SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => SDC Memories/ Park History => Topic started by: Junior on January 05, 2011, 10:30:28 AM

Title: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 05, 2011, 10:30:28 AM: I ran across a SDC brochure from 1983. The entire center fold of the piece is homage to some of the key SDC "citizens" that year...Shad Heller, June Ward, Donnie Ellison, and several others who were "celebrities" at the park during that time. I personally worked directly with Louisa Burns who made pies at Jack and Mary's Sandwich Shop, and with Ken Holt, stationmaster at the train. I was aquainted with and sometimes visited with Earl Smith, a candlemaker, Reba Flowers, the lye soap lady, Captain Goldsberry (whose son is none other than OLD GUY) and Jeannie Hevel, who was a saloon girl. Uncle Gene was known simply as Gene Bortner at the time, and was only in his second or third year of working at the city, at the time as a log cabin builder. Take a look at their photos and a short "bio" on them at my flicker site. You will need to click on the "enlarge" tag on flickr to get a big shot of the photo in order to read the names and "bios" under their pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 05, 2011, 11:04:45 AM: Incredible picture Junior! Many of those people I consider to be the "founding fathers" of the Silver Dollar City citizens. I love how all of the men folk had prominent beards. They truly were genuine Ozark residents! I especially got a chuckle from the goatee-beard Donnie Ellison had back then. Thanks for sharing! :)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 05, 2011, 03:14:08 PM: thats a great peice of history! THANKS!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: How-doFolks on January 05, 2011, 07:14:43 PM: Good stuff, Thanks !
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: DollarCityBoy on January 05, 2011, 07:56:26 PM: Hey everyone, my mother has a question for you all regarding one of SDC's Citizens:
What ever happened to the gentleman who was the Sheriff AND the Minister at the Wilderness Church for many years?
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 05, 2011, 08:00:04 PM: My post from May 3, 2009
"We were able to see the second to last church service before Pastor Deeds(former SDC sheriff). It was a tear jerker, members of the homestead pickers were in attendance recording the whole thing for some purpose.

He said he would finally be retiring, but would be back from time to time.
(Here is one of my first attempts at being a photographer on my old Kodak 110 camera in about 1987/88!)"
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/Deeds-mid1980s.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 05, 2011, 08:11:07 PM: Great brochure Junior, I haven't seen that one before! In my photos from the 82' season there is one of Shad working at the desk in the Blacksmith shop, and then throughout the 80's the photos of him are only him outside the shop. We always would stop and talk, and get our photo taken with him.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 06, 2011, 08:52:40 AM: I am going to send this to Terry this afternoon!
1987/88
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_1809.jpg)
Detail
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_1810.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 06, 2011, 09:14:59 AM: " YEE HAW!!!!"
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 06, 2011, 10:44:59 AM: Wow look at Terry! Or is it Homer Lee? Or is it Colonel Paisley Parnell? Or is it W.P. the Warden? Or is it Ada Mae? Or is it Doc Harris? Or is it Mr. M. Balmer? Or is it Rufus T. Goldnugget? Or is it ...Well, I digress! :D

Terry may not be a founding father of Silver Dollar City, but he certainly is a superstar citizen of Silver Dollar City! I visited with him a few times, but nothing too involved, and yet he still remembered my name. I was shocked! I am sure he will get a kick out of that picture Rube. :)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 06, 2011, 11:06:08 AM: Terry is a great guy, he gets my vote for the hardest working man in Branson. I have talked with him many times. Some he would remember, some probably not! Usually I am referred to as Matt the Painter after the painting I did of him.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/3023329535_d723802ac3.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 06, 2011, 02:11:21 PM: The photo of Terry as "Zeke Hatfield" includes a fellow named Elmer who played "Pa Hatfield" and Bonnie Arnold (I think, can't be 100 percent sure from the angle) as "Ma McCoy." Elmer sometimes played the sheriff, too. Bonnie to most of you younger folks will be remembered as the schoolmarm, Miss Bonnie Jean. She retired a few years ago and is in a nursing home now due to bad health. I think Elmer has passed away. All three of these people have been outstanding entertainers at the park.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 06, 2011, 09:39:10 PM: Terry Wayne Sanders just confirmed via email for us..." That's Elmer Wallace as my 'Pa' in the blue vest & Bonnie Jean Borden as my 'Ma' with the blue bonnet. True 'Hatfield' colors!"

