Hidden Harbor Marina
Casey Cove Rd. Smithville TN 37166 | 615-597-8800 |email: hiddenharbor@dtccom.net
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Hidden Harbor Marina Casey Cove Rd. Smithville TN 37166 | 615-597-8800 |email: hiddenharbor@dtccom.net
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HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER- February 2008 Brrrrrr! It’s been cold! January has been a challenge with all the cold and rainy weather, but we are continuing to move forward. In addition to some behind the scenes construction, we’ve been busy ordering and arranging things and in February you should see the progress. A snap shot of what you can expect to see soon (weather permitting) include new concrete walkways to the dock, asphalt in the new parking areas, the wood channels in the main walkway and gas island completed, some lighting at the main access point and along the main walkways, and we are anxiously awaiting the new bridge for the main access point. We are also making progress getting the gas and pump-out systems coordinated which should be completed by April 1. There have been a lot of growing pains and we can’t thank you all enough for your patience and support. Please keep in touch and let us know if we can be of assistance.
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2008 Happy New Year! We hope you all had a great holiday season and have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2008! We’ll be starting off the year at the Nashville Boat Show on Wed., Jan. 9 – Sun., Jan. 13. Rick and Laura, Harry and Dianna, Sean, and Brian and Stacey will all be working different days, so stop by and see us. It’s FREEZING outside but the boating season is just around the corner. Work is continuing at our new location. We’re working on the center of the main walkway and are getting ready to start running the gas lines, the pumpout system, etc. This will, however, take a few months to get running, so please be patient. The Corps of Engineers is also working on extending the campground launch ramp to accommodate the low summer pool they are projecting. Although, you may not realize it, progress is continuing to be made slowly.
To Cherished Old Friends and Valued New Friends, May you be blessed with the Peace, Happiness, and Love that Christmas always brings. We would like to express our gratitude for the friendship, trust, and confidence you have shown in us this past year. May you have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From Hidden Harbor Marina Gary and Carol de Mik Brian and Stacey Leiser
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER – NOV. 2007 Well, the move portion is complete! We moved the last two buildings on Fri., Nov. 2nd. The week of Oct. 22nd, we moved the old houseboat dock, the entire north pier, and the main walkway. Although the weather was not great, we were able to accomplish what needed to be done. The houseboaters were great! We truly appreciate all those who used their boats (Mr. Florida, Leonard Davis, Martin Johnson, Bubba Beers, Rick Teal, Harry Gerhart, and Perry Lawrence) to help move the dock, those who fed us, and those just offering their support. The move and landing was very impressive. Electricity was restored to the old houseboat dock last week and will be restored to the new houseboat dock by the end of this week. We are also hoping to have water to the houseboats by the end of this week. We would like to give a special thanks to Harry Gerhart, Rick Teal, and Mark Leiser (Brian’s brother from Idaho) who spent the entire week of Oct. 22nd helping move and secure the dock. We also want to thank our dedicated staff, Alberto, Alex, Harry Beers, Rick Latta, and Sean Leiser, who spent many long hours by our sides these last few months. Things are moving right along. Please remember, however, that we are still under construction. Although, the docks are anchored and secured, we still have a lot of work to do. Pivot points have been ordered for the walkway to the covered slips, we’re still working on the main walkway to the houseboats and gas island, we still need to restore power in the covered slips, etc. so please watch your step and be patient. The store is closed. We do not have gas and don’t expect to have any until spring. If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at 615-597-8800. The holidays are near and we hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We certainly have a lot to be thankful for. We have been blessed with a wonderful family and great friends that we can count on. Winter is near so please take some time to prepare. Winterize your boats. Take home items such as trolling motors, depth finders, ski equipment, and propane bottles. Please don’t leave behind what someone else may want or what may create an unsafe situation. Do not leave personal watercraft and boats behind your houseboat. Lastly, NO UNATTENDED SPACE HEATERS IN BOATS allowed. Thank you. October 2007 Dear Friends of Hidden Harbor, Thank you for another excellent season. It seems each year we have more new people join in on what the rest of us already know; being on Center Hill Lake is a great way to spend your time especially with family and friends. We thank each of you for your support. This last month, we were able to successfully move three of the buildings to the new location. We were lucky to make this move when we did. We had only a few extra feet of water space to squeeze the buildings through and Mother Nature gave us three beautiful days of sun and no wind. The buildings were anchored and power restore within two weeks. Improvements to the access point and connections will occur once the rest of the dock is moved over and secured. For those involved, you know there were a few glitches, but overall, we were pleased. Thanks for the help and support. The next few months are going to be challenging (to say the least) for all of us. Although we are excited about this venture, we know our future plans have caused some significant disruptions, and as we move forward, we know many more will be affected. To each of you we apologize, however, we really feel this move is best for the marina and our customers. We also feel our timing to make the move this year was right. We have had recent discussions with the Corps of Engineers and the outlook for Center Hill Lake levels are about to significantly change at least for the next year and perhaps several more. The lake is expected to drop another seven feet by November 1st. Should we continue to see a lack of rainfall, we are likely to see another five foot drop over winter. To put into perspective, that is 5 feet lower than last year when the Corps conducted its emergency draw down. Additionally, there is a proposal for next year’s summer pool levels to be where they are now: 630’ elevation instead of the normal 648’ elevation. The Corps of Engineers’ proposal can be found at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/CenterHill/. This recent information on lake levels has also required us to make more revisions to our move plan. The first impact is we had planned to have all of October and November to move. It looks like now we will be moving everything by mid-October. Second, we planned to move one section, have it anchored and connected with all services and then begin the next section. As of now, we need to get all sections out in the next 30 days and then connect services. Third, we wanted the water and electric services 90% completed before the move to reduce down time, however, these service might not be completed until the beginning to mid-November. Last, where