Sandy Points Blog
Trophy Fish: Oh! What a Show!
(Sunday, 06 July 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Check out the 40-inch prize muskie caught right out in front of our dock this morning (July 6, 2008). And we, Mike, Willow, a resort guest by the name of Sue and I, witnessed the entire catch.
Pictured is Matt from Belvidere, IL visiting Squaw Lake this weekend, staying with our new neighbors. He'd never caught a muskie prior to this visit and this was his third. It was by far, we're told, the biggest of the three. First we saw his line go taught and watched as he patiently reeled it in while his partner, Loren, readied the net. This monster put up a splashy fight before succumbing to the catch, and when they held it up for us to view, first we gasped and then we all broke into spontaneous applause.
They kept it long enough to snap a few photos and hold it against the measuring stick before releasing it back into Squaw Lake for the next lucky fisherman.
I've seen a lot of fish caught in this lake; however, never have I witnessed a better show at such close range. And this was right after the bald eagle circled above us for five minutes . . .
Northwoods cinema. Who needs TV?
Happy Independence Day
(Friday, 04 July 2008) by Michele Cozzens
We have a saying in the Northwoods: There are two seasons, Winter and The Fourth of July. The latter is a quick 24 hours of tradition, which always includes a trip to the parade in downtown Lac du Flambeau. Except for when the 4th fell on a Saturday, we haven't missed it in 16 years. What was different about it this year is that our girls, Camille (left in photo) and Willow, didn't participate. It's not enough I had to face my daughter becoming a teenager this year, I also had to face that they're both now too old (or is it too sophisticated?) to participate in the kiddie bike parade that begins the festivities? Awwwww.
It's been a beautiful day here in the Northwoods. Perfect, in fact. Happy Birthday America.
After the parade, I sat on our front porch to read and keep an eye on the shop, when our guests from Lakeview Lodge happened by. A lovely woman named Joanie, who has come to the resort with her family for 11 years, came and sat with me for what we try to make a nice, annual conversation. This year we had a lot to talk about, including the death of her mother, Barbara, who was the person with whom I originally spoke and "sold" Sandy Point as a vacation destination for her family. Her mother had been ill for quite some time and Joanie was kind enough to phone me in April when they lost her to let me know. I'm grateful to our guests who do this--include me in the family news--rather than wait until they arrive and start out the vacation with bad news. Anyway, she told me that when they put photos together to display at her wake/funeral, they found very few photos of Barbara. All of them were of the kids, of course. Apparently Mom/Grandmom was behind the camera. Joanie encouraged me to make sure there were a few photos of myself available in the family archives so some day, my kids wouldn't face the same thing. Funny, just hours earlier at the parade, Mike grabbed the camera from me and said, "you're always taking the photos! We need one of you!" This is why I've opted to share this photo today.
And by the way, Joanie indicated that what photos they did find of her mother, were all taken "up North," both here at Sandy Point in her later years and in the earlier years they had spent at at resort in Hayward. Something about the Northwoods, I guess, brings out the need for us to record our happy memories and traditions.
New Public Wash House
(Tuesday, 01 July 2008) by Michele Cozzens
We interrupt this Sandy Point icon tour with a NEW development. First there was the outhouse/earth closet, now there is the new public rest room. Our new wash house, which we've already given a variety of names (and have yet to settle on one), features a flushing toilet, a sink, and one of those World Hand Dryer Corporation blowers from Berkeley, Illinois that we've seen in public rest rooms all over the world for our entire lives! Yesterday we had a drinking fountain installed out front.
This is great news for disc golfers visiting Sandy Point Resort. The outhouse featured in a previous blog is now located on the course, between holes #17 and #18--just in case you miss the outhouse experience. And, of course, the old two-holer "Ye Olde Rumbletown Dump" is still located on the front part of the course between holes #3 and #9. Meanwhile, we're excited about our new outbuilding. Would you like to hear about how it was supposed to be completed by last Labor Day weekend for the Northwoods Open and how the budget for construction DOUBLED? I doubt it. So let me just give more good news. And this is for our resort guests.
