Izatys will be hosting the Friday night dinner that helps to kick off Arctic Blast on February 10, according to Jason Tollette.

Tollette and his wife, Sherry, just completed a one-year contract with Commerce Bank and its affiliates to manage the resort for 2012.

"This is a big boost for us," said Tollette, of the Arctic Blast dinner.  Last year, the meal was held at Whitehawk, on Bay Lake, and it took teams buses nearly 90 minutes to travel from McQuoids in wintery weather. "We're 15 minutes away and one of the few places on the lake that can handle a group this size."

Tollette said the party will begin at 5 pm, with players arriving at 7 pm.  A band will start playing at 9 pm.  Arctic Blast is 10-12 February and features blast points that Viking players and former players visit around the lake.  Last year, the points were Blue Goose, Castaways, Hunters Point and Buzzys.

Izatys remains open weekends for a second straight winter, starting at 4 pm Fridays.  We'll post more information when it becomes available.

The W.I.S.H. (Wahkon, Izaty's, South Harbor) Lions will once again be taking children from the Isle and Onamia school districts on a shopping trip to the Target in Rogers.

This year we have 90 children who will benefit from the generosity of local merchants, individuals, and non-local companies who have donated to this cause.

Each year the W.I.S.H. Lions does fund raisers and sends letters asking for donations.  There are no administrative costs so all donations go directly to the children.  This year, approximately $10,000 will be spent on winter jackets, warm boots, clothing, and other necessities.

With the help of over 60 volunteers, the shopping trip will address the needs of children from age 0 to 15. 
 
W.I.S.H. Lions wants to thank all of those who have donated and those who volunteer their time to make this very needed and worthwhile project a success.  We will post pictures after Sunday's shopping!

If you haven't been up to Mille Lacs in a while, you probably haven't gotten over to the Wahkon Inn.  It has been open for a a while and owners Tom and Rusty have the kitchen running again and are serving some great burgers and more.  I've been there a couple times and the place is doing a great business.

Thursday nights they feature a key chain drawing for cash and it gets up there to the tune of $350.  They've put in more tables, offer a nice menu and their pull tab boxes support MSA Flagship.

They don't have a website yet, but you can visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wahkon-Inn/199950566726140.

Other deveopments at Mille Lacs include a massive Appeldoorn's Resort expansion on the east shore.  They are doing a conference center and adding lodging.  You can follow that happening at http://www.sunsetbayml.com/,

Things are going well at Hunter Winfield's where owners Mike and Margie Christensen are building a new home just southeast of the resort, allowing for their current place to serve as another rental.  To get an your ice fishing rental locked, contact them at http://www.hunterwinfields.com/Index_IceFishing.html

The fire that destroyed four lakeside townhomes in April at Izatys spurred a 1.2 million dollar rebuilding project at the south shore resort.  The building has been rebuilt, sided and roofed and is awaiting interior finishing.  There is still no word on the sale of the resort to Faribault businessman Roy Winjum, who has been trying to acquire Izatys for more than two years.  He wants to build a 250-unit RV park on the southeast side of the property, formerly the back nine holes of Sanctuary Golf Course.  The resort bar, restaurant and hotel are open weekends through the winter for a second straight year. For more information you can contact them at  http://izatys.com/

Garrison will soon have a Burger King, joining McDonald's as the lake's fast-food headquarters.  We'll be following on that soon!

It’s been a long time since we wrote about Izatys Resort on Mille Lacs Lake’s southern shore.  We last featured the resort when Faribault businessman Roy Winjum appeared poised to purchase the place in the spring of 2010.

Despite an ominous delay in his quest to buy, Izatys has been thriving this summer, according to Jason Tollette.  He and his wife, Sherry,  are running the iconic venue for a consortium of banks, who actually took title to the place in the winter of 2008-2009.  The resort was named a 2011 Minnesota Best Resort and Yacht Club by the TV show the Official Best Of.com recently.  Click on this link for a U Tube video on the award.

By all accounts, the numbers are up at Izatys.  More rentals at the Links Lodge, lakeside townhomes, beach villas and Village timeshares.  Revenue is way up at Club 19, the bar and restaurant, Tollette said recently.  Chef Kevin Aho has done wonders in the kitchen and has developed a loyal following in the Mille Lacs area, a place starved for fine dining after the demise of Carlsonna.  Steve Tideman has tended to Walleye World and you’ll see the Lady of the Lake out on the Big Pond at least 3-4 days a week loaded with folks wanting to catch walleye.

Despite one of the more rain-laden summers on record, even golf rounds are up at Blackbrook Golf Course. Kudos go out to Steve Schumacher and Mike Edin and their staff, who have kept the course playable and in good condition throughout a year where soggy has been the norm.

The golf guys have nearly resuscitated a new front nine of Sanctuary Golf Course.  There are reseeded greens, newly cut fairways and only the bunkers need to be redone, coupled with some drainage issues on the second and sixth holes before it could become playable. It appears that it won’t open until 2012, however.

The only thing missing right now at Izatys is an owner with some financial wherewithal.  Commerce Bank and a bevy of other banks are probably getting tired of holding the property as they enter their fourth year of ownership.  The banks recently decided to relist the property as Winjum’s purchase offer has expired.  At present, we’re told he is still in the mix but is trying to get further financing in his quest to put a 250-space RV park on the property, which would be located in the southwest corner, site of the old back nine holes of Sanctuary Golf Course.

Despite the uptick in business, Izatys also continues to show signs of its age and continued neglect. The clubhouse, Links Lodge and cart paths on the golf course are all in need of a facelift.  A new walking bridge that connects the east side of the resort with the clubhouse is also badly needed. New roofs, siding, pavement and a bridge would do wonders to spruce things up.  But until a new owner takes over, it appears those items will continue to be put on hold.

I should give Kudos to the Tollettes, who have toiled with Izatys for the last two seasons.  Without their vision and efforts, it would be a tossup if the resort would even be open. Remember, they were banking that the resort would be sold by July 1, 2010, so they have weathered a lot of highs and lows since.  Jason was the realtor as well, hoping to cash in on a nice paycheck when it sold.  But all of that hasn’t worked out to this point.

So where are things going, people ask?  Unfortunately, nobody knows.  Until a buyer can be found, it appears that Izatys will continue to operate, be busy and get by, helping make Mille Lacs a great place to vacation.

Isle Days 2011 runs from Thursday night through Sunday, adding alot to do around the Mille Lacs Lake area.

The Little Miss Isle and Commmodore Cornation will be at Lakeview Park Thursday night at 7 pm.

An inflatable and laser gun program will run from 3-11 on  Friday.  Food stands and beer gardens get underway at 3 as well.  Hangfire takes the stage for the street dance until midnight.

The Miss Isle coronation is scheduled for 7 pm in the Isle Days commons area behind the bus garage.

On Saturday, there is a co-op pancake breakfast and the car, truck and tractor show starts at 8 am.  The Isle Fun Run begins at Lakeview Park at 8:15 am.

The kiddie parade begins at 10 am and a coin hunt starts next to the First National Bank of Milaca at 9 am.

Saturday night also features another street dance with Hangfire. Fireworks culminate the evening.  Finally, on Sunday there is a flight breakfast at Isle Airport from 7-11 am. From noon to 5 the food stands will remain open.  There will be a youth fishing tourney out of Mac's Twin Bay and Fiddlestix is hosting the Huskie Scramble at 1 pm.

