Branson, MO … Tough times usually bring out the best of people, particularly in the Ozarks.  One of the major local charities that is totally supported by the community, Christian Action Ministries, fights hunger in Taney County with two food pantries and a mobile outreach.

Traditionally the community supports CAM with donations of food, cash, and volunteer time.  Food donations come in from a myriad of sources:  organizations that conduct food drives, individuals wanting to help their neighbors, theaters offering free admittance in exchange for food, and church groups collecting food on a regular basis.  Cash contributions also come from similar sources:  churches, individuals, businesses,  theaters, and foundation grants.  Pantry volunteers are comprised of individuals, as well as group efforts from various churches and organizations.

Board chairman Jack Burke told us that they are often asked whether it is better to donate food, cash, or time.  “The first thing we tell them is that we need their prayers, a donations that anyone can make in support of our efforts.  We then explain that we appreciate and value whatever they can do, be it donations of food, cash, or time.”

Burke went on to point out that financial contributions offer perhaps the most value.  “We all know that it will cost about $3 to purchase a box of cereal to donate to CAM.  Yet, if that same $3 were donated in cash, we could buy at least 16 boxes of cereal at  our price of 18 cents for a box of cereal.  Aside from necessary food purchases, cash donations also offset the normal cost of operational expenses, such as rent, utilities, gasoline and upkeep for our van, and a small, but necessary, payroll.”

CAM is also appreciative of people who volunteer their time and talents.  Volunteers normally help maintain the pantry inventory and stocking, and interview clients needing assistance.  However, CAM is also looking for people who can help with the computers, website management, design of flyers and brochures, outbound telephone calls to supporters, and much more.

Anyone wishing to donate cash, food, or time, can call CAM’s executive director Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org

Branson, MO…Two new members have been added to the board of directors for Christian Action Ministries (CAM) for 2011.  Cynthia Carson and Janet Akers were both inducted on to the board at a January meeting.  Cynthia is a member of the management team at Sight & Sound Theatres.  Janet is an account executive at Corporate Business Systems.

Along with Carson and Akers, the CAM board currently consists of chairman Jack Burke, vice chairman Jones Arjes,  treasurer Dave Hoy, executive director Pat Davis, past chairman Larry Johnson, Tim Mahoney, Ben Dutton, and Dan Lehning.

“We are blessed to have Cynthia and Janet join our team,” said Burke.  “Our board members donate significant amounts of their time, along with their creativity,  talent, and passion to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to help maintain CAM as a viable resource for the needy in Taney County.”

CAM operates food pantries in both Branson and  Forsyth, along with a mobile outreach to the eastern Taney County communities of Bradleyville, Protem, and Reuter.  On average, over 700 families a month receive assistance from CAM , which is totally supported by the community.

People needing assistance can come to the Branson location at 610 South 6th Street, Suite 102 in the lower level, or the Forsyth location at 10275 East Highway 76.  The Branson food pantry is open Monday through Friday from Noon until 4 PM.  The Forsyth location is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM until 1 PM.  Although no one is turned away, people should bring photo identification for all adults, a social security card for all family members, and proof of Taney County residency.

Anyone wishing to donate cash, food, or time, can call Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org

Branson, MO – Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations for Myer Hotels in Branson, is pleased to announce the following recent team member additions:

Tod Grisham has joined the Comfort Inn West as General Manager. A Branson native, Grisham graduated from Branson High and studied History Education at College of the Ozarks. He then served in the United States Army Reserves, including a tour overseas in Desert Storm. Grisham brings 14 years of management and eight years of experience in sales to the Comfort Inn West team.

Desi Hinton has joined the Comfort Inn West. Hinton is a native of Aurora, Colorado. She interned at the Marriage and Family institute and graduated with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from College of the Ozarks. Upon graduation Hinton joined the Comfort Inn At Thousand Hills and was recently promoted to the Comfort Inn West team as Front Desk Manager.

Tod and Desi look forward to continuing the mission of Myer Hotels which is “Friendly, Fantastic Service Always.”

About Myer Hotels
In the lodging business for 44 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for 28 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, Comfort Inn West, and Holiday Inn Express Green Mountain Drive. 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.

Winter is in full swing and with it comes the possibility of weather that could prevent the safe transportation of students to school.  The Branson School District would like to issue this notice regarding school cancellation.

In the event of inclement weather, parents and students will be notified of school cancellations through radio station KRZK (106.3 FM); the weather information phone (336-5000); PIRATEcast; and the Springfield media. You can sign up for PIRATEcast through the district web site.

Every effort will be made to provide cancellation notices as early as possible.

A ceremony to honor the Four Chaplains of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester who courageously gave up their life jackets to the troops that mournful day. As the ship sank the four chaplains stood arm in arm in prayer. The ceremony will be held at First Christian Church of Kimberling City at 6:00 PM, Sunday February 13. Chaplain(MAJ) Don Carothers, the head chaplain for the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth will be the speaker.

‘Branson Beatdown 5’

On January 15th, Fight Teams, Martial Arts Schools and Combat Sports Clubs from across the Midwest will meet at the Mansion Theatre in Branson to determine who’s fighting style is superior. Champions from Seven Fight Leagues will compete in the ShoFIGHT Cage to see who will be named Champion. Don’t miss this Multi Media Fight Night Experience at the Mansion Theatre.
The fight card for ‘BB5’ is ‘Stacked.’ This event will feature Fifteen MMA Fights, 2 Female Fights, Nineteen Local Fighters and Seven Championship Title Fights.

*In a Main Event Fight, Missouri’s #1 Ranked Featherweight, “Wolfman” Wright of St. Louis, Missouri will face Branson Fight Club Featherweight Korey McAuliffe for the ShoFIGHT Featherweight Title.

**Branson Fight Club Middleweight Rance ‘The Punisher’ Foust defends his Middleweight Title against heavy-handed Ron Bata from Mountain Home, AR.

***America’s oldest cagefighter, “Grandpa” Don Williams (54 yrs) faces Robert Wilson (23 yrs) in a Heavyweight Battle.

****ShoFIGHT Bantamweight Champ Coleton Cavener from Joplin, MO will fight ShoFIGHT Interim Bantamweight Champion, Titus ‘Guns’ McDowell from St. Louis in a Title Unification Bout.

All Ages Show!

Tickets available at the Mansion Theatre Box Office (417) 239-1333, Ticketmaster, or at shofight.com. VIP Cageside (On Stage) seats remain. Get your reserved seating ASAP.

For Immediate Release

January 10th, 2011

Contact:  Lisa Martin – Director of Sales & Marketing

Branson Variety Theater

417-336-9494, ext. 226

Hollywood’s Biggest Christmas Show Comes to Branson!

Come and join Santa, his Hollywood Elves, and the best singers and dancers in town for Branson’s number one all-singing, all-dancing Hollywood Christmas Show.

Created by the same fabulous Directors that brought you years of Branson’s biggest holiday show- “Spirit of Christmas”.

Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular – An American holiday tradition

So come along as we take you on a magical sleigh ride to our winter wonderland of holiday fun and festive cheer with all of your favorite classic holiday songs, dazzling scenery, gorgeous costumes and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole.

Don’t miss this holiday tribute to the legendary film “White Christmas”, and sit back and enjoy the classic moments from some of Hollywood’s greatest Christmas movies brought to life on stage in this wonderful show.

Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular is the perfect show for the whole family!

Celebrate Christmas in all its glory with Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular!

It’s All Hollywood, It’s All Christmas!

Branson Variety Theater 2701 W Hwy 76 Branson, MO 65616

www.BransonVarietyTheater.com

A Christmas Snow Stage Production Greenlighted
Award Winning Filmmaker Tracy J Trost
To Adapt His Critically Acclaimed Film To Stage
Original All Star Cast
Muse Watson & Catherine Mary Stewart
To Reprise Roles
……..

Tulsa, OK ~ Award winning director Tracy J Trost delivers another production experience with his compelling and inspirational stage adaption of his nationally acclaimed film, A Christmas Snow. The much-talked-about stage version has been greenlighted and goes into production in October with performances starting November 1, 2011 and running through the Christmas season at the Starlite Theatre in Branson, MO.

Filmmaker Tracy J Trost earned national praise for his moving story telling in the A Christmas Snow movie. With thousands of new devoted fans, Trost is aiming high for this anticipated project. He has developed the screenplay for the stage and is enthusiastic about bringing the live theatrical performance to Branson. Original music and Christmas favorites from the movie soundtrack will be used along with original music written specifically for the stage production.

“I couldn’t be more excited to bring the live production of A Christmas Snow to the Branson stage”, states director Tracy J Trost. “We at Trost Moving Pictures recognize Branson has a vibrant theater community and all of us agree that the Starlite Theatre is the perfect place to continue this extraordinary story of forgiveness and reconciliation that has already touched and changed thousands of lives around the world in book and film form.”

Muse Watson (NCIS), who has a background in theater, will reprise his role as Sam. In addition to Watson’s role, original cast member Catherine Mary Stewart (The Last Starfighter, Night of the Comet, Weekend at Bernie’s) will again take on the charismatic and inspiring role of Kathleen.

Trost is currently securing other cast members that will include local talent.

Director Tracy J Trost has a full slate of projects lined up for 2011. His newest film, The Lamp, starring Jason London, Meredith Salenger, Sarah Brown, L. Scott Caldwell and Cameron ten Napel, with Muse Watson and Lou Gossett, Jr. will be released in Spring 2011.