On the other side of the toilet facility is a coin-operated washer and dryer. Since only one of our rental homes offers a washer/dryer (Lakeview Lodge), this is an amenity we've long wanted to offer our guests. When we first built cabin #3-1/2, "The Marq," it had a washer/dryer; however, due to overuse and, yes, abuse, it caused a flood in one of the bedrooms and we had to remove it. So now, with its own septic system and everything, guests no longer have to head to town to the laundromat to wash (or dry) those towels!
The Earth Closet
(Monday, 30 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
An outhouse, also known as a netty, privy, dunny, thunderbox, kybo, biffy, jakes or jacks, longdrop, Johnny-on-the-spot, one-holer, two-holer (for the more affluent and effluent), $hit house or earth-closet, usually refers to a type of toilet in a small structure separate from the main building, which does not have a flush or sewer attached.
The term outhouse originally referred to an outbuilding, or any small structure away from a main building. for a variety of purposes, but mainly for activities not wanted in the main house.
The five original cabins at Sandy Point Resort didn’t have indoor plumbing. Instead, each had its own outhouse. Where our current garage and pro shop stand today, was a “wash house,” where guests went to shower. The outhouse featured here is not one of the originals, but rather, is one we built about five years ago to help “glamorize” the experience of using an outhouse. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve witnessed people’s refusal to use an outhouse. Even though it’s always clean, offers 2-ply toilet paper, hand sanitizer, a modern toilet seat, and even a quaint crescent moon window, some would rather walk around the disc golf course with full kidneys rather than subject themselves to an outhouse. I think you haven’t truly experienced the Northwoods if you haven’t used an “earth closet.”
Clean Your Fish Here
(Saturday, 28 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
This is our vintage Fish Cleaning House, located on the Sandy Point shore of Squaw Lake and just next to the input creek known to us as "Cozzens' Creek." We can usually get a read on how the fish are biting each week by the amount of fish guts left behind in the disposal bins.
This brings up two issues. Recently we had more guts stored in this building than anyone of us (Mike, Michele or Stu, the guy who actually cleans it each week), has experienced in our tenure. Normally that would be good news. But the problem is, the guts came from fish NOT caught in this lake.
People! It's just bad form to bring fish caught in someone else's lake and leave the guts for us to clean up.
Secondly: We have a sign hung in each cabin asking guests to only use the fish cleaning house for cleaning fish. In other words, don't clean fish in our cabins. I don't think anyone wants to hear about the amount of fish scales I had to clean out of the drains, sink bins, cabinets and drawers this week, but trust me, it wasn't pretty. It led me to make additional fluorescent signs for each cabin reading "DO NOT CLEAN FISH IN CABIN." I didn't even type the word "please." The only scales I want to deal with are scales on the piano.
Meanwhile, here it sits on the shorline, waiting for you to enter with your catch. This cute, A-roofed cleaning house is screen-in, and has everything you need to filet your fresh fish--as long as you BYOK (Bring Your Own Knife.) And remember, if it ain't caught near, don't clean here.
"DRIVE SLOW"
(Friday, 27 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
The Flag Hole
(Thursday, 26 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
You can't miss it. This giant flag hangs on the back of our Recreation House, which also is home to the Wisconsin Disc Golf Hall of Fame. That's disc golf basket #22 in front of it, hence the name of this hole, "The Flag Hole."
This isn't the orignal flag we had hung there. The original had 48 stars and is something we inherited from Mike's dad. Unfortunatley, the material from which it was made couldn't tolerate the severe Northwoods elements and it tattered to the point of being Unamerican. We replaced it with this 50-star version, measuring 9', 7" x 19', 1."
Big Jim
(Wednesday, 25 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Meet Big Jim. He's a chainsaw-carved bear standing 4-foot, 7-inches and weighing, uh, a lot! Jim started working for us three years ago, and stands on the porch of our shop, greeting all who enter with a gnarly smile. We met him at the annual Spring Arts and Crafts fair at Torpy Park in Minocqua and couldn't take our eyes off him all weekend.
