Minnesota

1. Minnesota Denise Morris Minnesota Geography Mr. Jeff L. Knapp June 29, 2011 Pages 27, 32, 81, and 67

2. Welcome to Winona, MN!

3. Great River Bluffs State Park • The Word Winona means “first-born-daughter” in Dakota. • The town received this name in 1853 after it original name, Montezuma. • Great River Bluffs is a nice state park with beautiful views of the river. Nice hiking trails. Nice area for tent camping, free from RVs. Don't go out of your way to stop here, but good place to kill some time and enjoy the bluff scenery. • State Parks, Geologic Formations • 43605 Kipp Dr. Winona, MN 55987-9427 • 507-643-6849

4. Historic Island City • DISCOVER WINONA, HISTORIC ISLAND CITY Winona is one of the most beautiful places on earth, nestled between the covered limestone river bluffs that rise 500 feet and the stunning mighty Mississippi River. The historical architecture and cultural opportunities give Winona a soul that is living, breathing and growing. Still, Winona and its wealth of lodging, shopping and culture is relatively undiscovered

5. Today’s Winona • Today, Winona is driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit that has given birth to a city that has built its future by embracing its past. There is a strong arts movement, abundant shopping, comfortable lodging and a variety of restaurants • Address:22852 County Road 17Winona, MN 55987 • Hot Fish Friday • Served from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. on Fridays. • Prime Time Saturday • Enjoy our Prime Rib on Saturday! • Join us every Saturday for Prime Rib served with our famous Popovers • Dinner and Dancing on Friday Nights • Beat to the blues by dining at our area’s finest cuisine! • .

6. Art that connects the past with the Present • Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm • * Closed Mondays and Holidays • Admission • Children age 4 and under FreeStudents $3Adults and Senior Citizens $6Immediate Family Rate Cap $20 • * Students of all ages are admitted free each Tuesday. • Address: 22852 County Highway 17, Winona, MN 55987

7. Mission Statement • The mission of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum is to enrich the human experience,
 enable the joy of discovery, and elevate the spirit

-- all through the world of art and learning. • Museum History • The Museum opened July 27, 2006 featuring three major art collections, making it a regional and national attraction. On loan to the Museum, the Burrichter/Kierlin Marine Art Collection features oil paintings, watercolors and three-dimensional objects from a variety of countries and periods which were created by many of the world's most important marine artists. The Leo Smith Folk Art Collection consists of distinctive wood carved and hand painted sculptures that capture the spirit of small town river life. These whimsical, colorful sculptures represent and celebrate the flora, fauna and folklore of the upper Mississippi River region. Finally, the Museum’s permanent collection features historic marine art, artifacts and objects ranging from items such as personal letters from Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson to his wife to large stained glass window displayed in the Museum’s atrium.

8. Established in 2007, the Minnesota Beethoven Festival is a classical music festival held annually in Winona, Minn. According to its website, the festival is "dedicated to showcasing the tremendous talent found in the region as well as featuring some of the most important international concertartists of our time." Orchestras, chamber groups and soloists from around the world entertain audiences at venues like the Minnesota Marine ArtMuseum and the Chapel of Saint Mary's of the Angels. Notable past performers at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival include Thomas Hampson, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Marc-André Hamelin and Branford Marsalis. • Minnesota Beethoven Festival • P.O. Box 1143 • Winona, MN 55987 • 507-457-1715 • mnbeethovenfestival.com

9. Minnesota Beethoven FestivalSeason 5June 26 - July 17, 2011 • Saxophonist Branford Marsalis will open the 2011 Minnesota Beethoven Season in Winona with a new classical project, and the Minnesota Chorale will join with the Minnesota Orchestra to conclude the Minnesota Beethoven Festival

10. Welcome to Richmond MN! • The city of Richmond is located just 12 miles west of Interstate 94 on Highway 23, only 90 minutes Northwest of the Twin Cities. • Richmond and the surrounding area have something for everyone. If you're looking for a quiet, relaxing place to enjoy a few days or weeks "away from it all", this is the spot for you. Should you want a weekend or vacation filled with fun and excitement, you'll find that here too!

11. The Horseshoe Chain, with 40-lakes in a 10-mile radius of Richmond offers fun and relaxation for the entire family. • The area offers excellent fishing, swimming, waterskiing, boating, canoeing, camping, golfing, sight-seeing, horseback riding, tennis and snowmobiling, skating. Richmond is surrounded by beautiful country known for its fine retreat and vacation facilities including an indoor ice arena.

