Beginning May 2nd Moon River Grill opens for lunch! Spring-Summer hours 11am to 11pm. Come check out our NEW menu items!

Don’t forget the grill’s new happy hour specials nightly!

Andy Williams Moon River Grill features Andy’s mom’s recipes and all items are completely made from scratch!

Hollister, MO – Don’t miss the 26^th Annual Hollister Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 23^rd from 12:30—2:00pm at the Hollister High School Football Field. This is another fantastic FREE community event put on by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce. Last year almost 2000 people came out to enjoy this Hollister tradition—the 2^nd longest running after Hollister 4^th of July Fireworks!

Children’s activities and games including giant inflatables, clowns, face-painting and more! …plus a visit from the Easter Bunny—all part of the festivities this Saturday. Kids will be divided into age groups (3 & under, 4–5yr, 6–7yr, and 8 & up) as they run around the field collecting the 5,000 candy-filled eggs! All children are encouraged to bring their own Easter basket or bag for collecting—as supplies will be limited. While the event kicks off at 12:30 – the “Hunt” begins promptly at 1:00pm – so don’t be late!

This event would not be possible without the support of our local businesses and Hollister Chamber Members. A special Thank You to our 2011 Sponsors: St. John’s Clinic of Hollister, CenturyLink, The Keeter Center, KOMC/KRZK Hometown Radio, Parade of Homes Magazine, McDonald’s, Perfect Signs and The Spirits Shop. Sponsorship opportunities still available. Call 334-3050 for details.

Friday, March 18th the Branson Arts Council will present an Art Mixer and Open House, 5:30- 7 pm at Mount Pleasant Winery.
You are invited to attend a fun Art Mixer, featuring “A Taste of Table Rock Art Guild”. Come and meet with the very talented local artists for “Happy Hour” filled with wine tasting, refreshments and wonderful art. The event is open to BAC members and free to the public. For more information call the BAC office 336-4255.

Winter is in full swing and with it comes the possibility of weather that could prevent the safe transportation of students to school.  The Branson School District would like to issue this notice regarding school cancellation.

In the event of inclement weather, parents and students will be notified of school cancellations through radio station KRZK (106.3 FM); the weather information phone (336-5000); PIRATEcast; and the Springfield media. You can sign up for PIRATEcast through the district web site.

Every effort will be made to provide cancellation notices as early as possible.

Sue Head, Executive Director, of the The Keeter Center for Character Education sent out the following email on the “First PLACE! Characteristic of the Month” for January: “Commitment:”

Happy New Year!  The First PLACE! trait of the month is Commitment – being true to your word and what a wonderful trait to teach to our area children.

I was discussing the trait of the month with my assistant, Amy, and she immediately shared a story that exemplifies the value of focusing on developing character in young people.  They don’t get it by osmosis but consistent reinforcement like that demonstrated in the account below:

The New Year is always filled with commitments, resolutions, and goals. It’s the perfect time to reevaluate what we do, and how we do it. I remember strongly a conversation in my home during my high school years. My dad, who was a quiet yet hard-working giant of a man, sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper one morning. He turned to a full-page ad that had used their prime space for one large message: “Don’t Promise What You Can’t Deliver.” My dad ripped the page from its section and turned to tape it onto our refrigerator (the message center of our home).

For years, that newspaper ad glared at my brothers, and at me, as we made decisions about what to do and say. Occasionally, my father would quietly remind us of our commitments by simply turning from his seat at the breakfast table and pointing to the ad on the refrigerator. Don’t over-commit. That’s a different warning than to avoid commitment altogether. Instead the ad (and my dad) seemed to scream to be true to your word.   Be a committed mother or father, a committed worker, a committed volunteer. But don’t fall into the trap of saying yes to something you can’t do. Think about what you can do…dream big dreams, and then get out there and do it.

Another prime example of commitment in this community is Loaves & Fishes.  How inspiring to see groups sign up and take a night to feed neighbors in need.  In order to feed 160+ folks each night, each team demonstrates their commitment by showing up, cooking, serving, and cleaning as they had given their word to do.  The organizers take the team leaders at their word and trust that the team will do as they said they would do, and over the past three years over 20,000(!) meals have been provided through this commitment process.  There are actually eleven nights still available this season (Jan. 3-March 16) that need a team of six to twelve folks to provide the meal.  Please let me know if you are interested in taking a night.

As always, thank you for your commitment to First PLACE! and to the children who call Ozark Mountain Country home.

