Love every moment May 8, 2015 1

C R E A T I N G M E M O R I E S W O R T H R E P E A T I N G®

Volume 39; Number 7 May 8, 2015

WHAT’S HAPPENINGDolly Announces

30 DAys of ThAnksDuring homecoming!

Dolly announced the kick-off of Dollywood’s 30 Days of Thanks during the media and VIP event held Friday, May 1. This special program recognizes our Guests for their support during our 30 years of operation.

During every operating day in May, 30 Days of Thanks provides an opportunity for us to thank our Guests for choosing to visit us with daily giveaways and prizes all month long. Because this Guest appreciation event will take place throughout the month, we want to arm you with the tools you need to answer all Guest questions regarding the event. The following is a list of opportunities for Guests during Dollywood’s 30 Days of Thanks:

• Each Guest vehicle will receive a FREE car magnet at the toll booths upon entry to the Park any operating day in May. Every car magnet will have a website address printed on it for the Guest to enter and win a digital prize. • If Guests do not receive a magnet upon entry, there will be extra magnets available at Guest Services and the Sales and Services Center. • During the month of May, Guests can enter at two on-park locations to win daily prizes. Each Guest may enter only once per day and there will be 30 winners per day. • Guest Entry Location 1: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort Preview Center Guest Entry Location 2: White Water Nature Shop *Please remind Guests they must have an email address to enter to win prizes.

• Each day, 30 Guests will each win one 2016 Dollywood season pass! • Even if Guests don’t win one of the 30 2016 Dollywood season passes distributed each operating day, each entry from the month of May will be entered to win the 30 Days of Thanks grand prize, A Dollywood Summer Vacation! This complete summer vacation includes: a two-night stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort (valid check-in Friday, Aug. 7 or Saturday, Aug. 8), four tickets to Dollywood, four tickets to Dollywood’s Splash Country (valid through the end of the 2015 season), four tickets to Dolly’s Pure and Simple concert during Dollywood’s Showcase of Stars, a meet and greet with Dolly before the concert and four Dollywood 30th anniversary t-shirts. *Transportation to Pigeon Forge not included.

• Guests also have the chance to win prizes in trivia prior to select shows throughout the month. The shows hosting trivia will be printed in the show schedule each week for Guest and Host reference. • Dollywood will host the Dollywood-A-Thon contest, May 29-31, in conjunction with some of our regional radio partners. During this three-day event, many lucky radio winners will be on-park to see who will be number one in the Dollywood-A-Thon! Look for more details regarding this event as they become available in the What’s Happening or the Host Communication Boards.

Remember, this month-long event is our way of saying thank you to our Guests. We want to let them know how much we appreciate their support during the past 30 seasons. For this reason, Hosts are not eligible to enter to win 30 Days of Thanks prizes listed above.

Thank you for your help in providing our Guests with accurate information regarding Dollywood’s 30 Days of Thanks.

2 Love every moment

Dolly and The Kingdom Heirs sing a majestic number to the delight of those in the audience. The entertainment icon is no stranger to Southern gospel music as our Guests discovered on Saturday morning!

On Saturday, Dolly made a visit to the My People show to see her family in action! At the end of the show, she told the audience how proud she is of “her people.”

Dolly’s float during the Pigeon Forge parade was decked out with images celebrating 30 years of Dollywood memories.

A picture-perfect afternoon greeted Dolly on Saturday afternoon. Here, she waves to Guests in front of Showstreet Palace Theater during her on-park tour.

During her park parade on Friday afternoon, Dolly stops to say hello to WVLT’s Kyle Grainger and Lauren Davis who were broadcasting live during First at Four. WBIR’s Live at Five at Four and WATE’s On Your Side at 4 p.m. also covered the event live.

Dolly, along with Jack and Sherry Herschend, pose for a photo with Dollywood’s 30-year Hosts to celebrate their milestone anniversary!

May 8, 2015 3

Attractions InternElectrician IIParking Team LeadPlumber IISales Audit SupervisorSocial Media ManagerSr. Employment Manager

Street Washer

Room AttendantTransportation Team Member

To see our complete list of open positions go to www.dollywoodjobs.com

NEW FOR 2015!Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country are hiring 15-year-olds to fill food service and lifeguard positions. Please share this with friends and family. If they are interested, please encourage them to act fast as the number of positions available are limited.

