Lake Norman Lake Levels

We are squarely in mid-June and LKN remains only two feet off of full pond. While that seems hard to believe, we were actually a half foot higher last year at this time. Why should we care about lake levels? Well, for one thing, it gives boaters a more usable lake. Secondly, lake levels mean the locations of good fishing are different.

Certainly, good boating and fishing are more dynamic than how high the water levels are but knowing this bit of info can help anyone enjoy their day on LKN just that much more.

Happy boating out there!

Boatin' Time on LKN

It is Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of Summer is here. If you haven't done so already, go get your boat ready and head out to Lake Norman. With the warm weather and nearly full pond, traffic on LKN has really been hopping.

Just remember, you are now required so show proof of taking a boater safety class and of course have enough PFD for everyone on your vessel. I can't think of a better way to spend a summer day than on the water. Just make sure you are prepared and safe while you're out there!

Have some fun!

Spring is all over LKN

There is a bass fishing tournement kicking off on March 24th (Blythe Landing) but based on the number of bass boats out on the lake over the past week, you'd think the festivities had already started. Still, it is great to see so much traffic on Lake Norman. Spring is here!

Get out there and have some fun on LKN but be safe!

Father and Son Hurt In Boating Accidnet on Lake Norman

Folks, the 2011 Boating Season is upon us and there is no better reminder to be careful as you take to our crown jewel, Lake Norman, than this story. Today, during a fishing tournament, a father and son were thrown from their boat when they struck something in the lake. Other boaters were close by and were able to rescue them. It appears everyone will be okay.

If you haven't taken a safe boating class, remember, it is now the law. This family was lucky. Let's see if we can have a safe 2011 Boating Season on LKN. All the better for everyone.

Swimming Ban on Lake Norman Lifted

Good news on LKN!

Safe(r) Boating is coming to Lake Norman

North Carolina has taken a major step forward and passed a law requiring manditor boater safety training for anyone operating a boat under the age of 25.

Rather than have me paraphrase, here is the link to a story in today's Charlotte Observer.

Happy Boating, ya'll!

Wal-Mart FLW Bass Fishing League is back on Lake Norman

The Wal-Mart FLW Bass Fishing League is back next week. March 24-27. Watch for the MANY bass boats heading out of Blythe Landing each morning at 6:00 am but have some fun watching!

Cornelius Parks and Rec - There is a lot here for a town the size of Cornelius

I could really say a lot about the Town of Cornelius and it's Parks & Rec Department but for this post, I'm going to let Dave Gilroy, one of our Town Commissioners do the talking:

Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Culture (PARC) update. As you know, we are investing in a world-class parks infrastructure in Cornelius. With the build-out of Westmoreland Athletic Complex and Robbins Park areas (now in progress), we will have 11 Town parks and 4 major County parks (Jetton, Ramsey Creek, Blythe Landing, and McDowell Creek Greenway) in Cornelius. Including undeveloped open space in our park land inventory, we have almost 500 acres of facilities online. Our organized athletics, recreational, and cultural programs are wide-ranging, highly ambitious, and perhaps under-appreciated. Citizen awareness of what's available is undoubtedly a major concern, so I urge you to actively explore our PARC website and take advantage! Finally, special thanks to 3 citizens - Ron Kelley, Del Arrendale, and John Freese who have stepped up to conduct a detailed "Performance Audit" of our PARC department to ensure that we are working as efficiently has possible, spending every dime of taxpayer dollars effectively, and having maximum community impact. They will formally report in the next few weeks, and I will further comment on their findings and conclusions.

Road Service for the Lake

There are a lot of Good Samaritans around Lake Norman. I've been both the recipient as well as the provider. You know what I am talking about. Either you have had a boat break down or you have come across someone that needed your assistance. Certainly, Good Samaritans are great but there are times when folks aren't around and you may find yourself in need of a tow. Now there is a service on LKN that helps with those times you are all alone. Sea Tow is a for fee service and is on call 24/7. You can join for the year or call from the lake but be prepared to pay.

Thankfully, most "rescues" are not serious or life threating. But none the less, when you find yourself on the lake with a non-working boat, the annual fee for Sea Tow will seem very small and your peace of mind will be priceless.

Long Range Planning for the Town of Cornelius - Where does Lake Norman Fit?

The Town of Cornelius held it's annual planning session at the tony Peninsula Club. While from all accounts, it was a good session, there was a lot of "dreaming" going on. Not necessarily a bad thing but with so many other issues on the table, it does seem odd that so much time was allocated to a brainstorming session on how to make Cornelius a shopping and dining destination.

