UPDATE ON SCOUT'S NEW HOME: GREAT NEWS!!!

SaveScout has been contacted by Scout's new owner. We can all rest easy. Here's part of an email we received from the winning bidder.

“...I have been a fan of Six Flags over Georgia since I was a child and
this ride means a lot to me. Just wanted to let you know he/she's in
safe hands.”

Thursday will be the official Adoption day and it will take place at Scout's home of nearly 30 years: Six Flags Over Georgia.

This is bittersweet for SaveScout. On one hand, we dreamed of Scout retiring with us. But once we realized that wasn't a possibility, our efforts turned to making sure he ended up in a good home. So far, we're feeling much better about his future situation. And you should, too.

The new owner has promised SaveScout pictures once Scout arrives in his new home. We can expect them after the new year.

More details to come...

Who is n***r ??? Please come forward

n***r has the winning bid at $2,850. SaveScout hopes we find out good things about Scout's new home. Will n***r take him to see all the places and things he's missed in the last 30 years? How about making sure he gets to ride on Monster Mansion when it opens in Monster Plantation's place?

If n***r or anyone who knows n***r would please contact SaveScout, we'd appreciate it. Use our email (savescout@gmail.com). MP fans deserve to know where Scout's will rest his weary monster bones.

We'll also attempt to speak to Six Flags about documenting the adoption. If anyone has any idea of who we should talk to, please let us know.

The FInal Minutes of Bidding!

Monster Plantation was in good hands

SaveScout has taken this cold, yet peaceful, Saturday to sit around and think about the people who, back in 1980, came together to create Monster Plantation. We're not sure who had the original idea to create the wacky theme ride, but one thing is for sure: They knew who to hire to get it done. So far, this is who we know worked on MP.

Gary Goddard-The attraction guru and his entertainment company has created theme park rides, museums, acquariums, Vegas attractions and many more. His resume runs deep. He also directed Masters of the Universe in the 80's!!! Killer. See more of his work here.

Phil Mendez-The Illustrator/Creator has worked in animation for many years for giants such as Hanna-Barbera, DiC and Marvel

Larry Nikolai-s a Senior Conceptual Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Larry has helped to create attractions for Disney parks around the world. From “it’s a small world” and “Storybookland” (“Le Pays des Contes de Fées”) at Disneyland Paris to “Splash Mountain” and “Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare” at Tokyo Disneyland, as well as “Journey into Imagination with Figment” at EPCOT

Joe Desmeis-The first part of his career, he worked at the Walt Disney Company. He was a three-dimensional show designer working at both Disneyland and WED developing attractions for Disneyland, Disney World, EPCOT Center in Orlando, and Tokyo Disneyland. He is now the Executive Creative Director at Landmark Entertainment Group. Since its inception in 1980, Landmark Entertainment Group's mission has been to create new forms of entertainment for the expanding global audience.

What an awesome collection of talent. These guys are the best of the best.

Fans of MP are mostly thankful for the relief the ride provided from the hot ATL summer sun, its crazy monsters and annoying, yet catchy, song. But we should be thankful for the awesome talent that was asembled to make it all happen. Atlanta was very lucky to have this creative group all in one place, at one time, on one project. This doesn't happen often...scratch that. It doesn't happen ever.

If anyone has any info on who else helped create MP, please let us know. We'd like to add them to this esteemed group.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Hopefully, you're sitting down.

SaveScout.org has just received an email from the amazingly talented Larry Nikolai. Mr. Nikolai is the creator of the original maquettes for Monster Planation, a sculptor and Senior Conceptual Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering. He revealed some interesting news to us. Here's part of his message:

“...I have some news for you: "Scout" actually has a name. It's "Laurel". That's right- "he" is actually a "she".

Granted, practically nobody beyond the original designers ever knew her name. All of the character names (that's right- most of them do have 'em) were only listed in one place: "The Monster Plantation Production and Promotion Handbook" issued by Gary Goddard Productions on September 1, 1980. There are probably very few copies of this handbook in existence, but I do have one on the desk in front of me as I write this letter.

I sculpted Laurel and all of the original maquettes for the attraction from Phil Mendez's amazing drawings during the summer of 1980, and then continued on with the project through production and installation. The model maquettes were painted by Joe Demeis. I am enclosing here a couple of photos- one of the original maquettes and one of the final installed figures in the attraction when they were fresh and new. As you can see, Laurel has red curly hair to go along with her red lips. I don't know if the red hair survived these last 27 years, but she had it when the ride opened in March of 1981!”


It's a girl monster! And check out this original photo from Mr. Nikolai's collection. Monster Plantation fans, your world is about to be flipped upside down.




Scout is most definitely a female monster and her name is actually Laurel. WOW!!!

Thank you Mr. Nikolai for your email and the inside information.

We'll pass along any other information we get about our beloved ride. Just hearing the names involved in Monster Plantation is awesome. Phil Mendez, Larry Nikolai, Joe Demeis, Gary Goddard...the list goes on. These are all truly talented, creative minds.

