Friends of the Rum River

2011-09-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hey! One last reminder - this coming Saturday, September 17, is Friends of the Rum River's 6th annual Fun in the Rain or Sun Clean up the Rum event! Meet us at Rum River Park North, St. Francis, to put in at about 9:30 am. Takes about 3 hours max to do the route if you keep paddling - otherwise, take it at your leisure. Country Camping will be providing shuttle service until 1 pm, and a half dozen canoes..

See the attached poster for details - the route is 8 1/2 miles (messed up my math on the last post).

Hope to see you Saturday! Contact me if you have questions, or to reserve a canoe (at no cost).

Kriste
612-309-5838
RumRiverNews@yahoo.com

Clean up the Rum River September 17th!

2011-07-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

The details for the 2011 Friends of the Rum River cleanup have finally been hammered out! This time we'll be traversing 7 1/2 miles from Rum River Park North (St. Francis) downstream to Rum River Park Central. Come join Friends of the Rum River on Saturday, September 17th. Please download, post and hand out this poster to anyone interested.

The awesome Seniors of Andover High School have adopted much of the Rum River downstream from Rum River Park Central -- so we are leaving that section up to them. Good job, guys and gals! The more the merrier.

Planning 2011 Rum River Cleanup

2011-06-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hi All:

It's that time of the year again!

Friends of the Rum River is in the process of planning our 6th annual (or so) Rum River cleanup! This year we will take on a 20 mile stretch - most of the river passing through Anoka County, all in one day, on Saturday, September 17th.

We are looking for two logistical crews and two volunteer river cleanup teams to carry this off. There will be about 5 people per logistical crew, one logistical crew to manage a volunteer team of 20 or more people cleaning from Rum River County Park North (St. Francis) to Rum River Park Central (about 7 miles), and another logistical crew to manage another volunteer team of 20 or more putting in at Rum River Park Central, to pull out at the Anoka County Fairgrounds (about 12 miles). A few more watercraft will go around the dam in Anoka and clean on down to the Mississippi River (one mile more).

Fun logistical duties: organizing pick up service, organizing shuttle service, checking people in at the put-in site, putting up signs, making signs, posting posters, getting snacks, being the lead or tail watercraft for your group that just makes sure everyone comes through all in one piece, helping manage hefty stuff ... and more.

Past items collected: tires, Mary Poppin's umbrella, a dock, beer cans, more tires, 2 snowmobiles, and more.. tires. And lots of great wildlife photos.

If you just want to volunteer the day of, let us know that too!

Thanks.
Wally Hed, River Cleanup Coordinator 763-689-9619
Kriste Ericsson RumRiverNews@yahoo.com

2011-04-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

2011-04-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Not much new at this end, but some great plans are in the works! First, watch for the Friends of the Rum River booth at the Earth Day event being sponsored by the ARCC students on Saturday, Apri 23rd! This is at the Anoka Ramsey Community College - Cambridge Campus, on the Spirit River Nature area, shores of the Rum River... We will be quizing passers-by with a great activity, called "What's in the Rum?" I hear there may also be an Easter Egg hunt for the young 'uns -- (might be a few of those in the Rum too.)

Wally Hed and Ralph Borchardt have some big ideas in the works for our next Rum River cleanup in September -- not just a 9 mile stretch this time, but a series of 7 to 9 mile stretches so that all of the Rum in Anoka County gets picked up! Well, it has been done before by Lyle Bradley et al -- so who knows -- this could be big! Keep checking this site for updates.

This photo is of several pair of swans we followed up and back Lake Ogechie during the cleanup in September 2010. Hope to see you all this year!

911 Rum River Photos at Lake Mille Lacs

2010-10-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

For photos of the Rum River cleanup on Saturday, September 11th, go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060211&id=1414272479&l=c6e6efb13e

Enjoy! KE

Cleaning up the Rum River at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

2010-09-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of the Rum River and MN Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and everyone else:

Saturday, September 11th, 15 or so "die-hards" drove up to Mille Lacs Kathio State Park to participate in Friends of the Rum River's annual "Fun in the Rain or Sun Cleanup the Rum". Despite a dour forcast for the morning and definitely blustery winds, the day was beautiful and we had a great time!

