Could it be…

Has spring really sprung this time. The TV is forecasting a high of 23 for Monday, which we will believe when we see it.

There are still some big snow drifts around here, but at least there is some hope. The main areas are almost free of snow and the water is drying up quickly. It will however be a little while before the campground roads are open. The pool has some open water starting to appear. I have a feeling before we know it camping season will be in full swing.

This upcoming Sunday is the annual Duck Derby in Balmoral. It is a fundraiser for the hall. We will finally be able to actually make it up their to check it out. The past two years we have always been busy with work and construction around here. It is also a week earlier this year. Apparently they dump 200 ducks into the creek and they ‘race’ to the end. There is also some activities and lunch in the hall. The Oak Hammock Marsh duck mascot will be around and I believe the marsh will have some other demos and displays set up. The weather is supposed to be nice and should be a fun afternoon.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The pool is open already!!

Who would have thought that the pool would be open this early. Everyone is welcome to come on out and jump right in. Oh yeah, since it is April Fools Day don’t forget your skidoo suit.

Do you remember this prank:

#8: The Left-Handed Whopper

In 1998 Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a “Left-Handed Whopper” specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, “many others requested their own ‘right handed’ version.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Time to look for employees

It is already time to start my search for workers for summer. As some of you may be aware the labour market is a tough place for us employers right now. Apparently this is only the beginning. We were shown some stats the other day and the amount of jobs is expected to rise a lot faster than the amount of workers in the next few years.

Of course with us being in a rural area, our options are even more limited. As we are expanding I am also looking for more employees this year too. We are open to hiring students, but they need to find transportation which can be difficult. We do have the advantage that I can bribe them with access to the swimming pool and camping benefits. That must be worth something right?

So, I come to my point – if you know of anyone looking for a summer job please send them my way.  I am looking for capable people to work the office/concession in the rec building. (full or part time) I am also planning swimming lessons again this year so am in need of a red cross certified swimming instructor.  They can find more information about the jobs by phoning (204-322-5286) or emailing info@rubberduckyresort.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It’s coming…

Duck with TulipsI know it’s out there somewhere. Spring will be sprung before we know it. You can already see the snow starting to disappear and considering we didn’t have much to start with hopefully it won’t take long to go. It is a little dark and gloomy this morning, but they are calling for +2 and some sunshine later this afternoon. Our bookings for the summer are really starting to pick up now, so there must be other people getting into the spring swing.

Let’s hope for no more snow and warm, sunny skies.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hard to believe it…

but according to the ticker that I put on our website there is only 1 month 3 weeks and 5 days until camping season. I’m sure that a few of you went to the RV show this past weekend to help get into camping gear.  Hopefully that time will fly by and the snow will be gone before we know it.

I am just working on some early season specials and activities to help get people out in May and June.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What a day

Of all the days to have a blizzard happening – why Saturday. We had a surprisingly good turnout for the poker derby part of the day. We ended up with 138 hands which is about the same as we had last year. So now we wonder just how many we would have had if it was a nice day. We are just estimating that we lost about half the riders when they looked out the window in the morning. We had a couple groups that did manage to make the whole run. They are definatley hard core, I can’t believe that they did it. One group even trailered out from Winnipeg to ride. Quite a few only made it one or two stops, then shut her down, some just drew all the cards here.

The dinner part of the day was a big disappointment however. We only served 57 people for supper. So, of course we have lots, and lots of food left over.  It was a tough call for us to know how many people to cook for. We really had no idea how many people were coming and if the weather suddenly cleared the turnout may have improved.  But, that didn’t happen.

Next year hopefully the weather will be better.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ready, set go

Everything is all set for the rubber ducky derby tomorrow.  Hopefully this Alberta Clipper that they are calling for does not affect things too much. Last I heard they were only calling for a couple cm of snow, but of course cold temps. Today’s weather would have been perfect. Fingers are crossed anyway.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Busy Week again

After a slow few weeks things are moving around here again. Last night was the Northern Lites club meeting, thursday night is the South Interlake Snoriders and Saturday is our big day for the winter – The Rubber Ducky Derby.

We have made a few changes to the derby for this year. Most significantly we have extended the hands in deadline to 7:00pm. We are hoping that this will accommodate people coming for the Supper and social after.  Last year our deadline was 4:00pm and we found that there was a major congestion of people coming for the social (starts at 4:00) and others returning from the derby. We are hoping that this will spread everyone out a little more. (fingers crossed). We also have added a fourth checkpoint this year – Meridian Trail Store in Argyle, Rosie’s Cafe in Inwood, Oak Point Chalet and The Woody (that’s the Woodlands Motor Hotel for all the non-locals). This makes for about a 100 mile run, if they do the whole route. We don’t make it a prerequisite to do the whole route however. Some people start in Inwood for example and come to Oak Point, The Woody and to RDR. We are trying to keep things flexible so that it can be enjoyable for more people.

The kitchen will be humming all day. Breakfast is starting at 8:30 for the early risers and it will go until around 10:30. We are doing pancakes, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs this year. Chef Ron will be expertly tending to our roasts and I am in charge of the baked potatoes, baked beans, and salad along with all the minor technical details. And Grandma is baking up some of her delicious homemade rolls.

The Northern Lites are looking after the social part of the evening. Last year was a success and everyone had a great time, so hopefully things go well again this year. 6 inches of snow would sure make things  a lot better for the snowmobilers however.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Seasonals all full

Welcome to the Barkleys – our newest seasonal campers. They claimed our last open seasonal campsite this weekend.  We are now back up to maximum capacity. Summer’s coming I can feel it.

I am starting to get quite a few bookings for this summer. I had a group book their campsites for May long weekend just this morning. Another group is already booked for August long and a few more here and there. So, as long as mother nature gives us another nice summer things are looking for a busy season.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Well seems like a while since I was on here last. There just isn’t much going on when its 40 below. We have had a few snowmobilers in the warm up shack, but even they seem to be hiding from this weather. At least we have a little relief for the next few days.

The Northern Lites are having a poker derby this weekend. The registration is being done here and we are also doing the pancake breakfast. So, Saturday morning I will be frying sausages and flipping pancakes.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment