The banquet will be held at First Baptist Church of Ozark.
1400 West Jackson
Ozark, MO
417-581-2484

Click here for full flyer.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 14 – The Little Rock District of the Army Corps of Engineers will host a public workshop Thursday, Jan. 22 in Harrison, Ark., to discuss its marina commercial zone policy.
The policy restricts recreational activities within 50 feet of all marina docks on district lakes in the interest of public safety, security of visitor property and to reduce conflicts among various groups of recreational lake users.

The informal workshop will be held from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Quality Inn Conference Room at 1210 US Highways 62/65 North. Tables will be set up, and interested persons can come by and talk one-on-one with members of the Corps.

Examples of prohibited activities are no fishing, swimming, diving, jumping or wading within 50 feet of marina docks. Only those going to or from a dock on marina business, such as slip renters or store customers, are authorized within 50 feet. Marina docks will be marked with signs before enforcement begins.

Lakes that fall under the new policy include Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Clearwater, Greers Ferry, Dardanelle and Millwood.

The SWMO Venom, an outdoor, 11 man, NFL style, semipro football team will be holding open tryouts on Saturday, January 17th at 8 am. Tryouts will begin promptly at the Lake Country Soccer Complex in Springfield, MO.

“We are looking for players for all positions, as well as cheerleaders/dancers for our Venom Girls. As this is our inagural season, we expect the Springfield/Branson area to produce the high caliber of players that it’s very well known for.” Said Mike Langford, owner of the team.

Mike went on to say that he has very high hopes for the team and encourages anyone who plays football, and even those that have never played an organized game in their life, to come and tryout. “There’s untapped talent here, as well. As long as a player has heart and dedication to the team, we can work on fundamentals.” Mike also said.

As far as the requirements, it’s suggested that you visit the website for details. You can find them at www.swmofootball.com.

Hollister, MO – The Chad A. Fuqua Foundation is now a reality. According to Parks Director Jeramie Brannon, the business leaders in the Tri-Lakes area, friends and family of Chad Fuqua have donated more than $8,000.00 to a Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Fund. Chad’s parents, Bryan and Vonnie Mathiesen had agreed to match the first $5000.00…thus bringing the foundation total to $13,000.

The foundation board of directors will consist of Joe Sadewhite of Columbia, MO and a long time childhood friend of Chad; Vonnie Mathiesen, Chad’s mother, and Alderman Scott McCaully the City Council representative to the Hollister Park Board.

The STAR Alternative School, Scott Wenger, Coordinator is announcing the receipt of a $5,000 scholarship from Lowes to add improvements to the Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park. To date the group of 16 or more students has worked on the trail leading to Hackett Falls. Other items to be added to the park area include a gazebo, planter boxes and a picnic area near the bridge crossing over Hackett Falls.

The Chad A Fuqua Foundation will continue to accept donations. Several fund raisers are being planned for spring 2009.

A total of 222 students at Ouachita Baptist University were named to the President’s List for the fall 2008 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must compile a 4.0 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours.

The following Missouri students were named to the President’s List and are listed in order of hometown:
…BRANSON, Mo. – Marcie Bealer…

Branson, MO – The Branson Police Department is investigating a report of an armed robbery that occurred this afternoon at the Auntie Anne’s Pretzel shop located in the Factory Merchants Mall. Just before 3:30 p.m. a female entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect left the business fleeing the area on foot, leaving in an unknown direction. There were no injuries during the incident.

The suspect was described as a white female, approximately 5’8” with a thin build. She was wearing a black pull over sweatshirt which had a blue hood, blue jeans and a black face mask. The woman was armed with a dark colored handgun.

The investigation continues at this time. Anyone having information to offer regarding this incident is asked to contact the Branson Police Department at 334-3300 or to offer information anonymously, the department’s CATCH line at 334-1085.

Caroll W. McCullough, Chief of Polic

Branson, MO – Bring the whole family! The annual Hometown Radio Health and Family Fair, presented by Skaggs Community Health Center, is Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Branson Convention Center. There are some exciting new programs this year, including the Missouri Child Identification program (MOCHIP), a free service provided by Branson Masonic Lodge #587.
The schedule is

FRIDAY

8 a.m.-noon: Healthy Heart Screenings (make an appointment by calling 335-7140 or at www.skaggs.net)
9 a.m.: Silver Sneakers Demonstration
10 a.m.: Healthy Cooking Demonstration with Chef Nathan Read
Noon: “Ask the Experts”, a panel of experts answers your health questions
1 p.m.: Silver Sneakers Demonstration
2 p.m.: Concert Pianist and Skaggs Cardiologist Dr. Eliot Nissenbaum at the piano

SATURDAY

8 a.m.-noon: Healthy Heart Screenings (make an appointment by calling 335-7140 or at www.skaggs.net)
9 a.m.: Presentation-Managing Stress
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Missouri Child Identification Program
10 a.m.: Cooking Demonstration with Debbie Dance Uhrig
Noon: Fitness for Kids
1 p.m.: Tai Chi Demonstration
2 p.m.: The exciting conclusion of the Lighten up for Life Challenge 2!

BRANSON, Mo., Jan 12, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The legendary Osmonds will return to The Osmonds Theater in Branson, Missouri to perform several engagements in 2009, it was announced today by Jimmy Osmond. Celebrating 50 years in show business and having just returned from a sold-out world concert tour, the Osmonds look forward to playing daily to Branson audiences later this year.

The Osmonds Theater originally opened in 1992 as The Osmond Family Theater and since then, the theater as well as the Osmond family have maintained a consistent presence in world famous Branson on the 76 Strip.

As of March 9, 2009, The Osmonds Theater will officially be under the new management of Nolan Fogle, owner of five successful Branson restaurants, and will follow the Osmond family tradition of presenting world class entertainment in spectacular productions.

According to Jimmy Osmond, youngest Osmond brother and owner of the theater, “It’s really been an amazing year and it’s great to be back in Branson, which has always felt like home to me and my family. We’re excited to have the opportunity to continue entertaining our many fans who travel from all over the world to see us!”

Jimmy Osmond will return to join his brothers at the theater later this year, after he wraps starring roles in the Broadway musicals “Cinderella,” “Grease,” and “Chicago,” in the U.K.

The Osmonds shows commence this September through December and can be found at www.osmondstheater.com For further information and show schedules, please contact Mike Pitman at (417) 334-0754.

SOURCE: The Osmonds Theater

The first of a series of the Best of the Gene Williams Country Television Show will feature Johnny Cash’s Tennessee Three on the next Lucas Oil sponsored, Telly Award-winning show that is taped live in Branson, Mo. and telecast across the nation to more than 60 million homes coast-to-coast and border-to-border.
The show with the Tennessee Three will be telecast Jan. 17 and 18. (EDITOR’S CHECK LISTINGS BELOW). In addition to being telecast across the nation, the Gene Williams Country Television Show can also be seen in Puerto Rico and Canada.

“It was a challenge getting Johnny Cash’s Tennessee Three’s appearances on two of my shows condensed into just one for this special series. Because of the popularity of the movie ‘Walk the Line,’ the Tennessee Three have been discovered by even more fans,” said Gene Williams who grew up with Cash in Dyess, Ark., worked in country music with Cash himself. “My friends, guitarist Bob Wootton and WS Holland on drums, the longest standing members of Johnny Cash’s band, are carrying on the tradition they started more than 40 years ago. They are accompanied by Vicky Wootton, vocals and rhythm guitar; Scarlett Wootton, guitar and vocals; and Lisa Horngren, upright bass; and delighting fans everywhere.”

Cash called Holland “the greatest drummer in the world” and nicknamed him “Father of the Drums.” Holland is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and in 2004 was awarded the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. When Cash hired Wootton permanently, the agreement was that Wootton would be with Cash for the rest of his life. His unparalleled similarity to Cash’s style of singing has fans saying they are watching The Man in Black himself.

In addition to the Tennessee Three the Best of Series will feature Blackwood Brothers, Johnny Lee, Barbara Fairchild, Joey Riley and Mickey Gilley.

Williams will be announcing his new location for the Gene Williams Country Television Show tapings in 2009 in the near future. For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com. The next live taping is Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and the doors open at 1:30 p.m. For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

Williams began his country music television show in Arkansas 50 years ago and for the past eight years has taped the show in Branson live before a studio audience. Guests have included Ed McMahon, Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Johnny Lee, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, the Blackwood Brothers, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Charlie Louvin, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, “Diamond” Dave Somerville, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent and Wanda Jackson.

Williams’ co-host Katie Lynn has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support Vocalist twice for her work in the “Mickey Gilley Show.” She has worked with Gilley for more than eight years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent. She and the guest stars perform weekly on the television show with the Country Junction Band.

Last year was another great year for construction in Branson, but city officials are not as optimistic about 2009.

For the fourth consecutive year, the city of Branson has eclipsed the $100 million mark in the value of new construction. Figures released this week by the city’s planning and development department show a total of $102 million in new construction for 2008.

“The city had a very good year for construction,” said Jerry Adams, Branson’s public information director. “There were some very big projects built in 2008.”

While down from the $117.9 million in 2007, city officials are pleased with last year’s total in light of the national economy being hobbled by the real estate bust, a faltering financial system and crumbling consumer confidence.

“Construction permits started slowing down about the same time the country began feeling the economic crunch,” Adams said. “We had a very slow last three months of the year.”

Adams said from January through September, the city approved around $97 million in construction permits.

From October through December, the city approved just $5 million in construction.

“We only had $1.1 million in new construction in December,” Adams said. “It’s been a really slow winter.”

He added that city officials are not looking for strong construction numbers in 2009.

“With the economy the way it is, I would say Branson will most likely not break the $100 million mark next year,” Adams said. “I have heard developers talking about how financial institutions are a lot more stingy when it comes to loaning money. The first quarter of 2009 will be very interesting.”

He added that there are no “large projects” being reviewed by city officials.

“The city’s growth in 2009 will be slow and steady as developers remain cautious and look at what the economy will do,” he said.

February was 2008’s top month for new construction with $18.4 million in building permits issued.

Three large apartment developments were started in 2008 to help provide additional housing for Branson’s work force.

They include Turtle Creek, located on Missouri 248; Village Green, located on the 2800 block of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway; and Ridgecrest residences, located at 2000 Bird Road.

According to a press release from the city, these three developments will add 420 housing units to the market.

Million dollar commercial projects permitted in 2008 include:

• Hampton Inn on Branson Hills Parkway
• Shrine of the Holy Spirit attraction on Expressway Lane
• Books-A-Million, Bed Bath and Beyond and Best Buy, all in Branson Hills
• Castle Rock Water Park on Green Mountain Drive
• Pointe Royale Golf Course reconstruction

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