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We’ve received news of an important update coming out of Madison about the new pier registration laws.  The legislation, which was to go into effect this April, has been extended by one year.

If you’re wondering about the details of the legislation, and how to qualify for “grandfathering” of your current pier, take a look at this page from the WI DNR website.

Michael Brisky

Spring has finally arrived here in Northwestern WI! Although we’ve seen some stretches of warm weather in the past few weeks, it now appears we’re finally going to see some great weather.  Its Friday afternoon, and its 65 and sunny.  The next 10 days are looking to be just as warm too.

Saturday (tomorrow) is the WI fishing opener, which usually marks the unofficial start of the summer and the busiest season for us here at Lakewoods.  Real Estate activity has been very solid all the way through the winter for us, and is continuing to pick up.

If you’re planning on heading out on the area lakes for the fishing opener, best of luck!  Remember that early in the season, its easiest to find fish in the warmer, shallower areas.  Here is the scouting report on one of the best fishing lakes (especially early season), the Minong Flowage:

Hello all! We’re enjoying a busy winter so far here at Lakewoods. As we all know, the winter season (and the weather especially) can be a bit unpredictable, but we’ve seen a healthy amount of snow which certainly has provided some great snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, and ice fishing conditions.

Its a great time of year to come and explore Northwestern Wisconsin. The days are getting longer, and the weather is gradually starting to warm up making conditions ideal for all winter activities. Hayward’s American Birkebeiner is taking place on Saturday, February 26. This is a wonderful event worth checking out.

We have some great listings available here at Lakewoods Real Estate. Head on over to our website to see our full inventory.

The weather forecast is calling for mid-to-upper 30′s for this weekend so head out and enjoy it!

Michael Brisky
Lakewoods Real Estate

If you are in the Minong area over New Year’s make sure and make your way over to GRANDMA LINK’S!! It is going to be quite the Celebration because Grandma Link’s will be closing January 2nd, 2011 till Spring of 2011.

So you will have to make sure you get your favorite food and drinks at Grandma’s Links before Jan 2nd!!!

They will have the band Ruff House there on New Year’s Eve to Rock in 2011!!!

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog

Duluth, MN Bentleyville will reopen one more time this year to allow families to celebrate the New Year from 3:00-10:00 PM at Bayfront Park.

Grab your skates for some holiday skating fun from 3:00 to 5:00 PM with marshmallow roasting and music provided by NU92.

The Park opens at 5:00 pm for everyone to enjoy a final tour of the 2010 light display. This fun-filled day will include a spectacular fireworks display scheduled to start at 6:00 PM.

Admission is free.

For more Bentleyville New Years Eve information go to www.bentleyvilleusa.org

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog

Burlaga, Melissa. Northland’s NewsCenter: News, Weather, Sports | NBC, CBS, MyNetworkTV, and The CW for Duluth MN / Superior WI. 28 Dec. 2010. Web. 29 Dec. 2010.

Regifting: It’s temping, cost-effective and potentially embarrassing.

Repurposing a useful gift is really a manners minefield. So how do you turn that extra set of wine glasses into the perfect gift for your brother without getting caught?

Here are a few tips on how to emerge scot-free, while passing along an unwanted item.

Make sure they’ll dig it

When it comes right down to it, regifting isn’t exactly honest. So make it as honest as you can: If you have a gift that you know will just sit in your closet and you’re certain your friend, brother or whoever will truly enjoy it, that’s a worthwhile sentiment.

The best items to regift are the ones that have no practical use to you — sheets for a twin bed when all you’ve got is a king, or a cool strap for that guitar you sold last summer.

It has to be new

The item must be new and in its original packaging without any damage or sign of being opened. Keep it classy. No one wants a used gift. And you don’t want to raise any eyebrows with an extra layer of packing tape.

Keep grandma’s sweater

It’s disrespectful to regift a personal, handmade present. What would grandma think? You should really consider the feelings of the person who put in the time and effort — even if you want the gift as far from you as possible.

For handmade clothing that doesn’t fit or for something handmade that’s otherwise useless to you, you’re better off donating it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army than regifting it.

Also, whether it’s a sweater or a jar of homemade pickles, passing it on could spark all kinds of troubling questions: “Wow, did you make this? I didn’t know you could knit!” “Tell me about making pickles!”

No receipts!

Be certain that there are no notes or receipts that indicate the gift was originally given to you, especially if the gift was packed inside a gift box with tissue paper. You’d be surprised how easy it is for an old note card to hide in those nooks and crannies. It would be a terribly awkward way to get caught, especially if you’ve found the perfect (re)gift for your boyfriend’s dad.

Step outside the social circle

If you received something at an office party, don’t send it back into the office — unless you’re being openly tongue-in-cheek. Same for family. Any chance of someone noticing a regifted item on somebody else’s mantlepiece could put you in the doghouse.

If you can’t remember who gave it to you, avoid regifting! Just think of the possible embarrassment.

You can always just be honest

It’s definitely the more complicated route, but you could just play it straight. Explain that you received that set of wine glasses, that punch bowl or that book and weren’t going to use it, but you thought it would be perfect for Aunt Sue. As long as you know what Aunt Sue likes, there’s a good chance she’ll thank you. And when that happens, everyone wins.

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog

“Regift.” Wired How-To Wiki. Web. 27 Dec. 2010. .

Northern Wisconsin 7 day extended forecast!

Up here in the Northwoods we received another 8 inches of snow on top of the 10 inches 2 weeks ago! We have a good base of snow on the trails and most all of the trails are open and marked. I went snowmobiling last weekend and the trails were okay they had a good amount of snow cover but this snow is really going to improve the conditions. there were some trails that had a lot of rocks and stumps but over all they were pretty good for this time of year. Looking back to last year the trails weren’t even open yet! We road across some lakes and they were all marked but some of the lakes were slushy so if you go on any lakes make sure you ride with caution! So go and enjoy the winter wonderland!

Let us know how the trails are that you ride on!

Here is a great site that will give you updated information on the snow cover and conditions of the trails in every county in Wisconsin! Make sure and check it out before you gear up for a weekend ride!

Snow Condition Report

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog

Over the past several years Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel have become increasingly skilled at managing accidental hypothermia. Coast guard, EMT’s and aircrews have succeeded in treating and transporting an increasing number of patients suffering from this type of cold-injury. This article presents a brief summary of hypothermia and recommendations for handling cold patients.
Hypothermia is simply a lowering of the body’s normal temperature. Significant hypothermia begins at body temperatures below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, 35 degrees Celsius, and severe hypothermia occurs at temperatures below 90°F/32°C. All body functions are slowed in severe hypothermia, including heart rate, breathing rate, metabolism and mental activity. A victim of severe hypothermia may display a variety of different signs and symptoms.

Warning signs to look for

Early signs of hypothermia

~Cold feet and hands
~Puffy or swollen face
~Pale skin
~Shivering (in some cases the person with hypothermia does not shiver)
~Slower than normal speech or slurring words
~Acting sleepy
~Being angry or confused

Later signs of hypothermia

~Moving slowly, trouble walking, or being clumsy
~Stiff and jerky arm or leg movements
~Slow heartbeat that is not regular
~Slow, shallow breathing
~Blacking out or losing consciousness
~Call 911 right away if you think someone has warning signs of hypothermia.

What can family and friends do until medical help arrives?

Call 911.
~Wrap the person in a warm blanket.
~Do not rub the person’s legs or arms.
~Do not try to warm the person in a bath, and do not use a heating pad.

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog

“2. What Are the First Signs of Hypothermia?” National Institute on Aging. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. .

“Hypothermia Rescue Response.” RES-Q Products Inc. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. .

At Christmas time I always feel my presents to see which one is the heaviest! When i find the heaviest one i can’t wait to open it, I sit and wonder what it could possibly be. By the time Christmas rolls around I am supper excited to open it! However, through the years I have realized that the ones you think are the biggest and the heaviest are not always the BEST!! This holds true for more than just me on Christmas a lot of people receive the heaviest gift of all, the one that can live on forever! Yes, i am talking about the haunting Fruit Cake!

Fruitcake has been around for centuries and has a history as rich as its ingredients!
Fruitcake’s durability – the butt of most of the jokes about the holiday treat – is actually the reason the baked good was invented in the first place.
Roman soldiers carried fruitcake with them during their long treks. Crusaders also brought the hearty treat along on their search for the Holy Grail. Egyptians packed the fruit-and-nut bread in the coffins of friends and relatives. They apparently felt it was the only food that could survive the journey into the afterlife.
There are several theories about fruitcake’s ties to the holiday season. Some historians say it’s because the bread originated in the Holy Land. Others say it became popular during the holidays when English citizens passed out slices of the cake to poor women who sang Christmas carols on the streets of England in the late 1700s.

Immigrants from Germany, England and the Caribbean brought their own styles of fruitcake to the United States. That’s why there is a number of different versions.

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog
“A History of Fruitcake: Much Maligned Bread Product Still Popular.” Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers’ Network. Web. 17 Dec. 2010. .

Sawyer County: Snowmobile Trails in Sawyer County, ARE NEVER CLOSED. The lakes are not staked yet, so stay off them; the groomers are not out yet, so there could be gates up and trees down. We have between eight and 10 inches of snow on the ground and we’re making ice. Our goal is to have the lake trails staked and groomers running by Christmas. Stay tuned and think snow!!

Washburn County:
Trail Conditions: Very Good
Snow Cover: 15-18 inches

The Washburn County Snowmobile Trails are officially open as of 8:00 Friday morning, December 17.

Please be aware that there may be some sections of trail not groomed until Friday afternoon, particularly Trail 8 at the Sawyer County line and portions of the Harmon Lake loop.

Riders are urged to use caution in areas marked as “logging ahead”. Trail 39, south of Shell Lake, has logging and trucking activity along the Shingle Camp firelane. The Harmon Lake loop, east of Harmon Lake has logging and trucking activity as well.

Please be aware that there may be open water in the swamps and Washburn County makes no claim as to the safety of snowmobile travel across any lakes.

Online Trail Maps of Surrounding Counties:

Washburn County Trail Map

Dougals County Trail Map

Sawyer County Trail Map

Barron County Trail Map

Bayfield County Trail Map

Burnett County Trail Map

Lakewoods Real Estate / Lakewoods Homes of Minong, WI

Brian Brisky
Mindy Moriak

Office: 800-777-5584 * 715-466-4441
Cell: 715-529-4441
Fax: 715-466-5255

Websites: www.lakewoods.net & www.locatelakeshore.com
View our listings on a map @ www.lakewoodsmap.com
Visit my blog @ www.locatelakeshore.com/blog

“Wisconsin Counties Online Snowmobile Trail Maps – HCS Snowmobile Forums.” HCS Snowmobile Forums. Web. 17 Dec. 2010. .

Wisconsin Snowmobiling Reports & Info for the Wisconsin Snowmobile Rider from Snow Tracks.” Snowmobiling News and Snowmobile Conditions and Reports on Snow Tracks. Web. 17 Dec. 2010. .