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THE SUDDEN DRAINAGE OF LAKE DELTON FOLLOWING THE RECENT HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING HAS ESSENTIALLY REDUCED THE TOMMY BARTLETT SHOW in Wisconsin Dells to a sky and stage act for the time being.

Which is probably the first time ever in its 56-year run in Wisconsin Dells that there was no waterski portion of "The Show" to speak of.

But, nonetheless, perhaps this is as good a time as any to make note of some of the more famous stage acts to grace the shores of Tommy Bartlett Bay on Lake Delton during Act II thereof:

• 1957: A rotating selection of performers from The Lawrence Welk Show made one-week performances, with The Lemmon Sisters being especially popular with audiences. The "Dancing Waters" routine, basically a son et lumière performance not unlike Waltzing Waters, was added, and would remain part of the evening performance until 1986.
• 1958: Michael Kelly's ice-dancing company performs an ice-skating revue, "Holi-Dells on Ice," on a real ice rink set up on stage--even with 100-degree-plus temperatures for several days.
• 1959: Doug Alii's Hinohino Tahitian Drum Dancers make the first of many appearences bringing a touch of Polynesia to "up where the pines begin." By 1970, the knife-throwing routine in the act was dropped after an elderly woman from Minneapolis was nearly scared when one of the knives came unconfortably close to her seat.
• 1975: Wes Harrison, "Mr. Sound Effects," makes the first of many appearences to the Tommy Bartlett stage.
• 1980's: The Argentine rhythyms of Los Gauchos Latinos and the first of many appearences by the famous Swiss acrobat troupe The Nerveless Nocks, famous for the three-way swaypole exchange. German-born juggler/comedian Dieter "You like it, I do it again!" Tasso becomes another Show favourite. From 1987, a new Laser Lights and Entrancing Waters show wraps up the evening performance, complete with Patriotic Finale.
• 1990's: Risley (Australian foot) juggling troupe, The Ashton Family, makes several appearences, as does the Boehmer Family Jugglers, all 11 members, and contortionist Miss Carolina.
• 2000's: Return of Polynesian dancing to the Tommy Bartlett stage with Netane's Polynesian Drum Dancers continuing the tradition of Doug Alii's company from the late 1950's into the 1970's. Comedian T.J. Howell also graces the stage.

And the common demoninator throughout: Nothing but clean, wholesome, family-friendly entertainment. In fact Mr. Bartlett, who died @ the end of the 1998 season, was proud of the fact that there was never a bad word uttered nor suggestive gesture performed upon the shores of Tommy Bartlett Bay for his audiences.

The fact of which continues to this very day.

Is it any wonder that The Tommy Bartlett Show has consistently remained the #1 live summer outdoor show in the country for many years running, with nearly 50 million people having seen it during its 55-year run?

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BY THE WAY: IN CASE ANY OF YOU ARE WONDERING HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE RESTORATION OF LAKE DELTON, you can send a check or money order, payable to "Village of Lake Delton" and with "Lake Delton Restoration" noted in the "memo" section, to:

Village of Lake Delton
Lake Delton Restoration Fund
PO Box 87
Lake Delton, WI 53940-0087
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Those of you from overseas should make your donation in US dollars, in the form of a cheque or draft drawn on, and payable through, a bank in the United States.)

No amount too small or too big will be declined.