Crosslake, Minnesota: A RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty Hometown

Have you ever "Googled" yourself, or looked yourself up on Wikipedia? You might be surprised what the Internet says about you. It's fun, so go ahead and do it. We decided to do that with our four home towns, and see what Wikipedia has to say about us. This is Crosslake:

Crosslake is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,141 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area. (we like to call it the Brainerd Lakes Area)

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Crosslake has a total area of 36.89 square miles, of which 25.74 square miles is land and 11.15 (a little over 30%) square miles is water.

History

Crosslake was incorporated in 1959, and has had a post office since 1894. In 1972 it absorbed North Cross Lake, Minnesota. The Crosslake Dam, located on the Pine River next to the Army Corp of Engineers Campground, creates theWhitefish Chain of Lakes, with 14 lakes and over 14,000 acres of water to explore.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,141 people, 1,027 households, and 651 families residing in the city. The population density was 83.2 inhabitants per square mile. There were 2,799 housing units at an average density of 108.7 per square mile.

RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty is proud to be a part of the Crosslake community!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alexandria, Minnesota: A RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty Hometown

Have you ever "Googled" yourself, or looked yourself up on Wikipedia? You might be surprised what the Internet says about you. It's fun, so go ahead and do it. We decided to do that with our four home towns, and see what Wikipedia has to say about us. This is Alexandria:

Alexandria is a city in, and the county seat of, Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. First settled in 1858, it was named after Alexander and William Kinkead. The brothers were from Maryland. The form of the name was meant to be like that of Alexandria, Egypt, a center of learning and civilization.

The village of Alexandria was incorporated February 20, 1877. Its city charter was adopted in 1908, and it was incorporated as a city in 1909.

The population was 11,070 at the 2010 census.

Alexandria is located near Interstate 94, along Minnesota State Highways 27 and 29. Lake Carlos State Park is ten miles north of Alexandria.

In 2013, Alexandria was picked as a "Top 10 Best Small Town" by the Livability website.

ECONOMY

The city is known as a tourism center due to its many lakes and resorts. Tourism events include a Grape Stomp hosted by the Carlos Creek Winery every September, an Apple Fest in October, the Douglas County Fair every August, and Art in the Park every July. The city has a museum housing the controversial Kensington Runestone, which is thought by some to indicate that Vikings had visited the area in the 14th century. Outside the museum stands Big Ole, a 25-foot-tall statue of a Viking originally built for the World's Fair in New York in 1964. The city hosts the annual Vikingland Band Festival parade marching championship.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.70 square miles, of which 15.96 square miles is land and 0.74 square miles is water. A large portion of the people who live in Alexandria are not calculated into the population because they are spread out of the city and living on and around the many lakes.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,070 people, 5,298 households, and 2,552 families residing in the city. The population density was 693.6 inhabitants per square mile. There were 5,821 housing units at an average density of 364.7 per square mile.

RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, is proud to be a part of the Alexandria community!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Make it a Priority

With the start of a new year, it's always a good idea to assess your home and its needs. Taking stock of appliances, home systems, and other items that make a house a home will help guide you to home improvements needed, appliances that may be near the end of their lives, and any other updates that can help to boost your home's worth. As we close out 2014, the agents and staff at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, will present to you a list of major home systems to evaluate in the New Year in an effort to bring you peace of mind. Be sure to check our blog daily for this important list, and remember, the best way to keep up to date regarding the latest news and information regarding our communities, is to subscribe to our blog…thank you.

Many homeowners have home safety and preparedness at the top of their priority list, and the New Year stands as the perfect time to discover what improvements and fixes your home will need in the coming months. Other items to look at in a new year:

·         If you're in an area that is known to have inclement weather, make sure you have proper snow removal equipment and have alternative energy options in case of power outages

·         January is also a great month for reviewing warranties and product information on a furnace, large appliances, and any other big ticket items in the home

Preventative maintenance will not only save you money and keep your home safe, but houses that do not keep up with maintenance have been known to lose up to 10% to 12% off their appraised value. The US Census has estimated that annual maintenance can cost between 1% and 3% of a home's initial costs dependent upon the geographic location of the home. With the New Year, getting a head start on yearly to dos, and anticipating yearly maintenance, will put you ahead of the issues and have you prepared for any upcoming and unforeseen fixes.

