History of Lake Country Journal

Lake Country Journal Magazine began in 1996, the brainchild of publishers Chip and Jean Borkenhagen. At the time, Chip was teaching graphic design when he realized it was prime time “to turn a twenty-five-year-old dream into reality.” The regional lifestyle magazine, which celebrated its ten-year anniversary in 2007, began with Chip’s clear vision, Jean’s writing and business talents, and a dedicated staff of three.

The Borkenhagens credit the Macintosh computer—today’s publishing industry favorite—for making it possible to produce a colorful, high-quality magazine with a small core staff of creative and technical artists. The business soon outgrew its original office space, expanded into the next space, and eventually found a permanent home in “Riverplace,” on the banks of the Mississippi River in Brainerd.