Inquisitive Quest

The daily morning edition of the Wichita Eagle was provided by Dr. Marcia Drewry, better known as “Dr. D”, when she entered the east back door which was the Kiowa Hospitals old ambulance entrance and adjacent to the kitchens back door. Most mornings  along with the paper she he would deposit a box of donuts from Val’s donut shop on the picnic table that resided there for the non-certify staff

The Thursday edition of  the Wichita Eagle would include what was designated as a social page,  where a person could submit at no charge an introduction of themselves to the public, leaving a phone number for those of like interest to enjoin an introduction.  Fellow hospital employee’s, Arvetta Starzyk , dietary, Judy Reed and her housekeeping staff  during their morning break formulated a novel idea.  The assembly forthcoming  with Gary to post his social personality subsistence on the Eagle social page, Gary at first declining but on a lark giving in.

Placing a call to the Eagle society page editors number, a lady answered, cordially taking the prescribed ad,  then posing a question, “how do you want it titled?”   Gary was somewhat perplexed at the unexpected question, hesitantly he replied he didn’t know, what do you think?,  the lady replying, “well, you sound like A Prince Charming, how about that”.  The week-long wait was finally over, the Thursday morning paper arriving, there in bold print, the lady was true to her word.  As the weeks progressed  Gary’s answering machine having several messages from the opposite gender briefly introducing themselves leaving their number.

A call on the answering machine initiating an introduction to  Karla Balsamo residing in Wichita,  the lady sounding very congenial the two agreeing to meet Saturday at noon at a Wichita’s Town West Square Mall restaurant.    Gary arriving early,  seated patiently waiting and watching the entrance having never made Karla’s acquaintance, not knowing what to expect.   A younger attractive women entering  immediately capturing him with her stylish dress and her eyes searching the restaurant for recognition.   Gary  introducing himself, finding Karla comfortable with his company, conversation flowing with this first meeting and after lunch agreeing to see each other again.  Gary’s first appearance at her residence on S. Edgemoor Street, endeavoring to make a good impression making a stop at Town West  purchasing a distinctive candle and holder as a housewarming gift and by coincidence his gift happened to accord her home’s decor, the couple spending a delightful outing together, the first of several.

It was during a ten-day triple digit heat wave in Wichita that Gary came to her rescue  the central air conditioning in her residence having failed,  Karla calling him in Kiowa about her dilemma.   Gary explaining although he could do the basic service on a unit he wasn’t a AC technician and didn’t possess any of the necessary tools,  suggesting she call an AC professional.  She related she had called several but it would be several days before anyone could address her problem because of a backlog of service calls.   Gary responding he knew of someone in Wichita that might be of some help, mentioning he would place a call to a friend, Larry Dunn.

 Larry having been Plant Operation Manager at HCA Wesley Hospital,  a past president of the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association and a mentor in Gary’s election as KHEA president.  Gary was aware that Larry had changed employment with the management downsizing at HCA Wesley, taking a position as service manager for Comfort Heating and Air Systems,  the largest air conditioning service assemblage in Wichita,  employing over 32 staff members and technicians, plus Larry also having been a distributor in Gary’s Amway enterprise.   Gary placing a call to his friend about Karla’s dilemma,  Larry also acknowledging that his service trucks were backlogged because of the heatwave and committed for several days, Gary beseeching that this lady friend was somewhat special,  could he make an exception.  Larry replying that he couldn’t change the service schedule,  but what he would do for Gary was make the service call himself.   Later that evening Karla telephoned thanking Gary, her air conditioning was once again operational,  stating that Larry even refused payment for his services.

The phone call was unexpected, Gary’s Mother calling from California,  revealing that she had made reservation for the two of them to invest three nights in Branson Missouri,  and  had acquired reservation for five shows, and a celebrated dinner cruise on Table Rock Lake aboard the Branson Belle Showboat.   The Matriarch of the Willson family giving notice she would alight Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport on United Airlines the evening of Wednesday, October 8th.  Gary foreseeing with anticipation an enjoyable new venture with his mother.

