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By PEGGY BULLARD/ Community Columnist

It seems like since mid-March our world was shutting down due to Covid-19 virus but that was not the case on Lake Mitchell. The more restrictions placed on all the United States from large cities to small ones the busier the lake got. By April, the lake began to look as if it were the Fourth of July. No it wasn’t spring break either! It was a quarantine that brought many families and a lot of boats to Lake Mitchell. When sitting on the porch, you could easily count 15 to 20 boats without turning your head. No masks were needed as families launched their boats and took to the water. The many boats were over 6 foot apart, but the people on them were not. They were full to capacity on most but hopefully they were family members and being safe.

Home Owners Boat Owners canceled the picnic, poker run and lake cleanup as an effort to keep everyone safe. Each of these events draw large crowds. Lake residence and visitors were thankful that the Fourth of July was celebrated with the two boat parades and fireworks as usual. There may have been more boats on the lake than ever before due to COVID-19 and the restrictions of travel during these last few months.

More than one family enjoyed their lake time. Renee Powers’ family was all decked out for the pontoon boat parade. Her son Russ and wife Melissa with children Summer and Logan enjoyed riding in the parade this year. They all dressed for the occasion. Other families stay on their piers and enjoyed trying to catch some of the loot now tossed out by the folks on the passing boats. It is Lake Mitchell version of Mardi Gras with the tossing of beads, candy, cup holders and even some small water balls and other toys. Great fun for the children of all ages.

As always, the fireworks display organized by Jim McCormick and his team was great and gets bigger each year. Our beautiful lake has been an escape from the stress and fear of the Coronavirus for many and we pray all who have enjoyed its sanctuary have stayed safe. Being on or around a large body of water, especially one as beautiful as Lake Mitchell, will bring peace to your heart, rest to your soul and put a smile on your face. Just ask anyone who has spent time here in 2020.