This is what 677.53 looks like...

Main walkway


The launch ramp


The restrooms

Lake Level Update - Monday 11/02

11/2: 675.67
11/3: 676.3
11/4: 676.7
11/5: 677.1
11/14: 678.5 (CREST)

At least the next 7 days are supposed to be dry. :)

Lake Level Update

Scratch that last report. The lake unexpectedly came up about 2 1/2 feet Thursday night after widespread heavy rainfall. Here is the new forecast as of yesterday:

10/30: 672.84
10/31: 674.2
11/01: 674.8
11/02: 675.2
11/10: 677.0 (CREST)

(Normal pool: 654.0)

You can view the lake level forecast by clicking here. I'll try to post some pictures this weekend.

Lake Level + New Hours

The lake level continues to rise... imagine that! Have you ever seen this much rain? Should we change the name of the 5:00 Somewhere to Tim's Ark and start gathering all the animals? Seriously.

Here is the lake level forecast as of 10:30 this morning:
10/27: 670.23
10/28: 670.6
10/29: 670.9
10/30: 671.2
11/4: 673.0 (CREST)

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, which means the days get shorter, and darkness sets in earlier (blah). So, beginning Sunday we will start closing at 4:00 p.m. We'll be open 8 to 4 daily through November.

Fall at PCM = Projects

Our storage building gets a paint job...


Just Jackie's gets a new roof...


And the lake is on the rise! Which means Josh and Matt are checking cables and adjusting walkways almost daily. The lake level is 667.06 (about 13 feet above normal), and it is expected to crest at 668.6 on Monday.

Hello, Sunshine!

Actually, I take back what I said in the previous post about the weather stinking... it's chilly this morning, but the sun is shining! Hallelujah!

The weather stinks...

...but the fishing is good!


(Mike Guidorzi and Matt Wade)

Fall Fishing

A couple of nice smallmouth caught by Skip and Angie Dechau.

Cleanup/Cook-off Results

We had a great turnout for the lake cleanup last Saturday... thank you so much to everyone who came out and picked up trash around the lake. The good news is that some people had a difficult time finding any trash at all! Which means folks are (for the most part) picking up after themselves (or others) on a regular basis.

This is what they found...


The chili cook-off was an equal success. We had 12 contestants: Eric Callahan, Skip Dechau, Ray Doria, Kay Duffin, Gary Giovanini, Bob Gunkel, Micky Iseminger, Kelly and Kristy Laurie, Stacey Michel, Johnna Morgan and Dale Varner. Gunkel took first place; Giovanini took second; and Varner took third. (I hear Gunkel and Giovanini have already discussed a re-match for next year.) Johnna won the title of “Most Original Recipe” (for her conch chowder), and Kelly Laurie's chili was voted "Most Likely to Set Your Mouth on Fire.” (And yes, it was HOT!) Proceeds from the event will go to the 2010 Pontiac Fireworks.

And the winners are...

(From left): Johnna Morgan, Bob Gunkel, Gary Giovanini, Dale Varner and Kelly Laurie.

Pontiac P.O. selling breast cancer awareness stamps

Pontiac postmaster Micky Iseminger is selling breast cancer awareness stamps again this year - cost is $11 for a sheet of 20. Two dollars and twenty cents from each sheet sold goes to breast cancer research and awareness. The stamps serve as "forever stamps," so there is no denomination on them, and they will be sold and honored through at least December 31, 2011.

Last year Micky sold 350 sheets and raised a total of $910 for breast cancer awareness. Pontiac was the top-selling office in its coverage area, of more than 100 offices.

Throughout the month, Micky will hold drawings and give away prizes to folks who buy the stamps. This year the first 10 people to purchase at least a sheet will receive a pink wrist band. Other prizes include hats, t-shirts, pink ribbon magnets and an umbrella. The final drawing will be held Oct. 31 for a $20 Just Jackie's gift certificate. Micky is also hosting two hot dog cookouts with chips, soda and cookies from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 24.

For more information, or, if you can't get to the post office during regular business hours, call Micky at 417-679-3440.

October Hours

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Lake cleanup & chili cook-off this Saturday

PCM is hosting a lake cleanup and chili cook-off this Saturday, October 3.

If you'd like to participate in the cleanup, please pick up trash bags starting at 8 a.m. at the dock. We'll be collecting trash at the dock and at the launch ramp throughout the day. Even if you don't have a boat, or if you don't plan to take your boat, there are still plenty of places to go by car or on foot - i.e. the Bluffs, Hollingsworth Cove or even Pontiac Cove!

Afterward, there will be a chili cook-off at the Pontiac park pavilion - looks like the weather should be agreeable! If you want to participate in the cook-off, please let me know by Friday, so I will know how many tables and cords we will need. Please bring your chili in a crock pot along with a serving utensil to the pavilion by 4:30 for set-up. (If you have an extension cord, please bring it as well.) We'll start serving chili at 5:00. Everyone is invited to come eat all the chili you can handle for $5. Half the proceeds will go to the 2010 Pontiac Fireworks. The other half will go to the first, second and third place winners. In addition to the top three, we'll also recognize the *most original recipe* and the *hottest* chili. PCM will provide toppings for the chili and beverages. If chili isn't your specialty (or, even if it is!), you're welcome to bring desserts, too.

Come out and enjoy this gorgeous fall weather! See you at the park!

Cheers!

Boat Dock Hours - Update

This week:

Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pontiac Area Yard Sale

Several Pontiac residents are having yard sales Sept. 26 and 27. There will be tons of kids stuff, quilting and craft supplies, camo hunting gear, and much more. Signs will be posted along Highway W. Call Heather Simpson for more information at 417-679-2398.

Who doesn't love yard sales? :)

Cheers!

New Hours

This week we'll be closing at 6 p.m. Our full hours for this week are:

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Starting Monday, Sept. 21, we will be opening at 8 a.m. through the week and closing at 6 p.m.

Call 417-679-3676 if you have questions. Thanks!

Oh Baby!

Check this out! Andy and Alison Miller, of Fayetteville, Ark., were featured on the Today Show this morning. Alison gave birth to the couple's second child, Molly, on 09/09/09. Their first child, daughter Campbell, was born 08/08/08. Pretty wild coincidence! (Alison is the daughter of Larry and Brenda Kankey, of the Good Karma houseboat docked at PCM.)

Labor Day Sale!

Hey everyone! Are you ready to hit the lake for one last three-day blowout weekend?! We sure are! Here's one fabulous reason (among many) to visit PCM over the holiday weekend: Beginning Friday we're having a sale! Take 20% off all of our shirts, hats, shoes, life jackets and tubes. PLUS, get an extra 20% off all sale items. What more could you ask for? Sunshine? Done! (Oh, if only I could control the weather... :)

Cheers to a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!

Walkway: 500 Dock

FYI: The walkway to the 500 dock is now attached at the shore next to the launch ramp. If your boat is on that dock you can now park over there and walk right to your boat. Thanks for your cooperation during the high water conditions over the past two years. Cheers!

Quick Update

I realize it's been a while since I've posted anything, so here goes...

Kids are back in school, so it's quieter at the dock; however, the lake is splendid. Some people find this weather a little cool for August (it is unseasonably cool!), but it's still great boating weather. This weekend coming up looks like a pretty one.

The park attendant is back in action. Call 417-679-2222 for campground information.

Immediately following Labor Day weekend, Just Jackie's will be open only on Friday afternoons, Saturday and Sunday.

The boat dock hours will change after Labor Day as well. We will likely be closing at 7 p.m. through the week post-holiday. Stay tuned for more info.

New Hours - FYI

We are closing at 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; still staying open until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend.

It's that time of year! The days are getting a little shorter, and so are our business hours.

Enjoy the lake while you can! Summer is beginning to fade. :(

Campground Update

FYI: If you're a frequent camper at Pontiac or are planning to camp anytime soon... our park attendant is on a leave of absence right now, so you might have a difficult time reaching anyone at the local gate house (417-679-2222). The park attendant from Oakland is coming over to manage the gate house from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. If you would like general information on the Pontiac park/campground, call 1-877-444-6777. Or, better yet, call our local Corps project office in Mountain Home, Ark. at 870-425-2700, and ask to speak to the ranger on duty.

Also, the Corps typically charges $3 per day to launch a boat at Pontiac; however, the fees have been waived all summer because of high water conditions. Now that the lake is back to normal pool, the day use fees will resume starting this Saturday, Aug. 15. If you have a slip (short-term or long-term) at the marina, you do not have to pay the fee.

Cheers to a sun-filled weekend coming up!

Become a "fan" of PCM on Facebook; simply click the link below

Pontiac Cove Marina on Facebook

Cheers to 36 years!

Happy anniversary to Tim and Johnna Morgan (PCM owners... and also my parents.)

:)

Justin and his new pets. Or, maybe they were dinner... I don't want to know. :)

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! :)

And the winner is...

We did the drawing for the "First 15" this morning, and the winner of the $100 gas card to Pontiac Cove Marina is Chris Geroff. The winners of the $100 gift certificate to Just Jackie's are Don & Jeannie Looper. Congrats to all of you! And thank you very much for your support!

First 15 for the Fireworks

I'm pleased to announce we got our 15 contributors for our first "First 15" for the fireworks. Just to recap: fifteen people bought $100 in raffle tickets (that's 12 raffle tickets each for the big drawing on July 4), and we're going to draw for $100 to Just Jackie's and $100 gas card to the marina from those 15 names. THANK YOU to everyone who got in the "15" drawing. I'll announce our two $100 prize winners this week!

Five days and counting 'til the sixth annual Pontiac Fireworks. Are you ready?!

Spearfishing Tourney Results

We had a great turnout for our annual spearfishing tournament last Saturday. Forty-nine divers entered, and more than 30 fish were weighed. Check out some of the pics above! These are the results:

1st place catfish: 28 lbs, 5 oz
Timothy Lawson, Bradleyville, MO

2nd place catfish: 16 lbs, 15 oz
Bert Benton, Flippin, AR

3rd place catfish: 16 lbs, 14 oz
Bryan Bell, Mountain Home, AR

1st place rough fish: 48 lbs, 0 oz (carp)
Jeremy Manier, Highland, IL

2nd place rough fish: 8 lbs, 13 oz (carp)
Don Heskett, Centerview, MO

3rd place rough fish: 7 lbs, 15 oz (carp)
Mel Manier, Eureka, IL

Biggest walleye: 5 lbs, 7 oz
Bob Benson, Imperial, MO

Spearfishing Preview

Great turnout for the spearfishing tournament! Forty-nine divers entered. First place catfish was 28 pounds, 5 ounces. First place rough fish was a 48-pound carp. No kidding! More details and pictures to come soon...

Summer is here...

It may not be official until Sunday, but by the looks of this 10-day forecast... summer is already here. Hot, hot, and more hot. Yessssss.

Fishing Report

I've been hearing lately that fishing is best early in the morning and late in the evening... and besides that, it's sort of slow. I'm not sure what time they caught them, but Skip and Angie Dechau and Pat Godwin came in at about 8:00 this evening with a mess of nice fish. They said they were out early this morning, too, before the thunderstorm, and also did really well.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 20
Don't forget the annual Pontiac Spearfishing Tournament is this Saturday. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Take-off at 9 a.m. Weigh-in from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hollingsworth Cove in Arkansas. Even if you're not involved in the tourney, come on down for the weigh-in to see some (hopefully) BIG fish! Winners will be recognized and prizes handed out on the deck at Just Jackie's at 4:30 p.m.

Friday, July 3
The sixth annual Pontiac Fireworks display is coming up in just a couple weeks. We'll be hanging out and grilling hot dogs before and after the fireworks right on the dock, so be sure to stop by!

