White Snow, Yellow Snow

by Al Fresco

We all know the old joke about not eating, etc. However, it's not a joke under all conditions. Elsewhere in this issue you can read all about it. I'm just here to note that there is life after Labor Day on Diamond Lake. In fact, for some of us the Lake shows itself to best advantage after the freeze up.

There is ice skating and ice hockey if the lake freezes smoothly enough. Last year was great for these activities. Of course, an occasional mammoth crack can ruin zamboni-like conditions, maybe even causing the puck to lodge vertically, but we're not playing by the Marquess of Queensbury rules anyway (or was it Hoyle?). I am not advocating suiting up the day after the first freeze. But if you use sense and skate close to shore, you can probably have a month's worth of fun before snow arrives (hopefully). By the way, playing hockey with a dog is great, especially one that likes to play keep-away - figuring out how to trick him into dropping the puck is part of the game. Just don't leave your shoes where he can get them; walking up stairs in your skates can be daunting.

Skiing is another opportunity, often as far away as your front step. Depending on which side of the Lake you live, you may be able to ski across your lawn to the lake, or have to find an acceptable way down the bank, maybe by walking or sliding (skis off, thank you). When snowfall is minimal, skate skis are ideal. You can move at several times the speed of conventional skis and get a very challenging workout. While lake skiing can be boring, a dog once again can be of assistance. True, he can't do in the snow that skidding traction-less legs trick he does on the ice, but he can provide some drama as he feints for some ice fisherman's catch of the day. And if you know where to go, he might even scare up a conttontail deer. Don't let him eat the yellow.... By the way, skijoring only works with a well trained pet. What is skijoring? Ask your mother (an old New York insult).

Snowmobiling is a very popular winter activity. A trail passes by Diamond Lake, in the ditch on the north side of the lake. Maps of local trails are available at Revy's, Tom Thumb and Mary Lou's. Snowmobile clubs exist too. (For more information contact Ron Garner of Atwater). The lake, being so flat, allows for wide open sledding. But be advised; there can be unexpected open spots. One year, my father-in-law leaped off his sled just before it sunk into one such dead-of-winter opening. Sibley State Park north of New London on Hwy 71 provides some nice trails as well - for skiers too, if the snowmobilers behave themselves (and 99% do) by not riding on the ski trails.

Most popular of all is ice fishing. The serious ice fisherfolk prefer fish houses. Housing clusters spring up soon, sometimes too soon, after the Lake freezes. But some ice fishermen prefer sitting on a stool and challenging the elements either in open air or inside a small tent. Some guys spend days out there: I can hear their howling when the moon is full and the air is still.

So, if you're a summer season resident only, you might want to give the Lake a try during the winter. If your home isn't winterized, overnight accommodations are available in the area.

Agriculture Best Management Practices Extended One Year

by Judy Christensen

The Diamond Lake Recreational Area Association is pleased to extend the existing Agriculture Best Management Practices (Ag-BMP) program for another year - through April 2005.

The intent of this program is to encourage landowners to establish Ag-BMP's. Ag BMP's include but are not limited to:

· * Filter strips

· * Wetland restorations

· * Grasses & Legumes

· * Riparian tree plantings

· * Sediment blocks.

This program is run in conjunction with the Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

The landowner establishing the Ag-BMP must be doing so thru the Continuous CRP program through the SWCD or NRCS. DLARA will pay an incentive to the landowners participating in the Continuous CRP. There will be a one-time incentive payment per landowner paid after the practice is installed and inspected by the Kandiyohi SWCD and/or NRCS. The incentive payment is based on acreage to be used for the practice as follows:

* Up to 1 acre $150

* 1 - 3 acres $250

* 3+ acres $350.

DLARA will pay the difference in the cost share portion paid by the Federal government for establishing the practice. Kandiyohi SWCD, NRCS or Farm Service Agency (FSA) will review these bills submitted by the landowner to ensure expenses are reasonable. Kandiyohi SWCD, NRCS or FSA are empowered to adjust the bill if warranted. These practices will be randomly inspected by the Kandiyohi SWCD and/or NCRS to ensure compliance of these conservation practices through the life of the practice.

