THE GOOD: ;D I'm proud to announce the release of a booklet containing the history, and my memoir of
the diving bell! I've worked on the project since June, 2009. The booklet is titled: "Dugan
Daze: An Illustrated History & Memoir of Rube Dugan's Diving Bell, Silver Dollar City, 1977-
1984." Go to my Flickr site to see a shot of the front cover:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
THE BAD: :( Due to some serious personal financial issues this year, money I put aside to print the
project and have a general release for it is no longer available. The booklet has been
printed directly from my home computer and was bound in a heavy binder in an
exclusive preview first edition limited to ten copies. SHAVETHEWHALES, RUBEDUGANS,
and TD8541 all assisted me with the project and I have sent them copies in the mail.
In the next day or so they will probably make comments about the booklet here once they
get their copy in the mail and look through it.
AND
THE UGLY: :'( I only have one copy available to GIVE AWAY FREE to a member of sdcfans.com! If you
are interested in trying to obtain this copy, check back on this thread tomorrow (THURS)
and you will see I will have posted some diving bell trivia questions. The first valued
member and contributor to sdcfans.com that answer all the questions correctly wins
the booklet! I'll even mail to you for FREE!
--
It is my sincere hope that something will occur in the near future that will allow me to offer a general release of this booklet. One of my primary sources for the "history" section of the booklet has promised to send me more information as well as over four dozen NEVER BEFORE SEEN photos and illustrations from his personal diving bell project file! I will include the new info and photos in any general release version of the booklet. I will keep you posted.
IN THE MEANTIME, LOOK FOR THE TRIVIA QUESTIONS THURSDAY AND GET READY TO TRY TO WIN YOUR FREE COPY OF THIS RARE FIRST EDITION BOOKLET!
-JUNIOR
Just brainstorming here, have you thought any of the options available for a e-book? This way it would cut your production costs greatly, and it would allow anyone the ability, for a cost, to download the book electronically and view it on sources such as Kindle and the other online readers. I have never published an e-book, but due to the same cost restraints, I am looking into it for my book at this time.
Quote from: rubedugans on September 22, 2010, 10:20:37 AM
Just brainstorming here, have you thought any of the options available for a e-book? This way it would cut your production costs greatly, and it would allow anyone the ability, for a cost, to download the book electronically and view it on sources such as Kindle and the other online readers. I have never published an e-book, but due to the same cost restraints, I am looking into it for my book at this time.
That's a great idea! ;D
The hard work you all do in preserving the rich history of Silver Dollar City is nothing short of spectacular. Understandably, money is tight, and an electronic version would cut most expenses, and publishing times. Although, admittedly, Junior's book would make a nice addition to the coffee table when friends are visiting. :)
I did look into publishing via Lulu.com and through Amazon. The fastest way to get the limited edition out was to pop it out of the computer. Initially, I'd hoped to release it back in May, but a broken ankle put everything on hold for quite some time. Then my old car gave up the ghost and my wife and I had to purchase another one. By the time I could look at the project, it was August, the money had to go elsewhere, and the time was ticking away on the 50th anniversary season. I had to release something ASAP. It's still possible I will be able to organize things and get something out via Lulu.com in the weeks/months to come. Keep your fingers crossed. :)
OK...your chance to win a free copy of the new diving bell booklet! The sdcfans.com member who first answers all the diving bell related questions listed below wins. GOOD LUCK!
DIVING BELL TRIVIA CONTEST:
1) The diving bell operated at SDC beginning in what year? What year was the last year of operation for
the diving bell?
2) Name two popular, well know Branson area entertainers who both played "Junior" at the diving bell.
3) Name the man who was approached by Jack Herschend in 1975 to come up with new park concepts
for attractions, and was the guy who came up with the idea for the diving bell.
4) Name all four of the characters that were part of the diving bell attraction. (Hint: three were good ]
guys, one was not.)
5) Name the man who played "Rube" in a 1978 SDC TV Special.
6) Name the TV special produced in 1978 that featured the diving bell as a comic subplot.
7) Name the only SDC employee who played "Rube" live in the flesh. (Hint: He played Rube at Geyser
Gulch in the 2000 season.)
8) Name the Hollywood actors who did the voices of "Rube" and "Grandpappy" in the diving bell film
in the ride portion of the attraction.
9) How many diving bell capsules were there? How many people could ride in each capsule?
10) Name the only person who a) helped build the ride in the winter of 76, b) played "Junior" in the
1977 season, and c) worked ride maintenance from 1978-1984.
11) Name the only father/son duo to work at the diving bell.
12) Who was "Ruby Dugan?"
NOTE: The answers to all these questions are listed in various threads listed on sdcfans.com! You might have to dig for some of these answers, but, for the hardcore fans of SDC, most of the questions are pretty easy! Post your answers here, and maybe by Saturday we will have a winner! We will see how it goes...
-JUNIOR
To clarify for those participating Junior, should they post their answers on here? Or should they Message you with their answers? I am glad I am not participating sheesh some of these are hard!
Anyone who wants to take part can list their answers here. All can participate, but, if you are one of the few that have a copy, answer for fun only...I'll give the booklet to someone who does not have a copy.
HA! I am enjoying this. Either I've made the trivia questions too tough, or there is a lack of interest in obtaining a booklet. You don't have to get EVERY question right, just give the trivia contest a try. Check out the diving bell threads on this Website, and link to my Flickr site, going all the way back to page 10 where the diving bell photos start. You can find the answers to most of the questions pretty easily. If it's not the trivia questions, then it is the prize that no one cares about! That's OK, too! I was pretty frustrated when I could not get it professionally printed, one stumbling block after another. It may be proof God knows what he's doing...keeping my wife and I from throwing away money on something nobody wants! :D
I want the book! I have been searching for the last 3 hours on your trivia quiz deal and boy howdy its a doozy. Dont give up on me though!!
