Branson Courier

Month: July 2008

  • Branson Police “cruise” into increased liquor control during Super Summer Cruise

    Except in Branson’s city campground, the consumption of intoxicating beverages in the vast majority of the areas open to the public is now prohibited. The prohibition is the result of an amendment to Section 10-3 of the Branson Municipal Code (BMC) entitled “Drinking in Public” passed unanimously by Branson Board of Aldermen at its July 28 meeting on an emergency basis. The reason for the “double reading” was to have the revised ordinance in place prior to the Super Summer Cruise August 7 through 9.

    The amendment was part of a comprehensive liquor control ordinance (LCO) the board removed from the Consent Agenda and postponed until its August 11 meeting. The staff report on the measure was presented by Police Chief Caroll W. McCullough who said the amendment will give the police an additional enforcement tool by which to deal with the consumption of intoxicating liquors upon property open to the public or upon a private parking lot without the permission of the owner or occupant of the property.

    The discussion about the amendment and the need for having two readings on July 28, to make it effective immediately, revolved around the “car show,” which will be held prior to the board’s next meeting. One of Branson’s premier summer events, the “Super Summer Cruise,” will be held August 7-9 and features the Midnight Cruise down Highway 76 and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

    The major change incorporated into the BMC by the amendment states, “No owner or occupant of property shall permit a person to consume any intoxicating beverages” upon “their property open to the public, or upon a private parking lot without permission.” The prohibition does not apply if the public location or parking lot is covered by a special event permit issued by the Branson’s Director of Planning and Development or is “specifically authorized pursuant to a state division of alcohol and tobacco control liquor license or permit.”

    One major of the effect of the new amendment will be to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating liquor in parking lots and other public areas adjacent to parade routes unless permission is given by the lawful owner or occupant of the property. Under the amendment, as adopted, it would be a violation of the BMC for the owner of such property to give such permission unless the consumption of the intoxicating beverage in those areas is authorized by a special event permit issued by the Branson’s Director of Planning and Development or by a state division of alcohol and tobacco control liquor license or permit.

    The consumption of intoxicating beverages upon any public street, highway, thoroughfare, sidewalk, alley, public or private parking lot, or upon any private property without the permission of the owner or occupant of such property except when authorized by a special event permit issued by the Branson’s Director of Planning and Development or by a state division of alcohol and tobacco control liquor license or permit has been unlawful under the BMC for years. What the new amendment does is make it a violation for the owner or occupant to permit a person to unlawfully consume any intoxicating beverages in the public areas under their control.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Branson’s Fall Creek Zigzag – a matter of logic, honor, and commitment

    Earlier this week it was reported that the last phase of the Branson Fall Creek Road extension to the north is in jeopardy for lack of funding. A reasonable person might ask, “How can that happen? To an Ole Seagull, the answer is simple, “Because city staff and the city’s elected leaders let it happen.”

    Some might ask “Why?” Hasn’t the Fall Creek road extension north to its intersection with Roark Valley Road and James F. Epps Road and its continuation on to its intersection with Highway 248 been one of the crown jewels in Branson’s transportation plans for the last few years? Wasn’t it supposed to provide one of the main intercity north south routes to give relief to 76 etc.? The answer s to the last two questions would be “Yes.”

    The answer to the “Why” question is both simple and complex. The obvious and simple answer to the “Why” it happened, based on the Ole Seagull’s personal observations, and the financial consultants the city has hired, would be that the city staff and its elected officials do not have adequate access to the financial information in the format it needs to make the decisions they must make in a timely and, more important, efficient manner.

    It’s not a matter of not having the information in the system, it’s a matter of getting it into a format that the decision makers can use to make the decisions they must make to effectively manage the financial condition of the programs they manage and the city. The “how” the city got into the position it is in goes far beyond the scope of this column.

    A reasonable person might say, “Well that’s all real nice Seagull, but hasn’t the city already spent about $3 million on the Fall Creek Road extension so far?” The Ole Seagull would answer, “Yes.”

    The anticipated follow up question would be, “What has Branson received for the $3 million it has invested in the Fall Creek Road Project?” An Ole Seagull would reply, “A stop light, an almost one of a kind inefficient zigzag approach to the intersection and the commitment of city government it would give Branson another major north south route with connectivity to Highway 248 to the north.

    Why some might even ask, “Wasn’t the low bid of $4.5 million, received from a reputable low bidder, about a million dollars lower than the conservative estimate of $5.5 million and the high estimate of over $7 million prior to the bid openings?” The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

    A reasonable person might ask, “With a deal like that how can they not complete the project?” The city’s current answer is simple, “There is only $3.8 million in the budget which is $700,000 short of what is needed.” Someone more astute than an Ole Seagull might reply, “If they can come up with $1.6 million for the Forsythe Street diabolical, which wasn’t even on the financial calendar two years ago, why can’t they come up with what is needed to finish a major project that has been in progress for years?

    An Ole Seagull really can’t effectively reply to that because he hasn’t seen the comparative studies showing the relative benefits of the city spending $1.6 million on a road that was supposed to be free to the city and why that expenditure should take precedence over a project of the magnitude of Fall Creek Road where $3 million dollars had already been expended. Exactly what traffic studies and reports did the alderman study prior to jumping off in that direction?

    The city has about 60 days to decide whether or not to accept the bid to complete the Fall Creek Road Project. To an Ole Seagull, it is a matter of honor and commitment. In his mind, the pathetic zigzag intersection at the current intersection of Fall Creek Road and Highway 76, and whether it stays or goes as part of the overall completion of the project, is a monument to that honor and commitment. “But Seagull, what if they just correct the zigzag.” That too speaks to that honor and commitment.

    [Seagull’s Note: From a potential conflict of interest point of view the Ole seagull would point out that he is planning to move into a condo located off Fall Creek Road next week. Regardless of that, this column would have been written this week exactly as written.]

  • Branson accepts $1 bid and rejects $100,000 bid for Forsythe Street

    Nine months after it tore up the road commonly called “Forsythe Street,” TanStone Group, LLC appears to have purchased it, from the city of Branson for one dollar even though there was another bid offering $100 thousand for the same property. On or about July 3 the city of Branson published a notice “soliciting sealed proposals for the sale of real property commonly known as ‘Forsythe Street.’” The property being sold was the property upon which Forsythe Street had been formerly located prior to its destruction by TanStone.

    A primary condition of the solicitation provided, “The best responsible bidder shall include as part of its proposal title in a form acceptable to the City for an alternate street right-of-way that provides equal or better street connectivity in the Branson street network in that area of the city (the ‘Alternate Alignment’.)” Only two bids were received by the required 2:00 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, July 15, one from The TanStone Group LLC and the other from Patobin Enterprises.

    The TanStone proposal, in total said, “Mr. Miller, Per your request for proposal for the sale of the ‘Forsythe Street’ property, TanStone Group, LLC would like to submit a bid of one dollar ($1.00). As per the terms and conditions of sale, please find the attached right away exhibit that provides a better ‘Alternate Alignment’. Kind regards, Chris DeJohn, The TanStone Group, LLC.”

    The Patobin proposal proposed a purchase price of $100,000 and provided an “Alternate Alignment” starting at the junction of Green Mountain Drive and heading north along a 50 foot easement of Patobin property across a 40 foot access easement that Patobin has from TanStone to an intersection with Oak Creek Drive. From that point connectivity to Roark Valley Road, to the north, would be via Oak Creek Drive east to its junction with Forsyth Street.

    The Patobin proposal said, “This will allow an alternate street right-of-way-that provides better street connectivity in the Branson street network in that area of the city. Alignment with Green Mountain Drive will allow the placement of traffic signals on Highway 76 as had been the desired configuration previously announced by the city. The Alternate Alignment will also ensure access from the remaining property owned by Patobin Enterprises.”

    In introducing the proposal at the July 22 work session meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen, City Engineer David Miller said that the main provision was “The responsible bidder shall submit a title to the city for an alternate street right of way that provides equal or better street connectivity in the city’s overall street system. So, in effect, we wanted an alternate road. We didn’t say anything about price or anything. That was a term or condition of sale; a new road.”

    Miller went on to point out that they had received two proposals. He said, “One from TanStone Group for the new road that they are building” and a second proposing a road along the west side of the waterslide property. Miller went on to say the problem with the second proposal was, “It went down and would tie into Oak Creek Drive which does not exist, so technically it did not meet the terms and conditions because there is no through road to tie into because TanStone hasn’t given us that right of way.”

    Miller said the bid also included a $100,000 but the bid did not ask for money, staff considered the bid unqualified and recommended the TanStone proposal. In a telephone interview on July 25, Stephen Bradford, the attorney for Patobin Enterprises, Inc. disagreed with the determination that the bid was unqualified and said, “I believe that the bid met all the requirements of city’s solicitation.”

    The Board of Aldermen is scheduled to take formal action on accepting the TanStone proposal at its next meeting at 7:00 p.m. July 28.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Short “Happy Hour” for Branson’s new liquor control ordinance?

    “Happy Hour” for those wanting to see the sweeping changes proposed by Branson’s new liquor control Ordinances (LCOs) should be during the Consent Agenda portion of the July 28 meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen. After extensive debate at the boards July 14 meeting, the LCOs passed their first reading. In the normal course of things, items approved for their first reading are placed on the Consent Agenda for the next meeting, are approved and become final as part of the board’s approval of the total Consent Agenda without further public discussion.

    Subsection 2-54(i) of the Branson Municipal Code entitled “Regular meetings; rules of procedure” states there will be no discussion of separate items on the Consent Agenda “unless members of the board or staff request that a specific item be removed from the consent agenda for individual consideration and discussion.” It continues to advise, “Any citizen that would like to have an item removed from the consent agenda so discussion can occur should notify a board member requesting that item be moved for discussion.”

    At the July 22 work session of the Board, City Attorney Paul D. Link advised the board that Attorney Richard Bryant from Kansas City, the attorney who actually drafted the proposed LCOs for the city has been on vacation and just got back into his office on July 21. He said he has sent information to Bryant containing “basically the bullet points of the issues raised by the citizens at the last meeting and a request that he review, what he called “black line’ law” to make sure that it was in line with state law.

    Alderman Bob McDowell said, “Verbatim Paul” and indicated he wanted to see a comparison of the proposed LCO’s to state laws and regulations. In both the public meeting held on the LCOs prior to the July 14 meeting of the board and the July 14 meeting, members of the public expressed concern about the volume of the regulations and their perception that the record keeping and certain other requirements go far beyond what state law requires and what is necessary to solve the liquor control problems within the community.

    Alderwoman Cris Bohinc said, “We’ve promised many citizens that we would have ample information for them in advance so that they too could look through it.” After further discussion on what and when Bryant could reasonably be expected to be ready by July 28, Branson City Administrator, Dean Kruithof suggested Bryant needs the opportunity to listen to the comments that were made and the opportunity to put together a document that clearly specifies what is unique to Branson’s new LCOs and what is in the state requirements.

    Alderman Stephen Marshall said he understood but there were a couple of things that had been recommended that he knows are not in state statute and are over reaching. He said he had been checking the LCOs of other towns and cities in the state. He expressed his opinion that the provisions of the proposed LCO, particularly as relates to licensing is “way over the top” as compared to the others and the policing of the ordinance should be left up to the police department as opposed to a “liquor czar.” Marshall went on to state, “Quite frankly, I don’t see how we can approve on Monday” and suggested that the section of the ordinance the police department is particularly interested in be handled separately. After further discussion on the issue Alderman Stan Barker, acting in his capacity as Mayor Pro Tem appeared to sum up the general feeling of the board when he said, “This is too important to rush through it. Even though we know we can make changes to it later we want to get it as close to right as we can the first time.”

    On the advice of City Attorney Paul D. Link the board determined that a separate ordinance containing only Section 10-81 of the proposed LCO, entitled “Drinking in public,” will be presented to the board for approval by a first and second reading at the board’s upcoming July 28 meeting. This provision addresses, among other things, one of the publically expressed problems with the city’s current LCO, the public consumption of alcoholic beverages in areas open to the public that are away from the premises licensed to serve or sell them.

    There was discussion among the board members about the LCOs being removed from the Consent Agenda and what would happen at the meeting after that. Based on that discussion and the fact the city has announced Bryant will not be at the July 28 meeting, there is a strong likely hood the proposed LCO will be removed from the Consent Agenda and postponed to some future date after the information requested from Bryant has been received and the board, city staff, and the public have had a chance to review it.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Mount Pleasant Winery Bottles It Up In Branson

    Mount Pleasant Winery’s new location in Branson is more than just a fabulous place to sample great wines. It is a wine shop, art gallery and hands-on bottling experience all rolled into one. Besides touring the facility and tasting award-winning wines, visitors to the Branson winery have the unique opportunity to bottle their own dessert wine from a specially designed 600-gallon French oak barrel. The 12-ounce bottles of wine make a great souvenir or gift with a personal touch, and at only $9.99 an inexpensive one, too.

    “Bottling their own wine allows our guests to be a part of the winemaking process,” said Rob McCormick, General Manager of Mount Pleasant Winery in Branson. “People are having a lot of fun with it.”

