Seasons Greetings!

SEASONS GREETINGS from Sleeping Fawn Resort and Campground

December 2011

Ahhh, the chilly air is here once again. It’s that time of year for celebrating with family and friends and to share memories of years past, and planning ventures for the years ahead.

The biggest joy of the area this year was the “opening soon” banner that went up in January at the Emmaville store. Being closed for over 2 years sure made needs more difficult for simple items like gas or milk. New owners Mike and Melinda Spry have eyed this place for some time, and with a lot of hard manual labor put into it this place looks spectacular!

Sleeping Fawn Resort had a very hot and humid July in the mid 90’s that went on and on and on for days. The lake was well used to keep as cool as possible. The kayaks and paddle boats continue to be a big hit with guests, along with the Shuffle Board court, updated with new cue sticks and score board. Then in August both Ellen and Joe were able to take a weekend off to celebrate the Wedding of Granddaughter/niece Katie and Jack Berning. The Wedding was a real joy and we wish them the best. Finally, our late summer into Fall ended up being very dry and continues to be with just a trace of snow on ground.

Meanwhile, wildlife abounds! This early Spring Ellen had complained of a bear enjoying our bird feeders and can of seed. I found it hard to believe until I was drawn to noise outside the house at night and finding a black bear scooping seed from the can for over an hour. I tried capturing photos but with little luck due to the darkness. Secondly, one of our Seasonal RV’ers, John came back from Park Rapids to tell us he saw a Cougar cross the road by Emmaville – another improbable story, as it was the first I had heard of a sighting. Then two days later Cabin guests from Fargo arrived and said a cougar was on the driveway of the resort, and again multiple sightings by resort guests happened throughout rest of August. Sadly, no photos were captured and even with the visit of conservation officer, there was no success in tracking the cat. The deer were quite active this summer as well, one fawn in particular was very curious of guests and enjoying all of resort plants and blooming flowers. So far, however, it has been a quiet Fall and Winter. Stay tuned: possible sightings of a baby loon? The loons did nest this year but without the success of a baby loon to raise. Let’s hope for better results next year.

This off season, Joe has enjoyed working at the Emmaville store as a cashier of the store and waiter in the café, wherever and whenever needed. When not working, Joe has been attending BSU Hockey games, visiting with friends and family and also helping out with his brother Jon along with Kevin and their new venture of a Hardware Hank store in Battle Lake, MN. As a reward for his hard work, Joe is planning for a warm destination vacation for sometime this winter.

Ellen continues to drive bus for the Heartland Express of Park Rapids, transporting the disabled. She has routes twice a week. Ellen has been keeping active by walking daily on the resort grounds or in town. She did manage to get away for a bit, enjoying a bus tour to the East Coast of Cape Cod this Fall. Ellen has been spending quality time with friends and family this Fall and plans to do more this winter season.

We recently lost my father, John, to cancer. We hope this holiday season brings peace and joy as we remember all those who cannot be with us.

Don’t Forget! The Resort Photo contest is coming to an end this December 31, 2011, and photos to be launched on the newly updated website for all to view, with winners to be announced shortly after. Good luck and thanks for all the great photos!

Wishing you all the best in 2012.

Joe and Ellen (LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! TO VIEW CONTEST PHOTOS!)

apologies

We want to apologize in the lack of blogs this Fall/Winter.

We are working on a new website that is user friendly with todays technology including smart phones, and the blog will still be a part of it along with facebook. The roleout should be next week, so keep posted.

Also I will be posting the contest photos at that time for all to view!

Very excited here, hope you are too!

oh and yeah....like us, on facebook!

Joe and Ellen