Month: January 2024

Snowshoeing is the perfect way to beat cabin fever, bringing people outside for fresh air and providing a connection with nature that benefits physical and mental health. Snow came late to Minnesota this year, and although there are still areas of the state with little snow cover, there are also many locations in northern and southwest Minnesota with enough snow for snowshoeing. There are many opportunities to participate in snowshoeing on state lands managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Exploring snowshoes is not only great exercise; it is a way to see areas of parks, forests, and other lands that aren’t accessible in summer. When the ground is snow-covered, it’s safe to wander off the trail without the risk of trampling sensitive plants or spreading invasive species by picking up seeds of invasive plants on footwear.

The recreation compass tool is an easy way to find locations for snowshoeing. All types of DNR-managed lands listed below are included on the Recreation Compass map (mndnr.gov/maps/compass.html)

Here are places to enjoy snowshoeing on state lands this winter:

State parks, recreation areas, and trails

Snowshoeing is allowed at all state parks, recreation areas, and trails. Visitors can snowshoe anywhere except on trails groomed explicitly for another activity, such as cross-country skiing or snowmobiling.

Many state parks offer snowshoe rentals for $6 per day. Details are available on the DNR’s state parks snowshoeing webpage (mndnr.gov/state_parks/snowshoeing.html).

Some parks and trail locations offer snowshoeing programs like guided walks and wildlife watching. Participants in these programs are provided with snowshoes if they don’t have their own. To ensure there are enough snowshoes for all participants, many of the programs require advance registration. Most programs are free; more details are available on the DNR’s parks and trails event calendar (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar).

Six locations for those new to the activity offer snowshoeing programs specifically geared toward beginners: Afton, Fort Snelling, Itasca, and Mille Lacs Kathio state parks, Big Bog State Recreation Area, and the Gateway State Trail.

No permit is needed for state trails, but a vehicle permit is required for state parks and recreation areas. The DNR recommends purchasing a permit in advance using the DNR permits webpage (mndnr.gov/permits). Permits can also be purchased at park offices during open hours, which can be found on park web pages (mndnr.gov/parklist).

Scientific and natural areas

Minnesota has 168 scientific and natural areas, and snowshoeing is allowed. Visitors must bring snowshoes and remember that most SNAs do not have maintained trails. Some roads in SNAs are plowed, but parking areas are not in winter. There is no pass or permit needed to visit an SNA.

SNAs recommended for snowshoeing include Bonanza Prairie, Grey Cloud Dunes, Lutsen, Mille Lacs Moraine, Purvis Lake-Ober Foundation, Sand Lake Peatland, St. Croix Savanna, and Wild Indigo.

State forests

Minnesota’s 60 state forests are also great places for snowshoeing. Like in state parks, snowshoers should avoid snowshoeing on trails explicitly groomed for other activities like cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. No permit or pass is needed to snowshoe in state forests.

Those who want to snowshoe in state forests must bring their snowshoes and should be aware that state forests are open to hunting and trapping during the appropriate seasons. Some minor game hunting seasons opened on Jan. 1, and wearing blaze orange or pink is a reasonable safety precaution.

Wildlife management areas

The DNR manages more than 1,500 wildlife management areas. Snowshoeing is allowed at all WMAs; no pass or permit is needed.

People must bring snowshoes and remember that they may share the land with hunters and trappers. Some minor game hunting seasons are open, and it’s a good idea to wear blaze orange or pink even if you are not hunting. People bringing dogs to a WMA should be aware that there are trapping seasons during the winter.

Safety Tips

Being prepared is essential for a safe and fun snowshoeing outing.

• To learn about snowshoeing, check out the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar on snowshoeing and cross-country skiing basics (youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1SKY5pdm4).
• Know before going. Visit the temporary closures webpage (mndnr.gov/closures) for links to information on state forest roads, wildlife management areas, state parks, and state recreation areas.
• Check the weather forecast before heading out, and dress appropriately. The DNR offers a guide to dressing for Minnesota winters (mndnr.gov/dressforwinter).
• Always check ice depth before going into frozen water, and remember that ice is never 100% safe. A life jacket and ice picks are essential safety gear to wear on the ice. Read the DNR ice safety website (mndnr.gov/icesafety) for information.
• Snowshoeing can make people thirsty, even in cold temperatures. Bring water, as drinking water faucets are typically turned off in the winter at locations with drinking water.

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Feeding and attractant bans are in place across the state to prevent unnatural concentrations of wild deer in areas with a higher risk for disease. These bans are precautionary steps the Minnesota DNR took after deer that tested positive for chronic wasting disease were found both in the wild and on deer farms. Feeding bans encompass wider areas because food sources can concentrate deer and allow for close contact, one of the mechanisms for CWD spread. Please find more details on the Minnesota DNR website, including which counties are included in these bans.

The image below shows the counties where this ban is implemented.

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The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo this afternoon starting at 2:00 p.m. This will be a $400 must-go jackpot, the kitchen will serve baskets.