    Another great feature of Mount Pleasant Winery in Branson is its tasting galleries, where more than wine is on display. Currently, the tasting galleries are featuring the works of two renowned Missouri artists—glass artisan Sam Stang and folk artist Brian Hynes. Patrons can peruse these local artists’ incredible artwork while they enjoy their wine and can purchase the artists’ pieces at the winery.
    -more-
    Mount Pleasant’s new location opened in April 2008. Comfortably situated on two acres, the decor and architecture of the beautiful ledgestone building provide patrons with a relaxed atmosphere. Stone and heavy timber wood columns frame the 30-foot ceilings and surround the black stone tasting bar. Besides Mount Pleasant’s usual offerings, the winery is also offering two sweeter varieties, one red and one white, just for Branson, as well as their own grape juice.

    Mount Pleasant Winery’s 9,200 square-foot tasting and bottling experience in Branson is nestled on two acres on Green Mountain Drive. The beautiful ledgestone building offers patrons the chance to shop, sample Mount Pleasant’s numerous award-winning wines and even bottle their own wine from a specially designed 600-gallon French oak barrel. Perfect for small groups and bus tours, Mount Pleasant’s Branson facility is open Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to dusk and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Founded in 1859, the winery in Augusta, Missouri, the first government-appointed wine-growing district in the United States, grows 12 grape varieties on 85 acres and its original limestone cellars are still used to age its estate-bottled wines and international award-winning Ports.

  • Branson’s financial caution light could put stop to Fall Creek Road extension

    The financial caution light has been on in Branson for the past few months and just might turn into a stop light for the final phase of the Fall Creek extension. Until recently, it was commonly felt that the final phase would be bid and continue on to completion giving the city of Branson another major north south traffic relief route. Even though the bids on the project were lower than expected there might not be enough money in Branson’s budget to fund the project.

    The millions of dollars spent on the Fall Creek Project thus far have resulted in an intersection at the Junction of Fall Creek Road and Highway 76, a stop light and an almost one of a kind inefficient zigzag approach to the intersection. The final phase of the project will not only correct the deficiencies involved with the zigzag approach, but will allow for the extension of Fall Creek Road to the north.

    Fall Creek Road will continue off the north end of the interchange and continue north to the south end of the stop light located at the intersection with Roark Valley Road and James F. Epps Road. At that point, traffic coming from the south will be able to continue north on James F. Epps Road to its intersection with Highway 248. The completion of the Fall Creek extension project will provide a main north south relief route that will permit traffic access to Cooper Creek, Wildwood Drive, Green Mountain Drive, south Highway 165 and Table Rock Lake area without adding to the congestion on Highway 76.

    City Engineer David Miller said that the bids for the final phase of the Fall Creek Road Extension project were opened on July 10 and Emery Sapp & Sons from Columbia had the low bid of $4.5 million dollars. He said the bids came in better than expected. He said, prior to the bid opening, they had estimated the bides would be around $5.5 million.

    Miller went on to say although the city has not had any dealings with Emery Sapp & Sons itself the firm is recommended by the transportation engineering firm, Transystems Engineering. Internet research indicates that the firm has done a number of jobs for the Missouri Department of Transportation and is currently the prime contractor on the four laning of U.S. Highway 65 between Fair Grove and Dallas County.

    Branson City Administrator Dean Kruithof said the city has about $3.8 million set aside for the project which is close to the $4.5 million needed. He explained the city has a window of 60 days from the bid opening of July 10 to award the bid and is currently in the process of evaluating two things. The first is “The budget to see what we have to be able to complete Fall Creek Road and the second is the bid itself to make sure that it’s the lowest and best bidder and they can complete the project if the bid is awarded.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Town Hall Square Park – the spirit of Hollister

    The peaceful serenity of Hollister’s Town Hall Park ,
    as well as the sprit that made it a reality, is reflected
    as the park’s trail meanders over the historic
    St. James Street Bridge amid a backdrop of Ozarks greenery.

    At the dedication of Hollister’s newest park, Town Hall Square, it became readily apparent that its building and dedication is in large part because of the spirit of its citizens, businesses, city staff, and others of kindred spirit working together to achieve a common goal for the enhancement and enjoyment of the entire community. The setting of the park, commemorative bricks, its quarter mile walking trail passing over an authentic miniaturized replica of the historic St. James Street Bridge, strategically placed benches, planted trees and the parks distinctive period lighting serve as an ongoing testimony to that spirit and the planning, care, effort, and personal dedication that went into making Town Hall Square Park the wonderful reality it is.

    Hollister Park Board Chairman, Tom Linkous said Town Hall Park has been about a three year project, starting in 2005. He pointed out that the park would not have become a reality without the efforts and hard work and donations of a lot of people and businesses. He singled out and recognized Chad Fuqua, Director of Hollister’s Park Department who also gave special recognition to Mike Alves who is also with the Hollister Parks Department. Linkous also acknowledged the current Park Board Members, Garland Dimetroff, Scott McCaulley, Jon Williams, Tim Corbell, Janice Sarver, and Tina Mefford for their efforts and support in making the park become a reality.

    After the formal unveiling of the parks name plaque there was a reception in Hollister City Hall during which Rick Ziegenfuss, Hollister City Administrator, gave a video presentation on the history of the park. It showed the evolution of the area that has become Town Hall Square Park from the fire destroying the old maintenance-charcoal plant building previously occupying a major portion of the site into the recreational asset it has become today including the restoration process that was used on the historical St. James Street Bridge.

    In concluding his presentation Ziegenfuss said, “The quality of life is a big issue in our city.” He went on to praise Hollister’s elected officials, city staff, appointed board members, and the public, including local businesses that do so much for the quality of life of Hollister’s residents. One can just look at Town Hall Square Park and feel the spirit and reality of what Ziegenfuss was saying.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Branson Liquor Czar to hunt mice with elephant gun?

    By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull

    There’s a general saying that has been around for a long time, “You don’t hunt mice and elephants with the same gun.” Unfortunately, it appears the city of Branson’s proposed new liquor control Ordinances (LCOs) is taking an elephant gun approach to solving a mouse sized problem. It’s not a matter of whether or not Branson can or should enact new LCOs, it can and should; it’s a matter of scope and efficiency.

    The major, publically stated, problems involving the sale and serving of alcohol in Branson involve the encroachment of the serving of alcohol into Branson’s traditional family friendly theatres and entertainment venues, underage drinking, consumption of alcoholic beverages in areas open to the public that are away from the premises licensed to serve or sell them, and limiting the number of package sales licenses issued by the city. Can anyone share with the Ole Seagull how the creation and funding of the new post of “Liquor Czar,” whoops, sorry, the Ole Seagull means “Director of Liquor Control, (Director) and their accompanying paperwork empire will have a real impact on solving those problems?

