Gilbertsville, KY

I just completed my first long distance sight-unseen sale and although I was very nervous it went through just fine.

The Buyer was here from out of state and I showed him a few properties. He made an offer on one but the Seller countered. We raised our offer but the Seller went up on his price! But that's a subject for another article. Understandably dissatisfied, my Buyer went home.

I sent him new listings by email over the next several weeks which led to previewing a couple for him. I took pictures and emailed them to him but nothing really caught his eye.

The third one led to writing an offer which I emailed to him, he printed it, signed it and faxed it back to my fax-to-email account. I then printed it and delivered it to the listing agent "contingent on his approval in person". It was accepted by the Seller.

The Buyer arrived the day before the scheduled closing (now I'm really getting nervous) and approved the purchase. He had the funds wired to the closing attorney and we closed the next day.

My how technology has changed the way we do business! A warning though, a sight unseen offer that goes until the day before closing can lead to ulcers!

Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in Western Kentucky are manmade lakes from the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers respectively. They are also called reservoirs because of the damns on these rivers that created them. The Tennessee Valley Authority in conjunction with the Federal Government created them for generating electrical power, flood control and navigation.

The TVA along with the Corps of Engineers controls the lakes and their levels. You can find flow rates and lake levels at this TVA website.

The flow of water through the two dams' power plants creates electricity. I understand some of the lowest electric bills in the country are experienced by the southeastern part of the United States because of the inexpensive and "green" generation of electricity from the power plants.

For flood control the lakes are drawn down in the winter to 354 feet above sea level. When the watershed experiences spring rains combined with the snow melt from the north down the Mississippi and the Ohio rivers the Corps of Engineers can hold back the water flowing through the dams and allow the lakes to rise, lessening the potential for flooding downstream. Normal summer pool is 359 feet above sea level or a difference of 5 feet.

Before the dams were created navigation was treacherous. Now with the locks a great amount of product can be shipped by water. Kentucky Lake is in the process of extending their lock to handle longer barges. Currently some barges have to go through the lock in two sections taking a long amount of time and backing up traffic.

The lock project has created many local jobs and the housing market has benefited by those relocating here.

Each year, thousands of boaters, fishermen, and other outdoor enthusiasts descend on Kentucky Lake to enjoy all that it has to offer. The traditional beginning of boating/swimming season is Memorial Day, when the water is starting to warm and the 3-day weekend beckons. Here is a list of some of the other upcoming activities at Kentucky Lake:

	Spring Fashion Show Luncheon
	Where: Grand Rivers When: May 8, 2008
	A Day at the Lake - Spring Fashion Show Luncheon. It will be held Thursday, May 8, 11:00 a.m. at the Senior / Community Center in Grand Rivers, KY. Join the Grand Rivers Chamber and area businesses as they present Resort Fashions for Spring and Summer. Event includes fashion show and lunch. All proceeds from this event go to support the Grand Rivers Chamber Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at the Chamber office.

	3rd Annual Watercolor Guild
	Where: Cadiz When: May 9 -10, 2008
	The Watercolor Guild of Trigg, Lyon and Caldwell Counties (WAG/TLC) will have their 3rd annual Art Show, Friday & Saturday, May 9th & 10th (Rain date: May 16th and 17th ). The guild has been invited to have their show on the grounds of Seasons by the Lake Nursery and Gift Shop. In past years the show has had just miniature paintings for sale in the Carriage House at the Fairholme House. This year, paintings of all sizes will be offered along with giclee' prints and cards. There will also be working artists, painting in the garden areas. Helping Hands of Trigg County will have a concession booth throughout the show. Please join us for a relaxing spring day among the plants, flowers, and art. For more information please call 270-522-5905 or email rjbower@earthlink.net

	The Dove Brothers
	Where: Draffenville When: May 9, 2008
	Award-winning Southern Gospel performers the Dove Brothers will be in concert Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Opry in Draffenville. Formed in 1998 by brothers Eric and McCray Dove, the Dove Brothers received the Horizon Group of the Year in 1999 and Favorite Traditional Male Quartet at the 2002 Singing News Fan Awards. Their hits include “Get Away Jordan,” “Didn’t It Rain” and their latest release, “You Don’t Know God’s Love.” The group’s single “I Can Pray” was named the number one song of 2007 by the Singing News magazine and became the number one selling soundtrack of all time, surpassing “Beulah Land.” Their latest CD, “Life,” is available at the group’s Web site, www.dovebrothersquartet.com. Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for children. Proceeds from the concert will benefit WVHM, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week, listener-supported Southern Gospel radio station in Hardin, Kentucky. To reserve tickets, call the Kentucky Opry at (270) 527-3869. For more information on the Opry, visit the Web site www.kentuckyopry.com.

	TRRA Sponsored Crappie Masters
	Where: Paris Landing When: May 16 - 17, 2008
	All tournaments are out of Paris Landing and sponsored in part by Henry County Tennessee River Resort (TRRA). www.crappiemasters.net

	Street Dance - Southern Fry'd
	Where: Grand Rivers When: May 24, 2008
	Join in on the fun of the Grand Rivers Street Dance. The Street Dances have been a Grand Rivers Tradition for over 20 years. Dances held every Saturday from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Free (almost – donations are welcomed). Everyone Welcome! It will be held Saturday Nights 7:00 – 10:00PM at the Little Lake Park in Grand Rivers.

	TRRA Sponsored Triton Boats
	Where: Paris Landing When: May 27 - 31, 2008
	All tournaments are out of Paris Landing and sponsored in part by Henry County Tennessee River Resort (TRRA). www.tritonboats.com

	Street Dance - Classic Waxx
	Where: Grand Rivers When: May 31, 2008
	Join in on the fun of the Grand Rivers Street Dance. The Street Dances have been a Grand Rivers Tradition for over 20 years. Dances held every Saturday from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Free (almost – donations are welcomed). Everyone Welcome! It will be held Saturday Nights 7:00 – 10:00PM at the Little Lake Park in Grand Rivers.

	TRRA Sponsored Big Cat Quest
	Where: Paris Landing When: May 31, 2008
	All tournaments are out of Paris Landing and sponsored in part by Henry County Tennessee River Resort (TRRA). www.kenfreemanoutdoorpromotions.com

	Street Dance - Critical Condition
	Where: Grand Rivers When: June 7, 2008
	Join in on the fun of the Grand Rivers Street Dance. The Street Dances have been a Grand Rivers Tradition for over 20 years. Dances held every Saturday from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Free (almost – donations are welcomed). Everyone Welcome! It will be held Saturday Nights 7:00 – 10:00PM at the Little Lake Park in Grand Rivers.