Lost on the Lake - Table Rock Aug 23 Issue 9

Lost on the Lake TABLE ROCK

INSIDE

FORWARD FACING SONAR BOATING MAINTENANCE DAY TRIPPIN’

Adrianne Tucker VP, Mortgage Lender NMLS #569045

Dana Crowell SVP, Mortgage Lender NMLS #564440

Renea Daniels Mortgage Lender NMLS #543805

Roger Frieze VP, Commercial Lender NMLS #1785245

Shawn Clemens VP, Commercial Lender NMLS #1402734

Mike Linneman Consumer Lender NMLS #712716

Casey Whitaker EVP, Lending NMLS #1911531

Ryan P. Ricketts Consumer Lender NMLS #2362987

IN THIS ISSUE

EXPLORE

Day Trippin’ - Visit Pa’s Posey Patch for fresh flowers and more

FOOD

Listings of the restaurants you can boat to on TRL this summer

28

PHOTOS

Dog Day’s of Summer photo collage of readers dogs

37

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

A visit to Lera Family Farmsa fun visit for families

43

FAMILY REUNION

The Johnson family shares stories of coming to TRL for four generations

EDITORIAL:

Myra Thornton - hello@lostonthelake.us

Eric Prey - www.focusedfishing.com

Christal Valbracht - AireServ

Jeff Woodward - The Rogue Chef

Edward Jones Financial

PMS Boat Sales-Premiere Marine

Tom Koob - wolpublishing@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Myra Thornton

Eric Prey

Tiffany McLemore

Tom Koobs

Thank you to all of our partners! Please consider them for your needs:

Adventure Cave Tours

AireServ of Branson

Black Oak Amp

Butterfly Palace

Central Bank

Edward Jones - Grant Beasley

Health Markets - Nick Morris

PMS Boat Sales

Scout & Petal

Table Rock Community Bank

Table Rock Fishing Intel

Talking Rocks Cavern

US Tow Boat

Underfoot

a note from the editor

What an amazing Summer we are having! Things are definitely heating up and we are smack in the middle of the “Dog Days”.

When the temps reach into the 90’s and 100’s its time to push out of the coves and into the deeper water for relief. It’s my favorite time to pack up a snackle box, load the cooler and jump right in.

Thanks to all of our friends for sending in some favorite photos of their dogs enjoying the lake. Check out the collage on page .

When you’re out and about on the lake, be aware of the trees that are pushing closer to the surface everyday as the water levels drop. Look before you jump in, and take caution cruising near shore. As always, be courteous of people swimming off docks and anchored. Be happy~

W: www.lostonthelake.us

E: hello@lostonthelake.us

P: 417-363-3030

Lake Vibes & Sunshine

SEE YOU NEXT TIME

Forward Facing Sonar Basics

BY: ERIC PREY - TRL Fishing Guide

Nothing has changed the sport of fishing more over the past decade than Forward Facing Sonar. The ability for anglers to aim their sonar beam and receive real time information about fish locations, reactions and movement has literally changed the game of fishing. Love it, hate it or call it cheating Forward Facing Sonar is entrenched in fishing, having a basic understanding of how it works is important for any angler.

What is Forward Facing Sonar:

Introduced in 2018 by Garmin, Live Scope was the first of the modern Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) for recreational fisherman. Quickly followed by Lowrance Active Target and Humminbird Mega Live all three

of the major fishing electronics manufactures offer a form of FFS. While there are subtle differences between manufactures the basic function of FFS is the same. FFS uses a narrow sonar beam that an angler can “point” in a specific direction and see what is below the water’s surface in real time. Much like traditional sonar FFS sends a “ping” from the transducer in the direction it is pointed. When the ping bounces off an object in the water it returns to the transducer and is interpreted by the computer in the sonar display and displayed as an image on the unit. Unlike traditional sonar the number of pings, the frequency of the sonar and the speed of the processor give the angler a real time easy to decipher image of exactly what is happening under the water.

cont. on page 12

How to use FFS

The first thing a new angler using FFS should do is make sure it is lined up and pointing in a determined direction. Most anglers mount their FFS transducer to their trolling motor but other options like Turrets or mounting poles can make it easier for beginning anglers to use and aim FFS. Regardless of mounting options it is critical to align your transducer with either the arrow on your trolling motor, pole or turret. The easiest way to improve your aim is to pull up about 50’ away from a no wake or other tethered buoy and find the cable with

your transducer. Once the display is showing the cable as bright as possible, adjust the arrow or the transducer until they match up and the arrow points directly at the cable.

