The Dutton family, stars of one of Branson’s most popular shows The Duttons, will launch a weekly TV series, The Duttons Through the Years, on Friday March 9. The show will be on RFD-TV and will feature The Duttons performing at their theater in Branson, Missouri along with highlights from three decades of exciting and entertaining performances throughout the world,” said Judith Dutton, the Assistant Manager for the Dutton Complex and one of the featured performers in the show.

The series chronicles the more than 30 year journey of The Duttons, from a young family having fun together in their spare time to one of the country’s most beloved entertainment groups. Dean Dutton, a tenured professor of economics at the time, and his wife Sheila, never meant to have a performing family. Their desire was to instill discipline in their children through consistent music practice on violins, while learning the joy of producing music. They succeeded so well that the their children’s love of music and family relationships ended up changing their life forever.

Dean took early retirement and dusted off his old guitar; with the encouragement of her children, Sheila learned the Bass; and the family went on the road performing up to 200 dates a years all around the world, and settled in Branson in 1997.

In 1999, after viewing The Duttons’ first national television special Music in Your Heart, Boxcar Willie asked Dean and Sheila Dutton to take over his theater in Branson and the “the rest is history.” Almost 20 years later, they are still one of the most popular shows in Branson and their Family Theater complex, comprised of “The Dutton Family Theater,” the “Dutton Inn,” and “Abby‘s Tourist Trap,” are popular Branson destinations.

In 2006, They expanded their entertainment enterprise and selected the Phoenix, Arizona Valley as a winter destination for their show. The Dutton Theater Mesa Arizona welcomes guests from all over the country mid-December through March, returning to Branson in April.

They never set out to amass a large catalogue of musical production video, but TV stations and networks around the world were eager to get footage of them and book appearances. Starting in 1988 with RAI 3 Television out of Rome, Italy, Europe’s largest television network, and continuing with appearances on TF 1 out of Paris, France, and regional television throughout Europe, The Duttons continue to be featured on many of the world’s most prestigious television networks. Along with the above, they have appeared on Chinese National Television, Japanese Television, five national television specials in the U.S., and appeared as finalists on NBC’s prime time hit program, America’s Got Talent.”

The airing of The Duttons Through the Years, is their fourth program on RFD-TV, and The Duttons couldn’t be more thrilled with that partnership. The series highlights the musical genres the Duttons love most country, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, classical, and gospel. Add to that the amazing variety of vocals, instruments, dancing, and comedy, and one soon sees why audiences love The Duttons and their show is so popular.. The unusual versatility of each of the main performers puts The Duttons in a category all their own. Three generations on stage at once, tugs at the heartstrings of audiences everywhere.

Additionally, the breathtaking scenery of the on- location music videos is one of the crown jewels of this series. The Duttons Through the Years will air on Friday evenings at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on RFD-TV with each episode will re-airing on Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The pilot (with special guest star, Grammy Award Winner, Billy Dean) will debut on Friday March 9, 2018. The Duttons start their 2018 Branson season on Monday, April 9.

BRANSON, Mo. – One lane of Highway 165/265 across Table Rock Dam will be closed for a periodic inspection of the spillway tainter gates from 6:30 a.m. till 5 p.m.Nov. 1, weather permitting.

The closure is being coordinated with emergency services and law enforcement agencies.  Officials from the Army Corps of Engineers Table Rock Project Office regret any inconvenience this may cause.  If you are traveling in this area, please expect delays, and obey flagmen.  Corps officials also ask travelers to plan alternate routes and allow extra time to reach their destinations.

For more information contact the Table Rock Project Office at 417-334-4101.

Due to the ongoing fire restoration at The Shoji Tabuchi Theatre in Branson, Missouri, The Shoji Tabuchi Family has announced today that they will be unable to re-open the theatre for the remaining 2017 season.

The Shoji Theater will be celebrating their 30th year anniversary and are so very excited and looking forward to performing again on stage at their theatre in the Spring of 2018!

We will be releasing our 2018 show schedule soon. Please check our websites shoji.com and christinalingotabuchi.com for our roadshow dates, as well as, all updates.

We want to thank everyone for all your continued support and understanding as the fire restoration is being completed.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks has revised its contracts for competition in all sports, adding a stipulation that all participating players and coaches respect the American flag and National Anthem.

