While I was in Branson, Missouri I visited Bonniebrook, the home of Rose O’Neill. O’Neill is best remembered as the creator of the Kewpie Doll. I think everyone recognizes the Kewpie Doll. Other popular dolls have faded in memory but the Kewpie has not.

The story of Rose O’Neill is fascinating. Born in Pennsylvania she moved to Nebraska. At the age of 14 she won a contest sponsored by the Omaha World Herald for the best drawing by a Nebraska schoolchild. Her submission, called “Temptation Leading Down into an Abyss,” did not seem like a topic or drawing by a 14-year old so the editor called her into the office to demonstrate her drawing ability. Proving her artistic talent she won first place which launched her career.

In 1892, when O’Neill was 18, her mother sold the family cow to send her to New York to seek work as an illustrator. That seems pretty adventurous for a female even today. She stayed with the Sisters of St. Regis who accompanied her on her sales calls. She sold her illustrations to Colliers, Life, and Harpers. She became the first female staff artist at Puck Magazine.

A year after she had moved to New York, Rose visited her family’s new home in the remote Missouri Ozarks. It took two days by wagon to get from Springfield, Missouri to the O’Neill homestead. In her autobiography, Rose recalled, “The next day we went deeper and deeper into the thick woods. I forgot my fears and shouted with joy. I called it the “tangle” and my extravagant heart was tangled in it for good.” Today Springfield is less than an hour away via excellent roads.

Over the years she sent money to her family for the construction of their 14-room Ozark home that she named Bonniebrook because of the little stream that ran along side the family’s house. Even today it is nestled among the “tangles” with the little stream bubbling past.

Bonniebrook burned to the ground in 1947 but it has been rebuilt, the grounds resurrected, with a museum and gift shop added. The museum houses hundreds of dolls and other memorabilia of O’Neill and her era, along with artifacts pertinent to her life and Bonniebrook.

The Kewpies made their debut in the 1909 Christmas issue of The Ladies Home Journal. It was quickly followed by a Kewpie comic strip and paper dolls. A German company produced the Kewpie Dolls and soon they were on everyone’s Christmas wish list. Adults wanted them, too. An amazing variety of items from doorknockers to tea sets sported the adorable Kewpies. The doll is mentioned in Anne Frank’s diary, in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, was included in the 1939 New York World Fair’s time capsule, and Jell-O used the Kewpie Doll to promote their product.

O’Neill was also involved in the fight for Women’s Rights. In referring to the constricting Victorian women’s clothing she said, “The first step is to free women from the yoke of modern fashions and modern dress. How can they hope to compete with men when they are boxed up tight in the clothes that are worn today?” Some of her cartoons supporting women’s rights included Kewpie Dolls.

According to O’Neill she portrayed the Kewpie as doing good deeds in a funny way because “The world needs to laugh or at least smile more than it does.”

Visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri

I always thought that succotash was cream corn with lima beans added by mothers to get their family to eat lima beans. It was never my favorite veggie. Then I went to Branson, Missouri and found an awesome version of succotash.

When I heard the Silver Dollar City was a theme park it did not make my heart beat faster because theme parks are not high on my to-do list. But, John and I loved Silver Dollar City. We didn’t go on any rides. In fact the rides are on the perimeter of the park and we didn’t even realize that there were rides. There is truly something for everyone of every age to do at the park.

The park grew around the entrance to Marvel Cave, which has drawn tourists since 1980. Touring the cave is not for the faint hearted. The 60-minute tour includes climbing over 600 steps. In 1960 the owners created the 1880s Ozark Mountain Village around the entrance to the cave based on the foundation of a genuine 1800s mining town of Marmaros. There is a flag raising ceremony every morning when the park opens for the day.

Many of the craftsmen are demonstrating in vintage buildings. There are an amazing number of people plying their crafts. It wasn’t possible to pass by the cinnamon buns the baker was just pulling out of the oven or the peanut brittle that has just cooled to the cracking stage. We bought lye soap from Martha Sudweeks who explained, “Lye soap was made from wood ash in the old day and got a bum rap because it was so harsh. The soap I make is milder but still retains its beneficial properties.” There were knife makers, glass blowers, candle makers, and the ever popular blacksmith.

