Branson Courier

Month: September 2004

  • ‘Oh Tommy O’ — Something Different

    I was having lunch at Beverly’s one day with Tommy O and asked him about his name. I had never heard of a family that had a one-letter surname. He explained that O was just the beginning of his last name and when he told me what his name was, I knew there was no end after the beginning. I also knew that the average person would never be able to tackle such a long name successfully. If the man had not shortened it, he would have been spending a lot of quality time simply signing his autograph on photos.



    Tommy O is not your average Branson performer. Let me qualify that by saying he is not your average Branson singer by a long shot. Tommy O performs in a tuxedo and, in the words of Damon Runyon, the great writer, is a very high-class act.



    Tommy O is in a class all by himself in this town. He sings songs that you would most likely hear in a symphony with a thousand strings backing him. However, due to economics, especially in Branson, he has to use pre-recorded tracks as his musical background. He has a phenomenal voice that Luciano Pavarotti once recognized by giving Tommy a neck scarf after one of Tommy’s performances that Pavarotti was attending. That operatic doctrine is tantamount to one performer appreciating another with such gusto that he or she would give the other performer his or her highest award, or, as in this case, his or her neck scarf in appreciation of his or her performance. It is another way of saying “Bravo, job well done.”



    While writing this article I listened to Pavarotti and can hear really no discernable difference between his singing and Tommy O’s arias. Tommy O is certainly a high-class act. Trust me on that one.



    On the other hand, offstage Tommy O is just a regular guy, well sort-of. I saw him downtown one day letting a dog take him for a walk. Tommy is full of fun and there is always a glint of mischief in his eye.



    Lets go back to Damon Runyon for a minute. Damon said one time that you can become a winner only if you are willing to walk over the edge. Tommy O is bringing a different sort of music to Branson. He is definitely walking the edge. In larger cities, his type of music is greatly appreciated, but here in Branson he has a lot of competition with Country, Western and pop music.



    I personally feel that too few people are attuned to music that can be appreciated just for itself and the drama it represents as in the case of classical or serious music. I will not even go into the art of orchestral overtures, interludes, choral works, established forms, critical interest and developed musical taste.



    Yet, Tommy O does have a following. Granted, a small following, but growing a bit each time he performs. Tommy O is definitely an acquired taste that is growing in the ranks and file of the Branson show-goer.



    Tommy O is definitely different and different is good. Change is good for us because it lets us know there are other things, mores and ways in the world than what we may have been accustomed. We might even want to try something new just to see how it fits. Tommy O’s music genre may suit you to a tee, but you won’t know until you try it. There may be an entirely different world of musical enjoyment awaiting you.


    Tommy O performs at the Grand Palace and also has a free morning worship service at the Branson Music Mall Theater.


    For show times, reservations or information call the Grand Palace at 417-336-1220 or the Branson Mall Music Theater at 417-339-3939.


    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • U.S. Highway 65 project should begin scheduled


    Ellis Construction Company submitted the low bid for the U.S. Highway 65 widening project within Hollister city limits, but must wait until Oct. 1 to know if the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Commission has approved their bid. City Administrator Rick Ziegenfuss released this information Thursday afternoon at a Partners In Progress meeting at Hollister Town Hall.


    Ellis Construction Company was announced as the low-bidder for the project, but we still must wait until MoDOT gives us an approval of the bid, Ziegenfuss said. “I have talked to MoDOT officials in Jefferson City and they have assured me that Ellis Construction is a very reputable company and that there should be no problems.”



    The project was originally put out for bids and APAC Missouri was announced as the low-bidder in July, but APAC Missouri is under federal indictment and was not approved by the MoDOT Commission, according to Ziegenfuss.



    “APAC Missouri had bid $16,488,927.25 for the project and their bid was millions of dollars lower than any of the other four bidders,” Ziegenfuss said. The second bids were opened and Ellis Construction was the low-bidder with a bid of $19,247,297.10, which is considerably higher than APAC Missouri’s original bid.



    “When we first made our agreement with MoDOT, we agreed to $19 million being the maximum that we could pay half, with us paying $9.5 million,” he added. “This is the maximum that we will pay for our share of the project even though both the City and MoDOT realized that the project could cost more. MoDOT has agreed that they will pay all of the excesses over the $19 million total so that the project can be completed.”



    The project was scheduled to start on Oct. 16 after the first bid process, but even with the delay of the additional bidding process, the new start date for the two-year project will be Oct 18, according to Ziegenfuss.



    “When we first began talking of this joint venture with MoDOT, it was very clear that they would not want to spend any more money in the Hollister area for many years, so we decided to make improvements that should last us 25 years,” he added. “We will easily to able to handle between 58,000 to 68,000 cars daily through the city on U.S. Highway 65.”



