Lost on the Lake - Table Rock April 2023 Issue 5

EVERYTHING YOU NEED. EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

Every great journey begins with a first step. When you start a relationship with Central Bank, you’ll immediately have access to a community bank with comprehensive offerings, cutting-edge technology and leading-edge banking solutions. We have all the tools you need to move, manage and maximize your money with ease, every step of the way. Discover what’s possible with Central Bank. We do banking better.

EDITORIAL:

Myra Thornton hello@lostonthelake.us

Eric Prey www.tablerockfishingintel.com

Christal Valbracht - AireServ

Jeff Woodward - The Rogue Chef

Edward Jones Financial

PMS Boat Sales-Premier Marine

Tom Koobs - wolpublishing@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Myra Thornton

Eric Prey AireServ

Tracy Marak

a note from the editor

Fresh Start...

Welcome Spring! Something about the leaves sprouting and the daffodiles pushing through the ground makes me feel more alive. The long winter seems to be slowly retreating (although it does sneak back in uninvited).

After welcoming the Spring Breakers in March, our small towns are slowly beginning to open up again. The marinas, restaurants and attractions are pushing the throttle, preparing for the warmer days ahead.

I absolutely love the time change, it reminds me that soon we will coming off the water late evening for barbeques and bonfires. Friends and family are starting to plan their vacations to visit and enjoy the lake life.

We are frantically finsihing up all of the home projects, so that once the spawn comes we are ready to get back on lake time.

We appreciate you all more than you know, and we hope that you are enjoying the publication as much as we enjoy putting it together.

Be Happy,

W: www.lostonthelake.us

E: hello@lostonthelake.us

P: 417-363-3030

Myra Thornton

If you have stories, pictures or ideas to share please send them our way: hello@lostonthelake.us

Thank you to all of our partners!

Please consider them for your needs:

AireServ of Branson

KW Aux-Arcs Team ~ Ann Ferguson

Black Oak Amp

Branson Bank

Central Bank

Cliffside Design Company

Edward Jones - Grant Beasley

Happy Hollow Resort

Health Markets - Nick Morris

Neighbors & Friends of Table Rock

PMS Boat Sales

Scout & Petal

Sho-Me Touchless Boat Cover

Table Rock Community Bank

US Tow Boat

Fishing Intel for April

BY: ERIC PREY - TRL Fishing Guide

Two Fish, Three Baits Each

April is the beginning of the best fishing of the year on Table Rock Lake. Bass and Crappie are moving shallow to spawn, Walleye and White Bass are post spawn going on feeding binges trying to recover. Cold winter blasts are few and far between making it much more comfortable to fish. In short April is a great time to get out on the lake and catch fish.

With all that is going on it would be easy to get lost in the weeds and chase after everything that swims trying to put fish in the boat. But let’s look at Table Rock Lake’s two most popular species and three ways to catch them in April.

Bass

Table Rock is home to four black bass species; Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted and Meanmouth. The first three are common throughout the lake, while Meanmouth are a naturally occurring hybrid of Smallmouth and Spotted bass, not as common, they are extremely fun to catch because they fight as hard as a Smallmouth and have the fast growth rate of a Spotted Bass.

All these species will spawn in April, generally somewhere around mid-April is the peak spawning period. Prior to the spawn (Pre-Spawn) they will begin moving close to shallow gravel pockets and coves looking for spawning habitat. During the spawn they will be relatively shallow, guarding their eggs and fry from bluegill and other fish, they generally don’t feed much during the spawn but you can use their protective instinct to catch them. After the spawn (Post-Spawn) they are aggressive and feed heavily trying to recover from the rigors of the spawn.

Pre-spawn: Water temperatures 53 –60. Bass tend to be aggressive during the Pre-Spawn, look for them to be

staging on secondary points in creek arms close to gravel coves and pockets. While they will eat a variety of forage, crawdads are a particularly favorite. Small finesse jigs are a great choice during the Pre-Spawn; the ability to fish a jig throughout the water column is key to targeting fish. Dragging or hopping a jig is the most popular technique but casting and swimming a jig can be very effective on windy days when fish are chasing bait.

