Branson Entertainment “Diamond” & Medical Clinic Team Up for One Day to Raise Funds & Awareness for A New Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks located in Branson.

Branson’s Neil Diamond Tribute Artist, Keith Allynn, will be hosting a Local Area Appreciation for his show, appropriately named, “A Neil Diamond Tribute”, Sunday, September 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pm. The Show is Free to Stone, Taney, Christian & Green County Residents with a donation for the New Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks.

The Clinic is a free, nondenominational faith-based medical facility for people who have no medical insurance. The clinic opened on November 11, 2008 and is currently opened Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights between 6 and 9 pm to see patients by appointment. Monday night clinics are specialty clinics for orthopedics, gynecology, pediatric and respiratory patients. Since November, over 600 patients have been helped.

Each person sees a physician or nurse practitioner and receives their medical care and necessary medicines at no cost. Each person also has a visit with a trained lay chaplain who presents the gospel to everyone and prays with each patient for their specific needs.

Everyone serving at the clinic volunteers their time and talents. There are no paid employees. The volunteers include 21 doctors, 40 nurses, 16 lay chaplains and over 30 lay volunteers. Expenses of the clinic include monthly rental of the office, utilities and cost of generic drugs purchased from Lakeland and Wal-Mart Pharmacies. All of the clinic equipment and supplies have been donated.

Skaggs Hospital has been an integral part of our services by providing a paperless system and IT person to maintain all medical records through the clinic. As well as free lab and x-rays, which alone is an invaluable resource and cost savings to the patient and the clinic.

A Prescription Program for long term prescription needs is also in place for patients with Diabetes, Heart Disease, etc. Many drug companies have a free prescription plan available, but the hoops can be confusing and time consuming for patients. At the clinic a nurse assists patients in jumping through those hoops making the assistance quicker to receive.

Keith Allynn, known to fans as “The Diamond Image”, due to his close look & sound to Neil, is excited about raising both funds and public awareness for the Free Clinic. His show opened in late June at the Hall of Fame Theater in the Branson Mall, located next to Wal-Mart on Hwy 76.

His “Diamond Style” show is a 70 minute concert which tells the story of Neil’s life, (and some of Keith’s Life), through Neil’s songs. Favorites include, Cherry, Cherry, America, Play Me, Craklin’ Rosie and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, (a duet which featuring Allynn’s wife, Diana Lynn) to name a few.

A Neil Diamond Tribute normally plays Tuesday – Saturday at 1:00 pm. This encore performance on Sunday, September 27th at 5:00 pm is for the area appreciation and filming of Allynn’s first DVD release. Many area entertainers and surprise guests will be in attendance. Allynn will end his first season on December 11th.

Doors open at 4:00 pm with general admission seating. Staff of the Clinic will be on hand to accept donations and provide information on becoming a volunteer or a patient.

The President, Eddie Murphy John Daly and Mickey Gilley are among those included in a tribute to Johnny Lee, as Lee joins Gene Williams on the “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show.” The show will be telecast Sept. 19 and 20.

The tribute will include a video covering Lee’s country music career produced by Williams. Williams said the video honors the career of this amazing man and including Lee’s “Lookin’ for Love” and “Urban Cowboy” to his television appearances, performances on the Grand Ole Opry, induction into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and an accolade from President Bush.

The Gene Williams TV Show is taped live in the NBC affiliate KY3 Studios in Springfield, MO and features the shows and stars from Branson and country music. The next taping is Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at the studios, 999 W. Sunshine, and a studio audience will be welcome. Guests will be the Liverpool Legends, Melody Clemmons and the Keatings.

The show is co-hosted by Katie Lynn who has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support Vocalist twice for her work in the “Mickey Gilley Show.” She has worked with Gilley for more than eight years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. She is finishing her fifth CD release titled Me and Jesus Laughing. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent.

Williams began his country music television show in Arkansas almost 50 years ago and for the past eight years taped the show in Branson live before a studio audience. Guests have included the late Ed McMahon, Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Johnny Lee, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, the Blackwood Brothers, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Charlie Louvin, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, “Diamond” Dave Somerville, Little Jimmy Dickens, the late Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent and Wanda Jackson.

Decision makers from Branson’s tourism industry will want to attend The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers’ (The Branson Show League) 3rd Annual Business Trade Show on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at the Chateau on the Lake Resort and Conference Center in Branson, Missouri. The annual “Spotlight On Vendors” Trade Show features services, products, and goods that are vital to the theater industry, as well as to the entire tourism focused community.