the slips were planned for anchoring when this process began has to be modified. If the Corps does lower the water levels another five feet, it reduces the water space in the new location by 40-60 feet across the cove. This affects the houseboat slips the most because they will have to be located closer to the main channel of Holmes Creek. It may also affect maneuver aisles to the slips located in the back of the cove. Bottom line: what would of fit before does not fit well now. So why move? Even though water space in the new location will be tight it is manageable. Our current location simply won’t work. Our schedule this month must be a flexible, which will require you to be able to adjust also. We are planning to make the move the week of October 22nd, however, we need everyone to be ready by October 15th. We are still subject to the Corps reducing the lake levels faster and weather conditions, so it is difficult to plan an exact day. What does ready mean? Plan for no water or electricity and for houseboats, no waste pump-out capability as of October 15th. If things go well and we indeed move as scheduled, we will keep electricity and water until the 21st (but be ready for the 15th; any day after is a risk). The older houseboat section will move first, followed by the remaining covered slips and with the newer houseboat section last. The move will occur over several days. Our electrician will be ready to begin hooking up the transformers the day after the first building moves, but the electrical must be inspected by the State and only after it passes will Caney Fork Electric set the poles and turn on power. The result, plan for at least 2-4 weeks of no electricity. We know we are not completely ready to be open. There is a lot to still do with improving access points, finishing dock construction, installing new gas lines, and the list goes on. I assure you this work will continue from now on into fall. Our goal the next 30 days is to ensure limited access, anchoring the docks, and establishing water and electricity. We will continue to update you with our progress throughout fall and winter, but please give us to spring to be “business as usual.” There was another marina on this lake that underwent significant changes and they we’re closed for at least one full boating season. Like any project, the voices of the people will be heard; all voices. As we go forward, we are encouraged by the support. People believe in this venture and trusting its end result and us. We hope you remain excited and with your patience, we will offer you a better place next spring. Some will find good with the move, but are also worried. There are things we are overlooking, but we will make fixes where we can, as we go. Also, keep in mind what is good for one may not be good for another; however, you can help us make the right choices. We will require a little extra patience from you and some time to implement your suggestions, but give it a chance. We have always tried and will continue our effort to bring you the best service on the lake. Last, there will be those who ask why move at all. The move will create inconveniences these next few months. We could potentially be without utilities for 1-2 months. There will be concerns about the drive to the new location, the slope down to the dock, or the very tight water space. Although we empathize, simply put, this change started out as something we thought would be best for the marina, but really has turned into a must situation!!! The new water levels and our present location will not be acceptable. You will not be pleased when you can’t lower your hoist, get out of your slip, have the electricity off because your building needs to be pushed into deeper water, or you are unable to get your boat in to fill up for gas. We will do our best to alleviate the pains, but we have to work within certain parameters including the terrain Mother Nature gave us and of course the Corps of Engineers. Please bear with us and help us change for the best. We cannot address all your questions or comments in a letter, but we would be happy to meet with any of you to show you our plans, ease your minds, and take recommendations. Please come by and see the new place and all the work that has been done to date. Also, please come by the marina sometime in October. Regardless of the marina’s move, you may want to contact the Corps of Engineers about your concerns regarding lake levels. Thank you, Gary, Carol, Brian and Stacey Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter – September 2007 It’s hard to believe the boating season is almost over, at least for many of you. Even with all this HOT weather, between school, sports, and work people just don’t seem to find the time for the lake once Labor Day is over. It’s been a good season, and we want to thank you for your business and friendship. GOOD NEWS! We have finally received approval on our lower parking area, and hopefully, our excavator can begin after the holiday weekend. Although things seem to be moving slowly, we are making headway. We have launched 280 ft. of walkway and have just completed our new gas island; however, it is still on land. Tuesday, Sept. 4th we have scheduled to begin moving the half-building and the south pier. The electrical is ready to be hooked up shortly after the move. Although we are at the mercy of Caney Fork Electric and the electrical inspector before the electricity can be turned on, we do expect power within 14 days of the move. We’ll keep you posted with our progress. If any of you are interested in a used pontoon boat, our 2004 Bentley pontoon boat is for sale. It’s a 24’ pontoon boat with a 60 hp four-stroke engine. Just give us a call at 615-597-8800 or stop by the store for more details. I guess that’s all the news for now. Thanks again for a great season!
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter – August 2007 Wow, it’s already August. We had a busy and HOT July but with year round school systems, summertime seems to have already peaked out and is beginning to slow down. We know there are plenty of hot days left, so we hope to see you in the days to come. We had a FANTASTIC fireworks show once again headed up by our houseboat friends and supported by many of you. We appreciate all those who donate their time and hard-earned money for this show year after year. On the calendar ahead is our Customer Appreciation Day. It will be held Sat., August 11th. Once again, Stacey will be serving up delicious hot dogs and drinks for each of you, and maybe there will be a little break at the gas pump. In regards to the campground and move, we discussed last month of our possible early move of some buildings. We will keep you posted when we actually begin to move the buildings to their new location. We know the move will inconvenience some, so we are watching water levels and delaying the move as long as possible. Thankfully the rain helped and may have bought us a week in regards to moving that portion of dock. However, we continue to make progress. We have set the electrical poles and are working on the electrical for the half building and south pier. Additionally, we are continuing to build new walkway and some of it is ready to launch, so we are seeing progress each and every day. We are still waiting for the final approval for our lower parking lot, but hope to get started on it in the weeks to come. We want to thank you all for the continued loyalty, support, and patience. There are seven other marinas out there and all with open slips. We feel fortunate that through the good and the bad, our customers keep with us.
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter – July 2007 The Fourth of July already!!! Remember to join us Saturday the 7th for fireworks. We are proud of the show our guys have put on in the past and we expect it to be every bit as good this year. And remember to take the time to be thankful to live in this great country. Happy Birthday USA!!! The rest of this letter is dedicated to the move. Our engineer report is back and includes all the construction work below the 685-elevation level; where the marina is going to be located. Next, we meet with the Corps to get approval and then on with the work. Are we on schedule? Probably not, be we could still meet the October/November timeframe which is good. However, we have encountered one problem that no one could anticipate. The drought. As many of you are aware, the drought combined with the low lake levels at Lake Cumberland have presented problems moving barge traffic through the Cumberland River. That means the other reservoirs in the area (including Center Hill Lake) are drawing down a little sooner and more than expected. With the lake already starting 10 feet below normal levels, the marina will be in shallow water soon. In fact, we will be closing our main ramp this week. Additionally after talking to the Corps, we are anticipating the need to move the slips near the parking lot and the older slips south of the store in the next 30-45 days or they may sit on ground. Yes, this is before Labor Day and before the 2007 boating season comes to an end. We realize the impact of this on you, but we really may have no choice. As important as we might think we are, our value won’t take precedence over ship traffic on the Cumberland. We will be working very hard to develop a solid plan to get slips and boats moved safely to the new location with electricity or establish a temporary spot near the existing marina (likely without electricity or generator only). Never before have we been so impacted by low water during boating season and the Corps of Engineers say this is a very real scenario for the coming years. We have relied on your patience in the past and we will ask it of you again. Additionally, we will do our best to help you to enjoy this 2007 boating season. And of course, we will do our best to keep you informed. Thank you.
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter – June 2007 Boating season is here!!! Memorial Day was huge and all those at the lake (which was probably everyone) realize the same thing. The parking situation was tough, but we sure appreciate everyone’s patience and support. It did come to our attention that Mr. Sanders was dancing on top of his houseboat. Mr. Sanders, the reports are you do have a rhythm deficiency (but you are still our friend). We look forward to seeing each of you for the 2007 boating season. In addition to the marina activity, the campground was open. We had a full house on Memorial Day weekend and the crowd there was also fantastic. Rick and Laura received rave reviews about their hospitality. There are still a few kinks to work out, but it looks like it is headed in the right direction. On a more business note, we are asking for some support. Parking is bad on a good day, so please do your part to cut back on the number of vehicles you use. If you drop your trailer, then please do so in the grassy field to free up spaces for vehicles. Last, park in designated areas only. If you’re late and there is an open space, it probably is not a parking space or someone else would already have it. We have roped off areas, put up signs, and placed “saw horses” out. The only thing left is to become like the other marinas and start towing. The other area you can help out is with the dogs. We are placing buckets and brooms out to help with accidents. Please use them when needed. We all will appreciate your support. Marina move news. We have graded and graveled approximately 100 spaces and more are coming. Other areas left to construct parking are in the flood storage elevations and require more coordination. New dock has been ordered and materials are starting to be received. This new dock is for additional main walkways and the new gas island and store area. We are still working with our engineer to develop on paper our plan to show you how the dock will be laid out, but they are a little behind. We promise to keep you posted. The Fireworks this year, to celebrate this wonderful country, is on Saturday, July 7th. Hope to see you all there!!!
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter – May 2007 Maybe we have turned the corner on the cold weather, so we look for activity to start to pick up on the lake. It feels like 2007 just began yet we are already coming up on Memorial Day and the kickoff to the new boating season. The only thing missing is a little lake cooking. Stacey? Rick? The water levels will go up another foot and then stabilize for summer. We would like to see higher lake levels, but the ramps are accessible, so we will make the most of what we have. Things may get a tough toward the end of the boating season, but we will keep you informed. Gas prices are again an issue on the lake and at the marina. With our first fill up for 2007, prices are already where they were last season, and we are just getting started. We will continue to carry premium gas and ensure our prices are competitive, but unfortunately it is not in our control. As always, we still ask that no gas be brought onto the dock or anywhere in the marina area. We received the initial plans back from our engineer and held a meeting with the Corps to discuss the new marina parking. There are a few small issues to clear up, but we should be underway soon. Some new dock has been ordered which will be used to provide the additional walkway required at the new site and form the base of a new store and gas island (not new slips). Rick and Laura are officially set up, and only a few fixes and a little clean up work is needed at the camp facilities. For those who use the campground this year, please bear with us for 2007; it will be a work in progress. With all that is going on and with the new boating season starting, there is always a little bit of turnover with customers. Everyone has a good reason for not renewing their contract, but please help Stacey by giving her 30 days notice. Additionally, remember you are in a contract that obligates you and the marina for the duration of the contract. If you need out early, talk to Stacey and see what she can work out. You would not want us to void your contract without notice: we just ask for the same courtesy. Welcome back and let’s go boating!!!!