    According to Ziegenfuss, all existing roads will remain open until the final phase of the project. At that time, they will be closed and only the new improved entrances and exits to the new highway will be utilized. During the construction, road information will be broadcast on MoDOT radio 1610 AM, City of Hollister website at cityofhollister.com and the MoDOT website at modot.state.mo.us.



    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo September 26

    Editors General Comments: Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. September 26- At 0427- 0 generator(s) on, Table Rock is at 913.6 and Taneycomo at 701.5.


    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.


    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- September 22- Trips out every day this past week and weekend. Good numbers and decent size fish, 13-17 inches and catching 50-60 a day. However, no big fish. Most of the folks we have had out this past week have been new fly fishers. Even had a group of four neat children out Sunday. The youngest was 8 and he learned to roll cast and set the hook on several fish on his own. Helped him a little in bringing it in as the line and long rod were a lot for him to handle, especially with a fish tugging on the other end. The youngest girl, think she was 10, landed a 16-17 inch Brown. Each of the children landed several fish and think we have a fly fishing family. New lady to fly fishing out for 1/2 day with her husband today. She certainly had beginners luck. Boated the first two fish and probably boated 10-12 more. Won’t talk about the misses. Still need some work on the hook set. All our fish are on the size 18 zebra midges. Pretty consistent with either the rust or olive. Did well on insect green and dark olive soft hackles this weekend. When the day brightens up, especially early afternoon, generally switching to the Miracle Scud (tan flashback), size 14. Two other guides were out this a.m. and they did well on hoppers against the bank just above the boat ramp. Caught some nice 18 inch Rainbows.


    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop – September 23rd – Bryan and Christina took a full day Combo Trip today. With all the great days of no generation…low Table Rock levels and cooler weather on the way I expected another full day of wading for these folks. At 6:00am they had two units going and they’re still going as of 9:45 tonight. While wading a shallow stream is what you might call traditional fly fishing, I know 2 units of water (after no water) is really good fishing and that’s what they got today from the boat. Easily a 100 fish day for Bryan on the fly rod and Christina using the spinning rod. I think Christina took big fish today catching a couple 17″ long but both of them lost fish 20 inches or over. Only one little brown today but Christina lost a nice one near the boat. The Coral #14 Soft Shelled Scud was king all day and a #16 pink trailer of the same was also great. We caught them on brown, beaded G-Bugs and peach Soft Shelled Scuds but the coral was so good I ended up using the 14 coral with the 16 pink trailer on both of their rods all day. Literally all day long as these wonderful people lost only one fly between them in their all day adventure


    Gary‘s Current Report: September 23– Had 2 going at 0700. Went fishing with my neighbor Howard Couch until about 0930. Just drifted toward the east bank (channel side). The majoirty of the fish were caught using a spining rod with 6x Fluorocarbon tippet, a 1/100 ounce River Run Peach Jig, and a strike indicator set between 4-5 1/2 feet with an additional split shot 6-12 inches above the jig to get it down quick. to get it down quick. I started with Brad Raders Coral #14 Soft Shelled Scud and did real well with it until it broke off. We caught at least 15 fish apiece with a few in the 14-17″ range and missed many more.


    Guide Bob Klein: On September 23, Bob Klein, of “Bob’s Guide Service“, reports that fishing is good from Cooper Creek to Rockaway Beach using pink and white power eggs and night crawlers. As always the following standard default techniques are producing fish.


    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.


    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.


    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.

  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo September 21

    Editors General Comments: Since September 12 the water has been off first thing in the morning. This has provided an excellent opportunity for wade fishing below the dam. Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. September 21- At 0500- 0 generator(s) on, Table Rock is at 913.8 and Taneycomo at 701.6.


    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.


    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- Fishing continues to be good. Had a couple out yesterday for 1/2 day. She had very little experience fly fishing and she boated at least 20 fish. Her friend caught a beautiful 18 inch Rainbow and boated 20 or more fish. With two generators going, all our fish were caught on the size 16 red midge. Monday had another new fly fisher out. Sister treated him to a birthday trip. With the water off Monday, they were both catching lots of fish on the size 18 dark olive soft hackle. Around 11:00 a.m. they turned on one generator, followed shortly by one more. After that we drifted and fished the red size 16 midge. While the water was rising, fished the red San Juan worm and caught 6-8 in about 15 minutes. Once the second generator increased the water flow, the fish turned off the worm. Weekend fished well on the olive and/or black size 18 zebra midges. If the water is off for a period of time, the terrestrials should still be doing well. Actually have seen some caddis coming off the water every day this past week…probably size 12-14.


