Mount Pleasant Winery is celebrating the first anniversary of its Branson tasting facility, 3125 Green Mountain Drive. Manager Rob McCormick said people have discovered the tasting galleries in part because the staff has taken an active role in the community. The galleries feature the works of Missouri glass artisan Sam Stang and folk artist Brian Hynes.
Mount Pleasant had a wine-tasting booth at Branson's recent Great American Pie Show at the Branson Convention Center and at the Missouri Wine Festival the same weekend at the Chateau On The Lake. At the May 8-10 Branson Air Show marking the grand opening of the Branson Airport, Mount Pleasant served samples from a Mercedes Benz motor home winery-on-wheels.
This is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Mount Pleasant Winery in Augusta, near St. Louis, where the winery grows 16 grape varietals. This year, a new label, "Mount Pleasant Estate," will be released. The Branson location is on Green Mountain Drive just east of Gretna Road.
Best Buy brings green services
Tim Ford, general manager of the Best Buy store that recently opened on Branson Hills Parkway, said people may bring their old electronics to the store for recycling. Near the entrance are bins for batteries, cell phones and ink cartridges. For larger items, customers can request help from a member of the store's Geek Squad, which answers a variety of questions about electronics.
Ford moved here from Sacramento, Calif., but he grew up near Kansas City and said he had fond memories of visiting Branson as a child. The Branson store differs from some other Best Buy outlets. Because of the nearby lakes, it stocks GPS fish-finders and other lake-related electronics, he said.
Optimistic hotel investments
Henry and Ginger Mackiewicz bought the 51-room Lynina Inn on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in 2007 and this year upgraded the hotel despite current economic conditions.
General Manager Debbie Gossett said the property owners have added new room décor, pillow-top mattresses, bedspreads and coffeemakers. They also added wireless Internet and a computer and printer for guests to use. They created a honeymoon suite with a Jacuzzi and scattered artificial rose petals on the bed, Gossett said. And they also offer a special rate for area residents, especially convenient for visiting family, she said.
The couple retired to Branson from Quincy, Ill. Henry Mackiewicz had a refrigeration company, and Ginger was a utility company meter reader, but their retirement didn't last long, Ginger Mackiewicz said.
"No matter what, people will take a vacation," Ginger Mackiewicz said. "And Branson, being reasonably priced, is where they go."
Where were you in 1959?
If you attended The Baldknobbers music show in Branson, you're invited to attend a 50th anniversary Come Back Party on May 15-16 at half-price admission. Theater manager Hollye Gurley said they hope to gather some good stories from people who saw those early shows featuring the four Mabe brothers. The show tradition is now upheld by second- and third-generation Mabes.
The Baldknobbers first played their Jamboree Show in a tent on the downtown lakefront. It wasn't until 1968 that they built a theater on Missouri 76 where the only other theater was the Presleys' Country Jubilee. Both theaters remain top draws in Branson even as the number of shows has grown to 130 with 50 theaters featuring music from rock to pop to Broadway. The Baldknobbers show is at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.[[In-content Ad]]
Kathryn Buckstaff, membership public relations manager of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, can be reached at kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.
