Dutch treat

We get all sorts of emails this time of year. Surprised?

It's really sweet.

Families are starting to plan out their summer trips. Some email to ask a question or two. Others (mistakenly) think I can book their rental RV for them. Still others are fairly bursting with excitement and just want us to know they're planning a visit.

A few minutes ago just such an email arrived ... all the way from the Netherlands!

Midas wanted us to know his last visit was in 2006 and he's looking forward to driving 475 miles out of his way to bring his family here during their visit to the U.S. in July.

Midas ... we're touched.

We're not mentioned till the last paragraph

...but we always get a thrill when the Orlando, Florida, newspaper mentions us in an article.

(At least they didn't call us quirky.)

Okay, so who's got the instructions?

Well, whoever has them, be sure to put them somewhere safe.

...because there are a ton of parts to this Kima Bay contraption.


Right now, the pieces are stacked next to our new Carpenters Shop. But someday soon they will migrate over to the other side of the hill.


Lifthill that is.

Don't think twice

...it's all right to remember the warmer temps of summer, and your family's trip to Holiday World.

Jake from Marietta, Georgia, did...and kindly sent us a link to his video postcard.

(Hint to Moms and Dads: To avoid actually going to the YouTube
site, click on the arrow in the center of the screen, which will start
the video. That way you'll stay here on the Holiday World website.)

Here's Jake's video:



What a great video! I laughed! I cried! I got a little woozy! I remembered it's lunchtime...

A rose by any other name

A number of years ago, I thought I'd finally hit on the right title for Mrs. Koch.

It was time to move on from "Queen of Clean" (in name only; heaven will be a much cleaner place someday).

She's not the "director" of a specific department, so that wouldn't work.

And Owners' Mom just doesn't have the right panache.

Suddenly it hit me: Matriarch.

That's it!

The quintessential queenly moniker.

Well deserved.

Perfect.

She hates it.

Today, the Lincolnland Economic Development Corporation held its annual membership meeting. Mrs. Koch was one of the featured speakers, so I signed up to attend.

I was sitting with Laura from the Spencer County Visitors Bureau, Crystal from the Santa Claus Museum, Michael and Kathleen from Buffalo Run, and Samantha from Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Wonderful people.

As the LEDC president introduced Mrs. Koch, I stage-whispered to my table, "Say a prayer he doesn't call her 'matriarch.' She really, really hates that."

Right on cue: "...let's have a warm welcome for the matriarch of Holiday World -- Pat Koch!"

My table lapsed into giggles.

And Mrs. Koch's first words to the group of about 120: "Oh, I wish they'd come up with something else to call me."

Be careful what you wish for...

My husband, Gary, called a bit ago to tell me Jim from WBDC radio had a lively report on his 4:00 pm newscast.

Jim chose not to call Mrs. Koch our matriarch (one publication a while back actually called her the park's patriarch).

Instead...

"And one of the featured speakers at today's luncheon was the Mother Goose of Holiday World, Pat Koch."

Triple digits for one last day

We're not talking temperatures.

Holiday World opens for the season in 100 days.

At grade school, the kiddos celebrate 100 days with parties and special activities.

Here, we all catch our breath and dig in a little harder.

Want to keep track with us? Head back to our homepage and click on the "Countdown 'til Open" button at the top of the yellow navigation bar (on the left of the page; you may need to click on "refresh" to see it the first time).

Got a song in your heart?

Our Entertainment Department is really humming these days, getting ready for auditions.

The Evansville paper is running a story about the auditions plus there's lots of information here on the Shows page of our website.

One of the new shows this year is called The HoliDazzles. A little closer to season, we should have some sketches--or even photos--of the characters who will be in this children's show this season. For now, though, here's the logo:


Can't carry a tune in a bucket, but still want to find employment here? Head on over to our Jobs page for information about our upcoming Job Fairs. You can even download and print out our Employment Application ahead of time.

New theme: chilly noses

Poor Santa, his nose now serves as a snow-measurement tool.


Mother Goose must be a snow goose, today anyway that suits the bill.


