Grammy and CMA winner Suzy Bogguss brings her acclaimed acoustic trio to Bridge Street Live in Branson, MO on Tuesday October 2- Thursday October 4. In addition to her string of radio hits, Suzy will be performing songs from her critically celebrated CD, “American Folk Songbook.”

Suzy Bogguss – While ingenuity and integrity are the hallmark of a musical career that spans two decades, thirteen studio albums, and countless miles on the road, it’s the spontaneous showmanship of her live performance that truly brings Suzy’s talent and versatility as an artist to the forefront. Some of her accomplishments include ten albums for Capitol Records, one of which has been certified platinum and three others, gold. Eight of her singles have cracked country music’s top 5. Suzy is the recipient of a GRAMMY award (for Best Traditional Folk Album as a part of Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster) as well as several awards from the Academy of Country Music, The Country Music Association, CMT, and ASCAP.

Her songs have been heard on television shows and in commercials. She has performed on many national television shows including: In Performance At The White House (PBS), A Capitol 4th (PBS), Austin City Limits, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Live With Regis And Kelly, and The View. Suzy is a frequent guest on National Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. In 2011 Suzy released American Folk Songbook a 17 song CD and hardcover book with stories and sheet music, available online and nationally at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores.

Greetings!
Country music legends Johnny Lee and T. Graham Brown will perform at The Starlite Theatre in Branson as the fall concert series continues. “Stars From Larry’s Country Diner and Country’s Family Reunion” will continue through October 21. Please visit our website www.starlitetheatre.com for tickets and information.

Johnny Lee’s smash hit “Lookin For Love” from the “Urban Cowboy” soundtrack ruled the country and pop charts in 1980. Lee has five other number one country hits including “One In A Million,” “Bet Your Heart On Me” and “The Yellow Rose.”

T. Graham Brown has recorded 13 albums since 1986 and charted more than 20 hit singles on the country charts. He has three Number 1 hits: “Hell and High Water,” “Don’t Go To Strangers” and “Darlene” as well as 8 more Top 10 singles.

Help the Red Cross prepare for emergencies by donating blood: Eligible donors encouraged to give during National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and this year the American Red Cross asks everyone eligible to help prepare for emergencies by donating blood.
National Preparedness Month is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, workplaces and communities.
The mission of the Red Cross is to help the public prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
One way you can support the mission is to become a regular blood donor.

Taney County Blood Drives, September 2012, Open to the public:

First Presbyterian Church, 420 W Main St, Branson MO, Mon Sept 24, 2012, 1:00p – 6:00p
Walmart Branson Hills, Wed Sept 26, 1:30p – 5:30p

Be sure to eat prior to donating blood.
Bring your Photo Id or Donor Card.
Refreshments for all donors.

Legends in Concert, The World’s Greatest Live Tribute Show, at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, announces area appreciation to our friends and families who live or work in Stone or Taney County. Tickets will be $5.00 plus tax on September 14, 15 & 16 for both the 3 & 8 p.m. shows. Come see Liberace, Aretha Franklin, George Strait, The Blues Brothers and Elvis in one incredible theatrical production including the Legends in Concert band and fabulous singers and dancers. Experience the powerful stage presence and electrifying vocals of Aretha Franklin; enjoy country classics by the “King of Country”, George Strait; see the world-renowned and oh-so-showy pianist and vocalist, Liberace; clap along with the crazy antics of The Blues Brothers; and “Shake, Rattle & Roll” with Elvis Presley!

Don’t miss this fabulous fall line-up during our area appreciation on September 14, 15 & 16! Proof of residency or employment required at time of purchase. Tickets available day of show only and can be purchased at the Legends Box Office.

Show times are 3 & 8 p.m. For more information, call 417-335-STAR or visit
www.legendsinconcert.com.

Fall has arrived so beginning this week thru the entire month of September, we invite you to our “FALL” Into Music Festival. Because of Branson’s support we are happy to announce we are adding live music on Thursday evenings. Join us this month on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday as we showcase various local musicians from 5 – 7 pm!

Our musicians this week are:
Wednesday, Sept 12th: Dan McMasters on guitar and Lou Colbe on Bass;
Thursday, Sept 13th: Terry Laird, piano;
Friday and Saturday, Sept 14 & 15: The New Acoustic Jazz Trio with Dan McMasters, guitar; Steve Black, guitar; and Seth Darby on Bass.

