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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tenkiller Property.com Newsletter April 2007 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In This Issue -- Cookson SmokeHouse Changes Hands -- Vian Plans Red Fern Festival -- Tenkiller Property.com Welcomes Catherine Truitt -- Fishing Report -- Tenkiller Events -- Buying That Vacation or Retirement Home Lots of things are happening in the Lake Tenkiller area, and we would like to share a little of it with you. Thanks so much for being one of the 1200+ subscribers! We Love Lake Tenkiller!
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by Sharon Stratton Bob and Twiggy Pierce gave up the helm of the Cookson Smokehouse recently to Garold and Janet Richardson. The Pierces started the Smokehouse many years ago in the end of the Cookson General Store. In the late 80's Louie and I ate at the little café while visiting my in-laws before we moved here from Stillwater. |
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At that time Bob and Twiggie both were there every day working from early morn to late evening. After over two decades of that kind of work, anyone would be ready to retire. We wish them the best in their much deserved leisure time. Garold is a full-time pharmaceutical sales representative so Janet will be running the restaurant. She is currently finishing out a commitment to the Wagoner school system where she is a Licensed Professional Counselor, in addition to managing the Smokehouse. The couple currently own a home in Broken Arrow, but they have purchased a lot in Buckhorn Bluffs where they plan to eventually build. Janet began visiting the lake with her parents in 1973 while still in high school. She was "hooked" on Lake Tenkiller from the beginning and considers it home. Her mother, Letrice Sneed, lives in Cookson and is working closely with Janet in the restaurant. Janet tragically lost a son at the age of 19 several years ago and she has a daughter, Sarah, who is currently attending college on a baseball scholarship. The food industry is no stranger to Janet. She owned and operated the River Street Café in Broken Arrow for 1 ˝ years and ran a catering business for 5 years. While in Broken Arrow, she was approached by the QT Corporation to be a test kitchen for new food products. She consulted with them for six months. And I almost forgot to mention, back when the Smokehouse was in the Cookson store she worked for Bob and Twiggie and moved across the street when they built the new log building in the early 90's. At the time she was working on her master's degree. Most of you recall that the first log restaurant that the Pierces built was burned and it was rebuilt in 1996. It is decorated with a wildlife theme and a premier visiting destination for visitors. It has been featured nationally in Southern Living as well as numerous other magazines and newspapers. Janet has added a 40" TV for use in meetings or special game events. She has just prepared a new menu, although many of the long-time favorites will remain the same. She is planning to have lunch specials year round. All her employees will be required to attain their Food Handling Certificate from the state and she plans to be a hands-on owner. Janet is also emphasizing her eagerness to cater. Anyone interest in her catering your event should contact her. Janet and Letrice have been working very hard to make the Smokehouse continue to live up to its national reputation and they would like to invite everyone to drop by and meet them or say "hello" if you already know them. You will be made welcome the moment you walk in the door and will leave being glad you dropped by. For more information, call 457-4134.
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by Suzanne Sullivan/Betty Curtis Plans are beginning to take shape for the exciting celebration coming to Vian this summer during the same time as the Haraway Stampede and Wild West Show. Festival organizers selected the date of the third week of June to correspond with the rodeo, which already brings lots of out-of-town guests to the community. The festival is a result of the long-range plan completed by the community over a year ago in which participants made clear the desire to have an annual event which would celebrate our history and serve to unite the community. |
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"Lots of folks have already been working on the plans, but we want this festival to celebrate all of us" said Suzanne Sullivan, Coordinator of the Vian Tomorrow visioning process. "We will try to keep everyone updated on the plans as they develop, however we welcome suggestions,help, and financial support from anyone interested in helping in any way. The planning process is part of the fun. If you want to get involved, call 773-7362." Activities will include some great music, battle of the bands, Basketball dribbling contest, fiddling conetest, a dessert wagon , tractor show, wine tasting booth, a Mariachi Band, a pre-festival pageant and we will be taking nominations for festival King and Queen who will serve as Grand Marshalls for the festival parade on Thursday. There will also be an archery contest, fishing tournament and an exciting bank robbeeery re-enactment. A Home Run Derby and Alumni baseball game will be held at Armstrong Park on Sunday afternoon. Plans are also in the works for an Alumni softball game on Saturday, wagon rides, storytellers, a petting zoo for the kids, exhibits from the Fish and Wildlife Department, horseshoeing demonstration, branding and possibly a mule packing demonstration. The Girl Scouts are going to demonstrate the proper way to dispose of the flag with a flag burning ceremony. Hopefully there'll be something for everyone to enjoy. Mark your calendars for the 14-17 of June and make plans to be there!