Setting out in 7 canoes from the park's boat launch, we headed upriver towards Lake Ogechie and Mille Lacs Lake. Actually, I think the Peace Corps Volunteers (about half of you) maybe headed downstream to Lake Shakopee (typical RPCVs!!) Never saw you again. (Let me know what you picked up).

In any case, I think the RPCVs survived too, and thanks so much for showing up! The rest of us brought in about 40 pounds of trash (biggest item: a tire on the beach head of Lake Mille Lacs, where three canoes shared a picnic lunch provided by Subway - plenty of chips and subs for all! (Thank you so much, Subway of Onamia). Smallest items collected: a dozen or so fishing bobbers and lures. Other items: exotic brands of beer cans.

Well, we didn't meet our record haul of last summer when we brought in two rusted out snowmobiles, two boat hulls, five tires, a riding mower and various other sundry stuff down below Isanti, but that was very reassuring, since we were in a state park. Special thanks to Chief Park Interpreter Jim Cummings, Asst. Director Chris Erickson, and all the other park people. The park lent 6 canoes and equipment to the endeavor. Jim gave a great introduction to the cultural history of the park and the peoples who lived there, dating from way back.

The blustery weather reminded me of dicey weather in the Boundary Waters, so some nice nostalgia there. Paul Carlson and Kermit Ericsson followd six swans up Lake Ogechie (swimming, taking off, landing, taking off.. etc) and I and my canoe partner got to follow the swans the two miles back down the lake.

Very few mishaps - a canoe motor conked out, a new piece of litter was added to the river, unreclaimable (a digital camera, by my canoe partner, ha ha boo hoo), I lost two bags (one with my camera) and found them again... all in all a very good time.

Back at the boat landing, when I was wading in after the one unretreivable camera, there was an audience of a four year old girl and her younger brother, both very concerned. "You're getting your pants wet!" "I have another pair in the car." "Your shirt is getting all wet!!" "Got another of those in the car too." "Do you have socks in the car?" "Yes, I have socks".

Glad it stopped there.

Thanks, again, all of you!

See more of you next year, or be a <*))))))))<<

Kriste

2010-09-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Regretfully we had to postpone our September 16th Fish Sampling workshop with MN DNR Fisheries Biologist, John Frank, due to fast water flow in the Rum River - over 1000 cfs. However, John has agreed to give a presentation on his fish census work along the Rum River later this winter - probably in January some Thursday evening at the MinnCo Credit Union Community Room in Cambridge. We also hope to have him back with us at the river next spring or early summer - so stay tuned!

We had a great Rum River Cleanup on September 11th - stay tuned for details - my laptop died of old age this week, and I am just getting this one going... will have some good pics.

Hey - you can also now watch for Friends of the Rum River on Facebook! KE

2010-09-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

Rum River Fish Sampling Demonstration 9-16-2010

Did you think the fishing season was over? You’d better think again! This is a great time to bone up on fish identification, and find out why fish hang out where the do along the Rum River. On Thursday, September 16th, starting at 6:30 pm and going to dusk, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the fish of this great water conduit -- the only river draining Lake Mille Lacs. Friends of the Rum River has invited MDNR Fisheries Biologist, John Frank, to demonstrate sampling techniques at the new Becklin Homestead Park, just northwest of Cambridge. Park by the picnic shelter, where we’ll gather as a group to trek the short distance down to the river.

John Frank, with the Hinckley DNR, has often lent his skills at the Isanti County Conservation Day held in May, enthralling 6th graders as he displays fish from area lakes and streams. So, if you have been envious that you couldn’t participate, here’s your chance. (Bring your older kids too – they’ll enjoy it!) John will be introducing us to sampling techniques such as seining and electro fishing. Expect to learn more about the natural history of the fish as well – what they eat, where they hang out, and why...

Sponsored by Friends of the Rum River and Isanti County Parks.

Questions? Contact Kriste Ericsson, FRR, at 612-309-5838, RumRiverNews@yahoo.com , or Barry Wendorf, Parks Director,at 763-689-8220, barry.wendorf@co.isanti.mn.us.

Becklin Homestead Park/Wildlife Management Area • 34605 Holly St NW • Cambridge, MN 55008 The park is located in Springvale Township 3½ miles northwest of Cambridge along the Rum River. Follow State Highway 95 west and turn north on County Road 14, turn left onto 339th and follow to the end of Holly Street. (Map at http://www.co.isanti.mn.us/parksrechome.htm )

2010-08-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

Sept 11th: Clean Up the Rum at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park & Lake Mille Lacs!

