Shepherd of the Hills Gazette | July/August 2009

Papouli’s is a bit “out of theway” but it should be “on yourway” for a unique dining expe-

rience. Papouli’s, in Reeds Spring, is alocal favorite; I had dinner recently withmy friends Lisa and Louanne. It wasn’tbusy when we arrived, but soon Bessiewas busy greeting, taking orders.

Bessie and Tom Haldoupis openedPapouli’s in 1986. Bessie is from

Corinth, Greece;Tom is from Plaka,close to Athens.Bessie says thedelectable Greek

entrees are recipes from mothers,grandmothers, their Greek family!

Saganaki is a favorite appetizer:goat cheese doused with brandy thenflamed. Gives the cheese an amazingflavor and texture! More people arrived,everyone smiling; most get a hug. “Wehave a regular clientele.” She greetedan elderly couple with a smiling, “Hi,kids, how are you tonight?”

Papouli’s is on Hwy. 248 near ReedsSpring. (Take Hwy. 248 west off Hwy. 13about four miles north of BransonWest.) It’s a quiet stretch of two-laneroad, with a few houses and old farms.Papouli’s main seating area has a largewindow across the back wall, with a funview of a fountain, birdhouses, old gar-den things … and license plates.Dozens!

I asked Bessie about them. Shelaughed, “We put up that fence to en-

close the area, hide some of the brushbehind it.” As part of the stuff, someonehung up a couple of old license plates.Soon customers began supplying more.“They would eat here, go home andsend us license plates.” From Australia.From Aruba, the Cayman Islands, aKansas plate that reads “GREEK”. FromNebraska: TB RK LK for Table RockLake!

The phone rings; Bessie picks it up,“Oh, hello, how are you, darling? 6:45,good see you then.” More friends com-ing to dinner.

The food is delicious; decidingwhat to have is tough. Souvlaki? (ShishKabob.) Maybe Dolmades, stuffedgrape leaves. The Gyros Dinner is al-ways delicious; so is the Mousaka. TheGreek Combination Plate is a favorite. Ialmost always have eggplant but Lisasuggested the Catfish ala Tom: it waswonderful! This was Louanne’s firsttime there; Lisa and I always see peo-ple we know.

There are American entrees too, in-cluding Prime Rib, New York Strip, FiletMignon … even Cashew Chicken. (AnOzarks original!)

Dessert is a tricky choice betweenTiramisu, Gourmet Turtle Cheesecake,Mountain Berry Cream Flan, Baklava,Galactroboureko … spell check lovesthat one!

Enjoy a dining experience at Pa-pouli’s and tell ‘em Lisa and Linda sentyou! (Spare license plate not required.)

THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS GAZETTEPAGE 2 JULY/AUGUST 2009

ByLinda Burlingame

Out of the ordinary restaurant...out of the way location

THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS GAZETTE PAGE 3JULY/AUGUST 2009

I’m not what you’d call anautomobile aficionado —the only cars I can identify

for sure are the 1950’s Chevy’s!But like everyone, I’m dazzledby cars gleaming beneath thelights and charmed by the

memoriesthey elicit.

At thenew Bran-s o n

Auto Museum, which occu-pies the Engler Block, onemile west of Hwy. 65, thereare more than 100 rare, un-usual, and celebrity auto-mobiles: some of them forsale! There’s a wide varietyof cars, from the 1920’s intothe 21st Century.

Come along on the tour;I made some notes … a beau-tiful 1954 Chevrolet CorvetteRoadster, vroom, vroom! A1948 Packard Super 8 Con-vertible Victoria, and for achange of pace, the 1969

Dodge Charger “General Lee”from Dukes of Hazard! Aroundthe corner was one of the mostgorgeous cars I’ve ever seen:1932 Ford High-Boy Roadster inLapis Blue, what a fantasticcolor! (I know what the guys arethinking now ….)

There are pickups, too, likethe 1950 GMC 3/4 Ton Flatbedthat has the original bed

with replacement wood. Thereare pretty hot rods, too, and allthe vehicles have informationplaques with good descriptions.There are old gas stationsigns and memorabilia, aswell as great automobilequotes from famous peo-ple. (Sharon Stone has todrive with her knees; how

else couldshe applyher mas-cara?)

Here’s the Old Toys Shop. Ihad a nice visit with Beverly;she says they’ve been collectingtoy cars, trucks, trains, cranes,

etc., for 35

y e a r s .Most ofthe toysare origi-n a l s ;there aresome re-p roduc -tion pedal

cars. A lot of Buddy L toys — agreat story there!

The 1940 Lincoln ZephyrCoupe has 24K gold trim on theinterior, around the clock,

speedometer, etc. Glisten-ing dashboard! Al Capone’s1936 4-door Packard: itwas discovered in an oldbarn!

The Gift Shop is fun, fullof auto-related items — lovethe “Pretty in Pink” pedalcar! Joe’s Rod Shop special-izes in hot rod parts and ac-cessories. AND they can builda hot rod or restore yours.