Even little Jack O'Lantern on top of HallowSwings is topped off with more than just frost.


Those little cyclops ash urns from the smoking areas were a little full of themselves when I came across them on my wintery walk. Don't they look pleased with themselves that they knew to get under roof?


Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater is wishing he'd picked a larger pumpkin shell, so he could snuggle with the Mrs. and keep warm. She's not looking too cooperative. "Maybe you should have thought of that back when you ordered this snug little home for me..."


Here's another well-known pair who aren't getting cozy.


And finally...


We're going to have to go shopping for some serious hand lotion this afternoon.

Snow day!

...well, there's snow, but we're here.

If you haven't already, you might want to take a look at our Kima Bay Construction Cam, as the sweep of the area shows some lovely precip. (I refuse to call it "the white stuff.")

Last night at home, when I realized it was snowing, I turned on the outside spotlight off the side of our house and opened some of the bedroom shades. James was brushing his teeth and I looked forward to him walking into the dark room and seeing the brilliant snowstorm outside.

The flakes were big and heavy, falling with true purpose.

After a classic second-take, James gasped.

Mom! What's going on? Is that ... dust?

Good heavens. It's not like James has never witnessed snow in his eight years. Nor has he seen that much dust around home.

Wait. Is that rain?

When I reminded him it was winter, it suddenly made sense...the lightbulb went off over his head and my youngest was enthralled.

Moments later, he waxed poetic.

Mom, doesn't it look like feathers falling?

I smiled inwardly, happy his imagination was still awake.

...hundreds of feathers! From a big, dead bird.

"...or maybe the angels are having a pillow fight up in heaven," I offered.

A pillow fight? Cool. I've never had a pillow fight. Can we have a pillow fight?

You'd think I'd learn, he being our third child and all.

School was not delayed this morning, and all bundled up, the county's children headed off to class. Today is Day 100 in our school system, so the grade schoolers won't want to miss their celebratory triple-digit sessions.

438 pepperoni pizzas, please

Oh.

...and make that "To Go."


You never know what you'll find -- and where -- during the winter months.

These wagons are stacked up by the order counter at Kringle's Kafe while the "St. Nick's Rental Depot" area is being enlarged. The additional storage space is for the 15 new scooters Vanessa has on order for the new season.

You may notice some change in the decor at Kringles.


Tonya-Marie has added some Santas and elves to the seating area.

Santa looks like he's directing traffic, doesn't he, with all those queued-up wagons (in line for pizza, remember?).

Hope they save some for our hard-working painters:

Do monkeys hibernate?

Apparently not...


These simians can't wait for May to roll around.


After yesterday's torrential rainfall, the Kima Bay area should be renamed Kima Mudhole. However, the sun is out, drying the land, so there should be some interesting activity on our webcams soon.

First Class or Coach?

Started off the year with one strange phone call yesterday.

Tammy sent it over to me since it was someone from a magazine.

"Hello, this is Paula."

Yes, this is Angie. I wish to speak to W.A. Coach, Jr.

"You mean Will Koch, right?"

No. I need to speak directly with W.A. Coach, Jr. This is Angie. Please connect me.

"I'd be glad to help you ... what is this regarding, please?"

Mr. Coach receives our magazine and in order for us to continue sending him our publication, I need to ask him a few questions.

(Uh, like how to pronounce his name?)

"I'm sure I can answer your questions, Angie. What do you need to know?"

Are you close to Mr. Coach?

(Getting a little personal, aren't we Angie?)

"Yes, I work for Will. I'm Director of Public Relations here at the park. I'd be glad to answer your questions."

Does Mr. Coach have a secretary?

Apparently Angie was convinced a secretary would be able to locate this shadowy Mr. Coach since I was obviously clueless.

As I was regaling Mr. Coach...er, Will, with the story this morning, it suddenly occurred to me I should ask if he even wants to continue receiving that magazine.

"Nah. I've never even opened a copy. I just write 'John' on the cover and route it over to him."

Good call, Coach.