News

FIREWISE PROGRAM FOR DLA IN 2025

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Hello DLA Membership,

Several people have inquired about Firewise for this year, so I wanted to inform the Membership that yes, we do have an Active Firewise Program again.

We were awarded a $10,000.00 Grant from the Minnesota DNR to help with associated costs of the program.  This is an “In-kind”, matching Grant, totaling $10K.

Homeowner Labor hours tallied to collect brush counts towards the $5000.00 the DLA puts up to be matched by the DNR – two coordinators will be responsible for recordkeeping of this activity, being Beth Reisgraf-Wyman and one additional that we are working on securing.  I will be sending out information on this soon,

I have attached the Documents that detail the scope of the Grant and the DLA Conservation Committee is steering the program.  I will communicate when we have secured a contractor and pick-up date(s) for brush piles.  We are also looking into the possibility of having a chipper located close by to be available to produce mulch.

If there are additional questions or suggestions about the program, please feel free to contact me via email reply.  Thanks to everyone for your continued support of the DLA!

Best Regards,

Jeff Johnston

President, Deer Lake Association of Itasca County

DLA Tour of Homes

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Please, join us for the Home Tours on Deer Lake. DLA is planning a Progressive Home Tour on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The event will run from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. We will have 3 groups of up to 15 people, that will rotate to the 3 homes staying about 45 minutes at each
one. Registration is limited to a maximum of 45 people. People will arrive by car and are encouraged to carpool to alleviate congested parking. At each home, the owner will give you a tour and a little history of their home followed by a social time with a simple snack and refreshments. Those who have graciously opened their homes for this event are Diana and Herb Lieffring, Sandra Anderson and Tom Nelson. There is not a charge for people to attend, but we encourage you to

make a donation to support the work of the DLA. We hope you can join us to celebrate our Deer Lake family and be in community together.

TO REGISTER FOR THE HOME TOUR (AND DONATE TO THE DLA) PLEASE CLICK HERE:

https://forms.gle/pv4QXGuRPfxckjT68

HOMES ON THE TOUR:

HERB & DIANA LIEFFRING: 36264 CHRISTMAS PT TRL GRAND RAPIDS

Herb and Diana Lieffring’s Erdenheim (Earth Home) was built to be eco-friendly, economical, low maintenance and elderly-compatible. Features include geo-thermal heating and cooling, radiant floor heating, insulated concrete form walls, and an elevator.

SANDRA & GEORGE ANDERSON: 35204 LINDEN GROVE DR, Deer River

We bought 5 acres of the old Linden Grove Resort in 2021 and were fortunate to get Dale Juntunen as our builder. Our niece, Ellen Anderson, was the architect. We moved in just before a snow storm on December 13, 2022. Our family has been on this northwest bay of the lake for over 100 years. The house features some very unique Marvin folding doors that allow for a cozy space in winter and an expanded living room space in summer. The granite tops on the island and the buffet are from Brazil and the dining table was made by our son Rich, and Tom Dimitch. The land was used for hay for many years, so last summer we planted 28 trees. The name of this place we love is Deerhaven and it’s on Linden Grove Drive.

TOM NELSON: 36841 Sherwood Forest Trail, Deer River.

The Nelson home sits up on a bluff looking south to Christmas Point and Bear Island in the distance. The large bed of springs in the reeds in front were the subject of q scientific study several years ago. The yard has moss and sedge instead of grass, and maple trees for making syrup. There are three buildings of interest, each with extensive woodwork featuring a special style of tile paneling, called “Penrose.” The 2500sqft 2-bed room Residence is multi-level, with parquet flooring a rock fireplace with backlighting and fountain, plus a deck on the roof. The Garage, known as the “Loggy Dome,” has a woodshop below, and an open second story multi-purpose room with tile paneling and felt artworks. The Guest House features a dome-like roof, a loft, and special “live edge” flooring.

Bear Island Clean-Up

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2024

DLA Bear Island Trail Maintenance
June 7 – Friday 9:00 AM
July 5 – Friday 9:00 AM
August 2 – Friday 9:00 AM
(In the event of rain – meet the following Saturday)  


Coordinated again this year by Paul Askegaard: 651-230-3361; askeupnorth@gmail.com

Bear Island was donated to the State of MN by DLA, who purchased it with donations from lake residents plus State matching funds.  Once a month during the summer, DLA members spend about 1 hour keeping the walking trail open and removing trash.  RSVP not necessary, just arrive on the south end of the Island at 9am on the scheduled day.  If conditions are questionable, call Paul at 651-230-3361.  Please volunteer, especially if we have had a bad storm during the month.  Bring gloves, wear long pants and bug spray, and bring any equipment you have: gloves, chain saw, clippers, loppers, picaroon, small hand saw, garbage bag, and BUG SPRAY!.  Paul will provide coffee/donuts. 

Hope to see you there!

IF QUESTIONS, call Paul at 651-230-3361 askeupnorth@gmail.com

Burn Barrels

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Burning Trash, like in the old days, is not a good idea. It stinks up the neighborhood, and in fact, it is illegal in Minnesota by law. Burning construction debris is also forbidden. Trash and construction debris should be taken to the County landfills, which also accept recycling. The transfer station on County Road 62 north of Cohasset is the closest to Deer Lake. You must purchase your Dump Tickets elsewhere, however, since they are not sold at the station itself. There are also commercial haulers who can pick up your trash by contract.

Burning Brush, on the other hand, is legal, but only with a permit, and only under several conditions. Far better to pile your brush for the FireWise brush pickup program on Deer Lake!

Some Links:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/index.html

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2016/may-jun/illegal-burning.html

https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/illegal-in-minnesota-since-the-1980s-burning-household-garbage-still-large-source-of-toxic-pollution

Deer Lake Association