​Wednesday, July 7, the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group took a walk through what once was the historic Jewel Nursery and is now the Jewel housing development and Golf Club.  Jim Schreck, who from age 12 through high school, worked at the Jewel Nursery shared his recollections of the Jewel Nursery operations and what it meant to the Lake City community.
The Jewell Nursery was started in Lake City, Minnesota in 1868 by Civil War veteran/surgeon Dr. Phineas Jewell and Joseph Merritt Underwood.  It began with 10 acres and grew to 1,500 acres and was one of the largest nurseries in the USA. It was operational for more than 130 years.
It developed many varieties of apples, plums, and small fruits that are hardy in the upper Midwest.  In the early years the nursery sold many fruit trees and plants.   It produced a million new plants a year in its extensive greenhouse.
Jim shared how many of the young boys and teenagers in Lake City worked for 35 cents an hour and were able to save their money and buy the best bike at Coast to Coast by mid-summer.  The work was hot, dirty and challenging at times as the work was at ground level so being of short stature was a big benefit.
The green house was where the woman worked planting seeds, caring for the new plants until they were planted outside. The nursery provided lots of jobs for adults as well as youth in Lake City for many years.  All the operations at the nursery required a large work force.  Eventually the nursery could not meet its labor needs and eventually ceased business.  25
The WLP group will meet again on Wednesday, July 21, for a walk in Frontenac State Park.  Weather permitting the group will walk to the edge of Rattle Snake Bluff over looking Wacouta. Walkers should meet behind the Frontenac gas station at 6:30 to carpool to the park. Questions contact Patty Svien, 345-4383. 

​“Walking Lake Pepin” (WLP) participants enjoyed a leisurely walk along Miller Creek last Wednesday June 30. Miller’s Creek and it’s adjacent shoreline runs east to west through the south end of Lake City emptying into Lake Pepin near the DNR headquarters on South Oak Street.
Miller Creek is part of a DNR aquatic management area that provides angler and management access, protect critical shore land habitat and provide areas for education and research.
The hosts for the evening were Paul and Wanda Myers. Paul started keeping honey bee hives several years ago. He showed the group the active hives and honey combs and gave a very informative talk after the walk about how bees hives are managed and the what the life cycle of a honey bee is. Honey tasting was offered and it was truly delicious.
Next week, July 14th, the WLP Wednesday group walk will head out to the Season’s Harvest Farm owned by Jenny and Tim Schlagenhaft. Seasons' Harvest offers seasonal produce including asparagus, garlic and shallots. They have developed a walking trail through their property that the group will hike.
The WLP group will meet at the Bluffview School front parking lot on Wednesday June 14 at 6:30 to carpool to the farm.
Contact Patty Svien 345-4383 with questions.

​The Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group walk on Wednesday June 16 took place at Hok-si-la Park. There were 29 walkers who showed up to be present as WLP dedicated a bench in the park to Frank Lupton and his wife Yvonne. Frank was one of WLP founding members who died in March 2021.
The bench was purchased with donations from a group of friends who met several times a week for walks along the Riverwalk for many years. Frank was a faithful member of the group.
Also present for the dedication of the bench were of Frank’s daughters; Chris Lupton and Cathy Roepke and husband Jeff.
WLP walkers shared their memories of Frank through the years during a brief program. All who knew Frank remembered his often-stated life mantra “The sun is shining and the birds are singing; it’s a great day to be alive.” This phrase appropriately is inscribed on the dedication plaque on the bench.
Following the dedication, the group continued along the south eastern walking loop at the park and gathered for smore’s at the end of the walk.