Most of us have many“auto” memories, whether it

was our first car or a favorite carour grandparents had. (Mygranddad was a Cadillac dealerin the late 40’s and 50’s. I wishI had pictures of some of hiscars!) Branson Auto Museum isa place to share some memo-ries … and make some newones!

ByLinda Burlingame

New Branson Auto Museum: Fun for the whole family!

Wow, how cool would it be toride a true show horse usedby the cast of The Shep-

herd of the Hills Drama? Well now isyour chance. The good folks at TheShepherd of the Hills Homestead havehorseback riding, and they use the

horses that star inthe nightly show.

Now this is notyour everydayhorseback ride.

T h e

ride takes you on a 30 minute journeythrough the hills that the Baldknobbersuse to run. I don’t know about you, butthat sounds like something that shouldbe a must-do on vacation. It is kindalike going to New England for vacation,once you are there wouldn’t you wantto see the crab fisherman?Well coming to the Ozarks most

would want to see and hear about ourhistory that so many have read aboutfor many years. The very reason most

book a trip to thesehere Ozark Moun-tains. this is one wayto fill the dream ofriding through ourhistory, as you aresurrounded by themajestic OzarkMountains and it’s

beautiful forest.Do you remember reading the book

The Shepherd of the Hills, and hearingabout “the trail that is nobody knowshow old”? Well your not going to get anycloser thannow while thewranglers as-sist you onyour horse-back journeythrough ourOzark history.You will ridealong thattrail, amongothers.

So as youstart to fillyour vacationitinerary for

Branson this year, be sure to add sometrue Ozark history to your trip and stopby to say hi to the professional wran-glers that are waiting to make your va-cation, a memory worth keeping.


The Shepherd of the Hills Historical SocietyPublisher

SHARENA NAUGHEREditor

PAT SNADONContributing Editor

JAPHETH CAMPBELLOnline Director

JEN SHEPPARDLayout & Design Manager

LINDA BURLINGAMEBRYAN SHEPPARD

KURT MOOREAdvertising Executives

PAULA LIVELYDistribution

SHANE NAUGHERTechnical Director

The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette is published five times per year and is distributed free of charge at state and regionaloutlets or by mail at an annual subscription rate of $10.00 for five issues. If you have any problems with your paper de-livery, please call 417-332-1099 or write us at 118 State Drive, Hollister, Missouri 65672. The Shepherd of the HillsGazette reserves the right to edit or delete any and/or all objectional wording or decline any advertisements.

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Subscribe to the Gazette and keep up onthe fun in Branson - even from home!Did you know you can subscribe to theGazette? You’ll receive each issue athome - what better way to stay in touchwith Branson until you can visit us again?Plus - you’ll receive special offers &coupons throughout the year!

ByBryan Sheppard

Ride the trails of Branson’s history

SSSC09

Photo courtesyof Kevin Whittington


Once upon a time and long, long ago, DwightEisenhower had just taken an oath for his sec-ond term in office and Andrei Gromyko was the

foreign minister of the Soviet Union. Elvis was televisedfor the third and last time on the Ed Sullivan Show. Hewas shown only from the waist up as he sang "Peace in

the Valley." His song "JailhouseRock" was number one that yearalong with Paul Anka's, "Diana,"Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls ofFire" and "At the Hop" with Danny

and the Juniors. That year American Bandstand debutedwith Dick Clark as it's never-aging host. Bandstand's firstguest was Billy Williams and the Chordettes and the veryfirst song played was "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin' On" byJerry Lee Lewis.

As a side note: B.B. King was the only artist, who per-formed on Bandstand, who did not lip-sync his music.Now you know.

Dr. Suess published "The Cat in the Hat." Ford Mo-tors introduced the Edsel, calling it E-Day. Sputnik 1,began orbiting the earth as the world's first artificialsatellite. VannaWhite was born that year with letter turn-ing in her future. That was also the year we lost LauraIngalls Wilder and Humphrey Bogart—we were muchpoorer for it. Sears was still selling homes from their cat-

alog and John Cameron Swazye had his 15 minutenews cast each evening—the year was 1957.

We were through with the SecondWorld War andwere fresh out of the Korean conflict. We were ridingon a high of life that was reflected in our big love af-fair—the great American automobile.

Tail fins, chrome, suicide wheels and ragtops ruled.Every two years the auto factories would put out a dras-tically changed model and every man in America wouldgo to the dealer showrooms in September to check outthe latest models. We had to breathe in the smell of thenew car. It was a heady thing and our senses went wildallowing our imaginations to shift into overdrive.

You can take a spin back to 1957 at the Dick ClarkAmerican Bandstand Theatre when you visit GlenPatch’s pristine collection of 1957 cars in 57 Heaven.

There are, more or less, 64 different models of cars,trucks and yes, even a firetruck all American made andall manufactured in 1957—hence the name, “57Heaven.”

