OOPS!  So sorry you ended up here!  Find the blog post you’re looking for here:

Let’s chat about worms!

If this doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will!  Thank you to the Jackson’s for sharing this video of our newborn loons!  

 

 
Meanwhile the loons on the other side of the lake have been struggling. Those pesky black flies drove them to abandon the eggs they laid earlier in May.  Sometime last week they resumed nesting and laid another two eggs. It’s unlikely that all 4 will end up being viable but we have high hopes that the two new eggs will hatch in several weeks. We’ll keep you posted on this latest development!

As always, please keep your distance from loons and nests and be sure to remind relatives and guests.

Thanks!

It may have snowed in Minocqua yesterday but our loons are back and getting ready to settle in for the season. The loon platforms are in place so remember to steer clear of them and remind your friends, relatives and renters as well. 

Do you follow Walter Piper of the Loon Project?  Walter and his team of researchers spend significant time tracking loon data in the northwoods.  They are already busy at work; you can follow their efforts here:

https://loonproject.org/2016/05/15/we-are-back-and-a-good-thing-too/
See you on the lake!

This week the Blue Lake community lost an icon and treasured friend who will remain forever in our hearts.

Elizabeth May Sorensen, age 79 of Minocqua, died on Sunday, April 24 at her residence on Blue Lake with her daughters by her side. Elizabeth, as she was known by her siblings, was the fourth of six children and the oldest girl. She lived in Webster Groves, Mo., and until three years ago continued to attend all of her high school reunions. She was active in scouting growing up and worked her summers at a resort out of the city. She married Robert Sorensen on July 23, 1962. The two of them worked many businesses including a card shop and owning Guard Mfg. Liz had two daughters, Susan and Kathy, and showed both of them how to be strong independent women and instilled in them the love of sport.

Liz led a life overflowing with activity and enthusiasm. While in Saint Louis she participated in numerous volleyball leagues and was active in the Saint Louis Orienteering Club. Orienteering took her around the country and ultimately to Scandinavia to compete internationally. Her summers in Minocqua found her golfing and playing softball. At one time she played on the same team as both Susan and Kathy. Once making Minocqua her full time home in 1983, she continued her active life style and added coaching to her list of passions. She coached volleyball at Lakeland Union High School for over 15 years. This included a number of years as a volunteer, simply because she loved the game and the athletes. She also coached softball and gymnastics. When not on a court or field, Liz loved her games. Scrabble with the Blue Lake girls, boggle challenges with her grandkids, poker days/nights with her friends, crazy card marathons with the whole family, and the occasional trip to the casino.

Liz was a strong woman of faith and was active at her church, Faith Evangelical Free. She was a reader/listener for Awana and supported different missionaries. She also took two trips to help rebuild New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Her passion for volunteer work and helping others was evident with the numerous hours spent with residents in care facilities in both Rhinelander and Minocqua.

She had amazing strength and resilience battling numerous cancers and other health issues. She shared that strength with each of her grandchildren and encouraged each and every one of them to pursue their own dreams.

Blue Lake was the heart of where Liz lived and experienced life. From the time she spent at Blue Lake Resort to the purchase of her home in 1974 to making it her forever home in 1983. She fished, kayaked, paddleboated, pontooned, floated, and simply enjoyed Blue Lake. It was where she wanted to take her final breath.

Liz is survived by her daughters: Susan (Greg) Mehlert and Kathy (Chip) Schank and by her grandchildren: Jeffery Mehlert, Jeffrey “Ryan” Schank, Kimberly Mehlert, Adam Schank and Sarah Schank and by her sister; Nelle Zuroweste and brother; Albert (Niki) Smith and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and all those who knew her as “Ma” and Granny Liz.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert and parents; Gordon (Gladys) Smith and by her brothers; Robert, Harold and James.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Woodruff, with a visitation from 10 a.m. till time of Service. Burial will follow services at Minocqua Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Season of Life Hospice House, Box 770, Woodruff, WI, 54568 or Faith Evangelical Free Church Youth Mission Trip, 9035 Blumenstein Rd, Woodruff, WI 54568 or American Cancer Society Northern Wisconsin Region.

