EDITORIAL
Play Meter Editor
Bonnie Theard and
grandchildren Lilli
and Lucas at City
Putt Miniature Golf.
We want to hear from
you about any of the
articles in this issue or
topics you’d like to see.
E-mail:
(editorial@playmeter.net)
PLAY METER
or 23 years, Play Meter has devoted a special issue to family entertain-
ment, highlighting successful locations, attractions, operations, and more.
This Family Fun edition is filled with helpful information from our con-
tributing writers.
In Scoring Success, Joe Camarota III and Frank Seninsky chronicle the develop-
ment of the Go ‘N Bananas Family Fun Center in Lancaster, Pa. Amber Collier (On
the Front Lines) discusses confronting fear and moving forward (“Afraid of being
afraid will get you nowhere, except out of
business.”)
In Let’s Talk, Reggie Moultrie covers a
common question: “What’s more important
in redemption: the game or the prize?” The
FEC of the Month highlights Malibu Jack’s
in Lexington, Ky., a dream come true for
two brothers and a welcome addition to the
local community.
This month, our newest column, FEC
Focus, penned by Peter F. Olesen of Enter-
tainment Concepts Inc., is Part 1 of a two-
part series titled, “It takes time to open your
FEC.” Part 1 covers everything from defin-
ing your dream to developing a business
plan. Part 2 will cover topics that range
from determining financial capability to
preparing for opening day.
Find out more about what’s available for
indoor playgrounds in a special feature
titled “The great indoors.” Also in this issue:
Ask the FEC Expert, which poses a timely
question to FEC owners and managers; an
article on how laser tag brings video games
to life; and much more.
Arne Lundmark looks at 100 years of
miniature golf, a game and a sport that has
become part of American culture. Enjoy the
history and the similarities of early minia-
ture golf to today’s miniature golf. I can
recall playing miniature golf as a teenager;
it was a cheap date back then. It delivered a
long playing time for a small investment
and could be played by couples of the era
when “double dating” was in style.
When my grandchildren were visiting from Chicago, we went to the new City
Putt Miniature Golf in City Park. The two courses are themed to match the locale
with holes featuring alligators, pelicans, local street names, historic sites, New
Orleans cuisine, and the carousel horses on the park’s antique carousel listed on
the National Register of Historic Places. Miniature golf is equally appealing to all
age levels and both genders. Talk about an interactive game where practice leads to
greater success and children can often be victorious over older siblings, parents,
and grandparents.
Add to this our other regular features and you have quite an issue. ▲
6
APRIL 2016