Posted: 10/1/03

3rd printing of Vogelís book a chance to learn area history

There isnít a week that goes by when there isnít some historical question for Elsie Vogel. For the past 25 years it was only natural to pick up the phone and call Elsie when something of historical nature would pop up here.

We lost a rich source of history in February. Vogelís death left a deep void that may never be replaced.

Thankfully, the historical book that Vogel wrote in 1993 for Forest Lakeís Centennial is a wealth of information and her lasting legacy to the community she loved so much. Many important facts and dates of the history of the area ó not just Forest Lake ó are contained in the book, ìReflections of Forest Lake.î

Writing the book was a solid year-long project for Vogel, a columnist here for a 20-year period starting around 1976. Some of the facts and photos contained in the book were drawn from her newspaper column, ìReflections.î

During our 100th anniversary year from May of 2002 through early June of this year, we shared many of Vogelís best columns with our readers in form of reprints.

Our copy of ìReflections of Forest Lakeî is one of the best-used resources in the office. That is evident by the bent cover and pages from the constant use the book receives on a regular basis.

With the passing of Vogel last winter, there have been numerous requests for copies of the book. The requests were coming to the newspaper, the Forest Lake Chamber and many of the Forest Lake residents who worked on the Centennial celebration some 10 years ago.

Vogelís book has been out of print for several years now while there has still been some demand from residents of the area and former residents who did not purchase one 10 years ago.

Thanks to an offer by the Forest Lake Chamber and in cooperation with Forest Lake Printing, a third-printing of the book is being strongly considered. Chamber President Debby Feist is spearheading the drive.

With help from the Forest Lake Times, a marketing drive is under way to secure book orders needed to offset the printing costs.

To date, over 100 copies have been sold or ordered. Thatís a good start but the Chamber is hoping more orders can be received in the next two weeks.

The goal is to make a decision on printing the book by late this month in order to have the new run available in time for the holiday shopping season.

An announced Oct. 1 deadline will be extended in the hope that additional orders for the book can be received.

Anyone who is from here or lives here now should consider adding this book to their library.

The book makes an excellent gift for siblings or children who have moved on to other parts of the country to live their lives. This book is a way to cement that family connection to an area that is still home.

Cost of the 227-page book is $21.30, which includes $1.30 for state sales tax. A shipping and handling charge of $5 will be charged for delivery.

Ordering the book is simple. Send your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address (optional) and the number of copies ordered to: Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 474, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

Orders can also be made in person at the Chamber office in The Plaza, 56 E. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake.

For more information, call 651-464-3200.

Orders over the Internet can be made through a link on our web site: www.forestlaketimes.com

There may never be another opportunity like this. If history and the Forest Lake area is important to you and your family, this is a book to own.

Quizzing Elsie Vogel about the history of Forest Lake was always neat. This was a woman who enjoyed a good story and she had so many to tell.

Hearing those stories is now part of our history. But through the words and photos of ìReflections of Forest Lake,î many of Vogelís stories live on in her precious style of prose.

This is a book to have, friends. But donít wait too long to order or the opportunity may slip away.

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