Branson Courier

Month: June 2003

  • Let’s go to the theatre, grab a beer, and complain about gambling in Rockaway Beach

    Seagull Musings Column for 06/22/03



    Let’s go to the theatre, grab a beer, and complain about gambling in Rockaway Beach



    At the outset the Ole Seagull would point out that he drinks on occasion and likes to play Blackjack and Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker.He could go on about why, because of personal failings, he probably should not be writing this column but he won’t.



    The issues of expanded drinking and gambling in Branson go beyond the personal failings of one Ole Seagull.They go to the bed rock of the foundation upon which Branson’s success has been built.These are issues of what is right or wrong for Branson, her people, her guests, their families, and her economic future.As Abraham Lincoln said, “If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”



    Today, in a very competitive tourism industry, one of Branson’s main selling points is its “family friendly” atmosphere.It, perhaps more than any other one thing, is what differentiates Branson from other tourist destinations and gives our guests a clear choice to make in selecting a vacation or get away destination.Without it, Branson is but another “raisin” in a box of “tourist destination raisin bran.”



    In making a list of the “Most Family Friendly Activities,” where would most people place gambling or the drinking of alcoholic beverages?If included at all, would they be near the top or the bottom?Similarly, in making a list of the “Least Family Friendly Activities,” where would they be?Unless, an Ole Seagull misses his guess, most of the potential “family value” or “family friendly” guests that Branson targets would leave them off the “Most Family Friendly” list and have them near, or at, the top of the “Least Family Friendly” list.



    Of these two “Least Family Friendly Activities,” which one, gambling or the drinking of alcoholic beverages, is the least family friendly?Is one of the two a leading cause of deaths on Americas’ highways and roadways?Of the two, which do you believe is responsible for more instances of spousal and child abuse or has damaged the greatest number of lives and families?An Ole Seagull’s personal life’s experience convicts him that the answer, to all the above, is the drinking of alcoholic beverages.



    Between 1983 and 1996 only three Branson theatres had received liquor licenses.Since 1996 eight theatres have received Liquor Licenses.Of these eight, five have been granted during the years 2002 and 2003. Is there a trend developing here?If so, is it a trend that adds to the friendly atmosphere that Branson is allegedly so concerned about?



    In a Pontius Pilate self fulfilling prophesy sort of way, the Branson Board of Aldermen and City Administration seem to say, “Oh hum, we can’t do anything about it because it’s the state that issues the liquor licenses.”But the state also issues Driver Licenses.



    Doesn’t the City have ordinances that restrict how the privileges permitted by that license are exercised within the Branson City limits?Similarly, couldn’t Branson have ordinances restricting how the privileges authorized by state Liquor Licenses are exercised in its theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors?



    Can Rockaway Beach’s proposed gambling damage Branson’s family friendly atmosphere anymore than expanding the drinking of alcoholic beverages into its theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors would?An Ole Seagull doesn’t think so.Aren’t both “family unfriendly?”



    The Branson Board of Aldermen has passed a resolution against the expansion of gambling in the Branson area.All rhetoric and excuses aside, as an initial measure of Branson’s true commitment to “family friendliness,” the Branson Board of Aldermen could pass a similar resolution regarding the expansion of the serving of alcoholic beverages in its theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors.



    Will they?Not without the commitment, involvement, and action of those allegedly opposed to the expansion of the drinking of alcoholic beverages into Branson’s theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors.If the apathy of the past is any indication, let’s get our beers and belly up to the show as we complain about how gambling coming to Rockaway Beach will harm our family friendly atmosphere.


  • The Great Passion Play hosts Artist Ron DiCianni

    Eureka Springs, AR – “Beyond Words” The Art Work of Ron DiCianni, an

    amazing exhibit of 38 original paintings are on display at Smith Memorial

    Chapel on the grounds of The Great Passion Play(tm) in Eureka Springs,

    Arkansas. DiCianni’s spectacular work is on display from 9 AM to 8 PM

    every day that The Great Passion Play is performed through October 25.


    Visitors experience the powerful emotion of these remarkable paintings

    through an audio narration by the artist with musical soundtrack. There is

    no admission charge for the exhibit. The Great Passion Play CEO Joe Gies

    says, “This exhibit is so meaningful and so powerful that we want everyone

    to be able to experience it. It is truly beyond words.” A suggested

    donation of $5.00 per person will be gratefully accepted. The paintings

    appeal to and deeply touch a wide spectrum of people from diverse

    backgrounds.


