Clean Up and Buckthorn Busting
It’s Spring Clean Up Time!
Where: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012 1 – 4 pm
The Friends of Bertram Lakes is partnering with the Boy Scouts this year for a Spring Clean Up and Work Day at Bertram Lakes Regional Park. We have lots of great projects we could use some help with so we are inviting the public for a fun day of helping a great cause.
Come enjoy the park and pick up trash or help us bust some buckthorn. Trash bags will be provided. Please bring along gloves. For buckthorn removal we will have a few pruning loppers but bring yours along if you have one. We will meet on the south side of the park off 90th Street. Questions, call Colleen at 651-983-3481.
Another Terrific Open House!
Martyn's Slide Show
Thanks to everyone who attended the Friends of Bertram Lakes Open House on Saturday. Martyn Dibben did a really nice slide show presentation and attendees learned which areas of the park we own and which are open for public use.
There was a nice discussion of the committees available for those who want to participate in helping the Friends of Bertram Lakes and many people signed up to help. We are especially happy that we will be able to see so many of you at the Park Clean Up Day this Spring.
We appreciate all of your involvement and can’t wait until the next time! 
Open House
The Friends of the Bertram Chain of Lakes invite you to learn more about what’s happening at the 500 acre regional park and how you can become involved in supporting the park.
Join the Friends for cookies, coffee and more information at their Open House on Saturday, February 11th from 10 AM to Noon at the Monticello Community Center.
Hatchet Harry Halloween Story
Hatchet Harry – A Halloween Story
Thanks to Colleen Allen for the following story . . . just in time for Halloween . . .
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There was a boy named Harry who grew up on a farmstead in what is now Bertram Park. His house is gone now, it burned down, but there is still an old stone foundation and grainery there. Harry was born at the farm in the 1940’s where he lived and he stayed there until… well we will get to that.
Harry helped out on the farm as all kids had to do back in those days. He did chores around the farm like take care of animals and pick rocks. His dad was really mean to him. He would call him stupid and other much worse names. He also beat him terribly. Once his dad took him out on the tractor to pick rocks and harry slipped and his right foot got run over by the tractor tire. For the rest of his life, Harry walked with a slight limp.
To take out his frustrations when his dad called him names and beat him, Harry would go out to the grainery and beat things around. He would kick buckets and milking cans. He would take a shovel and knock stuff off the wall. He was just so angry. Once when he was out in the grainery, his dad came out there to get him, and Harry took a hatchet off the wall and killed his dad with it. Then Harry felt bad of course. He stayed out in the grainery all day until his mother got worried and came looking for him and his father. Harry was afraid, and remember he wasn’t very smart, so he did the only thing he could think of at the time. He took the hatchet and killed his mom too.
Well, harry ran off after that and nobody really knows what happened to him. Some people say that he was captured and sent to a mental institution in Wilmar where he was locked up until he died in there. Others swear they still see Harry wandering around Bertram Park.
There have been many sightings and strange occurrences that just can’t seem to be explained. You see Harry always wore bib overalls, a patterned shirt and a baseball cap. One day at YMCA camp, some of the kids saw a strange man over by a gate with, bib overalls, a patterned shirt and a baseball cap. This was the area between the two lakes where there is only one way in, and one way out. He entered the area and one of the counselors used a walkie talkie to call down to the other counselors on the other side. Guess what, no one ever came through…. On either side. They went looking for him but didn’t find anyone.
Another time there was a kid named Tom who went to camp there for a lot of years. He knew the camp better than just about anyone. He lived nearby so when he was in high school, he used to come out and go fishing. One day he saw someone, wearing guess what, bib overalls, a patterned shirt and a baseball cap. He was over by the pump which is where Tom had parked his truck. Tom hadn’t locked his truck so he was worried about it and he came into shore to check on it. Guess what, no one was there. And if you have ever been by the pump, you will know that it is really sandy right there. Tom found that it was really spooky because, there were no footprints in the sand where he had just seen the guy.
There are other stories too including ones about cats. Some say that the spirit of Hatchet Harry lives on, in a black cat. Many black cat sightings have occurred amongst YMCA campers through the years. Many were by the old grainery where you know what happened. Black cat sightings have also happened by the chalet. Sometimes, a cat would walk along the rail of a building and spook all the kids in the class.