Leaving work early from the Kiowa Hospital,   his small suitcase made ready for a four-day excursion,  the Buick journeying to Wichita.  Gary arriving at the Mid-Continent Airport arena,  addressing the Airport Hilton, deciding instead of driving all the way back to Kiowa for the night, to access a room for his mother and himself,  enabling  an early start in the morning for Branson.   Waiting for her arrival, Gary formatting  a novel idea,  making a decision to call Karla to see if she would be interested in joining the two of them for dinner, and with her being a vibrant conversationalist, it would bring life to the dinner engagement.

Gary addressed his mother’s United Airlines flight arriving at Mid Continent at 7:00 PM.,  the two walking the short distance to the Airport Hilton finding a Renaissance Convention in Progress.  Knights, Ladies and others dressed in the costumes of that era milling about.  Stopping to view the members in the hotel convention room, the two  enjoying the festive groups garb and music of the period before hastily getting situated in their room.   Gary informing his mom of the evening plans, the Buick found them journeying to Karla’s, their dinner guest Waiting.

Gary suggesting they dine at the restaurant and Club that Karla had previously introduced to Gary, it’s unique atmosphere and menu specialty,  a hollowed out pineapple filled with a sweet and sour bouquet of shrimp, tropical fruits and pork,  with an apropos name of   “Hawaii five-O”.   Gary seated at the table observing his Mother and Karla conveying most of the conversation,  the two getting on famously.   The evening drawing nigh, their meal completed,  Gary returning Karla home thanking her for a most enjoyable evening ,  the Willson’s returning to the Airport Hilton.

A nocturnal rest, Gary and his mother awakening to a marvelous fall morning,  the two having breakfast at Denny’s located on West Kellogg,  a block east of the airport entrance.  The 300 mile journey to Branson beginning,  Gary making a decision rather than taking the easterly US 54,  deciding to accommodate the less traveled scenic southeast route,  US 400, shorter in distance but more time consuming because of the highways two lane contingency.    A brief halfway stop in Fredonia for fuel and lunch,  the small town an analogous to many scattered throughout Kansas.

Ascending the road once more traversing east,  soon crossing into Missouri their destination no longer fleeting.   Springfield loomed ahead, but would not be perceive,  a change in direction turning south onto state highway 65,  entering the scenic realm of the southern Ozarks.    Gary realizing he had missed a turn,  discovering they were no longer on the highway,  but on the old Winding Mountain road into Branson,  both in good spirits able to look down on the town,  commenting on the mistake that this was truly the real scenic route.

From their vantage point descending off the mountain,  a view of the 722 mile long White River, and the man-made Table Rock Lake,  just one of eight reservoirs built by the corp. of engineers beginning in 1938,.     The Table Rock Dam being completed in 1964, forming the area’s largest lake.   Looming before them was the aura and  arresting picture of Branson, the couple looking forward to what was to Come.

Gary and his mother Betty having arrived in Branson,  the three hundred mile journey coming to a conclusion,  their first precept was to check in at the Quality Inn,  the hosting accommodations for their three nights lodging in this community of 6000.   Achieving their ambition,  the late afternoon still prevailing for an introspection drive to discover the compilation of this small bastion of American Music.

The first theatre was built in 1967 by the Presley family, featuring country stars  like Red Foley, Slim Whitman and the Sons of the Pioneers,  performing with the Presley Family Jubilee at their Mountain Music Theatre.  The celebrated Roy Clark abiding as the first of many national renown entertainers to discover Branson,  initiating his country venue in 1983 with the opening of the Roy Clark Theatre.