Spawn: Water temperatures 58 – 66. Fishing for bass during the spawn requires a choice; some anglers prefer to try to catch fish off spawning beds by making multiple pitches to bass they can see on a bed and antagonizing them into

biting, other anglers will pull back and fan cast banks, covering water to try to catch fish on beds they don’t see or target fish that are either in Pre-Spawn or Post-Spawn. Either way it is an exciting time to fish. If you opt to “sight fish” and look at fish on beds know that it requires an unbelievable amount of patience and casting accuracy. Many sight fishing anglers will spend an hour or more with one fish trying to get it to bite The upside is you know there is a fish there and you know how big it is. Those that choose to fan cast will cover more water and usually get more bites, but they are relying on a little luck to put their bait in front of a fish. Either method has a multitude of options in lure selection, one of the most effective is a shaky head. A shaky head with either a finesse worm o small creature bait can be effectively pitched to a bass on a bed or drug around on the bottom by a fan casting angler. Either way it’s a great Spawn bait.

Post-Spawn: Water temperatures 59 –70. This is when the fun really begins, bass are done with protecting their eggs and fry and are ready to feed. There are a ton of choices for these aggressive fish but the one that brings the most excitement is a top water lure. Spooks, Pop-R’s and Surge Shads are a few of the more popular options and all three can be extremely effective during the Post-Spawn. Look for bass to be in some of the same locations they were in the Pre-Spawn; secondary points and other areas near spawning coves. Early and late in the day the action will peak but bass will strike a top water all day when the conditions are right.

Crappie

Table Rock Lake has both White and Black Crappie, while both Spawn

around the same time Black Crappie will usually start a little earlier than White Crappie. Much like bass crappie look for shallow gravel pockets and coves to Spawn in and will stage close to the shallow areas before Spawning. During the Spawn crappie are much more aggressive while protecting their eggs making them easier to catch than bass. Post-Spawn crappie can be harder to catch, the rigors of the spawn and protecting their eggs will usually cause them to scatter and become harder to locate.

Pre-Spawn: Water temperatures 55 – 58. Cover, cover and more cover is key to finding and catching Pre-Spawn Crappie. Look for brush piles, docks, and other shallow cover close to spawning pockets to be holding the lion’s share of crappie in the Pre-Spawn. Warmer temps will have crappie moving and grouping up on cover close to their spawning habitat. Small swimbaits like a Bobby Garland Baby Shad on a 1/16 oz. jig head is hard to beat when crappie are Pre-Spawn. The smaller profile and subtle action are highly effective.

Spawn: Water temperatures 58 – 65. “The crappie are on the bank!!” Is what you hear around the tackle store when crappie move up to spawn. Unlike bass, the most effective method to target spawning crappie is to fan cast toward the bank in shallow pockets, coves and the backs of creeks. An 8’er Baits Swimming Minnow on a 1/8 oz. head is one of the best options. The larger size bait looks more like a “nest raider” and the 1/8 oz. head make casting and covering water much easier. Crappie spawn in groups so make sure you spend plenty of time wherever you catch one.

Post-Spawn: Water temperatures 63 –70. Even though crappie tend to scatter and fishing is tougher it doesn’t mean

you can’t catch a few. Look for cover around deeper water to hold groups of fish rather than singles. Standing timber and large boat docks are key locations during Post-Spawn. Don’t expect crappie to be aggressive, a live minnow on a slip float is the best combo to put fish in the boat consistently. Determine the depth crappie are holding at, set your float to that depth, cast it to the cover and let it sit. Sluggish Post-Spawn crappie will bite, just don’t be in a hurry.

April ushers in the best fishing of the year on Table Rock Lake. As the air and water

temperatures warm the fishing gets fantastic. Pay attention to the water temperature, follow the spawning process and rig the right lures and baits and success will follow.

Eric Prey is the Owner / Operator of Focused Fishing Guide Service on Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals lakes.

To book a trip or contact: www.focusedfishing.com or call 417-860-4743.

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LOST ON THE LAKE A CROSS-PLATFORM + DYNAMIC PUBLICATION

Living on the lake makes you appreciate the unique offerings and experiences that come in a seasonal tourist community. The communities that surround the lake each offer their own experiences. Every season on the lake is special and memorable.

Table Rock Lake offers residents, 2nd homeowners & visitors so many opportunities. Lost on the Lake-Table Rock, the Lake Lifestyle Magazine, is our labor of love.

Our goal is to share experiences, activities and lifestyles of the residents and visitors. Spending time on Table Rock Lake is priceless. Build memories with us.