12. On September 30, 1982, a non-profit organization known as the Sauk River Chain of Lakes, Inc. was established to address water quality issues. By March of 1983, a 2-year diagnostic lake study, headed by Dr. Keith Knutson, Ph.D. of St. Cloud State University, was underway. At about the same time, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also initiated a similar but less comprehensive study. Both studies were completed early in 1985.As a result of the studies it became apparent to the Sauk River Lake Chain of Lakes Association, Inc. that any remedial work or additional studies would require a larger financial backing than the members of the association would be able to supply. Consequently, an attorney was contacted to determine the feasibility of forming a watershed district. On January 17, 1986, a petition signed by 400 landowners was filed with the Minnesota Water Resources Board (WRB) for the establishment of the Sauk River Watershed District. Additional petitions were filed on January 21; February 05, 21, and 26, 1986. Public hearings were held in Cold Spring and Osakis on March 13, 1986 and March 26, 1986, respectively, and the report of the presiding administrative law judge was received by the WRB on May 19, 1986. As a result of the studies, public testimony, and conditions of the water resources, the WRB established the Sauk River Watershed District on July 22, 1986.

14. History of the Sauk River Watershed District • The formation of the Sauk River Watershed District began in September of 1982 when two local civic groups from Richmond and Cold Spring (Lions Clubs) were looking for a public service project in the area dealing with water quality of the area lakes. At an initial meeting of the two groups, approximately 50 people expressed concern over the degraded condition of the area’s lakes. Because of concerns expressed by such a large number of people at the meeting, the group felt the matter was beyond the scope of what a civic organization could handle.

15. Friends of the Sauk RiverPromote it, Paddle it, Protect it! • Pictured below are students from the Area Learning Center in Waite Park who did a great job cleaning up the Sauk River on October 9, 2008. Thanks for thinking of the Sauk! • http://www.friendsofthesaukriver.org/index.htm

16. The Sauk River watershed extends from the Mississippi River near St. Cloud into the eastern portions of Douglas County to within 3 miles of Alexandria. The watershed, like the Sauk River, extends in a northwest to southeast direction. The overall watershed is about 75 miles in length with some areas being up to 20 to 30 miles in width. The Sauk River meanders for 120 miles.According to data from the Minnesota Land Management Information Center (LMIC), the Sauk River watershed covers over 667,000 acres or approximately 1,041 square miles across portions of five counties. The portions of counties contained within by the watershed include southeastern Douglas County, northeastern Pope County, southwestern Todd County, northern Meeker County, and the center third of Stearns County. (A very small portion of the watershed, 6 acres, overlaps into Morrison County.) The table below provides the area distribution of the watershed by county.

17. Outdoor News • Minnesota DNR to expand Muskie fishing opportunities • More musky stocking is set for fall of 2011 in Minnesota • Roosevelt Lake in northern Crow Wing County and the Sauk River chain of lakes in Stearns County southwest of St. Cloud will be stocked with muskellunge this fall in response to growing angler interest, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

18. Mankato, Minnesota is truly a wonderland. Tucked into the Emerald Green Valley in Southern Minnesota, it is the hidden vacation Mecca of scores of knowing Midwesterners. Mankato has everything thanks to a freak of nature: the Sclare/Far Fissure. This fissure in the earth's crust takes water seeping through the earth, heats it to well over 165 degrees, and sends it back up to the surface in steam pits and boil holes. The heat from these pits and holes heats the valley air to such an extent that the winter temperature in many Mankato neighborhoods has never dropped below a balmy 70 degrees!!!! Come enjoy our winters! Let's "Make It Mankato" ! !We are real, we are warm and we would love to see

19. Minnesota ‘s Big Woods was part of the deciduous forest biome. • The region extended from south of St. Cloud to Mankato to Faribault and Northfield. • It is located along a large bend of the Minnesota River at its confluence with the Blue Earth River • Blue Earth County is one of the most sought out places to visit and live in the state of Minnesota

20. Rapidan Dam • A "dam moment" was August 1, 1949, when a 40-ton, 65-foot-high grain elevator was moved eight miles to Rapidan. To cross the Blue Earth River Bridge on the dam, it had to be jacked up to a height of seven feet to clear the railing of the narrow, one-way bridge. Thousands of people came to watch and pictures of the elevator on the dam appeared across the state.

21. Land of Memories • Land of Memories Park along the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers, features bike trails, camping, disc golf, and soccer fields.