2010-08-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hi All Ye Rum River Afficionados:

Join the Friends of the Rum River for our 5th annual Rum River Cleanup! We'll meet first from 9:30-10 am for an introduction to the awesome cultural and geological history of the this upper-most stretch of the Rum River, at the Mile Lacs Kathio State Park Interpretive Center.

Then move your canoes and kayaks to the parking lot of the park boat access just south of the Interpretive center, east side of the Rum (plenty of room for vehicles). We will travel upriver, do a very short portage around the dam at the south end of Lake Ogechie, then canoe the perimeter of Lake Ogechie, up to Lake Mille Lacs. Anyone interested can venture out into the Big Lake (weather permiting) and do some clean-up along the shoreline, then return downriver to the boat access.Cleanup equipment is provided. A free lunch will be available. You should be out of the river around 3 pm - but you can take as much time as you want. A 6 to 8 mile round trip.

All those assisting with the cleanup will be able to enter Mille Lacs Kathio State Park at no charge. Stop first at the park entrance for a work permit. The Park is also offering the use of six canoes at no charge Contact Ralph at 763-689-0812 if you would like to reserve one of those canoes or need a canoe partner. For other questions or if you'd like lunch, contact Kriste at RumRiverNews@yahoo.com.
For a map to the park go to the MN DNR website, at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/index.html

((be there or be a <*))))))< ))

Kriste Ericsson, Facilitator
Friends of the Rum River

News from the Rum River Watershed, Vol. 5, No. 1, Winter/Spring 2010

2010-01-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

NRRW Vol 5 Issue I

Thanks to Rum River Clean up Crew

2009-10-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Rum River would like to thank all the great volunteers (about 50 of you!) who waded into the Rum River, some literally tipping canoes and kayaks over in order to give the River a face lift on Saturday, September 19th. Others sacrificed their opportunity for time on the river and kept busy checking people in, assigning water craft, and providing food at the end. Some, coming a bit late, scooted down to our take out point at Rum River North County Park (just upstream from St Francis) and walked the shoreline in the park, looking for discarded "treasure."

The rest of us had a great time canoeing, kayaking, and john-boating the nine mile stretch of river between Country Camping (just south of the city of Isanti) to the Rum River North County Park( just above St. Francis.) The weather was wonderful, with great views of the wild river, of a bald eagle family leading us downstream, kingfishers fishing, and green herons and other wildlife providing entertainment while all poked, delved, and dragged out litter. And did we find litter – not only the leaf and branch kind that really ought to be there, but also beer and pop cans, gum wrappers, four or five tires, and everything in between. In fact, we dragged out about 2000 pounds of stuff – that is, one Ton!

So, how can you find one ton of litter in the Rum, which is supposed to be protected, designated wild and scenic, as well as a great recreational river?
There’s the problem. Most human detritus is found where people build their houses along rivers, and also where they use rivers heavily for recreation. A further inventory on what was pulled out included one abandoned riding lawn mower, two derelict snowmobiles, the topper off a truck, and two boats – yes – the battered hulls of two boats! -- that took several canoes to haul (fortunately… no human remains.) The water level was low – couldn’t quite get the half sunken wrecks to the exit point, so left them at the north end of Rum River North County Park, which the MN Department of Natural Resources kindly removed later on.
Special thanks goes to the canoeing class of the Anoka Ramsey Community College - Cambridge (gung ho on getting out those boats), the singles group from First Baptist of Cambridge, and numerous other volunteers who came singly or with families and friends, from as far north as Milaca and Princeton, down to the Twin Cities. Subway and Pizza Pub provided ample food at the take-out, and McDonald’s provided their famous Orange Bowl for drink. Cub Foods donated bottled drinking water. The MN Dept of Natural Resources provided trash bags, along with gloves for picking up sharps.
Additional thanks goes to Patti Midlo (owner of Country Camping) and her crew, who provided river access at the Country Camping boat launch, coffee to get us going, free use of nine canoes and a kayak, and free shuttle service for all participants and their watercraft between the put-in and take-out points. What can I say; each volunteer deserves personal recognition – you were all awesome.
Keep this great activity in mind, and join the Friends of the Rum River next spring when we plan to clean up the Rum River downstream from Milaca.
Kriste Ericsson, FacilitatorFriends of the Rum River

2009-09-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much Brett for posting the poster - it has a map for this event! Check out details here:

Friends of the Rum River's Fourth Annual Rum River Cleanup:
Saturday, Sept. 19

Fun in the Rain or Sun, Cleaning up the Rum! All Welcome.

