Promote. engage. Collaborate.

[ JANUARY 2015 ]

(218) 732-4111 www.ParkraPids.Com

in this issueGlancing Back At 2014 & Forward Into 2015• Glancing Back At 2014 & Forward Into 2015• This Year’s Must-Have Business Accessory• Explore MN Tourism - Winter 2014-2015 Campaigns• #OnlyInMN• Member Spotlight, Local Resort Owners Elected to the Congress of Minnesota Resorts• Marketing Tips - How to optimize your website!• Business Resolutions in 2015?• Everything Jingle Bells 2014• Ambassador Committee Highlights• January 2014 Meeting Schedule• December 2014 Member Renewals• Making Connections; Nov 25 - Dec 24 Web/Visitor Center Stats

2014, whew! What a ride. Another year has flown past and we’re looking forward to a bright future for the Park Rapids Lakes Area. In the past year we’ve managed to breathe new life in to the Chamber of Commerce, focusing our collaborative efforts strategically with partners that can make a real difference in the quality

of life we enjoy in the area.

One major accomplishment of the Chamber this year is the revitalization of the Ambassador Committee. The Ambassadors are a prestigious group of committed members that perform a critical public relations role for the Chamber. These members get an opportunity to connect with others in the community and learn about area businesses, first hand. They also serve to educate people about the mission and work of the Chamber and their own business or organization. Ambassadors are committed and interested in supporting area businesses and the Chamber. Space with the Ambassadors is limited, so if you’re interested in receiving an application, call the Chamber.

Events at the Chamber ran smoothly this year, the 4th of July Parade held a record number of attendees and the day was gorgeous. The Community Tree Lighting and Yuletide Sampler was another great success in spite of the cold weather, we’re tough here in Minnesota. Hundreds sampled the merchandise and the nibbles in area retail shops. The Jingle Bells Sweepstakes just finished up and over $6,500 in Chamber Bucks was given away, with nearly 3 dozen participating merchants making local holiday shopping a win-win for everyone!

Nicole Lalum,Executive Director

But the crowning event accomplishment of the Chamber this year was Legends and Logging Days. We partnered with the WCCO series “Going to the Lake” and Park Rapids was featured on their television and radio stations. With the help of our sponsors we were able to put on three big days of entertainment, from Water Wars to the Chainsaw Carving Auction, a Historical Encampment featuring tomahawk throwing, a cannonball shoot and a candy cannon, Archery Competition, Saturday Night Shindig and a live Lumberjack Show, while thousands of visitors enjoyed the festivities. Even better things are planned for 2015!

Tourism marketing focused on the shoulder seasons, mid-May through mid-June and August through October in certain lifestyle niches. One of our most successful campaigns was motorcycle focused, encouraging people to get out and ride through Itasca State Park. We also moved more digital in our campaigns, focusing on targeted geographic areas. We also moved in to social media even further, partnering with Explore Minnesota to capture interest in traveling Minnesota to fans of the All Star Games in the Twin Cities, and celebrating 40 years of Lake Woebegone. We continue to send out thousands of Discovery Guides every month to interested travelers. The new year will see a new website and even more laser focused activity driven advertising. After all, Park Rapids is an experience!

Looking forward, we’re excited to be rolling out a new brand for the Chamber, capturing our support for business. We’re also working hard on two additional events to bring even more visitor dollars to our area. And finally we’re honing the benefits we offer each and every one of you, our members! I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings! Happy New Year!

This Year’s Must-Have Business Accessory

This compact guide to DEED programs and services will keep you looking smart. And smart is always in fashion. ( http://www.mn.gov/deed/images/DEED%20Business%20Resource%20Guide.pdf)

deC. member renewalsA Better Connection IncAkeley Chamber of CommerceAll Veteran’s Memorial Allison-Ovsak Insurance ServicesAmeriPride Linen and Apparel ServiceArvigAunt Belle's ConfectionaryAvenson Insurance AgencyBears Den Golf CourseBella CaffeBig Timber LodgeBirch Harbor ResortBreezy Point ResortBrookside Resort & Golf CourseCamp Liberty ResortCasey’s General StoreCHI St. Josephs HealthCitizens National Bank

making ConneCtionsThe Chamber Working for You!

