Messages

2026

Random Talk / Re: The Great Passion Play: Signs of the Times?

« on: September 27, 2012, 09:39:50 PM »

Perhaps they should make it seasonal and not have such a big operating season?
Let's be honest, it is not in a PRIME area for tourism.

Eureka is a huge biker destination these days, not your demographic for this attraction.  Like I said, it's in flux. It's becoming more artsy and that's not a in a crafts type of vien and has a very diverse population. There's less an less that caters to the types of folks that would be GPP's target audience. We locals call it our little San Francisco. It's local politics are often in and best described as a state of chaos. The recent fiasco over a city deer hunt(cause they are thick like rats in NY's tunnels)is a comedy to follow here down the road. I'm fond patron of Wilson and Wilson, I love Blakeley's folk art. Some of you remember the days her parents kept shop at  SDC with decoys and such. I go to visit and pick up a new print from time to time and  she is the only reason I hit the War Eagle show at the Mill.

I will say this, of the three friends and one sister in law that have had their weddings at Thorncrown, none are still married. Go look at Fayetteville's finist architect's work of art but don't get married there.

2027

Random Talk / Re: The Great Passion Play: Signs of the Times?

« on: September 27, 2012, 01:02:10 PM »

the idea? well it's just a concept of mine. It based off of Timberfalls Adventure Park in the Dells. It would a highly themed mini golf course based on the fictional setting of Dogpatch, It would have a raft ride or flume and rollercoaters all integrated with the golf courses but more efcort would be put into the blending aspect to go along with a lodge with indoor waterpark also themed accordingly along with several smaller scale flats indoors. Outdoor attractions would be year round weather permitting along with the year round operation of the lodge and waterpark.

2028

Branson Talk / Re: Table Rock Lake - What do you think about it?

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:38:36 PM »

I love Table Rock. And I'm only 10 minutes from Lake of the Ozarks. There's just so much difference between the two. Not all bad, but Table Rock and the Branson area in general is a lot like LOTO's was in the 60's and 70's before they decided to be a playground for the wealthy at the exclusion of the blue collar crowd that keeps it going. Keep in mind though that LOTO is one of the few lakes in the country where you can buy and build right up to the shoreline and every home, restaurant, waterfront hotel and gas station can have a dock. Unlike it's upper tributary Trumand and Table Rock, Bull Shoals, etc. it's a privately owned lake and not controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers.

I've rolled in by boat to Fisherman's Wharf and Doe's Eat Place many times. It's nice that way, but when the family in east arkansas/west tenn and my bunch in NWA hook up at the lake, it's at Norfork or Bull Shoals. We rotate those two.

2029

Random Talk / Re: Movies made in the Ozarks

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:31:12 PM »

I've got a small DVD collection of films made in or about Ozarks subjects. Where the Red Fern Grows, War Eagle Arkansas, Frank and Jesse, Winters Bone, and a few others like the old Shepherd of the Hills movie made by KYTV in Springfield, MO in the early, early, 60s. Does anyone else collect films on the same subject? There really is alot of good stuff out there, and it can often be found in the bargain bins at Wal-Mart or other stores.

Was Frank and Jesse filmed in the 90's, I remember Randy Travis Clothed and soder at the time) and some other celebs taking in basketball games at BWA while filming something. Joey Lauren Adams(Chasing Amy, Big Daddy) filmed a movie of her own in Little Rock but that's not the Ozarks.

2030

Random Talk / Re: The Great Passion Play: Signs of the Times?

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:24:20 PM »

In addition, although it's not new, the Railroad in Eureka Springs hasn't had an operating steam locomotive in years.  Memories of the good old days.  I should thank my parents for the trips to Dogpatch, Passion Play, Eureka Spring RR, SDC, and Shepard of the Hills.   I've shared a few of these with my kids, some have held up to the test of time and some not.  As an adult I have returned to Eureka Springs, got married there and have attended a scooter rally.  Made a trip to Turpentine animal sanctuary.   I guess somethings are always evolving.   

If you like railroad excursions, the one from Springdale to Van Buren is a good one when the leaves are right and the trees here in Fayetteville are getting a touch of color in them. For the life of me, I haven't figured out how that haven't figured out a game day train that stops and departs from Dickson in Fayetteville for river valley folk.

I hate the news of the Passion Play, but I think lots of it was lack of marketing but the weather the past two years could have impacted it as well with it being so gosh darn hot even at night when typically in the Ozarks it's pleasant in the evenings.

I got a neat concept to bring Dogpatch back to life in a new way but not in Newton Co.

2031

Random Talk / Re: The Great Passion Play: Signs of the Times?

« on: September 26, 2012, 06:37:31 PM »

I don't know that it's all depressed economy. The town of Eureka Springs has evolved(or devolved, it's all relative) and the type of folk that live and visit there has changed. With more and more of 412 getting four laned or upgraded along with 67 north of Harrison getting 4 lane divided, it's now out of the way and lots of folks don't remember or know the back way to Branson anymore.

If someone new moved to Fayetteville and wasn't aware of the Great Passion Play before hand, they sure wouldn't learn about it cause the has been a serious lack of marketing over the years.

2032

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: WiFi at SDC?

« on: September 19, 2012, 06:16:56 PM »

On visits this year to SDC, I cannot tell you how bummed out I was that people were walking around talking on their cell phones. Gee, forget about modern life for one day and enjoy your trip to SDC! Listening to loud talking people on phones also destroys the atmosphere for me, too. I don't need or want wifi at SDC, sorry, but seeing folks sitting around pounding away on laptops would be a bummer, too.

