Lake of Egypt Living Summer 2020

LAKE OF EGYPT

LIVING PREMIER LIFEST YLE MAGAZINE FOR THE LAKE OF EGYPT & SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST

BROTHERS IN

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NED & MAX RAY | 24

PYRAMID ACRES | 8 LAKE EFFECT | 12

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

The entire Egyptian Hills Resort family wants to add our thanks to all of the good folks at the lake patrol.

We've had the pleasure to get to know them all over the years. We're especially appreciative of Max and Ned for their continued service to all who call the Lake of Egypt their home and to all that come here to boat and enjoy the pristine beauty of our treasured lake.

There's a calming feeling knowing you can always call lake patrol if you have a boat problem or if you're in need of assistance for whatever reason. They truly are the "good stewards" of the lake and we thank them!

agent authorize the use of their photo and listing information or feel free to send us the information at lakeofegyptliving.com. It's free of charge and open to all in our lake real estate editorial section.

A huge thank you to all of our advertisers and readers for the overwhelming support you have given us. We pledge to produce the best Lake of Egypt magazine possible.

Lastly, we would like to send the Webb family our condolences on Kenneth Webb's passing. He was a great friend of the lake and will truly be missed.

-Micah

We're excited to feature our neighbors at Pyramid Acres and wish them great success in their new endeavor. We're excited to showcase other lake and area businesses in the coming issues.

We also want to give a shout out to the Diederich's, Frank's and Sprehe's for opening their homes to us and getting to know our neighbors better. We hope that these featured homes and neighbors warm your hearts as much as they do ours in doing them.

We want to thank everyone who's shared their favorite pictures with us and we can't wait to see more. Lake sunsets, lake wildlife, lake pets, lake children, fun water shots and more. We would love to expand our photo pages and showcase our lake community! Our goal is to become the photo album of your memories at the lake. There's just something about an image in print that makes a memory last.

Also, if your lake property is for sale, have your real estate 4

Kenneth Ray Webb 1928 – 2020

IN THIS ISSUE 6

THE LAKE SCENE

8

PYRAMID ACRES

12

LAKE EFFECT

20 LAKE HOMES FOR SALE

LAKE OF EGYPT

LIVING LABOR DAY EDITION

EDITOR TERRANCE GEESE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TYLER COUTY

ADVERTISING SALES MICAH MERRILL

24 BROTHER'S IN ARMS 43 LAKE EVENTS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER JENNIE BAER

50 AREA EVENTS 56 LABOR DAY RECIPES

THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE COPYRIGHT BY

ON THE COVER This issue's cover features Max and Ned Ray, Lake of Egypt Lake Patrol. See their feature on page 24.

LAKE OF EGYPT LIVING WITH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ANY REPRODUCTION OR USE OF THECONTENT WITHIN THIS PUBLICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.

75 EGYPTIAN PARKWAY CREAL SPRINGS, IL 62922 618-364-8088

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T H E LA KE SC ENE | @L AK EOFEGYPTLIVING

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PYRAMID ACRES A New Chapter

BY TERRANCE GEESE

Nick Schaefer grew up boating on the Mississippi, while his friend, David Prater, was an avid fisherman. That combination made for a partnership that would cover many of the fields of experience needed to successfully operate a marina when they and their wives, Jerri Schaefer and Kim Prater, bought Pyramid Acres Marina in June 2018.

David and Kim Prater are experienced operators of a bar and bowling alley. Nick Schaefer learned how to water ski at four years old on the Mississippi River and is a veteran of lake and boating life. Jerri Schaefer has a professional career in mass communication, marketing and event planning. She and Nick have experience in renovation as owners of Havisham House, an overnight vacation rental and event venue on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

“My husband has always been a lake person and David loves to fish,” Jerri Schaefer says. “I knew it would be a successful combination.”

The four also knew they faced a lot of work, but they believed they could improve and grow the business. Both the amount of needed work and growth of the customer base have proven true, with business volume being even greater than anticipated or dreamed.

8

When the purchase was made, the property had a need for a tremendous amount of maintenance and updating to restore its image. The marina is the oldest on the lake, having been open for business the first day fishermen were allowed on the new lake, June 1, 1963. There were about 100 fishing that day, with the prize catch being a 4 ½ pound bass.

With the many years since opening day, Pyramid Acres Marina was showing its age, so the most immediate project was adding a nice boat dock. Along with rebuilding of the physical aspect, the couples were hard at work restoring the public image of the property. “Everything was just run down,” Nick Schaefer says.

The two couples found people around the lake were very supportive of their work. Jerri says she was especially impressed by the support of the campers in the campground next door to Pyramid Acres Marina. A lot of the campers are also boaters on the lake, Jerri says.

A huge boost to the newfound popularity of the operation has been strong attention to entertainment. Jerri says every genre of music is featured at the venue. Anywhere from solo artists, to seven-piece groups can be found playing on

various week nights and weekends.

about 20 ladies trying their artistic talents.

Originally the entertainment was inside. Now, with improvements to the marina bar, patrons can view the lake and listen to the bands from large picture windows and doors on the lake side of the building. In turn, boaters walking up from the docks can see what is happening in the bar. David and Nick even renovated the inside area with a new, larger bar, woodwork, liquor wall and new flooring.

The remodeling of their overnight park model near the campground has been a welcome improvement for many.

“Summer vacationers and fishermen enjoy it,” Jerri says, “it is cleaner, and spacious enough for a group of six, as it is a three-bed, one-bath vacation rental, within walking distance to the marina and lake.”

With the restrictions of COVID-19, entertainment entered a new phase. There had only been a couple of old, outdoor picnic tables. Now, that area has been enlarged and improved for outdoor table seating, and the entertainers are performing there under the lake pavilion. New outdoor lighting has been installed, and customers seem to really enjoy the new atmosphere. Some nights it has been a bit warm, Jerri says, but the crowd has not lost enthusiasm.

Another part of the dock construction project became a boost to evening entertainment. At one time, boaters would listen to the music from their boats. Now, Nick says, the marina has put in so many courtesy slips, most boaters use them and join those at the venue.

The bar itself has been upgraded under the new ownership.

“We have tried to make it upscale,” Nick says, “by adding new wines, craft and draft beers, and bourbons. We have a wide variety; the largest selection in the area,” he says.

Jerri is proud to have added another touch at the bar. In the past, drinks were served in plastic. “Understandably, drinks are normally served in plastic when near water. But, wine and martinis just taste better out of glass,” she says, and that has happened. “It is a nicer experience,” she says.

A very popular event was introduced in 2019, the Lake of Egypt Paddle Fest, with more than 225 participants from seven states. Kayakers were the most numerous, but canoes, paddle boards and pedal boats were welcomed. They paddled from Pyramid Acres to other lake destinations –– Egyptian Hills Resort and Mack’s Marina. For the first Paddle Fest, the three lake businesses partnered with Team River Runner, a national non-profit organization that assists disabled veterans in adaptive paddle sports. A number of disabled veterans were able to be on the water and have a great day with their families.

COVID-19 arrived to halt the event this year, but watch for it in the future. The 2021 event is scheduled for May 15.

Like Paddle Fest, almost all events at Pyramid Acres Marina benefit charitable causes, Jerri says.

Especially popular with weekend lake goers is the Sunday Bloody Mary bar. A variety of Bloody Mary drinks are available and the patrons can add to their drink a number of items.

“It has been a huge draw,” Jerri says. And on the weekends, there is another popular draw as a variety of food trucks are stationed in the parking lot. Jerri says the food truck industry has really taken off in southern Illinois, and they are very popular on the lake.

Since the two couples purchased the property, there has been an emphasis on serving people what they want during leisure hours. The pavilion is used for baby showers, birthday parties and reunions. Catering of the events is permitted. Even a paint party was held at the pavilion with LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 9

The Schaefers and Praters, owners of numerous area businesses, say it was “pretty scary this spring when the virus closed us down.” However, solutions were found, including a drive-up window for bar sales, the expansion of outdoor entertainment and, most of all, the continuing support of the business by lake residents, ranging from entertainment to gas sales to marina operations.

