Posted 4/6/21
By Cheryl Temple
Lake Panorama Times

LAKE DOG

Name: Rory
Age: 2 years old
Breed: Cavapoo (King Charles Cavalier/poodle)
Owners: Sherri and Scott Miller
Rory enjoys walks and rides in boats, golf carts or cars. Just say “ride,” and her ears perk up.  She even has her own car seat in the boat and in the cars so she can find just the right viewing spot. Rory jumps in it herself and waits to be buckled in. She is owner Sherri’s shadow and enjoys spending time with granddaughter Ellie (pictured), too. Rory likes to play fetch but doesn’t appreciate the squirrels or geese so much.


COVE CAT

Name: Hailey Jo
Age: 13 years old
Breed: Mixed Calico
Owners: Joan and Bill Fisher
Hailey Jo, a seven-toed cat, enjoys having her tummy rubbed, sitting on the deck and following the sun around to the west side to look at the lake. When the boats are in, she naps on them under the lift canopy. Hailey Jo is an outdoor kitty, but she has a heated “condo” in the garage and is closed in the garage every night for safety. She does come in the house and has been trained to only lay on strategically placed towels. When she wants to go outside, she comes to find you and walks to the nearest door to be let out. She’s very sweet and seems to love everyone. Even non-cat people can’t resist her sweet charms.


Suggest Lake Panorama residents and their pets for us to cover on the Lake Panorama - Lake Dogs and Cove Cats Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LakePanoramaDogsAndCats
 

Posted 3/9/21
By Darren Tromblay
Lake Panorama Times

This is the time of year when Lake Panorama’s Mike Patten rues.

As winter outdoor sports wind down around Lake Panorama in direct proportion with the rate in which temperatures go up, the president of the Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers snowmobiling club looks back on what has been an outstanding couple of months of “sledding.”

Central Iowa was blessed with record-breaking snowfall totals in 2020-21. And while most people stayed inside and complained about Ol’ Man Winter, Patten and his group of 30 to 35 members were outside taking full advantage of it. As were others. The Lake Panorama area and surrounding trails are a perfect combination of beauty and fun for snowmobilers of all ages.

Area snowmobilers have been chomping at the bit for the last five years to get out, throttle up, and put some miles on their sleds.

“In the mid 1990s, we had good snow, but had no grooming machines,” Patten said. “We just kind of freelanced around. Ironically, the last five years, the machines have been better, but the snow has been spotty. This was the first season in which a trail could be ridden for more than a week.”

Like its summer brethren the waverunner, snowmobiling can be a great winter outdoor activity for young and old alike. That is, if the snow falls. Here in Iowa, that’s touch and go. One big snowfall does not necessarily mean weeks and weeks of great riding.

“One of our biggest problems is that we get a blizzard, and then it takes a couple of days to get the snow settled down to where we can enjoy it,” Patten said. “And then we have a day or two before it melts. When it snows, we have to hit it hard.”

Being a part of the club
Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers Media Director Jim Wyckoff said the popularity of snowmobiling reached a peak in the 1970s and has tapered off ever since. Former President Eric Chrystal helped jumpstart the club, bringing in new members, sponsorships and, most importantly, renewed interest in the sport. Now that baton has been passed to Patten.

The Chasers became involved with the Iowa State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) in 2009 and won the ISSA Club of the Year award in 2011.

In the ISSA, the state is divided into 10 regions, with individual clubs within each. The Raccoon River Valley Snow Chasers is in Region 7 and includes members from Guthrie, Greene and Dallas counties. Everything within the club is done on a volunteer basis, Patten said. Each club applies for grants through ISSA, which allocates funds to the clubs, covering costs such as fuel and repairs for groomers.

Wyckoff said the efforts of the Patten family have made a great deal of difference, not only in keeping and recruiting new members, but in helping acquire the grooming machines that have made riding much more pleasant.

“They do a great job of keeping the club active,” Wyckoff said of the Pattens’ efforts. “We currently have about 120 miles of groomed trails, and it makes the riding really nice.”

Overall, nearly 8,000 miles of snowmobile trails exist in the state of Iowa for riders to enjoy.

The club gathers the second Thursday of each month, November through March, at the Lake Panorama Conference Center.

“They provide us a good menu, good wait staff, good food, and we really enjoy holding the meetings there,” Wyckoff said.

At the meetings, members review finances and take care of business like most clubs do, but most of the time, Patten says, it’s just about getting together with friends.

“Most of the time, we just get together, have fun, and talk about what we’ve done, where we rode, and how the trails are looking,” Patten says.

Yearly membership dues are $40. It is $10 more for a Raccoon River Bike Trail pass, which riders must possess if they plan on taking the trail.

Looking back
Both men have long histories in snowmobiling, dating back to when they were young children. For Patten, his love of the sport extends beyond just getting outside with some friends.

“I grew up doing it, and I like the family aspect of it, but I also like that when it’s cold and snowing out, and everyone is complaining and moaning, you’re the one who is excited,” he said. “You get to go out there and have a great time.”

Wyckoff remembers the days in which he’d have his sled parked in the garage as much as he’d have it outside and running properly.

“Back then, you worked on them more than you rode them,” Wyckoff joked. “Technology has greatly improved over the years. They are so much better ergonomically, and they’re more reliable. Modern snowmobiles are considerably safer than those of decades past. They’re much more expensive, too, but it’s a greater pleasure to ride them these days.”