Have ideas or photos to share? Send us a message, we love your input.

Boating 101

Spring Start up Checklist

Before you hit the water this spring there are a few things you need to check on to ensure you have a trouble-free season!

• Check battery condition to make sure it is fully charged and has enough cranking amps

• Check electrical connections to battery to ensure they are wrench tight and clean

• Visually inspect the fuel system hoses-checking for any cracking, weather checking, ensure there are no leaks

• Check your bilge pump and blower to ensure proper operation and ensure hoses are connected

• Check fluid levels, power steering, engine oil, gear lube

• Check condition of belts looking for no cracks on ribs and no fraying on edges

• Start it up-let it idle, make sure you have oil pressure and water flow.

• As engine is coming up to temp, visually inspect outside of engine to ensure no leaks around hoses, drain plugs

• Check AMP meter to ensure charging system is operating properly

• Keep an eye on the temp gauge

Boating 101

• Make sure it comes up to operating temp range but does not exceed the recommended range

• Check steering for operation, no binding or clattering

• Check shift and throttle operation while still tied to dock, make sure shifts forward and reverse smoothly

• Check your Nav lights for proper operation-no burned-out bulbs

• Check VHF radio operation

• Check your horn for proper operation

• Check condition of fire extinguisher

• Check condition of anchor ropes and mooring lines, fenders, PFDs, throwables

• Check condition of fiberglass on hull-may need a good cleaning and waxing after sitting all winter

• If you have any questions or concerns on the condition of any of these systems, make sure to contact a qualified service center to get you in top running condition. Proudly

Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle

Table Rock Lake offers plenty of opportunities to view these magnificent bird. Bald Eagles Are usually seen near lakes and rivers in our area. In the 1950’s. bald eagles had dwindled to fewer than 1,000 in the U.S.. Now, due to conservation efforts there are over 300,000 in the United States

Full grown bald eagles have dark brown bodies with a white tail and head. They have a large, hooked bill, with yellow iris eyes. The also have extremely strong, sharp

talons. Females are larger than the males, but they otherwise look the same. When in flight, they soar on the rising warm air currents on flattetened wings (they do not hold them in V-shape). Their young are all brown with white speckles. Their call is a series of chirps or a loud screaming whistle sound. Adult Bald Eagles have a wingspan of up to 84” and their length from bill to tail is 36”.

These large birds are considered preda -

tory raptors and they prey on live animals, but also eat carrion (dead animal carcusses). Fish and carrion make up most of their meals, but they will also eat small mammals. amphibians, reptiles, other birds and crayfish.

Bald Eagles typically reach maturity by age 4-5 years and they breed near where they were born.

Traditionally they will mate for life, or until one of the pair disappears or dies, then the survivor

may find another mate. The courtship routine generally involves special flight displays and calls. They then build a large nest which can be up to 13 feet deep and 8 feet across. The pair will produce 1-3 eggs each year, but it is rare for all the chicks to reach maturity. It can take up to 5 years for a young bald eagle to get his adult plumage. The life span can be more than 30 years in ideal situations.

Of course we all know the Bald Eagle as a U.S. national symbol. But did you know, humans played a huge role in the decline of

eagles in the 1900’s. Birds were shot, trapped and poisoned, and their health was affected by pesticides in many forms. The food chain that eagles rely on had accumulated pesticides in their bodies causing illness and death. They also experienced pesticide related nesting failures.

Eagles lose nesting, roosting and hunting habitat due to shoreline development. The Army Corp works hard to protect the shoreline for all species that call it home.

References:

Missouri Department of Conservation

A-Z Animals

financial focus

SOME “DID-YOU-KNOWS” ABOUT ESTATE PLANS

If you’ve done any estate planning, or even if you’re just familiar with it, you probably know the basics — that is, a comprehensive estate plan can help you pass on assets to your family while also achieving other goals, such as designating someone to take care of your affairs if you become unable to do so. But you may not know about some other estate-planning issues that could prove important in your life:

• Power of attorney for students – Children heading off to college may be considered legal adults in many states. Consequently, you, as a parent, may not have any control over medical treatment if your child faces a sudden, serious illness or is involved in an accident. Instead, a doctor who doesn’t know your child or your family may decide on a course of action of which you might not approve. To help prevent this, you may want to have your college student sign a medical power of attorney form, which will allow you to make decisions on your child’s behalf if doctors don’t think your child can make those choices. You might also want to combine the medical power of attorney with an advance health care directive or living will, which lets you specify actions you do or don’t want to happen. In any case, consult with your legal advisor before taking any of these steps.