FRIENDLYFaces NeededFEATURED JOB OPENINGS

Opportunity OUTLOOKPlease Congratulate These Hostson Their Recent Promotions:Erica Stephens and Mary Riddle are now Amusements Sales Leads for the Tennessee Tornado Games team. Tara Stokely is now an Amusements Sales Lead for Country Fair Games.Bobbie Bell is now Assistant Team Lead at Backstage Restaurant. Stephen Stanton is now Assistant Team Lead Productions. Angela Schutte is Assistant Team Lead for Festival Foods.

Changing PlacesTennessee Tornado Amusements Team Lead Haley Spentzos will now be an Amusements Team Lead in the Country Fair Games area.Deborah Swartz is now Assistant Team Lead at the Host Lounge.

WelcomePlease welcome, Dan Bloemke, as our new Merchandise Director. Dan has over 25 years of experience in the attractions industry and comes to us directly from Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. Dan will join the team on May 11.

Job Fair FridaysMay 8, 15 & 22

Tell your friends and family all Dollywood properties are hiring and looking for friendly, hardworking Hosts to join us for a summer of fun! We will have job fairs on May 8, 15 and 22. We will be hiring 15-year-olds for Foods at Dollywood and for Foods and as Lifeguards at Dollywood’s Splash Country. If you know a 15-year-old who is ready to work with our team, please have them apply online and attend one of our Job Fair Fridays after school. We will make Job Fair interview appointments until 7 p.m.

ATTENTIONDollywood Company HostsEarn an extra $100 for every

new Host YOU recruit.TO QUALIFY:• New Host cannot be a previous Dollywood Company Host.• New Host must note you as the person who referred him/her on their application.• New Host must be hired and work for at least 60 days.• Both Hosts must still be on active payroll at the time the new Host reaches 60 days.

RECRUIT FOR LOOT

•NewHostscannotbeapreviousDollywoodCompanyHost.•NewHostmustnoteyouasthepersonwhoreferredhim/herontheirapplication.

•NewHostmustbehiredandworkforatleast60days.•BothHostsmuststillbeonactivepayrollatthetimetheNewHostreaches60days.

Love every moment

ATTENTION DollywoodCompanyHostsEarnanextra$100foreverynewHostYOUrecruit.

TO QUALIFY

RECRUIT FOR LOOT

Tell your Friends and Family to check out dollywoodjobs.com

4 Love every moment

exceeDing guesT expecTATionsGreetUnderstandExceeds ExpectationsServe and SuggestTreat

Dollywood has rightfully earned the reputation of having the friendliest Hosts from any theme park in the world. That reputation stems from our willingness to offer more than just a smile and friendly greeting. We also ask questions, listen to our Guests and observe to better understand how to meet their needs and desires. We then exceed expectations by going the extra mile and giving them more than they expected. Remember, it starts with having the right attitude; our Guests are Guests with us in our “home.” We should treat them like we would our family.

When you walk through the park, look for opportunities to make our Guests’ day better. For example, take second to share knowledge about the park with them; provide them some inside information to help them get more enjoyment out of their day. We want to answer Guest questions in 30 seconds or less, or get them to someone who can answer their questions. “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer unless you follow the statement with how you will assist the Guest to get the valuable information they need. Carry your Host reference guide with you so you can be an expert about our Park. Another one of the great things we as Hosts are empowered to do to exceed expectations is to replace a Guest’s spilled drinks or food for no charge. Don’t wait for someone else to take care of that Guest. Take the initiative. You are empowered to help our Guests have the best day ever. Many times, all it takes from us to exceed expectations for our Guests is a positive attitude and a willingness to look for little things we can do to go above and beyond. We want to provide an outstanding experience and create a memory worth repeating for our Guests. When we are successful at this we often make great memories for ourselves as well.

U.S. Cellularat Dollywood

Save up to 20% each month with U.S. Cellular! Dollywood has partnered with U.S. Cellular to bring you a monthly discount on the network which gives you coverage when and where you need it most!

U.S. Cellular will be set up at Post 2 on June 4-6. Please stop by and see what they have to offer!