TIme is running out!!!

Only a day left to bid on the monster. SaveScout has sweaty palms. We're rallying over here to figure out how to help Scout find a happy home.

The bidding is nearing $3,000 and we fully expect a late push tomorrow. The price should escalate rather quickly. Get your refresh button ready!

"Command" + "R" on a Mac.

More Monster Food!!!

We think Scout will love Fat Matt's. We'll get him a combo platter and a pint.

Thursday Morning Scout Update

Bidding nears $3,000. Four days left!

No word from Scout's employer on how Scout is taking all of this. But last we heard he wasn't talking much.

Great News!!! "[Scout] Smells Great"

Today has been a terrific day at SaveScout.org. Not only did we get a write-up in the AJC, but we also found out that Scout smells great. Here's the quote from Hela Sheth (Scout's former employer).

“He’s cute, doesn’t talk much and, since 27 years of dust and water-ride stink was washed off, Sheth said, “he smells great.”

We do wonder why he's not talking much. Probably because after 30 years of hard work, you're ditching him to the highest bidder on eBay. We probably wouldn't talk to you either.

Keep the faith, Scout. We're trying to bring you to a home where you'll want to talk all the time.

Monster Food!!!

We're taking bets on how many Chili Dogs Scout can eat? The over/under is 45. Monsters can grub.

SaveScout.org get some media attention

A short and sweet article was written about us in the AJC. We hope to stay in contact with the paper, giving them any major updates on our mission to SaveScout.

Here's a selection from the article:

“But two Atlanta residents say they’re worried about Scout’s post-ride retirement. Matt Berger, 30, and his creative partner, Rick Hill, 32, want Scout to stay here — go to Atlanta Braves games, nosh at the Varsity, see how much the city has changed since his fiberglass-and-fuzz body was built for the ride’s 1981 debut. Said Berger, without a hint of sarcasm: “It’s a whole new world out there for him. That’s why we want to protect him.”


Let us know what you think!

Monster Plantation on webshots.com

See more photos here.

Interview with Jamie Gumbrecht of the AJC

We just finished a great interview with Jamie at the AJC. Jamie is very nice and is a fantastic reporter. Her story on Monster Plantation can be read here. We look forward to her story on SaveScout.org that will hopefully make tomorrow's morning edition.

Thanks Jamie!

SaveScout Will Not Rest...More Questions We Just Sent To Scout's Former Employer

“Dear sixflagsovergeorgia,

...Another question for you...do you have any preference as to whether he stays in Atlanta? If say, someone from Canada was the highest bidder, is that ok with you guys?

SaveScout.org is pro-Atlanta. We'd like to see him stay here. He belongs in the Varsity or at Turner Field. Maybe in a loft in Castleberry Hill. He would fit in nicely there. Can Scout drive or does he own a MARTA Breeze card? Does he even know that MARTA doesn't take tokens anymore? The world has changed a lot since he was last outside of Monster Plantation.

These are all real issues that concern us at SaveScout.

We look forward to hearing your answers...

- savescout-org”

UPDATE: Waiting for a response from Scout's former employer

This morning, Six Flags Over GA responded to our questions regarding Scout and his feelings on being sold to the highest bidder. Here's what they had to say:

“Dear savescout-org,

Thanks for your inquiry. Scout is more than happy to help raise money for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. For 27 years, Scout has entertained children, and now he is continuing to give back to the community through this auction. Scout comes with the air valves still intact inside of him, although he is no longer hooked up to the air compression units to animate.

SFOG”


Message written on Dec 5:
_______________________________
Our message to Six Flags:



Hopefully we'll hear something soon.

SaveScout.org on ATLCreatives.com

We're stoked!

ATL Creatives posted our efforts on their site. To see our post on ATL Creatives, go to:

http://www.atlcreatives.com/

Keep ATL creative!

Free Consultations by SaveScout.org

If you're interested in bringing Scout into your home, you need to be sure your home is animatronic monster-proofed. The last thing you want is to get Scout home and have him completely wreck your house. He's a monster and he gets grumpy from time-to-time. All he knows is scaring people. You can't teach an old monster new tricks.

Contact us before you bid. Your first consultation is free.

savescout@gmail.com

What you can do to help a monster...and SaveScout.org!

Since our inception, many have asked us what they can do to help. SaveScout.org is currently working on a few ideas but since we only have until next Sunday (when the Ebay bidding ends), we've got to act fast! Here are a few we've come up with so far:

• Tell your friends about us. Especially anyone from the Atlanta or nearby.

• Tell us your favorite Monster Plantation stories, email us photos for us to post and friend us on facebook. Just simple things that will help grow the community.

• Donate items for us to sell on Ebay. Starting next week, SAVESCOUT-ORG (our ebay account) will begin selling items in order to raise money to make a solid bid on Scout. In the event that we don't win Scout, 100% of the money raised will be donated to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. That's how we roll. It ain't about the money. It's about making sure the monster finds a happy home with someone like us.

