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Topics - History Buff

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61
Branson Talk / Wonders of Wildlife
« on: February 15, 2010, 12:13:02 PM »
Does anyone have insider info about Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield?  The website mentions a re-opening in late 2010, but every time we come to town, the place seems abandoned.

62
Branson Talk / Branson Zipline
« on: January 27, 2010, 06:20:54 PM »
From today's Branson Courier:

Quote
Eco-Adventure Coming to Branson, Missouri  http://www.bransonzipline.com/


by [ http://www.bransoncourier.com/edited-releases/ ]Press Release edited by Gary J. Groman a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
published: Jan 26, 2010

Branson tourism will have yet another exciting attraction when Branson Zipline and Canopy Tour, now under construction in Branson opens this spring. Construction of the platforms for the new Eco-Adventure is ahead of schedule.  Branson’s newest attraction, conveniently located on Highway 65 only seven miles north of downtown Branson, will introduce visitors to a unique form of outdoor entertainment. “This is a completely different experience,” points out General Manager Emma Hamilton, “and there is no other attraction that comes close to combining ecology and adventure in a fun activity that is both exciting and safe for people of all ages.”

Using a system that originated in the jungles of Costa Rica, the Branson Zipline and Canopy Tour will allow guests to soar in the Ozark Mountains.  As visitors “zip” from observation platform to platform, through and over the trees, certified guides will accompany participants pointing out unique topographical and historical features of the Ozarks.  Certification for the guides will be provided by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), as will be the accreditation for the courses themselves.

At opening visitors will be able to experience the Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour® a two and a half hour, interactive tour which will feature a variety of zip lines, walkways and platforms; and the Blue Streak Fast Line®, a thrilling one-stop ride from the top of the property to the base.  Hamilton adds, “Visitors will be able to experience the Ozark Outdoors through all the seasons, as we run year round…only pausing for lightning.” The Branson Zipline & Canopy Tour is the only facility of its kind in the region. “We can take up to 12 people at a time on each tour, so there is a very limited capacity.” she stated.

Eco-Adventures powers the current ziplines at Dollywood. http://www.dollywood.com/land/skyzip/home.html.

63
General Silver Dollar City Talk / November 2009 Showboat Survey
« on: November 08, 2009, 08:35:10 PM »
I just took the survey for the Branson Belle, on Friday.  Here are the descriptions of the five new shows being touted:

Riverboat Riot
This may be the funniest show you’ll ever see. In the tradition of riverboat shows from a bygone era, comedic ventriloquists, magicians, jugglers and other specialty acts have been assembled to form a world-class show. Two of these acts are featured on each cruise providing the audience with 50 minutes of non-stop laughter and entertainment. As soon as you think you’ve caught your breath from the first act, the second takes the stage and the fun begins all over again. A personable emcee warms up the audience and then helps tie all of the mayhem together in one unforgettable, side-splitting experience.

Rockin’ Broadway
For this incredible Broadway style production, Rogers and Hammerstein have been replaced by the Four Seasons, Billy Joel, ABBA, Elton John and Phil Collins … even Queen. Major musical productions like Jersey Boys, Movin’ Out, Mamma Mia, Aida, Tarzan, and We Will Rock You have played to packed houses all over the world with the music of today’s contemporary, pop composers. Our star-quality entertainers and a live band weave selections from each of these popular musicals into a jubilant concert event that will have you dancing in the aisles.

M – The ultimate magic show
Two world-class illusionists combine to create 50 minutes of spellbinding magic that will mystify and enthrall audiences of all ages. The magical moments begin as soon as you enter the showroom as each featured magician roams table to table demonstrating amazing, close-up, magical dexterity. But once the house lights dim, each magician takes the audience on an incredible, theatrical journey into the dimension of the unexplained and the physically impossible. Yet, there is nothing dark and sinister about their presentations – just fun and wonder.

Broadway Bound
Take a musical journey to the Great White Way, showboat style, as world-class entertainers and the best live band in Branson recreate the greatest moments from today’s blockbuster hits. Where else can you see a magical, flying nanny (Mary Poppins), witness a legendary witch defying gravity (Wicked), and thrill at a parade of majestic African animals (Lion King) as they gracefully glide by your seat? But it’s not all dramatic spectacle – there are also laughs galore with hilarious scenes from musical comedies such as Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, and Legally Blonde.

Showstoppers
A variety show is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get next. Mom will love the beautiful music and dance; Dad will marvel at the amazing talent, while the kids will enjoy the fast-paced energy of the show and the impressive production elements. Plus, the entire family will laugh together at the family-friendly humor of a nationally-renown comedian. Take a dash of show tunes, mix in a pinch of gospel music, sprinkle in some pop songs and top it all off with a grand patriotic finale and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable show experience that will satisfy every taste.


