EDITOR’S NOTE

From the Editor LAKE LIFE

just got better

We are well into our second summer season in a postCOVID world, and what an interesting time it’s been for those of us at Lake of the Ozarks! While we haven’t gotten away unscathed, I’ve heard many locals say they feel like we’ve lived in a bubble, sheltered by some of the misfortune that has plagued other parts of the world. As a result, the Lake has become even more popular than it always has been as families are looking to resume some normalcy to their lives.

I’ve met many people who have moved to the Lake from other states for employment, knowing that they were on the chopping black where they lived with so many businesses shutting down. Even so, many local businesses still don’t have enough employees to keep up with demand. My Realtor and boat sales friends are busier than ever. I guess that’s a good problem to have.

For 90 years Lake of the Ozarks has always been a destination. The landscape has changed, boats have gotten bigger, businesses have come and gone, but the Lake continues to draw people cpatires@gmail.com from all over for one reason or another. Some stay for a week, others have chosen to stay permanently. Either way, welcome to the Lake! Yes, it’s taking longer at local restaurants to get served, the roads are busier with traffic backing up for miles on Horseshoe Bend, but what a good excuse to slow down and enjoy the view.

I’ve spent most of my life at Lake of the Ozarks. As much as I love to travel and enjoy what bigger cities have to offer, Lake life just can’t be beat. Even on my busiest days I can walk just a few steps to our dock for a quick workout on the paddleboard or to take a sunset cruise by boat.

As the Lake turns 90 this year, a full slate of events will be happening as part of the Best Dam Birthday Bash celebration. For months several committees made up of local chambers, tourism officials, business owners and other volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes to bring the community these events. You can find a complete list of Best Dam events featured in our cover story.

In this issue, we pay homage to the most important thing that has happened to us in the last century — the construction of Bagnell Dam. Without the dam, Lake of the Ozarks wouldn’t exist.

We encourage everyone to take part in these events and help us celebrate. Despite the challenges over the past year, we have a lot to be thankful for! EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Joyce L. Miller jmiller@lakesunonline.com EDITOR Charis Patires

MARKETING CONSULTANTS Lori Hess, Bonnie Schneider, Candace Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS George Denny, Al Griffin, Charis Patires, Alan Wohlgemut CREATIVE CONSULTANT Barb Dietrick DESIGN Gannett Design Center DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR Bob Moore

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Copyright 2021 by Lake Media, a subsidiary of Gannett. All rights reserved. Lake Lifestyles magazine is published six times annually for distribution in Missouri and in the Midwest. Lake Lifestyles provides residents of and visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks with lifestyle and recreation features about the greater Lake of the Ozarks area. While effort has been made to authenticate all claims and guarantees offered by advertisers in this magazine, we cannot assume liability for any products or services advertised herein. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material. The publisher will assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transcripts or other materials. All advertisements created by the publisher are not considered a work made for hire and the publisher retains the copyright to all advertisements created by the publisher for the advertiser. The advertisements may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

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