    Ron DiCianni will be at The Great Passion Play on June 20 from 3 PM to 5 PM

    to sign prints and books. From 6 PM to 8 PM an open house will be held to

    give people the opportunity to meet the artist. On Saturday, June 21,

    DiCianni will once more be available to sign prints from 3-5 PM and again

    from 6-8 PM. On Sunday, June 22, Ron DiCianni will be the guest speaker at

    First Assembly of God Church in Berryville Arkansas at the 10:45 AM

    service. The public is invited to attend.


    DiCianni was honored as the “official artist for the United States Olympic

    Committee for the Moscow Olympic Games” and his work has appeared on the

    covers of Frank Peretti’s popular fictional books, This Present Darkness,

    and Piercing the Darkness. Ron DiCianni began his religious painting after

    a successful career in commercial art serving clients such as NBC,

    McDonalds, and United Airlines.

  • It’s “cockamany” – they report what they want to report the way they want to report it

    Here’s an Ole Seagullisim, “Newspapers report what those who control them want them to report exactly the way they want to report it.”Some might say, “Well I can see that happening at the national level but it doesn’t happen at the local level, does it?”Of course it does.



    For the last two years the Branson City Administrator has been deeply involved with bringing the Branson Landing Project and Convention Center to Branson.Just as the state approves the TIF, which enables the Convention Center, and the project is getting ready to break out of the starting gate, the City Administrator goes to Naples, Florida to interview for a new job.



    In most cities the size of Branson, particularly under these circumstances, that’s a news story. Evidently, not in Branson!Were it not for the fact that this paper reported the story in its June 6-7 edition, there would have been no newspaper coverage of this event.Why, quite simply, because either those having the responsibility to report the news, their editors, or their publishers decided not to report it.



    In another situation, the Ole Seagull made a presentation to the Taney County Commissioners on June 2, 2003, about establishing a committee to see what the County could do regarding the 1% Retail Sales tax guillotine that is currently hanging over the heads of those living in Taney County.A guillotine placed there largely thanks to the actions of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and the votes of Commissioner Herschend and Ex Presiding Commissioner Chowning.



    There were two reporters at the meeting and the tax represents millions of potential tourism marketing dollars to the area.But, were it not for the fact that the Taney County Times and its sister publication, this paper, reported on the event, the public would have had no practical way of knowing what took place or that the matter was currently under consideration by the Commissioners.Why, quite simply, because either those having the responsibility to report the news, their editors, or their publisher decided not to report it.



    How about the case of the local entertainer who was arrested and charged, by the Branson Police Department, for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident,” “Driving While Intoxicated,” and “Assaulting a Police Officer,” a few months back?At the time all the local papers, except this one, published a short article on the arrest.Was it an illusion?What is the current status of the case?Is it being handled any differently than a similar case would be handled for those who are not celebrities or have no clout or influence?



    How bad can it get?As bad as advertising, personal pettiness, clout, and personal relationships are permitted to influence whether or not, and how, a story is written or published.It adds real meaning to what the newspaper industry means when they herald “freedom of the press.”Could it be that what they really mean is the “freedom for them to decide what the news is and then control how and when it will be presented?”



    Why the Ole Seagull has even heard reports that there is the possibility that, in one or more small communities around our area, the publisher of the local paper has actually prohibited the publication of anything involving the names of one or more persons within the community in their paper.Now there’s a “cockamany” idea that sets new standards of journalistic professionalism and ethics!

  • Paul Harris Show

    The minute you set eyes on Paul Harris, you know he is a regular guy. You know also that he is a country boy. Not so much from what he wears, cowboy boots, jeans, shirt and western-brimmed hat, but more from his stance. You know, the kind of posture that has been known to lean against the side of a pickup to shoot the breeze. The kind of posture that speaks volumes by letting you know that he is very comfortable and quite confident in his own skin.

    The next thing you would notice about Paul is his smile. Paul has a smile that starts bluegrass growing. A smile that dogs like, women would die for and men envy. A wide, warm, easy-going smile that puts you at ease the minute it is laid on you. It is also a sincere smile that is set below a couple of moon pie eyes on a solid, square, granite-like face. The kind of look that says you can trust this man. Whatever this man says, I am going to believe or have a lot of fun trying to believe it.

    Paul Harris is a very funny guy. Paul opens his show by telling of his roots in Arkansas. Paul is proud of his roots and you can tell it by his soft-spoken approach to the trials and tribulations of life below the border. He does not put down anyone in Arkansas or anywhere else for that matter, but he does have a lot of fun trying not to put them down.

    He tells of Arkansas people visiting the beaches in Florida and how, unlike Floridians, Arkansas people were smart enough not to swim in red water, just after sharks had been seen in the area. He also tells how the people of Arkansas were the ones who could figure out how to punch a voting card. Paul is funny in just about everything he says and does. That smile I referred to earlier plays a large part in his humor. He has gotten the timing of the smile down to a science and makes it work for him. Just showing his smile at the right time can evoke laughs from his audience.

    Paul has a sidekick on the stage with him. A fellow that has worked around Paul for a number of years and is considered his best friend, Clay Cooper. Now Clay rather reminds one of the old “B” western villain back in the good old black and white days of television. You know, the one who always walked up to the boss of the bad guys and said, “Tom, you know, me and the boys have been talking it over and………”

    Clay is dressed in black. Clay is dressed in black from his boots to his western hat. Clay, far from really being the villain, is an accomplished singer who wears a ten-gallon smile and rides a mile of stage. Clay sings everything from patriotic songs to a song depicting the love of a Mother. Clay is almost a mystery in the way he dresses compared to the actual way he performs. With him, the mystery becomes a surprise. The surprise becomes great music and entertainment.

    A newcomer to Branson, from Dennison, Texas is Paul’s female singer, Kari Garrison. Kari has a wonderful voice and graces the stage with her glowing beauty. Now the big thing about Kari, besides the fact that she sings so beautifully in the show with Paul and Clay, is that she is quite pregnant. A couple of members of the band have pregnant wives due about the same time as Kari and Paul quips that he hasn’t drank Branson water for four months. Expectant mothers have a special glow about them that women envy and men notice. I always worry a bit, however, when I see a pregnant woman perform, or do any kind of work for that matter, when they are as far along the road as she is. I just know that in the middle of one of her numbers someone is going to call out to the audience “Is there a doctor in the house.” That would be a show-stopping act and a hard one to follow for sure.

    As I said earlier, Paul is a very funny guy. He told of the time he and Clay went skiing in Vail, Colorado. It seems that they were sort of out of place in Vail with their cowboy attire. Paul said “Everyone was staring at them like a tree full of owls.” Paul is a funny guy. He also told of a former girl friend of his that he called butter face. It seems that everything looked good, butter face.

    Paul literally has the audience rocking in their seats while wiping their eyes from laughing so much. Clay has the audience enraptured by his music and Kari has the audience enthralled by her beautiful voice and her enlightening presence.

    All in all, The Paul Harris Show is a real trip that you will thoroughly enjoy. Did I say that Paul Harris is a funny guy? Maybe I did, but it is the truth.

    Come to the Caravelle Theater and enjoy the Paul Harris Show. You will be laughing for days afterward just remembering the tall soft-spoken Arkansas native tell of the absurdities of life, as we know it and as he sees it.

    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • City considers eminent domain for Branson Landing

    The City of Branson recently cleared the hurdle of getting the state tax increment financing for the Branson Landing project, but now the city has hit a new road block: land acquisition.



    The city will have to acquire approximately 20 properties west of the railroad tracks along Sycamore Street to Long Street in order to build a convention center. Not all of those property owners are willing to sell for HCW Development’s price.



    If the city can not obtain all of the needed property during negotiations, it will proceed with the use of eminent domain and condemn the property.



    HCW Development’s Rick Huffman said he has already entered into negotiations with the businesses and has made offers to them that most are ready to accept. However, Huffman said three individuals are not willing to accept his offer.



    “We are having difficulty with a couple of people,” he said. “It will be your (city council) decision on whether to go ahead with condemnation or not.”



    Branson Downtown RV building owner and Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel is one of those people not willing to sell right now. He told the board of aldermen at its Monday, June 9 meeting that he wants a similar price per square foot similar to that of the lakefront property purchased by the city in December 2001.