Thanks Terry!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 06, 2011, 09:41:57 PM: As far as Elmer Wallace goes...here he is as the sheriff. I remember this day, they kept pulling off my hat, with the convicts in there...I was afraid of that jail for a year or two afterwards!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/jail1985.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 07, 2011, 05:53:52 AM: Thats a fun shot at the jail. I don't remember them dressing guys as convicts and putting them in the jail for photo ops, but it was a good idea. :)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Andymeets1880s on January 07, 2011, 11:47:45 AM: I remember Shad being there when I was around eight years old. I wish I had known who he was and his popularity level. I remember I wanted to ride rides and go all over the park (as a little boy would) and was disappointed when my mom wanted to stop off and watch the "blacksmith." I can remember standing there getting irritated and cranky. I wish I had paid attention to who I was standing close to. It never even dawned on me that the man I saw on "Beverly Hillbillies" was the same one I was standing next to at SDC.
When I was at SDC two years ago, I stopped at the blacksmith stand and smiled. I told my girlfriend (now wife) about it's significance and how Shad had been on the BH.

The things we miss in life, huh?!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 07, 2011, 06:32:59 PM: My experiences with Shad are rather bland. I knew that he was an icon when I worked there. I remembered the Beverly Hillbilly episodes, and for those of you from the St. Louis area, if you are as old as me...when I was little and lived in Hazelwood (When it was a brand new neighborhood on the edge of St. Louis County.) Shad appeared on Channel 30 (KDNL) on a kids show called "Mr. Patches" and promoted SDC. He also was on Channel 5 (KSD) on "Corky's Colorama," another kids show. That led to me and my brother asking mom and dad to take us to SDC! On that first visit in 1970 I was excited about seeing Shad at the forge. I was too nervous to approach him. When I worked there at SDC starting in 1978, I went out of my way to say "Howdy" to him and always considered myself lucky to get him to look my may and grunt, or on a good day, return the "howdy." I got the impression the whole time that I worked there that unless Shad knew you, he probably would not talk to you. I think he saved everything for his "performances" at the blacksmith shop and forge for the tourists. One of my good friends from high school worked in the Foods Department at SDC during that time, and her parents were managers of the blacksmith shop for a couple of years, and always spoke highly of Shad. I wish I could have gotten to know him better, but he was a tough nut to crack. During the time I worked at SDC a biography on Shad was released, and I purchased it and read he was an alcoholic. Fortunately, he put the bottle away years ago and didn't drink anymore during his SDC years, but I kind of figured he wasn't too friendly with folks he didn't know (except for the tourists) because of the alcoholic thing, but I really don't know. His Wilderness Settlement was the hip place for SDC performers to work and hang out, as he was a master actor, and I felt privileged to see the Toby Show there, and know many of the young peroformers (including Terry Sanders) who honed their craft under his teaching. Those working with him at the Wilderness Settlement were the "true" hardcore talented entertainers in the area. Like everyone else, I was sad to hear in his last few years Shad and his wife Molly were in the College of the Ozarks Nursing Home due to poor health, and was sad to hear of their passing. They were both true legends in entertainment in the Branson area. Both are buried at the Notch Cemetery (Shepherd of the Hills Cemetery) just around the bend from the Indian Point turnoff to SDC.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 07, 2011, 10:41:56 PM: I found in our items, 2 occasions as a kid of us and Shad talking it up, but as you said, we were tourists. I have 2-3 postcards of him signed and addressed to me from him. These were in his latter years, and I think many pased him by without even thinking. He was simply sitting in a wooden chair outside the Blacksmith's Shop near a sign that said "Mayor". About 3 years ago, I borrowed my dads copy of "SHAD". and I read it in a couple of nights. I was suprised by a few things about him, but overall, I had even more admiration for the things he experienced/ overcame. There used to be a memorial of him and a bust of him in cast iron outside the Blacksmith shop, who knows where it went, now there is only a sign with him as proprietor ot the shop, and a sign about him at the reconstructed cabin near the Red Gold Hall. I feel that there should be more dedicated to these citizens in the city.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Andymeets1880s on January 08, 2011, 12:11:50 AM: Those are awesome memories, Junior and Rube. I agree with Rube. There should be a little something more for Shad at the park. Shad was more for SDC than just the blacksmith. Though I am taking a guess at this, I would imagine SDC's popularity skyrocketed, not just because of the BH's visit, but I would assume people came to see him after his many appearances on the show!

