Have you checked out the new bookstore in downtown Three Lakes
yet? Laura Lowry opened Mind Chimes Bookshop in October of 2019. We sat down with Laura not too long ago to
find out more about her and her new business venture.
Laura is trained in medicine as a pediatrician and also was an
anatomy and physiology instructor at Nicolet College. Three Lakes has been her home for about ten
years; and like many of us, Laura was drawn to the town because of the beauty
of the lakes and the natural environment. When asked what inspired her to
change careers, Laura lit up saying, “Every small town needs a bookstore – it’s
a portal to the rest of the country and even the world.” Laura spent a year researching
the idea, followed by months of structural and cosmetic renovations on the
100-year-old building that is now home to Mind Chimes.
The first thing you notice when stepping into the bookstore is
that it’s flooded with natural light. The surroundings are somehow both classic
and contemporary, and you feel equally welcome to strike up a lively
conversation or retreat to a quiet corner.
Laura’s goal is to create a “third space”, a place for
everyone – tourists, year-round residents, busy young families, or those who
are retired – to find inspiration and conversation. With our homes being first, and our work or
school being second, we all need another place – a third space – to gather
together, meet a friend, or enjoy a book and a cup of tea. Having spaces like
this available to a community contributes to our quality of life.
Plans for the future include offering a meeting place for book
clubs, story hours for children (ask about the secret room behind the
wardrobe!) and opportunities for adults to participate in the craft of oral
storytelling as well. Laura will be gearing up for the busy summer season by
building inventory, increasing business hours, looking for part-time employees
– people who are readers and who are willing to share their love of books with
others.
Be sure to stop in to Mind Chimes Bookshop soon – meet Laura, take in this gem of a store, browse the wide selection and bring home a few new favorite books. Check out their website here.
Just like other places around town. there are a few adjustments being made this summer. Here is what you can expect at the bookshop:
“There are a few changes at the Bookshop. Out of respect for your health, I will be wearing a mask. I ask customers to consider extending that gesture to me and other shoppers as well. I am offering private shopping appointments between 9AM and 10AM on days the bookshop is open. A minimum purchase of a $50 gift certificate is required. Call 715-490-0324. Please practice physical distancing in the bookshop, and wait a few moments on the deck if it appears full. Thank you!”
Come to Three Lakes August 8the and enjoy the 16th annual Art on Main. We expect 50 fine artists and crafters who will be exhibiting paintings, pottery, wood carving, jewelry, weaving and more.
Come to Three Lakes Friday & Saturday, March 13th & 14th, to help support local businesses. Visit participating Three Lakes businesses for extra savings, giveaways, fun activities, treats, & tastings! Shop Local. Shop Small. Support Three Lakes!
The Tara Lila Snowshoe Celebration is a free, family-friendly event where snowshoers of all skill levels can enjoy groomed trail loops of varying lengths. The event features food, guided tours by trained naturalists at 1:30pm and 2:30pm, Animal Tracks Talk and Walk at 1pm, warming campfires and a candlelight showshoe walk at dusk. Enjoy door prizes and fatbike trails as well.
The Three Lakes Tavern League Poker Run #2 will take place from Thursday, February 13-15th. Grab a card for a $5 donation to Three Lakes Trails to be stamped at participating businesses and join them for the drawing Saturday night between 5-9pm at Bonnie’s Lakeside, to draw your poker hand. There will great prizes and raffles as well as a great time! Get out and explore the snowmobile trails and area businesses or take your car, the poker run is open to all and there is no limit on number of stamp cards purchased! Need not be present to win.
The Three Lakes Tavern League Poker Run #1 will take place from January 16-18th. Grab a card for a $5 donation to Three Lakes Trails to be stamped at participating businesses and join them for the drawing Saturday night between 5-9pm at TBA to draw your poker hand. There will great prizes and raffles as well as a great time! Get out and explore the snowmobile trails and area businesses or take your car, the poker run is open to all and there is no limit on number of stamp cards purchased! Need not be present to win.
The 20th Annual Angel on My Shoulder “Polar Bear Plunge” will be held on January 4th on Spirit Lake by Bonnie’s Lakeside. Come join in on the fun and support a great cause! Whether you want to jump into the water or just watch others, this is a great community event and fundraiser. We hope to see you there!
Festivities begin at 4:00pm with LIVE Reindeer and Horse-drawn wagon rides! Huge firepit! Santa, Mrs. Claus and Elves arrive at 5:00pm. Lighting of the 95ft. tree and gazebo.
Visit with Santa, listen to Christmas music, and enjoy complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, and coffee! Chili will also be available.
Enjoy an old-fashioned hometown kick-off to the Christmas season at Cy Williams Park in Three Lakes.
The “Jingle Mingle” shopping day is scheduled for Saturday, November 30th, the day following the Festival of Lights! “Jingle Mingle” is inspired by Small Business Saturday and is an opportunity to celebrate small businesses in Three Lakes and, of course, to find unique holiday gifts for your friends and family. Come out and participate in holiday festivities, chat with neighbors and enjoying special holiday offers in participating businesses. We can’t wait to see you there!
Three Lakes Nicolet ATV Club Scavenger Hunt ATV/UTV Ride
The 2019 haunt ride and scavenger hunt will be October 27th. Registration is 9-10 at Tavern On The Loop. Plan for a great day of fun and shenanigans! Extra points for decorated rigs and costumes!
