Calling all descendents of
Isaac Cannon and Nancy Thomas
living in Indiana in the 1850 census
There is a Cannon family reunion this summer in Branson, Missouri, the
hotspot for family entertainment in the Ozark Mountains. The dates are
July 6th to July 12th, 2003. Planning brought to you by Ed and Vickie
Cannon in Kansas and David and Karen (Cannon) Pipkin in Tennessee.
We will be staying at the Fall Creek Resort (a Sunterra Resort
property). We have reserved a selection of one-bedroom and two-bedroom
condominium units that overlook scenic Lake Taneycomo (actually more
like a river at this point). All units have one queen bed in each
bedroom, and a queen sofa sleeper in the living room. They also have
fully equipped kitchens and washer/dryers. One-bedroom units have one
bath, and will be $84.15 per night. Two-bedroom units have two baths,
and will be $109.65 per night. Reservations in your name need to be made
by the end of May. You can call the resort at 1-800-562-6636 and ask for
Sandy at ext. 1480 (day). Night calls can be directed to anyone in
reservations. Ask for the Cannon Family reunion, held in the name of Ed
Cannon. Check in will be after 3pm on Sunday, July 6th. Check out will
be by 10:30am on July 12th. If you will be arriving in the area on July
5th, you should try to stay in Springfield, Joplin, or Fayetteville, as
the holiday is already booked at most places in Branson.
Our first evening will be spent at the pavilion at the clubhouse. It is
next to one of the pools and hot tub, and the miniature golf course. We
will have dinner together, and receive a reunion souvenir. Please send
$15 per person to Vickie Cannon, Box 457, Kechi, KS, 67067-0457 to pay
for dinner and the souvenir. Please include the T-shirt size for every
person. (Estimate the size in July for children.)
Branson is a lot like the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area, and some of the
attractions are owned by the same companies. There is just more music
and stage shows in Branson. Branson is also on the shores of Table Rock
Lake. We have planned some activities to take advantage of the setting.
Monday we will be going to Silver Dollar City, Tuesday will be boating
on Table Rock Lake, and Wednesday will be White Water amusement park.
The other two days will be left open for other activities that come up.
Branson is home to three outlet malls, and numerous mountain craft
shops. You can also attend shows from breakfast to late night. Eureka
Springs, Arkansas is also an easy day trip south of Branson. Eureka is a
Victorian mountain village.
For families, the best deal for Silver Dollar City and White Water is on
the Silver Dollar City website. If you purchase 3 or more season passes
before March 31, you will get unlimited access to Silver Dollar City,
White Water, and Celebration City (the new amusement park in Branson
open at night). The season pass also gives you access to discounts to
other attractions and shopping. If you are not interested in splashing
around at White Water, you can buy a single day admission ticket to
Silver Dollar City on the website, or purchase combination tickets that
will let you attend other attractions for one day/time.
(
silverdollarcity.com)
Monday is Silver Dollar City day. There is something for everyone here,
including crafts, music, wild roller coasters, and the biggest log
playground I have ever seen. Plan to spend the whole day here, from
breakfast to late evening. Kids can cool off on the water rides and play
on the playground and nap in one of the music revues. Our children have
a blast every time they go.
On Tuesday, we will have a variety of boats rented for our swimming,
boating, and fishing pleasure on Table Rock Lake. There will be jet
skis, pontoons, speedboats, and skiing equipment available. This cost
will be divided between the families that go. Bring your fishing gear
and swim suits! If you want to tow your own boat to Branson, there is
parking available at Fall Creek, and Fall Creek has it's own marina on
Lake Taneycomo. Taneycomo and Table Rock are separated by a massive
hydroelectric dam, so you can not get from one to the other. Taneycomo
is famous in Missouri for its' trout, stocked from the fish hatchery a
mile up river from Fall Creek. Table Rock is 52,300 acres, and is known
for bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.
Wednesday we will be going to White Water, the water park. They have a
picnic area, and lots of cool, wet fun. Non-swimmers can buy a land
lubber ticket and come in to enjoy the fun and sun. Bring plenty of
waterproof sun lotion!
Branson is well equipped for you golfers. Tee times will not be set up
in advance. That will be arranged after we know how many there will be.
Branson has nine 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course. Some have been
designed by Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus and have rolling terrain, and
some even have rocks!
We have arranged the outdoor activities where Branson got its' start.
The indoor activities are relatively new (mid 1950's), and we can
arrange those later.
The rest of the week and evenings are not planned, so each person has a
chance to do more personal activities. Should we decide as a group to
attend a show or additional attraction, group ticket prices are
available and can be arranged after we arrive.
If you are flying, the closest airport is in Springfield, Missouri,
about an hour away. You could also chose to fly into St. Louis (4
hours), Tulsa, Oklahoma (3 hours), or Fayetteville, Arkansas (4 hours).
Directions to the Fall Creek Resort from Springfield and I-44 (St. Louis
and Tulsa):
Go South from Springfield on US 65. US 65 is four lanes all the way.
Pass through Branson and turn right on Missouri 165, past the College of
the Ozarks and the airport. In 3 miles the road joins with Missouri 265.
Continue on for 4 miles to Table Rock Dam. After crossing the dam, stay
to the right. Bear right at the intersection where 265 and 165 split
(you want to stay on 165). You will pass the fish hatchery, Pointe
Royale resort and golf course, the Fairfield Resort (the timeshare
company, not the hotel), the Meadows Condominiums, and then come to the
Conoco Station and Pantry. Turn right just past the Conoco. You will be
at Sunterra at Fall Creek. Follow the double drive southeast to the
guardhouse. Cross the intersecting road and pull into the parking lot at
the clubhouse. Check in at the entrance under the portico. The pool and
miniature golf course are to the right of the clubhouse; the pavilion is
just behind it.
From Arkansas:
Take Us 65 North out of Arkansas. You will pass Missouri 86, Big Cedar
Lodge, and Top of the Rock Golf Course. Turn left at Missouri 265. The
junction with Missouri 165 will be in three miles. Go left. From there,
follow the directions from the dam above.
We suggest that you log on to the Branson Chamber of Commerce and
Visitor's Bureau and ask for maps, brochures, and the Summer 2003 show
schedule to be sent to you. It helps to be prepared for the traffic
routes before you come. Unless it is late at night, try to avoid
Missouri 76 through the heart of Branson. It is two-lane and very
crowded. The Branson CVB maps have alternate routes marked. There is
road construction around Branson as they deal with more visitors every
year. The above directions to the resort are not the most direct, but
will have less traffic on them.
<
http://www.explorebranson.com/> www.explorebranson.com
Dates and addresses
July 6 to July 12, 2003
Sunterra at Fall Creek Resort
One Fall Creek Drive
Branson, MO 65616
417-336-3611 or 417-334-6404
Reservations: 1-800-562-6636, ask for Sandy at extension 1480
You have to call by May 31 to move the held units into your name. At May
31, all unreserved units will be released.
Web: <
http://www.fallcreekresort.com/> www.fallcreekresort.com
e-mail: <mailto:fallcreekresort@sunterra.com>
fallcreekresort(a)sunterra.com
Send $15 per person for first night dinner and reunion souvenir
(remember to include the T-shirt size):
Ed and Vickie Cannon
Box 457
Kechi, KS 67067-0457
316-744-1461
e-mail: <mailto:edcannon@cox.net> edcannon(a)cox.net
David and Karen Pipkin
13051 Sanderling Lane
Knoxville, TN 37922
Vickie Glancy Cannon OR Ed Cannon