    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop – September 20th – My buddy Rudy from St.Louis came down for a half day trip today. Wading below the dam and it was another really nice day. While it was dead calm in the morning it got pretty gusty by quitting time. Rudy wanted to do some midge fishing sometime and I suggested later in the day when I’m typically seeing more midging activity. We walked the banks, sight casting with Bit Scuds and G-Bugs until then, searching for some trophy’s. Some really nice rainbows were on the far shore out from outlet #2 and we hooked several. Notice I say hooked and not caught. We broke off a bunch of fish today. I say “we” as I fished on and off at Rudy’s encouragement and I broke off a bunch as did Rudy. 7x fluorocarbon was definitely better today than 6x but we paid the price in lost fish. My excuse was a bad batch of tippet as both Rudy and I fish 7x a lot and don’t have problems breaking off. They never seemed to break at the knot but clean in the middle somewhere. I stopped putting a surgeons knot on to keep the weight from slipping to see if that helped. Maybe a little but not really. After the breeze kicked in 6x worked pretty well so I had one rod set up with 6x all the time while the other had 7x. Sometimes in calmer water we needed the 7x. After we worked a few good sight casting haunts and catching quite a few we saw a pod of some big browns and we threw a few to them with no success. I tried stripping some sculpins a few times and only a couple of hits from smaller fish. We caught small browns but not the big boys we saw. One fish looked around 10 pounds with several in the 4 -7 pound range. I wanted to show Rudy some midge fishing so we went down near the MDC ramp and put on an olive MTBB Soft Hackle with a gray midgabou in front of that. I like to midge fish from outlet #4 on down. Rudy hadn’t done any softhackle fishing and that is my favorite way to midge fish personally so it was a nice diversion from just “catching fish”. We fished a couple of runs with scuds earlier where you hook a fish nearly every cast but Rudy’s done that and likes to try different things so we did the midge thing. Soft Hackles imitate an emerging midge when you swing them through the current and the emerger in front will hang in the film and help you search for a good size and color. We hooked up a lot, at times on every cast but bringing them to net wasn’t as successful. Typical soft hackle fishing. Lots of hits and few fish in the net. If you fish soft hackles much you know how hard and fast the hits are and that always stays the same with soft hackles. Not the soft and subtle taps you get with scuds but usually a hard, running hit. Yes, we snapped a few off there too. Just one of those days I guess. Pictured is Rudy with a nice 18″ class rainbow. He lost a few bigger fish too. A nice day to be out there.


    Gary‘s Current Report: September 20– Fishng was excellent. Picked up Duane (MAC) McCammon on the shore line near Point Royale at about 0700 under water off conditions.. We drifted on the the shallow side, casting back toward the middle into 4 1/2 -6 feet of water. MAC was using a fly rod with 6x Fluorocarbon tippet and a a size 22 Black Zebra Midge and I used a spining rod with 6x Fluorocarbon tippet a 1/100 ounce River Run Peach Jig. We both had our strike indicators set between 3/12 and 4 feet. The Peach Jig was the lure of the day getting hits about every ohter cast. Only hooked about one out of four but what fun!Between us we caught about 30 fish before quitting at 0815 with the largest in the 16″ class and lots between 12-15 inches.


    Guide Bob Klein: On September 19, Bob Klein, of “Bob’s Guide Service“, reports that fishing is good from Cooper Creek to Rockaway Beach using pink and white power eggs and night crawlers. As always the following standard default techniques are producing fish.


    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.


    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.


    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.

  • “In Cold Sap” – a story of better government through communications?

    What set of circumstances could cause three mild mannered sisters, trying to make a success of the restaurant they purchased late last fall, to stand accused of having murdered, with chainsaw buzzing and chips a flying, the now famous “Jimmy Jet’s Tree,” in violation of Section 295.100 of the Branson City Code? Their alleged dastardly deed has caused some to dub them the “Olson Sisters Chainsaw Gang” and there is even a rumor that a book entitled, “In Cold Sap” will be published soon. Can a movie be far behind?



    If it wasn’t so sad it would be funny but the thing to remember is that although it is the Olson sisters and Jimmy Jet’s Grill today, it could be you or your business tomorrow. How could you end up in this same situation? The same way the Olson sisters did, by simply relying on what the city communicated to you.



    The Olson sisters purchased Jimmy Jet’s Grill, in historic downtown Branson, in the late fall of 2003. Although the tree had been there when they purchased the business they had failed to realize just how important signage is to those businesses located south of downtown Branson’s, “great divide,” Pacific Street, and the potential health hazards posed by the tree being so close to their front door. As these problems began to manifest themselves the sisters decided to see what could be done to get the tree removed.



