Christian Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author Dave Ramsey will speak at College of the Ozarks on October 4, at 7 p.m., in the Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex. The prelude will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required to this special convocation. There is no cost for the tickets, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. To obtain tickets, please call (417) 690-2240.

America’s trusted voice on money and business, Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert and extremely popular national radio personality. His three New York Times best-selling books-Financial Peace, More Than Enough and The Total Money Make-over-have sold more than six million copies combined.

“The College is honored to welcome Dave Ramsey to campus,” said Dr. Sue Head, executive director of The Keeter Center for Character Education. “His goal of helping people live debt- free dovetails perfectly with the College’s own attitude toward debt. The College is debt- free and we strongly encourage our students to live by the same principle.”
By age 26 Ramsey had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age 30. Using the wisdom he gained, Ramsey rebuilt his financial life and now teaches others how to be responsible with their money, so they can acquire enough wealth to take care of loved ones, retire with dignity, and give generously to others.
Ramsey offers that life-changing message as host of a nationally syndicated radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show,” which is heard by 4.5 million listeners each week. His also offers his message of hope through a variety of mediums and products. His high school and college curriculums are offered in more than 10,000 schools and educational institutions.
The major convocation featuring Dave Ramsey is part of The Keeter Center for Character Education Community Convocation Series. For more information, please contact Character Education Office at (417) 690-2242.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri is the site chosen to host the 2012 National Ice Carving Competition, a preliminary for competitors to end up in the city of Sochi, Russia, the host city for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014. The two-day event will be held on Sat., Feb. 4, and Sun., Feb. 5, 2012.
“We are very excited to have the Titanic in Branson host the 2012 NICA U.S. Nationals. This two-day ice carving competition brings the nation’s best ice carvers together for a chance at the title of NICA U.S. Nationals Champion. This will be one of our premier stops on NICA’s International Tour Champions Ice Carving Competition Circuit, currently the largest circuit in the world,” said Jeff Petercsak, Executive Director, National Ice Carving Association.

The NICA US National Championship is one of the toughest competitions in the world, crowning three premier champions from this event; Speed Carving Champion, Professional Division US Champion, and US National Champion.

“Since 1991, the National Ice Carving Championships have been the premier event in the United States that crowns NICA’s National Champion. You must qualify at this event by placing first, second, or third at any NICA sanctioned competition or scoring a bronze medal in your lifetime to compete,” remarked Ross Summers, President/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. “This two-day event boasts a large prize purse of $25,000!”

The Master Division will carve three blocks of ice on Saturday and one block of ice on Sunday. The Professional Division will carve one block of ice on Saturday and two blocks of ice on Sunday. Dimensions of each block of ice are 40x20x10 inches and each ice block weighs in at 300 pounds. Carvers will use a large array of tools such as chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, hot irons, knives, drills, and much more.

Each carver is evaluated by a panel of NICA (National Ice Carving Association) judges on the following categories: First impression; Utilization of ice; Technical skill (features, textures or effects); Attention to detail; Appearance; Structural technique; Proportion and symmetry; Design & composition; Creativity (technique, topic, theme); and Artistic impression.
2010 Nationals were held in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2008 and 2009, the Nationals were held in Chicago/Downers Grove, Ill. During the 2010 Olympics in Richmond, BC, Canada, the USA NICA carvers won 1st and 5th places in the Ice Division.
“The Titanic Museum has been a great supporter of NICA competitions in the past and we are very excited that the city of Branson was chosen to host our National Championships. It is where the best ice sculptors in the country compete and where one, and only one, competitor will be crowned the 2012 National Champion,” stated Stephan Koch, 2011 NICA President.

In honor of the twelve honeymoon couples – Titanic Branson and Titanic Pigeon Forge will host a Royal Wedding on the $1 million Grand Staircase – potential brides will submit their videos explaining why they would like to be married on the Grand Staircase. Titanic Crew will pick three brides for each location and the web viewer will pick (by voting) which couple will be married on the Grand Staircase. Plus the web viewers will pick her dress, flowers, cake and honeymoon destination. A very active web component to the honor bestowed.

