Outdoor enthusiasts, listen up! The Branson Veterans Task Force added a new event for you this year. The Ozark Shooters Sports Complex, 759 US Hwy 65 (11 miles north of Branson) will host a Sporting Clays, Trap Shoot, Wobble Trap Shoot event (your choice) from 9:00am to 12:00 noon on Sunday, November 8.

Prices as follows: 50 sporting clays, $18; 25 trap or wobble trap, $5.00; gun rental, $10. Bring your own shotgun if you prefer.

Cabela’s has donated great prizes for this event.

Please make reservations by calling 417.443.3093. Lunch will be available.

From the Opening Show at 2:00pm on Thursday, November 5, at the Mansion Theatre and the Showboat Branson Belle Salute to the Troops that evening, through the parade at 11:00am and closing ceremonies at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 11, the week offers fun, entertainment, fellowship and educational opportunities for everyone.

Check out the complete list of activities during Veterans Week at www.bransonveterans.com.

The Branson Veterans Task Force honors veterans every day of the year. For more information about Veterans Week and other veteran-related events, contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 1-417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

Veterans Village and the famous free lunches for veterans have a new home! From November 6-10, from 9:00-4:00 the Cobblestone Inn, Suites & Conference Center hosts the Veterans Registry, Veterans Village and lunch (from 11:30-1:00). Lunch is free for veterans; $4 donation for others.

The Cobblestone Inn is located at 276 Tanger Blvd, between Peppercorn Restaurant on Hwy 76 and Tanger Mall. There’s a back entrance from the Mall entrance – accessible from Gretna Road (the blue route) at either Wildwood Drive or Forsyth Ave.

Plan to register, get last-minute information about activities and veteran discounts, check out all the items and information that vendors have to offer, meet old friends, and enjoy lunch. Vendors, authors, and veteran organizations welcome the opportunity to meet veterans and their families.

From the Opening Show at 2:00pm on Thursday, November 5, at the Mansion Theatre and the Showboat Branson Belle Salute to the Troops that evening, through the parade at 11:00am and closing ceremonies at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 11, the week offers fun, entertainment, fellowship and educational opportunities for everyone.

Check out the complete list of activities during Veterans Week at www.bransonveterans.com.

The Branson Veterans Task Force honors veterans every day of the year. For more information about Veterans Week and other veteran-related events, contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 1-417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

Branson, Mo. – Oct. 20, 2009 – Today, Walmart, CoxHealth and Skaggs Regional Medical Center announced a new collaboration – “The Clinic at Walmart” operated by CoxHealth in partnership with Skaggs Regional Medical Center. This new convenient care clinic will be located in the Branson Walmart supercenter at 1101 Branson Hills Parkway and will open Monday, Nov. 2. The clinic will offer the same fast, affordable access to basic health care services available at Springfield-area locations, and will be the first location in Branson. This is CoxHealth’s fifth in-store clinic in an area Walmart supercenter.

This clinic will be operated as a joint venture between CoxHealth and Skaggs. CoxHealth will oversee day-to-day operations of the clinic, while nurse practitioners and collaborating physicians will be provided by both health systems.

“We’re happy to be able to collaborate in this partnership, and to bring The Clinic at Walmart model to those who live in and visit Branson,” says David Taylor, CoxHealth vice president of Regional Services. “This partnership allows us to work jointly with Skaggs and offer yet another avenue to provide quality, affordable care to the community.”

“The Clinic at Walmart has provided us a great opportunity to partner with CoxHealth to provide another location for area residents and visitors to access medical care for minor illnesses,” says Joan Phillips, Skaggs Interim CEO. “The delivery of health care services is ever-changing. As Baby Boomers age and Generation Y and X seek medical services, they are looking for convenience. So it is exciting to see three organizations come together to provide that convenience at The Clinic at Walmart.”

The clinics serve as an alternative for people at least 18 months old who are sick enough to need care, but aren’t sick enough to need the level of care available in an emergency department or urgent care clinic. The clinics are also an affordable option for patients who might otherwise postpone or avoid care because they lack insurance, have concerns about the cost, or are away from home and in need of basic medical services.

The clinics offer upfront pricing and prompt access to acute and preventive care for common health ailments treatable without urgent or emergency care, including sore throats, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, earaches, bladder infections, insect bites and stings, cholesterol screening, blood sugar testing, vaccinations, drug screening and routine physicals. Clinics offer walk-in service seven days a week and evening hours.

Walmart has 44 in-store clinics in 12 states. For further information about “The Clinic at Walmart”, please visit www.walmart.com/clinics. For more information about CoxHealth, please visit www.coxhealth.com. For more information about Skaggs Regional Medical Center, please visit www.skaggs.net.