This program will be funded via the DLARA "Diamond Lake Phase 2 Continuation Action Plan" grant monies

Education Program

by Joan Schultz and Sue Aagesen

A meeting was held on Friday August 22 at Judy Christensen's home to discuss ways the DLARA with money from its grant could help setup an ongoing lake program with ACGC and Litchfield schools. Present were Judy, Joan Schultz, Bill Schultz, Roger Ramthun (MPCA), Sue Aagesen (ACGC Biology teacher), Urban Torborg (Litchfield Science teacher), Jackie DeRudder and Elaine Willems.

Roger shared his ideas for the class room studies. They are:

* The most important message to students - how to protect the lakes?

* What is an Eco region and what forces impact it?

* Proper lawn care technique

* Proper mowing

* Using proper fertilizer (zero phosphates and fall application)

* Using sharp mower blades

* Leave clippings on the lawn

* Core aeration

* Water properly (early morning)

* Watering gardens

* Use of rain barrels

* Shoreline care - buffer strips, emergent and sub emergent plant life

* Farmland - buffer strips and crop rotation.

All concerned agreed this would form a good curriculum. At this point in time, Sue confirmed ACGC's support of this program and readiness to execute. Urban, from Litchfield was in support of this, but unable to execute as he will not be teaching this class, and the other teachers are new to Litchfield. Urban will discuss this with the new teachers, and get back to us if they would like to participate.

DLARA will purchase with our grant money the following:

* A CD-rom for each school entitled "Restore Your Shore" to assist students with learning

* 30 "Pond Life" books for ACGC

* 2 Hach water kits (1 for phosphorus testing, the other for ortho-phosphorus testing) for ACGC

* Turbity tubes for water testing for ACGC.

A field trip to Diamond Lake by the Advanced Biology class from ACGC will take place on September 22. The field trip will be taught by Roger and Sue. Students will learn how to do water testing for clarity, use of the Secchi disc, how to collect water samples (samples will be collected from the inlet and outlet on the east side). Transportation and pontoons will be provided by DLARA's grant money as well as some refreshments for the class. The students will do a report for the association summarizing their findings.

It is our hope that this will become a yearly or bi-yearly event. With all of us working together we can help the next generation learn how to protect our lakes and streams.

Agriculture Best Management Practices Extended One Year

by Judy Christensen

The Diamond Lake Recreational Area Association is pleased to extend the existing Agriculture Best Management Practices (Ag-BMP) program for another year - through April 2005.

The intent of this program is to encourage landowners to establish Ag-BMP's. Ag BMP's include but are not limited to:

· * Filter strips

· * Wetland restorations

· * Grasses & Legumes

· * Riparian tree plantings

· * Sediment blocks.

This program is run in conjunction with the Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

* Up to 1 acre $150

* 1 - 3 acres $250

* 3+ acres $350.

This program will be funded via the DLARA "Diamond Lake Phase 2 Continuation Action Plan" grant monies

Annual Meeting

Some 50 people showed up for the annual meeting of the Diamond Lake Area Recreational Association (our official name) on Saturday, August 16 at 9am. We had a full agenda, with an updated treasurer's report showing a balance of $42, 864.05. Association projects were reviewed: 911 signs, carp trap, weed cutting, Ag BMP's, phosphorous-free fertilizer program, water testing, Dogfish Bay, educational outreach, loon nesting and the 1-year grant extension.

Myrna Halbach of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency addressed the group about septic systems issues. Unfortunately, due to state budget problems, the PCA septic program was cut. She was asked about installing a sewer system around the lake, and noted that if it ever were to happen, those with adequate systems could be incorporated into such a sewer. By a show of hands, those opposing such a concept prevailed 21-16.

Bruce Gilbertson of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources spoke to us about fish issues. His office is trying to acquire a 100 foot strip on the east side of Dogfish Bay to help preserve spawning area. He reviewed DNR netting and electro-fishing efforts. In response to a question he emphatically asserted that the DNR has not taken walleyes out of the lake for at least 10 years. Indeed, 2000 northern pike were spawned in the DNR area just south of the Hwy 26 on the west side of the lake. Another questioner wondered about increasing number of bullheads. Bruce thought it may have something to do with the weather. Bullheads are forage for walleyes when small, but competition when they get larger. He saw no easy solution.