Web Stats

Visitor Center Stats

Pageviews - 35,005Uninque Visitors - 28,181Mobile Visits - 9,414Unique Notable Pageviews: Events/Jinglebells - 5,549 ATV - 2,243 Visitors - 1,843 Tours - 1,466 Chamber - 1,138

nov. 25 - deC. 24, 2014

Guests assisted by GSA - 657Discovery Guides mailed - 460

Your distriCt legislatorsU.S. Senate

Contact

Senator Al Franken (DFL)309 Hart, Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510D.C. (202) 224-5641St. Paul (651) 221-1016www.franken.senate.govSenator Amy Klobuchar (DFL)302 Hart, Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510D.C. (202) 224-3244Minneapolis (612) 727-5220senator.klobuchar@senate.gov

MN Senate

Senator Rod Skoe (DFL) District 02(651) 296-4196sen.rod.skoe@senate.mn

MN House of RepresentativesRepresentative Dave Hancock (R) District 02ASt. Paul (651) 296-4265rep.dave.hancock@house.mnRepresentative Steve Green (R) District 02BSt. Paul (651) 296-9918rep.steve.green@house.mn

U.S. House of Representative

Congressman Rick Nolan (DFL) District 82447 Rayburn, House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515D.C. (202) 225-6211nolan.house.gov

For more information go towww.gis.leg.mn

[PAge 2]

deC. member renewals deC. member renewals Continued

2015Happy New Year!

from the

Winter 2014-2015 Campaignhttp://www.exploreminnesota.com/industry-minnesota/emt-campaings/winter-2014-15-advertising-campaign/

“Explore Minnesota Tourism Winter advertising campaign primarily directs consumers to Minnesota travel and tourism opportunities on exploreminnesota.com. The “Only in Minnesota” creative continues with sub theme “Win at Winter”Advertising tactics

PrintWinter Explorer Newspaper distributed in Star Tribune Sunday, November 16.

BroadcastTelevision advertising in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Madison and Fargo for 4 weeks between 12/29-2/1 and Des Moines and Sioux Falls 3 weeks January 5 – 25, with two new Only in Minnesota :30 second winter TV ads. Included in the schedule are ads in key College Bowl games and the Super Bowl (in local markets).

Radio advertising through the Minnesota Broadcasters Association in greater Minnesota with a 6 week flight mid-January-February promoting winter travel

Radio sponsorship messages on Minnesota Public Radio on 89.3 The Current

DigitalPaid search advertising campaigns on Google, Yahoo and Bing.

Online lead generation programs with TravelInformation.com and TravelGuidesFree.com

Banners and web content with links to exploreminnesota.com, on regional media websites including: StarTribune.com, TwinCities.com, KARE-11 and Minnesota Public Radio.

Sponsorship program with BringMeTheNews.com, that provides tourism advertorial articles linking to exploreminnesota.com

Online advertising through Xaxis, with the ability to run high impact and standard executions, using proprietary technology to build custom Explore MN audiences and refines them in real-time and to drive incremental engagement by targeting social users participating in

conversations around travel.

Interactive pre-roll video through BrightRoll using behavioral, contextual and demo targeting across desktop and mobile, and You Tube True View to increase views of video (TV ads).

Monthly E-mail’s promoting timely winter topics to over 400,000 including 140,000 subscribers, December through March.

Social MediaAmplify promoted messages to geo targeted consumers through Facebook and Twitter to increase engagement and reach beyond fan bases across all devices.

Encouraging consumers to post photos on Instagram with #OnlyinMN, and running a promotion in which partial images of events and places are posted. Consumers can guess what they are for a chance to win a #OnlyinMN winter stocking hat.

Facebook: Over 108,000 likes, several posts dailyTwitter: Close to 16,000 followers several tweets dailyInstagram: Over 9,000 followers. Post of EMT photos and messages and encouraging consumers to tag winter photos for a chance to be regrammed and possibly included in our Winter “More Cool Moments” poster.Pinterest: Over 3,000 followers get ideas on all aspects of Minnesota travel opportunities through pinned photos and descriptions.