The Crookston Eagles Club will host the U.M.C AgArama Dance tonight from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

The public is welcome to attend the Crookston Public School Wellness Policy Meeting at CHS on Monday, January 29, at 11:00 a.m. in the conference room.

The Children’s Dental Services are hosting a Dental Health Clinic on Tuesday, January 30, and Wednesday, January 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Crookston Polk County Public Health Office. They offer dental hygiene services to people of all ages and they accept Medical Assistance and offer reduced-cost care under an income-based sliding scale. To schedule an appointment, call 612-746-1530 or 866-543-6009.

The Early Childhood Build a Wood Project for ages birth to 5 years will be on Monday, January 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please bring an adult, a Phillips screwdriver, and a hammer. Register early to save your spot by calling 281-5078.

Crookston FFA Alumni and Supporters are meeting on Monday, Jan 29, at 7 p.m. in the High School Ag Room/Shop.  If you are interested in helping support the local student FFA chapter, you can join. You do not have to be a past FFA member to join.

The Washington Elementary School P.T.O. meeting will be on Tuesday, January 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. R.S.V.P. for childcare by January 29.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Night Burger Night on Wednesday, January 31.

North Star 4-H is hosting a Socks & Snacks for Students Drive through January 31. Items needed are socks to fit youth shoe sizes 1 up to  6,  non-perishable, individually-packaged snacks for packing lunches, beverages like Capri Sun and flavored water,  snacks like granola bars, fruit snacks, chips, crackers, popcorn, cookies, and rice krispies treats. Please, NO peanut butter snacks due to allergies. The drop-off locations are Highland School, Washington School, Our Savior’s Lutheran School, Cathedral Church, Shear Sisters, Crookston Floral, Crookston Fire Station, Crookston Library, Tractor Supply (Grand Forks)

RiverView Health will host a four-hour First Aid Class on Thursday, February 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the RiverView Home Care Building, 721 South Minnesota Street in Crookston. The cost of the class is $55. You must pay in advance to save your spot.  To register or for more information, call 281-9536. No walk-ins will be accepted.

RiverView Health will be offering a CPR class on Thursday, February 8, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the RiverView Home Care Building, 721 South Minnesota Street in Crookston. The cost is $55 for those needing certification, and for those not needing certification, the class is free. To register, call 218-281-9536. No walk-ins will be allowed.

The 21^st Annual Ice Buster Daze Fishing Derby in Crookston will be on Saturday, February 10. The Masonic Lodge Breakfast will be 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at 112 West Robert Street. Pancakes, Waffles, sausage, coffee, juice, and milk will be served. It’s a free-will offering with money going to local charities. Ice fishing will be from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the Red Lake River at Central Park. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. $25 for 2 holes. Tickets are being pre-sold at Crookston Ace Hardware and Scott’s True Value. Ticket sales are limited to 300. The Awards Ceremony will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Crookston Eagles. For more information, contact Crookston Ace Hardware at 281-1749 or Brian at 281-7762.

The Camp Confidence Fundraiser Cornhole Tournament will be held on Saturday, February 10, at the Crookston Eagles Club. Registration and check-in will be 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Bags will fly at noon. The cost per team is $40, and Venmo is available. It’s double elimination with payouts for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place.  There are new custom-made boards and bags. Wear your favorite football jersey for a chance at a $20 bar tab. To pre-register, call or text Tandra at 218-289-0575 or Nicole at 443-716-8635.

The Driftbusters Snowmobile Club  Fundraiser Galentine’s  Designer Purse Bingo and Vendor Show, with special guest, Blinked Permanent Jewelry, will be held Tuesday, February 13, at the Crookston Eagles Club. Vendor Show will be from 5:30 to 7:00 and Bingo at 7:00.  Advanced tickets are $40 and $50 at the door. 15 games will be played. There will be door prize drawings throughout the vendor show. For tickets, contact Anna Peterson at 218-280-8994 or Shannon Knaack at 320-309-7308.

The Crookston Gun Club will host its 43rd annual Family Fun Night and Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 24, at the Crookston Eagles Club. There will be a social at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dinner choices will include Prime Rib or Walleye. The price is $30 for adults and $25 for ages under 18. For more information, call Steve Videen at 218-289-2115.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join the Crookston Library winter’s reading adventure Book Blizzard going on now through February 29!! Read to win cozy prizes. Complete a reading log for every four books you listen to or read. Participate at the Crookston Library or online at larl.org/bookblizzard 

The Crookston January pool hours are Monday through Friday- lap swim  6:00 to 9:00 a.m., aqua aerobics 9:00 to 10:00, homeschool open swim 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and open swim 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, mom and tot 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., open swim 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. birthday party slots from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

As the Crookston Care and Share expands, its women’s dormitories are in need of twin bed frames, dressers, lamps, and end tables. Donate: call 218-281-2644.

The Crookston Squadron Civil Air Patrol meets every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Call 218-281-3954 for more information.