Once you have your sonar aimed correctly head to one of your favorite fishing spots, a cove, a dock or an area you are fairly familiar with. Drop your sonar in the lake and look around, get a feel for what things look like, look at standing timber, brush piles, docks and dock cables. You’ll also start to notice short vertical lines moving around on the screen, those are fish, big -

ger lines are bigger fish, smaller lines are smaller fish. If you’re a crappie fisherman go to your favorite brush pile or tree, you’ll be amazed how many crappie live on your favorite spot.

Fishing with FFS

The first question everyone asks when starting to use FFS is why can’t I see my bait? The next thing they realize is that their casting accuracy isn’t nearly as good as they thought it was. Two things to do; one, work

on your casting accuracy, two don’t worry about it so much. Everyone wants to see a fish, cast to that fish and watch it eat their lure. Don’t get me wrong it’s very cool to see, but over time you’ll realize that’s not the most efficient use of FFS.

Best ways to use Forward facing Sonar while fishing:

• Locating fish: You can quickly eliminate water, if you’re not seeing fish, there is no point in fishing that area.

• Finding cover and structure: Locating and targeting cover is the biggest benefit when using FFS. You no longer have to search and random cast to find a piece of cover. Find the cover with your FFS and you can be a much more efficient angler hitting the cover with every cast.

• Finding and following schools of bait: Bait fish show up very well on FFS. At times you can actually watch fish feeding on schools of bait. FFS makes it easy for you to see schools as far away as 100’ and you can easily follow them and stay with the fish.

Forward Facing Sonar is a great tool to help anglers find and catch more fish.

There has been some discussion and comments online about the “evils” of FFS and how it will ruin fishing. In actuality whenever there are innovations or major leaps in technology there will always be people that feel it hurts and some that feel it helps. The truth is FFS is here to stay, and it is just another tool to help anglers find and catch more fish.

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

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

Local marinas

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

Boating Maintenance

Can you believe the season is almost over?! Soon the kids will go back to school and before we know it Labor Day will be here. I know, painful to think about!

However, now is the time to start planning for the services your boat needs. You will want to get those scheduled before winterization time hits, as most shops are too busy winterizing to do anything else.

We recommend:

• Have the oil changed and the drive service done in the fall.

• Check your canvases for rips or tears so they can be repaired before they’re needed for winter storage.

• Check your gelcoat for scrapes and scratches as this is a good time to get on the schedule for winter repairs. Gelcoat repairs at most shops are running 4-6 weeks out.

Enjoy what remains of the season and be safe out there!

Just a short drive from Table Rock Lake is a cute flower and pumpkin patch called Pa’s Posey Patch. Pa’s is labeled an Agritourism Venue, owned and operated by Dennis & Brenda Epperly. But what I found was a little slice of heaven.

Located south of Cassville, sits 17 acres of flower fields that change with the seasons. Pa (Dennis) began a love for growing things when he was just 5 years old. He asked his mother for seeds to grow his first plants, beans. He learned quickly that growing a successful garden requires flowers to attract the pollinators. And that was the start of a love story.

Day Trippin’ Pa’ s Posey Patch

Now, as Dennis tells it, he met Brenda when they were in school and they married in their late teens. They have been together through all these years (in their 70’s now) and successful careers. The banter between these two is fun and light, with quick sarcasm and humor mixed in. When they retired this dream blossomed into a reality and now they share their love with people from near and far.

This couple works hard on their property, creating a magical experience across the changing seasons. In early spring, daffodils emerge, breaking ground for the growing seasons ahead. Spring brings wildflower meadows with cont on page 22

mustard, crimson clover and more. The highlight of spring is the poppies which bloom in perfect timing for Memorial Day.

The Summer brings sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, cornflowers which are planted in rotation so there are flowers at several different stages throughout summer. Then in the fall the patch turns to pumpkins, squash, gourds and mums.