About CoxHealth
CoxHealth is accredited by The Joint Commission and distinguished as one of the nation’s Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Systems (2006-2009). Established in 1906 and based in Springfield, Mo., CoxHealth serves more than 900,000 people in a 25-county service area in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Our services include three hospitals and more than 50 physician clinics in 20 communities, Oxford HealthCare (a home health agency), Home Parenteral Services (home infusion therapy), CoxHealth Foundation, Cox College, Cox Family Medicine Residency and much more.

About Skaggs
Skaggs Regional Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission. Skaggs ranks among the top 5% of all hospitals in the nation and has achieved the HealthGrades™ Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence® (2006-2009). Skaggs ranks among the top 25 “Most Wired Small and Rural Hospitals” and in the top 25 “Most Wireless Hospitals” in the nation. Our services include our Branson hospital, more than 20 satellite clinics in Taney and Stone Counties, Skaggs Professional Home Care, Skaggs Professional Hospice, Branson Heart Center, Skaggs Cancer Center, Skaggs Foundation and much more.

About Walmart
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

# # #

This year the Branson Veterans Task Force introduces four new mini reunions during Veterans Week, November 5 – 11. The Korean War Reunion has long been a favorite event for Korean War veterans.
The WWII Reunion will be held at the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks from 2:00-5:00pm on Friday, November 6. All WWII veterans and all interested in WWII history are invited to attend.
Earlier this year, the College of the Ozarks partnered with The Greatest Generations Foundation to send 20 students with 10 veterans to the 65th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. Tim Davis, founder of The Greatest Generations Foundation, and several of the veterans and students involved will discuss the trip during the reunion presentation. A screening of the Normandy trip documentary will highlight the event. Authors of WWII-related stories will sign copies of their books.
The College will open a Gallery exhibit of photographs from the trip and WWII artifacts. The Special Forces A Team will host a static display of ODA Equipment on site. ODA will brief on missions, training and equipment.
All activities are open to the public. To help with planning, please RSVP to the Branson Veterans Task Force at 417.337.8387.
Persian Gulf War Veterans Reunion, 9:00-12:00 on Saturday, November 7, at the Tri Lakes Center, 2527 State Hwy 248. The event hosts, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913, invite all veterans of the Desert Wars to a free breakfast. The public is invited to meet these veterans. Please RSVP by calling 417.337.8387.
The Vietnam Veterans Reunion will be held from 2:00-5:00pm on Monday, November 9, at Charlie’s Steaks, Ribs & Ale. Charlie’s, Gatherings Plus and the Branson Convention Visitors Bureau host the event and invite all Vietnam veterans to attend. Please RSVP at 417.337.8387.

Women Veterans Reunion, November 9, 6:00-7:30pm at the Starlite Theatre, 3115 W. Hwy 76. The reception and dinner is free to all women veterans and a guest. Additional guests $10.00 each. You may pay at the door. Sponsors for this event include Veterans Holidays, Rankin Brothers Show, Starlite Theatre, Stone Hill Winery, Mount Pleasant Winery, Sam’s Club, Dixie Stampede, Moon River Grill, and the Branson Lakes Chamber of Commerce & CVB. Please RSVP for the dinner by emailing bvtf1@suddenlinkmail.com or calling 417.337.8387 by November 4.
The Rankin Brothers perform at the Starlite. Their show follows the women veterans’ reunion. All veterans are invited to attend for free but reservations are required. Call the theatre at 417.337.9333. Non-veterans may attend for a special price of $22.50
The Korean War Veterans Association Mini-Reunion, will once again be held at the Settle Inn (now the Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center), 3050 Green Mountain Drive, in the Stonehenge Room. For more information, contact Joe Bryant, 417.365.1389.
For more information on the complete list of activities during Veterans Week, visit www.bransonveterans.com.
The Branson Veterans Task Force honors veterans every day of the year. For more information about this and other veteran-related events, contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 1-417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

Four members of the 1940s all-girl Sharon Rogers Band will attend Veterans Week activities in Branson, MO, to launch the story of their Pacific USO tour in the waning days of WWII and the early days of the Japanese occupation. The book is titled The Sharon Rogers Band: Laughed Together, Cried Together, Crashed & Almost Died Together.

At the request of the USO, the band agreed to join the USO. In the summer of 1945, they traveled first to Hawaii, and then to the Philippines, arriving in Manila as the war was ending.

After touring throughout the Philippines, they traveled, at General MacArthur’s request, to Japan. They played throughout Japan. They attended General Yamashita’s war crimes trial, went to Hiroshima, visited military hospitals, served in mess halls, and played to more than 100,000 Allied troops.

After their last performance in Korea, they headed back to Japan. Bad weather, low fuel and bombed-out airfields forced the pilot, Joe Zinno, to ditch the plane in the Sea of Japan. All aboard survived and were rescued by Japanese fishermen.
Joe Zinno will join the band members in introducing their book.

They will sign books at the WWII Reunion at the College of the Ozarks on November 6, and throughout the week at Veterans Village.

Plan to capitalize on the opportunity to meet these charming ladies, hear their story and take home a signed copy of their book.

The Branson Veterans Task Force will host the Opening Show and Closing Ceremony for Veterans Week. A fundraiser for the Branson Veterans Task Force, a VIP Luncheon with Lt. Col. Oliver North, is planned for November 11, 12 noon at the Chateau on the Lake. The week is packed with new activities and old favorites.

Associated Artists of Branson will produce three of the Veterans Week activities beginning with the Opening Show at 2:00pm on Thursday, November 5 at the Mansion Theatre and ending with the Closing Show at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 11 at the Starlite Theater.

For the Vets, official opening kickoff for Branson Veterans Week activities. This 2-hour production show begins at 2:00pm at the Mansion Theatre. Admission is free. Tickets will be available the day of the show at the Mansion Box Office. Featured performers include The Oak Ridge Boys, Cathy Rigby, Hughes Brothers, Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris, Premiere Dance Academy, The Chinese Acrobats and many more. This year’s production features several original dance numbers from a professional dance troupe provided by Midwest Dance Academy. Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley will welcome veterans and their guests to Branson. The Branson Stars & Flags Book Awards will be presented to authors of the award-winning books.

Come early to assure the best seating. Doors open at 12:30 PM. Plan to have your picture taken before the show with a LIVE Bald Eagle in the lobby of the Mansion.

VIP Luncheon with Lt. Col. Oliver North on November 11 at 12 noon at the Chateau on the Lake Resort. Reservations are limited to the first 100. The luncheon mixer is a fundraiser for the Branson Veterans Task Force. The $125 donation is tax-deductible. Attendees will personally meet Lt. Col. North, have a photo opportunity with him, and receive an autographed copy of his new book. Call 417-337-8387 or 417-699-6199 for reservations.

Official Closing Ceremony at the Starlite Theater on Veterans Day, November 11 at 1:00pm. Celebrity appearances include Lt. Col. Oliver North, Moe Bandy, Clay Cooper, and Jim Barber. Mayor Raeanne Presley will speak. Admission is free but advance reservations are recommended. Call 417-337-9333. The College of the Ozarks Jazz Band will perform in the theater’s atrium lobby beginning at 12 noon.

For more information on the complete list of activities, visit www.bransonveterans.com.

The Branson Veterans Task Force honors veterans every day of the year. For more information about this and other veteran-related events, contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 1-417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

They were hand-picked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison of the Beatles, to recreate the famous band and this week the Liverpool Legends are the guests on the “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” to be telecast Oct. 24 and 25.

“The Liverpool Legends return to my show for a chat and announcement that the band will be finishing this season in Branson at the Starlite Theatre and moving to the Manson in 2010. The band has toured the world, playing in historic venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Cavern Club in Liverpool, recording at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London and performing with Denny Laine (co-founder of Wings with Paul McCartney), Pete Best (the original Beatles drummer) and the Boston Pops. They appeared on The Travel Channel’s “Beatlemania Britain” and headlined International Beatles Week in Liverpool where 100,000 Beatles fans jammed Victoria Street to hear them in concert,” said Williams, the star and creator of the “Gene Williams Country TV Show.”

The show is co-hosted by Katie Lynn who 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 10 years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. She is finishing her fifth CD release titled Me and Jesus Laughing. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent.

The 3rd Annual Festival of Hope for MDA at the Starlite Theatre is a one performance special benefit event on Sunday October 11 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The events include Hors D’oeuvres, raffle, live auction and entertainment provided by The Baldknobbers, Clay Cooper, Country Tonite, Barbara Fairchild, The Lennon Sisters, The Liverpool Legends, Deana Martin, Bill Medley, The Platters, Ambrus Presley, The Rankin Brothers, Collin Raye, Spirit of the Dance and Kirby Van Burch.

The Hors D’oeuvres will be provided by: American Grill, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Avanzare, Bleu Olive, The Candlestick Inn, Diamond Ridge Market, Famous Dave’s, Flame, Stone Hill Winery, Touch, & Treehouse.

Andy Williams Moon River Grill’s nightly dinner music provides a relaxing and elegant ambiance for dining! Experience Quality Home made food as you unwind with beautifully soothing piano music that will let the cares of the day just slip away!!
Barbara Christy performs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30pm.
You can take Pleasure in the Musical Stylings of Michael Cathcart Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 4:30 to 7:30pm.

Enjoy fabulous entertainment and fine dining at affordable prices at Andy Williams Moon River Grill…….Where the Stars Come Out at Night!!

WANT A PLACE TO SHOW OFF YOUR TALENTS?

BRANSON ARTS COUNICL IS SPONSORING A SENIOR ART SHOW. THE SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE BRANSON COMMUNITY CENTER, 201 COMPTON DRIVE, ON OCTOBER 23, 9AM-5PM AND OCTOBER 24,9AM-3PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORMS PLEASE CALL THE OFFICES OF BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL, 417-336-4255.

SET UP FOR THE SHOW WILL BE BY 9AM ON OCTOBER 23RD.