Come to the Three Lakes School from 9:30am-3pm and enjoy a variety of food, arts/crafts, raffles, bake sale, farmer’s market, homemade soups & cinnamon rolls! Cranberry Bog tours will also be offered during Pumpkin Fest! Proceeds benefit the Three Lake Fire Department
Sponsored by the Three Lakes Fire Department Auxilary
Come out to Three Lakes for the North by Northwoods music crawl. On Saturday, Sept. 21st, Live music will be performed in bars and shops throughout the area with a FREE shuttle, running 1/2 hour before the first performance to 1 hr after the last one.
Plan a fun-filled day in Three Lakes on July 4th with lots of things to do! Start the day at 9 AM with the Lion’s Club parade. After the parade, everyone is invited to Don Burnside Park where the party continues with a variety of food and flea market vendors, many supporting local organizations. A band will also be performing, courtesy of the Red Suspenders organization of Three Lakes. The Aqua Devils Water Ski Show will perform around 6:30 as they will throughout the summer, every Wednesday and Saturday from June 16 through August 11. And the 4th of July wouldn’t be the 4th of July without fireworks at dusk at Don Burnside Park.
Don’t miss any of the fun! Plan a memory-making day and enjoy the time with your friends and family in Three Lakes.
Three Lakes WI is situated between two national forests with hiking, biking, and camping nearby. Perfect for the nature lover in all of us to get out among the pines and enjoy mother nature. Looking for something with a little horsepower? Grab your ATV and head out, you can ride all day though the woods and visit some of the nearby towns and attractions. Don’t miss out on stopping by Bonds Falls, its a great day trip. For more info on these great activities, give us a call.
Looking for fun out on the water? Look no further than Three Lakes WI, your gateway to the chain. Three Lakes is situated on the World’s Largest Chain of Freshwater lakes with 28 lakes that are interconnected. This location offers visitors and residents access to a world of water themed fun, there is something for everyone. You can cruise the chain in a pontoon boat, enjoy a day of water sports, enjoy a ride on jet skis, paddle your way though scenic waterways, or get the rod and reel out and land the trophy muskie. Any way you look at it, Three Lakes is the place to spend time out on the water.
December 5, 2018 (Three Lakes, WI) – The Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Collette Sorgel as Executive Director.
“In the last year, the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce directed efforts toward stronger marketing strategies that would bring more tourism and commerce to our community” stated Justin Behling, Chamber President. “We look forward to the continued progress in 2019 under the effective leadership of Collette Sorgel and the teamwork of our Executive Director and Marketing Director.”
Collette Sorgel has experience in both the corporate and nonprofit settings. Before coming to the Chamber, she worked with Vilas County News Review, TDS Telecom as VP of Marketing & Sales, served as a business consultant, and was an instructor at Nicolet Area Technical College. Collette and her husband Dave reside in Three Lakes.
“Our community has so much to offer. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our business community and non-profits,” stated Collette Sorgel, new Executive Director. “Three Lakes is vital to the lifestyle of our Northwoods residents and visitors. I am excited to play a role in making our community stand out.”
Collette Sorgel will begin serving as Executive Director on December 13th.
For more information:
Contact: Justin Behling
Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board President
Email: gm@northernaire.com
Phone: 715-546-2700
About the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce The Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center Inc. encourages, promotes, protects and reacts to the interests and needs of businesses and civic organizations in the Three Lakes community. The Chamber also acts to effectively enhance recreational and economic growth in the Three Lakes area.
October 23, 2018 (Three Lakes, WI) – The Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announces it has created the position of Marketing Director and is seeking to fill the position of Executive Director in the coming weeks.
“In 2018, the Three Lakes Chamber made many strides in developing a digital marketing strategy and moving the organization in a direction that meets with the technological trends for business while also maintaining involvement in more traditional forms of media” stated Justin Behling, Chamber President. “It is with regret that we announce the departure of Sarah Flashing from the role of Executive Director, but we are excited to inform our members and the public that she will maintain involvement as the organization’s Marketing Director. We are currently accepting resume submissions for the role of Executive Director and excited about what the future holds with two skilled professionals in each of these roles and doing even more to promote Three Lakes and the member businesses.”
“It’s been an exciting year for me in Three Lakes. I’ve enjoyed working with the Chamber members and working hard to promote tourism, and finding new and interesting ways to bring more business to the community” stated Sarah Flashing, current Executive Director of the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. “I am eager to continue in the role of Marketing Director and to fully support the new, yet-to-be-hired Executive Director and continue to see growth in our Chamber. Having two strong professionals in key positions at the Three Lakes Chamber of Commerce is a win for business and economic development for Three Lakes.”
Sarah Flashing will continue to work at the Chamber office as Executive Director until early December.
For more information:
Contact: Justin Behling
Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board President
Email: gm@northernaire.com
Phone: 715-546-2700
About the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce The Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center Inc. encourages, promotes, protects and reacts to the interests and needs of businesses and civic organizations in the Three Lakes community. The Chamber also acts to effectively enhance recreational and economic growth in the Three Lakes area.
Join us for the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, October 16 from 5 – 7 PM at the Reiter Center. Appetizers and beverages will be served as we welcome in the new 2018-2020 members of the Board of Directors and thank those who have and continue to serve. This meeting is open members and to anyone who wishes to learn more about the Chamber of Commerce in Three Lakes. Let us know if you plan to attend so that we can have an accurate head count and plan accordingly. Also, Midwest Selfies will be present with their selfie station offering free head shots and group photos!
If you are currently a member in good standing and have not received a ballot, please contact the chamber office at 715-546-3344 or stop in. Ballots must be returned to the office by 5 PM on Monday, October 15th.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting and celebrating the accomplishments of 2018 and looking ahead at 2019.
