Unless you’re about twelve, it’s unlikely you’re actually from Lago Vista. Even those who’ve lived here the longest seem to have moved in after they learned to talk.
This list of community traits was unscientifically extorted from random people on the street, none of whom claim to be native Lago Vistans. The list did seem to fall into just a few broad categories, though.
If you are from Lago, let us know in the comments!
Flooding and drought
The first broad category shows that Lago Vistans know what to do in case of floods.
- Gina Carmichael, the longtime nurse for highly rated Lago Vista ISD from elementary to high school, also sells the nutritional supplement Juice Plus. Glancing at the rising water behind her, she says “You might be from Lago if you’re all right with occasional flooding.” Her family books a U-Haul and spends a few days away from their waterfront home when the lake gets too high.
- Daffana Gray of Loan Simple, who has lived in the area for over fifteen years, says you might be Lago Vistan if you can name more than one year when there was a drought and a flood both.*
- Luanne Hopper of Evolutionary Eats says you might be from Lago if you head to the parks to look for driftwood when it floods.
Food and drink
- Regina Bogart of Kuxtal Coffee and Tea says “You might have lived here a long time if there are now twice as many places to buy food as when you first moved here.” She adds, “And if you’re glad there’s more than just Oski’s!”
- Mayor Dale Mitchell, a Lago Vistan since moving from Iowa twenty-two years ago, jokes that Lago Vista is a drinking community with a golfing problem. This is similar to Point Venture’s old slogan, “A drinking community with a boating problem.”
- Asked about this, an employee of the Lago Vista Property Owners Association who prefers not to be identified says, “I don’t think Lago has much of a drinking problem.” Gazing over the lake, she adds, “There are plenty of nice places to drink here.”
Outside fun
- Amanda Yetley has lived in Lago about ten years. “Been spending summers out here since I was a kid back in the 80’s,” says this yogini. “If you always keep your swimsuit, towels, folding chairs, and a cooler in the back of your car or truck for the impromptu lake party, you might be from Lago Vista.” Make sure to add a stand-up paddle board for her classes!
- Carmichael’s business partner in Juice Plus, Connie Michaels, agrees that if you’re always ready to come out and have fun, you’re probably a Lago Vistan.
Inside fun
- Jan Steele moved to Lago Vista in 2002 and began working in the Lago Vista Public Library in 2003, serving as library director since December 2005. From the patrons who visit day in and day out, Steele sees Lago Vistans as “a population from diverse backgrounds that enjoys reading, learning, sharing information, and helping one another.”
- One of those doing the helping is Peggy Gibson, aka “The Story Lady” at the library. She says “Lago Vistans love summer with children and reading.” She volunteers to play games and read to children in the cool, air-conditioned library, giving harried parents their own summer break.
Plant and animal life
- Andrew Gale of Gale Endurance Coaching has lived in Lago Vista with his family since 2000, though he’s originally from England. “You might be from Lago Vista if you see a fox pass within 10 feet of a rabbit — and in your garden!” If you’re interested in training for long-distance running, swimming, biking, or triathlon, Andrew’s your man. His summer 2016 camp was in the French Alps.
- Avid gardener Mary Smothers of Get Alarmed says “In Lago, the deer are pets and the rabbits are pests!” She’s lived here since 1995.
- And organic farmer Selima Harbison, who runs the Lago Vista Farmer’s Market and also teaches Green Goddess barre classes at the Old Farm Community Center, says you know you’re in Lago if you hear your neighbors talking to themselves, only to go out and discover them talking to the deer.
*You wouldn’t have to live here long to be able to say 2016, but 2007 is another recent year that started with drought and ended with flooding.
And here’s a bonus: the little red schoolhouse, by request.
You might be from Lago Vista if you know there are skunks living under your deck and you don’t care – you simply co-exist. Or if you wave to everybody who goes by, or know the majority of people who contributed to the original article. 🙂
Lago is a great town with wonderful people, and a place I am proud to call *home*.