    Although there are those who object to any increase in government regulations over their businesses, the major area of controversy and objection with the new LCOs being proposed by the city appears to involve the Director. Although there is some concern with costs that may be associated with the position, most of the concern seems to focus on how that person is designated and the broad sweeping scope of their powers.

    The definition of “Director” in the LCOs states, “Unless otherwise described means the Director of Liquor Control as designated by the mayor or board of aldermen as well as any person designated by the director to act on his or her behalf.” Can anyone name one other instance where the mayor has the authority to designate a city employee? This isn’t an appointment to a park or zoning board. It is the designation of a person to whom the LCOs gives a lot of authority with the potential to establish their own little kingdom within the government of the city of Branson and impact directly on the operation of a lot of Branson’s businesses.

    How much effort would it have taken to change the wording to read, “Unless otherwise described means the Director of Liquor Control as well as any person designated by the director to act on his or her behalf” and eliminate potential problems in this area? In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, not much and that illustrates the problem. If the board won’t correct an obvious defect like this what chance is there that it will respond to some of the other concerns involving the Director?

    Can anyone tell an Ole Seagull how the LCO’s six and a half pages of Article III, entitled “Applications,” do that much more, if anything, to solve the major publically stated problems involving the sale and serving of alcohol in Branson than do the state’s current licensing requirements? And giving the Director the authority to require businesses to file a report of “Any loan made to the licensee of money, or credit relating directly or indirectly to the licensed business” helps solve those problems how?

    What makes it ludicrous is that the very first sentence of Article IV states, “The director is authorized to issue a license, as described in this article, to persons qualified by the state division of alcohol and tobacco control,…” Wait, does that mean the city can’t issue a license unless the state issues one first? Yes. Does the state have requirements that have to be met to get a license? Yes. Has it been alleged any of the major publically stated problems involving the sale and serving of alcohol in Branson have been caused by efficiencies in the state licensing process? No.

    The duplication of paperwork submitted to the state and additional licensing requirements required by the LCOs will help solve the major publically stated problems involving the sale and serving of alcohol in Branson how? Again, it’s not a matter of whether or not Branson can or should enact new LCOs, it can and should; it’s a matter of scope and efficiency. For what it matters, in an Ole Seagull’s opinion, the proposed LCOs go so far beyond the scope of what is necessary that they obscure the basic problems the process was started to solve.

  • Proposed liquor control ordinance proves controversial

    In introducing a complete revision to the city of Branson’s liquor control ordinance (LCO), Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley said it was her “pleasure” to present them. If the reaction of the majority of the speakers at the July 14 meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen is any indication, not everyone shares the “pleasure” and there is controversy within the community over some of its provisions.

    The proposed changes to Branson’s LCO will involve the deletion of the current Chapter 10 of the Branson Municipal Code (BMC) entitled “Alcoholic Beverages” and its replacement with a completely new LCO developed by the Branson Liquor Task Force Committee. According to the proposed amendment as presented, the new LCOs will be contained in the same Chapter of the BMC under the same title as the old LCO they are replacing.

    In her remarks, the Mayor pointed out that the Committee was formed, and its work started, about a year ago when the board, “Based on comments and concerns of the public and their own observations felt it appropriate to review our current liquor ordinance.” She said the Committee consisted of Alderwoman Sandra Williams, Alderman Jack Purvis, Captain Ron Key, Salvation Army, Chris Lucchi, MG Hospitality – American Bandstand, Steve Scherer, Grand Hospitality, Chris Vinton, Weiss Commercial Reality and herself and thanked them for their work. Mayor Presley also pointed out Attorney, Richard Bryant from Kansas City, who was retained by the city to work with the Committee, has extensive specialized legal knowledge and expertise in the area of liquor control law

    Prior to actual public discussion on the new LCO, Alderwoman Sandra Williams presented amendments to the ordinance designed to address some of the concerns expressed by the public at the July 8 meeting of the Committee. At that meeting there was major concern the proposed change would prohibits the common practice of permitting a patron to bring a bottle of wine into a licensed establishment and have the employees of the establishment serve to them either with or without charge.

    To address that concern Alderwoman Sandra Williams proposed an amendments to the new LCO permitting, subject to certain conditions, licensees and the employees of “sales-by-drink” establishments to allow alcoholic beverages to be brought into or upon the premises by customers. Another concern was a provision that prohibited licensees from giving away “any alcoholic beverage to any customer.” William’s amendment changed the verbiage to read, “Give away alcoholic beverage to any intoxicated customer.

    During the public debate on the proposed amendment a number of the commenter’s questioned the need for a complete new LCO and some wanted to see a section by section comparison between the old LCO and the new LCO. Cconcern expressed over the duplication and overlap of state provisions, the complexity and volume, and the security of the personal and financial information involved with the new LCO.

    One major area of concern was the new position of “Director of Liquor Control. (Director)” authorized by the new LCO. Even a cursory review of the LCO indicates that, within the LCO, the Director has a lot of authority and power. From the very first public comment there were questions on that position its cost, authority, method of appointment, etc. As but one example, Rick Huffman pointed out the definition section permitted the Director to be designated “by the mayor or board of alderman” and requested a change to permit the appointment of the Director to involve the city administrator in the process as is done with other city employees.

    Throughout the public comment period various requests were made for other amendments. After discussion by the aldermen and without further amendment, the new LCO passed its first reading by a 5 to 1 vote with Alderman Bob McDowell voting against the measure.

    On July 16 McDowell made it very clear that he was not against Branson issuing a new LCO but wanted to make sure that, among other things, it was something that actually solves the liquor control problems Branson has, is enforceable, and does not needlessly require the duplication of personal and financial information already given to the state. He said a lot of the comments expressed last night were legitimate concerns he felt should be addressed before the ordinance was passed and voted against it for that reason.

    Under the normal procedure, unless the ordinance is removed from the consent agenda, it will become final at the July 28 meeting of the Branson Board of Alderman without any further public discussion.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • From nipples to pages, the “chaff” of Branson’s new liquor regulations

    In terms of availability and volume, the internet is a wonderful source of news and information. The world of blogging and internet message boards, where anyone can post what they want when they want, present the sometimes daunting challenge of separating the wheat from the chaff. The posting of just one post from one blogger this week, about the city of Branson’s proposed new regulations, illustrates that challenge.

    On July 8 a blogger said, “Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley and the Chamber of Branson’s Merry Politicians will introduce an amendment to Branson’s Charter relating to alcohol.” If the blogger was talking about the meeting held on July 8 starting at 5:30 p.m. in the city of Branson’s council chambers and the official posted agenda for the meeting was accurate, it was a meeting of the Branson Liquor Task Force Committee (the Committee) for the purpose of the “Discussion of proposed changes to the liquor ordinances.”

    Obviously the Ole Seagull has no idea of what the blogger was referring to by the term “Branson’s Merry Politicians.” He does know the Committee was composed of at least Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley, Alderwoman Sandra Williams, past Alderman Jack Purvis, Captain Ron Key, Salvation Army, Chris Lucchi, MG Hospitality – American Bandstand, Steve Scherer, Grand Hospitality, and Chris Vinton, Weiss Commercial Reality.

    The proposed ordinance, based on the recommendations and desires of the Committee, was drafted by Attorney, Richard Bryant from Kansas City, who was retained by the city to work with the Committee and provide specialized legal knowledge and expertise in the area of liquor control law. During the meeting, while introducing the amendment to the community, through an overview of the ordinance, Bryant said, “The underlying goal was to give the city the ability to effectively regulate liquor.” Interestingly, contrary to what citizens had previously been told, he pointed out that the city has the right to regulate how liquor is sold and consumed within its city limits.

    The blog goes on to state, “The 100 something page document…” Both copies of the draft ordinance, available at the meeting and a copy on the city of Branson’s web site, show, including the signature page, the document is only 49 pages long.

    The blogger says the document “covers everything from how nipples of nude dancers can be displayed…” Actually Section 10-55 of the proposed change doesn’t contain the word “nipple” or anything else that a reasonable person could construe to say how the “nipples of nude dancers can be displayed.” In addition, subsection 10-55(b) contains verbiage virtually eliminating “nude dancers” from the equation.

    The blog goes on to state that the ordinance regulates “how late underage citizens can spend in establishments serving alcohol.” Section 10-71 entitled “Sales-by-drink premises; minors on premises” contains no restriction on how late any person, under age, citizen or otherwise, can be on the premises of establishments covered by that section if that person is accompanied by a parent or lawful guardian, the premises is an establishment such as a golf course, bowling alley, or a theatre, or the person is providing or assisting in providing entertainment upon the licensed premises. The only restriction in the section is a person under 21 may not be in one of the covered sales-by-drink premises after 12:00 midnight unless accompanied by a parent or lawful guardian.

    The blog nears conclusion by stating “The amended liquor ordinance came as a result of Chicago Hot Dogs selling Beer at the Branson Landing.” May an Ole Seagull suggest the Chicago Hot Dog incident might be what triggered public reaction this time, but the proposed ordinance is the result of factors transcending the Chicago Hot Dog situation.

    If an Ole Seagull were a betting Seagull he’d bet the ordinance is the result of situations going back years. One that comes to mind was when citizens complained to their elected and unelected leaders, in the previous administration, about the incursion of the serving of alcoholic beverages into Branson family friendly theatres and the city’s senior unelected leadership told them nothing could be done because the state regulated alcohol. If nothing else, the proposed ordinance and its development process prove the fallacy of that logic.

    Blogs and bloggers are like an Ole Seagull and his column. Readers should recognize them for what they are, the opinions of the writer, and give those opinions only the credibility that their common sense, intellect, experience and knowledge deems appropriate.

  • Branson Tri-Lakes area lakes are still high and the seconds are ticking away

    Ok, so last weeks ending to the column entitled, “Corps fiddles ‘The Plood’ while local officials and leaders dance to the tune,” was a little strong, true in terms of results but strong. In talking about the actions Branson areas leaders and officials had taken regarding obtaining relief from the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the abnormally high lake levels that have persisted since the Spring, the Ole Seagull asked, “Is there any official record anywhere that even one petitioned the Corps, on an emergency basis, for a temporary exception to lowering the Regulatory Stages at Newport until the Tri-Lakes levels, especially Bull Shoals, were back to safe levels? Did even one initiate official action with the Corps requesting a process be set in motion to evaluate changes to The Plan?”

    Basically, those were rhetorical questions, the answers of which the Ole Seagull was relatively certain. Things would have been alright if he had stopped there but, alas, he didn’t and went on to say, “At least Nero fiddled while Rome burned. In the opinion of an Ole Seagull our areas leaders and officials are doing nothing, absolutely nothing while the very real danger of plooding casts its cloud over the Tri-Lakes area.”

    “Nothing” was a bad choice of wording because of course they did something, they “talked.”As was pointed out to the Ole Seagull this week, on more than one occasion, there has been a lot of talk with the Corps and others. Just for the record, to an Ole Seagull, in terms of the seriousness of the situation, “talk without official action is nothing.”

    On May 29 the Ole Seagull went to a meeting sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers where the speakers were personnel from its Reservoir Control Branch in Little Rock, AR. They shared information on the regulatory plan they are using to manage the Branson Tri-Lakes area lakes and said that the plan is working. Well, in an Ole Seagulls opinion, if this is an example of the Plan working the Ole Seagull sure doesn’t want to see what happens when it fails and, dear reader, if the levels of Branson Tri-Lakes areas lakes are not drastically reduced, we all just might get a chance to see what happens when it does.

    From April until now, the Plan and its dependence on the regulatory stage at Newport AR., has restricted the amounts of water that can be released from the Tri-Lakes area lakes. It hasn’t been the Plan that has saved us it has been the hand of God. It is His hand that has directed the rains away from the Tri-Lakes area, caused the leafing that slows the fall of the rain, given us at least a few days for the ground to dry some before the next rain, etc..

    He has given the Tri-Lakes area plenty of time to take action to get the levels of its lakes down and yet, even at this late date, a comparison of the actual current lake levels to their historic 5 Year Seasonal Conservation Pool averages should cause concern for what would happen if the lake levels are not lowered drastically. How much do they have to be lowered? The July 3 Daily Reservoir Report of the Corps indicates that Beaver lake is 7.0 feet above its Seasonal Conservation Pool of 1121.4 feet, Table Rock over 10.5 feet above its 917 seasonal pool, and, startlingly, Bull Shoals is 35.6 feet above its seasonal pool of 656.4.

    May an Ole Seagull suggest that the math on how many feet the Tri-Lakes area Lakes have dropped since April 25 as compared to how many feet they have to drop to get to their Conservation Pool levels would prove interesting if not alarming. Another interesting figure would be how much rain will it take to get to the top of the Flood Pools? Why does anyone care? Could it be because at that point, there might as well not be any dam and any water that comes into a lake at that point is passed through downstream?

