Dockside - Winter 2010-11

Winter 2011

7 ideas for a

WINTERWAKE-UP!

New Year, New Boats:

2011 BOAT PREVIEW

>Warm up your home and scoff at winter

2 Dockside ◆ Winter 2011

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Dockside Magazine is published seasonally by Southwest Newspapers distributing more than 7,000 copies throughout the Twin Cities’ southwest suburbs.

Residents of the following cities can receive a free subscription by mail:Belle Plaine, Bloomington, Burnsville, Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, Cologne, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Hopkins, Jordan, Minnetonka, New Prague, Prior Lake, Richfi eld, Savage, Shakopee, St. Louis Park, Victoria, Waconia and Wayzata. Subscriptions from outside the area are $12 per year.

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DOCKSIDEPublisher: Jennifer Sorenson [email protected]

Editor: Angelo Gentile [email protected]

Designer: Brian Sorenson [email protected]

Contributors this issue: Mathias Baden, Vicki Bont, Richard Crawford, Judy Monn.

Advertising Sales: 952-345-6477

Dockside is published quarterly by South-west Newspapers. For advertising infor-mation, call 952-345-6477. For general comments and questions, send e-mail to [email protected] or call 952-345-6676.

Visit us online at: www.docksidemagazine.mn

All contents copyright © 2011, Southwest Newspapers.

ABOUT DOCKSIDE MAGAZINEWe love our lakes in Minnesota, in every season.

Dockside Magazine covers lake life all year round.

Publishing four times a year, the maga-zine invites readers to enjoy an engaging mix of features covering lifestyle-related stories and recreational-oriented topics, capturing the passion we have for playing and living on our gorgeous Minnesota lakes.

We focus our attention on Lake Min-netonka, Prior Lake, and all of the scenic lakes in our southwest metro region. Welcome to life on the lake.

To advertise, contact Jennifer Sorenson, 952-345-6477, [email protected].


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departments

features

on the coverLaunch 5

Robins in winter and a quick question for Prior Lake artist Theresa Beissel.

Marina 8Wooden WondersLake Minnetonka’s Mahogany Bay is a leader in vintage watercraft.

Festivals 22Cold Weather, Hot FunPlan your winter outings with this calendar.

Season Preview 10Winter Wake-UpSeven ways to embrace the winter wilderness.

Lake Lifestyles 14Scoff at WinterStay warm with these home enhancements.

2011 Boat Models Preview 18New Year, New BoatsTake a preview look at these selected 2011 models. On the Cover:

Going cross-country skiing? Take your

dogs with you—it’s called Skijoring.

Explore Minnesota Tourism photo.Visit us online at www.docksidemagazine.mn

Editor’s NoteWinter is a busy timeI’m always surprised at the stunning array of

activity that occurs in Minnesota in the dead of

winter: prep sports abound, winter festivals are

everywhere, and active folks can choose from a

variety of outdoor recreational opportunities:

downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snow-

boarding, snowshoeing, etc.

Along these lines, you’ll fi nd articles in this issue

to help you embrace the cold and get out there

and have some fun. Plus, we have a whole page

of winter festivals and events listings to help you

plan your winter outings (see page 22).

In addition, we also offer an article on staying

warm at home this winter. The story features a

number of home enhancements that will keep

you toasty and cozy. Finally, we also look ahead

to spring and summer with our 2011 boat season

preview.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and ideas

about this magazine. Contact me at agentile@

swpub.com or 952-345-6676.

–Angelo Gentile


Launch

News • Ideas • Tips

Read my lipsIn winter, Minnesota becomes the land of 10,000 lip balms. Okay,

most of us say chapstick, but that’s actually a brand name. An informal

offi ce poll here revealed a few favorites:

Burt’s Bees Beeswax

As Glamour.com says, the

familiar, heavy beeswax

balm has become a drug-

store classic, and for good

reason.

Nivea: This brand has

a wide array of lip balm

choices, including a new

product featured on its

website: Pure & Natural

Milk & Honey, which

“pampers your lips with

long-lasting and rich

care with the power of

nature. 100 percent free of

preservatives.”

Carmex: This classic brand has been protecting lips since 1937.

The company claims to have sold more than 1 billion of those tiny

jars. Many of us never hit the cross-country ski trails without Carmex

along.

Drive safely this snowmobile seasonMinnesota’s snowmobile season is here, and conservation offi cers

from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remind snowmobil-

ers to drive safely and drive smart.

