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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Worldfest '14
« on: April 01, 2014, 07:01:03 PM »
Saw the first ads for Worldfest on local TV here in NW AR today. It's about time for cranking things up a bit on park...
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2
Random Talk / Working at SFSL
« on: February 06, 2014, 04:25:12 AM »
From time to time we have had folks mention on the threads here that they once, or currently, have worked for Six Flags St. Louis. I'm a fan of that park, too...simply because of childhood memories going back to their first season of visiting the park with family. There is an old, old thread or two about people telling their experiences of working there, but it has been a while since we have heard from anyone. So, if you once or currently work at SFSL, tell us some stories...where you worked, what that park was like from the perspective of an employee, and a few ghost stories...I have heard several locations on the park are supposed to be haunted. How does the whole experience leave you feeling? Stories, please. Photos if you have got them. Thanks, all.
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Random Talk / Brumley Gospel Sing, 2014
« on: February 03, 2014, 03:25:02 PM »
It has been announced! The 46th Annual Brumley Gospel Sing for August, 2014. At the Cowan Civic Center, Lebannon, MO. The line up includes Dailey and Vincent Karen Peck and New River Jeff and Sheri Easter Booth Brothers Chuck Wagon Gang Dixie Melody Boys Dixie Echoes McKameys Legacy Five Blackwood Brothers, and many more http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
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Random Talk / Another Celebrity Death
« on: February 02, 2014, 07:42:14 PM »
Talented actor, Phillip Seymour Hoffman has died. Early reports say a drug overdose in his NYC apartment. Very talented gent, sad way to go.
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Random Talk / Gilligan's Island "Professor" Passes On
« on: January 16, 2014, 07:50:23 PM »
Russell Johnson, who played "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island, passed away of natural causes at his home in Washington state. I have his autobiography on the TV show and life, and it is an easy, fun, read. Hope you can pick up a copy. Dawn Wells and Tina Louise are the only cast members from the old TV show that are left. Hmmmmmm...Ginger or Mary Ann?
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Random Talk / Merry Christmas, 2013!
« on: December 23, 2013, 04:36:26 PM »
Merry Christmas to all, Happy New Year, too! Hoping all here have a happy and safe time off from work/school. Be careful on the roads. Right now, we are getting some snow...so maybe we will have a white Christmas, or at least white Christmas Eve! 
7
General Silver Dollar City Talk / Chain Restaurants at SDC?
« on: December 08, 2013, 06:34:51 PM »
Whitewater and Six Flags St. Louis have had chain restaurants...Dominos Pizza at WW, Six Flags has had McDonald's, Panda Chinese, and others. Do you think there is an area at SDC where chain food could be served...how about Ozark Marketplace and Hospitality House? I could see that. I personally do NOT want to see, say, a Wendy's or Applebee's on the town square, or in the old Big Jack's location. Any thoughts? If you had a large kids group with you, I could see taking everyone into Burger King in the Ozark Marketplace, say. How about it?
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Random Talk / Jim Bakker in Branson
« on: December 07, 2013, 03:53:30 PM »
Televangelist Jim Bakker and his current wife, Lori, have been a part of the Branson area for several years now. He used to do his TV show from Branson, but about 2008, moved to a location at Blue Eye, MO called Morningside. He has had something, but I don't know how much, to do with Angel Inn and Amazin' Inn, both in Branson, and his "friends" operate Morningside. I think the Promiseland Zoo is attached to Morningside as well. I'm not too sure about how deep his involvement is with all the side businesses, which resemble a scaled down Heritage USA. I wonder have any of you patronized these businesses, and have you ever ran into Bakker or his wife? Are they a respected part of the Branson area ministries/tourism related stuff, or are they outcasts who are held back at arms length? I'm just curious. Don't mean to offend anyone, either. Thanks for any info on this stuff.
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Random Talk / Marvel Cave history book?
« on: December 07, 2013, 10:33:35 AM »
I was looking through a copy of the White River Valley Historical Quarterly that I picked up last year at the Branson Centennial Museum, and discovered that apparently there is a book out covering Marvel Cave history that I have previously been unaware about. It is called "5o Years of Marvel Cave," and the authors are listed as "The Herschends." It is listed for sale in the gift shop section of the magazine for $25. Is anyone familiar with this book, and can you tell me how well written and illustrated is it? This sounds like something that would have came out in 2010 as part of the 50th anniversary of SDC stuff. Does anyone have this book? How do you like it?
10
Random Talk / Winter Storm, December, 2013
« on: December 06, 2013, 09:14:10 AM »
OK...everybody report in...how is the weather in your neck of the woods?
6 inches of snow covering a thin sheet of ice. The 15 minute trip home yesterday from work took twice that time. Fish tailed up the hill, and was afraid of not getting home. When I made it home, I knew I was going to be here for a few days. More stuff headed my way today and tonight. Pea Ridge, Arkansas is looking like a winter wonderland!
6 inches of snow covering a thin sheet of ice. The 15 minute trip home yesterday from work took twice that time. Fish tailed up the hill, and was afraid of not getting home. When I made it home, I knew I was going to be here for a few days. More stuff headed my way today and tonight. Pea Ridge, Arkansas is looking like a winter wonderland!
11
SDC Memories/ Park History / I Didn't Know THAT About Silver Dollar City...
