On Dec. 2, seven College of the Ozarks students and six WWII Veteran survivors of the Battle of Guadalcanal will travel to the Solomon Islands in the Pacific to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the campaign, which began Aug. 7, 1942 and lasted until Feb. 9, 1943.
The Battle of Guadalcanal, the first major offensive by Allied forces against Japan, resulted in nearly 40,000 Allied and Japanese deaths. Five of the students traveling with Veterans on this historic journey have direct family ties to the battle. Veterans participating in the trip Charles Monroe, John Christiansen, Chester Thomason, Theron MacKay, Elmer Hawkins and Paul Castiglione all served in the campaign.
During the trip, the contingent will travel by ship to the various islands, such as Guadalcanal and Gizo, which comprise the Solomon chain. They will tour what were hospitals and airstrips once vital components to the campaign. They will lay wreaths in waters littered with wreckages where hundreds perished in battle.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about personal experiences from the Veterans, like the time Charles Monroe, a fighter pilot, crash landed on the Japanese side of Guadalcanal, received help from the island natives and was able to return to his chore of flying in torpedo runs. They are also likely to hear about Paul Castiglione’s account of how one ham sandwich made the difference between life and death for him, as taking an extra few minutes to enjoy the treat spared him from a shelling attack.
This trip is part of the College of the Ozarks Patriotic Education Travel Program, wherein students accompany veterans to their fields of battle to learn about history and sacrifice from the individuals who lived it. Student participants relish the opportunity to learn from the veterans and understand that they are in a unique position to learn and pass on precious historical accounts. During the journey, students will record the Veterans’ stories and the trip by journaling, using voice recorders and keeping a travel blog.
The College recognizes patriotic education travel as a powerful opportunity to reinforce one of the five goals of the College, patriotic education. The rich educational journey provides a life-changing experience for College of the Ozarks students, who not only learn volumes of history from participants, but grow to love and appreciate them as well. Since the inaugural trip taken in 2009, 12 trips have been taken with a total of 173 students and 73 Veterans participating. For more information on the Patriotic Education Travel Program, please visit www.cofo.edu. To follow the students and Veterans journey to the Solomon Islands, go to www.cofopacific.blogspot.com.
College of the Ozarks is a four-year, fully accredited, Christian work college located in southwest Missouri. At “Hard Work U” students don’t pay a penny of tuition. Instead they work campus jobs at one of more than 80 campus workstations ranging from a restaurant to dairy farm. Upon their participation in the Work Education Program, the College guarantees to cover the entire cost of their education, allowing them to graduate debt-free. Working for one’s education has been a distinctive tradition of the institution since its founding.

The Branson Arts Council and the First Presbyterian Church will be presenting A Christmas Community Concert at the Old Stone Church. The concert will feature the Branson Chamber Singer, performing classic Christmas songs for your enjoyment. The concert is at 2pm, so it’s a great opportunity to get you in the spirit before the Adoration Parade! The Concert is free and open to the public.

College of the Ozarks will present Christmas Card to the Community on December 9, at 7 p.m. in the Williams Memorial Chapel. The event is a traditional, Christian worship service that features Christmas music presented by the College’s Chapel Choir, Chorale and Handbell Choir.

The service, themed “Worship Christ the Newborn King,” will feature hymns and traditional carols with opportunities for congregational participation.

College of the Ozarks invites the public to share in this annual Christmas service. A light reception with cookies, fruitcake and hot cider will immediately follow the service in the Fellowship Hall of the Chapel. Tickets are not required; seating is limited. For more information, please contact Public Relations at 417-690-2212.

Lady Bobcats Assistant Coach Paul Voliva, Former Lady Bobcats/C of O alumni Kelsey Combs Howerton, Miranda Vaught, Julie Posey, and Morgan Hickey, and C of O Athletic Director Al Waller received the award on behalf of the team.

November 26, 2012

Outstanding sportsmanship, citizenship, servant leadership, character, and winning are descriptors often used when talking about the College of the Ozarks Lady Bobcats. For the fourth time, the Lady Bobcats earned the National Runner-up title in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II (NAIA D-II) Women’s Basketball Championship held in March. Equally, if not more, important (than the team’s record), is the off-the-court activities that led to the Lady Bobcats receiving two of the most prestigious honors given by the NAIA and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CSTA).

Recently, the NAIA and CTSA named the Lady Bobcats as the recipient of the “All That’s Right in Sport” award, which the team formally received on November 17, at the 13th Annual National Sportsmanship Awards (one of the most renowned sports awards events in the country) hosted by the St. Louis Commission and CSTA.

During the NAIA Women’s Championship tournament held in March, the Lady Bobcats also were recognized—that time with the “Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character” award. At the end of each sports season, the NAIA recognizes only one college in every sport with the Champions of Character award. Teams are selected based on “exemplary character and sportsmanship displayed during practice, competition, on campus, and in the community.”

What caught the attention of the NAIA and CSTA, that team members or their coaches would never boast, is that the Lady Bobcats quickly responded to the needs of nearby Joplin High School, which was destroyed by an EF5 tornado May of May 2011. The Lady Bobcats would not sit idly by as Joplin residents struggled to rebuild. Only a few weeks after the storm, with the help of Head Coach George Wilson and Assistant Coaches Becky Vest and Paul Voliva, the team organized a benefit game that raised $10,000 for the Joplin High School girls’ basketball team that had lost everything to the tornado.

“We were very overwhelmed with College of the Ozarks, the women’s basketball team, and coaches in how they took it upon themselves to rescue our program,” said Joplin Lady Eagles Basketball Coach Vicki Spivy. “We will forever be thankful to Coach Wilson, his staff, and his girls for what they did for us. Not just material things were given; hope was restored. My girls realize that there are great people in this world, and it starts with the team from College of the Ozarks.”

Branson Country USA with Special Guest Bob Davidson – November 23, 2012

Branson Country USA is co-hosted by Grand Country nuts, Jamie Haage, as Jim Dandy, and Mike Patrick! With a rotating roster of talent, the show features special guest stars from the rich Branson entertainment industry. From celebrities such as Mickey Gilley and Roy Clark to the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow, the weekly line-up is always a hit!

Audiences also enjoy the incredible voices of Jackie Brown, Melody Hart and the power harmonies of New South, both weekly regulars on the show. The entire show is backed by the dynamic Grand Band.

Recorded LIVE on Friday night at 10:30 PM
This show is broadcast on radio stations around the country.
Airing Saturday nights at 7:00 PM on KRZK – 106.3 in Branson, MO.
And Sunday nights at 9:00 PM. on KHOZ – 102.9 in Harrison, AR.

You can also listen via the internet. www.bransoncountryusa.net
Show airs at 7:00 PM (cst.) – Every Saturday Night

Grand Country Music Hall
1945 W. 76 Country Blvd.
Branson, MO 65616
417-335-2484 – Reservations
417-336-5829 – Fax

By: Ashley Bench

The Keeter Center will host the annual Yuletide Feast at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Dec. 1.

This year’s Yuletide Feast will include a traditional hot wassail toast, caroling at the fireplace, and boar’s head processional into Dobyns Dining Room Room. While guests enjoy a traditional Renaissance dinner, College of the Ozarks Chorale will perform a Christmas concert.

Come celebrate for only $28.95 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, call (417) 690-2146 or for online reservations go to www.keetercenter.edu.

JEFF BRANDT’S “PICKIN’ UP FOOD FOR THE PANTRY” SHOW
C.A.M. Food Pantry to Benefit From Special Evening of Entertainment!

November 24th, 2012 is the night that Jeff Brandt, “Branson’s Premiere Impressionist”, will take the stage at the Branson Central Theatre for a one night only performance! Jeff Brandt’s “Pickin’ Up Food For The Pantry” Show will bring Brandt’s talent front and center along with an all-star cast! Jeff has performed with several shows in Branson including, the Lodge of the Ozarks Club Celebrity room with Patty Davidson, Jennifer in the Morning, Doug Gabriel, Penny Gilley, and was with the Wayne Newton Show for 13 years in both Branson and Las Vegas. This special one night only show will be Brandt’s first time as the headliner in his own show in Branson.