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Tenkiller Property.com is pleased to announce Catherine Truitt has joined our firm as a sales associate. She will specialize in residential sales in the Lake Tenkiller area. "We are thrilled to have Catherine join our team" said George Harris, Broker. "It is an exciting time to be selling Lake Area property, as we increase our presence in the Lake Tenkiller area." Catherine was born and raised in Tulsa. She enjoyed years of fishing with her father and the beauty of our area lakes. After graduation from college she met the love of her life, Mark, and they married in 1984. Soon the two became six, pairing up two boys with two girls. The fun began as the youngest became mobile and the Truitts hit the lake. You can find them on the water boating, fishing, skiing and tubing when ever the weather permits. |
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After renting a cottage near the lake for several years, driving down every available weekend for peace and quiet, they bought a house and now reside on Lake Tenkiller full time. They enjoy supporting the Vian Wolverines during football and basketball season. Catherine and her family attend the Blackgum Baptist Church in Blackgum where she also enjoys the women's bible study during the week. Tenkiller Property.com is located at the junction of Hwy 82 & 100 promoting Lake Tenkiller property through their state-of-the-art office and award wining marketing campaigns.
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Got a Tenkiller Fishing or Hunting Picture? e mail it to me george@tenkillerproperty.com Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass being caught on crankbaits and spinners along the shoreline and in creek channels. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. |
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Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinners along riprap, brush structure and moss beds. Catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait on the mud flats. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 1-3 ft. in moss beds and in creek channels. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. Lower Illinois River: Trout fair. Stripers are becoming active in lower portion of the stream. Arkansas River at Webbers Falls (Below Lock & Dam 16)--White bass are excellent from mouth of the Illinois River all the way to Lock & Dam 16. Upper Illinois River: Heard from several sources that the sand bass are running up the river, fishermen going at it elbow to elbow in the Horseshoe Bend area.
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April 6 &7, Blackgum Community Building Garage Sale |
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:00 pm Vian Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Vian Lions Club Muskogee Azalea Festival runs through the month. On Easter weekend , the flowers should be in full bloom. Weather permitting. Looks like this year will be a good one to come out to the park with the family and enjoy the festivities. April 27, Blackgum Fire Department Bean Dinner at the Blackgum Community Building Coming sooner than we think! The Annual July 4, 2007 Lake Tenkiller Fireworks Display shot at the dam site. This is a State Centenial Event! Shannon Smith is already working hard to make it happen. If you would like to be a sponsor, or make a donation, contact Shannon at 918-489-5888 or e- mail lakenut36@yahoo.com. I am sure this display will be the biggest the lake has seen.
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Buying a vacation home that doubles as a future retirement home requires forethought and thorough investigation. Conventional wisdom tells us to first settle on a desired location and then look for the least expensive house in the best possible neighborhood. This is of course true, but buying a future retirement property demands additional consideration. Without a doubt, the purchase of a dual purposed home can be one of the most important and financial rewarding decisions a pre- retirement couple undertakes. Quite simply, the ultimate home buying decision comes down to establishing relatively conservative financial boundaries, drawing up a wish list and talking with us to help you find a home that will serve your needs now and in years to come. |
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Even prior to the financial planning phase, a vacation and future retirement home buyer should take a step back and make certain that there is 100% commitment. Ask yourself a few simple questions. First, is it possible that your financial position could materially change for the better or worse in the upcoming years? Have you decided on a location that requires a dramatic environmental change? What about relatives, does it matter that their next trip may require a flight instead of a drive? If you've answered 'yes' to any of these, it is time to set your financial parameters. When you are armed with your financial parameters and wish list it's time to e-mail or give us a call and see what's available. Almost 70% of home buyers leverage the internet to research properties so if you haven't already, it's time to start surfing the web by sarching out our new listings below. Simultaneously, you should be refining your financing plan by contacting a number of financial institutions and mortgage broker aggregators. Don't be bashful, comparative shop with at least two or three companies to ensure that you understand the various financing options and are being offered the best deal. Hope this helps you get started, and do not hesitate to call or e-mail one of our Lake Tenkiller Specialists! |