As the summer months unfolded, business became heavier than expected. With few places to go because of COVID-19, more and more people have found Lake of Egypt to be a welcoming spot. “Lake recreation remained one of the only things people could continue to do,” Nick says.

Heavier business means additional employees to the marina. More bartenders were needed, and hired, and four high school students found their summer employment at the marina.

The partners have accomplished a lot in the way of marina 10

Check out page 43 for a list of upcoming food vendors and events at Pyramid Acres

improvements, and more projects are waiting for another summer. The demand for rental watercraft at the lake has increased and Jerri says they are making plans for pontoon, kayak and jet ski rentals. She gets multiple calls and social media requests each day asking about rentals, and she refers them to other marinas on the lake.

She believes Pyramid Acres Marina can add some rentals to help with the pent-up demand. That had been a goal for this year, but is delayed for another summer.

Lake of Egypt, once a relatively unknown private lake, holds a strong future as a popular spot to be in southern Illinois, the Schaefers believe. They, and their partners, are glad to be a part of it.n

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BY TERRANCE GEESE

In the Williamson County area, if you are searching for a true man for all seasons, you will most likely end up on the Lake of Egypt doorstep of Jeff Diederich.

Jeff and his wife, Margaret, have planned and developed successful businesses in the county and expanded, after purchasing, the original insurance business of his father to operate nationwide.

Perhaps some of the success of the Diederich family can be attributed to the lake effect of being a child of Lake of Egypt, where Jeff grew up. His early years were at Lake Estates, back when the roadways were gravel.

Jeff began working at the lake at an early age. As an employee of the Egyptian Hills Marina from age 12 to 17, he thoroughly enjoyed that experience and has fond memories of it. He says that the greatest part of that job was meeting and interacting with people.

He introduced a schoolmate, Margaret Tregoning, to the lake. She fell in love with both the lake and with Jeff. Margaret explains that her love for the lake goes beyond the beauty of spring, the relaxing times of the summer, and the colorful beauty of fall leaves. She likes winter too. As the winter landscapes are ever-changing, she enjoys getting up in the morning to see what treat Mother Nature has in store for her appreciation and pleasure.

This couple, Margaret and Jeff, were more than classic childhood sweethearts because their romance also had a business aspect. Even before, they were married, as high school students, they drove around and looked at properties, while discussing what they could do. Eventually that interest grew into the business of investing in real estate.

With Margaret having developed the same level of affection for Lake of Egypt as Jeff, it is natural that among their acquisitions was a home on the lake. They recall that it was a small, 1500 square foot, two-bedroom cottage they could call home. Later, they expanded the home, although not by a traditional planning route. It all came about by accident—a leak in a water pipe had developed. This required tearing out and fixing that LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 13

leak which led to them deciding that an expansion probably was in order.

The work on their lake house expanded and kept expanding, until, over a 1 ½- to 2-year period of construction, it more than tripled in size. Margaret recalls, “We had to start from scratch with the expansion work.” A significant influence on the decision was driven by the fact the couple has three children, two girls and a boy. A two-bedroom dwelling was just not going to work. Another influence on the expansion was the fact that friends would visit them for lake weekends. The leak-fixing project definitely grew in size.

The home has a unique nautical décor in its lake theme displaying outboard boat motors from bygone eras. When you walk down a stairway of the home, a “Captain BossMan’s” scuba shop and engine repair logo mural adorns the wall. Nearby, outboard motors are artfully presented and certainly do not appear to be in need of Captain BossMan’s attention. They are highly polished and in pristine condition—probably appearing better than when they emerged from the assembly line in the early 1900s.

Aside from the relaxing times at the Diederich home, both, Jeff and Margaret, are very involved in the community and their businesses.

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The original family business, Diederich Insurance has multiplied in size many times and now has some 13 offices and conducts business across the nation. Most area residents know the business for the traditional lines of insurance handled through Diederich Insurance. What many do not know is the national aspect of the business, operating as Diederich Healthcare, doing business in a highly specialized area, medical professional liability insurance. Jeff is a frequent guest speaker at hospitals, clinics, associations, and other healthcare meetings, according to the firm’s Website. Jeff began working insurance in 1993, became president and CEO of the family insurance business in 2001 and chairman and CEO in 2007. He has a very busy schedule that requires mobility. For that reason, he is a commercial pilot, trained at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and he logs several hundred hours a year in the cockpit.

That single business activity would be more than enough to keep one man busy for life. However, Jeff is not an ordinary man. And, the Diederich couple is not an ordinary couple.

Their high school dating activity of looking over available properties has never ended and now is a part of their corporate life, solidly rooted as Diederich Properties—owners of hundreds of commercial and residential properties.

Just like expanding their home, acquisitions by Margaret

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 15

and Jeff at times do not proceed on a normal path. One acquisition included a restaurant property. Jeff says he had never worked in or around a restaurant, so he decided to try his hand at being a restaurateur. The result shows the couple’s magic touch and the restaurant became the popular and successful 20’s Hideout Steakhouse in Marion.

Owning a restaurant meant Jeff needed to find sources for the best food. That source-need triggered the establishment of Diederich Farms, a source for the finest of steaks from his Black Angus herd. By producing their own beef, the Diederichs guarantee high-quality beef from farm to table.

Yet another unexpected business possibility was created when the Diederichs acquired a vacant lot on 17th street in Marion. Jeff and Margaret wanted to develop the parcel, and they reviewed their checklist of possibilities. Their research pointed to a retail liquor store. Jeff recalls that most such stores at the time had a rather seedy appearance.

However, that was not the image or clientele they wanted for their business. They wanted a store that would provide full service and would include high-end products. “We work well together,” Margaret says. After deciding what to build, she came up with the name and the décor. Thus, Speakeasy Liquors was born in 2011, and has expanded to include locations in Herrin and Harrisburg. The company also operates companion stores under the name Lucky’s

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Beer Wine Spirits in Marion and Mt. Vernon.

The family has multiple business interests, making the Diederich family businesses somewhat difficult to describe.

It all starts at the top with an umbrella firm, Diederich, Inc. From that top of the pyramid, there are many other business interests. To take a brief look at a few subsidiaries (each of which are separate companies) of Diederich, Inc. included are: Diederich Insurance Agency, Diederich Insurance Consulting, Diederich Healthcare, Diederich Properties, and what are best described as various banking, real estate holdings, and retail store interests. Each time Jeff and Margaret face a challenge, their business instincts and the way they approach everything as a couple helps to develop a strong likelihood of converting that challenge into a winning enterprise. They have always worked as a team.

Jeff recalls knowing that he had a gem in Margaret. “I had to catch her early, before there were any options,” he says.

She responds with “I thought I was supposed to say that.”

You might think that your time would be consumed for multiple days with all of this and more. That is not the way the Diederich couple operates. They always seem to have time for another couple or for more items on their plate.

First, there is the assistance to the community through the Jeffrey M. and Margaret A. Diederich Foundation’s collaboration with the Fowler-Bonan Foundation in operating

The Lake of Egypt Team – Let us put one of these SOLD signs in your yard!

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75 Dogwood Ln, Tunnel Hill

260 Marina Circle, Creal Springs

45 White Pine Cv, Tunnel Hill

540 Mallards Landing, Tunnel Hill

Kitchen appliances sell with home.

This property is selling as two parcel numbers that represent four (4) lots total. Come take a look at this home and enjoy life at the lake. Access to boat ramp in Robinwoods.

As you walk in the front door you will walk into a living room/kitchen area that as an absolutely breathtaking view of the Lake of Egypt. It has 4 bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms and two car garage.

Beautiful country home sitting on 350 scenic acres near the Lake of Egypt.

This 2900 sq ft. 3 bed/2.5 bath home is full of rustic charm. Vaulted ceiling, fireplace, large windows. Numerous ponds.

This is a 3 Bedroom, with 3 Bathrooms with fantastic view of the lake.

Located in a wonderful quiet subdivision with only 5 residents.

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$319,000 4BD/3BA

$249,000 4BD/3BA

$252,000 3BD/3BA

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Heaven’s Kitchen-Marion where they serve about 300 meals each week. Last Thanksgiving, more than 1,000 meals were served—a welcome addition to the food needs of the community.

