Rock'n Ribs BBQ Festival 2007

Bass Pro held a very awesome event that our friend Mickey would have certainly been jealous over. It was called the Rock'n Ribs BBQ Festival and simply put it is a massive bar-b-que cook off that any one is invited to participate in. Of course the only stipulation is that you have to cook about 200 lbs of bar-b-que in order to have enough for all the patrons that will visit the event.

There was about 60 or so contestants offering just a taste of their product and each of them hoping that they could win over the crowd. That's right, there were no judges, just a crowd of hungry patrons that would decide the best bar-b-que. Every person that entered the event was given a voting ballot in which you were allowed to place a single contestant on. You could only pick one as being the best. That was not an easy task. We tried so many different flavored and textured types of pulled pork that it was hard to keep track of the ones you actually liked. But it was fun trying.

This contest is so big they even had aliens trying out the bar-b-que.

It was such a cool experience walking along this very long line as you slowly made your way to each contestant booth. Some had their booth all decorated up as an attempt to have you remember their booth when it came to cast that single vote.

Neleha ate her self to sleep and ended up getting carried by most of the booths, but we sure had a fun time along with Angie and Aaliyah. We all ate our fill and had a fun time doing it.

Celebration City

Our All-City Season Pass to Silver Dollar City also gets us in to another Branson theme park called Celebration City. It being the opening week for Celebration City we decided to head south to see what the other city had to offer. Angie and Aaliyah also have an All-City pass so they joined us as well and we explored this place for the first time together.

We found the same standard of cleanliness and family environment that was upheld at Silver Dollar City also at Celebration City. In fact the entire park had a theme just like Silver Dollar City. However, unlike the historical frontiersman theme, Celebration City promoted a 1950's theme. Everyone was dressed in 50's style clothes and all the food, rides, games, and shows held true to the theme as well.

The first ride we came to was the Merry-Go-Round and although it was very nice it was also slow, in fact the slowest one we had ever been on. I don't think the girls noticed how slow it was but us parents certainly did.

One of the gems of this park is the fact that they had an awesome go-cart track and it is included in the admission. That is right unlike most parks that would charge extra for go-carts, at this place you can ride all night if you wish.

I was able to capture some great photos of Kristy and Angie as Neleha and I sped past them.

For the most part Celebration City is like the midway of a county fair. They have pretty much the same kind of rides and food but let me tell you this place is 100% cleaner than your average county fair. Not to say that I don't like the county fair because I certainly do, but it is refreshing to have all the good parts of a fair without the bad parts.

From the Tilt-o-World to the Scrambler they got em' but just in much better condition than one would be used to.

Celebration City also has this huge Ferris Wheel which has always been one of my favorite rides.

One ride this place has that a fair doesn't have is of course the Wildcat roller coaster. Not the biggest coaster I have ever been on but it sure does the job. the picture below has Kristy and Angie riding the Cat.

The girls were very excited to ride this ride they call the Hopper.

After it started however I think only Molly ended up actually liking it, their faces certainly tell the tale.

There were many old-style kiddie rides for the girls to enjoy and enjoy they did.

I think the highlight of this visit was when the girls got to meet the Veggie Tales stars Bob and Larry. Our girls had not ever watched any Veggie Tales until recently when we learned that they were here at Celebration City. We rented one of their DVD's recently and they really liked it but of course I think that like turned into love once they got to meet these guys.

We all had such a fun time exploring Celebration City.

As the night approached we made it over to the game area of the park and were not surprised to see it appearing just like it would at the fair.

One of the big aspects of Celebration City is the huge laser, light, video, water, and fireworks show that they end the night with. They call it "Ignite the Night" and they even have this huge countdown clock in the center of the park to countdown the time to the show.

While we waited for the show we decided to let the girls go back on the slowest ride in the park again and then we headed for the mini-golf course that is also included in the admission.

The mini-golf course is a very well developed 18-hole course and it was so nice to have this also included in the price of the park.

The girls had a blast trying to move their golf balls around the course. Neleha eventually decided the best way to play was hit your ball once and then pick it up and drop it right in the hole, now you can't beat that score.

It was such a beautiful park after the sun set and all the lights illuminated the night sky. Angie took this awesome photo of Kristy and I with the rides and lights in the background. All the beautiful lights were complimented by my beautiful sweetheart.

After our round of golf it was finally time for the big show. We got the girls some glow toys and then settled down to enjoy the show.

The show was unbelievable, they used this pond and a carved out hill as the backdrop for this amazing presentation. They used this awesome water fountain to spray the water of the pond and then they projected lasers and even video on to the spraying water. At one point they had the Beatles, the Supremes and even the King himself. It actually looked like these people were out there putting on a show for us.

The show actually told the real story of America, from our sports to our entertainers to our heroes and of our love for God. It was the most uplifting show I have ever seen of it's kind. Afterwards one could not help but feel happiness in being an American.

Before we knew it our time had come to an end but we certainly are looking forward to coming back often.

Reason to Believe #10

This was my follow-up email I sent out to maximize the number of students who would actually vote before the polls closed after being open for an entire week.

