Fun in the Sun

My dear, dear misguided friends Joe and Judy keep emailing me pictures from Florida. They are trying very hard to convince me that they are actually having a good time this winter. This picture arrived yesterday and it was accompanied by a little story of a day trip to St. Johns complete with fun, sun, and mimosas. Bless their dear thoughtful little hearts.

The gig is up my friends. I know all about Photoshop and I suspect you are doctoring your pictures to include sun, smiles and tans. I choose to believe that you are actually cold and lonely.

Listen Up!

Who is that dark haired beauty featured in this weeks Country Weekly Magazine music downloads? Well, it is our own lovely and talented Ms. Tabatha Rowland and her band Southern Fryd. The article calls Tabatha, "one of the hottest new country artists to come along in quite a while". I have to agree. Pick up the February 9 issue of County Weekly for the full story. You can also visit Tabatha's website for more information on Tabatha, Southern Fryd, and their latest album, Avoid Heat and Flame.

Thank you to my friend Pat for sharing this article with me.

Congrats Ms. Tabatha!

More Good News for Grand Rivers

Congratulations to Lighthouse Landing Sailing School and Sailing Instructor Chip Riddle. Lighthouse Landing Sailing School was recognized by the American Sailing Associating as one of the Top Twenty Sailing Schools for 2008. Lighthouse Landing Sailing Instructor Chip Riddle was named an ASA Outstanding Instructor for 2008. The American Sailing Association is the leading authority on sailing instruction and sailing schools in the United States. Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina is located on Kentucky Lake in Grand Rivers and has been helping people fulfill their dream of learning to sail since 1977.

Thank you Marty and Brenda for sharing your love of sailing with thousands by developing Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina here in Grand Rivers.

Thank you Chip and Martha (aka - best cook in the whole world) for making Grand Rivers your home and for being part of our little community.

Oh, and Marty - I borrowed these pictures from your website. Hope you don't mind.

Dinner with Friends

The Chamber Annual Dinner meetinng was last night. The event is open to the community and the meal is free. Patti's donates the meat and Chamber members bring the sides. You don't need a special ticket, or have to go through security checks, or plan what designer you will wear.

We had over 80 people attend. This may not sound like a big crowd, but it is over 20 percent of our population. Think about sitting down to dinner with over 20 percent of your town. And think about knowing everyone in the room.

The VIPs attending our Inaugural event included Representative Mike Cherry and County Judge Executive Chris Lasher. They are both wonderful supporters of Grand Rivers and we appreciate everything they do for us.

Mike brought a letter from the Governor congratulating us on our Southern Living Awards.

Thank you to Patti's, Green Turtle Bay, Lake Realty and Livingston County Coperative Extension - and to the many individuals who brought dishes.

Congratulations to the 2009 Chamber Board and Officers

President: Mary Ann O'Leary

Vice President: Dennice Lindsay

Secretary: Pat Gorbett

Treasure: Bill Cullen

2009 Board of Directors -

Brenda Lady

Mike Tullar

Jim Doom

Pat Jones

Congratulations to the 2008 Chamber Award Winners -

Volunteer of the Year: Dianne Bingham

Member of the Year: Bill and Sara Minihan and Variety!

Presidents Award: Hazel Demry

Mayor Tom spoke and shared with us his thoughts on the strengths of our community - service to friends, service to community. It really does happen here and it really does work.

Pick up todays Paducah Sun

Thank you to Shelley Byrne and the Paducah Sun for the great article on Grand Rivers. The article includes quotes from Shelley's interview with Southern Living Travel Editor Carolanne Roberts. Pick up your copy of todays Paducah Sun and see what Carolanne says about Grand Rivers.

Hot and Cold

Cold. The weather yesterday and today. I went to visit our friends at WCBL Radio yesterday morning and stopped on the dam to take a picture of the steam rising off of Kentucky Lake. It reminds me of flying above the clouds. The temperatures were in the single digits. The good news is the forecast for tomorrow is 40 degrees and sunny!

Hot. After WCBL coffee talk with Chris, I met Miss Laura K at Main Street Java in Benton for lattes and breakfast. We have contracted with Laura to be the Project Manager for the New Grand Rivers Visitors Guide. She will do all advertising sales, and graphic design, and this New Guide is going to be hot!

A Trip Around the World Begins in Grand Rivers

Doug Sterret and the crew of the 37-foot Tartan Alikkai, sailed out of Grand Rivers yesterday to begin their 18-month voyage around the world. You can read the story on Leslie Moore’s blog

You can follow their trip at voyageofaliikai

I'll add the Voyage link to my blog "Sites I Visit" so we can follow them as they sail around the world. Bon Voyage Alikkai!