Posted
As many of you know the Sunday after Stark Raven Mad, May 13th, is Mother's Day. Those of you who have been to Holiday World know that Pat Koch is the "matriarch" of Holiday World. It was Mrs. Koch's father-in-law who started the park and her son, Will, who keeps things running now. But anyone who has met her knows what a wonderful woman she is and what a presence she has at the park. To those of you who have not been to Holiday World she will be the energetic "older" woman running the Legend and hi-fiving rider's hands as each train departs, sweeping the pathways, emptying the ashtrays, or serving food. She never asks anyone to do something she won't do, she takes tremendous pride in her park, and she truly embodies the spirit of Holiday World.
Holiday World consistently goes out of it's way to make our visits special. What better way to make her day special than to bring her a Mother's Day card? Think about it... she could very well receive hundreds of cards at SRM! Even if this is your first visit and you have never met Mrs. Koch by the end of the night you will have fallen in love with her like so many have.
Here's the plan:
Because the park is open to the general public on Friday, May 11, the park plans to ask us to wait inside the theater for thirty minutes while they clear the park. This was done at last year's ACE Coaster Con and anyone who was there knows we are in for real a treat as we wait (and I won't spoil it for those who were not there). Paula will make sure Mrs. Koch is at the door as folks leave the theater, or she'll be out in the courtyard right in front of the theater. That way everyone will have time to stop by, say hello, and hand her your card. Also that makes it possible for you to enjoy ERT without having to carry around a greeting card in hopes that you will bump into her or lose it while riding.
I have to give credit where credit is due and send out a very special thanks to Brian Peters for coming up with this idea. All I've done is take the idea and run with it.
Thanks to all of you in advance for participating. If you know someone who is attending SRM and does NOT read Coasterbuzz please make sure you tell them about Operation Mother's Day.