Marketing Partnerships and Promotions Minnesota Ski Areas Association & Explore Minnesota has partnered up once again this year to promote and generate winter travel in Minnesota through increased participation in downhill skiing and snowboarding. A Minnesota Slopes Sweepstakes will run December 15, 2014 - January 25, 2015 and includes a chance to win one of many “Winter Slopes Packages”.

Checkpoint MN is back for a second year with a statewide scavenger hunt promotion in partnership with MonoPoint Media (Gearjunkie.com). Adventurers are invited to check in at 12 iconic winter destinations around the state and submit photos of themselves at Checkpoint signs for a chance to win prizes. Runs Dec. 11- March 5.”

Made you look!

Do You want to get in front of Hundreds of Business Professionals in the Lakes Area?

Contact Emma at the Chamber for pricing!

C'Mon Inn Hotel & SuitesCoborn'sColdwell Banker Clack & DennisDakota Mailing & Shipping Equipment, Inc.Delaney's SportsEssentia HealthFoothills Alpaca FarmsForestedge WineryFremont's Point ResortHeartland Homes/Options in Community LivingHistoric Douglas Lodge Hoslers Two Inlets Country StoreHubbard County COLAIrene's Favorite ThingsIsle O’DreamsItasca State ParkJolly Fisherman ResortJones Pearson Funeral HomeL & M Fleet SupplyLamb Weston-RDO FrozenLaSalle Scenic Recreation Area, Campground & CabinsLee Davis ElectricLiving at Home of the Park Rapids AreaLong Lake Park & CampgroundLuetger Oil Co/dba T & M ExpressMahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership,Minnesota PowerMinnesota Trails Magazine

deC. member renewals deC. member renewals Continued

[PAge 3]

meeting sCheduleJanuary 2015

Member Spotlight:

Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council - (1st Mon.)Monday, Jan 5, at Noon, Coldwell Banker

Lake Country Scenic Byway - (1st Fri.)Friday, Jan 9, 8:30AM, Grace Lutheran Church Osage - Heartland Trail Community Meeting - Quarterly following the LCSB Meeting.

Heartland Trail to Itasca Extension Task Force - (2nd Mon.)Monday, Jan 12, 10AM, Hubbard County Public Works Conference Room

Park Rapids Downtown Business Association = (1st Wed.)Wednesday, Jan 7, 8AM, Northern Pines Camp

Park Rapids CIty Council - (2nd & 4th Tues.)Tuesday, Jan 13, 6PM & Tuesday, Jan 27, 6PM, Library - Lower Level

Hubbard County Commissioners - (1st & 3rd Tues.)Tuesday, Jan 6, 9AM, & Tuesday, Jan 20, 9 AM Lower Level (B109) of the Law Enforcement Center

PRLA Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors - (2nd Tues.)Tuesday, Jan 13, 7:30AM, Chamber

Chamber Committees:

Legends & Logging Days - (3rd Thu.)Thursday, Jan. 15, 7:30AM, Chamber

Ambassador Committee - (4th Thu.)Thursday, Jan 22, at Noon, Chamber (Brown Bag)

Events Committee - (2nd Wed)This month on Tuesday, Jan 13, 8AM, Chamber

Two Local Resort Owners Elected to the Congress of Minnesota Resorts’ Board of Directors

Are you interested in hiring a veteran? The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has made the Hiring Veterans Guide available for download.

“The guide is intended to provide employers with valuable information to establish a recruitment program by quickly connecting to America’s veterans. Our collective goal is to ensure that employers are

aware of the various programs and services available to find, hire, train, and employ America’s most valued and skilled work-ready Veterans.