Put in at 9 am at Country Camping at River Mile 30 in Isanti County

(west side of river, just SW of the city of Isanti off of Co. Rd. 68, 27437 Palm St. NW.)

Heading 9 miles down to take-out at Rum River North Co. Park at River Mile 21, Anoka County.

Shuttle service for all &canoes/kayaks provided between 9 am and 4 pm (max).

Parking available at both ends. Collecting supplies provided.

Free food and drink after at Rum River North County Park.

Bring your own canoe, kayak or other water worthy devise, plus life jackets.

RSVP so we can plan food, or just wake up and decide to come. Groups welcome.

Questions or to RSVP: contact Wally at 763-689-9619 or Ralph at 763-689-0812,or email RumRiverNews@ yahoo.com. Call Wally if need a canoe or canoe partner.

News from the Rum River Watershed, Vol. 4 No. 2, Fall 2009

2009-09-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

NRRW Vol. 4-2 09

Rum River cleanup day

2009-08-27T12:07:00.001-07:00

Rum River Cleanup Poster 09

News from the Rum River Watershed, January 2009

2009-08-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

NRRW Vol. 4-1 09

DNR water trails website

2009-07-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/index.html

Rum River pics, June 2009, by Brett

2009-06-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

090626 trails

2009-06-30T08:03:00.001-07:00

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
FOR PROPOSED WASTEWATER-TREATMENT EXPANSION IN PRINCETON
For release: June 29, 2009

Media contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887

Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed expansion of the city of Princeton's wastewater-treatment facility. Citizens are invited to comment on this EAW until July 29, 2009.

The city is proposing to expand its existing wastewater-treatment facility and add a discharge pipe to discharge treated wastewater to the Rum River. The existing facility is a mechanical treatment plant, designed for an average of 635,000 gallons of domestic wastewater per day. The proposed expansion includes constructing additional treatment units, including effluent filtration, that would enable the plant to treat an average of about 1.9 million gallons per day.

The EAW is a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. Comments on the EAW must be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on July 29 to Nancy Drach, MPCA, Environmental Review, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194; by e-mail to nancy.drach@state.mn.us; or by fax to 651-297-8683.

The MPCA will use the comments on the EAW to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed.

Copies of the EAW are available for review at the MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., or on the MPCA Web site at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index/html.

Broadcast Version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed upgrade and expansion of the city of Princeton's wastewater-treatment facility. The
proposed project will expand the facility's current daily capacity of about 630 thousand gallons of wastewater to about 1.9 million gallons. The treated wastewater will be discharged to the Rum River.

Citizens are invited to comment on this EAW until July 29th. More information about the project, including review documents, contact names and phone numbers, is available on the MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us.

###

The mission of the MPCA is to work with Minnesotans to protect, conserve and improve our environment and enhance our quality of life.

Pictures of Rum River, March 28, 2009

2009-03-30T18:46:00.001-07:00

Late winter Rum River pics

2009-03-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

Pics I took by the river a couple weeks ago. Brett

From late winter

Retreat at ARC, May 8-9

2009-03-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Dear friends of the Rum River,

Thank you so much for making this publicity available. I thought that you might be interested or know people who might be interested in an environmental experience that takes participants to very deep places.

Once again this year, ARC is offering a Council of All Beings Retreat on the Friday-Saturday before Mother's Day, from Friday evening May 8-Saturday evening May 9. Kaia Svien leads this wonderful process in which participants begin to identify on a deep soul level with the spirits of the other beings with whom we share our world. More than an environmental vision, the Council invites thinking of our world as an interconnected whole.

We hope that you will share the attached flyer with anyone you feel may be interested in making this kind of connection. The cost is $125 for room and board and tuition, but some scholarship assistance may be available, and for those who live locally, a non-resident rate is an option. But I would add that it's important to be present for the Friday evening as well as the Saturday time, even if you go home to sleep!

