Small Town Life

Small Town Life and Business Opportunity Led Vickie Hasbargen to “Get Hooked for Life” in Lake of the Woods.

For Vickie Hasbargen, living in the Lake of the Woods Community was an easy choice. After marrying in 1998, she moved just east of Lake of the Woods as she obtained employment at CHI Lakewood Health. She was immediately attracted to the area for the small town lifestyle, world-class outdoor opportunities, and great community amenities.

“I found Baudette to be a quaint little town with many friendly folks. I remember thinking how great of a community this would be to raise children. The school system offered so much for a small town, there are several different churches making it easy for one to find the denomination they were seeking. Baudette also offers a great Health Care facility…”

As the daughter of owners of a floral shop in International Falls, Vickie spent her pre-teen hours in the flower shop, creating her own custom flower arrangements. It was a natural fit for Vickie to go into the business for herself, and in November 2014 she opened Boutique Baudette, formally Baudette Floral and Gifts. Over the last three year Boutique Baudette has provided the Lake of the Woods community a full service floral and gift shop. During that time she’s also added custom apparel printing, embroidery, and same day digital photo developing service. In the near future Boutique Baudette will be opening the Rogue Bean Coffee Shop. It will be nestled inside the store with a drive up window for those in a hurry, and cozy seating for those seeking a place to gather with friends. They will offer gourmet coffees, smoothies, light breakfasts, and lunches and treats.

Her advice for anyone considering Lake of the Woods:

“Be willing to grow and change to accommodate the things that are important to the community.”

Baudette Floral and Gifts is located at 211 Main St, Baudette, MN. Check out their website at www.boutiquebaudette.com or find them on Facebook by searching “Boutique Baudette”.

 

Page 1 Launches…

Promotional Product Division

Page 1 Launches Promotional Product Division

Page 1 Publications and the Northern Light Region launched their promotional products division with a launch party held last Wednesday evening, October 18 at Rosalie’s in Baudette. An afternoon open house was held Thursday, October 19 at the Northern Light Region office.
“It was wonderful to see the many things they have to offer. We will definitely be placing our order soon. Great company and staff,” said Tammy Reasy of Custom Auto Body and Repair, a guest at the launch party.
Earlier this summer, Page 1 made the decision to begin a new venture to help local businesses extend their reach. The new division, Page 1 Promotions, provides a resource to purchase promotional products locally. As part of a large wholesale buying group, the Page 1 team can do the work of searching for products for the customer, and with over 700,000 products (and counting) available, the possibilities for personalized promotional products are endless.
Page 1 is proud to provide local service to their customers, as well as knowledge of the industry and access to a huge variety of products. Customers will also receive discounted shipping on all orders.
Promotional products are not just give away items such as mugs, magnets, etc., but can also serve as a money-makers for businesses. Products with company-branding make great gift shop souvenirs as well as holiday gifts or thank you gifts to larger customers.
From key chains, magnets and mugs, to etched wine bottles, yard signs, floor mats and much more, Page 1 offers all that and more. Their motto is “If you can imagine it, we can put your name on it.”
For more information, please call 218-634-2700 or go to page1publications.com and click on the green Page 1 Promotions logo on the right side of the page.
Article & photo credit: Northern Light Region
Promotional Product Division

New Construction

New Construction Baudette, MN

The Lake of the Woods EDA is partnering with the Headwaters Housing Development Corporation build two single-family homes in Baudette. The homes are on adjoining lots located near the intersection of 4th Avenue Southeast and 1st Street Southeast in east Baudette. Both homes are 1,500 square foot single-floor homes with open floor plans and attached garages. The asking price for each home is $145,000 , for more information inquiries can be made to Matt McFarland at (218) 333-6539 or mmcfarland@hrdc.org.

 

Drifters Prepare…

Lake of the Woods Drifters Prepare for First Year of Trail Grooming

By: Doris Knutson
Northern Light Region
After riding the Border/Northern Connection trails for many years, the Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club will now take over the grooming of those trails as well.
After the company that groomed the land trails stepped down from the task after last snowmobile season, earlier this year the Drifters approached the Lake of the Woods County Board to seek funding for the purchase of the equipment required for the extensive trail grooming. Previously, the Drifters were responsible only for the grooming of the lake and river trails.
Now the proud new owners of that equipment, once the snow is deep enough, the club will begin the task of grooming the hundreds of miles of connected trails in the area. That means the club will now provide grooming services for 63 miles of lake trails, 11 miles of river trails and 272 miles of land trails. The club also maintains all of their shelters that are set up in various locations along those trails, which extend as far north as the Northwest Angle, west as far as Warroad, south to Waskish and as far east as Big Falls and up to International Falls.
In addition to the trail grooming services they provide, the Drifters have also been involved in many community service activities and have been a major contributor to charities and other organizations within the county. All told, the club has donated nearly $50,000 to various organizations and events in the area, including Baudette’s Fourth of July fireworks, Dollars For Scholars, the American Cancer Society, and the Take a Kid Fishing Program, to name just a few.
If you would like to join the club or require additional information, the Lake of the Woods Drifters will hold their annual membership drive on Saturday, October 14 at the VFW in Baudette, with dinner/social hour at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 7:00.
Current board members are Tessa Strohl, Marty Mollberg, Heather Orton, Mariah Mollberg, Michael Strohl and Randy Orton. The club is seeking one additional board member.

International Bridge…

International Bridge Construction Set to Begin in May of 2018

Article Credit: Mike Hovde
Preparations for the new International Bridge linking Baudette and Rainy River are nearing an end.
In the past weeks and months all United States environmental analysis and documentation has been completed and bridge features such as color, shapes, railings, etc. have been finalized.
Construction plans for the bridge and approach roadways are being prepared and preliminary staging plans are to be presented at a public meeting to be held in Rainy River on October 4, 2017.  That meeting will take place from 4-7 p.m.as part of the Ontario Environmental Assessment requirements. The meeting is taking place at the Rainy River Rec Centre.
Other upcoming highlights on the bridge construction timeline include:
• November 2017: Construction plans will be completed.
• December 2017: Design and Construction Report, an Ontario Environmental Document, will be completed including a 30-day public review period.
• February 2018: A contractor will be chosen to build the project.
• Spring 2018: An open house will be held in Baudette/Rainy River to discuss construction plans and timelines.
• May 2018: Projected start of construction activities.
• Summer 2020: The new bridge is anticipated to be open for traffic.
   

WANT TO START…

WANT TO START OR GROW YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

If you’re not afraid to work hard, dream big & get creative, you can live your dream life in Lake of the Woods County. Many people in our region are achieving great success by becoming an entrepreneur (and creating their own jobs). Whether you’re already a business owner, or are just exploring an idea, the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Authority (EDA) is here to help.
EDA staff want to meet you and help you realize your dream of owning a successful business. On Tuesday, September 19th Director Ryan Zemek will be at the Lake of the Woods Tourist Information Center to provide entrepreneurs business assistance between 10:30 am – 4:00 pm.
For more information contact please contact EDA Director Ryan Zemek at (218) 333-6541 or rzemek@hrdc.org