Mysterious Black Limousine Seen Around Town

As October 2018 is coming to a close, there has been an unusual bit of activity in town that is begging for an explanation! Thursday evening around midnight (if you were up and paying close attention) a Black Stretch Limo quietly made it's way into town.

Local resort owner explained that "There was a serious uptick in reservations at the resorts this week. October is usually busy but this was beyond ordinary." He went on to say; "Most of the reservations came in through third parties adding to the mystery. Then the night before arrivals began, a local woman stopped by to pick up the keys for all of the cabins. She requested that we keep her identity confidential"

It wasn't until late that night that the mysterious black limo pulled in. Our reporters tried to gain the identity from the lodging owner who would not reveal anything about his guests. Social Media sites also were abuzz with speculation but no clues were exposed which could bring any light to the issue.

Wild Willie

Outdoor Adventure Guide

SW Missouri Expert

We have attempted to contact Wild Willie, local outdoor adventure guide and expert on things related to Southwest Missouri, to see if he could bring any clarity to the matter. At the time of the original publication of this story, he was understood to be out on an adventure with his sidekick Jeffery (and possibly Crazy Cora) and unavailable for comment. As it turns out, Wild Willie was actually IN Rockaway Beach and had noticed the Limo for himself. He sent us this video explaining his findings and brought a little SW Missouri history into the picture as well!

Wild Willies insights taken into consideration....., the mystery remains a mystery. We have been able to ascertain that if the identity of the local woman who seems to be coordinating this dark and covert activity can be discovered, she will answer any and all questions related to their purpose sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday.

This, of course, only adds to the concern about what is going on behind the scenes of our quiet little town! We will leave you with one final daytime photo of the mysterious Black Limo.

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Ancient Alien Skull Discovered in Bull Creek

An Ancient Alien Skull (pictured) was found last weekend where Bull Creek joins Lake Taneycomo just upstream from Rockaway Beach. It was obviously dislodged and washed downstream by recent heavy rains to the north of the region.

A noted local alternative cultural anthropologist (who wished to remain anonymous) was very excited by the find. "While the documentation and historical artifacts place early indigenous people groups in the Lake Taneycomo environs, the presence of alien culture is harder to ascertain". was the breathless reply to the question of the authenticity of the skull. "As we proceed with Carbonite 16 dating and fluoroscopic cleaning of the artifact, I'm certain we will be amazed with what we find." (Our good friend and outdoor adventure expert Wild Willie has first hand experience with this sort of thing and explains the origins of Ancient Alien Skulls)

Archival review of the region indicates previous signs of alien habitation. The Bull Creek area specifically has produced an abundance of evidence to this effect. The accompanying photo appears to show an alien life form in a doll shape. Further evidence of the region's intriguing past.

"Bull Creek's drainage basin runs through some long time undeveloped land." The expert went on to say. "This find could start a rush on exploration of this area. It is also very exciting to have a find like this, as it provides substance to the theory that Taney County natives may have actual alien DNA." He added; "This would also explain a great number of other local theories and legends as well."

While the community continues to be ecstatic about the possibilities, not everybody agrees with the analysis and theories about the artifact. When shown the picture on Wednesday, a local resident just shrugged and said "Looks like an old bleach jug to me. These people around here need to get their vision checked and their heads examined."

See Wild Willie's explanation
of the origins of Ancient Alien
Skulls HERE!

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Local Yorkie Saves Crowd from Marauding Mountain Lions

Saturday nights in the Fall are celebrated with campfires by the lake in the sleepy town of Rockaway Beach, Missouri. The calm evenings meld with the crackle of logs to produce an environment of peace and camaraderie around the fire. Which is why last Saturday night was such a shocking experience.

A local Yorkie (who was obviously a "Guard Yorkie" incognito) was with his owner at the Rainbow Haven Resort campfire when his ears perked up, accompanied by a small growl deep in his throat. Friends and guests around the fire thought it was simply cute..... Until he started seriously barking out at the darkness. (By the way, according to our good friend and local wildlife expert, Wild Willie, Yorkies were invented in South West Missouri)

Mountain Lion Print found

near the fire pit.

