Spring Activities at Lake of the Ozarks MO

WOW! Is the Lake of the Ozarks ever busy?!?! Folks are coming down to catch a glimpse of the dogwoods peaking out and the red buds are absolutely gorgeous! Warm temperatures will stay with us through out the week. :)

Hungry? The Lake of the Ozarks' Best restaurants will compete for bragging rights at tomorrow's second annual Taste of the Lake. Come taste -appetizers, entries, desserts and vote for your favorites! Jump in your car and head for the Lake's Inn at Grand Glaize, where the competition will be heating up from 11AM until 3PM. $10 per adult. YES! We have a guestroom waiting for you. The Inn at Harbour Ridge's tasting competition will be Monday morning when we turn up the heat INN the kitchen and serve you a fabulous French Toast with a praline sauce, poached pear in red wine, and some of our own Lake water breakfast juice! Come enjoy all the tastes the Lake has to offer!

Next weekend is the 60th Annual Dogwood Festival in nearby Camdenton. The parade on Saturday will have at least 100 units; there's a carnival, dinner theatres, crafts, pageants....great fun! AND you guessed it -- our beautiful dogwoods will be in full bloom. Check out the Festival's schedule of events at Camdenton Chamber Dogwood Festival. Hurry and make your reservation at the Inn now, too!




The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association is gearing up for their annual April In-Water Boat Show. This year's boat show will be held at Dog Days Bar & Brill at the 19MM, Friday through Sunday, April 16th through the 19th. Come see everything from personal watercraft to cruisers, run-abouts, ski boats and luxury yachts. In addition to new watercraft, this year's show will also include brokered watercraft from many of the lake area marine dealers. It's going to be a great show with expanded hours - until 9PM on both Friday and Saturday nights. 10AM till 4PM on Sunday. Admission is only $5.00 per adult. For more information visit In Water Boat Show

And if that isn't enuf, the Street Meet is April 30th through May 2nd. The Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals is a unique show for all makes, models and years of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. 854 vehicles registered last year and organizers expect to break that record in 2010. The Bagnell Dam Strip at Lake of the Ozarks, MO will be closed to normal traffic during show hours. This creates an absolutely amazing street party atmosphere - kind of like being on the set of "American Graffiti!" Check it out at Magic Dragon Street Meet Don't forget to make your reservation at the Inn at Harbour Ridge Bed and Breakfast.Gosh, we're giving away FREE ROOMS that weekend - for your Street Meet entry, that is!

See ya at the Lake, a great place to be any time of the year! Come rest & relax; then leave with happy hearts!
The Inn at Harbour Ridge
Your Osage Beach Luxury Bed and Breakfast
at the Lake of the Ozarks MO

Earth Hour 2010

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 8:30 p.m. local time, I am taking part in Earth Hour—an event led by World Wildlife Fund in which millions of people around the world will unite by turning out their lights for one hour to make a bold statement of concern about our planet and climate change.

Earth Hour started three years ago in Sydney, Australia and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Nearly one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents participated last year and, with your help, Earth Hour 2010 can be even bigger.

During Earth Hour, international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and Great Pyramids have gone dark alongside the city skylines of Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv and more. To see it for yourself, check out this video: www.myearthhour.org/earth-hour-video.

But Earth Hour isn’t just for national landmarks and big cities—anyone can participate, whether it be individuals like you and me or schools, businesses, organizations, and our state and local governments. I hope you will join me for this amazing event and help send a message that the time for action on climate change is now. To sign up and start spreading the word, visit www. EarthHour.org.

Tonight it may be just you and me in the dark, but NEXT YEAR!!! Tonight we shut off our lights; NEXT YEAR OUR MESSAGE BECOMES STRONGER! By working together, each of us can make a positive impact in the fight against climate change. And for NEXT YEAR'S EARTH DAY let's have big bold plans in place ~ to make a difference.

Let's make a list of all the things we can do in the dark!!! Reporting live and in the dark from the Inn at Harbour Ridge.

. . . a candle light dinner party. . .
a candle light dessert tasting. . .
quiet time to think about how our world is changing. . .
a chance to look at the stars. . .
an opportunity to see darkness on the horizon.

Reviews Like This Make an Innkeeper's Day!

CUSTOMER SERVICE....satisfying the customer....we talked alot about that back when I was a Banker. Seems like these days it's hard to find. Pleasing the guest...that's what I'm all about as the innkeeper/owner of a bed and breakfast lodging property located at the Lake of the Ozarks. I want people to go "WOW!" when they walk in the front door of the Inn at Harbour Ridge or enter their guestroom or sit down at our breakfast table. I want my guests to be comfortable at the Inn and yes, I want them to let their hair down and play!

Sometimes it's difficult to please guests; much less pleasantly surprise them. That's my goal!
AND I know it can be hard to keep the 'WOW' factor in a relationship when the world is pulling me in so many directions it makes me dizzy (ier)....So Ron and I try to give our guests what we think they want in a bed and breakfast experience, and 'permission to play' and act goofy and romantic like in the old days....Often times, the stage we set works...wonders! Ron and I call it 'happy hearts.'