Highland Elementary School is looking for new or used winter gloves and snow pants in sizes 8, 9, and 10. If you are interested in donating or have any questions, call 218-281-5600.

Parents of children are invited to register their children for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides one book every month to your child for FREE from when you enroll until they turn five. Crookston Public School manages the program, and you can register at www.ImaginationLibrary.com.

The Crookston Care and Share is now accepting donations of Women’s, Men’s, and children’s clothing, toiletries, and other everyday items. Donations may be dropped off at the Care and Share Center at 220 East Third Street or call 281-2644. The Donation Room is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Polk County Public Health and ECFE will host a Newborn Baby Talk event for parents with babies newborn to 12 weeks every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Crookston Public Library. There will be 2-12 week sessions. January 9-March 26, and April 2-June 18. A public health nurse, parent educator and lactation specialist will be available to answer questions about your newborn and provide support and information on your journey of parenting. A facilitated discussion will cover feeding, attachment, sleep, development, family changes, and returning to work. You can have your baby weighed too.

Every Tuesday (except for Federal Holidays), The Crookston Public Library will host New Born Baby Talk from 9:30 am. to 11:00 a.m. This is for parents with babies 0-12 weeks old. A public health nurse, parent educator, and lactation specialist will be available to answer questions about your newborn and provide support and information on your new journey of parenting.

The Crookston Public Library’s Books & Brews Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. at Drafts Sports Bar and Grill. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages. Appetizers are provided by the Friends of the Crookston Public Library; participants are responsible for the cost of their food and drinks. All are welcome.

The Crookston Public Library’s Reading by the Red Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages.

The Crookston Public Library will have StoryTime every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Golden Link is serving noon lunch Monday through Friday. All are welcome to dine in between the hours of 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Crookston Friends of the Library meet on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

The Crookston Library Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m.

The Cove Youth Center in Crookston is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Students and parents should call ahead to check the availability of the youth center at 218-470-0149.

The Crookston Care and Share Center’s Donation and New Hope Food Shelf will be open every Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information or to donate, call 218-277-0000.

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College students: Experience outdoor adventure through the Minnesota DNR summer internships.

Don’t miss out on your chance to start your career in natural resources. The DNR has more than 200 summer internships available throughout the state that will give hands-on experience in a variety of roles, including wildlife management, waterfowl banding, fisheries management, and more. The deadline to apply for a paid summer internship with the DNR is Wednesday, January 31. Do you know someone who would love to join the team? For more information, including how to apply, go to the DNR website

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Good things come to those who wait. For Jade Luckow and Andrew Rocha, both of Crookston, that “good thing’’ was the birth of their baby, Clover Cole Rocha, born Jan. 17. Clover was also that “good thing’’ for the RiverView Health community, as Clover was the long-awaited first baby born in Crookston in 2024.

Clover made her way into the world with a full head of dark hair at 2:24 pm on Wednesday, two days beyond her due date. She weighed 8 pounds 15.5 ounces and was 20 ¾ inches long. Dr. Kari Wessman delivered Clover.

The newborn’s grandparents are Christina Cameron, Red Lake Falls; Melissa and Cory Schuler; Greg Luckow; and Andrew Rocha, Sr. and Alesha Sirek; all of Crookston.

From No Babies to Two in a Matter of Hours

Jade said she hadn’t considered the possibility that she’d have the first baby in 2024 until Dr. Wessman decided induction was necessary because she suspected the baby was growing too big to wait. 

Then, after weeks without the cry of a newborn in the OB Unit, Jade and another woman were in labor at the same time, both vying for the delivery of the first baby of 2024. Clover was born just a few hours before the second baby born at RiverView in 2024.

“That’s pretty much how it goes,’’ Annie Waldal, director of RiverView’s Inpatient Unit and Emergency Department, said with a smile, referring to the stretches between births and then the arrival of several babies in a short time.  As for Clover’s delivery, Jade reported everything went well. “Praise the person who created the epidural,’’ she smiled.

Andrew said the only thing he hadn’t anticipated about the experience was how big his little girl would be upon arrival, as Dr. Wessman had predicted.

A RiverView Family
Jade and Andrew were both born at RiverView. Dr. Erik Kanten, who continues his Family Medicine with Obstetrics practice at RiverView, delivered Andrew. Altru provider Dr. Aliya Shamsi delivered Jade.  “Having our baby at RiverView meant I was able to connect with my doctor on a more personal level, rather than being in a bigger hospital and being just one of so many patients,’’ Jade shared. “Everyone here (RiverView) was really helpful. A couple of the nurses were my mom’s high school friends, so it was like a Red Lake Falls reunion in here,’’ she laughed. 

The couple appreciated being in the same room from start to finish and were enjoying their special celebratory meal in that room early Thursday afternoon before going home, just 24 hours after Clover’s arrival. “This is a very nice hospital room,’’ Jade said while looking around the delivery suite opened in 2020, “but it will be good to go home.’’

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