The Willson’s concluding an entreaty evening meal,  the two outbound for their first showcase presentation,  a 7:00  performance by Andy Williams at his acclaimed Moon River theatre.   The advent of the Theatre was inaugurated May 1st, 1992,  with Andy Williams being the first non-country entertainer to build a platform for performance in Branson.  The Moon River Theatre was more than an auditorium,  a citadel encompassing three lobbies,  the indoor plants décor in keeping with the magnificent grounds.   The Landscapers employing the outcropping of rocks to enfold waterfalls,  Koi filled ponds,  ferns and trees,  all native to the Ozarks and accessible to the public.

The Willson’s seated in the impressive 2000 capacity accommodation waiting with  Anticipation, Gary very much impressed as the curtain Opened.  Andy Williams welcoming the bristling attendance, and as was the custom in all Branson Show Arenas,  giving recognition to different sections of the tour-bus audience, mentioning their State and cities of Embarkation.   Gary estimating that two-thirds of the tourist amassing in Branson arrived by bus as patrons of a Tour.

The wonder of Andy William was everything expected,  Gary finding the only surprising feature was his physical stature, 5’6’’ wearing platform shoes.   Williams singing many of his 18 gold recorded  vocal expressions,  including two of Gary’s favorites from the 50’s, Canadian Sunset, and Lonely Street.   Gary and his Mother  impressed by the astounding performance,  making a note to return during the delight hours and apprehend the scenic grounds of this prodigious theatre.

Saturday afternoon,  the couple awaiting the 2:00 PM Remington Theaters production of Branson City Lights to Commence,  the two having returned from exploring Andy Williams Moon River argillaceous Location.  The Branson City Lights program at the Remington was unconventional,  a ceremonious ice extravaganza musical presentation.  the use of ice a preview of a new forum for Branson.  With the conclusion of the program,  the visitors prospecting the downtown memorabilia shops,  Gary purchasing a keepsake shirt embossed with the name Branson.

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Dino Kartsonakis and a Capacity Audience

The evening endeavor at the Grand Palace approaching,  the structure built in 1992 at cost of 13 million dollars,  the Largest and most Luxurious Theatre in Branson,  seating over 4000.,    Gary was totally inculcated with the grandiose of the Grand Palace,  but had no knowledge of the skill of pianist Dino Kartsonakis except that some said he was a poor man’s Yonni and others asserting he was a Christian Liberace because of his apparel,  jewelry and Scintillating Piano.    A brief biography  discovering the virtuoso began playing at the age of three and was a student of the Julliard School of Music.   Gary and his Mother seated,  Dino coming on stage asking for a volunteer to join him at the piano.   A name was given him,  Camille,  the pianist trying to coax her to come on stage,  but to no avail.  Gary’s mother,  her elbow jabbing him,  beseeching him to volunteer, Gary rising,  Dino recognizing him,  asking him to come forward.

Gary on stage with Dino

Dino joining Gary in aisle,  microphone in hand,  the two mounting the stage.   Dino interviewing the captive visitor about his musical background, then asking if he was familiar with these three songs,  “Put Another Nickel In“,  “The 12th Street Rag“ and “When The Saints Go Marching In”.   Gary answering affirmative,  the two addressing the nine foot light studded concert grand piano poised on an embellished lit, three-tier platform center stage.   A duet was initiated with “Put Another Nickle In”,  Gary on the left,  but soon found Dino exiting,  leaving him solo,  to play both upper and lower keyboard parts.

Gary left to play solo at the Grand Palace

Dino returning to initiate upper octaves of the 12th Street Rag,  then seating himself to Gary’s left to address the lower keys,  allowing Gary to play the higher octaves of  “When The Saints Go Marching In”.  The music complete,  Gary receiving a standing ovation from the attendance,  Dino asking Gary if they had ever meant before,  because there were always some in the audience that might think he was a plant.

Before leaving the stage, Dino presenting Gary with a gift certificate and a video tape of their performance together.   On their short return journey to their place of abode, discovering a nearby  Ruby Tuesday bar and grill less than two blocks from the Quality Inn.   Gary’s Mother desiring to stop for a snack and a nightcap of her favorite beverage,  the bartender familiar with the Kahlua configuration called a separator, and it wasn’t long before the eldest Willson enthralled the customers with her conversation.