    An obvious first step was to go to City for assistance and information upon which to base a course of action. After at least three trips to City Hall and the expenditure of “an enormous amount of time and energy” with the city’s planning and development department, on August 11, the sisters sent a letter, via Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested, to Don D. Stephens, director of planning and development for the City of Branson.



    It very professionally communicated their concerns and asked Stephens to confirm four specific items, “1) That your office intends to resolve the matter within a reasonable amount of time and what that timeframe is; 2) That we will be notified in a timely manner when a resolution is reached; 3) Your assurances that there are no administrative steps or procedures required by us to facilitate the removal of the tree ) i.e. appeals, variance requests, hearings, etc.); and 4) Which ordinance specifically prevents the removal of the tree.”



    Stephens responded in his letter dated August 24. The letter said, “Because the landscaping in downtown Branson was an area project, your concerns should be directed to the Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA).” It specifically told the Olson sisters that “The ultimate solution to your concerns falls under the immediate discretion of DBMA.”



    Further, the city’s letter contained no mention of Section 295.100 of the Branson City Code or any other ordinance prohibiting the removal of trees. Most telling however is the way the letter ended with the communication that “If you have any further questions or comments regarding this matter, please contact Gayla Roten, DBMA, at (417) 334-1548” and absolutely no indication that the city had any further concern or involvement in the matter.



    Among other communications with DBMA, after the letter was received from the city, a DBMA spokesperson, on or about August 26, is alleged to have said, in front of at least two witnesses, at a local downtown business, words to the effect that they would be inclined to look the other way if the tree was cut down. According to the citation issued by the Branson Police Department, charging the Olson sisters with a violation of Section 295.100 of the Branson City Code, the tree was “cut down and removed” on or about August 29.



    In the lobby of Branson’s Planning & Development office is a series of three posters describing how the city should serve its customers. “A firm commitment to honesty, integrity, and fairness,” says one; another says “Noted for serving customers with excellence and professionalism.” A third rounds out the theme by saying, “Better government through communications.”



    How much excellence, professionalism, honesty, integrity, fairness, would it have taken the city, in their August 24 letter, to have answered the questions the Olson sisters asked in their letter, particularly the one relative to which ordinance specifically prevented the removal of the tree? Instead the city referred them to a non governmental entity for “the ultimate solution to your [their] concerns.” With all the effort the Olson sisters had made to resolve this issue with the city prior to the receipt of the city’s letter can any reasonable person really believe that “but for” the city’s letter of August 24 that the Jimmy Jet’s Tree would still be standing?



    If the city’s handling of this situation illustrates what they mean by “Better government through communications” it does not bode well for the small businesses of Branson. The good news is that they still have the chance to do what is fair, professional, and honest in this case. The only question remaining is, “Will they?”



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.

  • Doug Gabriel to judge Fall Rockaway Live Talent Search

    As creator of Branson’s coolest new hit Branson Idol, Doug Gabriel is very familiar with talent shows and is taking that experience to Rockaway Beach on Saturday as a guest judge on a panel of judges for Fall Rockaway Live Talent Search at 5 p.m.



    The talent search is part of Rockaway Beach’s Fall Festival to be held Sept. 18-19 that also includes a chili cook-off, craft and food vendors, horseshoe pitching contests and a bluegrass concert. In addition to Gabriel, the judges panel will include George Burrell of Paragon Media and Kurt L. Moore, entertainment editor for the Branson Daily Independent.



    Gabriel’s formula for success the past 19 seasons in Branson has been applied to the talent show he created, Branson Idol. The weekly show has become Branson’s favorite late-night place to be on Friday’s at 11 p.m. Every week, beginning last April, Doug has brought five singers – from auditions held last winter – to the stage to be critiqued by Branson celebrities. The winner is then selected by the audience from the judges’ top two. The last preliminary will be held Sept. 17 at 11 p.m. Also at 11 p.m. on Fridays, semi-finals begin the following week. A special wild card show will be presented on Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. The finals with guest judge Roy Clark is on Oct. 22 at 11 p.m.



    “I am pleased to be judging at the Rockaway Talent Search. Who knows, maybe I’ll see the next Branson Idol. Many are waiting in the wings for that chance to shine on stage. Events like Rockaway’s talent search and Branson Idol provide that opportunity,” said Gabriel, who also stars in The Doug Gabriel Show which is celebrating its 11th season in Branson.