Lots of things to see and do and a great time to get out and see Isle!

Other Notes:

John Oddle and Jordan Weiss were featured in the Mille Lacs Messenger for their recent fishing prowess.  They won the Hunter's Point 15th Annual Tourney and won the comeback kids award for Sunday fishing at Wave Wackers.  In all, the two netted lots of fish an $6,000 cash for their efforts.

Mille Lacs is still just a splash from its 17-year high water mark, thanks to the recent rainfall.  It was at 1252.43 on the Cove Bay measuring station on July 1.

Follow Make It Mille Lacs for an upcoming feature on Izatys Resort an its area resurgence this week!

With the Wave Wackers tournament in the books at Fishermen’s Wharf, the attention now turns to the June 25^th Third Annual Military Fishing Tourney. 

The event partners a current, retired or past military member with a partner and couples a fun day on the water of Lake Mille Lacs with a stellar post-tourney banquet.

Organziers Daron Stenvold and Lori Wigen, Fishermen’s Wharf owners, have again partnered with the Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF). All proceeds from the tourney go to this organization, which helps returning injured soldiers and recently deployed service members transition back into Minnesota.  Cost is only $50 per person.

“We’re hoping to get 160 boats this year,” said Stenvold, who served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Gulf War vet.  “A lot of these people have suffered and we want to help give back to the families. “

The tourney runs from 0800-1530 and is followed by a Pig Roast and Banquet at the Wharf Storage Shed, which is perfect to host a group of this size.

With at least 100 boats participating, first prize is $1000.  First through fourth places receive cash. That amount would increase with a larger field. While the Wharf wanted entries postmarked by June 10^th, it will accept registrants up until the day of the tourney.

Early entry gets you a t-shirt for $5.00.  You pay $5 more if your entry is after June 10. . The tourney is also looking for additional sponsors.  Please see the event registration form at http://www.wharfmn.com/pdf/2011/Military-Tourny-Entry-2011.pdf.  Call the Wharf with any questions at 320-676-3693

“The camaraderie from all the different people and units is outstanding,” Stenvold said. “We also do an award for a military person who has done the most for military people.”

The event has come along way in its years of operation.  It started out with about 20 boats and has increased significantly each year.  If you don’t have a boat or a partner, don’t fret.  You can climb aboard either the Experience 1.0 or 2.0, The Wharf’s launches for a $20 fee.

Make It Mille Lacs will be present for the second straight year participate and to chronicle the event.  It’s a fishing tourney that is long on fun, easy to afford and angler teams weigh only four walleyes.

If you’ve got a patriotic bent and like to fish, this tourney is for you!

Bait shops, gas stations, liquor stores and the local Dairy Queen were deluged last night on the corner of Highway 27 and 169.

Welcome to the 2011 fishing opener on Lake Mille Lacs.

Hopes are high at all haunts around the Big Pond as parka-clad fishermen continue to steam into the area. By 2 pm today, it’ll be stop-and-go traffic along Highway 169 and Minnesota 47. The launches are ready, poised to push away from dockage at midnight and the water will be aglow with green and red lights all weekend each evening.  More than 5,000 boats will hit Mille Lacs this weekend.

Despite a forecast of rain, temperatures in the low 50s and winds from 12-18 mph from the north, the talk around here is about how good a fishing season this could be. It just wouldn’t be the opener if not for some tough weather.

Tribal netters have pretty much wrapped up their early-season missions, grabbing what we’ve been told as a modest 60,000 pounds of fish.  That pales in comparison with 2010, when the tribes  had nearly their entire quota by the end of April.  A late ice out, nasty weather conditions and an early spawn are to blame, we are told.

Fishermen’s Wharf bar tender and fishing guide Jason Bongers is all smiles when he talked about this year’s fishing opener.

“I think it’s going to be great and I can’t wait to get out,” Bongers said. “There’s a lot of forage out there, but we marked a lot of fish, too. “  A 15-year veteran of the lake, Bongers and his 620 Ranger will be hitting his favorite spots, starting Sunday, he said. He will be out guiding Muskie trips once again in 2011.

“The leeches look good – the large ones really are large,” Bongers said, after scouting area bait shops.  “I think I’ll wait to buy gas till Monday, though.”  Prices for regular unleaded were in the 3.99-4.07 range around Mille Lacs yesterday.  And premium was upwards of $4.12 a gallon.

Follow the Make It Mille Lacs Facebook page for updates across the lake tomorrow.  We’ll post pictures and tell you how things are going at Mille Lacs.  This year we will be featuring Fishermen’s Wharf as our fishing page sponsor.  We will be embedding their Facebook Page on our site to give you up to date reports of what’s happening on guide trips and launches.

Here’s wishing you a great, successful and safe fishing opener for 2011! Checkout the Make It Mille Lacs-featured webcams to see what the lake looks like. And be sure and save us to your favorites as we strive to tell the Mille Lacs story throughout the season!

J&J's Detached Townhomes of Wahkon - click for additional photos

People are taking notice of the cleanup and development going on just East of Wahkon off Highway 27 toward Mille Lacs Lake.

Thanks to J&J Detached Townhomes of Wahkon, owned by Jeffrey Eye and Kevin Cole, the area is looking up and is poised for success as the 2011 spring real estate season heats up.

The planned 12-unit development will feature townhomes ranging from 900 to 1,150 square feet and include 12 by 26 garages. A dock was just installed, so now there is a completed model townhome, a fish cleaning house and a gazebo overlooking the lake.

"I bought J&J's 11 years ago and it was dead and overgrown and we've done a lot of work to bring it to where it is right now," Eye said, on a break with the dock installation. "We've moved 34 old fish houses out of that area."

Townhome owners will also be able to store golf carts in an association garage on the premises. "I've had people tell me they absolutely love what's going on," Eye said. "It took three years to get everything done to this point, but we're moving forward."

Eye and Cole were caught like many in the area as they started building admist the recession in 2008. Just prior, a bevy of like units sold quickly in Isle, but a glut of "for sale" townhomes at Izaty's and many new vacant ones around the lake stalled sales. Until late last fall.

Meshigun Point Townhomes of Wahkon sold a pair of units in the last month, leaving only one left before owners Chip Frederickson and his Dad, Shooter, break ground for another two-plex. Word is that other lakeshore properties are also starting to move.

High gas prices make Mille Lacs an ideal vacation destination for Twin Cities residents. The short commute, great fishing and emerging family vacation opportunities are paying dividends.

With 75 Feet of lakeshore and dockage for the 12 boats, J&J's Detached Townhomes definitely has a niche. The units range from $139,900 to $159,900. Once sold, the area should thrive, helping local downtown businesses who have also felt a pinch recently.

"We're also planning to plow an ice road in the winter, which is part of the deal," Eye said. "We're calling this an extreme makeover."

Meshigun Point Townhomes, Wahkon

Talk with Chip Frederickson and you have to believe that the Mille Lacs Lake real estate market is poised for a comeback.

The co-owner of Meshigun Point Townhomes in Wahkon announced that he and his father, Shooter, have sold the first of three luxury townhomes which are part of a 12-unit planned development on eastern portion of Meshigun Point that also includes Frederickson Marina.

This comes almost three years since the Frederickson's built the three-unit townhome complex, which stands majestically just feet from Wahkon Bay, facing Half Moon Island and with views of Jacks, Outer Twin, Lower Twin and Spider Islands.