    Call the Ole Seagull foolish but he fears for what can happen if the lake level situation is not addressed immediately as to what can be done to get more water out of the areas lakes faster. At a minimum that should involve an official request to prevent the lowering of the regulatory stage at Newport to 12 feet from its current 14 feet until all the Tri-Lakes area lakes are at their Seasonal Conservation Pool averages. That request should involve the commitment of the resources to see it through to the highest levels with the best professional advice and personnel available regardless of the road blocks that the Corps puts up.

    Unless an Ole Seagull misses his guess, the same Corps whose own records are replete with lowering the regulatory standards from a safe and efficient minimum of 18 feet to 12 feet over the years will do little to help relieve the situation. How ironic is it? The very organization creating the problem by compromising its own flood control standard for the benefit of agricultural interest downstream will not only not help get relief for the Branson Tri-Lakes area, but will probably fight it? In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, it’s probably not as ironic as it is sad. Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick….

    Related Link: Corps Plan creates Branson’s high lake levels (News Article)

  • Corps Plan creates Branson’s high lake levels

    Corps Plan creates Branson’s high lake levels
    By Gary J. Groman

    In the Branson Tri-Lakes area, 2008 has been a year of record rains, lake levels, and spillway releases through the dams of the Branson Tri/Lakes area. These records have had a negative effect upon individuals, businesses, the areas quality of life and its tourism industry. It is also the year that the average business and citizen first realized, not only the existence of the “regulatory stage” at Newport, AR., but its direct impact on the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) ability to effectively and efficiently reduce the lakes levels of the Tri-Lakes area lakes.

    Documentation and information received from the Corps states it has built and manages a series of reservoirs in the Tri-Lakes area. These reservoirs are Beaver, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals Lakes. The primary purposes of the lakes, in priority order, is flood control and the generation of hydro electric power.

    The amount of rain and when and where it falls is an act of God. The documentation furnished by the Corps clearly establishes that how that rainfall is stored and managed once it gets into one of the Tri-Lakes reservoirs is controlled by the current “regulatory plan” the Corps has developed.

    The Corps information indicates that, as the regulatory plan has evolved into the current plan adopted on Dec. 1, 1998, the decisions made by the Corps regarding the plan have caused the Tri-Lakes area lakes to fill, far beyond their season levels, to extremely high levels of their flood storage capacity for extended periods of time this year and has limited the Corps ability to effectively evacuate water from those lakes to control flooding within those lakes and potential future flooding downstream.

    The documentation establishes that the amount of water permitted to be released be released from the Tri-Lakes area lakes depends primarily on the “regulatory stage” at Newport, AR. It indicates the regulatory stage is a measurement of elevation expressed in feet. The higher the number the more water can be released from the Tri-Lakes area lakes and, the lower the number, the less water can be released.

    The information clearly shows the intent of those decisions to accommodate the encroachment of agricultural interests into elevations lower than the Corps had previously determined was necessary to provide for effective flood control. It provides a historical record of how the minimum elevation for the regulatory stages has dropped from 18 feet to 12 feet to meet those interests.

    Documentation attached to a June 27 email from the Corps indicates the Corps initial regulation plan, referred to as the “first regulation plan,” dated June of 1952, established the initial regulation of the stages at Newport at a maximum of 25 feet and a minimum of 18 feet. The current regulation plan has a maximum of 21 feet and a minimum of 12 feet but has been held at 14 feet since May 15, when it automatically dropped from 18 feet to 14 feet, without regard to the dangerously high elevations of the Tri-Lakes area lakes at the time and the impact they were having on the area.

    From an historical perspective, the documentation furnished by the Corps states, “Significant complaints were generated by the sustained use of the 25 foot regulating stage in the initial plan [dated June 1952.] Added pressure to lower regulating stages was felt after a drought in the early 1950’s led to the clearing of low lands and their conversion to cultivated land.” This lead to the Corps to its second regulation plan, dated December 1955.

    The information goes on to state the Corps third regulation plan, dated November 1963 and revised in October 1966 resulted “Following the 1957 flood and the continued clearing of low lands for cultivation during the drought of the early 1960’s, agricultural interests became more active in support of a lower regulating stage from May to November.” This plan lowered the minimum level of the regulatory stage to 14 feet.

    At a public meeting sponsored by the Corps held on May 29, a Corps spokesperson statedthat in the 1990’s “The farmers came to us and said you need to lower the river because we need to get our crops in. What had happened over time was we had dry years and they encroached more and more into the river valley and went down and planted crops at 12 feet.” The spokes person went on to point out that an ad hoc committee was established “to look at how can we operate the system differently to better accommodate the agricultural community to go to that 12 feet.” The current regulatory plan accomodates that need.

    The Corps Daily Reservoir Report for July 3 shows the actual level of Beaver Lake at 1128.38, filled to 80% of its flood control capacity, within 1.62 feet of being at the top of its Flood Pool. The report shows the actual level of Table Rock Lake at 927.47, filled to 73% of its flood control capacity, and within 3.1 feet of the top of its Flood Pool. It also shows Bull Shoals Lake with an actual elevation of 691.95, filled to 90% of its flood control capacity, and within 3.0 feet of the top of its Flood Pool

    A comparison between the actual current elevations of the Tri/Lakes as compared to their historic 5 year elevation averages shows just how much above historic levels the current lake levels are. Beaver lake is 8.5 feet above its 5 year average of 1119.9 feet, Table Rock over 11.7 feet above its 915.8 average, and, startlingly, Bull Shoals is 35.7 feet above its average of 656.31.

    Related Links:
    Branson Tri-Lakes area lakes are still high and the seconds are ticking away (Editorial)

    Corps fiddles "The Plood" while local Branson officials and leaders dance to the tune (Editorial)

    Under "The Plan" when does a flood become a "Plood" (Editorial)

    Flood potential ‘ain’t’ over till it’s over!" (News Article)

    Edited on line July 7 at 0650 to clarify terminology involved with use of 5 year elevations and correct some of the elevation comparisons used in association therewith. In all cases the differences between the 5 year averages and the current levels increased slightly.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Branson’s Farmer’s Market combines produce and history

    The Downtown Branson Farmer’s Market in historic downtown Branson provides visitors and locals alike with a unique opportunity not available in any other Farmer’s Market anywhere. That uniqueness is not its wares, all kinds of locally grown plants and produce with locally produced canned goods and crafts; it’s in its historic location.

    Branson’s Farmer’s Market is located in the parking lot on the southeast corner of the intersection of Business Highway 65 and Pacific Streets. While participating in the Market, vendors, producers, and customers are surrounded by the historical seeds that provided the initial “plants” in what has grown into one of the biggest Family Entertainment Markets in the world, Branson, Missouri.