    Huffman maintains that the city paid an average of $15 per square foot for the lakefront properties. He said he wants to pay the same for the Sycamore properties.


    Pennel presented the council with figures of what the city paid for the lakefront land divided by the square footage. Pennel took seven businesses and came up with an average price of $45.91 per square foot.



    “It’s been a great location,” he said. “I know I run the risk of looking greedy. I’ve heard downtown is the greatest place to do what you are doing. The appraisal value was $5 million more than what you paid for it.”



    Pennel said he would sell one lot of his land for $35 a square foot and two other lots at $25 a square foot. Huffman originally offered Pennel $15 per square foot but later increased that amount to $16 per square foot.”I won’t have the opportunity to go back,” Pennel said. “Once I sell it, it is yours.”



    Huffman said it is difficult to put the same amount on a business because there are different situations. “We’ve had to take a look at operating businesses such as Meeks,” he said. “They will have to physically move their lumber yard to a different area within our city. That is a different price than, for example, the shopping center where Comet Cleaners is. The owner of that shopping center is not planning on rebuilding. He does not have the value of having an operating business.


    The businesses that will have to relocate or shut down include: MFA Tire and Auto, L & J Plumbing Supply, Loyd’s Electric warehouse, Branson Veterinary Hospital, Southwest Teachers Credit Union, Branson Daily Independent, The UPS Store, GNC, Scott Sales Company, Harvest Evangelical Free Church, Comet Cleaners, Legacy Entertainment, Carman’s Martial Arts and Fitness Center, Ozarks Mountain Auto, Meeks and Branson Downtown RV Sales and Service.



    The development will also take out several residential homes as well as part of the city’s campground.


    Huffman said his goal is to stay under $10 million for all of the land and he is well under that currently.




    “Most people down there understand the size and scope of the project,” he said. “Our real estate team has done a great job.”



    Alderman David Edie tried to ask Pennel questions about the negotiations with Huffman, but City Administrator Terry Dody urged Edie not to enter into the conversation with Pennel because the city “might be involved in litigation with him.”



    Huffman said he is having trouble settling with two other individuals besides Pennel, but did not say who those people are or what businesses they own.



    Huffman said he hopes to have the negotiations wrapped up and may be able to present the results as early as the next board meeting, June 23.



    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • Chili cook-off part of Branson Summerfest 2003

    The Branson Veterans Task Force will debut its First-Ever-to-Become-Annual Chili Cook-off at Branson Summerfest 2003 to be held June 19-21 at Branson Landing.

    The cook-off will welcome teams on Friday and Saturday with judging each day in various categories including amateur and professional.


    The Summerfest event is a collaboration between the Task Force, the Downtown Branson Main Street Association and Sullivan Companies and has been created as an event to honor the nation’s first responders.


    Chili cook-off team categories include amateur and first responder teams on Friday and professional and entertainers and more first responder teams on Saturday. Teams will arrive and check-in between 7 and 9 a.m., allowing time to decorate their cooking areas. Judges’ meeting begins at 9 a.m. with the official cook-off gun sounding at 10 a.m. Cook area judging will take place 1-2 p.m. and chili judging begins at 3 p.m. Winning teams will be announced prior to the evening concerts.


    “Although this is not a sanctioned event by the International Chili Society, this first year is the launching ground for future cook-offs that will be sanctioned,” said Task Force Board Member Stormy Lynn Snow, committee chair for the cook-off. “We are learning as we go and want this first year to be our test run. It will be fun, yet follow the guidelines of sanctioned events. Die-hard chili cook-off fans will enjoy this event.”


    To register teams must contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 417-337-8387 or by e-mail at info@bransonveterans.com. Registration is $100 per team.


    Editors Note: For additional information on Summerfest or to purchase tickets either on line or via phone, through Ozark Ticket and Travel, click here or call 1-888-493-1222.


  • Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Opening on June 20th

    (BRANSON, Missouri) – The official opening of the new Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum and Happy Trails Theater in Branson has been rescheduled for June 20that 9 a.m. The original targeted opening for Memorial Day Weekend has been changed due to the reassignment of construction staff.The workers have been temporarily reassigned from the museum project to assist with recovery efforts associated with last week’s devastating series of tornadoes in the Midwest and, specifically, in Southwest Missouri.