“The College of the Ozarks will not play in games where disrespect is exhibited toward the American flag or National Anthem,” said College President Jerry C. Davis. “Opponents are pledging to meet the College’s expectations for respect of the National Anthem and American flag. Otherwise, our College will not participate.

“It’s a shame sporting events are being used to communicate disrespect for this great country,” Davis said. “We will not be a part of this.”

College of the Ozarks is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and has hosted the National Men’s Basketball Tournament for the past 18 years.

“The NAIA promotes a character initiative, and C of O has received a Five Star Institution Award more than once,” Davis said. “We don’t think disrespect of our country is consistent with the NAIA’s character initiative and certainly not with the patriotic goal of this school.

“We would like to see the NAIA lead in a campaign for respect for America and those who wear the uniform to defend our way of life, both at home and around the world. It’s time for colleges and universities to be positive role models. We need more emphasis on character and unity and less emphasis on political correctness.”

For additional information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.

About College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian, liberal arts college, located in Point Lookout, Missouri, on a 1,000-acre campus. Christian values, hard work, and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U.” experience. The College earns numerous accolades yearly, including No. 1 Best Value Regional College in the Midwest and No. 1 Most Innovative School in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 2018. To achieve its vision, the College pursues academic, vocational, Christian, patriotic, and cultural goals. These goals are mirrored in School of the Ozarks, a laboratory school that completes the K-college model.

The Keeter Center — the College’s award-winning lodge, restaurant, and conference facility — was ranked a Top Small Hotel in the U.S. by TripAdvisor for 2017. It features historic lodging, fine dining, and meeting rooms. With more than 350 student workers, it is the largest work station on campus. Follow College of the Ozarks at www.facebook.com/collegeoftheozarks or on Twitter @CofOHardWorkU.

Silver Dollar City is hosting the Springfield Area Memorial Stair Climb to be held Saturday at Silver Dollar City’s Echo Hollow Amphitheatre 8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 30, in remembrance of the New York City firefighters lost on 9-11-2001.

Participants will climb the stairs of the amphitheater multiple times for a total of 110 stories, the number of floors in the Twin Towers of New York City. The event benefits the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
and their families. Participants can register online at www.springfieldmemorialstairclimb.org.

Last two days to share Christmas with an elderly person who might not otherwise have a Christmas! Kmart’s Wishing Tree Appeal is partnering with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program to help make that happen.

There are 85 cards on the Angel Tree at Hwy 248 K-Mart for the elderly in our community.  Purchase any of the items on the Wish List: wall calendar, wall clock, perfume cologne, chap stick, peppermints, lotion, gripper socks, after shave, Kleenex, lap blanket, or note cards and “return them unwrapped either to the Salvation Army located at 1114 Stanley Blvd in Branson or to Kmart by Dec. 16, tomorrow and “Santa” will take care of the rest of it.

Salvation Army Angel Tree near the front of the Highway 248 Kmart in Branson.

Merry Christmas!

When Mrs. Onyinye Elochukwu, of Sacramento, California, went to open her email on the morning of December 12, she certainly didn’t expect to find out that she had won Branson Tourism Center’s 2016 Ozark Mountain Christmas Sweepstakes. She said, “When I opened my email and found out that I had won I was so excited! I read it twice before I even grasped that I had won.”

Onyinye, a stay at home mom taking care of a two-and-a-half-year-old son, entered the contest through Facebook and really didn’t think she had a chance to win. Now that she’s won, she said, “I’m so grateful. It couldn’t have come at a better time; what a wonderful Christmas gift!”

“To us at the Branson Tourism Center, Christmas is all about giving, so in keeping with that spirit, we decided to have a special Christmas Sweepstake centered around the joy and spirit of Christmas giving,” said Tammy Johnson, the Vice President | General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center. “We offer our congratulations to Mrs. Elochukwu and share her excitement.”

Johnson also points out that another important element of the Sweepstake was that the Winner was empowered to brighten the Christmas of a local Branson charity by designating it, from those listed, to receive a gift of $500.00 from the Branson Tourism Center. Onyinye, who has never visited Branson, but hopes to do so someday, selected the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri because she is more familiar with the Red Cross saying,” I see what they do on TV, on-line, and in social media and I like what they do to help people in times of need.”

Stacy Burks, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri said, “We’re so grateful to Mrs. Elochukwu and the Branson Tourism Center for thinking of the American Red Cross during this season of giving. Our volunteers are ready to go when disaster strikes whether home fire, flood, or tornado and this donation will help provide relief and help to community members during their time of need.”

When Mrs. Onyinye Elochukwu, of Sacramento, California, went to open her email on the morning of December 12, she certainly didn’t expect to find out that she had won Branson Tourism Center’s 2016 Ozark Mountain Christmas Sweepstakes. She said, “When I opened my email and found out that I had won I was so excited! I read it twice before I even grasped that I had won.”

Onyinye, a stay at home mom taking care of a two-and-a-half-year-old son, entered the contest through Facebook and really didn’t think she had a chance to win. Now that she’s won, she said, “I’m so grateful. It couldn’t have come at a better time; what a wonderful Christmas gift!”

“To us at the Branson Tourism Center, Christmas is all about giving, so in keeping with that spirit, we decided to have a special Christmas Sweepstake centered around the joy and spirit of Christmas giving,” said Tammy Johnson, the Vice President | General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center. “We offer our congratulations to Mrs. Elochukwu and share her excitement.”

Johnson also points out that another important element of the Sweepstake was that the Winner was empowered to brighten the Christmas of a local Branson charity by designating it, from those listed, to receive a gift of $500.00 from the Branson Tourism Center. Onyinye, who has never visited Branson, but hopes to do so someday, selected the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri because she is more familiar with the Red Cross saying,” I see what they do on TV, on-line, and in social media and I like what they do to help people in times of need.”

Stacy Burks, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri said, “We’re so grateful to Mrs. Elochukwu and the Branson Tourism Center for thinking of the American Red Cross during this season of giving. Our volunteers are ready to go when disaster strikes whether home fire, flood, or tornado and this donation will help provide relief and help to community members during their time of need.”

“Tim Conway, who was scheduled to perform at the Mansion Theatre on October 19th & 20th and then again November 10th & 11th regrets that he will cancel the last four tour dates of the season.  Conway, who appeared at the Mansion in 2011 has canceled due to family health issues.

“Mansion entertainment has been working hard to secure entertainment to fill the above dates and we are excited to announce that legendary stand-up comedian and actor, Bob Newhart will appear in Branson, MO.

“’We are looking forward to having Bob Newhart in Branson, MO for his first appearance in the city and we know he will fall in love with Bransonlike the many performers before him.’  Larry Wilhite, General Manager of the Mansion Theatre.

“Newhart, starring in two long-running and prize-winning situation comedies, first as psychologist Dr. Robert “Bob” Hartley on the 1970ssitcom The Bob Newhart Show and then as innkeeper Dick Loudon on the1980s sitcom Newhart. He also had a third, short-lived sitcom in the nineties titled Bob. Newhart also appeared in film roles such as MajorMajor in Catch-22, and Papa Elf in Elf. He provided the voice of Bernard in the Walt Disney animated films The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under. One of his most recent roles is the library head Judson in The Librarian. In 2011, Newhart made a cameo in the film Horrible Bosses.”

Tickets are on sale now and reservations can be made by calling the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550 or on line through Branson on the Web.

The Gift of Hope is the parent organization of the Backpack Club which provides supplemental food to over 300 school children each week of the school year. It recently received 103 cases of granola bars for the Back Pack Club, from a private donor, through the  Christian Action Ministries (CAM) Food Pantry. Pictured left to right are Pat Davis, Director of Christian Action Ministries and Janet Akers, Christian Action Ministries Board Member.

For more information on the Gift of Hope or the Back Pack Club please contact Meghan Connell at 417-546-8062 or go to its website.

Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Care For Kids Volunteers to Take On School Rehab Project at Reeds Spring. Over 150 volunteers will gather to paint doorways, doors and break rooms in one-day school rehab project. This is the fourth school rehab project conducted by the Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Care For Kids program, which is providing the paint, supplies and coordination of volunteers for the project.

Care For Kids School Rehab Project
8 a.m. Start Time
Saturday, January 22
Reeds Spring Intermediate School
Reeds Spring, MO
For details or directions, Call 417-338-8207/8210

Care For Kids is the Silver Dollar City Foundation’s program to meet the physical, mental and emotional needs of kids in the Stone and Taney county communities, with a commitment of
half a million dollars over five years. For more information,
visit www.silverdollarcityfoundation.com