Contest begins August 1st, 2011

Big Cedar invites kids ages 7-13 to come learn basic camping skills at this fun day camp held in the great outdoors. The kids will get to pitch a tent, build a fire, enjoy archery, rifle shooting, identify plants and animals, play games, and sing a new song. Transportation to and from Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, admission, morning snack, campfire lunch, and a drawstring backpack full of goodies are included.

Meet at Big Cedar’s Guest Services at 8:45am. These camps take place on Saturday’s from 9:00am – 2:00pm and are $50 per participant. Please call Guest Services at 1-800-225-6343 for reservations or more information. Reservations are required.

We are happy to announce that beginning Monday, July 11th, we will be expanding our Wine 101 classes. Wine 101 will now be held Monday thru Friday at 11:00 am, at 2:00 pm and at 5:00 pm, and Saturdays at 11:00 am. The class lasts an hour and the price is only $15.00 per person. Please join us at Mount Pleasant Winery for this unique educational experience. Call 417-336-9463 to make your reservations today!

OZARK MOUNTAIN LEGACY LAUNCHES YOUTH CHARTER INITIATIVE

Citizens from across OMC gather to discuss our preferred Youth Culture in OMC

Over twenty passionate individuals from across Ozark Mountain Country gathered last week to discuss our ideal Youth Culture to help our area youth succeed. Teachers, coaches, pastors, police, parents, superintendents, young people and young at heart gathered at the God and Country Welcome Center, in Branson, with one common goal: to deliver our Ozark Mountain Legacy Values to our next generation – in a way that speaks the language of our youth, shows them that we really care and invites our youth to participate in this important community process.

Inspired by the book, The Youth Charter – by William Damon, Jory Rolf, Legacy Administrator, envisioned our community coming together to be more intentional and cooperative in helping our young people: build a stronger sense of purpose, experience a greater sense of community and community values and to become the most effective future leaders of our area and country.

The YOUTH CHARTER is an approach that brings together all adults who are in positions to influence young people – parents, teachers, town officials, police, clergy, sports coaches, club leaders, counselors, news media, employers and our area youth – in a quest to cooperatively define our community’s ideal standards for successful youth development.

The next Legacy Youth Charter Meeting will be July 21 from 6:30-8:00pm at the YMCA in Hollister. The Legacy Youth Charter Catalyst Team invites you to participate in this very important and impactful next step meeting. Young people are invited to attend.

For more information visit www.ozarkmountainlegacy.org

To RSVP, please call 417/598-1314 or email: [email protected].

By: Shelby Gray

College of the Ozarks Ralph Foster Museum will host an exhibit celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts. The exhibit will focus on the history of the Girl Scouts in the Ozarks region.

The Ralph Foster Museum is currently seeking loaner Girl Scout memorabilia such as scouting uniforms, badges, photos and stories relating to the Girl Scouts, Brownies or Daisies.

The exhibit will open March 12, 2012 and will run through October 2012 in the Edwards Art Gallery of the Museum. For more information about the exhibit or about loaning memorabilia, please contact Annette Sain at the Ralph Foster Museum at (417) 690-3407 or [email protected].

By: Shelby Gray

Carrying irrigation pipes, picking vegetables or milking cows is just part of a typical day for a summer C of O student working to pay for his/her room and board. While other college students spend their summer days sleeping in, C of O students are working campus jobs.

The Summer Work Program (SWP) is a room and board scholarship opportunity that provides students the option to work either a 6 or 12 week session during the summer to pay room and board for the following year. Students working six weeks can cover the room and board for the fall semester, and students working all 12 weeks can work off an entire year’s room and board. Additionally, by participating, students receive room and board during the summer program.

Junior Renay Renyer, assigned as a counselor at the College’s summer camp for area children, is just one of the many students who rely on the program every year. One of six siblings, she is the third Renyer to attend College of the Ozarks. She and her younger sister are currently participating in the SWP. Renyer said that with such a large family, money for room and board would be hard to come by. “If it weren’t for the Summer Work Program, I would have to stay at home and work a summer job,” she said. “I don’t know how I’d be able to pay the difference.”

The number of students working varies slightly each year. Each summer the College accepts roughly 500 students, about one third of its student body. Numbers are based on the College’s need for labor, so that all students involved will have a job to do.

Students who demonstrate the most financial need, based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive first consideration for the scholarship that equates to roughly $2,800 dollars per six weeks. The scholarship money can only be applied toward room and board.

