BLACK WALNUTS ARE TOUGH  I was thrilled when I discovered three large walnut trees on the property we bought in Shell Knob, Missouri.  A walnut tree was highly valued in Indiana, our previous home. Being a 'City Girl' before coming here, I was not  familiar with harvesting the black walnut.  I gleefully picked up these green balls that fell from our trees, mentally adding up the pounds of nuts I could squirrel away (sorry couldn't resist) for holiday baking. So I had all these paper grocery bags filled with the walnut balls- what now?  Tried to get the outer green casing off.  It fought me all the way, but finally got to  the nut shell inside with hands that had turned brown.  So I learned where we get walnut stain for our furniture!  My husband offered to help.  We spread all the waln... 10/12/2007

OZARKS STYLE STORYTELLUNRoaring River State Park near Shell Knob, will host an evening of storytelling, Saturday, October 13, in the park's amphitheater. A program of Ozark legends, tales of the supernatural and folklore, will be told by storytellers Champ Herren and Todd Wilkinson.  They will tell you what's 'Hidin' in the Haw Bushes," based on the writings of Vance Randolph and other noted local folklorists.Herren and Wilkinson will detail the unique history and culture of the Ozarks region through superstition, customs, tales and legends, as well as a good bit of local humor.The event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and begins at 7 p.m.  It is free and open to the public.   For additional area real estate information Call Joan: 888-823-4125  10/12/2007

 Corps Establishes Marina Flotation Policy  The Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has established a policy regarding flotation material for marina and resort boat docks on its waters. Little Rock District lakes with commercial marinas or resort docks that fall under the policy include area lakes Table Rock, Beaver, and Bull Shoals. The district will require a gradual transition to encapsulated material to promote “more environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing, and safe” facilities for the public. This new standard makes the requirements for commercial docks the same as it has been for private docks for the past 14 years. Under the new policy, all new commercial docks will be required to use encapsulated foam. Existing docks, flotation materials are required to be replac... 10/09/2007

Morphing Waterfront Not an Ocean Tide  You might have a water front where the water rises and/or receds if you live on a lake that was created by a dam, such as Table Rock Lake in Shell Knob, Missouri. It is a novel experience for many new residents.  This is not created by a tide.  It relates to water use. Most lakes of this type have been created to make electricity.  The dams can be private and owned by a power supplier,  but the majority of the large dams are under the supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers and government regulated. The water fluctuation can have an effect on  fish, especially during spawn season in the spring.  Rapidly rising water requires dock owners to be alert and able to tighten cables on the docks to keep the dock and boats secure.  The reverse is true wh... 10/08/2007

 As a REALTOR in Shell Knob, Missouri, part of my job is to educate you on how to get the best lake property  for you and your family.             Most people who inquire about buying on Table Rock Lake, are unfamiliar with what makes a particular piece of land a good or bad location.  It is often a big surprise that you cannot have a boat dock in front of your home.  Other lakes you've been to allow docks, why not on Table Rock?You might be seeking a fabulous view - maybe a Bluff lot would be good for you.  Perhaps being able to walk down to the water and fish with the kids or grandkids is a priority.  Then a bluff would not be filling that need.Finding the lot you want, at the price you want to pay, is a good first step.  Next we deal with:Corps of Engineers RegulationsFind the "Take ... 10/05/2007

Shell Knob, MO Fishing ReportTable Rock Lake's water temperature is slowly cooling. Daytime temps still in the high 80's,  and staying above 60 at night leaves the water temp in the high 70's.  Water level is 911'.Bass fishing is picking up just in time for Shell Knob's  Homer Sloan Buddy Bass Tournament to be held this Saturday, October 6. Fish will be found in several different locations, therefore different types of lures will be needed.  Tom Koob, Shell Knob resident fishing expert, reports having had bass last week on topwaters, crankbaits and soft plastic jerkbaits. There were fish in the backs of coves, around points and on main lake flats.  Carolina rigs and jigs are also working well at medium depths. The water is finally starting to cool .  Fish are moving around a lot and are... 10/04/2007

Is It Worth Switching  Light Bulbs?I  have to confess, I don't have a single 13-Watt Mini-Twist CLF Light Bulb in my Shell Knob, Missouri  home.   I admit to being a little behind in getting into this 'green' thing.  I am seriously thinking about it and meant to put them on my shopping list last week, but my question is: Do they really impact your electric bill so you see a big difference? Would someone who has made the change-over tell me that they noticed a change in what they were paying for their electricity? Perhaps this is the wrong season to ask this, after all, we all use more power in summer cooling needs.  Daylight is changing now, and so will our use of lighting.  Can anyone tell me that it helped their pocket book to make the light bulb change?  10/03/2007

 There hasn't been a fishing report for several weeks, because it has been hot for too long.  Water temperature yesterday was still 81 degrees on Table Rock Lake at Shell Knob, MO.  When you can still see swimmers and water skiing, it's too warm to catch any good fish.  The fish are staying deep.  Our fish-finder found fish yesterday, gobs of them - all at  100'.  Hopefully, with the daylight shorter and temperatures finally dipping below 60 some nights, the Bass will soon transition from summer to fall patterns. Of course, you can still catch panfish like bluegills, and in these temps some catfish continue to bite.  As the water continues to cool, fish will move toward the backs of coves where gamefish are looking for an easy meal.  Don't despair - Fall Fishing Tournaments will soon be... 09/29/2007

 WHAT'S A TAKE LINE?   Walking waterfront acreage with clients yesterday in Shell Knob, reminded me that I need to buy a compass or train my dog to always point north.  It doesn't take long  in heavy woods to lose your direction, especially when you zig zag in an attempt to avoid the briar patches. We were also looking for some markers that the Army Corps of Engineers post to alert you to where their 'Invisible Line', commonly called a 'Take-Line', is located on this particular tract of land.  "What is this line, and why do they have it," is a common question from newcomers.  This line has been provided from a survey which requires that property that is 937' sea level , and under, not be built upon, to remain above a flood if the dam were to break.The 'Take Line' as locals call it, vari... 09/27/2007

 When 911 service finally came to small town Missouri, residents were allowed to submit potential street names for their roads, with some amusing results.  Many small towns have the usual streets running east-west named after trees: Oak, Maple, etc.  And with the north-south roads given names after States: Illinois, Texas, Michigan, etc.  Those grid type names didn't fit in the Ozark's hills.  They went for more originality.  The numbers aren't in yet, as to whether these addresses would be an asset or not for resales in Shell Knob.   Would you want to live on STONER DRIVE? TICK MOUNTAINCHIGGER HILLCOPPERHEAD TRAILCRAPPIE DRIVEGOGGLEEYEBOO BOO LANEAnd last but not leastNOTAROAD  09/24/2007

   There is an area in the vicinity of Shell Knob, MO, called Owens Bend.  You won't find it on a map, but it could be likened to an old fashioned neighborhood.  A neighborhood that spreads for more than 15 miles in a couple of directions. It spreads out because there are hundreds of acres of the Mark Twain National Forest to travel through to get there.  Then there is Table Rock Lake winding around coves and peninsulas, which causes dead-end streets and lanes.   Owens Bend is a unique area, both for the landscape and the people, because it is not a particularly convenient place to live.  Residents may have to drive for 20 minutes to get into Shell Knob for their shopping or errands, and as a result people who settle here tend to be lovers of their peace and quiet - maybe a bit more ind... 09/18/2007

Shell Knob, MO Garden Delight It hasn't turned cold yet here in the Ozarks, but there is wonderful cool, dry air here today.  A real treat after the unending humid 100 degree spell we had in July.   That heat wave caused my tomatoes to halt producing a good second batch, so I pulled my garden early this year.  If some of you are doing the same, or thinking that the time of the first frost is not too far off, there is a delicious way to use up your green tomatoes.... make CAKE - or a loaf of bread (never understood calling a sweet cake type recipe a 'bread'.)  Gather and quarter your green tomatoes, grind in a food processor.  Freeze in two cup portions, or use immediately.  Use a Pumpkin Bread recipe or your favorite Zucchini Bread recipe, but substitute the ground green tomatoes.   Eas... 09/14/2007

  A few months ago I shared a recipie, if you will, on how to get a dirty looking dishwasher sparkling again.  Many of us have had older homes for sale, where we cringed when a buyer would peek inside.  Well here I was - your favorite Shell Knob Realtor - with a dingy looking dishwasher today - so I took my own advice and removed all the lime and calcium build up with a magic potion. Are you ready for the quick fix?  Get 6 pkg of sugar free lemonade mix, put it in the dishwasher where you would normally put the soap, run on short cycle and  VOILA you have a squeaky clean machine!  Costs you maybe a dollar?  09/13/2007

INTERESTING NUMBERSAugust 2007 may reflect a change of season for  REAL ESTATE  in the Tr-i Lakes Multiple Listing area, which includes Shell Knob.  It can be summed up easily - less homes were sold this year in August , than last - in the same month, but both listing and sale prices were higher. This August there were 143 houses closed, compared to 166 in August of 2006.  The Listing price average this year was $191,524.  This figure is almost $30,000 higher than the list price in the same month in 2006 or $162,630.Likewise, the selling prices were $184,702 in August 2007, versus $155,710 in 2006.  The list to sell percentage was nearly identical for both years - 96.3 and 96.4.  This August also reflected more days on the market at 116, with 2006 averaging 97 days on the market.  For a... 09/11/2007

NEWEST FLORIST    Becky Caddell opened her tropical greenhouse this year on the north side of Shell Knob, MO.  She calls it FARMERS' DAUGHTER FLORAL & GREENHOUSE.  The building (a cozy looking log cabin) may be new, but Becky brings many years of floral experience to her business.  This business is needed , as it opens at a time when Shell Knob has lost two other florists.  It is a full service florist for weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, parties or ..... just because.  She is a member of Teleflora Floral Service. The Tropical greenhouse has plants for home, deck and patio.  Specializing in the unusual, Becky has new plants arriving all the time and there is something for every level of gardener. To find the shop, take Hwy 39 to the north edge of town, turn at the Sinclair ... 09/10/2007

MAY I, PLEASE, and THANK YOUTwo errands took me away from Shell Knob, MO yesterday.  I needed to renew my Driver's License, and buy a new cell phone.  Neither of these transactions left me impressed with the people I encountered.  They did however stir me to ponder how professional was  I to my real estate clients.?Of course, I know I'm old school on business practices (women could not wear slacks when Century 21 was first started), but any high school grad was taught to look neat, dress appropriately, take it easy on make-up, and to be polite and courteous to customers.                                                          At the Motor Vehicle License office there were two young women taking care of business (small town).  One seemed to be ignoring the woman sitting at her desk, and... 09/08/2007

HERE KITTY KITTY?Checking out properties for a real estate client near Shell Knob, MO by the Mark Twain National Forest, I was surprised to see a very large cat cross the road in front of me. I knew it wasn't a domestic cat, but didn't want to trust by eyes alone, so sought out a lady who lives on several acres in the area. She confirmed that I had indeed seen a young mountain lion. This may be no big deal to people from states that have a mountain lion population, but we are told that there AREN'T any mountain lions in Missouri. So I was excited to see one.  Just as we are told there are few if any black bears here (I saw 3). My friend related that she had seen the female this spring with two kits. The big cat appeared to be close to 160 pounds - well fed on local deer, and was no trou... 09/08/2007

28th BUDDY BASS EVENT The Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will hold the 28th annual Homer Sloan Buddy Bass Tournament on Table Rock Lake on Saturday, October 6. This is one of the longest, continuously held tournaments held on the lake and attracts anglers because of its professionalism and fun.    Fishermen can enter any time up to the day of the event take-off time of 7:30 am.  Take-offs will be held at both Campbell Point and Kings River Marinas.  Weigh-in will be at Campbell Point.  09/07/2007

8 LESS FATALITIES IN MISSOURI Last week I  discussed  the Talking Urinals that Missouri was using in popular bars to try to stop drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel over the Labor Day Holiday.   I don't think there were any set up this way in Shell Knob.  There are no actual bars here, however, the question is:   Did this tactic work?  According to a news release, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 10 fatalities during the holiday.  Last year there were 18 fatalities.  Sounds like an improvement, right? Well, maybe yes - maybe no.  Troopers made 186 arrests for driving while intoxicated in 2007, compared to 172 arrests last year.  09/07/2007

CELL QUESTIONS IN SHELL KNOB, MO - NEED ANSWERS Red phones, silver phones,  cameras, video, GPS ............ my head is spinning and my eyes are crossed as I try to learn about all the new technology and attempt  to decide what would be  my best choice to replace my current phone. I've had excellent service for almost four years from Alltel, and in my rural circumstances, with Ozark hills and rock mountains around Shell Knob, MO to interrupt cell calls, that is saying something.   However - in my research I have found that the reason you get the XYZ phone for nothing more than signing up for 2 more years, is that the Free Phone is already two years old.  It may still be new, but it is a model that was released in '04 or '05.   I would sure appreciate knowing how important it is to other... 09/05/2007