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Choice at life’s bookends: Abortion rights vs. the right to die with dignity
According to the Alzheimer’s Association data, Alzheimer’s is not just memory loss. Alzheimer’s or another dementia kills 33% of older...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


How petty can the smartest person in the room get?
Could you tell me why an alderman would concern themselves about something so petty, let alone make it a public matter at a Board meeting?

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Missouri reels in nonresident anglers with steep trout permit hike?
In 2026, that cost will rise to $49.00 per person, a Daily Fishing Permit at $9.00, and a Nonresident Trout Permit at $40.00 for a whopping 133% price increase!

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Tariffs: The price hike you didn't see coming
Some estimates suggest that these tariff proposals could cost the average American household between $1,600 and $2,000 annually...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


It’s not your Grandma’s Google Search anymore!
Increasingly, AI Chatbots is the way most people will initially become aware of shows due to their convenience and direct responses.

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


CVB did what they thought was best for Branson!
Give an Ole Seagull a break! Mr. London might have a “presumption” what “Gary thinks.” Even a “clue” about the source of the column, but neither he nor the source have a clue what “Gary thinks” or his motivation in writing the column.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Flag Day in Branson should be more than a ‘Republican Ice Cream Social!’
Flag Day is not a national holiday with businesses closing, etc. If the Ole Seagull were a betting person, he’d bet that most Americans...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


This is the ‘Voice of Explore Branson?’
“Ah, Seagull, why would the City of Branson and the TCED spend hundreds of thousands of marketing dollars to get people to the Explore Branson website only to give them a link on a Home Page that takes them off the website to somewhere else?”

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Yes, Virginia, Branson’s Spirit of Faith, Family, Flag, and Fun is alive and well!
Virginia, your friends’ parents are wrong. The Branson Spirit, dedicated to Faith, Flag, Family and Fun, is alive and well.

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Yesterday’s Echoes: ‘It’s the Marketing, Stupid,’ not the TIFs!*
As applies to Branson, a paraphrase of the Time cover could be, “It’s the Marketing, Stupid.

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Does a rising marketing tide really raise all ships?
And there’s the rub. While the rising tide theory might hold water for situations where the tourist will make multiple choices, such as entertainment, shopping, dining, etc., in terms of where they are going to stay, it’s a onetime shot.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Honoring our earthly angels: Thank you, Moms!
The birth of Jesus shows the depth of this trust. God could have sent His Son to Earth carried by thousands of angels, etc. But He chose for Jesus to be born through an earthly Mother, Mary.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


On the darkest night, stars still shine, though we may not always see them
This week, two friends lost a loved one, and the Ole Seagull, realizing his shortcomings, turned to Lincoln again for his wisdom, eloquence and inspiration for words of comfort.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


That’s not all there was!
To Christians, Christmas is both a commemoration and celebration of the promise that “God so loved the world that He gave His only...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Yesterday’s Echoes: Plan fiddles ‘The Plood’ while local officials and community leaders dance to the tune
In terms of the ticking time bomb that hangs over the Branson area, not only in terms of those who will be directly impacted by any more “high water,” but by those businesses...

Gary J. Groman
4 min read


Anonymity is a coward’s way
“If that’s the case, Seagull, why should anyone take what you have to say at face-value?”

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Does one-half cent Transportation Sales Tax extension make cents?
Let’s look at it from a “cents” perspective. The financial foundation of Branson, a town of about 13,000, depends on about 7-10 million...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Is Branson in an economic war for its very survival?
To most, losing a competition results in a kumbaya moment where the losers congratulate each other after a football game...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Yester Year’s Echoes: The Branson does not own the name ‘Branson’ Election
At the May 29 meeting of the AE Board of Aldermen, they voted unanimously to rescind the current program, which the BE Board initiated...

Gary J. Groman
4 min read


The ‘Branson Promise’ is the key to Branson's future success
Over two decades ago, Branson developed a document called the "Branson Promise." It does two things. It provides our visitors with...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read
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