His father turned Wyckoff on to snowmobiling when he was 10 years old. His first sled was a 1969 Galaxy, followed by a 1971 Ski Doo Nordic. Wyckoff said he got away from the sport once he graduated from high school and moved on to other things in life. But the itch was still there. His decision to scratch it was one of the best he’s made.

“About 20 years ago, I was trying to figure out where I was going to take my family on vacation in the winter, and we decided to go to Yellowstone for a snowmobile tour through the park,” Wyckoff says. “That was an awesome experience. We got to go down snow-covered roads right in Yellowstone Park, rode right next to buffalo that were walking beside the road. That kind of got me back into it, and I’ve been doing that for the past 20 years or so on a regular basis, including several trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

The rules of law
Snowmobiling rules are similar to those for cars, only you’re not riding on the road, Patten says. He offered the following tips for snowmobilers:

Make sure you know the area or go with someone who does.

Stop at the stop signs along highways and watch out for cars.

Never ride alone, which is probably the most important tip.

Speed is mostly common sense. “I think 50 mph is a good number. We put low speed limits in town to help keep the noise down.”

Wear good gear. “It was so cold this year, and people would ask how we could snowmobile in that weather. If you have good gear, you’ll be all right. There’s no such thing as poor weather, just poor clothing.”

Snowmobilers must have an updated registration as well, Wyckoff added, which can be obtained from your local county courthouse. Riders also have to have a state trail pass, including for the Raccoon River Bike Trail, which riders have to obtain as well.

LPA rules
According to John Rutledge, general manager of the Lake Panorama Association, snowmobilers are required to follow LPA rules and guidelines:

All regulations regarding snowmobiles promulgated by the State of Iowa shall apply, including, but not limited to, age restrictions.

The off-road recreational vehicle regulations and laws of the State of Iowa shall apply to the Lake Panorama Subdivision.

Snowmobiles may be operated on a member’s lot only, or on areas specifically designated by the Lake Panorama Board of Directors or LPA management as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Rutledge says the bottom line is people can snowmobile on the lake and on the marked route that is maintained by the Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers organization.

“As long as they are on the marked trail and are doing things safely along that trail, we’re fine with it,” he says.

Rutledge encourages people to be especially vigilant now as the season winds down.

“The rapidly increasing temperatures, along with rainfall and snow melt, can make the ice variable and unsafe,” he says. “We encourage people to use a lot of caution as we move into the thaw period.”

Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers Board Members
• Mike Patten - president
• Craig Flack - safety director
• Jim Wyckoff - media director

For more information, email Mike Patten at mjpat76@aol.com or Jim Wyckoff at jim@jimwyckoff.com. To join the club, email Patten or call him at 515-669-0473. The club meets the second Thursday of each month.

Posted 3/9/21
By Darren Tromblay
Lake Panorama Times

Perennial snow-lovers Coop and Tim Rickert of Lake Panorama left town in mid-January for the warmer weather of the west, thinking Iowa might be in for another snow-shy winter.

Boy, were they wrong.

“We love Iowa snows and were bummed this year that we left just when the Iowa winter was firing up,” Coop laughs. “We love to have a fire inside, but we also have been known to have a fire in the fire pit outside in the middle of winter. All our friends in Iowa kept telling us how much snow they were getting, and we were wishing we’d stayed!”

Normally, the Rickerts can be found around Lake Panorama doing one of the things they enjoy most in the winter: hiking.

“We hike a lot on the par-3 golf course in the snow and on the nearby cross country trail,” she says.

The wooded area just outside of the 9-hole Panorama West golf course normally used for high school cross country meets during the fall provides a spectacular winter backdrop for the pair, who have been hiking together since 2003.

“It’s 2 miles, maybe a little more, and it’s where we really enjoy hiking; it’s just gorgeous,” Rickert says. “You’ll see wildlife like deer, fox, owls — and it’s just peaceful. The wildlife is simply amazing.”

The man-made trail near Panorama West is groomed, with no gravel used in the process. Just the way they like it.

“We like it because it’s natural,” Rickert says.

Both will bring walking sticks and have learned to layer up over the years.

“Even if it’s below 0, we’ll go,” Rickert says. “We just make sure we have enough layers on our feet, hands and face, especially.”

 The walking sticks have been more of a benefit than she could have imagined.

“Tim bought them for me for Christmas one year and saw how quickly I could walk and how much easier it was,” she says. “I don’t know how I even did it without them in the past.”

Rickert says they always carry a backpack with them to store necessities. Even though it’s cold, they pack water and the requisite hand and feet warmers. In the backpack is also a first aid kit, and the pair have bandanas tied to their walking sticks to help with any watery eyes and/or runny noses that frequently happen during walks in the winter. Phones are kept in an inside pocket in their jackets and near their bodies to avoid battery drain in the cold.

All in all, it’s a winter wonderland for Rickerts and others alike.

“That’s one of the things we like about Lake Panorama — on both the east and west sides — is that there are no sidewalks,” she says. “It’s just a real natural setting; it’s a little oasis in itself. We often go on what we call ‘deer patrol’ in the evenings in our golf cart on the Lake Panorama roads in the spring, summer and fall, and we count the deer. There have been a couple of times where we’ve counted more than 80 deer in less than an hour.”

Posted 3/9/21
By Susan Thompson
Lake Panorama Times

This winter has been the first full season the new LPA maintenance facility has been available to staff. And to say the facility is working as planned would be an understatement.

“The 2019 maintenance facility is proving to be an excellent infrastructure investment for the association,” says John Rutledge, LPA general manager. “Although it has only been 15 months since we moved in, it is difficult to recall how we functioned without this facility. The shop provides our crew the opportunity to repair and maintain essential equipment, which has been especially critical during the heavy snowfall winter of 2020-21.”