Pontiac Spearfishing Tournament

The annual Pontiac Spearfishing Tournament is coming up on Saturday, June 20. Anyone is welcome to enter. Registrations are taken from 7 to 9 a.m. the day of the tournament at the marina. Shot-gun start at 9 a.m. from the marina. Weigh-in will be at Hollingsworth from 1 to 3 p.m. You must check in by 3 p.m. if you wish to have your fish weighed. No exceptions will be made for those who are late.

All state regulations, length limits and daily possession limits must be adhered to.

Cash prizes are awarded in three categories: catfish, rough fish and walleye. Winners will be recognized and door prizes handed out on the deck at Just Jackie's beginning at 4:30 p.m. Pizza buffet to follow for divers and their families.

Questions? E-mail info@pontiaccove.com or call 417-679-3676.

She fed the fish... and then she caught them!

This is Lacey Kunz, granddaughter of Wilfried and Linda Roder. This was her first time fishing, and she was pretty proud of her catch! (So were grandma and grandpa, I'd say.) Oh, and check out her shirt! :)

Check it out!

There must have been an air show at Bull Shoals last Friday... Anyone know for sure what was going on? I snapped these pics in front of Bull Shoals Boat Dock.

Some things in life really are FREE!

Free Fishing Days in Missouri this Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. From the Missouri Department of Conservation, and I quote: "Anyone in Missouri can sample the state's fishing for free, thanks to an annual statewide promotion designating June 6 and 7 as Free Fishing Days. Fishing permits, including trout permits and daily trout tags, are not required on those days, but all anglers must obey size and possession limits for the waters they are fishing. Free Fishing Days is part of National Fishing Week, which promotes the benefits of fishing."

HAPPY FISHING!

Quite the little fishergirl

Caroline Lednick, granddaughter of Butch and Pat Williams, caught this 17-inch smallmouth on a live bass minnow over the holiday weekend. (Shameless plug: She got the minnow from PCM!) Caroline will be 10 years old in June.

"First 15" drawing for the fireworks

In an effort to meet our fireworks fund-raising goal so we can put on a spectacular show again this year, we've come up with a quickie promotion that we hope will help us sell some tickets fast - and allow us to give something back in return. Here's how it's going to work...

We're giving away $100 in fuel plus a $100 gift certificate to Just Jackie's! How can you win? Be one of the first 15 people to buy $100 in raffle tickets. That means not only will you have a 1 in 15 chance of winning one of the two $100 giveaways, but you'll also get 12 raffle tickets (for your $100 donation) in the pot for the GRAND prize drawing to be held on July 4.

Please contact Jabet Wade (417-679-3676) or Bill Bauer (417-679-4734) for more information. As soon as we have our First 15, we'll draw for those two $100 prizes. DON'T MISS OUT!

(Check or cash only, please. Mail checks to Pontiac Fireworks, c/o Pontiac Cove Marina, HC 1 Box 600, Pontiac, MO 65729. We'll fill out the tickets for you and put your name in the "First 15" drawing.)

Ready, set... GO to the lake!

Good Saturday morning, everyone! Just a quick note to say, it's a lovely morning in Pontiac, and we hope to see you at the lake today! Have a fun and safe Memorial weekend. Cheers!

FYI...

Just Jackie's will be open full time (8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily) starting this Thursday. Woo-hoo!

Blessing tee re-order is in. If you ordered shirts, please pick them up at the dock the next time you're down. Cash or check only, please. Checks should be made out to "Pontiac Fireworks." Thank you!

We still have boat slips and boat rentals (believe it or not) available for this weekend. Walk-ins welcome.

Reservations at the Pontiac campground are full; however, a few sites are available for walk-ins. Call 417-679-2222 for more info. As of last week, some of the resorts also still had availability for this weekend. Visit our website at pontiaccove.com for a listing of all Pontiac lodging.

The park is OPEN!

Campers are welcome at Pontiac... finally.

We have two new park attendants this year - Dorothy and Lou (hope I'm spelling that correctly). Go easy on them. They are good friends, who are brand new to this hosting business. Super friendly gals. The campground looks great. Enjoy! :)

MarineMax Sea Ray Bull Shoals Getaway

Attention all MarineMax customers and Sea Ray owners: For the second year in a row, MarineMax is hosting a Bull Shoals Getaway on July 11. This is the info from the flyer:

"At 11 a.m. we'll gather at Pontiac Cove Marina and enjoy lunch at Just Jackie's. After our chance to visit with friends old and new, it's a relaxing afternoon of fun in the sun. We'll cove out, hang out, wakeboard, tube and ski until the sun is done. This is a day you won't want to miss! Please RSVP to 800-852-8402 before July 3.

MarineMax has locations in Nixa, Lake Ozark and Osage Beach. Visit marinemax.com.

Severe Weather Report

In case you're wondering, PCM made it through last night's storm without a hitch. For those of you who don't live nearby, we had severe weather in our area again last night. Ozark County was under a tornado warning at about midnight. As far as I know there weren't any actual tornadoes reported, and not any damage locally. Last Friday morning a wicked batch of weather moved through the Ozarks - and it was super fast and furious. No damage from that storm either. At least not here. Areas north of here were hit harder - huge trees were snapped in half and roofs blown off houses and barns. We're thankful PCM was spared both times - if the dock has nine lives, it just spent two in one week.

Pretty as a butterfly...

...but, it's actually a MOTH. When it flew away, it looked like a bird!

Last call for t-shirts!

I'm wrapping up the Blessing tee re-order today. It's not too late to order. If you want a shirt, call 417-679-3676 or e-mail info@pontiaccove.com by the end of the day.

Cheers!

Campground/Lake Level Update

Well folks, the campground is almost ready to welcome campers again. Last week the tags were removed from all the trees, and yesterday, a crew was here mowing - it looks great! AND... new park attendants moved in. I haven't met them yet, but looking forward to getting to know them this year. I spoke with Carrie at the Mountain Home Corps office this morning, and she informed me they are planning to open May 15. I'm not sure why they're not going to open sooner, as it appears to me everything is ready to go. Who knows. But, that's the official word I got this morning.