"Things are looking up in 2011," said Frederickson, who works full-time in sales for Country Lumber in Wahkon and Becker.  He covers the greater Mille Lacs area. "We were like everyone else, rolling along in 2005 and 2006 and we built and had high aspirations but our timing could not have been worse with the economy, so it's been a long three years."

One can't help but be optimistic when talking with Frederickson who is a fit, athletic guy who looks like he just stepped off the football field from his college playing days at South Dakota State in the late 1990s. He's worked with his father since graduation and the duo decided that a 12-unit, luxury planned unit development was the ticket when lake taxes reached their ceiling before the current recession.

"We're the nicest planned unit development and marina on the lake and I can say that without any reservation,"  Frederickson said.  He may be right.  The townhomes have every amenity, including custom cabinets, a two-car garage, stunning views, a covered boat slip, stamped concrete patios, paver driveways and top-shelf appliances and millwork. Checkout the Meshigun Point Townhomes website for more detail.  Or better yet, call Chip for a showing at 651-221-6923.

"We've got a great location, privacy and quality," he said.  Of the three current units, the first closing is scheduled for mid April on the middle unit.  One end unit serves as a model and is truly five-star in quality.  The other end unit is unfinished so that a buyer can choose his or her own cabinets, carpets, colors, appliances, etc.

Being 50-feet off the water with city sewer,  a one-minute wave runner ride to perfect sand beach, in a top-shelf gated community that features your own covered slip, a fish cleaning area with bathrooms and on-site fuel has a lot of people looking at the Meshigun Point Townhomes right now. In addition, with gas prices skyrocketing and projected to remain high, Mille Lacs is becoming even more appealing to lake home owners for its proximity to the Twin Cities.

"We've got all price points covered and there is something for everyone that wants that no-maintenance lake home,"  Frederickson said.   He is zeroing in on landscaping, moving a building and overall grounds improvement this summer.

"Once these other two units sell, we'll be digging footings on the next two units,"  Frederickson said, smiling. In addition to his lumber sales job and marketing the townhomes, Frederickson is married to Roxanne, a busy sales rep for International Paper and mother of two children --  William, 8, and Cori, 5.  Frederickson also serves on the Wahkon city council as a street commissioner.

"I can't wait for the day to hand the baton over to a homeowner association," Frederickson said. "Right now its extreme hands on!"  With the market coming back and buyers advancing on Mille Lacs, that day may be soon.

History:  The Frederickson's at one time had 24 trailers on the property.  The family history of ownership is detailed at the Meshigun Point website.  In 2000, they rebuilt the Marina and in 2006, they built a launch center, which houses the fish cleaning area and bathrooms.  The upper floor serves as a northern show-room location for Country Lumber.

Marina:  The 45-slip covered marina is top shelf.  It has some vacancies for the 2011 season.  The site has a public launch that can accommodate parking with boat trailers.  Cost is $15 per launch.  Fuel is also sold at the marina.  Contact Chip Frederickson at 612-221-6923 for more details on placing at boat in the marina.

We visited Kurt Klipstein and his "Motel" on Mille Lacs Lake in January. There are more photos on the Make It Mille Lacs Facebook Page.

When it comes to Mille Lacs Lake fish houses, Kurt Klipstein’s would be an on-water motel.

At 18,000 pounds and capacity to sleep 12-18 people, this behemoth has made a name for itself over the years on the Big Pond. And so has Klipstein.

“It takes a 5-ton with lift like you have on a semi wrecker to get it up and moving,” said Dennis Sand, Fishermen’s Wharf Resort operations manager, and the guy who tows the rig from its shore grazing spot onto the ice each year.  “It’s usually the last one or two out because it’s a such a monster.”

Decked out with a wood-burning stove, reclining chairs that cover featured holes, a full-sized bar, appliances, TV and sound system --  and two stories high -- you can’t miss it when you are out in Fishermen’s Wharf territory on the east side of Lake Mille Lacs. It also sports its own attached wood shed on one end and a bathroom on the other. We didn’t ask what size generator it took to power up but the one there might take three guys to lift.

“It’s a poor man’s cabin and I don’t have to worry about grass or a dock,” said Klipstein, 49, as he jigged with his line wrapped around the top of his Coors Light can, in full relaxation mode while some buddies gathered to help show off the place. “It’s below zero and it’s snowed for 24 hours, but we’re just sitting here fishing, living the dream.”

Part of that dream includes some fishing, lots of entertaining and trips ashore to hang out at Toucans and MSA Flagship.  The gregarious Klipstein has a Jimmy Kimmel-type personality that attracts an entourage. You can’t help liking the guy at first impression. We’ve seen his following at Flagship for karaoke first-hand.  He’s truly a funny guy to be around.

During our tour, he rushed to pull out a yellowed November 1999 Details Magazine copy (A Maxim of that era), featuring  him and his fish house as the lead on a three-page feature story about Mille Lacs Lake ice fishing.

“Make sure I get that thing back,” he said, smiling, as he gave it to us to look over.  It described Klipstein’s physique as a “beer-bellied, nearsighted, pigeon-toed bowler look.” Well, not much has changed in the 11 years since the story, except a little graying, and a receding hair line.  But his motel, he admits, is showing some signs of wear.

With its patched carpets, well-worn easy chairs, dated appliances and fire-scarred stove, it all backs up the motel’s “man-town” mantra.  Not that it’s a no-gal zone.  I was offered a tour of the top floor bunk area as he started to pull-down the ladder but passed.

While the motel’s condition may have dipped a notch, its value to Klipstein and his friends hasn’t changed.  It’s one of those places a guy could spend a winter on the ice, rivaling the feat accomplished by the Wharf’s Dale Eggen who just did 70 nights on the water.

“I fish at least once per day,” admitted Klipstein, who is a technical support specialist for a Twin Cities firm during the week. “But can somebody go find me a perch so we can get a picture for this story?”

It’s safe to say that Hunter Winfield’s Dave Estrem is the youngest, longest-tenured resort manager on Mille Lacs Lake.

Which must mean the 28-year old, 2001 Onamia High School graduate is a pretty darn good one.

“We rely on Dave to ensure our customers have a good experience…many of our rebooks ask if Dave is still here,” said Margie Christensen, who with husband, Mike, own Hunter Winfield’s Resort in Isle and are entering their sixth season. “The resort business is a tough one. It can make you insane. Dave helps Mike & I stay sane to a degree. He’s truly our right hand and right now, we need a couple right hands.”

The soft-spoken Estrem has got a smile for everybody, a penchant for being on-site whenever needed and a nose for finding fish – which is probably why so many customers keep asking for and about him. He is the original and only resort manager Hunter Winfield’s has known since its September 1, 2006 debut.

“Dave is the face of the resort -- he is generally the person that people checking in meet first and they rely on him during their stay for 24/7 on-call service in the winter,”  said Margie, who also runs a successful consulting business and is a mother to two young children – Claire, 2, and Max, 5 months.  “He sets up boat rentals, launches, and provides tips on fishing spots in the summer or winter.”

Apparently the business marriage between the Christensens and Estrem is paying big dividends.  The resort has 50 percent more bookings for this upcoming season than it did in 2010.  And that was a very good year for Hunter Winfield’s. It has tripled its business overall in five years of operation.

