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TOP STORIES
FridayNovember202009



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6 decades of employees reflect on Aquarena's history
11/7/2009 8:16 PM
By: Russell Wilde

Peggy Sparks was an Aquamaid at Aquarena Springs.  
Looking at old pictures of Aquarena Springs makes Peggy Sparks' eyes light up.

It's been almost 60 years since she made her debut as an Aquamaid.

"Doing synchronized ballerina stuff under water. We had a wonderful time," she said.

Breathing air through a hose, drinking soda and doing several routines, Sparks spent thousands of hours underwater during her three years as a performer.

"It was big time. $1.65 an hour," she said.

With old video, pictures and memorabilia, Aquarena employees from the past six decades gathered Saturday to relive their glory days.

Clowns, underwater antics and Ralph the Swimming Pig all have their place in Aquarena's history. Over the years, the center has provided university students jobs and a taste of show business.
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Aquarena Springs

News 8's Russell Wilde introduces us to some of the people who worked in the park more than 50 years ago.



"It was just a lot of fun to come over here and do stuff over here. It was a big deal back then," former employee Dan Crow said.

Sparks said many of her friends and neighbors don't know about her aquatic past, but she still remembers the moves, at least in her dreams.

"I've gone through all of the acts and wake up with my one leg sticking up in the air and doing a ballet knee-back-roll in my sleep," she said.

She said she can still feel the chill of the cold water.



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Troubled Waters
News 8's Jenna Hiller explored the troubled waters in Central Texas and traveled down the Colorado River in search of information. Click on the links to watch, read and interact.

Part 1: Regional cooperation drying out
Part 2: Texas rice farmer takes on water wars
Part 3: Security of supply saturates perception
Part 4: Bad news travels near and far
Part 5: Bad news travels near and far

Where does your water come from?

Find what you're looking for at Louis Shanks. We'll make you feel right at home.

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