Carlin Lake Association

Raising the bar

 

I feel a little like an old car, sputtering to get started in a below-zero garage.  After the luxury of Duanne's great posts for a month, my well feels dry  (yes, I know I'm mixing my metaphors.)   How about another? ---My creativity feels as frozen as a Wisconsin snowdrift.

 

You know, when a substitute comes in---a temporary classroom teacher or a player off the bench in a basketball game---expectations are usually lowered.    But, what does Carlin Lake get?    A guest blogger like Duanne, who raises the bar (this time, a metaphor from track and field) and every reader's expectations.

 

Many thanks for the great job, Duanne!  Every post had lots of interesting information, in such an easy, witty style.   I looked forward to reading your writing---and appreciated your being willing to hike through snowdrifts in freezing weather to drill a hole in the ice covering the lake!

 

A Very Deep Question

JK of Williamston MI (yes, the Carlin blog is interstate now) writes to ask Mr. Wizard today's question. "With all the snow you've had this year how do you locate your house?"

Well, JK, it's easier than you might think. You simply find your driveway and follow the canyons created by snow removal equipment to the biggest snow bank that has doors. There is good news buried in this question (somewhere!). According to local news reports, as of this latest dumping of 12+ inches we have officially reached our annual average allocation of snow at slightly over 90 inches. You could conclude that, from this point forward, the snow will start to melt and you can put away the blower for the balance of the winter. After all, we have reached our annual average, right? The age old question is; if it snows and you can't see it fall do you have to move it? As the pix at left out my living room window illustrates, we are not far from not being able to see it fall.

The most frequently asked question for Mr. Wizard has been some version of this: "WHEN THE HECK IS CARMEN COMING BACK?" Thanks for putting up with my idiosyncrasies for a few weeks. Mr. Wizard is retired. Whew!

Understanding Your Neighbors

Most of us know someone who is certified as a Master Gardener. These folks have gained expertise in raising plants for consumption or beautifing the landscape near our homes. In these parts known as prime, and expensive, deer food.

Mr. Wizard addresses a question today that could provide help. "Mr. Wizard, I'm interested in more in-depth learning about our natural environment in the Northwoods. Where can I get this kind of learning experience?"  From SJ of Presque Isle.

Beginning in April the North Lakeland Discovery Center will begin offering weekly day-long training once per week leading to designation as a WI Master Naturalist. It provides 40 hours of coursework in natural history, interpretation, and conservation stewardship. Courses combine classroom instruction with field experiences and are taught by professional natural resources educators and scientists, who are trained to deliver the WIMN course. The program is patterned after the Master Gardener progam and is sponsored by Cooperative Extension at locations around the state. The curriculum covers eight topic areas (geology, ecology, plants, wildlife, education/interpretation, water, aquatic life, and human influences). Two all-day field trips serve to reinforce classroom learning and provide hands-on experiences in stewardship and citizen science activities.  Schedule is Mondays, 4/21/14-5/19/14, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

When you are a Master Naturalist and you look out the window this spring and discover your Day Lillies are missing, you won't feel much better about it but you may better understand why the deer ate them. For more info contact the Discovery Center at 715-543-2085.

The Swift House

Congratulations to Manitowish Waters on being re-designated as a Bird City by the Bird City Wisconsin Steering Committee. It marks the fourth year in a row the community has been so recognized and this year MW becomes one of only 10 (of 76 total) Wisconsin communities to reach the highest level of the designation, the High Flyer level. How they were able to reach these lofty heights is the subject of a Mr. Wizard question for today.

The question comes from JA of Presque Isle. "Mr. Wizard: Where do the Swift's live?" Since there is a possibility that I have offended someone while writing this blog, allow me to assume that JA is referring to Chimney Swifts that will soon be returning North. One of the reasons MW was awarded High Flyer status by the Bird City folks is the Discovery Center's Bird Club plans to build one of these (below) this spring/summer.

This 12 foot high "Swift Tower" is designed to attract this blackish, swallow-like bird that is sometime mistaken for a bat as it enters one of its favorite nesting sites, your chimney. To combat these widespread birds and their persistent interest in building a mud nest in your chimney, we humans have devised an assortment of screens, caps and other chimney covers to keep Chimney Swifts from actually living up to their name. GIven the Swift's diet of flying insects and that we certainly had a more than adequate mosquito population last summer, Chimney Swifts are worth having around.