One of the most amazing features of this patch is that Dennis and Brenda open it up to visitors at no cost, they operate on donations only. They invite professional photographers to use the patch as a backdrop for their photoshoots and only request a $25 donation for their sittings. Its basically all about building memories and capturing moments.

Another offered perk is that you are encouraged to cut a bouquet to take home.

I was absolutely shocked at the beautiful bouguet that I was able to create and enjoy at home.

The Patch is open 7 days a week, Mon-Sat 8am to dark and Sun 1pm-dark. They do not require

reservations but encourage you to follow them on Facebook .

Pa’s Posey Patch

417-846-5439

21501 Farm Road 1120

Cassville, MO

focus

Should you downsize when you retire?

When you retire, you’ll experience many changes — should one of them involve your living arrangements?

The issue of downsizing is one that many retirees will consider. If you have children, and they’ve grown and left the home, you might find yourself with more space than you really need. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean you must pack up and scale down yourself. You might love your home and neighborhood and see no reason to go. But if you’re open to a change, you could find that moving to a smaller house, a condo or an apartment may make sense for you.

Let’s consider some of the advantages of downsizing:

• You could save money. Moving to a smaller space could lower your utility bills and upkeep costs.

• You could save effort. A smaller home will mean less maintenance and cleaning.

• You could de-clutter. Over the years, most of us accumulate more possessions than we really need. Downsizing gives you a chance to de-clutter. And you can do some good along the way, too, because many charitable organizations will welcome some of your items.

• You could make money. If you’ve had your home for many years, it’s certainly possible that it’s worth more — perhaps a great deal more — than what you paid for it. So, when you sell it, you could pocket a lot of money — possibly without being taxed on the gains. Generally, if you’ve lived in your home for at least two years in the five-year period before you sold it, you can exclude $250,000 of capital gains, if you’re single, or $500,000 if you’re married and file taxes jointly. (You’ll want to consult with your tax advisor, though, before selling your home, to ensure you’re eligible for the exclusion, especially if you do

own multiple homes. Issues can arise in connection with determining one’s “primary” residence.)

While downsizing does offer some potentially big benefits, it can also entail some drawbacks. First of all, it’s possible that your home might not be worth as much as you had hoped, which means you won’t clear as much money from the sale as you anticipated. Also, If you still were paying off a mortgage on your bigger home, you may have been deducting the interest payments on your taxes — a deduction that might be reduced or lost to you if you purchase a less-expensive condo or become a renter. Besides these financial factors, there’s the ordinary hassle of packing and moving. And if you’re going to a much smaller living space, you may not have much room for family members who want to visit or occasionally spend the night.

So, as you can see, you’ll need to weigh a variety of financial, practical and emotional issues when deciding whether to downsize. And you will also want to communicate your thoughts to grown children or other family members who may someday have reason to be involved in your living space. In short, it’s a big decision — so give it the attention it deserves.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward

Jones, Member SIPC

Dog Days of Summer

DaysSummer

Ask an Expert: Home and Property Maintenance

BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT

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 August expert?

“Tyrel Middleton, Service Manager with AireServ Heating and Air Conditioning of Springfield/Branson.”

Why is my air conditioner not cooling my house below 80 degrees?

“Common issues that can prevent your air conditioning unit from properly cooling down your home may include a dirty air filter, a slow refrigerant leak, a blocked condensing unit, ducts leaking inside the home, or an undersized or older air conditioning unit. A great air conditioner is only going to be able to cool your home about 20 degrees cooler than the current outside temperature.”

Can you give our readers 10 tips to help cool

their homes during a heat wave?

“Sure! There are a few things homeowners can do that will save money, conserve energy and keep their homes a little cooler during extreme Summer temperatures.”

• Set the thermostat higher. In extreme temperatures it’s best to set your thermostat to 75-78 degrees (or higher) and learn to live with a little heat. It will reduce the stress on your system.

• Turn the fan switch to the “on” position. Turning your fan switch to the “on” position instead of leaving it on “auto” helps circulate the air in your home. This can also help with the temperature differences in 2 story homes. It will also use less energy.

• Keep shades closed on hot days. The natural shade of trees as well as closed curtains/ shades keep the home cooler. Shades or blinds closed on the sunny side of the house will help cool your home on really hot days.

