The Golf course is ALMOST free of snow. Just enough left on north facing for the dogs to roll in! Remember we are week behind even Hayward, probably a month behind most of you: but that also means 10 degrees cooler in summer than Hayward, and 30 degrees cooler than Illinois!

We always like to send our news of “up north” in spring, to share with you, our dear Teal Lake resort guests/friends.  In the past, paper hard copy was the prefered… was traditional.. however, as much as we try to not change, we must adapt so please enjoy our TIDINGS ONLINE!  While here, sign up for our e-tidings to be sent directly to you.

2008 brought a new golf cart fleet, and  were enjoyed.  But the Family-Friendly 4-seaters with two bench seats, facing forward, remained (for both IN resort use and golf use). Our families love them, and we truly welcome your next generation out on the golf course.

2008 also brought our very own, totally true, children’s story about 2 little baby birds who came along to work with Charlotte in the back of her truck (you know Charlotte from the Garden and from Housekeeping). Prue captured the story, and was photographed one day at her Story Hour outside the Main Lodge before dinner.

A SAD FAREWELL to our gentle yellow lab “Mother Tinker” who unexpectedly died this winter of cancer, and now lies alongside Duncan and other family dogs in the family plot off #18 fairway.

AN EXCITED WELCOME is being prepared for a new Puppy, Cricket (yes, a yellow lab) in a week or two, who will bounce around the resort this year! Bring your kids and your four-legged family to come play. (update: Cricket arrived at Teal Lake on April 14! She is a pure joy to have around, and she thinks resort life is pretty nice too!)

FISHING 2008 was good (of course, perfect fishing weather helped.) Last summer not only made Teal Lake the envy of the area in Musky, with some very big musky caught by professional guides (not our guests, so not our musky list), but we also saw stringers of fish for the first time in years.  A poor June was made up for by a superb September.

Here are some pictures of the many fishing stories from Teal Lake last year. Musky lists ARE on the web, including 2008, (which have not been up for a couple of years due to the new format.) There were years in the ‘80’s and’90’s that people worried about the health of the fishery but they need worry no more.  DNR have confirmed what the fishermen are discovering: the size is splendid, when the fish are hungry! Come read the fishing reports and musky lists on the Musky list page





BOATS: One of the ++s of 2008, was a whole fleet of newly reconditioned boats.    We had  been a bit negligent through the years, had even bought several new aluminum boats, but we decided that it was better to preserve those splendid big, heavy, quiet, fiberglass boats.  Last summer, one of our staff member eagerly flew out of the kitchen after first cooking your breakfast, to go to her prime interest, which was boat repair,!  She got through repairing the last one as the first snow flakes were flying, but all are now in readiness for 2009.

 
ISLAND AND SHORE DINNNERS were as popular as ever, and with splendid weather provided some nice new pictures, good food, and good memories. (As the ad says) “Priceless!”  

2008 also brought the classic Walleye shore dinner onto the mainland - for nights that the dining room was closed. It was so successful that we plan to do it again in 2009. Come drool over the Shore dinner menu on the web and get lost in memories.

Thursdays are “all aboard!” for the Family ISLAND PICNIC, in summer, and will remain so… the only change for 2009 is a NEW nature walk to stand under the eagles NEW nest! We recarpeted the big pontoon for taking us to the island – ready for 2009. More details and menue on the Island Picnic page.

SO MUCH TO DO AT TEAL LAKE. Come see “WHAT TO DO AT TEAL LAKE ” section
 on the web. The new bocci ball/croquet court if fully grown in, with its own red shed to hold the mallets and balls. The wagons have a new coat of paint and await passengers. The bikes have been to the bike doctor and await 2009 season. 

REUNIONS were huge part of the business in 2008.  Some families have been coming since the 1920’s, and as younger families began to feel the pinch of recession, grandparents stepped up to the plate. Victoria even got photos this year… below is a sampling. We are excited to welcome more reunions in 2009.

 The Gunkle Family joined us in July 2008. Highly successful fishing! The walleyes seem to simply jump into their boats. 

The Moen Family joins us every  late July. They bring a wonderful joy to the resort with their songs and openess to bring everyone into the conversatioin at the nightly bonfire.

Ihrke Family have been coming to Ross' since the 1930's. They are always fun loving, serious fishermen,and a true pleasure to have at the resort. 

Corrigan Family all collected at Teal Lake in August. It was wonderful too see them all again and see how the grandkids have grown. We will miss Grandpa Corrigan and are honored that he was able to visit Teal Lake one last time.  

Obama says we all must “do our part!” One little gesture up here is hiring Local! We have enjoyed having foreign staff mixed in for the last decade … but we took Obama’s direction to heart and decided we could manage without foreign staff. Our local staff hired this year have interests varying from Rodeo  Riding to Dog sledding, so we hope you enjoy talking to them.

FAMILY NEWS  has been a bit rocky this winter but all is well now. Tim went in for minor back surgery (it went well) but picked up staph infection and came home ten weeks later!  It seems that the proverb “a week in bed takes two weeks recovery” is true, but soon his own golf cart will appear at our doorstep and sunshine is already enticing him out.   All grandchildren have been here this winter, and the personal computer is now packed with a hundred pictures of sledding, eating, board games.  Winter is our time to welcome our family, so we are ready to welcome your family in summer.   See you soon!