• Community property versus common law – Not all states treat married couples’ possessions equally. If you live in a community property state, the property you acquire during your marriage is generally considered to be owned in equal halves by each spouse, with some exceptions. But if you live in a common law state, the property you obtain while you’re married is not automatically owned by both spouses. In these states, if you buy some property, you own it, unless you decide to put it in the name of yourself and your spouse.

•

• This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that your spouse has no rights, because common law

states typically have rules that guard surviving spouses from being disinherited. But here’s the key point: If you move from a community property state to a common law state, or vice versa, you might not want to assume that your and your spouse’s property ownership situations will remain the same. Consequently, if you do move, you may want to consult an estate-planning attorney in your new state to determine where you stand.

• Pet trusts – You always strive to take good care of your pets. But what might happen to them if you become incapacitated in some way? Unless you have a close family member or friend who’s willing to take over care for your pet, you might want to consider setting up a pet trust, which can take effect either during your lifetime or after you pass away. A trustee typically will make payments to the caregiver you’ve designated for your pet, with payments continuing for the pet’s lifetime or a set number of years. Again, an estate-planning attorney can help you with this arrangement.

Estate planning certainly involves the big-picture issue of leaving a legacy to the next generation. But the issues we’ve discussed can also be meaningful to you, so you’ll want to address them properly.

Ask an Expert: Home and Property Maintenance

Welcome to Ask an Expert: Home and Property Maintenance. Each month our featured home and property expert will answer questions that provide information, tips and advice on a medley of homeowner topics. We hope to help our readers gain new insights into a variety of local home service professionals, services and products. Our goal is to make maintaining your home easier and empower you with the knowledge that you need to be a successful homeowner in the TableRock lake area. Let’s get started.

Who is our April expert?

“Dave Dennison, plumbing technician with Mr. Rooter of Springfield/Branson.”

What services do you offer?

“Plumbing, drainage, water heaters, sewer line repair, water treatment. If water runs through it we do it.”

Why does the toilet keep running?

“It’s obviously difficult to diagnose without looking at it, however it could be a bad flapper or the toilet is not set correctly.”

What can I put in my garbage disposal?

“It is important to remember that a garbage disposal is NOT a dumpster. It’s designed to help with the debris from rinsing dishes. That being said, you should avoid potato peels,

banana peels, anything fibrous. They can cause clogs.

Is it OK to grind ice in a garbage disposal?

“Run a few ice cubes through the garbage disposal. The action of grinding up the ice cleans the blades and helps to dislodge any bits of food that have gotten stuck in the components. Additionally, cleaning with ice (water) means that there’s no product or residue left to scrub away.”

Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners?

“Generally not. Most chemical drain cleaners cause heat and just melt things (like grease). Hot water does that too. In fact, hot water and baking soda works great. Use chemicals with caution and always let your plumber know if you have used chemical cleaners. Especially for clogs because if we end up having to take the pipe apart, those unexpected chemicals can cause injury.”

Why do we run out of hot water so quickly?

“It could be the water heater elements or calcium build up in the elements. In Missouri, we have hard water. The calcium rate in the water is also high. That can cause build up because a water heater has water in it all the time so it is more affected by calcium. In these cases, a water softener is typically recommended.”

Why does my drain get clogged?

“There could be many reasons. It could be as simple as people putting paper products down the drain, a bad joint, putting grease down the drain, hair buildup, tree roots are also common. We can use cameras to see what is going on.”

Any tips on how to keep my plumbing in good working order? How often do I need maintenance on my plumbing?

“We actually have a maintenance program where we will come out and do a wellness check on your plumbing, flush the water heater and check your vents. A one-year membership is only $99. That also includes (15% off parts) and priority scheduling.

My water bill went up, how do I check for leaks?

“It is very hard to check for leaks. Leaks can be coming from anywhere. If you notice that your water bill is going up be sure to look at the amount of gallons over the price of the bill. If the gallons are higher than usual you

need to call a professional to check things out. A running toilet for example can use up to an extra 200 gallons a day. That could fill 10 hot tubs in a month.”

