“Seagull, your Apr. 21 column entitled ‘Branson marketing genius or ineptitude?‘ seems to suggest that ‘favoritism’ should be shown to Branson’s regular shows in the marketing of Branson. Do you believe that?” “If by ‘favoritism’ you mean giving preferred marketing opportunity and name recognition in an ad or other marketing to a show that is performing day in and day out in Branson all season long, as opposed to others who pop in to pick the ‘low hanging fruit,’ that is absolutely correct!” (more…)

In these tough times, when many of the shows and attractions in Branson performing day in and day out all season long could benefit from effective marketing, why spend Branson’s limited marketing resources advertising something that is either not in existence, not true or will not be in operation during the specific period being advertised? The April 7 edition of a Springfield News Leader contained a Tab Section published by the State of Missouri entitled “Missouri – enjoy the show VACATION GUIDE Spring Summer 2013 (Tab.)” (more…)

To Christians, Christmas is both a commemoration and celebration of the fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” If however, that first Christmas was all there was, there would be little reason for anyone to believe in Jesus and the promise of eternal life would be lost to all. But that’s not all there was. (more…)

One of the questions commonly asked of the Ole Seagull is, “Will the Branson Airport (Airport) make it?” The gist of his answer is, “I don’t know, but, I hope it does if there is no additional local governmental financing or “bail out” involved.”

But Seagull, “Doesn’t the announcement of Southwest Airlines (LUV) service to Branson reduce the likelihood that additional governmental financing or a “bail out” would be sought by the “Airport?” “Could be, but two things are fact, doo-doo is doo-doo and the LUV service into Branson Airport was formerly confirmed and announced with great fanfare at a Branson Landing Pep Rally in August of 2012. (more…)

This annual Thanksgiving reprint is a wish from the the Ole Seagull and the entire Groman family that you and yours will have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Common sense tells an Ole Seagull that something celebrated as “Thanksgiving Day” should be a day of “giving thanks.”  Generally speaking, who among us says “thank you” to “no one?” When thanks is given it is for something and is “given” to the person or entity believed to have provided that something.

Yet, even as some would take “CHRIST” out of CHRISTmas they would take the “Giving” out of Thanksgiving. To whom are we giving thanks? From Coronado’s 1541 Thanksgiving in Palo Duro Canyon, in what is now West Texas, through the 1600 Puritan Thanksgivings in New England, history testifies to the fact that our modern day Thanksgiving is rooted on giving thanks to God for blessings bestowed. (more…)

In talking about what could destroy America, Abraham Lincoln said, “If it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” Is it just possible that we are committing suicide by “GIMME PIG?” (more…)

A recent news article reported that the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB did a study on what brings people to Branson and reported the results to the City of Branson’s Board of Aldermen (Board) at a recent meeting. The study’s conclusion, that “Branson’s Shows” is the Number 1 reason people come to Branson, should surprise no one, particularly readers of the column.
(more…)

When the Ole Seagull read the words of Missouri Senatorial Candidate Todd Aiken, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” relative to rape involved pregnancies, he was shocked at its stupidity and in-sensitiveness . As he witnessed, what he believes, were Aiken’s selfish actions regarding continuing in the campaign in the face of what his loss could mean to the conservative cause he professes to champion; statements of other political leaders and the acronym DIAS “sprung” to mind:
(more…)

BRANSON, Mo., July 22, 2012 — It’s no secret, this year has been a really tough year for many shows. Why? Simply put, “There’s not enough ‘PBIS’ (Paid Butts In Seats.) This might seem trite but it is PBIS, the “gross” revenue generated by each “butt” in a seat, that provides theatres and show owners with the major revenue source to pay performers, staff, taxes, operate theatres, costuming, sets, marketing, a myriad of other costs and hopefully, make a “net” profit.
(more…)

Is it possible that those in power in Branson have watched the movie “Field of Dreams” one time too many? Have they forgotten the concept of “Dance with the one who brought you?” Do they really believe that marketing funds spent trying to develop yet another demographic to allegedly bring more people to Branson will bring more people to Branson than spending that same amount of money in “efficiently” promoting the shows and attractions that are the lynchpin of Branson’s success? In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, “It appears so.”
(more…)

The "Lily of the Valleys" has risen!

To Christians, Christmas is both a commemoration and celebration of the fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” If however, that first Christmas was all there was, there would be little reason for anyone to believe in Jesus and the promise of eternal life would be lost to all. But that’s not all there was. (more…)

Somehow it just seems so fitting that the start of Branson’s 100th year and Centennial Celebration coincides with Palm Sunday and the spirit of what it represents. During its first year in existence the city of Branson had a fire with the potential to wipe it out and during the last year of its first century it experienced a tornado with the potential to wipe it out. Yet, as we celebrate the 100th birthday of the city we love and that many of us call home, Branson’s light burns brightly as a beacon of unique family entertainment for millions of visitors annually, natural beauty, fun, patriotism, and a place where the spirit of the One who rode a donkey into Jerusalem those thousands of years ago is honored.

Halleluiah and Happy Birthday Branson, Happy Birthday!

It seemed surreal, almost as if the Ole Seagull wasn’t actually in the crowded room in Branson filled with some of Branson’s biggest power brokers and a sprinkling of others. Although, it was as if they didn’t even notice him, he was surprised he was there because lowly Seagulls are not normally invited to the meetings where the “Condors roost” unless they want something from them. (more…)

Although the Ole Seagull listens to Rush Limbaugh on the radio, much of the time he loses the benefit of his tremendous intellect and logic because of the “noise” of his self-aggrandizement. During a recent broadcast however, Limbaugh blasted through the noise and caught his attention when he defined “the Democratic Party base” as “The  poor and the disadvantaged and the put-out and the put-upon” and asked the question, “Why isn’t it proper [to] point out that the Democrat base is made up, for the most part, of the nation’s losers?” (more…)

This column was originally written over 14 years ago and is modified and republished each year as an Ole Seagull’s testimony as to what Christmas means to him. The political correctness of “Merry Christmas” may change but the true meaning of CHRISTmas will never change.

The “Grinch” never came any closer to stealing the true meaning of Christmas than has trying to be “politically correct.” In recent years there has been a strong move to change the traditional Christmas greeting of “Merry Christmas” to the “politically correct” terminology of “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.” (more…)

The short and quick of it is, “That’s the indication.” Normally one establishes a precedent that starts them on a gradual slide down the “slippery slope.” A discussion at the November 22 meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen about that precedent happening using City Tourism Tax marketing funds to pay off airport bond indebtedness under an agreement with the Branson Airport didn’t stop there however. The statements of two aldermen, Mike Booth and Rick Todd, made during the meeting indicate, at least to an Ole (more…)

Common sense tells an Ole Seagull that something celebrated as “Thanksgiving Day” should be a day of “giving thanks.”  Generally speaking, who among us says “thank you” to “no one?” When thanks is given it is for something and is “given” to the person or entity believed to have provided that something.

Yet, even as some would take “CHRIST” out of CHRISTmas they would take the “Giving” out of Thanksgiving. To whom are we giving thanks? From Coronado’s 1541 Thanksgiving in Palo Duro Canyon, in what is now West Texas, through the 1600 Puritan Thanksgivings in New England, history testifies to the fact that our modern day Thanksgiving is rooted on giving thanks to God for blessings bestowed. (more…)

With as little effort as Branson’s leadership, including elected, appointed, businesses and organizations within the community are putting into promoting America’s traditional Christmas is it inappropriate to suggest that it would be more honest and less deceitful to change the name of “Ozark Mountain Christmas” to “Ozark Mountain Holiday?” Were it not for most of Branson’s shows; Silver Dollar City; the Adoration Parade, which was a Branson tradition well before Ozark Mountain Christmas came into being and a few of its other attractions and businesses actual promoting and celebrating “Christmas,” Ozark Mountain Christmas would be nothing, but the same generic politically correct “Holiday” people can get anywhere else. (more…)

Dedication: The republication of this evolving tribute is respectfully dedicated to a “Marines Marine,” the highly decorated Captain Dale Dye, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, who will be the key note speaker at the U.S. Marine Corps Ball being held in Branson on November 10.

It is a sad fact of life that the politicians, and those in power, start wars and that the people of the nations involved bleed, die, suffer, and otherwise pay the price of war. Even in today’s world of terrorist attacks, as the people of countries or ideologies make war on each other they fall into two general categories, “Military” and “Civilian.” The Military or the fighters, generally kill each other and the civilians they believe are making war on them the old fashioned way, directly, with bullets, bombs, suicide or otherwise, terrorism, planes, etc. History testifies to the fact that they, and the civilians their actions impact on, are generally the first to bleed, suffer, and die. (more…)

At the outset the Ole Seagull would thank all who wished him well in his retirement. In fact, he is as retired as he will ever be in this world. Thanks to a combination of his own personal failings and circumstances beyond his control, more than likely that retirement will, until he can physically and mentally do so no longer, always involve an active work component. In that regard, he is truly blessed because he is not only able to work, but has the wonderful opportunity of telling Branson’s story and giving people information that will, hopefully, encourage them to factor Branson into their travel decisions and help them plan for and have a great experience when they come to Branson.

His column, on the other hand, has never been a factor in the fiscal aspects of his retirement plan. To him, although he’s sure there are others who see it differently, it has always been a labor of “love” and community service designed to do one thing, give people an opinion that, whether they agreed with it or not, would at least encourage them to think about the column’s topic and what if any further research, action, or involvement on their part was appropriate. (more…)