Follow these DNR safety tips:

DON’T DRINK - Drinking and driving can be fatal. Drinking

alcohol before or during snowmobiling can impair judgment and slow

reaction time. Snowmobilers who have been drinking may drive too fast

or race across unsafe ice.

Robin in winterRobins are spring and summer birds, but they are

surprisingly hardy and, depending on the severity of

the winter, not all robins head south. As the Minnesota

Department of Natural Resources has reported, just as

poor weather might force birds to move, fair weather can

encourage them to stay. During the 2001 Christmas Bird

Count (a 24-hour tally of birds observed nationwide),

birders at Lowry Nature Center near Victoria counted

record numbers of cedar waxwings, robins, and many

waterfowl species. Lack of snow, warm temperatures, and

open lakes created tolerable conditions for many birds,

and they lingered. The American Robin website, by Laura

Erickson, reports that robins only spend the winter in

areas where there is some food available, so feeding them

isn’t necessary. Nevertheless, a lot of people enjoy offer-

ing them food. Robins will not take birdseed. Sometimes

they’ll take frozen fruit, though it’s often hard to teach

them that fruit in a feeder is food, Erickson writes. One of

the best kinds of food for wintering robins—and the easi-

est for them to discover—is mealworms. You can put out

a dozen mealworms on a sunny day when the temperature

is above freezing and nearby robins will often notice their

wiggly movements and investigate. Once robins discover

the mealworms, they’ll come back even when the tempera-

ture is below freezing and the mealworms are stiff. Find

out more at Learner.org/jnorth/robin/.

ith

n protect

an


Beyond her work as a watercol-

orist, Beissel teaches at Oak Hill

Elementary School in Lakeville.

She and her family like Prior

Lake, she says, because they can

stay connected to nature but

yet are also close to the hub of

Minneapolis and St. Paul. “Our

yard is a habitat for wild turkeys,

pheasants, owls, and other Min-

nesota wildlife.” You may have

seen Beissel’s work at the Scott

County Art Crawl 2010, Grape

Stomp at Crofut Winery 2010, or

on the Minnesota Artists’ website,

mnartists.org.

Q.This is a charming winter

landscape. Where is it?

A. “I painted this picture of the

scene in my front yard. The

snow glistened in the sun caus-

ing a magical scene from my front

Quick Question Prior Lake artist Theresa Beissel

SLOW DOWN - Speed is a contributing

factor in nearly all fatal snowmobiling ac-

cidents.

BE PREPARED - Bring a fi rst-aid kit, a

fl ashlight, waterproof matches, and a compass.

STAY ALERT - Fatigue can reduce a

driver’s coordination and judgment.

ICE ADVICE - Avoid traveling across bod-

ies of water when uncertain of ice thickness

and strength. Snow cover can act as a blanket

and prevent safe ice from forming. Never

travel in single fi le when crossing bodies of

water.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS - Use a full-size

helmet, goggles, or face shield to prevent inju-

ries from twigs, stones, ice, and fl ying debris.

Clothing should be worn in layers and should

be just snug enough so that no loose ends

catch in the machine.

WATCH THE WEATHER - Rapid weath-

er changes can produce dangerous conditions.

BRING A BUDDY - Never travel alone.

Most snowmobile accidents result in some

personal injury, which is particularly danger-

ous if alone. If traveling alone, tell someone

about the destination, planned route and

expected time of return.

New Year’s Resolutions? Maybe notEnough of the losing weight, exercising more,

and being-a-better-person resolutions. Here

are a few quirky resolutions from Newyearfes-

tival.com and Humormatters.com.

In 2011, I resolve to:

■ No longer waste my time reliving the past.

Instead I will spend it worrying about the

future.

■ Give up chocolates totally. 100 percent.

Completely. Honestly.

■ Read the manual... just as soon as I can fi nd

it.

■ Think of a password other than “password.”

■ Not tell the same story at every get to-

gether.

■ Assume full responsibility for my actions,

except the ones that are someone else’s fault.

Try craft brews this winter Craft brews have redefi ned how people think

about American brew-

ers and their offerings.

Today’s beer lovers

are trading up to “bet-

ter” beers for their own

consumption and as gifts.

A 12-pack of a world-

class American craft beer

is about the price of an

undistinguished bottle of

Champagne or wine. Beer

has become the beverage

of celebration. In fact, ac-

cording to a recent survey

conducted by Wakefi eld

Research for Samuel

Adams, 60 percent of men

would rather toast with

beer than Champagne.