Leaking Windows and Electrical Outlets

With the start of a new year, it's always a good idea to assess your home and its needs. Taking stock of appliances, home systems, and other items that make a house a home will help guide you to home improvements needed, appliances that may be near the end of their lives, and any other updates that can help to boost your home's worth. As we close out 2014, the agents and staff at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, will present to you a list of major home systems to evaluate in the New Year in an effort to bring you peace of mind. Be sure to check our blog daily for this important list, and remember, the best way to keep up to date regarding the latest news and information regarding our communities, is to subscribe to our blog…thank you.

With winter setting in, finding the weak points in your home will not only help keep your home warm, but it will also help cut down on heating bills. Identify any windows that may have broken seals by looking for condensation on the inside of the window. Examine electrical outlets throughout your home for any drafts, and insulate those that may be letting in cold air.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are a must have in your home. These special outlets protect people from electric shock by monitoring the amount of current flowing through the outlet. If there is an imbalance of current, the outlet trips the circuit of the appliance, cutting off the electricity. You can test GFCI outlets with a circuit tester that has its own GFCI test button. GFCIs do wear out, and their lifespan is about 10 years. Replace GFCIs that no longer function properly -- these outlets save thousands of lives each year.

Fire Evacuation Plan

With the start of a new year, it's always a good idea to assess your home and its needs. Taking stock of appliances, home systems, and other items that make a house a home will help guide you to home improvements needed, appliances that may be near the end of their lives, and any other updates that can help to boost your home's worth. As we close out 2014, the agents and staff at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, will present to you a list of major home systems to evaluate in the New Year in an effort to bring you peace of mind. Be sure to check our blog daily for this important list, and remember, the best way to keep up to date regarding the latest news and information regarding our communities, is to subscribe to our blog…thank you.

Do you have a plan in place in case of a fire in your home? January is the perfect time to form a fire evacuation plan. Go over the plan with anyone who might live with you, and if you have kids dedicate a time to have a practice fire drill. Should your home's bedrooms be on a second or third floor, invest in a fire escape ladder, many of which can be found at your local hardware store.

A PLAN LIKE THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

FROM ALL OF US AT RE/MAX LAKES AREA REALTY

Fire Extinguisher

With the start of a new year, it's always a good idea to assess your home and its needs. Taking stock of appliances, home systems, and other items that make a house a home will help guide you to home improvements needed, appliances that may be near the end of their lives, and any other updates that can help to boost your home's worth. As we close out 2014, the agents and staff at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, will present to you a list of major home systems to evaluate in the New Year in an effort to bring you peace of mind. Be sure to check our blog daily for this important list, and remember, the best way to keep up to date regarding the latest news and information regarding our communities, is to subscribe to our blog…thank you.

Very few homeowners actually have to use a fire extinguisher; many times these important tools get overlooked for maintenance. January is a great time to inspect and charge any working fire extinguishers you may have in your home. Fire extinguishers should also be placed in all accessible areas of the home where fires are more likely to occur: kitchens, garages or areas that house furnaces, boilers, fireplaces and stoves.

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

The best part about Christmas is finding the PERFECT tree!  Here in Northern Minnesota there are tons of great trees to choose from so we get to be picky!  The whole family bundles up and treks out into the woods, and we usually find the tree we want in the first 15 minutes, but there could always be a better one just around the corner…so the hunt lasts for at least a couple hours.

Once we all agree on a tree we take turns with the saw, and dad carries it out of the woods. Back at home we crank up the Christmas tunes and start decorating the tree. Everyone has their favorite ornaments to hang and each ornament holds a special story to share.  A great time to remember previous years and solidify our family traditions.  We usually round out the day watching some of our favorite holiday movies, like The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and of course National Lampoons Christmas Vacation! 

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!!!

      

Contributed by Trisha Thompson, our outstanding Administrative Assistant at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Longville. Thank you Trisha for sharing this wonderful story with us!

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Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With the start of a new year, it's always a good idea to assess your home and its needs. Taking stock of appliances, home systems, and other items that make a house a home will help guide you to home improvements needed, appliances that may be near the end of their lives, and any other updates that can help to boost your home's worth. As we close out 2014, the agents and staff at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, will present to you a list of major home systems to evaluate in the New Year in an effort to bring you peace of mind. Be sure to check our blog daily for this important list, and remember, the best way to keep up to date regarding the latest news and information regarding our communities, is to subscribe to our blog…thank you.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Checking alarms and detectors is especially important when cold temperatures in the winter leave homes closed up. This month inspect, clean and test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and be sure to replace any that are faulty, no longer working or old.

New Year to Dos for Your Home

With the start of a new year, it's always a good idea to assess your home and its needs. Taking stock of appliances, home systems, and other items that make a house a home will help guide you to home improvements needed, appliances that may be near the end of their lives, and any other updates that can help to boost your home's worth. As we close out 2014, the agents and staff at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, will present to you a list of major home systems to evaluate in the New Year in an effort to bring you peace of mind. Be sure to check our blog daily for this important list, and remember, the best way to keep up to date regarding the latest news and information regarding our communities, is to subscribe to our blog…thank you.

Vacuum all Heat Vents

The start of a new year is an excellent time to vacuum all heat vents, especially those that are located on the floor. The vents are overly susceptible to dust, dirt, pet hairs, and other particles that float through the air. Vacuuming heat ducts helps clean your home's HVAC system and can help with any problems brought on by indoor pollutants, mold, pollen or anything else that finds its way into an air duct. Vacuuming has also been known to help with any heating or cooling issues related to clogged air ducts. January is also a good time to check for any leaks in your home's forced air heat ducts. If any are found, seal the leaks with duct tape.

In the winter and summer months a home's HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) systems are put to good use. January is the perfect month to replace disposable filters or wash permanent ones in your home's HVAC or humidifier systems. Filters should be regularly replaced or washed when use is high or during peak seasons.

Santa Update

We Elves here at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, are committed to keeping you informed of what's going on in the North Country. Well, it doesn't get any further north than this; check out what Santa's up to right now, and be sure to share this vital information with everyone! (click on the picture)

Looking for Something to do this Weekend? Check this Out!

Name: Music at the Nisswa Legion
Date: December 19 & 20, 2014
Event Description:
Music in our bar lounge by "Sideways Entertainment" Come in and enjoy the fun!!

Name: Meat & Seafood Sale at Schaefer's Foods
Date: December 20, 2014 & December 21st
Time: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Sunday from Noon to 4:00
Event Description:
Schaefer's meat and seafood sale

Name: Sherwood Forest Holiday House by Prairie Bay
Date: December 20 & 21, 2014
Website: http://www.prairiebay.com
Event Description:
Sherwood Forest Holiday House by Prairie Bay.  Come enjoy a full holiday atmosphere with family & friends.  Traveling art pub, Make and Take art for kids, free treats, Santa is in the house, photos available, cooking demos & much more!

Name: The Enchanted Village
Date: December 20 & 21, 2014
Website: http://www.paulbunyanland.com
Event Description:
Paul Bunyan Land presents "The Enchanted Village with more than 40 decorated buildings and winter scenes to enjoy. You can walk thru the village or ride with Santa on his special wagon. Hot chocolate and cider are available. Stop and warm up by the bonfires.

Name: Sertoma Winter Wonderland
Date: December 20, & 21 2014
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Website: http://sertomawinterwonderland.com/index.htm
Event Description:
SERTOMA WINTER WONDERLAND IS BACK FOR THE 2014 SEASON!