Gratitude and blessings!
Jan

Council Flyer 2009 Council Flyer 2009 elmerbond6010

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Update

2009-03-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

I posted some new items today (March 1, 2009): The last two issues of Kriste Ericsson's News from the Rum River Watershed, and a document about new proposed shoreland rules from the DNR's Mike Mueller.

Kriste and I can both post to this blog. If you'd like permission to post, let me know. I think it would be great if we had a few people who would want to post once a week or so.

Send me an email at elmerbond@mac.com.

Brett

News from the Rum River Watershed, Fall 2007

2009-03-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

NRRWVol.3-3Fall2007

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Periodicals & Report love tips

News from the Rum River Watershed, Spring 2007

2009-03-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

NRRW Vol 3-2 Spring Issue

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines Periodicals & Report 2008 culture

Proposed new shoreland rules

2009-03-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

Mike Mueller, the area hydrologist and shoreland coordinator for the DNR's division of waters, asked us to post this document:

WSR - Shoreland RFC Signed 021809

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News from the Rum River Issue 12 Spring 2007

2009-02-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Quite a Haul! Bringing in the remains of an old dock during our Rum River cleanup last September - just downstream from the Oxbow Bridge, upriver from Cambridge City Park. This is my first attempt at blogging - now just gotta figure out how to attach those newsletters!

Enjoy the winter while we have it! Candlight ski is happening Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 from about 6 to 8 pm at the Spirit River Nature Area, Cambridge Community College. Free and open to the public with great food and music. Kriste

News from the Rum River watershed, Issue 11, February 2007

2009-01-29T04:37:00.000-08:00

News Issue 11 Jan Feb 07

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines 2008 media

News from the Rum River watershed, Issue 10, December 2006

2009-01-29T04:35:00.000-08:00

News Issue 10 Nov Dec 2006

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines 2008 media

News from the Rum River watershed, Issue 9, October 2006

2009-01-29T04:32:00.000-08:00

News Issue 9 Sep Oct 2006

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News from the Rum River watershed, Issue 8, August 2006

2009-01-29T04:28:00.000-08:00

News Issue 8 July Aug 2006

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines online 2008

News from the Rum River watershed, Issue 7, June 2006

2009-01-28T17:52:00.000-08:00

News Issue 6 Mar Apr 2006

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines 2008 media

New from the Rum River watershed, Issue 6, April 2006

2009-01-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

News Issue 6 Mar Apr 2006

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News from the Rum River watershed, Issue 5, February 2006

2009-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

NewsIssue5JanFeb2006#2

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News from the Rum River Watershed Issue 4, November 2005

2009-01-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

News Issue 4 November 2005

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News from the Rum River Watershed Issue 3, September 2005

2009-01-28T14:47:00.001-08:00

NewsIssue3Sept.2005

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News from the Rum River Watershed Issue 2, July 2005

2009-01-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

NewsIssue2July15,2005B

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Rum River Watershed newsletter issue 1, May 2005

2009-01-28T14:25:00.000-08:00

NewsIssueIMay15,2005

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Friends of the Rum River Focus Group Minutes, 1-22-09

2009-01-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

What is the Role of Friends of the Rum River?
Educational:
• Newsletter
• Blog
• Bimonthly meetings-special speakers, with field trips
• 2008: Earth Day booth, Park Day booth, Cambridge Wild Game Feed Booth
Activities:
• Rum River Cleanup (2008: 8 miles, Oxbow Bridge to Cambridge)
• Pipe cleaner, beads and feathers benthic bugs (“fly tying variation”) at booths

Activism/Advocacy
• Being sensitive to opportunities
• Rum River an outstanding water resource
Proposed Activities for 2009:
Proposed Upcoming Bimonthly public meetings
• Bird migration theme at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park or Indian Museum for spring
• Fish – Mary Lagaard’s sister in law (hmmm… do fish migrate?)
Field Trips: with the bimonthly meetings
Lower FRR group – ask Lyle Bradley if interested in kicking off in Anoka Co.
Upper Rum River FRR chapter –Ask Brett Larson and others in Mille Lacs Co for suggestions.
Participation in State Park Day: Kriste Ericsson will check into Mille Lacs Kathio State Park venue
FRR Booth at Wild Game Feeds and the like (check out Cambridge, Milaca – Kriste)
Encourage repair of Hwy 47 boat landing (ask MNDOT and MDNR) – Wally Hed will contact Mike Mueller or Marshal Deeter (new area hydrologist working with Mike)