With the onslaught of Social Media, our guests can talk their experiences at the Inn at Harbour Ridge and even about us (!!) on Facebook, Twitter, Google Reviews...and probably some places I don't even know about! BedandBreakfast.com, BnBFinder.com, iLoveInns.com --- all major bed and breakfast directories that post reviews from B & B guests, as does Trip Advisor. Ron and I encourage you to check out our on-line reputation. I'd like to share this recent review from Trip Advisor with you; it's entitled "a relaxed and romantic getaway.”

Inn at Harbour Ridge Bed & Breakfast; Osage Beach, MO
Sue and Ron, the proprietors, welcomed us and made us feel at home. The home is beautiful. Our room was more than expected. Sue has several little touches left all over the house, from books and movies, to romantic games in the room. Our room looked out on the garden with lots of birdhouses. The back path leads to a gazebo with a waterfall and because the way the house is built on a slope, you are literally in the treetops. I have never slept in such a comfortable bed in my life! They layer the bed with feather beds and really nice sheets. You sink into it and the pillows are amazing as well. No shortage of pillows exist in the room, nor towels. They leave enough towels that you won't run short!Finally, breakfast is amazing. The food was fabulous and I need the recipe for the fruitini. We were served french toast and sausage, warm maple syrup, a "grape goulash", apple juice in a brandy decanter and homemade cheese cherry danish. Not to mention the coffee with a hint of cinnamon. The only bad thing was we couldn't stay longer. We will go back and next time, we will stay for several days. Thank you!

I guess you can tell this review made my day! In my management reply to this guest, I promised more information about the fruitini. Here's the secret ingredient ~ presentation. It's all in the presentation, my dear! Here at the Inn we serve our fruitinis in martini glasses, of course! This isn't the grape goulash recipe you enjoyed when you visited us, but another fun recipe your family will rave about! I think it's absolutely sinful!!!

Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on your dessert plate first. To build your fruitini, make mousse - white chocolate is my favorite but chocolate fudge is fun, too. (1 box instant pudding, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup heavy cream. Beat well and chill.) Stem and slice fresh strawberries and macerate (fancy word for soak) them overnight in a little powdered sugar and more Chambord or Grand Marnier. I like to add sliced bananans and sometimes blueberries, too. How about some pomegranate seeds too? Then add a dollap of the mousse on top. Enjoy! A beautiful fruit cup or dessert. Life is short so sometimes you should have dessert for breakfast! E-mail me and I'll send the grape goulash recipe.

Happy Hearts!
Sue

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!

Greetings from the South! Ron and I are in Austin, Texas for the Professional Association of International Innkeepers Conference. After arriving without a single hitch, we spent many, many minutes looking for Rudy's BBQ....the many wrong turns and turnabouts in this amazing city of one way streets were definitely worth the frustration....Our greeter announced us as 'rookies,' which triggered bells clanging and much shouting. The best part . . . was the sampling of all the meats AND creamed corn to die for!!!! We felt right at home since they also had St. Louis pork ribs on the menu...sliced smoked turkey, brisket and loin sold by the half pound,too. Here's about 6 slices of white bread ~ you build your own sandwich. Our 'fine china' was butcher paper! Help yourselves to iced down bottled beer/soda from an old fashioned trough used as a beer box. Pickles, onions and BBQ sauce ----ummmm good. What a funn place! Wish the Lake of the Ozarks had a Rudy's Country Store! We hope to share Rudy's with the other Missouri innkeepers as they arrive in Austin and we all hook up!Four days of intense workshops with four days of fun with innkeepers coming from near and far. We're proud to be Missouri innkeepers and members of PAII!

WHA S UP AT THE LAKE?

WHA S UP AT THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS? Although it seems like the middle of winter, there's still plenty happening at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks! Polar Bears plunge.…Liverpool Legends return.…Brides take a stroll and gospel lovers gather.

TAKE THE PLUNGE! On Saturday, Feb. 27, the 15th annual Polar Plunge guarantees colorful and heartwarming stories as crazily costumed participants plunge into the frigid waters of the Lake of the Ozarks to raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri. 600 Plungers are expected. The participants with the most original costume will win the coveted Golden Plunger Award. Some recent costumes have included the Three Little Pigs, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Energizer Bunny, Blues Brothers, plus penguins and pirates and there are always one or more Elvises (or is that Elvi?). Registration starts at 12 noon and the plunging will begin at 2:30 p.m. For more info please visit www.somo.org/lozplunge.

