Medora Will Have A Role In Next 25 Years ince Lombardi, it is more exciting to look ahead. A few Vthe legendary thoughts about that future: Green Bay Packers Inside... football coach, z Medora must stay pristine, clean, said, “The next wholesome, and true to Harold time you make a Schafer’s promise to provide 2 touchdown, act like uncompromisingly good family sheila schafer: you’ve been there entertainment. the view from before.” Implied in z In a fast-paced, expanding North buck hill Randy Hatzenbuhler his statement was Dakota economy, more people are TRMF President that you should choosing to live here. Medora can expect to do it again play a role in helping new residents 4 and that you should not over-celebrate. to our state adopt the best of what ed schafer: April 2, 2011, quietly marked the 25th makes us North Dakotans. Medora what would anniversary of the Theodore Roosevelt can play a role in helping them harold say? Medora Foundation (TRMF). and visitors become even better We will avoid excessive celebrating, stewards. The values exhibited 10 but we will have a lot of fun in 2011. And by our workers and volunteers, the new trmf we have the expectation that Medora’s beauty of the badlands, and protected board signi cance and TRMF’s role will be land in the Theodore Roosevelt members even greater during the next twenty- ve National Park can in uence people years! It is fun to look back at 25 years to have respect and appreciation for of building and accomplishments, but North Dakota. 12 continued on page 2 excerpt from the majic bus 16 restoring the von hoffman house This photo of a buffalo herd in Theodore Roosevelt National Park was taken by Bill Kingsbury, TRMF board member. The framed print hangs in many of the rooms at the Rough Riders Hotel. The View From heila Schafer never ceases to amaze. This past winter, Buck Hill Sshe took a poetry class. Of course, part of taking a poetry class is writing poems. Here is one of her offerings. Where My Soul Is Home A oat above the rest, a sacred butte Medora Morning sun, spring, wild ower—alone The awe of creation – my sense of place In peace, I stand, where I shall someday lie. Here is her explanation of the poem. “On coming to Medora each spring—and climbing Buck Hill—I clap three times. z Once for the creation. z Once because Harold was so brave to sell his company and ful ll his dream of restoring the history and legends and magic of Medora. z And once because I’ve been granted “one more summer.” When I am gone, my friends will scatter ashes of mine at Buck Hill. Who can tell—perhaps I’ll clap again.” The Next 25 Years continued from page 1 z Visitors perceive Medora as authentic. Authenticity We truly love our responsibility and opportunity in can come at the price of extra maintenance Medora. All the while we get to dream about bigger, expense and fewer marketing opportunities that are better and more things for the next 25 years; we also afforded by large billboards and neon signs. But have the excitement of what is immediately in front of it is also that which makes Medora attractive and us – SUMMER! One of my favorite things is hearing valuable to most visitors. We believe it is vital to stories of people who have come to Medora for 6 or 12 Medora’s future success. or 20 or even 47 consecutive years. They tell of how z Projects, projects, projects. The article “Ambitious they love sitting in the amphitheatre and enjoying the Growth Plans Being Discussed In Medora,” found simultaneously classic, and yet new each summer, on page 8 of this newsletter, notes projects that we Medora Musical. It opens June 10, but the golf course hope to work on in the years to come. will be open much earlier! z One in particular, an “institute” is a concept that It looks to be a busy season, and there are events recognizes that Harold Schafer and Theodore and special discounts celebrating TRMF’s 25th Roosevelt are linked as part of Medora’s history, anniversary (example: Bully the Play and Comedy and that their ideas on entrepreneurship, business, Corner are ½ priced all season) so now is the time to conservation, public policy, philanthropy, family, call us at 1-800-633-6721 or visit www.medora.com to work, a strenuous life and many more subjects book everything you need. Our spring visitor’s guide are worthy of study and relevant today and can is being mailed with this newsletter to help you plan a help shape a better future for our region. I imagine badlands trip. See you in Medora! Harold and TR would have been good friends had they lived at the same time and met; they would not have agreed on everything, but they would have shared a common optimism and energy that far exceeded those around them. I look forward to our Randy Hatzenbuhler discussions about an institute. Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation President 2 Medora In Winter: A Great Getaway crackling re in the replace. A library full of Theodore Roosevelt books. Steaming hot coffee A and homemade muf ns on a crisp winter morning. A buffalo herd lumbering down a trail in the national park right outside your bedroom window. And a “blue plate special” for supper in the dining room. That’s the recipe for the rst successful winter season at Medora’s Rough Riders Hotel, North Dakota’s The Rough Riders Hotel served guests all winter and is on its way to becoming a year-round, newest full-service hotel, located in the heart of the full-service hotel. badlands. “It was a very successful rst winter for the hotel,” says Medora’s Chief Operating Of cer, John Motley. “Better than we had anticipated.” The more we, as staff, know about how the different The newly-renovated and expanded Rough Riders areas operate, the more well-rounded we become. Our Hotel will celebrate its rst birthday in May, and Motley guests will bene t from that as much as we do.” says it has been a very good rst year. “Business was “We had groups in from all over the state, and terri c last summer, our shoulder season months of May they’re nding this is a very good meeting place. Not and October are strong, and, while it was a challenge to only are the facilities rst-class, but the setting here in hire winter staff, everyone pitched in to make the winter the badlands provides a great atmosphere for getting a success as well.” away from the cities and really relaxing while getting “We’ve established our baseline trend levels now, so some business done.” we’ll have a better idea of what to expect in the future,” Motley says a lot of visitors, locally and from around Motley says. “There’s no question that we’ll be a year- the region, were just enjoying a weekend getaway. “The round destination now.” cross country ski trails at Bully Pulpit, along the Little By far the biggest challenge is staf ng the hotel over Missouri River, were a big hit with guests,” Motley says. the winter, Motley says. “But we’ve found that the regular “And having the luxury of an evening in the new hotel, staff here likes to pitch in and help. And that is great. with its ne dining, added to the experience.” both for us and for our customers. That’s changed, now Operators that we’ve made this investment.” John Motley, Medora’s Chief Operating Of cer, Are Standing By! says the upgrade now gives the Medora switchboard f you’ve already called the Medora switchboard to crew access to 48 lines, instead of just 12 in the past. Imake reservations for this summer, you’ve noticed “We’ll add staff, now that we have more lines, and something different: things happen a lot quicker on everything will happen faster, making for a much better the phone this year. That’s the bene t of a $150,000 customer experience.” investment by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora The 1-800-MEDORA-1 phone line is well known Foundation in a new state-of-the-art phone and throughout the region, and it does so much more than computerized reservations system. just make room reservations. In addition to booking “Frankly, there were a lot of times we just weren’t a room, callers often order their Medora Musical and very good at taking care of business over the phone,” Bully! The Play tickets, purchase gift cards, make says Randy Hatzenbuhler, Theodore Roosevelt dinner reservations at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and Medora Foundation President. “That’s been frustrating, reserve tee times at Bully Pulpit Golf Course. “Because we’re the central switchboard for most Medora attractions and retail shops, as well as dining and lodging facilities, we tended to get jammed up in the past, and we know that was frustrating for our Rebecca Roth is one of the smiling guests,” Motley says. faces on the So far this year, the system is paying off. “Our other end of the advance reservations are signi cantly ahead of last phone when you year,” Motley says. “Just by being able to handle more call Medora for calls, in a more ef cient manner, we’re seeing business reservations this year. improve.” “Call us!” Motley says. “Operators are standing by!” 3 Under Harold’s Hat What Would Harold Say? Probably no one knows better what went on “Under saddles and lots of guns.