Right now is probably the

best time in history to be

a beer lover. Craft brewers

are experimenting with

styles that challenge people’s perception of

what beer can be. For example, Samuel Adams

is offering Infi nium, a Champagne-like brew

that is the result of a collaboration with the

Weihenstephan Brewery in Bavaria, Germany.

One fun way to sample the variety of craft

beers out there is to “build your own mix-

pack” at your next social gathering. Ask each

guest to bring a six- or 12-pack of their favor-

ite brew. At the beginning of the party, set all

of the beer out on a table and let the guests

take turns picking different beers to sample,

allowing everyone to try something new.

Source: ARA Content

window. The long, blue shadows stretched across the pink and turquoise blanket of snow.

The tranquil quietness spread through the forest…I refl ected how Prior Lake is sleeping

quietly as it rests after summer fun. The peacefulness of winter needs to be cherished for

its own beauty.”


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Minnesota’s forestsMinnesota’s state parks get all the publicity

and rightfully so, they are great places to visit

and enjoy. But, were you aware of Minnesota’s

state forests? As the Minnesota DNR reports,

our state is the 16th most forested state in

the nation. Indeed, nearly 4 million acres in

58 state forests are open to explore for free.

That’s right—wherever you are, you can fi nd

a state forest nearby that’s open to explore at

no cost to you. No vehicle permit required. No

reservations are needed for state forest recre-

ational facilities; camping is on a fi rst-come,

fi rst-served basis. State forests also serve as a

great starting point for visiting various state

parks, state trails, and state canoe routes. For

more information, visit dnr.state.mn.us

We extend thanks to readers who continue to send us photos. In

this picture, Connie Claire Szarke, of Mound, paddles with her

Shetland Sheepdog, Kipp, on West Arm Bay, Lake Minnetonka.

Send your photos to

[email protected]. In

the subject line, include the

title “Dockside Pictures.”

Dockside reader Jane Crosson captured the cold beauty of

ice on Lake Superior last winter.


Todd Warner’s passion for vintage wood boats began at an early age.

His dad and grandfather were avid boaters and Warner spent many

hours with his family boating on Lake Minnetonka in classic wood

boats.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up in and around Lake Min-

netonka, which had a rich history in boatbuilding and boat ownership,

and I was able through osmosis and direct activity to learn about the

industry,” Warner says.

At age 15, Warner started working at the Tonka Bay Boatworks.

That began a lifelong journey in the boating business.

In 1968, a fundamental shift occurred in the boating industry when

fi berglass boats overtook their wooden predecessors. The fi berglass

boats required less maintenance and were less expensive.

“By that time the attraction of not having to work on a speedboat

outweighed the perceived value of these American treasures,” Warner

says.

Marina

Wooden wondersLake Minnetonka business a leader in the world of vintage watercraftg

Photo by Richard CrawfordPosh, left, the sig-nature Mahogany Bay boat featured in the corporate emblem, was on display in Septem-ber at the Annual Antique and Clas-sic Boat Rendez-vous at Maynards Restaurant on Ex-celsior Bay of Lake Minnetonka. The show featured a number of vintage boats, above and facing page.

Todd Warner has been involved in the boating business for nearly 40 years.

Story and Photos By Richard Crawford

Mahogany Bay buys, sells, services, restores, and transports the fi nest vintage boats in the world. The Mound-based business specializes in serving vintage boat owners within 350 miles of Mound. For more information, go online at www.mahoganybay.net.


Boat unveilingTempo, a 44-foot wooden boat built in 1936 that was owned by big band leader Guy Lombardo, will be unveiled after nearly 16 years of restoration work at the upcoming Minneapolis Boat Show. The vessel has more than 35,000 hours of restoration work. Tempo is one of three custom commuter boats designed by John Ludwig Hacker. Mahogany Bay has two of the boats in its collection. The Minneapolis Boat Show is Jan. 20-23 at the Minneapolis Conven-tion Center. For more information and tickets, go online at www.MinneapolisBoatShow.com (Photo courtesy of Mahogany Bay).

At the time, wooden boats were nearly valueless, says Warner, who

recalls going to marinas and watching people burn boats just to get rid

of them.

Warner founded and owns Mahogany Bay, one of the world’s leading

authorities on vintage watercraft. Mahogany Bay, which uses a tagline

“Passion, disguised as a business,” buys, sells, restores, and maintains

classic wooden boats. About half of the company’s customers are from

Lake Minnetonka.

The company has restored and sold some of the rarest and most

sought-after vintage boats in the world.

