The country music band, EXILE, will be performing at the Clay Cooper Theatre in Branson, MO, Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June17, both shows at 8pm.

In 1963, a group of high school students started a rock and roll band in Richmond, Kentucky. They called themselves the Exiles. When Dick Clark’s Caravan Of Stars hit the road in 1965, they picked up the Exiles to perform on several dates in and around Kentucky. They continued touring nationally with the Caravan of Stars through to 1968; opening the show and providing back-up for headlining stars like Freddy Cannon, the Young Rascals, B. J. Thomas and others

The band changed musical styles throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. They shortened their name to Exile in 1973. In 1977, Mike Chapman, an Australian who had established himself as a record producer in the UK, came to the United States in search of an experienced group who wrote their own material. Chapman heard an Exile demo and went to their next concert, he and Exile decided to collaborate, producing the Mixed Emotions album on Warner/Curb Records. The first single release from that album was “Kiss You All Over” and topped the charts at #1 for four weeks. Mixed Emotions was a best-seller for six months.

Exile also produced several more #1 singles including “Woke Up In Love,” “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance” and “Crazy For Your Love”, “She’s A Miracle,” “Hang On To Your Heart,” “I Could Get Used To You,” “It’ll Be Me,” “She’s Too Good To Be True” and “I Can’t Get Close Enough”. Exile received 11 nominations for Vocal as well as Instrumental Group of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Don’t miss EXILE this summer! Purchase your tickets today by calling 877-317-2604 or order them online at www.claycoopertheatre.com.

Branson, MO. — America’s most beloved animal expert “Jungle Jack” Hanna brings his animal friends to the Clay Cooper Theatre for two special performances at 3:30 and 7:30 pm, Sunday, June 19.
“Jungle Jack’s” live show features many of his favorite animal friends as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. Hanna and his furry and feathered friends provide ahhh-some animal escapades (sometimes unscripted) and educate us about the protection and conservation of some our planet’s most precious species. Audiences give Jack rave reviews – everyone from the youngest child to the oldest adult is entertained and inspired.

Hanna’s television career began in 1983, when he was invited to appear on Good Morning America following the birth of baby twin gorillas at the Columbus Zoo where he served as director. Through the years, he has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Entertainment Tonight, Fox News, and several other programs as well.

In 1992, Hanna’s media appearances were taking so much time that he became director emeritus at the Columbus Zoo. In 1993, he became host of the nationally syndicated Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. After 12 years, he started a new TV series, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, an action-packed series that won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Series in 2008.

Author of 11 books and counting, his timeless tales continue to captivate audiences from every generation. Everyone respects this ambassador between the animal and human worlds. Clay Cooper Theatre is excited to welcome “Jungle Jack” to Branson, Missouri. Call for reservations today by calling 877-317-2604 or book online www.claycoopertheatre.com.

This show is presented by Nationwide Insurance.

By:  Shelby Gray

Eighteen College of the Ozark students accompanied by six WWII Veterans, will travel abroad to France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.

The trip, which will last from June 2-16, will provide students with the experience of a lifetime, as the Veteran’s guide them through the lands where they once fought.

The six Veterans going on the trip served in either the battles of D-Day, Berlin, or the Battle of the Bulge. Of the Veterans John Primerano, Lou Rabesa and Andy Anderson will be traveling with C of O students for the first time and will join returning Veterans Bill Kamsler, Bryan Sperry and Ned Knapp.

While in Normandy, the students and Veterans will have an in-depth visit to the Normandy American Cemetery, where they will attend the official commemorations of the 67th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

In Berlin, they will tour the Allied Museum in the former Headquarters of the American Forces, which commemorates the generations of soldiers and their families who protected Berlin during the Berlin Airlift.

The last evening of the trip, the group will visit the site where Germany finally surrendered on May 9, 1945, which is now known as the German-Russian Museum.

This trip is part of College of the Ozarks Patriotic Education Travel Program, whose mission is to educate younger generations about the sacrifices of American soldiers so that their stories will never be forgotten. Since the program’s beginning in 2009, more than 100 students have escorted WWII Veterans to battlefields and American cemeteries in England, France, Germany, Belgium, Tunisia, The Netherlands, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Hawaii.

For more information on the Patriotic Education Travel Program, contact The Keeter Center for Character Education at 417-690-2242.

Nearly 100 flags wave in a gentle breeze as residents and visitors drive along the Avenue of Freedom on Gretna Road. For more than ten years, the flags have welcomed veterans and reminded all Americans of the sacrifices of those who protected our freedoms. If you ever took a moment to reflect on the beauty and symbolism of the Avenue of Freedom, I’m sure you mentally said a “thank you” to our active duty military and a “welcome home” to our veterans.

Today the Avenue of Freedom needs your help. Recent storms have destroyed most of the flags and poles, leaving the beautiful drive bare. Our visitors miss the outward proof that Branson is a town committed to America and those who have so proudly served.

The Branson Veterans Task Force no longer has the funding to revive this meaningful tradition. We’re asking for your help – our residents, businesses and visitors. We would love to have new flags in place for the summer season – in time for Flag Day (June 14) and the 4th of July. We’d even rush to get them up for part of Memorial Day weekend if we have the funds.

Please help us! Donations may be made to the Avenue of Freedom at the Branson Veterans Task Force office, the Flag Store or the Veterans Museum, or mail to PO Box 128, Branson, MO 65615. Please make checks payable to “Avenue of Freedom.”

Make a donation, take up a collection at the office or talk to your friends and family. If someone would like to make a donation but can’t take it to one of the above locations, call the Branson Veterans Task Force office at 417-337-8387.

Together let’s beautify our city, welcome our military and veterans, and promote our American patriotism!

The Missouri Women’s Golf Association is pleased to announce the Inaugural Mid Amateur Championship, hosted by Payne Stewart Golf Club, a Troon course, in Branson, MO during July 25-27th, 2011. Golfers, volunteers, spotters and businesses are invited to participate in this event. Amateur women 25 years and older who are residents of Missouri or Johnson County, KS will compete for the first Missouri women’s Mid Amateur title in a 36 hole stroke play competition. The competition will play approximately 5300-5500 yards in length and flights will be determined after the first round. Entries will be accepted between May 30 and July 2, 2011.

Volunteers are needed to spot golf balls or help with logistics. Local merchants are invited to submit marketing materials, token gifts and/or coupons for the Registrants’ package. Donations will be accepted to provide golfers with health-related essentials (e.g., water, sunscreen) and recognition will be in the event program.

We are proud to begin the championship on this challenging course that honors the legacy of one of Missouri’s favorite sons. The player holding the first Mid Amateur Trophy will do so in the shadow of Payne Stewart’s memory as each hole has been designed as a tribute to the legendary Missourian. The local committee is encouraging golfers to bring their families and extend their visit to see all that the area has to offer. The Branson area is an excellent destination to play golf and enjoy the attractions, shows and shopping with family members.

The MWGA promotes women’s golf in Missouri and its competitions are open to all amateur females in Missouri and Johnson County, Kansas. Through the support of MWGA’s members and friends, the Missouri Women’s Golf Education Association annually grants scholarships to deserving high school junior golfers in pursuit of higher education.

Entry fee for contestants is $150.00. Membership in the MWGA is required at $30.00 annual dues. For those interested in golfing, visit the website for tournament entry forms and further details at www.mowomensga.org.

We hope that you will be able to join us and participate in this unique event in some way. If you are interested or have any questions or require additional information, please call the Payne Stewart Pro Shop at 877 337-2963 or email [email protected].