    The Doug Gabriel Show is performed at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday at Legends Family Theatre. Voted Branson’s best morning show five years, seven time male vocalist of the year, entertainer of the year and instrumentalist of the year, Gabriel’s morning show with a combination of Doug Gabriel and Roy Clark Together Again. Audiences have a double treat with Doug and Roy – Together Again with a Doug section completely different from his two hour show. A Gabriel Family Christmas returns Nov. 12 – Dec. 16



    Call 417-334-0335 for information, show schedules and reservations. To find out more Branson Idol go to the website www.bransonidol.com or call toll free 1-866-234-IDOL. For more information about Rockaway Talent Search call 800-798-0178.

  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo September 13

    Editors General Comments: Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. September 13- At 0630- 0 generator(s) on, Table Rock is at 913.9 and Taneycomo at 701.6.


    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.


    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- Fishing continues to be good. Had a couple out yesterday for 1/2 day. She had very little experience fly fishing and she boated at least 20 fish. Her friend caught a beautiful 18 inch Rainbow and boated 20 or more fish. With two generators going, all our fish were caught on the size 16 red midge. Monday had another new fly fisher out. Sister treated him to a birthday trip. With the water off Monday, they were both catching lots of fish on the size 18 dark olive soft hackle. Around 11:00 a.m. they turned on one generator, followed shortly by one more. After that we drifted and fished the red size 16 midge. While the water was rising, fished the red San Juan worm and caught 6-8 in about 15 minutes. Once the second generator increased the water flow, the fish turned off the worm. Weekend fished well on the olive and/or black size 18 zebra midges. If the water is off for a period of time, the terrestrials should still be doing well. Actually have seen some caddis coming off the water every day this past week…probably size 12-14.


    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop – September 9th – September 9th – Today’s water was one unit and running all day long…With one unit running we could fish fairly light so we stayed with traditional casting and roll casting…If you’ve never done it, don’t be intimidated by fly fishing. It’s easy and it is the best way to catch a trout. Today the #16 pink Soft Shelled Scuds were good early. We had decent success with ginger and black scuds of the same. Late morning I went with #18 Bit Scuds and trailed either a ginger #20 G-Bug or a #20 olive Bit Scud. We went pretty small today but stayed with 6x fluorocarbon on the tippet. The last 3rd of the day was dominated by a #20 brown G-Bug. That’s a color I rarely use but it’s in the box for good now. It was just smokin em on a day when we saw only a couple other fish caught by other boats all day.


    Gary‘s Current Report: September 12– Went out at 0700 back by 0830. Fished spin float system with #12 River Run Peach Jig set at 5′ with no genertors going. Fishied about 1/2 way between turn above Creek Dock and Lookout Hole. Caught about 10, all in the 11-14″ range.


    Guide Bob Klein: Bob Klein, the not pretty half of the former owners of Main Street Marina, Bob and Jackie Klein, is still guiding as “Bob’s Guide Service.” As of September 12, 2004 Bob reported that Fishing good from Cooper Creek to Rockaway Beach using pink and white power eggs and night crawlers. As always the following standard default techniques are producing fish.


    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.


    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.


    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.

  • Branson- What a great town!!!!

    I would like to make a simple comment on my recent visit to Branson. It being my first, a 8 day vacation with my mother, quickly became the most inspirational experience of my life. I have traveled to several countries in Europe and across the United States within the past few years and would not look forward to returning to any….except Branson. Every store owner was exceptionally friendly, hotel personnel were all wonderful, and coming from a city where you would probably get sued for playing Gospel music overhead in your store, I felt a spirit in Branson that is unmatched to any other town in this country. The shows were great and I am already planning my return visit. WHAT A GREAT TOWN!!!!! Donna, Houston, TX

  • Say it’s not so, a travel “time bomb” for students and staff traveling to the high school?

    Each day the students and staff traveling to the Branson High School are exposed to a “time bomb” that is ticking down. When, not if, it finally goes off we will all grieve and mourn our loss, wring our hands, and, incredulously, knowingly shake our heads and say, “Well it finally happened, maybe now someone will do something about it.” The sad thing is that those having the power to either diffuse the time bomb or mitigate the effects of its explosion are well aware of its existence and are simply, in the opinion of an Ole Seagull, failing to take the appropriate actions to eliminate or control the threat.



    What is the “time bomb?” It is the unsafe conditions that exist on Buchanan Road and in, what the Ole Seagull refers to as, the “Corridor.” The corridor is the area running west from the southeast frontage road, located immediately east of the northbound exit ramp from Highway 65 at Highway F, west to the southwest frontage road located immediately to the west of the south bound Highway F entrance ramp to Highway 65.



    How does one know they are unsafe? Just drive them! Drive Buchanan Road from the high school to Highway 248 as the Ole Seagull did this week.Observe first hand the narrowness of the road, its sharp curves, steep drop offs, virtually non existent shoulders, lack of guard rails, and the danger posed by its intersection with Highway 248. In an Ole Seagulls opinion, from a safety perspective it’s just a matter of when the next accident is going to occur, how serious the injury will be, and when one of them will be fatal.