I've never attended a show on the BB, but I was not really impressed with these offerings.  It seems like they are giving up on theme in a lot of areas (See Rockin' Broadway above, and others).  If they are shooting for these more edgy and modern shows and attractions, I would encourage them to build venues to appropriately present them.  A couple of the other shows sound like standard Branson productions.  I like Broadway Bound, but still it didn't seen like a showboat show.

There were also questions in this survey about the economy and how it affects our family, but also questions about whether I think things will get worse, whether when the economy rebounds gas prices will increase, etc. 

64
History never fails to fascinate me.  Our family was in St. Louis last week, and we made it over to Bellefontaine Cemetery.  If you haven't been there, look it up (http://www.bellefontainecemetery.org/).  You'll be amazed at the place.  Yes, I know it's a cemetery, but it's also a treasure.

Anyway, I was putting together a lesson about Missouri Caves for my fourth graders, I looked at the Marvel Cave page, and made a connection.  We've all heard that Henry T. Blow led an expedition to Marvel (before it was Marvel) to try to find lead.  When they thought they found marble instead, the cave was renamed Marble Cave.

Anyway (again), I knew I had seen the grave of a Henry T. Blow at Bellefontaine.  That's where history meets history.  Maybe some of you (rubedugans) knew about this man already, but I hadn't put it all together.

Henry T. Blow was not just a cave explorer or a mineral magnate.  In fact, was the minister to Brazil during President Grant's first term.

Go back in time a little further and he was the minister to Venezuela for President Lincoln.  When he returned a year later, he served in the U. S. House of Representatives.

Back a little further, you'll find that Henry T. Blow's family owned the slave Dred Scott.  Scott was sold to Dr. John Emerson whose refusal to free him was at the heart of the Supreme Court decision that helped kindle the War Between the States.  It was Blow who encouraged Scott to sue for his freedom, and Blow who helped fund the legal fees for Scott and his wife.

In addition, Henry T. Blow's daughter, Susan Elizabeth, is the one responsible for establishing the first public kindergarten in the United States, in St. Louis in 1873.

Our quick reference to this man in the history of Marvel Cave is just a glance into the life of a man who had a much deeper history and influence than I ever imagined.  Perhaps some of this information could be displayed as a part of the national landmark we know of as Marvel Cave.

65
Announcements / The 1K Post Club
« on: July 27, 2009, 12:02:25 PM »
OK, so as expected, the grand poobah of our fan site, shavethewhales, has the most posts on the forums, but SDC Rules! has now joined him with 1000 posts.  This accomplishment is akin to the conquering of a great mountain, the taming of the wildest oceans, landing a manned mission to Mars.  We the people recognize the efforts of these two charter members of the 1K Post Club!  They truly provide us with inspiration and guidance.  May each of us aspire to acquire entrance into this exclusive club, as well!

66
General Silver Dollar City Talk / Celebration of Independence?
« on: July 04, 2009, 10:52:34 PM »
SDC and Dollywood celebrate the international community every spring, but are there any efforts to celebrate the USA during the Independence Day season?  I think I saw some fireworks over Lake Silver when I was a kid (1970s), but why wouldn't they market some kind of a Freedom Festival as a part of Kids Fest?  Would they be able to compete with other celebrations in the area, or have they decided it takes too much capitol?  Could there be a special parade or shows to commemorate our nation?

67
Random Talk / Does Anyone Know...?
« on: June 25, 2009, 07:11:19 PM »
Use this thread to post questions you've always wondered about.  Of course, if you know an answer, please post that, too.

Like this one:  who is the guy who makes the loudspeaker announcements on M*A*S*H?  It's not Radar or Klinger; they're often in a scene when an announcement comes across.  So who is it?

68
SDC Memories/ Park History / Where in the City? (2009 Season)
« on: March 04, 2009, 10:07:00 PM »
We'll be up and running soon - after the season begins.

Sharpen your skills and focus your eyes.

The '09 season is coming to a forum near you!

 
:o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o

69
Branson Talk / Off-Season Transitions
« on: December 21, 2008, 08:28:32 PM »
If anyone knows of changes, theater swaps, disasters, etc., let us know.

>Here's a shot of the bldg. struck by a recent fire on the strip, complete with Christmas decoration out front:


>>Question:  what's up at the wax museum?  Are they upgrading it, changing it, or removing it?