The trio maintains that Hunter Winfield’s success is driven by a combination of quality service, state-of-the-art accommodations and focused marketing, especially using the internet.  Combined, these things have helped drive Hunter Winfield’s to area prominence on Mille Lacs Lake.  Consider that its ice house fleet features Lodge Wheeled Houses which feature every amenity available – and DirectTV to boot! The resort has four modern rental boats, a pair of quality launch boats owned and operated by Dereke Voge, six cabins, a luxury log home and great fishing guides.  It also sells premium fuel off its permanent, modern dock that can host a bevy of boats.

Estrem gets a big grin when talking his favorite part of the job.  “I love dealing with the people and being out on the lake,” said Estrem, who figured he spent 359 days at work last year, taking only a pair of three-day mini-vacations to fish Lake Michigan and hunt.

You can sense how much he loves his work by following him on morning rounds.  From driving out on the Big Pond to service a generator to helping put some customers on a perch hot spot, Estrem is in his element at Mille Lacs. In winter, he dons his ice armor gear early each morning, capping it with his signature orange skull cap. You can find him in various south-shore locations some evenings – still in the garb – competing in an area dart league or stopping to meet some friends at a local watering hole.

It’s easy to see that Mille Lacs is in Estrem’s blood.

By his calculation, he grew up only 4 miles from Hunter Winfield’s – by a Mille Lacs water route – in a lakeside home off Eyota Way that his parents, Pat and Roger, still occupy. He worked at the Izatys Resort marina, cutting his teeth as bait boy, fishing guide and marina night manager from the age of 14 until his hire at Hunter Winfield’s.  In his spare time Estrem, well, fishes.  And fishes.  Which has helped him  earn him the moniker ‘Prime Time’.

“We call Dave ‘Prime Time’ because he’s one of the best early-season fishermen we have,” said Mike Christensen, who is one of three Mille Lacs Lake Lindy Tackle Guides who cranks out fishing reports  on online audio updates.  “He beat me and he beat John Thelen (another established guide) and like 16 other pro guides in a Pradco National Sales Meeting Tourney late last May – he’s a pretty good stick.”

While Christensen is the featured guide in the Hunter Winfield stable, Estrem gets his fair share of missions behind launch captain Dereke Voge as the resort’s No. 3 guide. His realm of fishing excellence lies mainly between Izatys and Isle Bay, but he’ll push north as well.

“Dave’s invaluable, we wouldn’t be able to exist without him,” Mike Christensen said.  “He more or less lives here.  We can trust him to get things done and he takes care of our customers more than anyone else.”

Estrem said he’s strayed from Mille Lacs only once in his life. That was for a stint at St. Cloud State, working toward a business management degree. But his love for the lake and fishing brought him back home to Mille Lacs and to his current job at Hunter Winfield’s.

“I like going out every evening to fish,” Estrem said. “In the early season from like 8 p.m. to dark is just crazy fishing.  I definitely look more forward to summer when you just pound the walleyes.”

 While his job brings a lot of praise and fishing glamor, Estrem will tell you it isn’t always perfect.  The late-night visits treks on the frozen, wind-swept tundra to fix a downed generator and the occasional cranky customer can put a crimp in his day. 

Those bad times are few, however. So Estrem contends he’s where he wants to be, doing what he loves most, helping Hunter Winfield’s succeed.  Big Time.

After a couple years on the shelf, our Bobber Down column returns to Mille Lacs Lake. It will provide readers with short, interesting updates that we’ve gathered from around the lake.  We will always attempt to verify all our information. We are a blog, not a newspaper.  However, you may see things attributed to sources “wishing to remain anonymous.”  If you read Charley Walters “Shooter” column in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and read “a little birdie says,” you’ll understand our planned format.

Area Golf:  Boom and Bust.  Three years ago, we did friendly golf course reviews on Fiddlestix, Izatys, Hardwoods and Higbees. The health of that circle has taken a slight hit with the recent recession in a trend that has wiped out countless courses nationwide. A new course has come onto the scene for us.

Despite rumors, Higbees will be open for its ninth season, according to owner Pete Wilkes. There will be several new types of memberships.  Membership letters will be out within the next two weeks, Wilkes said.  A woman's league is planned.  The Friday night scrambles will continue. The course will continue to operate its nifty outdoor bar and barbeque area.  For more information contact Pete Wilkes at 320-495-3333 or 320-630-6482. 

For the first time in years, Izatys Resort was open through winter. It heads into spring with a solid commitment from current owner, Commerce Bank.  Weddings, corporate and golf group bookings are way up, general manager Jason Tollette said.  The golf operation is in transition mode with a new golf superintendent pending and the planned re-opening of The Sanctuary front nine.  Tollette has targeted mid-summer for Sanctuary to be operational.   He said the long-expected Izatys Resort closing with Faribault businessman Roy Winjum could drag into June or later but is still projected to happen.

The delayed sale of the resort will not affect course opening or operation, Tollette said.  Blackbrook remains a top course in the Greater Mille Lacs area.  Edina’s Commerce Bank has continually funded the resort’s operation since 2009 and will do so this year, Tollette said.  Commerce will fund operations, equipment, maintenance and materials budgets to keep Blackbrook running smooth until Winjum takes over, Tollette said. Visit the Izatys website for more membership and golf information.

The Mille Lacs Golf Resort – or Hardwoods -- website is down and the only Google searches one can find on the course at present are on Golf Link and Golf.com.  The course phone number is operational but we get a constant busy signal.  The 18-hole course, built in 1965, should be open this spring.  We’ll provide you details when we learn more about ownership and its plans.  If you haven’t played it, the front-nine is a gem.  The back nine, not so much.

Fiddlestix is healthy and completely ramped up to steam into its 24^th season.  Owners Harley and Tamma Exsted run a solid business and continue to attract more and more golfers to this well-maintained 18-hole course, located just southeast of Isle.  This family- owned operation was our Course of The Year back in 2008.  It would have been an interesting matchup between it and Blackbrook over the last two seasons, but we didn’t conduct reviews. Remember, it opened March 31^st last year and is always one of the first courses out of the shoot in spring.  It has a large league and tournament listing scheduled.  Visit the Fiddlestix website for more information on leagues and memberships.

A new player in the area golf scene that is sparking interest is Garrison Creek Marina’s nine-hole executive course.  This newly refurbished nine hole, Par 3 golf course is open to the public. A new clubhouse is being designed along with other improvements.  All new greens and tee boxes have been added, and 117 ten foot high Colorado Blue Spruce were transplanted to give the newly designed course a challenging but forgiving golf experience.  For more information see the Garrison Creek Golf Marina website.  

Greg Miller with a long iron. See an array of photos at  Make It Mille Lacs Facebook page.

Onamia’s Ivars Wagner may not have the sun tan to prove it, but he’s played Puerto Rico’s Dorado Beach East Golf Course this winter. 

He’s also played Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst -- all on a Microsoft LS Links golf simulator at Fiddlestix Golf Course in Isle. 

Wagner and 15 other local golfers convene each Wednesday at the Isle Course clubhouse simulator to blast drivers, punch chips and stroke putts in what could become a popular Mille Lacs Lake winter past time.

“It’s great for the area and the distances are right on,” said Isle’s Greg Miller, Wagner’s partner and owner of Eagle Signs, a local business. “It’s something to do, giving you a chance to swing a club. It’s accurate -- as the machine doesn’t lie. The sensors pick up the way the spin of the ball goes.”

While it doesn’t yet have the area following of bowling, dart or pool leagues, simulator golf draws well in metro areas, helping give players a great indoor substitute during winter.  It has potential to catch on at Mille Lacs as word spreads about its availability.

