER'S LICENSE, NO CREDIT CARDS. THE GOV-ERNMENT DON'T KNOW SHE EXISTS ...

The incredibility of such a situation in this century shocked me.Maybe you could help her get registered, I volunteered.

His eyes narrowed as he poked a boney finger into my chest,YOU MEAN TALK TO THE B.I.A? HUH? HUH? RUIN HER LIFE?

I began my ride home filled with anxiety. Could my friend be get-ting himself into big trouble? I slowed for a D.O.T. truck preparingto install a new road sign near Richwood. Then I passed a M.H.P.vehicle with flashing lights, routing traffic around the project.Three-lettered governmental agencies began flowing through mymine; B.L.M., I.C.E., C.I.A., C.D.C., F.C.C., F.T.C., G.S.A., N.S.A.,O.M.B., S.E.C., T.S.A. . . .

Maybe, I thought, the Philosopher was onto something. Andmaybe Mary Redbird isnʼt so unfortunate, after all.

A. a Common TernB. a Whooping CraneC. a Bald EagleD. a NuthatchE. an Indigo BuntingF. a Purple Flinch (!)G. a Chipping SparrowH. a Spoon Biller (!)I. a Ruby-crowned KingletJ. an Eastern BluebirdK. a King FisherL. an Arctic TernM. a Least Bittern

N. a Common LoonO. a Mourning Dove(The real answer to this

challenge is WHICH BIRDNAME DID YOU NOT USE?First correct answer thatreaches the editor (e-mail,phone or shout) will win you anew bird identification book(Your 2012 membership mustbe a paid before you receiveyour prize!).

ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFUSIOLOGY

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 8

By Bob BackmanThe "Circle of Life" article by Jimmy

Olson in the Winter 2012 edition of BigSugar Bush Notes was excellent. Iespecially appreciated the informationabout sturgeon. In my career I havebeen fortunate to have had some minorconnections to sturgeon. As the articlementioned they are an amazing andunique fish.

The organization I work for, RiverKeepers, has been a 20-year advocateof restoring the Red through retrofittingthe dams which will then allow fish pas-sage. Many fish in our Red River Basinenter tributaries in order to spawn buthave been prevented from making thattrip due to construction of dams. One ofthe reasons the sturgeon have beeneliminated from the basin is because ofdam construction. Retrofitting damsallows the fish to pass. The attachedpicture of a large sturgeon indicates thesize that many of these fish could reach.This fish was caught in the RoseauRiver.

But we know they travel long dis-tances within the watershed so its pos-sible that when Sugar Creek (the outletto Big Sugar Bush) ran high during wetperiods, this fish may have visited ourlake. In its search for a spawning site itcould have swam from its Red Riverhome and entered the Buffalo River,Sugar Creek and then our lake. Imaginesitting in your boat catching sunfish andhave this fish swim past! Thanks to allthose working for watershed restorationour great grandchildren may be able tosee such a sight. I hope it will happen.

Jimmy indicated in his article thatpeople on the Red have caught andreleased sturgeon. Very true. During thededication of the Fargo Moorhead South

Dam retrofitting several years ago wereleased several sturgeon. The dam had

been retrofitted with large rocks allowingthe fish to pass. The sturgeon wereteenagers, perhaps 15-20 years old andwere each tagged. Lori Winterfeldt, for-mer Moorhead City Council member,released one of the sturgeon by the dam.The amazing part of this story is thatlater that fall that same fish was caughtand released in the Assiniboine River (atributary of the Red River) in Winnipeg. Ithad in about 3 months swam over 200miles.

A few years ago I was able toaccompany one of the sturgeon stockingefforts as described by Jimmy. Thisstocking was taking place on the OttertailRiver by Fergus Falls. I was allowed topick up one of the fingerlings and place itin the river. That's my hand next to two ofthe fingerlings. I often think that it wouldbe great if that fish grows into a 400 Ibfish and was seen by my grandchild ashe takes his child out to fish somewherein the basin, maybe Big Sugar Bush.