At the meeting's conclusion new lake directories were distributed. Directories were subsequently mailed to the other paid-up dues members who weren't present. If you did not receive yours, please let us know.

Scroll of Honor

This year we have 235 members. This is great, representing about 67% of property owners. Of course, that means 33% didn't show up, but I think we can focus on the glass being 2/3 full. As last year's number was about 180, and as we were hoping for 210, this is a huge success. It is due in large measure to the updated property owner list prepared by Judy Christensen for our new Lake Directory, which had quite a few changes. It may also be due to the realization that the Association actually does things, and that water clarity represents an important part of home values and the quality of life on the lake. To those who contributed, a great big THANK YOU. To those who didn't, consider us for next year. If anyone was omitted from the list (as happened last year), please let us know and we will correct next spring. So long for now.

AALFS, HARLEY L & EVELYN M

AHLQUIST, BERNICE

ALEXANDER, CHUCK & BEVERLY

ANDERSON, DEBORAH

ANDERSON, DWIGHT D & M A, &

ANDERSON, J DONALD & ARLEIN

ANDERSON, LOWELL E & BARBARA

ANDERSON, ROBERT & P A

ANDERSON, TODD

ANDERSTROM, EUGENE & MARY

BAKKEN, LUTHER K & KAREN C

BAUGE, KENNETH L & JEAN ELLEN

BAUNE, JESS & SUSAN C

BECKER, STEVE & DENISE

BEEKMAN KEVIN & SCHOLLMEIER, JOANNE P

BEHM, GORDON & BETTY

BEHM, MYRON D & MYRA

BENSON, PAUL, &ROXANNE BOURNE

BERTRAND, CAROLYN M& THOMAS J

BIRON, JOSEPH O & PAULETTE L

BISHOP, DOUG & STABILE, DENISE

BLAD, GUSTIE & A

BLOMKER, BRYAN A & JILL E

BLOOMQUIST, GORDON & LAURA

BOCK, DEAN,DALLAS&T, &N NELSON

BOERNER, JAMES & JOAN

BONTE, BRIAN R & BEVERLY A

BREEZEE, CLAYTON & DONNA

BREKKE, BRENT

CARITY, DELROSE

CARITY, LEE, & KONNIE

CARLSON TRUSTS, WESLEY&ETHEL

CHANCELLOR, ROGER D & KATHY M

CHRISTENSEN, DEBORAH L

CHRISTENSEN, ELDONNA L

CHRISTENSEN, JUDITH A

CHRISTENSEN, RAY

CHRISTIANSON, JANICE L

COHRS, FRANCIS & BEVERLY

COLBURN, LARRY & CAROL

CRIST, BERT L, TRUST AG

CUCHNA, THOMAS E, ET AL (3)

DAVENPORT, HARLAN J &JENNIFER

DEADRICK, THOMAS & NANCY

DEAN, DALE E

DENISON, DAVID L & LYNN M

DERUDDER, CHARLES & J M

DEWOLFE, HERB & CAROL

DEXTER, BRUCE L & GINGER K

DOBBERSTEIN, MERIDEE

DOWDELL, WILLIAM

DRAGT, HARLAN R &SHARON P

DYBEVIK, HERMAN & CHERYL

EBERSVILLER, GERALD & DIANE

ECKER, DAVID C & DEBRA F

EISCHENS, GEORGIA

EISERT, MERLE

ELAM, GENE M & JANICE J

ENGSTROM, RICHARD & JOYCE A

ENTSMINSGER, HERMAN & SUE

EVANS, BARRY L & SANDRA L

FAGERLIE, RICKY & DARLA

FINSTROM, JOYCE

FLAATA, ORLAN R & KATHLENE J

FONKERT, GARY L

FRANSEN, ROBERT J

GAPPA, EARL P & MARY J

GARNER, RON & KATHY

GILMER, JONATHAN & DIANE M

GLAESER, WARREN & CYNTHIA

GROSHENS, TIMOTHY & MARY

GRUENHAGEN, KEVIN & DEBRA

GUNDERSON, ROGER & MARY ANNE

GUSTAFSON, DARLENE J

GUSTAFSON, DWANE & CHERYL

GUTZWILLER, KENNETH J & J G

HAGE, ROBERT R, JR, ET AL (4)