22. Blue Earth • The Hubbard House Blue Earth County Historical Society - French Second Empire style built in 1871. • It is home to a statue of the Jolly Green Giant • Faribault County Court House, Blue Earth, MN

23. Mount Kato is located in the thick of the scenic valley that runs along the Minnesota River, just one mile south of Mankato. 19 trails and 8 chairlifts make for a non-crowded experience for all skier abilities. Unwind in our large chalet with great food or enjoy flame grilled food and your favorite beverage in The Lift. Non skiers can enjoy our snow tubing with 2 tows. Ski Great Snow at Mount Kato! Mount Kato Ski AreaRT 1, Box 337B Mankato, MN 56001(800) 668-5286(507) 625-3363

24. Minneopa State Park Mankato, MN bridge over Minnesota River

25. State: Minnesota • Location:Minneopa State Park, near Mankato • Height: 39 • Crest: 20 (varies) • Water Source: Minneopa Creek • Waypoint: 44.1472N 94.0892W • Summary: Minneopa Falls is the most scenic waterfall in southern Minnesota that I have seen. There is a fee to visit the state park, but it is worth it if you like waterfalls. The park is about a 90 minute drive from Minneapolis.

26. Traverse des Sioux is a historic site in the U. S. State of Minnesota. Once part of a preindustrial trade route, it commemorates that route, a busy river crossing on it, a nineteenth century settlement, trading post, and mission at that crossing place, a transshipment point for pelts in fur trading days, and an important treaty with Native Americans which dispossessed the Dakota people of part of their homeland and opened up much of southern Minnesota to white settlement

27. Sibley Park and Race Track, Minnesota River • Sibley Park is a dynamic community park that is rich in history. The park, established in 1887, is named for Minnesota’s first Governor, Henry Hastings Sibley. In the past the park has provided a horse racing track, regional zoo, museum, community band shell, clay tennis courts and renowned gardens

28. Home Sweet Home • I was born in Mankato, where the Blue Earth River meets the Minnesota at its bend. That's where the cabin that my maternal ancestors the Otts built in the 1850s now stands near both rivers in Mankato's Sibley Park. I think that watershed was my first love, and remains so.

30. The Lakeview Bar & Grill is open to the public daily 11:00AM till Close, serving soup and salad bar along with daily and nightly specials. • Located on highway 23 between Cold Spring and Richmond, and on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, boat slips available, lakeside dining, outdoor patios, family oriented (kid friendly). • Motown Twilite • Friday, June 24th, 5pm Social 5:45 Shotgun • Come up to the club with your friends and family for some funky golf followed by the sounds of Motown music--The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and more! Enjoy our car collection from MO-tor City and a BBQ buffet that Detroit would be proud of! • Junior Golf begins on Monday June 13th • July 11- 8am-10am • July 18 - 8am-10am • July 25 - 8am-10am • Jr. Championship August 1

32. Bowling Facts: • While bowling, the average adult burns 240 calories per hour • Bowling involves weight bearing which helps build strong healthy bones • Bowling requires mental focus and helps to develop discipline • Three games of bowling = one mile of walking • The youngest person to bowl a perfect 300 was only 10 years old • The oldest person to bowl a perfect 300 was 87 years old • Bowling is over 5,000 years old making it one of the world's oldest sports • Bowling is the number one birthday party destination for kids 12 and younger. More than 10 million kids celebrate their birthday in a bowling center each year!

33. Lufsa Homain Mankato. The original fictional "Castle Dracula" from Bram Stoker's novel.

34. Thief Rivers Falls • THIEF RIVER FALLS, a city in North and Rocksbury Township and the county seat, was platted as a village in 1887 and was incorporated as a city September 15, 1896. A post office named Thief River operated February-May 1884 while still part of Polk County and was then reestablished in 1891 when the Rockstad post office moved here. The city was a former terminus for the Great Northern and Soo Line railroads. The Red Lake River within the city area originally flowed in rapids over boulders. Above the present dam, which has a head of 15 feet, supplying valuable water power, this river is navigable by steamboats to Red Lake. On the northeast side of the city it receives Thief River, which is translated from the Ojibwe name, noted by Rev. Joseph A. Gilfillan as "Kimod akiwi zibi, the Stolen Land river or Thieving Land river." The map of Maj. Stephen H. Long's expedition, in 1823, and Nicollet's map, published in 1843, give the present name

35. Small Town Minnesota • Chances are, you’ve seen an Emmett Mousley sign around Thief River Falls. And while they are getting fewer and farther between, it’s hard to get around town without seeing one. In this photo tour, you will see signs created by Thief River Falls sign maker Emmett Mousley (1901-1980).

