Longer hours...

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything... There hasn't been much to report really. We have changed our hours just slightly. We're open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Last Saturday was super busy, so we decided it was time to stay open a little later. We've been ordering drinks and snacks and candy, trying to fill the shelves. If you have ANY requests, just let me know, and I'll do my best to get it in here. For example, last year a customer asked me to get some sugar free ice cream. Well... did you know Schwans does not carry any completely sugar free ice cream??? They have some "fat free" popsicles and stuff made with artificial sweetener. BUT... on the nutrition info on the back it still says it has "sugar" in it. Hmm. Well, I tried anyway! Also, another big one... TACKLE. Attention fishermen and women... if there is something you've been using to catch fish that we don't carry... please let me know! I order tackle on Mondays and it's here the very next day.

Happy First Day of Spring!

It's official. Spring is here. It sure felt like it this morning with the warm rain we had. Spring newsletters went out last week. Sorry for the opus... Don't forget to RSVP for the Blessing of the Fleet! If you don't RSVP, it doesn't mean you can't come. It just helps us to know how many people/boats to expect so we can prepare an awesome party for you! If you don't get around to mailing in your response... shoot me an e-mail or call.

Cheers!

Spring Has Sprung!

These blooms just came up out of nowhere! So pretty. And sooooo springy! I've been seeing them in everyone's yards. Not to mention our grass is already growing like crazy. I tell you... I think everyone has cabin fever (like me) because these past couple days (70+ degrees) have brought out the fishermen (and women). It's so nice to see the lower road full of cars! We are open all day every day. So if you need to pick up some fishing supplies, stop on by! We just got crappie and bass minnows in today. And we also have nightcrawlers. We've picked up a few bits of tackle. But hey... if there is anything you want or need for fishing that we do not have... PLEASE let me know. I would be more than happy to order it for you (if I can). Have a nice week everyone.

Mike Says Hello

Good morning! I got a surprise phone call this morning from Mike Cochran... all the way from Iraq! (He's pictured at left at our Lake Cleanup picnic last October.) Formerly of the Missouri Water Patrol, Mike is spending the next year in Iraq teaching Iraqi police officers "how to be police" and "how to shoot guns," to put it in simple terms, he says. Other than the one-second delay during our phone conversation, he sounded like he was calling from his house in Pontiac. He is doing great. And he feels safe -- he says when he goes anywhere he is escorted by a group of marines, and he travels in an armored Humvee with a 50-caliber machine gun on top. He said he has his own office and his own living space, with heating and air conditioning. The current temp in Iraq, he said, reaches about 70 to 80 degrees during the day and about 50 degrees at night. He is currently stationed about 20 miles from the Syrian border at Al Qaim. He says his only problem right now is that he has a lot of downtime, and he gets bored: "Yesterday I taught a 30-minute class and rode around in a convoy for eight and a half hours."

He sends his best!

Tim the Builder

A little sidenote to my post about Lake Harbour Village... I forgot to mention that Tim Morgan is building the second house that is currently under construction. I just thought that was an interesting tidbit that you might enjoy knowing.

Um... where did THIS come from?

This morning I walked outside to head to the dock, and there was this white stuff floating in the air. I put my hand over my cup of hot tea, because I didn't want this "debris" to get in my ginger peach/green tea concoction. I thought it was something blowing off the trees! But I soon realized it was SNOW. Whaaaaa? Are ya kiddin' me? So I snapped this pic this morning to show you how miserable this day started. The snow didn't stick to anything, and it has stopped. The sun even came out. But it's still cold. And it's still very windy. Not a very good day for fishing, as Matt and his friend, Paxton, quickly figured out. Oh yes, they braved the white caps this morning. But they were off the lake by 10:00, both of them frozen through from the ride back in. And I was just SURE this would be a nice weekend, despite what the forecasters were saying. After all... it's March! What a disappointment. Oh well. Maybe spring will come tomorrow.

Welcome to Lake Harbour Village

If you're wondering what's going on down County Road 609... here's the scoop. Tim and Johnna Morgan are developing Lake Harbour Village, a residential community about one mile from Pontiac Cove Marina. Plans include six houses, each situated on approximately 1 1/2 acres. House No. 1 is finished and is currently on the market. House No. 2 is under construction, as you can see, and Johnna says it should be finished by mid-summer.

Each house will include a full basement -- and in addition some will have the living and sleeping space all on the main level, while others will also feature a loft. The first finished house has living space on three levels -- the loft has a bedroom and bathroom, plus a small living space and office nook; the master bedroom and bath are on the main level, as well as the kitchen, living and dining spaces; and the basement is full and unfinished. The second house, currently under construction, will have living and sleeping space all on one level.

If you're interested in hearing more about Lake Harbour Village, stop in or call the marina (417-679-3676) to get in touch with Tim or Johnna. Or e-mail them at morgan@pontiaccove.com. If you're curious, feel free to drive down and take a look. You might even catch a glimpse of the baby ducks that have been hanging out on the pond.

Happy Friday!

It's March 1st people!

Okay, so I have NOT been very good about writing updates lately. Sorry about that. I haven't had much to report. But I do now! Our hours have changed: We are now open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I'll keep you posted, as that will change again in the coming months.

It's March! Which means spring is almost here! There have been so many more people around just in the past couple weeks since the temp warmed up a bit. It's exciting! PEOPLE! Hopefully fishing will pick up soon. There is a tournament going on this week/weekend out of Bull Shoals Boat Dock. But I hear the fishing is terrible. So hopefully that will soon change. If I hear any good reports, I'll definitely let you know. :)

Oh, and I'm sure you've noticed how EMPTY our shelves were this winter. Well, we're stocking up again! The ice man is here delivering bags of ice as I write. And we have beer, soda, chips and other snacks on the way. And fishing supplies. And our 2007 hats and T-shirts will be here in a month or so. Woo-hoo! So when you drop by in the coming weeks, you'll notice the shelves are getting full again. A good sign.

I suppose that's it for now. Have a lovely day.

Cheers!