Wilderness in the Ozarks

A $250 million development is underway in Hollister, anchored by the Wilderness in the Ozarks Resort with an indoor/outdoor water park and whole-ownership condominiums.

The development set to open next spring is on the southeast corner of the U.S. 65 interchange in Hollister, adjacent to the planned east-west corridor linking the highway to Eastern Taney County.

"Hollister will go from being a bedroom community to a tourism destination," said Gorden Weathers, spokesman for the Hollister Chamber of Commerce.

Developers of the project are brothers Justin and James Gage of the Hollister Interchange Development Group. Partnering with the Gages is Jerry Crumpler, a former NFL star with the Dallas Cowboys. Crumpler is a developer and investor with more than five million square feet of commercial space in Southern California, Malibu and Ventura County. This is his first Southwest Missouri project.

Wilderness in the Ozarks Resort includes four acres of outdoor water park and a 75,000-square-foot indoor water park with rides including SurfRider and Tornado plus a Wave Pool, four family tubes rides and more. The indoor park will be covered with a special "foil-tec" roof, making guests feel like they’re outdoors. Tanning is possible. More than 400 condominiums will adjoin the water park. The water park is part of 120 acres known as The District. It is the site for a 7,500-seat entertainment center. Also planned is Whiskey Creek Steakhouse, Wyndham Garden Hotel, Cold Stone Creamery, Cody's Convenience Store, Walgreens, a multiplex cinema/bowling center, Wendy's, Arby's and Holiday Inn Express.

Gage also is building 240 apartments behind Lowe's for workforce housing for the 1,000 jobs that will be created by the development, Justin Gage said.

Pete and Pat Helland and Tom and Tim Lucke, founders of Wilderness Resorts, based in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., will operate the project, said Pete Helland.

Wisconsin Dells, with three million visitors a year, has 10 water parks operating year-round. The Branson area has similarities including its target market, the beautiful scenery and the volume of tourists, Helland said.

Built 10 years ago, Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells is a 900-acre resort complex with the equivalent of 12 football fields of indoor and outdoor water parks. A second will open soon in Sevierville, Tenn., near Pigeon Forge.

The Killian Group will build the project, aiming for completion in 10 months, said Bill Killian, who arrived at the groundbreaking in a sleek, black helicopter.

Community Awards Presented

Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB Announces 2007 Community Award Recipients



Branson, MO – The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the recipients of the 2007 community awards—including one new annual award—at the Chamber's 61st annual Black Tie Celebration, at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, MO.

The evening's events were sponsored by Branson.com, Branson Tourism Center, Golden Corral, Hawthorn Bank, Pickett Ray & Silver, Inc., Skaggs Community Health Center, St. John's Clinic Branson, and Titanic - Branson at the Ruby level. Sapphire level sponsors included Akers & Arney, BOTT Radio Network, CenturyTel, Connell Insurance, Inc., Empire District Electric, Hiltons of Branson - Branson Convention Center, Liberty Bank, Silver Dollar City, and Whisper Cove at the Sapphire level. The Emerald level sponsor was BKD, LLP. The Black Tie Celebration serves as an opportunity to recognize outstanding members of the Branson/Lakes Area community. The awards presented at the 2008 event were:

The Mary Award, named in honor of Mary Herschend and Mary Trimble, the first recipients, was presented to Dr. Charles Spears for his many years of service to the Branson community. The physician began his Branson practice in the early 60's with an open-door policy and a warm heart for many patients without insurance or the ability to pay for services. He has been instrumental in seeking "state of the art" medical care for the Branson/Lakes Area.



The Pioneer Award, recognizing outstanding service to the community in the past, was given to Mark Trimble, past owner of major tourist attractions including Shepherd of the Hills and Fantastic Caverns. Trimble was instrumental—working with Peter Herschend and Pat Jones—in the creative marketing effort during the national gas shortage of the 1970's that led to the creation of the Ozark Marketing Council.