SYMPHONY OF HEARTS FOR JOPLIN – BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HOMES OF HOPE – FEATURING DINO KARTSONAKIS, DENVER & THE MILE HIGH ORCHESTRA, MARK CHAPMAN & MORE!

Branson Landing invites everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening of music and hope on Monday, July 4th – benefiting our neighbors in Joplin, Missouri.

The Symphony of Hearts for Joplin Event will kick off at 8pm – Monday, July 4th, featuring and hosted by Dino Kartsonakis, Grammy Award-winning performer of our time, known as “America’s Piano Showman”, a title aptly given to him by more than 80 million people who have witnessed his majestic piano styling each year.

Joining Dino on this special evening, will be Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, a group of Belmont University students that wowed all of America as they made the finale of the FOX-TV “American Idol” spin off of “The Next Great American Band.”

Also joining the stage will be special guest, Mark Chapman, Songwriter and Nashville recording artist from Pierce City, Missouri, a local favorite of Branson Landing’s Summer Concert Series will also take the stage for a special performance, not soon to be forgotten. Mark’s new song, co-written with Bill Bruce, “Where Would You Go (If You Couldn’t Go Home)” has touched many, as it’s soulful tune depicts the loss of his Joplin neighbors from the May 2011 Tornado.

This concert event will be the inaugural fundraising event for the nonprofit organization founded in Branson and all proceeds raised at the concert will be donated to Homes of Hope Joplin. VIP Seating will be available for a $20 donation.

Homes of Hope Joplin was created to build homes for those whose homes were destroyed in the May 22, 2011 tornado. The goal is to build 20 energy efficient, cost effective, small carbon footprint homes. Homeowners will contribute to the cost of the home.

For more information or to help our friends in Joplin, please visit www.homesofhopejoplin.org today.
Homes of Hope Joplin, Building Homes – Giving Hope.

THE FRANKLIN MINT AND TONY ORLANDO:
A UNIQUE MARRIAGE OF TWO ICONS

TONY ORLANDO JOINS THE FRANKLIN MINT AS A PARTNER AND VICE CHAIRMAN

NEW YORK – June 16, 2011 – Tony Orlando, one of the most beloved and iconic American Entertainers for the past 50 years, has joined forces as a Partner and Vice Chairman with The Franklin Mint, the most trusted brand in the world for Gifts, Heirlooms and Personalized Collectibles.

“No one speaks to America with more passion and credibility than Tony Orlando. He brings a product development and marketing sensibility crafted through his accomplishments. Tony will lead The Franklin Mint’s vigorous efforts to embrace new branding in film, television and music, incorporating all digital and traditional platforms. We are honored to welcome Tony to The Franklin Mint as our Partner, and to our Leadership Team,” said Mr. Robert H. Book, Chairman of the Franklin Mint.

Orlando has also been set for a major role in the next Adam Sandler movie, I HATE YOU DAD!. The film is currently shooting in Cape Cod.

Tony Orlando’s career started at sixteen in 1961. Tony’s commitment to America’s veterans began in 1973 when “Yellow Ribbon” became the anthem for our military. For over three decades Tony was the Vice President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and hosted the New York portion of the MDA Telethon for his friend,

“The Franklin Mint empowers Americans to share in some of the country’s most poignant moments. I have been a Franklin Mint collector since I was a child. The company has touched America’s heart with its integrity, creativity and quality,” said Tony Orlando. “I am going to work very hard with my Franklin Mint partners, and I will continue to perform around the country and the world. I’m most excited about my newest journey with The Franklin Mint.”

Under Tony Orlando’s leadership The Franklin Mint is planning to introduce the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom, Wounded Warrior Sculpture, the Yellow Ribbon of Freedom Sculpture and several more products that honor the men and women of the United States military.

About The Franklin Mint

An American icon, The Franklin Mint was founded in 1964 and is known worldwide for its innovative design, meticulous attention to detail and creation of the highest-quality gifts, heirlooms, and collectibles in the world. The Franklin Mint’s peerless archives contain over 12,000 products, including Limited Edition fine art sculptures, heirloom dolls, fine commemorative coins, designer jewelry, precision die-cast models and historic reproductions.

http://www.franklinmint.com/TonyOrlando

http://www.franklinmint.com/tonyorlando_video