On the Scene: November 2009
November 25, 2009
Joys of Travel
When fall comes around, travel throughout the USA is the best. In search of fall foliage, I ventured to the bright colored hues seen in the New England area, and found New Hampshire’s White Mountains to be a feast for the eyes. Mountainsides of yellow and orange scenery surrounded us, and the small country roads led us to many new adventures.
John and Neta Howo enjoyed walking the world’s longest drive through covered bridge and I enjoyed visiting the home of noted American Sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens whose work is found on many of our U.S. coins as well as the Lincoln Memorial.
Golfing was a special treat at Owl’s Nest Golf Club which sits atop an elegant knoll surrounded by stunning panoramic mountain views. Director Chuck Wheeler proudly says it is listed as a Top 100 Must Play Course in New England. Head Professional Matt Madore welcomed us to his Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown with its challenging 138 slope rating among another beautiful site of surrounding fall colors. In nearby Tilton, the Lochmere Golf and Country Club, Director Vic Stanfield proudly showed us its lush fairways which earned the course rating of 4 stars by Golf Digest.
Following the fall colors and into the holiday spirit, we next went to Branson, Missouri, which opens its busiest holiday shows with a parade featuring many of the stars of the 100 shows to be seen in this small Midwest town known for as an entertainment mecca.
The local theme park, Silver Dollar City, heralded its Old Time Christmas opening its 4 million colored lights and a five story special effects lit Christmas tree, earning well its many international awards as the largest family-owned theme park corporation in America. If you’re a sentimentalist loving to reminisce among the music and stars of the 1950s-1980s, Branson is for you.
Andy Williams is still a charmer at his own theatre with his winning personality singing all of his old favorites, and his adjoining restaurant features his mother’s favorite recipes. Had the thrill of meeting my old favorite, and he told me since moving to Branson in 1991, he has enjoyed performing in a theatre he built on his own and where audiences are eager to see you and are very attentive. Enthusiastically, he said, “I’m happy every morning to wake up among the beauty of this area where I live adjoining a lake and golf course and can continue my love for performing.”
Patsy Ja, Gerrye Wong, Andy Williams, Dali Jones and Jeanette Yee
Want to be entertained? Branson has it all. We loved hearing the old songs sung by the Lennon Sisters, the Osmond Brothers, Debbie Boone and the Platters in their special Christmas shows. As Chief Public Relations Director Lynn Berry and assistant Kim Heminger boasts, “Whatever your pleasure - musical entertainment, fishing, hiking, boating, celebrity watching - Branson has it for you. Christmas comes early in our Live Music Show Capital of America beginning in November, so join the throng to celebrate an exciting Ozark Mountain Christmas for all ages.”
We golfers enjoyed the famed Branson Creek Golf Club and Thousand Hills Executive Course in unbelievably warm 70 degree November weather.
This small town goes all out with holiday decorations and the attractive Sight & Sound Theater lets you experience Mary and Joseph’s journey in the musical production “Miracle of Christmas” with elaborate 45 foot high sets. At Mary Kellogg-Joslyn’s World Largest Museum attraction, Titanic, guests can experience an Edwardian Christmas learning the stories of the passengers of the tragic voyage. As said before - you name it, Branson has it!
Our next path went southward to Little Rock, Arkansas where our sightseeing juices were enlivened with visits to the Bill Clinton Library, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Arkansas State Capitol which is a facsimile of our nation’s state capitol. In neighboring Hot Springs, Ed and Margaret Lee, Susan Chang and I languished in Manager Dan Harper’s newly refurbished Quapaw Bath House to enjoy its famed rejuvenating mineral baths, reminiscent of its 1920’s heyday when high society as well as crime bosses flocked to this small town.
Visitors Director Jimmy Sample told us, “The historic row of former Bath houses now boasts 2 operating mineral bath spas. the Visitor’s Center and the Museum of Contemporary Art smack in the middle of the quaint old town filled with art galleries and antique shops. For nature lovers, the 210 acre Garvan Woodland Gardens features thousands of plantings, and its hillside Anthony Chapel is a serene glassed in sanctuary of native wood and stone.
For nighttime entertainment, Tom Wilkins’ Ray-Lynn Theatre features an enjoyable show mixed with comedy, country western, audience participation and 50s music alongside culinary treasures Beau d’Artes and Porterhouse Steak House.
Top off a week exploring the Arkansas countryside with a golf game at the prestigious Hot Springs Country Club, a golfer’s paradise with wide yet challenging fairways and hilltop hidden greens capably and proudly managed by Director of Golf Barry Howard. Enjoying the course and the sights and sounds of Missouri were fellow California sojourners Sherwin and Margaret Louie, Mel and Jeanne Lee, Clifford Chang, Wilson and Pauline Fong.
Back at home there is much to see and do in the Greater Bay Area. So get in the spirit of the holidays, and here’s some ideas for you to forget the shopping and enjoy the season.
Chi Am Circle honorees Andrea Wong and Kristi Yamaguchi are welcomed by by Wanda Wong and Gerrye Wong
Managing Director Nick Nichols and Artistic Director Rick Lombardo have brought in by popular demand A Christmas Story playing through December 20, a story where 9 year old Ralphie wants a rifle for Christmas against the wishes of his elders, and what finally ensues in his pursuit and longing. Tickets: www.sjrep.com
San Francisco Symphony brings in my favorite Colors of Christmas with Sheena Easton and Jennifer Holliday headlining this popular show Dec. 14 -16 If you like to hear the full Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Choral Christmas Spectacular is a must, and for your kids, the Deck the Hall Holiday Concert and Party. sfsymphony.org/holiday.
Once again the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at AT&T Park of San Francisco will bring in Cirque du Soleil’s newest touring production OVO November 27. Great for family holiday treat. To see a unique show under the 62 feet high tent that seats more than 2500 people.
Resident Cynthia Yee tells me La Joie Des Chapeaus Holiday Ball hosted by the Chinatown Opti-Ms Dec. 5 is at the Empress of China Ballroom. For reservations contact Annette Leung 415-387-9753. Doris Grover will produce a Grand Chapeau promenade of fashions, Orange Caterpillar will showcase fashions and dancing fun for all.
Chinese Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of On Lok & Chinatown Opti-Ms Holiday Party at L’Olivier Restaurant December 12. A great time to meet the movers and shakers of these three non profit rganizations which do so much for our Chinese community in the Greater Bay Area. For more Info: 415-793-1183
I wish everyone the happiest of holidays, and will put on my wish list that AsianWeek will somday return to your mailboxes and newsstands in 2010. Hope to see you then, and thank you for your friendship and support.
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