VIP TOURSDebuting this year for our 30th anniversary is one of our new “Special Guest

Experiences.” Along with SkyZip, Wild Eagle: Lift Tour, and Premium Fireworks Seating for Great American Summer, the Operations team has introduced VIP Tours. Any Guest can now get VIP treatment during their visit with us at Dollywood. Our new VIP Tours offer our Guests personalized guided tours based on their interests in the park. Our VIP Tour Guests receive complimentary Valet parking, front-of-the-line access to all rides, reserved seating for shows, a 2015 refillable mug, package pick-up delivered to their car, a digital photo package, a gift from Dolly, lunch and more! Guests may purchase their VIP Tour (at least 48 hours in advance) online at Dollywood.com or over the phone by calling 1-800-Dollywood.

What If Award WinnerWhile doing a safety tour at Celebration Hall, Stephen Stanton pointed out several wire nuts on the sound

system were exposed to the public. Stephen was concerned a child could mistake the yellow wire nuts as candy or a toy and pull them off. These nuts could serve as a choking hazard, and the exposed electrical wire could cause dangerous situation.

Stephen’s suggestion was presented to the What If Committee. His suggestion was selected as the most effective during the last committee meeting.

What If is the process of looking for and identifying conditions which could cause injury to Guests or Hosts, or damage to property or equipment. These are conditions where an incident might happen. Hosts with suggestions for the What If Committee should submit their ideas to their immediate supervisor. These recommendations are shared during the committee meeting and the best suggestion each month receives the award.

May 8, 2015 5

Noah Builds An ArkBut what is an ark? Noah had lived 500 years and never seen one of these monstrosities. Boatbuilding and river traffic must

have been familiar to Noah from childhood. Living on the banks of the great Euphrates River would have afforded him many opportunities to sit under a tree and dream about sailing down the river beyond where the waters disappear over the edge of the earth.

Noah was a good man. He found favor with God. God honored his faithfulness. The man sets out to build the largest boat the world has ever seen. He is not certain how this crazy plan will unfold but he continues to hammer for the better part of 120 years. Undoubtedly he was the subject of unceasing ridicule even while doing the very thing God has asked him to do. He would later end his life in a drunken stupor. Noah saved the world but disappears into the shadows of disgrace of his sons.

The story of Noah is not about why God sent a flood to destroy the earth. This epic narrative speaks more about the people in the ark and their relationship with God above. We learn much more about why Noah and his family survived than we do about the people on the outside. Although the devastating reality of this historical event cannot be ignored, the truth is that a good and beautiful God has remained faithful to His promise.

Noah could never have convinced his friends that God told him to build this absurdity. Daily Noah grabbed his hammer and went to work, trying as best as he knew how to do what God called him to do. Our life may not end up like we hoped it would. We may not be perfect. But neither was Noah. And he saved the world.

So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him. (Genesis 7:5)

The difference is worth the distance.Joey Buck

Chaplain’sCHATTER

ChaplainJoey Buck

865-604-4997Jbuck@dollywood.com

SAFE Y MattersOur Friends the Feral Cats

Many Hosts may be aware of Dollywood’s ongoing feral (untamed) cat program. Because these cats help control the rodent population, they have been tested, sterilized and given rabies vaccines. In addition, the cats are fed every morning by a Host. To ensure the cats’ wellbeing, they also are medicated once a month to prevent parasites.

Please know that the feral cats are on a special diet. Although feeding them table scraps or other food items appears to be a kind gesture, any dietary changes could cause the cats to become ill. For example, they should never be given milk, which is upsetting to their digestive systems. Finally, do not attempt to pet or pick up any cat. Remember, while the cats serve an important role, they still are wild animals. The feral cat population tends to remain out of sight the majority of the time and only comes out once the Park is deserted. Hosts are encouraged to admire our feline friends from afar and know they are well taken care of by a caring staff member.

Please remember if you need assistance with any wild animal in the Park, please contact Security at ext. 9463.