Now, if this is not what JA meant with his/her question, well, I'm not divulging where the "other" Swift's live and I'm sorry if I offended you! Carmen will return soon. Please?  

What the pH...?

Mr. Wizard gets a tough question today from LM of Carlin Lake: "What impact does pH level have on the fish reproduction in Carlin Lake?"

Funny you should ask that question LM.  Fish committee members Richard Straus, Cecil Davis and I recent paid a visit to Steve Gilbert, Regional Fisheries Biologist for the DNR, at his office in Woodruff. Gilbert was one of three people to do the survey of Carlin fish population in the fall of 2012 and he is  the person in charge of things like stocking permits. During an hour or so meeting Gilbert answered a number of questions from the fish committee including questions regarding fish population and species management. "Carlin water quality makes it a great lake for swimming and water sports but the pH of the lake is so low that most any attempt to stock fish for natural reproduction will likely fail," he explained.

pH-0______________4_________6________7______________11.5_______________pH-14

             All Fish Die               Carlin Water   Pure Rain Water                All Fish Die

He went on to explain that Carlin's pH level (a measure of hydrogen in the water) is about 6 while more fertile lakes like neighboring Van Vliet are 6.5 to 7. To add perspective all fish die if a lake's pH level is less than 4 or more than 11.5. Fish eggs survive best a pH levels of 6 to 7.1 indicating that Carlin Lake is right on the margin for successful reproduction.

Pure rainwater has a pH of 7 and Carlin is a seepage lake, meaning essentially a bowl that holds rainwater.The pH is lowered as natural vegetation in the lake dies and decomposes.  

Jeez, enough with the tough questions!

Caved In

It was nice to wake up this morning and look at a temperature that didn't have a minus sign involved. Two days in a row now, and while 12 degrees is nothing to brag about to those of you living in the South, it's a great sign that things are possibly going to improve. (Cautionary note for those of you thinking of heading to the lake to enjoy these balmy days, it's still mid February!)

On hopefully, the last double digit below zero day in February, the LaPean's and Swift's decided to visit the famous snow caves on Lake Superior near Cornicopia in Bayfield County. While both couples were impressed with the massive ice formations, even more impressionable might have been the three mile round trip walk.  Taking a walk along a beach sounds great to most this time of year but Lake Superior beaches in February tend to be a bit harsh. Fortunately, access to the caves occurs seldom since Lake Superior rarely has ice thick enough to walk on. Is probably a little early to ask the couples if they would go again. However, a good time was had by all despite the need to peer through the smallest slot possible in your hood.

Question for Mr. Wizard comes from AK of Carlin Lake: Has Mr. Wizard caught any fish on Carlin Lake this winter? Answer: Mr. Wizard specializes in ice fishing only when the temperature is above 30 degrees. Does that answer your question?

RIP Nessie

With today's announcement that the famed Loch Ness Monster may have met its demise I thought the question posed to Mr. Wizard by CL of Carlin Lake was timely: " Mr. Wizard: There were several  reports of sightings of Spatterdock in Carlin Lake this past summer. Will my grandkids be safe swimming when they come for a visit in July?"

Dear CL: Had you been with the handful of area residents who toured the lake last fall looking for Spatterdock with expert "Spatterdock hunter" Susan Knight of the Trout Lake Station, you would know that the Spatterdock does not prey on humans. While numbers of Spatterdock are increasing in Carlin Lake this amazing lilly pad with bright yellow blooms, in spring and early summer, is a native plant to the area and the only water lilly to inhabit our lake. They exist in only a few places, the little bay north of Davis' and the bay next to Ruch's are a couple of spots. They are great summer shade for fish and other aquatic life and pose no threat to CL or his grandchildren.

                                                                         

 

 

 

 

We Are The Champions!

A somewhat dubious record fell to Northwoods residents yesterday. 45 Straight days in which the outside temperature fell below zero. The previous record was set in the mid 1970's. Don't you feel proud?

Today's question for Mr. Wizard comes from G.S. of Katinka Lake: "Why is there slush on top of the ice?" Answer: One possibility is the plethora of ice fisherman plying the waters of Katinka in these below zero temps. (Katinka residents are a hardy lot). Snow is a pretty good insulator and ice puts the water below it under a degree of pressure. Cut a hole and the water immediately fills the hole to the very top and will run out onto the top of the ice. The 18" of snow on the ice actually prevents the water from freezing even in the coldest temperatures. Springs in the lake can also have the same effect. Water under this much snow, regardless of the air temperature, probably isn't going to freeze unless the snow becomes compressed by walking on it.

An alternative answer to GS's question could also relate to ice fishermen but then the slush would have a distinct amber color. Mr. WIzard

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

You should know as I write this I am totally without female supervision. Carmen left for warmer places and left me in charge. Ann is working away in Minocqua. Rarely am I left to my own devices so please understand my weakened condition the next few weeks as I stand in for Carm.

Those of you around in the 50's to mid 60's may recall a B&W TV show called "Watch Mr. Wizard" and there was a segment called "Ask Mr. Wizard" where viewers could mail in a question to be addressed by the host. I thought it would be interesting if you had a chance to ask questions regarding Carlin Lake that have been plaguing you. There is no guarantee of either accuracy or veracity.

The first question is from J.R., of Carlin Lake: Dear Mr. Wizard: "How thick is the ice?" Answer: Very thick!

Close to two feet of ice cover Carlin Lake. No surprise to most, since ice forms at temperatures below 32 degrees and most days for the past month we have started the day at about 50 degrees below that!

Keep those questions coming, I'll get to them in the order received (he says, scratching his head over what to do about the next blog entry). Mr. Wizard

Wish we'd known this wonderful man better!

  

Straus, Thomas F. 

MIDDLETON - Thomas Frederick Straus was born into this world on June 30, 1964, and left this world on Jan. 29, 2014, following an 11 year battle with a brain tumor. Thom was married to Susan (Moses) for 24 adventure filled years. During that time they produced three amazing kids: Ian (Sam), Emma and Noah; as well as opening their hearts to: Artem and Katia from Ukraine; Freddy, Leonie and Maren from Germany; Hotaru from Japan; Becky from Brazil; and Sindre from Norway.

Thom was a truly generous person who gave freely of his time to support the things he loved. Thom participated in fundraising events annually supporting great non-profits like: The March of Dimes; The Boy Scouts of America; Wisconsin Public Radio and Television; HeadRush; The American Brain Tumor Association; and the place where his joy in giving was started - Bethel Horizons. Thom also coached soccer, played softball, volunteered regularly as a chaperone for the kid's field trips and mission trips, volunteered at a local food pantry, served on the Horizon's Board, and taught many years of Sunday School. Need to move? Thom was your guy. Having a rough time? You could call Thom for a friendly shoulder to lean on.

Thom's passions were many and varied. Art was something that he loved - making it, supporting local artists (and befriending many), and searching for new pieces when traveling. Music was as important as breathing - singing in a choir, finding new bands and genres, going to concerts; Thom was rarely without a source of music. From the early days of the Walkman to his iPod, music was always with Thom. Movies were the inspiration for many of the sayings that Thom would roll out on a moment's notice and his movie choices were as varied as his music. Camping with friends and family was a treasured tradition - many a Memorial Day weekend would find the family home at the end, soggy and smelling of wood smoke but, filled with stories. Whether it was camping at Bethel Horizons or camping across the West as a family Thom could pitch a tent, light the fire and be ready for a brewski in short order.

No matter what the challenges, Thom faced them with a spirit of good natured adventure. The support of the Brain Tumor Support Group at the UW Hospital and the amazing care from his doctors at the UW, got Thom through, at many times, a rough decade. Brain tumors are ugly beasts, but the people that were brought into our lives because of it have been amazing. There is something good to be found in everything.

Thom is survived by his wife, Susan; his children Ian (Samantha), Emma and Noah; as well as his parents, Richard and Sue; his sister, Jane (David) and brother, Ted (Stephanie). Thom is also survived by a large and loving family including cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews as well as by his incredible group of friends.

Special thanks are given to the wonderful friends and family who provided care for Thom while he was able to remain at home and to the incredible team of nurses and CNAs at Agrace HospiceCare.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to T3 - Tackling Thom's Tumor, 1767 Beach Road, Verona, 53593. Funds will be used for support of and college funds for his children and for disbursement to Thom's favorite charities.

A memorial service celebrating Thom's life will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Celebration lunch to follow.

    Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

        Address for Richard and Susan is:  5653 Steeplechase, Waunakee, WI 53597