A Local "Joe" with Skills! or AKA "Speed Boat Joe"

I met Joe, not Minn KotaJoe, but another “local” Joe one evening down by the boat ramp. He was flying a drone around the fishing island getting some really awesome video footage. We had the occasional conversation in the past on facebook, but until this evening, we had not met in person. I discovered Joe to be an interesting character, and on top of that, he owned some very cool toys. Besides a fleet of drones, he also had RC speed boats which by the end of the evening, he had brought to the dock and was racing around the fishing island harbor. He even managed to treat us to a spectacular boat crash. The crash was immediately followed by a “Parts Rescue” from one of our marina rent boats. By the end of the night, I could see this had the potential for a friendship.

Over the past couple of months, Joe and his wife Karen have become part of our resort life. They wander in with new drone technology that is mostly beyond my ability to comprehend. We've sat on the Resort deck eating pulled pork sandwiches from the smoker while watching Bald Eagles flying around the lake through binoculars. Joe has even offered to help get some of our older derelict boats running again. He worked his magic on one of them the other night and was able to get it fired up and running long enough to determine the root problem it had.

Being one who appreciates talent and skill in all forms, I was most impressed on the day I invited Joe on a boat ride to rescue a pontoon that was not starting. The ride was slow and tedious as all of the “good” boats were already on the lake for the day. We puttered down the lake in a small fishing boat, the last of the fleet still remaining at it's post. We spotted the pontoon with apparently happy fishermen still on board. Upon pulling along side, Joe called out for them to turn the key so he could see and hear what it was doing. The VERY MOMENT, the motor attempted to start, Joe exclaimed “HA.....I know what that is” Lifting the hood and applying just the right touch with a screwdriver and.......... the motor started perfectly. Joe's a man with skills! Of course he makes a living as a mechanic and I'd say he's a darn good one.

Like Tom, Joe is an avid photographer. Without knowing it, he will fly a drone in on us and get some really amazing footage around the resort. The sample to the side is just a taste of what he and his drones are capable of. 

Joe and Karen stopped by just today with gifts of odds and ends fishing tack. Nets and lights and other gear, some for use, some for decorating the cabins and resort. Pleasant conversation always ensues when they make the trip across town to see us. There are days I feel bad that I cannot give them the hospitality they deserve, but resort life is demanding this time of year. Joe and Karen are a gracious and generous couple. Our town would seem a few degrees more empty without them. 


If you enjoy "The Rockaway Story" and you have a story or memory of your own to share with others, PLEASE consider writing it up and emailing it to me. 3-5 paragraphs is enough and 2 or 3 pictures if you have them. 

Email them to: conquest18@hotmail.com


Also, please let others know who may have stories to tell, share this link with them AND don't forget to subscribe to our update list so we can send you more stories as they are submitted!

Tom and Minn Kota Joe

The soft sound of canoe paddles in water was barely audible from the deck. Accompanying the sound of paddles across the road and somewhere behind the boat dock were quiet voices. Usually, that's inconsequential. Most of the time it's simply fishermen stalking around the many old docks along this stretch of the bay in search of bass. I've always been a bit wary of people getting too close to our dock due to our small rental boat fleet parked there. Not to mention the gas pump. Not that anyone could get gas if they didn't know how to turn everything on. I suppose it's just habit. So far there had never been any instance of thievery or vandalism. I still perk up a little when I hear or see things around the dock that aren't normally there.

In this case, eventually a canoe with its inhabitants slowly emerged from around the end of the dock. As is the usual case, they were stalking fish. Dusk was coming quickly so after a few minutes, they headed for the nearby boat ramp. I thought nothing of it until they began heading my direction up the road, each toting one end of their canoe. As they neared, I realized one of the pair was Tom. Tom makes up half the team of Tom and Janice who are the housekeepers for the resorts. We spotted each other nearly simultaneously and gave a wave. He and Joe had been out fishing this evening and were returning, unsuccessful in fish but both with smiles from a nice casual paddle around on the lake.

They set the canoe down in the middle of the road so Tom could walk up to the deck and bring a set of keys. Normally a canoe in the road may have been a problem, but in our town, it's commonplace. At least common enough that no one thinks much about it. After a short visit, Tom leaned a bit closer and said “Joe has had some health issues, paddling the canoe is good for him”. I chuckled. He continued, “Yeah... He likes to paddle and I like to fish, so it works out pretty good!” I responded with “He's kind of like your trolling motor....Maybe you should call him 'Minn Kota' like an Indian name or something!”

We laughed. Tom is good for our town. He is the kind that is determined to be a citizen of the community and make the town a better place. Janice is this way too. The pair of them are one good reason to be a part of this quiet little town by the lake. 

Tom is an extraordinary photographer as well. He has shared his work with us and has been very gracious in allowing me to use them in our marketing efforts for both the resorts and the community in general.  

More on Minn Kota Joe and Janice later!


If you enjoy "The Rockaway Story" and you ave a story or memory of your own to share with others, PLEASE consider writing it up and emailing it to me. 3-5 paragraphs is enough and 2 or 3 pictures if you have them. 

Email them to: conquest18@hotmail.com

Also, please let others know who may have stories to tell, share this link with them AND don't forget to subscribe to our update list so we can send you more stories as they are submitted!

Common Threads

Rockaway Beach, MO - Population 864 (at last count) founded on the shores of the White River in Taney County Missouri. 600 acres of land was purchased by a Willard Merriam as news of the imminent construction of the Powesite Dam made the area attractive for the establishment of a resort community. Although the history of the community is abundant and rich, the one notable fact that overshadows everything is that Rockaway Beach was the resort destination "Powerhouse" of the midwest from the 20's through the 60's and even into the 70's. Gradually Branson Missouri was to take the top billing as the tourist hot-spot leaving Rockaway Beach in the shadows. Eventually leaving it only in the fond memories of those who visited there for decades.

My story of Rockaway Beach begins in the early 70's when the bumper cars, arcades, go carts, batting cages and other entertainment venues were still in operation. I would say, not quite thriving anymore, but certainly relevant. Fast forward to 2011 when we purchased our first small resort/cabin property in Rockaway Beach. As renovations were nearing completion, we began receiving inquiries to rent our little cabins. To my surprise, close to a third of the people that booked a stay with us had a story of coming to Rockaway Beach YEARS ago! The stories were everything from family reunions, to honeymoons to summer vacations to class trips. BY FAR....the most dominant reason people came to Rockaway was on a Class Trip.

By now (2017) I have heard hundreds of stories about visitors who were here on their class trip or some other reason and had wonderfully fond memories of our town. I have been thinking of a way to allow ll those former visitors to not only connect in some fashion, but also share their favorite stories of Rockaway Beach with others.

SO..........Your part......... Please consider adding your story of Rockaway Beach by emailing it to me. I'm asking for your permission in advance to re-publish it in this blog (giving you credit for your story of course) Please send 2 or 3 pictures if you can. (no more that 3 pics with each story) I also ask your permission in advance to add you to our subscriber list so you can receive updates when other stories are submitted.

This could be REALLY fun......AND who knows, It may even spark a few Rockaway Reunions!

Please email your submission to: conquest18@gmail.com include your name and 2 or 3 pictures related to your story!

If you haven's subscribed, please do so to the right side of this page.

If you know others with Rockaway stories to tell, please connect with them and encourage them to submit a story as well.