HAGEN, RONALD J & JULIE Y

HANSON, JON G & ODETTA L

HANSON, WILLIAM B & JOAN

HARTOG, DANIEL & MICHELLE

HASSE, MELVIN & GRACE

HAUGEN, JANE & REYNOLD

HAUPTLI, DARVIN & BECKY

HEINING, BARBARA J

HOAGLAND, PETER C

HOFFBECK, JOYCE M

HOGAN, WILLIAM W

HOGANSON, DAVID L & DEBRA L

HOLMQUIST, HARLAND, ET AL (6)

HUSSMAN, FRANK B & COLLEEN A

IVERSON, STEPHEN & PEGGY

JANKE, ARLYN & EILEEN

JENSEN, DANIEL M & MARLENE

JOHNSON, ADELINE P

JOHNSON, CHARLES & JO

JOHNSON, LAVERNE & WAYNE

JOHNSON, LORRAINE

JOHNSON, MICHAEL L, &T SCALZO

JOHNSON, PEGGY L, &RICHARD &J

JOHNSON, RUSSELL&S, &D ROSENAU

JOHNSON, TIMOTHY D & KAREN M

JOHNSON, WARREN & DIANE

JOPP, TIMOTHY W & KATHRYN M

KAHOUT, ANGELA M

KARNIK, DOROTHY

KING, ROBERT L & FRANCES

KNOKE, VERNON & VADENA

KOCK, DONALD W & LILLIAN

KODET, JAMES T & NANCY J

KOJETIN, WENCEL J & CAROL M

KRAGENBRING, MARK

KRONLUND, DANIEL D & NANCY S

KRUGER, KENNETH & PATRICIA

KUBESH, ALTON E & SANDRA K

KULHANEK, JOSEPH & RENEE'

LARSEN, DANIEL & RANDA

LARSON, GEORGE A&ROSEMARY, JR

LEITHER, JAMES M & DOREEN

LOGE, LYLE & KAREN

LOOSE, WILLIS L & MARLENE

LOWINSKE, WALTER & BEATRICE

LUDOWESE, LORETTO

LUND, ROBERT & SUSAN R

MAMMEN, MARY & VIRGIL L

MARGUTH, TERRY

MARWEDE, MAE

MCCOY, EILEEN, ETAL (4)