Stop by after work to enjoy a glass of wine with your friends and help support our local live music! As always, we give our local residents a 10% discount on your take home purchases!

Mount Pleasant Winery
3125 Green Mtn. Drive
Branson, MO 65616
417-336-9463

The Track Family Fun Parks in Branson, Missouri announced today the 3rd launch of “Life on Track” – a teen safe driving program. Several school districts from the junior high to high school levels will be involved: Branson, Hollister, Forsyth, Reeds Spring and Taneyville. The Track will create a simulated DUI experience, as well as an exercise demonstrating the dangers associated with texting while driving. Prior to the actual driving events, officials from the Branson Police Department will conduct an education session. The program has grown from two participating school districts in 2010 to five districts this year consisting of approximately 550 students. The event will be held at The Track 5 location on September 4th , 5th ,6th and 7th.

“Life on Track” will elevate the awareness of the seriousness and impact of drunk driving. The Track and the Branson Police Department are working together to help ensure the safety of our Tri-Lakes families. This engaging experience includes the use of simulator goggles while driving a course and “walking the line” to showcase the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol. There will also be an element of texting while driving, which has become a bigger issue as mobile phones have become more prevalent and have gotten “smarter.”
According to the Underage Drinking Prevention Coalition of the Taney County Health Department, the average age of first use of alcohol among our youth has decreased to age 12. Nearly 50% of adolescents have had at least one drink by 8th grade. The Track is taking an active role in helping shine the light on this serious issue. Area youth will experience and learn in a safe environment how dangerous and difficult it actually is to drive while intoxicated. The number of families who are affected each year from DUI-related fatalities is devastating.
“For over 30 years, an important aspect of our company mission has been supporting families and kids in our community. With our facilities and resources, we have the unique ability to offer a safe environment where kids can learn some very important life lessons. If we just open the eyes of a few students to the dangers of drunk and/or distracted driving, Life on Track will be a success,” comments Craig Wescott, President/Co-Owner of The Track Family Fun Parks.
“With over 200 of our teenage students participating in the ‘Life on Track’ program, we are sure to make an impact with them on the facts about drinking and driving,” said Brad Swofford, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services at the Branson School District. “We are grateful for the opportunity this program affords our students to learn the hazards they face when mixing alcohol with driving.”

The Track is proud to welcome sponsors such as Branson Bank, Ozark Mountain Bank, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Pizza World, IMAX Entertainment Complex, Lodge of The Ozarks and Verizon to this community program and event. If you wish to help or get involved, please contact The Track.

We would like to invite all media who wish to experience driving with the simulator goggles, to participate with the live events or to interview officials regarding the educational content to contact The Track and plan to attend this event on September 4, 5, 6 or 7 from 9:00-11:30 am or 1:00 to 2:30 pm at Track 5 (3525 W. 76 Country Blvd.) in Branson, Missouri.
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About The Track Family Fun Parks:
The Track Family Fun Parks started entertaining local and visiting families in 1981. The four Branson, Missouri locations offer high-rise and classic go-kart tracks for all ages, laser tag, bumper boats/cars, mini golf, kids’ rides, arcades, and more with no gate admission charge. www.bransontracks.com

By: Tyler Lopez

The Boger Gallery at College of the Ozarks currently is displaying the exhibition “Seeing Christ Through Darkness.” The exhibit runs through September 30 in the Boger Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Jones Learning Center.

Rounault was a modern artist, known for gloomy and depressing works associated with the Christian faith. Throughout his life, his work was rejected by the Church, and it was near his death that he received a church commission. Rounault’s work identifies with suffering, but also the salvation that Christ brought to the afflicted.

“Seeing Christ in the Darkness” features more than 35 original print from his Miserere Series, as well as works from Fleurs du Mal (I and II) and the Passion Series.The works displayed are from The Bowden Collection, Chatham, Massachusetts, a substantial collection built over many years and many trips to Europe.

This Boger Gallery event, sponsored by the College of the Ozarks Art Department and the Missouri Arts Council, is free and open to the public. Boger Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 1-5 p.m. weekends. For more information contact Richard Cummings, Boger Gallery Director, at 417-690-2268, or e-mail [email protected].