White Christmas: The Musical - Alexandria Area Arts Association
Saturday, December 20 & 21, 2014 7:30 PM
618 Broadway 
Alexandria, MN 56308 
Friday, December 19 7:30pm 
Saturday, December 20 7:30pm 
Sunday, December 21 2:00pm

Be sure to subscribe to our RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty blog for all of the Lakes Area Latest information!

Ideal Named Minnesota Township of the Year!

Congratulations to Ideal Township, and from all of us at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, thank you for all of your hard work. Click HERE to read the article posted in the Northland Press Newspaper.

Ideal Township was recently named Township of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Townships. Pictured from left is township clerk/treasurer John Plein and township supervisors Dave Peterson, Jim Brandt and Bill Wortham. All four, along with three community members, worked together to create a detailed application for the award. - photo by Kate Perkins

A Snazzy Christmas Memory

My favorite memories of Christmas are getting our home decorated for the season. Our family, consisting of my sister and parents, would go shopping for a tree at a local lot. After picking out our favorite tree, we would bring it home and let it set overnight so the branches would fall before the decorating would start. Lights, bulbs, handmade ornaments, and every once in a while, we would throw tinsel on the tree to really snazz it up! Lastly, we would grab the ladder and put a lighted figurine of Christ on the very top. Stockings were hung on the chimney, lights put outside, and our home was ready for Christ. We would of course put out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa, which were always gone when we woke up in the morning. My dad would also, snow permitting, take a sled with steel rails, run it through our front lawn, and then have my sister and me look at them, telling us that those are Santa’s tracks. Thing is, I believed him till I was almost 10 years old. From my family to yours, I wish you all a Blessed Christmas Season, and wonderful New Year. 

 

Contributed by Matt Werneke a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Crosslake. Call our office at 218-692-9938 and talk to Matt about your Real Estate needs. You may also visit Matt's website at www.yourbestcatch.com for more information…and, Matt wants you to know: “I am never too busy for your referrals”.

Being a Grandparent at Christmas

I am blessed to have four Grandchildren...2 boys, and 2 girls, with the oldest being 4, almost 5, and the youngest being 1, almost 2. Needless to say, they keep Grandma and I very busy. On a recent trip through a light display, our 2 almost 3 year old Granddaughter kept exclaiming "wow, look at that!" Being a Grandparent allows one to relive your own children getting excited about Christmas lights, Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty, with one major exception; this time around, I can enjoy and love their excitement, without the strain of being responsible for that excitement. In other words, I can just kick back and watch them tear into a present you worked your butt off to get for them (knowing they will love and adore you the rest of their lives for having gotten it for them) only to watch them have more fun with the box it came in. Being a Grandparent is the ultimate "what goes around, comes around" moment! Even though you have to wait an ENTIRE generation for that to happen, it's awfully sweet when it does.

"Merry Christmas, Grandma!" by Norman Rockwell

Submitted by Brad Wallace, Marketing Director for RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty.

You Can't Succeed Coming to the Potluck with Only a Fork

Dave Liniger is the co-founder and soon to be CEO of RE/MAX. One of his most famous quotes is: “You can’t succeed coming to the potluck with only a fork.” In a recent TED talk by Kare Anderson seen HERE, she closed her speech with this quote.

TED describes Ms. Anderson’s talk on YouTube this way: “We all want to use our talents to create something meaningful with our lives. But how to get started? (And ... what if you're shy?) Writer Kare Anderson shares her own story of chronic shyness, and how she opened up her world by helping other people use their own talents and passions.” Kare talks about being “opportunity makers”, and if you have 9 minutes and 43 seconds, I would recommend watching her talk by clicking on the “here” link above. What is interesting and very powerful about social media, is how quick something is picked up and spread around the world. Shortly after Kare Anderson appeared on TED, a lot of people shared Mr. Liniger’s quote through social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. It even sparked a debate as to what a potluck is, and if the sentence (quote) is correct in its assumption.