There are over 40 live shows every day. John went to Silver Dollar City’s Opera House to see their original musical production “Headin’ West.” It was a tale of moving West in the 1860s including the perils along the way – buffalo stampedes, whitewater rapids, and other adventures. The show was free.

I went to the Culinary & Craft School where I learned how to make succotash the yummy way. Actually, it is a whole meal and as, Debbie Dance Uhrigh, a Master Craftsman of Culinary Arts explained, “This succotash can include whatever vegetables or meats that are available.”

Silver Dollar City’s Succotash
1 lb. lightly breaded okra
8 ounces frozen whole kernel corn
8 ounces yellow summer squash
8 ounces slice red potatoes – precook in an oven at 350 for 30 minutes
8 ounces diced pre-cooked chicken (or leftovers)
4 ounces sliced green peppers
4 ounces sliced onions
1 tsp. garlic power
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
Butter-flavored vegetable oil as needed

Sauté onions and peppers in oil. Remove from skillet. Sauté chicken in same skillet with the oil. Remove after heating thoroughly. Sauté corn, squash, and potatoes in same skillet. Remove. Fry okra until golden brown. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add all the other ingredients to the skillet and heat to desired temperature. Serves four as a main dish.

John and I met up after the cooking lesson. John said, “Too bad you didn’t go to the show. You would have loved it!” But, I loved the cooking class. Can’t do everything. Branson and Silver Dollar City are definitely on our To-do List.

Branson, Missouri is for music lovers

I was surprised when I learned that Branson has more theater seats than New York’s Broadway District. It is an incredible destination for anyone who loves music. It is possible to attend a show every morning, afternoon and evening.

On the night of our arrival John and I went to hear the Oak Ridge Boys. They are the same Oak Ridge Boys that teamed up in the 1970s. They started as a Gospel group then reinvented themselves as country stars with their 1977 hit, “Y’All Come Back Saloon.” The show started with “The Boys Are Back” to the roaring approval of the crowd. The show included all their signature songs: “American Made,” “Elvira,” and “Sail Away.” At the end of “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend” we made friends with the people seated near us. It was a wonderful, upbeat introduction to Branson.

The next morning at 10 a.m. we were back in a theater. This time to see The Platters at the Starlight Theater. Oh, the memories that came flooding back upon hearing “My Prayer,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” and “The Great Pretender.” People were encouraged to dance on the small area in front of the stage or in the aisles, and they did. Even though they sounded just like I remembered I took a close look at them and quickly realized they could not be the original members. During intermission instead of taking a break The Platters come down off the stage and chatted with people. I found out that only one of the original Platters is still living and does not perform. It didn’t make any difference to me, or the rest of the audience, because the sound was the same.

The music continued during lunch at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, home of Branson's original singing servers. Most of the staff are professional singers, song writers, and musicians who take turns singing and serving.

Then it was off hear The Twelve Irish Tenors that included a selection of Irish folk songs, opera numbers, modern rock classics, and pop with a special tribute to the Beatles and Barry Manilow. Of course, “Danny Boy” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” were our favorites.

Dining at Andy Williams Moon River Café didn’t have live singers but plenty of his music wafted through the restaurant and his gold and platinum records are on display above the bar. In the evening we went to see the Haygoods, an amazing family of seven boys and one girl. They claim that they did not come from a musical family but it was hard to believe as they play an amazing variety of instruments from the harp to drums to the saxophone. They have been performing together for 18 years and the youngest is 17. Their show is one of the most energetic we have ever seen.

Actually, there is more to do in Branson besides attending the theater. We also went hiking, boating, took the Ozark Zephyr Scenic Railway, visited museums, and spent the entire day at Silver Dollar City, a theme park par excellent with 100 artisans demonstrating their crafts, and 40 live shows daily.

There were a plethora of shows we did not have time to see. Branson is one of those places we would definitely like to revisit. New acts are added all the time. For more information check branson.com.