The lake was at 660.4 yesterday, and it is predicted to crest at 662.7 on Friday. Hopefully we won't get any more significant rainfall in the next week. Right now, the water is over the lower road, so parking is limited to the top road. While it's definitely a manageable level, we're just hoping once it crests it will start back down toward normal pool.

The weather forecast for this week and early next week is much better than last... still chances of rain, but not as much, and a lot warmer.

Blessing pics... finally!

Okay, sorry it took me so long to get these posted... but, here they are! I tried to post one of each boat that was blessed, so there are lots of boat pictures in the beginning... and a few from the picnic as well. Watch the slideshow here if you'd like, or click on the album to view them at your leisure. Enjoy!

Blessing t-shirts... want one?

For those of you who did not see them, these are what the Blessing tees look like this year. We sold out Saturday evening, but if I get enough people wanting more, I can do a re-order and have them in pretty quickly. They are $12 each. I know several people told me the night of the Blessing that they wanted shirts if I did a re-order, but naturally I have forgotten who you are! Please e-mail me at jabetwade@yahoo.com or info@pontiaccove.com, or call 417-679-3676 if you want a Blessing tee. I need to know how many and what sizes. I'd like to get the order in by Monday, if possible. So, let me know asap! THANKS!

Blessed and ready for summer!

The fourth annual Blessing of the Fleet has come and gone... and it was a huge success! THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the boat parade - about 45 boats were blessed. Deacon Joe, from Ava, was here for the second year in a row. He told me he really enjoys giving the blessing and would be glad to come back again next year. The Pam Hicks crew - the Thriller bunch - won all the awards by a landslide: Best Costumes, Most Original Theme and Best in Show. They worked on their theme and dance moves for months! They are such a fun group, and I want to give a special shout out to them for taking the time to dress up and decorate. We also had a great turnout for the picnic in the park. We served about 130 dinners. A big thanks to all the workers who cooked and served and collected the money - Bill, Bob, Roger, Matt, Gabe, Debbie, Lois, Mary Beth, Vita... couldn't have done it without you! As always, Revolver provided great entertainment throughout the evening. Overall, I think a good time was had by all. :)

I'll write more and post lots o' pictures soon.

Two in one week?!

It seems we aren't the only ones enjoying this warm weather... Look what I spotted crossing the road this afternoon! He slithered out of the ditch on the marina side and was headed toward the park side... I had just come up the hill from the lower road at the dock when I saw him. Harmless black snake? Perhaps. But, it was large one, and I most definitely did not get out of my car to take a closer look...

I kept trying to get a shot of his head, but he was moving fairly quickly...

It looked like he was headed toward the "outhouse" on the hill just above the marina... yet another reason to avoid that place. Thank goodness the "nice" restrooms are now open in the park, eh?

Nice Catch

Glen Hegger caught this crappie while fishing the Verne Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament on Saturday... too bad it was a bass tournament. :)

New Hours

We are now opening at 7 a.m. daily. Our latest hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

Tournament Results

Thomas Lloyd, Springfield, and James Lloyd, St. Charles, (pictured above) took first place in the third annual Verne D. Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament on Saturday at Pontiac Cove Marina on Bull Shoals Lake. They are the grandsons of John and Del Lloyd, of Pontiac. They won with a total weight of 11 pounds, 8 ounces. They also won the Big Bass pot with a 3-pound largemouth. Mark and Ofelia Sanders, Ava, took second place with 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Buck and Bob Comstock, Protem, took third place with 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Rodney and Jared Harper, Beebe, Ark., took fourth place with 7 pounds, 15 ounces. Bob Gunkel and Justin Avery, Pontiac, took fifth place with 6 pounds, 5 ounces. The tournament is held in memory of Verne Cubbage, who enjoyed fishing on Bull Shoals Lake for many years. A portion of the entry fee was retained for Gainesville High School’s extracurricular activities clubs.

Unwanted visitor...

Josh caught this little guy slithering around the parking lot out in front of the marina this morning. We tried to determine whether it was poisonous, but we concluded it was just a harmless water snake... anyone beg to differ?

It's BLESSING week!

Only five days until the fourth annual Blessing of the Fleet. Check out the weather forecast for this week... fannnnntastic! Looks like Saturday should be a glorious day to be on the water and a fabulous afternoon/evening in the park. Just a reminder that the Blessing ceremony begins at 2 p.m. If you plan to participate in the parade of boats, you should be outside the breakwater a little before 2:00. Afterward, there will be some downtime before the picnic in the park - an opportunity for you to cruise the lake and soak up some much-needed sunshine. Food will be served in the park starting around 5 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults; $5 for kids under 12. All proceeds go to the Pontiac Fireworks. We'll also be selling raffle tickets, t-shirts, caps and memberships to the "One Minute Club." (Did you know it costs approximately $300 for one minute of fireworks?) Revolver will provide live music for the evening.

As always, our #1 goal is for everyone to have fun and have an excuse to come to the lake (as if you need one!), and also to help us raise money for the Pontiac Fireworks. We hope to see you there!

Tournament Update

Well, we had 20 boats enter the Verne Cubbage Memorial Tournament, which took off without a hitch at 7:00 this morning. So far the weather seems perfect for fishing. It's warm, cloudy, a few rain drops here, a few there... just perfect. This is the third year we've hosted this tournament, and so far this is the most entries and the best weather we've had. If you're in the area this afternoon, you're welcome to come down for the weigh-in at 3:30 p.m. on the 500 dock (that's our newest dock, out by the launch ramp). The walkway is connected to the shore at the launch ramp. Hopefully there will be lots of fish to weigh!

Latest Park Update

This is the latest Pontiac park/campground update from the Mountain Home Corps project office, as of yesterday...

-Tree-trimming crews are still working, close to finishing
-The "nice" restrooms/showerhouses in the park will be open before the Blessing on April 25, per my request
-Campground will for sure be open by May 15, and hopefully sooner than that
-If there are still no park attendants by May 15, the park will open regardless, using the "honor" system for collecting fees
-Bottom line: The campground will be open this year!

That's all I know, folks! If you want to speak to someone at our local project office personally, please feel free to call 870-425-2700 and press 1 for park and campground information.

A good day fishin'

Matthew Edmondson caught this 13-inch crappie while fishing with his grandpa, Milt Hoefle, on Saturday.

A few updates...

Just a reminder that the Verne Cubbage Memorial Bass tournament is this Saturday. Take-off is 7 a.m., weigh-in at 3:30 p.m. There will be lots of prizes handed out at the weigh-in, as well as cash prizes for the winners. Cost to enter is $100 per boat, plus an additional $10 per boat for the big bass pot. A young fisherman award will also be handed out. A portion of the proceeds will go to Gainesville High School's extracurricular activities clubs. There will be a pizza buffet afterward at Just Jackie's.

A tree-trimming crew has been working in the Pontiac park since the middle of last week. I still don't know when the park will be open to campers, but hopefully very soon. I will check with the Mountain Home Corps project office mid-week to see what the status is. If you'd like to speak with someone at the Corps office, call 870-425-2700.

As I write this, the guys are moving the walkway to the 500 dock (newest dock out by the launch ramp) from the main dock to the shore. If you'll recall, that's how the walkway was set up before the high water last year. There is a gate on the 500 dock, and only annual stall customers are allowed beyond the gate. The first 10 slips on that dock are for short-term renters.

The fourth annual Blessing of the Fleet is coming up on April 25. If you are planning to decorate your boat and/or yourselves, you should be thinking about your theme now! You don't have to decorate, but it has been fun in the past to see what folks come up with. The blessing ceremony will take place at 2:00 Saturday afternoon, then a picnic in the park will follow at 5:00 - money from the food sales will go to the Pontiac Firework Fund. Revolver will play live music that evening until closing. We'll be selling t-shirts and hats the day of the Blessing as well.

Update: Pontiac campground

A tree-trimming crew began work yesterday cleaning up the Pontiac park. The last I heard, the Corps is shooting for April 15 to re-open the campground to campers. I'll keep you posted on their progress. For more information or to make reservations at the Pontiac campground, call 877-444-6777.

Another good fishing report...

Tony Allbright (right) and Lloyd Hunter caught several nice crappie last week...

Is it skill? Or is it just good luck? You be the judge...

Justin likes to go fishing in his spare time...

And lately he's done quite well...

Poker Tournament Results

I haven't had a chance to talk to Vita or Mary Beth, but I did hear the Ladies Club Texas Hold 'Em tourney on Saturday raised about $500 for the Ozark County Food Pantry. Great job, everyone!

Good-to-know Info

Here are a few safe boating tidbits from Seaworthy Magazine, as summer draws near...

Five Reasons to Change Your Prop
Everybody knows to change the engine oil, swap out the impeller every year or two, change belts, etc. but the prop is much more likely to be overlooked. Choosing the wrong prop or continuing to use a prop that is damaged can not only cause your boat to perform poorly, it can increase your fuel consumption and even damage your engine and transmission.

Trailer Tires
Here's something for trailer boat owners to think about this summer when they're zooming down the road with thousands of pounds of boat bouncing along behind the car: If you're traveling at 50 mph, the trailer's 12-inch tires will be going 60 mph; 10-inch tires will be going 70 mph; and 8-inch tires will be going 90 mph! This spring you can avoid a lot of headaches by taking a few minutes to make sure your tires are healthy. Most trailer tires are left outdoors and fail because they "rot" over time (look for spiderweb cracks on the sidewall). That's true even if the tires are rarely used.

Life Jackets and Kill Switches
A man in Arizona was taking his 18-foot bass boat out onto a lake by himself one night, as he had done many times before, when he struck a jetty that had recently been built. In an instant, he was catapulted off the bow and landed, unconscious, in the water... Prior to getting under way, he attached the engine's kill switch to the life jacket he was wearing. If he hadn't bothered with the life jacket or the kill switch, he would likely have been run over by his own boat, cut up by the prop and drowned. Instead, the engine was stopped before he hit the water and he floated quietly beside the boat until he regained consciousness. Despite a few broken ribs, he was able to climb back aboard, start the engine, and return home. It could be argued that there is no need for a good swimmer on a boat to always wear his or her life jacket in all conditions. But when you're by yourself, especially at night or in foul weather, a life jacket certainly makes a lot of sense. As for the kill switch, it should always be attached to whomever is at the controls when the boat is under way. Always.

Fishing Tournament Details

The third annual Verne Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament is April 18. Any two-person team is welcome to enter. Entry fee is $100 per boat, plus $10 for the big bass pot. I expect that as good as fishing has been this spring we should have a pretty good competition this year! Those of you who were around the past two years have surely not forgotten the challenging weather conditions the fishermen/women have faced. Maybe the weather in two weeks will be a little nicer. :)

As usual there will be tons of prizes given away at the weigh-in, plus cash prizes awarded to the winners. A Young Fisherman award will be given to the boy or girl 16 years old or younger who catches the biggest fish. Rodney Harper - Harper's Pure Country Taxidermy - has offered to mount the big fish for the young winner for free. After the weigh-in there will be a pizza buffet open to all the fishermen and women and their families and friends at Just Jackie's. Entry forms are available at PCM and can also be downloaded here. For more information, call us at 417-679-3676.

Computer Issues

Just wanted to let you know I've been having problems with my computer, thus I haven't been able to be online much the past week or so, which is why I haven't been updating the blog as frequently as I would like. I will hopefully be back on track by the end of the week, writing more regular updates and posting pics again. Bear with me. :) Thanks!