• Close off unused rooms to conserve energy. Close the air vents in unused rooms or bathrooms. Close the doors in those rooms too. It will conserve energy and force the cool air to stay in the occupied areas of your home. This small effort can help lower the temperature

in your home by a few degrees.

• Using ceiling fans to keep cool. Ceiling fans cool the occupants, not the air. A ceiling fan (or floor fan) will move the air in your home and make you feel cooler. This enables you to set your thermostat higher so that your system doesn’t need to work as hard. You also want to make sure the fan’s blades are turning counterclockwise. This creates a breeze and circulates cool air downward.

• Avoid using appliances during extreme heat. Using the oven, stove, dishwasher or dryer on hot days will add heat into an already warm environment. Try to use those appliances when the outside temperatures are cooler. Think morning and evening, not mid-day when the heat is usually the most aggressive.

• Check your attic and garage insulation. Insulating materials work by reducing the heat flow throughout your home. The less insulation in your home, the more vulnerable it is to extreme temperatures.

• Hose down the HVAC unit. The evaporating water keeps the unit cool and working at its best. You can also set up a timed sprinkler or mister nearby that will not use too much water but will routinely wet the unit. This will avoid overheating.

• Properly maintain your air conditioning unit for maximum efficiency. Maintaining your air conditioning system will result in years of comfort in your home and should keep your utility bills more reasonable. We see a lot of system interruptions because the components are being stressed.

• Consider upgrading your air conditioning system. According to ENERGY.GOV, if your AC unit is older than 10 years old, you should think about replacing it. Although an air conditioner can last up to 20 years in a normal environment, it loses about 40% of its efficiency after 10 years. Newer technology can also save on cooling costs when upgrading.

Wow! Thanks for all the expert advice. Do you have any specials for our readers this month?

“You bet! If you mention this article we will give you a tune-up and safety inspection for only $59.00. That service is regularly $129.00. It’s a great deal for Lost on The Lake readers.

By: Christal Valbracht www.aireserv.com www.dryerventwizardspringfield.com

www.MrRooter.com

Lera Family Farm is wholesome fun with a little something for everyone. The farm is a family affair for Francisco and Deana Lera and their adult children.

The family is used to working together in their Romans 8 Ministry. This ministry provides opportunities for underserved youth

Lera FamilyFarm

in Mexico and the US. Their love of gathering people together led them to create a family environment where everyone could enjoy family time.

The farm features many small gathering spaces, including a space for worship, youth meetings, a large screen for family

cont. on page 36

friendly movies and music.

Each of the businesses located within the farm are owned and operated by the adult kids in the family. They include Wonderfully Made Boutique, Savory Sweets, Genesis Coffee Shop and Chubby Cactus Taco Shop. There is an awesome playground for kids to run off some energy, corn hole and other yard games for adults and a firepit.

Throughout the year they have special events, crafts, holiday happenings and more.

Lera Family Farm is located down the road from Silver Dollar City and is a fun stop for the whole family~

For days and hours of operation visit them on facebook at:

Lera Family Farm

Phone: 417-507-2375

8616 MO-76 Branson West

Email: lerafamilyfarm@gmail.com

Favorite Recipes with The

Rogue Chef

Bread Pudding Gone Rogue

Bourbon Caramel Cronuts Topped with Whiskey Anglaise

Time: 2 hours

Yield: 8-12 servings

Bread Pudding

• 1 Dozen Bourbon Caramel Cronuts

• 8 Eggs, Beaten

• 2 C Heavy Cream

• ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon

• ½ tsp Nutmeg

• 2 T Whiskey

Instructions

• Dice Cronuts into ¾ inch pieces (approximately)

• Put pieces in a mixing bowl

• Mix eggs, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and whiskey in a separate bowl

• Pour mixture over diced cronuts

• Mix thoroughly

• Let sit for about 20 minutes (cronuts will soak up the custard)