"We try to play the courses the tour is on," said Fiddlestix owner Harley Exsted, as Wagner and Miller battled Bill Olmstead and Harley Sawatsky Wednesday in a noon match called recovery. "It's a great tune-up for your golf game. We've got 20 courses to pick from and we can do scrambles, skins, best ball or match play."

Exsted said he originally bought the simulator to help his son, Grant, a Isle High School golf phenom, to better his skills.  With a heated club house and simulator set up, Exsted decided to open it to the public last winter to defray costs and create a potential business buzz during the lull between seasons.  Manager John Searles bartends, mans a pull-tab boxe and serves pizzas for those interested when people play.

'We're flexible if you can’t make it on a Wednesday,'  Exsted said. "Anybody can call the golf shop and make a tee time and we will keep this up through the end of April." List price for the simulator is $20 per hour.  It takes a foursome about two and half hours to play nine holes, which is pretty close to the real thing.  Things like work team-building functions, bachelor parties or family outings all would do well to give this venue a shot.

The simulator gives a lot of stats each time you hit a ball.  It depicts distance, ball speed and launch angle to name a few. Both Exsted, Searles and the guys playing are generous with helpful tips. Watching the foursome hit balls, rip some tabs and have a couple drinks, it looked like a novel way to spend part of a cold winter day at Mille Lacs.  The next closest simulator is in Brainerd. 

"Another good thing about this is we never lose any balls," said Exsted, smiling, "But we do get stuff like this (a cracked ball) after you whack it for about five rounds."

Until April 15, Fiddlestix is still offering its 24^th Anniversary $99 membership package. To get it, you sign up for two years and can golf anytime Monday through Friday, paying only for your cart.  With tax, that gives you a two-year membership for about $211.

Only twice in the previous 23 years, has Fiddlestix opened on or before April 1^st. Last year, the course opened March 31^st and was playable for every day in the month of April. For a listing of leagues, play dates and initial player meetings, see the Fiddlestix website calendar.

Here's Sunday action from the first heat of Open Pro Quads, won by #28 Taylor Peterson

GARRISON -- More than 2,000 people converged on Garrison for last weekend's six-circuit ice racing events, helping this Mille Lacs Lake town cap its best winter recreational month in years.

"In a lot of years we haven't had snow or we've had rain and water on the ice in February," said Mark Tadych, Blue Goose Inn owner and event organizer for the races. He added historic perspective, having been in Garrison since 1993. "This is our best February yet."

Tadych and an estimated 30 Garrison Commercial Club members were on the ice, assisting with entry fees, parking, selling concessions and event oversight. It was the third straight weekend the community has been in the limelight on Mille Lacs Lake.

Arctic Blast XVI and the 7th Annual Ducks Unlimited Ice Fishing Tourney brought thousands to Garrison and Mille Lacs in previous weekends.  The DU tourney had 3,054 registered anglers.

"This definitely helps the community make it through the winter," said Myron Stevens, President of the Commercial Club. "These last few weekends kind of make us or break us for the winter.  And the ice fishing's been pretty slow lately."

Racing organizations operated on both days of the weekend independent of each other, making it a mecca for outdoor snowmobile, car, ATV and motorcyle racing.

The listing of circuits present: the Oval Racing Alliance (ORA); ORA Vintage Snowmobiles; Stud Club Motorcyle and ATV; Hardwater Racing Association; International Ice Race Assocation; and Kids Pro Ice all held races.

All have dedicated followings, websites and a healthy base of competitors. Tournament Banquets for many of the organizations were held at the Blue Goose Inn and Harbor Inn on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, Tadych and Stevens said. See some awesome racing photos from most circuits on the Make It Mille Lacs Facebook page.

(Perch Extravaganza goers await the prize drawings Saturday at Hunters Point Resort)

When it comes to Mille Lacs Lake ice fishing fun, the Adamek family has it nailed.

On Saturday, members of this Jordan, Minn. clan deployed their 8.5 by 22-foot wheeled Custom Cottage fish house at the edge of the on-ice awards area out-front of Hunters Point Resort at 9 a.m., as part of   the 28^th Annual Perch Extravaganza.

They augered holes in three feet of ice, dropped lines, powered up their generator and enjoyed themselves, fishing in four feet of water. Six couples stayed warm, cozy and well supplied, pulling the full contest shift.

 “We had 19 people in there shaking dice with the windows open, listening to numbers,” said Corey Adamek, referring to the 91-minute, post-fishing tourney raffle ceremony – which really was the main event after the 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. perch contest.  “It was a total blast.”

The Adamek team caught some big ones.  Prizes, that is.  Two of their many button numbers were called, netting them a pair of Aqua-Vu underwater fish cameras, capping one of the luckiest weekends they can collectively recall at Mille Lacs Lake.  Several family members scored big on pull tabs at Long Siding (Friday night) and Bayview Bar and Grill (Saturday evening)

“Then we pulled it (the house) back across the lake and we’re back out there fishing again,” said Adamek, who was with his whole group Saturday evening at Bayview, sharing a meal. “We’ve been coming up here for 20 years and we love it!”

Perhaps the luckiest participant of all Saturday was Elk River resident  Steve Bellrichard.  His button number  – 1597 – was drawn last, handing him a new Ice Castle Fish house from Milaca Unclaimed Freight. Guns, ice augers, GPS units, and countless other pricey prizes were given away. A more detailed description of prizes is at the Johnson Portside Bait and Liquor website. 

For the record, the winning perch was just more than 1.65 pounds, landing the lucky angler a $500 cash prize.  In all, 21 perch more than a pound made the leader board. We’ve requested a list of the fishing winners and some post-event information from organizer Steve Johnson, owner of Johnson’s Portside Bait and Liquor. We will post more details when we receive them.

Sales of the $10 tournament buttons may have eclipsed records this year.  Different colored, leftover buttons from 2010 and 2009 were dragged out to meet demand.  Those “yellow ones”, with number, were called, helping ensure the integrity of the raffle drawing.  Several long-time veterans of the tourney claimed it was the biggest on-ice group they had witnessed in years.

The Adamek group poses for a post-event shot at Bayview Bar and Grill

The largest Mille Lacs Lake ice fishing tourney of the season -- participant-wise -- starts Saturday at 8 a.m.  at ANY location on the Big Pond, concluding at Hunters Point Resort for a fifth straight year.

The 28^th Annual Perch Extravaganza runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  lake-wide.  To enter, you must purchase a $10 tourney button.  The contest buttons can be purchased at either Johnson’s Portside Bait and Liquor or Hunters Point Resort, according to a staff member we spoke with this morning at Portside.

The Top 10 perch weighed – alive – make the leader board and get prizes.  You must be present for prizes, according to a post on the Johnson’s Portside website.  The site has complete details on the event.  Make It Mille Lacs will be present to document the experience.

The grand prize is an Ice Castle wheeled fish house.  Big fish prize is $500 cash.  A drawing for a large list of prizes – including ice augers and Aqua views – happens after the 2 p.m. awards ceremony at Hunters Point.  A t-shirt shooter and kids prizes (under 12) are featured, making this a family event.

The button also gets you free lake access at the following locations:  Appeldoorn's Sunset Bay Resort; Chapman's Mille Lacs Resort & Guide Service; Fishermen's Wharf Resort;  Lyback's Ice Fishing;  Mac's Twin Bay Resort; and Nitti's Hunters Point Resort.