Why is my shower low pressure?

“It could be the shower head and calcium build up from hard water. That is generally the issue.”

Why does my toilet smell every time I flush it?

“It can be an issue with the wax ring. If it is not set properly and not sealed it can cause an odor”

Are you offering any specials in this issue for customers?

“Yes. If you mention this article, we will give you 10% off any service.”

By: Christal Valbracht www.aireserv.com

www.dryerventwizardspringfield.com

www.MrRooter.com

Building Family Memories on Table Rock Lake

It all started 60 years ago when Ray Routh and his fishing buddies discovered Happy Hollow (then Hurst Happy Hollow) while fishing Persimmon Cove. It looked to be an upgrade from their tents at Old 86 Campgrounds. They shared the news with another friend, Milton Stiller, and decided to bring their families to the new resort.

Since then, the Stiller family has been coming to Table Rock Lake regularly. In 1967 they bought a boat, a tri -hull Thunderbird and that changed everything for the family trips.

One of the best parts about visiting Table Rock Lake for them, is spending quality time with family. They also love to jump off the cliffs, tube, wakeboard

Stiller Family circa 1976(ish)

Photo courtesy of Tracy Marak

David, Mark & Tracy Mark taking the leap!

and now, scuba dive. During any down time, they enjoy going into Branson for putt putt golf, go carts and ice cream. Sometimes they will rent a pontoon boat and treat the family to a boating adventure, going from Happy Hollow Resort to Charlies Steak House.

Some favorite family memories include drifting in a boat at midnight, far away from the lights, and being able to see

Milton & Kathy Stiller with grandkids circa early 1980’s

First Family Boat

Family Boat Now

the Milky Way. Another is learning to ski and wake board and then teaching all the kids in the family as they get old enough.

Milton and Kathy Stiller offered a lifestyle which included an annual trip every labor day for the family. Even though they have passed, the kids, grandkids and even great grandkids still continue the tradition.

The family now boasts almost 30 total and they live in St. Louis MO, Kansas City MO, Cleveland OH and Queensbury NY. They still find the time to gather at the lake!

Paul Stiller shared a story of getting “Lost on the Lake” which was a real concern back in 1966. No cell phones and very few boats made communication very limited, It was wise to tell others where you were going and when you expected to return. You could drift for hours with no help in sight.

They once encountered a man who had been paddling his powerboat for hours, trying to get to a dock! Then in the late ninties, one of the brothers ran out of gas on their waverunner with his two young daughters. They swam the waverunner to the shore and walked to the nearest house. There they met W.O. Tate who very graciously assisted them in getting some gas for the waverunner.

They noted that even though the lake has gotten busier, the people still remain very friendly! This family looks forward to many more years with family on Table Rock Lake.

Story

by Tracy Marak & Paul Stiller (sister & brother)

Tracy Marak (Stiller) on a wooden tobagan used for the kids too small to ski

Grandkids on tubes (current days)

Favorite Recipes with The Rogue Chef

Roasted Rack of Lamb Gone Rogue

Yield: 2-4 Servings

Rack of Lamb is a special and elegant entrée, perfect for an Easter celebration dinner. The garlic and herb marinade seasons the meat with Rogue flavors. Make your meal complete by serving it with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus.

Ingredients:

4 Minced Garlic Cloves

1 T Fresh Mint

1 T Fresh Oregano

1 T Fresh Rosemary Leaves

1 T Fresh Thyme Leaves

1 tsp Kosher Salt

1/2 tsp White Pepper

1/4 C Green Peppercorn Dijon Mustard

1/2 T Worcestershire Sauce

1 T Balsamic Vinegar

1 T Honey

2 T Lime Juice

1/4 C Olive Oil

1 (8 bone) Rack of Lamb, Trimmed and Frenched

Instructions:

1. Prepare the marinade

• Combine the garlic, mint, oregano, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, Kosher salt, and pepper in a food processor

• Pulse until the garlic is finely minced

• Add the mustard, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, honey, lime juice, and olive oil

• Pulse again

2. Place the trimmed and Frenched rack of lamb in a large plastic bag or container, and pour the marinade over the meat. Rub it into the meat, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

3. Roast the lamb

• Remove the lamb from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, 30-45 minutes

• Line a 9 x 13 roasting pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray

• Preheat the oven to 450°F

• Wrap the exposed lamb bones with aluminum foil to prevent burning

• Place the lamb on the pan, boneside down and the fat side on top

• Roast in the oven for 10 minutes until well-seared

• Turn down the temperature to 300°F, cook for approximately 20 minutes or until the roast is heated to 145°F or other desired temperature

4. Remove from the oven and let rest on a platter for 10-15 minutes

5. Cut between each bone (or every 2 bones), and serve while hot

Don’t want to make this yourself?

