There's a spring migration phenomenon in Branson when entertainers switch theaters. One of the changes this year is The Haygoods moving into the 800-seat Americana Theatre, which they are purchasing from novelist Janet Dailey, whose husband, Bill, owned the theater for several years before his death in 2005. Some will remember it as home to "Jennifer In The Morning," a popular morning show.
The Haygoods are seven brothers and one sister who put on a lively show with rock, pop, jazz and break-dancing. The brothers have screaming, young fans. The family came to Branson from Texas in 1993 to perform at Silver Dollar City. After nine seasons, they moved into Music City Center, which they were leasing. Aaron, the youngest, is now 15. Tim is the oldest at 32.
The $500,000 renovation includes new technology, seats and a 3,300-square foot addition to the lobby, which will feature a deli and room for special events. The opening show is March 3. Springfield-based JKC Contractors is handling the project. It is on schedule and on budget, says dad Jim Haygood.
In the family's 16 years of performing, they've played 9,000 times for 3 million people and sold 250,000 albums, according to www.thehaygoods.com.
Vacation Channel's new view
After 20 years of bringing local entertainment news to tourists in hotels, The Vacation Channel has launched a Web site with news, maps, a blog and weather. At www.viewbranson.com, viewers may observe video from shows, restaurants and shops.
The Vacation Channel is available on local cable TV in more than 47,000 homes and hotels, with an audience of visitors and residents. The channel serves Taney and Stone counties as well as Nixa, Ozark and Rogersville on the SuddenLink cable system in Christian County.
A study by Market Source indicated that in 2008, 88.7 percent of overnight visitors said they arrived in Branson with a flexible schedule, said Vacation Channel Vice President Stan Bess. Half of those surveyed said they had no plans. The survey also said overnight visitors watch The Vacation Channel more than an hour on average during their stay.
'The Art of Love'
The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, in the large round building at the west end of Branson's strip, has a special exhibit through Feb. 28. "Sincerely Yours: The Art of Love" shows elaborate Valentine's cards from 1880 to the 1940s - the private collection of Butterfly Palace owner Dianna Herschend.
Part of the fun is reading the inscriptions to loved ones on the handcrafted works of art before the days of mass-printed Valentines. In the late 1800s, making scrapbooks was even more popular than today, said Butterfly Palace manager Sarah Bolend. It was a social activity where guests gathered for refreshments and to admire the host's scrapbooks. That's why the Valentines are still around today.
The display is included in the ticket that also gets visitors into the gardens with more than 1,000 live butterflies, a 3-D movie about butterflies, exotic live bugs in the Rainforest Critter Center and the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze.
Be part of new ACS study
This year's American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Taney and Stone counties - scheduled June 5-6 - offers a rare opportunity to participate in a new cancer prevention study.
Last year, 88 teams raised more than $228,000 for ACS, which will enroll people at the relays, though relay participation is not required to sign up for the study. Study participants must be between 30 and 65 and never diagnosed with cancer.
The study continues 20 to 30 years with a survey sent to participants every couple of years, said Kristen Herzegh, study coordinator at the ACS research center in Atlanta. Officials hope to enroll 500,000 people for the third cancer-prevention study they've conducted. The first was 1959-1972, and it identified the link between smoking and lung cancer, she said.
Relay for Life in Springfield will be held May 15.
Employee rewards pay off
The owners of Myer Hotels believe in recognizing deserving employees. "People like to be proud of what they do, and when they get an award, they become loyal team members," said Vice President of Operations Gail Myer.
Bill Cunningham, maintenance supervisor at the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, recently received the Choice Hotels Property Excellence Service Award, the first award given for maintenance. The Comfort Inn is a Choice Hotels Platinum property. Cunningham, who has worked there for 10 years, is a jack-of-all-trades, even installing the granite countertops and wallpaper, said assistant general manager Dee Dee Swanson.
"There's not a thing he can't do," Swanson said. It's saved the company money on contractors, Myer said. "He also does a great job interfacing with customers. He makes people feel welcome, like it's their home," Myer said.
The Myer family owns five hotels in Branson, and has been in the business 40 years.
Kathryn Buckstaff, membership public relations manager of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, can be reached at kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.