    One of those seeds is the back of the historic Owen’s Theatre located on the east side of the parking lot. The Owens Theatre was built in 1935 as a movie theatre, by Jim Owen, a local fishing guide and float trip operator on the White River. Owen built the theatre to provide entertainment for locals and his guiding clients while they weren’t fishing. It is considered by most as Branson’s first “theatre,” movie or otherwise.

    The second seed was planted over two decades later in 1959 when the Mabe brothers, Bob, Bill, Jim and Lyle along with Delbert Howard and Chick Allen, started a show in a rented room in the lower level of the old “city hall community building” located between the back of the Owen’s Theatre and what is now Business Highway 65 in the general locality of the current public rest rooms. The name of the show was the “Baldknobbers Jamboree,” which most acknowledge as “the first show in Branson,” and the rest is history.

    The Downtown Branson Farmer’s Market (Market) is sponsored by the Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners Association (Association), made up of business owners and operators located in the historic downtown district. The Market is held every Saturday, until the end of October, from 7:30 a.m. until noon.

    This is the first year that the Association has sponsored the Market. David King, the owner of Branson Bill’s Emporium in historic downtown Branson and one of the Association’s coordinators for the Market, is excited about the event because it is consistent with both the heritage of the Ozarks and the atmosphere that the Association wants to maintain and project for the historic downtown district. Saturday, May 31, was the third week of the Market’s operation.

    According to Kim King, although the market is still in its developing stages both the participating producers and the customers seem very satisfied. She indicated that the sales have been good for most producers and that, although there is currently room for more producers, that is expected to change within the next few weeks as the produce is harvested in the local area.

    King said that any producers interested in participating or anyone needing additional information on the Market should call them at 417-335-5281 or Cindy Brooks of Clocker’s Café at 417-335-2328.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Titanic author visits Branson

    Robert Stack and his wife Susan with the "Millvina
    Dean Story" and lithograph during a recent trip to Branson.

    History happens a moment at a time and is perhaps remembered most accurately that way. In terms of what happened to the Titanic at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, the memory of a mother, shared eight years later with the nine week old baby she carried into the lifeboat that fateful night just before the mighty behemoth slipped to her watery grave, might not add much to determining the cause of the tragic event.

    But, in terms of lessons to be learned about a man’s devotion to his family, the honor of the times, the price that innocent people pay for the arrogance and carelessness of others and preserving a vignette on a moment in history, that memory could be priceless. Robert Stack, Titanic author and historian and his wife Susan have devoted a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to memorializing and preserving that memory.

    The Stack’s, from Modesto, CA, were in Branson at the Titanic-Worlds Largest Museum Attraction recently explaining and promoting that effort and signing books. Robert Stack said that he first became interested in the Titanic in sixth grade when his teacher read the novel “A Night to Remember” by Walter Lord to the class. He went on to explain that although he had a fascination with the Titanic disaster for decades it wasn’t until after the Titanic wreckage was discovered and he met several of the survivors and visited the wreckage site that he related the immigrants on the Titanic to his families past.

    Stack said that both of his parents’ families had immigrated to the United States by ship before the turn of the century. He explained that they had the same hopes and dreams that the immigrants on the Titanic had and faced the same dangers and challenges in trying to achieve them. Stack’s project, a book and an accompanying lithograph, recounts and remembers how the hopes and dreams of just one of the families on the Titanic, the Dean family, ended when the unsinkable ship sank into the dark icy depths of the Atlantic and what happened to the suriviors of the family as they adjusted to the effects of the tragedy and went on with their lives.

    One of the survivors Stack met was Millvina Dean whose family was immigrating to the United States with plans to go into business in Wichita, Kansas. Stack points out that at the time of the disaster Millvina, who is now the oldest living survivor of the Titanic, was only nine weeks old.

    Stack and his wife made multiple trips to England during which they met with and interviewed Millvina. Stack said that in addition to the interviews, Millvina was very active with the project and furnished the historical family photographs that are part of the lithograph, personally signed over 1100 of the limited edition lithographs, and participated in the editing of the accompanying book, “The Millvina Dean Story.”

    In the book Stack writes, that the Titanic, “Is a classroom that should never be duplicated, as this would be the greatest dishonor we could pay the brave souls who gave their lives that night.” When asked what he meant, Stack said, “I don’t want anyone to ever place people in harm’s way like this ever again if it’s not necessary.” He stressed that if the type of carelessness and arrogance associated with the Titanic disaster is ignored in the future then it will repeat itself. Sadly, in the forward of the book, Stack points out an example of another tragic event that resulted from ignoring the Titanic’s lessons on what can happen through carelessness, arrogance, and ignoring the obvious, the horror of the shuttle “Challenger” exploding in mid air.

    The book freezes one of the many concurrent moments taking place during one of the greatest maritime disasters of all time, as a father alertly realizes the danger his family is in. That father Bertram Dean, Senior, calmly goes back into the depths of the ship to the third class section, leads his wife Ettie, carrying her infant daughter in her arms, and his son Bertram Jr., up to the boat deck and insures that they are safely loaded into a lifeboat. Then, in the honor and tradition of the time, of saving women and children first, he stepped aside and remained with ship as the lifeboat with his family was lowered from his view. Thanks largely to his alertness and action his family became three of only 705 survivors while over fifteen hundred, including himself, perished.

    Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.

  • Art walk through historic downtown district

    Outdoor artist Tom Crain painting one of his
    eagles in downtown Branson Studio/

    Visitors to Branson will soon have another interesting thing to do while they are in Branson. Well, at least on the first Saturday of every month because that’s when the “First Saturday Night Stroll,” an art walk in historic downtown Branson will be held.

    Starting August 2, the art stroll, patterned after art walks in other communities and sponsored by various independent businesses in the historic downtown district, will run from 4 to 9 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Peter Tsahiridis, one of the sponsors and organizers of the stroll, said there is growing interest in different forms of art among tourists coming to Branson and the stroll is designed to meet that interest.

    Karla Daniels, who has owned the Premier Gallery in historic downtown Branson for the past year, another of the events sponsors and organizers, stated one of the primary purposes of the art stroll is to promote and feature Branson’s historic downtown district as it adds yet another exciting event to the list of things visitors can do when they visit Branson. She said the stroll will educate visitors and residents alike about art in general as it increases their awareness about the different types of art and artists available in the Branson area.

    Daniels pointed out in the downtown area alone there is a variety of art available from paintings of all types to etchings, sculptures, and stained glass. The art forms available in the historic downtown district run the gamut of contemporary to naturalistic outdoor and just about everything else in between.

    The well known artist Tom Crain, Crain Creations, who is noted for his wildlife oil paintings and has a studio and retail establishment in Branson’s historic downtown district, said he is excited about the concept stroll. He believes the art stroll will grow into a great attraction for Branson in general and add yet another unique dimension to the historic downtown district that is consistent with the image the businesses within the district want to develop.

