Bertram Lake Beach Now Open!
http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2015/06/05/bertram-lake-swimming-beach-opens-public/28547617/
Posted by Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park (YMCA Camp Manitou) on Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Wright County Mammoth Squash
The following quote appeared in the Minneapolis Farmer’s Union paper on April 5, 1873, edited by Col. J. H. Stevens:
Kids on Giant Squash, Vintage Wisconsin Postcard
“I sent you a few seeds of my Mammoth Squash. I raised it last year, and had it on exhibition at our county fair. It was far ahead of anything of the kind that had ever been seen here. It weighed 142 pounds, measured 6′, 7″ around length-ways and 5′, 9″ around over the top. The color was sage green, deeply ribbed and finely netted all over like a nutmeg melon. The flesh was from 6-8″ in thickness, and of a deep orange color. I baked some in the oven, and it was the sweetest squash I ever tasted. Everyone who saw it wanted seeds, so I have put them up in papers and am selling them. I got about 600 seeds from the squash. I was sorry I had not sent it to the State Fair. I heard there was one there that weighed 140 pounds. I think this is the largest one that has been raised in the State. I was going to call it Minnesota Mammoth Squash, but thought I would give the name to Wright County. We can raise as big things here as anywhere. There will be great strife in raising big squash up here this year. All who can get seeds are going to try. This package I send you is the only one that will leave the county, except one I send to a friend of mine in New Jersey. Let us hear what you can make out with it.
Yours truly,
Geo. M. Bertram.
Monticello, March 17,1873”
Note: Besides being a tailor by trade, George Bertram, along with his wife, Julia, were avid gardeners who grew much of their own fresh vegetables and fruits.
Looking for your Spring Photos!
We’re happy spring is here and we need your Spring Photos for our Capture the Seasons Photo Contest! Please visit…
Posted by Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park (YMCA Camp Manitou) on Thursday, May 7, 2015
SPRING CLEANUP!
Mark your calendars for Spring Cleanup at Bertram ~ Volunteers Needed! Will meet at the South Entrance parking lot at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 2nd. Email for details at friendsofbertram@hotmail.com. ☼
Posted by Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park (YMCA Camp Manitou) on Monday, April 13, 2015
In the previous tidbit, Farms II, I mentioned that the farmers who owned and operated the Bertram Lakes land were stewards or “trustees” of the land. As we enter the final stages of the purchase of this land, we must remind ourselves of this stewardship. I recently came across a quote that is very fitting for us. It reads as follows:
As we enter our own stewardship, let us remind ourselves that we need to preserve, protect, and improve when we can so that future generations can enjoy the land also.
The Farms ~ Part II
The YMCA’s interest in the Bertram Chain of Lakes land first came from donations/purchases by the Lehigh Cement company which owned land on the east side of the lakes, including First Lake.
During the next 15 years (from 1952-1967) neighboring farms were bought up as they began to cease operations. Most of these farms were small one-family operations of dairy, small grain, sheep and cattle and provided a life for these families for almost 100+ years (from 1850-1950+).
These farms were purchased one at a time until the current land area of the Bertram Chain of Lakes was created. All together there are nine (9) farmsteads that can be located on the land, several of which have old foundations and other remains to show where they were.
In the future when all of the land has been purchased and the entire natural area of the park is open to the public, these farmsteads will be marked showing the last two farmers/owners of the land.
Several of these farms produced some specialty crops:
- The corner of Briarwood & 90th Street (horse pasture) was originally a field where sheep were raised for many years. They produced wool, mutton & chops.
- Inside the south entrance and just southeast of the parking lot was the site of a very specific crop; this was the site of a mink farm. The pelts of the mink were used for coats and stoles. Changing attitudes led to its demise.
- Rumor has it that there was a celery farm located near Long Lake but the specific location has not been found.
- Of course,m the YMCA used the land to farm Christmas trees for sale in the cities. Several of the areas are still in existence today but will be redone in the future.
We must be sure to remember and celebrate these early stewards of the land!