Jeff and wife, Gina, and children Michael and Kaethe, originally moved to Branson in 1990 and have seen many changes over the years in the area. “The one constant we have seen in this beautiful area, is the peoples’ desire to help one another when times get tough”, according to Brandt, “which is why we decided to donate a portion of the evenings proceeds to the Christian Action Ministries Food Pantry”. Food donations will also be accepted for a reduced ticket price. “C.A.M. does so much good for our community and especially during these tough economic times, they need our support more than ever,” says Brandt.

Jeff will be bringing in his original band Galaxy from Iowa. “I am so excited about this show and the chance to have my band here for the first time ever to see why my family and I love it here so much!” says Brandt. Along with his own band, Jeff will be joined by former Wayne Newton conductor, Greg Macaluso and his orchestra, ventriloquist Patty Davidson & Friends, The Lady Outlaw – Jessica James, Branson veteran entertainer, Johnny Long, as well as the Brandt’s children, Michael and Kaethe Brandt. Jeff has been hailed as “Branson’s Premiere Impressionist” for more than two decades, and will be performing his world renowned impressions. “I love doing the impressions and getting to see the smiles on people’s faces!” Brandt continues, “This show will give me the opportunity to present the music that I love and many of the people that have made it all possible throughout the years.” Jeff has traveled around the world, appeared in movies and on television, and has performed on seven USO Tours overseas. He is also known here in the Branson area as “The Voice of the Ozarks” on radio station KRZK for over 10 years and can be seen currently on RFD-TV on the Penny Gilley Television Show.

You can make advanced reservations for this special one night performance by calling (417)336-0559. Special VIP seating is available for $40 and includes preferred seating, VIP laminate, a show poster signed by the cast and an after show meet and greet. General admission is $20 and may also be purchased in advance. If you bring a sack of non-perishable groceries for the Food Pantry with you to the show, admission is only $15, based on availability. For more information, go to www.JeffBrandt.com or friend Jeff on Facebook. Don’t miss this exciting evening, Saturday November 24th at 9pm. Jeff Brandt’s Pickin Up Food For The Pantry!

“Cowgirl Clad Company will be holding a Christmas Open House on Thursday, November 29th from 4p.m. until 7p.m. The store is located at 213 W. Pacific Street in Branson. There will be door prizes, complimentary gift wrapping, and more. Complimentary refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served and sale merchandise will be available.

Cowgirl Clad Company specializes in cowgirl boots from brands such as Lane, Old Gringo, and Corral, as well as dresses, jewelry, jeans, accessories, and more. Need some inspiration? Come join the cowgirls in the shop and they will help you find the perfect gifts for the ladies in your life! Come enjoy seasonal refreshments and appetizers while you browse and shop, plus get the chance to win some awesome door prizes.

From complete outfits to jewelry to cowgirl boots, the girls in the store can help you find the exact gift that will bring a smile to the face of that special cowgirl in your life. We can’t wait to see all of you! Come out and join us for a great evening!

Find us online at www.CowgirlClad.com“

The Bretts, Branson’s Best Morning Show (BransonCritic.com & BransonShowAwards.com), is holding an area appreciation week. From November 19th to the 24th, 2012 admission is only $5 plus tax per person for the following 22 counties: Taney, Ozark, Stone, Christian, Barry, Douglas, Greene, Webster, Wright, Lawrence, Jasper, Newton, McDonald (MO). Boone, Newton, Searcy, Marion, Benton, Carroll, Madison, Baxter, Washington (AR). Reserve tickets by calling 417-336-3100. Showtime: 10 a.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. 1600 W. Hwy 76, Branson, MO 65616. VALID ID REQUIRED.

BRANSON, Mo., November 5, 2012 — Merry Christmas from Main Street Lake Cruises! Create a special Christmas memory for your family on a free “Candy Cane Cruise” aboard the 100 foot luxury yacht, “Landing Princess” on either Saturday December 1st or 8th. After boarding the Landing Princess, at the Main Street Marina in Branson Landing, you will enjoy cookies and milk; a special story time with Mrs. Claus and the Elves as well as writing a letter to Santa, which Mrs. Claus will deliver back to the North Pole.

Reservations for the “Candy Cane Cruises” are subject to availability on a first come first serve basis, should be made as early as possible and must include one adult for every three children. Although the cruise is free for children as well as adults, a donation of a canned food item for the local food pantry would be appreciated. Please call Local at 417.239-3980 or Toll Free at 877-38-BOATS for cruise times and availability.