Create data base of contact information for Isanti County residents living along the Rum River. Complete by April 1st.
• Use for announcement of September Rum River cleanup.
• Use to promote public awareness of chemical analysis of Rum River Watershed via clean water grant, particularly in Isanti and Mille Lacs Counties. Have public forum on this topic in Isanti County in the fall.
Newsletter
• Creativity issue out by end of February.
• Monetary contributions welcome to assist in publication of hard copies of future issues.
• Ideas and written contributions for upcoming quarterly issues welcome.
Blog Site
• Brett Larson has set up a blog site for Friends of the Rum River, that will include a link to all back issues of “News from the Rum River Watershed” and much more. Looks great! Check it out --
Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RumRiverWatershedNews/

Rum River Clean-up: September. Two options for 2009:
• City of Isanti or Country Camping south to North Rum River Park (about
10 miles)
• Milaca south 7 miles
“Stream walk” evaluation during cleanup for areas of concern (Isanti and Mille Lacs Counties) through MPCA grant
Lake and Stream monitoring through Isanti County and MPCA: Friends of the Rum River continues to encourage public voluntary participation.
Integration of Isanti County Water Plan with the Comprehensive Plan
• Discussed incongruities between Isanti County Water Plan and Isanti County Comprehensive Plan.
• Discussed letter sent to editor of STAR and Isanti County News.
Other?
• Suggested evaluation of the Rum River of native mussel populations (as in Sunrise River.)
• Apparently zebra mussels were noted by MDNR near the Oxbow Bridge in 2008 (first known report in the Rum River.)
Proposed long term planning for Rum River Rendezvouz or something along that line… (there once was an annual Rum River Rendezvouz until about 30 years in Isanti County, including a Paddlerama (canoe race) between Princeton and Cambridge.) Ideas?

Restoration of Historic Spencer Brook School Begins with Bid Process

2009-01-28T13:52:00.001-08:00

In the fall of 2008, a matching grant was awarded to Isanti County by the Minnesota Historical Society for the renovation of the Spencer Brook School. The implementation of this grant is now underway, beginning with the Request for Proposal process, to be followed by bid awards, and the commencement of the renovation itself. Contractors and craftsman with skills apppropriate to this restoration, or those that would like the opportunity to participate in the preservation of Isanti County history are strongly encouraged to submnit proposals.

This restoration will be extensive, involving work on the foundation, hardwood floors, cupola, chimney, roofing, plastering, painting, finish carpentry, insulation and electrical. Bidders may pick up copies of plans and proposal from the Isanti County Coordinator. Electronic plans can also be obtained from the Engineer, by contacting William A. Becklin, Becklin & Whitney at bill@becklin-whitney.com.

Specific dates to note involving this project include: 1) a pre-bid meeting at the Spencer Brook School on Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 p.m.; 2) Quotes submitted no later than Wednesday, February 25, 2:00 p.m.; and 3) Contracts will be awarded on or around Tuesday, March 3, 2009.

School Background
The Spencer Brook School was built beginning in1874, opening its doors in 1877 as the first English-speaking school in Isanti County. In the course of its 68-year history, about 100 teachers taught over 500 students basic math, history and reading skills. The earliest classes had English-speaking students, but as the Swedish immigrant population moved into the area, more and more students spoke Swedish at home and were taught English in school. The largest class of 50 students was in 1917. Four students later returned as teachers. The school closed its doors for the last time in the spring of 1945 and was later consolidated with the Princeton school system.

In 1969, the Spencer Brook Historical Association was formed to restore the school and the property was turned over to Isanti County. On July 24, 1980, the school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2008, with a newly resurrected Spencer Brook Historical Association, it was apparent that the restoration of the school needed to be done soon or it would be beyond repair, and the association worked with the Isanti County Historical Society and Isanti County to apply for the matching grant.

Update on Stolen Bell
One week before the final grant application for this project was submitted to the Minnesota Historical Society, the school bell was stolen from the cupola at Spencer Brook School. A hole was made in the weak roof during the theft, and the cupola was damaged on all sides as the bell was removed. As of this publication, the bell has not been located or returned. Plans are underway to find a replacement that can be installed upon the completion of the restoration.

For additional information about this project contact the Isanti County Coordinator (763-689-3859) or William Becklin as noted above. For information pertaining to Isanti County history, contact the Isanti County Historical Society at 763-689-4229, via email at ichs@izoom.net, or online at www.ichs.ws.

Impaired waters event

2009-01-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

Is your lake or river one of the 2,575 impaired waters in Minnesota? Is it about to become one?
Find out at this networking event along with,
How a water body is determined impaired
What this means for you and your lake/ river
Proposed and current plans for improving impaired waters
What your lake/river group can do!
When: Tuesday the 27th of January 2009 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: The Marsh – Member Lounge 15000 Minnetonka Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55345

Friends of the Rum River meeting

2009-01-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

From coordinator Kriste Ericsson:

Hi All!

Just to let you know that we settled on this Thursday, January 22nd to meet from 7:30 to 9 pm at my house (just outside Grandy on Long Lake, behind the Purple Hawk Golf Course.) Our purpose is to look ahead at the coming year to decide what activities we would like to include again on our agenda (the Rum River Cleanup, a booth at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park on State Park Day,) etc.

This would also be a good time to assess whether you see specific needs in the Rum River Watershed that our group could begin to address this year.

Please RSVP when you see this note whether you will be coming Thursday. If you won't be coming, feel free to send your ideas.

I'll have hot tea available and something good to munch on (without peanut butter in it!)

612-309-5838 (cell)

Happy Birthday Lake Mille Lacs

2008-10-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group is sponsoring an archaeology tour called "Ancient Mille Lacs: A Circle Tour" on Oct. 25 in celebration of Mille Lacs' 10,000th birthday.

The four-hour tour is led by Jim Cummings, Kathio Park naturalist, and other experts on the archaeology and geology of the region.

It leaves at 1 p.m. from the Sha Bush Kung public access just north of Grand Casino.

The tour is free, but registration is required and space is limited. Call 320-684-2170 and leave name, phone number and number of attendees.

Rum River article from the Messenger

2008-10-14T12:26:00.001-07:00

An article about a Rum River trip by Mike Kallok, former editor of the Mille Lacs Messenger.

Part 2.

Part 3.

Rum River article

2008-10-14T12:23:00.001-07:00

An article from the Circle about a trip down the Rum by some young Dakota men.

Clean-up day

2008-10-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

Following is letter to the editor from Friends coordinator Kriste Ericsson. I've added Kriste as an author of this blog. If you'd like to be an author, email Brett Larson, elmerbond@mac.com, and I'll add you to the list.

Dear Editors and Rum River Lovers:

Fun fun fun in the Sun on the Rum - September 20th was truly a beautiful day! 200 to 300 pounds of trash were pulled out of the Rum River from the 8 miles between the Oxbow Bridge and the Cambridge landing, including an old boat dock (kudoos to Barry and Rick on that one), Mary Poppin's umbrella (looked like Ms. Poppins had been picked up by a tornado then deposited in the river) and numerous cans, bottles, and even an old medicine bottle.

Many thanks go out to Country Camping of Isanti for providing 5 canoes with more available, continuous shuttle service, and friendly faces! Also, thanks to Pizza Pub for pizza, Dominoes for more to be had if need be, Cafe Caffeine for giving us something hot to get going, Cub Foods for chips and bottled water, McDonalds for orange drink, and of course East Central Sanitation for picking up what we brought in.

And a thousand thanks to all 20 of you who participated, both on shore and on the river! Remember, dear Readers, this event is open to all, and the River has a large capacity for many canoes and kayaks and maybe even a few runabouts. Gloves and sacks provided. Keep this event in mind as a great family option for next September.

Hey, I'm hoping we do the stretch downstream from Milaca next year. Anybody game?!

Yours sincerely,

Kriste Ericsson, Facilitator
Friends of the Rum River

Welcome, Friends

2008-10-08T07:26:00.001-07:00

This blog is for Friends of the Rum River to communicate with each other and to express their thoughts and opinions on the Rum and river issues in general. If you want to be an author, email Brett Larson, elmerbond@mac.com, and I'll add you to the list of authors. Otherwise, you can comment on other people's posts either anonymously or with your name.