The Community is invited to see a free showing of the 2008 hit film Fireproof on Friday, April 17th at 7PM at Branson United Methodist.
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The following description is from the DVD case:

Inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives the old firefighter’s adage: Never Leave Your Partner Behind. In hte cooling embers of his marriage, it’s another story. As he and his wife prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare. But is it too late to fireproof his marriage?

His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb must face his toughest job ever… rescuing his wife’s heart.
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Childcare will be provided by certified providers.

Coffee, tea & other snacks will be served afterward.

There will be giveaway copies of the Love Dare book from the film, DVD copies of the film and more.

Please join us for this FAMILY event; bring your teens, children, etc. and have a night out as a family on us!

Contact the church office at 417.334.3423 to reserve your seats!

April 19 is the public’s first opportunity to see American Kids Inc.’s 2009 premiere of Raising America, the non-profit’s patriotic musical, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Branson Mall Theatre (next to Wal-Mart) located on the world famous Highway 76. Tickets are $10 and reservations can be made by calling the box office at 417-334-5412.

“The show has more than 25 appearances booked in Branson for 2009, but they are private bookings. We are inviting the public to be the first to see this year’s show at this Sunday matinee,” said American Kids Inc. Founder Dr. Dale Smith.

Smith, a retired Air Force Major and a seasoned entertainer, created Raising America as an avenue for young people to develop a personal sense of patriotism and, through this exciting, fast-paced, original music show, share their talents with all types of audiences from veterans groups to mall shoppers.

“This show debuted in 2000 at Silver Dollar City, toured on the road from Florida to Kentucky at venues such as the Golden Corral® national convention and Ruritan Convention, was presented for two seasons at the Majestic Theatre in Branson and has been presented for hundreds of veterans groups visiting Branson.

“We teach patriotism and all that it entails honor, respect, loyalty, commitment, courage, self-discipline, faith,” Smith said. “After seeing a past stage show, a veteran of three tours of conflict came up to the cast and said, ‘You kids were worth all I’ve been through, I served for you.’ The stunned and grateful cast gathered in prayer backstage with an even deeper commitment to show their appreciation to those who have been in military service.”

Selected through auditions, the 2009 cast members are Daniel, Nathaniel, Jonathan and Sarah Fair of Rogers, Ark.; Kimberly Conrad, Kashina McGrath, Laura Miles and Jessica Nordberg of Branson; Montana Richardson of Galena; and MeLeah Ridenour of Nixa.

Smith and his wife, Kathy, are producing the show and managing the cast of singers and dancers. Brandi Ely, an alumna of American Kids Inc., is assisting them.

For more information about American Kids Inc. call 417-337-8964.

Andy would like to invite you to join him and The 2009 Moon River Theatre Stars: Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Bill Haley’s Original Comets for the Ribbon Cutting of his fabulous Moon River Grill on Thursday, April 23rd at 12 pm.
Enjoy Andy’s wonderful pictures, gold records and his personal pop art collection throughout the grill and meet and greet the Andy Williams Moon River Entertainment Complex 2009 Stars! Light Refreshments will be served.

Day: Thursday
Date: April 23, 2009
Time: 12 pm
Location: Andy Williams Moon River Grill

Moon River Grill will be open with a full lunch menu at 11am!

The team at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen announces a grand opening event on Monday, April 20 at the new Luigi’s restaurant, located at 3452 W. 76 Country Boulevard in Branson, next to the Dutton Family Theatre, across from White Water and Mickey Gilley’s.  Community members are encouraged to come see the new location and enjoy a complimentary slice of pizza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Luigi’s on the 76 Strip will be giving away free slices of pizza Monday afternoon (one per person) with no purchase necessary. Additionally, from 3 p.m. until closing time, Luigi’s is offering large specialty (classic or gourmet) pizzas for 50 percent off.  These specials cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or coupons and are available at the 76 Strip location for dine-in or carryout orders only.

It might seem strange that a local, independent restaurant owner would give food away and cut his prices in half during what many consider to be harsh economic times.  Chris Jordan, owner of Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen in Branson and Nixa, has a philosophy of his own.

“Above all else, we are enthusiastic, positive and grateful. We’re excited about our new location because it’s going to open so many more doors for us, and we know that we wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the community at large. The locals keep us in business and give us the opportunity to grow and expand.  This is our way of celebrating a new beginning, saying thanks to the community that has supported us for more than 10 years, and introducing ourselves to people who may not know about us yet,” Jordan said.

Branson’s River Run Outfitters is celebrating their 10th Anniversary on Saturday April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at their store located at 2626 State Highway 165 just north of the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery. In its ten year history River Run Outfitters won the national “Orvis Outfitter of the Year Award” in 2006 and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year Award” in 2007.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, a free lunch of hot dogs and brats, cooked by “Frick and Frack,” will be served from 11:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition there will be hourly drawings for prizes, casting clinics, and games.

Representatives from Winston, Sage, Orvis, and TFO rods will be on hand to answer questions. River Run’s guides will be available to give advice on fly tying and fly fishing for trout in Lake Taneycomo.

For additional information please call River Run Outfitters at 417- 332-0460

Raise your flags high as Branson honors Purple Heart Recipients April 24th & 25th.

This event is for those who were wounded in combat. Lets see flags flying high all over our city showing how much we appreciate those who gave so much!

Start your morning off right with FREE Continental Breakfast at the Dalena Ditto Morning Show! Breakfast served at 9am-10am. Showtime begins at 10am. Sit back and enjoy Dalena’s fresh interpretations of classic country favorites from Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, 50’s gospel, and many more! Call for tickets today! 417-239-1333.

