I could use some help at the beach on Saturday if anyone is available.  I need two or three people that can help install the signs.  I'll have a post hole auger there but may need to get a little deeper by hand.  We'll be putting in 4 holes and then setting the signs.  They are large and heavy, probably too much for me by myself.  It should take less than two hours and there shouldn't be much sweat involved.  I just need some more hands.  Neither of my boys will be with me this weekend.  I'm going to say we'll meet at my place at 9 am but I am flexible.  Please email me at [email protected] or call me at 309-642-9297.  Thank you very much.  -Tom

I ordered the light unit to keep the geese off the beach.  That's it, I'm done spending.  I'll have a little more in the material to frame the signs, but that's it. 

This unit is expensive at $578 BUT, it's guaranteed to work.  Their normal guarantee is 90 days.  I negotiated that out to 6 months.  The cycle of the geese in nesting, having babies (goslings, right?), etc. has something to do with the results.  So I wanted to make sure we gave it ample time to work and could verify the results.  The cage around the unit is supposed to make it vandal and theft proof.  The manufacturer told me they've never had one stolen or damaged when using the cage (but that part is not guaranteed).  I'm crossing my fingers.

Let me summarize the science behind this as it was explained to me by the company representative.  You put the unit in the ground at the height of a goose.  It blinks once every two seconds.  Geese have eyelids but they are unable to hide their eyes when sleeping.  She said they were the only fowl who couldn't tuck their heads under their wings and sleep.  So they can't get away from the blinking, they think it could be a predator, and they just avoid the area day or night.  She said that if I was sleeping and had my eyes closed but someone was flashing a light in my face every 2 seconds, I would probably leave and go to the other room to sleep.  I told her I would and she said "so would the geese and then they just stay away".  And since their eyes are much more sensitive, it doesn't take as much of a nuisance light.  Good analogy I thought.  Worked on me.

Let me tell you why I thought it was worth spending the money on this.  It's mostly our little ones that are using the beach.  I've gotten MANY comments on how people would use the beach more if the geese droppings weren't there.  So I thought it was worth $578 to ensure our young ones didn't have to dig up droppings when building their sand castles.  If it works, and does for years, it will be more than worth it.  In addition, the money back guarantee will be exercised if it doesn't work.  I've got a reminder set up on my calendar for 1 week before the 6 month deadline.  If it's not working by then, it's going back.

You know that paddle boat you have that's been propped up against your tree or sitting in your yard for a few years and has less than a couple trips on it?  Here's your out.  Call Ed Wilson at 660-341-0228.  He's looking for an inexpensive paddle boat to take off your hands.  Just think, you won't have to listen to your better half remind you how it's taking up space and you never use it.  Call Ed and let his grandkids enjoy the lake even more!

Got a lot done for the beach project this weekend.  Where to start.......  Assembled all of the tables and bench for the beach.  My son, Antonio, helped quite a bit on that.  Then hauling them down there was a chore.  We picked one of the old wooden picnic tables and power washed it.  It was painted red by Maria.  That one is going to sit on the concrete pad above the beach.  Maria and I have donated a park type grill and will install it next to the concrete pad.  Unfortunately my oldest, Tommy, had to work and take care of one Bradley class that insisted on being held Friday.  He couldn't make it to the workfest.  That would have made my job easier.

While putting together the tables we heard the Wayland Fire Department was here tackling a brush fire.  One of our owners was burning some leaves and it jumped into the trees and soon there was a pretty good brush fire.  Wayland did a great job of containing everything.  They even brought a water tanker in and filled it from our lake.  If you every wonders what the white pipe was coming out of the ground on the dam, that's the lake water access for the fire department.  Worked like a charm.

Back to work, moved tables and worked on the sand the rest of the afternoon.  Was able to thrown a line in the water early evening and caught Crappie after Crappie.  They were fun.  Released them all back into the lake.  Good size fish.

Today, Sabe Goetz came down with their power auger (Thanks Chris and Sabe) to set me up with a few holes for mounting the bench and what will be the grill.  That saved my back, or at least Antonio's.  Mixed some concrete, set the bench next to the tree above the beach.  Gerald Poulter showed up with the power tree saw and trimmed the tree for me, thanks Geralds.

Came back, power washed the cabin for 3 hours.  My neighbor, Jamison, came over and said there was another brush fire by the burn pile next to the dumpsters.  Went and notified Gerald.  Bob Bergman, Antonio, Gerald and I battled the next blaze.  It was an easy one but on a steep hill.  Got that knocked down and then the rest of the evening was pretty peaceful.  Here are a bunch of photos from Friday and Saturday.

Lots of kayaks out today.  One pontoon out.   Many visitors.  Beach was active.  a few boats fishing.  Great day and an even nicer evening.  Unfortunately, 100% chance of rain tomorrow.  ��

Thanks to Donn Jones for sending these photos in to let me know the sand arrived today.  Unfortunately the heavy truck did some damage to the boat ramp asphalt.  That was in bad shape and now it's worse.  We'll think of something.  But did you hear me say the sand was in?  I think it was two 20 ton loads.  That was the game plan.

The weather cooperated enough to make is a nice weekend.  Hit the upper 50's on Sat. and the low 60's on Sunday.  Here's a shot with NO ice on the lake.

Concerning the beach project, as I get paid invoices on the items purchase, I
will be posting them.  You can see them at the bottom of the "Donors"
page.  I want everyone to know how their donation was utilized.  Thank
you for your trust and THANK YOU for your donation.  -Tom

Moving on the beach project.  The picnic tables and the bench arrived today from the manufacturer in Oklahoma.  Now I just need figure out if they'll fit on my trailer in order to get them to the lake.  Hope there's some instructions somewhere in all of that cardboard.