One of those boats will be unveiled for the fi rst time in nearly 40

years at the upcoming Minneapolis Boat Show Jan. 20-23. The boat,

named Tempo, was once owned by legendary big band leader Guy

Lombardo. For the past 16 years, restoration work has been ongoing on

the 44-foot boat that was built by craftsman John Ludwig Hacker, the

foremost naval architect of the 20th Century.

Tempo and Mahogany Bay’s fl agship boat, Posh, also built by Hacker,

are considered to be two of the most valuable wooden boats in the

world, Warner explains.

To put it into some context, when Tempo was originally built in

1936, a new Bugatti sports car cost $6,500. Today, a 1936 Bugatti is

Mahogany Bay has restored

and sold some of the rarest and

most sought-after vintage boats

in the world.

worth $4.4 million. When Tempo was built, it cost $65,000.

“Through the years I’ve watched the classic wood boats slowly gain

recognition as great and rare American treasures,” Warner says. “They

embodied naval architecture, engineering, woodwork, design style, and

craftsmanship, all at the highest possible level, and people are coming

to realize just how rare this American art form truly is.” While own-

ing a wooden boat isn’t inexpensive, Warner contends they’re a good

investment because there is a fi nite supply.

But even the vintage boat industry hasn’t been immune to the recent

diffi cult economy.

To jump start business and, in some respects, the entire vintage

craft industry, Warner conducted a fi rst-of-its-kind auction this fall in

Winsted. In one day, the company sold $4 million worth of inventory

to people throughout the world.

“The auction certainly demonstrated that the boats had value,” War-

ner says. “I think classic boats offer the greatest investment protection.

Boats that you could get for $5,000 in 1981 are now selling for between

$75,000 and $150,000.”

Warner is passionate about preserving and celebrating the great

heritage of the vintage boats. “Classic boats have been my lifeblood,

my passion, and my dream for over 40 years,” Warner says, “and I hope

that those who are lucky enough to take one of them home will fi nd

their stewardship as rewarding as it has been for me.”

Richard Crawford lives in Deephaven and is the publisher and editor of the

Chanhassen Villager.


Season Preview

SEVEN FUN WAYS TO EMBRACE THE WINTER WILDERNESS.

BY MATHIAS BADEN


“I’m happy when I’m hiking!” That was my father’s

usual song for a walk through the woods.

Suggestions:

Get down by the Minnesota River. There are beauti-

ful sights all along the Minnesota River Trail between

Belle Plaine and Shakopee.

Take a walk on a creek. Smaller creeks freeze over in

the middle of winter. An early-morning stroll can net a

lot of looks at critters and their footprints.

Create your own waterfall tour using the paperback

“Minnesota Waterfall,” by Steve Johnson and Kenneth

Belanger. In the wintertime, stick to the bigger ones,

like Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. The best waterfall

excluded from the book might be the Sand Creek water-

fall in Jordan’s Lagoon Park.

Snow is falling. Don’t curl up in a blanket on the couch by the fi re. It’s time to go outside!

Gear up at some of the great outdoors stores in the southwest metro area, or throughout

the Twin Cities, and get out in the elements.

It’s not that diffi cult for a couch potato to learn the ways of the wild. If you’re a beginner

among outdoorsmen, here are some things you have got to try:

HIKING A LOCAL TRAIL

ICE CLIMBING

Speaking of waterfalls, most of the ones

that aren’t dried up until springtime are

frozen quite solid by now. With the right

equipment and a little help from an expe-

rienced climber, even a beginner can climb

an icicle. You will need a permit and safety

gear.

Suggestions:

Lilydale Regional Park, off Highway 13

just south of St. Paul, is a favorite for Twin

Cities ice climbers. The best areas in which

to climb are in the former brickyard featur-

ing frozen trickles of water from the bluffs

above. There’s a waterfall there, too. Maps

can be found at stpaul.gov.

Of course, if you’re a day tripper, Taylors

Falls and Red Wing come to mind as great

winter and summer climbing locations.

Go geocaching. Take a global positioning system (GPS) unit with you on

a hike toward a treasure. Armed with only the latitude and longitude coor-

dinates of the location of your prize, you will follow clues or fi nd a cache at

the location to which your GPS unit leads. Really, you can do this during

any season, but winter offers a particular challenge.

Suggestions:

All 72 Minnesota state parks participate in the Geocaching Wildlife

Safari. Minnesota Valley Recreation Area is one of 25 state parks at which

you can learn more about geocaching.

Don’t know the fi rst thing about geocaching? Take a class for families

through Three Rivers Park District – go to threeriversparks.org. Equip-

ment is provided for your use during the class.

Check out geocaching.com and mnga.org.

GEOCACHING


I’m no ice fi shing expert, but

I think it’s worth a try. Scott,

Carver, and Hennepin counties

are full of lakes–big and small–for

successful ice fi shing.

Suggestions:

Go with an experienced angler,

after the ice is thick. Bring the

right equipment, and consult your

local bait shop if you need advice.

Stick to the obvious lakes at

fi rst. Lake Waconia, Lake Min-

netonka, Spring Lake, and Prior

Lake are sure-fi re ice fi shing lakes.

But fi nd your own secret fi shing

spots after you’ve gained experi-

ence.

So you’re getting braver and you want to try

something really exciting. World class facilities for

ski jumping are not far away. The ski jump at Hyland

Park Reserve in Bloomington stands at K70, just shy of

Olympic size.

Suggestions:

Nervous? If you’re concerned about collisions and

injuries, this sport is safer than football. Learn on the

small jumps (K25 and K10), and work your way up.

Children are encouraged to start early.

Start at the top of the world, take a leap, and then

experience the rush of fl ying.

Go to minneapolisskiclub.org. The club also special-

izes in cross-country skiing and Nordic combined.

How much fun can you have with a couple

of dogs and a few hours in ice-cold weather?

Tons! Skijoring is somewhat of a cross be-

tween cross-country skiing and dog sledding.

It’s designed as a race, but why not use it as

simple recreation.

Suggestions:

Huskies aren’t the only sled dogs, but you

need to own dogs that are large and love to

run.

Buy comfortable harnesses for you and your

dogs.

Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage

and many others have trails designated for

multiple uses, including skijoring.

ICE

FISHING

SKIJORING

SKI

JUMPING

Start at the top of the world,

take a leap, and then experience

the rush of fl ying.


Get a free subscription to Savvy.mn MagazineSubscribe FREE to Savvy.mn Magazine

Savvy.mn Magazine is published monthly by Southwest Newspapers distributing more than 15,000 copies throughout the Twin Cities’ southwest suburbs.

Residents of the following cities can receive a free subscription by mail:Belle Plaine, Bloomington, Burnsville, Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, Cologne, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Hopkins, Jordan, Minnetonka, New Prague, Prior Lake, Richfi eld, Savage, Shakopee, St. Louis Park, Victoria, Waconia and Wayzata. Subscriptions from outside the area are $12 per year.

Request Your FREE Subscription at Savvy.mn

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Beyond these seven items, feel free to try a range of other winter

activities, too: ice sailing, downhill skiing, winter camping, snowshoe-

ing, and kiteboarding. There are plenty of other enjoyable outdoor

winter activities.

The challenge for most of us is to get out of the house and into the

snow – any way we can. Enjoy the open air in a state that loves to be

wild.

Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent.

SNOWMOBILING

After such dramatic snowfall early in the season, some of the

happiest winter recreationists are those who fi re up snowmo-

biles.

Suggestions:

The fi rst time, hop on the back of a larger sled with a veteran

snowmobiler.

Get a Sno-Trails map of Scott County, and a map of Carver

County (ccsnowrunner.com).

Don’t skip over open water. Seriously! Apparently, some

people think this is a good idea.

Attend the vintage and antique snowmobile show held on

Lake Waconia in late January.


Outside, the winds are blowing snow across the frigid landscape of your

lake and the temperatures are heading below zero. Welcome to another

Minnesota winter.

But you can scoff at winter these days, with an endless array of home

enhancements to keep you warm. Here’s a scenario that highlights a selec-

tion of these products.

The scenario starts with you waking up in your master suite, which is

warming up automatically, while a gentle soft light also begins to glow.

The Lux Programmable Thermostat, (starting at $40 at Menards,) has

kicked in 15 minutes before your alarm clock, sending warm air to all the

bedrooms and baths. Also, the Philips SRS 100 Morning Sunrise Dawn

Simulator, ($99 at the Brookstone Store,) has again successfully awakened

you and your wife before the radio alarm and weather report.

You slide out of bed and pad comfortably in your bare feet to the bath

because you installed radiant heated fl oors, which included all the bed-

rooms and tile for the two full bathrooms. It even proved to be a bit of a

cost-saving luxury at $4 to $10 a square foot.

Speaking of your fi rst stop in the bathroom, it doesn’t hurt that the

heated toilet seat is set for 100 degrees, cost $100, and just took minutes

to change out. It was a weekend project ordered online.