His creator is a woman named Dee, who lives just west of us near Squaw Creek. We've known Dee since we moved to the Northwoods, having first met her when she ran a coffee stand outside of Trig's Supermarket. This was long before Starbucks (which we still don't have in the Northwoods) became a household name. What I loved about Dee, aside from her always warm smile and tremendous laugh, was that she had a "word of the day" calendar on her coffee cart. Word freak that I've always been, I couldn't wait to accept the challenge of testing my vocabulary. I specifcally remember the word "subterfuge," and it brought me back to a boss I had in Berkeley that accused her employees of engaging in "subterfuge and gossip."
We were in town a lot the year Willow was born, going back and forth to Marshfield Clinic. Dee monitored my entire pregancy and now always looks forward to checking on Willow's growth progress when we see her each year at Torpy Park.
By the way, chainsaw carving is a craft that just came to Dee one day when she picked up a saw and starting creating amazing sculptures: Bears, Turtles, Frogs, Eagles, Acorns . . . truly definitive of Northwoods' icon material. Why does she do it? "Winters up here are really long."
A Musky Named George
(Tuesday, 24 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
GEORGE: 36 pounds, 51 inches
Call it a Fishtale, but this musky, affectionately known as "George," has a story. He was caught in the root beer waters of Squaw lake on October 8, 1970 by Robert A. Wilson. Mr. Wilson and his family had been coming to Squaw Lake and Sandy Point Resort since the 1930s. When we took over in 1993, we were just one more new owner in a long string of caretakers of this special place. We had the privilege of his company during our first couple years here but he passed away. The next summer, his widow and his son, Mike, asked if they could "bring George home." They bestowed George upon us and we were delighted to display him, along with Mr. Wilson's photo and George's stats. He has found a home in our pro shop, just above the front door. Each spring when the Wilson family, Robert's son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, come to continue the fishing tradition (they're looking for George's wife, "Georgette"), they salute old George and fondly remember the man who captured him.
Sadly, Robert's son, Mike, a dear friend to Sandy Point, passed away over the winter. He will be sorely missed. But now each time we look at George, we'll also be thinking of Mike.
Vintage Coke Machine
(Monday, 23 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Today we begin a tour of some of your favorite Sandy Point icons--the things you expect to see when you arrive, and remember when you leave.
Probably our most popular feature is the first thing you see when you pull up to our pro shop / office. It's our vintage Coke machine. A constant source of maintenance for us is a constant pleasure for all our guests. There's nothing like an ice cold Coke right out of the bottle. Kids start jingling their quarters about half-way down Sandy Point Lane, ready to insert them into the slot, wait for the "Have a COKE" like to turn on, and then pull the bottle.
This machine was in the basement of our house when we first moved to Sandy Point in the winter of 1993. The previous owners told us they didn't want it because "it didn't work." Mike quickly put his electrical skills to use and we had an operating machine. Next it was a matter of getting the right coin changer, which we once again had to replace in May. One of our disc golfers supplied a new one and a spare, and to keep up with the rising costs of the Coca-Cola Distributers out of Rhinelander, we were able to raise the price from 75¢ to $1.00 in order to try and cover our costs.
As always, we can hardly keep it filled!
Follow-up on Broken Bones
(Friday, 20 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
One week after Camille's bone setting surgery, she's recovering nicely. Thanks so much to all who've called and written inquiring about her progress. She came through the general anesthesia very well and for only a second in the recovery had a "Where Are We?" moment.
Her hot pink cast above the elbow will be on until July 11 (just four days before her 11th birthday) and then she'll get a waterproof, below-the-elbow cast put on for two more weeks. We'll keep you posted, but I'll bet she'll be water-skiing with this new cast. As for now, she's found a way to enjoy the lake with broken bones, bless her heart.
One story that must be retold . . . when her five-year-old friend Nick, who is at the resort this week with his wonderful family, heard Camille had broken her arm, his first response to his mom was, "oh, is she DEAD?"
No, Camille is NOT dead and her broken arm is not much more than a HOT PINK trophy with hospital bills to come. Ugh.
Rave Reviews!