This project first was introduced to the LPA board in the fall of 2014. It was the fall of 2018 before plans were completed, a location was chosen, and construction began.

Move-in began in mid-October of 2019, and 200 people attended an open house Nov. 22, 2019. But it was a few months into 2020 before the move was complete and all shelving and cabinets had been assembled and installed by LPA staff.

The new maintenance complex, located on the lake’s east side at the corner of 200th and Chimra, includes a shop that measures about 10,000 square feet. Also on the site is a cold storage building that has a crushed rock floor. It is used for storing items that don’t need to be kept in a heated environment.

There are two large hoop structures, one for salt and one for sand storage. A smaller hoop structure is a dedicated space for mixing brine, which is used on Lake Panorama roads in the winter. This keeps this process out of the shop, since brine is corrosive. Also at the site are storage bins for aggregate and other materials.

The facility replaced the old maintenance facility located a quarter-mile further west that was built in 1973. It was 4,000 square feet and didn’t come close to providing the needed space for the maintenance equipment and employees that now support the Lake Panorama community.

In addition, signs of corrosion were discovered in late 2016, and the building was temporarily modified in the fall of 2018 to support LPA operations that winter. The LPA board confirmed staff and engineer recommendations that LPA crews not spend another winter in that facility.

Mike Monthei, LPA operations supervisor, manages the facility.

“Being able to repair equipment in a clean and controlled environment helps to keep our equipment in good order,” Monthei says. “This is not only important from a productivity standpoint, but also from a worker safety standpoint.”

The new shop provides a heated space for storage and maintenance of key pieces of LPA equipment. Large overhead doors on both sides of the building allow trucks and trailers to be pulled through the building. A lift in the southeast corner makes it easy to perform routine maintenance on vehicles.

In addition to serving the LPA maintenance department, the facility houses equipment that serves the LPA security, water and erosion control departments.

An earthen berm was built to the west and south of the facility. On top and outside of this berm are evergreen plantings that provide a visual screen. Cupolas, wainscot and a stone entrance to the shop’s office area all “dress up” the facility.

The maintenance complex cost was $1.7 million. LPA worked with a consortium of local banks to finance the project with payoff structured as a 20-year loan.

The cold storage building located at the old maintenance facility site was repurposed for boat storage, beginning last fall. The old shop was torn down in early 2020.

“On behalf of the Lake Panorama staff, I want to thank the LPA board and membership for their support of this important project,” says Rutledge. “This facility will help our team continue to provide top-notch service to the LPA membership for decades to come.”

Posted 3/9/21
By Susan Thompson
Lake Panorama Times

Seeing a diversity of wildlife is one of the joys of Lake Panorama property ownership. One property owner recently turned her interest in the birds and animals outside her window into a small business.

Scott and Trish Hart bought a lot at Lake Panorama in 2007. They had a home built, which was completed in 2012, and moved to the lake fulltime in 2014.

“I’ve always been an avid nature lover and thoroughly enjoy capturing nature’s beauty,” says Trish. “Lake Panorama and the surrounding area has such an amazing variety of wildlife we’re blessed to enjoy throughout each season. When we first moved to the lake fulltime, I used my Samsung Galaxy cellphone to snap photos. But, after buying a digital camera last year, the photography bug really bit me.”

Hart purchased a Panasonic Lumix FZ80, which she says has “some pretty amazing built-in zoom features, so I can capture colorful images of wild birds, fox, deer, turkey, raccoon and bobcat, in addition to Lake Panorama’s beautiful sunrises and sunsets,” she says.

“I’ve enjoyed capturing nature’s beauty and sharing it with others on my personal Facebook page,” Hart says. “We have several birdfeeders on our upper deck, which we can see from our kitchen windows and sunroom. The other wildlife images I’ve been fortunate to capture were all in close proximity to our cove.”

After seeing so many friends and family commenting on and enjoying her images on Facebook, Hart decided to launch “Nature’s Canvas Photography” in January 2021. She created a new Facebook page for the business and now offers custom prints on high quality paper, metal, or glass, plus custom canvases in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The Harts were high school sweethearts while attending school at Coon Rapids. But they took a long and circuitous route to reach Lake Panorama, just 30 miles south.

Trish’s parents and grandparents are from South Dakota, and that’s where she was born. Her father was a high school principal, and the family relocated to Coon Rapids when she was in grade school. Scott grew up in Coon Rapids, and they dated throughout high school.

They both graduated from Iowa State. Trish earned a bachelor’s degree in logistics/supply chain with a minor in information systems management. Scott earned a bachelor’s in agronomy, with an emphasis in seed science.

“We’re big ISU fans and have been football season ticket holders for more than 20 years,” Trish says. “We love our Cyclones!”

The couple married in the fall of 1987. Shortly after graduating from ISU, Scott had an opportunity with Pioneer to oversee their western sunflower acres and production facility in Woodland, California.

“We packed up and headed west to live in Northern California for seven years,” Trish says. “We loved our experience there, fell in love with all the natural beauty, and made many lasting friendships.”

While living in California, Trish’s college roommate, who was a human resources recruiter with Principal Financial Group, contacted her about a leadership role available for someone who had a logistics and information systems management background.

“I flew back to Des Moines, interviewed and was offered the position,” she says. “Scott and I were thinking about starting a family at that time and welcomed the opportunity to move closer to home and be near extended family.”