    Crain expounded to say one of the really exciting things about the stroll is businesses can sponsor visiting artists inside their own business. He feels this will expand the number of artists and types of art available on the stroll and enhance the total art experience its participants.

    Daniels said any business can sponsor an artist for the art stroll, not just those actively involved in producing or selling art. All they have to do is be willing to sponsor an artist and give them room in their establishment to display their art and talk with the art strollers who come in.

    She also stated First Saturday Night Stroll art stroll maps, showing the location of each of the locations participating in the stroll, will be available at Euro Café & Creamery, Premier Gallery, and other participating locations throughout the historic downtown district. She said any business located in the historic downtown district can contact her by phone at 417-335-5088 for information on the art stroll or on how to become a sponsor.

  • Silver Dollar City “Kid’s Fest” ends Aug. 10

    What says kids better than Veggie Tales
    Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber?Tomato

    Whether vacation planning means a few days to get away, or a week or two off, the Silver Dollar City Attractions (SDC) rank as Branson’s most popular choices for families, a travel segment that shows marked increase in the past few years. The SDC Attractions include the internationally-awarded 1880s-style theme park Silver Dollar City, the 20th Century themed amusement park Celebration City, White Water tropical adventure park and Branson’s premier lake experience, the Showboat Branson Belle.

    “Families now represent 41% of the travelers to Branson,” said Jerry Henry, Research Director for SDC, who says that compares to 26% in 2005. “More families are discovering Branson’s scope of entertainment, yet with a keen eye toward packaging of their entire experience.”

    Keeping the pressure on itself to keep the quality and quantity of family entertainment to a maximum, Silver Dollar City presents its Biggest Kids Fest Ever with an impressive list of all-new nationally branded entertainment during the National Kids Fest, running June 7 – August 10. The festival includes:

    The Magic of Peter Gossamer with tricks, levitations and vanishings from the nationally-acclaimed master illusionist and entertainer.

    Internationally-traveled performers of Ice Circus with skaters on stilts, aerialists soaring on silks, and animal-themed acrobats from around the world.

    The world debut of an original VeggieTales stage show, “The Invention of Silliness,” a musical adventure starring America’s favorite talking vegetables, seen nationally Saturday mornings on NBC

    Kid Concoctions Activity Center where kids make their own creations from the acclaimed Kid Concoctions books and television show, a PBS favorite

    Plus roller coasters soaring through the trees, deep underground cave exploration, two dozen themed rides, crafts and more shows

    Celebration City, Branson’s Biggest Nighttime Family Attraction presents its biggest ride expansion ever: the water adventure ride Roaring Falls. The Wildest New Adventure in the Ozarks takes riders on an Amazon-themed journey ending with an enormous 5-story splash finale. Celebration City also presents: performing animals with the all-new JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show and Extreme Parrots; the spectacular nighttime Ignite the Night! with mountainside projections, lasers, water screens and pyrotechnics; and more than 30 rides and attractions.

    Branson’s tropical oasis, White Water, features over 2 million gallons of water and nearly 7,000 feet of slides, including Kalani Towers, a 7-story, 6-slide, multi-experience thrill ride. One of Mid-America’s top attractions, the 12-acre water park offers more than a dozen rides and attractions, from the 500,000 gallon wave pool to play areas like Little Squirts Water Works, for the ultimate summer splash experience.

    Branson’s premier lake experience, the 700-seat Showboat Branson Belle, celebrates the beauty of the 1890s paddlewheel riverboats with a 3-course dinner, production show and lake cruise. The Showstoppers! show features a talented cast performing hits from Broadway to the Big Screen. Nationally acclaimed comedian Todd Oliver and his live talking dogs are featured on dinner cruises.

  • Thank You Lord for a Titanic lesson

    This week the Ole Seagull had the opportunity to go through Branson’s exciting and educational “Titanic-Worlds Largest Museum Attraction.” He also had the opportunity to interview Robert Stack, the author of “The Millvina Dean Story,” the story of the oldest living survivor of the Titanic disaster. As he read the book and toured the museum one thing jumped out at him, “The cumulative beliefs, actions, passion, enthusiasm, hopes, and dreams of today are the foundation of tomorrow, if it comes, and our legacy if it doesn’t.”

    At 11:30 p.m. on that fateful April 14, 1912 night, the vast majority of the 2,224 persons aboard the mighty unsinkable Titanic hoped, dreamed and planned for tomorrow. By 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, as the huge leviathan, breached by an iceberg strike, slipped beneath the Atlantic to her watery grave, the hopes, dreams, plans, and tomorrows of 1,513 souls, passengers and crew, went with her and their legacy was sealed.

    One can only wonder what they would have done differently a year, month, week, or day before had they known that there would be no tomorrows for them after the early morning hours of April 15, 1912. As the Ole Seagull was thinking about that it hit him, “What if there is no tomorrow for you, what if you have written your last column, what is your legacy?”

    Two thoughts came to mind. One was, “It is what it is.” In an Ole Seagull’s opinion at the “end of the day” our legacy is the sum total of how our lives have impacted on the lives of others, either positively or negatively. That is done one day, one person, and one learning experience at a time and “was what it was” for those who perished on the Titanic even as “it is what it is” if the Ole Seagull has written his last column.

    Today is the time to make the changes for a better tomorrow because, as the Titanic so dramatically illustrated, tomorrow might not be available. On the other hand, if one is blessed with many more tomorrows think of how much better they could be because of the changes made today.

    The other thought that came to mind was, “Thank You Lord.” Actually, it was a constant stream of “Thank You Lords.” From a column perspective, it was Thank You Lord for the opportunity to serve my community as columnist, for letting me serve under a constant stream of editors and publishers who gave me the freedom to publish my thoughts and opinions without external pressure, for the readers who, although certainly not agreeing with everything I wrote, were kind enough to read the column.

    From a non-column perspective, an Ole Seagull would say “Thank You Lord” for the family, community and country that He blessed me with, the opportunity to hope and dream and enough tomorrows and a wife that enabled a lot of those dreams to become a reality. But, most of all he would say Thank You Lord because He has never given up on me and, one “today” at a time, even with a lot of steps backward, He has made me a better person for the tomorrows that He has blessed me with.

    Obviously, because this column is being written the Ole Seagull’s tomorrows haven’t ended and he hasn’t written his last column, or has he? One of the lessons of the Titanic is that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. If an Ole Seagull knew that there would no more tomorrows for him and had a last few seconds to express his final thoughts, his prayer would be that they would be the same thoughts he thinks almost every night as his head hits the pillow, “Thank You Lord, thank You.”