Once, someone was out by the old grainery trying to clean up the place because there was a lot of old junk out there. He took an axe, much like the old hatchet that harry used, and he cut off a branch of an old tree. He pulled on the branch because it didn’t come all the way off, and guess what happened? The branch left a mark in the tree in the shape of… a cat. That mark is still there today! I found it last year! And while I was looking at it, I felt a little prickle at the back of neck, like someone was watching me! Next time you are out at Bertram, keep on the look out for black cats and say hi to Harry if you see him!
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If you enjoyed this story remember to share it with your friends . . . there is still time before Halloween!
Important Action Alert
IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT
This ACTION ALERT just in from Marc Mattice:
The House Legacy Committee has completed its work on its Legacy bill voted to bill out of committee on Wednesday (4-27). The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will amend its bill and vote the bill out of committee today (4-28).
Where we stand:
The park and trail legacy split in the House bill is 40% exclusive to DNR, 40% exclusive to metro parks, and 20% is non-exclusive funding to the Statewide Grants Program which metro counties and agencies can apply for. The park and trail legacy split in the Senate is 37% to DNR, 37% to metro park, and 26% to the Statewide Grant Program exclusive to Greater MN. These splits are exclusive to each of the three entities. The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition fully supports the senate language, while urging House members to vote for the House plan as the best deal that could be reached in the body.
Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market!
Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Farmer’s Marketing on a very cold and rainy day!
In addition to our booth, there were fresh breads, maple syrup, canned
goods, first of the season asparagus, wonderful photos, educational information, flowers, plant, state-of-the-art fertilizers, and much, much more.
AND . . . we even had live accordion music! A great day out in spite of the cold.
We’ll be there again on Thursday, June 9th from 3:00 until 7:00 PM. We hope you can join us!
Important Call to Action
CALL TO ACTION – May 17, 2011
Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes would like to put a call out to anyone who can attend the Monticello Parks and Trails Public Meeting.
What: Monticello Parks and Trails Public Meeting
When: Tuesday, May 17th at 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Where: Monticello Community, Mississippi Room
We need bodies in the room. It’s very important supporters of Bertram Lakes attend this meeting to show their support.
You don’t need to speak, but if you do have questions about the park you can ask them at this meeting. However, if you can even be in the room and show your support of the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help!
Wright County Trail and Bikeway Plan
Wright County Trail and Bikeway Plan Ready for Review
Wright County is unveiling the Draft Trail and Bikeway Plan at two community meetings this June. The first meeting is Wednesday, June 1, 2011 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Clearwater City Hall (605 County Road 75, Clearwater, MN 55320). The second meeting is on Monday, June 6, 2011 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Wright County Public Works Building in Buffalo (1901 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN 55313). A summary of the plan will be presented at 7:00 p.m.
The goal of the Trail and Bikeways Master Plan is to improve county-wide connectivity and to foster active living. The Wright County Plan is a guide to future bikeway and trail development, operations,and implementation. The Plan was funded by a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement Program and Live Wright.
The public is invited to view the Plan, hear a brief presentation and provide their ideas and suggestions. The Plan can also be viewed on-line from May 27th onward. Input from the public, County officials and County staff will help shape the final plan which is likely to go before the County Board in late June.
Family Fun Day 2011 A Success
Thanks for Participating in Family Fun Day!
Saturday was a picture perfect day for exploring the planned Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
The Family Fun Day is an opportunity for visitors to experience the full breadth of what is planned to be a 1200 acre regional park cooperatively owned and operated by Wright County and the City of Monticello.
The park saw close to 900 visitors on Saturday – a mix of new and returning visitors from across the County and beyond.
To see the public photo album, follow this link:
Among the host of activities:
A Narrated horse-drawn carriage ride around the north side of Long Lake.
Buckthorn walking sticks, made with the help of the Friends of Bertram Lakes Regional Park
Fishing off the docks at Bertram – and the sunnies were biting!
Face-painting by Monticello Royalty at Bertram Beach
Kayaking and Canoeing at Long Lake – with kayaks and canoes courtesy of Clear Water Outfitters
Critters including snakes and lizards from the MN Herpetological Society
At the amphitheatre – Animals Nobody Loves and Raptors from the Wildlife Science Center.
Thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors and organizations that make the event so successful – Xcel Energy, Cargill Corporation, Clear Water Outfitters, Moon Motors, FiberNet Monticello, theMonticello Lions, New River Medical Center, Veolia, Wright County Sheriff’s Dept (mounted patrol), the MCC staff, the Friends of Bertram Lakes and last, but certainly not least, the Park Departments of the City and County, who ready the park for the event and make it look effortless!
The Friends of Bertram Lakes, the City of Monticello and Wright County continue to work to make this park a reality. We invite residents to visit the 370 acres of public park this summer and we thank you for all of your support!
Please leave your comments and stories below!
Win $100,000 and The Title of “America’s Favorite Park”
Win $100,000 and The Title of “America’s Favorite Park”
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We could win $100,000 for Bertram Chain of Lakes, but we need your help! Please go to this site to vote . . . www.LivePositively.com.
This could be huge for Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park and so we’re hoping you’ll tell your friends and spread the word! All the details are below in this message from the National Recreation and Park Association.
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Does one of your parks need money for much-needed improvements? Well now it only takes the click of a button!
This summer, Coca-Cola is kicking off the second annual America Is Your Park campaign that encourages families to get active outdoors in parks across the country.
Encourage your citizens to vote on www.LivePositively.com for a park in your area to win the title of “America’s Favorite Park” and a 100,000 recreation grant!
America Is Your Park was developed by Coca-Cola in collaboration with NRPA. The Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative will award a $100,000 recreation grant to the park with the most votes, a $50,000 grant to the second-place park, and a $25,000 grant to the third-place park. These grants can help buy new equipment, restore activity areas, build trails, or simply make your park an overall better place for your citizens.
Get active and vote on www.LivePositively.com by Sept. 6, 2011, so one of your parks can be crowned America’s favorite this summer!
Last year’s winner, Bear Head Lake State Park in Ely, Minn., beat out hundreds of others to be named “America’s Favorite Park.” This small park received more than 1.6 million votes.
So get your park supporters active outdoors spreading the word, conducted voting drives, and energizing online social networks!
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Thanks for all of your help in getting the word out! Let’s see another small park in Minnesota win this year too!
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Great News! Another YES Vote!
Great News! Make Sure to Write a Thank You Email . . .
Today the County Board voted 3-2 (Sawatzke, Thelen and Eichelberg), to provide the County share of the local match to complete a phase 3 acquisition at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park, this phase includes the area between Long and Bertram Lakes.
Now we will be working with the YMCA on a closing date, survey of the property, appraisal, update to the MOU, and purchase agreements. The goal is to complete the purchase by the end of 2011.
We’d like to encourage you to write and email thank you to each of the three commissioners supporting the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Please take a minute to write (sample text provided below):
patrick.sawatzke@co.wright.mn.us
elmer.eichelberg@co.wright.mn.us
Sample Text: “Thank you for voting YES to provide the county share of the local match to complete phase 3 acquistion of teh Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.”
We know they would love to hear from you! Thanks so much for your continued support!
Spring Clean Up Day
Join Us for Spring Clean Up Day!
We will be cleaning up the area surrounding Bertram Lakes and we could use your help.
What: Spring Clean Up Day
When: Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
Where: The future home of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Driving Directions to the Land: Take 39 West to Briarwood Avenue, Go South on Briarwood 1 mi.,
Park will be on the left side.
Details: We’ll supply the plastic bags, but we suggestion you wear waterproof footwear and work gloves.
It’s a great way for the whole family to spend time outdoors and you’ll be donating time to a good cause. Together we can keep this land pristine!
We hope to see you there!
Jim’s History Corner – Best Little Park by a Dam Site
As you meander south from the beach, you walk on a trail between Lake Bertram and Long Lake. Eventually you come to where Otter Creek exits Lake Bertram which is spanned by a concrete structure – a dam. This dam was constructed in 1942 by the U.S. Conservation Services and became under the 
control of the Minnesota Department of Conservation (now the D.N.R.). Originally there was a concrete “Power House” located on the south end of the dam which electrically controlled the level of Lake Bertram by raising or lowering the two “stoplogs”. Approximately 300 feet southwest of the dam is a flat area where the builders of the dam pitched their tents In those days workers often camped near their project to minimize cost and transportation. A capped well still exists in the area. Annual fluxuation in the water level of Lake Bertram are so minimal that the dam in its present form serves an appropriate purpose.