(Thursday, 19 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
As we inch toward the summer solstice under mostly cloudy skies and temperatures that don't want to climb past the 60s, today was certainly the nicest day we've had at Sandy Point Resort this season. It was great to see the beach filled with children and their parents.
One group had a memorable experience when our RAVE trampoline swim raft broke loose from its anchor, and the kids atop floated off into the Squaw Lake horizon. They were easily rescued and the trampoline was brought to shore. It stayed there for about 24 hours and was never still.
Shown above is Willow and her friends, Andrew in the center and happily airborne, and Zac, taking advantage of every ray of sunshine. We're all ready to bounce into summer!
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Drive Golf Carts
(Wednesday, 11 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
All day long I had the feeling something BAD was going to happen while watching the kids zip around the resort in our new golf cart. We kept the old cart and offer it to our guests who need a little assistance getting around, however, the girls didn't keep the old rules in place. They are supposed to ask permission to use the cart and NOT use it for joy-riding.
Well joy riding turned into pain riding when a sharp-turn near the lake caused a capsize. Willow, the driver, was fine, and so were two resort kids--thank GOD! But Camille's arm is broken in two spots and on Friday she has to return to the hospital where she was born in order to undergo surgery to set the bent bone. OUCH!
Do you think they learned their lesson?
Model Children
(Monday, 09 June 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Willow and Camille have been earning their keep around Sandy Point Resort so far this season. Not only are they helping out in the shop and running messages--their usual chores--they're also making beds and cleaning bathrooms. For 13 years, I've wondered when this day would arrive.
When we first bought Sandy Point Resort, we didn't have children. I joked about hoping to give birth to a 16 year old boy in order to help out with all the chores. Turns out, teen-aged and adolescent girls are just as helpful. We just had to wait a few years.
At left Willow shows off another of her "skills," as a model for Dream Life Designs Jewelry. Featured is a four-strand turquoise nugget necklace. Available in the online shop. Willow and Camille have both been "model children." If you click on the menu bar where it reads SHOP and go to the jewelry department, you'll see our latest designs and their modeling efforts.
Have a gem of a week.
Johnny Rumble's Hole-in-One
(Wednesday, 04 June 2008) by Michele CozzensJohnny Rumble Pecunia, one of WIsconsin's favorite sons in the disc golf world, and certainly a master among men in the eyes of his fans at Sandy Point Disc Golf Ranch, is captured on film scoring an ACE during the off-the-raft hole-in-one contest, an annual event at Sandy Point's PDGA-sanctioned tournaments.
Sandy Point's Shop Doubles in Size
(Wednesday, 28 May 2008) by Michele CozzensWe've seen a lot of jaws drop in the past week since the grand opening of our newly expanded shop at Sandy Point Resort. It happened in record time and we couldn't be happier with the results. We now have the front part of the shop dedicated almost completely to our disc golfers, where enthusiasts will find the largest and most diverse selection of Innova Champion discs in the region. We also carry golf bags, towels and a variety of items to enhance your disc golfing experience.
The back room is for all of you who come to the shop seeking unique jewelry. Dream Life Designs have never looked more beautiful. Always wholesale prices to the public, if you're looking for a statement piece or something casual, you'll find it at the shop at Sandy Point Resort.
Follow Me Back To the Northwoods
(Tuesday, 20 May 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Aren't They Beautiful?
(Wednesday, 16 April 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Willow and Camille Cozzens, April, 2008 in Tucson, Arizona. Both girls (Willow, 13, left, Camille, 10, right) are counting the number of days before they get back to Sandy Point Resort. Willow keeps a white board in her room and updates it daily. We're looking at about a month to go. And it's a good thing. It's getting H-O-T here in the desert!
Steady Ed
(Wednesday, 26 March 2008) by Michele Cozzens
From the archives:
Steady Ed Headrick, #001, paid a visit to Sandy Point Resort and Disc Golf Ranch in April, 1995 shortly after Willow was born. At this time he not only declared himself as Willow''s honorary grandfather, but he also declared Sandy Point a Disc Golf Sancutary. A certficate commemorating this event hangs in the Wisconsin Disc Golf Hall of Fame at Sandy Point Resort
Pictured left to right:
Joe Weinshel, Ed (holding Willow), Michele and Mike.
