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Winter Haven News Chief
Sunday, April 3, 2005
Gardens
owner acquires Southern Breeze
The Southern Breeze,
an authentic replica of a 19th century paddle wheel boat
that operated from inside Cypress Gardens,
has come under new management.
Kent Buescher, owner of Cypress
Gardens Adventure Park,
has purchased the 70-ton boat for an undisclosed amount.
He plans to rename the boat Cypress Belle,
in honor of the belles of Cypress Gardens.
The boat was previously owned by
Espen Tandberg of Southern Grace Cruises Inc.
The Popes, the previous owners of Cypress Gardens,
had a contract with Tandberg in which park guests
could purchase tickets for the boat at a booth
located just inside the old park entrance.
The cruise was an additional charge.
The Southern Breeze was originally built in 1989
by LaCrosse Riverboat Company in LaCrosse, Wis.,
as one of nine in a series of 1880s-style paddle-wheel boats.
It is a true paddle-wheel, diesel-propelled only by two stern wheels
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