A final story. Several years ago Italked to an older gentleman that used tolive on the Ottertail River as a youngchild. This was before malls, videogames and TVs. Kids played in the greatoutdoors. This guy and his friends wouldbuild rock corrals in the Ottertail, in about3 feet of water. Similar to a cattle drivethey would then wade the river drivinglarge sturgeon into the corrals. Theyquickly piled on more rocks closing thecorrals. Now the fun began. They wouldwade into he corrals, catch a sturgeonand ride them as some of our parents didwith pigs.

So thanks for the great "Circle ofLife" article, Jimmy. It brought back greatmemories.

Thoughts about Sturgeon

400 pound, 15-foot lake sturgeon taken in1905 from the Roseau River.

Mattson Receives Award-Friday, September, 02, 2011 - DL-Online - News

Fran Mattson of Ogema (Big Sugar Bush Lake!) receivedTamarac's Volunteer of the Year Award at the refuge's annualvolunteer recognition picnic held on Aug. 18.

Over 70 volunteers, staff, friends and family attended theevent. Mattson of Ogema began volunteering in 2007 as a visi-tor center host.

(Fran is also a busy volunteer at BSB)

Diane Becker (BSB volunteer extraordi-

naire!) recovering from back surgeryThe Captain of our boat parade and other BSB tasks is recov-

ering from mid-March back surgery. The 6 1/2 hour procedureincluded decompressions, fusion, cleaning and scaping of scartissue. To the lay-person this all sounds confusing, but her sur-geon quipped "she really needed this."

All we know is we need Diane back, smiling and healthy in ourlake community!

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 9

Leap Year frog survey!Can you help?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) NongameWildlife Program is looking for volunteers to participate in its ongoingMinnesota Frog and Toad Calling Survey. The survey is part of thenationwide North American Amphibian Monitoring Program.

"Without the dedication of generous volunteers, this project wouldnot be possible," explained Rich Baker of the DNR Nongame WildlifeProgram. "Many frog and toad species are indicators of habitat qual-ity and provide valuable information on the condition of Minnesota'swetlands."

New volunteers receive a kit that includes a CD of calls byMinnesota's frog and toad species, a poster of Minnesota's frogs andtoads, a map of a predefined route in an area of their choice. Routeavailability and past survey results are on the DNR website atwww.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/frogtoad_ survey/index.html. asare directions on how to run the route. A vehicle is required to travelbetween stops.

Participants will conduct nighttime "listening surveys" on threeevenings per year between April and July. These 10-stop routes arerun after dark, in good weather, and in each of the following time peri-ods to capture seasonal variation in calling frog species: April 15 - 30,May 20 -June 5, and June 25 -July 10. Participants will record theirinformation on datasheets provided in their volunteer kit.

(thanks Bob B.)

Greetings:Events have been moving quickly since the Legislative

Summit in Detroit Lakes we both attended back in January. Inaddition to confronting AIS like zebra mussels, we have beenworking to stop the movement of Asian carp up Minnesota'srivers, and eventually into the lakes and rivers in the state andbeyond.

JOIN MSRPO TODAY - MSRPO is doing critical work toensure our collective success. We need you as members, bothto continue this direct advocacy work and for the importantgrass roots energy needed to advance our cause.

Contact Your Legislator- See our website. You will find sug-gestions, text you can cut and paste, and a district finder to helpyou locate your legislator's contact information. Once a mem-ber you will be "automated" with your name and your legisla-tor's email address already in place. You will be empowered tocontact your legislator directly.

There is one main message we need to convey to all our leg-islators immediately, and that is: "Provide reliable, ongoing AISfunding by increasing the AIS surcharge on a THREE YEARboat registration."