Download a copy of the Hiring Veterans Guide by visiting web.mnchamber.com/hiring-veterans-guide

Moore Springs ResortMuskie Waters CoNei Bottling CoNorth Beach ResortNorthern ConvenienceNorthern Lights Casino, Hotel & Event CenterNorthern Pine LodgeNorthern Pines Sanitary ServiceNorthland Lumber of Park RapidsPark Ave School of CosmetologyPark Rapids City Lodging AssociationPark Rapids C-Store - Lakes Area CooperatPark Rapids EnterprisePark Rapids Ministerial AssociationPine Beach ResortPine Park ResortRed Wagon Farm & MarketRiverside Point Resort MotelRound Bay ResortShell Prairie Agricultural AssociationShooting Star Casino & HotelSkelgas of Park RapidsSleeping Fawn Resort & CampgroundState Bank of Park RapidsSummerField Place ApartmentsSuper 8 MotelT & M AkeleyT & M Park RapidsTamarac National Wildlife Refuge

Tamarac Resort & CampgroundThe 3rd Street MarketThe Good Life CaféThe Wilds Resort & CampgroundThielen MotorsTimberlane LodgeTwo Inlets ResortUtke's Country Pine FurnishingsVagabond Village CampgroundVision Source Park Rapids Walker Eye ClinicWarnick’s Janitorial ServiceWatkins ProductWeigelwood ResortWilderness Bay Resort

Pictured here on the left, Jamie Keller of Brookside Resort and Jennifer Bateman of Two Inlets Resort were elected to the Congress of Minnesota Resorts' (CMR) Board of Directors at the organization’s annual meeting held in October. Both will serve a three year term, volunteering their time to advance the organization and support owner operated resorts across the state of Minnesota. Board members commit to working in one of the three areas of the organization -- marketing, education and legislation. Jamie will be involved with marketing, specifically with advertising the organization's web site. Jennifer will be concentrating in the area of education, helping coordinate workshops, conferences, and the CMR's magazine "The Minnesota Resort."

The CMR exists to help family owned and operated resorts in Minnesota to continue as a viable segment of the Minnesota tourism industry. Their motto is: "Resorters helping resorters", believing that "none of us is as smart as all of us." If you own a resort and are interested in becoming a member, please contact the CMR office at (320) 212-5107. You can also receive information on their web site at www.minnesota-resorts.com

Marketing Tips:• Ensure that your website is device responsive Nearly two-thirds of the American population owns a smartphone! As people increasingly utilize smartphones and tablets to search for local business information and to shop for products and services, it’s essential that your website is properly optimized and responsive to those devices. Don’t yet have a website? Contact the Chamber for referrals to web designers who can help you!

The Ambassador Committee welcomes new members, Jeremy Johnson (pictured here

Resolutions for your business in 2015? Yes, please!With the cold winter months just starting, you should be able to carve out some time to cozy up to the fire, reflect on your past year and reshape your business goals for the upcoming year. Here are some suggestions:

Invest in yourself, learn something new. Take advantage of opportunities through the Chamber, online, or through local experts to tackle that thing you’re afraid of. Want to learn about inventory control or dip your toes in to social media marketing? Maybe you need to make a commitment to understand your accounting reports. Contact the Chamber for resources and information.

Do not lower your price as a marketing strategy. Have the confidence in what your business sells to not lower your price in an effort to win business. Concentrate on customers who value the solution your company provides.

Focus on the customer. January is a great time to survey your customer base and discover where you can help them the most. Have a discussion with your database. Sell customers what they actually want, not what you think they need. This also makes each customer feel valued, important and recognized and will increase business loyalty.

Meet your customer face to face. There is an overdependence on social, email, text and phone for interaction with customers. Truly long lasting business relationships are still constructed in real life. The Chamber is an excellent source of networking opportunities!

Don’t complain; Act. Opportunity is not created by “the Economy,” it’s created by people! There is nothing to be gained by complaining, but much to be gained

by action. Seek opportunities to create value for your customers, collaborate on a promotion or partner with an organization for some cause-related marketing. Being active in the Chamber is a great way to be involved with the movers and shakers in the community who make things happen!

Take Time Off. Professional and personal lives are merging. Americans are frightened of taking time off work for vacation. A survey by the U.S. Travel Association found that four out of 10 Americans aren’t going to take all of their vacation days. But there are distinct advantages to disconnecting with work such as better physical health, increased productivity, closer family relationships, and improved mental health Take one vacation of seven days or longer this year without the work and go at least one day this year without using your phone. Yes, you can!