6 Love every moment

Celebration CentralCongratulations to the entire Dollywood Team! On Saturday, May 2 we set a new all-time attendance record. All over the park our Hosts were prepared and focused on serving our Guests and a record number of Guests left with new Memories Worth Repeating. Our teams wanted our Guests to have the best experience possible and we were determined to help our Guests Love Every Moment. Here are some of the excellent results worth celebrating from this weekend:

• The Foods Team as a whole and 12 Foods locations set new all-time sales records: Sweet Shoppe Ice Cream, Red’s Diner, Splinter’s, Victoria’s Pizza, Dogs & Taters, Spotlight Bakery, Valley Concessions, Village Concessions, Wilderness Pass Concessions, Showstreet Concessions and Kettle Korn.

• Three Foods locations established new spending per person records: Splinter’s, Village Concessions and Wilderness Pass Concessions.

• Helping our Guests Love Every Moment, several teams set Foods service records: The Chicken Flatbread location set a new record number of transactions in an hour, twice in one day. The Company Outing Catering Team served over 400 Guests in 12 minutes through the Blue Ribbon buffet lines.

• Splinter’s and Dog House took home the trophy for the Foods Team Mug Sales Celebration.

• The entire Operations team is very proud of the level of fast and friendly service they were able to provide on Saturday. Many rides were able to accomplish records this weekend. The Admissions and Parking teams greeted our record number of Guests. Wild Eagle, Blazing Fury, Mystery Mine, Rockin’ Roadway, River Battle, River Rampage and the Dollywood Express all operated at extremely high rider rates on Saturday.

• FireChaser Express set a record for trains dispatched in an hour.

• The Turnstiles team set a new record of Guests through the turnstiles in one hour.

• On Sunday, Rockin’ Roadway set a new riders per hour record.

• The Amusements Team set a new all-time single day sales record, crushing the former record by more than 7%.

• These Merchandise Shops set new all-time single day sales records: Mystery Mine Merchandise shop, Grist Mill, Southern Life and Sweet Shoppe Candy Shop. In addition, the Grist Mill also set a new record for number of loaves of bread baked in a day.

• The stroller team saw a 26% increase in stroller sales on Saturday, and they set a new sales record. They also are selling Stroller Season Passes, and they have already sold 81% of the stroller passes they sold for the entire season last year. The Stroller Season Pass will make renting strollers on a daily basis much more convenient for our Guests.

• TimeSaver set a new all-time sales record on Saturday and they more than doubled their spending per person record. They also served 2% more Guests during Homecoming weekend as compared to last year.

• On the busiest day of the year, the Parking Team improved the wait time for Guests parking in the Dollywood’s Splash Country parking lot.

• The Operations Team successfully hosted their first VIP Tour.

We also had lots of other victories during the past two weeks and we want to celebrate all these achievements as well:

• On Thursday, April 30 the Mystery Mine merchandise team set a new spending per person record.

• Also over the past two weeks the Games team has worked very hard achieving their sales goals even when operating with a small crew. Their positive attitude was evident and they made many Guest memories over the past few weeks. Way to go team!

Splinter’s Crew ShowsOff Mug TrophySplinter’s Hosts Teresa Stanley, Tina Sliwinski and Christopher Aldridge hold up the trophy the Splinter’s/ Dog House team earned for their fantastic mug sales.

May 8, 2015 7

CorporateAnniversaries Years of Department Date Service May 9 Linda Loftis Foods 14 Carolyn Robertson Foods 8 Chris Householder Operations 9 Jimmie Moseley Operations 3 Gerald Kohn Operations 3 Jerome Haberkorn Operations 3 David Harris Entertainment 10 Nancy Peltier Entertainment 8 Paula Roberts Merchandise 3May 10 Tina Auker Foods 8 Donna Hamilton Operations 4 Jo Secrest Operations 4 Garry Salain Operations 12 Michelle Morgan Operations 1 Remona Castle Merchandise 1 James Hamilton Jr Merchandise 4 Bradley Hart M&C 4 Pennie Endres M&C 1May 11 Buddy Houser II Operations 24 Teresa Wilson Operations 3 Stephanie Serago Operations 2 Bill Ewell Entertainment 10May 12 Marjorie Palmer Foods 3 Pam Branam Operations 8 Bill Taylor Merchandise 1 Kathryn Barr M&C 16 Earl Sexton M&C 9 Timothy Hungerford DSC 2May 13 Buddy Lewis Safety & Security 9 J Johnson Safety & Security 16 Justin Bradley Entertainment 15 Thelma Ham Merchandise 17 Teri Lux Marketing 2 Brooke McCarter Marketing 2 Kris Hull DSC 19May 14 Michael Grimm Foods 1 Marisa Grimm Foods 1 Sharon Baker Foods 4 Thomas Nevins Foods 1 Annie Coppock Foods 22 Christian Brown Operations 1 Julia Rosales Paredes Operations 1 Emily Johnston Operations 1 Christopher Carson Operations 4 Heidi Parton Entertainment 2 Jordan Leach DSC 10May 15 Jerry King Safety & Security 5 Susan Barber Operations 2 David Barber Operations 2 Bill Orr Operations 7

