Weekend Recap at Gordy's
While Team USA may be competing 6,240 miles away this summer in the grand city of Tokyo, Gordy’s is cheering them on every step of the way. This weekend, some talented employees added a pop-up art exhibit to the lakefront, wielding nothing but Crayola sidewalk chalk and pure skill. Olympic rings neighbor a star-spangled pattern-filled bubble font that reads, “Gordy’s says Go Team USA!”. Even through artwork, our employees strive to “play like champions” each and every day to give you the best experience possible. We have our Olympic athletes to thank for embodying that life-changing inspiration.
And now allow me to paint you a picture of this week’s festivities. For those of you who struggle to get up before lunch time on the weekends, I recommend choosing one day next weekend to sacrifice a few hours of sleep and get up early. Mornings are as peaceful as it gets at Gordy’s on the weekend; the shimmering blue lake is smooth as glass and early birds have their pick of some of the best seats on the lakefront- from the Adirondacks to the big chair- to claim as they sip their coffee, enjoy the early morning sun, and watch the world slowly rustle from its slumber. Power walkers breathe in the fresh lake air, dogs walk their owners down the quiet crossing, and ambitious path walkers take a rest on Gordy’s gleaming white big chair. Families of fishermen meander down to the shore, whistling a tune while swinging their tackle boxes in one hand and holding their poles high in the other.
Gordy’s employees weren’t the only ones wearing red this weekend. Locals helping to set up Fontana’s annual Lobster Boil and Steak Fry accompanied the usual morning compatriots. The event’s crew hoisted billowing banners explaining the glorious smells of fresh seafood and steak. Large white tents stretched above the grassy park next to Gordy’s. The community gathering took place on Saturday and was a great way to celebrate the little lake town of Fontana.
Right next door, Gordy’s saw another weekend of customers wishing the Shore Shack took reservations, only until they took a seat at one of the umbrellaed tables and decided the food and ambience was well worth any wait. Adding to the experience was the live music, which was once again a roaring success. DJ Mick City played his way through a stacked set list full of fan favorites, delivering rousing renditions of “Sweet Caroline” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” that easily elicited singing and clapping from the crowd.
A rare moment it was when picnic tables and high tops at the Surf Shack could not be found dotted with red plastic baskets overflowing with crisp cheese curds or fries. The park bench only a few feet away was the seat of choice for diners enjoying ice cream-filled cups and cones, drinking in the stunning lake view, and contentedly people-watching. A troop of kids fresh off their first round of tubing didn’t even bother shedding their life jackets before sitting down and tearing into their ice cream.
The crowd this weekend included recumbent bikers rolling past the lake front, proud baseball fans donning Brewers, Cubs, and Sox gear, and a millennial sporting a crisp navy button-down dotted with bright pink flamingos. Two excited bachelorette parties were spotted, one wearing matching black tanks that said “Lake Life” in white, looping cursive, and another with magenta t-shirts announcing that the “I Do Crew” had arrived. And a very happy birthday to Beth, who decided to not only spend her 40th birthday at Gordy’s (fantastic choice) but to do so with a group of friends all wearing matching teal shirts that said “Forty Aboardy” in celebration of their friend.
Gordy’s is the only place where people are not angry after being honked at. However, it should be noted that the honking is done not by a car but by a forklift, and is therefore most likely perceived as a novel delight. Nevertheless, this is yet another reason to visit Gordy’s!
Sunday harbored the highlight of the weekend: Swim4Freedom, a charity event hosted by Gordy’s to help raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. In its thirteenth year, the event was both a glowing success, heartwarming show of camaraderie, and a reminder to be thankful for the overwhelming amount of good that can be found in this amazing life we all share in.