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter - April I don’t know if the season has officially started, but it sure seems like it’s close. The blast of warm air in March sure brought the people out. We thought we would have another 4-6 weeks to get ready. WRONG. However, it is good to see you. Hey Rick, when you going to start cooking? Our work focus is shifting from the Campground and back to the marina. We are busy trying to clean up and fix some things that need fixing (a true never ending job). There are no major changes planned to the existing facilities (for now) because of our focus to getting moved. However, let us know if we can help you in any way. Please help us by following a few neighborly rules that have already slipped the minds of some people: · Don’t put your boat in another person’s slip without asking. It saves a lot of grief. · Everyone, please pick up your trash when fishing in the slips. You don’t want to pay our hourly rate to pick up your litter and we know you like your place looking good. · Watch the kids. Running in the slips, playing on the rocks, and swimming at the boat ramp have not been approved by the National Program for Playground Safety. · PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG. We have already found more presents than we should all season. · Please return the carts after you are done. · Please, only garbage items in the dumpster. Large boxes, old furniture, and debris from remodeling efforts need to go to the transfer station. An extra dumpster is an extra cost. · Most importantly: Your neighbors are watching, and they do let us know who you are (sometimes even when we don’t want to know). It’s official, we are taking reservations for camping. We have twenty sites open. Sites with water and electricity are $30 plus tax. Sites without water and electricity are $20 plus tax. The official start date will be May 1st. The sites are basically cleaned up and the water and electricity are in working order. The bathhouse is open with only a few minor repairs remaining. Rick should be moved in to keep track of you happy campers in the next two weeks. Like everything, it is moving slower than we like, but it is moving forward. News on the marina move, unfortunately, is the same as last month; we are still awaiting our engineer report. Almost everything is contingent on this because the Corps and State of Tennessee will not let us move forward until an engineer drawing is completed. No roads. No parking. No water. No electricity. Nothing. We are told our report will be partially completed this first week in April. If so, we can at least get our meetings and permits started with the Corps and State. Our fingers are crossed, but we are not holding our breath. Well, you caught us a little off guard with the early return, but we are happy to see so many of you back. We look forward to the 2007 boating season.
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter - March 2007 Well, spring is almost here and the 2007 boating season will soon be underway. All we need is a few more weeks of some warm weather and a little more rain to fill up our lake. The lake is slowly going up and the off-season ramp is available, so if you need to pull your boat for some off-season maintenance, now is a good time. Believe it or not, we have managed to stay busy this winter. The campground is coming along nicely, although there is plenty more to do. We have not set an actual opening date but probably May 1st. We are still looking at opening up 15 campsites of which all will have electricity and water. There will not be direct sewage hook up but there is a dump station on site. There will also be one bathhouse with shower available. The sites are cleaned up, and as of March 1st, the electricity and water are on. This month’s activities include fixing water leaks and checking each individual electric box to ensure there is safe and adequate power. Additionally, we will be moving Rick on-site by April 1st, to provide oversight at the campground. Don’t worry, you will still see plenty of Rick at the marina; he plans to commute by Sea-Doo. The parking improvements are moving forward at a snails pace. We do have a civil engineer working on the plan. Once the plan is completed, it will then need to be approved by the State and Corps of Engineers. We are still hoping to start some of the excavation by mid-April. We are still around the marina but certainly not as much. We thank all of you for your patience. Fortunately, with the exception of a few lights and a broken anchor/cable, things have gone well. We are very thankful to see the lake on the rise. We still won’t be looking at opening the store until good weather is here to stay, so please call ahead for assistance. We have a lot on our plate right now, but we always will have time for you.
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter - January 2007 Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a great holiday season. We certainly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. But now it’s time to get back to work! We’ll be at the Nashville Boat Show again this year. It’s from Wed., Jan. 10 – Sun., Jan. 14. Stop by and say “hi” and get back in the boating mood. As many of you know, the Corps of Engineers is working on the dam for the next few years and pulled the water lower than it’s been in many, many years. With help from our dependable crew, Alberto, Rick, Harry, Bubba, and Alex, we were able to move sections of dock, boats, etc. so they weren’t sitting on the ground. Thankfully, the water is slowly rising and the docks are floating again! Our big news is the Corps of Engineers has approved the proposal, and hopefully we’ll get started on the infrastructure very soon. The land surveyor and civil engineers are working now. Once they have completed their job, we will start the excavation. Although, we will be operating where we are now for this boating season, we do hope to open the campgrounds this summer, and move the marina in the fall. It looks as though 2007 will be a year full of change and challenges. We realize it will require a great deal of work, but we’re looking forward to meeting those challenges and creating a wonderful area for boating and vacationing.
Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter - December The end of the year is here and each year it seems like time goes by faster and faster. Much has happened this last year. Many good things and a few things we hope to never experience again. However, please know we always thank you for being our customers. You stayed with us through thick and thin and it kept us going. We very much appreciate your business. The question you want answered is, are we moving? The true answer is, we still don’t know. All indications are the Corps of Engineers has accepted our proposal in principle, but until we see a lease, we cannot be more definitive. Should the plan be approved, we will begin the design and development stage. It is then that we can begin to answer many of your questions about how it will impact you. We promise to keep you posted. Most of you know, but it never hurts to remind:
Enjoy the holiday. Merry Christmas from all of us and enjoy this time with your family and friends.
