“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. “ -Psalms 139:13-14

Did you know that? God created you, He knows you, He loves you! Yes, YOU! That’s some fantastic news right there. And do you know what else? He made us each uniquely and perfectly different. Because of this fact, it is no surprise that we all have different talents, abilities, ideas, and, you guessed it, different taste buds. As the brisk air sweeps through the midwest, it’s so nice to gather around the warmth of a campfire with people you love while enjoying a delicious s’more. Here are some great s’more ideas to get your own creative juices flowing. 🙂

1. Caramel Apple S’more

Do you like S’mores? Do you like caramel apples? Put your hands together and try combining the timeless favorites. Roast the marshmallow to perfection, add some caramel, top with a few apple slices, and ‘Voila’!

2. Traditional S’more

Some may argue that the “traditional s’more” is not unique. That may be true today, but at one point in history it was a totally new and UNIQUE idea. Simply roast the marshmallow to your liking, set it on top of the chocolate, and sandwich it all between golden brown graham crackers. Enjoy!

3. Double Chocolate S’more

Calling all chocolate lovers!! For this recipe choose which two chocolate items you put in or on your s’more. Maybe you want the traditional s’more but switch the regular graham cracker out for a chocolate one. Or you can choose to put two different types of chocolate on your s’more. Maybe even get a little more wild and make it a triple or quadruple chocolate s’more by adding even more chocolate. I am not judging!!

4. Oreo/Chocolate Chip Cookie S’more

Does this one need a description? I think not. Go grab your oreos, chocolate chip cookies, (or other favorite cookies) and feel free to leave the graham crackers in the cupboard. Bon Appetit!

5. Candy Bar S’more

Halloween is just a few weeks away, which means you may have a few more candy bars laying around the house then usual. 🙂 I wonder what would be best paired with a warm melting marshmallow? Snickers, Reese’s, Milky Way….oh boy, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

6. Salted Caramel S’more

The name of this one says it all. Once you have made the perfect s’more, as the chocolate is just starting to melt, simply drizzle or place some of your favorite salted caramel on top. This will bring the traditional s’more to a whole new level.

7. S’more Bacon

The saying “Bacon makes everything better” applies to, well, everything. You could prepare the bacon ahead of time or cook it right there over the fire so it is nice and hot. It may even be too good to share. 🙂

8. Strawberry S’more

This last idea is definitely not the least. If you are a fresh fruit lover this may be the s’more for you.  It is like a warm, chocolate covered strawberry dipped in marshmallow cream with a crunch. Yup, we may be onto something!

Once you have discovered and perfected your favorite s’more, be sure to bring the ingredients along to Riverside Resort next year. We would love to see what you came up with.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4

The Lord truly has given us one of the desires of our hearts this summer, which is working as a family to serve our guests and see the joy that brings around the resort. Of course we had days of struggle, occasional bad weather, and other hard situations; but that’s life right?!? Mostly, we are once again filled with awe and amazement of our Lord’s provisions, faithfulness, and blessings. The wonderful moments and memories are abundant but here are some of our favorites from the summer.

1. Charlie the clown

Charlie the Clown came to Riverside Resort on Memorial Day weekend to help us kick off our 2018 season. We had so much fun! He made balloon animals (and hats), took pictures with the kids, walked on stilts, and entertained us with an amazing unicycle routine. What a way to start the summer and celebrate the holiday!!

2. Awesome fireworks display

In the past, Riverside Resort has set off fireworks over the 4th of July, but then took a several year hiatus. 3 years ago, we decided to start it back up. Since then, we feel that every year and every show has gotten even bigger and better than the last. (Not to mention our fire masters are gaining more confidence! 🙂 ) What a brilliant display of light, sound, and color. If you missed it this year, make sure to put it on your calendar in 2019 as we plan to continue this yearly tradition. Check out this year’s finale!

3. A First for Caleb

Caleb, our oldest son, is 9 years old and this year he took on the task of helping to mow the resort lawn. There is a lot of great green space which means there are endless opportunities to mow. Caleb says that he likes to mow because it is a “pretty good work out”. He was in charge of mowing the grass around the bathhouse and the playground area in the backyard. Even though he has enjoyed using the push mower this summer, he said he is anxious for when he can also use the riding mower. 🙂

4. New Record

This year we had the most guests we have ever had in the month of August!! It was fun for our busy weeks of June and July to continue all the way through the summer. We were able to meet so many new guests for the first time as well as welcome back cherished and familiar faces who faithfully come back year after year.