Just how big of an event is this? Consider that Jerry Brandt’s south shore ice fishing operation will be plowing a road and leading an entourage estimated to be more than 60 vehicles to Hunter’s Point to make the awards ceremony.  That’s a trek, but it’s become an annual, fun affair.

One new twist – and a great one for Mille Lacs – is the hand out of thousands of garbage bags to anglers. Organizers Steve Johnson and George Nitti are requesting that folks bag any lake garbage and bring it to available dumpsters at Hunters Point.

Area businesses will see a financial spike for a third straight weekend, following in the wake of Arctic Blast and the Ducks Unlimited/Hunters Point Perch-Pout Fests. “It’ll be pretty much full-up on the eastern shore,” said Tina Chapman, executive director of Mille Lacs Tourism, referring to lodging.  She said fish house rentals were brisk and that a majority of private houses on the eastern side will be occupied and possibly tied to the event.

Across the lake, in Garrison, the Minnesota State Ice Racing championships run both Saturday and Sunday, featuring studded motorcycles and studded and non-studded ATV races.  For more information visit the Minnesota Ice Racing website.  A Fire and Ice Barbeque planned for Buzzie’s on The Bay has been cancelled this weekend, Chapman said.

Jill Hofstrand, Deerwood, and son, Jordan, and daughter, Jayce, fished the whole event Saturday.

Garrison -- People, local businesses and ducks all won at Saturday’s 7^th Annual Ducks Unlimited Fishing Tournament on Garrison Bay.

Scott Ashby, St. Cloud, won a Chevrolet four-wheel drive truck with a 2.3 pound northern;  Mark Fleick, Lonsdale, won the 18-foot wheeled fish house with his .29 pound perch.  See the Make It Mille Lacs photo array!

A record-setting 3,054 anglers fished in moderate weather; Bette Hough and staff served 1,500 brats and hot dogs for the Svoboda Spotlight Café; and Garrison Commercial Club provided canned beer, doing a brisk business.

“It was a little raw out there with that slight breeze.  If that sun would have come out we would have had it all,” said Tournament Director Greg Erickson, who said more than 204 Ducks Unlimited volunteers from around the state helped with the event. He said he was pleased that both duck hunters and fishing folks got exposed to each other’s sports, creating an area win-win situation for the future.

However, it is the local duck population which could benefit most.  Proceeds from this event help provide local wild rice habitat for ducks.  Erickson is waiting on the final financial status of the event, but guessed it would net $80,000 to $90,000.

For Monte and DeAnn Caddy of Ironton, the tournament was a milestone.  It was the first time the couple has fished outside a fish house in 57 winters on Mille Lacs Lake.  “It terrible cold right now, but it is a great tourney, “ Monte Caddy said, covered with a sleeping bag, but tending to his jiggle stick with fervor right up until the final flare gun blasted.   The Caddy’s brought their daughter, Jill Hofstrand, and grandkids, Jayce, and Jordan to fish.   The family was shutout and without a nibble but had fun.

For a rundown of the full leader board, go to the Garrison Ducks Unlimited website.

Our coverage of the Ducks Unlimited Fishing Tournament will run Tuesday, allowing for follow-up and a large array of photos posted online. See more photos from the Hunters Point Perch and Pout Fest in our photo gallery, click here.

Saturday’s Annual Hunters Point Perch and Pout Fest drew more than 1,700 anglers to the eastern shore of Mille Lacs Lake.

The top three Perch placers were:   Jeff Novotny 1.370 lbs;  Gordy Brehmer 1.340 lbs;  Andy Olson 1.330 lbs.  The top three Pout were:  Tom Inderieden 2.255 lbs;  Toni Baumgartner 2.045 lbs;  Patty Pribbenow 1.290 lbs. The winners in each class got a $300 cash prize.

Thanks to a hard freeze on Friday evening, the lake stiffened, allowing for easy travel after what had developed into some slop Thursday.   The Perch and Pout Fest also served as a “tune-up” for this Saturday’s 28^th Annual Perch Extravaganza, which will be run out of Hunters Point Resort.  That event could draw more than 4,000 anglers.  Make It Mille Lacs will run a preview of that event Wednesday on our home page and be there to cover it Saturday.

At Hunter’s Point Saturday, the resort was a beehive of activity with a meat raffle, a full bar and the restaurant all humming while the tournament ran from 7 am to 2 pm.  Scott Peterson, general manager, and Doug Ertl, public relations director, were multi-tasking to keep everything rolling.

Those clad in Hunters Point attire indoors may have been a slight minority, making you wonder just how big of a following this resort has.  With more than 1,000 Facebook fans and one of the top web sites on the Big Pond, Hunters Point has a very loyal customer base as we found out.

“It’s our home away from home – it’s our winter weekend house,” said Cindy Taylor, Monticello.  She and her husband, Jeremiah, were enjoying the meat raffle with Guerry and Suzanne Schuman of Maple Grove.  Guerry wore the “signature” Hunters Point black and red sweat shirt, joining a bevy of others who also sported the gear. “The first time we came here we met George and Linda (Nitti) and they talked to us and they’ve never forgotten our name.”

“The customer service here is awesome,” said Suzanne who won three meat raffle draws while we were there. “You can always expect to come back and see the people you know.”  

Garrison – This weekend’s Mille Lacs major event is the Seventh Annual Ducks Unlimited Ice Fishing Contest and anglers will compete for more than $75,000 worth of prizes.

The largest fish wins a Chevrolet 4 X 4 pickup.  The 75^th fish wins a wheeled fish house.  A lucky raffle winner gets a Arctic Cat ATV.  More than 3,500 people are expected to crowd this town, population 217, on one of its biggest business weekends of the year.

We talked with Tournament Director Greg Erickson to provide you with some information past and present.  Erickson said the local Ducks Unlimited Chapter is the No. 1 fund raising chapter in Minnesota, having raised more than $80,000 at last year’s event.  That event featured almost 2,500 participants. He said they hoped to surpass that number on Saturday.

“There’s a good 28 to 30 inches of ice and the snow isn’t even melted off yet, so we’re sitting good,”  said Erickson, who works for Garrison Sports.  “The fish houses will be full up here and the motels are filling up.”

Registration for the event was $30 if signed up before Feb. 13 and $40 now.  You can register on the ice Saturday for the noon to 3 pm event.  Erickson said there will be roads leading out to Garrison Bay from Blue Goose Inn and Garrison Sports.  The headquarters for the event is on the ice in a huge tent and food and beverage are available.

A majority of the local money spent by the Garrison DU Chapter goes for local wild rice, Erickson said.  He said many of the event’s volunteers are from DU chapters from around the state. “I get to work with lots of great people.

If you are trying to follow your fishing entrant from afar, click on the link above as the tournament is supposed to be automated, meaning there are real-time updates. Make It Mille Lacs will also be beaming shots from the events for periodic postings to its Facebook account Saturday.

Snacks on Mille Lacs Cafe owner Laura Stoothoff

Isle -- If you’re a coffee house lover spending a day, the weekend or most of your time in the southern Mille Lacs Lake area, Isle’s Snacks on Mille Lacs Café is for you. In all seasons!

With a medium-sized snack line, diverse and eclectic lunch specials -- a full array of coffees, espressos, lattes and mochas-- this polished, yet quaint, easy-to-find coffee shop has become a big hit in Isle and word is spreading.