This business trade show is a great opportunity to review a wide range of products.  Exhibitors, from small to large companies, are participating. Branson.com and Branson Tourism Center are signature sponsors of The Branson Show League Vendor Fair. Over 50 booths provide an eclectic mix of services and products.

Participating vendors currently include: •Branson Tourism Center, Branson.com, Mountain Valley Water, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, CenturyTel, DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic, •TravelHost, Ticketmaster, Selby Publishing Company, Phil Erb Concessions, KOAM-TV Joplin, Creative Printing & Design, Springfield Grocer, Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM and Financial Associates), Branson Vacation Magazine, KHOZ Radio, Springfield Blueprint & Nimlok Exhibits, The Vacation Channel, A&J Printing, The UPS Store – Branson, •Springfield NewsLeader, PepsiAmericas, Branson TV & On Media, NUVOX, Showtime Catering, Direct To You, DAZZLEWEAR, Dale Nelson Trading Co., Native Signs, VIP Book/Graphix Café, Branson Tri-Lakes News, Sunny Day Guide, National Audio Company, ProAudio.com, D.L. Media, DeLong Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Hillyard-Branson, Branson ETC, DaZZee Intergrations, Bott Radio Network, Blue Water Designs, Table Rock Lake Area Chamber, •Harrison Daily Times, Digital Medium, The Branson Show League, Jack’s Shoe Repair, Insight Solutions, Bright Commercial Lighting, Ozark Mountain Newspapers, Digital LunchBox, and Service Master Restoration & Construction.

The quality and variety of Branson’s live music shows and family entertainment productions bring tens of thousands of new and repeat visitors to Branson each year, pumping big money into the local economy.  As member theatres celebrate their more than 50 years of success,  those businesses working with the show industry know first hand the partnerships necessary for the local economy to thrive and the buying power the show industry represents.

Buyers from tourism related business are invited to attend this one day event.  Please pre-register by sending an e-mail with your name, company you represent, and your position to [email protected].

Don’t miss the Branson Christian Action Ministries’ (CAM) Gospel Sing-Off at the Sight and Sound Theatre at 2:00 p.m. on Monday September 7 as 12 finalists compete for prizes from a $5,000 prize purse. In addition to being a lot of fun it is also a major fund raiser for CAM.

CAM Executive Director, Joan Westfall pointed out that the CAM Gospel Sing-Off is one of the major fund raisers for the CAM Food Pantry which helped 11,686 people last year. Of those, over 4,000 were children. In a recent interview Westfall pointed out that the need for CAM’s services are growing at a record pace this year.
She pointed out that all the money raised through the benefit will go directly to the CAM Food Pantry. She said that is possible because of all the volunteer work that has gone into the event, Sight and Sound Theatre has donated the theatre for the event and the $5,000 cash prize purse was donated by the Branson Tourism Center.

In sponsoring the $5,000 prize purse, Lianne Milton, co-owner of Branson Tourism Center (BTC) said, “CAM’s work and its Food Pantry directly impacts on the lives of thousands of people, a lot of them children, within our local community.” Lianne explained that Branson Tourism Center’s sponsorship of the prize purse for this major CAM fund raising effort is intended to support that work and is part of BTC’s ongoing commitment and involvement with its community.

The 12 finalists and one alternate were selected by a committee headed by veteran Branson show producer, Joe Sullivan, based on audio, video and other material submitted by the prospective contestants. The event will be emceed by Bob Hubbard, formerly with the Foggy River Boys and the Jordanaires. The judges deciding who will win the first place prize of $2,500, second place prize of $1,500 and third place prize of $1,000 will be Lee Loughnane, founding member of the legendary rock group Chicago, Ben Dutton of Branson’s Dutton Family and Mark Wright, Director of Benevolence for the James River Assembly in Ozark.

Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased at the Sight and Sound Theatre box office or call 1-800-377-1277.

1st Annual Guns & Hoses Fishing Tournament
Saturday, August 29
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

A benefit trout fishing tournament on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri, sponsored by Lilleys’ Landing Resort and Marina, 367 River Lane, Branson, MO, to raise money for the Branson Fire and Police auxiliary funds which help and support the Branson community.

If you need any assistance in registering for the tournament, please contact Kory Klein (417) 294-3319 or click here for addtional information

Branson, MO – Staff members from Myer Hotels will participate in a Community Caring Day food pantry drive for Relational Ministries’ Love Inc., on Tuesday, August 18th at the Branson and Branson West Country Mart grocery stores. Love Inc. is a proven program designed to aid families in financial management and self sufficiency.