5. David, the Fish Master

David, our second son, is 8 and he is quite the fisherman. He is unsure the exact number of fish he caught this summer, but we all agree it has to be over 70. The biggest fish was a 20-inch catfish!! He fishes mostly off various docks at the resort, but he said his favorite spots are Becker Lake and Mud Lake. Both of these lakes are just a boat ride away from the resort. David’s preference is to use a “blue and silver” lure, but he says you can catch a bunch of sunfish just using nightcrawlers. He is a wealth of information so if you have any questions while fishing at the resort be sure to track him down! 🙂

We look back fondly and thankfully at our summer and look ahead in expectancy and excitement for the fall that lies ahead!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9

As we say ‘goodbye’ to summer, we say ‘hello’ to a new school year! This time of transition is full of excitement, nerves, shopping, and lots of planning. Here are some tips to help make this school year the best yet!

A – Attitude

Winston Churchill said “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”. We need to set an example by having a good attitude in all situations. The beginning of the school year is very exciting, however, it can also be hard. If you keep a good attitude, it will be infectious to those around you.

B – Boundaries

Set boundaries on activities during the school year. Kids are so busy just going to school therefore, it is even more difficult when we cram in so many other things before and after school. Sit down as a family and talk about everyone’s priorities. From there, figure out together what will work best.

C – Calendar

It does not matter how many people are in your family or how many schedules you are trying to juggle. It is a good idea to have a common calendar with everyone’s activities listed. This helps everyone to be on the same page as well as decreasing miscommunication between family members.

D – Designate

Have specific places at home for specific activities. For example: eat at the table, sleep in your bed, relax in your living room, and find a place where homework can get done. This will help keep everyone focused on the task at hand and aid in keeping a consistent routine.

E – Eat

Eating and what we choose to eat are essential for our mind and body throughout the day. Eating breakfast before school helps children to stay focused on their work and not think about their rumbling tummy. It is also important for children to eat healthy snacks and meals throughout the day. Check out this website, it gives some helpful tips about nutrition for kids. 

F – Fun

Don’t forget to have fun. Learning is fun, being with friends is fun, and helping in your child’s classroom is fun. If we take the fun out of learning and the fun out of school, kids are going to be less excited about going.

G – God

Most importantly, make God’s plan and His purpose part of your child’s school year. Pray with your children about school situations, memorize scriptures that could be encouraging throughout their day, and read the Word of God to keep truth in everyone’s hearts. 

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.” – Psalm 145:13

We believe with our whole hearts that this is true! God’s kingdom is eternal, He is trustworthy, He is faithful, and His dominion endures through all generations! What great hope that brings. Nothing else endures ALL generations, but some things get pretty close. Like some of our faithful and steadfast guests that have come to Riverside Resort for years and years. Two of those families are the Gilmores and Kruisselbrinks.

Al and Barb Gilmore (left) cherish time with their family and love to cheer on their grandkids at different sporting events. They farm as well as raise beef cows and draft horses. Barb worked in the banking industry for 38 years and just recently retired to help Al on the farm. They have been married almost 43 years.

Jim (Barb’s brother) and Vicki Kruisselbrink (right) also love to spend time with family, as well as take time to travel. Jim is a crop farmer and Vicki is a nursing assistant at an assisted living and care center. They have been married 37 years.

It was a privilege to sit down with these two couples to ask a few questions and talk about their experiences at Riverside Resort.

How did you first learn about Riverside Resort?

                 Barb – “Our mother wanted to spend a week together as a family at the lake. We have siblings that live far away from each other and she (mom) wanted all the cousins to get to know one another. A family from our home church had come to the resort and highly recommended it. Not only did they recommend the resort, but they also recommended Jim and Jeanette DeRose (the owners at that time). Mom made a reservation for the first week and we have come every year since. We have always had to get multiple cabins in order to house all the family that comes.”

Barb and 2 of her granddaughters

How long have you and your family been coming here?

               Vicki – “The first year we came was 1997, and have been coming every year since.” That’s 21 straight years!

This picture was taken of the two families at Riverside Resort in 1998.

Why do you keep coming back?

               Jim – “We keep coming back because everyone enjoys it. We always do the same week so everyone can plan it from year to year. We also continue coming so that we can hang out with our family and get to know them better. The kids love it and sometimes it is the only time we all see each other the whole year.”

              Barb – “It is a family friendly place, and we feel very safe. It is fun to just sit, relax, and visit with one another.”

              Jim – “Vicki and I live only 15 minutes away from Al and Barb but we really never hang out. The Resort is far enough away from home that we feel we are really on vacation and are free to have uninterrupted time with them.”

Jim and Vicki enjoying the minnow races!

What are your favorite activities at Riverside Resort?

              Al – ” I like to nap. I also like the water and the outdoors, I am comfortable here.”

             Barb – “Our mother was deathly afraid of water. None of us (Barb, Jim, or their siblings) knew how to swim. As children, we never went to the lake or went boating or anything. Once we started coming to Riverside that changed. Now all of our kids know how to swim and they love the water. We (Jim and Barb) like to sit up on the shore and watch everyone swim and have fun.”

              Vicki – “The Sunday morning church service is my favorite activity at Riverside. In addition, Barb and I like to read here because it is so nice and quiet. I have also liked the addition of the movie night the last few years.”

Al and the kids playing bean bags

What is your favorite Riverside Resort Memory?

               Vicki – “My favorite memory is family game night with Barb and Jim’s mom and dad. We would all squeeze into one cabin and just play games together. We would stay up late into the night just enjoying being with one another.”

How would you describe Riverside Resort to someone who has not heard of it?

               Vicki – “I would say it is very family orientated and quiet. We so appreciate the DeRose family, their Christian values, and their hospitality.”

               Jim – “Yes I agree, they (the DeRose family) are part of our family now too.”

Some of the grandkids with Riverside Rabbit

Confession time, do you or do you not participate in the bunny hop when Riverside Rabbit comes to visit?

               Al – “Yes, we all have, but not each year. When our grandkids were little we would do it with them. Now they are old enough that we can just watch and enjoy them having fun.”

The couples enjoying a pontoon adventure with Jim DeRose (the previous owner)

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We believe vacations are very important, because you are able to spend time with those you love while getting away from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life. Getting out of your routine is a great way to rejuvenate and relax, however can cause you to fall into some unhealthy habits and behaviors. Here are some ideas to help you stay on track even while away from home.

1. Keep a water bottle with you at all times 

It is always important to stay hydrated, especially when it is hot outside. Energy drinks, sodas, juices, etc are fine to have once in a while; but make sure the majority of liquid you consume is simply water.  

2. Bring your own snacks 

When you are out and about you will get hungry. If you wait until your stomach starts to rumble, most likely you will grab a quick unhealthy snack (as that’s usually cheaper and more readily available). Bring a bag of carrots, an apple, or some trail mix to curb your hunger until the next meal.

3. Brown bag it on the go 

Going out to eat is wonderful; however packing your own food tends to be healthier (and definitely a money saver). Another advantage of packing your own meals, is that you do not have to stop everything to find a restaurant. You already have your food with you and ready to eat!

4. Drive-past, don’t drive-thru 

While traveling it can be tricky to make wise food choices, especially since there is fast food everywhere you look. Research ahead of time to see if there are healthier restaurant options on your route or if you just want to pack along your own food for the trip.

5. Plan pitstops 

Research your traveling route ahead of time to find the best places to stop and get your body moving. You will get a little exercise and take in some great sights at the same time.

6. Visit a farmers market 

What a great way to immerse yourself in local culture! Here you can round up some fresh and healthy local produce. You can eat your food right at the market while taking in more of the city, or carry it out for later.

7. Sight see without a taxi

This is easy, practical, and really the best way to experience any location you visit. Instead of flagging down a taxi to go a few blocks, simply walk (or potentially bike) and take in all the other sites along the way.

8. Take advantage of your location 

You can workout in a gym anytime. When you are on vacation get creative with your workouts. Take a row boat across the lake, go running in the city, or take a paddleboard to a new, unexplored island. Whatever it is, utilize the equipment and terrain of the location you visit, and enjoy what God has created.

9. Don’t forget to sleep 

If you are anything like me, your itinerary is jam packed with exciting activities and experiences. Don’t forget to allow time to sleep in, as proper sleep is key to good health and a successful vacation!

Happy travels!

“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:14

God provides both “living water”, which sustains the soul forever; and also “physical water”, which quenches thirst for a period of time. But it is such a wonderful gift! Water sustains us, it cleanses us, it purifies us, and it is super fun to play in. 🙂 One of the very popular attractions at our beach swimming area is the splash mat. People of all ages play on it and they continue to create new and exciting ways to use it. Here are a few that we have seen!

1. Relax

Who doesn’t love to just be at the beach and relax? The splash mat can be a perfect place to just chill because you do not have to worry about getting sand all over your body and you can just move smoothly with the waves. Warning: If relaxing is your goal, you will have to be a little strategic in your timing to avoid the SPLASH that typically comes with being on a splashmat.  

