CONTENTS
FEATURES
28 Living the Sweet Life
By Jodie Tweed
Chantal Netzer of Sweet Leaf Farm enjoys foraging for Minnesota wild herbs and plants. She offers tips for your next walk in the woods.
OUTDOORS
32 Beekeeping in Lake Country
By Kate Perkins
Keeping bees is more than just a hobby for many apiarists in the Brainerd lakes area. Challenged by colony collapse, they are working to preserve these important insects.
WILDLIFE
36 Keeping Creatures Wild and Free
By Kate Perkins
If you find an injured or abandoned wild animal, Wild and Free, a nonprofit animal rehabilitation center in Garrison, is here to help.
HISTORY
40 Soiled Doves
By Julie Jo Larson
In the late 1800s, many northern Minnesota towns had thriving red-light districts, including the city of Brainerd. These “houses of ill-repute” are part of Brainerd’s colorful past.
PETS
48 A Home of Their Own
By Kate Perkins
Lake Country animal shelters are operated by passionate folks dedicated to finding forever homes for our four-legged friends.
DEPARTMENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 Editor’s Journal
6 Contributors
8 Lake Country Letters
ECHOES OFF THE LAKE
10 Front Porch | The Joy of Tutoring, Lake Ossawinnamakee, Recommended Reads
16 Arts | Lake Country’s Thriving Arts and Cultural Scene
18 Literary | Deerwood Author Beth Hautala
22 Lake Country Lore | Walker’s History Cast in Bronze
24 Local Brew | Stonehouse Coffee and Roastery
44 Antiques | Last Chance Hand-Picked Treasures
46 Recreation | Boat Ownership without the Cost or Hassle
48 Community | Crosslakers
50 Adventure | Character Challenge Course
54 Essay | The Vest
58 Lake of the Month | Mille Lacs Lake
60 Entertainment | Screen Porch Productions
64 Conservation | The Story of the Federal Duck Stamp
67 Calendar of Events
70 Advertising Directory/Find It
72 Before You Go