The Willson’s morning appetite being secured, the Quality Inn having room Coffee Makers, and provided pastries conveniently displayed on a table outside each building complex.  The two deciding to return to the Majestic Grand Palace to peregrinate the areas open to the public and experience its captivating aura.    The Branson Belle Showboat awaited, with a 11:00 cast off time for the Luncheon Dinner Cruise.

Boarding the Paddle-Wheeled Queen of Table Lake,  the Showboat was under way commencing their two-hour dinner cruise.   The reservation slips denoting the Willson’s seating,  a balcony dining provision looking down upon the prestigious stage,  the view enabling one to experience the ambiance of a By-Gone Era.  The sound of music filled the exposition dining room,  show tunes from Broadway,  music of past generations,  a compliment to the three coarse meal being served.   A final quest , Gary and his Mother Betty traversing to the upper deck atop the boat,  adjoining the Wheel House,  the two introducing themselves to the Captain.  Gary finding the lake expedition,  music and the meal gratifying,  especially in the company of his mother,  whom was like-minded in sharing the aura of the experience.

A 3:00 afternoon calling,  the two arriving at Bobby Vinton’s Blue Velvet Theatre,  appropriately named.   entering the lobby one could not help but notice the décor.  the ceiling was flourished with clouds and cherubs, the carpet, the walls all in blue, one realizing that Bobby  savored the color that brought him to Stardom.   The stage hosting a seating area for the Glenn Miller-arrangement orchestra, and as always an introduction and a recognition given to the tour-bus groups, .

Bobby was extraordinary showman, his enthusiasm bursting forth, Gary Admiring his dedication for an afternoon performance.  The vocalizing of the song Blue Velvet bringing back memories, the last time Gary performed the song was in 1963 with a group from Chicago called Bobby And The Runaways.   The playing of the polish air,  Melody of Love,  brought the rhythmic hand clapping, the audience coming alive with their participation.  Bobby was no stranger to those in attendance, microphone in hand,  progressing up the aisles,  stopping beside Gary’s Mothers aisle seat,  kneeling beside her and singing.  The matriarch of the Willson’s enjoying every minute of it.

The concluding entertainment presentation for Gary and his Mothers Branson adventure was an 8:00 p.m. participation assembling at the Jim Stafford Theatre.   Jim an icon comedian,  singer,  musician,  a regular performer on the 60’s Smothers Brother Hit television program,  as well as the Smothers Brothers head writer and producer.   Gary’s recollection producing only one song that he could recall by Jim Stafford,  recorded in 1966,   “Spider and Snakes”   topping Billboard as the number 3 song in the nation.

Jim’s Theatre Production of the song was something out of the Twilight Zone,  a hologram machine,  transported images of spiders and snakes out into the audience,  Gary never having experience an event with such visual reality.   Spiders and Snakes floated right before one’s eyes,  finding most members of the audience reaching out,  trying to grasp the visionary perception.   The country venue of music was a welcome sound,  giving evidence that country music still reigned king in the realm of Branson.   The evening event concluding,  Gary traversing the Buick towards Ruby Tuesday for a farewell toast to Branson.

The morning found Gary and his mother bidding a forlorn adieu to Branson,  Gary directing the Skylark northwest to intercept interstate 44 and the Will Rogers Turnpike,  continuing a southwesterly journey to Tulsa,  a lunch stop, then apprehending the Turner Turnpike to Oklahoma City.   Gary and his mother arriving at the home of his daughter and son in-law Chris and Marlo Denton.  Grandma Willson to return to California on a flight from Oklahoma City.  Gary returning to Kiowa,  bidding his love to his mother and the time the spent together,  a Memory to be Never Forgotten.

(To see the video of Gary and Dino Kartsonakis at the Grand Palace, go to .)http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee