May 3rd
Heartland Music Festival: Sulphur HS Select Choir

May 4th
Muldrow High School

May 5th
Hazelwood Central Orchestra: Music Travel Consultants Choice Music Events Seckman MS

May 11th
Willard MS Tiger Tones

May 12th
Special Youth Show for Scouts

May 18th
Edgewood High School Band

About Dixie Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is a unique dinner and show experience set in a giant 35,000-square-foot arena featuring 32 magnificent horses, a stampede of buffalo, thrilling horsemanship, romance, and audience participation, all showcased in a friendly rivalry between North and South and complemented by a fabulous four-course feast.

Dixie Stampede Dinner Attractions operate in two popular vacation destinations: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri. They also operate Pirates Voyage; Fun, Feast & Adventure in Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information regarding show times and ticket prices, call 1-800-520-5544 or visit online at www.dixiestampede.com or www.piratesvoyage.com.

BRANSON, MO – The Comfort Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills and the Comfort West of Branson have all been selected as three of the three finalists for Choice Hotels’ International 2012 “Inn of the Year” for the Comfort Inn brand. Two of these Myer Hotel properties were also recognized as finalists for 2011 and 2010 with the Comfort Inn & Suites winning in 2011 and 2009. These hotels represent the “best of the best” among over 1,400 Comfort Inn’s worldwide due to their outstanding guest satisfaction and consistent brand performance.

The Comfort Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills and Comfort Inn West have also been also been recognized as Choice Hotels Platinum properties for 2012. The Choice Hotels Platinum Award exemplifies exceptional service, facilities and hospitality. “Only three percent of properties in the Choice Hotels system reach this standard” stated Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations. Chris Myer, Vice President of Marketing noted, “It’s a huge honor to be finalists for “Inn of the Year”. I don’t think any one company has ever had three properties in the finals at the same time. Our team does an incredible job of taking care of customers. This recognition speaks to their high commitment of providing quality service and product on a consistent basis.”

“These hotels represent the strongest, most consistent performers in our global system,” said Steven Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels. “To receive this recognition is a great accomplishment and the owners, general managers and staff of these hotels should be proud. I know we certainly are.”

The Comfort Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills and Comfort Inn West are owned by Myer Hotels of Branson. In the lodging business for over 44 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 28 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels also includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn and the Holiday Inn Express Green Mountain. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.
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WASHINGTON, May 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is proud and honored to salute Mayor Raeanne Pressley and the Board of Aldermen, Branson, Missouri on the occasion of proclaiming Branson as the first Purple Heart City in the State of Missouri.

The public is invited to attend the Proclamation ceremony that will take place at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at City Hall Council Chambers, 110 W. Maddux St., Branson, MO. Already regarded as “The most veteran friendly city in the United States,” by proclaiming itself a “Purple Heart City,” Branson pays special tribute to the almost 2 million dedicated and brave servicemen and women who have either been killed or wounded in combat, and honors not only Missouri’s Purple Heart recipients but all veterans across the nation.

Receiving the Proclamation on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, will be Everett Kelly, Commander of the MOPH Department of Missouri. Also participating in the ceremony will be Past Department Commander Carl Dietrich and numerous other members of the MOPH from throughout the State of Missouri. In honor of this occasion, Commander Kelly will present the City of Branson a Military Order of the Purple Heart flag to be flown each year on Purple Heart Day, August 7.

The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc” (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, the MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all of its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most Importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS Program, MOPH volunteers selflessly provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.
SOURCE: Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

American Idol® Finalists will soon be arriving at the Branson Airport. Andy Williams Moon River Theatre will host a total of fifteen entertainers this summer from the popular television show, American Idol®, to perform in “The Finalists Live”. On Monday, May 7th, the first group of five former Idols will step off the plane at Branson Airport to begin the fifteen week tour in Branson, Missouri. The first group includes: Lee DeWyze, Season 9 Winner; Blake Lewis, Season 6 Runner-up; Elliott Yamin,3rd in Season 5; plus Thia Megia, from last year’s show; and Kimberly Caldwell from Season 2, and host on Oxygen and TV Guide network. For additional show information visit www.andywilliams.com.

Branson Airport is holding a Meet the Idols Contest, where customers can enter to win 2 premium VIP seats and full backstage access passes with the Idols. Contest will begin May 7th. Participants can register on Facebook by visiting the Branson Airport Fan Page “FlyBranson” and clicking the contest tab or by visiting www.FlyBranson.com.

In addition to the contest, Branson Airport will also host a “Finalists Live Watch Party” where guests are invited to come out to the airport and meet and greet with their favorite Idols. The Watch Party will begin at 1:30pm. Guests are invited to create posters welcoming each of the artists. A poster contest will be held the same day where the lucky winner will receive a free ticket to The Finalists Live show. All local media is encouraged to attend.

The Branson airport has non-stop service to 9 markets, Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Orlando, Baltimore, Austin, Nashville, and over 100 one stop destinations. To make reservations or for more information regarding Branson Airport call toll free 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (1-888-359-2541) or 417-334-8857 or visit FlyBranson.com.

College of the Ozarks Students Win First Place at 2012 Missouri Academy of Science
By: Austin Plummer

Two College of the Ozarks students won first place awards at the 2012 Missouri Academy of Science meeting held on April 14 at the University of Missouri—Columbia. Matt Lawson won first place for Best Oral Presentation in the chemistry section, and Heather Hula won first place for Best Oral Presentation in the biology section.

The Missouri Academy of Science (MAS) is a meeting that provides undergraduates a chance to present their research in front of peers and compete against other schools. Research projects are presented orally or by poster.

College of the Ozarks was one of the many colleges and universities to present at MAS. C of O students competed against students from Lincoln University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Evangel University, Cottey College, Westminster College, Rockhurst University, Southeast Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University and many more.

College of the Ozarks requires all biology and chemistry majors to take three consecutive semesters of research. This entails each student choosing a research project provided by the professors. From there, they conduct a review of literature and perform an experiment. Students work countless hours on research to achieve their main goal. During the last semester, each research student gives an oral presentation at the Missouri Academy of Science.

Next year, the MAS meeting will be held at College of the Ozarks.