Hire Chef Jeff, The Rogue Chef, in Branson, Missouri. He will make the perfect meal for you.

www.TheRogueChefBranson.com

Visitor Center Dewey Short

The Dewey Short Visitor Center is located on site near the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices, also right along side of the dam. This three story building features exhibits that tell the story of the Corps and how the White River Watershed dams systems work to reduce flooding and also

produce clean, hydroelectric power.

There are interactive exhibits that explain how the dams are used and why they don’t just open them because rain is coming. There are so many factors that play into the operation of the dams and the con -

trol of the spillways. The exhibits provide fun, educational and interactive learning experiences that makes this a perfect destination for schools, groups and families. Many topics are covered in the exhibits including history, hydropower, recreation, safety, flood risk management, fish and wildlife, water safety and more.

There is also a paved, flat trail, the Lakeshore Trail, which extends 2.5 miles (one way) from the visitor center grounds to the State Park Marina. This is a beautiful, scenic, partially wooded trail that follows Table Rock Lake’s shoreline. You can take in lake views and also experience the nature of the Ozark’s. You will find excellent photo opportunities.

The Dewey Short Visitor Center is one of a handful of regional Class A visitor centers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationwide. Being a regional center, it also covers information for other areas the Corp oversees.

Dewey Short Visitor Center

4500 Historic Hwy 165, Branson, MO 501-340-1943

Click Here for Hours & Information

What Lies

Beneath ... Oasis

Stories About What Is Buried By Table Rock Lake © Tom Koob

Although many small towns were affected by Table Rock Lake, there was only one settlement of any significant size destroyed. This village was Oasis. Oasis was situated on the south side of Long Creek across the stream from Goat Hill just outside the mouth of Big Cedar Hollow. The top of Goat Hill is still visible as a small island about one mile north of the Highway 86 bridge over the present-day lake.

The site of Oasis was homesteaded by Judge James Bolton “Boat” Rice after the Civil War. At this time, the area was known as Cedar Valley. Mr. Rice’s son

The bottomland of Long Creek provided fertile soil for the growing of wheat, corn, cotton and tobacco. The hills surrounding the turbulent stream were covered with hardwood and pine forest. A three-story mill was constructed from hand-hewn timbers in 1876. In the late 19th century, Frank Rice sought authority to construct a dam across this section of Long Creek.

The presence of the mill helped establish Cedar Valley as a local commerce

Frank Rice and Frank’s wife Samantha operated a general store in Cedar Valley.

The general store at Oasis courtesy Winnie Bee Jones-Wolf

center. In addition to the mill, there was a general store, a cotton gin, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, a post office and a few homes. The mill also functioned as a polling place. In addition to the Rice family, the mill was owned over the years by the Wells, Kirkham, Stires, Johnson, Mahnkey, Eychaner and Burnett families. The dam was washed out by a flood in 1927.

Some time in the early 20th century, Cedar Valley was renamed Oasis. It was indeed considered to be a beautiful, watery place among the rough, wild hills. People came from miles around to have their grain processed, purchase supplies, pick up mail and vote. Roads from the north, south and east all converged on Oasis. Two fords, Deep Ford and Shallow Ford crossed Long Creek providing access to the community. Prior to 1920, Taney County built a one-lane steel bridge across the stream just below the dam. They were not, however, able to build adequate approaches and the bridge was unused by road traffic for several years. In 1925, the road work was completed and the span became the Route P crossing over Long Creek.

C.P. and Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey purchased the Oasis mill and store in 1922 and operated them until 1935. The Mahnkeys worked hard to make a living and raise their family during these “hard” times. The blacksmith shop and sawmill were operated by C.P.’s brother Bill. The Mahnkeys built and rented out three cabins along the creek to early tourists to the area. One of the cabins was called the “Winnie Bee Cabin”, named for their granddaughter Winnie Bee Jones-Wolf. The Mahnkey’s daughter Bertie taught school at nearby Brush Creek. Their son Douglas taught at Cedar Valley School. Douglas served as Taney County Clerk for four terms and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1934. Douglas Mahnkey practiced law from For -

syth, Missouri until his death in 2004. He wrote extensively about his life and the area in Bright Glowed My Hills and other publications.

Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey was a prolific writer of poems, stories and articles. Her insightful understanding of real people and life in the Ozarks shines through her work. Her writings introduced many Americans to the beauty and mystery of these hills and helped found the Taneyhills Library in Branson.

Mahnkey was a voracious reader and started writing at the early age of fourteen. From 1891 until her death in 1948, Mary wrote nearly 3000 columns that were published in local, regional and national magazines and newspapers. She spent almost her entire life in Taney County, Missouri where she lived a simple, honest life as a mother, wife and business

C. P. and Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey early 1940s courtesy Angel Wolf, Mary’s great-granddaughter

proprietor.

Mahnkey wrote both prose and poetry. KWTO radio of Springfield, Missouri named her “Poet Laureate of the Ozarks” for 1943, a title she clearly deserved for her lifetime commitment to describing the simple and yet profound beauty of her homeland. She spoke of the humble things of life and the world around her — wildflowers, housecleaning, cooking and illness.

By 1934, the Mahnkeys were struggling with the Depression, their advancing age and the relocation of their children and grandchildren. Talk of damming the White River had been circulating since the early 1900s and by 1934, Table Rock Lake appeared to be inevitable. Concerned about declining property values, the Mahnkeys sold their Oasis property to Bill Eychaner in 1935 for $5000.

It would be several more years be -

fore Table Rock Lake would bury the little town of Oasis. But in 1957, when the lake prematurely filled from torrential rains, the beautiful little settlement along with the sturdy mill, several other buildings and the one-lane steel bridge were all buried beneath the rising water.

Now as you cross the modern steel span on Hwy. 86 over Long Creek, perhaps you can visualize this oasis in a wild land. A tiny island marks the hill behind the town and the larger island, the top of Goat Hill, which rose prominently above Cedar Valley on the bluff above the surging flow of Long Creek.

Tom Koob is a local author who has written several books about Ozarks history.

His work is available on Amazon “new” books or by contacting him at: wolpublishing@gmail.com .

Resorts, Lodges & Rentals

Views of the Dam

The back side of Table Rock Dam is an amazing sight when the lake is rising and the spillways are open. The power of the water being released is hard to describe. I first entered the top lookout, which is directly across from the US Army Corp of Engineers offices in Branson, MO.

Pulling into the parking lot you can see the spillways releasing the water and can view all the way to the river below.

Next I drove across the bridge and followed the signs to the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. From there the signs direct you to the lower dam viewing area.

This is even more magnificent than the view from above. You can literally walk to the edge of the river for a close up shot.

I highly recommend these stops at least once during the Spring when the storms have passed. The photo opportunities are worth it.

CAMPBELL POINT MARINA

1363 Campbell Point Rd, Shell Knob

417-858-6331

Opening Mar 2023

www.campbellpointmarina.com

BIG M MARINA

26111 Big M Campground, Cassville (417)271-3853

Opening Mar 2023

www.bigmmarina.com

STATE PARK MARINA

380 State Park Marina Rd, Branson

417-334-2628

www.stateparkmarina.com

HIDEAWAY MARINA

1810 Hideaway Rd, Galena

417-538-2828

www.hideawaymarina1956.com

INDIAN POINT MARINA

3443 Indian Point Marina, Branson

417-338-2891

www.indianpointmarina.com

PORT OF KIMBERLING MARINA

201 Marina Way, Kimberling City

417-739-2315

www.portofkimberling.com

EAGLE ROCK MARINA

31170 State Highway 86, Eagle Rock

417-271-3398

Opening Mar 2023

www.facebook.com/EagleRockMarina

CAPE FAIR BOAT DOCK & MARINA

1500 Shadrack Rd, Cape Fair 417-538-4163

Opening Mar 2023

www.capefairmarina.com

CRICKET CREEK MARINA

20515 Boat Dock Rd, Omaha, AR 870-426-3474

www.cricketcreek.com

THE HARBOR

363 Harbor Lane, Branson

417-338-2828

www.theharbor.com