Being Minnesotan’s, we all know what a potluck is…we’re all experts on the subject, especially around the holiday season! We also know Mr. Liniger is suggesting, that if you want to be successful in business, and in our case it’s the real estate business, you better not show up to at a potential client’s home hoping to list their property by not providing them with a marketing plan that is innovative, informative, and centered on them. When you contact a real estate agent from RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty wanting to sell your home, rest assured, our agents are the best in the business, and will bring more than a fork to the potluck!

A New Year's Eve Fish Story

The one holiday memory I will never forget occurred when I was just out of high school.  Instead of doing the typical thing of going out and getting rowdy with a bunch of friends on New Year’s Eve, I decided I was going play it safe and just spend a night at the fish house by myself.  Well, that night, right at midnight, I caught a 29.5” walleye!  What a great way to ring in the New Year!

Contributed by Mark Pietig a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Nisswa. Call our office at 218-963-9554 and talk to Mark about your Real Estate needs. You may also email Mark at mark@pietigproperties.com or visit his website at  www.pietigproperties.com for more information.

LOT'S Going on in Our Hometown's Tomorrow!

Nisswa: The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl presented by Gull Lakes Events
Date: December 13, 2014
Time: 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM CST
Website: http://Facebook.com/GullLakeEvents
Event Description: Break out that ugly sweater and join us for a night of cheer around the lake! Jump on Santa's "sleigh"...(it's a bus)...at Zorbaz or Ernie's. From there stops include Jakes, Cowboys, and others!

Nisswa: Sherwood Forest Holiday House by Prairie Bay
Date: December 13, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Website: http://www.prairiebay.com
Event Description: Sherwood Forest Holiday House by Prairie Bay.  Come enjoy a full holiday atmosphere with family & friends.  Traveling art pub, Make and Take art for kids, free treats, Santa is in the house, photos available, cooking demos & much more!

Longville:
• 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Cookie Walk - Longville Area Women of Today at St. Edward’s Catholic Church
• 5:30 p.m. Holiday Gala Banquet at Patrick’s - Longville Community Foundation

Alexandria: The Douglas County Historical Society
Holly, Jolly Kids Christmas at DCHS is a new event for children. Stories, traditions of Christmas, several crafts and treats all provided in the historical Knute Nelson Farmhouse. Come and start the holidays with a old fashioned Christmas. Children must be accompanied by adult. $10.00 per child (adults free)
Saturday, December 13, 2014 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
1219 Nokomis Street
Alexandria, MN 56308
1219 Nokomis Street (across from the Gables) 

Pequot Lakes: A Fun Filled Day with lots of Holiday Cheer!
2:30 pm-Ceremonial Wreaths to honor our Veterans at the Pequot Lakes city Cemetery!
3:00-3:45 pm-Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Pequot Lakes Library with story time, Crafts and Goodies!
3:00-6:00 pm-Free Horse drawn carriage rides around Pequot Lakes
3:00 pm-ongoing! Bonfire in Trailside Park with Hot Cocoa, S’mores and Christmas Carolers!
4:00-5:30 pm-Dinner at the Hungry Loon. Kids dinner only $4.00!
4:00-5:30 pm-Photo opportunities with Santa & Mrs. Claus at The Jack Pine Center
6:00 pm-“Light Up the Night Parade!!”
Route is from Pequot Lakes Physical Therapy down Government Drive turns left onto Main Street. No entrance fee, anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate! Contact Barb Merritt at Merritt Jewelers, 568-4695.

BE SURE TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR "EVENTS TABS" FOR ALL OF THE LATEST HOLIDAY INFORMATION!

Jill's Horse Tale

It was 1972, and for my birthday in September, my best wish in the whole wide world came true. My parents bought Hombre', my first horse! I had been leasing him for the summer at a local dude ranch, but was heartbroken to see the summer end and the lease run out. My parents knew I wouldn't and couldn't live without him, so they bought him for me. With his purchase, there was no money to buy a saddle, so I just rode bareback. Clothes got dirtier, behinds got sore, and it was more difficult to get on him from just anywhere.

Christmas came and under the tree was the most comfortable padded green bareback pad I had ever seen! It even had stirrups!! I wanted to try it out so bad, but it was Christmas, and no one was driving me to the stables that day. So my Dad got down on his hands and knees and was my "horse" all around the family room. Best Christmas ever, and the bareback pad was great too!

