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Temporary heat was put into place during transition to the <br />new boiler system. Removal of the old boiler and the <br />installation of the new system presented some unique <br />:hallenges for the contractor but the system is now in <br />~lace. We now have a state-of-the-art boiler system that <br />will service the activities cc'nter and the public for years to <br />come. <br /> <br />Sportsmen's $how <br /> <br />The hottest place in Minnnesota over the ~Tanuory 17~h <br />weekend was the St. Paul RiverCentre. Thousands of <br />angles, hunters, and boaters converged on St. Paul for <br />the 33rd Annual Sportsmen's 5how. Spectators were <br />greeted by dozens of family-Owned resorts, several <br />boat dealers with the latest and greatest in watercraft, <br />and many different recreation vehicle distributors. <br />Between conversations with resort owners, visitors also <br />had opportunities to see a live kodiak brown bear, hear <br />fishing tips fram professionals like Gary Roach, and try <br />their hand at trout fishing. To visit all of the booths <br />and displays one would hove to stay for several hours, <br />and it was apparent that many did stay to see all of the <br />displays. <br /> <br /> Anoka Count,/Parks booth was well received, as in <br />year's past. Recent improvements to Bunker Hills <br />Regional Park, Coon Lake, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes <br />Regional Park Reserve and Bunker Beach water park all <br />drew questions from interested "passer-b/s". Free <br />maps and brochures were a popular draw, and candy for <br />the youngsters helped parents get through the event. <br />As always, we ore very thankful for Cenaiko Productions <br />help in making this event possible for us. <br /> <br />A Snow Day Without Snow <br /> <br />On Saturday January 25th the fourth annual Snow Day <br />event was held at Wargo Nature Center. Again this year <br />the event was held in collaboration with the City of Lino <br />Lakes, while Mother Nature on the other hand did not <br />feel like collaborating on the event. Our winter without <br />snow made it a little more challenging to have a Snow <br />Day. However, thanks to the innovation and hard work <br />of the Lino Lakes and Anoka County Parks programming <br />staff the event was not only held, but was again a <br />SUCCESS. <br /> <br /> While the lack of snow did prevent the event from <br />eoering cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, a variety <br />other activities were available. The DNR's Minn-Aqua <br />gram provided a demonstration and instruction on ice <br />fishing. Naturalists from Wargo assisted participants <br />with kick sledding, winter scavenger hunt, roasting <br /> <br />S'mores over the bond fire, and-making sure everyone <br />got their fill of hot chocolate and cookies. The City of <br />Lino Lakes staff provided face painting and.a snowflake <br />craft. <br /> <br />Snow Day participants had an opportunity to get up close and pet the dogs, <br />ask questions about dog sledding, see how the team is hooked up, and watch <br />the team in action as they took a lap around the Wargo trails. <br /> <br />In addition to all of the above activities, the most <br />popular attraction again this year at Snow Day was the <br />dog sledder, his dogs, and his demonstration. Sandy <br />Hagen from Stacy, MN brought a team of his Inuit and <br />Alaskan Husky dogs. Snow Day participants had an <br />opportunity to get up dose and pet the dogs, ask <br />questions about dog sledding, see how the team is <br />hooked up, and watch the team in action as they took a <br />lap around the Wargo trails. As a result of not having <br />snow Sandy substituted his sled for a four-wheeler. <br />Sandy explained that using a four-wheeler has its perks, <br />as he is able to use the gears of the four-wheeler to <br />create resistance for the dogs and in turn make for a <br />better workout. <br /> <br />A Successful Trout Opener' <br /> <br />Park Ranger Supe~isor ]im Pankratz and Gate Attendant Fran <br />Courteau answer the call of duLL to handle the busy demands of <br />opening trout season. <br /> <br />On January 18~ it was a balmy 3 degrees temperature when the <br />festivities of open trout season began. The opening of trout <br />season is a very popular activity at Coon Rapids Dam's Cenaiko <br />Lake. The lake is stocked with trout by the DNR earlier in the <br />season. Park users enjoy the opportunity to ice fish with family <br />and 'fish. They also enjoy the great success rate in catching fish. <br /> <br />The event traditionally starts with the normal park opening hours <br />of 6 am, Ranger Pankratz and Attendant Courteau arrived at <br />5:30 am to prepare for the opening and ended up starting early. <br />The park users were so enthusiastic that they began arriving 15 <br />minutes prior to the scheduled park opening. <br /> <br />Page 3 <br /> <br /> <br />