Branson High School students have organized a benefit concert and silent auction – “Songs of Hope” – for one of their fellow classmates, Taylor Poor, who suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).  RSD is a rare, neurological disorder causing chronic pain throughout the body.  Proceeds from the concert will pay for a treatment program for Taylor that is not covered by medical insurance.  The students hope to raise the $20,000 needed for the treatment.

“Songs of Hope” will be held at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre and is scheduled for November 7 at 3 p.m.  The concert will feature performances by Country Tonight, Paul Harris, Voices of Glory, the BHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Premiere Dance Academy and Maddi Bailey.

Tickets may be purchased directly from the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre box office (239-1333), Branson High School Cheerleaders, or the Branson High School Gifted students.  All tickets are $10 each.

The Branson High School Fine Arts Department will host the Third Annual Ye Old Grub and Song Night scheduled November 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commons.  Cost is $10 for a handmade pottery bowl and dinner served by our students.  Children 12 and under can eat for $3 (without the pottery bowl).

Entertainment will be provided by the Chamber Singers, the Ladies Select Ensemble and The Grubby Players.  Questions may be directed to the Fine Arts Department by calling 334-6541, ext. 5422.

Branson, MO (September 22, 2010)-  Since 1950, when Skaggs Regional Medical Center opened its doors, safety of the community and its patients has been top priority.  Starting 13 years ago Skaggs introduced to Taney and Stone Counties drive-thru flu shot clinics.

“These clinics allowed community members easy access to a vaccine that had limited inoculation sites,” says Connie Meier, Skaggs Infection Control Practitioner.  “Over the past 13 years accessibility has changed.  Now you can find influenza vaccine in physician’s offices, county health departments and retail pharmacies.”

“For the past two years Skaggs Regional Medical Center has seen a decline in its number of flu shots administered during the donation drive-thru clinics,” says Michelle Leroux, Skaggs Media Relations Specialist.  “This caused us to re-evaluate the need for this event.  With the increased availability of influenza vaccine at numerous sites, we know our community is being adequately served.”

Skaggs Regional Medical Center is providing flu shots for $15 at three special walk-in clinics:

* Forsyth Medical Care, 13852 U.S. Hwy 160; Friday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Branson West Medical Care, 18452 State Hwy 13; Wednesday, October 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Skaggs Southside Family Clinic, 590 Birch Rd., Suite 1-C, Hollister; Thursday, October 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Skaggs clinics will also have ample supply of influenza vaccine to offer their patients.  Call your primary care provider to schedule an appointment.

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.  Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.  The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

In 2009-2010, a new and very different flu virus, called 2009 H1N1, spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years.  During the 2010-2011 flu season, the CDC expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to cause illness again along with other influenza viruses.  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses.

This flu season the CDC recommends everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season.  While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.  This group includes children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old; adults 65 years of age and older; pregnant women; and anyone who may have a chronic medical condition.

Individuals who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician include people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs; people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past; people who developed Guillian-Barre’ syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously; children younger than six months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group); and people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Here’s a handy list of the days and hours school is in session in the Branson School system and the phone numbers for “grafde”. The list was compiled from the email “News from Branson Schools”  published by the Branson School system.

School Days

Monday through Thursday
Grades K-4      8:45 – 3:45
Grades 5-6       8:21 – 3:22
Grades 7-8       8:00 – 3:01
Grades 9-12     7:30 – 2:31

Fridays
Grades K-4       8:45 – 2:45
Grades 5-6        8:21 – 2:22
Grades 7-8        8:00 – 2:01
Grades 9-11      7:30 – 1:31

Phone Numbers

Primary – 336-1887
Elementary East – 334-5137
Elementary West – 334-5135
Intermediate – 332-3201
Junior High – 334-3087
High School – 334-6511

Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association has hired Ramona Mormann, CMP, as Executive Director.

Mormann comes to BLALA with 5 years experience as executive director of MO Hotel & Lodging Association, a position she will retain. Prior to that, she has held various sales positions in hotels around Missouri.

Mormann specializes in membership development and growing associations. Her work focuses on recruiting hotel members and associate members to support the organization. Her duties include all administrative responsibilities.

“Ramona’s sales and association experience, knowledge of the state tourism industry and her enthusiasm for tourism, will serve her well at Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association,” said Lee Thomas, President of BLALA.

In addition, Mormann sits on the board of MO Travel Council, State Council for the CenStates Chapter of Tour and Travel Research Association and is a member of Missouri Society of Association Executives.

Editors Note: The Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association exists to serve and unite representatives of the lodging industry for the promotion and protection of their common interests. BLALA’s mission is to establish member properties as the preferred lodging properties of choice in the Branson / Lakes Area through communication, education, legislative action and the highest standards of professionalism; and to foster effective working relationships between lodging and associate members.