The couple lived in Grimes for more than 20 years, while she was an assistant director with Principal and Scott was a marketing director and agronomist with Pioneer, which now is known as Corteva Agriscience.

The couple has one son, Logan, who also is an ISU alum. He graduated with an industrial engineering degree in December 2019 and started his fulltime career with Crane Worldwide Logistics in Ohio a year ago. In December he accepted a promotion with Crane into a new leadership role in California. He and his girlfriend, Danielle Armstrong, now are settled in the southern California area.

In 2007, while living in Grimes, Scott and Trish bought a lot at Lake Panorama in Andrews Cove, on the northeast side of the lake just before the Narrows.

“I enjoyed many summers with my family on the water, boating and camping at Gavin’s Point Dam in Yankton, South Dakota, so lake life is in my blood,” says Trish.

Their good friends, Larry and Heidi Wolinski, had built a home in Burchfield Cove and own Azcon Construction. The couple partnered with Larry on the custom design and build of their home and moved to Lake Panorama fulltime in 2014.

“We were drawn to Lake Panorama for many reasons,” Trish says. “The boating, skiing, tubing and fishing, the variety of wildlife, the serenity of being in a rural setting and near the water. We also own a farm and recreational timber south of Guthrie Center where Scott has a cow-calf operation. Scott’s a big hunter and enjoys spending time there.”

Hart says, when they started building, they quickly discovered Andrews Cove and the surrounding area had some “generous and warm neighbors nearby. We learned this the first winter snowstorm we experienced after moving in, when we received 14 inches of snow. David Van Ahn came to our rescue with his tractor and blade and quickly scooped us out. And we’re delighted Dave still graciously does this for us every snowstorm.”

Another example of that neighborly compassion involved Mary and Ray Pals, who helped tow their boat to Coulter’s Marine after a faulty battery was discovered.

“Scott and I love hosting our family and friends at Lake Panorama,” Trish says. “We’ve made so many great memories here and look forward to making many more.”

By the winter of 2017, after 25 years in a fulltime leadership role with Principal Financial Group, Trish was ready for a change.

“This was before COVID-19,and the commute into downtown Des Moines was taking its toll,” she says. “After many great years with the company, I resigned and was ready to look for something part-time.”

Within a few weeks, Trish saw Lake Panorama National Resort was looking for someone to work at the LPN front desk.

“I interviewed and started working 20 to 25 hours a week in April 2017,” she says. “Working there has been a welcome change and allowed me to get to know many more Lake Panorama residents and LPN club members.

“I enjoy interacting with everyone and seeing them enjoy the variety of amenities LPN offers, especially in the busy spring and summer seasons,” Trish says. “I cover the phone lines and help guests make lodging arrangements for the townhouses and hotel, prep their keys, and assist guests with check-in and check-out. It’s a completely different vibe from my previous role, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know a new set of colleagues at LPN and LPA.”

Scott now works as a marketing director with AgVenture, one of Corteva Agriscience’s seed brands. The couple likes walking together and hiking, and when they have a chance to get away, they enjoy traveling and exploring U.S. National Parks.

But when they’re at Lake Panorama, they often are on the water.

“Our family loves being on the water, and Scott’s an avid fisherman,” Trish says. “One of our favorite activities is taking the boat out right before sunset and heading to the upper basin to relax and savor those rapidly changing colors on the horizon. Iowa sunsets are magical, and we’re so blessed to be in an area where we can enjoy heaven’s artistry.

“As I look back on 2020 when the virus hit and we all started sheltering at home, it seemed the perfect opportunity for me to slow down, pay attention to what was going on outside, and truly appreciate nature’s seasonal blessings and rhythms,” Trish says. “That’s what Nature’s Canvas Photography is all about. For those interested in adding some color and life to their walls and décor, I would love to help make it happen.”

Prices for Hart’s custom prints vary as she partners with a variety of production houses that may be offering special promotions throughout the year. Some clients have been interested in simply buying a digital download of an image, which they can turn into a custom mug, blanket, puzzle, keychain, computer mousepad, Christmas ornament or a host of other items.

Hart recently did a photo shoot at The Lakeside Village for marketing purposes, after Gloria Dahl of Windy Ridge Interiors & More staged several apartments in the senior facility. She says while her first love will always be nature photography, she’s open to considering other projects. Hart can be contacted by visiting www.facebook.com/NaturesCanvasPhotos.

Posted 3/9/21
By Cheryl Temple
Lake Panorama Times

Lake Dog
Name: Tanner
Nickname: T-Bone
Breed: Yellow lab
Age: 15 years old
Owners: Andrea and Justin Rishel

Tanner was a rescue that was being fostered by neighbors of Andrea and Justin Rishel. Tanner chose the Rishels as his family one night at a neighborhood get together.

On nice days, you will find Tanner laying outside soaking up as much sun as possible (even on the hottest of days). He enjoys going on long walks, swimming in the lake, car rides to PJ’s for ice cream and Grandma and Grandpa Pipers’ for sleepovers or just to say “hi” and grab a treat or two. Tanner’s pet peeve is when his feline siblings try to snuggle with him on his bed.

Cove Cat
Name: Lucky
Breed: Calico
Age: 6 years old
Owners: Andrea and Justin Rishel

How appropriate for our March Cove Cat to be named “Lucky.” She is a 6-year-old Calico rescue kitty that wandered into Andrea and Justin Rishel’s garage.

