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