>>>The Haygoods are in their own theater, and Cassandra (who performs many lead roles at the Opera House and in Echo Hollow) will have her own show there.  They are also advertising their new TV show, though I'm not sure where this show is to air.

70
General Silver Dollar City Talk / Marketing SDC for 2009
« on: October 20, 2008, 07:05:07 PM »
I am attending meetings this week facilitated by SDC's former director of marketing.  Today, she related some HFE stories.

After producing a billboard touting "Silver Dollar City:  America's Friendliest Theme Park" (or something close to that), Jack Herschend asked her, "Do you really believe we have the friendliest park?"

"No," she replied, "but it looks good on the sign."

Jack then sent her to companies known for their friendliness.  Her mission:  to find out how they might train employees to be more friendly.  Upon her return, she had to relay that friendly is not something that can be trained, but that they could give people the tools to appear more friendly.

She also related something about the current mission statement, which begins with "Creating Memories Worth Repeating".  She said that they debated for a long time about the word "creating" - that the word "making" was not interactive enough.  They also wanted to make sure to keep the verb in present tense.

Anyway, I was thinking about how SDC may be marketed in 2009 (with no new attraction to speak of).  I guess they went through most of the '08 season without one, too, but maybe we can give them some help.  Here are some ideas to get us started...

Silver Dollar City...the Best Part of Waking Up

Silver Dollar City...Can You Hear Us Now?

Silver Dollar City...Even a Caveman Can Make a Memory Worth Repeating.

Silver Dollar City...Ask about It at Work.

Now it's your turn.  Any suggestions?

71
General Silver Dollar City Talk / MOVED: Through the Decades
« on: July 30, 2008, 12:03:13 AM »
This topic has been moved to Park History.  Join us there for more discussion to clear up our failing memories.SDC Memories/ Park History.

http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=37.0

72
SDC Memories/ Park History / Where in the City? (2008 Season)
« on: July 29, 2008, 11:46:41 PM »
OK, so let's see how much your memories really do work.
I took a special series of pictures, yesterday, that may get you thinking.
I'll post the picture - You tell us where the item is located at SDC.
Here's the first one.  Go for it!



73
General Silver Dollar City Talk / A Unique Souvenir
« on: July 29, 2008, 09:17:21 PM »
We arrived at the park, yesterday, and raced to ThuNderaTion, thinking my daughter could ride.  She loved Big Thunder Railroad at the Magic Kingdom, last month, and we mistakingly thought we had remembered the height requirements were the same for both coasters.  Amazingly, we were wrong (It's the first time we've ever been wrong, of course.)   :o

Imagine our surprise when the operators informed us that we were idiots if we thought we were ever going to ride ThuNderaTion.  OK, so they were nicer about it than that, not daring to call us any names, but they gave us a card they call a Pony Express Pass.  On the card was a wooden token (like a wooden nickel) that has the height requirement on it.  The card explains that the token can be brought back when she reaches 42 inches and we can go to the front of the line with no wait.  Of course, we'll never use it - it's too good of a souvenir, and the line at TNT isn't long enough to waste it.

The card had this poem on the front:

Quote
Save this token,
We aren't jokin'!

Go to the front of the line,
Saves you tons of time.

Grow with all your might
Just a little more height.

Then exchange this treasure
For a ride full of pleasure!

Does anyone know of any other unique and rare souvenirs out there?  At one time we had heard one of the jewelry places would give a baby her first ring, but we never have been able to confirm that.

74
Branson Talk / Indian Ridge
« on: July 25, 2008, 07:10:02 PM »
Here are two shots of the Indian Ridge progress west of SDC, another slice into the Ozark Mountains:




75
SDC Memories/ Park History / In Memorium
« on: July 13, 2008, 09:13:47 PM »
Not to be a downer, but as a tribute to some of those "characters" who are no longer with us, I thought this topic would have a place in our forum.

Tony McCarty:  indeed a "fixture" outside the saloon for many years and one of my best friends.  We used go fishing together quite a bit, or water skiing, and once we took a seven day trip up to Wyoming and Colorado for some fishing and sightseeing.   Tragically, he was killed in a car accident a number of years ago.  We were at the Saloon, preparing for the day's work when someone from management came down and delivered the news to us.  Probably my worst day ever at Silver Dollar City.  We canceled the first couple of shows and then, as he would have wanted us to, continued on with the day.  I still miss him.

Perhaps some of you will have something to add about other people.  Obviously Shad belongs here, but I also remember a very elderly man who always cleaned the restrooms and Stacy, the guitarist for the Time Machine Band for several years.  This, too, is a part of SDC history and memories.

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