She enjoys the outdoors, hunting and rolling around on the concrete. Lucky comes running when she hears the treat bag.  She likes napping in drawers, playing with her kitty brother Houdini, and hiding under the blankets with her family. Her pet peeve is an empty food bowl.

Suggest Lake Panorama residents and their pets for us to cover on the Lake Panorama - Lake Dogs and Cove Cats Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LakePanoramaDogsAndCats
 

Posted 2/9/21
By Darren Tromblay
Lake Panorama Times

Tired of being cooped up indoors? Just because the cold winter months are here doesn’t mean one can’t enjoy the great outdoors at Lake Panorama. Old Man Winter’s arrival means cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, skating and, of course, ice fishing.

Ask any true fisherman (or woman), and he or she will tell you the pandemic may have canceled a lot of things over the last year, but fishing isn’t one of them. In the winter, a number of ice fishing shacks dot the lake, as well as a few enthusiasts who prefer the more primitive “ice bucket, pole and manual auger” experience.

To each their own, but the one thing they all share is a love of dropping a line into the water and patiently waiting for that first bite.

Brian Peppmeier owns a “getaway” home on the west side of Lake Panorama, a place he and his wife bought last November. They’ve spent the last year upgrading it to the point where it’s habitable. Unfortunately, that meant little time for fun. But over the course of those months, Peppmeier has noticed how much he enjoyed the simplicity of just being there.

“I think I like it out there in the winter almost as much as the summer,” he says. “It’s so quiet; there’s wildlife out there.”

And fishing. Despite being a relative newbie to the sport, Peppmeier is all in on the enthusiasm front. He’s learning.

“Ice fishing is different than regular fishing,” he says. “They (fish) don’t hit your lures the way they would during normal fishing, so it definitely takes a feel.”

Peppmeier has been honing his skills, which were helped along greatly when he received a fishing tent for Christmas.

“I like to be comfortable and don’t like to be cold, so that was pretty nice,” he says. “You can put a heater in there and probably be in a T-shirt in there if you wanted to. It’s pretty comfortable, with a padded bench in it, and a sled under it where you can put all your stuff to carry around. A little heater will warm it up in a couple minutes.”

Peppmeier bought a used gas-powered auger to drill holes in the ice and invested in around 10 ice fishing poles so, if family members or friends want to go out, they can. He also bought a Vexilar fish finder. Once his friend, Dan, showed him how to use it, it’s become an invaluable tool.

“Now that I know how to use it, I don’t think I’d go fishing without it,” Peppmeier admits. “You can literally see your lure on the screen, the depth, and watch fish follow your lure if they’re there.”

Peppmeier has just begun to figure out the lake’s intricacies — where the “hot spots” are. A cove that he fishes frequently has yielded good results, primarily at 7-8 feet of depth near a main channel and additional drop offs. Where a structure is nearby, there may be fish, he says.

The majority of the other people Peppmeier has seen this fishing season have been dropping their lures in the vicinity of the marina, he says, which has rendered good results as well.

The ice isn’t consistently thick across the lake, so safety is a top priority for Peppmeier. In rendering a verdict as to whether or not an area is safe and thick enough to bear weight, remember: Good ice is clear. Milky-looking is not. The stronger, the better, Peppmeier says. At least 4 inches of ice is a good starting point.

“I’m probably overly cautious,” he says. “There are probably people who would go out on 2 inches of ice, but I wouldn’t do that. Because even with 2 inches, your next step could be a half an inch. It’s been a good, consistent 6 inches since we started going out this year, and I feel pretty confident in that.”

A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work, though. Even if Peppmeier isn’t having the best of luck reeling in the gilled ones, he’s still doing something he enjoys.

“It’s not even as much about fishing for me, as it is about being out there and relaxing,” he says. “I feel like, as soon as we drive there and turn down that road where it starts to get wooded, there’s a big sense of relaxation. We’ve seen quite a bit of deer, a fox, an eagle that flies over quite a bit.

“You can either sit in the house all day or find something to do outside. My wife has done some snowshoeing, and we take our dogs for walks quite a bit, too. Fishing is just one more thing to do that is relaxing and gets you outside. Obviously, it’s more fun if you’re catching fish, but it’s just about being there.”

On the move
Scott Stanley lives just off the water in the main basin near the marina of Lake Panorama.

Come late October to early November, he’s getting primed and ready for ice fishing. The first step is to do that initial ice strength test.

“I always have an ice chisel with me, and, generally, if you pound that out in front of you, if it’s 3 inches or less in depth, the chisel will go right through,” he says. “Clear ice is the best ice. Cloudy, white ice is not the safest, and it’s the hardest to judge just because you can’t see the cracks to judge the depth. Four-plus inches is the safe spot.”

Even then, though, it’s best to err on the side of caution, he says.

“One spot will be 7 inches, and the next might be completely unsafe,” he says.

This fishing season has been an odd one thus far, with Stanley not being able to drop a lure through the ice until around Christmas time, he says. It was too warm. The arrival of more consistently cold temperatures recently has solved that. But it hasn’t made the success rate any better. Fishing on Lake Panorama can be tough.

“The lack of cover being the primary reason,” he says. There are a few spots with cover, however, including one of his favorite spots, the jetty near the marina. On a good day, one might find four or five shacks in that area alone. “It’s a good spot because you can catch all different kinds of species, from walleyes to catfish, bass, bluegills. You can catch them all there.”

 The jetty can also be a difficult fishing spot due to its popularity and ease of accessibility, Stanley says. For those seeking a less-trafficked spot, he recommends the Shady Beach area, where there’s an underwater rock point that juts out, complete with a river channel flowing next to it. The transition from shallow water to a sudden drop off of anywhere from 12 to 20 feet provides the fish a good cover and structure area. Trees in the area make it another prime locale for a good fishing experience, he says.

