Wyoming, MN—A Perfect Place to Call Home

People love living in Wyoming. And I am not talking about the state; I am referring to the City of Wyoming, located just three miles north of Forest Lake, Minnesota. Though some may think the area was named after the state out west, it was named by Dutch and German immigrants who settled the area when they arrived in the late 1800’s. They had relocated from the east coast and their new Minnesota home reminded them of Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania.

With the recent annexation of Wyoming Township, approximately 7000 people call the city of Wyoming, Minnesota home. Here is a top ten list of reasons why this small town is such a great place to live.

#10—The Wyoming Library. Giese Memorial Library is a full service library open 6 days a week (closed Mondays). Located in the center of the community on Forest Blvd (Hwy 61) there is always something special to do…story time, author readings, computer classes.

#9—Local Police and Fire. The City of Wyoming is proud to have its own police department and volunteer fire department.

#8—Wyoming Elementary. Grade school aged children living in Wyoming do not have to travel far to class as Wyoming Elementary is located in the heart of the community on Forest Blvd. The school is an integral part of the Forest Lake Area School District 831.

#7—Parks, Playgrounds and Trails. “Where can I play?” is hardly ever an issue for residents in Wyoming. With 17 playgrounds, parks and trails located throughout the community, there is always somewhere to have fun!

#6—Natural Resources. Wyoming, MN encompasses a large portion of the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management area which is a gem of lakes and wetland for hiking, bird watching and hunting. The Wyoming community is on the south end of the Sunrise River and several residents make their homes on the shores of Comfort and Ashton Lakes.

#5—Employers. Fire trucks and fiberglass are two of the many things manufactured in the Wyoming community. Several companies including AllSafe, Artifex Millwork, Hallberg Marine, Polaris, Rosenbauch General Safety, Sunrise Fiberglass and URSA Major call Wyoming home.

#4—Hospital. Most suburban residents have a bit of a drive when there is a medical emergency but not the residents of Wyoming. Fairview Lakes Medical Center is a full service hospital with 24/7 urgent and/or emergency care.

#3—Conveniently Located. Just off 35E and north of the 35E/35W split makes getting to Minneapolis, St. Paul or Duluth a breeze.

#2—Eclectic Options for Living. Whether you want the convenience of a low-maintenance detached townhome or the wide open spaces of a 10+ acre hobby farm, you can find an affordable option in Wyoming.

#1—Friendly People. The number one reason for living in Wyoming is the welcoming community atmosphere. Isn’t that what most people search for in a place to call home?



Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Spring Wildfire Danger in Anoka County—This was TOO Close for Comfort!

Yesterday was a beautiful, almost spring weather day. Strong winds were blowing the cold air out and there was a promise of spring weather around the corner for later in the week. Those of use who live in Anoka County near wetlands and prairies realize the windy spring weather has some drawbacks. The winter has left grass dry and dormant. One lit cigarette or untended bonfire can spark a huge wildfire. The Minnesota DNR always has spring fire restrictions and we are always aware of them until that first spring rain. DNR Spring Fire Restrictions.

In the morning we were concerned to hear that a few fires had broken out along Lexington Avenue from Blaine to Ham Lake. Usually along the road the fires are started by carelessly tossed cigarettes but several within an hour along the same stretch of road was suspicious. The fires were contained but when they mention Carlos Avery and fire, I don’t like it at all. We live near the Carlos Avery Preserve. It is a huge area that stretches from Lino Lakes to Wyoming. I know of several homes that abut the preserve and so fires in the area are very scary….Especially on a windy day.

So as I headed down my road a few miles away late yesterday afternoon, imagine my concern as I saw smoke across the sod field in the Carlos Avery area. My commute takes me on Broadway Avenue, a main thoroughfare that bisects the preserve in Columbus. As I travelled east, I knew the danger had not past. The south side was ablaze.





It was frightening. I snapped a few pictures as I approached but figured the deputy directing traffic would frown upon by distracted driving so didn’t get any as I went by the area where the fire was so close I could feel it heat up the inside of the car. I also resisted the impulse to pull over for additional pictures as so many others had.








Wildfires are dangerous and unpredictable; winds change.
It was a scary afternoon. We were diverted on our way home about 10 miles south to Lino Lakes on our return trip. The fire spread. 1500 total acres burned. Friends we know were being evacuated. The smoke filled the air. Fortunately the wildfire was contained without losses of homes or lives. But the scars will remain.




As I commuted down Broadway this morning, the scorched land was still smoldering. A Forest Lake firefighter was arrested in connection with starting the blaze at around 1pm in the ditch along Broadway. The story becomes even stranger when it is revealed that he was a former business owner, award winning volunteer fire fighter, coach. What goes through someone’s mind when they put so many others at risk?
Spring fire restrictions in place for a reason. Heed the warnings.

Fire Facts

• Approximately 80 percent of all wildfires in MN occur during April and May.
• The burning of yard debris is a major cause of wildfires in Minnesota.

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Struggling Celebrities in the Forest Lake/Ham Lake Area—The Carlos Avery Wolves

On a frigidly cold Saturday afternoon, a week or so before Christmas, my family and I took an opportunity and dropped by the Wildlife Science Center(WSC). We are fortunate to live quite close to this animal sanctuary and drive past its entrance just east of Lexington on Broadway daily. We made the stop after hearing that the center was struggling to make ends meet in the poor economy. They were having an open house to educate the public on their work as well as their plight.

According to the center’s website, they currently have quite menagerie of animals that call the Wildlife Science Center home. These Minnesota Wild animals include:

• 43 gray wolves
• 10 red wolves
• 5 hybrids
• 2 Lynx
• 1 red fox
• 1 skunk
• 1 porcupine

• 7 birds of prey
• 3 bears
• 2 gray fox
• 3 raccoons
• 2 New Guinea Highland Dogs

On our visit we were told that the dogs had the job of running around the yard in an effort to provide exercise for the wolves.

We took bit of a self guided tour but also stopped and talked for awhile to one of the volunteers. She pointed out to us the wolves, Truck and Growly Pants, that were the stars of the Animal Planet special, “Growing Up Wolf”. Another notorious wolf resident was relocated from up north to the WSC after attacking Minnesota Explorer, Will Steger’s dogs. If not for the sanctuary, the wolf would have been most likely put down. We asked about the dogs and were told that they were resident to keep run around the outsides of the cages and exercise the wolves as they would chase them.
As we continued to walk around the center, we marveled at the differences in the wolf packs. Suddenly, we don’t know what started it but all heck broke loose and all of the wolves started racing around their enclosures and howling. It went on for several minutes and was hilarious! I have heard this sound many times before in my front yard about 3-4 miles away but never was at the center of it all.

Every weekend there is an opportunity to stop by and tour the Wildlife Science Center and see the animals. About once a month there is a special event with fun names like the Canine Carnival and Howl-O-Ween. From school field trips to the summer Wolf Camp, the center serves as a wonderful scientific resource within our community. If you would like to learn more about the WSC and how you can help the wolves, visit the WSC website and donation wish list.

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

More Bars in Ham Lake is a Good Thing—Cell Phone Bars that is!

A late holiday present arrived to those living in Ham Lake, Linwood and Columbus near Carlos Avery. It appears a new cell phone tower is being constructed just to the north of the intersection of Crosstown and Broadway. We noticed the amazingly huge pole being raised a few days after Christmas. My teenagers, with their new internet accessible phones thought that maybe it was a mirage. After pinching each other to make certain they weren’t dreaming, they cheered that our area of Ham Lake was finally going to be connected with the rest of the world!

Now to some in this rural area, this is an eyesore not a Godsend. But as a REALTOR who drives down Lexington (County 17) and Broadway (County 18) daily and has to use a mobile phone as part of my business, I know that the bars are few and far between. If you are lucky to have a connection, the conversation almost always breaks down to gibberish while traveling this stretch of road…And if you live anywhere in the vicinity of Coon Lake and Carlos Avery, you are often walking around your acreage to find that perfect spot where a signal will come through to make a call. Heaven forbid if you are one of those people, like me, that pace when conversing! Calls are dropped all of the time. So as nearby residents, my family has been watching the progress of the tower and patiently wait until the panels go live…Hopefully it is soon. The spot in my yard where my Blackberry comes in is not sheltered from the elements. And there are still a few weeks of winter cold ahead…and spring rain…etc.

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

Minnesota Fire Restrictions Blew In with the Wind!

Yesterday, spring blew into Anoka County quite literally. As I noticed the flags flying and trees bending, I also noted how dry last year’s grass is. This is normal every occurrence in Minnesota. Dry grass is a huge fire hazard until spring rains green up lawns. Take time to notice the Smokey Bear signs by the Carlos Avery Nature Preserve in Columbus and Linwood. The Minnesota DNR has replaced the winter “Drive Safely” sign to either a green, blue, yellow, orange and red fire danger warning signs too! Yesterday I noted the blue “moderate” fire danger warning as I drove down Broadway from Forest Lake. Grass fire season is here and 2008 has the potential to be very active. We are still in a bit of a drought.

With the brisk spring breezes here, spring burning restrictions are in effect in various counties throughout the state of Minnesota. The restrictions went into effect on April 14th and include Anoka County. After a very long winter with lower than average snow, they are necessary. CLICK HERE for DNR 4/14/08 press release.

Living near Carlos Avery Wildlife Management area, I won’t soon forget how quickly a small fire that was improperly extinguished turned into a major fire that burned for days and destroyed several homes in Linwood. The smoke in the air and blazing orange nighttime skyline is burned into the minds of many Anoka and Chisago County residents.

Fires start most often in this windy weather from sparks from trains, careless smokers and backyard fire pits. Be cautious and as Smokey says, “Only YOU can Prevent Forest Fires.” Acreage homes often butt up against the forests and wetlands. It is very important to be careful and aware of the fire danger in your community and your own back yard to protect your property.

Fire Facts from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

• April and May are months when local, state and federal agencies respond to the highest number of wildfires.


• Approximately 80 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota occur during this period.


• The burning of yard debris is a major cause of wildfires in Minnesota.

Open burning will be restricted in April and May, but even after the restrictions are removed remember to be vigilant when having that backyard bonfire.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/