Jeff ’s interest in the community reaches far beyond involvement in business and charitable activities as he is the Chairman of the Williamson County Republican Party.

Amidst the constant din of what is going on around the nation, he places strong emphasis in placing on the ballot the people who will be the greatest benefit to Williamson County residents. He desires to vet candidates to guarantee that they meet the high expectations for community service. Currently, he says, he is beginning the process of vetting candidates for the 2022 ballot. Jeff stated, “It’s a process that goes well beyond just the Chairman. We are fortunate that our political system here in Williamson County has blessed us with an amazing group of Precinct Committee members and an Executive Committee that works together to make difficult decisions that will ultimately result in qualified candidates being listed on the ballot”. He believes that the goal of the party is to encourage and support the best candidates.

As if all of his involvements in community and business were not enough, Diederich caps it off with another position he holds in a field he loves. He is currently a Corporal with the Energy Police Department having served that department for over a decade. His interest in law enforcement traces back a number of years. At 20 years of age, he held an internship with the Johnson County Sheriff ’s Department.

Diederich has had extensive law enforcement training. He was certified as a police officer by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board after completing the police academy. He is also a certified K9 handler and spends countless hours each week interdicting narcotics on the roads of Williamson County. Jeff credits his partner K9 Figo for efficiently producing results. Jeff received advanced training through training programs hosted by the Department of Defense at US Naval Air Station Meridian Mississippi. More recently, he graduated from the prestigious Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command where he dedicated 22 weeks to expanding his advanced law enforcement training including the administrative aspects required as head of an effective law enforcement agency.

When asked, given all he has going on, why he continues his passionate dedication as a member of the law enforce18

ment community. Jeff ’s response is, “There is nothing more important than having a safe community where we can raise our children absent the threats that are constantly growing around us. Law enforcement can deliver services to a community in a fair and efficient manner. Our community demands that and it requires people with experience both within and outside the normal law enforcement community working together.”

When asked about conversations circling the community regarding his intent to run for Sheriff of Williamson County in 2022 Diederich stated, “It is extremely important to me that the men and women of the Sheriff ’s Office and the community they serve have the leadership needed to deliver the services Williamson County residents need and deserve. At this time, we are approaching the 2020 general election and my focus as County Chairman of the Republican Party centers on supporting those candidates. Any discussions beyond that timeframe would take away from candidates currently seeking office. I look forward to evaluating how we move forward after November.” Diederich seems very passionate about supporting his community and its citizens. It will be interesting to see what develops in the future since a search of the Illinois Election Commission website lists the Diederich for Sheriff Campaign Committee, which was created on November 27, 2018, and as of June 30, 2020, had $139,462.81 on hand showing, once again, that Diederich plans, executes, and delivers.

When the day is complete for the Diederich family, they enjoy going to the lake. Margaret recalls the lake was a lot less busy when they first started dating. “It is amazing to me how busy the lake is—sometimes we forget,” she says.n

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H O M ES FOR SAL E | L AK E OF E GYPT

O

TH U TA O N 215 Sandy Pt. Goreville Turn key home. Main home is mobile home with vinyl siding, decks, asphalt roof. Frame built cottage with laminate flooring and wooden ceilings, has electricity. WATERFRONT LOT

2BD/1BA

D

E RIZ

1415 Lake Shore Dr S, Goreville Water front Quality Custom Built home with beautiful lake views provided by main floor windows, sliding glass doors to covered deck along with walk out basement windows and doors.

540 Mallards Landing, Tunnel Hill This is a 3 Bedroom, with 3 Bathrooms with fantastic view of the lake. Located in a wonderful quiet subdivision with only 5 residents.

3BD/3BA

$99,900

$252,000

D

E RIZ

O

TH U TA O N 1280 Robin Woods Ln, Tunnel Hill LAKE FRONT HOME. Nice cabin like older mobile home with large deck across entire home. Boat dock with deep water cove. Wooded lot that with a little landscaping and cleanup would help in appearance.

1810 Egyptian Hills Dr, Creal Springs Nice home on Lake of Egypt in the Egyptian Hills Subdivision. This home is a nice manufactured home that has a large finished basement with plenty of storage area, large recreational room, and two car garage.

13461 S Egypt Shores Dr, Creal Springs Call owner at 618-889-0941 For any questions on property.

2BD/1BA

3BD/4BA

2BD/2BA

$93,000

$250,000

D

E RIZ

HO

UT A T NO

$159,900

12669 Egypt Shores Rd, Creal Springs WATERFRONT HOME ON 2 WATERFRONT LOTS. Kitchen is open to dining room, sliding glass doors to balcony to enjoy lakeviews. Master bedroom features balcony overlooking the lake.

260 Marina Circle, Creal Springs As you walk in the front door you will walk into a living room/kitchen area that as an absolutely breathtaking view of the Lake of Egypt. It has 4 bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms and two car garage.

75 Dogwood Ln, Tunnel Hill Kitchen appliances sell with home. This property is selling as two parcel numbers that represent four (4) lots total. Come take a look at this home and enjoy life at the lake. Access to boat ramp in Robinwoods.

4BD/3BA

3BD/2BA

$319,000

$175,000

O

TH U TA O N

D

E RIZ

1670 Robin Woods Ln, Tunnel Hill So Beautiful INSIDE & OUT! NOT the Typical Off Water Lake Home. Like Having YOUR OWN RESORT/PARK! A MUST SEE! Customized-Wood Floors, Great Rm w/Wood Fireplace-MUCH MORE!

1095 Egyptian Hills Dr, Creal Springs Home is on 6 lots total. Fully remodeled 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath full basement new appliances all electric. All new kitchen cabinets ,new central air and heat pump, new laminate and tile floors throughout.

2550 Lake Shore Dr S, Goreville LAKE OF EGYPT, 3 lots, 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath off water home that comes with a boat slip. 30 x 40 Pole Barn, concrete floors, wired. And if that wasn't enough, there is place to set up a camper w/hookup utilities.

3BD/2BA

3BD/3BA

3BD/2BA

20

$179,950

$115,000

$119,900

D

E RIZ

HO

UT A T NO 45 White Pine Cv, Tunnel Hill Beautiful country home sitting on 350 scenic acres near the Lake of Egypt. This 2900 sq ft. 3 bed/2.5 bath home is full of rustic charm. Vaulted ceiling, fireplace, large windows. Numerous ponds.

4BD/3BA

$249,000

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793 Lake Shore Dr S, Goreville Custom Lake Home on Lake of Eqypt, in Southern IL, rehabbed with Imported Italian Stone Floor, refinished Oak Hard Wood floors, New Quarts counter tops. Lake frontage is 150 ft. Exterior Cedar Home.

3BD/2BA

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$394,900

12669 Egypt Shores Rd, Creal Springs 13461 S Egypt Shores Dr, Creal Springs

215 Sandy Pt. Goreville 1095 Egyptian Hills Dr, Creal Springs

1415 Lake Shore Dr S, Goreville

2550 Lake Shore Dr S, Goreville

793 Lake Shore Dr S, Goreville

1810 Egyptian Hills Dr, Creal Springs 260 Marina Circle, Creal Springs

540 Mallards Landing, Tunnel Hill 1280 Robin Woods Ln, Tunnel Hill 1670 Robin Woods Ln, Tunnel Hill

75 Dogwood Ln, Tunnel Hill 45 White Pine Cv, Tunnel Hill

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BROTHERS IN

Arms

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIE BAER

NED & MAX RAY: STEWARDS OF THE LAKE

BY TERRANCE GEESE

The shores and recreation at Lake of Egypt have been ever-changing since the lake first began to fill back in the early 1960s, with an exception ––– Max and Ned Ray of the Lake Patrol.

“Max has been here for a hundred years,” Ned contends, “while I have been here only half a hundred.”

While virtually all who patronize Lake of Egypt know the brothers as fixtures of the Lake Patrol, many do not know how active they have been in other areas of service to the Southern Illinois community.

The brothers both had careers as school teachers and both won fame as distinguished coaches, Ned at their hometown school system in Goreville and Max elsewhere in Johnson County. He was coach and physical education teacher at Cypress Elementary School.

