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Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: East Bethel’s New Resident Black Bear

By
Real Estate Agent with Boardman Realty Minnesota License#90858

EBBearI try to avoid driving on Hwy 65 when showing houses in Anoka County. The backroads throughout Ham Lake, Linwood, Blaine and East Bethel are more picturesque. But a shortcut to our favorite movie theater in East Bethel from our Ham Lake home has my family driving down a short stretch of the Hwy 65 service road quite often.

About two months ago, we noticed a enormous log standing straight up toward the sky and surrounded by scaffolding. There was the beginnings of a bear head on top of this huge piece of wood in the old Lefty Liquor's parking lot. Of course, since we were heading to the movies, I had no camera with. So I made a mental note that this chainsaw masterpiece in the making was one to watch.

About a week later, we drove past again. That mental note popped up but too late to remember the camera. Now the giant bear was complete but there appeared to be more to do. A few weeks pass and another can't miss feature film is showing at the Mueller East Bethel theater. As we pass rush to the movie house not wanting to miss the previews, that mental note once again came into my head as the bear was done. And not just completed but it was masterfully painted from head to toe and beyond. He was surrounded by several smaller bears, eagles and gnomes and a few uncut logs. It looked like a new chainsaw art business was in the making.

ebbearWow-Now I had to get a photo before the bear was sold! So later that day we headed to the parking lot and shot several pictures of the bear. I loved the details as there are realistic stones, okay boulders, and a small pine in the base. Note how extremely tall he is from the shot that was taken from underneath. Using my 6 foot plus son to get perspective, I think this guy is in the 20 foot range!

Last Sunday, as my family packed in the car and headed to see the second Narnia flick, I realized the new chainsaw bear might become a more permanent fixture in East Bethel. Lefty's is under new ownership and is now Black Bear Liquors. So when people head north on Highway 65 through Anoka County, take a moment to wave and welcome East Bethel's newest artful roadside distraction!

Other Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions:

Don't be distracted when making YOUR important real estate decisions! 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/

Posted by

Teri Eckholm. REALTOR with Boardman Realty, is a native Minnesotan who has lived and worked in the Minneapolis St Paul metro all of her life. She specializes in lakeshore homes, acreage properties and first time home buyers but assists anyone making a move in the north and east Twin Cities metro.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give Teri , a call or visit her website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report She 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 2019 terieckholm.com

 

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Comments (10)

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I have loved your series on the unique sites around your area since you started. Great for people who relocate as well as visitors....who just may come back too. :)

May 20, 2008 04:25 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Teri,

I love these things you've written on. It must be funny driving by and seeing a standing log and knowing it's a future work of art.

May 20, 2008 07:48 AM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Hi Teri - I love when you do these posts!

May 20, 2008 10:16 AM
Mana Tulberg
805 County Real Estate - Camarillo, CA
Real Estate Agent - Camarillo CA

Teri, This one is truly unique.

May 20, 2008 11:55 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Teri, I have always LOVED this series....and thought maybe you had run out of "Artful Distractions."  It's a wonderful bear, you have some amazing sites there!

May 20, 2008 12:16 PM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Teri,
What a great piece of art, must be a traffic stopper!

May 20, 2008 01:45 PM
Pam Holzem
The FireStar Realty Group - Hastings, MN

A 20 foot black bear! That should be easy to spot. I get up that way every once in awhile. Great post.

May 20, 2008 02:12 PM
Marzena Melby
Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN
Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Teri ~ I just love your Artful Distractions series.  Thanks for sharing the bear.

May 21, 2008 07:22 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Sally--Thanks!! They are a lot of fun to write too!

Lynda--It was weird to drive by the head one day and then he was done almost the next it seemed...Amazing!!

Sandra--I am so glad you enjoy them!!

Mana--I thought so too...especially the base.

Carole--No there are more...I saw a very interesting one today that I will share soon...And a few in St. Paul I noticed awhile back but haven't gotten down to photo. Many are covered in the winter to protect so now I will be adding to the series soon!

Cynthia--I am certain that is the goal of the new shop owner!

Pam--Keep an eye out to the east when heading north on 65 just past Ham Lake and you can't miss him! :)

Marzena--You are very welcome!!

May 23, 2008 12:58 PM
Shannon Jungmann
Allen Realtors - Lakewood, WA

Teri, I have always wanted to visit Minnesota and have been reading your blogs and it looks like a great place to visit. Thanks for posting such great information.

May 26, 2008 09:30 AM