Blue Lake lost a dear and long time friend this week. 

Richard H. Gourley, 93, of Minocqua, died peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Beloved father, grandfather, and brother, he was born in Waukegan, Ill., on Jan. 15, 1923, but was a lifelong Wisconsin boy growing up in Kenosha.
Rick was only a teenager when he went north to work in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC camps) down Blue Lake Road south of Minocqua. There he was assigned as cook and remembered peeling 16 tons of potatoes. But it was from there he also met his future wife, Beth (Luedtke) whose family owned the Blue Lake Resort on Blue Lake Island. At the time the resort served meals, and foremen from the CCC camp often went over to eat. They were allowed to bring only their most trusted workers because the Luedtkes had three very attractive daughters, Audrey and twins Beth and Gwenn. Rick was one of the chosen, and he and Beth were married for 71 years before her death in the spring of 2014.
Rick served as a pilot in the Army Air Corp during WWII. His only child, Andree, was born on the morning he soloed and was awarded his wings. Flying a B-24 Liberator out of England, he was one of the few pilots who survived all of his bombing missions into Germany. Though once shot down over Belgium, he was safely returned to his base with the help of Allied Resistance.
Rick was a carpenter by trade and after moving to Castro Valley, Calif., in the 1950s he joined a Bay Area construction firm called the Pacific Company. With them he rose first to foreman, then superintendent, and many San Francisco high rise buildings stand as monuments to his building career.
Rick and Beth took early retirement to purchase and run the Blue Lake Resort in the early 1970s. During off seasons of the 15 years they ran the resort, the Gourleys traveled the globe together visiting every continent except Greenland and Antarctica. Besides being a world traveler, Rick was a member of American Legion Post 89, a formidable bridge player, and a lifelong stamp collector.
He is survived by his only daughter, Andree Graveley, proprietor of Blue Lake Resort since 1989; his three grandchildren Michael (Claire) Graveley of Kenosha, Nicole (Paul Smith) Graveley of San Leandro, Calif., and Sarah Graveley of Minneapolis, Minn. On the very day of his death Rick heard the good news that his grandson Michael was running for district attorney of Kenosha County. Other decendants include four great grandchildren, Ben, Lucas, Amelia, and Aron. He is also survived by a loving sister, Joyce Fitchett of Racine, sister-in-law Audrey Despain of Castro Valley, Ca., and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.
The family of this beloved man wish him good travels in a place with no wars, now that he has graduated from this life and has surely earned and been awarded his next set of wings.

This morning my dogs and I took a little walk down Blue Lake Road towards Hacker. After we’d walked a ways down the road toward the Blue Lake outlet, I heard a familiar sound. It was music to my ears and despite the ice covered road, it sure sounded like spring was in the air.  Listen for yourself and see if you agree! (Make sure to turn up your sound!)

Brad Nortman, Carolina Panthers punter and son of Jane and Bill Nortman is headed to the Super Bowl. The Nortman’s are lifelong Blue Lakers.  You can catch Brad this morning on the Dan Patrick sports TV show this morning  at 8:00 CST on the NBC sports channel  and on E News tonight at 6. 

Go Panthers!!!

  

I took a lovely walk around the BLMA (that’s Blue Lake Metropolitan Area) this morning and am here to tell you that it looks nothing like Christmas in these parts. A few flakes fell overnight but there is just nothing measureable on the ground. 

The 30+ degree temps aren’t helping the ice fishermen in my family.  And I certainly won’t be happy if I don’t get my Blue Lake walleye fish fry on Christmas Day…a tradition in our house!

Here’s what I’m talking about… 

  …a little bit of ice along the shore but a heck of a lot of open water out there.  And with rain expected tomorrow, it’s going to feel a lot more like April around here. Maybe a Christmas Day kayak will be on my agenda! Anybody care to join me???
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from Blue Lake!