May 16 David Blanton Safety & Security 3 Mildred Geisinger Foods 14 Angelia Anders Foods 3 Rob Magee Operations 10 Edwinnia Wampler Operations 5 Pat Harris Operations 8 Agnes Beeler Merchandise 12 Danny Chambers Merchandise 28 Chuck Swartz Finance 10 Jerry Owenby M&C 6May 17 Dakota Harris Foods 1 Cathy Parsons Foods 14 Harley Styles Foods 1 Ashlynne Haas Foods 1 Philip Pumphrey Foods 1 LaSandra Naillon Operations 2 Lamarr Hance Operations 11 Earl Bankston Operations 11 Diane Hoover Operations 1 Daniel Hoover Operations 1 Linda Noe Entertainment 12 Margie Bankston Entertainment 11 Wanda Elliott Merchandise 1 Winter Scott Merchandise 3 Johnny Henry Merchandise 15 Benjamin Balch Finance 12 Dirk Chandler M&C 15May 18 Dustin Madison Safety & Security 2 Pauline Schubert Foods 1 Leaomia Brooks Foods 22 Susan Mcclain Operations 2 Becky Taylor Operations 2 Meg Buckner Operations 8 Barbra Anthony Marketing 24 Boone Huffaker DSC 3May 19 John Wilkinson Operations 4 Joe Deanda Merchandise 29 Amanda George DSC 3May 20 Terry Truitt Foods 5 Rose Truitt Foods 5 Angela Davis HR 24 Ellen Ramsey Marketing 27May 21 Scott Barber Foods 1 Deborah Robinson Foods 1 Ken Kaverman Operations 1 Patricia Bearden Operations 10 Joan Gossard Merchandise 1 Therese Shannon Merchandise 10 Dustin Hicks Merchandise 1 Matt Young Special Events 14 Patricia Marable Finance 23 Alan Malott M&C 1 Russell Manning M&C 1May 22 Greg Sauceman Safety & Security 7 Linda Adair Foods 5 Tammy Childs Foods 5 Elizabeth Claytor Operations 11 Jessica Davis Merchandise 15 Brianna Russell DSC 5 Marie Rosa DMR 7

This list reflects the Host’s Current Team

CorporateBirthdaysMay 9 Sienna Castillon Foods Dennis Hill Entertainment Phyllis McSpadden MerhandiseMay 10 Hailee McCloud Foods Arlene Deverall Foods Dawn Callahan Foods Cody Stephenson Operations Anthony Feole Entertainment May 11 Robert Ridley Operations Cindy Johnson HR Lisa Livesay DWCMay 12 Rodney Sexton Saftery/Securtiy Diane Trenholm Foods Dakota Harris Foods Steven Schroll Operations Jimmy Spruill M&C Jerry Owenby M&CMay 13 Matthew Fultz Operations Justin Bradley Entertainment John Federenko M&C Mike Helton M&C Sammy Fugatt M&CMay 15 Danny Newman Foods Renata Beckwith Operations Rebecca Rogers Operations Tina Zalva MerhandiseMay 16 Janet Putt Foods Pete Owens MarketingMay 17 Carol Hicks DWCMay 18 Vance Hartley Entertainment Paula Riffle DWCMay 19 Amanda Knudsen Administrative Mary Hayes Foods Marjorie Palmer Foods Jack Bishop Operations Al Plaseyed Operations David Lindsey DWCMay 20 Cathy Parsons Foods Eddy Simpkins Operations Charlotte Moore-Jones Operations Sharon Rosenbalm Merhandise Marcia Hutton Special Events Bradley Hart M&C David Rose DSCMay 21 Lori Teaster Foods Mary Breedlove Operations Chance Smith Entertaiment Kay Martin MerhandiseMay 22 David Eggers Saftery/Securtiy Terry Truitt Foods Mable Smelcer Foods Betsie Roundy Operations

Park PerksEnjoy Memories Theatre as part of

our Park Perks program. We receive free admission for a Host and one Guest or a Host and eligible dependents. Please remember to bring your Dollywood ID and your most recent paycheck stub for your admission.