When the crowd looked up from the Yorkie, they saw what appeared to be two sets of eyes peering in at them from the edge of the darkness, stalking closer and closer. No doubt these were a pair of Marauding Mountain Lions from the deep recesses of the Bull Creek area creeping into town to wreak havoc and mayhem among the innocent residents of the community. The laughter around the fire ceased as the pair of cats grew closer. This is when the Yorkie sprang into action, jumping back and forth and barking like Cujo!

Realizing the danger to the crowd, the Yorkie's owner (or shall we call him the "Handler") stood to his feet and gave the furious Yorkie plenty of leash to solve the problem and save the day. Secret Agent Joey (his code name) stormed into the street directly toward the pair with absolutely no fear or regard for his own safety. There was a brief moment of hesitation on the part of the Lions before pandemonium broke out. In that split second when they turned to run, it became obvious that they were nothing more than a pair of local feral cats out carousing and causing mischief. (or was it? We assume they were feral cats...…. It was dark...… and they were cats...….. hard to tell the exact size........) Anyway... Just as quickly as it started, it was over. As Agent Joey and his handler returned to the fire, it was very clear that the peace and serenity had returned once again.

Agent Joey investigating mysterious Mountain Lion paw prints

Joey's handler was heard to say that "Joey regularly protects me from danger but this is the first time that mountain lions were present." (or were they). "Anyway" He went on to say, "We get to patrol the city often and are only happy to provide such an important and valuable service to the community." Joey was quick to ask that his true identity not be revealed. The low profile helps him stay close to the action around town.

copyright: Willis Montgomery

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Spanish Gold Found at Mid River Marina!

A chest full of Spanish gold was pulled from Lake Taneycomo this morning.  Joe Beeghly, the owner of Mid River Marina, says he was raking weeds in the fog when his rake stuck on something heavy.  He reversed the boat and pulled the rake out of the water, finding pieces of wood stuck to the tines.  

“I could tell the wood was much older than anything else I had pulled out of the lake,” said Joe.  “I have been raking around my dock, which is good hard work.  When I examined the piece I could reach, there was Spanish words engraved in it.  I got so excited I jumped out of the boat to find the rest of whatever it was.  Even though I sunk three feet into the mud, I could feel what I knew it was:  A chest.”

“Once I located it I tied a rope from it to the rake lift and pulled it out of the mud.  I worked to remain calm as I slowly tuned the work boat around and headed to the shore so I could put the chest on land.  After lowering the chest to the shore, I held it in place with the tines of the rake, and managed to get to it.”

“I grabbed the water hose and started rinsing off the mud.  As the mud came off, it was clear that this was a well-built wooden chest, probably from the 1600’s.  I knew that the Ozarks were explored as far back as DeSoto, and that Spanish gold passed through here in the 1600’s.  While none of the stories match up with Rockaway Beach, which wasn’t incorporated until 1917, I knew there was a real possibility of gold being in this chest.”

“As the mud came off, I realized I was a bit exposed, Mid-River Marina being right there on Beach Drive.  I moved my backhoe to block the view from the street and finished washing off the mud.  The chest had a hole in the top, and I could see something shining inside.”

“Once I realized what I had, I used the backhoe to load the chest on my boat, and I headed down to my buddy's dock to get some gas. From there I headed straight to the Historical Society in Forsyth, down lake from Rockaway Beach. Yep, they confirmed I found a chest!”

While Spanish explorers and teams of mules carrying chests of gold and silver passed through our area in the 1600’s, this is the first find.  Ever.

Copyright Willis Montgomery.

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Does Lake Taneycomo Harbor A "Nessie"?

Obviously, there will be many who will dispute the rumors, just as many dispute the existence of Large Mouth Bass in Lake Taneycomo. Unlike the Bass, however, which outsiders emphatically believe do not inhabit the lake, this NEW rumor cannot be denied. There has been a rash of recent reports by local fishermen, (all of whom can be trusted implicitly to tell the truth) of a startling discovery. A discovery that has now been captured on film as photographic evidence....... Of what? you may ask! What could only be described as Lake Taneycomo's very own version of "Nessie".

Unlike the doctored up, photo shopped pictures of Bass that have been allegedly pulled from Lake Taneycomo, (See Photo) our "Nessie" has been photographed in her natural lake environment as indisputable proof of her existence. This particular pic was taken in the vicinity of Bull Creek however the fisherman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, will not reveal the exact location. (Typical!!!!!)

The evidence is so compelling that local marina owners have added expedition boats to their fleet of rentals to meet the growing demand for sight-seers, dare-devils and thrill seekers who all hope to get a glimpse of our denizen of the deep. One resort owner was heard to have said "Yeah, they all say they are going fishing, but give me a break! We let our Jon boats go into Bull Creek. At least if they get eaten, the loss will be minimal. None have been eaten yet, but you never know. I'm certain that something has taken a bite out of a couple of the motor propellers back in there!"

"For the truly adventurous" he went on to say, "We have the Bull Creek Kayak Expedition. A few brave souls that have gone far enough up the creek have come back with amazing pictures of the scenery, but still no river monsters"

It's only a matter of time before this mystery gets the recognition it deserves. Until then, Bring your cameras, pack a lunch. (Make sure you have some fishing gear so you can least pretend you are actually fishing to avoid ridicule) BRING YOUR LIFE VEST FOR SURE. If you don't have one, one can be provided to you with any boat rental.

Bull Creek Expedition Lodging
Expedition Boat Rentals

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The First Clue

It's been well over a year since I met Jim. He and his wife Mary have been gradually getting to know us and are becoming involved in our lives. Aside from the growing friendship, I've discovered that Jim and myself have several common interests one of which is understanding the long and rich history of our town and what drives and influences it's many functions. Daily life in our town on the surface seems no different than that of any other small town. Occasionally though, there is the odd occurrence that is simply too difficult to explain. We meet in various capacities throughout each month. There's the business of community re-development task force that is commonplace for a town such as ours. Then there's the purely social encounters, many of which center around a really good cup of coffee at the coffee shop atop the hill. Jim doesn't drink coffee so in those coffee sessions, it's his job to represent the tea drinkers and sarsaparilla crowd. Finally, there are the meetings we have out on our deck at the resort. These are the meetings where we can speculate, and brainstorm without the trappings of social convention. Simply put, we can discuss ideas that would never be considered plausible or even possible in any normal environment or circumstance. It was at one of these early morning discussions that we believe we may have scratched the surface of something so outlandish that only the most conspiracy driven minds would be willing to comprehend.

This morning, Jim had Joey in tow..... or perhaps it was the other way around. I've discovered that it's mostly Joey that takes Jim for a walk in the mornings. Joey being the 2 pound Yorkie that is pretty sure he's a Rottweiler. Joey likes to bring Jim to our deck because there are treats here that he can perform for. We try not to make Jim perform for treats. Although I think there are days when the smoker on the deck is cooking that he just might.

We were on the subject of the hidden forces that seemed to influence decisions and directions in our town and really having no luck putting our finger on any one thing. It was then that we had our first subtle hint that perhaps it was something we had never considered. Joey was the key to our potential discovery. Without any warning, he let out a low growl. This was followed by an explosive bolt to the edge of the deck where he strained at his leash and pressed his head deeply between the deck spindles to see down onto the parking lot. Certainly it must have been just another dog. But there were no dogs in site, and no dog handlers either. What was it that sparked this surge of energy and intensity?

We laughed at the ferocity of Joey's outbreak. Jim said that he act's that way around the neighborhood cats back on the other side of town. Even though he tries to get at them and chase them, he seems to know better than to actually catch one. Partly because they are all bigger than he is, but partly because they also wield fierce weapons hidden deep within those furry paws of theirs. They are sort of the conceal and carry version of the animal world.

Sure enough, there it was, slinking around the dumpster. A cat! It was looking up at Joey with disdain in it's eyes. How can you detect disdain in a cat? It's really pretty easy.....They're all that way. They look at you as if to say “ Just stay where you are and nobody gets hurt!”

I had seen this cat before. It was a white and gray that likes to hang out at the various docks down on our side of town. Today was different though. After staring Joey down, he looked up at me as if to say, “The same goes for you buddy! …........ And the same for your friend sitting there with you!” Jim noticed it too. We looked at each other as Joey ran from one vantage point to another completely winding his leash into a knot round our legs and the legs of the deck furniture. Surly it was just our imagination. Did that cat really just threaten us? We contemplated this in a moment of silence. Jim spoke first. “You know...... Joey sometimes takes me up the hill past a place where there are many cats. In fact, you really have to stop and look closely to see them. They hide and look out from seclusion. I think it's a bit of a game for Joey, but I enjoy the “count the cats” routine as much as he seems to.”

Then the next clue presented itself....................................................

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. 


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