• Put mixture into a 9” x 13” greased pan

• Bake at 375° for 45 minutes

• Cut and serve hot, drizzle with Whiskey Anglaise

Whiskey Anglaise

• 4 Egg Yolks

• 1 C Heavy Cream

• 1 T Whiskey

• ½ C Sugar

• 1 Vanilla Bean

Whiskey Anglaise

• Put heavy cream in a saucepan

• Split the vanilla bean with the back of a knife

• Split and scrape the vanilla bean

• Put seeds into the saucepan with the heavy cream

• Cook on medium heat until scalded

• Separate the eggs

• Put the egg yolks into a small mixing bowl

• Add sugar and whiskey

• Stir until egg yolks become pale

• Temper the egg yolks by slowly adding the scalded cream, whisking constantly (if you add the eggs too fast, you will have scrambled eggs)

• Pour mixture into saucepan

• Put on medium to low heat and constantly stir with a spatula until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spatula

• Pour through a strainer into a storage container

• Cover container

• Refrigerate for 24 hours prior to serving

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

Johnson Family Reunion: Table Rock Lake

Photos & story By: Lori McGrath

Coming to Table Rock Lake is a part of our family DNA. In 1974 my Uncle Gene visited Happy Hollow Resort with a friend and that planted a seed that continues to grow to this day.

The following year, 1975, all of my Uncles and my grandfather started a yearly fishing trip to Table Rock Lake.

The years that followed would include one or a few families making vacation visits to TRL, always

staying at Happy Hollow Resort. This became our lake home away from home.

Then in 1986 all 6 siblings and their families planned a reunion trip to the lake. Happy Hollow was able to accomodate the group so we all traveled the 8 hour trip in a caravan of cars from Illinois and Indiana.

Although our family is now spread far and wide cont page 44

living in Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Louisiana, we still manage to see each other once a year during our family reunion tour. We are not always ALL together, but we are always at the Happy Hollow Resort.

Over the years we have visited many places around the lake. There are so many activities to experience when you aren’t fishing, swimming or boating. Of course my favorite spot is sitting on the back deck of the cabins or on the dock watching the beautiful lake. The nights are so quiet and peaceful, and the stars always shine so bright.

My absolute favorite thing about visiting TRL is seeing my family. We only get to see each other once a year, on this vacation, at this resort.

Being on vacation with such a large family (a whole resort full) brings so much fun and laughter. We have established traditions we keep up

with every year. In 1993 my father passed. So in 1994 we began a horseshoe tournament where the winner gets a trophy in his honor, We even attach their name to it, and its fun to look back at the winners over the years. There is also a biggest bass trophy and a kid’s fishing contest. TRL never disappoints in the fishing department.

I have many fun memories...when you share an entire resort with just one family things can get interesting. On any given night you might find a relative sleeping on your couch or barging into your cabin. We have had huge family cannonballs into the pool and we are always serving up pranks. You might find underwear in the freezer or end up locked in the pool bathroom. I’ve been know to even steal a cake out of my cousins cabin. Most of our best memories are just sitting around the resort (the pool, the dock, the fire pit) and catching up with family.

cont page 44

Over the years we have lost a few members of the first and second generation groups, but we have also added to our third generation group. To see the third generation be just as committed to this vacation time is such a blessing. We know they will carry on the tradition of this reunion no matter how far the trek might be to get there. In addition, there is confirmation of a fourth generation now!

It truly is priceless to watch the kids enjoy the vacations in the same way I did growing up.

Special thanks to Happy Hollow Resort for always hosting our family and making us feel at home on the lake!

www.happyhollowresort.com

Plan for their future and yours.

Yes, it is possible to put money aside for your child's education while still planning for retirement. Let's work together to help you figure out a plan. Call me today to get started.

Grant Beasley Financial Advisor

1 Lakeshore Drive Suite 1 P O Box 1373

Kimberling City, MO 65686 417-739-5575

What LiesBeneath ...

Stories About What Is Buried By Table Rock Lake © Tom Koob 2023

Camp Rock Haven

Late 1940’s photo courtesy of Tom Koob

L ong before Table Rock Lake, the White River was a vacation destination for thousands of people seeking hunting, fishing and relaxation in the bucolic Ozarks. Float fishing outfitters, resorts and camps sprung up all along the White and its tributaries. One of these was Camp Rock Haven on the James River at Cape Fair.

Lyle and Alma (Pat) Chamberlain purchased the Aurora Fishing Clubhouse in 1930. The Clubhouse was located on the

west bank of the James River across from Bear Den Hollow. The building was constructed around the turn of the century with lumber hauled from Aurora by horse and wagon.