“If you can find the bait, you’re going to find the fish,” he says. “The old saying is that 90 percent of the fish in a body of water are located in 10 percent of it. You have to cover a lot of water when you ice fish and punch a bunch of holes. My biggest advice would be to find a main lake point, or if you know where some trees are in water — anything with structure in the bottom — it’s going to be an added benefit, just because the lake is pretty much barren the way it is. If you can find some sort of structure at the mouth of coves, that might also be a good spot because generally there’s a stream or creek that’s feeding in that has the forage for the bigger fish to go prey on.”

Crappies, bluegills and walleyes can be hooked if you know how to get after them. But the latter is by far the hardest to pull out of the lake, he says, noting that his biggest walleye catch was a 27 1/4-inch through the ice. Despite the fishing conditions being “a bit tricky” this season, he says, if you can find the fish, they’ve been willing to bite.

Stanley has been ice fishing more than 20 years, and, much like Peppmeier, says it’s more than just about the fishing.

“It’s definitely a social event,” he says. “You want to take someone new, or it’s a great family event. You can get in the shack with a heater, bring all the snacks and goodies you want, and camp out for a couple of hours. This year’s been a lot different due to COVID, so there hasn’t been the get-togethers with the friends, so we’re looking forward to next fishing season and getting back on a regular pattern there.”

It’s also a family affair. The Stanley children — Alyssa, 9, and Blake, 5, — are hooked, too. Both began ice fishing with their dad when they were 4. For Stanley, their excitement at discovering a new sport was equally as gratifying for him. Many kids are followers of their parents’ footsteps, he says, and when asked if they wanted to go, they immediately said “Yes!”

Mission accomplished. Now if only the fish will bite.

“At this age, you need to keep them entertained if the fish aren’t biting, so you need to bring plenty of snacks,” he admits. “Thankfully, every time we’ve gone, the fish have cooperated, and they have had a blast. My son always says, ‘I love feeling that classic ‘tink’ when a fish bites. Once I feel it, I set the hook!’ ”

The sheer excitement on the kids’ faces is enough to keep them coming back for years to come.

“Nothing beats getting the kids outdoors and being active,” Stanley says. “My kids agree that it’s way better than being cooped up inside. The joy and excitement they have when they do catch the big one is my pure joy. I know one day they will do the same with their kids.”

Technological advances have made it easier to ice fish, too, Stanley says. Gas-powered ice augers have been a huge help, for starters.

“Twenty-five years ago, I went out with a hand-held auger and no other electronics,” he says. “I’d basically go to a spot blind, punch holes, and have to find the depth to the bottom on my own. There was nothing efficient about it. Now there’s all the technology and the fish maps. I’ll look at maps of lakes before I go there just to find any hot spots. Once I do, I’ll walk right there and start punching holes.”

A lot of people go with live bait for lures, he says, but he prefers artificial lures.

“They stay on the hook a lot better, you can keep your gloves on more, and it’s just a faster, more efficient approach,” he says. “But, a lot of times, winter fish can be stubborn. They like that live bait. When that happens, my go-to are minnow heads on any type of jig.”

In the state of Iowa, you are allowed two lines per license, with the option of buying a bonus line for an additional fee. Stanley usually has two, punching a hole for his “deadstick rod,” as he calls it, which he places on a bucket while holding and jigging his other pole.

“It’s all about moving,” he says. “If you punch a few holes in a general area, and you’re not marking fish for 15 minutes, you need to get up and move and go somewhere else and find them.”


Tips for safely enjoying outdoor activities
Protecting yourself from the elements is incredibly important. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind as you venture out into the cold.

• Dress appropriately. Since your body loses heat faster than you can produce it in the cold weather, make sure you dress appropriately. Wear a hat, boots, gloves and layers of loose-fitting, water-resistant clothing. Pay special attention to vulnerable areas such as the nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin and fingers.

• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids is just as important during the winter season as it is in the summertime. Since the cold air is dryer, it’s easier to become dehydrated. If you plan to be outside for an hour or more, make sure to bring fluids with you.

• Use sunblock. Yes, even in the wintertime, you need to protect your skin. Use broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily (even on cloudy and snowy days), and make sure your skin is covered.

• Monitor weather conditions. Always check the weather forecast before heading out for your winter run, hike, or snowshoeing excursion. Inclement weather may force you to alter your plans, but it’ll be better than getting stranded in a snowstorm.

• Tell someone where you’re going. Outdoor winter adventures are fun, but the risks may be higher, depending on the activity you choose. A good rule of thumb for safety is to always tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return.

Posted 2/9/21
By Susan Thompson
Lake Panorama Times

The story of how two high school sweethearts from Davenport started and have maintained a retail jewelry store in Ames for nearly 45 years is an interesting one. What makes it even more interesting is they have a second home at Lake Panorama.

Gary Youngberg and Karen Mensing both made the Davenport varsity golf teams as sophomores.

“We played a lot of golf together and fell in love,” says Gary.

Gary attended the University of Iowa for his first year of college while Karen went to Iowa State.

“I hated college and considered quitting and becoming a policeman in Davenport,” says Gary. “Karen encouraged me to finish the year in Iowa City and try Iowa State the next year, so I did. I liked Ames much better but still saw little value for me in college. My scholarships were running out, and I didn’t want to borrow money to do something I didn’t like, so I ended my college career.”

