
News
DLA Tour of Homes
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.
Deer Lake Shoreland Projects
Don’t end up like this environmental mess!
The Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offers FREE site visits to discuss the best shoreland projects, provide technical advice and cost-share funding. Contact Austin at austin.steere@itascaswcd.org
DLA Spring Newsletter
Take a look at the newsletter here.
ICE-OUT on Deer Lake: April 26
The last few islands of ice blew around the lake until they disappeared, leaving some of the usual destruction on the shore, here and there.

Skating Ice Maze
Looks like the big melt around Christmas has smoothed out the ice for skating, while the wind has blown the light snow into a maze of dunes to skate around and about!

ICE-IN with SUN DOGS
Friday, December 13 was after a very cold night.
We Had ICE-IN this morning accompanied by spectacular sundogs that were really Pillars!


FIRE-WISE: update
The Fire-Wise Program has lost its funding for this year. Nevertheless, efforts are being made to have a private company perform our usual brush pick-up SOMETIME NEXT YEAR. So save your piles over the winter!
Here is a guidance diagram of recommended setbacks:

DLA Road Cleanup
2024
DLA Section: Hwy 62 from N. Bass Lake Road to Christmas Point Road
2022 Coordinators: Chad and Amanda Glader
gladerc@gmail.com or 763-516-6589
Dates:
May 25, Saturday, 9:30am
September 7, Saturday, 9:30am
Please join us for DLA Hwy 62 clean-up where we combine community service and fellowship! Gather in the parking lot of the Baptist Church at 9:30 am, corner of Hwys 62 and 177 on the east side of Deer Lake.
Clean-up takes about an hour. Afterward, you’re invited to the Glader cabin for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. Please contact Chad or Amanda if you’re able to join us gladerc@gmail.com or 763-516-6589

Bear Island Clean-Up
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