The Chamberlains built several cabins and established Camp Rock Haven. They employed local river guides, kept about thirteen johnboats and catered to clients interested in float fishing. In 1934, the Aurora Clubhouse burned down and the

Chamberlains built a new home on the remaining foundation.

Lyle and Alma’s son Scotty lived and worked on the river for much of his younger life. As a boy he didn’t guide much, but was responsible for much of the equipment associated with the float service. He organized all the gear necessary for a day’s float. The commissary included boats, chairs, paddles, food, ice chests, cooking utensils, tents, cots and bedding. Scotty helped gather the gear, load the johnboats and transport the float clients to their put-in site.

As a youth, Scotty would shuttle anglers to and from the river in a 1½ ton Chevy longbed truck. The vehicle was a converted Coca-Cola truck with dual rear tires. Scotty learned early to navigate the rough river roads. The roads were not much more than trails, cleared down to ledgerock and graveled, often just one lane. Punctures were frequent on the flint strewn roads and Scotty became efficient at repairing flats on the rayon tires.

In the evening, many float anglers would return from the river to Camp Rock Haven. They would eat supper at the Rock Haven Cafe (later the Fisherman’s Hat Cafe) operated by Alma Chamberlain with the assistance of some of the float guides’ wives. During the winter, the Chamberlains would hold lively square dances at the camp.

Scotty’s work continued with cleaning, sorting and restocking the equipment for the next day’s float. Laundry at the camp was cleaned in an old wringer washer, hung out to dry and pressed in an “Ironrite”. For several years, the only electricity at Camp Rock Haven was supplied by a Delco gasoline-powered generator. The generator charged a bank of batteries which powered lights, refrigerators, pumps and equipment. Ozark Electric ran power to the area after World War II. The original well at Camp Rock Haven was a hand-dug well. Later, a mechanically drilled well was bored on the property.

Scotty Chamberlin tells of his life at Camp

Rock Haven: “I didn’t know anything else. I just thought everybody else had that, where you worked day and night. The minute you got up in the morning, like six o’clock in the morning, you were busy until midnight. I thought everybody lived that way.”

The Chamberlains developed a dependable business at Camp Rock Haven. They attracted and retained many satisfied customers who enjoyed the attractive riverside camp, the hospitality and the excellent river fishing.

In 1946, the Chamberlains purchased Crabtree Ford farm, a large parcel of land with 5½ miles of riverfront within a bend of the James River at Stallions Bluff. The old farm-to-market road crossed the river here, passed Stallions Bluff School and led to Shell Knob. They raised Whiteface and Black Angus cattle and brood sows on the property. The Chamberlains operated the farm and continued to run Camp Rock Haven. Crabtree Ford farm was deeded under a Chamberlain family corporation, Ozark Resorts, Inc. and sub-divided for future development as Hideaway.

Scotty did chores on the farm, trapped mink

along the river and worked at the resort. In 1948, Camp Rock Haven was expanded with a motel unit between the house and the cafe. In the post-war era, business picked up as more people traveled and became interested in the recreational opportunities of the Ozarks.

Float fishing flourished and then came the Table Rock project. In the mid-50s, the Corps of Engineers purchased all of Camp Rock Haven and 75% of Hideaway for $62,000. Lyle Chamberlain re-purchased some of the cabins at Rock Haven and moved them to Hideaway. The subdivided lots and 21 cabins became a lakeside development. Some of the cabins relocated to Hideaway were flooded when the lake filled prematurely in 1957, which necessitated moving some of them a second time to higher ground. One of the cabins moved became the home for Scotty and his wife Glenda for 43 years.

Scotty reminisces about his days on the river;

“After the lake came in, I fished a little bit, but I kind of lost the desire. It wasn’t quite like river fishing. The friendships you made with those kind of people (float clients) would just last the rest of your life.”

Camp Rock Haven was forever lost when the White River backed up behind Table Rock Dam. The water crept up the White, up the James, all the way to Cape Fair. What was left of Rock Haven succumbed to the rising tide. The business and the way of life the Chamberlains had created was buried by Table Rock Lake. A new resource and new resorts built along the reservoir would cater to a new generation of vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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

The Aurora Fishing Clubhouse

Photo Courtesy of Tom Koob

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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.