More to come!

Scout, Monster Plantation, etc - Press

A great article on the history and future of Monster Plantation. By Jamie Gumbrecht of the AJC.

Announcing the auction. By Mike Morris of the AJC.

More Monster Plantation from Jamie Gumbrecht . Comes with a few photos.

Tell us your favorite Monster Plantation Stories!

This is the place to talk about Scout, Fritter Bitter and all the other great creations. It was nearly 3 decades ago when Monster Plantation opened its doors. Now that it's officially gone, we find ourselves wishing we could tell Billy Bob Fritter to "suck it!!!" just one more time. We're going in the marsh whether you want us to or not! Literally millions of people have totally ignored his advice and we think they all came out alive. We think.

Please tell us your favorite memories!

Why Scout?

Why not Charles or Michael or Big Bad Mamma Jamma? Here’s the best we have:
S.C.O.U.T. …or – Scaring Children Ordinarily Under Ten –

What do you guys think it means?

The Great "Gary Goddard"

A rare photo of designer Gary Goddard with one of his creations from the Monster Plantation ride at SFOG. (AJC file photo)

see more photos at:
http://projects.accessatlanta.com/gallery/view/entertainment/monster-plantation/3.html

Outside the Monster Plantation

Here's a couple of photos we found online that shows the outside of the ride. (more at SFOG.net) Keep'em coming SFOG!

Cool Pictures of the Monster Plantation from Ch 2

Here's some really cool photos of the Monster Plantation ride over at Six Flags of Georgia. Thanks for the great memories and photos Ch 2. Great Memories!!!! Can't wait for the new Monster Mansion adventure!

http://www.wsbtv.com/slideshow/entertainment/17538586/detail.html

More Character Designs for Monster Plantation ride

"Mizzy Scarlet" & "Busby" of Monster Plantation in SFOG

Here's "Mizzy Scarlet" (ancestral owner of the Monster Plantation) and "Busby" (mascot for the Monster Plantation in Six Flags over Georgia). Busby was named after the GA Gov. George Busby.

Economy bad for Monsters, too?

After 29 years, Scout is out of the job. On the street and unemployed. It’s sad, really. I mean, what else does a monster have to do? He showed up for work every day, never complained and never tired of scaring kids and adults like. At least his resume is strong. He would fit in great at SaveScout.org.

Bidding is up to $1575!!!!!!

There are a lot of serious Scout and Monster Plantation fans out there. wow...it brings a tear to our eye. We are going to start raising money so we can try to bring Scout home to us. We can't think of a better place for a monster to live.

BID FOR SCOUT HERE!!!

Making Of The Monster Plantation

Monster Plantation Theme Song!

Inside Monster Plantation!

"Don't Go That Way!"

Can You find Scout?

Monster Plantation Ride "Marsh Ridin"

If you're from ATL or lived in ATL in the past 30 years, then this should bring back some fun memories. Awesome!

Scout was created by Phil Mendez

http://philmendezartist.com/

Save Scout on Facebook

We are keeping tabs of Scout on Facebook. Come on over and friend us as we do whatever it takes to makes sure Scout gets his due. Tell stories of Monster Plantation! Upload photos. Comment on ours.

Scout RULES!

Welcome to SaveScout.org

Scout the Monster Up for Auction!

Holy Animatronicamania! Is this real? We checked Ebay and it is. Scout, one of the characters from Six Flags Over Georgia’s Monster Plantation is available for purchase. Scout deserves a good home. We’re going to make sure of it.

Who is SaveScout.org?

SaveScout.org is a growing community of Scout and Monster Plantation fans. While we're excited that Scout is up for auction on Ebay, we also fear he winds up in a situation where he isn't fully appreciated and taken care of properly. You can't just bring an iconic animatronic monster into a human home and think things are going to be cool. He's not a puppy. And what about all his friends back at the swamp? How are they dealing with the fact that one of their brothers is up for grabs tothe highest bidder? We've yet to hear from any of them.

SaveScout.org will never forget all the years Scout and his monster friends gave Atlanta. Nearly 3 decades! The last thing we want to see is another Atlanta icon (and hard-working monster) fall into obscurity. Atlantans have many great memories of Monster Plantation and, as our community grows, we want to make sure Scout remains a part of it. We're hoping to partner with Monster Plantation fans all over and do whatever it takes to make sure Scout lands in a good home! God forbid he ends up in a less-than-fortunate situation.

Savescout.org is a celebration of Scout and Monster Plantation but it also serves as a gathering place for a community to gather, talk and figure out ways to keep Scout alive and well.

We are currently coming up with ways to ensure the loving monster finds a good home. Hopefully ours but we fear the price may put Scout out of our reach.

Email us at savescout@gmail.com

Theme Song!

"Oh, come on now, you’re invited!
To what?
To a picnic!
What kinda picnic?
Monster picnic, but humans are allowed today.
So, join the monsters at the mansion.
Relax and come inside, relax enjoy the ride!"

—- Jamie Gumbrecht