Funny how the triangle forms because I live here in Independence, Mo (boyhood home of BH's creator, Paul Henning) and I know where his boyhood home was, where he worked and met Harry Truman and the exact house where the Hillbillies visited with Paul when they came to Indep. after the SDC shows!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 08, 2011, 09:54:56 AM: I pulled out my copy of "Shad" and glanced through it again this morning. Shad was a powerhouse for SDC publicity in the late 60s and early 70s. Traveled the country, and numerous craftsmen did too. Some of the crafts people in that period were showcased on The Mike Douglas Show and Captain Kangaroo. Millions of dollars of free publicity for SDC at the time. The acting students of Shad and Mollie Heller read like a who's who of Branson entertainment. Some names you would still find in the area today, others have moved on down the road to something else.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 08, 2011, 04:38:50 PM: A Street Scene circa early 80's. I have anotherview of a few characters in case anyone wants to see it. Just ask!

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/troupe2.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Zephon on January 08, 2011, 06:07:27 PM: Let's see, that would be-----

Jae McFerron.......as Zeke
Patsy Lane..........as Sarie Ellen
Bonnie Borden......as Ma Hatfield
Jana Henleben......as Ma Hatfield
Elmer Wallace.......as Pa Hatfield
Jeff Kimes............as Zeke
Wayne Milnes.......as Pa McCoy (foreground)

Not sure why the characters were doubled up that day. The shot is in front of the old Oak Ridge Grill which sat out in front of the west end of the General Store/WagonWorks area.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 08, 2011, 06:43:27 PM: Incredible photograph Rube, and great information Zephon! ;D

I wonder what the skit of the day was with the doubling up of characters? There must be more to this story. :)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 08, 2011, 06:48:39 PM: And in this one from a few minutes earlier in the street skit
Who is the Sheriff?
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/troupe3.jpg)
Could one of the Ma's be a McCoy despite wearing the wrong colors? No clue about the extra Zeke!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 09, 2011, 07:57:50 AM: That sheriff...yes, my friends...it appears to be none other than ZEPHON in the flesh wearing that badge? Bring back a few old memories Zephon? ;D
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 09, 2011, 09:49:24 AM: YESSSSS...I had my suspicions...and thought I'd give it a try. Glad I might have found one of ya Z.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 09, 2011, 11:14:09 AM: thats another great shot.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Zephon on January 09, 2011, 12:35:36 PM: Ah, yes. I resemble that guy.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 09, 2011, 01:01:26 PM: Nice Zephon I never knew you had a twin. :P
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 09, 2011, 04:27:00 PM: The City Farrier
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/ferrier-1.jpg)
I'll post a picture of the "Shoein' Shed" -home of the farrier tomorrow
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 09, 2011, 05:18:07 PM: the guy on the left is Gary Clarkson, the one on the right, one of his clients. Gary was a long time employee from the early, early days.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 09, 2011, 05:21:29 PM: Indeed it is! here is an article discussing Gary, and Mules at SDC from the White River Valley Historical Quarterly -Volume 34, Number 3, Winter 1995
http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/v34/n3/w95d.html (http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/v34/n3/w95d.html)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 10, 2011, 08:31:40 AM: Had to throw this one in here... I believe I see a young M. Balmer in there!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/Ambulance.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 10, 2011, 08:33:19 AM: WOW! I remember that wheelbarrel. When they didn't use it in street skits, it sat off a pathway as an atmosphere piece. Always got a laugh. :)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 10, 2011, 08:41:07 AM: I believe this would have been late 70's early 80's (78-84 window of time). Can't quite remember which batch it came from.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: mhguy77 on January 10, 2011, 09:59:51 AM: The wheelbarrel is a timeless comedic piece.
I wonder why that went away.
Seems like they have dumped a lot of the old humor from the park.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 10, 2011, 11:23:39 AM: Probably just broke over time. Or, some lucky employee could have taken it as one incredible souvenir! :P
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: stlphotogal on January 10, 2011, 01:42:05 PM: Quote from: rubedugans on January 06, 2011, 11:06:08 AM
Terry is a great guy, he gets my vote for the hardest working man in Branson. I have talked with him many times. Some he would remember, some probably not! Usually I am referred to as Matt the Painter after the painting I did of him.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/3023329535_d723802ac3.jpg)

