CONTENTS

FEATURES

HARVEST

32 Minnesota’s Ancient Grain
By Alicia Chapman
Wild rice is Minnesota’s official state grain. There’s more to the story than the simple fact that Minnesota’s wetlands boast the highest amount of wild rice. From cultural ceremonies to harvesting regulations, we share the deeper story of Minnesota’s ancient grain.

SPORTS

35 Small Town Kids to The Pros
By Emilee Mae Struss
What does it take to “make it to the pros?” With personal interviews, we got answers to this question and more from NFL player Joe Haeg, NHL player Josh Archibald, and prior MLB player Jeremiah Piepkorn.

HOME

42 Retirement Dreams & Lakeside Themes
By Crystal Nutt
Dreams can feel far away, so distant one wonders if they’ll ever come true. That’s how it felt for LuAnn and Keith Mickelson. Today, they soak in gratitude as they watch the sunrise over Round Lake in Nisswa, in their dream home built by Land’s End Development.

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 Editor’s Journal

8 Contributors

10 Front Porch | Nothing to Bee Afraid of, Easy Strawberry Shortcake, Minnesota Book Recommendations

ECHOES OFF THE LAKE

16 Lakes Proud | Response to COVID-19

20 History | Brainerd Walking Tour

24 Conservation | Books of the Northwoods

28 Cabin Life | Part-Time to Full-Time Cabin Living

48 Local Positivity | Fancy Friday

52 Travel | Barn Quilts Trail Map

56 Art | Pine River Potter

60 Featured Lake | Horseshoe Lake

62 Fishing | Handy Fishing Items

64 Business | Glørud Design Paddle Co.

68 Writing | Publishing a Book

72 Essay | Why I Walk to End Alzheimer’s

76 Calendar of Events

78 Lake Country Contests

80 Before You Go