Get to know Dan...
I grew up fishing, swimming and playing on Rainy Lake. Both my father Bob and Grandfather “Pappy” Heath were lifelong fishing guides on Rainy. They mentored me on the on the ways of the lake including the cutting and “putting up” of ice to last the summer season. Later my friends and I formed the Rainy Lake Ski Club and entertained with ski shows through our teenage years. Following graduation I attended Bemidji State and Duke University. I spent my career with multiple global companies providing automation solutions to major industries. My primary focus was sales and marketing in the Americas, Scandinavia and central Europe. I retired in 2014 after which Linda and I built our retirement home on previously owned land on Sand Bay. We enjoy all outdoor activities and spending time with many returning friends while basking in the various seasonal beauty of Rainy Lake. Get to know PEggy...
I was born in International Falls and spent my summers on Rainy Lake at the Kettle Falls Hotel, which was our family business for many decades. After Falls High School, I graduated in legal studies/paralegal and spent most of my career working in city, county, state, and federal government positions. I moved to Alaska in 2005 and worked for the Alaska Supreme Court as a deputy clerk and judicial assistant until my retirement in 2015. While living in Alaska I penned an historical novel telling the story of my family in Ranier and on Rainy Lake during prohibition. My husband and I are enjoying retirement on beautiful Rainy Lake. Get to know Tom...
The Kettle Falls Hotel was purchased by my great grandfather Robert (Bob) Williams in 1918 for the price of four barrels of whiskey and a thousand dollars. My mom and dad traveled from our home in Hoyt Lakes every weekend during the resort season to help my grandparents Blanche and Charlie Williams at the hotel. I was only a few weeks old when I took my first boat ride to Kettle Falls. I was fortunate to start working at the hotel at a young age as a dock boy. My duties at times included assisting my grandfather, Charlie Williams with opening and closing the dams and transporting guests to and from the hotel on Namakan lake. The hotel was sold to the National Park Service. In the fall of 1978 my parents purchased Rainy Lake Houseboats. Since then, with exception of a couple years, I have lived and worked on Rainy Lake. I graduated from falls high in 1982, University of Minnesota, Crookston in 1985 with an associates degree in resort management. After college I obtained U.S. Coast Guard 100 ton Masters license which I have maintained for over 30 years. During my summers at the hotel I met many different characters from the area lakes. One of them was George Esslinger. George look after many of the public campsites found on the lakes and he was also the the Coast Guard Lamplighter for Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, and Crane Lakes. George inspired me and I decided that one day I would like to be the Lamplighter. George’s retired in the early 80’s and my Uncle Mike Williams was hired to replace him. I assisted Mike with his duties as Lamplighter and was hired as his replacement in 2012. After the rule curved changed in 2000 we experienced many high-water events on Rainy Lake. This was a great concern of mine and many others in the area. We often complained amongst each other and went in different directions looking for solutions, ultimately getting next to nowhere. It wasn’t until the flood of 2014 that we agreed to come together as one voice and form the Rainy Lake Property Owners Association. During my summers at the hotel I met many different characters from the area lakes. One of them was George Esslinger. George look after many of the public campsites found on the lakes and he was also the the Coast Guard Lamplighter for Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, and Crane Lakes. George inspired me and I decided that one day I would like to be the Lamplighter. George’s retired in the early 80’s and my Uncle Mike Williams was hired to replace him. I assisted Mike with his duties as Lamplighter and was hired as his replacement in 2012. After the rule curved changed in 2000 we experienced many high-water events on Rainy Lake. This was a great concern of mine and many others in the area. We often complained amongst each other and went in different directions looking for solutions, ultimately getting next to nowhere. It wasn’t until the flood of 2014 that we agreed to come together as one voice and form the Rainy Lake Property Owners Association. Get to know Anne...
I was raised in International Falls and spent my summers on Rainy Lake at the family cabin. During college, and after college, I always would come home for summer visits on Rainy Lake. My husband and I have been cabin owners on Sand Bay, Rainy Lake, since 2003. Our winter residence is in Plano, Texas. We are so grateful to be on such a beautiful lake and to “ escape” the Texas heat. |
Get to know Eric...
Eric is an outdoor enthusiast, advocate for conservation of public waters, the owner of multiple water-based businesses, and a life-long resident of Koochiching County. As owner and operator of Voyageurs Outfitters, Inc. (a full-service outfitter in and around Voyageurs National Park), Eric has been providing lake services for over 10 years. Eric holds a U.S. Coast Guard issued 50-ton Captain's License and Tankerman's Credential which are required to operate “The Harbor Lites”, the vessel that delivers fuels to cabins and resorts on both sides of the US-Canadian border on the Coast Guard governed waters of Rainy Lake. Also employed by the National Park Service, Eric captains the "Voyageur", a 49-passenger tour boat in Voyageurs National Park. He is involved with several non-profit organizations across the state, so Eric devotes significant time to community development and land and water conservation efforts. In his spare time Eric enjoys spending time on the water fishing, boating, socializing, and taking part in the splendor of Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake. Eric and his beautiful wife Megan live year round at their property on Elk’s Bay. |