ahem...a painting based on a photo I took!! ;)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 10, 2011, 03:50:38 PM: Timeline on the wheelbarrel is right. Late 70s to early 80s.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 10, 2011, 06:45:55 PM: I said I'd post it! The Shoein' Shed.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/shoeinshed.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 11, 2011, 09:16:02 AM: The Shoein' shed was Gary Clarkson's homebase in the late 70's, early to mid 80s. Located between the lumbercamp and FITH.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 11, 2011, 10:04:17 AM: I got a-hold of Terry yesterday, and he WAS indeed beginning his role of Mr M. Balmer in this early 1980's photo.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/Ambulance.jpg)
From Terry:
Quote
Going left to right, Elmer Wallace, Terry Wayne Sanders, Joe Jokubiet, & Dave 'DRB Bowen.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 11, 2011, 03:14:07 PM: great pic of shoen house, rube.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 12, 2011, 10:24:54 AM: Did they ever actually shoe real horses in the Shoein’ Shed? Silly question I know, but now I wonder what the attraction was all about. :P
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 12, 2011, 10:45:37 AM: Not that you could ride your trusty steed into the park and have it shod, but it was a demonstration location. He would discuss shoes, the history, the process, and also shod horses mules for the parks services.

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/shoeinshed2.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 12, 2011, 11:05:39 AM: Wow, now that's pretty cool! Silver Dollar City used to be fun, and educational. I suppose the logistics of having a horse on standby every day made it difficult to keep the attraction going. However, I always wondered why Silver Dollar City never had a shoe stand. Now, I know they did. ;D
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 12, 2011, 06:29:28 PM: It was a popular demonstration...Gary was great at doing what he did...always a crowd gathered round. He had a humor to his discussion, and kids to old folks liked seeing mules and horses shod.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 12, 2011, 11:21:17 PM: What caused the demise of such a poplar attraction? Just too much demand for real estate in a growing, and evolving city?
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 13, 2011, 08:31:43 AM: Partly. I believe a good part of it was due to the fact that the park during the 80's stopped using the high number of animals in need of shoes, which made demonstrations more scarce.