Hopefully, the pressing issues of schools, land development, taxes, and CMUD over billing on water rates will float to the top of the agenda (you like how I used a water reference to make a point on a blog devoted to LKN?). Certainly, long range planning needs to happen but let's put it in priority with the other issues facing the town.

The Spirit of the Season is all over Lake Norman

It is the Holiday Season around Lake Norman and it is only fitting that we look at those among us that are doing good in our communities and say thanks. Thank you for the Red Cross volunteers, for the police and public safety offices, thank you to the individuals that make personal contributions, thank you to those that stocked local food pantries, and thank you to those that helped local charities.

Yes, thank you for making this place we call LKN a better place.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Fly on the Liberty Belle!

This would be really cool. I hope to see you there!

Concord

Reserve seats on Liberty Belle, a restored World War II B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber, which will offer flights every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 29-30 at Concord Regional Airport. Contact Scott Maher at 918-340-0243;

smaher@libertyfoundation.org.

Lake Norman on Wikipedia - Who Knew?

I've lived and worked around this part of the Carolinas for most of my life. Still, it is fun to type in a search and see what pops up. Today, I typed "Lake Norman" and found that we have a Wikipedia page. There isn't a lot here but since this is a consumer created and managed tool, it is good to know that LKN has made it to the web on this level. Now I suppose it is up to all of us to spread the word about our little slice of paradise.

Things to do in Mooresville this weekend

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, you may want to head up to Mooresville. Queens Landing has something for just about everyone. Have a look and then have some fun!

Living Here - Lake Norman

There is a little tabloid magazine published by the Charlotte Observer called Living Here. It is an annual publication and yes, it is ad supported. But in this year's edition, there are tons of great things to know about living around Lake Norman.

So, if you have just moved here or grew up in the area, there is something to learn about LKN in Living Here. Pick up your copy today!

Safety and State Law on Lake Norman

Folks, just because we've not heard about people getting hurt or killed this year doesn't mean that it still can't happen. Add to that, the laws about boating near a dedicated boat launch, and this is a piece that needs to be read.

State law mandates that you are not to create a wake within 150 feet of a dedicated boat launch, this includes private piers. Please adhere to the law and safe boating rules. They aren't written or enforced to kill your fun but to keep you from getting hurt of killing someone else.

Lake Norman BBQ

Now, I am not one to just stop off on the side of the road for a bite to eat but Saturdays around here are little hectic. Often, it is up early, get the chores done and if there is any time left over at the end of the day, we head out on the lake. So, when I was at the Sam Furr and Catawba Ave Cashion's a few weeks ago, there was Pop's Bar-B-Que set up in a catering trailer in the parking lot. It was really an accident that I decided to grab a sandwich. I was making a stop at Cashion's and needed to have some lunch. Boy, am I glad I was hungry.

Certainly, we North Carolinaians are BBQ snobs. Between the Eastern and Lexington style choices, everyone from NC claims to be some sort of connoisseur of the pork or beef variety and we ALL have an opinion! Well, Pop's makes it easy to choose, he has a bit of both and you can add to it as you see fit. The food is just down right good, not greasy and full of flavor not fat.

So, if you find yourself in the area of Birkdale and hankering for some que, head up the road to Cashion's and look for Pop's trailer out front (he usually set up the latter part of the week and weekend). You will not be sorry!

LKN LOCAL RECOMMENDATION

New Retail Coming to Huntersville

Either it is a sign that the economy is picking up or it has taken a really, really long time for the zoning in Huntersville to be finished. Regardless, it looks like there is new retail coming to the south west corner of Hwy 73 and Beatties Ford Road.

No matter which it is, looks like dirt may be moving in the area soon!

Swimming at Ramsey Creek

Many moons ago, people would come to Lake Norman and swim. I'm not talking about the landed gentry with water front homes. No, the masses who were landless and boat less. They too could come and frolic in the soothing waters of LKN. Alas, as the "open" space on the lake filled with homes and our county parks decided that swimming was too risky to allow, places where you could legally get your feet wet have been shrinking or simply non-existent.

However, the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation department is considering a change of heart and proposing to the County Commissioners that swimming be allowed back at Ramsey Creek Park (Cornelius). I think that is a great idea and considering how many families are looking for a chance to enjoy our precious jewel, as well as save a few bucks on a costly beach vacation, this is an idea whose time has come.

Bravo Parks and Rec! Now commissioners, get on board and do the right thing!

What to do in Davidson - Hurry!

There was such positive response to the post last week about what to do in Cornelius, I thought I would post a link to the Davidson Parks & Rec site.

Get out there and have some fun around Lake Norman!