Learn to sail out of Pontiac Cove!

Did you know you can take sailing lessons out of Pontiac Cove now? Dick and Julie Jackson have Lifelines Sailing School, a YMCA affiliated facility associated with the American Sailing Association. They are both certified sailing instructors and are offering sailing lessons on their 25-foot Catalina, docked here at PCM. They have an office set up in the old "dive shop" building. To learn more about the classes offered and to contact Dick and Julie, please visit sailwithlifelines.com.

Lake Cleanup/Cook-off

We are tentatively planning a Lake Cleanup and some sort of "cook-off" for Saturday, Oct. 3. Mark your calendars! More details soon.

*Light up the Lake*

Missy Fourcault shared some of her pictures from the Pontiac Fireworks with us. I think this one in particular is really cool!

Lost Dog

This dog/puppy showed up at the dock today, and someone said they've seen her (pretty sure it's a "her") wondering around Pontiac for the past week. Do you know this dog? Do you want this dog? Please come pick her up at the dock if you do. Thanks. :)

Milton Hoefle, 1938-2009

Many of you know by now, but for those who don't, Milt Hoefle passed away July 2, at his home in Pontiac. Milt was a long-time customer and friend of PCM. I personally don't remember the first time I met him because I've known him my entire life. Before he made Pontiac his permanent home, Milt kept a boat at PCM for many, many years. In fact, he kept the same slip in the oldest dock we have until earlier this spring when we broke the news to him and the other renters near him that the old dock would have to be torn down. I can tell you, he wasn't too happy about it. He really loved that old slip - he had been a dock customer since at least the '60s, possibly in the same slip, as that dock was 50+ years old. He took some time to think about it, and finally he agreed to let us move him, but only if he and his buddy, Chuck Maguire, could stay next to each other. Sure, no problem, we said. So, we moved Milt and Chuck's boats side-by-side in the first and second slips right behind the store - a prime location, and not very far from his old dock. We put Chuck's boat in the second slip, Milt's in the first. A month or so later, Milt's wife, Chris, told me how much he loved his new slip. She said he was pretty proud of the fact that he was in that #1 spot.

Milt will be missed by all of us at PCM.

Here is a clip from his obituary from Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes:

Milt was employed by National Supermarkets in St. Louis for 30 years where he served as Vice President of Information Services. He loved to fish, hunt, work in his wood shop and “living at the lake”. He was a member of St. Williams Parish in Gainesville, MO where he provided the music for Sunday mass, fried fish for the fish fries, made crafts for the craft fair and anything else he could help with. He was a “lake father” to many of the young people in Pontiac and was said to be the “go to guy” when someone needed help, tools or spare parts. He was loved be many and will be missed by all.

Firework Fun Day

Here are a few pics from last Friday... the day and night of the Pontiac fireworks... I'm sad to say I didn't get any of the actual fireworks! Anyone out there have any cool pics of the display? If so, and if you'd like to see them on the blog, e-mail them to me at info@pontiaccove.com. Cheers!

Fishing on the Fourth

Rodney Harper and his son Jared (Beebe, Ark.) had a great time fishing over the Fourth of July weekend at Bull Shoals Lake. Fishing was best during the early morning hours. That seems to be the trend here lately... early morning, late evening and after dark are when the most fish are being caught. Walleye on spoons and bass on jigs. That's what I've been told!

Blowout 31

The 31st annual BLOWOUT is going to be Saturday, August 1. This is our annual PCM customer appreciation party for our dock customers and their families. More details to come soon. For now just mark your calendars!

5, 4, 3, 2...

ONE day left until we *LIGHT UP THE LAKE* over Pontiac! Be here!

(By the way... a side note... this is my 400th post on the PCM blog. Thank you to all my faithful readers!)

Happy 4th of July! :)