Wayback set to 1986...Bring an Umbrella...Looks like rain....
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_1813.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Ozark Outlaw on January 13, 2011, 11:59:13 AM: Classic picture Rube! It looks like the Rain Maker was hard at work that day! ;)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 13, 2011, 12:15:04 PM: Working hard indeed!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_1814.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 16, 2011, 03:26:10 PM: MMMMMM.....1982 PIE!!!!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/pies.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 16, 2011, 03:47:22 PM: This is Lousia from Jack and Mary's. We used to call her Grandma. She was a very sweet lady, and talented with pie making, too!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 16, 2011, 04:25:51 PM: making me hungry again :o
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Joy on January 16, 2011, 06:21:23 PM: Can anyone ID the Rainmaker? He looks slightly familiar...
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: marolinesdad on January 17, 2011, 11:37:12 AM: Isn't he in Headin West?
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: History Buff on January 17, 2011, 09:38:35 PM: While they have similar features, this guy in the pictures has to be much older. At least I would think so. He's not the iconic rainmaker I remember, though.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 17, 2011, 10:04:11 PM: Me either HB. I have another Rainmaker if I can find it from around the same era of the early 80's.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 18, 2011, 08:44:02 AM: This one any better?
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_1850.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Zephon on January 18, 2011, 04:23:23 PM: Hmmm...don't know who the person playing the Rainmaker is in this last photo, but the one in the previous photos is an actor by the name of Sterling Macer, Jr. He grew up in Springfield, going to Kickapoo, and was a classmate of Brad Pitt. In addition to being the Rainmaker for a season, he also spent some time in the Saloon. After leaving SDC, he went on to have a successful career in television. Check out his IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0532160/
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Joy on January 18, 2011, 04:39:43 PM: Coolness! I bet I've probably seen him a few times on TV while surfing and that's why he seemed familiar.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 18, 2011, 05:20:48 PM: both rainmakers pictured must have been after my time on park. Don't recognize either. They both look as if they were really into the character in the shots!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 18, 2011, 05:49:51 PM: Do you have the "Sounds of Silver Dollar City" LP Junior? It has the rainmaker routine on there more than likely from the era which you would remember. You would be right, Both of these performers would have been from between 85'-88' seasons.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: History Buff on January 18, 2011, 06:20:34 PM: "My" rainmaker must have been in "Junior's era". SDC was fortunate to have just one rainmaker, but to find at least three men with the talent? That's just unbelievable.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 20, 2011, 06:42:39 AM: Yes, I have the "Sounds of SDC" album, and if I remember, it was Rex Burdette who played the rainmaker. The clip of the rainmaker was only a few seconds, but thank goodness, at least some of it was preserved for the record. ALSO WISH THEY WOULD HAVE REMASTERED THIS AND RELEASED IT AGAIN IN THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR. Another opportunity to cash in on the good ole days missed!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 20, 2011, 10:27:25 AM: I have mine downloaded off of the LP, I still have to touch up portions of it.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: History Buff on January 20, 2011, 10:46:33 AM: ^^Seems easy enough to think of something like that. I suppose they were more focused on making bigger money - drawing a crowd of ticket buyers, rather than making a little extra cash with a $10 CD. The same seems true of the shows - why can't we have a CD of the Opera House shows. I realize the songs are covers that probably require royalties, but so are many of the music shows we see. Who wouldn't buy the Dickens CD, the For the Glory CD, or Listen to the River CD?
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: okiebluegrass on January 20, 2011, 11:41:22 AM: I actually had a listen to the river tape. They've done this kind of thing before.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 21, 2011, 08:57:41 PM: Here is a city musician and his pig from the early 80's (can anyone ID him...the musician...Not the pig!)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/pig.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 22, 2011, 05:09:09 AM: Dont know the entertainer... BUT that is a great pic.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 22, 2011, 07:29:44 AM: That is D.A. Calloway (musician) The pig, by the way, was named Blue. master entertainer, and now, an entertainment director...D.A. is pictured on stage at the little theater that sat right where Dockside Theater is today. D.A. and Blue performed in "The Trained Pig Show." Blue did several little tricks, and his final act of each show was to slide down a slide located on the tower of the bucket water feature next to the diving bell entrance line, and go off into the lake for a little swim. The crowd loved it. The trained pig show lasted one year. It would have been about 1980 or 1981. The pig got to where he did not like going down the slide into the lake...especially on cold days! Who likes a cold swim on a cold day? On a few occasions, I saw D.A. literally give the pig a boot...shoving it down the slide into the lake. We Dugan boys thought that was side splitting funny! We'd laugh hard when D.A. did that every time. Some in the crowd did not like it...thinking D.A. was being harsh with the pig. Don't know what happened to "Ole Blue" after that season of shows. But I understand D.A. had a freezer full of pork that winter. (JUST KIDDING!) ;)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: mhguy77 on January 22, 2011, 09:56:40 AM: Quote
But I understand D.A. had a freezer full of pork that winter
:)

Great story
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 22, 2011, 10:16:08 AM: From your photo of D.A., and his photo in a brochure, I thought this was him!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 22, 2011, 10:48:31 AM: Here's another photo of some city musicians
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/music.jpg)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 22, 2011, 11:42:36 AM: Don't recognize these folks. Could this be a shot from the old "Mountain Folks Music Festival?" Could be visiting musicians. It would have been WAY out of character in the old days, for a guy to perform in a wheelchair. Since they are located on a platform that appears to be on the ticket booth side of the hospitality house, it would have been acceptable back then. Not trying to be uncourteous to the handicapped, but back in the 70s or early 80s, they kept a strict theme, and I have no memories of handicapped people in wheelchairs working inside the 1880s part of the park.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on January 22, 2011, 12:06:39 PM: It was from a festival, and you did have it right that it is the stage outside the Hospitality House.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Zephon on January 22, 2011, 08:34:24 PM: I believe the band in that picture is Ummy and the Goodtimers, but don't quote me.