Absolutely, Erin! It is a fantastic little community.
I’m one of those people that’s actually “from” Lago Vista. We’re rare, but we do exist…:)
I’m so glad you exist, Adam! I have yet to meet one in the wild :-). I should probably get out more.
I love living in Lago Vista. I went to the Little Red school house. My Grandfater helped create a lot of the roads out here. I remember getting on my minibike with a packed lunch. And riding all over this place. Mostly dirt roads. I would be gone all day. I would just ride and take in the BEAUTY. Swimming in the lake all day or the swimming pool at the Skyroom. It was AWESOME growing up out here. I’ve been here for 43 years. Raised my kids out here. And now some of my Grandkids are being raised in the area. I’ve seen a lot of changes in my days.
What incredibly precious memories you have, Tina!
do you have any pics of the little red school house? I went there in 1st grade, 1971
Hi, Terri! I added a photo at the very bottom of the post. Look familiar?
I know honey. We’ve been here since before Lago was even a city. It was the village of Lago Vista until 1985. The S curves were there, no stop lights until I think 1999. My oh my how it’s changed and grown over the years!
You might be from Lago Vista if you drive your golf cart more than you drive your car.
Right on, Julie!
You might be from Lago Vista if you remember when there were no stoplights and homecoming was held at a basketball game! Fun article, Sandra!
Thanks, Barbara! Lago sure has grown since then.
Lago Vistan born and raised! All these are very true!
Another lucky one! Thanks, Hannah. I’m so glad they ring true :-).
…If you have encountered a spider as big as your hand, named him Fred, and posted photos on Facebook to brag about it.
….if you know better to NOT carve pumpkins on Halloween because deer LOVE carved pumpkins!
Laughing out loud here. Spiders do get fancy around these parts! And is there anything a deer won’t at least attempt to eat?
You might be from Lago if you remember 1431 being only 2 lanes and the infamous “S” curves. I’ve lived here for 34 years and attended LGo Vista ISD from kinder-graduation. My son is 11 and started here at kinder as well. Love this place!
This place loves you back, Amber! It’s great to hear of second-generation Lago Vistans. And none of us miss those infamous S curves.
Lived here my entire life, 31 years. U might be from Lago Vista if u find deer laying on your back porch and when u let the dog out to potty the deer doesn’t move because him and the dog are friends.
Love it, Jeanni! Deer and doggie friends are the best.
I moved there beginning for 8ish years and i haven’t ever felt a home like Lago! Every time I come to Austin for a visit I ALWAYS go to Lago to go to the lake. It is and always will be home! Everyone knows everyone and it’s so awesome. I talk about my little town to people and no one knows where it is and they are constantly surprised when I talk about how small it is! It’s home.
Come on back for good, Alixandra! It’s home, all right.
If you describe where you live by the golf course and hole you live on rather than your street address …. you might be from Lago
Like the mayor says, Dave… 🙂 I bet all the USPS and UPS and FedEx drivers could find anybody in Lago that way!
You might be from Lago Vista if you have attended a business meeting in flip flops.
*Raises hand.* Guilty!
Great memories if you can remember herds of deer, 200 count or more on water’s edge in Highland Lakes. Or when high-school classes were held in HL country club.
When the fire department consisted of two fire trucks and two brush trucks and one water truck, an old Cadillac converted into an ambulance.
I could go on but time does pass and life must continue on.
Living up by the main entrance behind mom and pop Clerner’s Country store in 72 was a good time though. Fond memories of friends past and present are happy ones.
Bar Kay roads were deer paths when we moved in. Times do change.
I believe I have the right and proud of it to say “yes I’m from Lago Vista” when I m asked.
Wow, Carl! You do have some great memories. Thanks for sharing them.
Its so awesome to hear everyone’s stories. Sounds like an absolutely wonderful friendly and beautiful place to live ?