On March 13th, the Senate Environment Committee passeda DNR funding bill that increased fees for hunting and fishing,but inexplicably left the AIS surcharge out of the bill. Someinformation for your emails:

To date there is no ongoing funding mechanism to fund workto stop the spread of AIS like Zebra Mussels. This user feewould raise an estimated $4 million a year. AIS LegislativeUpdate: Zebra Mussels Action - 2012 Legislative Effort: Moreneeds to be done. Last summer over five new lakes becameinfested with ZebraMussels. Minnesota still lacks a comprehensive and effectivestatewide plan to control AIS spread. Events over the summerand the recent court case involving a Fargo man, GeorgeWynn, 54, clearly illustrate the need. Wynn launched a zebramussel infestedboat lift into un-infested Rose Lake after a bystander pointedout that zebra mussels were attached to the equipment andreceived only a wrist slap--$500 in fines and $500 in restitution.The state paid $18,000 to apply a chemical treatment in aneffort to keep Rose lake clean. Rose Lake lovers are forced towait and see if the treatment was effective.

This case, and other events, illustrate the need for furtherlegislative action in 2012:

* Authority to remove docks/equipment already in the water* Increased control of water related equipment as it is moved

around the state* Increased penalties for violation* Reliable source of funding for ongoing AIS containment and

control* Increased funding for research into AIS solutions* Creation of a comprehensive statewide plan to contain AIS

like carp and zebra musselsPlease join MSRPO today. MSRPO is the only full-time voice

for our lakes at the state Capitol. MSRPO carries the load forall, and we need your help to expand our efforts at educatinglegislators, drafting legislation, keeping a full-time presence forour lakes.

Jeff Forester, Executive Director(thanks Ron Jenson for the content)

2012 MSRPO AIS Call to Action andLegislative Update (March 2012)(Minnesota Seasonal and Recreation Property Owners' Coalition)(this is an abbreviated version of a letter from this very fine organization -ed.)

Residents, dealers reminded toreview dock and boat liftcanopy regulations

Spring boat shows are popular this time of year, and the MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds residents to reviewdock and boat lift canopy regulations before investing in new equip-ment in order to ensure it will meet currentstandards.

State law defines a watercraft canopy as "a structure or device witha fabric covered roof and without walls or a floor that is placed on thebed of a public water, is designed to shelter a watercraft, and isdesigned and constructed so that all components may be removedfrom the lake or stream bed on a seasonal basis by skidding intact orby disassembly by hand tools."

According to the DNR "Residents might assume that a product issold in Minnesota meets the rules for the state. Sometimes that isn'tthe case. We would rather have residents informed of the standardsbefore they make the purchase, instead of having to tell them laterthat they need to remove a structure they already installed."

Dock size, length and position are also regulated to provide a bal-ance between the protection and utilization of public waters.Extensive dock and lift systems may shade out important aquaticplants and eliminate critical habitat where fish spawn, feed, grow, andfind shelter from predators.

Lakeshore owners are encouraged to visit the DNR website atwww.dnr.state.mn.uslregulationsfboatwater/index.html for guidanceon docks and lifts.

(thanks, Bob Backman)

WOULDNʼT YOURS?Q: The same woodpecker pecks at our house non-stop. Do wood-

peckers get a headache after a while?A: Woodpeckers have well-adapted structures that act as shock

absorbers inside of their heads. They have a hard, but elastic beak, aspringy tongue-supporting structure called the hyoid and an area ofspongy bone inside the skull. These features, in addition to cerebralfluid interact to suppress vibration in their head so they can peck allday without getting a headache.-Lori Naumann, information officer - DNR Nongame Wildlife Program

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 10

BOLD ACTION NOW - 2012 Summit, from page twoAs the session ended the sponsors issued a statement concerning State Government

priorities for action if we are to successfully prevent further spread and damage by AlS.These priorities will be advocated to the legislature and the DNR in greater detail and byseveral advocacy groups.FUNDING: It was noted that the proposed spending level for AlS in the DNR's 2012Budget is less than 1% of the total. Therefore it is essential that the state create signifi-cant long-term dedicated funding sources for Aquatic Invasive Species. The followingshould be considered as sources of such funding:

• Increase watercraft AlS surcharge (current level set in 1993)• Add AlS surcharge to fishing licenses• Implement paid AlS watercraft decal• Provide Legacy Amendment funds to fight AlS• Provide Lottery revenue to fight AlS

SPENDING:• Place AlS decontamination units on all zebra-mussel infested waters.• Require decontamination or drying time of boats leaving AIS infested waters• Develop broad-based AlS plant and animal management research programs• Establish AlS Citizen Advisory Committee to assist in formulating DNR policy and

funding decisionsSTATE AUTHORITY: Increase watercraft inspection authority and ability to removeequipment from water if necessary to prevent or control spread of AlS.DETERRENCE: Increase AlS fines commensurate with other natural resource viola-tions, including mandatory restitution and equipment confiscation.LOCAL AUTHORITY: Delegate broad authority to local units of government for enhanc-ing AlS prevention - such authority to include watercraft inspection training, decontami-nation, enforcement checkpoints, access control, equipment removal orders.PRIVATIZATION: Create private business opportunities for watercraft inspection, decon-tamination, and inspector training

In addition the sponsors urged citizens in general, and lake residents and sportsmenin particular, to consider their own initiatives by adopting.... Bold Action Now ... it's NotJust a SloganGet Informed:

• Read and listen to the news about the Legislature, the DNR and AIS (AquaticInvasive Species); know which lakes are infested with AlS

• Join a lake association and attend meetings• Get active in your Coalition of Lake Associations• Follow websites, sportsman's blogs, DNR websites• Show up! Attend public meetings and hearings• Ask tough questions -How? When? How Much? Why? Why Not?

Get Organized:• Join local and statewide organizations fighting AIS• Volunteer for lake association activities, training or other projects• Bring your friends and neighbors• Attend watercraft inspector training and participate in scheduled inspections• Heed the call for action when it comes:• Write letters, emails or call legislators• Contact the Governor and the DNR• Attend local government meetings; voice concerns and support for their efforts• Engage with others via social media - Facebook, Twitter

Get Results:• Ensure dock and lift providers are certified Lake Service Providers - view certificate.• Organize watercraft inspections at public/private lake access sites to educate• Write letters to local newspapers• Contribute financially to organizations supporting AIS prevention• Hold legislators accountable during the session and after - ask questions• The entire Minnesota legislature is up for election in 2012. Raise aquatic invasive

species at candidate forums and debates and in conversations with candidates.• • • • •

The Beckers are in the midst of spring shoreline clean-up program.

Contact them to volunteer!

BSB resident Lon Flaten died Dec. 29

BSB resident LonFlaten passed awayDecember 29, 2011 atage 58. He and his familyowned one of the formerresort cabins on TagetoRd. since the late 80s.They lived in Thief RiverFalls, Bemidji and mostrecently in Hermanton,Minn., since 2002. Lonworked forOpthalmologists as a C.O.M.T for 38 years and loved his profes-sion. He was a big Souix Hockey fan andloved BSB and the campfires. He will beremembered by the Espeseths, Soedebergs,and Odegaards as a dear friend and they willmiss his wonderful sense of humor.

Exposed Lake Beds AreSubject To ShorelandRules

With abnormally low water levels exposinglakebed on many state lakes, the MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources (DNR)reminds riparian property owners that whatlooks like "dry land" still may be subject torules regulating what can and cannot be doneon shoreland and in public waters.

The DNR has been receiving numerousreports of people cutting, raking or otherwisedisturbing aquatic plants in areas recentlyexposed by receding water levels. If theseareas are below what's known as the ordinaryhigh water level (OHW), any disturbance orremoval of vegetation usually requires a DNRpermit, and some activities are prohibited.

"Removal of emergent vegetation is a formof habitat destruction and it can have negativeeffects on fish, wildlife, and water quality," saidDNR aquatic plant management specialistSean Sisler. "It also could be illegal."

The OHW is an elevation indicating thehighest water level that has been maintainedfor a sufficient period of time to leave evidenceon the landscape; generally speaking, it'swhere natural vegetation changes from pre-dominantly aquatic to predominantly terrestri-al. For many lakes, the OHW is a set elevationthat has been established by collecting dataover several decades. The lakebed continuesto be below the OHW even when it has beenexposed due to low rainfall. (thanks Bob B.)

Get well wishesBSB friends we hope to see at the lake this

summer: Tom Drayton, Dean McBride, AdeSponberg. All are dealing with serious healthissues. Our thoughts are with them.

A favorite quote sent along by Dr. John Prickett...If a man walks in the woods for love of them halfof each day, he

is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends hisdays as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making theearth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enter-prising citizen. Henry David Thoreau

Sugarbushwordshop,LIVING ON OUR ONE EARTH

When I first joined the Franciscan order in 1961, my novice mas-ter told me we could not cut down a tree without permission of theProvincial (our major religious superior). A little bit of St. Francislasted 800 years! You see, wilderness is not just wilderness, utili-tarian, or expendable. The natural world is not just an object forour consumption; it is much more for our reverence. Francis grant-ed relational subjectivity to the natural world when he called it var-iously "Brother Sun," "Sister Fire," "Brother Air," and "Sister Water"(from "The Canticle to Brother Sun," the first piece of known poet-ry in the Italian language). Nature itself deserved respect, mutual-ity, friendliness, and "voice"!

Once you grant subjectivity to the natural world, everythingchanges. Things out there are no longer mere objects with you asthe controlling subject, but you now share mutuality with all things.Be careful, this will change your life! For so long now, creation hasbeen a mere commodity, and wilderness has been an arbitraryadd-on, a mere backdrop for our human dramas. But we were theonly actor on the stage that God cared about, it seemed! Sayswho? This soul lie is now catching up with us. The contemplativemind does not see things in terms of consumption or capitalisticadvantage. It is a new set of eyes, given by God, that allows us toappreciate creation in itself, and for its own sake.

Father Richard Rohr, OSF

To the editor:Several times in my career I have had to develop a newsletter

and then continue to publish it. What I found was that for the firstfew, it was fun. Then it became less fun and more of a chore. As aresult, the enthusiasm was not there and quality slipped.

But The Big Sugar Bush Notes has just been the opposite. Ourloyal bardworking editor continues to put together a product thatgets better every time. We even get treated to special projectssuch as tins edition where we see Flora of Big Sugar Bush. To ourloyal hardworking editor I say Thank You! We sincerely appreciatethe hard work and continuing enthusiasm.

-Bob Backman(Mr. Backman, pick up your four season passes to the RichwoodCulture and Idea Center at the BSB NOTES office as soon as youcan.)

* * * * * * * *

Big Sugar Bush Notes Page 11

Membership 2012Name _______________________________________

Address _____________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

$20 enclosed Send to Ron Carlson, 3504Westmoor Cir., Moorhead, MN 56560

We are working toward 100% lake owners' mem-bership! if you aren't a member, please sign up

today. It is our way of keeping informed.FREE (WORLD-CLASS) BSB WILDLIFE CAP WITHA FIVE-YEAR MEMBERSHIP ($100). $20 VALUE.

I happened to mention to the Richwood Philosopher aboutJimmy Olsen's story of the small-mouthed bass in BSB and hereacted with disdain. YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT? I FIGUREDEVERYBODY WHO KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUTBIG SUGARBUSH KNEW THAT, he said with finality.

I've fished here for 60 years and I didn 'I have a clue, I told him.YOU THINK THAT SURPRISES ME? (I hate it when this guy

gets so arrogant.)I SUPPOSE YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE MUSKlES,

EITHER?You mean there are ...IN THIS VERY LAKE! his sharp finger digging into my chest.

He turned on his heel and faded down our driveway. I wonderifhe was just playing with my head. Or if he really knows some-thing. I promise I will follow up on this story. After he calms down,of course.

Before I sharewith you the

secrets of life,I would like to

pay yourAssociation dues

Member commentsJoAnn Gustafson died Feb. 26

JoAnn Gustafson passed away February 26, 2012 at age 80.JoAnn was the special lady who lived with her husband Don on thecorner of Highway 34 and South Sugar bush Road. Their housewas easily identified by the neatly stacked woodpiles in their yard.

For many years, JoAnn sold Avon, candy and birthday cards outof her home and is fondly remembered by the Bagne and, Aquirrefamilies. They remember her Christmas open houses and thewarm visits with her as they sat in her family room watching thewild life feeding. Idelle Bagne says her fondest memory is the spe-cial treatment JoAnn always gave her daughter Pennyʼs childrenAnthony and Carmen. As they left Big Sugar Bush and headedback to Minneapolis on Sunday nights, the dollar bill Idelle slippedinto their pockets always ended up at JoAnns as they loaded upcandy for the trip home. Carmen says it was more than the candy,they wanted to say goodbye to the special lady as they left thelake.

* * * * * * * *

Float planes and AIS on Big Sugar BushJohn Boots passes along this communication between two MN

DNR officials in response to his query:TO: Marilyn Cummings, OAS DNR Division of Ecological and

Water ResourcesDetroit Lakes MN Email: marilyn.cummings@state.mn.usFROM: Olson, Nathan W (DNR) Subject: RE: Float plane and

ZMYour answer is correct that we are aware of the float plane issue.

We have talked to groups of float plane pilots to make them awareof this issue and we have some information on our website:www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic_difference.html

There are no additional requirements specific to float planes-thelaw also applies to them as they are considered “watercraft”. Keepin mind that the law says you cannot transport aquatic plants orprohibited invasive species—period. Although a float plane is lesslikely to encounter an inspector, the law still applies to them andthey can still perform the inspect, clean, drain, dry steps to preventthe spread.

If the individual knows the pilot personally, he could talk with himabout the AIS issue and direct him to our website where we havea factsheet and video that outlines steps he can take to minimizethe risk. Like many other boaters, much of it is the responsibilityof the operator to make sure he/she is doing their part to makesure they are not spreading invasives.

Nathan Olson, Invasive Species Specialist, MN Dept. of Natural Resources

Big Sugar Bush Lake Associationc/o Jim Jasken31771 Sugar Creek Rd.Ogema, MN 56569

Big Sugar Bush Lake Association Board MembersPresident-Dave Braaten term 2012-2014 email davevalleyview@yahoo.comVice President-Neil Engbloom term 2009-2012 email neal62@arvig.netSecretary-Justine Boots term 2009-2012 email justine.boots@gmail.comTreasurer-Ron Carlson 2010-2013 email ron@cellcominc.comGeorge Wallman 2009-2012 bigsugarbush@yahoo.comJim Lindsay term 2010-2013 email lindsay.jim@gmail.comNancy Nornes-Olson term 2010-2013 email nanornes@yahoo.comDean Bellefeuille 2012-2014 djgmbell@mchsi.comJimmy Olsen 2012-2014 jimsueolsen@cox.net

Newsletter editor - Jim Jasken, email sugarbushwordshop@hotmail.comWebmaster - Ross Collins - ross.collins@ndsu.eduWeb content - Nancy Nornes nanornes@yahoo.comWebsite – www.bigsugarbush.net

Printed by Times Publishing Co., Inc.,101 W. Main Ave., Twin Valley, MN 56584.

(218) 584-5195 • tvtimes@eot.com

BSB MEMBER ADSREMODELING, garages, decks, siding, staining, cul-tured stone, no job too small. Bruce 218-983-4069;701-261-7500

It's subscription renewal time!

KAYAKING A MOONBEAM by Jim Jasken,Richwood Store, TNWR gift shop, online or box 21Richwood from author $20

WATCH FOR stupendous BSB yard sale this spring.Wife says did not dig deep enough last spring: boat,motor, dock hardware, some furniture etc, not thekitchen sink

Columbine by Kelly Krabbenhoft Blue flag iris By Jim Lindsay

By Bruce Nornes

Amanita muscaria By Jim Lindsay

Moon over forest by Jim

Lindsay

By BruceNornes

Showy Lady Slipper, by Jim Lindsay

Fall shoreline by Jimmy Olsen