    Drive up the northbound exit ramp from Highway 65 to Highway F at the height of the morning “school rush.” Or, more appropriately, creep up the ramp because there will be a large traffic backup waiting to enter the corridor which, at times, extends down the ramp and back out onto the lanes of Highway 65 itself. To enter the corridor each driver must make a left hand turn to the west as they cross three lanes of traffic, with two of the lanes containing traffic approaching from opposite directions at a posted limit of 45 miles per hour. Like Buchanan Road, it too is just a matter of when the next accident is going to occur, how serious the injury will be, and when one of them will be fatal.



    Even as this is being written the time bomb is ticking and time is crucial. Who can do the most, in the quickest way, to buy time while an effective solution is found? From an Ole Seagulls perspective, in order, it is the parents, the students and staff members that drive to and from the high school, and the Taney County Commission.



    Some might say, “What about the school board and school administration?” It’s an Ole Seagulls opinion that their primary mission and authority is to educate our children not build or maintain public highways and roads or control the traffic traveling on them. At the very least, they are not the ones that can do the most the quickest.



    That responsibility falls first squarely on the parents who must take whatever steps are necessary to insure that their teenage driver(s) do not use Buchanan Road, between Highway 248 and the high school. Obviously the next step is for those driving to and from the high school, be it students, faculty or parents to avoid Buchanan Road, between Highway 248 and the high school. Next would be the commitment of those driving to school, from the south on Highway 65, to patiently wait to turn west off the Highway 65 Highway F exit ramp and, once the turn has been made, their further commitment to drive, from that point, cautiously and in compliance with all posted speed limits and other traffic regulations.



    The County Commissioners have control over F Highway and Buchanan Road. Outside of the parents and drivers themselves, they are in the best position to provide a temporary quick fix to mitigate the situation until a more effective solution is found and take the lead in coming up with such a solution.



    In an Ole Seagulls opinion, at a minimum, this temporary quick fix should include the immediate assignment of a traffic control officer at the junction of the northbound exit ramp from Highway 65 at Highway F during the morning school rush hour, the installation of appropriate guard rails on Buchanan Road, particularly at its intersection with Highway 248, and the establishment of a “blue ribbon” committee, appointed by the commission, consisting of all the parties necessary to reach a permanent solution of the problem with a 30 day deadline to recommend its solution.



    The Ole Seagull realizes full well that there are those who will say that this proposal is too simplistic and that much more study must be done before any action can be taken. From an Ole Seagull’s perspective he must handle the complex, if at all, in simple, understandable, manageable, and prioritized parts. He will leave it to others more qualified to add the complexity and excuses but meanwhile the time bomb is ticking, tick, tick, tick….



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.



  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo September 5, 2004

    Editors General Comments: Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. September 5- At 0514- 0 generator(s) on, Table Rock is at 914.4 and Taneycomo at 701.5.

    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.

    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- August 31-Fishing has been very good. Had a group fish for a while Saturday after the rain and everyone was catching fish on zebra midges and soft hackles. Only fished for 2-3 hours. Sunday was a beautiful day. A group of nine of us fished the Rocking Chair area and caught fish till we dropped. Black zebra, rust zebra and red midge were working great. One 22 inch Brown on a size 18 rust midge. Almost all the fish were 14 inches or better. However, every once in a while we would hit a run of 6-8 inch fish. Not certain where they were coming from. If we had to order a perfect day fishing, it would have to be Monday. Weather was perfect. Not too hot. Just enough wind to ripple the water. Hit the water about 11:00 a.m. and the fish were working the banks. Four of us fishing and two put on dry flies while the other two fished the black zebra. Everyone got tired catching fish on the zebra so we all switched to dries. Catch of the day was a 23 inch Rainbow on a 3 weight rod, 7X tippet and a size 14 LeTort Hopper pattern. Other great dries were a size 16 Elk Hair Caddis, a size 14 foam and hackle black fly. Caught nothing under 13 inches and several in the 16-18 inch range. We don’t get this much dry fly action very often….better get out there and fish.