The Ambassador Award acknowledging an individual who has brought attention to the Branson/Lakes community was presented to Jim and Sue Alkire of America's Best Campground for the promotion of Branson in RV/camping trade shows and rallies. They have won the "Welcome Mat Award" from the Good Sam Club for being the most RV-friendly Good Sam Park in the U.S. and Canada for five consecutive years.



The Beautification Award honoring individuals or organizations that enhance the appearance of the community was awarded to God & Country Gardens. Dick and Dawn Easton converted a former go-cart track into a beautifully landscaped area that makes a positive impact on visitors just beginning their trek down Missouri 76. The property also boasts an enormous U.S. flag that can be seen from around the community.



The Community Spirit Award sponsored by Myer Hotels recognizes 'above and beyond' efforts to benefit the Branson community. It was presented to Tim Connell of Connell Insurance for his generous attention to the employees of Tantone Industries, Taney County's sheltered workshop. Connell has provided and served Thanksgiving and Christmas luncheons to the staff for several years. He has provided special touches that include Santa hats, and disposable cameras to record the occasion.



The Care for Kids Award is a new annual award sponsored by the Silver Dollar City Foundation to recognize a person, business or organization providing outstanding leadership and service on behalf of kids in our community. The first recipient was Mary Pierce, a site supervisor at Hollister Schools for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Pierce is an outstanding role model to young people at the school, and spends much of her spare time supporting school activities, and personally impacting the lives of countless young people in need of guidance and support.

Branson is "Top Pick" for Family Reunions!

The family-friendly vacation destination Branson, Missouri has recently been honored as a "Top Pick" among lakeside spots by Midwest Living in the recent article 24 Best Family Reunion Spots. Midwest Living is a popular bimonthly publication that provides 3.8 million readers with trusted information on topics such as home, family, travel, and food.

The article in the March/April issue addresses the "growing trend" (more than a third of us will travel for family reunions in 2008) of family travel. The idea to publish a travel article focused solely on family reunions spurred directly from readers' interests, which came to Midwest Living in the form of questions much different from traditional travel inquiries, according to Senior Travel Editor Barbara Morrow. "People want to reconnect . . . and travel with their families," she says.

Branson was visited by Midwest Living last June, and scored an outstanding 5 out of 5 stars in 3 factors rating appeal, lodging choices, and planning help. Branson's 3-star rating in the location factor was also the top rating given among lakeside spots. These ratings earned Branson the "Top Pick" for the lakeside spots category. Four Branson lodging facilities received top honors, and Table Rock Lake, Silver Dollar City, Thousand Hills Resort, and the Branson Chamber of Commerce were mentioned as key aspects of Branson's award-winning experience.

Branson Retail Sales Record

The City of Branson record books have added another zero to their figures as Branson's total retail sales for a 12-month period has topped the $1 billion mark for the first time in the city's history.



With final numbers coming in from the Missouri Department of Revenue, figures show that as of November 2007, retail sales inside the Branson city limits for the preceding 12 months totaled $1.003 billion, a new record for the city. The added contributions of the Branson Landing and the Branson Hills Parkway developments that opened in 2006 have given a boost to the growth of retail sales.



"It's incredible that a city with a population of around 7,000 people can produce $1 billion in retail sales in a single year," according to Ross Summers, President/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The Branson business community has done a wonderful job providing the diversity of experiences, the variety of shops, world-class entertainment, and recreation that visitors like to spend their money on. Branson has become a part of Missouri's profile; people know the Cardinals, the Arch, and they know Branson."

A Glimpse of Branson's Hidden Talent

Branson has many claims to fame. Pick any one of our live entertainers, our award winning shopping malls, pristine lakes, or amusement parks for example. One claim to fame that has yet to break into the headlines is that Branson is home to one of the most amazing bathrooms in the world! Inside the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre you can find the winner of the "Golden Plunger" reader's choice award. The women's bathroom is beautiful, with live botanical masterpieces, and the men's room is no less awe-striking, including a pool table and a marble fireplace.


To see more, check out The Bathroom Diaries website: http://www.thebathroomdiaries.com/GoldenPlungers.html