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWS Many of you have already heard the news about the lake levels dropping below normal winter pool for dam repairs. Well they did drop, but everything is ok. Harry, Rick, Bubba, Alberto, and Alex worked hard to move buildings into deeper water, move boats to different slips, and make sure everything was safe. We also had some assistance from David Baxter and every little bit helped. Make sure to thank them for looking out for your property and making your life a little more worry-free. We also thank Marine Assist for the use of their boat. It was a great. Again, everything is fine for now. If you want to monitor lake levels, the best place to look is www.lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=CNH&DataType=All&submit=View+info. Thanks.
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER - November
The holidays are near and we hope yours starts with a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. The holidays are a great time for reflecting back on family fun and friendships; those important things in life. We certainly appreciate our past year with you. Winter is near so please take some time to help us prepare. Things you should consider:
Although we have not been advised by the Corps of Engineers that our plan to move has been approved or disapproved, we have been told that the process is still moving forward. If we do receive approval, we will begin work on the infrastructure, but we will likely remain in our present location for one more boating season. Of course, all of this is dependent upon when the official word comes, winter weather conditions, etc. We are getting excited and look forward to the challenges ahead of us. We will let you know when word has come and keep you informed of our progress. The store is once again closed for the season. Please contact us ahead of time if you need our assistance at (615) 597-8800. We will make it a point to have someone around just for you.
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER - August August is here and what a busy July! We started out the month with one of our best Fireworks shows to date. Amir came in from Florida to organize and put it together and with the help of Brian Harrington, Jeff Edwards, Joe Morton, Andy Schroth, Tim and Wilma Jenkins and I am sure a few more, the show was a huge success. The music added a special touch. Thanks. This month also included a Riverwatch golf tournament matching marina against marina. Our team which included Rick Latta, Jim Hutchinson, and “Bam” from our dock, managed to pull off third place. There were only four teams, but third place sounds a lot better. Thanks guys for the good showing. Progress on the rebuilding of the dock went well for the month of July. New flotation was added and with the strong showing of some of the slipholders, 60% of the walkway has been replaced. Our goal is to be completed by September 1st and I think we are well on our way. A special thanks to Harry Beers, Aaron Poole, Mike Fann, Jim Sego, Leonard Davis, Charles Taylor, Rick Teal, John Boyer, Brian Harrington, Bobby Graham, and Joe Hugh (hope I didn’t forget any others). Many people are asking a lot of good questions about the campground. At this point we have submitted our proposal to the Corps of Engineers, but we have yet to hear back from them about approval of any aspect of our plan. I think that once we do hear back, we can give you a better idea of timelines, layout of the proposed facilities, services to be offered, etc… We thank all who have provided input, and we will continue to do our best to answer your questions as this process moves forward. Customer Appreciation Day has been moved to August 19th. Please drop by and see us for that once a year free hot dog and a little bit of a price break on gas. Time has flown by this summer, and we probably won’t have many more opportunities to see you for the 2006 boating season. We look forward to our chance to thank you each in person.
Hidden Harbor Marina News – July 25, 2006 Quick update on the repairs at the dock. We have ordered and started replacing the floatation around areas burned by the fire and will continue to do so this week. There has been a request to have a working party by our customers to help replace the decking that burned from the fire. That will take place this Saturday, July 29 for those interested in helping. We look forward to getting the dock back and seeing everyone return. There has been a lot of questions raised regarding our proposed plan to move the dock to the Holmes Creek Campground area. We will begin to consolidate some of those questions and post both the questions and answers in the coming days. Thank you for your patience.
Hidden Harbor Marina News – July 10, 2006 As quick note, we want to thank everyone for a very busy and good fourth of July week. It was hot and tiring for us, but we could not have asked for a better week. This coming week has already started well with many of the boat hulls from the fire being cut up and removed. We need to thank Dale Davenport and PCS metals for their hard work. There will only be a few hulls remaining at the end of the week. The materials have been ordered for the dock repair. The trex walkway arrives at the end of this week and we are ordering some new flotation which should be here the following week. We are entertaining the idea of having a dock working party at the request of many of you. We will let you know. HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER - July We want to thank everyone who called, wrote, or stopped by with your kind words and prayers the past couple of weeks. We truly appreciate all your support. Although the process is moving slower than we would all like, we are beginning to clean up the mess and will start rebuilding the dock soon. The season is in full swing and the 4th of July is here already! Mark your calendars for Sat., Aug. 12th. We will celebrate National Marina Day with Customer Appreciation Day. Stop by the store, say “hi,” and get a free hotdog and soda. There may even be a small price drop at the gas pump! We will be offering the TN Boat Safety Test for those who were born after Jan. 1st, 1989, on Sat., July 15th at 9 am. If you have any kids who are interested in getting their license, we do have the study book available at the marina store.
Hidden Harbor Marina News – June 23rd, 2006 It appears our portion of the investigation is over and we have not heard any requests from the boat insurance carriers to continue the investigation, so we are getting ready to proceed forward with restoring the dock and electricity to those slips affected. I know many people are interested in the cause, but as of now, the cause is being left undetermined. There is a very high degree of confidence it did not start from the dock and because the continued legal and investigation costs associated with these claims is extremely high and the damage to the dock is relatively low (in terms of insurance claims), it will not be pursued any further. Again, we thank everyone for there support and patience. If you were one of those who lost your boat, you have been anxiously awaiting removing the hull; you may do so at this time if you and your insurance carrier are in agreement. If anyone needs assistance, please let us know.
Hidden Harbor Marina News – June 19th, 2006 A quick update. The cause and origin investigation continues this week. On Thursday, all the represented insurance companies will walk through the damaged area and boats together to try and put a final determination on what caused the fire and where it started. It is possible that a "no determination of cause" will be made if the evidence does not lead to a clear answer. This walk through can last a few days, a few weeks, or, as in the case of Center Hill Marina, a few months. Because all the dock area and boats are accessible, this investigation should be in the few days to few weeks category. Once the investigators have cleared the site to be repaired, we will move forward. Boat owners will then be able to move boats off of "Red Neck" beach. Please make sure the who ever pulls the boat hulls is licensed and insured to salvage in water areas and transport on highways. The boat owner will ultimately be responsible, not the insurance companies. There are a lot of questions about the fireworks. The plan is to have yet another fantastic fireworks show. We need to move forward and we hope you agree. Hidden Harbor Marina News – June 14th, 2006 No real news to report today, but there are a few things to touch upon. Right now is the investigation portion of the incident. Because of this, we are very, very limited to what we can do to start repairs on the dock. We have added some lighting today for your safety and this may be all we can do until the investigation is over. We still do not know how long this phase will be, but we will do what we can to move it along. Even the boat hulls at "Red Neck Beach" cannot be moved until the investigation is complete. For those effected, make sure you understand your insurance coverage about removing the boat hulls. You may or may not be covered or coverage may be limited. If you need names for this service or other related services, please let us know. Stacey has been busy gathering the insurance contact information from those having damage to their boats. Please get in touch with her if you have not done so already. Again, staying involved in the process is for your protection. Another thing that came to our attention today are the rumors of how the fire started. There have been several highly trained investigators looking into this matter and there has been no determination made of the cause or origin of the fire. Boats are designed differently, they are equipped differently, and they burn differently. Rumors can be fun, but please don't speculate and draw conclusions about something as serious as this. If you have any specific concerns, please email us at boatfun@hiddenharbortn.com.
Hidden Harbor Marina News – June 13th, 2006 By now, most of you have heard the marina suffered a fire in the houseboat section of the dock. We have contacted everyone who was effected, so if you were not contacted, your boat is safe. The fire started at around 1:30 am and was quickly responded to by the fire department, sheriffs office, TWRA, and the marina staff. Everyone did a great job. As bad as this kind of event is, I could not feel better about the people who were there to handle this situation. Firefighters quickly putting water to flames. Rick Latta getting boats ready to be used by the staff and firefighting teams. Ben Franklin, Tony Cross, and Tommy Alexander directing the operation. Rick Teal, Harry Beers, John Boyer, and Leonard Davis freeing boats to avoid the flames. James Beers carrying firefighters by boat to key areas to fight the fire. Stacey and Sean, towing boats engulfed in flames away from the marina area. But it goes beyond that. Marsha Harrington driving a fellow houseboater home after her boat was lost in the fire. Brian Harrington assisting in getting boats back to slips. Pat Murphy working the telephones. Valerie Teal getting us breakfast. People from other marinas offering support. Friends offering encouragement. It was a total team effort and I cannot thank you enough. For those that lost boats, I am very sorry. When the fire was out and the sun rose, I could not help but feel horrible. The dock can be replaced, but the memories destroyed in the fire is sickening. Please know we care and if there is anything we can do to help, we will. Our goal is to have you all back as soon as possible. The next few weeks will be hard on us all. Unfortunately, most of us are ready to move forward and get our lives back to normal. However, in the world of insurance companies and attorneys, life may move slower than we like. They have their jobs to do to protect your interests and mine, so please be patient and give them a chance. In the mean time, I will update you as best I can with what I know. As of now:
Again, thank you all and although it may not be everyday, we will do our best to keep you posted.
Hidden Harbor Marina News – June 2006
Wow!!! What a Memorial Day Weekend. We went from the cool days in May to hot overnight. It showed. It was certainly one of the highest customer traffic days in our eight years. But everyone treated us graciously, despite the parking, launch ramp back ups, and heat. We thank you for such a great kick off to the 2006 boating season. For those people with a pontoon boat tie-up on the main walkway, you are assigned a specific spot. Because we are completely full it is important you return to your assigned spot after being on the lake. If someone is where you think you should be, please come see us in the store. We will help solve the problem. You taking a different spot will only compound the problem. Thanks. It is hard to believe we are already talking about the 4th of July, but it is only a month away. Because the 4th falls mid week this year, the fireworks will take place on Saturday, July the 1st. There is a new boat towing and salvage service being started on Center Hill Lake. Trident Marine is offering a service similar to many car insurance policies; when you break down and need some help, a professional will respond. Look over their insert. It maybe a good investment for your boating experience. In sporting news, the renowned boat racer Brian Harrington, traded his 80mph Hydra-stream boat in for a Crest pontoon boat equipped with a 115hp Suzuki four stroke engine. In his first race against Harvey Fitzgerald’s bass tracker pontoon powered by a 90hp Mercury, Harrington tasted bitter defeat. When asked about his victory, Fitzgerald smiled and said “I whipped his @#%%. Also in sports, Ronnie Smith suffered a head injury when wake boarding. Apparently while wakeboarding the slalom course at 40mph or was it 50 mph, he finished his run with an unbelievable aerial display. Upon landing, he noticed two baby ducks in the water and to avoid hitting the ducks, he risked injury by going into the tree line. Thanks Ronnie, we hope your head is ok. As you can see the fun of the 2006 boating season has only just begun. We hope everyone enjoys another safe boating season at Hidden Harbor Marina on Center Hill Lake.
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER - May 2006 We’ve had a beautiful spring and want to welcome back all those familiar faces and those who have just joined us. Our store is now open, so please stop by and say “hi.” Rick, Alberto, Patty, Pat, and Sean are all returning, along with Jessica who will be joining us in late May. Harry, Leonard, and Dianna will also be around on occasions, so let them know how much you appreciate them. Although we have been lucky with only minor flooding so far, we are still in the rainy season. If we experience heavy rains, please call ahead to ensure road access is available. We will also try to update our web news page, www.hiddenharbortn.com, to keep you informed. We will do our best to provide “on-call” shuttle service and get you to your boat. Throughout the spring, we have re-floated and replaced many of the fingers. If carpet has been removed from your slip, you may replace it with a plastic/rubber type material. Please do not put carpet around the fingers; it holds in water and rots the wood. Each year we like to refresh a few rules that help us all enjoy a better boating season. One of the hottest subjects this year will be gas prices. However, regardless of how high the prices go, we cannot allow gas to be carried onto the dock or transferred within the marina area. This includes the parking lot and shoreline within the “no wake” zone. We do not want to assume the risk of you having an accident and accidents do happen. We will do our best to keep our prices the lowest for high-octane gas. Parents, please keep an eye on your kids. Marinas can be a fun place, but they can also be dangerous and boring if you are a kid. We have already had instances of children wandering through the marina without life jackets, jumping from sea doo lift to lift, throwing rocks in the parking area at or near cars and boats, and rocking on the extra walkway, etc. Someone will get hurt, so please watch your loved ones. If your loved one is your pet, please remember to keep them on a leash, and clean up any messes they may make. With spring comes spring cleaning. Please keep your boat and the surrounding area clean. And although we do encourage cleaning up your neighborhood, please do not put furniture, carpet, barbeques, etc. in the dumpsters. Our trash service cannot accommodate it. Also, please do not overload the carts; they can hold up to 50lbs. These carts are designed to assist you with food items, clothing, etc… Please don’t use them for items like furniture and lumber. Putting too much in the carts, causes the tire to bust and then everyone is short a cart until we are able to replace it. A few more items to keep in mind. Please do not leave extension cords plugged in and propane canisters, batteries, paint, etc. on the fingers. We undergo annual inspections, and potentially hazardous situations aren’t looked upon lightly. Enough preaching! We apologize for the long list of rules, but if we all work together and respect each other, we will enjoy another great season on the water!
April 27, 2006 As some of you experienced this last weekend, water levels rose to effect access to the dock. The roads are clear both directions but some of the parking is under water. The Corps has not dropped the water significantly this last week, so we may be faced with the same situation this coming weekend. We will try and keep you posted. Please give us a call if you have some specific concerns about accessing the marina.
January 24, 2006 Water levels remain good after this last storm. We finally have full water access in and out of the marina. The lake elevation is about 10 feet below normal summer pool. We just need a few more days to let the debris and mud settle that came in from running creeks. Give us a call if you have any questions. Thanks January 19, 2006 The water has come up a few feet and things are looking a little better. Keep in mind after heavy rain storms to give us a call to ensure access to the dock is available. It only takes a few days of heavy rain to flood the roads in and out of the marina. Thanks. Also, it was good seeing those that dropped by the boat show. Thanks for taking the time.
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER - January 2006 Happy New Year to all our boating friends! The holiday season is in full force and what better time (half way between boating seasons) to tell you how much you are appreciated. We continue to see more and more people even in the winter months, making us feel good about our place of business and our home. We encourage you to stop by, but if we don’t see you, please know we extend our best wishes this New Year. We will also be at the Nashville Boat Show on Jan. 11- 15. There are no major projects planned for this upcoming year. We have recently dropped new anchors to make sure our dock stays secure. The only other significant thing has been battling low water issues. I think a few of you understand clearly some of the concerns. This is to be the typical cycle for the next 5 years and we have faced it before, so don’t become to concerned. My guess is by next month, I will be writing to tell you we have too much water. For all of you new to Hidden Harbor Marina, we will see water over the roads, once the heavy rains set in. When this happens, just call ahead to make sure that access is available. Our only other note is to make sure space heaters and items connected to extension cords are not left unattended. What we take for granted to function properly could lead to disaster. Please help us with this and take this note seriously. We look forward to a fantastic 2006 with our friends of Hidden Harbor. Drop us an email and say hi sometime (boatfun@hiddenharbortn.com).
HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER - November 2005 Time continues to fly by. The season has ended for most boaters, and we are already looking at the first fall/winter holiday. We hope this note finds all of you well. Winter is near and while we have a few warm days left, please take some time to help us prepare. Things you should consider:
We have had a few more problems with slips and boats being sold. Although we accept some responsibility in the communication process, it has caused us to revisit this concern. Please remember when you sell your boat:
We will do all we can to help you with the sell of the boat and making the slip available, but we have several factors we consider in making our business decision and they can change from day to day depending on waiting lists, existing vs. new customer, boat characteristics, the sell of other boats in the marina, etc…. Please help us, and we will do our best to make it work for you. The demand for our services has reached a point of non-existence so the store is once again closed for the fall and winter months. Please make a point to contact us ahead of time if you need our assistance at (615) 597-8800. We will make it a point to have someone around just for you. On a final note, the staff of Hidden Harbor Marina is thankful to each of you for your support this last year. We hope each of you have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. August 2005 HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER I can’t believe it’s already August! The season has just flown by. We want to thank you all for your continued loyalty and support. The 4th of July was great and we want to thank our houseboat friends who headed up the fireworks show. It was the best one yet! We appreciate all those who donate their time and hard-earned money for this show year after year. Sat., Aug. 13th is Customer Appreciation Day so stop by, say “hi”, and enjoy a free hotdog and soda. There may even be a little break at the gas pump. It’s our way of saying “thank you” to each and every one of you. Sat., Sept. 24th is our annual Marina golf tournament. It will be held at Southern Hills Golf Course in Baxter, and we encourage anyone to play. We always have a great time, and like every year, there will be plenty of food and drink following golf. Even if you don’t play golf, please join us for the festivities at the de Mik’s house. Please sign up at the marina store by Fri., Sept. 2nd. The cost is $47 per person. On another note, HOUSEBOATERS, please contact us by close of business Tues., if you want to be GUARANTEED to have your holding tank pumped out. We schedule our pumpouts for Wed., and we also need to plan when our holding tank on the hill gets pumped. In addition to your houseboats, we have our rental houseboats and our restrooms to pump, which fills the tank rather fast. We will do our best if you call after Tues., but we cannot promise a pumpout. June 2005 HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA NEWSLETTER We would like to thank you all for a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! We were very busy, and we appreciate your business. It was great seeing you all and hope to see more of you now that the boating season has arrived! As most of you have probably noticed, Rick has been making some delicious food on weekends. We’ll be serving a “Weekend Special” along with smoked chicken wings, burgers, and hot dogs. Stop by and try a platter! Saturday, July 2nd we will be having our annual fireworks show. This is the only Corps of Engineers approved fireworks show at our dock. No other fireworks are permitted on the dock or within the NO WAKE zone. DONATIONS for the fireworks will be accepted at the Marina store. So mark your calendar and join us for the fun. Now that people are returning to the dock, cleaning their boats, etc., we ask that you pick up your old batteries, boat covers, tubes, and whatever else you might leave on the fingers. Remember, this is everyone’s neighborhood, and we want it to look nice. MAY 2005 Hidden Harbor Marina Newsletter The start of boating season is just around the corner and we hope some consistent good weather is right there with it. We have enjoyed a few good days, but we would sure like a few more. Some of you have braved a few cold weekends and we are glad to see you. We look forward to seeing the rest of you as summer roles in. With the beginning of boating season, comes our reminder of a few basic courtesies.
We welcome back Center Hill Lake’s best staff. Yes, Rick, Diane, Pat, Sean, Alberto, and Patty will all be here to serve you. We also bring in Harry and Leonard on the maintenance side for those tough jobs. Keep letting them know how much you appreciate them. P.S. We are not done with spring rains, so remember to call before coming down after heavy rains to ensure road access is available. March 14, 2005 Hello everyone. We hope this letter finds everyone well and enjoying the New Year. We are already receiving inquiries on cabins, motels, slips, and boat rentals, so the 2005 boating season must not be far away. For those who attended the Nashville boat show, thank you for dropping by and seeing us. We have managed to keep busy over the winter months and will be picking up the pace soon. We plan to have the marina store bathrooms completed by mid-May. We are waiting for a few warm days since there will be time spent in the water to finish the project. There will be a door prize for the first ten users of our new facilities (see Stacey for details. I think it’s a cheeseburger). Maybe we will just be happy when they are finally available. Remember we are entering the rainy season which could mean flooding. Lake levels are already higher than normal, so it won’t take much. Please call ahead for information on getting to the dock. We will help in any way we can. We know boating is becoming more and more expensive. The boat, gas, skis, fishing gear, the food and drink. Everything. We know you have choices, and of course, we are very glad you choose to stay with us. Your patronage has been loyal, strong, and steady and we appreciate you. We look forward to the new season and a season with the best boaters a marina could have. Our staff will continue to work for you to make your stay at the lake enjoyable.
January 10, 2005 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM HIDDEN HARBOR MARINA! We hope everyone had a great holiday season and your New Year is filled with happiness and prosperity. As some of you found out the hard way, the flooding season started early this winter. Not only were we flooded for 2 ½ weeks, we then had the ice storm which made the road not accessible for about five days. If we get significant rainfall or snow, please give us a call (615-597-8800) or check our web page ( www.hiddenharbortn.com) to make sure access to the dock is possible. During the off-season, we won’t be running a regular shuttle service; however, we can make special arrangements if it is important to get to your boat.We’ll be at the Nashville Boat Show again this year from Jan. 12 – 16. Harry and Dianna Beers, Rick, and us will all be there, so stop by if you get the chance.
elp kids in the rural areas,² said a spokesman who asked not
to be identified. Up to now, most of the money for the program ³comes from our
annual fundraiser in Nashville. We sell deep-fried turkeys. This year we raised
about $10,000.²
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