Enjoy demonstrations in maple syrup making, rug hooking, and more!

Celebrate the open house of Running Dog Ranch today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Take the scenic drive and enjoy the demonstrations by instructors in maple syrup making, rug hooking, knitting, and, depending upon the weather, natural horsemanship.  Check out some of the amazing items that we have available in conjunction with the 100 mile garage sale.

Our open house kicks off our classes and activities for the 2013 season.  We offer the classes in a log cabin, which is located near Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthplace.  As an artist and licensed art teacher, this spot inspired my soul, and I thought that it might do the same for my students.  I have a passion to help students identify and pursue what brings them joy.  That’s why we renovated an historic Swedish farmstead into our learning center.

Stop by this weekend and share the magic of our beautiful place atop the bluff.  Find out more about our creative, engaging activities.  Be prepared for the greeting of our friendly animals as you enter the ranch.  See them here first.

We’d love to see you,
Corrine Young

PS  Here are directions.  From the Great River Road, turn onto Spring Street.  Follow it to County Road J, which is the right fork at the Y, and continue to East Pine Creek Road, about five miles.  Turn left onto East Pine Creek Road and go about two miles where you will find Running Dog Ranch on the left.  Follow the signs into Running Dog Ranch. 

See a live owl, eagle, and other raptors at our open house…

We cordially invite you to Maiden Rock Cidery and Winery’s open house next weekend, Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Savor our unique pairings of food, cider, and wine, including our Honeycrisp Hard Cider, Dolgo Crabapple Wine, and our newest release Apfelweiss.  Discover more about our cider and wine by taking a cidery and winery tour at 12, 2, or 4 p.m. both days.

The entire day Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Amanda Rundquist will DJ music provided by Sundown Digital Karaoke.  Amanda’s passion for music shows.  She is a talented professional singer/songwriter who loves to draw you into a song.  The Sundown Digital Karaoke offers a clean, crisp sound for easy listening and singing.  Join Amanda in song and have fun!

We are excited about the special presentation by the Raptor Center featuring a live owl, eagle, and other raptors from 1 - 2 p.m. on Sunday.  Your admission to this program is free.  You are welcome to donate to the Raptor Center if you like.  We will be giving 10% of every sale on Sunday to the Raptor Center.  After the presentation, take a walk through our orchard and notice the raptor perches we have set up.

Mark your calendar and attend our open house next weekend, May 4 and 5.

We’d love to see you again,
Herbie, Carol, and staff
Maiden Rock Cidery and Winery    

Lake Pepin’s amazing fifth season is almost here…

Every year as the snow melts, Lake Pepin experiences its fifth season, flooding.  Right now the water is high, but the flooding into Village Park has not yet begun.  When the snowpack in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin melts, we expect the park to be flooded as it is every spring.  The high water mark remains noticeable on some of the trees in the park.  At one time, the larger trees were fenced to prevent beaver from girdling the trees during the flood season.  Girdling can kill a large tree.  With fewer beaver today, the trees are no longer fenced because the girdling threat is gone.

The flooding season helped the formation of Lake Pepin.  The lake was formed by the fast-flowing Chippewa River dumping sediment into the slower-moving Mississippi.  The sediment raised the river bottom, forming a sandy delta.  This created a natural dam, an impediment to the Mississippi River’s flow.  The natural dam slowed the river, and the water upriver broadened out, forming Lake Pepin.  During flooding season, the Chippewa River brings more water and, consequently, more sediment, which continues to replenish the natural dam.

During the fifth season, the river, the lake, and the park offer views that you cannot experience any other time of the year.  We encourage you to visit during the next few weeks and see these amazing views.  Bring your cameras and binoculars to get the best look at a safe distance.  Stop by Stockholm for a refreshing beverage, delicious food, and fascinating merchandise.  Take a look at the new items for spring in the shops.

We’d love to see you again,
Stockholm Merchants

Help the dogs and have a fun night this Saturday.

Help us raise funds to support our 2013 Dog Days event, “Puppy Party at the Pier,” and area animal shelters and rescues this Saturday, April 13, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Widespot Performing Arts Center in Stockholm.  We have a fun evening planned.  Bid on one of many silent auction items that have been donated by local artists, businesses, and community members.  From Maria Dudley Kowalski’s original painting which is the featured image for the 2013 Dog Days poster to original art from several local artists to tickets to Widespot events to a sailboat ride to lunch with Mary Logue, choose from exciting offers that you can’t find elsewhere.  Take a look at our growing list here.

Enjoy the new music of Patchoulli, a beloved folk duo, and join the release party for their new CD, Anything Is Possible.  Their infectious harmonies reflect world-influenced rhythms and flamenco-style guitar.  Have fun and smile!

Savor the mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres created by master chef Judy Krohn, formerly of the Harbor View Café, and the delightful desserts from Ruth Ralch of the Jenny Lind Bakery.  Visit the cash bar for a refreshing beverage.

Meet host Pat Kessler from WCCO-TV and his dog Shelby.  Last year Pat, Shelby, and over 100 families helped us raise over $8,000.  Help us exceed that figure this year so that we can assist more dogs.  Tell your friends, too.  The event is free and open to the public.

We’d love to see you there,
Mary Anne Collins Svoboda