MEET THE BEATLES--AGAIN! There's a reason Liverpool Legends is considered the BEST Beatles tribute band in the world—because it is! Don’t miss the return engagement of Liverpool Legends for two unforgettable shows: 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6, at the Main Street Music Hall. Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, personally selected these John, Paul, George and Ringo look-alikes, play-alikes and sound-alikes. It’s almost like seeing the real thing! Tickets: $25 for adults. The Inn at Harbour Ridge has special Liverpool Legend weekend packages available. Call 877-744-6020.
A PAIR O’PARADES AT THE O’LAKE OF THE O’ZARKS … On Saturday, March 13, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by lake or land! At 11:30 a.m., watch colorfully decorated boats create a unique lineup down the Gravois Arm during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Water. Then, at 1:00 p.m., head over to the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip for the 26th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sponsored by the Bagnell Dam Strip Association, featuring more than 100 floats.

DO THE STROLL. … More than 1,200 weddings take place at the Lake of the Ozarks every year. To help all those brides have the most marvelous and memorable wedding, the Lake of the Ozarks Wedding Association presents its second Lake of the Ozarks Biannual Bridal Stroll, Sunday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's going to be a fun and exciting event for the bride and up to two guests, who will be chauffeured in a tour bus around the Lake…sampling fabulous food and wine, and visiting with caterers, photographers, florists, jewelers, cake designers, DJs and other wedding-related vendors. Also included are an hour-long Lake cruise PLUS the chance to win fabulous prizes! Just $25 per person. See www.lotowa.com for details. The Inn is a charter member of the Lake Wedding Association, recommending it members to their brides.

HEAR SOUTHERN GOSPEL'S BEST. … Southern Gospel music reaches deep into your soul and gets you up on your feet. Discover its power at the 12th annual Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing, March 25-27, featuring legendary acts including the Perry’s, the Ball Brothers, the Dove Brothers, Higher Power Quartet, the Martins, the Booth Brothers and the Lesters. 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. at the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach; $12-$16 for single tickets, $50-$65 for all four shows. For info: www.greatlakeoftheozarksgospelsing.com.

TRY THE TRAIL! That's the golf trail at the lake and its 14 courses. The Inn at Harbour Ridge will book your Golf-A-Round package for you.Sign up for the golf council's newsletter at www.golfatthelake.net.

For your convenience, you may download an electronic version of this article. Simply go to www.funlake.com. At the bottom of the home page, click on Professional Media to access this article and other Lake of the Ozarks news.

A Love Story at the Inn

This past weekend we expected to have lots of Valentine's romance. Our true love story came out Monday morning at the breakfast table. Pam and Steve were at the Inn to celebrate their first anniversary, which was February 14th. Turns out Pam had a crush on Steve when she was a freshman and he a junior in high school...Steve actually helped coach this little gal in track and thought she was a sweetie pie even back then

Pam's family moved away; the high school kids grew up, married different people, had happiness and sadness in their lives. Steve enters the picture again many years later, after tragically losing two wives. Pam's husband has passed away and Steve, as a fellow Mason, is telling Pam if she needs help to call...She's a lovely independentlady and didn't....

Time passes...Steve puts a new roof on one of Pam's sheds. She's amazed at his kindness AND his new tin - offers to pay him. Of course, he said "NO!" but he would take a steak dinner as payment. Might have been a great night out for both of them if Pam hadn't choosen to go to a restaurant where one of her nieces was working. . .You can imagine the teasing poor Aunt Pam endured...."no, it wasn't a date, reallY!" More time passes and the two realize how happy their hearts would be to share the rest of their lives together....I usually tease the young brides and grooms who come to the breakfast table and hold hands all thru breakfast...I didn't on Monday morning....I loved the twinkle in their eyes! Happy Hearts!

A Favorite Recipe from the Innkeeper

Our guests love this recipe and we hope you will too! It's from an old church cookbook and I like to think it's something like what my own Gramma Buck used to make for Grampa. It's a sure bet the old Germans used their own freshly rendered sausage, apples from their orchard, onions from the garden and herbs from the kitchen garden. I know no respectable farm wife would have used a stuffing "mix" from the store, but GOSH! it works for me!!!!

German Sausage Loaf
As served at The Inn at Harbour Ridge

1 pound roll of sage flavored sausage
1 medium Granny Smith or Ida Red apple, grated
1 medium red onion, grated
2 cups packaged cornbread stuffing mix
2 large eggs
Parsley, thyme and rosemary

Mix ingredients in a large bowl until evenly blended. Place in two 3 by 5.5 inch loaf pans or one meat loaf size pan. When ready to bake, sprinkle the tops generously with 1 teaspoon each of parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Bake at 325 degrees for about 60 minutes until top is medium brown. Slice and serve with a garnish of fresh parsley. If you don’t like “hairy” sausage, stir the PTR herbs into the meat mixture…

Enjoy! Happy Hearts!

Sue from The Inn at Harbour Ridge
The Lake's Most Inviting B & B
6334 Red Barn Road
Osage Beach, MO 65065
877-744-6020
Visit us on-line at www.harbourridgeinn.com
E-mail us at info@harbourridgeinn.com

Named One of the Top 10 Inns for "Best Food" by BedandBreakfast.com 10/09
Innkeepers of the Year 10/08 by BedandBreakfast.com
Named One of Top 10 Best Overall B & Bs in the U.S.
by BedandBreakfast.com 9/07