Max Ray is famed in Goreville sports history as the basketball player who held the school’s scoring record for a senior, 704 points. After understating his ability on the court by saying he “had a little bit of success,” he recalls his 704-point senior year was a scoring record that held fast for a number of years.

Vivid in Max’s mind is the fact during the years he was playing basketball, Shawneetown High School was a basketball powerhouse in Southern Illinois. And, at that time, the Equality Invitational Tournament was one of the top and most prestigious events in the southern tip of the state.

One year, he says, “Shawneetown beat us out of the Equality tournament; we placed second in the tourney.” Even though Shawneetown deprived Goreville of a championship, Max takes pride in that tournament for a double reason: He was selected as the Most Valuable Player LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 25

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and his sister, Jo Ellen, won honors as the top cheerleader.

The two brothers have admiration for the coaching prowess of the other.

Max says of Ned, “He is as good a bench coach as I ever saw,” noting his teams were in a dozen or so playoffs and he was installed into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. That happened in 2010.

Goreville schools say in his 31 years as a junior high basketball coach, of which 29 of those years were at Goreville, Ned Ray amassed a record of 479 wins and 280 losses.

His teams won 15 SIJHSAA Regional Championships and placed in the IJHSAA State Tournament seven times with three second-place and four fourth-place finishes.

His teams won five conference championships and five conference tournaments.

Max Ray says he can still keep an eye on the best players he ever had on his teams because they are all coaches.

Max received one trophy he never expected during his career. It happened at a seventh-grade tournament, he says. His team was beaten, and Ray thought it was unfair because the referees caused the defeat by bad calls.

“I never complain about referees, but this time I did. The refs really messed us up, so I went to talk to the referees.”

His discussion with the officials was rather harsh and he told them they should go down and apologize to his team. Then, he turned around to find a member of his school board listening. That gave concern to Max as his contract was up for renewal that year.

When the tournament was over and the trophies were awarded, Max was startled when he was selected for the Good Sportsmanship honor. And his contract was renewed that year.

At the same time as he was teaching and coaching, Max was hard at work serving the public, not only at the school and the lake, but at the Johnson County Courthouse where he was a county commissioner for 22 years. For 14 of those years he was chairman, remarkable since he was in the minority party.

His long record of service as a commissioner was not his first exposure to the election process. The first bid for office, an unsuccessful one, began without his knowledge.

The late Paul Powell, a powerful figure in Illinois politics and a Johnson County resident, did not like a ballot with an empty spot for a candidate for an office on his party’s Democrat ticket.

At the time, Max was a student at Murray State, and when he came home one weekend, he discovered Powell had filled the ticket and Max learned he was a candidate for circuit clerk.

“I didn’t even know what that was,” he says.

While he was unopposed on the primary ballot, he lost the General Election to the incumbent, who returned to the office to serve his fourth term.

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 27

Later, Max ventured into state politics, but was not successful in a bid for state representative. He did well, but placed second in the primary to David Phelps, who had organized and led a powerful political machine.

Max says he lost the election in Saline County, where Phelps was strong. In Johnson, the home county for Max, he was extremely popular and Phelps received only 82 votes.

“Back then, I would have loved to have had one term in the Legislature as a voice for small counties,” Max says.

There was another flirting with state office, he recalls. After the death of state Sen. Gene Johns in 1984, it was suggested Ray be appointed to the office. Glenn Poshard received the appointment and, Ray says, “he took Springfield by storm.”

Max Ray currently holds the contract for the lake patrol with the owners of Lake of Egypt, Southern Illinois Power Cooperative. Brother Ned is his long-time right arm on the lake patrol. And that right arm could be more reality than figurative in the minds of residents of the lake, if waving to boaters, residents and visitors has anything to do with it.

Ned contends he had to learn to do more waving when he 28

started working with Max as courtesy –– and waving –– has been a hallmark trait of the patrol.

“Our job is to enforce the rules of the Co-op,” Max says.

“And I want the little children to wave at us.”

The two do so much waving, one lake resident, upon first meeting Max, told him he thought his right arm must be 16 feet long due to waving.

Explaining the role of the lake patrol, Ned said the members are there more to inform than to enforce. When he sees a fishing violation, ski violation or anything against the rules of the Co-op, his first goal is to explain rules.

Some people, on first trips to Lake of Egypt, do not realize it is a privately owned lake with a set of rules that extends beyond state regulations to protect both the public and the power plant. Printed copies of the rules are available from most merchants at the lake and they are listed on Internet sites. The lake patrol officers also are glad to answer questions.

“Sometimes someone visits Grandpa at the lake, and they don’t know the rules,” Ned says. When that happens, and a boater is stopped by the patrol, it will be more of a cour-

tesy stop than an enforcement action. If the boater needs information, Ned and Max can answer just about any question about Lake of Egypt because of their longevity on the water.

Max says he has been at Lake of Egypt since the start in the 1960s.

“I was there when the first drop of water hit that lake,” he says.

Ned says he recalls taking his first swim in the lake when it was filling.

Max began working for the Co-op in 1965, after completing a tour of duty in the Army where he served in a Military Police unit.

Working at the lake was a summer job for him as the rest of the year he was in the classroom or coaching. The power company had been generating electricity for only a couple of years when he began patrol duties and there were only one or two subdivisions at the lake. “It was kind of like Indian territory,” he recalls.

When the time arrived for allowing cabins and homes, there were doubters about the concept of subdivisions, among them the grandfather of the brothers Ray. Grandfather lived about 2 miles west of the lake and when he heard someone had paid $90,000 for land for a subdivision, it prompted him to say, “They’ll never raise enough corn to pay for it.”

The citizens around the lake weren’t the only people who had no concept as to how to design or serve a subdivision.

In the early days, even county boards didn’t know how a subdivision should be laid out, Max says.

The expectations of early lake residents were different than

those of today, and some ideas could be regarded as amusing today. Max recalled the time when one of the first cabin owners at Egyptian Shores hailed him down to express a concern. “Max,” the property owner said, “Something has got to be done about all of these boats.”

At the time, Max recalls, the highest number of boats on the lake at any given time totaled about 12, nowhere near the 300-plus boats on Lake of Egypt on a summer weekend today.

Ned Ray was hired on to assist Max with patrol duties early-on. He, too, had the lake as a summer job, with teaching and coaching as his major source of income. And Ned also is a veteran, having served in the Navy. However, he is quick to point out he didn’t learn much about boats when in the service. His role was as a Navy aircraft mechanic.

When the Co-op switched to contracting the patrol duties in 1992, Max got the contract and Ned became his employee. “He is a good, easy-going boss,” Ned says. The main thing he wants is that visitors to the lake have a good time, a safe time,” he says.

“We feel good about what we do,” Max says, “although some regard us as laughing stock, just riding around on the lake.

“I believe we do a halfway decent job.”

Some people, he says, object to the work of the patrol. “Of course, some people don’t even like themselves.

“We are not out there to enforce laws; we are out there to enforce the rules of the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative.”

Many people don’t realize the work of the patrol has an importance greater than the service of making boating safer and enforcing shoreline rules. The patrol has a major role LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 29

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in protecting the power plant. As Max explains, the lake was built as a radiator for the plant and the plant is important to all using the lake.

“The plant is a fantastic neighbor to all these folks,” Max says.

Max not only has witnessed all the changes around the shores of Lake of Egypt, he has witnessed all the changes in management of the plant.

“I have worked for every single general manager and every board member,” he says. And the relationship with his power plant bosses goes further. “I have had two young ladies who were my bosses and I had watched them grow up.”

Max says he has watched many successful people grow up on the lake. Many of them continue to live at the lake, or are visitors, and approach him to say, “Thank you for keeping an eye out for us.”

Over the years, he has told many youngsters they will be successful, and when that happens he expects loans from them at low interest rates.

handle the extra load of fishermen, boaters, jet skis, skiers and sightseers.

Ned says at one time members of the patrol were armed, but not today. He says brother Max thought that was the wrong image for the patrol, and the owners of the lake, the power co-op, gave their nod of approval.