    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop – September 1- Marlin and I took another drift yesterday since I had that trip cancel. After he finished school we motored up to the dam with two units going and took one drift down to Short Creek. We started around 3:00 I’d guess, both using fly rods. A good bite was on and my reliable #16 pink and peach Soft Shelled Scuds were hot again. Two units is great boat water and we found the fish very active as they always are with rising water. We decided to have a little contest to keep things interesting. We decided to keep a few small ones for dinner and whoever caught the fewest fish had to cook them. Now, I had to clean them regardless so I wasn’t going to win no matter how you sliced it but…it made things fun. Marlin took an early lead but spent a bunch of time battling this nice 17" rainbow (beautiful colors) so I slipped in a few small ones while he did that. I netted all his fish but he had to unhook and release them. Snags didn’t count (and I think we snagged about 5 – 6 fish surprisingly) and the fish had to make it in the boat. I caught 3 nice browns around 15 – 16". I snagged one of them in a way that I thought I hooked a big one. We upped our fly size to #12’s as we lost one rig each. I had two flies on (pink and black) and Marlin just one pink. He doesn’t like two flies as it gets a few more tangles. That is true but I probably had an unfair advantage on him for the contest. I caught half and half on the pink and black. The browns liked the black. It was Marlins idea to go fishing today and I will ALWAYS go with him any time he wants to. He also brought his rc boat so when he had enough fishing (about half way down) the contest ended and he played with his boat. He boated 10 and I had 12 when we called it quits. We finished the drift down to Short Creek and I caught another 10 – 12 before Marlin drove us home and docked the boat for the first time. A really nice afternoon out there with my buddy. Just gorgeous temps and partly sunny…not too windy…beautiful! For the record….Mom had some home work ready for him when we got back so I ended up cooking the fish anyway.

    Gary: September 4– Went out at 1115 back by 1230. Fished spin float system with #14 pink and peach Soft Shelled Scuds with indicator set at 5′ with one generator going just around the bend up stream from Fall Creek Dock. Had a size 6 split shot about 12 inches up from the Scud. Caught 7 with one in the 15-18 inch range. The Soft Shelled Scuds are tied by Brett of Chartered Water Guide Service.‘s Current Report

    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.

    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard "Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig." which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.

    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered: Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask. Use the word "Taneycomo" in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.

    Guide Bob Klein: Bob Klein, the not pretty half of the former owners of Main Street Marina, Bob and Jackie Klein, is still guiding as "Bob’s Guide Service." As of September 4, 2004 Bob reported that Fishing good from Cooper Creek to Rockaway Beach using pink and white power eggs and night crawlers. As always the following standard default techniques are producing fish.

  • Women face fine, possible jail time for cutting down tree

    Three sisters who own a downtown Branson establishment are in a flock of trouble after cutting down a Bradford pear tree — a tree that was a roost for several birds that wreaked havoc on the restaurateurs.



    Christina “Chris” Olson, Teresa Olson and Jo Anne Lund who own Jimmy Jet’s Grill were each issued citations Tuesday, Aug. 31 by the Branson Police Department for cutting down and removing a tree that was planted in front of the restaurant by merchants approximately five years ago.



    Teresa said a detective with the Branson Police Department also came to the business Monday, Aug. 30 inquiring about the missing tree.



    The three are facing misdemeanor charges and could be fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned for up to 90 days.



    The tree was home to several birds that let their presence be known, leaving feathers and droppings strewn about sidewalks.



    The women said they were concerned about a health hazard from feathers that would land inside the restaurant when someone would open the door. The tree was also blocking the front of their restaurant from customers’ view.



    “So many people have now said ‘we have never seen this place and we drive by it all the time,’” Chris said.



    In a certified letter to City of Branson officials Lund asked that the problem be resolved and that she be notified of the resolution and any procedures required by her to facilitate the removal of the tree. Lund also requested the ordinance that prevents the removal of the tree be sent to her.



    “As you may know we have spent an enormous amount of time and energy with your department trying to ascertain what can be done to correct the problem of the Bradford pear tree blocking the entrance to our restaurant and obliterating our advertising, specifically our neon sign,” the letter states. “We have literally been sent in a circle of various people and departments that finally leads back to you (City of Branson Planning and Development Director Don Stephens).”



    Stephens replied in an Aug. 24 letter that Lund would have to contact the Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA) concerning the tree because the landscaping was part of an area project. “The ultimate solution to your concerns falls under the immediate discretion of DBMA,” he wrote.



    Stephens later clarified in a second letter, after the tree was cut down, that while DBMA is working toward a solution to the trees, it does not have “authority to make decisions or grant permissions regarding issues controlled by Branson Municipal Code.”



    The women readily admit they were responsible for cutting the tree down in front of their restaurant, which they acquired less than a year ago. “We talked with the city and they said talk to the DBMA,” Teresa said. “We talked to the DBMA and they said talk to the city. It seemed like no one was doing anything, so we made the decision to cut the tree down.”



    Olson said police drove by the restaurant as the tree was being cut down, but did not stop.



    Thirty-eight Bradford pear trees line the sidewalks along Main and Commercial streets.



