Green Lake Lighthouse

According to Terry Serbus, there’s not been one boat wreck on Green Lake since he built the lighthouse in 2005.  True be told, he can’t remember one before that either but that’s not the point.

The idea of the lighthouse came after Terry and his wife Carrolle had purchased and built on the point 15 years prior.  They had retired from a successful electrical contracting business and he was looking for a project.  He had a pile of good lumber from tearing off a deck, with help from one of his grandsons, in 2003.   He also had access to the stone for the finish, so choosing the design came pretty easily. 

Original construction consisted of a lumber base and approximately 20 foot tall frame, then wire mesh and stonework to finish it.  An access door and built-in ladder provided access to the rotating light in the top.  (That light functioned for several years but the plastic gears couldn’t take the cold weather.)  Accent lighting on the base provided nice uplighting at night.  A grandson applied the stone to the exterior in 2005 (the lemonade and lunches with Grandma and Grandpa may have been why it took most of the summer).   Everything was completed in late summer 2005, just in time for Terry and Carrolle’s 50th wedding anniversary on September 3, 2005.

Family (all five Serbus “kids” and one grandson have lived on the lake) fellow Green Lakers, and lots of eagles have enjoyed the lighthouse.  In the early days, it was a host to the Green Lake happy hour flag (now the every other Thursday gathering).

Terry (age 86 now) and Carrolle (age 84) now live on Green Lake in the townhomes, having sold their house on the point in 2014 (the house sold again in 2019).  Terry would like to see the lighthouse maintained and lit up again.  As a retired electrician, he has lots of ideas on how it can be done using materials that weren’t available when he built the lighthouse.  Solar and LED lighting are very affordable now and could be incorporated, as well as a rotating light with metal gears.

Meeting Minutes – April 15th 2022

Attendees:  Board -  Jason Houle    Michelle Carlson    Travis Lamotte     Cheryl Kempenich Guest, Mark from the City Old Agenda items: 501C Jason to check with accountant on how to edit the 501c. Travis will apply for the 501c if needed. Board Meeting Terms/ start...

Meeting Minutes – May 11th 2021

Present- Jason Houle – President, Cheryl Kempenich – Treasurer, Travis LaMotte, Connie Mayfield Agenda Vice President position. Jason nominated Travis LaMotte for the VP position that Jason previously held. Board approved. By -Laws Overview Jason asked the board...

Meeting Minutes – Jan. 11, 2021

Present:  Bruce Meyer- President, Jason Houle, Bob Milam, Connie Mayfield Agenda GLA Bylaw Update Bruce asked board members to review the associations bylaw and send your recommendations to Jason. Then at the next meeting the board will discuss making any changes and...

Board Meeting of Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Present: Bob Milam, Cheryl Kempenich, Jason Houle, Bruce Meyer, Connie Mayfield Agenda Finances – Cheryl report the current balance is $31,285.  The fall newsletter with mailing came to $640 (note we used Copy Pro, which were very easy to work with and got the...

Board Meeting of Wednesday, September 14, 2020

Attendees:  Bruce Meyer, Connie Mayfield, Jason Houle, Bob Milam, Lori Reichert and guest: Mike O’Connell of Lake Management Little Green Milfoil and Curly Leaf Treatments – Mike O’Connell of Lake Management, Inc. which currently does some portions of AIS treatment on...

Meeting Minutes – July 15th 2020

Attendees:  Bruce Meyer, Cheryl Kempenich, Jason Houle, Bob Milam, Lori Reichert and Denise Houle Chisago City Entry on Stinson off Public Dock -   Lori The Chisago City arch is in.  We’ll wait for the sidewalks to be poured before contacting Casey to place the...