Max says when law enforcement is needed, the state Department of Conservation officers and the Williamson and Johnson county deputies are called in. The patrol maintains a good working relationship with area emergency agencies, the brothers say.

The brothers are proud of the safety record of Lake of Egypt. Ned says when compared to other Illinois lakes, it is a very safe to enforce Southern place for recreation.

“Our job is the rules of the Co-op,” Max says. “And I want the little children to wave at us.”

There have been fewer incidents that cost a life, he says. However, Max says, “I am concerned because that can change in one wreck.”

Of the total of 16 deaths on the lake

Ned says he, like his older brother, has witnessed many changes at the lake and this summer, the summer of coronavirus, has brought big changes.

Normally, weekdays had been pretty slow with lake use picking up on the weekend. Suddenly people have discovered Lake of Egypt can give welcome relief when other activities simply are not happening.

“People can come to the lake for recreation. We are busy.

They can come here safely, and our interest is only their safety. We don’t get in their way. We are seeing a lot of guests,” Ned says.

Max at one time routinely referred to Lake of Egypt as the greatest secret in Illinois, but not anymore. Lake of Egypt has been discovered.

“It has come to be the place to be,” Ned says.

For Max, the increased boat traffic has brought a degree of concern. He worries that the lake is not big enough to LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 31

th

u o y k n a h

for keeping our lake safe for over years!

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through the years, only two were boat related, Max observes, and about five were health related.

er. The boat operator appeared to be paying more attention to the lake patrol than where he was headed.

Max, who is in attendance at every serious lake incident, says, “Those things bother you a great deal.”

“He ran his boat off the lake and right up into the woods,” Max relates. When Max arrived at the scene of the incident, the man appeared very puzzled. Looking over the side of his boat, he commented he didn’t understand; “There is plenty of water,” he said. Max had to point out there was water on that side, the other side of the boat was aground.

With this summer’s increased boat traffic, he urges operators to always practice defensive boating, much like defensive driving, with some extra caution because, unlike a highway, there are no lines on the lake.

Fortunately no one was hurt.

"Max hailed a boater The lake’s patrol is there to enforce the rules of the lake owners and to function with no anchor lights.

Sometimes, Max said, a little education mainly as a courtesy body, dispensing of a new boater was required.

“I told him, ‘Turn on advice and answering questions and, When making his nightly tour of the when needed, enforcing lake rules. Even lake to be certain all was OK, he spotted your anchor lights, ’ ” he those goals have been changing. The a problem.

Ray brothers have seen major advances recalls." in the types of recreational craft you will Max hailed a boater with no anchor find on the lake. No longer do the John lights. “I told him, ‘Turn on your anchor boats and slow-moving pontoons dominate. lights,’” he recalls. There was no response; the man simply stood in the boat.

Since they were allowed on the lake, jet skis have proliferated. Boats have larger motors and a pontoon could have “I repeated, ‘Turn on your anchor lights,’ and again, no 300 horsepower, capable of creating tremendous ocean-like response.” waves.

When Max got closer to the boat, he inquired why the At times, Max said, he has encountered situations that are operator had not responded. difficult to understand. One involved a boater towing a ski34

“He stood there, holding his anchor in his hands, and pointed to it,” Max said.

A bit of education was needed.

Brother Ned said the one incident mind-defying to him was the day he hailed a pontoon operator with what he thought was a safety concern. The man’s wife was on the boat and she was lounging in a extremely precarious spot, causing Ned’s concern. He brought that point up in their discussion.

The man appeared to be unconcerned about his wife being in danger of falling overboard, and proceeded on his way.

“I’ve often thought about that. Why, if his wife were to fall overboard, there is no way he could get her back aboard,” Ned says.

Working the patrol is enjoyable because it is a family way of life. First there is the patrol family, Max, Ned, Paul Haun and Terry Schuck are working the patrol this year, and there is a more immediate family thing for Max and Ned. While the two love being lake greeters, waving to all, intent

on enforcing lake rules and willing to answer any question posed to them by a visitor, being brothers on the lake is most important.

“It has been a joy to me,” Max says. “We are forced to see each other at least twice a week.”

Both give a lot of credit to their families as, for many years, they have been absent from home on holidays. More than that, Max says his wife has made it possible for him to be a part of Lake Patrol.

“My wife worked,” Max says. “Thanks to her income teaching school, I have been able to dabble in politics and work at the lake. And on holidays, I just wasn’t there (at home.)”

“Our wives have had a lot of long weekends,” Ned adds.

“Almost every three-day holiday, we have been working here at the lake.”

Max and Ned have been friends to all, guardians of several generations of lake kids and the watchdogs of lake safety for the past 50 years. Veterans of the lake have confidence in their guardianship and hope to see the arm-waving brothers-in-arms on the lake for many more years.n

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LAKE OF EGYPT

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LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 39

ON THE FAIRWAY B Y M A R K FA U L K N E R

Here’s something you didn’t want to read about. The Yips.

The putting yips are involuntary wrist spasms that occur most commonly when golfers are trying to putt. It was once thought that the yips were always associated with performance anxiety. However, it now appears that some people have the yips due to a neurological condition affecting specific muscles (focal dystonia).

When considering what to write about for this edition, being pressed for time as always, I looked for something that I could discuss without hours of research. Since I have spent the last five years experiencing this awful condition and the havoc it has played on my golf game, I figured I could easily give more information on the subject than anyone wanted.

The “disorder” is not reserved for just golfers or just putting. My issue for example is with my driver. It might be the first, second, fifth, eighth or tenth hole, but somewhere along the way my tee shot is going to the right. WAY RIGHT. And I don’t mean the right rough or the right trees. I mean right of the rough, right of the trees, right of the fence, right of the third runway over at the adjacent airport. And when it happens look out. It’s going to happen again and again.

Examples of non-golfer casualties include second baseman Chuck Knoblauch who couldn’t throw from second to first, Mets catcher Mackey Sasser who couldn’t throw the ball back to the pitcher, and Rick Ankiel the Cardinal pitcher who…well you get the idea. Several professional athletes have had their career cut short due to this affliction, as Ankiel explains in his book The Phenomenon: Pressure, the Yips, and the Pitch that Changed My Life. The condition has similar effects in activities like darts, archery, and shooting.

In my case it’s probably neurological. Unless it’s physiological. Or mental. Or mechanical? I’ve had lots of help trying to diagnose the problem, as I’ve offered a lucrative bonus to anyone who can fix me (golf professionals). But so far all I’ve gotten are swing tips. If you have never had the problem, you probably won’t understand the problem.

For example I can hit 50 balls in practice and never have the monster come out. But in competition the flinch can 40

happen at any time. It isn’t a weight transfer, bent left arm, poor timing, etc. It’s a flinch.

As I look back at what I have written I notice that I asked for “anyone who can fix me”. I didn’t ask to fix my swing.

Maybe I’m asking the wrong profession? Any good sports psychologists in the house?

If you have issues with your putting or driving, call your local golf professional. Maybe we can help because it is probably your mechanics. But if you get diagnosed with the yips of any kind, I suggest a good hypnotherapist.n

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PYRAM ID ACRE S | CALENDAR Sat, Aug 29 Roots Run Deep Second-Hand CarTunes 8-11p

Sat, Sept 12 Blazing Trails BBQ Prime Time DJ 8p-12a

Sun, Aug 30 The Mandy Vixen Duo 1-4p

Sun, Sept 13 The Purple Taco Truck Tia J & Gordon 1-4p

Fri, Sept 4 SI Meatball Free Juke Box (all day) Sat, Sept 5 Sinisi's Italiano Trolley Express Southern Comfort Band 8p-12a ($5) Sun, Sept 6 Sinisi's Italiano Trolley Express Jonny Coller 8-11p Fri, Sept 11 Steve & Eric Dueling Pianos 8-11p ($5)

Sat, Sept 19 Curbside Catering The Road Less Traveled 7-11p Sat, Sept 26 Rupter Johnson BBQ The Phonics 7-10p ($5) Sun, Sept 27 (Cruise-In) Sinisi's Italiano Trolley Express Edwin Linson 1-4p

Sat, Oct 10 (Chili Competition) 8p-12am ($5) 2020-08-21_FSB_LakeofEgyptLivingAd_F2.pdfPack 1 Ratz 8/21/20 9:53 AM

Sun, Oct 11 Bag Toss Tourn Sat, Oct 17 Ivas John Band 8p-12a ($5) Sat, Oct 24 (Halloween Show) Diamond Dog 8p-12a ($5) Fri, Nov 6 Lewis Creek 7-11p ($5) Wed, Nov 25 (Drinksgiving) Jermaine & Mallory 7-11p Sat, Dec 12 (Ugly Sweater Xmas Party) Southern Comfort 7-11p Due to COVID-19 some events may be cancelled or rescheduled.

Please contact the venue for additional information.

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JAW FISHIN' As the leaves begin to fall and the water temps begin to cool, Lake of Egypt can produce some great fall fishing. Some fishing will start to migrate towards the creeks and main lake pockets. Other schools of fish will remain in deep water.

The lake will be changing every day, so I recommend trying a variety of different lures and presentations. You may catch them on a top water bait one day and the next day find them in 20ft of water.

The best way to locate fish this time of year is to find the best concentration of bait fish. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to try new techniques.

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AIN'T NO LAWS B Y PAT R I C K A U S T I N

If you have been anywhere during the past six months, then I guarantee someone in your group was drinking a seltzer. I would even venture to day that if you have been around the same group in the last month, almost everyone was drinking seltzers. If you have not explored the seltzer world, then it is time to start. Let’s take a quick look at this overall category and several different brands.

Seltzers are absolutely on fire in the marketplace. Growth has been around 225% in sales for 2019. Sales for the category will more than likely surpass 3.5 billion this year and almost double in the next 4 years. One of the main reasons seltzers are gaining in popularity is that people want to make better health decisions. Most seltzers are around 100 calories, gluten free, vegan, little to no sugars, and little to no carbohydrates. Seltzers really are a healthier alternative to most beers on the market today. Another contributing factor to the seltzer explosion is the variety of options in flavors. For example, White Claw, which is the seltzer apex predator, offers eight different flavor options.

When shopping for a seltzer, you are going to find that many different companies are making their products with different types of alcohol. The most popular type of seltzer is a malt-based product. Most often, a malt-based product is beer; however, it can also be wine coolers and, as mentioned earlier, seltzers. A malt-based seltzer will have a similar alcohol by volume (ABV) to the spirit and wine based seltzers.

There are several seltzers, like High Noon, that use vodka as the alcohol base. Like the malt-based seltzers, vodka-based ones can be low in calories, sugars, and carbohydrates. These seltzers will sometimes have a slightly higher ABV than the malt or wine-based seltzers. Even with the vodka-based seltzer, the taste profile doesn’t seem to vary from the category norms.

The wine-based seltzer category is not nearly as large as the malt-based one. Wine-based seltzers also offer very low calories, sugars, and carbohydrates. Their ABV, at about 5%, is very similar to the malt-based seltzer. Wine-based seltzers seem to be the slowest growing segment of seltzers in our stores. If you are interested in a wine-based seltzer, we carry the Barefoot brand in the Variety 12 pack.

White Claw leads the seltzer market segment. The Claw had approximately 60% of all seltzer sales in 2019 and is expected to continue grow. White Claw seemed to gain popularity through a viral video craze on YouTube. There ain’t no laws when you’re drinking claws, was started by a comedian that had no ties to the White Claw company.

As I mentioned previously, White Claw offers eight flavors in two variety packs in addition to several single flavored six packs. The second best-selling seltzer is a Boston Beer owned brand named Truly. This brand had about 30% of the sales in 2019. Truly offers three variety packs with four different flavors in each. Like White Claw, Truly offers several different single flavored six packs.

One thing I must mention is Truly’s Lemonade Seltzer line extension. This is perfect for a person that does not like the traditional seltzer flavor. Truly Lemonade offers a sweet alternative while still maintaining a healthier alternative to beer. Budweiser has jumped into the mix with Bud Light Seltzer. Bud’s seltzer has a 5% ABV and 100 calories, gluten free and only 2 carbs per serving. Like the other companies, Bud Light offers a four flavored variety 12 pack. Like Bud, Corona has also put their name on a variety 12 pack.

The Corona seltzer has a 4.5% ABV, 90 calories, 0 sugars, and 0 carbs per serving.

I could go on and on about the new companies releasing seltzers. You are going to be flooded with marketing from seltzer companies for the next several years. There will be big and small companies continually offering product to try to grab some of the seltzer business craze. There are many good products out there, so don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new. My doctor always tells me I need to make healthier choices—so I guess I will start with seltzers. Enjoy the rest of your summer it is slipping away.n LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 47

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E V EN T CA LENDAR | 2020 Due to COVID-19 some events may be been cancelled or rescheduled. Please contact the venue for additional information.

August 27-29 Terry Sprague Memorial 9000 Foyt Road Marion IL 62959 618-969-2051 The Terry Sprague Memorial will be back at Southern Illinois Raceway in 2020!

Back at SIR in 2020 will be the Terry Sprague Memorial! The biggest non wing outlaw micro sprint race of the year will take play August 27-29th on the Highbanks! It will feature a Saturday night feature with large payout. .The event will kick off with an open practice on Thursday. Then on Friday the preliminary night will take place. The top 6 from Friday night will lock into the dash and A-Main on Saturday night.

We look forward to honoring a great racer, man, and friend again this year!

September 11-12 Popcorn Days 109 S Kimbro St Ridgway IL 618-559-9235 Popcorn Day celebration is the second weekend in September every year. During this weekend we have live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides, games, free popcorn, and the big parade on Saturday at 1:00 pm.

Ridgway is also home to the unique family owned business, Dinger Bats. Here, the first wooden bat company in Illinois crafts wooden baseball bats for players at every stage of the game from little league to the Major League. Website is www. dingerbats.com. Tours can be arranged with Kyle Drone at (618)841-1259.

September 16-19 Murphysboro Apple Festival 110 S 14th St Murphysboro IL 618-684-3200

September 12 Veterans on Parade Main Street Marion Marion IL 62959 618-993-3379

Four-day festival, with numerous activities and events drawing large crowds such as live music, a carnival with concessions, many contests featuring everything from apple pie eating to the crowning of Appletime Royalty.

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parade to honor all Southern Illinois veterans. Over 17 bands will march & perform plus floats and over 1000 veterans from all branches of service will ride or march. Entertainment and food at Fairgrounds.

The annual Veterans on Parade is being held to honor all the men and women veterans throughout Southern Illinois, who have ever served our country in both war and peacetime.

For more information email etdvita1@mchsi.com

harvest. Events include a downtown street carnival with rides and concessions, live nightly entertainment on the Appletime Stage, an arts & crafts fair, two parades, a high school marching band competition, car/ truck/motorcycle show, queen scholarship pageant, walk/run race, and much more.

September 19 Cave-In-Rock Frontier Day Along the Ohio River Cave-in-Rock IL 618-287-4333 Cave-In-Rock Frontier Festival is held on the banks of the beautiful Ohio River.

The festival, which commemorates the extensive and colorful history connected to Cave-In-Rock and the surrounding community, is an entertaining and fun filled community event.

First held in the 1960’s, the celebration includes a parade, carnival, various entertainment held in the Old Opry House, food and craft vendors. A Little Miss and

Mister Frontier Days and Frontier Queen pageant is a highlight as well as various other activities. Come join the festivities for a weekend of fun and entertainment.

September 19 Shrimp Festival Pope County Courthouse Golconda IL 618-683-6246 A “Shrimp Festival” may sound like a crazy celebration in a quaint river town in Southern Illinois but it is one you don't want to miss!

No, you won’t find shrimp in the Ohio River, but what we do have are local and sustainably farmed shrimp

(prawn) from Tanglefoot Ranch and lots of other festivities to enjoy. Come enjoy the streets lined with vendors serving a wide variety of shrimp dishes sure to satisfy every shrimp lover’s appetite. Plus, we have much more than just shrimp to eat. You can also find award-winning BBQ along with corndogs, funnel cakes, and much more.

September 25-27 Mushroom Festival 1327 Camp Cedar Point Makanda IL 62958 618-319-2168 Join Flyway Family Farm and our team for a cele-

bration of fungus in the Shawnee National Forest at gorgeous Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point in Makanda, IL. Join us for the first annual Makanda Mushroom Festival held in the gorgeous Shawnee forest Country in Southern Illinois.

Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point boasts a gorgeous backdrop for mushroom foraging hikes, food and fermentation workshops, a mushroom dinner with chef Anne Millard, live music from incredible local talent, art, vendors, camping, cabins, and much more. Perfect

for families and people of all ages!

September 26-27 National Alpaca Farm Days at Rolling Rock 1335 Hall Church Road Makanda IL 618-201-2822 Enjoy a fun-filled day for the entire family! Experience alpacas up-close, feel the alpaca fleece and view live demonstrations. Take a tour of the farm and learn about raising and breeding alpacas. Shop in the farm store for alpaca products.

Meet the alpacas- hand feed them by purchasing a feed cup! The alpacas love being

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 51

E V EN T CA LENDAR | 2020 hand fed. We have around 20 alpacas on the farm!

October 2-3 Fluorspar Festival Rosiclare IL 62982 618-285-3445 Hardin County Fluorspar Festival celebrates the influences brought to the area by the Fluorspar Mining Companies. Located on the banks of the Ohio River.

Rosiclare (once known as the “Fluorspar Capital”), has a colorful history that revolved around this mineral. Each year, the Festival highlights and brings back memories of days gone by.

Held on the first weekend in October in Downtown Rosiclare, the Festival features an ever-growing list of activities and things to do, including a Queen’s Pageant, a carnival, hickory-smoked barbeque, a pet parade, kid’s games, karoke, food and craft vendors, a quilt show, an open-house at the American Fluorite Museum, a car, truck and motorcycle show and a

large parade featuring local school bands, groups, floats, a Grand Marshall and horse clubs. Local musical talent will also be on hand and the finale is held Saturday evening at the City Park on the Ohio River.

October 8-11 River to River Yard Sale 137 E Vienna St Anna IL 62906 618-697-2435 The River to River Yard Sale follows Hwy. 146 from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River, across Southernmost Illinois.

The River to River Yard Sale will follow Hwy. 146 from East Cape to Cave in Rock, IL. There is no cost to attend the yard sales. Bring cash!

October 10 Pickin' at the Patch 9680 State Hwy 127 N Alto Pass IL 62905 618-893-2771 Pickin' at the Patch is a Fall Market Day on a centennial

family farm in Shawnee Forest Country.

There will be creative vendors of Vintage, Primitives, Rust & Junk, Antique and Handmade items! Big Blue's Que, shopping, along with farm fresh-picked apples, apple cider donuts and cider slushes will make for a great fall junkin' atmosphere around the pumpkin patch! Get an up close look at Alpacas. There will be an outdoor photo booth in the patch to help you remember Fall Market Day! Admission is $2, with $1 of that going to support Bald Knob Cross.

October 16-18 Fat Tire Festival 3760 Ondessonk Rd Ozark IL 62972 618-622-1693 The Fat Tire Festival includes riding options for all skill levels, from the gnarliest mountain biking anywhere with slick rock and creek crossings to gently rolling fire roads.

Southern Illinois Fat Tire Festival (FTF) is back! As always we will have miles and miles of great riding, the best food in all of Ozark, IL, a plethora of free beverages, and mountains of schwag and prizes to give away. We are also continuing the CampO traditions; live music, climbing wall, vendor expo, bike demo’s, trail runs, hikes, zip lines and the totally rustic CampO cabins.

October 17 Fall Colors at Bald Knob 230 Hwy 127 Alto Pass IL 62905 618-713-8516 Enjoy the fall colors from Bald Knob Cross at Alto Pass, IL. Lunch served, face painting, music and games, with local arts and crafts, photography, and inspirational gifts.

October 17-18 Fort Massac Encampment 1308 E 5th St Metropolis IL 62960 618-524-9321

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See what life was like back in the 1700s and early 1800s at Fort Massac State Park’s 44th annual Fort Massac Encampment.

This annual reenactment of late-1700s Illinois life on the frontier prairie features blanket traders, merchants, military units, fife and drum corps, and period-style food from more than 20 vendors.

The encampment offers military drills, mock battles, along with story telling and children's activities.

October 25 Haunted Hollow 1206 Touch of Nature Rd Makanda IL 62958 618-453-1121 Fun family fall festival the Sunday before Halloween.

The Haunted Hollow provides a perfect Halloween atmosphere for everyone with a balance of laughs and gasps in a safe and fun environment. Costumes are encouraged. The festivities will go on rain or shine so we encourage participants to dress accordingly for the day’s weather.

There will be interpretive nature walks, a haunted hay-ride, a portable climbing wall and family games for children of all ages.

Participants will also learn about and have the chance to hold snakes, lizards and other “creepy crawlers.” Everything is family friendly

and suitable for all ages.

Touch of Nature is wheelchair and stroller-accessible.

A parent or guardian must accompany children to the event.

November 7 Holy Boulders 2 Tripps Lane Pomona IL 62975 618-528-1788 Nestled on a hillside in Pomona, IL, the Holy Boulders is a world-class climbing area offering classic lines of all grades on perfectly textured sandstone. The bouldering competition will help promote access to some of the finest sandstone bouldering in the country, the climbing area is known as “The Holy Boulders.”

The Holy Boulders have attracted professional climbers and strong athletes from around the country. The area features 150 developed problems and potential for hundreds more that climbers of all abilities can enjoy.

November 7-8 Wine & Food Pairing 230 Hwy 127 Alto Pass IL 62905 618-893-4600 All 11 wineries of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail have paired up to create a wonderful weekend of savory wine and food pairings. We invite you to join us for a progressive tasting along the trail and enhance your LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 53

E V EN T CA LENDAR | 2020 appreciation and enjoyment of wine.

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail presents Fall on the Wine Trail: A progressive tour of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Each of 11 unique wineries will present you a sample of a wine/food pairing! Tickets are $35/person - advanced purchase only.

November 7-8 Heritage Festival 3575 College Rd. Harrisburg IL 62946 618-252-5400 More than 120 vendors will have wares to sell, kicking off the holiday shopping season. Items include handmade jewelry, handmade 18-inch doll clothes, wooden creations, Christmas items, handmade purses, candles, honey products, antiques and collectables, homegrown vegetables, lazy Susans, trays made from whiskey barrel tops, and many more. A new booth this year includes a fashion truck with displays on the sidewalk.

Of course, no festival is complete without food.

Vendors will have lemon shake-ups, homemade candies, kettle corn, spiced nuts, and much more. The Falcon Pointe Bistro will serve complete dinners including fried chicken, chicken & dumplings, soup, salads, sandwiches and desserts.

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Admission to the event and parking are both free, and handicapped parking is available.

November 11 Veterans Day Parade Main St. Anna IL 62906 618-833-5182 This annual Veterans Day Parade begins from the Anna City Park entrance on Davie St. and follows Main St. to Jefferson St. and back to the park. Floats, bands and marching units.

November 14 Tunnel Hill 50/100 Visitor Center, Hwy. 146 Vienna IL 62995 270-556-1679 Are you looking for your first 100 mile run? This could very well be the course you're looking for!

Flat, fast course on the Tunnel Hill Illinois State trail. From wildlife inhabited wetlands to gorgeous rock formations, this trail has it all. Smooth crushed limestone covered dirt bed is wide and contains no trip hazards. Best of all is the iconic tunnel... over 600' of thrills you'll always remember. Includes a 50-mile option... all the fun of the 100 miler, except you run the course once instead of twice. n

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The Fitness Center also has their own “Spa room” providing massage therapy and facials. Dustin Allard is a highly rated licensed massage therapist and Jill Fehring is an exceptional aesthetician who offers facials, eyebrow/eyelash tinting, eyebrow/lip waxing. Members and Non-members are enjoying the “Spa room”.

