PRESS RELEASE
March 18, 2010

Meghan Connell, Director
15366 US Hwy 160 * Forsyth, MO 65653
800-825-8545 x8062 * Fax 417-546-6433
[email protected]
www.giftofhopeinc.org

Gift of Hope to Host Spring Fundraiser

Forsyth, MO, March 18, 2010 – Gift of Hope, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, will host a Spring Bowl a Thon fundraiser on April 11th at 2pm at Dogwood Lanes in Branson.
“This event allows area businesses, organizations and individuals a chance to give to a good cause as well as provide a child an opportunity to bowl, win prizes and have some fun.”
“The Spring Bowl a Thon fundraiser will provide Gift of Hope the necessary funds to continue coordinating programs like, Backpack Club, School Readiness Fair and Christmas Share. All of these programs benefit the children and families in need, in Taney County.” Connell said.
There are approximately 200 children a week in Taney County who receive food to take home on the weekend in the Backpack Club.
Connell is seeking donations, sponsorships and community support for the Gift of Hope programs. “This is the time to give, if you can, because there are children and families that need your help, more than ever.”
For information about Gift of Hope, Inc., and the Spring Bowl a Thon, please call 417-546-8062 or visit the website at www.giftofhopeinc.org.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Branson Chapter 913 members gather for breakfast or coffee and conversation on the second Saturday of each month at the Golden Corral on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. Breakfast is purchased in the meeting room instead of the front and coffee is available. So any veteran of any era come join us for some friendship and commraderie. We gather at 9 a.m. in the show room.

Area residents considering home ownership are invited to attend a free class this Saturday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Taneyhills Community Library in downtown Branson. The 90 minute course will take attendees through a step-by-step timeline of the home purchase process. Topics covered include negotiation techniques, buying foreclosures, financing options, tax credits, and definitions of commonly used real estate terminology.

This course if offered as part of a consumer education campaign aimed at encouraging home buyers to make informed decisions in purchasing real estate. The class will be taught by real estate broker and home buyer advocate Cole Currier and mortgage lending expert Mike Linneman.

Classroom space is limited. Those interested in attending the class are asked to call 417-336-1300 ext 703 to reserve a seat.

The Ozark Mountain Blue Star Mothers will meet on April 12 at 6 p.m. at the Golden Corral Restaurant on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. The Chapter meets every 2nd Monday of the month. Blue Star Mothers are mothers of living veterans or active military. Please come to join us. If you wish to purchase the buffet, please come early and join us in friendship time.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Branson Chapter 913 meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month, April 27 at the Golden Corral Restaurant on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.
We meet at 7:30 in one of the meeting rooms. Membership is open to all Vietnam Era Veterans and Associate membership is open to all Vietnam Veteran supporters. Come early, purchase the buffet if you wish and join us in friendship.

OFFICIAL ULTIMATE ELVIS® TRIBUTE ARTIST™ CONTEST RETURNS TO LEGENDS IN CONCERT, BRANSON FOR THE 4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Branson, MO. (March 19, 2010) –The 4th annual BRANSON ELVIS FESTIVAL will take place at DICK CLARK’S AMERICAN BANDSTAND THEATER COMPLEX, April 16-18, 2010.  The highlight of the festival, the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ Contest, will take place at 7:00PM on April 17th and is one of only a select few tribute competitions sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. around the world.

“Legends has featured remarkably talented Elvis tribute artists in our shows worldwide for 27 years and we are thrilled to once again host a preliminary round in Branson for this exciting contest,” said Jeannie Horton, General Manager of Legends in Concert, Branson.  “The contest last year at our theater was a smashing success and this year’s promises to be even bigger and better, as we crown the tribute artist that best represents the legacy of Elvis Presley and proudly send them to Memphis to represent this venue.”

The winner of the Branson contest will receive $1,000 and a spot in The 2010 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ Contest finals presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. The finals are held in Memphis during Elvis Week, August 10-16, 2010. Judges will look for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence, and overall tribute to Elvis in naming the “2010 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year.” The winner of the Branson contest will also be offered the opportunity to perform live at the 8PM Legends in Concert show, April 18.

Festival activities also include an Elvis Vendor Village, a showing of the movie “Blue Hawaii” starring Elvis,  an Elvis Contestant Karaoke Night at Club 57, and a “Meet and Greet” Dinner at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill.

Contest tickets for adult preferred seating is $25.00 plus tax, and adult regular seating is $20.00 plus tax.
Children (4-12) preferred seating $15.00 plus tax and children regular seating is $10.00 plus tax. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 800-374-SHOW.

Contestant Information: Bev Turner, Legends in Concert (417) 339-3003 ext.3015
Media Contact Info    Media Contact: Melody Byrd, Legends in Concert (417) 332-1305

“© 2010 Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
ELVIS, ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST and LOGO are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.  All rights reserved.”
About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com  EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market® under the ticker symbol CKXE.