top of page



How could a person feel otherwise?
The fund is available to provide grants to cities and counties for temporary shelter and other eligible costs associated with...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Yesteryear echoes: Revised proposed smoking ordinance is worth puffing on
“Then why go through this process?” “To come up with a SBO that fits Branson, its businesses, citizens and tourism industry.”

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


An Ole Seagull's Primary Fork on the Trail of Life
Some are minor forks and lead back to the main Trail, but there will be one Primary Fork at a time, with its own forks along the way...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Accountability acrobatics: The unacceptable art of evading aldermen's questions
It was a life safety issue impacting just about all of Branson’s hotels and commercial businesses, yet, unlike other issues...

Gary J. Groman
4 min read


Yesteryear's echoes: Branson meets China as Chinese audiences really get into it with The Haygoods
At first the crowd had no clue what we were all about, but after a few back flips and some up-tempo tunes, they REALLY got into it.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Angie Teel: Helping Branson progress with heart and vision
The city of Branson is currently conducting a feasibility study on expanding the Branson Convention Center.

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Is it 'nuts' to use Branson tourism taxes for marketing outside Branson?
To an Ole Seagull, if that person spends $150 per night or $900 for the six nights of lodging outside of the city of Branson, it doesn’t...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Is Branson up or down for 2024?
According to information from the city of Branson, its Tourism Tax receipts for January through June were up 2.3% over the same period...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


The hidden genius of the man 'who started it all' with Branson.com
Interestingly, the Ole Seagull’s initial query into Open AIs GPT-4o was, “What was the first internet site dedicated to promoting Branson...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Is a 'mob' an example of 'Democracy?'
In a pure democracy, this means that the decisions made by more than half of the people govern all.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Did Timothy McVeigh enjoy a death that many elders would envy?
Hundreds if not thousands of people receive diagnoses or are suffering from conditions of extreme physical or mental “pain” ...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


America's Birthday: Celebrating the spirit of America
Signed on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence declared the independence of the thirteen colonies from British rule. It states...

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


DNA: The great equalizer?
When people say, “Everyone is created equal,” they often mean that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities, and that’s true..

Gary J. Groman
4 min read


Yesteryear Echoes: A Father's Day tribute to 'Father Osmond,' a father's father
This timeless 2015 Father’s Day column proclaims a son’s love for his father and a father’s love for his children. Happy Father’s Day!...

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Yesteryear Echoes: What's important is what Branson Landing is, not what it isn't
Branson Landing, a unique destination, is not just a concept but a reality. Its design, structure and initial tenants make it stand out.

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Memorial Day: Honoring the price paid for our freedoms
Originally called “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day honored those who died in the Civil War.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Armed Forces Week: A time to remember, honor and celebrate our military
On May 20, 1950, people celebrated the first Armed Forces Day with parades, parties and air shows.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read


Can a government 'Of the People,' 'By the People,' and 'For the People' commit suicide?
“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?

Gary J. Groman
3 min read


Will reparations solve the problem?
The idea the descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States are owed something because of slavery is repugnant to an Ole Seagull.

Gary J. Groman
2 min read
bottom of page