Remember: This Is the Season Of Giving

(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson/Released)

(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson/Released)

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a frantic one.

The hustle and bustle in stores, along with traffic, can make for a holiday headache that many of us want to avoid.

It’s always important to slow down and remember that this is, in fact, a special season of giving. It’s more than presents under the tree. It’s more than making cookies, cakes, and other delectable treats — although that’s certainly fun!

We wanted to share this story from LakeNewsOnline as a reminder of the importance of giving. And it’s just nice to read some good news for a change!

The School of Osage hosted a district-wide holiday food drive and ended up raising more than 4,000 items. These items will be able to feed 25 families during the Christmas break.

This is such a hopeful sign that the spirit of giving is alive and well. How can you help your neighbors, family, or even strangers this holiday season?

If you know of any local food (or other) drives going on in December, please share in the comments!

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New Vacation Rental: Harbour Towne Condo

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  • Sleeps: 8
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 2
What a stunning condo! This unit at Harbour Towne has everything that you’ll want for your stay at the Lake! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, access to 2 pools, tennis court, playground and club house. Best part is the 7.5 mile views of the Lake from this condo unit. Just breath-taking! This corner condo is a third story unit – but just a flight of steps up from parking lot. Best of all you are just MINUTES from all the ATTRACTIONS at the Lake. Doesn’t get any better than this!

Upon entering the condo, you are taken in by the professionally decorated property that makes you feel right at home. Your eyes are instantly then drawn to the outside deck and lake views – but let’s review the interior of the property first.

The owners have done a wonderful job preparing their home and have provided all of the comforts and amenities for a home away from home getaway. Through the entry is an open floor planned Living Room, Dining Area, and Kitchen. The living room is spacious with its queen size sofa sleeper and loveseat that overlooks the lake and wood burning fireplace. Don’t forget that you have access to cable TV, a DVD player and a Bose stereo system in the condo. The dining area is beautifully set up for four with its rattan seating. Plus additional seating is available for two at the nearby breakfast bar. Every cook will find that the kitchen is amazingly organized and quite functional. The owner even stocks the home with basic cooking supplies in the pantry. And if you need more storage space there is a laundry room off the kitchen hallway for your coolers and water toys.

Then just off the living room is the spacious lakefront master suite. It is supplied with a king size bed, a 19 inch flat screen TV and an amazing lake front view through the unobstructed slider doors to the porch. The master bath is also large with a great double vanity and full size shower tub combination with slider doors. The second and third bedrooms are just off the dining and kitchen hallway. The third bedroom is set up with twin size beds – perfect for the kids. And the spacious second bedroom is set up with a beautiful queen size bedroom set. Both bedrooms share access to the full size bath with a shower tub combo that is accessible off the hallway and also from the second bedroom.

This condo takes in a spectacular view of the lake from the balcony porch (owner claims it is the best view in the complex!) This outside area is set up with glass top seating for four, plus two Adirondack chairs with foot stools and a gas grill. You’ll certainly pass the hours away on the porch just watching the passing boaters, entertaining and grilling your favorite foods. And don’t forget about enjoying the complex’s two pools (one is right next door to this condo building), the clubhouse, tennis court and children’s playground. And as an FYI – the clubhouse has free internet access from the poolside. So bring your laptop and work while you swim!

Guests will certainly enjoy the complex’s large docks for fishing and swimming (lots of ladders located on the complex for water access.) Plan to bring your boat and rent a slip space from any one of the nearby marinas. And you’ll appreciate and enjoy the mature and manicured landscaping through the complex. Take time to stroll along the shoreline pathways and enjoy the lake views any one of the park benches along the pathways. What a peaceful vacation destination at the Lake. It just couldn’t be more perfect!

The spacious 1,223 square foot vacation rental is available year around and features central heating/air, cable TV, DVD, ceiling fans, all bedding, dish towels and iron. The kitchen is fully furnished and includes a dishwasher, range, microwave, refrigerator, ice-maker. Other features include a complete laundry room, trash service and one assigned parking space in front of the condo building. Additional parking is available by the pool and within easy walking distance to the condo. And with prior arrangements, you can even store your boat trailer and the condo complex trailer parking area.

If you want to be close to all the Lake attractions, this condo is the place to stay, whether by water or land! You are just 5 MINUTES from everything – golf, groceries, restaurants and convenience stores and Bagnell Dam. You’ll enjoy east water access to several boat up restaurants in the immediate area. And it is an easy 15 minute drive to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Premium Outlet Mall, Big Surf Water Park. Plus with quick access to Highway 54, you can get easily get to Bridal Cave and Ha Ha Tonka State Park within 30 minutes.

Properties are furnished for normal housekeeping with dishes, cookware, flatware, glasses, grills, and basic appliances. Sofa sleepers are recommended for children’s use only. We are also pleased to provide bed linens, bath towels, and a starter packet of detergents, bath soaps, trash bags and paper products (toilet paper and paper towels). Guests should bring replacements for these starter packet items, your own beach towels, soaps, personal toiletries, coolers, cleaning supplies, camera, life jackets, etc.

This Weekend At the Lake of the Ozarks

Are you staying with us this weekend or know a friend or relative who is?

Here are some of the must-attend events worth checking out!

63rd Annual Dogwood Festival, April 18-20: Fun for the family, featuring, among other activities: crafts; pageants; food; entertainment; a parade; a golf tournament; a fish fry; and a carnival. Please visit the website for details, locations and schedules. Get more details here.

In-Water Boat Show, April 19-21: The In-Water Boat Show, sponsored by the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association, allows you to see a variety of boats, including new cruisers, performance boats, runabouts, and personal watercraft. The show is held at Dog Days Bar and Grill; 19 mile-marker by water. Get more details here.

Big Bass Bash Fishing Tournament, April 20-21: The Big Bass Bash on the Lake of the Ozarks has grown to become one of the Midwest’s largest amateur bass fishing tournaments. More than $150,000 in cash prizes, including a grand prize of $41,500 to the angler who hauls in the heaviest bass of the weekend. More information here.

Lake of the Ozarks: Travel Headlines You Might Have Missed

Hopefully the hottest of the summer weather is over!  Whether you’ve already gone on a vacation this summer or are planning one, here are some tips to help you out.

Airlines get more bag fees despite fewer travelers Associated Press

Military families get free entry into national parks – Active Travel on MSNBC.com

The USA’s best free attractions – USA Today Travel

Use caution if you drive in extreme heat – CNN Travel

21 tips to help you pack for a trip – Travellerspoint

Why Travelers Choose Vacation Rentals – Travel News Gazette

Inside Look: Clearwater Bay Condo

Wonderful Condo Complex with an Unobstructed View of the Lake. Great for Couples or Small Families and Close Attraction Access.

Very clean and spacious second tier 2 bedroom condo within the Clearwater Bay Condominium complex. This condo unit is ideal for couples and small families. Enjoy not one but two community pools! You’ll spend a great deal of your time on the screened in porch just taking in the Lake’s water views – no docks to block your view and no boat noise late at night. This unit is perfect!

This condo unit is just eight steps down from the large open parking lot. You’ll enter into the tastefully decorated open floor plan and will immediately be drawn to the amazing view of the Lake beyond. Just off to the right of the entry is the quite functional u-shaped kitchen and breakfast bar.

Read more…

Sleep: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2