In light of the past two U.S. Presidential elections I wish to offer my pledge that "EVERY VOTE WILL BE COUNTED" there will be No Hanging Chads or long lines at the polls. In fact I provide my promise that this STUCO Presidential election will not be decided by the courts but by the students of this fine institution of higher learning. Every Casted Vote WILL Be A Counted Vote!

I hope that this pledge will put your minds at ease and build confidence for the great majority of YOU, the student body, who has hesitated to vote. The future of your Forest Institute is in your hands. Exercise your RIGHT TO VOTE, the polls close at 5:00pm this Friday, visit the polling booth at the library and LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Remember the lessons we have learned from Florida & Ohio "Every Vote Counts"

"Reason to Believe #10"

Reasons to Believe in Adam B.

The following was my first campain email I sent to my fellows students at Forest Institute. Wish me luck!

As many of you are aware, the current Executive Student Council Officers have decided to not run for re-election. Rather their reasons for stepping down are related to some so-called "Evil Alien Agenda" or for personal reasons it matters not. Having worked closely with them for the last term as a Class Representative I have been inspired by their "Flippin' Sweet" spirit of innovation and improvement. I am therefore compelled to run in their absence in hopes that I might be able to pick up their torch and carry on the legacy.

The following is a list of
"Reasons to Believe in Adam B."

Many efforts have been initiated to obtain proper student representation in different aspects of our academic experience. These areas include the Board of Trustees, the Comprehensive Exam Committee, Direct Representation with the CEO, Student Housing Committee and the Academic Committee. I Believe these efforts have been worthy and most appropriate but it is now time that a renewed dedication be issued by the elected members of student council and that it be the highest priority in realizing this representation.

During this last term we have secured sponsorship from 3 area businesses including, McAlister's Deli, Village Cleaners and Wal-Mart. This is only the beginning, I Believe their is much more opportunity for the community as well as the student body to benefit directly from local area business sponsorship.

With the recent change in housing management many concerns have been raised regarding the future quality of life for those residing in student housing. I Believe that our student housing should feel like student housing, not some private apartment complex coincidentally located near the academic building. The many suggestions have included extending the Wi-Fi from the academic building to student housing, partitioning an area in the nearby field for gardening, property management/maintenance turned over to designated residence in return for rent reductions, improved efforts in maintenance and up keep of the grounds and the implementation of community meetings to voice concerns. These are not only appropriate suggestions but very feasible.

The most important aspect of a graduate program is student morale. Low morale equates to low achievement. I Believe the single most effective way to improve student morale is through functions hosted by the school. Such functions could include a return of the winter formal dance, organized discounted outdoor activities (horseback riding, skiing, camping, hiking, organized school sponsored sporting teams, concerts), and social events. Fostering an environment where bonding and comradery occur is the essential element of this effort.

Forest Institute has always fostered a reputation for unwavering service for the residence of Springfield and the many surrounding areas. I Believe that we must maintain this standard in order to continue to elicit the respect that has been established by the members of this community for Forest Institute and it's graduates.

Despite the many years that Forest Institute has been a member of this community there appears to be very little awareness of our presence by the general local population. I Believe that fostering increased community awareness will result in a drastic increase in the community outpouring of support for Forest Institute initiatives, be it community service projects or efforts to directly benefit students. One way this may be accomplished is through a Forest Institute extension being added to the Ozark Greenways Trail system which runs on the property in front of the academic building.

In the age of obesity, all organizations should promote good physical wellness. I Believe that it is Forest Institute's duty to lead in this effort to promote fitness to all of it's faculty, staff and student body. This effort requires very little organizationally, yet the benefits can truly save lives.
There are few experiences that can match that offered by military service. I am honored to have served a 5-year enlistment as a Navy Medic assigned to the Marine Corps. It was my privilege to serve alongside the finest men and women of this country. I Believe that those experiences have prepared me well to foster the leadership and motivation needed to serve loyally as an elected student body officer.

My abduction last Fall was by far the most intense education I have ever received. I Believe that everyone should apply their diversity training and overcome their fear of the unknown and embrace our extra-terrestrial allies by hosting a DIPI to discuss this very misunderstood culture.
-Thank you for your time and consideration-
Adam B. for STUCO President

Neleha: Photo Assistant & Forest Institute Celebrity

My little Neleha tagged along with me one day as I was taking some promotional photographs for the school. The Admissions Department was updating their website and I volunteered to shoot some photos around the school and the clinic. Neleha and I had a blast walking around the campus and taking pictures. The best part was of course taking pictures of her.

Every time I would begin to take photos of another area of the campus she insisted on being in at least the first one. She was a wonderful model!

It really made her day when we went to the clinic and she got to pose for an actual promotional photograph. We needed a kid for a photo of our play therapy room and she served very nicely as our newest Forest Institute Celebrity. In fact she was a little upset when it was time to go.

To see all the photographs, including the one above of Neleha in the play therapy room, on the Forest Institute website just go to: Forest Institute Virtual Tour