Sedona Collection Is Now Online
(Monday, 14 January 2008) by Michele Cozzens
Attention Jewelry Fans
I just got back from a trip to beautiful Sedona, Arizona, which has inspired my latest jewelry designs. Multi-strand necklaces include copper, turquoise, sterling, undyed onyx, and other surprises! Go to the shop today! Don't miss out on these one-of-a-kind pieces.
Summer 2008 Deposits Due January 20
(Tuesday, 08 January 2008) by Michele CozzensHappy New Year
To all our wonderful returning guests and to those of you who have made a reservation for this summer, please don't forget to turn in your confirmation card and your deposit by January 20, 2008. This is a solid deadline and there are many camping on the availability page of this website to see what might open up on the morning of January 21.
If you have any questions or are afraid your deposit won't arrive at our Southwest Office on time, please don't hesitate to call our toll free line (888) 588-3233 and let us know your circumstances.
Thanks!
2008 Summer Reservation Notices in the Mail
(Tuesday, 04 December 2007) by Michele CozzensIt's the first week of December, which means we have sent out our confirmation notices to all guests who booked cabins in 2008. Please look for them in your (snail) mailbox soon. Deposits are due by January 20, 2008.
If you know now that you won't be able to make your reservation, kindly contact us at your earliest convenience, so we can keep our availability calendar up to date. Call our toll free number, 888-588-3233 or e-mail us at: michele@sandypt.com.
Thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Congratulations Northwoods Open Winners
(Saturday, 08 September 2007) by Michele CozzensWisconsin's Favorite Son, Barry Schultz, returns to Sandy Point to capture the 2007 Northwoods Open title.
Congratulations to all the 2007 Northwoods Open Winners.
Open Division: Barry Schultz, -30
Pro Women: Kelly Rems, +13
Masters DIvision: Johnny Rumble Pecunia, -17
Grand Masters: Sammy Juisto, -10
Advanced Men: Mike Newhouse, -12
Advanced Women: Katriona Kozar, +22
Advanced Masters: Roger Vranak, -3
dv. Master Women: Chrissy Holton, +99
Adv. Grandmasters: Frank Grimes, +4
termediate Men: Carl Wanserski, =5
Intermediate Women: Lisa Callos, +17
Junior Boys: Jonathan Vue, +1
Gone Swimmin'
(Friday, 31 August 2007) by Michele CozzensSquaw Lake was like a warm bath and I sat in it for nearly two hours—long enough for my fingertips to wrinkle up like prunes. They tingle as I type. Although it wasn’t my first time in the water this season—I’ve water-skied a couple of times—it was my first swim. The kids were so excited to see me in my suit and in the water, they didn’t care that they’d already showered and put on clothes for the evening. They put on their still damp suits and splashed around me, begging me to rate their handstands, watch their somersaults and flips. Boy do I remember being their age and spending countless hours in the lake. Nothing gave me greater joy.
An eagle flew overhead at one point, so close we could see the details of his bright, yellow beak. Then, not thirty feet away, his talons opened and he scooped a 12-inch fish right out of the lake. It was such a smooth, quick move, and witnessing it made us all scream with delight. I’ve seen eagles do this before, but never at such close proximity. Talk about a feeling of great joy. Wow!
Last day of July . . . summer is going far too fast.
Fishing Freaks
(Tuesday, 28 August 2007) by Michele CozzensThere are so many things to do at Sandy Point Resort, swimming, boating, water-skiing, playing disc golf, volleyball, basketball . . . and, of course, there’s fishing the waters of Squaw Lake. My girls, Willow and Camille, are now HOOKED.
Their favorite “cabin booty” (stuff left behind by the guests) has gone from frozen popsicles to refrigerated worms. They sniff out live bait like pigs hunting for truffles, and have learned to bait their own hooks and even, after too many trips to the dock by their dad, unhook their catch. Large mouth bass and small (smallies), perch, sunfish, and the occasional Northern have taken the bait. They believe they’ve dialed into all the lake’s hot spots. The best is just under one of our rafts, one close to shore known to them as the “white dock.” Our guests marvel at their skill, as they alternate between casting and diving in to cool off.
How do they go from barefoot, Northwoods fishergirls to fully-clothed, desert-dwelling schoolgirls in less than 24 hours? Our alarm will go off at 3AM and I’ll take them to the airport. A few hours later, their climate will change completely as they start school four days behind their classmates. I remain at the resort running things solo for eight days, before Mike and I switch positions. Never an easy time of year. And the most difficult thing? Watching my kids say good-bye to another wonderful summer at Sandy Point.
Off Season Rates Now Apply
(Sunday, 26 August 2007) by Michele CozzensOff Season Rates Now Apply
I'll Fix Your Flat Tire Merle
(Friday, 03 August 2007) by Michele CozzensThe 2007 Disc Golf Pro World Championships are in town. Well, not exactly “our” town . . . and not in any town, really. But the event is nearby—a little over an hour drive--and as near as it may ever be to our little neck of the Northwoods. Talk about old home week for Mike and me.
Mike and his good friend, Bob-o Montes from Oakland, CA, partnered in the Doubles event on Monday and Tuesday, and Joe Weinshel has taken residence in “Uncle Joe’s Room,” a space reserved for him during every tournament we host. Mike came home each evening and told me about all the old friends he had run into—primarily friends from our California shooting days, and various acquaintances who’ve been kind enough to visit Sandy Point for the tournaments we’ve hosted over the years. I had the chance to get hugs from many of them last night when I accompanied Mike to the Fly Mart and helped him sell discs. Mind you, I had spent all day in Arbor Vitae hawking Dream Life Designs jewelry at my fourth and final juried arts/crafts show of the summer. We packed up that show and then hustled back to the resort to unload jewelry and replace the cargo with golf discs. I washed a layer of dust off me, kissed the kids and scratched Cinco’s little head, then bolted off to a second vending opportunity.
Randy Schukar, the designer of our Loon disc, was in charge of the event and he—bless his heart—set us up with a primo spot at the entrance of the room (right across from the bar). Randy truly earned his new nickname “Mayor.” I’ve now got his “TOSS DISCS NOT BOMBS” mini displayed in our pro shop.
When the golfers trickled in, I saw the familiar beard of Hall-of-Fame inductee, Michael Travers, and the familiar faces of Jim Oates, Tom Schot, Merle Witvoet, Stancil Johnson, Tim Mackey, Dave Greenwell, Anni Kreml, Matt LaCourte, Barry Schultz, Jim Hagen, Duster Don Hoffman . . . I could go on and on. It was great to see John Ahart, Tim Selinski, Pad Timmons, Brian Sullivan, Lightning Lyle . . . my buddy, Johnny Rumble Pecunia, our fabulous Wisconsin State Coordinator, Terry Miller. The night felt like a class reunion. We didn’t get home until 1a.m.
But the best part was today when our new friend from Tucson, Jeff Homburg, brought Grand Master, Merle Witvoet, to visit Sandy Point. We didn’t think anyone would squeeze in a trip between the busy days of World’s competition. But Merle heard of a ride here this afternoon and found out why this place is known as Disc Golf Heaven. Merle was one of my most favorite California golfers. He got stuck with me as a doubles partner once in Santa Cruz during my early days of playing, after a local (who shall not be named) arranged for a new random draw when he drew me as a partner. Merle winked at me and said we were going to kick ass. And we did. I’ve loved him ever since.
One night during the NorCal Series finals in the early 1990s, I heard him play guitar in our hotel room. I nearly fell over. He’s one of THE finest classical guitarists I’ve ever heard play. How I wish my guitar were in Wisconsin rather than Tucson, because hearing him play next to the waters of Squaw Lake would have been a highlight of my life. As it was, Mike’s highlight was getting to play 13 holes of the Sandy Point course with him as a double’s partner. I joined them for the final hole and was reminded why we do indeed call this place “Disc Golf Heaven.”
Power's out
(Thursday, 12 July 2007) by Michele CozzensAfter 15 years of stormy weather in the Northwoods, power outages come with some degree of predictability. A tornado watch and high wind warnings have been in place all day and the sky has been a never changing palate of Doppler radar possibility. One minute it was clear blue—not a cloud in site. The next minute, ominous and bulbous gray puffs block light and made it look more like early evening than early afternoon. Rain drops the size of Kennedy half dollars fell for about two minutes and then, I’m not kidding, thirty seconds later, the asphalt of our driveway showed not one sign of moisture due to the sun’s unmitigated rays.
Earlier today we went around the property and checked the feasibility of all our generators, and since then, we’ve been waiting for the power to crap out. It happened, according to one of my old-fashioned electric clocks, 22 minutes ago.
The weather up here in the Northwoods can be an unpredictable neighbor. It’s always there—always a factor. Today high winds are wreaking havoc. After witnessing my husband gather up our tattered, wind-battered shore station cover this afternoon, for which he coincidentally ordered a replacement earlier today, I also helped him move the remnants of a giant poplar tree from our next-door neighbor’s property, an abandoned home currently on the market. Already dead, the four-foot trunk blew down and blocked the driveway to both our homes. A chainsaw will need to come in and do the rest of the work. Meanwhile, I sat in the hot tub at six, with a glass of wine and one of Victoria Houston’s Northwoods mysteries in hand, and kept one eye on a giant poplar tree swaying precariously in the wind. What, I wondered, would I do if I heard a snap and witnessed the top of the tree coming in my direction? Would I drop the paperback in the bubbling water and hurl my naked body over the side and toward shelter? Or would I freeze—deer in headlights style—and allow the rough branches to pin me to certain injury? Would the glass of wine spill into the bromine-laced stew of the tub? I even neurotically imagined my obituary: Northwoods Author Pinned By Popple, Naked and Smashed.
Aah, the familiar roar of the generator has just begun. My husband must believe we’re in for a long-haul outage, which could mean anywhere from an hour to four days. Soon our resort guests will stop coming over asking if they can flush their toilets or get hot water, as all the generators fill the air with the sound of the steady purr of a fleet of outboard motors. We’ll be making a few trips into town for gasoline, but we'll do it because we know what it takes to keep city-folk happy. And what's that?
Power.
The Dreaded Cancellation
(Wednesday, 04 July 2007) by Michele CozzensEach year we typically turn away 50-plus callers looking for accommodations for our nation’s birthday holiday. This is why it was a particularly sharp stab to the gut when on Friday morning I learned of a last minute cancellation in one of our cabins. Thankfully it was our least expensive cabin; however, a hit is a hit when you only have 14 weeks to make your income for the year. I went wild posting it on the Internet, using the front page of our website and resort association to which we belong. I sent out a mass e-mail to the association members indicating the cancellation. I'm happy to report my efforts paid off. We managed to rent the cabin to a young couple from Milwaukee looking for a last-minute escape. Whew!
Today, however, I’ve received a slew of e-mails from fellow resort owners advertising their cancellations for this month. One indicated three no-shows for this week. THIS WEEK—the most popular of the summer. Ugh! What is going on? One of our workers, a painting and staining expert who comes around whenever he’s in need of cash (knowing we’re always in need of a fresh coat of paint or stain), told me he once worked at a resort in New Mexico that charged guests full pop in advance for holiday weeks/weekends and had a no-refund policy. It was food for thought.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t feel right charging people for a stay they didn’t have. But “non-refundable deposit” means non-refundable deposit. I’ve always given guests the opportunity to reapply their deposits toward another stay, but after this second last-minute cancellation of the season, we’ve decided to rework our policy. Now we’ll only allow a reapplication of the deposit IF we’re able to rebook the cabin. And those who cancel less than two weeks in advance will forfeit the deposit entirely. I don’t want to go through another scramble like I did during the 24 hours of June 29-30. The e-mail lashing I received from a too-little-too-late-to-get-the-available-cabin inquirer alone was worth the $150 deposit paid by the original potential guest. He insisted he “booked” the cabin when he called the first time to ask a few questions about the opening, when in actual fact, he asked us to “wait 10 minutes” while he spoke with his friends and said he would call back. We gave him half-an-hour before booking it with the next caller, who had a credit card in hand for the deposit. The first guy never called back. He did e-mail though. Boy, did he e-mail. It was just another case of people hearing only what they want to hear and accusing us of not knowing how to run our business. I’d bet a $150 deposit this dude has longer than 14 weeks to make enough money to stay afloat.