BRANSON, MO – Myer Hotels of Branson is pleased to announce that the Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills have received the 2008-2009 Choice Hotels International Platinum Hospitality Award. This award is given to the top 3% within the Comfort Inn Brand, and is awarded each year to those hotels that receive the highest ratings in guest satisfaction surveys, and score highest in the quality assurance review process.

“Our staff and I remain committed to meeting and exceeding the lodging expectations of all guests who choose to stay at the Comfort Inn & Suites, “stated Steve Graber, General Manager of the Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows. “We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to service our guests by providing top quality accommodations and exceptional value to Branson visitors, “added Bob Williams, General Manager of the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills.

The Comfort Inn & Suites has previously been awarded Choice Hotels Platinum Award and was recognized as a 2008 finalist for “Inn of the Year” for exemplifying exceptional service, facilities and hospitality. The hotel also received the 2008 Small Business of the Year from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. This is the first Choice Hotels Platinum Award for the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, which has also won 10 Gold Awards from Choice Hotels and has also been a past finalist for “Comfort Inn of the Year.”

Chris Myer, VP of Marketing noted, “These awards testify to the fact that our hotel teams believe in our mission of ‘Friendly, Fantastic Service Always’ on a daily basis. We appreciate the teams’ effort at becoming a part of an elite group of hotels in the country and providing guests with great vacation experiences.”

About Myer Hotels

In the lodging business for 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 25 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.

Kids of all ages are invited to Kids Rock, an outdoor festival of live music, food, sports competitions, video games and much more from 2:00p.m. to midnight, Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Area 57, next to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater in Branson. Presented by the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks to benefit the Club’s after-school and summer programs, Kids Rock will include musical performances by American Kids, Rock U Mentally, Retro, Mile Zero and the Thundering Red Rockets.

The festival will also feature Guitar Hero® Showdowns, 3-on-3 Streetball Tournaments and Ping Pong Championships for both youths and adults. Children will enjoy inflatable fun, the rock climbing wall and the Pit-Stop Challenge. Works of art by Boys & Girls Club members will be judged and on display. The first, second and third place winners in each category will have an opportunity to advance to the National Boys & Girls Clubs of America Fine Arts contest.

Tickets to Kids Rock are available for $10 per person at any Boys & Girls Club or Country Mart location or at the gate on the day of the event. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, contact Natalie Snyder at 417.335.2089 x 230 or visit the Club’s website at www.bgcozarks.org.

About the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks
In 2008, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks served more than 1,250 school-age youth through after-school, summer and outreach programs at its three locations. In addition to quality programs and activities, Boys & Girls Club members can receive a nutritious meal or snack, academic assistance and age-appropriate personal growth opportunities for only $25 per school year.

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For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks or the Kids Rock event, please contact Autumn Page at 417.335.2089 x 225 or 417.496.9404.

Branson, MO (April 10, 2009) – Ride The Ducks is Quackin’ for the Cure! Beginning April 15, 2009, Ride The Ducks in Branson will sell a limited edition “pink” version of their famous Wacky Quackers to raise money to support the fight against cancer.

While Ride The Ducks is proud to honor cancer survivors and those lost to cancer every day of the year, Quackin’ for the Cure gives our guests, families, friends and neighbors a way to make a difference in the fight. We Quack to remember those who have lost the battle, we Quack to support those who are fighting the battle and we Quack to celebrate those who have survived the battle!

We are Quackin’ for the Cure at both Ride The Ducks locations in Branson. Enjoy a 70-minute excursion through historic Downing Street in Hollister and splash into Lake Taneycomo for a ducks eye view of Branson Landing or set out on a 70-minute adventure that includes cruising Branson’s 76 Country Music Boulevard, fantastic views of the Ozarks, a trip across Table Rock Dam and a fun-filled splashdown into Table Rock Lake. The Lake Taneycomo excursion departs Branson Landing from the Ride The Ducks kiosk near Famous Dave’s. The Table Rock Lake adventure departs the Ride The Ducks dock at 2320 West Highway 76, just west of Wal-Mart on the 76 strip. Limited edition pink Wacky Quackers can be purchased at either ticketing location and inside Splash’s Candy Emporium and Gift Shop at the 2320 West Highway 76 location.

Ride The Ducks, the nation’s largest amphibious sightseeing company, offers unique land and water adventures that are fun, informative and family friendly. United States Coast Guard licensed Captains entertain guests with stories that you won’t want to miss and each guest receives one of their famous Wacky Quackers to quack along with the Captain. It’s the best way for guests to enjoy the sights, sounds and history of the Branson area.

Robby Hultz, Ride The Ducks General Manager in Branson, says “We are honored to rally support and raise money for the fight against cancer. We encourage our guests and the Branson community to join us in Quackin’ for the Cure by purchasing one of these limited edition pink Wacky Quackers.”

Ride The Ducks employees in Branson are also participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Taney and Stone counties. Two Ride The Ducks teams are raising money for this important cause as another way to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who were lost to cancer and fight back against the disease. Proceeds from the sale of the limited edition pink Wacky Quackers in Branson will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Ride The Ducks International has entertained millions of guests in the United States with owned operations in Branson, Baltimore and Philadelphia and licensed operationss in San Francisco, Seattle, Stone Mountain Park, Georgia and Newport, Kentucky. The company will promote Quackin’ for the Cure at locations across the country in 2009. Ride The Ducks International is a subsidary of Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE). HFE owns numerous entertainment venues, including Silver Dollar City, Showboat Branson Belle and White Water in Branson, MO.

Ride The Ducks operates seven days a week during daylight hours. Tickets can be purchased by calling 877-887-8225. Special discounts apply for groups of 15 or more. For more information about Ride The Ducks in Branson, visit www.bransonducks.com.