MCCOY, ROBERT & MARTHA

MCMONIGAL, MICHAEL D & RENE

MEINTS, HARLAN A & SHERYL J

MEINTS, ORVILLE & IDELL

MELBYE, LOWELL & BETTY

MEYER, MARVIN J & KATHLEEN R

MEYER, STEVEN & MARY

MEYERSON, SUZANNE L

MILLER, EARL, & MARK GREGORY

MILLER, PHILLIP & JUNE

MOE, BRUCE D & THERESA M

MONSON, GAY F & PHYLLIS J

MONTGOMERY, SCOTT & DEDE

MUELLER, ROGER & JO ANN

MUNNEKE, ALVINA

NELSON, STANLEY & CORRINE

NEWMAN, HIRRAN S & BERNICE L

NISSEN, JAMES R

O'BRIEN, DANIEL C

O'BRIEN, PATRICK & YVONNE

OIE, ARNOLD & AGNES O

OLMON, JOHN E

OLSON, BRIAN M & NATALIE J

OLSON, LARRY D & BARBARA

OPHEIM, MARY N

OSTENDORF, ERVIN &MARION

PASSMORE, VERNON R &GERALDINE

PAULY, KENNETH W & BARBARA

PEIK, KEITH & JUDY

PERKINS, RICHARD C & MARY C

PETERSON, ELIZABETH L

PETERSON, MARK J & ROCHELLE L

PFEFFER, JOHN H & LAURI J

POLIFKA, CORY J & JODY K

POTTER, ROBERT & LORRAINE

PRESCOTT, DARIN M

QUISBERG, RICHARD E

RADEBACH, MARSHALL & JOYCELYN

RADTKE, RAWELIN J & KIMBERLY

RADTKE, WILLARD A & GLORIA A

RAITZ, GEORGE

REDEPENNING, LARRY H

REITSMA, DOUGLAS & MARILYN

RICHARDS, JANE S

RICHARDS, THOMAS M & DIANE

RICKLEFS, DEWAYNE D & BECKY A

ROSENAU, DENNIS O & DEBRA L

ROTHSTEIN, DENNIS S & DEBRA N

RUBEY, DAVID M & JUDY S

RYAN, JOHN & PAT

SAAR, ARTHUR K, JR

SANDMANN, MICHAEL & JUDITH

SANDQUIST, ALVIN L & ELEANOR

SCALZO, STEPHEN & ROSE

SCHMITT, MARK

SCHNOBRICH, RONALD & STANLEY

SCHREINER, ALFRED & ETHELYN

SCHULTZ, WM P & JOAN E

SCHUMACHER, KATHRYN A

SCHWEISS, LEO J & CINDY K

SEEBOTH, RICHARD & SHARON

SIETSEMA, CRAIG & ELAINE

SIMONDET, BILL & CAROL

SKOGLUND, LOWELL

SLINDEN, LARRY & BEVERLY

SMITH, CLAYTON & MARY ANN

SMITH, OSCAR W & MINNIE

SODERLING, MARY A, & G HAGEN

SOLBRACK, DAVID & ARDELLA

SOLTIS, DONALD & KAREN

SORENSEN, BEVERLY A

SPENCE, ROBERT

STAFFORD, DOLORIS A

STEIN, ELLSWORTH & JANICE

STEWART, MARGE

STIFTER, ARNOLD P

STOCKLAND, VEDA, &LINDA PEARSO

STRADTMANN, MARK A

SULLIVAN FARMS INC

SWENSON, MICHAEL D

SYKORA, THOMAS D & MARGOT A

TESCHENDORF, JIMMIE&JOSEPHINE

THAEMERT, DAVID C & BONNIE

THOLKES, TODD G & SUSAN R

THOMPSON, TERRANCE & AUDREY

TRELSTAD, JOHN

TRETBAR, ROBERT & SHIRLEY

TROMBLEY, JOHN S & NANCY A

TURTLE, ERMA L

VANENGEN, BRIAN C & JANINE K

VARHOL, JOHN L & KAYLYNN M

WALSH TRUST, JOSEPH & DELORES

WEINANDT, MARY

WEIST, INEZ M, ET AL (4)

WELLMAN, ALLAN & LAFAYE

WERNER, DELORES

WESEMAN, BRIAN H & JEROLYN K

WHEELER, PATRICK & ELIZABETH

WILLEMS, JEREMIAH L

WILSON, TERRY H & JODY M

WINKELMAN, DARYL & ARLYS

WITTMAN, GORDON &JOYCE

WOELFEL, M CYRIL & CONSTANCE

WRIGHT, THOMAS

WULKAN, WESLEY L

YOUNG, CARY, ET AL (4)

ZIMMERLI, LEONARD L & BELVA M

A Note on Contributors

This edition of the News is happy to feature 4 "new" pens - and we welcome more of you to gain some fresh perspective.

Judy Christensen is our hard working Association President. Her duties as Director of Project Planning and Administration at Nash Finch Company keep her on the run in a number of states, but dedication to Diamond Lake is high on her list of priorities. She put together this year's Lake Directory all by herself and is responsible for introducing a number of Association projects.

Elaine Willems enjoys a cottage on the east side of the lake, along with husband and business partner (Calendars, business supplies) Jerry Williams (oops, I mean Ted Willems). Elaine is noted for her good attitude and quick turnaround time for News deadlines. Jerry-Ted, well Jerry-Ted is just noted.

Joan Schultz is a very hard working Board member living on the east side of the lake, with her equally hard working Board-member husband Bill.

Finally, Al Fresco is a total bum who lives somewhere in the woods. Al is a great outdoorsman, so great that he sleeps in a hollow log. He raisins snakes, which he then smokes (it can be tricky rolling them in the paper). I hope he reads Elaine's article, especially her third point. If anyone spots Al - he is sometimes seen in the company of Red Welz and Rex Holmes - please report him to the County Sheriff, who just happens to live on the northwest side of the lake.