Medic Blood DriveFriday, May 15 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mobile unit will be parked in the tear-drop area near the Trolley Stop. All donors receive a FREE t-shirt and a coupon for a FREE Texas Roadhouse appetizer!

The need for blood is great. Community blood centers and area hospitals need 300 units of blood each day in order to keep up with demand. Please help make a difference; give blood and save a life.

Medic Regional Blood Center, 865-524-3074, www.medicblood.org

8 Love every moment

exclusive sogo offer for hfe employeesWe all work, but we don’t want to work forever. That’s why we need to save for the future. And while sometimes it seems

like it’s difficult to save for retirement, there’s a painless way to get started – the HFE 401(k) plan. Think of it as your own personal retirement SOGO.

What’s a SOGO? No, it’s not a new attraction. It’s what your HFE 401(k) plan offers you just for participating – Save One, Get One free! For every dollar you allocate to the company’s 401(k) plan, the company matches your contribution with another dollar (up to 2% of your salary that you contribute to the plan or 100% of the first $300 you contribute, whichever is greater.) To be eligible, you need to work for HFE for one year and 1,000 hours.Here’s a basic example of how it works: • John designates $10.00 a paycheck throughout the season for his 401(k) retirement account. This amount is automatically deposited into his account. • By the end of an average season, he’s already saved $200 in his 401(k). • Now, the HFE SOGO kicks in! The company matches John’s $200, dollar for dollar, so his account now has $400 without any extra work on his part! • This means in just five seasons, John saves $2,000 towards his retirement! Don’t delay in taking advantage of your HFE retirement SOGO offer! The quicker you start, the more you’ll save.For more information, contact your HR/Benefits Representative or Transamerica (our retirement plan administrator) at 800-755-5801 or on line at HFEC.trsretire.com.

Don’t Miss the Share It Forward Scholarship Application PeriodNOW through June 7 for Full-Time and Part-Time Students

Interested in pursuing higher education? For the 2015-2016 school year, Share It Forward will award 30 full-time scholarship awards at $2500.00 each, along with a limited number of part-time scholarships to HFE employees and/or their dependents.

Designed for employees who work, the part-time scholarship gives employees an opportunity to further their education and pursue their dreams. “Non-traditional students have every excuse not to go back to school… no time, work schedule, lack of resources,” states Valerie, a SIF part-time scholarship recipient. “The scholarship allowed me to finish my degree on time without going into debt. It removed a barrier to my dreams and gave me peace of mind so I could focus on my studies instead of a financial burden looming over my head.”

This year it’s easier than ever to apply with the NEW online application process! “Working with Scholarship America as our Share It Forward scholarship program administrator allows our organization to better serve our HFE employees and dependents who are interested in obtaining an award for undergraduate studies,” shares Aaron Newberry, Executive Director of SIF. “The online application will streamline the overall process and improve communication with applicants.”

When we asked Valerie what she’d like to share with employees who want to go back to school she said, “Share It Forward scholarships help people do what they want to do.

Just make sure you don’t let the everyday things get in the way of your dreams!” Valerie will graduate this May with a degree in accounting. She plans to sit for her CPA this summer and hopes to continue in Finance with HFE.

For more information or to access an application, go to www.share-it-forward.org. If you’d like to speak to someone about the application process, contact the SIF office at 417-338-8120.

Share It Forward is in its eleventh year of serving the men and women of Herschend Family Entertainment. We provide assistance programs, Life Skills classes and the Health Advocate Nurse Program. To learn more, visit our website at www.share-it-forward.org.

Share It Forward works…when we work together.

Jeremy Long, Attractions Lead at the Zipline, was one of nine students from Dollywood who received the 2014-2015SIF Scholarship.