Junior, you may be a bit premature in promoting DA to entertainment director. As of now, he is still just a supervisor, although what he does in putting together the Bluegrass & BBQ and Gospel festivals is fantastic.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on January 23, 2011, 07:52:48 AM: Thanks for the correction, Zephon! Just seems like ole DA has been around so long he ought to be a director by now! ;)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on January 23, 2011, 02:40:15 PM: more neat info!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: ozarkdrb on February 03, 2011, 02:01:06 PM: Howdy all!
That was definitely "Umy and the Goodtimers" and they were guests many times during the music fest and other times at SDC. The gent in the wheelchair played with them for years and years and they had a coupla ladies that danced and sang also. Pulled HUGE crowds! I do mean HUGE!
The old classic originator of the Rainmaker was a man by the name of Rex Matzenbacher who goes way-back as SDC family entertainer! Also known as "Snake" as he raised and demonstrated poisonous snakes! I was very impressed by his ability to let Rattlers run around and not get bit. The other unidentified Rainmaker is Jim Waddell!
I was Pa MCCoy a lot in those days and I have NO idea why I was not in the shot of the street crew. Perhaps I was off, perhaps I actually took that pic! Who knows...
That was DA Calloway with that dern pig. Not a great critter to deal with as he and I had to trim its tusks. Pretty tough gig!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: History Buff on February 03, 2011, 04:11:39 PM: Glad you're contributing to the site, Pa! Please give us as many of your memories as you can download from the noggin.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on February 03, 2011, 07:40:15 PM: yes, please... it amazes some of the detailed info you guys come up with.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on February 03, 2011, 07:54:43 PM: Ozarkdrb, hope to read more from you here. Welcome! Junior says "howdy!" :)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on February 03, 2011, 08:49:16 PM: Thanks for the details on my photos ozark drb...more to come, I just might have you as Pa, so stay tuned!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: ozarkdrb on February 04, 2011, 02:25:50 PM: Thanks all for the warm welcome! I was blessed with a great memory for details and names for some reason and it is useful occassionally.
I do have a bunch O' pics that I need to start scanning and categorizing from the Fun days and i hope to be able to do that sooner rather than later.
There were days/times when myself and Milnes and James B. McFerron and Terry Wayne Sanders and other associated dudes were issued guns and blanks and just basically set loose! That's as fun as it gets in this world, folks! I even wrote a short book on how to care for all those weapons. We have literally a dozen assorted handguns and probably 5 shotguns to keep working and I soon found I was not a bad Colt "mechanic." I was raised hunting and shooting and the knowledge paid-off! Some time I will write about shootig the cannon and mortars every night to signla close of park. Now THAT was fun! There are probably a lot of little orange fruit juice sippers still in the woods beyond the church and just short of TableRock Lake! (enuff said!!!)
Ozarkdrb
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on February 04, 2011, 07:00:00 PM: Ozarkdrb, you will have to post a photo of yourself "back in the day" so I can figure out who you are! It's possible we worked together directly or indirectly. Most of my time was spent at the diving bell, but I moonlighted elsewhere on park when needed. Check out my Flickr site under the FLASHBACK series under park history and you may figure out pretty quickly who I am. Lots of photos and other items from my personel files of my time on park are posted.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Gary Clarkson on August 24, 2011, 06:56:57 AM: You are wrong about people not being able to ride their horse into Gary's shoein shed and git their horses shod. People did it all the time, from 1976 to 1984.Gary shod anybody's horse for anybody that wanted a horse shod. he shod horses for 5 bucks a head, the cost of his materials only.. Ask anybody who knowed anything about the mules and horses at SDC, they will tell you the truth. Gary even shod one of Wayne Newton's bronc Arabian Horses at his shoein shed. He made horsehoes like Shad Heller did too. Gary starred in a horseshoein film by Encyclopedia Britannicia, shot at at Shad's blacksmith shop. He shod the Mules of SDC with rubber horseshoes so they would not slip on slick city hillside streets. Freckles Brown, world champion cowboy visited his shop and watched him work. Gary played the Marshall in the Burl Ives America TV Special about Rube Dugan's Diving Bell. Gary also played in the IMAX movie, Ozarks,Legacy & Legends movie shot at SDC and other local locations.Gary first started working at SDC in 1959, one year before the park even opened. Gary also was one of the pioneer leading actors in the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Pagaent. He pioneered the legendary role of mean Wash Gibbs, the leader of the Baldknobbers.Gary is also known as the Walking Ambassador of the Ozarks. He walked across the state of Missouri to advertise Branson Plum Nellie Days. Gary is a true blue Ozarks Native Born,well educated Famous Ozark Mountain Hillbilly.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on August 24, 2011, 09:52:18 AM: Welcome to the site Gary!
You do seem to know a lot about the former farrier from SDC! I see your username, is there any relation? I was too young to remember seeing Gary (Clarkson) but I have seen the Burl Ives film, as well as I have some photos from the late 70's/ early 80's of Gary at work.