    The trees were planted with good intentions by a group of merchants who wanted to beautify their businesses, but now the trees have grown large enough to block storefront signs and create other situations.



    The city acknowledges there is a problem with the trees in downtown Branson. Public works employees have been applying Bird-Proof to the trees since the beginning of spring. Bird-Proof is a non-toxic, sticky chemical that inclines birds to roost elsewhere. Branson Public Information Director Jerry Adams said the city pays approximately $200 per treatment. “(Bird-Proof) is alleviating the problem, but it has not totally eliminated the problem,” Adams said.



    Section 295.100 of the Branson City Code states that “any person who shall cut, deface, damage, drive nails or nail signs on or to or in any manner damage or interfere with the growth of any tree or shrub in or on any street, alley, public place or park in the City of Branson shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined up to $500 or by imprisonment in the city jail for up to 90 days, or by both such fine or imprisonment.”



    “The tree was cut down illegally, and the police are investigating,” Adams said.



    The women’s court date is set for Sept. 29.



    The Olsons plan on fighting the citations they were issued. “A lawsuit is a definite possibility,” Chris said. “We will go to jail before we pay that fine.”



    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • “Fuel” for thought – who needs “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal?”

    On August 23 the Springfield News Leader published an “Our View” piece entitled, “Rockaway citizens deserve better than silly, half-baked ideas.” Sadly however, while ridiculing the specific ideas presented at a recent meeting between the Taney County Commission and Rockaway Beach, the unnamed editorial gurus who wrote the piece didn’t suggest any ideas, let alone one, that in their opinion, was a better idea or met what they allege is the “key” to what Rockaway needs.



    The last paragraph of the piece said that the “ideas all missed the need for full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal. And that’s unfortunate because Rockaway citizens are still enamored with the idea of a casino, a bad fit for the Ozarks. There are better answers. The key is to help Rockaway find them, not to draw laughs with outlandish proposals.”



    Well golly gee whiz, so the key is to help Rockaway Beach find “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal.” An Ole Seagull would suggest one additional criterion, the “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal” should also be “good paying.” Let’s go up the road, about 18 minutes and 11, miles to our area’s economic epicenter, the city of Branson. Surely its economy is based on a foundation of good paying “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal.” Isn’t it?



    Not really. Doesn’t history testify to the fact that the economic engine driving Branson is a cyclic tourism based engine? Are the majority of the jobs that are vital and necessary to drive and service that engine good paying “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal?” Isn’t the basic cycle the same today, as it has been for decades, people work during the “tourist season,” for relatively low wages, minimal or no benefits, and, when the season is over, collect unemployment during the off season?



    Now hold on Seagull, there are lots of people making big money in Branson, and many more who have good paying “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal. True enough but how much of that “good money” and how many of those jobs are not dependent on Branson’s tourism driven economic engine? An economic engine fueled by the labors of those who do not have good paying “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal.”



    Are there not seemingly daily reports of the increasing national trend of employers to “outsource” and otherwise take advantage of the cheaper labor outside of the United States? Is it any different in Missouri and particularly in southwest Missouri? In an Ole Seagulls opinion, that in conjunction with our areas topography, weather, and tourism based economy create an environment where the opportunities for good paying, “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal” will be few and far between.



    Absent one of those “few and far between” opportunities “the Lord and the twelve apostles” could have walked into that meeting with ideas and ended up with the same result. Why? Because, according to the piece, “Rockaway citizens are still enamored with the idea of a casino, a bad fit for the Ozarks.”



    And why shouldn’t they be “enamored?” Given the economic base and the job market in the Ozarks can anyone realistically name another idea that has near the same potential of providing good paying “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal” as that provided by casino entertainment in Rockaway Beach?



    An added advantage with casino entertainment is that Branson doesn’t want it. Does anyone really think that if an opportunity presented itself that provided 500 to 1,000 good paying, “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal,” particularly one that could generate between 300,000 to 800,000 new tourists a year, that Branson, the economic “pac man” of our area, wouldn’t do everything in its power to “gobble it up.” Need one look any farther than the Branson TIF for Branson Hills to see what happens when Branson wants the same thing that its neighbors want?



    It’s enough to cause an Ole Seagull to wonder if maybe the piece wasn’t right when it said, that “the idea of a casino” is “a bad fit for the Ozarks.” After all, a casino would provide good paying, “full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal.” Wouldn’t that be “a bad fit for the Ozarks” because it would increase the cost of the “fuel” that drives Branson’s economic engine?



    But Seagull, does everything have to revolve around what Branson’ wants? With that type of rationale what hopes are there for good paying, full-time jobs with benefits that aren’t seasonal? To quote the old song, “The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind.” Just don’t be standing “downwind” when it blows in.



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.