Joan's Blog: September 2009

Tell Me About Your Dream Lake Home.

Visiting Shell Knob this summer has led to thoughts of having a summer/retirement house on Table Rock Lake.

You liked the clean, clear waters of Table Rock, plus the gently rolling hills along the shoreline.  The lake didn't feel too busy or overly crowded.  There are definite possibilities here.

The first thing to determine is what kind of lakefront do you want?

  There are actually three kinds of lots that qualify as 'Waterfront'.  The first would be what many think of as 'Waterfront'.  You walk-down to the water on an almost flat surface, or gentle to the water walk.

The second type of 'Waterfront' in Shell Knob, would be a steeper incline, but one that can  get you down to the water.  Walking back up is often a good cardio workout.

The third type of 'Waterfront'  is a bluff lot.  Usually with great views of the lake, but these residents need a golf cart or other transport to go down to their boat docks.

Each type of waterfront has it's pro's and con's and just like people no one size fits all. 

Call Joan to find your Dream Home on Table Rock Lake   418-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344                                                                                

How do you feel about herding cats?

If you've ever been a cat owner, you know that herding cats is about impossible.  Unlike our faithful canine companions, even here in Shell Knob, MO, felines do not train well.  They  don't come when called (unless it is chow time).  They don't  sit or stay on command.  They are independent creatures.  I loved that commercial last spring where it showed  cowboys herding hundreds of cats!  Sure they did!

The Herding Cats premise, is about the same as trying to show houses to more than one couple at a time.  I don't recall ever selling a house to a couple when they show up with friends or family,

The last time this occurred to me, there were 5 adults.  I had previously worked with one of them, but knew he was scouting   for a lake house that two families would be buying together. 

I finally get to meet them all at once.  My sales senses go into overload -

Who is the leader? 

Do I stay with the older or the younger generation ?  They enter a house and scatter in at least 3 directions. 

Which ones do you follow? 

The property that I thought would meet most of their needs has sold, of course (Murphy;s Law?). 

The other two are either too expensive or too small, or too this or too that! 

So what do you do when they show up unexpectedly on your doorstep (office)?

All suggestions gratefully accepted.

Call Joan For all your lake home needs.  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors   417-858-3344                                                                      

It was  a surprise to see the sign on the newest restaurant in Shell Knob - "On The Bayou".

Bayou to me, means Louisanna and Cajun, so how can that possibly be in the 'Ozarks'?  Of course I had to go in and inquire of the new owners, William and Jennifer Robinson.

As I was getting the low- down from Jennifer, a patron paid her bill - rolled her eyes, and announced that the Bayou Bread Pudding with Whiskey sauce was "absolutely sinful"! 

That comment went right along with one from a cohort in my office, an expert on all food Cajun - who reported that the Crawfish Po'Boy was more than acceptable for Shell Knob!

Jennifer assured me that their offerings of all things Cajun or Creole were not HOT seasoned, but of the traditional, delicate flavor.  The daily specials include Jambalaya, Etoufee, Red Beans & Rice, Gumbo, Catfish Acadiana, Pastalaya and of course -Po'Boys, Shrimp or Crawfish Burgers, or regular Hamburgers.

You can try out these great new offerings on Tuesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  They are located in the Shell Knob Plaza.

Call Joan for all your real estate needs in Shell Knob or on Table Rock Lake   417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344

One of  Shell Knob's best kept secrets, due to it's out of the way location, is a favorite spot I enjoy taking clients. 

It's called Icy Mae's - don't ask me why - the owners are Mike and Vickie Mertens.  Icy Mae's is located on the third floor of the main building in Timberock Village, and serves some of the best food available in the Ozarks.

Most of Shell Knob is laid back casual..... no dress code - after all, this IS the Ozarks, right?  So this restaurant sits over the dental, attorney and a home health care offices.  Once inside, first time diners  look surprised at the pleasant decor and great views of Table Rock Lake from a wall of windows.

Their eyes widen seeing the menu offers much more than burgers and fries, which makes decisions on ordering extremely difficult.

Mike opens at 7 a.m. for local businessmen and visiting anglers. 

How about some Belgian Waffles, Austrian Crepes, Quiche or Seven Cheese Strata?  Basics are also offered: BRITTANY SPHERES (2 eggs, sausage patties, etc) or THREE SMILES FOR SISTER SARA (3 Smiling Cakes & Sausage).  In other words, name your favorite breakfast, and it is yours.  Newbies should be warned about the Biscuits & Gravy however; serving portions tend to be large.  It is a rare diner who can finish a full order - priced at only $3.25

A Shell Knob lunch at Icy Mae's should be considered a main meal by customers.  The Chicken Walnut Salad, served in a sweet coconut dressing with fruit garnish has chunks of chicken breast (a big favorite in my office) for only $6.25.   What might normally be called a Club Sandwich, is labeled FLEX AND BONES, and challenges most eaters who try to look in control while getting their mouth around something 3 inches high.

There are at least 14 menu choices for lunch, without throwing in the breakfast menu, also continued to be offered.  The bad news?  The restaurant is only open until 2 p.m.

Call Joan for local Shell Knob or real estate information  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344                                                      

Dangerous Hogs

It is open season 12 months a year in Missouri on feral hogs.  Hunters are urged to shoot and kill them on sight.

There have always been feral hogs, but they were kept under control by normal hunting until the 1990's when they were sought as sport.  European or Russian boar were introduced and they have mixed with the domestic hogs.

It is not unusual to see a 300 or 400 pound boar, with some reaching records of 600 pounds!

These hogs do damage agriculturally as they root  for food.  They are not particular about what they eat and consume acorns - which deer and other small animals need. 

They are prolific breeders and the population has grown rapidly.  The Ozark hills provide them with a comfortable habitat.

Shooting, trapping and baiting are encouraged by the conservation department.

Not too long after becoming a Shell Knob/Table Rock Lake resident, I smelled something different in the air.   It was neither a pleasant or unpleasant smell - just  'different'.  I mentioned it to my husband, and he gave me the usual rolling of his eyes.  I then had to ask a neighbor about that strange smell in the air, and was told it was just Table Rock Lake turning over???

The lake turning over?  Like sure - that makes alot of sense. 

The same as turning over in bed?  Come on.... wouldn't I have heard something if this huge body of water had actually turned over? 

Don't they send out alerts or something?  Sounds dangerous.  I've lived on lakes before, but had never heard of one 'Turning Over'.

Google didn't exist and there wasn't much of what we now call internet, when I first experienced this, so I just came to accept that  at some time in the spring and again in the fall, I would smell this  rather fishy scent

around Table Rock Lake. 

I have since read that this actually is a common occurance in large and small lakes, where there are  four seasons and large temperature changes.

Table Rock has 857 miles of shoreline and covers 52,300 acres.  That's over 1.1 trillion gallons of water held  and alot of water to turn over! 

Seasonal temperature changes are what get the job done.  The colder water gets, the heavier it becomes so it sinks to the bottom of the lake, causing the water on the bottom to roll-over to the top. This is a simplistic explanation of a very interesting and detailed process involving thermocline and oxygen, which I wish I had learned more of earlier in life.

When the lake has turned over, it is cloudy for a few days, and most anglers  take a few days off from fishing and head to Bass Pro Shop.  Chances of catching the big lunker at this time are fairly low.

Call Joan for all your Shell Knob Real Estate Needs   417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-846-3344

Most of the hummingbirds have done their Fall migration, so it must be time for Table Rock Lakes' Fall Bass tournaments to start in Shell Knob.

A Shell Knob Fall tradition is the Annual Homer Sloan Buddy Bass Tournament.  It will be held on Table Rock Lake on Saturday October 4th.

The Buddy Bass Tournament can be entered any time up to the take-off time of 7:30 a.m. on 10/4.  Campbell Point and Kings River Marinas are both take-off points.  Weigh-in is at Campbell point only at 4 p.m.

Six bass is the total allowed for weigh-in by a two person boat.  Cash prizes for the heaviest total weights and the largest individual bass will be given.

A full dinner will be served to entrants, following the weigh-in, at the Shell Knob CCC Camp.

Check out the shellknob.com/events.htm web site for rules and an application.

Call Joan for all your Table Rock Lake and Shell Knob Real Estate Needs  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344                                                                                           

Lifestyles of the rich and famous usually include a home on the water.  Why should they be the only ones to enjoy the lure and luxury of a home at the lake?

Check out the newest Gated Community in Shell Knob, MO - EAGLES POINT, and this nicely wooded lakefront lot.

100' of lakefront on a small cove with a view of the main channel on Table Rock Lake in Shell Knob, Missouri.

Priced at $84,900, it includes a 10 x 24 boat slip in a Community Boat Dock with a swim platform.

MLS# 330271

Call Joan for all your real estate needs in Shell Knob or around Table Rock Lake  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344