For years, SDC had a "gentleman's agreement" with Branson businesses. SDC did the daytime entertainment, Branson had the shows at night only. Then, some of the theaters and other venues decided about 1981 or 1982 to start adding daytime shows. SDC responded by opening ECHO HOLLOW as an evening dinner show. It cost an additional admission for it that first year. Also, SDC produced a special brochure handed out to guests to promote other evening entertainment on park. A special feature that year included a hewn log cabin built over the summer and stocked with SDC craftsman produced products and furnishings. It was offered for sale to the highest bidder at the end of the year. (It did not sell, and the building currently houses apple butter.) A company newsletter from April that year told employees all the new things guests could enjoy that year, clogging took center stage at the Mountain Folks' Music Festival...and a sad note, SDC Founder Mary Herschend and legendary SDC basketweaver Leslie Jones passed away that year. It all happened in 1983. Check the Flickr site for a peek at some of the keepsakes from my personal files from 1983, plus obituaries on Miss Mary and Mr. Jones:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