2. Slide

This encourages taking turns and seeing who can slide all the way off the mat. It is sometimes difficult to start running because the mat can be slippery, however that just adds to the fun and challenge of it all.

3. Jump

Jumping is an age-old activity, that almost always seems to produce both smiles and laughter. If you get a group of people to all jump on the mat at the same time, you can get some good waves going. Not only is this fun for people on the mat, but others on shore will get to practice some wave jumping as well. 🙂

4. Dance

When someone has got the music inside them, it just simply cannot be contained. It doesn’t matter if you are walking down the street, hanging out in your own bedroom, or playing on a splash mat. When you feel the movement of the water, it sometimes just takes over and the dancing begins.

5. Play Football

I suppose many sports could be adapted to play on the splash mat, but this summer there was a group of guys playing football on it. It makes sense: there is ample room to throw the ball and to avoid a tackle you can jump safely into the water. How points were scored is still a bit of a mystery, but that did not seem to matter much. When you try it, you and your group can create your own rules. 🙂

6. Push people off (with their permission of course)

Why is pushing people into the water so tempting and satisfying? I do not have the answer, but I do know the feeling. Before this activity starts, it is important to make sure that everyone is on board with participating. However, we all know the universal rule: if you push others, you are giving permission for others to push you.

7. Share it with the ducks

That’s right. The ducks love the splash mat too! Typically you can find them there in the early morning hours because it is more peaceful and they have the swimming area all to themselves.

When you visit Riverside Resort make sure to try all these different ways of using the splash mat and see if you can come up with others as well. We would LOVE to hear about them!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

There are so many wonderful things about camping. The fresh air, time spent together, the beauty of nature, gathering around the campfire, and of course EATING. Eating is one of the most fun parts of a camping trip because it sets the tone for everything else. If everyone is satisfied and well-fed, typically every other activity runs more smoothly. (Talk about ‘Happy Campers’ 🙂 ) Here are some of our favorite meals to cook over the fire.

1. Hobo meals

This is a great meal because everyone can create their own and it’s healthy and filling. Start by putting some ground beef on a piece of tin foil. Then you can add whatever you like: onions, carrots, potatoes, corn, etc. Once you have put all the food in the piece of tin foil add a few dollops of butter and perhaps some salt or pepper. Then fold up the tin foil and set on the fire to cook. Once it is done you can top it with cheese, sour cream, ketchup, or anything else you think sounds good!

2. Pudgy pies

This is another meal that everyone can make just the way they like. You will need pudgy pie irons. Let your imagination run wild with the sandwich fixings you bring. Once your main meal is over, make sure to keep the irons out; they also make super yummy desserts. Here are 7 recipes to get you going.

3. Brats

Traditional but so yummy. This is such an easy meal because you can grill them on a grate over the fire or simply stick a skewer in the middle and roast until golden brown. You do not need all the ingredients of the last few meals, just a bun and your favorite condiment!

4. Hamburgers

Another traditional and timeless camping choice. Just start a fire and throw the patties on the grate. Make sure to talk about the best part of the day while waiting for the burgers to cook perfectly over the fire. Everybody loves burger night.

5. Shish kabobs

Put a few chunks of your favorite meat along with veggies of various kinds on a skewer and you have yourself a delicious shish kabob. You can make these as fancy or simple as you desire. Make sure you think about this meal before leaving home so that you can pre-cut all the necessary meats and veggies for easy assembly by the campfire. Looking for shish kabob inspiration, check out these ideas. 

6. Spaghetti

Spaghetti might seem like an interesting camping idea, but it is easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. All you need is a pot to boil water, noodles, and your favorite spaghetti sauce. This carbo-loaded meal is great after a long day of hiking or other strenuous activities.

7. Walking tacos

This yummy meal is sure to satisfy everyone in your group. The original walking tacos were made with fritos but feel free to substitute any type of chip. A variety pack of individually packaged chips could be the way to go. The only on-site preparation needed is heating up the taco meat over the fire, this is of course if you have all your other fixings cut up and ready to go before hand.

8. Pigs in a blanket

This tasty meal is easy and only requires 3 items: 2 ingredients and 1 roasting stick. You will need some refrigerated crescent rolls and hot dogs. Simply unravel the dough and roll a hot dog in each one. Stick the hot dog on a roasting stick and cook in the fire until golden brown. Voila, dinner is served!

Try and/or tweak these meal ideas and see which ones your friends and family love most. Happy cooking!