Ok, I'll give it a shot online:
1. 1977-1984
2. Bob Nichols and Terry Saunders
3. James Eads?
4. Junior, Rube, and Ruby Dugan and bad guy Eli Tolts
5. Rex Burdette
6. Burl Ives' America
7. Joel Green
8. Dub Taylor and Slim Pickens
9. 5 diving bells
10.
11.
12. Junior's sister?
So I didnt get them all cuz I am working and lookin up answers but this is what I have found out....
1. 1977-1984
3. (I didnt find this one but hope my memory works) The fella who has cancer and was in texas getting treatment but seems to be doing okay now.....
4. The bad guy was Eli Tolts, Jounior, rube and Ruby Dugan
5. Something to do with Burl Ives?
6. ""
8. SLim Pickins/Louis Brent Lindley Jr
9. I believe 2.
10. The guy at NoelGreen.com
12. A cousin
Thats all I got-chalk it up to laziness
AH! Now we've got some players! You both are doing fine...try to fill in the blanks. Encourage a few more of your pals at sdcfans.com to give it a try. Let's have some fun! ;)
Come on, only two players...a day and a half into the game? I challenge everyone to dig through the old diving bell threads and my Flickr site to come up with the answers to these questions. Give it a try! :)
I want to change some of my answers due to enlightenment of posts I read...
1. 77-84
2. Jennifer Cameron Phyllis Preacher
3.That guy with cancer that went to Texas and So far he is doing okay.
4. Eli Tolts Jr Rube and Ruby
5. Rex Burdette
6. Burt Ives America
7. Noel Green
8. Slim Pickins (and I do relize on my first post it was the same man)
9. 5 bells/75 people/1 Jr
10. Rus Mulder and Lucas Mulden
11. John Brewer
12. A cousin (Because we got a large family and a small imagination!)
Duelist and missing the green trams, you have done well. Let's see if anyone else wants to give it a try.
OK, It's Saturday! Any other takers for the diving bell quiz? It ain't that hard! I'll post answers and announce the winner late today.
Is there a multiple choice version of this quiz? ;D
I am just teasing. Everyone has done great so far! I am just no good at filling in the _____, oh uh blanks. :) I look forward to hearing a winner later on, and to finding out the answers to all of these trivia questions.
Here are the answers to the quiz:
1) 1977-1984
2) Terry Sanders and Bob Nichols
3) Tom Reidenbach
4) Rube Dugan, Jr. Dugan, Grandpappy Dugan, and Eli Tolts (Eli is the bad guy)
5) Rex Burdette
6) Burl Ives' America
7) Noel Green
8) Slim Pickens was the voice of Rube, Dub Taylor was the voice of Grandpappy
9) Five capsules, each capsule held 75 volunteers (guests) and 1 Junior!
10) Russ Maulden
11) John (the dad) and Lucas (the son) Brewer
12) Ruby was Junior Dugan's cousin
Two players: Duelist and Missin-the-green-trams and here is how they did:
Duelist: Correct on 1,2,5,6,and 8 with partial points (3/4 for #4, 1/2 for #7, and 1/2 for #9)
TOTAL FOR DUELIST: 6 and 3/4 points
Missin: Correct on 1,5,6,7,and 9 with partial points (1/2 for #3, 3/4 for #4, 1/2 for #8, and 1/2 for #11)
TOTAL FOR "MISSIN:" 7 and 1/4 points
Missin-the-green-trams edges past Duelist for the win! HOWEVER, nobody connected to sdcfans.com is a looser...I kept it a secret, but I really have TWO booklets put aside, so you BOTH GET ONE SENT TO YOU FOR FREE! CONGRATULATIONS!
This thread recieved over 260 hits since I started it on Wednesday. Hope you all had fun with it! -JUNIOR
Hey, "Missin'," you will need to send me a private message with your name and address so I can send you your booklet...I'd like to send it out about mid-week to you and Duelist. Thanks! -JUNIOR
I wish I coulda' got in on this, Junior. But I was only on the diving bell once in 1980. ::)
Not much can be salvaged from my memory of just one ride! LOL!
Don't give up on not getting a copy...if I can get organized, I hope to have a general release on this, maybe in a few weeks. We will see what happens! The Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'll try to get this project out to a wider audience. :)
Shave The Whales and Missin The Green Trams both sent me a private email message to let me know they had gotten their copies of the booklet and were looking through them. I'd like to thank them both for their kind comments. Rube Dugan's was apparently first to get his copy and has been reviewing it for several days. Duelist should get his copy in a few days. Thank you all for your support! :)
Awesome work Junior! I know it took a lot of time, and effort to finally make it to "press". Let's face it, I am by no means a Silver Dollar City historian, so it is nice to have such knowledgeable folks around here.
I hope all those who have received the first run copies will chime in on the boards, and let us all know what they thought. :)
Got mine this afternoon and it's excellent! Lots of pictures and extras! This is why SDC needs a bookstore again- that would be a great place to market and sell this book. Thanks again, Junior.
I concurr. I tell ya what I chuckled at certain points through out the book. I would love to see it in print for the masses and hope the best for our little jounior
Ozark BBQ, Duelist, and Missin...thanks again for the very nice comments! For those of you interested in learning a bit more about the history of the diving bell, I've published a short article with 8 photos in the October, 2010 "Life in the Ozarks" on-line magazine based in Shirley, Arkansas. Go to my Flickr site listed at the top of this thread to read it, and view the photos. Enjoy! :)
Check out some early photos from 1977 of the concept and design period for the diving bell. Go to the Flickr site listed at the top of the thread! Enjoy!