|   We need updated information on camp grounds, marinas, and businesses located on or near
WelcomeThe purpose of this site is to help us get the word out that Lake Texoma does have a tourist capability for 2007; to help us let Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond know lake tourism was not completely destroyed by the summer flood. This huge, beautiful lake is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Southwest. It's famous for its great fishing, excellent marinas and resorts, its natural beauty and lively nightlife. Lake Texoma spans the Texas/Oklahoma border just 75 miles north of Dallas and 121 miles south of Oklahoma City. The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce has joined with the United Way, the Corp of Engineer and organized volunteer groups to get all camp sites at Lake Texoma Lakeside Camp Grounds ready for spring and summer visitors. We need additional volunteers, organizations, and clubs to join us at Lakeside Click here for lake news from the Army Corp. of Engineers.
“The lake is back waters warm skies are perfect.” For businesses on Lake Texoma, this can only mean one thing; it’s going to be a great weekend. The first day of Labor Day weekend has been a busy one for marina owner Bill Glasscock. The staff of Alberta Creek, hasn’t had much time to catch their breath after spending a good part of the week getting ready. Glasscock says all the hard work is paying off. “I think it will be a great weekend be like a good strong regular summer weekend.” Caney Creek Marina is also showing strong signs. Owner George Wagner says all the rooms at his resort are fully booked. “It’s been very nice to have this on Labor Day weekend. We had a thirty percent increase in business." Caney creek recently added a new restaurant which adds a jump start to the business as well as the local economy. “Were consistent on our hours our grocery store business has been booming. Caney Creek Cafe is open and has been doing well." After a wet start to the summer, business owners say they're glad to serve their customers once again. “No one is wearing suit and ties. We’re just out here relaxing having fun, entertaining our customers, and their having fun." "It’s really great. I’m glad to hear people laughing you hear them hooting and hollering all through the park it’s just great."
Daily Oklahoman, August 28, 2007 Texoma plans a flood of fun times
By Chad Previch
Staff Writer LAKE TEXOMA — The calendar might not say it, and to be honest, Lynn Cronemiller really doesn't care. To him and other Lake Texoma boaters, this weekend is the Fourth of July, not Labor Day.
There will be fireworks, parties, music and DJs. There will be American flags, too.
Flooding unseen in 20 years closed marinas and businesses and forced some residents from their homes. It also forced officials to reschedule the Fourth of July fireworks show to this weekend.
Texoma has receded about 16 feet since the peak of the floods. Half the businesses have reopened and boaters are ready to party.
"I think everybody will be there,” said Cronemiller, from Oklahoma City. "I think this will be our Fourth of July weekend.”
Locals have estimated that flooding caused millions of dollars in damage and in lost sales.
Fireworks to the rescue
A $35,000 fireworks show is planned for Sunday and business owners hope the show will draw visitors and help save what so far has been a doomed summer.
The show, near the Roosevelt Bridge (U.S. 70) and Lake Texoma State Park, primarily was put together by boaters and local banks. It starts about 9:40 p.m., lasts about 30 minutes and ends with a grand finale featuring more than 2,000 fireworks.
The docks at Catfish Bay Marina in Kingston where Cronemiller keeps his boat reopened last week, but he did not go down because of the smell left by floodwaters. He plans on driving down Thursday and spending until at least Monday night there.
"If you're a diehard boater, you'll be there,” said Cronemiller, a Catfish boater since 1983. "The big problem is the tourists aren't there.”
Cronemiller will be at the lake more than usual this fall and winter, he says.
That's what marina and business owners hope. Sherri Williams, Catfish Bay's manager, said the show would have been the state's third largest Fourth of July display.
Glass is half full
Janet Reed, executive director of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, said the weekend will give businesses a good shot at recapturing some sales. It's estimated revenue at lake-related businesses in Marshall and Bryan counties dropped as much as 70 percent.
