WELCOME Spirit Lake Motel and Resort new owners to Menahga

"Ah, this would be so fun, and I know the guy selling it. Great guy." That's the email Ryan
Patenaude received from his friend and business partner, Hans Tanner, last September.
Attached was a flyer for Spirit Lake Resort and Scoopology Ice Cream, which had just been
placed on the market. Hans did not expect anything to happen because of his email, but on
December 31 st they became the new owners. And so far, it has been fun.

The previous owner sold the property so he could spend more time with his family. Ryan
and Hans bought it with hopes to spend more time with their families. Combined, they
have nine children and hope to make many memories in Menahga, working on the motel
and enjoying ice cream on the beach. They both love pickle ball as well, making the nearby
courts an exciting bonus!

Owners Ryan and Hans met while Ryan was interning at Hans' church in Fargo. Eight years
later, Hans is now going on his own internship. Ryan pastors a country church outside of
Kindred, ND, and both men are hoping that Hans gets a call to a nearby congregation when
he finishes his internship next spring.

One aspect of the deal both buyers and seller were happy about was Shannon Klein's
desire to stay on as general manager. "Kyle told us that Shannon was a rockstar and we are
excited to grow the business with her," Ryan said. She has a lot of exciting ideas and is a joy
to work with."

The new owners hope to make incremental improvements and carry on the vision that Kyle
had for the resort.

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Fireworks bursting over a lake at dusk, with a crowd watching from the shoreline and a dock.

Menahga Midsummer Celebration 2026

April 10, 2026

9 am - NOON

Midsummer 2026 - Parade Information

April 8, 2026

Menahga Civic & Commerce Association P O Box 74 | Menahga MN 56464-0074 “Coming together is a beginning, Staying together is progress, Working together is success.” Henry Ford MIDSUMMER CELEBRATION 2026 Hello from the Menahga C & C, The Menahga Civic & Commerce Association is preparing for the 2026 Menahga Midsummer Celebration which is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, July 10, 11 and 12. Since this is America's 250th Birthday, also known as the United States Semiquincentennial, we are hopeful that everyone will commemorate it somehow with red, white and blue and/or, by other historical events. This is a very exciting time to be living and able to celebrate this event! The Grand Parade will be held on Saturday evening. You are cordially invited to participate in this year’s parade on Saturday, July 11th, 2026, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. from the east end of Main Street. The parade runs east to west on Main Street for nine blocks from Fern Avenue to Fir Avenue. THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE FOR OUR PARADE! Click the button above this letter to find the parade entry form. If you or your organization is planning to enter a unit in the parade, please fill out the form completely and return it as soon as possible either to: Liz Olson at lizolson@wcta.net or by mail to Midsummer Parade 2026, c/o Liz Olson, 528 2nd St SE, Menahga, MN 56464 It is necessary that you provide on the line entitled, "Type of Unit", the vehicles being used for your entry, i.e., pickup truck and 8' float, etc., so that we can leave enough space between the parade number markers. If you are no longer in charge of your organization's parade entry, please pass this letter on to the person who now has that responsibility. If you are aware of others who would like to participate in our Parade, please feel free to pass on this information as well. All entries must enter the line-up area from the south, at the (east side of the New Menahga School) High School parking lot on or before 6:30 p.m. It is located one block east of the St. Urho Statue on Highway 71. Parade officials will be able to direct you to your spot in the line-up from that area. The deadline for all entries is Friday June 19th, 2026 , but your earliest attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated to get started on the line-up. Late entries will be added to the end of the line-up in the order in which they are received. If you have any questions, call or text Liz Olson at 218-329-5645. In anticipation of your positive reply, the Menahga Civic and Commerce Association would like to thank you for helping make our parade a successful event. We look forward to seeing you in July! AS A REMINDER: ABSOLUTELY NO CANDY CAN BE THROWN FROM A VEHICLE OR FLOAT FOR SAFETY REASONS. YOU MAY HAVE PEOPLE WALKING ALONG THE SIDE OF YOUR ENTRY NEAR THE SPECTATORS THROWING CANDY. THANKS Liz Olson, Menahga C & C Parade Chair P.S. As in the past, I will be texting your parade line-up number on or before Thursday, July 9, 2026. If you have not received your line-up number by that date, please contact me at (218) 329-5645.