Gary had always loved rocks and gems and had taught himself how to make jewelry from two books he checked out of the library while in college.

“Karen and I were 20 years old and had been doing some art shows with a modicum of success,” he says. “I knew I loved what I was doing, so we started Ames Silversmithing in August of 1976 with $1,500 from my savings account. I ran out of funds by the time we opened and was fortunate I was a waiter at a sorority so I could eat.”

The couple married in June of 1977. The same year, they moved Ames Silversmithing to a larger location at 220 Main in downtown Ames, where it remains today.

Originally working in silver and semi-precious stones, Gary continued producing his one-of-a-kind jewelry creations. As business grew, both Gary and Karen received their diamond training through the Gemological Institute of America, the leading gemological laboratory in the world. Soon, Gary was working in gold, platinum and diamonds, as well as an extensive selection of precious and semi-precious colored gemstones.

Gary says when he and Karen started the business in 1976, they didn’t think about long-term success, yet the business continued to grow. In 1990, they more than doubled the size of the business by building a new facility on their old site. In 2000, another expansion made room for two more workbenches, allowing four full-time artists to design and create jewelry.

In 2002, the couple’s two sons joined the business. Kyle attended the University of Kansas for three years before returning home to graduate from Iowa State University in business. Kyle works in sales and customer relations, plus inventory management and administration. Kyle’s wife, Katie Youngberg, has been a part of the business for more than a decade, and helps with sales, marketing, purchasing and inventory management.

The couple’s younger son, Kirk, attended college for two years before joining the team. Gary says Kirk “brings an exciting and refreshing perspective to the bench in his jewelry designs.” Kyle, Kirk and Katie all received their diamond training and degrees from the Gemological Institute of America. Kirk’s wife, Lori, works at Iowa State University as an ISU Extension program coordinator.

In 2004, Ames Silversmithing expanded again. The purchase of a property adjacent to the store allowed for expansion of both the retail and work areas.

“The extra space made it possible for us to completely redesign the retail area with all new showcases and interior displays,” Gary says. “The extra space has been a benefit to not only the staff, but also for our customers.”

Most customers come from a 60-mile radius around Ames, but the business has had customers from nearly every state in the country.

“We have a broad range of customers,” Gary says. “The young couple looking for an engagement ring, the high schooler looking for a $45 pair of earrings for his girlfriend, the guy wanting to surprise his wife with an anniversary gift after 30 years of marriage, and the self-purchasers who want what they want.”

Their busiest time is the last six weeks of the year, with spikes around Valentine’s Day and spring wedding engagements.

The Youngbergs bought their Lake Panorama home in December 2016.

“Karen had been looking off and on at both Clear Lake and Lake Panorama,” Gary says. “She worked with a realtor a few times, but we found out about the house through friends who live directly across Horseshoe Cove. They had looked at the property before buying where they did, called one of our sons and told him it had come on the market, and suggested Karen and I might like it.”

The house is a cedar cabin and features a point of land that sticks out into the cove.

“That is where our yellow lab named Koda and I love to sit and fish,” Gary says. “I had a ‘Koda’s Point’ marker made for the point.”

The Youngbergs use their Lake Panorama home year-round.

“Our time there can range from a simple overnight to perhaps a week, but typically it is just one or two days at a time,” says Gary.

The family enjoys Lake Panorama for many reasons.

“Being on the water is always fun, and the ability to fish when and for as long as I want is a real plus,” says Gary. “With our two sons, their wives and six grandchildren all in Ames, the lake is a wonderful getaway that is very easy and convenient to get to. We all look forward to our family gatherings there, but the other families get their alone time as well.”

Both Karen and Gary are accomplished amateur golfers. Gary has won the Ames City golf championship eight times in the Open division and twice in the Senior division. That means the couple also appreciates Lake Panorama because of its two golf courses.

“The 18-hole course is challenging for all levels and always in fine shape,” Gary says. “But the gem, at least for me, is Panorama West, which is literally a two-minute golf cart ride away. We never tire of playing the par-3 course. In 2019, I had my third hole-in-one there on the eighth hole.”

Over the last 10 years, Gary has taken up an interest in hickory golf.

“Hickory golf is played with pre-1935 hickory shaft golf clubs and is rapidly expanding across the country,” he says. “It speaks to the soul of golf and lets people see how the game was played 100 years ago.”

Gary has about 200 hickory clubs and is always looking for more. He does club refurbishing in his work area at the lake, and he and Karen talk about organizing and hosting a hickory event at Panorama West someday.

The Youngbergs have donated a piece of jewelry for the Fin & Feather annual auction three times.

“Karen and I have developed a truly special feeling for Lake Panorama after just this short time,” Gary says. “We appreciate the work Fin and Feather does and are always happy to support their efforts in conservation.”

Gary says the success of Ames Silversmithing has allowed the couple’s philanthropical efforts to grow through the years.

“We support every high school post prom in the area, every grade school carnival, multiple fundraisers for the American Heart Association, the American Diabetic Association, Canine Companions for Independence, Search Dog Foundation, and Tunnel to Towers, to name a few,” he says.

The couple also routinely donates jewelry pieces to help those in need of kidney transplants or other health issues.

Ames Silversmithing offers a wide variety of jewelry.

“We carry everything from moderately priced silver jewelry in the $50 to $500 range, up to larger diamonds and fine quality colored gemstones such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires,” Gary says. “We also carry perhaps the largest selection of semi-precious stones in Iowa, including tourmaline, garnets in multiple varieties, tanzanite, aquamarine, opals in a wide range and cultured pearls in classic white to black South Seas Tahitian pearls.”

