Challenging Recovery and Hope for Future Support

I sit down to write this month’s column after a series of sleepless nights and back-to-back major building fires at our Lake of the Ozarks restaurant, Pebble Bay Club Grill. More about this catastrophic experience in a moment.

This column, now extending three decades, is among my most valued possessions. It’s a place where I find an opportunity for expression and candor. Having met Walter Cronkite decades ago as a young journalist, I found myself engaged in a once-in-a-lifetime conversation with this fellow Missouri Mule from St. Joseph. Walter told me “With time, journalists become extraordinary writers.” Through repetition? I asked. “No—a journalist becomes a great writer when they lose their filter.”

It may be safe to assume after including my column in about 400 editions of Ingram’s that my filter has warn, as Mr. Cronkite said it would. Last June in Ottawa, Canada, at the Alliance of Area Business Publishers Conference and Awards Dinner, I had the honor of being presented the Gold Award for Best By-Lined Columnist. A distinction I humbly appreciate and value but I believe I have two colleagues (Dennis Boone and Jack Cashill) who possess greater writing prowess. 

My column is also a vehicle to connect with our readership community and explore issues and opportunities throughout our region. I find myself at a loss of words this early morning as I attempt to write this installment. We face a monumental deadline to finish this edition concurrent with assessing massive destruction at our Lake of the Ozarks restaurant. I’m working with state and Camden County fire marshals, insurance agencies and adjustors, contractors, terrified team members and a massive cleanup effort.

Journalism is simply story-telling and I find myself on the other side of the lens this month. Given the circumstances, I feel compelled to share our story of the previous 72 hours and an experience I pray no one or family ever has to confront and navigate in the future. 

Michelle and I returned to the Lake the Thursday afternoon preceding Memorial Day weekend after a grueling 20-hour drive back from the 2026 AABP Summer Conference in coastal North Carolina.

A dozen fire trucks, a fire boat and multiple fire districts rush to Pebble Bay Club Grill to battle massive blaze (Fire #1).  

On the early morning of Memorial Day, May 25 at about 2:30 a.m., I received a phone call from our alarm company about a fire alarm at Pebble Bay Club Grill. Fortunately, Michelle and I were on property nearby, and I rushed to the restaurant and entered the dining room filled with smoke. The kitchen had much heavier smoke and the back room where we smoke our meat was absolutely billowing. I immediately called 911 and dispatch to verify the fire and call for backup. 

A symphony of distant sirens of pumper trucks and emergency vehicles filled the air in what felt like an eternity before their arrival. Fire-fighting jurisdictions from eight districts including Mid-County Fire from Camden County, Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Sunrise Beach, Mack’s Creek, Lebanon and two other Camden County affiliate fire stations converged on the property.

It was impressive to see the response and orchestration of chiefs, captains and firefighters battle the blaze. After nearly 12 hours, firetrucks and exhausted firefighters were leaving the property. There we stood. The first weekend of our prime season with what appeared to be a structure that, in my opinion, could be rebuilt. 

The next day at 1:30 a.m. on Tue, May 26, Michelle observed a rooftop spark, which burst into a 30-foot flame (Fire #2).  

Operating without sleep, we immediately called 911 and fire trucks soon converged. However, the intensity of this fire fully engulfed the entire building and the burned-through roof collapsed.

Words cannot express the helpless feeling of watching one’s home or business entirely engulfed in flames. This is a  very unique waterfront restaurant that a carpenter and I primarily put many hundreds of hours in building and designing with nautical and golf-related antiques and treasures.

An outpouring of support arrived by boat, car, golf carts, UTVs as well by texts, calls and emails each minute of the day and well into the night. One great friend by the name of Denny, with his company Paint Doctors, had finished every table and bar top and much more throughout the development—from the sycamore and white oak we harvested off the eight-acre property where Pebble Bay Club is built. He wrote in a heart-wrenching text:

“I was hoping within a few hours I’d have the right words to give you. I have already shed the tears. I’ve never felt so devastated for a family than we have for you about the fires, the countless hours and your family’s monetary expenditures that you have put into this. I hope with the insurance and a lot of good people you are able to recover and still create your dream.”

Words cannot express the emotions of this loss and the oddness of a journalist being on the victim end of this news event. We want to thank friends and supporters. This is an extremely difficult start, where a waterfront resort must rely on cash-flow not only during peak season but also the challenging off season. We will rebuild and do all we can to operate with outdoor food and bar service to accommodate our valued patrons and supporters. As loans and bills continue, the Ingram’s and Pebble Bay families greatly appreciate your support.

PUBLISHED MAY 2026