Next, you jump into the shower where your hot water tank is pro-

grammed to heat water on a timer. It also has separate lines to specifi c

showers and sinks, so you never have to run water down the drain to get

the shower water hot.

Plus, since you have an Angel Aire, pressure-balanced, thermostatic

valve/fi xture on the shower ($400-$900), you can dial up your own pre-

Lake Lifestyles

Scoff at WinterStay warm with these home enhancements

BY VICKI BONT


The shower in this master bath has a steam shower, the fl oor has radiant heat, and the tile is a “custom rug” made by New Ravenna Mosaics for Fantasia Showrooms, International Market Square, Minneapolis. New Ravenna Mosaics hand cuts Italian

marble into patterns and designs. There are more than 30 colors available and custom designs are encouraged. See Fantasiashowrooms.com (Photo courtesy, Fantasia).


Sources for products mentioned in this story

Brookstone/ Gadgets/ Ridgedale Mall, Minnetonka/Brookstone.com

Angel Aire / Heating and plumbing, Burnsville/angellaire.com

Fantasia/Luxury bath fi xtures and tile, International Market Square, Minneapolis/fantasiashowrooms.com

Sun Control of MN/ 3M window fi lms / Eden Prairie/ suncontrolmn.com

Premier Pool/ Bullfrog Spas/Chanhassen/ premierpool.com

Stay warm this winter with the Ofuro, a Japanese soaking tub made

for Fantasia Showrooms, Interna-tional Market Square Minneapolis, by Sonoma Cast Stone. The tub is hand-made concrete and the depth of this tub makes it unusual. Luxury options

include an embedded heating element for $2,500, and a spa air-bubble sys-tem. The tub holds 70 gallons. Many

colors are available as well as custom colors. See Fantasiashowrooms.com

(Photo courtesy, Fantasia).


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Lake Livingin the Winter…

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Also, the settings protect you from that wicked toilet-fl ush surge of hot or

cold water.

After the shower, you grab a fl uffy warm towel off the heated towel

bar. Your wife surprised you while you were at a recent Saturday morning

workout when she mounted the bar to the wall in the bath, and then used

the standard plug below to complete the job. The designer look cost $300.

In the kitchen, she has already enjoyed her green tea from the Brewbot

and left homemade bread in the $600 warming drawer for the kids. You

grab a roll out of the drawer and coffee from the Brewbot, while heading

to the garage in just your suit. You know that the garage will be warm,

thanks to the timed infrared shop lamps mounted on the ceiling, which

have already been on for 15 minutes, heating every surface in the garage.

Both of your cars and the teen’s Jeep will be warm.

You’re also not concerned about that nasty, north-facing, steep drive-

way being iced over, as that is under-layered with radiant heat and can

be warmed to melt snow and ice at your command. You fi gure that, at

$10,000 to $15,000 to install, it has actually saved you money in car and

landscape repairs since junior started driving this past February.

At 3 p.m., The Lady of the House returns from her consulting job in a

mini-fl urry. The heated driveway is cleared, and she pulls into the garage,

where she knows the timed infrared lights will evaporate all the snow and

slush from her SUV and the garage fl oor.

She pulls off her boots and puts them on the Brookstone boots dryer

next to her mitten dryer, (each $49,) and walks barefoot across the

radiant-heated tile to look out the west-facing, fl oor-to-ceiling windows.

There, she has removed all the window treatments and has only special,

3M-designed window coverings that are UV-, heat-, and glare-resistant.

The windows provide a wonderful view of the kids on the hockey pond

below; the 3M window products are priced at $7 to $10 a square foot.

By the time you roll in, the wind and clouds have cleared. In fact, a

beautiful sunset is bursting through the west windows. You spot your wife

in the outdoor Bullfrog Spa you had installed next to the pool house last

summer and hurry to join her.

You arrive and see that she has all of the infrared patio heating lamps

on with their stand-alone propane fuel tanks going and putting out 46,000

BTUs each. You purchased more this year at Costco for $139 (lamps are

89 inches tall). Notably, the Bullfrog Spa has its plumbing in the water, not

in exterior cabinets like most spas. Therefore, it is built to stand whatever

the North Country can throw at it. Models range from $9,000 to $12,000.

Soon you and the whole family head inside to have dinner. Everyone

is gathered around a roaring fi re in the great room, and you’re espe-

cially content because you don’t have to stock the wood. Your secret is a

vent-less gas fi replace. Depending on the model, these units can put out

between 10,000 and 40,000 BTUs (prices range from $400 to $6,000).