    “Mother Nature has tested us on this construction project since December,” said Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr.”The unusually large snowfall over the winter delayed the project, but Memorial Day weekend was still a viable target opening date until the manpower reassignments.At this time the tornado cleanup and recovery efforts must certainly take precedence.”


    The 26,000 square-foot museum and 300-seat theater is being built on approximately four acres of land on the northeast corner of Green Mountain Drive and State Highway 376 across from Silver Dollar City’s new theme park, Celebration City (formerly Branson USA).


    Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr. announced on July 14, 2002 that The Roy Rogers – Dale Evans Museum would relocate from Victorville, California to Branson, Missouri.Dusty Rogers said the museum’s Board of Directors and his family believe Branson’s family-friendly entertainment and attractions provide an ideal environment in which to preserve and continue the Rogers’ legacy. A groundbreaking ceremony in Branson on September 3, 2002 included 3 generations of Roy Rogers-Dale Evans descendants.The landmark in Victorville, where the “King of the Cowboys” Roy Rogers and “Queen of the West” Dale Evans lived, closed earlier this spring on March 31.



    For additional information or to purchase tickets, either on line or via phone, through Ozark Ticket and Travel, click here or call 1-888-493-1222.


  • Branson’s First Summerfest June 19-21

    (Branson, Mo.) –Three days of outdoor family fun, patriotic celebrations and music will culminate in an outdoor concert by Foreigner with lead singer Lou Gramm on Saturday, June 21.The Landing Concerts on downtown Branson’s Taneycomo lakefront are highlights of the recently announced Branson SummerFest event.



    The multi-platinum rock group’s Top-10 hits include Feels Like The First Time, Cold As Ice, Hot Blooded, Double Vision, Urgent, Waiting For a Girl Like You, Say You Will, I Don’t Want To Live Without You and I Want To Know What Love Is.Lou Gramm has also enjoyed success as a solo artist with hits Midnight Blue and Just Between You and Me.



    The Saturday night concert lineup includes special guest Christopher Cross (Ride Like The Wind, Sailing, Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do), Think of Laura and Another Page.)The rock group Firefall (You Are The Woman, Just Remember I Love You, and Strange Way) will open Saturday evening’s concert at 7 p.m.



    Friday night’s Landing Concert features an all-star lineup of Sensational ’60s & ’70s artists including Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Mitch Ryder, Mark Lindsay former original lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders, Andy Kim, The Shangri-Las, Ron Dante (The Archies) and Billy J. Kramer. The three hour show has 24 Top-10 hits and 42 Top-40 hits.



    “This group of artists dominated the charts all during the sixties, seventies and eighties,” said Joe Sullivan, president of SullivanShows.”These shows will be fun, and you’ll know every song you hear. Literally dozens of Top-10 records.And we’re excited about developing a new venue for shows in Branson, right at the waterfront on Lake Taneycomo.We’re bringing in state-of-the-art sound and lighting and a huge, covered stage.You can bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a great evening of music, under the stars.And nobody will leave hungry — there will be numerous food and beverage vendors.”



    SummerFest is a new Branson event celebrating the beginning of summer and the new development of Branson Landing while also honoring homeland protectors.The entertainment and recreation event is being produced by SullivanShows in association with the Downtown Branson Main Street Association and Branson Veterans Task Force.



    The SummerFest opening ceremony and “Dancin’ on the Landing” is scheduled for Thursday evening, June 19th.Dancin’ on the Landing takes the place of the traditional Street Dance held on the lakefront for the past nine years.A variety of Branson-based artists will perform including The World Famous Platters; the cast of 50’s At The Hop; Elvis, Tina Turner and The Blues Brothers from Legends In Concert; Thunderbird Band; and Eddie Valen.



    The centerpiece of the opening ceremony will be a nighttime parade of lighted boats along the lakefront.Daytime activities for SummerFest include an on-the-water Boat and RV show, a photo exhibit, chili cookoff, clogging exhibition, lots of food and outdoor entertainment.



    Branson SummerFest ’03 will honor American homeland protectors.There will be a registration area for veterans, active military, law enforcement, fire fighters and EMT personnel.Various businesses in the area will provide them with information packets that will include coupons and special discount offers.



    Tickets go on sale on May 6, 2003 and can be purchased by phone at 417-334-7100, through Ticketmaster and on-line at SullivanShows.com.The general admission ticket price is $35.00 for the Friday or Saturday Landing Concert and $10.00 for Dancin’ on the Landing; children 12 and under are free.A $10.00 per ticket discount is available for Friday or Saturday general admission tickets purchased before June 1, 2003.



    A three-day combo ticket (Thursday – Dancin’ on the Landing; Friday – Sensational ’60s & ’70s; Saturday – Foreigner, Christopher Cross, Firefall) is available for $65.00; a $15.00 discount is available for combo tickets purchased before June 1. A limited number of VIP reserved section tickets for Friday or Saturday night are available at $60.00 each; a $10 per ticket discount is available for VIP tickets purchased before June 1.

  • Rick Springfield Performs Labor Day Weekend

    Rick Springfield will perform in Branson over Labor Day Weekend at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 29th and Saturday, August 30th at The Will Rogers Theater.This limited engagement was announced today by Joe Sullivan, president of SullivanShows.Concert tickets go on sale Monday, June 16th at 10 a.m.



    Singer, actor and songwriter Rick Springfield has four platinum albums and 17 Top-40 Hits to his credit including five Top-10 hits:Jessie’s Girl, I’ve Done Everything For You, Don’t Talk To Strangers, Affair Of The Heart and Love Somebody.In 1982 he won the Grammy Award for Best Male (Rock) Vocal Performance for Jessie’s Girl.



    Springfield became a familiar face to millions when he portrayed Dr. Noah Drake on ABC’s daytime soap opera General Hospital from 1981 to 1983.He’s appeared on numerous TV shows including Suddenly Susan, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, Battlestar Galactica, The Rockford Files and The Six Million Dollar Man.The soundtrack from Springfield’s 1984 full-length feature film Hard To Hold produced the Top-10 hit Love Somebody.



    Springfield wrote two original tunes for and starred in the Las Vegas show EFX Alive at the MGM Grand in 2001 and 2002.His newest CD release “shock/denial/anger/acceptance” is due for release later this summer.



    Tickets for the two concerts go on sale Monday, June 16th at 10 a.m. and are available by phone through The Will Rogers Theater box office at 417-334-7100, through Ticketmaster and at Branson ticket outlets.

  • Billy Ray Cyrus shows set for July 4, 5

    Back by popular demand…


    Billy Ray Cyrus shows set for July 4, 5



    (Branson, MO) – Popular recording artist and television star Billy Ray Cyrus is returning to The Will Rogers Theater in Branson for three shows on July 4 and 5, 2003.Cyrus is back by popular demand following the enthusiastic response to his 2002 Branson appearances.



    SullivanShows president Joe Sullivan announced the Independence Day weekend shows today.SullivanShows purchases talent, produces and promotes shows and special events in Branson theaters.SullivanShows recently presented two sold-out performances of The Moody Blues in their first-ever appearances in Branson at The Welk Resort Theatre.


    “Billy Ray Cyrus is unique in that he has such a dedicated following,” said Sullivan.”His fans will travel great distances to see his shows and most of them want seats at every performance.He is a multi-talented performer with superstar status as a recording artist and television star.His busy television schedule allows only a couple of weeks for touring this year and we are very pleased that he chose to return to Branson during this short tour.”



    Cyrus has topped the country music charts with his hits “Achy Breaky Heart,” “Some Gave All,” “Heart of a Woman,” “Could’ve Been Me,” “Busy Man,” “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” and the critically acclaimed “Trail of Tears.” He also remains on top in television ratings as handsome country doctor Clint Cassidy in the hit drama series “Doc” on PAX-TV.



    Billy Ray Cyrus stormed onto the music scene in 1993 when his debut album, “Some Gave All,” held the number one spot on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 Album chart for 17 consecutive weeks.This is the longest time this spot has been held by a debut artist and a record that still stands today.He has multi-platinum (“Some Gave All” – 1992) platinum (“It Won’t Be The Last” – 1993) and gold (“Storm In The Heartland” – 1994) albums to his credit plus the critically acclaimed “Trail of Tears” – 1996. Cyrus has maintained his success worldwide, earning multi-platinum certifications in Australia; platinum in Denmark, New Zealand and Norway; and gold in the United Kingdom and South Africa.