Hollister, MO…As most employers battle increasing health insurance costs for their employees, one Branson organization is enjoying a substantial reduction in the costs for these benefits. Connell Insurance may sell health insurance coverages, but they also purchase such coverages like any other employer – and the costs were increasing.

In 2008, Connell Insurance recognized that a 26% increase in employee health care costs, up from 7% the previous year, was probably not going to decrease on its own. “We realized that we needed to take a proactive rather than a reactive approach,” stated Connell president, Tim Connell, “to control renewal increases and help our employees realize a healthy lifestyle at the same time.”

In 2010, Connell was paying an annual premium over $150,000, but in 2012 the premium has been lowered to just over $101,000. The drastic reduction in health care costs is partially because Connell increased the deductible from $3500 to $10,000 and incorporated a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). This type of account reduces the monthly premium by increasing the employee deductible levels. If the employee exceeds the deductible amount, then the employer and employee share in the residual costs. The combination results in savings for the employer while funding the HRA to bridge the gap between the higher deductible and the expenditure amount for employee’s insurance coverage.

Additionally, although Connell Insurance is not large enough to warrant a Wellness Officer, their Wellness Team combines a wellness program with measurement efforts that effectively gauge the program’s merit. Connell’s wellness program offers opportunities to help improve employee health, reduce absenteeism, and improve morale and productivity while reducing health care costs.

Connell’s wellness program, which began in 2008, included a Step Game in addition to Health Risk Assessments and Lunch & Learns. The next year a “Couch to 5K” training program was added, with the first 5K Run/Walk a few months later. Connell has also adopted a smoke-free workplace to further encourage better health. In 2012, the wellness program was ramped up with the hiring of BigTime Results in Springfield to handle the assessments, perform fitness tests, handle one-on-one consultations, and offer yoga and fitness classes each week.

According to the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), it generally takes about three years to see a return of typically $2-$3 saved for every $1 invested in a wellness program. That definitely is the case for Connell because in 2011, costs were improved to a mere 6% increase, down from a 23% increase the previous year, and in 2012, the overall health care costs actually decreased by 1%.

While Connell recognizes that the wellness program is not the sole reason for the reduction in health costs, they are confident that it plays a significant role, coupled with a critical review of health coverages and optional factors such as the HRA.

For more information, visit www.ConnellInsurance.com or www.BigTimeResults.com or call (417) 334-2000.

Connell Insurance, based in Hollister, MO, is one of the largest insurance agencies serving southwestern Missouri. An independent insurance agency, Connell specializes in both commercial and personal lines of insurance, representing numerous insurance companies.

LOCALS! We Love You!! Huge Discounts throughout Branson!

Branson, MO – We Love our Locals!! Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex, along with Montana Mike’s Steakhouse, Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano and the Branson Meadows Cinemas, invite area residents of Taney, Stone, Boone and Carroll counties to our “WE LOVE LOCALS” Celebration.

As a token of our appreciation, for your support and the referrals you pass on to our many visiting tourists, we are celebrating with HUGE discounts and FREE entertainment from Thursday, September 6th through Sunday, September 16th.

AREA APPRECIATION DISCOUNTS & OFFERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

25% OFF FOOD at:
• McFarlain’s Family Restaurant
• The IMAX Food Court
• Montana Mike’s Steakhouse
• Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano
• IMAX Complex Concessions
• Branson Meadows Concessions

FREE ENTERTAINMENT at IMAX on:
• All of our Giant-Screen IMAX Adventures
• All of our Live Shows in the Little Opry Theatre (Reservations accepted)

25% OFF SHOPPING inside IMAX at:
• Legacy & Legend Gifts
• The Shadow Box
• Fabulous Finds Jewelry
• Ozark Mountain TIme Clock Shop

CHILD’S PRICE MOVIES for ADULTS on Hollywood Movies at:
• The Elite Cinema III
• On the Giant IMAX Screen
• Branson Meadows Cinema

Discounts valid September 6th through 16th, 2012, for those who work or live in Taney, Stone, Boone and Carroll Counties. Valid photo ID and/or paystub may be required. Not valid with any other offer or discount; not valid on alcohol; subject to availability; discount must be requested at time of purchase.

For Little Opry Show Times and Movie Schedules check our website at www.bransonimax.com, for more information about Branson IMAX Events, like “We LOVE Locals!” visit our Facebook Events Page!