You and your wife end the night by retreating to the upstairs master

bath, with its lake view from the spa (just like the one on pages 14 and

15). You use the steam shower, or maybe the Ofuro Japanese soaking tub

(see photo, facing page; made for Fantasia by Sonoma Cast Stone; $2,500)

before turning in after another day scoffi ng at Old Man Winter.

(Special Thanks To: Mike Wistrand, 16-year home remodeling and

repair professional, [email protected]).

Vicki Bont is a Victoria-based freelance writer.


New Year, New Boats

Take a preview look at these selected 2011 models.

Welcome to 2011. A new year brings

many new elements to our lives: new

year’s resolutions, new challenges,

and, of course, new boat models!

Here’s a look at selected 2011 models.

2011 BOAT MODELS PREVIEW


Bayliner 285 SB

This 28-foot-7-inch sport cruiser

has sleek looks, functional space, and

plenty of creature-comfort luxuries, all

for a price tag under $95,000. As Boat-

ing Magazine mused, the 285 SB is “a

weekender with galley, full head and two

private staterooms priced like a day-trip-

per.” Visit Newbaylinecruisers.com.

Sea Ray 240 Sundancer and 330 Sundancer

These are stunningly gorgeous cruisers from

Sea Ray. The 240 is easy to drive and maintain, Sea

Ray boasts on its website, and the model offers “all

the comforts that have made our industry-leading

express cruiser series so popular.” Depending on fea-

tures, standard equipment, and additional options and

accessories ordered, you can probably design/build a

240 for a little north of $100,000. The 330 Sundancer

takes you further into opulence. Again, Sea Ray: “The

epitome of elegance, luxury and grace, this magnifi -

cent cruiser is the ultimate reward for a lifetime of

excellence.” This model is closer to $300,000. Visit

Searay.com.

Sea Ray 240 Sundancer

Sea Ray 330 Sundancer


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What better way to get a look at the new

boat models than to attend a boat and

sports show in your area. Here’s a quick

look at events coming soon.

CALENDAR: Boat and Sports ShowsJanuary 13-16:Minnesota Sportsmen’s, Boat, Camping,

and Vacation Show, River Centre, St. Paul.

Stpaulsportshow.com

February 11-13: St. Cloud Sportsmen’s, Boat, Camping,

and Vacation Show, St. Cloud Civic Center,

St. Cloud. Cenaiko.com/sport_sc.html

March 30-April 379th Annual Northwest Sportshow, Min-

neapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis.

Northwestsportshow.com

February 16-20Duluth Boat, Sport, and Travel Show,

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center,

Duluth.

January 20-23:Minneapolis Boat Show,

Minneapolis Convention

Center, Minneapolis.

Minneapolisboatshow.com


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Crestliner Sport Fishing Boats: Pro Tiller and 1650 Fish Hawk models

These made-in-Minnesota boats are designed specifi cally for anglers. The Pro Til-

ler models are tiller-controlled boats that feature an all-new command console with a

lockable sliding electronics tray, dual baitwells, a massive stern livewell that boasts an

oversized door for easy access and a smoother ride for fi sh,

and expanded storage capabilities overall. The 1650 Fish

Hawk models are also all about fi shing, with features such as:

open cockpit design allowing driver and passenger to maneu-

ver in their seats 360 degrees, tilt steering wheel with helm

seat slider, plenty of rod storage, and a stern livewell. Both

model versions are powered by 50-horsepower, four-stroke

Mercury engines. Both also have MSRP totals of $14,695.

Price includes boat, motor, and trailer. Pictured: Fish Hawk

1600, top, Fish Hawk 1650, left, and Pro Tiller, below. Visit

Crestliner.com.

Sailing: Catalina Yachts

Catalina Yachts are the most popular

sailboat models on Lake Minnetonka, says

Capt. Joan Gilmore, who heads up the Upper

Minnetonka Sailing School. For 2011, Cat-

alina has updated its popular 22 Sport, above,

which, the company says, is easy to trailer and

a great boat to step up to from dinghy sailing.

Additionally, the Capri 22, pictured on page

18, is also new, providing, as the company

says, a “sweet sailing performance in nearly all

conditions.” A complete racing package also is

available. Prices vary for each model.

Visit Catalinayachts.com.

Crestliner 1600 Fish Hawk

Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk

Crestliner Pro Tiller


Oh, the weather outside is delightful! So,

here are some selected winter festivals and

events to warm your heart (if not your toes).

Chanhassen February FestivalLake Ann ParkSaturday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Celebrate what’s best about

winter on beautiful Lake Ann!

Bring the family for ice skat-

ing, an ice fi shing contest,

and hand-warming bonfi re.

Visit the city’s website,

www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/parks/febfest.html.

The 27th Annual Chilly Open on Lake MinnetonkaPresented by the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of CommerceSaturday, Feb. 12

Can’t wait until spring? Hit the ice with

hundreds of other golf fanatics playing two,

nine-hole courses on Lake Minnetonka. If

you’re worried about getting cold, there will

be a chili cook-off and live band in the 19th

Hole tent. Tee times are scheduled at 9:30

a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.; call 952-473-9595

for availabilities and more information.

Ice House Contest on Prior LakeSponsored by the Prior Lake AssociationSaturday, Feb. 19

Is your Prior Lake ice house your pride and

joy? Enter it in this fun contest! There’s no

entry fee but, as the saying goes, you must be

present to win. Prizes will be awarded in a va-

riety of categories, including largest, smallest,

comfi est, relic (kind of like oldest — described

as “still standing, but barely”), Caddyshack,

most colorful, and most innovative. Photos of

winning ice houses and their proud owners

will be posted on the Prior Lake Association

website, priorlakeassociation.org.

The 125th Saint Paul Winter CarnivalJan. 27 – Feb. 6

Self-proclaimed as “the coolest celebration

on earth,” St. Paul’s Winter Carnival is a win-

ter mainstay for those who revel in our frozen

climate. From the ice sculpture contest to

Klondike Kate, there are many Carnival events

and personalities that people wait to see each

year. You’ll fi nd more at winter-carnival.com.

U.S. Pond Hockey ChampionshipsLake NokomisJan. 21 – 23

Perhaps Fred Haberman, the founding com-

missioner of the U.S. Pond Hockey Champi-

onships, said it best: “[This is] hockey the

way nature intended—outside at the absolute

coldest time of the year.” In other words, these

people are nuts. But if you love hockey and

you long to have your team’s name engraved

on the esteemed Golden Shovel, this event

will do it for you. There are fi ve divisions,

with each team guaranteed at least four

games, and players from every hockey-playing

state in the country (with a few ringers from

Kansas, Texas, and California thrown in).

Spectators welcome. Go to uspondhockey.com

for more information.

John Beargrease Sled Dog MarathonStarting and ending in DuluthJan. 28 – Feb. 3

John Beargrease, a Native American of the

Anishinabe people, was born in 1858 and lived

with his family on the North Shore of Lake

Superior. Like others in his tribe, he was an

avid trapper, hunter, and fi sherman. He and

his brothers created a vital communication

link by carrying mail bags along their Lake

Shore Trail trap line between Two Harbors

and Grand Marais. The modern sled dog

marathon commemorating John Beargrease

racks up 373 miles in a large loop starting and

ending in Duluth. For driving directions to

follow the mushers, go to beargrease.com.

City of Lakes LoppetMinneapolis Uptown AreaFeb. 5 – 6

Wax your cross-country skis and get thee

to Uptown for two days of nonstop activity

and racing. Saturday is family day, including

the Minne-Loppet, Pasta Feed at Uptown’s

Old Chicago and Luminary Loppet at Lake of

the Isles. Sunday is the day for serious compe-

tition, with both the Hoigaard’s Classic (25k)

and the City of Lakes Freestyle Loppet (33k)

beginning in Theodore Wirth Park and end-

ing in Uptown. Find registration and event

information at cityofl akesloppet.com.

Judy Monn is a Chanhassen-based freelance

writer.

Festivals

Cold Weather, Hot FunCompiled by Judy Monn

Ice sculptures are an artistic part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Explore Minnesota Tourism photo.

Follow the dogs at the John Beargrease Sled Dog Mara-thon in Duluth and along Lake Superior’s North Shore.


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952.361.9954Winter Hours

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“ROOTED IN INTEGRITY AND FOUNDED ON FAITH…”

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Winter wonderland may take its toll on you but we love to use it to our advantage. It’s time to dream! We’re

done with the visions of sugar plums and are moving onto visions of fl owers, water features, pergolas and night

lighting. Let your dreams lead you to a vivid discussion with one of our award winning designers and together

we can help your dreams become reality in the spring! Don’t just dream, call 952-361-9954 today!

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Dockside - Winter 2010-11