About the actors:

Muse Watson
Equally comfortable on the theater stage as he is in front of the camera, Muse Watson first gained notice with several strong performances on stage that helped pave the way for a feature film and television career. His diverse roles in Sommersby, Something to Talk About, Assassins, & Rosewood brought him mainstream recognition but it was the villainous “Ben Willis” in the trendy thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer films and From Dusk Till Dawn 2 that propelled him in the limelight as a chameleonic actor. He made equally impressionable appearances in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Sundance Film-Festival award-winner Songcatcher, challenging himself by playing unique characters.

Transitioning to the small screen, Watson delivered stellar performances in several made-for-television movies including Blind Vengeance and Justice in a Small Town; and the television series, American Gothic, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Matlock, The Lazarus Man, JAG, Walker Texas Ranger, Ghost Whisperer, CSI, and The Mentalist. Going on to land his most notorious TV roles as “Mike Franks” in the award winning drama NCIS and “Charles Westmoreland” in the Emmy & Golden Globes nominated & People’s Choice Awards – winner Prison Break.

Catherine Mary Stewart made her debut as “Daisy” on Everything’s Coming Up Daisies going on to win attention in the daytime drama Days of Our Lives before moving on to primetime hits like Knight Rider. In film, Stewart landed a few small roles but her first major career break came when she was cast leads in the cult classics The Last Starfighter, Night of the Comet and her most recognizable role as “Gwen” in the comedy Weekend at Bernie’s. Throughout her career Stewart has had the opportunity to work alongside such luminaries as Christopher Reeve, Charles Bronson, Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons, Robert Stack, Karl Malden, Candice Bergen, Anthony Hopkins, Angie Dickinson, Peter Scolari, Darren McGavin, Billy Zane, Betty White, Amy Smart, Muse Watson and Eric Roberts.

About the Starlite Theatre:
The 880-seat Starlite Theatre is conveniently located on Highway 76 near the Titanic and features Branson’s only five-story glass atrium with 19,560 feet of glass. Inside, Starlite’s state-of-the-art stage is the perfect venue for some of Branson’s most popular and interactive shows. For ticket information call the Starlite Theater at 866-991-1982 or visit www.StarliteTheatre.com

About Trost Moving Pictures:
Trost Moving Pictures is an independent film production company based in Tulsa, OK. Their first two films, Find Me and A Christmas Snow, have won numerous awards at film festivals around the country, including Best Feature and Best Actor.

They are in post production on their third feature film, The Lamp with best-selling author Jim Stovall, who wrote The Ultimate Gift. The Lamp stars Jason London, Meredith Salenger, L Scott Caldwell, Sarah Brown, Cameron ten Napel with Muse Watson and Louis Gossett Jr. and will be released Spring 2011. You can find out more information at: www.TrostMovingPictures.com

For interviews with director Tracy J Trost and cast of A Christmas Snow please contact:
Rhonda Boudreaux
Trost Moving Pictures Publicity
Satellite office: 913-780-4035
[email protected]

###

For Immediate Release

January 11, 2011
Contact: Chris Myer, CHA
Myer Hotels – Vice President of Marketing
417.334.6835

For Immediate Release:
MYER HOTELS UPDATES BRAND IDENTITY

Branson, MO – Myer Hotels of Branson is pleased to announce the launch of a new corporate identity.

“At Myer Hotels we strive to continually progress. We felt it was time to update the brand,” according to Chris Myer, Vice President of Marketing. “Our last corporate logo was conceived in the early 1990’s so it was around for a long time.” Myer Hotels has always valued the input of its guests so four proposed designs were surveyed with hotel guests at all Myer hotels in Branson. “The design that was chosen received great feedback from our guests “stated Myer.

Going forward, the new corporate design standard will be incorporated into printed materials, web sites, and advertising on a rolling change where appropriate.

The new logo presents an easy to read format, has a professional yet leisure feel to it. Some have commented that the design incorporates the Ozarks Mountains via the green aspects of the design and the fresh Ozark mountain air with the blue colors.

About Myer Hotels
In the lodging business for 44 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for 28 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, Comfort Inn West, and Holiday Inn Express Green Mountain Drive. 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.

# # #

Cooking 101:Healthy Choices– Big Cedar Lodge wants to help you keep your New Year’s Resolution by offering a new class called  Cooking 101:Heathly Choices. This workshop is offered every Saturday in January from 1:00pm-2:30pm and  will focus on variety of healthy but gourmet treats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and even dessert.  Get new tricks from a professional chef and receive a Cooking 101 tool from the Chef’s Kit, recipe and tip book, and a complimentary appetizer for Worman House or Devil’s Pool Restaurant. Price is $25 per person or $40 per couple. For more information call 1-800-225-6343.