“Being a barista is fun,” said owner Laura Stoothoff who is one of four happy souls you might get to meet, working the place.  She took a couple minutes to chat with us between customers last week. “I like working for myself, interacting with all the people and I really enjoy what I do.”

A group from the Mille Lacs Messenger staff raved about the cinnamon crunch and cranberry orange muffins.  Another customer was sipping an espresso, working on her computer in one of the best-smelling Wi-Fi equipped social fun spots around Mille Lacs Lake.

Stoothoff detailed her establishment’s offerings best:  “Snacks has a friendly, quaint atmosphere offering fresh, quality sandwiches, smoothies, Bridgeman’s ice cream, specialty coffee and more! From a basic cup of “Joe” to a specialty “funky monkey” mocha! Whatever it is you crave we want you to know our ingredients are fresh! Every pot of coffee is ground fresh and every sandwich is made to order. Our quality, artisan breads are baked fresh and our famous coleslaw is homemade here at the shop, brine and all! “Snacks on Mille Lacs” does not offer fried foods, just a different alternative. Coming soon this year also: take-and-go salads, and fruit parfaits.”

With it’s main-street location, Snack’s On Mille Lacs is an easy-in, easy-out operation as well, allowing the passerby or regular resident the next-best-thing to a drive-through coffee experience.  Snacks on Mille Lacs Café is located between Tinshack Company, offering organic knitting needs, and Someday Isle, which has creative arts.  It’s casual so regular, golf or fishing attire is fine.  Did we say the lunch is, well, outstanding?  The most recent Facebook special:  “Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast on fresh European Ciabatto squares.....MMMMM! Served with chips or slaw. *Loaded Potato soup topped with crumbled bacon!”

Open since May 2009, the Snacks on Mille Lacs Café is essentially a “family” coffee shop moved from Duluth.  You’ll have to visit to get that full story. When you are there you will see top-shelf décor, redone hard-wood floors and art work that shouts, “We Care.”  Stoothoff’s  mother, Jean Vandenberg, aunt, Kathy Tate, and Isle High School student Emily Mellon work the various business shifts.  The store is open 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday.

Finally, Snacks on Mille Lacs is mobile in a society that is demanding it! It caters to resorts, fishing launches or special events. Trust us, you’ll be impressed when you stop by Snacks on Mille Lacs and you won’t visit just once.  Call 320-676-3511 or email snacksonmillelacs@hotmail.com to find out how they can serve you. 

Watertown’s Leif Jensen (pictured above) won a pair of Minnesota Viking season tickets. A $30,000 prize party closed out Arctic Blast XVI Sunday as more than 900 people packed the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Event and Convention Center main ballroom for the two-plus hour prize drawing giveaway.

Morning on-air radio personality John Hines of WCCO-AM radio, and former Viking players “benchwarmer” Bob Lurtsema and Doug Sutherland combined to emcee the event that drew an estimated 4,000 visitors to the greater Mille Lacs Lake area last weekend.

For an extensive array of photos, checkout The Make It Mille Lacs Arctic Blast 2011 photo page . Once there, you will find a link to email us your photos.  We will post to that page. We will be adding some more photos to the page.

Event proceeds went to the Minnesota Vikings Children Fund.   “The fans are the best,” said former Viking Robert Tate.  “We just want to give something back to them.  They’ve always been there for us and now it’s our turn to be there for them.”  Tate joined former players Carl Lee, Jim Marshall, Matt Blair, Henry Thomas, Matt Blair, Bob Lurtsema, Doug Sutherland and Chris Dolemen at Bay Lake’s White Hawk for a Friday night VIP private party.

Saturday, it was wall-to-wall people at the four Blast Points – Blue Goose Inn, Garrison; Castaways Bar Restaurant, Malmo; Nitti’s Hunters Point Resort, Isle; and Buzzie’s On the Bay, Isle.  We were told some Arctic Blast attendees were staying in lodging as far south as Elk River.

Janelle and Eric Hart of Ely were first-time Mille Lacs-area visitors.  Eric, who works for Frontier, won a company contest for lead referrals and received a free-stay at Eddy’s Resort. “It’s a really, really big lake, and this should be a lot of  fun,” Janelle said.  The couple were waiting to accompany one of the three Viking rider contingents from McQuoid’s Resort Inn Saturday morning in Isle.

Arctic Blast XVI officially kicked off at Castaways Bar last night with a private party from 6-10 p.m., featuring former players Doug Sutherland, Jim Marshall, Carl Lee and Bob Lurtsema.  They were accompanied by some Viking cheerleaders and Pat Leopold, Director of the Vikings Children Fund.  The event helped raise money for the Children's Fund.

Some current Vikings, former players and team executives along with Viktor the Viking arrive at the Mille Lacs Friday for a weekend of fun that will draw thousands to the area. It’s Arctic Blast! And Make It Mille Lacs will be there to cover the event.

The Vikings are staying at McQuoid’s Inn and Resort, shuttling northwest in a pair of 50-passenger buses -- weather permitting – around 5:30 pm Friday night all the way to White Hawk’s Bar and Restaurant on Bay Lake.  There, the Vikings group will take part in a private party. The group may stop in Garrison enroute back to McQuoid’s, we were told by Vikings Children’s Fund Director Pat Leopold, who attended a Garrison Commercial Club meeting on February 2^nd.

Active players scheduled to attend are: Ben Leber, E.J. Henderson, Heath Farwell, Jeff Dugan, Fred Evans and Erin Henderson.  Coaches Bud Grant and Karl Dunbar and former Vikings Jim Marshall, Paul Krause, Chris Doleman, Henry Thomas, Matt Blair, Bob Lurtsema, Stu Voigt, Pete Bercich, Doug Sutherland and Gerald Robinson will attend. Also on hand will be the Vikings radio voice Paul Allen and team cheerleaders

Leopold praised  the Garrison Commercial Club at a Feb. 2 member meeting: “We never, ever thought we’d have the kind of numbers of people that we now have here,” Leopold said.  The event moved from the Ely, Tower and Embarrass area 13 years ago and is a Mille Lacs February mainstay.

“We’ve raised more than $100,000 (for the Vikings Children's Fund) these last three years," Leopold said. “Although we are struggling to get people to register early.”  Sledders must register and check in at least two of the Four Blast Points to qualify for Sunday’s $30,000 worth of prizes drawing at the Mille Lacs Grand Casino Recreation and Events Center. Event goers can also register at each Blast Point on “Game Day”.

Saturday starts off with a breakfast with the annual Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe community breakfast at the Mille Lacs Events and Convention Center. The breakfast runs from 9 a.m. – noon Tickets available at the door: Breakfast: $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for children 12 ...or under
No Breakfast: $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. And then it's off to the Blast Points!

This year’s route avoids the lake proper all together, instead traversing the 80-some miles around Mighty Mille Lacs.  Let’s hope for some good weather and decent trail conditions and there are some lengthy travel times to get from places like Blue Goose to Castaways or from Buzzie’s on The Bay back up to the Blue Goose.  There is a combination of some nice trail riding and some ditch beating on this mission.

Everybody knows Toucan Sam, the famous Neotropical Fruit Loops Bird.

Fishermen’s Wharf Resort has an anonymous Toucan mascot headquartered in the establishment’s bar/restaurant whose motto is: "Two Cans are just the beginning."

Welcome to Toucan’s—Fishermen’s Wharf Bar and Restaurant. It powers the "fun engine" that is running on all cylinders at this popular East Shore Mille Lacs Lake Resort.

On arrival, the tropical theme embraces you. Its ocean blue, olive green, goldenrod and purple colors—with strategically-placed Toucan wall murals—help you forget about bone-chilling cold. In warmer seasons, the décor shouts "cool fun". The pull tab boxes, window view of the lake, coupled with scores of cheerful fishing folks and snowmobilers remind one that you are at Mille Lacs Lake.

The Toucan’s branding and warm feel are neat and unique to these parts, augmenting FWR’s great food, one-of-a-kind bar specials, superior service and depth of options that make it one of the finest operations on the Big Pond.

"We have the best food on the lake," said Neveda, general manager, when pressed for what sets Toucan's apart from its competition. She goes without a last name for privacy reasons. "And we’ve got our signature drinks. I can’t tell you about the last one – you’ll just have to come try it!"

Neveda was referring to the Toucan's Nut Shot. We’ll list the other beverages you won’t find elsewhere on Mille Lacs. Toucan's Trash Can (warning,  24 ounces); Toucan's Punch; Toucandy Cane; Toucan's Tea. The bar also offers bottomless bloody marys and screwdrivers for $10 from 3-6 pm Sundays this month.

While you are enjoying yourself or tackling a signature drink, you can order off a  huge menu for a great variety of quality food.  I’ve eaten everything from the omelet breakfast to burger baskets to steak dinners at FWR.  Trust me, the chow is very good!

Did we mention FWR sports a full-scale ice fishing business, lodging options, a marina and a host of family-oriented options?   Or that Fishermen’s Wharf Resort is also a summer mecca for fun? Or that it employs more than 20 people? One of the great parts of my job is visiting and experiencing all there is to offer on Mille Lacs. I can truly tell you that FWR is fun; it has great food; it's clean; and has a service staff that really enjoys serving, enhancing your experience.

FWR is a must-stop on the Mille Lacs to-visit list for Fun. To book your stay, fish house or party at FWR call 1-800-645-3693 or visit the links above. Help Toucan's name its mascot by posting ideas on the FWR Facebook page.

Tina Chapman, Executive Director, Mille Lacs Tourism

Special Note: Make It Mille Lacs and Mille Lacs Area Tourism are partners.

Mille Lacs Lake is lucky to have Tina Chapman pulling for it.

She is the energetic, super-organized 47-year old executive director of Mille Lacs Area Tourism (MLAT).  She’s been in position just more than seven months since taking over for long-time director Judy Cain, who died last June after a long bout with cancer.

Chapman’s early report card is glowing.

“She’s brought us a great newsletter, grabbing the interest of many people,” said MLAT board member Craig Hagman, who has worked with Chapman since 1993 (she was treasurer from then to last year). “Just her ability to be very accurate and accountable is key.  She comes to us with great experience. It’s about putting heads in beds.”

So far, Chapman is fortifying MLAT’s leading position in both state and Midwestern tourism circles. To date, she’s slightly increased business membership around the lake.  She’s always busy with recruiting and retention, showing businesses why they should support MLAT.

“I really want to see everybody do well and things are coming around – people are really starting to work together,” said Chapman,  half-squinting as we peered out onto a snow-swept Cove Bay one recent morning to talk about her job. “We’re a destination vacation location geared toward family. ”

With some prodding, Chapman described an average day at our request.  It might align with the hours of a dairy farmer or active duty military member. That is, early to rise and work. And work.  All day and often into the evening.

Since MLAT moved its headquarters from a storefront next to Johnson’s Portside on Highway 47 to the Chapman Resort office (which she and husband, Tim, own), she’s been spending a lot of time at there. MLAT made the move to save money and focus on internet marketing.  Armed with computers, cell phones, landlines, faxes, some brochures, vacation planners and maps, Chapman has any drop-in or online vacationer covered. Story continues on Where to Stay Page.

We're trying to track down some details about places around Mille Lacs that could have a dramatic impact on the area's recreational landscape. We just introduced you to new Mugg's owner Mike Braun on facebook.

We are told Faribault businessman Roy Winjum continues to move toward the purchase of Izatys Resort. That group started negotiations last year about this time.  Commerce Bank has owned the resort since it came out of bankruptcy at the end of 2009.  From what we have been told by sources speaking on condition of anonymity, all systems are moving toward a spring closing.  Winjum said he planned  to build a 250-unit RV park on the former site of Sanctuary Golf Course at Izatys and has Wahkon city council approval to hook into that town's sewer system.

The Garrison entertainment and dining scene is heating up.  The Blue Goose just underwent a massive makeover. The Y Store/Wit's end is being remodeled into a supper club, we are told.  Calls to the Y Club went unanswered Friday.  Garrison Creek Marina is open and a place Make It Mille Lacs will soon be visiting.  It ties together a marina, 9-hole golf course and a sports bar on the lake.

We have been told by one of the owners of Higbee's Golf Course that a potential new owner from the Sartell/St. Stephen area may be in the works.  That transfer of the property could take some time, due to mitigating circumstances, possibly delaying the opening of the course, the source said. That would leave Fiddlestix of Isle and Izaty's Blackbrook Golf Course as the two remaining south shore courses. 

February is Mille Lacs Lake Winterfest

Superbowl weekend starts the roll Feb 4-7th.  KJ's Ice fishing hosts a big blast at Izatys on Saturday, Feb. 5th.  The Superbowl finds every establishment around the Big Pond rolling out specials to feature the game on the 6th.  The Minnesota Vikings, riding Arctic Cat sleds,  blast across the frozen tundra as part of the 16th annual Arctic Blast Feb. 12-13. There is also a Candlelight Cross Country Ski Event on Feb. 12th at Kathio State Park that is truly majestic. Garrison's  Feb. 19 Ducks Umlimited Ice Fishing Tournament is the big draw for the the weekend of Feb. 19-20.  Then it's busy again Feb. 26-27th as the ever popular Perch Extravaganza is hosted out of Nitti's Hunters Point on February 26th.  On the northwest side, Garrison hosts its Ice Racing Bonanza Weekend, complete with sleds, cycles, wheelers, cars and vintage snowmobiles all weekend. Winterfest, Mille Lacs style!

ISLE -- Darwin Bickford came north for vacation this winter.

The 75-year old Arkansan drove 735 miles in a day and half, arriving at Mille Lacs lake Tuesday.

He joined son, Jay, and grandson, Steven, as part of a three-generation ice fishing adventure out of Hunter Winfield’s.

It was a 48-hour fishing package -- a Christmas gift that Darwin won't soon forget.

“This is the way to fish, " said Darwin, dressed down and pointing to the stove, TV, pizza maker, cabinets, bunks and carpeted floor in this Hunter Winfield's wheel house. "I told my friend back home that I wouldn’t be out on the ice freezing to death. I told her I’d be indoors, with a TV, and a privy and everything.”

In his first minutes with a line in the water, the elder Bickford had small perch tugging and the line.  He brought one up, laughing and tugging it out of the hole as it flipped off the line and onto the carpeted floor.

"This is fun,"  Darwin said. "And I'm hoping for those walleye to come out tonight." With a bright sun shining and no wind, Tuesday was perfect on Mille Lacs.

Then again, everyday can get close to perfect on the Big Pond.  Rent a nice ice house. Get a guide like Dave Eckstrom, Hunter Winfield’s manager, to put you on fish. And you're in paradise.

To book your ice house visit Mille Lacs Tourism's fish house rentals