Lost Valley Lake Resort - a Nearby Gem

The first time I ever went to Lost Valley Lake, I was about 5 years old. And I got to ride the horses. I remember the day vividly.

And all the visits after that...the paddleboats, fishing, camping in tents and tepees, the rope swings into the lake...oh, what summer fun! In the winter, it was bingo, mini golf, and the indoor swimming pool. I had the coolest grandparents. They were always driving us out there for the day.

I had hoped that the waterfall would be flowing after all the recent spring rains.

In my early teens, Grandma and Grandpa took just my two cousins, Jenny and Kelly, and I on a little vacation to LVL. We had our grandparents all to ourselves, which didn't happen often since there were nearly 20 grandchildren!

That was a special time for us, as Jenny died just a couple years later. And now Grandpa is gone as well. 

Since having my own family, I haven't been out to LVL very often. But then Kristy Nault messaged me that she was giving me a family weekend getaway. All the memories flooded in, and I was excited to share some of them with my own boys.

Here is our little adventure this past weekend, thanks to Instagram:

We began our first evening at the Rec Center, playing some basketball.

We went swimming more than once. My boys are addicted to swimming.

Saturday morning, security knocked on our door and delivered a beautiful rose for me for Mother's Day.

Some friendly frisbee golf before lunch.

Jacob was very interested in the myriad of caterpillars he found.

After lunch we chilled with a movie at the movie theatre.

Ice cream? Of course!

Walked down to the waterfall behind the dam and skipped rocks.

Joey loved all the critters we came across.

Jacob discovered he was "king of the world."

My boys love board games, so we checked out the ones we didn't have at home.

Ended our evening with an intense game of Battleship.

Obviously, we didn't even come close to experiencing everything that LVL has to offer. Call Kristy at 800-747-8907 to schedule a visit out there and see how much fun it is. Or see their website at lostvalleylake.com.

The summer activities are about to begin, and they have a daily list of things to do for all ages if you want to participate in group activities. Or, just go out on a boat and do some fishing.

Maybe build a sandcastle on the beach, slide into the lake, ride the horses, play a game of softball, attend a concert, or have a picnic.

You can bring a tent for camping or use one of their teepees that is set up. There are RV sites, condos, and villas to stay in as well. Playgrounds and shower houses are nearby.

Oh, and don't forget to bring some stale bread for the geese!

Tyann Marcink
Marcink Designs

Meet the Team {Tyann}

Business owner.

Artist.

Photographer.

Website Designer.

Amazing wife and mother according to reliable resources.

That pretty much sums it up. :) Oh, and I do enjoy attempts at humor. Sometimes I succeed, but other times only I get my own joke or slight sarcasm.

My name is Tyann Marcink, and I love our community. Yes, I really do.

I also enjoy teaching photography workshops, and one day I will finish the novel I started writing 10 years ago - an historical romance based on my great-great-great grandparents who came here to Franklin County in the mid 1800's. It's a very intriguing story, and one day, you will be able to read it.

My husband Mike, our boys, and I last Easter.

You have seen a bit of my photographic fine art (i.e. the Experience Union banner and logo) already, so see Marcink Designs for more of it. And to know the latest on my fine art, workshops, and other events, be sure to sign up for my newsletter (note: newsletter subscribers receive something special!). With Marcink Designs, I also do website design and photobook design.

So then, my other businesses that keep me busy:

My custom handpainted children's room decor is the Little Elephant Company. I feel fairly confident that I am a (if not the) worldwide leader in custom quilt clips. I create designs to coordinate with popular bedding sets and ship them all over the world. The post office clerks and I are on a first name basis.

And we have a couple homes in Branson that I manage and make available for travelers. You can see those at Vacation Home in Branson. I really enjoy the hospitality industry and helping our guests to make memories with their family and friends.

But even though I keep myself pretty busy, you will still see me around town at soccer and baseball games with my boys or at school and community events.

A few more tidbits about me:

Oh, how I revel in vacation! 

I love to capture displays of the stunningly awesome
power of God...even if it's only a fraction of it.

Flowers and bokeh and my favorite pinks and purples.

A few links for you:

• My Google + page
• Marcink Designs website
• Marcink Designs facebook page
• Marcink Designs newsletter sign-up
• Little Elephant Company website
• Little Elephant Company Facebook page
• Vacation Home in Branson website
• Vacation Home in Branson Facebook page

A Cool Retreat To Beat The Heat

Get a break from the heat wave with a super cool, shaved ice treat from Planet Ice!  Located on Vondera, right next to Planet Gymnastics, Planet Ice offers a wide variety flavors that are sure to please everyone in the family! 

 Super smooth ice is shaved fresh for eat treat!  Make sure to pay them a visit and tell them we sent you!

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 3pm to 9m
Friday 3pm to 10pm
Saturday 12pm to 10pm
Sunday 12pm to 9pm
Open until Mid-September!

Meet the Team - Gussie

Growing up in Krakow instilled a love of country/small town life in me.  Now, a stay at home mom and small business owner, I am raising my children in an area that I love!

My name is Gussie Schmitz.  My husband and I are raising our two amazing girls in Union.  We own Mach 1 Audio, Video, Security in Washington.  I also own a small business, Sweet Madelynne, for which I sell hair accessories at several fall craft fairs.

I have a passion for cooking, crafts, photography and family.  I blog about all of those topics at Little Mama.  My passion for family overflows into a love for Union.  Small town life is such a perfect setting for me to raise my family.

I joined Experience Union because I wanted to support the town where I am raising my children.  Our town has so much to offer if you just do a little digging and I wanted to share that with others.

Veterans Memorial Park {Part 4 - Trails and Lakes}

It's a proven fact that exercise is good for you. We all know that, right? And our town of Union has made great efforts to help us to get off our laurels and get moving.

Beginning at the Union City Park, the city has established 3 routes for walking, running, and biking. Each route is color coded and clearly marked for ease of use. And on top of that, there are even exercise stations along the routes.

The marked trails begin at the Union City Park.

Color coded signs mark the different trail routes.

The walking trails wind through town, over steep hills, through the park system, and around the city lake. What would the new Veterans Memorial Park add to this excellent system? Well, how about trails for the east side of town. Currently, the trail system is only on the west side of Union and towards the downtown area.

The new trails would also be much more forgiving in elevation. The field-like area doesn't have the steep hills like the west end of town.

The trail around the lake is great exercise for those with 2 or 4 feet.

The Veterans Memorial Park would include natural wetlands, or a lake, as well. There are many fishermen in the area, and the city lake can be crowded on a balmy weekend. The parks department also hosts a fishing derby each year that is a big hit with families.

Family fishing time

Fishing is relaxing

On Tuesday, June 5th, Proposition Parks will be the only item on a special ballot. A "yes" vote will be for a .5% additional sales tax, making the tax rate 8.975%. The revenue from this tax is solely for the parks department, and cannot be used for anything else, according to the city website.

What does that amount translate to?

• on a $10 prescription from Walgreens - 0 cents extra
• on a $30 pedi/mani at L'Nails - 0 cents extra
• on a  $75 tank fill up at Mobil - 0 cents extra

Voting will only be held at the Union City Hall Auditorium, 500 East Locust, Union. However, voters may also cast an absentee ballot beforehand if they will not be able to vote on June 5th. The Union Parks Department may be reached at 636-583-8471.

Missed the previous posts? Here they are:

{Part 3 - Soccer}

{Part 2 - Pavilions}

{Part 1 - Baseball}

Up next: more on the other areas of the 43.8 acre Veterans Memorial Park...playgrounds and football fields.


Author: Tyann Marcink
Photos: Marcink Designs

Veterans Memorial Park {Part 2 - Pavilions}

If these pavilions could talk...

A place for everyone to gather, the pavilions in the Union parks system enjoy more birthday parties, family reunions, wedding receptions, banquets, concerts, picnics, and political rallies than we will ever know.

Events as large as the Regional FFA Foundation Banquet sponsored by the Union Rotary Club to the city's Long Haul BBQ to even a political rally for a Presidential race have used the Union Parks pavilions.
These highly used gathering spots are a hot commodity on Saturdays from April through October, with many reservations being made well over a year in advance.

One of many family gatherings one will see at the park pavilions.

During the pavilion season, if you want to use one on a Saturday, you have two choices:

1. call the Parks Department and rent one, or
2. arrive at dawn to stake claim to the use of the pavilion for the day.

There are only 3 pavilions in the Union parks that are on a first-come, first-picnic basis, and the other 7 are available to be rented. Of course, if a pavilion is not rented, then it is a first-come, first-picnic basis as well.

A birthday girl at the Garden Pavilion near Clark-Vitt Elementary.

Now, there are also smaller family shelters, a covered picnic table or two. These are always first-come, first-picnic.

According to Angie Breeden in the Parks Department, the new park would most likely have several family shelters, giving Union residents additional spots to enjoy their picnics in the park or just to escape the sun during their visit.

During his campaign in 2008, President Obama held a grass roots rally at the large pavilion.

On Tuesday, June 5th, Proposition Parks will be the only item on a special ballot. A "yes" vote will be for a .5% additional sales tax, making the tax rate 8.975%. The revenue from this tax is solely for the parks department, and cannot be used for anything else, according to the city website.

What does that amount translate to?

• on a $2.75 ice cream cone from Scoops N' More - 1.3 cents extra
• on a $60 dog crate at Dickey Bub's - 30 cents extra
• on a $300 pair of eye glasses from Union Eye Associates - $1.50 extra

Voting will only be held at the Union City Hall Auditorium, 500 East Locust, Union. However, voters may also cast an absentee ballot beforehand if they will not be able to vote on June 5th.

The Union Parks Department may be reached at 636-583-8471.

Up next: more on the other areas of the 43.8 acre Veterans Memorial Park...walking trails, splash pad, playground, soccer and football fields, and more.

Author: Tyann Marcink

Photos: Marcink Designs