Lake Ice
Jim’s History Corner – Lake Ice
Over 100 years ago, before electricity and refrigeration, people used ice boxes with blocks of ice to keep many of their foods cool and safe. Many residents of Monticello and the surrounding area needed a fresh and available supply of ice to provide their needs.
They were happy to have this supply within a horse and wagon ride away – the Bertram Chain of Lakes. Actually, the lake most used was Long Lake. Under the south end of the lake there is a large spring that provided clean, fresh water to the lake and for this reason the ice during the winter was clear and fresh, also.
The west end of the lake currently has a boat landing which was the original entry point for the men who would do the cutting of the ice. The cutting itself wa
s quite unique – holes were drilled by an auger to make room for the saws which then cut the ice into chunks.
After being cut, the blocks were hauled by wagon to the ice house which was located near the beach on Bertram and east of the pump.
The ice was cut for many years from Long Lake and was a very renewable supply for the residents of the area. Packed in straw it could last through the summer.
I should also mention that over a hundred years ago there were very few trees and underbrush between the boat landing on Long Lake and the beach on Bertram. It was mostly pastureland. This made it a lot easier to haul the ice from Long Lake to the ice house by the Bertram beach.
Directions to Bertram
DIRECTIONS TO BERTRAM CHAIN OF LAKES
TO 90th STREET ENTRANCE – PUBLIC PROPERTY
From Monticello:
Head west on Chelsea Road. Take a left onto 90th Street NE. Follow for 1.8 miles. Bertram Park entrance is on the RIGHT.
From the North:
94 East to Exit 193, MN-25. At the top of the exit turn RIGHT onto MN-25 S. Go .2 miles and then turn RIGHT onto Chelsea Road. Go .7 miles and then turn LEFT onto 90th Street NE. The Bertram Park is on the RIGHT.
From the South:
94 West to Exit 193, MN-25. At the top of the exit turn LEFT onto MN-25 S. Go .2 miles and then turn RIGHT onto Chelsea Road. Go .7 miles and then turn LEFT onto 90th Street NE. The Bertram Park is on the RIGHT.
TO BRIARWOOD ENTRANCE – PRIVATE PROPERTY (owned by the YMCA), but used on FAMILY FUN DAY
From Monticello:
Head west on County Road 39 from Broadway Street West. Go 3.1 miles to Briarwood Ave NE. Go South(left) 1.5 miles. Entrance is on your left.
From the South:
Head north on State Highway 25. Go west (left) onto County Road 37 for .7 miles. Turn right (North) onto Cahill Ave NE and follow to 90th Street NE. Take a left and the 1st right is Briarwood Ave. Entrance is on your right.
From the West:
Head east on County Road 39 to Briarwood Ave NE. Turn right (South) for 1.5 miles. Entrance is on your left.
From the North:
Take 94 East to Exit 193, State Highway 25. At the top of the exit turn RIGHT onto State Highway 25 South. Go .2 miles and then turn RIGHT onto Chelsea Road. At the intersection to County Road 39, turn LEFT onto County Road 39. Follow to Briarwood Ave NE. Turn left on Briarwood (south) for 1.5 miles. Entrance is on your left.
Purchased As of February 2012
Sioux Uprising of 1862
Jim’s History Corner – Sioux Uprising of 1862
The Civil War usually dominates American History from 1860 -1865. But in 1862 the Sioux Uprising had a very strong effect on the residents of the Monticello area. With many men away at
war in the South, their rural families were left feeling very insecure in 1862 when the Sioux rose in revolt to their treatment by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Though much of the uprising took place south and west of the Monticello area, fear became rampant throughout Wright County. In reaction, most rural families fled to Monticello for protection. A “fort” of upright logs was built around the then Monticello “academy” to help protect the families.
Do you have friends who are history buffs? Make sure to forward this link … we appreciate your support!