Gary says the Ames Silversmithing story truly is one of the American dream.

“Karen and I started the business with little more than a thought,” he says. “And while we still are a small business from a technical viewpoint, our business supports eight different families. Our success over the last 40-plus years is based on an attention to detail one seldom sees in today’s world.

“Our service is second to none, as is the quality of our jewelry and gems,” Gary says. “We have six people in the store, myself included, who not only design but create many of our pieces. We work in not only silver as our name suggests, but gold and platinum as well. As manufacturers, we are able to offer prices and selection like no other store around.”

Ames Silversmithing is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with appointments welcomed. More information is available on the store’s website at www.amessilversmithing.com.
 

Posted 2/9/21
By Cheryl Temple
Lake Panorama Times

Lake Dogs
Chloe, tri-color, age 3; and Mady, ruby color, age 1.
Both are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Owners are Julie Maddux and son Wyatt Hall.
Chloe and Mady enjoy sunbathing on their deck, playing tug of war with each other and going to “work” with mom Julie in her home office. Chloe’s pet peeve is when there is a dog on TV, and Mady is too easy-going to have any pet peeves.

Cove Cat
Houdini, age 5
Owners are Justin and Andrea Rishel.
Houdini got his name from popping out of a bag or a blanket when he was very tiny — just like magic! He was rescued from a hoarding situation when he was a baby. Houdini enjoys snuggling, napping and hunting. His best friends are their dog Tanner and the other kitty, Lucky. Houdini likes chasing Lucky around the house and playing fetch with his squeaky mouse.
 

Posted 1/5/21
By Susan Thompson
Lake Panorama Times

In 1966, Paul Brackelsberg was a new animal science faculty member at Iowa State University. Three years later, his wife Phyllis joined the ISU textiles and clothing faculty. One day they were driving to a conference together when they decided to stop in Panora to check out Lake Panorama.

“The lot sales location was on the west side,” Paul says. “We didn’t have much money, but we ended up buying some lots on the west side that we were told would be real moneymakers for us. It didn’t really turn out that way.”

But eventually they bought a boat and started spending time on the new lake. Phyllis had grown up in Minnesota so was familiar with the family fun of living on a lake. The couple now had three children and decided it was time to build a house on Lake Panorama. In 1988, they purchased a waterfront lot on the east side near the entrance to the Narrows, plus three B lots across the street.

They built a small home – just 1,040 square feet. But it was a place for them and their extended family to gather.

“Phyllis’ parents from Minnesota came to visit and said we made a good decision, that having a lake home is a good way to keep families together,” Paul says.

The couple combined the three B lots across the street into one. Paul says he was “too tight” to pay taxes on land and just let it sit, so he planted pine trees. As they grew, he sold some for Christmas trees and gave some away. He still has some people who choose a tree each year and come cut it down when they are ready.

The first trees were scotch pine. As those grew and were harvested, Paul decided to replant using white pine. He says the softer needles don’t hold Christmas ornaments as well, but each year many tree branches are cut and turned into wreaths and garland.

The area is surrounded by a tall fence in an attempt to keep deer out. Once the pine trees were planted, Paul decided to add play features for his grandchildren. A large tree house was built. A tire swing hangs from another tree. Freestanding playground equipment is located in several spots.

The most interesting play feature is a wooden train, with cars large enough for both children and adults to climb into. The Brackelsberg’s three children all live along Interstate 35. Their son lives in Oklahoma City. One daughter is in Ames, with another daughter in the Twin Cities.

The Twin Cities family used to travel to Strasburg, Pennsylvania, on business, and sometimes Paul and Phyllis would make the trip, too. They stayed in the Red Caboose Motel there, where each room is a caboose. One of the many train-themed parts of the motel and surrounding area is a wooden train, with an engine, caboose and three cars in between.

“The grandkids loved playing on that train so much, I decided I should build them one,” Paul says. “I took pictures and got measurements and came home and started building it, one car at a time. The grandkids loved it, and now it’s the great-grandkids that play on it the most.”

Phyllis and Paul retired in 1998.

“We both had very successful, productive careers at Iowa State,” Paul says. “We felt we had the best jobs at the university, because we were both teaching and advising undergraduates. It was a huge joy for both of us.”

Phyllis passed away 10 years ago. Paul lives in the Green Hills Retirement Community, located on 30 acres just south of the ISU campus. At the age of 81, he remains active in the community there, while also making regular trips to his Lake Panorama home. This year he cut pine branches and created 15 wreaths to donate for a fundraiser for his Kiwanis Club.

The three Brackelsberg children gave their parents 18 living grandchildren, with one deceased. There now are 11 great-grandchildren, with No.  12 arriving soon. It has been a long-time tradition for all the close family and descendants to gather at Lake Panorama one weekend each summer, often the first weekend in August.

As the family continued to grow, Paul’s daughter who lives in Ames convinced him the original lake home was becoming too small for the big family gatherings. Seven years ago, the house was expanded and now boasts 2,300 square feet on each of its two floors. Even with seven bedrooms, Paul says those family weekends have kids sleeping on couches and air mattresses scattered throughout the house.

A couple of years ago, all 40 of the Brackelsberg descendants were present for the special family weekend. This year’s pandemic cut into the number of family members who could attend, but there still were about 30 in attendance.

“I let the kids and grandkids do all the planning now,” he says. “I just show up and enjoy.”