Contributed by Jill Macnamara, a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Nisswa. Call our office at 218-963-9554 and talk to Jill about your Real Estate needs. You may also email Jill at jill@jillmacnamara.com or visit her website at www.jillmacnamara.com for more information.

Brian's Favorite Memory of Christmas

After we put up the Christmas tree and decorated it with our treasured ornaments, some hand made some not, I tried my best to stay awake until the house was real quiet. When I was assured everyone was fast asleep, I would sneak out of bed and head back downstairs to the living room. It was really dark, but I was on a mission to turn the lights on the tree back on. So; I would carefully make my way over to where the plug went in the wall, and after some fumbling around in the dark, I got the plug into the socket and like a beacon in the night, this magnificent display that was our Christmas tree lit up. For a long while I would stand there in the silence of the night, with only the lights from the tree lighting up the room. Since my mission went off without a hitch, I would make my way over to the couch and fall asleep next to the Christmas tree. To this day, I still love that the only lights in the house that are on, are those from our Christmas tree.

Contributed by Brian Larsen, a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Crosslake. Call our office at 218-692-9938 and talk to Brian about your Real Estate needs. You may also email Brian at brianlarsen@remax.net or visit his website at www.brianlarsen.remax-northcentral.com/ for more information.

A Childs' Favorite Memory

My favorite memory of Christmas is this: every Christmas Eve we got together with my father’s side of the family at my grandparents’ house at Fort Snelling; Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins (there were 12 of us little ones all wound up).  Fort Snelling was very close to the Minneapolis St. Paul, International Airport, so our parents would tell us to look out the window to see Santa and his reindeer. We saw the red and green lights from the airplanes, so of course we thought Santa was on his way, and a plate of cookies and milk would be set out for his arrival. The adults would then shuffle all of us kids into the big dining room because Santa would soon be here and we were not allowed to see him.  Shortly after we got in the room, we would hear a big HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas along with stomping feet.  For those of us that were really small we were a little scared and hid under the dining room table.  As Santa left he said Merry Christmas, HO, HO, HO again and we heard the door close.  All of us would then be let out of the dining room and we could see the snow prints from his boots. The cookies and milk were gone and as we went out into the living room, under the Christmas tree were all the gifts he left.  We would run to the window to see Santa and his reindeer on the way to their next house.  It was magical and I will never forget it.

Contributed by Joy Childs a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Crosslake. Call our office at 218-692-9938 and talk to Joy about your Real Estate needs. You may also visit Joy's website at www.joychilds.com for more information!

Longville Open House Well Attended

At the open house hosted at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Longville this past Friday, folks enjoyed food, music, and visiting with friends. The good old fashioned potluck was a huge hit, and the Longville Community Choir stopped by and provided the holiday music. Also, the Longville Woman of Today put together a toy drive for the local kids in town, and as you can see by the gifts under the tree, the toy drive was a huge success. We want to thank everyone for attending, and sharing their generosity during this season of giving.

Some New Iron in Town!

Out with the old and in with the new. The Ideal Sno-Pros proudly took delivery of its new groomer on Friday November 28^th. While they might look similar the new Tucker Sno-Cat has a few new and enhanced features. This addition to the Crosslake, Ideal, and Pequot Lakes communities helps in grooming over 110 miles of trails that our club covers. 11 other clubs in Crow Wing County make up the rest, prompting WCCO last year to name Crow Wing County the best riding in all of the state. Many thanks for all the selfless help volunteers put in every year, donating  their time to get the trails brushed, trees cleared, roads, trails and lakes marked for each new season. And as always a hearty Thank You to all the landowners who let us use their private property for trails in the winter season. Remember if you’re out riding stay on marked trails. Support and join your local club! 