A massive effort to clean up the area was postponed from last weekend because rainfall to the north caused the lake level to start rising again.
That effort has been moved to early September.
"We're seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty,” Reed said.
At Catfish Bay, where Sherri Williams estimates a $1 million drop in revenue for the boating season, the fuel dock may be up and running again this week, they've been renting boats for six weeks and the cantina opened in July.
"We're trying to be as optimistic as possible that this will be the last hurrah for the people because they have really missed out on summer,” she said.
A bad, smelly summer
Debbie Johnson, assistant manager of the Sooner Stop 2 convenience store in Kingston, saw about a 60 percent drop in revenue.
"This summer, it was bad,” she said.
Ron Jordan, lake manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said between 150 to 200 corps campsites are open this year, compared to a normal 700.
Reservations are not being taken, instead the sites are on a on first-come basis.
The cleanup effort will include the removal of driftwood and other debris, Jordan said. A film of mud that stained boats and buildings must be power-washed. Gravel at campsites must be replaced and power must be restored.
About $9 million in damages to corps property was inflicted.
"It's smelly, to tell you the truth,” Jordan said.
Bloodkin to Appear at Music on Market Square Durant Main Street will welcome the Kahlden family to the stage for this week’s Music on Market Square on Thursday night at 7 p.m. The family performs progressive bluegrass and some country music as Bloodkin.
Gerald Kahlden plays guitar, banjo and sings. Teri Kahlden plays an upright bass and adds vocals. Kelsi Kahlden sings, and Joe Kahlden plays guitar, mandolin, and sings. They have opened for Ricky Skaggs and played several community events and local restaurants
The public is invited to the outdoor stage at First and Evergreen in Downtown Durant to hear good music in a relaxed atmosphere. It will begin this Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Durant Main Street Program Manager Donna Dow is excited about this week’s lineup. “The Kahlden family will put on a good show. They’re popular, and our crowd loves good bluegrass music.”
Manic Messiah will perform on September 6 as the schedule has been extended due to popularity. For more information, contact Durant Main Street at 924-1550. The concerts are free, and attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.
Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins met with area leaders on Wednesday morning at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room to discuss opportunities at Lake Texoma for Labor Day weekend.Area leaders and local business representatives gathered at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room on Wednesday for a press conference. It has been reported that more than 80 percent of the boat launching ramps, lodging campsites and golf courses, as well as grocery, fishing guides, sporting goods and boating businesses will be opened by Labor Day or shortly thereafter.
Chamber hopes business booms - Businesses look forward to Labor Day weekend tourismLake Texoma businesses, area businesses affected by tourism, the Army Corps of Engineers, members of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, and the Pottsboro Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday and discussed ways to clean up lake shorelines and let the public know that Lake Texoma is open for business. The fireworks display, which was canceled for 4th of July, has been rescheduled at the state park for September 2, 2007 the Sunday before Labor Day. Labor Day is one of the three biggest holidays for the lake. The organizations are working to make this holiday weekend a special one, as both Memorial Day and Independence Day were washed out due to rain. A volunteer clean up effort and a website with updated information on which marinas and camping areas are open and updated lake levels were discussed. According to Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed, the feedback was positive and volunteers signed up to continue working on this effort. Reed said one of the reasons for hosting the meetings was to aid not only those who sustained actual flood damage, but those who lost business due to the amount of rainfall received during May, June and July. “They [the businesses] are going full force ahead. There are businesses that will open for the Labor Day weekend,” said Reed. The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and Durant Main Street will be hosting the Oklahoma State Tourism and Recreation Department for a site visit of the Durant area Friday from 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Any interested businesses or individuals are invited to attend a presentation by the representative of the Tourism Department on “Packaging and Marketing Your Product for Tourism” and “Agri Tourism.” This session will help all tourism-related businesses in preparing for tourism with emphasis on group tours coming into the area. If you need additional information please call the Chamber at 580-924-0848 or Durant Main Street at 580-924-1550.
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