Here is another article that mentions Gary written by Pat Talburt the former director of merchandising at Silver Dollar City: http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/v34/n3/w95d.html (http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/v34/n3/w95d.html)
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior on August 24, 2011, 03:08:54 PM: Hey there...you DO KNOW A LOT ABOUT GARY! I didn't know he was the sheriff in the Burl Ives' America show, either! Thanks for the info. And if you are a former SDC "citizen" or a relative of Gary, or Gary himself...you have got to take an active part on this Website as your knowledge for the old days at the park is very welcome here!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: sanddunerider on August 25, 2011, 07:36:08 AM: Yes, welcome Gary!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Zephon on August 29, 2011, 11:02:38 PM: I worked with Gary quite often. A great guy. He only had one speed...full.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: rubedugans on August 30, 2011, 12:10:47 PM: I like that!
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Mrs. Gumper on September 28, 2012, 11:05:59 PM: The reason the characters are doubled is because, the Hatfield Haint Show in the Meeting Hall had some of the same characters as the street troupe. We were all on main street for the closing show.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Mrs. Gumper on September 28, 2012, 11:11:59 PM: Quote from: Zephon on January 08, 2011, 06:07:27 PM
Let's see, that would be-----

Jae McFerron.......as Zeke
Patsy Lane..........as Sarie Ellen
Bonnie Borden......as Ma Hatfield
Jana Henleben......as Ma Hatfield
Elmer Wallace.......as Pa Hatfield
Jeff Kimes............as Zeke
Wayne Milnes.......as Pa McCoy (foreground)

Not sure why the characters were doubled up that day. The shot is in front of the old Oak Ridge Grill which sat out in front of the west end of the General Store/WagonWorks area.

The reason the characters are doubled is because, the Hatfield Haint Show in the Meeting Hall had some of the same characters as the street troupe. We were all on main street for the closing show.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Zephon on October 05, 2012, 11:01:25 PM: Ah...yes! That would be correct. I forgot about that.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Gary Clarkson on July 17, 2015, 09:40:51 AM: Quote from: Gary Clarkson on August 24, 2011, 06:56:57 AM
You are wrong about people not being able to ride their horse into Gary's shoein shed and git their horses shod. People did it all the time, from 1976 to 1984.Gary shod anybody's horse for anybody that wanted a horse shod. he shod horses for 5 bucks a head, the cost of his materials only.. Ask anybody who knowed anything about the mules and horses at SDC, they will tell you the truth. Gary even shod one of Wayne Newton's bronc Arabian Horses at his shoein shed. He made horsehoes like Shad Heller did too. Gary starred in a horseshoein film by Encyclopedia Britannicia, shot at at Shad's blacksmith shop. He shod the Mules of SDC with rubber horseshoes so they would not slip on slick city hillside streets. Freckles Brown, world champion cowboy visited his shop and watched him work. Gary played the Marshall in the Burl Ives America TV Special about Rube Dugan's Diving Bell. Gary also played in the IMAX movie, Ozarks,Legacy & Legends movie shot at SDC and other local locations.Gary first started working at SDC in 1959, one year before the park even opened. Gary also was one of the pioneer leading actors in the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Pagaent. He pioneered the legendary role of mean Wash Gibbs, the leader of the Baldknobbers.Gary is also known as the Walking Ambassador of the Ozarks. He walked across the state of Missouri to advertise Branson Plum Nellie Days. Gary is a true blue Ozarks Native Born,well educated Famous Ozark Mountain Hillbilly.
Title: Re: SDC "Citizens" of the past...and present!
Post by: Junior, too! on July 17, 2015, 06:14:54 PM: I remember you, Gary. I was one of the Dugan boys at the diving bell. Thanks for visiting the forums.