The Tourist Information Center is officially closed for the 2010 season.  The center is funded by the Thayer Chamber of Commerce,  due to lack of interest by local businesses, city officials and residents it is no longer able to pay my salary so we are closing the doors.  We will open again April 15, 2015.  Our plans are to keep it open through Sept. 15.  Until we acquire state or local funding we will have to return to the 'all volunteer' staff.  Everyone have a safe winter, see you next spring. Caroline Sutherland Laus Deo

July ended with just 331 visitors to the center for the month.  This brought our YTD total to 263l.  over 400 less than last year.  So we will be closing the center for the season September 30 this year.   Since I took over management of the center in 2007 I have had many interesting visitors and experiences.  Visitors - folk from all over America and the world.  Experiences - removing dead cats from underneath the caboose and Saturday helping execute and remove a rat from the grounds.  Now I ask you, have I had a fun job or what? My next message will let you know what the future of the center is.  Til then, thank you for visiting, and I hope you had a good time. Caroline Sutherland Laus Deo

The TIC was closed yesterday afternoon.  A transformer had blown in the area leaving us with no electricity and of course no air conditioning.  Not a good day to sit inside the caboose so I took a rare Sunday afternoon off. Pat Johnson had a good day at the center Saturday.  She had 11 visitors and sold several post cards.  I certainly appreciate her allowing me to attend my family's reunion. The reunion was great.  67 in attendance.  Faye Frazier from Yukon, OK and is 94 was the oldest cousin there.   Two weeks left in July.  I' anxious to see if we top last July's attendance record. Caroline Sutherland Laus Deo

We reached the middle of July with a great visitor count - - - 167 for July, 2567 since March 1. A lovely  couple from Oslo, Norway stopped in on their way to Branson.  It is always great to meet and welcome folk from foreign lands.   The rains have finally returned, and we are back to our beautiful green hills.  It is still very hot, but we are so very thankful for the rains. Today I will be attending the annual reunion of my mother's family.  Volunteer Pat Johnson will be on board the caboose today.  She has is really helping me out during this time of losing two of our volunteers.  I appreciate her so very much. Caroline Sutherland Laus Deo