36. Thief River Falls City Hall405 Third Street East • US Post OfficeThief River Falls, MN 56701

37. Main Street • Business fronts on a Main Avenue block just north of the intersection of Third Street/U.S. Highway 59 with Minnesota Highways 1 and 32 in downtown Thief River Falls. (Photo: Mike Brue, GrandForksHerald.com)Have a photo to share from the Thief River Falls area? Click here for information on how to get it to us!

38. Pennington County Historical Society • The Pennington County Historical Society, which was chartered in 1938, owns and maintains the Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village. The Village was dedicated on August 8, 1976. Located on the edge of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the Village offers the public a unique opportunity to walk through a replica of a northern Minnesota pioneer town with vintage gardens, as it might have been 100 years ago. • Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village, named after a local Norwegian immigrant, houses many artifacts from the past displayed in nineteen buildings. The buildings include a museum, two railroad depots, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, log houses, a general store, a two-story Victorian house, a blacksmith shop, and a barber shop. Many pieces of farm machinery are also on display, and an extensive research collection of print materials is available for use. • What was it like a hundred years ago? Now you can see to visit Pennington County Historical Society.

39. Agassiz national wildlife refuge • Agassiz National Wildlife RefugeAgassiz National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Minnesota. Packs of wolves, moose, waterfowl, and 294 species of birds make this refuge a wildlife wonderland. • The refuge, originally named Mud Lake Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, was established in 1937 primarily for waterfowl production and maintenance. Located in eastern Marshall County, the contiguous 61,500 acres are situated in the aspen parkland region of northwest Minnesota. In 1976, 4,000 acres of the refuge were designated a Wilderness Area. Each year over 20,000 visitors enjoy wildlife viewing on Agassiz Refuge. • Today, Agassiz is composed of 37,400 acres of wetlands, 11,650 acres of shrub lands, 9,900 acres of forestland, 1,710 acres of grassland, and 150 acres of cropland. The Wilderness Area encompasses one of the most westerly extensions of black spruce-tamarack bog in Minnesota. Two bog lakes, Kuriko and Whiskey, lie within the area.

40. Minnesota Wildlife • A beautiful taste of Minnesota’s wildlife.

41. Marshall County • Newfolden, Viking, and Holt are small centennial towns located on the edge of the fertile Red River Valley. There are many family owned farms surrounding the communities. Many people in the towns are employed in the nearby city of Thief River Falls. Each community is a great place to raise a family. There are a number of parks, churches, and small businesses servicing the area. Holt is southeast of Newfolden. The town was founded in 1905. It is located 12 miles north of Thief River Falls on Minnesota Highway 32. Holt's population is 89.

42. Viking • Viking’s population is 92. Viking was founded in 1905. It is located in Marshall County, Minnesota. It is located 16 miles west of Thief River Falls just north of Marshall County Highway 2. It is 14 miles southwest of Newfolden.

43. Holt • Holt is southeast of Newfolden. The town was founded in 1905. It is located 12 miles north of Thief River Falls on Minnesota Highway 32. Holt's population is 89.

44. Brown Creek • Brown Creek is designated trout stream managed by the Minnesota DNR Division of Fisheries

45. First in America • Brown Creek was established the first district in America for a systematic program of land erosion control. Known as the Brown Creek District because it embraced the area of the Brown Creek Watershed, it heralded the beginning of a national program of soil conservation districts.

46. A Journey to Minnesota's Oldest Standing Bridge • The bridge crosses Brown's Creek, which flows east into the St. Croix River. • It is slowly crumbling from tree roots and over growth. This bridge was built in the 186Os, but was probably not the first bridge on the site. The bridge was part of a series of frontier roads pitched as "Military Roads" in 1850 by Henry Hastings Sibley. Sold as military purpose roads, they were probably used more often by early settlers of the Minnesota Territory.

47. Farms of the past and the present • This barn, build in 1900 in Marshall County, is the last remaining sign of a once large and prosperous Red River Valley farm. The photo by Doug Ohman is one of 85 pictures featured in the new book "Barns of Minnesota." The book also features a small novel by author Will Weaver about the life and death of one barn through the eyes of the family who built it. Photo by Doug Ohman from the book "Barns of Minnesota“

48. Marshall County Minnesota. There's not much out there... • The land here is absolutely flat, and the fields vast, and the Red River Valley has some of the richest soil in all the world. Though I suspect the main purpose of this tall structure is now for hunting deer, which are thick like rodents in Marshall County

49. Minnesota FarmFive miles north of Red Lake Falls, MN.Pennington County, Minnesota, MN  United States7/12/2007