-          Back Upper row Left-to right. Justin Norring, Brian Halverson, Adam Werneke

Ground level: Kyler Beal, Joel Ebnet, Pat Ebnet, Matt Werneke, John Boline, Mj Schneider,
Travis Ingebrigtson

Contributed by Matt Werneke a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Crosslake. Call our office at 218-692-9938 and talk to Matt about your Real Estate needs. You may also visit Matt's website at www.yourbestcatch.com for more information…and, Matt wants you to know: “I am never too busy for your referrals”.

Sertoma Winter Wonderland is Back for 2014!

Once Upon a Time...

 

A group of Brainerd/Baxter Sertoman’s set out to create a Holiday Family Tradition like no other. With strong support from the community and the hard work of many volunteers, Winter Wonderland was made a reality.

 

With excitement and anticipation families from all over unite at the Northland Arboretum to experience the spectacle of lights year after year.

 

By working together we will continue to pass along this magical holiday tradition to generations for years to come.

Many of us in the RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty family have driven through this lighting spectacular, and we wholeheartedly recommend you do so as well...it very well may become a family tradition of your own. For me information regarding the schedule, click HERE.

RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Longville Hosts a Holiday Open House

Welcome all! Once again it is that special time of year when the spirit of giving is in the air, and old friends return home. RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Longville, is having our annual Holiday get together this Friday, December 5th from NOON until 3:00 PM. Stop in for food, fun and refreshments. The Longville Community Choir will stop by as well. We look forward to seeing you on Friday!!

Longville Community Choir. Photo Courtesy of The Pilot Independent

Contributed by Sean McDonald, a Real Estate professional at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Longville. Call our office at 218-363-3398 and talk to Sean about buying or selling property. You may also visit Sean's website at www.findyourlakeshore.com

Santa's Diva's Day

Coming up this Saturday, December 6th at Maucieri’s Italian Restaurant in Crosslake, is the 8th annual Christmas for Kids, “Santa’s Diva’s Day” from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. There will be vendors, a live auction, a silent auction, and if you donate cash or bring a new unwrapped gift, you will received a free drink. ALL proceeds go to the Christmas for Kids program. (click on the tab above for more information) One of our agents at RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Crosslake, Teri Jo Flynn, is a vendor at this event. Teri Jo, in her spare time, makes beautiful jewelry, and she will have some of it for sale at this event. Below are some pictures of her jewelry, so please stop at Maucieri’s this Saturday, and donate for a great cause!

How to Hire the Right Contractor for Your Remodel

Many homeowners don't have a relationship with a real estate professional unless they have made the decision to sell their home. People often do not realize that a real estate agent can be a great resource for homeowners. Our experienced RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty agents, would be happy to help you with any home needs you may have.

Our agents have valuable information on home maintenance, remodeling, refinancing, and other related topics. We think you'll find that a relationship with a real estate agent whom you trust is a great asset. If we can be of assistance now or in the future, please give us a call at 218-963-9554 or email us at remaxnsw@uslink.net

Remodeling projects for your home can be as intimidating as they are rewarding. Having the right team to get the job done can make a huge difference. The first thing is to determine what kind of professionals you'll need for your particular project. Small jobs may only require trade specialists such as a plumbing contractor, while larger projects may necessitate architects, design-build companies, interior designers, or all of the above. Whatever help your remodel needs, selecting the companies or individuals that fit you and your project is important. Here are five ways to screen prospective contractors:

#1: Check their experience: How long have they been in business? How much work have they done on projects similar to yours?

#2: Get references: Call references and ask questions about quality of workmanship, communication and dependability.

#3: Check their credentials: Most areas require that contractors be licensed and insured. A good contractor won't hesitate to provide such documentation.

#4: See their work: Look at pictures, but also visit recent and older projects to view the craftsmanship and durability of work done.

#5: Establish trust: A contractor with a detailed, specific plan is important, but you should also feel in your "gut" that you could trust someone with a project of this magnitude. Being comfortable with your contractor is very important.

Hopefully these guidelines help you in your search for the right remodeling professionals. If you'd like references or other assistance, We’re here to help, so If we can be of service in any way, don't hesitate to call.