    Cyrus is completing his third season as the star of “Doc” which remains PAX-TV’s top-rated show.Cyrus plays Montana doctor Clint Cassidy who moves to New York City.TV Guide says the show combines the moral lessons of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” with the “fish-out-of-water conceit of ‘Northern Exposure.’”In 2001, the Parents Television Council named “Doc” the second most “family-friendly” program on television, second only to “Touched By An Angel.”

  • If this is “visionary” then being an “againner” can’t be all that bad

    The June 2, 2003, “Ozarks Business” column entitled, “Branson needed its againners for better deals,” written by Springfield News Leader Columnist Paul Flemming, was about “againners” and “visionaries.”The column appears to be based on the unsubstantiated opinions of long time Branson insider, Smith Brookhart, who obviously considers himself a “visionary.”



    The column starts with the banality, “The Branson againners lose, and the visionaries are victorious anew, without an ‘I told you so’ yet.”Brookhart later states, “There are seven critical junctures we’ve had since 1970.”In referring “to such fights as construction of the Ozark Mountain High Road,” Brookhart opines, “In every case there’s been a group of people four-square against it and they’ve never won.”



    It seems like there’s only two dogs in this fight, the “good guys,” the “visionaries” who are opposed by, the “bad guys,” the “againners.”More telling however, is the elitist arrogance of the statements and the cute subtlety of their attempted intimidation.One might even get the impression an “againner” will never be invited to learn the “secret handshake.”



    Interestingly enough, one of the two illustrations used to show Brookhart’s “visionary” idea of victory is the High Road. At first blush one wonders if the word “visionary” is being confused with “hallucination?”Hum, maybe not.A “visionary” is defined as, “one who is given to impractical or speculative ideas.” Sure sounds like the High Road. And it gets even more “visionary.”His second illustration was the Branson Landing and Convention Center.If nothing else, he sure is consistent.



    Exactly what victory is the High Road?How does it help alleviate the alleged economic emergency the “visionaries” touted as the justification for its building?Oh well, its $100 million dollar plus cost does add new “visionary” meaning to the term, “Look for the ‘silver’ lining.”



    In May of 1996, the Ole Seagull wrote about ‘Position Paper/Highway 765,’ dated April 20, 1992.This paper expressed the apparent willingness of some of the “High Road visionaries,” to put the economics of their vision ahead of the safety and lives of those traveling on Highway 65.



    Among other things, the paper supported giving the priority to the building of the High Road and “the concept of transfer of Highway and Transportation Department construction funds from the planned use of four-laning of Highway 65.”In true “visionary” fashion, in what could be the understatement of the decade, the paper later said, “we are supportive, in the long run, of four-laning Highway 65.”



    The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission held their meeting in Branson on June 5, 1996.At that meeting, while addressing the Commission, the Pied Piper of the High Road asked those in the room who supported the High Road, to stand up. Hundreds of “High Road visionaries,” like lemmings being lead to the sea, sprang to their feet.



    One of the very few that did not stand up, a lowly Ole Seagull, addressed the Commission shortly thereafter. He asked them not to build an economic road while people were bleeding and dying on roads that were not safe.He also presented the Commission with documentation, from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, showing that during the years 1992-1995, the number of accidents, between the Christian/Greene County line to Taney County at the interchange of Missouri Highway 248, had gone up 73% as compared to the years 1988-1991.



    History testifies that the “againners” didn’t win the battle that day but, it also shows why the battles must be fought.Soon, Mr. Brookhart, and the rest of the “High Road visionaries,” will celebrate their $100 million dollar plus “victory” as the High Road opens.This while the city of Hollister and Taney County are trying to get another $500,000 to come up with their half of the $19 million dollars it is going to cost to four-lane Highway 65 south through Hollister.



    Now here’s a true “visionary” idea from an “againner.”How about all you “High Road visionaries,” donating just a small portion of the $50 million plus dollars you didn’t have to contribute for the High Road, only about $500,000 or so, to help your community with the four-laning of Highway 65 south of Branson.A project that can help save lives, increase the traveling safety of our citizens, as well as benefiting the entire area economically.