I use it as my camera, video camera and I instantly share my children's moments with their grandparents. Sorry.

2033

Random Talk / Re: Fun Spot at Eureka Springs

« on: September 16, 2012, 10:11:52 PM »

Speaking of Bikes, Bikes, Blues, and BBQ is about to roll into town so we'll go somewhere for the weekend.

2034

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Is SDC being pushed aside?

« on: September 15, 2012, 08:00:13 AM »

Home building in NWA is picking up again and hardly any of it is under 170,000 and most of it is 220 to 280,000.  I was listening to a local big wig at Arvest at work the other day and he seemed rather upbeat about growth in the area again. Hints there's things in the pipeline. On the other end of the spectrum, the Ft. Smith/River Valley area is hurting something bad. that's a 200,000 pop that's getting bad news on top of bad news.

Before the bust, housing around these parts were going for 120 a sq. ft. It had fallen to around 90 and is back up to 104 fo 110.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that NWA ( at least, I think) holds a key part in SDC's future as to providing a good solid base. It's nothing for us to get there and sooner or later 412 will be 4 laned to 67 all the way.

2035

Branson Talk / Re: Casinos in Branson???

« on: September 09, 2012, 08:02:20 AM »

I never really thought of casinos for Branson, and I know a lot of people who would have a big problem with it. But the way I see it, if you don't like it, don't go. It would be great revenue, but its unlikely that it would fit in.

Look at this way. People in Arkansas have had a big problem with liquor sales on Sunday. Over time a liberal city like Eureka took advantage of our convoluted alcohol laws and passed Sunday Package Sales. Benton Co is about to go wet. Tontitown and Springdale are eying Sunday sales. It's all in the name of revenue. Benton Co is tired of seeing all that money go across the border, Tontitown wants it's own police and Springdale needs the sales tax to make up for lost retail as it's been killed by the surrounding towns like Rogers and Fayetteville.

Junior has point about the types but unless you go the route of riverboat which is allowed in Mo. It will take a state law change to allow resort type establishments. I figure Branson and/or Taney Co could zone and regulate the locations and requirements for such establishments just like municipalities zone for residential to commercial to industrial development.

I view it like this, It's everywhere why let that money walk away. I can't understand why a resort area like Hot Springs is hamstrung considering it's history with gambling  while we (Arkansans) allow Tunica, Sheveport, and the Indian casinos of Oklahoma take money away all the while. We have the regulatory board in place that governs the dog and horse tracks.

Here, I think of the money Branson puts out to prop up the theaters and how that money could be redirected to other infrastucture needs like the renewal of 76.

2036

Branson Talk / Re: Casinos in Branson???

« on: September 08, 2012, 01:32:49 PM »

About 20 years ago I thought casino's would be a good idea here until I started listening to some of the locals while I was visiting the grandparents each year and soon changed my mind. I was able to see what that did to Cripple Creek and Black Hawk/Central City in the mountains in Colorado, it ruined the local businesses and the people that used to make a living there before the casino's and were forced to move on. It would end up taking over the town and could total lose that "family orientated" feel along with many local businesses as they would have to add machine's or something to keep up. After awhile they may be gone or sold out to "big name" casinos. Now having something available closer to Branson that is only an hour or less away would be okay. If they had a casino boat deal, that would be cool but don't want to see Branson turn into something it really is not...

Downstream Casino is just across the border from Joplin. Never pulled a slot or laid down a chip but have caught several shows there. They have been advertising a performance by Boston here in NWA recently.  Like I said, what type of casinos are we talking about.

2037

Other Parks / Re: SDC Vs. other MO theme parks

« on: September 07, 2012, 09:17:23 AM »

We are planning to hit Worlds of Fun first weekend of Oct to take in the Halloween feel. My daughter loves spinning coasters and they have one too. Swoosh is right. Little middle ground rides at SDC. I'm thrilled that Outlaw run being built but my wife will never touch it. A solid twisty like Ozcat and she's on board.

2038

White Water Discussion / Re: Future of White Water

« on: September 06, 2012, 11:09:34 PM »

I say just close the place, start over and build new out by SDC.  While they're at it, move the SBB landing out to Indian Point and just have all of the SDC-HFEC Branson properties in one spot (other than Ducks if they still own that)

Not against that one bit.

2039

Branson Talk / Re: Casinos in Branson???

« on: September 06, 2012, 04:02:07 PM »

It depends on the type. Are we talking the interstate exit casinos like those that dot Oklahoma or resort style casinos with theaters and golfing attached. I've advocated on this board before for casinos in Hot Springs that targeted the restoration of the old hotels downtown as a mechinism to to bring them back to full glory along with the bathhouses.

2040

Random Talk / Re: Are you ready for some football?

« on: September 02, 2012, 07:58:35 PM »

Razorbacks over Jackson State, 49-24. SEC game or did a junior college get in there and play the hogs? 

Arkansas got in their own way a bunch and the D played about as vanilla as I've seen it in years. Allowed Jack St. have the slant all night and darn looked like it was on purpose.

It was 20 years ago on game day that the coach of Jack St. was coach at Arkansas and lost to the Citadel ( my Freshman year)and got booted the next morning. Attendance 20 years ago, mid 30s, yesterday around 71