Poker Tournament this Saturday

The Pontiac Ladies Club is hosting a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament at 6 p.m. this Saturday at the Pontiac fire house. Anyone is welcome to enter for a $20 buy-in. All proceeds will go to the Ozark County Food Pantry. The ladies will serve refreshments. Call Mary Beth Roberts at 679-3609 or Vita Curvey at 679-4688 for more details.

Fishing Report

Pictured above is Paxton Lovan (Rogersville) - he and Matt caught their limits on Sunday - on jerk baits and swimming minnows (if you can believe that). Not only are folks catching white bass and black bass, but the crappie fishing has been great, too. If you're itchin' to go fishin' you better get on it - you're missing out!

Updates

FYI: The water is now turned on at the dock.

Also, I spoke to our park attendants for this year - John and Guyla (you may remember them from two years ago...) - this afternoon, and they informed me that the water and electricity are turned on in the park. However, the "no camping" signs are still posted and will stay up until the Corps is able to get a tree-trimming crew in the park to take care of all the broken limbs in the tagged trees. John and Guyla are planning to move in to the park around April 1 - hopefully campsites will be available to rent by then or shortly after.

Reminder: Benefit for Clines this Saturday

Just a reminder that the pie auction and live music event for Tom and Mary Cline is this Saturday - auction begins at 4 p.m.; music by Revolver at 6 p.m. Questions? Call Jackie at 417-372-1625 or Pam Guidorzi at 417-679-3070. (Scroll down and click on "older posts" to see the original post with details from March 3.)

Pontiac park update

I spoke with someone in the Mountain Home Corps office, and she confirmed what we thought about the "No camping until further notice" signs. They posted the signs because they are going to be coming in soon to work on removing the broken limbs from the tagged trees. She said the goal is to have all the parks re-opened by April 1. We'll keep you posted.

Notice these signs?

Apparently the Corps posted a couple of these signs at the entrance to the Pontiac Park a couple of hours ago. Tony Allbright just alerted me of it about a half hour ago, so I ran up there and snapped this picture with my phone. We knew nothing of any plans to restrict camping here, so I immediately tried to reach the Mountain Home Corps office, but it was already closed for the day. You may have noticed the Corps has also tagged several trees in the park with white or orange ribbon - again, we're not sure what those are for, but we're assuming the orange trees are going to be removed (they seem to be in the worst shape) and the white trees are going to be trimmed because of broken limbs. We're just assuming the newly posted signs are related to the tree tagging. I'm sure it's only temporary and the park will be open soon for campers. (The park officially opens April 1 with water and electricity.) Between now and Monday I will be looking in to this and let you know as soon as I know more. Thanks for your patience and cooperation.

A story from this week's Ozark County Times...

Pontiac/Price Place VFD lowers ISO rating
by Jabet Wade - Special to the Times

Members of the Pontiac/Price Place Volunteer Fire Department were ecstatic to learn last Tuesday that they lowered their ISO rating from a 9 to a 5, which makes them the lowest rated volunteer fire department in Ozark County.

The ISO collects and analyzes information relating to an individual fire department’s ability to respond to calls in their district, then assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) from 1 to 10 — 1 being the best and 10 the worst.

In Missouri, the only department with a Class 1 designation is the St. Louis fire department. Only seven departments in Missouri have a Class 2 designation, including Springfield and Columbia. In Ozark County, the only department with a better rating than a 9 is Gainesville, which is a 7. Nearby Oakland/Promise Land volunteer fire department is a 6.

A couple of the members I spoke to said they would have been thrilled with a 6, and many expected to receive a 7. They never dreamed it would go as low as a 5.

For the better part of this decade, the PPPVFD has tossed around the idea of trying to lower its ISO rating, in an effort to help its members save money. Board chairman Bob Kirgan says the biggest hang-up was always equipment. One of the ISO requirements they would have to meet before a lower rating would even be considered is the ability to pump 250 gallons of water per minute for two hours. That wasn’t possible until last May, when the department acquired a high-volume pump that would allow them to quickly refill the fire trucks.

After months of practicing, the PPPVFD was tested in October. Volunteer firefighters ran through drills that demonstrated their ability to work as a team, handle equipment and refill tankers to keep a continuous supply of water flowing at a staged “fire.” Now, five months later, they finally have the results.

On the heels of recent devastating fires in Ozark County, including the one that destroyed the home of Tom and Mary Cline, of Pontiac, the department wants to be sensitive about this announcement. They want their members to understand the purpose of lowering the rating is not for bragging rights for the department, but rather to help its members save money. The PPPVFD is still a rural, volunteer fire department, and responding to and putting out fires will always be a more difficult task than it is in districts with full-time firefighters.

The Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department recently qualified for an ISO rating of 5, the lowest in the county, after the department and their equipment was tested in October.

So, how will the lower rating help members save money?

Many insurance companies factor in ISO ratings when calculating premiums for their policy holders. Therefore, a lower rating should translate to lower premiums for most members, depending on the company and individual policies.

A couple members have already called their agents to find out how much the lower rating will save them in the future. Roger and Debbie Lee learned they are going to save about $200 yearly, while Kirgan says he is going to save about $275.

Marlin Wallace, American Family insurance agent, says a Class 5 designation should lower rates for American Family customers by about one-third.

While most members will likely see a decrease in their insurance rates, it is important to note that not all insurance companies factor in the ISO rating. The ISO simply evaluates risk and offers their findings to the companies; each individual company chooses how or whether to use the information.

The new rating will take effect July 1. In the meantime, the PPPVFD is preparing and will mail a formal letter to all members who have paid their dues. Members are encouraged to present the letter to their insurance agents and request a lower rate.

The PPPVFD would like to thank all the local fire departments in Missouri and Arkansas that assisted with equipment, manpower and record-keeping during this process. They’d also like to thank the Pontiac Ladies Club and the Pontiac and Price Place communities for their continued support of the fire department. “The PPPVFD is totally dependent on member participation,” says training officer Al Davidson. “These dues-paying members will now see a return on their investment.”

For more information on the ISO rating and the PPPVFD, call fire chief Bill Richardson at 679-4674 or Kirgan at 679-3432. Or, visit iso.com.

Catch of the day?

Thanks to Jeannie Looper for sharing this photo of her son, Jared, and his BIG catch over the weekend. This is what she wrote... "Just had to share this photo of Jared and his big catch this past Saturday. We are not quite sure how this little guy took the lure... In all fairness to Jared, he did catch his fair share of keepers on Saturday, but this shot was just too good to pass up."

Ethanol and boat motors just don't mix

You've all heard stories about ethanol ruining boat motors. But why, exactly, is it so harmful? In a recent magazine article, Captain John N. Raguso, Marine Products Editor with The Fisherman and a licensed USCG Master and charter boat skipper with more than three decades of offshore experience writes the following:

PHASE SEPARATION
According to Frank Kelley, Mercury's Fuels and Lubricants Manager, public enemy #1, and the one thing to avoid at all costs when using an ethanol blended gasoline, is the presence of water. Once water gets into the fuel (it can occur via condensation from a half-filled tank, a loose fill cap, deck water and/or spray sneaking into your vent line, among other ways), you get a nasty situation called phase separation. Only one ounce of water introduced into 100 ounces of E-10 gasoline can cause 10 ounces of ethanol to "separate" from the petroleum base and combine with the water to sit on the bottom of your tank, creating a lethal witch's brew that will choke your engine. The bad news, according to Frank, is that once phase separation occurs, it is very difficult to get the ethanol back into the gasoline. "Sooner or later a slug of essentially ethanol and water with little or no gasoline tries to go through the engine." Bottom line is that no manufacturer's engines, inboard or outboard, were meant to run on this nasty ethanol and water mix.

An even bigger problem is that running phase-separated gas through your engine can potentially void your warranty, as stated in many new engine warranty manuals. Dean Corbisier, Suzuki Marine Press Manager, mentioned that all Suzuki four-stroke outboards are compatible with the new ethanol-blended gasoline, providing that the ethanol mix is strictly regulated at 10 percent or less. There was an interesting section in the Suzuki manual that mentioned that they, "Highly recommend the use of alcohol-free fuels whenever possible."

Yet another problem brought to my attention after interviewing various boat mechanics was there had been an initial surge of carburetor and fuel pump rebuilds, due to the lack of compatibility of the alcohol in the ethanol-blended gasoline, compromising the neoprene components of the O-rings, gaskets, diaphragms and seals of older engines that were developed prior to the wholesale distribution of the E-10 fuel.

Note: Pontiac Cove Marina sells ethanol-free gasoline only. We pay extra to keep ethanol out of our fuel. Be aware that when you fill up your boat at a highway filling station, you are getting 10 percent ethanol in your fuel.

Spring is in the air

These guys have been trying to bloom all week...

It's Official!

Starting tomorrow we are officially open for the season! (Not that we've been closed all winter, but our hours have been pretty limited for the past three months.) This weekend we'll be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. With the time change on Sunday we may stay open later the following weekend... it will depend on the weather. I'll keep you posted week by week as the hours change, but for now you can count on the hours listed above. We've already gotten in some of the new merchandise - including t-shirts, sweatshirts (great for this time of year!) and hats. We're also working on filling in our snack section and soda and beer cooler. Just bear with us as the season gets going! And feel free to make requests. Have a great weekend, everyone! Hope to see you soon at the lake.

Benefit Pie Auction

I heard from Jackie Klineline today, and she informed me there will be a benefit pie auction for Tom and Mary Cline at 4 p.m. March 21 at Just Jackie's restaurant in Pontiac. Tom, Ozark County prosecutor, and Mary lost their home in a fire on Feb. 20. The fire is being called arson and is under investigation.

Everyone is welcome to attend the pie auction at 4 p.m., then stick around afterward to hear live music from the band, Revolver, of which Tom is a member. (Music starts at 6 p.m.) Jackie said she already has 50 to 60 pies promised for the auction. If you'd like to donate something for the auction, that's great. But, the real need is getting folks to come out and bid on the goodies! If you have questions about the event or would like more information, please call Jackie at 417-372-1625 or Pam Guidorzi at 417-679-3070.

Pictured above: Tom and Mary Cline

March 1 - Hurray!

This picture was taken yesterday - the last day of February, and of course it had to snow! The forecast for the first week of March in Pontiac looks much more spring-like, and hopefully that means spring is here to stay! (It will be official in 19 days and counting...) Today is a beautiful, sunny day, although it is a little chilly - 42 degrees. Fishing is good. The wind has laid fairly low lately. What more could you ask for on the first day of March?

In case you haven't heard...

Fire at Ozark County prosecutor's house was arson
by KY3 News

Published: Feb 24, 2009 at 4:14 PM CST

By Gene Hartley
GAINESVILLE, Mo. -- The Ozark County Sheriff's Department says a fire last Friday night at the home of a prosecutor was arson. There's a reward fund set up to try to help investigators find the arsonist.

The fire at the home on County Road 607 near Pontiac was reported just before 9:30 p.m. It's the home of Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Cline. Pontiac is about 15 miles southwest of Gainesville at the end of Highway W next to Bulls Shoals Lake.

The Missouri Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention is offering the reward, which is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone connected to the fire. The number at the sheriff's department is (417) 679-4633.

This story is from ky3.com.

Missouri fishing permits expire Saturday

Just a reminder that your Missouri fishing license expires on Feb. 28. That's this Saturday. If you have already purchased your '09 license, then you're good until next February. If not, be sure to renew that before March 1. We now have the 2009 hunting and fishing regulation booklets at the dock. As far as I know there aren't any major changes - correct me if I'm wrong. Just wanted to let you know in case you'd like to pick up the latest literature.

Quick Update

The lake is about back to normal now - it's off the lower road anyway. We're still in the office every day from 8 to 10 a.m. if you're looking for us. Through the week the dock is often open most all day. Just call ahead before you come over to make sure we're there if you need gas or to pay a bill or pick up ice or whatever you need. Starting around the first of March we will be staying open later daily - weather permitting. I'll keep you posted when the hours officially change. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Save the dates...

SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament benefiting the Ozark County Food Pantry. Hosted by the Pontiac Ladies Club at 6 p.m. at the Pontiac-Price Place fire house. $20 buy-in. Anyone welcome to play. Ladies will provide refreshments. Call Vita Curvey at 417-679-4688 or Mary Beth Roberts at 417-679-3609 for more information.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18
3rd Annual Verne D. Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament. Take off at 7 a.m. from PCM. Weigh-in at 3:30 p.m. at PCM. $100 entry fee; $10 per boat for Big Bass pot. Winners receive cash prizes; a portion of the proceeds will go to Gainesville High School's extracurricular activities programs. Pizza buffet afterward at Just Jackie's. Call 417-679-3676 for more information.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25
4th Annual Blessing of the Fleet. The official kick-off of the 2009 boating season! Blessing will take place around 2 p.m. Picnic in the park to follow, with a fish fry to raise money for the Pontiac Fireworks. Live music. Call 417-679-3676 for more details.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Pontiac Spearfishing Tournament. Sign up from 7 to 9 a.m. at the marina. Take-off at 9 a.m. Weigh-in from 1 to 3 p.m. Location TBA. Cash prizes awarded to winners. Pizza buffet afterward at Just Jackie's.

FRIDAY, JULY 3
Pontiac Fireworks. Don't miss it!

Boating Safety Course

Just a reminder that anyone born after January 1, 1984, must complete and pass the Missouri Boater Education course/test before operating any motorized vessel, included personal watercrafts. This applies to both Missouri residents and non-residents.

Click here to see a list of upcoming classes in your area. There is no fee to take the course in person with an instructor. You may also take the course online for a $15 fee. There is also a $15 fee to receive your new boater's safety card once you pass the test - $10 for a replacement card.

Visit the Missouri State Water Patrol's website at www.mswp.dps.mo.gov for more information. If you have questions about the course, you can e-mail the water patrol education coordination at Education@mswp.dps.mo.gov or call 573-751-3333.

It's not too early to start thinking about this now. Boating season is just around the corner!

Fishing is Good

Matt Wade and Josh Barnum (from Ava) each caught a limit of largemouth and kentuckys today.

Catchin' some white bass

Looks like the white bass are running! Thank you to Jessica Blackburn for sharing these photos from a couple nights ago at Gulley. Above left: Matt Wade and Gabe Blackburn; Right: Jessica Blackburn.

Here we go again...

The lake is creeping across the lower road again. If you drive down here you'll notice we have the blue truck parked at the top of the lower road. Please do not try to drive around it, as the cable below it is loose, and we do not want anyone driving over it. You can drive along the upper road and back down the hill, if you want to park on the lower road. Our apologies for the lower road being such a mess - it rained so much in such a short period of time Tuesday night that it washed all kinds of rocks and mud down the hill. As soon as the lake is back to normal, we'll clear it off. As of this morning, the Corps had not updated its lake level forecast page, so I'm not sure how much more it's going to come up - right now it's at 657.4, which is about 3 1/2 feet above normal pool.

Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday to my mother, JOHNNA LEE MORGAN. She's 144 years younger than Abe Lincoln today. Eeeeeek! She might kill me for that one.

Sad News

Ross Iseminger passed away yesterday. For those of you who did not know Ross, you may know his wife, Micky. She is our Pontiac postmaster. Ross's mother, Joan, owns Blue Top - the residential area above the Pontiac-Price Place Fire Station #1. There will be a memorial service at 5 p.m. Thursday at the fire house. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Pontiac-Price Place Fire Department.

Monday

Just wanted to write a quick update. Things are fine at the dock. Folks are still cleaning up their yards and property and probably will be for a long time. I know some people on the Arkansas side got power back on Friday - others were still out over the weekend, and I'm not sure what the status is today. The past weekend was another gorgeous one - it wasn't very sunny, but it was so warm, we broke out the flip-flops. :) It's currently raining steadily in Pontiac. The forecast for tomorrow is nearly 70 degrees with a chance of severe weather tomorrow night. It's always something!

A call for volunteers

Volunteers are arriving from out of town this weekend to help Ozark Countians in need of assistance clean up after last week's ice storm. If you're interested in volunteering this Saturday, call 417-679-3002. Or, if you or someone you know need help, call the number. Volunteers are meeting at the Gainesville courthouse around 8 a.m. Saturday. A crew from Americorps (see http://www.americorps.org for more info about the organization) are currently stationed in Ozark County to help organize volunteers and connect them with folks who need assistance. All types of volunteer are welcome, whether you have equipment (trucks, trailers, chainsaws) or none at all, it doesn't matter.

I know a lot of people are still busy cleaning up their own yards, etc. Just don't forget to check on your family, friends and neighbors - especially older folks and others who might be in need of some help.

Lending a Hand

A big THANK YOU goes out to Joe Lewis and his family, who spent the weekend helping Pontiac residents get a jump start on the cleanup after the ice storm last week. The Lewis family is from Seymour, but can call themselves part-time Pontiac residents, as they own a houseboat and cabin here. You may have seen Joe running up and down the road in his big green tractor this past weekend. He was a tremendous help to us, as he pushed some of our biggest downed limbs into huge piles to burn - a job that would have taken Matt and me a whole day or more took him less than an hour. Joe's wife, Cary, also stopped by on Saturday and helped Matt pick up limbs for quite a while.

It was a gorgeous weekend, with temps in the 60s both Saturday and Sunday. The sunshine seemed to bring everyone out of their homes, and everywhere you turned you could hear chainsaws fired up. It's amazing how a community - especially Pontiac - comes together to help one another in a time of need. Keep up the great work, everyone! And don't forget about our neighbors to the south - all those folks in Arkansas remain without power still today.