« on: December 02, 2013, 06:46:26 PM »
Fun Facts about SDC:
-When Herman the Hermit's Tree Top House originally opened, guests could exit by walking down a flight of stairs, or by sliding down a huge slide!
-When Jim Owen's Float Trip Ride was dismantled to make way for the American Plunge, the lift used to stop and release boats for loading was moved over to the Flooded Mine and used there!
-Grandfather's Mansion originally was a much smaller "gravity house" attraction called Slantin' Sam the Miner Shack! (The basement playroom of Grandfather's Mansion is the original room left over from Slantin' Sam's.)
-In the winter prior to Silver Dollar City's opening, Pete Herschend arrived on the construction site early on a cold morning in February, started a wood heat fire in a stove, left the building for a short while to eat breakfast, and the mill, print shop and photo gallery were accidentally burned down! (They were rebuilt in time for the grand opening in May, 1960.)
-Portions of American Plunge, Wildfire, and Powder Keg footprints cover the majority of the trails used for the Butterfield Stagecoach Ride!
-The Oak Trail Schoolhouse used to be located where the furniture factory is!
-The Apple Butter Cabin was originally built on the town square for a fall crafts festival showcase, packed with furniture and arts and crafts made by SDC craftsmen! The cabin and contents were offered for sale, but there were no takers, so the cabin was moved to it's present location, and has been used for various shops since.
-The original entrance to the park...when it was known as Marvel Cave Park...was in the vicinity of where the Grand Exposition is now! The small nursing cabin adjacent to Red/Gold Hall is what is left of an old cabin dating back to when the Lynch Sister ran the cave, I believe it was rented out for overnight lodging for guests, and later, it was once lived in by Shad Heller and his wife. Later the cabin was used as a security office before being seriously remodeled into the nursing station it is now.
-In 1960 the entire SDC staff consisted of 17 people!
-When Mary Herschend went to People's Bank of Branson for a loan to build SDC, she surprised the bank president by paying off the loan in full at the end of the year!
More fun facts to come at a later time. In the meantime, add your own, if you know some!
-When Herman the Hermit's Tree Top House originally opened, guests could exit by walking down a flight of stairs, or by sliding down a huge slide!
-When Jim Owen's Float Trip Ride was dismantled to make way for the American Plunge, the lift used to stop and release boats for loading was moved over to the Flooded Mine and used there!
-Grandfather's Mansion originally was a much smaller "gravity house" attraction called Slantin' Sam the Miner Shack! (The basement playroom of Grandfather's Mansion is the original room left over from Slantin' Sam's.)
-In the winter prior to Silver Dollar City's opening, Pete Herschend arrived on the construction site early on a cold morning in February, started a wood heat fire in a stove, left the building for a short while to eat breakfast, and the mill, print shop and photo gallery were accidentally burned down! (They were rebuilt in time for the grand opening in May, 1960.)
-Portions of American Plunge, Wildfire, and Powder Keg footprints cover the majority of the trails used for the Butterfield Stagecoach Ride!
-The Oak Trail Schoolhouse used to be located where the furniture factory is!
-The Apple Butter Cabin was originally built on the town square for a fall crafts festival showcase, packed with furniture and arts and crafts made by SDC craftsmen! The cabin and contents were offered for sale, but there were no takers, so the cabin was moved to it's present location, and has been used for various shops since.
-The original entrance to the park...when it was known as Marvel Cave Park...was in the vicinity of where the Grand Exposition is now! The small nursing cabin adjacent to Red/Gold Hall is what is left of an old cabin dating back to when the Lynch Sister ran the cave, I believe it was rented out for overnight lodging for guests, and later, it was once lived in by Shad Heller and his wife. Later the cabin was used as a security office before being seriously remodeled into the nursing station it is now.
-In 1960 the entire SDC staff consisted of 17 people!
-When Mary Herschend went to People's Bank of Branson for a loan to build SDC, she surprised the bank president by paying off the loan in full at the end of the year!
More fun facts to come at a later time. In the meantime, add your own, if you know some!
12
Random Talk / Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
« on: November 27, 2013, 03:29:50 PM »
Best wishes to all for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Gobble, gobble!
Gobble, gobble!
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Branson Talk / Branson area Movies
« on: November 26, 2013, 04:51:18 AM »
I remember hearing chatter on the Internet earlier in the year regarding two movies that were to be made in the Branson area. One about the Baldknobbers...there was a link to the movie trailer posted on this site...and another movie, subject matter escapes me now. Anyone hear anything new about these films and if they are available on DVD yet?
14
Branson Talk / Mollyjoggers
« on: November 21, 2013, 03:41:17 PM »
I wanted to post this site, it is a Fayetteville, AR based Web company with ties to SW Missouri. A mix of outdoors, history, and folklore in the Ozarks Region. Hope you like it: www.mollyjoggers.com
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SDC Memories/ Park History / Pictures from the Past!
« on: November 16, 2013, 06:46:20 AM »
Let's take another trip back in time! Over the winter months, I sometimes post photos of "the Silver Dollar City we all remember from our youth." I wanted to start the 2013-14 winter season with photos of craftsmen and women from the 1960's-1980's.
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"You have a Great Past Ahead of You!"
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
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"You have a Great Past Ahead of You!"
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan