CONTENTS

FEATURES

POND HOCKEY

24 Pond Hockey— Minnesota’s Coldest Game
By Molly Brewer Hoeg
Most often, talented hockey players don’t learn the sport of hockey on fancy ice rinks with Zambonis. They begin right here, in Lake Country, playing “pond hockey.”

ICE FISHING

28 The Wheelhouse Effect
By Mike Rahn
What began in less-than-comfortable shanties have morphed into castles on the ice. Regardless of the maker, this feature dives into the culture, the expense, and the lifestyle of luxury wheelhouses.

HOME

36 With These Hands
By Emilee Mae Struss
Troy and Laurie Atwater moved away in search of greater opportunities, only to return to their hometown in Fifty Lakes, Minnesota, to build a home near family.

EVENTS

42 Icebox Days
By Felicia Schneiderhan
Daytime temps may drop well below zero—but folks from the International Falls community gather outside to celebrate their reputation as “Icebox of the Nation.”

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 Editor’s Journal

8 Contributors

10 Front Porch | Winter Bird Feeding, Gift Books for Every Family
Member, Threads of Love Quilters

ECHOES OFF THE LAKE

16 Culture | Kickin’ it Old School with Kicksleds

20 Business | Minnesota Makerspace

46 History | First European Explorers’ Lifestyle

48 Literary | Frederick Soukup’s Novel Bliss

50 Tradition | Making Lefse with Lokstad Products

52 Nonprofit | Bridges of Hope

54 Health | Keto Convo with Dr. Eisenschenk

58 Featured Lake | Otter Tail

60 Chef’s Corner | Soup & Sourdough Bread

62 Artist Feature | Maralee Gazelka

70 Calendar of Events

74 Lake Country Contests

76 Before You Go