I lived through the 50’s and thought I knew pretty wellwhat cars were made back then, I was wrong. There area few models I had not known of and a couple I hadnever heard of. This trip through nostalgia will delightand may, as in my case, surprise you.

We loved Uncle Miltie, Lucy, Arthur Godfrey, Steve

Allenand Jackie Gleason.

We trusted our car to the man whowore the Texaco star and Diana Shore asked us to

see the USA in our Chevrolet. TV Land, black and whiteas it was, (color TV experiments began in 1958), kept re-inforcing our love affair with chrome, steel, nifty seat cov-ers, fuzzy dice and tail fins.

Ah yes, 1957 was quite a year and you will see a por-tion of it in 57 Heaven with the sets and props sur-rounding the cars. For those of you who have never beento a drive-in movie, there is one there playing just for you.

Slick down that ducktail, roll those jeans up, grabyour gal and cruise down to 57 Heaven. It is named thatway for a very good reason

ByKurt Moore

Oh, Oh Daddy-0, 57 Heaven

In 1959 four Mabe brothers callingthemselves The Baldknobbersbegan entertaining visitors to

Branson, on the Taneycomo lakefront.They called their show The Baldknob-

bers Jamboree.The audience wasmostly fishermenand their families.There were fifty

folding chairs, and if the Mabe wivessold twelve tickets, there would be ashow!

Fifty years and four generationslater, The Baldknobbers are still enter-taining audiences with country musicand their own distinctive brand of hill-billy humor. Today their theater on Hwy.76 is state-of-the-art and seats 1500people!

I was there recently at their 50thAnniversary Celebration … everybodywas there! Our Mayor Raeanne Presley,Senator Jack Goodman, RepresentativeDennis Woods and many more digni-

taries with greetings and recognitionsfor the Baldknobbers’ contribution toBranson entertainment. Then the Bald-knobbers outdid themselves with abeautiful show! It’s all new for 2009, in-cluding gorgeous new costumes and,as always, a great selection of old and

new country music, great gospel music,and uproarious comedy.

Stub Meadows, Droopy Drawers, Jr.,and Hargus Marcel will have you institches. Bob Leftridge is the perfectstraight man! The Baldknobbers brandof comedy touches something in every-

one and has the unique ability to letpeople laugh at just about anything.People will laugh when a hillbilly talksabout subjects that in other situationsmight be “out of bounds.” Boogers andbathroom humor have mom andgrandma chuckling, with sidelongglances; dad and the kids are laughingout loud!

While the band doesn’t have wash-tubs or a jawbone anymore, The Bald-knobbers adhere faithfully to the verybeginnings of music in Branson. Sec-ond- and third-generations of Mabesand a cast of 19 singers, musiciansand comedians give enthusiastic audi-ences a high-energy, fast-paced show."I believe our best quality is that we en-tertain everyone from the age of 2 to92," says Tim Mabe, producer and co-median Droopy Drawers Jr.

There are families who have beentraveling to Branson to see the Bald-

______________See Baldknobbers, Page 21


ByLinda Burlingame

Baldknobbers Jamboree celebrates 50 years


Remember when you wereyounger sitting on the floor infront of the console TV watch-

ing Hee Haw and Roy Rogerswith your parents? I know I doand boy did the memories ever

come backwhile watch-ing the Sonsof the Pio-

neers perform at the Shepherdof the Hills Pavilion. What a won-derful way to spend an evening.

The dinner bell rings at 4:15and make sure you are hungry.You will be served a chuckwagondinner with a selection of drinks in-cluding cowboy coffee. As you’re fin-ishing up your grub from dinner, the

chuckwagon chef takes center stage,bringing with him his son and daughter.While the chef, Travis, is a cowboy poet

and storyteller, his son tells the story ofJohnny, Mary’s (who had a little lamb)brother. Ever hear a nine-year-old

yodel? Cheyenne sings about “being acowboy’s sweetheart” and does amighty fine job if you ask me. Before

the show starts you will be introducedto the cook of the marvelous dinneryou are served when the dinner bell

rings at 4:15, and he will entertain youwith cowboy poetry and a story aboutRindercelly that will keep you in

stitches.The Sons of the Pioneers,

dubbed national treasures,have been performing onstage since 1934. Seventy-five wonderful years inspiringnot only cowboys but also theones that have a cowboyheart. Over the years, theSons of the Pioneers hasbeen made up of 33 mem-bers to carry on the traditionsand the music. The Sons

have composed more than 3,000______________

See Sons of the Pioneers, Page 21

ByBryan Sheppard

Classic Western songs bring era to life


Knife making is not a new art. Itis a very old art having startedin the Paleolithic age as

men chipped hardened rocks, suchas obsidian and flint to make their

tools. A knife isdefined assomething likea tool, used tocut. It does not

necessarily have to have a handle tobe defined as a knife.

Over a period of a few thousandyears, stone, wood and bone bladeswere gradually phased out for newlyinvented metals like copper, iron,bronze and later on, steel. The firstknives were double-edged like the firststone knives and later in Europe; thefirst single edged knives hit the market.

Now knives are produced usingsteel, carbon steel, carbon fiberand ceramics with the latest twist

being titanium.Gary Mulkey is a master knife

maker having set up shop at the Shep-

herd of the Hills, just inside the maingate. Gary has been making knives forover 40 years starting as an apprenticeblacksmith.

Gary, like all young smiths, couldnot resist taking an old worn out file

and making a knife from it. The differ-ence between Gary and many otheryoung smiths, Gary kept making knives

and had a passion for what he wasdoing.

In 1997 Gary wentinto the knife makingbusiness full time.Throughout the lastcouple of decades in-terest has steadily in-creased in knives forcollectors, huntersand all sportsmen,and to be fair, sports-women.

Gary has kept upwith the changes and fash-ions his knives from thehighest quality carbon steelwhile fashioning decorativehandles from stag, bone, fossil bone,new ivory, fossil ivory, mother-of-pearl

and many types of exotic woods.Knife making is an art and a very

precise art. If you have not seen knivesbeing made the real way, stop by Shep-herd of the Hills and visit Gary. What he

does is fasci-nating towatch.

Gary’s shopis located justinside themain Shep-herd of theHills gate inthe originalLizzy McDanielHouse, re-a s s e m b l e dthere in 1934.That house isthe main ticket

office and Gary can be found as you goaround the side of the building.

ByKurt Moore

Mulkey keeps art of knife-making alive


Jana King, a friend of mine inBranson, does many nationalcommercials one of them being

for an insurance company. Toparaphrase one of her betterknown lines, "Like a goodneighbor, Keith Allen is there."

Keith Allen is a good neigh-bor to allwho knowhim andto manywho have

never heard his name. Keithand his wife Paula are geo-graphical neighbors to thepeople in and around theOzarks. But they are specialneighbors who are always will-ing to help, lend a hand orsponsor a cause.

When I visited Keith andPaula at their beautiful, spacious homenestled in the Ozark woods close to thelake, Keith was tilling a neighbor's gar-den for him. Just like Keith.

Much more importantly, are thehundreds and thousands of peopleKeith has helped, through-

out the twenty or so yearshe has been in the area,who have not a clue whoKeith Allen or Paula Allen

are. They have helped whenever it wasasked and many times not knowing

what theywere let-t i n gt h e m -selves infor.

M o s tk n o wK e i t hAllen asan enter-tainer. Hep e r -f o r m e dfor ad e c a d eand ahalf atS i l v e rD o l l a rCity thenmoved onto be withA n i t a

Bryant, Tony Melendez, the BransonBelle and a couple of years at the RoyRogers Theatre. In other words Keithhas been around. He is now in his sec-ond year with his own show at the Bran-son Star Theatre. His show is calledRedneckers, and it suits Keith to theproverbial tee. I don’t know whether tosay Keith is Redneckers or Redneckersis Keith. I personally believe they are in-terchangeable.

Trailer for sale or rent—dum, dum—rooms to let, fifty cents. Rememberthose famous lyrics by Roger Miller?When was the last time you heard thatsong played on the radio? Long timeago, I bet. Keith Allen, as Redneckers,brings back to life the songs, lovedones and people of our past and indoing so re-kindles emotions and im-ages that were buried in the back re-cesses of our minds oh, so many yearsago.

Jeff Foxworthy claims a redneck is a______________

See Keith Allen, Page 19

ByKurt Moore

A man for all reasons: Keith Allen


For the past several years, car enthusiastsfrom all over the country have converged onBranson every August to

share in what has become themost popular weekendevent of the summer.That‘s right, its finallytime for Super SummerCruise 2009!

This year marks the 11thanniversary for Super SummerCruise. Classic car and truck own-ers and fans will gather for three fantas-tic days at the Shepherd of the Hills historichomestead, beginning Thursday, Aug. 6, that will in-clude exciting guests, competition, fireworks and

the much anticipated Midnight Cruise.More than 500 diverse classic cars will be ondisplay from states as far as Maine and Cali-

fornia for Show N Shine, a competitionand public viewing event that willtake place each day at the home-stead from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On displaywill be hot rods, street rods, customs,antiques and even LMRA race cars.Judging of the vehicles will take place all

three days for two titles: People’s Choiceand Best in Show. Visitors are strongly encouragedand will be allowed to vote for the car they think

should win. A Best of Show presentation will takeplace Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Pavilion Theater

Vendors of many sorts will be present at the

homestead, dealing in automotive parts, shirts,memorabilia and great food, just to name a few.

To top it all off, the huge event will be concludedSaturday night with the fan favorite, MidnightCruise. Every year, the entries from Show N Shineare paraded with a new parade route announcedthis year. At midnight, cars will begin rolling out ofthe old Celebration City parking lot located on Hwy.376 and will continue onto Shepherd of the Hills Ex-pressway until finishing at Roark Valley Road.

Car fans, expected to exceed 120,000 in num-ber, will line every inch of the parade route to seeclassics of nearly every year, make and model in topform. Masterpieces from yesteryear unite with cus-

______________See Rolling in, Page 11

Cars come rolling into town


tom hotrods in a parade spectacu-lar that will get your blood pumping.

Bringing up the rear of the pa-rade will be Western Taney CountyFire District’s very own antique1955 Ford fire truck. Bring yourlawn chair and pick your spot earlybecause they will fill quickly.

With three fun-packed days andnights scheduled, summer fun is a“no-brainer” with Super SummerCruise! Gather your family and car-loving friends for a car weekend likeno other. You are guaranteed to betalking about this weekend for manymonths to come.

For more information call 800-653-6288 or visit www.supersum-mercruise.com. See the back pageof this publication for a paraderoute map.

Rolling in ...Continued from Page 10

THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS GAZETTEPAGE 12 PAGE 13THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS GAZETTE


Bambi VanBurch recently won Female Magicianof the Decade from the International MagiciansSociety. It was presented to her at the opening

of her new show at Music City Centre by Branson MayorRaeanne Presley, who declared June 8 Bambi VanBurchDay. Both Bambi and Kirby have won Merlin

awards; Bambi is theonly woman to win aMerlin two years in arow.

Kirby was present that night as Bambiamazed andmesmerized the audience withillusions, one of which Kirby gave her — theWeb cam interaction is fun on this one! I es-pecially loved her Choo-Choo-Cha Boogienumber and the fashion design segment, afun “little number” starring three designerdresses!

Amacawwows the audience in the Rain-forest and everyone laughs with “Fred, thedeath-defying duck!” Bambi has a charmingstage presence and keeps the audience en-thralled. It must take a bit of magic, too, forher to do her afternoon show at Music CityCentre as well as the evening show she and

Kirby have at their Kirby VanBurch Theatre.Along with their magnificent Royal White Bengal

Tigers, menagerie of other big cats, and human assis-tants, they have a spectacular show. Whether workingwith the cats (now you see one, now you see Bambi!) or

cutting assistants in half (putting them back togetherwearing different colored costumes!) or changing the col-ors of the Sands of the Nile (an illusion that is 3000 yearsold) using water from the Nile … or Lake Taneycomo …they have perfect presentation and timing.

I’ve known Kirby since he came to Branson15 years ago. I used to plead to know just one lit-tle secret. He said if he told me, he’d have tomakeme disappear, which he did once. I’m con-tent now simply to be astounded. The sets areincredible, everything expertly crafted and flaw-lessly presented, including a helicopter.

Bambi and Kirby married in 2002. She’s atalented, very poised lady; she also dances inthe show ... when she’s not appearing or disap-pearing! Kirby has a charismatic presence, withhis mischievous little grin that says, “you’re notgonna believe this!” Bambi does a mind-bog-gling routine as “Madame Shiboleski”; she’sblindfolded and identifies objects Kirby getsfrom the audience. Kirby’s funny at this, “Wow,only four bucks in your wallet?”

Two great entertainers, two great shows …some call it illusion. Some of us call it magic.

ByLinda Burlingame

Kirby & Bambi VanBurch: An award-winning duo


Let’s for a moment go back to ablack and white world that wassimpler, quieter but full of hot

cars, soda shops, rolled up jeansand poodle skirts. Let’s go back toan era that we would all like to re-

turn to for atleast a day.

Well guysand gals, you

can go back if only for an hour ortwo at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner in theGrand Village Shopping Center, justacross the street west from theGrand Palace. Mel’s Hard LuckDiner is home to Branson’s originalsinging servers.

Talk about fun and excitement—WOW—with two capital W’s! What atreat to have waiters and wait-resses sing for you while you’re eat-ing and boy, do they ever put on ashow and that show is just for you.It is the most personal and up closeshow in Branson. The personsinging may be standing beside you

or, if you are really lucky, sitting in yourbooth with you.

As Jackie Gleason said during that

era, “How sweet it is.”It has always been my contention

more talent is outside the theaters in

Branson than performing on stage.Mel’s Hard Luck Diner is proof of what Isay.

Mel’s Diner is in re-ality a stage for theseguys and gals who singtheir hearts out for you.Most could have anysinging career they de-sire, but they have cho-sen to perform at thediner instead. I know ofsome of the singerswho have been there adecade or longer.

Talk about talent…Acouple of the regularsingers have placed onAmerican Idol and an-other is a chartedgospel singer. How’sthat for talent? Whoops,

______________See DinerPage 19

ByKurt Moore

Wake Up Little Suzy, We’re at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner


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• A giraffe’s tongue is 20 inches long and they are unable to cough.• Butterflies taste with their feet.• In 1967, the IMAX film system was invented by Canadian Ivan Grame Ferguson to premierat Expo 67.• Approximately 40% of the U.S. paper currency in circulation was counterfeit by the end ofthe Civil War.• The first TONKA truck was made in 1947.• Serving ice cream on cherry pie was once illegal in Kansas.• Not all polar bears hibernate; only pregnant females polar bears do.

Maze Time

How many clocks can you find?

Cruisinʼ the Night

I forgot to mention there is one gal therewho is trained in opera—talk about avoice!

Now, let’s mention the reason you’rethere—the food. Mel’s has a menu that willsuit every taste. My personal favorite anytime of the year is their signature HardLuck Burger. Not a better one in town andthe fries are just right. Wait till you try theonion rings, they are clear outta sight.They also have an old-fashioned sodafountain complete with neon above and ajukebox that will send you into nostalgiacity.

By the way, the Mel in Mel’s Diner isnot fictional. The namesake is the owner,Mel Bilbo. Mel and his wife Liz have beenassociated with theme parks and enter-tainment since he was 19. I am not going

to tell you how old he is now but will tellyou he does have a lot of years experiencecreating enjoyment that people flock to-ward.

The entire place is a treat for your eyeswith memorabilia surrounding you onevery wall. Mickey Gilley, Mel, Patsy Cline,Dolly, Hank and just about everyone whohas made it in the business is displayedfor your enjoyment.

For a lunch treat or dinner before theshow, Mel’s Hard Luck Diner is the hotspot in town. You will probably have morefun there now than you ever did as ateenager. What do you have to lose?Cruise on down and go for it.

That night as you go to bed, you mayhear, good night John Boy. Good night Erinand good night to you, our valued reader.

Diner ... Continued from Page 16person with a glorious lack of so-phistication and goes further to saywe are all guilty of it at one time oranother. To that, I say “Amen.”

Keith Allen, in his show is cer-tainly not sophisticated. To the de-light of Jeff Foxworthy and hisaudiences, he tells tales of timesgone by with the simplicity of a childand that makes it all the more un-derstandable and enjoyable.

Redneckers takes us back to aslower, simpler, black and white erawhen honesty, morals, integrity,God, mom, country and flag tookthe high ground.

Keith, as Redneckers not onlyexpresses this belief, but much

more importantly, he and Paulagenuinely live that life.

So I don’t know if Keith Allen isRedneckers or Redneckers is KeithAllen. The dividing line becomes in-visible. It really doesn’t matter be-cause the end result is Keith Allen,the good neighbor who is alwayshere, there or wherever needed. Allone needs is a good cause andKeith Allen will be the first to signup.

If you chance to meet Keith Allenon the street, be sure to give him awide grin, a handshake, a heartyhowdy do and a heartfelt thank youfor being our own favorite redneckand the best neighbor ever.

Keith Allen ... Continued from Page 16THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS GAZETTE PAGE 19JULY/AUGUST 2009


#1 Hits of the 60’s - Caravelle Theatre ...................... 339-1960

‘50s At the Hop - Branson Meadows.......................... 335-5300

‘57 Heaven Museum - Dick Clark’s AB Theatre......... 332-1960

Acrobats of China ..................................................... 336-8888

Allen Edwards - Golden Corral ................................. 336-6297

Amazing Pets - Grand Country Music Hall ............... 335-2484

American Bandstand Theatre ................................... 332-1960

American Presidential Museum ................................ 334-8683

Andy Williams - Moon River Theatre ........................ 334-4500

Asleep at the Wheel - Music City Centre .................. 339-7469

Area ‘57 - Dick Clark’s AB Theatre ........................... 332-1960

Baldknobbers Jamboree ........................................... 334-4528

Bambi: Princess of Magic - Music City Centre .......... 339-7469

Bob Anderson Dinner Show - Dick Clark’s AB .......... 332-1960

Bob Nelson Show - Clay Cooper Theatre ................. 337-7123

Branson Brothers - God & Country Theatre .............. 334-6806

Branson Country USA - Grand Country Music .......... 335-2484

Branson Diva’s - IMAX ....................................... 800-419-4832

Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame ........................ 336-3263

Branson Family Fun Factory ..................................... 332-2110

Branson Scenic Railway ........................................... 334-6110

Branson Variety Theatre ........................................... 334-2500

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do - Branson Star Theatre .. 334-7131

Brett Family Singers - Dick Clark’s AB Theatre ......... 336-4222

Broadway! Star Spangled Celebration ...................... 334-2500

Buck Trent Breakfast Show - Grand Music Hall ........ 335-2484

Buddy & Beyond - Music City Centre ........................ 339-7469

The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest ..............................332-2231

Celebrate America! - The Mansion ........................... 239-1333

Circle B Chuckwagon Show ...................................... 336-1828

Clay Cooper .............................................................. 337-7123

Club ‘57 - Dick Clark’s AB Theatre ............................ 336-1960

Comedy Jamboree - Grand Country Music Hall ....... 335-2484

Country Tonight - The Mansion ................................. 239-1333

Dalena Ditto Country Variety Show ........................... 239-1333

Dino’s Christmas Extravaganza - Yakov .....................336-3838

Dixie Stampede ......................................................... 336-3000

Doug Gabriel - Jim Stafford Theatre ......................... 335-8080

The Dutton Family Theatre ....................................... 332-2772

Elvis & the Superstars - Owens Theatre ................... 336-2112

Goldwing Express ..................................................... 334-6806

Grand Country Music Hall ......................................... 335-2484

Grand Ladies - God & Country Theatre .................... 334-6806

The Great Passion Play - Eureka Springs ......... 479-253-8559

Hamner Barber Variety Show ................................... 334-4363

Hank & Patsy...Together Again - Owen’s Theatre ..... 336-2112

Happy Trails Theatre ................................................. 339-1900

The Haygoods - New Americana Theatre...................339-4663

Hollywood Wax Museum ......................................... 33-STARS

The Hughes American Family Theatre ..................... 336-3688

Island Fire - Dutton Theatre ...................................... 332-2772

IMAX Entertainment Complex ................................... 335-4832

Inspiration Tower - Shepherd of the Hills .................. 334-4191

Jim Owen Show - Clay Cooper Theatre ................... 337-7123

Jim Stafford Theatre .................................................. 335-8080

Jimmy Osmond - The Osmonds Theatre .................. 336-6100

Joey Riley Show - Mickey Gilley’s ............................ 334-3210

Kirby VanBurch ......................................................... 337-7140

Ladies of Motown - Owen’s Theatre .......................... 336-2112

Legends in Concert - Dick Clark’s AB Theatre .......... 332-1960

Little Opry Theatre .................................................... 336-5348

Liverpool Legends - Starlite Theatre ......................... 337-9333

The Lowe Family of Utah - Welk Theatre .................. 337-7469

Magnificent Variety Show - The Osmonds Theatre ....336-6100

The Mansion Entertainment and Media Center ........ 239-1333

Mickey Gilley ............................................................. 334-3210

Moe Bandy - Jim Stafford Theatre ............................ 335-8080

Moscow Circus - Yakov ............................................. 336-3838

Motown Ladies - Owen’s Theatre .............................. 336-2112

Music City Centre ...................................................... 339-7469

Neal McCoy - Yakov Smirnoff Theatre ...................... 336-3838

New’s Country - IMAX ............................................... 335-4832

Noah - The Musical - Sight & Sound Theatre .... 800-377-1277

Oak Ridge Boys ........................................................ 239-1333

The Osmonds Theatre .............................................. 336-6100

Ozark Mountain Jubilee - 76 Music Hall ................... 335-2484

Penny Gilley - RFD-TV Theatre ................................ 332-2282

Peter Pan - The Mansion .......................................... 239-1333

Pierce Arrow Theatre ................................................ 336-8742

Presleys’ Country Jubilee .......................................... 334-4874

The Promise - The Mansion ...................................... 239-1333

The Rankin Brothers ................................................. 337-9333

Red, Hot, & Blue - New Americana Theatre ............. 339-4663

Red Head Express - Circle B Chuckwagon ....... 800-678-6179

Red Skelton Tribute - The Mansion .......................... 239-1333

RFD-TV The Theatre ................................................ 332-2344

Ricky Boen & Texas Mud - Hamner Barber Theatre . 334-4363

Ride the Ducks .......................................................... 334-3825

Righteous Brothers Bill Medley w/Paul Revere ........ 334-4500

Ripley’s Believe It or Not ........................................... 337-5300

Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Museum .......................... 339-1900

The Shepherd of the Hills .......................................... 334-4191

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama ........ 800-653-6288

Shoji Tabuchi Theatre ............................................... 334-7469

Showboat Branson Belle ........................................... 336-7171

Sight & Sound Theatre ...................................... 800-377-1277

Silver Dollar City ........................................................ 338-2611

SIX - Hughes American Family Theatre .................... 336-3688

Solid Gold Motown .................................................... 336-1141

Sons of the Pioneers Chuckwagon Show ................. 334-4191

Spirit of the Dance - Branson Variety Theatre ........... 334-2500

Tall Timber Lumberjack Show ................................... 338-2957

TITANIC Museum ..................................................... 334-9500

Tony Orlando & the Lennon Sisters - Welk Theatre .. 336-3575

Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience ...................................... 339-4663

Tri-Lakes Center ....................................................... 335-5715

Twelve Irish Tenors - Branson Variety Theatre ......... 334-2500

Veterans Memorial Museum ..................................... 336-2300

Wedding Italiano ....................................................... 243-1500

Welk Resort & Theatre ....................................... 800-505-9355

White Water .............................................................. 334-7487

The World Famous Platters ...................................... 337-9333

World’s Largest Antique Toy Museum ....................... 332-1499

Yakov Smirnoff .......................................................... 336-3838

Show and Attraction Guide

Visit www.bransonhotline.com!Tickets! Contest! Up to Date Information!


knobbers for many years. Multiple gen-erations are represented in the audi-ence, as well as on stage. “Mygrandmother used to bring me to seeyour show. Now I bringmy family.” Sec-ond-generationBrent Mabe,who plays guitarand bass in theshow, remem-bers early days onthe lakefrontwhen he and hiscousin Tim Mabeearned 50 centsputting bumperstickers on cars; fora free Coke they woulddo cleanup! Fans havetold him, “I rememberyou playing ball in theparking lot, with acrushed-up sodacup.”

About the 2009show Tim Mabesays, "In addition toa fantastic show, wewill have events all year long to markthis milestone in Branson's entertain-

ment history.”The Baldknobbers took their name

from the Ozarks vigilante group thatmet on the bald tops, orknobs, of mountains inthis area in the late1800’s. The Baldknob-bers played for the in-termission squaredance the very firstyear of the Shepherd ofthe Hills OutdoorDrama, a story aboutthat vigilante era inBranson.

Today Branson isknown as the Live Music

Show Capital ofthe World, boast-ing more theaterseats than Broad-way. But somethings neverchange. There’sstill great fishing.And even moregreat music! Helpcelebrate 50 yearsof entertainment inBranson, with The

Baldknobbers Jamboree!

Baldknobbers ... Continued from Page 6

worksof artand havebeen included in more than 90 mo-tion pictures.

The five Sons that perform hereat the Shepherd of the Hills Home-stead include Luther Nallie, the trailboss, Randy Rudd, Gary LeMaster, Ken

Lattimore, Ricky Boen, and MarkAbbott. Each one of these menbrings back the classic coun-try western sound we grewup with. Listening bringsback all the wonderful

memorieso f

an era gone by and sweet thoughts thatmaybe that era will live forever.

You will hear the great sounds ofTumbling Tumbleweeds and Cool Wateralong with some of the best instrumen-tal work in history. Ricky Boen was hon-ored with world champion fiddler in1983, Gary LeMaster not only plays gui-tar but is proficient in stringed and windinstruments. Luther Nallie does a clar-inet tribute during the show honor-

ing former member Sunny Spencer.Happy Trails to everyone and make

sure to see the Sons of the Pioneersnext time you’er in Branson. They per-form at The Shepherd of the HillsHomestead Monday through Saturdaywith a few exceptions.

You can make reservations by call-ing 1-800-653-6288 or visit www.old-matt.com.

Sons of the Pioneers ... Continued from Page 7


AAsssseemmbbllyy ooff GGooddFirst Assembly of God

600 West Main, Branson417-334-3803

BBaappttiissttFirst Baptist Church400 South Sunshine, Branson

417-334-7437

Calvary Baptist Church625 Truman Dr., Branson

417-336-3475

BBiibbllee CChhuurrcchhFellowship at Cross Creek

T Hwy. - T10417-335-8008

CCaatthhoolliiccOur Lady of the Lake

Vaughn Dr., Branson417-334-3350

CChhrriissttiiaannBranson Christian Church

213 S. Commercial, Branson417-334-3453

CChhuurrcchh ooff CChhrriissttChurch of ChristHwy. 165 (near Welk), Branson

417-336-3120

CChhuurrcchh ooff GGooddChurch of the Apostolic Faith

100 East Main, Branson

CChhuurrcchh ooff JJeessuuss CChhrriisstt ooff LLaatttteerr DDaayy SSaaiinnttss

Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints

Church Road, Branson

EEppiissccooppaallShepherd of the Hills Episcopal

107 Walnut, Branson417-334-3968

FFoouurrssqquuaarreeBranson Foursquare Church2287 Fall Creek Rd., Branson

417-339-5911

FFuullll GGoossppeellRiver of Life, Church Alive!

1307 Bird Rd., Branson417-334-8287

JJeehhoovvaahh’’ss WWiittnneesssseessKingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Wit-nesses

Hwy. 65-70, Branson417-334-5507

LLuutthheerraannFaith LutheranParnell & Malone St., Branson

417-334-2469

MMeetthhooddiissttUnited Methodist

1208 W. Hwy. 76, Branson417-334-3423

NNoonn--DDeennoommiinnaattiioonnaallSalvation Army Church

1819 W. Hwy. 76, Branson417-339-4434

NNoonn--DDeennoommiinnaattiioonnaallUnity of the Hills

4868 Hwy. 248, Branson417-334-6224

Cowboy ChapelShepherd of the Hills Expwy.

417-334-4191

PPeenntteeccoossttaallOld Branson Pentecostal


PPrreessbbyytteerriiaannFIrst Presbyterian


Church Directory All visitors welcome, please call forworship times and directions.

Shepherd of the Hills Gazette | July/August 2009

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