Items such as canned vegetables, condiments, canned fruits, canned stews and soups, baking supplies, pasta, boxed meal kits, snacks, cereals, canned beverages, household cleaning supplies, baby products, and toiletries will be gratefully accepted at all Country Mart donation locations in Branson and Branson West. Tables will be set up from 9:00 am until 3:00 PM on Tuesday, August 18th outside these Country Mart stores.

Jeff Keen, Assistant General Manager of the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills is this year’s team leader for Myer Hotels. Jeff observed that “The Myer family is a consistent example to all of us of teamwork, volunteerism and community service. We wanted to pass that example along to our team members and community and felt that this project was the right choice.”

“We always have fun competing to see which teams can collect the most items, but more importantly we enjoy helping the community and seeing Branson families achieve their goals.” expressed Chris Myer, Vice President of Marketing for Myer Hotels.
About Myer Hotels

In the lodging business for over 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 25 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.

The Bleu Olive Mediterranean Grille & Bar is celebrating its one year anniversary with a Fine Wine and Food Tasting Social on August 18 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25.00 per person. Reservations may be made by phone at 417-332-2538 or via email [email protected].

The Bleu Olive is located in historic downtown Branson at 204 North Commercial Street.

Pencils, pens, rulers, crayons and some glue can make a difference in a child’s life. And one local bank is helping to make that difference.

From now through August 7th, Ozark Mountain Bank is collecting new school supplies. Supplies such as pencils, glue and paper can be dropped off at any Ozark Mountain Bank location during normal business hours. If someone prefers to make a cash donation, there is the opportunity for that as well. The monetary donations will be used to purchase backpack kits. The kits will give each child the basic supplies they need all with one backpack which they often need as well. In the past, new school supplies have had a very meaningful impact.

“Every child deserves to start the school year with new school supplies,” said Kandy Loehr, Taney County OACAC Supervisor. “It sets each child up for a successful year and we appreciate everyone who takes the time to contribute to this very worthwhile event.”

The supplies will be given to Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), Christian Action Ministries, The Salvation Army and Gift of Hope for distribution at their upcoming School Readiness Fair on July 29th. Any supplies given after that will be donated to the schools.

“Going back to school can be a stressful time for some families and I know there is an even greater need this year,” Ozark Mountain Bank President and CEO C. Craig Richards said. “We are glad that we can help out by collecting school supplies but the real credit goes to the four organizations that are working together to assist area families in need.”

Ozark Mountain Bank lobby locations include the Main Bank in downtown Branson, Cedar Ridge located next to Country Mart on Hwy. 248, Branson West which is inside the Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Hollister facility at the corner of the Highway 65 interchange.

Anyone who has questions can call the OACAC Neighborhood Center at (417) 239-1882 or Ozark Mountain Bank at (417) 334-4125.

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The deadline to sign up for a booth at the Branson Area Business Expo 2009 is Friday, July 31. The Expo will be open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, in the Chateau on the Lake Resort & Convention Center. The Expo provides members of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce the opportunity to showcase their goods and services. Springfield Business Journal is a partner in the event.

From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., sponsor The Center for Workforce Development at Ozarks Technical Community College will present a free workshop on “Lean” principles that can be adapted by the service industry to reduce waste.
There also will be a members-only Business After Hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Call Ladonna Johnson at 334-4084, ex. 314, or go online to www.bransonchamber.com. (BLACC CC)

Branson’s  Skaggs Regional Medical Center welcomes Gary Lambert as its new Director of Human Resources.  Lambert will lead the department in the same outstanding customer service Skaggs provides to its patients on an internal customer-oriented basis; addressing all staff needs of Skaggs.

Prior to joining the team at Skaggs Lambert worked for a number of years in hotel management, transitioning to Human Resources in 1988.  He worked as Director of Human Resources at Grosvenor Resort at Walt Disney World Village for 9 years and came to the Ozarks in 1997 as the Director of Human Resources at Big Cedar Lodge, where he worked for almost 12 years.  His training programs geared toward customer service will capitalize the already strong dedication Skaggs’ employees have to their customers.

Lambert says, “Skaggs is a highly respected employer in this area and everyone working here should be very proud of that fact.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the team here at Skaggs.”

Lambert and his wife, Debby, have been married for 35 years.  Debby works for the City of Branson.  Lambert says his mother, Barbara, has lived in Branson since 2000 and has worked as a Skaggs Volunteer since 2003 in the Surgical Waiting area.