Additionally, there are two functional medicine trained dietitians that specialize in improving the health of people with chronic disease, inflammation, weight control, GI problems, joint pain etc. They use integrative concepts to look at the root causes of symptoms to determine an individualized diet plan, lifestyle, and targeted professional grade supplements.

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No Labor-Labor Day Brunch!

BY VICTORIA SPREHE

Labor Day was created as a day to celebrate the American worker and the contributions that they have made to the well-being of the great country we live in. So, since we are celebrating everyone’s hard work, I believe Labor Day should be a day free of labor…a day to kick back, relax and enjoy the lake.

I am sharing three make-ahead brunch recipes that will help you celebrate Labor Day and delight your family and/or friends without keeping you in the kitchen all day. I have used these recipes for over 20 years and have never been disappointed. It is, of course, not necessary to make all of these recipes at the same time but I have found serving these two casseroles together along with Maple Bacon is the mother lode of sweet and savory…with a little heat from the bacon. n

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE This is a basic breakfast casserole recipe. I make many different versions of this casserole depending on who my guests are. If it is my kids…. they like it plain. Some like it with a Mexican flair so I add taco seasoning to the breakfast sausage, maybe add some jalapenos if they like it hot, replace the herbs with cilantro and top with sour cream, avocado and salsa. If you have guests that don’t eat meat you can always skip the sausage and replace it with sautéed spinach, mushrooms and artichoke. The options are really only limited by your creativity.

• • • • • • •

20 oz. frozen, shredded hash browns, thawed* 1 pound sausage, cooked and drained 1 small onion, diced ½ red bell pepper, diced ½ green bell pepper, diced 8 eggs 1 1/3 cups whole milk

• ¾ to 1 teaspoon pow• • • •

dered garlic ¾ to 1 teaspoon onion powder (when I have fresh herbs on hand, I like to add a sprinkle of fresh thyme) Salt and pepper, to taste 2 cups cheddar cheese*

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. greased 9 x 13 baking dish.

2. Brown the sausage, crumble and drain.

7. Combine sausage, onions, peppers and 1 ¼ to 1 ½ 3. Use the same pan to lightly sauté the onion, red and cups of the cheese, spread in a layer on top of the green bell peppers.

hash browns.

4. Combine eggs, milk, and seasonings in a bowl.

8. Pour egg mixture over the mixture and top with the

5. Set aside 1/2 to 3/4 cup cheese for topping.

6. Arrange hash browns in the bottom of a lightly

9. Bake 50-60 minutes or until cooked through.

Whisk until smooth.

remaining cheese.

NOTES: I usually put a little oil in a skillet and fry the hash browns a bit before I use them. Frozen hash browns have additional water from the freezing process so cooking a bit prior to adding them to the casserole will eliminate any chance of it being soupy.

I also recommend that you shred your own cheese. Pre-packaged shredded cheese is usually tossed with corn starch to keep the cheese from sticking together so it can give the casserole a weird, kind of starchy taste. Plus, I think if you shred your own cheese it’s creamier.

You can make this recipe a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking. It can also be frozen after baking and will be good in the freezer for up to 2 months. Simply defrost in the fridge overnight, bring to room temperature and then warm it at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the center is 160 degrees.

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MAPLE BACON

• • • •

1 lb. good quality bacon 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup ¼ cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (easy on the cayenne unless you like a lot of heat)

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and top it

with a wire rack that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

3. In a bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, salt and cayenne pepper. Mix well.

4. Add the bacon to the bowl and toss it gently. Make sure to get the slices evenly and completely coated.

5. Place the bacon in a single layer onto the wire rack.

6. Bake in the center of the

oven for about 20-25 minutes or until bacon is slightly dark and crispy, being careful not to let it burn.

7. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the rack. Don’t wait too long or you won’t be able to get it off the rack.

8. Serve at room temperature.

NOTE: You can make this bacon a day or two ahead and simply store it in an airtight container

BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE - SERVES 8

• • • • • • • •

1 large loaf French bread 8 eggs 2 ½ cups half and half 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup fresh blueberries (toss them in

1 tablespoon of flour to keep them from bleeding during baking) • 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, cubed (for easier cutting put it in the freezer for 15 minutes) • ¼ cup raw sugar for sprinkling on top, optional

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Lightly butter a 9 x 13 casserole dish.

3. Slice enough bread to fit in the bottom of the 9 x 13

8. Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Press mixture

4. Top with 1/2 of the cream cheese and ½ cup of

10. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let

5. Cut the remaining loaf into 1-1/2 inch cubes and

11. Sprinkle with raw sugar.

12. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove

casserole dish (use about ½ of the loaf). blueberries

layer on top of blueberries and cream cheese.

6. Add remaining cream cheese and remaining blueberries on top of cubed bread.

7. In a large bowl, combine eggs, half and half, sugar,

cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Whisk until completely mixed.

down until the bread soaks up the egg mixture.

9. Cover and store in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours.

get to room temperature.

the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until the center is firm to the touch and slightly brown on top.

13. Top with blueberry sauce before serving.

NOTES: I will usually go heavy on the blueberries.

BLUEBERRY SYRUP Cook all ingredients over medium heat until ber• 2 cups blueberries • 2 cups water ries burst, and sauce is thick, stirring occasionally.

• 2 cups sugar • 4 Tablespoons cornstarch 58

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LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 59

The Best Time for Solar

BY SHARIFF SHAKIR

Last fall, when I was just a few months into my new work as a solar sales representative, I experienced a massive influx of customers who were aware that with the end of 2019 (like 2020) came a 4% decrease in the Federal tax credit. In order for homeowners to get the tax credit at the higher rate, their solar system must be operational by the end of the current year.

We doubled up on crew, worked overtime, and fought inclement weather to help as many people get the tax credit they wanted. There were some who missed out, as it just wasn’t possible to meet the seasonal demand. Sadly, many folks were showing their first interest in mid-December.

This led to disappointment at a time of the year when we work so hard to avoid it. For a frame of reference, losing 4% on the incentive represents over $1500, equivalent to what many spend for electricity during an entire year.

At this point in time, another incentive is rapidly disappearing: the Adjustable Block Program, or “the state

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incentive,” as many refer to it. This program is funded in advance, and then depleted as applications are approved and the money is running out. As I write this, roughly 2000 large home systems worth of funding remain for the southern half of the state. This incentive is based on production equivalent to roughly a third of the system’s cost.

Financially, there may never be a better time than right now to explore solar. The risk of missing out and experiencing regret is not just high, but nearly guaranteed for those who don’t move quickly.

If a solar system is at all on the horizon for you, I highly recommend starting the process now. The best first step is getting a quote and scheduling a site visit. We have a no-pressure approach so you can learn how solar could work for you, and even if you decide to move forward later in the year, much of the initial work will be done. You might find that going solar is more cost effective than you thought!n

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 61

W H AT E V E R the summer forecast, WE PREDICT COOL TEMPERATURES. Make sure your system is ready to beat the heat. Fowler Heating & Cooling will keep you cool by maintaining your current system or by installing a new energy-efficient BryantÂŽ cooling system. We have been serving our friends and neighbors for over 41 years and we proudly provide same day service.

Our experienced service staff is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Schedule an appointment today.

(618) 997-5288 423 South Court Street | Marion | Illinois Solar | Generators | Fabrication 62

boat rentals cabin rentals SINGLE & DOUBLE CHALETS

8 & 10 PERSON PONTOONS

The Resort offers quality, comfortable pontoons that you can reserve. Availability on weekends and holidays can be limited, so be sure to schedule your boat in advance!

NO LICENSE REQUIRED!

If you’re a novice boater we’ll provide instruction and maps to help you navigate the Lake of Egypt waterway.

The Resort offers both single and double chalet models to accommodate your whole family. Chalets include a fully furnished kitchen, bathroom, living area, wood deck with grill and boat dock.

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1 - 6 Guests

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Full Size Bedroom

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2 Loft Bedrooms

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1 Bathroom

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Non-Smoking

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A/C Unit

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Dogs Allowed

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Free WIFI

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Towels & Linens

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Microwave

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Refrigerator

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Deck with Grill

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Boat Dock

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Cookware

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