Whistle, light, pop! Another firework and I’m out.
Morning Before the Solstice
(Wednesday, 20 June 2007) by Michele CozzensIt’s usually the birds that wake me up each morning at dawn, which is getting earlier each day as we approach the solstice. But this morning I awoke when it was still pitch black and the world outside my bedroom loft was still. I have no explanation other than the stroke of luck it was for me to arise, look out the window, and see a blanket of stars covering the sky. It looked just like the blue goldstone pendant I used to make a necklace in the shop just hours before.
I climbed back in my thousand thread-count sheets, the top sheet heavy as a blanket, and snoozed peacefully until 6:45. The temperature has dropped from the hot, humid days of last week and I’m wearing a sweater for the first time in two weeks. It’s a calm day at the resort—midweek—when guests are fully acclimated and into their routines of morning walks, coffee on the dock or quick trips to town to catch up on e-mail or feed their Internet addictions. We have wireless service available on our front porch, but few actually take advantage of it.
The girls and I have just returned from our daily walk to the mailbox and back. I walk. They ride circles around me on their bicycles. Cinco, our chihuahua, runs circles around all of us, her short little legs moving as fast as hummingbird wings. No good mail today--only a bill from the state for our business license. Better go write the check. It’s a $75 fine if it’s late.
Our Online Store Is Open
(Tuesday, 12 June 2007) by Michele CozzensDream Life Designs Jewelry
Wood Carvings by Jerry Laueradorf
Specialty Golf Discs
Sandy Point Resort Souvenir Items
Books by Michele VanOrt Cozzens
VISIT NOW
Katie is Here!
(Saturday, 25 June 2005) by Michele CozzensWillow and Camille awoke early this morning, June 25, eagerly anticipating their friend’s visit. They dressed alike in long, denim shorts, and matching sweaters, and braided one another’s hair. Gathering their knitting projects and a DVD or two for the drive to Wausau, they hopped in the backseat of Daddy’s shopping mobile and headed south. Wausau, the home of Sam’s Club, Menard’s and Fleet Farm—the Big Three—is also the half-way point between Sandy Point and Madison.
Katie lives in Madison. She is the oldest of too many siblings to count—all boys—and her family has been vacationing at Sandy Point every summer since she had only two brothers. This year, unfortunately Katie’s family couldn’t make it. Her dad got a new job and a vacation up North wasn’t in the cards.
Breaking this terrible news to my daughters on a winter morning several months back was not easy. Tears rained off their cheeks and into their Cheerios while they insisted I couldn’t possibly understand how important Katie’s week at the resort was to them. (How funny it is when children think their parents haven’t lived long enough to experience a wide variety of disappointments.) For the past several years Katie, Camille, and Willow have been a trio tied at the hip during her time here. They dubbed themselves the “SPR Girls,” and each summer, they write new songs, come up with darling dance routines and creative costumes, and put on a performance for all the resort guests. These are the kind of kid performances that bring a lump to your throat and bumps to your skin because they are so incredibly precious. Each year I wonder how much longer these precious moments will last.
Katie’s going into high school. She’s a beautiful young woman—very polite and very sweet. She doesn’t mind hanging with the younger Willow and much younger Camille. Her mom and I worked together to find a way to get Katie up here for a visit, and we were so grateful that her parents were willing to not only let her come, but also agree to meet us half-way. Of all the friends who come and go each week of each summer in our revolving door lifestyle, she seems to be someone who will be a friend to my girls for life. I know it’ll be a great week with her here. Gee, I wonder where they are?