Ambassadors welcome new member Sue Tomte’s Mary Kay Cosmetics! Welcome aboard, Sue!!

Interesting Opportunities:Export Process: An Introduction to Exporting - Join us at one of our most popular seminars. It provides a broad overview touching on fundamental export topics. Whether new to exporting or you want to expand your global presence, it provides the tools needed to help make sound decisions and chart your course to export success. It's an excellent primer for those with new responsibilities for international activities within their firms, small business advisers, etc. Guest Speaker: Mary McCormick, Attorney, McCormick International. When: Wednesday, January 28, 2015, 9 am-2 pm programWhere: DEED Conference Center, St. PaulFees: $60 if registered by 1/26; $80 after 1/26.Contact: Ed Dieter, 651 259 7481 or ed.dieter@state.mn.us. REGISTER NOW

STEP Grant ProgramWe are once again accepting STEP applications!The State Trade & Export Promotion Program (STEP) is administered by the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) to provide financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants can be first-time exporters or companies who currently export but are interested in expanding to new international markets. A recent SBA award allows the MTO to provide support to companies attending targeted trade missions, and an allocation from the State of Minnesota will support companies in a variety of export development activities. Eligible companies can apply for up to $7,500 in financial assistance.

Contact: Mary Jo Stangl, 651 259 7495; mary.jo.stangl@state.mn.us

$2,500ChamberBucks!!

Shawn & Laura Hagen of Menahga came in to register their number one ticket in the grand prize category just a day after the drawing on Thursday, December 11, 2014. The young couple received their winning ticket while shopping at L&M Fleet Supply and were excited to claim the $2,500 in Chamber Bucks and return to L&M to buy some new tires!

[PAge 5]

The holder of the very FIRST ticket number called at the Gala Celebration was there! Rosalynn Berg, pictured here on the right with her two daughters, blew everyone away when she had the number one ticket in the 1st of the ten $400 prizes!

Rosalynn came into the Chamber office bright and early the following morning to officially register her winning ticket. When she and her girls came back to pick-up their $400 in Chamber Bucks they were all very excited to go shopping for “Christmas presents!”

Rosalynn wasn’t the only one to stir things up at the Gala that evening.

Janet Miller, pictured below, shocked everyone when she had the number one ticket that was called in the 5th drawing for $400. While she was looking through her tickets to verify she was the winner in the 5th drawing. The first ticket in the 6th drawing was called and lo and behold, out of close to 600,000 tickets in the bin Janet had that ticket too!

Janet was at the Chamber office early Friday morning to register her winning tickets. The office was busy with folks coming in to pick-up a printout of all the ticket numbers drawn the night before. Janet didn’t understand why people didn’t attend the Gala. She said “if I wouldn’t have been there, I would have only won one of the prizes”.

She was right! Because Janet was at the drawing and able to verify she had the winning ticket, it stopped the next ticket going into the number two spot in that same drawing. Instead, the next ticket rolled over to the number one spot in the next drawing. Call her lucky and call her smart. Smart of her to attend the Jingle Bells Gala! Winner, winner!! Bringing home $800 in Chamber Bucks!

Join us in congratulating all of our winners: Shawn Hagen, Rosalynn Berg, Rick & Shiela Ronnebaum, Jack Braun, Janet Miller, Wanda Benson, Gail Lockrem, Kelly Jo Fosse, Chad Harshman and Brian Evink!

Jingle Bells 2014 was one we won’t soon forget!

Janet Miller of Park Rapids, Drawings #5 & #6

Rosalynn Berg of Park Rapids, Drawing #2

Rick Ronnebaum, Park RapidsDrawing #3 (wife, Sheila missing from photo)

[PAge 6]

Brian Evnik, Park RapidsDrawing #11

Wanda Benson, AkeleyDrawing #7

Gail Lockrem, Park RapidsDrawing #8

Kelly Jo Fosse, Park RapidsDrawing #9

Chad Harshman, OsageDrawing #10

[PAge 7]

[PAge 7]

2014

13th Annual Jingle Bells Gala Special thanks to the participating merchants; Arvig, Auto Value, Beagle Books & Bindery, Casey’s General Store, Christmas Showcase, Citizens National Bank, Coborn’s, Delaney’s Sports, Forest & Floral Garden Center, Fresh Catch, Glik’s, Harvala’s Appliance, Holiday Station Store, Hugo’s Family Marketplace, L & M Fleet Supply, LACE Events, Lee Davis Electric, Nick’s Service, Northern Convenience, Park Ace Hardware, Park Rapids Building Supply, Rapids Spirits, RiverBend Home Expressions, Smokey Hills Outdoor Store, T & M Express, Park Rapids, The 3rd Street Market, Thielen Motors, Trading Post, TruStar Federal Credit Union, Vision Source Park Rapids Walker Eye Clinic, Walgreen’s, Walmart, Park Rapids, Warnick’s Janitorial Service & Wildwood Enchantment

“HIP” Hubbard in PreventionShares a message with Parents Park Rapids & Surrounding Area Girl Scouts Bake Sale

[PAge 8]

We couldn’t do this event without the support of volunteers! So....Thank You!!Butch DeLaHunt, Master of CeremoniesPete Young, Set-up/Tear-downKent Fritze, Set-upBob Seifert, Tear-downPRLA Chamber Ambassadors; Lezli Zimmerman, Andria Snelling, Debbie Tostenson, Kristin Gilmore, Jill Dickenson, Vicki Stewart, Lori Longworth, Talaine Collins, Gina Muhm, Sue TomteVision Source Park Rapids Walker Eye Clinic; Candy Gunderson & Lorri LydellCindy & Kathy from ArvigCamille DeLaHunt Lu Ann Hurd-Lof for your photographs and to those we may have missed by name...Thank You!

Thank you, Incredibly Real for the entertainment, to “HIP” Hubbard In Prevention for sharing your healthy message, to the Park Rapids & Surrounding Area Girl Scouts for helping bus off tables and clean-up. To Century School staff for all of their help

[PAge 9]

Thanks also to those who help to sponsor the event; Hugo’s Family Marketplace, Coborn’s & Nei Bottling. And the givers of door prize gifts that make the night even more special; Amish Oak, Arvig, Aunt Belle’s Confectionary, Auto Value, Delaney’s Sport, Employment Resource Center, Foothill Alpaca Farm, Fresh Catch, Glik’s, L & M Fleet Supply, Mantrap Valley Conservation Club, Necce’s Ristorante, Northern Convenience, Park Ace Hardware, Park Avenue School of Cosmetology, Park Rapids Enterprise, Rapids Spirits, Shooting Star Casino, T & M Express Park Rapids, Tastefully Simple, Lezli Zimmerman, The 3rd Street Market, Utke’s Country Pine Furnishing, Vision Source Park Rapids Walker Eye Clinic, Warnick’s Janitorial, Watkins Products, Linda Carter, Wildwood Enchantment, Zula/Wild Loon Outfitters

[PAge 10]

Thank you to our fine media partners; DeLaHunt Broadcasting, Park Rapids Enterprise, Northwoods Press, Review Messenger, Paul Bunyan Communications, RP Broadcasting & Superstation K106

Thank you, Everyone! For another great year!! [PAge 11]

[PAge 12]

2014 Board of DirectorsVisit Park Rapids...Creating powerful partnerships to unite and grow member businesses and the region.

shoP PlaY eat staY

* Joe Scharber, PresidentSleeping Fawn Resort & Campground

* Butch DeLaHunt, Vice PresidentDeLaHunt Broadcasting

* Bob Seifert, Past PresidentCoborn’s

* Kent Fritze, Secretary TreasurerNorthwoods Tax Professionals

Ed BeckerIn-We-Go Resort

Hendri ErnstSmokey Hills Outdoor Store

Cynthia JonesRiverBend Home Expressions

Julie LarsonLamb Weston - RDO Frozen

Molly LutherThe Good Life Cafe

Uzi MonkaWild Loon Outfitters

Candy ParksPark Rapids Enterprise

Jackie SenenfelderC’mon Inn Hotel & Suites

Pete YoungY-Steak House

Chamber Staff

Nicole LalumExecutive Director, nicole@parkrapids.com

Emma MooreProject Coordinator, emma@parkrapids.com

Tara NortonBookkeeper, tara@parkrapids.com

* Denotes Members of the Executive Committee

2014 Programs

Membership(Chair position open)Ambassadors, Grow MN!, Member & Networking Events

Tourism Marketing(Joe Scharber)Discovery Guide, Happy Pac, Tourism Media Campaigns

Events (Butch DeLaHunt)4th of July Parade, Legends & Logging Days, Community Tree Lighting

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Calendar of Events, JANUARY 2015Jan 6Educational Program: “Water: Why YOU Should Care” Hosted by the League of Women Voters Park RapidsThe Park Rapids Lakes Area has earned a good reputation because of our extraordinarily clean waters. Park Rapids League of Women Voters (LWVPR) will devote several educational programs related to the surface and groundwater of the region this year.

Julie Kingsley, District Manager and Local Water Plan Coordinator with the Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), will be the speaker for the program “Water: Why YOU Should Care”, Tuesday, January 6, from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Northwoods Bank Community Room (handicap accessible). Julie will present the 2014 report, “Minnesota’s Clean Water Roadmap” and how the SWCD works to assure river and stream water quality in conjunction with Watershed Restoration and Projects (WRAP), including the Crow Wing River, Leech Lake River and Upper Mississippi River watershed areas. Much of the work the SWCD does to protect Hubbard County’s waters are projects on the land. Public input will be solicited and will be invaluable to informing her on-going work. Building the knowledge base of the public can help better plan, share and protect our waters, including those from below ground to the surface.

We invite and encourage all to come to this free program. Light refreshments will be served.Where: Northwoods Bank Community RoomWhen: January 6, 2014 - 6:30PM - 8:00PM

League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area is a

volunteer, grass roots, non-partisan organization whose membership is open to all citizens (male or female) 18 years or older. For more information contact President Carolynne White at 732-9819, or prapidsleague@gmail.com

Jan 10Winter Trails Day - North Country Trail Laurentian Lakes Chapter

The Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the North Country National and Scenic Trail will celebrate Winter Trails Day on Saturday Jan. 10th.

Join members and friends as we ski and snowshoe at Maplelag Resort. Outdoor activities begin at 1:00 pm. A special presentation, “Wild for Monarchs” will start at 3:30pm. A silent auction, business meeting, and dinner will follow.

RSVP by Jan. 1st for dinner reservations. The cost for skiing and dinner is $27. Contact Ray Vlasak (218-573-3243) or email llc@northcountrytrail.org for reservations or more information.

Click here to view the event flyer

Jan 31USXC Heartland 106 Snowmobile Race

Park Rapids Lakes Area presents the Heartland 106 Snowmobile Race

Race through the forests, lakes and experience the natural beauty of the Park Rapids Lakes Area!

• Saturday Race: 25 Mile Ditch & Lake Course. All classes run!• Sunday Race: One Lap, 100 Miles Woods Race. All classes run except 10-13 Juniors & Vintage• USXC 120 Class Racing - 2 mile XC course;Testing on Saturday; Racing on Sunday• Must be Pre-registered online by 8pm Jan. 29; Onsite at the Park Rapids Ambulance Garage (just East of the Super 8) 5-7pm-Friday, January 30.• 21 Classes of Racing from Junior to Pro, Open, Vintage & Classic IFS

Lodging Information

Race Sponsors: Park Rapids City Lodging Association - Elsner Well Drilling - Thielen Motors - Park Rapids Avionics - Park Rapids Aviation - Dorset Corner Liquors - RDO Lamb Weston

Mini XC Event - Sunday - InfoHeartland 106 Flyer

When: January 31 - February 1, 2015 - races start at 9AM both daysWhere: Starting line Hwy. 34, East edge of Park Rapids

Contact Jeff Voigt by phone at (218) 234-6444 or email jeff@parkrapidsaviation.com

To learn more about United States X-Country Snowmobile Racing visit usxcracing.com

A complete list of events for the month can be found at business.parkrapids.com/events/calendar/2015-01-01